NCRC Newsletter - 2014-04 - Newton County Radio Club

NCRC NEWSLETTER
NEWTON COUNTY RADIO CLUB
NEWTON COUNTY ARES/RACES
Covington, Georgia
April
2014
Edition
The Newton County Radio
Club/NCARES Net meets
every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on
146.925 MHz (88.5 PL) and
444.800 MHz (88.5 PL). ῼ
The FM Digital Net meets
every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
on 146.925 MHz (88.5 PL).
The net starts out in MT-632KL Mode (1500 Hz Center),
then often switches to another
mode. ῼ
Newton County Radio Club &
Newton County ARES / RACES
meets on the 3rd Tuesday
of every month at 6:30 pm.
Our April 15 Meeting will be 6:30 pm
at Newton County Law Enforcement
Center, 15151 Alcovy Road
(1/4-Mile NE of GA Hwy 142) ῼ
Newton County Radio Club Officers
President: Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB
(678) 521-1355 <[email protected]>
Vice-President: John Nix N5EEO
(770) 483-7695 <[email protected]>
Treasurer: Brian Fain KI4JIL
(678) 439-6883 <[email protected]>
Secretary/News: Delbert Davis W4DEL
(404) 229-7555 <[email protected]>
Trustee/AEC NCARES: Jim Marston K4DOI
(404) 376-5107 <[email protected]>
EC NCARES/RACES, DEC Salvation Army,
Net Mgr GA Traffic Net, NC Skywarn Coord.
Charles Davis WA4UJC
(470) 564-4316 <[email protected]>
AEC For Law Enforcement NCARES
Donna Reeves, KJ4CAU
(770) 780-9758 <[email protected]
NC Skywarn Assistant Coordinator
Greg Davis KI4NWD
(404) 483-6312 <[email protected]> ῼ
http://ncrcga.org
<[email protected]>
(678) 521-1355
MARCH MEETING
MOVES HAMFEST PLANS
TO FRONT BURNER
Club President Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB called the
March 18 meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at Newton
County Law Enforcement Center.
Twelve NCRC members and four visitors
attended. Ed Hoard KK4GNH led the group in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
A MOTION (Dan Darsey W4DED) was SECONDED
(Gary Chambers K4MDC) and PASSED to authorize
Club Treasurer Brian Fain KI4JIL (along with Club
Trustee Jim Marston K4DOI if a second Club officer is
required) to open an account at Community & Southern
Above: Club President,
Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB
Ω
Bank. Club Secretary
Delbert Davis W4DEL will
provide Brian KI4JIL with
supporting documents,
including current copies
of the Club Constitution
and By-Laws; and a copy
of this meeting’s minutes.
Brian KI4JIL will provide
the Club’s Employee
Identification Number
(EIN).
Jim Marston K4DOI
presented a patch
sample of the RACES
Above: Gary Chambers K4MDC and Jim Marston K4DOI
Logo, and requested that the
check HF antenna connections during the “workday”
at Covington/Newton 911 Center on March 17. Ω
Club pass a motion to have
the logo
engraved on club member’s shirts.
He showed a shirt example and
held the patch against the shirt as
a visual aid for the group to decide
where to engrave the logo. A
MOTION (Cliff Prosser K4HCP)
was SECONDED (Mike Crowe
AJ4GU) and PASSED to have —>
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the logo placed on the right side of the shirt under the existing ARES
logo. The cost will be $7.25 per shirt/logo, to be paid by shirt owners.
Members should contact Jim K4DOI to have their shirt(s) engraved.
Ronnie KK4CDB reminded everyone that Club dues should be
paid by the May meeting; that Club membership runs from May to
May. It was previously reported in error that March was the deadline.
At that time, Gary K4MDC announced there would be no program
at the night’s meeting because David Rudd AI4JI was, unfortunately,
tied up in a work-related emergency. David had planned to present a
program on “2M and 440 Mhz Antennas.” Although disappointed,
everyone understood the situation and recognized that those things
do happen. Gary said he’s sure David will be more than happy to
reschedule (Update: The program IS rescheduled for our July 15
meeting).
AEC Jim Marston K4DOI reported for ARES because EC Charles
Davis WA4UJC could not attend. Jim - also 2014 Cheerios Challenge Coordinator and Net Control Operator for the event - said an
email had been sent out that included maps and radio assignment
locations. Charles WA4UJC will make individual ham radio operator
assignments specific to those locations. Gary K4MDC - Assistant Net
Control Operator for the event - will distribute that information in time
for everyone to locate their assigned positions in advance. The
Above: Mike Crowe AJ4GU analyzes the HF antenna
Cheerios Challenge is being held on Saturday, April 19. Jim remindand feed lines during the 911 Center workday. Ω
ed participants to make sure their HT batteries are fully charged and
warned operators to be prepared to switch to simplex operation in case there’s a problem with the repeater.
Gary K4MDC & Jim K4DOI also reported on the recent workday at the 911 Center station. On HF, we still have high
SWR that changes for the better when the wire antenna is dropped below the tops of the surrounding buildings. We
intend to experiment with some different antenna designs. There’s also a problem with the HF rig that causes a carrier to
be transmitted on SSB when the PTT is pressed with no audio input (like it should NOT
do); but doesn’t transmit a carrier on AM when the PTT is pressed and there is no
audio input (like it SHOULD do). Mike AJ4GU pointed out that we still need to get an
operational VHF/UHF station for the 911 Center station.
Vickie Henry KK4VUG asked about progress in planning for the upcoming NCRC
Hamfest that had been announced for July 26. Ronnie KK4CDB had checked on a
couple of locations with no success in securing one. After some discussion, Brian
KI4JIL suggested that we “let” him contact Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm about having it
there. We wouldn’t have a climate-controlled building, but there’s plenty of room with
two covered buildings, ample parking, and it’s conveniently located near I-20 in Newton
County. He said the owner may
Below: Charles Davis WA4UJC organizes cable
routing at the rear of the 911 Center HF station. Ω
also be willing to provide food
vendor service for the Hamfest.
A MOTION (Del W4DEL) was
SECONDED (Gary K4MDC)
and PASSED to designate
Vickie KK4VUG as Hamfest
Coordinator. Vickie KK4VUG
will organize a Hamfest
Planning Committee and Brian
KI4JIL will confirm the location
availability. Vickie KK4VUG will also confer with Kroger management in Covington about permission to set up a booth there,
toward the end of June, to promote our Hamfest.
Del W4DEL and Gary K4MDC suggested that those in
attendance read an article in the April edition of QST about a
VHF Simplex Sprint contest, with an eye toward holding such an
event in Newton County.
First Door Prize – a Millennium Pocket Knife – was donated
by Jim Fletcher K4SEU. That prize was won by Ronnie
KK4CDB. Second Door Prize – a Logitech Portable Notebook
Stand with Integrated Keyboard – was donated by Del W4DEL.
That prize was won by Gigi Hoard, wife of Ed Hoard KK4GNH.
Third Door Prize – an oil-filled Dummy Load - was donated by
Ken May KU4ZY. That prize was won by Del W4DEL. ῼ
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COVINGTON HAMFEST JULY 26
BERRY’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
VICKIE HENRY KK4VUG TO CHAIR EVENT
Members of the 2014 Covington Hamfest Committee recently visited the selected
event location, chatted with owner Chuck
Berry, and made plans a top priority as far
as Club activities are concerned.
The ARRL-Sanctioned Hamfest will be
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berry’s Christmas
Tree Farm on July 26. The tree farm address is 70 Mt. Tabor Rd., Covington (see
map, right).
VE Testing will be available during the
morning hours (exact time TBD). The
Butts/Henry/Newton/Spalding VE Team
will conduct the testing. Applicants should
contact VE Team Captain Jesse Porter
W4DNS <[email protected]>.
Members of the 2014 Hamfest Planning
Committee, in addition to Chairman Vickie
Henry KK4VUG, are Jim Marston K4DOI,
Berry’s Christmas Tree Farm
Gary Chambers K4MDC, Brian Fain
70 Mt. Tabor Rd. Covington, GA 30014
KI4JIL, Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB, John
http://berrystreefarm.com
Nix N5EEO, Del Davis W4DEL and
Charles Davis WA4UJC. If you are a Club
member and would like to join the committee, contact Vickie <[email protected]>. Ω
FIELD DAY AT KROGER TO
PROMOTE HAMFEST & HAM RADIO
Hamfest Chairman, Vickie KK4VUG has informed the NCRC Newsletter that she has secured the local Kroger Store location for our
Amateur Radio Field Day exercise. The store is
located on Highway 278 in Covington.
The Saturday, June 28 event will help to promote our upcoming Hamfest and introduce the
virtues of amateur radio to shoppers. It will also
provide the opportunity for Club members and
visitors to participate in the annual nationwide
Amateur Radio Field Day exercise. HF & VHF
stations will be set up and operated. ARRL information and handouts will be available, as will
Club, ARES and RACES information. Ω
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“AN INTRODUCTION TO ARES & RACES”
- PROGRAM FOR UPCOMING APRIL MEETING Charles Davis WA4UJC, Newton County
ARES/RACES Emergency Coordinator, will present
“An Introduction to ARES and RACES” at our April 15
monthly Club meeting.
Be sure to attend so you’ll be up-to-date on recent
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) & RACES
(Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) documents
and procedures and learn about our recently approved
RACES affiliation.
If you would like an ARES and/or RACES application,
contact Charles at <[email protected]>. Ω
UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETING CALENDAR
APRIL
12-13 Georgia QSO Party (georgiaqsoparty.org)
15 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center, 15151 Alcovy Road, Covington
- Nominations for new Club Officers
- “Introduction to ARES & RACES” by Charles Davis WA4UJC
19 Cheerios Challenge - Jim Marston K4DOI <[email protected]>
25-26 Southeast VHF Society Conference — Norcross, GA (svhfs.org)
26 Calhoun Hamfest - Sugar Valley (k4woc.com)
MAY
VE TESTING
16-18 Dayton Hamvention (hamvention.org)
Spalding County ARC
20 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center
Next Session — April 12 — 9:00 a.m.
- Election of new Club Officers
2nd Saturday — EVERY Month
- “HF Digital Communications” by Keith Studdard KR4IP
JUNE
Charles Clark NQ3I <[email protected]>
7 Atlanta Hamfest (atlantahamfest.org)
Spalding Regional Medical Center
17 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center
————————————
- “EMP” (Electromagnitic Pulse) by J im Mar ston K4DOI
Henry County ARC
JULY
Next Session — April 19 — 9:00 a.m.
15 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center
3rd Saturday — EVEN Months
- “2M & 440 Mhz Antennas” by Dave Rudd AI4JI
Roy Baker AJ4GT <[email protected]>
19 HamCram — Butts County - Buzz Kutcher <[email protected]>
Piedmont Henry Medical Center
26 Covington Hamfest (ncr cga.or g)
————————————
VE Testing <[email protected]>
Butts County ARC
AUGUST
Next
Session
— May 17 — 9:00 a.m.
16-17 Huntsville Hamfest (hamfest.org)
3rd
Saturday
— ODD Months
SEPTEMBER
Jesse Porter W4DNS <[email protected]>
13 Fuzz Run — Covington (covingtonpolice.com/fuzz-run.aspx)
OCTOBER
Butts County Community Center
11 Augusta Hamfest - Blythe (theamateurradioclubofaugusta.org)
Ω
18 Rome Hamfest (w4vo.org)
18-19 Spin For Kids — Rutledge (spinforkids.org) - Bill Ronay KM4LS <[email protected]>
NOVEMBER
NEWTON COUNTY RADIO CLUB MEETINGS
1 Stone Mountain Hamfest (stonemountainhamfest.com)
* 3RD TUESDAY EACH MONTH — 6:30 P.M. *
DECEMBER
=====================================
=====================================
For Meeting Program Scheduling — Contact Gary Chambers K4MDC <[email protected]> ῼ
THIS MONTH’S PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARY LINDEMANN, N4OLN
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SAVE THIS PAGE FOR HANDY REFERENCE!
DAILY GEORGIA NETS — HF
[7 am] Georgia Cracker Net 3985 kHz (Daily Except Sunday)
[8 am-1pm] SouthCars Net 7251 kHz *South Coast Amateur Radio Service
[1 pm] GA Traffic Net - Cycle 2 3987. 5 kHz (or 7287.5) (Daily Ex. Sunday)
[6 pm—winter] GA SSB Association Net 3975 kHz
[7:15 pm] 3982.5 kHz GA Traffic & Emergency Net
[9 pm] GA CW Training Net 3549 Hz
[10 pm] GA State CW Traffic Net 3549 kHz ῼ
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN WEEKLY COVINGTON AREA & GEORGIA NETS — HF, VHF/UHF
Sunday [5:30 pm-summer] GA ARES Digital Net 3583 kHz (USB) (or 7042 (PSK-31) (Center 1000 Hz)
Sunday [5:30 pm–summer] Butts County FM Training Net 147.285 Mhz (131.8 PL) Winlink Checkins: WX4BCA
Sunday [6 pm–summer] GA ARES SSB Net 3975 kHz (LSB) WINLINK Checkins: WX4GMA
Monday [8 pm] Walton County ARES FM Net 147.270 (88.5 PL)
Monday [8:45 pm] Rockdale County ARES 10-METER PHONE Net 28.325 Mhz (USB)
Monday [9 pm] Rockdale County ARES FM Net 147.210 Mhz (162.2 PL)
Monday [9 pm] Southern Crescent FM Net 145.170 Mhz (146.2 PL) & 444.875 Mhz (123.0 PL)
Tuesday [7:30 pm] NW GA *CERT Digital Net 3583 kHz (USB) (PSK-31) (Center 1000 Hz)
Tuesday [8 pm] GA *CERT FM Net 146.805 Mhz (100.0 PL)
*Community Emergency Response Team
Wednesday [8 pm] NEWTON COUNTY DIGITAL NET 146.925 Mhz (88.5 PL) (MT63-2KL) (Center 1500 Hz)
Thursday [8 pm] NCRC/ARES/RACES FM NET 146.925 & 444.800 Mhz (88.5 PL) Winlink Checkins: K4NCR
April: (NCS John N5EEO) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS Gary K4MDC)
May: (NCS Ronnie KK4CDB) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
June: (NCS Jim K4DOI) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS Del W4DEL)
July: (NCS OPEN) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
August: (NCS Gary N4OLN) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
September: (NCS Del W4DEL) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
October: (NCS Ronnie KK4CDB) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
November: (NCS John N5EEO) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
December: (NCS Jim K4DOI) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)
Thursday Night Net
Control Operators Needed!
No Experience Necessary!
Help & Net Script Available!
NCRC Membership Not Required!
Rewarding! Educational! Fun!
Saturday [11 am] **SATERN Net (Southern Section) 7262 kHz
[1 pm] **SATERN Digital Net 14.062-065 (Olivia 8-500)
**Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
(Ctr 1000 Hz)
ῼ
Interested?
Contact N5EEO,
<[email protected]> (770) 483-7695 ῼ
MONTHLY HOSPITAL & ARES NETS — HF, VHF
NCS: Ken Reid KG4USN, ASEC—Public Health: Barry Kanne W4TGA
Net Operating Frequencies: VOICE: 5330.5 kHz (USB), 7188 kHz (LSB), 3975 kHz (LSB) DIGITAL: 7042 kHz (USB), 3583 kHz (USB)
The April 6 Net will feature a test using the PSK-31 digital format. Specific frequencies and modes are announced each month prior to the net.
1st Sunday [3 pm] GA Hospital Net
1st Sunday [4 pm] Metro ARES FM Net 145.430 Mhz (107.2 PL) Also on Echolink at WB4NWS-R (Node: 593209) ῼ
Please submit Newsletter
contributions & suggestions to
Del Davis <[email protected]>
Newton County Radio Club Monthly Newsletter — April 2014
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