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ALERT: Mon, October 26, 2009; 4:06 PM ET Arkansas Section Traffic Emergency Net meets Monday- Friday following the Arkansas Razorback Net on 3935KHz at 6:00PM+- local due to Winter Band Condx. Write Congressman Mike Ross a Thank You Letter! Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross, WD5DVR has introduced H. Res. 230, which uses the "Sense of Congress" to urge the FCC to re-evaluate RF interference issues before deployment of BPL systems. Mike stuck his neck out for us on this and we should support him by sending e-mails and more importantly letters. The arrl.org website has a form letter "go-by". Just type in H. Res. 230 in the search box and the site should take you to it. If you have already written the Congressman, I thank you; if you have not, I urge you to do so soon. The Arkansas Section Website: http://www.arkansashams.org/ has complete information on the events listed below as well as other events. Arkansas Section Traffic Emergency Net: Monday - Friday at 6:00PM+- Every Saturday - Arkansas DX Association Net 3815 Khz 10:00 AM Please let me know of other hamfests, tailgate parties, and other events of general interest so I can get them on the www.arkansashams.org web page. |
News last updated: Mon, October 26, 2009 at 4:05 PM ET
State-wide Skywarn Class
Hams team-up with Department of Health
October 26, 2009
Joshua Carroll (N5JLC)
Several clubs around Arkansas have teamed together with the Arkansas Department of Health, the Arkansas Hospital Association, several media outlets, and numerous hospitals to present a state-wide Skywarn Weather Spotter's class. The class will occur on November 2 at 6 pm and will be broadcasted from the Arkansas Department of Health in Little Rock over thier video-teleconference network to hospitals all over the state.
Most Skywarn Weather Spotters are Ham radio operators, but that is not a requirement for the program; one must only have access to a reliable form of communications.
Sign-up for the course is online at http://skywarn.eventbrite.com.
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Hammin' in the Park
Cabot Area Simplex Group Hosts 5th event
March 29, 2009
Danny Straessle (KE5WLR)
Scott, Ark. -- Taking advantage of a textbook example of what a spring day should be, the Cabot Area Simplex Group hosted its latest Hammin' in the Park event on Sunday, March 29th at Willow Beach State Park.
Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) enthusiasts gathered near the banks of the Arkansas River for an afternoon of socializing, making long distance contacts, and a bit of show-n-tell as some participants displayed new equipment and others rolled out homebrew projects.
Hammin' in the Park is a tailgate exercise that takes place in a public park and offers Ham Radio operators (as well as non-Hams) an opportunity to work several modes of communication, regardless of license class, under the authority of a properly licensed operator.
The four transceivers set up on this day included a Yaesu FT-817 (demonstrating QRP), a Kenwood TS-430S (demonstrating HF), a Kenwood TM-V71A (demonstrating VHF/UHF) and a laptop (demonstrating CQ100).
HF operating conditions were much better than expected with a surprise performance on 10 meters as the band was open internationally, which netted the group some overseas air time.
"We made several contacts across the country and around the world, some of them QRP, with as little as 3.5 watts," says event organizer Steve Tune (KC5FWE). "We did not immediately recognize the origin of some of the international callsigns, which meant a little homework later that night."
Band conditions weren't as favorable for weak signal VHF/UHF contacts. The group was using a dual band, three-element beam antenna constructed out of metal miniblinds to try and eek out the still elusive SSB signals. Other antennas in use included a recently homebrewed G5RV for HF and a thin wire dipole for QRP.
Of particular note was the demonstration of CQ100 by Daryl Stout (N5VLZ). The software package emulates HF operation on a laptop by providing a virtual ionosphere through the Internet. Although no RF occurs, good amateur practice does apply when using the program. Stout used a Sierra Wireless AirCard 881 to access the Internet.
Not to be confused with Echolink, the CQ100 interface resembles the front of a generic HF transceiver and includes additional controls such as squelch, microphone gain, VOX sensitivity and more. The program covers 5 HF bands (80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters) on a network that consists of an array of Internet servers that provide streaming VoIP audio between stations.
Stout also designed a commemorative QSL card for the event, which was the 5th Hammin' in the Park to date. Organizers try to schedule one at least every quarter in a different park location and encourage all Ham Radio operators, regardless of club affiliation, to join the fun and enjoy the outdoors.
"We have a good group of people that will come out and participate on a regular basis," adds Tune. "The real kick is when our activities catch the attention of nearby children playing in the park who will come over and ask what we are doing. It gives us an opportunity to open the door of possibilities for the next generation of Ham Radio."
Organized in 2006, the Cabot Area Simplex Group is dedicated to the use of simplex frequencies and promotes single side band (SSB) operation on 2 meters and 6 meters. Members participate in a variety of Ham Radio related discussions and explore technologies such as Echolink, cross-band repeating, UHF, and the new technician privileges on 10 meters.
The group conducts a weekly net every Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. CST on 147.570 simplex in the Cabot, Arkansas area. Ham Radio operators out of range that would like to participate in the net can do so via the Echolink node KE5ELU-L (260617). More information can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CabotAreaSimplexGroup.
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"Fox hunts" Making a Comeback in Central Arkansas
March 16, 2009
Joshua Carroll, Asst Public Information Coordinator
The Central Arkansas UHF Group (www.cauhf.org) held it's first "fox hunt" on Saturday and everyone had a great time. The event was likely to have been the first of its kind in over a decade in central Arkansas.
A "fox hunt" is a direction finding contest (also known as a "transmitter hunt" or "T-hunt") in which participants use directional antennas to locate a hidden transmitter. The participating Ham radio operators were scattered all over Pulaski County at the beginning of the event (and some were still scattered at the end of the event).
Tem Moore (N5KWL) was the winner, being the first to locate the "foxes" at Mimi's Cafe.
"It was a ton of fun. I still think it was just luck. It made me very aware that my fox-hunting skills need to improve. I learned that a simple tape-measure antenna could out-perform a factory-made fox-hunting antenna. I thought it was just a huge amount of fun," said Moore.
John Goswick (W5JLG) and Barbara Goswick (KE5ZQN) served as the "foxes" for the hunt.
The CAUHF is hoping to have a "fox hunt" each month on the second Saturday of the month. The next one is scheduled for April 11 at 9 am. More information about future "fox hunts" will be made available on the group's web site at www.cauhf.org.
Events such as this are used to train individuals in direction finding which is used in radio navigation, location of harmful or hostile transmitters, emergency aid (such as locating civil aircraft), avalanche rescue, wildlife tracking, as well as for sport.
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CAREN Supports 7th Little Rock Marathon
Early pedestrian accident underscores need for preparedness
March 15, 2009
Danny Straessle (KE5WLR)
Little Rock -- Members of the Central Arkansas Radio Emergency Net (CAREN) provided communications support for the 7th annual Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 15th. More than 6,000 runners participated in the event, which included a 5K, a half-marathon, a marathon relay and the Little Rock Marathon itself.
Twenty-Eight Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) enthusiasts donated their time, resources and equipment to staff the 26-mile route that began on Clinton Avenue in the Little Rock River Market District, traversed Downtown areas of Little Rock & North Little Rock, Central High School, the historic Hillcrest neighborhood, and Murray Park before concluding at Riverfront Park in Little Rock.
While several CAREN members were stationed at each of the 17 water stops, other members were positioned among aid stations, the race finish line, with the race director, and even behind the very last marathon runner in a position known as "Tailgate Charlie." Net control was rotated among several CAREN members who were located in the City of Little Rock tactical communications vehicle amid other net controls for LRPD special events, MEMS, LRFD and other city services.
In direct support of race officials, CAREN members tracked the three lead marathon runners for both men's and women's categories as they progressed through the course. Additional tracks were requested for leaders of the half-marathon. Of special note were the five wheelchair racers who were each tracked the entire length of the course.
"Tracking the lead runners is not always easy but the CAREN team works very hard in getting me that information," explains Little Rock Marathon Race Director Bill Torrey. "This helps build excitement in the finish area for both race organizers and the spectators waiting on their family members. Keeping pace with the last runner is a practice in patience. These people are working hard to finish and it has been a long day for them and the volunteers. I have been associated with CAREN for well over 10 years and it is my pleasure and good fortune to work with such a dedicated and professional group."
Additional radio traffic requests included those for medical supplies, water and emergency assistance- which came early, hours before the race was to begin. Around 6:00 a.m. as water stop 3 was setting up, one of the volunteers was hit by a passing car. Fortunately CAREN member Ian Campbell (WA5OFT) was already in position to radio help from net control for a medical team as well as provide a description of the vehicle, which was pulled over by LRPD a few blocks later. The volunteer only suffered a few scrapes & bruises and was able to work the entire race.
Although this early-morning emergency could have been much more serious, the fact that it occurred during setup of a water station before the race started illustrates that Ham Radio operators should be prepared at all times.
"One of the reasons we work these events is to learn from them," explains CAREN President Mark Barnhard (KD5AIV). "Every event we work makes us a better response group. So while we provide a public service by assisting organizations with their events, we also help ourselves prepare by training and learning."
Little Rock Marathon is the first of approximately 10 scheduled public service events that CAREN members will support in 2009. It's a win-win situation for non-profit organizations and Ham Radio operators alike. While the non-profit groups receive valuable communications support for their fundraising events at no cost, CAREN members are exposed to real-time, in-the-field training that will no doubt enhance their individual preparedness efforts.
"We really appreciate the opportunity to work with the organizers of Little Rock Marathon and look forward to continuing our relationship with them in future races," says CAREN Public Service Committee Chairman Jerry Dixon (N5WVI). "It is important for our members to be involved in these types of exercises, especially ones with rapidly changing conditions that simulate an actual emergency. Everyone gets a chance to participate. All they have to do is step up and volunteer. And that gives our new people an opportunity to learn from those that have been doing this for a while."
Established in the late 1950s, the Central Arkansas Radio Emergency Net is one of the oldest Ham Radio clubs in Arkansas and remains a state leader in public service and emergency communications. In 2008 the organization participated in 11 public service events resulting in some 2,928 total man-hours of service to the community. This equates to a monetary value of $60,202 based on American Radio Relay League averages for dollars per hour for radio operator time. Participation in public service events supported by CAREN is open to all licensed amateur radio operators, regardless of club affiliation. More information about this organization can be found on the Internet at: www.carenclub.com.
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Arkansas "Hams" Include the Internet in their Emergency Communications Plan
December 29, 2008
Joshua Carroll, Asst Public Information Coordinator
Amateur Radio operators are used to providing weather observations over the airwaves during severe weather. But one group in Arkansas has incorporated the Internet to help spread important and possibly life-saving information.
The Central Arkansas Ultra-High Frequency Group (www.cauhf.org) is using a new tool called "Warn I.M." to share information in real-time with officials at the National Weather Service, local governments and the media. The tool allows Skywarn certified weather spotters to submit weather observations and gives them access to a map of the state showing the latest radar imagery from the National Weather Service. The application also plots each of the participants on the map, allowing officials to see where their assets in the field are located.
The "Warn I.M." had its first test when a line of storms reaching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes swept through Arkansas on Saturday, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain to most of the state. Many individuals logged into the "Warn I.M." including several weather spotters, at least one Chief Meteorologist from a local media outlet, officials from the National Weather Service and the Arkansas Department of Health. During the weather event Ham radio operators were able to relay important information from others into the "Warn I.M.".
John Nordlund (AD5FU), Arkansas Section Emergency Coordinator, said, "As emergency communicators, Ham radio is one of our most valuable tools. But it shouldn't be our only tool."
Since media outlets and government agencies usually monitor several Ham radio frequencies at once for severe weather reports, it can be easy to miss an important announcement. The "Warn I.M." makes it a little easier to ensure that Arkansans are ready when threatening storms approach.
But Amateur Radio operators aren't ditching their radios. Joshua Carroll (N5JLC), Arkansas Section Assistant Public Information Coordinator, says that this program is meant to augment radio communications, not replace them. Carroll said, "Luxuries like Internet-access and electricity often become unavailable during severe weather. That's the reason a lot of us became 'Hams': to assist with emergency communication when all else fails."
Skywarn is a program of the National Weather Service (www.weather.gov/skywarn) that is open to anyone with an interest in public service and access to any method of communication.
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