May 2009
The HELLGATE STATIC 
Monthly
Newsletter of the Hellgate Amateur Radio Club
PO Box 3811 Missoula,
MT 59806-3811
Meeting: The Hellgate Amateur Radio Club http://www.w7px.org
meets monthly, 2nd Monday of every month. Next is May 11 at Missoula Fire Station No 4. 3011 Latimer Street, just off West
Broadway near Quality Supply. 7:00
PM.
Meeting program: Emergency Communications presented by NN8A Byron.
The public is welcome.
HARC members have a chance to win
the Door prize. You must be present to win!
Congratulations to
the April winner of a fine solder gun, KF7CBY Andy.
Upcoming Events/Exams/Meetings
|
May 2
& 3 |
7th
Call Area QSO Party (7QP) http://www.7qp.org/ |
|
May 11 |
Amateur Radio License Exams 5:30 pm & HARC Meeting 7 pm |
|
May
30 & 31 |
Tour
of the Swan River Valley (TOSRV) see article on page 3 |
|
June 8 |
Amateur Radio License Exams 5:30 pm & HARC Meeting 7 pm |
|
June
27 & 28 |
Field
Day ! at Fort Missoula |
|
July 4 |
Special
Operating Event at Fort Missoula |
Ø June & July meetings will feature “off-the-powergrid
operations” at Fort Missoula. See
page 5.
2009 DUES are
over-DUE! Please support the area repeater system and club
activities. Annual membership is $25.00 ($5.00 for additional family
members).
IDENTIFY YOURSELF
WG7P Elmer has acquired new
magnetic vehicle signs for Hellgate ARC events, “HELLGATE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS.” (see April Hellgate STATIC) At several events, they have held
securely to our vehicles and are very visible. Check them out for an event or $8 buys your own sign. Great idea Elmer!
CONGRATULATIONS License Examinees!
New
licensees at the March and April license
examination sessions: Technicians,
KF7AOQ Judith, KF7AVH Keith, KF7AVI Roland and KF7BTV
Dean.
Upgrades
to General: KF7CBY (X-KE7SHZ) Andy and KF7AVH Keith.
& New Callsigns: Mike
Henry, x-N5SAH, now Extra class, AE7MH and
Andy
Commons, x-KE7SHZ, now General class, KF7CBY.
Thanks
to participating HARC volunteer examiners: AC7UZ Lewis, K7PX Steve, K7VK Vick, N7GE
Jerry, WA7W Morey and WG7E Liz.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR CLUB MEMBERS – N7FMW
By N7FMW Ruth B. Scott
I was born on Friday the 13th of February in 1925 in North Lima,
Ohio. But spent my growing up years in nearby Youngstown. Thanks to
my older brother, Paul, I was introduced to Ham radio at about the age of
12. He employed me as his helper in stringing up antennas and sending him
code so he could practice receiving. Code was a very important item to
learn in those days. But World War II claimed his services in 1939 and I
went to work in a large Steel Company when I was 17. In 1945 I married a
handsome, young clergyman, the Rev. Claude C. Boydston, Jr. Our union was
blessed with one daughter and three sons. Unfortunately, his health
failed and I lost him in 1973.
When I was 42, I entered the University of Montana and earned a
degree in Education with a minor in Library Science, graduating in December of
1969. While in the educational mood, I began work on a Master's Degree in
education, which was awarded in 1976. Meanwhile, I substituted and then
taught Fourth Grade in School District One in Missoula. This was followed
by 19 years as a Library Media Specialist at C. S. Porter School. On the
side, I played the organ as a substitute in a number of churches.
In 1982, my brother decided I should become a Ham radio
operator. Yielding to pressure finally, I got my Novice license, administered
to me by Bob Black. The next year, I went to San Francisco and took the
exams for General. In 1984, I returned there and took the Advanced and
Extra exams, passing both much to Paul's surprise and mine too. For the
next 10 years, I remained very active in the Club, serving first as
Secretary-Treasurer for a year, then Vice-President and in 1993 as the first
woman President of the Club. Since the beginning of the W5YI examination
program, I have served as an examiner.
After 19 years of being a widow, I married Dr. Donald C. Scott, a
retired Podiatrist, in 1992. He passed away in 2004. I have also
lost two sons, and my brother without whom I probably would never have become
an amateur radio operator. However, life goes on and I have gained 10 grandchildren,
and 12 great-grandchildren.
Amateur Radio has been a most interesting hobby. I cannot participate much any more. But do enjoy being a part of the program as I am able. (Editor’s note: N7FMW was very active on HF for many years using CW and RTTY. Ruth is an active Volunteer Examiner and she regularly checks into HARC’s Wednesday night 2-meter net for those progressing with the Worked All Hellgate Award…K7VK).
APRIL PUBLIC SERVICE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS RECAP
1. Griz Triathlon – April 11
By N7GE Jerry
The 21st Griz Triathlon was held on Saturday April 11,
2009. The Hellgate Amateur Radio Club was invited to assist with the Triathlon
again this year by Giles Thelan, the director of the event.
HARC
amateur radio operators included: N7GE Jerry, AC7UZ Lewis, K7BA Bob, K7GIS
Larry, K7PX Steve, KL0RN Kody, KE7SHZ Andy, N5SAH Mike, WG7E Liz, WG7P Elmer
and W4YMA Bill.
The
event had 394 entries and 15 events. There were no major problems and a few
minor problems with lack of participants from the Griz Triathlon crew.
The
147.040 repeater was used for communications. The event lasted until about 3 PM in the afternoon. The
participants were invited to Tower Pizza after the event and only a couple of
amateur operators were not able to make it. Thanks for all the help from the radio operators.
2. GrizzlyMan Adventure Race – April 18
By K7VK Vick
Continuing with HARC’s busy radio public-service
in April, Hellgate ARC members provided communications for the 2nd
annual GrizzlyMan Adventure Race (both men and women participated).
This race combined white-water paddling 4+
miles of class II water, trail/trekking and mountain biking all while
navigating to checkpoints established across 11 square miles of the Lubrecht Forest
and Paws-UP Ranch race area.
Nearly 100 ‘adventurers’ participated.
The race organizers, Missoula based Rocky
Mountaineers requested HARC to participate. On scene at mostly remote check-points and operating VHF
simplex, were AC7UZ Lewis, K7GIS Larry, K7PX Steve, K7VK
Vick and W4YMA Bill. In
Missoula monitoring our repeaters in case of need from the race was W7XY
Donnie. Thanks to all.
3. RIVERBANK RUN – April 25
By K7VK Vick
HARC members spread out all over
the Missoula race course Saturday at 8 AM. Over 3000 runners in the 37th annual YMCA
Riverbank Run, 10K, 5K and 1-mile, passed by AC7UZ Lewis, AE7MH
(x-N5SAH) Mike, K7BA Bob, K7GIS Larry, K7VK Vick, KE7IZG
Mike, KL0RN Kody, N7GE Jerry, N7MSU Bob, NZ7S Eric,
W4YMA Bill, WG7E Liz and WG7P, Elmer. Our job said N7GE is ”to provide
communications in the event a participant is injured or if a vehicle or bicycle
enters the course from a side street and to announce to the race officials the
first three leading persons in each heat.” (N7GE says) The YMCA folks REALLY
appreciated us reporting the numbers of the lead individuals. The only thing
that we could have done better was to have the number of the top three racers
for the men AND the women’s but the way we did it was perfectly fine. Only one
missing child that
was dealt with expediently and the child was quickly found. Some racers had to
have medical attention but the EMT's did their job well. All went
smoothly. Thanks HARC radio
operators.
Tis the SEASON, LIGHTNING SEASON that is!
Any day now Missoula will have
it’s first thunderstorm of the season.
And it will surely be followed by many more. Play it safe.
Here’s a couple of good websites to view: National Lightning Safety Institute http://www.lightningsafety.com/ and
a fine three part article Lightning Protection for the Amateur Radio Station,
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/lightning.html.
NEAR-FUTURE PUBLIC SERVICE RADIO EVENTS
TOUR of the SWAN RIVER VALLEY NEEDS YOU – May 30 & 31
By
N7MSU Bob
We still need radio operators for TOSRV on May 30 and 31. This is one of HARC’s oldest and
most rewarding public service operations. TOSRV is expecting 200 bike riders
this year. So, we need more hams
to help with communications.
You can choose to help one or both days. TOSRV provides food and drink
along the route. HARC will help
with gas money, if you ask. If you
are going to stay overnight, we can pitch a tent at the Swan Lake Campground
along with the bicyclists. If you
need something a bit nicer in the Swan Lake or the Big Fork area, make your
reservations now.
We will meet at Bonner School on Saturday, May 30, at 7 am for
assignments and last minute instructions.
Safety is the key to making this event a success. Bring a reliable vehicle, a good 2
meter rig, and safety vest. Turn
on your headlights, and put your transceiver on high power (whatever that may
be). Make sure you know how to
switch your transceiver from repeater to simplex and back. We will be on the 146.80 repeater while
in the Blackfoot and go to 146.80 (TX/RX) simplex, as we move into the Swan.
Detailed HARC participation will be discussed and sign up sheets
circulated at May 11 club meeting.
If you can’t attend the club meeting, and you can help or have
questions, please call Bob N7MSU (251-4148), or email: n7msu@q.com. Please DO NOT contact
TOSRV folks.
HARC MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 13, 2009
By KE7IZG Mike
MEETING called
to order at 7:00 PM by Elmer WG7P
INTRODUCTIONS
were made with 16 present
SECRETARIES REPORT—MIKE KE7IZG— Motion-Bill W4YMA 2nd Bob K7BA to
approve minutes as presented -- Motion
passed
TREASURERS REPORT--motion-Bob N7MSU 2nd Paul N7PAS to approve as presented- MOTION passed
501 C3 STATUS --Initial application to be submitted prior to May 15
deadline
PROPOSED 2009 BUDGET—$250 income
from First Night deleted and $250 miscellaneous under Event Expenses
added—Motion Jerry N7GE 2nd
Lewis AC7UZ to approve as revised-- MOTION
passed
COMMITTEE REPORTS
REPEATER—BILL W4YMA-- Have not met to
set goals and related budget.
Repeater 80 not working and 04 has a sensitivity problem. Elmer asked again that goals and budget
be established
MEMBERSHIP—LIZ WG7E--A few people still need to pay dues
NET OPERATORS—4/22 Bill
W4WM 4/29 Andy KE7IZG 5/6 Jerry N7GE 5/13 Liz/Elmer
W7GE/WG7P
OLD BUSINESS
STATIC—MONTHLY EDITOR,
MAY=VICK K7VK
JUNE= Mike N5SAH
THANKS ANDY KE7SHZ FOR APRIL
Mike KE7IZG agreed to write May “GETTING TO KNOW” article unless Vick
able to make other contact and then Mike will move to June
WINTER WEEK-END—canceled until 2010
FIELD DAY— pot luck sign up, signup
sheets for radio operators circulated
By
show of hands club decided burgers and dogs will be main menu with side dishes
provided by club members
To
make it more fun total # of contacts for the club contest and a raffle
discussed
EMERGENCY
COURSES—http://training.fema.gov
JUNE JULY MEETING—need one more
operator for July
Bill
W4YMA volunteered to demo a mobile setup as part of the July meeting
GRIZZLY TRIATHLON REPORT--JERRY
N7GE—392 athletes participated, 10 club members assisted and provided
communications
Motion
by Jerry N7GE and 2nd by Lewis AC7UZ to approve $68.50 for Tower
Pizza for club participants—motion passed
MAGNETIC CAR DOOR SIGNS-PAUL=2, NORM=2,
KEVIN=2 and 5 extra AT $8 EACH—Norm and Paul paid and 1 extra purchased
TOSRV—signup sheet circulated--need
6-10 people per day—Participants meet at Bonner School 7 a.m. Saturday
May 30
Let
Bob N7MSU know if you want to stay in Swan Lake campground--food provided at
various points along the route--club will pay for
gas. If requested and accompanied by receipts--Use 146.80 repeater until
the Swan Valley and then 146.80 simplex.
NEW BUSINESS
RIVER BANK RUN—Motion JERRY N7GE 2nd
Lewis AC7UZ to assist with the Run again this year—motion passed-- Signup
sheet circulated--Jerry met with YMCA officials and will need 12 operators on
Saturday April 25--
GRIZZLY MAN
ADVENTURE RACE—Motion BILL W4YMA
2nd Jerry N7GE to assist with this race as requested on April
18 in Lubrecht Forest with dinner at Paws Up to follow-- MOTION passed
OTHER ITEMS
MISSOULA
MARATHON, July. 12-- Andy KE7SHZ requested someone to help coordinate and gain
experience—contact Andy
MISSOULA CITY CELL PHONE BAN—proposed
wording should exclude mobile ham operations—Donnie W7XY was at the
public hearing representing HARC
SEATING ARRANGEMENT—by show of hands those present preferred the
“V” shape arrangement
REPORTS
REQUEST
FOR ASSISTANCE ARRANGING STATE YOUTH DIABETIC FUND RAISER—LEWIS AC7UZ
This
is the first of its kind in Montana.
Lewis will obtain additional information and report back to the
club. Will determine if desirable
for club to participate or will be left to individual’s choice
BRIEF REPORT ON EMERGENCY
MATTERS—BYRON N8AA
Montana’s
Good Samaritan Law died recently
Those
directing traffic on streets (flaggers) need to be wearing a T2 type reflective
vest. Flagging course required
$40. It is the law and he will get a copy of the law to Elmer WG7P so he can
share this information with club members
USFS
Type 2 Incident Teams integrating MARS ops into its communications for the
first time. They have National
Guard comm. trailer
PROGRAM—MIKE
KE7IZG—NAVIGATING AND USING OUR WEB SITE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HARC
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR—submit copies of courses, certifications, and
summary of operating skills to Elmer
Note from Dennis W7DHB was read
REMINDER—Work of the Worked All Hellgate Award
JUNE AND JULY MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT FORT MISSOULA
DOOR PRIZE
DRAWING—soldering gun Won by KE7SHZ Andy
MOTION TO ADJOURN—Motion Steve K7PX, 2nd Jerry N7GE to adjourn—motion passed
HELLGATE
STATIC Editors are Needed
Help edit the your
club newsletter, the Hellgate STATIC. Put your
word processing skills to work for your club! If you can assist, please contact WG7P, Elmer or K7VK, Vick.
DXPEDITION to South
Cook Island
HARC member, W7GJ Lance and wife
Karen just completed a trip to South Cook Island in March 2009. For Karen it was a vacation, but for
Lance, it was a ham radio DXPEDITION! Putting a new country on the air, an island, on
6-meter earth-moon-earth (EME) is an exciting and challenging feat.
The island, Rarotonga, is the largest of
the Cook Islands. It’s about 3000 miles due South of Hawaii. At 21 degrees latitude, it has a fine
climate too.
Lance is asked, “Why in the world would
anybody go the opposite side of the world on a 6m DXpedition at a time of year
with no Es and at a time of the solar cycle with no chance of F2
propagation?” The answer, of
course, “is to take advantage of the superb EME conditions afforded at this
point in the solar cycle!”
A Dxpedition works only after serious planning,
building and packing of all the necessary gear. Lance spent many weeks building and securing equipment and
insuring it would all work together.
This is not your throw up a wire and call “CQ” operation. This is a computerized EME station with
JT65A software driving a high tech assembly of equipment with amplifiers and a
M2 12 dDB gain 30 lb yagi, 43’ long! Lance also needed to secure a license to operate and
in this case he became EA51SIX.
SIX is fitting for his 6-meter operation. Lance made 28 “off the moon” contacts including with his own
station in Montana operated by AJ7LL Don. Great job.
W7GJ Lance will present at one of HARC’s Fall meetings the complete program of this exciting Dxpedition.
JUNE 8 AND JULY 13 CHANGE OF MEETING LOCATION
By WG7P Elmer
The club’s June and July meetings should be of
interest to all hams. We are
planning on having four of our members each month set up a portable operation,
as you would in an emergency or when operating off the grid. The stations will be operational and
members should be able to make some contacts, maybe picking up a few for the
“Worked All Hellgate Award!!”
Considering we might need a little more space for setting up the various
stations than the Fire House can provide, we
will be meeting at Fort Missoula near the main building. All activities will be outside.
We will be conducting our Ham License Exams at 5:30 pm at the Fort as
well. We will have a brief
meeting at 7:00 pm and then divide into four groups with one group per station. We will spend about 15-20 minutes at
each station while the operator describes his or her setup and answers whatever
questions might arise. We
will get back together as a group to talk briefly about the different stations,
with a Q & A and an opportunity to discuss whatever issues or concerns are
expressed. Individuals will
be able to return to their favorite station if they desire.
Those setting up stations for June are
Steve K7PX, Vick K7VK, Eric NZ7S, and Jerry N7GE. July’s stations will be Steve KK7UV, Larry K7GIS, and Lewis
AC7UZ. We do need one more station
for July, if you are willing to set up an off grid station, please contact
Elmer WG7P
2009 FIELD DAY JUNE 27 AND 28
By WG7P Elmer
Field Day is beginning to take shape and promises to be a great
weekend. Field Day will kick off
Saturday morning at 7:00 AM, with Jerry N7GE cooking up a hearty
breakfast filled with energy, especially for those helping with the setup
following breakfast. Jerry K7IMZ
stated he might give Jerry N7GE a hand with the cooking, but we’re not sure
that early! Breakfast, as
well as the other Field Day events, will take place at the “old chapel” at Fort
Missoula. (next to the new building)
It is looking like we
will be able to man the radios the full 24 hours. With a few more volunteer operators we will operate 24 hours
and be able to transmit on two stations.
If we could find a couple more CW operators we could maintain 1 CW
station and 1 HF station. Assuming
we can get our antennas tuned and working properly we should be able to make
quite a few contacts during the 2009 Field Days. We are kicking around the idea of having a little contest
where individuals, for a dollar, can write a number representing their best
guess of the total contacts made during the 24 hour period, with the winner
claiming half of the money collected.
We will be having a
Pot Luck Dinner at 5:00 PM Saturday evening. We are hoping that family members will join us for the
evening and enjoy the get together.
It was decided at our April 13th meeting that the club will
provide burgers and dogs for the main meal and members will provide the side
dishes. Thus far we will be having
potato salad, potato chips, bean salad, cake, other sweet treats, and some
bar-b-q, just in case you don’t like burgers or dogs. We are hoping to get more people signed up for the Pot Luck
dinner and will accept more side dishes from willing contributors. If you are unable to make the
meetings, but want to sign up for the pot luck, side dishes, or to be an
operator, contact Elmer WG7P at elmerm@hughes.net
or give him a call at 240-8685.
HELLGATE
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
|
President |
WG7P Elmer |
|
|
Vice-President |
W4YMA Bill |
|
|
Secretary |
KE7IZG Mike |
|
|
Treasurer |
N7GE Jerry |
|
|
Repeater Committee |
W4YMA, Bill (Vice-President) NZ7S, Eric; NN8A, Byron (Thru 2010) N7PAS, Paul; W7XY, Donnie(Thru
2009) |
|
|
Awards |
N7MSU Bob |
|
|
Exams VE Contact |
K7VK Vick |
|
|
Membership |
WG7E Liz |
|
|
Newsletter Editor |
K7VK Vick this month only |
Rotating by Month |
|
Webmaster |
KE7IZG Mike |
Is amateur radio important to you?
Do you know the threats to our hobby?
JOIN and SUPPORT THE ARRL,
our greatest advocate
for amateur radio.
Become a member. http://www.arrl.org/
Hellgate Amateur Radio Club
PO Box 3811