Tales Of The Treasure Coast
Spring 2010 Edition
Club Officers for 2010
President: Vince Weal, K4JC
Vice President: Willie Thompson, KB5FKG
Secretary: Richard Jackson, AB4AZ
Treasurer: Mark Poziomek, W4POZ
Director: Wayne Burkett, Sr., KA1VRF
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)
VBARC Special Event Station from Pelican Island Wildlife Festival A Great Success
The 18th Annual Pelican Island Wildlife Festival was held on Saturday, March 13, and the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club operated a Special Event Station from the Pelican Island park along Jungle Trail. Participating in the Special Event were Eric KF4UJO, Willie KB5FKG, Ralph NG1S, Richard AB4AZ, Bud WA4ASJ, Newt KD4RS, and Vince K4JC. Band conditions weren't the best, but despite the challenges the group made plenty of contacts, as well as demonstrating Amateur Radio to several curious visitors. Many thanks to Eric, KF4UJO, for coordinating the event!
Free IARU Locator Maps
Free IARU locator maps are available in PDF format for downloading. Maps are available for many nations on all continents. The U.S. map includes Hawaii and Alaska. You can find them at http://iarumapsrussia.webs.com.
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:
53.330 MHz (- offset, PL 100.0), Mondays at 7:00 PM: Vero Beach 6-Meter Ragchew & Traders’ Net
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
