Newsletter of the North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club
PO BOX 2268 -- Silverdale, WA 98383-2268
Web page: http://nkarc.home.donobi.net
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April, 2004 |
The Prez Sez….
Having been a member of ARRL for some forty-eight years, and a life member for many of those years, one of the benefits I enjoy is to receive QST every month. David Sumner’s column "It Seems To Us" always catches my interest. His effort on " ARRL Licensing Petition" provided much thought on the many changes I’ve seen down through the years.
Having seen so many changes in the years, I really wonder what is on the horizon for Amateur Radio? Will we have a hobby in 25 years? The petition to streamline the licensing structure and the creation of a new entry-level license has generated much discussion in our ham community. Years ago it was thought that the Amateur Radio license structure was overly complex and placed too much emphasis on Morse code skill. We all know what has happened to CW, both in the hobby and the military. David went on to say that "Where you come out on the issue depends upon whether you view the proposal as providing a framework for the growth and advancement of the Amateur Radio Service for the next 10 to 15 years—in other words, its effect on future licenses-or whether you see it in more immediate terms."
There does seem to be a declining level of interest coupled with increasing threats on the spectrum that commands our interest and attention. Questions like "What will cheapen my license", or "I worked hard for what I have" is understandable. David adds these words of wisdom: " For a bright future, Amateur Radio needs a route of entry that provides useful and interesting privileges in exchange for passing an exam covering what you really need to know as a beginner, and not burdened with esoteric vocabulary." Additionally, he leaves us with something to really discuss and think about—"What you do with the license is far more important than the class of license you hold."
At our next meeting on the 14th of April, we’ll have the CD ARRL "Amateur Radio Today", and a video on ham radio in Japan taped for FEN. A discussion will follow and should be most interesting. Come and put your two cents in, and learn something in the process. Also, bring a ham friend, or one that might be one someday.
73 and agn tnx.
Jerome "Jerry" Turner, K9CCZ.
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SUBMARINES ON THE AIR:
April is the birthday month for the US Navy Submarine Force. Every year, the Submarine Museums and Amateur Radio forces join together to run a Special Event to commemorate the contributions of "Silent Service". This year, the event will be on April 24th and April 25th. Kitsap County is the home of the Bangor Submarine Base and it is appropriate that a Special Event be run during this period.
The Naval Undersea Museum at Keyport has invited NKARC to run a special event station any time we could find a reason. The museum endoresed a "Submarines on the Air" special event. The NKARC board has approved the event and preliminary plans are underway. Bob Tomas, N7KTP, has volunteered to coordinate the event with the museum staff. Plans are to operate two stations within the museum. Setup will be on Friday afternoon, April 23rd.
Plans are to tow the club trailer to the museum on Friday afternoon to arrive by 1300 Local. Two antennas will be set up – a vertical on the roof and a folded dipole as an inverted "V" from the top of the building to two tie points in front of the museum. The rigs will be set up in the main display hall and operations will be conducted during the hours the museum is normally open on Saturday and Sunday.
There will be a short discussion about the event and opportunity to volunteer for some of the tasks. We had fun at the last event so don’t be bashful about joining for this one. We will also be announcing this to the rest of the clubs and amateurs in the county to get a sufficient number of operators for the event. More than 30 museum submarines worldwide will participate in this Submarine Veterans Amateur Radio Association special event. Stations will transmit on 80, 40, 15, 10 and 6 meters--CW and SSB. Anchors Aweigh – Come and celebrate the birthday of the Silent Service.
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The North Kitsap Firefighters:
The range of services provided by firefighters have increased to include many beyond the scope of putting out a fire. Many are not aware of the new firefighters and the services they provide to the community. On March 10th, North Kitsap Fire District Chief Paul Nichol presented a description of the North Kitsap Fire District – the equipment available to the firefighters, the services they provide with a surprising overview of the type and number of calls they have responded to in recent months. His presentation also included information on how district operations are funded and the impact of tax initiatives passed by the state of Washington voters. His explanation of bond issues related to emergency medical treatment operations and firefighting operations was very informative.
If you did not attend the meeting, stop by the North Kitsap Fire Station on Hansville road and talk to the personnel. It’s a worthwhile visit to learn about the most significant public services in the North Kitsap area.
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Trailer Happenings….
Many know about the KC7Z trailer used at the Field Days and special events the last few years. The time has approached for a maintenance event to replace the batteries and perform other "chores" that needed to be done. A solar panel lost during transit from a special event needed to be replaced. The generator needed to be reworked to make it easier to maneuver and handle. An inventory of the material aboard was needed to determine what was to be discarded. The trailer exterior needed a cleaning.
Malcolm, NF7M, tested all the batteries and determined what needed replacement Russ, KI7PG, procured the replacement batteries and topped off the charges. Malcolm and Bob, W7OB, installed swivel wheels on the generator and reworked the handle so that it hangs down instead of remaining in the extended position. A replacement solar panel is being procured and will be installed. (The solar panels will allow the batteries to be maintained on a float charge precluding sulfation of the cells and damaging them.) Malcolm towed the trailer to his house for the battery replacement and a scrub down of the exterior.
Malcolm will tow the trailer to the new spot after the scrub down. Most importantly, he has gotten permission to move the trailer to another location in the Viking Park clubhouse where the solar panels will be exposed to the maximum amount of sunlight. This is important for the battery maintenance. Without it, arrangements would have to be made for a periodic maintenance using either generated power or a tow to where an outlet to commercial power was available.
Many thanks to Malcolm, Bob, Russ, and others not mentioned who have participated in this necessary activity. NKARC is ready to provide communications in an emergency situation.
Comm Assist for MS Society Walk:
Last month, a request from Tom Sanders, W6QJI, for communications assistance at the MS Society Walk on April 17th was published in Solid Copy. Since then, Tom has requested NKARC to take over the request because he was going to undergo surgery. The NKARC Board has agreed to assume the responsibility and Bob Tomas, N7KTP will coordinate the volunteers.
The event will be conducted at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds starting at approximately 7:30 AM and lasting to about noon. The route is approximately three miles long. At least six operators are required and it is suggested that a mobile station be available. Some have already agreed to participate. A few more operators and the mobile station are still needed. Call Bob at 638-1659 or notify him at the e-mail address on the mail page if you will participate.
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W7PIG – Silent Key
Word has been received that Joe Swank, W7PIG, became a Silent Key on March 30th, 2004. Joe was the father of NKARC Board Member Russ Swank, KI7PG. It was Joe’s collection of ham radio equipment and parts that Russ has been bringing to the NKARC Hamfests for the last few years. Who can forget those large shack- warming finals that Russ had on his table as well as the vintage material that came from his father’s shack? Condolences to Russ and his family
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NKARC on the Internet…
Visit the NKARC Web Page at the URL
http://nkarc.home.donobi.net
and get the latest copy of the club newsletter -- "SOLID COPY. Click on the handi-talkie graphic and get a list of links to other web pages to connect including ARRL, FCC, Packet Radio Home Page, AMSAT and many others. Have something to sell? Classifieds is a new addition to the page. The QRZ call sign look-up form is available.
Submit your comments to Page master, Jeff at
Ks7h@jhasz.com
and let him know what you think. If you know of any interesting links, let him know and he will look into it.
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Calendar of Events:
Apr. 14th – Presentation Meeting – To be announced – 7:30 PM – Viking Park Clubhouse.
Apr. 17th – VE testing Community Room, Poulsbo Library, 700 NE Lincoln St., Poulsbo. Doors open at 9am. Picture ID, original and photocopy of current amateur radio license and pending CSCE's needed. Cost of session is $12.00. Questions please call Susan, AB7MD at 360-697-9379.
Apr. 17th – MS Society Walk – North Kitsap Fairgrounds. Some operators needed. See article above.
Apr. 23rd – Subs On The Air Setup – Keyport Museum – 1:00 PM
Apr. 24th –25th – Subs On The Air Special Event – Keyport Museum – 9:00 Am to 4:00 PM
Apr. 28th – Business Meeting – 7:30 PM – Viking Park Clubhouse.
May. 12th -- Presentation meeting at 7:30 PM– Viking Park Clubhouse -- Ultimate Mobile VHF and UHF Communications. – Eric Smith
May. 15th -- VE testing Community Room, Poulsbo Library, 700 NE Lincoln St., Poulsbo. Doors open at 9am. Picture ID, original and photocopy of current amateur radio license and pending CSCE's needed. Cost of session is $12.00. Questions please call Susan, AB7MD at 360-697-9379.
May. 26th – Business Meeting – 7:30 PM – Viking Park Clubhouse
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Change Address or Call Sign?
Please notify the club secretary to update the roster if you changed your address, call sign or e-mail address. Include your Phone number so that you can be contacted in case of emergency or for assistance. This will insure that you will get the latest news via the club newsletter. Either notify Horace at the meeting or drop a card to NKARC at PO Box 2268, Silverdale, WA 98383-2268. You can also send the changes via e-mail to Horace or Bob Tomas at the addresses listed in the club officers list on the mailing page.
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Lighthouse Ops:
The North Mason ARC will be activating the Point No Point light house April 17 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM in Hansville. Come and have some fun working other lighthouses that will be on the air for the Spring Lights QSO party. NKARC intends to operate from the same lighthouse in late summer (weekend of August 22nd), so it will be a chance to see what is required to operate from this location.
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Early Newsletter delivery?
Want your newsletter as soon as it comes out of the word processor? Send your e-mail address to :
and it will be mailed out right after the proof reading.
It costs approximately 60 cents per copy to print a newsletter and the postage to mail it. Receiving your newsletter electronically helps keep publishing costs down allowing the funds to be used for other club projects
Notify Bob if you need to receive your electronic copy in an ASCII of pdf format.
General Theory Class
The Burley Amateur Radio Club will be conducting a General License Theory class. The course began April 6, 2004. The 10 sessions will be on Tuesday evenings from 6 PM until 9PM. Last session will be ARRL VE Testing on June 8, 2004. If you are interested, it may not be too late to enter the course. The textbook is $15.00 which includes the $5.00 registration fee. For those students that do not wish to purchase a book a $5.00 Registration Fee will be assessed. Morse code will be offered from 6:15 to 6:45 PM and Theory from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The textbook used is The ARRL General Class License Manual For Radio Amateurs, 4th edition.
A printable class registration form and other class information can be found after March 8, 2004 at
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Low Capacity Hard Drive Wanted:
Looking for a "low" capacity hard drive – from 2 to 4 gigabytes. Will also consider drives of a little larger capacity.. Call Bob Tomas at 360-638-1659 or e-mail at bobtomas@sprinmail.com.
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Below is a copy of the letter John Houde, K6PQE sent to the Bainbridge Island City Council after hearing Ed Bruette's presentation about broadband over powerlines. John has taken the initiative to determine what frequencies are used by his city’s services and to notify the officials of the possible problems if BPL is adapted without the proper considerations. He did receive a reply from two of the council members. One of the responses was very positive. Consider it a model use to notify governmental officials about BPL.
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Hon. Darlene Kordonowy and distinguished members of the Bainbridge Island City Council,
If you haven't already, you will soon be asked to decide if Bainbridge Island should allow the use of a new technology called "BPL." This is a method of transmitting high-speed internet traffic over existing high-voltage powerlines. The industry promoting this lucrative venture may not tell you some of the downside, so I thought I might share what I recently discovered.
At a meeting of the North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club I watched a presentation by Mr. Ed Bruette, http://www.arrl.org/sections/WWA.html the Western Washington ARRL (American Radio Relay League) section manager on the subject of BPL (Broadband over Powerlines) interference with radio communications. He was personally selected to give this presentation to the Washington State Senate Technology and Communications Committee at a recent hearing in Olympia. He told me he would be happy to give his presentation to the council or any interested group.
Powerlines are huge antennas, and Mr. Bruette provided documentation of serious interference both coming from the BPL and getting into the BPL by legal radio transmissions, some of which were up to a half mile away. In several instances, the data flow into a subscriber's house (the test site was in Virginia) was completely stopped.
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/08/2/?nc=1
The BI fire department currently uses at least two radio channels in the 33MHz range to communicate. These frequencies are in the range of frequencies shown to be disrupted by BPL. The attitude of the American Public Power Association (a BPL lobby) is for users of affected frequencies to move to another channel. In fact, Mr. Bruette notes, this organization has petitioned the FCC to modify it's "Part 15" rules requiring devices to not produce their own interference and also to accept interference from licensed sources. Most public safety agencies use higher frequencies than 33MHz, but it turns out that lower frequencies get far more reliable coverage in and around hills such as we have here on the island.
My suggestion is simply to allow Mr. Bruette to give his presentation to the council when the council is being "courted" by a BPL provider such as Amperion. Insist that the BPL provider prove their equipment will not interfere with public safety radio communications as well as licensed transmissions from amateur radio operators or business users. And further, prove to the council's satisfaction that service to BPL customers will not be interrupted every time a licensed radio operator makes a transmission.
Thank you very much.
John Houde
KC6PQE
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Keep Kitsap Green:
Help the environment by properly disposing of discharged household batteries. This includes alkaline, regular zinc carbide batteries, and batteries with heavy metals such as ni-cads and lithium ion. The Solid Waste Facility on Hansville Road accepts the batteries as past of the county-wide recycling program. Otherwise, bring them to the meeting for transfer to the disposal site.Do not bring lead-acid batteries to the meeting for disposal. It is your responsibility to take them to the Solid Waste Facility.
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