SYNTOGRAM -- April 1, 2000

Synton Web Site
Synton news group


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!

With the academic year winding down, I’ve had a chance to look over how we’ve done for the year. Sadly, I’ve fallen well short of some personal goals for the club, and we are currently facing a somewhat uncertain future with our planned departure from Physics House III in advance of its demolition. But, this shouldn’t stop us from planning an enjoyable end-of-the-year pizza party, so please make sure I know <shy@uiuc.edu> your preference for good days for a lunch/supper on Synton’s tab!

I noticed in article in the February, 2000 edition of WorldRadio authored by Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR. Jeff could have been reading my mail! His article was full of suggestions on how a club could become more active and more meaningful to its members, and, by extension, could pick up some more members.

Jeff grouped his ideas under eight basic headings. Allow me to list the headings -- and then I need to ask for your input! Copy these headings, edit them with your comments, and send me <shy@uiuc.edu> your ideas as to how Synton could improve in each area. It will be my pleasure to let you know what we discover together, and this could become a valuable road map for the club’s future.

Here are Jeff’s headings:

1. Do Something

2. Build Something

3. Invite Great Speakers

4. Turn the Tables (speak about ham radio to other groups)

5. Spend Some Money (or raise some money)

6. Something for Everyone (do some different things)

7. Don’t Keep It a Secret!

8. Be a Leader (take a leadership position or get behind those that do)

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Our final safety word deals with lightning and thunderstorms. Please be sure to disconnect antennas in Synton’s facilities after use. Of course, this is the rule all year long, but it takes added importance during the spring/summer thunderstorm period. If you happen to be passing by Physics House III with thunder in the air, please poke your head inside and confirm that the antennas are all safely disconnected and out of harm’s way.

Have a great run to the finish line this semester! See you around the shack or around the bands!

73 Tim, KM4KS
Synton ARC President



SYNTON NEWS

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, April 16th, at the Fire Service
Institute Building. Because of the new licensing rules, those needing "paperwork-only" service should come at 1 p.m. Those needing an actual written or 5 w.p.m. Morse code examination should come at 2 p.m. Please bring picture identification, and both the original and a copy of your license and certificates of successful completion (CSCE), and your $6.65 test fee (even for 5 w.p.m. Morse code).

Spring Party -- As the semester’s end approaches, let’s think about a good day for our end-of-semester party. The "old stand-by" … Papa Del’s for pizza … is a good possibility. Would anyone like something different this year? Send your preferences on to Tim, KM4KS <shy@uiuc.edu>

New Hams -- New licensing rules mean more new hams, and currently licensed hams becoming active with their new spectrum privileges. Let’s be sure everyone is welcomed by answering those CQ’s or "monitoring" calls on repeaters. Let’s help demonstrate that the hard work on those exams has a payoff!


...AND ON THE BACK BURNER...

New Hams -- New licensing rules mean more new hams, and currently licensed hams becoming active with their new spectrum privileges. Let’s be sure everyone is welcomed by answering those CQ’s or "monitoring" calls on repeaters. Let’s help demonstrate that the hard work on those exams has a payoff!

Project Night -- Good project ideas are J-pole antenna building, and construction of a simple "tuna-tin" CW QRP transmitter. There seems to be some interest in the J-pole … any interest in the tuna-tin?



SYNTON CALENDAR

April 16 -- ARRL-VEC license examinations, Fire Service Institute. 1 p.m. for "paperwork only" upgrades. 2 p.m. for examinations.

April 19 -- Club meeting: 330D Everitt Lab at noon. Bring a lunch!

April 26 -- Club meeting: 330D Everitt Lab at noon. Bring a lunch!

April 30 -- Hamfest, Arthur, IL (Details TBA)

May 3 -- Club meeting: 330D Everitt Lab at noon. Bring a lunch!

TBA -- Synton Party?


TREASURER'S REPORT

Checking 235.96
Savings 475.91
Voucher 357.66
===========================
TOTAL 1069.53
(Plus $450 on hold for us in Jim’s account, and a $51 check from the Auction that hasn’t been deposited yet)


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)