Subject:MARC Annual Elections - Thursday September 8th
Posted:Sunday, September 4th, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
September is here and it is time for the annual MARC elections.
The new officer slate has been chosen and the elections will be held at the September 8th meeting.
There will also be nominations from the floor. You must be a paid club member to be eligible to vote.
2005 Election Slate for Club officers
| President |
Lyle Hamilton |
AB8SH |
| Vice President |
Ryan Yoxthimer |
KA8QBW |
| AND |
AND |
| Vice President |
Chuck Beal |
N8CJB |
| Treasurer |
Jim Linn |
WB8RRR |
| Secretary |
Barb Steward |
KA8AXY |
Subject:Amateur Radio emergency communication volunteers needed!
Posted:Sunday, September 2nd, 2005
Amateur Radio emergency communication volunteers needed! (Sep 2, 2005) -- UPDATE -- The ARRL now is seeking experienced Amateur Radio emergency volunteers to help supplement communication for American Red Cross feeding and sheltering operations in Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle--as many as 200 locations in all. Special consideration will be given to operators who have successfully completed the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course training (Level I minimum) to serve as team leaders. These volunteer operators will help to provide communication and equipment for relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers may face hardship conditions without the usual amenities and will need to provide their own transportation to the marshaling area.
Working in cooperation with the ARRL, http://katrina.ab2m.net/ will now be handling all volunteer sign ups for the Katrina Relief effort. If you have already entered your information to Katrina@arrl.org, your information will be forwarded to AB2M to avoid duplication.
Katrina@arrl.org should be used for all other inquiries to the ARRL regarding Hurricane Katrina.
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Subject:WEAVER'S WORDS -- WELCOME TO AUGUST
Posted:Sunday August 4, 2005
Inside this issue
- BOARD APPROVES REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH
- EXPLANATION
- THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT
- LETTERS TO CONGRESS - THANKS
- ELECTIONS
BOARD APPROVES REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH
The ARRL Board of Directors approved a proposal to segregate amateur bands based upon bandwidth of transmitted signal. This method of assigning sub-bands would replace the current system that designates where we may operate by our mode of transmission. If adopted, essentially all that would change is the way we refer to sub-bands.
For example, where we currently think in terms of frequencies open to SSB, we instead would think in terms of where we could use its approximate bandwidth. This bandwidth is typically considered to be about 2.7-2.8 kHz. SSB sigs would fit very nicely into the 3.5 kHz sub-band that would be available to them. (I pushed for a wider sub-band, but this did't work
out.) Similar situations would relate to CW, the several digital forms, etc.
The big deal about this proposal is that it would enable hams to return to the leading edge of development in communication technology. And, yes, there are provisions for AM, FM, etc.
Whenever changes are made in long established practices, confusion often occurs. Not surprisingly, this is true of the Bandwidth regulation proposal. What is the uncertainty?
The principal question I've been asked is, How am I supposed to measure the bandwidth of my transmissions?
CThe answer: The Bandwidth proposal would require us to do nothing we are not required to do now. Unless someone is involved in in-depth development of new forms of transmission, we generally don't measure bandwidth, now. We will not need to measure it in the future.
VThink of it this way. Under existing regulations, we talk in terms of SSB, ATV, SSTV, CW, etc. What actually is going on is that the regs authorize us to use these modes provided the signals we transmit satisfy requirements of good operating practices -- which include proper transmitted bandwidth. Even though we think in terms of mode, we operate in terms of bandwidth.
As typical operators we generally rely on the quality of our equipment and its components, as well as on reports of the quality of our signal (that we receive from fellow hams or by monitoring our own transmitted signals) to determine that our SSB, CW, PSK-31 or other emission quality is good and inside designated sub-bands. Nothing about the Bandwidth proposal would change this.
EXPLANATION
One tradition in the Great Lakes Division is that the Director and Vice Director travel to club meetings, hamfests/swaps and similar local events throughout the year. These visits bring ARRL to its members. I totally support this tradition. Recently, though, a short-term medical problem has made it difficult for me to travel. You deserve to know the problem is being solved and I will be able to resume my normal routine, soon. In the meantime, please accept my apology for limiting much of my travel.
If you have any questions about this, let me know.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT -- AND WHY
To succeed at nearly anything, we must learn to control our destiny! Boy, have my children and grandchildren, even people who reported to me at work heard this statement of one of my philosophies on life . . . often. What this means is that if we want something to be done, we need to take responsibility for making it happen.
What would you identify as the single, most important accomplishment Amateur Radio should pursue in order to protect and expand our great Service? Is it protecting our frequencies? Or is it attracting new hams to the fold? Or what about guaranteeing amateurs the right to erect antenna supports and antennas without being hassled? Is this the most important thing?
As important as these are, none tops my most-important list. First on my list of critically most important projects is ARRL's non-partisan Grassroots Lobbying. When properly pursued, Grassroots will make success possible in many other highly important projects.
Grassroots Lobbying? You bet. We need to be able to work the legitimate systems available to us to gain our legitimate objectives. The political system is a very important one of these systems. Like it or not, everything we do in life is impacted by politics. Our personal involvement with politics begins with many of the interactions we as youngsters have with our parents. And, can you think of any aspect of life that is more politically charged than the relationship between wife and husband?
But ARRL is a non-profit organization and cannot legally become involved in politics, you say.
Not so, I reply. Non-profit organizations, ARRL included, may legally enter into the political arena provided they follow IRS rules. These rules essentially require us to avoid involvement in partisan politics (e.g. not to act on the basis of political parties) and to limit expenses incurred in lobbying to specified percentage of our income. Lobbying within these limits can be highly effective.
ARRL qualifies fully in all respects to lobby in favor of our non-partisan, pro-Amateur Radio agenda. Failing to lobby can mean disaster for ham radio.
Why, would any of us want to get involved in politics though? This answer is simple for us who really enjoy Amateur Radio as a hobby as well as for us who appreciate the tremendous contributions of hamming to public service.
What is the most important thing individual amateurs can do to make our lobbying effort effective? Follow the through on the strategies developed nationally as these are provided to you through the Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio State Legislative Action Coordinators.
What is about the worst thing you can do? Choose, as is your right, to be a loner . . . to ignore the advice attributed to Abraham Lincoln that "if we all do not hang together, we shall surely all hang separately."
Vice Director Dick Mondro, W8FQT has accepted my request to head the Grassroots effort in the Division (Division Legislative Action Chairman). The State Legislative Action Coordinators who manage this program in their states are Gregory Baize, Sr., KG4VJC (Kentucky), Val Rose, N8EXV (Michigan) and Jim Ashman, W8ASH (Ohio). You may hear from one of these Division leaders.
One important point to recognize is that the Grassroots Lobbying Program is separate from the Section Government Liaison (SGL) program. Grassroots Lobbying is focused on national legislation. SGLs limit their activities to intra-state activities.
LETTERS TO CONGRESS
Since my last newsletter, many more (still far from all) Division members have written their US Representatives urging them to support H.Res.
230. To you who have written, thanks for your help.
ELECTIONS,
In case you missed the notices, elections for Director and Vice Director of our Great Lakes Division will be held in just a few weeks. I am pleased to say I've learned there will be about six candidates for these offices. This provides testimony to the level of importance Division members assign to ARRL. Full members will receive ballots in the mail. Watch QST for further information.
I encourage you to review carefully the qualifications of each candidate and vote for the candidate of your choice for each position. Be sure to participate in selecting the eople who will represent you in Newington.
73, more later, Jim, K8JE Director Great Lakes Division, ARRL
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Subject:ARRL Executive Committee Readies Bandwidth Recommendations
Posted:Sunday April 17, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
Acting on the premise that the amateur bands must flexibly and comfortably accommodate present and future operating modes and technologies over the long haul, the ARRL Executive Committee has reached consensus on recommendations to the ARRL Board of Directors for a regulation-by-bandwidth proposal. Meeting April 9 in Denver, the panel adopted recommendations that will form the basis of a draft ARRL petition to the FCC seeking to govern the usage of amateur spectrum by emission bandwidth rather than by mode. The proposals remain only EC recommendations at this point. Nothing will be filed with the FCC until the ARRL Board of Directors gives its go-ahead. Five of the 15 voting Directors sit on the EC. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says a key principle underlying the League initiative is that the amateur community must shoulder the responsibility for resolving conflicts among potentially conflicting modes and not expect--or wait for--the FCC to impose its own solutions.Full Story
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Subject:Jim Weaver - ARRL Program
Posted:Saturday April 16, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
I would like to thank Jim Weaver, K8JE, our ARRL Great Lakes Division Director for his great presentation at our April meeting. Jim spoke to us about the ARRL Bandwidth recommendations that will be presented to the FCC. Jim also spoke about the new licensing proposal and other ARRL initiatives.
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Subject:Program for April 14 Meeting
Posted:Saturday April 9, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
Jim Weaver, K8JE, will be our guest speaker at our April meeting. Jim is the ARRL Director of the Great Lakes Region, which is made up of Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. Please make sure you attend this interesting presentation. If you have some topics you would like discussed, please post them here.
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Subject:New Forum
Posted:Saturday April 2, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
Check out the new"Forum"that I put together for the club. This is a great format for communicating with your fellow hams. You can ask questions, post for sale/wanted items, make comments, etc., and others will respond. If you are new to a"Forum", they have been used on web sites for years and are a great way to share ideas, information and needs and wants.
All you have to do is enter a simple user id (typically your call) and a password and you are all set. I see that a couple of people have joined and I haven't really told anybody, yet. I can change the categories and topics as I get input on what would be useful. You can get to it from the main bar at the top where it says"New - Forum". Go ahead and give it a try - you won't hurt anything! Let me know what you think.
I also put a"MARC Calendar"on here today. I will be inputing MARC and CARES events into the calendar. Let me know of MARC/CARES activities I can add and make sure I am up-to-date! You can access the calendar by clicking on the"Calendar"on the selection bar.
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Subject:Two new Technicians and two new Generals!
Posted:Tuesday March 22, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
Congratulations go out to two new hams that participated in the recent Technician class on March 5th and 12th and just got issued their licenses this week!Connie Ramos - KD8BEF, andChuck Beal - KD8BEG, both passed their test at the club VE Session on March 15th.
We also had two MARC members pass their General test in the past couple of weeks.Barry Evans - KC8ZIAandRyan Yoxthimer - KA8QBWhave advanced to the General class.
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Subject:MARC Web Page
Posted:Friday March 22, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
This web page has recently been moved to a new hosting location. I have some work to do to make sure all the links are working properly. I am also changing some of the pages. Give me a little time to get it working the way it should. You will notice some links that aren't working. I will get them fixed ASAP!
Steve
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Subject:Weaver's Word
Posted:Saturday April 1, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
Subject: WEAVER'S WORDS -- Baseball is Here -- IT'S SPRING!
FCC ACTION
We often complain about the apparent slowness of enforcement action by the FCC. These complaints no doubt result from the vast majority of members not being aware of the cumbersome legal hurdles our society has demanded to protect the innocent, and the limited funding for FCC action and staffing. Individually, these issues cause the wheels of regulatory enforcement to turn slowly.
Nonetheless, the wheels of the vehicle driven by Riley Hollingsworth continue to move. During recent months, he and his people have issued various forms of citations to a number of power companies that have been interfering with Amateur Radio reception, various industrial operations whose mistuned equipment has been radiating excessively on our bands, unlicensed operators who have been using 2M HTs to coordinate their hunting expeditions, manufacturers whose equipment is made to generate more power on ham bands than Part 15 allows, and, yes a variety of licensed amateurs who seem to take relish in inappropriate and illegal operations.
Many of the actions of the FCC have been assisted by the ARRL OO Corps. This Corps has often done the initial spade work to identify who, when, where and what. Because this effort most generally is conducted without fanfare, OOs and the FCC often are derided as"do nothings."This is far from the truth, though. These people, whether OOs or FCC staffers, go about their business as unsung heroes.
Remember, if there is a problem with unlicensed operators, illegally-irradiating power lines or equipment, or illegally-operating amateurs in your area, work through the OO Corps and get the issue solved.
You don't have any OOs in your vicinity? Contact your Section OO Coordinator or Section Manager and offer to become an OO. Become part of the resolution. Remember that"It is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness."
REFLECTING
I don't mean the type of reflecting we count on for bouncing signals in Earth-Moon-Earth communication or even the Earth-Ionosphere-Earth-Ionosphere, etc. The reflecting to which I refer is on the past. Even at @$ years young, I don't dwell much on the past except to try to learn from it. There is too much to do now and in the future. On the other hand it is rather useful to think of where I've been, where I am and where I want to go.
With the above background laid, I will apply reflection to Amateur Radio. On a personal plane, my reflection reminded me I had absolutely no aspiration to become even a little fish in the pool of a small ham club. My objectives changed, though, and I moved up the positions to hold a number of leadership positions in clubs and, surprise of all surprises, in ARRL. I even told one of my friends (an SK now) I had absolutely no aspiration to run for any form of office in the League. This was 100% true at the time, but my interests and objectives changed.
At one time, I told anyone who would listen that DXing may be a nice thing to do, but it offered no particular value to the community. The real game, I said again and again, was"emergency communication."I spent 20 years working as a leader in ARES/ARPSC and Civil Defense (now the EMA). But, now, I am a DXer. I still say Emergency Communications is THE most important phase of Amateur Radio, but I've learned it isn't the only thing. So, after redirecting my Amateur Radio career, I hold 5 Band DXCC and am on the list of hams who have earned a DX Challenge plaque. Things change. We do not stay the same year after year.
About DX offering no particular value to the community: The recent VU4 DXpedition has caused me to eat my words about the value of DXing to the community. This DXpedition party was the first to report the devastating tsunami in the Far East. This group as well as other DXers in and out of the stricken area stayed on the air as the only contacts between victimized areas and relief forces for several days after the incident. Thank goodness for DXers!
OK, so what is the point of all this waste of bytes? It is simple. One major fact of life is that nearly each of us goes through changes in interests over the years. As a result, we individuals do not dare to make fun of the interests of anyone else. It just could be that we may see our preferences redirected sometime in the future to the very activity that we deride today. Exercise -- even enjoy -- legitimate differences.
Fine tuning this, don't go around bashing others because they have no desire to communicate beyond the range of VHF and UHF repeaters. They are hams just as much as DXers or public service-oriented folks. Similarly, don't put Techs down because you have a higher license class; put no code licensees down because you passed 13 or 20 wpm. They are just as much radio amateurs as those of us who became Extras under the 20 wpm requirement. Laws and regulations change. People change. Situations change.
Rather than dividing the ham ranks into no code vs. coded licensees, or Old Timers vs. newbies, or traffic handlers vs. DXers, ad nauseum, let's pull together in a never-before-seen manner for the good of Amateur Radio.
OK. I'm off my Ivory Soap box.
2005 MICHIGAN QSO PARTY -- From Mark Hinkelman, NU8Z
Attention Michigan Amateurs. The Michigan QSO Party is right around the corner and all Michigan hams are invited to join in on this great opportunity to get on the HF bands, represent the great state of Michigan, and last but not least, have some fun. Get on the air for an hour or two, or the entire event. Let's create some RF and make Michigan"Radio Active"on April 16!!!!!
MICHIGAN QSO PARTY (AN UNPAID, UNPOLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT)
Michigan QSO Party, sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club, and will be held from 1600Z April 16th until 0400Z April 17th. (12 hours)
See the MiQP website for more information, complete rules, free logging software, log and summary sheets, and loads of other stuff. There is also a great write up titled"MiQP for First Timers". http://www.miqp.org.
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(Everything permitting, I will work a number of GLD members in this QSO Party as I have done in the past. If you hear me, say hello. Join the fun.)
REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH
This concept is still alive and well. The Board of Directors reviewed its status during the January Board meeting and referred it back to the Board's Executive Committee for further work and to be brought back to our July meeting. In the meantime, I've been hearing all sorts of unfounded rumors about this still-developing proposal. These revolve around statements such as: You are trying to do away with (you can fill in this blank with AM, RTTY, DIGITAL, ATV, CW, SSB, etc.).
I hate to go around bursting people's bubbles, but none of this is true. The Board is working diligently to enable our members to have more freedom to experiment without detracting from current operating privileges. To do this requires much thought and considerable time. We want to do it"right"the first time.
THIS AND THAT
THE ARRL AMATEUR RADIO SPECTRUM PROTECTION ACT has been introduced to the US House for the current term. This means we will soon want to ask each of our Representatives to cosponsor and vote for the act.
I've received several volunteers who are willing to meet with their Congressmen or their aides"back home."We still need quite a number of additional volunteers. If you have not yet notified me of your willingness to help, please contact me ASAP with your name, call, address, telephone number, E-mail address, Congressional District and the name of your Congressman. You will not be requested to devote any great amount of time and effort and we will provide you with instructions on making contacts.
ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION -- ARRL EXPO -- is being held at the Dayton Hamvention(R). Dayton is a"must attend"for many amateurs worldwide. This year, the addition of the ARRL National alongside the Hamvention is a double-must! There will be special activities and presentations throughout the extended weekend. Check out http://www.arrl.org/announce/nc/2005/ frequently as details are presented. This site also has a link to the Hamvention. ARRL Expo will have a large, special Expo area inside HARA Arena.
Tnx for your support of ARRL, your SM and staff, and of Dick and me. We appreciate this. Moreover, we need it if we are to continue to provide the best leadership for Amateur Radio.
73,
Jim
PS: Go Reds! Go White Sox!
Jim Weaver, K8JE
Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/
5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040
Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je@arrl.org
ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is!
MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is!
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Subject: MARC Amateur Radio Technician Classes
Posted:Friday February 23, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
The Milford Amateur Radio Club will be having a Technician Level Class starting Saturday March 5. The class session will be held at the Five Points building in Milford. Check our web site www.w8mrc.com for directions. It is the same location we have our club meetings. Check under club/meetings
This will be the shortened format that will allow people to complete the class over two consecutive Saturdays.
When:
Saturday, March 5 – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, March 12 – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Tuesday, March 15 – Technician Test at 7:00PM
For more information, please email Lyle Hamilton, AB8SH - Vice President of the Milford Amateur Radio Club, at: ab8sh@arrl.net
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Subject: John Ackerman, N8UR
Posted:Friday February 13, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
I would like to thank John Ackerman, N8UR, President of TAPR for his interesting presentation at our MARC meeting last week.
John talked about the TAPR organization and what they are doing these days. The main presentation was about the new network
analyzer. John demonstrated the analyzer that interfaces with computer software to test antenna's, coax, filter's and many other items.
Learn more about TAPR
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Subject: ARRL Tells FCC to "Reconsider, Rescind and Restudy" BPL Order
Posted:Friday February 11, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
(Feb 7, 2005) The ARRL has petitioned the FCC to take its broadband over power line (BPL) Report and Order (R&O) back to the drawing board.
In a Petition for Reconsideration filed today, the League called on the Commission to "reconsider, rescind and restudy" its October 14, 2004,
adoption of new Part 15 rules spelling out how BPL providers may deploy the technology on HF and low-VHF frequencies. Asserting that the R&O
fails to adequately take into account the technology's potential to interfere with Amateur Radio and other licensed services, the League
called the FCC's action to permit BPL "a gross policy mistake." The R&O, the ARRL said, "represents a classic case of prejudgment" by an
FCC that knew better but ignored evidence already at its disposal. Full Story
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Subject: Technician Classes, March 2005
Posted:Sunday, January 30, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
The Milford Amateur Radio Club will be having a Technician Level Class in March 2005. We will do the shortened
format that will allow people to complete the class over two consecutive Saturdays.
If you are interested in signing up, or know someone that is interested, contact Lyle for more information.
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Subject: ARRL Board of Directors Outlines Legislative Agenda
Posted:Sunday, January 30, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 27, 2005--Frigid New England temperatures and a major snowstorm failed to chill enthusiasm as the ARRL Board of Directors
met January 21-22 in Windsor, Connecticut, to tackle a lengthy agenda. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, chaired the gathering. Among the highlights of the session was the Board's unanimous adoption of positions on six initiatives for the 109th Congress. Topping the list was a call for "consistent application" of the FCC's limited federal preemption policy--PRB-1--to Amateur Radio antenna systems. The League wants PRB-1 to apply to "all types of land use regulations," public and private. That would include deed covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs).
Full Story
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Subject: FCC Chairman Michael Powell Announces his Resignation
Posted:Sunday, January 23, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell Announces his Resignation (Jan 21, 2005) -- FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell announced today that he'll step down,
effective "sometime in March." Powell's resignation comes just one day after President George W. Bush's inauguration for a second term in the White House.
Nominated by former President Bill Clinton, Powell--whose father is Secretary of State Colin Powell--joined the FCC in 1997. He became its chairman two days after President Bush was sworn in for his first term in 2001. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, called Powell's performance "a deep disappointment" after some initial optimism. While the League is not unhappy about Powell's departure--especially given his unabashed cheerleading on behalf of the FCC's broadband over power line (BPL) initiative--there's also concern about whom President Bush might call upon to replace him.
Full Story
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Subject: 19th Annual SWOH Digital Communications Symposium
Posted:Sunday, January 9, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
The 19th Annual SWOH Digital Communications Symposium will be from 9 AM to 4 PM EST, Saturday, January 15, 2005 in Thesken Hall,
on the Middletown Campus of Miami University, Middletown, Ohio, and everyone is cordially invited to attend. No admission charge,
a nominal fee if you want to eat a sandwich lunch with us, and a freewill offering will be taken to cover incidentals.
See http://www.swohdigi.org for details and directions, or reply to n8xx@arrl.net.
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Subject: VK0MT - In top 50 Most Wanted DX Entities
Posted:Saturday, January 8, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
VK0MT on the air from Macquarie Island (Jan 7, 2005) -- The Daily DX reports that VK0MT is on the air from Macquarie Island. Dave Taylor,
VK3KR, a senior communications technical officer with Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) is operating from Macquarie
Island during his spare time, most likely during evening hours. VK0/M is considered among the top 50 most-wanted DXCC entities. Taylor is
equipped with an Icom IC-706 running 100 W. He's expected to be on the island until late March. The Daily DX reports VK0MT has been heard
on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters on SSB. Plans call for him to active on PSK31 and "slow CW" on all bands from 2 to 160 meters.
QSL direct only via JE1LET.
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Subject: Amateur Radio Praised as Lifeline in South Asia
Posted:Saturday, January 8, 2005
Steve Friebele, K8JI
NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 7, 2005--As the tsunami relief and recovery effort continues in South Asia, Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has joined those paying tribute to Amateur Radio's ongoing emergency communication role. Director and
Executive Vice Chairman S. Suri, VU2MY, of India's National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), noted January 5 that the
PM "was all praise for hams in India and the entire world who helped us in this hour of need." Suri said the administrator
of hard-hit Car Nicobar Island has asked NIAR to keep on duty Rama Mohan, VU2MYH, and five other radio amateurs who have
been providing communication with the island since shortly after the December 26 disaster. More about Ham Radio helping in South Asia.
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Subject: W8MRC Temporarily Compromised
Posted:Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Paul Loveless, KC8SGJ
As some of you might have seen, W8mrc.com was "hacked". The reason for the attack is unknown but what is known is the location of the hacker and IP of the Attacker. Thanks to the efforts of Computer Services of Cincinnati and Theon-Pc, we were able to recover the site with in less then 24 hours.
This unprovoked event goes to show why you need to be protected on the Internet. To download the best Anti-Virus software available on the net, click here.
Also, if running Windows XP, download Service Pack 2, to utilize the built in firewall.
Here is the Information on the Hacker that attacked W8mrc.com:
Location of Attacker: Rotterdam, Netherlands
IP Address of Attacker: 80.56.243.190
Thanks everyone for being patient while the data was recovered.
73's- Paul Loveless, KC8SGJ
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Subject: ARRL-NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY IS DECEMBER 4
Posted: Saturday, November 20, 2004
The sixth annual ARRL-National Weather Service SKYWARN Recognition Day
(SRD) event takes place Saturday, December 4.
SKYWARN Recognition Day pays tribute to Amateur Radio SKYWARN volunteers
for the vital services they provide during weather-related emergencies.
During the 24-hour activity, radio amateurs set up stations at National
Weather Service (NWS) offices and work as a team to contact other hams
around the world.
Check this link for additional information.
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Subject: ARRL Expresses Disappointment with Administration over BPL Report and Order
Posted: Friday, November 7, 2004
NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 1, 2004--The ARRL has expressed its disappointment with the current administration's failure "to prevent radio spectrum pollution by BPL systems."
In a letter today to Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans copied to President George W. Bush, ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, recalled Evans' assurances on the
administration's behalf earlier this year "that we are responsible and sensitive to valuable incumbent [radiocommunication] systems." Haynie told Evans the FCC's BPL
Report and Order (R&O) in ET Docket 04-37--adopted October 14 and released two weeks later--suggests otherwise. Check the ARRL for additional important info.
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Subject: CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest
Posted: Friday, October 29, 2004
CQ World Wide DX Contest--SSB, sponsored by CQ Magazine, 0000Z Oct 30-2400Z Oct 31
(CW is 0000Z Nov 27-2400Z Nov 28). Frequencies: 160-10 meters.
Categories: SOAB and SOSB (HP >100 W, LP, QRP <5 W), MS, M2 (new), MM. MS have 10 minute rule.
Exchange RS(T) and CQ zone. QSO points: same cont--1 pt (NA stations count 2 pts), diff cont--3 pts.
Stations in the same country may be worked for zone credit only.
Score: QSO points × CQ Zones + DXCC entities and WAE countries counted once per band. For more information: www.cqww.com.
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Subject: Raffle Winner
Posted: Sunday, October 17, 2004
| The raffle drawing for the the 6 watt hand held FM Transceiver was held at the meeting on Thursday. The winner was by John Rusmiselle, KG4VHV. Lyle and I presented John with the HT on Saturday. |
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Subject: FCC Adopts New BPL Rules
Posted: Sunday, October 17, 2004
Meeting October 14 in open session, the FCC adopted revised Part 15
(unlicensed services) rules to specifically regulate broadband over
power line (BPL) systems. Specifics of the new rules in a Report and
Order in ET Docket 04-37 won't be known for a few weeks. In comments
before voting, three members of the Commission, including Chairman
Michael K. Powell, specifically mentioned the concerns of Amateur
Radio operators and expressed either assurances or hope that the new
BPL rules will adequately address interference to licensed services.
Republican FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin addressed Amateur Radio's
and broadcasters' interference concerns in his written statement.
ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, said he was encouraged to see the
Commission acknowledge interference to Amateur Radio as a genuine
issue in the BPL proceeding. Check out the full story. More information about Amateur Radio Band Threats.
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Subject: CARES October Meeting - Program
Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2004
The next Clermont Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CARES) ARES/RACES
will be held at the Goshen Township Fire and Rescue station at 6:30 PM on Monday October, 18th. Check out the details on the Cinergy High Voltage Electricial demonstration.
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Subject: MARC October Meeting - Program
Posted: Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Tim Anderson, AG4XM, ARRL Technical Coordinator for the Kentucky
Section will be giving a Presentation on Station Grounding.
This is an excellent presentation that everybody needs to hear, either for the first time, or for a refresher.
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Subject: OH-KY-IN OFFERS "HAM RADIO" CLASSES
Posted: Monday, October 4, 2004
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
The OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society will offer ham radio license classes in the
Cincinnati, Ohio area scheduled to begin on Thursday evening, September 23,
2004, at 7pm (It's not too late to start!).
Classes are now being formed for all levels of amateur radio licenses,
Technician through Extra, as well as Morse code at 5 words per minute. Classes
will be held every Thursday evening for ten weeks at the Salem Presbyterian
Church located at the corner of Mozart and Higbee in Western Hills (behind the
White Castle Restaurant at Harrison and Boudinot).
At the conclusion of the ten week course, participants will be given an FCC
license examination on Saturday, December 4, 2004, at the same location.
Classes are open to persons of any age, and no prior experience is necessary. To
register, or for additional information, contact Carol Hugentober WA8YL at
513-661-5323. Email inquiries to wa8yl@juno.com.
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Subject: MARC Election Results
Posted: Monday, September 13, 2004
The annual MARC elections were held at our meeting last week and the proposed slate was voted in.
The MARC officers are:
| President - Steve Friebele - K8JI |
Vice Pres - Lyle Hamilton - AB8SH |
Secretary - Barb Steward - KA8AXY |
Treasurer - Jim Linn - WB8RRR |
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Subject: Annual Club Picnic
Posted: Wednesday, September 1, 2004
What: Annual MARC Picnic |
Where: Paxton Ramsey Park - Price Rd |
| When: Sunday September 26th |
Time:Starts at 1:00 PM - Food at 2:00 |
Price Road is closed at Loveland-Miamiville.
Map and alternative routes. |
Subject: New Raffle Prize
Date: Friday August 13, 2004
MARC Raffle for
ICOM IC-T2H 6 watt hand held FM Transceiver
- Prize is one (1) ICOM IC-T2H 6 watt hand held FM Transceiver
- Fifty (50) tickets will be sold at $3.00 each
- There is no limit on how many tickets each member can buy
- Each ticket will be recorded by number, to whom sold, phone number, & call sign.
- Each ticket must be initialed by the selling club officer to be valid
- The drawing will be held at the first regular club meeting after the 50th is sold
- The prize winner need not be present to win, winner will be contacted by phone
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Subject: AMSAT OSCAR Echo (AO-51)
Date: Wednesday September 1, 2004
Working AO-51 Calls for Courtesy, Common Sense (Aug 31, 2004) -- Mike Kingery, KE4AZN, of the AMSAT OSCAR Echo (AO-51)
command team is challenging users of the new satellite to stick to one contact per pass that they initiate with a call.
The suggestion is aimed at reducing continued congestion on the satellite and to allow more operators to make contacts through Echo.
More about A0-51

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Subject: August Meeting - Great Program from Ralph at Verizon
Posted: Wednesday September 1, 2004
Our presentation at last months meeting was about Cellular Radio Technology, by Ralph Wright of Verizon Wireless.
I would like to thank Ralph, again, for his excellent and interesting talk on wireless technologies. Ralph answered questions from
the membership
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Subject: ARRL Seeks Comment on Draft "Bandwidth" Petition
Posted: Thursday August 25, 2004
The ARRL wants members' comments on a planned petition
to the FCC seeking to regulate amateur subbands by bandwidth rather than by mode. The ARRL Board of Directors adopted the
petition's guiding principle at its July 2002 meeting and wrapped up its review of a draft petition late last month.
Find out more about the Bandwidth Petition.
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Subject: Upcoming August 12th Meeting
Posted By: Steve -- K8JI
Date: Saturday, July 31, 2004
Our August meeting will feature Ralph Wright from Verizon Wireless. Ralph will be giving us a presentation about Wireless Cellular communications.
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Subject: Teens' wireless feat could be world record
Date: Thursday August 5, 2004
Four area teens couldn't wait for Cincinnati to catch up with wireless Internet technology,
so they took matters into their own hands. And their homemade, 55.1-mile Wi-Fi connection at a
Las Vegas hacker conference might be a world record.
More about the world wireless record.
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Subject: New ARRL Great Lakes WebRing
Date: Sunday August 1, 2004
I just added a new WebRing at the bottom of the page.
You can visit other sites that are part of the ARRL Great Lakes Division WebRing. Check it out. I will be adding another Amateur Radio WebRing this week.
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Subject: ARRL Board Okays Volunteer Grassroots Lobbying Effort
Posted By: Steve -- K8JI
Date: Friday July 23
The ARRL Board of Directors has formalized a grassroots
congressional lobbying program with an initial focus on BPL. Acting
July 16 during its second meeting of 2004 in Windsor, Connecticut,
the Board acknowledged the need to immediately begin a BPL grassroots lobbying campaign this year.
More about the BPL Lobbying.
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Subject: AMSAT-OSCAR Echo Satellite Launched
Posted By: Steve -- K8JI
Date: Friday July 23 - From: ARRL June 29, 2004
The AMSAT-OSCAR Echo Amateur Radio satellite and several other
payloads launched on schedule June 29 at 0630 UTC from Baikonur
Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Ground controllers made their first
contact with Echo at 1452 UTC and collected some telemetry to
analyze before shutting down the 435.150 MHz digital downlink
transmitter.
Read more about the Echo Satellite.
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July Meeting
I would like to extend my thanks to Jay Slough, K4ZLE, for his excellent presentation titled "U ganda go to Uganda?".
We learned a lot about the people, and the beautiful country of Uganda through his stories and the slide presentation. Jay spoke of the main goal of his
missionary work in Uganda of spreading Christianity and establishing communications for the mission work that is being done there.
Jay will be heading back to Uganda, leaving August 1st.
He plans on getting some operating time in between his work. For the CW operators we'll be looking for him
(5X2A) on the internet dx clusters. Uganda is always a very sought after DX Country! |
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Jay is also the 8th area QSL Manager.
73, Steve - K8JI
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Program - July Meeting
Don't forget to attend our club meeting this Thursday, July 8th.
Guest speaker - We will be having another
great program Thursday as, Jay Slough, K4ZLE, an avid DX'er, will talk about his DX
Expeditions to Uganda (5X2A). Jay has been to Uganda a few times as part of his missionary work with his church.
Jay is also the 8th area QSL Manager.
I look forward to this interesting presentation and hope to see you there.
73, Steve
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Field Day - 2004
MARC Field Day - W8MRC
The weather sure was wonderful for the MARC ARRL Field Day at Fred, W8SDL, house.
We had a large crowd for our dinner Saturday evening and everyone had a good time. The food and comaraderie was great.
Thanks to everyone who came out to help before, during and after Field Day to get everything done.
W8MRC - Class 3A - 3,600 points (2004 - Unofficial) 3,216 points (2003)
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Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Field Day - K8JI
Thanks to all of you who came out to the Class 1F station at the Miami Township EOC. We had a good presence there and scored more than 50% better than last year.
K8JI - Class 1F 1,522 points (2004- Unofficial)
948 points (2003)
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MARC Hamfest
What a great Hamfest we had! We couldn't of asked for better weather and the attendance was great.
The VE session and the Fox Hunt were both succeses.
Thanks go to Jim Linn, WB8RRR, for doing such a great job in putting together
the Hamfest, as he has for many years. Thanks, also, to the great turnout of volunteers Friday night to help
set up and to those of you who stayed around and helped put everything back the way it was. Our members who
provided the great food service did an outstanding job, agian this year!
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NTIA Claims BPL Could Help Alleviate Power Line Noise (June 9)
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's comments in the BPL Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) more clearly reveal the political face of an agency eager and determined to sell the technology's viability, no matter what its own scientists have concluded. The NTIA is the principal White House adviser on telecommunications policy and administers federal government radio spectrum. Its largely scientific Phase 1 report, which clearly established BPL's interference potential, already is part of the proceeding. The agency's formal comments, filed June 4, take pains to depict the technology not only as workable but desirable to all--provided that BPL operators and utilities are willing to jump through additional NTIA-recommended hoops. At one point, the NTIA calls BPL "a win-win proposition," claiming that its widespread deployment could lead to a reduction in power line noise. MORE
Milford Frontier Parade (June 5)
We couldn't of asked for better weather
for the annual Milford Frontier Day Parade. More than 21 MARC volunteers and family members participated, contributing to a successfull parade. This is one of the largest parades in Cincinnati, running for about 2 1/2 hours with almost 150 entries.
I would like to thank Bill, WD6ADM, and Lyle, AB8SH, for the pre-parade work they did, and to everyone who participated to make the Milford Frontier Day parade the success it was.
Steve -- K8JI
FCC chairman responds to request to support ARRL restructuring
Plan - May 26th
FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell has assured US representatives Greg
Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), and Mike Ross, WD5DVR (D-AR), that the
Commission will act ''as expeditiously as possible'' on Amateur Radio
restructuring.
Walden and Ross wrote Powell a month ago to urge
adoption of the ARRL's restructuring Petition for Rule Making
(RM-10867) ''in its entirety'' along with rules changes needed to put
it into place. Powell said the League's petition was one of many.
''At this time, the Commission staff is reviewing and analyzing
carefully all of the petitions, comments and proposed rule changes
in this area,'' Powell responded May 21. ''Because this matter is of
great importance to you and the almost 700,000 amateur radio
operators nationwide, the staff is working diligently to create a
comprehensive solution to address the proposals the petitioners have
submitted.'' The next step in the process, he said, will be to
prepare a notice of proposed rule making for the Commission's
consideration.
FCC Proposes Changes to Amateur Rules - April 16th
The FCC has released an "omnibus" Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(NPRM) that seeks comments on a wide range of proposed Amateur
Service (Part 97) rule changes. The FCC also denied several
petitions for rule making aimed at altering portions of the Amateur
Radio regulatory landscape and ordered minor changes in Part 97. The
NPRM is a result of a dozen petitions for rule making, all filed
more than a year ago and some as long ago as 2001.
Comments on the proposals put forth in WT Docket 04-140 are due by
Tuesday, June 15, with reply comments by Wednesday, June 30. Among
other changes, the FCC has recommended adopting the ARRL's "Novice
refarming" plan.
Click here for more information.
73, Steve
MARC Meeting - April 8th
Welcome to the three new members that joined MARC during the past month.
We are glad you chose to join the club and look forward to learning more about each of you.
Mark Reising (WM8R), stopped by and said a few words to the members. Mark has just been appointed
Affiliated Clubs Coordinator of the Ohio Section.
I counted 27 hams in attendance, including three new members and some other new faces that I hope will join the club.
We even had several regulars that weren't able to make the meeting, making this a great turnout!
The program was on "Fox Hunting" by Bill (WD6ADM), one of the
top fox hunters in the Cincinnati area! It was very informative as Bill talked about Fox Hunting, and what is needed
to get started. Bill showed us a couple of his portable antennas and one of his attenuators he built.
Those of you that are interested in learning more about fox hunting, contact Bill.
Volunteers will be needed to help out with the upcoming events, as our busiest part of the year gets started. In June we have the
Milford Frontier Day parade, the MARC Hamfest, and Field Day.
73, Steve
SIX New Hams from the Technician Class!
I would like to congratulate the following people that passed their Technician
tests Monday night.
Barry Evans, KC8ZIA; Sarah Helton, KC8ZIC; Mike Sink, KC8ZIB; Scotty Thalman, KC8ZIF; Po-Yu Tsai, KC8ZIE; and Erwin Walker, KC8ZID. What a great effort they made!
Many thanks for the efforts of Lyle Hamilton, AB8SH, and Rick Miller, AB8ON, who taught and put the class together;
Bob Halley, K8YMI, for teaching RF Safety; and Bryan Thalman, W7BLT, for teaching FCC Rules and Regulations.
I welcome all the new hams to come to our monthly club meetings. It was
my pleasure to meet and talk with all of you.
73, Steve -- K8JI
MARC 30th Anniversary Birthday Party
Well, we sure had a great turnout and a great time at our 30th birthday party Friday night! Toni and I enjoyed meeting some people for the first
time and seeing others that we haven't seen in a while.
The food was great (especially the desserts - thanks Linda), Jim and Jean
playing the "dummy" puppets were very funny, and all the nice balloons with our call sign's on were very special.
Thanks to Crystal for putting this party together and to Mark and Jim for their help.
Thanks, also, to all of you who helped setup and take everything down. -- Steve
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