Special Event Station K3D
The Club's Event Station on August 5 was a success despite fluctuating band conditions thanks to the recent solar flare. Over a hundred QSOs were had with some of the first contacts coming from California, Texas and Florida. A couple of Canadian stations were also added to the list. I think we each had some great conversations with other hams across the country even meeting one with a grandfather that played for the Phillies a long time ago. Operating 20 and 40 meters in Saxonburg were club members Bob Mente (NU3Q), Dick Barton (AA3TG), Jon Gorman (N3RQD), Bill Kristoff (N3BPB) and myself, Chris Hyatt (KB3NPA). One station setup on the front porch of the Saxonburg Museum and the other in the original KDKA 'doghouse'. The doghouse was the small building at the base of the original KDKA tower in Saxonburg back in the early 30's.
After starting around 7am we packed up around 2pm to head home. The bands were dead at this point anyway so we trudged home to continue operating in the comfort of our home stations. After hooking the equipment back up I called QC for a good 15 minutes when I was hit with the first of several big pileups. The first several QSOs came from St. Kitts, Barbados and the Dominican Republic...in that order. It's quite interesting being on the other side of a pileup! Soon after the pileup started it faded away and then another long stretch of inactivity... and then another pileup started up in the blink of an eye. NU3Q also worked some stations at home as well.
On Saturday both NU3Q and I sporadically worked some more stations during the day. Most interestingly, the mail brought the first 5 QSL cards! Yes...QSL cards for contacts made the previous day was already in my hands the very next day.
Although we were collectively disappointed that there was no media in attendance, we made some great contacts to honor the historical first radio play-by-play by Harold Arlin back in 1921.
This event was made possible with great help from operators Bob Mente (NU3Q), Dick Barton (AA3TG), Jon Gorman (N3RQD), Bill Kristoff (N3BPB), Don Maue, (KB3UGU), Ed Dehart (WA3YOA) for last minute equipment, Dennis Chambers (W3QS) for letting us use the great Saxonburg Museum in Roebling Park.
Chris Hyatt (KB3NPA)
NHARC Hamfest
Hamfest Winners:
First Prize - Kenwood TS-480SAT - W3APR - Paul A. Fuller
Second Prize - LP Digital Vector Meter Kit - AB3CQ - Bryan J. Gorman
Third Prize - MFJ 269 Antenna Analyzer - AA3TG - Dick Barton
Fourth Prize - Radio Works Carolina Windom 40 OCF Antenna - K3RKC - Bill Hughes
Mystery Box - W3OVZ - Al Van Maele
The Club would like to thank all the members who volunteered their time to make this a sucessful Hamfest. Also, thank you to all who attended.
Club Email
Members are asked to forward any e-mail address updates to wa3yoa@nharc.org. Recently e-mail announcements have yielded a handful of out-dated/returned e-mails. Please make sure you not missing out.
Club Dues Change
Effective March 1st, the Club's dues will increase to $20 per year. If you have not paid your dues already, you have until March 1st at the current rate of $15. Please print the Membership Form, fill out the information, mail payment in and be active.
While you're at it, don't forget to donate to the Repeater Committee!
Why Ham Radio Endures in a World of Tweets
Somehow it makes little sense that amateur “ham” radio continues to thrive in the age of Twitter, Facebook and iPhones. Yet the century-old communications technology — which demands such commitment that you must generally pass an exam to receive a license — currently attracts around 350,000 practitioners in Europe, and a further 700,000 in the United States, some 60 per cent more than 30 years ago.
Wired>
Holly Day Party Another Great Success
The Club's Holly Day party was a fun night for a number of members and their guests Wednesday evening. The new location at Christ Lutheran Church set the stage for food and fellowship. Activities Director Cathy Heiles (KB3LYS) and President Jim Heiles (KB3IYS) did their usual great job with feeding all in attendance. A big Thank You to Cathy and Jim for their hard work. Entertainment was supplied by Don Maue (KB3UGU) and his amazing guitar skills. This year's attendance award went to Ed DeHart (WA3YOA). Enjoy some photos from this years event...
more>
Wired.com Article Features Ham Radio
"Become a Ham Radio Operator" on Wired Magazine Web Site - How-To-Wiki Segment. Posted on 12/9/10
more>
Frankford Radio Club to Donate Complete Station to Radio Contester
The Frankford Radio Club is one of the premier radiosport contesting organizations in the world. The club is looking to promote contest operating and will donate a complete station to one licensed amateur radio operator who wishes to get started in the contesting experience but is unable to put together a station. Note: Rules dictate that you must be in their 'coverage' area which is fairly east of Pittsburgh.
more>
Fun Times at Campaganza - Sept 24-26
Amateur Radio was front and center at Western Pennsylvania's 100 Years of Scouting celebration in Moraine State Park. Contact was made on 20m with a Camporee in progress in Colorado and other BSA events around the country. Digital modes were also worked on 80m.
More pix>
New Net Announced
We started our new Club 50/50 six meter net recently. It will be held each Thursday evening at 8:30PM on 50.50MHz USB. |
USS LST 325 Radio Promo from DonM on Vimeo.
Amateur Radio Field Day 2010 North
Hills Amateur Radio Club from DonM on Vimeo.
NHARC 25TH Anniversary Hamfest
What a turnout... more pix>
Hamfest winner are:
1st prize Kenwood TS-480SAT - KA3TQG, Wayne Valentino
2nd prize LDG AT-100PRO Antenna Tuner - N3SRA, Tom James
3rd prize Ameritron RCS 8V Remote Antenna Switch - W3WN, Ron Notarius
4th prize PG40 Super Power Gate Backup Power - WA3JXX, Paul Smonskey
5th prize Power Pole Crimping Tool with 30 amp connectors - K3YUB, Al Smochko
Mystery Box Prize was won by N3BPB, Bill Kristoff
NHARC Field Day
It's all over.... and it was a hot one..
When All Else Fails..Amateur Radio Prevails
More Photos>
| 
