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| Monthly Newsletter Supporting the Advancement of Amateur Radio April 2003 |
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THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Our March meeting was held on March 14 with a talk given by Myron Calhoun (WØPBV). Myron shared information on the grounding system he is using in his house. Thank you to Myron for sharing this information with the club. The April meeting for MAARS will be on April 11, 2003. Discussion for the meeting will be information about the American Cancer Society Trail ride held in June, and if we feel we can help by providing communications for the event. We will also discuss Field Day and make plans for an auction for the club. It looks like we will try to hold a testing session on April 26, at 1:30 PM. Listen to the weekly nets for the location of the testing session and any change in time or date. Remember our April meeting is the 11th at 7:30 P.M. at 2601 Anderson Ave. in Manhattan, and we will also get together for dinner at the Sirloin Stockade in Manhattan around 5:30 P.M. I hope to see you there.
Brian Carter, KCØDWX
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VICE-PRESIDENT'S REPORT
no report Dona-Rose Hackerott, NØZKX
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SECRETARY'S MINUTES
Brian opens the MAARS meeting for March 14, 2003 at 7:30 P.M . Myron, WØPBV, gives a talk on grounding for lightning protection. One idea for new construction grounding protection is to connect bonding conductors to the rebar in the concrete foundation and use this for the building system. There is enough conductivity through the concrete to ground to make an effective ground, according to Myron. While on the subject of grounding, I recently made a measurement of the electrical capacity to ground of a vehicle. Using my standard size automobile, I measured a capacitance of about 7000 pf (.007 mf ) between chassis to ground. This was somewhat higher than I expected. On the 75m band ( 4 MHz ), this 7000 pf gives an impedance ( reactive ) of only 5.6 ohms. On the 20m ( 14 MHz ) an impedance of only 1.6 ohms. This compares to maybe 25 ohms ( resistive ) or higher of a typical ground rod. These figures indicate that a vehicle makes a very good RF ( radio frequency ) ground. Advantage could be made of this during HF portable operation. If a vehicle is parked near your operating location , connect your ground wire to the vehicle even if you are also using a ground rod for DC & AC protection. This could make a improved radiation efficiency. An idea for Field Day. Brian announced that the American Cancer Society has been in contact with him and is requesting communications assistance for an event scheduled for June 13,14, and 15. A discussion was held to decide which location to select for this year's Field Day, to be held on June 28 & 29. The City Park was the location voted for by the members present. Fred, KØTCS, and Nadine, KØUHF, showed QSLs they have received from a special event operation. This was an operation from the Marconi Station at South Wellfleet, Ma. where the first transatlantic radio transmissions were made in Jan. of 1903, 100 years ago. The meeting was closed at about 9:00 P.M. with 11 persons in attendance.
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TREASURER'S REPORT
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NEW FROM ARRL - Beginning October 1, 2001, our club will receive $15 for each new member joining the ARRL through our club. This is for new members or those who have not been a member for two or more years. There will be no commission for renewals but we still may submit your renewals, if you wish. Since the club retains the dues, it is necessary for you to write your check to MAARS, and then the treasurer writes a check to ARRL.
Dues will be due by Oct. 31 and are: regular membership $20, full-time student $10, family $30. Please complete the following when renewing your membership, even if you did so last year. Return to the Treasurer, at a meeting or to MAARS, P. O. Box 613, Manhattan, KS 66505-0613. If you are currently receiving both the email and paper copy of the newsletter, please consider just receiving the email copy. It will save the club $5-6.00 per year per copy. NAME _______________________________________ CALLSIGN ____________ MAILING ADDRESS____________________________________ DATE _____________ CITY _______________________________ STATE _____ ZIP CODE _____________ TELEPHONE # (____)_______________ E-MAIL ADDRESS _______________________ FOR FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: NAME _______________________________________ CALLSIGN ____________ NAME _______________________________________ CALLSIGN ____________ CHECK THE FOLLOWING WHICH APPLY: ____ ARRL member ____ It is alright to list my e-mail address on the homepage. It is alright to list my address and telephone number for distribution only to our members. ____ How do you prefer to receive your newsletter?
____ e-mail ____ U.S. mail ____ both
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