Newsletter - June 2008

June Foxhunt: The June foxhunt was delayed 45 minutes to wait for the storm to pass over.  The usual three hunters showed to track down Mike Wright, KF9NP, the fox.  The Harris Team, Keith/Ann, N9KH/K9NOT, Ray Stevens, KB9LGS, and Larry, WA9FFZ, waited out the storm, took their bearings and headed for the northeastern part of the county.  Mike hid down a dead end road, which cut north from Todd Lane.  This road is not on several of the maps the hunters typically use.  Larry has six different maps and the dead end road named Maple Grove Road is on two of those maps.  The results were as follows: The Harris Team logged 7.7 miles, Ray captured second with 12.1 miles and Larry was last, having driven 13 miles.  Keith and Ann’s secret for blowing away the competition: Stopping several times to take bearings.  The signals were confusing at several points along the way.  Of course, this is a stuck record when it comes to fox hunting on two meters.

Field Day: Our annual outing for Field Day fast approaches.  The site is at the club again this year and Mike King, KC9JIG, is the chairman of this event.  The club expects to operate four transceivers and do some digital communications as well.  Club member, Dean Spencer is furnishing his tent again.

Rick Davis’ Antenna Party: Several club members helped Rick, WD8JJA, in the setting of his sixty-foot antenna tower and beam antenna.  The endeavor was a success despite the buzzing of flying insects around everyone’s head.  Marcie served donuts and coffee, which hit the spot.  Rick reports good SWR, especially on fifteen meters.  His beam covers 10, 12, 15, 17 and 20 meters with low SWR on all those bands.  Rick reports a possibility of operating on six meters as well.  Several photographs were taken of the event and can be seen on the club site, www.w9qyq.org.  If you get a chance, look at those as Rick is atop the sixty-foot tower doing all the grunt work while everyone else is safely on the ground.

31 Machine: Through the efforts of Tim Miller and Rick Davis mainly, the 31 machine is on the air as a result of their work on a recent work day at the club site.  It is hoped that the antenna can later be put part way up the tall tower.