APRIL MEETING…

The April meeting of the M&M Amateur Radio Club will be held at 7pm on Thursday April 8^th at the Spies Public Library meeting room. 

The agenda includes voting for the Ham of the Year.

The program will include a demonstration of the K8IR mobile contesting station, which is used in the Wisconsin and Michigan QSO Parties, and K8RJ’s restoration of a vintage receiver.

NEW HAMS PLAN CODE CLASS…

Due to interest generated by their participation in the Wisconsin QSO Party at the QTH of AA9PB, several of the newly licensed hams have organized a code class to be offered starting April 10 at the Stephenson Public Library in Marinette beginning at 10am.  All of the new hams have indicated their interest in attending along with one or two others.  Several have indicated they will be working toward their General license as well.   Jim, AA9PB, has agreed to instruct the class along with any others who would like to volunteer their talents.   The class will run on Saturdays through May 15th.  A VE session will be held on May 22nd for those wishing to take the CW exam, and perhaps other elements as well.

The enthusiasm and on air activity of a number of the newly licensed hams have created  a renewed amateur radio presence in the area on local repeaters, and it looks like this is now going to extend into the HF spectrum.  

NEW CALLS JUST RECEIVED…

Congratulations to our new newest hams.....KC9FSE, Becky and KC9FSF, PJ.  Both were elmered by Pete, KC9FKC, and now there are three hams in the Johnson household.   PJ is in the 7th grade at Marinette Middle School, and gives the area its 4th young ham. PJ is 13 years, soon to be 14 in several months.  He is the 3rd youngest ham behind Tyler, KC9FKE and Aaron, KC9CTJ.  We also have Ben, KC9CTK.  It's nice to see the growing interest amongst the younger generation.

Speaking of Ben, he’s not only a ham, but an accomplished webmaster. Check out his site, with a general theme of  the Amateur Radio Community, at http://bbene.no-ip.com 

MORE NEW HAM NEWS…

Ten members of the M&M ARC attended the AES Superfest on Saturday April 3^rd .  One of them took the VE exams, and passed his General written.  Congratulations to KC9FKC, Pete for a successful completion to many long hours of study.  Now he is half way to the next level.  The CW portion is next for Pete, and when completed, will give him a whole new range of frequencies to play with.  Word is, however, he will not stop there.  The Extra class is beckoning quite strongly, and will probably claim him before very long. 

One of the "hotbeds" of amateur radio around the country is right here in the Marinette, Menominee, and Oconto County area.  Gordon West, WB6NOA, has been informed of the great successes we have had, in licensing new hams of all ages, and the increased activity on the air and in the club.    He sends his congratulations.  Don Michalski, W9IXG, the WI state ARRL section manager, has been continually kept abreast of developments in the M&M area, and is extremely pleased to hear about the increased activity and growth up here.  

TORNADO AWARENESS WEEK…

The week of April 19 - 23 has been designated tornado awareness week throughout Wisconsin.  On Thursday, April 22nd, a statewide simulated Skywarn exercise will be held.  The exercise will be held between 1:00pm and 2:00pm, and all participating amateur radio nets will be called up.   As in the past, we will conduct all local activities on the 147.000 repeater.  The 146.835/146.880 linked repeater system will also be conducting the exercise for those in Oconto Co., and outlying areas of Marinette Co. that cannot reach our club repeater.  

We have always had very good response, and urge that if you can be near a radio, to check in.  Depending on your location, you now have the option of responding to either the local net, or the one on the Abrams/Wausaukee linked repeater system. 

WISCONSIN QSO PARTY…

Despite somewhat poor conditions, club members made plenty of QSO’s in the 2004 Wisconsin QSO Party held March 14^th.  Most operators quickly found out that 40 meter propagation was too long for many in-state contacts, which cut down on the number of county multipliers in many logs.  On the other hand, there was quite a bit more activity than normal on 75 meters.

Jim, AA9PB hosted a multi operator station at his Porterfield QTH, and was especially pleased that a number of our new hams were able to get their first taste of HF contest operating. Joining AA9PB were KG9GH, KC8WJN, KC8YZA, KC8YZB, KC9FKC and his son P.J., now KC9FSF.

The AA9PB operation amassed 396 contacts, including 132 phone QSO’s from the “new crew”.

Meanwhile, Jim, K8IR, and Ed, KG8CX  activated 13 northern Wisconsin Counties during the 7 hour contest.  It turned out to be a very interesting ride, coming just hours after a late winter snowstorm that covered much of the planned route with up to seven inches of snow.  The team encountered heavy snow showers, high winds, drifting snow, and roads that seemed unplowed at various places along the route. Despite that, they made 13 of the 14 planned counties, recording 454 QSO’s. 

There were also single op efforts from many others, including  K0SN (operating under BAWA’s  N9KI call), KE9S, NS9R, KA9WAR, K8NB, and W9YQ, who, being much wiser than the rest of us, operated the contest from warm and sunny Florida.

MICHIGAN QSO PARTY…

The next big date on the contest calendar is the Michigan QSO Party, to be held Saturday April 17^th from 11am to 11pm Central Time.  The M&M ARC has been quite a force in the past few years in this contest, taking home the Club Competition trophy in three of the past five years.

This year’s entries will again include a Multi-operator station operating under the club’s W8PIF call.  Jim, AA9PB organizes this operation from a deer camp in Menominee County. Anyone interesting in helping should contact AA9PB.    Jim, K8IR, and Ed, KG8CX will make their third straight trip through the UP operating mobile.  They hope to hit all 15 UP counties, starting in Mackinaw, and heading west.

For more information on the Michigan QSO Party, see  http://www.miqp.org .

BPL UPDATE…

By Jim Callow, K8IR

On February 12^th, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in it’s proceeding into Broadband over Power Lines (BPL).  Last year’s Notice of Inquiry attracted over 5000 comments, many from Amateurs concerned with potential interference to our HF frequencies from BPL systems, which supply broadband data streams over power line systems using 2-80MHz RF coupled into power distribution lines.

After reviewing the comments received, the FCC is now proposing rules to govern BPL systems, which operate as unlicensed radiators under Part 15 rules.

The good news is the FCC is not proposing to increase the Part 15 radiation limits, as some BPL proponents had hoped. The FCC is reaffirming that licensed users, such as amateurs, are entitled to interference-free use of their frequencies.  The Commission also is proposing the BPL systems be required to implement technology so that system operators can quickly change frequencies or reduce power if they receive complaints from licensed users, and also that a database be maintained so suspected BPL interference can be identified quickly.

The bad news is the FCC admits they expect there to be cases of interference to Amateurs under the proposed radiation limits, and it will fall to the licensed user to complain when there is interference. The Commission says they don’t think the cases of interference will be widespread.  The comment period on this proposed rulemaking is through May 3^rd.  The ARRL is encouraging all Amateurs to file comments, which can be done over the Internet.  For more information on BPL and how to file, see the ARRL Website at:

http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/03/24/3/?nc=1

MENOMINEE COUNTY, MI ARES…

By Lynne Rynish, N8OSK

The following information is from the official American Radio Relay League handbook for Emergency Coordinators.

“The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.  Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES.  The only qualification other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve.  Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.”

Because we have so many new amateur operators in the area, an application to join the Menominee County, MI ARES group is now available online.  To participate, one need not belong to a radio club or to the American Radio Relay League.  In addition, one need not reside within Menominee County.  Many volunteers have signed up in Marinette and Oconto County, Wisconsin in addition to Menominee County, Michigan. 

We will also be contacting amateur operators in the area who do not belong to the club via a mailing in the near future.

The Menominee County ARES registration form is available at:

www.w8pif.com/menocoaresform.pdf

If you are unable to print the ARES form, please contact Lynne for a form.

Anyone having questions with regard to participation in ARES may contract Lynne N8OSK, Emergency Coordinator for Menominee County, or Jeff KE9S, Emergency Coordinator for Marinette and Oconto Counties.

MINUTES OF THE M&M AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MEETING MARCH 11, 2004

The March meeting of the M&M Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 7:00pm at the Spies Public Library meeting room by President Dave, NS9R.

Members repeated the Pledge of Allegiance

Members introduced themselves and told of their recent radio activities.

The February minutes will stand as printed in the Ground Wave.

Tom, N8LHB presented the treasurers report as of 2/27/2004:

BEGINNING BALANCE                              $735.25
DEPOSITS OF DUES                                   $136.95
DEPOSIT OF MONIES FROM
MEETING REFRESHMENTS                       $    2.75
DEBITS OF UPARRA DUES FOR 2004       $  10.00
ENDING BALANCE, CHECKING
ACCOUNT, AS OF 2/27/2004                      $864.95

BEGINNING BALANCE OF SAVINGS
ACCOUNT                                                     $355.37
INTEREST                                                            0.44
TOTAL OF SAVINGS ACCOUNT
AS OF 2/27/2004                                            $355.81

TOTAL CLUB ASSETS                                $1220.76

COMMUNICATIONS:

NS9R read an email from Don Isley, W9GIG  who is the ARRL Central Division Director, responding to an invitation to speak at our Charter Night Banquet.  Don says he would be willing to come if we could guarantee 60 persons in attendance.  It was decided to have NS9R reply that we could not make that guarantee, and we would look for another speaker.

KG8CX read from Don, W9IXG’s ARRL Wisconsin Section Newsletter regarding an article on Tyler, KC9FKE, and Mike, W8HKY.

A letter from WARAC regarding the upcoming Wisconsin QSO Party was referred to Jim, AA9PB, who is hosting a multi-multi station for this year’s contest.

A letter was read from Marge Bramschreiber, Menominee County Emergency Service Coordinator regarding an upcoming emergency test.

REPEATER REPORT

Ed, KG8CX, reported a perhaps slight degradation in signal. Also, the frequency is slightly off, according to Ed’s radio. 

NET REPORT

Ed, KG8CX, report checkins as high as 25, with several weeks over 20. The higher numbers are due to both the new licensees and some old voices reappearing.

John, KC9AXH, reported 6 checkins on the Monday night 7:30pm new hams net.  

MENOMINEE COUNTY ARES/RACES REPORT

Lynne, N8OSK, Menominee County EC, expressed concerns she had regarding Marge Bramschreiber’s communication going to the club rather than through her.

Dave, NS9R suggested that Lynne and Marge need to meet.

MARINETTE/OCONTO COUNTY ARES/RACES REPORT

Jim , K8IR, Assistant Marinette County EC, reported the Marinette/Oconto County ARES/RACES net continues to meet Monday nights at 8:15pm on the 146.835/146.880 system.

SKYWARN REPORT

Ed KG8CX reports the Wisconsin statewide Simulated Tornado Test  will be held on April 22^nd.  

A Skywarn net is held on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays at 8pm on the 147.27 repeater. 

The Green Bay NWS office will hold weather spotter training at St. Norbert College on March 25^th at 7pm.

The Marquette County NWS office will hold weather spotter training on May 4^th at the River Cities Chamber of  Commerce building in Menominee.

OLD BUSINESS

KG9GH reported the repeater committee had inspected the repeater tower base on the hospital roof and recommended replacing the rusting base with a tilt-over model. 

It was moved by Lynne, N8OSK, and seconded by Al, KG9BI, to allow the committee to spend up to $300 on the project.  The motion passed on a voice vote.

The Charter Night Banquet will be held on May 7^th at the Best Western Riverfront Inn in Marinette.  Dave. NS9R is still looking for those wishing to work on a Charter Night Committee.

Ham of the Year Nominations should be sent to Jim, K8IR.  Voting will be at the April meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

A discussion was held on holding a foxhunt.  Bill, WA8WG, and Earl, KB9DSV will serve as a committee.  A motion by Jim, AA9PB, and seconded by Paul, WC9E, to set up the committee, was approved by a voice vote.

Jim, AA9PB invited all interested hams to come to his QTH for a multi-multi operation in the Wisconsin QSO Party, March 14^th.

AA9PB also said he is looking for operators for an entry in the Michigan QSO Party on April 17^th.

K8IR reported he has a pile of QSL requests for W8PIF operations in the Michigan QSO Party and Field Day.  He offered to do the QSL duties if the club would cover the cost of ink and card stock.  A motion made by AA9PB to allow that was approved.

PROGRAM

Bill, WA8WG, and Eric, KG9GH presented a very informative program on APRS.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55pm

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Callow, K8IR
Secretary

Those in attendance:

David Cunningham, NS9R                                      Jim Callow, K8IR
Ed Engleman, KG8CX                                            Tim Rynish, N8LHB
Larry Buchholz, N9OSF                                          Earl Andre, KB9DSV
Jim Pearson, KC8YZA                                            Lynne Rynish, N8OSK
Bob Jarnutowski, K8RJ                                           John Goldschmidt, KC9AXH
Steve Mellenthin, KB9ZKO                                     Tyler Lehman, KC9FKE
Paul Drees, WC9E                                                   Peter Johnson, Jr.
Bob Schrader, AA9GZ                                            Bill Becks, WA8WG
Eric Janssen, KG9GH                                             Peter Johnson, Sr., KC9FKC
Paul Sorenson, KC8YZB                                         Allen Urbaniak, KC9FKD
Al Mans, KG9BI                                                     Jim Mans, AA9PB
Jim Voss, KC8WJO                                                Earl Bramschreiber, KC8WJN