At the Next Meeting the Exchange Box will be full of magazines, catalogs, parts and books. "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 friends if you do not attend.
If you do not have a reservation already, you can still come to the dinner. We will just add your choice of entree to the KARC list. The Banquet will be at 7:00 PM on this Friday Night. Come and meet the spouses of members that are brave enough to come. You are automatically entered for the prize drawing for the Gift Certificate. The "Ham of the Year" award will be presented and a very short program. The Banquet Coordinator is Greg, WB6FZH, if you have any last minute questions call him at 236-4449.
Do you have an e-mail address? Would you like it listed at the KARC website so some of your radio friends can find you? Would you like informational bulletins from KARC when something is going on inbetween meetings? If so...E-mail WB6FZH/KH6 at greg6fzh@aol.com, let Greg know if you wish to be listed in the KARC Email Directory at the website and if you wish to receive an occasional e-mail relating to KARC club topics inbetween regular meetings.
Please contact Greg, WB6FZH/KH6, with your photos for posting on the KARC Website. Pictures old or new, with you and and your rig or just one or the other. Does anyone have any pictures of KARC Activities from earlier years? All pictures returned undamaged. They are scanned and the digital file sent to the UH Website. We can give you the address so you can see your photo on a friend's computer if you do not have one.
The Ho'omaluhia Park was the KARC Field Day '98 Site again this year. The
R-5 Vertical, Main Operating Area and the antenna support mast are visible
under the low clouds and light rain. More Photos are displayed at the KARC
Website in the Photo Gallery.
On the Friday before Field Day the set-up in the mud, wind and rain was in progress when your reporter arrived on scene. I saw AH6OZ, WH6CLZ, WH6NFN, WH6BIZ, AH6HH, KH6BI & AH7R dodging the rain and working on various tasks. The sun/rain shelter was up and the main HF antenna support, a 30' mast, was almost finished. The HF antennas were raised to the top, and supports anchored. Next, the sleep tent was quickly assembled. A few photos were taken and then those of us that were not staying overnight left the muddy and tired crew before we too were locked inside.
Saturday Morning I returned with all the food and supplies that I had collected during the weeks prior. I also brought with me the AO-27 satellite station. The soft drinks put in the coolers and the food was stacked awaiting my favorite part of field day, the BBQ burgers, hotdogs and trimmings. The satellite station was unpacked and assembled in about 3 minutes, and connected to the 70cm receive antenna that Jerry, WH6BKQ, the chief cook had stored from last year. Walt, AH6OZ was already making contacts, with Howard, WH6CLZ, logging both hard-copy and in his palm-top computer. Many others operated KH6OS, the KARC Field Day Station, including Jerry- WH6BKQ, Crox- AH6CS, Greg-WB6FZH, Sid- AH6HH and Rick- K7???, who had heard about our Field Day Outing and came to visit. We again thank Tom Hori for the use of his easy-to-use callsign, KH6OS. Others, that were seen at the FD '98 were Howard- WH6LF, John- WH6BIU, Ralph- WH6CUQ, Shep-NH6IG and doubtless others that I have failed to mention. Everyone that was there or contributed to any and all stages of Field Day '98 made it a big success and all deserve credit.
A few visitors came by some having seen the brochures in the Visitor's Center and elsewhere. We had a picture in the local paper calling attention to the KARC and the Field Day Exercise.
The AO-27 Satellite Station made 3 contacts in about 2 minutes. N7HXT- Washington State, KH6E- Kuai (The "other" KARC Field Day Site), and AH6PB on the other side of Oahu. The satellite flew away before a contact to British Columbia, Canada could be completed, and a station near Hilo was having difficulty hearing stations calling through the satellite.
KH6OS made more than 200 contacts all over the US and Canada. Contacts were made on CW, SSB and RTTY. Logging was by hard copy on a clipboard and were entered into WH6CLZ's palmtop using EXCEL spreadsheet program. He later e-mailed it to your reporter and it was printed out for display.
Mike, AH7R, had a separate UH QRP Field Day Station set-up accross the road towards the Koolau's. He did come by to chat, dry-off a bit and eat at the KARC operating area. More information about Mike's one-man QRP Field Day next issue.
The weather did get gradually better, and by mid-day on Saturday it was actually quite pleasant. Family's were picnicing nearby, and there was activity throughout the Park.
Greg- WB6FZH took about 15 minutes of 8mm video, I have seen it and about 5 minutes of it is OK. He promises to put what he learned to use next year. He did a little better with the 35mm photos and will have them at the next meeting. The best ones have already been uploaded to the KARC Website PHOTO GALLERY Section. Greg is going to try and round up some other video related to ham radio and put it on a VHS cassette for future viewing when we show a videotape at a future KARC meeting.
We will think of ways to improve for FD '99, and look forward to seeing you there if you can make it! Remember the site is flat, near to parking and rest rooms. You can take your own equipment and antennas there for a fun outing anytime. Thanks to all those who loaned equipment and spares to the KARC effort, and those that gave so unselfishly of their time and money to make it a success. Look for more FD '98 updated in the August issue.
Our Speaker was Nester D.G. Muyot from the Department of Community and Social Resources. He spoke on Fraud, Telephone Scams and various schemes that are being used to trick and defraud especially targeting Senior Citizens. He reminded us that if it is too good to be true, it probably is.
The meeting having enough members present had the usual railroad election of officers before they could change their minds. The Past President Al Rivera said that his new job will not allow him to be Secretary. Walt, AH6OZ, said in the tradition that our last Vice-President that he would do both jobs. If you are interested in being the KARC secretary, contact Walt.
Field Day was discussed. Greg reviewed the shopping list, based on the list that Jerry WH6BKQ provided. $100 was provided for the expenditures, with a few of the members saying they will make-up the difference required.
Sid, AH6HH, suggested that we have coffee for members at the meetings. He was authorized to purchase a vacuum bottle and be reinbursed. Greg, WB6FZH, will bring some donuts & cookies as a donation. A sign-up list for the coffee and donuts will be at the next meeting.
It was decided to renew the World Radio Advertisement and the subscription cards for prizes again. KARC Pres. WB6FZH/KH6 emailed the information to WR.
Jerry, WH6BKQ, will check on the usual request for 4th of July ham radio coordination at the Kailua Parade and find some volunteers.
Howard, WH6LF, (247-0775) reported on his quest for guest speakers and would appreciate any ideas or referals to speakers.
WB6FZH made up additional fliers and delivered flier and small poster to the two Windward Radio Shack Stores. Next year he will mail similar information packets to other selected Oahu Radio Shack Stores.
The up-coming VHF QSO party was explained by WB6FZH. KARC members were urged to operate on 146.58 simplex, and other VHF/UHf simplex frequencies.
A photo for the local paper was taken to take advantage of extra points and seek visitors for the event. Greg, WB6FZH, said the AO-27 satellite pass was going to be better than last year, and we may be able to work the "mainland" and Hawaiian stations.
After the meeting many interested in Field Day met on the patio to coordinate the event. Three stages; 1) Set-up 2) Operations 3) Take-down.
Treasurer's Report: Len provided a report, the KARC news crack reporter misplaced it. It will be in the next issue.
Attendance: 16 members and guests.
FREE Listing of your equipment in KARC NEWS, Contact the Editor with your gear to list!
If you are interested in helping with "KARC in the Community", by visiting a school, helping someone newly interested in Amateur Radio with those first important questions or helping with an event, please contact Greg WB6FZH/KH6 or Walt AH6HH. It is easy and very rewarding to see others begin to find the magic of Amateur Radio. Remember?....
The New Officers were elected with just enough paid members in attendance. Out-going President Al Rivera, KH7BM, was going to be KARC Secretary, but his new job has made that impossible. Walt, AH6OZ, said that he would do the secretary job along with his VP job until a new secretary is found. The job is simple, take notes at the meeting for minutes and forward a copy to the KARC News Editor by e-mail or mail.
The MIR Space Station will be burning up in the atmosphere sometime next year. The PMS (Packet Message System) is still functioning on 2 meters, and the 70 CM repeater/station is intermittently in service. You may upload a message to a friend across the globe now, and he must erase the message or the mailbox will fill-up. The Russian Crew does not speak english and is not reviewing the messages presently. It is uncertain how long the MIR PMS system will be in service.
DIRECTORS
PROGRAM CHAIRMAN- Howard, WH6LF 247-0775
NEWSLETTER
CLUB MEETINGS
MEMBERSHIP/FIELD DAY 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
KARC WEBSITE