June 2006 Meeting Minutes

Iroquois County Amateur Radio Club

Minutes for Month of June 7, 2006

President Steve Called Meeting to Order at 7:15pm at the Red Cross office in Watseka.

A general discussion of both of the new repeater sites was talked about. The Cingular site for the cross band repeater and the WGFA site for the 444.625. Cingular has requested that the name on the lease be changed to the Red Cross. Sam has requested the president of the Red Cross board sign the lease.

Oscar Martin has signed the leases and 4 copies were sent to Cingular.

We would like to get our equipment down from the elevator to repair in the next few days. Benny is familiar with the site and offered to do the job.

New Business

Carl reported that KARS was having a ham testing secession on June 14 at St Johns Church at 6:00. If you want to be tested you need 2 forms of ID (one picture). Talk to Carl if you need more info.

KARS hamfest will be on July 16 at Will county fair grounds.

Kars field day event would welcome ICARS members to their field day at Kevins N9REG. See KARS web site for more info.

Chris and Carl brought a sack full of caps and maps to hand out to ICARS members from Dayton. Icom and Yaesu hats and a very nice world ham map on heavy paper.

Benny provided us with some nice snacks and Steve dismissed us about 9:00 pm.

Sam — Sec Tres

Members present

Steve K9TA

Sam W9QKF

Carl K9CS

Chris W9LIZ

Benny KC9GWD

Tim KC9FON

Sam Ripple
W9QKF KAE7607

ARRL’s “Hello” Campaign a Hit

When the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) met in Las Vegas for their annual conventions in late April, the ARRL was well represented. ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, headed the League contingent. Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, and Vice Director Andy Oppel, N6AJO, rounded out the delegation. The presence of thousands of broadcasters offered Pitts an ideal opportunity to promote the ARRL “Hello . . . — Celebrating 100 Years of Voice over Radio Worldwide” public service announcements. Pitts gauged success on the basis of what he *didn’t* end up taking home.

“I carried 60 full ‘Hello’ press books containing news releases, information and PSAs to the NAB,” Pitts said. “At the end of the three days only one was left, and that went to a radio station manager I met in the airport going home.” Pitts reports he’s been hearing from hams, engineers and radio station managers that the PSAs are airing on cable systems and radio stations. In addition, of the 4500 brochures he took to the convention, he had but 300 left.

The highlight each year for radio amateurs attending the NAB convention is the ham radio operators’ reception, sponsored this year by Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound Ltd. Some 2000 radio amateurs with broadcasting industry connections attended the April 26 affair.

The big news at this year’s reception was that Heil will be inducted next month into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. A veteran music industry soundman and sound reinforcement innovator, Heil has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Chuck Berry, The Who, the Grateful Dead, Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, and ZZ Top.

NAB Vice President of Science and Technology John Marino, KR1O, co-hosted the event.

ARRL President Harrison greeted the gathering on behalf of the League and spoke briefly about the changes and challenges Amateur Radio faces in the 21st century.

Charlie Wooten, NF4A, was honored as Clear Channel Communications “National Engineer of the Year,” and Heil presented him with a microphone bearing Wooten’s call sign. Pitts credits Wooten with getting the “Hello” campaign PSAs on many Clear Channel radio stations.

Pitts said he found a lot of interest in the “Hello” campaign among those attending the broadcasters’ gatherings. “But it takes more than just passing out disks to make it on the air,” he added. “It takes a personal contact, and that’s why we need continued action by our public information officers nationwide.”

New Public Emergency Communications Network – National SOS

Implementation to Begin Prior to Hurricane Season. “National SOS” based on the millions of Family Radio Service (FRS) & GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios already in use for camping, boating, hiking, etc. and the nationwide network of 700,000 ham radio operators and 70,000 licensed GMRS users.

Hartford, CT May 3, 2006 — The Midland Radio Corporation, REACT International, the DC Emergency Radio Network, and NationalSOS.com have jointly announced their support for the National SOS Radio Network — www.NationalSOS.com — a free communications network based on the estimated 100 million FRS-compatible radios already in the hands of the public… and growing by up to 12 million radios per year.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it has become clear that a major contributing factor to the tragic loss of life was the near total breakdown of communication systems. Once electricity, telephone, and cell phone services failed, people were unable to let rescuers know of their dire situation — and died as a result.

A simple, instant, and virtually zero-cost solution: A “National SOS” public emergency network — www.NationalSOS.com. This free public network connects the estimated 100 million Family Radio Service (FRS) and FRS / GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) combination radios already in use by the public with 700,000 amateur “ham” radio operators — people renowned and prepared for emergency communications — plus over 70,000 licensed GMRS radio users who are also proficient emergency communicators.

The National SOS Radio Network doesn’t require new laws or any new legislation. It could be effective immediately. Once the ham and GMRS radio communities are made aware to listen for the public’s emergency FRS broadcasts, the national network will be up and running. The goal is to create initial awareness before the upcoming hurricane season.

FRS radios and FRS / GMRS combination radios used strictly under FRS regulations don’t require an operator license, can be used by anyone of any age, and are available for as little as $10 – $30 at many retailers and online stores.

The National SOS initiative recommends that public use FRS Channel 1 as its primary emergency-communications channel. Channel 1 is easy to remember and has previously been endorsed by radio manufacturers and by REACT in 2000. For universal communication amongst radio users, it’s important that the FRS radio’s “privacy tone” or “privacy code” be turned off. During a crisis, ham radio, GMRS, and scanner operators can easily monitor FRS Channel 1 by tuning to 462.5625 MHz. Other FRS channels are being considered to create a “channel plan” for overall emergency coordination. See www.NationalSOS.com for an endorsed “channel plan” and related emergency-communication protocols.

Eric Knight, a ham-radio veteran and developer of www.NationalSOS.com said, “We are honored to be teaming up with three fantastic organizations in the field of communications.” Knight continued, “Midland Radio www.midlandradio.com is a long-time pioneer in innovative radio technology. REACT International, Inc. www.REACTintl.org has been at the forefront of an all-citizen emergency communications network for nearly 50 years and introduced FRS radio as an important public communications tool in 2000. And the DC Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, www.dcradio.org is a brilliant example of using FRS radios to connect people and neighborhoods in an emergency.”

Chris Oehlert, Marketing Communications Manager for Midland Radio, said in regards to the National SOS Radio Network, “Midland is pleased to support such an important effort. The importance of communication cannot be over emphasized, particularly in times of crisis.” Oehlert continued, “Midland 2-way radios provide a reliable, inexpensive means of communication — even in situations where other technologies are disabled.”

Since 1962, REACT — Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams — has led major efforts in emergency communications and disaster-preparedness programs. Ed Greany, Executive Vice-president of REACT International, Inc., said, “REACT is pleased to lend support and encourage radio users of the Family Radio Service (FRS) and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) to this important project.” Greany added, “Both FRS and GMRS radios have already proven their importance and effective use in disaster communications in recent California wildfires.”

Bill Adler, the founder of the DC Emergency Radio Network, DCERN, said, “It’s my vision to see that every household in American has an FRS or GMRS radio. As we’ve learned from 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and other disasters, without communications nothing else operates effectively.” Adler continued, “I envision a national network of ordinary Americans with FRS and GMRS radios who can relay information in an emergency. When a natural or manmade disaster strikes, the only good communications system is one that will actually work. The idea behind this new emergency network is to have a simple, reliable communications system that doesn’t depend on electricity or standing cell phone towers — and that anyone of any age can use.”

For more details regarding the National SOS Radio Network, please visit: www.NationalSOS.com.

June is Ham Radio Month in IL

On May 25th Governor Rod Blagojevich proclaimed June 2006 as AMATEUR RADIO MONTH in Illinois, and encouraged all citizens to recognize the services this state’s amateur radio operators provide in keeping our communities safe.

Done at the Capitol in Springfield and signed by both the Governor and Secretary of State, Jesse White, this proclamation, numbered 188, was received by Pat Ryan, KC6VVT, Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator. Pat received this proclamation on behalf of the more than 22,000 amateur radio operators residing in Illinois, and its many emergency communications teams.

The Starved Rock Radio Club will exhibit a copy of this proclamation at their annual Field Day event at Shabbona Park, and later at its facilities in Leonore. The original proclamation is in the hands of Division Director, Dick Isely, W9GIG.