News Letter for 3-10-10 From The 470ARG

Hello everyone , hope that you have had a great day...
Hope that you can make the net Thursday on the 145.470 !

ARRL Requests Support for Senate Bill 1755

Senate Bill 1755 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 introduced in October 2009 by Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) -- has unanimously passed the US Senate and has been sent to the US House of Representatives for consideration and now sits in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The ARRL is asking its membership to contact the leadership of the Energy and Commerce committee, requesting support and action on moving S 1755 through the committee. S 1755 accomplishes the same things as HR 2160; HR 2160 was introduced in April 2009 by Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18). Since S 1755 has already been approved by the Senate, moving it forward in the House will simplify the process.

S 1755 points out that "[t]here is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."

If enacted into law, S 1755 would instruct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study -- and report its findings to Congress within 180 days -- on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief.

The study shall:

* Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts.
* Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and in furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives.
* Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications, such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations, and make recommendations regarding such impediments.
* Include an evaluation of Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996)).
* Recommend whether Section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable private land use restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications by means of effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable heights and dimensions for the purpose, in residential areas. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including Amateur Radio, emergency response and disaster communications.

Please contact Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA-30) and Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX-6), urging them to send this bipartisan bill to the House floor for adoption. A sample letter can be found here. Send your letters urging consideration of S 1755 by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to Rep Waxman via fax at 202-225-2525, and to Rep Barton via fax at 202-225-1919. Also, please fax a copy of your letters to the ARRL's Washington representative, Chwat & Co at 703-684-7594.

For more information on S 1755, please visit the ARRL Government Relations Web page.

Looking for the FEMA Classes ...here you go...

http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp

Contact N4JTQ for Level One ARECC Classes and Testing

FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Correspondence Posted (Mar 10, 2010) -- The FCC has posted new Amateur Radio enforcement correspondence on its "Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions" Web page. Laura Smith, Special Counsel in the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, sent a letters to the Sacramento (California) Municipal Utility District and to Northwestern Energy of Helena, Montana; Northwestern Energy also received letters voicing these same concerns in March and September 2009. These letters concerned complaints that equipment operated by these utilities may be causing harmful radio interference to Amateur Radio operators. Direct all questions concerning the Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions Web postings via e-mail only to the FCC Enforcement Bureau.

Dates Type Event and Contact Location
20 Mar 2010 + Middle Tennessee Amateur Radio Society
http://www.qsl.net/mtars
Talk-In: 146.700 (PL 114.8)
Contact: Harvey Pratt, KB4JD
PO Box 932
Tullahoma, TN 37388-0932
Phone: 931-455-5619
Fax: 931-967-3344
Email: hlpratt@bellsouth.net
Tullahoma, TN
First Methodist Church - Gym/Activity Center
208 West Lauderdale Street
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

20 Mar 2010 + Ides of March Hamfest
Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club
http://www.reelfootarc.com
Talk-In: 146.70 (PL 100)
Contact: Glenn R. Snow, N4MJ
9170 East Walnut Grove Church Road
South Fulton, TN 38257
Phone: 731-479-1971
Email: n4mj@yahoo.com
Union City, TN
Tennessee National Guard Armory
2017 East Reelfoot Avenue
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

10 Apr 2010 + Memphis FreeFest
Mid-South Amateur Radio Association
http://www.maraonline.org
Talk-In: 146.850 (PL 107.2)
Contact: Tony Brignole, WA4KHN
2444 Lacosta Drive
Bartlett, TN 38134
Phone: 901-372-2738
Email: abrigno@comcast.net
Memphis, TN
Bartlett Station Municipal Center
5868 Stage Road
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

8 May 2010 + Tail-gate Party
Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society (C.A.T.S.)
http://www.kf4l.org
Talk-In: 147.390 (no tone)
Contact: John D. Freed, KX6F
216 Maplewood Drive
Clarksville, TN 37042
Phone: 931-216-2503
Fax: 931-645-7608
Email: jdfreed@bellsouth.net
Clarksville, TN
Hilldale Baptist Church Family Life Center Picnic Pavillion
250 Old Farmers Road
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

12 Jun 2010 * Tennessee State Convention (Knoxville Hamfest & Electronics Exposition)
Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville
http://www.w4bbb.org
Talk-In: 53.770, 147.300, 224.50, 444.575 (PL 100)
Contact: David Bower, K4PZT
512 Eklmont Road
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: 865-631-7553
Email: d.bower@ieee.org
Knoxville, TN
Kerbela Temple
315 Mimosa Street
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

24-25 Sep 2010 + Ten-Tec Homecoming Hamfest
Ten-Tec, Inc.
http://www.tentec.com
Contact: Stan Brock, WD0BGS
1185 Dolly Parton Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865-453-7173
Fax: 865-428-4483
Email: sales@tentec.com
Sevierville, TN
Ten-Tec Factory
1185 Dolly Parton Parkway
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

16 Oct 2010 + GrayHamfest
GrayHamfest Association
http://grayhamfesttn.com
Talk-In: 145.290 (PL 103.5)
Contact: Charles Stuchell, K4CWA
222 River Road
Bluff City, TN 37618
Phone: 423-538-3868
Email: k4cwa@arrl.net
Johnson City, TN
Appalacian Fairgrounds
100 Lakeview Street
(Gray)
Div: Delta
Sect: Tennessee

8 Jan 2011 * Delta Division Convention
Southeast Louisiana Amateur Radio Club (SELARC)
http://www.selarc.org/selarchamfest.htm
Talk-In: 147.00 -600 (PL 107.2)
Contact: Tyrone Burns, N5XES
Box 442
Springfield, LA 70462
Phone: 985-351-8315
Fax: 985-345-4410
Email: n5xes@arrl.net
Hammond, LA
University Center
800 West University Avenue
Div: Delta
Sect: Louisiana

Local ARRL Affiliate Clubs.... check out these clubs and support them .............

Name: SEVIER COUNTY EMERGENCY RADIO SERVICE
Specialties: General Interest, Contest, Public Service/Emergency Comms, VHF/UHF
Call sign: KJ4HPM
Services: Help for newcomers, Entry-level classes, Higher-level classes, Other
Address: 245 BRUCE STREET- EOC
SEVIERVILLE, TN 37876
Contact: VERNA FINWICK, KJ4GXC
Phone: (865) 314-0899
Web: http://www.freewebs.com/aresradio/
and http://www.470arg.com/cms
E-mail: scers2008@gmail.com
ARRL Section: TN

Name: MIDDLE EAST TN EMERG. RADIO SERVICE, INC
Specialties: Contest, Repeater, Public Service/Emergency Comms, VHF/UHF
Call sign: KC4EM
Services: Help for newcomers, Entry-level classes, Other
Address: PO BOX 52126
KNOXVILLE, TN 37950-2126
Contact: DAVID R OGLE, KE4YBZ
Phone: (865) 673-0364 (D) (865) 690-5096 (N)
Web: http://www.metersinc.org
E-mail: info@metersinc.org
ARRL Section: TN

Name: EAST TENNESSEE DX ASSN.
Specialties: General Interest, Contest, DX, Digital Modes, VHF/UHF
Call sign: NJ4I
Services: Help for newcomers, Other
Address: 1813 PLUMB BRANCH RD
ATTN: PAUL CHAPMAN, KF4YUZ
KNOXVILLE, TN 37932-2040
Contact: PAUL F CHAPMAN, KF4YUZ
Phone: () - (D) (865) 693-0793 (N)
Web: http://www.etdxa.org
E-mail: kf4yuz@arrl.net
ARRL Section: TN

Name: SMOKY MOUNTAIN ARC
Specialties: General Interest, DX, Repeater, Digital Modes, School/Youth, Public Service/Emergency Comms, VHF/UHF
Call sign: W4OLB
Services: Help for newcomers, Entry-level classes, Higher-level classes, Other
Address: 2054 INDEPENDENCE DR
MARYVILLE, TN 37803-2669
Contact: CARROLL W PEABODY JR, W4PCA
Phone: (865) 982-5839 (D) (865) 982-5839 (N)
Web: http://www.smokymountainarc.org
E-mail: w4pca@juno.com
ARRL Section: TN

Name: RADIO AMATEUR CLUB OF KNOXVILLE
Specialties: General Interest, DX, Repeater, School/Youth, Public Service/Emergency Comms, VHF/UHF
Call sign: W4BBB
Services: Help for newcomers, Entry-level classes, Higher-level classes, Other
Address: 107 JOY ST
SEVIERVILLE, TN 37862-3424
Contact: DAVID P WATERS II, AC4JF
Phone: () - (D) () - (N)
Web: http://www.w4bbb.org
E-mail: w4bbb@arrl.net
ARRL Section: TN

Name: OAK RIDGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Specialties: General Interest, Contest, DX, Repeater, Digital Modes, School/Youth, Public Service/Emergency Comms, VHF/UHF
Call sign: W4SKH
Services: Help for newcomers, Higher-level classes, Other
Address: OAK RIDGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
PO BOX 4291
OAK RIDGE, TN 37831-4291
Contact: THOMAS N MUNCY, AG4SF
Phone: (865) 482-4123 (D) (865) 457-2920 (N)
Web: http://www.korrnet.org/orarc/
E-mail: w4skh@arrl.net
ARRL Section: TN

Name: LAKEWAY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (LARC)
Specialties: General Interest, DX, Repeater, Public Service/Emergency Comms, VHF/UHF
Call sign: W2IQ
Services: Help for newcomers, Entry-level classes, Higher-level classes, Other
Address: PO BOX 1138
TALBOTT, TN 37877-1138
Contact: JUNE MCCLARY, AI4SO
Phone: () - (D) () - (N)
Web: http://www.lakewayarc.org
E-mail: june.ai4so@gmail.com
ARRL Section: TN

The East Tennessee Information ARES EC's ,know your EC to join ARES, Note Sevier County will accept any licensed amateur radio operator who are willing to be active in ARES and participate in training, drills and actual events ...give me a call or e mail... N4JTQ

District 7
Emergency Coordinator

Shawn Stoddard, KG4OVQ
406 Ashwood Terrace
Chattanooga, TN 37415-3003
Stoddard # pobox.com
423-875-0640
District 8 (web page)
Emergency Coordinator

Rick Rogers, K4AMT
1640 Repass Rd.
New Market, TN 37820-3338
rerog65 # juno.com
865-475-1899 District 9
Emergency Coordinator

Michael Otis, K0TIS
279 Bulldog Hollow
Elizabethton, TN 37643-6954
k0tis # arrl.net
423-474-3946
County EC
Bledsoe
Bradley Derek Wooley, KD5UBL
Hamilton Dan Odom, NT4M
Marion
McMinn Chris Bindrim, KE7GZ
Meigs Charles Harder, KB4JOM
Monroe David Kirksey, K4SEY
Polk Steve Bates, N4EZE
Rhea
Sequatchie W. Hal Perry, W4HP

County EC Dist. 8 web page
Anderson Jeff Yawn, K4IK
Blount Rick Coffey, KF4QVI
Campbell Jimmy Elkins, KQ4AB
Claiborne Rick Blasco, NX6R
Jefferson Daniel O'Donovan, W4DOD
Knox Kevin Duplantis, W4KEV
Loudon Mike Henry, KM4H
Morgan
Roane Bill Farnham, KI4FZT
Scott
Sevier Rick Sawaya, N4JTQ
Union

County EC
Carter Bill Harness, K4BWH
Cocke Velma Wills, AG4XP
Grainger Ed Bradley, W4VGI
Greene Nancy McCarty, KI4PDH
Hamblen Donald Ellison, KI4ORC
Hancock Jeff Lumpkin, KI4YWW
Hawkins Tim Luttrell, KA9EBJ
Johnson Danny Herman, K4DHT
Sullivan
East Lonnie Ward, W4FXO
Sullivan West Allen Lark, N4TBI
Unicoi Chuck Ray, KC4DSY
Washington Tom Cook, KB3HZA

East Tennessee
Districts: 7, 8, 9

Assistant Section EC
Darrell Sperry, KA4TAR
1507 Ginnys Trail
Sevierville, TN 37876-8965

865-436-5910
ka4tar # charter.net

Know your TN State OO....
http://ooc.tnarrl.org/

The NTS
http://www.tnarrl.org/stm/index.htm

Media Coverage Of TN Hams..
http://www.tnarrl.org/tn_media.htm

Some Great Places To Visit Via The web...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Seven_Wonders_of_the_World

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Petersburg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Tunnel_State_Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal

Emergency Management what they do......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_management

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_evacuation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarantine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_decontamination

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decontamination

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_emergency_response_team

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_population_warning

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_disease

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiation

Want to find out about getting ripped off... check out this site ,very interesting......
http://www.ripoffreport.com/

Note A Special Class For general Coming Up!
We will be having a General Class the first Saturday of May 2010, the class will start at 9:30 am and end at 4:00pm with the General test to follow after 4:00 pm, it will be held at the EOC/911 building if no problems occur that would require the situation room to be used. Cost is 15.00 , we will also test other classes after the class if your interested in taking.... this class is a walk in class but would like to know if you will be attending, several have asked for this class so we have put together for those interested , suggest that you do download the General Q&A from this site and the FCC Rules, you must review before attending, its not a class that you can walk in and just take without prior study.....address = 245 Bruce St, Sevierville TN can e mail at n4jtq@live.com..hope that you can attend...

Articles Of Dipoles, Antenna's
http://www.atomvoyages.com/projects/dipole.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4528486_that-doesnt-require-antenna-tuner.html

http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?instructions-for-putting-up-a-long-wire...

http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=4180

http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=7483

What Type Of Wire do I Use....
One of the most asked questions when it comes to antennas is what kind of
wire should I use. The answer is as varied as the people who put them up.
Over the last 28 years I have used or have seen used every kind of wire used
to make an antenna. Just one disclaimer the information below is referring
to antennas used for listening and NOT transmitting.

Stranded or Solid

I have seen both used with great success. Stranded wire is as a rule (and we
all know rules are made to be broken) easier to work with and can at times
be stronger. Stranded wire is usually more flexible so if you are not putting
out a straight wire or bringing it into a house or apartment it may be superior
to solid core wire. Solid wire is at times (especially with thinner wire) easier
to break.

Coated or Bare

Wire with a coating is called insulated while bare wire in uninsulated. For
antennas I do prefer the coated or insulated wire. The reason for this is that
coated wire can be easier to work with as if it touches something conductive
such as metal it is OK. Bare wire must be kept away from anything
conductive to work properly. If bare wire comes into contact with anything
conductive that material becomes part of the antenna. This can ruin an
antenna's pattern or worse yet a ground system. This latter matter can cause
an antenna to short out or worse yet cause damage to a radio due to static
discharges. The choice would be yours as the coating or insulation will NOT
decrease the signals received. If radio signals can go through your brick wall
the tiny amount of plastic or rubber used to coat the wire will not bother your
reception.

Thickness

The thickness of wire is measured by its gauge. The higher the gauge
number the thinner the wire. I have used wire any where from 24 to 16
gauge over the years. Now the very thin high gauge 24 or 22 wire was used
in pairs to give it some strength. No use putting out an antenna and have the
first gust of wind tear it up. Wire of 18 or 16 gauge is quite good. I often use
lamp cord or light indoor extension cord wire. This is insulated and cheap
to buy at any hardware store. Hey you can be frugal and buy half the wire
you need and split the wires to give you the length you need on a heavier
gauge wire that is twinned like the lamp cord. If you live in areas that are
subject to bad weather especially high winds or ice storms heavier gauge
wire should be used so it can with stand the elements if the antenna is up in
the air.

Copper vs Everything Else

In my humble opinion it matters not which you use. I have used everything
from copper to aluminum to mystery metal over the years. I have never
noticed any difference in the signal strength obtained from different types of
wire. Go with the price on this topic depending on what you can obtain at
your location.

Simple rules to follow:

Once you pick the wire you want make sure you have thought these points
out:
If a wire is going to be left on the ground coated/insulated wire is a must.
If a wire is on snow you can use either as snow in an insulator.
If a wire is up in the air and away from anything conductive you can use
either type.
If up in the air and near or touching anything conductive you must use
coated/insulated wire.
If you live in areas that are subject to bad weather especially high winds or
ice storms heavier gauge wire should be used so it can with stand the
elements.

OK now go out and put up something. Experimenting is half the fun in this
hobby.

TIP 1
I should also mention that I use a good silicone seal on all my connections.
3M makes a very good clear calk, spreads nicely, and really seals out the moisture No moisture, no corrosion.I have taken down antennas that have been up 5 years before a storm got them,
and the connections were just as new and shiny as the day I put them up.
Everything else was weathered, but not my connections.
Just thought I would pass it on for trouble free connections. .
KC0VEA

TIP 2
Noting your comment about using any type of wire, I have made an excellent long-wire antenna with the use of a 30 meter
plastic coated steal washing lineand they had them in different (bright) colours...
It has great strength, is weather proof and only cost me £1.99 from my local market in Birmingham England UK.
John Chown

How USA wire gauge correspond to metric wire measurements.

Wire Dia. Dia.
gauge mm. in.
----- ---- ----
0 8.251 .3249
1 7.348 .2893
2 6.544 .2576
3 5.827 .2294
4 5.189 .2043
5 4.621 .1819
6 4.116 .1620
7 3.665 .1443
8 3.264 .1288
9 2.906 .1144
10 2.588 .1019
11 2.305 .0907
12 2.053 .0808
13 1.828 .0720
14 1.628 .0641
15 1.450 .0571
16 1.291 .0508
17 1.150 .0543
18 1.024 .0403
19 .9116 .0359
20 .8118 .0320

Life span of an antenna...one man's joking opinion:

Well, generally it depends on hours spent listening.

The antenna converts electro-magnetic energy into electrical energy, which is
basically electrons moving into your radio.
There are only so many electrons in each inch of copper wire, so when they've
been sent downstream into your radio, the wire will become "ionized" and
deteriorate and probably fall down. This explains why, when you come home one
day, your antenna is on the ground (see below).

What happens to all those electrons, you ask. Well, they migrate into your
radio and accumulate. In older tube radios, there was a "grid leak" resistor
circuit which allowed the electrons to fall on the ground. Now you can't see
them, but they're there. As more pile up, they slide into your back yard.

Tube radios, because of the "grid leak" last a lot longer than solid state
radios, which stop working when enough electrons have piled up inside to short
it out.

Now those electrons in your back yard want to get back into the copper wire, so
they "pull" the antenna down to be re-united with it. Since the antenna is
high, and they're on the ground, this attraction is not strong, but on a windy
day, the electrons get lifted from the ground towards the antenna, pulling it
down again. The wind oftens brings in free electrons from your neighbor's homes
(from TVs, etc), so there may be a lot of these things around. If too many
electrons get lifted up all at once, they overload the antenna, causing a heat
mark, or worse getting back into the radio. Now this is why your antenna
usually falls down on windy days.

At least, that's how I understand it.

You can extend the life of your antenna by disconnecting it from your radio
when you're not listening. But overall, 500 to 1000 hours spent listening will
do in a longwire antenna.

It a joke OK!!!

And More On Dipoles..
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=11349

http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=9732

There are many sites to look at these are a few which I hoped helped you out......enjoy and Good DX !!!

March Special Events !!

Mar 1-Apr 2, 1200Z-0600Z, Maritime Mobile Irish Sea, IRELAND/WALES. EI2GBW**. Reinstitution of Cork-Swansea Ferry Activation. 40 80m SSB. QSL. Via bureau or direct to EI9JO for EI2GBW, or GW4HAT for GB2EI, IRELAND/WALES. **EI2GBW and GB2EI. Complete information at www.qrz.com/db/EI2GBW

Mar 3-Mar 13, 1400Z-2300Z, Robbinsville, NJ. Delaware Valley Radio Association, W2R. Robbinsville Township, NJ 150 Year Anniversary. 14.270 7.200. QSL. Michael Moreken, 55 Sharon Rd Apt E-22, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1329. ab2io@arrl.net, Robbinsville150.org or www.qrz.com/db/ab2io

Mar 6, 1800Z-2359Z, Katy, TX. Katy Amateur Radio Society, KT5TX. 30th Anniversary Special Event. 14.300 7.280 3.900. Certificate. Allan Hill, NQ5B, 1907 Mound Lake Dr, Richmond, TX 77406. nq5b@arrl.net or people.consolidated.net/pburrow/kars

Mar 11-Mar 15, 2000Z-1100Z, Jupiter, FL. Amateur Radio Outdoor Adventures, K4T. Environmentally friendly activation of Dry Tortugas, NA-079. 14.260 14.040 7.180 7.030 SSB/CW 10 15 20 40 80 m; Satellite; 6 m. QSL. Via bureau, digital or direct: Zoli Pitman, HA1AG, Somogyi Bela ut 18, Gyor 9024, HUNGARY. Power will be provided by 12 solar panels and 8 batteries and, if approved, a 500 watt wind generator. aroadventures.org

Mar 13, 1400Z-2100Z, Vero Beach, FL. Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club, W4OT. 107th Anniversary - Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. SSB 14.260 7.190 CW 14.140 7.040. Certificate. VBARC-W4OT, PO Box 2082, Vero Beach, FL 23961. www.fws.gov/pelicanisland/ or www.vbarc.net

Mar 13, 1700Z-2359Z, San Deigo, CA. USS Midway (CV 41) Museum Radio Operations Room, NI6IW. Medical Corps Birthday 1871 and Neil Armstrong making 7 orbits in Gemini 8 1966. SSB 14.320 7.250 CW 14.060 7.055 PSK-31 7.070 D-STAR 2m/70 SOCAL rptrs. QSL. USS Midway Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101-5811. kk6fz@arrl.net

Mar 13-Mar 14, 1400Z-2300Z, Valdosta, GA. South Georgia United Methodist Amateur Radio Socie, WG4UM. Azalea City Festival. 14.235 14.070 14.050 7.225. QSL. New Harvest UMC, 2548 E. Park Ave, Valdosta, GA 31605. www.newharvestumc.org

Mar 20, 1400Z-1900Z, Azle, TX. Tri-County Amateur Radio Club, WC5C. 1st Activation Goat Island - United States Island. 28.350 21.350 14.250 7.250. QSL. David Johnson, KB5YLG, 820 Wood Ln, Azle, TX 76020. wc5c@arrl.net or www.wc5c.org

Mar 20, 1400Z-2000Z, Macon, GA. Macon Amateur Radio Club, W4BKM. 28th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 145.37 14.240 7.225 7.055. Certificate. MARC, PO Box 4862, Macon 31208-4862. members.cox.net/w4bkm

Mar 20-Mar 21, 1300Z-0100Z, Gardner, MA. Mohawk Amateur Radio Club, W1W. 25th Anniversary of the Mohawk Amateur Radio Club. SSB 14.260 7.260 3.885 RTTY 14.100. QSL. John Dould, 41 Gauthier Rd, Barre, MA 01005. www.mohawk-arc.org

Mar 20-Mar 22, 2359Z-2359Z, Istanbul, REPUBLIC OF TURKIYE. TCSWAT, TC2010PSG. Pilot Sabiha Gokcen. All Bands. Certificate. TCSWAT/TA1HZ Tevfik A.K., PO Box 73 Karakoy, Istanbul 34421, REPUBLIC OF TURKIYE. Contacts can be used for the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Award. www.ta0u.com/2010/eng/pdf/TC2010PSG.PDF

Mar 21, 1000Z-2300Z, Las Cruces, NM. Mesilla Valley Radio Club, K5B. Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon. 21.305 14.229 7.184 3.808. QSL. Mesilla Valley Radio Club, PO Box 1000, Las Cruces, NM 88004-1443. www.n5bl.org/bataan

Mar 27, 1300Z-1600Z, Brampton, ON, Canada. Peel and Mississauga Amateur Raido Clubs, VE3XR. Ham-Ex Annual Hamfest. 14.265 7.260 3.750. QSL. Via bureau or direct to Jeff Richardson, VA3QSL, 36 Crawley Dr, Brampton, ON L6T 2S1, CANADA. www.ham-ex.ca

Mar 27, 1700Z-2359Z, Scottsdale, AZ. Tranquility Base Amateur Radio Club, KF7FTF. Supporting responsible pet ownership and shelter adoptions. 14.260 7.230. Certificate. Tranquility Trails Animal Rescue, Attn: QSL, 7701 E Gray R, Ste 105-106, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. info@TranquilityTrail.org

for those who didn't last weekend was great DX even on 15 meters !! hope that you got to work some stations.....

Everyone please keep Russell and Harold in your prayers, hope that everyone is well and that you will be able to make the net, oh yes our little person who interferes, well always check reverse and do not ag him on, there are things in motion !!! Thank you, and thanks Tim for the use of your repeater the 145.470 and all repeaters you have, 73 all
Rick