November 7, 2023 Weekly This & That Newsletter
No Log Jam at November Membership Meeting
Last Thursday’s Membership Meeting at the Lakehouse included a presentation on Computer Logging programs by Ken Finke, KN8F. Sixteen club members were on hand as Ken identified several logging programs, a number of which are free. Ken also discussed how to interface your radio to your computer, which is the next step after loading the software. Ken reviewed the various programs citing selling points and identifying any negatives. He demonstrated the software by connecting it to a transceiver that he brought to the meeting. Thanks to Ken for putting on a great show!
Following Ken’s excellent presentation, the members present re-elected the current officers of the club for a 2024 term. Harve Hnatiuk, KB3FW, will be our club president and Ed Stratton, W1ZZ, will be vice president. Lon Seward, WB4KSG, will be our treasurer and Bob McCormick, KD8IH, will be the club’s secretary. Thank you to the officers for serving in 2023 and for re-upping for 2024.
The club also approved the 2024 budget, which includes funding for “Contesting” such as Winter and Summer Field Day and an outing to Hunting Island. Funds were also allocated for a new club banner.
At the end of the meeting, Frank Pollino, K2OS showed the group his 500-Watt 2-meter amplifier that is pointed toward use during the club’s EME outing later this month.
Deadline Extended Until November 28 for 60-Meter-Band Comments
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended the deadline to file comments on the 60-meter band proposal to November 28, 2023.
Replies to comments will be due December 28, 2023. The public comment period was originally scheduled to close October 30, 2023.
ARRL strongly encourages all amateurs to submit comments expressing support to the FCC for the current 100 W ERP power limit (instead of reducing the power limit to 15 W EIRP) and continuing secondary access to the current channels.
ARRL has assembled a web page with instructions on how to submit your comments, as well as background information on the issue: www.arrl.org/60-meter-band.
Humor
Low-loss Coax Makes Its Way Out of the Warehouse!
Upcoming Events
ARRL EME Contest
From the Earth to the Moon and Back! Frank Pollino, K2OS, is leading this effort for the Club. More details the ARRL contest can be found here. Current plans are to operate late in the afternoon and into the early evening of November 25th.
Frank has tested the antenna that will be used and has been able to receive 2-meter signals that others have sent using Moon bounce. He is assembling a home-brew 500-watt amplifier to boost our outgoing signal that is to be sent skyward. All systems appear to be “Go”!
The site for our operation is being discussed as it gets dark earlier this time of year and some lighting would be needed for safety and security reasons. Consideration is being given to parking areas at Town Square or Okatie Creek Golf Club where there should be decent ambient light.
Details, as they coalesce, will be included in the next few issues of “This & That”.
Holiday Dinner
Club members and guests are invited to a “Dutch Treat” holiday dinner at Jameson’s (Hidden Cypress) on Thursday, December 7th. We will be seated at 6:30 PM. Everyone will order their own meals and drinks and will receive individual or couples’ checks for their orders.
There will be door prizes and a “gift exchange” is planned. Participation in the gift exchange is encouraged but not required. If you bring a gift, you’ll be eligible to get a gift. Cash value of new items should not exceed $25. If you have ham radio items around the shack that you are not using, you could also package one of them up and use that as your “gift”.
During the evening, we will recognize members who are present who have made significant contributions to the SCHH ARC during the past year or two or so.
Space is limited so please reserve early by contacting Harve Hnatiuk (hnat463@gmail.com).
To date, we have 13 members and guests who have reserved.
Club Website
Click here to get to the Club’s website: https://www.ke4ham.org. If you notice any errors or have site-related questions, email: webmaster@ke4ham.org.
SCHH ARC Nets:
Sunday NET (8 PM) operates on 147.550 MHz simplex and EchoLink node: KE4HAM – L
Wednesday Nets (8 PM) operates from KK4ONF/Jasper repeater, 147.060+ and EchoLink node: KE4HAM-R
Thanks to our regular Net Controls: Bob Officer, WA6WAY; Russ Treadwell, N1ZK; and Harve Hnatiuk, KB3FW.
Thanks to Ron Frick, AI4HH, for keeping the nets on EchoLink.
Net Control Schedule:
— Wednesday, November 8, 8 PM EDT: Russ Treadwell, N1ZK.
— Sunday, November 12, 8 PM EDT: Bob Officer, WA6WAY
If you are interested in being a Net Control, please let Ron or Harve know.
SCHH ARC Net Reports:
Thanks to ALL who checked in to our SCHH ARC nets last week.
If you have the time, please check into our club’s nets on a regular basis.
Even if you don’t think you have much to say when you check in, “Hello, and hope everyone is doing well” is a good start, right?
Beyond that, as you “read the mail”, hearing what others are contributing to our collective knowledge-base and providing personal updates, you may find that you DO have a few things to say!
Last week’s check-ins and traffic:
— Wednesday, November 1: KE4HAM/KB3FW (Net Control), AI4HH, AA4KK,K2ITZ, KQ4JKI, W1ZZ, WB4KSG, KJ4BSM, KQ4KOO. QNI=9, QTC=0.
— Sunday, November 5: KE4HAM/WA6WAY (Net Control), AI4HH, K2ITZ, KB3FW.. QNI=4, QTC=0.
Note – QNI = Number of Check-ins to the net, including Net Control; QTC = Traffic handled (Radiograms).
Other Operating:
Daily — DX spotting and open chat 24/7 on 147.550 MHz simplex and the Jasper Repeater, 147.060+ (no Echolink).
KB3FW – SCHH ARC President