President's Corner
by... Joe Sokolowski - KD5KR

The end of the year is just around the corner and it seems that we just nearly got started! The Nominating Committee is already hard at work in preparing a slate for 1999. They hope to present the membership with some candidates for October's meeting. Nominations will also be taken from the floor at that time. If you have a desire to run for an office, let your intentions be known then.'Way back in February, I brought up the fact that the founding fathers of NARS were especially intent on insuring the transfer of power would be orderly and consistent with the wishes of the membership. Who can argue with that? But, many of us have been part of organizations that have been run by the same group of individuals year after year. What comes next is a gradual loss of interest and a loss of membership. You don't see that in NARS. In our thirteen years of existence we have experienced a steady growth of membership and are the envy of many of our counterparts. Glance through past Newsletters (They'll be available for viewing at coming meetings) and notice that Board Members are constantly changing from year to year. This change is what keeps NARS alive and well. You can be a part of that change by tossing your QSL card into the ring. You, too, have ideas that can benefit NARS, and many of us would like the chance to hear them. Besides, just think of it . . . being part of the action group that brings in the new millenium!--

Meeting Announcement
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

KJ5X to Speak on Dayton '98

Always wanted to make that pilgrimage to Dayton? Well, here is your chance to at least share in the experience through one who did just that! Jim Kirk will enlighten us all on the exciting going-on's during this year's Dayton Hamfest. He promises to "tell all" on the inner make-up and workings of the country's largest ham festival this side of Rhode Island. Jim will be supplementing his talk with a slide presentation to help back up some of his claims of "New and wondrous gadgets to titillate the ham -- from Novice to Extra." Don't miss this entertaining program. Besides that, the coffee is hot and the donuts are definitely commercial grade!

Hamfests/Swapshops
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

Nearby Hamfests/Swapshops

HAM EXPO '98, October 3, at Belton, TX. Bell County Expo Center, sponsored by Temple Amateur Radio Club. Admission $1.00 Talk-in 146.820 kHz with 123.0 tone.SWAMPFEST, Saturday, Oct. 24, LAke Charles, LA, 8:00 AM. Free admission. Talk-in 146.730, no P/L.Wichita Falls Hamfest, Sept. 19. See KD5KR for info.AMSAT is holding its 16th Annual Meeting and Space Symposium October 16-18 in Vicksburg, MS., at the Batlefield Inn.

DX News
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

DX Notes --
O, Young W6er is come out of the West,
Through all the wide border his CQs were the best;
And save his good broadband, his signal was none,
He called all night, and he called all alone,
So faithful in DX, and so dauntless they swore,
If he never stopped CQing, his coax they'd tore. . .

Last month Loyd, KM5OE, had planned a week-long trip to West Texas. Unfortunately, he fell victim to an infected eye and had to stay in the Houston area. This got in the way of his meeting with the Leader of the Big Bend Sundancers to persuade them to work up some improved propagation. Sometimes one wonders about mental telepathy. Strangely, according to observations made through Loyds telescope, activity on the sun picked up anyway. Several substantial solar flares were observed, as well as some sunspots. The solar flares seemed to be contributing to the poor band conditions. One gigantic sun spot, however, appeared to offer hope. The spot was so large (two or three earth diameters across) that it could be observed through a large filter with the naked eye. Upon observing this big spot, mental urgings were immediately sent to the Sundancers who were lounging in the barancas in the Big Bend area. Careful listeners could hear the buildup of the drumbeat coming out of the barancas. As the sounds grew, they could be heard without aid of electronic amplifying devices. The rhythm of a tarantella interspersed with random lateral arabesques an dintermittent heel-clickings brought new hope to the dry and thirsty DXers in Houston. Propagation showed improvement, although not generous. This seemed to prove that Loyd is beginning to influence the Sundancers even from far away. Remember, True Believers. DX IS! August began with the SF Iat 114, the A index at 22 and the K index at 4. Not really terrible numbers, but certainly not all that good, either. On August 6, the SFI reached 138, with A and K indices of 43 and 5. A result of this was an extremely dead set of bands. These conditions resulted from a major storm on thesun on August 5. This was closely followed by a coronal mass ejection which really led to rotten band conditions. By the weekend of August 8-9, things had started to cool down a bit and some DX returned. A major solar storm wreaked havoc on the bands during the last week in August. Conditions on 20m were a bit strange on Aug. 27. Around 1000Z the VKs were coming in pretty well for nearly an hour before disappearing. AT 1345Z C21JH was readable and workable) in Houston. He disappeared shortly thereafter, when ZS6SOA from South Africa became readable. He lasted about fifteen minutes and then disappeared, too. Shortly T32O appeared for a brief time before going away. Very strange conditions. By August 28 the A index had hit 80, which wiped out 20-meters. By the weekend, conditions had returned to normal and the bands abounded with DX. Several of us worked 3W6DXI in Vietnam, some for a new country. Ten meters was open late into the evening on Sunday, Aug.30, with 5W0HP, FO5QB and 3D2DX (Rotuma) making appearances. As the month ended the numbers were 163, 14 and 4.

Front Page
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

1998 New Orleans DX Convention

The 1998 New Orleans DX Convention seemed to be somewhat inferior to that of 1997. It appeared attendance was down perhaps as many as twenty or more, and the technical program seemed to have slipped a bit. However, it was still enjoyable. I was successful in taking KM5LA and KM5OE DXCC QSLs and DXCC applications over for checking. Bill Kennamer did so and approved both with no problems. Bill also announced that on August 16 ARRL would announce that H40AA/Temotu would be added to the DXCC Entities List, with cards to become acceptable on October 1. The Austral and Marquesas Islands may be added to the List later after further checking of detailed sea charts to assure there are no rocks or reefs standing out of the water to diminish the required distances. Both are expected to be approved later this year. DXCC members represent three percent of the total ARRL membership, which explains why the DXCC fees have been increased. Since 1947, there have been 40000 amateurs involved with DXCC over the intervening years. Since 1990 over 7-million QSLs have been placed into the DXCC computer records. There are 7700 individual callsigns in the annual DXCC list, 4665 of which are US/KP4 ARRL members. Each year approximately 7600 applications, totaling some 570,000 QSLs, are submitted to the DXCC desk. The ARRL Awards Committee has accepted a recommendation of the ARRL DX Advisory Committee to add the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands to the DXCC List. The addition will be effective with contacts made beginning 23:59 UTC on 31 March, 1998 and after. The DXCC Desk will accept QSL cards for Temotu Province (H40) beginning October 1, 1998. QSL cards received before that time will be returned without action. ALMOST A POSSIBLE NEW ONE! During August, some 6,785 voters on the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis voted on breaking away from their larger neighbour St. Kitts to possibly become one of the world's smallest states. However, the Nevis voters have, by a narrow margin, voted no on independence from St. Kitts.

Contest Connection
by... Bruce Wright - WC5CW

Help Protect Our Operating Frequencies

As we all know, the competition among commercial and private services for radio frequency spectrum is heating up with increasing infringements on FCC-allocated frequencies for amateur radio. Recent and proposed reallocations of frequencies in the 200 and 440 MHz amateur bands are just two such events. A Bill now before the U.S. Congress (HR3572) seeks to protect our frequency allocations by passing legislation that, in effect, would require the FCC to allocate new and equal spectrum to the amateur service for any spectrum taken away. Presently, we have no legal protection and our operating privileges are at the mercy of many forces beyond our control, both economic and political. Information obtained from ARRL Headquarters on September 9 reveals that only two congressmen from Texas ae co-sponsors of HR3572 . . . and NO HOUSTON-AREA REPRESENTTIVES ARE AMONG THEM! I urge all NARS members to write, FAX or E-mail your U.S. Congressman, asking him/her to please co-sponsor this important Bill. In your correspondence, you may want to mention the role amateur radio played in providing communications during the recent flooding in the Del Rio area. This emergency health and welfare traffic handling is a long tradition within amateur radio. For a sample letter you can visit the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org.govrelations/hr3572.html, or you can call me at 281/443-6337.

A listing of local Congressional representatives follows. Let's turn on our collective amplifiers and send a loud, clear message to our lawmakers in support of this important legislation.

Kevin Brady
616 FM 1960 West Suite 321
Houston, TX 77090
281/895-8892
281/895-8912 FAX

Bill Archer
10000 Memorial Drive Suite 620
Houston, TX 77024
713/682-8828
713/680-8070 FAX

Gene Green
356 North Sam Houston Pkwy Suite 29
Houston, TX 77060
281/999-5879
281/999-5716

Ken Bentsen
6575 West Loop South Suite 496
Bellaire, TX 77401
713/667-3554
713/667-4833 FAX

Sheila Jackson-Lee
1919 Smith Suite 1180
Houston, TX 77002
713/861-4070
713/655-1612 FAX

Tom Delay
12603 Southwest Fwy Suite 285
Houston, TX
77477
281/240-3700
281/240-2959 FAX

Feature Article
by... H. O. Townsend - WA5MLT

Contact with "The Great One" Could Be a K2 Experience

Number: 1
Routine
STN of Origan: WA5MLT
Check: HXD50
Place of Origin: Houston, TX
Date: Jul 16, 1998 

Going to: 
The Great One - A5A Q. R. Zedd
Box 73, One Honor Roll Ranch
Mena, AR 71953-0073

ARL Fifty X-ray Dear Q. Just returned from C6 land and eyeball QSO with
your very, very good friend Ted - NA55AU X-ray You may remember Ted as
A55A prior to his new vanity callsign X-ray He sends VB regards X-ray
Since returning have been contacted by someone identifying themself as
NI55AN, the long lost, bewildered, and long overdue brother of Ted X-ray
Can you validate NI55AN Query Think this is a slim X-ray
VB regards es 73 Signature: WA5MLT

As promised and for the record, this is pretty much the exact NTS msg sent to Q. R.

I am sorry to report that we have heard rumors from relaying NTS ARS stations that "Arkie5," the inter-state mule suffered a hoof-blowout just outside Mount Ida on US 270 and had to turn back to Hurricane Grove for repairs. Seems as though highway 270 is the only US highway in the lower 48 boasting a fresh gravel surface. At this writing, parts were being sent in from Hot Springs and Washington, DC for hoof repairs. So, there has been no "official" word yet, on the status of NI55AN - DX slim?

Part of this bizarre loop seems to be closing; however, Bill - K8CSG has returned from the New Orleans DX conclave and after getting cards checked for several of the local "boys," Bill reports no one on the this planet has ever worked or heard NI55AN. Dick - W5VHN, Deral - K5WNO, and Walter - KK5LO "The Humble Bunch" all report - this is a Slim. But to be fair, not to rush to judgement, or pre-judge etc., we wait.

Break - August 18 - I received e-mail today: subject - "Ni Sa Bula" greetings from the Fiji Islands STOP Having time of life STOP Wish you and the NARS boys were here enjoying the great Delta X-ray STOP Worked "Charlie Sugar George" during gray-line on all bands earlier STOP Stop calling you are in the log STOP BTW Great QLF STOP Logged Zebra Tare Yoke on laptop - great fist STOP - signed Zedd A5A

As you can again see, these DX boys really get around. Published reports by Paddy Ryan, Fiji pool reporter, says Q. R. arrived at Rotuma Is., Fiji several days before the e-mail. He and his DX buddies disembarked to a festival of Fijian, grass-skirted natives dancing and singing a revue of "Three Dog Night" number one best sellers, an impression of Jazell McKenzie singing "Red Sails in the Sunset," and one pot-bellied male dancer doing an impression of Elvis, singing "You Ain't Nutn' But A Hound Dog."

Paddy says that Zedd and "the boys" were there to contribute "what they could" to IOTA. Listen for them from each of the islands - Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau, Kadavu, Mamanuca, Yasawa, and Nadi Suva.

Obviously, my initial message should have been sent "priority." While we wait for a response from A5A, work him as part of your ACSSB-QRP IOTA award. Gud DX to all.

Feature Article
by... Jack Dougherty - WA8GHZ

More on the "WA8GHZ Novice Roundup"

August is over and time to report/fess-up my Novice Roundup results. Although my goal was to contact one Novice or Technician-Plus during each day of August, for a total of 31 QSOs, I ran a little short. Ended up with 26 contacts in the Novice bands, but only 14 were Tech+ or Novices. Seems like there is a whole bunch of General, Advanced and Extra Class folks using those bands for practice at their own comfortable pace. Still five short of my goal. "In the HARD TO IMPROVE UPON DEPARTMENT, these are worthy of noting:"-- DX!!! Both at 4 watts and straight-key: TG9GJG, Julio, in Guatemala City. And, CL2BC in Havana, I think, who was just learning his CW; great QSO."-- The QSO with the ham who had not made a contact in 20 years, but answered my CQ in hist first attempt at getting back into radio. I was so proud of him!"--Jill, in Nashville, who has had her license for only four weeks but can already copy 12 words a minute."

Feature Article
by... H. O. Townsend - WA5MLT

W5NC Web Site

In the last few months, changes have been made to make our club web site more attractive and "User Friendly."

In the "Menu" pane, a "Repeater Dir." item has been added to provide a list of 2-meter, 220 and 440 MHz repeaters. Repeaters are listed by state and city as you would expect to find them in the ARRL Repeater Directory. A "Solar Activity" item has been added to provide you with a daily report of "A" and Solar Flux activity in graphical format. And, a "Member Pgs" menu item has been added that leads you to various member web pages. Several links have been added to the commercial links page. Check 'em out. Finally, a link has been added to "Skywarn Texas."

In the "User Friendly" category, I have removed the ticker from the bottom of the page to improve performance of loading. Please send me URLs of your personal 'ham related' web pages, and any other nifty URLs you discover.

Feature Article
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

Local Events

George, K5VUU, has sent out over 100 cards with return envelopes bearing the postage used in the countries from which the replies will be mailed. It will be interesting to see how the responses go. Meanwhile, George has his amplifier back in operating condition and reports the following catches as proof -- 3D2SJ, FR5HR, JW7QIA, Z22JE, 9J2BO, ZL1MFW and a wide range of others, all worked without a beam. Mike (KM5LA) worked 1A0KM (Knights of Malta) on 30m. Larry, WA5SAJ, worked Midway Island with his new TS940. Jim Kirk worked Midway and So. Korea from his Tahoe in California for new ones. Loyd, KM5OE, received the last QSLs needed for his DXCC early in August. Nice going, Loyd! John, W5PDW, worked The Ukraine again and is still trying to get a card for that country. Jackie, KD5CDJ, upgraded and is now KM5SC. He reports on his fun in working a Ukraine station on 14182 with his newly-acquired Kenwood TS940. Sounds like another budding DXer in our midst. Conrad (W5MN) Appears to be having a great time DXing.

He reports the following: V5/DK6AO, CN8KD, ZD7CTO, BI7W, 7X4AN, BA1BU, ZK1SCQ, 9K2ZZ, TL5A and others. W5BA, KJ5X, KK5LO and K8CSG all worked 3W6DXI in Vietnam. The Temotu (H40AA) cards began appearing among the multitudes. Mine arrived on August 26, raising my total to 350 countries. Steve reports he received his DXCC certificate, #30,000.DX WORKED: TA2DS (Turkey) 20m 0044Z; SV3AQR (Greece) 20M 0022Z; V73UB (Marshall Islands) 15m 0215Z; UY5GT (Ukraine) 20m 0243Z; V73UB via K1ZUT; WH4/K6SHJ (Midway Island) 20m 1221Z; AH4/WA6FGV (Midway Island) 20m 1120Z; YB0ASC 20m 1400Z; BV2RS (Taiwan) 20m 1232A; RN3GN (Russia) 20m 0244Z; V63KU (Micronesia) 20m 1209Z; YZ4ED (Yugoslavia) 15m 1522Z; ZS6SOA (South Africa) 20M 1302Z;UA0BFU (Asiatic Russia) 20 m1921Z; YB2ASQ (Indonesia) 20m 1443Z; VE8C (Zone 2 - Canada) 20m 2348Z; 9K2QQ (Kuwait) 20m 1829Z; BI7W (Weizhou Island-China) 20m 1947Z; 5A1A (Libya) 20m 1807Z; C21JH (Nauru) 20 m1347Z; FO5JV (Fr. Polynesia) 20m 0914Z; VK6SMH (W. Australia) 20m 0948Z; 3W6DXI (Vietnam) 20m 1418Z; 5R8FU (Malagasy Republic) 10m 1926Z; FP/N9PD (St. P. & Miquelon) 20m 0115Z; 5W0HP (W. Samoa) 10m 0006Z; 3D2DX (Rotuma) 10m 0212Z; FO5QB (Tahiti) 10m 0140Z; FH8CB (Mayotte) 20M 2312Z; A61AN (Dubai -UAE via L/Path) 20m 1324ZDX HEARD/NOT WORKED: DU8DJ (Philippines) 20m 1251Z; HA3HV (Hungary) 20m 2333Z; 9K7POW (Kuwait) 20M 2350Z; A61AQ (UAE) 20m 0020Z; T32O (Christmas Island) 20m 1245Z; ZL3PB (New Zealand) 20m 0511Z; VK2SR (Australia) 20m 0525Z; YB0ASC (Indonesia) 20m 1454Z; ZS6AON 20m 1305Z; Z21JE 20m 1511; VU2WAP (India) 20M 1450Z.QSL ROUTES: TA3DS via WA3HUP; WH4/K6SHJ via K6SHJ; AH4/WA6FGV via WA6FGV; VE8C via VE3INB; 3W6DXI VIA DL4DBR; FP/N9PD via N9PD; 5W0HP via DL1SDV; 3D2DX via EA4CP; FO5QB via bureau; A61AN via WA2JUN.

New DXCC Countries

Just at presstime, ARRL announced that the Austral Islands and the Marquesas Islands are added to the DXCC List effective March 31, 1998. Cards may be sent in for these on and after October 1, 1998.New DXCC Countries

Just at presstime, ARRL announced that the Austral Islands and the Marquesas Islands are added to the DXCC List effective March 31, 1998. Cards may be sent in for these on and after October 1, 1998.

Feature Article
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

Condolences

Don Bedell, KA3BKU, was recently held captive at the hospital. However, Don escaped. Unfortunately, he will return for some surgery when his doctor returns from vacation. Mike Hance, K5NZ, was a recent medical casualty. It seems Mike was cleaning out some deer stands on his Grimes County ranch (or "ranchette"). Although he had his can of wasp spray at the ready, when he opened the door of one stand two wasps got him before he could complete his quick-draw. Although his description of his injuries on the repeater was "picturesque", when he appeared at the Lunch Bunch gathering on Wednesday Mike appeared reasonably normal -- and his appetite had not suffered at all.

Feature Article
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

Congratulations

Congratulations to recent NARS mambers who upgraded their licenses:Jackie Shallington, KD5CDJ, who moved up to ADVANCED Class and has a new callsign -- KM5SC. B. J. Lowery, WB5PKD, who moved up to ADVANCED Class.Rick Clepper, KC5ZRO, who also moved up to ADVANCED Class and has a new callsign -- KM5SD.

Feature Article
by... Ed Woodson- NC5S

Travel Agent Stories

Here are some actual stories told by travel agents. Any one wonder why U. S. folks score below the rest of the world on geography?A client called and wanted to stay at the Bob Newhart Inn in Connecticut. When I explained that the inn is fictional, the customer became very irate and insisted, "I know it's real. I see them check in every week! "Then there was the lady who asked for an aisle seat so that her hair would not be messed up from sitting by the window . . . of the airplane. A woman called and said she wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport infomation when she interrupted with "I'm not trying to make you look stupid but Capetown is in Massachusetts." Without trying to make her look stupid, I calmly explained "Cape Cod is in Massachusetts. Capetown is in Africa." Her response . . . click..

VE Session Results
by... Bill Gary - K8CSG

NARS held its regular August exam session on August 22, 1998. Seven candidates were examined on a total of 14 elements. Ten elements were passed for a pass rate of 71 percent. Three candidates earned Technician licenses, and another upgraded to General. Another candidate passed his Extra Class written exam. All four VEs participating were NARS members -- K8CSG, KJ5X, WC5CW and KK5YU. The next exam session will be held in Tomball on September 26.

Important Dates
by... Keith Dutson - WD5DXL

September '98

NARS Breakfast
Many members meet for an informal breakfast every Saturday at 8:00 am at Victor's Deli and Restaurant. Join us for informal ragchew, conversation, information exchange, and usually a few tall tales. Victor's is located at 4710 FM 1960 West.

Monthly Meeting
Friday, September 18, 1998, 7:30 pm - NARS monthly General Membership meeting, Spring Cypress Presbyterian Church, 6000 Spring-Cypress Road (1.7 miles East of Stubner-Airline) - Eyeball QSO's, 7:00 p.m..

Board Meeting
NARS Board of Directors meeting - Tuesday, September 29, 7:30 PM - NARS Board of Directors meeting, Terra Nova Clubhouse, 5200 Woodville.

VE License Exam Session,
Saturday, August 26, 8:30 AM - Tomball Community Center, S. Cherry & Market streets (just South of Main).

Contests
September 6 - NA Sprint, CW
September 5-6 - All Asian SSB
September 13 - NA Sprint, SSB
September 19-20 - Air Force Anniversary QSO Party
September 27-28 - CQ WW DX, RTTY
October 3-4 - California QSO Party
October 24-25 - CQ WW DX, SSB
November 28-29 - CQ WW DX, CW

Notice
NARS membership dues is $20 per year, renewable on anniversary of last year's full payment.

NARS News deadline for articles to appear in NARS Newsletter - The last day of month.