Be sure to check out the Weekly Tech Net!

The subject this week will be on antenna construction! What you have built? What bands, tools and materials do you use? How do you test it? Join the discussion and share your experiences whether success or failure, everyone can benefit from the experiences of others. And we would love to hear yours!

Check ins are Wednesday at 6:45PM, Net begins at 7:00PM

The Net takes place on frequency 145.290, has a -0.6MHz offset, and a CTCSS of 110.9Hz

March 26th 2024 Meeting

This year is off to a great start! With a lot more in the works, the club seems to be moving a very positive direction… Our March meeting will be taking place on Tuesday the 26th at 7:00pm at the Busch Community Room (7501 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio 44129). I am pleased to also inform you that our President Dale Wood is again raffling off another hand held radi0! This time its a Quansheng UVK5, so make sure to get your ticket! Pizza is also going to be provided by Dale Wood. The discussion topic will be, what equipment individuals use, and how do they use it (I.E. Digital Modes, CW, SSB)

NASA calls for Ham Radio operators to assist during North American solar eclipse

The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) project, which involves amateur radio operators in studying the Earth’s ionosphere during the 2023 and 2024 North American solar eclipses. By making radio contacts during these events, ham radio operators can help scientists understand the ionosphere’s reaction to the temporary absence of solar radiation. This research is crucial for improving models of ionospheric activity, which affects global communications and navigation systems. The project invites ham radio enthusiasts to contribute to this scientific endeavor by transmitting, receiving, and recording radio signals, thereby providing valuable data for analysis. For a detailed overview, please refer to the original article on NASA’s website: Ham Radio Operators, We Need Your Help During Solar Eclipses!.

Website is Changing / New PRC Logo

As you may have noticed the website is looking a little different… Well thats because our new Vice President Jeboriah sheets has been making some changes to the website, bringing it new life and keeping it updated to bring all the exciting news about the PRC and events!

A huge thanks goes out to PRC member Tony Lutzo (KE8TFH) for designing 2 amazing new logos for the club! He is a graphic designer and was inspired to create this logo when seeing the changes to the website. Which logo do you like? Make sure to let Jeb (KE8YPP) know.

PRC off to an Exciting Start

Upcoming February 27th — Elmer Night

Our January meeting was well attended. Lots of hot, delicious pizza, and great conversation. It’s always fun to put a face to the friendly voice you’ve talked to on the radio. Many thanks to President Dale Wood who provided a variety of delicious pizza, refreshments, and a Baofeng UV-5R door prize. Although the “optics” were awkward, the winner was extremely surprised and I am enjoying it immensely.

Treasurer Tom Pechnik AC8EH was kept quite busy accepting dues from current and new members. If you haven’t renewed your membership, please do so using the application on this site. You can mail it to the Tom or take care of business at the February meeting.

Our next meeting is February 27th and we hope you’ll join us. We’re calling our meeting “Elmer Night”. In a sense it will be a continuation of last month’s socializing. At this meeting we want to nail down some program topics you’d like us to pursue during the upcoming year. In the process, you’ll learn about the fascinating and varied interests of our assembled group and you’ll also learn who Elmer is.

————————————————————

Compliments ARRL.ORG


The First Amateur Radio Station on the Moon, JS1YMG, is Now Transmitting

2/02/2024

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully landed their Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on January 19, 2024. Just before touchdown, SLIM released two small lunar surface probes, LEV-1 and LEV-2.

LEV-2 collects data while moving on the lunar surface, and LEV-1 receives the data.

The JAXA Ham Radio Club (JHRC), JQ1ZVI, secured amateur radio license JS1YMG for LEV-1, which has been transmitting Morse code on 437.41 MHz since January 19. The probe uses a 1 W UHF antenna with circular polarization and is transmitting “matters related to amateur business.”

Radio amateurs have been busy analyzing JS1YMG’s signal, with Daniel Estévez’s, EA4GPZ, blog introducing the method and extraction results for demodulating Morse code from the signal, as well as extracting the code string.

It’s unclear how long signals will be heard. JAXA has said that SLIM was not designed to survive a lunar night, which lasts about 14 days, and is due to return in a few days.

SLIM was launched on September 6, 2023, and landed on January 19, 2024, with the mission of analyzing the composition of rocks to aid research about the origin of the moon. SLIM’s landing made Japan the fifth country to achieve a soft touchdown on the moon. The landing was achieved with exceptional precision — within 180 feet of its targeted touchdown location.

Nets? Why Net?

The net continues to be a wonderful way to meet fellow members and polish radio communication skills. It’s painless and fun. When you’re ready, go another step and take the Net Control chair. It’s easy to do, and experienced NCOs will show you how they do it at a meeting or over the air. Wondering what you’d say on the net? A simple script is available on this site. Or write parmaradioclub@gmail.com and tell them you’re interested.

Our newest NCO is President Dale Wood KE8WZQ. While at this time he’s only had 2 or 3 nets under his belt, he sounds like he’s done it for years.

Tom Southam, W8WLI, brings a tremendous amount of experience to the job and is always ready to help a newcomer take the NCO helm. We all know that it’s more fun than you can imagine.

Happy New Year 2024

As we approach the new year with anticipation, the PRC Board wants to wish you a wonderful 2024!Some announcements: 

Meetings

Meetings will now be one per month, on the 4th Tuesday, 7 pm at Busch Community Room, Ridge Rd., Parma. 

Nets

FM nets will be Tuesday at 9 pm on the KB8WLW 145.410 repeater (and its linked repeaters) with the exception of the 4th Tuesday, when we meet in person.

————————-


Our first meeting of the year is January 23rd at 7pm.
We’re going to kick off the year with Pizza and a fun social evening. There’ll be a variety of pizza types to choose from, as well as soft drinks and coffee.  However, we suggest you pack your own (non-alcohol) drink 

if you have a particular preference. 

As if meeting members face to face isn’t enough, you could win a door prize! Everyone will be given a ticket that could win them a gleaming new

Make a note now to join us and feel free to bring a friend!

Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Dual Band FM handheld radio, 144-148/420-450Mhz

We’ll are accepting 2024 dues.  

To keep the PRC strong we need your continued support. Many thanks to those members who have already submitted their 2024 dues.  To re-up at the next meeting, please bring a check or the exact cash. To make it quick and easy, have a completed application.  If you cannot attend, submit your dues through the mail to the Treasurer’s address on the application.  A new application is required each year since your info might have changed.

If you’d like to discuss anything sooner or have a question, please email me. 

73 and I’m looking forward to meeting you. 

Dale Wood,  KE8WZQ President

dalewoodus@yahoo.com

PRC site to change

The PRC has been very fortunate to have had donated web site hosting for several years by member Chuck Mehoznek, K8CVM. Chuck informed us that the availabiliy must end at year’s end. We’re grateful for Chuck’s offering over this period and are now exploring alternatives to keep you informed. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Members will be updated on the nets and by email. Non members should request “eminders” by sending an email request to: parmaradioclub@gmail.com

Dues Due

It’s that time to ask that you to financially support your club. Dues remain the same. Please use the application that is on this site. It can be mailed or brought to a meeting. Remember, we now meet only on the 1st Monday of each month.

Thank you SO MUCH for your support.

December 6th meeting

Following a brief business meeting and announcement of our new officers, we will have a presentation from Ron Hollas, K8RJH on a most popular topic-

Digital Voice Modes

Do you want to learn more about Digital Voice Modes (DVMs) and HotSpots?

Be sure to attend the PRC’s December 6th. Ron’s informative program will include an overview of DVMs, HotSpots, and what you need to participate in this rapidly growing aspect of amateur radio. With just an HT, a HotSpot, and a Wi-Fi or mobile Internet connection, you can speak to the world. Ron covers the basics, some of the nomenclature, resources, and will hold a live demonstration of MMDVM so you can see and hear how it all works. And, he’ll also provide information on additional resources to help you get started in this popular aspect of our hobby.

See you there! Monday, December 6, 7:30 pm at Busch Community Room, Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio.

Nov. 1st meeting

Loop antennas might be the hottest antenna of the year and it will be the topic at our November 1st meeting . Frank Roman, KC8VKA, has been speaking extensively about this amazing antenna and will demonstrate why the design is so popular. It’s even well suited as a stealth antenna for condo and apartment dwellers. It’s so portable, yet it impressively pulls in weak DX signals. And the beautiful thing is you could build it yourself.

You’ll enjoy Frank’s unique demonstrations and ability to relate this antenna to other antennas you’re very familiar with. But most importantly he’ll show the reason these antennas are so effective and how radio frequency signals relate to audio frequency using a doctor’s tuning fork.

Frank also creates handy go boxes making portability a breeze.

Don’t miss the program – November 1st, at 7:30 pm at Busch Community Room, 7501 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio 44129.


PRC Oct 4th

After a detailed presentation to the Board and attending members, President Hal Rogers, K8CMD commended the Net Control Operators for their fine work and helping to make the club grow in this very difficult time. He personally recognized NCOs Dave Semanik K8WRS, Tom Southam W8WLI, Dan Mikelson KD8ZJP, and John Malloy KA8VTV. Further he recognized Dave for organizing the NCO team.

After a discussion about possible reasons for light attendance at meetings, VP Mike Marganski KE8HBK suggested that we survey the membership on several topics so that the board can learn what members expect from their club and we can better meet their needs. Mike is developing the questions and the survey will be released soon.

It was agreed that the club must continue to present quality programs as well as work to inspire new and prospective hams. It was agreed to subscribe to a new statewide online amateur license training program developed by the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club and headed by Anthony Luscre, K8ZT. We’ll talk more about the program at future meetings and posts.

In keeping with the practices of many clubs the Board voted to reduce meetings to one per month, that being on the 1st Monday. The revised schedule will begin immediately.

Rogers also said that to grow a club it’s essential that all members promote their club to other hams on the air and in person. He said that we should all take a pointer from Rich Balata, KD8KBO of the Woodchuck Club, who frequents our nets and never fails to promote our club nets and activities to his club and the ham community. In gratitude for his continuing service, the club honored Rich as a Life Member. Congratulations, Rich!

Have you ever thought you’d like to learn more about how to be a Net Control Operator? Truth is, there’s not just one way to maintain order on a net. But Dave Semanik, K8WRS has been doing nets for many years and has some great tips to share with novices and experienced hams and will be presenting his program Monday, October 4th at Busch Community Room. Don’t miss it.


Another fun hamfest is coming:


See you all at our next meeting: October 4th at Busch Community Room on Ridge Rd.





Board Meeting September 20

Our next meeting is an important Board meeting and it will be packed with a number of critical topics for discussion and decision. As always, your opinions will be appreciated on all issues. Essentially, every aspect of our clubs operation and existence will be considered.

Until further notice, all indoor events attendees will be required to wear a mask.

Cleveland Hamfest returns !!

The Cleveland Hamfest & Computer Show returns September 26 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. It’s a long-awaited experience for many. Several of our newer members have yet to experience their first ever hamfest.

Attendees of previous Hamfests were mailed a flier from the Hamfest Association of Cleveland. If you haven’t received a flier, click the link below for a double-sided printable PDF that includes a map, as well as the list of fabulous drawing prizes and info about the mobile check-in frequencies.

You can add yourself to the Hamfest Association mailing list by going to their link below.

In addition to three main prizes, there will be hourly drawings. You’re also encouraged to use the mobile check-in while enroute and get your call sign on a drawing list. Pass the mic around so everyone can get a chance at a mobile check-in goodie. Then scan the board during the event for your call sign. The check-in frequencies will be the same as our net frequency: 145.410- (PL 110.9) and 442.225+ (131.8)

Special features: Walk-in Volunteer Licensing Exams at NOON. See important details on the flier. FORUMS: 10 am Intro to FT8 and FT4 11 am Internet Linking with AllStarLink

Front side of the 2 page flier


Next Crew to ISS to be Entirely Amateur

Four radio amateurs will head to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a commercial flight, thanks to Amateur Radio on the International Space Station www.arrl.org

For information about Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, read here (ARISS).