Club News

From the GMARC: Warren Consolidated School System will be making a live contact with the International Space Station (ISS) on 14-Mar-2014 at 7:30:59 AM EDT.  Larry Koziel K8MU of Hazel Park is the contact (k8mu@amsat.org 586.770.2545).  

There will be a commemoration of the "birthday" of The American Legion, March 15-17, 2014 with a Special Event Station.  K9TAL Special Event Station operations will be limited to Saturday, March 15.  They will operate using the club call sign: K9TAL, from 0900 to 1500 EST.  All those who QSO with K9TAL - members and non-members - and are entered into their logbook will be eligible to receive a certificate citing their contact.  QSL cards will be sent as well.  To get your certificate, send a 9x12 SASE to The American Legion Amateur Radio Club, The American Legion, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, Indiana. 46206.

As a member of TALARC I assure you the QSL card is great to add to your QSL card file and you will be saluting your veterans and active military personnel!

73,

Bill AC8KO   

On Saturday, March 8, 2014 Glenwood United parking lot was packed and the side streets were also overflowing with parked cars. As it turned out there were 12 applicants For ham radio exams. Nick Stahl, KD8SJM passed his general exam. Paul George, KB8SVO and Charles Smith, KD8WFS both walked in with their generals and walked out having earned their extra class license. Richard Mandel walked in without a license, and proceeded to pass his tech, general and extra class! Scott Underwood, Brandon Carter, Adam Knoll, Matthew Miller, William Nemer, Andrea Elkins and William Oberdieck all entered without a license and earned their tech. Of 12 people 11 passed their exam for new or upgrade license.

Fortunately we had experienced VEs handling the paperwork led by Bruce Moyer, KI8GR and Duffy K8ETL. They were aided and abetted by Bob Rehahn, AC8DZ who distributed the welcome packets to those who passed exams until we ran out of the packets. We also ran out of the application forms and Woody, N8MWQ  was sent on a copy run but learned that the local drug store does not make copies any longer. He resourcefully found Dale WA8FRD who scanned the forms into the club computer and printed out some for us. Thanks also to Mack, KA8DOT; Jim K8SSB; Bill AC8KO; and Gary W8GPR.

Don Novak, K8THU

http://youtu.be/ivUMIADFSDw

Here is a picture for the 2014 ice out.

The Arrow Communications Association is once again offering a bus ride from Ann Arbor to the Dayton Ham Convention. 
The Cost of the ride is: $65.00
The date they will leave Ann Arbor is: May17, 2014 @ 04:30 am
The Date they will leave Dayton is: May 17, 2014 @ 05:00 pm
Go to  http://www.w8pgw.org/activities/dayton-bus-trip/ for more information.


Posted by Dale, WA8FRD

The ARRL Centennial QSO Party is a year-long operating event that celebrates hams making contacts.  In the end you will have accumulated points, worked new stations and made new friends all over the world. 

It began January 1, 2014 and will extend through December 31, 2014.  It is billed as the "mother" of all QSO parties by our Division Director.  The Centennial QSO party actually is two distinct-but-related activities.  These involve working W1AW from each state (W1AW Worked All States) and a Centennial Points Challenge.

Details of the operating schedules for W1AW portable operations, the point schedule for the many ARRL members and details of the QSO party please go to the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party

 

Have Fun and 73,

Bill AC8KO 

 

 

Once again NORAD is tracking Santa for us.  Check out the following site it is a lot of fun for the young and old alike!

http://www.noradsanta.org/ 

Also once again OF9X is on the air from Finland.  Make contact with Santa and receive the special QSL card - it is fun to receive.  (HF all bands).  

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays,

Bill AC8KO

I received this the other day, please enjoy.

 

http://youtu.be/ivUMIADFSDw

 

It has been created for anyone who wishes to encourage youth and adults to explore the world of Ham Radio and it also can be found on the home page of the project website at www.RadioQRV.com. Thank you for your consideration. 73, Mike

Well, the 2013 Field Day results are in and official as posted in the December issue of QST.  I am happy to report that W8MRM Motor City Radio Club ranked number one in the State of Michigan in class 2A.  Our total score including bonus points is 4,996!  In a future issue of the Spark Gap, Stan K8SB will have a more detailed analysis of our performance.  As the 2013 Field Day chairperson, I want to thank the staff and all club members that participated in making this a great event.  Now we have to turn our attention to making the 2014 Field Day the best yet!

73,

Bill AC8KO