2006 TOSRV
On June 10-11, HARC again
will provide communications for the Tour of the Swan River Valley (TOSRV)
bicycle rally. About 300 riders from
all over the country are expected to participate. Some will make the 1-day ride to Seeley Lake and back. Many others will be going to Bigfork and
back for the full 2-day event.
We will need lots of hams
with functional 2 MTR radios and motor vehicles to help them out. Some of us will only be needed on Saturday
June 10 to accompany bicyclists to Seeley Lake and back. But, we also need plenty more out there on
Saturday and Sunday that can go to the Bigfork and back.
Make sure your vehicle and
radio are in good running condition.
We’ll meet at Bonner Grade School on Saturday, June 10, at 7:00-7:30 am
to be dispatched.
Bob N7MSU will be your
contact this year. Let him know that
you will be working this event ASAP.
Call Bob at 251-4148 or email at slvrtip@bigsky.net
. CU SN ES TNX DE N7MSU SK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HEY, BUY A
TICKET WOULD YA!
We still have a
Yaesu FT-411 2 meter handheld. It will
come with a speaker mic, a short “duckie” antenna and a 5/8 wave glass mount
whip, a NiCd charger and 3 battery packs, and a car charger. Raffle tickets are $2.50 each. What a deal. If nothing else, a great rig to sell at a hamfest.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
5th Lewis and Clark Special Event Coming
Soon
July 2-3-4
Come out to Fort Missoula and
help us celebrate the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Independence Day! W7PX will be running strong July 2-4 this
year. This is our fifth Special Event operation on the Lewis and Clark Trail. We’ll operate from the chapel at the
Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. As
usual, we need help, welcome the company and expect to have lots of fun on the radio!
Equipment setup at the old
chapel will be Sunday July 2 at 1 pm (Montana Time). Take down will be Tuesday July 4 at 4 pm. Again, your help will be much appreciated.
The major change from past
operations is that this time the event will include parts of 3 days, instead of
the usual 2-day affair. Our committee
decided on this format to give hams as many opportunities to work us during
this period of low sunspot activity.
Everyone that wants to be on
the air will get on the air. As usual, this is primarily an HF op for making
contacts with other Hams and Lewis and Clark Crazies, just like ourselves. In the past we’ve used 20 MTR almost
exclusively, but this time we’ll try to stay around in the evenings to work 75
and 40 MTRs too. Hopefully, that way we
can make more contacts in Montana and nearby states that share our enthusiasm
for Lewis and Clark.
For you VHF fans, we also
will have a couple of 2 MTR stations on the air. There will be an APRS station and we again will
have an FM station working through the 147.04 repeater taking call-ins from
around western Montana. If you can’t make
it to Fort Missoula, you can at least talk with us on 75 or 2 MTRs. See details on the Club’s website.
There’s lots of other stuff
to do too! Independence Day
celebrations are always great at the Fort.
Want to know more? Talk with
other committee members (K7BA, W7DHB, N7TAE, NN8A, NZ7S) or contact me–Bob
N7MSU 251-4148 or email at slvrtip@bigsky.net
, HP CU SN,
Bob, N7MSU
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CONGRATULATIONS
GARRETT, KE7HUC
Our only candidate
at the May 11 examination session passed Technician. Congratulations to
Garrett, KE7HUC. He received his new call sign the day after the
examination! Thanks to examiners: K7PX, Steve; K7VK,
Vick & W7DHB, Dennis.
One examination session remains prior to
our summer break, June 15, 6 PM at the Missoula Public Library. Hope to see you there.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Flash of Light, a Crash of Thunder
The first flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder have signaled the
beginning of our thunderstorm season.
Lightning protection ranks right near the top of we ham’s ‘must-dos’. Two basic rules that apply are first,
disconnect all equipment, antennas and power cords when it is not in use or
when storms threaten. Second, properly
ground all of your equipment. Lightning
arrestors for cables and AC power-line protectors are also a good idea.
Several
good sources of information on lightning protection exist. The ARRL Antenna Book and ARRL
Handbook are two of the better sources. Also excellent are two ARRL QST articles, June
& July 2002 that are easily accessible on the internet.
Part
1 is at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/0206056.pdf.
Part
2 is at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/0207048.pdf.
Another
recent guide book, How to Protect your House and Its Contents from
Lightning by the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers, IEEE
is on the internet at http://omegaps.com/Lightning%20Guide_FINALpublishedversion_May051.pdf.
Take
steps to keep those lightning strikes and transients from killing your
equipment!
Good
luck & 73,
Vick,
K7VK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CALL OF THE
WILD
O r- How I survived the 2006 7th QSO
PARTY
I have been an amateur radio operator of
sorts for some ten years now. During
that time I have operated mostly from home but sometimes I have been able to
get out and operate from new sites. I have over the years taken to
rating those sites on a scale of one to ten. The weekend of May 3-4 and
5th had me operating from a new site. My partners and I traveled East to
the remote county of Sweet Grass to find it. It rated a 9.5 and that is
saying something compared to other "antenna" sites I have visited.
At over 5,000' and views to die for one
could not ask for anything more as my Elmer always says in such
situations. What with soft mountain
breezes, peaks reaching to the sky, wildlife walking, running, flying, honking,
eating and at times being eaten all around it was indeed difficult to keep to
the task of participating in the 2006 7th area QSO Party.
But alas I actually had traveled to this
remote and beautiful spot for the purpose of
"Contesting". Yes that either you love it or hate it occasional
occupation of the Amateur Radio Operator. Oh, it's not too bad once you
get in and stake your claim. I often think of myself during this time as
being the runt of a litter, jumping back and forth till a spot opens up and you
are able to dive in with elbows, knees and feet kicking. Once you have
"landed" it's now time to cut out the interference on either side and
start letting the neighborhood know there's a new kid in town.
No poaching should be tolerated on your
frequency, keep pounding that brass and outlast them at all costs. Once
they start trying to drown you out with the old closed key trick you really
know you have their attention and it will be only a matter of time before they
give up. Of course this will cost you some time and contacts but that can
be made up later. Just remember you too can be found on the
"loosing" end of this game. After all Amateur Radio is indeed a
CONTACT sport. Just dust yourself off and get back on the key, no holds
bared and may the best brass pounder win.
With the contest about to start our lead
off Operator was in position. Rig
adjusted for max power out, SWR down, Logging Software up and of course the
four basic food groups, coffee, coke, chips and peanut butter would meet our
nutritional needs. We were now good to go. At 0 hour it was
total mayhem as the 40 meter band was wide open. I of course did not
witness this, as I was making sure the surrounding area was inspected to
prevent any distraction to our current operator.
At approximately 09:00 am local time it
was my turn to pull a shift.
Fortunately my partner had gotten us bellied up to the trough so I could
start picking up points right away. Activity was more or less constant
with occasional dead spots and pile ups thrown in here and there. It was
also nice of him to bring his external keyer as the newly donated FT 1000 did
not have one. And most important of all we were using Bob's call
sign. This is always a good way to go in case the OO's want to hunt you
down for an over zealous defense of your operating frequencies.
Small breaks were taken for
"larger" meals and short walks to get the blood flowing again.
It was during one of our breaks we were able to watch the hunting technique of
a Sand Hill Crane. Up to this time I had no idea Prairie Dogs were on the
menu.
With evening came the night shift.
No more time for easy slips out the door for a look-see. Now it was time
to get serious as we were heading to the wire. The contest ended at
1:30pm and we still needed lots of points.
As we fired up the rig it was decided to
give 80 meters a try. A good choice as the signals were wall to wall and
ten deep. I knew I was outclassed here so I turned it over to the old
master to get us to the "trough". Oh they put up some
resistance but with patience and attitude we were soon racking them up from our
own slice of the pie.
There is only one real problem with long
contests. All the operators on this contest were early risers and early
to bed people. As we rounded nine pm I knew we were in trouble.
Trading places helped some. And having the TV on also distracted our
weary minds from total collapse. By midnight I was heading for the barn
leaving it to Bob and Vick to bring her home.
As I crawled into the back of the pickup
bed under a star studded sky I promised myself never again but knew that would
be a hard one to keep.
Steve, K7PX
According to
the Central Oregon DX Club website (organizers of the 7QP contest), 203 of the
259 “7 land” counties were activated during the contest. That is a great job, but we all know we can
do better (especially since only 40 of Montana’s 56 counties were activated).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NORTHWEST ARRL MEMBERS
In my March 2006 letter, I
briefly noted a need for hams to become politically astute as we look to the
future. Due to certain political forces and "market
demand", good engineering technology is sometimes put aside in lieu of
programs that are not compatible with our service. In order not to be
overrun by these forces, we must become more aware
of the political environment and be mindful that our privileges, operating
environment and frequencies are not subrogated.
In the past, the ARRL has encouraged members
to write or e-mail federal legislators asking for support for bills and
initiatives. But, how do we both gain a better understanding the legislation
that needs our support and how can we better understand the political process?
Gaining knowledge of and participating in
this legislative arena is soon to become more formal and very important.
The announcement that House Resolution 230 sponsored by Rep. Mike Ross WD5DVR
is now an element of the House Telecommunications Bill (HR5252) provides this opportunity.
A section of this bill requires the FCC to investigate
and report on interference on the HF and VHF frequencies. For some inexplicable
reason, the BPL industry wants this item deleted from the bill!
In support of Representative Ross, each
Board member and officer was asked to write his or her House of Representatives
member in support HRes 230. We achieved 100% participation and we believe
our support helped foster its inclusion into HR5252.
During the ARRL Board Meeting last January,
I was asked to participate as a member of the Grassroots Legislative Action
Committee. The charge to this committee is to oversee the development and
enhancement of the legislative process including:
1) A user-friendly process that will
enable ARRL Members to receive timely notification of pending legislation.
2) A structure within each ARRL Division
and State to oversee the Grassroots process.
3) A Definition of training activities that
increase the knowledge and participation of ARRL members in the political
process.
The recommendations of our committee will
be presented to the full ARRL Board in July.
As a part of this process, I am charged to identify and appoint politically
astute members to serve as Northwestern Division Legislative Action
Coordinator, State Legislative Action Coordinators, and State Legislative
Action Assistants to fulfill this process.
So, as an individual ARRL member, what
does this mean to you? As noted earlier, hams cannot rely on others to
maintain the privileges we currently enjoy. We must become active and
communicate the need for an active, viable, and trained cadre of radio
communicators to serve the United States during natural and man-made disasters
or in times of crisis. Our ARRL founder, Hiram Percy Maxim, participated
in this political process and we now must continue to follow in his
footsteps. Our survival is partially
dependent on the amount of effort we put into this activity. When a bill or activity
requires our support (or criticism), we must respond.
In the future, you will receive
information requesting you to communicate with your legislators in support of
bills that will
directly or indirectly affect amateur radio.
In addition, if you have an interest in
serving as a division-level appointee in this exciting process, please contact
me expressing your interest. Thanks in advance for your support and
participation in this effort. Your participation can certainly result in
continuing the lineage we had as new hams and insure our frequencies and
ability to serve our fellow citizens is maintained well into the future.
Note: A letter was sent to ARRL members
in AK, WA, OR and MT on May 12 requesting you to write Senators serving on the
Telecommunications Committee. We need their support to add language to
S2686 similar to language in HR5252. This need surfaced while this letter
to the Northwestern Division was being written. This is an example how
things
happen in "warp-speed" urgency as we deal with our elected
officials. This legislation will have a
profound effect on the amateur radio service. We must make our
wishes known! In this manner, we can influence our destiny.
I'll be in touch again soon.
73,
Jim Fenstermaker K9JF
Director
ARRL Northwestern Division
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MAY MONTANA SECTION
NOTE
Ah, Summer is upon
us.....feels good to be outside catching up on antenna maintenance again.
Time to check out all your antennas and support structures. Guy wires,
hardware and fittings. Expect that you may find some loose or broken
parts. Above all, if you don’t feel safe on your tower, call someone to
help. Our Montana Traffic Net is alive
and well. This thanks to all who support it with their time and
effort. Net manager, Jack Brooks, KD7HWV and I would like to thank
everyone who works with NTS traffic and checks into our system. Many also
work with IMN, DRN7 and other feeder nets are unsung heroes. You all have
worked to make MTN a well oiled machine. In addition, our thanks to newer
members who have learned traffic handling procedures and are always willing to
take traffic and move it to it's destination.
Our special thanks to the following:
W7IG, Armand, OR N7TAE, Wayne, MT
W7ARC, Bill, WA K7SIK, Donnie, MT
AA7OX, Charlotte, ID
KE7DVV, Marv, WA
W7QM, Allen, WA W7SMC, Rick, WA K7PMB, Ralph,
OR W7TVA, Jeri, WA
K7MQF, Larry, WA AC7AI,
George, WA N7DRP, Betty,
WA K7BDU, George, WA
W7NWP, Homer, WA W7QFG, David, WA
N7CM, Clair, OR WV7Z, Mike, MT
VA7DR, Drew, BC KD7HWV,
Jack, MT W7LMA, Bob, ID
These and many others have helped us by taking traffic and working with
other nets to bring it to it's destination. If I've missed anyone, please
forgive. We've put this list together out of memory.
We can always use more participation from those stations located in
major population centers. Traffic languishes on the Net for lack of a contact
point to move it to it's intended recipient. Check in, we could use your
help! Remember, 3910 KHZ, 0030 Zulu time.
My thanks go to all who participate. You are appreciated.
IMN-W5UYH, QNI-532, QTC-88 MTN-KD7HWV,
QNI-2453, QTC-92 MSN-K7YD, KC7CIS (now K7LMT), K7MT and KC5YED-104
73 to all,
Doug, K7YD
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DEAR ARRL MEMBER IN MONTANA
We need your help in our
ongoing fight against Broadband over Power Line (BPL) interference. As you may
have heard, the ARRL was successful in obtaining language in a U.S. House of
Representatives bill, HR 5252, requiring that the FCC study and report on the
interference potential of BPL systems. The bill was adopted by the House
Commerce Committee and will be on its way to the House floor for a vote
shortly.
Now we must turn our attention to the Senate,
where similar language is needed. Senator Conrad Burns is a member of the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which is now holding
hearings on telecommunications legislation. We need his support of language addressing
the BPL interference issue when the Senate bill is marked up in his committee
on June 8.
Please write to him today. A sample letter
follows. Please personalize it as much as you can and send it, preferably by
FAX to the number shown. Please also send a copy to the ARRL's Government
Relations firm:
Attention: Eric Heis, KI4NFC
Chwat & Company, Inc.
625 Slaters Lane, Suite 103
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax (703) 684-7594
eric.heis@chwatco.com
If you can't send it by FAX, use regular
mail - but please BE SURE to mail a copy to Eric Heis so he can hand carry it
to the Hill. Regular mail to members of Congress is seriously delayed. Email is
not recommended for this particular project.
Thank you for your assistance and support.
If you want to email me in reply to this message, please use the email address
shown below.
73,
Jim Fenstermaker, K9JF
Director, Northwestern Division
ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio
k9jf@arrl.org
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SAMPLE LETTER TO SENATOR BURNS
[DATE]
Honorable Conrad Burns
United States Senate
187 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Via FAX 202-224-8594
Dear Senator Burns,
I am writing as one of the more than
3,000 federally licensed radio amateurs of Montana to thank you for your past
support of Amateur Radio and to request your help with legislation in the
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. During the June
8th markup of S.2686, the Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband
Deployment Act of 2006, please support an amendment directing the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) to conduct a comprehensive study of the potential of
"broadband over power line" (BPL) systems to interfere with public
safety and other licensed radio services. Appropriate language drafted by the
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, reads:
"Within 90 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Federal Communications Commission shall conduct,
and submit to the House Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation, a study of the interference potential of broadband
over power line systems leading to improved rules to prevent the deployment of
systems having a potential to cause destructive interference to radio
communication systems."
A similar requirement that the FCC study
and report on the interference potential of BPL systems is included in HR 5252
as reported out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BPL utilizes electric power lines to
serve as the conductors of the broadband signals. Unfortunately, because the
power lines are not shielded, they also act as antennas and radiate the signals
into the air. These radiated signals will interfere with radio receivers tuned to
the same frequency range. BPL has only been deployed to a very limited extent,
but Amateur Radio already is experiencing severe BPL interference that the FCC
has been unable or unwilling to correct.
Unlike BPL, other methods of providing broadband Internet services to consumers,
such as cable, DSL, wireless, satellite and Fiber to the Home, do not pollute the
radio spectrum.
Not all BPL systems cause widespread interference
to radio. The problem is that the FCC rules do not distinguish between BPL
systems with a high potential for interference and those that are more benign.
The FCC allows both kinds of systems to be deployed. This places an unreasonable
burden on radio users, who must deal with the consequences of the interference.
It is also unfair to the responsible BPL companies that have addressed the
interference issue effectively but must compete with the spectrum polluters.
The reason we need your help is that the
FCC continues to resist growing evidence that its rules are inadequate to
protect
radiocommunication systems, including those relied upon by First Responders,
from radio spectrum pollution caused by BPL systems. The FCC needs to
objectively and carefully review this evidence and adopt rules that will keep
interference from BPL within reasonable bounds. Unfortunately, not only has the FCC shown no inclination to do
that, the agency so far has failed even to enforce its existing rules in specific,
well documented instances of harmful interference.
Because we need no infrastructure in order
to communicate, the Amateur Radio Service is the only 100-percent fail-safe
emergency communications resource in the world. The importance of this
capability is documented on page 177 of the recent report of the Select
Bipartisan Committee of the House of Representatives, "A Failure of
Initiative," on Hurricane Katrina. Amateur Radio is included in the list of
"What Went Right" in the White House report, "The Federal
Response to Katrina: Lessons Learned." Amateur Radio is one of the few communications
services that succeeded in Katrina's aftermath. Interference from BPL emissions will significantly disrupt this
unique capability.
Please require the FCC to protect radio services
from BPL interference. Thousands of
radio amateurs will be grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
__________[NAME]
___________[ADDRESS]
___________[CITY, STATE, ZIP]
__________[TELEPHONE AND EMAIL -- OPTIONAL]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release June 19, 2005 CANCEL
: June 25, 2006 NOON
The Hellgate Amateur Radio Club
(HARC), a Montana organization of radio “hams”, is conducting a special
emergency-preparedness exercise. This
year, there will be two locations where the club and its members will be
performing this training exercise. One
location will be at Fort Missoula, where the majority of the club will meet,
and two other club members will be located near Union Peak near the Blackfoot
River valley.
Known as “Field Day”, licensed radio
amateurs nationwide take to the countryside and operate from non-commercial power
sources. This is done to demonstrate
and practice their ability to provide emergency communications in the event of
natural disasters. This exercise will
begin at noon on Saturday June 24, and will end at noon on Sunday, and the hams
will operate through the night.
Ham radio has recently supplied
communication in many recent disasters such as the hurricanes such as Katrina
last year, very large wildfires that have occurred recently in such as areas in
Texas and Oklahoma, and during the recent tsunami in Indonesia. In many of these instances, standard and
cell phones were inoperable and regular communication channels were not
sufficient.
HARC is affiliated with Missoula
County in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and the Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES) as part of the nation’s Civil Defense. This nationwide Field Day activity is
coordinated by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), which boast a membership
of over one half a million amateurs world wide. HARC has entered into agreements with the National Weather
Service, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, and often works with several
other Missoula based organizations.
To help promote the Incident Command
System (ICS) that is used nationwide in emergency situations, the HARC has also
developed its Field Day layout using ICS this year. The Incident Commander is Jerry Ehli, the HARC president, who can
be reached at 239-0214.
The hams that participate in Field
Day attempt to contact amateurs in North America and around the world. Although it is not a “contest”, extra points
are given to amateurs for using non-commercial modes of power such as
generators or natural energy sources such as solar power, and for using
different ways (or modes) of
communication. Often, modes such as
single side band voice, satellite and digital transmissions, and even the
trusty Morse code can be seen at the same location.
Radio amateurs are not paid for these
activities, but provide them in a spirit of public service.
Please, come visit with the Hellgate
Amateur Radio Club!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hopefully the last batch helped during
7QP. Remember the upcoming activities
such as Field Day, and the IARU Championships.
Good Luck!–ed.
PHONE
CONTEST TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE (part two)
Ward, N0AX
From the March 8, 2006 edition of the ARRL
Contest Rate Sheet
SYMPTOM
- CAUSE
- CORRECTIVE ACTION
|
Bottom cold and
clammy
- You forgot to put on pants after last sleep break
- Reinstall pants without losing run frequency
|
Bottom warm and
clammy
- Improper bladder control
- Complain about previous operator's lack of shack etiquette
|
|
Other operators
are looking at you and smiling
- You fell asleep and empty soda cans are now stacked on your head
- Don't swallow or move!
|
Heavy weight
pressing on one side
- Mult operator fell asleep and is leaning on you
- Stack soda cans on his head
|
|
Station you're
working is using unfamiliar procedures
- You are operating on MARS net outside of band
- Remove one letter from the prefix and log it!
|
Caller has the
best audio you've ever heard
- You are attempting to work shortwave broadcast station news program
- Add a number somewhere in the call sign and log it!
|
|
Callers only
send one letter at a time
- You are attempting to make a QSO with intermodulation products
- Accumulate enough characters and log it!
|
Ears ringing,
mind unusually clear, station owner yelling
- You just blew up the amplifier
- Point at the youngest operator and keep operating barefoot
|
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We hope the STATIC was interesting for you this
month. Let us know if this newsletter
is to your acceptance. We are STILL in need of articles that are of
interest to YOU, AND are supplied by
YOU. If you have something (even a simple one-liner) please write to
me at our address or e-mail me (Craig, KE7NO) at twincreek@blackfoot.net. We look forward to seeing you at the next
meeting. If not, still help us
with some of the activities.
Remember June has a TON of things to do for the local
ham radio operator. As we all know, it
is Field Day, so we hope you come out and join the club at the Fort. It is also time for TOSRV. Please help Bob (N7MSU) out if you can. Regarding Field Day, come out and help the
club at their location, visit another club’s location, or “go off on your
own”. It’s too much fun to stay at home!! WE
NEED FEEDBACK!
