Inside this issue: USECA wishes you Happy Easter & Passover

Meeting Minutes 2

Prez Sez, Last Call! 3

K-Car Dipole, Strays 4/5

VHF DX, Weird Animals 6

Wayback Machine 7/8

Crossword 9

Clubs, Swaps, Soup 10

Spcl Events, Contests 11

Unusual SW DX, K0P 12

Hamvention Bus Reg. 13

Get involved, Join up 14

HF Nets, Ants, Insulators 15

Local Nets, Club info 16

Easter/Passover/April Fool’s Edition

THE USECA EXPRESS

Apri l 2018

You’re missing a lot of the Express if you don’t find the hidden web links! Be sure to find them all!

Volume 34 No. 4

Wann’a have some radio fun, kind’a

like a “Lark in the Park”, and do it to

help a worthy cause? Then be sure to

join USECAns at the concert pavilion in

Lake St Clair Metropark early in the

morning (7:30am) Sunday, April 29th to

get an assigned communication position

along the walk route.

We’re there to provide needed commu-

nications and relay any info necessary

along the route. If someone needs assis-

tance or medical attention, that’s what

we’re there for… to relay that back to

our net control (at the pavilion) who’ll

notify authorities or dispatch a golf cart.

USECA has been supporting the

March of Dimes “Walk for Babies” for

about 10 years and we’ve always had a

pretty good turn-out of members for this

fun, charity event. In years past there

have been free T-shirts (above), bagels,

donuts & coffee beforehand, and we’ve

burned a few hot dogs in the parking lot

afterward. It’s always been a fun day at

the park, regardless of weather. So… be

sure to come out for this worthy cause

and lend your communications expertise

while having a great time outdoors!

Work with USECA & help March for Babies ..April 29

2018 USECA Officers President: Rich Line/KC8HMJ Vice President: Jim Marek/N8KKG Rec. Secretary: Linda Line/KD8SAI Treasurer: Gary Simms/KI8M Membership Sec: Brenda/KD8SGB Board Members (3): Michelle/KD8ZYE Dave Mac Callum Mohr/N8KZ Rob Lifton/NY8W Past President: Ken Coughlin/N8KC (Call signs link to email addresses) Committeepersons ARRL & Club Liaison: Open Net Awards: Bob/N8ZY (586) 978-1682 Express Editor: Ken/N8KC Field Day Chair: Open Health/Welfare:Rob/NY8W (248) 816-2222 Net Manager: Bob/N8ZY (586) 978-1682 Photographer: Wes/KD8DHS Program Director: Jim/N8KKG Refreshments: Don/KC8CPT Repeater Trustee: Jerry/N8KLX (586) 731-9041 Swap Director: Gary/KI8M (586) 322-2134 Technical Director: Jerry/N8KLX Technicians: N8SA, N8ZA, K8RDJ, W1SKU, W1IK VE Testing: Alec/NF8X (248) 4MY-TEST Webmaster: Bob/N8ZY (586) 978-1682 Repeater Control Operators Jim/WY8I,, Chuck/N8ZA, Jim/W1IK , Alec/NF8X, Dan/N8ZBA, Jerry/N8KLX Repeater Programmers Jim/W1IK, Brad/N8VI, Jerry N8KLX

President KC8HMJ Rich

Vice President N8KKG Jim

Treasurer KI8M Gary

Membership Secretary KD8SGB Brenda

Recording Secretary KD8SAI Linda

Board Member KD8YZE Michelle

Board Member NY8W Rob

Board Member N8KZ Dave

Past President N8KC Ken

All Board members Present

Meeting called to order by Richard KC8HMJ @ 7:07.

Motion by Robb NY8W to approve the minutes for

February Board Meeting with correction of adding

Dave’s name to list of members present at the February

Board Meeting. Seconded by Dave N8KZ. Motion

Passed. (..my bad, my apologies Dave.. Editor)

Gary KI8M gave the Treasurers report. Motion by

Dave N8KZ to accept. 2nd by Ken N8KC. Motion

passed.

Brenda KD8SGB Membership Secretary reported that

we have 79 Paid Members. Everyone who has not paid

their 2018 dues must do so as soon as possible to re-

main a member of USECA.

Editor reminded everyone to please send articles to

him. Any type of interesting articles can be sent, any

article that you find helpful in any area of your life.

Send as a PDF, Doc, or simple text E-mail.

Tech report: Jerry N8KLX There are a number of

items that need to be updated and taken care of at all of

our sites. Winter Field day results are going to be posted

soon.

Club members will be at the Toledo Swap selling raf-

fle tickets and also taking reservations for the bus to

Hamvention.

Pre-Field day at Stony Creek Park will be on Satur-

day, June 2nd. Field day dates are June 22 and 23rd.

Motion to close meeting made at 8:06 pm by Gary

KI8M, 2nd by Michele KD8YZE.

President KC8HMJ Rich

Vice President N8KKG Jim

*Treasurer KI8M Gary

Membership Secretary KD8SGB Brenda

Recording Secretary KD8SAI Linda

Board Member KD8YZE Michelle

Board Member NY8W Rob

Board Member N8KZ Dave

Past President N8KC Ken

*Absent

Meeting called to order by Richard KC8HMJ at 7:30.

Welcome offered to Members and Visitors & thank you

to the Kitchen Staff. Introductions followed (mic passed)

Motion by Ken N8KC to approve the February minutes

as printed in Express. 2nd by Glen Ve3GQG.Motion

passed.

Linda KD8SAI gave the Treasurers report for Gary who

was absent. Motion by Ken N8KC to approve. 2nd by

Glen Ve3GQG Motion passed.

Brenda KD8SGB Membership Secretary reported that

we have 82 Paid Members. Everyone who has not paid

their 2018 dues must do so as soon as possible to be a

member of USECA.

Editor reminded everyone to please send articles to him.

Any type of interesting articles can be sent, any article

that you find helpful in any area of your life.

Tech report by Jerry N8KLX: work needs to be done on

the Mt. Clemens site when it is possible to enter the bldg.

Some antennas need to be checked and possibly replaced.

If that is necessary we’ll likely need to hire someone to

install the antennas due to liability issues and height of the

county building. Mt Clemens receiver is shut off for now.

Trustees report: Everything is good. Use the repeaters!

WeNeed raffle ticket sellers at every swap before our

swap in October, they’ll can also pass out USECA swap

fliers. Several members are going to the Toledo Swap

March 18, to sell USECA rig-raffle tickets and pass out

fliers. We must sell more bus seats to Hamvention or

maybe cancel. Pre-Field Day will be June 2 @ Stony

Creek Metro Park.. details later. ARRL Field Day is June

23 & 24. We need a FD Chairman and a USECAn to head

up the Mess Tent operation. “Walk for Babies” is April

29th at Lake St. Clair Metro Park. We need a Chairperson

(Net Control & relay) for this event and folks to work

mile markers during the walk. A guest invited by John

N8KAN, Tom (KE8BLK), won the 50/50 & used the $$

to join USECA.

Jim N8KKG gave a great presentation on the FT8 with

more than half the club in attendance.

Motion to close the meeting made at 8:45 pm by

Michelle KD8YZE, 2nd by JimKD8YAF. Motion Ap-

Page 2

General Meeting Minutes, Mar 12th Board Meeting Minutes, Mar 5th

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

Minutes submitted

by Linda KD8SAI

Bench tools, Soldering, De-

soldering, Lighting and

Magnification… No matter

what the job is, EAE Sales

and Owner Bruce Sander

(Retired USAF Master Ser-

geant) have the right tools

and supplies to do the job

and can show you how.

Click the logo above to visit

EAE’s website and support

USECA’s largest Hamfest

vendor.

Page 3

The Prez sez… KC8HMJ

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

147.180 & 444.775

*QST* LAST Call for Hamvention Bus seats KI8M Okay fellow USECAns, we are getting

very close to our cut off date of Friday

April 13th for this year’s Dayton

Hamvention Bus. If you intend to travel

to Dayton in style with your fellow club

members, you must fill out the registra-

tion form that you can find in any recent

copy of the Express, including this one

(or contact me directly for a copy of the

form KI8M@arrl.net). This modern bus,

your club has reserved, can comfortably

hold up to 55 people. At the time of this

writing, we only have 11 seats paid for

and we must have a minimum of 28. If

we cannot fill 17 more seats, the club will

cancel the trip and return registration

money to those who have already paid.

(Ed: Last year there were far more than

11 hands that went up at the meeting

when we were contemplating discontinu-

ing the bus.. Where are you guys now?)

If you want to get on board and go to

Hamvention with USECA on this bus,

DON’T DELAY, please forward your

filled out registration and a check made

out to USECA ($55) to my address be-

low. It must reach me by April 13th.. So,

be sure to mail it ASAP!

USECA - Dayton Bus

℅ Gary Simms - KI8M

8463 Lillian Drive

Washington Township, MI 48094-3843

p.s. If you have any questions, you can

contact me via e-mail at: ki8m@arrl.net

and I will get back to you as soon as I

can.

Thank you,

Gary - KI8M

USECA Treasurer

Here we are again, the calendar

says it’s Spring even though it

doesn’t feel like it… yet !

Anyway we will soon be doing

the March of Dimes “Walk for

Babies”, Larks in the Park, Pre-Field Day

and Field Day. Some of these things aren’t

too much more than just showing up.

Some require quite a bit more thought and

preparation with Field Day, of course, be-

ing the most involved until our October

swap. Part of the preparation of course is

the volunteers, Field Day Chairperson and

everything that goes with it. Some people

just automatically step up to the plate,

some do when asked, and I think some are

just waiting to volunteer. It still takes a

village... if you have any criticism please

supply the fix. If you have a better way to

do it, run it by the board so we can review

it and possibly present it to the member-

ship. It doesn’t have to be that formal so at

least let us know one way or another.

I talked to a couple hams who plan to

take the bus to the Hamvention but are

waiting for whatever. I certainly under-

stand how other plans could affect if your

going at all, but I wouldn’t hold out or you

may be having to travel another

way or not go at all. (See below)

A ham friend of mine Pete

K8PGJ likes to travel to distant

places to play ham radio, dive and

eat. This time he was contesting so I think

diving wasn’t in the plan. The last DX-

pedition where I talked to him he was in

Bora-Bora. This time he was transmitting

from Curacao, which is an island of the

coast of Venezuela. He had email and was

able to text too. I watched his posting on

the DXWATCH app as he switched bands

a lot. Anyway before the contest I talked

to him on 20M. During the contest I man-

aged to talk to him or his station on 10, 15

and 40 M. That was a lot of fun, I had re-

cently restrung my 40 M Delta Loop and I

guess it worked ok, it sure wasn’t looking

at his location though. Chuck N8ZA and

Danny W8TVO made contact with him

too.

Ok now, volunteer, suggest, get on HF,

use both of our repeaters and have fun

with our fun hobby. Sell some stuff at the

April GM swap so you have money for

Hamvention!! Rich Line, KC8HMJ USECA President

USECA’s Famous

Pre-Field Day

Sat, June 2nd 10am-?

Stony Creek Park

Mark your calendar!

The USECA Express Page 4 Apr i l 2018

The USECA Express Page 5 Apr i l 2018

The Dodge Dipole… continued KZ3F

Page 6

Antarctic Ham/Scientist discovers rare flying Penguins!

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

While outside his Antarctic compound at

the British Halley Research station, a Brit-

ish Ham/Scientist (G0FUL), checking on

the amateur antenna installation there,

thought he saw something unusual just

over a rise to the north of the base. After

further investigation he and a BBC film

crew made this video of an indeed rare

breed of penguins, heretofore thought to

be flightless. BBC

USECA’s 2018

Big Rig Raffle

An Icom 7300

..only $10/ticket! What a deal!! On sale at

meetings & swaps, or see

a board member for your

winning ticket. Don’t miss

out on this raffle.. Support

your club!

Antarctic Ham/Scientist discovers rare

Real-Time VHF/UHF Tropo/DX Aid ..suggested by KC8HMJ

..Like to work distant stations on VHF

during those rare conditions where propa-

gation carries your signal far beyond the

horizon? I’m kind of a casual DX’er on

both HF and VHF.. I’ll try to work ‘em if I

happen to hear them, but I rarely check to

see if band conditions would behoove me

to get on the air.

Rich recently sent me some links on

both a real-time Troposheric Ducting pre-

dictor and an Auroral propagation predic-

tor (right) which I found interesting, espe-

cially as we enter spring and better VHF

DXing picks up with the weather. Click-

ing on the partial US map below will take

you to the website, where maps similar to

what you see below will show real-time

where 6m/2m/440 Tropo propagation is

occurring. Have Fun!

Sent in by KC8HMJ

Auroral DX Predictor

Are you into chasing DX

on the 10m, 6m, &

VHF/UHF bands? Click on

the linked picture below to

go to the NOAA’s Auroral

propagation prediction

tool. Bounce your signals

off the Northern Lights to

Listening to the BBC the other night on

shortwave, I heard the story of this recent

anthropological discovery now exhibited at

the London Zoo. In the BBC video (right),

Doctor Bellamy shows some of the crea-

ture’s more unusual traits, mimicry and bi-

zarre bright purple droppings. Watch as both

children and adults interact with the highly

unusual Lirpa Loof.

Unusual Yeti-like creature found by Zoologist BBC

If you own a Yaesu

System Fusion radio..

Join our all-digital

Thursdays @ 7pm

On 444.775MHz

& linked repeaters

Page 7

The Wayback Machine… 16th of a series by W2XOY

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

In our last installment, we saw how,

when the FCC created the Technician

class license back in 1951, their intention

was to give it a separate and unique pur-

pose. The Commission stated that the

Technician class license was established

expressly for serious minded experiment-

ers who needed spectrum space in which

to conduct their tests. It was not estab-

lished as a communicators' service and

was not to be a stepping stone between

the Novice and General class licenses.

The original Technician class operator

only had privileges above 220 Mc. In

1955, they were given six meters and in

1959, the 145-147 Mc. segment of two

meters. Getting additional frequencies for

Technicians was difficult… the petitions

could not mention "communications" as a

reason, but rather had to show that there

was a need for additional experimentation

on the six and two meter bands. Because

of the "experimental" nature of the li-

cense, Technicians were not allowed to

become RACES stations. They also faced

some discrimination by a few higher

class amateurs, in fact, several proposals

were made to the FCC to "punish" Tech-

nicians who used the airwaves to com-

municate, rather than to experiment.

In 1962, two events occurred. First, the

FCC denied petitions to give Technicians

the 29.5-29.7 Mc. segment of ten meters

as well as full two meter privileges. In

rejecting these petitions, the FCC said

there was "considerable misunderstand-

ing" about the role of the Technician

class, and restated the "experimenter"

policy they had issued in 1951.

Also that year, a

new amateur publi-

cation hit the mar-

ket- "Ham Radio

Horizons." Concen-

trating on six me-

ters and above, this

magazine was full

of technical articles,

construction pro-

jects, contest information, and VHF

news. But it was the editorial content of

"Ham Radio Horizons" that broke new

ground. For the first time, an amateur

magazine called for a rewrite of FCC pol-

icy. They wanted Technicians to be con-

sidered full-fledged amateurs and not just

experimenters. Naturally, this caused

controversy in the amateur community.

Technicians who considered themselves

communicators flocked to this new publi-

cation, while some higher class amateurs

condemned it and restated their position

that "communicating" Technicians were

violating FCC policy. Unfortunately,

"Ham Radio Horizons" was not able to

turn a profit, and expired after only two

years.

In 1967, the FCC instituted "incentive

licensing". While the actual frequency

loss by Technicians was minimal--just

the first 100 kc. CW segment of six me-

ters--the FCC still struck a blow to those

wishing to remove the "experimenter"

status from this license. The FCC once

again turned aside requests to expand

Technician privileges to the full two me-

ter band. In addition, the FCC also re-

moved two meter voice privileges for

Novices and took away the right for an

amateur to simultaneously hold a Novice

and Technician license. According to the

Commission, too many Novices were

operating two meter voice, were not in-

creasing their code speed, and were up-

grading only to Technician instead of

General when their Novice license ex-

pired. Once again, the 1951 policy was

restated.

However, despite the FCC's position,

thousands of Technicians were on the

VHF bands as communicators. With the

rise of two meter FM, new Technicians

were taking to the airwaves every day,

mostly with surplus wide-band commer-

cial equipment. Recognizing that the role

of this class of license had evolved, the

ARRL Board of Directors met on No-

vember 1, 1969 and came to a decision.

In an editorial in the December 1969 is-

sue of "QST" entitled "Technicians as

Communicators", the ARRL's new posi-

tion was stated… Technicians were no

longer just experimenters, but rather full

fledged communicators. Next page...

QRZ… aka “the “Zed”,

Created by Hams for

Hams. Free software

downloads, free practice

FCC exams, free member

forums, free world-wide

call sign database with

advanced search functions,

free on-line LOTW com-

patible log, and your own

free customizable personal

QRZ page.

Get your General

or Extra NOW!

Page 8

More Wayback Machine 16th in a series by W2XOY, Bill Continelli

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

Aluminum rod, tubing,

and fabrication too. Cus-

tom tailored replacement

parts and stock on hand

for many older towers.

Universal offered help to

USECA with free repairs

on at least one tower.. A

good friend to local

Hams and a local busi-

ness worthy of our sup-

port.

147.180 & 444.775

USECA is pleased to welcome a brand

new vendor to our Hamfest; Debco.

Please patronize their on-line store (link

above) and remember to thank them for

helping grow our swap and make it a

success. We want them back in 2018!!

You name it..

We have it!

The ARRL proposed that they be given

the full two meter band, the 29.5 to 29.7

Mc. segment of ten meters, and the abil-

ity to once again hold a Novice license

simultaneously. The ARRL put these pro-

posals before the FCC in a petition.

The FCC did not immediately respond

to this petition, but rather, in 1971 issued

an odd ruling in which they stated that a

Technician class amateur could not use a

repeater in which the input was in the

Technician subband of 145-147 MHz, but

the output was above 147. Nevertheless,

since the repeater subband in the early

70's was 146-148 MHz and the Techni-

cian was not allowed above 147, the FCC

was under pressure. On October 17,

1972, Technicians were given the 147-

148 MHz segment of two meters. The

FCC denied Technicians ten meters,

Novices privileges, and the 144-145 MHz

portion of two meters, but the door was

opened.

With thousands of Technicians on two

meter FM, the FCC then moved slowly

towards full VHF privileges for them,

realizing that the "experimenter" designa-

tion was obsolete. In 1975, Technicians

were given Novice frequency privileges.

When the new repeater sub-band was

opened at 144.5-145.5 MHz, Technician

privileges were expanded to 144.5-148.

The FCC also realized that Technicians

could no longer be excluded from RAC-

ES operation. In 1976, the FCC eliminat-

ed the "mail order" status of the Techni-

cian exam and required applicants to

show up at an FCC examination point.

Finally, in 1978, Technicians received

full two meter privileges. In the eyes of

the FCC, they were full-fledged ama-

teurs. In 1987, the exam was made easier

by splitting element 3, the General writ-

ten exam, into 3A for Technician and 3B

for General. This is why those Techni-

cians licensed before March 1987 only

have to take the 13 WPM code test to

upgrade to General. Also in 1987, Tech-

nicians received sideband privileges in

the 28.3 to 28.5 MHz segment of ten me-

ters. And, in a final act of "Technician

Liberation" in 1991, 40 years after the

license was established, the code-free

Technician was created. So, if you meet a

Technician who has been licensed since

the 60's, treat him or her with dignity and

respect, for they have suffered and en-

dured years of being ostracized so that

today's Technicians can enjoy full

VHF/UHF privileges.

In our next installment, we will look at

the development of repeaters and repeater

regulations. I hope you will join me.

Printed with permission of the author.

Articles originally ran prior to Y2K. If

you’d like to read all of Bill’s articles,

click on “Wayback Machine” above to

start at the very beginning.

..Editor

Page 9

Crossword by Chris Codella, W2PA Sport Sort

Across

1. Internet spec.

4. Word with radiation

9. A contest meth.

14. Wil' Wright's bro'?

15. Acquired relative

16. Icom rig

17. Word with CQ

19. Cut loose

20. Western ham org.

21. Add 50 ohms, say

23. Types of cap.

26. DXCC awd. unit

27. Contester's objective,

often

30. The end of CW

31. Amp. opp.

32. FMT unit

35. Wire coating

37. W4 state

38. Market type

39. Rock group

calculators?

42. Coalition

43. QRS followers

44. Belonging to W1AW

45. Non-OMs

46. Game piece

47. Dot follower

48. ZL dir. from JA

49. Military address

50. Navigation acronym

52. Cover, as with fabric

56. New Englanders

60. Emit photons

61. Words with Europe or

Continents

64. Hidden

65. In the ether

66. PY or CT saint

67. It's clean, in

November

68. City in 37-across

69. SWR meter label

Down

1. Kind of hall

2. Gator's cousin

3. Eastern ham org.

4. A hand

5. LA dir. from JA

6. Murphy's work

7. Puts on cargo

8. The America's Cup

trophy, e.g.

9. Quick test

10. Ain't right?

11. VE1 first name

12. JA assembly

13. Lot of loot

18. Polarized light disp.

22. Figure of speech

24. Footnote word

25. Officers, and others

27. Like duck feet

28. Collectively

29. Milli-micros?

31. 1996 Olympic flame

lighter

32. They're entered in

court

33. Makes waves?

34. All together, with en

36. W3 sect.

37. One way to C U on the

bands

38. Cone maker

40. Solder target

41. Mike lead-in

46. Hoped-for response to

CQ test

47. OK was one

49. Weather balloon unit,

with radio

50. 9L ender

51. Affirmative action

52. IRC seller

53. "That was close!"

54. Take on

55. New Yorkers and

others

57. Sat. org.

58. Flamboyance

59. Tab target

62. P5 authority

63. Diamond stat

Answer key elsewhere

in the Express

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

No.. unfortunately we can’t pay you for your article, but we can make it look like a thousand bucks! Send one in!

Click here for MI

Section news/info

Click here to

Local Clubs

Page 10

Upcoming Swaps of Interest… support our local clubs!

L’Anse Creuse

ARC:

Meets every 1st

Wednesday of

the month at 7:30 pm. The

location is the Tucker Senior

Center located at 26980 Bal-

lard off 21 mile Rd, East of I-

94 in Harrison Twp.

Hazel Park

ARC:

Meets every 2nd Wednesday

of each month at 7:30 pm.

The location is UFCW Hall

876 Horace Brown Dr, in

Madison Heights.

General Motors

ARC:

Meets each 3rd

Tuesday of the

month at 7:00

pm. The Meetings are held at

the Packard Proving

Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke,

The USECA Express

Not a member?

Apri l 2018

1st Annual GMARC

Swap & Shop Date: Sunday 04/29/2018

Location:

UFCW Local 876 Union Hall

876 Horace Brown Drive

Madison Heights, MI 48071

Web: http://www.gmarc.org/SwapInfo

Sponsor: General Motors ARC

Talk-In: 443.075 (PL 123)

Public Contact:

Mike Carelli , W8MJC

1853 Willowood Drive

Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Phone: 248-835-9545

Email: Swap@gmarc.org

Cadillac Swap

Date: Saturday 05/05/2018

Location:

Cadillac Jr. High School

500 Chestnut Street

Cadillac, MI 49601

Web: http://www.wexaukeearc.org

Sponsor: Wexaukee ARC

Talk-In: 146.980 (no PL tone)

Public Contact:

Alton McConnell , NU8L

PO Box 163

Cadillac, MI 49601

Phone: 231-862-3774

Email: nu8l@yahoo.com

ZOSIA'S DILL PICKLE SOUP LSCMP Andy

8 c. chicken stock or broth

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 medium carrots, coarsely grated

2 c. peeled, cubed potatoes

1 c. thinly sliced celery

5 coarsely grated Polish dill pickles

(from the jar)

1/2 c. milk

2 T. flour

1 egg

5 T. sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

finely chopped fresh dill (optional)

In a large saucepan or soup pot with cov-

er, combine chicken stock, bouillon, car-

rots, potatoes and celery. Bring to a boil,

reduce heat and cook covered, over low

heat, til potatoes start to get soft (about

10 minutes). Do not over cook. Add pick-

les and continue cooking about 15

minutes. In a small bowl, beat milk and

flour til smooth and stir in a small

amount of the hot soup (to temper) and

add to soup. Bring to the boil and cook til

slightly thickened. Remove from heat. In

a small bowl, beat egg with sour cream til

smooth and stir in a small amount of the

hot soup. Add to soup and stir til smooth.

Keep soup warm but DO NOT BOIL (the

soup will curdle). Add salt and pepper to

taste and garnish with parsley and dill.

(makes 10 servings)

ARC

ARC

Page 11

Activation of State Parks in the State of Texas

Apr 7-Apr 8, 1500Z-2100Z, K5LRK, Lake Area Amateur Radio Klub. CW -

Bottom of band +40 kHz; Phone - General Segment +25 kHz and 28.350;

VHF - 50.200 and 144.200 MHz. QSL: Ken Rainy, AC5EZ, 529 Kenilworth

Ave, Oak Point, TX 75068. Apr 7 - Apr 8, 1500 - 0300 and Apr 8 1500 -

2100 https://www.k5lrk.com

Wings of Freedom Tour

Apr 7, 1600Z-2300Z, W7AI, Tucson, AZ. Oro Valley ARC. CW: 14.040,

7.040 PSK: 14.070, 7.070 FT-8: 14.074, 7.074 SSB: 14.250, 7.200. Certifi-

cate: Via email only, to qsl@tucsonhamradio.org. Spots:

www.dxsummit.fi. www.tucsonhamradio.org

USS Midway Museum Ship Special Event: Doolittle Raid

Apr 14, 1600Z-2300Z, NI6IW, USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Ship. 14.320

7.250; 14.070 PSK31; D-STAR on REF001C. QSL. USS Midway (CV-41)

COMEDTRA, 910 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.

Earth Day At Great Falls National Historical Park

Apr 13, 1400Z-2100Z, W2E, Fair Lawn Amateur Radio Club. 14.245 14.045

7.245 7.045. QSL. Fair Lawn Amateur Radio Club, 10-10 20th Street, Fair

Lawn, NJ 07410. An early Earth Day with a demonstration of amateur radio to

hundreds of students and visitors. Guest operators will include STEM students

from local NJ area schools. fairlawnarc.org

World Amateur Radio Day

Apr 18, 1200Z-1230Z, W2W, Nevada Amateur Radio Repeaters, Inc..

IRLP 9251/EchoLink World Conference, IRLP - Node #479886. QSL:

John Derycke, 85 Amherst St, Apt 2, Rochester, NY 14607. This event is

a EchoLink-VoIP based event. EchoLink has very many RF stations that

are connected which is held every April 18th and this is the 4th year we

have done this...last year we logged in 426 check-ins in a 12 hr and 15

min net with 6 net controller from all over the world; the response was

overwhelming. www.narri.org

International Marconi Day

Apr 21, 0000Z-2359Z, KM1CC, Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club. 14.260 14.035

7.260 3.535 . QSL: KM1CC Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club, Cape Cod National Sea-

shore, 99 Marconi Site Rd, Wellfleet, MA 02667. International Marconi Day is spon-

sored by the Cornish Radio Club, UK. KM1CC is one of many stations participating.

KM1CC represents Marconi's 1901 South Wellfleet Sta-

tion https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/historyculture/marconi.htm

Gold Nugget Days

Apr 26-Apr 29, 1500Z-0000Z, W6PAR, Paradise, CA. Paradise Amateur

Radio Society. 14.250 145.290-.6 110.9. QSL: Paradise Amateur Radio Soci-

ety, 6616-D 273 Clark Rd, Paradise, CA 95969. One of the first mining

claims at Dogtown, known today as Magalia, was the Willard Claim, a hy-

draulic mine, in 1851 owned by 3 miners, Willard, Wetherbee, and Smith.

The claim was northeast of Dogtown in the canyon by the West Branch of the

Feather River.It was here on April 12, 1859, A.K. Stearns a workman at the mine, found the the

largest gold nugget weighing 54lbs. The nugget was worth $10,690. Annual celebrations started

in 1959. Gold Nugget Days 1997 was the first event in Butte County taking part in Cal-150, the

official commemoration of 150 years of California statehood. w6par.org

Honoring the Birthday of the Boy Scouts of America

Apr 28, 1000Z-1500Z, W1BSA, Fall River, MA. USNR NE1PL. 7,259. QSL.

USNR c/o Rick Emord, 135 Wareham St, Middleboro, MA 02346. This will be our

fourth year transmitting in honor of the birthday of the Boy Scouts Of America from

the ward room of the USS Massachusetts. Scouts camp over night on the ship and

we try to involve as many as we can.

April Contests

ARRL Rookie Roundup

April 15, 1800-2359Z

Texas State Parks OTA

April 7, 1400-0400Z

& April8, 1400-2000Z

Florida State Parks OTA

April 7, 1400-2200Z

& April 8, 1400-2200Z

Missouri QSO Party

Apr 7-8, 1400-0400Z

& 1400-2000Z

Mississippi QSO Party

Apr 7, 1400-0200Z

New Mexico QSO Party

Apr 14, 1400-0200Z

N Dakota QSO Party

Apr 15, 1400-0200Z

Georgia QSO Party

Apr 14-15, 1800-0359Z

& 1400-2359Z

Nebraska QSO Party

Apr 21-22, 1300-0200Z

& 1300-2200Z

֍ Michigan QSO Party ֍

Apr 21, 1600-0400Z

Ontario QSO Party

Apr 21-22, 1800-0500Z

& 1200-1800Z

Florida QSO Party

Apr 28-29, 1600-0159

& 1200-2159Z

April QSO Parties

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

147.180 & 444.775

April Special Events of interest...

USECA… Needs Y O U!! No club can long survive with the same people doing all the work.

You are the club.. Step up and help! Positions open are:

Kitchen Help always appreciated @ meetings

Field Day Chair, Master Chef, and Galley help,

Join the Swap Committee,

USECA Express Article Writers

Net Control Operators, ARRL/Club Liaison

March for Babies Chair, Run for office

Help direct your club, Report on ARRL & club activity

Contact KC8HMJ@arrl.net or another board member listed on page 1.

Step up.. Help run your club.. It’s Fun.. Volunteer!

The USECA Express Page 12 Apr i l 2018

Listening for unusual DX: VLF, LF, TV, Air/Marine, Beacons, Broadcast, etc

Michigan always seemed to be first in

many things, here's another first: "the first

radio broadcast to police cars" (see excerpt).

We invite local Amateur Radio enthusiasts

to come to Belle Isle on April 7th between

10 AM and 4 PM, and bring their low power

(QRP?) emergency communications gear and

help us 'work' the Special Event station K0P and celebrate

the 90th anniversary of the first Radio broadcasts to po-

lice patrol cars.

Come have fun, enjoy the day, the company and meet

different folks (bring refreshments). This would be a

good time to check out emergency communications gear

with minimum preparation and quick and easy antenna

setups. (I think too many of us treat Field Day more as a

contest than as a check of our preparedness and a chance

to improve our emergency operating skills.)

Contact Kimball Williams, N8FNC

(k.williams@ieee.org) or Bill Boyke,

N8OZV (wboyke@ford.com) for more details. In 1928, a dedicated Detroit patrolman and an electronics buff de-

vised the first successful one-way radio link between police head-

quarters and cruisers. Critical news of crimes in pro-

gress could now be transmitted from the stationhouse

to police cars as they drove. Electronics was a fledg-

ling science when Detroit Patrolman Kenneth Cox

and Robert L. Batts, an engineering student, built a

stable radio receiver and antenna system. Their suc-

cessful one-way radio, coming after years of trial and

error, was installed in April 1928. The Detroit Police

Department made history as the first to dispatch patrol

cars regularly by radio. Many city police departments shortly fol-

lowed suit with their own systems.

Between 1921 and 1927, radio buffs Kenneth R. Cox, Walter

Vogler and Bernard Fitzgerald, all Detroit police officers, experi-

mented with radio sets they had Installed in the back seat of a Model

T Ford police patrol car. The receivers picked up signals, but not

very consistently. Frequently, broadcasts would fade out as the car

passed large buildings or under railroad bridges. Also, police had no

designated band on which to broadcast, so the system operated like

any radio station. The station was appropriately called KOP and

listed locally as an entertainment station. To meet FRC (Federal Ra-

dio Commission, predecessor of the FCC) licensing requirements,

police officers broadcast recorded music in between lists of stolen

vehicles and descriptions of missing children. Persistent work by Cox

and Robert Batts led to the development of an improved receiver in

1927. A broadcasting station, W8FS, was set up on Belle Isle and

regular dispatches began in 1928. (Source: Detroit FreePress).

Invite to a Local Special Event K0P... Belle Isle ARRL

Rich, KC8HMJ, recently emailed me a ton of possible

web links & material for the Express. If you click on the

image to the right, it’ll take you to the website of William

Hepburn, an avid DX listener on bands from VLF to

UHF, and more modes than you can shake a stick at from

his home near Niagara Falls. Click

I admit I was a bit surprised to discover William is not

a Ham. My interest in radio began with “DXing” AM

Broadcast stations on an old 50’s cabinet radio with a

long wire antenna and progressed to SWLing and a Ham

license after purchasing a much more sensitive Kenwood

R300 (AM/SSB/CW) rig. There’s a ton of stuff on HF!

1st radio-equipped patrol car

NO DEPOSITS TAKEN,

FULL PRICE ONLY!

Registration for USECA’s Charter Bus Day-trip to Hamvention, May 19th, 2018

Please PRINT clearly ALL information required below. Total cost, $55.. does NOT include Hamvention ticket (~$25)

Name ________________________________________ Callsign ____________________

Cell Phone # _______________________ Home Phone # ___________________________

Emergency contact #__________________________ Name _________________________ Saturday, May 19th, 2018.. Bus leaves pkg lot @ 14 & Vandyke Walmart promptly @ 4am

Email _______________________________ Bus will leave from Hamvention parking area promptly @ 5pm

Payment in FULL received: ____/____/____ ($55 total) Your signature REQUIRED below…

Please read carefully!

I, ___________________________________________________, understand it is my responsibility to arrive at the embarkation points (both

locally and in Xenia) and be aboard the bus ON TIME (4am here, 5pm @ Hamvention). Failure to do so may well mean being left behind (here

or at Xenia), in which case I’ll be responsible for finding and funding my own transportation. (Plan to arrive early at points of embarkation and

allow enough time for loading any items you might have.) If I am a “no-show”, I understand that I forfeit my seat and any monies paid and that

the seat may be resold as USECA sees fit. Once I pay in full for my seat, it is my responsibility… if I have to cancel for any reason; I understand

it will be my responsibility to resell my ticket and notify USECA of that fact or my ticket may not be accepted in the hands of another person. I

further agree to hold harmless and indemnify USECA and it’s members for any unforeseen loss, liability, injury, or claims that may result from

my participation in this activity. Please note that the bus is planned as a non-stop with no stops for food or drink and plan accordingly.

Utica-Shelby Emergency Communications Association

2018 Day Trip to Hamvention Saturday May 19, 2018 Bus leaves 14 Mile & VanDyke Walmart lot @ 4am, leaves Hamvention lot @ 5pm

Payment in Full Only (non-refundable)

Received from ______________________________________ $ 55 total Date__________________

Signed: ___________________________ (USECA officer) Registrant’s initials __________ Affirming the following:

I have read and understand my responsibilities to arrive on time @ embarkation points and the consequences of my failing to abide by the stipula-

tions set forth in the registration I signed before receiving this receipt and hold USECA and it’s members harmless as stated in my signed regis-

tration. Save this receipt!!!

Mailed forms must be received no later than April 13th. Mail to KI8M, 8463 Lillian, Washington Twp, MI 48094

Get Involved, Show Up, Participate.. Have a blast!

♦ The Utica Shelby Emergency Communications Association Board usually meets on the first Monday each month,

September through June. Board meeting dates can vary due to a Holiday. Visitors are welcome.

♦ General Membership meetings are generally on the second Monday of each month, September through June. Visi-

tors are of course welcome and strangers aren’t strangers long. The official meeting begins at 7:30 pm, show up around

6 pm for a great home-cooked meal (normally $6) and a heaping helping of camaraderie! Both the board meeting and

general membership meetings are held at the Mt. Clemens Elks’ Club, 179 S. Main Street, Mt. Clemens, MI, just south

of the US Post Office on the east side of the road. Map Link

♦ Throughout spring, summer, and fall, USECAns often gather in impromptu ‘Larks in the Park’. These can happen

during the week or on weekends, and are not always announced far in advance. What is a ‘Lark’? Radios, fun, relaxa-

tion, gab session, and BBQ rolled into one! Larks are often held at Stony Creek Metropark or Lake St Clair/Metro

Beach Metropark. How do you know when USECA is having a lark? Check USECA’s Facebook page, check your

email, or listen to our repeaters, K8UO at 147.180 (100Hz) & 444.775 (123Hz) Bring “munchies” and a favorite drink!

Page 14

Renewals due Jan 1st of each year

1st time memberships are pro-rated

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

USECA’s W5YI VEC exam sessions.. get licensed or upgrade!

Testing is the 3rd Monday of the month from September thru June. Alec, NF8X, is the Con-

tact VE. Pre-registration is encouraged. Test fee is $14.00 cash (exact change only,

please!). Examinees must bring Xerox copies of their current license and un-expired

CSCE's, if any. There is no copy machine at the testing site! Exam start time is 7:00 PM.

Walk-ins are welcome. Test site is at the Mt. Clemens Elks Club, 179 S. Main St. in Mt.

Clemens, just south of the Post Office. (Map Link) Other VE test sessions can be arranged.

Contact Alec, NF8X, at (248) 4MY-TEST or nf8x73@gmail.com for info.

The USECA Express Page 15

Support our Michigan HF Traffic Nets

Apri l 2018

Net Name Net Mgr Meets Comments

MACS Michigan Amateur

Communications

System

WB8TQZ Sun-Sat 10:00:00 3.952

For more on NTS and

Traffic Handling, see

the NTS link

UPN

Upper Peninsula Net WA8DHB

Sun-Sat

Sun

17:00:00

12:00:00

3.920

3.921

MIARPSC Michigan Amateur

Radio Public Service

Corps

WB8RCR Sun 17:00:00 3.932 MI-ARPSC meets on 7.232 if summertime

conditions warrant.

QMN

The Michigan Net WB9JSR

Sun-Sat

Sun-Sat

18:30:00

22:00:00

3.563

3.563

QMN Meets twice per day. QMN will also

hold a 9AM session if stations are availa-

ble. Summer conditions sometimes change

net frequency to 7.063. Recent poor condi-

tions sometimes dictate 1.812 MHz.

MITN

Michigan Traffic Net WB8TQZ Sun-Sat 19:00:00 3.952

Please consider volunteering as a net con-

trol station for MITN. MITN meets on

1.892 if winter conditions dictate.

MIDTN Michigan Digital

Traffic Net

N8LBF Tues, Thur, Sat 20:00:00 3.583 Within waterfall, typically around 3.584

GLETN Great Lakes Emer-

gency and Traffic Net

WA8IAL Sun-Sat 20:00:00 3.932 Great Lakes generally holds a "pre-net".

..and don’t forget our local VHF Traffic Net: SEMTN...

Easter Humor

SEMTN Southeastern Michi-

gan Traffic Net

KD8QPF Sun-Sat 22:15:00 146.76-

Local HF Nets...

Get active on the air… SSB, CW, FM, or Fusion

Click on the graphic or search

for USECA Amateur Radio Club

The USECA EXPRESS is published monthly (except July and August),

by the UTICA-SHELBY EMER-

GENCY COMMUNICATION AS-SOCIATION INC., of Macomb

County, Michigan. Articles for THE

EXPRESS should be submitted to the editor no later than one week

before our board meeting for publi-

cation in that month’s edition. The articles within are property of the

author and not necessarily endorsed

by USECA. Material contained in THE EXPRESS may be reprinted

provided credit is given to the USE-

CA EXPRESS and the author, except material published by permission of

a copyright holder. Articles with no

author noted can be assumed to be written by the editor.

USECA ARC

PO Box 46331

Mt Clemens, MI

48046

Local VHF/UHF nets… recent additions!

The Happenin’ Club!

We’re on the web

at usecaarc.com

Page 16

The USECA Express Apr i l 2018

147.180 & 444.775

MON 7:30 PM LCARC / 15 Meter CW 21.165 MHz

MON-SAT 1 PM GM Net (Old Firebird Freq) 7.277.5 MHz

MON 8:30 PM LCARC / 15 Meter Phone USB 21.395 MHz

TUE 2300 UTC USECA / 75 Meter Phone LSB 3.830 +/- QRM

THU 7:30 PM LCARC / 10 Meter Phone USB 28.435 MHz

THU 9:00 PM USECA / 15 Meter CW 21.140 MHz

FRI 9:00 PM USECA / 80 Meter CW 3.570 MHz

FRI 10:00 PM USECA / 10 Meter Phone USB 28.425 MHz

SUN 1:00 PM USECA / Information Net 147.180 +100 PL

SUN >1:30 PM ARRL/ARN Bulletin after Info Net 147.180

SUN 7:00 PM USECA / Traders/Tech Support 147.180 +100 PL

SUN 9:00 PM HPARC / Info (EchoLink ) 146.640 +100 PL

SUN 9:00 PM Garden City ARC 146.860 +100 PL

SUN-SAT 10:15 PM S. E. Michigan Traffic Net 146.760 +100 PL

MON 7:00 PM KA8WYN Tech, Misc Net 443.550 +107 PL

MON 7:30 PM SATERN 147.180 +100 PL

1st MON/mo 8:00 PM GMARC (EchoLink) Trivia Net 443.075 +123 PL

MON 8:00 PM MECA / Info Net 147.200 +100 PL

MON 8:00 PM GMARC (EchoLink ) Info Net 443.075 +123 PL

TUE 8:00 PM GMARC (EchoLink) Tech Net 443.075 +123 PL

TUE 9:00 PM Motor City Radio Club 147.240 +100 PL

WED 7:00 PM USECA 6m USB Net 50.145

THU 7:00 PM USECA Fusion Net (Linked Rptrs) 444.775

THU 8:00 PM Macomb County RACES / ARES 147.200 +100 PL

THU 8:00 PM GMARC (EchoLink) YL Net 443.075 +123 PL

THU 8:30 PM LCARC / Info Net (EchoLink ) 147.080 +100 PL

FRI 5:00 PM GMARC (EchoLink) Guild Net 443.075 +123 PL

SAT 9:00 PM GMARC AR Newsline 443.075 +123 PL

SAT 11:00 PM USECA International Hoot Owl 147.180 +100 PL

SAT 12:00 PM KA8WYN World-Wide Net (DMR) 442.0375