1

MARCH 2013

Vol 38 3

WACOM Presidentrsquos Messagemdash2

WACOM General Informationmdash3

WACOM Meeting Minutes - 4

Upcoming Eventsmdash5

WACOM DX Cornermdash6-7

WACOM Club Shack Updatemdash8

WACOM Sportsman Show SESmdash9-11

DXpedition Feature mdash Turks amp Caicos Ismdash12-13

Restoring a Swan 250 6-meter SSB Tranceiver - 14-15

New Amateur Operators amp Big Events - 16

NBEMS Class Hamfest Flyer - 17-18

WACOM Renewal Form - 19

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DXpedition Feature

VP5mdashTurks amp Caicos Is

Sportsman Show SES Restoring the Swan-250

THE

WACOM

HAM

Washington Amateur Communications Inc

WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show Special Event Station

Don KB3YLR coaching his grandson Gabe KB3ZKC

2

WACOM Presidentrsquos Message - March 2013

BillmdashNY9H

Hello from Chicago

I write this as I am packing up stuff from our 9-land house as it looks like

we may finally have a buyer

Then it becomes NET TIME Time to check IN via ECHOLINK This is the first time Ive logged into the YL amp ELMERS net via the internet Using my smartphone this picture shows what is going on with KB3DVD doing the talkinghellip noted by the lsquogtrsquo The other show all those participants logged in via ECHOLINK (K3PSP WA3YFQ amp KD3RZ) At the top it indicates the node or station into which you are logged It says WA3COMR node 4679 on the K3PSP repeater We have made it remarkably easy to stay con-nected from ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD so do make the effort to join us

Just type in node 4679Get it like 14679

This link has been up for over six months providing access 24 hours a day (usually)

There are over 4000 nodes to which you can connect from your computer or smart-phone ITS FREE httpwwwecholinkorg It snowed 9 inchesso I will get help to take down the tower otherwise the Mosley Classic33 might become just a classic ( 73 now back to the basement to chuck or pack

Bill NY9H39 ny9harrlnet

2

WACOM Presidentrsquos Message - March 2013

BillmdashNY9H

Hello from Chicago

I write this as I am packing up stuff from our 9-land house as it looks like

we may finally have a buyer

Then it becomes NET TIME Time to check IN via ECHOLINK This is the first time Ive logged into the YL amp ELMERS net via the internet Using my smartphone this picture shows what is going on with KB3DVD doing the talkinghellip noted by the lsquogtrsquo The other show all those participants logged in via ECHOLINK (K3PSP WA3YFQ amp KD3RZ) At the top it indicates the node or station into which you are logged It says WA3COMR node 4679 on the K3PSP repeater We have made it remarkably easy to stay con-nected from ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD so do make the effort to join us

Just type in node 4679Get it like 14679

This link has been up for over six months providing access 24 hours a day (usually)

There are over 4000 nodes to which you can connect from your computer or smart-phone ITS FREE httpwwwecholinkorg It snowed 9 inchesso I will get help to take down the tower otherwise the Mosley Classic33 might become just a classic ( 73 now back to the basement to chuck or pack

Bill NY9H39 ny9harrlnet

3

Officers President Bill Steffey NY9H

ny9harrlnet

Vice President Donald Smith KB3YLR

kb3ylrarrlnet

Secretary John Quigg N3GHR

jjquiggcomcastnet

Treasurer Norma Plants N3YJJ

njplantsyahoocom

Board of Directors Director Adam Quigg NZ3S

kb3omhcomcastnet

Director Jim Burtoft KC3HW

jburtoftverizonnet

Director Bud Plants N3TIR

budbnelectronicscom

Webmaster

Joe Caldwell N3XE

joecaldwelljcgmailcom

The WACOM Ham Editor

Ken Frankenbery AA3GM

ktfrank2verizonnet

Repeaters W3CYO - 145490 MHz 443300 MHz

K3PSP - 146790 MHz

2 Meter Net - Tuesdays at 830PM on K3PSP Repeater

10-meter net - Tuesdays at 9PM on 28340 MHz

YL Net - Wednesdays at 730PM on K3PSP Repeater

Elmer Net - Wednesdays at 8PM on K3PSP Repeater (immediately following the WA-COM YL Net)

LOCAL TRAFFIC NETS

lt+gtlt+gtlt+gtlt+gtlt+gtlt+gtlt+gtlt+gt

SWPA 2-Meter Daily Net 146880 800 pm

HF WPA Phone Daily Net 3983 600

pm

WACOM OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF REPEATERS AND NETS

4

WACOM General Meeting Minutes

7 February 2013 730 PM

Next WACOM meeting 7 March 2013 730 PM

FEATURING Whats an amp why have one which one how big

Present Bill S (NY9H) Norma (N3YJJ) Sam (W3CYO) Kevin (KN4AA) Sally (KK4YL) Joe F (WA3WMB) Bob Ke (KB3IN) Don (KB3YLR) Paul (W3PLP) Patty (N3XAR) Karen (KB3ZJW) Patty (N3XAR) Ken (AA3GM) and Richard Wood

Bill (NY9H) called the meeting to order at 1932 (732 PM)

Reports

Minutes ndash Sam moved to approve minutes as appeared in the newsletter Sally seconded motion accepted

Treasurer ndash Norma gave treasurerrsquos report Joe moved to accept treasurerrsquos report Kevin seconded motion car-

ried

Old Business

Radio room ndash Broadband internet has been installed in the radio roommdashthanks to Don for climbing the tower

Sportsmen Show Special Event Station ndash Going on this weekend (began today) at the Washington Crown Center

with call sign of W3C Antenna is a double screwdriver with an adjustable coil used as a dipole Goal is 100

contacts ndash so far contacted DX to Bulgaria Brazil amp Belgium

Field Day ndash Will be held at the Pancake Pavilion on 22-23 June 2013 This will be in a very public place which

should help enhance public awareness of amateur radio as well as give additional bonus points The use of sev-

eral solar panels during Field Day would also test emergency equipment as well as offer more bonus points Ken

will make a list of who is coming and what equipment they are bringing April rsquo13 meeting will be devoted to

Field Day planning

Nets ndash Ecolink is working on the 14679 repeater Public Service ndash Region 13 counties (those that border around

Allegheny County) the Dept of Homeland Security gave $30000 each them and Washington County for emer-

gency radio equipment WACOM borrowed one of the screwdriver antennas purchased by the county for the

Special Event Station (to test it) Works well with the coils in the screwdriver can modify so as to tune properly

with the control box Motion by Joe F to buy a control box for the antenna (approx $20000) Ken second it and

motion was approved

New Business - The base mast for the antenna (purchased by the county) in the special event station works well A company in

Ohio makes the mast Don will research more on mast for Club to purchasendash will give a quote for next meeting

- CQ Magazine (Feb rsquo13 edition) published the Worked all Washington Counties Award that WACOM sponsors

There are 31 states with a Washington County ndash send in the list with $100 to get a certificate

- Ham Fest ndash Have a new flyer coming out Will be on 3 November 2013

- Joe F has a generator ready for Field Day He discussed vendors for possible purchase of a Club generator

- The WACOM portable tower has been refurbished for a badly needed overhaul It will be ready for Field Day

- This Tuesday (12 Feb 13) will be a VE test session at the Washington Co 911 Center

- Don would like the Club to get involved in the Boy Scouts (or Girl Scouts if they have one) Radio Merit Badge

program Members can sign up as merit badge counselors

Adjournment

There being no further business Sam moved to adjourn Don 2nd meeting adjourned at 2025 (825 PM)

- Some of WACOM members then went to see the special event station (W3C) at the Washington Crown Center

5

2013 WACOM Upcoming Events Calendar Meetings Contests amp Other Significant Club Events (Subject to Change)

____________________________________________________

2-3 March 2013 ARRL DX Contest -SSB httpwwwarrlorg

7 March 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

30-31 March 2013 CQ WPX Contest SSB httpwwwcqwpxcom

4 April 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

6-7 April 2013 QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party httpwwwqrparciorg

28 April 2013 Two Rivers Hamfest (McKeesport PA) httpwwwtrarcnet

2 May 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

17-19 May 2013 Dayton Hamvention httpwwwhamventionorg

25-26 May 2013 CQ WPX Contest ndashCW httpwwwcqwpxcom

1 Jun 2013 The Run for Alex (Need Comm support from hams) fromalexwithloveorg

2 June 2013 Breezeshooterrsquos Hamfest httpwwwbreezeshootersorg

6 June 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

8 June 2013 ARRL June VHF Contest httpwwwarrlorg

22-23 June 2013 ARRL Field Day httpwwwarrlorg

11 July 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

13-14 July 2013 IARU World Championship httpwwwiaruorg

_______________________________________________________

5

2013 WACOM Upcoming Events Calendar Meetings Contests amp Other Significant Club Events (Subject to Change)

____________________________________________________

2-3 March 2013 ARRL DX Contest -SSB httpwwwarrlorg

7 March 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

30-31 March 2013 CQ WPX Contest SSB httpwwwcqwpxcom

4 April 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

6-7 April 2013 QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party httpwwwqrparciorg

28 April 2013 Two Rivers Hamfest (McKeesport PA) httpwwwtrarcnet

2 May 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

17-19 May 2013 Dayton Hamvention httpwwwhamventionorg

25-26 May 2013 CQ WPX Contest ndashCW httpwwwcqwpxcom

1 Jun 2013 The Run for Alex (Need Comm support from hams) fromalexwithloveorg

2 June 2013 Breezeshooterrsquos Hamfest httpwwwbreezeshootersorg

6 June 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

8 June 2013 ARRL June VHF Contest httpwwwarrlorg

22-23 June 2013 ARRL Field Day httpwwwarrlorg

11 July 2013 WACOM Meeting at 730PM Washington County Building

13-14 July 2013 IARU World Championship httpwwwiaruorg

_______________________________________________________

6

WACOM HAM DX CornermdashMARCH 2013 COURTESY httpwwwng3kcomMiscadxohtml

2013 Mar01 2013 Mar07 Bangladesh S21XV

UT6UD

UT6UD 20130228

By UT6UD all bands focus on NA

2013 Mar02 2013 Mar10 Rodrigues I 3B9DX [spots]

EA5GL Direct JA8BMK 20130218

By JA8BMK JN1THL JQ1LCW 80-10m SSB

ARRL DX Contest SSB (Mar 2-3 2013) Check here for pericontest activity too

2013 Mar02 2013 Mar17 Sint Maarten PJ7AA [spots]

AA9A AA9A

20121217

By AA9A 160-10m CW SSB perhaps RTTY

2013 Mar03 2013 Mar07 Aruba P4 [spots]

WA2HNA OPDX 20130204

By WA2NHA as P4WA2NHA fm SA-

2013 Mar04 2013 Mar12 Rwanda 9X0NH [spots]

LotW OPDX 20130218

By G3RWF fm Kigali mainly CW call sign re-quested QSL also OK

2013 Mar05 2013 Mar20 Grenada J34G G3PJT G3PJT

20130112

By G3PJT QRV for RSGB Commonwealth Contest (Mar 9-10)

2013 Mar06 2013 Mar26 Lesotho 7P8PB LotW EI7CC

20130220

By EI7CC holiday sytle operation fm shack of 7P8CC QSL also OK via

2013 Mar07 2013 Mar10 Canada VO2AAA VE3AAQ VE3AAQ 20121212

By VE3AAQ for BERU Contest Labrador call area QRV before and after contest for those needing CQ Zone 2

2013 Mar07 2013 Mar13 Turks amp Caicos VP5 W1UL W1UL

20130203

By W1UL as VP5W1UL and W2PKV as VP5W2PKV fm Provi-

2013 Mar07 2013 Apr03 Madeira CT9 Home Call 425DXN 20130216

By DL3KWF as CT9DL3KWF and DL3KWR as

2013 Mar08 2013 Mar17 Dominica J79GV LotW DXWNet 20130211

By KK4GV holiday style operation QSL also OK via KK4GV

2013 Mar08 2013 Mar22 Curacao PJ2 Home Call AA1M

20130115

By W1USN as PJ2W1USN AA1M W1SSR likewise 160-

2013 Mar08 2013 Mar25 Solomon Is H44G DL7DF DXWNet 20120930

By DK1BT DK7LX DL4WK DL7KL DL7DF DL7UFN DL7UFR SP3CYY

7

WACOM HAM DX CornermdashMARCH 2013 (Conrsquot) COURTESY httpwwwng3kcomMiscadxohtml

2013 Mar09 2013 Mar23 Maldives 8Q7WK

OE1MWW

OPDX 20130304

By OE1MWW holiday style operation

2013 Mar10 2013 Mar18 Spratly 9M4SLL LotW DXWNet 20130109

By 9M6XRO 9M6DXX 9V1YC DJ0YI N6MUF G3BJ EA3NT KM0O fm AS-051 (OJ67wi)

2013 Mar10 2013 Mar29 St Martin FS DK5ON DK5ON 20130128

By DK5ON as FSDK5ON 80-6m SSB RTTY PSK also fm

2013 Mar10 2013 Apr01 Mariana Is KH0 Home Call JE1XUZ 20130225

By JE1XUZ as KH0XH and JQ2WTT as KH0XW QSL OK via JARL Buro or direct

2013 Mar12 2013 Mar23 Temotu H40T DL7DF DXWNet 20120930

160-6m CW SSB RTTY PSK31 SSTV QSL OK via DARC Buro or di-rect

2013 Mar12 2013 Mar23 Tuvalu T2GM GM4FDM DXWNet 20121121

By GM3YTS GM4FDM GM0GAV GM3POI fm Funafuti Atoll (OC-015 RI91ol) focus on EU

2013 Mar13 2013 Mar20 Belize V31RT

WB1EAZ

DXWNet 20130304

By WB1EAZ and his XYL using V31BE SSB focus on EU Oceania Asia

2013 Mar14 2013 Mar20 Chatham I ZL7LC ZL1LC Direct DXWNet 20121014

By ZL1LC fm OC-038 (AE16ug CHA009) standard PSK frequen-cies PSK31 during pile-ups QSX up 100-400 Hz

2013 Mar15 2013 Mar23 Sint Maarten PJ7 AA4VK N0TG

20120525

By N0TG as PJ7N0TG AA4VK and N1SNB likewise

2013 Mar19 2013 Apr02 Tuvalu T2 K8NA DXWNet 20130204

By NL8F as TBD mainly SSB

8

Want to show off your shack

antennas andor projects

E-mail photos and descrip-

tions to KenmdashAA3GM

Update on the WACOM Club Shack

Broadband Internet is in-

stalled for the WACOM

Club Shack at the Pancake

Fire Hall

Many thanks to Don for

bravely climbing the

tower

Sandblasted and primed

Our portable tower got a

badly needed overhaul and

will be ready for the next

Field Day on 22-23 Jun 13

This time we should have a

yagi up in the air

9

Gene KB3JHR and Susan KB3JHQ

Thursday 7 Feb 13

Putting together the dual screwdriver dipole

antenna

Bringing up the mast It went well

above the roof of the mall building

Bringing in the QSOs

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station

10

Bud N3TIR and Gene KB3JHR

Bud N3TIR and Norma N3YJJ

CQ CQ CQthis is W3C W3C W3C

Chewing the rag with eyeball QSOs

A newly minted ham with his grandfather

The double screwdriver dipole antenna

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

11

Don amp Gabe crank out the Qrsquos

Jim (KC3HW) the master candy seller rakes in the money

The WACOM W3C Special Event Station

The young apprentice learns from an expert Bud amp Gene work the QSOs

Kevin (KN4AA) and Ken (AA3GM) work the station

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

12

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting

of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands two groups of tropi-

cal islands in the Lucayan Archipelago part of the larger Antilles island group-

ing They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas

island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola Cockburn Town the capi-

tal since 1766 is situated on Grand Turk Island about 647 miles east-

southeast of Miami in the United States The islands have a total land area of

170 sq miles The islands are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas but

are politically a separate entity

The total population is about 31500 of whom approximately 27000 live on

Providenciales in the Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands first inhabitants were Taiacuteno people who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from 500 to 800 Soon after they arrived in the islands in 1492 or 1512the Spanish began capturing the Taiacutenos of the Turks and Caicos Islands as slaves to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola The southern Bahama Islands including the Turks and Caicos Islands were completely depopulated by about 1513 and remained so until the 17th century The first documented European to sight the islands was Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leoacuten who did so in 1512[8] During the 16th 17th and 18th centuries the islands passed from Spanish to French to British con-trol but none of the three powers ever established any settlements For several decades around the turn

of the 18th century they became popular pirate hideouts Bermudian salt collectors settled the Turk Islands around 1680 In 1765ndash1783 they were under French occupation and again after the French captured the archipelago in 1783 After the American Revolution (1775ndash1783) many loyalists fled to Caribbean colonies including (in 1783) the first settlers on the Caicos Islands cotton became an important crop briefly In 1799 both the Turks and the Caicos island groups were annexed by Britain as part of the Bahamas In 1848 the Turks and Caicos were declared a separate colony under a council president The last incumbent was maintained in 1873 when the islands were made part of Jamaica colony in 1894 On 4 July 1959 the islands were again a separate colony the last commissioner being restyled administrator but the governor of Jamaica remained the governor of the islands When Jamaica was granted independence from Britain in August 1962 the Turks amp Caicos Islands became a Crown colony When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973 the Turks and Caicos received their own governor The islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister since August 1976 In 1979 a move towards independence was agreed upon in principle for 1982 but a change in government caused a policy reversal They instead approached the Canadian government to discuss a possible union but at the time the Canadian Government was embroiled in a debate over free trade with the US and little attention was paid to the suggestion

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas north of Hispaniola and about 620 miles from Miami in the United States The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas both comprising the Lucayan Archipelago but is politi-cally a separate entity [hence a DX country] The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands

Mayaguana and Great Inagua The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands have a total land area of 2380 sq miles primarily of low flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 128 sq miles of beach front The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry but suffers frequent hurricanes The is-lands have limited natural fresh water resources private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking The primary natural resources are spiny lobster conch and other shellfish The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by Turks Island Passage The islands form a chain that stretches northndashsouth The estimated population is 5753 on the two main islands the only inhabited islands of the group Together with nearby islands all on Turks Bank those two main islands form the two of the six administrative districts of the territory that fall within the Turks Islands Turks Bank which is smaller than Caicos Bank has a total area of about 125 sq miles

SOURCE WIKIPEDIA VP5- Turks amp Caicos Islands

9

Gene KB3JHR and Susan KB3JHQ

Thursday 7 Feb 13

Putting together the dual screwdriver dipole

antenna

Bringing up the mast It went well

above the roof of the mall building

Bringing in the QSOs

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station

10

Bud N3TIR and Gene KB3JHR

Bud N3TIR and Norma N3YJJ

CQ CQ CQthis is W3C W3C W3C

Chewing the rag with eyeball QSOs

A newly minted ham with his grandfather

The double screwdriver dipole antenna

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

11

Don amp Gabe crank out the Qrsquos

Jim (KC3HW) the master candy seller rakes in the money

The WACOM W3C Special Event Station

The young apprentice learns from an expert Bud amp Gene work the QSOs

Kevin (KN4AA) and Ken (AA3GM) work the station

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

12

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting

of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands two groups of tropi-

cal islands in the Lucayan Archipelago part of the larger Antilles island group-

ing They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas

island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola Cockburn Town the capi-

tal since 1766 is situated on Grand Turk Island about 647 miles east-

southeast of Miami in the United States The islands have a total land area of

170 sq miles The islands are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas but

are politically a separate entity

The total population is about 31500 of whom approximately 27000 live on

Providenciales in the Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands first inhabitants were Taiacuteno people who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from 500 to 800 Soon after they arrived in the islands in 1492 or 1512the Spanish began capturing the Taiacutenos of the Turks and Caicos Islands as slaves to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola The southern Bahama Islands including the Turks and Caicos Islands were completely depopulated by about 1513 and remained so until the 17th century The first documented European to sight the islands was Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leoacuten who did so in 1512[8] During the 16th 17th and 18th centuries the islands passed from Spanish to French to British con-trol but none of the three powers ever established any settlements For several decades around the turn

of the 18th century they became popular pirate hideouts Bermudian salt collectors settled the Turk Islands around 1680 In 1765ndash1783 they were under French occupation and again after the French captured the archipelago in 1783 After the American Revolution (1775ndash1783) many loyalists fled to Caribbean colonies including (in 1783) the first settlers on the Caicos Islands cotton became an important crop briefly In 1799 both the Turks and the Caicos island groups were annexed by Britain as part of the Bahamas In 1848 the Turks and Caicos were declared a separate colony under a council president The last incumbent was maintained in 1873 when the islands were made part of Jamaica colony in 1894 On 4 July 1959 the islands were again a separate colony the last commissioner being restyled administrator but the governor of Jamaica remained the governor of the islands When Jamaica was granted independence from Britain in August 1962 the Turks amp Caicos Islands became a Crown colony When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973 the Turks and Caicos received their own governor The islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister since August 1976 In 1979 a move towards independence was agreed upon in principle for 1982 but a change in government caused a policy reversal They instead approached the Canadian government to discuss a possible union but at the time the Canadian Government was embroiled in a debate over free trade with the US and little attention was paid to the suggestion

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas north of Hispaniola and about 620 miles from Miami in the United States The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas both comprising the Lucayan Archipelago but is politi-cally a separate entity [hence a DX country] The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands

Mayaguana and Great Inagua The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands have a total land area of 2380 sq miles primarily of low flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 128 sq miles of beach front The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry but suffers frequent hurricanes The is-lands have limited natural fresh water resources private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking The primary natural resources are spiny lobster conch and other shellfish The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by Turks Island Passage The islands form a chain that stretches northndashsouth The estimated population is 5753 on the two main islands the only inhabited islands of the group Together with nearby islands all on Turks Bank those two main islands form the two of the six administrative districts of the territory that fall within the Turks Islands Turks Bank which is smaller than Caicos Bank has a total area of about 125 sq miles

SOURCE WIKIPEDIA VP5- Turks amp Caicos Islands

10

Bud N3TIR and Gene KB3JHR

Bud N3TIR and Norma N3YJJ

CQ CQ CQthis is W3C W3C W3C

Chewing the rag with eyeball QSOs

A newly minted ham with his grandfather

The double screwdriver dipole antenna

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

11

Don amp Gabe crank out the Qrsquos

Jim (KC3HW) the master candy seller rakes in the money

The WACOM W3C Special Event Station

The young apprentice learns from an expert Bud amp Gene work the QSOs

Kevin (KN4AA) and Ken (AA3GM) work the station

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

12

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting

of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands two groups of tropi-

cal islands in the Lucayan Archipelago part of the larger Antilles island group-

ing They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas

island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola Cockburn Town the capi-

tal since 1766 is situated on Grand Turk Island about 647 miles east-

southeast of Miami in the United States The islands have a total land area of

170 sq miles The islands are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas but

are politically a separate entity

The total population is about 31500 of whom approximately 27000 live on

Providenciales in the Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands first inhabitants were Taiacuteno people who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from 500 to 800 Soon after they arrived in the islands in 1492 or 1512the Spanish began capturing the Taiacutenos of the Turks and Caicos Islands as slaves to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola The southern Bahama Islands including the Turks and Caicos Islands were completely depopulated by about 1513 and remained so until the 17th century The first documented European to sight the islands was Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leoacuten who did so in 1512[8] During the 16th 17th and 18th centuries the islands passed from Spanish to French to British con-trol but none of the three powers ever established any settlements For several decades around the turn

of the 18th century they became popular pirate hideouts Bermudian salt collectors settled the Turk Islands around 1680 In 1765ndash1783 they were under French occupation and again after the French captured the archipelago in 1783 After the American Revolution (1775ndash1783) many loyalists fled to Caribbean colonies including (in 1783) the first settlers on the Caicos Islands cotton became an important crop briefly In 1799 both the Turks and the Caicos island groups were annexed by Britain as part of the Bahamas In 1848 the Turks and Caicos were declared a separate colony under a council president The last incumbent was maintained in 1873 when the islands were made part of Jamaica colony in 1894 On 4 July 1959 the islands were again a separate colony the last commissioner being restyled administrator but the governor of Jamaica remained the governor of the islands When Jamaica was granted independence from Britain in August 1962 the Turks amp Caicos Islands became a Crown colony When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973 the Turks and Caicos received their own governor The islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister since August 1976 In 1979 a move towards independence was agreed upon in principle for 1982 but a change in government caused a policy reversal They instead approached the Canadian government to discuss a possible union but at the time the Canadian Government was embroiled in a debate over free trade with the US and little attention was paid to the suggestion

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas north of Hispaniola and about 620 miles from Miami in the United States The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas both comprising the Lucayan Archipelago but is politi-cally a separate entity [hence a DX country] The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands

Mayaguana and Great Inagua The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands have a total land area of 2380 sq miles primarily of low flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 128 sq miles of beach front The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry but suffers frequent hurricanes The is-lands have limited natural fresh water resources private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking The primary natural resources are spiny lobster conch and other shellfish The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by Turks Island Passage The islands form a chain that stretches northndashsouth The estimated population is 5753 on the two main islands the only inhabited islands of the group Together with nearby islands all on Turks Bank those two main islands form the two of the six administrative districts of the territory that fall within the Turks Islands Turks Bank which is smaller than Caicos Bank has a total area of about 125 sq miles

SOURCE WIKIPEDIA VP5- Turks amp Caicos Islands

11

Don amp Gabe crank out the Qrsquos

Jim (KC3HW) the master candy seller rakes in the money

The WACOM W3C Special Event Station

The young apprentice learns from an expert Bud amp Gene work the QSOs

Kevin (KN4AA) and Ken (AA3GM) work the station

The WACOM 2013 Sportsman Show

Special Event Station (Conrsquot)

12

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting

of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands two groups of tropi-

cal islands in the Lucayan Archipelago part of the larger Antilles island group-

ing They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas

island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola Cockburn Town the capi-

tal since 1766 is situated on Grand Turk Island about 647 miles east-

southeast of Miami in the United States The islands have a total land area of

170 sq miles The islands are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas but

are politically a separate entity

The total population is about 31500 of whom approximately 27000 live on

Providenciales in the Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands first inhabitants were Taiacuteno people who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from 500 to 800 Soon after they arrived in the islands in 1492 or 1512the Spanish began capturing the Taiacutenos of the Turks and Caicos Islands as slaves to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola The southern Bahama Islands including the Turks and Caicos Islands were completely depopulated by about 1513 and remained so until the 17th century The first documented European to sight the islands was Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leoacuten who did so in 1512[8] During the 16th 17th and 18th centuries the islands passed from Spanish to French to British con-trol but none of the three powers ever established any settlements For several decades around the turn

of the 18th century they became popular pirate hideouts Bermudian salt collectors settled the Turk Islands around 1680 In 1765ndash1783 they were under French occupation and again after the French captured the archipelago in 1783 After the American Revolution (1775ndash1783) many loyalists fled to Caribbean colonies including (in 1783) the first settlers on the Caicos Islands cotton became an important crop briefly In 1799 both the Turks and the Caicos island groups were annexed by Britain as part of the Bahamas In 1848 the Turks and Caicos were declared a separate colony under a council president The last incumbent was maintained in 1873 when the islands were made part of Jamaica colony in 1894 On 4 July 1959 the islands were again a separate colony the last commissioner being restyled administrator but the governor of Jamaica remained the governor of the islands When Jamaica was granted independence from Britain in August 1962 the Turks amp Caicos Islands became a Crown colony When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973 the Turks and Caicos received their own governor The islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister since August 1976 In 1979 a move towards independence was agreed upon in principle for 1982 but a change in government caused a policy reversal They instead approached the Canadian government to discuss a possible union but at the time the Canadian Government was embroiled in a debate over free trade with the US and little attention was paid to the suggestion

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas north of Hispaniola and about 620 miles from Miami in the United States The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas both comprising the Lucayan Archipelago but is politi-cally a separate entity [hence a DX country] The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands

Mayaguana and Great Inagua The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands have a total land area of 2380 sq miles primarily of low flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 128 sq miles of beach front The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry but suffers frequent hurricanes The is-lands have limited natural fresh water resources private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking The primary natural resources are spiny lobster conch and other shellfish The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by Turks Island Passage The islands form a chain that stretches northndashsouth The estimated population is 5753 on the two main islands the only inhabited islands of the group Together with nearby islands all on Turks Bank those two main islands form the two of the six administrative districts of the territory that fall within the Turks Islands Turks Bank which is smaller than Caicos Bank has a total area of about 125 sq miles

SOURCE WIKIPEDIA VP5- Turks amp Caicos Islands

12

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting

of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands two groups of tropi-

cal islands in the Lucayan Archipelago part of the larger Antilles island group-

ing They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas

island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola Cockburn Town the capi-

tal since 1766 is situated on Grand Turk Island about 647 miles east-

southeast of Miami in the United States The islands have a total land area of

170 sq miles The islands are geographically contiguous to the Bahamas but

are politically a separate entity

The total population is about 31500 of whom approximately 27000 live on

Providenciales in the Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands first inhabitants were Taiacuteno people who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from 500 to 800 Soon after they arrived in the islands in 1492 or 1512the Spanish began capturing the Taiacutenos of the Turks and Caicos Islands as slaves to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola The southern Bahama Islands including the Turks and Caicos Islands were completely depopulated by about 1513 and remained so until the 17th century The first documented European to sight the islands was Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leoacuten who did so in 1512[8] During the 16th 17th and 18th centuries the islands passed from Spanish to French to British con-trol but none of the three powers ever established any settlements For several decades around the turn

of the 18th century they became popular pirate hideouts Bermudian salt collectors settled the Turk Islands around 1680 In 1765ndash1783 they were under French occupation and again after the French captured the archipelago in 1783 After the American Revolution (1775ndash1783) many loyalists fled to Caribbean colonies including (in 1783) the first settlers on the Caicos Islands cotton became an important crop briefly In 1799 both the Turks and the Caicos island groups were annexed by Britain as part of the Bahamas In 1848 the Turks and Caicos were declared a separate colony under a council president The last incumbent was maintained in 1873 when the islands were made part of Jamaica colony in 1894 On 4 July 1959 the islands were again a separate colony the last commissioner being restyled administrator but the governor of Jamaica remained the governor of the islands When Jamaica was granted independence from Britain in August 1962 the Turks amp Caicos Islands became a Crown colony When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973 the Turks and Caicos received their own governor The islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister since August 1976 In 1979 a move towards independence was agreed upon in principle for 1982 but a change in government caused a policy reversal They instead approached the Canadian government to discuss a possible union but at the time the Canadian Government was embroiled in a debate over free trade with the US and little attention was paid to the suggestion

The two island groups are in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas north of Hispaniola and about 620 miles from Miami in the United States The territory is geographically contiguous to the Bahamas both comprising the Lucayan Archipelago but is politi-cally a separate entity [hence a DX country] The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands

Mayaguana and Great Inagua The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands have a total land area of 2380 sq miles primarily of low flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps and 128 sq miles of beach front The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry but suffers frequent hurricanes The is-lands have limited natural fresh water resources private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking The primary natural resources are spiny lobster conch and other shellfish The Turks Islands are separated from the Caicos Islands by Turks Island Passage The islands form a chain that stretches northndashsouth The estimated population is 5753 on the two main islands the only inhabited islands of the group Together with nearby islands all on Turks Bank those two main islands form the two of the six administrative districts of the territory that fall within the Turks Islands Turks Bank which is smaller than Caicos Bank has a total area of about 125 sq miles

SOURCE WIKIPEDIA VP5- Turks amp Caicos Islands

13

Eight of the thirty islands in the territory are inhabited with a total population in mid-2006 of about 32000 One-third of the population is under 15 years old and only 4 are 65 or older In 2000 the population was growing at a rate of 355 per year with 1446 migrants per 1000 population and 2565 births per 1000 population offset by 457 deaths per 1000 population The CIA World Factbook describes the islanders ethnicity as 90 Black with the remainder Mixed European or North American ancestry The official language of the islands is English and the population also speaks Turks and Caicos Islands Creole Due to its close proximity to Cuba and Hispaniola large Haitian Creole and Spanish-speaking communities have developed in the territory due to immigration both legal and illegal from Creole-speaking Haiti and from Spanish-speaking Cuba and Dominican Republic

In 2006 GDP contributions were as follows Hotels amp Restaurants 2327 Financial Ser-vices 2964 Construction 4871 Wholesale amp Retail Trade 2089 and Health amp Social Work 1083 Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported The unemployment rate in 2007 was 54 In 2006ndash2007 the territory took in revenues of $2025 million against expenditures of $1995 million In 1995 the island received economic aid worth $57 million The territorys currency is the United States dollar with a few govern-ment fines (such as airport infractions) being payable in pounds sterling Most commemora-tive coin issues are denominated in crowns

The primary agricultural products include limited amounts of maize beans cassava and cit-rus fruits Fish and conch are the only significant export with some $1692 million of lobster dried and fresh conch and conch shells exported in 2000 primarily to the United Kingdom and the United States In recent years however the catch has been declining The territory used to be an important trans-shipment point for South American narcotics destined for the United States but due to the ongo-ing pressure of a combined American Bahamian and Turks and Caicos effort this trade has been greatly reduced

VP5 Ham Radio License Information

Getting your own VP5 license is as easy as completing the application form we will send

you It does take time to process this paperwork so return the application immediately to

insure that your license is waiting for you when you arrive

A USD $3500 Bank Check or US Money Order made out in US Dollars must accompany

your application Make it payable to TACARS

To download the License Application as a pdf file go to

httpvp5jmcommainpage_licensinghtml

Please print application furnished the required information and send

by FedEx with the appropriate funds to

Jody Millspaugh

POB 218

Providenciales Turks amp Caicos Islands

British West Indies

Special contest callsigns are available for an addition USD $3500

fee Visit the Turks and Caicos Amateur Radio Society -

httpwwwtacarsorg website to view the callsign section

Turks amp Caicos Islands VP5- SOURCE WIKIPEDIA and VP5JM

14

The Swan 250 was probably the

most common 6 meter SSB radio of the 1960rsquos I had completed this rebuild only a few months ago The 6 meter band was one of the least crowded bands in those days and those owning a radio were a member of a unique club Prior to the introduction of the Kenwood TS-680s in the late 1980rsquos the only way to have access to the band was to have an expensive and separate 6 meter radio sit-ting right next to your HF rig Today most HF radiorsquos now include the 6 meter band as a result it can be very crowded during an opening I decided to see if I can bring this old workhorse back to life My first step was rebuilding the power supply for the unit This included adding a 3 prong power cord replacing the AC bypass capacitors with Y2 safety caps replacing the half amp 600v diodes with 1 amp 1000v replacements installed a proper fuse holder and replaced all 6 of the 450 volt filter caps Once the power supply was rebuilt it was time to start on the actual radio Upon plugging it in there was a slight hum in the unit and I could not receive any signals I checked the can filer cap and one section was open I then ordered a custom built replacement cleaned all connections and controls checked the tubes and replaced 3 of them replaced all of the electrolytic caps and finally installed the new can cap Once complete I plugged it back in and I could hear a distant beacon I finished up the radio the by aligning the transceiver It now works perfectly Success I also have a matching Swan 2 meter transverter for 275 watts output on the 2 meter band which I will be adding to this station once it is rebuilt

Restoring a Swan 250 6-meter SSB Transceiver

By David Frankenbery KD3RZ

1 Initial inspection of the power suply I will be replacing

all of the diods and elecrolytic capacitors on both sides of

the board

2 Replacing the capacitors on the power supply I also re-

moved the inline fuse and replaced it with a proper fuse

holder

15

4 Replacing the diodes under the chassis

5 I removed the old can cap replaced the under chassis

caps and cleaned the controls

3 Replacing the mylar and filter caps on the Swan 250

6 New can cap installed I had this cutsom made by Hayseed

Hamfest They can make any twist mount can capacitor for

any radio that you need

7 Radio is aligned and working Now I need to get the 2

meter transverter working that goes with this but that is

another project

Restoring a SWAN 250 6-meter SSB Transceiver (Conrsquot)

16

Dayton Hamventionreg 2013

Hara Arena

Dayton Ohio May 17-19 2013

QRP ARCI Four-Days-in-May May 16-19 2013

Holiday Inn at Fairborn

Dayton Ohio

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

2013 Field Day is June 22-23

Congratulations to our newest

amateur operators

They survived a four-day class and

PASSED THE TECHNICIAN

TEST

KC3AAZ Bill Grayzer

KC3ABC Ron Sicchitano

KC3ABB Ryan Frazee

KC3ABA Justin Shawley

KC3ABD Michael Zaler

KC3ABE Jonathan Madaras

17

NBEMS CLASS

Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software (NBEMS)

APRIL 20th 2013

1100AM about 3 hours

Location --Washington EOC

Washington County Department of Public Safety

100 West Beau Street

Washington Pa 15301

Please bring a laptop

Contact Bud Plants N3TIR

budn3tircom

Hosted by

Washington Amateur Communications Inc wwwwacomarcorg

Western PA ARES wwwwpaaresorg

Washington County Public Safety

Presented- by Harry Bloomberg W3YJ

15

4 Replacing the diodes under the chassis

5 I removed the old can cap replaced the under chassis

caps and cleaned the controls

3 Replacing the mylar and filter caps on the Swan 250

6 New can cap installed I had this cutsom made by Hayseed

Hamfest They can make any twist mount can capacitor for

any radio that you need

7 Radio is aligned and working Now I need to get the 2

meter transverter working that goes with this but that is

another project

Restoring a SWAN 250 6-meter SSB Transceiver (Conrsquot)

16

Dayton Hamventionreg 2013

Hara Arena

Dayton Ohio May 17-19 2013

QRP ARCI Four-Days-in-May May 16-19 2013

Holiday Inn at Fairborn

Dayton Ohio

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

2013 Field Day is June 22-23

Congratulations to our newest

amateur operators

They survived a four-day class and

PASSED THE TECHNICIAN

TEST

KC3AAZ Bill Grayzer

KC3ABC Ron Sicchitano

KC3ABB Ryan Frazee

KC3ABA Justin Shawley

KC3ABD Michael Zaler

KC3ABE Jonathan Madaras

17

NBEMS CLASS

Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software (NBEMS)

APRIL 20th 2013

1100AM about 3 hours

Location --Washington EOC

Washington County Department of Public Safety

100 West Beau Street

Washington Pa 15301

Please bring a laptop

Contact Bud Plants N3TIR

budn3tircom

Hosted by

Washington Amateur Communications Inc wwwwacomarcorg

Western PA ARES wwwwpaaresorg

Washington County Public Safety

Presented- by Harry Bloomberg W3YJ

16

Dayton Hamventionreg 2013

Hara Arena

Dayton Ohio May 17-19 2013

QRP ARCI Four-Days-in-May May 16-19 2013

Holiday Inn at Fairborn

Dayton Ohio

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

2013 Field Day is June 22-23

Congratulations to our newest

amateur operators

They survived a four-day class and

PASSED THE TECHNICIAN

TEST

KC3AAZ Bill Grayzer

KC3ABC Ron Sicchitano

KC3ABB Ryan Frazee

KC3ABA Justin Shawley

KC3ABD Michael Zaler

KC3ABE Jonathan Madaras

17

NBEMS CLASS

Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software (NBEMS)

APRIL 20th 2013

1100AM about 3 hours

Location --Washington EOC

Washington County Department of Public Safety

100 West Beau Street

Washington Pa 15301

Please bring a laptop

Contact Bud Plants N3TIR

budn3tircom

Hosted by

Washington Amateur Communications Inc wwwwacomarcorg

Western PA ARES wwwwpaaresorg

Washington County Public Safety

Presented- by Harry Bloomberg W3YJ

17

NBEMS CLASS

Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software (NBEMS)

APRIL 20th 2013

1100AM about 3 hours

Location --Washington EOC

Washington County Department of Public Safety

100 West Beau Street

Washington Pa 15301

Please bring a laptop

Contact Bud Plants N3TIR

budn3tircom

Hosted by

Washington Amateur Communications Inc wwwwacomarcorg

Western PA ARES wwwwpaaresorg

Washington County Public Safety

Presented- by Harry Bloomberg W3YJ

18

19

Name ___________________________________ Address________________________________________

City _________________________ State ____ Zip_________

Home Phone ______________________________ Business Phone ____________________________

Other Phone EbullMail _____________________________

Amateur Call ________________________ License Class _________________________

Spouse _____________________________ Spouse Call __________________________

Spouse License Class ________________________

In case of emergency for what bands do you have equipment

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What are your favorite amateur activities

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What activities would you like to see WACOM sponsor

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

ARRL Member Y N

Please return completed form and dues to

WACOM co Norma Plants 236 chambers Ridge Road West Alexander PA 15376

E- mail n3yjjarrlnet

Dues Individual $20 per year Additional Family Members $10 each

2013

MEMBER INFORMATION AND DUES RENEWAL FORM

19

Name ___________________________________ Address________________________________________

City _________________________ State ____ Zip_________

Home Phone ______________________________ Business Phone ____________________________

Other Phone EbullMail _____________________________

Amateur Call ________________________ License Class _________________________

Spouse _____________________________ Spouse Call __________________________

Spouse License Class ________________________

In case of emergency for what bands do you have equipment

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What are your favorite amateur activities

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

What activities would you like to see WACOM sponsor

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

ARRL Member Y N

Please return completed form and dues to

WACOM co Norma Plants 236 chambers Ridge Road West Alexander PA 15376

E- mail n3yjjarrlnet

Dues Individual $20 per year Additional Family Members $10 each

2013

MEMBER INFORMATION AND DUES RENEWAL FORM