ARRL Midwest Division Newsletter August 2018 · 2018. 8. 1. · ARRL Midwest Div. Newsletter — Aug. 2018 p. 3 Louisburg Legacy---The Cider Mill Century Ride by Brian Short, KC0BS

ARRL Midwest Division Newsletter

August 2018

Amateur Radio on Kids’ Day in Wichita, Kansas

by Richard Johnson, K0RCJ

Kids got to experience the fun of amateur radio on Kids’ Day at Exploration Place in

Wichita, KS thanks to the Wichita Amateur Radio Club (WARC). On June 16, WARC

members set up a mobile station inside the popular science discovery center. Over the

course of the day, many families stopped by to learn more about the hobby and talk with

club members. Several former hams stopped to reminisce about their experience with

amateur radio. In all, 26 kids accepted the invitation to talk over the airwaves with other

club volunteers at locations from McPherson to Derby. All who participated received a

commemorative card. Others took advantage of the coloring and activity pages at the

table which were geared for younger children.

Kids’ Day Chair Rick Hamel (N0CM) and

Mark O’Brien (KK0O) smiled as one young

man startled with astonishment at hearing

the response to his greeting come over the

speaker. Rick helped the youngest

participant (age 3) manage the

microphone as he whispered his

responses. Another young lady (age 9)

proved to be a natural during her extended

chat with Richard Johnson (K0RCJ) as her

siblings waited their turn at the mic.

WARC volunteers both at the Exploration

Place and on the air enjoyed sharing the

hobby with the kids and look forward to the

next Kids’ Day event in January.

ARRL Midwest Div. Newsletter — Aug. 2018 p. 2

Hannah seems quite pleased with her QSO…. While Sarah got a real “kick” out of hers.

Alan is perhaps thinking about getting his license?


Louisburg Legacy---The Cider Mill Century Ride

by Brian Short, KC0BS

Another Cider Mill Sunday is in the books.

For more than 10 years, I have been lucky enough to be the coordinator of this challenging and

rewarding event.

Each year something new happens that we have never seen before, and as a group, all those

who volunteered to serve the ride rise to the challenge. Missing persons, missing phones and

missing markings were just a few of the fun puzzles we solved this year.

Cider mill is a very special ride, BECAUSE of YOU the VERY special people who share your

time and love to make the world a better place...and by helping your fellow humans with nothing

asked for in return. I believe that's why this ride sees so many repeat volunteers...we have

become a family of helpers and solvers.

It is especially edifying to see new hams like Jack KE0NLL & Madison KE0JAS with only minutes

of radio experience, jump in and learn from some of the most experienced public servants in the

hobby like Duane WA0BVX, a long time cider mill regular. IT is such a joy to see the torch of

public service ignited in the next generation of helpers thanks to the strong example of all those

who mentor at this ride.

You know you have a winner when BUSY folks like Andy AC0CO drive in from COLORADO with

his family of hams to help with an event. It is such a treat to be able to work with so many from

the Northland who make the LONG trip to Miami county in order to serve and share memories

with long time friends once again.

Thank you ALL so much for being a part of the Cider Mill Ham Radio Family. Your dedication

has made so many lives better, especially mine.

Thank you to Duane, Cameron, Mike, Robert, Carolyn, Andy, Madison, Deb, Ron, John , Ryan,

Herb, Bill, Carl, Brian, Jack, Diana, Jeff, Scott, Ray, Keith, Walt, Matt, & Loren.

I look forward to doing it all again next year.

VERY BEST 73

Brian Short, KC0BS


Jack DiPalo KE0NLL & Carolyn Wells, N0CJ

John Capra, KD0EVM


Center in ANSI vests: KE0JAS - Madison Alexander & KC4WCG - Matt May

NZ0F - Herb Fiddick


The End of a Long Day

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ARRL Midwest Division News (64 Years Old) by Rod Blocksome, K0DAS

Recently I received a letter from Pete Varounis, NL7XM, who, according to his business card, is

a “Radio Amateur Callsign Historian”. Now how cool is that? It turns out we have a couple of

mutual friends and Pete sent along a few old documents pertaining to the Midwest Division.

On the following two pages I share an interesting Newsletter from the Midwest Division Director

in December 1954 – Mr. William J. Schmidt, W0OZN, of Wichita, Kansas.



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Scenes from the 2018 Central States VHF Conference by Rod Blocksome, K0DAS

I’ve been a member of the Central States VHF Society since 1974. The CSVHF Society

is devoted to the so-called “weak signal” modes on the amateur bands of 50 MHz and

up. Its members gather each year to share techniques, measure equipment, and related

activities. This year their annual conference was held in Wichita, Kansas. The following

photos give a small sampling of what took place July 27-28, 2018.


A typical VHF Rover Vehicle


Charlie, N0AKC, and his 10 GHz Portable Station


The VHF Antenna Gain Measuring Range

Attendees can bring their VHF antennas and have the gain measured at the conference. Likewise, a second range (not shown) is used to measure antennas on the microwave bands (902 MHz and above). Inside, another laboratory quality measurement of noise figure on attendee low-noise preamplifiers is performed. The society publishes the Proceedings containing technical articles submitted by the members and is available at the conference. Other activities include a series of technical talks and concurrently a session called “VHF 101” which is geared to those new to the world above 50 MHz weak signal modes.


The Grid Square Map of the U.S. Shows the Attendees Home QTH

For additional information on the Central States VHF Society, go to www.CSVHF.org If this facet of amateur radio is of interest, the 2019 Conference will again be located within the ARRL Midwest Division – in Lincoln, Nebraska.

http://www.csvhf.org/


Midwest Division ARRL Hamfests & Conventions

08/04/2018 | Midwest Division Convention Location: Linn County Fair Grounds at Central City, IA Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club Website: www.ARRLMidwestConvention.org

08/12/2018 | SCARC Hamfest Location: O'Fallon, MO Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: St. Charles Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.wb0hsi.org

08/19/2018 | Kansas State Convention Location: Salina, KS Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Central Kansas Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.w0cy.org/

08/24/2018 | 29th Annual Joplin Hamfest Location: Joplin, MO Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Joplin Amateur Radio Club Website: http://joplinhamfest.org

09/08/2018 | AK-SAR-BEN ARC Flea-Esta Location: Springfield, NE Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: AK-SAR-BEN Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.aksarbenarc.org

09/29/2018 | Iowa Great Lakes ARC Hamfest Location: Milford, IA Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Iowa Great Lakes Amateur Radio Club Website: http://gt9650.wixsite.com/iglarc

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/midwest-division-convention-2

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/scarc-hamfest-4

http://www.wb0hsi.org/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-7

http://www.w0cy.org/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/29th-annual-joplin-hamfest

http://joplinhamfest.org/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ak-sar-ben-arc-flea-esta-4

http://www.aksarbenarc.org/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-great-lakes-arc-hamfest

http://gt9650.wixsite.com/iglarc


10/06/2018 | Wichita Area Hamfest Location: Wichita, KS Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Valley Center Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.vcarc.org

10/07/2018 | Iowa Section Convention (Southeast Iowa Hamfest) Location: West Liberty, IA Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Muscatine ARC & Washington Area ARC Website: http://www.MuscatineARC.org/se-ia-hamfest

10/20/2018 | SouthSide ARC Hamfest Location: Belton, MO Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: SouthSide Amateur Radio Club Website: http://southsidearc.net/hamfests-and-events/

10/27/2018 | Halloween Hamfest Location: Kirkwood, MO Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: St. Louis ARC Website: http://halloweenhamfest.org

11/03/2018 | Northeast Nebraska Hamfest Location: Norfolk, NE Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Elkorn Valley Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.qsl.net/evarc

11/03/2018 | Raytown ARC Hamfest 2018 Location: Independence, MO Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Raytown Amateur Radio Club Website: http://K0GQ.com

Midwest Division News and Photos Wanted!

If you have news and photos about events or activities from the Midwest Division, email them to Director Rod Blocksome K0DAS at [email protected]. Thanks and 73, Rod, K0DAS

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/wichita-area-hamfest-5

http://www.vcarc.org/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-section-convention-southeast-iowa-hamfest-1

http://www.muscatinearc.org/se-ia-hamfest

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southside-arc-hamfest-3

http://southsidearc.net/hamfests-and-events/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/halloween-hamfest-4

http://halloweenhamfest.org/

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northeast-nebraska-hamfest-1

http://www.qsl.net/evarc

http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/raytown-arc-hamfest-2018

http://k0gq.com/


Midwest Division Special Event Stations

06/01/2018 to 09/15/2018 | Lewis & Clark 1804 Expedition Jun 1-Sep 15, 0100Z-1500Z, N0HWJ, Orchard, NE. N0HWJ. 14.275 14.250 3.982 3.975. QSL. Don Lallier, N0HWJ, PO Box 303, Orchard, NE 68764. Please send self-addressed stamped business envelope along with your QSL card and QSL information. My QSL information may be found on QRZ under my call.

08/04/2018 | 2018 ARRL Midwestern Division Convention Aug 4-Aug 5, 0000Z-1800Z, K0N, Central City, IA. Cedar Valley Amateur Radio CLub. 28.392 21.362 14.292 7.192. QSL. David Cripe, 118 Hilltop Dr NE, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. www.ARRLMidwestConvention.org

08/11/2018 | Offutt AFB Air and Space Show Aug 11-Aug 12, 1400Z-2200Z, K0F, Council Bluffs, IA. Southwest Iowa Amateur Radio Club. 7.250. Certificate & QSL. Al Craven, KE0LOL, 1007 6th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Any Amateur radio operator that wishes to Help out please contact Albert Craven [email protected] www.swiradio.org

08/26/2018 | Hollenberg Pony Express Festival, 157th Anniversary of the Pony Express Aug 26, 1430Z-2100Z, K0ASA, Hanover, KS. Crown Amateur Radio Association. 14.285 14.045 7.045 3.545. Certificate & QSL. Crown Amateur Radio Association, 11551 W 176th Ter, Overland Park, KS 66221. K0ASA will be located on the grounds of the Hollenberg historic site, configured as a Telegraph Office for festival visitors to enjoy. This is the only Pony Express station in the nation that has been preserved and left on its original foundation. www.sftarc.org

09/01/2018 | SE Kansas Mining History Special Event #7 of 7 Sep 1-Sep 2, 1500Z-2300Z, K0SEK, Pittsburg, KS. Southeast Kansas Amateur Radio Club. 14.260 7.225 14.070. Certificate & QSL. K0SEK attn JEFF, 409 W Quincy St, Pittsburg, KS 66762. https://www.sekarc.net/p/sek-mining.html

09/08/2018 | William Becknell Santa Fe Trail Heritage Days Special Event -- Founder of the Santa Fe Trail Sep 8-Sep 9, 1400Z-2200Z, WB0SFT, Overland Park, KS. William Becknell Santa Fe Trail Heritage Days. 21.365 14.265 7.265 3.865 1.830; SSB CW FT8. Certificate & QSL. Please see website for information, on how to receive your certificate or QSL, and for updated information, Overland Park, KS 66204. Certificate and QSL available from website after the event. www.wb0sft.org

http://www.arrlmidwestconvention.org/

http://www.swiradio.org/

http://www.sftarc.org/

https://www.sekarc.net/p/sek-mining.html

http://www.wb0sft.org/

ARRL Midwest Division Leadership

Director: Rod Blocksome K0DAS

[email protected] 319-393-8022

Vice Director: Art Zygielbaum K0AIZ

[email protected] 402-421-0839

Iowa Section Manager: Bob McCaffrey, K 0CY

Kansas Section Manager: Ron Cowan, KB0DTI

Missouri Section Manager: Cecil Higgins, AC0HA

Nebraska Section Manager: Matt Anderson, KA0BOJ

DX Advisory Committee: John Yodis, K2VV (MO)

Emergency Communications Advisory Committee: Reynolds Davis, K 0GND (NE)

Contest Advisory Committee: Glenn Johnson, W0GJ (IA)

Midwest Division Volunteer Counsel: Craig Long, K0CSL (IA)

Division Legislative Action Chair: Mike Edwards, WB9M (MO)

Legislative Action Coordinators: Nick Critelli, K 0PCG (IA); Bruce Frahm, K0BJ (KS &

NE); Mike Edwards, WB9M (MO).

Assistant Directors (Missouri): Paul Haefner K 0JPL, Dave Propper K2DP, Kent Trimble K9ZTV, Roger Volk K0GOB, Cecil Higgins AC0HA, John Frederick N8GOU, Eric Zust W0TT, Randy Schulze KD0HKD, and Ron Lowrance, K4SX.

Assistant Directors (Kansas): Mike Albers K 0FJ, Jim Andera K0NK, Bill Henderson K0VBU, Charlie Hett K0THN, Brian Short KC0BS, Richard Johnson K0RCJ, Rick Tucker W0RT, and Jon Jones N0JK.

Assistant Directors (Iowa): Tim Busch N0CKR, C.W. Pantel K0IIR, and Jim Spencer W0SR

Assistant Directors (Nebraska): Reynolds Davis K0GND, Joe Eisenberg K0NEB, Allen Harpham WD0DXD, and Todd LeMense KK0DX.

Midwest Division Webmaster: Steve Schmitz W0SJS email: [email protected]

Midwest Division’s website: http://www.arrlmidwest.org/

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.arrlmidwest.org/

ARRL Midwest Division Newsletter August 2018 · 2018. 8. 1. · ARRL Midwest Div. Newsletter — Aug. 2018 p. 3 Louisburg Legacy---The Cider Mill Century Ride by Brian Short, KC0BS

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