TARC NEWSLETTER APRIL 2004 Post Office Box 73 Titusville, FL

CLUB OFFICERS

MARCH MINUTES

By Becky Lee KF4HTB

After the opening ceremonies of Pledge, moment of silence and introduction of members and guests, Bill Eppley, W2SDB entertained the group by playing several tunes on his harmonica including Happy Birthday.

Don Alford K1DRA told the members about the radio operator training course which will be held in the library of IRCC’s Colony Hall. It starts April 19 and ends May 31 and will be taught by Stephanie K4MVO.

Bud K4CWG said that Warren W4CEL has agreed to be the chairman for field day in June. After some discussion about the site for field day, a motion was made, voted on and passed to return to last years site which is Well 3 Station off South Barna.

W4YBI Bob Farrington has agreed to be the TARC Skywarn operator. Please contact him for participation and information.

Stephanie, K4VMO gave a rundown of what is doing at BEARS and ARES. She urged members to participate in the April 24 Ride for Red. Please contact her for more information.

There being no planned program, there was a lengthy refreshment and social hour.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

H “Bud” Hughes K4CWG

One never knows who will be in attendance at our Thursday evening “Eating Meeting” at Village Inn. This past Thursday our gathering was graced by the attendance of our friends and fellow club member from Seabrook, N.H. Tom Kelly K1TJK and his lovely bride Kitty. Tom and Kitty having spent the winter at MacDill Air Force Base and are now making their way back to their home in Seabrook, N.H.

1.             Our club voted to have the Titusville water facility located North of SR 405 off Barna Ave. in South Titusville as the location of our Field Day activities. Field Day will be the 26^th and 27^th of June. Preparations are in progress for that annual event and as always you are cordially invited to join in the fun and training at Field Day.

Our dear friend William Robert “Bob” Young N4DQT has become a member of the Silent Key Club. As most of you know Bob prepared our club By-Laws and has been a member of TARC for many years. We are truly indebted to Bob for his many hours of service to his country, community and to our radio hobby. Our condolences are extended to Bob’s family and many friends in the departure of a wonderful husband, father, leader and dear friend.

Spring time brings us to the time of year when we must bid adieu to our friends and club members who now are packing their bags and headed back to their homes in the North. For your News Letter to reach you and for us to keep in contact with you please give us your updated address, phone number and email address. Your presence has brightened our days. With your journey home we all wish you and yours smooth sailing and of course we look forward to your return in the fall.

Did you know that Bill W4RUN is teaching amateur radio classes at Astronaut High School? Before you get this newsletter Coach Canfield’s high school students will have taken and passed the Technician Class License and will have their amateur radio Technician class license. This same class will continue under Bill’s leadership and will upgrade to the General Class License. We are so proud of the students and look forward to meeting them on the air. Kudos to Bill and to Astronaut High School.

Let me echo our News Letter Editor’s request for your input of news, comments etc. for our newsletter. Please share with the club your thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Remember it is your newsletter.

Looking forward to seeing you at the next club meeting, bring a friend

73s & 88s

BEARS Report April 2004

By Stephanie Phillips K4MVO

Training, Training, Training!

I know I keep harping about training, but I’m going to keep the push on until I hear all the ARES volunteers in the North Area on the air. You can check-into a weekly ARES/RACES net, volunteer for a Public Service Event, or come out for a drill. Just do something to get more training! Check the Calendar (insert to this newsletter) for Nets, upcoming Public Service Events and Drills. I hope to see and hear you on the air. Please monitor 146.91 on May 5^th, 2004, State-wide Hurricane Drill, ZANE.

Let’s surprise Bud & Sherry and the other volunteers on April 24^th and show up at the War Bird Museum and give them our support for the Ride for the Red public service event. I know that’s the same weekend as the Indian River Festival, but hey, you can help us out in the morning & then go to the festival with the family later in the day.

Also, don’t forget that the Brevard Vietnam Veteran’s Reunion is going on the same weekend and I know that KB4WIC, Bob Bodine, can still use some volunteer communicators.

On June 5^th, the BEARS will have a Comm Vehicle set up at the Publix Supermarket at Saint John’s Plaza, on Garden Street. Come take a look at our gear and help us hand out hurricane preparedness brochures to the public. Maybe this would be a good time to recruit students for a summer session Ham Radio Class.

I hope to see a bunch of you on May 17^th, at the Manatees Ballpark. The EOC has asked for help out at their booth. They want to get the word out to the public about preparing for disasters, and then of course there is a ball game. I’ve asked for tickets for our volunteers’ family members. (Hey it doesn’t hurt to ask.)

And of course don’t forget the Governor’s Hurricane Conference is May 24 –28, 2004.

Ray, N4LEM, and Ed, KG4KVO, and I are conducting the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course, starting at Level One, at the County EOC. We’re at the midway point and we’ll be wrapping it up by the middle of May.

                The BEARS’ Communication Assistance Teams (CATs) Chief, Jim Bayless, W4BAL, announced that he is retiring from this volunteer position at the end of April. David Norton, KB3GJH, has volunteered to take over and I know all of us will give him our support. After April 30^th, the CATs will be having their Monday morning work group meetings at the County EOC.

                I’ll be attending a Titusville CERT meeting on May 20^th, and I’d like to know how many of your ARES members are also part of a CERT. Please let me know prior to the 20^th. Thanks.  

                BEARS meet on the second Tuesday of the month, 1900, at the County EOC, Rockledge, Talk-in Freq: 147.135.

Again, I hope to hear you all on the air during these upcoming events and drills. And I hope to see bunches of you at the upcoming training activities.

Stephanie Phillips, K4MVO

President, BEARS Inc.

264-2492