November GHRC NEWSLETTER
Presidents Column
Jim Hall, AA8Y
Hamfest The hamfest was another success for the Gallatin Ham Radio Club. I was very happy with it. I made it to
two of the seminars and felt both were very informative and interesting. I enjoyed my self ,bought some
parts, and even did a little trading myself!
Thanks to Don Wilson KC7EWZ and the hamfest crew. You all did a great job. Search and Rescue Don Wilson KC7EWZ and I helped with a search and rescue, on Oct 12th, for two hikers lost in the Portal
Creek area. We set up the portable repeater and relayed messages at times when the repeater couldn't
be used. Happily both hikers were found, safe but cold. 10 Meter Contest It is time to start thinking about the 10 meter contest this December 9 – 10, 0000Z to 2400Z. We’re once
again thinking of operating as a club from the W7YB MSU club station. Anyone interested again? Elections Election of club officers takes place at the December 7th meeting and we should think of who would be good
for the various jobs.
Meeting Minutes
submitted by KD7FVR, Ron Schimpf
October 5, 2000 Meeting
The October meeting was held at Sacajawea Middle School. President Jim AA8Y called the meeting to
order at 7:05 PM. 27 members were in attendance.
Minutes of the September 2000 meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Harley KI7XF reported that the club balance is $81.00. Treasurer’s report was accepted by unanimous vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Don KC7EWZ announced, for Fred KE7X, a Fire Prevention Breakfast at the Fairgrounds in Building #4
Monday Oct. 9 from 7 to 10 AM.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Doug KK7VC reported that seven tables have been reserved for the Ham Fest. Don KC7EWZ headed a
planning discussion for the Ham Fest.
Bob W7LR and other volunteers removed Big Sky Lumber’s equipment from the Flat Top site. Two of the
four solar panels were bad. The Forest Service is still working on a permit for the site. It is looking good.
Ric KB7KB reported that the Marla System is all working well. Don W7MRI from Helena announced that the
146.68 addition in Great Falls is planned to be operational by mid November. The auto patch is back up on
the 146.85 in Helena. It had been shut down due to intentional interference.
OLD BUSINESS
Jack N7ODN learned that videos are not yet available for the new question pools. He suggested using the
present tapes and reviewing them for the new questions. There is a new "Now You’re Talking" and a New
"General" manual. Jack suggested publicizing shortly after Christmas for February classes and exams. An
application and interview are necessary for including the classes into the Adult Ed program. Jack will look into
it further, however he is leaning toward having the classes at the University as in the past.
Jack N7ODN proposed that the club split the cost of twenty manuals with the VE budget for donation to the Middle
School and High School Ham Clubs. It was approved.
Bob W7LR has reserved the Valley View on December 10th for the Christmas Dinner. There will be choice of
Chicken, Pork or Prime Rib. Cocktail hour will begin at 6, dinner is at 7.
NEW BUSINESS
Jeff AA7GK will be organizing operators to assist with communications for the Air Show on July 21st and 22nd.
Harley KI7XF and Karla KC7BLA may be able to be reached in Nanjing on 14.250, Oct 13 – 18. The event call
is BT4ARDF.
Don KC7EWZ said that the new SAR building has been off again - on again. It is now "on" for the site of the
Sheriff Posse Shack at the Fairgrounds. We have spent our share of the SAR budget on new batteries for the
Ruby/Garnet portable repeater.
Don KC7EWZ mentioned that the GHRC trailer is in need of some TLC. He suggested that three or four people
spending a day could get it fixed up.
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM
Upgrade Honor Roll
This column honors all who receive or upgrade their license through the GHRC in 2000.
Congratulations to all who upgraded!
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 Call not available
Charles Sucharda Call not available
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
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
Happenings Page
November 2000
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2 Club Meeting 7pm SMS |
3 |
4 Ham & Eggs @ 4– Corners |
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5 |
6 |
7 146.88 Net at 8pm |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 Ham & Eggs @ 4– Corners |
12 |
13 |
14 146.88 Net at 8pm |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 Ham & Eggs @ 4– Corners |
19 |
20 |
21 146.88 Net at 8pm |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 Ham & Eggs @ 4– Corners |
26 |
27 |
28 146.88 Net at 8pm |
29 |
30 |
Nov. 2nd –
Club Meeting 8PM at Sacajawea Middle School.Nov. 4th – Ham and eggs at 4-corners café 7:30AM.
Nov. 7th - 146.88 Net at 8PM.
Nov. 11th - Ham and eggs at 4-corners café 7:30AM.
Nov. 14th - 146.88 Net at 8 PM
Nov. 18th - Ham & eggs at 4-corners cafe 7:30 AM.
Nov. 21st - 146.88 Net at 8 PM.
Nov. 25th - Ham and eggs at 4-corners cafe 7:30 AM.
Nov. 28th - 146.88 Net at 8 PM.
Hamfests & National Amateur Radio Events
CONTEST
ARRL 10 Meter Contest
December 9 0000Z to Dec 10, 2400Z
See November QST page 97 for details.
November 4, 2000HAMFEST
Mount Baker ARC, Ferndale, WA
Ph: 360-354-4622 or email: k7iey@netscape.net
Montana Amateur Radio History
10 years ago – November 1990
Section Manager: Pete Peters, KF7R (now W7OW), Congrats to the Anaconda ARC and the Capital city
ARC on their renewal as ARRL affiliated clubs. A good article on lightning by Vern Phillips, W7KG, has
been reprinted twice. Pinics such as Father’s Day, W7OTJ, WB7SWH & Big Arm are becoming
successful annual events. A new repeater (147.14+) on Pats Knob near Plains now covers part of I-90 N
of Missoula, where 2-meter repeater coverage was not available. N7OQO is a new member of the QCWA.
W7IOJ received a complimentary letter on the Glacier Ground Wave net in the Flathead Valley Area. The
Yellowstone RC made it into the Billings Gazette with a Field Day article-good work Billings.
20 years ago – November 1980
Section Manager: Robert Leo, W7LR, N7ANT achieved PSHR. FB! WA7OBH sez Sheriden WY 22/82
repeater good into S. Central MT. K7LK, WA7LSF ran 220 test Red Mtn to Red Lodge Mtn. MT Section Net
active Sunday 9:30AM local 7240KHz. Glendive/Sidney LYARC newsletter 1 yr old. 6 new Richland Co. area
Novices. KB7Q reports 4 siz meter openings. Silent Key: WA7NDO. 65 hams had picnic at Canyon Ferry Lake to celebrate Gallatin ARC winning FD. Thanks to Butte ARC for refreshments. Bozeman hams put up antenna system on courthouse roof for C.D. use. Anaconda hams helped search for lost child. MT hams discuss MT RTTY net – Time, freq, mode need to be set. Honolulu ARC has Dec. 13 & 14 hamfest. W7LR
had dinner & picnic with visitors JA8ECS, FB8XY, FB8ZO, C5ACC, A22GV. See you in Montana QSO
Party Oct. 11 & 12. WB7EVG, N7ANR now Extra Class.
25 years ago – November 1975
Section Manager: Harry A Roylance, W7RZY – Asst. SCM: Bertha A. Roylance, K7CHA. SEC: WA7IZR. PAM: WA7PZO. I have received a letter from the national Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (WX Bureau). They are desirous in establishing a weather reporting service via amateur radio into areas not
served. Federal weather reporting stations. I have discussed this with serveral and would like to have your opinions if so interested. W7CT took a nice vacation west and south and is now home. Silver Bow County Emergency Net will again be on via the WR7ABY repeater.
NET CONTROL
Nov 7 N7LT
Nov 14 N7GS
Nov 21 KD7FVR
Nov 28 (open) PLEASE HELP OUT
Dec 5 (open)
BY VOLUNTEERING!
Dec 12 (open)
Dec 19 (open)
Dec 26 (open)
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!
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.
W7FC SK
William Joseph "Sully" Sullivan, W7FC, passed away Oct. 19, 2000, after a long illness. He was born
Oct. 15, 1909, in Butte, MT. W7FC began his lifelong interest in radio and electronics as a teenager.
He became a ham radio operator in 1923 – one of the youngest ham operators in America – and received
the call 7FC which he still liked to go by on the air. In 1932 W7FC moved to Bozeman. In the 30’s and 40’s
Sully ran various radio/electronic stores in Bozeman, and in 1949 he created AMC Sullivan Foto, a camera
shop at 107 E. Main St. Sully ran for U.S. House in 1952. Sully invented several items during his life, most
notably the "Crazy Duck," "TIX" solder, the "Grasshopper" bait box, a magnet door/window alarm, and
several machines used in his manufacturing plants. W7FC, a landmarkin Montana Amateur, radio will be
missed by all of us.
Christmas Party!
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, 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.
ADRF World Championships In
China
October 13 to 18, 2000
The Tenth ARDF World Championships has just completed in Nanjing, China. . This was the second time that the USA has participated in the ARDF World Championships. Twenty-five other countries competed. Harley (KI7XF) and Karla (KC7BLA) Leach represented Montana and the USA at this event.
Schedule of events was as follows:
Friday, Oct 13 Arrival and registration Saturday, Oct 14 Practice event, Team Leaders meeting, opening ceremony Sunday, Oct 15 VHF (two meter) competition Monday, Oct 16 Local tour Tuesday, Oct 17 HF (80 meter) competition Wednesday, Oct 18 Departure or start of optional tours Notes from Bob WA6EZV: Date: Saturday, October 14, 2000 1:40:47 PM PDST Its 4:45AM. Breakfast at 5:30, off to the start area at 6:30. Competition starts at 8:30.
Everything appears to be under control. Except our nerves.
Most everyone took our photo at the opening ceremony. Pictures with the American team were a popular item, especially with parents and their children.
Practice sessions went well yesterday with everyone checking and de-bugging their equipment.
Accommodations are outstanding, hospitality also. Food, too much, Chinese of course.
Had a pile-up on 15 meters to JA-land and Asia the other morning. The guest station (BT4ARDF) is very popular. Keep trying for
propagation to the US but so far no luck. Using a FT1000DM and a R7000 vertical on top of the 30th (top) floor.
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2000 8:24:22 PM
Here are the winners and the USA results from the Two meter event.
Individual winners Old Timers (54 in category) Name Country Time Foxes Gold Janos Orosi HA0OJ HUN 57:43 4 Solver Konstantin Zelensky RUS 61:36 Bronze Fursa Oleg Ukraine 61:50 (42nd) Marvin Johnson USA 129:45 3 (53rd) Bob Frey USA(o) 145:00 2 (54th) Dick Arnett USA(o) 156:00 1 Junior (42 in category) Gold Vana Petr CZE 65:31 4 Silver Konstantin Kulikov RUS 66:05 Name Country Time Foxes Bronze Ladan Vladimir MLD 71:17 (31st) Jay Thompson USA 128:49 2 Women (43 in category) Gold Omova Michaela CZE 62:16 4 Solver Luo Chunyan CHN 62:17 Bronze Oksana Shutkowskaia RUS 63:46 (42nd) Karla Leach USA (o) 195:00 2 Seniors (55 in category) Gold Wu Yongsheng CHN 56:49 5 Silver Tarassov Nikolay KAZ 57:28 Bronze Viskup Peter SVK 67:07 (27th) Gyorgy Nagy USA 120:30 5 (40th) Csaba Tiszttarto USA 125:56 3 John Loflin USA DNF Veterans (33 in category) Gold Jozsef Cserhati HUN 74:48 4 Silver Nikolay Semenov RUS 82:39 Bronze Christensen,Arne D. NOR 90:13 (9th) Bob Cooley USA 109:23 4 (31st) Harley Leach USA (o) ?????? ? Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:06:04 PM PDST Well let's just call this one "Team USA rebounds." Unlike the two meter event, NO ONE ran over
today. To say the least, we learned fast. USA will at least post team score for 80 meters.
Much better run in the rain all day. Here are the 80 meter results: Women (43 in category) Name Country Time Foxes Gold Lou Chunyan CHN 67:02 4 Silver Omova Michaela CZE 70:02 Bronze Yang Chunxian CHN 75:11 (41st) Karla Leach USA 102:48 0 Junior (42 in category) Gold Krcal Jaroslav CZE 55:22 4 Silver Oleg Jirov RUS 61:49 4 Bronze Vana Petr CZE 69:56 4 (33 rd) Jay Thompson USA 84:14 2 Senior (55 in category) Gold Fucik Karel CZE 59:41 5 Silver Voracek Michal CZE 63:27 5 Bronze Zsolt cserpak HUN 67:24 5 Name Country Time Foxes (14th) Gyorgy Nagy USA 84:04 5 (34th) Csaba Tiszttarto USA 131:23 4 (38th) John Loflin USA 97:56 3 Team 11th of 17 Oldtimer ( 54 in category) Gold Konstantin Zelensky RUS 54:38 4 Silver Tchermen Gouliev RUS 62:17 4 Bronze Alexander Kulikov RUS 65:33 4 (41st) Robert Frey USA 89:59 2 (43rd) Dick Arnett USA 116:49 (47th) Marvin Johnston USA 132:24 Team (16th of 16) Veteran (33 in category) Gold Josef Tuttman GER 67:37 4 Silver Vladimir Kirgetov RUS 74:00 4 Bronze Nikolay Semenov RUS 75:08 4 (19th) Harley Leach USA 120.16 3 (28th) Robert Coley USA 131:45 2 Team ( 9th of 11)
Congratulations to Harley and Karla for representing Montana and the United States at the
ADRF World Championships in Nanjing, China!
Hamfest 2000
Submitted by Don Wilson, KC7EWZ. Hamfest Chairman
Another successful hamfest has come and gone. It was a very good feeling to see a big event like this
come off with the help of so many people. When many people help, no one person has to do too much.
I hope that was the case in this event.
Special thanks go out to the following people:
Sacajawea middle school administration and staff who shared their rooms.
Vivian Lindon (K7CUB) who arranged everything with the school, arranged for equipment and smoothed
everything over.
Rick Thompson (KC7PEM) who did the great job on the advertisement.
Tom Wold (WW7O) and Todd Gahagan (WA7U) on Signs.
John McDonald on Talk-in
Doug Peterson and his great crew on table reservations and set-up.
Ron Schimpf (KD7FVR) on seminar organization
Bob Leo (W7LR) for his seminar on the Halicrafter Expedition
Fred Cady (KE7X) for his seminar on "Wildfires 2000"
Lyndel Thiesen (N7LT) for his seminar on "Beacons Their History And How To Use Them"
Don Ward (KB6KJ) for his seminar on PSK 32
Following crew on door admission:
Polly Walden (KD7JKY)
Ric Helvey (KB7KB)
Leona Helvey (N7MCV)
Don Hecox (W7FGB)
J.L. Stuker
Curt Borge (KC7PFG)
Thanks for the great eats: Jeff Torgrimson and his crew of the "Chuck Wagon". I especially liked the Tri Tip
Steak sandwich!
Thanks to Jack Myers (N70DN) and his crew for the VE testing.
Mal Goosey (N7GS)
Jim Hall (AA8Y)
Don Regli (KI7OJ)
Doug Peterson (KK7VC).
Thanks to Steve Longacre for another great job on the Raffle. He arranged for the prizes, tickets, drawings,
and did all the announcements during the hamfest.
Congratulations to the prize winners:
Steve McNeil Bozeman; Grand Prize IC 706G MKII
Bobbie Bomeko (N7OQO) Billings; The power supply
Judy Cosgrove (KD7KHL) Butte; ARRL operating manual 2000
Ron Swanson (KA0KZY) Bismark ND; ARRL Operating Manual
Terry McLaughlin (N7GDM) Bozeman; ARRL RFI Handbook
Larry Chambers (KD7FQQ) East Helena; Repeater directory 2000-2001
Bill Erhardt (K7MT) Helena; Ham trader subscription
Boy we sure spread the prizes around the country this year.
A special thanks to Am-com from Lakeside with all their gear and Arrow Antenna for adding so much to the
event.
For all the swap tables, thank you for coming and we hope you had good luck in getting rid of those treasured
items.
I know some names were not mentioned as there were many willing hands helping throughout the year and the
day of the event. It was very much appreciated. I always say, "many hands make a task light".
We look forward to next year being even bigger and better.
Simplex operators causing QRM to Satellites.
In the wake of a recent FCC statement touting the value of Amateur Radio band plans, Chris Kelly, K0PF, thinks it's a good time to also remind all amateurs that terrestrial operation in the satellite subbands causes interference to the Amateur Satellite Service. "There are now three satellites that can operate in Mode J FM, with uplinks in the 2-meter band from 145.8 to 146.0 MHz," Kelly said in a note to ARRL Headquarters. "It is common now to hear a QSO in progress in which the hams do not seem to know that all of North America can hear their 'simplex' QSO." Kelly says that in the last month alone, he's monitored conversations in which husband-and-wife hams "discuss the relative merits of Safeway mayonnaise and other subjects a good bit more personal." He points out that the satellites are very sensitive and will easily pick up even handi-talkie signals and relay them to the whole continent. "The users of this subband usually don't know they are causing interference, because the downlink is in the 435 MHz range," he said. John Hennessee, N1KB, of the ARRL's Regulatory Information Bureau says Kelly makes a good point, especially as the launch of Phase 3D draws closer. He recommends that FM simplex users stick to recognized simplex channels to avoid satellite input frequencies on 2 meters.