Club News

TWiT.com is a webcasting site dedicated to technology both old and new.  They do a webcast of Ham Nation http://twit.tv/hn 

Some field day pictures have been posted on the site for your enjoyment.  More pictures can be found on the web at Field Day 2011 Photo Album

Just a reminder that the club picnic is coming up fast.  We look forward to seeing you all there. 

Check out the DTE interactive power outage map

ARRL Atlantic Division to Host Two D-STAR Webinars

05/23/2011

Periodically, the ARRL’s Atlantic Division hosts a “webinar” -- an interactive Web-based seminar, designed to facilitate communication between a small number of presenters and a large remote audience using the Internet. Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, and the National Capital Region D-STAR Association will present a two-part webinar discussion on D-STAR technology and its application to emergency communications. Anyone can register for these informative, interactive Internet meetings; you do not need to reside in the Atlantic Division to join in.

Part 1 will be presented on Wednesday, May 25 at 9 PM (EDT). This 90 minute webinar -- entitled D-STAR Basics -- will provide a general introduction to the topic of D-STAR and compares the technology to existing Amateur Radio systems. Examples of D-STAR innovation will also be presented. Click here to sign up for Part 1.

On Wednesday, June 8 at 9 PM (EDT), join in for Part 2 -- D-STAR and EmComm. This 90 minute webinar will provide a discussion on how D-STAR technology can benefit Amateur Radio EmComm scenarios. Examples of D-STAR applications to EMCOMM will also be presented, as well as future growth ideas. Click here to sign up for Part 2.

 

From ARRL web site news.

Members please go to the event calendar and register for Field Day.  You can order your T-shirt, Friday night Steak and select your preferred operating times.  

I would like to thank K8THU Don, W8KZP Bill, KB8TOO Linda, K8SB Stan, WB8AFO Ruth, KD8MLJ Mike and Cole, KC8DQJ Marv, N8SLJ Ray, KC8NNX JIM, K8SSB Jim, N8KAM John, KD8HFX JIM and KC8OBH Dave for helping with the MGST this year.  We had about 600 riders despite the weather. The day started with heavy rain but fortunately the skies cleared for the ride. Thanks to Jim K8SSB for bringing some of his scouts to the event they all got on the air at one time or another. John N8KAM thanks for bringing all the equipment.  We had enough help to cover all the checkpoints on all 3 routes. The Downriver Cycling Club was again happy to have our assistance.  Thank you again to all who came.

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/korea/ham-radios-find-place-in-high-tech-world-1.139146

The ARRL has posted the 2011 Field day product and event information. Check out everything the ARRL has to offer for 2011 Field Day.

All,

Please read the following email from Jim Weaver K8JE, our Great Lakes Division ARRL Director.  Please follow the instructions and mail your signed letters ASAP.  I plan on taking one copy to my reps office in Livonia.  You can look up your rep and do the same.  But remember to also send a signed copy to John Chwat as stated in the email below.  Sorry if you got this twice, but this is of the utmost importance.  Give them an inch and next thing you know we loose it all!  PLEASE pass this around to every ham you know, post on line or print in your club newsletters!!

If anyone needs help printing them out, drop me a note or see me at a meeting.

Thanks, Shanon KA8SPW

***********************************************************************

[Reply to k8je@arrl.org]

Your prompt help to defend one of our amateur bands is urgently
requested.  Please read and follow through on the requested action.

You may have already heard that our 440 MHz band is being attacked by a
bill introduced into the US House of Representatives. In its current
form, HR 607 would take away the 420-440 MHz segment that is presently
allocated to Amateur Radio on a secondary basis as our 70 cm band.
Along with certain other segments not allocated to Amateur Radio, the
420-440 MHz segment would become part of a spectrum “give back”
involved in allocating 758-763 and 788-793 MHz for a Public Safety
broadband network.

The concept of this network has merit. Everyone wants first responders
to have the radio systems they need in order to protect themselves and
us. However, there is absolutely no need to take our 440 MHz band in
making it happen. We need to let our US Representatives know we oppose
the current form of HR 607.

To let your US Representative know you oppose the present bill, go to
http://www.kd4pyr.net/hamletter.htm.  Insert your call sign where
indicated and follow the simple instructions. The name and address of
your US Representative will automatically be put into the letter, as
will your name and address.  It will be ready to be printed and signed.


IMPORTANT: Please be sure to observe the following once you have
printed your letter:

- Be sure to sign it.  Letters without a handwritten signature are not
effective.

- Signed letters can be sent by fax or postal mail.  They can also be
scanned into PDF format and e-mailed as a file attachment.  Postal
mail: John Chwat, Chwat & Co., Suite 103, 625 Slaters Lane, Alexandria,
VA 22314. E-mail: john.chwat@chwatco.com. Fax number: (703) 684-7594.

- Do not send this letter or any letter about HR 607 to your US
Senators at this time. The bill is only in the US House of
Representatives. Letters sent on HR 607 to US Senators will merely
waste their time and demonstrate lack of knowledge of how our system of
government works.
WHY SHOULD the letter be mailed to John Chwat? There are two reasons.
First, all postal mail to members of the US House (and other government
bodies) is delayed 6 to 8 weeks in being searched for hazardous
materials that may be included in them. Second, Mr. Chwat will increase
the value of your individual letter by combining it with others and
delivering the stack of letters directly to your Representative's
office. This manner of delivery makes a particular impact on our
Congressmen.

If you feel it necessary to mail your letter directly to your
Representative, do it. However, please also send a signed copy of it to
Mr. Chwat for the reasons outlined above.

For your information, the letter generating utility will be open for
use by any US amateur for at least a couple of weeks.

Thanks for your help and support in this important effort. Please let
me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

73,

Jim

PS:  Thanks to Rick Haltermon, KD4PYR for developing the letter
generating utility.  He was aided by Trey Garlough, N5KO who wrote the
initial program.  Rick continues to add flesh to the program.

Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director
ARRL Great Lakes Division
5065 Bethany Rd.
Mason, OH 45040; Tel. 513-459-1661
ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio