Presidents Column
Submitted by Jim Hall, AA8Y

Elections
Elections of officers will be held during the December meeting.

Newsletter editor
Lyndel, N7LT has decided to step down as news letter editor. You have done a GREAT job as editor,
Lyndel. We all wish you were staying on.

Busy weekend
The weekend of the 8th, 9th, and 10th of December is a busy weekend, it starts with the beginning of the 10
M Contest on Friday the 8th, then we have and exam session on Saturday morning and then on Sunday
we have the Christmas party.

Winter is here and I bet everyone is hoping they won't have to perform any antenna work until at least
March or April. Brrrrrrrr. But it is a time to remember to drive safely and remember the next patch of ice
on the road is probably hidden. So everyone PLEASE be careful.

Christmas Party!
Submitted by Bob Leo, W7LR
Another reminder that the GHRC Christmas Dinner is set for December 10th at the Valley View Golf
Clubhouse on Kagy Blvd - a nice location and lots of parking. The clubhouse manager says that there will
be nice Christmas decorations for our enjoyment. Social hour begins at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm. The club
can accommodate from 30 to 100 people, and since we already have 34 signed up we will have the place
for our group. There are three dinner choices - Chicken Cordon Bleu, $12.95; Roast Pork, $12.95; or Prime
Rib, $14.50. Included will be salad, vegetable, potato (no e), dessert, and coffee or tea. Payment is to
Valley View - they will give us one bill, so we will need a treasurer. Include a tip with your payment, or
leave it at the table. The club has a no host bar for those that like happy hour. So that the clubhouse
manager can plan for our dinner, please let Bob W7LR know how many of you will attend, and your dinner
choice. If you know of hams in Butte, Helena, Livingston or elsewhere that you think would be interested,
let them know about our dinner. See you there

Meeting Minutes
submitted by KD7FVR, Ron Schimpf

Minutes of November 5, 2000 Meeting

The November meeting was held at Tele-Tech.
President Jim AA8Y called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 23 members were in
attendance.

Minutes of the October 2000 meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Harley KI7XF reported that the club balance is approximately $1410.00. Treasurer’s report
was accepted by unanimous vote. Harley also told us about the China Competition.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bob W7LR confirmed the Christmas Party Dec. 10 at the Valley View.
Jack N7ODN announced that all elements will be available at the V.E. session on Dec 9th.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Don KC7EWZ asked for more Net Control volunteers. There was discussion about changing
the time for the Net. For now it will remain as scheduled.

Ham Fest
Don KC7EWZ reported the Ham Fest went well this year. 120 – 130 were in attendance.
The Seminars were outstanding, and the help was appreciated. $1388.00 was deposited the
day of the Ham Fest. This was the sum of the admission charge, and the door prize and
raffle tickets. Expenses totaled $1059.37 for a Net Profit of $328.63.

Repeaters
Area and Marla Repeaters are all working fine. – Ric KB7KB

Lyndel’s N7LT repeater (448.45) was removed from its site on the Bridger Ridge
permanently.

Nominating Committee
Todd WA7U presented the following nominations:
President - Jim AA8Y
Vice Pres. - No Nomination
Secretary - Ron KD7FVR
Treasurer - Harley KI7FX

We still need a Newsletter editor. Volunteers?

Don N7FLT interjected that ½ of our dues go to the Newsletter.

Eaglehead Repeater Association
Bob W7LR said that we need to have a Repeater meeting. Items that need discussed include the 146.82
Big Sky Repeater, linking, and who would like to get on the repeater board. Don KI7OJ said that he has
served on the board for three years. He is willing to continue, however, if someone else is
interested they should speak up. Eaglehead dues payers will meet after the regular club
meeting in January.

NEW BUSINESS
Don KC7EWZ said Vivian, K7CUB has been asked for ham support at the ski races again
this February.

A discussion was held regarding the fire checks from the county. Eaglehead Repeater
Association is a non-profit organization and would welcome donations. There is a need for
newer equipment at the EOC.

Don KC7EWZ reported on the status of the SAR Building. Jason Schrauger of the building
committee has said that the building is planned at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds at the
site of the Sheriffs Posse Shack. Member groups of the SAR would be allowed to use the new
building for meetings. The EOC would also be housed there.

Jim AA8Y passed out the new “Phone Tree Call Out sheets.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

Upgrade Honor Roll
Congratulations to all who upgraded through the
GHRC in 2000!

Tech class
Vikki Bohlman KD7HGY
Scott Graber KD7HGZ
Andy Macrae KD7HXA
Shelley Peterson KD7HXB
Melody Schimpf KD7HXC
Ross Snider KD7IEV
Kim Snider KD7ILW
Joshua Alzheimer KD7JBD
Tanner Currie KD7KKM
J. L. Stuker KD7KRY
Charles Sucharda KD7KRZ

General Class
Andrew Jesaitis KD7EMO
Wendy Reeser KD7DYW
James Sweaney KD7DYU
Ron Schimpf KD7FVR
Darrell Berreth KC7NHF
Don Wilson KC7EWZ
Pat Sands N7SVI
Don Bissell K7DRB
Kurt Borge KC7PFG
Gordon Lister KD7HHA
William Loman N7PWC
Kent Rudolph N7WHL
Glen Gallier KD7AEP

Extra Class
Robert Williams N7ODM
Walt Baxter WB7USV
Ralph Bergantine KC7PFH
Ric Helvey KB7KB
John Nash K7YXU
Doug Peterson KK7VC
Don Regli KI7OJ
Larry Cronenwett KA7WXN
Dale Heidner W7NAV
Theodore Hundtoft KA7QCY
Willard Cox N7FMT
Greg Estep KC7SK
Jim Fuller N7VMR
Jerome McDonald W7FVB
Albert Zoller W6OTE
Darrell Berreth KC7NHF
Harley Leach KI7XF
Theodore Hudtoft KA7QCY
Michael McFeters KE7VQ
Carl Bartman KD7AZX
Mabel Berreth KC7RCU

Element definitions:
Element 1 = 5 WPM CW Test
Element 2 = Technician Class
Element 3 = General Class
Element 4 = Extra Class

VE Test Sessions

Test sessions are held at 9 am in room 632 at
Cobleigh Hall on the MSU Campus the first Saturday AFTER the first Thursday during the
following months: December, March, June, September. This schedule may be revised. Make
sure to check your newsletter each month for any changes to the VE Testing Schedule.

For more info: Contact Jack, N7ODN

2000 Schedule
December 9th

2001 Schedule
March 3rd
June 9th
September 15th

Hamfests & National Amateur Radio Events
CONTEST

ARRL 10 Meter Contest
December 9 0000Z to Dec 10, 2400Z
See November QST page 97 for details.

Radio Shack in Belgrade is IN BUSINESS
There has been a bad rumor going around that
Radio Shack in Belgrade is going out of business.
This rumor is NOT true.
They can be reached at 388-1902 and are located at 1701 Jackrabbit Ln

Montana Amateur Radio History

10 years ago – December 1990
SM, Pete Peters, KF7R (now W7OW), The NW Div Vice Dir, NM7N, visited Butte, Billings, Kalispell,
Missoula & Bozeman. Mary Lou will try to visit the N & E part of MT on her next visit. Al Ecks, W7DXQ,
of Glendive, has been an ARRL member for 66 yrs & ham since 1913; congrats, Al. A new pkt NetROM
(FSH) & PBBS (FISH) on 145.010 MHz is operating on Signal Hill near Ft. Peck. WIMU, KB7LIM
received a prize for being the last licensed ham, KOPP won the preregistration prize.

20 years ago – December 1980
SM, Bob Leo, W7LR, W7BQE toured VE5,6-land, W7IDK two-mtr stn at c.d. hq. WA7OBH reports 2-mtr
DX opening 9 Sept for MT and SD. W7OIO sends list of hams that helped in Dillon Parade air crash
accident.

25 years ago – December 1975
SM, Harry A. Roylance, W7RZY, Butte
Radio Club provided communications
for a Boy Scout Camporee using
their repeater. They also provided
communications for the 4X4 Mini Baja. WA7HAG and W7DXQ have flown our nice climate for the
southland. WA7OBH has pruchased a new home and is busy moving. W7ZUJ working the Billings
repeater from Roundup.

NET CONTROL

Dec 5 (open)
Dec 12 (open)                 PLEASE HELP OUT
Dec 19 (open)                 BY VOLUNTEERING!
Dec 26   KD7FVR

If you’ve not signed up as a net control operator yet, please do so! As members of the GHRC, each of us should
take a half an hour each month to run the net. This is a very small sacrifice of time which greatly enhances the
quality of our net and club.

If you’ve never run the net before, contact KC7EWZ, Don for info on running the net. It’s really easy! Running the net is a great
experience which will help prepare you for participating in emergency communications.
The net is every Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM on 146.88.

Newsletter Editor Needed!

I’ve always wanted to produce a newsletter! Now, I’ve done it! It’s been a THRILL to do the GHRC
newsletter for the past year. Thanks to all of you for letting me produce th 2000 newsletter for you.
Now that I’ve accomplished this goal, I have many more “family goals” that need to be attended to. I’m
passing the pen (keyboard!) to someone else in the club to carry on the newsletter. Members need to think
about who they would like to have as a newsletter editor. Someone who’s never done the newsletter before
should try it. It’s an experience like no other in Amateur Radio.
Start your search for your new newsletter editor today!

NORTHERN ROCKIES WEAK
SIGNAL GROUP
TUESDAY EVENING AT 8:30PM ON 144.200 USB.
FORMAT IS CASUAL ROUND TABLE.
NET CONTROL IS BOB N7CZ AND JIM N7YO IN GREAT FALLS.

 

EOC Money Decisions

Some of us have sent money to ERA for EOC equipment . They are KI7OJ, W7LR
N7ODN WB6ODO. There’s over $400 in that pot.
Someone should select or recommend gear for the EOC from this pot. I suggest N7FLT
as he knows what might be needed. 73, Bob W7LR

STOLEN: Icom IC-2AT handheld. Believed to have been missing for a month now. Suspect it may have
ended up in a pawn shop in Helena or Butte. It has the call (WA7ZRA) engraved on the belt clip. 16 button
keypad. Some of the worn off numbers have been re-done with green label maker tape. If you have any
info, contact Gene. W7YBV at: PO BOX 567, BOULDER, MT 59632-0567

NW Election Results

Here is the results of the northwest election of ARRL

In the Northwestern Division, incumbent Director Greg Milnes, W7OZ, edged
out Mary E. Lewis, W7QGP, a former Northwestern Director, 2383 to 2237.

Incumbent Northwestern Division Vice Director James E. Fenstermaker,
K9JF, outdistanced challenger Edward W. Bruette, N7NVP, 2620 to 1873.

Any body wants the full article I will save it for a while

73,

KC7EWZ Don Wilson

 

AMSAT Says AO-40 Limited Use in Near Future
Possible

NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 21, 2000--Plans are in place to make AO-40 available for a limited period of
general amateur use "possibly within a week or two," says AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton,
VE3FRH. Launched November 16, the next-generation Amateur Radio satellite formerly known as Phase
3D remains for now in a geostationary transfer orbit while initial housekeeping and checkout procedures
are under way. The satellite's final high elliptical orbit will not be established for another nine months.
"This is going to happen," Haighton said today. Just when and how this "limited operation" will occur is up
to the ground controllers, Haigton said. The provisional operation would involve one or two bands at a
time," he said. Haigton pointed out, however, that since the satellite's solar panels will not be deployed until
AO-40 is in its final orbit, full power will not be available.
"It's a great time to set up your equipment," Haighton said. Details of the limited test period are to be
announced via AMSAT bulletins and via the AO-40 telemetry beacon on 2 meters, which also is
transmitting text messages. (For more information on receiving AO-40 telemetry, visit the AMSAT-NA
"AO-40 Telemetry" page at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/ao40/ao40-tlm.html

One Ham’s Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,
The rig was tuned up with the greatest of care
In hopes that the station I sought would be there.
My hubby was nestled all snug in his bed
But visions of rare DX danced through my head.
When out of the speaker there came such a splatter
I sprang to the dial to see what was the matter.

Away to the Collins I flew like a flash
And threw in the filter to cut down the hash.
With both gains turned back as far as they'd go,
I waited to see if his call I would know.
When what to my wondering ear should appear
But "MC2U, Mobile", solid and clear.
What a jolly old signal! I zeroed him quick
But I felt in my heart that it must be a trick.

In the many long years I had been in the game
I have ne'er worked a station with such an odd name.
I had contacted Danzig and Paris - Bombay
And some little village in Paraguay.
The QSL cards fairly covered the wall,
But MC2U would be the rarest of all.
At last he stopped calling, 'twas time to let fly.
If I messed this one up, I was sure I would die.
With quivering lips and shaking knees too,
I reached out my hand and the plate switch I threw.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard overhead
A racket, enough to awaken the dead.
My plate current jumped and the meters swung round,
And down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all covered with tarnish and soot.
A stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
And something encircled his head like a wreath.
It circled his chest and his little round belly
Like a meat-ball surrounded by vermicelli.

It seemed rather strange, this peculiar attire.
Oh no! Could it be? My antenna wire!!!
He held up a feeder, the jolly old elf,
And we laughed till we cried, old St. Nick and myself.
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
As I watched from the window, he went straight to work,
And, in no time at all, he turned with a jerk.
And there on the roof, standing sturdy and tall
Was a beautiful beam, with rotator and all!

As my eyes filled with tears that longed to be shed,
He peeked in the window and waggled his head.
"Don't thank me, my sweet, it's the least I can do
'Cause you see, dear YL, I'm an amateur too!"
Then he sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
And then, from the speaker, his voice, loud and clear,
"Do you know what my call letters stand for, my dear?"
His voice became dim as he faded from sight.
"M for Merry - C, Christmas, and 2 U a good-night!"

ARISS Ham Radio Equipment Test a
Success
According to Will Marchant, KC6ROL, the International Space Station crew has completed installation of
the Amateur Radio hardware in the Functional Cargo Block. With the successful execution of engineering
tests today, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project has passed a significant
milestone.
The initial two passes were tested at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) ham shack R3K in
Star City near Moscow. The control operators were Sergej Samburov, RV3DR, and Vladimir Zagainov,
UA3DKR. Sergej is the Russian delegate to the ARISS team. Subsequent tests at the NN1SS station at the
Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) and the W5RRR station at Johnson Space Center (Houston,
TX) were equally successful.
Engineering tests with the packet rig still need to be organized. The crew, while still very busy, expressed
their interest and support of Amateur Radio activities on the ISS. It seems likely that over the next few
weeks, as the crew's schedule settles out, that we may be able to look forward to more Amateur Radio
activity from humanity's latest foothold in space.

Tesla: Master of Lightning
PBS to air Tesla: Master of Lightning: PBS will air the documentary Tesla: Master of
Lightning Tuesday, December 12 (check local listings for time and channel) about the life
and accomplishments of inventor Nikola Tesla (1853-1943). Actor Stacy Keach will
provide the voice of Tesla for the 90-minute presentation. A Web site will serve as the
on-line companion to the acclaimed documentary. The program combines dramatizations
with rare footage and photographs. A contemporary of Thomas Edison and Guglielmo
Marconi, Tesla--a Serbian immigrant to the US--has become a cult hero over the years.
He is credited with being the inventor of our system of ac power transmission and even of
radio. He also invented the Tesla coil--an early RF generator. Offering long-overdue
recognition to a great and misunderstood man of science, the PBS documentary and the
associated Web site will provide an overview of Tesla's life story as well as hands-on
exploration of his inventions. In addition to classroom materials, the site will include
documents, articles and research resources for those who wish to delve more deeply into
Tesla's life. The book, Tesla: Master of Lightning, by Margaret Cheney and Robert Uth,
is reviewed in December QST, page 37. Uth was the producer/director and a writer for
the PBS documentary.--PBS

Technical Tidbits
Low Cost Weather station is back!

Last year Dallas Semiconductor provided a low cost weather station to showcase their
iButton Technology. The 1-Wire Weather Instrument Kit V2.0, is now available again from a
Mexican Distributor...

1-Wire(r) Weather Instument Kit V2.0, contains all needed elements to convert your PC
computer in to a profesional Weather Station. WSI-1 lets you view the weather outside from
the comfort of an armchair. With the 1-Wire(tm) (r) Weather Station up there where the air
is free and wired to your PC, you get instant access to weather facts -- wind speed, direction,
and temperature -- right outside your door, not at a TV or radio station 30 miles away.

Based on the succesful design made by the engineers of Dallas Semiconductors, and using
the same familly of integrated circuits the new design presents the improvements:
* Balanced wind speed rotor to minimize the vibration at wind speeds over 100 kilometers
per hour
* Improved plastic molding enclosure interlocks to help prevent water leaks.
* Fully coated printed circuit board for moisture protection.
* Mantaining Dallas Semiconductor's original retail price of $79.00USD FOB México.

-------------------------------------
APRS Friends,
I was visiting with Eric KA6IHT (manager at Burbank HRO and user of APRS) about a week ago. Eric fell
in love with my new Garmin GPS map 162. It sounds as if HRO in Burbank is going to stock these units
now! Originally they were marketed to the Marine industry but with its screen size and features it makes
the perfect APRS GPS!
Yes this GPS has WPL input (for Kenwood D7 & D700 owners) it can display other APRS users
on the map. Large capacity 2.5 meg of mapping storage I can load nearly all of the LA basin into its
memory. A nice touch is the audible alarm that allows you set the distance other APRS users can get before
sounding a warning. Many other cool features like graphical Lunar cycles for EME, tide charts, 9 digit icon
names (full APRS callsign and extension on display), many brightness levels (light blue color), and a 4.5"
diag. display (3.25"x3.25")!
For those of you who don't mind voiding the warrantee, the case can be opened and inside has
enough room to mount a TNC board, and transmitter. An all in one tracker with large screen display. After
owning and using many GPS units (GPSII, GPSIII, GPSIII+, ETrex, StreetPilot, GPSmap162) this is by far
my favorite unit for APRS use.
CO$T??? Well this is the best part. You would figure with the larger screen than the StreetPilot it would
cost much more. Nope infact it cost me just about as much as my GPSIII+ did and far less than the
StreetPilot. I strongly recommend this unit if you are in the market to buy a new GPS for APRS!
You can contact Eric at his store (818) 842-1786 he will be getting his first batch of Garmin 162s in about 6
to 10 days.
I am posting this information because I am a happy Garmin 162 customer. I hope others can benefit from
this unpublished model. Enjoy... If you call Eric tell him Rob from Maha said hello! Those of you who like
this GPS should encourage their local ham radio dealer to stock this item.

Adventure Radio Society QRP Club
Combining the love of the outdoors with Amateur Radio
Submitted by Lyndel Thiesen, N7LT

If you’ve ever wanted to become a part of a group that is really laid back, operates QRP with a
minimal cost of equipment and do most of their operating out doors when possible, this is the group
to get involved with. The ARS is a very fun way to learn all about QRP operating, the art of home
brew equipment and just plain fun.

ARS is a membership organization of more than 800 amateur radio operators the in United States and many
other parts of the world. They are four years old and growing steady in the fastest expanding part of our
hobbie.

They sponsor uncommonly interesting events and support the development of imaginative equipment and
antennas. They also make extensive use of the Internet to exchange information with members.
Membership in ARS is free. The membership Chairman is Richard Fisher, KI6SN.

ARS promotes a sense of adventure by supporting radio operation from beautiful and remarkable places.
They sponsor events that encourage the use of human-powered travel to reach outdoor operating sites.

Their best evet (at least I think so) is the “Spartan Sprints.” This event is held every first Monday of the
month. It’s only a two hour operation and is a blast to see just how many QRP operators there are out there
and how low of power most of them are using. It’s also a competition that anyone can win! My second try
I placed in the top 10 overall! My first contest I operated from the Clay Butte Fire lookout just East of
Cooke City in Wyoming at 10,000 feet with 4 watts and a G5RV hanging from the fire lookout. My signal
reports were fantastic just like the views!

Here are some more excerpts from their web page and details about their unique operating events:
The ARS Events

The Spartan Sprints
These are two hour sprints held on the first Monday of every month. We report the scores in two divisions.
The Skinny Division lists the scores in points per pound of station weight. The Tubby Division lists the
scores in points. A practical, fun way to get your contesting kicks every month!

The Flight of the Bumblebees
A sprint held every year on the last Sunday of July. In April we send out an invitation to QRPers to serve as
Bumblebees. The Bees all agree to reach their operating sites by human power (hiking, biking, canoeing
and kayaking). On Sunday, masses of home-based operators chase the Bees. A popular, exciting contest!

Top of the World
A happening held during the ARRL VHF contests in June and September. Participants reach their sites with
human power. They can climb a tree, hike to a mountaintop, walk up the stairs to the top of building, bike
to a hill, or do any other human-powered thing to gain elevation. A refreshing change for QRPers who
normally dwell in HF land!

The Trail Friendly Radio Challenge
From time to time, we issue a challenge to the QRP community to develop imaginative equipment and
antennas for the outdoor environment.. A testament to the creativity of lower power operators!

If your looking for a VERY FUN group, try these guys out! What a blast I’ve had since becoming a
member 6 months ago and what fun operating possibilities! You can check their web page out at:

http://www.natworld.com/ars/index.html

If you need any more info or would like help getting involved in QRP, contact me and I’ll do what I can to
help you out!

End of Newsletter for 2000.

73

Lyndel, N7LT