SCAN

NEWSLETTER OF THE ST CLAIR AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

PO BOX 94 BELLEVILLE, IL 62222

APRIL/MAY 2002

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FOX HUNT AND MORE

A full day of ham fun was offered by the club on April 6th.Starting with Ted, K9HUH cleverly positioning a transmitter for a challenging fox hunt pursued by five teams and won by the WB9IGB and KB9PNP.Some enjoyed the opportunity to shop and barter with ham item tailgaters assembled at Mel Price Park.Finally, for those already enjoying the days events and for those who still needed to find an activity, the food and beverage offering by the club and contributors made it a fun day for all.Thanks to KA0WBM, WB9IGB, K9HUH, WA9MGX and all the others that made it happen.

CLUB OFFICERS

The election of club officers went as nominated at the January meeting with no positions being contested.Serving for 2002 are President, N9BPK; Vice President, W9BP; Secretary, KB9UEF; Treasurer, WA9TUG; Activities Manager, WB9IGB and Sergeant at Arms, WA9MGX.It should be noted that all 2002 officers are retired and hard charging new blood should be plotting a take over of leadership in 2003!

WEATHER ALERT RECEIVERS

The right way to always get on board with communications support for weather situations, is to have Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) weather alert receiver.The alert receivers allow specific programming of FIPS codes for counties needed for which a participant wants to receive a notification for both weather and national emergencies.While many already are equipped, the following is provided for those making an initial purchase or wanting to upgrade.Prices usually range from $40 to $80.Also, sales can give more features for the buck for those willing to shop.The more you pay the more codes that can be programmed and other features such as a clock and/or AM/FM radio are included.Club point of contact for more info is Gene, WA9TZL.

BRAND                    MODEL                        TYPE                SOURCE

Radio Shack            12-254 with flex ant        Portable            Store/catalog

Oregon Scientific    WR102 with flex ant       Portable            AES catalog

Midland                   74-250 with flex ant        Portable            AES catalog

Radio Shack            12-250 with 15 cnty        Table top           Store/catalog

Radio Shack            12-251 with 2 cnty          Table top           Store/catalog

Radio Shack            12-253 with clock rdo    Table top            Store/catalog

Oregon Scientific    WR-196 with clock rd    Table top            AES catalog

Midland                    74-200 with clock          Table top            AES catalog

Midland                    74-210 with clock rdo    Table top            AES catalog

 
 
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Larry Galer, K9OI, of Lebanon, who became a club member late last year.Larry was first licensed in 1955 and held a number of calls as career military service kept him on the move.His primary interests with our hobby are chasing DX, building antennas and home brewing receivers.Larry also enjoys restoring antique radios.His station equipment includes the Yaesu FT 101, FT 100D and the classic Viking Thunderbolt linear amplifier.A quad antenna is always available plus an ever changing variety of wire antenna experiments.Larry makes the most of having fun with work bench and on the air ham activity.His experience and approach to our hobby is a nice addition to the club.

NEWS BRIEFS

Welcome to new club members Chris Kuni, KC9AUJ of East Carondelet and Steve Romaik, KC9AUK of Belleville.

In recognition of many years of supporting our club, Manuel “Mallo” Kurkjian, of Mallo’s Pastries, was presented a plaque of appreciation at the March club dinner.Also, as part of the dinner activity, a very entertaining and informative presentation was provided by the St Clair County Sheriff.

The ARRL Illinois Section will have a new section manager(SM) July 1.Bruce Boston, KD9UL, will not run for reelection as SM allowing former SM, N9SH, Sharon Harlan to run unopposed.N9SH previously served as SM from 1990 to 1994.

Don’t forget to block your calendar for the ARRL Field Day June 22nd and 23rd.This year the clubs participation will again be at the home and businesses of Terry and Marlyn Thorne in Shiloh.The club point of contact for information and to arrange operating times is John, WA0LIS.

Thanks to all that participated in the March 5th tornado drill.Local net check ins demonstrated a strong show of force for ham radio to support relief activities with communications in a disaster.

VE testing in St Clair County is the second Tuesday of each month.For information and a reservation, contact Ted, K9HUH at home 235-6152 or business 233-1313.

This years Egyptianfest in Granite City on June 9th will expand it’s offering by providing forums and seminars including ARRL Q&A by the Central Division Director, Contesting, Digital Communications, Skywarn and Emergency Communications, and ATV Issues.Advance tickets are $2 and $4 at the door.Through our club, tickets are available from WB9IGB, N9HZD and N9LS.

Mark your calendars to participate with club communications support for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica on the morning of April 27th and the Shrine Circus parade the evening of May 31st.Club points of contact are: WalkAmerica, Kurt, N9PYM and Shriner’s parade, Jim, N9HZD.Both events provide our club participants food and drink at the conclusion.

A good site for DX QSL manager information is at no4j.com/nfdxa/qsl and many DXpedition logs are available at dx.qsl.net.

EDITOR NOTES

The SCAN is published six times a year and distributed during even months.

Items for your SCAN are always needed.Please provide to the editor, Bob, W9BP by e-mail w9bp@aol.com, phone 624-2797 or mail 1022 Edgewood Dr, O’Fallon, IL 62269.If you are chairing a club activity or promoting a club project, make sure the SCAN editor has the latest information.Do you have a proposal or opinion that is ham radio related?Make it known through the SCAN.

Keep the treasurer, WA9TUG, informed of any change in address.SCAN distribution is made from the treasurers membership listing.