The Indianapolis Radio Club Newsletter Founded 1914 “The oldest continuously operating Amateur Radio Club in the United States” March 2008 Newsletter Upcoming Meetings: April 11: Home Brew Radio May 9: Antenna Forum June 13: Annual Auction Highlights of the March 14, 2008 meeting: Club President Tom Chance, K9XV, started the self- introductions. There were 66 present. First timers were recognized. Bob, N9FIM, talked about the Indy Hamfest coming up in July. The Radio Club will be sponsoring a three night Technician class on April 14, 15, and 16, starting at 6:00 p.m. These classes will meet at the ITC. The next Hill Top contest is set for September 20, there will be more details coming later. Coming up in October will be the second annual antenna shoot-out. Tom asked how many would be interested in participating in Field Day, 2008. There was moderate response. Mike, N9FEB, reviewed upcoming Indy events for the next three months. Go to http://indyham.org for more details. Mike also reported that the 146.76 repeater had been off the air. He reported that the 146.70 was going to be used as a backup in weather emergencies. The upcoming bus trip to Dayton was discussed. The cost will be $30 per person, not including admission to the show. Steve, KB9RDS, reported that the newly renovated W9JP club station was operational, and he invited club members to use the station. At this point, Bob, N9FIM, presented a program on weather nets. Bob outlined ham duties during Storm Conditions, and passed out a handout. Bob said to always “keep your eyes to the skies.” Door Prizes were drawn and the meeting was closed. [Editor’s note: Special thanks to Dave Miller, K9RTT, for the notes from the meeting.] Ham Radio News: INDIANAPOLIS VE Testing Schedule for the first half of 2008 April 5th June 7th July 12th (At a separate location with the Indianapolis Hamfest) August 16th Sept 6th October 4th November 1st December 6th Calling in advance to ensure testing availability is suggested but not mandatory. SPONSOR: Indianapolis Radio Club (W9JP) LOCATION: Indianapolis Training Center 2820 N. Meridian Street. CONTACTS: Gale Wuollet, AA9WU (h) 317-849-8449, or Dr. Jay Wright, KK9L 317-203-3335. All testing at the Indianapolis Training Center starts at 9:00 am and the last test will be administered no later than 11:00 a.m. W1AW SPRING/SUMMER OPERATING SCHEDULE Morning Schedule: Time Mode Days ------------------- ---- --------- 1300 UTC (9 AM ET) CWs Wed, Fri 1300 UTC (9 AM ET) CWf Tue, Thu Daily Visitor Operating Hours: 1400 UTC to 1600 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM ET) 1700 UTC to 1945 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 PM ET) (Station closed 1600 to 1700 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM ET)) Afternoon/Evening Schedule: 2000 UTC (4 PM ET) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri 2000 " " CWs Tue, Thu 2100 " (5 PM ET) CWb Daily 2200 " (6 PM ET) RTTY Daily 2300 " (7 PM ET) CWs Mon, Wed, Fri 2300 " " CWf Tue, Thu 0000 " (8 PM ET) CWb Daily 0100 " (9 PM ET) RTTY Daily 0145 " (9:45 PM ET) VOICE Daily 0200 " (10 PM ET) CWf Mon, Wed, Fri 0200 " " CWs Tue, Thu 0300 " (11 PM ET) CWb Daily Frequencies (MHz) ----------------- CW: 1.8175 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475 18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 147.555 RTTY: - 3.5975 7.095 14.095 18.1025 21.095 28.095 147.555 VOICE: 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160 21.390 28.590 147.555 Notes: CWs = Morse Code practice (slow) = 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM CWf = Morse Code practice (fast) = 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM CWb = Morse Code Bulletins = 18 WPM W9SU PUTS I.C.E. UP FOR SALE That's right – Indianapolis Based I.C.E. (Industrial Communication Engineers), maker of some of the world's finest lightning arrestors, bandpass filters and other fabulous gizmos, has been put up for sale by the owner of the company, Mike Koss, W9SU, for a price of $2.7 million. Mike even took the radical step of initially offering it on eBay, which at least got people talking. Yes, it's a substantial price, but keep in mind that I.C.E. has never had an unprofitable year, with annual sales of $500,000 to $1 million, and it has a worldwide customer base, with tremendous potential for expansion. Feel free to share this news with anybody and everybody who might be interested, particularly folks who have some connection to ham or radio hobbyist Web sites and publications. (Not to mention anyone connected to a company that might be interested in taking over the I.C.E. product line.) Mike’s plans after sale of the company include devoting more time and resources to the already phenomenal “Comm Center” contest and special event station located on his property (the home of the world famous W9IMS operations). PLANS UNDERWAY FOR 2008 DAYTON HAMVENTION® ARRL EXPO returns to Dayton Hamvention, to be held May 16-18, 2008 at the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The huge ARRL exhibit area is a showcase of displays, activities and program representatives to enhance your ham radio experience. The ARRL EXPO is open to all Hamvention attendees. Meet ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, other ARRL officials, volunteers and staff knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics. Among the highlights of the exhibit space will be a card checking area for operating awards, activities for young hams, the ARRL bookstore and more. ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB, is the ARRL EXPO coordinator. "We are looking at some new and exciting venues within EXPO, but I'm not ready to spill the beans quite yet! We are focusing our attention this year on the theme of technology and on Hamvention's theme celebrating ham radio fellowship -- stay tuned for more news. We sincerely thank the 2008 Dayton Hamvention Committee and their volunteers for all they do to make this a signature convention; we are so pleased to participate." Keep an eye on the ARRL EXPO Web site for updates. ATTENTION ALL YLs Those “wild and crazy guys” over at the W9IMS special event are planning to have a YL only “special event within a special event” on the evening of May 24, the night before the 500. They’re going to declare it “Chick Factor Night”, only allowing YLs on the air for several hours. The motto of the evening is going to be “All Chicks, All the Time!” This is a great opportunity for those of the fairer sex to get some experience working the pile-ups generated by the monster signals emanating from the Comm Center. Don’t worry if you’re new to handling pile-ups, there will be plenty of help available. IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE >From Jack Parker, W8ISH: Life is good on the 146.835. My thanks to Chris Frederick-KG6ZIJ for making an early morning dash to pick up the new antenna and hardline from Dave Daily-KB9LOT while he got kids off to school. The tower crew wanted to beat the rain and arrived around 8:30AM to start installing the new 4-bay dipole VHF antenna and hardline. They finished around noon, before the cold rains came. Jay Chrisman-AA9YP stopped by on his way home from work to finish putting connectors on the new hardline and coax jumpers. The repeater was switched to the new antenna around 2PM Monday afternoon. Early reports indicate the hardline and higher gain antenna are making a difference in signal reports. We still have to punch an access hole in the wall of the fire house radio room for an additional coax jumper. That will enable us to put the second antenna and a radio on the air from the Olive Branch location. Again, my thanks to everyone who hustled today to make this happen. A SAD ENDING TO A LONG STORY The saga of the missing Hendricks County ham has come to a tragic ending. The red Jeep of Harold (Brad) Hensley, AB9JD, was pulled from the bottom of a retention pond in his housing addition. There were human remains in the drivers’ seat of the Jeep, that were positively identified to be those of Brad. 29 year old Hensley went missing in January of 2006, when he left for work one morning, but never made it there. WELCOME, NEW MEMBER Don Alsop, K9SHP FEEL FREE TO SHARE OUR NEWSLETTER If you belong to any other radio groups, please feel free to share our newsletter with them. They can also sign up to be on our mailing list by filling out the form available at http://www.indyradioclub.org/rqstnewsletter.htm. SEND ME YOUR HAM RADIO NEWS If anyone has any items for the newsletter, please send them to Ken Bandy at kc9glq@arrl.net Signals from the Past: >From the March/April, 1955 Indianapolis Radio Club Amachewer: Bob Fuller, W9CJT, the proud father, Rosemarie, the mother, announce the arrival on Feb. 13th of Mary Rose, a 8 pound 4 ounce girl to join two brothers and 1 sister. Dad’s remark: “There goes my new Heathkit”. Upcoming Area Radio Events: * Saturday, May 17 Annual IRC Bus Trip to Dayton Tickets are $30 each, and available at the next meeting. Bus ticket does not include admission to the show. Current IRC Officers: · President: Tom Chance, K9XV - ..EMAIL k9xv@arrl.net · Vice Pres.: Dave Miller, K9RTT - ..EMAIL dmiller@ivytech.edu · Secretary: Ken Bandy, KC9GLQ - ..EMAIL kc9glq@arrl.net · Treasurer: Judy Gardner, AA9GW - ..EMAIL aa9gw@juno.com · Chief Operator: Steve Wendt, KB9RDS - ..EMAIL kb9rds@juno.com · Dir. at large: Jim Rinehart, K9RU – EMAIL k9ru@arrl.net · Dir. at large: Tom Price, WB9UNG – EMAIL pricetr@comcast.net · Dir. at large: Hank Wolfla, K9LZJ – EMAIL hwolfla@insightbb.com · W9JP Trustee: Don Hemenover, N9DOO – EMAIL don9doo@lightbound.com