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Sesquicentennial and Wisconsin QSO Party 2/12/98 update
The prime operations site for the Sesquicentennial, UW Space Place, is being remodeled with a glassed in enclosure and adequate power service for a minimum of 3 stations; 2 HF and 1 VHF.
- We hope to have the station operational by mid-March in time for the Wisconsin QSO Party. Operators are invited to run the station. The Space Place Amateur Radio Center, SPARC, call of N9UW will be used. Points will be awarded to FLARC. This will give us the opportunity to check out the facility prior to the special event and make any changes. Please contact me, if interested in participating.
- Dates are now firm for the Sesquicentennial Celebration: May 2 through May 10; 9 AM to 9 PM at Space Place. Red Cross will be the secondary site with, we hope, operation times of 9 AM to 5 PM. Wisconsin Emergency Management will, also, have a limited operation schedule.
- All modes: voice, CW, packet, APRS.
- HF, 6 and 2 meters.
- All operator classes welcome. Hams from around the State!
- Still in need to fill chair positions for rigs, antennas and computers.
- Remind everyone to check on the operator sign up website: http://www.globaldialog.com/kb9rrm and keep up with the news at the FLARC website: http://members.aol.com/staskc2ak
We are extending this event so that everyone will be able participate in this historical event!
73, Don, W9IXG Chairman
Donald E. Michalski Associate Director Space Astronomy Laboratory, University of Wisconsin - Madison 1150 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706 USA (608)263-4685 (ph); (608)263-0361 fax dem@sal.wisc.edu
The Four Lakes Amateur Radio Sesquicentennial Celebration has begun!
This event will promote the State of Wisconsin in a most unique way. We will tell the world about Wisconsin's 150th anniversary via amateur radio!
FLARC will be hosting this special event in the month of May using a special event call sign. Several stations will be assembled and operated over several days. Those who contact this special event will be awarded a Sesquicentennial certificate with official celebration Seal, signed by Governor Thompson and two previous Governors, confirming the contact. The operators will talk about the virtues of Wisconsin, and more information about Wisconsin will be included with each certificate mailed. This is a terrific opportunity to promote the State and amateur radio!
To make this possible, we will need help. A lot of help. Everything FLARC members can offer and then some. Hence, we are inviting other Madison and surrounding Wisconsin clubs and hams to participate. Why? The event will take place from May 2 through May 10. 12 hour days from 9 AM to 9 PM local time. That's a lot of air time. With several stations operating simultaneously, that amounts to many operators needed.
Here are committees required to make this event successful: radio equipment set up; antennas; computers for logging; publicity; certificate and QSL design; mailing; funding; packet/aprs; refreshments. I need a chairperson for each. As of this printing, I have Steve KB9RRM & Stas' KC2AK, on the web; Steve, KB9RRM, as operators chair; Peg, KB9LIE, as mailing chair; Paulette, WB9VHF, as refreshments chair; Paul, K9DB, as certificate and QSL design chair; Mack, N9NTB, packet/aprs chair. Still looking for chairs for radio set up, antenna installation, and computer logging sub-committees. If anyone is interested in heading one of these, please contact me!
Who can operate? Anybody with a license. Most of the time, we will have control operators of general class or higher present. That means that tech class operators can have fun in sections of bands that they would not normally be permitted to operate. Never been on the business end of a pile up? Don't worry. We have some skilled operators that can prepare you. Remember, this is NOT a contest. It is a celebration of our 150th anniversary of Statehood--a special event. Some folks out there will be wanting to hear more about Wisconsin. We will have fact sheets available for you to refer to and answer questions. Operators will be responsible to log contacts on a computer assigned for each station.
There are three operations sites: Space Place Amateur Radio Center; Red Cross; Wisconsin Emergency Management building. SPARC is the primary site. All bands- 80 meters through VHF/UHF will be covered. SSB, CW, FM and RTTY are the modes of operation. The ARRL has already assigned us a call sign of W9S. That, in itself, will be a draw. We anticipate several thousand contacts made! A DXpedition we are not but we will still experience the same thrill of being *wanted*. An invitation has been extended to the Governor to be a guest operator. We hope he accepts and makes a contact with the Belmont special event station from the capitol grounds. Other third party operators are, also, invited to participate.
So, that is the basic plan. I'll be providing monthly updates in this newsletter and nets. For those of you who wish to sign up, I can be reached via email at: dem@sal.wisc.edu. That is my preferred mode of communication. I can, also, be reached at (608)263-4685 during the day or 274-3253 during evenings.
Informal meetings will be periodically held following the 11am FLARC Saturday lunch at Fitzgerald's in Middleton. Anyone is welcome to attend. You can, also, catch me on the W9YT 146.685 repeater.
This is a rare opportunity to participate in a unique special event that will be remembered for many years. I invite you to become part of this exciting celebration! The success of this project depends on YOU!!
73, Don, W9IXG Chairman
The FEEDLINE
The FEEDLINE is the monthly publication of the Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club (FLARC) and is published to keep members informed of club meetings and other events as well as local and world-wide news effecting amateur radio. Articles in The FEEDLINE may be reprinted without permission, but please give the author and the source credit. DEADLINE: 20th of the month preceding the date of publication. WHERE TO SEND IT: if you have an article that you would like to publish in The FEEDLINE send it to: staskc2ak@aol.com
QRPp anyone?
One of our club members, Don, N9WR, has completed the K1MG Digital Clock/Counter. This is a great addition to a QRP station. Could you use a device like this?
Take a look at his article: Digital Clock Counter.
Transceiver Advertising Terminology
Ever been impressed with all the features touted in the ads for radio equipment, but have been unsure as to what, exactly was meant by some or the claims? Here's a primer that will help you figure out what's really being said.
From the October 1997 "Amateur Radio News Service Bulletin," Steve Auyer, N2TKX, editor. Author was listed.
Buck Night - At almost every meeting call signs of members are drawn from bucket. Sometimes name tags are used and other times plain pieces of paper are used. You must be present to win a dollar.
Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 signed by president
Ham radio volunteers stand to benefit from "The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997," signed into law June 18 by President Clinton. The measure aims to provide Federal protection from "frivolous, arbitrary, or capricious" lawsuits filed against individuals affiliated with nonprofit organizations and government entities and acting in their volunteer capacities. This would include members of the Amateur Auxiliary and volunteer examiners, as well as other volunteers. In general, the new law will exempt a volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity from liability for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of such organization or entity if: the volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities at the time. the volunteer was properly licensed or otherwise authorized for the activities or practice in the State in which the harm occurred. the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights of safety of the individual harmed. the harm was not caused by the volunteer operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the State requires the operator or owner to possess an operators license or maintain insurance. The law, known as Public Law 105-19, becomes effective September 16, 1997 –The ARRL Letter, 6/27/97
Zilch moves to new locations
The Saturday morning breakfast Zilch has moved to Zach's Avenue Bar on East Washington Ave. The Saturday westside (late morning/lunch time) Zilch has moved to Fitzgerald's in Middleton. The new location is much better with a reasonably priced menu.
This page does not contain the complete newsletter. To join and receive the complete newsletter, give $20 (special rates for seniors, family, students) to Club Treasurer: N9PQN, Marylynn Franzen, at our meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month. Or mail application and check made out to FLARC: