News last updated: Wed, June 17, 2009 at 11:07 PM ET
San Francisco Section News - June 2009
I had the opportunity to go to SeaPac, the North Western Division convention in Seaside, OR. Ok, I’ve been there before, but this year was special. While there I was able to connect with an old high school chum from my Honolulu days. Of course, Clay Jackson N7QNM and I were in the school radio club and were able to reminisce. He attended with his youngest daughter, Rachel W9RAJ. His wife Jeannie KD7ULH was not able to attend. Eldest daughter Rebecca K7BOO was married last year and lives on the east coast. So, as you can see, it is a fully integrated Ham family.
Also there was my friend from my Las Vegas days, Jack Larason KE7HTY and his wife Pam. After talking about it for over thirty years (me prodding him), Jack took his first exam in 2006, passed and has really taken off with the hobby. Fortunately, he has a very understanding and supportive wife as his 42 acres, as Jack puts it, looks like a spider web from the sky with the antennas he has erected. Yes, Pam is very understanding..... I hope she never finds out how many radios Jack has now....
I also spent a day in Portland with an old college buddy from the University of Hawaii. Dave lives in the area and we headed on down to the Evergreen Aviation museum near McMinnville, home of the Spruce Goose. Actually, it is two museums, one for aviation which includes Howard Hughes’ big bird and the other is a space museum with some really interesting exhibits on the history of space exploration. Between the two is an IMAX theater. If you ever have a chance to visit the museum, go. Plan on a full day to really enjoy the experience.
The ARISS telebridge at the Santa Rosa Junior College has been fairly active. On March 2nd, the team handled an ISS contact for the Padthaway Primary School in Padthaway, Australia. This was followed by the Carl Sandburg Elementary School in Kirkland, WA, on April 2nd. The station is manned by Tim Bosma W6MU, Herb Sullivan K6QXB, Don Dalby KE6UAY, Jeff Basham KK6JAB and yours truly. The station has been active since 1995 in the SAREX and now ARISS program. By the way, Herb just retired from the SRJC. But, Herb has no plans about slowing down. He has a lot to do with the antique cars he restores and he will continue teaching. Happy retirement, Herb.
The Valley of the Moon ARC held its annual hamfest on April 25th. As usual, it was worth the drive, especially for the breakfast served up by Ed Jacobson W1EJ and his masterful kitchen crew. I saw a lot of table weights finding new homes. Put his on your calendar for next year. Keep an eye on their website for details. www.vomarc.org
There is a new high school club in San Francisco, the Washington Amateur Radio Club at George Washington HS in the Richmond district. Organizing fireball is 14 year old Nathan Ng KI6PVO. Nathan’s Elmer has been Dean Straw N6BV who lives near by. Dean got Nathan interested by attending a Field Day in 2008 in the East Bay. By the fall of that year, Nathan was now a Freshman at the high school and was actively working to interest other students and forming the new club. Nathan and Dean arranged a class for the students on a weekend masterfully put on by John Breckenridge WB6FRZ of Windsor. Rich Freitas KF6FRZ, Brian Torr N6IIY, both of Santa Rosa, and I assisted. The VE team was provided by the East Bay ARC. Sorry, I lost my list of participants! Five students eventually earned their licenses and Nathan upgraded to General. So Nathan, what’s new?
In March, ARES DEC Rich Freitas KF6SZA provided radio communications training for the Roseland School District in Santa Rosa. Rich, whose speciality is putting together training programs for ARES, was asked to put together a simplified program for the District’s chosen communicators who will be using FRS and GMRS radios for EmComm when needed. Most of those taking the workshop had never held a radio before so Rich had to start from the beginning and provide basic radio procedure training. His presentation was so well received that the District has asked for more sessions. Way to go, Rich.
The first weekend in May brought us the combined EmCommWest and Pacificon 2009 in Reno, NV. This year’s attendance was more than double of the year before with some really big names present. Riley Hollingsworth was the main speaker and provided some insight into his replacement at the FCC, Laura Smith. In short, Riley said that he would not want to be the subject of her attention in an enforcement action. The seminars, vendors and events were great and informative. There was something for just about everyones’ Amateur Radio interests. Plan on attending next year. Watch their website for announcements. www.emcommwest.org
The Anchor Bay Amateur Radio Club has become an affiliated club with the ARRL. At their May 18th meeting, their affiliation certificate was presented to club President Jack Haverty K3FIV. It was a well attended meeting and it is a great and active group! They also know the best BBQ restaurant. Yumm... Welcome to the ARRL family of clubs! Check out the photos at the SF Section website at ARRL.org.
CQ Field Day! My favorite time of the year - Field Day is upon us! Where are you going? Use the Field Day locator at the following web address:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php
Be sure that your club puts their FD site on the locator so everyone can find them. I’m running out of space here to write about individual club activities for FD, so check individual club websites for information (yes, they limit the size of our reports). Remember, to add 100 points to your score, be sure to send your Field Day message to me via any station that will receive it. Please be sure that it is in NTS format (good practice). Also, if you want a report of your club’s Field Day in the Section News, send me an article with pictures. I’ll get it in.
Save the date - The 2009 San Francisco Section Convention will be held on Saturday, September 26th, at Saint Bernard’s High School in Eureka. This year it will be a one day event capped by their famous dinner banquet. For more information and reservations, check the website www.humboldt-arc.org
One of the things I really enjoy about this job is visiting other clubs. Recently, I visited the San Francisco Ham Radio Club and made presentations at the Redwood Empire DX Association and the Anchor Bay Amateur Radio Club. Looking for a guest speaker for your meeting? Maybe I can help. I generally have a subject I can present that would be of interest to the members. Let me know if you would like a visit!
That’s it for now. More news as it comes in! CQ FD CQ FD.... Will I hear you?
73, Bill
EmCommWest / Pacificon 2009 in Reno!
Pacific Division Cabinet Dinner
Pacific Division Cabinet Dinner
Pacific Division Cabinet Dinner
Our EmComm Host Don Carlson KQ6FM
From ARRL HQ Steve Ewald WV1X
Pac Div Director Bob Vallio W6RGG
ARES EC Fred Polkinghorn KQ6OB presents Santa Rosa's COPE program
Carl Young K5HK
San Francisco ARC President Tony Dowler KM6DA
The Pacific Division leadership
Anchor Bay ARC President Jack Haverty K3FIV accepting ARRL affiliation certificate for the club.
Anchor Bay ARC club members at May 18th meeting.
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