Section Happenings Newsletter
edited by Tom Carrubba KA2D
NLI Section Manager
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February 2007 |
Welcome! This is the February edition of the New York City-Long Island Section "e-Happenings" newsletter. This newsletter is here to serve the Amateur Radio community in our area. We welcome and encourage all submissions. Help make this your newsletter. We especially encourage NLI Radio clubs and Organizations to submit their meeting announcements, guest speakers and any special events. Please submit any information for the March issue prior to the end of February. Section News Section News is available ONLY on the world-wide-web. See the NLI site at: http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=NLI IN THIS ISSUE: * from Tom Carrubba KA2D, Section Manager * from Mike Lisenco N2YBB, Section Emergency Coordiantor * from Diane Ortiz K2DO NLI Public Information Coordinator * It's Official! Morse Code Requirement Ends Friday, February 23 * UPCOMING Club Events Ham Radio University - NLI Section Convention Jan 7, 2007 -follow-up Ham Radio Classes and Special VE LI Radio Day * Other "stuff" [ARES] [DX] * NLI Section Website: http://hudson.arrl.org/nli * Emergency Communications Manager Job Announcement HAPPENINGS * From Tom Carrubba KA2D, Section Manager The big news is the elimination of the morse code requirement. Depending upon your view of this action, it's done and we must elmer the new hams who will upgrade and try HF. We can contribute to our hobby by making this a positive experience guiding them in the proper way of operating. We don't need any more "cops", we do need patient and consistent mentors. We have had good response from the section wide request for leadership voluteers. We have a few new ARES ECs in Nassau, new OOs and others under consideration. Thank you. Keep those emails coming. We enjoy hearing from you. The plan is to have the NLI staff intact for an April NLI Staff meeting. Ham Radio University 2007 was held on Sunday, January 7, 2007, at Briarcliffe College in Bethpage. It was a great event! Thanks to all who attended and participated. See follow info and PICS, goto:http://www.HamRadioUniversity.org NLI Clubs are always looking for speakers to enhance their meeting programs. A new NLI speakers list is in progress. If you would like to be added, send your information to Diane K2DO, k2do@arrl.net. List your topic, brief background and summary. Long Island Radio Day, ATTENTION NLI CLUBS Here is great opportunity for your Club or EMCOMM Group to display it's talents while supporting LIWHS which has been very good to us by supporting club meetings and HRU. See details below Tom KA2D * from Mike Lisenco N2YBB, Section Emergency Coordiantor ARES renewals in progress. Reports recived from all NLI Districts. Attended HRU 2007 John Healy KA2ABV, DEC New York City All ECs reporting Attended HRU 2007 Jim Mezey W2KFV , DEC Nassau County Attended HRU 2007 Bill Scheibel N2NFI DEC Suffolk County Reminder, EC reports to DEC are due by 3rd of the month. We now have 3 repeaters to choose from for our county wide net. In order of their priority: 145.330, 145.370 and 146.820 (back on the air at full strength with a new antenna and feed-line!) We are planning an Island wide linking project for 2007. We also have a wide area APRS digi on the east end. Originally put up for the MS 150, it has been significantly upgraded. Try it out. Radio room at the county EOC is about 60%. We expect to be finished by the end of Q1 '07. I attended HRU 2007 in January. Highest priority goal for 2007 is training. We are planing on EC-001 for everyone as well as the now required NIMS and ICS certification. * from Diane Ortiz K2DO, NLI PIC A FREE PREVIEW COPY of the SWISS ARMY KNIFE for Public Information Officers 2007 will be awarded to the individuals or clubs who have a Media Hit about the code changes and welcoming new people into Amateur Radio in the next two weeks. Offer ends midnight Feb 8th. This is a great resource for anyone interested in publicizing Amateur Radio. To claim your pre-release copy, send a copy of your media hit or a website address of it to apitts@arrl.org with the subject line "Code Media Hit" along with your mailing address. One per hit. If you are interested in becoming an ARRL PIO, Public Information Officer please contact me at K2DO@arrl.net Diane Ortiz K2DO, ARRL NLI Public Information Coordinator 631-691-1801 Long Island Radio Day The Long Island Wireless Historical Society (LIWHS) and WCWP/88.1FM (the CW Post radio station) are jointly sponsoring Long Island Radio Day. Long Island Radio Day is an event that will be of interest to local hams and ham radio clubs. LIWHS is looking for support and participation from local radio clubs and offers club exhibit table space (for club information but not for selling merchandise) at no charge to radio clubs. The event will feature antique and restored radios for sale and exhibit, an open tour of the WCWP radio station, a special event station, hands-on displays, ham radio demonstrations, door prizes, and raffles. Admission to general public is $6.00. Date and time: Saturday March 3, 2007 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Place: Tilles Center / C.W. Post Campus, Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY. Directions: LIE Exit 41 North (Rte 107). Proceed north to Northern Blvd. Turn left onto Northern Blvd. Go to 2nd Traffic light and make a left into the campus. Follow the road to the RIGHT to Tilles Center, to rear parking lot. Contact point: Robert Raynor (516) 623-5967 raynortown@juno.com. Check the LIWHS web site for updates: www.liwhs.org. It's Official! Morse Code Requirement Ends Friday, February 23 (Jan 24, 2007) -- Circle Friday, February 23, on your calendar. That's when the current 5 WPM Morse code requirement will officially disappear from the Amateur Radio Service Part 97 rules. On or after that date, applicants for a General or Amateur Extra class Amateur Radio license no longer will have to demonstrate proficiency in Morse code. They'll just have to pass the applicable written examination. The appearance in today's Federal Register of the FCC's Report and Order (R&O) in the "Morse code proceeding," WT Docket 05-235, starts a 30-day countdown for the new rules to become effective. Deletion of the Morse requirement -- still a matter of controversy within the amateur community -- is a landmark in Amateur Radio history. The complete article is found here: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/01/24/100/?nc=1 *Ham Radio Classes Now Forming ______________________________________ As a Licensed Ham Radio Operator You Get To * Serve Your Community * Talk To Other Hams On The Radio * Meet New Friends * Have Your Own Individual Callsign ______________________________________ The Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club (STARC) together with Long Island Amateur Radio Simplex (LIARS) will be holding a 7 week course where YOU will learn everything you need to earn your entry level FCC Amateur Radio license and begin to talk on the radio with other hams in the area. Classes Begin on Wed Feb 7, 2007 at 7PM Motorola (formerly Symbol Tech) Holtsville, Exit 62 on LIE Registration is required. For more information please contact: W2SBL@SYMBOL.COM SPECIAL STARC and LIARS Upgrade Special Event Station (and VE Test Session) Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club (STARC) together with Long Island Amateur Radio Simplex (LIARS) announces an Upgrade Special Event Station and VE Test Session to take place on Bald Hill, Farmingville NY on Saturday February 24th 10am - 3pm. Walk-ins accepted for this paperwork only open session. Anyone holding valid Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) for Element 3 (General) or Element 4 (Amateur Extra) may redeem it for an instant upgrade. In addition, all attendees are welcome to operate the clubs' Special Event Stations W2SBL and W2LIS. Newly minted General and Extra ticket holders will be signing "/AG" or "/AE" many making their first HF QSO's on the club station moments after receiving their instant upgrades to those license classes. Directions: Take Long Island Expressway I-495 to exit 63 North Ocean Ave (CR-83) northbound to Bald Hill Vietnam Memorial Park. What to bring: * VEC Fee: $14.00 Cash or Check made payable to: ARRL-VEC * Photo ID: Drivers License, Learners Permit, School ID, Passport etc. * Social Security # or Federal Registration Number (automatically assigned with first license) * Original and a photocopy of any CSCEs you may have from previous exams not acted upon by the FCC * Original and a photocopy of your Amateur License No testing will take place at this event; this is a special paperwork-only upgrade session for those holding valid CSCE's. A CSCE is good for 365 days from the date of issuance, no exceptions. For example, a Technician licensee holding a valid CSCE for Element 3 may apply at a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) test session, pay the application fee and receive an instant upgrade. Comments or questions: w2sbl@symbol.com 73's - W2SBL Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club STARC * UPCOMING Club Events/Meetings The previous listing needs updating. Please submit your meeting information to ka2d@arrl.org NOTE - Always check with the club to verify the date, time and location of the events/meetings listed here. ECS-ARC Meets at the American Red Cross, Queens Chapter, 138-02 Queens Blvd., Briarwood, NY 11435 on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30PM. Please contact Leonard Smith (Director) at: n2ldv@arrl.net for information. http://www.arcecs.org Grumman ARC (GARC) http://www.qsl.net/wa2lqo/ Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at the Allen Ellsworth Park in Farmingdale, starting at 5:30 PM GARC Meetings will no longer be held at the Underwriters Lab. GARC VE sessions are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Briarcliffe College in Betrhpage, Room: Long Beach #5, starting at 5:00 PM. Contact: Robert Wexelbaum w2ilp@optonline.net Long Island DX Association (LIDXA) http://www.qsl.net/lidxa/ Regular meetings are at 8PM on the third Friday of the month at Briarcliffe College, 1055 Stewart Ave., Bethpage (Room 10 in the Huntington Hallway). For club details, see our Web site, or contact Ed Whitman, K2MFY, LIDXA Secretary at edwhit@optonline.net for further information. There are usually two ARRL DXCC card checkers present: Tom AG2A and John W2GW. Bring your new DXCC cards and paperwork to these meetings for official verification and credit. Long Island Mobile ARC Next meeting of LIMARC will be Wednesday, February 14 at Levittown Hall, 201 Levittown Parkway, Hicksville, NY at 8 PM. The guest speakers will be George Tranos N2GA and Diane Ortiz K2DO with "Contest DX-peditioning in J3 - Grenada". All are welcome. Bring a friend! Future meetings are March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13. (Second Wednesday) each month at 8 PM. Webpage is: http://www.limarc.org LIMARC Indoor Hamfest: Sunday, February 25, 9 AM at Levittown Hall. http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm Contact K2KNB@arrl.net for more info. VE test session: Sunday, February 25 at 10 AM, Levittown Hall in the small room. 201 Levittown Pkwy, Hicksville Club Contact: President, Rick Bressler, K2RB K2RB@limarc.org Club PIO: Eddie Muro, K2EPM K2EPM@limarc.org Long Island Transmitter Hunters (LITHARC) seeking new participants A group of Long Island transmitter hunting enthusiasts has been conducting hunts on Friday nights with an occasional Sunday event and we are seeking new participants to join in the fun. Anyone interested in learning more about the activity of radio direction finding and radio "fox hunting" is invited to come out as a hunter or rider. A LITHARC discussion group (Long Island Transmitter Hunters ARC) has been established on Yahoo Groups as a central information and communications site. You are welcome to sign up to keep informed about upcoming events. If you would like our group to conduct a hunt in your area that would include members of your radio club, please let us know. For more information, contact Larry, WA2SUH at wa2suh@aol.com Nassau ARC (NARC) http://www.nassauarc.org Meetings every Monday night at 8 PM in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow at the Senior Citizen's Center. The General meeting is the last Monday of the month at 8 PM. All are welcome. Contact Lance Aue, KA2EJD, President at vze3db97@verizon.net Suffolk County Radio Club (SCRC) Monthly Meeting is third Tuesday of the month at 8 PM Bohemia Recreation Center on Ruzicka Way, in Bohemia. Contact: Tim Clark KC2LIN, 631-418-5057 http://members.tripod.com/~parasca/index/scrcreve.htm SCRC is hosting a VE Session scheduled for our next meeting on February 20th, 2007. Contact ph# is 631-418-5057, mailing address is; Suffolk County Radio Club 16 Silverpine Drive, Medford N.Y., 11763 . The Town of Babylon Amateur Radio Emergency Services (TOBARES) meetings are on the third Thursday each month at 8:00 PM. Location is the basement of Babylon Town Hall in the Emergency Operations Center, 200 East Sunrise Hwy, North Lindenhurst, NY. For more information, see their Website: http://www.tobares.org or contact Babylon town EC Walter Wenzel, KA2RGI at 631-957-0218 or via e-mail at tobares@optonline.net. * Other "stuff" [DX] NLI DXCC card checker John Reiser, W2GW is the section DXCC card checker and is available for field checking of QSL cards for your DXCC Award. John is available by appointment at his home in West Hempstead for card checking , and at all LIDXA meetings. If some lives far from him, John is willing to meet them half way at a diner or someplace. Contact John at w2gw@arrl.net NLI DX Spotting Clusters AA2MF Staten Island-NY, dxc.aa2mf.net W2GSB West Babylon-NY, 24.185.125.244, RF 145.670 K2LS Greensboro- NC. dxc.k2ls.com *K2LS is still a popular spot for many NLI DXers. 2007 EASTERN VHF/UHF CONFERENCE 33rd Annual Eastern VHF/UHF Conference to be held April 20, 21 & 22, 2007 once again at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Enfield, CT. This year we will sponsor a Saturday afternoon Microwave Workshop --mini conference in addition to our regular 3 day conference activities. Friday night hospitality suite, Saturday lectures, band session discussions, vendor displays and noise figure measurements with an evening banquet. Sunday morning weather permitting) we will hold an Outdoor Flea Market specializing in VHF and Up items. The Microwave Workshop will be patterned after the UK Microwave Group's "Microwave Radio Workshop for Beginners". This event is suitable for all newcomers to the microwave bands, with no previous experience necessary. Paul Wade, W1GHZ world renound microwaver and editor of QST's Microwavelengths column is coordinating the event. If you are interested in trying out the microwave bands but haven't done so, or are just getting set up for the bands, then this event is a great opportunity to kick start your activities. The afternoon will be structured around a series of introductory talks and practical demonstrations of microwave station operations. There will be a number of experienced microwave operators on hand over the day so that all of your questions can be answered. The workshop will be an introduction to microwaves. Please note that it is NOT intended for those already experienced in this part of the spectrum. Directions: take Interstate 91 take to Exit 49, bear right at end of the ramp, and take your immediate right (at Friendly's) onto Bright Meadow Blvd. The hotel will be on your left. See WWW.NEWSVHF.COM or contact Bruce Wood, N2LIV, Conference Chairman at N2LIV@ARRL.NET or (516) 938-0698 ext 210, (days) for further info. If you interested in presenting a talk or preparing a paper for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings please contact Bruce Wood, N2LIV, Conference Chairman. Paper submittal deadline March 1, 2007. [From ARRL] Finding ham radio classes a mouse click away! A new user-friendly feature on the ARRL Web site--the ARRL Amateur Licensing Class Search Page--lets prospective hams search for a licensing class in their area. It also allows ARRL registered instructors to list their classes on the Web. Visitors can search for classes by ZIP code, ARRL Section or state. http://www.arrl.org/FandES/courses/ Registered ARRL instructors can list their classes by visiting the Volunteer Instructor Support page and completing a simple form. http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/instructor/ Listings will automatically drop from the list when the class is completed. The new page also links beginners and those planning to upgrade to various resources, including ARRL's Now You're Talking! studymanual and the ARRL Exam Session Search page. http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml Newcomers may also want to visit the "Welcome to Amateur Radio" page on the ARRL Web site. http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html "We're very excited about this new feature that makes it easier for prospective hams to find a class so that they can earn their Amateur Radio license," said ARRL Affiliated Club and Mentor Program Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ. "ARRL also continues to support all of the instructors who give so much time and energy to teaching classes for new hams and upgraders." To become a registered ARRL Volunteer Instructor, contact Norm Fusaro; 860-594-0230.[w3iz@arrl.org] League Rolls out Emergency Radio Public Relations Campaign, Web Site (Jan 30, 2007) -- "Ham Radio . . . Getting the message through for your family and community" is the theme of the League's 2007 public relations campaign. The "Emergency Radio" Web site debuted this week. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, says the 2007 emergency communications initiative pick up the momentum ARRL public information officers started during the just-ended "Hello" campaign. For the full story,goto http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/01/30/100/?nc=1 ARRL C-CE course advance registration opportunities via e-mail A service now allows those interested in taking an ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (C-CE) course in the future to receive advance word of registration opportunities via e-mail. To take advantage, send an e-mail to prereg@arrl.org. On the subject line, include the course name or number (eg, EC-00#). In the message body, include your name, call sign, e-mail address, and the month you want to start the course. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> and the C-CE Links found there. For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org 860-594-0340. - ARES E-Letter debuts, sign up now! The ARES E-Letter to debut (Aug 11, 2005) -- Licensed League members with ARRL Field Organization appointments involving emergency communication or public service will be the first to receive the debut issue of The ARES E-Letter! The premier edition of the monthly national newsletter is set for release Wednesday, August 17, and will publish on the third Wednesday of each month after that. Since 9/11, interest within the Amateur Radio community in emergency communication and public service has greatly increased. More than ever, hams are volunteering to help meet the communication needs of our nation, states and communities. The ARES E-Letter is a response to this expanding awareness. Anyone with an interest in emergency communication or public service activities can sign up online to receive The ARES E-Letter. Each issue will contain a wealth of after-action reports, editorials, technical tips, news and views--information you'd otherwise have to wait for in QST. Timeliness, utility and inspiration are the goals of this informative publication that's devoted entirely to Amateur Radio emergency communication and public service. Editing the first issue is former long-time ARRL Headquarters staff member Rick Palm, K1CE, who oversaw activities involving ARRL Section Managers, the ARRL Field Organization and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). We invite subscribers to share a copy with club newsletter editors or with friends who may not be ARRL members but still might be interested in receiving it. Those receiving the premier edition also may opt out of getting further copies if they wish. [from ARRL 08/11/05] - List of Frequently Asked Questions on BPL available I received this via e-mail from Jim N2ZZ, the ARRL Section Manager from South Carolina. It is an informative list of frequently asked questions about Broadband over powerlines. Check it out at http://www.qrpis.org/~k3ng/bpl.html - MetroCor is coordinating body for the New York metro area MetroCor is the established coordinating body for the New York Metro area, inclusive of New York City - Long Island, Westchester County and the majority of Northern New Jersey. You must apply for coordination through MetroCor if: you have a system that has an expired TSARC coordination not yet registered with MetroCor, or wish to establish a new system on Amateur Radio Spectrum above 29.5 MHz, These and any other matters related to repeater systems' coordination are welcomed by MetroCor. They invite you to visit their website at: http://www.metrocor.net You can also direct questions to their e-mail at metrocor@metrocor.net - Section VE Sessions Section VE Sessions - available on the web at: http://www.hudson.arrl.org/nli/nlive.htm NLI Webpage: The Section Webpage will be redone and will contain LOTS of great information on section happenings, VE session, Education, Clubs, section staff, and much more! See http://hudson.arrl.org/nli A new webmaster is under consideration to replace the former webmaster, Tom Carrubba KA2D. NLI Section News is available at http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=NLI Emergency Communications Manager Job Announcement To formally apply for the position, the applicant needs to submit a resume to LouAnn Campanello, HR Manager LCampanello@arrl.org. Job Title/Department: Emergency Communications Manager Job Grade: Compensation to be determined by experience Hours: Monday through Friday - Some business travel required including weekends Direct Supervisor: Manager of Programs and Services Department Location: ARRL Headquarters, Newington, CT Qualifications: * Knowledge of Amateur Radio including HF, VHF and digital modes related to emergency communications.. * At least five years experience with amateur radio emergency communications in ARES/ RACES or equivalent * Experience in ARRL Field Organization in a leadership position * Experience as emergency communications professional and/or first responder desired * Knowledge of and experience with ICS and NIMS. NIMS 100 highly desirable and 700 Certification recommended * Amateur Radio license required and ability to attain Amateur Radio Extra Class License * Completion of ARRL EmComm Level Course Level 1 * High level presentation, verbal and writing skills * Bachelor's degree Responsibilities and Objectives: * Act as ARRL Emergency Communications liaison to governmental agencies including FEMA and Homeland Security. * Administer memoranda of understanding between ARRL and served agencies such as The American Red Cross. * Maintain and encourage relationships with all ARRL served agencies. * Creation and administration of the ARRL internal emergency response plan. * Coordinate Simulated Emergency Tests. * Assist Field Personnel with Emergency Communications and Public Service events and planning, as required. * Maintain and update ARRL emergency communications training materials and publications. * Keep ARRL Emergency Communications and Public Service content accurate and updated on the ARRL web site. * Maintain ARES Database. * Act as liaison to ARRL Emergency Communications Field Leadership including ARES and RACES Leadership. * Author and/or edit occasional material for QST and other ARRL Public Service publications. * Manage other Emergency Communications and Public Service Related Issues. -------- Please continue to help make this newsletter even more interesting and informative by sending me news about YOUR club and events. Assistant Section Managers NLI - Mike Lisenco N2YBB (n2ybb@arrl.net) Nassau County - Norm Wesler K2YEW (k2yew@arrl.net) Suffolk County - Len Battista W2FX (w2fx@arrl.net) Digital Communications - John Blowsky KB2SCS (kb2scs@arrl.net) NLI ARES SEC - Mike Lisenco N2YBB (n2ybb@arrl.net) DEC New York City - John Healy KA2ABV (ka2abv@arrl.net) DEC Nassau County - Jim Mezey W2KFV (w2kfv@arrl.net) DEC Suffolk County - Bill Scheibel N2NFI (n2nfi@arrl.net) |