Jonathan Mars is a young man that is battling cancer. As everyone knows, medical bills in general are expensive and for treatment of cancer are phenomenal. Thus, the Jonathan Mars fund raiser. This was the third year for Jonathan and the club was invited to attend this years event.

Preparation started early Saturday morning at 30 degrees. No, not antenna angle, AIR temperature. Not to worry though, as the unloading of the tables , chairs, and equipment, not to mention the hot biscuits 'n' sausage (compliments of N5JCG) things soon warmed up. It really didn't take long to get set up and start making contacts and greeting people. John Ziller was the first to grab a contact on CW. It wasn't long before he had several contacts and six different states. We also made SSB contacts throughout the USA and even made a contact with DL1CMB, a fellow amateur in Germany.

There were lots of activities and food around. The sun was bright and the afternoon warmed up considerably. We met new people and visited with old friends. We may have sparked an old ham of 45 years in ham radio to get back on the air after being off the air for 10 years. Good deal huh? Mike, N5VWS took some real nice pictures and a good time was had by all that attended. There were 13 members and several visitors, including K5UYP, Tom Wilson the 10 year absentee.

A special thanks for the folks that helped with the antennas and equipment handling. N5ODV, KB5ASR, KI5FW, KD5QIQ, and WD5HLD. The event would not have happened without your help. KUDOS. Other members in attendance were: WA5EE, W5MAV, KD5JYJ, KD5GWM (and RYAN), W5OQY, KD5PBJ, and KD5PBI. Total time of the event was about 8 hours. It was good to see all that came by.

Until next time fellow amateurs this is N5JCG sayin' 73 'n' CUL ditditditdahditdah

Update: Reget to report that Johnathan Mars passed away, May 31, 2002, at the age of FIVE. He battled childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in muscle tissue. He is the son of Andy and Robin Mars. Please keep his family in your prayers.

 

2 meter/440 Dual Band YAESU furnished by KI5FW

 

KD5QIQ and KB5ASR

 

(left) N5JCG's Special Events Log Book - (right) YAESU FT-980 used for SSB/CW contacts

 

N5ODV's ICOM 756-PRO used for CW contacts

 

Packet by KB5ASR and 2m/440 by KI5FW

 

Team CW (left to right) N5ODV, N5JCG, and WD5HLD

 

Front View of table lay out (nice job guys!)

 

Antennas used: (left) 2 meter Isopole (right) A99 Vertical and a 20 meter Inverted Vee

 

Close-up of YAESU FT-980 and MFJ-941E Tuner

 

N5ODV working CW QRP

 

N5JCG and N5ODV