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December 2015
Vol. 40, #12
WACOM President’s Message—2
WACOM General Information—3
WACOM Meeting Minutes - 4
Upcoming Events—5
WACOM DX Corner—6
Do You Prep? -7
ARRL News—8-10
WASH 2-Meter Simplex Contest Announcement - 11
WASHFEST 2016 Hamfest Flyer—12
WACOM 2015 Renewal Form - 13
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Washington Amateur Communications Inc.
THE
WACOM
HAM MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Skywarn Recognition Day
p. 8
Hams Help in India
P. 12
Astronaut Hams Return from ISS
p.9
A 501-C3 Tax Exempt Organization
WACOM President’s Message
December 2015 Bill—NY9H
2
December is here and along with the WACOM Christmas Par-ty we prepare for all the family festivities around the Holiday. If everybody was good this year, perhaps there will be a toy under the tree for you. And as I've said before do not forget to give your kids big hugs....not just at holidays , but all the time. Doesn't matter if they are 14 or 41, we all need all the hugs we can garner. Finally, as we move to the New Year and set off another round of New Year's promises, don't forget to take a moment and thank the people around you for making our world such a wonderful place. I know there is plenty in 2015 to lament, and perhaps that has been the case all through history, but more often we don't take the time to just say thank you to friends, family, loved ones. And so with that I say, thank you to my fel-low WACOM members. Thank you for making this hobby so much fun, so engaging and educational. If you haven't been on the two meter repeater system recently, give it a try—it is fun and busier than ever. Bill NY9H "CU on the radio”
WACOM OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
STAFF, REPEATERS, AND NETS!
Membership
- WACOM membership is open to anyone
- Annual Dues:
$20 for individuals
$10 for each additional family member
(send check & completed form to club treasurer)
- Questions? Contact the WACOM club treasurer.
Membership Meeting
- 7:30PM (1930 hrs), First Thursday of every month
Board of Directors Meeting
- 7PM (1900 hrs), Last Thursday of every month
Mailing Address
WACOM
c/o Norma Plants N3YJJ
236 Chambers Ridge Road
West Alexander, Pa 15376-2270
General Club Correspondence; [email protected]
Club Officers
President: Bill Steffey, NY9H; [email protected]
Vice President: Don Smith, KB3YLR; [email protected]
Secretary: Randy Kief, KC3EKZ; [email protected]
Treasurer: Norma Plants, N3YJJ; [email protected]
Board of Directors
Director: Jim Burtoft, KC3HW; [email protected]
Director: Dennis Presky, K3PSP; [email protected]
Director: Bud Plants, N3TIR; [email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Ken Frankenbery, AA3GM; [email protected]
Webmaster
Joe Caldwell, N3XE; [email protected]
VE Liaison
Bob Kinnear, KI4DHB; [email protected]
Repeaters
K3PSP - 146.790+ MHz, EchoLink node - WA3COM-R
147.285+ MHz (Scenery Hill, PA)
145.250 - MHz (West Alexander)
147.390+ MHz (Smith Township)
147.315+ MHz (Greene County)
W3CYO - 145.490 MHz, 224.4 MHz, 443.300 MH z
Digital Net
- Mondays at 8PM (2000 hrs), on K3PSP Repeater
- Rich, KC3AJM Net Control
2 Meter Public Service Net
- Tuesdays at 8:30PM (2030 hrs), on K3PSP Repeater
- Dave, N3IDH Net Control
10 Meter Net
- Tuesdays at 9PM (2100 hrs), on 28.340 MHz
- Bud, N3TIR Net Control
YL Net
- Wednesdays at 7:30PM (1930 hrs), on K3PSP Repeater
- Karen, K3PUP Net Control
Elmer Net
- Wednesdays at 8PM (2000 hrs), on K3PSP Repeater
- Bud N3TIR, Net Control
Club Elmers
DX Contest - Bill Sheehan, KB3LIX; [email protected]
QSL & DX - Bill Steffey, NY9H; [email protected]
ARES & RACES - Bob Ketzell, KB3IN; [email protected]
CW - Loren McCullough, WA3WZR; [email protected]
VHF - Craig Yoho, KB3RHR; [email protected]
Repeaters - Dennis Presky, K3PSP; [email protected]
Websites - Joe Caldwell, N3XE; [email protected]
Washington Amateur Communications is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing the principles of Amateur Radio
while making it fun for all who participate. We have been affiliated with the ARRL for over 25 years. Our club call sign is
WA3COM. Because of our activity in promoting Amateur Radio, including conducting classes, public demonstrations, emergency
preparedness and training, studying technical advancements in radio and mentoring of new and soon-to-be hams, WACOM has
earned the designation of Special Service Club from the ARRL.
3
WACOM General Meeting Minutes
5 November 2015, 7:30 PM
Next WACOM meeting - 4 December 2015, 6:00 PM! (Christmas Party)
General Meeting Minutes – 11/5/2015
The meeting was called to order by Bill Steffey (NY9H) at 7:34 pm.
Membership introductions and introducing visitors were performed.
New hams, and member license upgrades were recognized.
Old minutes were read by Randy (KC3EKZ).
A motion to accept by Joe (WA3WMB), 2nd by Bob (KC3AJM). There were no objections. Minutes accepted.
The treasury report was read by Bud (N3TIR). Motion to accept by Dave (KA3PMW), 2nd by Betty (N3KFP), no objections.
Report accepted as read.
Bill (NY9H) reviewed the repeater system due to Dennis (K3PSP) being in the EOC for region 13 ID photos. Dennis to give
follow-up report during next meeting.
Bill (NY9H) reviewed the ARRL, and encouraged joining it’s membership.
Bob (KB3IN) reviewed the VE testing. All 4 tech class students passed. We now have 2 new tech’s, and 2 new general class
members. March 2016 will be the next tech class, and he is discussing a general class.
Bill (NY9H) stated that the region 13 ID cards for public safety oriented members are in progress. We should be prepared for
any major incident like the “grid” going down.
Bud (N3TIR) reviewed the hamfest. The event was a resounding success. All the prizes are delivered. Bud had attendees state
that we have the “largest indoor hamfest” in the tri-state area. Thanks to all members that helped working the hamfest. Bud is
waiting on the ARRL to give the OK on the hamfest becoming a convention next year. Bud would like to make some
minor changes for next year. He is also looking for someone to learn the logistics, and help him
with next year.
Bill (NY9H) opened up nominations for elections. The following were nominated:
Secretary - Randy (KC3EKZ), by Rob (KB3ZUS), and Betty (N3KFP) 2nd
Vice-President – Don (KB3YLR), by Betty (N3KFP), and Dave (KA3PMW) 2nd
Board Member – Jim (KB3HW), by Bob (KB3IN), Jim (AA3JK) 2nd
Joe (W3WMB), by Dennis (K3PSP), and Chris (KC3CJU) 2nd
December meeting will need to vote for 1 board member. Randy (KC3EKZ), and Don (KB3YLR) are unopposed.
Bill (NY9H) reviewed the scores from field day.
Randy (KC3EKZ) announced that the radio room is ¾ done. He asked that everyone please assist in keeping the clubroom
clean, and organized as it is now. Patrick (KB3TFN) will be performing assistant radio room manager duties to assist Randy.
Bud (N3TIR) stated that the clubs 501C3 is approved, and in hand.
A motion to adjourn was made by Bob (KC3AJM), and second by Joe (W3WMB). Motion passed unanimously, and the meet-
ing was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
(Respectfully submitted by Randy Kief. (KC3EKZ))
4
2015-16 WACOM Upcoming Events Calendar Meetings, Contests & Other Significant Club Events (Subject to Change)
____________________________________________________
3 December 2015, WACOM Meeting at 7:30PM, Washington County Building
4-6 December 2015—ARRL 160-meter Contest, http://www.arrl.org
12-13 December 2015—ARRL 10-meter Contest, http://www.arrl.org
26-27 December 2015—Stu Perry Topband Challenge, http://www.kkn.net/stew
1 January 2016—ARRL Straight Key Night, http://www.arrl.org
2-3 January 2016—ARRL RTTY Roundup, http://www.arrl.org
7 January 2016, WACOM Meeting at 7:30PM, Washington County Building
16 January 2016—WASH 2-meter Simplex Contest http://www.n3sh.org
30 January—1 February 2016—ARRL January VHF Contest, http://www.arrl.org
28 February 2016—WASHFest, CSVFD, Castle Shannon, PA
5
WACOM HAM DX Corner—DECEMber 2015 COURTESY: http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxo.html
6
2015 Dec06 2016 Jan06 Rotuma 3D2AG/
p [spots]
3D2AG Direct
DXNews 20150905
By 3D2AG; 40-6m, some 80m; inverted V, 3 ele HF yagi, 6 ele yagi on 6m; QSL: Antoine de Ra-
mon N'Yeurt, PO Box 10842, Laucala Beach Es-tate, via Suva, Fiji
2015 Dec15 2016 Jan05 Barbados 8P9JB [spots]
J69AZ Direct
DXNews 20151125
By J69AZ; HF; QSL: Ancletus Ernest, PO Box 3056, La Clery, St Lucia
2015 Dec16 2016 Jan08 Reunion FR [spots]
LotW F6AJA
20151104
By F5UOW as FR/F5UOW; 40-10m; CW + digi-tal; spare time operation
2015 Dec18 2016 Jan07 Zimbabwe Z21LS [spots]
DE1ZHB DXNews 20151222
By DE1ZHB; 40-10m; SSB PSK RTTY; QSL OK via DARC Buro or direct
2015 Dec19 2016 Jan09 South Cook
Is E51LLA
[spots] LotW
DXW.Net 20151217
By OZ6TL fm Rarotonga I (OC-013); mainly 30 20m; CW RTTY; holiday style operation; QSL
also OK via OZ6TL
2015 Dec 20 2016 Jan10 Kenya 5Z4 [spots]
LotW DXNews 20151221
By M0LEP as 5Z4/M0LEP; 40-10m; SSB CW; QSL also OK via M0LEP and eQSL
2015 Dec 20 2016 Jan15 Rotuma 3D2AG/
p [spots]
3D2AG Direct
DXNews 20151117
By 3D2AG; 80-6m; SSB CW RTTY PSK31; yagis + inverted V; QSL: Antoine de Ramon N'Yeurt, PO Box 10842 Laucala Beach Estate, Suva, Fiji
2015 Dec21 2016 Jan08 Kyrgyzstan EX [spots]
HB9DUR DXW.Net 20151221
By HB9DUR as EX/HB9DUR fm Bishkek; HF, focus on high bands; QSL OK via Buro or direct
2015 Dec23 2016 Jan10 Antigua V25LK [spots]
OM3AG DXW.Net 20151215
By OM3AG; 20-10m; CW SSB; holiday style op-eration
2015 Dec24 2016 Jan07 Palau T8CW [spots]
LotW DXNews 20151211
By JH0IXE fm Koror I; 80-6m; CW SSB RTTY JT65 PSK31; QSL also OK via JA0FOX Buro,
JH0IXE direct, and eQSL (direct: Ryosei Aimiya, 4595 Kamikatagiri, Matsukawa, Shimoina, Naga-
no 399-3301, Japan)
2015 Dec24 2016 Jan15 Laos XW4XR [spots]
LotW DXW.Net 20151228
By 3W3B fm Vientiane; HF; CW RTTY; QSL also OK via E21EIC
2015 Dec26 2016 Jan12 Senegal 6W [spots]
WA3DX DXW.Net 20150828
By WA3DX as 6W1/WA3DX fm Dakar, also 6W7/ fm Mbao and 6W6/ fm Kaolack and Saloum Is; 40-10; SSB; spare time operation
2015 Dec27 2016 Jan13 Vanuatu YJ4AO [spots]
DL7VOA DXW.Net 20150817
By DL7VOA fm Port Vila, Efate Is (OC-035, WLOTA 1051, RH42ee); CW SSB; 500w; vertical
dipoles and ground planes; local evenings and nights; holiday style operation; QSL OK via
DARC Buro or direct
2015 Dec30 2016 Jan09 Ogasawara JD1BMH [spots]
JD1BMH Buro
OPDX 20151221
By JG7PSJ fm Chichijima I (AS-031); 160-10m; CW SSB RTTY; QSL also OK via JG7PSJ direct
2015 Dec30 2016 Jan10 Guade-loupe
FG
[spots]
UT6UD DXW.Net 20160101
By UT6UD as FG/UT6UD; focus on low bands; CW; QSL OK via Buro or direct
2015 Dec31 2016 Jan05 Cayman Is ZF2LL [spots]
LotW WW4LL 20151204
By WW4LL fm Grand Cayman I; RTTY, SSB; QRV for RTTY RU (Jan 2-3); operation limited
outside contest
Do You 'Prep'? Shouldn't You? By
Dan Kolton (K0AST) from eHAM
Okay, I'll be the first to acknowledge I think TEOT-
WAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It)
crowd is a little off their rocker. Sure, mankind has
gone through some tough times, and in a nuclear
age, even tougher times are always a distinct, if re-
mote possibility.
That said, shouldn't we all be doing at least a little
"prepping"?
Several years ago, the power went out at our house
for 9 days. It affected a large area, which also meant
no power for gas stations, restaurants, and all those
other conveniences one takes for granted. Over the
years I had always kept a 4000w generator around,
as well as 25-35 gals of stabilized gas, much to the
delight of my wife who liked to poke fun at me for
it. Well the year we lost power for nine days, she
took it all back.
Unfortunately I did not have enough gas to last nine
days, and had to drive roughly 15 miles to find the
nearest working service station. The lines were 1/2
block long; the tempers were a hair short. I waited
my turn, refilled all my cans, and headed back
home. That year we would run the heat in the house
up to 85 degrees at night, shut down the generator,
put it away, and wake up to 53 degrees in the morn-
ing. BTW, did I mention it was VERY cold out?
So why bring this up now?
We lost power again to a windstorm around noon
yesterday. And I was out of gas. So I dutifully went
to get gas at the nearest (maybe 8 miles away)
working station, as well as ice for the fridge. No
need to run the generator set when it is not cold out,
but better to be prepared for the long haul. Anyway,
tempers were already flaring a mere 6 hours after
the power had gone out, and ice was already in
short supply.
Last night, on the local VHF net, a few of us were
working off battery power, and a few definitely did
not check in because they had NO power of any
kind. I checked our own 'battery box' to find a sig-
nificant lack of AA batteries. No 9-volts either.
Are we good hams if we cannot respond to even a
minor possibility of an emergency?
I won't even go into prepping of food here. And I
certainly will not address weapons, a big political
football.
Personally, I live in the Seattle region, an area now
known for being one standard deviation past having
a 'big one' earthquake. In a recent New Yorker
Magazine article, this was addressed, and later fol-
lowed up upon by the same author in answer to his
quoting a FEMA official saying the region would
be 'toast' if the big one hit.
In our particular case, given geography and high-
way/road systems, FEMA believes our region
would become a number of 'pockets' of civilization
that would encounter difficulty leaving their areas.
One need only look back upon Hurricanes Katrina
or Sandy to see how woefully unprepared the feds
would be in such a situation.
Yesterday, as I drove to get some gas for the gener-
ator set, I paid particular attention to how I would
'evacuate' my own QTH if needed. It didn't look all
that good if cars were blocking the roads, out of
gas, or worse.
So this year, I am becoming a 'prepper'. The gas has
been replenished; every family member's car is get-
ting a 24-hour bag of necessities in case they need
food, or outdoor gear for survival to get home if 'the
big one' comes. And I plan to stock up on enough
water and canned goods for at least 3-4 weeks.
What will this all cost me to do it right? Maybe
$1.5-2k, but I spend that on vehicle insurance alone
every year. Isn't my family worth it otherwise?
I'm joining the 'preppers'.
Shouldn't you?
7
8
Radio Amateurs Respond to “Grim” Flood in India
ARRL NEWS
12/04/2015
Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, the president of the Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) — India’s In-ternational Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-society — has told ARRL that Amateur Radio is as-sisting with communication in the wake of severe flooding in and around India’s fourth-largest city, Chennai. A net has been established on 7.070 MHz, and repeaters are also operational, he said. A lack of electrical power in most areas has hampered the Amateur Radio response, as batteries in portable gear already have discharged. Madhavan said many areas were cut off, and some hams have not been able to evacuate. Mobile telephone service was out for a time but is slowly being restored. Travel by motor vehicle is impossible, Madhavan said, and three main bridges separating the north and south sides of the city were closed, making movement im-possible on those routes.
“Efforts are being made to garner more hams into relief activity as soon as they are able to move out of their locales,” Madhavan told ARRL yesterday evening. “The situation is grim.”
According to news reports from India, flood victims are being evacuated by watercraft — some with the help of the Indian Navy or government relief agencies — or are simply walk-ing through the deep floodwaters, sometimes holding belongings or small children.
In a subsequent update, Madhavan said he anticipates a more coordinated Amateur Radio response soon. He said a control center for Amateur Radio operations will be set up, as soon as hams are able to move out.
“Since water is receding slowly, we will be able to do more,” he added.
Hams associated with the Indian Institute of Hams (IIH) have set up a station at the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board office in Jalabhavan, to assist in Chennai flood relief efforts.
News media reports in India indicate that although the rain has stopped, many parts of Chennai remain underwater and it is difficult to obtain food and necessary supplies. Passen-ger rail service is being routed to take flood victims to other locations, and the airport in Chennai is expected to be back in operation on Saturday, according to news accounts.
SKYWARN Recognition Day is Under Way
12/05/2015
The 17th annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) on-the-air event is underway today (December 5) until 2400 UTC. Cosponsored by ARRL and the National Weather Service, SKYWARN Recognition Day pays tribute to Amateur Radio operators for the vital public service they perform. A list of NWS participating of-fices is on the NWS SKYWARN Recognition Day web page. During the 24 hour event, Amateur Radio operators set up at NWS offices contact other hams across the country. This event is also aimed at strengthening the bond between Amateur Radio operators and local NWS offices.
SKYWARN Recognition Day is not a contest. During SKYWARN Recognition Day amateur stations exchange contact information with as many National Weather Service-based stations as possible on SSB, FM, CW, RTTY, and AM on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meter bands plus 70 centimeters. Repeater contacts are permitted.
Stations exchange call signs, signal reports, location, and a one or two-word descrip-tion of the weather (eg, sunny, partly cloudy, windy, rainy). Procedures are detailed on the NOAA SRD web page.
WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, will be taking part in SRD. The Hurricane Center ham station, which has participat-ed in every SKYWARN Recognition Day since its inception years ago, will take ad-vantage of the event for operator training.
The volunteer SKYWARN program comprises nearly 290,000 trained severe weath-er spotters -- many of them radio amateurs -- who identify severe storms and pro-vide NWS forecasters with reports of local weather conditions during severe weather events.
To learn more, visit the SKYWARN Recognition Day website.
ARRL NEWS
9
10
There’s a New Ham in the House!
All-Ham ISS Crew Increment Returns to Earth After 141 Days in Space
12/03/2015
US Rep Steve Pearce (R-NM-2) has become the third Amateur Radio licensee in the Congress. Pearce recently became KG5KIQ. He joins his House colleague, Rep Daniel Benishek, KB8TOW (R-MI), and Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR). Pearce had reached out earlier this year to ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and New Mexico Section Manager Ed James, KA8JMW, to find out more about ham radio.
“He said he had learned of ham radio and was interested in its utility for com-municating with others wirelessly, especially at long distances on HF,” Mileshosky recounted.
More recently the congressman alerted Mileshosky and James that he would be passing through Albu-querque and wanted to meet with them to chat further about Amateur Radio. The get-together over cof-fee with Pearce, an aide, James, and Mileshosky lasted for “a very productive hour,” Mileshosky said. On November 12, Pearce’s aide contacted James to say that the Congressman has just arrived in Albuquer-que and wanted to take the Technician license examination, if possible.
“We notified Frank Warren, AB5WJ, whose VE team regularly conducts on-demand licensing exams,” Mileshosky said. Three hours after our first indication that he was in town, the Congressman was taking his Technician license exam.”
12/11/2015
Three members of the International Space Station crew, all of them radio amateurs, returned safely to Earth on December 11. The trio, Astronauts Kimiya Yui, KG5BPH, and Kjell Lindgren, KO5MOS, and Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX, landed safely in their Soyuz spacecraft in Kazakhstan at 1312 UTC.
NASA noted that it marked the first time a crew has landed after sunset and only the sixth nighttime Soyuz return from the space station. Accompanying the three crew members were samples from several NASA human research experiments aboard the sta-tion.
On December 15, three other radio amateurs — UK ESA astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, KE5UDN, and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP — will launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan to replace the returnees.
ARRL NEWS
11
12
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 [email protected]
Dues: Individual $20 per year, Additional Family Members $10 each
2016
MEMBER INFORMATION AND DUES RENEWAL FORM
13
