Athens County ARA

Despite a small crowd, ACARA had a nice no-charge summer trunkfest today. We did give away several raffle items. Congratulations to the following winners:WT8E -$50 cash and $50 ARRL Gift CertificateKE8ZAM – $50 and $25 ARRL Gift CertificateN8SUZ – $25 ARRL Gift Certificate Photos courtesy of WD8RIF and N8SUZ

We had five participants complete the folding copper cactus J-pole club build today. Everyone seemed to have a good time and were willing to help each other with soldering or other prep work. Due to some antenna analyzer issues, we will need to set SWR for most at a later time. Those completing were Bob Weber – KE8WWG, Gerald Carter – KE8WWF, Tony Peric -KE8VOG, Brian Taylor -KZ8U and Mark Summers -KD8SM. Missed a message that went to spam from . . .

Am. Sub. S. B. No. 288 134th G.A.392(e) Any device capable of displaying a video, movie, broadcast television image, or visualimage;(f) Any other substantially similar wireless device that is designed or used to communicatetext, initiate or receive communication, or exchange information or data.An “electronic wireless communications device” does not include a two-way radiotransmitter or receiver used by a person who is licensed by the federal communications commissionto participate in the amateur radio service.

The US Islands W/VE QSO Party will take place Saturday, August 25, 2018, same weekend as the Ohio QSO Party. Jeff Slattery, N8SUZ plans attempt qualification of two new islands at Charles Mill Lake west of Mifflin, Ohio on the Richland/Ashland County line. Islands to be activated are North Eagle Point (OH063) and North Eagle (OH062). Islands are qualified after 25 contacts with two separate DXCC entities are made. Ops will tentatively be on 40 and 20 meters, near 7.210 . . .

The Highland Amateur Radio Association (HARA) that produces the Monday Morning Memo is organizing a covered bridge activation on Saturday, August 18, 2018. They have a list of about seven bridges to be activated that day. For more information contact highlandara@yahoo.com There are no real rules, just operate.

Jeff Slattery, N8SUZ plans to activate the Blackwood Covered Bridge in Lodi Township near the intersection of Blackwood Road and Zion Road. Ops will tentatively be on 40 and 20 meters, near 7.210 and 14.210.

A big thank you to Eric McFadden, WD8RIF, Miles McFadden, KD8KNC, Bob Curtis, KD8FRQ, Mike Cooper, KC8WMY, Jon Bennett, KD8ZRQ and Josh Cash, KE8EAS for joining me (net control) in support of the 2018 Lake Hope Bicycle Race sponsored by the Ohio University Cycling Club. There was a good turnout of racers, the day turned sunny and beautiful after the early morning rains and the biggest issues were a blown tire and a broken chain. Our ACARA communications team did . . .

Had a good turnout for hamfest. The combined ACARA/SCARF VE team test session produced one new Tech, one upgrade to General and two upgrades to Extra.
New Tech – Kira Staats of Belleville, WV
New General – John Rider, KE8EVB of The Plains, OH
New Extras – Stephen Norris, KE8ICQ of Athens, OH and Stephen Cox, KE8IZA of Columbus.

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Jeff Slattery, N8SUZ

VE Session Coordinator

This Wednesday, right about lunchtime, the astronaut-hams aboard the International Space Station will be making an extended QSO (contact) with students at a school in New York State. If you have a 2-meter or dual-band HT or a scanner, you’ll be able to listen to the ISS’s downlink in the 2-meter ham band. My friend and colleague, Tom Witherspoon, K4SWL, has written up a set of easy instructions: https://swling.com/blog/2018/04/listen-to-an-upcoming-ariss-contact-with-your-scanner-or-ht/ I’ve listened numerous times to the ISS doing these school QSOs . . .

The pages for the Iron Furnace Trail Run on April 7, 2018, the Athens Marathon on April 15, 2018 and the Lake Hope Bicycle Race on May 6, 2018 have been updated with assignment lists, maps and associated documents. A few will need more updating with bib colors and numbers for the Marathon. Jeff, N8SUZ