BENEFITS AND SERVICES:

THIS NORTH TEXAS ARRL WEB PAGE

QST MAGAZINE

GOOGLE EARTH MAPS - - Click here for Google Earth links to locations of interest to North Texas amateurs. This requires "Google Earth," a free program which will automatically open .kmz files. This web page is experimental:

NORTH TEXAS ARES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE to the NORTH TEXAS SECTION

SKYWARN SCHOOLS

CONTEST CALENDAR

NETS

WEATHER RADAR

http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/full_loop.php

NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS) AND THE AMATEUR RADIO VOLUNTEER

http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/crslist.asp

LICENSE TESTING OPPORTUNITIES IN TEXAS:

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml?State=TX

EMAIL SERVICES

BPL INFORMATION

HURRICANE FREQUENCIES

EVENTS:

Free space for sale of amateur equipment

Free space for sale of amateur equipment

NEWS and INFORMATION

Congratulations to Francis Gradijan, KD5HTB, of Carrollton, winner of a $1500 10-10 International Net Scholarship.

Congratulations to Kevin Knight, KD7MSX, Valedictorian of the Whitesboro High School. He will soon enroll at the Red McCombs School of Business at The Univeristy of Texas at Austin. Click here (and see page 6): K5GCC Newsletter.

The Dallas Morning News published an article on the 2008 Hamcom convention, with a color photograph. Click here: Hamcom News.

Congratulations to Austin Wilmot, KD5QKS, winner of the 2008 Goldfarb Scholarship. He is a graduating Senior at the Richardson High School. Awarded to one high school senior each year, the scholarship enables the recipient to receive a four-year undergraduate degree in engineering or science or in the medical or business-related fields. Here are 3 links: Goldfarb Scholarship | Richardson Wireless Klub article | Scholarship article

Congratulations to Thomas Catanach, KD5HHZ, of Allen, Texas, winner of the $2000 Tom and Judith Comstock scholarship for 2008.

NEW DALLAS COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER - County Judge Jim Foster has published this newsletter, with discussion of planning for the new County Emergency Operations Center to open in 2009. Click here: Judge Jim Foster - March Newsletter.

TEXAS AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE PLATES: An agency web page explains the procedure. Click here: Texas License Plates.

LOCAL REGULATION OF AMATEUR RADIO: Some cities have moved to adopt ordinances against the use of cell phones by drivers of motor vehicles, in certain instances. As with similar challenges before the Texas Legislature we are working to see that language used in these ordinances does not come to regulate FCC licensed amateurs. We are also interested in opposing technical language that may present unintended consequences.

NEW SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER

After 10 1/2 years of service, Carolyn Womack, KC5OZT retired as the North Texas Section Traffic Manager. Herman May, KE5HYW, of Garland accepted the position beginning January 1, 2008.

REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH

Here are the comments filed in the ARRL's Bandwidth petition before the FCC - Use this form and enter RM-11306 in Box 1: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi. The ARRL board has withdrawn this petition. The FCC has stated it will not take further action on the petition or the comments.

TEXAS SECTION MANAGERS' NET

SPEAKERS BUREAU / CLUB SERVICES

ARRL AUDIO NEWS

2008 DALLAS REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR - Special Awards for Projects demonstrating Science in the ARRL Handbook: Julie Chang, Jasper HS, Plano; Chirag Modi, Plano Senior HS, Plano; Omar Naziruddin, Plano Senior HS, Plano; Rachel Simer, Newman Smith HS, Carrollton-Farmers Branch. Thanks to Bill Swan, K5MWC, of Rockwell-Collins for his help with the judging this year. Article: 2008 Science Fair.

BPL. Click here to research recent news articles on BPL in Texas:

June NTX Section Emergency Coordinator Report: Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: District 1 W5GPO, KC5EOM, NC5Z, KA5WLR, KC5PGZ, KC5WDI District 3 K5HIX, K5IIY, KC5KWX, K5JCA, KB5PZZ District 4 W5DJO, W5ETM, K5LTX, KB5AB, KB5YBI, N5AMP District 5 K5MWC, WB5DCU District 6 K5LD, N5PTW, W5BJ, KA5OZC, KE5IGO, KC5OZT (OES) District 7 K5YKC, KC5KNI District 8 N4RAP, KC5ILO District 9 KC5GPQ, KE5HER, KM5SJ District 11 N9JN, KC5SMC,KA5SOT, WB4WXD,KC5DEF Full Report

June NTX Section Traffic Manager Report: SAR: KE5HYW 243 K6JT 125 KC5OZT 86 KE5DKV 59 N8QVT 4 PSHR: KE5HYW 160 KC5OZT 120 K6JT 120 KE5DKV 74 N8QVT 17 (110, late from May) Traffic Net reports: Net, QNI, QTC, QTR DFW Early 430 71 625 minutes in 30 sessions DFW Late 253 95 526 minutes in 30 sessions DFW Field Day 18 28 123 minutes in 1 session DFW totals 702 194 1274 minutes in 61 sessions DTTN 597 842 1566 minutes in 26 sessions TTN 1362 35 in 30 sessions TSN 103 22 in 30 sessions TEX 295 122 836 minutes in 60 sessions RN5 515/515* 659 minutes in 60 sessions TSN 128 36 in 31 sessions NTX_NTSD S/54 R/98 T/152 NTX represented 100% by KC5OZT, W5ENJ, WB5HIV, W5AYX * # messages listed / # cleared Herman KE5HYW / ORS Section Traffic Manager, NTX Net Manager, DFW Metroplex Traffic Net: www.dfwtrafficnet.org

FIELD DAY IN NORTH TEXAS - - 2008 'Contest Soapbox' entries: N5WF - Wichita Falls K5GVL - Sabine Valley ARC K5BED - Bedford ARC N5EOC - Northeast Tarrant ARC N5BB - Irving ARC K5PAL - Palestine/Anderson County ARC K5NWH COMPLETE 2008 FIELD DAY 'CONTEST SOAPBOX' Rules 2007 Field Day results show the Southwest Dallas County Amateur Radio Club, W5AUY, with 11,086 points. That's more than any other club in Texas or 31 additional states. 2007 Field Day Scores http://www.swdcarc.org 2007 Field Day article by Dan Henderson, N1ND - - 2007 'Contest Soapbox' entries: N5EOC - Northeast Tarrant ARC K5WNH - Denton N5T - Sabine Valley K5R - Palestine/Anderson County WB5RDD - Red River Valley K5NRH - North Richland Hills W5AUY - Southwest Dallas County ARC W5IU - Lockheed Martin Radio Club KM5VZ - Rowlett COMPLETE 2007 FIELD DAY 'CONTEST SOAPBOX' - - 2006: RESULTS show the Southwest Dallas County ARC, W5AUY, with 10,254 points (3A). The Plano ARC, K5PRK + K5LOL with 7,724 points (4A). The North East Tarrant ARC, N5EOC K5JFD with 7,074 points (2A). Click here: 2006 Results (.pdf file) K5R - Palestine ARC W5ZDN - HOTARC-1 W5ZDN - HOTARC-2 K5GVL - Sabine Valley K5QHD - Garland K5WNH - Denton KB5YLG - Tri-County-1 WC5C - Tri-County-2 N5EOC - NE Tarrant W5FC - Dallas W5IU - Lockheed Martin ARC W5AUY - Southwest Dallas County ARC KM5VZ - Rowlett K5TYR - Tyler

http://www.hamcom.org/cgi-bin/ccp51/cp-app.cgi?&pg=photos

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION:

News coverage on WFAA-TV:

http://www.wfaa.com/s/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-spacetalk_08met.ART.North.Edition2.73e882d.html

News coverage by ARRL:

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/02/16/1/?nc=1

Where is the ISS now? (After loading this web page click on "ISS" and use - + to adjust the map. Select "messages" to see messages sent to the ISS.)

http://www2.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=ISS*

SuitSat Contest results: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/suitsatContest.php

http://www.suitsat.org/

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/BauerSuitsat/index.php

New ARRL publications:

http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?category=What%27s+New&words=

Your vote counts in the monthly QST Cover Plaque Poll: http://www.arrl.org/members-only/qstvote.html.

Article - Old-fashioned ham radio still essential in high-tech age:

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/01/14/special_reports/life_times/21_21_431_13_06.txt

FCC takes action on CB equipment in Weatherford and Anna:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1936A1.pdf

Letters to Congress: The ARRL Members Only web page is now programmed to display the names and addresses of US Senators and Members of Congress for each ARRL member's address. Click here: http://www.arrl.org/members-only/.

Art Bell, W6OBB, offers an Internet feed of 3840 KHz here: http://www.smeter.net/pahrump/audio.php

Here is the Remote S-Meter web site: http://www.smeter.net

Pictures from the Japan Ham Fair

Want a new HF rig? Some build their own: http://www.shelbrook.com/~ve7ca/Hbr200.htm

Interested in contesting? Or Field day? Be sure and see the Contest Soapbox page at http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox.

WEATHER INFORMATION:

REPEATER INFORMATION: The new Texas VHF-FM Society web page offers an Internet search engine for repeaters by frequency and call sign. http://www.txvhffm.org/

ADDITIONAL WEATHER EMERGENCY INFORMATION:

National Hurricane Center & WX4NHC information: http://www.wx4nhc.org

The NOAA/NHC Tropical Prediction Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Texas - Division of Emergency Management: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/

ARRL Hurricane Relief Volunteer Service Report: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/agencies/vol-report.html

FROM THE 2007 TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION HB 1205: The Governor has vetoed HB 1205. It would have prohibited employment discrimination against emergency volunteers. HB 1205 SB 11 / HB 3642: The Governor of Texas signed SB 11 into law on June 6. It became effective September 1. See the article by James Alderman, KF5WT, here: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/07/12/101/ With many amendments, work by a House-Senate Conference Committee and suspension of the House Rules, the omnibus reform act for Homeland Security passed the House and Senate. It provides for participation by state employees who hold amateur licenses during emergencies. Certain vehicles used in amateur emergency programs will be recognized as emergency vehicles. I testified in favor of this at the Senate committee hearing. See the photo, below. On a later date, at my request, the Senate bill was amended to resolve a conflict in the Education Code with the definition of a 'paging device.' The existing language has caused problems for the use of amateur radio in the public schools. This problem was brought to my attention by James Alderman, KF5WT, and further confirmed by the South Texas Section Manager. As reported earlier on this web page, a public hearing was held on the House companion bill, HB 3642, on April 17. The version that finally passed is available at the link shown below. SB 11 SB 11 Conference Committee Report HB 3642 (House companion bill - now dead) Article - May 7 - Some hearings exceed 11 hours Bills were also considered that would impact the ability of amateurs to transmit over the air while driving motor vehicles. They are all dead. As originally drafted, the bills would make this a criminal offense, with tickets issued by police, unless a 'hands free device' is used. These were SB 154 by Wentworth / HB 3689 by Coleman, and HB 201 by Menendez. As previously reported here, public hearings were held on HB 201 - April 17, on HB 200 - April 24, and on SB 154 - April 25. SB 154 passed the Senate Committee with language that was improved, but where some unintended consequences for amateurs remained. We can expect this issue to be presented again in future Legislative sessions. Click here for information on these bills: SB 154 / HB 3689 HB 201 Representatives were asked to amend these proposals to exclude all two-way radio. The following bills, also now consdered dead, provide additional regulation of wireless devices operated by motorists in school crossing zones: HB 200 HB 397 Article - February 5, 2007 HB 652 by an El Paso area Legislator, Chente Quintanilla, proposed to double fines where a driver uses a two-way radio or other device and another offense occurs. I testified at a public hearing by the House Transportation Committee, in opposition to this bill. The Texas Association of Broadcasters also presented testimony in opposition. See the photo, below. This bill did not proceed past the scheduling deadline, and died. HB 652

BALLOON LAUNCHES by the Fort Worth National Weather Service: Meteorologist Gary Woodall, KD5WUT, has announced that we are welcome to observe weather balloon launches at the NWS Fort Worth facility, 3401 Northern Cross Blvd., by appointment. This is near I-820 and Beach Street. Call 817-429-2631. Arrangements will be scheduled during 'quiet' weather days.

Here is information on FCC enforcement activities and the electric utility industry: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/FCC_enforcement/FCC_Enforcement_Letters.html

ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Course information: http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html

FIND-U has now been upgraded with new Google satellite images. Select "Satellite" in the upper right hand corner of a FIND-U APRS map. Then select the + control to zoom in. Mouse controls move the map. Here's an example: http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=N5GAR.

We honor the memory of Jack St. Clair Kilby, of Dallas, formerly W9GTY. He invented the Integrated Circuit, and received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000. I had the pleasure of meeting him in the early 1980's. Click here: http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/kilbyctr/jackstclair.shtml and here: http://www.jackkilby.com/article1.html and here: http://www.ece.uiuc.edu/alumni/awards/distinguished/00-kilby.html

We honor the memory of Aubrey Hawkins, KC5USI, whose life ended on Christmas Eve of 2000. While on duty as a police officer in the City of Irving, he encountered the "Texas Seven," who were conducting a robbery of a sporting goods store near the Airport Freeway and Belt Line Road. The "Texas Seven" had previously escaped from a State Penitentiary in South Texas. After his death, the City of Irving named the street next to the location in his honor, and a monument was placed there. I promised Aubrey's mother, Jayne Hawkins, that I would post pictures of this on our web page, and they are found below. She passed away in 2007.

These external web pages offer additional information:

Public opposition noted on a proposal to restrict National Weather Service, and commercialize weather forecasts. Click here: http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2288&dept_id=475626&newsid=14681973

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RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS are at the bottom of the page. Click to enlarge.

From the International Space Station, RS0ISS, over North Texas	NOVA for Windows tracks the location of the International Space Station - "ISS (ZARYA)"
H Ward Silver, N0AX, at the 2008 Hamcom Convention in Plano	Texas Section Managers' Net: Signals received during a Section Managers' Net on 3873 KHz. are shown with a Flex 5000a panadapter. The net is scheduled for Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
The Hamcom Convention is held at the Plano Centre http://www.hamcom.org	ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, at the Hamcom
Winner of previous Field Day contests: The 2005 West Gulf Division Field Day Champion, the Midland Amateur Radio Club, received this plaque recognizing 12,518 points (Class 4A). The club won again in 2006 with 12,424 points.	The Plano Amateur Radio Club, K5PRK, was featured on the cover of the June, 2005 QST. The photo of 2004 Field Day activities was provided by Mac MacDonald, W4FH.
The DeGolyer Elementary School is in the Dallas Independent School District. It is the 'pilot school' in the ARRL's "Big Project."	Students at DeGolyer line up to talk to Astronaut Bill McArthur, KC5ACR
Bob Landrum, W5FKN, assists students with the microphone while Harold Reasoner, K5SXK, operates the 2 meter radio and controls an azimuth / elevation rotor for the antenna on the roof.	Questions were selected from a list arranged in advance with NASA.
Bob Dickey, AK5V, answers additional questions from students after the ISS passed out of range. Also present for the event were Jim Haynie, W5JBP, ARRL President-Emeritus, and Tom Blackwell, N5GAR, North Texas Section Manager.	The Belton Ham Expo is sponsored by the Temple Amateur Radio Club. http://www.beltonhamfest.org/
The Bell County Expo Center	The Paris, Texas hamfest is held at the Red River Valley Fairground Coliseum
He talked on the radio too long ( seen at the 'Flea at MIT' ) - Photo by N5GAR	At the Tri-County ARC Field Day in Azle. Photo by N5GAR
At the North East Tarrant County ARC Field Day event, in Southlake. Photo by N5GAR	A Maxim light bulb: This light bulb designed by Hiram Percy Maxim and Lewis Latimer is on display at the Greenfield Village museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Photo by N5GAR
ARRL staff and Section Managers meet in Newington, Connecticut. Photo by N5GAR	Allen Pitts, W1AGP, the ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager. Photo by N5GAR
Memorial for Officer Aubrey Hawkins, KC5USI, in Irving, Texas	The City of Irving has named this street for Officer Aubrey Hawkins
The Texas VHF-FM Society met at the Austin Summerfest to elect new directors and to consider By Law proposals. Photo by N5GAR - 2005	The Texas VHF-FM Society meeting at the Austin Summerfest. Photo by N5GAR - 2005
Owen Garriott, W5LFL, operated with this amateur band equipment from the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1983. The flight path included North Texas. Now the equipment is on display, with QSL cards, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo by N5GAR.	While Kenwood displayed this new amateur radio equipment at the Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the FCC Chairman was on stage at the Hilton discussing his support of "frequency sharing." The BPL issue followed. Photo by N5GAR, January, 2003.
The First Saturday Sidewalk Sale near Downtown Dallas now offers free space to amateurs to sell equipment. (See details above.)	Here is the new Sabine Valley Amateur Radio Association - Hunt County ARES Emergency Communications Trailer. It is equipped with HF, 2 meter and 440 equipment, and emergency power capabilities. Internet web page: http://www.k5gvl.org. Thanks to Mike Petty, KD5YBS
The Richardson Wireless Klub used Skype 2-way video for an appearance by Mary Hobart, K1MMH, from her home in Connecticut. She visited with Austin Wilmot, KD5QKS, winner of the 2008 Goldfarb Scholarship. The live image was projected on a screen at the meeting with the return image shown in the lower left.	The Granville Arts Center in Garland - site of the February, 2008 Severe Weather Seminar
Gary Woodall and the 2008 Seminar	Amateurs from across North Texas attend the Seminar
Julie Chang of Jasper High School in Plano presented this project at the 2008 Dallas Regional Science Fair. She won 1st Place in the Computer Science category, and Special Awards from Rockwell Collins, Intel, Texas Instruments and the ARRL-North Texas.	Rachel Simer of Newman Smith High School in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District received an ARRL Special Award for this study of Ionized Gas antennas. The project also received a 3rd Place in the Physics and Astronomy category, and a special award from Rockwell Collins.
Chirag Modi and Omar Naziruddin of Plano Senior High School were recognized with Special Awards from ARRL-North Texas. This project demonstrated modulated audio with light emitting diodes.	The National Weather Service office, Fort Worth
Weather balloons are launched twice a day	New radiosondes now include a GPS receiver. They are made in Marion, Massachusetts by Lockeed Martin.
State Representative Chente Quintanilla speaks in favor of his HB 652 at a public hearing conducted by the House Transportation Committee in Austin. The bill would double fines on traffic violations if an officer found operation of a two-way radio in the driver's vehicle.	The Texas Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, John Carona, Chairman, conducted this public hearing on SB 11. The bill contains several important provisions related to amateur radio and emergency communications. It was later amended to correct provisions in the Texas Education Code that caused some public school districts to ban amateur radio. It passed the Senate and House, and was signed by the Governor. It became effective September 1, 2007.
A prize drawing at the 2007 Irving Hamfest	ARRL North Texas ASM Bill Byrom, N5BB, demonstrates a new Tektronix RSA-6114A Real Time Spectrum Analyzer at the Irving Hamfest
An airport radar signal	Checking a signal transmitted by a portable radio
This certificate honors David Gaines, N5DHG, for his years of work as EC of Wichita County	Riley Hollingsworth addresses an ARRL forum at the Dayton Hamvention, May 20, 2007. He retired July 3, 2008.
This certificate honors Claude Whitley, WB5FLQ, of Fort Worth, for his years of service as a District Emergency Coordinator in North Texas.	Lone Star DX Association dinner at the 2008 Hamcom Convention, Plano, Texas
Bill Moore, N5ZPR, of the Texas Interconnect Team, D-STAR Forum at the 2007 Dayton Hamvention	Bill Swan, K5MWC, ARRL North Texas Section Emergency Coordinator, at the ARES forum
Not everyone is ready for amateur radio. www.nationalmuseum.af.mil	Joel Hallas, W1ZR, QST Techical Editor, with his presentation on Digital Voice at the 2007 Austin Summerfest
The Tri-County Amateur Radio Club sponsors the NCTECH Hamfest in Azle - http://www.wc5c.org	Texas Baptist Men's presentation on Church Disaster Preparedness
New Fort Worth communications van shown at the NCTECH Hamfest	Jo Ann Keith, KA5AZK, of the 7290 Traffic Net, with the NCTECH forum on traffic handling - www.7290trafficnet.org
The Plano Amateur Radio Klub celebrated its 35th anniversary in April, 2008. Founding member Bill Swan, K5MWC, addressed the meeting. www.k5prk.org	The Mayor of Plano issued the proclamation, shown on the right, to the Plano Amateur Radio Klub, in recognition of its 35th anniversary. Dues in the orgnization were originally $2.00. The founding members have now received plaques with $2.00 bills attached.
Dave Davis, WB5WIA	Gordon West, WB6NOA
Hamcom, 2008	A radio remote trash can, ready for service at the Hamcom

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