|
|
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! This is a traditional time to spend with family and friends, and to remember all those who are no longer with us.
I remember in the early days of the club, that there was a day-long QSO on the DuBois Repeater with hams far and wide in the Quad-County area checking in and out and back in again as their family activities permitted.
My Elmer, K3TFL was the unofficial Master of Ceremonies for those sessions, and the discussions ranged from what was for dinner, to the snowy weather to how to modify an ARC-5.
For our Quad-County hams, our repeater was the “Social Media” of the day. We all knew each other and stayed in touch on the air, making friends and sharing our thoughts all over the coverage area. This regular repeater contact with each other made for stronger friendships, and brought our disparate communities together in a spirit of cooperation and good will. Sadly, repeaters have fallen into disuse, and the social connections have withered away to a great extent.
I wonder; what would happen if we all made the effort to pick up the microphone, and reach out to each other today, and into the future? Would we find a renewed interest in local ham radio, and perhaps make a new ham radio friend or two? The only way to find out is to give it a try.
Why not fire up the radio today, and see who’s on the repeater? I’ll see you… on the air!
AMSAT recently deployed the FOX-1A amateur radio satellite, also designated AO-85. These tiny satellites are only 4 inches square! Image that little cube flying around the earth and using it to talk to other amateur radio operators around the world. Communications can be established via the FM transponder that has an uplink of 435.180 MHz and a downlink of 145.980 MHz. Reports are that the downlink signal is rather strong.
If you’re interested in listening for the new tiny satellite check out the active, real time locator map for AO-85 at – http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=40967
To obtain a precise time that AO-85 will pass over your location, check out the AMSAT Pass Prediction webpage. You will need to enter some data such as your grid square or your latitude and longitude.
 Quad County Amateur Radio Club Membership dues are now past due but payable.
> Renewal memberships: $25.00
> First Time only memberships: See the pro-rated chart on the form.
To download a fillable form, click 2016 Membership Application you can then open that form, fill, then print. Please submit the completed, printed form with your dues. Checks are made payable to Quad County Amateur Radio Club and submitted to the treasurer at the meeting or mailed to:
QCARC
P O Box 599
Du Bois, PA 15801
The November meeting brought about a discussion concerning the times of the breakfast and meetings. After a discussion, the membership voted to change the times for the breakfast to 8:30 AM and the meeting to 6:30 PM. The unanimous vote resulted in the decision to change to what is believed to be more appropriate times.
With some of our members being involved in local fire departments, I felt this may b e of special interest.
The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum will celebrate its 20th Anniversary, with an on the air special event. As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum , in conjunction with the Harrisburg Radio Amateurs’ Club (HRAC) , will sponsor a special event. The Special Event Station will be on the air on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on Sunday, Nov. 15, from noon to 4:00 PM, operating from the museum in Harrisburg.
The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum opened on November 17, 1995. Housed in an 1899 Victorian firehouse of the former Reily Hose Company No. 10, the all-volunteer museum features a collection of firefighting artifacts, from hand-drawn equipment to the equipment of today. For more information, contact Richard Lenker, KB3YRC.
QSL cards can be obtained by sending a S.A.S.E. to:
PNFM S.E.S.
1820 N. Fourth Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
This year the SkyWarn™ Recognition Day will be Sunday December 5. This special event started in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay Le ague to recognize the contributions of amateur radio operators during SkyWarn™ events.
Operations are December 5 from 0000Z – 2400Z. This is not a contest but an operating event that encourages operators to contact as many amateur stations as possible, whether they are on the air at a Weather Service Office or otherwise. Stations exchange call signs, signal reports, locations, and a one or two-word description of the weather at their respective locations. Bands that are activated for this event are typically 80 meters through 70 centimeters using all modes, including digital.
Updated details are available on the National Weather Service SkyWarn™ Recognition Day web site http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio/
Recent information from ARRL indicates that those in opposition to this bill are  campaigning against the bill with fraudulent information which is shown in a video on the link below “Contacting Your Congressional Representatives”. It is also part of the QCARC meeting program on November 20. To counter these false representations of the bill, ARRL president Craigie asks that amateur radio operators contact their representatives to request that they support this important bill. Phone calls, emails and letters are all acceptable. Letters should be submitted through the ARRL to prevent delays in the letter’s delivery to the representative. Visit Contacting Your Congressional Representatives on the ARRL website for contact information or see the list in the website version of this story.
The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 (H.R.1301) & (S 1685)
Attention all amateurs, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 ( H.R. 1301) has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. Now a Senate Bill has been introduced (S 1685). Both bills pertain to amateurs obtaining permission to erect antennas where an HOA, or other covenant prohibits an antenna outside. If passed the FCC would amend part 97 rules to include homeowners’ association regulations and deed restrictions, often referred to as “covenants, conditions and restrictions” (CC&Rs). Even if you do not currently live in such an environment, you may encounter this issue some day. Support for this bill will assist your fellow amateurs who may live with such constraints and even restrictions at your QTH that you may be unaware.
Remember to submit your letter to your representative the quickest, file it through the available ARRL links.
To read all the details and how you can assist in this very important issue to all amateurs, go to the updated web site: http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act
Check this ARRL page for the latest information as of August 25, 2015. : http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-president-expects-parity-act-house-bill-cosponsorships-to-top-100-soon
It’s that time again when Mother Nature will soon shift into another season that some folks love and some hate! Winter can bring some rather enjoyable times but also some treacherous times. It is the treacherous times, with winter storms, that we have to be ready to deal with in order to make those times as safe as possible.
Winter weather issues highlighted during the week can be found by clicking the weekday tabs at: http://www.weather.gov/ctp/WinterWeatherAwarenessWeek
Be sure that your NOAA Weather Radio is operating properly and has fresh batteries in the event the electric goes out.
You can find some addition information about the NOAA Weather Radios at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/index.php
Also remember to check out the 2015 Fall edition of the SkyWarn Spotter Newsletter at: http://www.weather.gov/media/ctp/Spotter%20Newsletters/Fall2015.pdf
The 2015 – 2016 winter outlook can be found at: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/videos/2015-16-winter-outlook
Last but not least, another site for winter weather information can be found at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml
 The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is a WRN Ambassador “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ and the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
|
|
Loading ...
