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.

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.

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

• Cleveland Hamfest 2-page printable flier PDF.
• Hamfest Association of Cleveland www.hac.org

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).

PRC members will not be meeting this September 6 as we celebrate Labor Day. However, we will meet September 20th at 7:30 pm at the Busch Community Room. This will be an important business meeting with several decisions to be made. All members are invited to attend and voice their opinions on these topics. Rosters will be available for all current members.

Woman Seeks to Have Ham Operations Banned

Normally, I wouldn’t bring you a story like this but I think it’s worth following. I would expect the ARRL to take a look as well.

According to a story recently published by WFTV in Florida, a woman experienced dosage problems with an insulin pump that she attributed to the radio signals that were coming from a local ham radio operator. Recognizing the gravity of the complaint the ham, who lives nearby, has since taken his station off the air. There’s been no mention as to whether the technical problem ceased after the ham went off the air. Both parties live in a development that recently voted to permit more liberal rules regarding transmitting antennas. An investigator hired by the development, determined the problem could have been caused by the ham station.

In my opinion, the ham involved should be commended for responding as he did until a determination is made as to whether his equipment is responsible for interference to the woman’s insulin pump. However, if the device is not able to operate in an RF environment I would say it has a serious issue that should be addressed by the manufacturer. An amplifier appears in the video but it’s uncertain if it was used during the ham’s operating. The television report, also shows the medical device which appears to be handheld and about the size of a cell phone. Check out the video. What are your thoughts? Certainly, there are a lot of questions to be answered. This will be a story we’ll all want to follow.

For the full story, WFTV Ch 9 Florida

Thanks to presenter and PRC Trustee, Tom Bedocs, K8DMM, the PRC had a excellent August 2nd meeting. Following our business meeting, Tom gave a very informative look back at the recent Field Day held by the North Coast Amateur Radio Club. Tom, who is also a member of the North Coast Club, set up the network logging that linked the clubs 5 QRP stations. Tom then explained the intricacies of the operations 5 separate antennas. What a neat setup! And after a few technical issues, the network worked perfectly. Nice job, Tom!

NO August 16 meeting.

We’re having a picnic!

Pavilion Picnic Shelter/ Day Park, Parma

The PRC will not be holding it’s regular meeting on the 16th. Instead, we’ll be enjoying a much awaited PICNIC, our first in 2 years.

Join us Monday, August 16th at Day Park, Pavilion (pictured above). The Pavilion is a spacious picnic benched shelter with 4 charcoal grills, electricity for appliances and restrooms. It’s located just behind the swimming pool and near a new bocce ball court (lawn bowling). Bring your bocce set if you’d like to play or introduce others to this popular past time.

The grill will be started at 5:30pm. Arrive around 6. Bring whatever you’d like to grill and your dinner and drink. If you have a dessert or other goodies you’d like to share, it’s appreciated, but never required.

Everyone is welcome. You never have to be a member to attend a PRC function.

We look forward to seeing everyone and meeting our new members.

Being an outdoor event, no masks are required but social distancing is suggested.

Directions

From the east, Pleasant Valley Road to Day Park entrance at Sesquicentennial Drive (across from Pleasant Valley Church). North on Sesquicentennial Drive, behind the pool. Pavilion is the large shelter on the right.

The group will gather at 6:00 pm.

Ham gear for sale. The PRC has been informed of the availability of used amateur radio equipment. Proceeds from the sale will greatly benefit the family. See the For Sale page on this site.

While we’ve all anticipated reconvening our in-person meetings, it does seem a bit weird to regroup after so long. I guess that’s just one aspect of the total effect the Covid-19 pandemic has had on us. But it’s true- the Busch Community Room will reopen to the public August 1st and we meet the following day.

We’ll have a short business meeting followed by presentation from Tom Bedocs, PRC Trustee, with a presentation that looks back at the Northcoast ARC’s recent Field Day operation in Lorain County. And during the gathering we’ll have a lot of “introduction re-introduction” going on. So, it will be fun.

We have new members we’re all looking forward to meeting so I think it would be interesting for each of us to share with fellow members how we discovered this unique hobby and the activities and modes we find most rewarding. And, we’ll also have treats and refreshments.

Now — the elephant in the room

While masks are not required by Busch management (per current Ohio mandate) after discussion with fellow members, and in light of the current state of the increasing Covid Delta variant we ask that only vaccinated persons attend and everyone wear a mask.

It pains me to say that, but your health is of utmost importance. The fact is, we’re not out of this pandemic yet. Recent reports indicate that the Covid Delta variant is highly contagious, even putting children with strong immune systems in intensive care. Emergency rooms are once again being challenged. Further, it’s clear that this variant is being spread by the un-vaccinated. So the PRC will conduct club activities with due caution.

That said, we sincerely hope to see you:

Monday, August 2, 7:30 pm at Busch Community Room, 7501 Ridge Rd., Parma.

We’ve always said that as soon as we can meet again face to face, we will.  If you’ve been following the pandemic news you know that Ohio is seeing a well-earned reduction in Covid 19 cases. This success is clearly the result of our diligent attention to the pandemic guidelines and the protection afforded by the vaccines.  After reviewing the current situation Governor Dewine recently announced that, with a few special exceptions, the State’s pandemic guidelines will end on June 2nd.

In celebration of our new freedom…

PRC members will be participating in the 2021 ARRL Field Day, June 26-27 at historic Stearns Homestead, the educational farm at the city’s center.  Many of you are familiar with this site as the location of our fun Earth Day celebrations for several years.

Needless to say, the smallest of events requires a large amount of PLANNING.  So, to kick off the event we’ll have a meeting this Sunday, May 30th at 7:30 PM on Zoom.  If you’ve never used Zoom and wish to attend, send me an email and let me know you want to attend. A prior to the meeting I’ll send you an invitation with a link that will take you directly to our Zoom meeting room.  If you don’t currently have the Zoom program, take a moment to download the application on your smart phone, PC or other device. The service is free. You can follow the link early to check out the simple interface. It’s fun to use and I regret that we haven’t used it until now. By the way, our meeting will last no longer than 40 minutes.

We’ll start the Zoom meeting by giving new members an overview of the intent of this popular radiosport.

While our nets are great fun, I really look forward to seeing you and can’t wait to meet our new members!  We’re hoping you’ve been vaccinated, but there’s still time to get your shot.

If anything good came out of this pandemic, it’s that we’ve learned a tremendous amount about the importance of personal protection and basic sanitation. Per state guidelines as of June 2, masking will not be required since we’re outdoors, but you’re certainly welcome to wear one. Hand sanitizer and wipes will be available, too.

Start now by letting us know you’d like to receive an invitation. Write to: parmaradioclub@gmail.com

73 and hope to see you Sunday

Hal Rogers, K8CMD                President

Mike Marganski, KE8HBK   Vice President
John Malloy, KA8VTV             Secretary
Tom Pechnik, AC8EH             Treasurer
Tom Bedocs, K8DMM            Trustee

Hamfests are coming back!

We received a flier from the Monroe Hamfest and Computer Show in Monroe, Mi on Father’s Day, June 20th. For complete information check out http://www.mcrca.org

For a complete list of other area ham activities go to arrl-ohio.org

This next story is a departure from the topic of ham radio, but maybe not. You never know what you’ll hear on the radio. The story has been on my mind since I caught a report on CBS 60 minutes. I believe we’ll hear much more in the months ahead.

On the May 16th broadcast of 60 Minutes, host Bill Whitaker opened the program with this chilling lead-in, “We have tackled many strange stories on 60 Minutes, but perhaps none like this. It’s the story of the U.S. government’s grudging acknowledgement unidentified areal phenomena- UAP more commonly known as UFOs.” I was rivited.

Watch the full story at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-military-intelligence-60-minutes-2021-05-16/ 

Let’s talk about it on the net. Have you ever seen a UFO or something you couldn’t explain? I have!

No doubt about it, like each of us, the club has had a challenging year during the lockdown resulting in no meetings or events.  Our nets have been very popular, thanks to the Net Control Officers and all participants.

Our meeting room at Busch is still closed and we’ll let you know when it reopens. We don’t expect that to be for several months.

As we slowly emerge from the lockdown and restrictions, folks on the nets have expressed interest in having an outdoor cookout or “potluck” event. That sounds like a great idea to me. As the days get warmer (and drier) we’ll pick a date and location. It seems that our usual picnic site, the Pavilion at Day Park might be reopening. We’ll be checking out the site in the days to come.

It will be wonderful to see you all again and meet our new members face to face! It’s important to mention that ONLY members who have been FULLY vaccinated and in the totally protected stage (2 weeks after your final shot) will be welcome. Of course, in your interest we will abide by all State guidelines at the time.

Ohio Section – Swap & Shop

Members share some valuable tips on our nets, such as this item from Rich, W8KU on a recent 10 meter net.

The ARRL Ohio Section has a page where hams can list items for sale or free for the taking! Just go to http://arrl-ohio.org/sm/s-s.html

If you’d like to browse the site or receive their regular newsletter, the home page is http://arrl-ohio.org

Zoom Tech Program

Numerous clubs around the country are staying in touch online by participating in Zoom Meetings or similar online sites. We’ve wanted to take advantage of this technology and there’s an opportunity coming soon.

The M2M Club in Medina has invited us to participate in their online tech meeting on this month on Zoom. To use the Zoom program you must have their program on your computer or other device. If you’re interested in participating in form the host by email and they will send you a link to the Zoom meeting “room” about a half hour prior to the meeting. After clicking on the link you’ll go to the meeting and soon be accepted by the host.

Here’s the M2M program described:

On Thursday, May 20th at 7:30pm, Ron Hollis K8RJH will be presenting 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. Learn more about the basics, some of the nomenclature, resources, and view a live demonstration to see and hear how it all works. And, information on additional resources will be provided to help you get started.

You can download the quick and easy free Zoom program, called the “Zoom client” at www.zoom.us

If you are interested,  write Jane Reed K8JGR, the M2M host and she will e-mail you your Zoom “invitation” about a half hour before the meeting. Just like any meeting, if you arrive early you’ll see others arrive as you wait. Enjoy!

write: jane@thunderecho.com

_____________________________

Would you like more Zoom presentations? What topics would you like discussed?

_______________________

Our nets are going strong but we still need more Net Control Operators. If you can help out write us at parmaradioclub@gmail.com.

_________________________

If you have information to share with fellow members, let us know.

___________________________

Hal Rogers, K8CMD President