FCC TO REINSTATE MORSE CODE TEST !!!By Dan Romanchik, KB6NU

Washington, D.C. – April 1, 2014 - Today, the Federal Communications Commission(Commission or FCC) approved Report and Order 14-987af which reinstates the MorseCode test for General Class and Amateur Extra Class licensees. "It was a big mistakeeliminating the Morse Code test," admits Dotty Dasher, the FCC's director of examinations."We now realize that being able to send and receive Morse Code is an essential skill forradio amateurs. As they say, it really does get through when other modes can't." Not only will new applicants have to take the test, but General Class licensees who havenever passed a code test will have one year to pass a 5-wpm code test. Similarly, AmateurExtra class licensees that never passed a code test will have one year to pass a 13-wpm test.Those amateurs that fail to pass the test will face revocation of their operating privileges.Materials for administering the examinations will be distributed to Volunteer ExaminerCoordinators by the end of April, so that they can begin the testing on May 1, 2014. "This isn't going to be one of those silly multiple-choice type tests," noted Dasher. "We'regoing to be sending five-character random code groups, just like we did in the old days. And, applicants will have to prove that they can send, too, using a poorly adjusted straight key." Technician Class licensees will not be required to take a Morse Code test, nor will a test be required for new applicants. "We discussedit," said Dasher, "but decided that since most Techs can't even figure out how to program their HTs, requiring them to learn Morse Code seemed like cruel and unusual punishment." When asked what other actions we might see from the FCC, Dasher hinted that in the future applicants taking the written exam may be required to draw circuit diagrams, such as Colpitts oscillators and diode ring mixers, once again. "We're beginning to think that if an applicant passes an amateur radio license exam it should mean that he or she actually knows something," she said. For further information, contact James X. Shorts, Assistant Liaison to the Deputy Chief of Public Relations for the FCC at (202) 555-1212 or jim.shorts@fcc.gov. For more news and information about the FCC, please visit www.fcc.gov.

SKYWARN 2014 …a big plus for Amateur Radio ...

This years SKYWARN program went offwithout a hitch thanks to Jim Bird, along withKathy and Kevin Landes doing their usual great job with registration, and Lou and MikeMastro bringing their sound system for us touse. Positive comments were shared by thosein the audience, which included many first-timers along with those back for an update.Several expressed interest in obtaining their ham licenses afterward and were directed to NR8I. Events like this are a plus for our amateur radiocommunity and ARES, so thanks to everyone who assisted in making it a success. A big thank you also goes out to Tri Rivers JVS for hosting the event for the past several years.

The

QSOVolume 2 Number 4 The Marion Amateur Radio Club April 1 2014

New Tech class off to a great start

NR8I, Bill Finnegan, MARC's reigning professor of everything you needto know about ham radio to pass the test for your Tech License, has started his annual Spring class, and by the looks of the group, they are enjoying the experience. Thanks to Bill, and all his effort over the years, many newhams have earned their license due to his outstanding teaching skills anddedication. We look forward to welcoming the members of this class into theexciting world of amateur radio and the MARC.

FROM YOUR FRIENDLY PIO Guess what …..? Spring is slowly arriving and that brings me to think about so many of our older Elmerswho are now unfortunately SK's. I think about all the hints and little tricks that would save us so much in time, money, lowered blood pressure and give us quicker pathways to on the air fun. One of the most useful and fastest tricks that helped so much when putting up, or otherwise handlingantennas, was to put a generous coating of antenna wax on the surfaces exposed to the weather elements. Iam just about out of the little jar my dad gave me (we found it in his shop after his passing). Gosh, it neverspoils, although sometimes the odor is a bit strong, kinda skunk like, with garlic and an open out-housesmell to it, but who cares. Once your antenna is up in the air only the birds notice, but the blessing here is it keeps them off the antenna. Another item I would think operators like Bill Finnegan, NR8I, who can really squeeze the miles out of any one-tenth-watt, would reallyhave is a large supply of Marconi brand antenna oil on his big loop. The oil has a great effect on lowering SWR and static build up and discharge on all kinds of antennas. It is difficult to come by but ask around as someone may still have a can or two hidden away in his shack, basement or garage. Well, I ramble on too much, but the point of the piece is to remind all you younger ops (some older ones as well) to value your Elmers and appreciate all the tips, hints, and tricks they offer to you. You can learn so much from the old timers. That is a vital part of being a Ham Operator, and becoming an Elmer yourself.73 til next time … W1HAT – Mike Floyd

KD8LBA going QRP!! The QSO has learned that KD8LBA, Darrell Smith, is planning to sell his high power KW rigs and going totally QRP, running five watts or less. I must admit, noone was more shocked and surprised than your editor when Darrell telephoned me to make the announcement.I operate mostly CW and low power, so I welcomed him from the dark side of the KW appliance operator to the bright and wonderful world of QRP. Picking myselfup off the floor, I asked what brought about this major decision and Darrell explained. “I really got tired of working everyone I could hear.” said Darrell. “It was really boring hearing a JA in Japan and knowing ahead of time I could make contact with my big beam and 1500 watts. Where is the challenge in that?” he asked. “I mean NR8I is working China on a tenth of a watt and you do South Africa on a couple of watts.” he went on. “I now realize real hams work QRP. That is where the action is and I want to join in.” exclaimed Darrell with great emphasis. “I'm not sure about the antenna and tower yet,” he continued, “but everything in the shack will be going upfor sale. I want to get back to basics and plan on maybe building a K-3 low power rig or even start home brewing little transmitters and putting them in Altoids tins. I could use the big antenna, but am thinking it would bring back the challenge of being a real ham if I put up a couple of wire antennas and feed them with some of that fantastic ladder line you talk about.” Darrell stated he will begin disassembling his station soon and have a garage sale at his house. “I welcome all MARC members to come by and take a look at what I am selling. The prices will be very reasonable as I want to dispose of everything as quickly as possible so I can begin on my new path. I plan on giving Mr. One-tenth-of-a watt, NR8I, some competition. We will see who the real QRP champ is around here.” concluded Darrell.

Learn about Reverse Beaconsat the April MARC meeting !!!!

What are 'Reverse Beacons' you ask? Well, you know that beaconstations transmit signals so you can tell how good the propagationis on the bands. Reverse Beacons do the opposite. They listen foryour signal and report how well you are doing. Come to the April

MARC meeting and find out just how this works . NR8I andW8MLL will explain the wonders of the Reverse Beacon and how you can use them to see how well your station is doing.

10 Meters is wide open Tech hams take notice!

By Lynn Lovell – W8MLL

10 Meters is one of my favorite bands for many reasons. It's kind of like fishing. Whenthey are biting the action is fast and furious, when they are not, no matter the bait, you are notgoing to catch anything. Right now, thanks to some favorable solar activity, they are biting big time. This means you can snag some great DX, and for the Tech license holder this can mean lots of excitement above and beyond just working the local gang on the repeater. In the late spring and early summer 10 Meters comes alive with signals, some strong, some weak, most within 1400 miles; a few from farther out. Signals can come and go quickly or stay in all day. Signals can be very strong or extremely weak. The signals can all be fromthe same geographical location, or they can be spread out all over the country and further. This happens even if the solar flux is low. What is this propagation phenomena? It is sporadic-E skip, sometimes called E skip, and sometimes just short skip. Sporadic-E skip is caused by large patches of ionization in the E-layer of the ionosphere. The exact cause of these patches is not well known, but they are associated with wind shear, and some think they are connected with high towering thunder storms which happen in the Spring. These patches of ionization are not caused by solar activity as is the ionization in the F layer that we are more familiar with. The best way to find an opening is to monitor 10 meters. There are a number of beacons scattered around the country and world between 28.2 and 28.3 MHz. Look at the chart below or get on the web and do a search for 10 Meter beacons. Often these beacons can be heard weakly even when the band is otherwise closed, but when they are strong, you can bet the band is open and ready for you to work some DX. When the band is open at all, there is almost always someone on 28.4 MHz SSB, so that is a good frequency to check. The Ten-Ten crowd hangs out around 28.345 so that is also a good place to check. Those paper chasers are always alert to a band opening and call CQ with the slightest encouragement. Thanks to KD8KCH, Jim Bird, many of us have been working on the digi modes and you will find lots of digital activity on 10 Meters. PSK31 is a favorite mode on 28.120 which, by-the-way, is open to you Tech license holders. Last week in less than a half hourI worked Japan, Chile and Norway using Fldigi and PSK31 at 30 watts on an FT-897. My antenna is an 80 meter loop up only about 25 feet fed with (what else but) ladder line. When 10 Meters is open you do not need a lot of power, or a beam up 100 feet, to make great contacts. When I first got my license, one of my Elmers was a big 10 Meter fan. He told me that when 10 is open all you need is a tin-can with wet string for an antenna to work the world. Well, it's not quite that easy, but with just about any modern rig and simple antennayou can have lots of fun and excitement making contacts across the country or around the globe. The frequency list below will give you a good place to start exploring 10 Meters so give it a try. I know you will enjoy it.

10 METERS FREQUENCY PLAN

28.025 CW Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here – Usually Split 28.070.15 PSK-31 (offset -115 for USB) 28.080 RTTY Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split 28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency 28120.150 -- PSK31 28.120-28.300 Beacons 28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency 28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency 28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here -- Split 28.600 Old General Call-in Frequency - Still used by Old Timers 28.675~28.685 SSTV Operating Frequency -- IARU Region 1 28.680 SSTV Operations USA/Canada 28.825 10-10 Backskatter Net - Paper Chasers Net 28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions. 28.945 FAX Operating Frequency 29.000-29.200 AM Operations 29.300-29.510 Satellite Downlinks 29.520-29.580 Repeater Inputs 29.600 FM Simplex - Calling Frequency 29.620-29.680 Repeater Outputs

The QSL Tech Page K8BU – Larry Strickland

“Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication” is World Amateur Radio Day 2014 Theme …....The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Administrative Council has designated “Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication” as the theme for World Amateur Radio Day 2014. World Amateur Radio Day is celebrated each year on April 18 to recognize the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in Paris in 1925. ARRL Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim, 1AW, was its first president. The primary purpose of World Amateur Radio Day is to focus a public spotlight on Amateur Radio and its benefits to countries and communities. This year the IARU and its more than 150 member-societies will celebrate the organization’s 89th anniversary. Each year the IARU Administrative Council selects a World Amateur Radio Day theme that is consistent with the role and purpose of Amateur Radio and that represents a commendable activity that would cast IARU and Amateur Radio in a favorable light. When the Administrative Council met last September in Mexico, attendees discussed various possible topics and themes, before adopting “Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication.”

Presidents Corner All members want to be sure to attend the April MARC meeting on Monday the 14th. It promises to be an exciting one with a presentation by QSO's Editor in Chief, Lynn Lovell and Bill Finnegan, NR8I on Reverse Beacons. We will also be discussing the club's new Bylaws with a presentation by the Bylaws Committee. On a lighter side, I sure hope all of you are enjoying this wonderful warm-up weather! About the time I find myself thawing out, it snows or temps drop again. Surely there is a Spring out there somewhere... please let it come to Ohio... we have to start planning another Fox Hunt! Larry Freeman KD8SIPPresident MARC

April Happenings 2Nd Wed. Night Net 8pm 3rd Digi Net 8pm 7th Board Meeting 7pm 9th Wed. Night Net 8pm 10th Digi Net 8pm 14th MARC Meeting 7pm 16th Wed. Night Net 7pm 17th Digi Net 8pm 20th Easter Sunday 23rd Wed. Night Net 8pm 24th ARES Meeting 7pm 30th Wed. Night Net 8pm

Lightning Myths and Facts

Old Ben Franklin may have survived flying his kite in the lightning storms,but as Kirk Lombardy from the Cleveland Weather Bureau pointed out in the SKYWARN presentation, lightning is nothing to fool with. As ham operators, we are already aware of what lightning can do to our antennas and rigs, but there are many myths out there to be aware of, a few of which are below:

Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning.Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm.

Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground.Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don't lean on doors during a thunderstorm.

Myth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter under a tree to stay dry.Fact: Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than fried!

Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning.Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows.

Myth: If thunderstorms threaten or you hear thunder outside playing a game, it is okay to finish before seeking shelter.Fact: Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough. Seek proper shelter immediately if you hear thunder. If you can hear it you can be struck or electrocuted by electricity traveling through the ground.

Myth: Structures with metal, or metal on the body (jewelry, cell phones,Mp3 players, watches, etc), attract lightning.Fact: Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes. Mountains are made of stone but get struck by lightning many times a year. .

Myth: If trapped outside and lightning is about to strike, I should lie flat on the ground.Fact: Lying flat increases your chance of being affected by potentially deadly ground current. If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, keep moving toward a safe shelter. If you cannot find shelter, lie on the ground curled up in the fetal position to make a smaller target.

Consider yourself warned. Tuesday is April Fool's Day. A day when you are encouraged to pull pranks on loved ones, co-workers, casual acquaintances, and even other ham radio types. It's an odd tradition, but how did it get started? What's the history of April Fools' Day anyway? Nobody is completely sure about the origin of this, the silliest of holidays.However, legend gives credit to Pope Gregory XIII, who, in the 1500s, gave the world the Gregorian calendar. In 1562, the Gregorian calendar moved the first day of the year from April 1 to January 1. Word did eventually get around, but some people were a bit slow to hear the news. These folks continued celebrating the new year on April 1, unaware that they were now three months behind the times. These "April fools" were tricked by those in the know. The tradition eventually made its way around the world even to the pages of The QSO.

Meeting InformationMARC

September thru May at 7:00 pmSecond Monday of the Month

Tri Rivers JVSState Route 95 East of Marion

ARESMonthly at 7:00 pmMARC Club House

Marion County Fairgrounds

On The Webwww.marionhamradio.org

WW8MRN repeater: 147.30 pl 250.1

The QSONewsletter of the

Marion Amateur Radio ClubMarion County ARES

Published monthly in Marion, OhioEditor: M. Lynn Lovell – W8MLL

Email: w8mll@arrl.org

MARC OfficersPresident: Larry Freeman KD8SIPVice President: Dan Wade N8WOB

Sec/Treas: Barbara Freeman KD8SYAAsst. Sec: Virginia Beveridge KD8NWO

TrusteesKevin Landes KV2LJim Bird KD8KCH

Larry Strickland K8BUMarion ARES

EC Don Freeman KD8BKTAEC Jim Bird KD8KCH

Founded in 1960, The Marion Amateur Radio Club operates from a clubhouse located at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Fully equipped with both HF and VHF radios the members can communicate across the county or around the world using a variety of beam and wire antennas. There is also a well equipped workshop area where the members can buildor work on radios, electronic gear and antennas. The clubhouse is the center of many social and training activities as well. MARC sponsors severalclasses every year training new amateur operators and conductsexams so students may obtain their license. MARC is active in the community sponsoring the SKYWARN program of the National Weather Service, provides communication and safety service for two major bike rides a year and supports one of the most active ARES groups in the state of Ohio.

Monthly ContestThanks to Mike Mastro, KD8QDL, and to celebratethe coming of Spring (we hope warmer temperatures

and no more snow) we have two questions to answer. You can answer either one and win a $10 gift

card to Buffalo Wild Wings courtesy of Mike.

Question 1.... Name the mystery operator inthe photo on the right. Please note, those whowere at the round table and happened to see the photo are disqualified along with any oftheir family members or friends with whomthey might share the secret and answer.

Question 2.... In April 1912, theTitanic went down and the radiooperator used the new distresscall, SOS, to call for help. Whatwas the common distress callused before wireless came along?

The first to email me with the answer wins the prize. As always, you must attend the meeting to receive the prize. Good Luck... de W8MLL