Burlington County Radio Club Newsletter K2TD
SEPTEMBER, 2008	Volume 2008, Number 9
In this issue: President’s Words What’s Happening From the Editor BCRC Web Page BCRC Meeting Program BCRC Officers 2008 Pres – Ray, KC2IYC VP – Jack, WA2RHJ Trea–Hugh,KC2OGR Sec – Bob, K2QPN Editors Bonnie WB2ALQ Frank K2SQS		President's Words I've been too busy at home and work to get to the newsletter words.  We returned home after our backpack trip after midnight and I had to put in a 10 hour day yesterday.  After you add the 3 hours of driving time, there was no time to write.  Our trip was successful but there were some parts that could have run smoother.  I had an interesting thought as we started our last day.  I watched three travel campers leave their loads at the dump center.  They each waited for the other before they all pulled away together.  I found an interesting comparison of footprints.  The travel campers were leaving a carbon footprint and our backpacking group was leaving only footprints. What’s Happening It is with heavy hearts that we report a Silent Key. "Our longtime friend and colleague, Art Hainley KA2DGH, at age 85, has passed into history with so many others of the Greatest Generation. Born in Riverside, Art was a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He experienced the world changing events of the 20th Century as an active participant. A Combat Engineer with Patton's Army from the invasion of North Africa to the landings in Sicily, to another landing on the Italian mainland, through the heavy fighting up the Italian peninsula into France and on into Germany, Art was in the thick of the fighting. As a Combat Engineer soldier, his job was to remove enemy mines and mine fields so the Infantry and Armor units could advance. One of the most hazardous tasks in the US Army, Art was wounded twice by mines triggered by someone else. After spending three weeks in the hospital the first time and being awarded the Purple Heart medal for combat wounds, he was returned to combat. A short time later Art was wounded again. Received another Purple Heart medal ... again returned to combat until VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). As with many members of the Greatest Generation Art settled back into civilian life and helped rebuild America. After World War II, Art became a Stationary Engineer at a plant in Philadelphia. He became interested in Amateur Radio and advanced to General Class operator. A longtime member of the Burlington County Radio Club, Art was always an active participant in all club activities.   Art was a typical member of the Greatest Generation. A solid, unassuming citizen, proud of his country and asking for nothing but the opportunity to earn his way through life. A credit to his nation and his family. Well done and farewell, Art.  We'll miss you ..." 73, N2VW BCRC’s KC2OGR Takes First Place! The first place award for the 2007 IARU HF World Championship in the category of Single Operator, Low Power, Phone Only, Southern New Jersey Section was none other than KC2OGR.  With a whopping claimed total of 1008 points, Hugh managed to squeak out the top spot.  "I was overwhelmed when the Certificate for Operating Achievement arrived on Saturday, August 30, 2008", Hugh said. Sunday Evening Net Participation in the BCRC’s informal Sunday evening net has been lagging the past few weeks. Hopefully this is because many of us are enjoying hard earned and well deserved vacations. Now that Labor Day has passed, put Sunday evenings at 7:00PM local time, 146.55 MHz FM on your calendars, and enjoy a chat with fellow club members. Nets usually only last a half hour or so, but even if you can only say “hi” and “73”, check in with K2TD. We’d love to have your company! ARRL September VHF QSO Party will be Sept. 13-14 The contest starts at 2:00PM Saturday 9/13 (EDST) and goes to Sunday 8/14 at 11PM EDST. BCRC will have a club aggregate entry – WE NEED YOUR HELP! Just about everyone has 2 M capability and many have 6 M capability, so PLEASE try to get on and help out your club. Especially, look for other BCRC members and give them a point. Don’t forget we have a simplex net Sunday night at 7PM – join the net and any contacts made then count. Exchange is Call Sign and Grid Square. Full rules at http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2008/sepvhf.html And don’t forget to send in your log! THANKS! Moorestown Family Fun Day is scheduled for September 21st BCRC has been asked to provide some on site communications so bring your 2 M HT and join the fun. Details of the event can be found at http://www.familyfunday.net/events.html Bring your family – rides for the kids and all kinds of yummy concessions. Gloucester County Radio Club Hamfest also on September 21st BCRC will have a table at the flea market. Have something to sell? Bring it along and use our table - Members Only! Members that can’t make it, contact any officer if you have something and we’ll try to make arrangements. Just some of the benefits of BCRC membership! JOTA Weekend BCRC has made arrangements with local Scout executives to set up and operate at the Scout Service Center, 693 Rancocas Rd., Westampton on October 18th from 10AM to 4 PM. This will be a great opportunity to demonstrate Ham Radio to the youngsters, while allowing them to talk over the radio to other scouts all over the USA and the world. But to do that effectively, we need your help. Please come out and support this effort! More details next month, but for now put this on your calendar. As N2VW said; “This sure is a busy outfit!” Albert Race (ex-KC2HIL) has changed his call to WA2MND (from our roving reporter KC2OGR) Congratulations go out to Fred KA2BBW and Jen KA2GOY on the arrival of granddaughter, Krystal Jean Braithwood, Born 8/5/2008, 7 lbs. 10 ozs. 21 ins. Equipment for Sale We will be lugging some stuff down to the Gloucester Hamfest which BCRC has acquired from donations or as part of estate sales. As a benefit to members the following items are being made available to BCRC members first. Anything remaining after the hamfest will be listed on the web page. Everything is being offered on an as-is basis. Interested? Contact us at k2td@ARRL.net. - NC-190 receiver - circa early 1960s. Cosmetically very good. Receives the calibrator on all bands. The band spread dial and the selectivity switch won't turn. NC-190 comes with original matching speaker and the original manual. - SB102 w/ HP-23 power supply (condition unknown) - SX111 receiver (condition unknown) - Drake TR-22 (no mic) - Staco RPS-6 regulated 13.8V, 6A power supply - TR-2400 HT (non-working – parts only) - TM-231 no PL - Rotors – Yaesu G-400C and CDE AR22XL - 2 stacked 6 el 2 M beams w/phasing harness - 30 el 70 cm beam - Cushcraft MN5B minibeam 10-12-15-17-20 - Cushcraft tri-bander with end radials for 12/17M - 32 ft lightweight galvanized tower Other News On August 11, the FCC announced that the cost of an Amateur Radio vanity call sign will increase 60 cents, from $11.70 to $12.30 effective September 25, 2008. Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference Sat. Sept 27, Blue Bell, PA and HAMARAMA Sun. Sept 28, Wrightstown Grange. Sponsored by Mt Airy VHF Radio Club. Info at www.packratvhf.com The ARRL Board has voted to create a "Triple Play Award". This new award, set to be implemented by January 2009, will be given to those amateurs who achieve Worked All States (WAS) on voice, CW and digital modes. All 150 contacts must be confirmed exclusively via Logbook of The World (LoTW). Only those contacts made after the awards start date will be eligible. Coax Comparison Charts Attached below are 2 coax comparison charts, just fyi. If you can’t get them for whatever reason, contact any officer or trustee and we’ll print out a copy for you. http://harriscountyares.org/training/training_coax_comparison_01.pdf http://harriscountyares.org/training/training_coax_comparison_02.pdf QUESTION: Who was the first Ham to transmit from space? No one got the answer! Owen Garriott, W5LFL, was the first, in 1983! We’ll have to try something easier. This month’s question is based on recent past field days. SEPTEMBER QUESTION: Which of the following antenna types is most closely associated with the name “Sterba”? a. Zepp b. array c. curtain d. dipole We’ll announce the winners in next month’s newsletter. Want to see a back issue of the BCRC Newsletter? All 2008 back issues are now in the Files section of the BCRC Yahoo Group website. From the Editors I am so sorry to see another member become a silent key. I only met Art a couple of times, and I thought he was one of the quieter members. But I thought he had a good sense of humor. I am sorry I didn’t get to know him better. - Bonnie, WB2ALQ Thanksgiving is coming! Even before we chow down on the turkey, we will be electing our next President (now how did I connect a turkey with the election?). And speaking of upcoming elections it won’t be long until we start our own BCRC election process. BCRC appears to be in a transition phase, as some of our senior stalwarts “retire to the bleachers”. Hmmm, where did I hear that? This is a critical time for BCRC as newer “junior” members assume the reins and carry a proud BCRC tradition forward. New blood is always good. A nominating committee will soon be soliciting members for next years’ slate. If you are approached to run, think about your answer carefully. Yes, being an officer carries extra responsibility and work, but the rewards can be quite satisfying. So don’t decline without due consideration, nor accept unless you are willing to go that extra mile. To keep up the BCRC tradition, we need capable leaders. Will that be YOU? - Frank K2SQS BCRC Web Page Visit our web page often! www.k2td-bcrc.org Sign up for the BCRC Yahoo Group as a source of more info on BCRC! Contact K2QPN for help on how to join. BCRC Meeting Monday, September 8, 2008 Social hour at 7:30 PM, Meeting at 8:00 PM St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 318 Chester Ave., Moorestown, NJ Refreshments by Lance, KC2MTO Sunday Night Net 7:00PM 146.55 MHz FM Simplex. All are invited! Program Due to an unfortunate cancellation, the Sept. program is unknown at press time. Look on the BCRC website for last minute information.