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The HOTLINE |
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National Night Out is Coming |
by Rodney Baden, K5YKC |
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At our July meeting we will be joined by the new Salvation Army Captain Russell Czajkowski. Captain Russell will be sharing with us his plans for the Waco Area, and for helping in our National Night Out with the Waco Alta Vista Neighbor Association on August 1, 2006. He will also be talking about putting up the ham station at the Salvation Army Church on I35. So, please come and join us at the Kultgen Automotive Center on the TSTC Waco campus on July 27, 2006. |
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Field Day 2006—We Did It!! |
by Ed Middlebrook, KC5NT |
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Well, Field Day is finished again and it’s time to tally the numbers. We were quite successful this year and we broke the 1,000 QSO barrier again—even during a “down” year for propagation! I’ll be busy putting together a summary of FD 2006 including a state summary and band by band breakdown. Let’s review what we did well, and where we came up just a bit short. Come on out Thursday evening and we’ll go over the scores and chores that made 2006 such a success. |
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President’s Corner |
by Rodney Baden, K5YKC |
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Rodney, K5YKC |
Special Times For HOTARC
Let me say a great big “thank you” to Grant Gillam KE5ERW for the outstanding job of coordinating our Field Day activities. The food was outstanding, and the fellowship was even better. Anybody that didn’t come missed a great time. Job well done, Grant!
At first calculations, we might have around 4,000 points. We had visits from Representative “Doc” Anderson and wife; Mayor Charlie Turner and Paul Holroyd (Emergency Management Coordinator), both from the City of Hewitt; and District Judge Vickie Menard and husband. Come hear Ed Middlebrook KC5NT’s presentation at our July meeting for the accurate counting.
John Curry K5IMC, celebrated his 50th straight Field Day. Most of us are looking for our 50th year as a ham, but to go to 50 straight Field Days, is almost unheard of. Another one of our members, Scott Shafer KD5MLY, made national recognition for the Public Service Announcements(PSA) to help support all clubs in the USA in getting the word out about Field Day in their respective areas. Thanks, too, to Linda Hynan AC5QQ, and her VE Team for giving us three new hams at our Field Day test session. Many others brought radio equipment, put up antenna’s, set up rigs, greeted guest, helped our new hams—and many other things too numerous to mention. Judge Menard and her assistant Shirley Blanton generously provided drinks and bottled water for us to drink. Shirley even bought a pie (pecan) for the second FD in a row! Lastly, thanks to Bill Russell W5WAR, for his making of the 2006 Field Day t-shirts. (Don’t forget to send him $7.50 per shirt.) An outstanding job! They looked very professional, and made us look like “one voice” speaking for Amateur Radio and HOTARC.
All in all, Field Day 2006 was a great success and a lot of operating time was shared by all. Again, thanks to everyone!
73
Rodney A. Baden, K5YKC
HOTARC President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC Meeting of Members
June 22, 2006
The June meeting was called to order by President Rodney Baden K5YKC at 7:03 PM at the Salvation Army Center in Waco. Present were seventeen full members, one associate member, and one visitor: Bill Gill KE5HKS (new ham) of Waco.
Wayne Branscum KD5SMC opened the meeting with a prayer.
The Minutes for the May meeting were approved as published in the HOTLINE, on a motion by Bill Cox W5JRM, second by Rusty Keyes AD5JY, and unanimous vote by the members. The May Treasurer’s Report was also accepted as published in the HOTLINE following a motion by KD5SMC, second by Mike Ross N5MVL, and unanimous vote by the members.
Announcements
· Disaster Availability: KD5SMC asked that you please contact him if you can be available to contribute some time (to the Salvation Army) in te event of a disaster.
· Seeking Info: J.W. Roach W5AYX is seeking information about Frank Williams K5??? from Austin (SK). Contact J.W. if you can help.
Committee Reports
· ARES: K5YKC emphasized the need for training; see the chart from Ed Hynan KC5KNI included in the HOTLINE showing numbers of members having taken various training courses. We all need to make this a priority.
· Trailer: Mike Ross N5MVL reported that the trailer is ready for Field Day, except for gasoline for generators. Some minor work might be done during Field Day. And the missing “Hewitt FD sign” has been found! Hurrah!
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 5,049.39 Income Interest 0.95 TOTAL Income $ 0.95 Expenses TOTAL Expenses $ 0.00 Ending Account Balance $ 4,632.31 Outstanding (as of 7-14-06) Submitted by |
· Repeater: K5YKC reported that the Dept of Public Safety (DPS) has asked to have an amateur repeater at the station HQ on Crest Drive, so we are investigating putting the Club’s 146.88 repeater there, mounting the antenna on their 180-ft tower—they will install the antenna. The members were very enthusiastic about this opportunity. N5MVL made a motion to authorize up to $400 for a repeater antenna, seconded by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, and unanimously approved by the members. Regarding the 15 repeater antenna, KE5ERW reported no change—still awaiting a response from KXXV management.
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that all is well.
· ATV: David Bush KC5UOZ reported that the ATV repeater is working well, being used regularly at least five nights per week.
· Education: Ed Middlebrook KC5NTreported that we are still waiting on response from HOTCOG about amateur radio class they requested. AC5CV reported that an invitation was extended to the Boy Scouts to attend our Field Day exercise and satisfy one of their Radio Merit Badge requirements.
· Public Relations: Congratulations to Scott Shafer KD5MLY for producing (and airing on local broadcast radio stations) an excellent Field Day public service announcements (PSA). These were made available on our web site, and also received recognition from ARRL.
· Special Events: KE5ERW gave update on plans for Field Day.
Ø Trailer: delivered by W5JRM around 7:00 am.
Ø Set-up: begin around 9:30-10:00 am.
Ø Meals: Pizza Hut donating lunch; Bush’s Chicken donating dinner.
Ø Radios: GOTA station will use IC-706 (courtesy of Jim Finch KE5FDR) and any others brought by those who want to bring and give their HF rigs a “work out.” HF station #1 (primarily for CW) in trailer; HF station #2 (under pavilion) will use an HF radio from KC5NT.
Ø P.R.: We’ve invited Rep “Doc” Anderson and Mayor DuPuy. PSA’s being aired on radio stations. KXXV-TV will visit the site & maybe others, too.
Old Business
· None
New Business
· None.
Motion to adjourn heard from KD5UEW at approximately 8:19 PM.
Ed Middlebrook KC5NT presented an interesting program about Field Day communications skills and techniques.
Submitted by:
John Chamberlain AC5CV
HOTARC Secretary
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Communication in an Emergency |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI, |
Communication during a
declared communications emergency is very different from routine day-to-day
amateur communications. A communications emergency exists when a critical
communications failure puts the public at risk. It could be a storm that knocks
down telephone lines or radio towers, a massive increase in the use of a
specific communications system that causes it to become overloaded, or the
failure of a key component in a system that has widespread consequences.
Whatever the reason, amateur radio operators are routinely called in to assist.
We fit into the equation because we are considered communications experts by the agencies we are asked to support. We have the skills, equipment, and frequencies to create emergency communications networks under emergency conditions. We are licensed and pre-authorized for both national and international communications. We have the ability to rapidly enlarge the communications capacity to meet the growing needs of an emergency situation. The skills that we would need are practiced daily, skills used in everyday amateur communications.
As important as what you are, is what you are not. There are limits to your responsibilities as an emergency communicator, and you need to know what they are. You are not a “first responder”—no need for flashing lights and sirens. You really have no authority. The only decision that you can make is whether to participate or not. You cannot do it all. Helping in a pinch is fine, but you are there to facilitate communications. Finally, you are not in charge. You are there to temporarily fulfill the needs of an agency whose communications system is unable to do its job.
Remember—communicating is job #1. While you are proud of your skills, equipment, and systems, it is important to remember that your job is to communicate. If requested to deliver a long list of needed supplies to the headquarters, you should be prepared to use any means required—including the fax machine if it is still working. The job is to get the message through, even if it means using smoke signals. Ham radio may not be the best way to accomplish the communication. Fax, phone, CB radio, an agency’s radio system, or even a foot-messenger may be a faster way to accomplish the task. Remember—communicating is job # 1. Get the message through via amateur radio or any other means.
Now consider the following from the June ARES E-Letter
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HTs, But No Helmets! (Brevard County, Florida) — During a recent county disaster drill, responders were expected to arrive on the scene ready for deployment. Fire responders showed up in full fire gear, Police in full police gear, CERT members with appropriate gear including helmet, orange safety vest, long pants, shirt, heavy shoes, gloves, face mask, flashlight, as well as HT, and necessary tools. But our ARES members showed up only with their HT, wearing shorts and sandals, and no head gear nor uniform nor identification of any kind. ARES responders need to meet the same equipment standards as Fire, Police and CERT personnel. Had ARES members attending our mock drill arrived and reported for an actual event, they would have been deemed “not prepared” and likely would be sent to NIMS-IC "camp" for training. ARES/ARRL needs to develop gear standards. ARES personnel need to arrive on the emergency site ready to be deployed. Prepared for deployment means ARES members having more than the clothing on their backs and an HT (with only one set of batteries) in their hand! — Lyle Schultz, KI4MYT, <ki4myt@cfl.rr.com> Titusville, Florida |
As we’ve said before: If you volunteer to provide support during a disaster situation, you need to be totally self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours. Food, water, clothing, sleeping arrangements, power, fuel, transportation, cash, etc. will normally not be available for at least 72 hours. Look at the aftermath of both Katrina and Rita—some were lucky to have support after 2 weeks! While support for volunteers will eventually become available, don’t count on it in the near term. Plan to be your own support system for the length of time that you can devote to the emergency.
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Don’t Forget to Update Your Address with the FCC!! |
from ARRL Web |
The FCC has suspended two
Amateur Radio licenses because the holders failed to maintain correct mailing
addresses in the Commission’s licensee database. Special Counsel in the FCC
Spectrum Enforcement Division Riley Hollingsworth wrote Larry L. Smith, KC7LJR,
of Middleton, ID and Larry J. Maniag, KD7JTG, of Payson, AZ on June 28 to
inform them the FCC was suspending their Technician tickets for the remainder
of their license terms or until each licensee provides a valid mailing address.
Admittedly, these two hams were already treading on thin ice with the FCC, but
nevertheless, if you move to a new address, you’d better add the FCC database
to your address-change notification list! Read the full
story.
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Have You Checked Our Calendar? |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
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In case you haven’t snooped around our web site lately, the HOTARC web page sports a fancy database-driven calendar that lists current (and past) events and happenings of interest to our members. Click the links for any date of interest to learn more about the event. And you, too, can add events! Just “Log in,” click the desired date digits, and enter the information for the new event in the new window that appears. If you make a mistake, you can edit or simply delete the event and start over. Enjoy!! |
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Field Day 2006—FUN in the Sun!! |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
As in the past, the Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC) set up their Field Day station just south of Waco, in Hewitt Park, running our two HF stations as “W5ZDN 2A NTX” plus a GOTA station (as W5TSA). However, this year we tried a slightly different approach with our two HF stations—we separated them by about 500 feet in an attempt to minimize interference between the two…and it worked! We found that we could operate both HF stations on the same band! Since one was operating primarily CW and the other SSB, we didn’t have any problems with “dups.” The only down side to the 500-ft separation was the extra exercise we got traversing the distance between the two stations. Next year we’ll try to find someone who can loan us a golf-cart!
For antennas, we went with our proven system of a three-element HF beam and 80-m dipole for the Club trailer, and homemade 40-m vertical (atop the steel-roofed pavilion—what a great ground plane!!) and G5RV for the second HF station. Our GOTA station used the G5RV during the daylight hours (when visitors were around).
The GOTA station was a real hit this year as we had a much greater visitor count this year than in the past—which we attribute to the excellent public service announcements produced by Scott KD5MLY, our very own recording specialist! (See http://hotarc.org/events.html to hear the PSA.)
Our Field Day Chairman, Grant KE5ERW, supplied us with wonderfully free food (donated by local businesses) for the Saturday meals, and excellent weather: sunny and hot (mid 90s) but with a nice breeze. We think the latter might be somehow related to the fact that Grant works at a local TV station, and is good friends with the station’s weatherman. (Good job, Grant!)
We made about 1000 contacts during the contest. But most importantly, we had fun, all of our equipment worked well, no one got hurt, we piqued the interest of several visitors in ham radio—and we proved, once again, that we can operate portable for 24 hours without commercial power. Our thanks to everyone who came out and helped make it a success!
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Under the pavilion at Hewitt Park, KC5NT operates while KD5SMC logs the contacts on a PC. |
In our emergency communications trailer, two visitors watch as K5IMC makes one of almost 500 CW QSOs. |
Our Field Day Chairman KE5ERW gets on the air for a little HF action, too! |
K5OWO got some kids to speak into the mic for a GOTA contact! Ka-ching! 20 bonus points! |
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This young man made 16 contacts—and would probably have stayed all night—except it was getting past his bed time. |
A VE testing session conducted by AC5QQ, KI5QT, KC5WQE, and KD5UEW netted three new hams! |
While chowing down chicken tenders, KD5SMC and KI5QT listen to N5MVL tell of magic 6-meter band openings. |
K5WAR created special FD 2006 t-shirts for HOTARC. The matching t-shirts definitely improved our scores this year. |
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State Rep Doc Anderson and his wife came for dinner, and even made a GOTA contact for us! |
KWTX-TV aired a very nicely done segment on the 6 o’clock news. Did you see it? |
K5WAR and AC5CV tried for a satellite contact, but just couldn’t break through the FD pile-ups |
A fortuitously positioned high-intensity light made for a spectacular nighttime photo. |
(Photos by AC5CV, K5WAR, W5JRM, and KD5SMC.)
The HOTLINE is the monthly newsletter of the Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC), Inc., a nonprofit corporation, chartered by the State of Texas and principally located in Waco. It is permissible to use any of the original material contained herein, provided proper credit is given to the source.
Edited and Published by John Chamberlain AC5CV, AC5CV@arrl.net
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2006 Board of Directors |
HOTARC 2006 Board of Directors
President: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Vice Pres: Terry Williams KD5KJU, 662-2438, pumpman_rpss@yahoo.com
Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2006): Scott Shafer KD5MLY, 848-5888, ScottShafer@clearchannel.com
Director (2007): Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net
Director (2008): Wayne Branscum KD5SMC, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.88 MHz (input at –600 kHz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
No testing in July. Next session is Saturday August 26, 10:00 AM. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#63 on the map), Room 109. Bring: 1) testing fee of $14 (cash only); 2) current license and photocopy of it; 3) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees), and 4) photocopy of any relevant CSCE. Contact: Linda Hynan, AC5QQ at 666-4873 or Linda.Hynan@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Meeting NoticeThe monthly meeting of HOTARC will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday July 27, 2006 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Meetings generally last about 75 minutes consisting of fellowship, general Club business, and an interesting program. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed! |
Summer means TV
re-runs…
but everything’s new on the radio!