WHERE DO NEW HAMS COME FROM?   Since this year's Communications Academy various clubs and ARES Units have been sponsoring license preparation classes and VE examinations by the dozens.   By the end of 2008 we could have over 400 new Hams in Western Washington, at this rate.

Here's another opportunity for recruiting:  June 21rst is KIDS DAY, the creation of the Boring Amateur Radio Club, of Boring Oregon, but now gaining popularity as an annual event.  Kid's Day is an on the air experience that can show off many facets of our hobby.  (See QST June 2008 page 62)

Kid's Day can be a fun time and why not?  Many of us became Ham Radio Operators because of an older Elmer who saw the future of Amateur Radio was in part dependant on kid's getting interested in the hobby.  My own Elmer Ron Wagner W7PSB (SK) was responsible for many of us from West Bremerton High School, obtaining our first Ham License.  Because of Mr. Wagner, I have enjoyed many aspects of Amateur Radio for over 50 years.

So let's do it!  Clubs, ARES Units ... find a supermarket parking lot and set up your gear and get the kids of Western Washington on the air.  Break out the digital modes and show them that the internet is not the only way to communicate.  Show them that ATV isn't just a 4 wheeled beach buggy!  Get on your local repeater and let them talk to someone across the country or around the world via Echo Link or ILRP.

You still have time to get set up and contact your local media for some publicity, so let's "get it done" in the memory of Mr. Wagner and all of our Elmer's who have gone before us.

73, and good Hamming

Jim Pace K7CEX

WWa SM

The Willamette Valley DX Club is pleased to announce

The 2008 Pacific  Northwest DX Convention, August 1-3, 2008 in Portland, OR.

Please join us for the 53rd annual convention which includes many  technical sessions, a banquet and breakfast, door prizes, and raffle

prizes. It's a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones.  QSL Field Checkers will be present to check DXCC submissions.

Join us at the Monarch Hotel in Portland. The Monarch's web site is  available at www.monarchhotel.cc and offers a convention rate of $93 per

night. Ask for the Northwest DX Convention Rate when calling.  August is a great time to visit Portland, with many opportunities for

travel and fun. The convention hotel is located across the street from  Portland's largest mall, and with no sales tax, presents a great

shopping experience. There is also a local Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) store  for those interested in picking up new gear.

Please visit http://wvdxc.org/dxconvention where you can find both paper  and online registration forms, the latest information on programs, door

prizes and a list of who is attending. Registration forms received  before June 15 will receive a free raffle ticket for a $1000 USD gift

certificate at HRO.  If you have any questions, please contact Al Rovner, K7AR at   k7ar@arrl.net.  Very 73 and we look forward to seeing you at the  convention.

Notice to all ARES Groups

Are you wondering how to get tax exempt donations to your ARES Group? 

Ask Kim AC7YY at ac7yy@amsat.org or  For more information check out the link   http://www.wastateares.org/WWASEG/index.htm

QST QST QST

Would you like to be a Technical Speciallist?.

For assistance, contact Tom at: n1bec@msn.com or visit the Technical Assistance Forum at: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/WWA-SectionTS-Technical-Forum/

If you are interested in becoming a Technical Specialist (we are recruiting from all WWa Districts) please contact Tom at n1bec@msn.com

Hi Everyone,

My name is Scott Douglas, w7xc, Official Observer Coordinator for Western Washington.  I am emailing you in the hope of interesting you in volunteering for the Official Observer Program, which has been part of the ARRL volunteer program for more than 50 years. Besides assisting the ARRL in the self Policing of our bands / frequencies, we help our fellow amateurs locate and remedy problems with their stations before they come to the attention of the FCC. If they need in depth assistance we will refer them (if requested) to our "Technical Specialist" volunteers who have the knowledge to assist them in effecting corrections.

Currently, we are looking for volunteers in every district in Western Washington (see map below). We also want to establish an OO in every affiliated club in the Western Washington Section. This way, the individual clubs members will have direct access to our services through a familiar and known individual, and so that we have the manpower available to respond effectively in all areas of our section.

  Official ARRL Field Organization Appointment Description: Official Observer

The Official Observer program has been sponsored by the League for more than 50 years to help amateurs help each other. Official Observer appointees have assisted thousands of amateurs to maintain their transmitting equipment and operating procedures in compliance with the regulations. The object of the OO program is to notify amateurs by mail of operating/technical irregularities before they come to the attention of the FCC.

The OO is also the backbone of the Amateur Auxiliary to the FCC. OOs are certified in the Auxiliary by passing a mandatory written examination.

The OO performs his function by listening rather than transmitting, keeping an ear out for such things as frequency instability, harmonics, hum, key clicks, broad signals, distorted audio, over deviation, out-of-band operation, etc. The OO completes his task once the notification card is sent.

In hard-core rules violations cases, OOs refer problems to higher echelons of the Amateur Auxiliary, and may be requested to gather evidence for possible FCC enforcement actions. Requirements follow:

1.      Must take and pass examination to be certified as a member of the Amateur Auxiliary, an FCC requirement, based on study of the ARRL's Amateur Auxiliary Training Manual.

2.      Must be an ARRL Full Member and have been a licensee of Technician Class or higher for at least four years.

3.      Must report to the OO Coordinator regularly on FSD-23.

4.      Maintain regular activity in sending out advisory notices as needed.

The OO program is one of the most important functions of the League. A sincere dedication to helping our brother and sister amateurs is required for appointment. Recruitment of new hams and League members is an integral part of the job of every League appointee. Appointees should take advantage of every opportunity to recruit a new ham or member to foster growth of Field Organization programs, and our abilities to serve the public. The Amateur Auxiliary of the FCC Hams Helping Hams   -   An Official Observer Tradition for More Than 50 Years

To apply, or obtain further information, contact Scott Douglas  w7xc@arrl.net  or call 253-891-8000

Congress honors First Responders, including Amateur Radio.  See the Resolution at:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr110-851

Congratulations to Western Washington Hams

Send your public service event listings to K7CEX@ARRL.ORG   for posting here.

LOWER COLUMBIA AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION, W7DG   VE TESTING OFFERED  

 5/17/08;

Review of Technician, General, & Extra classes upon arrival, then all test levels given afterward; cost is $14.00; cash, no checks; no Morse Code testing. Individuals need to bring original radio license and any pending CSCE's from other recent test sessions, photo ID, PLUS A PHOTO COPY OF THE LICENSE AND ANY CSCE'S. Individuals should also bring a calculator. All other test materials are furnished at the session. Refreshments included.

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008

Time: 9:00am--2:00pm (walk-in's welcome)

Site: Lower Columbia Amateur Radio Association Clubhouse - 966 Lone Oak Road - Longview, WA 98632

(Directions to site: From Cowlitz Way, go 3.5 miles on Columbia Heights Road, which becomes Lone Oak Road. Go 1/10th of a mile then left up the hill.)

Contact: Judi Robins, ARRL/VE -- KD7GZR -- kd7gzr@gmail.com

Next sessions: 9/13/08; 11/08/08

Testing in Kitsap County
*******************

North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club

Basic information for amateur radio license testing sessions -

Sponsor - North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club; call Horace, K7ORY at 360-779-2215 or email questions to ory001@comcast.net

Location - Sessions will be held in the Community Room located at the Poulsbo Library, lower level. The address is 700 NE Lincoln Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370.

Watch here for new dates
 

**************************************************************************************************

South Kitsap Amateur Radio Club

TECH CLASSES ANNOUNCEMENT

Classes Begin On  Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 6:15 PM . 

Registration is required.

Classes will be held at Fire Station 8

1974 Fircrest Ave.

Port Orchard

For more information please contact:

Merv Archer N7IZ, Ph 360-373-0225,

E-mail N7IZ@arrl.net

2008 - Mike and Key ARC Testing
************************
Posted 12/18/06

The Mike and Key club will conduct VE Testing: 3rd Saturday of each month for all license levels:

May 17 2008
Jun 21 2008
Jul 19 2008
Aug 16 2008
Sep 20 2008
Oct 18 2008
Nov 15 2008
Dec 20 2008

Sponsor: MIKE & KEY ARC
Time: 12:30PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Scott Robinson
(425)788-0452
Email: ag7t@arrl.net
VEC: ARRL/VEC

Location: Salvation Army Church
720 Tobin St.
Renton, WA. 98055
see www.mikeandkey.org for directions

Radio Club of Tacoma Classes & Testing.
Posted 1/25/05

Classes for all license levels are provided by the club. Further information can be found at www.w7dk.org/newham.htm.

VE testing is conducted on the 2nd Tues. of the month.

Location: RCT Club House 
1249 South Washington St.
Tacoma
Time:	1900 (7 PM)

Additional information can be found at www.w7dk.org/vetesting.htm.

CLARK COUNT ARC

The Clark County ARC will sponsor three amateur radio license classes in 2008.  All classes will meet at the LDS Church, 7101 NE 166^th Ave east of Vancouver (near Frontier MS just north of Fourth Plain Blvd).  Classes will meet on Fridays from 7-9 PM, and Saturdays from 9 AM -- 1 PM on two successive weekends.  There is no tuition fee or required text, although we recommend the ARRL License guides.  Copies will be available before and at classes for purchase.

The Clark County ARC VE team will administer the test on the second Saturday of each class.  Non class members may sit for testing with prior permission from the instructors subject to available space.

 Classes will meet as follows

Technician: May 10.

• Technician: Sep 19, 20, 26, and 27.

Contact Delvin at n7qmt@arrl.net or 360-256-9122.

Our classes are also listed on the ARRL web page class listing at www.arrl.org (click on Classes and enter a state or ZIP code.

meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month

Location: Whatcom County Search and Rescue Bldg., located at the corner of Northwest and Smith Roads in Lynden. Time: 1900 (7 PM)

 Offic. Observer

 Hours Mon.

 Advice Sent

 Good Op Sent

 K2MLS

 27 + 10 hours Admin

 2

 2

 K7YH

 20

 0

 0

 N7HQ

 Starts Reporting In May

 0

 0

 N7QHC

 No Report Received

 0

 0

 NT7J

 No Report Received

 0

 0

 W3OZ

 16

 1

 0

 W7POE

 25

 0

 0

 W7TG

 35

 2

 1

 W7XC

 30 + 50 hours Admin

 0

 0

 WA7TZ

 20

 0

 0

 WB7OML

 30

 0

 0

 WC7I

 30

 0

 0

 WV7R

 23

 0

 0

 TOTALS

 256 + 60 Hours Admin

 5

 3