Support Your Local Hamfest

We read a lot about the big mega-Hamfests -- Dayton, HamCom, Pacificon, SeaPac, Huntsville, etc. Many of us travel to one or more of them a year in search of bargains, to renew old friendships or perhaps meet an "on air" friend in person for the first time. They are great!

Don't forget to attend and support your local hamfests though. They are treasures in their own right. Today my wife and I went to Egyptian Fest in Granite City, Illinois. 2009 marked their eightieth (that's 80 not 18!) year.

I remember going to the Egyptian Radio Club hamfest back in the 70's when I was first licensed. I'd rummage through old equipment having no idea what a lot of it was. Even though I wasn't buying the old grey beards would explain the equipment to me and perhaps share a story about people I hadn't met and how they had used this or that to first get on the air or make a rare contact. It was an enjoyable day I looked forward to each year.

Egyptian Fest is still a small, friendly hamfest. Today for their 80th birthday they pulled out all the stops with not one but two guest speakers plus a presentation on D-Star that I was unable to attend due to talking with too many friends while I should have been listening!

First up was Bob Heil K9EID of Heil Sound. Bob showed a presentation that described a little background on the company and then did an interesting presentation on microphones, articulation, and what you want to be heard effectively on the air.

Second up was retired FCC Special Counsel Riley Holingsworth K4ZDH. Riley talked about human nature in general and hams in particular. Along the way he shared a few humorous stories and then took questions.

Not every small hamfest will have speakers like Bob and Riley. But an awful lot of them have some pretty sharp people talking about some aspect of the hobby they love. If you don't go take advantage of them you're the one who's missing out.

The local hamfests are a good place for second chances too. Remember that vintage equipment I mentioned earlier? I'm pretty sure I saw a few of those same radios in the outdoor swap area today!

73,

Tim, N9PUZ

New Rig at ARS N9PUZ

After several years of great service from my Icom IC-718 I've replaced it with a shiny new Icom IC-7200. I really liked the IC-718. I had added the W4RT dual filters to mine and that made for a nice HF rig that had great performance in a compact, easy to use package. I always said the only way Icom could have improved the IC-718 was to replace the audio chain DSP with a nice IF chain DSP like they have in thier higher end rigs like the the "Pro" series. Perhaps they heard me.

The "Big Brown Truck" brought the IC-7200 yesterday. After only one evening I've decided I really like this radio. The variable DSP filtering simply blows away the mechanical filters I had in the IC-718. You can adjust the bandwidth for CW and USB modes in 50 Hz increments. The radio remembers the "wide", "medium", and "narrow" selections you make for each mode. The display is nice and crisp although a little smaller than the old radio. It is very easy to read.

I'll be writing more as I gain experience. I was able to try this radio and a Yaesu FT-450 and this one seems like the clear choice to me. If you are in the market for a $1,000 class HF rig this one bears close consideration.

The old IC-718? Fear not, I didn't put it out to pasture and it's not gathering dust. A Ham down South bought it and I've already had a note from him that it works great and he's enjoying it.

73,

Tim, N9PUZ

Go SMC!

This past weekend Ralph K9ZO hosted a little bash for the Society of Midwest Contesters. SMC is a contesting club located in the "Black Hole" of locations--the center of the United States.

"ZOfest", as it was called was probably the best club meeting I've ever attended. There was of course the obligatory business meeting where the club's performance in contests over the past few years was discussed along with super secret, "if I told you, I'd have to kill you" plans for the years ahead. There were also some first rate presentations by various members on topics that included:

• What goes on "off air" before, during, and after a DXpedition
• Antenna Modeling
• Old radio collecting and restoration
• "Turn-key" vs. "carry it all yourself" DXpedition contesting
• Test equipment and troubleshooting your station

Oh, and there was lots and lots of great food, drink, and the camaraderie that makes Amateur Radio such an incredible hobby.

Every group should have an event like this periodically. It'll keep your spirits up during the bottom of the solar cycle and you'll just plain have a bunch of fun!

73,

Tim N9PUZ

The End of CW Exams in the US

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it will shortly publish a Report and Order in the Federal Register that will eliminate the requirement that General and Extra class Hams pass a 5 WPM Morse Code proficiency test. There are those who think this is a good thing and others who think it will be the end of Ham Radio.

Regardless of whether or not you were for the change, against the change, or just didn't care one way or another the debate is over. That ship has sailed and sometime early in 2007 the rule will be that no demonstration of CW proficiency is required to obtain any of the three US Amateur Radio licenses.

The important thing is that current licensees accept those who come after the new rules go into effect as "real Hams." They will have met every legal requirement needed to become licensed. Our job is to Elmer the newcomers, expose them to as much of the good stuff as we are able, and hold them and ourselves to high standards by setting good examples of operating skill, technical accomplishment, and fellowship between Hams.

73,

Tim, N9PUZ