From the Newsletter history archives... Vintage Equipment From the February '87 Newsletter (entitled "Ham Radio News & Views", it was noted that, at the time of the writing of the newsletter, there were 11 inches of snow on the ground! Prior to that time, the editor (who hails from Central Texas) had never seen more than a 6-inch accumulation of snow in his life...and that was in South Carolina. Where he lived in Texas, the maximum snow he had seen was one measley inch. This is because it always sleeted when it had a chance to snow! In other notes of the same newsletter, a salute was given to the Challenger crew as it was remembered that a year had passed since it met its unfortunate demise. Lastly, the Christmas presents of December1986 were beginning to surface...as Jewel Cowick, N4NJD, was sporting a brand-new KDK mobile unit and Ruby Rogers, KA4CLI, was belting out a 2-meter signal with her brand-new Yaesu FT-23R Handie-Talkie.
(Each month, a brief spotlight will appear here on equipment you may have seen at hamfest swap tables. This month the spotlight is on the Ten-Tec Omni-D ). Just what is considered "vintage"? Many rigs today appear as if they are of the latest offerings from a particular manufacturer. Personally, I look at "vintage" , as far as equipment goes, to be anything over 25 years since its introduction. The Omni-D qualifies in this regard, as it was first introduced in 1980. With a cult-type following (ala Collins & Drake), the Omni-D's manufacturer, TEN-TEC, is the only one still in existence. In 1980, the Omni-D created quite a stir and gained many followers, many who bought them still own them today...attesting to the fact of their reliability and longevity. The Omni-D commanded a fair price back in 1980...fetching $1120 as a list price! The Omni-D is of the 100-watter "exciter" class and can easily drive an external amplifier to its full legal output. Matching accessories were available for this model (a base -station PS at $140. and a remote VFO at $140) and the complete station made for a very nice setup. Many of these rigs can be found on hamfest tables today, but your main concern is to get the dealer/owner to part with it...at the price you want!

Pg 3 Each month, one of our regular LARC members (alphabetical order) is profiled in this section. Several member and club-officer profiles have appeared in past issues.

Spotlight on Brent Simmons, N4EGL Brent hails from the county of Burke, having been born on February 5, 1977, in the city of Morganton. He first attended school, however, at Valdese Elementary...finishing in 1982. After graduating from Drexel Jr. High in 1991, he attended East Burke High School and completed his high school education with graduation ceremonies in 1995. No time was lost after graduating before he joined the US Army, where he was trained as a "Network Switch Operator" and was attached to the US Army Signal Corps. Brent was discharged in 1999, after he served a tour of duty in Korea (Camp Carroll). Upon his dischage, Brent joined ranks with Tek Systems, Inc. as a Contract Network Troubleshooter, leaving that firm in 2000 and signing on with (now) Sprint PCS as a Field Technician--where he has been ever since. Brent married the former Ms. Brandy Lail of Catawba County. One child was born to that union...Dalton, now age 3. Brent was first made aware of amateur radio through his family & friends who were, early on, involved with CB radio. Their assimilation into the ranks of amateur radio began his awareness of ham radio by listening to conversations on 2 meters. Brent says that Alfred Ingle, KF4LUY, was probably the most influential in Brent getting his own Technician license in February 2003. He received his initial callsign as KG4YFB, but in August 2006 was awarded a vanity callsign request for the call N4EGL. Brents interests in ham radio include Public Service, building repeaters, antenna construction, the digital modes (Packet), and just plain 'ole ragchewing!
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