One of our own lost his life setting up for Field Day. Amateurs throughout Michigan are saddened by the loss of Larry Prelog, KE4PM, and our condolences go out to his family. The following article appeared on the ARRL website. Pat Mullet, KC8RTW, Michigan Section PIC.

Michigan Ham Dies in Tower Accident

(ARRLWeb—Jul 1, 2009) A tower accident during Field Day preparations around 11 AM EDT on Saturday, June 27 claimed the life of Larry Prelog, KE4PM, of Niles, Michigan. Prelog, a member of the Blossomland Amateur Radio Association (BARA), was airlifted from Watervliet to a Kalamazoo hospital where he passed away early Sunday morning. He was 57. BARA Public Information Officer (PIO) Matt Severin, N8MS, told the ARRL that Prelog "…was very passionate about Amateur Radio and was very involved in club activities. He was the driving force behind the first high altitude balloon launch for our club. Larry was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back even if he didn't have another one for himself. He will be dearly missed."

Executive Office of Jennifer M. Granholm,
Governor

On behalf of the citizens of Michigan, I, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm,
do hereby proclaim the month of June 2009

Amateur Radio Awareness Week

Whereas, Amateur radio provides a bridge between people, societies and countries through the sharing of ideas; and,

Whereas, Throughout its history, amateur radio operators have provided countless hours of community service without compensation; and,

Whereas, There are over 20,000 amateur radio operators in the state of Michigan and approximately 85 amateur radio clubs that have demonstrated their value in public assistance by providing, at their own expense, emergency radio communications; and,

(Lansing, MI, June 11, 2009) -- Governor Jennifer Granholm has issued a proclamation recognizing the public service contributions of Michigan's Amateur Radio Operators, as they prepare for their annual emergency service exercise.

Amateur Radio (or "ham radio") operators from throughout Michigan will be joining Hams across the country and the state in showing off the latest in voice and digital communications, attempting to talk to people around the world and even using amateur satellites in an effort to demonstrate their unique dedication to public service during Amateur Radio Week, June 22 - 28. Michigan's local ham radio clubs will be out in their communities to raise awareness about Amateur Radio and preparing for the week's culminating event, an annual emergency preparedness exercise called "Field Day," which will be held June 27 and 28. Field Day is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for Amateur Radio.

Greetings Michigan Amateurs:

In June, practically everyone is preparing for Field Day, the largest ham radio operating event in the nation. Often overshadowed by FD is another activity that W8ISS quite fairly asked be hyped a little bit this year, the VHF QSO Party.

So, here are some comments offered by James W8ISS: "There are a number of VHF+ and Microwave users and rovers planning on being active during the June VHF QSO Party Contest the weekend of July 13th and 14th. For example, the ARROW Communications Association is going to be active on 6m thru 1.2GHz (minus 900MHz - still working on that transverter) from Domino's Farm in Ann Arbor using the call W8PGW. There are also going to be a number of Microwave rovers out there trying to get the bands active up through 24GHz that weekend. VHF+ and the Microwave contests don't get much mention because everyone thinks there isn't much activity, but to quote Lloyd, NE8I: "Activity happens, because we make it happen". So I think this may be a way to get some interest. There are a number of (as I call them) BIG guns in the state: WW8M - Chelsea, K2YAZ - Traverse City, K8MD - Howell, KB8U - Jackson, then you have the BIG gun rovers: NE8I - Traverse City, KB8U - Jackson, K8JA - Sterling Heights, WB8TGY - Lansing, WA8VPD - Farmington Hills. There a few others (whose call I can't remember) that are active also on the bands above 30MHz. There are also quite a number of VE stations active. It's just a shame that we don't hear the 'other' stations that have the radios that are capable of operating above 30MHz. It doesn't take much to get on and start racking up contacts even when there are no contests going on. All I want to see is more stations get active when they have the time. They may find out that they enjoy the uncrowded VHF+ bands more than HF. Currently there is 'talk' of the W8PGW VHF+ station going to Drummond Island to activate EN86 and 85 next year. This is in the planning stages right now, so no plans are definite yet."

Greetings Michigan Amateurs:

Here are excerpts from a special announcement Diane WI8K has sent to all Michigan ARRL Affiliated Clubs:

I am writing on behalf of your ARRL Michigan Section leadership and its newly formed ARRL Michigan PRB1 Committee. Our purpose is to pass the Michigan Emergency Communications Preservation Act. If enacted, this legislation would require zoning boards and other state and local authorities to incorporate the federal preemption under PRB-1 into any ordinances regulating antennas. We would be the 28th state to pass such a law.

For background information on PRB-1 and an explanation of the benefits to Michigan’s citizens of enacting this legislation, please see the attached handout. At this time, the bill is still in the draft stage. But there are several steps you can take now to support our efforts and gain the knowledge you will need when the time comes to make the Michigan Emergency Communications Preservation Act a reality.

The Big Rapids Area Amateur Radio Club (BRAARC) is an ARRL special service club.

Monthly meetings are held at the Big Rapids DPS which is located at 435 North Michigan in Big Rapids. Meetings occur the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 P.M. and all are welcome to attend.

The club maintains 3 repeaters: a 2 meter repeater(146.74, -offset), a 440 repeater(443.9, +offset), and a 6 meter repeater(52.860, -offset).

Big Rapids is located in central Michigan and is home to about 11,000. Big Rapids is also home to Ferris State University.

Greetings Michigan Amateurs:

First off, a quick reminder: The famous Michigan QSO Party is this weekend, April 18/19. Last minute details are available on the MiQP website at http://www.miqp.org This is a excellent time to get in some operating time and gain recognition for the great hams in Michigan.

Where area all the nets? Michigan Section Traffic Manager, John WB8RCR reports that there are 45 active nets in the state. Can this be true? Aren't there many more local ARES/RACES nets active as well? Does anyone else know this? Does anyone outside your immediate area know that your local net exists? I certainly would like to know. So, I put forth a challenge for all net managers to let us know about your net. Send me the name freq and meeting times for your net and we'll get it listed. Here are the ones who do let us know on a regular basis:

Greetings Michigan Amateurs:

This month, we welcome a new member of the Section Staff, as Pat Mullett KC8RTW assumes the roll of Section Public Information Coordinator. Pat fills the shoes of Jerry Baker KD8AYL who had chosen to step aside because of changing job commitments. Our thanks to Jerry and warm welcome goes out to Pat.

On February 21, 2009, the GRARA, LARC, MARA and MDXA, held their “New Hams Dinner”. This year, the Michigan DX Association joined the sponsoring clubs and also presented their “Pillars of Society Award” to Abe, W8HVG. Abe is well known for his outstanding knowledge and help he contributes to hams. GRARA, LARC and MARA presented the “West Michigan Ham of the Year Award” to Tom Hansen, N8DGD. Tom has contributed a lot to both individuals in learning about Ham Radio and also for maintaining the GRARA repeater system.

Hello all,

For personal reasons, Michigan Section PIC Jerry Baker, KD8AYL has resigned his post and submitted his recommendation for his replacement. Michigan Section Manager Dale Williams, WA8EFK, has approved Jerry’s recommendation and appointed me the new Michigan Section PIC. Though I’m a bit nervous about my qualifications, I have agreed to accept the post, and I thought I would take this chance to introduce myself and give a little background to my fellow hams in the Michigan Section.

I earned my Technician License in 2000, and have since earned my Extra Class. My formal training is as a Broadcast Engineer, and spent 23 years as an operating engineer at a PBS affiliate, where I worked closely with the Traffic Director and learned a bit about pr work from the other side. After joining the Midland Amateur Radio Club in Midland, Michigan, I sort of naturally fell into the PIO slot, where my efforts were noticed by then PIC Harold Beauchamp, KC8QMH, who recruited me as a Michigan Section PIO. Shortly after joining MARC, the Newsletter Editor decided it was time to pass the baton, and I was tapped for that slot, as well.