February 2009 |
ARRL NYC/LI November E-happenings Newsletter
Written and Edited by Mike Lisenco N2YBB,
ARRL Section Manager NYC/LI
--
Welcome!
This is February 2009 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 Mike Lisenco N2YBB, Section Manager
* From George Tranos N2GA, Section LGL
* New ham radio website from Mitch Cohen N2RGA
* Spring Hamfest season
* Other "stuff" [ARES] [DX]
*****************************************
HAPPENINGS
* From Mike Lisenco N2YBB, Section Manager
We seem to be in a “warming” trend as I write this. Unfortunately, no one told
the solar cycle to warm up as well. HF dxing still is quite a challenge as the
SFI has yet to go higher than 71. Very frustrating as I still sit at 299
confirmed.
Rather than mope about the lack of rare DX, I decided to make use of the start
of the 2009 contest season to chase the new “Triple-Play” WAS award that is
being sponsored by the ARRL for 2009. The idea is to work all 50 states on 3
modes: CW, Phone and Digital (RTTY, PSK31, etc.). The only proviso is that all
150 contacts must be confirmed through Logbook of the World (LoTW). For those of
you who are unfamiliar with LoTW, it is a free service run by the ARRL providing
electronic QSLs to those who participate. As of this writing, nearly 206
Million, yes... million, QSOs have been logged into the system with over 18
million QSL confirmations worldwide. Given the current cost of QSLing (between
$3-5 for an overseas card), this is a godsend to those of us who chase awards.
Of course, it does not do away with the paper QSL and those are still collected
and used for awards.
LoTW can be used for DXCC and WAS at this time. Future plans are to use loTW for
other awards as well. For more information, log into the LoTW website at
http://www.arrl.org/lotw.
To date, 149 hams have won the Triple-Play Award, with the Section represented
by Michael Herzog, WB2KSK (#14); Gennady Moshkov NT2A (#36); Frank Fallon N2FF
(#43); Art Searle W2NRA (#56); and myself (#53).
**********************
I had the pleasure of attending the January 28, 2009 meeting of the Radio
Central Amateur Radio Club (RCARC) at the invitation of the club president Neil
Heft, KC2KY. I want to thank the club for the invitation and their warm welcome.
They are a great bunch of guys and I was very happy to meet them and chat with
them.
I am looking forward to attending the March 4th meeting of the newest ARRL
affiliated club in the Section; the Northeast Radio Club and the March 18th
meeting of the Grumman ARC.
If you would like me to attend a future meeting of your club, please email me at
n2ybb@arrl.org and we’ll set it up.
***********************
* From George Tranos N2GA, Section LGL
On January 7, 2009, the Town of Hempstead issued at notice of decision in the
case of Lew Morris WX2F of North Merrick. He was granted a variance for his 78
foot high radio tower with conditions.
The interesting part of this case is that the board of zoning appeals has
finally recognized the limited federal preemption PRB-1 by noting: "The board is
familiar with such uses, having previously denied such a use only to have the
Board reversed by the Supreme Court of Nassau County. Other communities have
also denied such towers, only to have their denials reversed by the courts. The
reason for such reversals is that the Congress of the United States finds a
great benefit to be derived from "Ham" radio operators, which resulted in a
ruling from the Federal Communications Commission known as PRB-1, which preempts
local zoning to a great degree."
The conditions placed on the applicant include retracting the tower when not in
use, subjecting the tower to all applicable building codes and requiring a
report from a professional engineer to renew the permit in 2014 certifying that
the tower continues to comply with the applicable building codes. An additional
provision that "the tower shall not cause interference with televisions, radio
or other instrumentalities" is included but the town is preempted by federal law
from enforcing this as interference is governed exclusively by the FCC and not
the town.
This is a big win for Amateur Radio. This tower had been in use for 12 years and
was brought before the ZBA only because other variances were required on the
property for a fence, shed and pool.
The hearing was held on June 4, 2008, and a number of radio amateurs from the
section appeared to testify on behalf of Mr. Morris. These include Frank Fallon
N2FF, Don Kane WB2BEZ, Steve Barreres K2CX and George Tranos N2GA. Mr. Morris
was represented by Joseph Buzzell, Esq. Their presence helped convince the town
of the need for the height, the value of Amateur Radio, RF safety of the
installation and interference mitigation procedures. All those who testified
were volunteers and spent many hours of their time researching the case and
appearing at multiple ZBA hearings. Congratulations to the team and to Mr.
Morris.
73, George
*******************************
* New ham radio website from Mitch Cohen N2RGA
Mitch Cohen N2RGA is happy to announce that he has started a new website devoted
to amateur radio. The website has over 20 forums available to hams who want to
discuss a variety of issues of importance to amateur radio.
For more information, log into the site at
www.hamradiostop.com/forum
*******************************
* Spring Hamfest season
Spring is nearly upon us, which means that Hamfest season is just around the
corner.
The LIMARC spring hamfest will be on March 8, 2009 at Levittown Hall. For more
information please go to their website: www.limarc.org and click on the hamfest
link.
The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (GSBARC) will be holding their Spring 2009
Hamfest on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Fireman's Memorial Park. For more information please go to their website
www.gsbarc.org and click on the hamfest link.
********************************
This newsletter is your newsletter. If you would like an event publicized,
please keep send the announcement to me and I will be happy to put it in the
newsletter. Again, the
email address is n2ybb@arrl.org
Please also send me your monthly club newsletter. E-zines can be sent to me at
n2ybb@arrl.org.
Tnx es 73 de,
Mike N2YBB
********************************************************************
*ARES
No report this month
********************************************************************
* NTS
NTS Monthly report will appear in next month’s e-newsletter
********************************************************************
* UPCOMING Club Events/Meetings
The listing needs updating. Please submit your meeting information to n2ybb@arrl.org
NOTE - Always check with the club to verify the date, time and location of the
events/meetings listed here.
--------------------
575 Long Island Amateur Radio Simplex Club
The LIARS Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Newfield High School
in Selden, NY at 7:30PM.
All are welcome. Our web site is:
www.lisimplex.org
--------------------
BONAC AMATEUR RADIO CLUB - BARC
Meets at the Amagansett Public Library (downstairs) on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Our Website is www.bonacarc.org
For more information contact: Wayne Schoenbrun, WB2S, President at wb2s@msn.com
---------------------
ECS-ARC
Meets at the American Red Cross Queens Area Office,
138-02 Queens Blvd., 1st Floor
Briarwood, NY 11435
Meeting Time: 1st Tuesday Monthly 7:30 PM
Home page URL: http://www.arcecs.org
Please contact Leonard Smith (PIO) at: n2ldv@arrl.net for information.
--------------------
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 VE sessions are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Briarcliffe
College in Bethpage,
Room: Long Beach #5, starting at 5:00 PM.
Contact: Robert Wexelbaum w2ilp@optonline.net
--------------------
Great South Bay ARC
GSBARC Monthly meetings are the last Thursday of the month, 8PM. Babylon Town
Hall EOC,
200 East Sunrise Hwy, North Lindenhurst.
GSBARC Monthly VE are the 4th Sunday starting 12:00 NOON
For more information, see http://www.qsl.net/gsbarc/
--------------------
The NY Hall of Science ARC has general membership meetings on the second Tuesday
of each month, with the exception of July and August. The meetings are a time to
take care of club business, listen to a great speaker regarding an interesting
topic related to ham radio, and to make new friends and catch up with old
friends. The club has its meetings at the NY Hall of Science in Flushing Meadow
Park, Queens, NY. Please check the club's website at
www.hosarc.org for more
detailed information.
--------------------
Town of Huntington ARES/RACES Meetings
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM at the Senior
Citizens Center, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY. The primary agenda for the
meetings will be scheduling special events, training, and technical discussions.
NY. For more information, see:
http://www.wb2lua.com
or contact John A. Allocca, WB2LUA at 631-261-3726 or via e-mail at:drjohn@allocca.com
--------------------
Long Island DX Association (LIDXA)
http://www.qsl.net/lidxa/
Regular meetings are at 8PMon 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
LIMARC meets the second Wednesday each month, 8PM at Levittown Hall, 201
Levittown Parkway, Hicksville, NY. All are welcome. Bring a friend!
Webpage is: http://www.limarc.org
Club Contact: President, Rich Cetron, K2KNB K2KNB@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 PMin 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
Grace Lutheran Church on Mastic Road in Mastic Beach .
Contact: Tim Clark KC2LIN, 631-418-5057
http://www.suffolkcountyradioclub.org
--------------------
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
SunriseHwy, 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 info@tobares.org
********************************************
* Other "stuff"
[DX]
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.
*******************************************
* 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/
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, 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, sign up now!
The ARES E-Letter is an e-mail digest of news and information of interest to
active members of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and to hams
concerned with public service and emergency communications ARRL members may
subscribe to The ARES E-Letter by going to the Member Data Page at:
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html?modify=1
Check the box for "ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news)" and you're all set. Past issues of The ARES E-Letter are
available at http://www.arrl.org/ares-el/. Issues are posted to this page after
publication.
* Repeaters
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 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 contains LOTS of great information on section happenings, VE
session, Education, Clubs, section staff, and much more!
See http://hudson.arrl.org/nli
NLI Section News is available at:
http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=NLI
Please continue to help make this newsletter even more interesting and
informative by sending me news about YOUR club and events.
*****************************************************
* NLI Staff
NLI ARES:
SEC NLI - Jim Mezey W2KFV w2kfv@arrl.net
DEC New York City - Russ Logar KC2LSB kc2lsb@arrl.net
DEC Nassau County - Harris Stein NY3H ny3h@arrl.net
DEC Suffolk County - Bill Scheibel N2NFI n2nfi@arrl.net
Affiliated Club Coordinator – Phil Lewis N2MUN
n2mun@optonline.net
Technical Coordinator – Steve Barreres K2CX k2cx@arrl.net
Public Information Coordinator – Ed Muro K2EPM k2epm@arrl.net
State Government Liason – George Tranos N2GA n2ga@arrl.net
Section Traffic Manager – Jim Minor W2DSX w2dsx@optonline.net
Official Observer Coordinator - VACANT
Assistant Section Managers:
Suffolk County - Len Battista W2FX w2fx@arrl.net
Digital Communications - John Blowsky KB2SCS kb2scs@arrl.net
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