Update — the Astron power supply and the R. L. Drake TVI filter were sold at the Athens Hamfest but the other items remain and are available for purchase by ACARA members. In the listings below, I’ve reduced the asking prices. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of John “Andy” Andracki, KB8ER (SK), the ACARA has available for sale the following pieces of equipment. The proceeds from the sale of this equipment will be applied to the Repeater Relocation . . .
Author: Eric McFadden
ACARA March VE Test Session — Four New Licensees!
Following the ACARA’s March 12 VE testing session, Jeff Slattery, N8SUZ, reports the following: We had a very successful VE test session this evening to complete the recent ACARA Technician license classes. The combined ACARA and SCARF VE team tested four candidates for two new Techs and two new Generals (all started with no license). Three were class participants and one came for the open test session. A total of ten elements were tested. The two new Technicians are: Nathan . . .
ACARA February Potluck: Saturday, February 17
The ACARA’s annual February Potluck will be held on Saturday, February 17 at the Red Cross of Southeastern Ohio, 100 South May Avenue, Athens. Because of a 3:30pm OU basketball home game, we’ll begin to gather at 6pm and will eat at 6:30pm. (Please note: these times are later than our traditional time for the Potluck.) All ACARA members, their families, and their guests are cordially invited! Members and their family and guests are asked to bring a dish to . . .
ACARA Participation in Winter Field Day — Fun on the Farm!
The ACARA participated in the Winter Field Day Association’s “Winter Field Day” (inf0) on Saturday, January 27, 2018, in a small cottage on the Riordan farm near Coolville, Ohio. While the Winter Field Day ran for a full 24 hours, this being the first time the ACARA participated in the event, it was decided to operate only during daylight hours on the Saturday of the event. The following ACARA members participated: Josh Cash, KE8EAS Tyler Hooker, AK5HT, and his young . . .
ACARA Club Construction Project — 20m/40m Trap Dipole — a Success!
The ACARA Club Construction to build 20m/40m trap dipoles, long in the planning and twice delayed, finally happened on Sunday, January 21, 2018. Under the excellent guidance of Drew McDaniel, W8MHV, ten hams learned how trap dipoles work and then constructed their own 20m/40m trap dipoles. For the club construction project, Drew provide SOTABeams trap kits (https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/hf-antenna-traps-kit-pair/) in 20-watt or 100-watt versions; “Invisible” Toughcoat “Silky” 26 AWG, 19 strand 40% copper-clad steel antenna wire (https://www.thewireman.com/antennap.html); and ceramic dog-bone insulators for . . .
Club Construction Project – Two-Band Trap Dipole – 2pm Sunday, January 21
Drew McDaniel, W8MHV, will be leading the club construction project to build 20-meter / 40-meter trap dipole antennas at 2pm on Sunday, January 21 at the Red Cross of Southeastern Ohio, 100 South May Avenue, Athens. Drew will be providing at no charge the trap kits, insulators, and wire for participants to build the two-band trap dipoles. The builders will need to provide their own coaxial cable feedline before deploying their dipoles for use but the builders do NOT need . . .
January 16 ACARA Meeting was Canceled
ACARA Participation in Winter Field Day?
ACARA member and portable-operations enthusiast Robert Riordan, KA4VNK, has come to me with an intriguing proposal. Robert would like the ACARA to participate in the Winter Field Day Association’s Winter Field Day on the weekend of January 27-28, 2018. The Winter Field Day Association’s Winter Field Day (https://www.winterfieldday.com/) is very much like annual ARRL Field Day except that Winter Field Day is designed to test hams’ abilities to set up and operate in cold-weather conditions instead of in the heat . . .
ACARA Holiday Dinner & Presentation of NC8V Memorial Trophy
The ACARA Holiday Dinner on Tuesday, December 19 at Lui Lui in Athens was declared “a good time” by those that attended. Turnout by members and guests was high and Lui Lui acquitted themselves well with good food and drink, nice presentation, and good service. Attending the Holiday Dinner were John Biddle, W8PG; Josh Cash, KE8EAS, and his father-in-law Mike Mathues, KC8WIW; Bob Curtis, KD8FRQ, and his wife Kathy; Carl Denbow, N8VZ, and his wife Jane; Tyler Hooker, AK5HT, his . . .
ARRL 10-Meter Contest December 9-10, 2017 — Update
The ARRL 10-Meter Contest is this weekend, December 9-10, 2017. Full rules for the ARRL 10-Meter Contest can be found here at http://www.arrl.org/10-meter. The ARRL 10-Meter Contest is important to Athens County Amateur Radio Association (ACARA) members for two reasons: 1. The club participates in the ARRL 10-Meter Contest as a club, in the Affiliated Club Competition. When you prepare your 10-Meter Contest entry, simply list “Athens County ARA” in the “Club Name” field and your score will count toward . . .