February 2014
A Centennial Year
In May 1914, Hiram Percy Maxim, polymath and inventor of the automobile muffler, founded the American Radio Relay League in Hartford, Connecticut. As the name suggests, Maxim and others sought to organize amateurs to relay messages between distant stations. The Navy claimed jurisdiction over radio frequencies, and they took a dim view of amateur-radio enthusiasts.
So the ARRL added protection of Ham privileges to its portfolio. Maxim himself and other amateur activists lobbied Congress and managed to protect and, over the years, expand the importance of the amateur-radio service. The League is still at it—and much more–going into its second century.
The RVARC is well into this centennial year, too, and much is going on. In addition to the elected officers, three members will serve on the Executive Board as called for in the Club’s Constitution. They are Heath Lerew KF7ZSD, Jackie Wobbe KC7WWJ, and Bob Rogers KG7HPO. The 2014 Field Day Committee includes Don Bennett KG7BP, Ray Abbitt KK6AM, and Heath Lerew KF7ZSD. The Public Information Committee consists of Joe Gunderson, AF7GN, the Club’s Public Information Officer, and Curt Hadley KF7VZV. The club’s licensing instructors are Rick Arens KF7VZ, Dale Troutman N7IXS, Johnny Jones WA6RHK, Bill Shrader W7QMU, Joe Gunderson AF7GN, Ryan LePage KD7RQ, and Curt Hadley KF7VZV. So far, the Membership Development Committee includes Rita Derbas KI6SSQ. We’ll announce members for the Activities (non-Field Day) Committee and the Projects Committee at the February 6th meeting.
There are plenty of places on these committees for anyone to get more deeply involved. Fortunately, with new technology at our fingertips, asynchronous “virtual” meetings and other work can take place mostly online. Each committee member is encouraged him or herself to calibrate the level of involvement–from S1 to S9+20dB. Older members are particularly valuable for their decades of experience and growth in ham radio. So do let me know how you’d like to be involved.
By the way, there’s been lots of good activity on the Peak Radio Association system of linked repeaters (coverage from Yreka to Longview, WA) lately. There’s a net every night, and usually plenty of commute-time traffic as well. The Oregon Railfan Net had its first weekly session on the PRA last Monday at 146.94 (PL 136.5) on King Mt at 20:00 local. Among other recent traffic has been an English ham who has made several visits via Echolink. I imagine that some Echolink or IRLP activity coming from our end to virtually anywhere in the world could really get the repeaters humming.
73, Todd / K7TFC
