KARC President Greg, WB6FZH/KH6, will be winging his way to Europe to SWL on the Holland America cruise ship Rotterdam 6 in the Baltic with his new Sangean ATS-909 Portable.
At the Next Meeting the Exchange Box That is usually of magazines, catalogs, parts and books will not be at this meeting. "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.
A notebook with Field Day '98 Pictures will be at the meeting for you to review. The KARC Photo Gallery at our Website has been expanded. WB6FZH uploaded some new pages of pictures showing Field Day '98.
Please think about this format, and contribute your ideas about organization or other aspects that would make the meetings go smoothly and offer a forum for the ideas of all.
Perhaps a view of the Koolau Mountains or Windward Coast would be a good subject for a QSL card that is availiable only to KARC Members. It would be much like any other QSL, in that it has your callsign as the first thing noticed! with a nice background. Picture QSL cards are very popular, I know I always enjoy seeing the places and people I have contacted. A full report on the backside with mailing address area. Contact the Editor with your ideas, If we have enough interest I will check into some printing costs. Another Idea is that those with computers that print their own cards would be given a computer file with the official picture and lettering.
While we were awaiting dessert, Greg went from place setting to place setting placing a single fortune cookie down with the instruction not to open it yet. When instructed, the cookies were opened, and the First and Second Prize winners found their special fortune inside. The rest were all individually printed Amateur Radio oriented fortunes. They were pretty corny , but when was the last time you ever opened a fortune cookie and it told you that you deserved a new transceiver? (This is a good enough excuse to purchase a new radio in some families...)
Who won the prizes? Sid, AH6HH and his XYL, Tiare, won the Radio Shack $69.95 VOM ($20 at R/S clearance sale) and a set of Screwdrivers respectively. Greg said he shook the cookies up the best he could without breaking them, and has no explanation how 2 prizes got to the same household. Sid said he will use the prize as an insentive prize for upgrading in his W5YI Ham Testing program. See Sid for details.
Howard Williams introduced Shep, NH6IG, who spoke briefly about sailing from Hawaii to the South Pacific escorting the Hokolea Sailing Canoe. It was filled with eventful twists and turns of technology and seamanship. Shep said that this activity is on his list of things not to do again in this or anyother lifetime.
The next KARC Dinner will be in keeping with a more traditional schedule of Calendar Events and will be in February of 1999.
Les took this opportunity to water test his HT in the rain, and has determined the maximum rain that his HT can obsorb. See Les for details. (Thanks KH6NFN for contributing this information)
Our Speaker was Dr. Dan Walker, who spoke on the unfortuately very timely topic of Tsunami or Tidal Waves and the Hawaiian Islands. Without unduly alarming us, he spoke of the historical record of the last 100 years or so of tsunami activity in the Pacific Ocean. He showed charts and maps to give an idea of the size of the 200-500 mph waves that come to shore and what happens. Dan said based on the seaweed in the trees and other data from the 1946 Alliution Island quake that caused a killer tsunami that killed 200 on the Big island. His projections for future events are for greater loss of life because of the increased density of population. It will also depend on what time of day and what sort of warning, if any, is given. People are now concentrated in greater numbers in new places. Little if any protection is provided to important infrastructure like power plants, telephone switching, and other important facilities.
[Editor's Note: I live on Kaneohe Bay facing North... I must confess that I had thought more than one time about a tsunami. Ironically, based on the 1946 model, it turns out because of the reef that is right in front of the house, it is one of the safest places to be, with a 1946 level of 2 feet, compared to more than 20 feet at the nearby Marine Base.]
Dr. Walker said his responses from our governmental leaders has been very poor with little official interest in even safeguarding power and other facilities on any of the islands that are in coastal, low level locations. This is a very sobering thought in light of the recent New Guinea Tsuami that has killed thoasands of people a few weeks ago.
The Treasurer's Report: Recent Treasurer's Report: June 1998- (Balance 5/31/98=$577.28) Income: $49.63 Expenses: $263.13 6/30/98 Balance=$363.78
[Editor's Note: The total annual Income & Expenses are just about even, with income timing lagging a bit behind last year (renewals).]
The format for future meetings, guest speakers, Coffee & Donuts, and other meeting related features was discussed. Greg said he will try and keep the business meeting short and structured allowing those that can not stay for a guest speaker, to still visit and participate in the meeting.
The KARC Board of Directors can meet as necessary before the meetings to provide guidance in many of the issues that are brought-up at Club Meetings.
WB6FZH, KARC Dinner Chairperson was authorized $25.00 for the KARC Dinner Door Prizes.(The fortune cookies were donated by Greg)
A request for old newsletters was made to create an archive and some information for a KARC Club History project. (Does anyone have any photos of past KARC events that can be photocopied?)
Sid, AH6HH provided the Coffee, Greg WB6FZH the Donuts, The Coffee Thermos was handed off to the next volunteer, and no donut volunteer came forward for August, a more formal sign-up folder will be worked out, or if there is no interest, discontinued. Some folks left donations, that this time covered the cost of the coffee and donuts. Greg thanks you for eating the donuts so he could not take the extra ones home.
Vice-President Walt, AH6OZ was off island, and the New KARC President said he will be /MM in the Baltic Sea next meeting. (SWLing with a Portable SW radio that has USB/LSB & digital readout from the deck of Holland America's Rotterdam 6.)
Sid, AH6HH volunteered to investigate the workings of providing a "Club Station" at his house with separate equipment and antenna for hams that do not have a place to operate, or have antenna restrictions. They would contact Sid to make appointments for use.
Greg, WB6FZH inquired if the board could consider spending part of the KH6IJ fund on materials for Ham Testing and Education. Perhaps an ARRL or other Technician or General Video Course. This was refered to the next board meeting.
The business meeting went quickly like a freight train. Most in attendance remained after for a good discussion about the present and future of the KARC and the realities of Amateur Radio Clubs in a world full of Internet, Cell Phones and Computers. The discussion spoke frankly about the lack of members coming forward to be new "Elmers." The day and time of the Meetings was talked about. Would a weekday night be more convenient for those that can not come on Saturdays? perhaps have a few night meetings as a new location throughout the year? Perhaps a carpool for those that do not like to drive at night? The search for new or returning members that felt the club did not serve their interests. What are those interests? The common interest in Amateur Radio is not itself alone enough to keep a radio club going long into the year 2000 and beyond. All agreed to try and find new ways to revitalize the club.
Attendance: 16 members and guests. Donuts: Safeway- Assorted including Apple Fritters!.
There are areas listed that we are not obviously geared up today to do, perhaps things we will not do, but there are many things to consider and implement as we have the ability to do them. There are people already doing many things on this list. The presence of the list is to recruit additional participation, and perhaps give some people that are doing several tasks a chance to do a little less before we burn them out.
Hopefully, we will be welcoming new and returning members and assisting them to discover their farvorite parts of Amateur Radio, and the KARC. It comes as no suprise that Clubs and Organizations of all types today are having trouble surviving as our society and technology changes.
A word about Computers & KARC...You will never have to have a computer, internet or digital anything to stay in the center of KARC activities. The Website I built was designed to keep KARC able to respond to a generation that utilizes a computer, e-mail and digital electronics as a part of their life. This newsletter is in the form you are reading so I can upload it to the Website for people to read there from anywhere in the world. The past issues are there to show what we do, and what we are planning to do. Certainly, alot of Amateur Radio information has migrated to the internet and we will try and utilize it where we can. I am using an old an slow notebook computer purchased used a few years ago with WIN 3.1, and the minimum to run the software to post your newsletter to the Website and generate e-mail. You may also remember that some of my favorite radios still have tubes in them, so that should tell you that I will not be trying to drag everyone into cyberspace. Some clubs are eliminating newsletters and going on-line or even packet only, leaving many with no newsletter and feeling left out. Please let one of the club officers or board members know where you want KARC to go. -73
Radio Club type Activities- Inventory of Present/Future Activities
A special hand-out with KARC information and the Website URL was left with about 25 Ham Radio Class Students of all ages.(The hand-outs were not a club expense) This expedition was Sid's idea and it is a good one. He and Greg plan to spread the word to any and all classes and individuals. Hopefully, we will be afforded an opportunity to welcome some new members and remember what it was like when we were new to radio in a room full of strangers. Our thanks to Richard for making the time before his first class for our 10 minute presentation, and for his own presentation on behalf of KARC to the second Class of the evening.
NOVEMBER- 28/29- CQ WW CW DX Contest
QSO points: 1pt SSB, 2pts CW. Stations Outside Hawaii: Hi counties(5),
Hawaii Stations: US States, Canadian Provinces, DXCC country.
(Multipliers count one time regardless of bands worked) Exchange: RST
& QTH, Entry Catagories: Single Op: CW only, SSB only, mixed mode,
Single Op QRP: CW only, SSB only, Mixed Mode. Multi-Op Single TX: CW only,
SSB only, Mixed mode. Multi-Multi: mixed mode only. Logs:
by 30 September to: 1056 Kapau St., Kailua, HI 96734 or E-MAIL to:
starcommradio @ juno.com
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 Sid, AH6HH. We do not have an organized program yet, but are
looking for KARC members to participate It is easy and very rewarding to
see others begin to find the magic of Amateur Radio. Remember?....
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 English messages. It is uncertain how long the MIR PMS
system will be in service.
KARC club member, Peter, NH6VB, has European and other satellite operators
on the AO-10 Satellite waiting in line. This was reported to WB6FZH by
satellite hams in Idaho, California and Utah via satellite radio contacts.
Order Information: The Badge Factory, 814 Clearview Avenue, Hampstead, MD
21074.(410) 239-3368. Item: Std.Name Badge-Pine/White-KARC, Cost: $6.75
(includes shipping). Print the name and call you want on the badge. The
unique lettering and rounded corners are nice features of this Pine Green
background with White Lettered badge. Tell them you want want the Koolau
Amateur Radio Club Badge.
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
SEPTEMBER CONTESTS
OCTOBER- 24/25- CQ WW SSB DX Contest
HAWAII QSO PARTY- August 29/30
Richard LeChance, WH6T, and others interested in contesting, devised the
"Hawaii QSO Party". It will be from 1600UTC (0600 Local) on August
29 to 2200 UTC (12 noon Local) on the 30th. 160 meters to Microwaves, CW or
SSB.
VE TESTING- Upcoming VEC Testing Dates
NOTE: Check the expiration date on all books and educational materials for
use in Amateur Radio Testing. The question pools are deleted and new
questions are used.
SWAP and SELL
KARC IN THE COMMUNITY
MEMORIAL GIFTS TO KARC- Your Key does not have to be silent
Please give some serious thought to remembering KARC in your will. Your gift
of money or equipment to KARC would be a wonderful thing. Your wishes would
be respected by the KARC board and any requests would be honored to the best
of their ability. Suprise the club members and future clubmembers you leave
behind, or work with the KARC Board of Directors to make a specific donation
you have in mind come true. Remember, it is one way to be sure that there
is a Koolalu Amateur Radio Club waiting for a future radio amateur to come
along. Help continue the magic of Ham Radio. Please give this some
serious thought if you have not done so already.
SPACE NEWS- MIR Space Station to Burn-up in Atmosphere
I DON'T HAVE TO SHOW YOU ANY STINKING BADGES- The Unofficial KARC Badge
You may have noticed that several of the Club Members have badges with KARC
and their Names on them. There is presently no Official Badge, any badge you
have is your official KARC Badge. They are helpful at public events and so
that new members get to know you. Or in my case, I am considering putting it
on upside down so I can read my call when operating long into the night
during contests too. This badge is nicely made, and I especially like the
rounded corners.
QRP COLUMN: WB6FZH/KH6
NO QRP COLUMN THIS ISSUE...More Chills and Thrills of QRP Next Month!
KOOLAU AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INFORMATION
Your Club Officers
2nd Saturdays, 9:30am, Visitor's Center, Ho'omaluhia Park, Kaneohe