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Volume 9 Issue 09 September 2017

Club Meetings

First Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM

Bradford Bank Community Room

100 E. College Ave.

Greenville, IL 62246

Next Meeting

October 5 2017

In This Issue

2 - Next Months Program

3 - Meeting Minutes

6 - Vine to Wine Recap

7 - News & Information

8 - Upcoming Events

Club Net

Each Sunday at 9:00 PM on 147.165 PL 103.5

Also on Linked Repeater System

Club Repeaters

AD9OV/R 147.165+ (PL 103.5) 224.440- (PL 103.5) 442.925+ (PL 103.5)

OVARC NEWSLETTER The Monthly Publication of the Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club

.

Like usual, I’m getting to the newsletter a little late in the month and today has been a little rougher to concentrate that usual. This morning I woke up to a message on the mobile phone, which doubles as my alarm clock, about a horrific event that happened while most of us were sleeping. When I read the message there were 20+ dead and 100+ wounded and by the time I left for work that number changed drastically to 50+ dead and 200+ wounded from a lone gunman in Las Vegas at an outdoor concert. I’ll leave the politics aside regarding the “tools” of choice by the evil behind this tragedy, and instead reflect on the event itself and what could I have done to help the victims or first responders if I was there. I can’t say this affected me directly since I wasn’t there and I don’t know any victims but I can say it personally affects me because I love Vegas. I’m not a gambler but I love the action and people; I love walking around and looking at the architecture and wonderment that is Vegas. The sad thing is everyone in the media seemed surprised by this event; I’m not. I tend to think of myself as very aware of my surroundings and always looking for the bad things that can happen and adjust accordingly (Yes, I know many would call that a sickness, I see it as a challenge) and every time I go to Vegas it’s on my mind that someone could do something like this but never imaged to this scale and by only one person. An event like this is no place for amateur radio support as this was a short duration, single venue situation, however what if it had been a natural disaster or wider scale terrorist attack? When you are on vacation or on a business trip do pack radio equipment for fun or otherwise? When you walk around a strange place do you look for safe operating locations just in case? This is something to think about as our world is a far different place than it was just a few short years ago. It will be interesting to see if any reports are released stating communication issues with cell towers being over subscribed or radio issues with Public Service like there have been at previous tragic events.

Our thoughts and prayers should go out to the families of those that lost their lives and suffered injury and God Bless our First Responders and Police who do not get the credit they deserve these days.

73, Tim Rapp - K9TJR

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October Program

Amateur Radio Support for Healthcare Organizations

Lee French N9YHQ will be our guest speaker and will cover the updated effort to gather

predetermined volunteers throughout our region who can support the hospitals in times of

emergency or during special events that over tax existing communications infrastructure.

Jims Engraving

For all of your glass and ceramic engraving needs, in your home or business, as well as gift giving.

www.JimsEngraving.com

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MEETING MINUTES September 7, 2017

President Ken Norris KK9N called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 7, 2016 in the Bradford Room. Those in attendance signed the sign-in sheet. There were 18 people present. A quorum was found to be present. The meeting began with a welcome and introduction of the members & guests present.

Secretary’s Report The minutes of the August 3, 2017 meeting were displayed on the screen as printed in this month’s OVARC newsletter. John W9KXQ suggested one edit. Kris WB9SLM moved to accept the minutes as edited. Seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report John W9KXQ presented a treasurer’s report for Howard N9GEQ that our balance this month is $xxxxx. Since the last meeting we sold one of the radios for parts from Charley Presnell’s (AC9P) gear which added to our balance. Tim K9JTR moved to accept the treasurer’s report. Seconded. Motion passed.

Repeater Report John W9KXQ said there was nothing new to report on our repeater.

Volunteer Examiner (VE) Report Dennis W9DAW was not present for a VE report.

Program Committee Dan K9DNO reported that the committee is working on ideas for future programs. Ken KK9N will provide a presentation on SDR (software defined radios) for the November meeting.

Special Events Committee John W9KXQ reminded us that we are providing support for the Vine to Wine run this coming Saturday 8:00 til noon. This will be our second year to help. This is a great opportunity for community service. We have 20 amateurs committed to help. Jim KF4NBG will be net control. We will use our UHF repeater, but it is linked through 146.415 MHz with a 103.5 tone for the spots where UHF signal is weak.

Announcements The 65th W9DXCC DX Conference will be held in Chicago, September 15-16, 2017. The Peoria Hamfest, in Peoria, IL is that same weekend, Sept. 16-17. The Halloween hamfest will be held October 28 in Kirkwood, MO. We will have three tables with plenty of gear to sell, so help is appreciated.

Old Business Jim KF4NBG has not yet ordered our banner. Tim K9TJR offered to help. Marc N9LIS is in the process of building shelves for the surplus gear. That gear has been stored almost three years in a building owned by the City of Greenville. At our last meeting we voted to accept an offer from W9KXQ to store that gear in the building at his Tower 2 location on Woburn Road.

Continued Next Page

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MEETING MINUTES September 7, 2017

New Business Ken needs a sub for net this coming Sunday night. Kris WB9SLM agreed.

Ken asked if anyone has used the new FT8 digital mode yet. Just Ron K0OZ. It’s a great new mode. Ken urged us to try it out.

The Society of Midwestern Contesters met in Bloomington recently. Ken attended. A major concern is getting more young people involved. One idea to encourage young hams to get involved in HF contesting is to have clubs buy an HF rig and antenna, and give the rig to a young person who gets their General license. Ken asked if we would be interested in doing that. We can talk about it more at future meetings.

Ken showed a photo ID and a card-size amateur radio license that are available from hamcrazy.com. These would be useful to prove who you are to get access to locations in emergency situations. The cards cost $12 each.

Ken passed around a recognition we received for making a donation to the 2018 WRTC (World Radiosport Team Championship). Dan K9DNO received an offer from a ham radio operator to present a program on hospital emergency response system. Tim K9TJR offered to contact him to find out more about this offer.

Trivia Corner: Ken Norris KK9N asked the trivia corner question: What is a CEPT Radio Amateur License? Jim KF4NBG responded. It is a gentlemen’s agreement that allows operators in countries that have agreed for amateurs to operate in their territories using their own call sign preceded by a designation followed by a slash. This saves the cost and hassle of having to apply for a license in that territory to do a DXpedition there.

The business meeting concluded at 7:36 pm.

Program Three of our members participated in a DXpedition to Sint Maarten June 14-18: Ken KK9N, John W9KXQ, and Dave K9UK. Tonight these three hams presented a program about their experience. Two other hams were also part of the DXpedition: Dave W9DR and Tom W9AEB. John narrated a PP outlining the other member of the team, their planning for the trip, their flight, location, the damage from hurricane Irma this week where they were, the gear they brought, the CW station, the voice station, the 6m CW station, antennas, packing up, and the trip home. John also showed us a video of some of the stations operating. Both Dave and John appreciated the personal challenge of operating CW on a DXpedition. Ken appreciated the freedom operating on a DXpedition offered compared to the many rules in weekend contesting. One of the problems was undependable Internet access. It took about 9 months to plan and execute this DXpedition. Sint Maarten was selected because it was a new location for Dave W9DR and Tom W9AEB.

The meeting adjourned at 8:53 pm.

Cary Holman Secretary

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John King W9KXQ

Saturday morning, September 9, 2017, members of the Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club provided radio communications and traffic control for the Vine To Wine event. This is the second year that OVARC was asked to help. Vine To Wine 2007 was a 1/2 Marathon and 5K Run event sponsored by BoCo RunCo. Bond County Running Company (BoCo RunCo) is a community group that meets together regularly to run for fun, exercise, and to foster community. in addition, BoCo RunCo participates and hosts races in the Metro East/St.

Louis Area.

There were a total of 16 amateur radio operators representing OVARC that participated this year. They were stationed at various locations along the 13.1 mile course that surrounds Governor Bond Lake. This event began and ended at The Family Vine located north of Greenville, IL on the Red Ball Trail. Also included was a 5K Run course that left from The Family Vine north on the Red Ball Trail for 1.5 miles and returned to The Family Vine. There were a total of 444 participates in this year’s event which is down from 501 participants in the 2016 event.

This year’s event raised money for two local charities: Eden’s Glory and The Restore Network. Eden’s Glory is a Christ-centered two-year residential treatment program serving adult women, ages 18 and older who are survivors of human trafficking; and The Restore Network provides means for supporting foster and adoptive families as the

provision of a sheltered environment for some of over 14,000 children who have suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment in Illinois.

Jim Thibeault KF4NBG was the Net Control for this event, along with Cary Holman W4GRN providing a backup to Jim’s actions. This event allowed OVARC members to put into use our communications skills in an non-emergency environment. Each volunteer was provided a green Vine To Wine Volunteer T-Shirt for proper

2017 Vine to Wine

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2017 Vine to Wine

Here’s a few pictures of club members helping out at the Vine to Wine event

Jeff KD9CSS

Mark KD9EAJ

Dr. Jennifer Finnegan finishing 1/2 Marathon as she is being greeted by Ken KK9N & Jeremy Adams

Allan WB9YVE Carlos KD9FMA

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The FCC's rewrite of its rules for the Part 95 Personal Radio Services takes effect today, September 28, 2017. Major changes include removing the 155-mile distance limit on CB contacts (which had virtually never been observed anytime the band was open in the past 50 years); addition of new Family Radio Service (FRS) channels (shared with GMRS, the General Mobile Radio Service); GMRS power restrictions on the channels newly shared with FRS, and allowing GMRS licensees to send text messages in addition to voice transmissions. (See July CQ, p. 26, for a more comprehensive look at the changes in various personal radio services.) The Federal Register announcement is at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/08/29/2017-17395/personal-radio-service-reform The complete text of the new Part 95 Report & Order is at: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-344617A1.pdf

News & Information

From the CQ Newsroom

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Upcoming Events

Ham Nation

Wednesday Evenings

8:00 PM CDT

Sunday Oct. 15, 2017, Annual Fox HuntThe American Farm Heritage MuseumLocated south side of Interstate 70 & IL Rt. 127, Greenville.The hunt begins at 1430 Hrs. Potluck supper about 1700 Hrs. Bring a Dish or two to share. Meat provided by OVARC.

Mark KD9EAJ is the Fox Master for this event.

October 28, 2017 Halloween HamfestKirkwood, MO. OVARC has 3 tables reserved for club members use along with our surplus equipment sales.

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OVARC Information

Repeaters 147.165, 224.440,

442.925

2017 Officers

President Ken Norris KK9N KK9N@ovarc.net

Vice-President Dan Frey K9DNO

K9DNO@ovarc.net

Secretary Cary Holman W4GRN W4GRN@ovarc.net

Treasurer Howard Wise N9GEQ N9GEQ@ovarc.net

Repeater Trustees Ken Norris KK9N

John King W9KXQ Don Stover KB9EGI KB9EGI@ovarc.net

V.E. Team Coordinator Dennis W9DAW

VEteam@ovarc.net

Net Manager Clareen Dunn KB9BEB

KB9BEB@ovarc.net

Webmaster John King W9KXQ

Website http://www.ovarc.net

Net Information

Okay Valley ARC Weekly Net

The Okaw Valley ARC holds a weekly net on the Linked Repeater System at 9:00 PM on Sunday evenings. Net Control Stations serve on a rotating basis. They control our “informal Net and take announcements and check-in at appropriate times. All licensed Amateurs are invited to check-in. The net observes holidays throughout the year. [See Net Schedule Here]

Illinois ARES SSB HF Net Information

Frequency - 3.905 MHz LSB

The net is called at 1630 local time on the first and third Sunday of every month. They are called by Sections and Bond and Clinton Counties are in Region 8. When Region 8 is called any station from Bond or Clinton County who is an ARES member, or ARES volunteer can check into the net. Every HF station is invited if they would like to come onboard. Multiple pathways into your county with information is the goal.

W9VEY Memorial Net

The W9VEY Memorial Net meets on Mondays at 8:30 PM on the 146.82 MHz Repeater located in Gillespie, Illinois. Mike Funk WA9RUM Net Control Operator. This Net has been on the air since 1976.

General Contact Information

General Mailing Address OVARC Inc. P.O. Box 3 Greenville, IL 62246

Newsletter Editor Tim Rapp K9TJR Editor Email: K9TJR@arrl.net Please send emails regarding articles, new items, corrections, etc

Okaw Valley ARC Website www.ovarc.net

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Testing Opportunities

Dennis Warren W9DAW - OVARC VE Team Manager

Contact Dennis W9DAW (618)-292-9638 VETeam@ovarc.net

Bradford Bank Community Room (West across the street from the back of the Bradford National Bank Main building. 100 E. College Ave. Greenville)

Courtesy call or e-mail appreciated. Two forms of ID required (one with photo). If upgrading, original, plus copy of both license and any Certificates of Successful Completion (CSCE’s) are required.

Reminder: Dues for 2017 due January 1, 2017

Dues for 2017 are $25.00 per member per year, second family member is $10. Student dues $5 per year You can pay Howard N9GEQ at club meetings or send a check made payable to Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club

Net Schedule

Oct. 8 - NO NET for Columbus Day Oct. 15 - KB9BEB - Clareen Oct. 22 - WB9SLM - Chris Oct. 29 - W9KXQ - John Nov. 5 - K9TJR - Tim

Ken’s Trivia Corner (KK9N)

What software program is required on your computer for you to upload logs to LoTW?

603 E. Harris Ave. Greenville, IL 62246 618-664-3353 will-o-th-wind.com

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Friends of OVARC

Owl Creek Gazette

“Serving The Self-Reliant And Do-It-Yourself Community of South Central Illinois” http://www.owlcreekgazette.com/

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The Amateurs Code

- The Radio Amateur is -

CONSIDERATE - Never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL - Offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE - With knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.

FRIENDLY - With slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED - Radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC - With station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

Amateur Radio Is…

• Community Service

• Emergency Communications

• Learning New Technologies

• Worldwide Friendships

• A Hobby Without Borders!

Want to become a Ham Radio Operator

Contact us at OVARC@ovarc.net

P.O. Box 3 Greenville, IL 62246