Feb 06 Newsletter

Nellis Radio Amateur Club, Inc. February 2006 Newsletter

Stolen Equipment

A former NRAC member had his vehicle broken into and much of his ham radio equipment and other related items were stolen. Arnie Zelig, WA2SOE, has determined that the car was broken into sometime between the evening of 4 Feb and 4:00 PM on 5 Feb 2006. Below is a list of items he specifically recalls being in the car at the time. These items include but may not be limited to the following: communications “go-kit” with: Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Tate radio (Model 2000 or 2020) with microphone, Kenwood dual-band radio with microphone, power inverter, metered power supply, in-line SWR/per meter, spare cables and adapters, and an older Radio Shack scanner; custom WA2SOE LVRAC “Emergency Communications” vest; CERT vest, CERT back pack with many supplies, including those used for CAP 24 hour survival requirements; Radio Shack Pro-83 scanner (new); VX-150 HT; Army belt pack with VX-150 supplies including a Pryme collapsible ½ wave antenna, spare battery and antenna adapters; home brew Power-Pole multi-line splitter; Mirage B-1016 power amp/pro-amp; LVRAC building party GPS “tracker” with TinyTrak inside (no radio); portable jump starter (yellow); power inverter (fits inside a cup holder); Lands End canvas bag with leather accents [“they” may have used this bag to load some of the above items into, since they dumped out the schoolbooks that had been in the bag]. Arnie can be contacted by e-mail at: Arnie@wa2soe.com.

ARRL has a new President

Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has been elected ARRL’s 14^th president.

ARRL First Vice President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, of Judsonia, Arkansas, will be the League’s president for the next two years. He succeeds Jim Haynie, W5JBP, who chose not to run for a fourth term in the uncompensated, volunteer post. Gathering in Windsor, CT, for its annual meeting, the Board voted to choose Harrison over ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, the only other nominee. Harrison, 47, said he believes Amateur Radio is looking at a different society - and pool of potential licensees - in the 21^st century than in the past.

First licensed in 1972 as WN5IGF, Harrison says he’s interested in virtually all aspects of Amateur Radio, from HF DXing and contesting to VHF/UHF/microwave and moon bounce. He’s an ARRL Life Member. His wife, daughter and son all are Amateur Radio licensees. He’ll become the League’s 14^th president since it’s founding in 1914.

Harrison said the ARRL’s initiative to create an improved entry-level license also will be among his top priorities as he assumes office.

“It is imperative for the Amateur Radio Service that we have an entry-level license that provides a wide variety of privileges for an individual to get into radio and learn a little bit about all of it,” Harrison said, adding that the League believes this approach will keep new licensees interested in ham radio.

Harrison said he will continue and build upon the League’s emphasis on Amateur Radio’s emergency communication role - especially in improving its response to catastrophic disasters like Hurricane Katrina - and on Haynie’s “The Big Project” initiative to get ham radio into schools, known formally as the ARRL Education and Technology Program (ETP).

All information in the above article taken from ARRL news bulletin ARLB002, dated Jan. 20, 2006.

Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day

Amateur radio operators have begun a unique way of showing support for our military veterans and active duty members. Emery McClendon, KB9IWB, founded ARMAD - Amateur Radio Appreciation Day as a way to allow the people of communities worldwide to express thanks and appreciation to those that serve in the military.

Since the inception of ARMAD in May 2004, ARMAD has grown, at a rapid rate, with Amateurs joining in from locations around the world to spread messages of support during this “LIVE” forum.

It all started when amateurs from two local clubs decided to hold an event during Memorial Day weekend at a local baseball stadium. Amateurs were able to set up radio stations inside and around the stadium to allow the fans a chance to say thanks to military members, and to show support to their families during the game. The idea took off with over 25 other amateur radio groups from around the US, and 7 international groups joining in the effort after hearing about the idea. The Fort Wayne, Indiana event at the stadium drew a crowd of over 6,600 people. Contact was made to several military bases, ships, and foreign military units serving as part of the Coalition Forces. ARMAD 2005 involved over 100 locations worldwide, and troops from Iraq were on the air to listen to the members of our communities say thank you. These troops also responded, and let the world know how much it meant to them to hear our LIVE voices. Emails and letters are great, but through the gift of amateur radio those that serve heard expressions of appreciation LIVE, and were able to respond back with joy, and thanks to us.

ARMAD expects to continue to grow and invites amateur radio operators, clubs, local community members and military amateur operators to participate in future events. Amateurs can help to bring awareness to our hobby by spreading the word about ARMAD, and setting up for these events at public venues. Together we can “Ham It Up For The Troops.”

The next ARMAD event will be on May 27, 2006. For more information please visit www.armad.net and get involved.

Upcoming events

Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay Race - April 1-2, 2006. To sign up or for more information, contact Dennis Simon, KB7UTV. There is room for more ham and non-ham volunteers for the different stages.

Ideas

We are looking for ideas for club projects and speaker for upcoming meetings. If anyone has a suggestion or idea, please contact one of the club’s board members.

Meeting

Hope to see everyone at the next scheduled club meeting on Feb 16^th.

Newsletter Editor, Jane Garwood, KB7YUZ

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