From the Editor
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Northeast Florida Chapter American Red Cross, 751 Riverside Ave., PO Box 40809, Jacksonville, FL 32203-0809
(904) 358-8091 FX (904) 791-9236
Again for the year 2010, the North Florida Regional Chapter of American Red Cross is poised to present a class for Technician Class Amateur Radio. The class is currently scheduled to commence on 11 January @ 1800 hours(6PM).
The class will run weekly on Monday nights for 12-13 weeks. There is no cost for this class however there is a cost for your book. Normally, the cost of the book is $24.95 but because the instructor is credentialed with the American Radio Relay League, the books are available through him at a 25% discount or $18.71.
If you wish to enroll for this class, you must contact the instructor, John Reynolds, no later than 23 December. Contact information is listed below. There is a minimum number of students required to hold the class so if you are interested, please contact the instructor ASAP. This has been a successful program, producing in excess of 100 Ham Radio Operators!
You must bring payment for the book to the first class as books will be ordered the next day to insure delivery for the next meeting. Please bring the exact amount of $18.71
We think you will find the class to be interesting, interactive, and most informative. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Contact Information:
John Reynolds, W4IJJ 904-778-4506
Darwin Award -- Confirmed True
October 2009, Florida A Palm Bay couple and their 15-year-old son were putting up a ham radio antenna one evening. Bafflingly, not one of them thought to survey their surroundings. Unaware of the presence of an unseen menace overhead, the trio raised the aerial pole in the dark, struck a power line, and Zap! Three Darwin Award winners.
"It is an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to the most tragic result," said the Palm Bay Fire Marshal. "It happened in
an instant." However, it can hardly be called an accident. All three were voluntary particpants and old enough to know better.
Readers beware, power lines lurk overhead waiting for the unwary. Our thanks to 55-year-old Melville, 49-year-old Anna and
15-year-old Anthony for reminding us not to stick a pole in the power grid. Just say no to premature cremation.
About 6:15pm on Tuesday evening, July 28th, a violent summer storm was approaching the southern Mandarin and Fruit Cove areas. It made itself know by hard rain, wind and almost constant thunder and lightning. The lightning flashes and the resulting thunder quickly became brighter and louder until the flash and noise seemed to be coming at the same time. All at once there was a blinding flash, a huge booming noise, louder than any other. I was watching the display from inside our sliding doors that look out over the pool. All at once a flaming ball of metal fell on the pool deck. I yelled something like “My antenna!” I thought that a lightning bolt had hit my Mosely TA-33 antenna up on its 35 foot tower; the one I had so laboriously put up almost two years ago. Basically the thing is a big lightning rod so now having a pool of molten aluminum was a reasonable assumption. The flashes and noise continued after the falling metal and I resisted the temptation to go outside and look at the antenna, although every cell in my being wanted to do just that. The lightning bolts were still around but starting to move away.
When the electrical violence moved on and the sheets of rain had let up I opened the sliding door and looked up, expecting to see the worse. The antenna was still there, apparently untouched. Relief! About this time I heard a strange noise that was something like a cross between a hiss and a roar. It seemed to be coming from the garage so I raced through the kitchen and opened the door to the garage. A sharp smell was in the air and a smoky haze seemed to be rapidly becoming thicker. As it turned out the air conditioning system’s high pressure refrigerant gas line now had a hole burned in it. I quickly shut off the air conditioning system and opened the garage door.
Suzanne (the XYL) noticed that the overhead kitchen light was now off but the switch was still in the on position. The kitchen light was the first of many things that we found had been damaged. Both our TV’s were never to have a picture on their now dark displays again. My main computer and a good part of my amateur gear was damaged. Suzanne’s laptop and an old Dell Optiplex 150 with were unscathed. The phone lines were just about as dead as dead can get. Since we have DSL with AT&T, and they use the phone lines as the means of data transfer, there would be no e-mails for awhile. A cell phone had to be used to call AT&T, our insurance agent, the air conditioning repairman, and other family and friends to let them know why we could not be reached. Talking with AT&T was interesting. The call went on for fifteen minutes and consisted of an automated voice asking information before informing us that the phone service could not be restored before Friday, July 31st.
You might be wondering what the metal was that I saw come tumbling down. As it turned out, the lightning bolt had hit a seventy-foot pine in the back yard. The branches at the top of the tree show the start of the heat generated. The charge of electricity came down the trunk, peeling off bark as it went. About half way down the tree one end of a G5RV wire antenna was attached. Part of the lightning bolt continued down the tree and part continued on a new journey toward the center of the antenna, evaporating copper and steel wire as it went. When the surge of electricity got to the 450 ohm twin-lead it followed that path, turning it into a flaming, molten mess. This is what I saw drop. When it reached the BALUN most of it leaped to ground but some of it started on the on a trip to the house. The coax lead-in was about 75 feet long and was grounded inside the shack but there still was lots of voltage left! There was no fire. The garage, where the air conditioning system was damaged, is about thirty feet from the base of the tree and is nowhere near the antenna. There were two holes in the ground at the base of the tree. Apparently, the current was able to pass through the ground and cause a difference of potential that was sufficient to cause an arc between the air conditioning line and a nearby electrical conduit. That arc burned a hole in the refrigerant line. The TV’s that were damaged were nowhere near the amateur gear or anything else. I suspect that some sort of a pulse came in on the cable lead-in they were attached to. The neighbors on both sides of us had some damage, but not as much as the Davis’.
I’m writing this on Sunday, August 2nd, using my old Dell Optiplex 150. The thing is of 2000 vintage, in other words ancient, but it wasn’t damaged and still works. The phone man came on Friday, as was promised. He traced the phone line back to the box on the street and found the connectors for our line had been blown completely off. “You don’t see that very often.” he commented.
The air conditioning system was repaired the day after the strike. This was good, since living without air conditioning is not fun in July and August in Florida. Other things are moving more slowly. There will be some serious shopping going on next week.
One thing the XYL and I are grateful for is that no one was hurt. If anyone had been in the back yard that evening they probably would have been killed. When lightning comes it’s best to get inside and stay away from antennas and transmission lines.
One last thought – maybe model railroading needs another look as a possible hobby.
Christian Davis, KB0VB
Despite poor conditions OPARC had a higher score for field day in 2009 than 2008
Operators were:
KD4BVV,WB4CGD,KW4T,KG4ZXY, W9AAZ,N6EIV,W3UZI,WA4EWL,K2RMA,KI4DJK,K4EJJ,WA4UJK,
WB5TWK,KC4MHR,KE4YQR,KJ4GBE,KB7MSC,KF4OOK,KD4SVZ,KB2EZN,K5WTA,KB0VB,KJ4BOT,
KH6OU,W1JCS,KA2USK,KF4LJA,W4ESP,KJ4FEQ,WW4US,KF4CCW,KE4BHU,NU4Y,AJ4BA,W4NEK,
KE4TGH,KA4REY,KG4IAL
Attached is a summary of operations:
2009 2008
Band contacts
cw phone cw phone
80 m 17
40 m 211 19 65
20 m 194 40 201 177
15 m 206 71 101 86
10 m 1 17 115 42
6 m 85
total 629 147 482 390
score 2,810 2,708
Jim NU4Y
Field Day 2009 Pictures
I spent two days in Dayton at the HamVention and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I left on Tuesday, May 12. The next day, Wednesday, while transiting Cincinnati, Ohio I heard KP8S(?) on 2 meters. We had a nice, short chat about the rush hour traffic, heavy rain, etc., and then he handed his microphone to Kristyn, his nine year-old daughter, who is KP8P (Extra Class licensee!) and we chatted about her amateur radio interests: DXing, WAS and public service...what a gal!
The next day, Wednesday, while transiting Cincinnati, Ohio I heard NX3P on 2 meters. We had a nice, short chat about the rush hour traffic, heavy rain, etc., and then he handed his microphone to Kaitlyn, his nine year-old daughter, who is KS3P (Extra Class licensee!) and we chatted about her amateur radio interests: DXing, WAS and public service...what a gal!
I arrived Wednesday afternoon and stayed at Wright-Patterson AFB. Thursday morning I slept late then made a dry run to Hara Arena where the HamVention is held and to the free parking area where I would park. After that I visited the USAF Museum and Huffman Prairie, the world's first airport and home of the world's first flying school. Orville and Wilbur Wright taught flying there around 1906...
The next day, Friday, I drove to the free parking lot provided for the HamVention. From there I rode the charter bus the 2 miles to Hara Arena. Hams from all over the globe attend this grand get-together in Dayton. On the bus I heard three Danes and a Russian talking. An American ham "broke-in" and mentioned to the Russian that he remembered him from last year. Considering this the Russian told him that he wasn't in Dayton last year but that he, the Russian, remembered the American from three years ago! They all had a great laugh and everyone was having a grand time...and we were not yet at the HamVention venue!
Prior to departing Jacksonville I downloaded a map of the Hara Arena interior and the location of the tables where vendors were assigned. I highlighted the locations of specific vendors so that I could drop by their locations as soon as I arrived on Friday and that's what I did. Most of the day was spent doing this but after visiting the last vendor, I meandered through the various halls looking, chatting and picking up dealer's catalogues, fliers, business cards, etc. At 6:00 PM, when the doors are locked, I was at the ARRL venue purchasing a couple of manuals. I was so tired that I was actually glad to hear the announcement that the doors were about to be locked! When I arrived at my room I realized that I had left a 200' roll of wire at the ARRL venue.
I slept a little late the next day, Saturday. When I arrived at the ARRL location they had my roll of wire waiting for me...what a relief! There are lots of restaurants in the Dayton area. Probably motels too but for my last three visits to Dayton I've stayed at the AFB or just outside the base.Owen Garriott, W5LFL is a retired NASA astronaut who spent 60 days in space aboard Sky Lab in 1973, setting a world record for time in space. In 1983 he spent 10 days in space aboard Spacelab 1 (STS-9). Below are sites for Owen and Richard's info.
Richard Garriott, W5KWQ is one of those folks who just happened to have 20 million extra dollars, so last Summer (2008) he went into space from Russia (for a fee).
Both Owen and his son Richard were at the HamVention this year. I saw Owen and recognized him from a QST article and photo many years ago. Not realizing that I was about to interrupt a photo signing session, I walked right up to Owen and said something like, "Owen! What a pleasure to see you again!" Owen looked at me as though he knew me too, extended his hand and greeted me with a nice firm handshake saying, "Its good to see you again too!". We chatted for a minute or two before we had our photo taken. Actually, most of the hams standing in line for a signed photo were interested in Richard and probably never heard of Owen, the REAL ASTRONAUT! I believe that Owen was happy that someone recognized him!
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/garriott-ok.html
http://www.richardinspace.com
A long day on the river - By Ian, W3UZI
This started when Rudy KC4WWS, a member of the Rudder Club, asked for people to provide comms for the Mug Race on the St John's River (the world's longest river race for sailboats), run and organized by the Rudder Club. Some time later Rudy called me to see if I was interested, so naturally I said yes.
In the event, Rudy and I were the only members willing to help, so it was that at 6.45 a.m. on a fine May morning (Saturday the 2nd) I met Ed and his pontoon boat at the Black Creek marina. After putting his boat in the water we set course south, making for the Shands Bridge.
We first laid a large blow-up orange marker buoy north of the bridge and then another one south and west of the center of the bridge, taking our station for the rest of the day by anchoring the other side of the center span, thus making a gate that all the boats had to pass through.
Rudy meanwhile took up his position at the Rudder Club and soon called me. We passed many messages using the 146.925 repeater. The northbound fleet of boatsstarted from Palatka at 7.30 a.m., the first boats appeared at about 10.30 and thereafter we were kept quite busy. I was amazed by the great variety of sailboats of all shapes and sizes, old and new, racy ones and old gaffers, dinghies, cruisers, catamarans and trimarans. Most, if they had time, gave us a cheery wave in passing.
I timed over 160 vessels as they passed our station, giving the time to Ed who recorded them. It was a long but enjoyable day. After we made sure that the last boat was safely accounted for we upanchored and returned to the marina in the dark. As a reward I have now got a Rudder Club T-shirt which I shall proudly wear.
From: Judy Moore
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 8:00 PM
Subject: John's health
Dear Friends,
Once again I hate to come to you in this way but I don't have time to send out individual e-mails and figure you all would want to know about John. He has been getting increasingly weaker and had a bad week last week due to all the pollen and humidity in the area.
Still, it was a surprise when the Hospice nurse came on Monday and after checking him told us she figures he has about 3 weeks left. I called our boys and they both made arrangements to come this weekend - Matt was to arrive Thursday evening after umpiring a college game in IA today and John was coming down Friday night after his wife got off work teaching school.
But then the nurse came again today and when she checked John his toes and feet have started turning purple and that is a sign his circulation is shutting down. So I asked her directly if the boys should come sooner and she said she might be being too careful but she did think so. So I talked to both of them again - Matt had started for Iowa but called and said he would not be at his game and headed on down this way. He will now get here sometime around noon tomorrow.
I made him promise he would not drive all night as I don't want to have to worry about him too. John was going to talk to his wife and see if she can arrange to miss school tomorrow and Friday and if so they will start out early tomorrow morning and get here around noon also.
We all have a hard time ahead of us and we would appreciate your prayers. I will write again when I have time and can do it. Even if the nurse is wrong now we know it won't be long as John's body is just worn out from all he has been through in the last 29 years.
We are all very grateful to have had that time with him though and we know he will be in a better place.
Thank you for your love and concern.
Judy
OPARC Minutes of Meeting – April 16, 2009
President Jim MacKinnon KB2EZN convened the Orange Park Amateur Radio Club meeting at 7:30 PM, on Thursday, April 16th, 2009. The meeting was held in classrooms numbers five and six of Orange Park Medical Center located on Kingsley Avenue. All members and guests were welcomed and then introduced themselves.
The minutes of the March 19th, 2009 meeting were presented and accepted as written without amendment.
The Treasurer’s Report from Rudy Hellmold KC4WWS was made. Rudy reported that the checking account has $193.87 in it, and the savings account $4,262.43. There is $144.00 in petty cash. The total balance is $4600.30. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted by the Membership.
The meeting proceeded to standing committee reports:
ARES: Vern Ferris (W4NEK) reported that Putnum and St.Johns counties provided support for Clay ARES. Also, ARES provided two instructors for the event.
RAM WATCH: No report was given.
REPEATERS: Larry Filzen WB4CGD said that the two-meter repeater is having intermittent noise problems. Some discussion about the malfunction followed. There seemed to be consensus that the noise is related to wind speed, and that the antenna and/or coax at the installation may be in need of replacement.
VOLUNTEER EXAMINEERS (VE’s): No report was given.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Adrian Gray KJ4BOT mentioned that May 9th, 2009, is the date of the annual MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) cross band radio test. MARS stations will talk with amateur radio stations using the cross band feature. More information can be found on page 86 of the May, 2009 issue of QST. Also, Adrian will provide more data at a later date.
Rudy Hellmold said that the 2009 Mug Race will be held on Saturday, May 2nd. Five amateur radio operators are needed to help with communications for the race. Contact Rudy at 269-7960 or via e-mail at dasboat@bellsouth.net if you are ready and willing to participate in this activity.
Bob Ivey KE4YQR announced that a local ham, Frank Ingle KG4CQK, has had an article published in the May, 2009 issue of QST Magazine. The article is titled “Build a Docking Station for Your Handheld”, and may be found on page 45.
NEW BUSINESS: Field Day is fast approaching. OPARC Vice-President Frank Cates WA4EWL has agreed to be Field Day Chairman. Berte Anlage has agreed to be in charge of food and refreshments. Thank you, Berte. The club trailers are at two separate locations, and will have to be retrieved and brought to the Field Day site. The usual problems of obtaining computers and radios will have to be solved.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
Break was called at 8:00PM.
The Pot-O’-Gold was won by Adrian Gray KJ4BOT.
The meeting re-conveined at 8:18 PM.
Frank Cates WA4EWL made a presentation about antenna analyzers, several different types of volt-ohm meters, clamp-on ammeters, and the trusty ole’ Bird model 43 wattmeter. Frank has lots of stuff in his shack.
Dick Bennett K2LJZ gave a presentation about the new digital TV channels, and problems associated with them. The digital signals pose new reception problems.
The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Christian Davis KB0VB
OPARC Secretary
OPARC Board Meeting March 19, 2009
Topic of Discussion: Club Web Site: www.OPARC.net
Board Members Present: Jim MacKinnon KB2EZN, Frank Cates WA4EWL, Jake Jacobs K5WTA, Rudi Hellmold KC4WWS, Chris Davis KB0VB, Ian Wollen W3UZI, Robert Farrar K4EJJ and Vern Ferris N4NEK.
It was decided by the board members present that for the time being both the old web site and new web site would be supported by the club. Questions about the OPARC name and who owns it have not yet been ascertained. It was decided that President Jim MacKinnon would research the problem and come down with a course of action. Jim is familiar with web sites and the problems concerning them.
Christian Davis KB0VB
OPARC Secretary
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Doug, VK7DK writes:
"I am still very busy with my 4-400A Amp project. Just about at the final assembly stage and that will be followed with about a month of testing into the Spectrum Analyser etc. I an expecting some very good results as I have been most cautious concerning inter mod distortion etc. The Spectrum Analyser will show me how successful I have been.
All well here. I finished with the cataract surgery on both eyes and my new glasses are in the pipe line. Nothing wrong with me now Ian and 2009 has been confirmed as the year of good health.
I am on 14.325 MHz at 0400Z each day talking to my mate in Oregon Tom K7ZZ."
Minutes of March 19th Meeting
President Jim MacKinnon KB2EZN convened the Orange Park Amateur Radio Club meeting at 7:31 PM, on Thursday, March 19th, 2009. The meeting was held in classrooms numbers five and six of Orange Park Medical Center located on Kingsley Avenue. All members and guests were welcomed and then introduced themselves. Jim MacKinnon personally welcomed visitor Arved Grass KF4UCQ.
The minutes of the February 19th, 2009 meeting were presented and accepted as written without amendment.
The Treasurer’s Report from Rudy Hellmold KC4WWS stated that the checking account has $253.87 in it, and the savings account $4262.43. There is $62.00 in cash-on-hand. The total balance is $4578.30. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted by the Membership.
The meeting proceeded to standing committee reports.
ARES: Vern Ferris W4NEK said that next weekend, March 28 & 29th, will have the State C.E.R.T Academy. Clay County ARES is tasked with communications and providing instructors for ham radio.
REPEATERS: Jim MacKinnon KB2EZN said that the 440 machine’s echo link is working well and more hams should try using it.
RAM WATCH: No report was given.
VOLUNTEER EXAMINEERS (VE’s): David Elmore N4OOE reported that there would be a testing session at Orange Park High School this coming Saturday, March 21st, 2009.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chris Jacobs WB5TWK said that the St. Johns River Clean Up is moving ahead and that just enough hams have come forward to fill the needed positions. Contact Chris if you would like to participate. Canned goods and books are still accepted for the charity part of the activity. Bring these items if you have some you wish to donate.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
Break was called at 07:45 PM.
The Pot-O’-Gold was won by OPARC Vice President Frank Cates WA4EWL.
The meeting re-convened at 8:02PM.
Ian Wollen W3UZI provided the evening’s educational program. Ian projected pictures on a screen of an exceptional ham station he visited in Tasmania. The station belongs to Doug VK7DK, who lives on that far away island. Everyone in attendance enjoyed Ian’s presentation. After Ian finished, Henry KG4ZXY showed a mini-beam antenna he built from scratch. The antenna is a KJ5VW design. Henry said it took him about three days to build the antenna.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Christian Davis, KB0VB
OPARC Secretary
Pictures from Saturday's St. John's River Cleanup
Here are some pictures taken at the March 2009 River Cleanup.
Barb signs in volunteers and I do Ham Radio Communication to our central coordinator plus help with signup and trash dumping into our dumpster.
Lots of fun AND we all participants get a ticket for a free lunch, T Shirt, Canvas Bag, Pen, Gum, Chick-filet burger and discount coups. All these at a County Park.
This year the organizer volunteers will also get a chance at drawing for prizes. It was cold this year at 65 degrees so no pictures of boaters in their swimsuits
Rich K2LJZ and Barb KI4DJL
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From Roger WA4UKJ and Carol KD4DIN
The clean up was a great success. Over 700 volunteers. Our Ham Operators where out standing. We were able to communicate with hand held using 146.925 with PL 156.7.
A special thanks goes out to Keith KA2USK, Dudley N4DPD, Rudi KC4WWS, at Governors Creek.
Chris WB5TWK, Barbara DI4KJL, and Jake K5WTA at Lake Shore.
Richard K2LJZ and Jim WB2EZN at Main Street Boat Ramp in Middleburg.
Ben N6EIV and Bill KB7MSC did an out standing job as net control. After the sites closed down we all meet at Camp Chow for lunch and free T-Shirts
Thanks again to all for making our Club look good to the officials of Clay County