D OWNEY AMATEUR RAD IO C LUB

Q5

V O L U ME X X X V I # 1 JANUARY 2016 SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1951

Q5 THE DOWNEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, INC. P.O. Box 207 Downey, CA 90241

PAGE 2

Editor John Powell, KF6EOJ [email protected] Phone: (562) 862-4608 Alt Phone: (562) 985-8610

http://darcarc.wordpress.com/

Affiliations: Affiliated ARRL Club Los Angeles Area Council of Amateur Radio Clubs Orange County Council of Amateur Radio Organizations Club Frequencies: Simplex: 145.595 MHz* 440 Repeater #1: 445.640 (-) PL 156.7 Hz* 440 Repeater #2: 445.640 (-) PL 88.5 Hz * See Calendar for Net Schedule

Q5, as in: a signal that is perfectly readable, hence the name of our newsletter. We hope you agree.

Club Officers

Q5 Staff

Assistant Editor Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ Phone: (562) 865-5750 [email protected] Proofreaders Ken Carlson, N6SWO Mary Carlson, KC6BBJ Jon Olesen, KD6HXP Electronic Publishing Rick Norwood,KD6KHJ Phone: (562) 865-5750 [email protected]

Permission to copy material from the Q5 is granted provided that credit is given to the “DARC Q5”.

Looking for an Elmer? Here are a few resources that can get you going:

Glenn Allen, KE6HPZ, 562 928-2080 [email protected], Microwave Harold ‘Buck’ Kerns, AE6DT, 562 634-8441 [email protected], Public Service John Schroeder, N6QQ, 562 404-1112 [email protected], Contesting, DXing, DXCC and WAS Card Checker, QSL cards for CQ WAZ and WPX awards.

When and where we meet: We normally meet the first Thursday of each month at 1930 hrs in room 120 of the First Baptist Church in Downey. The church is between 2nd and 3rd streets, near City Hall, address is 8348 E. 3rd St. Use 2nd St, east from Downey Ave (1 block north of Firestone Bl), adjacent to City Hall. Entrance via double glass doors on the north side of 2nd St.

Northrop Grumman Parking Lot Corner of Marine and Aviation Manhattan Beach, CA Held the last Saturday of each month, 0700 to 1130 hrs

VP Service Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ Phone: (562) 865-5750 [email protected] VP Membership James Nielsen, KJ6WZW Phone: [email protected] VP Programs Kent Savage, K6WCI Phone: (562) 716-6070 [email protected] VP Ways and Means Steve Hartranft, KI6SUF Phone: (562) 923-0070 [email protected] Secretary Bill Heather, KB6WKT Phone: (562) 863-6607 [email protected]

Director (One Year) Buck Kerns, AE6DT Phone: (562) 634-8441 [email protected]

Ivan Mikulich, KB6ATT, 562 862-4592 [email protected], Helping Hams, Field Trips

W6TRW Swap Meet

First Vice President Ron Eveland, W6QM Phone: (562) 860-3623 [email protected]

Treasurer Frank Myllo, KC6YPV Phone: (562) 860-4045 [email protected]

Bill Heather, KB6WKT, 562 863-6607 [email protected], Helping Hams, Contesting

Swap Meet Information:

President Dave Glenn, N6TEB Phone: (562) 928-8560 [email protected]

Talk-In 145.320, PL 114.8

Director (Two Years) Paul Metzger, K6EH Phone: (562) 900-2217 [email protected] Trustee, W6TOI Bill Heather, KB6WKT

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PAGE 4 Treasurer’s Report—Income

2015 - 2016 INCOME Club Merchandise Dues Misc.Income Fund Raisers Total Income

Nov 15 ACTUAL

YEAR-TO-DATE ACTUAL $0.00 $120.00 $0.00 $800.00 $0.00 $920.00

$120.00 $800.00 $920.00

ANNUAL BUDGET

(OVER)/UNDER BUDGET

$0.00 $900.00 $0.00 $1,400.00 $0.00 $2,300.00

$0.00 $780.00 $0.00 $600.00 $0.00 $1,380.00

Treasurer’s Report— Expense

2016

EXPENDITURES Repeater Club Merchandise Correspondence Printing Supplies Postage Committees Award Education/Awareness Membership Publicity & Public Relations Sunshine Equipment/Maintenance Events Christmas Party Field Day Luncheon Fund Raisers Other Events Insurance Misc. Expenses Officers' Expenses Board Members Treasurer Other Organizations Dues P.O. Box Rental Refreshments, Meetings Total Expenditures

Nov 15 ACTUAL

YTD ANNUAL ACTUAL BUDGET

(OVER)/ UNDER BUDGET

$35.28 $35.28 $0.00

$750.00 $0.00

$714.72 $0.00

$0.00 $0.00 $0.00

$25.00 $20.00 $75.00

$25.00 $20.00 $0.00

$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

$75.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

$0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

$0.00 $250.00 $900.00 $0.00 $0.00 $350.00 $100.00

$0.00 $250.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $350.00 $100.00

$0.00 $100.00

$0.00 $100.00

$32.97

$0.00 $0.00 $900.00 $900.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

$0.00 $20.00 $0.00 $140.00 $0.00 $50.00 $0.00 $0.00 $968.25 $935.28 $2,855.00

$20.00 $140.00 $50.00 $0.00 $1,769.72

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PAGE 5 Treasurer’s Report— Summary DOWNEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB TREASURER'S REPORT Nov-15 SUMMARY CHECKINGCHASE $5,138.01 BALANCE AS OF Oct 31, 2014 INCOME $920.00 EXPENDITURES $968.25 CHECKINGCHASE BALANCE AS OF Nov 30, 2015 $5,089.76

Frank Myers, N6ATU, 4th Dave Glenn, N6TEB; Amy Savage, K6AMY; Greg Savage, K6SVG; Kent Savage, K6WCI

Ron Eveland, W6QM, 12th Robert Patterson, K6ZCM, 23rd Steve Sherman, AA6IO, 23rd

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KD6KHJ Photography

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PAGE 10 January 2016 DX By Mike Gauthier, K6ICS

12-12-2015

January Propagation Outlook The nighttime DX bands will be their best this year. 160-60 meters- Great nighttime conditions with low noise. 40-30 meters- Long nights and low noise mean great DX conditions. 20 meters- Good conditions. May be the best DX band this month. 17-10 meters- Listen for spot openings during daylight hours. Monitor the DX spotting services, such as DX Summit http://www.dxsummit.fi/DxSpots.aspx for current band conditions, what DX is currently on the air, and where to find them. January DX ARRL DXCC Entity name change NEW ZEALAND SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS, ZL9. The ARRL DXCC country ZL9 - Auckland and Campbell Islands will now be called New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. This is just an administration change and "will not be a new entity or a changed entity". This will include the Auckland and Campbell Islands as well now adding Antipodes and Bounty Islands, which up until this date had never been activated nor been included in the ARRL DXCC list. The change does not include the Snares Islands or “any islands claimed by New Zealand south of 60 degrees south latitude”. This is just "a clarification of which islands count for the entity previously known as Auckland and Campbell Is” says NN1N, Dave Patton, ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager. BARBADOS, 8P9JB. Ernest, J69AZ will be operating as 8P9JB until January 5, 2016. Activity will be on the HF bands using QRP power. QSL direct to home call. GAMBIA, C5WP. ON7WP, Pedro, Listen for him to be operating C5WP until January 9, including 80 meter activity with a Butternut vertical. LESOTHO, 7P8VR. Heli, DD0VR will be active as 7P8VR January 4 to 7, 2016. Activity will be holiday style on 40 to 10 meters. QSL via his home call sign, direct or by the Bureau. MAYOTTE, FH/F2DX. Pat, F2DX will be operating 40 to 6 meters as FH/F2DX from March 18 to 24, 2016. QSL via F2DX, LoTW, OQRS, direct or by the Bureau. NORTH KOREA (DPRK), P5/3Z9DX. 3Z9DX, Dom’s much-anticipated P5/3Z9DX operation will be taking place in either January or February 2016. Some of the currently known restrictions Dom will be faced with include five days, three bands, 100 watts and a vertical. If this all comes together Dom plans to be operating on 20 Meters SSB for the five days. He is hopeful this will possibly lead to future operations from P5. SABLE ISLAND, CY0/VA1AXC. Aaron, VA1AXC is on the air as CY0/VA1AXC until January 31, 2016 while on work assignment. Activity is in his spare time on 20 meters using SSB. QSL direct to JE1LET. SAMOA, 5WUO. G4BUO will be in Samoa, for seven days, January 1-7 He plans to spend most of his operating time on 10, 14 and 18 MHz "or higher if conditions are good." Dave says, “We're off on holiday again. Dave will operate CW only, with a vertical over salt water. 5W1SA, Atsu, is helping arrange the license. The G4BUO mail address has been updated on QRZ.com and is correct. SLOVENIA, S508PMC. Special event station S508PMC is operating until January 4, 2016 to promote the World Wide PMC contest. QSL direct to S50X. SOLOMON ISLANDS, H44TM. WL7HP, Tom, and his wife H44MK, Margret, are now in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands visiting family until February 16, 2016. Tom will be active as H44TM "as much as time allows" on SSB and maybe even some CW using a straight key. Tom is running 100 watts and is on 40, 20, 17 and Con’t next page

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15 Meters transmitting into a short dipole. There are plans to go to three "of the outer islands", where they'll be running low power, with the use of a battery, into a loop. QSL H44TM via WL7HP. "A green stamp would help off set the QSL", says Tom. SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, E51WET. Magnus, SM6WET will be operating as E51WET from Rarotonga Island, IOTA OC-013, and Aitutaki Island, IOTA OC-083, until January 8, 2016. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and JT65. QSL direct to home call. ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, V47TR. Ted, K8AQM will be active as V47TR from Timothy Bay Resort on St. Kitts (NA-104) from February 13 to 21, 2016. Activity will be holiday style on 20 to 10 meters, including 17 and 12 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL via his home call sign. VANUATU,YJ4AO. DL7VOA, Rob, will be active as YJ4AO from the Eratap peninsula near Port Vila on the south coast of Efate Island (OC-035) until January 13. This will be a "holiday style" operation mostly on CW during his evenings and night hours. He may do some SSB, but no digital activity is expected. Rob will take his trustworthy Elecraft K2 and "a borrowed power amplifier running about 500 watts" into vertical dipoles and ground planes for activity on 40-10 Meters QSL via DL7VOA either via the bureau or direct. http://www.qrz.com/db/YJ4AO DARC Member DXCC Count N6QQ - 350 Mixed, 336 SSB, 313 CW, 252 RTTY, 8-Band DXCC, 6-Band WAS, 5-Band WAZ, 3052 WPX. K6ICS – 327 Mixed, 302 Phone (AM & SSB), 166 Mixed on 40 Meters. KB6ATT - 305 Mixed, 60 CW. K6TV - 257 Mixed, 240 SSB, 126 QRP, 151 CW, 30 RTTY. W6TOI - 215 Mixed, 145 Phone, 104 CW, 100 RTTY. WA6OUD - 168 Mixed, 133 Phone on 10 Meters. KJ6YQV - 162 Mixed, 157 Mixed on 10 Meters. W3OB - 150 Mixed.

The VE Session conducted on the 19th yielded Techs, two upgrades to General and one to Extra.. The next exam date is February 20, 2016

DARC 2016 Public Service Events Event

Date

Lead

ARC Walk

03/12/16

Norwood

Street Faire

04/09/16

Savage

three new

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Outlet Founder Robert G. Ferrero, W6RJ, SK Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) Founder Robert G. “Bob” Ferrero, W6RJ (ex-K6AHV), of Danville, California, died on December 4 after a period of ill health. He was 78. An ARRL Life Member, Ferrero was a California state trooper and US Navy veteran when he acquired Ham Radio Outlet in Burlingame, California, in 1971. He characterized the original store as a “little radio emporium on a wooden train platform.” “Through decades of hard work and commitment to his customers, he turned it into the largest Amateur Radio retail chain in the world, with 14 stores now throughout the United States,” said Chip Margelli, K7JA, in a Facebook post. Ferrero took part in several DXpeditions, including the first DXpeditions to Kingman Reef in 1974 and to the Austral and Marquesas Islands (FO0FI and FO0FR). He also operated as 9J2RA, TJ1GB, and W6RJ/Z2, as well as from HZ1AB in the 1980s and early 1990s. Ferrero was inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a member of the A1 Operators Club. In 2009, the editors of CQ, in conjunction with the Visalia DX Convention, recognized Ferrero “for his many contributions to Amateur Radio.” He was among the initial patrons and a significant supporter of the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF). Among his survivors is his son Robert, W6KR, a co-owner of HRO and a DXpedition partner.

FCC Launches its New Website The FCC officially launched its long-awaited new website late on December 9. The Commission said its new site “features a more responsive design, a new site navigation structure, and an improved search capability.” The site design features a cleaner, brighter, and more modern look and feel, and the display will adjust to various platforms, from mobile devices and tablets to computers. “The site has moved from a flat design with minimal linking between pages to a hierarchical design that utilizes cross-linking, menus, and greater clarity of where you are on the site map,” FCC Webmaster David Kitzmiller and FCC.Gov Project Manager Deanna Stephens noted in an FCC website blog entry. “The new site navigation features a ‘toggle’ capability that allows visitors to browse by Category or by Bureau and Office.” Of particular interest to the Amateur Radio community, the new FCC website design offers prominent links right from the home page to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) -- which looks the same as it always has -- and the Electronic Comment Filing System (EFCS), for proceedings and comment filings. According to Kitzmiller and Stephens, “extensive user research” determined that visitors to the FCC website “prefer a clear separation of consumer content and practitioner content,” and that the “toggle navigation” protocol lets the FCC adapt its site to meet differing visitor preferences. The sites new search application combines results from both FCC.gov and the Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) “into a seamless search experience.” “The user interface also allows for visitors to search only within FCC.gov and EDOCS and provides an array of facets to help further refine search results,” Kitzmiller and Stephens’s blog entry explained. “Work will continue to [refine] the relevancy of the search results. The FCC said it will continue to work with users to identify and fix any bugs, broken links, or missing content.

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Board Minutes December 8, 2015 President Dave Glenn, N6TEB brought the meeting to order 19:06 hours in the Emergency Operations Center at the Downey Fire Station #1. Besides Dave other board members present were: First Vice President Ron Eveland, W6QM; Vice President of Programs Kent Savage, K6WCI; VP Service Rick Norwood, KD6KHJ; VP Membership James Nielsen, KJ6WZW; VP-Ways Means Steve Hartranft, KI6SUF; Secretary Bill Heather, KB6WKT; Treasurer Frank Myllo, KC6YPV; Director 1 year Paul Metzger, K6EH . Absent: Director 2 years Buck Kerns, AE6DT. Acceptance of previous Board Minutes Dave asked for approval of November’s Board minutes as published in December issue of the Q5. The motion was made, seconded and pass unanimously. OFFICERS REPORTS First Vice President Ron, W6QM, nothing to report at this time. Treasurer Frank, KC6YPV, reported that the Club has not received the disbursement check from Hamcon. VP Service, Rick, KD6KHJ, differed to planning Calendar. VP-Ways Means, Steve Hartranft, KI6SUF; nothing to report at this time. VP Membership James, KJ6WZW nothing to report at this time. VP Programs, Kent, K6WCI; nothing to report at this time. Secretary Bill, KB6WKT, nothing to report at this time. Director 2 Years, Buck, AE6DT, absent Director 1 Year, Paul, K6EH, reported that the CERT repeater at the hospital is out for repair. Topics: December General Meeting Debrief – Dave commented that the meeting seem to go well. There was a lot food to share with all. Special Event Station – Dave reported that currently the special event station is scheduled for the weekend of April 23, 2016. Bill reported that in order for the ARRL to publish the event that notice to them will be no later than 60 days prior to the event. Rick reported that he has updated the Certificate that was used at the 60 anniversary special event. Kent reported that he has emailed the Downey Baptist Church to use the North parking lot for the event. Speaker Suggestions - Dave commented that there are a number of topics for speakers at the monthly General meetings. Topics could range from Satellites, DXpeditions, to having another antenna build project like was done with the tape measure 2 meter antennas. Having HRO come in and tell us what’s new. James recommended to have Duane Marti from Kaiser Permeate as a possible speaker. A short discussion took place from various Board members for possible speakers. Next Project – Dave informed the Board that the next project will be the copper J-pole. The build could be done over 2 meetings like February and March. He also reported that he went to Home Depot and researched that it would cost around 15 dollars for the supplies for the antenna. Planning Calendar – Rick reported that besides the Downey Float return that the next official public service event will be the ARC Walk on March 12, 2016. Following with the Downey Street Faire on April 9, 2016. Also that the Street Faire will be at a new time not to compete with the Downey High Swap meet. The new hours of Con’t next page

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the Street Faire will be from 1100 to 2000. Dave commented that he has received comments from various Club members that have stated that the Club’s roll is not a whole lot. Dave said for the last few years that the Club has only handed out radios to people for the Chamber. Dave received various suggestions from different Board members. Continuity – Yearly calendar Dave reviewed with the group the annual calendar of the different events for the coming year. Dave commented that the Fire Department needs to be notified for the use of the EOC classroom for the monthly Board meetings and for the VE testing secessions for 2016. Club Wearables – Steve, KI6SUF, reported that there has been some issues with the wearables. Some people don’t know that they have to pay in advance for the wearables. Also there was a callsign that was incorrect on an item that was previously ordered. The Board decieded by acclamation to pay for the wearable to be made again with the corrected callsign. A new process was developed for ordering wearables. A new order form will be made by Rick for Steve to hand out to those that want to purchase wearables. Once the order is verified for correctness Steve will direct the member to pay Frank, KC6YPV. Once Frank has determined that pay for the items has cleared then Frank will inform Steve either in person or via email which items to go and order. The new process will be utilized at starting at the January meeting. Meeting Adjourned 17:40 Respectively Submitted Bill Heather KB6WKT, Secretary General Meeting Minutes December 3, 2015 President Dave Glenn, N6TEB, brought the meeting to order at 19:30. Dave led the Pledge of Allegiance with 21 in attendance. Dave announced that former member Dave Quentana passed away. He was 104 years old. Dave led the group in a moment of silence for the recent events that has happened in Downey, San Bernardino and for Steve Hartranft, KI6SUF, for his loss of his wife. Introductions were made and those that wanted to report their activities for the last month in Amateur Radio. Dave requested for a motion to accept November’s General Meeting minutes as printed in December Q5. The motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously. Dave requested for a motion to accept the October’s Treasure report as printed in the Q5. The motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously. Announcements: Dave announced that the Club’s next T-Hunt will be in January on the 23rd. The start point will be at the Kerkorian Theater parking lot starting at 0900. The boundaries for the hunt will be basically Downey. Following the announcements the group broke for the Holiday Feast with members bring goodies to share. The meeting adjourned 20:30. Respectfully Submitted Bill Heather KB6WKT Secretary

MON

4

11

18

25

SUN

3

10

17

24 /31 DARC 440 Net 1900 hrs Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: K6EH

26

DARC 440 Net 1900 hrs Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: N6TEB

19

DARC 440 Net 1900 hrs Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: KE6RPY Board Meeting

12

DARC 440 Net 1900 hrs Club Repeater 445.640, pl 156.7 Control Op: AD6AF

5

TUE

27

20

13

6

WED

DARC 2 meter net 1915 hrs Club simplex 145.595 Control Op: AD6AF

28

DARC 2 meter net 1915 hrs Club simplex 145.595 Control Op: K1SL

21

DARC 2 meter net 1915 hrs Club simplex 145.595 Control Op: WB6JDH

14

Club Meeting 1930 hrs, First Baptist Church, Downey

7

THU

29

22

15

8

2016

Happy New Year!

2

1

TRW Swapmeet See page 2

DARC Club Breakfast, 0630 hrs, Coco’s

30

T-Hunt 0800 hrs,

DARC Club Breakfast, 0630 hrs, Coco’s

23

DARC Club Breakfast, 0630 hrs, Coco’s

16

DARC Club Breakfast, 0630 hrs, Coco’S

9

DARC Club Breakfast, 0630 hrs, Coco’s

SAT

FRI

DARC Calendar of Events January 2016 Q5 PAGE 12

PLACE POSTAGE STAMP HERE

Downey Amateur Radio Club PO Box 207 Downey, CA 90240

SERVING DOWNEY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SINCE 1951

PLACE MAILING LABEL HERE www.darcarc.wordpress.com

DARC INFORMATION

VE Exams The Downey Amateur Radio Club provides VE examinations for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses on the third Saturday of each even-numbered month. Exams are held at the Downey Fire Department Headquarters EOC rear building, 12222 Paramount Boulevard, beginning at 08:30 AM.

DARC Annual Membership Single: $20 Associate: $10 Maximum for Family: $35 Make checks payable to “DARC”, Send to: DARC Membership PO Box 207 Downey, CA 90240

The upcoming dates are: February 20, April 16 Contact Steve or Ginny Grudzinski 951674-4699 prior to the session. The ARRL/VEC test fee is $15.00 for all tests which goes to the ARRL to cover their expenses in providing the tests and handling the applications. After the test session please wait 10 days before contacting the ARRL at (860) 5940300 or http://www.qrz.com/callsign for new license information. Please do not

Ever want to be a writer? Do you have an idea for an article for the Q5? Remember, this is OUR newsletter, about OUR hobby. Please submit articles to: John Powell, KF6EOJ, [email protected]

Saturday Breakfast Location 7900 Florence Ave. Downey, CA 0630 hrs