DX Engineering Single Band Low Power Dipole Kit Antenna Build – August 13, 2024 from 7:00-9:00PM

When: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Where: PCARS Clubsite – 705 Oakwood St, Ravenna OH

Cost per Kit: The payment amount for cash or check is $20, while via PayPal the cost will be $21.23
The materials to be utilized for the construction are as follows:
– DX Engineering (DXE-DWK) single band Low Power Dipole Kit
– #14 or #20 Gauge (your choice) Red Stranded Copper THHN Wire
– A Soldering Iron kit will be supplied by PCARS for the construction project.

Builders will be given the option to choose between constructing a 10- or 20-meter dipole. The construction will involve the use of DX Engineering (DXE-DWK) single band Low Power Dipole Kits.

Instructor: John Myers , WG8X

The DXE-DWK Dipole Kits are designed to be user-friendly, with only 6 solder points needed for assembly. The lightweight center insulator and end insulators are essentially printed circuit boards. Once put together, the center insulator can also be used as a wire winder for easy storage in between uses. Both the center insulator and end insulators come with helpful printed information such as OHMS Law, dipole length formula, and tuning hints. The end insulators even double as 6 inch rulers to assist with antenna tuning.

UPDATE: We can only accept 2 more registrations due to limited space. Please make sure to complete your registration before proceeding with payment. You can access the registration form by clicking on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPppzPU0hd4TlDHyn5vTW9u6xfw41Aar9Itlp0deSYAH8gag/viewform?usp=sharing

You can locate the PayPal payment link at https://www.portcars.org/wp/group-builds/

73, Mike – KP4VZ


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DX Propagation

Hey all you DXers:

Frank Donovan, W3LPL has reported that “Some of the best summer solar maximum propagation of solar cycle 25 is likely through at least Thursday”. A good time to get on the air and work some great DX.

73 – Chuck W8PT


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DO YOUR PART by Chuck – W8PT

Being a member of a very successful Amateur Radio Club like PCARS is a privilege and is very rewarding. The benefits of membership vastly outweigh any negative points. And giving your time and talent to this organization, not only benefits the other members, but benefits Amateur Radio as a whole.

How? you say. Well, all you have to look at is the impact that PCARS has had on Amateur Radio. Would there have been a National Parks On The Air event if not for our Ohio State Parks On The Air program? I doubt it. Would we have had the attention of the ARRL and other organizations? I doubt it. I think about all the newsletter awards that the Radiogram has garnered through the efforts of Tom Parkinson. Other clubs have stepped up their newsletter efforts in an attempt (futile at best) to match what Parky has accomplished. And what about what we have learned about the talents of Parky and many others who have stepped up to do their part for the betterment of the club.

In November, we will again go through the process of nominating and electing a slate of officers to carry PCARS through 2025 and possibly beyond. But from what we experienced last November…well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

Do you recall how long it took to get a nominee for the office of President? I believe it was almost a half hour.

We know that the office of President and Vice-President are time consuming jobs. But as has been said in the past, being President does not mean that you are alone in the job. There are past presidents and others that can lend a hand, help direct and simply show you what to do. Yes, sometimes the officers of PCARS tend to moan a little louder that they should regarding the job. That may put others off. But every job has its perks and its pits. And not just the President’s office, but all the offices are very rewarding.

We certainly don’t want to become what a former member, some time back, accused us of becoming… An Old Boys Network. We really want to avoid the old adage of a handful of folks do all the work while others sit back and reap the benefits. If it’s the same individuals doing the work, then how can we NOT become an Old Boys Network. If more members don’t step up and DO THEIR PART, then who do we have to blame. And if we don’t have anyone to fill these offices, then PCARS, this wonderful group of people, will cease to exist as a club. And all the effort, sweat and trouble we went through to form the Portage County Amateur Radio Service will have been for naught. I certainly don’t want to see that happen.

We all have gifts and talents that can come into play in PCARS. So, when the PCARS Board puts out a request for nominees for the various offices that will be open, please consider putting your name into the ring. You won’t have to do it alone.

73’s, Chuck – W8PT


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Inputs Needed For The August Radiogram

It’s time again to collect Inputs for the upcoming edition of The Radiogram!

Have you been working on a project? Made some exciting contacts? Tried something new? Made a change to your shack? Your fellow PCARS members want to hear about it! Share what you’re enjoying in The Greatest Hobby On Earth.

If you’ve never contributed to The Radiogram or if it’s been a while, now is a great time to share something with the club. If you’ve got an outline, I can certainly help you turn it into an article.

Please send your inputs either in a plain old text file with full size pictures to kc8jc@portcars.org by Monday, July 29th.

Thank you and 73!

J.C. Wilson

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15th annual Amateur Radio Mobile Cruise-In Thursday, August 8, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00 pm


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