TARA News Letter for january 2004 tara banner

issue date: mailed - 1/6/04 web post - under construction 2/20/04

from the pres:

Happy New Year to All!
As TARA begins its 28th year of Amateur Radio activities, I look forward to some new changes and of course the USUAL activities that provide us with the challenges and memories we have all come to enjoy.
And one of our new projects begins this month with a presentation to the local Scouts. I'll have details at the January meeting. Thanks to Mike and Chris Sullivan for providing TARA with the opportunity to bring Amateur Radio this great youth organization.
Keep an ear open for Jack, KT6JS to guide us towards renewed enthusiasm for Field Day and our Communication Events. John, KC7AGI, will be utilizing his talents at integrating Tara's Emergency operations with surrounding Amateur Radio clubs and state organizations. And you, as members of TARA, will be adding to the experience of Amateur Radio with the camaraderie of people involved for our own enjoyment and the support of our local communities.
I have some agendas to pursue for our club, including some changes in bylaws to keep abreast with current technology, insurance issues, and of course the yearly budget!
Between all this, I hope to enjoy another year of your friendship and communicating the values and experiences that bond us together in this fraternity of Amateur Radio.
73 and see you at the January meeting!
Paul, wa6ewv

Happenings:

Club Badges
New TARA Badge 2004

The new club badges are now available for the price of $6.40. Contact Dick Budd, W7RWB, to order!

Dues reminder!
It's that time of year. A copy of the membership application is included in the printed newsletter. Also included is the final 2003 roster, complete with e-mail address. Thanks to AL Walker, KD7MXR, for a great job as membership chairman.

Field Day 2004

Field Day 04 Success Teams Forming
from Jack, KT6JS
Field Day is many things to many people: contest, social get-togeather and informal barbecue, operator skill practice, a chance to try out a new rig, antenna or emergency power system, or an opportunity to promote Ham Radio to the public.

The fact that Field Day offers something fun for just about every ham means it's an event with great promise and benefit for those who participate and therefore should be considered a major event for TARA.

The earlier and more comprehensive our planning for Field Day now, the easier and more enjoyable it will be in June for all concerned. Upon reviewing the 2003 Field Day event, I find that the tasks that make Field day a success can be grouped into several Success Teams:
Teams:
Station selection and construction -- decide how many rigs, antennas, frequencies, computers, etc. select operating modes and frequencies.
Food -- pick a menu, line up a chef and equipment needed.
Information Table -- plan and staff an information table to interface with the public.
Operator scheduling -- obtain commitments for 2-hour operating coverage, perhaps at 2 hour shifts for each station planned.
Publicity -- get out the word to newspapers, and any other ways to invite the public.
Invitations and Coordinations -- send letters to elected and appointed officials and emergency services asking them to stop by or have a static display of their service.
Build-up and teardwon activities -- need a good set up crew to get antennas up and the stations working, and a good tear-down crew to make packing go smoothly.

Trying to accomplish all of these tasks would be next to impossible for anyone of us, but dividing up the tasks into 2-5 person teams should make it fun to see what we can get donea a club while allowing plenty of time to smell the roses along the way.

Do any of you have special interests that could be integrated into Field Day? Such as satellite operations, microwave, amateur television, solar power, QRP operations, digital modes? It would be great to have a solar powered QRP station for example. Let's get some ideas going!

A fromal request for a special 27-hour use permit of Bijou Park is before the SLT Parks and Recreation, so hopefully, we will have a site nailed down by january 1. (see update at FD page) Meanwhile, please let me know which task areas you could help with. Then, we can start to form our Field Day Success Teams. I plan on asking the TARA Board to provide offical ARRL Field Day 04 Tee Shirts for all FD Team members. My motto, "FIELD Day, Enjoy it More in 04!". E-mail me, Jack, KT6JS
73, Jack, KT6JS

Happenings to be continued....

Repeater Systems

I'm happy to report that TARA's systems survived the New Year Storms better then I did!! I'll be up to East Peak to do a "winter" inspection soon, and I'll post pictures (on web site), as I'm sure there's a LOT of SNOW up There! The 147.24 repeater is always in PL mode (123Hz), * and I hope to have a repeater "announcement" giving the PL code by the time we have our January meeting. I'm also going to be changing the courtesy tone on 24, So listen close and let me know which one you like!! Packet continues to grow! I have not finished the web site Information series, but hope to by end of January. Our Packet class was small but a success, with one in the works This early spring!
73 and enjoy the New Year!!
Paul, wa6ewv
* 2/20/04 Due to a problem with the PL decoder on 24, it is now open carrier during the daytime.

The TARA Newwsletter will be published bi-monthly. Please submit contributions to our editors :John Sloane, or Sheila Sloane.
US Mail and Fax available.
Anything submitted for publication should pertain to TARA and its members.

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