The Senate and the House have agreed on the bill supporting the needs of the amateur community for relief from the restrictions on antennas by rules and  regulations built into housing agreements. That bill,  S 1755, no rests in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Rep. Waxman is the Chairman of the Committee and Rep. Barton is the ranking  Minority member. If you haven't done so yet, please write to them urging the the getting the bill out of Committee and onto the Floor of the House.

Copies of any such letters should be sent to Division Legislative Action Chairman John Meyers, NB4K at nb4k@arrl.org.

Within Michigan we have a bill in line with original PRB-1 as given by the FCC several years ago. It also needs your support. Write to your Representative and ask for his support on HB5556. If you wonder what effect that might have on you and your friends, especially those that live in a township a little to the south of Battle Creek. Read the requirements for having a radio tower in that part of the world. Jim, N8MVV will bring you up to date with regard to that problem.

We all have the need to write some very important letters to our representatives at both the state and the national level.

This month we give special attention to the fox hunt.  There is a complete page with information on making antennas for the fox hunt. If more information is needed to construct any of these, more complete information will be supplied . Just ask and you will receive! 
Of course there are other antennas that can be made for this purpose, so go ahead and do it! If you are concerned about getting any of the electronics, let me know and I'll go get them for you.
Since this is April, a full page is devoted to humor.  Nothing risque, but not totally PC.
You will find a membership list on a page. You may be surprised to find some names are missing. People sometimes forget and need a kick in the fanny to be reminded  that things have slipped by. Do a little well aimed attention getter exercise!

David Smith, KC8COT, has proposed that SMARS members get involved in fox hunting. He has contacted a group that is experienced in the game and who are willing to set up a hunt for training purposes. That hunt would be an easy one with a lot of mentoring. If you enter you would be guaranteed a win.  Every one wins type of sample hunt. Dave would help people make up their equipment and give much help.
Dave is stepping forward in attempting to find activities for the club, Don has given the club some new and fascinating ways to use the radio. The remaining need is for the members to do something themselves and quit setting back hoping to be entertained. Are we all so trained by the one-eyed monster that we can't do anything other than watch the world go by?
Those of us who have participated in fox hunts in the past remember the fun we had, both as an individual  and as a group activity. To have that fun you must get involved.

James Zoss, W8JMZ, announced his retirement from the position of Emergency Coordinator for Battle Creek.  Jim has worked in this position for several years always attempting to increase the number of volunteers that are needed. He has been very successful in recruiting amateur radio operators various programs such as  Search and Rescue as well as the ARES and Races typical amateur activities.
Jim started his amateur career in 1976 as a novice with the call WD8DHS. Late after progressing through the technician and general class licenses he applied for the call with his initials resulting in his present call of W8JMZ.