ARRL Club Newsletter

December 18, 2009

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Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Editor

IN THIS ISSUE:

+ WTARS Helps a Member Return To Airwaves Dayton Hamvention 2010 ARRL

+ Foundation

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WTARS Helps a Member Return To Airwaves

By Lee Towater, KF4NZV

E-mail: kf4nzv@arrl.net

two years. Gary had been a very active part of the amateur radio community. He was an active participant in the daily weather reporting of conditions from his home in Medon, TN to the National Weather Service in Memphis, TN. He has not been able to make reports via ham radio due to damage to his antenna system nearly two years ago.

The story began back in November 2008 when a long time friend, Bob Alper, W6KT, came to visit Gary. He noticed the damage to Gary's 60 foot tower and antenna array. Gary, not being able to make the

repairs himself, was left with no way to use his ham radio equipment. Bob quickly got in contact with Philip Julian, KG4NVN, the treasurer of West Tennessee Amateur Society (WTARS) here in Jackson. Bob and

Philip worked together to make a plan for repairing Gary's tower and antenna system. During the summer heat of July 2009, a group of WTARS members assembled at Gary's home to begin the repair project. The group mixed and poured more than 880 pounds of concrete, by hand in a 5 gallon bucket, to make a new base for the existing tower. During the next four months a new antenna system and other tower installation items were purchased.

On December 5, 2009, the group reassembled at Gary's home to complete the repairs. Philip, KG4NVN, contacted local crane owner and operator Randy Rushing of Rushing's Crane Service. Randy happily

agreed to bring his equipment out for the installation of the new antennas. All of Randy's expenses were donated to the project which helped tremendously due to the fact WTARS was operating basically on

a $0 budget for this project. Randy is known throughout the community for his willingness to serve others during local emergencies and disasters. Randy is a part of the Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry. The group installed a Diamond X50 dual band vertical. This antenna will give Gary the coverage he needs to reach the local repeaters and ample simplex coverage. They also installed a home brew HF multi-band wire antenna built by Randy Bennett, W4RFB. The wire antenna was installed on a pulley system allowing for easy lowering and raising, eliminating the need to climb the tower, to tune or make adjustments as needed.

At the end of the day Gary was back on the air. WTARS has given Gary back the joys he once had in the amateur radio hobby. WTARS would like to give a special thanks to Philip Julian, KG4NVN, for

taking the lead on this project. Philip spent a countless number of hours in preparation for this project. We also give a special thanks to Randy Rushing of Rushing's Crane Service in Jackson, TN for providing the bucket crane to complete the installation.

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From the Editor: The WTARS example above shows what a dedicated club can do to assist fellow members and Hams. Even a quick, visual inspection of an antenna system can save life and property. Maybe

there are hams around your club who could greatly benefit from simple assistance so that they may fully enjoy all that Ham Radio has to offer?

applications.

Another vital role your club can play in the scholarship program is to encourage club members -- and the club itself - to makecontributions to the ARRL Foundation Scholarship Fund. Contributions in any amount to the ARRL Foundation are an important source ofrevenue to strengthen the scholarship program. New $1000 scholarships are added every year and your club might think about sponsoring one with an annual donation or by endowing an award with a larger gift.

Note: The William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship is open only to high school seniors who must complete the application for that award and include a FAFSA or SAR based on the most recent family financial information, along with a full high school transcript.

The ARRL Foundation is an IRS-designated 501( c)(3) organization holding tax id # 23-7325472. Contributions to the ARRL Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

If you have never been to "Dayton" it is worth the effort to visit the grand-daddy of all hamfests.

Many clubs coordinate travel and lodging for Hamvention so that members travel together and enjoy the event with familiar friends. If your club is considering an organized caravan or other group trip to

the event now is the time to make your reservations and start planning your trip. Hotel rooms disappear quickly for this well attended extravaganza.

ARRL Expo will be exhibited in the Ballarena hall. We hope to meet and greet many ARRL members that weekend. See you there.

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Milestones

60 Years October

*W7

WWA Lower Columbia Amateur Radio Association W7DG

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The ARRL CLUB NEWS is an e-mail digest of news and information of interest to active members of ARRL Affiliated Clubs.

Material from The ARRL CLUB NEWS may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL CLUB NEWS and The American Radio Relay League.

Editorial questions or comments: Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, clubs@arrl.org  Delivery problems (ARRL direct delivery only!): club-el-dlvy@arrl.org

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