QCWA Peach State Chapter 49 April 2005 Newsletter MEETING NOTICE: SATURDAY April 16, 2005 High Noon Please note that this is a change from our previously planned date of April 9. The change was necessitated by our guest speaker's schedule. Please come out to welcome and hear QCWA National President John Johnston W3BE. The name of our meeting place restaurant has changed but it is the same building and location! Our next meeting will be at Fire Mountain Restaurant, 7045 Jimmy Carter Blvd. The restaurant is just west of Peachtree Industrial (141) on Jimmy Carter (140). 12 Noon to eat and meeting to begin at 1PM. 2005 Meeting Schedule The Chapter 49 meeting schedule for 2005: Saturdays April 16, June 18, August 27, October 22, and December 10 were chosen as our bimonthly meeting dates with June 18 being a picnic. All Chapter 49 Newsletters are on our web page www.mindspring.com/~w4gbu/qcwa.htm Meeting Minutes February 19, 2005 Wow, what a turnout! Forty total consisting of 16 members, 2 'Friends', 17 guest hams, 4 wives and our guest speaker, Bill Husted KQ4YA. Largest meeting turnout in a very long time. The meeting was called to order by K4HBI as he welcomed all our visitors Treasurers Report by K4SZ of $570.14 in the chapter checking account. The December meeting minutes were accepted as published. The newsletter and national journal were mentioned for the benefit of prospective members at the meeting. Several of our visitors took application forms with them. We welcomed our two newest members, Doug Benner W2NJH and David Bruse W4DTR to their first chapter meeting. Frankie W4BJT reported on the MatParc repeater security access problems at the Bellsouth building. A prodedure is now available to allow access for repeater maintenance and installation. Mike reported on the QCWA table at the GARS techfest. ARRL VD Sandy W4RU reported on current ARRL issues. Doug KT4XF reported on the demise of Sci-Trek and that the scientific displays had gone to Valdosta. The ham station equipment is now at the Tech High Charter School in the same building. Mike reported that Forrest Wilson of Fernbank Science Center had recently sought interest from the Alford Club members about reactivating the Fernbank Ham station to help replace the Sci-Trek station activity. Mike also mentioned again the possiblity of Chapter 49 hosting the 2007 National QCWA convention. Any volunteers? The annual picnic meeting has been OK'd to be at the home of Bruce W4BFR and Florence N4TNZ Montgomery in the Sandy Springs area. The plan would be for those attending to bring everything needed in the way of food, drink and supplies with Bruce and Florence not having to do anything but be our hosts. We also will probably need to carpool some folks in from a nearby parking area as they don't have much parking room. Further details will be worked out at the next meeting and published in the newsletter. Our Program manager Sandy Donahue W4RU introduced our speaker, Atlanta Journal columnist Bill Husted KQ4YA. Bill entertained us with humorous anecdotes about writing his 'Technobuddy' column for the paper, including a story about how he managed to get lost while learning how to use his new GPS unit. He also related a story about trying to assemble a stand for his new HDTV unit. It sounded much like a young inept father on Christmas eve with a daunting "toy" needing assembly. Bill said his wife finished putting it together with no problems. He started a discussion about computer crime and the recent ChoicePoint problems. His column was mentioned by most present as being their regular read. Many thanks to Bill for the entertaining program. Respectfully submitted, Bob Lear K4SZ, Sec/Treas Chapter 49 "Presidential Pontification" (or Da President Yaps!!!) If you were not at the Feb 19th QCWA meeting, you missed a really good time. We had close to 40 members and/or guests in attendance to enjoy the fellowship and fun. I think the large crowd was drawn by our guest speaker, "Technobuddy", BILL HUSTED, who not only writes a syndicated newspaper column, but who is also a ham, KQ4YA. We had visitors from all over GA and as far away as the west coast. Twas a wonderful time, but that is history. What is current is this month's meeting, APRIL 16, 2005 at our usual Fire Mountain restaurant location. Sandy W4RU, our Program Manager, has twisted the arm of W3BE, John B. Johnston, President of QCWA National, to be our program for the APRIL 16, 2005 meeting. John, a former FCC man, writes a "rules and regs" column for both "WORLD RADIO" and the "QCWA JOURNAL". Thanks Sandy for the fine program. OK folks, let us have a fine turnout and a good showing for this meeting. Bob K4SZ has informed me that he has some awards for some of our QCWA members to be given out during the APRIL 16 meeting. We will ask our guest speaker, John Johnston to present the awards and take some pictures for the QCWA Journal. Chapter 49 will do something different for our picnic/swapfest/meeting this year. Since there are members that we dearly miss and they have not been able to get to the meetings, we will bring the picnic meeting to them. The JUNE 18, 2005 gathering will be at the Sandy Springs home of two dear QCWA Chapter 49 members, Bruce (W4BFR) and Florence (N4TNZ) Montgomery. The picnic will be brought to these wonderful folks by the attending membership, so Bruce and Florence will not have to do anything but relax, eat, and enjoy the fellowship. At the meeting we will take a poll of who will be attending this event and coordinate who brings what to this premier event. So if you can not make the April 16 meeting, but will be able to make the JUNE 18 picnic meeting, please drop me an email at k4hbi@arrl.net to let us know. The QCWA members will bring a complete picnic feast, grill, paper ware, chairs, drinks, etc. to the member's house (ie carport, backyard). So let us know what part you would like to help with. Speaking of our meetings, the 2005 Chapter 49 schedule follows: Apr 16, Jun 18, Aug 27, Oct 22, Dec 10. Of course the Dec 10 meeting will be the annual Holiday Party. A very great time was had at the recent Kennehoochee Amateur Radio Club hamfest meeting long time and newer QCWA members. The tales and stories were flying fast and furious. I even managed to wrangle an "at large" member into the Chapter 49 family. Let us welcome Larry Keith, KQ4BY, a long time hamfest buddy from Warner Robins, GA. You may remember him as the airdux type coil winder and parts seller from the hamfest boneyards. Please keep the members of the QCWA family in your thoughts and prayers. Hope all stay healthy and if not, wish you a speedy recovery. Please keep us informed about your health, so we can put you in our prayers and let your friends know of your status. Please consider the blessings you have been given, including the QCWA Chapter 49 Family. That's all the gossip for now, so come on out to the meetings to dine, dessert, and get all the good dirt on what is happening with your friends and hobby. Again, Thanks Bob, K4SZ, for the great Chapter 49 Newsletter. See you all soon, VY 73 Mike Swiderski, K4HBI, CH 49 Pres. VP NOTES: Well, as spring is upon us and the lightning season approaches, remember to not stand under trees! and do not fly a kite in the storm even if your wife tells you to! The net activity has been GREAT the last few months. The 75M Saturday 9 AM net has been very active. In general all has been well health wise except for Lawson Leake AE4GQ. Lwwson has been having breathing problems and trying to get it straightened out. Our two "Old TImers" Pete W4AUP and Bruce W4BFR have been doing OK. It sure is nice to be able to meet on Saturday mornings and see how everyone is doing. I look forward to it each week. The 2 meter net on Wednesday 145.41 MC at 8 PM has been "light". We are running from 1 to 3 check ins. If you are around, just stop by and say hello. Just drop in on either net and say hello. Jerry W3CDE NCS Secretary Treasurer/Newsletter Editors Notes: Dues: I'm sure that members will now avoid me at hamfests after several members have been accosted at Dalton and relieved of their hard-earned cash by your Secretary/Treasurer. They are now however, up to date with their chapter dues. I don't think they believed that I would actually hold them down and take their wallets hostage! Watch out, you may be next!! Finally a 100% successful method of dues collection. Those folks still due who weren't at the hamfest will be hearing from me. Speaking of the Treasury, our very good friend and member Pete Sides W4AUP of Montgomery AL recently made a $100 donation to the Chapter. Pete really believes in Chapter 49 as evidenced by his signing up as a life member when he was only 94!! Thanks Pete, we'll keep trying to do you proud. Now that we've mentioned life members, there is a communication from National for them. It seems that over a year ago all national life members were sent a post card to be returned confirming their status and addresses. Those cards not returned were then dropped from the Journal subscription database as probable silent keys. If any of our life members are not receiving the Journal, then they should contact National. Another good reason to keep your address current with the club. Recognizing our Chapter Life members and reminding them of this need: K4RF Steve Adams, AD4LN Stuart Banks, W4KE Lyle Letteer, KC4AA Bill Mills, W4BFR Bruce Montgomery, W4AUP Pete Sides, AC4DD Maxie Strickland, KC4CC Chuck Tankersly, and our latest addition N4DK Don Kasten. Other National life members are Mary Ahls W4NZJ, William Duckwitz W4PBV, Andy Funk KB7UV and Dave Thompson K4JRB Our new Chapter 49 membership form is in .PDF format and is now on the web page along with the National application form. If any members identify a possible new member they can direct them to our chapter web page www.mindspring.com/~w4gbu/qcwa.htm for both membership forms. I found out recently that there is also a link to Chapter 49 on the National web page www.qcwa.org New Members: Welcome to our ARRL SE Division Director Frank Butler W4RH. We get to see Frank at all the hamfests in our area though he lives in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Frank is a long time QCWA member and has joined Chapter 49 as there is no active chapter in his area (and probably to get Sandy off his back too!). David Bruse W4DTR joined at the meeting. David is a programmer who lives in Duluth and is also a GARS member. He joins Doug KT4XE and Andy KB7UVin vying for being our youngest member. Welcome also to new member Doug Benner W2NJH. Doug is an EE from New Jersey (aka New Jersey Ham) and has retired here in Marietta with his wife Fabiola. He has been a QCWA member for over 20 years and has now joined our chapter. He has been checking into the 80m net regularly. New Chapter 49 member Don Kasten N4DK is a lifetime QCWA member and joins our eight other lifetime local members. Don lives in Roswell with his wife Karen N4UBZ. He is a musician and also a member of the SEDX club. Don and Karen attended our February meeting. Our latest member Larry Keith KQ4BY hails from Warner Robins. He has been a national member for several years and we welcome him to the Chapter 49 fold. Larry is active on HF, enjoys building equipment and is a well known regular at all the area hamfests. Update: Mary W4NZJ and Bill AB0KF Ahls notified us that they have moved again. Mary says she is now an Arizona cowgirl and Texan Bill only had to dust off his boots. Their new address is 3830 North Pantua Road, Tucson AZ 85750 and new e-mail maryahls@comcast.com We wish them well. Yearly Awards Time: Congratulations to all our members receiving awards this year, especially the 75 year award for Bruce Montgomery W4BFR. A definite accomplishment even among the QCWA group. A 65 year award for Wayne Flickinger W9BKJ and 50 year awards for Lyle Letteer W4KE, Jerry Lofstead W3CDE, Guy Shields W4GBU, Maxie Strickland AC4DD and Frankie Womack W4BJT will be presented at the meeting to those present and the others will be mailed. We also have Century Club awards for Charlie Akins AB4HR and Ed Bigbie W4MMQ. Congratulations to them all. 73, Bob K4SZ A nice Swap and Traders Net list put together by Jerry W3CDE Sunday 9AM 7275 Georgia Traders Net 10 AM 7245 Continental Traders Net 8:30 PM 3922 Texas Traders Net Monday 8 PM 3897 Gator Traders Net Tuesday 8 PM 3865 Old Tube Traders Net 3987.5 Arkansas Traders Net Wednesday 10 AM 7251 SouthCars Traders Net 8 PM 3938 Virginia group Thursday 7 PM 7251 SouthCars Traders Net 8:30 PM 3885 Friday 8:30 PM 3870 Texas Traders Net Saturday 8 PM 3938 Virginia Group QCWA PEACH STATE CHAPTER 49 Web address: www.mindspring.com/~w4gbu/qcwa.htm 2004-2005 CHAPTER OFFICERS President Mike Swiderski K4HBI 770-449-0369 k4hbi@arrl.net VP/ Net Mgr Jerry Lofstead W3CDE 770-979-5500 w3cde@arrl.net Sec/Treas Bob Lear K4SZ 706-864-6229 k4sz@arrl.net Exec Comm: Fred Runkle K4KAZ 770-945-6326 runkle@charter.net Frankie Womack W4BJT 404-767-5382 w4bjt@mindspring.com Sandy Donahue W4RU 404-315-1443 w4ru@arrl.org NetManager Jerry W3CDE using the K4VN Chapter 49 Club Call: Chapter 49 QCWA VHF Net Wednesday 2000 145.410- MHz (Back on the MATPARC repeater) Chapter 49 QCWA HF Net Saturday 0900 3.8575 Mhz. April 2005 Newsletter