President's Corner
by...
Jim Kirk - KJ5X
The election of the NARS officers for 1998 went very smoothly. The old railroad is still
working just fine. Congratulations to our new President Joe Sokolowski KD5KR, Vice
President Dianna Hudspeth KC5VSF, Secretary Bob Argo KC5JZO, Treasurer Keith Dutson
WD5DXL and Director Allen Majeski WA5REJ. We are fortunate to have KC5JZO and
WD5DXL re-up for 1998. They have done an outstanding job in 1997. And thanks go to
outgoing Directors Rudy Novotny KB5ZXO and Mark Condit KM5AO.
December 19 is NARS Home Brew night. Drag out that prized project and bring it. Even if
it’s not so prized but has a story behind it that’s interesting, educational or humorous, bring it
and tell about it. Bring a little extra cash to the meeting. We plan to have a silent auction of
miscellaneous items from Ken Edinborgh’s W5BKK junk box. These have been donated to
NARS by Ken’s wife, Ann. For those who don’t know, Ken was an esteemed and founding
member of NARS who became a silent key not long ago.
I do believe old Sol is beginning to deliver again. The solar flux was up to 112 last night. 15
meters has been great and even 12 and 10 meters are alive some days. On the road over the
Thanksgiving weekend I worked DX on mobile HF and did some longwinded ragchewing
with S-8 reports from east-coasters on 15 meters. With this better propagation, NARS has
some fairly new hams who are turning into real DX hogs. We need to watch KM5LA,
KD5AIG and KD5AIJ to make sure they leave some for the rest of us. There are others I’m
keeping an eye on also.
1997 has been a fun year for me in NARS. My philosophy
about ham radio is that if it’s not fun, something’s wrong. A fear I had when
agreeing to be president was that of having to twist arms to get “volunteers”.
How wrong I was. Seldom was I turned down and often there was more help
available than asked for. And the performance often exceeded expectations. It
seems to me there are three elements that manifest the vitality and
personality of NARS: fellowship, service and radio fun. If we ever design a
new club logo, I would vote to use those words.
Meeting Announcement
by... Keith Dutson - WD5DXL
December Meeting -
December 19 Home Brew Night!
This is the night you've been waiting for. Drag out
that prized project and bring it to the meeting. Even if it is not a prized
one,if it has a story behind it that will educate, inspire, humor, or
otherwise beneficially affect your fellow club members, then it is worth
bringing. Awards will be available for the most worthy. Bring a little extra
cash for some additional fun. There will be a silent auction of miscellaneous
articles from Ken Edinborgh's W5BKK junk box donated to NARS by his wife Ann.
Nothing will remain unsold. So come and have some fun and a deal you won't
believe.
Soapbox
by...
Keith Dutson - WD5DXL
Don’t miss this month’s meeting, Home-brew night. Everything you have heard about this annual meeting is likely true, no matter how outlandish it might have sounded. For example, last year John Ellis W5PDW demonstrated his “portable” ground. That got quite a chuckle.
So, bring something you have made that you use in your hamming activity. Don’t be bashful. We are all interested in sharing our ideas.
Sign up today as a NARS News reporter; see me for
details. You do not have to be a writer or photographer, but it will help if
you can do either. Call me at 281-351-7683, or send email to
kdutson@swbell.net.
DX News
by...
Bill Gary - K8CSG
DX Notes --
I, too, have known my hour,
a moment both fierce and sweet.
There was a shout about my ears,
and DX at every beat. . .
The solar flux at the beginning of the month was in the high eighties and nineties, with moderate-to-low A and K indices. Fifteen meters was open most mornings into Europe with nice signals, with similar signals out of Asia in the evenings. The second week began with the SFI at 94 and the A index at 30. Bad band conditions followed this high A index until it dropped a bit to 5, with the SFI at 90. At mid-month the SFI approached the 100 level with decent openings into Europe. The month ended with a solar flux index of 112, an A index of 0 and a K index of 1 -- truly good numbers for the CW contesters that weekend.
DX Worked -- P29DL 15m. 2152Z; C21RK 15m 2157Z; JH0ZHQ 15m 2219; JI3KVR/6 15m 2225 (AS-
12 IOTA); JM1OMQ 15m 2248Z; JA4KKW 15m 2304Z; Z350GBC 15M 1327Z; T77CD (San Marino)
15m 1434Z; BV5GQ 15m 2353Z; 9G1BJ 20m 2203Z; 5T5U 20m 2213Z; 9J2CE 10m 1349Z; VQ9KH
20m 1504Z (Chagos Arch.); FR5CC 10m 1512Z; 5N0YL 12m 1354Z; 9K2/SQ5DAK 15M 1358; UT3EA
15M 1431; ZD8V 20m 2224Z; 7Z5OO 15m (CW) 1331Z; ES1WW 20m 1513Z; ZD7WRG 20m 0402Z;
UX0MM 15m 1330Z. (Band and time info is being listed instead of the DXCC country at the suggestion
of a reader; appreciate hearing which info other readers prefer to see - K8CSG.)
DX Heard -- VK4KTS 15m 2205Z; 3D2RW/R (Rotuma); A61AH (United Arab Emirates); 4S7DA (Sri
Lanka); V63AO (Micronesia); VK9LX (Lord Howe Isl.).
QSL Routes -- 9G1BJ via G4XTA; 5T5U via JA1UT; 9J2CE via IN3VZE; VQ9KH via WJ5R; 4U1WRC
via 4U1ITU, Geneva; 5N0YL via F2YT; 9K2/SQ5DAK via SP5KQS; 7Z5OO via N2AU.
Local Happenings: Gary KK5WL reports he worked FR5DX on 40 meters. KD5AIG worked C21RK on
Nauru Island -- and sounds like a true DX convert. Later, he worked JA9AA in Japan on 15m. KC5JZO
worked LY2ZZ in Lithuania for another new one. K1OJ worked HB0 (Liechtenstein) and EL (Liberia)
recently. KB5ZXO worked SV (Greece), JA (Japan), and VU (India) from his new lakeside site. K5GQ
worked ZP (Paraguay). KK5LO worked XT2DP in Burkina Faso. K5VUU worked a VK6 in Western
Australia. Mark K5GQ has been heard telling about a recent mobile DX QSO. In mid-November he was
chatting on 10MHz CW with another stateside chap. Upon completion of that QSO, Mark was very
surprised to hear a ZS6 (South Africa) calling him. A ten-minute QSO followed, one of which K5GQ is
justly proud. K5VUU worked VK6WJH in Western Australia. Loyd KD5AIG worked ZL2ACE (New
Zealand) and EA8AMT (Canary Islands). Conrad W5MN worked a UT3 in the Ukraine. He also bragged
on the 75m "LID NET" of working, among others, E21CJN in Thailand. Good DX! Mike KM5LA
worked a ZF2 on 40m CW.
Listen Up, folks! Mike K5NZ worked his 40th and last zone on Nov. 13 -- VU2RAK (India) on the long
path. Now all he needs is the card(s)! I hated to tell him I had worked the fellow in 1992, with no return from a Buro card.
On November 19 during the LID NET on 75 meters, Conrad mentioned he had heard 7Z5OO on 21 MHz
CW. Then he casually mentioned the 7Z5 was running 40-45 wpm. It seemed a little unusual to have that kind of station coming in at that time of the morning, so I tuned and listened for him. With his good signal, I listened a bit more and then signed my call sign once. Back he came and we swapped 5NN reports to complete a QSO in about eight seconds. I went back to the LID NET and reported I had just worked the 7Z5. This caused a bit of consternation to some of my colleagues who often express disdainful comments about my rarely used CW skills. So there!
George, K5VUU, reported an interesting contact late in the month. George worked Staten Island -- yes, Staten Island. When did Staten Island become DX, you ask? It all depends upon which Staten Island you are referring to. George worked L20XSI on the Staten Island that is a part of Argentina, lying off the tip of South America south of Tierra del Fuego. George's contact was on 20-meter SSB on November 27, followed by another interesting QSO with Contadero Island, HP1XVH. This little island lies off the coast of Panama, and was also worked on 20-meter SSB on November 28. Thanks for the input, George.
My apologies for the abbreviated column this month. Due
to a computer-related glitch, I lost the second half of the column and was
able to reconstruct only a small part of it.
Front Page
by...
Rudy Novotny- KB5ZXO
Election - Results
The following are the NARS club officers for 1998, elected at the November general membership meeting.
- President - Joe Sokolowski KD5KR
- Vice President - Dianna Hudspeth KC5VSF
- Secretary - Bob Argo KC5JZO
- Treasurer - Keith Dutson WD5DXL
- Director at Large (2 year term) - Allen Majeski
WA5REJ
In addition to these officers the 1998 Board will also consist of:
- Bill Gary K8CSG - Director at Large (2nd of 2 year term)
- Jim Kirk KJ5X - Immediate Past President
- Walter Hock KK5LO - Past President
Feature Article
by...
Jack Dougherty - WA8GHZ/5/QRP CL
"I know the guy who built my radio."
"C" by - = = - = = = = - - = = - - - - - = = - -
Experienced and "pro" CW ops have many shorthand 'tricks' that they use. Here are a few secrets which you can use to sound like an old hand:
The character "C" is used by experienced CW operators as a shorthand indication of "YES", and is derived from the sound of the Spanish word, "Si", also meaning 'Yes'. So if you tune down low in the band where the experienced ops hang out, you may hear something like, "Is my sig OK now? BK" which is followed by simply, "C", meaning 'YES'. I recently heard "CCC" which I took to mean an affirmative reply to the obvious as in, "Yeah, yeah, yeah ....."
Another advanced shorthand which is often used 'low in the band' is the word "OP" instead of the word "NAME." The experienced guys will often use, "OP IS JOSE." So a real CW pro's standard exchange may be, "TX UR 5NN OP JOSE QTH HABANA." Which translates to "Thanks, your RST is 599,
Operator is Jose, location is Havana." This shorthand can save quite a few characters and speeds up the information flow if used well and understood by both parties.
By the way, whoever coined the often-heard use of "WX HR IS WARM" ..... or "RIG HR IS Kwxxx" .....
with the "HR" meaning HERE? OF course HR is HERE - where else would you be??? Drives me crazy
(and wastes characters.....).
And, who "deemed" that DX RST exchanges should all be "599", anyway? Most DX reports are, sadly and
incorrectly, given as 5NN. I'm eagerly awaiting a chance to give my first North Korea contact a 439
report, if that is what he truly is to my ears.....
So strut your stuff; use "C" or "OP", delete the "HR"
usage, and give out them 449 RSTs as needed, and they'll think you're a pro
able to dig out the weak ones when band conditions go south ..... heck, anyone
can copy a 599; that doesn't take any talent!
Feature Article
by...
Jack Dougherty - WA8GHZ/5
"I know the guy who built my radio."
Thanks, Fine Fellows All
My vehicle died on the way to the November NARS meeting, and my hat is off to the following members
who helped to get me to the meeting and home:
- Jack KK5LJ, who pushed my car out of the traffic with his jeep;
- Rob KD5BXZ, who stayed with me to keep communications going when my battery died;
- Ben KC5JBE who drove me to the meeting;
- Bill W5SB who hauled some of my gear after the meeting;
- Larry WA5SAJ who drove me home.
Thanks to all for the support and much-needed help to get my vehicle off the road, and get me to and from the November meeting.
PS: The yellow, 5,000 lb., Detroit-fabricated, 1979,
mobile Counterpoise (my old Cadillac) has been hauled off to recycling and
replaced by a GMC pick-um-up truck, in keeping with proper Texas decorum.
Buy - Sell - Trade
by...
Keith Dutson - WD5DXL
For Sale:
Yaseau FL7000 amplifier - $700.00; Kenwood 742
dualbander w/ duplexer and antenna - $600.00; AOR handheld scanner (100 -
1300) - $300.00 Robert Payne N5KUC - Home: 281-259-8017 - Work: 281-363-7594
VE Results
by...
Bill Gary - K8CSG
The NARS/Compaq VE team conducted examinations for nine
candidates on November 22, 1997 in Tomball. One new Technician and two
Tech-Plus licenses resulted, plus several CSCE's for partial credit on others.
Of fourteen elements tested, there were seven passed and seven failed. Three
of these failures were on code elements. Participating VEs included Bill
K8CSG, Dick W5VHN, Jim KJ5X, Bruce WC5CW, Walter K5WH, Rick KZ5E, Larry WA5SAJ
and King KK5LU. Willie KB5TES assisted with paperwork chores.
Board of Director's Meeting
by...
Bob Argo - KC5JZO - Secretary
NARS Board of Directors Meeting - November 25 1997
Treasurer's Report - he checkbook balance on October 31, 1997 was $3480.72.
Rose Hill Node - The Board approved plans to install the node on the Rose Hill tower. A one year lease will be signed with the tower owner. Also the Magnolia DX Cluster operated by the TDX Society is now in operation.
CB Radio Donations - Steve Niles KD5AIJ indicated his continuing need for usable CB radios for a charitable cause. Those with contributions should contact Steve.
Programs - January - Banquet; February - Dan Consiglia WA6TWF of DRC Electronics on batteries.
Old Node at Hospital - Plans include keeping this location and converting it to a remote receiver link for the 146.66 repeater.
Texas Trails Endurance Run - Eighteen volunteers have signed up to help.
Field Day Video - Thank-you has been received from the ARRL.
Squirrels - Ken Harlan discussed the problems we
are currently having. He suggested again that the best response to squirrels
is to ignore them and do not talk to them. With no response they will move on.
Important Dates
by...
Keith Dutson - WD5DXL
December '97
NARS Breakfast
Many members meet for an informal breakfast every Saturday at 8:00 am at Victor's
Deli and Restaurant. Join us for informal ragchew, conversation, information
exchange, and usually a few tall tales. Victor's is located at 4710 FM 1960
West.
Monthly Meeting
Friday, December 19, 1997, 7:30 pm - NARS monthly General Membership meeting,
Spring Cypress Presbyterian Church,
6000 Spring-Cypress Road (1.7 miles East of Stubner-Airline) - Eyeball QSO's,
7:00 pm
Board Meeting
NARS Board of Directors meeting - Tuesday, December 30, 7:30 PM - NARS Board of
Directors meeting, Terra Nova Clubhouse, 5200 Woodville
NARS Annual Banquet
NARS Annual Banquet - Friday, January 16, 1998, 7:00 PM - Valley Ranch BBQ, SH249 & Spring-Cypress
VE License Exam Session
Saturday, January 24, 8:30 am, Tomball
Community Center, South Cherry St. and Market Streets (just South of Main)
Note: No session in December.
Contests
December 28 - RAC Winter, CW and Phone
December 31 - ARRL Straight Key Night
January 3-4 - ARRL RTTY Roundup
January 10-11 - North American QSO Party, CW
January 17-18 - North American QSO Party, Phone
January 17-19 - ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
January 23-25 - CQ WW 160 Meter SSB
Notice
NARS membership dues is $20 per year, renewable on anniversary of last year's full payment.
NARS News deadline for articles to appear in NARS Newsletter - The last day of month.