Antenna season has arrived! Our May 6th meeting will be a good opportunity to develop your plans for a new antenna or ways to improve or fix an old one. Particularly wire antennas. They’re priced right and easy to buy or build. Numerous designs have been developed over the years. What’s the for best you? … Continue reading “PRC mtg May 6th”
Antenna season has arrived!
Our May 6th meeting will be a good opportunity to develop your plans for a new antenna or ways to improve or fix an old one. Particularly wire antennas. They’re priced right and easy to buy or build. Numerous designs have been developed over the years. What’s the for best you? We’ll also be taking a look baluns and see how easy it is to make your own.
Solve your problems with electronics.
Finding a problem is not difficult. Finding a solution, well that’s a challenge. There are few things more enjoyable than building a circuit that solves a problem. Some years ago I discovered a tremendous resource for electronic experimenters called Electronics for You. Electronics for you is loaded with thousands of small circuits for any problem imaginable as well as circuits just for fun. Most circuits are developed by electronic engineers and all are tested by the staff of EFY. Check them out at electronicsforu.com.
Earth Day ’19: Tremendous Success Our 7th annual Earth Day Special Event activity was a phenomenal success and I’m not exaggerating. We had more visitors, more participants, more radio contacts, and more fun than ever. Many thanks to Anita Cook and Parma Historical Society, who maintains Stearns Farm for helping us to promote this year’s … Continue reading “PRC mtg April 15th”
Earth Day ’19: Tremendous Success
Our 7th annual Earth Day Special Event activity was a phenomenal success and I’m not exaggerating. We had more visitors, more participants, more radio contacts, and more fun than ever. Many thanks to Anita Cook and Parma Historical Society, who maintains Stearns Farm for helping us to promote this year’s activities. Thanks to the Sun Papers for their coverage, online and in print. If you missed the article, check it out at https://www.cleveland.com/community/2019/04/parma-radio-club-tunes-into-earth-day-event-at-stearns-homestead-sun-postings.html
And, of course, a huge thanks to all our members who helped make the event happen. We’ll have photos and more in future posts. At our next meeting, we’ll critique our efforts and discuss what we did that worked and what did that didn’t.
Digital Modes: how to start
Amateur digital modes are more popular than ever. Why? Many hams feel it’s the perfect answer to enjoying their hobby during this period of decreased sun spot activity. Getting into digital modes is really quite easy and doesn’t require much more equipment than you already have. At our April 15th meeting we’ll see a short program that addresses the topic clearly and concisely. The presenter also describes the most popular new digital mode, FT8 and helps you decide if it’s right for you.
They don’t make ’em like they used to
Recently I heard a UK ham describe an early RCA receiver he enjoyed for many years but finally had to find a new home for it because could no longer move it. I just had to learn more about this tremendous piece of early technology that helped to end WWII. I learned that many were systematically destroyed when the guns of war were finally silenced.
The story behind the AR-88 and other beautiful works of radio art is a read you’ll enjoy. Check out the Radio Boulevard pages of the Western Historic Radio Museum. Enjoy: https://www.radioblvd.com/ar88.htm
April 1st meeting – no fooler Brave the “final” snow of the season and you’ll be rewarded at the April 1st meeting with an informative evening of friends plus an interesting program on a topic that forever intrigues – HF tuners. A tuner was my second homebrew project built under the supervision of a neighbor … Continue reading “PRC Mar 31”
April 1st meeting – no fooler
Brave the “final” snow of the season and you’ll be rewarded at the April 1st meeting with an informative evening of friends plus an interesting program on a topic that forever intrigues – HF tuners. A tuner was my second homebrew project built under the supervision of a neighbor ham. We’ll address the age old question, “Do tuners really “tune?” If you want to enjoy the HF bands, tuners are a must. At this meeting we’ll see a couple of short but helpful videos on tuners, plus get hands on experience with some manual tuners.
PRC Earth Day – Special Event
Our 7th Earth Day Special Event is almost here. Saturday, April 13th will soon be here and this promises to be the best ever! At the April 1st meeting we’ll wrap up our planning so that it will go without a “hitch”, an appropriate word because this will be our 6th straight year at Stearns Homestead Historical Farm in downtown Parma. We’d love for you to be with us but if that’s not possible please join us on the air to chat with one of our visitors. We’re expecting many young scouts to join us in the Stearn’s cabin. An exchange of greetings with you on the air could be the moment that inspires these youngster to join our amazing hobby. This year we’ll be operating on 2m, on the 145.410 repeater as well as 20 and 40 meters. And in keeping with the event, all transmitters be operating only on power from the “Ol Sol.” Share the above Earth Day 2019 flier with friends. https://www.parmaradioclub.com/earth-day-2019/
Above photo: Ken Osicki, K8OAE demonstrates ham satellite communications at the 2015 event.
“All’s well that ends well.” That old addage, certainly rang true at our last meeting when we arrived at our meeting room to find that the regular room was not available. We were supposed to be notified but unfortunately that didn’t happen. So we had to make a quick decision. Fortunately, the North Royalton Library … Continue reading “PRC Mar 18”
“All’s well that ends well.”
That old addage, certainly rang true at our last meeting when we arrived at our meeting room to find that the regular room was not available. We were supposed to be notified but unfortunately that didn’t happen. So we had to make a quick decision. Fortunately, the North Royalton Library came through and we were able to relocate to their beautifully equipped facility on Wallings Road.
Perhaps, it’s our amateur radio experiences that prepared us for last-minute adjustment but we made some quick phone calls and were able to find a replacement venue at North Royalton Library. How lucky we were that Branch Manager, Jeannie Cilenti was had a available meeting room. So the group packed up and headed south. Minutes later, presenter Bob Mueller, K8MD was set up in their very modern multimedia room delivering a wonderfully informative program on the Cuyahoga County Skywarn Program. Bob also brought his neat portable go kit, pictured below. Being well prepared for emergencies, Bob says he seldom travels without it.
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Earth Day is Coming
Hard to believe that we are just weeks away from our 7th annual Earth Day Special Event operation. We are once again happy to say that we’ll be hosted by Stearns Farm and operating in the cabin. This year we’re looking forward to visits from area scouts. VP Mike Marganski, KE8HBK has developed fliers that will soon be distributed.
Please help us make this event a success by participating at the event or making contact with our station on the air. Our young visitors will want to speak to you over the air. What a kick for them! Events like this can be a turning point that turns a casual observer into a lifetime amateur radio operator. Make a note of these details:
At our March 18th meeting we’ll iron out the details of our antennas and station setups and finalize what we’ll have on hand for public show and tell and demonstration. Please be with us and contribute suggestions.
I’ve been working on a code practice oscillator and will have it Monday to show. Aside from code practice sessions, these devices can be used to create tone modulated MCW (also called A2A). We’ll discuss discuss MCW and how you can use it to stay proficient on CW during today’s period of low propagation.
I have small circuit boards to share if you are willing to invest some time and a few parts to build your own CPO. There is one hitch. You have to promise to use your CPO to inspire someone else to learn Morse Code.
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“Tell us something we don’t know.”
At a meeting early this year we initiated a fun thing called “Tell us something we don’t know” where attendees are invited share with others a new bit of technology information they recently learned and would like to share with the group. Several people mentioned they enjoyed that segment. At the coming meeting we’ll do it again.
PRC is looking for a new Treasurer
We knew it would happen. Golf season will soon be upon us and that will take much of Ken Osicki, our Treasurer’s time. We appreciate the service Ken has given us and need to appoint a replacement. If you can give us an assist, please volunteer for this position by the next meeting. Without a Treasurer, we stand to loose our sanction with ARRL! So the issue is a serious matter. ________________________________
Photos by Ken Osicki, K8OAE
Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director
At our recent meeting we had a short presentation on the simple process of creating your personal web page on QRZ.COM. Some members started their page shortly after the meeting! At upcoming meetings we’ll admire your work. You might have some tips to share. __________________________________________________ A unique gift! Imagine my surprise when, while shopping at … Continue reading “PRC mtg March 4”
At our recent meeting we had a short presentation on the simple process of creating your personal web page on QRZ.COM. Some members started their page shortly after the meeting! At upcoming meetings we’ll admire your work. You might have some tips to share.
Imagine my surprise when, while shopping at Heinen’s this week on Bagley Road in Middleburg Hts. , I spotted this rare “in store special”. The packaging suggests that Morse Code is the universal language of love. Good to know!
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At the Monday, March 4th meeting we’ll learn about two vital amateur programs serving area citizens- Cuyahoga County Amateur Radio Service and Cuyahoga County Skywarn. Mat Nickoson, KC8NZJ is our guest speaker and he’ll share lots of timely information as we approach the 2019 spring storm season. If you’re interested in being a part of the organization’s efforts, Mat will be happy let you know how you can get involved.
The Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society Presents Winter Hamfest 2019 in the Spitzer Conference Center, Lorain County Community College, 1005 North Abbe Road Elyria, OH 41 deg 24′ 38.85″ 82 deg 04′ 18″ South end of campus across from radio tower Sunday, March 3, 2019.
Doors open 8 AM to 12 noon. More information at www.noars.net/winter-hamfest/
Many thanks to Rich Nagel, W8KU for his presentation on Software Defined Radio. Members were very impressed with the features included in the HF radio’s control software that covers a super-wide spectrum. You’re in communications… … so why not make use of your personal web page to promote yourself to your ham contacts around the … Continue reading “PRC February 18”
Many thanks to Rich Nagel, W8KU for his presentation on Software Defined Radio. Members were very impressed with the features included in the HF radio’s control software that covers a super-wide spectrum.
You’re in communications…
… so why not make use of your personal web page to promote yourself to your ham contacts around the world? YOUR personal page is waiting!
At the February 18th meeting you’ll get a short presentation showing how easy it is to create your own attractive web page on QRZ (dot) com. All the simple tools you’ll need are at your finger tips and the price is right… FREE.
In March
Looking ahead, our March 4th meeting presenter will be Mat Nickoson, KC8NZJ. Mat will be telling us about two vital programs, the Cuyahoga County Amateur Radio Service and the Cuyahoga County Skywarn. As we approach the storm season, you won’t want to miss that program.
___________________________________________________ Hal Rogers, K8CMD President
Here’s hoping you had a good holiday and are rested up for another great line up of programs at the PRC. During our hiatus, PRC Board members met to lay out the year’s program line up and you are going to enjoy what we have planned. Let’s start with our first program: Let’s Talk SDR … Continue reading “PRC February 4th”
Here’s hoping you had a good holiday and are rested up for another great line up of programs at the PRC. During our hiatus, PRC Board members met to lay out the year’s program line up and you are going to enjoy what we have planned. Let’s start with our first program:
Let’s Talk SDR
You don’t have to go far in amateur radio circles to hear someone say SDR is “the future of amateur radio.” Really? Why? And what the heck is SDR? Without giving away too much, SDR stands for “Software Defined Radio”. You’ll learn a whole lot more at our February 4th meeting. Presenter, Rich Nagel, W8KU has quite a bit of experience with SDR, even having built his own SDR receivers. Most recently, Rich has been experimenting with a very popular radio called SDR-Play. Rich will demonstrate some of the amazing features of this inexpensive, small radio.
PRC to Celebrate 7th Earth Day
The PRC will again operate a special event station to celebrate Earth Day. The location, the cabin at Stearn’s Farm in the heart of downtown Parma. We’ll be operating two HF stations on Saturday, April 13th. The event will be open to the public and we are expecting to have a number of scouts visiting to not only get a tour but to sit in on the operating. It should be a lot of fun.
New Software can be fun… or not
You might notice a difference in the look of these posts. Recently we received an uninvited update to the editing software that we use. As is customary, it came with no instruction, so we’re just stumbling along trying to figure it out. Thanks for bearing with us.
We look forward to seeing you all at the February 4th meeting.
The PRC Wishes You and Your Family a Happy 2019 CW ops, don’t forget New Years Eve is ARRL “Straight Key Night” !!! Have some CW fun by ringing out the old year and ushering in 2019 with a few CW contacts on the band of your choice. Then, submit your results, photos or interesting … Continue reading “Rollout 2019”
The PRC Wishes You and Your Family
a Happy 2019
My delta loop under snow.
Snow on the brick patio.
CW ops, don’t forget New Years Eve is ARRL “Straight Key Night” !!!
Have some CW fun by ringing out the old year and ushering in 2019 with a few CW contacts on the band of your choice. Then, submit your results, photos or interesting stories to QST. I’ve never before told my story of a few years ago. After watching the ball drop and tipping bubbly with my wife I sent out a CQ SKN and struck up a contact immediately. There were stations on both sides but he was strong. We had a nice chat going and he was describing his station… and that’s the last I remember. When I opened my eyes, twenty minutes later, the frequency was very, very quiet. My contact had apparently given up on me.
JOIN US FOR GOOD FOOD AND FUN AT “ROLLOUT 2019”
Das Schnitzel Haus
What a great way to kick off the new year- good food and friends. Join us Saturday, January 19th at 7 PM when we roll out 2019 at the popular Das Schnitzle Haus Restaurant and Beer Garden.
We hope you’ll join us. This will be our only get-together for January. Please be sure write us at parmaradioclub@gmail.com to confirm your attendance. Mention how many in your party will be attending. Das Schnitzle Haus is at 5728 Pearl Road in Parma.
The restaurant’s menu is quite extensive with something for everyone. We suggest you it out at www.dshparma.com.
BOARD MEETING
The PRC Board will be meeting on January 7th. One of the key topics will be the new year’s Program Schedule. This will not be an open meeting, but if you’d like to join us and contribute ideas, please contact me. We want to have your ideas for consideration, so please let us know very soon any topics you’d like covered. Also, if you’d like to share your experience and knowledge on a tech topic this year, by all means, we’d love to “book you.”
2019 DUES
Many thanks to all who have paid their 2019 dues. It’s a great help when dues come in early. Needless to say, club operating expenses keep coming. In fact, our 2019 insurance bill arrived just today. An updated Member Application form is on this site. We ask you to fill out a new one every year so that we can be sure our contact data is current but also to see if you have a particular amateur interest we can address in a program. We want your club to meet your needs.
And now we know.
It seems like for years every time I’ve seen a TV story that involves flying aircraft the pilot is wearing a green headset like the one pictured here with a can’t miss logo. My curiosity finally got the best of me and I decided to find out who this DC company is and why their headsets are so common. So, here’s what I learned from the company:
In 1975, David Clark Company introduced the first noise-attenuating headset designed to provide hearing protection for pilots, while also providing clear reception and crisp transmission at normal voice levels in a noisy aircraft. Since then, the ‘green domes’ have consistently set the standards of comfort, quality and performance in aviation headset design and manufacture.
Today, the company’s broad line of passive noise attenuating and Electronic Noise Cancelling (ENC) aviation headsets for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft is a top choice for general aviation and commercial pilots.
On a Hawaii vacation, my wife and I took a small plane tour around the main Island. The pilot handed us DC headsets so we could communicate with him during the tour. Talk about high fidelity and noise cancelling! Amazing. So, if you see a pair at a garage sale or hamfest, grab it. They can easily be converted to amateur use using an article that appeared in QST. The headset pictured above, sells for $995. And the pricing soars from there.
And now we know.
Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director
ELECTIONS ARE OVER At the December 3rd meeting Elections Chairman Rich Nagel, W8KU announced the winning Board members for 2019: President, Hal Rogers, K8CMD; Vice President, Mike Marganski, KE8HBK; Secretary, John Malloy, KA8VTV; Treasurer, Ken Osicki, K8OAE. Congratulations to my fellow candidates as we look forward to another successful year. Tom Bedoc, K8DMM led our … Continue reading “December 10th”
ELECTIONS ARE OVER
At the December 3rd meeting Elections Chairman Rich Nagel, W8KU announced the winning Board members for 2019: President, Hal Rogers, K8CMD; Vice President, Mike Marganski, KE8HBK; Secretary, John Malloy, KA8VTV; Treasurer, Ken Osicki, K8OAE.
Congratulations to my fellow candidates as we look forward to another successful year.
Tom Bedoc, K8DMM led our workshop at a recent meeting, helping to trouble shoot a problem radio, then presented an interesting program at the recent meeting on a favorite topic in amateur radio – standing waves. We enjoyed several informative videos, followed by a demo of various related SWR measuring equipment.
A reminder that the December 3rd meeting was our final meeting for 2018. Our next general meeting will be in February. However, we’ll kick the year off with a Board meeting in early January (date and time to be announced).
Das Schnitzel Haus
At that early in January meeting, we’ll be working on our program schedule and discussing ides for getting more programs to you and fewer business meetings. I can hear the cheers now. Or is that from Das Schnitzel Haus?
On Saturday, January 19th at 7 PM we’ll Roll Out 2019 dinner once again at the famous Das Schnitzle Haus. Complete details will be available soon. Please send an email to let us know as soon as possible if you’ll be attending.
THE PRC NEEDS YOUR $UPPORT
It’s encouraging that many members have already renewed their dues for 2019. If you’ve not yet done so, please take a minute and download the Member Application form on this site. We need your support. On the newly designed application we ask you to share your particular areas of interest, helpful information as we decide program topics for 2019.
A SPECIAL TREAT
A few years ago I gave a demonstration at one of our meetings of a service that appeals to hams as well as non-hams who share our same interest. The service is called Hamsphere, and it’s most amazing. Technically, it’s a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service. While it uses some of the same technology as Skype and Echolink Kelly Lindman, 5B4AIT / SM7NHC has taken his creation far beyond those other services. Lindman’s Hamsphere looks and simulates amateur radio. While the program is usable by non-hams, a surprising number of people have found it a fun place to meet other people. There are even nets, contests and award programs. Of course, it’s a great place for folks who are not able to erect antennas or just can’t struggle with our unpredictable propagation. Hamsphere is not free, but there are introductory subscriptions.
I enjoyed the introductory subscription followed by a year of paid subscription, then I went back to real radio. Of course, at the time propagation was good! All of this is to give you the “back story” on the “special treat” I mentioned in my title. A few weeks ago, Kelly sent me a link to an e-book he compiled. I was quite impressed. It’s really well done and I truly believe it’s a great service to amateur radio. Give it a look. I think you’ll enjoy it.
COMING SOON: ELECTIONS for 2019 Our next meeting will be our final meeting for 2018. Nominations Chairman, Rich Nagel, W8KU will announce the results of the elections for the 2019 Board of Officers. Other business will be discussed as we tie up loose ends and wrap up the year. Our first get together for 2019 … Continue reading “PRC mtg Dec 3”
COMING SOON: ELECTIONS for 2019
Our next meeting will be our final meeting for 2018. Nominations Chairman, Rich Nagel, W8KU will announce the results of the elections for the 2019 Board of Officers. Other business will be discussed as we tie up loose ends and wrap up the year.
Our first get together for 2019 will be our January rollout dinner. VP, Mike Marganski, KE8HBK is heading up the event and will fill us in at the meeting.
Our recent workshop
No one likes trouble but troubleshooting can be fun. And that’s what happened at the last meeting. Hams are all about helping each other and the recent meeting was a good example of that. Several members jumped in and did a troubleshooting session on a member’s ailing IC-718 station. While the receiver was functioning well, the rig appeared to have low transmit power. We’ll discuss the approach to the problem and the solution at the next meeting.
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS “SWR”?
Hams talk a lot about “standing waves” and something called “SWR,” but what are these things, really? Have you ever seen standing waves? Can waves really stand? At our next meeting you’ll see that it’s actually possible to observe standing waves. At our December 3rd meeting we’ll have a couple short classic programs followed by a live demonstration that will give unique visualization and understanding of standing waves.
2019 DUES
It’s that time again to ask for your support in the form of membership dues. A new Member Application form has been posted on this site. Some members change phone numbers, email or other info during the year, we ask you to submit a new application each year. Many members have already renewed and that’s very comforting. We appreciate your support and will continue to do our best.
Many times I’ve asked myself, “why do people participate in what could be called “social amateur nets… like the PRC FM net and the our 10 meter net, where there’s no formal program such as traffic handling training. Just social get togethers where people exchange chit chat. You can be sure that where ever in the world there are amateurs, there are social ham nets. I think it’s time well spent for net control operators and others to consider why people participate in these nets. There are certainly many more activities to choose from.
Now, keep in mind that these comments are mine not the result of professional research so I could be all wet. But after considerable thought: Hams are a lot like people and people generally enjoy being part of a group where they’re recognized, welcomed back, listened to and shown appreciation for their opinions and participation. And while not everyone can be a regular attendee, people they like to know the others miss them when they’re not around. Being part of a group also gives you the opportunity to hear a sweet sound- your name. People love to hear their name. Hearing your name tells you the other person might like you and possibly think about you when you’re not around. People like sincere feedback and advice. It tells them you care. So we shouldn’t hesitate to give sound technical advice that could help them fix their audio or signal strength.
People enjoy nets where they’re encouraged to contribute their personal experience, knowledge or opinion. And people like a venue where the general topic changes from net to net or within the net.
I’ve noticed that many of my favorite net control operators are sure to respond with a few words to each participant so that he or she doesn’t feel their words fell on deaf ears. So while a busy net control often feels pressured to move along to the next check in, they’re sure to slip in responses like, “some interesting things to think about, Tom.” “Or what a day you had, Marie. Let’s hope the rest of your week is all up.”
And many net control operators use computer logging that can recall a persons name… if it’s properly entered or isn’t a new call. A smooth net control avoids referencing the mechanics of the computer log. Mentioning the hardware breaks the illusion that they remembered your name.
A good net control operator enjoys the net as much as we do. That’s probably because they listen closely and are trully interested in what participants have to say. The result can’t help but make for a fun net.
Hal Rogers, K8CMD, President and Communications Director
