HAMFEST UPDATE

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their help in making the Monroe hamfest a success. I was quite concerned with the high fuel costs, change of date and overall decline of hamfests across the nation, but all in all it went very well.

The Sign Man said he WILL return, as well as MCM computers.

If you see Jerry Darnell, AD5AQ (Palmetto Antennas), be sure and tell him thank you. I don't know how many knew, but Jerry had a walk-a-thon to coordinate in Ruston and he made a special effort to support our event and be in two places at once. He really went above and beyond to make sure that we had a coax, connector and antenna vendor and he deserves a special round of applause for his outstanding dedication. Larry,

N5ASA donated a dual band NMO mount antenna for a door prize.

B.T., KE5HLT donated 4 maps as door prizes Mark,

K5ER donated 2 grab-its as door prizes.

Kevin, Betty and Jared Fields did an outstanding job in concessions. Mack also helped with concessions as well as two non-ham friends of mine Lanny and Donna Dortch. I was really concerned about concessions since Bessie wasn't able to make it; however, all went extremely well. We had some food left over, but will be able to use most of what remained for upcoming events such as field day. Expense wise, we really didn't have much left that set us back in expenses. We now have a good handle on what and just how much to purchase for future events.

Lynn and Mary also deserve a special round of thanks for all their help not only this year but for as long as I can remember. Mary does a fantastic job in making sure that ticket sales are taken care of very smoothly and that all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed.

Special thanks to Scott, W5WZ for coordinating table sales and making sure that everyone had the spot they wanted. This is a challenge in itself.

Thank you to Duffy for making sure the hamfest was announced on all the major HF nets. He did a fine job with getting the word out to everyone in the region.

Thank you to Kevin, W5KGT for bringing the van and portable tower as well as coorndinating the test bench area. Thank you to Tom, N5KWB for all the updates on the website and spreading the word of the fest as well and for bringing his HF wattmeter for the test bench.

Thanks to Paul, Wallace, Thomas, Keg, Claude, Benson and Mark for helping with setup and cleanup.

Thanks to Curtis for helping with talk-in.

Thanks to Rob Rogers and the Louisiana Linux Team for bringing their group out.

Thanks to Mike and the W5SHV Shreveport Digital Team for setting up a special demo for D-Star.

Thanks to Jerre, Byron, Jeff and B.T. For bringing and setting up the Region 8 homeland security communications trailer and portable tower.

Thanks to Jim Ramsey, John Mussey, Mark Blanton, Tom Leggett and other VE's for helping setup the test session.

I can go on and on, and I probably missed many, but these are the folks that really stand out. Eveyone has had a role in making this event very special and sucessful. You all deserve a round of applause and pat on the back.

We are set for state convention on 2009.

Thanks to Paul, W5PEM for being proactive and getting this done well ahead of schedule.

Mark your calendars for April 25th, 2009.

73 David, W5DSG

The Northeast La. Regional Ham Radiofest is done and seems to have been a great success. I hope all had a wonderful time. Those that won prizes did. I also heard that David's red beans and rice were a smash. The forums were well attended. The test session was busy with several new licenses and up-grades. As always there was not enough on the tables. With the sudden cancellation of a couple of our vendors, all suffered. It was good to see old friends and make new ones. We need to do something about N5NVP walking out with our first prize. W5MRT won the second prize. Grady, KB5SDU left for Natchitoches with the power supply.

I am looking forward to the 2009 Ham Radiofest where I hope we will be the State convention. We also hope the Linux group will be back. I didn't get to make their forum, being part of the testing group and hated that. There was a lot of information to be had. I hope all made it home safely and will look forward to seeing you next year. It may take me that long to recuperate. de N5KWB

CHALLENGE

If you work a station such as PY7/LM5RX for count in the challenge, the contact would go in the 5R grid in the matrix. How are you doing in the 2008 Twin City Ham Club Challenge? Have you even started? I am participating and have a long way to go. Still it has been fun and interesting. What is your opinion? Let me know. de N5KWB.

It seems after last nights meeting, that some are still not aware of the 2008 TCHC Club Challenge. You take a paper or spreadsheet and make 10 columns numbered from 1 through 0 and 26 rows going from a through z. All contacts you make in 2008 after the January club meeting count toward this challenge. Contact call signs are put in the matrix by using the number in the call and the first letter after the number. Examples are N5KWB would go in the box at the intersection of the 5 column and the k row. 7BY4AE would go in the box at the intersection of the 4 column and a row. PY/MX4TT would go into the box at column 4, row t etc.

No contacts made using a repeater or during a net will count. You can get the station to move to simplex or ask a station to stay after a net to be worked and that does count. If you get on the air this year and work people at any time otherwise, they count. Even contest contacts count. So take the challenge and GET ON THE AIR de n5kwb

@@ ARES INFO @@

Don't forget, the ARES 146.550 simplex meets on Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. We hope you can participate.

The GEAR IS HERE!!! The stations are being set up and are already in use. Our profound thanks to David and Debbie for their work toward this end. It was all worth the wait.

GRLevel2 - Radar Software www.grlevelx.com

APRS Spotter Network Site www.spotternetwork.com

Statewide EOC HF Tests: The state EOC in Baton Rouge has suspended the HF tests on a bi-monthly basis. Future up-dates on when they will start back will be presented when available. These tests will be conducted on 7.285 and 3.873 MHz. For a current schedule and results of the tests, visit: www.eacom.org

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