Six Meter Club of Chicago
HALO
www.k9ona.com
COMING EVENTS
June
13
Six Meter Club Meeting, 7:30
p.m.
St. John’s Lutheran
Church, SW Corner 47th &
Brainard. La Grange
14-15 ARRL VHF QSO Party
1 p.m. Saturday – 10 p.m.
Sunday CDT
July
15
Six Meter Club Hamfest with
Antique Radio Club of IL
Swap Meet and Midwest
Classic Radio Net Hamboree
DuPage Fairgrounds, Wheaton
28.29
ARRL Field Day, Club
Participation at Hinsdale
Central H.S.
SEE VERY
LAST PAGE FOR INFO
1
12
Canada Day Contest 00002359 UTC
South Milwaukee ARC
Swapfest Oak Creek WI
NEXT SMCC ARRL VEC TESTING
JUNE 15 AT OUR HAMFEST
We will offer testing for all Amateur Radio license
elements Sunday, June 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Six
Meter Club’s Hamfest, held at the DuPage County Fair
Grounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton.
The testing fee this year is $15, check payable to
“Six Meter Club of Chicago” or exact cash.
Preregistration is encouraged; email our VE Captain
Bob, AK9Y – AK9Y@arrl.net. Walkins will be handled
as time and space allow.
Anyone currently licensed and wishing to upgrade
must also bring their original FCC license and a clear
copy, plus a photo ID.
June 2014
ASSISTANCE NEEDED
AT OUR HAMFEST
Help is needed both Saturday, June 14 and Sunday
June 15 at our Hamfest. Saturday afternoon after 3
p.m. we will be setting up the buildings for dealers and
VE testing, and hanging signs around the grounds.
Sunday we have a wide variety of duties, some less
physical in nature such handling the talk-in station,
monitoring the stage, ticket drum, and Club tables
(members working at the fest are welcome to bring
items they wish to sell as long as they are clearly
identified). We especially need help early in the
morning with gate ticket sales and parking assistance.
ARRL VEs are needed for exams from 9 to 11 a.m.
We need to circulate through the grounds and make
sure that as sellers are leaving that they do not leave
things behind in their spaces. And following the main
drawing we must remove our signs and make sure that
everything is packed away.
Jim, WA9FIH will have a sign up sheet at the June
meeting but if you are unable to attend, please email
him at WA9FIH@aol.com or call (708)442-4961 and
let him know how you can help. We are fortunate that
our Hamfest has grown into a major midwest event
with an excellent reputation, attendance last year from
at least 14 states. Please help in whatever way you
can to continue this tradition – the more who help, the
less each person needs to do. Thanks for your support!
In the days remaining before our fest, please keep
spreading the word on the air in your QSOs or as
traffic on other nets you may check in to.
BOB KRUEGER, KI9N
A SILENT KEY
We are sorry to report the passing of Bob Krueger,
KI9N (ex-WB9HSZ) on May 30. Bob was 89, and a
Navy veteran of World War II. He had been a club
member for a number of years, and also served as one
of the Grumpy Net controls until recently. We extend
our deepest sympathy to his family
Minutes of the May 9, 2014
Six Meter Club of Chicago Meeting
Officers present: WA9FIH,
WD9GJK, WA9CCQ.
AK9Y,
WA9FIH held the attendance drawing:
KC9TQF,
Jim, WA9FIH called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
it was moved, seconded, and approved to accept the
minutes of the April meeting as published in the
HALO.
Our Treasurer, Bob, AK9Y presented the financial
report and asked for a show of hands for Volunteer
Examiners who would be available for our next VE
Test at our Hamfest on Sunday, June 15.
Mike, WD9GJK reported that Bird has donated a
wattmeter and element for our Hamfest. He and Gail
have been busy working with vendors requesting
space. AMSAT sent a thank you letter for our recent
donation. We are still looking for a vendor who does
embroidery of shirts and caps.
WA9FIH asked for assistance and circulated a sign up
sheet for the LaGrange Park Run For The Roses May
17. The director of Hinsdale’s Walk For Autism sent
the Club a message indicating their appreciation for our
help. We are planning Field Day at our usual site at
Hinsdale Central.
Jim, N9TUQ stated that the memorial service for Tom,
K9LPL will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 at St.
John’s Cemetery on LaGrange Road north of I-55.
John, K9JK reminded everyone of the upcoming
Spring Sprint operating activities. The Six Meter Sprint
was scheduled for May 10 and John will be operating
Rover near Elk Grove in four grids.
Will, K9WSS was unable to attend but reported via
WA9FIH on the Illinois Repeater Association April 19
meeting. All frequency pairs on 144, 222, and 440
MHz in the Metropolitan Chicago area are full but
there are some available in rural southern Illinois.
WA9FIH urged members to take flyers and post them
on bulletin boards in public places such as their local
grocery stores. We will have a sign up sheet for
Hamfest workers at the next meeting, but anyone who
can’t attend the meeting should let Jim know how they
will assist. An unknown person donated an ICOM
730 transceiver to the Club, and Jim, KC9VZH
volunteered to check it out.
1st
2nd
3rd
Bill, KC9KLA
Mike, WD9GJK
Cindy, WA9IYZ
Present
Present
Present
A motion was made, seconded and approved to adjourn
at 8:11 p.m.
WD9GJK conducted the 50/50 drawing following
adjournment. After coffee break, Jim, N9ABF and
George, NB9R made a presentation on Skywarn. They
will also represent Skywarn/NWS at our Hamfest.
-- Joe, KC9TQF
Recording Secretary/V.P.
NEXT SMCC BOARD MEETING
SCHEDULED FOR JULY 25
Our next Board of Directors meeting will be held at
7 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the LaGrange Park Village
Hall, 447 North Catherine Ave. We will not have a
Board meeting in June.
SIX METER ROUNDTABLE
EACH TUESDAY AT 8 P.M.
Our Six Meter Roundtable Activity Net meets on
50.130 MHz USB Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m., usually
for about a half hour. Help keep the band active and
join in the ragchew – tell your friends about it too!
CLUB LOGO CAPS, PATCHES
AVAILABLE AT MEETING
A limited quantity of white baseball-style caps with
the Six Meter Club logo patch affixed are available
from Jim, WA9FIH for $6.00 each. The caps, with
adjustable headband, are available either in cotton
corduroy for cool weather wear, or in the lighter half
mesh polyester style.
Iron-on embroidered club patches for application to
shirts or jackets, 2-3/8” x 3-1/2”, are also available
from the Club for $1.75 each. American Flag patches
in the same size are available for 75 cents each. See
Jim at the next meeting.
TWENTY HAMS HELP
AT RUN FOR THE ROSES
ARRL FOUNDATION NAMES
SMCC SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Twenty members and friends of the Club, including
several members of the Chicago Suburban Radio
Association, provided communications and traffic
control assistance at the annual Park District of
LaGrange Park Run For The Roses May 17. Hundreds
of runners and walkers participated in the three mile
event. The park district’s recreation director has sent
us a very complimentary note in appreciation of our
assistance.
Congratulations to our 2014 Six Meter Club of
Chicago Scholarship recipient, Tim Choldas, KC9WCJ
Of Chicago. Tim, who holds a General Class license,
will receive $500 from the ARRL Foundation, which
administers our Club’s endowed scholarship.
Thanks to all who helped, including K9BVQ,
WA9BXB, WA9FIH, KB9FUR, N9GFY, WD9GJK,
WA9GQK, KC9KLA, KB9KRT, K9KTU, K9NJM,
KC9NLA, W9NSP, KB9OYP, KC9RFJ, KC9TQF,
N9TUQ, KC9VZH, KC9WIC and AK9Y.
UPCOMING 2014
HAMFEST SCHEDULE
Listed below are all known hamfests and swap meets
in the local area:
June
1
15
SRRC, Princeton
Six Meter Club/ARCI
Wheaton
July
12
13
20
South Milwaukee ARC
FRRL, Aurora
KARSfest, Peotone
1-2
3
ARCI Radiofest, Willowbrook
Hamfesters, Peotone
13
20
CFMC Radio Expo
Peoria Superfest
October
5
ARCI, Carol Stream
December
7
ARCI, Carol Stream
We were pleased to learn that Tim will be attending
our Hamfest, and look forward to meeting him. Details
about the scholarship, eligibility, and how to apply for
it, can be found on the ARRL’s web site – go to ARRL
Foundation.
DONATION RECEIVED
FROM K9LPL’S ESTATE
Following the Run For The Roses on May 17, a
number of our members attended the memorial service
for Tom Hemrich, K9LPL which was held at St. John’s
Lutheran Cemetery. At the service, we met several
family members, including his brother and niece, who
told us that Tom’s ham equipment was being donated
to our Club. The gear, which is now in our possession,
includes several very nice pieces of VHF/UHF FM
equipment, an Astron power supply, and VHF
wattmeter/SWR bridge which will be put to good use
at Field Day and special events. A thank you note has
been sent, and the items will be labeled appropriately.
HALOADS...
For Sale:
August
September
MFJ 9406 Six Meter SSB Transceiver, bought
New June 2013, works fine. With Turner
35-614 hand microphone……….……………..$225
Astatic 877HL Desk Microphone………………$50
Shure 404B Hand Mic, new in the box…………$35
Shure 450 Series 2 PTT Desk Mic, like new……$60
DIGITAL SLOW SCAN TV
NET THURSDAY EVENINGS
Don’t forget that we have a Digital Slow Scan TV
Net every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m., on our two
meter repeater, using EasyPal software which can be
downloaded free from the Internet.
Multi MPA-250 Biamp, 250 Watt Public Address
Amp in rack cabinet, like new…………………$175
Ron Fitzgerald, K9ZWR
5555 South Neva Avenue
Chicago IL 60638
773-586-3276
ronfitz5555@yahoo.com
For Sale:
For Sale:
DOWNSIZING THE STATION . . .
Crystals for 222 MHz Midland 13-509, Clegg FM-76
And Cobra 200 radios. Many repeater pairs and
simplex channels available. SASE or email for a list.
$5.00 each, $9.00 pair plus postage.
Yaesu FT-920 HF + 6 Meter Transceiver………$750
Yaesu MD-100 Desk Mic, matches FT-920…….$100
Yaesu SP-767P Speaker/Phone Patch………….$125
Heathkit SB-230 Linear Amp……………………$400
All in fine working condition and well cared for,
Have manuals, too!
Karl Weisshappel, WA9CCQ
802 Barnsdale Road
LaGrange Park IL 60526
708-354-5481
kweisshappel@usa.net
For Sale:
500 Watt Narda Dummy Load w/“N” connector...$150
Mike Huedepohl, WD9GJK
3532 Raymond Avenue
Brookfield IL 60513
708-485-5481
WD9GJK@arrl.net
For Sale:
Complete Drake Station: TR-4CW Transceiver,
RV-4C Remote VFO, AC-4 Power Supply, MS-4
Speaker, W-4 Wattmeter/SWR., Astatic D-104
Desk Mic; all in excellent condition, local pick up
only………………………………………..asking $600
Cubic/Swan Diplomat Station, Solid State Astro 150D
100 W continuous 3-30 MHz, matching antenna tuner,
power supply, hand mic, J-38 key, all in two fitted
suitcases. Rare, used by various govt. agencies. Looks
and works like new……....……….Asking $1,000/offer
Hammarlund HQ-100 General Coverage Receiver,
1960s vintage. Excellent cond w/manual copy….$150
Heliax, genuine Andrew 7/8” 50 ohm with plastic jacket
over copper outer shield, approx. 120 ft. length with
connectors, in excellent condition. Very low loss, great
for UHF use. Club property surplus to our needs. Can
deliver locally ……………………………......….$175
ICOM IC-471A UHF Multimode transceiver, variable
Power up to 25 Watts out 430-450 MHz, built in
CTCSS encoder, dual VFOs, 32 memories. Very clean
with manual, mic, power cord…………………….$325
Motorola C54RCB MICOR UHF repeater on 440 ham
band, including unified chassis with rcvr, transmitter,
card cage, and power amplifier. Does not include 13.6
VDC power supply, cabinet, or ID/controller. Very
clean, excellent working condition when removed from
service. Club property surplus to our needs…….....$90
Tektronix 535A Classic Oscilloscope with several plugins
and matching cart, exc. cond……....$100/offer
Jim Novak, WA9FIH
2335 South 2nd Avenue
North Riverside IL 60546-1308
708-447-7876
WA9FIH@arrl.net
Dentron Clipperton-L Amplifier, Excellent Cond.
Local pick up only…………………………asking $550
Dentron MT-3000A Antenna Tuner, good condition
Local Pick up only…………………………asking $250
Drake MS-4 Speaker, Very good condition………..$75
Heathkit SB-610 Monitor Scope, great condition….$70
Rich Breckinridge, WA9BXB
3827 Kemman Avenue
Brookfield IL 60513
708-387-0245 days
Vincop@aol.com
SOMETHING TO SELL? GIVE YOUR INFO TO WA9FIH
FOR PUBLICATION HERE NEXT MONTH!
For Sale:
KLM KT-34 HF Triband Beam, 10-15-20 Meters
from WA9CJZ’s estate. Appears never to have been
used. Has been assembled and checked out by Bill,
KC9KLA who is currently storing it.
The antenna has a 16 foot long 3 inch diameter boom, and is
rated to survive winds up to 100 MPH. This antenna is still
supported by M2 Antennas, who currently sells their version
of the antenna for $1468, and also offers a series of upgrade
kits for the original KLM antenna.
See the www.M2inc.com web site for details. Prefer local
pickup in the Chicago area. If interested please make an
offer in writing: email Jim, WA9FIH at WA9FIH@aol.com.
THE SIX METER CLUB OF CHICAGO, INC.
“We desire to promote the Interest of Amateur Radio, foster activity in the HF, VHF, and UHF bands, acquire proficiency in
CW operation, provide mutual aid in matters technical. . .”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
PRESIDENT………………….….Jim, WA9FIH
VICE PRESIDENT………………Joe, KC9TQF
SECRETARY……………….…Mike, WD9GJK
TREASURER………………….…..Bob, AK9Y
SGT-AT-ARMS………….…….Gary, KC9IDS
MEMBERS AT LARGE…………
Will, K9WSS
CUSTODIAN OF K9ONA……………Mike, WD9GJK
NET MANAGER…………………..……Jim, WA9FIH
HISTORIAN……………………………
ARRL VE TEST CAPTAIN…………..…..Bob, AK9Y
PROGRAM CHAIR……………………
DIRECTORS………………………….Karl, WA9CCQ
Rich, W9NHX
HALO EDITOR…………..Jim Novak, WA9FIH
CLUB WEB SITE:
www.k9ona.com
2335 South 2nd Avenue
WEBMASTER…………..Bob, AK9Y: ak9y@arrl.net
North Riverside IL 60546-1308
24-HOUR InfoLine:
708-442-4961
WA9FIH@arrl.net
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The HALO is the official publication of the Six Meter Club of Chicago, a not-for-profit ARRL-affiliated Special Service Club incorporated in
the State of Illinois and maintained by and for Radio Amateurs.
MEETINGS: Held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month (except December) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, southwest corner of
47th Street and Brainard Avenue, La Grange IL; enter through south side door adjacent to parking lot.
NETS:
Six Meter Activity and Ragchew Net, Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. Central Time, 50.130 MHz USB
Two Meter FM Information Net, Tuesday evenings at 9 p.m. Central time over our K9ONA repeater, 146.37/97
ARRL Bulletins, Club news, swap shop, other items of interest to the Amateur Radio community.
Digital SSTV (Slow Scan Amateur TV) Net, Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. on our two meter repeater.
REPEATERS: The Club operates three open repeaters under the call K9ONA/R. Our Two Meter repeater, located in Hinsdale, uses
146.370 MHz input, 146.970 MHz output, with a three minute timer that must be reset with a short pause after the courtesy tone between
transmissions. A 107.2 Hz subaudible (PL) tone is usually required for access. Our 220 repeater, also located in Hinsdale, uses 223.22 MHz
in, 224.82 MHz out and requires a CTCSS tone of 110.9 Hz. Our UHF repeater, located in La Grange Park, uses 448.300 MHz input,
443.300 MHz output, a four minute timer, and is also “PL” access, requiring a 114.8 Hz tone. The two meter and UHF repeaters also
transmit the subaudible CTCSS tone. The repeaters are usually set in cross-link mode.
AFFILIATIONS: The Club is a Life Member Club supporting AMSAT, the non-profit Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. We have
been named an ARRL-affiliated Special Service Club, and belong to the Illinois Repeater Assn.
CERTIFICATES: Available for working ten Club members (five if applicant is more than 100 miles from Chicago) on either 50, 144, or
222 MHz. Stations worked must be valid Club members at time of your QSO; repeater contacts do not count. Send log data list with time,
date, and band/mode to our Secretary. There is no charge for the award.
SCHOLARSHIP: The Club has endowed a perpetual scholarship administered by the ARRL Foundation. It is awarded annually subject to
specific criteria listed on the ARRL web site, www.arrl.org, or available from the foundation. Applications are due by February 1 of each
calendar year.
INFOLINE: Our Club’s InfoLine telephone service is available around the clock at 708-442-4961. A recorded message will brief you on
Club news and coming events, and you may leave a message on our answering machine.
FACEBOOK AND YAHOO GROUP: The Club’s Facebook page is available at: www.facebook.com/groups/287932964607477/.
The Yahoo Group can be accessed at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9ONA.
HAMFEST: Our Six Meter Club of Chicago HAMFEST is held annually on the third Sunday in June (June 15, 2014) at the DuPage
County Fairgrounds in Wheaton IL. All Club members are expected to work to insure its success.
FIELD DAY IS COMING
JUNE 28-29
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO SOME OPERATING?
COME TO OUR FIELD DAY SITE
K9ONA
SIX METER CLUB OF CHICAGO
HINSDALE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC FIELD HALFTIME HOUSE
AND PRESS BOX
SOUTH OF 55th STREET
EAST SIDE OF MADISON
HINSDALE IL
SET UP BEGINS AT 10 AM SATURDAY
ON THE AIR FROM 1 PM SATURDAY
UNTIL 1 PM SUNDAY
HF CW, HF SSB
VHF CW/SSB, VHF FM
UNABLE TO COME OUT? LOOK FOR US ON
50.130, 146.55, 223.50, 446.00 PLUS HF SSB/CW
WE WOULD LIKE A POINT FROM YOU!