SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1951 Q5

DOWNEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB MARCH 2009

VOLUME XXVII I #3

SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1951

March Birthdays

Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF, 5th

Kenneth Carlson, N6SWO, 7th

Jack Gardner, KE6PD, 21st

Happy Birthday To All!

Upcoming Events

As there are a large number of upcoming events the Planning Calendar from the DARC Board is presented here as well. Volunteer for one, for all!

Planning Calendar:

1. Baker 2 Vegas will be March 14th and 15th 2. Tour De Sewer will be on March 21st

3. ARC Walk will be on March 28th 4. Kid’s Day will be May 9th 5. Yard Sale will be May 23rd 6. ARRL Field Day June 27-28th

Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th

No guest speaker info for March

At “press time” there was no information on who would be our guest speaker for March. Lacking a VP of Programs this puts the burden on us. As in all of us, the members of DARC.

So, if you have a lead on a guest presenter please forward the information to the Board so they can make arrangements. That applies to members themselves, if you have a presentation by all means, “come on down”!

How about a presentation on rare DX? Anyone able to do a live satellite QSO?

How about live Amateur TV?

So put your thinking caps on come up with some suggestions.

-The Editor

?

Q5 PAGE 2

http://www.downeyarc.org

THE DOWNEY

AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC.

P.O. Box 207

Downey, CA 90241

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 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 Sam Loller, K1SL Phone: (562) 806-1234 k1sl@arrl.net First Vice President Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ Phone: (562) 865-5750 kd6khj@arrl.net VP Programs Position Open YOUR NAME COULD BE HERE! 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 Ron Eveland, W6QM Phone: (562) 860-3623 w6qm@msn.com Secretary Delight Miller, WB6WWI Phone: 323-559-2100 delightm@verizon.net Treasurer Frank Hornberger, N6ZDS Phone (310) 635-2222 n6zds@hornberger.us Director (One Year) Tom VanBuskirk, K6TV Phone: (562) 861-3085 tomvanb@verizon.net Director (Two Years) Buck Kerns, AE6DT Phone:(562) 634-8441 ae6dt@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 7:30 PM 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, 6:30 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, 7:00 to 11:30 AM

Q5 PAGE 3

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Minutes of the D.A.R.C. Board of Directors Meeting – February 10, 2009

Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ, 1st Vice President called the meeting to order at 1930 hrs in the Emergency Opera-tions Center (EOC) at Downey Fire Station #1. Other Board members present were: Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF, VP Service; Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI; VP Membership; Ron Eveland, W6QM, VP Ways & Means; Frank Hornberger, N6ZDS, Treasurer; Buck Kerns, AE6DT, Director, Two Years, and Tom Vanbuskirk, K6TV, Direc-tor One Year. Not present: Sam Lollar, K1SL, President, and Delight Miller, WB6WWI, Secretary;

Officers Reports:

President: Absent.

1st VP: Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ, no report.

VP Programs: Position Vacant. Tom VanBuskirk, K6TV, reported at this time he did not have a speaker for the March meeting. A discussion followed, and it was suggested that Dave Glenn might be interested in doing a program, Tom will check with Dave Glenn.

VP Membership: Arlene Schwartz, KE6GFI, no report.

VP Service: Dave reported that ARC Walk, and Tour De Sewer are coming up, and volunteers are needed.

VP Way & Means: Ron Eveland, W6QM, reported that the recently ordered shirts and jackets had been distrib-uted at the last DARC General Membership meeting. A few still remain, and will be available at the next meet-ing for pickup, or members can call and arrange pickup.

Secretary: Absent.

Treasurer: Frank Hornberger, N6ZDS, distributed the Treasurer’s Report. A motion was made to accept the report as written and it passed. Frank also asked the board to consider expanding our club website to include all membership data that could only be viewable by board members. A discussion followed, and no action was taken because of data control concerns.

Director, Two Years: Buck Kerns, AE6DT, no report.

Director, One Year: Tom, VanBuskirk, K6TV, received an email from a repeater group that was starting a new website and wanted our permission to list DARC. A discussion followed, and our repeater and club are already listed with the ARRL, so the request was rejected. Tom also reported that W6TOI now has 174 countries con-firmed for DXCC.

The minutes of the January Board Meeting were approved.

Q5 PAGE 4

From page 3

Planning Calendar:

1. ARC Walk will be on March 28th...

2. Tour De Sewer will be on March 21st.

3. Baker 2 Vegas will be March 14th and 15th.

4. Street Fair will have same involvement as last year. We will have a booth, at least.

5. Kid’s Day will be May 9th

6. Yard Sale will be May 23d at Dave Glenn’s QTH.

7. ARRL Field Day June 27-28th, volunteers needed to coordinate and man the club station.

Old Business

1. Vacant board position. No interest from club members.

2. Website update. Rick, KD6KHJ will follow up on the update of our site.

New Business:

1. Membership Renewals. After discussion, the following policy was decided by the board. Since the Q5 is sent via email, the names of those coming due will be listed as coming due in the Q5. If the membership is not renewed within three months, the member will be dropped from the club roster, and Q5 will be discontinued. A letter will also be mailed confirming that the member is aware of their delinquent dues, plus a follow up phone call will be made by the VP Membership.

The meeting was adjourned at 2023 hrs

Minutes respectfully submitted by Ron Eveland, W6QM, Substitute Secretary

Equipment for Sale

I’ve got a near-new condition Ten-Tec T-Kit Model 1209 (now discontinued), 2 meter to 6 meter transverter for sale. I built it in kit form but the final tune-up was done at the factory. Used to convert 2 meter signals to 6 me-ter signals, 5W in, 8W out, all modes. Has a power plug ready to plug into Astron RS-12A or 20. List $139, ask-ing $70.00

I also have a near-new condition Ten-Tec T-Kit Model 1253, 9 band shortwave super-regen receiver for sale. Runs on ‘C’ cells inside (not included) or via 12VDC via external “pin” jack. List $89, asking $45.00

Contact me if you are interested. 562-985-8610 days from 7:30 - 4:30 or 562-862-4608 after 6PM. Or by email to jpowell@csulb.edu

John Powell

KF6EOJ

Q5 PAGE 5

Treasurer’s Report—Income

Treasurer’s Report— Expense

2008 - 2009 Jan 09 YEAR-TO-DATE ANNUAL

(OVER)/UNDER

ACTUAL ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET

INCOME

Dues $180.00 $1,200.00 $1,020.00

Misc.Income

Yard Sale $0.00 $510.00 $510.00

Other $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Fund Raisers $0.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00

Total Income $0.00 $180.00 $2,710.00 $2,530.00

2008-2009 Jan 09 (OVER)/

ACTUAL YTD ANNUAL UNDER

ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET

EXPENDITURES

Autopatch, Repeater $41.43 $225.00 $183.57

Club Bulletin

Printing $0.00 $500.00 $500.00

Supplies $0.00 $30.00 $30.00

Postage $0.00 $200.00 $200.00

Committees

Award $0.00 $50.00 $50.00

Membership $0.00 $30.00 $30.00

Publicity & Public Relations $0.00 $30.00 $30.00

Sunshine $0.00 $50.00 $50.00

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 $0.00 $150.00 $150.00

Special Events $0.00 $75.00 $75.00

Fund Raisers $0.00 $100.00 $100.00

Insurance $0.00 $350.00 $350.00

Officers' Expenses

Board Members $0.00 $50.00 $50.00

Treasurer $0.00 $75.00 $75.00

Other Organizations

Dues $0.00 $20.00 $20.00

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

Refreshments, Meetings $0.00 $200.00 $200.00

World Radio Listing $0.00 $70.00 $70.00

Total Expenditures $0.00 $41.43 $2,710.00 $2,668.57

Dues are Due (Mar):

Larry Tinkler, K6LXT

One Month Past Due:

KE6AHS, KE6IYI, KE6EPM, K6WCI

Two Months Past Due:

KC6OFS, KQ6CA

Q5 PAGE 6

Treasurer’s Report— Summary

DOWNEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

TREASURER'S REPORT

Jan-09

SUMMARY

CHECKING-WA MUTUAL $6,096.75

BALANCE AS OF Dec 31, 2008

INCOME $0.00

EXPENDITURES $41.43

Raffle (Month)

Raffle (Total Holdings) $98.44

Brunch (Month)

Brunch (Total Holdings) $25.00

Club Merchandise (Month) $0.00

Club Merchandise (Total Holdings) ($42.95)

BALANCE AS OF Jan 31, 2009 $6,055.32

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 7

ARC Walk Volunteers Needed Each year, DARC provides communications support for the ARC Walk which is a fundraiser for ARC of Southeast Los Angeles County (formerly known as the Association of Retarded Citizens). This year ARC faces a financial crisis like no other in recent memory. With the economy in an al-most unprecedented low point, one of the first things that are eliminated in a business or household budget is charitable giving. According to a recent e-mail from Kevin MacDonald, ARC’s Executive Director, this will be the “most challenging ARC Walk”. It is ARC’s premier fundraiser and, as I men-tioned earlier, very important for continuing the programs that serve more than 400 people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in our communities. The Walk consists of two routes, both centered on Stonewood Center Mall located on the corner of Lakewood and Firestone Boulevards in Downey. One is a one-mile and the other a three-mile walk for which walkers obtain sponsorships for their participation. This will be the thirteenth year we have done this and we are there to provide safety and coordination for the walkers, esti-mated to be around 2,500 if the turnout is successful. We will be stationed on the routes at intervals to assure coverage and a vehicle from ARC will serve as a “poop out van” for those who can’t continue on. The Walk will be held on Saturday, March 28. We will be-gin at 7:00 AM with a short briefing and the walk should end approximately 10:00 AM. Complimentary breakfast burritos and drinks will be served courtesy of Acapulco Restaurant for all participants, including DARC operators. Requirements are a 2-meter H.T. with extra batteries. Ear-phones and/or speaker-mike are optional since the noise level at most locations should not be a problem. We signed up several operators at the February meeting but still need more. If you can be available for this relatively short but important project please call Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF, at 562/861-6069 or e-mail at wb6zgf1@verizon.net. Dave Buhler, WB6ZGF

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March 2009 DX

By Mike Gauthier, K6ICS

2-14-2009

SK - Jim Smith VK9NS

The following was received from Bruce Smith G3HSR, Jim’s son.

It is with deep sadness that I inform you that Jim (VK9NS) passed peacefully away on Norfolk Island at 15:40 local time on 10 February 2009 after a short illness.

Jim is survived by his wife Kirsti (VK9NL) and his four children: Bruce (G3HSR), Stuart, Sheena and Fraser (all living in the UK).

Jim's contribution to Amateur Radio, DX-ing and IOTA is inestimable. He will be sadly missed.

Further information and condolences can be sent to Kirsti at jimkirsti@ni.net.nf

March Propagation Outlook

Spring is around the corner. This is your last chance for good DX conditions on 160-80 meters until next win-ter. 60 and 40 meter night-time conditions will be good but the background noise will soon start building. 30 and 20 meters will provide lots of nighttime DX contacts. 17 and 15 meters should have East-West contacts during daylight hours. 12 and 10 meters will also have daylight hours East-West contacts but they will be spo-radic.

March DX

ANTARCTICA, VK0BP. Bob, VK0BP is currently working at Antarctic Davis Base Station, IOTA AN-016, until November 1. Activity is on the HF bands during his spare time. He is generally active on 20 meters from 1500 to 1800z using SSB and PSK31. He may also be active using other modes as well. QSL via VK2CA.

AZORES, CU5T. Operators CU8AS, HB9CQL and HB9CRV are active as CU5T from Sao Jorge Island, IOTA EU-137, until January 2, 2010. QSL via CT1GFK.

BAHAMAS, C6DX. Joe W8GEX advises that a team of 4 operators will be operating from the island of Eluethera in the Bahamas. The trip will take place April 17 to 24. They will operate all bands CW, SSB and RTTY.

BERMUDA, VP9/KF4VTT. KF4VTT, Doug, is planning to be on as VP9/KF4VTT from Bermuda (NA-005) from June 11th to 17th. This will be an all band effort (1.8-50 MHz) on SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK. QSL via KF4VTT.

BERMUDA, VP9400/xx. In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda by Sir George Somers, members of the Radio Society of Bermuda will be on-the-air as VP9400/xx. The xx suffix is the op-erator's callsign suffix. QSL via operators' instructions.

CHATHAM ISLAND, ZL7. Lee, ZL2AL advises that a team of 9 operators will be activating Chatham Island in March 2009. The four station setup will operate 160M to 10M with CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK modes. Operation will commence Mar 6 and end Mar 11. Donations would be appreciated. There will be a website at: <http://www.zl7t.com> and will be active as the team leaves. Logsearch will be available on the team’s return. Logs

Q5 PAGE 9

will be uploaded to LoTW within 6 months. QSL via Bureau or Direct to ZL2AL via CBA address or QRZ.com.

DOMINICA, J79WR. G3LZQ, John, will be on Dominica from March 5-25 and hopes to begin activity "around the 8th" with concentration "on 160/80 except during the weekend of the 14/15th when 100% will be devoted to the BERU Contest". He will operate from Sea Cliff Cottages “Calibishie”. QSL via G3LZQ.

ENGLAND, GB50BH. Tim, G4STH and Hazel, G4YLO are operating using the special event callsign GB50BH until March 3 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the singer Buddy Holly. QSL via G4STH. ENGLAND, GX3EUG and GX7EUG. On March first both GX3EUG and GX7EUG will be operating from the former WWII RAF Sutton Bridge Base in Lincolnshire, England. Activity is expected on 40 and 80 meters. They have a Web page at www.eddystoneusergroup.org.uk. QSL via G7IAR. FRANCE, TP60CE. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe Special call TP60CE will be QRV four times throughout 2009 from the CERAC Council of Europe club station in Stras-bourg, France. The first planned activity will be February 27th through March 1st. Look for activity on SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK. They will have an on-line log search at http://ewwa.free.fr. QSL via F5LGF GRENADA, J37BO and J37RO. K4LTA, Bill, and K4UPS, Ruby, will be on Grenada until March 4th. as J37BO and J37RO, respectively. Activity is on CW, SSB and digital modes.

ITALY, IY1GM. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi's Nobel Prize in Physics special event station IY1GM will be operating through March 31st. QSL via IK1UGX.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, P29ZAD. Jerry, P29ZAD is on from Buka Island, IOTA OC-135. QSL to home call. PERU, OA4/DL5YWM and OA4/DL2JRM. German ops DL5YWM, Daniel, and DL2JRM, Rene, will be back in Lima, Peru starting April 7th through early May. They will be mostly on CW. PRINCE EDWARD AND MARION ISLANDS, ZS8T. Petrus, ZS8T has been intermittently active on 20 meters from Marion Island, IOTA AF-021. He is here until March 31. QSL via LZ3HI.

SCOTLAND, GB250RB. Members from the Kilmarnock and Loudoun ARC are operating as GB250RB until December 31, 2009 in celebration of the 250th birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns. QSL via operators' in-structions. SOUTH GEORGIA ISLANDS, VP8DIF. Lars, MM0DWF is currently on work assignment on South Georgia Island, IOTA AN-007, and will be active as VP8DIF in his spare time. Activity will be on the HF bands and he may try to use RTTY as well. QSL via DJ9ZB. This report was made possible with information provided by: the ARRL, OPDX Bulletin, DXNL, 425 DX News, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, Thanks to all.

DARC Member DXCC Count

N6QQ 331 Mixed, 313 SSB, 281 CW, 194 RTTY, WPX 2115, 6BDXCC

WA6RTA 328 Phone (AM & SSB)

KB6ATT 305 Mixed, 60 CW

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

Con’t page 9

Q5 PAGE 10

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

W3OB 150 Mixed

W6TOI 139 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

February Meeting Photos

Q5

PAGE 11

DARC Calendar of Events February 2009

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2 3 DARC 440 Net Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: AD6AF

4 5 Club Meeting 7:30 PM, First Baptist Church Downey, on 2nd St,

6 7 DARC Club Break-fast, 06:30

8 Daylight Savings Time Begins

9 10 DARC 440 Net Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: KN6LM

11 12 DARC 2 meter net Club simplex 145.595 Control Op: AD6AF

13 14 DARC Club Break-fast, 06:30

15 16 17 DARC 440 Net Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: WB6JDH

18 19 DARC 2 meter net Club simplex 145.595 Control Op: K1SL

20 Spring Begins

21 DARC Club Break-fast, 06:30 CHHS Swapmeet See page 2 Tour De Sewer

22 23 24 DARC 440 Net Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: N6TEB

25 26 DARC 2 meter net Club simplex 145.595 Control Op: WB6JDH

27 28 DARC Club Break-fast, 06:30 W6TRW Swapmeet See page 2 ARC Walk

29 30 31 DARC 440 Net Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: AD6AF

Q5 PAGE 12

Shack of the Month

This month we visit the “shack” of Ivan Mikulich, KB6ATT. Ivan has been a Ham operator under the call KB6ATT since early 1980. Some info from Ivan follows.

I learned about the Downey Amateur Club in early 1980 when I met Art Varney WA6OZQ (now silent key) in a supermarket. He told me about the club so I went to D.A.R.C. classes and received instructions from Ralph Jump, Art, WA6OZQ, Joe Francis, WB6SZK and Ken Wahrenbrock, KF6NC( all now SK) and CW instruc-tions from Dave Bird, AA6DB, for the General Class license. Later I upgraded to Extra Class. Nowadays I work all the bands and the Oscar 13 satellite, including VHF , UHF .

My antenna farm here in Downey consists of a DJ2UT Sommer XP707 antenna, multiband 7 bands with no traps. I also use a B&W TF2FD wire antenna that covers from 10 to 160 meters and 3 vertical antennas: Gap, Cushcraft, and High Gain verticals, and a Delta loop for 40 meters. For VHF/UHF I have a few beams and verticals for 2m, 220 MHz, 430 and 1200 MHz.

I built quite a few “screw-driver “antennas from a Don Johnson, W6AAQ, patent. I have worked every Field Day here or in San Pedro with the K6AA club since 1980. Some of my equipment in the shack are a Icom 775, Kenwood 850 , Drake TR7, Drake TR4, and a Collins KWM2. My motor home is equipped with several radios, a Kenwood 940, Yaesu 756, Icom 706 etc. I built several 60ft crank up towers including a crank up tower that is 30ft tall and permanently attached to the motor home. I can be on the air in less than half an hour on the low bands or VHF .

I like to do DX and contesting and I have worked over 300 countries. During big contests I usually go to New Mexico where in my second QTH , I have few towers, long wires a few hundred feet, “slopers” , several beams and a Quad antenna. There is much less noise there and you can do some serious DXing. No neighbors to complain about TVI (Hi, Hi).

I’m also a shortwave listener now for over 60 years and a classic radio collector. In my collections I have some rare radios including a rare Drake 1A, a first receiver, and a National NC400 receiver. Only a few hun-dred were made and mostly for FBI listening. For some of you younger Hams, the Drake, National, Collins and Hallicrafters radio companies were good USA companies. 9A6AT is my home country’s callsign where I was born, and I have had that license since 1990. I used to be ex Yugoslavia YU,YT. I still like to build, anten-nas etc. and experiment but I’m slowing down due to Golden Age of retirement.

73

Ivan KB6ATT/9A6AT

Ivan’s antenna farm photos on next page

Q5 PAGE 13

At Downey QTH: Sommer antenna, trapless, covers 10 to 40 Meters plus 6 meters. A log cell so on each band it acts as a 4 element mono band. Evaluated by QST with 9dB forward and 25dB rejection. In 1991 DARC helped Ivan put it up with 12 members working nearly 12 hours to get this over 100 lb an-tenna up. Above that is a 2M beam for FM and SSB, the verti-cal above that is a 2M/440 17’ Diamond antenna.

At New Mexico QTH: a Quad 3 bander. Pictured on the tower is Ivan’s friend and co-worker, Phillip Terry, WA6RT, who at one time in 1980 was also a member of DARC.

Also at New Mexico QTH: On tower is a Cushcraft A4 and 10M HyGain monobander. In front of this tower is a 10 to 80M Hustler vertical.

Back at Downey QTH: 220 MHz, 430 MHZ and 1200 MHz beams and a loop on top for listening from 50 KHz to 6 MHz.

SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

SINCE 1951

DARC Badges

DARC name badges are available for $11.00, payable on order.

Previously ordered badges may be picked up at the Club general meeting.

DARC Annual Membership

Single: $20 Associate: $10

Maximum for Family: $35

Make checks payable to “DARC”,

Send to: DARC Membership

3600 Platt Ave

Lynwood, CA 90262

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 I�FORMATIO� VE Exams

The Downey Ama-teur Radio Club pro-vides VE examina-tions for all classes of Amateur Radio li-censes on the third Saturday of each

even-numbered month. Exams are held at the Downey Fire Department Headquarters, 12222 Paramount Boulevard, beginning at 8:30 AM. The exam schedule for 2009 is as follows:

April, June

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 expenses in providing the tests and handling the applica-tions.

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