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N.O.R.M.A. NEWSLETTER THE NORTHERN OHIO REPEATER ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 562, GATES MILLS, OHIO 44040 March, 2000 NEW MEMBERS: KC8EBR RENEWED MEMBER: WD8IYN, KC8BYP, KB8VKG, N8GLU, WB8GED, N8UPZ, K8EMY (SEARC), N8ISS, K8SJV, KB8BLF (through MAR. 1, 2000). MEMBERSHIP: by WA8TPPI want to welcome KC8EBR, Jim Barnes, as a new member. We appreciate your joining our group. I also want to thank those that renewed their memberships. Your continued support is encouraging. Again, the date of your last dues contribution is on the mailing label after your name and call, and, again, the dues are whatever you can afford or feel appropriate for you. Don’t forget to let me know if you have a new call or if someone else in your family (at the same address) gets a new call. Please put your call on your checks. Changes in address are also appreciated. Thanks. Also PLEASE ask a friend or new ham using the repeater to join our group. REPEATER: by WA8TPP Our downtown repeater, 146.850- has been taken off the air for a frequency change. When it is returned on the air it will be on 146.670- . The reason for the change in frequency is that we swapped frequencies with QCWA so that they could get their repeater on the air without interference with Millersburg’s machine. We are contemplating purchasing a brand new repeater which should make things much better in regard to interference from pagers, etc. Please bear with us until we get things going again. No date for the implementation is available as yet. Your cooperation is appreciated. GEAUGA’S SHERIFF NEWS: by KA8YNO The Geauga County Sheriff’s Department has installed amateur radio equipment in the Dispatch Center. Equipment installed was a Alinco 2M- 73 CM and Alinco HF rig including 6M. This will give the Sheriff’s Office the capability to monitor our repeaters in the event of severe weather and other emergencies. There are currently four (4) employees that are licensed amateurs, including the Sheriff, Red Simons, K8JFE. If an emergency occurs more help will be needed in manning the positions. If anyone would like to help please let me know so that proper training can be given. My phone number is......... You may also contact WA8TPP for further information. SPRING STORMS: by KA8YNO Spring is on the way. That means thunderstorms and lightning are near. ARE YOU PREPARED? I recently purchased from my local electrical store protection for my main electric box. This device mounts next to the main box and connects to the main and the ground. When the voltage exceeds 140 volts they start to conduct to ground keeping the line voltage to your house, including your ham equipment, from getting too high and smoking everything including your ham gear. If the voltage gets too high then it will trip the main breakers saving everything. It costs less than $25 and is well worth it. LICENSE RESTRUCTURING: by WA8TPP As you all probably know by now the FCC has issued their license restructuring effective 15 April 2000. As of the 15th of April there will be only three classes of licenses issued. Entry level will be the Technical Class, then the General Class and the top one will be the Amateur Extra. There will be only four test elements. Element 1 is a 5 WPM code test required for the General and Amateur Extra license. Element 2 is the Technician Class theory test, Element 3 is the General Class theory test, and Element 4 is the Amateur Extra theory test. Current Technician and Technician Plus that held their Technican license prior to March 21. 1987 may claim credit for the new General Class license on or after April 15, 2000. They will have to upgrade at a VE test, complete the new Form 605 and pay the current fee. Documentation that your Technical license was issued prior to the cut-off day will be required. A copy of your license issued prior to the date or other documentation will suffice. The Advance Class license will no longer be issued but current holders will be able to continue using and renewing their license indefinitely. Please see the complete article in the February, 2000 issue of QST, page 68, for the complete scoop. This will effect everyone just as the new ULS has. GRAPH: by W8OKE Attached you will find a graph showing the distance that can be expected between sited on 2M depending on antenna and power output. If you have any questions Ed, W8OKE, can help you out. We, the directors, hope you and yours are having a great year 2000. 73 |