THE ORANGE PARK SPARK

ARES Emergency Coordinator	Vern Ferris	W4NEK	272-7250
ARES Deputy Emergency Coordinator	Dave Elmore	N4OOE	264-9920
AEC Public Relations	Mary Justino
AEC Training	Chris Jacobs	WB5TWK	264-0850
AEC Administration	Mike Herman	KE4KJZ
Net Manager	Jeff Holt	KD4SVZ	779-7788
AEC/Digital Services	Ray Cook	WD4SEN	284-2665
AEC/Membership	Scott Vey	KG4LUG	269-2153
AEC Logistics	Jim MacKinnon	KB2EZN
Hamfest Liaison	Frank Cates	WA4EWL	269-4958
HF Awards Manager	Jim Iori	NU4Y	272-4212
VHF/UHF Awards Managers	Larry Rich	W1LR	272-1472
OPARC Membership	Pete Lynch	N6PRS	269-3873
DXCC Field Checker	Vacant

FCC to Drop Morse Testing for All Amateur License Classes
NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 19, 2006 -- In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes. The Commission adopted the long-awaited Report and Order ("http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-178A1.pdf") in WT Docket 05-235, the "Morse code" proceeding, and released it December 19. The FCC R&O also includes an Order on Reconsideration in WT Docket 04-140 -- the "omnibus" proceeding. It will modify the Amateur Service rules in response to ARRL's request to accommodate automatically controlled narrowband digital stations on 80 meters in the wake of rule changes that became effective December 15. The Commission designated the 3585 to 3600 kHz frequency segment for such operations, although the segment will remain available for CW, RTTY and data. The effective date of the FCC's R&O will be 30 days after publication in the Federal Register -- most likely in February. Currently, Amateur Radio applicants must pass a 5 WPM Morse code test to operate on HF. The FCC's action will eliminate that requirement all around. (See the rest of the story at the ARRL Web Page)

One Ham’s Reminiscing
by
KB7ZZ

I don't have any words to say..not that I didn't think it would happen --eventually-- but there is an emptiness in my heart..somehow, the soul has been sucked out of a piece of my life...I have the satisfaction..the pride and the memories that a 'novice' to the 'new' radio amateur will never have...he can buy the gear..erect an antenna and 'talk to world'...but he'll never 'feel' the spirit of a 'real' ham ..the spirit of Marconi, DeForrest or Hiram..he'll never know what it was like to wait nights to tune --on some old shortwave radio, W1AW running 'code practice' at 5, 7 1/2, 10, 13 and 22 wpm..just to grab a few letters on my way to learning what a 'didahdit' sounded like after reciting the five letter groups from the ARRL code manual.....sorry, but today the FCC eliminated the hobby of Amateur Radio...its truly now...something akin to a CB Extra Class...more power, fancier gear and bigger antennas....but its the same..just a named it something else...we've lost much more than history...we've lost a stepping stone to technology..and I've lost a friend....its never going to be the same now...oh, I'll still play the game...but the elemental spirit is gone...forever.....We've lost a language that only a few of us can recall..funny thing is ..after we're gone..so will be ended a wonderful era in history. I'm proud and thankful I was part of it --and thankful that I knew you to share it with.dah di dah ..da dit.. dit dit

Well the code tests will be going away soon.  What will that mean? 
Will it be more people on HF SSB?  What bands will become more crowded than they are now?  Well, it may mean more digital and more CW operation
as the phone bands will become used more.  You will find out that by using the narrow modes that you need less power, just wire antennas on the upper bands, and people seem more friendly on those modes.  Even the
DX stations like to ragchew on the digital modes more than on SSB.  I just finished a 20 minute ragchew on 20 meters with a  station in Rome. This was on a mode called MFSK 16. Power was 25 watts on my end. It was
a solid QSO.  Would the members of the club want to see some of the digital modes demoed at the meetings, or maybe some information on how 
to set up an HF station?  This is your club and we are trying to give the members what they ask for.  Maybe an HF net (other than 10 meters) one night a week, or a question and answer net after the Sunday night net? 
Let us know how this change to the code testing will have on your operating and upgrading plans.  
  See you on the radio
    Any band, Any mode, Any time
   -Jake-
  K5WTA

Minutes of December 21, 2006
Meeting of the Orange Park Amateur Radio Club
T’was four nights before Christmas, December 21, 2006, and what before our wondering eyes should appear but mounds of presents for the USMCR’s ‘Toys for Tots’ drive as dozens of Hams gathered so lively and quick at the Golden Corral Restaurant for the December meeting and holiday party of OPARC.
The meeting convened at 7 p.m. with the Spirit of Christmas Present, President Jake Jacobs, welcoming the many members, spouses and their families. Everyone feasted and visited and wished one another the holiday’s best. Talk of people, radios and times past swirled like dry leaves before the wild hurricane flew. With a nod of his chin and laying a finger beside his nose, Jake gave heartfelt thanks to the past year’s officers and directors and introduced the Club’s officers and directors for the 2007 New Year.
Harnessed and installed to OPARC’s sleigh for 2007 are: Barney Brewer (KE4OBP), Jake Jacobs (K5WTA) and Jim McKinnon (KB2EZN) — our Directors; and: Jake Jacobs (K5WTA) President; Dick Bennett (K2LJZ), Vice President, Chris Davis (KB0VB), Secretary and Frank Cates (WA4AWL), Treasurer — our Officers. Welcome and congratulations!
Very special honors were presented to one of our finest —Bob Cheyne (N4ENV) — as OPARC’s Ham of the Year. His services to the club are many and some were cited in his award certificate. Most club members know Bob as our long time RAM Watch coordinator and liaison with the Clay County Sheriff’s office. Bob organizes the Orange Park Mall parking area watch each Friday and Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This community service is completing its 15th year under Bob’s leadership and has quietly given invaluable protection to our community as our friends, neighbors, families and fellow citizens visit the mall in search of holiday gifts and the season’s cheer.
The Club, said our President musing on 2006 almost past, accomplished a great deal with all with the club’s usual activities. Gratefully we were spared the hurricane emergencies of recent years. But, we need to increase our efforts in the New Year and we need to draw as much fun from our hobby as we can. Show the public that Hams truly enjoy what they do. Fun and public service are the very best advertisements for Amateur Radio that can be found. This joyous occasion is, therefore, the right time and place to reflect on what kind of year and achievements OPARC will have in 2007.
Resolve for the New Year to attend OPARC’s 1st Saturday Breakfast at the Golden Corral and the club meeting on the 3rd Thursday each month. Get a new Ham licensed or upgrade to start the New Year at OPARC VEs’ Ham Exams on the third Saturdays of “odd” months at OPHS, West Campus. Attend the fun of Field Day. Don’t forget ARES meets 7 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday each month at Moosehaven too.
…Then (dot and) dash away, (dot and) dash away all …and to all a good night!!
Respectfully submitted,
73 for a Happy New Year,
Joe Warnock, Secretary, “ · · · de AF4WG”

you buy electrical black tape in ten packs.
you've stripped wire with your teeth.
you've told your son that, "One day, all this will be yours", and he doesn't respond.
you'd rather help a buddy put up a new tower than mow the lawn.
you've grabbed the wrong end of a soldering iron.
you start giving out RST reports when you are on the telephone.
the propagation forecast means far more to you than the local weather forecast.
the microphone or visual aids at a meeting don't work and you rush up to the front to fix it.
you tell the XYL, when she notices a new rig in the shack, why that has been there for years.
your watch is set only to UTC.
at night, when you pray, it starts off something like: CQ CQ CQ GOD
DE (your callsign).
you ever had to patch your roof after an antenna project.
Ham radio magazines comprise more than 50% of your bathroom library.
you ever put a GPS tracker in the XYL's car, just so you could watch her on APRS.
you and the XYL took a cruise so you could visit the radio room.
you ever tapped out HI in Morse on your car horn to another ham.
you ever had an antenna fall down.
your teenager refuses to ride in your car because it looks like a porcupine.
you know the Latitude and Longitude of your home QTH.
you go into the local Radio Shack store and the clerk asks you where something is.

I have a brand new Haier 2 door refrigerator/freezer which measures 28”X 62” X 30” freezer on top which I converted to a Kegerator, I installed a dual gauge from a professional kit and I filled the tank with C 02 and put a keg of beer in it and tested it and all I can say is that it works great! It takes a pony keg e.g. 1/4 keg if you would like to see it call me for an appointment call anytime between 9am & 3pm Andy (phone#) 264-3799
e/mail andy_ar@bellsouth.net" price $500.00
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For Sale

1. New in Box never user Astron SS-30 power supply for $110.00.
2. Kenwood TM-G7070A Just over a year old. Included with radio is PG-4S PC interface cable and DFK-4C 13’ Remote cable kit. Total price for all of the above new is over $350.00 Asking $249.00 for all.
3. Radio shack DX-200 General coverage receiver. Radio needs dusting off and controls need cleaning. With a little TLC the radio should work just fine. One of these radios just sold on E-Bay for over $85.00. I’m asking only $45.00.
4. Would you like to try 6 Meters FM? I can get you started. I have a Motorola 99 channel 100 Watt radio to get you started for ONLY $175.00.
Contact Roger WA4UKJ at 904-264-9663 to purchase any if the items above
or if you have questions.

OPARC Calendar

If you're interested in becoming a member of OPARC please fill out the following form and our membership chairman will be in touch with you.

PO Box 1029
Orange Park FL 32067-1029
ARRL Affiliated
Volume 2005 Number 12
Repeaters:	6m: 53.190(-1) Owned by Clay County Sixers
	2m 146.670(-.6)
	70cm 444.50(+5)

President	Jake Jacobs	K5WTA	264-0854
Vice President	Dick Bennett	K2LJZ	278-1585
Treasurer	Frank Cates	WA4AWL
Secretary	Chris Davis	KB0VB
Directors	Jake Jacobs	K5WTA	264-0854
	Jim McKinnon	KB2EZN
	Barney Brewer	KE4OBP	282-4837
Spark/Web Page	John P Smith	KI4RO	john_ki4ro@yahoo.com
Trustee	Larry Filzen	WB4CGD	lfilzen1@comcast.net
Technical	Jim Iori	NU4Y	272-4212
Past President	Jake Jacobs	K5WTA	264-0854