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Swiss Days 2017
Swiss Days 2017
Because of there only being one event posted on this page, we're not going to present it in a slide show format, but instead just use a collage type format, instead.
This Swiss Days event was held in Berne, Indiana on July 28th and 29th, 2017. Along with the city's grand celebration, parade, and even several races, Adams County Amateur Radio Club (ACARC) held a special-event station and a mini ham fest at the Nazarene Church, hosted by Pastor Wayne Steury. We had several antennas set up, some amateurs had stuff for sale, and ACARC even held a test session for new licensees on Saturday. Thomas is a brand new tech and is excited to be entering the hobby. Thanks to all of the VEs that showed up for that, as well.
On Friday afternoon about 1:30 pm after checking an app on a smartphone that determined the location of a particular amateur radio satellite, Wayne decided to break out the Chinese HT, attach a "long-range" antenna to it, and took a group of us went outside to see if it could be reached. And here's a video that shows the results.
Below is Terry attempting contacts on the 40 meter band using CW. He's pretty good at banging that hammer, from what we saw. He's also using an electronic keyer that will send out CQ for him in the proper format as he sits there and listens for responses. It takes practice to get code at 20 wpm or better, but at least technology does take away a little of the burden of calling for stations. Terry tells us that he's been doing code for 63 years. How is that possible, Terry, when you're only 42? ;-) Our call sign for this special event was W9A.
Now we have a couple of Marks on the air on 20 meters. The Mark (KD9CES) a red shirt (fortunately this isn't Star Trek!) was at it most of the time that he could be there, but the other Mark relieved him for a little while. Gil (KT9OUT at the time, now KE9F) sat there and got a few contacts, as well, but no photos of him here because he was the one taking the pictures. The really nice thing about operating from this station is that W9A is an extra special events call sign and operators were able to use frequencies that were allotted to the extra class, though it's likely we stayed mostly on the general class frequencies.
Mark, what did you do? You're looking sooooo guilty!! Or maybe it's that 3000 mile distant contact you just made???!!!
Above, Mark shows his line launcher. It consists of some PVC pipe, a few other parts, air for ammo, and a dog ball for a projectile. Some may call 'em tennis balls. Attaching a fishing line to the ball gives us a chance to get the antenna WAY into the top of the trees and gives us the height we need for a decent portable wire antenna installation. Great idea, Mark!
L-R: Wayne, Mark, and PG on Saturday.
Here's some of the gang responsible for making it all work.
We had a pretty good turnout during Swiss Days, 2017. This photo was taken Saturday of everyone except Nelson Clark, who just happened to take the picture. We are proud of the fact that Thomas (count 5th over from the left in the red pants) passed his tech test today. We did have testing on Saturday from 9am to noon and all of the VEs hung in there! Thanks, guys!!!
Unfortunately, in 2018 Wayne Steury retired and in 2019, moved to Colorado. When he retired, we lost the use of the Nazarene Church as our radio and general meeting location. Currently, the only real meetings the Adams County Club has regularly is breakfast once per month at alternating site: Berne Family Dining on Hwy 27 in Berne and West End Restaurant on West Monroe Street in Decatur. If you need more info, you can use the contact info below (use Adams County RC as the subject) or join us on our Monday evening net at 8 PM Eastern on the Berne, Indiana repeater at 146.97 MHz with a negative offset and Private Line (PL) tone of 97.4 Hz. EchoLink node 808685.
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