QCWA Peach State Chapter 49 June 2005 Newsletter MEETING NOTICE: SATURDAY June 18, 2005 High Noon Our next meeting will be a picnic at the home of Bruce and Florence Montgomery, W4BFR and N4TNZ. Details and directions follow. 2005 Meeting Schedule The Chapter 49 meeting schedule for 2005: Saturdays 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 April 18, 2005 At Fire Mtn. Restaurant, Norcross, we had 13 members, 4 wives and 5 guests including our speaker. Mike called on officers and BOD members for reports. VP Jerry reported on the nets, Sec/Treas Bob reported $720 in the treasury and still some renewals due. One new member signed up at the meeting. Award certificates were presented by our visiting speaker, QCWA National President John Johnston, W3BE. Receiving 50 year awards were Frankie Womack W4BJT, Guy Shields W4GBU, Jerry Lofstead W3CDE and Don Kasten N4DK. The remaining awards due will be mailed to the recipients. Door prize drawings were conducted and a new copy of 'Hints and Kinks' (donated by ARRL/W4RU) was won by Mike K4HBI, A copy of 'SSB Systems and Circuits' (from Chapter 49) was won by Bob K4SZ and a new QCWA Ball Cap (from QCWA Natl) was won by Morris KB4IT. Program chairman Sandy W4RU introduced our guest speaker John Johnston, W3BE, QCWA National President. John is also President of Chapter 20 Baltimore and a member of Northeren VA Chapter 91. He writes the 'Rules and Regulations" columns for the QCWA Journal and World Radio Magazine. He is the trustee for NN3SI, the club station at the Smithsonian Institution, where he volunteers one day a week to operate. John related that school age kids visiting the station are most impressed by CW and PSK31. John mentioned that the renovation of the museum this year will require temporary closing of the museum for reinstallation of "Old Glory", the 200 year old Ft. McHenry Flag. The shut-down may also require the NN3SI station to be moved within the museum. The site is close to the FCC offices and staffers visit quite often. John is active in teaching new amateur classes and giving exams with the Laurel ARC VEC group. John related some QCWA history: Founded in 1947. Ten hams in an AM roundtable group wanted to start an organization recognizing 'old-timers' licensed 25 years or more, which meant then licensed in 1922 or earlier. Of the 50 initial members, one is still active. Ralph (2CVF in 1922) was presented his 80 year award by John in 2004. QCWA now has 7500 members in 215 chapters. It is an all volunteer organization with no paid positions. The GM and Journal Editor are contracted along with other services. John reminded us of the 'Five Principles of Amateur Radio' set forth by the FCC in 1951. He gave us some examples of questions he receives and answers in his "The Rules Say" column. John also showed us a hilarious video about amateurs 'over-doing' it with equipment in the never-ending search for 'True Happiness' with technology, operating modes and such. The final message was a reminder to not forget to renew your license in the midst of all the fun you are having. Thanks for the memories John. Respectfully submitted, Bob Lear K4SZ, Sec/Treas Chapter 49 "Presidential Pontification" (or Da President Yaps!!!) If you were not at the April 16th QCWA meeting, you missed a really good program and fellowship. We had a fine turnout and a good showing for W3BE, John B. Johnston, President of QCWA National, and his bride Betty. John and Betty are both former FCC staff. Besides providing an excellent program, John writes a "rules and regs" column for both "WORLD RADIO" and the "QCWA JOURNAL". One major question was answered, you know the questions John answers in his columns, he said that they are not made up - but REAL submissions. Not only that, but he has enough of those type questions for many more columns to come. Makes one wonder what the world of amateur radio is coming to - scary thought. John topped off his program with a video tape made by an Oregon amateur radio club. The tape may have been made more than a few years ago, but the humor in it was timeless Thanks Sandy for arranging this fine program. Congratulations to our Chap 49 members that received awards. As Susan AF4FO put it - "BRUCE MONTGOMERY, W4BFR, our DX-meister, was honored for an amazing 75 years in the hobby. (And he's still on the Saturday morning nets most every week!) WAYNE FLICKINGER, W9BKJ, who is also the AF MARS state director for Georgia, has 65 remarkable years under his belt. Fifty year awards went to LYLE LETTEER, W4KE; JERRY LOFSTEAD, W3CDE (one of South CARS able NCS operators); GUY SHIELDS, W4GBU; MAXIE STRICKLAND, AC4DD; FRANKIE WOMACK, W4BJT; and DON KASTEN, N4DK. Century Club awards were also earned by members CHARLIE AKINS, AB4HR and ED BIGBIE, W4MMQ. These guys have all served as leaders and mentors for many years, and our gratitude and congratulations go out to them all." Thanks to W3BE, John B. Johnston, President of QCWA National for the awards presentation to attending members. Twas a wonderful time, but that meeting is history. 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 held in the Sandy Springs home of two dear QCWA Chapter 49 members, Bruce (W4BFR) and Florence (N4TNZ) Montgomery. Besides the presntation of Bruce's 75 yrs licensed award, the picnic feast 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 April meeting we took a poll of who will be attending this event (and I cannot find my results) and due to meeting time constraints, we could not coordinate who brings what to this premier event. So if you can 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 Montgomery household (ie carport, backyard) if we can get a good attendance. So let us know if you are coming and what part you would like to bring. Depending on the response, we may just have to pile in the vehicles and descend upon a local eatery. [Can you tell I am not a party planner, by any definition]. June 18 Picnic/Swapfest Meeting Directions (from MAP-QUEST) Bruce and Florence reside in Sandy Springs at 6520 Bridgewood Valley Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30328-2906, which is located on the north northwest side of Atlanta just outside of I-285. TRAVELING EAST ON I-285 1: Going EAST on I-285 from WEST side of town 2: Take the RIVERSIDE DRIVE exit- EXIT 24. 3: Turn LEFT onto RIVERSIDE DR NW. 0.6 miles 4: Turn RIGHT onto RIVER VALLEY RD NW. 0.3 miles 5: Turn RIGHT onto COLEWOOD WAY NW. 0.3 miles 6: Turn LEFT onto BRIDGEWOOD VALLEY RD NW. 0.3 miles 7: End at 6520 Bridgewood Valley Rd Nw TRAVELING WEST ON I-285 1: Going WEST on I-285 from EAST side of town 2: Take the US-19 S/ROSWELL RD exit- EXIT 25- toward SANDY SPRINGS. 0.3 miles 3: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto ROSWELL RD NE/GA-9. 0.8 miles 4: Turn LEFT onto JOHNSON FERRY RD NE. 1.0 miles 5: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto RIVER VALLEY RD NW. <0.1 miles 6: Turn LEFT onto BRIDGEWOOD VALLEY RD NW. 0.2 miles 7: End at 6520 Bridgewood Valley Rd Nw Susan and I had a very wonderful and great time during our first visit to the awesome Dayton, OH Ham-vention. First time ever for us, and the weather cooperated for the fest. A little rain [deluge] on our Thursday trip to the AF Museum at Wright-Patterson air field - just plain awesome - definitely a must do. We met John Johnston again behind the QCWA booth, saw many GA hams, got Woulf Houng'ed with Riley Hollingsworth as the "novice", won an Alinco 32 amp switching power supply, and spent a good bit of time/meals with that darling young ham Andrea, KG4IUM, [of QCWA Program fame] and her dad, Scott KF4PWI. So much more that we will not bore you with - just fantastic. A reminder, Chap 49 elections in December, this is my last term as president, time for new blood and ideas. So contact Bobby Canup,W4OHA, Nomination Committee Chair or one of the officers or directors if you would like to be considered for an office. Remember, better to want the job than hearing that railroad whistle pushing you into the position. This is your organization so what happens is YOUR doing, we have a tremendous group and let us keep getting better. 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 finger poking for now, so come on out to the meetings to dine, dessert, and get all the good words on what is happening with your friends and hobby. Remember the Wed VHF and Saturday HF nets. Again, Thanks Bob, K4SZ, for the great Chapter 49 Newsletter. See you all soon, VY 73 Mike Swiderski, K4HBI, CH 49 Pres. Secretary Treasurer/Newsletter Editors Notes: Our member Pete Sides W4AUP of Montgomery AL fell and broke his hip recently. Pete stayed for a week or two in a rehabilitation hospital in Montgomery and is now back home and back on the radio. Glad to see you back in action Pete. We did miss you on the Saturday morning net and were worried when you weren't checking in as usual until we got the word about your broken hip. We wish you a speedy recovery. On a sad note, we lost our very good "Friend" of Chapter 49, Lawson Leake AE4GQ of Dawsonville on May 10. Lawson was on oxygen for the past year and the breathing problems finally were too much. He will be missed as he was one of the most regular of the 'regulars' on the Saturday morning net and at the chapter meetings. A donation to the QCWA National Scholarship fund will be sent in his memory. New members: Welcome to new member John Burningham W2XAB . John has been a national member for some time and has now joined Chapter 49. He is a Computer Networking Professor at Clayton College and State University in Morrow. We also had Norman Schklar WA4ZXV sign up at the meeting, he was so impressed with his visit! John lives in Norcross with his wife Susie and is an IT consultant. John is a GARS member and enjoys tinkering. Maybe we can get some help from these computer types. Maybe we can get some help from these computer types. Welcome to both new members and we hope they'll be able to make the meetings and join in on the nets. 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 Sandy W4RU, CH 49 Program Manager, reports that at the August 27 meeting, Bob Allphin, K4UEE, will present his PowerPoint program on the effort to mount a DXpedition to Peter 1. Bob will need a computer projector and a screen, so if you can bring one please let Sandy know at w4ru@arrl.org. Atlanta Radio Club Hamfest is June 4th and QCWA has been offered a table. We will have the banner there and if members can bring table materials, albums, and membership materials - please do. If members want to sell an item or so from the table - feel free to do so while sitting at the table. You are responsible for your own items. 73, Bob K4SZ 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.