DAVE KNAUS, N9QA, SK
by Richard Regent, K9GDF
From West Allis Radio Amateurs Club - Hamtrix
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Our club members, especially longer time members, were greatly saddened to hear of Dave's passing on February 5. Dave was born and raised in Milwaukee and , after high school, he obtained a two-year degree in electronics from the United Electronics Institute. He worked for Astronautics Corporation for 34 years, mostly in Quality Assurance. He was originally licensed as WA9POV in the early 1970's and, in March 2000, he obtained his Extra class license. At that time he also changed his call to N9QA.
Much of what our club is today is the result of Dave's efforts. He and Roy Hawkins, WA9KEC (SK), were the prime movers in launching our Swapfest in 1973. He organized our Scholarship program in the 1980’s and was largely responsible for obtaining our 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, which allows contributors to deduct contributions to our Scholarship program. Our club's annual scholarship has now been renamed the Dave Knaus, N9QA, Memorial Scholarship in Dave’s memory. During the 1980's, Dave took our Hamtrix newsletter from a few ditto sheets to a professionally printed publication. He also spearheaded setting up our club repeater around this time, and he was involved with organizing the Wisconsin QSO Party after our West Allis Club took over sponsorship. In the 1990’s, he established our club web site and maintained it until recently. He was also a key player in putting Amateur Radio on the Circus Train and on the Circus grounds in Milwaukee.
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Over a thirty-five year period, he served four terms as President, five terms as Secretary and two terms as Treasurer. Besides these offices, he served nine years as an elected Board member. This represents a total of 20 years in elective office. In addition, he was selected as Member of the Year three times. At the April 8, 2008 club meeting, Dave received a Distinguished Service award in recognition of his many contributions to WARAC.
Besides the West Allis Club, he was active in the Milwaukee Radio Amateur Club and ARES in the 1970's and, in more recent years, the Ozaukee Radio Club.
On Field Day weekend in 1994, Dave received the heart transplant that he had needed for four years. The transplant was successful, but anti-rejection drugs took a toll on his kidneys and he received a kidney transplant in 2005. Dave was an advocate for organ donor awareness and set up a personal website with information on organ donation at www.n9qa.net/ .
For health reasons, Dave greatly reduced his involvement level during the last couple of years, so his absence is already being felt. But now more than ever, we will miss his logical, no-nonsense approach and his sharp wit. 73, Dave. Your legacy lives on.
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I Just Lost a Good Friend
From the Ozaukee Radio Club,
The OEC News
By Nels Harvey, WA9JOB
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I lost a good friend a few days ago. Dave Knaus, N9QA, is now SK. Dave came into my life back in the early 70's, when I became active on VHF, and met so many new friends. Dave had a great influence on my years as an Amateur Radio operator. After knowing him for a while, he invited me to a meeting. After some of Dave's encouragement, I agreed to be the new Wisconsin Frequency Coordinator!
It turned out that Dave was the secretary of the organization, and as a result, Dave and I traveled to the various meetings in Wisconsin. Dave and I also attended several meetings in Kansas City, and Sioux Falls, SD, meeting with adjacent states coordinators.
Frequency coordination needed calculations to help determine if a repeater could be placed in a location. I needed to upgrade, and purchased an XT computer. I had no idea how to use it, and Dave came over and set me up with a list of strange commands to be used. He helped me grow into the world of MSDOS!
Of course it didn't take long for the meetings to be moved to the Dayton Hamvention! Dave and I traveled to Dayton. It was my first, but Dave's second trip there. For several years, we made the trip together, and I can tell you stories of the problems getting hotels there, and dodging raindrops in the Flea market!
Dave liked to promote Amateur Radio where he could. He served as Webmaster for W.A.R. and Badger State Smoke Signals, and held Officer positions in the West Allis Radio Amateur Radio Club, as well as Repeater Vice-President in the Ozaukee Radio Club. Dave encouraged the ORC to begin the Scholarship program similar to the West Allis club. He had a way to get things done!
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Dave caught a virus in the early nineties that severely damaged his heart! He was then placed on a transplant list and carried a special pager. Dave and Dan Bolander (WB9TYT) were visiting Field Day sites one summer, and the pager went off! Dan drove Dave from Fond du Lac, where they were visiting a site, to Madison, where he received the heart of someone who had died.
Dave went to Dayton with me a couple more times, and continued to enjoy the Wisconsin Coordination meetings, but the anti-rejection meds slowed him and took their toll on his entire body, but especially on his kidneys. He also became increasing sensitive to infections, due to the medications, and had to be careful where he went in order to stay healthy.
It was sad to see a friend who I had shared so many long auto trips, meetings, Flea markets, situations and laughs, go down that slippery slope. No longer will I enjoy his boyish enthusiasm for new radios and things like packet radio and computers! He won't be there with me at the Waffle House in Dayton! He won’t get one up over Sandy at the Saturday breakfast gatherings! He no longer will stop over just to visit Joyce and me!
I lost a good friend a few days ago!
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WISCONSIN NET ASSOCIATION LTD
Dean R. Herriges, KB9ROB Secretary
W370 S9590 Highway 67 - Eagle, WI 53119
WISCONSIN NETS
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Net
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WNA
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Freq
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UTC
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CDT
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Manager
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BWN
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YES
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3985
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1100
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0600
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W9IXG
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BEN
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YES
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3985
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1700
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1200
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WD9FLJ
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WSBN
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YES
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3985
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2215
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1715
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KB9KEG
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WNN
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YES
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3555
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2300
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1800
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KB9ROB
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WSSN
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YES
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3555
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2330
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1830
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N9JIY
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WIN/E
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YES
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3555
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0200
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1900
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WB9ICH
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WIN/L
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YES
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3555
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0500
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2200
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W0RTP
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RCRA
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NO
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01/61
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0030
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1930
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KA9OMC
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(Monday CDT --- Menomonie Area)
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Green Bay Area
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NO
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72/12
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0245
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2145
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WB9NRK
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ARES
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NO
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4.65/5.25
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0200
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2100
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(South East/South Central Wisconsin)
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ARES/RACES (WRACES)
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NO
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3997.5
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2300
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1800
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N9VAO
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(Sunday)
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WISCONSIN SECTION MANAGER REPORT
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JANUARY 2009
WISCONSIN: SM: Don Michalski, W9IXG. BWN 3982.5 0500-0715 W9IXG. BEN 3985 1200 WD9FLJ. WSBN 3985 1715-1800 KB9KEG. WNN 3555 1800 KB9ROB. WSSN 3555 1830 N9JIY. WIN-E 3555 1900 WB9ICH. WIN-L 3555 2200 W9UW. WRACES 3977.5 0800 Sundays N9VAO (All times are Central time)
Regretfully, I am informing you of the passing of these Wisconsin Amateurs:
Daniel Erskine, KB9OBO, 24. He was a member of L.A.A.R.C.
Dave Knaus, N9QA (former WA9POV), 58. Dave was active with the ORC Scholarship Fund and was past president of WARAC.
Russell Kain, Jr., N9SZZ, 65. Russ was a member of the Green Bay Mike and Key Club, and a weather spotter in Oconto County.
Through a memorial gift to ARRL you can celebrate or honor the life or contributions of a family member or friend for whom Amateur Radio has been a passion.
http://www.arrl.org/development/memorial.html#top Please keep me informed of any Wisconsin Amateurs who pass away. Send me the obituary (newspaper website notice preferred) to
:w9ixg@arrl.org so I can pass it on to ARRL for posting in QST.
** ARRL Award Nominations are now open! Each year the ARRL Board of Directors has the opportunity to select recipients for a number of awards in various categories that honor Amateur Radio operators. The nomination period is now open for the annual ARRL awards that are designed to recognize educational and technological pursuits in Amateur Radio and honor a young Amateur Radio operator.
Suggestions on who to honor and supporting information, including the endorsement of ARRL affiliated clubs and elected or appointed League officials, should be submitted to ARRL Headquarters or nominations should be submitted first to your respective Section Manager (see page 16 of QST). It all depends upon the award. Please check the ARRL Web page for specific details
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/edunom.html. In most cases, nominations are due by March 31, 2009.
The Hiram Percy Maxim Award is for a licensed radio amateur under age 21 whose accomplishments and contributions are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio activities.
The ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award goes to a volunteer Amateur Radio instructor, and the ARRL Professional Educator of the Year Award is given to a professional teacher who has incorporated Amateur Radio into his or her class curriculum.
The ARRL Microwave Development Award is presented to a licensed radio amateur or to individuals who are licensed radio amateurs contribute to the development of the Amateur Radio microwave bands. The ARRL Technical Service Award recognizes a licensed radio amateur or to individuals who are licensed radio amateurs that provide Amateur Radio technical assistance or training to others.
The ARRL Technical Innovation Award is granted to the licensed radio amateur or to individuals who are licensed radio amateurs that develop and apply new technical ideas or techniques in Amateur Radio.
Nomination forms and further information on these awards are found at
www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/award.
THE FOUNDATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO, INC., a non-profit organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C., plans to administer forty eight (48) scholarships for the academic year 2009 - 2010 to assist licensed Radio Amateurs. The Foundation, composed of over seventy-five local area Amateur Radio Clubs, fully funds two of these scholarships. The remaining forty-eight (48) are administered by the Foundation without cost to the various donors. Licensed Radio Amateurs may compete for these awards if they plan to pursue a full-time course of studies beyond high school and are enrolled in or have been accepted for enrollment at an accredited university, college or technical school. The awards range from $5,000 to $500 with preference given in some cases to residents of specified
geographical areas or the pursuit of certain study programs. Non-USA residents are eligible to apply for some of the scholarships. Clubs, especially those in Wisconsin, are encouraged to announce these opportunities at their meetings, in their club newsletters, during training classes, on their nets and on their world wide web home pages. Additional information and an application form may be requested by letter or QSL card, postmarked prior to March 30, 2009 from:
FAR Scholarships
Post Office Box 831
Riverdale, MD 20738
Applications are also available for download from the Foundation's web site
http://www.farweb.org/.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at the ECARC Equipment Auction on March 14 and the Tri-County ARC Swapfest on March 15! Details on these and other upcoming Hamfests are given on the Wisconsin Section website -
http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=WI 73,
Don, W9IXG
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FEBRUARY 2009
WISCONSIN: SM: Don Michalski, W9IXG, SEC: N9VE, STM: K9LGU, SGL: AD9X, OOC: KC9IS, PIC: KB9NUM, TC: K9GDF, BM: WB9NRK, ACC: N9LVS ASMs: K9UTQ, W9DGI, N9VE, KG8CX, KB9ENO.
Regretfully, I am informing you of the passing of these Wisconsin Amateurs:
Kurt Diedring, AA0NG (formally, WB9GLB), 82. Kurt was a past member of the Sheboygan County DX Association and the Sheboygan County ARC.
Dan Hammell, WA9EZT. Dan was co-founder of the Beloit ARC in the early 60s.
Walter Schlaugat Jr, W9SD, 86. Walter was very active in the Wisconsin nets.
Miles Wolhowe, N9BOP, 86.
Through a memorial gift to ARRL you can celebrate or honor the life or contributions of a family member or friend for whom Amateur Radio has been a passion.
http://www.arrl.org/development/memorial.html#top Please keep me informed of any Wisconsin Amateurs who pass away. Send me the obituary (newspaper website notice preferred) to w9ixg@arrl.org so I can pass it on to ARRL for posting in QST.
Spring is almost here and this is the time for severe storm training sessions and we recommend that you attend one of these free sessions. There are many in Wisconsin and a list is provided at this site:
http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=WI#spotter
Heads up - this weekend!! 2009 Wisconsin QSO party is March 15 - 1 PM to 8 PM. Details are given on the website:
http://www.warac.org/wqp/wqp.htm
The ARRL Wisconsin site
http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=WI is maintained by Webmaster, Richard Regent, K9GDF. Through Richard's skills, we have one of the finest Section sites in the nation. There are many links provided to you with current Wisconsin announcements, events, classes, nets, technical help, etc. We invite you to visit it often. And, if you notice a site that would be useful to others or a photo (with a caption) for the gallery, please pass it to Richard, k9gdf@arrl.net, or me. Sometimes links go dead, so if you see one that doesn't work, let us know! We want to keep the site current. Thank you!
I'll be at the ECARC auction on the 14th, the Jefferson Hamfest on the 15th , and AES Superfest on April 3 and 4.
http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=WI#fest. Be sure to stop by the ARRL table for an eyeball QSO!! I'll be offering special membership promotions at all these events!
73, Don, W9IXG
ARRL Wisconsin Section
Section Manager: Donald E. Michalski, W9IXG
w9ixg@arrl.org
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WISCONSIN SECTION STM REPORT
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STM Report
Wisconsin Section
JANUARY 2009
FAQ # 90 - The start of the new year calls for some resolutions. Here are a few suggestions to add to your list.
(1) Resolve to offer some assistance to a new or potential Ham. Personal contact can do what no reference book or website can.
(2) Resolve to check - connections, antennas, transmitter settings, go kits, and anything else that is taken for granted around your station.
(3) Resolve to review NTS message format and handle some traffic.
(4) Resolve to check in to more nets - or at least become more regular on one so you can be counted on as a traffic outlet for the system.
(5) Resolve to sharpen your operating skills – in listening, in speaking, in sending CW, in keyboarding.
(6) Resolve to be more efficient in transmissions – avoiding phrases such as "for I D" when you identify; not adding an "s" to 73; not naming the parts of a message preamble as you send it.
(7) Resolve to listen more.
(8) Resolve not only to appreciate what the Section Manager, net control stations, liaisons, and field appointees do for Ham Radio in Wisconsin - but to tell them of your gratitude.
(9) Resolve to volunteer occasionally for an open net control or liaison spot, because it's good practice and a nice thing to do.
(10) Resolve to review this list a few times during the year to check your progress.
73 - K9LGU/ STM- WI
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STM Report
Wisconsin Section
FEBRUARY 2009
SPECIAL NOTICE: Some daytime sessions of 9RN are back! Under the direction of its new net manager, NA9L, operation will be MWF on 3.910 (alternate 7.280) 11:00 A.M.our time. Wisconsin volunteers will be needed to check into this net to send or bring back NTS traffic. Please give it a try. You can even discuss the net operation on a Yahoo Group site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NTS-9RN.
FAQ # 91 - Where does all the traffic go? When it rains. . . One evening in February, I received 10 messages on 9RN and two more through WINLINK. There was no SSB rep on Late WIN that night to take the traffic to the BEN the following day, and I knew I'd be going to work, so I was concerned about that pile of traffic not moving. When an operator takes traffic, it comes with an obligation to pass it closer to its destination or deliver it within a reasonable time. For routine traffic, that's probably 24 - 48 hours.
Tomahawk, Franklin, Racine, Solon Springs, Oconomowoc, and more. I was apprehensive. True, it's not Texas, but I could hold-em for a while, might even deliver a few by telephone, but that wasn-t exercising the NTS. Yes, much of this dozen was standard-text book traffic but it still tested the system and helped ops sharpen their skills - so they'd be ready "when all else fails." I didn't have much hope as I listed it all on the skip-plagued WSBN.
Happy ending. Stations on the Wisconsin Side Band Net (e.g. KA9ROB, WA9QIB, KN9P, N9VC, KC9LOY, et al.) took all but the (unlisted) Solon Springs – which WO0W subsequently took on early WIN! Moral of the story? The system works. It works because operators check nets regularly, because they want to help, because they care. When I know there's a willing traffic handler who regularly checks one of our section nets, I don't have to hesitate to take some traffic for their location. Where does the traffic go? To Hams who care, who want to help. Of course, that's why they call it a system.
73 - K9LGU/ STM- WI
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 by Richard Regent, K9GDF
Please send additions and changes to:
k9en@arrl.net
Kenneth A Ebneter
822 Wauona Trail, Portage WI 53901
ph 608-742-3560
Badger
State Smoke Signals on the Web
We are interested in your comments and ideas.
Please direct them to:k9en@arrl.net
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©2003 Badger State Smoke Signals, Inc.
Webmaster - Dave KB9CSW -
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