Just a reminder that the Mobile Amateur Radio Club will be having its Field Day activities on Saturday June 27 thru Sunday June 28, 2009 from 1:00 PM Saturday thru 1:00 PM Sunday at Fred K. Wright Park on Hwy 43 in Satsuma, Alabama. Directions and a map to the site are in the June Flutter, which you received a few weeks ago.
Please contact Chris Cook at n4sva@yahoo.com for more information. The Flutter, as well as a recent email from Chris, listed the items he needed and what we need volunteers for. Please contact him if you can provide [...] Continue Reading…

This schedule begins June 2009
CAVEC TESTING: For more information, contact Larry Galey, KC4JPD, 625-0235, lgaley1@bellsouth.net, or David Robinson, WA4AVC, 649-5229, wa4avc@comcast.net.  Sessions will be held as necessary and requested. Prior notification with confirmation is needed.

Just a reminder that the Mobile Amateur Radio Club will be having its Field Day activities on Saturday June 27 thru Sunday June 28, 2009 from 1:00 PM Saturday thru 1:00 PM Sunday at Fred K. Wright Park on Hwy 43 in Satsuma, Alabama.

For those who do not wish to partake of the picnic fare the Club is providing, several eating establishments are nearby within a few mile radius of the park.

VOLUNTEERS AND DONATED ITEMS NEEDED!!!

To make this an enjoyable Field Day to all those involved and give everyone a some time, we need involvement from as many Members [...] Continue Reading…

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It’s coming on June 13, 2009! It’s about to cut off the signal to your TV, and most likely you’re not prepared for it!

It’s almost as big a shift in home entertainment as happened sixty years ago when television replaced radio in America’s living rooms!

It’s DTV! Digital Television is going to change the way you watch television, and how you interact with your TV set. You’re finally going to get movie theater quality picture and sound at home!

• Digital TV is also going to reach into your pocketbook! All U.S. broadcast stations will stop sending [...] Continue Reading…

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There are so many acronyms used in defining television technology that is difficult to keep it all straight, and even worse, sometimes the acronyms are almost the same. That’s the case with DTV and HDTV. At first glance they would seem to be very similar, and yes they are definitely related, but there are also significant differences as well.

DTV stands for Digital TV, and HDTV stands for High Definition TV. To understand DTV, you have to go back before cable and satellite TV to the time when all broadcasts were picked up by antenna. [...] Continue Reading…

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Since the first Friday of July falls on the Independence Day weekend, the July general membership meeting will move to the 2nd Friday, July 10th.

Image by laudu via Flickr

On April 23rd, Sister Lucindia Claghorn (KI4ZCJ) was awarded a Volunteer Mobile “Heart of Gold” Award for her advocacy of and work with the mentally ill, in the category of Health & Welfare. The recognition luncheon took place at the Country Club of Mobile, and recognized local individuals and groups for their volunteer community service in several categories. The luncheon included an invocation and proclamation by Mobile City Council member Clinton Johnson. Guests at Sister’s table included Gerald Jones (KD4DLJ) and Brian Naylor (KF4IRC), representing MARC and ARES, and Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Arch-Diocese [...] Continue Reading…

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The 2010 Mobile Amateur Radio Club Hamfest & Computer Show will be held on April 10, 2010, at the Elk’s Lodge, 2671 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile AL.  For information contact Jerry Myers KG4YIA, kg4yia@email.com ;  251-473-5813

MARC Hamfest 2010

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We regret that the Train-The-Trainer Course scheduled for June 6 and 13 has been cancelled due to lack of interest.  This course was offered by the Southwestern AL ARES Group.  If you would be interested in a future course, or wish information on how to find such courses offered in other areas, contact Chuck Miller, KD4NGA.  kd4nga@arrl.net

TO: All Amateur Radio Operators:
RE: Field-Day 2009 – Mobile County

The ARRL’s Field-Day is June 27 & 28, 2009. There will be at least two different sites open to all licensed Amateur Radio Operators. We invite, welcome, and encourage all HAMs to set aside some time during this weekend to join in the fun, fellowship, and the opportunity to communicate with other HAMS throughout the US and Canada.

The first and main site will be at Satsuma, sponsored by the Mobile Amateur Radio Club; for more information see the MARC “Flutter” or www.w4iax.com or contact Chris Cook (N4SVA)  n4sva@yahoo.com (Click on [...] Continue Reading…

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SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX006
ARLX006 ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU
(SK)

ZCZC AX06
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 6  ARLX006
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  May 5, 2009
To all radio amateurs

SB SPCL ARL ARLX006
ARLX006 ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU
(SK)

The ARRL is sad to report that Southeastern Division Vice Director
Sandy Donahue, W4RU, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on May 4. He
was 63. Donahue, an ARRL Life Member, served as Vice Director since
January 2002 and as Georgia Section Manager from 1997-2001. In his
professional life, Donahue worked at a television station in Atlanta
for almost 25 years before retiring.

Licensed for almost [...] Continue Reading…

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ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU (SK) — We
are sad to report that our Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy
Donahue, W4RU, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on May 4. He was 63.
Sandy was an ARRL Life Member and served as Vice Director since January
2002. Licensed for almost 50 years, Sandy received his first call –
WA4ABY — at age 15. Sandy exhibited a lifelong commitment to public
service throughout his amateur career and always supported the ARRL and
the Amateur Radio Service. Before becoming Vice Director in 2002, Sandy
served as ARRL Georgia Section Manager from 1997-2001.

I [...] Continue Reading…

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All available hams are asked to assist with this exercise (Thurs. May 7 — 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) in any way they can and using whatever modes they have.  You do not need to be signed up as an ARES member.  We realize this is a work day.  If you can help by going to a particular location, riding with a response vehicle, or from your home, please contact Patti.  If you are at work and are able to at least monitor the radio, listen when you can to experience what is going [...] Continue Reading…

—– Original Message —–

From: Patti Link

Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 11:11 AM

Subject: Upcoming Department of Homeland Security Exercise for Alabama Region 1

Okay folks. Here is some more information on the exercise May 7th.

As you know, the scenario for this exercise is a Cat 4-5 Hurricane tracking up Mobile Bay causing massive impact on Region 1 of Alabama. The purpose of this exercise is to test communication interoperability. We have been invited to join this exercise by the Alabama Department of Homeland Security.

The preliminary plans call for deployment to each of the 9 EOC’s in Region 1. These nine are:

Baldwin, [...] Continue Reading…

Mental Health America SWA is so pleased to announce that 2007 National Mental Health America’s Clifford Beers Advocacy Award Winner, Sister Lucindia (KI4ZCJ) Claghorn’s book, “Angel of Love – Prayers for the Mentally Ill”, a journal of her journey with Schizophrenia, is available in a book form for Internet download on our website:　www.mhaswa.org The book is free to those who wish to download it.　The book download is on the front page next to the Donate Button, which is available for anyone to contribute toward Lucindia’s work with and devotion to Mental Health America in Southwest Alabama. You may simply [...] Continue Reading…

The annual “Peddlin’ For a Cure” bicycle ride started in Monroeville, and ended in Mobile, Good Friday, April 10, 2009. The annual ride, held each Good Friday, is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. MARC was asked to provide communication services at Hank Aaron Stadium, the finish line for this year’s bicycle ride.
Our station Trustee, William Autry, KI4YZC; and Vice President, Marvin Waller, KJ4BBT volunteered to serve at the event. They were joined by hundreds who came out to support the event. The Mobile Fire Department lifted its huge American Flag, which served as the official finish line. [...] Continue Reading…

“Special Service Award Presented to the University of South Alabama School of Engineering For Recognition of  the Many Years of Outstanding Support To The Mobile Amateur Radio Club ; April 2009″     (ARRL)

A plaque expressing MARC’s appreciation for being allowed to hold our meetings at the College of Engineering for these many years was presented to the Dean, Dr. John Steadman, on April 7, 2009. Presenters were MARC Secretary Charlotte Naylor (KF4RPB) and Trustee Brian Naylor (KF4IRC). The plaque will hang in the Dean’s conference room. Dr. Steadman was a ham radio operator before deciding that he preferred building equipment to [...] Continue Reading…

(From the April 2009 Kerchunker, newsletter of SBARC)

The Lillian Group, LARG, has a site on Facebook.com.   Please let everyone know that they are welcome to join the group and keep up with things in Lillian.

Alan Rundall, K4DEY.   aerundall@gulftel.com

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On the morning of March 14th, 10 MARC members gathered at the UMS/Wright stadium for the SW Alabama District Adult Special Olympics track & field events. Despite the forecast of a high-percentage chance of rain, coordinator Frank Barragan was determined that the games would go on. He has worked with the adult Special Olympics in this area since about 1981 and has only been rained on once. The various events were completed ahead of schedule, and only a brief rain shower caused everyone to huddle under the nearest shelter. It was quickly over and the games resumed. [...] Continue Reading…

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The 2009 Mobile Hamfest will be at The Elk’s Club on Dauphin Island Parkway, same as last year.  Continued construction delays and irresolvable issues preclude the use of The Boys and Girls Club Auditorium.  The Elk’s Lodge has done some restoration work since last year and I expect that it will be in great shape and it wholly meets our needs.
Thank you, Larry Early, Hamfest Chairman.