OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society Inc. Our 46th Year of Service to Cincinnati in Amateur Radio A Special Service Club of the American Radio Relay League (the national association for Amateur Radio) OFFICERS & BOARD President Phil Smith KG8AP 513=771-7839 kg8ap@arrl.net Vice President Brian DeYoung K4BRI 859=635-0596 k4bri@arrl.net Cor. Secretary Carol Hugentober WA8YL 513=661-5323 wa8yl@arrl.net Rec. Secretary Susie Scott N8CGM 513=385-5201 n8cgm@arrl.net Treasurer Rick Haltermon KD4PYR 859=384-3311 kd4pyr@arrl.net Directors Ken Croll N8ASV 513=202-1208 n8asv@arrl.net Lynn Ernst WD8JAW 859=657-6161 wd8jaw@arrl.net Nathan Ciufo KA3MTT 859=586-2435 ka3mtt@arrl.net Trustee/Licensee Bob Frey WA6EZV 513=741-9953 wa6ezv@arrl.net REPEATERS K8SCH/R APRS WIDE 146.67(-) 146.625(-) 146.925(-) 442.775(+) 144.39 K8SCH-10 Web Pages www.ohkyin.org w3.one.net/~bfrey/okidx.html (DX) Link in season to OH-KY-IN Hamfest page, Permanent link to Foxhunting page Regular monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM local time at the Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Rd. (corner of Sidney & Covedale) in Western Hills, Cincinnati. Visitors are ALWAYS welcome! For membership information contact Ken Croll N8ASV 9998 Dick Rd. Harrison OH 45030 513=202-1208 [n8asv@arrl.net] Permission is hereby granted to any amateur radio group to quote or reprint from this publication, provided proper source credit is given. The Q-FIVER is the official newsletter of OH-KY-IN ARS, edited & published monthly by the following amateurs: Susie Scott N8CGM 6351 Daleview Road 45247 513=385-5201 Editor Jack Koch KA8JFE 2135 Central Parkway 45214 513=721-1203 Publisher, Keystone Printing Co. Please send submissions for the Q-FIVER (including notice of upgrades & call changes) as well as circulation problems & address changes to Ye Ed. Susie N8CGM. These may be: > mailed to or dropped off at 6351 Daleview Rd, Cinti OH 45247 > telephoned to 513=385-5201 any time (answerer takes up to 4 min. dictation) > e-mailed to [n8cgm@arrl.net] THE Q-FIVER March 2004 Volume 46 Number 3 From the President I recently read an article in Technology Review that I would like to share with you. It stimulated my interest in a radio pioneer, Al Gross W8PAL. Al was a licensed ham, who in the late 1930's invented the "walkie-talkie". It was during his college years at Cleveland's Case University that he discovered a way to make vacuum tubes operate at frequencies above 100 MHz. By 1938 he had already constructed a set of working battery powered units. Needless to say, the OSS (Office of Strategic Services, later to become the CIA) was very interested in using this mode of communication to prevent detection behind enemy lines during WW II. In 1948 he founded the Citizens Radio Corporation to commercialize this technology for farmers, the US Coast Guard, etc. By 1948 he invented the telephone pager and was writing numerous papers on cordless and cellular telephony. In 1958 he received FCC approval for his pager transceiver system, which ironically was pooh-poohed by doctors (his original target audience), Bell Telephone, and other carriers. (How many Docs and other professionals do you see today without a pager or cell-phone? Pretty ironic isn't it?) And just to think, all of this started when he was nine years old and allowed to listen in on a trans-mission by a steamboat's radio operator. By the age of 12 he built a radio station from parts sal-vaged from junkyards and earned his amateur radio license by 16. Though Mr. Gross passed on a few years ago, his contributions to society and amateur radio still live on. This is just one of the examples of why we show and encourage the hobby to anyone young or old, whenever we have the opportunity. You never know what that sudden spark of curiosity may initiate. Our club offers many resources and opportunities to further our interests and dreams, from radio licensing classes, and special activities like Field Day, ARDF, Foxhunting, Robotics, Contests, Food & Clothing Drive, Repeater Technical Support, EchoLink, and Parades communications (and more), to our monthly presentations. However, everyone should realize that inspiring stories, like the one about Al Gross, will never happen unless we reach out and talk it up. I en-courage you to take the initiative and share your hobby with the people around you: work asso-ciates, neighbors, children, brothers, sisters and relatives. Invite them to our meetings and events. At our next meeting, Rich Griffiths W2RG will be presenting on an area of communication that few of us have explored -- Weak Signal VHF/UHF. Like the story above, we will be learning more about the frequencies above 100 MHz. I highly encourage you to attend and learn more about this area. We are very excited about developing this into another special interest group within our club and hope that you will join us. Until then, take care and share your amateur radio experiences. God bless. 73, Phil KG8AP Next meeting The next meeting of the Oh-Ky-In Amateur Radio Society will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at Western Hills Church of Christ, 5064 Sidney Rd. At that meeting, Rich Griffiths W2RG will discuss his experiences in weak-signal work in the VHF through microwave bands and the many opportunities there for all radio amateurs. He will propose forming a new VHF-up group within OH-KY-IN, and invite all interested members to join the group and help guide its activi-ties. The presentation will include slides and a sample setup of a simple, practical "rover" station for VHF/UHF. Coming west from town on Glenway Avenue, pass Ferguson Rd and turn left into Sidney between the BP gas station and Sebastian’s Greek restaurant, just before the Frisch’s. Then turn right at the stoplight into the drive down to the chu8rch parking lot. The entrance is at the back of the building, Plenty of parking is available. If you live in Ohio, don’t forget to vote in the primary election before you come to the meeting. 73, Brian K4BRI Minutes of members’ meeting, February 2, 2003 Phil KG8AP called the meeting to order at 7:35 with the Pledge of Allegiance and self-introductions. There were about 25 present. Guests were Glenn Ward and Mike KC8YOM and David KC8YTJ Hornsby, new licencees about to become members. Health and welfare: Clara Longano KB8DCH became SK the end of last week, mass was yesterday. Brag: Rick KD4PYR related that Thomas More College has $13,000 in scholarships available, Laurie KF4YWG might qualify for some of it. Brian K4BRI then started the program on licence restructuring and what some other countries are doing. The restructuring in 2000 was not completed, this is the rest of it to pull us into line with international standards. Novice looks to be returning with an easier exam, no CW but power restrictions. The new General licence doesn’t do the code exam either but has access to the low bands; Technician and Technician Plus will be grandfathered in. Extra gets a little more spectrum, Advanced will be grandfathered. The UK now has Foundation, Intermediate and Full licences with a 400 w power limit. Countries have been making their own decisions re Morse exam. There is not a comments window open yet at the FCC! Brian commented that he always gets an answer on CW but not on phone. Program ended at 8 PM. Quickie board meeting at 8:05 to deal with the current repeater problems. KG8AP, WA6EZV, N8ASV, N8YC, WA8YL, KD4PYR, N8CGM were present. Price for controller is now up to $399. WA8YL moved to OK the extra $200, WA6EZV second, motion carried. We’d already bought another Yaesu, a 7000. It’s going back to the factory after a plug into the 12v Doug Hall voter (it expected 5v). It’s now at .925. The 5000 goes back to Yaesu for warranty repair, then to .925 so the other 7000 can be fixed. N8ASV observed that we need more money. Board meeting ended at 8:15 PM. Business meeting started at 8:18 PM. Phil KG8AP thanked Jo KD4PYS for hospitality. Carol WA8YL corrected the minutes of last meeting to indicate that class runs from Feb. 19 to April 29 with exams May 1. Sam KJ8K moved to accept as corrected, Howard WB8QOH second, motion carried. Ken N8ASV reported 113 2004 members. Rick KD4PYR handed around copies of the treasurer’s report for review. He’s still waiting for the bus bill to be able to close the ARDF Team sub-account. One member has paid 2005 dues. Sales tax added to phone bills has increased the repeater phone bill by $2. Income for the new year is $520, expense $561.82. Silent Key: Bruce N8BV will send Clara Longano KB8DCH (SK)’s family a letter. Technical Committee: Brian K4BRI reported that the weekend before, .67 and .925 were both down. .925 has been on cycling repeat and timing out. The plan was to have frequency-agile repeater units to back each other up. .925 was on limp-home mode in terrible weather. .67 is up and running, needs audio level tweak. Committee meets at .67 next week. Functions will be back on .925 shortly. Heater for 440 not heating, 440 froze up. Exciter working, not power amp. Bruce N8BV replaced the heater. .925 will be minimally-functional for a while. Committee meeting will be same time as Hamfest committee. Harry WA8LOJ reported no change in equipment inventory. Slow-scan TV net will be tomorrow, the usuals checked in last month. Carol WA8YL said classes begin Feb. 19. No extras presently, only a few for general. A handicapped individual expressed interest; Carol promised him help to get in. Phil KG8AP thanked the instructors. Bob WA6EZV announced ARDF and fox scheduled practice sessions in March or April. Some of the gear will be reworked and combined with an orienteering event. Last fox hunt, Ernie W8EH transmitted from the California nature preserve and caused reflections into Ft Thomas. Next hunt is Valentine’s Day. Those who are interested are invited to ride along. DXpedition: Eric N8YC said only 4 attended the Jan. 20 meeting; preliminary discussion took place. It’s hoped to have 3-4 possible sites by April, definitely by May or June. Anyone who wants to go or help, please advise. It’s desired to have this DXpedition at a genuine IOTA location (rules change often). Next meeting Feb. 17 at 7:30 PM at Carol WA8YL’s. Library: Jim KC8PRY announced the donation of 2001 and 2003 QSTs. Phil KG8AP reported for the robotics group that they met at Brian K4BRI’s last time and he solved some problems they had. Tech Talk: Bruce N8BV announced that Brian K4BRI is the new regular 4th Wednesday and Greg W2ORO the new alternate. Hamfest meeting Feb. 10 at Carol WA8YL’s, hamfest itself July 24 at Diamond Oaks. No ARPSC or WARN report. QCEN’s Tuesday Ten net will be at 9 PM on 147.24, on simplex once a month. Dale KC8HQS said the website calendar is updated. Awards Committee meets after the Hamfest committee on the 10th, Call Eric N8YC, Phil KG8AP or Jo KD4PYS with suggestions. Awards dinner will be Tue. March 30 at Sorrento’s, $20 includes tax and tip. Committee chairs please send lists of their members to Carol WA8YL for wallpaper. CW Proficiency: Brian K4BRI is still accepting entries. No foreign entries this year, a few domestic. There was no old business. New business: Joyce Collins-Whitson N8YCI would have won the attendance incentive again had she been present. As she was not, the amount will be $15 next month. Surprisingly, David Hornsby KC8YTJ drew his own ticket for the $12 split-the-pot. Howard WB8QOH moved to adjourn at 8:45 PM, second by acclamation and motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Susie Scott N8CGM, Recording Secretary Valentine foxhunt less tricky The February edition of the monthly OH-KY-IN fox hunt saw a reversion back to simpler times as all that was required was to find the fox. The fox nested behind Princeton Bowl near Tri-county mall. Due to the location some 45 watts were used to provide a signal to the start location. Brian took the direct route up I-75 while the other teams worked their way up Winton Road then east. Results follow: Brian K4BRI and Emily K4MLE - 13.0 Miles 23 minutes Dick WB4SUV and Janie - 15.7 Miles 36 minutes Ernie W8EH and Elaine KC8WOF - 18.2 Miles 44 minutes 73, Bob WA6EZV ==>FCC OKAYS BPL PROPOSAL The FCC has unanimously approved a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to deploy Broadband over Power Line (BPL). The NPRM is the next step in the BPL proceeding, which began last April with a Notice of Inquiry that attracted nearly 5200 comments--many from the amateur community. The FCC did not propose any changes in emission limits for unlicensed Part 15 devices, but said it would require BPL providers to apply "adaptive" interference mitigation techniques to their systems. An ARRL delega-tion that attended the February 12 FCC open meeting in Washington later expressed disappointment in the FCC action. "The Commission clearly recognized that the existing Part 15 emissionlimits are inadequate to stop interfe-rence," Sumner said," but it's placing the burden of interference mitigation on the licensed user that's supposed to be protected," said ARRL CEO David Sumner K1ZZ. Sumner said that if the FCC really believed current Part 15 emission limits were sufficient, it would not have had to require that BPL providers institute interference mitigation systems. The FCC has not yet re- leased the actual NPRM, and a presentation by the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) revealed only its broad outlines. Sumner said the League would not take a formal position until it reviews the full NPRM. Anh Wride of the OET staff spelled out the scope of the NPRM, which only addresses so-called "access BPL"--the type that would apply radio frequency energy to exterior overhead and underground low and medium-voltage power lines to distribute broadband and Internet service. She said the OET staff believes that interference concerns "can be adequately addressed." Wride said the FCC's BPL NPRM: * Applies existing Part 15 emission limits for unlicensed carrier-current systems to BPL systems. Part 15 rules now require that BPL systems eliminate any harmful interference that may occur "and must cease operation if they cannot," she noted. * Requires BPL systems to employ "adaptive interference-mitigation techniques, including the capabilities to shut down a specific device, to reduce power levels on a dynamic or remote-control basis and to include or exclude specific operating frequencies or bands." * Subjects BPL providers to notification requirements that would establish a public database that would in-clude the location of BPL devices, modulation type and operating frequencies. * Proposes guidelines to provide for consistent and repeatable measurement of the RF emissions from BPL and other carrier-current systems. Mirroring his colleagues' enthusiasm, FCC Chairman Michael Powell called BPL "tremendously exciting," although he conceded that BPL has "a long way to go." Powell also said the FCC's OET has worked very hard to try to "get their hands around" the issue of interference and that the FCC would continue its vigi-lance in that area. The FCC has posted additional information, including a public notice on its Web site. The Commission is expected to issue the complete Notice of Proposed Rule Making within a few days and will invite comments on it sometime after publication. Additional information about BPL and Amateur Radio is on the ARRL Web site . To support the League's efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site . --The ARRL Letter, Vol. 23, No. 07, February 13, 2004 DX Extras March 2003 Sun Spot activity has not been the best but there is always something out there to work. Here are a few offerings for the next month or two. 425 DX News DXpedition of 2003 Survey Maury IZ1CRR is soliciting "votes" for the best 2003 DXpedition. European votes have been double the North American votes. NA Dxers go to the web site http://www.425DXN.org/trophy_2003/ to vote. Up Coming DX 5W - Samoa - Look for 5W0SS from March 25 to April 10. VK9NB - Norfolk - Babs DL7AFS and Lot DJ7ZG will be on Norfolk Island March 1 for two weeks. YI - Iraq There are several hams operating and more planned. YI9YMA George, is active until April 15. YI9RVT – Dwayne KE4RV, is currently active but limited to battery power. Allen K7ABL is expected to start operating around the end of February. E3 - Eritrea - This operation scheduled for mid February was cancelled at the last moment. Christmas Island - KH6DFW/T32BI will be active from Christmas Island from March 1 to 8 using the call T32I. Dayton DX Dinner Banquet - The 19th Annual Southwest Ohio DX Association banquet is Friday, May 14, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dayton, OH. Tickets are $32 each. Make checks payable to SWODXA and send with an SASE to Steve Bolia N8BJQ, 7354 Thackery Rd, Springfield OH 45502. Antarctic Activity Week - If you have a chance look for one of several ???ANT calls between Feb. 22 and 28th. As usual check the ARRL DX Bulletins for sudden changes in activity. Till next month, 73, Bob WA6EZV Contests March 2004 1 Spartan Sprint, CW 6-7 ARRL International DX Contest, SSB; DARC 10-Meter Digital "Corona" Contest (German); EU EME Contest, all mode 13-15 YL International Single Sideband System QSO Party; RSGB Commonwealth Contest, CW; WI QSO Party, SSB & CW; OK QSO Party, all mode; NA RTTY Sprint, sponsored by NCJ 20-22 Russian DX Contest, CW & SSB; VA QSO Party, CW & SSB; Spring QRP Home-brewer Sprint, CW/ & PSK31; 10-10 Mobile Contest, all mode; CLARA and Family HF Contest, CW & SSB 27-28 CQ WW SSB WPX Contest; EU EME Contest, 144 MHz, 1.3 and 10 GHz Some interesting contests. I'd love to see the winner in action for the single op RTTY entry in the 10-10 mobile contest! For more information see QST, CQ, or http://www.arrl.org/contests/months/mar.html 73, Dan KF4AV The Oh-Ky-In ARS Annual Awards Dinner is Tuesday March 30, 2004 at Sorrento's Rest-aurant in Reading, 8794 Reading Rd. 6:30 PM for Happy Hour and Dinner at 7 PM. Cost of the dinner is $20.00, which includes tax and tip. Menu for this year is: • Spaghetti and Meatballs served with Salad • Chicken Breast ala Parmigiana served with Spaghetti and Salad • Baked Orange Roughy served with Salad and Potato • 6oz. Filet Mignon served with Salad and Potato • Half Slab BBQ Baby Loin Ribs served with Salad and Potato Reservations, call Carol WA8YL at 513=661-5323 Come and see who Oh-Ky-In's Ham of the Year will be and also many other awards. Plus plenty of nice door prizes. Rick promises he will have at least one joke for us and Phil has a few jokes up his sleeve. Come and have a good time with all of us. This is a nice family night out. Bring the wife and kids. 33/73, Carol WA8YL Greetings Emergency Communicators The March meeting of ARPSC will be Friday, March 5, 2004 in the Conference Room at the Communi-cations Center. Make sure you park in the Board of Education lot across the street, not in the sheriff’s lot -- they will tow you!!! The meeting will start promptly at 8 PM. This month’s topic was still open at Q-Fiver deadline. Also, please be aware that the ID cards are running out and we need new pictures from everyone. First aid kits are available for $15 for your go-kits or car. Hard hats are available also for $15. See you on the air or at the monthly meeting 73, Tim Callahan KC8QCE, AEC Hamilton Co (relayed by KB8ROA) Communicators needed, Scouting for Food & Clothing Drive, March 28, 2004 The OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society will again provide radio communications for the Scouting for Food and Clothing Drive. Volunteers are needed to provide radio contact with the various loading points around the Greater Cincinnati area with Goodwill Headquarters. About 25 communicators are needed for this event. The 2004 Scouting for Food and Clothing Drive will be held on Sunday, March 28. Communicators will be needed from about 12:45 PM through about 4:30 PM. Depending on your assigned location, 2 meter mobile and/or hand held operation will be the course of the day. If you've never worked a public service event before, this one is a great event to become familiar with this type of communications. If you are available and would like additional information, or to sign up, please call Bruce Vanselow N8BV at 513= 251-1555 or 513=471-7373. If you'd rather inquire by email, send to [n8bv@juno.com] for a quick reply. 73, Bruce N8BV WEAVER'S WORDS -- VALENTINE'S DAY EDITION BPL As most of you know, FCC has announced it will issue a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on BPL very soon. At the time the NPRM is publicised, you will have additional opportunity to write FCC to protest. The Commission has asserted BPL will be done in a manner that will avoid interference, but they are leaving policing of this to the Power Companies. My only thought is that self-policing is great when it is actually done. Isn't this BPL thing sort of like hiring the fox to guard the hen house? The Power Compa-nies have proven time and time again as an industry that they cannot or will not manage interference caused by broken insulators, capacitors, etc. Will this all change? In reality, provided FCC acts aggressively to prevent interference, as they say they will, we will not be in bad shape. I'm not holding my breath for long, though. Keep your eyes on arrl.org and on further E-mail information from me. Each source will advise you when and how comments can be made. In the meantime, I strongly encourage any member who is experiencing interference from a faulty power line to write (USPS or E-mail) the company and complain. Be as specific as possible. Above all, keep copies of your correspondence with them. If they do not respond within a reasonable time, write again. Keep a copy. If you do not get a timely response or if the problem is not fixed, please send a copy of your file to Riley Hollingsworth. Include a letter explaining the situation. Let's get the power companies on notice that they have to keep their acts clean. AMATEUR RADIO SPECTRUM PROTECTION ACT The new year 2004 is here. Congress is back in session. It is time to renew our campaign to gain sponsors for the Spectrum Protection Act. I've written about this several times previously, but if you need further information, let me know. I'll be happy to send whatever you need to you. Other than for this, please write to your US Representative and to each of your US Senators. Ask them to co-sponsor HR 713 (House) and S 537 (Senate), the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act as it has been introduced into each of these houses. For sample letters, go to: http://www.arrl.org/govrelations /arspa .html#write. Please personalize your letter by adding an example of a fairly recent public service/ emer-gency communications activity that was held in your state or the Representatives' District. To learn your Representative's name and address, go to: http://www.house.gov/writerep/. To learn your Senators' names and addresses, go to: http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm. It is possible in most cases to send E-mail letters to Representatives and Senators right from the page that has their names and addresses. Please copy me on your letters and any replies you receive. I will forward these to our lobbyist in DC for his follow-up. If you have written before, please do it again. There is an exception to this request. It would not be correct to ask a Representative or Senator who has already co-signed the bill to do this again. It would be nice to send a thank you note to them, but not one to ask them to do what they've already done. A list of Great Lakes Division Representatives and Senators who have already co-signed is given below. The dates are when they became co-sponsors. Rep Brown, Sherrod - 11/4/2003 [OH-13] Rep Gillmor, Paul E. - 6/9/2003 [OH-5] Rep Hoekstra, Peter - 10/30/2003 [MI-2] Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs - 11/7/2003 [OH-11] Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 10/29/2003 [MI-5] Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. - 10/29/2003 [MI-13] Rep Levin, Sander M. - 12/8/2003 [MI-12 Rep Miller, Candice S. - 1/20/2004 [MI-10] Rep Rogers, Mike - 10/21/2003 [MI-8] Rep Strickland, Ted - 3/13/2003 [OH-6] Rep Stupak, Bart - 6/4/2003 [MI-1] Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. - 2/13/2003 [OH-12] Rep Turner, Michael R. - 10/29/2003 [OH-3] Sen Levin, Carl - 9/29/2003 [MI] is the only US Senator who has co-sponsored the bill. Let’s get busy and several more in two thousand four! SPAM VIA ARRL.NET Many of you have asked why ARRL does not put a filter on the arrl.net forwarding service and block SPAM from being sent through it. To you I've suggested it is better for each person to put a SPAM blocking program on their computer rather than to let an ISP do the filtering. The reason is that when you and I set the filter on our own computers, we are the ones who define exactly what SPAM is to us. When we do this, mail that we define as NOT being SPAM gets through. When an ISP does the filtering, SPAM is whatever a worker at the ISP considers it to be. The risk is substantial that the block will kick messages we want to receive out of the system so we don't even know they were sent. The following quote from another reflector to which I belong clearly shows what I mean. I have removed the identity of the sender (a former work colleague of mine) and the name of the ISP. He is totally frustrated over the ISP setting the filter standards which cause him to lose wanted E-mail. “I'm getting testier about this mail filtering thing. [His ISP] constructed a Filtered Mail folder (without my asking). The things I know are missing from [name of the reflector] don't go there. If they must filter, put it there so I can selectively handle it. “All I find in the Filtered Mail folder are what I can only call the "Do What, With What and To Whom" stuff (at what size and at what cost). Others have reported frustration with various "help" desks. Next ??” The arrl.net forwarding service is not the cause or source of SPAM. There is no question that by the very nature of the patterns used to assign callsigns, amateurs are ripe targets for SPAMMERS. THANKS! I thank each of you who have written your support as well as suggestions for the new restructuring proposal and for the work I've been doing. You suggestions and other input -- yes, your disagreements -- are key to whatever I may do to benefit Amateur Radio and you. Keep up writing. MANY NON-MEMBERS AND SOME MEMBERS ARE SURPRISED Why are many non-members and even members surprised when they learn they cannot carry the ARRL banner if they are not members? Many non-members are surprised to learn that I do not represent them. I certainly try to represent the best interests of Amateur Radio and ARRL members, and if this happens to include non-members, fine. I feel no need to bend over backwards to acknowledge the thoughts and wishes of non-members. Similarly, why would a non-member even consider they could become an ARRL banner carrier by receiving appointment as a DX card checker or any other appointment to a program sponsored by the League? This should not even be a consideration. One cannot have allegiance to a program of an organization to which they choose not to belong. It is this simple. Soon after you elected me Director I began looking through the many member programs of the League as I had promised during my campaign. I'm still going through these to see if there are programs that ought to be deleted or modified. I quickly learned that the criteria for becoming an ARRL WAS QSL checker were rather loose. For one thing, there was no requirement that the checker need be an ARRL member. This clearly was a slip-up. You can bet I jumped on this. WAS QSL checkers now need to be ARRL members. The coming ARRL Mentor program, the DXCC QSL checker program and others are further examples of appointments that are or will be available only to members. The League exists because of the support of its members. Its members, not non-members, are the ones who should benefit from the recognition available through appointments. SEE YOU THIS SUMMER? Vice Director Mondro, W8FQT (w8fqt@arrl.org) and I (k8je@arrl.org) will be attending a number of meetings and hamfest/swaps this summer. Look us up when you are at one of those we attend. If you would like us to attend one of your meetings or hamfests/swaps, please let us know. 73, GL, Jim AMATEUR RADIO: The only fail-safe communications system in the world. ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio is! Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL SM: Joe Phillips, K8QOE, Fairfield, (to contact me, see QST page 16); ASM-NE: Bob Winston, W2THU, Cleveland; ASM-NW: Ron Griffin, N8AEH, Findlay; ASM-Central: Bill Carpenter, AA8EY, Westerville; ASM-SW: John Haungs, W8STX, Cincinnati; ASM-SE: Connie Hamilton, N8IO, Marietta; SEC: John Chapman, WB8INY, Gahanna; ACC; Brenda Krukowski, KB8IUP, Toledo; TC: Tom Holmes. N8ZM, Tipp City; PIC: Scott Yonally, N8SY, Mansfield; OOC: Alan Cook, N7CEU, Newark; SGL: Reuben Meeks, W8GUC, Vandalia. March OH Section News – Gilmour Academy’s Amateur Radio Club (Cleveland) made contact early in January with the Intl Space Station which was flying overhead at 17,500 mph. Known as ARISS (Amateur Radio on the Intl Space Station), this exciting marriage of ham radio and grade students is occurring mainly unnoticed by most of our member-ship. ISS Commander Mike Foale KB5UAC up there told the Gilmour students down here about life beyond our atmosphere. Certainly a lifelong memory about ham radio for those kids. Thanks to Ken Kane KG8DN of the Gilmour Academy and member of Lake Erie ARA, who organised the contact while 50 people watched. OH Net News – During OSSBN semi-annual meeting at the Mansfield Hamfest, ASM Connie Hamilton N8IO, Marietta, received the Life Membership Award. The net has 165 active members making it one of the nation’s largest traffic net membership … New net formed called the Tri-County Traffic training net started Jan. 9 and meets 3 times a week (M, F, Sn) at 9:30 PM on the 147.015 repeater in Newbury OH with the purpose of training new traffic handlers and to pass traffic. OH Section Reminder -- FCC is about to announce a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) comment period on BPL. Just like a Chicago election, vote early and vote often. Be sure to be fully informed on the horros of BPL and then write the FCC. This is a must in defence of our frequencies … Dayton Hamvention web site is under new management and is more reader friendly. Try it at www.hamvention.org for the latest on the 2004 show which is May 14-16. OH Section Congrats to A) Tom Parkinson KB8UUZ, Portage Co for drawing the frequency spectrum map of ARRL proposed changes. Many OH newsletters published it last month but forgot to credit Tom. In fact I am aware of only the Milford ARC (Clermont Co) who did credit Tom; B) Bud Green K8MSF for his editorial about hams getting on the air more often, published in the Ashland Area ARC newsletter The Informer. C) Tom Holmes N8ZM, Tipp City, the OH Section TC for taking on the flea market chairmanship for Hamvention; D) Ken Massie WN8F, Editor of the award winning Hello Radio for 10 years as newsletter editor to the Lawrence Co (Ironton) ARES. Ken announced last month his intention to retire the editorship. OH Section March Hamfests – (21) Toledo Mobile Radio Assn Hamfest at Maumee. For more info see www.tmrahamradio.org or write [wd8mxr@arrl.net]; (28) Lake Co ARA G]Hamfest at Madison. For more info see www.lcara.org or write [k8bl@ameritech.net]. 73, Joe Phillips K8QOE, OH SM Hamfests &c. March 2004 13 Terre Haute IN Hamfest sponsored by Wabash Valley ARA at Northside Bingo Hall, 7339 N Clinton Rd. 8 AM- 1 PMSoftware-defined radio forums, foxhunting, VE sessions. Talk-in 146.685 (151.4 Hz). Adm $3. Free tables. Info: Don Pine K9DRP, 217=826-1111 [donpine@abcs.com]; www.qsl.net/k9dur/tailgate.htm Cave City KY Hamfest sponsored by Cave City ARC at Cave City Convention Ctr, Hwy 70; I-65, exit 53, go to first light and turn left, Conv Ctr is ¼ mi on left. MARS forum, 3.960 Mhz meeting, VE sessions. Talk-in 146.94. Adm $6. Info: Larry Brummett KN4IV, 270=651-2363 [lbrummett@glasgow-ky-com], www.ky4x.org 21 Toledo Mobile Radio Assn Hamfest at Lucas Co Rec Ctr, 2901 Key St, S of Heatherdowns Blvd at Key St; Exit 6 off I-475/US 20 or Exit 59 off I-80/US 90. Maumee-Toledo OH. 8 AM-2 PM. Hamfest/Computer Expo, all indoors (2 large heated halls), handicapped accessible, free parking, refreshments. Talk-in 147.27. Adm $6, under 13 free with paying adult). Info: Brian Harrington WD8MXR, 419=385-5624, [wd8mxr@arrl.net], www.tmrahamradio.org 27 Columbus IN Hamfest, info Marion Winterberg WD9HTN, 812=342-4670 Michigan City IN Hamfest sponsored by Michigan City ARC at Diamond Cove Hall, 716 US Hwy 212, on E side of US Hwy 212. Public 8 AM- 12 noon. Vendors, ARRL table, free parking, refreshments. Talk-in 146.97 (131.8 Hz). Adm $5. Info: Ron Stahoviak, 219=325-9089, [rstahoviak@adsnet.com]; home.comcast.net/~w9ly/Hamfest.htm 28 Madison OH 26th Annual Hamfest/Computerfest sponsored by Lake Co ARA at Madison High School, 3100 Burns Rd. I-90 to Rt 528 (Exit 212), go N to Middle Ridge Rd, turn left to Burns Rd, follow signs to High School. Fleas, vendors, new and used Amateur Radio gear, computer and assorted electronics equipment, VE sessions, paved parking, refreshments. Talk-in 147.21. Adm $6. Info: Rocky, 440=209-8953, [rocky@lcara.org], www. lcara.org VE exam opportunities February 2004 Sat .Mar. 6 at Hartwell Presbyterian Church, Parkway & Woodbine Avs, sponsored by CRA. Registration 8:30 AM; walk-ins only! Info: Herb Blasberg WA8PBW, 513=891-7556 Mon. Mar. 8 at Turkeyfoot Middle School, 3230 Turkeyfoot Rd, Edgewood KY, sponsored by NKARC. 6-8 PM. Pre-registration encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted. No photocopying on site; please bring everything you need! Info: 859=472-6690 or 859=356-5460. Sat Mar. 13 at the Butler Co VHF Communications Centre in the D Russel Lee Vocational School, 3603 Hamilton-Middletown Rd (Rt 4), suburban Hamilton, sponsored by Butler Co VHF Assn. Registration 8:30 AM. School's talk-in: I-75 to M Fox Hwy (SR 129), follow 129 to Bypass 4 to Rt 4 .2 mi on the right, 1st drive. 4-way stop & a yield, beyond which is new addition with lots of glass; you're there.. Info: Ted Wilson K8TCR, 513=868-7012. Talk-in 146.97 Mon., Mar. 15 at Milford City Bldg, 5 Points in downtown Milford, sponsored by Milford ARC. (evening). Follows Weekend Exam Prep class. Info: Lyle 513=528-6258 IN ALL CASES 2 IDs (at least 1 with photo), originals (bring to exam) & photocopies (enclose with preregistration or bring to exam to file with NCVEC Form 605, of license & CSCEs), blue or black pen for answers & form filling are required. Headphones for the CW element and photocopying available at Oh-Ky-In exams but not at most other testing locations (call for info). Pre-registration encouraged where available (see specific exam info for where to send, enclose SASE for confirmation and NCVEC 605). $12 is the current ARRL/VEC exam fee. What’s coming in Oh-Ky-In in March Thu. Feb. 26 7 PM Code & theory class at Salem Presbyterian Church, Mozart & Higbee in Westwood Cheviot, by the Harrison-Boudinot White Castle Tue Mar 2 7:30 PM Club meeting at WESTERN HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Program: Weak Signal VHF/UHF, Rick Griffiths W2RG Wed, Mar 3 7:30 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, Harry WA8LOJ, NCS on 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, Carol WA8YL, NCS on 146.67 Thu. Mar 4 7 PM Code & theory class at Salem Presbyterian Church, Mozart & Higbee in Westwood Cheviot, by the Harrison-Boudinot White Castle Fri Mar 5 8 PM Hamilton Co ARPSC at Hamilton Co Sheriff’s Communication Ctr, I- 275 & Hamilton Av; Park in Board of Education lot, not Sheriff’s lot Tue Mar 9 7:30 PM Technical Committee Meeting, location TBA Wed, Mar 10 9 PM Tech Talk, Dale KC8HQS, NCS on 146.67 Thu. Mar 11 7 PM Code & theory class at Salem Presbyterian Church, Mozart & Higbee in Westwood Cheviot, by the Harrison-Boudinot White Castle Sat Mar 13 10 AM Regular monthly foxhunt, hounds start from Mt Storm Park Talk-in to start 146.67 Mon Mar 15 7:30 PM Robotics Group, location TBA Tue Mar 16 7:30 PM DXpedition Group at Carol WA8YL’s Wed, Mar 17 9 PM Tech Talk, Dennis KB8ROA, NCS on 146.67 Thu. Mar 18 7 PM Code & theory class at Salem Presbyterian Church, Mozart & Higbee in Westwood Cheviot, by the Harrison-Boudinot White Castle Fri, Mar 19 8 PM Queen City Emergency Net, Red Cross HQ, 820 Sycamore St Tue Mar 23 7:30 PM Board of Directors’ Meeting at Carol WA8YL’s Wed, Mar 24 9 PM Tech Talk, Brian K4BRI, NCS on 146.67 Thu. Mar 25 7 PM Code & theory class at Salem Presbyterian Church, Mozart & Higbee in Westwood Cheviot, by the Harrison-Boudinot White Castle Sun Mar 28 12:25-4:30 PM Scouting for Food and Clothing Tue Mar 30 6:30 PM Happy Hour preceding 7 PM Club Awards Dinner at Sorrento’s, 8794 Reading Rd. Dinner $20 all in Reserve with Carol WA8YL 513=661-5323 Wed, Mar 31 9 PM Tech Talk, NCS to be determined on 146.67 Thu. Apr 1 7 PM Code & theory class at Salem Presbyterian Church, Mozart & Higbee in Westwood Cheviot, by the Harrison-Boudinot White Castle Fri Apr 2 8 PM Hamilton Co ARPSC at Hamilton Co Sheriff’s Communication Ctr, I- 275 & Hamilton Av; Park in Board of Education lot, not Sheriff’s lot Tue Apr 6 7:30 PM Club meeting at WESTERN HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5064 Sidney Rd Program: TBA Wed Apr 7 7:30 PM Slow Scan ATV Net, Harry WA8LOJ, NCS on 146.67 9 PM Tech Talk, Carol WA8YL, NCS on 146.67 News of members and students in recent classes Our sincere condolences to KB8DCH Clara M Longano’s family and friends. Clara became SK on January 30. Her family named the local SPCA for memorial gifts – the SPCA reports a flood of them. On the mend W8JSO Robert Cooke after knee surgery Welcome to new members K4MLE Emily DeYoung (T) 11068 Pleasant Ridge Rd Alexandria KY 41001-9716, 6th grade at Campbell Co Middle School KC8YOM Michael J Hornsby (E) and KC8YTJ David Hornsby (T) 2026 Beechglen Ct Cincinnati OH 45233, David 4th grade at St Antoninus WA8SDF James M Barrie (A) 5898 S Highwood Dr, Fairfield OH 45014 W8KGN Glenn Librock was featured in the Feb. 12 Delhi Press “Your life” on the front page of the community section. The article is reprinted with permission of the Community Press. An inside look at your neighbor’s life: This week Glenn Librock, 84, Delhi Twp, Retired from Unisys Computer Co. What is your favorite thing to read? “I like to read historical novels based in the early 1800s.” What is your favorite movie? “On Golden Pond with Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn.” If you won a trip to the place of your dreams, where would it be? “Australia, because it is still a pioneering country with unexplored and uninhabited land.” What wise advice would you give future generations? “Moderation in everything you do. Think things out and plan. Nowadays many people head out without preparation.” If given the chance, what would you redo in your life? “I would have changed jobs earlier on. I traveled a lot and missed my children growing up and spending time with my wife.” Copy deadline for the April issue is Friday, March 19 Thanks to all who have paid their dues for 2004. We now have 119 paid up members, but that is about 50 less than at the end of last year. A gentle reminder that failure to pay by 3/31/04 unfortunately means: 1) No Q5er 2) No vote in club issues 3) No attendance prize 4) Loss of phone patch privileges Thanks again to everyone for your continued financial support of OH-KY-IN. It takes a lot of money to keep things running the way you would like. 73, Ken N8ASV Membership Chair