The Spark Gap 2013-12 old

Spark Gap

Note from the Pras

Here it is Dec already and the New Year right around the corner. 2013 has been a busy year for MARC
and hopefully 2014 will be just as busy and productive. I would like to thank everyone for all they have
done for the club in 2013.

Please come join us on Dec 21“ for our breakfast meeting. I believe that Santa will be dropping off some
gifts. Breakfast will be provided by members of the club. So far I have heard that we will have coffee,
orange juice, an egg casserole and other goodies. If you would like to bring something please do. It is not
required.

While on my cruise, I heard that Indiana got hit with a storm that brought up the weather net. I don’t
know the details of this storm but Tug Sutton does and sent the following:

“Please give my thanks to all dispatchers for a great job during Sunday's storms. It is each family's job to
be prepared, and the dispatchers did their job by making sure we were aware of the storms. I received the
warnings from the sirens at the same time I received it through my weather radio and WISH, which also
did a great job. I appreciate the great job by all and believe in giving credit where credit is due.

As always, thanks for all you do.

Tug Sutton”

Reminder, dues will be due the first of the year. Please see Linda Harshbarger, KC9GHC about getting
dues current for 2014. They are only $18.00. Also, anyone wanting to purchase a shirt, please let Linda
or myself know. They are $28.00.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year!!
See you Dec 21“ at 8:00am. The coffee will be on.

Jacki KI6QOG
President

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MERRY CHRISTMAS
&
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

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License Manual

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M.A.R.C. One-Day Technician License Class

A one-day Technician License Class will be held on Saturday February 8, 2014. If you know of
someone who is interested in taking the class refer them to secretary @midstatehams.org/ to enroll.

Seating will be limited to 25 students so they should register early to insure a spot. We require all stu-
dents to purchase the Technician Class License Manual, Second Edition.
http://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual-Revised-2nd-Edition/?page=1

The class is free but you must purchase the Technician Class License Manual and study it prior to the
class. Volunteer Examiners will be available to administer the test after the class is completed.

The class begins promptly at 8AM in our meeting room at the Johnson County EOC, Johnson County
Law Enforcement Center, 1100 Hospital Road Franklin, Indiana.

Thanks for your help in passing the word.

Jack W8ISH
Class coordinator

2

M.A.R.C.

Celebrate the Holidays

The December MARC meeting is celebrating the Holidays with a festive fare for breakfast. There
will be breakfast casseroles and members can also bring something to add to the variety. So this
coming Saturday bring something you like for breakfast and also a friend to introduce them to
HAM RADIO and MARC members. This meeting is always fun to attend and have some good old
social time with our friends.

DO ee ee ee ee

& FRIENDLY REMINDER

Please renew your membership to M.A.R.C. for 2014

See Linda KC9GCH at the next club meeting and she will be glad to help
you renew your membership. Dues are still $ 18.00 for the year.
Your membership is very important to us.

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PREPARE FOR WINTER

Every winter, snow and ice are a major cause of crashes with injuries on Indiana roads.

Unless you absolutely must travel, the best way to stay safe during a snow or ice storm is to stay off the
roads.

Nonessential trips on slick roads can unnecessarily jeopardize your safety, and the safety of any
emergency responders who must come to your aid if you become stranded or involved in a crash.

If you must travel during a snow or ice storm, don’t leave your home unprepared.

Carry a cell phone and car charger, and a small emergency preparedness kit with blankets, extra water
and snacks, a small shovel and other items that may be helpful if you find yourself stuck or stranded on
the road. Your HT radio and extra battery pack.

Always allow extra space between you and other vehicles and remember “ice and snow—take it slow!”

For more information about traveling safely this winter visit WinterDrivingSafety.in. gov.

2013 Indiana Storm Chasers Convention

On Saturday November gh storm chasers, meteorologists, and other weather enthusiasts gathered at the
Brickyard Crossing Golf Course and Conference Center for the 2013 Indiana Storm Chasers Convention.
The event, which features several presentations about storm chasing and weather in general, was well
attended as nearly fifty people filled the seats inside the large conference room. Now in its third year, the
event has gained popularity throughout the country drawing attendees from as far away as California and
Oklahoma.

©Beth Carpenter

Ken Brewer meteorologist WISH TV

Headlined by WISH-TV meteorologist Ken Brewer, speakers addressed several topics that sparked some
great discussion among the attendees. Ken opened up the event by speaking about the future of the
broadcast meteorologist. His presentation was followed by BAM Chase meteorologist Michael Clark
who talked about the dynamics of the Halloween storm system as well as the impact of social media on
weather forecasting. Tyler and Joe Allison from Allisonhouse presented on the past and future
technologies used in storm chasing, and SWIFT lead forecaster Joseph Cooper closed the day by
speaking about the team’s June 12" chase day in Northern Illinois.

©Beth Carpenter

Overall, it was another successful year for the Indiana Storm Chasers Convention. We are excited about
the future and will continue to better the event. For more information about the Indiana Storm Chasers
Convention, please visit the website at http://inchasercon.wix.com/inchasercon.

©Beth Carpenter

Boxe*

Jack W8ISH

2014 Indiana Hamfests

Brownsburg Hamfest

Sat 02-15 6:00am

American Legion Post 331, Brownsburg, Indiana

ADMISSION: $5.00

VENDORS: $15.00 PER TABLE WITH POWER, $10.00 WITHOUT POWER

PLENTY OF FREE PARKING

Set up available on Friday, the 14th from 2:30-8:30 pm

Bring your own power strips and cables

Table sales at the door if available both days

Talk-in on 147.015 +

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS

For more information, contact Wayne Fox KE9P at hcars46122 @ gmail.com or 317-204-2725.

Columbus Hamfest
Sat 04-12 8:00am

The Columbus Hamfest will be held at the Bartholemew County Fairgrounds, located at 750 W
CR 200S south of Columbus. From I-65, take the SR 46 exit (Exit 68) east towards Columbus,
turn south on SR 11 and go about 1.9 miles to CR 200 S, then go west.

http://www.carcnet.org/Downloads/Hamfest2013.pdf
Dayton Hamvention

Repeats every day until Sun May 19 2013 .

Fri 05-16 8:00am

The largest amateur radio exposition and flea market in the midwest.
24,542 people attended the 2013 Hamvention!
Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Rd., Dayton OH

www.hamvention.org

Indianapolis Hamfest

Sat 07-12 6:00am

The 2014 Indianapolis Hamfest will be held at the Marion County Fair Grounds, 7300 East Troy
Ave., Indianapolis, IN.
http://www.indyhamfest.com/

e Greenfield Hamfest

Sat 09-20 8:00am

The annual Hancock County Amateur Radio Club's Hamfest will be Saturday, September 20th,
2014 from 8 A.M. to | P.M. at the First Church of God, 700 N. Broadway St., Greenfield, IN.
This year's hamfest will include an outside area in a paved parking lot and indoor heated space.
New this year the club will provide VE testing for all Amateur Radio license classes starting at
9:00 AM indoors.

This year will be a tailgating hamfest and admission is FREE
Setup any time after 6:00 AM.

MID-STATE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

The Mid-State Amateur Radio Club meets the THIRD SATURDAY of each month
in the basement of the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency,
1111 Hospital Road, Franklin, Indiana 46131.

See our website, www.midstatehams.org, for maps on how to get to our meeting.

Everyone is welcome; you do not have to be a HAM to attend our meetings or a member of the club.

WAIRDF Club Officers:
President: Jacki Frederick — KI6QOG

Repeater

146.835/ Vice President: Dave Daily - KB9LOT

146.235 MHz Secretary: Rhonda Curtis— WS9H

151.4 Hz PL Tone Treasurer: Linda Harshbarger-KCIGCH
Repeater Trustee: Steve Brown — N9LC

Weekly Net: Sunday evening 7:00 PM ARES/RACES members and ALL RADIO AMATEURS

The Official Newsletter of the Mid-State Amateur Radio Club

P.O. Box 836
Franklin, Indiana
46131

Editor: Robert LaGrange N9SIU

Please send your articles to my email n9siu@yahoo.com no later than the 3" of the month