NW Arkansas Calendar WRTC 2014 What Is UTC? FEATURE: Outback in the Ozarks Amateur Clubs-their importance ARKAN – New Meeting Facility Showin’ Off The Shack – W5YM FEATURE: Skywave from the Battleship Missouri FEATURE: N3FJP Amateur Contact Log review VE Reports DX Corner

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JUNE 2 – ARKAN: THE AMATEUR RADIO KLUB of the ARKANSAS NORTHWEST – June Meeting Northwest Technical Institute – Collegiate Center – Room 319 709 S. Old Missouri Road – Springdale Monday, 6:30 pm (VE test session immediately following meeting @ 8pm) JUNE 5 – BVRG: BELLA VISTA REPEATER GROUP – June Meeting Duffer’s Restaurant – 638 W. Lancashire Blvd. – Bella Vista Thursday, 8 am JUNE 10 – BCRO: BENTON COUNTY RADIO OPERATORS – June Meeting Rogers Public Library – 711 S. Dixieland Road – Rogers Tuesday, 7 pm JUNE 28 – OWS: THE OZARK WIRELESS SOCIETY – June Meeting The General Store at the The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History – 118 W. Johnson Ave. – Springdale Saturday, 10am

You are cordially invited to attend any of our area amateur radio clubs’ Field Day sites. You can find each club’s website on the next page that you can refer to for contact information. Any of them will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Come out and join us! You’ll enjoy great fellowship and see amateur radio setup and operation at its best.

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Your Northwest

Arkansas Organizations

ARCUA The Amateur Radio Club

of the University of Arkansas

Website: www.wordpress.uark.edu/rso-w5ym Club Callsign: W5YM

Pres – Jill Niemeier, ACØMX Vice-Pres – Matthew Barlow, W5VO Treas – Hannah Vines, KD5WNF UofA Staff Advisor: Larry Roe, WJ5V Main Activities: Field Day, November Sweepstakes, School Club Roundup, SEC Special Events

BVRG Bella Vista

Repeater Group

Meets: 1st Thursday each month (2nd Thursday if holiday), 8:00 am Duffer’s Restaurant 638 W. Lancashire Blvd. – Bella Vista

Pres – Bob Femrite, KØSNG Vice-Pre. – Vern Sidler, AA6AR Treas. – Mark Whittlesey, WØKYZ FD Coord – Ron Evans, K5XK

OWS The Ozark

Wireless Society

Club Callsign: K5OWS Meets: 4th Saturday of each month (Except Nov. & Dec.) 10:00 am The General Store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History 118 W. Johnson Ave. – Springdale Weekly On-Air Meeting and Chat Session: Sundays, 4:00 pm 3712.50 KHz Club Coordinator Charles Tillotson, W5NX

NBRG The Noise Blankers

Radio Group

Websites: www.noiseblankers.com www.hamhijinks.com Meets: As this is an activity group, regular meeting are not scheduled. Club Callsign: WR5P Pres – Gary Darnell, WBØRUR Vice-Pres – Andy Holmes, K5PO Treas/Pub Info – Kevin Thornton, K5KVN Activities: The group produces special events, participates in contests and Wreaths Across America, and produces the popular Ham Hijinks satire news website.

ARKAN The Amateur Radio Klub

of the Arkansas Northwest

Website: www.arkanhams.org Club Callsign: AA5AR Meets: 1st Monday of each month (Except July & December) 6:30 pm Northwest Technical Institute Collegiate Center 709 S. Old Missouri Rd. - Springdale Pres – Mark Parmer, NW5AR Vice-Pres – Paul Dixon, KK5II Sec/Treas – Scott Anderson, K5SAA Exec Brd Mbr – Don Banta, K5DB VEC – Darryl Wagoner, WA1GON FD Coord – Billy Hyatt, AE5CP Web/QSL Mgr – Scott Anderson, K5SAA AQP Mgr/Chair – Don Banta, K5DB

BCRO Benton County

Radio Operators

Website: www.bcro.org Club Callsign: WX5BC

Pres – Loren Lawrence, N5PUV Vice-Pres – Mel Hagen, AF5GF Sec – Lance Clark, KF5YPD Treas – Mark Maddox, KL7IWT Activities – Mike Guest, KF5LHM Benton Co RACES Coordinator Loren Lawrence, N5PUV

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"Grow Light" Ballast Causes HF

Interference, Violates Rules

The ARRL has formally complained to the FCC that a "grow light" ballast being widely marketed and sold is responsible for severe interference to the MF and HF bands. The League urged Commission action to halt sales of the Lumatek LK-1000 electronic ballast and to recall devices already on store shelves or in the hands of consumers. In a March 12 letter, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, told the FCC Enforcement Bureau and its Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) that, during ARRL Laboratory testing, the Lumatek device exhibited conducted emissions that exceeded FCC rules. "ARRL has received numerous complaints from Amateur Radio operators of significant noise in the medium and high frequency bands between 1.8 MHz and 30 MHz from 'grow lights’ and other RF lighting devices generally,” Imlay said in the complaint. "The level of conducted emissions from this device is so high that, as a practical matter, one RF ballast operated in a residential environment would create preclusive interference to Amateur Radio HF communications throughout entire neighborhoods." An extensive Conducted Emissions Test Report detailing the ARRL Lab's test results was attached to the League's correspondence.” (cont. next column)

BCRO – April 26, Rogers CONGRATULATIONS! Russell Williams – New Technician! Larry Drittler – New Technician! David Steinke – New Technician! Lance House, KG5BDM – New General! (Next session: Sat., May 24, Rogers Public Library)

ARKAN – May 5, Springdale CONGRATULATIONS! Loy Hoskins – Passed his Technician and General as last month’s meeting…passed the Amateur Extra this month! Great job Loy! (Next session: Mon., June 2, NTI – Springdale)

"The report concludes from the conducted emissions tests that the six highest emissions from the device in the HF band vastly exceed the quasi-peak limit specified in Section 18.307(c) of the Rules," Imlay told the FCC. The ARRL further pointed out that, while an FCC sticker had been affixed to the device, it lacked FCC compliance information. FCC Part 18 rules require RF lighting devices to provide an advisory statement with such a device, notifying users that it could interfere with radio equipment operating between 0.45 MHz and 30 MHz. The League noted that the device is imported into the US and marketed and sold by Sears, where ARRL purchased its test sample, as well as by Amazon.com and other retail outlets. The ARRL also called on the FCC to consider enforcement proceedings against the importer, Hydrofarm Horticultural Products of Petaluma, California. From ARRL letter

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ARKAN Treasurer’s Report (1 month late due to VOX computer problems last month. – Apologies.) March 2014 Previous Balance, February 2014: $256.79 Deposit, 3/1/14 (Dues from N5CAA, NW5AR,KF5ZAI,KF5YPB)48.00 Deposit, 3/19/14 (Dues from AE5CP and donation) 20.00 Ending Balance $324.79 (VE team box has $20 change not included above.) -73, K5SAA

The organizers of the World Radiosport Team Championship 2014 have announced the names of their on-site referees for the July 12-13 international amateur radio competition to be held in New England. Referees will be deplyed to each of the 59 stations to monitor and verify compliance with the WRTC rules and to make decisions regarding any rules questions the teams may have. All top-level contesters in their own right, ref- erees will listen to the audio from both opera- tors for the entire 24 of WRTC-2014. Dan Street – K1TO, mana- ged the referee appli- cation and verification process. Selecting from the 143 applications received involved several factors including geographical location, language skills, and single-operator, two-radio (SO2R) ability. “With so many well-qualified volunteers willing to serve as referees, it was simply impossible to choose everyone we would have liked,” said WRTC-2014 Chief Referee David Sumner – K1ZZ. “It is a great tribute to the past and present WRTC organizers that the event is so strongly supported by active contesters around the globe. We know that everyone who volunteered will help in any way they can to make WRTC-2014 another success.” World Radiosport Team Championships are held every four years. The competition consists of approximately 50 two-person teams of amateur radio operators from around the world, going head-to-head in a test of operating skill.

The 2014 Field Day packet is now available. ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event of the year. It takes place each year in the U.S. and Canada during the fourth weekend in June, when thousands of radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups, or by themselves to operate “in the field” to simulate an emergency situation. In 2013, the ARRL received more than 2500 Field Day entries, representing participation by more than 36,000 radio amateurs who completed in excess of 1.2 million contacts either by CW, phone, or digital modes. Field Day 2014 will take place June 28-29, and it’s not too early to begin planning. The Field Day locator will help you in finding a Field Day site near you. For more information, you can e-mail ARRL Headquarters or call them at: 860-594-0236.

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AREA HAMS PROVIDE COMM ASSISTANCE TO

OUTBACK-IN-THE-OZARKS RELAY RACE

(Info and pictures courtesy NW5AR and K5DB)

Mother Nature provided two gorgeous days for runners, race staff, ham operators, and volunteers in the 2nd Annual Outback in the Ozarks 200-mile relay race. The race started in Eureka Springs winding through the Ozark Mountains and going as far south as Lake Fort Smith, with the finish line at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. This race is a real test for runners in that it traverses very rugged terrain. But the runners for this race showed their stuff as 18 out of the 16 teams participating finished with flying colors. They are definitely to be commended. Communication between runners, race offi- cials, and volunteers is critical in an event such as this, due to there being little or no Runners gather for sign-up in Eureka Springs

cellphone service at various points in the race course, and especially (of course) in the very low elevations. OTO Race Directors advised us that they had some considerable problems last year in the area of communications due to this factor. They then heard of possible comm assistance from amateur radio operators and contacted the NWARKHAMS e-mail address, asking for help. As communication help goes, they couldn’t have made a better move for their event. Five of our fine NW Arkansas clubs came to their aid, with Mark Parmer – NW5AR assuming the role of amateur radio communications coordinator. Our area ham volunteers did a stellar job in assisting in this area.

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It was a challenging assignment for everyone, to be sure. Several ham volunteers, along with the race directors and staff, were up all night Friday night and all day Saturday ensuring communications continuity, runners reaching exchange points safely and successfully and relaying to the next runner, and routes being well and visibly marked for the runners and race volunteers. A word of congratulations and thanks goes to Race Directors Todd and Kimberlee Guin for a dazzling job of coordinating the race and keeping it running smoothly. Their efforts were remarkable. And a huge word of thanks goes to all the radio amateur volunteers whose vast help in keeping communications running smoothly was invaluable. A special word of thanks goes to Mark Parmer – NW5AR, Ham-Comm Coordinator. NW Arkansas hams, we salute you!: Van Allen – W5VAN Billy Hyatt – AE5CP Rudy Behrens – KE5MUE Loren Lawrence – N5PUV Mary Burleson – KG5ANL Jeff Melton – W5JMN Larry Davis – KF5YHU Michael Moore – KG5BKB Phillip Dore – KF5RIZ Wayne Patton – K5UNX Jim Ferguson – KE5YYN Rick Riley – KD5OHQ Joey Finn – KG5BJX Vic Rozeboom – KF5TQU David Gilbert – KB5SEZ Mason Torgerson – KF5KJV Mike Guest – KF5LHM John Wall – KA3MEN Mel Hagen – AF5GF Jon Williams – K5DVT Scott Hensley – KF5JRV Drew Wood – KF5MMW Net Control Operators @ Washington County EOC – WC5AR: Chris Adams – N5CAA Jason Morgan – KF5OUD Scott Anderson – K5SAA John Robinson – W5HB Paul Dixon – KK5II Bill Sergeant – K5BHS

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A FEW PICTURES FROM O-T-O

Runners prepare at starting line: Eureka Springs

Race Director Todd Guin visits with runners at Exchange Point 30 – Devil’s Den State Park

Vic – KF5TQU manning Exchange Point 25 @ Chester, AR

Mark – NW5AR listens to traffic from Net Control @ Exchange Point 30 along with

Mike – KF5LHM and Wayne – K5UNX

Van Allen – W5VAN prepares for runners arrival at Exchange Point 31

Runners await their teammate’s arrival for baton exchange in Devil’s Den

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Race Director Kimberlee Guin pauses for a moment during

OTO Finish Line festivity preparations at Prairie Grove Battlefiled State Park

Net Control Station WC5AR headquarters: Washington County EOC, Fayetteville

John – W5HB and Jason – KF5OUD during their Net Control shift at WC5AR

OTO finish line concessions pavilion readying for runners

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(NOTE: ARKAN and The VOX of Northwest Arkansas neither endorse nor oppose the purchase and/or use of N3FJP logging software. The following article is for informational purposes only. The VOX of Northwest Arkansas welcomes any article submissions of reviews on other logging software programs for future issues. Contact the Editor at: thevoxofnwa@cox.net) There are many logging software programs on the market today – some good, some not so good. If your club, or you singularly, are looking for a new logging program, you might consider N3FJP Amateur Contact Log software, developed by Scott-N3FJP. ARKAN uses this software in Field Day operations, as well as in use by some individual members at home. In an overall summary, it downloads quickly, it is easy to learn how to use, updates are free for life, and it’s cosmetics on the screen are very pleasant to view, especially during contests when you’re looking at the monitor for long periods of time. Yes, there is an initial subscription fee of $49.99, but it is a one-time, lifetime fee. You can, of course, obtain shareware or freeware versions of other logging software, however the norm with those is that you cannot utilize all of the features associated with the software until you purchase it, and some are much more expensive. The following is a review by Dave Cole-NK7Z, on the N3FJP ACL software program (Used by permission. See other very informative reviews and articles at Dave’s website: www.nk7z.net .) : Overview: This is the review of N3FJP’s AC Log, One of the best logging program available just got better! Scott Davis, (N3FJP), has announced his completion of the rewrite of the popular logging program called “Amateur Contact Log“, version 4.0 from Visual Basic to the C# language, moving the version number from ACL3.4x to ACL4.x. See my review of ACL3.4 here. Alas, I had hoped that the next rewrite might make it possible to port to Linux… This rewrite does not do that, (thank you Microsoft), but, it does run under VirtualBox, and I hear under Linux as well. So it looks as if I will be keeping my VirtualBox Windows XP box for a bit longer… Overall the program seems more mature, the look and feel are better, the fonting seems better, but there are a few foibles in it yet, not many, and nothing bad so far. Overall the program is well written, seems a tad bit slower than 3.4, (which is not a surprise), but has several new features which make it a good change. (cont. next page)

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Best of all, N3FJP makes the update available free to registered users. Something that surprises me. Most vendors will charge for a major version change. Perhaps given that this was not really a massive change, (to the user, but a total re-write to the author), no charge was levied. N3FJP states on his web site: Listed below are all of our amateur radio programs currently available, along with their individual registration fees. We also offer package suites which include all of the programs listed, free registration of any additional amateur radio software that we add to the package, as well as free upgrades to existing programs. Please see the registration options at the bottom of this page for more details! What are the changes? Here is what Scott has to say: To make a long story very short, when I first started writing software back in 1997, Visual Basic was a great programming platform that I used to create all my original software, but in the years to follow, Microsoft dropped support for VB6. To be sure that our programs continue to run well into the future, make them more maintainable and easier to code future enhancements, I am in the process of rewriting my entire software package in C#.NET and Amateur Contact Log 4.0 is now complete! Amateur Contact Log Version 4.0 is a total rewrite of Amateur Contact Log. It has almost all the features supported in version 3.4 and lots of new ones that I think you’ll really enjoy! Some of the new enhancements include:

Fully networkable! Whether you want to use AC Log for a DXPedition, or you just want to access your log from multiple PCs simultaneously at your home or club station, AC Log will now support multiple clients updating a single database, just like my Field Day and other contesting software!

Lots of additional and customizable data fields. AC Log is as easy to use on first install as ever, but if you want to customize AC Log, it is now even

easier to configure the main form to your taste for fonts, colors, layout, tab order and fields displayed! Improved analysis and display of needed DX spots stations. Bulk uploads and downloads to / from eQSL are now supported. Addition of HamQTH.com’s free callbook Internet lookup service. And lots more!

(cont. next page)

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AC Log 4.0 is Free to Registered Users! As always, all of my software upgrades are free to registered users and AC Log 4.0 is no exception! You can download the latest from: http://www.n3fjp.com/aclog.html System Requirements: Amateur Contact Log 4.0 requires Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or later. It also requires the Microsoft .NET 4.0 client framework, which is likely already on your PC, but if not, the installer will install it for you automatically. If you are running an operating system prior to XP, don’t worry, I’ll keep version 3.4 on the VB6 archive page here: http://www.n3fjp.com/archivedVB6.html in case you ever need to reinstall it. Installation Steps: AC Log 4.0 uses a completely different database structure, so it will not open your log file from 3.4 directly, but upgrading is a snap. Simply: - Install AC Log 4.0. - From your previous version of AC Log, click File > Export ADIF > Whole Log and save your file in a place that is easy for you to find on your hard drive. - From version 4.0, click File > Import ADIF and select the ADIF file that you exported. - If you have customized settings, you’ll need to reconfigure them, but you’ll find it to be a much easier process with even more flexibility in version 4.0! By the way, AC Log 4.0 runs completely independently of the previous versions of AC Log, so if you are unsure if you want to upgrade, please go ahead and give it a try. Your existing installation will not be altered in any way and you can continue with the previous version if you prefer it for any reason. I think you will really like version 4.0 once you get a taste of it though! For LoTW uploads from AC Log 4.0, you’ll need to run TQSL software version 1.14 or later. A Note to Blind Hams: I’ve received reports from blind hams beta testing AC Log 4.0 that some screen readers are not doing as good a job identifying the fields as they did in the VB6 versions of AC Log. I don’t have any screen reader software here and until I have the opportunity to investigate further, blind hams may want to stay with AC Log 3.4 for now. AC Log 4.0 does continue the feature I programed in 3.4 of correctly reading the current field with wave files. Thanks so much for Testing and Input! I want to extend a special thank you for all the testing, enhancement suggestions and input that so many of you offered during the development and testing phase of Amateur Contact Log 4.0. You all have made this version far better than it would have been otherwise and I can’t thank you enough for all your help, patience and input! Enjoy! So everyone, please give AC Log 4.0 a try and see what you think. I hope that you enjoy it! And in response to the questions we always receive when we neglect to include the following in our e-mail announcements… Package Upgrade Information… If you have registered one or more individual programs and would like to upgrade to N3FJP’s Software Package or N3FJP’s Software Package and CD for full use of all our Amateur Radio software, we would be glad to apply the amount that you have registered so far as a credit towards that purchase. Please send us an e-mail directly and we’ll let you know your balance. N3FJP’s Software Package includes approximately 50 programs for contesting, net management, general logging and other Amateur Radio related applications. In addition to full use of all these programs, registered package customers are also entitled to receive free passwords for any new software that is added to the package and free upgrades to existing programs. You’ll find all the details on the Register Now page at www.n3fjp.com. Here is a list of things I found good and bad about this software: The Install: This software installs as a separate program from ACL 3.x. That means that you need to first save your existing log as an ADIF file. The plus side of this is that nothing can go wrong and toast your log. The bad side is you have to reconfigure by hand all options that have been added by yourself over time. In reality, for me, this was not an issue. I just copied down the old settings and changed them as needed. About the only issue I had with it, was a very odd one, that 99% of the users will not have. I use ACLog while running other programs that talk to the Icom 756 PRO III. In the old ACLog, (3.x), I got a pair of screens telling me that problems existed, and to hit DONE when finished. I would hit DONE, and all would work fine, save the Rig Control. That was because I had a different program handling that, so no problem. With the new software, the CW Setup comes defaulted on, in my old setup it was off. (cont. next page)

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Here is what would happen under 3.x: 1. I would start S-Meter Lite. 2. AC Log 4.x would tell me the port was in use 3. I would accept the information with the DONE key 4. All went well from there on.

Here is what happened under 4.x: 1. I would start S-Meter Lite. 2. AC Log 4.x would tell me the port was in use 3. I would accept the information with the DONE key 4. Every time I hit a key on the keyboard, I got the dialog box about COM PORT being used.

I killed rig control, and noticed the problem continued! So I started killing everything that might talk to a com port… I found CW, killed that, and all issues ended! I restarted Rig Control, and the problem did not repeat, so it was the CW settings getting in the way. To make a long story short, this fixed everything dealing with the transit from 3.x to 4.x. I read in the ADIF file, and poof it was a log! Next I used one of the new features! Delete Dup contacts! I removed 60 dups in 12K entries. I then used the eQSL upload feature to upload the log to eQSL. See my eQSL review here. Operation: The operation of the new version is about the same as the old version, (just a tad slower), but with a more features. N3FJP mentions that some features have been removed, but for the life of me, I can’t locate them. All of the old operational features seem intact, and the log functions as expected. One of the things that scared me the first time, was the time it took to show the log after painting the screen once the program is started. I have twelve thousand Q’s in the log, so I expect a bit of slowness… However I get something like 2 to 4 seconds of blank screen after starting the application, and after it paints be empty log, before the actual contacts populate. The Good: Overall the program is a plus as fr as changes go. If I had to pick one version, 3.x or 4.x, it would be 4.x, because of the better look and feel. Speed is not a big loss for me, as a task can take milliseconds, or microseconds, in either case it is there for me when I need it. Scott has added backup to the software, something that is needed. Also, the ability to get messages in real-time from the author for update warnings, etc. Here are more features that are on the good side:

Easy install, just hit the install button and watch the lights. Install protects previous version, if something goes wrong, you just uninstall the new version and try

again, the old version is not touched in any way. Remove Duplicate contact is new and wonderful. I have twelve thousand contacts, and have wanted

to remove dups for a while. Took about 2 minutes. Tracking of Worked All States, Worked All Counties, Worked All Countries, DXCC, VUCC, Grids,

Zones, IOTAs, Lighthouses and many other achievements. The new Icon looks better. The opening credits are shorter. A new feature to allow for a message from the author telling of new updates. The addition of a “QSL By” field. I have not been keeping track of paper cards because I did not want

them mixed in with my awards via electronic means. This additional way of tracking QSLs helps along this line.

The addition of HAM QTH as a source for call sign look-up, in addition to QRZ, and various other ways. The Bad: Overall the program is a bit slower than the original. It loads slower, finds records slower, and in general does everything slightly slower than 3.x versions. Not enough to condemn the software, but enough to curse at it now and then. Next is by far the worst of all problems with version 4. LoTW Support. (cont. next page)

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This is a bit different than it has been in the past. ACLog 4.x uses tQSL 1.4x, as opposed to the older tQSL 1.3x. tQSL1.4x supports direct uploading and signing of the log. ACLog presents the results to tQSL, and tQSL uploads it. tQSL 1.3x did not do this, ACLog 3.x preformed the upload functions. This allowed ACLog 3.x to have a thermometer bar, showing upload status. With the switch to tQSL 1.4x, ACLog can not provide the thermometer bar anymore. This means that if you upload a large number of contacts, you hit the up- load button, all you see is a small change in the status window for LoTW. IMHO this should be dialog box, that

dismisses itself, or the user can dismiss, when the process is finished. The signing of large logs can take a LONG time, minutes in my case, and it is very disconcerting to see the hourglass sitting idle for so long. Given Windows propensity to lock up, it makes me worried. If a dialog box with a message were there, I would feel better about this. The real issue is that tQSL does not provide to the calling software a marker to indicate where it is in signing the logs, or if it does, ACLog ignores it. I do not know which, but it is bad… My screen which looks like the one on the left, stays up for way too long, then the tQSL software puts up a dialog box BEHIND the ACLog 4.x screen. If you don’t spot it on the task bar, then you will sit forever. This assumes that you have a duplicate entry of course. On the other hand, to not be so hard on ACLog 4.x, during normal operation it is fine, the time involved is relatively short, and for the most part I see the dialog box put up by tQSL 1.4x, so I only sit here wondering what is happening once a month or so… All in all the is the largest flaw in ACLog 4.x. From a bad standpoint, that is about all I can find, and I am stretching here to list everything I can think of. Overall this is still a well written program, and the only bad issue I can really find is the tQSL integration. Given that tQSL was just re-written as well, it would be good if the tQSL people offered some indicators to the calling program for its state. Only a bit of time will tell if this comes to pass. 02/17/14 Addendum: The new tQSL, (2.x and above), corrects the lack of a thermometer bar, and hence removes all of the above as a problem with AClog 4.x. How does it compare to the older version?: It is better, slightly slower, and better overall. If I had to pick one, it would be the latest version. N3FJP has managed to keep feature creep to a minimum here, and his software is better for that effort! The look is still clean, the setup is still good, the install is simple, and all in all it keeps track of my log. Further it keeps track of my received QSLs by who verified them, eQSL, LoTW, or Paper… Finally!! For 25 bucks, this is one of the best logging programs you will find, regardless of cost. It is simple to operate, yet complex in how it works, this is a very difficult balance to keep, and ACLog 4.x maintains that balance, as ACL 3.x did. I would certainly recommend this if you are looking for a computer version of a logging program, it seems simple to operate, and IMHO is the best of the Windows programs out there… Try the software for the 45 day trial period, I think you will buy it if you do. Recommendation: If you are looking for an electronic logging program, give Amateur Contact Log, (ACL), a look. ACL is a full featured, simple to use, logging program, which runs under Microsoft Windows. It seems stable, I have used it for years, and never had an issue with it. Offers backup options, keeps track of who approved your QSL cards, does spotting, and in general is just handy to have on hand. I use it daily, and have for a very long time now. The learning curve is simple, the install is fast… What more can one say about a piece of software. It will be the best $50.00 you have spent on ham radio. I would highly recommend this software to anyone.

ACLog 4.x: LoTW upload screen

Start End Entitiy Callsign QSL Via

Info

May16 May18 Botswana A25GF ZS6AYU

By ZS6AYU; 40-10m, perhaps 6m; vertical; dates tentative; holiday style operation

May18 Jun10 Malawi 7QNL

PA1AW

By PA3FYM; 80-10m; CW SSB;

May19 May23 Zimbabwe Z21GF ZS6AYU

By ZS6AYU; 40-10m, perhaps 6m; vertical; dates tentative; holiday style operation

May22 May31 South

Cook Is E51

Home CallS

By JA8VE as E51AVE, JA1KJW as E51KJW, JA1JQY as JA1JQY, JA3MCA as E51MCA;160-10m; CW SSB RTTY; QSL OK via JARL Buro or direct

May28 Jun03 Malawi 7QNL

PA1AW

By PA3FYM; 80-10m; CW SSB;

May31 Jun08 Tonga

A35JP/p

LotW

By JAØRQV; 80-6m; CW SSB; 100w; vertical; QSL also OK via JAØRQV JARL Buro or direct (w/ SASE)

Jun05 Jun18 St Lucia J6 G4DFI By GØVJG as J6/GØVJG fm NA-108; 40-6m; SSB; verticals

Jun08 Jun27 St Martin FS LotW By K9EL as FS/K9EL; 160-10m; QSL also OK via K9EL and Club Log

Jun19 Jul02 Grenada J38DR W9DR Direct

By W9DR; 6m, 50.115 MHz; breakable beacon; 5 ele yagi

Jun20 Jun25 Azerbaijan 4K9Z LotW By N6GQ

Jun25 Aug06 St Kitts &

Nevis V47JA LotW

By W5JON; 160-6m, incl 60m; verticals + 6m yagi; QSL also OK via W5JON direct; W5HAM will use V47HAM on occasion

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Coordinated Universal Time (UTC or Zulu) could be nicknamed “world time”. It is the time at the zero or reference meridian, located in Greenwich, England. Previously it was referred to as Greenwich Mean Time or GMT. Amateur radio operators, and in particular those who are involved with DXing, use this time. UTC changes one hour with each change of 15 degrees in longitude. The time zones in the lower 48 United States proper and Canada roughly follow these lines. UTC = Coordinated Universal Time (Zulu) PST = Pacific Standard Time (UTC - 8 hours) PDT = Pacific Daylight Time (UTC - 7 hours) MST = Mountain Standard Time (UTC - 7 hours) MDT = Mountain Daylight Time (UTC - 6 hours) CST = Central Standard Time (UTC - 6 hours) CDT = Central Daylight Time (UTC - 5 hours) EST = Eastern Standard Time (UTC - 5 hours) EDT = Eastern Daylight Time (UTC - 4 hours)

UTC (Zulu) TIME CONVERSION CHART

UTC (ZULU)

PST PDT/ MST

MDT/ CST

CDT/ EST

EDT

0000 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

0100 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100

0200 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200

0300 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300

0400 2000 2100 2200 2300 0000*

0500 2100 2200 2300 0000* 0100

0600 2200 2300 0000* 0100 0200

0700 2300 0000* 0100 0200 0300

0800 0000* 0100 0200 0300 0400

0900 0100 0200 0300 0400 0500

1000 0200 0300 0400 0500 0600

1100 0300 0400 0500 0600 0700

1200 0400 0500 0600 0700 0800

1300 0500 0600 0700 0800 0900

1400 0600 0700 0800 0900 1000

1500 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100

1600 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200

1700 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300

1800 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400

1900 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500

2000 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600

2100 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

2200 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800

2300 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900

2400 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000

* 0000 and 2400 are interchangeable ---2400 is associated with the date of the day ending, 0000 with the day just starting.)

June 2014 The VOX Page 17

This month we are very pleased and excited to feature in the “Showin’ Off The Shack” column, the stellar club station of ARCUA, The Amateur Radio Club of the University of Arkansas – W5YM. A big word of thanks to UofA staff adviser Larry Roe – WJ5V, for the great pictures and information used for this month’s salute to ARCUA! W5YM is truly a pioneer station in the history of amateur radio, being first licensed in 1916. W5YM is equipped for operation on all HF bands (80-10m including WARC), VHF, and UHF, as well as operation for voice, CW, packet, RTTY, and other digital modes. W5YM is also equipped for automated tracking of amateur radio satellites. W5YM makes its home in the Science and Engineering Building on the UA campus, and it’s not hard to spot their location. Their TH6DXX setting atop a 50’ Rohn tower which sets atop the S/E Building is hard to miss. For full information on the station, its history, officers, etc., go to their website: www.wordpress.uark.edu/rso-w5ym/. Thanks again, Larry, for sharing with us for this month’s issue of The VOX! The next upcoming event for ARCUA is Field Day. Larry advises: “We will be operating as K5GOE (our alternate call in honor of past, long-serving, advisor Woody Charlton, SK) from the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on Highway 265 in Fayetteville. Operations may include phone, CW, and digital on whatever HF bands are active. Setup will be Saturday morning and we will operate for the duration. If anyone would like to contact me for further information, they can reach me via e-mail at: lar@uark.edu.”

Scott – KC5EQJ works the TS-940S during the School Club Roundup.

Jill-ACØMX, Hannah-KD5WNF, Mike-AE5ZC, and Matthew-W5VO working the 2013 ARRL November Sweepstakes.

June 2014 The VOX Page 18

Skywave from USS

Missouri in Hawai’i

From John A. Jones – W5OX

KH6BB

In the year of 2003, our family took our annual vacation. We were fortunate enough this year to go to Hawaii and had a wonderful time in that tropical paradise. We had previously been there in1985, but this trip was much more memorable. We were received with our “lei greeting and tropical drink” upon disembarking the plane, and the weather was as it always is there – terrific. The temp in Honolulu is always 85°. Over the years, I had become acquainted with Lee Wical – KH6BZF, better known as the “Bloomin’ Zipper Flipper”. Lee is a brilliant engineer and possibly you are familiar with his famous propagation reports. On our first trip there, we called his home when we arrived to personally meet him for an eyeball QSO. Upon reaching his XYL, she informed me that Lee was in the Kaiser Permanente Hospital for an appendectomy. She said, “If it’s at all possibly you be sure and go see him.” We did. My daughter Shelly – KE5DX and I went to the hospital with our 2-meter HT in hand. Lee spotted us coming across the hospital parking lot from his window and called me “Dr. Jones” as we rode up on the elevator with everyone watching and listening to us on the HT. He is a big cut-up and a great guy. I presented him a wood carving of his callsign which he immensely appreciated, and we have been great friends ever since. W5OX and XYL Sharon – WA5FOX And now returning back to our more recent travel, I had spoken with on the deck of the USS Missouri Lee on the radio and advised him that we were again making the trek over. He told me, “Be sure and bring a copy of your license, and I will get you on the battleship USS Missouri, and you can operate our club station KH6BB.” You can imagine my excitement presented with the prospect of operating from such an iconic ship of great historical value. Volunteer hams were in the process of restoring the club’s radio room on the ship and all the updates were wonderful. The USS Missouri is anchored in Pearl Harbor directly adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial. The Arizona, as most of us know, was destroyed on December 7, 1941. These edifices are definitely a sight to behold! The U.S. Navy is in charge of all entering and leaving the ship, and they are very strict for its protection. Upon arriving, I was wearing my W5OX radio cap. I spotted a few other hams in the crowd by the ship with their identifying caps and ID tags on lanyards about their neck. When they spotted me, they came over and swept me from the crowd of tourists, and took us on an entirely different route on the ship; the tourists were taken another way. The ship has a huge wooden deck and when in commission it possessed tremendous firepower as it sat offshore pounding onshore targets. It was used as late as the Desert Storm operation in the 1990’s and had been adapted to more modern warfare. (cont. next page)

June 2014 The VOX Page 19

We were struck by the very room onboard where the Japanese had signed the surrender documents to end WW-II. All of the furniture was still intact and arranged just as it was in the days of General Douglas MacArthur who was present to officiate the surrender. (By the way in case you didn’t know, Gen. MacArthur was born in Little Rock.) Eventually, we came to the radio room and it was a great thrill for me to see the tremendous plethora of equipment that comprised KH6BB, and also knowing that I was going to be given the pleasure and privilege to operate the station. The “BB” in the callsign stands for “Battleship Battalion”. We were very graciously treated and I operated almost 4 hours. Stations from all over the world were calling – even Japan. I cannot express how kind our hosts were to us, and we will always be eternally grateful to the hospitality that was extended to us. They presen- ted us with guest operator cards and bottles of water labeled with “USS Missouri”. Should you ever have the opportunity, operate from this val- uable piece of real estate in the Pacific. We departed for home John at the controls of KH6BB with indelible memories etched in our minds. (John lives in Harrison, AR and has been a member of the North Arkansas Amateur Radio Society – NAARS, in Harrison, for over 45 years.) W5OX logs one of many QSOs during John having a laugh with Lee – KH6BZF his guest stint at KH6BB and a BB club member

June 2014 The VOX Page 20

From Don – K5DB

Sometimes when I tell people that I’m a ham operator, they’ll reply with something along the lines: “I didn’t know it still existed” or “Why do we need amateur radio when we now have the Internet?” The best answer that I give them to that question, in my opinion, is: Amateur radio is the only method that one person can speak directly with another person without having to use the services of a third party – a telephone company, Internet Service Provider, etc. Have you ever thought about your possessing a ham license in this light?: By passing an amateur radio exam, you’ve convinced the government of the United States of America that you have the basic skills to operate a radio station and have legal access to this ability. This is an awesome achievement. You are entrusted with an incredible natural resource – radio spectrum. Why would the government allow this? It hasn’t always and many governments in the world don’t. Let’s look at FCC Regulation 97.1 that defines the Amateur Radio Service: § 97.1 Basis and purpose. The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill. These are the reasons that the entire Amateur Radio Service exists. We provide value to the government and to our communities, both by our participation in emergency communications, community events, and by helping train more people who might develop technical and radio skills. Why would the government be interested in this? Obviously there is the immediate need for amateur radio in an emergency, but even more important are the skills to deploy, maintain, and use radios. Some of the people who read this would call themselves “preppers.” They prepare for an event where society as we know it collapses. In the event of such an occurrence, amateur radio will be the only means of communication that doesn’t rely on third parties. So, amateur radio is critical for communication. We welcome these people, as well as newcomers who have just attained their license, veteran operators, or anyone who is interested in becoming an amateur operator with questions they need answered. Join one of our area clubs if you like, or….. just come to our meetings. We welcome you to attend and hopefully learn something new from our monthly programs! That’s why all the NW Arkansas amateur radio clubs exist! We provide a meeting place and time. We provide activities so that you can exercise your skills and learn. We are willing and able to help you with your questions or even your projects. Just ask! But we need your input. If you’d like to see a program or have guidance about an act ivity, please contact a club officer. Please participate! Please volunteer! Thanks and 73!

June 2014 The VOX Page 21

ARKAN Has New Meeting Home

Because of the gracious hospitality that Northwest Technical Instititue has afforded ARKAN, the club is now holding its monthly 1st Monday meetings at the new Collegiate Center on the NTI campus. The meeting room I s twice the size of the previous one, complete with overhead projector and computer ca- pability. ARKAN is very appreciative to NTI and Hal – N7BAZ for making this possible. THANKS SO VERY MUCH. The May meeting had another great turnout, as Mark – NW5AR presented a short summary of the Outback In The Ozarks relay race (see feature story in this issue of The VOX). Scott – K5SAA then announced that ARKAN will be participating in a Morse code demonstration at the national convention of the National Historical Railroad Society to be held June 14 at the Arkansas & Missouri RR station in Springdale. Approximately 3000-5000 people are expected to attend, and AMTRAK is bringing-in a demo train for exhibition to the convention. It should be quite an event. Darryl Wagoner – WA1GON then gave a splendid program presentation on solar power.

EQUIPMENT ZONE

FOR SALE: Dentron Clipperton Full legal limit linear amplifier 4 – 572B finals One owner. Mint condition. Used less than 10 hours. Original box and manual. $500.00 Contact: John – W5OX at w5ox@windstream.net

THE VOX of Northwest Arkansas newsletter is published monthly primarily for the radio amateurs of northwest Arkansas, although subscribers anywhere are welcome. THE VOX is sent monthly as a .pdf attachment via the Northwest Arkansas Hams distribution list, AND IS FREE. To subscribe, simply send an e-mail to NWARKHAMS@gmail.com. In the body of the e-mail type the message, “Please add me to the list.” Shortly thereafter, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the D-list control operator advising you that you have been added. Thereafter, in addition to other radio related announcements, you will receive THE VOX directly to your e-mail inbox. To ensure privacy for all subscribers, THE VOX and/or announcement is always sent via BLIND COPY. No one’s e-mail address is known to anyone else, except the D-list control operator who holds all e-mail addresses in the strictest confidence. THE VOX of Northwest Arkansas disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or the content of articles published herein. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors. THE VOX of Northwest Arkansas neither necessarily endorses nor opposes said opinions, brand names, products, businesses, etc. As the pursuit of excellence of amateur radio related news, items, articles, and material in this newsletter is ongoing, suggestions or requests as to how to improve its quality are welcomed. VOX subscribers and/or readers are encouraged to submit articles to the Editor, Don Banta-K5DB, 3407 Diana St., Springdale, AR 72764 (or E-mail to: thevoxofnwa@cox.net) for possible publication in this newsletter. The deadline for articles is the 5th of each month.