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	March 2008


	LARC

New Ham Radio Classes Scheduled

The Children's Museum of Acadiana, in conjunction with the Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, announces a spring ham radio licensing course. The course offers individuals, ages 10 and up, instruction and practice designed to enable them to earn a Technician-level license in ham radio.
This license will allow them two-way communication privileges in larger segments of the radio frequency spectrum than are available through unlicensed technologies such as CB radio and cellular phones.
The instructors welcome grandparents, parents, and children to enroll in the course and earn their technician's license together. The course will begin with an orientation session Thursday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Class meetings will resume Thursday, March 27, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., continuing each Thursday through May 8, with the exception of April 24 when class will not meet in deference to Festival International. In addition to the one-time $5.00 course fee, each student will purchase a $25.00 manual and pay a $14.00 fee for testing and license for a total of $44.00.


	48th Acadiana Hamfest 2008 ARRL State Convention Sponsored by: Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Inc. March 21 & 22, 2008 Friday & Saturday Rayne Civic Center, Rayne, LA --0-- Flea market & dealer tables available. RV space with full hookups. Friday 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM-Crawfish Boil at 6:00 PM. Saturday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM 8:30 AM--DXCC Card Checking 8:45 AM--VE Testing 9:00 AM--AMSAT Forum 10:00 AM--ARRL Forum 11:00 AM--Fox Hunt 1:00 PM--Grand Prize Drawing 1^st Grand Prize--Icom 7000 HF Mobile 2^ndGrand Prize--Icom 2200H 2 Meter Mobile 3^rd Grand Prize--Icom V8 Sport 2 Meter HT Need not be present for the Grand Prize drawings. Door prizes awarded throughout the day. Must be present for door prize drawing. Refreshments: Rayne High School Scholarship Fund Group will be serving Gumbo Friday and coffee, biscuits, sweet rolls, gumbo, soft drinks, sandwiches, etc. on Saturday all day. Check out our website for more details and updates at: http://www.w5ddl.org/hamfest/

Severe Storm Takes Toll on Hams

On February 12^th, a severe line of thunderstorms came through the Acadiana area and created havoc on a couple of our amateur radio operators.
First, around 1:00 pm, Burt Beyt K5ZR of St. Martin Parish, lost 2 of his three 75 foot towers when an apparent tornado ripped through his area, putting one on his roof creating some damage. The XYL had a bridge game going on at the time, no one hurt, after it was all over and done they continued their game.
Bruce Casey, KB5WNU of Jackson, LA lost all of his VHF and UHF directional antennas. Luckily, the 2 meter and 6 meter antennas which were under construction were laying on the ground and not damaged. No damage to the QTH reported.
As this storm approached Lafayette Parish, a SkyWarn Net on the 145.370 repeater was activated by Lafayette Parish EC Ed Roy WA5TNK. Reports of high winds and some hail and heavy rain, thunder and lightning reported in some areas. No damage from the Lafayette Parish area reported on the net. Those that checked in on the net were: Ed WA5TNK, Dane KE5HSX, Arnold KE5JXC, Greg AD5HA, and Herman KN5GRK.

Herman KN5GRK--Assistant EC Lafayette Parish


	Upcoming Notable AARA Events March 13--New ham class orientation. See above article. March 21-22--AARA Hamfest Rayne, Louisiana June 28 & 29--Field Day 2008 More to follow in later issues for the LARC.