MARCO Grand Rounds for May 31, 2009

From Warren. KD4GUA:

By request we are going to continue the discussion about Physicians Assistants and we hope Linda can throw something in about nurse practitioners. This is a very interesting subject and all of us should be aware about how the Earth is revolving.

Tune in Sunday, 10 a.m Eastern on 14.307 and view your thoughts. We are trying to keep the subject strictly 100% non-political, just concerned medicians who are attempting to keep the course on course.

PS: There is a discussion in AETHER on this subject which you should receive in the next day or two. (It was mailed Friday).

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 24, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion of the role of the Physician's Assistant. We will also throw in the "Nurse Practitioner," "Midwife" and the role they play with the depleting ranks of the Family doctor.

Last week was very educational, this should be as well.

You should get your early "Aether" by Monday or Tuesday. Chicago convention June 11th, don't miss it.

Dayton 2009 Update

Another Hamvention has come and gone, and MARCO was there. Keith N3IM, Chip N5RTF and Bruce KM2L alternated between staffing the booth and wandering around the show.

Dayton's infamous weather did not completely materialize. Friday was a beautiful day with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70's. On Saturday it rained intermittently, but breaks in the showers allowed browsing out in the flea market. Sunday was cool (OK, cold) but sunny.

We had plenty of traffic at the MARCO display, and distributed countless copies of Aether, MARCO's Newsletter as well as membership applications. Friends and members saying “Hello” included Roger W8CRK, Rob WA3IHV, “Doc” W4TX (a founding member of MARCO), Howard VE3AXD, Stu WA9PZL, Carl WA3ZZU, Ramon YV5EED, Steve YV5DTA, Yoshi JH1URT, Matt KD8HMX and former member Bob W8YD. Apologies to the many whose names and calls escaped me.

Attendance did not appear to suffer from the lax economy or influenza scare, and those who attended were prepared to buy. Keith went home with two new Yaesu radios, a VX-8R and an FT-897. Chip took away a Begali Graciela key and a bunch of odds and ends. Me – I have college tuition to pay.

There was an abundance of new toys to look at. Here are a few random observations...

• On the D-STAR front, DV dongle is a device that plugs into your computer and lets you communicate via D-STAR without having to use a radio.

• FlexRadio brought out the new Flex-3000. It is small enough to fit in a suitcase and $1200 less than a Flex-5000. The major trade-offs are a single antenna connector instead of two, slightly less robust front end, and no option for a second receiver. Very cool!

• Tokyo Hy-Power has two new amplifiers, a 600 watt model and a 45 watt model for frustrated QRPers.

• MicroHAM introduced Station Master Deluxe, an integrated station interface for those who run multiple radios and multiple antennas.

• A Japanese company called Luso displayed a 168-foot self-supporting crank up tower. It was retracted and stowed on a flat bed trailer in the back of the East Hall. It can be yours for $41,000 plus some assembly...

• For more humble antenna projects, The Wireman introduced the “Hot Rope.” This antenna rope is covered with a tinned copper braid. String up the rope, solder a wire to the braid, and you are in business.

• Super Antennas offer a variety of portable Yagis and dipoles that break down for transportation in a bag.

• Ten-Tec brought out a high-power cross needle tuner/wattmeter, the 238C.

• You can count on MFJ to roll out a new product or two for Hamvention. This year's new box is a 75-amp switching power supply.

• DX Engineering introduced a family of hexagonal wire beam antennas. They are calling them Hexx Beams (One more “X” and they can advertise on porn sites...). Mike Traffie, who developed and sells the original Hex Beam, exhibited at the show as well. He built the antenna that I am using. He's a nice fellow, and it is a great product.

• Speaking of nice fellows, Piero Begali was back and as busy as ever with his line up of museum-quality CW paddles. The Graciela model has been discontinued, and he has introduced seven new products including a smaller “Stealth” key, an upright paddle, and a marvelously complex bug.

Next year MARCO will hold its membership meeting in conjunction with Hamvention. Here's hoping that we see you there.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 17, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion on the coming shortage of physicians primarily family doctors. Harry EDP will also interpose the part the physician's assistant plays in helping the doctor. Tune in, should be interesting.

If you are on the fence, time to fall off and get your tickets for Chicago June 11. Ellen ARN has great plans including a trip to the Fermi Lab--the atom chaser nearby. Details in the upcoming AETHER which should be in the mail early this month.

Annual Meeting Agenda

Ellen, KC9ARN has just published the agenda for MARCO's annual membership meeting, to be held in Chicago from June 11 to June 14, 2009.

Here we go:

Thursday Evening, June 11

• Informal meeting at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza bar, 350 W. Mart Center Drive, Chicago, 312-836-5000

• Dinner (optional) at Lawry’s Restaurant

Friday, June 12

• 8am – 12pm Annual Business Meeting at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza

• 1:30pm-4:00pm Tour of Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Il

• Dinner (optional) at Gene and Georetti’s Steak House, 500 N. Franklin St. (about 4 blocks from the Hotel)

Saturday, June 13

• 10am – Depart the Holiday Inn for a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry for a tour of the U-505 Submarine at 11am

• Stay and enjoy other parts of the Museum or other activities in Chicago for the rest of the day

• 6:30pm – 2009 Banquet at the Mirabell Restaurant, 3454 West Addison, Chicago

• Our Guest Speaker for the Banquet will be Chief Joseph J. Roccasalva, Coordinator of Fire Awareness at the Chicago Fire Department

Sunday, June 14

• Sightseeing

Anyone going to Dayton??

I will be there, as will Chip, N5RTF and Keith, N3IM.
Danny, W4DAN was 'iffy" as of last week.

Look for us at the MARCO booth.

I will not have a laptop with me this year, so there will not be daily blogging from Hamvention. I'll post a full report as soon as I return home.

-KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 01, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday should be a go-round as we will discuss "the Family Doctor, where is he going?" This will be strictly a scientific non-political discussion. No adjectives will be allowed. Everyone will get a chance to give his opinion. Sunday, 14.307 11 am Eastern.

Note: Harry WB9EDP has agreed to discuss the role of the Physicians Assistant the following Sunday. Listen in World.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 3, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We were side-tracked by the "flu" last Sunday, so we will resume normal scheduling and discuss "Cushings Syndrome" and "Cushing's Disease."

If you have some medical problems you want discussed please advise.