From the President`s Desk - Genesis Amateur Radio Society`s

Volume 5
Issue 1
Genesis Amateur Radio Society, Inc.
Founded 1992
Genesis
Editor: Ken Kavaljian KB1KVL
January 2011
From the President’s Desk
President
John Williams
KB1EVY
Vice President
Bob Woodbury
N1COP
Secretary
Ken Kavaljian
KB1KVL
Treasurer
Bill Scott
K1JZX
Executive Board
John Williams
KB1EVY
Bob Woodbury
N1COP
Ken Kavaljian
KB1KVL
Bill Scott
K1JZX
Kevin O’Donnell K1KOD
Tom Sullivan
K1TJS
Ron Smith
N1PXX
Fred Sanford
KA1CQD
Chris Johnson
N1IR
Judy
KB1SRO
Web Page
http://www.genesisars.org/
Genesis Ragchew Net is
every Tuesday night at
7:30 pm on 146.685 MHz
PL 82.5.
Meeting is the last Monday
of the month at 7:30 pm at
Plymouth Airport, Gate 2
Conference Room.
Lots happening, club members are
getting energized by upcoming activities. We
have two rag chew nets going on, CW practice
net, which is running two nights a week the Echo
link has been on air and only needs to have a few
adjustments and it will be up and on the air also. I
would like to acknowledge these efforts by both
John Williams KB1EVY
those putting in the time and those participating in
President
the activities. It is amazing how ideas flow and
participation increases when ideas come about and are allowed to be tried.
Trial and error, experimenting, or just trying. There are those who don’t
mind sticking their finger into the light socket, get a jolt and go on to try
something else. How does that saying go; “build it, and they will come”.
Well keep building it and they will come gang! The next few months there
is mentoring and instructional talks that are and will be taking place within
the club. Take advantage and stick your finger into that socket, I know I
will.
I would like to make a special note about the passing of another long time
club member, Lou Vanderstreet (N1WNT). When he was able he was always
present at club meetings and functions. He was on the membership committee and
sent out greetings to new amateurs in the area and asked if membership in our club
would be considered. He was the original editor for the Genesis newsletter.
Like other members that have passed, he will be missed by those who knew him.
He served in the USN submarines (USS Bluefish) during WWII. Several years ago
he gave a tour for the club at battleship cove, specifically the submarine stationed
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there. I believe he was a crew member of that boat also. He now joins other crew and is answering roll call with
George (K1CG) and others that have been part of the Genesis repeater gang. Pipe him aboard!
Well it’s time to say my adieu,
73
JOHN, KB1EVY
The Prez.
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Minutes of the Meeting
Opening: The meeting was opened at 7:30 pm. President John Williams
KB1EVY was presiding.
Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer gave an updated accounting of
repeater fund and general fund.
Secretary’s Report: The Secretary’s report was accepted as published
in the newsletter.
New Business: The club is currently accepting donations for the
George A. Manning Scholarship Fund. George was a long-time member of
Genesis Amateur Radio Society. Donations may be mailed to Bill Scott
K1CJX or presented directly to him at the meeting. His mailing address is
listed on the club roster.
Ken Kavaljian KB1KVL
Secretary
Ragchew Net Report: Owen Malaguti KB1CGP reported that the number of check-ins on the
Tuesday night net have been about the same as last month. Genesis CW Practice Net has been averaging 4-6
check-ins per night, sometimes more. The 10m Ragchew Net averages about15 check-ins per week.
Repeater Officer’s Report: After last month's repeater report I decided to follow up with my
comments and give thanks to the Genesis Amateur Radio Society's members. Without the cooperation of all the
members of the GARS (America's Hometown Repeater) it would probably be off the air at this time. Without
going into specific details on who did what to make all this happen some members should be recognized. Going
back to when Bill Ryan was an active member he started the search for a new repeater, unfortunately Bill
became ill and could not continue this quest. (Thank you Bill)
At that time I was asked to take over the project. With many months of discussion, research, speaking with other
clubs, and getting price quotes from different manufacturers we finally came to a decision on the Kenwood
repeater. At that time GARS didn’t have the funding to purchase a new repeater but with donations from GARS
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members and a matching donation from one anonymous donor we acquired the funds to make the purchase.
(Thank you all who helped in this endeavor)
As time went on we had discovered that our antenna was degrading. With the expertise of Jack Buckley
W1AKN, Stuart Studley (Bump) W1BON and several others it was discovered the antenna was degrading
rapidly and it needed to be replaced. So the quest for a new repeater antenna and installation on the Industrial
Communications Commercial Tower at the Pine Hills location in Plymouth MA. began.
After several months of searching for the correct antenna and with the help from our president John Williams
KB1EVY and others the antenna was ordered. (Please note: this antenna was manufactured for our frequencies)
At that time I contacted Industrial Communications for installation of the new antenna.
It took several months for the antenna to be built and shipped to a receiving location in Falmouth Ma. When it
arrived the antenna was 22’ long and that presented a problem to transport the antenna to the site in Plymouth.
Without the help of Bob Woodberry N1COP, John Williams KB1EVY this wouldn’t have happened. Now we
have an antenna at the site and ready for installation. The call went out to Industrial Communications to let them
know the antenna was on site. They would install it as soon as they had a crew in the area to climb the tower.
Again several months went by as we waited for the call to install the antenna. Early one morning I got a call from
an installation crew in Kingston that they would be at the Pine Hill site in one hour. I arrived at the site about
one hour later and within a few hours we had a new antenna system running with a greatly improved signal.
The only part left to complete the project is to remove the existing antenna from the site. Ron Smith N1PXX has
a space where we can temporarily store the antenna. We are currently making those arrangements.
I would like to say thanks to all the members who spent many hours of the Genesis Amateur Radio Society past
and present, because without all of your cooperation as a team this project would never have happened.
Thank you
Kevin O'Donnell K1KOD
Repeater Officer
Event Officer’s Report: Field Day Coordinator Judy KB1SRO is looking for volunteers to help out at
field Day. Volunteers may contact Judy via email, in person, or snail mail. Her mailing information is on the
club roster. A reminder that Field Day is June 25 & 26.
Education Officer’s Report: Chris Jonson N1IR gave a presentation on PSK-31 which was very
informative. He did a live transmission using it. There will be a workshop next month on soldering PL-259 and
jumper cable fabrication. Below is the Education Officer’s schedule for March.
FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2011 7PM-9PM (need room from 6:30-9:30pm)
SATURDAY MARCH 19, 2011 9am-2pm (between a 30min - 1hr break for lunch)
SATURDAY MARCH 26, 2011 9am-1pm (30 min break for lunch)
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Testing MARCH 26 2PM-4PM for all Amateur Class Licenses
Genesis Amateur Radio Society and the Bourne RACES in cooperation with the Bourne Emergency Management
Agency announces classes for those who would like to obtain their FCC Amateur Radio Operators Technician
Class License.
The Town of Bourne RACES is trying to build a team of amateurs to man EOC's and Shelters in the town during
town emergencies and to be able to run stations from their homes as well, if possible, for the monthly
communication nets on the regional amateur repeaters.
The RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) Operators, in case of a Civil Emergency, are a vital link
between the MEMA Bunkers in Framingham and Bridgewater to the Town of Bourne, to pass vital messages
during these emergencies.
If you are interested in achieving your Amateur Radio (HAM) License, and assist your town with communications,
please join us for these classes.
You need to purchase the Technician Q&A manual from the ARRL. The book costs $17.95 usually +shipping and
handling, but Genesis ARS can you save the .95 + the shipping and handling. The GENESIS AMATEUR RADIO
SOCIETY out of Plymouth, MA will offer the books for ONLY $17 and save on shipping and handling.
There is a 2nd book. THE ARRL HAM RADIO LICENSE MANUAL is also highly recommended. It is usually
$29.95 but you get this for only $29 with free shipping. If you order both you can save an additional $1. so you
purchase both and only pay $45 and no shipping.
To compare this check the ARRL Site
FOR THE LICENSE MANUAL (OPTIONAL)
http://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual-Revised-2nd-Edition/
FOR THE Q&A
http://www.arrl.org/shop/search.php?mode=search&page=1
If you are interested, email BOURNE RACES at
[email protected] and then send the check to Genesis Amateur Radio Society PO BOX 230
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 and mention which books you would like to order.
There is a $15 testing fee at the due at time of testing. This is for the material for the testing session
ALL REGISTRATION AND BOOKS MUST BE ORDERED BY MARCH 5, 2011.
Closing: The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.
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From the Editor’s Desk
Genesis Amateur Radio Society now has nets four nights a week. Tuesday is Genesis Ragchew net at 7:30 pm
on 146.685 MHz. Thursday and Sunday evenings from 7 pm to 7:30 pm is the Genesis CW Training Net on
146.685 MHz. Saturday night at 8 pm on 28.485 MHz is the 10m Local Ragchew Net. All are welcome.
Jack Buckley W1AKN is the instructor/CW operator for Genesis CW Practice Net. This net has been
averaging about 6 check-ins per night. Much thanks goes to all those that check into the nets. Without them
there would be no net.
73
Ken Kavaljian KB1KVL
Editor
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The Amateur’s Code
by Paul M. Segal W9EEA (1928)
The Radio Amateur is:
CONSIDERATE
Never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL
Offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs
and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the
United States is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE
With knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and
operation beyond reproach.
FRIENDLY
With slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel
to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the
interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED
Radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school
or community.
PATRIOTIC
With station and skill always ready for service to country and community.
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PSK-31 Presentation at January Meeting
After the January meeting was a presentation on the digital mode PSK-31. Chris Johnson N1IR conducted
the presentation. Included, besides explaining about it, was a live demonstration to show how it worked.
Below are pictures taken at the presentation courtesy of Joe Reynolds KA1GDQ.
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