News for Amateur Radio Operators In and Around Hillsdale County

 

PRB-1 Update: ARRL Michigan Section Manager Larry Camp WB8R reports that Senate Bill 1244 was introduced in September.  The bill would put state law in sync with FCC regulations with respect to encumbrances to antenna structures and is similar to Michigan House Bill 5027, which has been stuck in committee since last year.  Hillsdale County's Senator Bruce Caswell signed on as a co-sponsor.  In the near future Amateurs will be encouraged to write their senator requesting continued support.  ARRL Michigan leadership has a form letter ready for this purpose and will advise when the letters should be utilized.   Click to follow the progress of Senate Bill 1244 and House Bill 5027.  Click here to follow the latest ARRL Michigan Section news.

 

Club officer elections will be held on November 15.  If you are interested in becoming a club officer, check the club constitution on our website for information about officer duties and election procedures.  Feel free to contact me or any of the current club officers for more information.  New faces, ideas and energy are always welcome.

 

To vote in the Nov. 6 general election you must be registered by Oct. 9 with your city, township or county clerk or the Secretary of State.  You can check if you are registered and find information on upcoming elections, including maps to your polling place and a sample ballot by checking the state voting site at www.michigan.gov/vote.

 

The ABC TV show Last Man Standing announced, then canceled, plans for a special event station on October 28.  The show features Tim Allen as Mike Baxter KA0XTT.  Plans called for using special event call sign K6T with 12 licensed members of the show crew operating several band/mode combinations to communicate with fans of the show.  Plans were canceled due to concerns over possible violations of Section 97.113(a)(3) because it might be interpreted as promotion for the show. (announcement  cancellation)

 

Army MARS Chief Stephen G. Klinefelter has implemented a major leadership realignment.  Under the new organization chart, the 11 Regional Directors, all volunteers, will assume the day-to-day management responsibility previously exercised from the Army MARS Headquarters in Arizona. (story)

 

On September 12, Kosovo’s telecommunications regulatory authority created the necessary legal framework for the development of an Amateur Radio Service.  Although not formally assigned a prefix by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Kosovo will use the Z6 prefix. Currently, Kosovo does not count toward the ARRL’s DXCC Award, as it has not been assigned a prefix by the ITU, nor has it been recognized by the United Nations.  (story)

 

The ARRL National Centennial Convention will be held in Hartford, Connecticut on July 17-20, 2014.  The Convention will mark 100 years of the ARRL’s founding.  The theme for the convention is “Advancing the Art and Science of Radio -- since 1914”.  (story)

 

Club Corner

The next board meeting will be Thursday, October 4 at 7pm at McDonald's in Hillsdale (map).  Board meetings are open to all club members.

 

The next Ham Breakfast will be Saturday, October 13 at 8am at Sidekick Café, 4682 Hudson Road (corner of M-99 & M-34) in Osseo (map).  Please come join us.

 

The next club meeting will be Thursday, October 18 at Hillsdale High School (map) in room 131.  Take Bacon Street to Hornet Drive, then turn left at the top of the hill into the parking lot that long ago was the tennis courts.  Use the north entrance by the generator.

 

Don't forget to check in to the Monday night net, held weekly at 7pm on the 147.06 repeater. 

 

Upcoming Events

October 4 – Board Meeting

October 13 – Ham Breakfast at Sidekick Café (map)

October 18 – Club Meeting

October 21 – Kalamazoo Hamfest (info & map)

November 1 – Board Meeting

November 10 – Ham Breakfast

November 15 – Club Meeting and Officer Elections

November 17 & 18 – Fort Wayne Hamfest (info & map)