Watts News
Monthly Newsletter of the
Olympia Amateur Radio Society
P.O. Box 2861, Olympia, WA 98507
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President's
MessageI would like to thank everyone who donated time, equipment and resources to help make the Mike and Key Hamfest at Puyallup one of our most successful fund raisers in recent years. The club took in $583 from this effort. The majority of this is due to the generosity of Dick, WB9ZIP, who donated 50% of his proceeds to the club. This amounted to $430 of the total, so if you have the opportunity, please thank Dick for his generosity.
Owing to the success of this effort, we have secured a benefactor who will provide the club with two tables at SEA-PAC in Seaside, OR June 18-19, 2005. As with the Puyallup endeavor, we are looking not only for donations of equipment for the club to sell, but also making space available on the tables for members to sell their own equipment. The only request we have is that you donate some of your proceeds to the club.
We will also need members to donate some time to man the booth. Since no entry tickets are included with the tables, all members must purchase their own entry tickets. You can purchase them in advance for $8 or at the door for $10.
In addition to the Flea Market and Vendor exhibits, SEA-PAC has a full schedule of seminars beginning on Friday June 17, with one on antennas and also an Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Seminar presented by the ARRL's Dan Miller, K3UFG, ARECC Course Coordinator. More information on SEA-PAC, one of the largest Ham Radio gatherings in the Pacific Northwest, can be found on the web at: http://www.seapac.org I look forward to seeing you there.
While we are on the subject of June events, the weekend after SEA-PAC is ARRL Field Day, and OARS will again be in the very visible location on the Capitol Campus. As I mentioned in last month's column, Duane, WB7ROZ and I will co-chair the planning for this event.
At this time, we have confirmed the use of both the Intel and Thurston County Sheriff's communications vans which gives us two very nice operating positions, but we could use a 3rd vehicle if anyone would care to assist us with this effort. We are also looking for members who are willing to loan us equipment for the weekend.
Along this line, Fred, W7SIX, has committed to again provide us with a satellite station such as we had a couple of years ago. This should provide us with the opportunity to potentially make some space station contacts. Should be a lot of fun.
As in the past, we will be having a potluck on Saturday evening, June 25, beginning around 17:00 with food at about 18:00, weather permitting. This year we will have guests in the form of Thurston County Search and Rescue (SAR) members who wish to join us. This will give us the opportunity to introduce as many of them as possible to the joys of our hobby.
We will have a sign-up sheet at the next OARS meeting for not only equipment, but also for manning the various stations through the 24 hours.
See you at the meeting on April 27.
73 -- Ken K7TAG
For this month's OARS meeting, Jerry Julian has arranged for Dick Hinkle to give us a presentation on Solar Power. Dick, retired military, has been using solar power at home for four years now, and generates 40-50% of the electricity his household uses from solar energy.
-- Duane, WB7ROZ
As of 3/31/05
GENERAL FUND (checking account)
Previous balance $803.27
Income 693.24
Expenses 47.00
Ending balance 1,449.51
REPEATER / PACKET FUND (savings account)
Previous balance $982.36
Income 1.84
Expenses 0.00
Ending balance 984.20
-- Ed Fitzgerald, N7WW, Treasurer
"Old" is when:
-- from "Joke of the Day" via internet
Kid's Day -- Perfect Alternative to the Cell Phone, Internet or Video Game
The next Kid's Day is June 18.
Sure, it is always easier to lament that ham radio can't compete with everything that is going on in our children's lives; it is much harder to do something about it. So how do you compete? Try a little magic. The same "magic" that got you interested in ham radio is still magic; the only difference is that now it is your turn to be the magician.
On June 18, 2005, kids of all ages will experience the magic of ham radio. Kid's Day is one way that you can share the fun, excitement, and learning opportunities of ham radio. Many hams participate with their own children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. This event isn't just for relatives though. Consider inviting the people you work with and their children, or your neighbor's family. Inviting adults and youth may result in future ham radio operators.
So you're not a magician? Oh yes you are. Don't forget the power and fascination of CW. Kids love the code so let them send their names on that old code practice oscillator in your shack. How about copying a CW QSO and "magically" convert the dits and dahs into meaningful words? Let the kids make a name bracelet using different sized beads for the dits and dahs ... they know what it says, but their parents might not ... that's magic. Want to be the "mad scientist"? Try dropping a small magnet through a conductive (copper) pipe and watch what happens (it isn't what the kids intuitively expect). The "hey that's cool" just might be the hook you need to get other questions going. What ever you do, make your activities centered on the kids.
The same goes for actual station operations. The Kid's Day operating event is centered on kids, so if you want kids to have a great time (and be ready to come back for more) allow them to dictate the pace and duration of the event. Kid's Day should be fun for both of you. Do the kids appear to be losing interest while you tune around looking for a strong signal? Why not let them try their hand at tuning? If they are ready to leave, accept it. It is better to do 15 minutes of ham radio fun than to be forced into spending one hour at the ham radio transceiver when they want to be somewhere else. Besides, kids change their mind so often in a few minutes they may be sitting beside you again.
Since Kid's Day began in 1994, the comments from hams and kids haven't changed much:
Kid's Day Rules
Purpose: Kid's Day is intended to encourage young people (licensed or not) to enjoy Amateur Radio. It can give young people on-the-air experience so they might develop an interest in pursuing a license in the future. It is intended to give hams a chance to share their station with children.
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2005.
Time: 1800 to 2400 UTC. No limit on operating time.
Suggested exchange: Name, age, location and favorite color. You are encouraged to work the same station again if an operator has changed. Call CQ Kid's Day.
Suggested frequencies: 28,350 to 28,400 kHz, 21,380 to 21,400, 14,270 to 14,300 kHz and 2 meter repeater frequencies with permission from your area repeater sponsor. Observe third party traffic restrictions when making DX QSOs.
Awards: All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate (it becomes the child's personalized sales brochure on ham radio. Please visit www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kids-day-survey.html to complete a short survey and post your comments. You will then have access to download the certificate page or send a 9 x12 SASE to: Boring Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1357, Boring, OR 97009.
Kid's Day is truly a family affair, as dad and daughters demonstrate.
-- Ed, N7NVP
Eight-year-old Sally brought her report card home from school. Her marks were good -- mostly A's and a couple of B's.
However, her teacher had written across the bottom: "Sally is a smart little girl, but she has one fault. She talks too much in school. I have an idea I am going to try, which I think may break her of the habit."
Sally's dad signed her report card, putting a note on the back: "Please let me know if your idea works on Sally because I would like to try it out on her mother."
-- from David, ZL3AI, via packet
In the Fall of 2004 the Washington State Amber Plan was instituted with the coordination and cooperation of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Washington State Association of Broadcasters, Washington State Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Information Services.
Washington's Amber Alert system provides rapid dissemination of information not only between public safety agencies, but to the news media and community citizens who have signed up to receive alert information. Members of the Amateur Radio Service are invited to visit:
http://www.washingtonamberalert.com
and sign up to receive Amber Alerts at their pager, cell phone or e-mail address. The process is very simple and only takes a few minutes to sign up. If anyone has questions are would like additional information please contact Monte Simpson at Monte.Simpson@wsp.wa.gov or k2mls@arrl.net
-- Ed, N7NVP, W. Washington Section Manager
A friend, driving home from a fishing trip in northern Michigan with his boat in tow, had engine trouble a few miles inland from Lake Huron. He didn't have a CB radio in his car. So, he decided to use his marine radio to get help. Climbing into his boat, he broadcast his call letters and asked for assistance.
A Coast Guard officer responded, "Please give your location."
"I'm on Interstate 75, two miles south of Standish."
The officer paused, "Could you repeat that?"
"I-75, two miles south of Standish."
After a longer pause, an incredulous voice asked, "How fast were you going when you hit shore?"
-- from W1GMF, via packet
-- from W1GMF via packet
The following stations checked in on the OARS General Information Net one or more times in the month of March, 2005:
| AA7AY | AA7YD | AB7PS | K7GUH |
| K7TAG | K7VRE | KA4VVA | KB6LE |
| KB7DFL | KB7GEG | KC7CKO | KC7FEE |
| KC7LA | KD6ZBS | KD7AED | KD7RAT |
| KD7TQW | KD7UJH | KD7UST | KD7YXY |
| KE7BBX | KE7CFA | KE7CQI | KG6JJI |
| KI7SS | N7AE | N7EAY | N7IVM |
| N7JHJ | N7RET | N7SSD | N7TPT |
| N7WW | NX6W | W7DOY | W7MRK |
| W7RLL | WB7ROZ | WB9RKN | WC7I |
Net control stations for the month were K7TAG, WB7ROZ, WC7I, and K7VRE. Thank you for your support!!
The net meets at 7:30 every Tuesday evening on the 3 linked OARS repeaters: 147.36, 224.46, and 441.40 MHz. All Hams are invited to check in.
The following pages list all paid up OARS members as of April 18, 2005 -- as recorded in the member data base. If you find any errors, omissions, or needed updates, please notify George, KB6LE. My phone is 866-2185; email address is kb6le@arrl.net .
Name Call Address City ST ZIP Phone
Alan Allen N7EAY 1968 Thurston Ave NE Olympia WA 98506 360-709-9155
Larry Alvar KD7TQW 3412 Beth Ct NE Lacey WA 98516-9248 360-413-7539
Jack Barber W1PRT 4316 Chambers Lake Dr. SE Lacey WA 98503 360-438-5921
Ruth Barber K1IIF 4316 Chambers Lake Dr. SE Lacey WA 98503 360-438-5921
Ben Bennett N7IVM 1212 Tabitha Ct NW Olympia WA 98502 360-705-8533
Jon Bennett W7LWB 7132 Hawks Prairie Rd NE Lacey WA 98516 360-459-0697
Duane Braford WB7ROZ 204 Shadow Ln NE Olympia WA 98506 360-412-1902
Tiffany Braford KD7KHE 204 Shadow Ln NE Olympia WA 98506 360-412-1902
William Braford KD7SQT 2030 Cardinal Lane Lacey WA 98503 360-438-5777
Richard Bullard KD7RAT 2020 Mare Ct SE Olympia WA 98501 360-357-3249
Harold
Burchards KD7YOE 6029 55th Ct SE
Lacey WA 98513
360-413-0869
Sharon Campbell N7DHE 9101-24 Steilacoom Rd. Olympia WA 98513 360-491-6460
George Carle N7ARY 1809 Centerwood Dr SE Olympia WA 98501 360-943-3536
Chris Chambers KA7BNS 908 Narnia Lane NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0800
Kristopher Chambers KC7ZWN 908 Narnia Lane NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0800
Lee Chambers KI7SS 908 Narnia Lane NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0800
Marie Chambers KC7MNM 908 Narnia Lane NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0800
Morgan Chambers KC7VNY 908 Narnia Lane NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0800
Ray Chenhall AA7ET 9038 Waddell Creek Rd SW Olympia WA 98512 360-902-7378
Thomas Christian W7IOM 5825 Stellar Ln SE Olympia WA 98513 360-459-3060
Michael Clark KD7UST 1008 Prospect Ave NE Olympia WA 98506
Sarah Coats KD7WSH 2413 Woodfield Lp SE Olympia WA 98501 360-491-3749
Marc Cote KD7MHC 2105 Wedgewood Dr SE Olympia WA 98501 360-753-2276
Daniel Crane KB7DFL 4310 Glen Terra Dr. SE Lacey WA 98503 360-459-1564
Ken Dahl K7TAG 1120 Palomino Ct SE Tumwater WA 98501-8633 360-534-9357
Rick Damitio W7DOY 7023 Mullen Rd SE Olympia WA 98503 360-491-2587
Ray Davis WB9RKN 2349 Crestline Blvd NW Olympia WA 98502 360-539-1718
Tom Dennis KA4VVA 1919 Evergreen Pk Dr #18 Olympia WA 98502 360-754-6651
Ken Elfbrandt AA7MX 1727 Sleater-Kinney Rd SE Lacey WA 98503 360-438-5971
James Elliott AA7OH 3455 Martin Way #18 Olympia WA 98506 360-456-5571
Bill Fill KD5IC 3 Fair Oaks Dr Conway AR 72032 501-327-0337
Dora Anna Fill NI5D 3 Fair Oaks Dr Conway AR 72032 501-327-0337
Ed Fitzgerald N7WW 5006 Lacey Blvd. SE Lacey WA 98503 360-491-2289
Dave Gates KD7YXY PO Box 414 Tenino WA 98589 360-956-7574
Robert Goodnow N7JHJ 4017 Indian Summer Dr SE Olympia WA 98513 360-456-2427
Helen Hannigan KB7JDL 2409 Morse Rd SE Olympia WA 98501 360-352-9189
Gerald Julian KD7CZN 4417 Clar Mar Ln SE Olympia WA 98501-4711 360-943-7009
John Kennedy KD7ISO PO Box 5556 Lacey WA 98509 360-456-2805
Sharon Kinder N7SSD 502 S. Edison St. Olympia WA 98501 360-943-6187
George Lanning KB6LE 4129 Green Cove N.W. Olympia WA 98502 360-866-2185
David LeFevre KC7FEC 8128 Bo Court SE Olympia WA 98501 360-413-7405
Paul Leach N7GGX 2030 Cardinal Lane Lacey WA 98503 360-438-5777
Lee Lininger W7RLL 20525 Lonesome Ln SE Yelm WA 98597
Vaunn Litchfield KD7UJH 7844 Holiday Valley Dr Olympia WA 98502 360-866-3618
Chuck Lund K7VRE PO Box 14729 Tumwater WA 98511 360-319-8715
Robert Lyon AA7YD 7734 Nottingham Ct SE Olympia WA 98503 360-459-9263
Sara Lyon AB7PS 7734 Nottingham Ct SE Olympia WA 98503 360-459-9263
Keith McDonald N7JSK 10337 Carney Dr. SE Olympia WA 98501 360-352-2514
Dick McNamara KE7ASF 7526 127th Ave SW Olympia WA 98512
Dick McRoberts WB9ZIP 9101-68 Steilacoom Rd SE Olympia WA 98513 360-438-2965
Nancy Moon
KG6JJE 2349 Crestline Blvd
NW Olympia WA 98502 360-539-1718
Klaus Neubert
AC7MG PO Box 12104 Olympia WA 98508
360-753-1493
Andrew Palmer KD7MTP 2413 Woodfield Lp SE Olympia WA 98501 360-491-3749
David Palmer AC7PT 2413 Woodfield Lp SE Olympia WA 98501 360-491-3749
John Roberts K7NFL 10300 Cristen Ct SW Olympia WA 98512 360-754-4772
Jim Ryan KD7HTG 10505 Ryan Ln SE Olympia WA 98513
Richard Schwender KE7CFA PO Box 8773 Olympia WA 98509
Charles Scovill KC7FEE 6625 Bellevista St NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-1961
Rollo Shaw AB7NE 1809 Sawyer St SE Olympia WA 98501 360-754-9682
Don Shields KJ7NV 1872 Circle LN SE Lacey WA 98503 360-438-5066
Kenneth Smith W7HRY 7627 Cooper Point Rd. NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-2507
Leroy Smith N7EIE 8525 Mahonia Ct SE Yelm WA 98597-9794 360-458-8286
Thom Solberg N7KJG 3067 60th Ave SE Olympia WA 98501 360-456-3297
Kip Stilz K7KIP 4625 Norcross Ct SE Olympia WA 98501 360-456-4949
Charles Stoddard NX6W 1737 Judd St NE Olympia WA 98516
Brett Taylor KC7OQJ 3720 Wesley Loop NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0683
Paul Taylor KC7LA 3720 Wesley Loop NW Olympia WA 98502 360-866-0683
Jim Terry PO Box 2585 Yelm WA 98579-7528
Owen Ticknor WA7JZM 18124 Sunshine Ln SW Rochester WA 98579 360-273-8975
Bill Tilton K7OKC 3700 14th Ave SE #120 Olympia WA 98501
Deloise Tilton KB7GEG 3700 14th Ave SE #120 Olympia WA 98501
Jennifer Vein KE7CQI PO Box 8773 Olympia WA 98509
Steve Ward WC7I 5034 Meridian Rd. NE Olympia WA 98506 360-456-4249
Kathy Watkinson KC7OQM 1405 9th Ave SE Olympia WA 98501 360-943-4352
Larry Watkinson KC7CKO 1405 9th Ave SE Olympia WA 98501 360-943-4352
Jeff Withers W3GE 6010 193rd Ave SW Rochester WA 98579 360-273-8614
Lisa Withers KB7PNX 6010 193rd Ave SW Rochester WA 98579 360-273-8614
6:00 pm before each monthly OARS meeting
No walk-ins
To apply contact Klaus Neubert 753-1493