Amateur Radio Club Activities & Ideas

I often hear people talking about the lack of activities with their Amateur Radio Clubs. I know the local club in Muskegon, Michigan- M.A.A.R.C. Is active and encourages activities of many types; of course there is always room for improvement.
I would provide a link to the
Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council, unfortunately their site is down.
So here are some ideas that I thought of, maybe this will help you and your club out.
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* A web-site hosted by the club.
*Participation Certificates for those who are regularly active on Nets and other activities.
Wall Paper is always a plus.
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Nets
*2-4 nets a week, maybe one on a repeater and one on Simplex or HF.
(Types of Nets)
*Tech-Net
*Space Net
*Digital Net
*CW Net
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Classes
* Antenna Building & Maintenance
* Education on how to use different radios, equipment and construction.
*Technician Class
*General and Extra Classes
*CW Class
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Activities
*Fox Hunts
*Softball Team
*Bowling Team
*Frisbee Golf
*Weekend Picnics once or twice a month at various parks in your area.
*Outings to different sporting events like Baseball, Hockey or even the local dirt track.
You may even ask the venue if you can set up a demonstration/information table to attract new members.
*After Club meetings or Nets meet up for Coffee, Pizza or Burgers.
*Campouts, Fishing-Hunting Trips with Field Stations.
*Family Trips to local Amusement Parks, Zoos, Museums etc.
*House Call Weekends- Where the Club Experts will come over to a members home and help with Antenna Erecting, Tuning, Radio Set-up etc. This is a great way to show new and old members that the club supports on air activities and wants YOU to be involved.
*Club Sales-Yard/Garage or local flea market.
Ham Fest/Swaps etc. Get club members to donate items to raise money for club activities or to set up a benevolent account to help club members during difficult times.
*Club T-Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hats, Jackets, Coats, Coffee Mugs etc. a great way to show unity and promote the club.
*Get the Club involved with local charities and schools to help out needy kids and families. This too is a great way for Club recognition.

These are just a few ideas, feel free to use them or even add to the list. Just send me an e-mail or contact me through Twitter.
73,
De KD8BIG

DX Code of Conduct

I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.

I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.

I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign before calling.

I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.

I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.

I will always send my full call sign.

I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.

I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.

I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.

I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine.

When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.

I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.

I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.


.

Current Disaster Information

The Missouri River near Williston is projected to reach record flood levels by the 11th.The Milk River near Glasgow is above record stage. The Souris River near Towner is above record stage. The Souris River near Westhope is above record stage. The North Platte River at North Platte is near record stage. The Missouri River near Williston is above record stage. The Missouri River near Greenwood, the Souris River near Bantry, Missouri River near Verdel are all over the record levels Federal Aid Programs For State Of Illinois Disaster Recovery Federal Aid Programs For State Of Oklahoma Disaster Recovery This is big news for those affected by the disaster. If you know anyone affected by the disaster, those are served first who first request assistance. Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. This is big news for those affected by the disaster. Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. --
NASA -- Tornado Track near Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Lake Champlain at Burlington has fallen below the old record height and is projected to fall below major flood stage by Wednesday of next week.
There is a low over the west-central Caribbean Sea that is stationary and has a 10% chance of becoming a tropical storm in the next 48 hrs. The long range forecast does not show it making US landfall.
NASA--Unique Space Image of Alabama Tornado Tracks
Individual Assistance has been approved. Federal Aid Programs For State Of Missouri Disaster Recovery. Federal Aid Programs For State Of Tennessee Disaster Recovery. Federal Aid Programs For State Of Mississippi Disaster Recovery Federal Aid Programs For State Of Georgia Disaster Recovery President Declares Emergency For Alabama for the Storm of April 27th. Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Associated Flooding. Federal Aid Programs For State Of Mississippi Disaster Recovery
"NASA Satellite Images -- Tornado Tracks in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Severe Tornado Outbreak in the Southern United States -- Alabama EMA -- Georgia EMA -- Mississippi EMA -- Tennessee EMA -- Arkansas EMA -- Virginia EMA --
The Red Cross Red Cross Shelters You can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation or call 1-800 RED CROSS
The Salvation Army is also assisting with damage. There are several ways you can donate. By phone: Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate “April 2011 Tornado Outbreak.” By text: Text “GIVE” to 80888.
Insurance will cover most of the losses. The people affected will not lack clothing for long and more will be donated than will ever be used. It will end up in the local landfill, because there is no place to store it. If you are going to collect clothing have a garage sale with the proceeds going to the victims. Be responsible, if you collect money get proof that it was donated and make evidence available to those who gave. Consider volunteering or donating with Disaster Relief Agencies and Nongovernment Organizations.
WHO's CRED is reporting that in 2010 a total of 385 natural disasters killed more than 297,000 people worldwide, affected over 217.0 million others and caused US$ 123.9 billion of economic damages. Annual Disaster Statistical Review 2010: (PDF 4.2 MB) The Numbers and Trends. Brussels: CRED; 2011-Guha-Sapir D, Vos F, Below R, with Ponserre S.
Extreme and exceptional drought conditions cover about half of Texas.

NIST Offering Free Access to Standards for First Responders

There is only one weather authority in the United States, and that's the National Weather Service For emergency information consult with your local NWS office or your local emergency management agency. If you want to suggest a link please post to host@disastercenter.com

ReliefWeb -Japan • Earthquake & Tsunami -- Situation Reports

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is posting official updates
. The World Health Organisation has information on its website radiation-related health risks.
Potential dispersion of the radioactive cloud after a nuclear accident in Fukushima

This has been e-mailed to me by several readers.

Geomagnetic Storm Warning Downgraded

NOAA forecasters have downgraded the chances of a geomagnetic storm on June 9th to 20%. The disturbance, if it occurs, would be in response to a glancing blow from the CME of June 7th.
On June 7th at 0641 UT, magnetic fields above sunspot complex 1226-1227 became unstable and erupted. The resulting blast produced an M2-class solar flare, an S1-class radiation storm, and an unbelievable movie:

"It looks like someone kicked a clod of dirt in the air," says solar physicist C. Alex Young of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in a Youtube video. "I've never seen material released in this way before--an amazing, amazing event."

Much of the plasma thrown up by the blast simply fell back to the sun--indeed, that's what makes the footage so dramatic. In the movies you can see blobs of hot gas as large as Earth making bright splashes where they hit the stellar surface. Some plasma, however, reached escape velocity and left the sun in the form of a coronal mass ejection: movie. Traveling faster than 1100 km/s, the CME should deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on June 9th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when the CME arrives.

Credit: NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

The Elecraft KX3

Wow, Elecraft has a treat for us coming out this fall.
The Elecraft KX3.
This rig looks AWESOME. I'm sure it will give Yaesu a run for the money.

The revolutionary Elecraft KX3 puts the world in the palm of your hand! Despite its small size, it covers all amateur bands from 160-6 meters, operates in all modes, and has DSP-based features usually found only on larger radios.

The KX3 features a large front panel with all controls optimized for convenient use. You won’t have to dig through menus to set the power level, adjust the keyer speed, or change filter settings. And the KX3 has the same full-size display as the Elecraft K3, so all operating information is available at a glance.

For more info; Click Here

Q Codes

We all have heard of them and have used them. Some of us have even forgot what some may stand for. With that, I will give you the meaning of some of those Q codes that was shared to me.

QRG - Your frequency is
QRH - Your Frequency varies
QRI - The tone of your transmission
QRK - The intelligibility is
QRL - I am busy
QRM - I'm being interfered with
QRN - I'm troubled with static
QRO - Increase TX power
QRP - Decrease TX power
QRQ - Send faster
QRS - Send more slowly
QRT - Stop sending
QRU - I've nothing for you
QRV - I am ready
QRW - Call ... on ... ?
QRX - I'll call again at ..hrs
QRZ - You're being called by:
QSA - Your signal strength is:
QSB - Your signals are fading
QSD - Keying is defective
QSG - Send ... msgs at a time?
QSK - I can hear you, Break in
QSL - I am acknowledging receipt
QSM - Repeat last message
QSO - I can communicate with
QSP - I will relay to:
QSV - Send a series of V's
QSW - Send on this frequency
QSX - Listen for ... on ...
QSY - Change frequency to ..
QSY - Change frequency
QSZ - Repeat each word/group
QTA - Cancel message number
QTB - Agree with word count
QTC - I have ... telegrams for you
QTH - My location is:
QTR - What is the correct time
QTX - Wait for further comms
QUA - Have you news of ...

Muskegon Amateur (HAM) Radio Field Day 2011

This is my home town Hams. I will not be at this event. I might work field day from my QTH this year.

MCECS(K8WNJ) and MAARC (W8ZHO) Joint amateur radio Field Day 2011. Muskegon County Emergency communication Service (K8WNJ) and Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council (W8ZHO)are having a Joint Field Day 2011 along with Kent and Otawa county ARES/RACES. The 2011 amateur radio field day will be at Grose Park and will be operating under the Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council (MAARC) call sign ~ W8ZHO.

I would provide a link for MAARC but there web-site is down at this time for maintenance.

This is the story from the local news paper.

Local 'Radio Hams' to join in Public Demonstration of Emergency Communications June 25-26
...........................................................................................

Muskegon “hams,” with colleagues from Kent and Ottawa counties, will join with thousands of Amateur Radio operators for their annual “Field Day” event June 25-26.

The public will have a chance to meet and talk with radio operators and see the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code.

There will also be public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM

A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetic field at approximately 20:30 UT on June 4th. The impact sparked an intensifying G2-class geomagnetic storm, in progress.

MAGNETIC STORMS on June 4th

NOAA forecasters estimate a 45% chance of geomagnetic activity on June 4th when an incoming solar wind stream and a CME might deliver a double blow to Earth's magnetic field.

Memorial Day 2011

OHM'S LAW

Nowadays high school and university students use voltmeters and ammeters to demonstrate Ohm's law. These devices were not available in Ohm's time! (Moreover, these devices rely on laws (including Ohm's law) not known at the time.) How did Ohm do it? Suggest experiments (using only equipment available in 1826, or similar present-day equipment) showing that:
(a) "voltage" is proportional to "current";
(b) for fixed "voltage", the "current" is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the wire and inversely proportional to its length.

The solution:

As a voltage source we can use batteries. Ohm first used "chemical batteries" but those had very short life-time, i.e their electromotive force (EMF) varied during the experiment. Eventually, he used a thermocouple as a voltage source. The voltage, or more correctly the EMF, was therefore N*E where N is the number of batteries connected in series and E is EMF of a single battery. If the resistance of wire was X, and internal resistance of the battery was r, then the current I was given by

I=N*E/(N*r+X)

Current can be measured by placing a magnetized needle hanging on a string at certain fixed distance from the wire. Since we are not supposed to know exactly the angular dependence of the magnetic force, we will simply for each current twist the string on which the needle hangs until the needle returns in its position before the current began flowing. The angle by which the string was twisted is proportional to the force momentum, and thus measures the strength of the current. (Of course we assume that forces are indeed proportional to the current.)

We will begin the experiment by keeping the same wire (the same X) and changing N. By plotting 1/I versus 1/N, we will establish r/E, and will establish the "voltage-current" relation of the Ohm's law. Now, by lengthening the wire of making its cross section larger we can investigate dependence of resistance on geometry of the wire. (Of course we cannot measure the actual absolute values of the resistance, but all we need is the dependence on length and cross section area...) Ohm published his results on geometry dependence of X in Journal fur Chemie und Physik, 46, p. 160 (1826).

Nice short description of Ohm's work in its historic context can be found in the book History of Physics (Storia della Fisica) by Mario Gliozzi.

Comment: Groshaus suggested to measure the voltage by attaching one of the leads of the battery to electroscope. Can it be done with sufficient accuracy?

JOPLIN MISSOURI Tornado Updates/Info

I'm posting info that I am receiving from a friend in Joplin Mo via Twitter. I will try and post info here also.
Please DO NOT SELF DEPLOY to Joplin.
The area is using their emergency response plan that is in place & it is working.
They cannot manage spontaneous volunteers at this time.
Please call 2-1-1 (800.427.4626) to let them know if you are interested in volunteering and they will provide a coordinated effort to manage volunteers.
--------------------------------
National Americorp Volunteers are setting up a national hotline for residents to call to check on loved ones.
The number is (417) 659-5464.
It will be active later this morning.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 211. The 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626.

Update on Joplin School District -
more than 5-thousand displaced;
searching for staff and students
Click Here
http://fourstateshomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=192157


NEW UPDATE:2:20 am
From 96.9 KKOW: Please pass this on. Just got a call from a 4-stater who has picked up several children who are looking for their parents. The children's names are Miraiah Putnum, Jesus Conte, and Leo ValDrama. If you know these kids, or their parents call us at the studio, we have the number of the lady who picked them up Our numbers are 417-782-6969 or 620-231-4969

Missouri Media Sites
Joplin - KODE
Channel 12 - ABC
Joplin - KSN
Channel 16 - NBC
Springfield - KSPR
Channel 33 - ABC
Springfield - KYTV
Channel 3 - NBC
KKLL AM Joplin,
KWAS AM Joplin,
Joplin Globe
Springfield News Leader

My Twitter; KD8BIG
*Joplin, Missouri hit hard by tornado, Officials are asking for help, SAR Teams, Doctors, nurses, paramedics etc.
*Jasper Co requesting Mutual Aid for Officers...PD set up @ 20th and Main
*24 deaths in wake of tornado in Joplin, MO, http://bit.ly/jaJ5iR
*Real-time updates, images from tornado-damaged Joplin, via breakingnews.com http://bit.ly/iP1nNF
*Tornado Watches continue into Monday (4 am CDT) for parts of MO, AR, OK, IL http://1.usa.gov/joqgtB | http://1.usa.gov/ax7VwV
*Blankets and medical supplies needed at destroyed nursing home St 26th & Jackson in Joplin, Mo
*For nurses or doctors looking to help re Joplin, MO, call 417-832-9500 for the Greater Ozarks of the Red Cross.

A Radio Shack DIY Comeback?

Radio Shack seems to be concerned with the direction of its lack of business.
I see they have a link asking for DIY individuals to explain what they would like to see Radio Shack improve on.
I read through the post that many have left and there are some Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS) that have left their own personal feelings.
For me, a hobbyist in many areas, I loved Radio Shack when I was a kid. That was the place for me when I was 6-18 years of age.
It seems to me that Radio Shack had lost there way in the early to mid 80s.
I have heard from many amateur radio operators that tell me how back in the day they use to spend an hour in Radio Shack, go home and build all kinds of gear.

I have not been in a Radio Shack since 1990, they did not have a thing I needed, I ended up at an appliance store to get my electronic supplies, go figure~

For me to make my grand appearance in a Radio Shack store they need to have stocked shelves with everything I need to make a transceiver, antenna or linear amplifier. That’s just for starters; I also have many other hobbies that require the use of an electronic store such as cell phones, computers, scanners, remote control cars/trucks/ planes, Train-Sets etc.
Let’s put it this way, Radio Shack use to be a store for the geek and the hobbyist.
I do not understand why they would not consider a dealer contract to sell with the following Amateur Radio Gear and Equipment:
ALINCO
ASTRON
Butternut Antennas
COMET Antennas
CUSHCRAFT
DIAMOND Antenna
Farallon Electronics
GAP
Grundig
HEiL
HUSTLER
Hy-gain
ICOM
Kantronics
KENWOOD
LARSEN Antennas
LDG
Maldol
MFJ
OUTbacker
Palstar
Tigertronics
Timewave Technology
VIBROPLEX
West Mountain Radio
WOUXUM
YAESU

This is the short list. I have a huge list at the bottom of my blog.

I hope someone from Radio Shack sees this and takes it to heart.
I have spent almost 2 grand on e-bay for shipping and rather spend it at my local electronics store.
73.
Tell Radio Shack how you feel~
Click Here

BREAKING NEWS--70cm is SAFE

May 19, 2011, Massapequa Park, NY - A delegation of Amateur Radio operators from the Long Island / New York City area met this morning with Congressman Peter T. King (R-NY) to discuss his recent proposed legislation, HR 607, and its impact on Amateur Radio.

Congressman King said that he fully understands and appreciates the importance
of Amateur Radio and the service it provides to the community, and that he would see to the modification of the bill so that the 420 - 440 MHz band would be
excluded from the spectrum to be auctioned. The delegation included Mike
Lisenco, N2YBB, ARRL Section Manager for New York City / Long Island (NLI),
Peter Portanova, WB2OQQ, NLI Local Government Liaison (LGL), George Tranos,
N2GA, NLI State Government Liaison (SGL), and Jim Mezey, W2KFV, NLI ARES Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC).

"The Congressman went on to explain that it was never his intention to remove
the 70 centimeter band from Amateur use. He further asked us to `get the word
out' and inform the Amateur Radio community that 70 centimeters is not in
jeopardy," said Lisenco.

Lisenco, Mezey and Tranos spoke about the importance of Amateur Radio emergency communications while Portanova, who is also the local AMSAT representative, addressed satellite and other amateur use of the 70 centimeter band.

The Congressman was very receptive to the group, who also extended an invitation to attend Field Day locations in his District.

source

SCATTERING DIPOLES

A system consists of two ideal dipoles placed at positions (0,0,0) and (0,0,a). Dipole moment p of each dipole is related to electric field E on that dipole via relation p=gE. (g is so small that you can neglect the interaction between the dipoles, i.e. electric field created by one dipole at the position of the other dipole is negligible.) An incoming electromagnetic wave of wavelength L=2a is scattered by the system. Consider two cases: (a) the incoming wave is in x-direction, and (b) the incoming wave is in z-direction. Estimate the ratio between the total scattering cross sections between those two cases. (You may neglect dimensionless prefactors of order unity.)

Solution:

(Comment: All expressions are presented in Gaussian electromagnetic units.)

When electromagnetic field propagates x direction, both dipoles will will feel the same field at the same time, and the total electric dipole of the system will be p=2gE. Since the dipoles are not close to each other, the system will also have higher moments (e.g. quadrupole), and its radiation will not be pure dipole radiation. However, the order of magnitude estimate of dipole radiation will suffice in an estimate of the cross section. We note the the power radiated by a dipole must be proportional to p², since the electric field must be proportional to charge (and thus to dipole moment), and the power is proportional to squared field. From dimensional considerations, the radiated power must be of order cp²/L⁴, where c is the speed of light. Substituting, expression for p, and dividing the result by the flux of the incoming wave, we find that the cross section is of order g²/L⁴. (This expression could be obtained directly from dimensional analysis.)

When electromagnetic field propagates z direction, both dipoles will feel field pointing in opposite directions, and consequently the total dipole moment will vanish. However, one can easily convince himself, that non-vanishing elements of quadrupole moment are of order Q=pa=gaE. From dimensional considerations, we can also establish that the radiation of quadrupole is of order cQ²/L⁶. Substituting, expression for Q, and dividing the result by the flux of the incoming wave, we find that the cross section is of order g²a²/L⁶. Since L=2a, this expression is of the same order as cross section obtained in the i previous ("dipole radiation").

Those results really should not be surprising: Once we established that cross section must be proportional to squared charges (and thus to g², and keeping in mind that the units of g are [length]³, we must divide g² by something with dimensions [length]⁴ to obtain a cross section (that has units [length]²). Since a and L are of the same order, we can use one of them to get the correct result g²/L⁴.