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License Tests in Pahrump The VE's will gather at the Elks Lodge in Pahrump October 14, 2006 12 noon for a license test session. The VE's consist of Dick Grady AE7EL, Ken Barnes AE7ES, Charles Cruse AI6B and Frank Heyer K6HOX. We offer license testing every three months. |
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Ham Cram in Reno See http://washoeares.hopto.org for details |
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Lyon County Ham Cram Contact Frank Walsh KE7AJO for details |
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Vegas to Reno off road race See the Best In The Desert website for details |
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ARRL Kid's Day Details are here |
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Field Day
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Special Event Station W7G Details are here |
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7th Call Area QSO Party Details are at the 7QP website |
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FIFTH ANNUAL IRLP/VOIP CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS Details are here. |
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License exams in Elko Details are here. |
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SNARS Radio Diagnosis Seminar
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Digital Electronics Class in Elko Details are here also March 11, 18 |
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Reno Technician class Details are here |
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SIERA Annual Dinner Details are here |
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Red Cross Disaster Training (Elko area) Details are here |
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STARDUST SRC REENTRY Details are here. Also see the news story! |
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ARRL Kid's Day Details are here |
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in Reno, Nevada Get your Amateur Radio License Details are here |
Nevada Section News Archive 2006
December 12, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for November'06 SEC Summary - This month, SM Dick Flanagan, K7VC and SEC Don Carlson, KQ6FM visited the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting. It is clear that this is a well organized and highly functional group, headed by DEC Glenn Hale, KB7REO and EC Charlie Kuntz, . We had a great time and it was good seeing our southern friends and spending some time with them. We will be making more trips down during 2007. While there, ASM Gary Hartman, KK7LV stepped up and took on the additional roll as Public Information Officer for the county. Thanks Gary, you will be a great addition to our PIO team! Planning also continues for Skywarn Recognition Day on the first weekend in December. Results will be forthcoming next month following the event.
Planning also continues for EMCOMMWEST 2007. Our keynote speaker from ARRL has been retained. It will be Public Information Coordinator and PR Guru, Allen Pitts, KA7AGP. He will bring to us a wealth of knowledge, as Allen is the one responsible for putting together the HELLO campaign and the Swiss Army Knife tool for PIO use. He has done a great job, and tells us that new and updated versions of these tools will be coming next year. We will probably get a preview of coming attractions.
With December now upon us, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a most happy holiday season! Submitted by Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada Section Emergency Coordinator.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT:South Nye County ARES EC Jerry KC6ILH - The public service event was passing out meals for Thanksgiving to the elderly and indagent. Nothing else note worthy other than a small amount of training at our meeting. Getting ready for the rain that seems to just be going around us. Not even any Skywarn events to report. Slow month and hope all had a good Holiday. So. District Report by DEC, Glenn KB7REO - Pretty quite month. Southern NV ARES/RACES had a meeting on November 25th and NV Section Manager Dick K7VC and SEC Don KQ6FM attended the meeting. They presented the latest FCC changes to the amateur radio band plan, discussed updating the NV Section Emergency Communications Plan and a proposal to have an EC leadership net on IRLP. Jerry KC6ILH from Pahrump was also in attendance. Planning for SKYWARN recognition day was underway for most of the month. Jeff KC7PK, SKYWARN Coordinator and myself worked on the planning for SRD 2006 to be he! ld at the Las Vegas NWS conference room.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT:Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC. Several Elko Amateur Radio Club members spent the weekend of Nov. 25 setting up an antenna farm at the Elko NOAA office in preparation for Skywarn Recognition day. The Elko Amateur Radio Club generator / portable tower was mobilized with an A4S beam for operation on 10,15 and 20 meters. A butternut vertical and a Collins Skeleton Cone, (double G5RV) antenna were also erected for multiple-band HF operation. A final update on this event will be made in the December DEC Report. There are 2 new sheriffs in the Northeast District, so exploratory liaison activities will commence for Elko and Eureka Counties. Communication MOU's between agencies such as the Red Cross, NOAA, and the Sheriff's Offices will be flying following the first of the year. The Saturday HF Section ARES Net continues with strong participation and good propagation Statewide. I would encourage EC's to check into this net for coordination of act! ivities if possible. Additionally, we need more NCS members to check into this net for cross-coordination of activities, should the need arrise. Please talk up this net on your local vhf / uhf nets.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Glenn Thomas, WB6W, Douglas County ARES EC - The training program continues here in Douglas and Carson City counties. The DCART net training topic has been the content of the ICS-100 course. The course is scheduled to end in early February '07. The DCART meeting did an exercise on accuracy in passing formal traffic via 'phone. The point was made that it's not as easy to do it accurately. For example, one of the test messages contained the word COLLAR", which was copied by most as "CALLER". By request, weekly traffic handling exercises will be conducted on the DCART net, starting December 11 with a description of the ICS-213 message format and continuing with test messages in ICS-213 format on December 18 and subsequent nets. There will be no DCART meeting in December. Also, the DCART nets for Dec25 and Jan1 are canceled because of the holidays, though DCART members are encouraged to show up anyway to wish each other seasons ! greetings. Harry Bryant, KC7HVM, Lyon County ARES EC - One of the quietest months for us. A welcome respite. Doug Abramson, KA7FOO, Northwest District EC - Well, Harry said it all! Nice to have a quiet month for ARES duties and call- outs.` However, the winter has not hit yet! Weather wise, it has been quiet as well. Hopefully, the snows will come as there is currently very little snow pack in the mountains.
December 7, 2006 - Minutes of ARRL Pacific Division Directors Meeting -
Bob Vallio W6RGG, Pacific Division Director for the ARRL held a meeting in Livermore CA with
representatives from affiliated clubs, division and section staff. Some folks submitted questions
and proposals to be discussed. Many of these came from Nevada! See the
meeting minutes
(a 34KB PDF file) for details. All of the suggestions will be put forward to the ARRL BOD by
Bob for consideration.
Thanks to the affiliated clubs in the state who submitted comments. It was an honor representing you. Next year, a similar meeting is planned. One of the goals of the meeting is to allow representatives from clubs throughout the section to meet and informaly discuss issues. Hopefully there will be more represenatives from Nevada than just the two (WB6W and KF6MBH) who went this year.
December 2, 2006 - 2006 SKYWARN Recognition Day -
SKYWARN Recognition Day celebrates the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators
make to the National Weather Service.
During the day SKYWARN operators visit NWS offices and contact other radio operators across the world.
All three NWS offices in Nevada have active plans to participate.
Please contact your
local ARES DEC
if you'd like to participate.
November 30, 2006 - An open letter to the DX community from Bernie McClenny, W3UR
bernie@dailydx.com -
Looks like the first ARSI (Amateur Radio Society of India) VU7LD activity
has begun at 1200 AM (1830Z today) December 1st local time on Kavaratti
Island, Lakshadweep. This is the all Indian national team DXpedition.
I'd like to bring the following info/request to the DX Community's attention. This group has been told they must sign VU7LD/VU#??? while operating from the number 2 most wanted DXCC Entity. The stroke (/) VU#??? represents the call of the actual operator.
I would ask DXers around the world to refrain from working VU7LD on the same band and mode more than once, just because it is a different operator. There is no need to work VU7LD/VU2UR, VU7LD/VU2PAI and VU7LD/VU3RSB all on 20 meters SSB. There will be no awards for the station that works the most VU7LD DXpedition!!! You only need to work one of them per band/mode. It's the same station and will get the same exact QSL card from W3HNK. It would be like working 3Y0X on 20 meters SSB when N2WB was operating and then working K4UEE when he was the op and then working LA6VM when he was the operator. There is no need to dupe or work each operator on every band mode. It's perfectly fine though to work VU7LD on each of the bands and modes you need it.
As with any major DXpedition to a rare location, such as the Lakshadweep Islands, the pileups are going to be extremely large. Certain areas of the world will have a more difficult time than other areas. When the operator asks for a certain area please respect their plea.
By the way VU7LD will have an on-line log search, probably in a few days, at http://arsi.info/vu7/. Good luck to all and please listen carefully to the operators instructions! See you in the pileups!
This team will be QRV until the end of December. VU7RG will be QRV January 15-25th, with an international group of operators. They have a Web page at http://www.vu7.in.
PS. Please post this on your club reflector, other DX reflectors, Website and other DX publications. Thank you in advance.
...thanks to Bernie
November 16, 2006 - SIERA hears about roadside weatherstations -
SIERA heard from NDOT District Director Thor Dyson about the Road Weather Information System (RWIS).
Road Weather Information System is a unique system consisting of several meteorological stations strategically located alongside the highway that allow the Department to make more informed decisions during winter storms. Specialized equipment and computer programs monitor air and pavement temperature to make forecasts regarding how the winter storms impact the highways.
RWIS information is available to the public at
http://www.nevadadot.com/traveler/rwis/
The group also heard the final report from the nominating committee. Club elections will be held at the December meeting.
November 11, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for October'06 SEC Summary - October was our SET month. This year, all of the 3 districts basically did their own, but the section was combined with the Washoe County SET into a statewide drill. The session, on October 7 was set up by Washoe County EC Bob Miller, WA6MTY and AEC Technical, Andy Munoz, KD7ZEV in conjunction with the CERT program in Washoe County. This was used as a training exercise for those in the CERT organization as amateurs are training them in communications protocol and proper use of radios during disaster situations. Traffic was passed between all 3 districts using a variety of modes of operation, including HF, IRLP and data radio. Overall the exercise was a tremendous success, and the served agencies with which we worked were quite impressed with our capabilities and of the training afforded to the CERT folks (many of whom are interested in becoming licenced in the amateur service. While they used their FRS radios, we taught them how to use them how to efficiently pass traffic so that their input to the effort would be invaluable during a disaster. The scenario was based on a major earthquake having occurred in and around the Reno/Sparks area. A good deal was learned by all, and everyone is to be commended for doing a super job.
On November 18, SM Dick Flanagan, K7VC and I will travel to Las Vegas to attend the ARES/RACES meeting in Clark County. (It's also my Judy, KE6GIW and my anniversary weekend, so we will mix business with pleasure on the 18th). We look forward to joining everyone for some dialogue on how we can better prepare and tie the section together. Look for a report on the meetings next month.
/S/ Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada Section Emergency Coordinator
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: This month was spent fixing an IRLP problem for the node in Tonopah. Pat KE7GDS hosts the node, which transmits on 146.46. The IRLP audio will soon be carried on a new repeater proposed for Tonopah. I delivered a commercial hilltop antenna to Esmeralda, Co. EC Ron WB5KLJ to be installed on the Mt. Oddie repeater. The repeater frequency and PL is 146.64, 123 tone. We are hopeful, that it can be installed this winter. Ron is looking for a VHF duplexer for the site.
South Nye County ARES(r) report by EC, Jerry KC6ILH - Set and working with school sites on NOAA Weather Radios was all that went on this month. S. Nye County had 9 ARES members participate in the SET for about 3 hours. Five local agencies were supported in the exercise, which included traffic sent to Tonopah.
Clark County ARES(r)/RACES report by EC, Charlie AA5QJ - The Triennial Aviation Exercise at McCarran Airport took place on Wed Oct 4. This was also used as our annual Simulated Emergency Test. Twenty-six members participated, as shadows to the Incident Commander and Ambulance Dispatch, aboard the Fire Dept Mobile Command Post, in the Airport EOC, at our Emergency Comm Center, all 9 participating hospitals, or the Salvation Army activities. The outstanding outcome of this exercise was the positive experience at each of the hospitals. They were warmly received and provided a location in either the ER or EOC, and although message traffic was minimal, in most cases it was provided prior to the same traffic coming through the Hospital EMS system. ARES/RACES Quarterly Meeting - Sat Nov 18, 2006 at 9 am at the Clark County Govt Center. Section Manager Dick Flanagan K7VC, and Section Emergency Coordinator Don Carlson KQ6FM will be visiting.
/S/ Glenn Hale, KB7REO - DEC
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT:DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH reports that while he was out of town for 2 weeks in October. Preparation is underway already for the upcoming Skywarn Recognition Day in December. Also, a VE session was held on Oct. 23 with 2 new technician licenses earned and one general upgrade. Club-owned repeater sites continue to be PMd and inventoried before winter. Usually most of the sites become inaccessible for the duration of winter as they are mostly above 8,000 feet elevation. The Section HF net continues on Saturday mornings at 8am. Joe thanks those who took NCS duties in his absence. The change from daylight savings time effects the net, since it basically takes place one hour later with respect to propogation. Hopefully as the days grow shorter, conditions will improve.
/S/ DEC Joe Giraudo N7JEH
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Bob Miller, WA6MTY, Washoe County EC - On October 7th Washoe County ARES teamed up with Washoe County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The purpose of this Simulated Emergency Test was to establish a better understanding of the levels of preparedness for Washoe County CERT and the Washoe County ARES team with respect to coordinated logistics as they pertain to communications between themselves and other served agencies. The Scenario for this SET was based on an earthquake and three CERT Teams went through with their training of how to react after an earthquake but with a new twist. The CERT teams were instructed on proper radio etiquette and net protocol using FRS Radios, which is the CERT primary means of communications within each team. While Andy Munoz KD7ZEV was going through CERT training himself, he realized that the CERT communications had serious limitations with using only FRS radios. So after accepting the position of Washoe County EC, Andy and I began developing a communications plan to offer to the CERT Coordinator. Kaydie Paschal accepted the offer, Andy was promoted to CERT Communications Supervisor and our combined ARES-CERT SET came into being. The SET went very well and both groups learned a lot. Future plans are to do a lot more training together. Cert teams are not only trained to report on the status within their area and how to request resources via the Regional EOC, but ARES is also training the CERT Teams how to collect Health and Welfare traffic for ARES using the ARRL Radiogram, to pass to the victims family and friends. Thanks to KD7ZEV, KE7FYF, KE7AJO, KQ6FM, K0MC, K7VY, KA7LOZ, KE7FPR, KD7ZEM, KD7QDL, KA7LOZ, KE7HLS, WA6RKN, KE7AJO, KE7HLR, KQ6FM, K0MC for helping pull this fantastic first ARES-CERT exercise, and thanks to KE7BQ, W7GK, N7JEH, KB7REO, K7ZE, KY7B, NK7I, AA5QJ, KK5IF, KV7J, KB7REO for receiving the health and welfare traffic, outside of the area. I was invited by Aaron Kenneston, Director of the Regional EOC, to participate in a three day Incident Command-Unified Command training with all participating agencies within Washoe County. The training was a fantastic experience and gave me an opportunity to meet and work with the NIMS/ICS Command, Planning, Logistics, Finance and Administration teams. The training also gave me a chance to talk about ARES support after a disaster. 73 Bob Miller WA6MTY Washoe County EC.
Harry Bryant, KC7HVM, Lyon County EC - We held a ham cram class this month. Had 12 people attend and all 12 passed. The VEs told me this was the first time they had 100% pass. Our comm van has been picked up by the county and will now be financially supported by them. LCARES members are concerned about the Red Cross requirement of background checks. All feel it may be too broad and question why it is needed as all LCARES members pass a background check by the Lyon County Sheriff Department.
Glenn Thomas, WB6W, Douglas County EC - The training program continues here in Douglas and Carson City counties. The DCART net training topic has been the content of the ICS-100 course.
Doug Abramson, KA7FOO, DEC - October was a fun month. Nevada Section performed their Annual SET. We used several bands and several modes. For the most part, all test went off without any problems. The major accomplishment was the field training that ARES delivered to the CERT members, in which both parties learned much. The success of this SET is due to the leadership provided by Bob Miller, WA6MTY, and Andy Munoz, KD7ZEV. These two ARES leaders have formed a very strong promoters for ARES.
/S/ Doug Abramson, KA7FOO, DEC
November 8, 2006 - Got a presentation to make about Amateur Radio? -
ARRL Media & PR Manager Allen Pitts W1AGP writes:
Looking for a video to get things started - or maybe as a stand-alone for a booth?
Better yet - how about putting it on a local cable channel?
I have your answer!
It's available at http://p1k.arrl.org/files/Hello-Movie.wmv and you can freely download it too. Or go to the www.arrl.org/pio page and scroll down to "Hello Video Files Hello - 4 minute mini-presentation" in Windows Media and also MPEG formats for Apple via the League's public relations page. For cable and broadcast, there's DVD or even full DV copies available by writing me and telling me where you are going to show it.
Allen G Pitts, W1AGP
Media & PR Manager
ARRL - the national association for Amateur Radio
225 Main St. Newington CT 06111
(860) 594-0328
apitts@arrl.org
Thanks Allen!
November 1, 2006 - Frontier Amateur Radio Society Tech Class -
The FARS club will be offering a class on the Tech license.
The first meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2006, at 7:30 PM. This is a Wednesday. We will meet
in the club house at the park where Larry, K0CPU lives. His address is 1601 S Sandhill Rd.
For further info, please e-mail Butch, WA0VJR at
butchb@shellworld.net
(tnx to RADIO ACTIVE,
Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club)
November 1, 2006 - Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club -
At the October meeting, the speaker
Howard Mark talked quite a bit about the history of the Las Vegas Marathon and the club’s
involvement in it. Greg Powell, K6IS, from Los Angeles works for the Divine Marathon Group
which owns several marathons including the Las Vegas Marathon. Greg as been working the
Los Angeles marathon for about 15 years. Marathons are big business. He has been asked
by the owners to make the LV Marathon more like the LA marathon. Greg has a six page
operations manual for LA and all hams get them. There are usually two meetings with the
hams before the marathon. There are bike marshals in LV to watch the runners. The SAG
wagons this year will be limousines. We will try to have a ham in each one. LA has 8 stations
with medical doctors. Clocks are the same. There will be a team for clocks. Three people will
need shadows. Do an on-line sign up at the NewLasVegasMarathon.com . This is to help
with tee shirts and hats, as well as available personnel. You can sign up until 7 days before
the event.
(tnx to RADIO ACTIVE,
Newsletter of the Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club)
October 26, 2006 - New NV (et al) Section NTS net Frequency
Northern California Net (NCN) will be moving from 3630 kHz
to 3533 kHz CW, as of 29 October, 2006. Alternate winter frequency will be
1833 kHz CW.This is because of the FCC R&O that (among other things) extends the 75m phone band down to 3600 kHz and places the old NCN frequency of 3630 kHz in the Extra class only subband.
October 26, 2006 - NRC Short Wave Station Broadcasts (CHU)
On April 1, 2007, CHU needs to stop operating on 7.335 MHz, change frequencies, or re-licence.
CHU is the Canadian version of WWV, but on different frequencies.
The
Canadian Institute for National Measurement Standards
wants to collect information from
users of CHU to help shape recommendations concerning what should be done concerning changes
to CHU that will have to be in place by April 2007.
In April 2007 the licence on 7.335 MHz will have to be modified to reflect changes on the status of the band allocation by the International Telecommunications Union. This frequency has been changed from "fixed service" to "broadcast". (The ITU decision does not affect the frequencies 3.33 MHz and 14.67 MHz.) Please, if you know of anyone using CHU but not aware of the possible changes to its frequency usage, let them know and ask them to contact NRC about any essential uses. Also if you have an important use for CHU signals, please tell NRC how you use their signals. NRC is quite prepared to keep CHU in operation, and will try and make the best case possible to present to all decision makers.
October 12, 2006 - NOAA Public Alert Radio Program for Schools - (from NOAA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Education, and the Department of Homeland Security are partnering to launch a significant nation-wide project to distribute 80,000 NOAA Public Alert Radios to U.S. public schools throughout the nation. The radios are designed to signal different types of alerts ranging from weather emergencies to child abductions, and from chemical accidents to acts of terrorism. The radio acts as a sentry, standing guard 24/7, to sound an alarm when danger threatens.
ARRL and Citizen Corp are teaming up to assist local school districts (if they need the help) to set up and register their NOAA Weather All Hazard Public Alert Radio.
If you, as an Amateur Radio operator, or an Amateur Radio club member, or ARRL Field Organization appointee would like to assist Citizen Corps in this project, please contact your local Citizen Corps Council to offer assistance. Where there isn’t a Council, please contact local Emergency Management. Contacts should not be made directly to local schools but, instead, should be made by Citizen Corps and Emergency Management to local school district superintendent’s offices to ensure a coordinated plan. Assistance to schools will be provided at the request of, and in coordination with, the school district. To locate your local Citizen Corps Council log onto: http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/find_council.shtm or http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizenCorps/mycouncils.do.
(Some of you may be aware of this program. One aspect of it that has not (yet) received much notice is that, apparently, the weather radios are going to be shipped to the schools "in the blind". No one at the schools will be informed that the box is coming. The info from NOAA (above) suggests that you not contact schools directly. However if the schools receive a box, proportedly from the US government, that they weren't expecting, the reactions in our terrorist-paranoid world might be unfortunate. So, if you already have a good relationship with your local school - maybe your kids go there? - it might be worthwhile to give them a heads-up - w)
October 11, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for September'06 SEC Summary - Gearing up for the fall and winter seasons ahead, planning for our SET is underway. Plan is to coordinate a statewide drill, based on and linked to the Washoe County drill with OHS and CERT training. CERT members will be trained by ARES operators in procedures and protocol, and messages will be relayed to other areas statewide to Northeast and Southern Districts, using various modes of operation. It is our hope that many of the CERT members will become licensed amateurs in the process. More next month following the exercise.
Pacificon is coming October 13-15 at San Ramon Marriott Hotel. Not sure of exactly how many from Nevada section will attend, but I do know that SM, SEC a couple of EC s may attend.
I have heard from SEC in the LAX Section who would like to plan a joint exercise with other adjoining sections, including Nevada. This will take a bit of time to coordinate, but the prospects are bright and the benefits could be endless.
I am continuing to gather information to update our Section Emergency Plan. Have input from several sources, and this will be a late fall and winter project which is projected to be complete by early 2007. It will include updated modes such as Winlink and IRLP. That should keep me busy for awhile.
Planning continues for EMCOMMWEST 2007. Mark your calendars for May 4-6, 2007 at the Atlantis in Reno. This year's chair is Dee Arnold, KA7LOZ.
/s/Don Carlson, KQ6FM, Nevada Section Emergency Coordinator
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: Thanks to Paul WA6EWV in Tahoe and Bruce AL7LS in Henderson for their support of coordinating their HF packet stations for traffic handling. The TARA BBS will soon automatically forward packet messages. Ron WB5KLJ is continuing his efforts to link his Goldfield 2M repeater to Tonopah. Coordination continues for site approvals. I will be providing the commercial antenna for the site. Coverage will be from Beatty, NV to Tonopah, NV.
South Nye County ARES(r) report by EC, Jerry KC6ILH - Pony Express Ride, Fall Festival Parade and Emergency Services Cub Scout Troop took up the month for our activities. The Pony Express Ride was the best for communications, it was over a wide range of area to communicate in. Good practice in relay work on both the ride and the parade. Wet weather is forecasted, getting ready for any flooding occurrences.
Clark County ARES(r)/RACES report by EC, Charlie AA5QJ - The Sep 13th Tactical Interoperable Communications exercise was a non-event for ARES/RACES. Although we had participated in the tabletop exercise and training held in past months, we were not part of the 20 minute actual exercise. An ARES/RACES meeting was held Sep 30 at the Clark County Govt Center. Scott Emerson, Director of Emergency Services and Denise Katz, Shelter Coordinator for the American Red Cross introduced themselves and briefed us on their positions and their desire to work with us. The upcoming Aviation Exercise at McCarran Airport on Wed Oct 4, 2006, which will also be our annual Simulated Emergency Test, was then discussed in detail.
ARES/RACES Quarterly Meeting - Sat Nov 18, 2006 at 9 am at the Clark County Govt Center. Section Manager Dick Flanagan K7VC, and Section Emergency Coordinator Don Carlson KQ6FM will be visiting. September had only one SKYWARN incident - a tornado warning issued the afternoon of September 8, 2006. An alert was sent to all net control operators, and 3 responded. The lead forecaster at the Weather Service office was contacted, and a Level 1 net was convened on the ARES/RACES repeater until the warning expired about 30 minutes later as the storm's rotation subsided. No other severe weather followed.
/s/Glenn Hale KB7REO Southern District Emergency Coordinator
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: Elko amateurs participated in an EOC Drill with one of the local mining companies. Amateurs passed wx traffic from the NOAA office in Elko to the minesite EOC. Winlink was used to pass support traffic for the American Red Cross during this drill as well. The Saturday ARES Section net continues to have good support from all corners of the state. Participation is status quo.
/s/Joe Giruado N7JEH Northeast District Emergency Coordniator
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Glenn Thomas, Douglas County EC - The training program continues here in Douglas and Carson City counties. The DCART meeting this month was the Red Cross "Shelter Operations" class. The DCART net training topic has been the content of the ICS-100 course. The plan is that after the material has been presented over several net sessions, those who have attended net and paid attention should have no trouble passing the ICS-100 on-line exam. Unfortunately, the on-line class material is extremely wordy and has not transferred well to the net. We are looking for better ways to digest and disseminate the training material.
Glenn Thomas, Carson City EC - I've started to work at organizing a separate ARES group for Carson City. I made a separate e-mailing to DCART members with Carson City addresses asking for volunteers to participate in the Washoe county SET exercise next month. Apparently there were no responses. I will continue to work at organizing CC ARES as its own entity.
Bob Miller, Washoe County EC - Been busy this month working with KD7ZEV Andy to develop the CERT communications program and coordinate the CERT/ARES SET for Saturday October 7th here in Washoe County with plans to send traffic to Elko, and Clark County. Also thanks to Kevin KE7BQX Steve N7KP and Andy KD7ZEV for solving the problems with the radio and antenna issue. Also thanks to Andy for all of his hard work in developing the CERT communications plan and the MOU between ARES and CERT. Andy also got the packet software installed on the new computer at the Northern Nevada Red Cross and I was able to bring the UNR EOC packet station up to date with OUTPOST and Paclink. I want to thank everyone who is participating in the SET, we are having the final planning meeting at 1900 on Thursday October 5th.
Doug Abramson, NW District EC - Has been great to have some good workers to keep ARES moving along. They have all been busy on their projects with good results. Many thanks to them and their respective teams. Good things will be coming from their efforts.
/s/Doug Abramson KA7FOO Northwest District Emergency Coordniator
October 8, 2006 - Federal legislation -
Congress has adjourned until after the elections.
It's time to take a look at how the Nevada congressional delegation has done with respect to bills that involve Amateur radio.
Most of the details on the bills themselves and the actions of the Nevada representatives are available via the
"Pending Federal Legislation" button in the bingoboard above.
The short answer to what they did is, not much. On August 16, 2005, (more than one year ago) your humble editor wrote all five representatives asking them to identify their position on the bills in question. Sen. Harry Reid was the only one who acknowledged the letter, though he didn't really answer the question. Nearly a year later, the other four have yet to be heard from. It is recommended that all radio Amateurs in Nevada consider these facts.
October 8, 2006 - Nevada Section Simulated Emergency Test (SET) a resounding success -
FROM Don Carlson, KQ6FM - Nevada Section Emergency Coordinator
Greetings -
I just wanted to thank everyone for the stellar job on our SET this year. While this was generated by the Washoe County team, we had participants from all over the section. The traffic passed, lessons learned and concepts which still need adjustment made it all worthwhile.
The SET, like any drill or exercise, is a learning experience. We learn from our served agencies, the scenario itself and most of all ... EACH OTHER. It makes little difference how many mistakes we make, only that we learn from them and thus better ourselves to become the best trained operators in the business!
From what I have been told, the served agencies that we worked with were most impressed with our professionalism, hard work and the way we were able to conduct ourselves and lend our experience as a teaching tool to the CERT folks who were watching our every move and word. THEY will become better communicators, and better able to serve their communities from the example we set for them. I am sure many who are not already, may be wanting to join us as licensed Amateurs.
Thank you all once again for a job well done! I am proud of you all.
73 Don KQ6FM
October 8, 2006 - Reno Ham Cram in October -
The Northern Nevada Education Coalition and Northwest District ARES
presents the next Technician license Ham Cram in Silver Springs, Nevada on
Saturday October 14, 2006. We will be conducting this in the MacAtee
Building next to the Silver Springs Fire Station which is on Lahontan
Street off of US 95A, south of US 50. We will be starting at 8 O'clock
A.M. with registration and start reviewing the material at 8:30 A.M. The
W5YI VE team will be administrating the technician test after we finish
with reviewing the material for the Technician license. Anyone who will
be taking the Technician License exam should have a State or Federal Photo
ID with them when they take the test. The cost of the test is $14.00.
Please try to have the exact amount with you, the VE team may not have
enough change. The VE team will have tests available for those wishing to
upgrade their current license, please bring a copy of your current
license. Please check the
http://washoeares.hopto.org
website for updates
and directions to the MacAtee Building in Silver Springs. If you would
like more information or wish to attend please email
Frank.Walsh@gbis.com
or call at 1(775)971-3368 (please leave a
message).
Study and take a ham test at: http://199.245.125.13/ham/ and http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/
Now is the time to get your upgrade license including CW testing out of the way.
tnx to Frank Walsh KE7AJO and Gary K7VY
September 25, 2006 - Reno QRP Group has a new web site.
www.renoqrp.org
Some fine tuning is in progress.
A big thank you to Ed, WD7Y and Van, W7IEX for hours of toil. Our Group is extremely grateful to Donn, W7DAF, who supported and built our original site which was up for several years. Please, when you see Donn, shake his hand and give him a big "Thank You".
At their September lunch, Tim, W7YQ, the ARRL Field Day Marshall, passed out Field Day pins. Ralph, W7SK, showed off his Schurr small hand key and a HB small plexiglass like straight key from his collection. Dave, WA6GNZ, brought a 1920 British crystal set from his collection. Other attendees were Ed, WD7Y; Frank, KD7AJO; Steve, W7VI; Van, W7IEX; Steve, NU7T.
Real time propagation to DXCC entities is now available. Using the Northern California DX Foundation Beacon station of W6WX, and the automatic reporting stations listed, right now conditions are at your finger tips. The W6WX station is in San Francisco and should provide an excellent indication of conditions to the countries listed. Watch for more stations. The Faro program from VE3NEA automates the monitoring of the beacons and saves the daily results as gif files which can be uploaded to a web site.
| www.pi4dec.nl/faros/pa8ad/ | Netherlands | |
| www.ncdxf.org/Beacon/monitors.html | Japan | |
| users.skynet.be/on5au/ | Belgium | |
| sk3w.shacknet.nu/sm5ajv/faros/ | Sweden |
thanks to Steve, nu7t
September 18, 2006 - ARRL Frequency Measuring Test Coming Up -
Mike, WA6ZTY writes, "The sunspot cycle has not smiled on the W1AW's signals in the last few FMT's making it difficult for West Coasters to hear it well enough to make good measurements, so this years Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) will be supplemented by a West Coast originated signal. The signal will be transmitted exclusively on 40 meters from WA6ZTY located in the San Francisco Bay Area (Albany) and the 400 watt signal should be heard over a large part of the western US.
The object of the contest is to make the most accurate frequency measurement of either (or both) W1AW and WA6ZTY's transmissions. A listing of results will appear in a subsequent edition of QST. The transmission format begins with a series of QST's, followed by three 60 second keydown measuring periods, each ending with a train of dits. Finally, it ends with a series of V's and station ID.
The W1AW transmission will begin at 6:45 PM PST on Wednesday, November 15th. Their 40 meter frequency will be somewhere between 7038 KHz and 7040 KHz. The WA6ZTY transmission will begin 45 minutes later at 7:30 PM. The frequency will be somewhere between 7028 KHz and 7030 KHz., the object is to measure exactly where. W1AW will also be on the 160 and 80 meter bands. See the November issue of QST for details. "
September 18, 2006 - Reno Spring Tech Class -
Tony, N7ACM, writes, "
The Reno Spring Tech Class will be held starting Oct 4 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Dilworth Middle School in Sparks.
This is a 6 week course with the 6th week the exam night.
If you know of anyone wishing to get their license in a classroom setting, this is their chance.
They must register online at
this website
or by calling (775) 353-5780.
We are partnering with the Washoe County School District - Community Education to hold these classes.
"
October 9, 2006 - Pacificon'06 is THIS WEEK -
Information is available at the
Pacificon'06 website, http://www.pacificon.org
This is the Pacific Division Convention, and we hope to have a good showing of members from the Nevada Section. SM Dick Flanagan K7VC, SEC Don Carlson KQ6FM and other NV section officials will be there and will share progress we've made on several key issues. Pacificon includes a lot of activities beyond the tech sessions and the
"hucksters hall", including:
|
|
September 12, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for August'06 SEC Summary - The biggest thing that happened during the month of August took place in Elko County - FIRES! There were many lightning induced wildfires touched off with a little help from mother nature, and from the pictures sent by Joe Giraudo, N7JEH, the skies looked like a Friday night poker party most of the summer! Fortunately Joe's troops were not called upon to do any major callouts, which could have kept them busy for most of the season. Thanks guys for being prepared and for standing ready.
We are planning on having a statewide SET on Saturday October 7 in conjunction with a major planned drill based in Washoe County by the EOC, The Office of Homeland Security and the local CERT team. The scenario will be announced soon, and we hope for good participation from around the section. All it takes is a few dedicated operators from each of our 3 districts to make this work. The more prepared we are, the better we will perform when called upon to do so by our served agencies.
Don Carlson, KQ6FM NV, SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: Clark County ARES/RACES is using WinLink as another means of checking into the weekly net. Bruce AL7LS has put his VHF/HF packet station back on the air. HF links to the Tahoe area are now available. No comments from most EC's reporting - Glenn Hale, KB7REO
Clark County EC Charlie AA5QJ - Aug 15 Charlie Kunz AA5QJ EC and Vern Garman K0EGA AEC Ops/Training met with the Emergency Management personnel at UNLV to discuss ARES/RACES support Aug 31 Charlie Kunz AA5QJ EC met with North Las Vegas Police Dept Emergency Management and Radio Systems personnel to discuss ARES/RACES support
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: NE NV ARES participated in a Red Cross Shelter opening in support of the Mud Fire immediately north of Elko. They also supported the Elko Velo Second Annual Lamoille Canyon Bicycle Hill Climb. Elko Amateur Radio Club members provided emergency communication support for the Pony Express 100 Open Road Race in Battle Mountain. 3 commercial linked repeaters were deployed along the course. Additional temporary linked amateur repeaters were also deployed but were not needed.
Joe Giraudo - N7JEH
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Glenn Thomas, WB6W, Douglas County EC, writes, "The training subject for the DCART meeting was the American Red Cross 'Introduction to Disaster Services' course, given by Gary Grant K7VY and Tom Stames from ARC/Reno. A mid-air collision between a glider and a small jet resulted in a mutual-aid callout in support of Lyon county. Dale Anderson KV7S provided support from the Douglas County EOC."
Harry Bryant, KC7HVM, Lyon County EC, writes, "Wow!! A slow month for us. Was good to get a break from all the action. Only emergency this month was the mid-air collision. I would still be using toilet paper if it was me. The marine radio is here and will be installed in our comm van soon."
Bob Miller, WA6MTY, Washoe County EC, writes, "On August 12TH I held my first WC-ARES Training Session introducing the new AEC's, AEC Washoe County (KE7AJO), AEC VA Medical Center (KD7ZEM), AEC Red Cross (KD7QDL). Unfortunately due to health reasons, our friend Max (K0MC) resigned as AEC for the Regional EOC. Kevin Marriott (KE7BQX) has accepted the position and we are working together to bring the EOC up to our requirements. I feel it necessary to exercise the radios in each of the Served Agency EOC's every Tuesday during the NW District ARES net. Frank (KE7AJO) and I are rotating around each Served Agency EOC to become familiar with the stations as well. My plans for the Monthly ARES training sessions are a Combination of Strategic Planning & Training, to keep the WC-ARES Team, Informed, Involved and Trained. The Focus will be on ARES training, workshops along with exercises Thanks to all those members that came out and helped at the Nevada State Fair (Aug 23-27) along with members of the CERT Teams. Don, KQ6FM, pointed out that any organization that is dealing with FEMA must have their people certified in ICS-100, 200 and 700 at a minimum.
AEC TECHNICAL Andy Munoz (KD7ZEV) gave a Digital Infrastructure update on OUTPOST, PACLINK to Aaron Kenneston Director of the Regional EOC and Chris Smith, EOC Manager of Washoe County School District. Thanks to Steve Kometz (N7KP), he has provided a Commercial Midland radio to replace the ICOM at the WC-REOC. The combination of a Discone Antenna installed by the County and the extra wide receiving bandwidth of the ICOM made it impossible to use the ICOM because of all the interference from Red Peak. We are in the process of recommending a commercial radio, along with a commercial VHF only antenna to Aaron Kenneston to purchase for the EOC. Plans are underway for the next WC-ARES Training Session for Saturday September 9TH, where we will be discussing the upgrade of the interactive WC-ARES website, ARES communications support for CERT, and a planned CERT/ARES Exercise to coincide with the ARRL SET.
-by Doug Abramson, KA7FOO
September 4, 2006 - Mesquite IRLP Node 3705 Rebuilt and Back on the air -
Kent W7AOR reports,
"Mesquite NARRI IRLP Node 3705 Rebuilt and Back on the air with a totally new computer and software. I was able to talk over the Western Reflector as far South as Beacon Hill. Coverage will be improved when the 145.370 repeater is sited.
This node was put in Mesquite last year with the assistance and cooperation of NARRI and the VVARC to allow for hams in that area to participate in various types of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) nets.
A very special thanks to Charlie KH6AB and Harry WA6GLB."
August 25, 2006 - New website for Washoe county ARES -
BOB MILLER WA6MTY
(Washoe County Emergency Coordinator) writes,
"
The new Washoe ARES website is at
http://washoeares.hopto.org
Andy Muoz KD7ZEV has done a lot of work putting this together. We will soon have the capability of entering applications and updating member data online.
Check it out..
"
August 24, 2006 - ARES News from the South -
ARES DEC Glenn KB7REO reports,
"July 2006 was busy with weather nets.
Thanks to Jeff KC7PK for his efforts to improve text paging and coordination of SKYWARN groups
outside of the Las Vegas area.
During the last SKYWARN activation, communication and coordination with Mohave Co. AZ was greatly improved.
Although no significant reports were filed, observations that met the SKYWARN reporting criteria were forwarded to NWS.
There are a number of ways to provide communications links with outlying areas, such as remote bases,
IRLP/Echolink nodes and linked repeater systems.
The challenge for SKYWARN and ARES mutual aid assistance programs is to improve notification and a communications plans.
There are several ways communications links can be established with neighboring communities.
The activation plans must outline which systems should be used and when to switch to back up plans when needed.
I found this to be the case in several SKYWARN nets this past month. In addition, ARES members should be more
aware of their surroundings and monitor ARES repeaters when weather or civil alerts are issued.
"Jerry KC6ILH reports from Nye county, " Finished up the mosquito project in Pahrump. Did some patrolling at the local political park rally. (This was a two day event) We were activated for one of the rather large thunderstorms that came rolling through our area. Checking on flooding primarily and any other things like lightning strikes for the fire department. Found out that if you can not see the curbs, it is best to pull over until you can. Almost drove off the road on that one, could have been much worse. Getting ready for the up coming monsoon season. Keep your batteries charged and rain gear ready. "
Esmeralda Co. ARES EC Ron WB5KLJ continues to monitor 7268.5 RV Net and Noon Time Region 7 traffic net during the day time.
Clark County ARES EC Charlie AA5QJ reports: " Rapid Response Team Training, session 1, was held with 34 members participating. Vern Garman KØEGA AEC Ops/Training presented a review of the ARRL Emergency Communication Level 1 course, and Bill Croghan WBØKSW presented a review of IC 100, 200 and 700.
SKYWARN was activated on July 7th after Las Vegas WFO radar had been hit by lightning the night before, and thunderstorms in the forecast area were occurring. KC7PK responded to the Weather Service office and spent approximately 4 hours supporting forecasters. Amateur radio spotters provided a few reports.
SKYWARN was activated again on July 17 by the Las Vegas WFO for thunderstorms in Mojave, San Bernardino and Clark counties. John Bigley N7UR operated the WX7LAS station for about 6 hours. SKYWARN was active in Mohave county and monitored via the Spirit Mountain repeater. Winds approaching 60mph along an outflow boundary from the Mohave county storms were later measured and reported across several areas of the Las Vegas valley. The storms diminished by about 10 p.m, ending the activation.
SKYWARN was activated yet again on the evening of July 29 by Glenn Hale KB7REO, who acted as net control. Links were established and a few reports were relayed from southern Mohave county by telephone to the NWS using a second station (KC7PK). Another line of storms developed and heavy rain fell in Lincoln county, radar indicated a wide area of very heavy rainfall and would be a significant storm, Hale reported during the net. There are no spotters and therefore there was no contact with this area during the storms. As storms approached Mesquite and Moapa, spotter reports were again sought but none available. The net ran for approximately 3 hours, during which time multiple thunderstorm warnings were issued by the NWS across the entire region.
Two test scenarios are in planning for the summer. One will focus on Amateur Radio's role of backup communications for the NWS, while the other will aim to improve coordinated SKYWARN communications during an activation "
August 17, 2006 - Note from your webmaster -
Now that the primary election has passed, I'll have a little more time to devote to
keeping up the NV Section website and visiting clubs.
Keep in mind that the purpose of this website is to publicize the activites of Hams in the
Nevada section. I can best do that when the clubs and also individuals Hams send me reports of
what they are doing and what they are planning so I can report them here. It's free publicity
for those who submit news! - 73 de
Glenn Thomas WB6W
August 11, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for July'06 SEC Summary - We're right in the middle of summer and with it fire season . I can only offer two comments on that. First, thank God that while we ve had a lot of fires, that they have not consumed homes and property, having been confined to open range land instead. Second, that our communicators have been ready, willing and able to help should the call come. Thank you all for your readiness. Most of what we have seen is a lot of weather related callouts and provision of service to NWS at points around the state. You will read of our activations in the district reports. Thanks too for our DECs, ECs and AECs who are working hard to keep on top of these things.
It's time to start thinking about our Pacific Division Convention, Pacificon, which will be held in San Ramon this October. You can find all the information including registration and hotel accomodations at their website: www.pacificon.org. Hopefully we will have a good representation from our section this year. Pacificon is also a great opportunity for Dick and I to meet with our counterparts and collect input and information from other sections which can be helpful in our efforts here at home.
Please don't forget our weekly ARES HF Net, Saturday mornings at 0800 on 3965. Our Northeast DEC/ASM Joe Giraudo, N7JEH is net manager and does a fantastic job, but he gets lonely when there are only a few who check in. I have to admit that with car shows and vacations, I too have been unable to check in as much as I'd like, but that will change shortly. Since it's August now, we need to begin planning for our annual SET. I would like input from the DEC's for a scenario and how to embrace ALL modes of emergency operation this year, including HF, IRLP and packet. Hopefully we can design a great one that will teach us much in how to do our jobs better. Thanks everyone, and have a great month of August.
Don Carlson, KQ6FM NV, SEC/PIC
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: A busy month here especially for Skywarn communicators. New efforts to improve paging coordination thanks to Jeff, KC7PK. Comms with Mohave County in Arizona improved. Activation plans using IRLP and other methods being developed especially between outlying areas and Las Vegas NWS. Members advised to monitor repeaters and be aware of surroundings when severe weather enters the area. Mosquito project finished in Pahrump. Activation for large thunderstorms in the area. Members checking on lightning strikes and potential flooding. Preparing for upcoming monsoon season. Esmeralda County monitors 7268.5 RV Net and Noon Region 7 Traffic Nets daily. Skywarn activated on July 7 and again on July 17 (by Vegas WFO for t.storms near Mojave), after Las Vegas WFO was struck by lightning and storms in forecast. KC7PK responding. Again on July 29 by Glenn Hale, KB7REO who acted as Net Control. Links were established and reports relayed from outlying areas. Two tests are planned this summer, one to focus on amateur radio's roll as backup for NWS, while the other will aim to improve coordinated Skywarn comms during an activation. Nice job everyone!
We attended a San Bernardino Co RACES meeting couple of months ago. Vern K0EGA is the primary lead on the coordination effort.
Information submitted by Glenn Hale, KB7REO - DEC
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: Several short-term activations due to the many wildfires this season. Over 400,000 acres this season. No Red Cross shelters have been opened, as the fires charred mostly open land. EARC provided comms for a high speed road race on US 93 between Wendover and Laggies Junction. VE team held a session on July 29 yielding 2 new hams. 147.27 Ellen D Mtn.repeater repaired and back up at full power. This completes links between Twin Falls, ID and Battle Mountain. A remote base in Idaho Falls sometime connects for traffic from Montana. This covers a major portion of US 93, a major travel route.
Information submitted by Joe Giraudo, N7JEH - DEC
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Another busy month here also with Lyon County ARES assisting SAR at Lake Lahontan over 4th of July holiday period. New comm van there is proving to be helpful to the team. It acts as a relay point for use in remote areas. Missing person search brought the van out, and had it not been for the van, comms could have been impaired to the command center. A marine radio will be the next addition to it. High intensity electrical storm brought activity to NWS and activation which involved several counties including Washoe and others nearby. Skywarn station WX7RNO staffed by Dee Arnold, KA7LOZ-AEC to NWS. Bob Miller, WA6MTY has stepped into his new EC position and has hit the ground running. ARES planning meeting scheduled for early August. He has had several good meetings with various served agencies. Bob is off to a great start.
Information submitted by Doug Abramson, KA7FOO DEC.
July 11, 2006 - Lyon county ARES planning license class -
The Lyon County ARES team is planning a Ham
Cram class on July 22 in Yerington, Nevada. Anyone who is
interested email Frank Walsh at
KE7AJO@GBIS.com.
July 11, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for June'06 SEC Summary - June proved to be a busy month for many of our troops. With the start of a very volatile fire season, many fires around the northern half of the state especially, prompted several callouts and activations, as you will read. Words cannot express our thanks and gratitude to the many who took time from their schedules to provided much needed communications at shelters and fire sites. Thank you one and all for your contributions.
With numerous thunderstorms and the continued potential for lightning, our Skywarn program prompted several activations to the NWS as well. Thanks too to those who feed continuous real-time reports to this served agency. It is through these activities that our training and preparation pays off.
June was also Field Day month, and you will read of the many activities in our section with great participation and some demos to the public for the occasion. We also have a couple of new appointments which you will read of, including an ADEC in southern district, and a new EC for Washoe County in Northwest. It was a pleasure to check out several of the Field Day sites in Northern Nevada. Thanks to Otto Tune, KV7J, from the Department of Emergency Management from Carson City for making the tour with me.
-- Don Carlson, KQ6FM NV Section SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: A Mosquito Hunt? Yes, southern section participated in what just may be a first! Due to the threat of West Nile Virus, hams were asked to cover a large area around Pahrump, and continuing to Armagosa and Beatty, searching for potential places where mosquitos could be found, especially in horse and livestock prone areas. This is a countywide project which could continue into the middle of July before the monsoon season sets in. Nye County Emergency Services trainer set up for Field Day, with 4 HF units in operation. One was PSK and the others SSB. Reported about 200 contacts, with the biggest turnout of operators this year. Great job!
Discussions by Charlie, AA5QJ with Clark County Health District for potential health crisis. DEC, Glenn Hale, KB7REO along with newly appointed ADEC, Bruce Wilson, KY7B attended the Chief Radio Officers meeting in Riverside, CA along with CRO s from several southern California areas. Skywarn Net Control meeting was held June 15. Tabletop exercise held on June 19 called operation Slam Dunk which was designed to improve the ability of UNLV and local governments to prepare for, manage and respond to a mass casualty incident. Hosted by Jim O Brien, Clark County Emergency Manager, attendees included law enforcement, fire and medical from local, state and federal agencies.
Jeff Green, KC7PK reports 2 Skywarn Activations on the 27th and 28th. NWS requested support for some distant areas, including the fielding of reports from San Bernardino County in California to Las Vegas NWS. Kudos to Sam, N2CGG for spending about 6 hours with NWS fielding reports and aiding the agency.
NCO paging finalized this month. This will notify net control ops of a Level 3 activation and request availability for travel or net operations from their own stations. Weekly tests to begin in July, with test scenarios planed for July and August. One will focus on the use of Amateur Radio's role as backup communications, while the other will focus on improving coordination with Skywarn during such an activation. Great work Glenn and crew!
-- Glenn Hale, KB7REO NV Section ARES S DEC
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: Elko ARES opened a special net in support of the Barrick Goldstrike Mine EOC training drill. Approximately 5 members checked in. No traffic handled. It was good to see some participation for a daytime net. HF Section Net participation is status quo. Joe Giraudo, Net Manager was out of state for most of the month and was relieved as NCS by KC6ILH of Pahrump.
-- Joe Giraudo, N7JEH NV Section ARES NE DEC
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Summer activities have started. The fire season is in operation. ARES teams were activated for the Lineham fire in Lyon County. Harry Bryant, Lyon County ARES EC, initiated the initial ARES call-out and manning of the stations. Later that night came the call for mutual aid. Douglas County EC, Glenn Thomas, WB6W, and Dale Anderson, KV7S, formed a team to man the shelter for the night. After the Lyon County team got some R&R, they were on duty for the following day. Also, the Washoe County ARES manned the Red Cross Headquarters during the operation. The Red Cross Communications was manned by Gary Grant, K7VY, Erv Horton, KB7IWT, Gordon Milldrum, WB6JAD, Frank Walsh, KE7AJO, Bob Miller, WA6MTY, and Doug Abramson, KA7FOO. The Lyon County ARES team members were Gayanne Bryant, KD7KAY, Carron Bryant, KD7KKN, Shaunya Thuemler, KD7ZMN, Bob Freeman, KA7ATZ, Gene Willard, KE6VIM.
Bob Miller, Washoe County EC, accepted this position at the first of the month. He brings to the position many years of experience being licensed in 1961. There have been some actions happening in the Served Agencies that are finally coming forth, looking to ARES for their expanding communications needs. A couple meetings in June were attended by ARES members with good results. The doors are opening for the Washoe County ARES to be involved.
DCART supported Lyon county ARES on a mutual-aid callup during the Lineham fire. DCART provided a total of four responders, Will KD7NIR, Phyllis KD7OKI, Dale KV7S and EC Glenn WB6W. All were delayed by the closure of US50 due to smoke. In the interem the intended assignments evaporated. KD7NIR and KD7OKI were released. WB6W and KV7S were redirected and provided overnight communications to the Red Cross Shelter at Dayton High School. Special thanks to all who participated under trying conditions.
-- Doug Abramson, KA7FOO NV Section ARES NW DEC
July 1, 2006 - It's an election year and nothing is certain... -
The IRS has issued a fact sheet that explains what section 501(c)(3) organizations such as the ARRL and many of our local clubs who have this tax status need to do, and not do, to comply with the federal tax law during political campaigns.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
The entire fact sheet is available at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html. Note particularly the section on Web sites, which must be observed by everyone who maintains a Web site on behalf of an ARRL division or section.
(from ARRL HQ via PIC KQ6FM - Thanks Don! BTW, the ARRL is itself a 501(c)(3) organization and so is prohibited from participating in election campaigns.)
June 26, 2006 - "Vegas to Reno" off road race -
The countdown has started to the Longest Off Road Race In The United
States the "Vegas to Reno" off road race. With the 2006 Field Day
complete Best In The Desert would like to invite all interested
Amateurs to join the hundreds of other volunteers in the beautiful
Nevada desert on Friday August 25th, 2006. Many of you have joined us
in the past to make this and other races across Nevada the safest,
best organized events for all, and here is your chance to join the
excitement. The Amateur volunteers will join with first aid and other
course volunteers at gas stops, check points, and road crossings to
make the over 500 miles of the best Nevada has to offer safe and
memorable for racers, support teams, volunteers, and all involved.
For more information or to join the team please fill out the volunteer form at the BITD site. Please include your call in the the name section.
...or contact Keith Purmal KC7HT at kc7htkeith@hotmail.com
...or
Best In The Desert
3475C Boulder Hwy.
Las Vegas, NV. 89121
www.bitd.com
702-457-5775
June 14, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for May'06 SEC Summary - May was a great month for the Nevada Section, as we were once again host of Emcommwest 2006. The event was held at the Atlantis Hotel and Resort in Reno, and was well attended by many amateurs from at least 10 states that we know of anyway. The swap meet was a great attraction this year, and has been growing steadily year after year, this being the best yet. EMCOMMWEST would like to thank the many vendors and sponsors for their help in making this a truly exciting year for us.
A couple of highlights included our Keynote Speaker, Dave Patton NN1N from ARRL HQ in Newington CT, who was most impressed with what the convention had to offer. Also our banquet was a sellout, and everyone was entertained and enlightened by our guest speaker, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF (OOPS! - not WA6NIK! mea culpa - w) who came in from Los Angeles for the weekend. The Nevada Section cabinet meeting was held during EMCOMMWEST, and good discussions were held with SM, SEC, ACC, Technical Coordinator and 2 DECs present.
Hat's off to Dee Arnold, KA7LOZ for going the extra mile to see that everything went well and that the entire event was a huge success. Next years event is already in the planning stages. Dee will be our Executive Coordinator, as I have decided to step down to concentrate more on my SEC and PIC duties. Dee will do a fabulous job I'm sure. Thanks to one and all who volunteered to help, and those who came to learn and enjoy.
Many areas around the state are already preparing for Field Day coming up in June. SEC plans on being available for messages to be received so that clubs can get extra 100 points for sending a message, per contest rules. I will also be doing some site visits on Field Day, but more on that next month. We will also be making flyers from the Hello campaign available to clubs for distribution to the public who visit sites and to the media prior to Field Day in June. - 73 de Don Carlson, KQ6FM NV, SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: Meetings were held with Elsmerelda County EC, Ron WB5KLJ and North Nye County AEC, Dave, KE7LC. The meeting included topics of a proposed repeater link with Tonopah and Goldfield, and coordination with Nye County OEM. Action plan put into place and will be gearing up. The repeater will also eventually host an IRLP connection. If approved, more information will be announced.
DEC met with Clark County SKYWARN AEC Jeff, KC7PK regarding plans for SKYWARN Control Ops meeting, possible exercise and NWS coverage between Las Vegas and Flagstaff, AZ NWS operations. With this in mind, we have appointed Bruce, KY7B as an Assistant DEC. While this is not an officially recognized position with ARRL, we DO recognize it within the Nevada Section. His assignment will be to coordinate between ARES groups in both Southern Nevada and groups in Arizona, and with Clark and Nye County groups.
North Nye County assisted with SKYWARN activations twice during the month, since Reno radar was down and assistance from around the state was requested. Reports were relayed from Hawthorne and Mina into the Reno net. Several public service events reported by Clark County, with the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure and the Silver State Open Road Challenge from Lund to Hiko. South Nye County put together a program to assist the FD with testing.
Called out to assist as spotters for several fires, and one large fire. One spotter even reported a fire right as it started. Had our team members not been alert, there is no telling how large the fire may have become. FD and DEM open house was held, and hams out greeting attendees, and set up the Emergency Service trailer for demos of support radios. Gearing up for fire season ahead. Nice work guys!
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: Held a second session Elko ARES mock drill in conjunction with a training session at the Barrick Goldstrike Mine's Emergency Operation Center. The Elko Amateur Radio Club is planning for a Field Day operation at Spring Creek Marina in June. Wildland fires are starting to show up in the Elko area, mainly lightning generated.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Skywarn active in Reno on a couple of occasions due to thunderstorm activity. As previously reported, the radar system went out at Reno NWS, who relied on weather spotters for real time information from many areas. Thanks to Dee, KA7LOZ, AEC to the NWS/Skywarn for keeping WX7RNO open and operating at the request of NWS.
Good turnout for Lyon County activity at Lake Lahontan in support of the SAR. Lake was high, and portable station (including an HF station) was set up, although Memorial Day weekend remained fairly quiet. New Comm van also on site. County official commented that it was impressive.
Sad news for Washoe County, as Fred Hunt, WA6GOG announced his resignation as EC. Fred has been on the job for nearly two years, and has done an outstanding job, with tremendous expansion of ARES efforts there. Fred will still be involved with ARES activities, although not from a leadership position, as he needs to devote more time to personal life. Doug Abramson, KA7FOO (Northwest DEC) and Don Carlson, KQ6FM (Nevada SEC) will be working on a replacement for Fred, who's shoes will be very hard to fill. We all send a tremendous vote of thanks to Fred for a job well done! You will be missed. - 73 de Doug KA7FOO
June 14, 2006 - Reno QRP Club Field Day announcement -
W7FST will be setting up Field Day 2006 on the UNR campus,
at the northeast corner of Virginia Street and 9th Street,
beginning at 8:00am until dark Saturday June 24th. In
W7FST tradition, the operations will be QRP only, multi-op,
multi-transmitter.
There is plenty of street parking on 9th and on Virginia. The site has shade and a big grassy field. Across the street are a Gormet Sandwich shop (eat in or take out), bar & grill and a convience store. All Hams are welcome.
For more information, contact either W7YQ, Tim, at w7yq@arrl.net or NU7T, Steve, at nu7t@gbis.com.
June 11, 2006 - Las Vegas area ARES net changes -
A weekly net for ARES members is held every Monday
evening at 7:30 PM on the 147.015(+) PL100 Angel's
Peak, 145.30(-)(PL100) Beacon Hill, 147.18(+)(PL100)
Spirit Mountain, 447.325(-)(PL127.3) Angel's Peak, and
927.6625(-) DPL606 Angel's Peak repeaters. The
145.11(-)(PL100) Red Mountain and 145.22(-)(PL100)
Highland Peak repeaters will be linked during the net.
Guest check-ins are taken at the end of the net.
June 9, 2006 - Pony Express Reride is done -
In spite of the wind, sleet, hail, rain and other mischief caused by multiple thunderstorms,
the SIERA group has completed its support of the annual Pony Express Reride through Nevada.
WB6W was stationed in Ruby Valley to relay info via HF back to Carson City and reports being
"run over" by half a dozen thunderstorms in a twenty four hour period.
Details are available on the
SIERA website
June 6, 2006 - Elko ARC Field Day
will be held at the park located at the Spring Creek
Marina just off Spring Creek Parkway.
For the past number of years EARC has been active in Field Day from West Wendover (2002), Elko Airport (2003), Battle Mtn. (2004) and the Elko Weather Station (2005). They've always put in a credable performance and last year's was the best yet when they managed to top the Las Vegas combined clubs in number of QSO's, given they have a 5 station entry.
Folks in the Elko area who are interested in participating should contact Dave W7GK at w7gk_1@yahoo.com for more information.
May 29, 2006 - Nevada SEC to tour Field Day sites - Don Carlson, KQ6FM, our Nevada SEC/PIC can be reached at kq6fm@arrl.net. He writes:
"With Field Day coming soon, once again I plan to do some site visits (as time, geography and the price of gas will allow). If you and/or your group has plans to set up a Field Day site this year, please let me know the following:
Group Name (Club, ARES group, team etc.)
Site location (and directions if necessary)
Team leader and/or point of contact (name and call plus email, cell etc.)
Talk in frequency on 2m, 220 or 440 (this includes simplex if you use one)
Once I receive this information, I will make sure that everyone is aware of your event and if possible, schedule a visit to the site. Hope we can have a great time this year and get some good participation. Thanks and 73! - de KQ6FM"
May 28, 2006 - YE-HAA! - The Texas DX Society and friends will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Great Armadillo Run of 1986 with Special Events Station K7A. The operation and reunion will be held in Virginia City, Nevada (Storey County) at the QTH of K5RC. Operation will be over Field Day weekend, June 24-25, 2006
In 1986, TDXS celebrated the Texas Sesquicentennial by sponsoring the Great Armadillo Run of 1986, where they attempted to activate every county in the USA over two weekends. See the story in April 1986 QST and CQ Magazines. They also created and activated "Armadillo County, Texas" during the Sesquicentennial celebration. That is now a deleted county.
Twenty years later, over 50 of the participants, friends and supporters are gathering at the K5RC Ranch to commemorate the event and operate K7A during Field Day. For details see http://www.consultpr.com/Armadillo.htm.
May 26, 2006 - It's an election year and nothing is certain... -
The IRS has issued a fact sheet that explains what section 501(c)(3) organizations such as the ARRL and many of our local clubs who have this tax status need to do, and not do, to comply with the federal tax law during political campaigns.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
The entire fact sheet is available at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html. Note particularly the section on Web sites, which must be observed by everyone who maintains a Web site on behalf of an ARRL division or section.
(from ARRL HQ via PIC KQ6FM - Thanks Don! BTW, the ARRL is itself a 501(c)(3) organization and so is prohibited from participating in election campaigns.)
May 25, 2006 - News ARES appointment in Southern ARES district -
Southern ARES District Emergency Coordinator Glenn Hale KB7REO announces the appointment
of Bruce Wilson KY7B as Assistant District Emergency Coordinator (ADEC). Bruce is
an Army MARS member and an Electrical Engineer. Welcome aboard, Bruce!
May 14, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for April'06 SEC Summary - Things have been busy as we prepare anxiously for EMCOMMWEST 2006, which will hit Reno on May 6 and 7. This year it will be at the Atlantis Hotel and Resort. The Reno Spring Swap will be held in conjunction with the convention, which will welcome Dave Patton, NN1N from ARRL HQ in Newington, CN. As usual our Pacific Division Director and Vice Directors will join us, and hams from several states will once again converge on Northern Nevada. One major highlight will be our banquet speaker this year, as we are honored to have Bill Pasternak from Amateur Radio Newsline join us. Bill is a wealth of information and has some wonderful ideas and stories to share. We will hold our Nevada Section cabinet meeting. This is for everyone who is a DEC and all cabinet level appointees, as chaired by our SM Dick Flanagan, K7VC. From what I know at this time, 2 out of 3 of the DECs will attend, with Glenn from Southern being unable to make it this year. We will miss you Glenn! Not much else to report. Also there is the possibility that State Senator Bob Beers, WB7EHN may attend and greet our members at opening ceremonies. Next month will be a biggie, since EMCOMMWEST will have come and gone at that point. 73!
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: Installation of Tonopah IRLP Node 3396 is complete, thanks to Pat, KE7GDS for housing the node; Bruce, K7LAF and Dave, KE7LC for assistance with installation. Coverage excellent around Tonopah and soughward toward Goldfield. The frequency is 146.460 simplex, with PL. of 123.0. Joe, W7LUZ from Flagstaff, AZ expresses interest in Red Cross Mutual Aid with Las Vegas area. Discussions underway with Skywarn in Las Vegas to coordinate during the next storm season. Thunderstorms have already developed over parts of Clark County, with reports being sent to NWS. It was a quiet month generally around Clark County, but support was given to the Baker-Vegas Challenge Cup Relay on April 1-2. Also support for the Community College of So. Nevada Technology Fair on April 7, and as ARRL representatives at the NAB Convention held in Las Vegas. Also slow month for South Nye County. Mobile command vehicle checked out and a grounding problem found for HF and repaired. It will now load on all bands for all modes.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: Another fairly quiet month. VE Exams were on Saturday, April 20. Several new techs, 2 extra upgrades and several element credits issued. River levels are maintaining with some minor flooding in low lying areas adjacent to the flood plains. No evacuations report or road closures have been reported. Reports that Net level continues to maintain current levels. One Flagstaff, AZ station has been checking in on a regular basis to maintain support with Las Vegas Red Cross for the upcoming fire season. Propagation on 75 meters continues to be decreasing due to the earlier sunrise times.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Little to report this month, since EMCOMMWEST planning is eating up most of our time. There were 2 SAR callouts in Lyon County in April. Next month will yield more due to the upcoming convention. Still needing to fill several EC positions in this District.
May 11, 2006 - Please help with the fight to protect our frequencies from BPL interference -
(from Bob Vallio W6RGG, ARRL Pacific Division Director)
We need your help in our ongoing fight against Broadband over Power
Line (BPL) interference. As you may have heard, the ARRL was successful
in obtaining language in a U.S. House of Representatives bill,
HR 5252,
requiring that the FCC study and report on the interference potential
of BPL systems. The bill was adopted by the House Commerce Committee
and will be on its way to the House floor for a vote shortly.
Now we must turn our attention to the Senate, where similar language is needed. Senator John Ensign is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which is now holding hearings on telecommunications legislation. We need his support of language addressing the BPL interference issue when the Senate bill is marked up in his committee on June 8.
Please write to him today. A sample letter can be seen here. Please personalize it as much as you can and send it, preferably by FAX to the number shown. Please also send a copy to the ARRL's Government Relations firm:
Attention: Eric Heis, KI4NFC
Chwat & Company, Inc.
625 Slaters Lane, Suite 103
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax (703) 684-7594
eric.heis@chwatco.com
Thank you for your assistance and support. If you want to email me in reply to this message, please use the email address shown below.
73, Bob Vallio, W6RGG
Director, Pacific Division
ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio
w6rgg@arrl.org
May 10, 2006 - Reno QRP Club 7QP results -
The Reno QRP Club participated in the 7th Call Area QSO Party from Manzanita Park.
They worked on 40m and 20m, CW and SSB for a total of 88 Q's and a final score of 7,967 points.
WB6W is envious. Thanks to Ed, WD7Y, who compiled this summary and to Steve, NU7T
who made it available.
May 8, 2006 - EmcommWest06 a great success! -
Many thanks to all who attended EmcommWest'06 in Reno. The
Emcommwest website, http://emcommwest.org
has be updated to show several pictures taken at EmcommWest'06.EmcommWest'07 will be held on May 4-6, 2007 at the Atlantis in Reno. Planning has already started so that it will be even better than ever!
May 5, 2006 - UPDATE -
House Committee Okays Telecoms Bill with BPL-Interference Study Amendment -
The bill itself is H.R. 5252, the
Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006
or "COPE" bill.
The text of the bill itself is
available as a PDF file
for your perusal. If you write to your congressman
about it, please identify the bill as H.R.5252 so he/she will know to what you
are referring.
The "Pending Federal Legislation" page, here on the section web site, will be updated to include H.R.5252 sometime in the next few days. (after EmcommWest06! See you there!- w)
May 4, 2006 -
New DXCC Card Checker in Las Vegas area -
The ARRL DX Desk has appointed a new DXCC card checker for Southern Nevada:
| Elliott Bloch W7EB | |
| 4240 W Arby Ave | |
| Las Vegas, NV 89118-5156 | |
| (702) 361-6500 | |
| w7eb@aol.com |
April 28, 2006 -
House Committee Okays Telecoms Bill with BPL-Interference Study Amendment
(from the
ARRL website)
The US House Energy and Commerce Committee's version of the Communications Opportunity,
Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006 includes an amendment requiring the FCC to
study the interference potential of BPL systems. After spending two days marking up
(the Ross amendment is No 25, a pdf file)
the measure, the panel voted April 26 to send the
much-talked-about "telecoms rewrite" bill to the full House for its consideration.
"Outstanding news!" was the reaction of ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.As soon as the bill is assigned a number, it will be tracked on the Nevada section pending federal legislation web page. Once we have the bill number would be a good time to write your Congressman to express your opinion on this and other Ham radio related bills that are pending. If you don't know who your Congressman is, there are several places you can find out. One is the Nevada section pending federal legislation page. There are also a few ideas on how to go about writing your congreessman. Note that this is an election year, so they ought to be particularly receptive to your opinions!
April 20, 2006 - SIERA meeting -
SIERA heard from Mel Hogan WA6EYD on the subject of NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Systems).
He described design and utilization of the NVIS antennas, including an 80-60-40 "maypole"
antenna designed to be quickly and easily set up by one person and used without a tuner.
Also, plans continue apace to support the
Pony Express Reride in June.
SIERA general meetings are held at 1900 hrs the third Thursday of each month (except January, July, and August) at the Carson Valley Methodist Church in Gardnerville, Nevada.
April 9, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for March'06 SEC Summary - Things have been busy as we prepare anxiously for EMCOMMWEST 2006, which will hit Reno on May 6 and 7. This year it will be at the Atlantis Hotel and Resort. The Reno Spring Swap will be held in conjunction with the convention, which will welcome Dave Patton, NN1N from ARRL HQ in Newington, CT. As usual our Pacific Division Director and Vice Directors will join us, and hams from several states will once again converge on Northern Nevada. One major highlight will be our banquet speaker this year, as we are honored to have Bill Pasternak from Amateur Radio Newsline join us. Bill is a wealth of information and has some wonderful ideas and stories to share. We have been stacking up prizes galore, including 2 radios provided to us by Icom America, Diamond Antenna, Alinco, Yaesu and many others. Our grand prize will be the Yaesu FT-817. Every paid attendee will receive one raffle ticket, and additional tickets may be purchased to benefit EMCOMMWEST.
On Saturday afternoon 5/6 at the convention, we will hold our Nevada Section cabinet meeting. This is for everyone who is a DEC and all cabinet level appointees, as chaired by our SM Dick Flanagan, K7VC. As far as I know, we will have all 3 of our DEC s in attendance, and will give us a chance to sit down together and share ideas. I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to Dee Arnold, KA7LOZ, Tony Marcin, N7ACM and the entire event crew for undertaking such a huge task in a very short time span. We are looking forward to a wonderful time as we learn more about ways to enhance our Emergency Communications efforts.
Many thanks also to Glenn Thomas, WB6W for keeping our section website up to date and full of great information for us to see and be aware of. Glenn has lots on his plate, since he is also the Affiliated Club Coordniator for the section and Emergency Coordinator for Douglas County. As Glenn travels around the state visiting various clubs, he is giving his motorhome a real workout. Northeast DEC Joe, N7JEH made his way to Reno recently, and was able to have dinner twice and meet with SM, SEC and Northwest DEC. Glad you could make it Joe (great food too we should do this more often)! - 73 de Don KQ6FM
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: No new information regarding mutual aid with neighboring states and counties. A few hams offered assistance with monitoring HF frequencies for Red Cross traffic from Arizona. Also more on the IRLP efforts for Tonopah soon. On March 15 planned Hazmat exercise for South Nye County. This was first time they used their new trailer and command post. Hams were praised for efforts in locating a truck with a mock up hazardous material in a timely manner when very little information was given. Good job! Gary, KK7LV and Charlie, AA5QJ met with Boulder City Fire chiefs on March 7. They assured him of commitment to support Boulder City. Dave Floyd, W9MPD has been appointed AEC to Boulder City, to replace Julian, W7JFR. Welcome Dave! Salvation Army Disaster Response Training held in Bishop, CA on March 3 and 4. Welcome to a new ARES member: Pat, KE7GDS in Tonopah. General ARES/RACES meeting held in Las Vegas on March 18. The meeting included a presentation on Salvation Army and SATERN by Cal, KE6OEH, AEC to the agency. We would like to send our warm wishes to Vern, K0EGA, AEC of Ops/Training who underwent bypass surgery on March 30. He is home and doing well. - 73 de Glen KB7REO
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: No reported activities this month, although Glenn Thomas, WB6W and SEC Don, KQ6FM are planning a visit to the Elko Amateur Radio Club over the first weekend in April. We look forward to the visit and will report for the month of April. - 73 de Joe N7JEH
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Gearing up for EMCOMMWEST has consumed a lot of time in the Northwest District. Most of the Washoe County crew heavily involved in all aspects of the convention. More next month. DEC Doug, KA7FOO reports that he has just finished his Level 1 Hybrid class, and reports 4 new grads. They are: Annie Cornell, K7ANI, Sean McManmon, KE7FYF, Mark Waters, KE7FPR and Jan Sluchak, N6VY. The area is also gearing up for lots of events this summer, including bike rides, races, motorcycle races, off-road events, marathons and helping served agencies. More later. These events are designed to help us sharpen and hone our communication skills. Douglas County DCART training continues at their monthly meetings. EC Glenn, WB6W reports that they now have a packet BBS up and running on 145.05 with the JNOS system. Access is available via the RNO node. It is currently a stand alone system, but that is expected to expand. Washoe County efforts for a Winlink System continue under the direction of Andy, KD7ZEV, Bob, WA6MTY and others. A plan to incorporate this district-wide is in the planning stages and moving along very well. More to come soon. Lots of training also reported in Lyon County. They now are using a new portable station and are learning how to operate it and incorporate into regular use. Training with boat crews and use of Quads as they continue to work with SAR. Traveled over 100 miles on quads to get used to them! Team members have been invited to train with Washoe County SAR as well. Comm van is now operational. Lots of work just completed including the antenna system. Early April will see a contact with the International Space Station from McQueen High School in Reno. Look forward to a report on it next month. That's it for this month. Thank you again to everyone for your dedication, hard work and efforts. You are a marvelous crew, and our heartfelt thanks to one and all. Hope to see you all at EMCOMMWEST 2006! - 73 de Doug KB7FOO
April 4, 2006 - International Space Station Contact from Reno School -
After years of planning, a call to space from McQueen High School became a reality. Students in Colleen Currie's sophomore geography class were be hamming it up, as they made a call to the International Space Station via amateur radio. The call took place at about 10:30am and ISS came back right on schedule. A team of local ham radio operators were on hand to assist the students at McQueen, the first students in northern Nevada to talk to astronauts at the space station. Most astronauts on board are licensed hams, and often spend time talking back to earth through the use of amateur radio. Update April 11, 2006 - There is an additional story with pictures on the main ARRL web site.
April 1, 2006 - EMCOMMWEST 2006 is fast aproaching, and things are beginning to book up. If you are planning on attending (as most of you are), please register online at the
EMCOMMWest06 website
as soon as possible. There is only a limited time to book rooms at the Atlantis at the special rate. When you click over to book, remember to enter the group code "emcommwest" and you will get the discount rate. Also, we need a head count as quickly as possible, so book your convention registration for $10 advance (it will be $15 at the door). We will then be able to print badges and get your name on our list. Finally, book online for our Saturday night banquet too. There are only a limited number of seats available. You have a choice of meal, so please don't be left out. Our banquet speaker this year is Bill Pasternak from Amateur Radio Newsline!
For those of you who act as Net Control Operators for our various nets, and who edit newsletters, please spread the word. Time is short and we want everone to come and share a great weekend with us!
The Reno Spring Ham Swap will begin at 6am on Saturday, May 6 ... and it's FREE TO EVERYONE! Just bring a table, chair and your items to sell. (It's a great way to do spring cleaning ... and make the YL VERY HAPPY!! Book early ... book often ... but don't miss this year's EMCOMMWEST 2006!
April 1, 2006 - de WB6W -
Time to step out from behind the web page and speak directly.
One of the purposes of this website
is to provide a summary of events in the Nevada section of the ARRL.
I try to summarize club meetings that I (as ACC) have been fortunate enough to attend.
Thus the club meetings reported here on the Nevada website tend to be those that I have
attended. I can't write about everything that happens in Nevada.
Even if I could, someone who knows what happened from being there or even participating
can do a far better job of reporting than someone who was several hundred miles
away at the time.
I would appreciate someone e-mailing me a short summary directly of what happened at the most recent club meeting or event. The reports below on the Las Vegas RAC, Nellis RAC, WADG club and Elko ARC (which I did attend) are examples of what I have in mind. Hopefully the summary here on the web site will include a link to the appropriate club website or newsletter where more details and pictures are available.
What your club will gain from this is additional publicity. When potential new members or members of the media are looking for information on Amateur radio in your area, one place they will look is right here.
| 73 de Glenn Thomas WB6W |
April 1, 2005, 2006 -
Elko Amateur Radio Club meeting -
The
Elko ARC
started out the morning with their traditional informal, but well
attended 10AM breakfast at "the Scoreboard" in Spring Creek. From there they moved to the regular
business meeting at ??? in Elko.
(TV Co-op building - I think that's what it's called! - de wb6w)
Vistors included
Don Carlson KQ6FM, the Nevada Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) and
Glenn Thomas WB6W , the Nevada Section Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC).
A lively discussion of issues concerning BPL, the state of formal repeater
coordination in the state and the need for improved recognition and liability
coverage for emergency volunteers preceeded the business meeting. Afterwards, the
club adjourned to JR's for coffee and lunch.
March 25, 2006 - Wide Area Data Group Club meeting -
The
Wide Area Data Group
quarterly membership meeting was held at the Round Table Pizza in south Reno.
New club officers were elected and several new members (including your truely - wb6w) accepted.
Maintenance and extensions to the extensive WADG repeater system were discussed.
March 16, 2006 - Nellis Radio Amateur Club meeting -
The
Nellis Radio Amateur Club
heard from Joy Matlack KD6FJV, Communications Coordinator for the Baker to Vegas Race on the trials and tribulations of managing communications for a major event. LVRAC also heard from Glenn Thomas WB6W on the trials and tribulations of being ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator for the Nevada section. There was also an extended discussion of what the club was doing, including all of the club educational activities. See
the NRAC website
for more information. NRAC meetings are held at the Outdoor Adventure building, located on Nellis AFB, on the 3rd Thursday of each month a 7:00 PM. All amateur radio operators are invited to attend.
March 14, 2006 - Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club meeting -
The
Las Vegas Radio Amateur Club
met at the usual place & time and heard from Joy Matlack KD6FJV, Communications Coordinator for the Baker to Vegas Race on the trials and tribulations of managing communications for a major event. LVRAC also heard from Glenn Thomas WB6W on the trials and tribulations of being ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator for the Nevada section. LVRAC meets at 7PM on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Nevada Power building at 6226 W Sahara Ave, just west of Jones. Weeks that the club does not meet, there is a 7PM Tuesday club net on the 146.94- and 448.5- repeaters (both 100Hz).
March 7, 2006 - ARES Monthly Report for February'06 SEC Summary - Grab a cup of coffee and prepare for some light reading, as this might take an evening to digest! While the year started off quietly, with the exception with Washoe County flooding on New Years, February has seen our section grow increasingly busy. First of all, I am planning on meetings with the southern district DEC and ECs. We are looking at March 18, but not being able to assemble all in one place at one time, may facilitate another visit, this time to probably Tonopah for a summit. More on that next month. I visited the SIERA Club meeting with Northwest DEC in February to give an ARES update and to re-introduce ourselves in the area. Very good attendance and great response. We focused our presentation on training and the material offered in the ARECC courses. Doug and I also went to the LCCARES meeting in Silver Spring (more below). I will also visit Elko on Saturday April 1 to visit with Joe and the Northeast crew. Emcommwest planning continues, the website is up and running and registrations online are underway. We have confirmed that Dave Patton, NN1N from ARRL HQ will be our keynote speaker, and Bill Pasternak from Amateur Radio Newsline will be our Saturday night banquet speaker. The event will be at the Atlantis in Reno, Saturday and Sunday, May 6 & 7. Everything else (the majority of our activity) lies with our DECs and the hard-working ECs who's input to this section is so very much appreciated. Thank you all for a continued job well done! - 73 de Don KQ6FM
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT: Lots to report this month. Plans still on to improve repeater coverage in North Nye County, Esmeralda County EC Ron WB5KLJ and North Nye Co. AEC Dave, KE7LC both report progress on Tonopah repeater. The Tonopah IRLP/Echolink node is ready according to Kent, W7AOR location still in planning stage. Pat KE7GDS may host node site. DEC will also be hosting a net on GMRS Red Cross frequency. In will be at 7:15pm prior to Clark County Monday night net. New efforts with neighbor states and counties for mutual aid plan. Northeast DEC N7JEH and Southern DEC both checked into North Arizona Red Cross exercise held in Flagstaff. More training continues in South Nye County. Packet system coming to Pahrump and Amargosa. Thursday 2/23 saw emcomms in action, as a stranded ham contacted KE7LC in Tonopah. The ham was traveling on a mountain road enroute to service a repeater site when his vehicle became stuck. Dave contacted Nye County Sheriff s office who relayed to Inyo County SO who dispatched help. Good job guys! Dan AA7I, RACES AEC represented us at Community Organization Active in Disasters (COAD) on Feb. 9 and the Community Interoperability Tabletop Exercise in Clark County, coordinated by Safecom. Our EC, Charlie, AA5QJ participated in Chief Radio Officers in San Bernardino County, CA. Many other area counties were represented from as far away as East Kern County and Los Angeles. Operational needs, training, mutual aid, comm. vehicles and ID issues were discussed. - 73 de Glenn KB7REO
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT: No field activities this month. Frank, W6MN is conducting a Digital Electronics Class in Elko. This is a 4 week course. SEC will attend as a guest April 1. Joe also reports good participation in Saturday morning HF ARES net. Sat. February 25 Elko group assisted No. Arizona Red Cross (see above) in propagation report testing via Las Vegas ARES. DEC N7JEH has been appointed to a multi-county taskforce by Elko Sheriff s office to look into radio interoperability for 6 northern NV counties. It may be another good opportunity for amateur radio and it's role in the comms plans. - 73 de Joe N7JEH
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT: Lots going on here as well this month, with a total of 212 manhours massed by Northwest members. Emcomm Level 1 course continues in Washoe County as instructed by Doug, KA7FOO our DEC. Welcome to Glenn Thomas, WB6W as Douglas County EC. This is Glenn s first month to report. DCART meetings and training continues. They have now established a Monday night net at 6:30pm on the 147.270+ PL. 123 repeater with good initial response. Most recent meeting was attended by Otto Tune, KV7J from the DEM in Carson City. He provided ICS Field Ops documents and a good description of the ICS format. DCART looking for 2 AECs to act in ECs absence. Cynthia, KB7BZE writing an SOP for DCART activities. EC will be revising callup list and phone tree. Plans are to establish a new PBBS system, which will hopefully later be linked to other groups. Agencies are being approached to provide served agency training on their procedures and needs. DCART on Standby to assist with potential flooding on Feb 25. They also assisted LCCARES on Feb. 28 when the Lyon County 911 system went down. This was the first time amateur radio was used in Carson City at the dispatch center. Link with Lyon County EC established. Speaking of Lyon County, EC Harry Bryant, reports a busy month there as well. Several callouts with SAR took place to aid local people who were either stranded or lost. Two members used Quads to aid an elderly couple which SAR could not get to. There was also a downed aircraft call by ELT. Working with SAR it was determined that the transponder was in fact in the hanger. Good drill, but it is better to be safe than sorry! Mutual aid was sought of DCART to help with the 911 system disruption. LCCARES members covered the ECC while DCART was in Carson. Amateurs were asked to standby and set up a relay link until communications could be safely established. Nice job by Harry and the LCCARES team and the support of Glenn and DCART. - 73 de Doug KA7FOO
March 1, 2006 - DXCC, WAS and VUCC Card Checkers Needed! -
The section is running short of card checkers for DXCC, WAS and VUCC.
These card checkers are authorized to verify eligibility for DXCC, WAS and VUCC so that folks who want these awards do not have to ship their collection of QSL cards to Newington. The ARRL main website has official descriptions for
DXCC card checker
and
ARRL HF and VHF Award Manager.
If you are interested in becoming a card ch