July 11th, 2008 - Field Day 08 Report + Auction of Alan KO4ALA and Len KG6ZR remaining items.
Notes Posted By Sheila Clarke on July 12th, 2008
The Vienna Wireless Society
Friday, July 11, 2008
The sound of “pluck, pluck, pluck, pluck, pluck” was heard coming from our Turkey Gobbler who was honoring “Chicken Day” as our President Jim W4JTP called the meeting to order at 7:36 pm.
ATTENDANCE: 45
NEW VISITORS:
(alphabetical)
Mike Dinolfo N4MWP
Doug Goyne – No Call
Michael Sacks KJ4ETC (New Ham as of June 18. Congratulations!)
Jerry Shadle WA3UTL
Heather Shadle – No Call
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Jim, W4JTP sadly announced that our Program Director, Mike AE4R was not with us due to health problems. Tom N4ZPT then added that Mike was now home from the hospital; but, he did not get another stint and did not have heart surgery. He will not be attending meetings this summer, but will be resting.
Jim then reminded everyone of Mike AE4R’s Home Brew contest.
2. Rick N6CY, our Field Day Boss, gave his breakdown of points and thanks as follows:
QSO’s
Band CW.... ....SSB
80.... 404..... ....115
40.... 723..... ....667
20.... 567..... ....167
15.... 53............41
02.... 00............09
GOTA. 00..........12
TOTAL. 1747........1011
QSO Points: ........4505
Power Multiplier:..... 2
Total QSO Points: ..9010
Total Claimed Bonus Points: 1360
Total points turned into ARRL: 10,370
John Birch KA4YMA – For supplying bamboo and fabrication of the 3 Moxon antennas, setup and take down; plus, camping out overnight and keeping an eye on everything.
Bob Bowis WB4KLJ – For being set up leader for the spud gun artillery.
Ray Albers K2HYD – For driving up from N. Carolina and helping to setup and organize the 40 CW station.
Jim Richey AG4MA – For running the lockup. Jim also was the one who organized getting us our porta-potties. And also to both Jim and Pete K6BFA for supplying all of the hoisting rope for the antennas.
Mike Toia K3MT – For his Herculean effort to join us after his recent heart attack to bring us his solar-powered charged batteries and complete enough contacts to help us earn natural power bonus points.
Sheila Clarke KI4WKY and Mel Clarke KI4WKZ – For supplying a sleeping tent for members to take rests in.
Kevin Lewis K4KL, Pete Long WB3FYR, John Transue AF4PD and Byron Black W4SSY for going out to the lock-up and carting things out to Field Day and back again.
Gary Nelson KI4EKM – For writing great Field Day press releases and inviting many government officials, one of which was Linda Q. Smith, Fairfax County Providence District Supervisor.
Pete Norlof KG4OJT and Bernie Wimmers N4JDF – For helping with email communications and Website updates on Field Day. And, other computer support.
STATION CAPTAINS:
Pete K6BFA and Tim KI4PVS for the GOTA tent. We had some Boy Scouts come out and work on their Radio Badges also.
Ed KC4NUD for valiant efforts in running the 2M band.
Corky AF4PM for stopping by to help set up and operate.
Pete WB3FYR for stopping by to help set up and operate.
Dennis WA4QMS for working the FT-950 radio tent.
Tom N4ZPT for donating some equipment for the 20M band,
set up by Eric N2NNP.
Frank W4NUA for having a needed 40m dipole conveniently on hand.
Jim WI4A and Ray K2HYD for operating the 40/15 CW station.
Byron W4SSY for bringing his Ten Tec Omni VII CW radio and getting us 971 contacts.
Lee KD4RE for stepping up to the plate and serving us with great quality meals. Lee also brought the moxon antenna idea to fruition.
Steve K5SK and Tom K4TCM for helping with food preparation and cleanup as well.
Rick concluded by saying that the scores have been submitted to the ARRL via email. But within a week or so, the actual paperwork submission will be mailed in.
As far as our calories per QSO, we think we did outstanding!
3. Sheila KI4WKY announced that this year’s banquet would be held on August 21 – a Thursday! So, there will be no Friday meeting. The location is the Marco Polo Restaurant on Maple Avenue, in Vienna, VA. The time is 7:00 pm. The cost is $26 per person ($52 couple), which includes an all-you-can-eat buffet consisting of prime rib, chicken, several salads, veggies, breads, dessert, etc. The $26 per person includes the cost of the meal, plus restaurant tax, the tip and drinks. You are to give your money to our Treasurer, Pete KG4OJT.
Sheila also said that this year would be a lot of fun. She’s giving out some great door prizes, except for one. One prize is going to be a boobie prize! To win the prizes, we will be having a drawing of call signs (members only). And, then everyone can join in the fun and play Ham Radio Bingo!
Each member can bring one guest.
Sheila needs to contact the Marco Polo Restaurant at least 10 days prior to give them a head count. So, please sign-up ASAP!
4. Pete KG4OJT our Treasurer then gave the following reports:
(a) He reminded everyone of our NAQP August events. Our CW NAQP is August 2- 3 and needs some helpers. Location and other details still need to be made.
(b) The SSB NAQP is on August 16-17 at Lake Fairfax. We’ll be having a new location this year. The event runs for 12 hours from 2 pm to 2 am. We will be running two radios as well.
(c) Once again the VWS has volunteered to help with communication support and shepherding children in the 62nd Vienna Halloween Parade on October 29.
(d) The Town of Vienna has sent us a letter stating that they are donating $500 to VWS. Pete will do a follow-up response to this. Upon receipt a check will be issued.
(e) Field Day expenses totaled $1,200.
5. Tom K4TCM asked if anyone would be interested in a CW event to be held at the Annandale Swim & Tennis Club. If so, please contact him.
6. Tim KI4PVF, along with his daughter, Ione, and son, Charlie, passed around their VWS pamphlet that they’ve been working on this summer.
7. Dave K2VX announced that he has some problems with his antenna on his condominium’s balcony. He needs some help with it prior to inspection from his Condominium Association’s representative.
8. Ed KC4NUD asked if anyone had a SSB transceiver to sell him.
9. Kerry WA4BQM, our “Leading Edge” publisher said that he needs fillers. He asked if any member had a photo of their shack, along with a description to share. If you do please see him ASAP.
Kerry also asked Rick N6CY to submit documentation on his Field Day set up procedure for future Field Days.
10. Bob AJ4RS has volunteered to be our Public Service Liason. Much appreciation and thanks to Bob!
11. Tom N4ZPT announced that the upcoming Marine Corp. Marathon on October 26, 2008 is now signing up Ham volunteers.
If you are interested, go to http://www.marinemarathon.com and on the left side, click the first link under MCM Community called “Volunteer.”
This will take you to their page called “Volunteer Registration.” The 4th line asks “if you are a Ham operator to click here”. Doing so will take you to the National Amateur Capital Council site at http://www.ncacdc.com/ . They’ve got in big red letters, “SIGN UP HERE!” They’ll send you a verified response if you’re in.
Tom also said by the end of September (a month in advance) a list of who is volunteering is needed in order to arrange for the badges, passes, etc.
12. Jim W4JTP also held up a hat from an old Dayton convention that was left at Field Day. Mike K3MT claimed it as his.
PRESENTATION:
President Jim W4JTP led the auction for the few remaining larger pieces of equipment from the estates of former members Alan Bosch KO4ALA and Len Hook KG6ZR.
REFRESHMENTS:
Steve N5SK once again kept us refreshed with drinks and also provided us with a great variety of snacks.
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