Chronicles combine two fox hunts

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foxhunt cartoonHave we got a deal for you! This issue of the Foxhunt Chronicles will feature a description of the hi-jinks surrounding both the October 2014 AND the November 2014 contests. “Why am I so lucky?” you may ask. Well, it’s because I was out of town a lot right after the October hunt and didn’t have time to attend to writing up a report of what happened in October. So I combined the October and November foxhunt descriptions, and you get two for one.

The October hunt occurred on Sunday the19th of October and featured the team of Charles Ward, KC9MUT and Fred Gengnagel, KC9EZP, the team of Bob Dean, KC9UHU and Dave Spence, K9NDU, and the team of Steve Nardin, W9SAN, Linda Nardin, W9LAN and their grandson Alex. Seven hunters in all. I really can’t remember where they gathered and started the hunt from as that was way back in October, and hey, this is late November as I put this tome together. I.e., I’m getting old and forgetful.

The role of the fox was played by Jim & Annie Pliett, K9OMA & KA9YYI, plus Carole & Al Burke, WB9’s RUS and SSE. They were ensconced at Klug Park, near Parkview Hospital, and hid the micro-fox just below the grate of a storm sewer at the intersection of Leroy Ave. and Lawndale Drive. They employed a mobile rig running about 25 watts and a cubical quad on the roof of Jim’s van as the high power fox.

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FWRC November meeting to feature club history video

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Please join us for the November meeting of the Fort Wayne Radio Club this coming Friday night, November 21st, at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. We will be meeting in the Middle high rooms on the north side of the building, with windows facing Vance Avenue. Raasch hall, where we usually meet, will be taken by a seniors’ Thanksgiving meal.

The presentation for the evening will be a video trip through some of the FWRC’s past including clips from the ATV repeater and other activities that the club has been involved with. Jim Pliett, K9OMA, will be the presenter. Join us for a fun look into past club activities.

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FWRC membership promotion successful

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Hopefully, all of you got to attend the 2014 edition of the Fort Wayne Hamfest. Let’s have a round of applause again for the folks at ACARTS for putting on the best hamfest in the state!

And a big TNX to all that signed up and paid their 2015 dues for the FWRC. The “incentive” raffle radio, a Kenwood TS-440 with PS-50 supply, was a successful carrot, as we easily paid for the radio above and beyond our cost. The additional tickets did the trick!

W9SAN congratulates KC9UHU on his raffle winThe lucky winner of the radio was Robert Dean, KC9UHU. As for our membership drive we concluded with 83 hams on the books for 2015. Fantastic!

If you missed this opportunity, please take the time to fill out a membership application and send it in with your check! We had a record year in 2014 with 119 members; haven’t been that high since the early 80’s!

Thanks again for supporting the FW Hamfest and FWRC!

(and congratulations to Mellissa Jenks for getting her ticket!)

NWS announces Fort Wayne location of 2015 SKYWARN storm spotter training

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Michael Lewis, warning coordination meteorologist at the northern Indiana office of the National Weather Service (NWS) informed me today that a location has been set for SKYWARN storm spotter training in Fort Wayne Feb. 17.

The training will take place in the auditorium of the Public Safety Academy: Ivy Tech South Campus, 7602 Patriot Crossing, Fort Wayne. It begins at 7 p.m. ET.

The NWS strongly urges all persons who plan to attend the training session to pre-register. Persons may do so online by following this link or via telephone by calling 260-449-4663 or 574-834-1104, extension 726.

The NWS also encourages participants to complete online training before attending the live training session. Persons may access the online training by following this link.

The link below provides an information flyer in PDF format for viewing online and/or printing.

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Hoosier Lakes Club to lead SKYWARN Recognition Day

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Ken Ledgerwood, KC9NWM sent an email message to several recipients Nov. 10 announcing that the Hoosier Lakes Radio Club will coordinate the 2014 SKYWARN Recognition Day special event station at the northern Indiana National Weather Service (NWS) office near North Webster. The event runs from 0000Z Dec. 6 (7 p.m. EST Friday, Dec. 5) to 2400Z (7 p.m. EST) Saturday, Dec. 6.

SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) provides an opportunity for NWS offices to recognize Amateur Radio operators for their commitment in helping keep their communities safe. Information about SRD is available online at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio/.

The Hoosier Lakes club plans two HF antennas (One 10/60 meter vertical and one 80 meter loop). It also plans to make use of VHF and UHF antennas permanently installed at the NWS office.

Ledgerwood indicated that operators are needed. Any amateur who wishes to participate should make a reservation by contacting Ledgerwood at KC9NWM@embarqmail.com. He asks that operators provide the following information when they contact him:

  • Name
  • Call sign
  • Planned arrival date and time
  • Times available to operate (operators are welcome to make reservations even if they can only operate for one hour … time slots are available throughout Friday evening, Friday night and Saturday).

As with last year’s event, operators are not welcome to “drop in” without making prior arrangements. As a secure federal government facility, the National Weather Service office is unable to accommodate unexpected guests.

FWRC directors meet Nov. 11

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The November Fort Wayne Radio Club Board Of Directors meeting will be tomorrow night, Tuesday, November 11th, at 7:00 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Ave in Fort Wayne. Not sure which room just yet, probably the “PIT”. All are welcome. We will discuss the upcoming FWRC meeting on the 21st, and plans for us during the Hamfest, plus the December Christmas Banquet.

HAMFEST:

Remember that the club has two tables for the Hamfest, which is this coming weekend, November 15th and 16th. Saturday hours are 9 am to 4 pm. Sunday hours are 9 am to Noon. For the FWRC, the highlight will be the “Raffle Radio” drawing around 11:45 am on Sunday. The radio is a Kenwood TS-440 with PS-50 power supply, a straight key and hand mic. Everyone that pays their 2015 dues, or joins the club for 2015 is automatically entered in the drawing. For additional tickets, you can buy them for a $5 charge, assuming you are or have become a member of the club for 2015. This is a nice older radio, good for 160 to 10 meters, with supply and built in automatic tuner. A great second radio or for your “go kit”, or a good starter radio for a newbie. This should be fun!