Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Feb 08 2019 10:44 am
IN INDIANA AND NEW JERSEY, THE GREAT ANTENNA DEBATE
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Call it the Great Antenna Debate: It's a quest many
amateur radio clubs often take on, to raise their antennas and their
community responsiveness. Two such clubs are engaged in that now. We
go first to Indiana, with Dave Parks, WB8ODF.
DAVE: In Indiana, trustees of the Sunman-Dearborn Community School
Corporation, are studying a proposal by the Laughery Valley Amateur
Radio Club, which wants to use a tower outside a former elementary
school. Club member Gary Puckett, WB9WHS, told Newsline that the club's
220 repeater needs an elevation higher than its current 20 feet. He
said use of the tower would extend communications to a 30-mile radius,
improving members' ability to assist the county in emergency situations,
and with public-service events. He said the club got its 220 MHz
repeater on the air about three months ago, and is now hoping to boost
its range, something that a tower such as this -- about 50 to 60 feet
in height -- would do.
Gary said the club might have another option, asking the electric
company to install a large utility pole where an antenna could go - but
he said the tower seemed especially well-suited to the club's needs. He
spoke to school corporation trustees at their meeting last month, and
gave details of the club's request. He told Newsline this month that the
club did not expect a decision to be made much before spring.
The local newspaper, the Batesville Indiana Herald-Tribune, covered the
meeting, and quoted school superintendent Andrew Jackson, who said,
regarding the tower: [quote] "We have to see if we have the authority
to give this to a nonprofit." [endquote] The superintendent said he
would talk to the school board's attorney, to see if it is legal and
possible.
So for now, it is a waiting game for the Laughery Valley amateurs.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Dave Parks, WB8ODF.
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In New Jersey, another group of hams is also in search
of a greater reach via antennas. Here's Heather Embee KB3T-ZED-D with
those details.
HEATHER: The Audubon Amateur Radio Club, K2AUD, already has achieved an
expanded reach, at least in membership, with its ranks filled by hams
from across southern New Jersey, and even into Philadelphia. An ARRL
affiliate since 2016, the club is located in the borough of Audubon,
where it was created by the late Paul Price, who was coordinator of the
borough's Office of Emergency Management. Club trustee Rick Tighe, N2PHI,
said the club's top priority is community service and emergency response.
In keeping with Paul Price's original mission, the club wants to
strengthen its emergency service, with antennas installed on the
community building where members meet.
Whether the club will succeed still remains a question: David Taraschi,
administrator of the borough of Audubon, told Newsline in an email:
[quote] "The Borough outside of OEM really doesn't interact with the
club per se. We allow them the use of one of our buildings." [endquote]
The administrator said that before the antenna issue can be addressed,
more dialogue would need to take place with the club.
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Heather Embee, KB3TZD.
(THE BATESVILLE INDIANA HERALD-TRIBUNE)
**
BREAK HERE:
Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline,
heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the WA2EHL
repeater in Burlington, New Jersey, on Friday nights at 7 local time.
**
HIGH HONORS FOR 2 AUSTRALIAN AMATEURS
STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Not everyone is chosen to receive the Order of Australia
medal - but two hams were recently among the many on the recipient list.
Robert Broomhead, VK3DN, has that story.
ROBERT: Two ham radio operators were among those to receive the Order of
Australia medal on January 26th, Australia Day. Raphael Shammay, VK2RF,
a member of the Waverley Amateur Radio Society, and Phil Byrne, VK2MCB,
of the Rotarians of Amateur Radio for Australia, New Zealand and Oceania,
were honoured for their contributions. Raffy is a member of the Wireless
Institute Civil Emergency Network, and a volunteer with the Scouts'
Jamboree On The Air. He also volunteers at the Sir Moses Montefiore Home,
in New South Wales. He has provided support since 2006 for the Shahzada
400km Endurance Ride, and the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. He is a member
of the Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia, or HARAOA. He is
a veteran DXPeditioner, who has operated from such HARAOA DXPeditions as
Lord Howe Island, Montague Island and Norfolk Island where he was a
member of the HARAOA team.
Phil is regional vice president of the Rotarians group. The retired Air
Commodore is a co-coordinator of the Foodbank Program in New South Wales,
and ACT, and chaired the Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program in 2017,
among his many other activities.
The medal was created in 1975 to recognise Australian citizens, and other
persons for achievement or meritorious service. Congratulations to the
deserving recipients.
For Amateur Radio Newsline I'm Robert Broomhead, VK3DN.
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