Our Next Monthly Meeting: Come share in food, friends and fun at our Annual Dinner Meeting on Saturday February 4, 2006. This years Annual dinner will be at the Old Country Buffet located at 7838 South Telegraph, just south of Ecorse Road in Taylor . Eyeball QSO’s start at 6:00 p.m. We will adjourn to the buffet area at 6:30 p.m. No pre-registration is required. We will have the use of a private banquet room. The price of dinner is $10.00 payable when you arrive. Words from our President after dinner! Memorial to Charles Taksony, W8FJK given by his family. Please Welcome Our Newest Member Roy Watts, KD8AVJ Moment of Silence to Remember a Silent Key Thomas Mitchell, K8TEM January 6, 2006 President’s CornerGreetings to all and welcome back to the Presidents Corner... As we get started with 2006 it occurred to me how much we are bombarded with statistics; particularly count down numbers. I'm sure everybody reading this knows exactly how many days till the super bore (no that is not a typo). Now that we all know what I think about "pro" football let's look at some IMPORTANT numbers. As of this writing, there are 13 days till our February dinner, 85 days till Tax day, 138 days till Laconia Bike week, 152 days till FIELD DAY (more on that to come), 159 days till K8CBS and KC8VCY's wedding, 303 days till my birthday, and 330 till Christmas. As far as club events, I can think of at least eight events that we all should try to get involved in to help spread this love we have for Amateur Radio. That’s in addition to our regular monthly meetings, breakfasts, fox hunts, and V.E. test sessions. Every event needs a leader and each leader needs members that they can count on to help make each event a complete success. This year we will be planning the year-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Motor City Radio Club. We should all be proud of being part of such a long standing club and we will all be celebrating our heritage next year. Back to the numbers. If you check into our Tuesday evening net, you already know that January 24 will be our 1,456th net. Also, as of January 31st, Stan, K8SB, will be at the top of that list with 1182 check-ins. You do the math. We had 2785 check-ins last year with 302 in the month of May with 66 of them on May 24th. I used a lot of ink that night. We presently have 82 people on our roster and I would like to see that grow to over 100. So what good are these numbers? Well some show us where we have been as individuals, while others show us where we have been as a club. But I would like to focus on the ones that show us where we are headed. What will you be doing in 152 days? I know where I will be...at each of the club’s eight special events. How about you? Will you be involved or maybe be the leader of that event? I hope so. What about next year? Will you be involved in the BEST and as far as I know the longest ARRL affiliated club in Michigan and help celebrate our 75th year? I know I will and I hope to see each and every one of you this year...and for many years to come. 73's and see you at the dinner! John, N8KAM From Your Editor, Lynette Rudzki, KC8NAH Welcome to another edition of the “Spark Gap”. I truly hope that you are enjoying each and every article that comes your way. If you are not enjoying it, please let me know what I can do to make it more enjoyable for you. This is YOUR newsletter! I would also like to encourage our “Spark Gap” readers to submit articles, and even non-ham radio achievements like graduations, wedding or birth announcements, as well as scouting achievements. Hope you read about the new Eagle Scout in our ranks! I uncovered a special article that was published in the Steel City ARC’s newsletter, “Kilo-Watt Harmonic”. It changed the way I look at Amateur Radio. I hope it gets you thinking as well. It is by Robert Carnahan, N3LL. Thanks for reading and hope to see everyone at our Annual Dinner at the Old Country Buffet in February! Help Wanted! - We Need You! Help Wanted! - We Need You! Coordinator for the Metro Grand Spring Bike Tour Duties include: Maintain communications with the DCC Representative: Cherie Sword, Alicebtoeclips@wideopenwest.com Keep the MCRC Board informed about plans and progress. Write a timely article for the Spark Gap promoting member participation in the event. MGST is always held on the 1st Sunday of May. Sign up a list of volunteers by the April MCRC Meeting. Obtain a list of T-shirt sizes. Send a list of T-Shirt requirements to Cherie Sword right after the April MCRC Meeting. Mail a card or letter to each volunteer reminding them of their commitment and other instructions. Obtain a copy of the club license from the W8MRM Trustee. Make arrangements to travel the bike routes with a DCC representative about a week prior to the event. Identify the check points. Generate some method to identify and assign check points and relief operators. Develop a plan to get a 2 meter rig, power supply, outside antenna. Poles, coax, extension cord, rope, paper, pencil, headphones, MCRC banner, and duct tape to the net control location early enough to have the station on the air about 1//2 hour prior to the start of the event. Assign operators to check points and food stops. Assign relief operators. Assign a net control operator. Maintain communications with the DCC Representative during the event. Provide the DCC with a report of the club’s participation after the event. Write a Spark Gap article reporting on the event and recognizing participants Chairperson for Trenton Mid-Summer Festival Duties include: Complete the registration form for the booth. I will receive it for the 2006 Festival around mid-April. I will forward it to the MCRC President. Keep the MCRC Board informed about plans and progress. Register the Special Event Station with ARRL by Mid-April. http://www.arrl.org/contests/spevform.html Write a timely article for the Spark Gap promoting member participation in the event. Festival. Survey supply of handout materials. Order new from ARRL by mid-May as needed. http://www.arrl.org/forms/ead/recruit/orderform.html Sign up a list of volunteers for all 3 days at the June Club meeting. Arrange for a set-up crew for the Thursday before the event. Mail out a letter to each volunteer about a week prior to the event showing their days and times for operating the booth. Obtain a copy of the club license from the W8MRM Trustee. One week prior to the festival take a 100 ft length of nylon rope (Should be in the club Special Event Barrel) to Joann Perna at the Trenton Rec. Center. Ask her to have it placed in our pulley on the flag pole. Develop a plan to get the EZ-UP shelter, antennas, poles, coax, extension cord, rope, MCRC banner, lights, tables, and chairs to the Event location by 5:00PM Thursday before the event for set-up. Develop a plan to get the 2 Meter rig, power supply, HF Rig, power supply, microphone, key paddles, logging computer with special Event log, hand out materials, ARRL message blanks, paper, pencils, headphones, and duct tape to the event location about an hour each morning before the scheduled event starting time and set up the station. Field Day Chairperson Duties: Speak to one of the Officers or Stan Briggs to find out more about this position. If you are willing to help out! Field Day Chairperson Duties: Speak to one of the Officers or Stan Briggs to find out more about this position. If you are willing to help out! Motor City Radio Club Meeting Minutes Submitted by Lynette Rudzki, KC8NAH, Secretary General Meeting on January 6, 2006 Meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. Roll call was taken of the 25 members and 4 guests in attendance. President’s Report - Update was given on Ralph Nagy - Surgery on right ankle and will be moved to 6th floor for recovery. Audit Committee - Gloria, KC8FVS, Linda, KC8PKY and Ruth, WB8AFO. ByLaw Committee - will elect a general member during March meeting. Help Wanted - Greeter position filled by Mike Armstrong, WB8GLR. Thank you! Still looking for a few special event chairs and Field Day Chairperson. Peter I Expedition Donation - Motion made by K8THU to make a $100 Donation to the Peter I Expedition. Seconded by WB8AFO. No opposition. Motion Passed. Charlie, W8VCF - Hospitalized for an infection at Oakwood South (Seaway Hospital, Room 129 Bed #2). Camporee Status - Plaque was given to club by the Three Rivers District for the clubs participation in the Fall Camporee. Spring Camporee still under discussion. Vice President’s Report - Vice President’s report given by N8MR. Card was made available to members to be signed for KC8VKZ (trapped miner in PA). Secretary’s Report - Motion made by Bruce, KI8GR to accept the Secretary’s Report as printed in the Spark Gap. Seconded by Ruth, WB8AFO. Motion passed. Treasurer’s Report - Motion made by Ruth, WB8AFO to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Bruce, KI8GR. Motion passed. Education - KC8OBH stated that the class begins Jan. 19th at Henry Ford Community College for will go for 11 weeks. Next session of classes will be using a new edition of “Now You’re Talking”. Field Day T-Shirts - Submit your design by the April Meeting! The next Field Day T-Shirt could have your design on it! Refreshment Committee - Pop & Donuts - KC8NAH 50/50 winner was Linda Metz, KC8PKY Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. for the Trunk Sale! Board Meeting on January 10, 2006 Board Members in Attendance: John Roberts, N8KAM, President Mike Rudzki, N8MR, Vice President Dale Poblenz, WA8FRD, Treasurer Lynette Rudzki, KC8NAH, Secretary William Riley, W8KZP, Custodian 7 members in Attendance President’s Report - Sign Up sheeting for Meetings, Status on Regettas. Program Committee - K8SB, N8MR, K8RWG?? Metro Grand Bike Tour Chairperson - any possible suggestions? September Meeting - Katrina Follow-up, Stan might have a contact. Program idea - Detroit Edison presentation on RFI. N8MR checking up on this. Regetta - Will be meeting with the Regatta committee at the end of January. Details of the setup and logistics will be discussed at that preliminary meeting. Correction on Time for February Annual Dinner - It begins at 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. Special Member cards for 75th Anniversary Year Adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Introducing the Special Bylaw Committee! Ken Lux, N8TDF - Bylaw Committee Chairperson. The following members have agreed to represent the club on this committee: Ray Shovoly, N8SLJ, Charlie Romick, K8SAK (board member representative), Bruce Moyer, KI8GR, general member, appointed by the board. A general member will be elected by the general membership at our meeting in March! The board will be taking nominations during our March meeting and appointing a general member at the April meeting. If you have any suggestions for changes to the By-Laws or the Constitution, please submit them in writing to one of the committee members. All comments will be kept confidential. Try Calling CQ, You May Get The Right Answer By Robert Carnahan, N3LL I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and decided that this would be a good day to just take off from work and try to work a little DX after the examination. As we all are painfully aware, the sun spot cycle is almost at its lowest point making communications on the low portion of VHF and most all of HF tough. What is an amateur operator to do in a situation like this? The DX stations are not booming in, the hard to get states are not to be found, and the E clouds are not cooperating. After my arrival back at the house, I turned on the radio and started scanning the bands. It was still early enough in the day for some stations to still be heard on 80 meters, 40 meters was almost non-existent except for locals, and 20 meters was full of the normal nets. I decided to check all bands from 6 meters up through 80 meters for activity. As I went to each band, I would start at the bottom edge of my license privileges and dial up from there. 80-20 meters was as I stated before, quiet or nets mainly. 17, 15, and 12 meters were quite something different! People were working DX! On 17 Meters I was able to work 2 JA stations and 3 VE’s before the noise level came up too bad, 15 meters had several DX stations on but my “little pistol” station could not get through the pile ups, 12 meters was active with quite a few stations rag chewing and a couple calling CQ. I called out to 2 of the stations calling CQ, exchanged information and let them get back to it after they informed me that they were looking for DX. So it was back to 15 meters in hopes of getting my 100-watt signal, into a dipole, over to some folks “across the pond”. As I went through the band, I heard a faint CQ. I listened for a minute and his signal was way down in the noise. I have always heard “if ya can hear em, you can work em” so I called back to him. This is N3LL, November 3 LIMA LIMA over. He heard my call and acknowledged with “LIMA LIMA hang on and let me swing my beam your direction”. He kept talking as the beam worked its way towards me and his signal grew ever stronger. Once he had finished rotating in my direction, he turned it over to me. I gave the normal reply, “Hello there, this is N3LL near Pittsburgh, PA, and the name on this end is Bob, how do you copy?” When he replied this time it sounded like he was in the room with me! He stated that he had tweaked the direction of the beam as I talked; he was running 800 watts and located in Long Beach, CA. We began the normal first time QSO with our names, locations, information about the weather, and what not and then came the part that I will not soon forget. He told me about making noise… Ed has been licensed for a “long time”, according to him, and he has been through a lot of changes in amateur radio. He stated that he has seen days when you could not find a clear space to call CQ and then to the opposite extreme where you could call CQ all afternoon and not get a response. “At this part of the cycle is when you don’t get a lot of replied” he explained. “A lot of the stations figure since the sun spot cycle is down, there is no sense in trying to raise anyone”. He told me that we all need to “make some noise” if we want to make a contact or two. “If we all wait for the other guy to call CQ we may never get the opportunity to pick up a microphone”. According to him he calls CQ every 5 minutes for one hour, or until he makes a contact on the band of his preference. If he does not make a contact, he simply turns off the radio until later in the day and starts all over again. “I can’t make all the noise,” he stated rather adamantly. As we chatted, I began to learn a bit more about amateur radio than I had before. It’s amazing to me the wealth of knowledge that comes from a seasoned citizen. I learned it is not about the big gun station with 150-foot towers topped with large Yagi antennas. It is about sharing a common interest with others. Ed informed me that he has several shoeboxes full of QSL cards that he has acquired over the years and he has not once applied for a “piece of paper”. “Paper says nothing about the operator” he stated to me. He allowed that he participates in amateur radio for the pleasure of making friends all over the world without leaving his home. “I have friends in places that I can’t spell”, he told me, “and other, get to know about them and theirs”, he went on. As the ragchew progressed with my newly found, 89 year old friend, I realized that I have been going about it all wrong. I have been looking for the new grid square, state, island or country calling CQ. I have not been calling for the next friend, the person that hears me calling CQ on a seemingly dead band. The next time I tune through a band and think it is dead, I will call CQ and see what lies in wait for me to learn. I have no way of knowing if I will hear my “friend” further down the log, but I do know that he has taught me a valuable lesson. If we don’t make some noise, we will never be heard. Hams in The Spotlight We have a new Eagle Scout in our Ranks! It is a W8MRM ham school graduate, James Elmore, KC8YCT. James started his Scouting career when he was 6 years old. James joined as a Tiger Scout with Pack 1758, in Wyandotte. He progressed through Wolf, Bear, and Webelos before moving to Troop 1758 in April of 1999. There, he progressed earning rank and merit badges till he qualified for, and earned, Scouting's highest honor... that of Eagle Scout Congratulations James!! Winter Technician Classes Technician Classes have started again! If you know of someone that has the Amateur Radio itch, tell them about our classes! They begin on January 19th and the details are as follows: Course Name: CEART-8520 Discover Ham Radio Register with the Center for Lifelong Learning at Henry Ford Community College You can easily find the class listing by searching on CEART-8520 Discover Ham Radio Classes are held on Thursdays from 7:00 - 9:30 PM at: Henry Ford Community College 5101 Evergreen Rd, Patterson Technical Bldg, Room 235, Dearborn, MI 48128 If you would like to help bring new Hams into this world, contact Dave Metz, KC8OBH at KC8OBH at aol.com. Websites and More! CQ Serenade http://w4gbu.home.mindspring.com/cqserenade.mp3 ARRL Contest Rate Sheet for January 11, 2006 N3FJP announces several new updates and features to his popular line of contest logging software (www.n3fjp.com): Winkey support One-key contact logging Log archival K7RE RTTY (for Field Day) QSLing being the time and money eating activity, save yourself some postage by checking out K4HB's web site: http://www.k4hb.com/postage.html. This is a good way to keep on top of postal rates worldwide. And don't forget that air mail from the US to most countries is now 84 cents! (Thanks, Paul VE1DX) URL OF THE WEEK The Register - a cheeky technical site for those with a sense of humor - www.theregister.co.uk. TECHNICAL TIPS AND INFORMATION Something I know you all do every week; combine 1% resistors to get a specific, precise value. OK, so maybe YOU don't do it, but I'll bet there are plenty of electronic-ers among the readership that can use the programs at www.edn.com/article/CA6290454.html. These are nice software gadgets to have in the toolbox. If you're a Miles-Per-Watt enthusiast, Martin VE3SIE found this great MPW calculator: www.hoffswell.com/n9ssa/mpwcalc.html. It accounts for the curvature of the Earth and also plots the path on a Google map. Pat K8PC reports that large plastic cat food containers make excellent waterproof protectors for switches and connectors. No noticeable UV damage was visible after a summer's use. Those of you that don't have easy access to empty cat food containers might want to make a stop by your local household good emporia. January is a prime month for sales on things like containers and storage accessories as we all try to return the house to its pristine pre-holiday state. Pat AA6EG contributes a Web site with a large number of military tech manuals of masts and antennas that might be useful: www.tpub.com/content/antennaandmasts. Here's a neat way to make guying points for verticals made from large aluminum tubing. "Cut a 4-inch length of PVC pipe the same ID as the tubing OD. Slit it lengthwise with a table saw blade that will remove 1/4 inch or so of material. Stick a screwdriver in the gap to spread the pipe open slightly and slip it over the tubing. When you get to where you want it to go, pull out the screwdriver and the pipe will hug the tubing. Clamp it with a hose clamp. Next, take a PVC coupling and drill holes for guy ropes evenly spaced around the coupling. Slip this over the top of the tubing and move it down until it rests on the slit pipe. Engage the two pieces with a rubber mallet." Photos can be found at http://www.n6rk.com. (Thanks, Rick N6RK) TECHNICAL LINK OF THE WEEK Why buy a toupee when you could just get one of these? www.skygeek.com/40592g-01.html (Thanks, Bob N6TV) Test Your Knowledge SUBELEMENT G1 -- COMMISSION'S RULES G1F Certification of external RF-power-amplifiers; standards for certification of external RF-power amplifiers; HF data emission standards G1F04 [97.317b,c] Which of the following would NOT disqualify an external RF power amplifier from a FCC certification grant? A. The capability of being modified by the operator for use outside the amateur service bands B. The capability of achieving full output power when driven with less than 50 watts C. The capability of achieving full output power on amateur service frequencies between 24 and 35 MHz D. The capability of being switched by the operator to all amateur service frequencies below 24 MHz Answer for Test Your Knowledge G1F04 [97.317b,c] Which of the following would NOT disqualify an external RF power amplifier from a FCC certification grant? D. The capability of being switched by the operator to all amateur service frequencies below 24 MHz Free Resource to Study Guides, Practice Written Exams and Flash Cards! http://www.w8mhb.com/exam/ Mark Your Calendars! We have a lot of special events planned for this year. We are going to need volunteers to coordinate each event. Stan, K8SB, has been our Field Day Chairperson and special event coordinator for many years. It’s time to pass on the tradition to someone else. You will have the opportunity to learn from the master while participating in some exciting club events! Keep these dates in mind and if you are interested in taking on any of these events, let one of the officers know. April Michigan QSO Party - Contest Hebda Cup Regatta - Community Service Event - Saturday, April 29th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (We will provide ATV to keep all areas of the regatta course viewable). May Wy-Hi Regatta - Community Service Event - Friday May 5th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Qualifying Races) and Championship Races are Saturday, May 6th from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. www.wyandotteboatclub.com. (We will provide ATV to keep all areas of the regatta course viewable). Downriver Cycling Club’s Metro Grand Spring Tour - Community Service Event - May 7th, 2006 Detroit Area Council Three Rivers District Boy Scout Spring Camporee - Special Event - May 20 & 21st, 2006 First Fox Hunt of the Year - Club Activity - Saturday, May 20, 2006 (Fox Hunts are the third Saturdays of each month May thru October). June - Annual Field Day, - Club Activity - June 24-25th. Need a Field Day Chairperson and Food Chairperson. How about being a Tent Captain?? July - Trenton Mid-Summer Festival, Special Event - July 7, 8, & 9th October - Detroit Free Press Marathon - Community Event November - November Sweepstakes - Contest - Need two team captains. Will start putting teams together in August. Laughter is The Best Medicine “Four men and their sons” Four men went golfing one day. Three headed to the first tee and one went into the club house to take care of the bill. The three men started talking, bragging about their sons. The first man told the others, " My son is a home builder and he's so successful that he gave a friend a new home - - for free. The second man said, "My son was a car salesman and now he owns a multi-line dealership. He's so successful that he gave a friend two Cadillacs." The third man, not wanting to be outdone bragged, "My son is a stock broker and he's doing so well that he gave his friend an entire stock portfolio. The fourth man joined them on the tee after a few minutes of taking care of business. The first man mentioned, "We were just talking about our sons. How is yours doing?" The fourth man replied, "Well, my son is gay. I'm not totally thrilled about it, but he must be good. His last three boyfriends gave him a house, two cars, and a stock portfolio." Hamfests February 12 - Livonia Amateur Radio Club http://www.larc.mi.org Talk-In: 145.350 (-) Where: Livonia Community Recreation Center at 15100 Hubbard Road, Livonia Contact: William Johnston, W8WSJ P.O. Box 51532 Livonia, MI 48151-5532 Phone: 734-673-5071 E-mail: swap2006@larc.mi.org Test Sessions February 2nd Sponsor: USECA ARC Time: 7:00 PM (Walk-ins Allowed) Contact: Joe Kennedy (586) 977-7222 Email: N8OZ@ARRL.NET Location: Mount Clemens Elks Club 172 S. Main Street South of Church Street $14.00 Fee - Exact Cash Only! Mount Clemens, MI 48043 February 7 Sponsor: Hazel Park ARC Time: 7:00 p.m. (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: Jeffrey Albrecht (248) 642-3608 Email: N8WR@ARRL.NET Location: Oak Park Community Center 14300 Oak Park Blvd Pre-registration Urged Checkin @ 7 - Test @ 7:30 p.m. Oak Park, MI 48237 February 8 Sponsor: Just a Bunch of Amateurs-K8JBA Time: 7:00 p.m. (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: Steven Lendzion (517) 548-5031 Email: N8GQ@sbcglobal.net Location: St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital 620 Byron Road Community Room Howell, MI 48843 February 9th Sponsor: ARROW COMMUNICATIONS ASSOC Time: 7:00 PM (No walk-ins) Contact: Claybourne Mitchell, (734) 662-6663 Location: U OF M NORTH CAMPUS-ROOM 2211 GG BROWN ENGINEERING BLDG CANDIDATES MUST PRE-REGISTER OR CALL ROGER @ 734-663-4625 ANN ARBOR, MI 48106 Save The Date! Date(s) Activity Time February 4th Annual Dinner and Meeting 6:00 p.m. 7838 South Telegraph February 7th Board Meeting at the Olympic Barbeque 7:00 p.m. February 15th Last Day to Submit Articles to the editor for the Spark Gap February 18th Breakfast at Leo’s Coney Island 9:00 a.m. March 3rd General Meeting 7:30 p.m. Program Topic: CPR - Learn about the changes to the way CPR is administered! March 11th VE Exam at Glenwood Methodist Church 9:00 a.m. 2130 Ford Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192 Join us every Tuesday at 9 p.m. for the Motor City Radio Club Net on the 147.24 Wyandotte Repeater. The Spark Gap is published monthly as the official organ of the Motor City Radio Club, Inc.