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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Member Application

Some thoughts about nets

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.

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD, President and Communications Director

E L E C T I O N S  for 2 0 1 9

Our Nov 19th meeting will feature elections for our 2019 Board of Officers.  I’m sorry to report that at this time we do not have a candidate for Treasurer.  If you can step up for that position, please speak to Nominations Chairman, Rich Nagel, W8KU prior to the meeting.  Without that position the PRC cannot remain affiliation with ARRL. This means that a series of dominos will tumble. We will no longer be permitted to purchase ARRL club insurance.  Which means that we can no longer participate in events such as ARRL Field Day, Earth Day, picnics, or MEETINGS or other club gatherings.   So what do say, someone? Please help us out.

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Following the business meeting

We’ll have an interesting workshop session to trouble shoot a member’s IC-718.  While the receiver is functioning well, the rig seems to have a transmitting issue.  We’ll demonstrate how you can (hopefully) pin point the problem.

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD, President and Communications Director

 

E L E C T I O N S  for 2 0 1 9

The 2019 Board elections really sneaked up on me. Thanks to Secretary John Malloy, KA8VTV for the reminder.  If you have a desire to participate in the progress and direction of our great club, by all means throw your hat in the ring for one of the board positions: President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer. Be sure to review the responsibilities of the position you’re interested in, detailed in the Parma Radio Club Bylaws, Article 4, posted on this site.  Or use this direct link. Parma Radio Club Bylaws. Board Officer terms run from January 1st to December 31st.

Let your intentions to run for an office known by informing Nominations Chairman Rich Nagel, W8KU at richw8ku@gmail.com.

The slate of 2019 candidates will be announced at the November 5th meeting.

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The recent program by Tom Bedocs, K8DMM was really well received as evidenced by comments on the two nets.  This program gave Tom the opportunity to share specific instruction on how to use the oscilloscope for things such as monitoring transmitter modulation or tracking down issues like amplifier or power supply problems.

Thanks to Ken Osicki, K8OAE for photographs.

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director

 

 

What a fun program we had last meeting when 7 or 8 members presented items for our always popular “Home Brew Show and Tell”.   So many interesting devices and circuits.

 

Back to the basics

At our October 15th meeting Tom Bedocs, K8DMM will get back to the oscilloscope, one of the most helpful tools available to amateurs. Tom’s initial program on the topic was very enlightening and well-received. In program —-two Tom will demo various test measurements in tuning receiver stages, transmitter modulation level / distortions, filter graphing and audio /  trouble shooting a power supply.  Truly, a loaded program you won’t want to miss.

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Do you have an idea for an article? Let us know.

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We have a “new” NCO for the VHF/ UHF net.  Tom Southam, W8WLI has agreed to take the 4th Tuesday net. However, with an unpredictable work schedule he sometimes gets a late notice that he’s needed on the job.  So he is looking for a backup to make this work.  If you can help, let us know. Tom has been doing a great job as a volunteer and we look forward to hearing him more often as a PRC NCO.

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director

It was a difficult decision to cancel the Fall QR Picnic, but with the aftermath of Hurricane Marie headed in our direction, it seemed a good decision.  My regrets to all who were disappointed by the last minute change of plans.

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Cleveland Hamfest

It was good to see many of you at the Cleveland Hamfest. The weather was perfect and the sales and socializing was spirited. Congrats to all who found good deals or won prizes.  With no hoopla, the entry fee for attendants and flea market vendors was reduced this year by a dollar.

Thanks to Chuck, K8CVM for the photo of Tom Southam, W8WLI in his PRC jacket. That jacket has some history on it.

Time for me to grumble. 

I’ve always enjoyed the Mobile Check-In. Hearing all the eager hams heading for the Hamfest fires me up and puts me in the running for hourly prize drawings.  I understand that for the past few years the Hamfest Association’s repeater has been out of commission so they operate in simplex mode using the their repeater output frequency. Total confusion for everyone, some newbies, some traveling from a distance who might actually need “talk-in” driving instructions or info on which gate to use.  Imagine the hassle of discovering while driving that you need to recall how to manually enter a simplex frequency in order to check-in.

The Hamfest Association needs to remember that attendees are customers and that kind of confusion is NOT good customer service! You shouldn’t have to start the your hamfest event with frustration.

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It’s Homebrew Show and Tell night!

Our October 1st meeting will be another fun evening for you to how off a favorite homebrew project or kit that you’ve built.  It makes no difference how big or small it is, or how sophisticated your item. Bring it and share it!

We’ll also be discussing ideas for projects that could excite and motivate young people, perhaps inspiring them to join the ranks of amateur radio.

In addition, Tom Bedocs, K8DMM, who gave us his excellent program on oscilloscopes and promised part 2, has additional video and information to share of the topic, time permitting

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD

President, Communications Director

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2nd Annual QRPicnic !!

If you participated in last year’s fall picnic you know the fun of combining a cook out and playing radio!  This year we’ll again take advantage of this wonderful time of year to  set up QRP/portable stations.  Antennas must be free standing and not attached to any park structures or trees. While battery operation is preferred, there are power outlets in the shelter but be sure to bring an extension cord.

As for the picnic: Our September picnic has always been popular. Mark your calendar for Monday, September 17th (a revised date). The regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled.  Instead, we will picnic (and play radio) at Day Park, gathering from 5pm.

Talk up the picnic among friends and on the nets 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 QRPicnic is open to everyone. However an RSVP is requested. Please write parmaradioclub@gmail.com and let us know if you plan to attend. If you can serve as Grill Master to start the fire your help would be appreciated. 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 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.

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. 

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Have a pleasant and safe Labor Day.

Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director

10 Easy Ways to Kill a Club

You might have been around before the great proliferation of ham repeaters, some even having “phone patches”. Then came “bag” cell phones and cable television, distractions like computers, dot matrix printers, floppy disks and the internet. Before the landslide of technology, radio clubs found it a bit easier to fill a meeting room.  People were eager to participate in social activities and even meet new people face to face.  It’s true.

The challenge for clubs these days is to maintain the roster and increase club participation.  The reality is that it’s much easier to destroy a club than it is to grow one. We can blast it into history without giving it a thought.  While the PRC is strong, we have room for improvement.  At this mid point of our 70th year, I’ll share my “10 Easy Ways to Kill a Club”:

• Don’t attend club meetings, participate in nets, or read club email. If you check into a net, don’t contribute, “just listen”.
• Don’t chat with or welcome new meeting attendees or others you don’t know.
• Don’t invite friends or acquaintances to club meetings or nets.
• On nets or at meetings, be sure not to share your ideas or suggestions, or questions.
• Keep upcoming club programs a secret by not promoting them on the air or publicly.
• Afterward don’t speak publicly or on the air about how you enjoyed a meeting or program.
• Don’t share new found ham radio or other technical knowledge about a topic that interests you.
• Don’t volunteer assistance as a fill-in Net Control Operator or other role. They’ll figure out something.
• Don’t congratulate or encourage fellow members or others who recently upgraded or learned a new skill.
• Always be ready to cast negative comments about a member, a program, an event or off attendance.
• And a bonus: Never suggest how you would make the club better.  Someone might ask you to do that.                                                                 While there are many more ways to kill a club, these 10 can always be counted on to do some real damage. Can you think of others?

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Net Control Operators Needed

We continue to have a need for two NCOs for the VHF/UHF net.  The 1st and 4th Tuesdays are open. You might have noticed that from time to time the net frequency is very quiet at 9 PM and continues until someone steps up and volunteers.  If we cannot get a volunteer to take a hour a month we probably should discontinue the net.

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If you can help, write me or any officer or NCO.  You do not need to be a member to be a Net Control Officer.  You could even be on Echolink.

Thanks to Chuck Mehozonek, K8CVM, and Tom Southam, W8WLI for their recent volunteering.   Good job.

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PRC has a new CW operator!

At the recent meeting, Tom Pechnik, AC8EH informed the group that he had recently completed a self directed training program in which he taught himself CW!   I was thrilled when Tom told us that he used  a method  I shared in the CW program I gave last year.  The method requires no equipment and is unbelievably easy.

Tom simply took one or two letters or numbers at a time and sounded the dits and dahs in his head.  Repea the characters  throughout the day, and new characters each day.  You can make flash cards with the characters you’ve learned.  When you know most of the characters, “sound out” license plates, bill boards, street signs, newspaper ads.  Get creative and have fun. If you don’t have immediate recall of a character, no problem. Look it up the next chance you get.

It worked for Tom, AC8EH. It worked for me many years ago and it will certainly work for you.

Tom’s looking forward to operating CW at the next Field Day and the extra CW points he’ll bring us will be tremendous.

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Field Day 2018 Report

VP Mike Marganski, KE8HBK was the Field Day Chairman and reported that he submitted all of the required support material and data to ARRL in a timely manner. The numbers: Total QSO’s 232, Total Claimed Score 1262.  Thanks Mike for the great job.  While Field Day is not a contest, we’ll see how we compare to other groups operating in Class 1-A when the report is published in the fall QST.

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At our recent meeting, we had a real fun program called “Crazy Tool Night”.  Several members brought showed and, in some cases, demonstrated, a favorite tool. You might have a tool like this that does something no other tool does as well.

We saw Rich W8KU’s divider, a drawing tool and much more and  his super fast hole making step drills. Tom K8DMM showed his “Lucy Phone” for testing phone and audio lines, Hal K8CMD’s brought his spring loaded center punch, awesome chain wrench and home made spot welder – that really sparks! It was great fun and always a joy to learn about new tools and gadgets.

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Our August 20th meeting will be one you won’t want to miss. Tom Bedocs, K8DMM who is always a great technical resource, will be presenting part 1 of a series of programs on the oscilloscope. Following a video presentation that covers the basics of this highly valuable tool, Tom will discuss specifics of how we can put this exciting technology to work. In a future program, Tom will demonstrate how you can put a scope to use in your station or work shop.  Bring a friend. You won’t want to miss it.

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The best way to spell check – push SEND then read what was sent. Errors will stand out boldly.

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD  President, Communications Director

 The Ohio QSO party is coming

 

Let’s be honest. For the most part, HF propagation has been pretty miserable. Oh, there have been some good days but generally conditions are rotten. The noise is often horrendous.  Some folks say we are somewhere around solar minimum but many have no clue as to how long it will last.  The usual 11 year cycle seems to be obsolete. Sun spots are few and far between and that spells super poor propagation.  There’s no shortage of professional and other web sites that explain what’s happening (or not happening) on the HF bands. But there’s some good news. Our hobby is wide-reaching and there are some great ways to enjoy ham radio during propagation dry spells. Here are just a few:

Ham radio fox hunts

Early in my ham radio life, while serving in the U.S. Air Force in the Philippines, I joined the base MARS* radio club and participated in their fox hunts. I had no idea how this odd sounding “sport” was done but I was assured that I would enjoy it.  What fun! I got to see areas of the base that I would never have seen otherwise. It was also a great way to meet other hams of all ages, rank, and work areas.

Like any sport, fox hunting teaches you many skills that can be used in other endeavors.  And I can tell you that advancing technology caught up with fox hunting as well!  You can learn about this fascinating radiosport at our July 16 meeting when Jane Reed, K8JGR a member of the PRC and President of M2M Club in Medina will present a program on one of her favorite radio activities. The M2M Club has had several good “hunts” now and Jane’s eager to share her knowledge and experience.  The program will be a consortium as Rich Nagel, W8KU will give a brief overview to a directional antenna that he devised fox hunting and other purposes.

If you have experience in fox hunting, don’t hold back share your knowledge with the group.

* In the mid 60’s the Philippine government and the U.S. and FCC did not have a reciprocal agreement. So U.S. hams were not permitted to use their call sign on the air in the Philippines.  However the members of the M.A.R.S. program (Military Amateur Radio Service) were permitted to operate on assigned M.A.R.S. frequencies.  So the “work around” was for U.S. hams to verify your Technician or better ham license when joining the M.A.R.S. Club, and then you became a M.A.R.S. operator.  I was assigned the call sign AI4CMD, and still have the certificate.  The M.A.R.S. club offered “loaner”6 meter Heath Kits, affectionately called 6’ers or “6 meter lunch boxes” and I checked into the nets from my Air Police barracks. Those were the days!

Good old fashioned CW

While the “dropping of the code requirement” in our hobby will long be controversial, I can say that if it were not for that simple skill to turn to I would find amateur radio very boring.  Not that I’m an avid CW operator, but there are times when no other mode seems as gratifying.  It’s like going into a quiet corner with a good book. And one observation I’ve had is that, while unsolicited QSL cards are losing popularity among the general ham population, very frequently an enjoyable CW chat is followed by a QSL card and personal “thank you” for the nice chat.  My take is that a bonding occurs in this very personal mode of CW that happens no where else in the hobby.

Perhaps this down time in propagation is a good time for you to hone your skills at CW. Think about it. With only 26 letters in the alphabet, if you learned 1 letter a day you’d be off and running in a month.  It doesn’t even require equipment. I practiced sending and receiving CW by just “sounding” out billboards and other printed material in my head.

I’d like to help you pick up or share this skill. Would you be interested in learning (or sharing) CW.  You can learn CW with a simple free AP for Android like “Codeman” but sometimes it’s more fun in a group.  Some groups meet in person on a Saturday morning, others on the air, I once found a group in India that practiced on Echolink. Let’s discuss this if you are interested in pursuing this terrific aspect of ham radio.

Digital Modes

Then there’s the digital modes of RTTY (Radio Teletype), PSK31, MFSK, PACKET, THROB, OLIVIA and JT65. Use programs like WSJT, Fldigi, WSPR. A site that can provide a good overview is www.hfradio.org.uk and there are many such as www.arrl.org. Some of these mode provide amazing success under what would seem to be unusable conditions for other modes. Perhaps the digital modes have come along just at the right time!

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Congratulations to Chuck Mehoznek, K8CVM who recently upgraded to General Class.   Good job, Chuck!  I also want to thank Chuck for taking a couple of the FM nets in July.  Chuck is a busy guy but stepped up to help out as Net Control Operator on days he had available.

We have a couple NCO openings and need your help.  If we don’t come up with NCOs the procedure will be quite simple —  the repeater will remain silent while numerous folks just stare at their radio.

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Hal Rogers, K8CMD President, Communications Director