Hellgate Static

May 2008

W7PX

still under construction

Next meeting is May 12, 2008

At City Fire Station #4, 3011 Latimer St.

1900 local

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Hellgate Amateur Radio Club

P.O. Box 3811

Missoula, MT. 59806-3811

HARC Board of Directors

Club President, W4YMA, Bill Farrell at billfarrell@hotmail.com
Vice-president, AC7UZ, Lewis Ball at ac7uz@blackfoot.net

Treasurer, N7GE, Jerry Ehli at jehli@modernmachinery.com

Secretary, KE7IZG, Mike Leary at michael.leary@umontana.edu

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TOSRV

Missoula to Swan Lake, no Bigfork

Overnight at Swan Lake

Start at UM @ 7 a.m. 17-18 May

Breakfast at Potomac

Lunch at Seeley

Snacks at Condon

Catered Hot dinner at Swan Lake

http://www.tosrvwest.org

Presentation by Pat Barkey, N9RV

Treasurer’s rep

$10k in bank

Working on 5013c status

Incorporation not kept up with

27 moths to get status in place

Repeater committee not present

Liz

letter ready to go to hams in area

Y Riverbank run on 26th of April

Old business

7 a. m. 13 July Sunday is for Missoula Marathon

New domain name coming

New radio shack search in progress

New Business

Glacier Waterton Hamfest

July 18th, 19th, 20th 2008

Glacier Meadows RV Park

http://www.gwhamfest.org

HRO will be there

Vendors will be making shirts, hats

April 16th    WG7P Elmer Myers
April 23rd    NL7WB Greg Lee
April 30th    W4YMA Bill Farrell
May 7th       N7GE Jerry Ehli
May 14th      WG7P Elmer Myers
May 21st      W4YMA Bill Farrell

146.52 Simplex after the net

Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says "Dam!".

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From the ARRL Contest Rate Sheet – April 16, 2008

by Ward Silver N0AX

Jamie NS3K has updated the WRTC rankings with some newly published scores http://wrtc.radio-sport.net/US_ranks0408.htm and there has been some movement in the US regions. Check out Jamie's terrific radiosporting news site for some good reading and to see who's zooming by who lately!

There is an article on working the 48 lower states on 2 meters in the latest edition of the Society of Midwest Contester's (this is where Pat N9RV “came from” before he got here – ed.) "The Black Hole" newsletter http://tinyurl.com/3qmfuw. Since there are only 11 people that have confirmed all 48 contiguous states, it's quite an accomplishment! (Thanks, Kevin W9GKA)

Space science fans (and that includes our propagation pondering peers) will enjoy the new NASA Web site featuring its own scientific
achievements and programs <http://nasascience.nasa.gov>. Hams will find the section on "Heliophysics" of most interest, but there is a lot of really interesting material that is now a lot easier to browse. Teachers will find this useful in the classroom, as well!

I just love stories like this. Jeremy W7EME posted a link to "The First EME QSO from OM on 6m - OM3RRC & OK1TEH"
http://tinyurl.com/4msbvw These guys worked and worked and worked, overcoming one obstacle after another to finally make the round trip with W7GJ. Highly entertaining! (And watch out for "mummified misses" in the boom of antennas!)

The new Rover rules for ARRL VHF+ contests can get a little confusing, but Sean KX9X Contest Branch Manager pointed out a
simplification that might help answer some of the questions about Family Roving: "A rover vehicle can only transport one station,
whether or not the operators are related. And a radio can only be associated with one call, unless operators are related to each other." Hope that helps!

Don NJ2E wrote to recommend the Fetchbook Web site http://www.fetchbook.info as a source of inexpensive used books. He also notes that there are International editions of many texts, fully authorized by the publisher, in paperback form and usually with black-and-white graphics substituted for color. For example, he was able to find a copy of "The Art of Electronics" for under $50, including shipping. Your mileage may vary, of course, but this is another tool in the book collector's arsenal.

WORD TO THE WISE
Daraf - The daraf is the unit of elastance (in volts per coulomb) which is the ability of an electric potential to charge a capacitor.
Elastance is the reciprocal of capacitance and thus the daraf is the reciprocal of the farad. This ought to win a few bar bets after the
next club meeting.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
If you missed the "60 Minutes" story about John Kanzias K3TUP's innovative RF-based approach to cancer treatment, the program is
on-line at http://tinyurl.com/6lft2n While the exact words "ham radio" were not used, they did show him at his rig sending "TEST DE K3TUP" on the paddles. A television professional, John was also responsible for this video about WRTC-96 http://tinyurl.com/k8las.
(Thanks, Bob N6TV)

"Excuse me!" Watch this movie of a tsunami wave rocketing across the surface of the Sun after a big explosion.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7326097.stm . At a million kilometers per hour, this is a humdinger of a tidal wave.

This is fun -- a mathematician and magician doing some amazing things with numbers. http://tinyurl.com/2xm5fv It's good for a little
time off from chores and would really impress the math students in the family! (Thanks, Randy WB9FSL)

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parts from the ARRL LETTER

April 25, 2008 and May 2, 2008

ANTENNA EXPERT L. B. CEBIK, W4RNL (SK)
L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, ARRL Technical Advisor and antenna authority, passed away last week of natural causes. He was 68. An ARRL Life Member, Cebik was known to many hams for the numerous articles he wrote on antennas and antenna modeling. He had articles published in most of the US ham journals, including QST, QEX, NCJ, CQ, Communications Quarterly, Ham Radio, 73, QRP Quarterly, Radio-Electronics and QRPp. Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, QEX Editor, called Cebik "probably the most widely published and
often read author of Amateur Radio antenna articles ever to write on the subject."

Cebik lived in Knoxville, Tennessee and wrote more than a dozen books on antennas for both the beginner and the advanced student. Among his books are a basic tutorial in the use of NEC antenna modeling software and compilations of his many shorter pieces. A teacher for more than 30 years, Cebik was retired, but served as Professor Emeritus of philosophy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Cebik served his country in the US Air Force from 1957-1961, specializing in air traffic control.

One of Cebik's last articles for QST, "A New Spin on the Big Wheel," appeared in the March 2008 issue. The article, co-written with Bob Cerreto, WA1FXT, looked at a three dipole array for 2 meters. This was a follow-up to their article in the January/February issue of QEX that featured omnidirectional horizontally polarized antennas. Cebik authored the "Antenna Options" column for QEX.

Former ARRL Senior Assistant Technical Editor Dean Straw, N6BV, and editor of "The ARRL Antenna Book," said: "LB will be greatly missed by the thousands of hams he's helped through his incredibly prolific – and invariably proficient -- writing about antennas. LB helped me personally in numerous ways while I worked on antenna matters at the League, always communicating with a gentle, scholarly attitude and a real eye for detail. I'm in shock at the news of LB's passing. May his soul rest in peace."

Licensed since 1954, Cebik served as Technical Editor for "antenneX Magazine" http://www.antennex.com. According to Jack L. Stone, publisher of antenneX, he had not heard from Cebik for a few days and became worried: "I called the Sheriff in Knoxville to go check on him since I hadn't heard from him in over 5 days, either e-mail or phone, which is highly unusual. The Sheriff [went to Cebik's house to check on him and] called back to tell me the sad, devastating news. As his publisher of books, monthly columns, feature articles and software/models for more than 10 years, we communicated almost daily during that span of time. Not hearing from him for that long was unusual, causing my concern. He was like family to me and was loved and respected by so many."

Cebik maintained a Web site http://www.cebik.com , a virtual treasure trove to anyone interested in antennas. Besides a few notes on the history of radio work and other bits that Cebik called "semi-technical oddities," the collection contains information of interest to radio amateurs and professionals interested in antennas, antenna modeling and related subjects, such as antenna tuners and impedance matching. Cebik said that his notes were "geared to helping other radio amateurs and antenna enthusiasts discover what I have managed to uncover over the years -- and then to go well beyond."

His Web site also contains information on antenna modeling. His book, "Basic Antenna Modeling: A Hands-On Tutorial" for Nittany-Scientific's NEC-Win Plus NEC-2 antenna modeling software, contains models in .NEC format for over 150 exercises. "Since the principles in the book apply to any modeling software," Cebik said, "I have also created the same exercise models in the EZNEC format. For more advanced modelers using either NEC-2 or NEC-4, I have prepared an additional volume, "Intermediate Antenna Modeling: A Hands-On Tutorial," based on Nittany-Scientific's NEC-Win Pro and GNEC. The volume includes hundreds of antenna models used in the text to demonstrate virtually the complete command set (along with similarities and differences) used by both cores."

ARRL Contributing Editor H. Ward Silver, N0AX, said, "LB typified generosity. He was always developing material that was published widely. Furthermore, the quality of the articles and concepts was always high, but the writing was such that an audience with a wide range of technical backgrounds could understand it. His Web site is a Solomon's Treasure of solid antenna information -- available to all."

Wolfgang remembered Cebik, saying, "L. B. was an ARRL Technical Advisor, with expertise in antenna modeling and design. I learned that I could count on L. B. to offer clear, concise comments on any submitted article dealing with antennas. He was always a friendly voice on the other end of my phone line when I needed to talk to an expert, and I came to expect a quick e-mailed response to any antenna questions that I sent him. L. B. was so much more than an antenna author, though. He was one of the first ARRL Educational Advisors I ever had the pleasure of working with when I became editor of the ARRL study materials. He played a key role in helping develop the concept of online courses when ARRL began to study the idea of the Continuing Education program
http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html ; his Antenna Modeling course has been one of the most popular offerings in the program. L. B. leaves a legacy of friendly advice and Amateur Radio wisdom. I will miss him as a friend and as an advisor."

Cebik's niece, Gina Robeson, also of Knoxville, told the ARRL that her uncle "was amazing to me in a different way than hams viewed him. But he was a legend to me and to the thousands of amateurs whose lives he touched with his work. To me he was my uncle, teacher, friend and confidant. He was a wonderful man, but his family did not really know about the ham side of him."

Robeson said her family spent each Christmas with Cebik and his wife Jean; Jean passed away in 2002 from cancer. "It was always the greatest fun with all the food and family getting together. It did not matter if we were getting together as a group or if it was just me and Uncle Roy, he always had the time to listen and offer advice. He will be sorely missed."

A memorial service for Cebik will be held Sunday, April 27 at 1 PM at Mynatt Funeral Home, 2829 Rennoc Road in Knoxville. Cebik will be cremated and his ashes scattered in his garden, the same place his wife's ashes were scattered. "They will once more be together," Robeson said.

Japanese Amateurs Receive More Privileges on 75/80 Meters

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) announced that Japan's Table of Frequency Allocations and the Japanese Amateur Bandplan http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/6_Band_Plan/JAbandplan.pdf have been amended, giving amateurs in that country more privileges on certain frequency blocks in the 75/80 meter band. Japanese amateurs are now allowed to operate the following additional frequencies on the 75/80 meters: 3.599-3.612 MHz, 3.680 to 3.687 MHz, 3.702-3.716 MHz, 3.745-3.747 MHz and 3.754-3.770 MHz. As of April 28, 2008, Japanese amateurs will have privileges on the following frequencies in the 75/80 meter band: 3.500-3.520 MHz (CW only), 3.520-3.525 MHz (Digital Mode and CW), 3.525-3.575 MHz (CW and Phone), 3.599-3.612 MHz (CW and Phone), 3.680-3.687 MHz (CW and Phone), 3.702-3.716 MHz (CW and Phone), 3.745-3.770 MHz (CW and Phone) and 3.791-3.805 MHz (CW and Phone). "This makes it a bit easier for US amateurs to make contacts with Japanese amateurs, especially in contests, since Japan does not have phone privileges on the 160 meter band," said ARRL Membership Services Manager Dave Patton, NN1N. "These new privileges will also make it easier for DXpeditions to work Japan." -- Information provided by JARL
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/

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BOB NEEDS HELP FOR TOSRV

TOSRV is only a few days away, but Bob Henderson, N7MSU, could use your help. He is a few folks shy to cover the route. As was said in the secretary’s report, it will occur on May 17^th and 18^th. Gas concerns are known, and the club is willing to reimburse some gas costs, so keep your receipts. They are expecting more riders (300 – 400), and truly, the help is needed. If you can, please call Bob and volunteer.

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A GOOD MAN

A woman was walking along a deserted beach one day when she saw an old bottle. She picked it up and while she was rubbing the sand off, smoke arose from it and a genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she got three wishes. The genie said, "Nope, sorry, three-wish genies are a storybook myth I'm a one wish genie. So...what'll it be?

"The woman did not hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other and I want all the Arabs to love the Jews and Americans and vice-versa. It will bring about world peace and harmony." The genie looked at the map and
exclaimed, "Lady, be reasonable. These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm out of shape after being in a bottle for five hundred years. I'm good but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish and please be reasonable."

The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to find the right man. You know, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and help with the house cleaning, is a great lover, and gets along with my family. Doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That is what I wish for ... a good man."

The genie let out a sigh and said, "Let me see the map."

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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.

Well, it looks like winter may finally be leaving us, and I personally think it is time it did. Last weekend, prior to the 7QP, I was able to fix a few feedlines that had scene the worst of the winter. Remember now is a good time to get your station ready for the eventual winter, rather than postponing like last year. This spring reminds us what snow and 20° windy days are like.

Elmer sent out an e-mail and it is a good way to remind us about what is coming.

“Frank W7PAQ will be conducting the May workshop on APRS. After May the club will evaluate whether we

want to continue the workshops considering whether they interrupt the test session, interest and other factors.

We have scheduled John Locke as our July presentation who now works for the Department of Defense and was

a member of the first federal incident team assigned to Katrina. He will talk about those experiences and the

emergency communications that were available. We now have a program for each meeting through January

2009. If you have other suggestions please let me know and perhaps they could be workshop topic if we continue

those, or could be programs for the future”.