W6VIO CALLING
MARCH 1992 Volume 21 No. 3
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- W6VIO CALLING M/S 264-419
- Attn: Eileen McKinney
- 4800 Oak Grove Drive
- Pasadena, California 91109
- W6VIO CALLING M/S 264-419
BOARD
- PRESIDENT: RANDY
HAMMOCK, KC6HUR
- VICE PRES: JIM KESTERSON, KA6IBF
- SECRETARY: DAVID SEIDEL, KC6NRL
- TREASURER: SCOTT BALZER, KC6NRP
- CLUB TRUSTEE: JAN TARSALA, WB6VRN
- EMERGENCY COMM COORD: WALT MUSHAGIAN, K6DNS
- DIRECTOR AT LARGE: ART ZYGIELBAUM, WA6SAL
- WB6IEA REPEATER TRUSTEE: WALT DIEM WA6PEA
- VICE PRES: JIM KESTERSON, KA6IBF
COMMITTEES
- FACILITIES: JERRY
HAWKES, W6WXL
- EDUCATION: GIL YANOW, K6TOS
- REPEATER: BOB DENGLER, NO6B
- STRATEGIC PLANNING: JON ADAMS, NW6H
- EDUCATION: GIL YANOW, K6TOS
EDITOR: EILEEN MCKINNEY KA6DGV
- LAARC REP: MARK
SCHAEFER, WB6CIA
- MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: RICK MCKINNEY, KA6DAN
- W6VIO Trailer: (818) 393-6312
- Voicemail & BBS: (818) 354-1751 (Future)
- MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: RICK MCKINNEY, KA6DAN
REPEATERS
- WB6IEA 224.08 MHZ (-) Closed/Autopatch
- W6VIO 224.04 MHZ (-) PL-54 Open/Shuttle Audio
- W6VIO 147.15 MHZ (+) PL-1A Open
- W6VRN 51.86 MHZ (-) PL-1A Future
- W6VIO-1 145.09 MHZ (S) Packet Node/BBS
- W6VIO-1 223.54 MHZ (S) Packet Node/BBS
- W6VIO 224.04 MHZ (-) PL-54 Open/Shuttle Audio
Club Meetings:
- Everyone is welcome - Bring your lunch.
- 12 Noon
- Program - Second Wednesday of month in 238-543
- Business - Fourth Wednesday of month in 198-211
- 12 Noon
Newsletter Article Deadline: The 5th day of each month. If the 5th falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be the deadline.
Your articles, ads, photos, diagrams, Letters to the Editor, or technical instructions should be submitted to Editor at address above.
EXCHANGE CLUBS: PLEASE NOTE ADDRESS ABOVE
Permission is granted to copy enclosed articles providing credit is given to "W6VIO CALLING".
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
by Randy Hammock, KC6HUR
Most people think that when an administration changes, everything else will change. I believe that if someone takes over an administration and everything is going great, he should just keep doing what the person ahead of him was doing. This will at least insure that things don't get worse. At the same time, all areas should be looked at and those which are not doing as well as they should, must get handled to get them functioning and producing.
The day after I took office, I was approached by Stan Sander regarding the trusteeship of the club call W6VIO. He felt that with his responsibilities at work and home, he is would not be able function as well as he would like. Also, since this is a voting position on the board of directors, his absence would mean that there would be a lack of input at the board. I then asked Stan and Walt Diem (our other trustee), if they had any suggestions for a replacement. They presented me with list of 5 club members in addition to a couple that I had in mind. I contacted each person on the list and got their views and statement of willingness about their being the trustee for W6VIO. Some of these even suggested others to ask, which I also took into consideration. After reviewing all the inputs, I made the recommendation that the board approve Jan Tarsala WB6VRN as the new W6VIO trustee. The vote was unanimous. Please welcome Jan Tarsala as the new trustee for W6VIO. I would also like to thank Stan for his years of dedicated service to the club as the trustee of W6VIO.
As a result of the above change, we ended up with a vacancy on the board as Jan stepped down as the vice president. Upon suggestion, I asked Jim Kesterson KA6IBF if he would consider being the new VP. He said yes and the board approved the appointment. Welcome back Jim! (I'll bet that was the shortest break from office, one month.)
An area which has been needing improvement has been the dissemination of information about the club to new members and the general public. Rick McKinney and Dave Seidel have been preparing a new members handbook. This will provide the new member much information about the club as well as who, what and where to go for help. On the other side, I'm working on a brochure which will provide information about the club and its various services. This can be given to members of the club as well as passed out to the general public. It is not a solicitation for membership but a general description of what we the club offer the public at large.
Field Day is just a few months away. Plan to be there and if you can help in any way, please give me a call.
BOARD MINUTES
By David Seidel, KC6NRL
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting - 2/26/92
The meeting was called to order by President Randy Hammock. Also in attendance were Jan Tarsala, Scott Balzar, Walt Diem, Walt Mushagian, Jim Kesterson, Jon Adams, Mark Schaefer, Bob Dengler and David Seidel.
The minutes of the 1/22 Board Meeting were read and approved.
In regards to the ongoing issue of the Goldstone Amateur Radio Club: There is a memo of understanding (MOU) between JPL and GARC or Jim Young but it is likely that another MOU will be necessary between Jim and Randy Hammock to clarify ownership and maintenance issues. The best route is believed to be the absorption of GARC into JPL ARC as a wholly owned subsidiary, with Jim as trustee of the repeater. The by- laws may need to be amended. These issues are being investigated.
The NASA Emergency Net would like to go 100% digital by the end of this year. This may present an opportunity to enhance the club's resources as well as meet this need. Funding sources will be investigated including emergency preparedness funds outside the club.
The JPL Emergency Net control antenna is now up at the guard shack. Larry Smith N6PBS completed that activity. Periodic Monday E-Net roll-calls will take place from there (simplex).
Jon reported on facilities and BBS status.
The board passed a motion that the issue of becoming a "Supporting Member" of the AMSAT Phase IIIb project be brought to the general membership at the March meeting. At issue is whether JPL ARC should commit itself to participation at the $70 per year level over the five year period of this phase of the project ($70 would be contributed retroactively for 1991).
Jim brought up the idea of improving the club's identity with jackets, hats, patches or other items unique to JPL ARC. He has investigated costs and will poll the membership to see its level of interest and participation.
Jim also will be making the PL modules available at the March general membership meeting. Dip switches may be available at that time as well.
Jon suggested that the time might be right for another Novice/Tech class on lab. Instructors and VEs will be sought.
Jan moved to specify English, and English alone, as the language on JPL repeaters. This issue arose from non-English communication taking place on repeaters and the inability of the control-ops and trustees to adequately monitor those communications. A resolution will be drafted referring to FCC Part 97.
The meeting was adjourned.
FREQUENCY COORDINATION NOTE:
By David Seidel, KC6NRL
The Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club was scheduled to have their 220 repeater and Two-meter remote base radio system up on February 22. K6TZ is at 224.08 MHz (PL 131.8 Hz), located La Cumbre Peak (3,900 feet above mean sea level) in Santa Barbara County. Jan and Walt Diem have more information for those encountering interference phenomena.
DX NEWS
By Jay Holladay, W6EJJ
Some last-minute problems caused Bob to call on his backup columnist this month. It's a great time for DXing, though, because the bands are enjoying fine springtime propagation conditions. I just heard a local W6 working a station in Russia on 10-meters, and the local was running 5 watts! Of course, he had a 4-el. Yagi antenna at 60-ft., but you could do the same thing with a ground plane and 50 watts. All the bands are hopping lately, with two major DXpeditions in progress, and a third scheduled for late March. So take advantage of the good conditions, fire up your HF rig, and have a go.
Those of you whose operating experience is limited to the VHF/UHF bands should read "What's So Special about HF?", in the Novice Notes section of QST for March, 1992. It gives a good overview of DXing as well as many other activities you can enjoy in the bands between 3 and 30 MHz.
AFGHANISTAN - A group from the former USSR is currently active using the call YA5MM.
CLIPPERTON ISLAND - FO0CI showed up as planned. As the pileups have dwindled, they have been easy to work from Southern Calif. on 80 - 10 meters on CW, SSB, and RTTY.
SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS - This major DXpedition to the most-wanted of the Antarctic countries is underway. The group includes 12 operators and they expect to open up about March 20 using the call VP8SSI. All bands and modes on the usual DX frequencies.
KUWAIT - 9K2ZZ will be active until Mar. 30. Has been active on 20 CW and SSB (14197) around sunset our time (0000-0300Z).
BOTSWANA - Should become very active soon on all bands and modes as Dave (ex-9L1US) opens up as A22US.
CQ WPX SSB CONTEST - a good chance to work some new ones and build your countries totals during the Mar. 28 and 29 weekend. Multipliers for this contest are prefixes - see CQ Magazine or Contest Corner in QST for more info.
73 & Good Dx de Jay, W6EJJ
LOS ANGELES MARATHON MEDICAL
TEAM
by Sid Johnson, WB6VWH
My thanks, as well as thanks from the Orthopedic Hospital, to all the folks that helped with the 1992 Los Angeles Marathon. This year was one of the quietest ever, in terms of medical net problems. Lets hope it stays that way in the future.
Yes it's true. I will NOT be doing the Marathon next year. The position of Medical Team Captain is up for grabs. So, if you want the glory, fame and honor of being a team captain, let me know.
****************************************************
MEDICAL GROUP ASSIGNMENTS 1992
- Captain Sid Johnson
WB6VWH*
- NCO1 John Tallon N6OMB*
- NCO2 Michael Briggs WB6DET
- NCO3 Dave Glawson WA6CGR
- NCO4 Marilyn Glawson WB6OOM
- Shadow1 Bob Layne W6LTC*
- Shadow2 Walt Diem WA6PEA*
- Shadow3 Ron Ploszaj WA6TPW*
- Shadow4 Jeff Skaletsky N6TJO*
- Shadow5 Jim Kesterson KA6IBF*
- Family Kirk Johnson KA6RKX*
- Reunion
- Mile 6.25 Gerald Walsh KB6OOC*
- Jan Tarsala WB6VRN*
- Mile 10 Dennis Lindsey WB6UCE
- Lou Burger WA6CAQ
- Mile 12 Peter Fogg KA6RJF
- Mile 15 Barbara Wasserman KD6AAE
- Randy Hammock, KC6HUR*
- Mile 18 Bill Fesler KA6TCL*
- Rick McKinney KA6DAN*
- Mile 20 Paul Newport WA6YSK
- Chris Prewit WA6OQM
- Mile 22 Endel Jirman KD6FVV
- Gordon Arnold KA6TAF
- Mile 24 John McAdams KI6AV
- Mile 26 same as mile 6.25
****************************************************
Note: JPLARC members denoted by *
He didn't work for me, but Jay Holladay W6EJJ* was a VIP shadow for the race director.
Last but not least, I am looking for volunteers for the La Canada bicycle race which will take place in either late April, or Early May. This race is a world class event so, if you want to help give me a call at 354-2298.
*********************************
FOR SALE
*********************************
Go back to the W6VIO
Calling Index.