christmas dinner - tuesday, december 2nd – 6:00 p.m. – h ......page 5 – contest calendar page...

Christmas Dinner - Tuesday, December 2nd – 6:00 p.m. – H & C Burnside Center

OFFICERS 2014

President ROY MCCLOUD - KA8VSH

Secretary/Treasurer

TED HADFIELD - KU8F

BOARD MEMBERS

Founded in 1960

An ARRL

Affiliated Club Since 1961

An ARRL Special

Service Club

Bill Slade – WD8MGF Butch Hedges – KD8NKJ Justin Lopshire – KD8JEL

Emergency Coordinator Pat Beeman – N8VM

Branch Signals December 2014 Volume 13, No. 12

Official Newsletter of the Branch County Amateur Radio Club

Visit the BCARC website at www.branchcountyarc

IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 – Tower For Sale Page 3 – Meeting Minutes Page 4 – N8NG - SK Page 5 – Contest Calendar Page 6 – Branch Signals Flashback Page 7 – 2015 Sever Weather Training

CLUB REPEATERS *147.30 + 100 Hz PL 443.300 + 123 Hz PL

*Net – Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m. Backup – 147.55 Simplex

HOMELAND SECURITY PLANS TO INCLUDE

AMATEUR RADIO The ARRL reports that the latest United States Department of Homeland Security's 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan or NECP, formally incorporates Amateur Radio. This, in its blend of media outlets that could support and sustain com-munications in a disaster or emergency situation. According to the new plan, amateur radio operators can be important conduits for relaying information to response agencies and personnel when other forms of communications have failed or have been severely disrupted. The ARRL says that the 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan is the first update since the original plan was released in 2008. It was made public on November 12th with the complete text on the web at www.dhs.gov/necp Thanks to Amateur Radio Newsline

Branch Signals, December 2014

FROM THE EDITOR (President Roy’s comments will return to this space in January) Sincerest condolences go to Roy and Deb McCloud on the untimely loss of Deb’s sister, Wendy Schirrick.

FOR SALE!

56’ Free Standing Rohn BX Tower

This tower was purchased used and was removed from what was once Frank’s Electronics, M99, Hillsdale, MI quite a while ago. Seven 8’ sections and the entire package will easily fit within the back of a full sized pickup truck. This is a functional tower however; it DOES NOT include a base. The bottom section can be installed in concreted ground as a base or you can build a base yourself or perhaps acquire one. It does need a wire brush routine and a decent paint job. Here is on-line information from the manufacturer: http://www.sufitchi.com/tower/manual.pdf Contact Roy McCloud to arrange to see the tower. ([email protected] or 517-610-3628) Club member price: $150.00 - Non Member price: $200.00


MEETING MINUTES

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The November meeting was called to order by President McCloud at 7:00 pm at the Burnside Senior Center, and the Pledge of Allegiance was then made by all in attendance. REPORTS: The business meeting moved fairly fast and smoothly as follows: The treasurers report was given by SecTreas Ted Hadfield, a motion was given by Bill Slade and seconded by Justin Lopshire to accept the report as given. Motion carried. (The minutes of the previous meeting were not read, due to publication on our website, and posting in the newsletter each month, on motion carried) A brief EOC report by Larry Camp indicated all working fine, except for some noise on our 2 meter repeater. Wm. Slade mentioned again that the Net participation is going well, and that actually, 3 separate frequencies are involved in the Tuesday net, the 2 meter, the 440 repeaters, and a D-star simplex frequency for those with the D-star capability. Minor difficulties are being worked out with the D-Star test. Justin Lopshire indicates the website will be updated with some volunteer help in the next few weeks. Jim Voss continues to invite submissions for our newsletter monthly. OLD BUSINESS: Larry reported that the recent VE session went well. Two candidates from nearby counties, Barry Folsum from Olivet, and Brandin Whitten from Warsaw, Indiana, both got their ham licenses from a successful test pass. The event was held at the Senior Center. Reminder about Christmas Party and gift rules published. NEW BUSINESS HT Giveaway: All members pay your 2015 dues on or prior to the January meeting and be placed into a drawing. See the flyer in the newsletter for further details. A handheld dual band FM VHF/UHF transceiver will be given to the winning member. Our 911 center downstairs radio room still needs cleaning and organizing. More to be announced. Club Elections: A paper ballot was distributed, and nominations were called for by President McCloud. Four offices were up for election, President, Treas/Secretary, 1 year term Director and 2 year term Director. Roy McCloud was nominated for President James T Hadfield was nominated for Secretary Treasurer Justin Lopshire was nominated for 2 year term, Director Jim King was nominated for 1 year term, Director There being no further nominations for any office, the nominations were closed and a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for the nominees was made by Jim Voss, seconded by Larry Camp. The motion carried unanimously. Prior to close of meeting a report of the Ft Wayne Hamfest attended by Larry Camp, Ted Hadfield, and Butch Hedges was made briefly, and a mention that a hamfest will be held in Delta Ohio on December 6 was reported as well.

On motion to close by Justin Lopshire, seconded by Ted Hadfield, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 for a short break, prior to a program by our own ARRL Great Lakes Director Dale Williams.

Respectfully submitted, James T. Hadfield, Secretary

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Bandconditions.com is a newly created website that supplies real time band condition information to operators wanting to get this up to the minute infor-mation. The data provided is based on what the developers call a new Ionos-pheric Sounding method called "H F Ionospheric Interferometry" which oper-ates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA. Reports are generated and uploaded to the web servere every 30 seconds. Header information in-cludes a Date, Time in GMT and a report number in sequential order. A web browser refresh command is also sent so the user does not have to hit the refresh button for the latest report.

WEBSITES TO EXPLORE

WEBSITES TO EXPLORE

Thinking you’d like Santa to leave some new ham gear under the tree this year? To help you find just the right item at the right price, try this website from AF4K. He has compiled a master list of both manufactures and retail out-lets for your browsing fun. http://www.af4k.com/hamlynx/hamdealr.htm


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James W. Shaw age 87 of Bronson, Michigan passed away Wednesday afternoon November 19, 2014 at the Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born in Shawtown, Burr Oak, Michigan son of the late Ansel and Elma (Franz) Shaw. Jim resided in the Burr Oak and Bronson area all of his life. His formal education began at the Shawtown country school which was donated by his family and he was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class of 1945. He later continued his education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and received a Bachelor degree and teaching certificate from Ferris State University in Big Rapids. On June 24, 1950 he married Eleanor Grove at the Brighton Chapel in Brighton, Indiana. Most of Jim's working life was involved in auto mechanics. For many years he was a mechanic and service manager at General Motors dealerships in Coldwater, Bronson and Burr Oak. For several years he taught auto shop at the Branch Area Career Center, a job he truly loved. Following his retirement he enjoyed delivering military vehicles to New Jersey where they were prepared for delivery to the Middle East for U.S. Troops. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Sicily during WWII. He was an amateur Radio operator, N8NG and member of the Branch County Amateur

Christmas Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 2nd – 6:00 p.m. - H & C Burnside Center This year’s party promises to be another hit, with food provided by Caterer, Linda Hyska,

and culminating with the almost world famous BCARC Christmas Gift Exchange.

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Radio Club. He and Eleanor traveled in their motorhome throughout the United States from the East Coast to the West Coast. He enjoyed boating and seemed to always have time for all the kids on the lake. Jim also enjoyed hunting and fishing especially with his father and brother. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 64 years: Eleanor; two sons: Kenneth (Mary) Shaw of Ossian, Indiana and William Shaw of Bronson; three daughters: Louise (Craig) Dunworth of Coldwater, Elaine (Kenneth) Risedorph of Jonesville and Beth Worley of Bronson; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and expecting great grandchildren in February and March; two sister: Donna I (Dale) Kline of Madison, Wisconsin and Mary Ann (Willard) Kime of Newberry and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother: Alvin Shaw; one sister: Barbara Bowerman and grandson: Sean Meese. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Sunday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of James W. Shaw will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday at the Christian Fellowship Center in Sturgis. The Rev. Stephen Middleton will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Shaw's memory consider the Branch County Amateur Radio Club.


CONTEST CALENDAR Dec 1 SKCC Straight Key Night Dec 2 ARS Spartan Sprint CW Dec 3 CWops Mini-CWT Contest Dec 4 NRAU NAC 10m Contest Dec 5 ARRL 160 Meter Contest CW Dec 6 EPC Ukraine DX Contest Dec 7 Ten Meter RTTY Contest Dec 8 EU QRP Foxhunt Dec 10 NAQCC Sprint Dec 11 CWops Mini-CWT Contest CW Dec 12 GRT Diploma S CW Dec 13 ARRL 10 Meter Contest International Naval Contest Dec 14 UBA Low Band Winter Contest Dec 15 Cimrman’s Clandestine Contest 1/2 Dec 19 Russian 160 Meter Contest Dec 20 OK DX RTTY Contest Dec 21 ARRL Rookie Roundup CW Dec 22 Flying Pigs QRP – Run for the Bacon Dec 23 GRT CW Party Dec 26 WAB Christmas Party Dec 27 RAC Canada Winter Contest Iron Ham Contest Thanks – DL2NBY Contest Calendar

UPCOMING EVENTS

12/06/2014 Fulton County ARC Winterfest Location: Delta, OH http://k8bxq.org 12/07/2014 LCARC Hamfest/Swap Location: Harrison Township, MI http://www.qsl.net/n8lc/ 01/11/2015 Hazel Park ARC Swap Location: Hazel Park, MI http://hparc.org

Thanks to ARRL.org

THANKS, AND A TIP OF THE HAT!

A tilt o’ the ol’ tam goes out this month to our new officers for 2015. A club of any kind is only as good as those in leadership positions and we have a great slate for next year. Be sure to lend your help when asked and make it a successful year. Thanks, Roy McCloud, KA8VSH, Ted Hadfield, KU8F, Justin Lopshire, KD8JEL and Jim King, KC8UGV!

WEEKLY FACE-TO-FACE

BREAKFAST AND RAGCHEW

Nathan Banks, KC9HYY, has announced a commemorative operation to honor the memory of the miners who lost their lives on December 6th of 1907. On that date an explosion at the Monongah Mine in West Virginia killed 362 workers and stands as the worst in the history of mining of the United States. In memory of those who lost their lives on that date KC9HYYwill be using his call stroke M-M-D From December 5th to December 14th. Operations will be on 40 through 10 meters using SSB and PSK 31. QSL via KC9HYY as listed on QRZ.com. (KC9HYY)

Monogah Mine Commemorative

Station On The Air

Every Saturday morning, beginning at about 8:15, local amateurs, spouses and friends gather at the Prop Blast Café for breakfast and rag chewing. Hope to see you there!

Located at the Branch County Memorial Airport


Do You Have An Item To Sell Or Swap? This is the place to do it! Send information, price, and photo, if available, to [email protected] and we’ll post it in the next edition of Branch Signals. This is a free service for current members of the Branch County Amateur Radio Club.

October’s meeting was called to order by President, Steve Williams, N8CTI. Steve then introduced Joe Moore, K8VAZ, and Terry Falknor, N8EEO. Joe and Terry had brought the DARA van up from Dayton so that the club members could see the equipment setup A thank you is also in order for the donation of a 160 – 40M sloper (won by Bill Miller), and a Shraden’s Book to the Novice Class. Amos Fleming, WA8LGO, gave the treasurer’s report, which currently shows a total of $478.50 in the treasury. Harold Sharp, K8ZGO, made a motion to accept the report and it was seconded by Bob Welch, WD8RKT. Motion carried. Under new business, Gary Stechschulte, N8FUP, called for volunteers for the Walkathon for churches, Sunday Oct. 21st. Contact Gary if interested. Jim Voss, KS8D, asked for volunteers to assist with traffic for the Halloween parade. Contact Jim if interested. The new Novice classroom is room 201 in the Careers Center. Larry Camp, WD8RHU, asked for more help for the ECON Director. He made a motion to pay $35 for one month’s assistance in helping out with expenses. Chuck Lewis, N8BYI seconded the motion and it was carried. Repeater report said that nothing has been done, but that the antenna people may be here a week from this Tuesday. UPDATE: The repeater is fixed and working GREAT!!! Jim, KS8D, threw out an idea for purchasing pins and/or call plates for the club. It was tabled for the time being. Motion to adjourn business meeting was made by Phil Spence, N8ERB, and seconded by Jim, KS8D. Motion was carried. The rest of the meeting was taken over by Bob, WD8RKT, with his ex Jim, KS8D. Motion was carried. The rest of the meeting was taken over by Bob, WD8RKT, with his excellent presentation of his trip to Alpha 6 land. After this, members were given a tour of the DARA van.

Respectfully submitted by Marcia Williams, KA8PFN

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BRANCH SIGNALS FLASHBACK FROM THE NOVEMBER, 1984 ISSUE


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