Flex Net – Wednesday, September 13th at 8:00 PM

The next PCARS Flex Net will be held on Wednesday, September 13th at 8:00 PM. This month’s net will be a Digital-Only net using the MFSK-16 mode, on 10 meters. Tune your transceiver’s dial frequency to 28.118 MHz and center the MFSK-16 cursors at 1,500 Hz on the waterfall.

As this is a digital-only net, we will be using prosigns and Q signals to streamline net operations. The Digital Special Interest Group meeting on September 5th will be reviewing these procedures, and there is also a file named Flex-Net-Digital-Opertions.pdf on the PCARS groups.io site, here: https://groups.io/g/PCARS/files

73 Rick K8CAV

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TONIGHT! PCARS Monthly Meeting – Monday, September 11th

Please join us tonight, Monday, September 11th, for our next PCARS meeting at American Legion Post 496 on Mogadore Rd in Kent. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM sharp!

Our monthly meeting will feature Hans Summers presenting on his new QMX rig all the way from Turkey. This will be a great opportunity for those who have or plan to have a QMX to ask questions and hear a presentation on the technology used in this great kit.

Nick AC8QG

PCARS President

—-

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83734648478?pwd=NlBickJXRk5KdkIza1FKWlcwbXdvQT09

Meeting ID: 837 3464 8478

Passcode: PCARS2022

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Portable Operating Special Interest Group – Tuesday, September 12 

Our next portable operations SIG is coming up on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 PM. We’ll have more information about the upcoming PCARS ParkPedition in October. Brandon, KE8ARB will be hosting this one.

We’ll also be talking about OSPOTA. Whether you were hunting, or activating, let’s hear those stories.

We’ll be meeting at PCARS World Headquarters this month. We start at 7 PM. The address is 705 Oakwood St, Ravenna, OH.

We will also be available via Zoom.

Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732195744?pwd=cldtZmxMcmFqQndhQWtJN0s2NUNnUT09

Passcode: PCARS2022

See you at the meeting 73, DE WG8X

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PCARS Monthly Meeting – Monday, September 11th

We’re just a few days away from our next PCARS meeting! Join us Monday, September 11th at American Legion Post 496 on Mogadore Rd in Kent. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM sharp!

Our monthly meeting will feature Hans Summers presenting on his new QMX rig all the way from Turkey. This will be a great opportunity for those who have or plan to have a QMX to ask questions and hear a presentation on the technology used in this great kit.

Nick AC8QG

PCARS President

—-

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83734648478?pwd=NlBickJXRk5KdkIza1FKWlcwbXdvQT09

Meeting ID: 837 3464 8478

Passcode: PCARS2022

—-

Minutes of August 2023 Monthly Meeting:

Click here to see last month’s meeting minutes or use the following link copied to your browser:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11r0nurFGxdHbbTukCojW6Yp2N-b39YhI/
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EchoLink is Down and will not be available until Monday 9/11

The K8BF-L EchoLink server is down for repair. It will be back up and running by Monday 9/11. We are waiting for a software patch and a part.

Jim, AC8NT

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Digital SIG – Tomorrow September 5th at 7 PM

The next Digital Special Interest Group meeting will be on Tuesday, September 5th at 7:00 PM at the club site. This month we’ll be talking about the MFSK digital mode found in both fldigi and in other stand-alone apps. Additionally, we’ll be reviewing procedures used in Digital-Only nets as a preview of this month’s Flex Net using the digital MFSK-16 mode. We will also make time to answer any questions or help with any issues you may be having with digital communications by radio. Can’t be there in person? Then join us in the Zoom Meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88355094567?pwd=ZzRvd1hmQWNaYlZEcGFOdVhuNlNiQT09

Meeting ID: 883 5509 4567 Passcode: PCARS2022  

73, Rick K8CAV

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National POW/MIA Recognition Day

On The Air – Sept. 9-17

On September 9 till September 17 from 0000Z-2359Z both Linda N8LRS and W8MET will take time to remember our POW’s, MIA’s and KIA’s for our 8th year. Details at www.qrz.com/db/k4mia  We will use call letters k4mia/8.

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TOMORROW! W1AW/8 at the Club Site — September 2nd

Tomorrow, September 2nd, PCARS will represent the Ohio section as part of the Volunteers on the Air W1AW/8 operating event. We will have four stations on the air from 10 AM to 10 PM.

Everyone is invited to join us for some “Big Fun” on the air!

Nick, AC8QG

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Cameroon

Attn: PCARS DXers:

I know this is a bit in the future, but this was just announced by Bernie and I wanted to get it out to you to put on your calendars,

We are excited to announce that a new MDXC’s expedition is coming very soon. This year we are heading to western Africa, to one of the biggest countries facing the Guinea’s Gulf, silent since 

2018: TJ – Cameroon.

The MDXC Italian staff faced a long-time trial to obtain the commercial import permit for each transceiver and, even more time and nerve-consuming, to get the Amateur Radio Licence… but “who endures wins” and today the signed paper for TJ9MD is in IZ8CCW’s hands.

The 13 skilled operators of the expeditionary team (IZ8CCW, IZ2GNQ, F6IRA, OK2WX, AG4W, DL8JJ, IZ4COW, IU3PMA, HB9DHG, HB9TOC, ON7RN, IK5BOH and IZ4UEZ) are thrilled for the happy results of MDXC’s efforts, and now they are eager to bring back that big African country on the radiowaves: starting from 2 November till the 15 November, from Kribi, on Atlantic Ocean shores, at least four stations will be on air “round the clock” on CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8, 160 through 6m. Not enough? On top of that, after the great experience during J28MD, for the Moon Bounce enthusiasts an E.M.E. station will offer a chance to increase their 2m DXCC with this New One.

While the team starts to pack their luggage, you should start to plan to rise-up the antennas and warm-up the rigs… Stay tuned for more news!

Bernie McClenny, W3UR

— 

73 – Chuck W8PT

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Greetings, welcome to “Dale’s Tales” for September 2023

I think we all can agree that the weather for 2023 has been literally
unbelievable.  All three Sections of the Great Lakes Division, Kentucky,
Michigan and Ohio have faced flooding, tornadoes, ice storms, severe
heat, drought almost without precedent.  Reports of Amateur Radio
support for local Emergency Management, the National Weather Service,
Red Cross, Salvation Army and a host of other Non-government agencies
have been very favorable.  We have faced disaster after disaster in the
past year and are meeting these challenges.

A lot of thanks goes out to ARES and NTS teams for providing needed
communications during these events and in the interim, taking the
necessary time to train and learn about how our served agency partners
operate and what their communications needs really are.

Jumping into the fray with a radio on your hip just does not cut it
anymore, (if it ever did).  More and more we find ourselves using the
standardized forms the agencies are using, and insuring consistent and
reliable message delivery.

Speaking of message delivery, the recent surveys conducted by the NTS
Review Sub-committee from the ARRL, reveal that the most significant
problem in the entire National Traffic System (NTS) still remain the
final delivery of the message.  Often the recipient’s phone number is
invalid, but somehow it seems that the delivering station just drops the
ball and there it lies.  Could it be because the message seems too
innocuous or unimportant?  That is not our call, it could be the first
time the parties have communicated in years and we are part of it.
While the message delivery failure does not happen often, we should
strive for 100% delivery.  Those goals have been set, let’s meet them.
We can and should be the folks that set the example of how messaging
should be done.  My sincere thanks go out to all the hard working folks
who dedicate so much of their time to traffic handling. 

But let’s not have the kudos stop here.  There are many more people who
deserve thanks for their often unsung efforts.  The operators, the
technologists, the DXers, the Contesters and the rag chewers immediately
come to mind.  The Contesters and DXers put our equipment to the real
test, pushing the envelope, working through QRM and QRN and showing us
all how to improve on these skills.  And the people on the technical and
development side are likewise giving us new modes and equipment based
upon the experience of those operating under critical conditions.  Let’s
not forget the goodwill efforts of many DXpeditioners who demonstrate
ham radio to many areas of the globe, help them form new amateur radio
clubs and even provide them with their first equipment from the
DXpedition.  Even the casual operators, the rag chewers, play an
important part in keeping ham radio viable as an important community
resource.

One has to feel proud and honored just to be even a small part of this
wonderful adventure called Amateur Radio.

On a very personal note, Judy and I were very surprised and pleased at
all the well wishes that arrived following her July 7 shoulder injury.
It all has been truly appreciated.  She is progressing, never as fast as
one would like, but the PT program is really helping.  Thanks everyone
for your kind words.

SCOTT’S STUFF: Comments from your ARRL Vice-Director Scott, N8SY. –
September Edition

Have we had a wild August or what!!!…  All the rain, tornadoes and
humidity have made this August one for the books for sure. 

Hey, are you ready for some football???  September brings a plethora of
football games back.  High School (my favorite), college and of course
pro.  The match ups this year in all 3 categories look like it will be a
very good year for “real” football.  Hang on to your hats and let’s
get rolling. Oh, now is probably a good time to remind everyone to be
extra careful when driving and to heed those flashing red lights on
those big yellow school buses.  Give them plenty of room to get the kids
on and off, as well as crossing the streets. 

Shifting Gears…  I want to give a big shout-out to Roy Hook, W8REH.
He was declared elected without opposition and is your Great Lakes
Division Vice Director Elect!!  Congratulations Roy!!  I know that
you’ll do a great job for the Division.

Shifting gears again…  August and September are always really busy
months for me.  I’ve been having a blast attending hamfests, club
meetings and even one Amateur Radio Mobile Cruise-In Night!  I even got
an authentic A&W Root Beer Float there!!  Wow, I haven’t had one of
those in years.  It’s been really great getting back out after all the
hubbub of COVID to shake hands, meet up with old friends and make new
ones, but most of all just being able to sit and listen to you!  My
notebook has pages and pages of your thoughts and ideas and they will be
shared with the various committees as they meet. Thank you for sharing
and for being an ARRL member!   

Shifting gears again…  There’s a new ARRL video that helps members
navigate our digital magazines.  This video is helping our members get
more out of their digital magazine experience.  ARRL members all have
digital access to four high quality magazines: QST, On The Air, QEX, and
NCJ.  If you have questions or concerns about how to get the most out of
the digital editions, this new video on the ARRLHQ YouTube channel will
help walk you through it.

The video, hosted by Jherica Goodgame, KI5HTA, explores many features
including switching between magazines, saving to PDF, searching for
content, bookmarks, and zooming in to content. It covers the web browser
version, as well as the Android and iOS applications.

If you download the ARRL Magazines app for Android or iOS, ARRL will
send a notification to your device when a new edition is available for
reading.  The video may be viewed at the following link:
https://youtu.be/vmZflC2IUIs

Shifting gears again…  Is your ARES group getting ready for S.E.T.?
The Simulated Emergency Test (S.E.T.) is October 7-8 and next to Field
Day, one of the busiest times for ham radio!  Is your ARES group or club
already in the planning stage yet?  If not, it should be, like Field
Day, S.E.T. demonstrates to our served agencies what amateur radio is
really all about, communications. 

Shifting gears to come into the pits…  Whelp, that’s going to do it
from here this month.  Stay safe and “Catch Me On The Air” at a hamfest
or your next club meeting. 

Hey, don’t forget to participate in your local club’s activities!!!!
 It’s important to be a part of your club and ham radio, and not just
a reporter.
73,

Scott, N8SY@ARRL.ORG
Vice Director
Great Lakes Division

HAMFEST AND EVENT LISTING: 

Here is the current listing of Great Lakes Division ARRL Sanctioned
hamfests and Special Events through October of 2023.

9/9/23 – Letcher Co KY ARC Hamfest, Whitesburg, KY
9/9/23 – Greater Louisville Hamfest, Shepherdsville, KY
9/9/23 – GRAHamfest, Wyoming, MI
9/10/23 – Findlay Hamfest, Findlay, OH
9/16/23 – Hiawatha ARA Swap, Negaunee, MI
9/16/23 – Richmond Hamfest, Richmond, KY
9/16/23 – GMARC Trunk Swap, Shelby Twp, MI – NS
9/17/23 – Adrian Hamfest, Adrian, MI
9/23/23 – CMARC Hamfest, Okemos, MI
9/23/23 – Gaylord Hamfest, Gaylord, MI
9/23/23 – BARA Trunk Sales, Berrien Center, MI
9/24/23 – Cleveland Hamfest, Berea, OH
9/30/23 – KY4ARC Hamfest, Paintsville, KY
10/7/23 – Central Kentucky, Lexington, KY
10/7/12 – Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI
10/14/23 – Muskegon Color Tour, Muskegon, MI
10/28/23 – Hazard, Hazard, KY
10/29/23 – Massillon, North Canton, OH

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