Greetings to all club members, Friends of the KCRA and fellow HAM’s!

2011 was a good year for the Club with several fun events.  This year we sponsored HAM Radio University, January 8^th, and gave classes in both the NTS and D-Star.  I was at the club table meeting other HAM’s with Mike, Gary, John and Joe.   HRU is a great way to meet other clubs, and talk to them about what we are doing. There were many great classes, with very knowledgeable instructors!  I would like to welcome the new members, and old members that renewed at HRU.     

The next club meeting is Tuesday, January 17^th.  We will be discussing what is happening to the 146.430 repeater, and what we are doing to fix it.  Also on the agenda will be discussing club events we are working on, your input is important to us. Let us know what you would like to see us do. The main events we did last year were:  Field-Day; National Night Out; September 11^th; Boy Scout Camporee; International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend.  Look on our WEB site for more details on these events.  This year we hope to add a BBQ and Rabbit Hunt!   

New this year will be meetings during July and August. These could be used for workshop type of meetings… and hopefully getting a rabbit hunting party together for the great rabbit hunt!

In February, we will be holding our first Technician class in many years.  We have held these in the past at the Fort, and hope we can continue to do this next year.  Our first class is closed, open to members of the New York Guard only. This will be an interesting learning experience, as all of the instructors are new. Be on the lookout for other classes.  

We are looking for some Ideas on meeting topics for 2012, comments are welcome. Please send a note to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Become Radioactive!   Come to the KCRA meetings!  Learn something participating in our Hands-On-Labs! The Kings County Repeater Association needs your support at our monthly meetings! 

If you have any ideas that pertain to amateur radio, we would like to hear from you!

Have any interesting HAM related pictures, old members, old events, send us a note, we would like to post it on the site!

I think most of us are members of the ARRL.  If you are not, I would like you to consider becoming a member of the ARRL. The ARRL has a lot to offer you in many ways, and they protect the amateur radio bands from commercial use!

73’de KB2PSI, Vinny

The formation of our new VE group is going strong. But we are lacking enough Extra class volunteers to be able to offer General and Extra upgrade exams. Please, if you are an Extra and can spare one Tuesday night every other month to help your club administer exams, get in touch with me by clicking This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I'll forward you the application for our new VEC, just fill it out and send it back with a copy of your license,  to me via mail, at a meeting or scan and send it via email.

At this time, we are only seeking Extra class volunteers.

When the Extra class pool changes later this year, we will be forming an Extra class educational campaign to help all you Generals upgrade!

We hope to announce a new FREE VE testing session schedule soon!

It's time to renew! The KCRA is pleased to announce it's again able to provide gifts for the 2012 membership year.

Renew your membership and receive a 2012 weekly planner and a KCRA clock and penholder. New members will also be provided with a club messenger bag and other items.

You must pick up your gift at a club event or meeting, while supplies last (Quantities are limited), first come, first served. Gifts may be picked up starting with the holiday party.

CLICK HERE TO RENEW OR JOIN ONLINE

I recently acquired a Baofeng UV-3R dual band sub miniature HT as in import from China for about $50.00. This radio is made by Vero Telcom as a custom label product (watch out for their dual band mobile) and marketed by BaoFeng Electron Co, LTD, it is also available under several other names such as Magiksun. This radio is readily available to purchase from many online retailers, all ship from China (this article will not cover the legalities of importing your own radio or its lack of certification, please seek advice and reach your own conclusion) and will take two to three weeks to arrive.

This review is based on my opinions, observations, and specifications of the radio as I lack the necessary equipment to perform a lab analysis. I will also rely on the work of others by embedding various videos and other references that have already been accomplished. In short, this review is not meant to be gospel, and is not entirely original work.

At first look, this radio may seem like a clone of the Yaesu VX-3R. Remember the adage, never judge a book by its cover, looks can be deceiving.

The Next KCRA Meeting Will Be Held at 7:00 PM On January 17th, 2012 at:

The Guild For Exceptional Children

  268 68th. Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220

Click “Read More” for directions.
 

Operation of radio transmitting equipment without a license is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Section 301, and will subject the operator to fine or imprisonment, as well as an in rem seizure of any non-certified radio transmitting equipment, in cooperation with the United States Attorney for your jurisdiction.

Monetary forfeitures normally range from $7,500 to $10,000