Welcome back Conneaut Hamfest!

No it wasn't huge, but boy was it a friendly local Hamfest

Recently I attended the Conneaut Hamfest. Once I heard the mobile check-in station, I knew this was not just your everyday hamfest.

"This is W8BHZ, check in station for the Conneaut Hamfest; BACK IN TOWN" 

Yes, the Conneaut Hamfest is back after a twenty year absence. 

KD8OSJ handling the front door

The crowd wasn't huge, but I had a great time! KD8OSJ, and his crew went to great lengths to ensure that everyone had a good time. 

They even had free coffee! I challenge you to find that at any hamfest today.

Conneaut is the home of Astatic; the folks responsible for the D-104 mic, as well as pickups for phonographs, as well as for sonar receivers in WW2. 

You can find out more about the Conneaut ARA at http://qsl.net/w8bhz/. 

There's a couple Astatic historical sites on the web, but I liked this one: http://www.astatic.org/

Get Out And Do Something

I was preparing to head out to a local park recently for my home club's annual special event operation. In reflecting over what a great summer it's been, I was reminded that the best way to keep your club active, is to be active.

Sure, meetings are necessary, but are they the "End all - Be all" of a clubs existence? No way! One of our newly licensed Hams recently shared what he wanted from his club. To do stuff, and be able to come out and hang with the rest of the club members. After all, that's where a lot of learning really takes place, right?

So, it's really easy to tell you to "Do Something", but what?

Well, it depends a lot on what your members are interested in. If your club enjoys getting together for picnics, and socializing, then how about taking a couple rigs out to a park, and call it a parkpedition? No, I didn't coin the phrase, but I like it. Bring a grill, or order out for pizzas, and invite other hams. Before you know it you've got the makings of a great Ham Radio day!

There's always something new to learn. setting up a portable station also lets you some practice some skills that may be useful in an emergency. So the parkpedition idea has some public service benefit as well.

An impromptu cookout at someones QTH is a great way to get members together.

Point being, meetings are important. But, I believe that it's the "extra-curricular" activities that really keep people coming back month after month.

Well, that's all I have for now. I'll be looking forward to meeting you at an upcoming hamfest. Don't forget, add me to your newsletter distribution list. Better yet, drop me a line, and tell me what your club is doing. What kind of  "extra-curricular" activities do you enjoy?

73,

John, KD8MQ
ARRL Ohio Section
Affiliated Club Coordinator

This and that

Hi everyone,

It's been a busy month. I've been preparing for a tower raising in the next couple weeks. 

I did manage to make it to the Portage Hamfair. The crowd was respectable considering we were under a threat of rain. This no doubt caused some to cancel their travel plans. The members of the Portage ARC were friendly as always. Even the food crew came by to see if the vendors wanted anything. How's that for service?

This was my first Hamfest as ACC. It was great meeting and talking to all the great folks who came out. I'll look forward to seeing everyone at Warren in a few weeks.  

I've been getting some newsletters, but I know there are more out there. Here's some highlights gleaned from the newsletters I have received recently:

According to the Monday Morning Memo, The Scioto Valley ARC recently hosted Bob Mathews, K8TQK. and his weak VHF/UHF Signal program. I've not seen Bob's program yet, but I hear that it's a must see.

From August 2-9 the Scioto Valley ARC will activate W8BAP from the Ross County Fair each dauy from noon to 2 PM. Listen on 7.250, and 3.860.

I received an e-mail from the Akron University ARC. They are planning to operate W8UPD as Maritime Mobile from the Portage Lakes in NE Ohio on September 6th.

Our ASM for SE Ohio, Conny, N8IO was scheduled to speak recently at the Southern Ohio ARA. Remember, the Ohio Section Cabinet serves as a speakers' bureau.

The Clinton County ARA is making plans to move their 440 machine to a new tower.

Did you make it to the ARRL Centennial convention in Hartford? if so, you may have seen the president of one of our OH section clubs giving a talk on "Building a Successful Club Program". This was none other tha, Tom, WB8LCD. You can read more about his trip to Hartford in the Radiogram, the PCARS newsletter, at portcars.org.

Speaking of PCARS, they recently held their club picnic. The activity for the day was a spud gun contest. The participants were shooting for accuracy. There's another great club activity, but outdoors only, please! :-)

Well, that's about it for now. Hope everyone has a great remainder of the summer. 

73 de John, KD8MQ

The "Dawg Daze" are upon us!

According to the latest issue of the Highland ARAs Monday Morning Memo, anyhow. I just received their "Dawg Daze Summer Edition" of the Monday Morning Memo.

Here's some highlights of the latest issue of this weekly newsletter.
The Scioto Valley ARC will be hosting Bob, K8TQK for their meeting on the 17th. Bob has been presenting a program on the UHF/VHF weak signal world above 50 MHz. I would imagine that he knows what he's talking about, since he placed first in the great lakes division in the January ARRL VHF contest. Scioto Valley ARC meets at 7:30.
Also, on Saturday, they will be hosting their open house, and "Trade Around". 
location info available on their website (http://www.w8bapdstar.info/SVARC.html).

HIghland ARA just awarded two life memberships. One to Ed, WA8JBG, and the other to Ozzie, KA8UGH. Congratulations to Ed, and Ozzie!

John also gives us the heads up that this is likely the final year at this location for the Columbus Hamfest. The Shriners Temple has been sold to a developer.

If you have Ham license plates to renew in the future, here's the link to the page which explains the current rules. www.bmv.ohio.gov/sp_amateur_radio.stm.

As always, I'd like to ask everyone to add me to your newsletter mailing list. Better yet, keep my in the loop on your club activities.

73,

John Myers, KD8MQ
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator
Ohio Section

The Monday Morning Memo

I was just reading the latest issue of the Monday Morning Memo. John, WA8KIW of the Highland ARA has a unique newsletter schedule; weekly! 

Each Monday, he puts out the Monday Morning Memo, which does a good job of keeping the Hams in SW Ohio informed of the goings on in that part of the state. It's usually like pulling hens teeth just to get someone to volunteer to edit a monthly newsletter; and here we have a club that puts one out weekly.
I see a lot of advantages to this format. So many that I copied the format, and now do something similar up here in the NE section of the state.
Here's some highlights from the latest issue:
Bob, K8TQK will be presenting his weak UHF/VHF signal program at the next Scioto Valley ARC meeting on the 17th.

Do you know someone who had a ham license prior to March 21, 1987 but let it expire?  If so, they can get it back by taking an Element 2 (Technician) exam.  Even if they had a Extra, they need only take Element 2 to get the full Extra credit back.

It looks like the Clinton County ARA will be assisting the Clinton County Health department, by providing communications for a Health Fair on August 8th & 9th. 

John mentions again that time is getting short. The Ohio State Parks On The Air contest is on September 6th. Any operating event can be a great club activity. it should be noted that I am on the board for OSPOTA; so sorry if I tend to be a bit biased.

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a great Independence Day. While checking out a new antenna, I took time out to play radio this morning. The 13 Colonies stations continue to be popular. I was happy to find ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN calling CQ. W1AW/9 is now also in my 20 Meter Log.

I thought I'd take a moment to post a couple of thoughts.

Another issue of the Wave Bender arrived recently. This is the newsletter of the Western Reserve ARC. They recently had a field trip to the K3LR contest superstation, and are scheduling license classes starting September 10th.

Unfortunately, I will be unable to make it to the Section Conference this year, due to work responsibilities. I will be at the Portage Hamfair, on the 27th. I hope you'll stop by the league table, and say hi!

There's nothing more to add right now, except to remind you to add me to your mailing list for your newsletters, and club news.

73,

John, KD8MQ

Various Newsletter Highlights

The newsletters have begun rolling in. I do read each & everyone. Here’s some of what has arrived recently.

The Log, published by the West Park Radio Ops notes that their club meeting on July 4^th is cancelled, but for their program night on July 18^th, they are holding a “Test Your Tuner Night”. Sounds like a great idea for a club program.

According to the Q-Fiver, it looks like the OH-KY-IN Amateur Radio Society has a busy summer planned. Their Hamfest will be September 21^st. It also looks like they have developed a relationship with hive 13; a local makers group.

They have a “Brunch bunch” who meets on the second Saturday of each Month at various restaurants. This sounds like a great way to network outside of the club meetings, and nets.

The Radiogram from the portage County ARS (PCARS) is its usual size. 33 pages this month. It has a full report of the club Field Trip to the K3LR contest superstation in NW Pennsylvania.

They’ve received a Yaesu DR-1 repeater, and have wasted no time putting it into service.

Their club picnic is coming up in a few weeks, followed a few weeks later by their annual Cruise-in.

Now for the shameless plug for the Alliance ARC via their newsletter; the Zero Beat. I have to warn you that I’m the editor of that one. On July 19^th they’ll be having a NAQP-RTTY Picnic. This one is aimed at developing some new RTTY contesters.  

That’s about it for now. I’ll post more as newsletters come in, which is all the more reason to put me on your mailing list.  73 de John, KD8MQ (kd8mq1@gmail.com)

Field Day

Well, ARRL Field Day is over for another year. That is all except for the paperwork. I spent my Saturday afternoon on the road, with Allen, WI8T. We had a great time visiting with other clubs in Stark and Wayne County.



Our first stop was with the Wayne County ARC, where they were "roughing it" in the EMA motor Home. Boy, did that Air Conditioning feel good!

 


Next, after a stop for ice cream in Dalton, we headed towards Petros Park, in Perry Township; the site of the Massillon ARC FD setup.
They were hard at work, and anticipating a big crowd for dinner. 

At the Canton ARC's 2A effort, they were pushing hard to make the Qs. Dale, NX8J gave us the nickle tour.

(One note here; I was so tired by the time I got to the Canton site that I neglected to get any pictures except for this one). I promise to do better next year. )

The next stop was PCARS, who were running 4A at the Ravenna City Park. The shot to the right was the main pavilion where the food was served. This years menu was a Mexican theme.
I have to say that they went above & beyond to ensure that NO ONE left hungry.





And that was it. I stumbled back to my site with the Alliance ARC around 10 PM, and the rest of the weekend is pretty much a blur.

 I noticed this year that a number of groups were plugging their FD operations on APRS. I'm still pretty low on the learning curve in APRS, but it was great to see.

Thanks to everyone who welcomed, and congratulated me at the sites this year. Sorry if I didn't show up at your site, but maybe next year. 73 de John, KD8MQ

Hello!

Hi,

I'm John, KD8MQ, and I'm your new Affiliated Club Coordinator for the Ohio Section.

You might be wondering just what a "Affiliated Club Coordinator" does. Well, lots of stuff actually.
Let's read what the ARRL says in the job description.

The ACC is the primary contact and resource person for each Amateur Radio club in the section, specializing in motivating, providing assistance and coordinating joint activities of radio clubs. The ACC is appointed by, and reports to, the Section Manager.

you can read the description yourself at http://www.arrl.org/affiliated-club-coordinator.

I'm here to help you. That's it; as simple as that. When our clubs thrive, it's good for all of us.

Now, here's a few things you can do to help me to help you:

• File Those Annual Reports - Among other things, this is where I get your clubs contact information. Trust me, I will contact some of you from time to time, just to chew the fat, and see how things are going.
  Most of you in the section are pretty well up to date in filing your reports. There's some of you that are a bit behind, but not bad.
• Send Me Your Newsletter - Next to actually talking to you, this is a great way for me to keep up with what your club is doing. I don't care if you send me your newsletter as an attachment, or a link to a website, or even a good old-fashioned paper copy mailed to my doorstep. The important thing is to keep me in the loop as to what is happening in your neck of the woods.
• Send Me Your Club News & Pictures - Anything that you think Other clubs in the section might want to see. 

That's about it for now. If you world like to keep up on what I'm doing, check out my ACC blog at www.kd8mq-acc.blogspot.com. I'm looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible, whether at a club meeting, or a Hamfest, or maybe just over a bowl of ice cream sometime.