WEBVTT 00:00:09.390 --> 00:00:12.230 Thanks for tuning in. Hamtalk Live will be on 00:00:12.230 --> 00:00:30.170 the air shortly. Please stand by. Thanks for 00:00:30.170 --> 00:00:32.909 tuning in. Hamtalk Live will be on the air shortly. 00:00:33.210 --> 00:00:51.359 Please stand by. Thanks for tuning in. HamTalk 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:53.780 Live will be on the air shortly. Please stand 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:59.640 by. This episode of HamTalk Live is brought to 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:03.380 you by Tower Electronics. For connectors, cables 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:06.920 and more, visit them at a hamfest near you or 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:15.319 call 920 -435 -2973 or online at pl -259 .com. 00:01:47.150 --> 00:01:49.650 Good evening, everyone. It's time for Ham Talk 00:01:49.650 --> 00:01:54.250 Live. It's episode number 111. The Hamvention 00:01:54.250 --> 00:01:59.530 Award winners with NV9L and W1YW on our Hamvention 00:01:59.530 --> 00:02:04.689 preview 2018, recorded live on Thursday, April 00:02:04.689 --> 00:02:10.490 19th, 2018. I'm your host, Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. 00:02:10.550 --> 00:02:13.969 Thanks for tuning in to this episode. of HamTalk 00:02:13.969 --> 00:02:17.009 Live. Tonight, we're joined by the co -chairman 00:02:17.009 --> 00:02:19.969 of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association Awards 00:02:19.969 --> 00:02:24.669 Committee, Michael Coulter, W8CI, and their Amateur 00:02:24.669 --> 00:02:27.689 of the Year and Technical Excellence Award winners. 00:02:27.990 --> 00:02:30.789 And we'll be talking about the other award winners 00:02:30.789 --> 00:02:33.550 as well. And we'll give you a chance to call 00:02:33.550 --> 00:02:37.520 in and ask questions. Take some comments for 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:40.719 these folks in just a few minutes. And last week 00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:44.180 on the show, Tim Duffy, K3LR, was here to talk 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:47.080 about contesting events like Contest University, 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:50.219 the Contest SuperSuite, and the Contest Dinner 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:52.759 and the Top Band Dinner. And if you missed that, 00:02:52.979 --> 00:02:56.439 go over to HamTalkLive .com anytime and you can 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:59.889 listen live. on demand with the website. You 00:02:59.889 --> 00:03:03.590 can also catch us on YouTube and you can also 00:03:03.590 --> 00:03:07.110 find us on a podcasting app like Apple Podcasts, 00:03:07.189 --> 00:03:10.449 Stitcher, iHeart Podcasts, Google Play, TuneIn 00:03:10.449 --> 00:03:13.830 or SoundCloud. Tonight we continue our Hamvention 00:03:13.830 --> 00:03:16.909 preview on the show from now until Hamvention 00:03:16.909 --> 00:03:20.069 on May 18th through 20th. We will preview an 00:03:20.069 --> 00:03:22.590 event that will be happening this year. And don't 00:03:22.590 --> 00:03:25.530 miss our Hamvention Eve episode where we will 00:03:25.530 --> 00:03:27.939 give you all the information for your trip to 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:30.979 Dayton, traffic, weather, parking, busing, and 00:03:30.979 --> 00:03:34.460 more. We'll be live from Spring Hill Suite, Dayton, 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:38.060 South Miamisburg, in the meeting room. And if 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:40.539 you haven't made your reservations yet for your 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:43.439 hotel, Spring Hill Suites does have a few rooms 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:46.780 remaining. Dayton South, Miamisburg, Spring Hill 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:50.240 Suites is the official Hamvention home of HamTalk 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:53.840 Live. Reserve your rooms now at Marriott .com 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:59.639 or call 888 -850 -6391. So get your questions 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:01.879 ready to go. We're gonna have an interview time. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:04.759 And then after that, we'll give you a chance 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:07.719 to call in. I'll go ahead and give you the telephone 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:09.719 number, but it's not quite time to call just 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:12.280 yet. But that telephone number to have handy 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:19.339 is 812 -NET -HAM -1. That's 812 -638 -4261. Or 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:22.160 you can Skype us. We're HamTalk Live on Skype. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.519 And you can also tweet us. Our Twitter handle 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:28.060 is at HamTalk Live. And I'll be back with Mike. 00:04:27.850 --> 00:04:31.189 Val and Chip right after this word from Tower 00:04:31.189 --> 00:04:35.009 Electronics right here on HamTalk Live. This 00:04:35.009 --> 00:04:37.250 episode of HamTalk Live is brought to you in 00:04:37.250 --> 00:04:40.420 part by Tower Electronics. Tower Electronics 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:43.639 has been the Ham's Dime Store since 1978. When 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:46.360 you need connectors, mobile and handheld antennas, 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:49.819 cables or adapters, visit Scott or Jill at a 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:53.160 HamFest near you. Or you can order online at 00:04:53.160 --> 00:05:00.920 PL -259 .com or call 920 -435 -2973. Stock up 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:04.220 on those supplies like PL -259 and end connectors, 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:07.740 SMA adapters, audio cables, soldering supplies, 00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:10.740 mobile antennas, and hamsticks. Their silver 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:13.660 -plated end connectors are even used on the International 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:16.980 Space Station. Tower Electronics carries MFJ, 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:21.300 Comet, Daiwa, OPEC, Workman, and HamPro products. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:25.120 And don't miss their 0 % off sale going on now. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:29.720 Tower Electronics online at PL -259 .com. Proud 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:34.870 to sponsor this episode of HamTalk Live. All 00:05:34.870 --> 00:05:37.290 the information you need for your trip to Dayton, 00:05:37.829 --> 00:05:42.009 it's ham bench and preview here on ham talk live 00:05:42.009 --> 00:05:55.689 Thanks to Scott and Jill at tower electronics 00:05:55.689 --> 00:05:57.910 for sponsoring the show again tonight to help 00:05:57.910 --> 00:06:02.339 bring you ham talk live they will be excuse me 00:06:02.339 --> 00:06:05.819 in Gainesville Florida on Saturday the 21st and 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:08.220 then Saturday April 28th they'll be in Calhoun 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:12.500 Georgia and then Saturday May 5th Cedarburg Wisconsin 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:18.180 and May 6th in Sandwich Illinois and of course 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:20.319 they'll be at the Dayton Hamvention May 18th 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:24.050 through 20th they'll be in building three in 00:06:24.050 --> 00:06:30.430 the spots around 3501 and outside in spots 9113 00:06:30.430 --> 00:06:32.689 and more. That's on the curve just to the east 00:06:32.689 --> 00:06:35.170 of building 3. Look for the big yellow blimp. 00:06:35.250 --> 00:06:38.649 There's even a map that they have on social media. 00:06:38.670 --> 00:06:40.790 We'll have that posted so you can see where they're 00:06:40.790 --> 00:06:47.170 at. Or you can call 920 -435 -2973 or visit them 00:06:47.170 --> 00:06:52.379 online at pl -259 .com. Well, Michael Coulter, 00:06:52.540 --> 00:06:56.819 W8CI, is the official spokesperson of the Dayton 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:59.920 Hamvention, and he's the co -chair of the awards 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:02.379 committee, and he's here tonight on behalf of 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:06.660 DERA to recognize some of this year's award winners. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:10.660 We also have Val Hotzfeld, NV9L, the winner of 00:07:10.660 --> 00:07:12.600 the amateur of the year, and Dr. Chip Cohen, 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:16.980 W1YW, the technical achievement award winner. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:21.850 So, Michael, welcome. Welcome back. Well, it's 00:07:21.850 --> 00:07:24.649 always yeah, it's always a pleasure to be on 00:07:24.649 --> 00:07:26.569 your show You know appreciate what you're doing 00:07:26.569 --> 00:07:30.290 for amateur radio and communications all over 00:07:30.290 --> 00:07:33.670 the world for What's happening in amateur radio 00:07:33.670 --> 00:07:37.410 and your support of hamvention in the other great 00:07:37.410 --> 00:07:42.110 ham radio events in the world? Anyway, I I think 00:07:42.110 --> 00:07:44.449 before we get into the people that are there 00:07:44.449 --> 00:07:47.410 here Val and ship let's talk a little bit. I 00:07:47.410 --> 00:07:50.910 just want to mention the uh the other award winners 00:07:50.910 --> 00:07:54.769 and briefly that um the special achievement award 00:07:54.769 --> 00:07:58.750 um folks there's three of them from um that won 00:07:58.750 --> 00:08:02.930 this together in out of puerto rico uh and i 00:08:02.930 --> 00:08:04.790 i don't know if they're listening tonight i don't 00:08:04.790 --> 00:08:06.610 hope i don't think i've got the power back on 00:08:06.610 --> 00:08:13.009 down there but herberto perez kk4 dcx victor 00:08:13.009 --> 00:08:17.029 taurus whiskey papa four sierra delta and amelio 00:08:17.029 --> 00:08:23.009 ortiz jr Whiskey Papa for kilo echo Yankee and 00:08:23.009 --> 00:08:28.470 they set up quickly emergency health and welfare 00:08:28.470 --> 00:08:31.850 communications immediately after Hurricane Maria 00:08:31.850 --> 00:08:36.330 which was a cat category for storm in Puerto 00:08:36.330 --> 00:08:44.570 Rico and the Club of the Year award went to the 00:08:44.570 --> 00:08:55.470 club actually in Ohio and That is the Portage 00:08:55.470 --> 00:08:58.870 County Amateur Radio Service, PCARS, and they 00:08:58.870 --> 00:09:03.250 were actually established in 2005 and they have 00:09:03.250 --> 00:09:08.870 just an amazing club. I have seen some of their 00:09:08.870 --> 00:09:11.190 weekly news or their monthly newsletters are 00:09:11.190 --> 00:09:13.870 more like monthly magazines. They're just fabulous. 00:09:14.730 --> 00:09:17.730 What they do to carry on the spirit of amateur 00:09:17.730 --> 00:09:21.070 radio in their community and on in almost every 00:09:21.070 --> 00:09:26.049 facet is just really amazing and We are we are 00:09:26.049 --> 00:09:30.370 very pleased to honor them as well. So that being 00:09:30.370 --> 00:09:34.990 said let's go to our technical achievement award 00:09:34.990 --> 00:09:41.129 winner this year Chip and Chip Cohen whiskey 00:09:41.129 --> 00:09:45.000 won Yankee whiskey And he's been an amateur radio 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:50.059 operator for 104 years. I'm sorry, Chip. At least! 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:57.840 At least! 52 years. And he has really been bitten 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:02.879 hard by the antenna bug. But rather than me talk 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:05.139 about Chip, I'd like for Chip to talk a little 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:07.659 bit about some of his amazing achievements that 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:10.149 he's done. And I will tell you that... I was 00:10:10.149 --> 00:10:13.950 at the RCA gathering this year in Pittsburgh, 00:10:14.110 --> 00:10:18.169 wonderful, wonderful meeting and watched Chip's 00:10:18.169 --> 00:10:21.070 presentation and he won actually the overall 00:10:21.070 --> 00:10:23.669 best presentation at that event and I can see 00:10:23.669 --> 00:10:27.909 why it was. So many people just loved it but 00:10:27.909 --> 00:10:32.490 he breaks down a very technical subjects into 00:10:32.490 --> 00:10:36.330 pieces that people can really understand quickly. 00:10:36.590 --> 00:10:40.570 and with live demonstrations to show you how 00:10:40.570 --> 00:10:45.230 it works. So Chip, talk to us. Thanks, Michael. 00:10:45.970 --> 00:10:49.850 And very good evening, everybody. And I'd like 00:10:49.850 --> 00:10:53.049 to congratulate Val, a very well -deserved Radio 00:10:53.049 --> 00:10:55.590 Amateur of the Year. And Neil, thanks for having 00:10:55.590 --> 00:11:00.509 me on. Michael, it's very kind of you to ask 00:11:00.509 --> 00:11:05.399 me to talk about myself. As many people know, 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:08.580 especially who follow QRZ or look at my web page, 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.919 there's a lot of information out there already. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:15.039 What I'd like to emphasize is what we do in Ham 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:19.500 Radio is important. And probably the biggest 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:24.360 hidden gem in amateur radio is our spirit of 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:27.720 innovation. I don't just mean the maker culture. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:31.539 We all... No, there's a very strong and thriving 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:34.820 and wonderful maker culture within amateur radio. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:38.179 But I'm talking about the next stage of that, 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:41.159 which is coming up with new things that we need, 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:45.299 that other people's need, and ending up with 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:49.480 new radio and wireless technology. So much of 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:53.799 what we now consider standard in our wireless 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:57.620 world really has ham radio roots. And it's very 00:11:57.620 --> 00:12:00.700 important for us in the amateur radio service 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:04.240 to understand that's not just historical, still 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.840 going on, it's going to go on in the future. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:11.279 And one of the things that I'm very excited about 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:17.000 in accepting this wonderful award is trying to 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:21.980 encourage others to do their innovation activities 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:27.139 and for us to actively encourage that, to make 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:32.480 it clear that we built this city and we deserve 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:36.860 to help each other and be recognized for our 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:44.940 wonderful innovation culture. I know that about 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:49.080 you Chip and you know you have a lifetime of 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:53.659 innovation. You have a lifetime of experimentation 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:57.659 and dedication to the amateur radio service and 00:12:57.659 --> 00:13:01.580 to even the very thought of innovation and I 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:04.539 like your spirit of when people don't believe 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:06.919 it can be done you're out there trying to get 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:11.200 it done. Isn't that sort of your spirit? Oh for 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:14.899 sure and you know what I didn't I wasn't born 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:19.419 with that. I got that by picking up on the people 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:21.860 that I learned from, my mentors, whether direct 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:25.840 or indirect, and a great deal of that came from 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:29.139 the amateur radio community of the 1960s and 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:32.039 the 1970s. The point is that hasn't gone away. 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:34.899 It's still there, but we either take it for granted 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:37.860 or we just don't emphasize it enough, and I'm 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:40.759 hoping to help. help people realize it really 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:45.080 is there and what we do for the wireless world 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:49.720 continues to be important. Now Chip, anytime 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:53.679 somebody mentions fractal antennas, you're the 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:56.840 first person I think of. So tell us a little 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:00.259 bit about fractal antennas and some of those 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:03.480 patents that you've been able to get. That sure 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.899 now this there's two stories on fractal antennas 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:09.460 one is the what I call a tortuous path of innovation 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:12.740 and that of course has its ups and downs and 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.980 You take a lot of arrows and you throw a lot 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:17.340 of arrows back. I I don't want to go into that 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:20.340 tonight a lot of people already know about that 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:23.679 and have followed it. But the reality is that 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:27.279 if you put all that human dynamic aside and just 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:30.379 look at it as an interesting piece of science 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:34.200 and technology, it ends up being very fascinating 00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:38.159 in itself beyond the personality or personalities 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:44.309 involved. And what happened is I'm also obviously 00:14:44.309 --> 00:14:47.429 tied into radio astronomy, which is my professional 00:14:47.429 --> 00:14:49.970 background. And I went to a conference in Hungary 00:14:49.970 --> 00:14:54.049 in 1987 and heard Benoit Mandelbrot, who was 00:14:54.049 --> 00:14:57.830 the founder of fractal geometry, give a talk. 00:14:58.789 --> 00:15:02.029 And he showed a view graph, they didn't have 00:15:02.029 --> 00:15:06.110 PowerPoints back then, of some simple fractals. 00:15:06.450 --> 00:15:08.850 And I looked at them in my mind and said, wow, 00:15:09.210 --> 00:15:13.389 be fun to make antennas out of that and you know 00:15:13.389 --> 00:15:17.009 sure enough a few months later I went back to 00:15:17.009 --> 00:15:21.110 my apartment in downtown Boston and wanted to 00:15:21.110 --> 00:15:24.009 use packet cluster and I actually built some 00:15:24.009 --> 00:15:26.429 antennas that look like fractals and was astounded 00:15:26.429 --> 00:15:30.159 to see that that even though they made the antenna 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:33.299 size a lot smaller, they still were working very 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:35.740 well and that really set me off on a journey 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:42.320 that is now 30 years old. And yes, to answer 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.700 the obvious question, I do use fractal antennas 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:49.340 at my home station. There hasn't been as much 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:52.669 interest in building fractal antennas in the 00:15:52.669 --> 00:15:54.929 ham radio community as there has been a number 00:15:54.929 --> 00:15:58.370 of other communities but hoping to turn that 00:15:58.370 --> 00:16:00.769 around and one of the things i'm going to be 00:16:00.769 --> 00:16:05.090 doing is is handing out a couple of pages of 00:16:05.090 --> 00:16:09.649 you too can experiment type descriptions when 00:16:09.649 --> 00:16:13.470 i come to hamvention and just handing those out 00:16:13.470 --> 00:16:15.629 to you know get people to come up and talk a 00:16:15.629 --> 00:16:18.210 little bit about it and and get them interested 00:16:18.210 --> 00:16:21.299 and hopefully that then we can bootstrap more 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:26.000 people having experimental flares to play around 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:30.580 with fractal antennas. Sounds great. Michael? 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:35.879 Yeah, well, how many US patents do you hold now, 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:42.740 Chip? Well, 45 is coming out in about three weeks. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:48.039 That is really impressive. Yeah, the thing that's 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.440 really impressive is anyone who's been through 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:52.820 that journey understands it's not just a matter 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:55.580 of coming up with cool stuff. It's a matter of 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:58.299 finding the money to go get the patents and the 00:16:58.299 --> 00:17:02.019 attorneys to get that cool stuff. So I'm proud 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.840 of the fact that almost all of those patents 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:09.019 were bootstrapped from revenues of the company 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:12.759 that I founded. But there's a lot of inventors 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:15.720 in ham radio and they'll all tell you that for 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.640 every patent they've probably gotten, there's 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:20.539 probably eight or nine patents they either couldn't 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:23.420 afford to get or just were not able to under 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:29.380 certain circumstances to pursue. But yeah, how 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:32.079 my brain works, I couldn't be able to tell you 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:35.920 other than it can be very distracting when you're 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:42.950 taking a shower or trying to shave. So quickly 00:17:42.950 --> 00:17:48.089 here, what's next on your inventive horizon, 00:17:48.809 --> 00:17:57.490 Chip? Can you say? I've recently filed for patents 00:17:57.490 --> 00:18:01.789 dealing with fractals and superconductivity. 00:18:02.170 --> 00:18:06.529 and the real problem that is doing the demos 00:18:06.529 --> 00:18:09.529 to get people interested, but I think there's 00:18:09.529 --> 00:18:12.609 a path to doing high temperature superconductors 00:18:12.609 --> 00:18:15.029 that either work at higher temperatures that 00:18:15.029 --> 00:18:17.809 are normally achieved or are cheaper to make. 00:18:19.349 --> 00:18:23.869 Last week we announced a new flat lens technology 00:18:23.869 --> 00:18:27.109 using fractal resonators, which are miniature 00:18:27.109 --> 00:18:29.890 fractal antennas, which is a whole new way of 00:18:29.890 --> 00:18:32.819 doing optics. So those that's that's a flavor 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:36.160 of some of the stuff that I'm up to but You know, 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:38.180 how shall I put it? There's a lot that I've been 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:40.960 saving up and I've been blessed in the last couple 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:45.759 years with a lot of business side success and 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:48.200 that that's That's allowing me to now pursue 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.099 a lot of the inventions that I've put in the 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:53.920 back of my mind for a number of years You know, 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:57.380 I saw a lot of inventors they struggle with They 00:18:57.380 --> 00:19:00.380 struggle with getting maybe recognition. Even 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:02.779 their family looks at them and says, are you 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.500 crazy? What do you keep doing this stuff for? 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:08.119 What is it gaining? What is it gaining you or 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:10.359 the family or whatever it is you're going after? 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:15.230 And do you ever feel any of that? Have you? Oh, 00:19:15.670 --> 00:19:18.029 everybody does. That's a personal question. To 00:19:18.029 --> 00:19:20.930 be honest with you, whenever you have a dream 00:19:20.930 --> 00:19:23.630 and you feel focused that it's just going to 00:19:23.630 --> 00:19:26.569 happen and has to be right and in your gut you 00:19:26.569 --> 00:19:29.250 know it's there, you're asking other people to 00:19:29.250 --> 00:19:31.769 go along with that journey and that takes a lot 00:19:31.769 --> 00:19:34.849 of sacrifice not only on your part but their 00:19:34.849 --> 00:19:38.490 part as well. I've been very lucky that my family 00:19:38.490 --> 00:19:43.819 has stuck with me. And my wife has a Harvard 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:47.819 MBA, so she has that business background. And, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:49.880 you know, there's been several times where we 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:52.099 said, you know, is this really gonna fly and 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:55.220 what should we be doing with this? Fortunately, 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:59.160 we all weathered those storms and made it through. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:02.200 But yeah, it's absolutely correct that everyone 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:05.039 goes to those. For example, most people don't 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:08.450 understand that Marconi... was on the verge of 00:20:08.450 --> 00:20:12.349 bankruptcy five times before he succeeded with 00:20:12.349 --> 00:20:16.369 RCA. And in fact, if you dig out one of the pictures 00:20:16.369 --> 00:20:19.490 that's commonly used, which shows him up in Canada 00:20:19.490 --> 00:20:22.750 getting ready for the transatlantic transmission, 00:20:23.309 --> 00:20:26.109 you'll see the guy's basically, you know, threadbare 00:20:26.109 --> 00:20:31.450 because he's broke. So, you know, this is not 00:20:31.450 --> 00:20:34.130 just historical. It's very common for inventors 00:20:34.130 --> 00:20:37.509 to to go through a trial period or many trial 00:20:37.509 --> 00:20:42.269 periods before they succeed. Yeah, I know that. 00:20:42.309 --> 00:20:44.869 And I just wanted to have that. It had how that 00:20:44.869 --> 00:20:48.069 might have affected you. So, um, how are we doing 00:20:48.069 --> 00:20:50.410 on time here, Neil? Yeah, we probably need to 00:20:50.410 --> 00:20:57.029 get to Val here. Yeah, please. Anyway, my chip, 00:20:57.130 --> 00:20:58.730 I've appreciated getting to talk to you, jump 00:20:58.730 --> 00:21:02.089 in here a little bit more and congratulations 00:21:02.089 --> 00:21:05.380 again. So we'd like to introduce our amateur 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:12.500 of the year, Valerie Hotsfeld, NV9L. Did I say 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:14.779 it wrong, Valerie? No, you said it perfectly. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:19.940 Okay, I heard it. She was first licensed in the 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:25.799 year after she got into it. There was no messing 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:30.960 around. She got into it deeply. I guess the words 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:34.259 that I heard from people is that you became obsessed. 00:21:34.410 --> 00:21:39.430 with de -axing and contesting. And you have been 00:21:39.430 --> 00:21:43.029 now working with New Ham's, Young Ham's, young 00:21:43.029 --> 00:21:46.730 women, teaching them amateur radio, binding them 00:21:46.730 --> 00:21:50.549 to your station, de -axing, contesting. You're 00:21:50.549 --> 00:21:55.430 a co -host on the show of Ham Nation, and you've 00:21:55.430 --> 00:21:58.809 created a lot of how -to videos on YouTube for 00:21:58.809 --> 00:22:02.829 the ham radio community. And you deliver lots 00:22:02.829 --> 00:22:07.210 of... presentations on Skype to the amateur radio 00:22:07.210 --> 00:22:10.710 clubs across the United States and you are also 00:22:10.710 --> 00:22:15.009 a pilot and have been a lead pilot for four major 00:22:15.009 --> 00:22:18.890 de -expeditions. And with all of that, you are 00:22:18.890 --> 00:22:23.029 also the treasurer for your contest club and 00:22:23.029 --> 00:22:27.869 you're the prize chairman for some of the organizations 00:22:27.869 --> 00:22:30.750 and the list just goes on and on and on. But 00:22:30.750 --> 00:22:34.099 you were also deployed in Puerto Rico. and after 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:36.859 the hurricane, and you worked down there, did 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:38.799 a lot of great work. I think you were part of 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:45.740 the force of 50. And even coming up soon at the 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:50.920 ARRL banquet, you are a keynote speaker. I was 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:55.059 pleased to hear that. So anyway, ladies and gentlemen, 00:22:55.940 --> 00:23:06.920 here's Valerie. Sound busy and I work Chips being 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:09.160 very modest. I'm a member of the Radio Club of 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:12.059 America and he was just inducted as a fellow 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:16.119 Was that December chip? Yeah, November November. 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:20.579 Okay. Yeah, that was that's a big honor So congratulations 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:24.000 on that as well chip. Yeah. Yeah, I've been doing 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:27.509 a lot of Skype presentations and in -person. 00:23:27.569 --> 00:23:29.549 I am doing an in -person one tomorrow in Chicago. 00:23:29.609 --> 00:23:31.369 Next week I'm going up to Milwaukee to do one 00:23:31.369 --> 00:23:33.869 as well. I like to do presentations. I like to 00:23:33.869 --> 00:23:37.150 kind of give back because not so much when I 00:23:37.150 --> 00:23:38.950 started off in two meters, but when I got into 00:23:38.950 --> 00:23:43.150 HF I was kind of on my own and I learned things 00:23:43.150 --> 00:23:46.829 really the hard way and ended up just listening 00:23:46.829 --> 00:23:49.450 for a few months before I had the nerve to push 00:23:49.450 --> 00:23:53.039 the talk button on HF. That's kind of why I'm 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.220 real passionate about ham nation and doing how 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:57.200 -to videos and things like that and helping people 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.420 out when they're just starting out because I 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:01.660 Didn't really have that around me. I was involved 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:04.980 in very active repeater clubs up in Milwaukee 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:08.319 and and They were very good and they you know 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:10.299 convinced me to keep going and get my extra But 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:13.460 when I discovered HF and DXing I kind of had 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:17.039 to learn that the hard way until I joined a contest 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:19.339 club and meant some mentors and things like that 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:22.160 and that really helped but So yeah, that's kind 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:27.440 of why I do what I do, I guess. Boy, you are 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:30.380 so modest. You know, you're doing so many. You're 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:33.960 doing so many things and and she can even renovate 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:38.230 kitchens, Michael. Oh, yeah, that was fun. Oh 00:24:38.230 --> 00:24:40.829 yeah. I wasn't aware of that. Well, as soon as 00:24:40.829 --> 00:24:42.630 the day I tore the wall down between the dining 00:24:42.630 --> 00:24:44.269 room and the kitchen was the day I found out 00:24:44.269 --> 00:24:46.309 when I committed, the day I found out the boat 00:24:46.309 --> 00:24:48.369 broke on Bouvet and they were heading home early. 00:24:48.930 --> 00:24:50.730 So I had to really hurry up because it was going 00:24:50.730 --> 00:24:53.369 to be a surprise, but that's another story. Oh 00:24:53.369 --> 00:24:58.309 my, oh my. So let me ask you the same question. 00:24:59.210 --> 00:25:01.490 Where do you see yourself in the next few years 00:25:01.490 --> 00:25:03.289 with amateur radio and what are you pursuing 00:25:03.289 --> 00:25:05.829 now? Well, that's the beauty of amateur radio. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.039 God only knows where I'll be in a few years because 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:11.180 I keep exploring different things and finding 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:13.539 out different aspects of the hobby and just, 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:15.920 you know, morphing off into different areas. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.460 I'm really, I really didn't do that much public 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:20.900 service. When I first got involved, I was a member 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:23.460 of the Kenosha County Ares Group. My daughter 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:26.839 and I were both members. But then when I got 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:29.519 an HF, I kind of let it and then moved down into 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:32.640 Illinois. I kind of let it go, but. Boy, I really 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:35.660 got bit again when I went to help. I helped dispatch 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:38.619 with Hurricane Harvey, and then I ended up going 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:41.180 down there to help. My son and I went down and 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:43.019 helped, and then I helped dispatch for Hurricane 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:45.720 Irma. And then when I heard the call for Puerto 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:48.480 Rico, I was jumping at the bit to get down there. 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:51.640 So you'll probably see me doing a lot more of 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:55.309 that. I'm really enjoying mentoring. So you'll 00:25:55.309 --> 00:25:57.250 probably see me I'm gonna try and get something 00:25:57.250 --> 00:25:59.950 going with the Boy Scout clubs in the area and 00:25:59.950 --> 00:26:02.089 you know things like that So I probably get more 00:26:02.089 --> 00:26:06.549 do more of that within the next few years what 00:26:06.549 --> 00:26:10.269 do you see is the key to getting younger people 00:26:10.269 --> 00:26:14.069 and Especially young gals involved in amateur 00:26:14.069 --> 00:26:20.210 radio You know words of wisdom Well, I think 00:26:20.210 --> 00:26:23.750 when I was scared to get on the air I was so 00:26:23.750 --> 00:26:25.329 afraid someone was going to ask me a technical 00:26:25.329 --> 00:26:28.190 question. I mean, I passed my exams, but I just 00:26:28.190 --> 00:26:34.190 didn't feel confident in my knowledge. Dr. Cohen 00:26:34.190 --> 00:26:37.430 probably does this in his sleep, but I'm not 00:26:37.430 --> 00:26:40.049 as technical. So I was kind of fearful, and one 00:26:40.049 --> 00:26:42.109 good thing I know, like in Milwaukee, they would 00:26:42.109 --> 00:26:44.490 have, every Sunday night they had a fun net, 00:26:45.109 --> 00:26:47.150 and anybody and everybody could check in, and 00:26:47.150 --> 00:26:49.349 it was just fun stuff. You didn't talk anything 00:26:49.349 --> 00:26:50.690 technical, so it was like, what's your favorite 00:26:50.690 --> 00:26:52.829 movie and why? And the next week it'd be, what's 00:26:52.829 --> 00:26:55.609 your favorite pizza toppings? Something non -threatening 00:26:55.609 --> 00:26:57.849 and it really pulled all the women in out of 00:26:57.849 --> 00:27:00.349 the woodwork and got them used to talking on 00:27:00.349 --> 00:27:03.809 the radio. So I think just trying to get them 00:27:03.809 --> 00:27:06.609 over that fear. I had the same fear as everybody 00:27:06.609 --> 00:27:08.650 else and I think once they get over that fear, 00:27:09.210 --> 00:27:11.430 I think they'll enjoy it. Trying to get them 00:27:11.430 --> 00:27:14.400 interested at first. That's the hard part trying 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:16.960 to you just got to keep trying different things. 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:18.920 There's so many aspects to the hobby You're gonna 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:21.140 eventually hit something that strikes a chord 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:26.220 with them Well, that's great I I mean the work 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:28.900 that you do I think you know I have to say Neil 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:32.180 that I when I called Valerie up and I said Yeah, 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:34.740 my name is Michael Coulter. Do you see on who 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:39.980 you are? I'm not kidding you, but you have won 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:43.039 the amateur of the year award and she kept telling 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:46.059 me, I don't deserve that. No way I don't deserve 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:49.940 that. I thought he was calling to ask me to do 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:52.079 a presentation at Puerto Rico and he's like, 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.220 no, no, no. And I'm like, no way, that can't 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:56.599 be. I've never in a million years, it never even 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:58.740 crossed my mind that I would even be considered. 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:03.400 Val definitely deserved to win this award. Absolutely. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.839 I've heard a lot of positives. You're right, 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:08.740 Chip. I've heard a lot of positives about all 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:10.940 the award winners this year. I didn't get any 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:15.839 negatives. You know how it is when, well, I can 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:18.400 tell you how it is in terms of being kind of 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:20.519 a high -profile character for Hamvention, is 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:25.799 that I get a lot of pluses and minuses and criticisms 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:31.190 and people even calling me a one -off. buy mud 00:28:31.190 --> 00:28:39.210 from last year and and By the way We are working 00:28:39.210 --> 00:28:45.269 on all that but I want to tell you that Well, 00:28:45.269 --> 00:28:52.009 we're gonna sell boots This is not about the 00:28:52.009 --> 00:28:54.170 invention it's about you all but we've had so 00:28:54.170 --> 00:28:57.750 much positive About our award winners this year 00:28:57.750 --> 00:29:01.259 and I will tell you it's a it's a extremely difficult 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:06.980 choice. We had several long sessions to get through 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:12.579 this, but we actually built a matrix and there's 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:15.079 a lot of things that we're looking for and I 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:18.220 can't disclose all those for the different categories, 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:21.940 but we are so pleased with both of you that we 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:24.299 chose both of you as well and all the winners. 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:28.240 but we couldn't have better representation this 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:33.480 year. And actually, Val, our theme this year 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:36.700 is serving the amateur radio, serving the community. 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:39.400 So we're really, you fit right into that. I mean, 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:42.319 in terms of what you do, you serve the community 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:45.640 of amateur radio. So, well, Neil, I don't know 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:48.170 where we are on time. I better. better let you 00:29:48.170 --> 00:29:51.109 lead them. Yeah, it's about time to to take a 00:29:51.109 --> 00:29:54.230 break here, but congratulations to Val and Chip 00:29:54.230 --> 00:29:58.490 and all the award winners. Very deserving amateur 00:29:58.490 --> 00:30:01.990 radio operators in the respective fields indeed. 00:30:02.089 --> 00:30:04.869 So after the break, we'll talk a little more 00:30:04.869 --> 00:30:07.809 about the club of the year selection and we'll 00:30:07.809 --> 00:30:11.069 take your calls and questions and comments right 00:30:11.069 --> 00:30:13.549 after this word from the National Voice of America 00:30:13.549 --> 00:30:16.750 Museum of Broadcasting and Amateur Radio News. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:19.980 line right here on HamTalk Live. The National 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:22.880 Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting located 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:25.880 in Westchester, Ohio just north of Cincinnati 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:30.359 is only two minutes off I -75. The museum is 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:33.000 the former home of the Voice of America Bethany 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:36.359 Relay Station. Tours are now available every 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:39.000 Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p .m. Eastern 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:43.059 time. You can see the control room. a 200 ,000 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:46.000 watt transmitter, and the most comprehensive 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:49.180 collection of inventions by the iconic Powell 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:53.299 -Crosley Jr. Also on display is a huge antique 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:57.019 radio exhibit and R .L. Drake's personal collection 00:30:57.019 --> 00:31:01.099 of most every Drake amateur rig ever made. This 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:04.380 is a unique opportunity to see amateur radio 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:07.019 in action and have a chance to get on the air 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:13.440 from WC8VOA. Admission is only $5 a person. The 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:17.400 museum is located close to historic WLWAM and 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:20.519 tons of shopping and restaurants. Take a trip 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:25.480 to the VOA museum or visit us online at voamuseum 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:28.839 .org. Nominations are now open for the amateur 00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:32.059 radio newsline, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF Young 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:35.380 Ham of the Year Award. I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW. 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:37.960 Since 1986, we've had the honor of celebrating 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:39.940 the accomplishments of Youth and Ham Radio when 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.660 we want to know about your exceptional Young 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:44.019 Ham. You'll find the rules and a nominating form 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:47.319 by clicking the Y -H -O -T -Y tab on ARNewsline 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:50.259 .org. Fill it out, send it in, and we'll see 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:52.400 you and an amazing young ham at the Huntsville 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:55.759 Alabama Ham Fest in August. Thanks and 73 from 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:59.799 Amateur Radio Newsline. Ham Talk Live. The longer 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:06.059 you listen, the later it gets. Join the conversation. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:09.900 Call us on voice with Skype at HamTalk Live or 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:14.400 give us a call at 812 -NET -HAM -1. That's 812 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:30.700 -638 -4261. Now, here's more HamTalk Live. How 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:33.480 can journalists and the average citizen identify 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:36.099 fake news and avoid accidentally promoting it 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:38.259 through social media? Well, these questions and 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:41.259 more will be addressed by the Cincinnati Society 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:44.460 of Professional Journalists and other media on 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:47.700 Thursday, April 26th at a panel discussion in 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:50.180 conjunction with the National Voice of America 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:53.059 Museum of Broadcasting in Westchester, and the 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:56.559 Voice of America Museum has their special Hamvention 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:59.759 Hours on Thursday, May 17th will be open from 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:03.660 1 to 4, Friday evening, May 18th from 5 to 9, 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:07.440 Saturday, May 19th from 1 to 9, and Sunday, May 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:12.539 20th from 1 to 4. You can check them out at voamuseum 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:16.609 .org. We're on the air every Thursday night at 00:33:16.609 --> 00:33:19.430 9 p .m. Eastern Time here at HamTalk Live and 00:33:19.430 --> 00:33:23.250 we're found on HamTalkLive .com and make sure 00:33:23.250 --> 00:33:26.009 you check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 00:33:26.630 --> 00:33:28.930 And we're going to take your calls now. So if 00:33:28.930 --> 00:33:32.170 you have a question or comment for our award 00:33:32.170 --> 00:33:36.190 winners or Michael, give us a call at 812 -638 00:33:36.190 --> 00:33:42.190 -4261. That's 812 -NET -HAM -1. Or you can Skype 00:33:42.190 --> 00:33:46.809 us at ham talk live or tweet us at ham talk live 00:33:46.809 --> 00:33:50.170 and While we're waiting on those calls Michael. 00:33:50.170 --> 00:33:53.190 We wanted to mention the Portage County amateur 00:33:53.190 --> 00:33:58.609 radio service again the club of the year, so 00:33:58.609 --> 00:34:02.210 Tell us a little bit about Some of the things 00:34:02.210 --> 00:34:04.470 that they do. I see they've got something called 00:34:04.470 --> 00:34:12.119 Freeze your acorns off Yeah, they created their 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:16.599 own contests and events. They have an annual 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:20.519 Freezer Acorns Off in February and they do the 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:27.300 Ohio State Parks on the air. That was used as 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:31.210 a model for their ARRLs. a national parks on 00:34:31.210 --> 00:34:33.630 the air contest and they have also donated time 00:34:33.630 --> 00:34:37.130 and money to their community over six thousand 00:34:37.130 --> 00:34:42.050 dollars in 2017 they have build days and each 00:34:42.050 --> 00:34:44.789 year where they have projects covering home -built 00:34:44.789 --> 00:34:49.829 trans evers antennas and digital equipment to 00:34:49.829 --> 00:34:53.269 allow members to inexpensively grow into new 00:34:53.269 --> 00:34:57.760 areas of the hobby and every month they They 00:34:57.760 --> 00:35:01.500 have at least one go to, that's a get on the 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:05.039 air day, where members and non -members can use 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:08.440 club -side equipment to learn about HF and new 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:12.260 modes of operation. It's all about building their 00:35:12.260 --> 00:35:16.019 hobby, our hobby, helping the community and building 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:20.800 their skills and most of all, having fun. And 00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:23.460 I've been very impressed with this club. But 00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:27.019 you know, that's... The Club of the Year is relatively 00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:31.760 new, I think maybe it's 10 years old, and I think 00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:35.599 it's an important aspect of Amish Radio because 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:38.239 there's a lot of individual achievement, but 00:35:38.239 --> 00:35:40.380 there's an awful lot of club achievement where 00:35:40.380 --> 00:35:43.199 people come together and they do so many things 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:47.360 and that even helps the singular achievers do 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:50.219 well, in my opinion. What do you think, Val? 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:55.960 I mean, we need them. You can get your ticket 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:58.440 and then you fall off. You need the clubs to 00:35:58.440 --> 00:36:00.860 bring it together and to try all the different 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:05.199 aspects of the hobby and it really helps solidify 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.860 them and keep them in the hobby and keep them 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:10.199 interested. I'm all about clubs. I wish there 00:36:10.199 --> 00:36:13.059 were more clubs that had stations like they do 00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:15.199 for a lot of the new hams who can't afford to 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:17.019 get the gear. So, that's one of the really cool 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:23.579 things that this club has. get a chance to come 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:27.099 over to our club, Dayton image radio association, 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:31.000 and see our club station and, um, our clubhouse. 00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:35.340 I think you might be duly impressed. I think 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:37.980 I would. Yes, absolutely. We are very proud of 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:45.059 it. So, yeah, we work hard at that. No, no, you 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:47.440 go ahead. Well, that was always something that 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:49.860 was kind of foreign to me. You know, I see these, 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:54.179 these contest stations and club stations and 00:36:54.179 --> 00:36:57.650 growing up in Vincennes, Indiana, we... We didn't 00:36:57.650 --> 00:37:01.289 have a club station. We had a club and we, you 00:37:01.289 --> 00:37:03.750 know, tried to find a meeting place somewhere 00:37:03.750 --> 00:37:07.590 in town and, and that was, that was it. And it's 00:37:07.590 --> 00:37:12.289 just so nice to have those facilities where you 00:37:12.289 --> 00:37:14.769 can put up your own repeater on your own tower, 00:37:14.769 --> 00:37:17.789 or you can put, you know, your equipment in there 00:37:17.789 --> 00:37:20.869 so that you can have club operating nights to, 00:37:20.869 --> 00:37:23.789 uh, come in and, and use the equipment like, 00:37:24.030 --> 00:37:28.820 uh, like you have Michael. I will tell you too 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:32.960 that I've had the opportunity to basically travel 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:35.699 around the world being a spokesperson for amateur 00:37:35.699 --> 00:37:41.139 radio. I've been to India and I can't tell you 00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:44.119 how active all these people are in India, day 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:48.300 in and day out. They've got me on WhatsApp chats 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:53.780 and things like that. still exciting to see what 00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:56.940 they are doing and how they're involving people 00:37:56.940 --> 00:38:00.380 in the pictures and the clubhouses and things 00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:03.019 that they're doing to really grow Amateur Radio. 00:38:03.179 --> 00:38:06.039 It's part of their curriculum in some of the 00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:09.719 schools, by the way. But anyway, I'm not here 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:12.199 to talk about all that. I'm here to talk about 00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:18.650 the award winners. So Chip. your club involvement. 00:38:18.769 --> 00:38:21.110 I know you're very involved with the RCA. Any 00:38:21.110 --> 00:38:27.190 other clubs? Right now, unfortunately not. My 00:38:27.190 --> 00:38:31.250 plate is just so full with all the stuff that 00:38:31.250 --> 00:38:33.530 I've started the last few years and it's all 00:38:33.530 --> 00:38:37.690 coming to fruition at the same time. So I don't 00:38:37.690 --> 00:38:40.309 even have as much time to get on the air as I 00:38:40.309 --> 00:38:44.230 have for quite a bit. It's certainly true that 00:38:44.230 --> 00:38:47.920 in the past I've headed quite a a significant 00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:51.340 amount of involvement with clubs. For example, 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:53.639 the North Amateur Radio Club in Massachusetts 00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:58.099 was and still is a very vital organization and 00:38:58.099 --> 00:39:04.199 I was president of that club and a lot of very 00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:06.760 well -known people have come out of it. For example, 00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:10.900 K1DG Doug, who's one of the world's top contesters 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:14.019 came out of that club. A lot of professional 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:17.539 engineers and scientists and business folks and 00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:22.239 lawyers and Clubs, as Val said, are very vital 00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:25.480 to keeping people's interest and sharing it and 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:27.960 building that excitement. I do want to point, 00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:30.900 however, that although I have not had the opportunity 00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:36.039 to come out and actively join, I did join Land 00:39:36.039 --> 00:39:38.840 Ops, which you may have heard of. They just had 00:39:38.840 --> 00:39:42.360 an article in QST written about them. And that's 00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:48.280 an exciting club based on adventure tracks and 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:51.219 And a very different kind of club, but another 00:39:51.219 --> 00:39:55.719 example of how people are using a variety of 00:39:55.719 --> 00:40:00.199 exercises to keep amateur radio vital, and as 00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:03.460 Val points out, to give people new opportunities 00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:10.840 to explore. Valerie, any comment on that? No, 00:40:10.900 --> 00:40:19.500 no. Well said. So Neil, in your area, what clubs 00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:24.440 do you belong to? Well, I sponsor the Bloomington 00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:27.300 High School South Amateur Radio Club, and then 00:40:27.300 --> 00:40:29.300 I'm a member of the Indiana University Amateur 00:40:29.300 --> 00:40:32.320 Radio Club, and actually the Westchester, Ohio. 00:40:33.840 --> 00:40:36.980 amateur radio association over there. I've just 00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:40.360 joined them and helping do some publicity for 00:40:40.360 --> 00:40:44.320 them and the museum over there. So looking forward 00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:46.360 to spending some time over there this summer 00:40:46.360 --> 00:40:50.739 and get on the air from over there and volunteer 00:40:50.739 --> 00:40:55.679 at the museum some. So I guess we do we have 00:40:55.679 --> 00:40:59.780 any questions or comments from Yeah, let's remind 00:40:59.780 --> 00:41:03.159 people that you can call us at 812 -NET -TAM 00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:08.420 -1. That's 812 -638 -4261. Or you can tweet us. 00:41:08.539 --> 00:41:12.440 We are wrapping things up here. So if you're 00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:15.619 going to get a question in, now is the time to 00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:19.360 do that. And real quick, let me just ask while 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:22.360 we see if we've got any last questions here. 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:27.750 Chip, what are you looking forward to most? Hamvention 00:41:27.750 --> 00:41:35.449 this year? Making new friends and reconnecting 00:41:35.449 --> 00:41:40.349 with old ones. Coming to Hamvention is a huge 00:41:40.349 --> 00:41:43.889 mutual admiration society where everybody has 00:41:43.889 --> 00:41:47.849 fun and I'm really looking forward to that. All 00:41:47.849 --> 00:41:52.570 right, and Val? You know what, I just have a 00:41:52.570 --> 00:41:55.019 ball from the moment from even we have a party 00:41:55.019 --> 00:41:56.960 the day before we all leave we have a pre -date 00:41:56.960 --> 00:42:00.099 and party so it's just a blast i love morning 00:42:00.099 --> 00:42:02.940 noon and night all about ham vention uh one thing 00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:05.539 i'm dreading i'll tell you that i'm going to 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:08.320 be a backup singer for by the numbers friday 00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:15.530 night at the uh plaza There we go. We'll get 00:42:15.530 --> 00:42:19.349 the singing voice back out again. Well, we've 00:42:19.349 --> 00:42:21.530 got a call on the line here, so let's take a 00:42:21.530 --> 00:42:23.750 quick call. Good evening. Welcome to ham talk 00:42:23.750 --> 00:42:28.650 live. Good evening, Neil, Mark and for BCD. I 00:42:28.650 --> 00:42:31.050 thought I recognized that phone number. Hi, Mark. 00:42:31.230 --> 00:42:34.510 Welcome to the show. Well, good evening guys. 00:42:34.650 --> 00:42:36.590 I've been sitting here listening to, uh, from 00:42:36.590 --> 00:42:39.469 the top of the broadcast and congratulations 00:42:39.469 --> 00:42:42.750 to Val and to chip and the other, uh, award winners. 00:42:43.000 --> 00:42:46.260 And Michael, I think you guys made some excellent, 00:42:46.260 --> 00:42:49.699 excellent choices this year for the recipients. 00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:53.340 And hearing you guys talk about the clubs, and 00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:56.860 Val made some really good comments about YLs 00:42:56.860 --> 00:42:59.219 and how to get them engaged and everything. I 00:42:59.219 --> 00:43:03.539 was looking during your broadcast tonight on 00:43:03.539 --> 00:43:07.900 the Hamvention website, and I found your list 00:43:07.900 --> 00:43:12.980 of past award winners. and a seed of an idea 00:43:12.980 --> 00:43:16.260 looking at the different clubs that have won 00:43:16.260 --> 00:43:21.480 throughout the years. The seed of my idea is 00:43:21.480 --> 00:43:24.079 to put that together in an article, a newsletter 00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:28.440 article, for what clubs might be able to do to 00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:31.980 improve their membership, their participation, 00:43:32.559 --> 00:43:35.440 and their community outreach. So my question 00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:40.380 to Michael is when did you start the club awards. 00:43:42.019 --> 00:43:45.579 Okay, I appreciate the question and for everybody 00:43:45.579 --> 00:43:48.519 listening, Mark is the general chairman of Huntsville 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:53.400 and believe it or not, he and I and the folks 00:43:53.400 --> 00:43:58.719 that run Orlando, Japan and Free Bridge Shop, 00:43:58.800 --> 00:44:00.380 we're all good friends. We all work together 00:44:00.380 --> 00:44:02.199 and support each other. Just wanted to make that 00:44:02.199 --> 00:44:07.170 plug. But anyway, I had the idea probably, I 00:44:07.170 --> 00:44:12.469 think it was 2006 maybe, and I just happen to 00:44:12.469 --> 00:44:18.070 think we need to appreciate clubs more. So that's 00:44:18.070 --> 00:44:20.110 basically, I got it organized about that time 00:44:20.110 --> 00:44:25.650 and it's really taken off and we get actually 00:44:25.650 --> 00:44:28.710 of applications, we get more club applications 00:44:28.710 --> 00:44:32.010 than anything else. And it is really exciting 00:44:32.010 --> 00:44:33.670 and I like the idea that you're going to put 00:44:33.670 --> 00:44:38.030 together an article basically on maybe what makes 00:44:38.030 --> 00:44:41.050 up a great club and how to grow a club and make 00:44:41.050 --> 00:44:45.389 it exciting for people of all ages, Mark. So 00:44:45.389 --> 00:44:47.789 I hope that answers your question. Back to you. 00:44:47.969 --> 00:44:50.170 Yeah, it does. Yeah, it does, Michael. And thank 00:44:50.170 --> 00:44:53.619 you for that. Of course everybody's getting excited 00:44:53.619 --> 00:44:57.719 for Dayton. Val mentioned a pre -Dayton before 00:44:57.719 --> 00:45:00.639 she even leaves having a party. And I want to 00:45:00.639 --> 00:45:04.579 mention too, I've heard Val in numerous HF contests 00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:09.099 where her better station bests my mediocre station. 00:45:09.619 --> 00:45:11.780 But sometimes I win, but most of the time she 00:45:11.780 --> 00:45:16.820 does in a contest pileup. So it's a lot of fun 00:45:16.820 --> 00:45:19.960 being competitors on the air and friends offline. 00:45:20.269 --> 00:45:22.489 but uh... you have michael thank you and uh... 00:45:22.489 --> 00:45:25.349 like i said uh... a lot of us looking we're really 00:45:25.349 --> 00:45:27.710 looking forward to come into dating and uh... 00:45:27.710 --> 00:45:30.070 and see everybody and and uh... and have a good 00:45:30.070 --> 00:45:32.690 time up there we're looking forward to seeing 00:45:32.690 --> 00:45:35.610 you mark thanks for calling in thanks mark i 00:45:35.610 --> 00:45:38.869 wish you like that i think you know that that's 00:45:38.869 --> 00:45:42.610 mark who's been a lot about hey i want context 00:45:42.610 --> 00:45:45.130 from my little tribe and there were in wisconsin 00:45:45.130 --> 00:45:47.690 before i met jerry i met jerry on the air in 00:45:47.690 --> 00:45:50.920 a contest so uh... It's not the you know, you 00:45:50.920 --> 00:45:53.420 can win them in the right category for the smaller 00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:56.500 with a little pistol station like I had Yeah, 00:45:56.500 --> 00:45:59.599 we all know it's time in the chair, too Thanks 00:45:59.599 --> 00:46:02.079 a lot guys. Have a good evening 72. All right. 00:46:02.199 --> 00:46:05.639 Thanks 73 mark Well, that's gonna that's gonna 00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:08.800 finish things up for us tonight But I want to 00:46:08.800 --> 00:46:12.380 thank everybody for coming on Michael w8 ci from 00:46:12.380 --> 00:46:15.539 the Dayton amateur radio association and Val 00:46:15.539 --> 00:46:19.519 and chip. Thanks for coming on tonight Our pleasure. 00:46:20.000 --> 00:46:22.719 Well, thanks for having the program Neil. Yeah, 00:46:22.920 --> 00:46:25.500 congratulations everybody. See you in about 28 00:46:25.500 --> 00:46:31.170 days It won't be long. Yes, we are. We're all 00:46:31.170 --> 00:46:34.329 counting them down. Well, that is a wrap for 00:46:34.329 --> 00:46:38.369 this week's episode of HamTalk Live. Thanks to 00:46:38.369 --> 00:46:40.469 Mark for calling in, everybody for listening 00:46:40.469 --> 00:46:43.349 out there. And we'll invite you back next Thursday 00:46:43.349 --> 00:46:46.769 night for another Hamvention preview. Carol Perry, 00:46:46.889 --> 00:46:50.369 WB2MGP, will be here to talk about the Youth 00:46:50.369 --> 00:46:54.969 Forum. And we have a special guest, Mason Matrezzo, 00:46:55.130 --> 00:46:59.380 KM4SII, one of the speakers. the Youth Forum. 00:47:00.019 --> 00:47:02.860 We'll talk about his the expedition to Iceland 00:47:02.860 --> 00:47:06.760 and what he'll be talking about at the Hamvention 00:47:06.760 --> 00:47:10.239 Youth Forum. So make sure you tune in next week 00:47:10.239 --> 00:47:12.559 for that and for all of our upcoming guests. 00:47:13.000 --> 00:47:16.739 You can check those out at HamTalkLive .com. 00:47:17.360 --> 00:47:20.139 And before we go, a couple of quick notes. One, 00:47:20.159 --> 00:47:22.619 if you like the show, please leave us a review 00:47:22.619 --> 00:47:25.639 on iTunes sometime or wherever you listen. It 00:47:25.639 --> 00:47:28.000 helps others find us faster and spread the word 00:47:28.000 --> 00:47:30.980 on the air and and let people know about HamTalk 00:47:30.980 --> 00:47:35.219 Live and and also want to mention we're gonna 00:47:35.219 --> 00:47:39.679 have to do this real quick but there's a new 00:47:39.679 --> 00:47:43.980 satellite operation that just is coming together 00:47:43.980 --> 00:47:45.960 it's not even finished yet but it's going to 00:47:45.960 --> 00:47:49.440 take place next weekend and so it's a it's a 00:47:49.440 --> 00:47:56.050 really fun one it's called WMPLOTA And what does 00:47:56.050 --> 00:47:59.489 that stand for? Well, that's Walmart parking 00:47:59.489 --> 00:48:04.090 lots on the air. And you can check it out at 00:48:04.090 --> 00:48:11.090 WM Plota org and they're gonna have bonuses for 00:48:11.090 --> 00:48:13.409 all kinds of different things They're gonna have 00:48:13.409 --> 00:48:17.190 like an old Roy award for taking a picture with 00:48:17.190 --> 00:48:20.349 your dog at your operation and everything So 00:48:20.349 --> 00:48:23.309 we'll talk about it more next week and I just 00:48:23.309 --> 00:48:26.050 finished the interview for amateur radio news 00:48:26.050 --> 00:48:29.409 line So it'll be on amateur radio news line next 00:48:29.409 --> 00:48:32.510 week But just wanted to make sure everybody got 00:48:32.510 --> 00:48:37.090 the word on that because it's weekend from this 00:48:37.090 --> 00:48:41.130 weekend. It's the 20 28th. So I just wanted everybody 00:48:41.130 --> 00:48:45.909 to know about Wumplota. I think is how you pronounce 00:48:45.909 --> 00:48:52.369 that. So anyway, for now, this is Neil Rapp WB9VPG 00:48:52.369 --> 00:48:58.289 saying 7375 and may the good DX be yours. This 00:48:58.289 --> 00:49:00.809 is Les Nessman saying good day and may the good 00:49:00.809 --> 00:49:05.989 dicks be yours. This has been the only use with 00:49:05.989 --> 00:49:07.409 Les Nessman.