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THE FEEDLINE Volume 35, Issue 5 The Voice of the Western Illinois Amateur Radio Club May 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 From the Desk of the President

1 DX News and Notes

2 Moved and Seconded

3 Treasurers Report

4 USS Yorktown

4

2 Meter J-pole Antenna Experiment

From the Desk of the President Plans are being made for Field Day 2011 to be held on June 25-26. The Red Cross, located at 3000 North 23

rd Street, Quincy, IL, will be our host this

year. Attend the Club Meetings to find the latest on this annual event or contact Darell Taylor (N9DT) to offer your services! Last year the club attended several events promoting amateur radio. This year we are diverting our resources to building our new club station at the Red Cross, but there are a couple of events coming up that maybe the WIARC can participate in: The Quincy Mall will host “EMS Day” on May 15 from noon to 5pm. The goal of EMS day is to broaden public awareness of the services available in our community. Why not amateur radio! Here is a chance for the club to introduce amateur radio and the broad range of services it has to offer including RACES and ARES. A space has been secured for the WIARC display. The “Heritage Days” located in Golden Illinois near the windmill, will be held on July 9 – 10. The event hosts an antique car show, flea market and live entertainment and of course the sweet corn dinner held on Sunday (July 10). Last year the WIARC rented a tent and setup a small display of old amateur radios and a working station complete with a tri-band beam.

DX News and Notes By Mike Nowack, NA9Q

DX Notes For May: What wonderful conditions we have been experiencing lately. DX signals are being heard on 20M, 17M and even 15M from early morning until late evenings. Even 10M is showing great signs of life. No matter what cycle 24 has in store for us in the months to come, it is certainly great to be out of the very prolonged doldrums of the last two or so years waiting for cycle 23 to end and 24 to finally begin. It will be interesting to see just what the scientific community finally decides happened in this prolonged period of minimum solar activity as it was an unusually long ride at the bottom. In just the last two weeks or so I have heard and worked some pretty rare stuff. This includes Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Papua-NG, Kuwait, FJL, Turkey, New Caledonia, Mayotte, American Samoa, and UAE among many others. And I have not been all that active. I cannot imagine just how many DX countries have been represented on the bands recently, but certainly DXCC in much less than a month should be quite possible. For me, I have taken the opportunity to work on increasing my CW DX count and my count on 10M. A reminder that the best way to quickly get up to speed on what is happening on the bands is to check into a PacketCluster node and monitor the current spots. Danny, NG9R has a local node running as NG9R-1. This node is accessible via the internet (telnet) or by RF link on 144.91 MHz. Contact Danny NG9R for details of getting set up to access his cluster and which is the best monitoring program to use on your home computer. DX News For May: 3A, MONACO. Andrea, IZ2LSC, will be active as 3A/IZ2LSC from Monaco during the weekend of April 30th and May 1st. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW and SSB with 100 watts. QSL via LoTW or by the Bureau via his home callsign.

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4K, AZERBAIJAN. Yuris, YL2GM will be QRV as 4K3AC from April 25 to May 3. Activity will be on al HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home call. 5R, MADAGASCAR. Giorgio, IZ4AKS, will be active as 5R8KS in another Micro-DXpedition, this time from Nosy Be Island between May 31st and June 6th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters. 9J, ZAMBIA. Chris, ZS6RI (ex-ZD9IR, 5H9IR, EL8RI), will be active as 9J2RI from Zambia for a year or two. However, operations will be on a "6 week on/6 week off" due to his work. Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via LoTW or direct to: Chris J de Beer, Box 333, Bethlehem, GA 9M2, WEST MALAYSIA. Mirek, VK6DXI will be QRV as 9M8DX/2 from Kuala Lumpur from April 25 to 30 while on business here. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW during his evenings. QSL via SP5UAF. 9M8, WEST MALAYSIA. Mirek, VK6DXI, will once again be active as 9M8DX/2 from Kuala Lumpur between April 25-30th. Activity will be limited since this is a business trip, but he will operate on some CW during his local evening hours. QSL via SP5UAF. ASIAN AND IOTA TRIP. Vincent, F4BKV, plans to be active as VR2/F4BKV from Hong Kong between April 27th and May 6th. He also plans to be active as YB9/F4BKV from Bali (OC-022), Indonesia, between May 7-9th. Activity will be casual using low power (100w) and operating SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via LoTW, by the Bureau or direct. EM25, UKRAINE (Special Event). In connection with 25th anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, radio amateurs from the "Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies" together with a number of Ukrainian radio amateurs will operate from Chernobyl city between the period April 22-30th, using the callsign EM25U. QSL via UT3UZ: Alex Arbuzov, P.O. Box 7, Kiev-232, 02232, Ukraine. HB0, LIECHTENSTEIN. Operators Tony/IZ3ESV, Gabriele/I2VGW and Andrea/ IZ2LSC will be active as HB0/homecall between June 2-5th. The main focus will be on the 30/17/12 meters and the upper HF bands depending on the propagation. They will also try 6 meters. QSL via their home callsigns.

I’ll present more information on these two events and ask if the club is interested at the next meeting on May 4

th.

73, Todd AB9QW

APR 2011 Meeting Minutes Todd, AB9QW, called meeting to order at 7:35 pm with 16 attending. We all introduced ourselves. Minutes as published in the April issue of Feedline were amended in the 5th paragraph as follows: Karen, N9KFT, and Laura, KB9ZFG, are organizing the food event. Also, Gib's call is KB9ZEN. Todd, AB9QW, made clear the $1500 budget approved for the club station remodeling is for the first phase. He plans two more phases which the committee which will propose agendas and budgets later. Moved approved by Danny, NG9R, seconded by Ron, AA9GL. Passed. Treasurer's Networth report was submitted by Todd, AB9QW, since Ben was not available. Repeater committee: Bill, N9UPG, said the climber status hasn't changed, i.e. no work done. The trouble with the 440 machine will be checked soon. Club station: Todd, AAB9QW, reported on the club station installation at the RCHQ [Red Cross Head Quarters]. The committee members are: Mike, NA9Q, Ron, AA9GL, Andy, KA9SNL, Ron, KB9YN, & TODD, AB9QW. New business: Danny, NG9R, reported on the Red Cross drill held 1 Apr. went well on our end. He also outlined activities of the Adams Co. EMA. Field Day 25 & 26 June...Committee chair: Darell, N9DT; member Gil, KB9ZEN, who has notified the ARRL of the club's participation. Equipment needs and operations were discussed. The plan is to operate out of the RC large meeting room. At the May club meeting Darell, N9DT, will make a list of scheduled operators. He also made the point the club station license is not an operator license. It does not entitle an operator to any greater privileges than the operator's license grants, i.e. don't operate in the Extra band section if you hold a general class unless there's a

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KC4, ANTARCTICA. Luis is now QRV as LU1ZG from the Belgrano II Station. QSL via LU4DXU. OJ0, MAKET REEF. Operators Dervin/PD9DX, Marc/ON8AK and Max/ON5UR will be active as OJ0UR from Market Reef between August 13-20th. Activity will be on the HF bands using a Stepp-IR Big Vertical and a Stepp-IR 2 element beam. QSL via M0URX, direct or by the Bureau, or LoTW. SHORT PACIFIC TOUR. By the time you read this operators Carlos/EA1IR and Hrane/YT1AD should be finishing their short Pacific tour from American Samoa as KH8/EA1IR and KH8/N9YU through May 1st. QSL all the above callsigns for YT1AD and EA1IR via Carlos, EA1IR. SV/A, MOUNT ATHOS. Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A has been active using RTTY on 17 meters between 1800 and 2100z. QSL direct. T31, CENTRAL KIRIBATI. A group of operators will be QRV as T31A from Kanton Island, April 17 to 28. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY with six stations active simultaneously from two locations. QSL via W2IJ. T8, PALAU. Shigehiro, JA8CCL, is active as T88KR. QSL via his home callsign. TT, CHAD. Phil, F4EGS is QRV as TT8PK from N'djamena until June 15 while on business. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home call. XV, VIET NAM. A group of operators will be QRV as XV4YY from Phu Quoc, IOTA AS-128, from April 18 to 30. Activity is on all HF bands and modes with two stations. QSL via DH7WW. ZA, ALBANIA. Operators Mitko/LZ1UQ and Andy/LZ2HM will be active as ZA/homecall between April 26th and May 5th. Activity will be on all HF bands and 6 meters CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsign using the info on QRZ.com. Credit to the ARRL DX Bulletin and the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin for much of the above information. Good DX and go get ‘em, the bands are hot. Mike NA9Q

control operator with an Extra class license. Mike, NA9Q, is concerned that the paid members only total 45. There was discussion on how to grow. Danny, NG9R, will create a mailing of past members asking for renewal. Todd, AAB9QW, will arrange for mailing. NCS for WIARC ARES net at 1900, every Wed. on 147.030 13 APR N9UPG 20 APR KB9ZEN 27 APR W9NTG 4 MAY N9DT 11 MAY N9UPG 18 MAY NA9Q 25 MAY W9NTG 1 JUN N9DT We adjourned at 8:50 pm. Respectfully submitted by Ed W9NTG

Treasurer’s Report: As of 4/21/11 Checking $252.44

Savings $9,374.40

Town and Country CD $11,806.28

Net Worth $21,433.12

ARRL Club Affiliation Survey

The ARRL Programs and Services Committee is studying current benefits of ARRL Club Affiliation. We are interested in learning which benefits are important to affiliated clubs and what potential benefits affiliated clubs would like to see in the future. To that end, we’ve put together a survey to learn what benefits are being used; their importance and to get an idea of potential future benefits. The survey is open to all current club officers, past officers and club members. The survey is located at: http://www.bestvote.org/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=31 and is open to May 20

th.

Thank you, ARRL Programs and Services Committee

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The USS Yorktown (CV-10) was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy. Under construction as Bon Homme Richard, this new Essex-class carrier was renamed Yorktown in honor of Yorktown (CV-5), sunk at the epic Battle

of Midway (June 1942). Built in an amazing 16 ½ months at Newport News, Virginia, Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943. Yorktown participated significantly in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. Yorktown received the Presidential Unit Citation and earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. Much of the Academy Award-winning (1944) documentary "The Fighting Lady" was filmed aboard Yorktown. In the 1950's, Yorktown was modified with the addition of and angled deck to better operate jet aircraft in her role as an attack carrier (CVA). In 1958, Yorktown was designated an anti-submarine aircraft carrier (CVS), and would later earn 5 battle stars for service off Vietnam (1965-1968). The ship also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule (December 1968). Yorktown was decommissioned in 1970 and placed in reserve. In 1975, Yorktown was towed from Bayonne, NJ to Charleston to become the centerpiece of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.

Two Meter J-Pole Antenna Experiments Part 1

By Joe K2PEY During the winter I spent some time at a condominium in Cape Coral, Florida. Condo rules do not allow outside antennas. For two meters I had been using a vertical dipole mounted on a PVC pipe pedestal in the lanai. About 30% of the time I couldn’t reach the desired repeater 30 miles to the south in Naples. A friend, K1UQE, suggested considering a J-Pole antenna. I searched the Internet for information, learning that the J-Pole made from 300 ohm twin lead had been around since at least 1977 (see article in 73 Magazine, August 1977 by W9VZR). There are a lot of advantages: low cost, light weight/portable, moderate gain, relatively ground independent and simple to build. It was worth a try! The radiator is a half wave wire fed from a shorted quarter wave stub. A 50 ohm connection to the stub is 1 and ¼ inches from the shorted end. Thus, the overall length of the antenna is

USS Yorktown back on the air! -Fred Hambrecht W4JLE/NNN0AAG-

On May 14, 2011 the call sign NWKJ will be heard on the airwaves for the first time in forty one years. Yorktown will be activated by South Carolina Navy Marine Corp MARS members as well as operators from other states in Region Four for the annual military cross band test. Yorktown has been the site for WA4USN on the amateur bands under the auspices of the Charleston Amateur Radio Society; however this will be the first use of Yorktown’s military call since its decommissioning. It required that Yorktown be relisted in ACP 113 to allow the use of the “Fighting lady’s” military call on military frequencies. The amateur frequencies being listened to will be announced by the operators on the frequencies listed below. QSL cards will be sent to all contacts.

Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943) 30,000+ tons (1956)

Length: 872 feet (1943) 888 feet (1956)

Beam (waterline): 93 feet (1943) 101 feet (1956)

Draft: 30 feet

Speed: 30+ knots

Range: 14,000 nautical miles at 13 knots

Complement: 360 Officers 3000 enlisted (1943)

Aircraft: 90 (1944) 44 (1968)

Armament: (circa 1944) 12 X 5 in/38 cal guns (127 mm), 68 X 40mm 917

quad mounts), 61 X 20mm (single); (circa 1968): 4 X 5 in/38 cal

(127mm)

Yorktown will be operating on the following frequencies:

USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) (14 MAY

1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)

FREQUENCY EMISSION BAND

4010.0 KHZ LSB 80M

7348.0 KHZ LSB 40M

14478.5 KHZ USB 20M

20994.0 KHZ USB 15M

POC: Fred Hambrecht NNN0GBS

ADDRESS: 129 Indian Trace Court

Gilbert, SC 29054

COMMERCIAL: 803-657-360

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Antenna 1 Antenna 2 141.32 MHz 3.0 to 1 SWR 140.01 MHz 3.0 to 1 SWR 143.24 2.0 141.63 2.0 144.32 1.5 142.66 1.5 145.77 1.2 144.20 1.0 147.03 1.5 145.73 1.5 152.88 2.0 147.50 2.0 154.37 3.0 149.91 3.0 156.00 4.0 156.00 6.7 157.00 4.4 157.00 7.0 Obviously there were some small differences between the two antennas; the only one identified was the length of the quarter wave matching section; on the second antenna, the length was 16 and 5/16 inches. Note: they were both tested in the same location hanging in the lanai two inches from the nylon screening. The first J-Pole antenna replaced the vertical dipole, increasing the received signal from the repeater by 8 dB. The problem accessing the Naples repeater on 146.64 MHz was solved! Our satisfaction with the first antenna was so great that we started thinking about a second antenna for our small outboard boat. Perhaps one antenna could cover both two meters and the VHF Marine band (156-157 MHz transmit frequencies). It could be easily hung from the bimini top. The approach was to build a second 2 meter J-Pole and experimentally modify it for possible dual band operation. Our current design is shown below:

continued next month.

approximately ¾ wavelength. Based on free space calculations for 146 MHz, ¾ wavelength would be 60.7 inches, ½ wavelength 40.5 inches and ¼ wavelength 20.2 inches. Actual dimensions are some what less and they vary from one builder to another. The dimensions I settled on are noted below.

The antenna is made from 18 gauge 300 ohm twin lead (copper clad steel wire with a nominal velocity factor of 91%). The twin leads are shorted together at one end. 50 ohm coax is connected as shown 1 and ¼ inches from the shorted end. Connections are kept as short as possible (really short) and the coax is securely taped to the bottom 1 and ¼ inch section of twin lead. The top of the twin lead is open circuited. As shown, the right side of the twin lead is notched at 16 and ¼ inches with the conductor removed for ¾ inch. A hole is drilled at the top of the antenna for a 1/8 inch nylon rope support. For our antenna, we purchased 50 ft. of RG-8X cable with UHF connectors pre-assembled. It was cut in half as we made two identical antennas (the second, one month later). SWR data was taken with an MFJ-259B HF/VHF SWR Analyzer.

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W9AWE – W90AB

The Western Illinois Amateur Radio Club, Inc.

WIARC homepage: http://www.w9awe.org e-mail to w9awe@qsl.net

WIARC email reflector: wiarc@mailman.qth.net

Sponsors of

Voice repeater W9AWE/R on 147.630/.030 Quincy

Voice repeater W9AWE/R on 146.340/.940 Quincy

Voice repeater W9AWE/R on 448.900/443.900Quincy

All voice repeaters use 103.5 sub-audible tone

APRS digi-peater W9AWE-1 on 144.390 Quincy

Digi-peater W9AWE-2 on 145.910 Quincy (ILQDX)

ILLINOIS QSO PARTY

Newsletter input due by the 20th of the preceding month

Editor Jim Funk N9JF

jfunk@fossnorthamerica.com or n9jf@arrl.net

Western Il. Amateur Radio Club

PO Box 3132

Quincy, IL 62305-3132

May meeting: Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Adams County American Red Cross Building, 24th and Koch’s Lane, Quincy (west ½ block from intersection then north on driveway)