SYNTOGRAM -- November 1999


Synton Web Site <http://www.uiuc.edu/ph/www/synton>
Synton news group <news://news.cso.uiuc.edu/uiuc.org.synton>

Joint Synton/Twin Cities ARC 2-meter net
Thursdays at 9 p.m. local
146.76 MHz (-600 kHz transmit offset) Champaign repeater

Please advise Tim, KM4KS, <shy@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!

Apologies once again for the late newsletter, as demands from the work world underscore how important it is to have a relaxing and fulfilling hobby!

I've been very pleased to see more entries showing up in our W9YH logbook. This can only mean one thing: members are enjoying the station and using the equipment. I'm double-pleased to see the QSL cards come back from these contacts ... tangible proof that W9YH is on the air and doing fine!

I've also had the privilege of seeing a few members make their first HF contacts. This brought back the real magic of the hobby for me. As I know there are some among us who have worked very hard on their license exams but haven't pushed that to the next step by operating some equipment on the air, I encourage you to do so before the calendar flips to the year 2000.

I sense some of us fear that we'll make a mistake on the air, or in some way embarrass ourselves. Although I'll agree that it might not be a good idea to have your first time on the air in the middle of a Sweepstakes Contest pile-up, I think you'll discover that your fellow hams are helpful and kindhearted when you mention that you're new on the air. And the final consolation -- you can't possibly make any mistake on the air that I haven't made myself! We all learned by doing. Call on your fellow club members if you need a helping hand to get started. Once you catch this "bug" ... ham radio becomes very addictive!

Debbie, N9DN, has an offer for a Synton member or friend who has received their first license recently: a $50 gift certificate good towards the purchase of a new Kenwood radio. If you fall in this category, please let either Debbie or me know. Should we have more than one request, we'll hold a random drawing.

As winter slowly takes hold of the Midwest, and the coming holidays mean more windshield time in the car, be sure to check on your mobile installation. Make sure those power supply cords are in good shape, well insulated, and kept clear of the floorboards of the car where melting snow from your boots and shoes can cause any number of problems. Clean up corroded contacts before the bad weather hits so your mobile installation will be reliable all the way through the winter. And above all ... use your mobile rig with care. Keep in mind that the driver's first job is driving ... and ham radio operation is secondary. Avoid running into real trouble while attempting to troubleshoot or tune a rig at 65 m.p.h.!

Good luck with your coursework -- and your final exams -- as the end of the semester comes into view. See you around the shack or around the bands!

73,

Tim, KM4KS
Synton ARC President


SYNTON NEWS

Holiday Party -- Friday, December 10, 1:30 p.m. at Papa Del's Pizza, 206 East Green St., Champaign. Let me <shy@uiuc.edu> know if you're coming so we can reserve a seat at the table for you!

Kenwood Certificate -- Debbie, N9DN, has a $50 certificate good towards the purchase of a new Kenwood radio. If you're newly licensed and interested, please let either Debbie <fligor@uiuc.edu> or me <shy@uiuc.edu> know. Note that the certificate is good towards the purchase of a radio only (and cannot be used for -- say -- accessories!).

License Examinations -- Next chance to test locally will be with the Twin Cities Amateur Radio Club (TCARC). They will be holding ARRL-VEC license examinations on Sunday, January 23, 2000, 1 p.m., at the Fire Service Institute Building.

Handbook Sales -- We'll get some '00 Handbooks priced and ordered shortly. In the meantime, we've still got a pair of '99s left on the shelf. These would make a dandy holiday gift at $30.

70 cm W9YH Repeater -- Our 444.65 MHz repeater frequency will be set up soon for use by the local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) group. This will provide the ARES group some needed 440-MHz capability, and Synton is pleased to be part of this effort.


...AND ON THE BACK BURNER...

Antenna Workshop -- Still interested in the "Night of the J-Pole"? This simple but surprisingly efficient antenna is easy to make, and especially useful for 2-meter and 70-cm VHF work. Keep an eye on the news group and the mailing list for a time and place.



SYNTON CALENDAR

Dec 8 -- Club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab, noon to 1 p.m.

Dec 10 -- Holiday party, Papa Del's Pizza, 206 East Green St., Champaign, 1:30 p.m. Please let Tim, KM4KS, <shy@uiuc.edu> know if you're planning to attend.

Dec 15 -- Final exam week club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab, noon to 1 p.m.

Jan 23 -- License examinations, Fire Service Center on Gerty Drive, Champaign, 1 p.m.

Jan 26 -- Club meeting, 330D Everitt Lab, noon to 1 p.m.


TREASURER'S REPORT

Checking $301.12
Savings $475.91
Voucher $428.02
===========================
TOTAL $1205.05


OFFICER LIST

President: Tim Shy (KM4KS)
Vice President: -- Vacant --
Treasurer: Debbie Fligor (N9DN)
Secretary: -- Vacant --
Station Manager: -- Vacant --
QSL Manager: -- Vacant --
Public Service Manager: Mark Belding (N9GPA)
Engineering Council Representative: Tim Shy (KM4KS)
Advisor: Prof. Jim Coleman (KA6A)


Last modified: Tuesday, February 08 2000