March - The Wireless Association of South Hills
Transcription
March - The Wireless Association of South Hills
WASHRAG TM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 03 Wireless Association of South Hills www.n3sh.org www.washarc.org MARCH 2012 N3SH WA3SH NP2SH/B WASHFest 2012: Wow! We haven’t gotten the “official” wrap-up for WASHFest yet, aside from Carol’s comments… so in their absence, a few observations: Is it possible to have pulled off a better event than last year’s? That’s what the feedback seems to be. Nothing but compliments, a packed house, many happy vendors, great food… what more can you ask for? Official attendance figures aren’t in yet, but they are comparable to last year’s. Yet somehow the hall seemed about as crowded as we’ve seen. Tables officially sold out almost two weeks prior, and only one vendor was a “no-show” — and that table went almost immediately. One small down note: We did hear some grumbling from a few people who waited until the last moment. Sorry folks, but it may not be practical to squeeze another row of tables in. If we do that, we’ll have people almost unable to move through the aisles, and that’s not good either. And there’s not a whole lot of ways to arrange the rows, but it will get looked into. As a practical matter, we’re about at capacity for the CSVFD Memorial Hall. We’ll be there again for 2013, but after… well, we’ll just have to see. We already have commitments from several vendors for 2013, which means we’re starting the year off with roughly 1/3 of our tables spoken for. We also were able to “pull off” a VE Exam at almost the last moment, on a small scale, thanks to some efforts from Ed N3ZNI to put it all together. Our success with this may lead to exams at future WASHFests, probably scheduled times and in small groups. This is something else that will be worked on during the course of the year. Thanks also to VE’s N3UE & W3WN for lending a hand, and to the other VE’s who volunteered if their services would have been needed. Carol’s Comments Another hamfest has come and gone, but with the help of our members it was a great success. I have heard nothing but good reports from the vender's and patrons. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The food was good the company was good. I was told the hamfest was well organized and run very professional. So I guess all our hard work paid off. I have already got reservations for next year so I guess we are doing something right. I can honestly say that whenever I asked someone to do something it was done. Kevin and I thank you for all the hard work you did in setting up on Saturday and the day of the hanfest. The best part was the weather cooperated. See you all at the pizza party in April. By the way my vacation is going well. I will be going to a hamfest while I am here and meeting up with Ted W4ZE. Also we had a QSO with Jim WB4GCS on simplex on Route 77 in South Carolina on our way down here. It was amazing that we came up behind his car and recognized his license on the open highway! Loads of pictures inside, thanks to all of our photographers for providing them! Next Meeting: March 8 , 2012 th The next monthly meeting of the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. will be on Thursday, March 8th, 2012, at the Crossroads Ministries Church, 88 Walter Long Road of f Route 88, Finleyville PA, starting at 7:00 PM. Meeting topics will include WASHFest 2012 wrap-up, Dayon, Field Day and the continuation & testing of the kit building ongoing project. Talk-in on the 146.955(-) N3SH/R and 443.650(+) N3FB/R Repeaters (131.8 PL). All members, guests and interested parties invited! — 73. Carol Danko KB3GMN President, Wireless Association of South Hills N3SH / WA3SH / NP2SH Inside this issue: “Seen” Pictures 2 WASH Club News 3 Meeting Minutes 4 WASH Club Agenda 5 WASHFest 2012 Photos 6 Windows 8 Preview 11 DX News & Notes 12 WASH Classified Ads 13 W I R E L E S S AS S O C I AT I O N O F S O U T H H I L L S Page 2 “ Seen ” at the WASH February Meeting Special thanks to Fred McMullen KD8GRJ from the Pittsburgh National Weather Service office in Coraopolis for his presentation on SKYWarn Photos courtesy of and ©Copyright 2012 Ron Notarius W3WN WA S H 2 0 1 2 O F F I C E R S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: President VP / Secretary VP / Treasurer “The WASHRag™” (formerly “The Mariner ™”) is the Official Newsletter of the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. (WASH) Published Monthly with occasional Special Editions as warranted. Carol Danko KB3GMN Glen Roberts KE7FD Mark Stabryla N3RDV AND WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT: N3SH / WA3SH Trustee Steve Lane W3SRL NP2SH Trustee Paul Jordan NP2JF N3SH / WA3SH / NP2SH QSL Manager Ed Oelschlager N3ZNI NP2SH 2009 QSL Manager Carl Schroeder K9CS VE Team Liaison Ed Oelschlager N3ZNI Webmaster Randy George N3ZK Asst. Webmaster Glen Roberts KE7FD Quartermaster Harold Rosenberger K3HCR WASH FM Net Manager Kevin Smith N3HKQ WASHFest 2012 Committee Kevin Smith N3HKQ, Chairman Carol Danko KB3GMN, Co-Chair Activities & Operating Events Bob Timmins AB3ED Ways & Means Carol Danko KB3GMN Field Day 2012 Coordinators Larry Comden K3VX Rick Bell KB3IAC CLUB-AFFILIATED REPEATERS, BEACONS, & DIGIPEATERS: Mt. Lebanon Mt. Lebanon Canonsburg St. Johns, VI Canonsburg N3SH / R W3SRL / R N3FB / R NP2SH / B N3SH 146.955 MHz (–) 442.550 MHz (+) 443.650 MHz (+) 28.276 MHz 144.390 MHz THE LEGAL STUFF PL 131.8 PL 131.8 PL 131.8 This issue is © Copyright 2012 by the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. Editor & Publisher: Ron Notarius W3WN Permission is granted to other Amateur Radio publications to reprint articles in this issue, provided the original author and “The WASHRag™” are given credit. Comments, articles, and requests for copies of or information about “The WASHRag™” should be mailed to the editor: e-mail: Ron Notarius W3WN 3395 Rosewood Drive Castle Shannon, PA 15234-2546 newsletter at n3sh dot org or w3wn at arrl dot net “The WASHRag”, “The Mariner”, SHARCfest, South Hills Hamfest, WASHfest, WASHfest 2012, N3SH Net, WA3SH Net and WASHNet are TM trademarks of the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. The WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. was founded on August 23rd, 1993, as the original SOUTH HILLS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, and operated under that name through 1998. WASH was also known briefly in late 1998 as the N3SH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB. It is not in any way affiliated with the “South Hills Amateur Radio Club, Inc.” and is not responsible for that group, it’s members, or it’s actions in any way, shape, or form. Propagation Beacon APRS Digipeater N3SH / WA3SH WASHNet, the weekly on-air net of WASH, meets every Sunday Night, 9:00 PM ET, on the 146.955 & 443.650 repeaters. All radio amateurs, WASH members or not, are welcome to join in! As always, special thanks to the owners of both the N3SH-W3SRL Repeater System and the N3FB/R Repeater System for permitting the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. and it’s members to use their repeaters for club purposes. VOLUME 14 Page 3 ISSUE 03 WASH Amateur Radio Club News Briefs Next WASH VE Test April 25 th th The Next WASH VE exam sessions will be Wednesday, April 25 , 2012, 6:30 PM, at the North Strabane Township Building, 1929 Route 519, Canonsburg, PA. Talk-in on the 146.955 MHz and 443.650 MHz repeaters. All examiners are ARRL VEC affiliated. Walk-ins are always welcome, but if you plan on attending the test session, please contact VE Team Liason Ed Oelschlager N3ZNI: Telephone (724) 746-9235 or E-Mail: [email protected] Please bring the following to your test session: Picture ID or other suitable identification (2 forms of ID required) Pen / Pencil / Calculator Original FCC license plus a copy of license (if upgrading) Original CSCE plus a copy of CSCE (if upgrading) Check or Cash in the amount of $15.00 (payable to: ARRL VEC) Future test dates: (tentative) The ARRL UHF/ Microwave Band Plan Committee has put together a draft band plan for the 9 cm band. They are soliciting further comments from the Amateur community. Please view the bandplan at http:// www.arrl.org/ files/media/ News/9_cm_B and_PlanDraft.pdf, and then email your comments to [email protected] Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 Wednesday, January 24th, 2013 Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 Saturday, February 25th found a lot of anxious hams watching the weather forecast with WASHFest 2012 the next day. Of course, the weather forecasters had us concerned. Regardless, it was time for the monthly gather of the WASH Breakfast Gang at The Beach House in Finleyville, to be followed by table setup at the hall. This month’s crew included WB4GCS, KC4WTT, KB3DCO, W9UK, N3BPB, K3HCR, N3FB, KB3GMU, K3SGT, N3IDH, N3HKQ & Peg, and W3WN. Hot coffee, eggs, toast, and so forth was accompanied by talk of culling deer, Jack’s Back!, helicopters, medical airlift costs, firing a cardiologist, Larry & Bill back from Barbados (1700 QSOs and “an interesting trip” — story will be in next month’s newsletter, this issue is too big as it is!), an inverted “L” antenna on 160, remote control stations with an IC-706, SGC tuners, Ten Tec 2591 woes, “Prevention Magazine,” diabetic cookbooks, the ARRL DX Contests, PT, dry cat food, turkey ham, turkey bacon, and taking responsibility… and a whole lot more, as usual. March will be bringing us our first spring breakfast, with warmer weather awaiting us, and planning for growing new antennas. So why not join the group for a great start to the season? Saturday, March 24th at The Beach House, Library Road, Finleyville, just south of Trax Farm. See you there! Congratulations to all of our prize winners from this year’s WASHFest. We have a complete listing of winners on Page 14. Pizza Party Moved to April: Traditionally, we’ve had our post-hamfest Pizza Party at the March meeting. Carol KB3GMN has moved it to the April meeting for this year only. Why? Simply because she and Rich N3SBF will be out of town the night of the March meeting this year; with all the hard work she puts in to the hamfest every year, she’d simply like to enjoy the celebration (and the pizza) with us! WASHNet 2012 NCS Schedule 01/01/2012 Dave N3DFK 01/08/2012 Glen KE7FD 07/08/2012 Carol KB3GMN 07/15/2012 Bob AB3ED 01/15/2012 Harold K3HCR 07/22/2012 Kevin N3HKQ 01/22/2012 Carol KB3GMN 07/29/2012 Dave N3IDH 01/29/2012 Bob AB3ED 08/05/2012 Sean N3NWR 02/05/2012 Kevin N3HKQ 08/12/2012 Dave N3DFK 02/12/2012 Dave N3IDH 08/19/2012 Glen KE7FD 02/19/2012 Sean N3NWR 08/26/2012 Harold K3HCR 02/26/2012 Dave N3DFK 09/02/2012 Carol KB3GMN 03/04/2012 Glen KE7FD 09/09/2012 Bob AB3ED Those of you who expressed interesting KB3DCO’s portable 2 meter Yagi project, don’t forget that Fred expects to have the parts for everyone at the March meeting. If you’ve committed to one of the antennas and won’t be able to make it, please contact Fred. On the same note, NB3C has reminded everyone heading out to Dayton Hamvention 2012 as part of his group that he needs to have the money for the U of Dayton in the next few days. If you haven’t heard from him, please contact him now so that you’re not left out. Looking ahead, the Breezeshooters Hamfest will be here before you know it. Yes, we will have a club picnic as usual. More details will be upcoming in the next few issues. Next month’s newsletter will have an article from Bill W3WH, with pictures from Larry K3VX, about their recent trip to Barbados. With this issue full of pictures of WASHFest, there just wasn’t any room! 03/11/2012 Harold K3HCR 09/16/2012 Kevin N3HKQ 03/18/2012 Carol KB3GMN 09/23/2012 Dave N3IDH 03/25/2012 Bob AB3ED 09/30/2012 Sean N3NWR 04/01/2012 Kevin N3HKQ 10/07/2012 Dave N3DFK 04/08/2012 Dave N3IDH 10/14/2012 Glen KE7FD 04/15/2012 Sean N3NWR 10/21/2012 Harold K3HCR 04/22/2012 Dave N3DFK 10/28/2012 Carol KB3GMN 04/29/2012 Glen KE7FD 11/04/2012 Bob AB3ED 05/06/2012 Harold K3HCR 11/11/2012 Kevin N3HKQ 05/13/2012 Carol KB3GMN 11/18/2012 Dave N3IDH 05/20/2012 Bob AB3ED 11/25/2012 Sean N3NWR 05/27/2012 Kevin N3HKQ 12/02/2012 Dave N3DFK 06/03/2012 Dave N3IDH 12/09/2012 Glen KE7FD 06/10/2012 Sean N3NWR 12/16/2012 Harold K3HCR 06/17/2012 Dave N3DFK 12/23/2012 Carol KB3GMN 06/24/2012 Glen KE7FD 12/30/2012 Bob AB3ED 07/01/2012 Harold K3HCR 01/06/2013 Kevin N3HKQ Join WASH or Renew your Membership for 2012 Today ! Membership Application on Page 13! WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS Page 4 Minutes, February 9 th Meeting Glen Roberts KE7FD, Vice President/Secretary, WASH Carol KB3GMN called the meeting to order at 19:08 hours. There were 24 members and guests in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all, followed by introductions. A moment of silence was observed for recent silent keys and other deserving persons. Fred McMullen KD8GRJ from the National Weather Service office in Coraopolis gave the group a brief presentation on SKYWarn. This was followed by a presentation on a portable 2 meter Yagi by Fred KB3DCO. A motion was made by Kevin N3HKQ to waive reading of the January minutes as published in the newsletter. Seconded by Bill W3WH and carried unanimously. Committee reports: Treasurer (N3RDV): A balance on the bank account was read & accepted. Secretary (KE7FD): No report. VE Report (N3ZEL): Next VE session to be held on April 25th at the North Strabane Municipal Building. Repeaters (N3FB): Repeating. Net Report (N3HKQ): Frank N3FB has asked to be relieved of duty as an NCS due to schedule constraints. Kevin will continue to encourage a monthly simplex net. Contests (K3VX): ARRL International DX CW Contest February 18th & 19th. Look for W3WH, K3VX & K9CS from Barbados during the contest, and they will be available via Skype. ♦ ARRL International DX CW Contest March 3rd & 4th. ♦ The Field Day site in South Park for this year is secured. Public Service (N3IDH): No report, however, WACOM will be staring an Extra class every Tuesday starting March 6th. ♦ WASHFest 2012 (KB3GMN/N3HKQ): ♦ As of the meeting, 65 out of 71 tables sold. Table setup will take place on Saturday morning about 9:30 after the monthly club breakfast at the Beach House. ♦ Someone needs to volunteer to be the Coffee Person to keep the java flowing during WASHFest. Ways and Means (KB3GMN): 50/50 tonight. ♦ WASH Spotlight: KB3??? We had three people inquiry about taking a VE exam at WASHFest. Some fast action from VE Team Liasion Ed N3ZNI let us pull it off. One candidate came, and soon Clark Hilterman shall be QRV from Indiana, PA as a newly licensed Technician. Here’s Clark with Ed N3ZNI proudly displaying his CSCE. Thanks to VE’s N3ZNI, N3UE and W3WN for taking time out from the hamfest to give the examination. And congratulations Clark! We look forward to hearing you on the air very soon! Photo courtesy of and © Copyright 2012 Ron Notarius W3WN Every month we’re going to feature a WASH club member, something about them, something they’re involved in or a club-related activity that we’re involved in, in the WASH Spotlight. Submissions for the Spotlight should be sent to Ron W3WN at newsletter at n3sh dot org Monthly WASH Breakfast Please join us for the next WASH Breakfast! We usually get together on the LAST Saturday of every month for a chance to informally sit down, shoot the breeze, compare notes, drink lots of coffee, and just have a good time! Join us this month at The Beach House, on Route 88 in Fiinleyville, just south of Trax Farms and adjacent to Mineral Beach.Start time is about 8 AM until ???? Monitor 146.955 & 443.650 for talk-in or any last minute changes. All are welcome, WASH members or not, amateurs or not! Newsletter (W3WN): Published. President’s Report (KB3GMN): ♦ ♦ ♦ Carol & Richie will be in Florida in March, visiting with Ted W4ZE The club web site needs content, Please send to Randy! Bob AB3ED will be taking pictures at WASHFest for the web site. Old Business: None. New Business: Short discussion on the club ICOM-738: Should it be sold? General consensus that the rig should be sold while it still has value. If it is not purchased by a club member, it will be put on the club table at WASHFest Good of the order: Randy N3ZK is biking once again for the upcoming MS bike event, and needs support. Contact [email protected] Motion to Adjourn by Bill W3WH, second by Kevin N3HKQ and carried. Meeting adjourned at 19:25 hours. Wireless Association of South Hills Membership AB3ED AB3EN AB3KA AC4KU AE3DL K3HCR K3SGT K3VX KA3TWI KB3DCO KB3ERQ KB3GMN KB3GMP KB3GMU KB3IAC KB3IVX KB3MHM KB3SPD KB3SPE KB3SRC KB3WRO KC4WTT KE7FD KJ3D N2QIV N3AWF N3DFK N3FB N3FPF N3HKQ N3IDH N3KFD N3NWR N3OVO N3RHT N3SBF N3UE N3ZK W3RWS W3VFA W3WH W3WN WA4ONC WB4GCS WASH FL KA3UPY/M W4ZE WASH GA K3OL KB3IJX WASH NE NØPEU WASH OH N8DPW WASH SC N3RNX WASH TN KE3XB N3YPB WASH TX K3LGM Jane Wagner WASH VI NP2JF Silent Keys K3EED (George) KA3NMG KB3ENX KB3FNM KB3FQT N3FZ N3KEH N3OBD N3SKR N3SRC N3ZEL N3XFE W3ZLK WA3JPP Through February 29 TH, 2012 List complied by Mark Stabryla N3RDV, Vice President/Treasurer 2012 WASH Upcoming Events Calendar Meeting Topics & Other Significant Club Events — Subject to Change March 3rd — 4th ARRL DX Contest SSB http://www.arrl.org March 8th WASH Meeting @ Crossroad Ministries Church March 17th Breezeshooter’s Groundwave SSB http://www.breezeshooters.net March 24th — 25th CQ Worldwide Prefix Contest SSB http://www.cqwpx.com/ April 12th WASH Meeting & Pizza Party @ Crossroad Ministries Church April 22nd Tri-State Radio Fest Center Stage Banquet Hall, Monaca April 25th WASH VEC Exams @ North Strabane Twp Municipal Bldg April 29th 2 Rivers ARC Hamfest http://www.trarc.net/home May 10th WASH Meeting @ Crossroad Ministries Church May 18th—20th Dayton Hamvention HARA Arena, Dayton, OH May 26th—27th Worldwide Prefix Contest SSB http://www.cqwpx.com/ June 3rd Breezeshooters Hamfest Roe Airport, Butler PA June 14th WASH Meeting @ Crossroad Ministries Church June 23rd—24th ARRL Field Day http://www.arrl.org July 7th North Hills ARC Hamfest Hampton Township, PA September 9th BCARA Butler SwapFest Unionville Fire Department, Butler PA October 13th & 14th Pennsylvania QSO Party http://www.nittany-arc.net/PAQSO.html 15th Page 6 WASHFest Photos WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS All Photos This Page Courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Bob Timmons AB3ED VOLUME 14 ISSUE 03 WASHFest Photos Page 7 All Photos This Page Courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Sean Sleeman N3NWR Page 8 WASHFest Photos WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS All Photos This Page Courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Kevin F. De Rose N3KFD VOLUME 14 Page 9 ISSUE 03 WASHFest Photos All Photos This Page Courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Ron Notarius W3WN A small sampling of some of the goodies you could have had... Why is Carol so happy? See Page 14 Page 10 WASHFest Photos WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS All Photos This Page Courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Ron Notarius W3WN VOLUME 14 Page 11 ISSUE 03 Windows 8 Preview Greg Babin NB3C Well, the Windows 8 ‘Beta’ (aka ‘Consumer Preview’) hit the streets on February 29th. I had some room on my laptop I use at work, so I decided to download it and install. Here’s what I found: First off: The ‘START’ button we all know and love and depend is GONE! Now when the machine boots up, you’ll see a start ‘page’ instead. On this page you’ll see a whole bunch’a squares that you can click (or tap with your finger if your monitor is a touch monitor, as Win 8 will support touch monitors). Clicking on these can either take you to your programs, or on-line to the Windows App Store, Weather info, Financial News, etc. If you click on a blank portion of the start page, at the bottom will be a pop-up button, that you can click to take you to all of your installed programs. When you click/tap on the ‘Desktop’ tile on the start page, things will start looking more familiar, as this will take you to your main screen that you’re used to looking at. HINT: Drag your mouse to each corner of your screen and left– or right-click, and a menu or window of another program running will display. Clicking on that will open the program running in the background. - COMPATIBILITY I have installed quite a few programs, a significant number of which are Amateur Radio programs. I have not run into any compatibility problems at all. I even installed MS Office 2003, which I no longer use, and no issues there either. Here’s a list of what I am running: Radio Amateur Callbook, Buckmaster HamCall, ProLog V7, DXTreme V8 (both logging programs), DXAtlas, GeoClock, Ham Radio Deluxe, Adobe Reader 10, & MS Office 2003. Also, all of the drivers for my laptop designed for Windows 7 work fine in Windows 8. - SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Rumor has it that XBox games will run in Windows 8. Now, while I can neither confirm nor deny that, I can tell you that Windows 8 Consumer Preview has an XBox game included with it: “The Sorcerer’s Lair”. The graphics are absolutely fantastic. Also, I’ve never seen a machine boot up as fast as it does in Win 8. FAST! Also, the way you shut-down the machine has changed. Drag your mouse to the bottom right of your screen, and a menu will pop-up on the right. To shut down, click the ‘Settings’ icon. From there you can shut down the computer. I tell you this because the first time I shut down my laptop, I couldn’t figure it out! I had to unplug it! In addition, Win 8 CP ships with a reader program that’ll read all your Acrobat documents. - SO WHAT IS MY OPINION? The more I play with it, the more I like it. In my opinion, WINDOWS 8 IS AS DIFFERENT FROM WINDOWS VISTA/7 AS WINDOWS 95 WAS DIFFERENT FROM WINDOWS 3.1. Yeah, it’s got that much change added to it. There’s a whole lot more that I simply don’t have the room to go into here. I CAN recommend to you that you download and play with it. If you’re interested, you can download it here: < windows.microsoft.com >. I believe that the Consumer Preview will de-activate itself around January 13th, 2013. After that date, I don’t think it’ll run on your machine anymore. BTW: My laptop is running an Intel Core i7 processor, with 8 GB of RAM, and a separate 500 GB HDD, dedicated to Windows 8. My other drive inside runs only Windows 7. I think you’ll like what you see. 73 de NB3C (Windows 8, and the Windows logo are trademarks of and ©copyright 2011-2012, the Microsoft Corporation.) WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS Page 12 PYØS QRT Tereina DX Group Forbidden DXpedition to PYØS The Amateur Radio DXpedition are prohibited from the archipelago of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (PYØS), the archipelago consists of a set of rocky islands located in the northern hemisphere, on the Mid Atlantic ridge (00 ° 55.01 'N and 029 º 20.76 'W, about 1100 km from the city of Natal - RN and 520 km from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha - EP). It is the nearest point of Brazil of Africa, lying about 1820 km from Guinea Bissau. This is a remote group of islands near the equator, which occupies an area emerged about 17,000 m2, whose maximum elevation is 18 m above sea level. DX News Briefs W8GEX & K9CT have announced a new DXpedition to Swains Island, planned for 4 - 18 September 2012, as NH8S. The team of 20 operators will be QRV for 2 weeks, 160 - 6 meters, all modes. They will put extra emphasis on working Europe. They will not have internet access, but plan daily log uploads. More information will be available at www.nh8s.org. QSL route to be announced, and they will have an OQSL link. — W8GEX NL8F will be QRV from Easter Island as CEØY/NL8F before, during & after the CQ WPX SSB contest. QSL via NL8F — NL8F The Aqruipélago of St. Peter and St. Paul is in 16th place in 2011 DXCC list of most wanted entities. OH4MDY will be QRV as XV2RZ in SE Vietnam 14 Mar - 16 Apr, CW & SSB, 6 - 80 M. QSL via OH4MDY — OH4MDY The prohibition that is published on the website of SERCIM — Secretariat of the Interministerial Commission for Sea Resources that coordinates and controls the PROGRAM ARCHIPELAGO OF ST PETER AND ST PAUL — came as a surprise to the Amateur Radio Service. SECIRM participate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Education (MEC), Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Ministry of Environment (MMA), Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) and the Navy of Brazil. I2YSB will be leading a team to Mali and will be QRV as TZ5T starting 12 April 2012. More information at their web site, http://www.i2ysb.com/ joomla5/ . QSL via I2YSB — I2YSB The Federal LABRE DX and some groups in Brazil have shown a true outrage on Social Networks on the Internet. There is already a great mobilization on the part of Amateur Radio with the Brazilian Federal Senators and Representatives to try to reverse the decision to ban DXpedition to PY0S. The biggest concern among hams is that this decision could open a precedent for restrictions on other entities in Brazil as in other parts of the world. The Teresina DX Group adds to this mobilization and disclaims any decision by government agencies that may restrict or hinder the development of Amateur Radio in our country. (Translation from Portuguese Courtesy of Google Translate) Note: Ron Lago AC7DX obtained this statement from the SECIRM web site: Amateur Radio expeditions to St Peter and St Paul Archipielago are not allowed because they do not conform to the continuing program of maintenance, conservation, management and the utilization of natural resources of the archipelago. According to the Finnish Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the Saimaa Canal Treaty between Finland and Russia has been finalized by relevant Finnish and Russian authorities through ratification. The Treaty has entered into effect with a date of February 17, 2012. Malyj Vysotskij Island (MVI), R1M, is no longer included in the Treaty. Thus, MVI will be deleted from the DXCC list as of February 17, 2012, and added to the Deleted Entities List. Administratively at HQ, we will not make the necessary changes to the DXCC system until after the final data processing for 2011 is complete -- this includes the tables shown in Logbook of The World. DXCC members will see their current entity totals drop by one on their Mixed awards, and on the bands and modes where MVI credit is given. They will also see their DXCC Challenge totals drop commensurately. — courtesy of the American Radio Relay League After a wait of more than seven months after being accepted as a member of the United Nations, the Republic of South Sudan received its prefix block from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU): Z8. On July 14th, 2011 — after South Sudan’s admittance to the UN — the new country became a DXCC entity by way of Section II, 1(a) of the DXCC rules. — The Daily DX courtesy of the American Radio Relay League 8R1PY will be QRV from Guyana 5 - 8 April, CW & SSB, 10 - 80 M. QSL via PY2WAS — PY2WAS Senegal has authorized Amateur use of 6 meters (50 - 51 MHz). The Salay ARC Station has been granted the special call of 6V7SIX , which for now is the only station authorized on 6 meters in Senegal. — DX World Meanwhile, look for 6V7Z operated by RA9FW & UA9CDC, 16 - 28 March including the CQ WPX Contest. QSK via RA9FW — RA9FW Look for DL6AKVA as 4KØCW 15 - 20 March, CW only, from the QTH of 4K9W in Azerbaijan. QSL via DL6KVA — DL6KVA T6JP is OZ2JBC, 80 - 10 meters but primarily 20 - 10 M RTTY, PSK & SSB. More info at http://oz2jbc.dk/page3.html QSL via 5Q2J — OZ2JBC April activity from the South Cook Islands include VK4WR as E51BKM and VK4FI as E51GMH, 40 - 6 meters, 8 - 27 April. QSL both via their home calls — DX World St Paul Island will be QRV as CY9M 26 July - 1 August by a team of 10 operators. QSL via OQRS or direct via MØURX . More info at http:// www.cy9m.com/ — CY9M, DX Coffee Ghana is now QRV from 9G1AA courtesy of PA3DEW & PA3FQX, thorough 20 March, primarily 15 & 20 SSB. QSL via PA3ERA — DX World CO8LY reports his new email address is [email protected] — CO8LY Veteran QSL Manager Hutch NKØS reports that he is currently in the process of converting the paper logs for the 1983 KP2A/KP1 Desecheo Island DXPedition to digital form so that they can be uploaded to Logbook of the World — NKØS QSL Routes 3D2R via YT1AD — LU2DKN 4O3A via AI4U — N5UR 5R8UI via IZ8CCW — W2IRT 6W7SK via F6BLP — 6W7SK 7Z7AA vua 7Z1CQ — HA9PP 8P9MS via DL9MS — W4DN 9J1QQV via JO7QQV — WA3FRP 9N2MRS via PAØRRS — W3AWU A31A via IK1PMR — N8DX BVØEXPO via BM2JCC — N8DX C5ØA via OM2FY — JA1HGY CE4A via VE3LYC — W3AWU COØOM via CO3JY — K8SIX E44PM via HB9IQB — JA1HGY E51MAN via N7OU — JA1HGY E51NOU via N7OU — JA1HGY EA8AY,EE8X, EF8USA, EF8X via W2GR — W2GR EI8JX via DF4ZY — DF4ZY H4ØKJ via SP7DQR — JA1HGY HD2M via SM6FKF — W4DN HZ1EX via SMØBYD — W4DN JT1RF via VE7YBH — PY2YP KP1/KP2A via WB2MSH — PY2YP KP2B via NQ2A — LU2DKN KP4MS via W4DN — HA9PP P29FR via I2RFJ — LU2DKN TI5W via N3YIM — KA2AEV TU2T via I2YSB — W4DN TX3T via RZ3EZ — W4DN TX7M via RZ3EZ — W4DN V63T via JA7GYP — LU2DKN VK9NN via IK1PMR — N8DX VKØTH via JE1LET — PY2YP VP2EMR via IK1PMR — N8DX XF1C via XE2HUQ — XF1C XU7UJR via JA3UJR — PY2YP ZC4MIS via KF6RCP — LU2DKN ZK2A via IK1PMR — N8DX ZL8X via DJ2MX — W4DN Thanks to the NJDXA DX News & DX Chat Reflectors, the DX-QSL Reflector, 425 DX News, OPDX News, Diamond DX Club News, ICPO Bulletin, & ARRL DX Bulletin for our DX News information. Thanks also to Bill Moore NC1L / ARRL DXCC Desk, & Bernie McClenny W3UR /The Daily DX for confirmations & additional information. VOLUME 14 Page 13 ISSUE 03 WASH Classifieds Information shown here is as supplied to the WASHRag. Condition as stated, and all sales should be considered “as-is” unless otherwise noted. All subject to prior sale or withdrawal from sale at the owner’s discretion. All responsibility for this information lies with the source and not the WASHRag or the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. HAM RADIO INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. P.O. Box 201 Canonsburg, PA 15317-0201 Toll-Free 1-800-545-8881 Fax: (412) 746-5944 [email protected] “All-Risk” Amateur Radio Equipment Insurance Plan for: Radio Equipment Computer Equipment Antennas Rotors & Towers Computer Media & Software Cellular Telephones Mechanical Breakdown & Electrical Damage Coverage Antenna Zoning or PRB-1 Issues? Contact: Michael S. Lazaroff K3AIR, Esquire Murrin, Taylor, Flach, Gallagher & May 110 East Diamond Street, Butler PA 16001 Phone: 724-282-3141 [email protected] Custom Decals, Signs, Plaques and Woodworking from Randy George N3ZK More information at his web site, Randy George Woodworking http:// www.randygeorgewoodworking.com/ See his eBay store for special deals at http:// stores.shop.ebay.com/Randy-George-CustomSigns__W0QQ_armrsZ1 Solderer’s Wanted: Aerotek, “the largest staffing company in North America, is looking for experienced,” is looking for Skilled Solderer’s for a firm in Harmarville and possibly other firms as well, for their Electronic Assembly positions. Aerotek is also seeking individuals interested in any type of work in the manufacturing or production field. If you are interested in pursuing one of these positions, or interested in other positions available, please contact: Matthew Lord, Commercial Recruiter Aerotek Inc. 4 Penn Center West Suite 200 Pittsburgh PA 15276 (412) 489-9829 (phone) (412) 489-9860 (fax) [email protected] Feel free to mention the WASHRag when you call him! FCC News ARRL Web Extra courtesy of the American Radio Relay League Newington, CT, March 5 th, 2012 — Effective today, US amateurs have new privileges on the 60 meter band. In addition to an increase in effective radiated power from 50 to 100 W, hams can now transmit CW and PSK31 on the following channel-center frequencies: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Channel 1: 5332.0 kHz Channel 2: 5348.0 kHz Channel 3: 5358.5 kHz Channel 4: 5373.0 kHz Channel 5: 5405.0 kHz Amateurs can also transmit Upper Sideband voice and PACTOR III on the following suppressed carrier frequencies (the frequencies typically shown on transceiver displays): ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Channel 1: 5330.5 kHz Channel 2: 5346.5 kHz Channel 3: 5357.0 kHz Channel 4: 5371.5 kHz Channel 5: 5403.5 kHz For more information, download 60 Meter Operations – New Privileges and Recommended Practices. Also, a revised ARRL band chart is available for download. Watch for the article “New Privileges on 60 Meters” by ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson N1ND in the April issue of QST magazine. In November 2011, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) in the amount of $10,000 to Michael Perry of Cross City, Florida. In a Forfeiture Order released on March 6th, the FCC reduced the forfeiture that Perry must pay to $450. Perry was accused of operating a radio transmitter without the requisite FCC authorization and his failure to operate a Citizens Band station, “willfully violat [ing]” Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended and Sections 95.409 (by operating an unlicensed and non-certificated CB transmitter) and 95.411 (by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter with two amplifiers) of the FCC’s rules. On November 1, 2011, the Enforcement Bureau’s Tampa Office issued the NAL to Perry “for operation of a radio transmitter without the requisite authorization,” the Forfeiture Order stated. “Agents from the Tampa Office determined that Mr. Perry operated a non-certified CB transmitter and two linear amplifiers on CB channel 28 (on frequency 27.2850 MHz) on March 31, 2011. In view of the record evidence, the NAL proposed a $10,000 forfeiture against Mr Perry for violation of Section 301 of the Act and Sections 95.409 and 95.411 of the Rules. Mr Perry submitted a response to the NAL, denying that he operated the non-certified CB transmitter and amplifiers, and requesting cancellation or reduction of the forfeiture based on his inability to pay.” According to the Forfeiture Order, the FCC based the reduction in accordance with Section 503(b) of the Communications Act, Section 1.80 of the Rules and the Forfeiture Policy Statement: “In examining Mr Perry’s response, Section 503 (b) of the Communications Act requires that the Commission take into account the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require. After full consideration of Mr Perry’s response in light of these statutory factors, we affirm our findings in the NAL that Mr Perry violated Section 301 of the Communications Act and Sections 95.409 and 95.411 of the Rules, but reduce the $10,000 forfeiture proposed to $450, based solely on his documented inability to pay.” Perry has until April 5 to pay the $450 fine. Has Roadway found the tower yet? WASH Fest 2012 Main Prize Winners 1 2 3 4 Yaesu FT-450D Yaesu FT-7900R Visio 32" HDTV Astron RS-35M 50 / 50 Black Box # 1 (Red) Black Box # 2 (Black) Rich Danko Al Sauder Keith Jones Dan Anastis Rick Lococo Ben Blobnor Randy Ide N3SBF NB3Z KB3IOK N8DZM W3DVE 1 2 N2QIV WASH Fest 2012 Door Prize Winners 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 All door prizes include a Giant Eagle reusable shoping bag, Yaesu or ICOM hat, catalog, and pen Volt tester, DVD Kevin F. Derose N3KFD Volt tester, DVD Jim Burtof KC3HW Volt tester, DVD Richard N3ZEI MFJ Clock, DVD Charles Martin W3LUS Dipole Insulator Karl Pastorak WA3VXJ MFJ Antenna Book, DVD Ralph Bliss KB3LBB MFJ Clock, DVD Ed Meyer $25 DX Engineering Gift Certificate Dennis Havaran KA3KEV Dipole Insulator Sean Sleeman N3NWR $25 DX Engineering Gift Certificate Dan Koller KA3UTS Dipole Insulator Scott A. Williams WA3JFM Voltmeter, Flashlight Chuck Davis N3UUZ Wire Strippers, Flashlight Karl Frankenstein WE3Y $50 ARRL Gift Certificate George Shuly ? N3UWP ? Voltmeter, Flashlight Richard Sperling WB3JLK Scissors, DVD Eric Fowler KB3WVJ $25 ARRL Gift Certificate Frank Lotito K3DZ $25 ARRL Gift Certificate Ed Wolf N3UE Voltmeter, Flashlight Harold Rosenberger K3HCR Scissors, DVD Kevin Cutright N8GGU ‘FEST FOOD 3 4 Black Box 3rd Prize Winner photo Prize Winner courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Kevin Smith N3HKQ. All other Prize Winner and other photos this page courtesy of & ©Copyright 2012 Ron Notarius W3WN Door Prize WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. Membership Application/Renewal for 2012 I would like to join WASH!. I am interested in the following type of membership: (check quarter (check one ) ) New Membership Membership Renewal 1st Qtr Jan-Mar 2nd Qtr Apr-Jun 3rd Qtr Jul-Sept 4th Qtr Oct-Dec (F1) Full Membership: $20.00 $15.00 $10.00 $5.00 (F2) Full Membership < 18 or > 65 yrs of age: $10.00 $7.50 $5.00 $2.50 (A1) Associate Membership: $10.00 $7.50 $5.00 $2.50 (FM1) Family Membership ($3.00 x No. of household family members): $ Name(s): Name: Call Sign: Address: License Class: City, State: Expires On: Home Phone: Work Phone: Email Address: Birthday: New Members Only: I do NOT want to be added to the Club E-Mail Reflector I do NOT want to be added to the Electronic Newsletter Mailing List ARRL Member? Yes No Family ARRL Member? Yes No Date: [If you have an Email address, you Will be added to both lists UNLESS you choose to Opt-Out] Amount Enclosed: $ Signature: Please make your check or money order payable to the club treasurer, Mark Stabryla. The Wireless Association of South Hills, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject new memberships or renewals. Please return completed membership form along with check/money order to the club treasurer or mail to: WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. c/o Mark Stabryla N3RDV, VP/Treasurer 1120 McKnight Drive Bethel Park, PA 15102-2456 Join the American Radio Relay League or Renew Your Membership through the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. Members of the WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS can start a new membership or renew an existing membership in the American Radio Relay League, the National Organization of Radio Amateurs, through the club. Benefits for you: Joining and participating in everything the League has to offer, including a QST subscription. Benefits for the club: A few more shekels for our coffers. Just fill out the form below, include a check or money order made out to WASH/ARRL, and return all to the club treasurer or mail to: WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH HILLS, INC. c/o Mark Stabryla N3RDV, VP/Treasurer 1120 McKnight Drive Bethel Park, PA 15102-2456 Name: Call Sign: Address: Date of Birth: City, State, ZIP: Total Enclosed: $ Please Check the Appropriate One-Year Rate: Additional Family Members at the same address ($8 per family member) $39 in US Age 21 or younger, $20 in US (only if you are the oldest licensed amateur in your household) Name & Call Sign: Canada $49 Elsewhere $62 Name & Call Sign: Other (including Blind, Life, QST by First Class Postage — please contact ARRL for rate Dues subject to change without notice Name & Call Sign: Directions to Crossroads Ministries Church Take Library Road / State Route 88 to Walter Long Road (just past Mineral Beach & The Beach House), North of Finleyville. Turn onto Walter Long Road, follow it back to the church (which should be visible from the road). The WASHRag Wireless Association of South Hills, Inc. Ron Notarius W3WN, Editor 3395 Rosewood Drive Castle Shannon, PA 15234-2546 N3SH / WA3SH NP2SH/B www.n3sh.org www.washarc.org www.washrag.info