ARROW Communication Association

Serving Radio Amateurs in Michigan's Washtenaw & Wayne Counties

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Amateur radio well-represented at Ann Arbor Maker Faire

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On May 25, 2018

In Events, News

By Garry, W8GMD

Jerry Anderson, WB8FXY, and I manned a table at the Ann Arbor Creativity & Making Expo (formerly known as the Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire) in the downtown library on Sunday May 20th while everyone else was basking in the warm sunshine in Xenia, OH 😉 .  We had a fair number of visitors with most of the younger children having fun with the Morse Code keys. There was some interest in the remote demonstration of FT-8 on 40 meters until the band washout around 3:00 pm. I did make a few contacts at the beginning of the day but nothing later in the afternoon. To make these contacts, I was remotely controlling my ICOM 7300.  Everything else went well and we also talked to a couple of inactive hams and others concerning what Amateurs do, and have done  in times of need. 

I was told that we would be outside but as is seen in the pictures we were not.  I’m thinking they think of the area we were in as “outside” the general library area.  It was good that we were inside since it did rain a bit at the end of the day.  Jerry and I were also going to demonstrate 2-way communication on 2 meters but were not able to make it to any of the local repeaters in the location we were in. 

We were also helped by the AACME committee by making us one of the stops the kids had to go by to get their cards stamped.  This did generate interest in some that I think would not have stopped by if it wasn’t for that.  They got some sort of prize or something for having all the things stamped.  So all in all, I’d say everything went well and Radio Amateurs were well represented at the Expo.

Clay Mitchell, W8JNZ, SK

By

On December 15, 2017

In News

Clay, W8JNZ, at the 2005 Holiday Brunch. Photo: Dave New, N8SBE.

From mlive.com:

Claybourne (Clay) Mitchell, Jr., physicist, inventor, and avid amateur radio operator (W8JNZ), died December 8, 2017, in Reston, VA from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 94 years old and formerly a longtime resident of Ann Arbor, MI. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Clay was the son of Ethel and Claybourne Mitchell, Sr. He attended Flint Central High School, Flint Junior College, and the University of Michigan, where he received a BS in Physics in 1950 and MS in Physics in 1959. During the Second World War, he served as a Master Sergeant in the Army Air Force, Engineering Aviation Battalion, Pacific Theatre (1943-1946). Before retirement, Clay was employed at Bendix Aerospace Systems Division, Udylite Corporation, Controlled Power Corporation, Elcoat Systems (PPG Industries), and Detroit Edison (now DTE Energy), where he retired in 1988 as Vice President, Planning, Research, and Environmental Protection.

He was active for several years in the Optical Society of America and the Engineering Society of Detroit. He also served on several advisory committees, including for the Argonne National Laboratory, the Electric Power Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, and the University of Michigan. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Detroit Science Center and the Michigan Energy and Resource Research Association. He also held several physics-related patents. In retirement, Clay enjoyed world travel, cycling, creative writing, fellowship with Detroit Unity and the Ann Arbor Friends, and supporting amateur radio licensing. He was preceded in death by his wife Isabella Ophelia Mitchell (2003) and is survived by his daughter Faith (Archie Brown), granddaughter Alexis Brown, and other relatives.A memorial service will be held January 13, 2018 in Northern Virginia.

On a personal note, I always considered Clay to be one of the “lions” of our club. He, along with Roger, W8ZRF, continued to hold test sessions, even when there wasn’t really an ARROW. In that way, he helped keep amateur radio alive in Ann Arbor.

He was always a joy to talk to. He was thoughtful and intelligent and had a subtle sense of humor. We will certainly miss him.

–Dan, KB6NU

September 2017 General Meeting: Connectors

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On September 13, 2017

In News

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 13th at 6:45 pm.

Location: Rm #2424, Space Research Building
University of Michigan
2455 Hayward St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Please note the change in location effective from March 2017.

The doors automatically close at 7:00 pm. So please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. If you are locked out please give a call on the 146.96 (-ve) repeater frequency.

Maps and Parking info: http://w8rp.org/news/change-in-general-meeting-location-for-march-2017/

The General Membership Meeting will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, September 13th in Room 2424 at the University of Michigan’s Space Research Building.

This month’s presentation topic is “Connectors… Connectors… Connectors…”. We have had some requests from members of the Club about how to solder a PL-259 connector. So we will look at the various connectors that are in use today and how to install a PL-259 and an N-connector onto a piece of coax. If you have any weird connectors that you would like to show off to everyone please bring them along.

Amateur Radio Volunteers Support Michigan’s “One Helluva Ride” Bicycle Tour

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On July 12, 2017

In Events, News, Public Service

From the ARRL News Desk: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-volunteers-support-michigans-one-helluva-ride-bicycle-tour

07/12/2017
Some two dozen Amateur Radio volunteers supported communication for the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society’s (AABTS) 41st running of the One Helluva Ride (OHR) bicycle tour on July 8 in Michigan. The race derives its moniker from the fact that the longer route options pass through the town of Hell. The annual loop tour, which starts and finishes at the Chelsea Fairgrounds, offers rides from 15 miles to 100 miles. This was the 27th year that the Arrow Communication Association (ARROW) — an ARRL Special Service Club — has overseen the communication infrastructure and supplied SAG support (for those “sagging behind”).

“There are many places on the route where cell phone coverage is marginal, making Amateur Radio an excellent choice,” said George Byrkit, K9TRV. “Small beams are deployed at the food stops to provide more reliable communication with net control.” Byrkit served as the morning net control station, while Dan Romanchik, KB6NU, handled the afternoon shift.

ARROW had support from the Chelsea Amateur Radio Club (CARC) and the Livingston County Amateur Radio Klub (LARK). The operation employed two of the Chelsea club’s 2-meter repeaters, which were linked to broaden the coverage.

The hams provide SAG vehicles as well as volunteers to ride along in AABTS vehicles. Among other non-communication tasks, they provide spare tire tubes, foot pumps, food and water, and transportation for those experiencing mechanical failure or exhaustion. Hams also are placed at each of the three food stops.

This year, 100 riders registered for the 15-mile fun ride for youngsters with parents. Some 1,500 riders took the longer routes. No serious injuries were reported.

In addition to Byrkit, volunteers included ARROW President Dinesh Cyanam, AB3DC; George Byrkit, K9TRV; Dan Romanchik, KB6NU; Dave New, N8SBE; Mark Goodwin, W8FSA; Ulysses Balis, N4IYL; Faye Ogasawara, KE8DDB; Jameson Eisele, KD8PIJ; Steve Bemis, W8AYN; Don Winsor, AC8TO; Bob Lyons, KI8AB; Eric Lyons, KC8GBR; Jim Lommel, WD8RWI; Quentin Guzek, KD8IPF; Sam Spiteri, K8NOS; Steve Andre, WB8WSF; Jay Nugent, WB8TKL; Mary Anne Nugent, W8VWY; Joe Glandorf, AC8ES; Willie Peloquin, N8WP; Bruce Freeburger, KD8MFR; Rick Pugh, WR8W; Jim Jagow, KD8TBT; Steve Rogacki, AC8GO; Glen Bowe, KT8KTU; Ralph Katz, AA8RK, and Lawrence Davies, K4ETD.

“These hams drove over 2,400 miles, providing SAG support,” Byrkit said. “Ninety-five percent of the SAG drivers are ham radio operators. The other cars have hams placed in them so that communication with them is possible over the entire route. Ham radio has the benefit of being able to find out who is nearest to someone needing help, unlike cell phones. At least 8 of the vehicles were pinging their locations via APRS.”

July 2017 General Meeting: Summits On The Air

By

On July 11, 2017

In News

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12th at 6:45 pm. 

Location: Rm #2424
Space Research Building
University of Michigan
2455 Hayward St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Please note the change in location.

The doors automatically close at 7:00 pm. So please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. If you are locked out please give a call on the 146.96 (-ve) repeater frequency.

Maps and Parking info: http://w8rp.org/news/change-in-general-meeting-location-for-march-2017/

The General Membership Meeting will be held this Wednesday, July 12th in Room 2424 at the University of Michigan’s Space Research Building.

This month’s presentation topic is “Summits On The Air Program (SOTA)”. We will watch a video presentation by Michael, G0POT about the program and Dinesh, AB3DC will talk about his recent experience activating two 14,000 ft summits in Colorado.

More information about SOTA: http://www.sota.org.uk

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