1

DECEMBER 2012

Vol. 37, # 12

WACOM President’s Message—2

WACOM General Information—3

WACOM Meeting Minutes - 4

Upcoming Events—5

WACOM DX Corner—6

WACOM HAMFEST SPECIAL! – 7-9

New 145.49 Repeater Tower & Antenna! - 10

DXpedition Feature — Bermuda!—11-12

WACOM Christmas Party! -13

WACOM Renewal Form - 14

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

DXpedition Feature: VP9 - Bermuda ! Happy Holidays!! WACOM HAMFEST 2012!

THE

WACOM

HAM

RUDOLPH!!!!!

HOW did you NOT

see WA3COM’s BIG

Yagi antenna??!!!

Ooops!

You

idiot!

Ouch! Ahhgg!

2

WACOM President’s Message - December 2012

Here it is December already... Time to give thanks for

a great year. Together as a group we did many things

right.

Our radio classes have assisted 12 more into this ex-

citing hobby/service.....and WACOM.

Our service to the community included providing

safety communications for two race events.

Our commitment for both future education and operating, led to the new Radio Room, which

is hours away from completion. Hi speed Internet as well as a tower will enhance the capabil-

ity of the new radio "cave.". If you visited the room prior to our renovations, you'll be quite

impressed.

Our radio tower trailer , (did you know we have one ? ) is being sandblasted and refinished.

"Our" repeater systems have been greatly enhanced, BIGTIME.

The 79 system was relocated to a superior location, with a Hugh coverage gain, additionally a

machine in Scenery Hill will light up the Mon valley and will be initially tied to the 79 simul-

casting with some enhancements to be added later. A weather system will be connected to 79

to provide wx status upon radio inquiry.

The 49 machine has been re-up on a new 50 tower...."our" auxiliary system.

And we added ECHOLINK....

enough....?

My point is simple, if we are going in the right directions, we need your continued support.

This is not PBS...we have no grants... We have you ...our membership.

WACOM need you ...to provide the brains and manpower to keep this ball rolling.

Put renewing your WACOM membership HIGH on your list...

The Christmas Party is Friday night. December 7th. 6pm....

Your can remind your spouse this is non-radio event....no talkies on the table!!!

A bunch of great food, friends and FAMILY; in

some cases two & three generations of a family !

Bill Steffey. NY9H/3

Bill—NY9H

3

Officers

President: Bill Steffey, NY9H;

ny9h@arrl.net

Vice President: Dave Demotte, N3IDH;

ddemotte67@verizon.net

Secretary: John Quigg, N3GHR

jjquigg@comcast.net

Treasurer: Norma Plants, N3YJJ;

njplants@yahoo.com

Board of Directors

Director: Adam Quigg, NZ3S,

kb3omh@comcast.net

Director: Jim Burtoft, KC3HW;

jburtoft@verizon.net

Director: Bud Plants, N3TIR;

bud@bnelectronics.com

Webmaster: Joe Caldwell, N3XE;

joecaldwell.jc@gmail.com

WACOM Ham Editor: Ken Frankenbery, AA3GM

ktfrank2@verizon.net

Repeaters W3CYO - 145.490 MHz, 443.300 MHz

K3PSP - 146.790 MHz

2 Meter Net - Tuesdays at 8:30PM on K3PSP Repeater

10-meter net - Tuesdays at 9PM on 28.340 MHz

YL Net - Wednesdays at 7:30PM on K3PSP Repeater

Elmer Net - Wednesdays at 8PM on K3PSP Repeater (immediately following the WACOM YL Net)

LOCAL TRAFFIC NETS

SWPA 2-Meter Daily Net 146.880 8:00 p.m.

* * * * * * * * * * *

HF WPA Phone Daily Net 3.983 6:00

p.m.

WACOM OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

STAFF, REPEATERS, AND NETS!

mailto:ny9h@arrl.netmailto:n3idh@hotmail.commailto:jjquigg@comcast.netmailto:njplants@yahoo.commailto:kb3omh@comcast.netmailto:jburtoft@verizon.netmailto:bud@bnelectronics.commailto:joecaldwell.jc@gmail.commailto:ny9h@arrl.net

4

WACOM General Meeting Minutes

1 November 2012, 7:30 PM

Next WACOM meeting 7 December 2012, 6:00 PM!!

FEATURING...

CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Present: Bill S (NY9H), Bud( N3TIR), Norma (N3YJJ), Sam (W3CYO), Dave D (N3IDH), Paul (W3PLP), JohnQ(N3GHR), Bob Ke (KB3IN), Frank (KB3AAG), Jim B (KC3HW), Don (KB3YLR), Fay (KA3VOM), Bob Ki(K14DBH), Sally Ki, Denny (K8DKS), Debbie (KD8KAC), Kevin (KN4AA), Sally (KK4YL), Jack (KA3ZLR), Allan, Chris, Karen

Bill called the meeting to order at 19:30 PM Reports

Minutes – there were no formal minutes from last month’s meeting

Treasurer – Norma gave treasurer’s report; Bob moved to accept treasurer’s report, Kevin 2nd, motion carried

Repeater – Sam says 49 OK, putting tower up; 79 – preamp fixed; 27 – 2 to 3 weeks will be on air

Education – 8 of 9 taking Technician class passed; there will be another test session at Ham Fest; thanks to Bob (KI4DHB) for

organizing the test session

Nets – Bud has started up the YL and Elmer nets, needs someone to take over the YL net; Faye – 10 m net picking up; Dave -

public service net has good participation; RACES net at 9:00 Sunday, ARES net Saturday; all times and frequencies for nets are

on the Web site; question was asked if club nets could start earlier

Public Service (ARES, RACES) – Dave: thanks to all who helped with the Labor Day run/walk

Old Business

Antenna trailer – at Frank’s Auto getting painted

Radio room – cabinet built into wall for HF equipment; may get broadband for free; 30 or 40 foot tower coming; permission

from fire department pending; county may use tower and room for 911 redundancy

Field Day – will be at pavilion at Washington Park; may be able to use 200’ tower; waiting to hear from county parks depart-

ment; idea put forth to make it an emergency preparedness day to get more community involvement; have WJPA sponsor

New Business

December meeting to be at Christmas Party, Friday December 7 at the Buffalo Twp. Community Building

Elections – the following positions are up for election; further nominations can be made and the election held at the December

meeting

Treasure – Kevin nominated Norma, Faye seconded, nomination accepted

Vice President – Bud nominated Don, Bill seconded, nomination accepted

Director – Norma nominated Jim, Jack seconded, nomination accepted

APRS – Automatic Packet Reporting System – Bill described some of the activity he observed using this digital communications

information channel

Programs – January – will have program on off-center dipoles; other program suggestions: packet radio, QSL cards, mounting

mobile equipment

There being no further business, Sam moved to adjourn, Don 2nd, meeting adjourned at 20:01

Thanks to Bob (KI4DHB) for his talk on the design and installation of his home made crank-up tower

5

2012-13 WACOM Upcoming Events Calendar Meetings, Contests & Other Significant Club Events (Subject to Change)

7 December 2012—WACOM Meeting & Christmas Party! –Buffalo Twp. Bldg, Taylorstown, PA

30 Nov—2 December 2012 ARRL 160 Meter Contest http://www.arrl.org

8-9 December 2012 ARRL 10 Meter Contest http://www.arrl.org

16 December 2012— ARRL Rookie Roundup CW http://www.arrl.org

3 January 2013, WACOM Meeting at 7:30PM, Washington County Building

5-6 January 2013 ARRL RTTY Roundup Contest http://www.arrl.org

12 January 2013—WASH 2 M Simplex Contest http://www.n3sh.org

19-21 January 2013 ARRL VHF Contest http://www.arrl.org

25 January 2013 — 27th CQ 160m Contest CW http://www.cq160.com

7 February 2013, WACOM Meeting at 7:30PM, Washington County Building

16 February 2013 — 17th ARRL DX Contest CW http://www.arrl.org

24 February 2013—WASHFest 2012 http://www.n3sh.org

2-3 March 2013—ARRL DX Contest SSB http://www.arrl.org

30-31 March 2013—CQ WPX Contest SSB http://www.cqwpx.com

_______________________________________________________

______

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WACOM HAM DX Corner—DECEMbEr 2012 (Con’t) COURTESY: http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxo.html

2012 Dec01 2012 Dec09 Auckland

Campbell Is ZL9HR LotW

DXW.Net 20120329

By VK2IR VK3YP + team fm Campbell I (OC-037, RD47nl); QSL also OK via EB7DX

2012 Dec01 2012 Dec12 Saba & St Eustatius

PJ5J LotW JH1ROJ 20121104

By JA1MZL JJ1LIB JN1RVS JJ1CBY JA1DXA JN1HOW JH1ROJ fm Sint Eustatius (NA-145);

2012 Dec01 2012 Dec13 Bahamas C6AGG

N2GG

425DXN 20121124

By N2GG fm Grand Bahama I (NA-080); 80-10m; SSB, some CW

2012 Dec01 2013 Jan31 Bahamas C6AGT AK4BM Direct

VA3RJ 20120830

By AK4BM fm Green Turtle Cay (NA-080); 40-10m; SSB, perhaps PSK31 + JT65; possibly QRV w

2012 Dec02 2012 Dec11 St Lucia J6 LotW N7UN

20121114

By N7UN as J68UN, W6ABM N7QT W4VAB WB8ISG KA9P W5TDY as J6/home_call fm NA-108; 160-10m; 3 stations; QRV for

2012 Dec02 2012 Dec18 Curacao PJ2

PA0VDV

425DXN 20121201

By PA0VDV as PJ2/PA0VDV fm SA-099; 30 17 12m; CW; QSL OK via PA Buro or direct

2012 Dec03 2012 Dec10 Aruba P40CX

K8CX

425DXN 20121201

By K8CX fm SA-036; QRV for ARRL 10m Contest

2012 Dec03 2012 Dec31 Canary Is EA8 Home Call IK1PMR 20121015

By IK1PMR as EA8/IK1PMR and PA3LEO as EA8/PA3LEO; QSL OK via Buro, direct, or email request; operation to continue until Feb 12, 2013

2012 Dec04 2012 Dec10 Nicaragua YN5ZO

LotW

K7ZO 20121124

By K7ZO; 40-10m; SSB RTTY; Spiderbeam + 40m dipole; QRV for ARRL 10m Contest

2012 Dec05 2012 Dec12 Micronesia V63XG LotW OPDX 20120723

By JA1XGI fm Yap I (OC-012); 40-6m; mainly CW, some SSB + digital; QSL OK via JARL Buro

2012 Dec05 2012 Dec17 Cambodia XU1A

JH1AJT

JA1TRC 20121127

By JH1AJT; 160-10m; CW SSB + digital; yagi, di-pole, GPs; 3 stations; QSL

2012 Dec06 2012 Dec10 Fernando de

Noronha PY0FR

P PY7RP

OPDX 20121112

By PY7RP fm SA-003; 40-10m; 100w; yagi + G5RV; QRV for ARRL 10m Contest; OQRS available

2012 Dec07 2012 Dec11 Bahamas C6AVA N6AWD DXW.Net 20120927

By K6VVA fm NA-054; 40-17m; mainly CW, some SSB; 200w; verticals

2012 Dec08 2012 Dec09 Belize V31NO

W3NO

W3NO 20121127

By AD8J W3NO; M/S, mixed mode for ARRL 10m

2012 Dec08 2012 Dec09 Cayman Is ZF1A

LotW

425DXN 20121201

By AE9YL K9MK K9LA fm NA-016; QSL also OK via K6AM; QRV outside contest with ZF2YL

2012 Dec08 2012 Dec31 Samoa 5W0KR

NR6M

H44RK 20121127

By H44RK; mainly 20-10m; including PSK modes

2012 Dec10 2012 Dec13 Ogasawara JD1BLY JI5RPT JI5RPT

20121012

By JI5RPT fm Chichijima I (AS-031, WLOTA 2269, JCG 10007, Grid QL17); 40-10m; CW SSB + digital

2012 Dec10 2013 Jan05 South Cook

Is E51E EB7DX

OPDX 20120618

By 5B4AIF fm Aitutaki I (OC-083, BH01cd); SSB RTTY, perhaps CW; 400w

2012 Dec22 2013 Jan07 Temotu H40FN Auto Buro DXW.Net 20120309

By DK9FN; 160-6m; direct QSL OK via HA8DD

2012 Dec22 2013 Jan02 Namibia V5

Home Call

DJ2HD 20121124

By DL3DXX as V5/DL3DXX and DK1CE as V5/DK1CE; 160-10m; DL3DXX using SSB CW, DK1CE using CW

2012 Dec24 2013 Jan06 Palau T8CW JA0FOX OPDX 20121112

By JH0IXE fm Koro I (OC-009); 160-6m; mainly RTTY PSK31 JT65A

2012 Dec26 2013 Jan03 Maldives 8Q7MS eQSL DXW.Net 20121114

By HB9TUZ fm Gangehi I (AS-013); 80-10m; SSB

2012 Dec26 2013 Jan03 Maldives 8Q7MS eQSL DXW.Net 20121114

By HB9TUZ fm Gangehi I (AS-013); 80-10m; SSB

http://www.zl9hr.com/http://dx-world.net/http://www.qrz.com/db/PJ5Jhttp://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.ik1pmr.com/http://www.mdxc.org/v63xg/http://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://qrz.com/db/PY7RPhttp://qrz.com/db/PY7RPhttp://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://www.k6vva.com/iota/na054/http://dx-world.net/http://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.ji5rpt.com/jd1/http://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://dx-world.net/http://jh0ixe.idou.net/t8cwhttp://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://dx-world.net/http://dx-world.net/

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The WACOM Hamfest! - 4 November 2012

Loren, Melissa and Joe helping out The place is filling up

What a crowd! Signing up for the prizes

They’re coming in The line starts here...

Thanks to our volunteers! Fay (KA3VOM) manning the food section

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WACOM 2012 HAMFEST PRIZE WINNERS

First Prize AMERITRON HF AMPLIFER ---- N3CVL Robert B Hoffman, N3CVL

Second Prize 46 inch JVC HI-DEF TV ----- WA3OGO GEORGE SYNER, WA3OGQ

Third Prize ICOM IC-V8000 ---- KB3OYS Cathy Freehling, KB3OYS

Fourth Prize 1000ft rg 58 cable ---- BELDIN Cable ----- Danna Pickens WV8G

Fifth Prize ELECRAFT XG3 SIGNAL SOUCE---- Robert Lenfestey, KB3NZX

I-PAD DRAWING Cathy Freehling, KB3OYS

BLACK BOX WINNERS

YAESU 2 METER MOBILE -- JAMES SECKEL KC8YUI

YAESU 2 METER MOBILE -- JOE PUGLINO AJ3O

50/50 WINNER

GENE KERN KB3GHR

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR NOVEMBER 3rd

2013 same location

To get on our hamfest e-mail list please email us at

9

The WACOM Hamfest Winners! - 4 November 2012

3rd prize winner

1st prize winner

5th prize winner

4th prize winner

50/50 winner First in the Door!

10

The New W3CYO 145.49 MHz Repeater Tower and Antenna are Up!

Want to show off your shack,

antennas, and/or projects?

E-mail photos and descrip-

tions to Ken—AA3GM

Tim Smith KB3ZKA up top, and Don Smith KB3YLR, on the roof, installing the an-tenna and feed line for W3CYO/R. Joe Stout KA3MZS raised the tower last month. Thanks so much, men!

Shane Smith overseeing the work at W3CYO

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Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 1,030 km (640 mi) to the west-northwest. It is about 1,239 km (770 mi) south of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia and 1,770 km(1,100 mi) northeast of Miami, Florida, USA. Its capital city is Hamilton.

Bermuda was discovered in 1550 by Spanish sea captain Juan de

Bermúdez, after whom the islands are named. Apparently uninhabited,

he claimed them for the Spanish Empire.In 1609, the Virginia Compa-

ny, which had established Virginia and Jamestown on the American

continent two years earlier, established a settlement on behalf of the

English colonial empire. Initially, it was administered as an extension of

Virginia by the Company until 1614, before its successor, the Somers Isles Company, took over until 1684. Bermuda then

became a British colony following the 1707 unification of the Kingdom of England with the Kingdom of Scotland to create

the unified Kingdom of Great Britain. After Newfoundland became part of Canada in 1949, Bermuda became the oldest

remaining British overseas territory.

Although usually referred to in the singular, the territory consists of 181 islands, with a total area of 53.3 square km

(20.6 sq mi). The largest island is Main Island, sometimes itself called Bermuda. Compiling a list of the islands is often compli-

cated, as many have more than one name (as does the entire archipelago, which has also been known historically as La Gar-

za, Virgineola, and the Isle of Devils.

Executive authority in Bermuda is vested in the monarch and is exercised on her behalf by the Governor. The governor is

appointed by the Queen on the advice of the British Government. The current governor is George Fergusson; he was sworn

in on 23 May 2012. There is also a Deputy Governor (currently David ArkleyJP). Defence and foreign affairs remain the re-

sponsibility of the United Kingdom, which also retains responsibility to ensure good government. It must approve any

changes to the Constitution of Bermuda. Bermuda now exists as an overseas territory of Britain, but it is the oldest British

colony.

Bermuda's pink sand beaches and clear, cerulean blue ocean waters are popular with tourists and many of Bermuda's hotels are located along the south shore of the island. In addition to its beaches, there are a number of sightseeing attractions. His-toric St George's is a designated World Heritage Site. Scuba divers can explore numerous wrecks and coral reefs in relatively shallow water (typically 30–40 ft/9–12 m in depth) with virtually unlimited visibility. Many nearby reefs are readily accessible from shore by snorkelers, especially at Church Bay.

It is not possible to rent a car on the island; however, visitors can hire scooters for use as private transport, or use public

transport.

Bermuda's 2010 Census put Bermuda's population at 64,237. The ethnic makeup of Bermuda is 54% black, 31% white, 8%

multiracial, 4% Asian, and 4% other races.[2] Native Bermudians made up 67% of the population, compared 29% non-

natives, however, 79% of residents had Bermudian status. A significant segment of the white population is of Portuguese

ancestry (10%), the result of immigration from Portuguese islands (especially the Azores) during the past 160 years.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_overseas_territoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Oceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_coast_of_the_United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Hatterashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Sable_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Sable_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami,_Floridahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_(political)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton,_Bermudahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Berm%C3%BAdezhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Berm%C3%BAdezhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamestown,_Virginiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_colonial_empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somers_Isles_Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Union_1707http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Great_Britainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Bermudahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Fergusson_(diplomat)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_Peacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceruleanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Sitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuba_divinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipwreckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reefshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snorkellinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Bay,_Bermudahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooter_(motorcycle)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda#cite_note-Bermuda_2010_Census-2#cite_note-Bermuda_2010_Census-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores

12

Interested in operating from the land of pink beaches, beautiful scenery, and phenomenal snorkeling sites located only 650 miles off Cape Hatteras, NC? Here is information provided by the Radio Society of Bermuda Information for visiting amateur operators!

We always enjoy meeting new friends from around the world and Bermuda is a great place in which to live, for that very reason. In order to make your vacation to our island a special one, the Department of Telecommunications offers a reciprocal operating license at no cost to the visiting ham. It's easy to ob-tain, as well, by any of the following three ways:

1) Email a copy of your license, along with the dates of your visit and the address at which you will be staying (if traveling by cruise ship or sailboat, just say so). The Email address is: bevans@gov.bm

2) Fax a copy of your license, along with the dates of your visit and the address at which you will be staying, to (441) 295-1462.

3) You can also walk into their offices, in the city of Hamilton, and present your information in person. The process usually only takes about 15 minutes or less.

At this time, only those operators who are General Class, and above, may operate on the island. It is also important to note you will be restricted to 100 watts of power during your stay. We encourage you to use our local repeater systems. Our main repeater is on 146.34 / 146.94 and it has the option to take ad-vantage of IRLP. If this repeater is not operational during your visit, please check out the 146.22 / 146.82 repeater as well.

mailto:bevans@gov.bm?subject=Request%20for%20reciprocal%20ham%20radio%20licensehttp://www.irlp.nethttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Front_Street%2C_Hamilton%2C_Bermuda.jpg

13

WACOM Christmas Party!!

WACOM’s Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 @ 6:00 P.M!

It will be in the same location as last year:

Buffalo Township Building off Taylorstown Exit 11 on Route 70 West

Please let Norma know how many family members you will be bringing with you and

what you will be bringing to share (side dish ~ salad ~ dessert). WACOM will purchase the meat and soft drinks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Again this year we will have the Grab Bag gift, price not to exceed $5.00.

(Be sure to indicate on the gift whether it is appropriate for a Man, a Woman, or Either)

14

Name: ___________________________________ Address:________________________________________

City: _________________________ State: ____ Zip:_________

Home Phone: ______________________________ Business Phone: ____________________________

Other Phone: E•Mail: _____________________________

Amateur Call: ________________________ License Class : _________________________

Spouse: _____________________________ Spouse Call: __________________________

Spouse License Class: ________________________

In case of emergency, for what bands do you have equipment?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What are your favorite amateur activities?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What activities would you like to see WACOM sponsor?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

ARRL Member? Y N

Please return completed form and dues to:

WACOM c/o Norma Plants 236 chambers Ridge Road, West Alexander PA 15376

E- mail n3yjj@arrl.net

Dues: Individual $20 per year, Additional Family Members $10 each

2013

MEMBER INFORMATION AND DUES RENEWAL FORM