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 TThe ARRL is the national asociation for Amateur Radio. Without the League, Amateur Radio would long ago have ceased existence.
In today’s tough times, every penny counts, and some question the need to belong to the League. The answer is: we need the ARRL now more than ever. Recently, the League has defended the Amateur Radio Service against powerful, deep-pocket corporate interests who threatened our precious frequencies. You’ve all heard of the BPL initiatives, which are now on the back burner, largely due to the League’s organized resistance. More recently, Congress wanted to horse-trade frequencies to fulfill campaign promises to emergency service providers by taking away our 432 MHz band. This too was defeated through the efforts of the ARRL. The ARRL pays our club a commission when you join or renew ARRL Membership through us! Every day, the League fights our battles for us with federal, state and local governments who picture us as a bunch of old geezers yelling “10-4” into our power mikes, or tip-tapping our rusty telegraph keys. Your ARRL dues support the League’s intensive efforts to change this image by educating and informing our leaders about Amateur Radio today.
Your dues also help your local club, too! The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Special Service Club, and as a League Affiliated Club, we receive a portion of your dues, when you join or renew your ARRL membership. But this only works if you involve us in the process. You have to use the ARRL Membership Application for use by ARRL Affiliated Clubs form, which you can bring to a club meeting along with your ARRL dues check, which must be made out to The Quad-County ARC.
You worked hard to get your license, you’ve spent a lot of money for your radios, and you have invested innumerable hours perfecting your skills on the air. You owe it to yourself, to your club and to Amateur Radio to protect that investment, and joining the ARRL is the way to do that. It’s even better for your friends and neighbors when you process your League Membership through the Quad-County ARC!
GGET YOUR LICENSE! The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club invites you to attend free classes that will help you prepare for the FCC Technician exams and get your license! Classes are every Thursday begining Thursday, July 14 at 6:30 pm, and will be held at the Clearfield County 911 Center, 911 Leonard Street, Clearfield. The class will be taught under the supervision of an ARRL Certified Instructorby a team of qualified, active hams who will be on hand to help every student over the rough spots. Additionally, our local mentors will be available between classes to answer any questions which may come up while students are studying at home.
 These classes will continue for four weeks, and will end with a Volunteer Exam session at the 911 Center on Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 pm. The material is appropriate for all ages from 10 to 110, however parents of those under 13 are especially encouraged to sit in with their children to provide any needed support. The course consists of the material you will need to know in order to take and pass the FCC license exams, and will follow the material in the ARRL License Manual Second Edition, which although not required is available from the ARRL or other vendors for the list price of $29.95 or through the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club at a substantial discount.
It's easier than you think to get your license. Our instructors guide you past the hurdles and lead you to the finish line!
Topics to be covered include every group of questions on the FCC Technician Exam Element 2:
SUBELEMENT T1 – FCC Rules, descriptions and definitions for the amateur radio service, operator and station license responsibilities
SUBELEMENT T2 – Operating Procedure
SUBELEMENT T3 – Radio wave characteristics, radio and electromagnetic properties, propagation modes
SUBELEMENT T4 – Amateur radio practices and station set up
SUBELEMENT T5 – Electrical principles, math for electronics, electronic principles, Ohm’s Law
SUBELEMENT T6 – Electrical components, semiconductors, circuit diagrams, component functions
SUBELEMENT T7 – Station equipment; common transmitter and receiver problems, antenna measurements and troubleshooting, basic repair and testing
SUBELEMENT T8 – Modulation modes; amateur satellite operation, operating activities, non-voice communication
SUBELEMENT T9 – Antennas, feedlines
SUBELEMENT T0 – AC power circuits, antenna installation, RF hazards
Course materials:
Lesson Plan: 
 Word has been received from Larry Keller AB3ER, WPA Section Emergency Coordinator, that a new WPA-ARES website has now gone live. The address is the same, http://www.wpaares.org, but the design and content are all new.
All ARES members will have to re-register according to the schedule... The big story, however is that the new website contains an ARES registration system for Western Pennsylvania ARES participants only. All WPA ARES participants are required to register using the new system to remain ARES members. Due to concerns about server load and manual processing, you are requested to register only by the following schedule:
| District |
Registration date window |
North-1 District
Clarion, Crawford, Erie,
Forest, Lawrence, Mercer,
Venango, Warren
|
June 14-30 |
North-2 District
Cameron, Centre, Clearfield,
Clinton, Elk, Jefferson,
McKean, Potter
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July 1-14 |
South-1 District
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver,
Butler, Fayette, Greene,
Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland
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July 15-31 |
South-2 District
Bedford, Blair, Cambria,
Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Mifflin, Somerset
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July 1-14 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access the registration page?
Go to www.wpaares.org. The registration page is accessed from a button on the left side of the homepage
- Is my information confidential?
Information you submit will be available only to the Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator and the Emergency Coordinator for your County.
- Why collect this information?
Collection of information on-line is more convenient , an easy to use roster is compiled to facilitate efficient communication with you and more effective response actions in your community and the Section.
- How will I know my registration was successful?
You will receive a confirmation message after you hit the submit button at the bottom. PLEASE DO NOT use ENTER when completing the form. Use the TAB or Mouse to navigate between fields and use the SUBMIT button.
- If I make an error, can I correct it?
Yes, just resubmit ALL data. We recognize duplicates and will use the most recent entry.
- Can I register in two counties?
Yes, if you live on a boundary and serve two counties. You must enter two complete and separate forms.
There is a growing need for ARES emergency communications services, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated.
Questions, contact your EC or AB3ER@comcast.net.
 OON MAY 24, the ARRL renewed the Special Service Club status for the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club. QCARC has been an ARRL Affiliated Club since 1978, and became a Special Service Club in 1985. This renewal indicates the Club’s continuing commitment to providing additional services to its members and the communities it serves.
Is it a big deal? Yeah, it kind of is. Of the 43 ARRL Affiliated Amateur Radio Clubs in the Western Pennsylvania Section, the Quad-County Club is one of only three Special Service Clubs currently listed in the ARRL online Club Directory. Nationwide, only 137 SSC clubs are so designated from 2,000 ARRL Affiliated clubs. The national average is under 7% of all ARRL Affiliates are SSCs.
A Special Service Club is not “bigger and better” than other clubs; the designation is conferred upon those clubs that in addition to the usual ham radio activities have made an extensive effort to reach out to their members and communities, provide education and technological expertise to their members and the public, encourage and assist their members in keeping their operating skills sharp for emergency communications should the need arise, and present Amateur Radio to the public in a positive light, attracting new members and new hams by their activities rather than promoting with empty words.
The following description of Special Service Clubs is from the ARRL:
"TRULY SPECIAL Amateur Radio clubs are well balanced in their programs for serving the community, developing club members’ Amateur Radio skills and social activities, striving each year to build on their successes to improve their effectiveness. The objective of the ARRL’s Special Service Club program is to help good clubs organize and focus their efforts on those things that really count. Being an SSC should mean that members have certain skills, that the club as a group has the ability to improve service inside and outside the Amateur Radio community, and that it does so when needed.
To be accepted under the ARRL SSC program, a club must be actively involved in each of the following areas:
- New Ham Development and Training
Purpose: Develop an effective, coordinated program of public relations, recruiting, training and ongoing assistance targeted to prospective hams in your community to foster needed growth in Amateur Radio.
- Public Relations
Purpose: Establish an effective Amateur Radio presence in your community, including contact with local media and coverage of your activities; Public Information Officer appointment.
- Emergency Communications
Purpose: Club members should become skilled in communicating effectively during communications emergencies and be prepared to assist when needed; Official Emergency Station appointment and participation in ARES.
- Technical Advancement
Purpose: Continuing education in the technical aspects of Amateur Radio to ensure that your club members are technically competent, familiar and comfortable with modern radio-electronics technology; Technical Specialist appointment.
- Operating Activities
Purpose: Active participation as a club in one or more major operating or operating support activities to ensure that your club maintains a high level of operating skill.
- Miscellaneous Activities
Purpose: Every active club has its special interests and activities that make it unique, that give it special personality. At least three such activities are required to become a Special Service Club.”
Breaking News
(From ARRL WPA SM John Rodgers N3MSE)
RECENTLY SOME misinformation was obtained regarding the passge of a Senate Bill and sent to the House. This bill was mistakenly identified as SB583. This is incorrect. The bill that passed was Senate Bill 314 printer number 1295. This Bill specificially exempts amateur radio.
Please do not at this time write letters etc. except in support of this exemption. We do not want to upset the current situation.
73
John Rodgers, N3MSE
W. Pa. Section Manager
 FIELD DAY IS many things to many people, but among amateur radio operators, it is popular! In the words of Francis E. Handy W1BDI (SK) the “Father” of Field Day, it offers “a great opportunity to get out in the open in this fine spring weather…”
All radio amateurs and people interested in personal communications in our entire Quad-County area are invited to participate in this year’s Quad-County Amateur Radio Club Field Day operation at the Old Town Sportsmen’s Booth on the Clearfield County Fairgrounds. This is a location open to the public, and there is plenty of free parking. Above and beyond that, there is a shelter where we will be setting up shop, and this will protect us from the inevitable showers and Mother Nature’s many otherinconveniences.
 Quad-County Field Day historically has been a family affair, and we continue that tradition this year. There are facilities for a cookout, so we will have one, and a place to sit and eat in comfort! We emphasize again that we intend to make this a family affair and everyone is invited.
Activities begin on Saturday morning, June 25th, and continue around the clock until 5 pm on Sunday. Field day is the largest event in Amateur Radio. Participate with your local club this year and get in on the fun! W3BC is bringing a couple contest-grade radios which he has used to achieve numerous contest awards, and is fine-tuning the networked computer logging system. There are several recently licensed hams locally, and we are setting up a “GOTA” (Get On The Air) station for recently licensed amateurs, those without licenses yet, and long time hams who have not been active lately.  The GOTA station is the ideal way for amateur radio newcomers and unlicensed family members to enjoy a meaningful part in the festivities by making actual contacts with other Field Day stations that will contribute to the Club’s overall score!
We also plan on having a VHF station on hand so if 6 meters and 2 meters open up we will be ready to go! Four transmitters, food, a public information area, shelter from the elements… It sounds like a large order, but we’ve done it before and we will do it again this year! There is a lot to be finalized at the meeting on Friday, June 17th, so plan on attending that important meeting!
 The Quad-County ARC May meeting was held Friday, May 20. Despite being the weekend of the Dayton Hamfest, there was a reasonable turnout. Routine business was conducted, the outstanding Spring Banquet bills were submitted for reimbursement, and several people volunteered for Club support positions.
Beginning his term as Technology Specialist is Lars Kvant SM7FYW. If anyone has technology questions, feel free to ask Lars! It’s only natural for Joe W3BC to accept the duties of Public Information Officer, which he did at the meeting.
Field Day discussion resulted in the formation of a committee to look into a location for this year’s effort. By a poll of members present, it will not be held at the EOC this year, but at the Fairgrounds or another suitable park. More details will follow as soon as arrangements have been made.
After the Business Meeting, the coffee and donuts were served, and the evening’s program began. Lars SM7FYW and Don KB3LES put on a very interesting program about radio fox hunting, and discussed the antennas, techniques and technology it takes to find an unknown transmitter.
A drawing was held for one of Don’s antennas that he kindly donated to the club. The lucky winner was Bryan Simanic WA3UFN from DuBois.
Next month’s meeting will be the finalization of Field Day planning, and the program will be Tweak and Peak night. Steve Waltman, KB3FPN will bring a commercial communications service monitor to help check out rig performance and tuning. Bring your VHF and UHF equipment, and Steve will help you get the most out of it!
Photo Gallery
Click for for full screen and other controls…
[showtime]
 On Saturday, May 14, 30 local Radio Amateurs and family members gathered at the Fort Worth Hotel Restaurant in downtown Du Bois to take part in the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club Spring banquet. Those attending were from Du Bois, Clearfield, Emporium, Brookville, Big Run, Curwensville, Strattanville, Falls Creek, Rockton, Morrisdale, Centre Hall, Brockway, Bradford and Butler.
 After an enjoyable buffet dinner of pot roast and stuffed chicken breast entrees, dessert was served from a cake featuring the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club Emblem. Club Founder and Master of Ceremonies Joe Shupienis W3BC, Publisher of The Parasitic Emission newsletter and the ARRL guest speakers presented Author Awards to all those present who contributed to the newsletter.
The longest-licensed and the newest Amateurs were recognized for their contributions to Amateur Radio and to their communities. Those who serve as Volunteer Examiners were also honored for their service.
 John Rodgers N3MSE, Western Pennsylvania Section Manager of the American Radio Relay League, the National Organization for Amateur Radio, gave an update on current activities in the Western Pennsylvania Section and important information on matters affecting Amateurs nationwide. At the conclusion of his remarks, he introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Bill Edgar N3LLR, who serves on the ARRL Board of Directors as the Atlantic Division Director.
 Director Edgar gave a very inspiring talk about the importance of local Amateur Radio Clubs, saying the local club is “where the rubber meets the road.” He discussed the services the ARRL offers local clubs, and strongly encouraged all in attendance to contact the ARRL for assistance in making their club stronger and more vital. He congratulated the Quad-County ARC on its 36-year history, and for its current accomplishments.
Following the keynote address, Club President Doug Rowles W3DWR was assisted by MC Joe Shupienis W3BC and the ARRL guests in distributing awards and certificates to the club members. Herb Murray W3TM received the Outstanding Service Award for 2010 in recognition for outstanding service to the club and membership while serving as Program Coordinator. The long-overdue Charter Member certificates were presented to those charter members in attendance: Sham Hollopeter W3QOS, Bill Zavatsky K3QEQ, Bryan Simanic WA3UFN and Club Founder Joe Shupienis W3BC (WA3IHK).
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to speakers Bill Edgar N3LLR and John Rodgers N3MSE both for their participation in our banquet and in recognition of their extraordinary service to all amateurs in our ARRL Section and Division.
Finally the prize drawings were held, with Janet Lovesky KB3ABK taking home the Grand Prize, a brand new Puxing PX-2A portable UHF transceiver. After that, everyone stayed on and chatted with old friends and new for quite a while while the restaurant staff bussed the room.
The food was great, the speakers were interesting, the prizes were much appreciated, and the conversation shared with friends was extraordinary! Our thanks go out to everyone who participated and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon at our next event!
Photo gallery
Click for full screen…
[slideshow]
There are a few extra programs left over from the Banquet. If you would like one for your scrapbook, or to send to a friend, or for whatever reason, please contact W3BC.
To add an item, just “Add news item” and be sure to check the “Swap-n-Shop” Category. Write it up, upload photos, etc. Post it like any other news item, and let the magic of this website take it from there. It won’t show up on the home page, but it will show up in searches and under “Members”.
Good Luck and have fun!
ps: When the sale is over, kindly delete the item.
Just a word of thanks to Joe-W3BC for his work in setting up the 2011 banquet, it was super!!!!!!
Thank You!!!!
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TThe ARRL is the national asociation for Amateur Radio. Without the League, Amateur Radio would long ago have ceased existence.
