Syntogram
Issue 7 April 1998
A note from the Editor
Yet another apology. Having missed March entirely, here's an April Newsletter.
Remember, if you would like to subscribe to the mailing list, please send Email to
"listserv@postoffice.cso.uiuc.edu" and in the body write "subscribe synton-l" (both
without the quotes).
A letter from the President
Hi Syntonites!
Welcome to April! This is the month when winter -- such as it's been --
gradually gives way to something that looks a lot more like spring. With
springtime comes a few more (and longer) good days outdoors, and maybe a
few good hours enjoying a hobby like ham radio. Weather also plays a
different role for ham radio in the springtime ... and I'll have a few
words to say about that in just a moment.
By now, you've seen the article on Synton in the College of Engineering
magazine "Ingenuity". Reporter Jamie Hutchinson did an outstanding job
with the story which should bring some good publicity for the club.
This month is not without some presidential concerns for the welfare of the
club! I catch myself worrying a little as I see participation dropping off
in some club activities. An informal poll tells me that folks are
generally swamped in coursework right now ... a condition that I can relate
to very easily. As such, I'll view the downturn in participation as
temporary and not caused by poor club performance. However ... if there is
a different reason that the club is no longer meeting your needs other than
a sheer lack of time ... I need to hear from you immediately so I can take
the necessary steps to rectify the situation. Good organizations ... like
some old-timey radio receivers ... thrive on internal feedback!
Now, back to this issue of spring weather ... let's make April our own
Synton Amateur Radio Club Lightning Awareness month. Check out your home
"shacks" to ensure you've added lightning protection to be ready for
springtime thunderstorm activity. Then let's make a special effort to
protect Synton equipment, particularly the gear at Physics House III, from
the eyeblink destruction of lightning. Let's be sure we disconnect and
ground antennas, install surge protectors on 110 VAC outlets and strips,
and seek ways to isolate equipment from electrical spikes. If you're in
the neighborhood of PHIII with a thunderstorm coming, consider poking your
head inside quickly and verifying that antennas are disconnected and
equipment is off.
This lightning issue is not without some recent history, as lightning
strikes close to Physics House III last year delivered some damaging blows
to computer equipment owned by our neighbors. We escaped harm ... and I'd
like to repeat this damage-free performance here in 1998!
And finally ... use this severe weather season to upgrade your public
service capability by planning for emergency operation. Assemble an
"emergency kit" with such things as maps, spare battery packs, flashlight,
ARRL message forms and pencils, that will allow you to handle the serious
side of an enjoyable hobby: emergency communications. Consider checking
out our local ARES group for more tips on what you might do to support our
community in case of emergency.
73 Tim, KM4KS
Synton ARC President
Club News:
The Dipole at Physicis House III has been repaired, and a two-meter vertical installed.
Stop by the club and use the equipment!
Treasurer's Report:
Account Balances as of: April 1st, 1998
Checking: $ 792.06
Savings: $ 464.76
Voucher: $ 62.41
--------------------
Total: $1319.23
Club Activities:
Fox Hunt! It is finally warming up out there, so it is time to schedule the next Fox
Hunt. There will be a fox hunt the weekend of April 25th with the fox provided
by Champaign County ARES. I'll send mail to the list when I know more. This will
be a mobile-based hunt most likely, but there will be hunters that people can ride with.
Local Amateur Radio News:
Twin City ARC is sponsoring its next ARRL VE session on Sunday, July 19th, at 1pm.
Upcoming HamFests in the state:
(from the ARRL web page)quit
April 19
+ DuPage ARC, Stickney, IL
Ed Weinstein, WD9AYR
7511 Walnut Ave., Woodridge, IL 60517-2818
630-985-9256
E-mail: edwinwein@aol.com
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~geirh/
April 26
+ Moultrie ARK, Arthur, IL
Ralph Zancha, WC9V
PO Box 55, Lovington, IL 61937
217-873-5287 or 217-543-2178
April 26
x Area Amateur Radio Operators, Kewanee, IL
Bill Anderson, WB9TEW
103 SE 2nd Ave., Galva, IL 61434-1854
309-932-3023
E-mail: bill@inw.net
May 3
+ Cenois ARC, Decatur, IL
Spencer Carter, N9LVW
PO Box 245, Blue Mound, IL 62513
217-692-2460
Fax: 217-692-2424
E-mail: N9LVW@msn.com
May 3
x Kishwaukee ARC, Sandwich, IL
Bob Yurs, W9ICU
815-895-3219
E-mail: mailto:n9zna@aol.com
http://tbcnet.com/~jleonard/hamfest.htm
Officer list:
President: Tim Shy (KM4KS)
Vice President: Still 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)
73
de N9DN