The SELARC "Hamster"
Vol. 46, No. 9 ................................ September 2019
 
The SELARC "Hamster"

*Serving Amateur Radio Since 1974*
Published Monthly by the Southeast Louisiana Amateur Radio Club Inc.
P.O. Box 1324, Hammond LA 70404
Visit our website: www.selarc.org
See 2019-09.pdf for a printer-friendly version of this document
Vol. 46, No. 9 ................................ September 2019
* Club Meeting *

Tuesday, September 10, 7:00 PM
University Center
on Southeastern Louisiana University Campus
Room: St. Tammany located on the Plaza level
Access from Parking Lot # 3 on the NW side of the University Center.
(800 W University Ave, Hammond)

Pre-Meeting Social: Sarita's Grill & Cantina
45653 University Park Dr. Hammond, LA 70401
Starting around 5:15PM

If you would like to become a member of SELARC, please print out and complete the application/renewal form and return it with your check to: P.O. Box 1324, Hammond LA 70404. Thanks!

SELARC Officers 2019-2021

The Election of Officers was held at the club meeting of Tuesday July 9, 2019

SELARC Officers for 2019 - 2021:

President
Tyrone Burns N5XES
Secretary
Jimmy Hess AG5EJ
Treasurer
Ernie Bush N5NIB
Special Events, Other Hamfests & VE Sessions
N5SHV Shreveport - ARCOS Tailgate Party - September 28, 2019
2019 MS Bike Ride: Dats How We Roll - October 5-6, 2019
Greater New Orleans Hamfest - November 2, 2019

Hammond VE Group - ARRL/W5YI tests are scheduled for the last Sunday of each month [with the exception of holiday conflicts] in Room "B" of the North Oaks Medical System Diagnostic Center at 2pm with $15 testing fee. Bring photo ID and any appropriate CSCE. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area.

AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program for contacts 3/3/19 to 12/31/19

Happy Birthday

Birthday Wishes for September go out to - John K5SNB, Brenda KG5KBS, David K4BHY, Susan WD5BVC, Ricky KE5TQT, David K4BHY, and Ferrell AC5H If we missed your birthday, then please let us know.

In Sympathy and Remembrance —

We express our deepest condolences for the friends and family of the recent silent keys,

Steve Raacke, KC5SAS
Laura Harry, KG5UAT, wife of Ronald Harry KK5AAA, passed away - Sunday Aug. 25, 2019 - Laura Modica Harry, 82, of Hammond, funeral 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond; interment at St. Dominic Cemetery in Husser; arrangements with Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond.

And of,

Shirley Wiginton, wife of Louis Wiginton N5OQT, passed away weekend before last (August 25, 2019)

 
Get Well Soon —
Best wishes for continued recuperation go to SELARC members Tom Simpson N5HAY and Homer Jones KA5TRT. We look forward to hearing you on the air!
VE Session Results

Hammond VE Group Session results

August, 2019 - VE Session

Congratulations to the following new HAMs!!!

Technician
William R. McHugh III - Bush, La.
Greg Tramell - Madisonville, La.
General
Michael O. Jackson - Covington, La.

Many thanks to all the VEs' who take the time to come out and support these sessions.
You are appreciated!

Tyke's TidBits

I sincerely hope that this newsletter finds everyone in good spirits. The month of August has been a hot one for the record books, but hopefully we will see some cooling down soon, however, September and October are known to be HOT also. Be careful out there doing yard work and stay hydrated.

I myself, have ventured outside a little more lately and have done a couple of small tower jobs. I tell you now, once you have been inactive for as long as I have from doing tower work, it is very hard to get back into the swing of things. Hopefully with the broken ribs and ankle in the rear-view mirror, I can start making a dent in my antenna/tower job list. It has gotten kind of long over the past couple years.

Now, for all of you who purchased the re-raffle tickets for the FT-891 Yaesu, myself included, many thanks for supporting SELARC in this endeavor. This puts us in a better financial picture, going into the 2020 Hammond Hamfest. by replacing the funds we paid out in lieu of the 1st Prize for our 2019 Hamfest. I must say, I was very surprised to win the FT-891, at last months' drawing.

So far, I have recieved only good reports on the radio when on the air. It is the perfect size for a GO-KIT. Ernie - N5NIB, should have a final report on the funds raised by the re-raffle. We ended up selling a few more tickets than we planned on, but the end result profits were worth it!

We are now about one month out from the MS Bike Tour, so if you haven't locked in your operating location and date/time, please contact Bob Priez - WB5FBS and get youself on the list!

We are still seeing tropical storms coming in from the Atlantic Ocean with increasing frequency. Currently two almost back to back, with Dorian threatening the East coast of Florida and the eastern seaboard. Stay prepared and make sure your GO-KITs / BAGs are within easy reach. If you are available to man a shelter or work at your local Emergency Operation Center, pleas contact your parish ARES director. If you are not sure who that is, you can check the Louisiana ARES web-page/FB pages. you can find links to these pages on our SELARC webpage on the right-hand side of the page. Also, checking into local nets , helps you improve your communication skills.

Well, that about sums up everything I have at this time. Hopeing to see you at the University Center on SLU campus. Details are on the club webpage and here in the newsletter. Don't forget the pre-meeting social at Sarita's on University Blvd at 5:15 pm.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
President - SELARC

Meeting of August 13, 2019 at the Ponchatoula Community Center

President Tyrone N5XES called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a self-introduction/recognition of all present.

It was m/s/passed to accept minutes for the July meeting as published in the "Hamster"

Treasurer Ernie Bush N5NIB provided the final financial report prepared by Carol. It was m/s/passed to accept the financial report.

Attendance (17): Tyrone N5XES, Jimmy AG5EJ, Ralph K5CAV, Ed KE5GMN, Bill KF5YBY, Ryan KI5FMA, Jerry N5GKJ, Keith KF5VLX, Russ WI5ARD, Mark WX5RV, Ernie N5NIB, Carmen KF5VXO, Trent KD5PCM, Scott KD5PCK, Brenda KG5KB5, Bob WB5FBS, Pat KE5KMM

An installation of officers ceremony was conducted, thanks to Judge Brenda Ricks.

Committee Reports

Repeater

  • Possible adjustments were discussed to be checked for a squelch tail on the UHF repeater and/or Courtesy Tone by Tyrone possibly soon as next week.
  • Discussion of Feed line replacement for 147 and the need for approximately $8500

ARES (Pat EC) Tropics have been quiet, with no activation or weather events, and ARES are concerned of repeater issues.

Membership Applications: Ryan Plyler KI5FMA and Bill Harris KF5YBY

It was m/s/passed to accept the new membership applications.


A suggestion was introduced by Scott for the club to consider an Amazon Smile program, and Amazon Associates as a possible source of donations or funding to the club, and Scott volunteers to assist the Treasurer and the club in this matter. It was m/s/passed to proceed and consent to this.

Hamfest

(Tyrone N5XES): MFJ is apparently planning to not visit small Hamfests.
-We are still attempting to find a mainline radio dealer.
-We have new dealer information updates to be made to SELARC's Hamfest webpages.
- Prizes were discussed at the executive board meeting, and we were overbudget on planned prizes.
It was m/s/passed by members to increase the Hamfest budget by the $130.95 amount necessary.

Tyrone asks if there is any additional business?

Bike Tour: (Bob WB5FBS) from Hammond to Percy Quin and back

Next Meeting: (Tyrone N5XES) Planned to be at Southeastern

Club Liability Insurance Policy: Ernie: $320 Mercer Is no longer ARRL vendor.

The question is posed to the membership whether the club shall move to the new ARRL vendor. It was m/s/passed to move to the ARRL insurance vendor.

Raffle: The last of available tickets were sold before the meeting to proceed with the Raffle, and the drawn ticket was Number. 1186 - N5XES.

Adjournment: It was m/s/passed to Adjourn the meeting at 8:05pm

Looking for Amateur Radio Equipment

Bruce KA5LLJ is seeking a HF radio with built-in tuner, a TS-440 or equivalent,
and a rotator with controller, Contact: tel:+1-985-500-4425

For Sale

Tower for Sale
Rohn 25 for sale - 4 straight and 1 top (approx. 50ft),
  with a short or long section for concrete,
  with house bracket - no rotor plate - $400.00

Also: 1- Rohn HDx-45 free-standing tower - $150.00
1- Spaulding HDx-45 free-standing tower (pre-Rohn buyout) - $150.00
additional loose sections of Rohn 25 available - price varies on condition of tower sections
all items.........no dickering...no trades...u pick up!!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 985-687-2139


Hustler Vertical 6BTV+, 17 Meter Add-On
Omni 6 rig with power supply
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 985-630-2200

News from ARRL

==> France Stands its Ground on 144 - 146 MHz Aeronautical Mobile Sharing Proposal
Heading into this week's European Conference of Telecommunications and Postal Administrations (CEPT) Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) meeting in Turkey, France was holding firm on its proposal to have the Aeronautical Mobile Service (AMS) share 144 - 146 with Amateur Radio. An "annex" submitted for the CPG doubles down on that country's determination to secure AMS access to that spectrum,

==> Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources
The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted, and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book has been approved and published. ...

==> 160 Years Since The Carrington Event September 1 marks the 160th anniversary of the Carrington Event, the strongest geomagnetic storm known to have hit Earth since at least the 14th century. The event was named for British astronomer Richard Carrington, who first viewed and sketched the huge sunspot complex on the sun from which a gigantic solar flare -- a coronal mass ejection -- erupted, as he watched. Within hours, Earth was virtually enveloped by an aurora borealis that was visible even at lower latitudes and into the tropics. It was a truly spectacular light show that in some places, turned night into day. When the flare interacted with Earth's magnetosphere, however, it was another story. — This was the Victorian age, when practical wireless was still a few decades off, but the "auroral phenomena," as it was called then, had "a remarkable manifestation of magnetic influence" on telegraph wires -- the internet of the day, as it were. So considerable was the effect that The New York Times reported telegraph operators were able to disconnect the batteries that normally operated the system and were "working by the atmospheric current entirely!" Although the operators subsequently were able to reconnect their batteries, the storm continued to affect the lines. A telegraph manager in Pittsburgh reported "streams of fire" emitted from the circuits. In Washington, DC, telegraph operator Frederick W. Royce was severely shocked as his forehead grazed a ground wire. A witness said an arc of fire jumped from Royce's head to the telegraphic equipment.
The Times account quoted an operator in Worcester, Massachusetts, who said, "During ten years' experience in telegraphing, I have frequently observed the effect of the Aurora Borealis on the wires, but never before have I seen it so grand and appalling."

==> FCC Dismisses ARRL, AMSAT Requests in Small Satellite Proceeding
An FCC Report and Order (R&O) released August 2 in the so-called "small satellite" rulemaking proceeding, IB Docket 18-86, failed to address concerns expressed by ARRL and AMSAT. Both organizations filed comments on the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the proceeding last year, seeking changes in the FCCs interpretations and procedures affecting satellites operating on Amateur Satellite Service frequencies.
"These comments address topics outside the scope of this proceeding, and we decline to adopt any of the requested rule modifications or updates at this time," the FCC said in the R&O. The FCC did mention amateur satellites in its 2018 NPRM, explaining what they are and describing the documentation and authorization process, but it did not solicit comments.

==> ARRL Contest and DXCC Rules Now Prohibit Automated Contacts
ARRL has incorporated changes to the rules for all ARRL-sponsored contests and DXCC, prohibiting automated contacts and requiring that an actual operator is initiating and carrying out a contact. These changes also apply to Worked All States (including Triple Play and 5-Band WAS), Fred Fish W5FF Memorial, and VUCC awards. The changes are effective immediately and affect the rules for both HF contests, and VHF/UHF contests as well as DXCC.

==> LightSail 2 Demonstrates Flight by Light
he Planetary Society's crowdfunded LightSail 2 spacecraft is successfully raising its orbit solely on the power of sunlight. Since unfurling the spacecraft's solar sail on July 23, mission managers have been optimizing the way the spacecraft orients itself during solar sailing. After a few tweaks, LightSail 2 began raising its orbital apogee, something the mission team said demonstrated the mission's primary goal of "flight by light for CubeSats."

==> ARRL HF Band Planning Committee Reactivated to Address Spectrum Issues
In an effort to more effectively address HF digital technology issues, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has reactivated the ARRL Board of Directors' HF Band Planning Committee. The six-member panel, chaired by First Vice President Greg Widin, K0GW, will primarily focus on spectrum allocation issues that have gained increased visibility with discussions on accommodating automatically controlled digital stations (ACDS) -- many employing Winlink email. The committee will also discuss operating frequencies for FT4, FT8, and other digital modes. Widin says the committee will meet next week to chart its course. ...

--The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League

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Stay Radio active -- See you at the next meeting, Tue, September 10, 2019; 7:00PM at the University Center (St. Tammany Room), in Hammond
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