SYNTOGRAM -- November 1998
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Please advise Tim, KM4KS, km4ks@uiuc.edu, if you are receiving duplicates of this
newsletter, or would like to be added to our e-mailing list.
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Hi Syntonians!
It's "crunch time!" As academic pressures and holiday plans make a full frontal assault
on your schedule and leisure hours become few in number, maintaining some balance in life becomes a real challenge! Here's where Synton might be able to provide that needed "sanity break" ... a good half-hour every couple of weeks does wonders for
the system.
November is starting off as an excellent month for visitors and contacts from Synton
alumni. Christian, KH6/F5IDM, saw our web page and has been enjoying guest privileges
at W9YH while he attends a conference on campus. Christian told me he was very happy with the warm welcome he received from Synton members, and pointed out that this
was not always the case with club stations. This confirmed what I've always known
about the club ... we are
a friendly, welcoming group ... and it is extra-nice to hear that this perception
is shared by others looking at us from the outside.
We've also heard from former Synton alumni who have gone on to bigger and better things,
but have taken time out to contact us. Each message has explained how important
Synton was during the alum's University of Illinois experience, and I'm left with
the impression that this club represents one of the happiest times for many during their
school days. This is a good message to those of us who are members of the club right
now -- that we
should make some time to get the most out of what the club has to offer. Make your
Synton experience a rich and rewarding one ... as it might well become one of your
best memories of the University of Illinois.
Although much heartened by our rich past as a club, I remain concerned about our future.
We are still looking for a couple of public-spirited members who would consider
taking on the Treasurer's duties when incumbent Wayne, AA9DY, graduates in December,
or would serve as my Vice-President until my departure sometime in the not-too-distant
future. It is a sad fact that if Synton has no officers, it cannot remain a registered
club on campus. Please consider taking on one of these two very easy tasks, and
keep the 73-year tradition of Synton alive.
And the final message on safety ... let's keep our eye on physical security this month.
With the switch to standard time, evenings tend to get dark early and stay dark.
Let's not become victims by paying special attention to keeping our areas secure.
Don't leave 330D Everitt Lab unattended, even if you've simply walked down the hall
for a minute. Make sure PH III is double-locked after you leave, and be sure to
double-check that the windows are locked too -- both front and back. Use the "porch
light" to keep the
area lit up at night. Lightbulbs are cheap; replacement equipment is not. Report
anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to the University Police emergency number
(9-911 from campus phones). If you prefer to call the non-emergency number, it's
333-8911. The University Police have an amateur radio operator or two among its members
(including a former Synton president!) ... let's make their job easier by following
simple crime prevention advice: "light it and lock it!"
Have an excellent month ... include ham radio as part of it! See you around the shack
or around the bands.
73,
Tim, KM4KS
Synton ARC President
SYNTON NEWS
Handbook Sales -- We're down to our display copy of the 1998 Radio Amateurs Handbooks,
with our shipment of 1999 books (hot off the press) due any day. We'll keep staffing
the sales desk as a courtesy to our customers ... Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Space Shuttle -- Listen to space shuttle traffic retransmission on 146.88 MHz
(simplex). If you're out of range of the Champaign repeater, there is on-line audio
New Ham Class -- Plans are taking shape for our technician license preparation
class which is slated to kick off shortly after the winter semester begins in January,
1999. Current plans are to have students ready for the March 1999 exam session here
on campus. Pass the word to those you know who are interested ... and if you're interested
in helping with the class, contact Debbie, N9DN (fligor@uiuc.edu).
W9YH Open House -- Open house plans are still in flux, and may be postponed until
the winter semester to avoid conflicts with the run-up to the holiday period. Open
House will also be an excellent opportunity to promote our "new ham" class to those
with interest in the hobby but are not sure how to get started.
Mailng List -- Debbie, N9DN, is now managing our "synton-l@postoffice" mailing
list. Drop her a note (fligor@uiuc.edu) to be added (or subtracted!) from our e-mailing
list. Let Tim, KM4KS, know if you're receiving duplicates or have any other mailing list concern
(km4ks@uiuc.edu).
Synton Alumni -- The club warmly welcomes contact from alumni ... and Debbie,
N9DN, is spearheading an effort to include alumni homepage links on the Synton homepage.
If you're a Synton alum on-line, contact Debbie (fligor@uiuc.edu) with your information and we'll link to your page.
Contesting -- November is a big contesting month, and W9YH station manager Tor,
N4OGW, will be active. Pass the word to Tor (n4ogw@uiuc.edu) if you'd like to participate,
or perhaps simply observe if you've never seen a contest "worked" before. You'll discover an aspect of the hobby that is both challenging and rewarding (and can
be very exciting!). We've also been invited to participate as a club in the 5th
Annual Collegiate Championship during the two ARRL Sweepstakes contests. Check out
the Collegiate Championship web page to see if you'd like to be a part of this.
SYNTON CALENDAR
- Nov 4 -- "brown bag" club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab (noon to 1 p.m.)
- Nov 7-9 -- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (CW)
- Nov 11 -- "brown bag" club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab (noon to 1 p.m.)
- Nov 18 -- "Synton Buys" Pizza and Business Meeting, 330D Everitt Lab
(noon to 1 p.m.)
- Nov 21-23 -- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (SSB)
- Nov 25 -- "brown bag" club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab (noon to 1 p.m.)
- Dec 2 -- "brown bag" club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab (noon to 1 p.m.)
TREASURER'S REPORT
Wayne, AA9DY, will have this for us next month!
OFFICER LIST
Presdient: Tim Shy (KM4KS)
Vice President: -- Vacant --
Treasurer: Wayne Wagner (AA9DY)
Secretary: Debbie Fligor (N9DN)
Station Manager: Torsten Clay (N4OGW)
QSL Manager: Chris Bochna (N9RQW)
Public Service Manager: Mark Belding (N9GPA)
Engineering Council Representative: Tim Shy (KM4KS)
Advisor: Prof. Jim Coleman (KA6A)