Greetings from Desert Hot Springs, CA where the snow capped mountains are beautiful, the winds racing across the Valley, and the sun and fog fight the good fight. Didn't see one ham radio license plate on the way down, and only three traveling in and around Palm Springs. Even the 2m band seemed dead. Wonder where all the hams are?

I'll be back on the 12th of February, and hope you have a good meetings on the 9th and I'll be there in spirit. I know the other officers will have something interesting and informative for the next meeting.

Sorry to create such a mess on the trailer problem, as I've monitored the emails going back and forth, and hope we can resolve the problems before a real emergency comes about. In my spare time from exploring and playing golf, I read an interesting article in QST entitled "Public Service Means Busy Weekends on the Wisconsin Section" (my old stomping grounds) which I highly recommend you read. The article mentions that many community and charity events need our help and expertise. It's not too late after the New Year to fulfill our resolutions or make new ones to become more active in our community affairs and enlarge the image of ham radio by our participation to these events. It might also help to have a secondary resolution to help our Club gain more members and provide the "many" area hams an opportunity to enjoy our Club and it's activities.

Wish our "Questionnaire" could have engendered more than three responses. Maybe our Editor (Bob) can again include the Questionnaire to our Newsletter.

Sorry to miss the forthcoming meeting, but trust you'll have a good presentation and discussion on "The Amateur's Code."

Cheers and 73. (Rev) Jerome "Jerry"

Turner, K9CCZ.

Have surplus gear in the shack or garage? Need some cable to finish the antenna? Advertise in the Solid Copy classifieds. Cost is free.

Last month, a questionnaire was included in Solid Copy soliciting opinions about the club and suggestions for programs and how to improve its operations. Only three responses were received to this request. We know that most everybody has opinions and ideas and, all we are asking is to share them with the club officers and the other club members. A club’s success is assured when the member’s opinions are known and acted upon. The club officers are here to serve you and to provide you with programs and events that will help you enjoy the hobby (or service) of Ham radio.

A questionnaire is included in this newsletter to solicit your opinions and suggestions. You have the option of filling out the form and mailing it back to us or to provide answers to us via e-mail. Your e-mail answers can be sent to:

Again, please take a few minutes and send your responses to the club officers. The best opinions are those that are formed immediately after the question is asked. Do it after you finish reading the newsletter. We’ll be looking for your responses. A summary will be published in the March issue of Solid Copy.

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.

Last month, a wish list was published for a 30 0r 40 amp (or larger) battery charger to charge the batteries in the KC7Z Communications trailer. Steve Hyman, KB7YWY, offered a 30Amp marine grade battery charger for the club’s use. He was put in touch with club equipment custodian Malcolm Mannan, NF7M, who accepted the charger and installed it in the trailer.

Malcolm reports that the charger is mostly a high capacity float charger for three battery banks.  It also can function as a 12-volt power source if the batteries are low. Malcolm towed the trailer to his house to install the charger. It took about 12 hours to fully charge the batteries from the condition they were in, which was about 11 volts. Initially the charge started out at 18 amps for an hour, but trailed off to 5 amps for the rest of the period.  The charging was done with the batteries connected to the (off, 1, both, 2) switch in the both position. Steve provided the switch.  It is a switching type supply and very light for its capacity.  It still needs to be tested for noise in the radios and if it is a problem then we should probably get a unit designed for radio use.   The charger is rated for 30 amps and is set for 14.2 volts on the output of the isolation diode bank.  A power switch and power light were installed in the holes provided and connected a led to the board where the original was clipped off by the power supply manufacture.  This makes it possible to turn it off.

There was some concern regarding the solar panels installed to maintain the charge on the batteries. The batteries were checked and found to run down and, if left there, would sulfate and could not be charged. The ideal condition would be to move the trailer to a site where commercial power was available to use a float charger and the battery condition could be monitored more often. Club president, Jerry, also expressed concerns about the flooring in the trailer; whether it could be repaired and wondered if it was time to replace the trailer. He was also concerned that (a) he seemed to be the only one available with a hitch and light hookup to tow it to site when necessary; (b) it overburdens his car; and (c) requires him to do an additional liability insurance binder when moving it.

The concerns were addressed at the January business meeting. The Board also discussed whether it would be advisable to sell the 5 KW generator and purchase a smaller unit that would run quieter and still satisfy the power requirement for emergency operations. Russ, KI7PG, offered to have the trailer parked at his QTH and plugged in for float charging. Ron Sefton,N7EM, displayed a Honda 2 KW generator that was highly portable and extremely quiet in operation. The retail price on the unit was $1200. After discussion comparing the advantages of a small generator over the 5 KW model the club owns, it was moved and seconded that the club put the 5 KW unit up for sale and the market be surveyed for a smaller unit at a reasonable price.

Malcolm was contacted and he stated that he did not feel the floor was in bad shape. He said he would check this out this weekend and determine what needs to be done if anything. His suggestions were to remove the "surplus" equipment not needed for emergency operations and to remodel the interior to provide more efficient operating positions and a better weight distribution. He needs help to do these tasks. Contact Malcolm at nf7m@arrl.com or contact one of the club officers if you are available so that work dates can be set up.

John Pellock, N6ENB/7, offered to tow the trailer with his Ford F-150 which is equipped for trailer towing. He is on the staff at Olympic College and is available if enough notice is given. Now we need a few more "good men to come to the aid" of the NKARC.

So the saga of the KC7Z Communications Trailer continues. Tnx to Malcolm, Russ, and John for their input into this article. More will be posted as events happen. Will you be involved?

Bob, N7KTP

You listen around the Ham bands and find many QSOs going on. Some are interesting and informative, some are conversational and friendly, while others would not even be allowed on the Howard Stern show. What makes a good Ham operator? There is a code of ethics published early days of Amateur Radio that describes what is expected when you turn on your equipment and start operating. The February presentation meeting will discuss this code and how it should be applied to our operations on the air. Bob Tomas will lead the discussion and is asking that the members share their experiences and opinions. Considering the conditions we experience on some of the frequencies, we can all participate and develop good ethical operating principles.

Feb. 9th – Presentation Meeting – 7:30 PM – Viking Park Clubhouse – Ham Ethics – Presentation and discussion

Feb. 23rd – Business Meeting -- 7:30 PM – Viking Park Clubhouse

Feb. 26th -- 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 $14.00. Cash only – No checks accepted. Questions please call Horace, K7ORY at 360-779-2215.

Mar. 9th -- Presentation meeting -- 7:30 PM– Viking Park Clubhouse – To be announced..

Mar. 23rd – Business Meeting – 7:30 PM – Viking Park Clubhouse

Mar. 26th -- 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 $14.00. Cash only – No checks accepted. Questions please call Horace, K7ORY at 360-779-2215.

It costs approximately 60 cents per copy to print a newsletter and postage to mail it. Receiving your newsletter electronically helps keep publishing costs down allowing the funds to be used for other club projects

Did you have an Elmer? Elmer is the person who spent time helping you learn about amateur radio and preparing you for the license exams. That person shared much time and showed much patience getting you prepared for the examination. Maybe it’s time to share the experience with somebody else. Are you ready to be an Elmer?

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 30th and May lst. Kitsap County is the home of the Bangor Submarine Base and it is appropriate that a Special Event be run during this period.

A Special Event is an opportunity to operate with a group of fellow Hams in an atmosphere away from the home QTH. It is a way to learn how to operate with just the bare essentials – something we would have to do in an emergency situation. It is also an opportunity to show Amateur Radio to the community and make people aware that we are there to serve. We are there to provide alternate communications in times of an emergency or disaster at no cost to the taxpayer.

The Naval Undersea Museum at Keyport has invited NKARC to run a special event station any time we could find a reason. The possibility of running a "Submarines on the Air" event was discussed and quickly endorsed by the museum. 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 28th.

Bob will be approaching the club members for sign-up to various 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, and 10 meters--CW and SSB..

Come on aboard and help the US Navy celebrate the birthday of the "Silent Service".

Help the environment by properly disposing of discharged household batteries. This includes alkaline, regular zinc carbide batteries, and batteries with heavy metals such as mercury, ni-cads and lithium ion. The Solid Waste Facility on Hansville Road accepts the batteries as part 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. There is no cost for the battery disposal because it is considered one of the items in the recycling program.

Just to let you know that the NKARC has its our own domain: http://www.nkarc.org and I hope as many of you will take a look at what is there and give me your ideas as to what more you will want.

If you have any items advertised on the site and they have been sold, please let me know so I can remove them. The site is live and there will be lots of new and useful changes in the very near future.

QST QST QST –It’s time to do the Mike and Key ARC Electronics Show and Fleamarket in the Pavilion Exhibition Hall at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA. The exhibition will be held on March 12, 2005 starting at 9:00 AM. Admission is $6. Persons under16 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

There will be over 300 tables available on two floors with 44,000 Sq Feet of exhibition area featuring radio gear, computers, club information and parts. Table reservation information is available at (253) 631-3756,

dmdink@eskimo.com,  or mwdink@eskimo.com. There will be a consignment area. Free parking will be available. Overnight SC/RV Camping will also be available

License exams will be available. VE Exam information can be obtained at (206) 824-9039,k7yh-jan@comcast.net.

Talk-in will be on the 146.82 (-600 offset) repeater with PL tone at 103.5.

===========00000===========

Two Midwestern radio amateurs have succeeded in their efforts to be allowed to erect antenna support structures on their residential properties. Both cases hinged largely on the requirement of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 that localities ''reasonably accommodate'' Amateur Radio communication with ''minimum practicable regulation.''