Short Skip - November 2021

By Tim McGillen/N9CA   2021 LCARC President
November 2021
Hi Everyone,
 
Last October’s Club Program Was:   “The Raspberry Pi Mini Computer + Ham Radio, + Much More” presented by LCARC Club VP George Suprenant N9GWS.  Thank you George!
This November’s Club Meeting  will be:  Producing Amateur Radio Newsline Presented by Paul Braun WD9GCO.
The physical Club meeting and ZOOM link will start at 7:30pm Friday November 12th.
Look for the ZOOM link on www.W9LJ.org (lower first webpage) or on Facebook. Club members will have the link sent to their email as well as a meeting reminder. The physical meeting is at the EMA office 2900 W. 93rd, Crown Point IN.
BTW, Paul is the President of the Porter County Amateur Radio Club  www.PC-ARC.net
 
 MORE CLUB NEWS


It’s Club Board 2022 Election Time.
It’s absolutely fine to nominate yourself to serve in 2022. The Club needs you and it’s actually easy and fun.   Here is the 2022 slate running… so far;
 
Tim McGillen  N9CA 
George Suprenant N9GWS
Russ McComb KB9HO
Jim Harney KF9EX 
Mark Skowronski  K9MQ 
John Litton KI4CHF  
Kenny Brown  KE9TC 
Paul Pietrie  KD9NPC 
 
LCARC HT Give Away GOTA Program
If you were newly licensed in 2020 or 2021, you may join the LCARC for our yearly $20 membership dues and we’ll help you get-on-the-air with a programmed VHF/UHF HT provided to you by the LCARC. You must submit an application to the Club (found on www.W9LJ.org) and physically attend at least one live Club meeting.
 
LCARC Information NET   EVERY Wednesday at 8:00pm. 147.000 and 442.075 pl 131.8 (on linked Club repeaters). Informal, informative, and fun. A great way to stay connected with local hams. You do not have to be a Club member to check-in. Typically 30 minutes
FOX HUNT ANTENNA Club building project using tape measures and PVC pipe coming up soon.
HR Items For Sale: coming to www.W9LJ.org in the next few weeks.
 UPCOMING HAMFESTS 
11/13/2021 - 11/14/2021
Fort Wayne Hamfest & Computer Expo, ARRL Central Division Convention
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Allen County Amateur Radio Technical Society
Website: http://www.fortwaynehamfest.com
 
11/27/2021 - Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association Hamfest
Location: Brazil, IN
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: None
Learn More
 
*BTW, no Illinois hamfests are currently posted on ARRL.org  until 2022!
 
 OTHER IMPORTANT HR ITEMS
Indiana ARES District 1 is conducting a weekly net EVERY Tuesday evening  7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. CDT.  ARES membership not required to check in. N9IAA repeater 146.685  pl 173.8. Joe/W1SPY offers free training and practice in the latest digital EMCOMM modes. Joe has also created a great new website that he constantly updates.   www.ARESd1.com  
Local VE Exams:11/06/2021 | Valparaiso IN 46383-4820Sponsor: Porter County ARC
Location: Valparaiso Public Library
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
11/11/2021 | Valparaiso IN 46383-4820
Sponsor: Porter County ARC
Location: Valparaiso Public Library
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Learn More
 
NOVEMBER 2021  CONTESTS
November 6th – 8th  ARRL  CW Sweepstakes  (info @ www.ARRL.org)
November 20th – 22nd ARRL  SSB   Sweepstakes (info @ www.ARRL.org)
November 27 – 28th CQWW DX  CW Contest (info @ www.CQWW.com)
 
January 1 – 8th  2022   Crystal Radio DX Contest 
It is hoped that the upcoming 'Crystal Radio DX Contest' will generate interest in the design, construction and operation of crystal radios while giving entrants the opportunity to discuss and compare the design and operating capabilities of their radios. Using unpowered ‘passive’ receivers to detect stations hundreds of miles away is both an exciting and enjoyable pastime.
Info:   www.facebook.com/groups/crystalradiodxcontestgroup/
Building plans: www.analogdial.com   click on Alfred P. Morgan-- Crystal Radio Set
 
MORE HR NEWS
 
The ARRL Foundation will start accepting applications for its 2022 scholarship program on November 1. The submission deadline is December 31. More than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000 will be awarded in 2022. The 2022 scholarship year totals an eligible amount of over $800,000 to be awarded.
All applicants must be FCC-licensed radio amateurs (active non-US radio amateurs are eligible for scholarships sponsored by ARDC), and many scholarships have specific requirements, such as intended area of study, or residence within a particular ARRL Division, Section, or state, and license class. Some scholarships also require additional documentation, such as letters of recommendation.
 
3Y0J DXpedition to Bouvet Island Confirms November 2022 Activation
The 3Y0J Bouvet Island DXpedition team says that with its first deposit on its contract to have the SS Marama provide transportation to Bouvet, it has confirmed its plans to activate the second most-wanted DXCC entity in November 2022.
 
The WSJT-X development team has announced the general availability release of WSJT-X version 2.5.1. This release mainly contains improvements and repairs defects related to Q65 and JT65 when used with nonstandard and compound call signs. Those planning to use Q65 or JT65 to make weak-signal contacts involving a nonstandard call sign should upgrade to this version. Also included is a new feature for microwave aircraft scatter, as well as repairs for bugs detected since the general availability release of version 2.5.0. A complete listing of changes is available in the Release Notes. Links to WSJT-X 2.5.1 installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Mac are available.
 
 
PROPAGATION PREDICTIONS
 
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot activity was up with the average daily sunspot number increasing by nearly five-fold from 11.3 to 54.9. Average daily solar flux rose from 78.6 to 95.7.
Solar Flux (which creates skip DX on HF bands and 6 meters) rose to 110 at the end of October. The new daily prediction levels for November are from 88 to 96. *FYI: Two years ago, our Solar Flux stood at just 68. Solar Cycle 24 (a weak Solar Cycle) peaked at 145 in 2014
For daily flux and propagation go to:  www.dxmaps.com  The live Solar Flux and MUF is in the upper right of screen.
 
Q: Question: The Hallicrafters HT-4 had a carrier output of 325 watts phone and 450 CW and sold for $795.00 in 1940.  What was the shipping weight? A) 112lb, B) 234lbs, C) 364lbs, D) 436lbs
 
A:   C) 364lbs !!   Adjusting for inflation,  that  1940s transmitter would cost you…  $15,900.  No way Amazon Prime  or UPS would deliver this to your door step.
73, Tim/N9CA    (Hope to see you Friday November 12th @ 7:30pm)

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