Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets.

Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on space shuttle missions and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!

Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs communicate with each other for fun, during emergencies, and even in contests. They handle messages for police and other public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies including hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and floods, motorist accidents, fires and chemical spills, and search and rescues. They help organize parades and other local events... the list goes on and on.

The above was adapted from "Hello Radio " on the ARRL web site. Give them a visit... there's lots of interesting stuff there.

Come to the Valentine's Dinner!

Come to the YRC's annual Valentine's Dinner on Friday, February 17th. We hold this event on the third Friday of each February in lieu of our regular meeting and a GREAT time is had by all! There will be entertainment, and we will be meeting, greeting, and EATING at the Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant in downtown Elmhurst. Choose from among soup, ample appetizers, countless choices of Chinese foods, green tea, cookies and fortune cookies, etc. There will be a cash bar.

Date: Friday, Feb. 17
Time: 7:00 Cocktails (cash bar); 7:30 Dinner
Place: Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant, 117 W 1st St, Elmhurst (across from the Metra station)
Cost: $22/person - Tax, tip, out the door

Please help us in our planning by filling in and submitting the form below. Even if the "number coming" is zero, we still need to know. If you have problems submitting the form you can call Les, W9LSO with the information. His number is 630-833-7371.

Thanks, and see you there!

 

The Elmer List is available to all members. This list includes all active (paid-up) club members with their phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, call signs, etc. The list is in PDF format and is available to any active club member who wants it. Just use the CONTACT YRC link in the main menu at the left side of the page to request yours. Include your name and call sign in the request, and MAKE SURE YOU ACCURATELY ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! You will receive your Elmer List in your in-box shortly after you request it.

Why not just make it download-able? For security reasons this information is restricted to club members and this seemed to be the easiest way to make sure it stays that way. 

The most up-to-date version is from February 19, 2011.