The Koolau Amateur Radio Club Newsletter for May 1999

KARC in the Community
KARC had a Ham Radio display with a computerized slide show. AH6OZ-Walt manned HF Station & WB6FZH-Greg showed how a 2Mtr HT worked. Club and ARRL literature was given out along with ham radio magazines. More information in June KARC News.

-ANNOUNCEMENTS-

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, May 8th, at Ho'omaluhia Park Visitor's Center at 9:30 AM- Be there! There will be Amateur Radio Testing by VE AH6HH, Sid and his Group of KARC Member volunteers following the meeting.

It was great to see our attendance growing each meeting, the April meeting had 24 members and guests. It is great to see more members, guests and visitors finding their way to KARC.

Our May guest Speaker will be Walt, KH6OZ, who will speak about Digital Modes in Amateur Radio. Walt will also talk about PSK31 a new mode that is thought to rival and perhaps replace RTTY in popularity in Amateur Radio HF printed modes will be discussed. KARC News reported in error that Richard LeChance was the May speaker. Richard will be scheduled at a future date. The Exchange Box full of magazines, catalogs, parts and books will be there. Come and take some of these magazines and items home or donate some for others. "Show and Tell" needs you to bring something from your shack to show those attending, while you tell about it. Remember, you can not win the prizes, contribute your special ideas and catch up on the latest from your ham radio friends if you do not attend.

Thanks to those that volunteer to bring the coffee, donuts keep the the meeting room room clean.

-NEWS-Features-CONTESTS-Ham Ads-MINUTES-Articles-PHOTOS-

MINUTES- Here is what you missed at the April 10th Meeting...

FIELD DAY '99- It is getting closer... Make your plans now!..

At the April KARC meeting... Jerry Mulherin was re-confirmed as Field Day Chairman, and Walt, KH6OZ, as Co-Chairman, Station Manager, and Chief FD Contest Strategist. Contact Jerry and Walt by phone or e-mail if you can not attend the May KARC meeting to help make Field Day the great event it always is. We want everyone to participate that wants to, do not be afraid of the computerized logging, we will have a logger there to log for you as you learn to do it yourself, you just put in the call and the ARRL Section most everything else is automatically entered.

Some of the most common activities are Set-up prior to the actual Field Day, helping with antenna, tents, sunshades, cooking, photo/video, and take-down. Check with Walt-AH6OZ for operating details.

If you do not want to operate, supervisory, cheerleader, cooking, eating, and other positions are always availiable. Tell your XYL that you are at Field Day, come sign-in and we will say that you just left if she calls or comes by.(Just Kidding!)

It is always fun to see the AO-27 Satellite Contact. You may have seen Greg- WB6FZH, last year. He had headphones on, microphone in one hand, 70cm RX antenna in the other hand, and cables leading to a plactic case containing the whole station and battery. It is captured on video and the KARC Website. No matter who it is this year, it always proves to be fun for all to see and hear!

We will request the usual Sun Press Coverage, and additional media coverage is going to be sought. Bring yourself and ideas to the May meeting!

The NUI site at Ho'omalhuia Park has been secured with all of its advantages, rest rooms and parking ajacent to the site.

Amateur Radio License Testing

After the May 8th KARC meeting, there will be Amateur Radio Testing by AH6HH, Sid and his W5YI affiliated group of KARC members. Contact Sid with your questions about this test or future tests at 261-7916.

NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTIONS

The KARC Election are in June. Please give some thought to helping the club by participating as an officer. The present and past officers will do everything to help you. There is plenty to do, appoint your friends to positions of importance, take contributions for your run for office, hire your own interns, if they do too good of a job, just do not confirm them. We have elected postions, appointed positions and many semi-official positions that have exciting titles. See the September '98 KARC News for the list.

Contact Howard Williams, Program Chairman, or any KARC officer for details. Remember, as a KARC officer you will be given the secret KARC Officers hand-signal. This carefully guarded secret and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee or juice at most establishements on Oahu.

The official slate will be published in the June KARC News prior to the election. This will be one of the topics of discussion at the May meeting.

REMEMBER...If you do not attend meetings, you might not be there to make your nomination speech or decline. You do not have to be present to win and your mileage may vary.

KH6OS CALLSIGN WILL BE New KARC CLUB CALLSIGN

At the April Meeting, the club voted to change the KH6J callsign to KH6OS, in memory of Tom Hori, longtime KARC member. KH6OS has been used for many years at KARC Field Day. The support of his family was obtained previously and in consultation with our present KH6J trustee, Joe Keola, all the necessary paperwork and procedures have been started.

Greg-WB6FZH, spoke with Joe, and he reports that he is still busy with work and other activities. Joe did not feel that he could continue as trustee, for KARC. At the April Meeting, Sid-AH6HH, an Extra Class Licensee volunteered to take it over so the paperwork could be expeditied in case it was necessary. Thanks to Sid for agreeing to take on this responsibility.

It is doubtful that we will be able to use KH6OS at FD'99, but we can give KH6J a fairwell exercise. Greg-WB6FZH/KH6 will keep us informed of the progress.

HAWAII DISASTER DRILLS IN MAY!...Are you ready?

Or is your own disaster radio plan a disaster? The Statewide Hurricane Disaster Drill will be called Makani Pahili 1999. The senario this year is a hurricane "watch" starting May 3 with "warning" on May 4, and Hurricane hitting island early May 5th. The Oahu Civil Defense Callsign is KH6OCD, and State of Hawaii Civil Defense is KH6HPZ.

146.88 Diamond Head Repeater is the Command/Control, 146.58 Simplex for Primary incoming traffic, 146.565 for outbound traffic, 448.700 HMB Repeater for traffic (Note: HMB 146.98 is in "real world" not the exercise), 146.76 Peacock Flats is for Northshore traffic(incoming). 146.49 Simplex will be used for simulated traffic at hotels,etc.

HF will be 7290 or 7088 (+- QRM), 3993.5 will be used if 40 meters is not open. Look for HF nets at 0730,1200 & 1930 HRS. For more information contact Dennis Yee KH7Ld / AFA8YD, dnryee@hawaii.rr.com.

A complete bulletin is posted at the KARC Website at the EMERCOM Section. The 28th of May will have the WMD- Chemical Emergency Drill. More information when available.

Even if you can not participate in the drills, consider monitoring while you review your own equipment, power, cables, antennas and other portable station equipment and supplies.

ON THE AIR..

Thanks to Richard, WH6T, for all the good things he does for Amateur Radio! The 145.15(-600) in Kailua is now located on top of the tallest building in town! Even with limited emergency power. More often than not it is these professional radio people all over our country that spend their time and money to make that which is recreation for many of us a lot more fun and the resources of the community in time of need to a higher level.

CONTESTS- Details in World Radio, CQ and QST Magazines

MAY- CQ WW WPX CW May 29/30!

Support HR-783... Protect your part of the Spectrum...Write or Call!

Contact your Congressional Representatives to have them consider supporting this important bill. Patsy Mink is already a co-sponsor of this legislation, The Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1999. It is to protect the radio frequencies used by Amateur Radio volunteers use to provide emergency communications, technical experimentation and recreation.

SWAP, SELL & TRADE- Your FREE Advertisement here!

CONSTRUCTION CORNER- Part 1Planning your Emergency Pack & Supplies

The UN-OFFICIAL HAM RADIO OPERATORS EMERGENCY RADIO SUPPLIES LIST

THIS LIST IS A PRODUCT OF MANY OTHER LISTS- This list was developed to give a starting point that the user can develop his or her own list if items from. TWO THOUGHTS...You can not be of any help to anyone if you are not in good prepared and in reasonable heath. Be sure to have what you need to sustain yourself (food, water, medicine, etc.) First!

Second, you need to have your equipment and supplies in readiness ahead of time at specific location. If there is an item that you need elsewhere that is part of your kit, place a note (easily seen) on the outside of the kit so you or another you can retrieve it. Keep an inventory inside the container itself. (It is very helpful...otherwise you might not know what is actually supposed to be in there!)

Finally, consider the containers you use, can you carry them?, is it waterproof or resistant, Is it clearly marked? Can you sit on it when it is empty. Can you mount the equipment into it or on it? Would your antenna fit inside large PVC Pipe with removable end caps? Where is your Duct Tape? Do you have light to see at night? Can you provide battery power to others while not disabling your set-up? How do you plan to recharge your batteries? Do you have a plastic tarp to cover you and the equipment? Is your equipment and supplies marked with your name? Good Luck!

WB6FZH's Suggested Items for Radio Operators During Emergencies

Consider a simulation, take your equipment to another location, and set up your station, and see what you do not have... and write it down. Participate in Drills and Simulations if you can, and Join an Emergency Communications Group if you can (RACES,ARES,REACT,ETC)

Note: This list and others are under continious update, and located on the KARC Website EMERCOM (Emergency Communications Section) Section.

Coming in June...PART TWO- Planning Vehicle/Work/Home Emergency Pack & Supplies

SPACE & Satellite NEWS- New Sats Launched, RS-19 Scrapped...

Good News...The SWATCH digital voice messages that were in violation of the spirit of Amateur Radio in the digital talking RS-19 have been shelved along with the satellite. Reportedly, the battery will be used elsewhere in MIR. The immediate protest to SWATCH is undoubtedly responsible.

Several HAMSATs have been sucessfully launched as secondary payloads in recent Space Payload launches from the US and Russia. The satellites are undergoing software and hardware testing in orbit. When their frequencies, modes and other information is announced it will be posted here.

SSTV transmission from MIR has stopped until the equipment is relocated on it's electrically insulated bracket to another part of MIR Space Station. It will return to service when off-duty time allows the time to move it. SSTV has been approved for ISS (International Space Station).

Hawaii hams are digipeating signals off MIR, making packet connections, and hoping for SSTV or Voice Contacts before the announced August '99 plunge into the Pacific Ocean. You can hear MIR on 145.985 fm, packet is 1200 AX25. Leave your TNC on and see the beacon or other traffic.

QRP COLUMN

No Room This month...

REMINDER...TO INSURE THAT THE NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED...

WANTED IMMEDIATELY Associate NEWSLETTER EDITOR & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: We need someone to learn to follow the simple established format that produces Identical "online" and mailed versions of KARC NEWS. If uninterupted publishing is to continue. It is as easy as filling in the story material and information at the right places in the HTML file template with your word processor.It is not Rocket Science or Brain Surgery, and it can not be too hard Greg, WB6FZH, does it! You need the following abilities; E-Mail, Internet Service Provider and Browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Best). The HTML format is easily learned with file and printed examples provided. A Scanner would be nice, but not required.

Future travel and work plans will have Greg off-island more in the future. A smaller content with the same meeting announcements and minutes would be the minimum, and your imagination is the limit. Steal from QST, CQ, World Radio, Playboy, Field and Stream, just make up things! Contact Greg, WB6FZH/KH6 for details. 236-4449

KOOLAU AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

CLUB OFFICERS

DIRECTORS

PROGRAM CHAIRMAN- Howard, WH6LF 247-0775

NEWSLETTER

CLUB MEETINGS

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN- Jerry Mulherin, WH6BKQ, 235-3042, email:jerham@aloha.net

MAILING ADDRESS- KARC c/o J.Mulherin, 45-145 Mikihilina St., Kaneohe, HI 96744

VEC TESTING

2 METER ACTIVITY

CLUB CALL: KH6J Trustee: Joe Keola

KARC WEBSITE