We've been working on putting together interesting programs in the Central region of the PVRC that we hope will be of interest to all our members and the amateur radio community at large.

Pencil in the following following speakers/presentations:

* Mid-or late September: - Paul Dickson, (locally based) author of "Sputnik, The Shock of the Century." This book, originally published in 2001 and being reissued in time for the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik (October 4), is a great discussion of the events leading up to and the aftermath of the launch of Sputnik and the beginning of the space race.

* Early October: - Jim Brown, K9YC, renowned expert in audio reinforcement and author of publications on RFI and amateur radio (www.audiosystemsgroup.com/publish.htm). We have been talking to Jim with the expectation that he will be able to swing through the area in conjunction with the Audio Engineering Society's annual meeting in New York during the first week of October.

* October 18 (Thursday) PVRC Downtown lunch - Kristen Haring, author of "Ham Radio's Technical Culture," a fascinating look at ham radio and the technical 'societies' and clubs that sprang up in the post World War I era. Dr. Haring's book has stirred up some controversy in traditional amateur radio circles (see the review in the March 2007 QST) and is well worth reading.

More details as they develop.

Eric W3DQ Washington, DC