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Tales Of The Treasure Coast

Spring 2011 Edition

Club Officers for 2011

President: Vince Weal, K4JC

Vice President: Willie Thompson, KB5FKG

Secretary: Richard Jackson, AB4AZ

Treasurer: Mark Poziomek, W4POZ

Director: Wayne Burkett, Sr., KA1VRF

VBARC Field Day Activities

Amateur Radio Field Day will be held the weekend of June 25th and 26th, 2011, and once again VBARC will be participating! Once again this year we will be setting up in the NW corner of Riverside Park. If you're not sure how to get there, just give a call on the 146.64 repeater and someone will be happy to give you directions.

420-440 MHz Amateur Band Safe From Threat Of Auctions

May 19, 2011, Massapequa Park, NY - A delegation of Amateur Radio operators from the Long Island / New York City area met this morning with Congressman Peter T. King (R-NY) to discuss his recent proposed legislation, HR 607, and its impact on Amateur Radio.

Congressman King said that he fully understands and appreciates the importance of Amateur Radio and the service it provides to the community, and that he would see to the modification of the bill so that the 420 - 440 MHz band would be excluded from the spectrum to be auctioned. The delegation included Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, ARRL Section Manager for New York City / Long Island (NLI), Peter Portanova, WB2OQQ, NLI Local Government Liaison (LGL), George Tranos, N2GA, NLI State Government Liaison (SGL), and Jim Mezey, W2KFV, NLI ARES Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC).

"The Congressman went on to explain that it was never his intention to remove the 70 centimeter band from Amateur use. He further asked us to `get the word out' and inform the Amateur Radio community that 70 centimeters is not in jeopardy," said Lisenco.

Lisenco, Mezey and Tranos spoke about the importance of Amateur Radio emergency communications while Portanova, who is also the local AMSAT representative, addressed satellite and other amateur use of the 70 centimeter band.

The Congressman was very receptive to the group, who also extended an invitation to attend Field Day locations in his District.

Applying For Amateur Radio License Plates in Florida

Would you like to get Amateur Radio license plates for your vehicle? Here's the lowdown:

License plates may be issued on automobiles (private or lease), trucks weighing 7,999 pounds or less and all recreational vehicle type units. Cost is an additional $5 annual fee for each original Amateur Radio license plate and $1.50 each year thereafter. Application may be submitted at any time during the year with a copy of the amateur radio license issued by the FCC and proof of Florida insurance to your local tax collector's office. The manufacturer has 45 calendar days (from the date the order is received by manufacturer, not the date the license plate was ordered in the local tax collector's office) to manufacture and ship the license plate. License plates are issued for the current registration period unless application is made during the advance registration period (3 months preceding the owner's birth month or designated registration period). When application is made during the advance registration period and full registration tax is paid, the license plate will expire the following year. Apply at your local tax collector's office.

(Courtesy of the Florida DHSMV website)

Ready To Upgrade?

VE exams are held every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM, at the Indian River County Emergency Operations Center. For more information, contact Bud Holman, WA4ASJ, at wa4asj@arrl.net.

ARES Report

ARES meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM, in the conference room of the Indian River County EOC. ARES program information is on line at http://www.ircares.org/.

Also, be sure to check in to the ARES Traffic Net every Tuesday evening at 7:30, on the 145.130 repeater (used courtesy of the Treasure Coasters Repeater Association). This net is the only local ARES net sanctioned by Indian River County ARES, and is registered with the National Traffic System. It is an excellent way to sharpen your traffic handling skills. Whether you have traffic to pass or not, come join us!

WANTED: Your Excess Radio and Computer Gear

If you have any radio or computer equipment to buy, sell, trade or give away, just send the details to Vince, K4JC, at k4jc@arrl.net. He will post the information to the "For Sale" section of the Club’s website.

Area Amateur Radio Nets

Participate! Check in to a net today:

146.640 MHz (- offset, PL 107.2), Mondays at 7:30 PM: The Vero Beach ARC Net

145.130 MHz (- offset, PL107.2), Tuesdays at 7:30 PM: Indian River County ARES Net

147.345 MHz (+ offset, PL 107.2), Tuesdays at 8:00 PM: Ft. Pierce ARC Net

146.775 MHz (- offset, PL 107.2), Sundays at 8:00 PM: The St. Lucie Repeater Association Ragchew & Traders’ Net

146.775 MHz, Sundays at 9:00 PM: Treasure Coast Weather Net

Is Your Membership Current?

If not, renew today! Dues are due in January and are $20 per year for individuals, or $30 for a family membership. Send your check along with your name, call sign and current mailing and e-mail address to the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 2082, Vero Beach, FL 32961. If you need an application form, a downloadable version in .pdf format is available at: www.vbarc.net/join.htm.

Your ham radio news is wanted! If you have any items for inclusion in the next issue of the Tales of the Treasure Coast Online, please send the information to Vince Weal, K4JC, via e-mail at k4jc@arrl.net, or by regular mail at 420 Grant Road, Grant-Valkaria, FL 32909.

The Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club - An ARRL-affiliated Club Since 1968