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News last updated: Sun, November 15, 2009 at 5:24 PM ET
Hello Oklahoma Section
Because of a number of pertinent issues to the section over the past few weeks, I'm including stuff that has happened in early November as well as October, to keep readers up to date. I will include the November high lights in the next months news also.
Gene Ray, AE5FT, Silent Key
Gene Ray, AE5FT, passed away on October 9th, 2009. Gene was a member of TARC, and was active in Amateur Radio for many, many years. Gene was a thoughtful and gentle person whose smile and sense of humor came easily. Gene was a great mentor, and brought many new amateurs in to the service. I talked to Gene regularly on the nets, and finally met him in person at Green Country last year. I miss hearing him on the air.
Texhoma Hamarama
The Texhoma Hamarama was held Oct 23rd and 24th in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The hamfest was well attended by hams in Southern Oklahoma and Northern Texas. This hamfest has been one of the better small hamfests in the state. John Thomason, WB5SYT, Vice Director West Gulf Division, Charles Goodson KC5UEG, SEC, Kevin O'Dell N0IRW, Section PIC, and Eddie Manley K5EMS, SGL (among others) assisted in setup and manning the league table. Thanks to all for your help and support of the league!
Chris Imlay, W3KD, Commercialization of Amateur Radio Webinar
Chris Imlay, W3KD, Special Council for ARRL, was the special guest presenter at a Webinar, held October 28th, and hosted by Bill Edgar, N3LLR, Atlantic Division Director. Chris fielded questions concerning the commercialization issue, and provided some sound advice concerning support of served agencies, including supporting those agencies training exercises. While the rules are very specific in this matter, (97.113) and have been in effect for many years, there are ways that EMCOMM exercises can be conducted within the rules. CD copies of the webinar can be purchased at the following website; http://www.atldiv.org/training.htm
Mustang, Oklahoma Amateur Antenna Issues: As many of you are probably remember, in June of this year there were issues with hams and there antennas in the City of Mustang. The city attorney representing the city had drafted an ordinance, and its contents didn't come to light until the weekend prior to the city council meeting, scheduled July 7th. John Ripley, KD5WFT, and Ray Ireton, N5VIU, along with ARRL Section and West Gulf Division representatives, had coordinated the local group's robust response, and the city had "backed off" pushing the ordinance through, until a meeting with local hams could be arranged. These discussions were to resolve issues of both the amateur radio community and the city's perspective concerning the proposed ordinance. The meeting never happened. November 3rd the City of Mustang tried to "ram" the ordinance through again, and again, to argue our position, were local Amateurs and, providing League support, were John Thomason, WB5SYT, and Eddie Manley, K5EMS, West Gulf Division Vice Director and OK Section Assistant Section Manager, respectively. The Mustang City Council again tabled the vote, and asked amateurs to develop and alternative proposal mutually beneficial to both the City of Mustang, and Amateur Radio. Eddie Manley, K5EMS, has taken on this effort, and he and John Thomason, WB5SYT are to meet with City of Mustang officials next week (Nov. 16th). However, the city wrote a letter to John Ripley, KD5WFT, ordering him not to transmit from his station. This letter was forwarded to the league, triggering a letter from Chris Imaly, W3KD, ARRL Council, to the City of Mustang, concerning the legality of the of their order, and the onerous provisions in the proposed ordinance. No responses from the City of Mustang as yet. http://noblecountyarc.org/pdf/Ordinance%20Mustang.pdf
http://noblecountyarc.org/pdf/C&D_Letter.pdf
http://noblecountyarc.org/pdf/Letter_to_City_of_Mustang.pdf
Enid Hamfesst
The Enid Hamfest was held Nov. 7th at the Hoover Building, on the Garfield County fairgrounds in Enid, Oklahoma. This is the best little hamfest in the state, and is a great hamfest to end the hamfest season. This year the attendance was up over the last couple of years, making, vendors, attendees, and the sponsor, Tom Worth N5LWT, very happy. The ARRL forum was well attended with about 40 members present. The ARRL booth looked really good with the new banner, and "stand up" display. Thanks to the Enid Hamfest volunteers for putting on a great hamfest, and ARRL section leaders and volunteers including; Eddie Manley K5EMS, SGL, Rick Leach, KA5EMT, ASM, Jay Mann, K5JLS, (get a computer, Jay), Christy Leach, KE5EII, and all the others who made this a great success.
NWS Weather Festival
The National Weather Festival was held Saturday Nov. 7th at the National Weather Center in Norman. They arranged for perfect weather for the event, but they kinda forgot about the Enid Hamfest. This free event was perfect for anyone interested in weather, with hourly weather balloon launches. Presentations were given by television meteorologists from KFOR, KOCO, KWTV and KOKH TV in Oklahoma City. There was a Storm Chaser/Spotter car show, which was undoubtedly interesting. There were lots of activities for kids, and was a great chance to tour the building. The South Canadian Amateur Radio Society and ARRL Vice Director, John Thomason, WB5SYT were present to represent the Amateur Radio community.
Coming Events
I have no knowledge of any coming events prior to events scheduled for 2010. These events will be published in the next section news letters.
73
KL7MA
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