Hellgate Static

September 2006

W7PX

http://www.users.qwest.net/~k7vk/

Next meeting is September 11, 2006

At St. Patrick Hospital basement meeting room (1^st level)

500 West Broadway

1900 local

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hellgate Amateur Radio Club

P.O. Box 3811

Missoula, MT. 59806-3811

HARC Board of Directors

Club President, N7GE, Jerry Ehli at jehli@modernmachinery.com
Vice-president, W7PAQ Frank Kisselbach at fkissel@direcway.com
Treasurer, K7PX, Steve Schlang at ripply1@msn.com

Secretary, AC7UZ, Lewis Ball at ac7uz@blackfoot.net

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hellgate Amateur Radio Club

Meeting of August 14, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM by president Ehli, N7GE.

The financial report was given as $ 902.00.

The minutes were approved, after correction of the statement, that the meetings are on the first floor. This should be level one beside the cafeteria. The minutes were approved as corrected.

The comment of the great Hellgate Static was expressed by many members.

Repeater Report

The machine on Blanchard may not have to be moved this year. Eric, NZ7S, will look into sharing space on the BNSF tower in the Swan.

Old Business

The antennas at the Red Cross & the National Weather Service still need work.

Dennis, W7DHB, checked on the price of ice chests for the Yaesu 1000, it should be under $100, and may have wheels.

The Blackfoot River cleanup attracted 120 workers and 3 Ham radio operators, and was a great success. A few more operators would be nice next year. Four thousand aluminum cans were removed (approximately 110 pounds!) from the river along with other “treasurers”.

New Business

October 21-22 will be the Jamboree On the Air (JOTA) for the Boy Scouts. They have requested the use of the trailer and beam antenna for the event. No opposition was expressed.

A motion by Lewis, AC7UZ, seconded by Wayne, N7TAE, was to accept the offer of $1,000.00 for the Kenwood TS940, power supply & amplifier. The motion passed with no opposition votes.

The next meeting will be September 11, 2006 at St. Patrick’s Hospital. Meeting rooms, Level 1 (near the cafeteria).

Net control for the next 5 weeks will be

August 16 Dennis —Frank

August 23 Frank --- Bill

August 30 Jerry --- Lewis

September 6 Steve---Eric

September 13 Frank---Dennis

MONTANA SECTION REPORT

Well, here it is another August. Hot weather has dominated our days over the past 3 weeks. Resulting fires have kept many of our members busy in supporting roles on fire crews and comm. units at many locations. Bill, K7MT, Byron NN8A and Jeff, AA7GK are three of the Leaders who work hard providing quality communications for the fire containment efforts. Great job guys!

Glacer Hamfest was another great success. The third weekend of July was a good time to be on site at the gathering. Our attendence was down some this year, but most feel that was due to increased difficulty crossing the US Border along with higher fuel prices. At any rate, it was an enjoyable time again this year. Congrats to Ken, W7GMC and his crew for putting this all together.

We continue to have thin backup support for our Traffic Net in the evenings. Alternate NCS ops still needed. Please stand behind our nets and keep that traffic rolling. We serve an important function in the National Traffic System that has served our country for so many years.

IMN-W5UYH, QNI-509, QTC-89
MTN-KD7HWV, QNI-1850, QTC-39
MSN-K7LMT, QNI-98

73 to all

Doug, K7YD

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SPACE WEATHER NEWS FOR SEPT. 7, 2006
from Space Weather.com (@ http://spaceweather.com)

BIG FULL MOON: Tonight's full moon is the closest and biggest of 2006. Why? The Moon's orbit is lopsided: one side is closer to Earth than the other. When the Moon turns full on Sept 7th, it will be on the close side, making it seem a bit wider than usual. Look for the extra-wide Moon rising in the east at sunset--very pretty.

BONUS--A LUNAR ECLIPSE: If you live in eastern Europe, Asia, Africa or Australia, you might also see a partial lunar eclipse tonight. The Moon will dip into Earth's shadow for about 90 minutes around 1851 UT on Sept. 7th. Only 19% of the Moon will be covered, but that's enough for a nice display. Maps and animations may be found at http://Spaceweather.com .

A SPOT OF FOLKLORE: September's full Moon is usually called the Harvest Moon, but not this year. By definition, the Harvest Moon is the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox. This year's equinox falls on Sept. 23rd and the full Moon closest to that comes on October 7th. The 2006 Harvest Moon will have to wait until October

And a local “space” news story, Lance Collister, W7GJ has recently worked number 104 on 6 meter moonbounce! He recently sent the following e-mail note to Vick, K7VK:

“Yes, cndx are excellent this week! I worked country #104 on 6m last night with a contact with GU8FBO ;-) Looking for OJ0LA DXpedition now.... VY 73, Lance”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IDEAS FROM THE AUG. 9, 2006 CONTESTERS RATE SHEET

The 22 July issue of the AMSAT Weekly Bulletin (http://www.amsat.org) alerts sky-watchers that an inflatable spacecraft, Genesis I, was launched by Bigelow Aerospace. It is visible to the naked eye and pass times for your location can be found at http://www.heavens-above.com

Several folks in the construction business remind tower builders to keep the surface of a concrete base wet during the first week of the curing period. This prevent cracks due to the surface hardening faster than the inside. Either keep the surface misted with water or place old rugs or cloth on top of the concrete and keep them wet. Don't be hasty - it takes 28 days for concrete to cure to 90% strength!

Fans of "hollow state" technology (i.e. - vacuum tubes) will enjoy the Fun With Tubes site - http://www.funwithtubes.net There are quite a few schematics, tutorials, projects, old parts catalogs and more. In addition, Cardwell Condensers now owns the E.F. Johnson capacitor line with information posted at http://www.cardwellcondenser.com/PAGES/jcd.html (Thanks, Mike AE6WA and Jim WA7DUY)

Diamonds are a ham's best friend - L.B. Cebik, W4RNL has a short article about rhombics on his web page (http://www.cebik.com/radio.html) in the series Antennas From The Ground Up. L.B. has also started a new series on Long Wire Antennas (www.cebik.com/wire/lw1.html) which will eventually have a detailed analysis of the V-beam and rhombic. (Thanks, Henry K4TMC)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IDEAS FROM THE AUG. 23, 2006 CONTESTERS RATE SHEET

For all of us that find ourselves dozing at the radio from time to time, there is reason to think that we are engaging in personal improvement! The June 2006 issue of the "IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine" features the short column "Napping Improves Ethics" by Randy Haupt of Pennsylvania State University. If you don't have access to it, the basic idea is that by satisfying our need for sleep with a nap, "...alert and refreshed...you are more likely to look at all sides of an issue, to think clearly, and to make good ethical choices." We also learn that Albert Einstein was a big napper. So if you wake to find your head on the keyboard and the keyer sending didididididididididi...you're merely improving your outlook on life and your score in the logbook!

URL of the Week - For all of you yagi builders out there, the VE3GK Web site (http://www.ve3gk.com) is a must-visit, particularly "The Gain Game." There is a lot of good information on radio sprinkled around the various pages. VE3GK became a Silent Key in May 2004, but the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club maintains the site to keep its information available to us all - thanks! (Also thanks, Steve K7LXC)

Dave N0RQ contributes a nice on-line coax calculator - http://www.ocarc.ca/coax.htm - that does a fine job of making it easy to calculate losses. Select the type of cable, the frequency, the length, press the button and no more nepers!

Dave also gets this issue's Daily Double with his Web site dedicated to power-line noise (preventing, not promoting) -
http://www.powerlinenoise.com There are links to quite a few useful topics, including recording and commentary on different types of noise. (As if we don't already hear enough of it...)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PACIFICON 2006 AMATEUR RADIO CONVENTION

The American Radio Relay League Pacific Division & the Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Presents:

October 13-15, 2006, San Ramon Marriott Hotel San Ramon, California For More Information, Convention Tickets & Event Schedules go to: www.PACIFICON.org

For Hotel Reservations Call 1-800-228-9290 Before October 1, 2006. Ask for the Special Pacificon 2006 Rate of $84 per night.

PACIFICON 2006 Events Include:

** Friday All-Day Antenna Seminar ** Friday Evening DXpedition Presentation
** Saturday Keynote Breakfast & Evening Banquet  ** Outstanding Technical Forums ** Ham Equipment Exhibitors
** Great Swap Meet  **  Daily Radio Prize Drawings  **  ARRL Forum   ** Transmitter Hunt ** QRP Activities

** Ham License Exams ** Saturday All-Day Technician License Class ** HFpack Activities ** Legal Seminar

Hotel Reservations:

PACIFICON returns to the San Ramon Marriott Hotel in San Ramon, California, October 13-15, 2006. The luxurious Marriott Hotel offers great amenities for large events and spacious and comfortable accommodations for guests. The site is about 30 miles east of San Francisco and close to the many spectacular sights and activities of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Marriott is offering convention attendees a special PACIFICON 2006 room rate of only $84 for each night (single/double) if reservations are made before October 1, 2006. There is a limited block of rooms at this rate, so make your reservations early! To make hotel reservations call 1-800-228-9290. Be sure to ask for the PACIFICON 2006 rate.

PACIFICON 2006 Contact information: www.pacificon.org, P.O. Box 272 613, Concord, CA 94527, pacificoninfo@astound.net

San Ramon Marriott Hotel Reservations: 1-800-228-9290 (ask for Pacificon 2006 room rate)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE MONTANAN WHEN:

1. "Vacation" means going east or west on I-90 or Highway 2 for the weekend.
2. You measure distance in hours.
3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
4. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again.
5. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
7. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
8. You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
9. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
10. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
11. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
12. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.
13. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age
14. Down South to you means Wyoming or Nebraska.
15. A brat is something you eat.
16. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed.
17. You go out to a tail gate party every Friday.
18. Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.
19. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
20. You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HOLA, HOLA???

We hope the HELLGATE STATIC was interesting for you this month. Let us know if this newsletter is to your acceptance. So far, I’ve only heard good things. If there is something YOU would like to see, or that you feel is overdone, please let me know. This is the Hellgate Amateur Radio Club newsletter, not mine! 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.

My apologies go out to you for the lateness of the newsletter again this month. Fire season continues and I’ve been buried in work items many times over so far. Remember the what happened on September 11^th, and prove, that we have not forgotten. Someday, it will rain again. In the interim, finish up your antenna projects because snow is on its way!