News last updated: Mon, November 16, 2009 at 7:32 PM ET
(November 16, 2009) -EPA Traffic Reports for October 2009-
Station Activity Reports:
N3SW 209, W3TWV 117, KS3Z 32, KA3LVP 15, N3ECF 6 Public Service Honor Roll:
N3SW 100, W3TWV 100, KS3Z 88 Net Reports:
EPAEPTN 44, EPA 27, SCESN 6, SEPPATN 6, CATN 3, LCARES 3
DE N3SW EPA STM
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(November 10, 2009) Mobile Operation in Philadelphia Illegal?-
Operating a two-way radio mobile in Philadelphia may cost you $75 a pop beginning December 1 thanks to a new cell phone law in effect in the City.
While the purpose of the law is to discourage the use of cell phones while driving there is a clause which prohibits the use of a wireless communication device for voice communication while operating a motor vehicle on any street in the City. Hands free operation is permitted.
An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer quotes a 9th District Police Officer saying there are some exceptions to the new law. If your device is hands free. If you are calling 911. If you are using a two-way radio to conduct official business for the city, state, or feds. Otherwise the law says to put the car in 'park' or 'neutral.'
Local hams have been in touch with ARRL Volunteer Counsel to get their opinion of the bill. More information on the bill can be found in the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club November newsletter at www.harcnet.org.
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(Oct 9, 2009) EPA Technical Coordinator gives talk at July Meeting of SVARC.
WA3UVP gave a demo talk on Flex Radio at the July Meeting of the Susquehanna Valley Amateur Radio Club. See photo essay below by WA3UVP.
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(September 22, 2009)PEMA Conference is ON Saturday Sep. 26, 2009.
This is just to confirm that the PEMA ACS/RACES Conference on Saturday September 26, 2009 at the Holiday Inn East, Harrisburg, PA is definitely a go. There were some rumors afloat that the Conference may not happen due to the budget impasse. Chris Snyder, Emergency Management Specialist PEMA has confirmed that the conference WILL PROCEED AS SCHEDULED. Those of you who have made reservations for the conference plan to attend and I will see you there.
(September 16, 2009) - Thanks to the New EPA NTS Section Net Members -
In response to last month's appeal (see "The Section Traffic Nets Could Use Your Help", below), we have had several amateurs join the ranks of the Section's traffic handlers. I want to thank those who have done so, and invite all those who may have thought about it to give the NTS nets a try. You will be welcomed, and the experienced traffic handlers in EPA are always willing to help new check-ins learn the ropes.
As a reminder, the Section traffic nets meet as follows:
Eastern Pennsylvania Emergency Phone and Traffic Net (EPAEPTN) meets daily at 6:00pm Eastern Time on 3.917 MHz LSB.
Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) meets daily at 7:00pm AND 10:00pm on 3.537 MHz CW.
We have a formal training course which is available on the EPA CW Net. If you are interested in taking the course, just ask for training messages when you check in and the Net Control Station will arrange to send you one or more. When you have finished the course you will be thoroughly acquainted with CW Net procedure and the NTS.
-EPA Traffic Reports for August 2009-
Station Activity Reports:
N3SW 189, W3TWV 134, KS3Z 31, N3ECF 18, KA3LVP 13 Public Service Honor Roll:
N3SW 100, W3TWV 100, KS3Z 80 Net Reports:
EPAEPTN 51, EPA 13, SCESN 7, SEPPATN 6, CATN 5, LCARES 4
DE N3SW EPA STM
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(Sept. 15, 2009)DLARC sponsors booth at Emergency Expo
The Delaware Lehigh Amateur Radio Club (DLARC) set up a booth on Sept 13th at the Northampton County Emergency Preparedness Expo to promote Amateur Radio and its involvement in Emergency communications. They had a working Winlink station and both D-star and Analog VHF stations setup on emergency battery packs. There were over twenty other groups exhibiting all the way from the 911 center, to the Red Cross, Hazmat, CERT, etc.
Although it was a rainy day, and attendance in general was down from last year, the group did get a number of attendees interested in their upcoming license classes. For more information on the classes visit their web site at http://www.dlarc.org/
A picture of the event is shown in the photos section below.
Bob WB3W
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(Sep 6, 2009)Ham Radio Class - Harrisburg Area
SEPTEMBER 26 and 27 , 2009 8-5 Sat 8-4 Sun Exam Dependent
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
DEMOS
FCC EXAMS
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Hosted By: Harrisburg Area Community College Public Safety
Cost $15 Exam fees
Local Eateries
Free Parking
WHERE :
HACC PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING(Near PA Farm Show Complex)
Look for signs
WHAT TO BRING:
1 AN OPEN MIND
2 AN EXPECTATION TO LEARN
3 PEN AND PAPER
4 A SIMPLE CALCULATOR
FCC Examinations onsite
Contacts :
Ron Small WB2OOBwb2oob@arrl.net 717-481-8589
OR
Joe Ryan KB3POC 570-345-3586
HACC Harrisburg Campus
One HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2999
(717) 780-2300
Getting to the WILDWOOD campus
Get off I81 at the Cameron Street exit (Farm Show). As you enter Harrisburg on Cameron street turn right at the first traffic light, this is Industrial Road. Stay in the left most lane after the turn. Once on Industrial Road proceed about 1 mile and turn right into the parking lot.
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(Sep 5, 2009)GET YOUR HAM RADIO LICENSE IN ONE DAY!
NO MORSE CODE REQUIRED
Sponsored by the Penn-Del Amateur Radio Club and
The Delaware County, PA Skywarn Program
How to quickly and easily become a licensed ham radio operator may be a mystery to you. You might even want a license right now and not know how. "Get Your License in One Day" is the perfect solution. You attend for just one day, 8:30AM to 5:30PM, and it's done.
Our success rate is excellent, quit thinking about it and just do it!
Saturday, October 10th from 8:30am to 5:30pm
Maximillians
3001 Naamans Creek Road
Boothwyn PA 19061
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.
Reserve your seat by sending a check to:
Penn-Del ARC
2625 Central Ave
Boothwyn PA 19061
Include a note with your name, address, phone and e-mail
Full day class is $40, includes exam fee and morning refreshments
No "test only" or late "walk-ins" accepted
Food and beverages available on site
We will also be offering an upgrade to General at this session, same pricing and requirements as above, limited to 5 candidates. Please indicate upgrade on your registration.
Please bring a pencil, your social security number, and a photo ID.
Contact Info: DelcoSkywarn@comcast.net
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The Section Traffic Nets Could Use Your Help
The purpose of this message isto remind all of the amateurs in EPA that these nets exist and toencourage anyone with an interest in the NTS to give the nets a try.
Attention EPA Amateurs-
The traffic nets in our Section have been operating for decades as an integral part of the ARRL National Traffic System. On a daily basis the dedicated traffic handlers in EPA have manned the HF nets, acting as net control stations and/or passing formal message traffic into and out of eastern Pennsylvania, and liaising with nets in the higher levels of the NTS hierarchy to facilitate traffic flow across the country. These operators also bring traffic into the local VHF traffic nets within the Section, and put traffic from the local areas into the NTS. This entire system has worked like a well-oiled machine for many years thanks to the hard work of these amateurs. In the recent past several key operators have become Silent Keys, and the impact of their loss is being felt on the nets. Participation is down across the board, and this results in more of a burden on those who continue to handle traffic in EPA. The purpose of this message is to remind all of the amateurs in EPA that these nets exist and to encourage anyone with an interest in the NTS to give the nets a try.
If you have never checked into a traffic net, don't fear, you will be welcomed. The best way to learn traffic handling skills is to learn by doing. I recommend that you listen to a net for a few days, then start checking in once you understand the basic net routine. When you are ready to try handling messages for your area, you will find that the operators on the nets are willing and able to guide you. The ARRL Operating Manual contains an excellent chapter on Traffic Handling, which is highly recommended background reading.
The Section traffic nets meet as follows:
Eastern Pennsylvania Emergency Phone and Traffic Net (EPAEPTN) meets daily at 6:00pm Eastern Time on 3.917 MHz LSB.
Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) meets daily at 7:00pm AND 10:00pm on 3.537 MHz CW.
Please consider giving these nets a try. I predict that you will enjoy this facet of ham radio and the opportunity to work with the first-class operators who man the Section NTS nets.
If you have any questions, my contact information is on the sidebar of this page.
-Scott Walker N3SW - EPA Section Traffic Manager
Attending the dedication ceremony of the Montgomery County (EPA) ARES-RACES new radio room and 100' tower were (L-R) PA State Rep. Thomas Quigley; Upper Pottsgrove Twp Mgr and EMC Jack Layne; Montco ARES-RACES EC/RO Steve Pearl-N3LJZ and District 1 EC, Bob Famiglio-K3RF.(Photo courtesy of Dick-K3ITH)
One of 2 walls of radio consoles in the new Montgomery County (EPA) ARES-RACES Command Center recently dedicated. The facility features much larger space adjacent to the county EOC. In addition to all computers being fully networked, the radio compliment includes several V/UHF/HF Icom & Kenwood analog and digital including D*Star-ready radios. Kantronics KPC3+ and 9612+ TNCs handle WinLink and APRS functions with Astron RS-20A's providing the power. Another wall of consoles contain operating positions for ATV and APRS which are connected to overhead projectors. Plus, there will be a planned WinLink RMS Hubbing Center (formerly known as PMBO). This will be a fully hardened site complete with HF Pactor III.
Lance Armstrong Livestrong Public Service Event
Steve-N3LJZ at the Command Ctr in the Montco Mobile Command Ctr monitoring APRS.
Lance Armstrong Livestrong Public Service Event
Dan-KB3KBD operating from a remote location in Berks County and running an APRS digipeater all from deep-cycle battery
Lance Armstrong Livestrong Public Service Event
Ham teams came out the day before to prep all power cords with Anderson Power Pole Connectors for the SAG vehicles. Standardization is vital in an event of this stature
Upper Macungie Emergency Prepardness Event
The Lehigh County Amateur Radio Club (LVARC) recently participated in an open house and demonstration in Upper Macungie, PA in conjunction with September being Emergency Preparedness month. Shown is club president Rodney Wolfe, N3XG, discussing Amateur Radio with a local fire fighter.
Upper Macungie Emergency Preparedness Event
The Lehigh County Mobile Command Center was on hand for the Upper Macungie Event. This unit is used by the LVARC during various events.
Paul-N3UD and Melody-KB3SJR behind the Reception Table at the Pottstown Area ARC 2009 Field Day site greeting visitors. Note the array of attractive ARRL brochures among the many handouts. Mel's winning smile alone should have garnered an additional 100 Bonus Points!
Pictured is Brandon Miller, KB3SXG, manning Delaware Lehigh Amateur Radio Club booth at the Northampton Emergency Expo. The display had lots of brochures and information about licensing and the upcoming License Classes sponsored by DLARC. Brandon is the son of Howard, KB3RTB and Tracy, KB3TAE. (Click for larger view)
The Susquehanna Valley Amateur Radio Club hosted a Flex Radio Radio presentation by EPA Section Technical Coordinator (TC) Joe WA3UVP in July 2009 at their club facility located in Selinsgrove at the Penn Valley Airport.
As the meeting time approached, the club members and guest started to arrive. Pictured here on the right is Jason NB3K, talking to Bill Beck K3ARR with Marvin Paul N3JIW leaning on the Fence.
Joe Dozpat WA3UVP ARRL EPA Technical Coordinator prepares the laptop for the digital slide show used during the presentation. Looking on to the right is club President Gordon Lamb AB3AX talking with ARRL EPA Technical Specialist, Bill Beck K3ARR
Joe WA3UVP, explains the display board showing the early Flex SDR 1000D system which he uses at his station. Joe also reviewed the current Flex System, staring with the Flex 1500, 3000 which are the newest of the Flex lineup, as well as the 5000A / C models.
The clubs large screen TV was a great plus in displaying the slide show. Here a photo of the SDR 1000D transceiver which is currently in use at the studios of WA3UVP.
The SVARC had a good representation of their members as you can see from the photo. After the presentation and meeting, their was plenty of food for all. Thanks to the SVARC for their warm and friendly welcome to new EPA Technical Coordinator and past SVARC member.
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