SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1951 Q5

DOWNEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MARCH 2010

VOLUME XXIX #3

SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1951

NVIS - The Ultimate Backup in Reliable Re-gional Communication This month’s presentation will be on a propagation style that many of us have never heard of: Near-Vertical-Incident Sky-wave, or NVIS. Hosted by Marty Woll, N6VI. We will learn how Hams involved in public-service communications have a tool that doesn't depend on repeaters or other infrastructure: HF using NVIS. This presentation describes the propagation characteristics, antenna choices and band selection involved in utilizing HF for regional communication. Marty is a Ham’s Ham. Currently serving as the Assis-

tant Director for the ARRL’s Southwestern Division,

Marty has participated in numerous DXpeditions, regu-

larly conducts training in emergency preparedness and

auxiliary communication and is active in many commu-

nity organizations contesting and is a volunteer exam-

iner.

For more on Marty see his Web site http://

www.n6vi.com/

Here’s some more info on NVIS thanks to Wikipedia:

Near Vertical Incidence Skywave, or NVIS, is a radio-wave propagation method that provides usable signals in the range between groundwave and skywave dis-tances (usually 30 to 400 miles, or 50 to 650 km).

It is used mainly for military and paramilitary communi-cations and by radio amateurs. The radio waves travel upwards into the ionosphere, where they are refracted back down and can be received within a circular region up to 650 km from the transmitter. If the frequency is too high, refraction fails to occur and if it is too low absorp-tion reduces the signal strength.

The usable frequencies for NVIS communications are between 1.8 MHz and 15 MHz [around 160 meters to 20 meters -ed]. The most common bands used in ama-teur radio are 3.5 MHz and 7 MHz, with experimental use of 5 MHz (60 meters) frequencies. Military NVIS communications mostly take place on 2-4 MHz at night and on 5-7 MHz during daylight. The lowest layer of the ionosphere, called the D layer, causes attenuation of low frequencies during the day. This layer disappears at night enabling improved communications at the lower frequencies during this time

An NVIS antenna configuration is a horizontally polar-ized (parallel with the surface of the earth) radiating ele-ment that is from 1/20th wavelength (λ) to 1/8th wave-length above the ground. That proximity to the ground forces the majority of the radiation to go straight up. Overall efficiency of the antenna can be increased by placing a ground wire slightly longer than the antenna parallel to and directly underneath the antenna. While the ground wire is not necessary under good to excel-lent propagation conditions, antenna gain in the 3 dB to 6 dB range are common when the ground wire is used.

Significant increases in communication will be realized when both the transmitting station and the receiving station use NVIS configuration for their antennas.

NVIS is most useful in mountainous areas where line-of-sight propagation at VHF or UHF frequencies is inef-fective or when the communication distance is beyond ground wave (more than 50 miles, 80 km) and less than sky-wave (300 to 1500 miles, 500 to 2500 km).

Q5 PAGE 2

http://www.downeyarc.org

THE DOWNEY

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

P.O. Box 207

Downey, CA 90241

Q5 Staff

Editor

John Powell, KF6EOJ jpowell@csulb.edu Phone: (562) 862-4608 Alt Phone: (562) 985-8610

Associate Editors

Dave Buhler WB6ZGF Phone: (562) 861-6069 wb6zgf1@verizon.net John Schroeder, N6QQ Phone (562) 404-1112 n6qq@msn.com

Electronic Publishing

Rick Norwood,KD6KHJ Phone: (562) 865-5750 kd6khj@arrl.net

Permission to copy material from the Q5 is granted provided that

credit is given to the “DARC Q5”.

Q5, as in: a signal that is perfectly readable, hence the name of our newsletter. We hope you agree.

Club Officers President Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ Phone: (562) 865-5750 kd6khj@arrl.net First Vice President Ron Eveland, W6QM Phone: (562) 860-3623 w6qm@msn.com VP Programs Dave Glenn

Phone: (562) 928-8560 n6teb@arrl.net

VP Membership Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI Phone: (562) 928-1775 ke6gfi@arrl.net VP Service Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF Phone: (562) 861-6069 wb6zgf1@verizon.net VP Ways and Means Steve Hartranft, KI6SUF Phone: 562-923-0070 grandpasjh@aol.com Secretary Delight Miller, WB6WWI Phone: 323-559-2100 delightm@verizon.net Treasurer (interim) Frank Myllo, KC6YPV Phone: 562-860-4045 kc6ypv@arrl.net Director (One Year) Buck Kerns, AE6DT Phone:(562) 634-8441 ae6dt@arrl.net Director (Two Years) Frank Myllo, KC6YPV Phone: 562-860-4045 kc6ypv@arrl.net Trustee, W6TOI Tom VanBuskirk, K6TV Phone: (562) 861-3085 tomk6tv@cs.com

Looking for an Elmer?

Here are a few resources that can get you going: Bill Heather, KB6WKT, 562 863-6607 kb6wkt@arrl.net, Helping Hams, Contesting Ivan Mikulich, KB6ATT, 562 862-4592 kb6att@att.net, Helping Hams, Field Trips Glenn Allen, KE6HPZ, 562 928-2080 ke6hpz@ham-radio.com, Microwave Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF, 562 861-6069 wb6zgf1@verizon.net, Net Control, Public Service, Emergency Communications Harold ‘Buck’ Kerns, AE6DT, 562 634-8441 ae6dt@arrl.net, Public Service John Schroeder, N6QQ, 562 404-1112 n6qq@msn.com, Contesting, DXing, DXCC and WAS Card Checker

When and where we meet:

We normally meet the first Thursday of each month at 1930 hrs in room 120 of

the First Baptist Church in Downey. The church is between 2nd and 3rd

streets, near City Hall, address is 8348 E. 3rd St. Use 2nd St, east from

Downey Ave (1 block north of Firestone Bl), adjacent to City Hall. Entrance via

double glass doors on the north side of 2nd St.

Swap Meet Information:

CHHS Electronics Swap Meet

Chino Hills High School

16150 Pomona Rincon Rd

Chino Hills, CA

Held the third Saturday of each month, 06:30 to 11:30 AM

W6TRW Swap Meet

Northrop Grumman Parking Lot

Corner of Marine and Aviation

Manhattan Beach, CA

Held the last Saturday of each month, 07:00 to 11:30 AM

Talk-In 145.320, PL 114.8

Affiliations:

Affiliated ARRL Club

ARRL Special Service Club

Los Angeles Area Council of Amateur Radio Clubs

Orange County Council of Amateur Radio Organizations

Club Frequencies:

Simplex: 145.595 MHz*

440 Repeater #1: 445.640 (-) PL 156.7 Hz*

440 Repeater #2: 445.640 (-) PL 88.5 Hz

* See Calendar for Net Schedule

Q5 PAGE 3

Minutes of the D.A.R.C. General Meeting – February 4, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 1930 by President, Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ with a group of 32 persons. The group was led in the pledge of allegiance by John Schroeder, N6QQ.

Presentation: “Baker to Vegas, The Challenge Cup Relay” presented by Joy Matlack, KD6JFV

A Certificate of Recognition for Public Service in 2009 was presented to Buck Kerns, AE6DT, by President, Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ.

(Continued on page 4)

This year’s tour will be held on Saturday March 6th. and is also the 25th anniversary of the event.

We will need 25 to 30 people to assist with positions at the various stages, shad-ows, sag wagon and command post.

This is a fun and interesting activity for the club to participate in. It is also a good opportunity to test your equip-ment and your in the field operating skills

For participating you will receive a col-orful tee shirt commemorating the event, a great lunch as well as the sat-isfaction of knowing you helped out a worthy organization.

Those interested in helping out, please contact:

Buck Kerns, ae6dt@arrl.net

Rick Norwood, kd6khj@arrl.net

There will also be a sign-up sheet at the February and March club meetings. We need everyone's assis-tance for this event.

Consultant: Larry Vaughn, mr.vaughn@verizon.net

Tour de Sewer

The walk is a 1 or 3 mile walk supporting adults and children with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

For many years DARC has assisted the walk by having members sta-tioned at various locations along the routes net control station at the Stonewood Center, sag wagon and shadows for some walk officials.

This years walk takes place on Sat-urday March 27th and starts at 0800 and goes to about 1000. At

the conclusion of the walk everyone is treated to a breakfast provided by the Acapulco Restaurant.

We can use15 to 20 people for this event. Those interested in helping out, please contact:

Buck Kerns, ae6dt@arrl.net

Rick Norwood, kd6khj@arrl.net

There will also be a sign-up sheet at the February and March club meetings.

ARC Walk

Q5 PAGE 4

From page 3

The Treasurer’s Report, as it appeared in the Q5, was approved.

The Minutes of the last General Meeting, as they appeared in the Q5, were approved.

Frank Hornbeger, N6ZDS, comments on unfilled Treasurer Position. The work load for Treasurer is not like it used to be. I will be leaving next month, March 31st. I plan on traveling and need someone to step up and take the position. Please contact Rick, if you are interested.

Tour de Sewer will be on March 6th. We need about 10- 15 people. Sign up over on desk.

ARC Walk will be March 27 and is 2 to 2.5 hours long. We need 15 people. Sign up over on desk.

Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI, Kid’s Day The future of our hobby is with the younger generation. On May 8th the City of Downey will have Kids Day. It is a chance to show the young people what radio is. We need to provide an exhibit. Anyone interested see me.

Boy Scouts Jamboree on the 3rd week-end of October information is on the ARRL web site. Are any of you in-terested? A number of hands went up.

Refreshment Survey results showed 48% want soda, 36% want water or fruit, 80% for cookies and 8% wanted snacks. There were 14 members who responded that they would be willing to bring the goodies for one meet-ing. I will put together a list and you will be able to sign up for an evening.

New Club Pamphlet is being printed, according to Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ.

Joy Matlack, KD6JFV, mentioned that the LA area Council meets on the odd numbered months, the first Tues-day. At 6 PM members have dinner at the Grinder and meeting is at 7 PM. It would be nice to have a member from this Club to represent the Clubs interest.

Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI, reminded members of the VE session on February 20, which will be held at the Downey Fire Station #1 located on Paramount Blvd. If additional members would like to be examiners contact Arlene.

10/10 Winter Phone Contest is this weekend.

Drawing: Larry Tinkler, K6LXT, conducted the drawing. The winners and items were: ARRL Repeater Direc-tory- Ron Eveland, W6QM; QRP Power book- Frank Myers, N6ATU; Weller Soldering Iron- John Johnson, W6NH and MFJ 392B Headphones- Ray Olesen, AD6AF.

The meeting was adjourned at 2045.

Respectfully submitted, Delight Miller, WB6WWI, Secretary

Q5 PAGE 5

Treasurer’s Report—Income

Treasurer’s Report— Expense

2009 - 2010 Jan 10 YEAR-TO-DATE ANNUAL (OVER)/UNDER

ACTUAL ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET

INCOME

Dues $20.00 $180.00 $1,100.00 $920.00

Misc.Income

Yard Sale $0.00 $400.00 $400.00

Other $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Donations $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Fund Raisers $0.00 $500.00 $500.00

Total Income $20.00 $180.00 $2,000.00 $1,820.00

2009-2010 Jan 10 (OVER)/

ACTUAL YTD ANNUAL UNDER

ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET

EXPENDITURES

Repeater Phone Line $21.83 $40.24 $225.00 $184.76

Club Bulletin

Printing $0.00 $200.00 $200.00

Supplies $0.00 $30.00 $30.00

Postage $61.00 $61.00 $60.00 ($1.00)

Committees

Award $0.00 $70.00 $70.00

Membership $0.00 $20.00 $20.00

Publicity & Public Relations $109.75 $109.75 $30.00 ($79.75)

Sunshine $0.00 $25.00 $25.00

Equipment/Maintenance $0.00 $350.00 $350.00

Events

Christmas Party $0.00 $25.00 $25.00

Field Day $0.00 $50.00 $50.00

Luncheon $4.80 $150.00 $145.20

Special Events $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Fund Raisers $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Insurance $0.00 $350.00 $350.00

Officers' Expenses

Board Members $0.00 $150.00 $150.00

Treasurer $0.00 $25.00 $25.00

Other Organizations

Dues $0.00 $10.00 $10.00

P.O. Box Rental $0.00 $80.00 $80.00

Refreshments, Meetings $0.00 $150.00 $150.00

Total Expenditures $192.58 $215.79 $2,000.00 $1,784.21

Q5 PAGE 6

Treasurer’s Report— Summary

March Birthdays

Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF, 5th

Kenneth Carlson, N6SWO, 7th

Jack Gardner, KE6PD, 21st

Happy Birthday to All!

DOWNEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

TREASURER'S REPORT

Jan-10

SUMMARY

CHECKING-WA MUTUAL $8,380.90

BALANCE AS OF Dec 31, 2009

INCOME $20.00

EXPENDITURES $192.58

Raffle (Month) $16.00

Raffle (Total Holdings) $163.97

Brunch (Month) ($4.25)

Brunch (Total Holdings) $45.75

Club Merchandise (Month) $121.50

Club Merchandise (Total Holdings) $19.56

CHECKING-WA MUTUAL

BALANCE AS OF Jan 31, 2010 $8,341.57

Q5 PAGE 7

To page 8

Minutes of the D.A.R.C. Board of Directors Meeting – February 9, 2010

Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ , President called the meeting to order at 1930 hrs in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Downey Fire Station #1.

Officers Reports:

President: Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ – No Report

1st VP: Ron Eveland, W6QM – No Report

VP Programs: Dave Glenn, N6TEB – Discussed the presentation by Joy and stated that Marty Woll will pre-sent, Near Vertical Communications

VP Membership: Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI – No Report

VP Service: Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF - Absent

VP Way & Means: Steve Hartranft, KI6SUF –He will take orders for shirts, etc at next General Meeting and accept money when shirts are delivered.

Secretary: Delight Miller, WB6WWI – No Report

Treasurer: Frank Hornbeger, N6ZDS – No Report

Director One Year: Buck Kerns, AE6DT – No Report

Director Two Year: Frank Myllo, KC6YPV – No Report

Agenda Topics:

1. Tour de Sewer- March 6th. Need additional people to sign up. Discussion on obtaining members.

2. Kid’s Day- Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI stated she had three people who volunteered to assist: Steve Har-tranft, KI6SUF, Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF, and Larry Tinkler, K6LXT.

3. ARC Walk- is March 27, starts at 0800 still getting sign ups.

4. Booth at Street Fair- Discussed.

5. EOC Radio Room - Buck Kerns, AE6DT, Motorola gave bid of $10,000 to set up room. Discussion concern-ing the Club doing set up and construction of cross arms for current tower.

6. JOTA- Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI will contact the Boy Scout Leaders.

7. Los Angeles Area Council of Amateur Radio Clubs (LAACARC) our representative to this group is Sam Lol-lar, K1SL. To belong costs $10.00. Board authorized the expense.

8. New Treasurer- Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ , President appointed Frank Myllo, KC6YPV to be the new Treas-urer.

9. Refreshment Survey- Budget is $15 - $20 per meeting. Dave Glenn will contact the members who stated they would bring refreshments.

Old Business:

1. By-Laws- No report this month.

2. DRMC- No report

3. New VE - Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI, stated that Ray Wheatley, AE6XC is a new examiner.

4. Brochure- Printed 250 at a cost of $109.00.

5. Batteries- Rick will check on batteries.

Q5 PAGE 8

From page 7

ARRL Membership and Renewals

Just a reminder to current club members and new members, the DARC will accept new memberships to the American Radio Relay League as well as renewals of memberships. We can provide the forms. When you renew through the club, the club receives a club commission from the ARRL. We know that many members’ ARRL dues generally become due in August because of our past practices in hosting ARRL night at club meetings in August. Questions about this program may be directed to Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI, ke6gfi@arrl.net.

Next General Meeting: 03.04.10

Next Board Meeting: 03.09.10

The meeting was adjourned at 2015 hrs.

Respectfully submitted,

Delight Miller, WB6WWI

Secretary

New Q5 Style Guideline on its Way

Pending approval by the Board, a new style guideline for submitting articles and information to the Q5 will be available on our Web site. Its an update of one that’s been around for a long time and we’ll try adhering to it to provide a uniform look to our newsletter. Stay tuned for a QST about it.

John Powell, KF6EOJ, Editor, “Q5”

Articles Needed for Q5

Many times I’ve finished the main submissions for the “Q5”, only to find that there are blank spaces, or whole blank pages. This issue is no exception (as I write this there’s a whole blank page yet to be filled). So if you have an article to submit, contact me and I’ll see if space is available.

Contests? Projects? Your sad tale about being a Rover, or even one of success? Write it up! Send it! You too could be in print.

John Powell, KF6EOJ, Editor, “Q5

jpowell@csulb.edu

QST is simply the source for news and information on any topic that's part of, or relates to, Amateur Radio. Here's some of what you'll find every month:

• Informative and hard-hitting Product Reviews of the newest radios and accessories from hand-held and mobile FM radios, to home-station transceivers, antennas and even shortwave radios.

• Advertisements. You'll find everything from full-color pages introducing new radios to a large classified ad section.

• Each month's Coming Conventions and Hamfest Calendar columns show you who's getting together every month at Hamfests, conventions and swap meets in your area.

• The Public Service column keeps you up to date on the public service efforts hams are providing around the country and shows you how you can join in this satisfying aspect of our hobby.

• Digital Dimension covers news in the Amateur Radio digital world and includes information on useful Web sites.

• The New Ham Companion section is filled with features and how-to information just for beginning hams. There's no jargon-filled "tech talk"--just straightforward, easy-to-understand articles designed to get you on the air doing the things you like best.

Whether you're interested in contesting, DXing, or radios, accessories and antennas you can build at home, QST covers them all: New trends and the latest technology, fiction, humor, news, club activities, rules and regulations, special events, packet radio, and much more.

QST, Your Monthly ARRL Membership Journal

http://www.arrl.org

Q5 PAGE 9

February Meeting Photos

Q5 PAGE 10

Con’t next page

March 2010 DX

By Mike Gauthier, K6ICS

2-14-2010

March Propagation Outlook

Increasing sunspot activity continues. A glance at the image from the STEREO mission (http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/) shows a string of active regions in the Sun's northern hemisphere, both visible and over the horizon on the far side. It is almost spring and the lower bands propagation has passed its peak. Back-ground noise on all bands will remain low. With longer daylight hours 17-15 meters will have increased open-ings. There will be more spot openings on 12-10 meters. Get ready for a great DX summer.

March DX

ANTARCTICA, R1ANP. Mike, RW1AI is on the air from the club station R1ANP at Progress Station and will be there for about a year, while on work assignment. QSL RW1AI.

ARUBA, P48LY. Russ, K6KLY, will be going to Aruba at the end of March. His expected call should be P49LY and he will be operating from March 25th to 30th with activity on 160 through 6 meters. QSL via KB6NAN.

GREENLAND, OX3QM. Fred, KB4DMQ is on the air as OX3QM from Thule for one year. He is currently ac-tive on 40 meters. QSL to KB4DMQ.

MOROCCO, CN10NY. To celebrate the New Year 2010 the special event station CN10NY is on the air until March 18, 2010. QSL via EA7FTR.

MOZAMBIQUE, C91J. John, ZS5J is currently operating as C91J from Bilene. Lately he has been active on 40 meters CW. QSL via ZS5J.

NEW CALEDONIA, FK/VK2DON & FK/W3HQ.. VK2DON, Don & W3HQ Curt, plan to operate from Lifou, Loyalty Islands (OC-033), New Caledonia from May 13-16. They will operate on 7, 10 and 14 MHz. QSL via W3HQ.

ST. MAARTEN, PJ7B. Bill, W8EB, will be operating from St. Maarten Island as PJ7B until March 21, 2010. He'll be on CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via W8EB.

SARDINIA, IS0R. Members of the Radio Club de Provins (F6KOP) plan to be operating as IS0R from Isola Rossa, Sardinia from May 7 to 15. Activity will be on 1.8 through 50 MHz running three stations on HF and one on 6 Meters. They will operate on CW, SSB and RTTY.

UGANDA, 5X7JD. Jack, NP2OR is operating as 5X7JD from Masaka until May 25. He is active on 40 and 20 meters using SSB every day from 0500 to 1550z. QSL via NP2OR.

WAKE ISLAND, KH9/WA2YUN. Colin, WA2YUN is operating as KH9/WA2YUN for about one year while on work assignment. He is active in his spare time. QSL via K2PF.

Q5 PAGE 11

Thank you to: the OPDX Bulletin, DXNL, NC1L, 425 DX News, and the ARRL for the information.

DARC Member DXCC Count

N6QQ 338 MIXED, 321 SSB, 295 CW, 222 RTTY, 6BDXCC, 5BWAS, 3052 WPX,

WA6RTA 328 Phone (AM & SSB)

KB6ATT 305 Mixed, 60 CW

K6ICS 295 Mixed, 288 Phone (AM & SSB), 164 Mixed on 40 Meters

K6TV 206 SSB, 126 QRP, 110 CW, 215 Mixed

W3OB 150 Mixed

W6TOI 174 Mixed

WA6OUD 129 Phone on 10 Meters

K6EH 57 on 30 Meters CW

I am interested in receiving DX reports for this column, one contact or many. e-mail: k6ics@arrl.net

From page 9

Q5 PAGE 12

Information from the ARRL Web Site (refer to the ARRL Website for full stories)

And in case you were wondering, like Editor wasP...

ARRL DX Phone Contest Brings DX in Full Force to the HF Bands! (Feb 24, 2010) -- With the 2010 ARRL International DX CW Contest now history, the first weekend in March brings the next round of com-petition: the 2010 ARRL International DX Phone Contest. Like its CW predecessor, this event focuses on DX stations working all US states and Canadian provinces, while US and Canadian amateurs try to work as many DX countries as possible over the 48 hour contest period.

The K7RA Solar Update (Feb 19, 2010) -- We've now observed sunspots continuously for the past 30 days -- certainly a turnaround from the quiet conditions of the past few years. In fact, in 10 weeks, we have seen only three days with no sunspots: December 25, January 6 and January 19. This is a little more than 4 per-cent no-sunspot days, a nice contrast with all of 2009, with more than 71 percent days with no sunspots. Sunspot numbers for February 11-17 were 64, 38, 37, 28, 27, 28 and 49, with a mean of 38.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 94.2, 95.5, 94.1, 89.4, 87.6, 86.8 and 86.9, with a mean of 90.6. The estimated planetary A indices were 5, 6, 3, 4, 14, 9 and 4, with a mean of 6.4. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 4, 2, 3, 8, 11 and 2 with a mean of 4.9. Since the first of the year, the average weekly sunspot numbers were 14.6, 26.4, 18.6, 28, 14.6, 43.3 and 38.7.

Calling All Rookies -- and Non-Rookies, Too! Get On the Air for the ARRL Rookie Roundup (Feb 18, 2010 [REVISED Feb 25, 2010 10:48 ET]) -- The ARRL Rookie Roundup is designed to help newly licensed amateurs build their operating skills on HF. It is a contest specifically for those new to Amateur Radio, similar to the ARRL Novice Roundup that ran from 1952 until 1995. The Rookie Roundup brings the fun and Elmer-ing of the old Novice Roundup into the 21st century. Three Rookie Roundups will be held each calendar year. In 2010, look for the ARRL Rookie Roundup from 1800-2359 UTC on April 18 (SSB), August 15 (RTTY) and December 19 (CW).

March W1AW/West Coast Qualifying Run Schedules (Feb 18, 2010) -- The March schedules for the W1AW and West Coast Qualifying Runs were inadvertently left out of the March issue of QST. The March schedules for W1AW are as follows: Friday, March 5 at 10 PM EST (Saturday, March 6 at 0300 UTC) for 10-25 WPM and Tuesday, March 16 at 7 PM EDT (2300 UTC) for 10-40 WPM. The West Coast Qualifying run will be transmitted by station K6KPH on Saturday, March 13 at 2 PM PDT (2200 UTC) for 10-35 WPM. The run will be transmitted simultaneously on 3581.5, 7047.5, 14047.5, 18097.5 and 21067.5 kHz.

Launch of New ARRL Web Site Delayed to "Get it Right" (Feb 24, 2010) -- After meeting with ARRL staff on February 23 -- two days before the new ARRL Web site was to launch -- ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, made the decision to delay the unveiling of the Web site until late March. "Work on the new ARRL Web site has progressed at a frantic pace but there are still some potential 'bugs' that could affect members. We need to be sure we get it right," Kramer said. "Our members' security, information and ability to actually use of all the options on the new site outweigh any rush to meet an artificial deadline. It's just good customer service." Full Story

Q5 PAGE 13

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31

SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

SINCE 1951

DARC Annual Membership

Single: $20 Associate: $10

Maximum for Family: $35

Make checks payable to “DARC”,

Send to: DARC Membership

PO Box 207

Downey, CA 90240

Ever want to be a writer?

Do you have an idea for an article for the Q5? Remember, this is OUR newsletter, about OUR hobby. Please submit articles to: John Pow-ell, KF6EOJ, jpowell@csulb.edu

DARC INFORMATION

VE Exams

The Downey Ama-teur Radio Club provides VE exami-nations for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses on the third Saturday of each even-numbered month.

Exams are held at the Downey Fire De-partment Headquarters, 12222 Para-mount Boulevard, beginning at 0830 hrs The upcoming dates are:

April 17th

June 19th

Contact Steve Grudzinski, AD6HT at 951-674-4699 prior to the session.

The ARRL/VEC test fee is $15.00 for all tests. The fee is controlled by the FCC but goes to the ARRL to cover their ex-penses in providing the tests and han-dling the applications.

After the test session please wait 10 days before contacting the ARRL at (860) 594-0300 or http://www.qrz.com/callsign for new license information. Please do not call the FCC directly.

Downey Amateur Radio Club PO Box 207 Downey, CA 90240

Website:

http://www.downeyarc.org

PLACE MAILING LABEL HERE

PLACE POSTAGE

STAMP HERE

Saturday

Breakfast Location

7900 Florence Ave Downey, CA

(562) 927-6713