Latest OMIK (and other)News
2010 OMIK Convention
 |
Pete (KP2NP), Pearl (KB2OTR) and Joe (NU6l) Click here to view more images by Don Lewis, KI4D |
 |
Don Gaikins (W0VM) and Rit Nesbitt, N4BNM, get ready for the shoot out. Click here to view images by Joe Contogenis, NU6L. |
 |
John Moody (N3WEY) receives door prize from Leonard Moslet (KQ0L) Click here to view images by Michael Ellison, AA5EJ |
Convention Summary
 |
| Moody, Art, Cliff and Jeff reflect on the great lunch they had at Sweetie Pies restaruant. |
The 2010 OMIK convention was a huge success! From tours, to tech sessions, to special activities, the members and their families had a wonderful experience. The convention began with tours on Wednesday and Thursday to venues and historic sites in the St. Louis region.
One Wednesday, the members visited the Griot Museum of Black History & Culture, the Scott Joplin House Missouri historical site followed by lunch at Sweetie Pie’s restaurant, which is owned and managed by former member of the Ike and Tina group, Robbie Montgomery. After lunch, the group toured the home of the Gateway Classic Foundation which included the African American Walk of Fame.
On Thursday we visited the Gateway Arch and the Katherine Dunham Museum, which is located in East St. Louis, Illinois. In keeping with our usual practice of making an impact in the black community, we had lunch at an African American owned restaurant in East St. Louis.
 |
| Francis checks out infor |
Many people said that the tech sessions on Friday and Saturday were the best the organization has ever had. Wilma Schmitz, of the Area Agency on Aging in Illinois presented on aging issues. Look for more information from Wilma in the next edition of the OMIK Communicator.
Other tech sessions included presentations on off-center-fed antennas, remote station operation, D-STAR, and Bob Heil’s session on microphones.
We appreciate the help and attendance of several members of the St. Louis & Suburban Radio Club. They helped set up antennas and the radio, and quite a few members attended convention events, including Helen, WØAKI, one of the newer members of SLSRC. Helen is in her upper 80s.
Support from local businesses was fantastic! Heil Sound donated a couple microphones and a mike stand for door prizes, Gateway Electronics donated a $25 gift certificate and free wire strippers to all who visited their store, and RadioWavz provided three antennas for door prizes. SBP Image Solutions donated photocopy services, making copies of convention meeting agendas and other handouts. Cliff Rozar, KCØSDV, of Cliff's Custom Cutouts, provided a handcrafted oak call sign (KØMIK) to grace the radio room. Please click the logo below to go to our sponsors’ web sites to show your thanks for their support.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click on the logo to visit the web sites of our sponsors. |
To celebrate its 58th anniversary, OMIK will host a special event from August 12 through August 14, 2010. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. CDT to 10:00 p.m. CDT (1500 UTC to 0300 UTC) each day. The frequencies will be 7.185 MHz and 14.295 MHz. Additional modes will be added if there is enough interest.
Hams who contact one of the special event operators can download a specially-designed certificate to document the contact.
OMIK members who wish to receive contact should contact OMIK Net Director Art Moody, W8UTC, to sign up for a one or two hour slot to operate during the event. Each operator will need access to a computer to log the contacts into a program developed by Steve Schmitz, WØSJS.
OMIK Amateur Radio Association was founded in 1952 by hams living in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky, which is the acronym for the organization’s name.
OMIK’s goals are to:
- Promote fellowship among those interested in the advancement of amateur radio, communications, electronics, and related technology;
- Expand and upgrade the ranks of trained amateur radio operators, technicians and electronics experts, especially from minorities;
- Make use of amateur radio operators' ability to provide public service, and to further international good will;
- Serve as the national organization for a network of local amateur radio clubs; and
- Encourage and motivate youths to aspire to higher goals in their respective fields by offering scholarships to deserving youths.
The organization holds weekly nets and provides scholarships to help students further their education beyond high school. Membership is open to hams and non-hams who are interested in the organization’s goals listed above.
Quick Facts about OMIK
-
Founded August 17, 1952 in Wilberforce, Ohio by hams residing in the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. Members today reside in most states, Bermuda, and other overseas locations.
-
ARRL-affiliated organization
-
Publishes quarterly newsletters and annual membership roster
-
Awards college scholarships annually.
-
Conducts licensing classes and examinations.
-
Sponsors school projects.
-
Sponsors field day activities.
-
Participates in emergency planning at local levels.
Visitors since 1/1/2009
