March 27th, 2009 - General Membership Meeting

Notes Posted By Ray Anderson on March 28th, 2009

The Vienna Wireless Society The meeting was formally opened by Vice-President Pete, K6BFA; President Jim, W4JTP was away on personal business. TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 49 GUESTS: Darrel Adams, KA5DWZ and Keith Lynde, no call. OFFICERS' REPORTS Treasurer, Pete, KG4OJT, announced that there were no new income or expense matters to report. Secretary, Ray, KJ4CNN, noted that photos of the recent VA QSO Party could be viewed by jumping to the appropriate Flickr page from the VWS internet site. ANNOUNCEMENTS Tom, K4TCM, reported that he was thinking of organizing a Building Session for members to build their Measuring Tape Antennas for the upcoming Fox Hunt on Saturday, March 21 at Lake Fairfax.  He said that he would ask Byron, W4SSY to participate because of his antenna building experience.  When asked what frequency the Rabbits would transmit on, Tom informed the membership that they would transmit on 146.580. John, KA4YMA, gave a brief report on the recent Tornado Drill. Tom, N4ZPT, noted in his Public Service Report  that on Saturday, May 2nd and on Sunday, May 3rd a 24-hr Race would be held in Prince William County where the organizers were still looking for a number of Volunteer Hams to serve 6 to 8 hour communication support shifts.  He noted that there would be no 2 meter repeater coverage nor would there be any cell phone service.  Instead,  communications would be conducted via 2 meter simplex and possibly on 6 meters.  As an interesting historical sideline, Tom noted that the race would begin and end at a site that was the Communication's Training Camp for the OSS during World War II. Jim, AG4MA, asked the assembled membership who would attend the Saturday, April 25 QRP To The Field / Krazy Antenna Day in Glyndon Park.  Approximately 20 enthusiastic hands shot up.  Jim asked that one 100 Watt rig be brought to the event.  He also reiterated that plenty of food would be provided by the Club. Since Bernie, N4JDF, the Club's Field Day Chairman was away on personal business, Tom, N4ZPT, spoke on his behalf.  Tom noted that the antennas for 2009 Field Day would be strung in the trees on Friday, while the remaining tasks would be completed on Saturday. He promised that Bernie would give timely updates as Field Day approaches. Pete, K6BFA, announced that the Club would do a Field Day Products Buy from the ARRL around the second meeting in April.  Pete provided a sign-up sheet where Members could indicate the products that they were going to purchase.  ARRL products included 2009 Field Day T-shirts, Field Day and GOTA pins, hats, water bottles and other such promotional items.  Members who signed up for products are encouraged to get their money to Pete at the earliest. Tom, K4TCM, asked whether the Club would participate in Satellite transmissions during Field Day.  John, KA3AGT, announced that he would volunteer to head the Satellite transmission project to the delight of the assembled Membership. Sheila, KI4WKY, reminded the Membership of the Saturday, August 27 Club Banquet at the Marco Polo restaurant in Vienna.  Entertainment for the evening will be Ham Radio Bingo as well as possibly some other activities.  The price has remained the same as last  year's, $26.00 per person.. Vice-Prez Pete, K6BFA, announced that on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 the Club will participate in the CQ VHF Contest.  The Contest Station will be moved to the Blue Mountain Estates, approximately 56 miles from the center of Vienna, near Linden, VA.  The primary travel route will be Rt. 66.  Although the Lodge does not provide heat nor air conditioning, there will be ample room for cots and sleeping bags to accommodate all Club Contesters. Pete also mentioned that although this will be a VHF Contest, one HF rig will be available for non-contest use. Mike, AE4R, reminded everyone that the Homebrew Contest was on Friday, July 10th. Tim, WA4CLK, advised the assembled Membership that it could go to http://qcwa-91.org/  on the internet to keep informed of the local chapter of the QUARTER CENTURY WIRELESS ORGANIZATION activities. Linda, AC4LT, announced that her photographs of Winterfest 09 were on flickr where they can be viewed by going to http://www.flickr.com/photos/ac4lt/sets/72157615779908625/ Pete, KG4OJT, introduced the new, printed Membership Directory that Members could purchase for $4.00 Alternatively, Pete announced that a pdf version was available for download from the VWS internet site. Glen, AI4ZA, announced that he was giving away a bag full of Spools of Contact Wire. Members swarmed unto Glen's gift with great enthusiasm during the Break. Pete, KG4OJT, ran the 50-50 Contest with Two Prizes.  One Prize was $17.00 which was 50% of the money taken in from sales of that night's 50-50 Contest tickets and the Other Prize was a 2-meter transmitter for APRS in kit form that was graciously donated for the 50-50 Contest by Tom, N4ZPT.  The first winning ticket was held by Dennis, WA4QMS, who elected to receive the $17.00 but who then donated the money to the Club.  The second winning ticket was held by Glen, AI4ZA, who received the 2-meter transmitter kit . BREAK Refreshments and opportunities for caloric overindulgence were provided by Tim, KI4PVF . MEETING PRESENTATION Program Chair Mike, AE4R, began the evening's presentation with Show & Tell by holding up a glass radio tube and asking whether anyone knew what it was.  Immediately, a number of Members shouted out that it was a 6L6GB tube, which Mike confirmed.  He explained that this famous tube, first manufactured in 1936, was still in production in Russia, China and few other countries.  Originially it served as a beam power amplifier, but then was used, still today, as an audio amplifier in guitar amps.  Mike and some Members from the audience noted that many old-timers would mount the tube upside down, submerged in water or oil in order to cool it. Mike, AE4R, with the audio-visual assistance of Pete, KG4OJT, then introduced a video of the OH8X amateur radio club's INCREDIBLE antenna farm in Lapland.  Most intriguingly, a club's member operated the radio station remotely in front of an audience by way of a virtual amateur radio station.  Details of the monster towers, some of which rose over 100 meters (taller than the length of a football field) were impressive.  The sights of the 80 and 160 meter beams were truly awe-inspiring.  For further details about this Uber-Amateur Radio Station, visit http://www.radioarcala.com/  on the net. Dave, K2VX , ended the evening with an amateur radio-related joke. Vice-President Pete, K6BFA , closed the meeting at 9:15 pm To view some pictures from the meeting, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/viennawireless/sets/72157615953452101/ Respectfully submitted by: Ray Anderson, KJ4CNN Secretary, VWS

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