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“Ask not what your Club can do for you, but what you can do for your Club”
January 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
It is with GREAT pleasure that I have been elected as President for 2019, especially during the year of our 60th Anniversary.
I would like to thank everyone of our new Officers and those who were re-elected for stepping up to the plate. I look forward to working closely with each and everyone of you throughout the year, and I thank you for your support.
This will be a very busy year for the Club and I will be looking for every Club member's help to make this Anniversary year a real success. I hope that most committee chairs will continue in their roles, however, we will need a few new faces to help out.
**NEWS FLASH**
Petty's Island has been QUALIFIED. I want to thank Mark, WA2DIY for his hard work in making Petty's Island a reality. Mark and his team consisting of Bill, NJ2S; Joe, N2CX; Kenny, WB2P; Phil, WA3RGY; Tony, WA2FZB; and Vinnie, N4NNY arrived on the Island at 0800 hours on Saturday, 8 December 2018 and went right to work setting up the stations and making contacts. Word has it that more than 100 contacts including several DX were made. Congratulations and thanks for a job WELL DONE, BZ. Next up is the first ACTIVATION of Petty's Island, NJ-010R on 27 April 2019 be sure to be there.
I do believe that we are in for a very severe winter, and I hope everyone's antenna's are in good shape and up for the challenge.
In closing I would just like to say that I hope everyone has had a joyous Holiday Season and I wish everyone a GREAT New Year.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
February 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
It was really a great treat seeing so many friendly faces at our first membership meeting in January 2019, thank you all for coming out. Now that the Holidays are over we can all look forward to a LONG WINTERS NAP, hi hi. I expect we will be in for a long hard winter this year and I am certainly looking forward to the arrival of Spring, the best time of the year.
This should be a GREAT year for the Club and I hope that everyone will do their part to make that happen. We have a lot going on this year.
The following is a list of upcoming events:
- First, is the Activation of Petty Island, NJ 010R on 27 April 2019.
- Second, is ARRL Field Day on 22 and 23 June 2019.
- Third, is our Annual Club Picnic on 17 August 2019, to be held at the W2MMD Clubhouse.
- Fourth, GCARC Hamfest to be held on 15 September 2019.
Did I mention, we were going to have a FOX HUNT? GroundHog Day : Fox Hunt XIII on Saturday, 2 February 2019 from 1300 to 1400 hours. For more details, contact Jim Wright, N2GXJ, or visit our Fox Hunt XII page.
Oh I almost forgot, pizza night at our June 5th meeting.
I hope that everyone will come out and support these fine events.
I want to mention that the Board of Director's meeting is held at the W2MMD Clubhouse on the third Wednesday of each month at 1900 hours and all members are welcome to attend and see just what goes on behind the scenes.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Herb, KT2Y on his recent appointment as Director, and also Chuck, KD2EIB on his appointment as Trustee.
I would like to welcome our newest member Peter, KD2RDE to the Club. Peter is new to Ham Radio, but eager to learn. So lets all give him a helping hand. I would also like to Welcome back Dennis, K2SE.
I would like to invite everyone to check-in on our HF Club Net every Tuesday at 2000 hours on 28.465 MHz, and don't forget our 2 Meter Net on Thursday's at 2000 hours on the Club Repeater.
Don't forget your 2019 Club dues are now due.
See you all in the pileups.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
March 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Winter is not far from being over and the first day of Spring will arrive on the 20th of March. I can hardly wait.
Winter is certainly not my favorite time of year. I trust that everyone's antennas have survived this brutal winter.
There is only 52 days left before the first activation of Petty’s Island NJ010R. Be sure to contact Mark, KK2L, if you plan on attending this fine event, in order to get on the access list for the island.
There is 108 days till Field Day beginning 22 June 2019. Many volunteers will be needed. Contact Al KB2AYU, if you want to volunteer for either a band chairman, band operator, or any of the many jobs that are needed at our Field Day activities.
If you need a ride to the meeting send an e-mail via the Club's e-mail reflector.
The budget has been completed and will be presented to the members for their approval at this months meeting.
If anyone has any suggestions of ways that we can celebrate our 60th birthday be sure to let me or one of the Directors know and we will take it up at the next board meeting.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to welcome our newest member Bill Sheppard, WA2KMS. Bill is a returning member from 2003.
Don't forget the ARRL International DX Contest Phone on March 2nd and 3rd.
Also, don't forget your membership dues are due by April 1, 2019. You can pay them at the General Membership Meeting or at Tech Saturday. You can also pay them using our PayPal Checkout page.
See you all in the pileups.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
April 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Spring has arrived and none to soon. I for one couldn't be happier. Spring is my favorite time of year. If the winter snow or freezing rain has damaged your antennas now is the time for repair. Please be careful in doing so and why not ask a friend or two to help. Please be careful and think safety at all times.
Now is the time to get ready for the First Activation of Petty’s Island, NJ010R, which is on Saturday, 27 April 2019. Be sure to contact Mark, KK2L to get on the access list and for further details on the island.
Mark has also announced the qualification special event of Rainbow Islands, NJ040, on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Rainbow Islands is located along the causeway between Somers Point and Ocean City. Please contact Mark if you want to help out. See the website page for more information.
It is not too early to be thinking and planning for ARRL Field Day 2019 which is to be held on the fourth weekend in June. Many volunteers will be needed, so be sure to save the date, June 22nd and 23rd. Contact Al KB2AYU and ask about what you can do to help out on Field Day.
Now that Spring has arrived I hope to see more friendly faces at our monthly general membership meetings.
The April 3rd General Membership Meeting is the deadline to pay your membership dues. There are several ways to pay your dues - the PayPal Checkout page on our website; mail a check to our PO Box 370, Pitman; or you can pay them in person either at the general meeting or Tech Saturday.
This month, we welcome a new Club member, Michael Pecorini, KD2RPE.
That's it for now, I hope to see you all in the pileups.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
May 2019
Dear Fellow Members;
Spring has certainly arrived and brought with it some really nice weather. I hope that everyone has had a chance to get out and check their towers, antennas, and feed lines and made necessary repairs.
By the time most of us get to read this issue of Crosstalk, the first activation of Petty’s Island, NJ 010R and the qualification of Pork Island NJ009S, will be history. And kudos for the qualification of Rainbow Islands NJ040S on March 30th. I am sure that Mark, KK2L and his team performed very well.
Congratulations Mark to you and your fine team. Mark, where to next?
Upcoming Events :
- June 1, 2019 : The 3rd Annual Licensing Saturday Class at Cooper University Health Care.
- June 5, 2019 : General Membership Meeting, Pizza Nite - come one - come all!
- June 22 - 23, 2019 : Field Day - Band Chairmen and Operators needed - See Al, KB2AYU to sign-up.
- August 17, 2019 : Club Picnic at the W2MMD Clubhouse.
- September 15, 2019 : ARRL SNJ Section Convention & 41st Annual Hamfest - Volunteers are needed.
I would like to welcome 5 new Club members : Greg KC3NDJ, Ed W2DE, Tom KD2RPF, Allen W2XZ, and Frank N3PUU.
It looks like Jim N2GXJ put together another exciting and fun Fox Hunt on April 13th. Congratulations to the hunters : Al KB2AYU, Vinnie N4NYY, Kenny WB2P, and Herb KT2Y.
I hope to see you all at our May 1st General Membership Meeting.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
June 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
June 1st is the 3rd Annual Licensing Saturday Class. This year it is being held at Cooper University Health Care in Camden. It starts at 0800 Hours. If you know someone who would like to become a ham or would like to upgrade to General Class, or just take the Amateur Extra Class exam, let them know about this class.
June 5th is our monthly General Membership Meeting and as in the past that means only one thing, it's Pizza Night. Please Come One, Come All. Enjoy some good tasting FREE pizza, compliments of your Club, meet old friends, and make a few new ones. It is also our annual Swap ‘N’ Shop. If you have any radio equipment you would like to swap or sell, bring them to the meeting. If you haven't made it to a recent meeting lately. this is the one you should not miss.
Saturday, June 15, 2019 is Kids Day at 1800 UTC until 2359 UTC. This is the perfect time to get youngsters on the air to share in the joys and fun of Amateur Radio. This event has a simple exchange suitable for our younger operators : first name, age, location, and favorite color. After that, the contact can be as long or short as each participant likes.
Kids Day is the perfect opportunity to open your shack doors and invite kids over to see what Amateur Radio is all about. Complete Rules can be found at : www.arrl.org/kids-day.
Only 22 more days until Field Day 2019 (June 22 and 23). Some bands may still be available for Band Captains. If interested in chairing a band, contact our Field Day Chairman, Al, KB2AYU. Operators and set-up personnel are needed. Jeff, WB2ZBN, our Senior Chef-In-Charge, and his Culinary Staff, have a great Menu planned for our dinning pleasure. I look forward to seeing everyone at this most important event.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the 2019 June VHF Contest begins at 1800 UTC Saturday, June 8 until 0259 UTC Monday, June 10th. Complete Rules are available at : www.arrl.org/june-vhf.
Don't forget about the Club's Annual Picnic at our W2MMD Clubhouse. Save the date, Saturday, August 17, 2019.
This month, we would like to introduce a new Club member : Harry Strahlendorf Jr, W3DNQ, a General Class ham from Logan Township. Harry was a member in 2006-2012. Welcome back, Harry!
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
July 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
At the time of the writing of this months message Field Day 2019 has not yet begun, but by the time you read this FD 2019 will be history. I want to thank everyone who came out this year and participated in this very important event. I would especially like to thank Al Arrison, KB2AYU for being our Field Day Chairman; Jeff Garth, WB2ZBN for being our Senior Chef and providing us with the best chow this side of the Mason Dixon Line; and Herb Dyer, KT2Y for being our Safety Officer. I would also like to thank the following Band Chairmen:
- Herb Dyer, KT2Y - 2 Meter Phone
- Tony Starr, WA2FZB and Darrell Neron, AB2E - 15 and 80 Meter CW
- Mark Gottlieb, KK2L - 20 Meter Phone and Digital
- Merrill Brown Jr., WK2G and Willie Ustaszeski, WA2DUV - 20 Meter CW
- Vinnie Sallustio, N4NYY and Kenny Denson, WB2P - 40 Meter Phone
- Sheldon Parker, K2MEN; Gene Schoeberlein, AA2YO; Harry Bryant, AA2WN - 40 Meter CW
- Jim Clark, KA2OSV - 75 Meter Phone
- Jon Pearce, WB2MNF; John O’Connell, K2QA; John Zaruba Jr, K2ZA - Satellite Communications
A hearty Thank You also goes out to all those who came out and assisted in putting up antennas and operating the various stations. Thank You one and all for a job WELL DONE.
Don't forget to SAVE THE DATE, Saturday, 17 August 2019 for the Annual Club Picnic to be held at the Club Site. Come One Come All and enjoy some fine food and beverage. Meet old friends and make some new friends.
SAVE THE DATE, Sunday, 15 September 2019 for the Annual GCARC Hamfest. Tickets are $9.00 each, however if you work the Hamfest purchasing a ticket is OPTIONAL. Many volunteers will be needed to make this event a true success. For more details see Sheldon Parker, K2MEN or Bill Price, NJ2S.
I would like to welcome our two newest members; Linda Murphy, KD2RVH and Will DeCuzzi, KD2KZW. Both hold a Technician Class license and hail from Bellmawr, NJ.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
August 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Can you believe it, It's August ALREADY. Time sure flies bye quickly when you are having FUN. Field Day 2019 is history and how did we do, as compared to the rest of the country? Well we are just going to have to wait until the results are posted in QST come December. All in all, I think things went pretty well, the food was GREAT; all stations were on the air at 1400 Hours and there were no injuries reported. I want to thank everyone who came out and participated in Field Day this year. I have established a Field Day committee, something we have never had before, to discuss Field Days past, present and future and the lessons learned. My intent is to improve on the ways we go about FD each year and to improve attendance at this very important event. There is only 325 days till Field Day 2020.
Don't forget our Annual Club Picnic on Saturday, 17 August 2019 from 1130 Hours until 1500 Hours at the W2MMD Clubhouse site. COME ONE COME ALL - bring your wives, your girlfriends, and the kids. If you would like to bring a covered dish or some dessert, bring that too. I promise everyone a GOOD TIME. We will also be having a Special Event Station on the air, if you care to operate. Our hosts will be Laurie, KD2EYW and Jennifer, KD2EYR.
The GCARC Hamfest is to be held at the 4-H Fairgrounds, Mullica Hill, NJ on Sunday, 15 September 2019 at 0600 Hours. As most of you may already know, this is our biggest source of income for the Club. However, to make this event a true success takes many volunteers. I am asking everyone to do their part and remember if you work the Hamfest buying a ticket is OPTIONAL. Please see Sheldon Parker, K2MEN or Bill Price, NJ2S for further details and to get your name on the list of volunteers. Let's all work hard to make this years Hamfest our very best.
This is your Club and I would like to hear from you and address any concerns you may have. If you cannot make it to a General Membership Meeting or a BOD Meeting, you can e-mail me at
kuffeekup <at> verizon <dot> net or give me a land line, if you care to chat. My phone number is 856-962-7458.
If any member needs a ride to any of our Meetings, Events, or Activities, please post your request with an e-mail via the Club reflector at gcarc <at> mailman <dot> qth <dot> net.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of ARRL's first President and co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, born on September 2, 1869.
This month, we welcome two new members : Jackson Snyder AI2D of Deptford and Philip Mastroeni KD2SGG of Wenonah. Welcome and hope to see you on the Radio!
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
September 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Our Club Picnic is over and what a success. A GREAT time was had by ALL. I want to thank everyone for coming out. I especially want to congratulate Jeff Garth, WB2ZBN and Herb Dyer, KT2Y for an outstanding job preparing all the food. WELL DONE. I would also like to thank everyone who brought a covered dish or dessert. THANK YOU.
September is finally here and I hope that everyone had a GOOD Summer, in spite of all the rain and thunderstorms we had this season. I always look forward to September, the kids are back in school and because it is time for the GCARC Hamfest.
And speaking of the Hamfest many volunteers are needed to make it a true success. Sheldon Parker, K2MEN and Bill Price, NJ2S do an excellent job putting it all together, but they need our help. Please, if you have never worked the Hamfest before, this is the year to do so. Remember, if you work the Hamfest, buying a ticket is OPTIONAL. This is your Club, please help support it. For further details and to volunteer, please see Sheldon or Bill. Did you know that our Hamfest is rated Number ONE in the tri-state area, so lets all do our part to keep it that way.
Ron Block, NR2B, has put together another excellent program for our 41st Annual Hamfest. We will have speakers from many facets of Amateur Radio. See the article on the 2019 Hamfest page for a list of program speakers.
September is a good time to check your tower and antennas and make sure they are ready for winter. However, don't do it alone, invite a friend over to give you a hand and above all, be SAFE.
At the October meeting, we will be taking nominations for 2020 Club Officers and again in November. Please consider running for an office. Ask not what your Club can do for you, but what you can do for your Club. It takes several people to run a Club of this size and your help is needed.
This month we welcome Robert Owens, KD2SIO, Technician Class from Millville as a new Club member.
The Yaesu DR-1X 2M repeater has been replaced with a new Yaesu DR-2X. The 70 cm repeater has had the old analog radio replaced with the repaired Yaesu DR-1. Herb KT2Y will have more information on the repeaters at the September General Meeting.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
October 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Well GCARC did it again, our Hamfest was a big success. We are still number ONE in the Delaware Valley and even the entire tri-state area. I want to thank everyone who gave of their time working the Hamfest. THANK YOU for a job WELL DONE! FULL details on how well we did, will be given at the meeting.
The first day of Fall arrived on the 23rd of September and I hope that everyone had an opportunity to check their antennas and towers and make any necessary repairs in order to make sure they would withstand the up coming months of Winter. I always look forward to the arrival of Autumn as it is one of my favorite times of the year.
Field Day 2019 has passed and I am looking forward to receiving my December issue of QST to see the
final results of our hard work. Did we come in first place in the 6A category? Only the SHADOW knows! Some of us are already thinking about Field Day 2020 and making plans. Next year we will have the addition of a GOTA Station for the benefit of some of our newer Hams who have never operated in a Field Day event. The GOTA Station will be run by John Zaruba Jr, K2ZA.
The Nominations Committee has come up with the following slate of Officers for 2020 :
- President : Jim Clark Sr, KA2OSV
- Vice President : Tony Starr, WA2FZB
- Treasurer : Alan Arrison, KB2AYU
- Recording Secretary : John Zaruba Jr, K2ZA
- Corresponding Secretary : Ron Block, NR2B
- Directors :
- Herb Dyer, KT2Y
- Robert Durham, W2RAD
- Trustee : Mark Gottlieb, KK2L
Nominations for all of the above positions will be taken from the floor during October and November's General Membership Meetings. Elections will be held in December.
The South Jersey Radio Association is sponsoring a bus trip to the 2020 Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday, May 14 - Sunday, May 17, 2020 and have invited us to join them. Tickets are $150.00 (non-refundable). This includes your round trip bus fair and your ticket to the Hamfest. Discounted rooms have been made available at two Hotels. I will have further details at the meeting. If you desire a Registration Form drop me an e-mail at kuffeekup@verizon.net.
This month, we would like to welcome the following 2 new Club members :
Cortlandt Abbott Jr, an Associate member from Sewell, NJ.
Gerald Brown Jr, KD2NKU, a General Class licensee from Swedesboro, NJ.
Congratulations to James Blose, KD2TAT, for upgrading to General Class.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
November 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Fall has certainly arrived and with that the changing of the leaves. Fall is also the beginning of the major contest season. If you have never operated in a major contest maybe the time to do so has arrived. Contests can sharpen our operating skills and also give us a good idea on how well our station is working.
I am deeply sadden with the passing of Ken Newman, N2CQ, SK and I hope that we will all keep Ken in our prayers. Ken was a good friend to all who knew him and he will surely be missed. My heart felt sympathies go out to his family.
I am also sadden to hear of the recent passing of Club member and 10 meter QSO pal, Ron Hermann, KC3FRE, of Warminster, PA. Our sympathies to his family as well.
At our October General Membership Meeting there was an opportunity to nominate your fellow members for the 2020 officer elections. I will be taking nominations from the floor again at our November 6th meeting. If you would like to nominate someone please come out and do so. Elections will be held at our December 4th meeting.
Our Board of Director's Meeting is held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1900 Hours (7:00 PM) at the W2MMD Clubhouse and all members are welcome to attend.
Plans for our Christmas Party are in the works. Full details will be given at November's meeting. I hope that everyone will be able to attend.
This month, we would like to welcome two new Club members : Mark Evangelista, KD2RLF, a Technician Class from Williamstown, NJ and Perry Mayer, W3MMR, a General Class from Chester, PA. Perry is the son of Club member Frank Mayer, W2SDR.
The Fox Hunt scheduled for October 20th was rescheduled because of inclement weather until Saturday, November 16, 2019.
Don't forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday, November 3rd.
Last, but certainly not least, I want to take this opportunity to wish all members and their family’s a very Happy Thanksgiving.
As of the October General Membership Meeting, the current list of nominees for the 2020 Officer Elections are :
- President : Jim Clark Sr, KA2OSV
- Vice President : Tony Starr, WA2FZB
- Treasurer : Alan Arrison, KB2AYU
- Recording Secretary : John Zaruba Jr, K2ZA
- Corresponding Secretary : Ron Block, NR2B
- Directors :
- Herb Dyer, KT2Y
- Robert Durham, W2RAD
- Trustee : Mark Gottlieb, KK2L
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC
December 2019
Dear Fellow Members,
Well the end of the year has arrived. Boy did this year go by quickly, especially for me and I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to serve you as your President. It has been a good year for GCARC and I hope the New Year will be just as good. I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone and their families a very Happy Holiday.
As most of you already know GCARC placed second out of 37 entries in the 6A class for Field Day 2019. I am very well pleased with our efforts. A hardy WELL DONE to all that made it happen, Bravo Zulu. This year number TWO, Next year number ONE. We can do it.
At this month’s meeting we will have a short business meeting, elections and followed by our Annual Holiday Party. As many of you are aware a Motion was made and Second to have the Club contribute $400.00 to help pay for the party, and the motion was passed by the members present. However, donations will be accepted to help with the cost.
This month, we would like to welcome new member, John Wright, AC3FE, an Amateur Extra Class who lives in New Castle, DE. Welcome John and hope to see you at all of our events.
Congratulations to Frank Romeo Jr, N3PUU, who came in first at Fox Hunt XV. This was one of our Club’s largest fox hunts so far, with over 15 people participating. Thank you to Vinnie N4NYY and Jim N2GXJ for organizing such a great Club activity.
DUES will be DUE at January's meeting, so pay early and avoid the rush.
That's it for now. I hope to see you all in 2020.
Here is the final slate of candidates for the 2020 Officer Elections :
- President : Jim Clark Sr, KA2OSV
- Vice President : Tony Starr, WA2FZB
- Treasurer : Alan Arrison, KB2AYU
- Recording Secretary : John Zaruba Jr, K2ZA
- Corresponding Secretary : Ron Block, NR2B
- Directors :
- Herb Dyer, KT2Y
- Robert Durham, W2RAD
- Trustee : Mark Gottlieb, KK2L
Because there are no contested offices, the Recording Secretary will place the lone vote in the record to elect the slate of candidates.
That's all for now. I hope to see you in the pile-ups.
73 es God Bless,
JIM CLARK, USN (Ret.)
KA2OSV
President GCARC