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The Open Feed Line A Publication of the Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance (MARA)
Volume 23, Issue 3 - Friendship, Community Service & Advancement of the Hobby – July-Sept -2014
“Field Day 2014!”
(Above, putting the Yagi together)
It was that time of the year, when “Field-Day” season came upon us. You know, when we talk, plan and check out wire and ropes in the hopes that all will go together great.
“It did!” the top photo is of putting together the Yagi, and the bottom one,the Yagi mounted.
We held the FD at the Madison Square
Sportmans club . 5321 7 Mile Rd NE Belmont, MI 49306
(More photo on page 5)
Here comes fall!
Wow, wasn’t it just yesterday when we were all so tired of shoveling snow and wondering
where to put it? And then, the hot, humid summer with storms bringing branches down and power lines too. Our repeater site was
without power for about 4 hours or so. We’re working on an emergency power source in
case that ever happens again. We must remember that S.A.T.E.R.N. uses our
repeater to facilitate their canteen wagon and to maintain communications between their respective units. But we were saved from lightning strikes. So now we anticipate the Last of the large Ham Radio Swaps, and of
course, “Build Your Burger” fund raising event. It is never a dull moment in an active
Radio club! Just because the sun goes down a little
earlier than before, doesn’t mean we stop working. We have several repeater projects to
complete. Our members have expressed a desire to learn the RIGHT way to solder,
using both the lead and non-lead solder. We may offer a General-Extra class sometime
this coming winter. Morse code lessons are still being investigated. And let’s not forget the “Mara after Christmas dinner party”. Starting
in the very next Newsletter, we’ll be introducing our newest members and share some information about the older members.
Yup, you can tell fall is upon us.
See you there!
Visit our web page www.w8usa.org 1
Visit our web page www.w8usa.org
2
The Open Feed Line The Open Feed Line is published quarterly. It is the official journal of the Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance, or MARA for short. MARA, an American Radio Relay League affiliated club, was created to provide opportunities for friendship, community service, increasing technical knowledge, and upgrading our skills in the hobby of Amateur Radio. You may freely reprint any material in the Open Feed Line, but please credit the Open Feed Line, the original author, and the original publication, if given. Everybody is encouraged to submit original articles on topics relevant to the hobby of Amateur Radio to the editor. The deadline for submission is the end of January, April, July, and October, and the newsletter will be published within the following month.
Publisher Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance Post Office Box 670 Comstock Park MI 49321-0670 Visit our website- http://www.w8usa.org E-mail us at- [email protected]
Editor
Richard M. Ranta K8JX 812 Graceland NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 E- mail- [email protected]
Membership Information Annual dues to MARA are $20. Family memberships are an additional $5. Persons aged 70 and over - $20.00. Membership is free to students under 21. Memberships expire on December 31st, and club dues are due on January 1st. MARA membership is open to all interested persons. Please send change of address information and membership applications to the club secretary.
Great Lakes Award Send inquiries regarding the Great Lakes Award to the Awards Manager Larry Dells KC8KVR c/o MARA P.O.Box 670 Comstock Park MI 49321-0670 E-mail- [email protected]
MARA Club Officers President Vice President Barton Bechtel N8XQH Larry Dells KC8KVR 6155 Horstmeyer RD 2778 Northville Dr. NE Lansing, MI 48911 Grand Rapids MI 49525 616-363-8235 [email protected] Secretary Treasurer Mike Eilers K8OOK Jerry Wittkoski W8MSK 2531 Westwinde St NW 1025 Kendalwood St. NE Grand Rapids MI 49504 Grand Rapids MI 49505 616-363-4998 616-363-6146 [email protected] [email protected]
Appointed Positions Awards Manager Club Trustee Larry Dells KC8KVR Richard M. Ranta K8JX 2778 Northville Dr. NE 812 Graceland NE Grand Rapids MI 49525 Grand Rapids Mi 49505 616-363-8235 616-361-5975 [email protected] [email protected] Membership Director Education Director Mike Eilers K8OOK Larry Dells KC8KVR 2531 Westwinde St NW 2778 Northville Dr. NE Grand Rapids MI 49504 Grand Rapids MI 49525 616-363-4998 616-363-8235 [email protected] [email protected] Bereavement Director Field Day Chairperson Jerry Wittkoski W8MSK Barton Bechtel N8XQH 1025 Kendalwood St. NE 6155 Horstmeyer RD Grand Rapids MI 49505 Lansing, MI 48911 616-363-6146 [email protected] Net Director Richard M. Ranta K8JX 812 Graceland NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 [email protected]
Webmaster -- ERIN AMMONS KD8NSU 6155 Horstmeyer RD Lansing, MI 48911
Club activities
MARA holds their weekly 2-meter Net, every Thursday, at 8 PM on the MARA W8USA repeater, 145.230 MHz -600Khz PL. 94.8. MARA holds their monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30PM, at the Plainfield Township Fire Dept. Training Building, located on the SW corner of 5 Mile RD and Plainfield Ave NE, in Grand Rapids. This site is handicap accessible. All are welcome to attend our meetings.
Build Your Burgers April 2014 When a club keeps putting on an event, year after year, there must be a reason
for it. Besides raising funds for our clubs' operation expense for the year, we do it
because it’s FUN!
Above, Left to right Tom N8DGD, Jim KI8JD and Steve K8VOL. It’s good to visit and chat about what’s been going on.
Here Jerry, W8MSk is helping out with the chips while Dan N8NIJ, is serving up burgers. YUM
Some of our returning guests are focused on one main dish:
Here, Jack, AB8ND, sits as close as he can get to the desert table.
And who can blame him. Yum.
We try and offer the same variety at each event. I think we’ve been successful!
Field Day 2014 Below are some of the photographs
from the Field Day we held at the at the Madison Square Sportsman’s club.
If you look really careful, you’ll notice that the crew is looking UP, in the sky. Gale N8GS brought his Quad-Copter and took videos of our Field Day. You
can view them on our web site.
One of the greatest pleasures of attending Field Day: relaxing and having
something to eat. YUM.
The crew get in line for the grub.
There’s nothing like stringing up dipoles. It’s fun for all! Right?
A blazing good fire to cook our meal on. But it wasn’t all eating and making
contacts. Mike Hood KD8JB thought it would be nice if we were all on the same
page when it came to tying knots. On the next 2 pages is everything you want/need to know about knots!
Ham Equipment Estate sale
Revised On August 31, 2013, our friend and fellow Ham and Mara member, Bill Zaidel N8VWI passed away. Below is a listing of his rigs and some miscellaneous items. These will all be available at the GRHAMFEST this coming Saturday.
AMERITRON AL 811 H
800 watt linear amplifier
FLEX Radio 5000A
With dedicated computer and 2 (TWO) flat screen monitors.
MFJ 993B AUTO Tuner
Kenwood TS-60-
All mode 6 meter radio
Yaesu FT-2400 2-Meter radio
Fluke meter 7500
Fluke77 multi-meter
Kenwood TH 781 2/440 handi
Yaesu YS-500 SWR Meter
2mhz to 520 Mhz
Coax Switche
YAESU G500A elevation rotator.
Control box only-no rotator.
ASTRON 50 AMP Power Supply
YAESU FT- 857D remote able
Transceiver Control head mounts on radio or dash.
Daiwa SWR Meter
D-104 Mike
Electronic keyer, without the paddle.
There are a few antennas still installed.
Build Your Own Burger
Friday October 17th 2014
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM $6.00 For All
Burger , Chips, Coleslaw, Coffee and Dessert
At 5th St. Hall Located on the Northwest Corner of 5th and Davis Sts.Grand Rapids, MI
49504 Visit our web page www.w8usa.org
GRAHamfest 2014 Grand Rapids Area Hamfest
Saturday, September 13 an ARRL Approved Hamfest
The Home School Building
5625 Burlingame, SW
Wyoming, MI 49509-9702
Talk-In: W8DC on 147.26+ (94.8HZ PL)
Annual Electronics, Ham Radio, Shortwave
CB and Computer Equipment, Trains, Airplanes or just about anything with an electron in it !
Swap Meet / Flea Market
Opens at 8 AM Ends at 1:00 PM
Seller Setup: Friday 7- 9PM, & Saturday 7AM (Vendors only prior to 8AM) Indoor and Outdoor Sales
ARRL VE Session - 10AM QSL card Field checking
Concessions available on-site
Admission: $6 at the door K-12 students free admission
See: www.w8dc.org for updates, maps, directions and
additional information.
Table Reservation Form
Table rental does not include admission to the swap. No charge for tailgate space(s),
except: a hamfest admission ticket is required for each person
General questions:
KC8NKA 616-531-6218
Table reservations:
W8QZ 616-791-9411 (evenings)
Deadline for guaranteed reservations
(paid in advance): Sept. 4
Make checks payable to:
G.R.A.R.A. Paid table requests rec’d after August 26
will be held at the door. Tables unclaimed
after 8 AM are available first-come, first
served! Reservation form and payment to:
John Streyle W8QZ
1487 Maderia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Name / Callsign
Phone (optional)
Email * (req’d for table confirmation)
Address
City, State, Zip
Description Qty. Ext. amount
6’ table along wall / WITH access to electricity
(check for availability—limited quantity) @ $10 ea.
6’ table no electricity @ $5 ea.
Total —
See other side for map & directions
From the West:
Take M6 East / Lansing to exit 5 / Byron Center Ave. Turn left onto Byron Center
Ave., drive 0.8 mi. Turn right onto Gezon Parkway, Drive 1.0 mi. Turn left onto
Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home School Building.
Home School Bldg.
5625 Burlingame
N
M6
M6
131
Burlin
gam
e Ave.
Byro
n C
enter A
ve.
54th St.
131
56th St.
Gezon Pky
(no exit)
Exit 78
Exit 5
From the North:
Take 131 South, to exit 78 / 54th St. Turn right onto 54th St. (turns into Gezon
Pkwy) Drive 1.1 mi. Turn right onto Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home
From the East:
Take M6 West / Holland to exit 8, 131 North. Drive 1.3 mi. to exit 78 / 54th St.
Turn left onto 54th St. (turns into Gezon Pkwy) Drive 1.1 mi. Turn right onto
Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home School Building.
From the South:
Take 131 North to exit 78 / 54th St. Turn left onto 54th St. (turns into Gezon Pkwy)
Drive 1.1 mi. Turn right onto Burlingame Ave. Turn left into the Home School
Exit 8
GRAHamfest directions
For more information see our web-site at: www.KalamazooHamFest.com OR email us at: [email protected] OR call us at (269) 205-3560 and leave a message.
Sunday, October 19, 2014Sunday, October 19, 2014Sunday, October 19, 2014Sunday, October 19, 2014 Kalamazoo County Expo Center & FairgroundsKalamazoo County Expo Center & FairgroundsKalamazoo County Expo Center & FairgroundsKalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairgrounds
2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo MI Hamfest 8 AM to NoonHamfest 8 AM to NoonHamfest 8 AM to NoonHamfest 8 AM to Noon
Vendor Setup 6am Sunday with Saturday setup available Sponsored by:
Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team
** An ARRL Sanctioned Hamfest **
Name/Company _____________________________________________________ Call Sign _____________
Address __________________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State____ ZIP ___________ Phone ( ) ____________________
Email Address _____________________________________________________________________________
______ Hamfest tickets @$5 ea. ________
______ Tables (8 ft.) @ $12 ea. ________
______ Tables (8 ft.) with Electric @ $22 ea. ________
______ Send information on Saturday setup
Total Amount enclosed $ ________
To order send check with this order form and SASE to:
Kalamazoo Hamfest PO Box 33 Richland, MI 49083-0033
Orders received after September 30, 2014 will be held for pickup at the door.
• TALK-IN 147.040 (PL 94.8) K8KZO REPEATER
• Tickets $5
• Over 20,000 square feet of selling area
• Free Trunk Sales Spaces Available
• Door Prizes
• Forums
• Amateur Radio License Testing at 10 AM • DXCC and WAS QSL checking • Test Bench • Campsites available w/ electric & water see http://www.kalcounty.com/parks/activities.htm
32nd Annual KALAMAZOO HAMFEST Featuring the Kalamazoo Makers’ Guild
Visit the Michigan Antique Radio Club Swap Meet here Saturday! http://michiganantiqueradio.org
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net will be having a Special Event Sept 13/14. Details in the Sept issue of QST.
Site will be @ SA Bostrick Lake Camp. Operators invited, contact me @ 616-460-4744
Sent from my iPhone
73, David, KC8DJ=
