BRANCH SIGNALS - Branch County Amateur Radio Club

AN AN ARRL ARRL AFFILIATED AFFILIATED CLUB
CLUB
SINCE 1961
IN IN IN THIS THIS THIS ISSUE
ISSUE ISSUE
ISSUE
Ω Page Page 22–
2 Flashback Flashback Photo
Ω Page Page 22–
2 How’s DX?
Ω Page Page 33–
3 VEC Test Sessions
Ω Page Page Page 33–
3 Hamfest Calendar
Ω Page Page 44–
4 Photo Story
Ω Page Page Page 55–
55
Notes From The
President
President
Ω Page Page 66–
66
Coordinators Coordinators Cor- Cor- Cor-
ner
ner
YOUR YOUR CLUB CLUB OFFICERS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Jim Voss, W8SST
517-278-4636
wvoss@charter.net
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Bill Kubiak, KB8VWI
517-639-4390
bhkubiak@cbpu.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Arnie Hayward, NS8T
517-278-8507
ns8t@arrl.net
Bill Slade, WD8MGF
517-238-2112
nslade@cbpu.com
Larry Camp, WB8R
517-278-0406
wb8r@arrl.net
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
Larry Camp, WB8R
517-278-0406
wb8r@arrl.net
V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 5
M A Y 2 0 0 7
B R A N C H S I G N A L S
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER OF OF THE THE BRANCH BRANCH COUNTY COUNTY AMATEUR AMATEUR RADIO RADIO CLUB, CLUB, INC.
INC.
Club Repeaters: 147.300 + 100 Hz 443.300 + 123 Hz
First Hunt Of Year Scheduled For May 15th
CAN AN YOU OU OUTFOX UTFOX THE HE FOX OX OX? OX
Tally Tally Ho! Ho! Don Don your your jodhpurs jodhpurs grab grab your your crop crop and and mount mount up up -
it ’ s that
time time again. again. The The wily wily fox fox will will be be doing doing his his best best to to keep keep from from being being found
found
on on the the evening evening of of Tuesday, Tuesday, May May 15th. 15th. That That gives gives you you just just two two weeks weeks to
to
either either find find your your hunting hunting goodies goodies or or get get them them made made up up and and ready ready to to put put to
to
the the test. test. That That ’ ’ s s not not to to say, say, that that you you can can ’ ’ t t just just set set out out in in your your mobile
mobile
and and track track track from from within. within.
However, However, the the the majority majority of of
of
successful successful successful hunters hunters hunters
over over the the years years seem seem to to
to
be be making making use use of of
handheld handheld handheld yagis yagis combined
combined
with with an an attenuator attenuator of of
some some sort. sort. The The fox fox has
has
b b e e e e n n e e f f fective fective l l y y
played played played by by by Arnie Arnie Hayward,
Hayward,
NS8T, NS8T, since since since the the club club
began began holding holding annual annual hunts hunts a a
a
few few years years ago. ago. This This year year the the
face face inside inside the the fox fox fox suit suit has been
replaced replaced by by Bruce Bruce Wilson, Wilson, WB8ZSK. WB8ZSK. WB8ZSK. Don Don ’ ’ t t think think think that that the
the
new new guy guy is is is going going to to to take take it it easy easy on on you, you, you, though. though. though. Word Word from the
grapevine grapevine has has it it that that the the expertise expertise of of the the ‘ ‘ old old ’ ’ fox fox has has been been passed
passed
along along to to the the new new one. one. Knowing Knowing Bruce Bruce as as I I do, do, I I have have no no doubt doubt that that the
the
transmitter transmitter will will be be just just as as difficult difficult to to uncover, uncover, if if not not more more so. so. As As in in the
the
past, past, the the hunters hunters will will gather gather at at the the Branch Branch County County 911 911 Center Center and and be
be
preparedprepared to to begin begin the the hunt hunt at at the the sound sound of of the the horn horn at at 7:00 7:00 p.m. p.m. prepre-
cisely. cisely. Joining Joining in in the the hunt hunt this this year year will will be be the the team team of of Larry, Larry, WB8R, WB8R, and
and
Arnie, Arnie, NS8T. NS8T. Come Come along along and and see see if if having having been been the the fox fox plays plays a a part part in
in
being being able able to to find find him him any any faster faster than than the the average average Joe. Joe. See See Foxhunt
Foxhunt
2007 2007 rules rules by by clicking clicking the the link link on on the the website website home home page.
page.

B R A N C H S I G N A L S
Flashback Flashback Photo
Photo
Can Can Can you you name name the the year year that that the the club club club put put a a tri tri-bander tri bander up up 200 200 feet feet for for Field Field Field Day?
Day?
45 45 Years Years Ago Ago Ago This This This Month Month Month - May May 1962
1962
This This meeting meeting “Field “Field day day Preparations” Preparations” was was held held at at 340 340 Marshall Marshall St.. St.. 18 18 members
members
attended. attended. H. H. L. L. Russell Russell assumed assumed chairmanship chairmanship of of Field Field Day Day equipment. equipment. Temporary
Temporary
Equip. Equip. Outline: Outline: 80m 80m—TTI, 80m 80m TTI, 40m 40m—Carl 40m
Carl Hall, 6m 6m—Carl 6m
Carl King, King, AXN AXN—Collins AXN
Collins RCVR, Jeff
Gates Gates—Ranger. Gates Ranger. Tents Tents—H. Tents
H. L. Russell Russell—as Russell
as well as as benches and and table; generator generator—VGO
generator
VGO VGO— VGO
as as as well well as as wire wire poles, poles, poles, beam beam for for for 6m; 6m; antennas antennas—Pepsi antennas antennas Pepsi Cola Cola trailer. Motion to to have Field
Day Day take take the the place place of of the the June June meeting meeting and and adjourn adjourn formally formally until until the the September
September
meeting meeting was was made made by by DUH DUH and and seconded seconded by by DKT. DKT. ZGO, ZGO, DKT DKT and and AXN AXN were were named named as
as
Branch Branch County County County Fair Fair Fair Committee. Committee.
Committee.
20 20 20 Years Years Ago Ago Ago This This This Month Month Month — May May 1987
1987
Happy Happy Heart Heart Run Run—Thanks Run Run Thanks Thanks to to all all that that helped helped out out at at this this year’s year’s Happy Happy Heart Heart Run. Run. The
The
rain rain held held off off and and the the race race was was run run without without mishap. mishap. Thanks Thanks to to the the following following hams hams for
for
helping helping out: out: Ron Ron-N8GTN, Ron N8GTN, Gerald Gerald-N8GTM, Gerald N8GTM, Amos Amos-WA8LGO, Amos WA8LGO, WA8LGO, Lee Lee-KC8QT, Lee KC8QT, Jeff Jeff-WD8PER,
Jeff WD8PER,
Larry Larry-WD8RHU, Larry WD8RHU, Jim Jim-W8MQ, Jim W8MQ, Jim Jim-KS8D, Jim KS8D, KS8D, Ed Ed-WA8HMG Ed WA8HMG WA8HMG and and Gary Gary-N8FUP.
Gary N8FUP.
Steve, Steve, N8CTI, N8CTI, has has found found a a rig rig for for the the digipeater. digipeater. Larry, Larry, WD8RHU WD8RHU and and Steve Steve will will be
be
installing installing the the Azden Azden and and Amos, Amos, WA8LGO WA8LGO is is building building the the power power supply.
supply.
Page 2
HOW OW OW’S OW DX?
DX?
ITALY, ITALY, I. I. I. Members of the ARI
Frascati will be QRV as
IY0ORP from the Geophysical
Observatory at Rocca di Papa
for International Marconi Day.
QSL via I0DJV.
OGASAWARA, OGASAWARA, JD1. JD1. Look for
JM1LJS, JI5RPT and JG7PSJ to
be QRV as JD1BLK, JD1BLY
and JD1BMH, respectively,
from Chichijima Island, IOTA
AS-031, from April 29 to May
4. Activity will be on 160 to 6
meters, including some
satellite activity, using CW,
SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL to
home calls.
SAINT SAINT SAINT MARTIN, MARTIN, FS. FS. John,
K9EL is QRV as FS/K9EL until
May 6 while on family
vacation. Activity will be on 80
to 10 metes using mainly CW
and SSB. QSL to home call.
SCOTLAND, SCOTLAND, GM. GM. Jim, MM0BQI
will be QRV from Shuna, IOTA
EU-008, from April 28 to May
5. He may also be active from
other islands in the area as
well. Activity will be mostly on
80, 40, 30 and 20 meters
using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL
to home call.
DENMARK, DENMARK, OZ. OZ. OZ. Tom, DL4VM
is QRV as OZ/DL4VM/qrp
from the Lighthouse on
Samsoe Island, IOTA EU-172
and WLOTA LH-0726, until
May 5.Activity is on 40, 20
and 15 meters CW using QRP
power. QSL to home call.
CENTRAL CENTRAL AFRICAN AFRICAN REPUBLIC,
REPUBLIC,
TL. TL. Patrice is QRV as TL8PB
and has been active on 20
meters around 1930z. QSL
via LA0HF.
Thanks to the ARRL DX news.

V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 5
H A M F E S T C A L E N D A R
Saturday, Saturday, May May 5th
5th
Cadillac Hamfest
Cadillac Junior High School
Contact: Alton McConnell, N8UL
http://members.fortunecity.com/
wexaukee/index.htm
May May 18th 18th—20th 18th 20th
Dayton Hamvention
Hara Arena
1001 Shiloh Springs Road
Dayton, OH
http://www.hamvention.org/
F R R O O M M A M M A A T T E E U U R R R A A D D I I O O N E E W W S S L L I I N N E
E
REGULATORY REGULATORY NEWS: NEWS: FCC FCC PROPOSES PROPOSES TO TO LOWER LOWER THE THE VANITY VANITY CALL CALL FEE
FEE
Some good news about license fees courtesy of the ARRL. It reports
that the FCC has proposed reducing the regulatory fee to obtain or
retain an Amateur Radio vanity call sign by more than 40 percent
starting later this year.
In a Notice of Proposed Rule Making released April 18th , the
Commission is proposing to cut the fee from its current $20.80 to
$11.70. If ultimately adopted, that would mark the lowest fee in the
history of the current vanity call sign program.
The actual designation of the proposal is titled "Assessment and
Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2007." In it, the FCC
proposes to collect a total nearly $290.3 million in Fiscal Year 2007
from all of its combined regulatory fees. (ARRL)
ASTRONAUT ASTRONAUT BILL BILL BILL MC MC ARTHUR ARTHUR TO TO BE BE AT AT HAMVENTION HAMVENTION 2007
2007
Back on this side of the Atlantic, the Dayton Hamvention and ARRL
have announced that Space shuttle veteran and International Space
Station Expedition 12 commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, will be
attending the 2007 Dayton Hamvention.
McArthur will be the League's guest Hamvention. He will first be the
featured speaker during a private ARRL reception on Thursday, May
17th . He will be on hand all day Friday, May 18th to greet and talk
with visitors to ARRL EXPO 2007 area at the Hamvention.
Hamvention 2007 takes place May 18th to the 20th at Hara Arena
near Dayton, Ohio. More about the event and what's happening this
year is on-line at www.hamvention.org. (Dayton Hamvention, ARRL)
Page 3
V E T E S T S E S S I O N S
May May 5th 5th (12 (12 Noon)
Noon)
Civil Air Patrol Bldg, Lenawee County Airport
Homan Building
Cadmus Road
Adrian, MI 49221
Contact: Kevin L. Brooks
(517) 467-7695
(walk-ins allowed)
Sponsor: Adrian ARC
VEC: ARRL/VEC
June June 16th 16th (10 (10 am) am)
am)
Jackson District Library
244 West Michigan
Jackson, MI 49204
Contact: Richard H McGuire
(517) 782-1430
Email: dickki8c@juno.com
(walk-ins allowed)
Sponsor: Cascades ARC
VEC: W5YI/VEC
June June 28th 28th (7:00 (7:00 (7:00 pm)
pm)
Seventh Day Adventist Church
264 West Michigan
Battle Creek, MI 49015
Contact: Richard F. Holcomb
Email: dicknhlen@aol.com
(269) 969-3026
(walk-ins allowed)
Sponsor: SMARS
VEC: ARRL/VEC
August August 23rd 23rd (7:00 (7:00 (7:00 pm)
pm)
Seventh Day Adventist Church
264 West Michigan
Battle Creek, MI 49015
Contact: Richard F. Holcomb
Email: dicknhlen@aol.com
(269) 969-3026
(walk-ins allowed)
Sponsor: SMARS
VEC: ARRL/VEC

V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 5
Page 4
On On a a recent recent sunny sunny Saturday Saturday afternoon, afternoon, two
two
esteemedesteemed BCARC BCARC members members replaced replaced the the inin-
verted verted verted vee vee vee antenna antenna at at the the 911 911 Center.
Center.
Thanks Thanks to to Bruce, Bruce, Bruce, WB8ZSK WB8ZSK and and Larry, Larry, Larry, WB8R
WB8R
for for their their their work. work. work. (photos courtesy of Arnie,
NS8T)

V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 5
B R A N C H C O U N T Y A . R . C .
Meeting Meeting Every Every Third Third Tuesday
Tuesday
Branch Branch County County Communications Communications Center
Center
At At The The The Branch Branch County County Airport
Airport
7:00 7:00 P.M.
P.M.
Next Club Meeting - Tuesday, May 15th
This month’s club meeting will be superseded by one
of our popular Fox Hunts. Meet in the parking lot of
the 911 Center and be ready to ride at 7:00 p.m. Our
fox this time will be Bruce, WB8ZSK.
J O I N U S O N T H E W E E K L Y T W O M E T E R N E T
T U E S D A Y - 7 : 0 0 P . M . - 1 4 7 . 3 0 0 - A L L W E L C O M E !
N O T E S F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
I don’t want to get too
serious here, but I’d
like to get this off my
chest. I think the
year was 1980, a
year after I got my
novice ticket, when someone
came to me and asked if I’d
be willing to be the publisher
of the club’s newsletter. I’d
never done anything like that
before, but I agreed to give it
a try. Heck, we used a ditto
machine and typewriter at the
time! A couple years later
another member asked if I
would help teach a license
class. Me? Teach a class?
Well I took a step of faith and
said I’d give it a shot. Not long
W E ’ R E O N T H E W E B !
W W W . B R A N C H C O U N T Y A R C . C O M W E
after that I was approached
by the election committee
about running for President.
Aw, what the heck, I’d never
done it before, but I gave it a
try, and I don’t think the club
was too much the worse for it.
Then, the next year . . . well,
you get the picture. What I’m
getting at is that it’s time for
some of you to step up to the
plate. You’ve been enjoying
the hobby and the club and
now it’s time for a payback.
Who knows, you might hit one
out of the park! It doesn’t
take experience (though it
doesn’t hurt), just being willing
to give it a shot. What do
you say? Jim Voss, Voss, W8SST
Page 5
Thanks, Thanks, and and a a tip tip of of the the hat!
hat!
This month’s kudos go out to
Larry Camp, WB8R, and the
crew who gave up a number
of hours the weekend of
April 21st, and 22nd to participate
in the Civil Air Patrol
exercise. While they didn’t
play a pivotal role, it was a
chance to get our name and
capabilities in front of another
agency. Thanks to all
of you who participated!
This This is is a a sample sample of of the the hail hail which which fell fell throughout throughout the
the
countycounty on on the the afternoon afternoon of of May May 1st. 1st. This This photo photo was was subsub-
mitted mitted by by Brad, Brad, K8BPD. K8BPD. It It fell fell at at the the Branch Branch County County Airport
Airport
at at about about 4:45 4:45 p.m. p.m. Peggy Peggy Voss, Voss, N8GTH, N8GTH, collected collected several
several
stones stones measuring measuring over over 1 1 1/4” 1/4” about about 20 20 minutes minutes after after the
the
fall fall and and were were likely likely somewhat somewhat larger larger at at the the time time they they hit
hit
the the ground.
ground.

V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 5
BCARC ARES/RACES
ASSISTS WITH CIVIL
AIR PATROL (CAP)
EXERCISE
Page 6
On On the the weekend weekend of of April April 21st 21st and and 22nd, 22nd, the the Branch Branch County County Amateur Amateur Radio Radio Club’s Club’s ARES/RACES ARES/RACES group group participated participated in in a a multi- multi
phased phased exercise exercise with with the the Michigan Michigan Wing Wing of of the the Civil Civil Air Air Patrol.
Patrol.
The The primary primary focus focus of of the the exercise exercise was was Search Search and and Rescue, Rescue, Damage Damage Assessment Assessment and and Communications. Communications. The The CAP CAP had had a a number
number
of of aircraft aircraft in in Coldwater Coldwater for for the the weekend weekend along along with with lots lots of of personnel personnel and and vehicles. vehicles. Of Of primary primary interest interest to to the the hams hams was was the
the
Communications Communications Trailer, Trailer, complete complete with with it’s it’s own own 70 70 foot foot self self extending extending fold-over fold
overover tower. tower. The The gear gear inside inside was was Icom Icom in in various various flaflavors.vors.
In In addition addition to to the the aircraft aircraft and and VHF VHF equipment equipment and and antennas, antennas, there there was was an an HF HF radio radio and and a a folded folded dipole dipole sloper sloper that that anan-
gled gled down down from from the the top top of of the the the tower.
tower.
On On Saturday Saturday morning, morning, Andrew, Andrew, KD8AGZ KD8AGZ and and Mark, Mark, KD8CYV KD8CYV were were sent sent to to the the northern northern portion portion of of the the county county to to let let the the CAP CAP lo- lolocate cate them them by by air air and and send send in in the the ground ground team team to to “rescue” “rescue” them. them. Mark Mark played played the the role role of of an an injured injured person person (see (see photograph…
photograph…
he sure looked like an old drunk to me!) and Andrew played a limping property owner that was was not sure what what what all all the the fuss fuss was
was
all all about. about. It It did did not not take take long long before before the the folks folks in in camouflage camouflage located located our our guys.
guys.
Saturday Saturday afternoon afternoon we we did did some some “busy “busy work” work” and and primarily primarily worked worked on on our our first first sunburns sunburns of of the the season. season. We We were were asked asked to to se- se-
lect lect 6 6 locations locations for for Sunday Sunday morning’s morning’s missing missing person person searches searches and and for for downed downed aircraft aircraft locating locating exercises.
exercises.
On On Sunday Sunday morning morning we we were were asked asked to to send send out out personnel personnel to to 6 6 locations locations around around the the county county to to provide provide practice practice for for the the CAP
CAP
ground ground teams. teams. Three Three of of our our personnel personnel had had Emergency Emergency Locator Locator Transmitters Transmitters (ELT) (ELT) with with them them and and were were sought sought first first by by air air teams
teams
followed followed by by ground ground teams teams with with direction direction finding finding equipment. equipment. Due Due to to a a reduced reduced number number of of ground ground teams teams available, available, two two of of the
the
ELT’s ELT’s were were located. located. The The direction direction finding finding gear gear that that the the CAP CAP has has has seems seems to to work work well. well. This This was was an an an interesting interesting experience experience to to be
be
the the hunted.
hunted.
All All in in all all we we had had a a good good weekend, weekend, and and while while we we certainly certainly were were not not the the center center of of the the weekend’s weekend’s events, events, we we did did have have the the oppor- oppor-
tunity tunity to to contribute. contribute. Participating Participating was was considered considered to to be be a a relationship relationship building building event event and and a a great great opportunity opportunity for for both both organ organiza- organ iza
tions tions to to learn learn about about each each other other for for future future planning. planning. We We have have a a lot lot to to offer offer the the CAP CAP and and likewise likewise we we can can learn learn a a lot lot from from them them. them .
Your Your leadership leadership team team is is looking looking forward forward to to the the next next chance chance we we have have to to “play” “play” with with the the CAP.
CAP.
Many Many thanks thanks to to the the following following individuals individuals for for taking taking the the time time to to join join us: us: KC8YUN, KC8YUN, KD8EPV, KD8EPV, KD8CYV, KD8CYV, KD8EWY, KD8EWY, KC8ZDA,
KC8ZDA,
KD8ATL, KD8ATL, KC8ZFT, KC8ZFT, KC8ZFR, KC8ZFR, NS8T, NS8T, K8BPD, K8BPD, KC8PRM, KC8PRM, KD8AGZ, KD8AGZ, WD8MGF, WD8MGF, and and WB8R.
WB8R.
We We appreciate appreciate everyone’s everyone’s participation participation in in all all ARES/RACES ARES/RACES activities.
activities.
Larry Larry Camp, Camp, WB8R, WB8R, Branch Branch County County Emergency Emergency Coordinator/Races Coordinator/Races Officer
Officer