Club History

I want to thank Jay Jenkins (AA9KH) for the club history.


1993 Club Hightlights

1993-1994 STARS Officers and Directors

President: Phil Grinker N9BFA
Vice-President: Steve Pumfrey WF9G
Treasurer: Larry Hau WB9LRK
Secretary: Fred Walter KB4NEN
Trustee: Jim Watt WG9Z
Tech Chaiperson: Mike Kiley WA9ZPM
Other Board Members at large:  Tim Pechtold AA9BV, John Swanson KB9FQB, Cliff Petit KA9OYD, Jim Gudas WK9I and Tom Jesso WB9EIL

Highlights from October 1993 newsletter
meeting October 8 at Tinley Park Library at 7 PM.
VE Testing October 30 at Alsip Library at 10 AM.

Highlights from November 1993 newsletter
Nominating committee: KB9FQB, AA9BV and WB9LRK.
December radio prize will be a Yaesu FT-5100.
Field Day: under K9XR callsign, operators uncluding K9XR, K9FYG, WG9R,NW9S, AA9BV, N9RBT, and N9PNO. Operated class 1-D and scored 1604 points total.

The November 1993 roster listed 150 full and/ or associate members.

1994_ Highlights.txt

1994-95 STARS Officers and directors

President: Phil Grinker N9BFA
Vice-President: Al Brooks K9XR
Treasurer: Larry hau WB9LRK
Secretary: Fred Walter KB4NEN
Trustee: Jim Watt WG9Z
Tech Chairperson: Mike Kiley WA9ZPM

Other Board Members at-large: Tim Pechtold AA9BV, John Swanson KB9FQB, Cliff Petit KA9OYD, Jack Zeilenga WG9R and Bob Marcheschi WF9V.

Highlights from February 1994 newsletter
January 1994 meeting had 17 attendees.
Informal antenna maintenance committee established and consisting of KB9IPX, WB9LRK, N9MUX, N9NIT, N9VGV and K9XR.
January 1994 VE session administered 23 test elements which was held on short notice at the Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn, thanks to KB9FQB. V. E.
team members included: K9FYG ( Ron ), WF9G , WX9F, NW9S, WB9VMX, K9XR, AA9BV and WF9V.
Upcoming dates: Members meeting February 11, 1994 at Tinley Park Library;
February 16 Board meeting at The Orient Restaurant; February 26 VE session at Alsip Library.

Highlights from May 1994 newsletter
Picnic at Round Barn Farm in Manhattan (IL). Advance tickets $2 and includes entrance fee, food and beverages. members are asked to bring some food and beverages to share with others.
Ron K9FYG  resigned as V. E. team leader. No replacement named yet.
Saturday April 23 WF9V, Bob N9JYX and KB9FQB re installed the original 4 bay folded dipole antenna system and hardline for the 2M.
repeater: April 26, Mike N9CRN and WF9V checked out the system and replaced a bad connector on one of the duplexer cables. 95 watts output
May13: General membership meeting at 7:30 PM at Tinley Park Library
May 18: Board Meeting
July 17: Picnic at the Round Barn

Highlights from August 1994 newsletter
AA9KH replaced KA9OYD as a Board member
Effective August 13 at 12:01 AM the STARS 2 meter repeater will require a 107.2 Hz CTCSS tone for access. The old system of being CTCSS between midnight and 7 AM will be scrapped.
The change was made to accomodate other nearby and / or out-of-state repeater systems utilization of the same 146.04/146.640 MHz frequencies by tehir systems.
Annual hayride on Saturday, September 24 at Forest View Farms, 167th and Laramie.
Oak Forest (IL). Contact Mike WA9ZPM for details.
The STARS trail Blazers is an informal group of bicyclists who use the Cook County Forest Preserve District paths and carry ham gear on our bicycles. A photo (washed out ) appears in the newsletter and show AA9KH, AA9BV, N9PNO ( George ), WF9G and WF9V. Not shown were WG9R and Bob N9NIT. Construction details appeared for a marine/RV 2M antenna by Ivan Lorenzen, W4JC.
Upcoming dates: August 12 member meeting, 7:30 PM at Tinley Park Library:
August 17 Board meeting, New Horizon Restaurant, Oak Forest;
September 24 Hayride.

Highlights from September 1994 newsletter
Hayride September 24 starting at & PM, Forest View Farms, Oak Forest. A roster showing 153 full/family members was included with this issue.
As of 1994 July 8: $4440.46, + $75 -$706.59 =1994 August 12 balance $3808.87.
July 17 picnic at the Round Barn had asvance ticket sales of 53 with 43 people attending. Special  event station gear was brought by WA9ZPM - a Kenwood TS520 - and WG9R supplied a Zepp antenna. AA9KH provided a 2 meter station. Others assisting we WF9V,KB9FQB and KB4NEN.
The hayride will be held on September 24 and tickets cost $5 each. The ride will last about 45 minutes.
The Sunday night STARS 2M net had 42 check ins last week.
Congratulations to AA9KH on his appointment to serve as a Board member, replacing KA9OYD who resigned for personal reasons.

Highlights from November 1994 newsletter
Orland Junior High School is looking for help arranging a QSO between the school and the Space Shuttle during an upcoming SAREX ( Shuttle Amateir Radio Experiment ) mission.
At the October 1994 meeting, 30 members and visitors attended.
The 2M system antenna has been re-located to a higher point onm the hospital's roof and a re-inforced tripod secured by 450 pound of sand bags anchors the anteena.
A paging system transmitter on 152.450 MHZ near the site has been causing interference to the 2M repeater.
The Hayride was cancelled due to bad weather. It will not be re-scheduled.
Highlights from December 1994 newsletter
Effective in January 1995, STARS member meeting will be held at a new location : First Suburban Bank, 151st Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park.
The slate has been set for the December 9 elections: President, Secretary and 3 Board members will be elected.  The candidates are, President: Jack Zeilenga WG9R, Secretary: Jay AA9KH and Bob N9NIT< Board members  ( select three): N9BFA, WB9EIL,WD9IBH, KB9IKO, WX9L, KB9NEN, N9OAX, N9TEG and WG9Z.
Hamfesters (club) has agreed to assist STARS with the SAREX project.
Two radios will be raffled off at tdhe December 1994 meeting: a Yaesu FT2500 2M mobile and a Kenwood TH 22AT.The Sunday evening net, held at 7 PM, has been getting around 35 check-ins per session and last between 60 and roughly 90 minutes. AA9BV is net control. STARS baseball style caps are $3.75. Jackets are about $30 and either can be ordered through Jack WG9R.
N9LVP retired as STARS newsletter editor. It currently runs 29 cent per copy for postage.
Jan thanked her emploer for allowing the use of their publication software,photocopier and stapler for producing the newsletter. She also thanked WG9Z and KB9FQB for their assistance.
Upcoming dates: December 9 member meeting, elections, radio raffle at Tinley Park Library on 171st Street beween Harlem and Oak Park Avenue, starting at 7:30 PM,
December 21 Board meeting at Rosewood West Restauranr, Route 83 and Cicero in Crestwood.

1995-96 STARS Officers and directors
President: Jack Zeilenga WG9R
Vice-president: Al Brooks K9XR
Treasurer: Larry Hau WB9LRK
Secretary: Jay Jenkins AA9KH
Trustee: Jim Watts WG9Z

Other Board members at-large: Tim Pechtold AA9BV, Phil Grinker N9BFA, Tom Jesso WB9EIL,Sy Field KB9IKO, Bill Will N9TEG, Bud Rector N9XZL.
Meeting held second Friday at First Chicago Bank, 151st Street and La Grange Road, Orland Park, (IL)

Highlights from January 1995 newsletter
6 new members approved at the December Board meeting are: Jim K9DDB, Al N9UJZ, Buck N9VQR, Dave N9TCQ, Pete KA9CDH and Rich KA9HMV.
As of January 1, 1995, the testing fee for exam increased 15 cents to$5.90.
Jim N9OQE won the Yaesu FT2500M rig and Jan KB9GLF won the Kenwood TH22AT H-T.
Over 70 people attented the December 1994 meeting.
This newsletter was the first edited by Tim AA9BV, who listed himself as " The Executive Producer"
Larry WB9LRK provided the mailing labels and Jay AA9KH provided the copying, folding, stapling and mailing.

Highlights from February 1995 newsletter
STARS tee shirts, a new item, are $6 each, hats are $3.75 and jackets are $42. WG9R for details.
30 people were present at the January meeting, according to the minutes.
WG9R announced at the January meeting that the UHF system would soon be moved to Gem Electric and their 110 foot tower.
N9BFA received a plaque thanking him for his service to the club during his tenure as President.

Highlights from April 1995 newsletter
Bud N9XZL named to Board to replace Bob WF9V.
Construction article from W8HVG for a 147.222 and 440 MHz gain vertical made of coax, PVC pipe and radials.
SAREX project is awaiting a date assignment.
The "Helimax" antenna is advertised. April Fools ! 17.67 inches long, it purportedly covers 160 thru 10 meters.

Highlights from June 1995 newsletter
Finally...pictures that can be seen! The newsletter was run on an offset press instead of a photocopier at a printing cost of $ 70, plus 164 pieces of pieces of first class postage at $52.48.
Pictures from May " white Elephant Sale" appeared and including: NW9TWH, N9TWE, WF9G, KA9TWH, N9VGV.

Highlights from July 1995 newsletter
Jay AA9KH, Jack WG9R, Hardy WA9EQN and Oran KA9FRQ, all made the get-well-soon list.
July 1995 QST magazine on page 117, mentioned the joint HAmfesters/STARS upcoming SAREX missing.
As historical articles about the creation of "solder wick" appeared.
STARS VE session on the fourth Saturday are now held at the Oak Forest Park District Building, 15601 Central Avenue, between 9 and 11 AM. The test fee is $5.90.
A reprint of a QSL card received by Moe W9BOX from Barry Goldwater K7UGA/6 appeared.
Ad for Hamfesters 33rd annual hamfest to be held Sunday, August 13, 1967 at Santa Fe Park, 91st and Wolf Road in Willow Spring (IL). The 61st annual hamfest will be held Augusat 6, 1995 in Peotone.
"A lot of people eat from the three basic food groups: canned, frozen and take out!" from the STARS gardener, Basil N9EOP.
The picnic at the Round Barn will be on Sunday, July 23, 1995.

Highlights from September 1995 newsletter
The repeaters old callsign of WG9Z became WG9R recently. WG9Z has had to do a lot of traveling for work of late.
A new control was installed on the 440 system thanks to Mike N9CRN and Bob WF9V.
QSO cards from W6RO including cards received from the Queen Mary floating museum W6RO, N5CAF from the Confederate Ghost Squadron, the USS Nimitz and the Hughes Flying Boat hangar.
Tim authored an articles about Riverview Amusement Park.
A technical article about an RC type VFO circuit's patent.

Highlights from October 1995 newsletter
Greg KF9RL took over as editor of the STARS newsletter from Tim AA9BV.
As of this newsletter's issuance, Officers, ect, are:
1995-96 STARS Officers and directors
President, Trustee: Jack Zeilenga WG9R
Vice-President: Bob Marcheschi WF9V
Treasurer: Larry Hau WB9LRK
Secretary: Jay Jenkins AA9KH
Other Board members at-large: Tim Pechtold AA9BV, Phil Grinker N9BFA, Tom Jesso WB9EIL, Sy Field KB9IKO, Bill Will N9TEG, Bud Rector N9XZL and Greg KF9RL.
Meeting was held second Friday at First Chicago Bank, 151st Street and La Grage Road, Orland Park(IL).

As of June 1997 newsletter
President: Bill Will N9TEG
Vice-President and Club license trustee Bob Marcheschi WF9V
Secretary: Jay Jenkins AA9KH
Treasurer: Larry Hau WB9LRK
Board members Sy Field KB9IKO, John Fleming AA9SU, Tom Jesso WB9EIL, Bob Smith N9NIT, basil Ward N9EOP, Jack Zeilenga WG9R and Greg Zivich KF9RL

Highlights from the 1997 March STARS newsletter:
STARS has received notification that the MIREX contact will probably occur in April or May.
President Bill N9TEG, in his monthly column, thanked Bob WF9V and  Mike N9CRN for their fine work maintaining the two repeater systems. He also acknowledged the appointment of Jack WG9R last month to again serve the Club as a Board member.
A roster is enclosed with this edition of the newsletter and is and/ or family members.
STARS, for the first time, offered those interested to subscribe to the newsletter without becoming a Club member. Subcriptions will cost $7 per year, to cover postage and production costs.

Highlights from the 1997 May STARS newsletter:
On April 23 12 students from Jerling Junior High School spoke via amateur radio with NASA
Astronaut Jerry Linenger KC5HBR,while aboard the MIR space station, beginning about 1:35 PM.
The contact lasted almost the full duration of the overhead orbital time of ten minutes. Several of  the students even got to ask Jerry a second question. Nearly, 1,000 people were on hand at the school's gymnasium, including several members of the media. A few tense moments occured for the hams involved when the primary antenna system's SWR suddenly jumped to 3 to 1. It was found that the atenna's coaxial cable had briefly come into direct contact with the atenna and became damaged. After some re-arrangement, the SWR dropped to 2 to 1. Not as good as it had been, but it was though to be sufficient. STARS simultaneuosly re-broadcast the QSO in its entirety over the STARS 442.675 repeater and Liberty Elementary School in Orland Park. Eventually, the local cable access channel in Orland Park produced a one hour documenmtary about the historic event.
Bob WF9V who served as moderator, control operator and NASA contact person wished to thank the following people for their particapation:

Co-moderator/Audio control- Bob N9NIT
Radio Operator- Bill N9TEG
Backup radio operator- Larry WB9LRK
Antenna control- Greg KF9RL
Antenna control- Karen N9ZXT
Simplex co-ordinator- Jack WG9R
Simplex co-ordinator- Chuck N9SHD
Antenna crew- Pat KB9KRT
Antenna crew- Tom KA9ZXN
Antenna crew- Gene N9MUX
Re-broadcast at Liberty Elementary School- Chuck WB9JGG
Video camera operator- Matt K9MS
Projection display computer- Bud N9XZL
Still photography- Sy KB9IKO
Hamfester trailer- KB9CYL
Hamfester trailer- Al WB9ZKD
NASA-assigned Project mentor- Charles Stufana AJ9N
Jerling teachers- Judy KB9TGQ and Pam KB9TGR

At the April 26 VE session Tom KA9ZXN passed element 1B and one other ham passed his element 1A exam. Thanks to the participating examiners: Bob WF9V, Jay AA9KH, Bruno K9QKB , Jim AA9SU and Bob N9JYX.

Highlights from  the 1997 June STARS newsletter:

President Bill N9TEG reported, in his monthly column, that the Club's treasury is nearly $400, more than it was in May of '96. He attributed this, in no small way, to the excellent job Karen N9ZXT is doing running the raffle each month.
A map to the STARS Field Day site appears in the newsletter.
The VE session held May 24 had 2 people take five exam elements and resulted in one new Technician Class licensee. Particpating in the session as examiners were: Bob WF9V, Jay AA9KH, Bob WD9FEN, Mike N9VGW, Bruno K9QKB, Jim AA9SU, Bob N9JYX and Greg KF9RL.
Gene N9MUX was honored by teh State of Illinois for heroism in the performance of his duties as a Lieutenant in the Calumet Park Fire Department. The award is presented " to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrates courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty." Gene was cited for giving his oxygen mask to a man while attempting to extinguish a fire in March of ' 96. Gene travelled to Springfield (IL) to accept the award. Gene's father is Bob WF9V, STARS current vice president.
The final STARS picnic that will be held at the Round Barn is coming on July 20. After many years at the same location, Frank and his family are considering selling some of the land. It is hoped that the county and/or state will purchase the Round Barn so that it may be maintained as a public attraction.

Highlights from the 1997 Jult STARS newsletter:

STARS second annual "Summerfest" will feature the raffle prize of a Radio Shack HTX212 FM mobile transceiver.
A short article appeared about Field Day. STARS had about 500 HF fone QSOs, 650 CW QSOs and 100 Novice/Tech station QSOs over the weekend. Thanks to all and a larger article will be ready for the August issue of the newsletter.

Highlights from the 1997 September STARS newsletter.

Our QSO between students at Jerling Junior High School and NASA Astronaut Doctor Jerry Linengar KC5HBR aboard the MIR Space Station, made possible as a joint venture with the Hamfesters Club, so impressed folks at NASA that a link was established from the Goddard Space Flight Center's website to the STARS http://www.starsradio.org/ website to see how well it can go.
The exam session held August 24 had two candidates take a total of four exam elements.
One upgraded from no license to Technician and the other passed both his element 1A and 1B Morse Code exams ( 5 and 13 words per minute, respectively).
Particpating as examiners were:
Bob WF9V, Larry WB9LRK, Jay AA9KH, Jim AA9SU, Bob N9JYX and Greg KF9RL.
From the "handle with care" column subitted by newsletter editor and webmaster Greg KF9RL, came full page article on the dangers of handling chemicals near our beloved (?) amateur radio equipment. Apparently a small amount of Johnson's "Deep Woods Off" went from the pump bottle to the front panel of Gregs' dual-band transceiver immediately causing it to blister and bubble. Apparently it is quite an effective etchant as well as bug repellent.

Highlights from the 1997 October STARS newsletter:

The STARS Board has approved the reduction of annual dues for prospective members less than 16 years old to $15 per year. This was done as it was felt that $25 seemed a bit more than  young people might be able to afford, if they wanted to join the Club.
QSL cards have arrived for those who particparted in the April MIREX  QSO. The cards are from amateur radio station ROMIR which is the generic callsign of the ham station aboard the MIR space station.
Steve WF9G is seeking volunteers to assist with the 1997 Boy Scouts' Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) event from Camp Goodenow. The Camp is off of Illinois Highway 394. JOTA is set for Saturday October 18.

Highlights from the 1997 November STARS newsletter:
Nominations are being sought for the offices of vice president, treasurer and four board members at the upcoming meeting.
Congratulations to Jim KB9OUS who passed his element 1B (13 wordper minute) exam at the October 25 test session. Also Bob WF9V, STARS contact VE, and Al WB9ZKD, Hamfesters contact VE, suggested that the Clubs' join their efforts by holding one exam session per month between them. Each Club currently holds its' own session each month. The small number of candidates that turn out for the sessions is the primary reason for the suggested change.
Webmaster Greg KF9RL announced the club has secured the domain name of http://www.starsradio.org/. The old URL www.niis.net/~sbear/stars.html got just confusing and long enough for some to have trouble accessing it. The new address will help improve access to the site.
Steve WF9G thanked Bob WD9FEN, John KB9FQB, Chuck KB9RGI, Al WB9ZKD and Walt KA9CBJ for their particpation during the annual Boy Scouts event JOTA on october 18. Of the 250 Scouts that attended the Jamboree at Camp  Goodenow, 180 participation certifcates were issued by the hams. The rigs used included a Kenwood TM241A for 2 meters, an Icom 706 and two Kenwood TS440Sat's for HF. The antennas were a 40 thru 10 meter dipole, an Outbacker for 80 thru 10 meters, a Pro-AM ABS 40 thru 10 meter vertical and a quarter wave vertical for 2 meters.
Net manager Jay AA9KH  announced that the Club's weekly information net would be moving to Wednesday evenings at 7 PM. The change was made to free up weekend evening time for those wishing to participate in the net.
Congratulations to Jim KB9OUS and Tom KA9XN who completed their  upgrades to Generals at the October 24 exam session.

Highlights from the 1997 December STARS newsletter:

STARS will feature two radios (!) at  the Club's December meeting/radio raffle, an Icom 207H and a dual-band H-T.
Candidate statements  appeared from some of the nominees running at the December meeting.
They included: For Vice President, Bob K9AJP, for Board of Directors Al WX9L, for Board of Directors, Bob WF9V, for Board of Directors Bob N9NIT, for Board Directors Fred KB4NEN and  for Board of Directors Jack WG9B.

1998_newsletter_ Highlights

As of the February 1998 newsletter:
President: Bill Will WW9WW
Vice-President: Pat Shalloo KB9KRT
Secretary: Jay Jenkins AA9KH
Treasurer: Larry Hau WB9LRK
Board Members: Bob Marcheschi WF9V, Bob Smith N9NIT, Fred Walter KB4NEN, Basil Ward N9EOP, Jack Zeilenga WG9R and Greg Zivich KF9RL.

Highlights from the 1998 February STARS newsletter:
The last election, held in December 1997, sparked interest in revising the Club's By-Laws. Some of the races were close enough that a flaw (?) seemed to rear its' ugly head. The current By-Laws do not address the issue of two candidates receiving the same number of votes. In the past, this issue would have been settled simply. Both a "coin toss" and a canvass of the members present at the meeting have been used to settle the issue and those methods seemed to be agreeable to those resent at the meeting. Looks like STARS is choosing to become formal in the Clubs' old (25+ years) age.
An Italian ham, IW7CHV, who keeps track of these things, issued an award to the STARS ham radio website for the month of December 1997. Thanks to Tom N9YZG for submitting the STARS site for consideration in the ham's monthly award decision making process.
A "wind chill" chart appeared. This chart relates the apparent ("real feel" ) temperature felt on bare skin given a specific thermometer temperature and the wind speed in miles per hour.
A request from the 9th area callsign manager for the ARRL's incoming QSL bureau was published. It requested that hams with new vanity callsigns, inform the bureau as soon as possible of this change so that QSL cards received by the bureau can go out to the correct amateur radio operator.

Highlights from the 1998 February STARS newsletter:

STARS Bt-Laws proposed ammendments require ratification by those members present at a general membership meeting. To that end, it was mentioned that the vote will take place at the upcoming March 13 meeting.
Webmaster Greg WF9RL mentioned that the STARS website has been up and running for nearly two years already( ! ) and would soon undergo a serious re-modeling effort.

Highlights from the 1998 April STARS newsletter:

President Bill WW9WW announced that the five ammendments to the STARS By-Law passed by voice vote at the regular March meeting. If any member would like a copy of the revised By-Laws please contact the Clubs' Secretary AA9KH.
Board member Basil N9EOP reluctantly resigned his posting, citing health and time concerns.
The remaining Board members have approved the appointment of Al Franowsky WX9L to fill the remainer of Basil's term of office.
At the STARS VE examsession on MArch 28, 3 people completed six exam elements resulting in one upgrade from General to Advanced  for Gerry of Frankfort ( IL ). One current  Advanced Class licensee had traveled from Rocl Island ( IL ) to take his Element 1C and 4B exams. He passed the  Element 4B exam but did not pass the CW exam. He was issued a CSCE and has 365 days to pass his 20 words per minute Morse Code exam to complete his upgrade to Extra. Thanks to Bob WF9V, Jim AA9SU, Jay AA9KH, Steve WF9G, Dawn WX9F, Jim KB9OUS and Greg KF9RL for their particiation as volunteer examiners.
A new Club roster, vaild as of March 1, was mailed out with the newsletter. It listed 122 current full, and/or family,members in the Club.

Highlights from the 1998 June STARS newsletter:

STARS will again operate under Category 2A from Messenger woods during Field Day 1998.
Chairperson Jay AA9KH has secured the permit and asked any/all interested parties to contact him as soon as practical IF they are lanning to attend.
Frank Bauer KA3HDO, was able to attend the May 1998 meeting and gave a great program on his area of expertise...space communications. Frank works for the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and serves AMSAT ( the Amateur Radio Satellite Corporation ) as Vice President in charge of Manned Space Missions. Frank was also responsible in no small way for arranging for our QSO with Doctor and NASA Astronaut Jerry Linenger KC5HBR while he was aboard the MIR SPACE Station and Jerling Junior High School of Orland Park.
According to STARS webmaster Greg KF9RL, the new and improved STARS website should make its' debut in June. The URL is http://www.starsradio.org/

Highlights from the 1998 July STARS newsletter:

The newsletter proudly announced that for the third summerfest ( July ) meeting running, the Club would feature ( this time ) a dual-band FM mobile transceiver. It will be an Icom 2710H.
The " skinny" report about STARS Field DAy 1998 was : we operated Category 2A: it was hot: Gerry KB9KI ran a VHF/UHF station: there were serveral mosquitoes present in the area: Jay AA9KH ran the CW station: Bill WW9WW ran the SSB shack; It rained overnight; food was served; and, some other people came out and helped. Details to follow in the next month's newsletter.
Jim N9ZQS submitted a cute article entitled. " You know you're getting old when ...
The term " kilohertz" sounds funny to you
You believe that FM is primarily good for listening to classical music
You remember Allied Radio You used AM fone without any nonsense about which sideband
A " Novice " meant a probationary nun
A "drain" was only the hole in the middle of your kitchen sink
You have a pair of earphones which reproduced the same signal in both ears.
You have a receiver which these earphones can be plugged in to
You think that " 10-4" is the score of the Sox game
You remember having read one of the articles that appears in the "25 Years Ago" column.

The Club Picnic is set July 19 at the Round Barn Farm Museum and Recreation Center, located near Manhattan ( IL ). A map is provided in the newsletter as well. Admission to the grounds cost $4 per person for those over two years of age. As always, the Club requests those attending to bring a side dish to share with others while the Club absords the cost of the barbecued beef and pork that Farmer Frank ( the owner ) perpares in the morning.

From January 2002 newsletter:

Editor Nick KB9WWS is recovering from a recent eye problem and is once again producing the newsletter.
Par KB9KRT has accepted the appointment to serve as Vice President.
STARS Field Day site will again be at Hawk Hollow.

From April 2002 newsletter:

Jay AA9KH asked for volunteers to serve as Net Manager and/ or contact VE.
FD Chairman Chuck KB9RGI asked for volunteers to assist as nedded.
July 21st will be the picnic at LaPorte Access, said Chairman Brian KB9RHM.

From June 2002 newsletter:

FD is coming. Chairman Chuck KB9RGI said volunteers are still needed in serveral areas.
Treasurer Nick KB9WWS said dues are due.
President Al KB9RHL presided over the May meeting, according to the published minutes.
FD photos included KB9RHM, KB9WWS, KB4NEN, KB9RGI, KA9TWH and AA9KH.

From September 2002 newsletter:

President Al KB9RHL upgraded to General. Chuck WB9JGG has changed his callsign to WV9C.
The annual  Boy Scouts JOTA ( Jamboree On THe Air ) event is fast approaching and will be held on October 19 and 20 this year.

From November 2002 newsletter:

Elections in December will be for President, Secretary and three Board Members.
The Winterfest 2002 event will feature an Icom IC-2800H radio.