June 1, 2016

Greetings, Wyoming Hams, 

 

Rocky Mountain Division Director

Congratulations to Wyoming’s own Dwayne Allen, WY7FD, our newly appointed Rocky Mountain Division Director. Dwayne has served as the Rocky Mountain Division Vice-Director for a number of years, assisting Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, who is the new 2^nd Vice-President of the ARRL. Thanks, Brian, for the many years you served as Director and best wishes to you with your new position. Dwayne will be assisted by Jeff Ryan, K0RM, who is the new Vice-Director.

 

Section Emergency Coordinator

Steve Cochrane, W7JSC, has resigned as Wyoming’s SEC. We would like to thank Steve for his many years of dedication as SEC. Robert Overton, WA7JRF, has been appointed as the new SEC. Robert was the SEC several years ago but was dealing with some health issues and asked to step down. Welcome aboard, again, Bob.

 

New Section Appointees

Please welcome Jeremy Spranger, W7JS, from Cheyenne as the Wyoming Section’s Official DXCC Card Checker and Robert Rennard, N7WY, from Cheyenne as an Official Observer.

 

Section Website

Thanks to Tate Belden, KA7O, and Paladin Flory, KX7PC, for their fine work updating the Wyoming Section’s Website, http://wyomingsection.org. Many people post on Facebook, but a website is a much better way of keeping track of things that should be remembered. If you have any suggestions for improving the website, please contact Tate at ka7o@casperarc.net or Paladin at kx7pc@arrl.net.

 

Amateur Radio Parity Act Status

After 2-1/2 months of intense negotiations, ARRL has reached an agreement with the Community Associations Institute (CAI) — the national association of homeowners associations — concerning amended language of the Amateur Radio Parity Act. This will allow H.R. 1301 to proceed to what is hoped will be passage of the bill in both houses of Congress this year.

Please check the following link for deals on exactly what this information means.

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-reaches-agreement-with-community-associations-institute-on-parity-act 

 

Wyoming HamCon, Inc.

Thanks to the efforts of Ron Gallo, WR8O and numerous emails and phone calls between Ron and myself, the Wyoming Section is now recognized as an official Non-Profit Corporation, Wyoming HamCon, Inc. Wyoming HamCon, Inc. will serve as the governing body for future official Wyoming Section Hamfests and/or Conventions, which includes the planning and organization of the 2017 Rocky Mountain Division Convention, to be held in the Cody, Wyoming, at the Holiday Inn over Memorial Day weekend. Wyoming HamCon, Incorporated Board of Directors:

 

Jack Mitchell, N7MJ, President - Cheyenne

Jerry Pyle, WB7S, Vice-President – Basin

Paladin Flory, KX7PC, Secretary/Treasurer – Cody

Justin Holder, KB7CSW – Cody

Emily Howery, KF7BJM – Pavillion

Garth Crowe, WY7GC – Gillette

Jack Robison, WY7JR – Gillette

Ron Gallo, WR8O – Cheyenne

Mike Whitmore, W7MEW – Cheyenne

Rick Breininger, N1TEK – Green River

Ron Bruderer, N7ERH – Diamondville

Our next task is to apply for 501 (c) (3), tax exempt status.

 

2016 Wyoming Section Hamfest/Convention

We are looking for an ARRL affiliated club to host a Wyoming Section Hamfest/Convention this summer or early fall. Please contact me if your club feels like they could host a 1-2 days event. This event would be sponsored & supported by the Wyoming HamCon, Inc. but hosted by an ARRL affiliated club.

The ShyWy ARC, Cheyenne and University of Wyoming ARC, Laramie have jointly voiced an interest in hosting a Wyoming Section Hamfest at this year’s High Plains Roundup at Kurt Gowdy State Park, September 10-11. This is an outdoor facility with ample camping but no indoor meeting facility. It is kind of rustic but would work.

 

2016 Rocky Mountain Division Convention

Kudos to the HamCon Colorado committee members for hosting such an excellent Rocky Mountain Division Convention May 13-15 in Keystone, Colorado. If you missed it, you missed a great one! They have certainly set the bar very high for future convention hosts.

 

DMR Update

WyDMR Project continues to grow!  We currently have three full time, dedicated sites on the WyWIDE talkgroup. Cheyenne, Laramie (atop Sherman Hill), and Rock Springs. Unfortunately there was a set-back in Rock Springs thanks to vandalism at the site near Aspen Mountain. Someone climbed the towers, disconnected coax and removed the antennas. Hopefully antennas will be replaced soon and the WyDMR repeater will move to the mountain top sometime this summer! I’ve volunteered my services to install IP camera systems at the site so if this happens in the future the culprits can be brought to justice.

We are actively working on four new repeater sites!  Rawlins should be online within the next 2-3 weeks with a new Motorola SLR-5700 repeater. Our location on Casper Mountain has a new antenna and feedline installed at 40 feet. The new Motorola MTR-3000 will be online just as soon as we finalize internet access for the site. We hope to have the new Motorola SLR-5700 online at the Buffalo airport by July. Last, we hope to have Torrington online sometime in September with a new Motorola SLR-5700.

If everything proceeds as planned, WyDMR Project will finish 2016 with full time, dedicated sites at/near:

Cheyenne

Laramie

Rawlins

Rock Springs

Buffalo

Casper

Torrington

I encourage everyone to follow the WyDMR Project on Facebook where announcements, updates, and codeplugs are published. I will also be happy to answer questions about the project. Send your inquires to n7gt@hotmail.com and I’ll be happy to answer!

Greg – N7GT

WyDMR Project

 

ARRL Wyoming Section on Facebook

The Wyoming Section Facebook page is the “heartbeat” of the section. The last I checked there were 134 active members on the page. I also know of six other Wyoming amateur radio related Facebook pages.   

Wyoming Section Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1447498238881809/

Big Horn Basin ARC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BHBARC/

Wyoming DMR Project  https://www.facebook.com/groups/558835240864980/?ref=bookmarks

Hammy  https://www.facebook.com/groups/251484064897187/

Sweetwater ARC  https://www.facebook.com/mysarc/

North East Wyoming ARC https://www.facebook.com/ne7wy/?fref=ts

ShyWy ARC  https://www.facebook.com/Shywy-Amateur-Radio-Club-162328730619496/

There very well could be others. Please let me know if I’ve missed any. 

 

Future Events

ARRL National Parks on the Air  2016

June VHF Contest  June 11-13  http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf

Kids Day  June 18  http://www.arrl.org/kids-day

2016 ARRL Field Day  June 25-26  http://www.arrl.org/field-day

IARU  HF World Championship  July 9-10  http://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-championship

10 GHz & Up Contest  August 20-21  http://www.arrl.org/10-ghz-up

Rookie Roundup  RTTY  August 21  http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup

HF Contesting Guidelines   http://www.arrl.org/hf-contesting-guidelines

ARRL Membership Renewal  https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/

 

Running Stealth Mode

Many of you may not be aware that my wife, Jean, and I have spent the past 3 winters in Arizona. The mild winters are good for our old bones and aches and pains. We are planning to winter again (2017) from January through April.

Last winter I ran a very efficient remote base station that worked very well and allowed me to check into most of the HF nets and access the local repeaters in the Cheyenne area. My plan is to run the same system again next year. With my ready access to amateur radio, emails, and my cell phone, I typically am as available as if I am at the Cheyenne QTH.

My point is that I would appreciate your feedback and/or comments on our planned absence. I want all ARRL members across Wyoming to understand our plans for winter quarters in Arizona.

Thank you all for being members of the greatest hobby in the world and also for being members of the Wyoming Section of the ARRL.

73

Jack Mitchell N7MJ

Wyoming Section Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 2, 2015

Greetings, Wyoming Hams,

 

 

 

2017 Rocky Mountain Division Convention

 

I am pleased to announce the 2017 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention will be held over Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28, 2017, in beautiful Cody, Wyoming.

 

The Big Horn Basin Amateur Radio Club will host the convention and has already headed the train down the tracks. Jerry Pyle – WB7S and Justin Holder – KB7CSW will co-chair the convention.

 

Please contact Jerry (wb7s@arrl.net) or Justin (kb7csw@yahoo.com) if you’d like to be part of this exciting team.

 

 

 

Amateur Radio Parity Act

 

A special thanks goes out to the members of the ShyWy ARC for their generous donation of $1000 supporting the Amateur Radio Parity Act.

 

If you haven’t already done so, please considering sending letters to Senator Enzi, Senator Barrasso, and Congresswoman Lummis urging their support for this very important legislation.

 

There are two articles in the November issue of QST, specifically directed to clarifying the Parity Act. "It Seems to Us" page 9 - David Summers - K1ZZ and "Happenings" page 86 - Rick Lindquist - WW1ME.

 

Amateur Radio Parity Act   http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act

 

 

New Section Appointees

 

Please welcome the newest Wyoming Section appointees to our leadership team:

 

Public Information Officer – Tom Ritter – WY7KY – Cheyenne

 

Public Information Officer – Jack Robinson – WY7JR – Gillette

 

Public Information Officer – Richard Breininger – N1TEK – Green River

 

Along with Paladin Flory, KX7PC, from Cody; Gary Horlick, W7GSH, from Gillette; and Tate Belden, KA7O, from Casper, we have a crackerjack team seeking information on newsworthy events that help promote Amateur Radio. Feel free to contact anyone of these PIOs if you have club news or any other radio events occurring.

 

 

ARRL Wyoming Section on Facebook

 

The Wyoming Section Facebook page is the “heartbeat” of the section. The last I checked there were 107 active members on the page. I also know of four other Wyoming amateur radio related Facebook pages.   

 

Wyoming Section Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1447498238881809/

 

Big Horn Basin ARC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BHBARC/

 

Hammy  https://www.facebook.com/groups/251484064897187/

 

Sweetwater ARC  https://www.facebook.com/mysarc/

 

North East Wyoming ARC https://www.facebook.com/ne7wy/?fref=ts

 

There very well could be others. Please let me know if I’ve missed any.

 

 

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

 

September 17-20 I attended the ARRL Section Managers’ Training in Newington, CT. It was a great experience meeting many of the ARRL HQ staff members and the 18 other new Section Managers from around the country.

 

I also had the honor of presenting the $1000 check on behalf of the ShyWy ARC to ARRL CEO David Summers, K1ZZ. This was not only a thrill for me but also great exposure for the entire State of Wyoming.

 

http://www.arrl.org/news/wyoming-club-supports-league-s-washington-advocacy-efforts

 

Tuesday, October 20^th, Affiliated Clubs Coordinator, Ron Gallo – WR8O, Walt Marshall – W7SE, my wife, Jean, and I had lunch in Rawlins with Duane Shillinger - NN7H, and his lovely wife, Darlene. It was great to see Duane again.

 

After lunch, we continued west on I-80 to attended a meeting with the Sweetwater ARC in Rock Springs. Ron, WR8O, presented the club an American flag, a Wyoming State flag, an ARRL flag, and an ARRL banner. Walt, W7SE, shared information on the 7^th Area QSO Party, which will be held May 7-8, 2016. It was great to see my old friends, Ron Bruderer - N7ERH and Johnny Ramirez - N7ABC. We’d like to thank the Sweetwater ARC club for their hospitality.

 

After the meeting, Walt and Ron headed eastbound for Laramie and Cheyenne. Jean and I spent the night in Little America, and we spent Wednesday evening with friends in Alpine, Wyoming.

 

On our return trip, Thursday afternoon, I met with Jim Pigg, N7ZHP, in Etna, Wyoming. Jim is one of several hams in the Star Valley area. For those of you who check into the Wyoming Cowboy Net, Jim is a net control.

 

 

Future Events

 

CW Sweepstakes November 7-9   http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes

 

 

Phone Sweepstakes November 21-23   http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes

 

160 Meter Contest December 4-6   http://www.arrl.org/160-meter

 

10 Meter Contest December 12-13   http://www.arrl.org/10-meter

 

Rookie CW Roundup December 20   http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup

 

HF Contesting Guidelines   http://www.arrl.org/hf-contesting-guidelines

 

 

 

ARRL Membership Renewal    /New  https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/

 

Thank you all for being members of the greatest hobby in the world and also for being members of the Wyoming Section of the ARRL.

 

 

73

 

Jack Mitchell

 

Wyoming Section Manager

 

 

 

Wyoming DMR Project News

 

The WyDMR Network has seen quite the growth this past month!  With the help of Rob Cleveland, N7EMA; Jeanine West, KG7AEH; Brian McNutt, N7BAM; and Greg Rix, WB7GR, we were able to complete the install on Pilot Hill. The frequency is 447.225 and, it offers really superb coverage both east and west of the I-80 summit between Cheyenne and Laramie.

 

Buffalo will be coming online the first part of November, followed by a site atop Casper Mountain.  The Buffalo site is located at the Johnson County Airport and should offer really good coverage south, north, and especially to the east towards Gillette.

 

Lastly, a site in Rawlins is in the construction stage, waiting for a coordinated frequency pair and the final information on internet service. Once I have all this information, the repeater can be programmed, duplexer aligned, and the internet router configured for the DMR network. The site is located on Choke Cherry Knob, south of Rawlins. It should offer superb coverage along the I-80 corridor from Elk Mountain to Wamsutter.

 

A group of DMR enthusiasts in Hamilton, MT requested to include their DMR repeater on the WyDMR Network. They are online and can be found on the WyWIDE talkgroup. They are also working on another site in Missoula, MT and will connect that site to the WyWIDE talkgroup, hopefully in the early spring of 2016.

 

Hopefully by the end of year we will have active sites in Cheyenne, Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Casper, Buffalo, and Hamilton, MT. As the network grows, I'll begin holding a "tech net" on the WyWIDE talkgroup to answer questions about DMR, the WyDMR network, programming radios, etc. You can find the WyDMR Project on Facebook by searching for "Wyoming DMR Project" or directly at https://www.facebook.com/groups/558835240864980/.  Codeplugs and additional information are also available on the web at http://wyomingdmr.n7gt.com.

 

Greg - N7GT

 

WyDMR Network Engineer

 

 

 

September 2, 2015

 

Greetings, Wyoming Hams,

 

Our “Wonderful Wyoming” Amateur Radio Community has kept very busy throughout the summer months with many activities and events. Without a doubt, the most significant event was the devastating flood on June 4^th that roared through the Niobrara County communities of Manville and Lusk and the surrounding rural areas. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities.

 

Many different state and federal agencies responded to the call for help. Cheyenne’s Emergency Coordinator, Brian, N7BAM, notified me earlier that morning that the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security had requested assistance from our local ARES/RACES for communication assistance.

 

During the aftermath of the flood, several Cheyenne area hams helped handle emergency radio traffic over a 48 hours period. Also, in support of the Wyoming State EOC, Campbell County’s Emergency Response Team, RR1, activated and monitored informal nets on their local repeater 147.360 and HF frequencies 3.923.50 and 7.260. A special “Salute” goes to Campbell County, and especially EC Garth, WY7GC for their assistance.

 

Ernie, N7AHQ, was on his way to attend the Viet Nam Veterans’ Celebration in Casper and contacted me to offer his personal “Mobile Com Van” if needed in Lusk.  Kudos to you, Ernie! You are a trooper!

 

Prior to the flooding, Niobrara County did not have an Emergency Coordinator. I’m pleased to announce that shortly after attending my 50^th class reunion in Lusk, (Yes, I am that old, and yes, Lusk is my hometown.) I made contact with Kelly Dean, KG7OMT, newly licensed ham. Kelly is a Niobrara County Deputy Sheriff and is now Niobrara County’s EC. He has big plans as EC and has been given tentative permission from the sheriff to install a dual band radio in his patrol vehicle. Welcome aboard, Kelly.

 

Now if we can just fill the Emergency Coordinator’s positions in Goshen County, Platte County, Park County, Lincoln County, Converse County, Hot Springs County, Crook County, Uinta County, Washakie County, Weston County, Teton County, and Sublette County.

 

Please welcome Ralph Zauner, N7CSO, of Cheyenne as a Wyoming Section Technical Specialist. Ralph has been a ham for many years and has a vast electronics background.

 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS STATIONS

 

In celebration of “Relay for Life” June 26-27, at Cheyenne South High School, special event station - W7C was operated by Fred – KD7LLF, Pam – KE7UUD, and Cara – KD7YBL.

 

In celebration of “Caspar Collins Days” July 24-26 in Ft. Caspar, special event station – W7Y was operated by numerous members of the Casper Amateur Radio Club. Check out QRZ for details of 2^nd Lieutenant Caspar Collins.

 

 

 

FIELD DAY! FIELD DAY! FIELD DAY 2015!

 

Before I list the different clubs and individuals participating in Field Day 2015, I want to note that Wyoming’s very own, Katie - WY7YL, - (ARRL Media and Publications Manager), appeared on “Ham Nation Now” with Sean KX9X promoting Field Day. What an awesome job, Katie, Wyoming’s ambassador for Amateur Radio!

 

Participating Ham Clubs:

 

Big Horn Amateur Radio Club – KI7W – Big Horn Mountains

 

Details of the BHARC’s Field Day Activities can be found on our ARRL Wyoming Section Facebook page. I was particularly impressed with Ernie, N7AHQ’s GOTA station in the Native American Teepee! Sweet!

 

Sweetwater Amateur Radio Club

 

ShyWY ARC, Cheyenne - Laramie County Fair Grounds 

 

University of Wyoming Amateur Radio Club – UP Depot. The UWARC had a special guest operator, Bessie – WY7COW (not a real call). Again, you need to check out our section Facebook page for pictures and details about Bessie.

 

Northeast Wyoming Amateur Radio Association – NEWARA

 

There may be other clubs or individuals that participated in Field Day 2015. Sorry if I missed any.

 

 

ARRL Wyoming Section on Facebook

 

Wyoming Section has a Facebook page. The last I checked there were 86 active members of the “ARRL Wyoming Section.” With just a couple of key clicks, you too can become a member. The rules are simple. Be nice or be gone! The following link should guide you there. Simply request to join, and one of the administrators of the page will allow you to become a new member.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1447498238881809/

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

September 11-13, 2015 - High Plains Roundup at Curt Gowdy State Park

 

September 19, 2015 – Wyoming Section Tailgate - Wright, Wyoming.

(I will be in Newington, Connecticut the weekend of the Wright event attending a new Section Managers’ Training Workshop. If there are any requests from attendees at the Wright gathering for a WY Section meeting, I have asked ASM Garth, WY7GC, to conduct the meeting.)

 

September 18-21, 2015 - The Big Horn Basin Amateur Radio Club annual picnic and camp out will be at Medicine Lodge Archeological site near Hyattville, WY.

 

 

 

DMR

 

DMR is quickly finding a niche’ in Wyoming.  DMR, or Digital Mobile Radio, is also known as MotoTRBO.  Future expansions include a site on Casper Mountain, a site at the Johnson County Airport, and a future site in the Big Horn Basin atop Tatman Mountain.  Sites currently active are in Cheyenne and another in Rock Springs atop Aspen Mountain.  For additional information about the WyDMR Network, visit http://wyomingdmr.n7gt.com.  There is also a Facebook group page, which can be found by searching for “Wyoming DMR Project.”

 

 

 

WYOMING FREQUENCY COORDINATION

 

Greg - N7GT, the frequency coordinator for Wyoming the last 15 years, made a decision for health reasons to retire. He contacted the Wyoming Repeater Coordinator Group (WRCG) with a proposal to take over the coordination responsibilities for our state. The proposal was accepted and the transition is under way. We extend our thanks for Greg’s many years of service and wish WRCG the best with its new endeavor.

 

 

 

Alan Brubaker, KO7X SK

 

Last but certainly not least, we lost a very good friend and fellow ham over the weekend of August 15 when Alan Brubaker, KO7X became a Silent Key. I have visited with his sister, but the family has not decided on a memorial service at this time. When I do receive information, I will let you know.

 

Thank you all for being members of the greatest hobby in the world and also for being members of the Wyoming Section of the ARRL.

 

 

 

73

 

Jack Mitchell

 

 

Wyoming Section Manager

 

 

June 19, 2015

 

Greetings Wyoming Hams,

 

2015 ARRL Field Day Update:

 

I will be in Lusk, Wyoming, over the weekend of June 27-28, attending my 50^th class reunion. Yes, I am that old! Therefore, I will miss the Field Day activities .

 

Since I will be unable to handle the SM ARRL Field Day messages, I have asked ASM Garth Crowe, WY7GC, to the serve as the official Wyoming Section Field Day messenger. Thanks, Garth, for covering my duties!

 

The frequencies and times for these messages:

 

14.270 – Saturday, June 27 at 2:00 P.M. local time (20:00 UTC); Sunday, June 28 at 10:00 A.M. local time (16:00 UTC)

 

7.240 – Saturday, June 27 at 1:00 P.M. local time (19:00 UTC) and 4:00 P.M. local time (22:00 UTC)

 

3.9235 – Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 P.M. local time (02:00 UTC Sunday, June 28); Sunday, June 28 at 7:00 A.M. local time (13:00 UTC) The message will also be sent during the Sunday morning Pony Express Net at 8:00 A.M. local time (14:00 UTC)

 

14.070 PSK – Saturday, June 27 at 3:00 P.M. local time (21:00 UTC); Sunday, June 28 at 10:30 A.M. local time (16:30 UTC)

 

Most of all, be safe and enjoy the weekend, and as Garth says, “Be Radio Active!”

 

73

 

Jack Mitchell N7MJ

 

Wyoming Section Manager

 

 

 

June 1, 2015

 

 

Greetings, Wyoming Hams,

 

 

I feel truly honored to serve as your new Section Manager. I hope I can continue with the leadership example set by my predecessor, Garth Crowe, WY7GC. I would like to personally thank Garth for his many years serving as Wyoming’s Section Manager and his help with the new leadership transition. Garth, however, is not totally out of the picture. He has agreed to serve as the Northeast Wyoming Assistant Section Manager, the Campbell County Emergency Coordinator, and as an Official Observer. Yes, Garth is going to continue being involved and staying very busy!

 

While on the subject of Assistant Section Managers, I’d like to introduce your four ASMs:

 

Northwest Wyoming ASM:  Jerry Pyle – WB7S – Basin - wb7s@bresnan.net - 307-250-7679

 

Southwest Wyoming ASM:  Ron Bruderer – N7ERH – Diamondville - n7erh@q.com - 307-877-2280

 

Northeast Wyoming ASM:  Garth Crowe – WY7GC – Gillette - cgarth2@centurylink.net - 307-689-1340

 

 

Southeast Wyoming ASM: Tom DeHoff – K7HRO – Cheyenne – TEDMAD2000@bresnan.net - 307-631-4499

 

The past couple of months have been kind of a blur for me, and at times the learning curve has been a little steep. Shortly after being notified by the ARRL that I had won and would begin my duties as WY SM on April 1, 2015, I began the arduous task of attempting to make contact with all of the previous section appointees and updating their contact information. After many emails and phone calls, I was successful in contacting most appointees. Most agreed to continue, but a few wished to be released from their position.

 

 

However, I have been unable to contact the following appointees:

 

Technical Specialist – Rick Culp – KJ7AM - Thermopolis

 

Official Bulletin Station - Robert Hansen – WS7C – Laramie

 

Official Relay Station – Robert Poirier – K0DJ – Sinclair

 

Technical Specialist & Technical Supervisor – Karl Prinsen – W7PN – Worland

 

Emergency Coordinator – Quentin Vinzant – NX7Z - Sheridan

 

If you are one of these missing appointees or know their contact information, would you please notify me via my email address at n7mj@arrl.org or call me at 307-631-1456. I also check into both the Wyoming Cowboy Net and Wyoming Pony Express Net.

 

I am pleased to announce the following new Wyoming Section appointments:

 

Affiliated Club Coordinator – Ron Gallo – WR8O – Cheyenne

Division Emergency Coordinator – Justin Holder – KB7CSW – Cody

 

 

Emergency Coordinator – Robert Garrison – KF7FCA – Buffalo

 

Emergency Coordinator – Steven Rizzi – KE7UUJ – Rock Springs

 

Emergency Coordinator – Michael Sullivan – KF7UZF - Laramie

 

Public Information Officer – Rand Flory – KX7PC – Cody

 

Public Information Officer – Gary Horlick – W7GSH – Gillette

 

State Government Liaison – Robert Schrader – N7NKD – Cheyenne

 

There are many other positions across the state that need to be filled, especially Emergency Coordinators in Goshen County, Platte County, Park County, Lincoln County, Converse County, Niobrara County, Hot Springs County, Crook County, Uninta County, Washakie County, Weston County, Teton County, and Sublette County. My lists of ECs across the state are very incomplete and out of date. If any of these counties have an EC that I’m not aware of, please notify me. Also, an EC must be an ARRL member.

 

ARRL Membership

 

Our Section has increased from 448 to 482 since April of last year. Thanks to the membership across the state, especially Garth, for putting an emphasis on enrolling new members. I am not a number cruncher by any means, but according to the ARRL membership information, that is an increase of 5.6%. Only the state of Iowa had a larger increase with 6.1%. Yes, I understand with our smaller numbers, even a small increase in membership increases our percentage quicker that the larger states.

 

Wyoming’s Quasquicentennial Celebration

 

Not sure if many of us realize that 2015 is Wyoming’s 125^th year of Statehood. Has anyone thought about doing something to commemorate this event? Special Event Station? QSO Party? After the tremendous success of the ARRL Centennial Celebration last year with W1AW/7, I’m just tossing it around for thought! I know there has also been some interest across the state in resurrecting a Wyoming QSO Party.

 

Wyoming Ham of the Year

 

Since it appears that we are probably going to have a Section gathering thanks to the Casper ARC, we should be thinking about choosing a Wyoming Ham of the Year. I know the official deadline was April 15, but obviously that date has come and gone. I’ll get with Tate, KA7O, and see if we can come up with a simple online nomination process.

 

ARRL Wyoming Section on FaceBook

 

Yes! Thanks to the efforts of ASM Jerry, WB7S, the Wyoming Section has a FaceBook page. The last I checked there were 52 active members of the “ARRL Wyoming Section.” With just a couple of key clicks, you too can become a member. The rules are simple. Be nice or be gone! The following link should guide you there. Simply ask to join, and one of the administrators of the page will allow you to become a new member of this most “august” group.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1447498238881809/

 

Upcoming Events:

 

ARRL Field Day – June 27-28, 2015 - http://www.arrl.org/field-day

 

Rocky Mountain Division Convention - July 31, August 1-2, 2015, Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon City, Utah –http://utahhamfest.com

 

Casper ARC Hamfest – Labor Day weekend – September 5-6, 2015 - Details are in the planning stages for this event, but the CARC has agreed to allow us a block of time for a section meeting and any other State business.

 

High Plains Roundup - September 12-13, 2015 - Curt Gowdy State Park - Exact details for this annual event will be available later.

 

Wright Hamfest - September 19, 2015 - Wright, Wyoming. The Northeast ARC is tentatively making plans for this event. More information will be posted when available.

 

Enough of the ramblings! Thank you all for being members of the greatest hobby in the world and also for being members of the Wyoming Section of the ARRL.

 

73

 

Jack Mitchell N7MJ

 

Wyoming Section Manager

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Wyoming Section
Section Manager: Jack Mitchell, N7MJ
n7mj@arrl.org