S.H.A.R.C. Newsletter March 2001 |
MARCHING ON!
I am always learning new "tools" when it comes to being a
good ham. This is the nature of the "best!" (Insert "Beast" in my
case!) Hi! What is amazing are the avenues and angles that Murphy's Law takes when
you "think" you might be prepared for a disaster or two. For me, the month of
February was a very rude awakening for me. I learned something that I had not considered.
The effect of losing friends who were hams had a giant impact on my
ability to function and not become emotional to the point where it affected my performance
in other matters. If this was the case for me when there is no disaster other than the
loss of a good ham friend, I can only dread having to function in a disaster where many of
my ham friends might be lost or in distress.
I have a place where I can "stuff" all emotion until a more
suitable time arrives and I sure hope I can call upon that "place" in my mind if
I need to do so. I am not so sure as I was a month ago that "This mindset" will
be there for me as it has in the past.
So with that said, please consider this in your "scenarios"
for disaster. It was one that I had not considered until I saw my own reaction to the loss
of two good hams in my life.
MARCHING ON! | |
Jack Foster, KM6TE, and Jerry Wilson, KF6IBP, should be happy and proud as their efforts have produced 8 new hams! Kim, KG6BFO, has now joined the ranks as General Class licensee! Bravo everyone involved! |
MARATHON IN MAY
The Spring Marathon through the Avenue of the Giants always marks the
start of the "busy season" for ham activity. My assumption is the race will be
on the Saturday of the weekend of Mother's Day. I ask, "What better place to enjoy a
"tailgate" picnic and serve your community in a positive way?" It DOES
benefit our club to have SHARC members helping with the marathons. So please consider
helping out on the upcoming race. Contact Cory Allen, KN6ZU for details and assignment.
707-834-2147 (weekends preferred)
KEYBOARD KIM
Not to start a "nickname"(HI!), but Kim Cabrera, KG6BFO, has
taken over the SHARC WEB PAGE and it looks great! Good links! Good Job! It's looking
great! Thanks Kim!
SUBMISSIONS
I would like to move up the deadline date for the SHARC Byte News to
the 5th of each month. This might help get the newsletter out with the "news you
need" in time for it to do some good. Let me know if you have some reason not to do
so.
Cory Allen, KN6ZU, Editor
SILENT KEY
It is with the deepest sadness that I must report the loss of one of
the greatest hams in our area. Les Rienke, N6AFT has passed on.
This man was my mentor in the world of digital ham communications and I
was not the only ham that received help in so many ways from this fine person!
Les would never loose his patience or become impatient with me as I
stumbled along trying to find a letter on the keyboard or didn't understand something. He
had the most contagious laugh and that is what stands out in my mind when I think of Les.
Laughing was a continuous event as long as I was with Les. I will miss
him so badly it stings like an ice storm.
Every time I use the Grasshopper VIP Repeater, 147.330, I am reminded
of Les's dedication to perfection! Please tell me of one "stand alone" repeater
with better coverage, clarity, and reliability. I will be surprised if you can find one
around here!
Do you know who brought Packet Nodes to the mountaintops around this
area and kept them running for as long as there has been packet? N6AFT! That's who!
Do you know who put the first APRS Node in Humboldt County? N6AFT!
My first PSK contact on VHF was with Les and Joe, KA6ROM.
No person will ever be able to fill his shoes in my book. He was the
"perfect ham." Always helpful, kind, never a harsh word about anything; quietly
putting together some of the most important systems we have on the hills and never a
request for any financial help. Nope. No one will ever take the place of my good friend
and mentor.
If anyone knows any way to soften the blow of losing such fine people
as Les please write me as I am having an awful time excepting these recent losses.
What I guess I'll miss most is the chance to learn, laugh, languish,
laugh, learn, and laugh some more. That was a given at Les's Satellite Station. My
condolences and prayers are with his wife, Carol and his family.
Southern Humboldt Amateur
Radio Club
Minutes of January 23, 2001
President Leland Smith W6CLG brought the meeting to order at 1905 Hours
The following members were present:
Margaret Brown Past President KE6FBP
Jack Foster Treasurer KM6TE
Jerry Wilson Secretary KF6IBP
Kim Cabrera KG6BFO
Gladys Smith KD6IBF
Todd Barton KF6KBX
AGENDA accepted as presented
PREVIOUS MINUTES approved as printed in the SHARC newsletter.
TREASURER'S REPORT There is $424.03 in the Savings Account and $585.19 in
the Equipment Fund. 16 have paid their dues for 2001
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Repeaters: Jack is going to do some work on the 146.790 to 146.940 link. Jerry reports problems with the 146.610 - an intermittent popping when transmitting but the others on the FWRA net do not hear it so it must be the 610 transmitter only. Jack opines that it is interference from another transmitter that is sending at the same time. We need to observe the problem when someone is at the transmitter site.
Antennas: No Report
Event Communications: Jack and Jerry participated in a area wide hospital communications drill January 24 - voice only. The drill was satisfactory on our part. Some of the other stations had some difficulty, but finally everybody got through.
Disaster Preparedness Committee will meet January 26.
Neither Jack nor Jerry can attend. The conference room at the Public Health Building,
which has been designated at the Garberville OES Command Post, is now being used by
"Job Market" as a training center, making it difficult to install any
communications gear. Jack and Jerry did install an antenna and coax line but all the other
gear is still at the Fire House where it will remain until we can make a more secure
installation at the Command Post.
OLD BUSINESS: The Tech License Class starts Tuesday January 30.
NEW BUSINESS:
Donation to the Senior Center for use for the Tech
Class.
Jerry MOVED that we donate $50. SECOND by Todd. PASSED unanimously.
Monday Night Net Control Prize The consensus was that we should continue the prize.
OPEN FORUM: The Web Page that had been brought to date by Kim was
displayed by Margaret and was appreciated by all, especially the animated shark and radio.
Jack requested some additional changes be made.
DOOR PRIZE: Margaret won a "Gadget Bag"
ADJOURNMENT: 2015 hours
Respectfully submitted J.R.Wilson KF6IBP, Secretary
Southern Humboldt Amateur
Radio Club
Minutes of February 28, 2001
President Leland Smith W6CLG brought the meeting to order at 1905 Hours
The following members were present:
A moment of silence was held in honor of Margaret KE6FBP SK
AGENDA: accepted as presented
PREVIOUS MINUTES: Amend the January Minutes to include the new members of
the Board:
Approved as amended.
TREASURER'S REPORT: There is $599.80 in the Savings Account and $585.19
in the Equipment Fund. 20 have paid their dues for 2001
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Repeaters: No reported problems
Antennas: No Report
Event Communications: No events.
Disaster Preparedness Committee will have a work party on March 9 from 1 to 3.
OLD BUSINESS: License Exam for all Classes will be held Tuesday March 6
starting with a code exam at 6:30 and the Tech class at 7:00.
NEW BUSINESS:
Newsletter: Without the Telepal facility there was discussion about making the newsletter smaller to save on copying cost.
Board vacancy: We need to fill Margaret's position on the Board. The
Bylaws say "Vacancies shall be filled by a special election at the first regular
meeting after the membership has been notified, in writing, of the vacancy. Nominations
shall be taken from the floor, nominees are members in good standing and are willing to
serve. Election shall be by the largest number of votes cast." Jack suggested that
last year's nominee who lost be nominated for the seat. Notice shall be made in the
newsletter.
Club Meeting Date: Since Margaret is no longer with us and we will not be
using the Telepal office for meetings, Jerry suggested that the club meet the usual day,
the 4th Tuesday of the month. Since the 4th Tuesday is written into the Bylaws, it was
felt that a formal Board Motion was not required.
New Meeting Place: The Garberville Fire Protection District has kindly allowed us to use their meeting room at the Fire Hall for our monthly meeting. President Leland instructed the Secretary to send a letter to the District thanking them.
OPEN FORUM: Kim KG6BFO will take over the Web site. www.sharc-ca.org
DOOR PRIZE: Ron won a package of electrical compression fittings.
ADJOURNMENT 19:50 hours
Respectfully submitted J.R.Wilson KF6IBP, Secretary
MORE MONEY NEEDED
The SHARC Club needs your financial help. Please remember to invite
others to join. All donations are welcome as well.
SHARC P.O. Box 701 Redway, CA 95560 |
The FWRA (Far West Repeater Association) has no other funding than the
support of the ham community. This linked repeater system is still a very valuable asset
and I hope you can muster up an extra $20.00 ($25.00 for the entire family) for the yearly
dues for FWRA. Their mailing address is:
FWRA P.O. Box 3881 Eureka, CA 95502-3881 |
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