BAND - IT www.geaugaara.org February, 2020 Editor: WB8QLT

Geauga Amateur Radio Association, LLC PO Box 361

Novelty, OH 44072

GARA has been in existence since September, 1977. GARA meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30PM local time accept in July and December. All meetings are held at the Department of Emergency Services (EOC) located at 12518 Merritt Road Chardon, Ohio 44024. For more information about the club and our activities, please visit our website at www.geaugaara.org. You can find our Bylaws, Policy Manual, past minutes and much more valuable information on the website. If you have any other questions, please send an email to info@geaugaara.org.

GARA also sponsors the Geauga County Public Service, Emergency, and Weather Net which meets every Monday at 9:00PM (except 4th Monday) on the 146.940 repeater with a PL tone of 110.9.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to the new year and the start of the “roaring 20s.” I think this is going to be another great year for the club, and I am looking forward to getting started.

If you have not renewed your membership for 2020, you are now in the grace period – please renew any time before March 1 on the website or in person at any meeting.

Thanks to the outgoing officers – Bob Schenk – Vice President, Linda Richard – Secretary, Lee Koroshes – Director of Activities. Welcome to our incoming officers – Jim Tommer – Vice President, Larry Shimerka – Secretary, and Dale Byers – Director of Activities. GARA OFFICERS: GARA DIRECTORS:

PRESIDENT (2021) DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES (2023) David Andrzejewski, KD8TWG Dale Byers, K8DOB

VICE PRESIDENT (2022) DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (2021) Jim Tommer, W8MIJ Matt Welch, W8DEC

SECRETARY (2021) DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (2022) Larry Shimerka, N8OWS Megan Parsons, WB8IXZ

TREASURER (2022) LICENSE TRUSTEE Linda Bowen, WB8QLT Neal Fenster, NF1X _______________________________________________________________________________

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COMMITTEES: If you would like to be more involved, please consider joining one of our committees. If interested, please send an email to info@geaugaara.org, or contact any of the officers. Amateur Radio Promotions - Sally Dawson, N1BCF, chair Bylaws & Policy – Dave Andrzejewski, KD8TWG, chair Communications – Dave Andrzejewski, KD8TWG, chair Education – Matt Welch, W8DEC, chair Finance – Linda Bowen, WB8QLT, chair Membership – Bill Collins, W8BBL, chair Social Events – Dale Byers, K8DOB, chair Special Events – Larry Shimerka, N8OWS, chair VE Team – Jackie Williams, N8JMW, coordinator _____________________________________________________________________________

MEET THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

From left to right – Larry-N8OWS, Neal-NF1X, Jim-W8MIJ, Dale-K8DOB, Dave-KD8TWG, Linda-WB8QLT, Megan-WB8IXZ

Executive Committee meetings will be held the first Saturday of February, April, June, August, October and December. They are held at the EOC at 11 am and are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Dale, Director of Activities, is looking for volunteers for the Social Activites Committee which is responsible for planning the Summer Picnic and the January Holiday Party. If interested, get in touch with Dale.

Matt, W8DEC

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – DALE BYERS, K8DOB

I have lived most of my life in Northeast Ohio & graduated from Chardon High School in 1969. I first became interested in electronics and radio in 1967, and got my Technician licenses in Sept. of 1998, after taking a class at AES. I upgraded to General in September of 2010, and joined GARA until I moved out of the area in 2013. On July 29, 2016, I received my vanity call, K8DOB. After moving back to Chardon in 2017, I rejoined GARA. I am a volunteer examiner with ARRL, Laurel and WY5I. I received my Extra Class License on May 13, 2018. I am currently the Director of Activities for GARA (2020-2023). ________________________________________________________________________________

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2020 HOLIDAY PARTY

41 members and guests enjoyed a great afternoon of fun and a great buffet on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at the GARA Holiday Party, held at the Burton American Legion Hall. Terri and Frank from Rise and Dine Restaurant in Chesterland provided roast beef, baked chicken breast, mashed potatoes & gravy, mixed vegetables, penne pasta (for those who are vegetarians), tossed salad, rolls and butter, apple pie and cherry pie. Coffee, tea and pop were provided by the club. Two $120.00 gift certificates to DX Engineering were raffled off. The winners were Gary Warren, KD8SUL, and Bill Hess, K8SGX. Thanks to Linda Richard, KD8SUN, for providing the wonderful pictures below.

Caterers, Terri & Frank Lyle, KB8OVA & Friend, Claudia Steve, W8SKF

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Brian, AC8RV Bill, W8INV Valeri, KE8QEI Edwin, KD8VCH Betty, KC8FF Pat & Evan, W8LSQ

Gary, KD8SUL & Maureen Sue, W8DXW Jim, W8MIJ Marianne & John, KE8AAI

Linda, KD8SUN Bob, KO8RS Jane & Lee, KD8UAP Bob, K8FEY Bill, N8SGX

Anthony, KD8WYL Linda, WB8LT Neil, NF1X & Nina Christine & Neal, W9HIP

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Jim, KE8EMP & Lynn Kathy & Keith, KA8EOD Pat, K8ONI Larry, N8OWS

Pete, W1BKZ Sally, N1BCF Megan, WB8IXZ ______________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 1, 2020 Executive Committee meeting – 1100 at the EOC. February 1, 2020 Ohio Winter Rally – 1500 to 2300. Contact Pat Karl, N80NI or Dave Andrzejewski, KD8TWG February 20, 2020 Amateur Extra classes start - 12 consecutive Thursdays – at EOC at 1830 February 24, 2020 GARA Meeting – 1930 at the EOC – program by Matt, W8DEC “Fundamentals of Soldering” March 8, 2020 VE session – 1400 at the EOC. No reservations needed March 23, 2020 GARA Meeting – 1930 at the EOC – program by Elmer Griebetler – NASA Presentation April 2, 2020 Technician classes start for 6 consecutive Thursdays – at EOC at 1830 April 4, 2020 Executive Committee meeting – 1100 at the EOC. April 19, 2020 20-mile Drop April 23-26, 2020 Geauga Maple Festival – Burton, OH – Contacts – Jim Tommer or Larry Shimerka April 25 & 26, 2020 GARA Special Event Station, W8G, at the Maple Festival – Contact – Dale Byers April 25, 2020 NVIS Day April 27, 2020 GARA Meeting – 1930 at the EOC – Speaker Larry, N8OWS – “Slot Antennas” May 10, 2020 VE Session – 1400 at the EOC May 18, 2020 GARA Meeting – 1930 at the EOC – Speaker TBA Please note this is one week earlier due to Memorial Day ______________________________________________________________________________

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JANUARY MEETING

Our scheduled speaker, Bill Savage, WA8GEO, was unable to attend due to an illness, so “always ready” Dave, KD8TWG, gave a great presentation on Raspberry Pi. Dave showed the group how to build one from scratch. It was enjoyed by all and there were many questions for Dave.

FEBRUARY IS HAVE-A-HEART MONTH

As in previous years, we will be collecting non-perishable food items at the February meeting. Please bring items to donate to the Burton Food Bank. Peanut butter, soups, macaroni and cheese, tuna are especially welcomed. ________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL EVENT STATION

This year at the 91st Annual Geauga County Maple Festival in Chardon, OH, the Geauga Amateur Radio Association will have a Special Event Station, W8G. It will be on the air both Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. The station will be located in the lobby of Park Auditorium on the east side of Chardon square. We will operate on the HF Amateur bands between 1400Z – 2200Z from about 10 am until 6 pm on Saturday and again on Sunday from 11 am until about 5 pm. We will have information about Amateur Radio and a display of some of the activities in which we participate.

MEMBERSHIP CORNER

As of February 1, we have 71 paid members and 25 in the grace period. The breakdown is as follows – Extra – 35; Advanced – 5; General - 36; Technician – 20.

Since the November edition, the following members have joined – Peter Greene, N8WGE and Francis Cullen, WB8JWE (no pictures) Sue Kundrath, N8JCV Mark Kundrath, KB8FKM

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ARRL NATIONAL NEWS

Barry Shelley, N1VXY, to Become ARRL Interim CEO. At its last meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors did not elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX, as the ARRL Chief Executive Officer. Beginning Monday, January 20, Barry Shelley, N1VXY, will become interim CEO. Mr. Shelley was ARRL’s Chief Financial Officer for 28 years and CEO during 2018 before his retirement. The board has created a search committee to select the next CEO. More details to follow.

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UPDATE ON 147.015

Dave informed the group that after much investigation, a dead short was found about 744 ft up the tower. To fix the problem, and anything else they may find, will require at least one tower climb, which will cost thousands. Hopefully, in the Spring NORMA will be able to get it fixed. Just an FYI, if you would like to make a monetary donation to NORMA, it can be made through the GARA website, www.geaugaara.org, or you can send a check made out to NORMA to Dave, KD8TWG. His address is good on QRZ.

HAM RADIO RELATED APPs FOR SMART PHONES

Thanks to Tom, N8UAZ, for providing the following apps that might be of interest. You can get them by going to playstore on your phone and entering: 1) IZ2UUF – this is a CW program where you can listen to CW to get practice on hearing Morse Code. 2) Electrodroid Pro – this might be of interest to those of you who like building and playing with circuits. It is a circuit calculator and electronics tool kit.

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UPCOMING HAMFESTS

02/16/2020 -Mansfield Mid-Winter Hamfest-Location: Mansfield , OH -Sponsor: Intercity Amateur Radio Club -Website: http://www.iarc.club 03/01/2020 –Winter Hamfest-Location: Elyria, OH-Sponsor: Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society Website: http://noars.net 3/14 &15/2020 -Toledo Hamfest, ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention - Location: Owens Community College -30335 Oregon Road - Perrysburg, OH 43551 - Website: http://www.tmrahamradio.org - Contact: Rob Hall, KV8P - 8751 Oak Valley Road Holland, OH 43528 - Phone: 419-345-5759 - Email: kv8p@kv8p.com 03/21/2020 – Mid-Ohio Valley ARC Hamfest – Location: Gallipolis, OH – Sponsor: Mid-Ohio Valley Amateur Radio Club, Inc. Website: http://sites.google.com/site/micohiovalleyarc 04/11/2020 – 66th Annual Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club Hamfest – Location: Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Sponsor: Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club, Inc. - Website: http://www.cfarc.org/hamfest.php 04/18/2020 – Portsmouth Radio Club 2020 HAMFEST – Location: Portsmouth, OH - Sponsor: Portsmouth Radio Club – Website: http://prc.altervista.org 04/26/2020 – Athens Hamfest - Location: Athens, OH – Sponsor: Athens County Amateur Radio Association – Website: http://www.ac-ara.org 08/08/2020 -DX Engineering Hamfest, ARRL Ohio Section Convention-Location: DX Engineering/Summit Racing -1200 Southeast Ave. -Tallmadge, OH -More details to follow!

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CLUB BIRTHDAYS

MARCH APRIL MAY 4 John Bitonti, KE8AAI 2 Brian Kellison, AC8RV 5 Linda Bowen, WB8QLT 5 Edwin Foster, KD8VCH 18 David Mansour, W1WAR 5 Paul Davis, KD8NI 24 Bob Gardner, WA8PCW 19 Diana Cathan, KE8BMA 11 Jim Mekeel, KE8EMP 26 Sally Dawson, N1BCF 26 Jackie Williams, N8JMW 18 Don Thomas, K8DBT 29 Chuck Nohava, N8GMB 18 Mike Murray, LC8LJO 30 Chris Aster, KE8ERD 23 Kelly Heidenreich, KE8AXL 27 Greg Brown, W8PA _____________________________________________________________________________________________

VE CORNER

GARA sponsors VE sessions on the second Sunday of every odd month – January, March, May, July, September and November. They start at 1400 and are held at the EOC. No reservations are necessary and there is no fee.

If you are interested in joining the VE Team, please contact Jackie Williams, N8JMW, VE Coordinator, at n8jmw2@gmail.com or text her at 440-228-2716. You must hold at least a General class license.

The new Amateur Extra Class Question Pool is out. Exams will CHANGE on July 1. Effective July 1, 2020, the 2016 Amateur Extra Class Question Pools will no longer be valid. To download the new question pool, go to www.nevec.org.

CLUB MUGS

If you are interested in a Club mug, submit your order to Linda, WB8QLT, 440-729-1958. Chris Aster, KE8ERD, is making these 11 oz mugs for $10.00 each (cash only). Each mug will be personalized with your call sign and name on the back. Please DO NOT call in any orders. The finished mugs will be delivered at Club meetings.

FREEBIE FOR FIRST ENERGY CUSTOMERS For customers of First Energy, they are offering an Energy Efficiency Kit Program. Enrol by calling 1-866-749-7206 or online. Some of the items you will receive free include night lights, light bulbs, and a 7-outlet power strip (worth about $20.00). _____________________________________________________________________________

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AMATEUR RADIO NETS

NET FREQUENCY TIME DAYS Trivia Net 146.940 FM 9:00 AM EST Every Day AI8M Swap & Shop 146.940 FM 7:30 PM EST Every Tuesday GEARS net 146.940 FM 8:00 PM EST Every Monday Geauga Emerg & Weather Net 146.940 FM 9:00 PM EST Mondays except 4th Geauga Skywarn 146.940 FM 8:00 PM EST Fri (May thru Oct) TriCounty Traffic Net 146.940 FM 9:00 PM EST Sun, Tue, and Fri

GARA WEBSITE

Have you visited the website recently at https://www.geaugaara.org ? We’ve made a lot of small improvements, including an updated “member center,” which allows you to renew your membership, donate to the club or NORMA, and view or update your profile.

To access the member center, go to the website and click “Log In / Register” on the top right- hand side of the page. If you have previously purchased a membership or any item from our store online, use the same username and password. If not, simply register using the same e-mail address we have on file for you. You will then be able to access your information.

We secure the site using industry-standard, bank-level security. Your credit card information is never handled by the club but submitted directly to our payment processor, Stripe.

If you have any trouble, or issues logging into the site, please feel free to let our webmaster, Dave, KD8TWG, know. He will be more than happy to help you out. ______________________________________________________________________________________

BAND-IT is the official newsletter of the Geauga Amateur Radio Association, LLC. Send in any items such as shop-n-swap, or any articles that might be of interest to the membership. The BAND-IT is published via email quarterly in February, May, August and November, usually first of each month. Please have your submissions to me by 8 pm on the 3rd Friday of January, April, July and October. Newsletter contact: Linda Bowen, WB8QLT at qltiger@aol.com or newsletter@geaugaara.org.

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