Past Issues Index

Download this issue (.pdf)

Visit our web site, W7LT.org

CLUB FIELD DAY PLANS AND INVITATION

June 21, 22, 23.Kelly Butte from the Air

W7LT Field Day setup will be Friday June 21st, starting at 1 PM PDT or later. Field Day operation begins at 11 AM PDT on Saturday June 22nd, and will end at 11 AM PDT Sunday. Field Day Rules are in QST, May 2002, page 108, and also on the ARRL website.

The plan this year is a copy of previous years at W7LT: Class A-Battery Club, four HF stations, one VHF/UHF station, cw, phone and digital modes, attempted satellite QSO, solar and battery power, and great company, all at our little bit of wilderness on Kelly Butte in SE Portland, minutes from I-205.  Those wishing to stay overnight one or both nights are welcome.  There is adequate RV parking space and camping tents are fine.  We will have a portable restroom on site.  Talk in frequency will be the 146.94 repeater. Simplex alternate will be on 145.73.

Hopefully we can do almost as well as we have in the past,  but the emphasis will be on having fun as usual again this year, and getting to meet new and old friends. Members and nonmembers are invited to join us for Field Day.

If our turnout is sufficient we will likely setup a new GOTA (Get On The Air) station for Novice, Technicians, and generally inactive hams, as well as non-licensed persons if under direct supervision of an appropriate control operator. We are allowed up to 400 contacts on the GOTA station, which also results in an additional 100-point bonus.

The GOTA station callsign will be W7PR.

If you would like to help plan, setup, support, operate, tear down or manage please indicate which areas of involvement you are able to volunteer for. We are in particular need of skilled archers with compound bows to get our antennas up as high as possible. This must be done by Friday evening at the latest.

Contact Pete, W7PR at 503-771-1773 (msg) or W7PR@arrl.net to get on the Field Day Roster for this year or for more info. Updates will be sent out on the club's contest reflector, cqdealfay@yahoogroups.com

Send W7PR a note if you want to join that e-mail group.

Thanks for your support again this year, 73 Pete W7PR


ARES MEETING

Thursday, June 27th at Fire Station 2 4800 NE 122nd at 7PM

All hams are invited to attend!

(ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service which provides vital communications during natural and man-made disasters.)


PARC Elections to be Held

It’s that time of year again.  Time to step up to the plate and vote for your club officers for next year.  Even though we will be setting up our camp at Kelly Butte, and preparing for the next day’s Field Day event, we will be holding elections on Friday, June 21st at the regular meeting.  All members are encouraged to attend and help pick the next year’s officers.

In addition to the elections, we will be discussing last minute details of our Field Day operation from Kelly Butte, the set-up, operation, and tear-down.  All hams and non-hams are encouraged to attend.


PARC Booth at Sea-Pac

PARC members Pete, W7PR, and Lea, AL7W staffing the booth at SeaPacPARC was among the few local clubs operating a booth this year at SeaPac.  During our last business meeting, we had decided to run a booth at this year’s Convention in Seaside in order to promote PARC.  In all, about 200 color brochures were handed out, as well as an estimated 50 flyers for the testing sessions.  Several old friends stopped in to wish us well, as well as some new faces to the area.  Part of what we were doing is promoting the club.  We had several folks stop by to ask questions, and entered into long discussions about Field Day, club history, and general information about the Portland area.  We had a few members whom for one reason or another had not been active in the club for many years.  We had a lot of nice remarks about our display, prompting one former member to remark that he thought it looked like the club was active again, so maybe he’d come back and join us.  

We had some interest in our Field Day operations, both from newly licensed hams, as well as a couple of seasoned CW operators who will most likely be joining us this year.  I for one learned as much from meeting the folks who stopped by as they did from us.  One ham, who was accompanied by his granddaughter, has been licensed continuously since 1931.  It was a pleasure to meet them both.  Another fellow brought his nephew by who has expressed an interest in learning more about Ham Radio, we hope to see both of them at the meetings in the near future. 

Many thanks to members who helped staff the booth.  We appreciate all who stopped by to offer moral support, and wished us well in our efforts.  It was nice to meet so many nice folks at the Convention.

If you start seeing some new faces at the PARC meetings, be sure to say “hi” and make them feel welcome, they just might be one of our new friends from SeaPac.

73, Ed KC7GFX


A few Pictures from Last Years Field Day…

 

Solar Power Station

Interested Kids

First DX contact

Portable Packet Station


June Calendar at a Glance

Regular Club Meeting                 Friday June 21st 7:30 PM
Field Day                                  Jun 21st–23rd 
            Setup at 1PM on Friday, Kelly Butte
ARES Meeting                           Thursday, June 27th
Club Net                                    Monday’s at 7PM
ARES/RACES Net                     Wednesday’s at 7 PM
Club Breakfast                           Saturday July  6th


June Meeting

Our June meeting will be a chance to vote for our new officers for this coming year.  All members are encouraged to attend.  Although we will be setting up our operations on Kelly Butte earlier in the day, we will have someone stationed on site to watch equipment and shelters while the elections are taking place.

One Liberty Center
650 NE Holladay Street
Portland, Oregon
(A few blocks SW of the Lloyd Center)
Enter on South side of building, use the intercom to gain access to the building.

All hams are welcome to attend.  Updates and changes will be announced on the PARC Net, Monday at 7 PM on the 146.840 Repeater.  All hams are encouraged to check in!


Radio Nets

Here is a Schedule of Nets for all interested.

All Nets are handled on the 146.840 repeater.

Sunday:            Handi-Hams  Net 7 PM
Monday:            PARC Weekly Net 7PM
Wednesday:      ARES/RACES Net 7PM

All Hams are welcome to check in or listen to any Net


Sponsor


PARC Members Recovering From Surgeries

We have two members and one family member who are recuperating from surgeries. We want to wish them all a speedy and complete recovery after being QRT:

Oscar Bollinger KA7HVL Portland
Chuck Parker's XYL KC7PDI Portland
Kurt Warner KA7ZDD Portland

Get Well Soon!


Congratulations to PARC's Newest Extra
At PARC's April VE session President Ed Burress passed his Element 4 exam and is now a proud new Extra Class operator. This was actually Ed's second time around, having allowed his Extra Class from years ago lapse. (This might be a good time to remind you all to be sure you renew your license before it expires.) Congratulations again, Ed!


CLUB OFFICERS
President KC7GFX Ed Burress
Vice President KD7HDP Pat Kennedy
Director N7RX Neal Sacon
Director K7RUN John White
Acting Recording Secretary K7LUM Marilyn Lum
Treasurer W7PR Pete Rodabaugh
Membership Sec. W7PR Pete Rodabaugh
Station Trustee KI7GA Tony Thornton

COMMITTEES
Net Manager W7PR Pete Rodabaugh
Repeater Chair K7RUN John White
Social Chair Vacant
Publicity/Newsletter Chair Vacant
Finance Chair W7PR Pete Rodabaugh

NEWSLETTER
Editor/Publisher KC7GFX Ed Burress


Sponsor


PARC Welcomes New Club Members

Brian                 KD7DSY           Aloha, OR
John                 KD7ERU           Homer, Alaska
Richard             KD7GIE            Beaverton, OR
Paul                  K7HLY              Portland, OR
George              KD7INU           Sandy, OR
Larry                 K7LFN              Portland, OR
Loren                KD7LGW         Scappoose OR
Steve                KD7MRX         Portland, OR
George              KC7PXF           Aloha, OR
Fred                  KD7T               Vancouver, WA
Bill                    KT7V                Portland, OR
Richard             KG7ZH             Beaverton,      OR

We're pleased to have you join PARC and look forward to meeting you on the air and at club activities.


KID'S DAY IS JUNE 15!

Kid's Day, Saturday, June 15, from 1800 to 2400 UTC, is a chance to invest in the future of Amateur Radio. Scheduled twice a year, in January and June, Kid's Day is an opportunity for amateurs to introduce their own youngsters, young relatives or neighborhood kids to the magic of Amateur Radio and, in the process, to perhaps open the door to a lifelong hobby. Activity is on 20, 15 and 10 meters as well as locally on VHF, including repeaters. Suggested frequencies are 14,270-14,300; 21,380 to 21,400, 28,350 to 28,400 kHz and 2-meter repeaters (with permission from the repeater sponsor).

Kid's Day is not a contest. It's more of a social event, where an experienced operator facilitates getting the youngsters on the air so they can enjoy the fun of ham radio. The licensee need only keep an eye on the technical and legal aspects of the operation--including observing third-party traffic agreements and identifying every 10 minutes--and lend an Elmering hand as necessary. The idea is to help the kids find someone they're comfortable talking with and to just let them enjoy themselves.  In Kid's Day, it's the quality of the contacts, not quantity, that counts. 

To provide a little framework, it's suggested to have youngsters exchange name, age, location and favorite color with other participants they meet on the air. It's OK to work the same station more than once if the operator has changed. Stations may call "CQ Kid's Day."
All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate. Visit http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kids-day-survey.html to complete a short survey and post your comments. You will then be able to download the certificate page. Or, you can send a 9x12 self-addressed, stamped envelope to Boring Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1357, Boring, OR 97009.

Details on Kid's Day are available on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html.

(excerpt from ARRL Letter 6/7/02)


MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Thanks for the Membership Renewals for 2002! We have 49 Renewed as of 6-3-02. If you have renewed and are not on this list please contact Pete,W7PR. The following members have renewed and will be able to vote at the June Elections:

Rexine        KB7RAE                 Bruce                N7XB
Lea             AL7W                     Walt                 WA7SDY
Charles       AB7BI                     Glenn                K7GWP
Oscar         KA7HVL                 Mel                   N7TSW
Don            KA7KLC                 John                 K7ZSK
Ed              KC7GFX                 Mel                   K7MBI
Alice           W7ALG                  Pat                   KG7HT
David          KC7MBJ                 Pete                 W7PR
Claude        W7DAY                   Art                    WA7BEI
Les             K7TSX                    Tom                  KC7TXI
Angela        KC6OCD                 Wes                 AC7DZ
Steven        KC7MIG                  Eric                  KK7UE
Scott          KC7ZUH                  Peggy               KB7SBK
Cindy *        KD7IXZ                   Dave                 KC7YOE
James         AC7IH                     Harold               W7VUG
Mark           KC7MII                   Tony                 KI7GA
Royal          KA7GCX                 Walt                 W7TIB
Lee             KD7CTF                  George             N7QXI
Jules           KC5MGE                 Neil                   N7HBV
Larry           K7LJ                      Kurt                  KA7ZDD
Max            KB7TMH                 John                 K7RUN
Bob            KC7BRJ                  Rose                 KC7BRY
Pat             KD7HDP                 Elizabeth           KC7BRX
Phil             N7FTE                    Eugene             WA7FYU
Marilyn        K7LUM                   Bert                  WA7AXO


* Non-Voting Spouse

PARC Life Members

Over the years PARC has bestowed Life Membership on individuals who have contributed to the Club in some special way. The current Life Members are as follows:

Ron Mayer        K7BT                Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Dick Howard      K7DVK           Portland
Paul Sloan        W7HTS             Portland
Ken Matsen       W7INX            Portland
Don Miller Sr.    N7OOI            Westport, Or
Joe Borsch        W7PNS            Tigard, Or
Lee Strahan       K7TJR             Sherwood, Or
Steve Crouch     NO7V               RV Mobile   
Kevin Hunt         WA7VTD        Oregon City

PARC appreciates the contributions of these members and all their support over the years. Hopefully we can publish some of this history in future editions. If you want to provide such histories please submit them to Ed, KC7GFX or Pete, W7PR. We would welcome such information. 


AND SPEAKING OF HISTORY…

The First Field Day: 1933 (from the June issue of QST)

The Astoria Amateur Radio League, W7BTT, made 5 contacts in 3 sections for a grand total of 15 points, apparently placing them 8th in the country in club scores.  Their operating location was from the summit of Saddle Mountain, elevation 6000 feet.  If anyone has more information about this feat, we’d love to hear from you.


  PARC Field Day 2002

Mark your calendars for June 21, 22 and 23 and plan to participate for all or part of the weekend in PARC's annual Field Day activities on Kelly Butte in SE Portland.

Field Day is Amateur Radio's best opportunity to showcase to officials and the general public. Always held the fourth weekend in June, tens of thousands of amateurs representing thousands of clubs and non-club groups set up portable stations in temporary locations.

Two significant enhancements have been added for 2002.  The old "Novice" station has been replaced by a new GET ON THE AIR (GOTA) station designed to give inactive amateurs, as well as Novices, Technicians, and unlicensed people under the supervision of a control operator, an opportunity to experience Field Day without the pressure of sitting in the chair at one of the main positions.  A GOTA station will broaden the base of on-the-air participation and offer just the kind of training that FD is intended to provide.

The second innovation this year is that the ARRL Board has invited our sister IARU societies throughout Region 2 (North and South America, including the Caribbean) to participate with us.  We hope many of their members will do so; after all, they are our frequent partners in emergency and disaster communications operations.

Field Day generates more visibility for Amateur Radio than any other regularly scheduled activity.  Local television news crews love to cover an event that has both visual and aural appeal.  Every year we receive literally hundreds of clippings from newspapers throughout North America, often with great pictures illustrating that Amateur Radio's attraction bridges generations.  While some clubs and groups understandably prefer remote locations where manmade noise is left behind and the only antenna restriction is our ingenuity, others are happy to collect the bonus points for setting up in a public place and operating a Public Information Table.

Whether you view Field Day as a competition, an emergency preparedness exercise, a public display, or a social event ~ or a combination of all four ~ be sure to remember to have fun! Strengthened friendships and pleasant memories from past Field Days linger long after the scores have been forgotten.

(Excerpt from “It Seems To Us” ARRL, June QST, David Sumner K1ZZ)


Presidents Message

The first thing I’d like to say is “sorry about May”.  With my schedule at work, selling the house (looks like it’s sold), and buying another (looks like we got it), it’s been an interesting month.  With all that, I just couldn’t find time to get the May issue of the sPARC gap done.  June isn’t much better so far, but with the upcoming elections, Field Day, SeaPac, etc. there was just too much going on to let another issue go unwritten.  This next year promises to be interesting as well.  There are some folks I’ve talked to who would make good guest speakers at our meeting.  One of the issues with having them there is that we can’t get a signal in or out of the auditorium, so we may do part of the presentation outside of the Liberty Center Building before or after our meetings.  I know that for the APRS demonstration, I wanted to have a car driving around with our club callsign on the air showing its location every minute or so.

I met some really nice people at SeaPac this year.  Members from the Hoodview group stopped by to say hi, as well as members of clubs in Vancouver BC, and Redding, CA. 

I think we’re on the right track for growing our club a little.  Having so many new faces stop by and ask questions was nice to see.  I found myself talking more and more, and enjoying sharing ideas with folks.

Part of what we set out to do as a club last year was to give people a reason to want to come to the club.  While we still have some improvements to be made, we have come a long way toward keeping the club healthy. 

It is my hope for the club that we get some new members who have different experiences in Ham Radio that we can learn about.  There are a couple of ideas for club projects that I think we could all have some fun with.  One of them is a balloon launch. 

The idea of sending up a balloon with a video downlink as well as APRS, beacon, and perhaps a small repeater might be interesting.  We would need the help of video guys, the bunny hunt folks, some people to run the APRS station, and some technical and logistic people.  Also, we’re going to start shooting some video at our meetings, Field Day, repeater meetings, repeater visits, and some of the fun stuff we do with Amateur Radio.  It might wind up at SeaPac, or on a cable access channel,...who knows.   The best way I know of to attract new people, and get the message out about our club and ham radio is to try to share all the interesting aspects of ham radio.

I hope to see everyone at the meeting, and at Field Day.

73, Ed KC7GFX


Sponsor

PARC Net ACTIVITY REPORT

April & May 2002

Date       Net Control Station        Check Ins       Traffic
April 1      KB7TMH        Max       16                   None
April 8      W7PR              Pete       21                   None
April 15    K7MBI           Mel        16                   None
April 22    KD7HDP        Pat         17                   None
April 29    W7PR             Pete       12                   None
May 6       K7ZSK           John       15                   None
May 13     KB7TMH       Max      19                   None  
May 20     K7MBI           Mel       18                   None
May 27     W7PR            Pete       15                   None
June 3       K7MBI          Mel       16                    None
June 10    K7ZSK           John       22                    1

More Net Control Stations (NCS) are needed.  If you would like to join those stations who are available to run PARC Net, or want to learn more, please contact Pete, W7PR, acting Net Manager, at 503-771-1773, or at W7PR@arrl.net  All it takes is 20 to 30 minutes per session you conduct.  This is an excellent way to learn the basics of conducting a directed net, in a friendly setting.  Give it a try.

A Big THANKS! to our current volunteer PARC Net NCS operators.

KD7HDP           Pat
K7MBI              Mel
W7PR               Pete
KB7TMH           Max
K7ZSK              John

If you have suggestions or ideas about how PARC Net could better serve you, or be improved, please contact the Net Manager.  This is YOUR net.  Thanks for joining us Monday nights at 7 PM on 146.84.


Sponsor 


VE TESTING

3rd Friday of Every Month , 6:30 PM.
(prior to regular club meeting)
650 NE Holladay Street, Portland.
 
Call Bruce McCain N7XB (503) 257-7302
email   brmccain@teleport.com


PARC Field Day Operation Site

Kelly Butte Park in SE Portland

Kelly Butte Park in SE Portland

For those of you who have not been to Kelly Butte Park in SE Portland, here are driving directions:

From I-205 (North or South), take the Division Street Exit.  Turn East (Northbound, turn right, Southbound, turn Left).  Drive 3 blocks to 103rd, turn South (right).

Drive 2 blocks, up the hill until you get to the top.

There is a gate at the bottom of the hill, but it will be unlocked during daylight hours of operation so that everyone can come up and visit.  After dark, we usually close the gate, but always monitor the club simplex frequency 145.730 in case an operator is showing up for the night shift.

Aerial Photo of Kelly Butte

Aerial Photo of Kelly Butte:  The “D” shaped clearing on the East side of the mountain is the parking lot where we operate.  I-205 runs vertically on the left of Kelly Butte, and Division Street runs East and West just above the mountain.


Field Day 2002 Pins and T-Shirts

2002 Field Day T-Shirt

Show off your support for Field Day with official pins and T-shirts. The commemorative 2002 design symbolizes this year’s new Field Day rule that includes the participation of all Region 2 countries (all of North and South America). The T-shirts and pins are a great way to recognize your group’s involvement in this popular, annual operating event. Make sure each of your club members has these attractive keepsakes in time for Field Day!

Available for delivery now. Clubs, order early! Collect orders from members, and place a single order (only $10 shipping within the US for T-shirt orders over $75).

How to order: select items to place in your "shopping basket." You can enter quantities during Check Out:

2002 Field Day Pins
Size 1 x 1-inch.
$5 each #8708

2002 Field Day T-Shirts
Soft, heavy weight cotton.
$12.95 each
Unisex sizes:
Medium #8716-M
Large #8716-L
X-Large #8716-XL
2X-Large #8716-2XL

Contact Pete W7PR@arrl.net or (503) 771-1773 to place your order.


Sponsor


Rates


Sponsor


Membership Form


PARC mailing address:

Portland Amateur Radio Club
4110 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.  PMB #211
Portland, Oregon 97214