Megan's Message and Musings Time to “Toot Our Own Horn.” The Holland Amateur Radio Club is proud to announce it has earned recognition from the Amateur Radio Relay League as as Special Service Club for 2010. We are now one of 17 SSC's in Michigan out of a totoal of 80 ARRL-affiliated clubs. To become a Special Service Club we must be actively involved in the following areas: New Ham Development and Training Public Relations Emergency Communications Technical Advancement Operating Activities Miscellaneous Activities Of course to remain a Special Service Club we must continue these activities, and for this we need to have an active and involved membership. Also, please see Meg or Phil when you renew your ARRL membership (or join) so that our club can receive its commission from the ARRL for each membership and renewal. As mentioned in the January RST and at the Membership Meeting, we have introduced changes to our website www.hollandarc.org as we continue our efforts to become as “paperless” as possible. The HARC Calendar page now links to our new Google calendar. We will do our best to keep it as up-to-date as possible. The calendar lists upcoming Meetings, Events, Contests, and Hamfests, and adds other details. Please go check it out. You can now download your own copy of the RST and print it if you choose. Please give a round of applause to our own Steve Vander Hill, N8UJD. The ARRL Michigan Section has placed him and Ottawa county on its Honor Roll for Emergency Coordinators/Radio Officers, recognizing that under Steve's guidance the county achieved a full calendar year of 100% monthly reporting. Section Manager Dale, WA8EFK put it very well when he stated, “It requires true leadership to keep everyone motivated, interested and willing to donate many hours of time while receiving only the reward of 'Thanks, you have done a great job.'” We are sure that this took a lot of hard work and diligence on Steve's part to accomplish. Congratulations on a job well done! And finally, I would like to thank the following members: Phil, K8PVH for compiling the “What is Amateur Radio?” handout given to students in our licensing classes and which is also available to be given to anyone who asks this very question about our hobby. Jim, N8QMD for the mailable brochure to hand out to those who pay for parking and to distribute to the public to generate knowledge of Amateur Radio and interest in the club. These will also be used as part of our membership drive. John, KC8QDE for printing the handouts and brochures that Phil and Jim compiled. Excellent job, gentlemen. Please see me if you want copies of these handouts to help spread the word about Amateur Radio and the Holland Amateur Radio Club. 73, WO0MEG HARC Education Highlights Holland Amateur Radio Club classes are open to all! The HARC has had several persons contribute time and talent to the licensing and up-grades of many HAMS in our community. As the chairman of the Education committee, I want to give a hearty thanks to the following class instructors: ERNIE, W8EL; JOE, N8FQ; JIM, N8QMD; CHUCK, W8GCW; TOM, K8TB; AND DAVID, N8PUO. Without these guys, we would not have had over 95 students in our licensing classes during the last five years. Currently Jim, N8QMD is leading a General class with 13 students. Spring classes in the past have not been run due to lack of interested students. Tom, K8TB plans to run an Amateur Extra licensing class next fall. We hope to draw students from the whole West Michigan area for just that one class. Chuck, W8GCW has lead CW classes in the last couple of years and is willing to do as again as interested persons appear. He has a very high rate of success with the method he uses. No definite plans are yet made for the next Technician licensing class. It probably will be offered sometime in the fall. Spring classes have not happened primarily because of many special communication events taking place in which many of our instructors participate. The new projector fund is growing quite nicely. All 50/50 drawings will go toward the fund along with other individual member donations. The money raised by selling peanut brittle at the last meeting was turned over to the fund. I believe part of the parking fees will also go toward the projector fund. Does anyone else have an idea about how to raise more funds for the projector? Remember HARC is a not-for-profit 501(c) organization, thus making donations tax deductible. We’ll have a report on the Projector Fun balance at the next general meeting. Enjoy your license privilege and tell a friend or relative about it. Maybe they could be in a Technician class next fall. Respectfully submitted, Ed, KF8EV Education Committee Chairman Classes & Training SKYWARN Training March 25, 2010. Starts at 6:30pm Fillmore Complex 12220 Fillmore Street West Olive, Michigan, main conference room. How do I program this thing? Do you have a new, or not-so-new radio with more memories that you use and functions than you have yet to explore? We are exploring the idea of Workshops and a Knowledge Base of resources and volunteers. Please tell us what would be helpful and how it should be presented. Meet, Greet and Eat Times and places to meet fellow amateurs Regularly-scheduled events At our handicap-accessible Ken Groom ZR5AAD Memorial Technical and Training Center, 280 East 8th Street in Holland, Michigan. “Open Mike” Night Every Tuesday night at 7:00pm. Come to operate or just enjoy coffee and conversation, members and guests welcome. Board Meeting 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. Members only, please. Presentation and General Membership Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. Guests are welcome. Donuts @ Donutville Every Wednesday at 2:30pm. Meet at Donutville, 676 Michigan Avenue in Holland for coffee and conversation. “HAM is for Breakfast” Join us at at 9:00am for an informal gathering on the last Saturday of each month. We meet and eat at Perkins Restaurant, 2332 North Park Drive in Holland, Michigan, across from the Walmart plaza. We usually occupy the back corner. Members, spouses, friends, family, and anyone else interested in amateur radio are welcome. Public Service Opportunities Please contact each event's coordinator for more information. Tulip Time Parades May 5,6 & 8, 2010 Dave Lamer, WA8RSA wa8rsa@arrl.net Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 31, 2010. Phil Bohlander, KD8JHE sbohlander@charter.net Walk MS Date to be announced Jim Heyl, N8QMD n8qmd@arrl.net Bike MS MS-150 bicycle tour Dates to be announced Jim Heyl, N8QMD n8qmd@arrl.net Coast Guard Festival Parade July 31 through August 8, 2010 North Ottawa Amateur Radio Club Details to follow Air Affair Park Township Airport Saturday August 21, 2010 Brian Fredricks, KD8IFE Megan Heyl WO0MEG Details to follow Parade of Lights Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Ivan DeWitt, K8EMU idewitt@charter.net Nets of Interest Compiled by Tom Wilson, KD8DEG Sunday 8:30 AM 50.400 AM, Grand Rapids 8:00 PM 145.270 FM, Lowell Club 8:00 PM 50.400 AM, Kalamazoo, Gary K8BKB 9:00 PM 50.150 USB, Zeeland, Charlie N8QEM 9:30 PM 144.155 USB, Holland, Bill K8NFT Monday 7:30 PM 147.060 FM, HARC, 2m Net Tuesday 7:00 PM 144.222 USB, Kalamazoo, K8BKB Gary 8:00 PM AM, Kalamazoo WJ8L Phil 9:00 PM 145.270 FM, MDXA, Dave KC8PCL 9:30 PM 50.400 AM Kalamazoo, K8BKB Gary Wednesday 8:00 PM 28.380 USB, Allegan 9:00 PM 50.140 USB, Cedar Springs, AC8AH Jerry Thursday 7:00 PM 147.160 Michigan youth, 22 and younger 8:00 PM 146.800 FM, MAARC weekly Net Daily 7:00 PM 50.200 USB, Cadillac, round tables Legislative Corner - MI PRB-1 From: Scott Bicknell, W1BIC ARRL-Michigan Affiliated Club Coordinator We need everyone's help to get this bill out of committee or it will die and we will have to start all over again. Thanks & 73! From Len Todd - If you want the right to put up a Ham tower, it is up to you to do something now! Unfortunately, as I write this, we have one MI ham wondering if he can even have a 30’ tower. However, there are things that you can do about this. For example: 1. If you have not already sent a letter to your Legislators to support HB #5556, then now is the time. If passed in 2010, HB #5556 - Michigan’s PRB-1 “Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling Act” will codify PRB-1 into our Michigan law. It also will establish an allowable tower height of 90’ across the state. However, if we do not increase our number of legislative contacts, the Bill may die in committee. If you have already sent a letter, it is time to re-contact your House Representative to re-kindle interest. For the actual text of HB # 5556, go to this this link. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/pdf/2009-HIB-5556.pdf For more information about PRB-1, go to this link. http://www.prb1michigan.org/ For a legislative contact letter template, click on this link. http://www.prb1michigan.org/id18.html 2. Also, tell a Ham friend about this critically important effort. Antennas and the towers that they are mounted on are critically important to us. They are our connection to the rest of the RF world. If need be, help your friend establish contacts with their Legislators. Discuss this topic at your next club or organization meeting. For legislative contact information, go to this link. http://www.prb1michigan.org/id1.html Len Todd, N8AGS MI PRB-1 Project Manager N8AGS@arrl.net http://www.prb1michigan.org/ Minutes of General Membership Meeting January 12th, 2010 Call to Order: 7:15pm. Introductions: 23 people filled in the sign-in sheet. Introductions of new Officers and Board members for 2010. Opening Remarks: Megan WO0MEG outlined the agenda for the evening; program, refreshments and 50/50 ticket sales, with a short Business Meeting at the end. Program: “Modern Broadcast Transmitting Stations” Presented by Tom Bosscher, K8TB Refreshments 50/50 Raffle: It was the Board's recommendation that the Club's proceeds from the 50/50 Raffle be placed in a Projector Fund to purchase a projector for the Education Committee. Members approved hosting a Bake Sale to help raise fund. No dissent was heard. Winners: HARC $15.00 (placed in Projector Fund) Ed KF8EV $15.00 (Ed generously donated back to the Projector Fund) Charlie N8QEM $5.00 gift card from Perkins Restaurant Dave WA8RSA $5.00 gift card from Perkins Restaurant Jim N8QMD Peanut brittle donated by Mary and Ed Heyboer Chuck W8GCW Peanut brittle donated by Mary and Ed Heyboer Megan WO0MEG Kenwood tote bag Megan W00MEG icom map Sue KC8RQS icom gridsquare chart and band chart BUSINESS MEETING President: Megan, WO0MEG Thanked outgoing president Chuck Rich W8GCW and outgoing secretary Chris Dandrea KC8WRT for their years of service, Tom Bosscher K8TB and Sheila Bosscher K8AJ for the evening's presentation and acknowledged their recognition as “Ham of the Year”, and thanked our vice president, Jim KC8KE, for plowing the parking lot. Presented a proposal from the Board to re-structure club operations. Under the proposed structure there will be Board meeting on the 1st Tuesday of each month and a General Membership meeting on the 2nd Tuesday. Routine Club business and operation would be discussed at these Board meetings, allowing the General Meetings to concentrate on the social agenda for the month. A short Business meeting at the end of each General meeting would summarize the proceedings from the previous Board meeting and entertain any New Business. All members present agreed, with no disagreement. Circulated information (copies on file with Secretary) HARC 2010 Calendar of Events, List of HARC Positions and Event Chairs, a copy of the January RST and a Michiana Rocketry flyer Vice-president: Jim, KC8KE - Nothing to report. Secretary: Jim, N8QMD December 2009 Meeting Minutes were published in the Holland Amateur Club Newsletter RST and will be available for download from the club website in the near future. Motion to approve the Minutes as published in the RST by Dave WA8RSA, supported by Jim KC8KE, and the motion was approved. Outlined the “Ham Hunt” program, co-chaired by Jim N8QMD and John KC8QDE, that will compile and publish a list of amateurs in the FCC database with addresses in the Holland area. This list is to be an update of a similar list last published in 2003-2004. Jim called for all members to spread the word about the Holland Amateur Radio Club, and to forward names and emails of prospective members to him . Treasurer: Phil, K8PHV Main account balance $1878.65 Swap account balance $2500.00. Motion to approve the report by Rick N8GGO, supported by Jim KC8KE, and the motion was approved.. Club Station: Dave, WA8RSA - Nothing to report. Emergency: Steve N8UJH Steve was absent. Rick, N8GGO attended in his absence. Nothing to report. Education: Ed, KF8EV Ed KV8EV reported that the club is in dire need of a projector for club presentations and classes. We have been using a projector on loan from Tom K8TB, who no doubt will want it returned . He has estimated that about $500 will be required to purchase a projector. The membership was in favor of the club purchase of a new projector. The Board has asked the Treasurer to create and track a Projector fund, and to place proceeds from the 50/50 drawing, HARC licensing classes, event parking income, and any donations specifically made for this projector into a Projector Fund. Ed reported that a “baker's dozen” have signed up for the January 18, 2010 General license class. Rick N8GGO will now coordinate HARC VE testing. There was an idea put forward, and some discussion about, holding monthly VE Test sessions on 'even' months to coordinate with Allegan County's 'odd' month schedule. Rick will look into this and report back to the Board. Building & Facilities: Kim, N8KAL Kim N8KAL had to leave early. Megan WO0MEG reported that the Board authorized the addition of a lock on the storage room door to provide secure storage in the clubhouse. Anyone may request access to the storage room from a Board member. Megan reported that rear entry door needs repairs. Sue KC8RQS will check with the City of Holland to see if they will do the repairs, and will report back to Megan WO0MEG or Kim N8KAL before the Board meeting. Announcements: Foxhunts: HARC will sponsor a series of foxhunts, a foxhunt equipment “Make and Take” program, and will develop a “Traveling Trophy” foxhunt challenge to involve hunters from the surrounding counties. Jeff KB8QAP had constructed a trophy, and he, Tom K8TB and Laryn K8TVZ will work out the details and let us know more. Mike Hill W8DER will demonstrate some of his special equipment at the meeting before the foxhunt. New Business: Weather cancellations If weather conditions warrant, we will make the decision to cancel a scheduled meeting by 5:00pm and place a notification on our repeater, local radio stations and TV “crawl lines” and via the K8DAA email reflector to alert the members. Overcrowding at meetings: With 23 people attending the January meeting, and an overflow into the hallway, it is obvious that we should have more space to accommodate the increased participation in meetings. Several ideas for expanding the meeting room, and a search for alternate meeting places were presented. This item will be carried forward and discussed in more detail at the February Board meeting. Future expenses: Expenses that have been identified to date include: Projector estimated at $500 IRLP link equipment estimated at $400 Repeater antenna estimated at $800 Rear door repair estimated at $150 The next Board meeting will discuss budgets, priorities and funding for future expenses. Future Fund Raising: There discussion of having a Bake Sale, mini-swaps and breakfasts to raise money for the Projector Fund. “Treats” signup: Volunteers are encouraged to sign up to bring “treats” to a General Membership Meeting. A signup sheet is posted in the kitchen. 50/50 prizes: After our box of 50/50 prizes disappeared we are requesting that anyone who has any radio-related donations for our 50/50 raffle to contact Megan. Several letters will be going out to various companies in hopes that donations will begin to arrive soon. Thanks to those who have already contributed. Adjourn: 9:35 pm. Respectfully submitted Jim Heyl, N8QMD, Secretary secretary@hollandarc.org Please contact the Secretary with comments or corrections.