Well, as all of you probably realized when you got the informational
message from the Majordomo server, you've been subscribed to
k0air@novia.net, the Internet mailing list for the SACMARC.
I've initialized the distribution list with individuals who fell into the
following categories:
- You signed my sign-up sheet that I passed around at the Bellevue
Amateur Radio Club meetings.
- You corresponded with me via E-mail expressing interest.
- You are a representative of one of the local SAC-related historical
organizations, and seemed to express interest (or at least not express
disinterest) in the project and being kept up-to-date with regard to
its status and activities.
The above categories are somewhat broad, and I've erred on the side of
over-inclusion rather than run the risk of leaving a potentially
interested person out of the loop. If you do not wish to be on this
mailing list, either because the topic isn't of interest, or you just
don't want to follow a lot of detailed on-line discussion, please let me
know (or use the appropriate majordomo command described in the
introduction message), and you will be promptly unsubscribed, no
questions asked.
Conversely, if you know someone who isn't on the mailing list, and wants
to subscribe, please let me know (or similarly, have them use the
appropriate majordomo command), and you will just as quickly be brought
into the circle of communications.
We've been moving quickly on a number of fronts with regard to the
SACMARC and recover of historic, SAC-related amateur radio callsigns.
Here is a rough chronology:
October 1996
- While paging through a 1963 copy of the Amateur Radio Callbook, Paul
Schleck (K3FU) runs across an entry for K0AIR in "Building 305 Offutt
AFB, NE"
- Paul researches possibility of recovering that historic callsign,
consulting with staff members at the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL, John Hennessee, N1KB, in particular) and discovers that it is
possible under recently-revised Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) rules.
November 1996
- Paul approaches members of the Bellevue Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and
inquires about either recovery of a callsign (under the new FCC Vanity
Callsign program), or setting up an amateur radio presence at the SAC
Museum, or both.
- John Sheffield (N4OWG) points out that a previous proposal to get BARC
to apply for W6EZV (last callsign of General Curtis LeMay) was voted
down, so such a proposal would have to be done as a new station/club.
- John also pointed out that BARC had previously operated/exhibited at
the SAC Museum (thanks to the influence of his former boss and SAC
Museum/Society Board Member, Maj. Gen. William Doyle, Retired) and
suggested approaching the General with this idea. John joins the
project. Other members of BARC, including Tom Huber (WD0BFO) and
Frank Taylor (AA0ZP), also express strong interest and support. At
least a dozen other members will eventually express interest.
- Letters are written by Paul to General Doyle and the SAC Museum
Director. General Doyle indicates enthusiasm for the idea and
informal support via a phone call (and indicates that he passed the
letter on to the other members of the SAC Museum and Society of SAC
boards). No response from the SAC Museum Director.
December 1996
- John and Paul fill out an FCC 610-B, Amateur Radio Club Station
License Application (and sign their names as the required two
members/officers) as a prerequisite to applying for a special
callsign. Application is submitted shortly thereafter.
- Members of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association (55th
SRWA) are approached about the idea (through dgrif@ns.net). Through
that contact, we meet Peter Hurd, a licensed amateur (N1SS), SAC
veteran, and 55th SRWA member who joins our effort. He also notes
that K0GRL was held by General LeMay while he was at SAC HQ and is
available.
- Paul, John, and Peter agree that K0AIR is a reasonable first choice,
and K0GRL will be a secondary target of opportunity.
January 1997
- John makes first attempt at Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws,
based on established versions used by the Bellevue Amateur Radio Club
(and incorporating recent changes). This is an important step to
legally establish our status as a non-profit organization and amateur
radio club (Note that the state's requirements are more stringent than
the FCC's, so the easier task of applying to the FCC came first).
John gives them to Paul for proofreading and input.
- FCC grants application of station license for SACMARC. FCC Form
610-V, Vanity Callsign Application is filled out, but not yet
submitted (John expresses concern that the LeMay family should be
informed of our intentions).
- Paul asks Peter Hurd to write to Mrs. Jane LeMay Lodge, daughter of
the General, as he's had direct contact with her in the past on the
subject of the General and amateur radio. (Permission isn't strictly
required by the FCC for lapsed callsigns, but we see this as an
important courtesy step).
- Peter composes and sends letter.
- Paul meets General Doyle (thanks to an introduction by John Mark,
KA2NIC) at the Society of SAC/Association of Old Crows joint
Linebacker II commemoration on base. General Doyle restates
enthusiasm for the idea, but requested more detailed information about
our proposal (our desire to operate either temporarily or permanently
at the SAC Museum apparently wasn't made clear enough during the
initial approach).
- John suggests a Talking Paper about the SACMARC for the benefit of
General Doyle and the other board members. Paul begins work on this.
- John submits article to the Southwest Iowa Amateur Radio Club (SWIARC)
newsletter publicizing the project and soliciting members.
- Positive reply quickly received from Mrs. Lodge to apply for K0GRL.
- Paul submits 610-V to FCC at the end of January. K0AIR is first
choice, K0GRL is second.
February 1997
- FCC acts with surprising speed, and grants assignment of K0AIR to the
SACMARC (http://www.qrz.com/cgi-bin/webcall?K0AIR) on February 12,
1997.
- Paul finishes first draft of talking paper (copy at
http://www.novia.net/~pschleck/k0air/talking_paper.html), and gives to
John for proofreading and input.
- Paul also finishes reviewing draft Articles of Incorporation and
ByLaws, and returns to John for another round of review.
- Novia Internetworking sets up Internet mailing list (k0air@novia.net)
and approves World-Wide Web page
(http://www.novia.net/~pschleck/k0air/).
Which brings us to where we are now. Unfinished tasks include:
- Going after our secondary target of opportunity, K0GRL (we would
strongly prefer a different club name and trustee on the license;
would any of our Extra-class amateurs like to volunteer?).
- Presenting Talking Paper to General Doyle (will be sent after John
reviews draft and all changes and suggestions are incorporated)
- Setting up P.O. Box for SACMARC (giving us a permanent address,
Paul has an application filled out and will be doing this shortly)
- Setting up an organizational checking account (to be done by Paul
shortly after the P.O. Box is set up; Norwest or SACFCU are likely
choices)
- Finishing Articles and ByLaws and submitting them to representatives
of local SAC organizations, then to our counsel, for review (The ARRL
has a local volunteer lawyer, Brian Zdan, KM0Y, who will do this on
our behalf). Once reviewed, they will be submitted to the Nebraska
Secretary of State. (John has them now and will be making a final
round of proofreading and changes).
- Affiliation with the American Radio Relay League (need to finish the
Articles/Bylaws first in order to be recognized as an organized
amateur radio club).
- Establishing more formal contact (and more formal approval/recognition
of our activities) with the local SAC organizations such as the
Museum, the Society, the Association of Old Crows, the 55th SRWA, and
(of course) the current USAF and USSTRATCOM (This is the biggest and
most open-ended of the tasks; suggestions and volunteers welcome).
John and I have been meeting informally, usually at the 9pm Friday night
coffee at Wendy's on Galvin Road in Bellevue, in lieu of more formal
meetings once underway as an organized club (send us an E-mail, or call
one of us on 147.21-, as we don't always attend). If you have any
ideas, wish to join the club, serve as an officer, or want to assist
with projects and contacts, please contact me. I can also be reached at
(402) 291-6176.
-- Paul W. Schleck pschleck@novia.netK0AIR Trustee
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