Club News

Just a reminder to everyone who checks into the Tuesday night information net. The WY8DOT repeater has been removed from its normal location and is now set up in a temporary location. Due to the current location and height of the antenna; you will more than likely have to turn up your power or check in from something more powerful than an HT with a rubber ducky antenna. 

Frequency and PL settings are all still the same. 147.24 + PL 100

You will also notice that there is no courtesy tone at the end of a transmission.  There is a brief squelch burst that follows when someone unkeys from the repeater. 

As there is also no digital voice recorder (DVR) on the temporary repeater; KD8HFX will be monitoring the repeater tonight, starting at 2000. If you wish to get a signal report give him a call. 

73

PS - ECHO LINK is still up OR Members may also want to join us on the MCRC IRC chatroom. 

Our magnetic car signs are in. We have 24 of them. They are going to be sold for $25 each or 2 for $40. KD8HFX will have them at the general membership meeting in October.

Check out the Page 9 of the September Spark Gap for a picture of the magnetic sign.

Sign the petition here

NIST station WWV and sister stations are among the oldest radio stations in the United States, having been in continuous operation since May 1920. The station has transmitted the official US Time for nearly 100 years and is an instrumental part in the telecommunications field, ranging from broadcasting to scientific research and education. Additionally, these stations transmit marine storm warnings from the National Weather Service, GPS satellite health reports, and specific information concerning current solar activity, and radio propagation conditions. These broadcasts are an essential resource to the worldwide communications industry. This petition requests continued funding of these stations be maintained into the 21st century and beyond to ensure future operations.

The MCRC Birthday Special Event Station is going to be an exciting way of celebrating the clubs 86th birthday. 

Rick KE8BPZ has been kind enough to host club members at his QTH for the event. If you are interested in operating the W8MRM Special Event Station please register with this link.

We have a new list of equipment for sale in the members swap section of the website. 

Check it out. Items for Sale

FCC posts revised Part 95 rules to the Federal Register

There is a great article in the Island Beacon about Field Day.

Signup is now available for operating times for both the experimental and contesting stations. Use the links below to reserve you spot. Please remember that schedules are not final until Field Day. Your selections may change. 

Also, Be sure to be respectful of other members and leave room for others to sign up as well. 

Contesting Station Operations

Contesting Station Logging

Experimental Station Operations

Experimental Station Logging

Friday Night Setup & Steaks

Please let us know if you are planning on helping with the Friday night setup of the tents and antennas. 

Field Day Signup

Last Sunday was a beautiful day to be outside!!! Ten volunteers from the MCRC got up extra early on Sunday to provide communications support to the annual Metro Grand Spring Tour bike ride. 

The board would like to thank the club members who gave up their Sunday to volunteer for this great event. 

Dale - WA8FRD - Organizer
Jim - KD8HFX - Net Control
Stan - K8SB - On course station
Ruth - WB8AFO - On course station
Ralph - KA8KGQ - On course station
Don - K8THU - On course station
Woody - N8MWQ - On course station
Bob - K8HV - On course station
Larry - KE8HCD - On course station
Nick - KD8SJM- On course station

The event coordinator was very happy to have us there and has invited us to join them again next year to aid in their event. 

Thank you to the volunteers.

In 1928 the first radio broadcast to police car radios began at the police station on Belle Isle.  (See the above 1928 Detroit Free Press article.)   We are now preparing to celebrate the 90^th anniversary of that achievement. 

50 years ago the IEEE placed a historical plaque at the Belle Isle police station building.  Approximately 10 years ago the APCO ( https://www.apcointl.org/about-apco.html ) also supported the placement of a historical marker near the building.  

Plans are in place for member of the local IEEE Section, the APCO, and members of the Amateur Radio community ( http://www.arrl.org ) to visit to Belle Isle between 10 AM and 4 PM on April 7th to hold re-dedication ceremonies for both plaques. 

Bill Boyke (N8OZV) of the Ford Motor Company, Tin Lizzy Amateur Radio Club has registered special event Amateur Radio Station, 'K0P' (Kilo Zero Papa)  with the FCC, and is working on commemorative QSL cards. 

We expect to see participation from several local Amateur Radio clubs in the form of operation of low power (QRP) emergency radio communication equipment and simple wire, loop or vertical antennas.  All this equipment is small, easily portable and will be unobtrusive and completely removed at the end of the day.

Antennas:

The DNR's rules, in the “Michigan State Parks on the Air” program prohibit using trees in state parks to hang antennas. There's very good reason, disease spores can easily live on wire or rope that can be transmitted from tree to tree. 

Reference: http://www.mspota.org/protect-our-parks/

So, we should see lots of Verticals and Loop antennas, along with Poles & Inverted ‘Vs’, etc. 

But, no antennas in trees on Belle Isle! 

This is a unique opportunity to see Amateur Radio at work and to view its place in emergency communications at this re-dedication event on Belle Isle.  It can also be a great 'pre Field Day' event to help Hams get emergency equipment, antennas, generators, etc. out of moth balls and back to work. 

Plans are for a 10 AM setup and operate through 4 PM for pack up. 

The original station call sign from the FCC for this station was W8FS.  That call is now held by Lowell Price of Grand Blanc, and he has been invited as a 'special representative' for the day.  

The gathering arrangements are:  

·         Time - 10:00 AM through 4 PM.

·         Location - Parking lot & grounds around the Belle Isle Police Station building.

·         NOTE: A Michigan State Park pass on your vehicle license plate is needed to enter Belle Isle, (unless entry is by foot or bicycle or public transportation.)   

·         Water & Rest Rooms at the Aquarium, about 0.36 miles, or about a 15 minute walk away….so…  

·         Plan for a picnic type day and bring water, food, sunscreen and a shade hat. 

For the Amateur Radio Community, as you arrive, we have some organizational business to conduct:

·         Once you arrive please switch to Simplex Frequency 146.52

·         We plan to operate “Station K0P” with multiple rigs and operating frequencies / Times / Modes / so we are developing a Scheduling system to maximize everyone’s on-air time.  

Collecting contact information for the QSL cards.  

Driving Directions:  

Entrance to the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle is at the junction of E. Jefferson Ave. and E. Grand Blvd.  

(The nearest Interstate highway junction appears to be the I-375 spur from the I-75, and E. Jefferson Ave.) 

Note: Most major roads on the island are one way, so pay attention to the signs. 

Cross the bridge, and stay to the right avoiding the construction. 

As you enter Belle Isle proper, you are directed to the right onto Sunset Drive.  

Stay to the left as Sunset Drive divides to become Casino Way.  Stay left! 

Turn left onto Central Ave.

Follow Central Ave. past Muse Road, Picnic Way and Fleming Street. 

Approach the status of Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams (no relation) at the junction of Central Ave. and Inselruhe Ave. 

Stay to the right of the statue, and circle to the left around the statue, effectively turning left onto Inselruhe Ave. 

Inselruhe Ave.is a two way street, so traffic can approach from both directions! 

Discover the old Belle Isle police station building immediately on your right.  (GPS coordinates of 42.340419, -82.986598)

You are there!  

For more information contact Kimball N8FNC - k.williams@ieee.org