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Antenna range, that is… The Quad-County ARC held its first-ever antenna shootout preceding the July meeting. Using a low-power transmitter located almost 1/4 mile away, the group of antenna experimenters set up a monitoring position in a large parking lot adjacent to the meeting room on the Penn State DuBois Campus and took signal strength measurements of various 2-meter antennas that they brought for the occasion. The winner was a homebrew contraption made by Lars SM7FYW/KB3WBT.
Larry KB3YJH placed his home-made groundplane atop the test mast and the measured signal strength was good enough to take second place. Lars and Don KB3LES each tested several antennas and found the truth about directivity and gain.
After the meeting Joe W3BC presented a program on computer modeling of antennas. The highlight of the presentation was to input the dimensions of Lars’ blue ribbon winner, and see if it was supposed to work in theory. The answer was surprisingly close to the pattern measured on the test range, with deep side nulls predicted just like those measured on the range, and a fairly large lobe off the back of the antenna, again in accordance with the actual measurements.
It was so much fun, that another shootout is planned for 6:30 August 17th, before the meeting at 7:30. This second shootout will also be for UHF antennas.
 Don KB3LES will be bringing his secret weapon, which looks like something from NASA… You’ll have to be there to catch all the fun!!!
 The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club will sponsor an ARRL VE Exam session at 6:00 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012 in the meeting room of the PA Heartland Chapter, American Red Cross, 109 North Brady Street, in DuBois. Exams for all classes of license will be offered. The ARRL exam fee is $15.00, which covers all exams taken by an applicant at that session. (Retaking a failed exam element at the same session will require an additional $15.00 fee.)
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We finally stopped talking about it and just did it! Before the April meeting, several members tried their hand at finding W3BC’s hidden UV-3R somewhere on the Penn State DuBois campus. Lars KB3WBT brought his DF tape-measure antenna, and Don KB3LES brought one of his home-built log-periodic antennas with his UV-3R for a receiver.  Ed and Don close in on the fox, as passing drivers gape in wonder... Stomping around the campus with antennas, the hidden transmitter turned out to be harder to find than expected. Lars reported the signal level picked up INSIDE the Swift building, and Don couldn’t get a good direction as he got closer to the fox.
The “winner” of the first heat was… Ed KB3VWX, who found it without using either a radio or antenna! We’ll have to call him “Eagle Eyes” from now on! Don took some time to introduce Bev W3BEV to the art of foxhunting before heading out to find the fox.
The first to find the fox using proper radio and antenna technique was Don KB3LES. After finding it, he got to silence it, and hide it in a second location. That second location was even harder than the first, utilizing a brick wall, a large flower pot, a metal trash can and a pile of leaves to hide out from the DF antennas. Lars was zeroing in on it when time ran out. Ed “Eagle Eyes” KB3VWX retrieved the radio and we all went inside for the meeting.
Reports were all positive, and some areas for improvement were discussed, notably signal attenuation when close to the fox. Others remarked that passing drivers gave us some astonished looks as we marched around campus with “space antennas!”
Everyone thought it was a lot of fun, and we look forward to perfecting our setups to do it again next month.
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- Don KB3LES shows us how happy he was to find the fox!
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- Ed and Don close in on the fox, as passing drivers gape in wonder...
Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiners from Clearfield and Jefferson Counties administered FCC license examinations for members of recently completed training classes and others hoping to obtain or upgrade their Amateur Radio licenses. The classes and the exams were held at the PA Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross in DuBois.
“This is the largest turnout for Amateur Radio exams locally for a significant number of years,” commented Volunteer Examiner Team Liaison Bryan Simanic WA3UFN of DuBois.
 Recently Licensed Radio Amateurs (l-r) James Withers KB3YJF, Ian Gerard KB3YJM, Joel Best N3UOA, Wayne Kocher KB3YJE, Jay Lorance KB3YJL, Bob Thunberg N3DIR, Nick Lorance KB3YJJ, Devon Lorance KB3YJK, Bev Hudsick KB3YJI, Jim WickerKB3YJG, Greg Donahue KB3WKD, Larry Whitten KB3YJH, Ed Stewart KB3WRX Ranging in age from 10 years old to senior citizens, those participating in the exams came from DuBois, Curwensville, Reynoldsville, Luthersburg, Brookville and surrounding areas. They became involved in Amateur Radio for a variety of reasons, ranging from interest in science and electronics, to emergency and disaster preparedness, and the desire to serve the public.
They will now be able to get on the air and join with thousands of other “hams” nationwide and around the world to participate in this growing and active radio service. Over the past year, the news has carried many reports of ham radio operators providing vital communications during emergencies across America including wildfires, winter storms, tornadoes and other events. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio—also called “ham” radio—was often the only means of communication with stricken areas. When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio volunteers are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications.  Volunteer Examiners (l-r) Charlie Lindahl N3DEO, Scott Mathewson WA3FFC and Bryan Simanic WA3UFN score the exams. Not pictured, Herb Murray W3TM and Joe Shupienis W3BC Their slogan, “When all else fails, Ham Radio works!” is more than just words to hams as they prove they can get the message through without the need of telephone, cable, cellular or internet systems which are usually rendered unavailable in a crisis.
In the local area, The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club offers training classes to prepare for license exams, and schedules regular examination sessions. The Club meets monthly in the Hiller Building at Penn State DuBois on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 pm. Meetings are free and the public is invited to attend. Following each meeting are programs and activities for radio amateurs and those interested in radio and electronic communications.  Getting It Right – Prospective hams concentrate while taking their Amateur Radio Exams
 The winter air was filled with the happy shouting of nearly 400 Cub Scouts at Camp Mountain Run on Saturday, February 11th, as they gathered for their annual Klondike Derby. “It’s a great way for them to enjoy winter activities in the great outdoors,” explained District Director Carl Hall.
This year, there was a new activity that captured the interest of the Cub Scouts from the north-central Pennsylvania region served by the Bucktail Council. That activity was an Amateur Radio station and exhibit set up by members of the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club. Nearly 400 Cub Scouts got on the air to experience Amateur Radio first hand, as Quad-County hams volunteered to help. Club President Joe Shupienis W3BC led the hams in greeting each 50-60 Scout unit as they entered the room. Quad-County members Don Jewell KB3LES and Lars Kvant KB3WBT/SM7FYW demonstrated VHF antennas they built, and answered questions from the Scouts and their parents. Jesse Tucker KG4ZXC and President Shupienis W3BC discussed how Amateur Radio is a lifelong activity which can lead to careers in engineering, science and technology.
 Club Member Kevin Hoynoski W3PIG showed the Scouts his “Go Box”–a portable amateur radio station in an easily carried container.
Next, the Go-Box was put into action on the Quad-County 147.315 repeater, and each and every Cub Scout got to speak on the air with Phil K3PJ at his home in Clymer. They learned from talking with him that he is a Scoutmaster for a unit in Indiana County.
After putting 381 Cub Scouts on the air, both groups were very happy with the operation and look forward to working together again!
Photo Gallery:
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- Kevin demonstrates his Go Box as the Cub Scouts eagerly await their turn at the controls!
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- Show and Tell. Lars and Don exhibit their antenna craftsmanship for the surprisingly interested Cub Scouts!
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- Jesse and Club Technology Coordinator Lars ready the equipment for flawless operation before using it to put hundreds of Cub Scouts on the air!
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- Don KB3LES, Lars KB3WBT, Jesse KG4ZXC and Kevin W3PIG prepare displays and handouts.
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- Cub Scouts gather around the radio and await their turn to say "Hello" on the air!
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The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club will sponsor an ARRL VE Exam session at 6:00 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the meeting room of the PA Heartland Chapter, American Red Cross, 109 North Brady Street, in DuBois. Exams for all classes of license will be offered. The ARRL exam fee is $15.00, which covers all exams taken by an applicant at that session. (Retaking a failed exam element at the same session will require an additional $15.00 fee.)
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After months of hunting for Hawaii. Last night during a contest i worked two Hawaii stations. I was starting to think Hawaii was harder to work then the Antarctica. And yes contacts during a contest do count as regular contacts for your log.
H Deforest Murray III W3TM
 The Quad-County ARC License Class finished on Thursday, August 11 with a VE exam session. The results were two new Technicians and one upgrade to General.We welcome new Technicians Greg Donahue KB3WKD and Bob Thunberg KB3WKE, both from Du Bois. (Bob is the former N3DIR, but his license lapsed many years ago. Welcome back, Bob.) Ed Neeper KB3VWX from Curwensville upgraded to General. Congratulations to all!
Our recent Clearfield Licensing Class was a success. We welcome new and upgraded hams to our ever-growing ranks! [Photo (L-R): Bob Thunberg KB3WKE (ex-N3DIR), Greg Donahue KB3WKD, Bev Hudsick, Ed Neeper KB3VWX]
TThe Quad-County Amateur Radio Club has instituted a new program for voluntary contributions to fund the club’s Educational and Outreach programs. The leading priority for Amateur Radio clubs nationwide is the recruiting and training of new Amateurs. Without them, we will witness the end of Amateur Radio.
It takes money to make the wheels of the "New Ham Factory" spin, and club treasuries are already overstressed due to inflation and declining membership. This voluntary donation program allows those members who can afford to do so to contribute additional funds above their annual dues to specific programs of the club. It takes money to make the wheels of the “New Ham Factory” spin, and club treasuries are already overstressed due to inflation and declining membership. The voluntary donation program allows those members who can afford to do so to contribute additional funds above their annual dues to specific programs of the club. When suggesting  this program to the Quad-County club, I recommended the monies all be earmarked for our Educational and Outreach efforts.
Educational is self explanatory: Teaching licensing classes and giving license exams. But there is a promotional aspect to that as well. The League has produced many public service spots for radio ans television, but there are some small costs involved in obtaining them and supplying them to media outlets. Additionally, there are printed publications and handouts for the public and schools. These carry a cost as well. Finally, one of the best ways, even in this Internet age, to attract new hams is to place a license manual in school and public libraries. They are not cheap. Our Volunteer Donor program makes this activity possible without bankrupting the club.
Outreach is a fairly new word. Organizations such as ours use the word a lot. It means providing services to people in our communities who are not (yet) members. Some are hams who haven’t become active with their neighbor hams. Some aren’t hams but have an interest in our activities. Finally there are other, non-Amateur Radio organizations whose goals intersect with ours… Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Public Safety agencies, Red Cross, Salvation Army… It’s a long list. We incur some expenses providing these organizations with printed literature, and providing program materials such as DVDs about Amateur Radio they can show their members.
Besides these activities, there are year-round outreach activities as well. You are reading one of them. Registration for the domain name “qcarc.org” costs us about $12.00 a year. Hosting it costs $4.95 per month. That adds up to about $72.00 per year. If you do the math, it’s about 20 cents a day. From all comments I’ve heard, it’s worth it. The software is free, and I’ve donated my web-design services free of charge. If you were to pay a professional web provider for all the artwork and maintenance, you would be looking at $20 to 30,000 per year. Compare this website to the ARRL website and consider how much that cost the League. (Hint: It’s a deep, six-figure number!)
Taking a cue from the ARRL’s Diamond Club, I came up with the idea of the Dime-A-Day Donor program. For a mere $36.50 per year, you can help support the Outreach and Educational programs that are so important to the future of Amateur Radio and to your club. Our Treasurer collects these funds, and you will receive a certificate in recognition of your selfless contribution to these vital club programs. If you can afford to do more, consider becoming a Double Donor which is a really meaningful way for you to say “$73!”
Consider becoming a Dime-A-Day Donor today. The money will absolutely go to a cause you believe in: Bringing new hams into the hobby.
Dime-A-Day Donors
We thank the following people who have very generously contributed to the future of Amateur Radio:
| Joe Shupienis |
W3BC |
Double-Donor |
| Doug Rowles |
W3DWR |
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| Jeff Rowles |
KA3FHV |
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| Ed Morrison |
K3JE |
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| Tom Robinson |
W3KWT |
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| John Buttner |
KB3OUG |
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| Al Maddas |
KB3SVW |
Double-Donor |
| Bryan Simanic |
WA3UFN |
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| Kevin Hoynoski |
W3PIG |
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TTHE BIG DAY is here! All the planning and preparation comes together today at the Old Town Sportsmen’s Pavilion on the Clearfield County Fairgrounds. This morning, we are setting up antennas and radios and computers, and the grill… and everything else!
The contest portion begins at 2:00 pm and ends Sunday at 2:00 pm. Help will be needed to tear down as well, so please stop by. Many hands make light work, you know!
The Public and media are invited, and this year we’re trying something new – a GOTA station. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a “Get On The Air” station to allow unlicensed people, new hams and old-timers who haven’t been active lately to make some contacts at a more leisurely pace.
We are there now, come on over!!!
Update Saturday 10:00 pm
Channel 6 News visited our Field Day site and depending on the other stories (of course) plans on airing their coverage of us tonight on the 11:00 news. Catch us tonight, and stop by in person Sunday after 10 am. The contest period ends for us at 2 pm, but we’ll be cleaning up and enjoying a hotdog and conversing with old friends for hours after that!
 WWhat else could possibly be the main topic of the June meeting except Field Day? After getting the meeting started, things settled into a businesslike pace as minutes were read, and reports were given. W3BC reported the club’s ARRL Special Service Club status was renewed after many years of inactivity. He further commented that the Field Day Press Release had been picked up and published by several local news outlets, and that a television news camera crew is expected. The subject turned to Field Day, and visitors Lee and Mary Lewis (N3NWL and N3UDN) shared with us some very useful Field Day pointers from their years of experience at putting on a really great Field Day operation in Ridgway.
Hams from four counties gathered at the Clearfield County EMA Center for their June Meeting. Guests helped finalize Field Day plans, newcomers introduced themselves and guest Steve Waltman KB3FPN presented an engaging technology program to round out yet another good old QCARC meeting! Mike WB3EQW raised the question of why the club covers four counties, and Club Founder Joe W3BC related the history of the Club’s creation and the rationale behind the large geographic area.
Under new business, W3BC suggested a new program for members wishing to do more for the club — the Dime-A-Day Donor Program. Club members may voluntarily contribute an additional $36.50 each year to go toward the Club’s Educational and Outreach programs. In recognition of these voluntary contributions, they will receive the status of “Sustaining Member” and a certificate bearing witness to that fact. Several contributions were given to the Treasurer. 15 members and guests were in attendance.
After the meeting, Coffee and Donuts were enjoyed, and a 50-50 drawing was held. 
The program was then presented by Steve Waltman KB3FPN from Brookville, with help from Tom W3KWT. The program was a demonstration of the capabilities of a Communications Monitor, and how amateur transmitters could be tested easily to be sure they measured up to specs.
Photo Gallery
(Click any image to begin slideshow, press [ESC] to stop)
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Don KB3LES will be bringing his secret weapon, which looks like something from NASA… You’ll have to be there to catch all the fun!!!
