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DECEMBER 2012
Vol. 37, # 12
WACOM President’s Message—2
WACOM General Information—3
WACOM Meeting Minutes - 4
Upcoming Events—5
WACOM DX Corner—6
WACOM HAMFEST SPECIAL! – 7-9
New 145.49 Repeater Tower & Antenna! - 10
DXpedition Feature — Bermuda!—11-12
WACOM Christmas Party! -13
WACOM Renewal Form - 14
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
DXpedition Feature: VP9 - Bermuda ! Happy Holidays!! WACOM
HAMFEST 2012!
THE
WACOM
HAM
RUDOLPH!!!!!
HOW did you NOT
see WA3COM’s BIG
Yagi antenna??!!!
Ooops!
You
idiot!
Ouch! Ahhgg!
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WACOM President’s Message - December 2012
Here it is December already... Time to give thanks for
a great year. Together as a group we did many things
right.
Our radio classes have assisted 12 more into this ex-
citing hobby/service.....and WACOM.
Our service to the community included providing
safety communications for two race events.
Our commitment for both future education and operating, led to
the new Radio Room, which
is hours away from completion. Hi speed Internet as well as a
tower will enhance the capabil-
ity of the new radio "cave.". If you visited the room prior to
our renovations, you'll be quite
impressed.
Our radio tower trailer , (did you know we have one ? ) is being
sandblasted and refinished.
"Our" repeater systems have been greatly enhanced, BIGTIME.
The 79 system was relocated to a superior location, with a Hugh
coverage gain, additionally a
machine in Scenery Hill will light up the Mon valley and will be
initially tied to the 79 simul-
casting with some enhancements to be added later. A weather
system will be connected to 79
to provide wx status upon radio inquiry.
The 49 machine has been re-up on a new 50 tower...."our"
auxiliary system.
And we added ECHOLINK....
enough....?
My point is simple, if we are going in the right directions, we
need your continued support.
This is not PBS...we have no grants... We have you ...our
membership.
WACOM need you ...to provide the brains and manpower to keep
this ball rolling.
Put renewing your WACOM membership HIGH on your list...
The Christmas Party is Friday night. December 7th. 6pm....
Your can remind your spouse this is non-radio event....no
talkies on the table!!!
A bunch of great food, friends and FAMILY; in
some cases two & three generations of a family !
Bill Steffey. NY9H/3
Bill—NY9H
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Officers
President: Bill Steffey, NY9H;
[email protected]
Vice President: Dave Demotte, N3IDH;
[email protected]
Secretary: John Quigg, N3GHR
[email protected]
Treasurer: Norma Plants, N3YJJ;
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Director: Adam Quigg, NZ3S,
[email protected]
Director: Jim Burtoft, KC3HW;
[email protected]
Director: Bud Plants, N3TIR;
[email protected]
Webmaster: Joe Caldwell, N3XE;
[email protected]
WACOM Ham Editor: Ken Frankenbery, AA3GM
[email protected]
Repeaters W3CYO - 145.490 MHz, 443.300 MHz
K3PSP - 146.790 MHz
2 Meter Net - Tuesdays at 8:30PM on K3PSP Repeater
10-meter net - Tuesdays at 9PM on 28.340 MHz
YL Net - Wednesdays at 7:30PM on K3PSP Repeater
Elmer Net - Wednesdays at 8PM on K3PSP Repeater (immediately
following the WACOM YL Net)
LOCAL TRAFFIC NETS
SWPA 2-Meter Daily Net 146.880 8:00 p.m.
* * * * * * * * * * *
HF WPA Phone Daily Net 3.983 6:00
p.m.
WACOM OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
STAFF, REPEATERS, AND NETS!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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WACOM General Meeting Minutes
1 November 2012, 7:30 PM
Next WACOM meeting 7 December 2012, 6:00 PM!!
FEATURING...
CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Present: Bill S (NY9H), Bud( N3TIR), Norma (N3YJJ), Sam (W3CYO),
Dave D (N3IDH), Paul (W3PLP), JohnQ(N3GHR), Bob Ke (KB3IN), Frank
(KB3AAG), Jim B (KC3HW), Don (KB3YLR), Fay (KA3VOM), Bob
Ki(K14DBH), Sally Ki, Denny (K8DKS), Debbie (KD8KAC), Kevin
(KN4AA), Sally (KK4YL), Jack (KA3ZLR), Allan, Chris, Karen
Bill called the meeting to order at 19:30 PM Reports
Minutes – there were no formal minutes from last month’s
meeting
Treasurer – Norma gave treasurer’s report; Bob moved to accept
treasurer’s report, Kevin 2nd, motion carried
Repeater – Sam says 49 OK, putting tower up; 79 – preamp fixed;
27 – 2 to 3 weeks will be on air
Education – 8 of 9 taking Technician class passed; there will be
another test session at Ham Fest; thanks to Bob (KI4DHB) for
organizing the test session
Nets – Bud has started up the YL and Elmer nets, needs someone
to take over the YL net; Faye – 10 m net picking up; Dave -
public service net has good participation; RACES net at 9:00
Sunday, ARES net Saturday; all times and frequencies for nets
are
on the Web site; question was asked if club nets could start
earlier
Public Service (ARES, RACES) – Dave: thanks to all who helped
with the Labor Day run/walk
Old Business
Antenna trailer – at Frank’s Auto getting painted
Radio room – cabinet built into wall for HF equipment; may get
broadband for free; 30 or 40 foot tower coming; permission
from fire department pending; county may use tower and room for
911 redundancy
Field Day – will be at pavilion at Washington Park; may be able
to use 200’ tower; waiting to hear from county parks depart-
ment; idea put forth to make it an emergency preparedness day to
get more community involvement; have WJPA sponsor
New Business
December meeting to be at Christmas Party, Friday December 7 at
the Buffalo Twp. Community Building
Elections – the following positions are up for election; further
nominations can be made and the election held at the December
meeting
Treasure – Kevin nominated Norma, Faye seconded, nomination
accepted
Vice President – Bud nominated Don, Bill seconded, nomination
accepted
Director – Norma nominated Jim, Jack seconded, nomination
accepted
APRS – Automatic Packet Reporting System – Bill described some
of the activity he observed using this digital communications
information channel
Programs – January – will have program on off-center dipoles;
other program suggestions: packet radio, QSL cards, mounting
mobile equipment
There being no further business, Sam moved to adjourn, Don 2nd,
meeting adjourned at 20:01
Thanks to Bob (KI4DHB) for his talk on the design and
installation of his home made crank-up tower
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2012-13 WACOM Upcoming Events Calendar Meetings, Contests &
Other Significant Club Events (Subject to Change)
7 December 2012—WACOM Meeting & Christmas Party! –Buffalo
Twp. Bldg, Taylorstown, PA
30 Nov—2 December 2012 ARRL 160 Meter Contest
http://www.arrl.org
8-9 December 2012 ARRL 10 Meter Contest http://www.arrl.org
16 December 2012— ARRL Rookie Roundup CW http://www.arrl.org
3 January 2013, WACOM Meeting at 7:30PM, Washington County
Building
5-6 January 2013 ARRL RTTY Roundup Contest
http://www.arrl.org
12 January 2013—WASH 2 M Simplex Contest http://www.n3sh.org
19-21 January 2013 ARRL VHF Contest http://www.arrl.org
25 January 2013 — 27th CQ 160m Contest CW
http://www.cq160.com
7 February 2013, WACOM Meeting at 7:30PM, Washington County
Building
16 February 2013 — 17th ARRL DX Contest CW
http://www.arrl.org
24 February 2013—WASHFest 2012 http://www.n3sh.org
2-3 March 2013—ARRL DX Contest SSB http://www.arrl.org
30-31 March 2013—CQ WPX Contest SSB http://www.cqwpx.com
_______________________________________________________
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WACOM HAM DX Corner—DECEMbEr 2012 (Con’t) COURTESY:
http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxo.html
2012 Dec01 2012 Dec09 Auckland
Campbell Is ZL9HR LotW
DXW.Net 20120329
By VK2IR VK3YP + team fm Campbell I (OC-037, RD47nl); QSL also
OK via EB7DX
2012 Dec01 2012 Dec12 Saba & St Eustatius
PJ5J LotW JH1ROJ 20121104
By JA1MZL JJ1LIB JN1RVS JJ1CBY JA1DXA JN1HOW JH1ROJ fm Sint
Eustatius (NA-145);
2012 Dec01 2012 Dec13 Bahamas C6AGG
N2GG
425DXN 20121124
By N2GG fm Grand Bahama I (NA-080); 80-10m; SSB, some CW
2012 Dec01 2013 Jan31 Bahamas C6AGT AK4BM Direct
VA3RJ 20120830
By AK4BM fm Green Turtle Cay (NA-080); 40-10m; SSB, perhaps
PSK31 + JT65; possibly QRV w
2012 Dec02 2012 Dec11 St Lucia J6 LotW N7UN
20121114
By N7UN as J68UN, W6ABM N7QT W4VAB WB8ISG KA9P W5TDY as
J6/home_call fm NA-108; 160-10m; 3 stations; QRV for
2012 Dec02 2012 Dec18 Curacao PJ2
PA0VDV
425DXN 20121201
By PA0VDV as PJ2/PA0VDV fm SA-099; 30 17 12m; CW; QSL OK via PA
Buro or direct
2012 Dec03 2012 Dec10 Aruba P40CX
K8CX
425DXN 20121201
By K8CX fm SA-036; QRV for ARRL 10m Contest
2012 Dec03 2012 Dec31 Canary Is EA8 Home Call IK1PMR
20121015
By IK1PMR as EA8/IK1PMR and PA3LEO as EA8/PA3LEO; QSL OK via
Buro, direct, or email request; operation to continue until Feb 12,
2013
2012 Dec04 2012 Dec10 Nicaragua YN5ZO
LotW
K7ZO 20121124
By K7ZO; 40-10m; SSB RTTY; Spiderbeam + 40m dipole; QRV for ARRL
10m Contest
2012 Dec05 2012 Dec12 Micronesia V63XG LotW OPDX 20120723
By JA1XGI fm Yap I (OC-012); 40-6m; mainly CW, some SSB +
digital; QSL OK via JARL Buro
2012 Dec05 2012 Dec17 Cambodia XU1A
JH1AJT
JA1TRC 20121127
By JH1AJT; 160-10m; CW SSB + digital; yagi, di-pole, GPs; 3
stations; QSL
2012 Dec06 2012 Dec10 Fernando de
Noronha PY0FR
P PY7RP
OPDX 20121112
By PY7RP fm SA-003; 40-10m; 100w; yagi + G5RV; QRV for ARRL 10m
Contest; OQRS available
2012 Dec07 2012 Dec11 Bahamas C6AVA N6AWD DXW.Net 20120927
By K6VVA fm NA-054; 40-17m; mainly CW, some SSB; 200w;
verticals
2012 Dec08 2012 Dec09 Belize V31NO
W3NO
W3NO 20121127
By AD8J W3NO; M/S, mixed mode for ARRL 10m
2012 Dec08 2012 Dec09 Cayman Is ZF1A
LotW
425DXN 20121201
By AE9YL K9MK K9LA fm NA-016; QSL also OK via K6AM; QRV outside
contest with ZF2YL
2012 Dec08 2012 Dec31 Samoa 5W0KR
NR6M
H44RK 20121127
By H44RK; mainly 20-10m; including PSK modes
2012 Dec10 2012 Dec13 Ogasawara JD1BLY JI5RPT JI5RPT
20121012
By JI5RPT fm Chichijima I (AS-031, WLOTA 2269, JCG 10007, Grid
QL17); 40-10m; CW SSB + digital
2012 Dec10 2013 Jan05 South Cook
Is E51E EB7DX
OPDX 20120618
By 5B4AIF fm Aitutaki I (OC-083, BH01cd); SSB RTTY, perhaps CW;
400w
2012 Dec22 2013 Jan07 Temotu H40FN Auto Buro DXW.Net
20120309
By DK9FN; 160-6m; direct QSL OK via HA8DD
2012 Dec22 2013 Jan02 Namibia V5
Home Call
DJ2HD 20121124
By DL3DXX as V5/DL3DXX and DK1CE as V5/DK1CE; 160-10m; DL3DXX
using SSB CW, DK1CE using CW
2012 Dec24 2013 Jan06 Palau T8CW JA0FOX OPDX 20121112
By JH0IXE fm Koro I (OC-009); 160-6m; mainly RTTY PSK31
JT65A
2012 Dec26 2013 Jan03 Maldives 8Q7MS eQSL DXW.Net 20121114
By HB9TUZ fm Gangehi I (AS-013); 80-10m; SSB
2012 Dec26 2013 Jan03 Maldives 8Q7MS eQSL DXW.Net 20121114
By HB9TUZ fm Gangehi I (AS-013); 80-10m; SSB
http://www.zl9hr.com/http://dx-world.net/http://www.qrz.com/db/PJ5Jhttp://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.ik1pmr.com/http://www.mdxc.org/v63xg/http://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://qrz.com/db/PY7RPhttp://qrz.com/db/PY7RPhttp://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://www.k6vva.com/iota/na054/http://dx-world.net/http://www.425DXN.orghttp://www.ji5rpt.com/jd1/http://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://dx-world.net/http://jh0ixe.idou.net/t8cwhttp://www.papays.com/opdx.htmlhttp://dx-world.net/http://dx-world.net/
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The WACOM Hamfest! - 4 November 2012
Loren, Melissa and Joe helping out The place is filling up
What a crowd! Signing up for the prizes
They’re coming in The line starts here...
Thanks to our volunteers! Fay (KA3VOM) manning the food
section
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WACOM 2012 HAMFEST PRIZE WINNERS
First Prize AMERITRON HF AMPLIFER ---- N3CVL Robert B Hoffman,
N3CVL
Second Prize 46 inch JVC HI-DEF TV ----- WA3OGO GEORGE SYNER,
WA3OGQ
Third Prize ICOM IC-V8000 ---- KB3OYS Cathy Freehling,
KB3OYS
Fourth Prize 1000ft rg 58 cable ---- BELDIN Cable ----- Danna
Pickens WV8G
Fifth Prize ELECRAFT XG3 SIGNAL SOUCE---- Robert Lenfestey,
KB3NZX
I-PAD DRAWING Cathy Freehling, KB3OYS
BLACK BOX WINNERS
YAESU 2 METER MOBILE -- JAMES SECKEL KC8YUI
YAESU 2 METER MOBILE -- JOE PUGLINO AJ3O
50/50 WINNER
GENE KERN KB3GHR
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR NOVEMBER 3rd
2013 same location
To get on our hamfest e-mail list please email us at
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The WACOM Hamfest Winners! - 4 November 2012
3rd prize winner
1st prize winner
5th prize winner
4th prize winner
50/50 winner First in the Door!
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The New W3CYO 145.49 MHz Repeater Tower and Antenna are Up!
Want to show off your shack,
antennas, and/or projects?
E-mail photos and descrip-
tions to Ken—AA3GM
Tim Smith KB3ZKA up top, and Don Smith KB3YLR, on the roof,
installing the an-tenna and feed line for W3CYO/R. Joe Stout KA3MZS
raised the tower last month. Thanks so much, men!
Shane Smith overseeing the work at W3CYO
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Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic
Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest
landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 1,030 km (640 mi)
to the west-northwest. It is about 1,239 km (770 mi) south of Cape
Sable Island, Nova Scotia and 1,770 km(1,100 mi) northeast of
Miami, Florida, USA. Its capital city is Hamilton.
Bermuda was discovered in 1550 by Spanish sea captain Juan
de
Bermúdez, after whom the islands are named. Apparently
uninhabited,
he claimed them for the Spanish Empire.In 1609, the Virginia
Compa-
ny, which had established Virginia and Jamestown on the
American
continent two years earlier, established a settlement on behalf
of the
English colonial empire. Initially, it was administered as an
extension of
Virginia by the Company until 1614, before its successor, the
Somers Isles Company, took over until 1684. Bermuda then
became a British colony following the 1707 unification of the
Kingdom of England with the Kingdom of Scotland to create
the unified Kingdom of Great Britain. After Newfoundland became
part of Canada in 1949, Bermuda became the oldest
remaining British overseas territory.
Although usually referred to in the singular, the territory
consists of 181 islands, with a total area of 53.3 square km
(20.6 sq mi). The largest island is Main Island, sometimes
itself called Bermuda. Compiling a list of the islands is often
compli-
cated, as many have more than one name (as does the entire
archipelago, which has also been known historically as La Gar-
za, Virgineola, and the Isle of Devils.
Executive authority in Bermuda is vested in the monarch and is
exercised on her behalf by the Governor. The governor is
appointed by the Queen on the advice of the British Government.
The current governor is George Fergusson; he was sworn
in on 23 May 2012. There is also a Deputy Governor (currently
David ArkleyJP). Defence and foreign affairs remain the re-
sponsibility of the United Kingdom, which also retains
responsibility to ensure good government. It must approve any
changes to the Constitution of Bermuda. Bermuda now exists as an
overseas territory of Britain, but it is the oldest British
colony.
Bermuda's pink sand beaches and clear, cerulean blue ocean
waters are popular with tourists and many of Bermuda's hotels are
located along the south shore of the island. In addition to its
beaches, there are a number of sightseeing attractions. His-toric
St George's is a designated World Heritage Site. Scuba divers can
explore numerous wrecks and coral reefs in relatively shallow water
(typically 30–40 ft/9–12 m in depth) with virtually unlimited
visibility. Many nearby reefs are readily accessible from shore by
snorkelers, especially at Church Bay.
It is not possible to rent a car on the island; however,
visitors can hire scooters for use as private transport, or use
public
transport.
Bermuda's 2010 Census put Bermuda's population at 64,237. The
ethnic makeup of Bermuda is 54% black, 31% white, 8%
multiracial, 4% Asian, and 4% other races.[2] Native Bermudians
made up 67% of the population, compared 29% non-
natives, however, 79% of residents had Bermudian status. A
significant segment of the white population is of Portuguese
ancestry (10%), the result of immigration from Portuguese
islands (especially the Azores) during the past 160 years.
SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_overseas_territoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Oceanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_coast_of_the_United_Stateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmasshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Hatterashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Sable_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Sable_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami,_Floridahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_(political)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton,_Bermudahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Berm%C3%BAdezhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Berm%C3%BAdezhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamestown,_Virginiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_colonial_empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somers_Isles_Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Union_1707http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Englandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Scotlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Great_Britainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Bermudahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Fergusson_(diplomat)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_Peacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceruleanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Sitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuba_divinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipwreckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_reefshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snorkellinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Bay,_Bermudahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooter_(motorcycle)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda#cite_note-Bermuda_2010_Census-2#cite_note-Bermuda_2010_Census-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores
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Interested in operating from the land of pink beaches, beautiful
scenery, and phenomenal snorkeling sites located only 650 miles off
Cape Hatteras, NC? Here is information provided by the Radio
Society of Bermuda Information for visiting amateur operators!
We always enjoy meeting new friends from around the world and
Bermuda is a great place in which to live, for that very reason. In
order to make your vacation to our island a special one, the
Department of Telecommunications offers a reciprocal operating
license at no cost to the visiting ham. It's easy to ob-tain, as
well, by any of the following three ways:
1) Email a copy of your license, along with the dates of your
visit and the address at which you will be staying (if traveling by
cruise ship or sailboat, just say so). The Email address is:
[email protected]
2) Fax a copy of your license, along with the dates of your
visit and the address at which you will be staying, to (441)
295-1462.
3) You can also walk into their offices, in the city of
Hamilton, and present your information in person. The process
usually only takes about 15 minutes or less.
At this time, only those operators who are General Class, and
above, may operate on the island. It is also important to note you
will be restricted to 100 watts of power during your stay. We
encourage you to use our local repeater systems. Our main repeater
is on 146.34 / 146.94 and it has the option to take ad-vantage of
IRLP. If this repeater is not operational during your visit, please
check out the 146.22 / 146.82 repeater as well.
mailto:[email protected]?subject=Request%20for%20reciprocal%20ham%20radio%20licensehttp://www.irlp.nethttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Front_Street%2C_Hamilton%2C_Bermuda.jpg
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WACOM Christmas Party!!
WACOM’s Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012
@ 6:00 P.M!
It will be in the same location as last year:
Buffalo Township Building off Taylorstown Exit 11 on Route 70
West
Please let Norma know how many family members you will be
bringing with you and
what you will be bringing to share (side dish ~ salad ~
dessert). WACOM will purchase the meat and soft drinks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Again this year we will have the Grab Bag gift,
price not to exceed $5.00.
(Be sure to indicate on the gift whether it is appropriate for a
Man, a Woman, or Either)
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Name: ___________________________________
Address:________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: ____ Zip:_________
Home Phone: ______________________________ Business Phone:
____________________________
Other Phone: E•Mail: _____________________________
Amateur Call: ________________________ License Class :
_________________________
Spouse: _____________________________ Spouse Call:
__________________________
Spouse License Class: ________________________
In case of emergency, for what bands do you have equipment?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
What are your favorite amateur activities?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
What activities would you like to see WACOM sponsor?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
ARRL Member? Y N
Please return completed form and dues to:
WACOM c/o Norma Plants 236 chambers Ridge Road, West Alexander
PA 15376
E- mail [email protected]
Dues: Individual $20 per year, Additional Family Members $10
each
2013
MEMBER INFORMATION AND DUES RENEWAL FORM