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ALERT: Fri, October 30, 2009; 8:15 AM ET
A DVD of the recent Commercialization of Amateur Radio Webinar led by ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay W3KD and ARRL Regulatory Manager Dan Henderson N1ND is available for purchase at http://www.atldiv.org/training.htm |
News last updated: Mon, October 26, 2009 at 10:33 PM ET
West Texas Section News October 2009
10/26/2009
News From Around West Texas.
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the co-opting of Amateur Radio by other radio services. This has not been a major issue in most of West Texas but it does exist throughout the country. Let me pass along a few cases, which I have been involved or are aware. A Sheriff's department (not in Texas) purchased a repeater with government funds and sponsored a series of "Ham License in a Day" programs to obtain amateur radio licenses for its employees. The agency stated that, unlike volunteers, they could control their employees. In another instance, a small group of law officers obtained ham licenses and installed digital radios in their patrol cars, using an amateur band simplex frequency as a "back channel" for secure communications. A governmental agency requested the assistance of ARES in the installation of a series of linked "amateur radio" repeaters that would give them regional coverage at a cost much less then commercial FCC Certified equipment. They also considered "borrowing" (with owner's permission) currently operating repeaters until the agency could build up their own "amateur radio" system. Does any of this bother you? As licensed amateur radio operators, should we be concerned? I was certainly concerned and, along with many other members, expressed my misgivings to members of the ARRL Board of Directors. The Board responded to its member's concerns and issued suggested guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio. This paper is far from the final word on the issue but should be mandatory reading for hams involved in EmCom work.
http://www.arrl.org/news/files/ARRL_AppropriateUseGuidelines.pdf
The final word rests with the FCC and they also are concerned. On October 20, 2009, the FCC issued a Public Notice that reiterate the "pecuniary interest" rule enacted in 1993. The text is at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2259A1.pdf
A key quote from the FCC document is "...the amateur service is not an emergency radio service. Rather, it is a voluntary, non-commercial communication service." Should that be a surprise?
Is this FCC document going to force a major change in the way WTX ARES operates? The usual "weepers and wailers" on the internet forums would lead us to believe that Armageddon is approaching but guess what? West Texans involved in ARES and emergency response assure me that they can work effectively within the guidelines of the FCC document. They now have a better idea of how to comply with the "pecuniary interest" rule and will adjust their procedures to comply. The nay-sayers fail to recognize the resourcefulness of our fellow hams. Much ado about nothing!
If you would like to hear more on this issue, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson N1ND, will present a webinar beginning at 9 PM EDT on Wednesday, October 28. The webinar, available at no cost, is open to all amateurs. To register for this informative interactive Internet meeting go to:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/326759760
Watch out for the goblins,
John Dyer
AE5B
West Texas Section Manager
***************************************************
ARES® NEWS from WTX SEC J.T. Caldwell, WA5ZFH
ARES REPORT FOR September 2009
Total Number of ARES® members: 278
Number of DECs/ECs reporting: 15
Number of ARES® nets active: 10
Number with NTS liaison: 2
DECs/ECs reporting: W5ZOX, KM5VM, W5NPR, KD5KBU, KD4LXC, N5DO, KJ5DX, KB5HPT, KE5OG, KD5HYB, KE5UAL, NL7C, KC5NOX, WT5C, WA5NBP
Number of drills, tests and training sessions: 12
Man-hours: 82
Number of Public Service events: 5
Man-hours: 533
Number of emergency operations: 0
Man-hours: 0
Total number of ARES operations: 14
Man-hours: 615
Comments SEC:
September has been an active month in many of our counties in West Texas. Several bike races and foot races along with a walk and the ever special Balloon Bash's have allowed us the chance to provide an important Public Service. Kudo's to all who participated. All events to my knowledge were ended safely. We now are in the time zone for JOTA and Set Drills. One has committed to doing there Set Drill along with the JOTA event. Great way to go as it gives the JOTA participants a chance to see what Amateur radio is all about. Would like to see more consider this approach to SET.
We also want to acknowledge the San Angelo Amateur Radio Club on there 85th anniversary. Way to go. Hope to see you make 100.
J.T. Caldwell WA5ZFH West Texas Section Emergency Coordinator
Following Comments taken from EC Monthly Reports:
Brewster County:
Comments: Brewster County ARES had a brief training session at the regular meeting of the Big Bend ARC in preparation for operation at two public service events. Communication was provided for the Big Bend Balloon Bash, a 3 day hot air balloon event, for the 22nd year. Weather conditions were good and balloons flew all 3 days. At the same time, communication support was provided for the Blackwell School Marfa Lights 10K Run / 5K Walk for the first time. This event also went well with no incidents.
Signature: David L. Cockrum Title: EC Call sign: N5DO
Jeff Davis County:
The Permian Basin Bicycle Association held the annual CycleFest in Jeff Davis County. The event consists of a 75-mile ride around loop 166 and a hill climb up Mt. Locke. Nine amateur operators participated, KD5KBU, W5ATO, KE5KNQ, W5NPR, W5JBG, KA5PVB, KM5VM, W5DWI, and W5JUW. There were 430 registered participants; the largest number in 35 years of the event. No injuries were reported.
Signature: James R. Fowler Title: Emergency Coordinator Call sign: KD5KBU
Taylor County:
Abilene hosted our annual balloon fest this past weekend. This involved several ARES/RACES members along with members of the Hamby Volunteer Fire Department. We worked security for the event and worked the entry gates. Estimates are that there were approximately 40,000 people that attended the event which lasted Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday. There were approximately 20 of our people working the event with some of them staying all night on Friday and Saturday to provide security. We used both VHF and UHF radios during the event. We have been in contact with the National Weather Service in San Angelo about our annual Skywarn training, which will be held the last Saturday in February 2010. Plans are also being made to attend the annual Skywarn day in December.
Abilene now has a D-Star repeater on line. (As I understand it, there are not many of these in Texas right now.) The repeater is on a hill south of Abilene upon a tower that is approximately 400 feet up. It does have an internet connection attached to it so an operator can talk with distant stations through the internet.
Signature: Bill Shaw Title: Taylor County EC Call sign: KJ5DX
Traffic Net Report:
W5NPR Cycle 1, 18 Cycle 2, 18
KM5VM Cycle 1, 23 Cycle 2, 22
Traffic Delivered:
Lubbock 2
Amarillo 2
San Angelo 1
Odessa 1
Palestine 1
BBEN Total 8
TX TR Net 2
ARRES 2
BB 2 Mtr Net 4
NTEN 4
Signature: J.T. Caldwell WTX SEC Call Sign: WA5ZFH
***************************************************
Silent Key Report
Ex-W5SD John Rees San Angelo
WB5OWN Foy Shackelford Amarillo
***************************************************
West Texas Net Reports September 2009
Name/sessions/checkins
El Paso Area
WTRA Monday Night Net: 4/48
Thursday Night Multiplex Net: 4/59
QCWA Chapter 64 Net: 4/32
Big Bend Area
Big Bend Emergency Net: 4/155
Big Bend 2 Meter Net: 5/56
San Angelo Area
Concho Valley 2 Meter Net: 4/95
Tom Green ARES Net: 4/56
Panhandle Area
Panhandle Information Net: 3/46 missing 1 session
***************************************************
Coming 2009 Events
October 31 Special Event Station G0BLN QSL via LOTW
November 14 W5ES Fall Auction
Big Bend Emergency Net/ West Texas Section Net 3922 Khz Sunday at 8:30 AM CDT
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