SYNTOGRAM -- May 1999
Synton Web Site
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Joint Synton/Twin Cities ARC 2-meter net
Thursdays at 9 p.m. local
146.76 MHz (-600 kHz transmit offset) Champaign repeater
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Hi Syntonians!
This has been an excellent month for the club, thanks to the efforts of Debbie, N9DN,
faculty advisor Prof. Jim, KA6A, Prof. Steve, K9AN and Milt, K9QZI. These dedicated
folks have served as instructors for our New Ham class, and have taken a dozen students from the basics all the way through the complex. Four students sat for their exam
last week, and we have two new Technican class hams. Two others notched the first
element. Congratulations to all, and welcome to the king of hobbies.
Special thanks also to Tor, N4OGW, for setting up and demonstrating the use of the
new PSK31 mode at our Physics House III shack this month. Check out the May issue
of QST magazine and read about this new way of communicating. I found I was enjoying
PSK31 QSOs as much as I enjoyed my first QSOs back when I was first license ... truly
an experience that recaptures the magic of the hobby! Try it sometime ... you'll
like it.
With final exams looming over us, and the end of the academic year coming into view,
I would like to have a special word with some of our Synton alumni who might be reading
this. We current Syntonians would love to hear from you again. Through the magic
of the internet, we would like to start assembling a "where are they now" page for
Synton alums. As I've leafed through old club documents -- and through our extensive
collection of QSL cards -- I know each has a story to tell that may be getting forgotten with the passage of time. For those of you who are Synton alums, please take a
second and let us know you're out there. We'd love to hear news of what you're doing
now, as well as a tale or two of how Synton was in the days when the club was a larger
part of your life. Contact either of the officers (Debbie, N9DN, at <fligor@uiuc.edu.>
or me, KM4KS, at <shy@uiuc.edu>), and we will handle the rest!
Let's have a final thought on safety. Most of us spend a good bit of time thinking
about our transmitters, receivers and antenna systems. How many of us spend time
thinking about our grounding? Probably not much ... but the benefit of a good ground
outweighs the extra time it takes to install one. Check out your grounding system and
make sure it works. Make sure your equipment chassis ... often equipped with a "ground"
connector ... is connected cleanly to your ground. This not only prevents the obvious electrical shock, but also provides a benign path for stray RF that might get loose
inside your equipment. Grounds are also useful places to connect your antennas when
not in use. A good ground is not difficult to install: grounding rods are inexpensive, as are clamps and wires. A little muscle work on a good day should be all it
takes to have your ground ... and your peace of mind ... installed with confidence.
Have an excellent month, and I'll look forward to seeing you around the shack or around
the bands!
73,
Tim, KM4KS
Synton ARC President
SYNTON NEWS
End-of-Semester Party
-- Synton says "73" to another academic year at 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, at Papa
Del's, 206 E. Green, Champaign. Bring guests and friends. Participants in our New
Ham class are especially welcome! Please let Tim, KM4KS, <shy@uiuc.edu>, know that
you're coming so we can reserve some table space.
New Ham Class
-- The class wrapped up Thursday, May 6th, with the examination session. Congratulations
to two new Technicians and two more who picked up passing scores on exam elements.
Listen for some new calls on the bands and let's make sure they are welcomed warmly to the ham radio community.
License Examinations
-- Next to chance to test locally will be with the Twin Cities Amateur Radio Club
(TCARC). They will be holding ARRL-VEC license examinations on Sunday, July 18,
1 p.m., at the Fire Service Institute Building.
Handbook Sales
-- '99 Radio Amateur Handbooks are still in stock for $30 (a $2 break off the cover
price). Please pass the word to fellow hams who haven't got a current copy of this
valuable reference and idea resource.
...AND ON THE BACK BURNER...
Antenna Workshop
We'll target one of our Friday evening "open houses" for "The Night of the J-Pole".
Keep an eye on the newsgroup and mailing list for the night for building this simple
but effective antenna ... particularly for 2-meter or 70 cm band use.
70 cm Repeater
We're still looking for ways to activate our 446.5 MHz repeater. Pass along ideas
on what you'd like to see with this project.
SYNTON CALENDAR
- May 12 -- End-of-year pizza party, 2 p.m., Papa Del's, 206 E. Green St., Champaign
- Jul 18 -- ARRL-VEC license examinations, 1 p.m., Fire Service Institute Building
TREASURER'S REPORT
Checking $581.86
Savings 475.86
Voucher 416.86
TOTAL $1474.58
OFFICER LIST
President: Tim Shy (KM4KS)
Vice President: -- Vacant --
Treasurer: Debbie Fligor (N9DN)
Secretary: -- Vacant --
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)