The Repeater (electronic version)
Newsletter of the Arkansas River Valley Amateur Radio Foundation
Russellville, Arkansas
May, 1999



Officers:
     
President: Nick Kennedy,  WA5BDU                               
Vice-President - Margaret Alexander,  KC5MCS                       
Secretary-Treasurer - Charles Hall,  KC5CVG

ARVARF Board:
John Evans, WB5BHS
Dick Koski, W5VUB
Tom Hughes KC5VRI
Les Hendrickson KD5DKL
Dennis Schaefer W5RZ


Newsletter staff
Dennis Schaefer W5RZ
Melissa Schaefer KI5QJ
John Evans WB5BHS
Jonathan Setcer KC5BRY
Charlotte Stockton KC5CKQ

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

May

18 - ARVARF meeting, Ryan's, Meeting at 7:00, those who want to eat, come
at 6:00.

25 - RACES meeting, 911 building.  7:00 p.m.

Every Saturday  at 0700-0800 - breakfast meeting at Perkins Restaurant.

ARVARF Net - Every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. on 146.82 (except club meeting night)

ROSTER PUBLISHED THIS MONTH

The 1999 ARVARF roster was attached to newsletters sent out by mail this
month.  We will have extras at this mohth's club meeting and you can get
one there.  If you will be unable to attend the meeting, let us know and we
will mail you one.  Or, we can attach the roster in WordPerfect format to
an e-mail message.  We can probably convert it to Microsoft Word format if
you want it that way.

SEVERE WEATHER IN THE VALLEY

Severe weather has been active the last few weeks, and local hams have been
also.  On April 26, a small tornado hit Russellville.  There was not an
active weather net at the time, because we were only under a thunderstorm
warning and the cell was moving out of the area.  However, local hams
quickly became active when the tornado hit.  The tornado took everyone by
surprise, even the Doppler radar.  The NWS issued a tornado warning 5 to 10
minutes after the tornado hit, but the damage was already done.   

The area it hit was close to my office, and I knew something out of the
ordinary had happened because we had never seen wind or rain like that.
Melissa turned on the scanner and confirmed that local law enforcement
suspected a tornado had come through.   I drove into the area and there was
considerable damage.  Les, KD5DKL, took over as net control and several
mobile units called in with damage reports.  Jonathan, KC5BRY covered the
Highway 124 area, and N5RVN and I called in information about the
University Ave area.  KI5QJ was on the phone with the Red Cross, and Steve,
W5EN then went to the Red Cross office to take reports directly from there.
 Charles, KF5JH, checked out some possible damage on Morgan road, but it
appeared that most of the damage was confined to the NE part of
Russellville, and Highway 124.   I made a quick exit out of the area after
calling in preliminary damage information because the sightseers were
already creating a traffic jam. 

N5URB helped out with Red Cross damage assessment efforts the next day, and
Philip also spent several hours that evening repairing the Red Cross
Emergency Response Vehicle that had been sent over from Ft. Smith.  KD5DKL
also assisted with the repairs.   These are just examples - many others
helped out, but it is impossible to list them all here.

On May 3, a  wave of tornadoes devastated Oklahoma, and we were afraid we
would get the same treatment.  A tornado warning was issued for Logan and
Johnson counties before 6 AM on May 4, and KI5QJ ran a weather net.  In
spite of the early hour, over 10 stations participated.  The evening of May
4 was also active, with Pope County coming under a tornado warning.  W5EN
and KC5BRY manned the rig at 911, and several spotters were watching the
storm.  Although a wall cloud tried to form and a small funnel cloud was
spotted, no damage was reported. 

On May 6, both the Salvation Army and the Red Cross in Oklahoma put out
calls for additional amateur radio assistance.   Amateurs in the affected
communities used operating VHF and UHF repeaters plus HF to coordinate
health and welfare traffic inquiries, mobile canteens, shelters, and other
emergency response activities.  The FCC on May 4 declared a communications
emergency in the Oklahoma area.  The FCC declared 3900 Khz and 7285 Khz
(plus or minus 3 Khz) off limits until May 7.  However, communications are
continuing on these and other frequencies and everyone should be careful to
keep these frequencies clear. 

Dennis, W5RZ

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Extra!  Local man makes 100% on exam at 50 WPM!
 
I really enjoyed putting on the CW "Shootout" at the Little Rock   Hamfest
this year for several reasons.  First and foremost is the  fact that after
the smoke cleared, only ARVARF's own CW Ace, W5RZ,  was left standing.
Beyond this, I was gratified by the number of CW  Ops who gave it a try and
by the high level of proficiency displayed  by all of them.  W5EN was close
behind at 45 WPM.  Take it from me, even a veteran CW man can find  sitting
down and trying to accurately write down text at even 35 WPM   (or less)
can be a humbling experience.  To do this in front of   witnesses and in
competition with some serious CW Ops requires  putting your ego on the line! 
 
I know CW is not every ham's cup of tea and that's fine.  But it does  seem
that a significant fraction of hams continue to find CW to be  fun and
effective while offering some unique technical advantages.   Speed contests
notwithstanding though, operating CW is not about  speed.  On the contrary,
it is a relaxed (and relaxing) mode of  operation.  But the occasional
experience with something like the  shootout can make one think about the
possibility of improving one's
proficiency.
 
It's easy to extend this train of thought to other ham radio related
skills.  There are many areas for development of our operating and
technical abilities.  I think a good hobby engages you in a relaxing,
stress free way when that's your mood, but should also offer you a
challenge when you want one.  Ham radio certainly fits the bill in
this regard.
 
Speaking of challenges--it's hard to believe, but Field Day is only a
month away.  I feel that ARVARF is in the "well oiled machine" mode  for
Field Day after many consecutive successful ones.  We pretty much  know how
it's done.  Still, the creative thinkers we have on the FD  team are always
going to come up with a few tweaks to make things  just a little better
this year.
 
 When I look at where we stand with the site, the equipment, the  operators
and the overall plan, I don't see how we can fail to have  another great
one.  As always, I encourage you all to participate at  whatever level
suits you.  This includes everything from planning,  setting up, operating
and cooking hot dogs to just dropping by for a  visit.  Mark your calendar
for June 26th and 27th at Caudle Overlook,  just up the hill from Old Post
Park.
 
 dit dit
 
 Nick, WA5BDU

APRIL MINUTES

The ARVARF meeting was called to order at 7:09 PM 20 April 1999 by Nick
Kennedy.

The March minutes were approved as published in the newsletter.  Financial
report given (not voted on to approve or disapprove).  Announcements:
Little Rock Hamfest 4/23-24, 1999.  Test session 2nd Tuesday in May.  Field
day coming up in June discussed. 

It was moved and seconded that a Scholarship Fund of $500.00  be given to
area individual at the end of the next school year.  Approved!  A proposal
was made to let Crow Mountain Fire Department share our electricity.  They
are to pay us $100.00 to $120.00 per year.  Approved!  Discussed new
repeater controller.  A committee was appointed to gather information and
make a report at the meeting in May.  The meeting adjorned at 7:37 PM.
Program: Allan Bradley: Update on police department.

Charles Hall KC5CVG
Secretary

KB5VGY, SILENT KEY

We regret to inform you that Tony Spiotto, KB5VGY, of Clarksville, passed
away on April 25, 1999.

FOR SALE

Yaesu FT-920 HF Radio, 8 months old, MARS/CAP Mod has been performed.
Yaesu SP-8 matching external speaker. Yaesu MD-100 Desk Mic

Icom 706MKII HF Radio with DSP Unit Installed.
MARS/CAP Mod has been performed. Mobile mounting bracket included

MFJ 962D Roller Inductor Tuner Unit is about 3 months old

Have all orginal boxes for all above and all are in immaculate condition

Ray Haney, W5RFD. Can be contacted at 501-890-3470 after 5pm  or at
haneyfam@mail.cei.net

FCC DROPS AMATEUR ENFORCEMENT LINE

The FCC says it now wants Amateur Radio enforcement complaints via e-mail
or US mail and has discontinued its Amateur Enforcement Line
(202-418-1184).  The FCC this week requested that amateur-related
complaints be sent via e-mail to fccham@fcc.gov or via the US Postal
Service to Compliance & Information Bureau, ATTN Amateur Radio Complaints,
1270 Fairfield Rd,
Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The FCC instituted the telephone service last fall when it beefed up
amateur enforcement under the direction of Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH.
However, the FCC never intended to maintain the telephone service permanently.

The FCC said this week that complaints already filed on the telephone
service will be acted upon, and anyone who has left a message will receive
a return call from Commission staff.
(From The ARRL Letter)

FIELD DAY PINS AVAILABLE

For the first time, the ARRL is making available annual Field Day pins to
show your participation in the 1999 event.  Pins are $5.00 each.  You don't
have to make a minimum number of contacts, or achieve a particular score
level, you just have to participate. 

Let us know if you would be interested in this.