Walt, K8AEM, busted his ankle while playing hop-scotch with a bunch of old f---- and has been laid up for a while.  Walt indicates that this has been a way to save money by not having to buy gasoline.  For some quaint reason he does not recommend this idea to anyone else.
Arnie, WA8VRA, felt pity for the crippled young lad and contributed a nice piece of timber to give mobility to Walt.
Arnie's usual quality shows up well in the walking stick that was signed with the call letters of many SMARS members.

One needs to pay attention to the calendar this month. Our Hamfest will come before our March meeting.  This means that the details of  running the show must be finished at the coming meeting.  ALL members need to pitch in..  Spend an hour selling tickets, or help set up or tear down. This is a CLUB activity and furnishes needed funds for the club to operate.  Your $10 dollar dues just don't cut it
And with regard to members, you'll find a list of paid up members on another page. If your name isn't on that page then you may have been missed or you need to renew, If you've already paid, Make sure to let the Secretary know.
The Kalamazoo SMART Club is attempting to organize a trip to Dayton via a luxury bus.  There will be pamphlets available for those interested in finding out more of this trip.
Jim Weaver's column needs to be studied. His discussion of a particular example applies to a much wider world. We are all guilty to some degree in the behavior described.
For those of you that are interested in a better omni directional antenna, the coaxial collinear antenna is one of the best. It also is one that many who have constructed it have been disappointed. The article by Tom K7ITM casts light on the problem by redirecting attention on the real problem.
Congratulations to our XYLs for their outstanding participation, especially Stephanie and Rene. These ladies have stepped in to get things done and must be praised for their efforts.

WA8MFL

SIGN OF THE TIMES

Sign in a Philadelphia Business Window:

     :WE WOULD RATHER
     DO BUSINESS  WITH
     1000 ALQAEDA TERRORISTS
     THAN WITH ONE SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER"

This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a
business in Philadelphia.  You are probably outraged at the
thought of such an inflammatory statement.
However, we are a society which holds Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty.
After all, it is just a sign.
You nay ask what kind of business would dare post such a sign.
Answer: A Funeral Home
Who said that morticians had no sense of humor?

Contributed by Howard N8EHQ

    We are honored to have Don Larkin, W8RVT, present a continuation of his previous lecture about Echo Link, at the February 21, 2008 SMARS meeting.
Echo Link is an interesting subject and I hope a lot of our members will attend the meeting.

Ned, WB4BKO
VP SMARS