- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 1 of 13

The March meeting of the United Radio Amateur Club will be held Friday, March 17th, at 7 pm in the break room of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, located at Berth 84, foot of Sixth Street in San Pedro. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Acapulco Restaurant just south of the Museum. There is limited handicapped parking on the street across from the museum. The entrance to the break room is through the gate on the north side of the museum (towards the bridge and the Iowa). There will be a greeter on the gate.

Program: Hands On Tech 101

The program originally scheduled for the February meeting will be rolled over to March 17th. The original

concept was -- "WOW - I got a license now what?" The idea is to panel up a team of experienced licensees who

have both real world operating and technical experience to assist the new ham or one who lacking in any

specific area.

To assist this panel, I ask that you send in your questions for the team to address rather than try to cover DC to

daylight.

I will put the question into a pool and your names and call signs WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED. The more you

open up about your needs to know, the more value the meeting will be. Please send all questions to

URACENEWS@AOL.COM. Thanks in advance!

Here are two of our panel members:

Jim Jerzycke KQ6EA

Previous: Boeing /Sea Launch, Direct TV, Hughes Aircraft, Torrance Wireless; Northern Illinois University Specialties: Transmitters, receivers,

up and down converters, feedlines, and antennas, HF through Millimeter Wave

Doug Dowds, W6HB

Club President, K6AA Station Trustee, Battleship Iowa Radio NI6BB President and

Founder; licensed since 1962.

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 2 of 13

QST de President Doug, W6HB... Hope all enjoyed the mega-rain break that triggered the cancellation of our February meeting. Scotty and I phoned all who were on the membership lists we had. Sorry we missed a few who had not yet made it to all spreadsheets. To the best of my knowledge we are now current. March's meeting topic is Techie 101 and is geared for anyone with technical or operational questions. A panel consisting of KQ6EA, N6EFI and W6HB so far will try to address questions from the audience. I sent out a call for questions in advance to all members and received not one reply. Here's hoping you open up on 3/17 or it will be a VERY short meeting. Sorry to sound like a broken record folks but there is still no known project activity on the club's trailer tower. To be placed into service for Field Day in June the work MUST be completed and re-inspected to satisfy all interested and concerned parties. To get involved contact Bill, KB6WKT, or Steve, K6NT. Lots of good food and chatter at the monthly breakfasts at the Think Cafe. Where you there? Relative to getting an antenna up so K6AA at the LAMM can work 40 meters, Larry, KK6TXN, and I are working on same. When it comes time to installed the dipole we will ask for some young bloods who are comfortable working from ladders. Bill, W6AJ, as your Vice President is responsible to provide us with the program of the month. A few leads I have pitched to him for April and beyond are a talk by a Marine doctor on his visit to ARRL HQ in Connecticut and one by Clint, K6LCS, on working the "birds." The Doctor's talk was highly rated by a friend and Clint's was seen by me tonight and although presented to URAC many years ago, has been totally redone and is fun and very interactive. All please remember that the May meeting is the year's first White Elephant Sale the proceeds of which fund Field Day. Start rounding your surplus goodies and prepare for May 19th. All who did not renew from 2016 have been dropped from the roster and the URAC email lists. Please see Gary, N6HMR, to reapply. The application to use Angels Gate Park again for Field Day has been made via a couple trips as has the application been made and permission received to use the Angels Gate Cultural Center's restroom facility. FD chairs should put a couple 6-packs of TP on their shopping list... If you are a Vietnam veteran you might enjoy the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day events starting at 1100 at Battleship IOWA on Saturday, March 25th. There will be free admission for Vietnam veterans with proper ID and up to three guests and they may receive a lapel pin and certificate in acknowledgment for their service. There be entertainment, food and other events as well open to all.

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 3 of 13

See you on the air most Thursday nights on 145.510 simplex..... 73 - Doug - W6HB

March First Saturday Breakfast

20 members and guests assembled this past Saturday and here’s what they had to say;

Stuart, AI6VG is joining us for the first time…a fairly new (Nov ‘16) ham from Pedro, he was a

maintenance electrician, welder, and ran a sport fishing boat; in other words a typical neighbor.

Welcome, Stuart.

David, W6KL from Burbank had nothing new to report this month.

John, KC6JHV, has been busy with dental work and helping his dad and plans to visit Switzerland this May.

Homer, K6HKT and his daughter Andrea are heading to the local boat show after this meeting…and Andrea

asked the group for any information on a portable PA system…

Martin, N6UB and xyl Mary enjoyed watching the big waves and surf during the recent storms, especially from

White’s Point just before sunset.

Tom, KJ6JPZ is in the midst of planning a 6 week trip to Europe this summer. He reports the latest pills work

well on gout.

Scotty, K6ZNL updated us on parking at the Maritime Museum: park in the lot on the south side of the

Acapulco Restaurant. Also the parking slots on the street that were designated for the Port Police have been re-

assigned to Museum parking. The handicapped spaces directly across from the museum have not been affected.

John, WA6SDK reports he is hearing more DX (finally) at K6AA after many months of lousy band conditions.

Sam, K1SL, is glad to be back to see everyone and still to be kicking…

Ivan, KB6ATT went for a bone density test recently and reports OK bones! He is prepping for the annual

Baker to Vegas Race, which this year will be in March (25 and 26th). He and Sam will be working stage 2

and/or 4.

Nick, N6EFI, has spent some time outside cleaning up after the rains and putting down a surfacing material

made of ground up tires.

John, AG6VO has recently spent time on the IOWA teaching 4th and 8th grade kids for the “Day of Discovery”.

He will also be teaching EXCEL in the fall at CSULB.

Brian, W6BDW came down to us and the IOWA from Upland again. We met Brian last month; he runs the

weekday Rag Chew and Swap Net on 40 meters: 7.235 MHz. He just took over the net two months ago. The

website is NA6R.com.

Larry, KK6TXN, has been busy recently with a sick water heater and a sick dog. He is hoping to get back to

radio soon.

Steve, K6NT, participated with the PV group in the DXpedition to Catalina

Island again this year. For show and tell, he brought the ‘game’ camera that he

used to snap photos of the critters in his back yard:

Doug, W6HB is looking forward to his upcoming trip to the Cook Islands, where

he will be also with Bruce, AD7MM, and Marilyn Sperka. He reminds us that

the ARRL International DX contest is this weekend-phone. He also reminds us

that the URAC meeting this month will be a question and answer format on the

technical part of the hobby and is soliciting questions to be addressed at the

meeting.

Faithfully submitted,

Scotty Butler, K6ZNL, temporary gossip guru

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 4 of 13

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 5 of 13

Two Free Amateur Radio Courses

FCC “Technician” course (entry level)

FCC “General” course (2nd level)

Each course is 2 sessions

The sessions will be on 27 May and 03 June 2017

Technician 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM both Saturdays (bring your lunch)

General 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM both Saturdays

The FCC tests will be 10:00 AM to noon on 10 June 2017

At the start of the 27 May Technician course, the Palos Verdes Amateur

Radio Club will give a 30 minute presentation on how to get further

involved with amateur radio.

The class location is at Fred Hesse Community Park,

29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes.

Confirm your attendance to Walt, K1DFO at waltordway@juno.com

There is no fee for either course.

Taking the FCC test is $15.

Optional Material (sold at cost)

Gordon West books with all the FCC test questions,

$22 for the Technician and $26 for the General

Paper copy of Walt’s Power Point charts,

$22 for the Technician and $22 for the General -

For courses sponsored by the Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club, students thru

grade 12 who pass their examination at a PVARC VE test session will, upon

application to the Club, be eligible for reimbursement up to a maximum of $50 to

cover the cost of materials and the examination fee.

Everyone who obtains their first ham radio license through a PVARC VE test

session, regardless of age, will receive a free membership in the Palos Verdes

Amateur Radio Club for the remainder of the current calendar year.

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 6 of 13

~ March 2017 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

3

4 URAC First Saturday

Breakfast 8 am. Think Café, San Pedro

5

6

7

8 International Women's

Day

9 World Kidney Day

K6AA roundtable 145.510 simplex

10

11

12 Daylight Saving

Time Begins

13

14

15

16 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

17 Saint Patrick's

URAC membership meeting, 7 pm Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro

18

19

20 Spring Begins

21

22

23 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

31

~ April 2017 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 URAC First Saturday

Breakfast 8 am. Think Café, San Pedro

2

3

4

5

6 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

7 World Health Day

8

9

10

11

12

13 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

14 Good Friday

15

16 Easter

17 Tax Day (Taxes

Due)

18

19

20 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

21 URAC membership

meeting, 7 pm Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro

22 Earth Day

23

24

25

26 Administrative

Professionals' Day

27 K6AA roundtable

145.510 simplex

28 Arbor Day

29

30

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 7 of 13

DX OPERATIONS FOR MARCH 2017 per NG3K

Guadeloupe, TO7D: Is now operating thru 3/9/2017. QSL via F6ITD.

Senegal, 6W2SC: Is now operating thru 3/31/2017. QSL via HA3AUI. Rwanda, m9X2AW: Is now operating thru3/11/2017. QSL via DF2WO. Surinam, PZ: Is now operating thru 3/10/2017. QSL via PA3BVK. Burkina Faso, XT2SE: Is now operating thru 3/13/2017. QSL via IK3GES. Antigua, V21ZG: Is now operating thru 3/26/2017. QSL via DL7AFS. Guadeloupe, FG: Is now operating thru 3/26/2017. QSL via F1DUZ. Guinea Bissau, J5UAP: Is now operating thru 3/31/2017. QSL via HA3AUI. Antigua, V21ZG: Is now operating thru 3/26/2017. QSL via DL7AFS. Svalbard, JW6VDA: Is now operating thru 3/22/3017. QSL via LA6VDA. Bahamas, C6APY: Is now operating thru 3/11/2017. QSL via M0VFC. Ogasawara, JD1BLY: Is now operating thru 3/10/2017. QSL via JI5RPT. Barbados, 8P9IF: Is now operating thru 3/13/2017. QSL via G3PJT. Ghana, 9G5X: Is now operating thru 3/21/2017. QSL via G3XAQ. Nepal, 9N7EI: Is now operating thru 3/20/2017. QSL via EI2II. Cayman Is, ZF2CA: Is now operating thru 3/13/2017. QSL via G4CWH. Belize, V31GX:: Is now operating thru 3/14/2017. QSL via G4SGX. Ivory Coast, TU7C: Is now operating thru 3/19/2017. QSL via F1ULQ. Niger, 5U5R: Is now operating thru 3/21/2017. QSL via EA5RM. So Cook Is, E51KTA: Will be operating from 3/10 thru 3/19/2017. QSL via M1KTA. Tuvalu, T2: Will be operating from 3/14 thru 4/4/2017. QSL via SP5EAQ. Tanzania, 5H3MB: Will be operating from 3/14 thru 4/12/2017. QSL via IG2GZU. Ceuta & Melilla, EA9: Will be operating from 3/15 thru 3/22/2017. QSL via DJ6TF. Bangladesh, S21GM: Will be operating from 3/15 thru 3/21/2017. QSL via YL2GN. St Kitts & Nevis, V47JA: Will be operating from 3/16 thru 4/5/2017. QSL via W5JON. Ceuta & Melilla, EG9TOR: Will be operating from 3/18 thru 3/21/2017. QSL via EA4PN. Turks & Caicos, VP5: Will be operating from 3/18 thru 3/21/2017. QSL via W9AV. St Kitts & Nevis, V47JR: Will be operating from 3/18 thru 4/1/2017. QSL via W2APF. Micronesia, V633KS: Will be operating from 3/19 thru 4/3/2017. QSL via JA6REX. Ceuta & Melilla, EA9: Will be operating from 3/20 thru 3/21/2017. QSL via JA0JHQ. Cayman Is, ZF2CJ: Will be operating from 3/20 thru 3/24/2017. QSL via JJ2RCJ. Cayman Is, ZF2TC: Will be operating from 3/20 thru 3/27/2017. QSL via KE5TC. Cayman Is, ZF2FL: Will be operating from3/21 thru 3/26/2017. QSL via K5QBX. Bangladesh, S21KW: Will be operating from 3/21 thru 3/27/2017. QSL via YL2GN. Tonga, A35JP/p: Will be operating from 3/22 thru 3/28/2017. QSL via JAS0RQV. Albania, ZA: Will be operating from 3/22 thru 3/29/2017. QSL via PA2LS. Guam, KH2BY: Will be operating from 3/29 thru 4/10/2017. QSL via EA5BY. Guam, AH2P: Will be operating from 3/29 thru 4/17/2017. QSL via EA4AK.

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 8 of 13

New Feature: Upcoming Special Event Stations (from the ARRL website)

• 03/17/2017 | Lea County Centennial Mar 17-Mar 19, 0700Z-0659Z, N5LEA, Hobbs, NM. Lea

County Amateur Radio Group. 14.250 7.240. Certificate. Corey Cruce, 307 West Rainbow Dr, Hobbs, NM

88240. Celebrating Lea County, New Mexico's centennial on March 17, 2017. Watch for spots on other

frequencies as well. We will log via LOTW and eQSL. For a pdf certificate, email: n5leanm@gmail.com.

For a printed certificate, $5 and SASE 9X12 envelope. www.qsl.net/n5lea

• 03/18/2017 | Flight 242 Special Event Mar 18-Mar 19, 1400Z-0000Z, W4RSC, Hiram, GA. Silver

Comet Amateur Radio Society. 14.320 7.200 3.850. Certificate & QSL. Silver Comet Amateur Radio

Society, P.O.Box 1873, Hiram, GA 30141. On April 4, 1977, Southern Airways DC-9 Flight 242 crashed in

New Hope, Paulding County, Georgia, killing 72 people. Nine of those were on the ground. 21 people,

including both flight attendants, survived. 2017 is the 40th anniversary of the crash. Silver Comet Amateur

Radio Society wishes to commemorate those who lost their lives, to honor the survivors for their bravery,

and thank those who came to help. silvercometars.org

• 03/18/2017 | New London School Explosion 80th Anniversary Mar 18, 0800Z-1800Z, N5L,

Overton, TX. Rusk County Amateur Radio Club. 14.280 14.070 (PSK) 7.280. Certificate & QSL. Rusk

County ARC, P.O. Box 1496, Henderson, TX 75653. The New London School exploded on March 18,

1937, when a spark ignited a pocket of odorless natural gas that had leaked into the school's basement. The

disaster killed more than 295 students and teachers, making it the deadliest school disaster in American

history. To prevent future disasters, the Texas Legislature quickly mandated that thiols (mercaptans) be

added to natural gas providing a strong odor that is now instantly and universally recognized.

RuskCountyARC.com/N5L

• 03/19/2017 | Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon Mar 19-Mar 20, 1600Z-0100Z, K5B,

Las Cruces, NM. Mesilla Valley Radio Club. 14.250 7.250. QSL. Mesilla Valley Radio Club, P. O. Box

1443, Las Cruces, NM 88004. See website for full details. www.n5bl.org

• 03/21/2017 | The Buckingham Gunnery Army Airfield Mar 21-Mar 23, 1421Z-1421Z, W4LX,

Fort Myers, FL. Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club . 21.240 14.240 2m FM. Certificate & QSL. W4LX, P. O.

Box 061183, Fort Myers , FL 33906 . Honoring the 50,000 some gunners that trained at that airbase.

www.fmarc.net

• 03/25/2017 | 35th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Mar 25, 1400Z-2000Z, W4BKM, Macon,

GA. Macon Amateur Radio Club. 14.240 7.225 145.37. Certificate. MARC, P.O. Box 4862, Macon, GA

31208. www.w4bkm.com

• 03/25/2017 | Battle of Horseshoe Bend (Creek Indian War) Anniversary Mar 25, 1400Z-

2100Z, N4H, Daviston, AL. Lake Martin Amateur Radio Club. 14.325 7.280. Certificate & QSL. John

Philips, P.O. Box 938, Alexander City, AL 35011. This battle, fought March 27, 1814, brought a close to

the Creek War, made Andrew Jackson an American hero and opened much of present day Alabama and

Georgia for settlement .Send SASE for QSL only or Self addressed 9x12 envelope with three (3) forever

stamps for QSL and certificate. Operation on other dates/times and frequencies may occur. See the N4H

page on QRZ or our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/K4YWE/ for the latest information.

www.qrz.com/db/n4h

• 03/25/2017 | W/K ARC of Greater Milwaukee - 40th Anniversary Mar 25-Mar 26, 0000Z-

2359Z, W9K, Hales Corners, WI. W/K ARC of Greater Milwaukee. 21.260 7.275 3.850. QSL. Jerry

Scherkenbach, N9AW, 11300 Bridget Ln, Hales Corners, WI 53130. CW 50 KHz up from the bottom of the

band Standard Digital Frequencies. W/K celebrates 40 years as an Affiliated club. QSL with SASE.

www.wkarc.club

• 03/29/2017 | Viet Nam Veteran's Day Mar 29, 1430Z-2030Z, W5KID, Baton Rouge, LA. Baton

Rouge Amateur Radio Club. 14.270 14.230 7.280 7.230. QSL. USS KIDD Amateur Radio Club, 305 S.

River Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Aboard the USS KIDD from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Wednesday, March

29th, 2017 as a Salute to all Viet Nam Vets. Thank You for your Service. www.brac.org

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 9 of 13

• 04/01/2017 | Canadian Amateurs Remember WWI Battle of Vimy Ridge Apr 1-Apr 9,

0000Z-2359Z, VE100VIMY, Vimy, FRANCE. Vimy Commemorative Station Society. 21.028/21.288

18.078/18.138 14.028/14.188 7.028/7.188 . Certificate & QSL. Richard Moen, N7RO, 2935 Plymouth Dr,

Bellingham, WA 98225. 24/7 operation from the site of the Canadian victory in the WWI Battle of Vimy

Ridge. Full details at ve100vimy.ca

• 04/01/2017 | Chisholm Trail 150th Anniversary Apr 1-Apr 2, 1000Z-1400Z, W5C, Decatur, TX.

West Fork Amateur Radio Club. 28.340 21.340 14.260 7.240. Certificate & QSL. WFARC, P.O. Box 1134,

Bridgeport, TX 76426. Please send SASE for QSL and/or certificate. 9:00am-9:00pm 04/01/17; 9:00am-

1:00pm 04/02/17 CST. www.wfarc.org

• 04/03/2017 | Petal-Southern Mississippi Pow-Wow Apr 3-Apr 9, 0000Z-2359Z, W0W, Petal,

MS. Lemar Radio Club and Hattiesburg Amateur Radio Club. 14.255 14.033 10.115 7.033. QSL. Curt

Waites, N5CW, P.O. Box 52, Petal, MS 39465. www.hattiesburgamateurradioclub.org

• 04/04/2017 | 43 Annual SUN n FUN International FLY - IN & EXPO Apr 4-Apr 9, 1300Z-

2000Z, W4S, Lakeland, FL. SUN n FUN Amateur Radio Group. 28.320 21.240 14.240. QSL. Robert "Bob"

Flynn, 1281 Forrest Hill Dr., Clearwater, FL 33756. Held at Lakeland Linder Airport, Lakeland FL.

wa4oab@gmail.com

• 04/07/2017 | 70th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival Apr 7-Apr 9, 0001Z-2359Z, AC4RC,

Wilmington, NC. Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club. 14.225 7.175 3.800; CW/Digital all bands. Certificate

& QSL. Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 4044, Wilmington, NC 28406. Confirmation of

Contact LoTW free; QSL Card W/SASE; Certificate requires $4 for postage and handling, QSL card may

be included with certificate mailing if requested. ac4rc.org

• 04/08/2017 | Doolittle Raid Special Event Apr 8, 1600Z-2300Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS

Midway (CV-41) Museum Ship. 14.320 7.250; PSK31 on 14.070; D-STAR on REF001C. QSL. USS

Midway Museum Ship Radio Room, 910 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101.

• 04/08/2017 | Perkins Boy Scout Encampment 2017 Apr 8, 0800Z-1800Z, KF5THB, Wichita

Falls, TX. Red River Amateur Radio Enthusiasts. 146.580 14.267 7.267. QSL. Michael B Boydston, 103 N.

Crockett, Henrietta, TX 76365. Help get the Scouts on the Air! Give us a call during their spring

encampment.

• 04/11/2017 | New York State Police 100 year anniversary Apr 11, 1200Z-2100Z, NY2SP/100,

Albany, NY. Churchville (NY) Contest Club. 21.250 14.250 7.120. Certificate. Churchville Contest Club,

30 Baker St. , Apt 4, Churchville, NY 14428. The New York State Police was formed on April 11, 1917.

This station celebrates 100 years of service to the people of New York State. www.qrz.com/db/ny2sp

• 04/13/2017 | First Space Shuttle Launch Apr 13-Apr 17, 0000Z-2359Z, KB7QPS, Seattle, WA. L

Greg Magone. 146.52 14.275 14.250. Certificate & QSL. L Greg Magone, 27492 254th PL SE, Maple

Valley, WA 98038. This is the April special event station that is part of the 2017 KB7QPS Air, Space, and

Technology Operating Event. airspacetechnology.webs.com

• 04/14/2017 | Maritime Radio Day Apr 14-Apr 15, 1200Z-2200Z, various calls, various cities.

Radio Officers World List. CW only; 28.052 21.052 14.052 10.118 7.020 3.520 1.824. Certificate & QSL.

QSL to station worked;, For certificate, email, dl9cm@t-online.de. To receive QSL or certificate, send

information to arrive by May 1. Certificate by email only. Please see website for complete information.

www.trafficlist.net/mrd

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 10 of 13

- The Short Circuit March 2017 Volume 90, Issue 3 -

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club, Inc. Page 11 of 13