New SEKARC Facebook Group

Many in SEKARC are using Facebook so a few years ago I created a page for SEKARC on Facebook. Today I moved that over to be a Facebook Group. Where members can post, interact and have another way to stay in touch with members and friends of the SEKARC. If you have a Facebook account look us up and join!

CLICK HERE --- SEKARC Group on Facebook

Hamvention Yaesu Fusion Presentation

Here is the presentation by the Yaesu rep at the Xenia Hamvention last weekend. There is some news here including the ability for more radios with firmware upgrades to be set up as NODES.  

Kansas Mining SE#4 Big Brutus Miners Reunion

FYI - SEKARC SE #4 Kansas Mining Special Event Series info 

Big Brutus brings back the miners
Source: By Jesse Brown / The Morning Sun
Posted Jun 6, 2015 at 3:29 PM
Updated Jun 6, 2015 at 3:29 PM
 
WEST MINERAL — Big Brutus, now retired and memorialized, still has an ability to bring back the past with miners who once worked with the giant of Southeast Kansas.

“This mine closed down, a lot of the strip mining was closed down and retired miners got together after they made this Big Brutus Museum here and annually we get together,” said Jimmie Lovell, who also serves on the museum board. “We have a man that cooks all of our fish for us and we get together and visit. It’s something we do every year and we look forward to it. We’ve had as high as 150 people (come before).”

The Miner’s Day Reunion brought back the miners of the past, along with their families which have grown since their days of retirement, as they congregated over a fish fry recollecting the early days with Big Brutus.

Lovell said the coal miners were like an extended family to each other and that of the 40 years and eight days he worked as a coal miner, he said there wasn’t one day he could remember when he didn’t want to go to work.

“Coal miners were all friendly people,” Lovell said. “Everybody helped everybody, very few people that got mad, they got over it. They’re just a different breed of people. They thought a lot of each other.” He added had the mines not shut down, he probably would have worked longer, instead of retiring at the age of 60.

Gege Sachetta is another retired coal miner who returns every year to participate in the Miner’s Day Reunion, after having worked for the company for 45 years. He shares Lovell’s sentiments about the enjoyment they got from working at Big Brutus.

“I enjoyed the first day of work and I hated to retire,” Sachetta said.

Lovell said the reunion brings back miners who now live in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and even Illinois.

“Sometimes, there will be one or two that slip in from Colorado,” Lovell added.

Lovell said at one time, Big Brutus has 135 miners working there, and out of those 135 miners, their families keep coming back in the shadow of Big Brutus to remember what once was.

SE Kansas Mining History Special Event #3

The third of seven Special Events honoring mining history in SE Kansas will be held Saturday 19th and Sunday the 20th. Remembering the many mining camps that sprung up all over this part of the state we are setting up near one at Big Brutus. We will meet for breakfast by 9am at Hardee's in Pittsburg then head to Brutus. 

Click the mining banner above or the image below for additional information.....

Approximately 10am until TBD Both Days
20m USB, PSK31
40m LSB, PSK31
And other modes/bands

Mine Explosion That Haunts Kansans

Keeping with our Mining History Special Events. I found this story. Never heard of this until we started this event. This is a fascinating story on SE Kansas mining history and needs to be remembered. Please take a few minutes and read this bit of history.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY ----> KS-mine-explosion-1888

Kansans know well how bloody history can get, especially the farther you look into the past. History has shaped us to be the state we are today, but this event in particular was unforeseen and devastating. We might not have been alive to witness this tragedy first hand, but we’ll remember it as part of Kansas’ history. Have you ever heard of the mine explosion in Pittsburg, Kansas?

Doctor Is In Podcast - Kit Building

Another great Podcast from the ARRL. Amateur Radio kits are not only still popular, they are highly rewarding. The Doctor offers his tips for kit buying and building. Check it out !!

The Amateur CODE

From ARRL....

The Radio Amateur is

CONSIDERATE...He/[She] never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL...He/[She] offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in his/[her] country, through which Amateur Radio in his/[her] country is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE...He/[She] keeps his/[her] station up to date.  It is well-built and efficient.  His/[Her] operating practice is above reproach.

FRIENDLY...He/[She] operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to beginners; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED...Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC...His/[Her] station and skills are always ready for service to country and community.

- adapted from the original Amateur's Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928

SEK Mining History Special Event #2

The Southeast Kansas Amateur Radio Club is operating #2 of 7 Special Events in 2018 honoring the rich mining history in Southeast Kansas. Please send SASE with your QSL and contact all 7 to get a special "Clean Scoop" Certificate. Have fun and thanks for visiting our site.

Miners Hall Museum is an exhibition located within the Franklin Community Center & Heritage Museum in Franklin, Kansas. The public is invited to visit and view the mining artifacts as well as other historic items.

From Kansas Historical Society

Workers from dozens of European countries were drawn to the lush landscapes of southeast Kansas in the late 19th century. Naturally occurring minerals buried just underground drew these men and their families from places like Italy, Austria, Germany, Yugoslavia, England, Wales, Scotland, France, and Belgium. They put their skills to work in the coal and zinc mines; they shared their traditions with the region, which became known as the “Little Balkans.”

These European miners began to arrive in the 1870s. They learned that the red, rusty coal near the surface could be strip mined and was good for cooking and blacksmithing. The black, oily coal buried under about 200 feet of sandstone was accessed through deep mining and suited for fueling steam locomotives. This workforce helped the area become the industrial center of the state. Coal companies created communities for the workers near mining locations. Some were temporary camps with dirt roads and shacks.

2018

QSL INFO:
KØSEK Attn: Chancey
409 W Quincy St
Pittsburg KS 66762
Send SASE
* QSL All 7 and get this 8x10 special certificate *

#1 Crawford County Historical Museum
March 24th-25th
9am-6pm


#2 Miners Hall Museum
April 21st-22nd

#3 Mine 19 Camp Cabin
May 19th-20th

#4 BIG BRUTUS Annual Miners Reunion
June 2nd-3rd

#5 Miners Park Pittsburg KS
July 21st-22nd

#6 Galena Miners/Historical Museum
August 18th-19th

#7 Little Balkins Days
September 1st-2nd