IA Section News From Iowa Section Manager Tom Brehmer, N0LOH:

The Rural Iowa Amateur Radio Club will be holding a "Fox Hunt" (Radio Direction Finding Exercise) on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:30AM.
The Assembly Area: Super 8 Motel, Oelwein, IA (just off of Hwy 150) – Breakfast Room. Local Repeater: 147.345 + | Fox Frequency: 146.565 (1st fox) and 147.100 (2nd fox) The Fox will be located somewhere around the Oelwein area for this winter hunt.  Dress accordingly to stay warm if out on foot for an extended period of time. Our fox den has grown slightly, so this hunt will be a multi-stage event. The 1st fox will be relatively easy for any skill level.  The 2nd fox will be a bit more challenging, but should still be findable by all. Everyone is welcome. If you have never hunted before come to the assembly area and ride along with one of the more experienced hunters. First transmission will begin transmitting at 10:30 AM, and the hunt should be over within 2 hours or less. When finished with hunt, come back to Super 8 for the potluck.  Bring something to share.  ACOUU, Steve will be providing BBQ pork for us. For more info, contact: Eric Grams, N0ZJT, n0zjt@arrl.net. Visit http://www.RuralIowaARES.com/fox-hunt-info for entire rules and more information.

The Muscatine Area Volunteer Examiners will be testing for all classes of amateur radio operator licenses on Sunday, February 12, at 1:30 PM at the Flickinger Learning Center, 413 Mulberry Avenue, in Muscatine. (Use the 5th street parking lot and entrance across from Hy-Vee Drugstore.) For more information, visit muscatinehams.org.

The Iowa-Illinois Amateur Radio Club in Burlington is seeking to increase their membership base and increase club revenue so they can pay the insurance required for the 146.79 MHz repeater. The club's dues for a year is $20 and if you send it in before "Leap Day" (February 29th) you may be selected to receive a new MFJ 1.8-170 MHz, model 259 B, SWR Analyzer. The 259 B analyzer is a ham radio testing device that includes a frequency counter, RF signal generator, coax tester and capacitance/inductance meter. You don't have to be present at a meeting to receive it, these folks will send it to you. Make your checks payable to "IA-IL Amateur Radio Club" and put your call in the "memo" section and send it to: N0EJD, Ron Smith, 1201 Dunham St, Burlington, IA 52601.

The Iowa Ham of the Year Award is intended to recognize an Iowa ham who has demonstrated his or her tremendous dedication to Amateur Radio through his or her activities. The award will be presented at the 2012 DMRAA Hamfest in Des Moines. Nominations are being taken until March 15, 2012. The winner will receive a trophy, a certificate and an ARRL Handbook. Two runner-ups will each receive a certificate and an ARRL Repeater Directory. For complete rules and a nomination form, please contact n0loh@arrl.org.

Do you follow the DX Code of Conduct? http://www.dx-code.org/