From the Desk of AB9ZI - June 2025 Message

I recently attended Hamvention in Xenia, Ohio.  The population of Xenia is about 25,000, and the unofficial attendance at Hamvention this year exceeded 35,000.  That’s something to tell the next person who says, “Amateur Radio, are they still doing that?” Hamvention was a fun couple of days.   All in one location you have every manufacturer of ham equipment, software, and tools.  Vendors large and small were present ranging from large vendors like DX Engineering and HRO to folks selling one item.  This is the place to see the latest must have radios and accessories.   In addition to those selling, the ARRL has a large presence with staff covering all the aspects of the League’s activities.  This year they were testing HT radios for compliance with harmonic suppression.  George N9LWU had his Yaesu tested.  As expected, it passed.  My Baofeng 5-RM failed.  However, the folks doing the testing said my 5-RM was one of the better ones.  Part of the fun at Hamvention is walking through the flea market.  Here you can find equipment and accessories in every condition ranging from new to ready for trash.  In addition to ham radio gear, vendors had component parts, antique military junk, network switches and patch panels, antenna masts, along with used tools and test equipment.  Unlike previous years the field wasn’t muddy!  Our flea market space was a great place to meet and rest tired feet.  I highly recommend attending Hamvention next year.  And I promise not to tell your wife or significant other what you buy.

Field Day is approaching quickly.  This is our club’s most popular event.  We get to string wires around a public park in Northfield, run generators at all hours of the night, tell our spouses and significant others that we MUST be out all night, oh and make new contacts!  Is there a mode you haven’t tried?  Well come on down to the GOTA station and earn 5 points for every contact you make in that new mode.  It sounds like we’re keeping score, but Field Day is a demonstration of the amateur radio community’s ability to communicate when all other forms of communication fail.  Although it’s not meant to be “a contest” we do compete with other clubs and have always done quite well in the scoring process. 

Please consider learning more about the operation of Field Day.  This is the last year for our field captains Don KK9H and Marty WD9GYM.  I’m confident we will have volunteers to watch, learn, and take over next year. Be sure to contact me and let me know if you’d like to be more involved in Field Day. Our club is a volunteer organization and depends on our members taking part in its operation.

Speaking of volunteers, a big THANK YOU goes out to Brian KD9RFW for stepping up and arranging guest speakers for our monthly club meetings!  Everyone enjoys hearing speakers on all aspects of the hobby.

July finds us outside seeking THE FOX. 

Another well-attended outdoor event testing our skills using unusual looking equipment as we try to locate a hidden transmitter known as the Fox.  Spoiler alert there are two Foxes!  This year I will have five tape measure Yagi antennas for you to borrow.  These were hand crafted by students in the Glencoe Central School Amateur Radio Club.  Or you can build your own by searching Google for Tape Measure Antenna for Fox Hunt.

This October we will hold our club auction.   This is the only fund raiser for our club.  Time to start sorting through your shack and to see if there is useable equipment you can donate for the auction. 

Detailed information about these and other club activities is available on our website, www.ns9rc.org.  Communications Director Udo N0LSR and team update our website daily.  Check it out!