PRC QRPicnic Sept 11

A reminder– there is NO meeting on September 4th as we celebrate the Labor Day holiday. Passing comments on the Solar eclipse Many of us were looking forward to the 2017 eclipse with great anticipation and we were not disappointed. Some used special protective lenses, some used a home made pin hole projector, some watched … Continue reading “PRC QRPicnic Sept 11”

A reminder–

there is NO meeting on September 4th

as we celebrate the Labor Day holiday.


Passing comments on the Solar eclipse

Many of us were looking forward to the 2017 eclipse with great anticipation and we were not disappointed. Some used special protective lenses, some used a home made pin hole projector, some watched it on TV or the internet. I hope that everyone who planned to observe this amazing occurrence was able.

These eclipse photos really moved me and I want to share them.

If you’re looking at closeup of the photo on the left you’ll see the international Space Station passing in front of the sun. You can click on the photo to see a large version with accompanying article.

In the close up you can see the ISS as well as a couple “rare” sun spots. Thanks to Clayton Samels, AC8TA for sharing these ISS “photobomb” pics.

 

 

 

Larry Shimerka, N8OWS had a unique observation and captured it in these pics.  While in a garage with sun light flowing from a sky light, something above acted as a pin hole and projected the image below, which included several crescents of the sun, A close inspection revealed a near perfect crescent. Who needs a pin hole projector!

 

 

 

 

Thanks, guys for sharing.


1st Annual QRPicnic !!

Our fall picnic will have a new twist. We’ll take advantage of this wonderful time of year to  set up QRP/portable stations and do some outdoor radio.  Antennas must be free standing and not attached to any park structures or trees. While battery operation is preferred, there are power outlets but bring an extension cord.

As for the picnic: Our September picnic has always been popular. Mark your calendar for Monday, September 11. Talk it up among your friends and let’s have fun. The location will be the Day park pavilion we’ve used for several years.  See directions below.

Of course, our picnic is open to everyone. The club will provide the fire.   Bring whatever you would like to cook on the grill and your refreshment. Alcohol is not permitted in the park. In the past, some folks have brought dessert and other snacks and dishes to share — which is always appreciated, but not required.  Even fast food wrappers have been seen at the picnics. The Pavilion has electrical outlets that can be used for food warmers, coffee maker, lighting, etc.

The Pavilion shelter is behind the swimming pool at Day Park, just west of Tri-C.  We will gather about 5:00 pm or and will try to listen to the 145.410 repeater in case you get lost.

We’re hoping that all of our new members will be there and give us all a chance to meet them in a totally different environment. It will be great fun! See you there.

Day Park Pavilion_sml

Pavilion at Day Park, Pleasant Valley Rd.

Directions: From Ridge and Pleasant Valley, the location of our regular meetings, go West on Pleasant Valley Road past York Road.  You’ll pass the entrance to Cuyahoga Community College, then a U-shaped road that goes to  the park ball fields. Turn right (north) when at the play ground and park sign, which is Sesquicentennial Drive. At this time there is no road sign.  We’ll be in the large shelter called the Pavilion, behind the swimming pool. 

We’ll be meeting at the Pavilion in Day Park, off Pleasant Valley.


Hal Rogers, K8CMD

President, Communications Director

PRC mtg Aug 21

  The Solar Eclipse of 2017… A Cosmic Coincidence?   And what’s the significance of the numbers 400 and 5? By now we’ve all heard a lot of talk about the 2017 solar eclipse we’ll experience Monday, August 21st.  Some say it will be an extraordinary experience no one should miss, “a once in a lifetime … Continue reading “PRC mtg Aug 21”

 

The Solar Eclipse of 2017… A Cosmic Coincidence?  

And what’s the significance of the numbers 400 and 5?

By now we’ve all heard a lot of talk about the 2017 solar eclipse we’ll experience Monday, August 21st.  Some say it will be an extraordinary experience no one should miss, “a once in a lifetime experience”.  Actually, it’s better than that. It’s a cosmic coincidence that  only happens once in five lifetimes!  And do you know the significance of the numbers 400 and 5? You will soon!

Last week my wife Kathy treated the family to a presentation on the eclipse at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center planetarium. The program was informative and we received two great handouts, a pair of “Eclipse Shades” (yes, they meet the ISO requirement for direct solar viewing) and a loaded NASA two sided sheet on the solar event of our lifetime. If you don’t have proper viewing lenses, the NASA page suggests several easy ways to safely view the sun.

Time now for me to say something obvious– DO NOT try to view the sun without proper lenses.  These lenses are made of material that reduce the sun’s light to a hundred thousandth of it’s actual intensity.  Also, don’t view the sun through a normal telescope or binocular. These devices actually AMPLIFY light level and you will cook your eyes!  Remember those times as a kid you took a magnifying glass outside and focused sunlight onto a leaf or piece of paper to start a fire?  Well I do. It didn’t work fast enough so I focused it on my finger. Yike!!! That was hot.

Our meeting Monday August 21st will consist of a short business meeting, then I’d like those present to share how they experienced the eclipse of our lifetime.

Check out these links:

Cosmic coincidence.  A short animation from NBC.


Many thanks to the West Park  RadioOps for sponsoring a fun QRP day August 12th.  What a great idea!  Eight stations were set up in a North Olmsted park using a variety of very interesting low power rigs and antennas.  This ham took advantage of the opportunity to set up the bamboo poles/ 20 meter delta loop I built last summer.

Of course, no ham event goes without ample story swapping and other chit chat and this was no exception. I met many nice folks and even learned some helpful QRP tips.

It was great to see four PRC members come to check out the fun!  See photos from Bill and Judi Squires from this event at West Park 2017 QRP Day


Ohio QSO party nears

At our August 7th meeting Dan Kovatch, W8CAR and Activity Whip for the Ohio QSO Party gave us an enjoyable description of the annual activity and his long experience with the popular event.

The Ohio QSO party is being held on August 26 from 1600Z to 0400Z and your club is invited to participate! Every year many hams in Ohio participate from their home stations, as rovers or as mobiles. Their is also a category for EOC stations and multi operator stations-a great way to get together and have fun with a few friends. Our goal is to have lots of fun making all 88 Ohio counties available on the air for that 12 hour period. The OHQP is a fun way to generate activity and help county hunters get confirmation for Ohio counties.

Thanks for your help in making the Ohio QSO Party for 2015 a great success!

Dan Kovatch
Activity Whip OHQP
W8CAR

 


Everyone is invited to participate with the Woodchucks Amateur Radio Club on their Ohio QSO Party event: August 26th from 12 noon till 12 midnight at Riches QTH, 11694 State Rd. just south of Wallings Road in North Royalton.

As always remember you do not have to be a member to attend nor do you have to hold any class Amateur Radio License to participate as we always have Extra Class Control Operators present. Stay an hour or the whole event, operate or just watch– it is up to you.

The Ohio QSO Party is a yearly event of our club and the ARRL, it will include a picnic of sorts, a fire will be going all day and evening so bring anything you wish to cook or bring to the picnic.


Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director

PRC mtg August 7

Special program for new hams August 7th It’s a real pleasure to hear new hams and new members jumping in and participating on the FM net while their new call sign is still wet! With these folks in mind I thought it would be good to postpone our original program on SDR radio and instead … Continue reading “PRC mtg August 7”

Special program for new hams August 7th

It’s a real pleasure to hear new hams and new members jumping in and participating on the FM net while their new call sign is still wet! With these folks in mind I thought it would be good to postpone our original program on SDR radio and instead discuss  topics that would of value to the new ham.  So at the August 7th meeting we’ll talk about: net protocol, how to use repeaters and understanding those funny sounds you hear, tips on getting the best results from your handheld and some very helpful accessories for your new handheld. In addition I encourage everyone not to hesitate to ask a question of interest. We’ll have a lot of experience in the room, so someone will be able to help you.

West Park QRP Fun Day

You should have received the email informing us of the West Park RadioOps QRP Fun Day on August 12th.  I plan to participate and try my luck with a portable HF radio.  I encourage our new hams and others to stop by and check it out even if you don’t have a portable HF station of your own to set up.  It will be a great learning experience for everyone and you get to meet a lot of good people!  I’m sure you can also give others a hand with set up and tear down. Again, part of learning about this great hobby.

If you missed the West Park RadioOps flier, click here. WP QRP-To-The-Field 2017

Ohio QSO Party

The Ohio QSO party is being held on August 26 from 1600Z to 0400Z and your club is invited to participate! Every year many hams in Ohio participate from their home stations, as rovers or as mobiles. Their is also a category for EOC stations and multi operator stations-a great way to get together and have fun with a few friends. Our goal is to have lots of fun making all 88 Ohio counties available on the air for that 12 hour period. The OHQP is a fun way to generate activity and help county hunters get confirmation for Ohio counties.

You are receiving this email because your club is listed as an ARRL affliated radio club in Ohio.

Here’s how you and your club can help.

1) Announce the Ohio QSO party at your next club meeting and talk it up. Even getting on for an hour or two will help activity greatly.

2) Place an announcement on your web page and in your newsletter with a link to the Ohio QSO Party web page.( www.ohqp.org

3) If your club has a reflector or hangout on 2 meters announce the Ohio QSO Party and generate some interest.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think may be interested in participating. Between now and the OHQP I will be available to give a brief talk about the OHQP if you’d like.

Thanks for your help in making the Ohio QSO Party for 2017 a great success!

Dan Kovatch
Activity Whip OHQP
W8CAR
Interested? Let’s discuss this event at the meeting. —  Hal

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ARRL Great Lakes Division Director, Dale R Williams, WA8EFK writes:

Greetings all,

Our Great Lakes Division Section Managers have already alerted everyone about the need to send an e-mail to their Senators in Washington to support the Amateur Radio Parity Act. This note is a friendly reminder that if you have not yet sent your e-mail, the attached link will allow you to do that with a very minimal effort. https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ ctas/urge-us-senate-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act This is truly important that we get this passed so the FCC will be directed to create a set of guidelines implementing PRB-1-style rules that allow those hams living in areas governed by homeowners’ associations to install effective antennas. The above link is also available at the top of the ARRL Web Page. Thanks for your help and 73,

Dale WA8EFK

ARRL Great Lakes Division Director:

Dale R Williams, WA8EFK wa8efk@arrl.org


Also Dale writes: here are some updates and corrections to our recent listing Great Lakes Division ARRL Sanctioned Hamfests: Aug 5 – Columbus Hamfest – Columbus, OH

Aug 5 – UP Hamfest – Escanaba, MI

Aug 12 – Central KY – Lexington, KY

Aug 12 – Midland Hamfest – Midland, MI

Aug 13- Seaway Trunk Swap – Port Huron, MI

Aug 19 – Thunder Bay ARC Swap – Alpena, MI

Aug 20 – Warren Tailgate Swap – Cortland, OH

Aug 27 – Cuyahoga Falls Tailgate Swap – Stow, OH

Sep 9 – GRAHamfest – Wyoming, MI

Sep 9 – Greater Louisville Hamfest – Sheperdsville, KY

Sep 10 – Findlay Hamfest – Findlay, OH

Sep 16 – Richmond Fall Hamfest – Richmond, KY

Sep 17 – Adrian Hamfest – Adrian, MI

Sep 23 – GMARC Trunk swap – Shelby Twp., MI

Sep 23 – OHKYIN ARS Hamfest – Cincinnati, OH

Sep 30 – Paintsville Hamfest – Paintsville, KY

Oct 7 – Vette City Hamfest – Bowling Green, KY

Oct 7-8- GLD HamCon and Convention – Brooklyn, MI

Oct 21 – Muskegon Color Tour Hamfest – Muskegon, MI

Oct 22 – Kalamazoo Hamfest – Kalamazoo, MI

Oct 28 – Hazard Hamfest – Hazard, KY

Oct 29 – Massillon Hamfest – Massillon, OH

Oct 29 – USECA Hamfest – Madison Heights, MI

ARRL Great Lakes Division Director: Dale R Williams, WA8EFK wa8efk@arrl.org

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD
President, Communications Director