Another Great Memory

From Smitty, W6CS:

Unless your TV has been broken, you know by now that today is the 20th
anniversary of the iconic Berlin Wall coming down.

We were on a European trip and by chance were in a West Berlin hotel
when */it/* happened. After a few hours the excitement calmed down and
East Berlin/Germany, for the first time, was allowing tourists to cross
over the wall at the Brandenberg Gate to visit the city. I decided to
see if I could cross over for a short tour of that communist city. As I
learned later, I was one of the first tourists - and the first American
- to cross over. The wall didn't come down in the literal sense at that
time, but temporary ramps were built up & over in a few places
permitting visitors to enter East Berlin.

I left my dear Aileen in the hotel for a few hours not wanting to
subject her to what might be a somewhat 'dicey' situation. So I walked,
and walked, and walked - or did I say that already? - Since I couldn't
speak German, I didn't feel comfortable taking public transportation -
streetcars, buses, etc.

After several hours of walking alone into the neighborhoods, business
sections, etc., I headed back west to the crossing. As I walked by a
street car turntable on which a streetcar was in the process of being
turned around 180 degs. getting ready for the return trip, the two crew
members saw me and recognized that I was probably an American. They ran
up to me. grabbed my arms and - all smiles - led me onto the "tram".
They couldn't speak English and I certainly didn't speak German but that
didn't stop them from explaining - in rapid Deutsche - what we were
seeing out the window as we traveled through the neighborhoods. They
let me out at the wall and also left me with a stunning memory.

Yes, the world has changed. A lot.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 8, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We had a very attentive audience last Sunday as we discussed Prostate cancers. Apparently, as Bruce KM2L requested, they all brought their prostates to the mike with a few exceptions--Hi Linda, Ellen! We barely touched this sensitive subject so we are bringing it back this Sunday.

There were two German gentlemen (?) on our frequency and since they wouldn't move in the past we had to go down to 14.306.

Will need updates on oldtimers from Bruce and a Marco article from Arnold for the next Aether. Keep the blue side up.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 25, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We may have some static from a contest this Sunday as we attempt to discuss "Prostate Cancer" by request. Bone up on this one as it seems to want to change course periodically. Keep your toenails crossed.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 18, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA,

By request we will discuss the Pituitary gland on Sunday....A very interesting subject so be on board. We finished Osteoporosis last week and had two new potential members join us. Should be fun Sunday...tune in

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 11, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This week we will continue the discussion of "Osteoporosis." While I was in Pottstown, PA for the h.s. reunion I was confronted by oodles of ladies asking for direction in their use of drugs for this dreaded condition. It is a hot topic and bring your knowledge to the mike as we need the input...Sunday, 14.307, 10 a.m. Eastern.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 4, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday I will be in Pennsylvania attending a High School reunion....Harry has graciously volunteered to give the lecture this week.

The following week, we will continue the interesting discussion on "Osteoporosis."

"Aether" went out today so you should have it shortly. Got a bunch of good stuff in it this time--IT'S ABOUT TIME!

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 27, 2009

From Warren KD4GUA:

It has been requested we discuss "Osteoporosis" this Week. This will be an update.

Danny says the first sun spots have been spotted so maybe we can actually hear each other again.

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 20, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss medical developments of the week...something new. Please check your newspapers, magazines and see if we can come up with the same subjects. Cutting-edge stuff!

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 6, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA,

This sunday by request we will be discussing an article that appeared in the Aug. 21 edition of Medical Economics page 34 titled "A GREAT IDEA TURNING BAD," by Samuel Bierstock MD. An excerpt: "Electronic records.....means an audit trail that has begun the salivation process of every malpractice attorney who has finally realized what is about to be imposed on the medical profession."

We will attempt to keep the politics out of it but our profession is on trial. We laughed at problems like this before and the proverbial foot got in our door and wallaaaaaa now every one wants to stand between we physicians and our patients with open palms. Will try to make it fun but will need some help.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 30, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion of "Iron Deficiency Anemia." A dull subject turned out to be quite invigorating. Tune in and help make it a fun time.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 23, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

By request we will discuss "Iron Deficiency Anemia." Anemia is a very large subject so Ted in Mass has honed it down to this type. Remember the types of anemia? Sounds like a dull subject but perhaps we can spice it up a little?

[Blogmeister's note: As a former Hematologist, I must respectfully but strongly disagree with the notion that anemias make for dull subject matter. I will bring the spice!!] - KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 16, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we discussed "Electronic Records." The topic will be retained again this week as there has been quite a bit of activity on the subject.

Tune in, Sunday 14.307 at 10 am EST. Keep the Blue Side UP.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 9, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will finish up the flu discussion and switch by demand to ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS.

Do you know it will cost the solo practitioner about an average of $34,000 to install and $14,000 a year to update. So far, EHR is going okay in large hospitals and groups but can small groups afford it???????

Tune in, should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 2, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

By request, in time with the times, we will re-discuss the upcoming and already here flu. Bone-up, wear your masks and remember what someone else told me "Fight organized crime, don't elect anybody!"

MARCO Grand Rounds for 7/26/09

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we discussed the 15 risk factors in developing heart disease. The question: Would you prescribe a STATIN drug to a person with a HIGH Cholesterol, a HIGH HDL Cholesterol and a normal LDL Cholesterol. The answers seemed to reflect an individual response, i.e., according to what co-morbid (other diseases or risk factors) the person had.

This was an acceptable answer. This Sunday we will further the discussion as to the roll each plays, i.e,. (that is) LDL, VLDL, HDL etc. Since this is an environment we all live in there should be a lot of questions--and answers. Tune in should be fun. Aether is in your mail box.

MARCO Grand Rounds for July19, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

You patient tells you, he has a high total cholesterol, a high HDL cholesterol and a normal LDL. Would you put this patient on a statin drug such as Lipitor? Tune in and give your opinion. 10 a.m. Eastern 14.307.

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 12, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This week we will discuss "Travel Medicine." With 31 million U.S. residents traveling overseas each year it is pertinent they should see their doctor first. Here is your chance to tell us of your experiences both as a traveler and an adviser.

Should be fun, Sunday 14.307 10 a.m. Eastern

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 5, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This coming Sunday I will be in Washington D.C. to visit my daughter and family.

Harry WB9EDP has graciously accepted the net controller for that date. If Harry (and Ellen) can do as good a job as they did for the recent annual convention, next Sunday should be a winner!

Note: I do need actual photos to scan of the convention for Aether...the emailed ones are not so clear. Looking for those that should copy well. Since I won't be back until July 9th it would be helpful if Bruce could send the "Lood Backs" and if anyone else wants a want ad or technical paper printed please send soon. Have fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 28, 2009

From Warren:

This Sunday we will discuss "Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy." This is a new (FDA approved 2002) treatment that can relieve congestive heart failure symptoms by improving the coordination of the heart's contractions. Hundreds of thousands of Americans with mild heart failure could be candidates for the devices.

The condition, in which the heart beats out of sync and pumps blood inefficiently, is common after a heart attack and other conditions.

A "CRT-D" is a kind of fancy pacemaker which connects wires to both ventricles. A doctor friend has had one for three years and is in active practice and feels great. Educational, tune in ((U-may need 1 some day!).

[Blogmeister's note: This weekend is Field Day - expect QRM!!]

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 21, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday at 14.307 MHz, 10 am Eastern we will answer questions concerning the Chicago meeting. We will then finish the discussion on "Vitamins," and time permitting will turn to the new 64-slice cardiovascular scanner which will probably replace both angiography and stress testing in the near future.

Tune in, should be fun.

MARCO 2009 Annual Meeting Report

MARCO's annual meeting took place in Chicago from June 12^th to June 14^th. Thanks to the efforts of Harry “Top Quark” Przekop and Ellen “Gluon” Przekop, the gathering was a complete success.

Several members gathered for dinner at Lawry's Restaurant on Thursday June 11^th. Unfortunately, your humble scribe had to work that day, and so was still enplaned and circling somewhere over Indiana when steaks were served. By all reports, it was a warm gathering and a great meal.

The annual business meeting took place on Friday morning at Harry and Ellen's home, located about ½ mile from our headquarters hotel, the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.. Theirs is a very interesting place, a converted shrimp warehouse. It is part dwelling, part museum, part music studio, and part ham shack.

Minutes of the meeting are posted separately.

From Chez Przekop, we piled into several vehicles for the drive out to Fermilab. Harry formerly worked there, and was warmly greeted by old friends. Fermilab staffer Kermit Carlson (W9XA) and docent Lynda Ballingall took us on a 3-hour, take-no-prisoners tour of the facility. We saw plenty of hardware, including the 750,000 volt Cockroft-Walton accelerator and the various stages of the high-energy linear accelerator. More than one of us mused about firing up those 5 megawatt amplifier tubes on Field Day! We also learned about the construction and operation of the proton storage and collider rings as well as some of the medical applications of neutron beam therapy employed at the Lab. Lynda “B” also delivered an informal talk on the search for and classification of subatomic particles, the history of the site and the Lab's first Director, Robert R. Wilson. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any “techie.”

Any dinner plans effectively blown by our late return to Chicago, the group went its separate ways in the evening.

Saturday's schedule allowed some time to sleep in, and most people took advantage. I spent a little while exploring the massive Merchandise Mart adjacent to the hotel.

At 10 AM about 15 of us departed for the Museum of Science and Industry. There, we toured the U-505 exhibit. This is the only WWII German submarine in the United States. We learned of what living and working conditions were like for those who sailed on this vessel. We also learned the story of the daring capture of the U-505 by a team under the command of Chicago native Dan Gallery. From there, we were free to explore the rest of the museum. Some did, and others didn't. I did for a while, and then enjoyed the nice weather by taking a long walk along the Lake Shore. I also dropped in at the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park.

Mirabell was the setting for the MARCO banquet on Saturday evening. This authentic German restaurant served wonderful German beer, food and atmosphere. Our speaker was Chief Joseph Roccosalva of the Chicago Fire Department. Despite having just come off an extended tour of duty including twelve hours spent helping prevent a woman from jumping from a 25^th floor balcony, the Chief delivered an informative and interesting talk. We learned several useful tips for minimizing the risk of injury or death during a fire, and we each were given smoke detectors to take home and install. (I got mine through the TSA security check. Did you?) The Chief's personal reminiscences about his firefighting career were quite entertaining.

I didn't make a list of those in attendance, and so apologize in advance for anyone who might be inadvertently omitted from the roster of attendees. Those whom I remember are: Harry WB9EDP, Ellen KC9ARN, Lou WA1HGE, Danny W4DAN, Caroline Centers, Arnold WB6OJB, Joan Kalan, Warren KD4GUA, Linda KE5BQK, Bernie KD5QHV, Linda and Bernie's friend Iliana, Mary AE4BX, Bill WA9HIR, Marilyn N9PXI (Bill's XYL), Chip N5RTF, Terry Keister, Paul N6DMV, Elsa Lukas, Stuart WA9ZPL, Bill W9ZCL, Michaline KC9ARP and yours truly, Bruce KM2L. We missed Jili BD2CM, who participated in the business meeting and helped transport participants around Chicago. Unfortunately, he had another engagement and could not attend the banquet.

KD4GUA won the boobie for worst travel arrangements, as his return flight to Tampa departed at 5:30 Sunday morning. The rest of us followed at a safe distance.

As always, it was over much too quickly, and we can't wait to get back together. Mark your calendars for Dayton Hamvention, May 13^th to May 16^th, 2010.

Minutes of 2009 Annual Meeting

Minutes of the 2009 Medical Amateur Radio Council Annual Meeting

The 2009 MARCO Annual Meeting took place on June 12, 2009 at 950 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL. In attendance were Harry Przekop WB9EDP (President), Ellen Przekop KC9ARN, Danny Centers W4DAN (Secretary), Lou Wiederhold WA1HGE (Treasurer), Warren Brown KD4GUA (Newsletter Editor/Net Control), Arnold Kalan WB6OJB (MediShare Chair), Linda Krasowski KE5BQK (President-Elect), Chip Keister N5RTF, Paul Lukas N6DMV, Mary Favaro AE4BX, Bernie Krasowski KD5QHV, Bill Hargadon WA9HIR, Sun Jili BD2CM, and Bruce Small KM2L.

The meeting was called to order at 8:45 AM CDT by WB9EDP, who announced that June 13, 2009 had been declared MARCO Day in the city of Chicago.

An invocation was provided by WA9HIR.

WB6OJB read the minutes of the 2008 meeting, and they were approved with minor corrections.

WA1HGE presented the Treasurer's Report. Comparing calendar year 2007 with 2008, cash inflows were down $3007.01 and outflows were up $6102.26. There was a large one-time expenditure for the MediShare Sri Lanka project. Also, substantial dues payments have been received since the first of the year. Administrative expenses for 2008 were below those of 2007. As of June 9, 2009, our assets were $11, 638.45 and liabilities were zero.
The Treasurer's Report was approved.

W4DAN presented the Secretary's Report. Most of the discussion dealt with promoting the organization and prompting existing members to pay their dues in timely fashion.
Our advertisement in QST has not been very productive, but it was felt to be necessary. We should explore means of obtaining free publicity in QST and CQ. WB9EDP suggested creating the print equivalent of sound bites, that is, short, interesting bits of information about MARCO, its people and activities. When these have been submitted in the past, they have usually been ignored. WB9EDP thought that tie-ins with FEMA or Homeland Security might be more likely to be picked up. He will try to use his connections with people in ARRL to further this cause.
N5RTF suggested that we write up a piece for eHam.net and inquire about placing an ad on their Web site.
N5RTF also inquired as to whether MARCO could accept dues payments through PayPal. W4DAN indicated that he has received inquiries about this and also credit card payment of dues. The advantages of PayPal are that it facilitates “impulse” shopping, cuts several steps out of the process of joining or renewing membership, and saves postage. The disadvantages are cost to MARCO and possible additional administrative overhead. After some discussion, the details of information flow between Secretary and Treasurer were clarified, and it was decided to explore the feasibility of setting up PayPal.
MARCO currently has 48 lapsed members still receiving the newsletter. This is a typical figure. The membership expiration date is printed on the mailing label, but some people do not look for it. KD4GUA has been stamping “Courtesy Copy” on the newsletters mailed to lapsed members. It was suggested that the stamp be changed to something less subtle, such as “You Membership Has Expired.”
The Treasurer's Report was approved.

KD4GUA presented a Newsletter Editor's report. Each copy of the newsletter costs $0.92 to produce and mail.
Warren has deliberately planted typographical errors in the paper and invited readers to report them to him. He found a suitable trophy and will present it to the reader who has detected the most errors, Louis Lyell WA5MYK.
N5RTF will provide the proper url for downloading the Grand Rounds audio.

WB6OJB presented the MediShare report. Several substantial donations have been received, including those from WB9EDP/KC9ARN and Gene and Judy Hoenig N3HG/N3MBW. Additional donations are encouraged.
MARCO stickers were passed out to those in attendance.
MediShare has received a few proposals for funding, but none meet our criteria, so there are currently no active projects.

KM2L presented the Internet Committee report. The Web site was migrated to Godaddy.com in September 2008. The email list moved from University at Buffalo to Google Groups, and after a few initial problems has been working smoothly.
WB9EDP commented that some of the members' links on the Web site are stale. He also mentioned that a few of his coworkers have listened to the streaming audio of Grand Rounds and have been inspired to obtain their amateur radio licenses.
It is desirable to make audio of Grand Rounds available as podcasts. N5RTF will work on this.
N5RTF also reminded the group that we have the ability to provide email aliases for all members in the form of XXX@marco-ltd.org.
WA1HGE has not received a bill from Godaddy.com. AA4FL set up this account, and will be invited to submit a request for reimbursement.

KM2L presented a brief report on Dayton Hamvention. The booth was busy. In addition to current members, we met several prospective members and a few former members who promised to rejoin. N6DMV's Dr. Pepper satellite model drew by far the most interest at the booth. Although KM2L spent very little and went home virtually empty-handed, the same cannot be said for N5RTF or N3IM.

New Business:

Bob Nevins KF1J has asked to step down as the 1st call area Director. Ted Figlock W1HGY will be asked to serve.

Duane Wyatt has informally requested assistance from MARCO for his efforts to produce compact short wave listening stations for placement in children's health care facilities. While we believe that the idea is a good one, it is not relevant to the mission or purpose of MARCO.

N5RTF proposed that the organization consider purchasing a 1.5KW amplifier for use by the Grand Rounds Net Control station. The consensus was that the idea had merit. WA1HGE suggested that the choice be determined by a committee. WB9EDP offered to discuss our need with Ray Novak, a personal contact at Icom. W4TAD (SK) was KD4GUA's neighbor, and had an Alpha amplifier. Warren will in quire about its availability.

BD2CM was asked to say a few words about himself. Jili is a surgeon from northeastern China, where he founded a small hospital. He is currently living in Chicago while pursuing an MBA degree at University of Illinois – Chicago.

WB9EDP raised the possibility of MARCO staging a special operating event for publicity purposes. We could use WB5D as a call sign.

KD5QHV recommended that we use every opportunity for 1:1 personal contact with ARRL staff, whether at Dayton or visiting League headquarters.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM CDT.

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 7, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

I think most of us have had it concerning medicine's future since next week Congress will decide, so we will finish that and then go on to more medical discussions of "Update on Vitamins." A lot of changes going on, especially with Vit. E., Folic Acid and D.

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.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 26, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we finished with the "hi colonic."

By request, this Sunday we will discuss "Cushing's* Syndrome." This can be a bitch but I think we can make it simple...look up "Cushing's Disease" and tell us the difference Sunday....one more thing---hang around as there will be more questions asked and YOU might be called on--this shouldn't chase you away as your answer does not have to be correct.....propagation is lousy like our drought in Florida--one rain in the past six months--and we are supposed to be a semi-tropical state.

*Harvey Cushing, 1932 famed neuro surgeon.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 19, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we talked about treating HER2 breast cancer patients with Herceptin. Bruce summed it up when he said they have taken susceptible acute metastatic breast disease and made a chronic disease out of it .

This Sunday we will discuss "Colonic Hydrotherapy." If we have extra time we will move into reflux disease and then time permitting "GAS." If you have a better subject throw it up....

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 12, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We will finish "Peripheral Vascular Disease" this Sunday and then go to genetic trait HER2, found in 25% of breast cancer patients If you remember, Herceptin is the treatment of choice for this condition. Bring your clinical knowledge to the mic, should be fun.

Chicago's meeting is picking up speed. If you are planning to be there and need a hotel reservation, notify Ellen via this service or at ellenharmn@aol.com.

Sorry for delay, the April fool day worm got me! Just got the computer back. It was a bad one.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 29, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss Peripheral Vascular Disease as requested. This term is confusing because basically the word "peripheral" means anything away from the heart whereas the general meaning means the circulation in the extremities. Then it is broken down into arterial, called peripheral arterial disease PAD, and venous, peripheral venous disease PVD.

Regarding the Chicago meeting June 11,12,13 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans St., Chicago, IL 60654. When you call for reservation (phone 312 529 1114) in order to get the Marco rate you must use the reservation code "CMO." That is the information we have from Kathy B. Leary, CMP whatever that means (her real name is Kathy O'Leary, CMP).

Let's drum it up, Ellen has really gone out of her way to make this a real winner.

Keep the blue side up.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 15, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will attempt to feature an update on "Osteoporosis."

Rained out last Sunday by the rain of Dx'ers.

Bruce will be on the road. Tune in should be fun. 11 a.m. EDT 14.307.

Q. What was the biggest battle of the Revolutionary War? Who has the answer?

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 8, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "Osteoporosis." This is a condition that affects both malea and females but yes, 2 to 1 in the girls. There are some new drugs on the market....let's get to know them.

The CW net is back on 14.307 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. (I wonder what happened to the Latin station up on 14.310 that made us switch to .307? Perhaps they found out they couldn't aggravate us any longer and skipped).

Bruce's Clarence, N.Y. got it with the jet commuter crash; we got it with the overturned boat in Clearwater, FL., since they go in "threes" watch it.

Blogmeister's note: As this weekend is the ARRL SSB DX Contest, the net may get overwhelmed. We will give it a try, but if conditions are impossible then the topic will be postponed for a week.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 1, 2009

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion of "Testosterone Deficiency." An excess causes baldness--the X-Gov of Illinois must have had a T-defect? Tune in it should be fun.

The mike is open for volunteers who wish to discuss medical or tech problems--don't be bashful, besides the pay is good. Try and chip in the discussions more often--absence makes one think he is talking to Lower Mongolia. Ask dumb questions and get dumb answers there should be someone out there in etherland who has his head on straight.

To jokingly confuse everyone when you check in this Sunday-- ask the question, "What happened to Rick Hudlow?" Everyone will start wondering who is this guy Rick Hudlow (he does exist).

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 15, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "IMPORTANCE OF TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY IN MEN'S HEALTH." There are a lot of myths out there that we will clarify. Tune in, should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 8, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we discussed "Treatment of Congestive Heart Fairlure." We were unable to complete the discussion so we will conclude that subject Sunday.

If we have time we will begin discussion of "Testosterone Deficiency in Men's Health." Should be two good ones.

It's final...meeting in Chicago will be June 11-14

Art Larson KK1 Y, thoracic surgeon, stopped by Sunday...he checked in earlier as a new member. Nice guy, we didn't have a throacic surgeon on the manifest as far as I know.

Another "MARCO", this time an outfit in Harrisburg, PA, a "smart marketing catalog" in business since 1964! That makes 3 other Marcos??? Maybe we should spell it backwards and go by Socram. but with our luck there would proably be 6 other Socrams!

[Webmaster's note: Socram is a large French Bank. Maybe there are others...]

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 1, 2009

From Warren KD4GUA:

"If you don't follow guidelines you won't get paid!" This is the news from the capital.

Sunday we will present the guidelines for the most common discharge diagnosis in America, "CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE," a disease we all get it if we live long enough. The presentation will be excerpts from Dr. Paul Phillips, cardiologist, talk at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater on Jan. 27--can't get any more current than that?
Tune in should be fun.

Ellen KC9ARN and Harry WB9EDP are planning on having the annual meeting in Chicago on June 11-14...is that okay with everyone? Will discuss it Sunday.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 25, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will resume the discussion on "BOTOX."

The Newsletter "Aether" should be in the mail tomorrow Friday with your CME diploma for 2008 if your dues are paid up. If you don't receive it (diploma), check your renewal date and send your money to Danny Centers, 2712 Bryant Drive, Cleveland, TN 37311 9824, and your CME document will be forwarded. (Hate to do it this way, but we can't operate on heated air alone). We have about 70 delinquents--about 1/3 the membership and we can't run the ship without some fuel. The late Robin Staebler and Bob Currier requested "keep this outfit going." let's try our damndest, damest, damedest, darndest, something like that--If, and IF, you are hard up and can't afford it, let Danny know and we can carry you and no one will know about it.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 18, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we got throough about half of the discussion on "What Medicare is going to do to Survive." The discussion got quite involved and I had to duck a few times...one of the earliest clues as to what is coming is the advancement of a children's medicare program which eventually will come together into a one paid system by joining the middle group with the two ends.

Paul N6DMV thinks the dentists should discuss "Flourides in the drinking water." He points out that all Europe has turned this down and that the decrease in dental caries in Europe witihout flourides was the same as here in the States with flourides. Besides, maybe it is making us sick? Any dentist want to take this on?

Otherwise, we have "Botox" on the horizon.

The February "Aether" is in the press and will try and put it on this listserve again, maybe tongiht.

PS: It is a nice warm 57 degrees in Tampa Bay, come on down and join the Polar Bear Club.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 11, 2009

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss the problems with MediCare...in 1965 eligibility age was 65; in 2008 it is 65. The average lifespan at age 65 in 1965 was 4 years; in 2008, 20 years! In 1965 there were 10.1 taxpayers paying for one MediCare beneficiary; in 2008 there is 3.1. The number of Medicare beneficiaries in 1965 were less than 10 million; in 2008, 44 million---how WOULD YOU you change this?

Cancel the program? Raise the beneficiary age to 70, 80? Raise the Medicare tax? Set an income level for beneficiaries? Tell people to go to Canada? Lock up your office and go home? Join the French Foreign Legion? Decide to kick-off at a younger age by making every Saturday night new years eve?

Should be fun.

PS: I just paid my dues--are your dues dued? We don't want to lose you.

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 28, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Another Sunday coming--Rick VE6 GK was apparently unavailable last Sunday. We will discuss "Hyperbaric Oxgen" this Sunday. Hyperbaric Oxygen is giving 2 or more atmospheres of oxygen to wounds expecting them to heal faster. We don't hear too much about them because only 20 medical schools plus have hyperbaric chambers available.

Tune in, should be fun.

A Merry (Ham Radio) Christmas

Thanks to Smitty, W6CS, and the NCCC for this defacement of a classic verse:

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack
The rig was turned off and the mike cord lay slack.
The antenna rotor had made its last turn,
The tubes in the linear have long ceased to burn.
I sat there relaxing and took off my specs,
Preparing to daydream of armchair DX,
When suddenly outside I heard such a sound,
I dashed out the door to see what was around.
The moon shone down brightly and lighted the night-
For sure, propagation for the low bands was right.
I peered towards the roof where I heard all the racket,
And there was some guy in a red, fur-trimmed jacket.
I stood there perplexed in a manner quite giddy.
Just who was this stranger - di di dah dah di di?
He looked very much like an FCC guy,
Who'd come to check up on some bad TVI.
I shouted to him, "OM, QRZ"
"Hey, you by the chimney, all dressed up in red."
I suddenly knew when I heard sleighbells jingle.
The guy on the rooftop was jolly Kris Kringle.
He had a big sack full of amateur gear,
Which made a big load for a prancing reindeer.
Transmitters, receivers, for cabinets and racks,
Some meters and scopes and a lot of co-ax.
He said not a word 'cause he'd finished his work
He picked up his sack, then he turned with a jerk.
As he leaped to his sleigh, he shouted with glee,
And I knew in a moment he'd be QRT.
But I heard him transmit as he flew o'er the trees
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all seventy-three's."

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 21, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we promised Rick in Calgary to discuss hyperbaric oxygen...we still have to finish off MOHS surgery. Maybe we can get both in..both interesting subjects.

Tune in 14.307, 10 a.m. eastern Sunday.

Spam strikes!

We were blitzed with spam comments today.
I have changed this blog's settings so that only members of googlegroups can post comments.

The web site linked to from comments posted by "chat," "tchat," "music," or "anonymous " contains potentially harmful content. DO NOT VISIT THIS WEBSITE.

Thanks,
-KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 14, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we are going to discuss "MOHS SURGERY."

To those not familiar with Mohs a brief description....you find a growth on your nose and go to a dermatologist. He says "We can remove it by standard means and it will cost you $100 or we can use Mohs surgery and it will cost you $3,000.

Which would you pick? Why would anyone go for the more expensive way? Are surgeons using this to pad their wallets or are they honest in the their recommendation? This is your problem as a doctor and a patient--what choice should I make?

Tune in, should be interesting.


There has been some interesting email in follow-up to this topic.

Alfred Greenwald WA2CBA, a retired plastic surgeon described his experience:

Just to add a note on my experience with MOHS Surgery in the discussion on Sunday. As a plastic surgeon, I was not impressed with MOHS technic because in the two cases I saw prior to my retirement, the dermatologist doing the original procedure was not able or capable of handling the reconstruction with restoration of function.

1) A dentist friend of mine who served with me in the Army in 1955 had MOHS surgery by a dermatologist for a basal cell carcinoma of the right lower eyelid resulting in an ectropian of the lid. I reconstructed the lower lid using a full thickness skin graft taken from the upper lid and suturing the upper and lower lid margins together temporarily for a week with an excellent end result.

2) An elderly male patient who consulted with me wearing a band aide across the upper lip. A local plastic surgeon had referred him to the same dermatologist from the case above who treated this patient using MOHS surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma of the mid portion of the upper lip just beneath the columella of the nose. He had a wide defect of the upper lip showing his upper central incisor teeth with his lateral lips closed. I recommended reconstruction of the upper lip using a two stage procedure with a V shaped pedicle flap from the lower lip. He declined the surgery and continued to wear the band aide.

73s,

Alfred WA2CBA

Mary K Favaro AE4BX had these memories:

I have the honor of actually knowing and being taught by Dr. Mohs (thought I'd throw that in for some celebrity prestige....). He had already retired but was a professor emeritus when I was a med student at Univ of Wisconsin. He came in for some dermatology lectures - on - you guessed it his Mohs technique. This was in the mid 60's and derms were still being trained in the procedure.

Also had Dr. Schilling of the Schilling test as a hematology prof. And of course WARFarin is named for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation" after their work on cows and fermented grain.

I myself haven't invented anything important enough to carry my name. Maybe that's why I'm banished to the South.

Still traveling and doing Locum Tenens. Hope to get some station time when the sunspots improve enough to make my lousy attic antennas function.

Mary K Favaro MD
Surfside Beach SC

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 7, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we did some day--morning dreaming. We picked up a couple of sleep walkers and learned that a lunatic is a wakeful dreamer. Thus, the dream has been called a short-lasting psychosis and a psychosis is a long-lasting dream.

This Sunday we will continue the discussion on dreams.

There was an AP bulletin on a fellow who thought his life was being portrayed on a TV show--this is called "the Truman Syndrome" after a delusional movie filmed in 1998 in which a phony, stage-set world was set and he was the star....When I was in 5th grade I once thought my eyes were a projector and the world was a movie!!! Fortunately, I grew out of that..anyone ever have that delusion?

Tune in should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 30, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will attempt to sew jello to jello by talking about dreams as suggested by Alfred Greenwald. This is a tough one so will need all the help oen can get...do your research and bring what may to the mike Sunday--personal experiences especially.

The newsletter AETHER went in the mail Tuesday Nov. 25th. Tried via internet but a no-go....will try again.

Marco needs a vitamin..our membership has settled at 200 down from 232 so in order to keep the organ vital we will need some gift memberships. Perhaps the directors can offer guest memberships at a discount--say $10 like we did in Dayton. More later.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 23, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we got "rained out" by contestodors....will attempt at finishing HEPATITIS C on Sunday.

Request by Alfred to discuss "Dreams". Does anyone know anymore about dreams than none of us do? He says some of his friends don't dream...how can he tell if they can't tell once they wake up? I had a dream two nights ago that I was awake and couldn't get to sleep. When I finally awoke, I thought I was dreaming! That's a first for me.

The question arises Do you dream in color? If you are German do you dream in German or English? Will try "Dreams" week after next....

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 16, 2008

The November 16, 2008 edition of MARCO Grand Rounds of the Air has been postponed until the following week due to interference from the ARRL Sweepstakes.

Next week we will continue our discussion of hepatitis C.

CQ contest, CQ contest...

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 2, 2008

The net was pushed off the air by CQWWSSB activity last week, so...

We will try again this week to finish up "not catching the flu."

Now that we have good propagation everyone wants to get on the air....by the way in the next AETHER there is a story of the relationship between low sun spots and cold winters (tnx to Bob VE3OQM)-- predicting a very early cold winter this year...it is now snowing in Philadelphia.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 26, 2008 - POSTPONED!

UPDATE - due to QRM from the CQWW - SSB contest, the October 26 GRand Rounds has been postponed until the following week, November 2. See you then.

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday we had a record-breaking 2008 check-in of 44. Propagation is improving !

This Sunday we will continue the discussion of Influenza. This is a disease that, like hurricanes, can blow you away--yet so many of us take it as "just a bad cold." Last year the flu killed 36,000 Americans. One of the new directives states we should not use Symmetrel (Amantadine) or Flumadine (Rimantadine), a long stand by treatment for type A influenza. WHY? They state, because too many flu bugs in the USA have become resistant--will you go along with this????

Tune in Sunday 14.307 10 am. eastern time....Warren kd4gua

Note: Just had annual blood work at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL...the new electronic system now required me to identify myself with a handprint of the veins in my hand, which they state is more accurate than a fingerprint allowing them to align with my medical records. Questions: Is this privacy going too far at too high a price? Or, am I standing in the way of progress? What is your opinion?

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 19, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Flu season is about to happen--this Sunday we will talk about influenza (from the Italian which means "influence" ).

Is live intranasal influenza vaccine BACK? Tune in and find out...14.307, Sunday, 10 a.m Eastern...should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 12, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we hope to conclude the series on the Large Hadron Collider...the Swiss 17 mile "cyclotron" where protons will collide with protons thus breaking into its particles which will be examined to try and find the solution to the Big Bang and the completion of the Standard Model of the Universe.

Paul K6DMV has sent a comprehensive history of the events taking place which will be in the next Aether.

Tune in and have a cup of black coffee available, this is a toughie but a valuable subject. Warren

14.307, 10 a.m. Eastern time.

Poor propagation KO's Grand Rounds

On Sunday, September 28 we had planned to conclude Harry WB9EDP's discussion of the Large Hadron Collider.

Unfortunately, propagation was so lousy that the net adjourned early. We will attempt this talk again on this upcoming Sunday, October 5.

CW Net QSY

CW net controller Bob, VE3OQM has called for a frequency change. Drop down 5, to 14.302 MHz.

The time remains unchanged: Sunday at 9:30AM Eastern Time.

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 7, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Welcome to a lull in the sun spot cycle--none all last month with excellent lousy propagation.

This Sunday it was requested we talk about "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," but since it is a syndrome and not a disease and so little is known about the combination of symptoms have decided to put it on the burner for now.

Instead, we will discuss "Should men over 75 have a PSA test?" Because of the complications of treatment in older men there has been some uneasiness about messing around with these folks because only 1 in 4 die of the disease which is mostly slow-growing over 10 years or more, outliving their life expectancy.

What is your opinion?

We will also discuss the latest treatments for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertropy) which almost all men get while the women get fibroids of the uterus.

Should be fun....tune in 14.307, 10 a.m. Eastern time Sunday.

Grand Rounds Audio Archives are online

If you missed a session of the Ground Rounds on the Air we have archived the net for your online pleasure. Be patient as these MP3 files will take 2-5 minutes with high speed Internet service for these files to download and start playing. If you left mouse click the file they will download and open up and play using the audio player that you use by default on your own computer.

To listen on your iPod just right click, save to your iTunes directory and sync your iPod.

Thanks to Chip, N5RTF, for recording and archiving these mp3 files. Thanks to Warren, KD4GUA, for listing the topics of each week. Most sessions starting from October 8, 2006 are available at www.marco-ltd.org.

- Jay, AA4FL (member of the Web committee, along with Chip N5RTF and Bruce KM2L)

How about a MARCO book??

MARCO member David Rathke, KI5NG is compiling members' experiences for a book

This idea got rolling when Smitty W6CS posted a satirical piece to the email reflector, involving a man bargaining with his dentist for the best price on a tooth extraction. Several others contributed their real life experiences to the conversation. Then Chip N5RTF opined:

I would imagine every practitioner could write a book about bizarre and unreasonable requests from patients.

One night on call as a resident, I got a call from the ER: "We have a patient here who wants to kill a psychiatrist. Will you come see him?"

That prompted David to respond:

And, with the best collected, could make a good one. So, let's write one! People love the bizarre but true, not to mention laughing at themselves.

Chapters could be classified by specialty (a la Richard Lederer's Anguished English: An Anthology of Accidental Assaults Upon Our Language)

Profits go to MediShare. How about it?

Smitty quickly nominated David to be in charge, so here is the assignment for MARCO members:

Sure. That will be easy and fun to compile and classify.

And, certainly, all stories are welcome. The more, the better.

Feel free to send them directly to me at ki5ng@arrl.net ...but it might jog some memories if we keep at least some on the listserv. I remember such things much better when reading about some else's experiences.

I can't wait to read a copy!

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 24, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday 14.307, 10 EST we will discuss "Omega-3." This is not an undercover agent, it is a fatty acid that is gaining momentum as a nutritional giant.

Change is afoot...

MARCO's Internet presence is about to change.

After hosting our listserv for about 10 years, the State University of New York at Buffalo has invited us to leave. After September 15, they will be supporting only email lists that relate directly to the business of the University. At this time the Internet Committee (AA4FL, N5RTF and KM2L) and the officers are testing a mailing list hosted through Google Groups. We expect to go "live" in a week or so. The new arrangement will offer additional features that we didn't have before, such as archiving and the ability to post files for other members to download.

Although the University has not asked us (yet) to remove our web site, we are in the process of relocating it. The url will remain the same: http://www.marco-ltd.org but the files will reside on a server at Godaddy.com.

Jay, AA4FL, has been hard at work enhancing the look and function of the MARCO web site. We will soon have better contact information, a page for students, and an on-line events calendar.

Look for even more goodies in the weeks to come.

-KM2L

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 17, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

It was requested that we discuss "Lawyers & Insurance companies." This is such a broad subject that we will attempt something new. Those born in an even months will be the customers and those born in an odd month will be the lawyers and insurance men.

Since I was born in an even month I will be the first customer.

You must take part--none of this hop-skip-and jump business. If you check in you will probably be called on for an opinion so don't get bored--get rattled. Tune in Sunday, 14.307, 10 a.m. EST

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 10, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday 14.307, 10 a.m. EDT, we will finish up the discussion on "Get your Lab test Now," (without seeing a doctor). This should be short and sweet so we will then move on to the advocation for mandatory menu-board labeling of calories as a means to address obesity, whereas national and local restaurant associations have mobilized to block these efforts. Researchers have found that almost ALL restaurant food is excessive in calories--fat tastes good!

How about trying Wendy's "Spinach Burger" with free low-cal water.

MARCO Grand Rounds for August 3, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will reflect on a new trend taking place with an outfit called "Any Lab Test Now." This fast growing direct to consumer will by-pass the doctor when the patient requires lab testing.

The concept is legal because the company contracts with physicians in the states it does busines, to sign off on all the tests. All it requires is one venipuncturer and a store front. The blood is then transferred to legitimate labs and results are sent out the next day. Price for lab testing drops about 30% + does not require a doctor visit. Franchise? Only $30,000.

Tune in--another shocker--is it good or bad?

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 13, 2008

Sorry for the late posting. I was on the road.
-KM2L

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will snore our way through SLEEP APNEA #2. We had a lot of fun with it last week, it should be better this week...since all you fellows are sound sleepers! 10 a.m. Sunday, 14.307.

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 6, 2008

Sorry for the late posting - I was on the road.
-KM2L

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday, as requested, we will talk about SLEEP APNEA. We almost all SNORE so we are all possible victims of this noisy disease--GASP!

Tune in, should be fun, 14.307, 10 a.m EDT.

The deadline for our Newsletter Aether is coming up for the August edition. If you want to contribute, get it in the mail pronto. Still haven't received CANADA NEWS from Bob VE3OQM. Bruce KM2L is on vacation so I have improvised his "20 years ago in MARCO" column. Danny crossed the press time ribbon okay.

Anything you want to sell or buy? Send to Marco, P.O. Box 127 Indian Rocks, FL 33785.

MARCO Grand Rou nds for June 22, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "Metabolic Syndrome." Over 30% of adult Americans have it and don't know it--until--they suddenly become aware when a prominent newsman passes. Did he have Metabolic Syndrome? Do you and I have it? What can we do about it?

This is a tough nut to crack. Instead of correcting a mistake, most just keep on making it worse. Soon 51% of Americans will have metabolic syndrome and then it will become "normal" because "normal" is the behavior of the majority! Then we will start treating abnormal (healthy) people who are not sick thinking we are doing the right thing.

What a mess--yes, even dogs get it--bow wow!

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 15, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion of the GAMMA KNIFE. This is an amazing device that is changing neurosurgery. It is limited however to the brain and neck.

Tune in, should be fun

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 8, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will follow through on the Kennedy brain tumor story by discussing THE GAMMA KNIFE. This will be an update from the lecture on July 20, 2003. The Gamma Knife is becoming more available and its benefits are outstanding.

Tune in, 14.307, Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern time.

"Aether" went into the mail yesterday so you should be receiving it shortly. There are too many members delinquent so check your renewal label, we don't want to lose you.

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 1, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss BRAIN TUMORS in light of the findings on Senator Kennedy. He is one of 9,000 people in the U.S. who will find out this year they have this fast growing brain cancer and few treatment options.

It was my opinion that headache was not a prime symptom until the late stages but apparently this has changed recently.

Tune in should be fun????

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 25, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday's topic will be "DAYTON 2008." Those of us who attended will inform those that missed the annual event, as several important points were brought up which can affect Marco in the future.

Those who attended and took photos should send them to Aether for publication.

Harry, WB9EDP, our new President, and his wonderful wife Ellen KC9ARN, were there but there stay was shortened because of a practice responsibility. President-elect for 2010-is Linda KE5BQK. Linda will be Marco's first woman president.

Live From Dayton, May 17 2008

MARCO's annual meeting has come to a successful close.

The booth remained a highly active place, with crowds attracted by Paul N6DMV's Dr. Pepper-can model of a satellite, suitable outfitted with a blinking LED. I have nominated Paul for the post of official MARCO sculptor.

With Arnold delivering his convincing sales pitch, we signed up four new members today. They are:

Matt Myszkowski KD8HMX
Tom Brewer W0RPH
Carlyle Rowland N0ARN
John Kalotai N1OLO

Honors for the major HamVention purchase of the day went to Chip N5RTF for his new March magnetic paddle. The best flea market artifact was definitely the control yoke from a B52!

Late in the afternoon, Bruce KM2L did an interview with Information Radio 1660 AM. They had a booth at HamVention and broadcast throughout the event. He put in a good word for MARCO, for MediShare International and for amateur radio in general. This interview will be available on the Web. I will supply the link once I review it to be sure that it is not a complete embarrassment.

Unfortunately, Harry WB9EDP and Ellen KC9ARN had to return to Chicago, as Harry had to go to work following the riot at Cook County Jail.

MARCO's banquet at the Holiday Inn North was well-attended. Marc Weinberg K9PET of Casual Dx presented an account of the ham radio trip to Antarctica he hosted with Lindblad/National Geographic. What an adventure!!

Tomorrow we go our separate ways until next year's meeting. See you in a week on 14.307 MHz.

Dayton, Friday May 16

It had rained overnight, and the day dawned gray and cold so we knew that it must be Dayton. Conditions improved progressively, so by afternoon it was very pleasant.

MARCO's members attended the annual meeting in the morning, with the exception of WA3ZZU who was compelled to hit the flea market early. The minutes of this meeting aer contained in the previous posting. We were excited and heppy to be treated to he company and participation of "first-timers" Linda KE5BQK, Bernie KD5QHV, Ellen KC9ARN, Harry WB9EDP, and John WB2MXJ.

In the afternoon it was off to HamVention! Your scribe has not yet made it to the flea market, but hears that it is smaller than in past years. Indoors was jumping. As usual the hat embroiderers, Flex Radio and Piero Begali drew enthusiastic crowds all day.

A couple of new software-defined radio products were on display. The Perseus SDR direct-sampling HF receiver looks particularly interesting. A Japanese vendor was showing a "do-it-yourself" radio. He supplies the cabinet, chassis, dial and mechanisms, and blank copper-clad PC boards. You design and build the radio.

Jeff K6JW was the clear winner in terms of money spent, as he is now the proud owner of a new Begali Graciela paddle and a high-power MFJ autotuner. I have been a relatively good boy thus far, purchasing only a balun from DX Engineering.

There were several visitors to the MARCO booth, many attracted by N6DMV's Dr. Pepper can sculpture of a satellite. We signed up new members Bryan KY4MD and Mark N8CPR (dude, you forgot to pay). Current members Mike NR3C and Yoshi JH1URT stopped by to say "Hello" and to renew their memberships.

In the evening at Roger's W8CRK urging most of us shuttled to Caffe Anticoli on north Main Street for a good time and pretty decent Italian fare.

On Saturday a full day is planned at Hara Arena, although some members may peel off for a visit to the Air Force Museum.

Stay tuned...

Minutes of the 2008 MARCO Annual Meeting

Minutes of the MARCO 2008 Annual Meeting

Members in attendance: Arnold WB6OJB, Bruce KM2L, Chip N5RTF, Danny W4DAN, Warren KD4GUA, Lou WA1HGE, Tom W3GAT, Linda KE5BQK, Bernie KD5QHV, Paul N6DMV, John WD8NMV, Roger W8CRK, Rich K9CIV, Jay AA4FL, Jeff K6JW, Keith N3IM, Joe WB2MXJ, Harry WB9EDP, Ellen KC9ARN, Lionel 4X1LL, Dave KT8E.

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM EDT by President WB6OJB.

WB6OJB thanked KD4GUA, W4DAN, WA1HGE and KM2L for their help and support of the organization.

Danny W4DAN read the minutes of the 2007 annual meeting. These were approved.

Lou WA1HGE presented the Treasurer's report. Dues income is down about $1000 from last year, but the MARCO balance is holding steady. The MediShare account is down to $1194.11 due to expenditure for the Sri Lanka VHF radio project. The Treasurer's report was approved.

Bruce KM2L proposed the formation of a Internet Committee to tap into the considerable expertise present in the organization, and to ensure the ability to access and edit Web pages should anyhting happen to a single member of the group. The formation of a committee was approved, with AA4FL, N5RTF, N3IM and KM2L appointed as members. AA4FL proposed the consolidation of MARCO's various accounts into a single account with one hosting service. For ease of access and editing at a reasonable price he suggested GoDaddy.com. These suggestions were approved.

W4DAN reported that MARCO has 186 active members and 24 additional who are delinquent on their dues. We recruited 18 new members in 2007 and three so far in 2008. The Secretary's report was accepted.

Warren KD4GUA requested input on improving the Newsletter. He would like to receive more technical information for publication. W4DAN questioned whether it would be better to simply post a .pdf copy of the Newsletter on the Web site rather than emailing it to everyone. After some discussion, it was decided to maintain the status quo.


Chip N5RTF reported that he is continuing to provide Internet streaming audio of Grand Rounds, and can accommodate about 20 simultaneous listeners. Several of those in attendance indicated that they had accessed or attempted to access the audio stream. Chip is planning to make hardware changes that will allow users to download archived audio by means of passive ftp.

Jeff K6JW reported that he helped Hemantha Gamage 4S7HG obtain an Icom IC-718 transceiver. Several MARCO members made contributions. Hemantha wrote an article about the Sri Lanka VHF radio project. Jeff made revisions and edits, and inserted favorable publicity about MARCO/ MediShare. This article has been accepted for publication in QST.

Nominations were taken for President Elect. Bernie KD5QHV, Roger W8CRK and Linda KE5BQK were nominated. Bernie and Roger declined the position. Linda was elected unanimously.

The other officers were re-elected to their current positions:
Secretary Danny W4DAN
Treasurer Lou WA1HGE
Newsletter Editor Warren KD4GUA

The current Directors were re-elected with the following changes:

2nd Call Area - Bruce KM2L
3rd Call Area - Keith N3IM
7th Call Area KA7LOT (although he is currently living in Mississippi)
9th Call Area Bill WB9HIR

There was considerable discussion of the MediShare Chairperson position. The Bylaws were reviewed, and it is clear that MediShare functions as an arm of MARCO, with the Chairperson and Advisory Board responsible to the MARCO Board of Directors. It was decided that Smitty W6CS be thanked for his years of exemplary service to MARCO and be awarded the title of MediShare Chairperson Emeritus. Arnold WB6OJB will become MediShare Chairperson. The Board approved these changes.

New Business:

The question of moving the CW portion of the Sunday morning net to a frequency in the CW sub band of 20 meters was brought up. After some discussion, the consensus was to remain on 14.307 MHz.

KD4GUA raised the possibility of starting Grand Rounds one hour later. Propagation is better at that time, and it would make it easier for west coast members to join the discussion. We would have to change frequencies. N5RTF proposed that after the net next week (5/25/08) we QSY to 14.311 MHz and do a roll call. K9CIV seconded. With the additional understanding that any changes will be publicized in the Newsletter and on the listserv, this motion was passed.

N6DMV presented a model of a DSP-23 satellite he had worked on.The model is cleverly constructed from Dr. Pepper cans and is now part of the MARCO display at our booth.

The acquisition of MARCO stickers or stamps for QSL cards was discussed, but without clear resolution.

W4DAN relayed Carl WA3ZZU's request that the annual meeting take place on Saturday so that people could get to the flea market early. It was decided to continue to meet on Friday morning.

For information it was noted that Marc WA3QWA has established an Echolink node named "MARCO."

N5RTF and WB2MXJ were invited to present a brief update on the status of New Orleans. Neighborhoods are very slowly coming back, although the French Quarter and area along the river are in good shape. Health care is struggling and crime is wide spread.

4X1LL reported that amateur radio in Israel is very active. He had attempted to start a European MARCO net last year and sent emails to every known MARCO member in Europe. He received no replies, however.

The meeting was adjourned at 11 AM.

Live , From Dayton

There is a large and active contingent of MARCO members at the Dayton Hamvention this year. Your scribe endured an absolutely terrible drive down from western New York, but made it about an hour behind schedule. The Ohio Department of Transportation has every road in the state under construction, or or so it seems.

We formed a large clot in the bar of the Holiday Inn North. There were drinks, then more drinks, and eventually some food as well.

Present and accounted for were Danny W4DAN and spouse Carolyn, Arnold WB6OJB and spouse Joan, Chip N5RTF, Rich K9CIV and spouse Marcia, Warren KD4GUA, Lou WA1HGE, Linda KE5BQK and Bernie KD5QHV, Keith N3IM, Roger W8CRK, John WD8NMV, Paul N6DMV, Jay AA4FL and spouse, Jeff K6JW, and yours truly, KM2L. If I have omitted anyone, blame the beer.

Tomorrow mornign we will get down to business with the annual meeting, and hten repair to HARA Arena.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 18, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Most of our active members will be in Dayton this Sunday. It will be "Open Sunday." "Vox Pox," communication program. Let's have 30 new net controllers on board...it should work out okay.

If possible, we will transmit from Dayton but it is doubtful as most of the visitors will be homeward bound by 10 a.m. eastern.

The program for the following week is pending...any suggestions?

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 11, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

One woman woke up with a paintbrush in her hand, having painted her front door in her sleep--she was taking Ambien (or Lunesta) sedative hypnotics. How safe are these non benzodiazaepines? Remember Halcion? I had a patient fall asleep while walking up the gangway to an airliner!

Tune in Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern time 14.307 and give us your experiences with these drugs. Should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 4, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss a problem that is becoming more and more prevelant--clostridium difficile infections. Which drug is best Flagyl or Vancomycin--or is there something else? Tune in, should be fun.

Sri Lanka Update

Hemantha Gamage notified MARCO today that the Sri Lankan government has been so impressed by the MediShare-funded VHF radio project, that they will pay to generalize it throughout the western part of the country. Read on:

Dear Sirs/Madams,
Our provincial council decided to have the VHF system to all the health units and ambulances in the western province , Sri Lanka. They have realised the value of VHF radios esp in disasters. MARCO/Medishare should get the credit for introducing the system and funding for it. Provincial health minister assured that the government would bear the cost for such a system.

They requested me to do a study and a plan for the whole province as soon as posible. Anyway I am supposed to start my MD at the post graduate institue of medicine,University of Colombo. But I promised to stay with them as a volunteer for the system. I enjoy the work.

Thank you.

Hemantha 4S7HG

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 27, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

You are on an airplane and a passenger is having chest pain. They call for a doctor...should you respond? Will you respond? Do Good Samaritan laws go into effect when you are passing over different states in rapid succession? What state law would ensue if something went wrong?

This Sunday we will discuss the "Good Samaritan" laws and how they effect you. Should be fun...10 a.m. eastern time...CW on at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This grand rounds generated some interesting commentary:

From Bob, K4RLC

I missed the net on Good Samaritan laws, and wonder if you will write it up for the newsletter?

I'm interested not because of air travel, but because both our kids play several high school sports. Fortunately, they haven't been hurt yet, but some of the parents in the stands are pretty out of shape, and I've had to work on one who collapsed during a basketball game. We all tailgate at the football games, and food is copious and tasty, and that situation is ripe for a coronary or diabetic event.

A rare event happened here a few weeks ago at a high school Lacrosse game. A player was hit in the chest by the lacrosse ball, and collapsed from Commotio Cordis. He was fortunate in that a teammate's Dad is Director of Rehab Medicine here, and had read up on this rare condition beforehand. There were a total of 3 physicians and 6 nurses among the spectators, and all helped. But what saved this young man's life was the AED, as he went into V Fib. He had to be shocked three times.

He survived but suffered a hypoxic event, so I'll probably see him. I'm the neuropsychologist for our professional hockey team (Carolina Hurricanes) and see them all after concussions, as well as high school and some college kids with concussive type injuries.

Thanks for your input about out of shape parents in the stands, hi.

From Mary Kaye, AE4BX:

had something to add about being a pseudo-team doctor. When my son was in 8th grade he played football for a small private school, It was his first year playing (over many of Mom's objections). I was the unofficial team doctor by default. My husband who was a first-aid trained pharmacist, sat down on the bench with the players. I had every possible piece of equipment in my station wagon, head board etc etc etc.

The routine was that when anyone was down, my son should step aside and show me his numbers (so I could walk). Well the feared incident happened, and one of our team members went down on the ground after a tackle, held his neck saying "my neck, my neck, my neck!!!!!!" After inspecting my son's number of course, I rushed down on the field, saw that the boy could move his legs, stopped the game and called EMS. Expected chaos. Well as the sirens were heard from afar, the boy's father came down on the field, a rough an tumble redneck also smelling of spirits if I were to render an opinion. He looked at the kid, shouted. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) SCOTT, GET YOUR RED LAZY A-- UP OFFA THE GROUND AND GO PLAY BALL!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well as the EMS guys were running the stretcher on the field, the kid got a red face and said "Uh, OK Dad", and jumped up and ran to the bench". Leaving me there red-faced and about to punch out that redneck myself.

I inquired from an orthopedist later how I could tell - and he said always ask the player to raise his head up himself, and of course don't help him or yank the helmet off etc. If he had either a bad whiplash or a structural damage of any kind to the neck he can't raise his head. I saw this done many times on the field in later football games when I became an armchair expert.

My son's football career was over that year by the way. I said he could grow tall and play basketball or find himself a foster home. He took the advice, grew to 6'3" and played basketball nicely according to plan. That was also the end of my team doctor career.

And Warren KD4GUA's reply

Bob RLC in Raleigh asked about the specifics concerning the Good Samaritan Laws as he missed the lecture. Basically you are covered if you act in good faith, do not perform gross neglect, do not accept money for your deeds and do not leave the patient until someone else can take over with equal or more experience. You do not have to perform a good samaritan act unless you live in Vermont, Minnesota or Louisiana, France or Germany and then it is mandatory to help. Benign neglect is acceptable, i.e., if you do 15 instead of 30 chest thrusts for each mouth to mouth (which is now not required) that is benign neglect because you simply missed the last Red Cross course in CPR. The individual or next of kin must give consent unless the patient is unconscious or not able to give good judgment. In most jurisdictions Good Samaritan laws only protect those that have had basic first aid training and are certified by the AHA, Red Cross, or other heal th organizations. In other jurisdictions, any rescuer is protected from liability, granted he acted rationally. Congress passed a bill about 1994 enabling good samaritan laws in flight regardless of which state the plane is flying over. In international flight the rules go by the carrier's home country.

PS: The requirements as you walk through the hospital and there is a cry for help from someone else's patient--that is another story and perhaps another Sunday lecture.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 20, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we are planning on having Phil Wildman the pilot who has flown both the Atlantic and Pacific over 250 times in single engine Piper aircraft (and Cessnas). He will tell us what it is like flying for 17 hours over endless ocean and how he got to know himself better. This is today's Lindbergh. He will discuss the use of radio for navigation and communication. Today, GPS has largely taken the place of radio navigation but we will let him tell his story.

It should be a good one. Let' s hope propagation doesn't let us down this weekend. He assures me he will be on board and is not mike shy.

Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern 14.307--CW net at 9:30.

Further update from Sri Lanka

Additional news from Hemantha Gamage, 4S7HG:

Dear Sirs,

I wish to foward an outline of our VHF project in Sri Lanka.

The system operates from the District General Hospital Gampaha, which is the largest hospital in the area. There are small peripheral hospitals transfer difficult patents to above hospital. The system operates with a base station installed at the District General Hospital Gampaha and the mobile units are fixed to the ambulances. There are 3 ambulances at above hospital and one ambulances each in the peripheral small hospitals, Biyagama, Dompe, Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda. Therefore 7 mobile units are fixed are given for those ambulances.

The provincial health authority appreciated the contribution of the MARCO in establishing this system. The Ministry and the provincial director will address MARCO in order to thank you all for the good work done.

I presented the radios officially to the secretary of the provincial health ministry on behalf of the MARCO. I will attach few photographs for the time being but the provincial health ministry will contact MARCO with better pictures and hopefully video of the opening day.

I am grateful to all friends at MARCO for extending all the support and courage for me to drive this project towards success.

This morning our hospital system experienced a disaster just one day after launching the system. This was a suicide terrorist attack killing one eminent cabinet minister of the government and around 14 civilians. The incidence took place close to Gampaha draining most of the patient s to District General Hospital Gampaha. Hospital authority informed me that our system played a big role in coordinating ambulances very quickly.

Please give me some time to send the pictures and whole story in sometime as I was very busy with installing the system and other arrangements with the opening ceremony.

Thank you all once again.

Hemantha (4S7HG)

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 13, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We had 30 checkins for April 6's discussion on "Lipitor and Statin Drugs" with a 5/3 propagation rating (pp). This coming Sunday we will investigate medical arbitration...

"By signing this agreement you are waiving your right to a jury trial and you are agreeing to arbitrate all clams arising out of or related to your medical care and treatment." Will your patients sign this?

Those of you who are utilizing arbitration agreements be sure to be on board to narrate your experience in this new and challenging field. Should be fun.

PS: Linda KE5BQK is baking a cake for the Marco Banquet May 17th in Dayton, Ohio. All 16 reserved rooms at the Holiday Day North have been taken according to Danny W4DAN. However, there are still rooms available by phoning 937 278 4871. If you would like to share a room, notify Danny by email Danny@W4DAN.us

Let's have a party.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 6, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will again attempt to talk about Lipitor and the statins. Tune in 14.307 10 a.m. eastern, hope there is no "contest time" so soon.

Blog-meister's note: Contests are planned at least a year ahead of time, and their dates/times are not kept a secret. We should never be surprised to find a full-blown contest raging. It makes sense to take off four weekends a year during the running of the SSB CQWW, ARRL Sweepstakes, ARRL DX, and CQWPX contests.

Christine Haycock, WB2YBA, Silent Key

Today's MARCO-list brought the sad news from Fred Simowitz, K0FS, that Chris Haycock, WB2YBA had passed away in January. She was a woman of extraordinary accomplishments and a long-time MARCO dignitary. The following excerpt from the Newark Star-Ledger but scratches the surface of her life story:

Haycock, Dr. Christine HAYCOCK Dr. Christine Haycock, surgeon, professor, 84 Christine E. Haycock, M.D., 84, of Newark, died on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at the Center for Hospice Care at St. Josephs Hospital in Wayne. The funeral service will be on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St., Nutley, swbrownandson.com. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. The interment of her remains will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and raised in Richmond, Va., before moving to Nutley, Dr. Haycock went from Nutley High School to the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of Chicago, her medical degree from the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center (1952), and held a masters degree in political science from Rutgers University. She first served in the Army during World War II in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. She extended her military career when she obtained her M.D. and became the first woman intern at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, at which time she became the first woman to transfer directly from the U.S. Army Nurse Corps to the U.S. Army Medical Corps. After serving in the United States and Japan, she reverted to active reserve status, ultimately retiring in 1984 at the rank of colonel. She was also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College (1977). Dr. Haycock resumed her residency in surgery following her active military service at St. Barnabas Medical Center and a year as a senior resident at St. Johns Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. She then returned to Newark and opened a private practice in general surgery. She was a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She was a leading expert in sports medicine and was a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. She had published widely in this field, particularly concerning women in sport. In 1982, she served as president of the American Medical Womens Association and was a past president of the New Jersey Medical Womens Association. She was long affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. In 1968, she joined the faculty of the New Jersey Medical School as associate professor of surgery and director of emergency services at University Hospital. She retired in 1992 as professor emeritus of surgery. Dr. Haycocks wide interests included amateur radio, photography, videography, and breeding and showing miniature schnauzers, Manchester terriers and Italian greyhounds. The Foundation for the History of Women in Medicine and The College of Physicians of Philadelphia recently presented the fifth annual Alma Dea Morani Renaissance Woman award to Dr. Haycock on Oct. 28, 2004. In their citation it was noted that, Dr. Haycock excelled as a physician, teacher and mentor to other women who sought to become physicians. She was best known for her influence on sports medicine for women, her work on the eradication of uterine cancer and her leadership in the establishment of the trauma center at University Hospital in Newark, as well as her post as commander of a trauma unit during her service in the Army Medical Corps. In 2006, she was inducted into the Nutley Hall of Fame.

RIP and 73.

Sri Lanka Radio Project

MediShare International has supported MARCO Member Hemantha Gamage, 4S7HG in his efforts to equip his hospital with a VHF mobile communications system to facilitate communication with its ambulances. In an email sent today, Hemantha announced the near-completion of this project. Congratulations!

Dear Sirs,
I am pleased to inform you that we have started installing radio equipments of our VHF system in Sri Lanka. This week we installed the base station at the District General Hospital Gampaha.
The base station was fixed in the room reserved for the Telephone operators in the hospital. The antenna was fixed on the roof top of the 7 story building. The cable is 100m long approximately. This happened because we planned for a repeater but we had to give up that idea due to licensing problems. The radio is transmitting 25w but we checked the effective power reaching the antenna was only 2.5w. However we could contact Colombo without much problem yesterday.

We have to do more fine tuning in order to get more effective radiation.

We have also started installing mobile units and would complete them by next Tuesday.
At the same time we happened to pay approximately Rs. 15000/= per radio as the annual frequency charge. But we are negotiating with the central government and telecom authorities with the help of local government health minister to exempt the charges. I wish it would work. I am very happy that most of our senior officers and the (Local Government) health minister are enthusiastic about this new development. Also they are very happy to see ambulances of 4 small peripheral hospitals getting reliable mode of communication with our project.

We have fixed a date for a small opening ceremony for the new development, tentatively fixed 5th of april 2008. I would appreciate if you could send a message (or any suggestion) for the opening ceremony. I apologize that I could not send you some pictures of the work done because

I was busy with my family commitments and my job.
Anyway I will send all the photos and details of the project as soon as I completed the work (opening ceremony).

However I feel I have driven our work to towards the "goal" successfully. Also I feel the time, money and effort that I spent with your lavish contribution has become a fruitful effort.
My director and the minister would contact you after completion of the project for thanking the friends at MARCO.


Thank you.
Hemantha Gamage 4S7HG.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 30, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will decide truth from fantasy--research states "Except among high-risk patients, the benefits of statins such as Lipitor are overstated." The false advertising states that Lipitor reduces the risk of heart attack by 30%. Where did they get this 30%? The study found for each 100 patients taking Lipitor for 3.5 years they averaged two heart attacks per hundred whereas those not on Lipitor had three heart attacks per hundred--a reduction of 30%!!! A bunch of baloney--by the way to they still sell baloney? I'm a stockholder in Pfizer so I promise to take it easy.

Warren KD4gua PS: Our pilot last week was a no-show--I think he is mike shy.
Blog-meister's note: This weekend is the CQ WPX phone contest, so it may be tough sledding. Give it a try regardless.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 23, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Propagation--good propagation seems to have staggered through the Daylight Time change as we had 34 check-ins last Sunday during our discussion of "Hospitalists."

This Sunday we hope to have on board Phil Waldman, the ferry pilot who has flown the Atlantic and Pacific in small planes over 250 times...he will discuss the fun involved in being over the vast oceans all alone with yourself and how you get to know yourself better.

Tune in should be fun. If you have any questions for Phil ASK, he is easy to talk to--especially using radio location finding prior to GPS.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 16, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday with the advent of Daylight Savings Time and the delay in transition of the Gray Line, propagation was impossible. We had a long skip but no short skips. Fortunately, Phil Waldman, Ferry Pilot who was to be our guest was unable to show because of a weather hold up in the Pacific on a small plane flying to Japan. I will have breakfast with him Saturday morning and will suggest we further postpone his talk because of the bad change in propagation. Instead, we will talk about "Hospitalists." Do you love em or envy them, or cuss 'em? Now, everyone say "Bananas." (You're a fine bunch!)

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 9, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Sunday, MARCO's host will be Phil Weldman, President and owner of "Globe Aero", a ferrying service for small airplanes. Phil has made over 250 ocean crossings to Europe and Australia in single engine Cessnas and Piper aircraft. He will tell you how he utilizes his radios and the changes that GPS has brought. If you didn't have the opportunity to meet Charles Lindbergh, here is your chance to meet the 21st century version.

Three weeks ago, I drove to Lakeland, Florida to tour Phil's hangar which is geared to take in a brand new airplane on one end, fit it with auxiliary tanks, and have it exit refitted on the other side. On the tarmac was a brand new Piper two place single engine landplane with conventional landing gear destined to be flown to Berlin, Germany. A car drove up and out popped a retired TWA captain who was to fly the little plane over. We chatted and parted. One week later I learned the little plane took on ice 400 miles out of Iceland, became a flying ice brick, lost its lift and the pilot informed Iceland center--"I'm going down." Icing levels were at sea level. The pilot and plane were not recovered. This Sunday's Grand Rounds will be dedicated to that pilot, his name? Captain Greg Frey, TWA retired.

Tune in should be educational...write down your questions and Phil will try to answer them.

MARCO Grand Rounds for March 2, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss the "Hospitalist." One of the fastest growing medical specialties is a field that barely existed a decade ago: Hospital Medicine. Today, about half of all hospitals now use hospitalists in some capacity.

We will discuss your experience dealing with this touchy subject and what your feelings are. Why not drop the office practice and do this work? Am I qualified? Tune in, should be educational.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 10, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss: 'WHAT WILL YOUR PATIENTS THINK About Computers in the Exam Room?"

This will be a discussion rather than a lecture so be willing to participate and express your opinion. Many patients feel the computer is interfering with the doctor-patient relationship....instead of eye to eye it is eye to computer...how do you feel about this, are you spending more time talking to the computer than to the patient?

OPEN FORUM, Join in, Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern 14.307....should be fun...