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Nevada Section News Archive 2009
September 14, 2009 - Nevada Section news for August 2009 -
Nevada has survived the summer fire season once again. The number of large
fires was greatly reduced over previous years. Preparations are underway for
EMCOMMWEST 2010, an emergency communications convention which has been held
in Reno for the past few years. The event committee is meeting with
regularity, have secured a venue, The Grand Sierra Resort, and will start to
solicit speakers in the very near future. The ARRL Simulated Emergency Test
is scheduled for October. Contact your local Emergency Coordinator for
details. There is currently much discussion ongoing revolving around
emergency communications, specifically when paid employees of an entity are
involved. Stay tuned at www.arrl.org for details. While much talk about the
lack of sunspots has been heard, some HF openings have presented themselves
through the summer. Don't give up, get on the air. Throw out a CQ. You
will probably be pleasantly surprised. Amateur recruiting has been on the
upswing this year. Many VE sessions have been held around the Section.
Please welcome the new Amateurs to the fold.
Thanks all for this month.
73
Joe - N7JEH
September 14, 2009 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for August 2009 -
Hope you have been enjoying summer which is almost gone. Thankfully fire season has not brought any large scale fires to our state this year. Once again I would like to welcome Greg Barker, K7CWL, our Elko County EC to a new position of DEC for the NE District, who has hit the ground running which now gives outgoing DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH more time to devote to being SM. A conference call will be conducted on Saturday September 12 with SM, SEC and DEC s regarding planning on the hospital communications plan. More as things develop. With Swine Flu on everyone's mind, we will be providing backup communications once again this year for the Health Department's PODs whereby public vaccinations will be administered. They welcome us since some of their primary communication methods have been known to fail, so we look forward to serving them if the need arises. This should begin to take place in October.
New EMCOMMWEST 2010 staff is off to a great start, and the next planning meeting is due on Saturday September 12 at the REOC in Reno, headed by Executive Chair Dick Flanagan, K7VC. If you can help with next year s convention, please contact Dick right away as there is a lot to do prior to the convention. The new venue coming this year will be the Grand Sierra Resort Hotel.
Don't forget to join us for the section ARES Net on Saturday mornings at 0800 on 3.965 HF as well as the statewide IRLP/Echolink Channel 8 (9258) ARES/RACES net on Thursday nights at 1900. We could also use more NCS operators for this net, and if you would like to volunteer, please contact me. That s it for now. 73 Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada SEC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT - DEC Glenn Hale, KB7REO is taking a leave of absence this month due to his move. Hopefully he and his family will be happy and comfortable in their new digs. By the time you read this he should already have amateur capabilities, since I know he will be anxious to get back on the air. In the meantime, I am collecting and compiling the EC reports from the southern District. I am also looking forward to being in Clark County for the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting on Saturday October 24 and hope for some good quality time with everyone. 73 Don Carlson, KQ6FM sitting in for Glenn Hale, KB7REO.
CLARK COUNTY REPORT from EC, Billy Smith W4HMV. Comments: Vern Grman, K0EGA attended a 2-day National Level Exercise planning conference and a full scale exercise planning workshop for the City of N. Las Vegas. Vern, along with Bill Smith, W4HMV, attended a 1/5 day Southern Nevada Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan Group. Bill also attended a Clark County LEPC meeting and a Las Vegas Urban Area Communications Steering Committee meeting.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - Paul Beavers, NG1Q, DEC - Comments from Sheila, KA7AJQ (Douglas/Carson City/Alpine county EC): Our DCART members and guests logged 181.5 hours to DCART nets, a meeting with Scott Donovan, KB1EEA, presenting packet, other packet training, a high level ICS class by one member, 911 dispatch station technical efforts, web site maintenance and DCART admin time.
DCART member, Dick Young, KD7JMR, attended a high level ICS course offered by our Fire/Emergency Management officers at Fire Station #12. It was quite an opportunity. Here are his comments:
"ICS 300 (Intermediate) and ICS 400 (Advanced) courses are available through the auspices of Homeland Security and presented by the Nevada State Fire Marshall. Dave Fogerson, the County Emergency Manager and East Fork Deputy Fire Chief, ably assisted by other professionals in their specialty, held the first class in August. The intense five-day course delved, with considerable detail, into the minute workings of the ICS/NIMS systems.
Amateur radio operators, enthusiastic about serving their communities during emergencies, will find the course serving a twofold purpose. The course offers definitive details of the ICS system under which a radio operator will be working, thus allowing for rapid and sure understanding of the role of operator service. An important point is that participation will emphasize to the other participants (fire and law supervisors and emergency managers) the service of amateur radio operators and the ability to pass traffic of a health and welfare nature, relieving vital frequencies for the necessity of serving the emergency. Amateur Radio s ability to offer interoperability will not be lost on the Emergency Managers."
Dick, KD7JMR, elaborated on his experience and training during our Monday night net and we discussed some important points. We are recommending that our DCART members download ICS form 214 (Unit Log) and ICS 213 (Message Form). Have copies with you for all events and incidents so that you can keep formal documentation. (The ICS 213 actual forms are in triplicate.)
Don, W3DRM, has placed the ICS forms we use on our DCART website. He has also updated our net preamble and keeps our membership lists up to date. One can download an application for DCART there as well. DCART webpage is: http://dcart.carsonvalleyweather.com/
Dale Yanz, KJ6IX, and Dick Creley, KJ7UK, have really immersed themselves into the packet radio scene and have spent many hours learning and trying. Dale Anderson, KV7S has installed and programmed one of our new dual band UHF/VHF radios at our 911 Dispatch ham position. The other new radio will go into the Mobile Command Post unit, known as Unit 900. The old VHF will probably go into Unit 900 as a packet station.
Sierra Surgery Hospital in Carson City has several newly licensed hams who are interested in emergency communications. We certainly welcome them and invite them to participate in the emergency communications planning and training with us. Carson Amateur Radio emergency communications operators would want to think about registering with local government (Carson Fire Department/Emergency Management), have training with the ICS system and complete other government paper and training requirements. Even if that doesn't work out yet, the networking, training and organization within the group or facility will be great.
Comments from Bob, WA6MTY (Washoe county EC): August 8th, we put on a One Day Ham Cram at the Regional EOC, with 21 new hams passing! August 14th attended Inter Hospital Coordinating Council meeting. August 19th, attended the tabletop exercise (TTX) Mass Fatality regional exercise in preparation for the November 17th Functional/Full-Scale at Incline Village, Operation Deadly Hazard.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT Greg Barker, K7CWL - DEC - We're keeping it simple in Northeastern Nevada. ARES activities have generally consisted of Wed. night ARES net check-ins. Activity and participation in the net starting to increase with as we move from summer to fall. Preparations are being made to conduct a Northeast District SET which will likely focus on Elko County at this point. I do not anticipate that we will formally participate with the statewide SET, as we wish to focus on special local needs. K7CWL, NE Dist DEC will be presenting a class on Basic Message Handling as per ARRL Message Format. NE Nevada ARES automated phone dialing system will be tested to send out reminders of the class to all ARES members. There have been no LEPC meetings for a few months but will be attending the Elko Co LEPC meeting in September. Greg Barker, K7CWL, NE Dist DEC and Joe Giraudo, Nevada SM and local ARES member, met with local leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to discuss Amateur Radio as a resource as it relates to the church's emergency preparedness efforts with their members. A follow up meeting will take place on Sept.20th to follow up and plan a presentation on amateur radio to interested individuals. Plans are being made to participate in a conference call with the SM and all district DECs and other key players in the hospital emergency comms project. K7CWL continues to work with the local hospital to move this project forward. Efforts are still underway to recruit many of the newly licensed hams in the area.
Eureka Co - No EC. Two interested in getting their Tech lic.
Lander Co - No EC. Planning to meet with two licensed hams in county.
White Pine Co - No EC.
Possible trip to Ely in the next month or so coordinated with a business trip. Will attempt to meet with some of the hams in that area. - de Greg Barker, NE Dist DEC.
August 31, 2009 - Comstock Memorial Station -
For the last 12 years, a small group of hams has been building a
World-Class ham radio station at my home in Virginia City Highlands.
We are avid contesters and antenna experimenters.
Over the last year, we have been attempting to recruit new blood into Ham Radio and into Contesting. To that end, we are announcing the re-branding of the operation to the Comstock Memorial Station and we are actively seeking new talent. The station is dedicated to several dear friends who are now Silent Keys. Among them are former members of our operating teams including N5JJ, K5LZO, I2UIY and K7AO. Our charter is to invite new operators into our hobby and to mentor those who want to improve their operating skills and knowledge of building antennas and stations. We are specifically looking for:
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Check out some photos at http://k5rc.cc
73,
Tom Taormina, K5RC
Virginia City NV
Home of W7RN and K7RC
http://k5rc.cc
August 17, 2009 - Swap Meet in Minden, Nevada on September 19th 2009 -
N7RCA is having his annual swap at his ranch in Minden NV.
Everyone is invited, bring lots of stuff. For more info and directions go to
www.bta5f.org
Thanks
Brad Hollander N7RCA
August 15, 2009 - HR-2160 -
Time is drawing near - We need your support on this very important
bill. Pass this to all members of your clubs, hams that are not ARRL
members, but have a strong interest in the well being of our hobby.
The text of the bill (in PDF format) can be read at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf
How you can help is described at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/05/12/10818
(tnx to Carl WU6D, Orange Section Manager and Bill K6ACJ, ACC/ORG for this - w)
August 14, 2009 - Reno QRP Club news -
Steve NU7T reports:
Fellow Radiators: CONGRATULATIONS ! to Dave, KF7BNO, for passing his General Exam.
BIG HELLO from Mickey, N4QDA, who has been unable to attend functions.
LUNCH: Monday, August 17, 11:30 am , La Fuente Restaurant, 790 Baring Bl, Sparks. Bring your show n tell. Recently, Dave, KF7BNO, showed us his Ham Key with the matching HK-1 electronic keyer; Swede's Amateur Radio Handbook from 1962 made for interesting reading; Dave, N7GNV, passed around a 1915 Clapp-Eastman crystal receiver; Bruce, W7JPP, talked about the Elecraft Signal Generator (mini module) kit he built which fit in his shirt pocket.
WEB SITE: Van, W7IEX, our co-web master, announced since Field Day, the hits on our web site have more than tripled to an average of 230 per day !!! Our web site features "Meet the Members". Please send Ed or me a mug shot and brief biography so that you, too, may be included.
(thanks Steve! - w)
August 11, 2009 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for July 2009 -
July was busy for some, and quiet for others.
As you will read, we would like to welcome Greg Barker, K7CWL, our Elko County EC to a new position of DEC for the NE District, who files his first report this month. Greg has done an outstanding job for our section, and we know that he will shine in his new additional assignment as well.
Planning will continue full throttle toward getting the hospital network on board statewide as distribution of equipment will be forthcoming. We are going to need to develop a plan for implementation of this network using various means for communications. Also this fall we will be providing support for the state Health Department as they plan mass POD of flu shots. This will be a nationwide effort as we understand it, and they would like amateur radio to be in the thick of it. There will be a dress rehearsal on October 18 which may serve some areas as an SET this year.
New EMCOMMWEST 2010 board and staff in place and planning has already begun toward next year's convention in Reno, with some very talented people stepping up to help chair various departments. EMCOMMWEST planning meetings will be held on the first Saturday of each month at the REOC in Reno. The new venue coming this year will be the Grand Sierra Resort which will be another huge step up for us. More as it develops.
Finally, I am sad to report that July saw us lose a great ham, known and loved by many throughout the western US. Margaret Ruckman, KE7AWA became an SK as a result of a tragic traffic accident. Her husband Jack Ruckman, AC6FU is recuperating at Renown Medical Center in Reno and will undergo some major rehabilitation due to his extensive injuries. The Ruckmans were owners and operators of Books Etc. who was a major vendor at Pacificon, Emcommwest and a host of other conventions around the west. A memorial fund has been set up in Margaret's name at Wells Fargo Bank, and more information will be forthcoming. Please continue to keep Jack and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
73 Don Carlson, KQ6FM
Nevada SEC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT- DEC Glenn KB7REO - This past month Joe N7JEH and I attended the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting. Vern K0EGA hosted the meeting on behalf of Bill W4HMV, EC who was out of town. The meeting was well attended, with Vern presenting several up coming exercises, discussion of Hospital equipment proposals including the routine AEC summary reports. During the month I was emailing with northern NV District EC, Bob WA6MTY regarding the NHA grant approval and what it meant for ARES here in South District. We concluded that several unresolved issues needed to be addressed on how best to link the State's hospitals using packet/Winlink.
Clark County Report by Bill W4HMV, EC - Vern Garman, K0EGA, attended a meeting of the Nevada Communications Steering Committee and an initial planning meeting for a fall exercise to be conducted in North Las Vegas. Five ARES members, K0EGA, KE7EGO, N7ZEV, KC7IIT & W7EB, participated in a mobile incident command post "rodeo" exercise to demonstrate amateur radio capabilities and to examine and evaluate the capability of each mobile ICP unit to utilize amateur radio communications. Several such units did have amateur radio transceivers installed and operational.
Southern Nye Co. Report by Jerry KC6ILH, EC - July has come and gone with a high light of attending a meeting at Clark County ARES with Joe in attendance. Always a pleasure filling him in on the latest from our area. Sorry to say that we have had a rather slow period. Hot dry weather making this a good time to keep an eye out for fires. See you all next month.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - DEC Paul Beavers NG1Q, DEC -
Pershing County - EC, Ed Maynard, KE7QHM - Met with Humboldt County ARES in Winnemucca and participated in Packet radio presentation with Otto Tune KV7J from Carson city. Helped with Ham Cram in Winnemucca. 5 Techs and 1 Extra were successful.
Churchill County - EC Paul Willcoxon, KE7CRZ - We have been busy in July. After our monthly meeting July 18, we went to Winnemucca to attend the Humboldt County ARES meeting and talk about packet. Great meeting there and Ski has a great group. Hope to get packet connected very soon. We have made arrangements to have a Ham Cram for the hospital workers here in Churchill County. This will be for the hospital packet project that I hope takes place soon. Emergency Manager, Mike Fithian at Banner Churchill Hospital, has graciously offered the meeting room at the hospital for the Ham Cram. At this point we are just waiting for State Health to contact the Hospitals for the names of the folks who will be taking the test and arrange a suitable schedule for testing. As far as the September 11th air show at NAS Fallon, we will activate the group if the Churchill County EOC activates. If they do not activate the EOC, we will operate at the County EOC and the radio room at NAS Fallon for the event. I have been in contact with the Emergency Manager at the base regarding what they may require. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, August 15th at 10 AM Round Table Pizza in Fallon. This meeting will be devoted to message traffic handling only.
Humboldt County ARES - EC S.M. Ski Woytowicz AF7NB - July was another busy month for Humboldt County ARES. Our July meeting had several keynote celebrity hams visiting us and sharing their knowledge of packet systems and Winlink 2000. Otto Tune (KV7J) from the Nevada DEM (also Nevada State Mars Director Navy MARS) and Paul Willcoxon (KE7CRZ), Churchill County EC, explained the packet network currently under construction from Carson City, through Reno, and across Churchill County. The HCARES team was very impressed by their presentation, took good notes, and committed to becoming an extension of that network. Currently AF7NB (Ski) and W7TKO (Pete) have operational packet stations. KE7QHM (Ed) Pershing County EC (and Humboldt ARES member as well) is almost ready with his packet station. AF7NB also has an operational mobile packet station. The HCARES team will certainly be working on getting a packet node established in Winnemucca.
In attendance also and sharing his knowledge of the Winlink 2000 system, was system designer and QST author Rick Muething (KN6KB), at the invitation of W7TKO. Rick provided details on the effectiveness of Winlink 2000 and explained how easy it is to become involved. Rick and Otto also discussed the merits and applications of each of the systems. A discussion of various TNC's followed.
KWNA station owner Fred Weinberg was in attendance at the meeting as well. Fred has offered Humboldt County ARES a home in the KWNA studios in downtown Winnemucca. He will be providing us with a much needed home and base of operations as Humboldt County currently has no EOC. Fred also offered us space on his soon-to-be constructed new radio tower, that we might hang some repeater antennas from. We thanked Fred profusely for his generous offer.
Later in July our HCARES VE Team led by AEC Don Hogg (KE7VNW) held a ham CRAM and exam at the Winnemucca ambulance barn. Serving on Don's team were Charlie (KE7VNX), Dave (KF7CGO), Dick (KD7MIO), Pat (N6ZEM), and Ed (KE7QHM). The team delivered four new hams to Humboldt County, Steve Kontny (KF7EAE), Kim Petersen (KF7EAF), Lane Fortin (KF7EAG), and Jim Moore (callsign has not posted yet as of 31 JUL 2009). We welcome the new Technicians aboard. All four of the new hams are members of the Humboldt County SAR Team. Jim Moore has already signed on with us in Humboldt ARES. Our own Net Manager and AEC, Pete (W7TKO), upgraded at this session to Amateur Extra Class and we heartily congratulate him also on his accomplishment.
It is with great pleasure that I report that Humboldt County ARES (HCARES) was recently approved and designated Humboldt County RACES under the auspices and direction of the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office. This was an almost two year struggle to establish RACES in this county. We sincerely thank Sheriff Ed Kilgore for his unwavering support of this cause and look forward to supporting him in any need that he might designate.
Humboldt County ARES-RACES has been invited to a functional radio field test to be held on August 7. This test will be conducted from former Humboldt SAR find locations to determine the optimum mode for radio operations supporting the SAR team. As this is a work day for most of our team and not a real emergency, we will provide as much support as possible (employers permitting). If this were an actual emergency, the whole team could be turned out for disaster support. Later in August, Humboldt ARES-RACES has been invited to be participants in a live emergency field drill that will be countywide. This drill will simulate an extreme crisis (TBA) and provide real-time and life-like conditions that one might face in the any of multiple scenarios (which will be released as the event unfolds). This realistic drill is to identify weak spots in the county emergency system, plan execution, and test interagency interoperability.
The August HCARES meeting will be held on 15 August 2009 (1300 hours) at Las Margaritas Restaurant on Winnemucca Blvd in Winnemucca. We will be discussing the upcoming countywide drill at the end of August and the upcoming Tri-County Fair (held over Labor Day weekend).
Washoe County - EC Bob Miller, WA6MTY - On June 7, I attended the Nevada Communications Steering Committee (NCSC) meeting. Angela Krutzinger has not yet begun distributing the Amateur Radio equipment for all of Nevada's hospitals and clinics. As director of Hospital Preparedness, her job is to develop redundant interoperable communications for all heath care member organizations that belong to the Nevada Hospital Association. Because she realizes that during an emergency non-hospital staff ARES teams may not be available, she has required the hospitals to allow a minimum of two of their employees to become licensed Amateur Radio Operators. This will help us to build our ARES teams.
At our monthly ARES training meeting July 11, our guest speaker was Dan Mackie of WC Health District who gave a presentation on ARES participation with the Point of Dispensing (POD) exercise and the real thing (dispensing anti Swine Flu vaccine) coming up this fall and winter. Andy, KD7ZEV, is working with Sierra Nevada Community Access Television SNCAT, to put our training videos on a streaming video web site for review by everyone.
On July 18, Chris Smith KC7PZS, Emergency Manager of WC School District and Chris Magenheimer of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Department delivered an ICS workshop covering FEMA training courses IS100, 200, 700 and 800. July 2, I attended the Northern Nevada VOAD meeting, chaired by Michael Hurick KA6MHB Emergency Services Director for the Northern Nevada Red Cross. Mark your calendars on Nov 18, 2009 there will be a Functional Mass Fatality Exercise at REOC.
Douglas County/ Carson City - EC Sheila Clement, KA7AJQ - Our DCART members put in many hours to help staff and support emergency communications for the Death Ride , also known as Tour of the California Alps, on July 11. The Alpine County Chamber of Commerce sponsors this bicycle event that involves riding the five mountain passes and some 3,000 cyclists. The Tahoe Amateur Radio Association (TARA) was the major ham emergency communications coordinating organization, with Dick Young, KD7JMR, tasked with the overall organization for the hams. Dick and other TARA members are also part of our DCART organization so this event enjoys the support of many area hams. Other TARA members provided many other hours of support and planning. The Death Ride event provides DCART and area hams an opportunity to know this Alpine County mountainous terrain and to know which repeaters work best for a particular location. The 146.655 (pl. 131.8) repeater was designated our primary as it has the widest and most dependable coverage throughout the county. We planned the 147.330 (pl 123) as our alternate choice. Then we chose a simplex frequency as the third back up communications choice. By the way, our Douglas County 911 Dispatch ham radio center can also easily use the 146.655 repeater. Dick, KD7JMR, placed a ham radio and operator right with the Alpine County Dispatcher located in Markleeville, CA. This gave Chris, the Dispatcher, the direct opportunity to monitor the need for emergency dispatches, thus coordinating medical, fire, law enforcement responses. The overview also included monitoring the medical helicopter positions as there were also fire helicopter resources based in Markleeville. The lucky hams to be based there at the Alpine Dispatch center were Tom, KE7NCJ and I, Sheila, KA7AJQ.
Also in July, Roger, NV7RA and Jan, K7JEA, Arthur, organized an emergency communications stand by net for a two day event for fly fishing for cancer survivors at the Pleasant Valley Fishing Preserve near Markleeville in Alpine County. They and others, including some DCART members, monitored the 147.330 repeater to listen for emergency medical needs as cell phone service is not available in many parts of Alpine County.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT - DEC Greg Barker, K7CWL -
Elko County - Greg Barker, K7CWL EC - First, Jim Moore has a new call sign, which now makes him KF7EBI.
Eureka County - No EC Yet - Greg Barker, K7CWL Northeast Dist DEC and Elko County EC continues to work with Eureka County LEPC and the Eureka Medical Clinic to try and foster some further interest in Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Active recruiting continues in Eureka County with focus on Eureka and Diamond Valley. Work also continues on "re-activation" of the only licensed amateur know to live in Eureka currently.
Lander County - No EC Yet but will be working with Nevada SEC and Nevada Section Manager to recommend EC from those who currently reside and are active there. Would like to open a dialogue with the Hospital in Battle Mountain to discuss thier involvement and interest in the statewide hospital inter-opperability project.
White Pine County - No EC yet. Goal would be to get over to Ely and meet with some of the local Hams and see what interest there may be locally. We have already established some contact of the owner of several of the repeaters, for thier use and access during emergency and to be added to the state plan for inter-operable communications. Would also like to open a dialogue with William B. Rirey Hospital about the possibility of participating in the statewide hospital inter-opperability program.
July 18, 2009 - RACES Recognized in Humbolt County - "Ski" Woytowicz, AF7NB, ARES EC for Humbolt county
reports that the county authorities have recognized Humbolt ARES as Humbolt county RACES. It took some time to get this
accomplished. Great work Ski!
July 14, 2009 - Nevada Section news for June 2009 -
The month of June flew by. Section-wide, we had 14 Field Day sites which
posted to the ARRL Field Day Locator at www.arrl.org. Unfortunately one had
to back out at the last minute. Previously we have been lucky to field 4 or
5 sites. I believe that the new amateurs entering the already established
ranks are bringing with them a new enthusiasm for the radio art. Joe
Giraudo, Nevada's Section Manager visited with ARES teams from Humboldt and
Pershing Counties this month. Radio infrastructure in the remote areas of
these counties as well as Field Day operations were discussed. We also
talked about the upcoming Statewide Hospital Interoperability Communication
Plan and how the rural hospitals can join in to be connected to the
metropolitan areas for support should the need arrise. The vhf Packet
network is getting close to being able to reach the Pershing County facility,
but Humboldt County's hospital is yet another 80 miles to the east. The
Section Manager is planning to meet in Las Vegas with the Clark County
ARES/RACES membership as well as some members of the South Nye County ARES.
He has also reached out to the ARRL affiliated clubs in the area to determine
if they wish to meet while he is there. More on this trip in next month's
summary.
NTS activity remains steady. The Section Manager is using the system for administrative communications so don't be surprized if you get a message. We are always looking for NTS volunteers all over the State and you don't have the be a top CW op to play. There are voice and digital nets which tie into the system. Go to the Nevada Section website at www.arrl.org for more information.
73 for now!
Joe - N7JEH
July 11, 2009 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for June 2009 -
June was a busy month for most, as you will read. Field Day operations were spectacular in the Nevada section this year with about 13 station sites in operation, which I think may be a record! I had the chance to visit the Reno QRP Club s W7FST operation which was running 3A class. It was great to see such a good turnout. The highlight for me (besides a great burger cooked by Gary Grant, K7VY) was a gentleman and his daughter Haylie who was about 10 years old. She was given the chance to operate the voice station on 20m. Of course she made a contact in Alberta, Canada which made us all cheer as she handled it like a pro. Both Haylie and her dad plan to get their licenses soon and have been studying hard, so we wish them both the best and look forward to having them join our ham radio community. THIS is what Field Day is all about, so a tip of the hat to the Reno QRP Club. They also got some media attention as KRNV Channel 4 here in Reno came out to cover the event. You can also check out some great pictures of the event if you log on to
http://www.renoqrp.org/fd2009/fieldday2009.html
Also of note is the W7LKO station run by the Elko Amateur Radio Club who were loaded for bear with all the big guns out and loaded. Nice job guys, we look forward to hearing how you did. 73 de Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT - DEC Glenn Hale KB7REO - I went to Field Day where LVRAC was operating K7V. I operated 20M phone where I added to a few contacts. We did send a NTS message to Don KQ6FM via the Western reflector IRLP node 9258. I was in Tonopah for a few days last month where we had some nearby thunderstorms. The weather wasn t severe so no SKYWARN net was called, but it did prevent me from checking into the State HF net.
Clark County Report by Bill W4HMV, EC - I attended an ICP Rodeo Exercise planning meeting, a TTX at McCarran Airport and a training session on how to use Bendix-King HTs (used by NV Dept of Forestry). Vern, K0EGA, and Jay, KE7EGO, met with Lt. Mattoon of the Henderson PD to assist him in selecting amateur radio equipment for installation in their mobile command post. Vern also attended LEPC, NCSC and VOAD meetings in June.
Southern Nye Co. Report by Jerry KC6ILH, EC - Nice Slow month, except for Field Day being the high light of it all. Had a chance to check out our radios at the EOC. Had two HF radios tested and two in the mobile EOC, Two radios went south, one in the trailer and one in the EOC. Still did a lot of training with operators that had never worked HF nor any type of HF radio and that is what it all is about, beside the fun of staying awake 24 hours. Hope all of you had an enjoyable Field Day. Summer is now upon us and we all know what that means.
Lincoln Co. Report by Lee K7NKH, EC - Five members participated in field day from the Panaca Fire Dept. EOC. One member put in the majority of the time during the contest period.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - DEC Paul Beavers, NG1Q - , The combination of Field Day and an increasing wave of public service events made for a lively June throughout the Northwest Nevada District.
Churchill County EC Paul Willcoxon, KE7CRZ: Rich Giebitz-KE6QK and I were able to get more work completed on the Lahontan Towers ARES site. We now have the entire system at Lahontan operational on 24 volt battery power being maintained with a 24 volt charging system. The node, RMS computer, RMS/node radio as well as the 145.350 back up repeater are all operational on this system. Should commercial power fail, the site will remain operational for at least a week due to the battery capacity even if the generator should fail. We currently have a Kenwood repeater operational at the site for the 135.350 back up and it is in testing. The Kenwood repeater will soon be deployed to Fairview Peak to replace the GE repeater there and the Vertex will then be used for the back up. We had a great meeting at the Churchill County EOC on June 20th. We were able to get more of our members some keyboard time on the BBS and the Winlink RMS. At the EOC there was a separate computer installed with Outpost and that will send directly to the BBS computer. This allows EOC personnel to type the message they want and forward it to us at the BBS for packet or Winlink transmission. I plan on a training session with the Emergency Manager and other key individuals on the new Outpost system. I have the Motorola MaxTrac radio programmed for the NAS Fallon packet system at our radio room there. That system should be operational soon. As a reminder, our node KE6QK-4 (KSPZ) is operational 24/7 as is the Winlink RMS (FLXRMS) as well as the BBS, KE7CRZ-3 at the Churchill County EOC. They operate on 145.050 and are available to anyone who wishes to use them. Feel free to check in and play packet! Our next meeting will be on Saturday, July 18th at 9 AM in the Churchill County EOC. This will be another packet/Winlink training session. We are having our meeting one hour earlier and after the meeting plan to travel to Winnemucca and meet with Ski-AF7NB at 1 PM for a discussion of packet and linking. There are several possibilities for linking from Winnemucca and we may do some site testing while we are there. We are working to get everyone linked up with packet and have done some terrain mapping of sites to assist in accomplishing the links.
Douglas County/Carson City EC Sheila Clement, KA7AJQ: June was a busy month for DCART members and area hams with all the events. On June 15, 2009, DCART members held an exercise. We located ourselves at our 911 Dispatch center, some volunteer fire stations, and some residences to exercise our frequency plan coverage, including the 146.655 repeater that has good coverage in Alpine County. DCART members helped provide ham radio emergency communications contact for the Alta Alpina bicycle organization for their Alpine County ride over 8 passes on June 13th. Dick Creley, KJ7UK, Ed Goldberg, KE7EAA, and Scott Donovan, KB1EEA staffed our 911 Dispatch Center ham station to receive potential emergency communications from the ride remote locations where the 911 system could not cover. Our 911 Manager, Ron Sagen, had requested this extra coverage because this weekend was our local Carson Valley Days and these co-events held the potential for major incidents. Paul Gulbro, WA6EWV, provided extensive planning and coverage for the Alta Alpina group by staffing the Turtle Rock base station that day and working with the new ham bicycle group members. His planning and organizing support not only provided our 911 Dispatch Center valuable event resources but also extensive experience for Alpine area coverage for any future real incidents. Other events included the annual Pony Express ReRide, the AMBER bike ride and Field Day. Many area hams supported these events, including DCART members. And the planning for the annual Tour of the California Alps or Death Ride as it is known continues for the July 11th event. This planning and organization also provides the group with ham radio emergency communication as well as familiarizes area hams with logistics for this Alpine County Ride in case of real future incidents. Dick Young, KD7JMR, is organizing this support on behalf of Tahoe Amateur Radio Association.
Washoe County EC, Bob Miller, WA6MTY: JUNE ARES TRAINING. Our guest Speaker Jessica Muehlberg gave a presentation on the History of Earthquakes in Nevada showing that we are definitely due for a big one. Not a matter of if but when. Attended the Inter Hospital Coordinating Council where the only thing affecting ARES is that we discussed the plans for a hospital evacuation exercise. Attended the first planning meeting for the Washoe County Health Department Point of Dispensing exercise in October. There will be two POD s, a walk in and a drive through. We will need at least 10 or more operators at each location. I will have more information after the July 9th meeting.
Humboldt County EC, S.M. "Ski" Woytowicz, AF7NB: The month of June 2009 was certainly a whirlwind one for the Humboldt County ARES group. Our focus was on Field Day and we had conducted many tests from various sites to ensure solid communication links. This was the smoke test for operations at multiple locations and the team, even though dispersed thinly, performed well. Stations were operated from McDermitt NV (KF7CGN), the Bloody Runs (in the mountains between McDermitt & Winnemucca) (KD7MIO), at River Park in Winnemucca (N6ZEM), and at the ex-USAF radio site in Unionville (Pershing County) NV (W7TKO). Many thanks go to Mary Baird KF7CGN & Ski Woytowicz AF7NB for staffing McDermitt, Dick Weisgerber KD7MIO for the cross-band mobile repeater at the Bloody Runs, Pat Henigin N6ZEM, Dave Roden KF7CGO, and Charlie Stempeck KF7VNX at River Park in Winnemucca, and Pete Johnsen W7TKO with Ed Maynard KE7QHM (Pershing County EC) at the Unionville site. Solid communications were established between the two counties, as anticipated, both on VHF/UHF and on HF. Contacts were throughout the US and Canada. The McDermitt station was also a GOTA station. Approximately 12 visitors stopped by to investigate ham radio. The McDermitt station, as mentioned in previous reports, is an ARRL grant supported station, run by McDermitt High School. On a related note, Mary Baird KF7CGN and Cindy Sherburn KF7CGJ recently finished their radio training through the ARRL Teachers Institute in June and will be incorporating radio and electronics education into the combined school curriculum this fall. Jim Moore from the Humboldt County SAR group tagged along at McDermitt for Field Day and saw firsthand the value of ham radio to the county and the reach that HCARES can provide. Jim was so impressed that he immediately joined ARES and began studying for his license. Judging from his practice exams, he will breeze through Technician and likely pass General at the first sitting. We know we will see him at next month s ham KRAM and exam (25 July 2009 @ 0800 hours) at the Winnemucca Ambulance Barn (1000 Mizpah St) in Winnemucca. Dave Roden KF7CGO, was the first from the Humboldt SAR group to accomplish the same thing that Jim is doing now. We are grateful to have them aboard. Ski, AF7NB, was invited to discuss amateur radio operations once more on live radio at the KWNA (AM 1400) studios before Field Day. Thanks again to Rodd Stowall at KWNA for his continued support of HCARES and EMCOMM. After the radio broadcast, the station owner of KWNA offered to host a HCARES station in the KWNA building. Stay tuned for additional information. KWNA and HCARES will also be meeting with federal DHS representatives next month to discuss communications plans and contingencies. Pete, W7TKO, and Ed Maynard KE7QHM, get stars for innovation in the field at Unionville. They had almost all of the creature comforts of home there and greeted ranchers passing through, stopping by to check-out the radio activity. The guys had a aluminum pushup mast with a G5RV attached and were a full service operation on VHF/UHF and HF. Normally all they see there are cows. Pat, N6ZEM, launched an Alpha Delta DXCC at River Park. Charlie, KE7VNX, supplied a Buddipole there. Dave KF7CGO provided the much needed muscle and coordination. Unfortunately the HF transceiver (Icom 720A) bit the dust after operations were launched. Communications were still there though. Congratulations to Charlie on his new IC-7000 addition to his station. Dick KD7MIO and Ski AF7NB investigated another ex-USAF site along HWY140 going toward Denio as a possible repeater site. Good communications were accomplished between the site, Winnemucca Mountain, and Battle Mountain. We also believe that it would be an effective link between McDermitt and Winnemucca also. Dee Holzel of the Internet online news service, the Silver Pinyon Journal, has posted an article on the web. You can read it and see some of the Winnemucca operations at http://silverpinyon.homestead.com/SPJFeatures.html . In July, the Humboldt County Commissioners are to consider HCARES as grandfathered-in as the first Humboldt County RACES organization. This has been a 2 year struggle to gain some traction. It is hoped that the Field Day event demonstrated our capabilities. The Humboldt County SAR group has already invited HCARES to conduct a joint field exercise to test communications from some of their previous SAR find locations to determine communications modes and reach. The July HCARES meeting will be held on 18 July 2009 (1300 hours) at Las Margaritas restaurant on Winnemucca Blvd in Winnemucca. We have as invited guests, Don Carlson KQ6FM (SEC), Paul Beavers NG1Q (DEC), Paul Wilcoxon KE7CRZ (Churchill County EC), and Otto Tune KV7J (NV DEM). Paul and Otto will be giving our group an introduction to packet radio presentation/discussion. Some of our HCARES members have single HF/VHF data stations running at the moment. This presentation, we believe, will inspire more participation in the data side of the radio art. It is our desire to link Humboldt and Pershing counties to the fine network already established by Paul KE7CRZ in Churchill County and with Otto KV7J in Carson City.
Pershing County EC, Ed Maynard, KE7QHM: We went Ft McDermitt school and finished radio station. Went to SNARS and WC ARES meetings in Reno. Met with Humbolt CO ARES for Field Day prep. Had Field Day with Humbolt CO. at four locations. We used VHF/UHF & HF.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT - DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH - Activity in Elko County in July consisted of preparations for Field Day, which was a successful event. Sevearal Elko Co. operators set up a 3D operation with a GOTA station on 40 meters, SSB oon 20 meters and another station for CW. All equipement was on solar power. A big thanks to all that made it happen, W7GK, KC7YNS, K7PRT, KE7HTY, WA7BWF, NV7X and several others I've likely missed. Another big thanks to the Chef Bill Hance, NV7X for a great meal of hot dogs and steaks. Charles Pratt, K7PRT provided an excellent educational componet to Field Day which included a display of small models representing various kinds of antennas with written explanation of each. Greg Barker, K7CWL provided a public relations table with brocures and books and ARRL/ARES membership applications. Field Day was set up overlooking the beautiful Spring Creek Marina. ARRL message format was also practiced and a formal message set to our Nevada Section Manager during Field Day. The event was visited by multiple visiors, several as representatives from served agencies. Greg Barker, K7CWL continues to work closely with Dennis Moore, Director of Safety and Facilities at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital on the Hospital Interoperabile Communications Project. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the new CEO of the hospital after several meeting. Preparations on the room/space that the hospital has offered continues. Dennis has been in touch with the state coordinators of this project with hopes of moving it forward. Apparently futher grant money is being sought to cover some additional unforseen costs. We have not as of yet received the equipment. Several new hams have received thier tickets in June with the help of both the Elko County Ham Operators group and Y5I testing group and the Elko Amateur Radio Club's VE testing efforts. Congratulations to everyone's missionary work and recruiting. Solid growth continues in Northeastern nevada because of the efforts of many. Phil Cheetey, WB7BTS reports their efforts with the ECHO group continue to center around getting radios on mountain tops and expansion of thier linked system. He will offer more details later. Greg Barker, K7CWL and Joe Giraudo, N7JEH remain active members of the Elko LEPC. No activity in June. Kent Lebart, K6IN, EARC President also was asked to serve as a liason for the amateur radio to the State Interopperable Communications Task Force in development of Northeastern Districk Policies/Procedures and Emergency Communications Plans. Greg Barker, K7CWL, Elko Co EC is working with K6IN to compile comprehensive list of all amateur repeaters in the Northeastern ARES District available for use to be listed in the State wide and Northeaster Districts Interopperatble Commuications Plan. We're all still having great fun in Northeastern Nevada.
June 23, 2009 - Field Day is Coming! -
The annual ARRL Field Day extravaganza is this coming weekend. There are several ways for your FD
group to get bonus points. One is to copy the ARRL Field Day bulletin and send it in along with
your FD entry. The FD bulletin schedule is available
here (the ARRL HQ website).
Another way to get bonus points is to send a message - in fully serviced NTS format - to either the Section Manager or Section Emergency Coordinator. Here in Nevada section, SM Joe N7JEH and SEC Don KQ6FM will be available most of FD weekend (when they are not sleeping!) at IRLP node 9258. Don will also be available in the Reno area on the Ophir Peak repeater 441.65+ (123.0) - which will also be tied to IRLP 9258.
June 15, 2009 - EMCOMMWEST News -
EMCOMMWEST, Inc. has a new Board of Directors.
June 15, 2009 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for May 2009 -
May was an exciting month, as the Nevada Section was host to the Pacific Division Convention, enjoining Emcommwest with Pacificon. Our staff team put on what has been termed as a class act! As I write this, the final figures are being tallied, but I do know we had about 700 in attendance, bringing hams together in Reno from all over the country. This was the first time that we had all 7 sections represented by their SMs along with Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, Vice Director Andy Oppel, K6AJO among others. Steve Ewald, WV1B came from the League in Newington, and our banquet speaker, Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH received a warm welcome by nearly 250 in attendance. He also has expressed his thanks to all who made his stay so enjoyable, and he hopes to come back and visit us again one day. Many nice prizes were given away during the raffles, and our vendor hall was nearly full of gear hunters every time I looked in on it.
We were able to hold a NV Section staff meeting which was attended by all DECs and many of our ECs as we began planning on future activities. We have received tons of emails and kudos from far and wide from so many who said that they had a great time in Reno at the convention. Our afteraction meeting will be held at the REOC in Reno on Saturday June 13 at 10am. Thank you staff, team members and everyone else who helped out on a job well done. We would especially like to thank speakers, forum presenters and everyone who attended making this truly a year to remember!
I will be attending the Nevada State Communications Interoperability Steering Committee meeting again in June and as I understand it, many Field Day plans are being made around the state. Wishing everyone good luck, and happy hunting at the end of June. 73 de Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT- DEC Glenn Hale, KB7REO- It was a busy month for nearly everyone in the District. After much consideration, I drove up to Reno to attend the EmcommWest conference. As always it was a great opportunity to meet everyone you hear on the nets. The addition of Pacificon brought considerably more attendees, vendors and interesting technical presentations. I particularly found the presentation on Outpost the most interesting as it addressed the new changes to the program. I met briefly with Randy KB7TRI and Dave KE7LC in Tonopah that weekend. Later in the month I met up with Jerry KC6ILH in Pahrump who showed me around their EOC station W7NYE.
Clark County Report by Bill W4HMV, EC - Several ARES/RACES members supported the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on May 2. Vern Garman, K0EGA, and Jay Peskin, KE7EGO, met with a Henderson PD Lieutenant to assist in plans to install a ham radio in the Henderson PD's mobile incident command post. In my absence during May, Vern Garman attended the following meetings, the Nevada Communications Steering Committee, the Urban Area Communication Steering Committee and the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Jeff Green, KC7PK, the AEC for Training conducted a 2.5 hour training session covering the radio installations at the Southern Nevada Health District's EOC and mobile command post. He also conducted a productive tabletop exercise, which involved an earthquake scenario in the Las Vegas valley.
Southern Nye Co. Report by Jerry KC6ILH, EC - Started out at EMCOM where I learned a lot and won a few as well. Even delivered a radio to KB7REO. Held some training on how to set up an LZ for helo's, put on by Mercy Air. Finished up the month doing a food drive. Thought that we might even activate Skywarn, but the whole thing just blew away. Only had a few muddy drops and some wind. Looked impressive however. Had a small lightening strike fire that our local fire department put out. Thought that BLM might have to be called out but the rain took care of it and was handled locally. So keep your batteries charged and be ready to our hot dry summer.
Lincoln Co. Report by Lee K7NKH, EC - I worked as a relay station between Washoe and Clark Co. for the Washoe County Evacuation drill. I also attended EMCOMMWEST.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - Paul Beavers, NG1Q, DEC - Hats off to the many ham volunteers who participated in the May 16 Grizzly Fire evacuation test. Also, special thanks to those outside the Washoe County test area who provided HF tests on 75 meters and 40 meters throughout the Nevada Section. More than 700 residents of southwest Washoe County voluntarily participated in the evacuation test. More details later in this report from Bob Miller, WA6MTY, Washoe County EC, who spearheaded the ARES participation in this important drill.
Paul Willcoxon, KE7CRZ, Churchill County EC : Exciting things are going on in Churchill County. On May 30th, the Winlink RMS was deployed at the Lahontan Towers location. The RMS call sign is KE7CRZ-10 (FLXRMS) and can be accessed thru the KE6QK-4(KSPZ) Node simply by typing RMS. Going thru RNO or YRGTN it can be accessed with KE7CRZ-10 or FLXRMS. This system, as well as the Churchill County EOC BBS, KE7CRZ-3 operate 24/7 on the Standard packet frequency 145.05 MHZ. This system has been developed primarily for ARES/RACES communications; however, it is an open system to everyone. So, feel free to try it out! I have been talking to my contact at Banner Churchill Hospital and have been told the hospital project should be going by the end of summer. This is good news and we will look forward to getting that system operational. Our next regular meeting will be on Saturday June 20th at 10 A.M. The location is TBA but I am hoping to have it at the Churchill County EOC for a packet and Winlink RMS training session.
Sheila Clement, KA7AJQ, Douglas/Carson City EC - Earthquake preparedness has come to our attention again as California and Nevada ARES officials discuss potential joint exercises. Recent studies give us information about Lake Tahoe and Nevada area faults that remind us of the need to renew our efforts to be both personally prepared and radio operation prepared. Our Douglas County area including Lake Tahoe has major faulting and history of resulting earthquakes. Alpine County and north to Washoe County also lie within fault zones. The Nevada Earthquake Safety Council, through Craig dePolo of UNR, has prepared a draft Lessons Learned from the 2008 Wells Earthquake . Our area ARES officials have commented on the role and usefulness of ham Radio. When the draft is finalized we would be glad to forward it to our DCART members and others who would like it. Douglas County Amateur Radio Team discussed team notification and response protocols at our monthly meeting. Our Douglas County 911 Manager, Ron Sagen, has noted that Alpine County has only one dispatcher now so our dispatch for Alpine County coverage has greatly expanded. Our joint planning for the July Death Ride/Tour of the California Alps event with Alpine County officials and event officials will really add to our preparedness for Amateur Radio emergency communications. This will be an opportunity to check communications paths throughout Alpine County and our Douglas County 911 center. Other DCART news includes a reinstallation of packet radio at the 911 Dispatch Center and the system is now on a separate computer which allows a separation from the 911 Dispatch/County system. Our team members still have a lot to learn. And Dick Creley, KJ7UK, Nevada ASEC, and Douglas AEC put in some hours with Washoe for the county evacuation plan exercise for the Galena area southwest of Reno.
Ed Maynard, KE7QHM, Pershing County EC: Went to training at EMCOMM West. Worked on Fort McDermitt School station. Met with ARES group in Humboldt County for Field Day prep. Worked with AF7NB on simplex test between Unionville and my QTH. The test showed that we could link my QTH to Humboldt Co. & Elko.
Bob Miller, WA6MTY, Washoe County EC: MAY ARES training was for everyone to attend EMCOMM WEST. May 5th, attended the Nevada Communications Steering Committee (NCSC) with Don, KQ6FM, where Angela Krutzinger reported that Nevada Hospital Association had begun the process of purchasing the radios for the hospitals. Thanks to all ARES Team Members who participated in the Grizzly Fire evacuation Exercise. Sierra Fire Protection District organized the simulated evacuation exercise along the Mt. Rose corridor. The ARES team consisted of: Ed KB7ZBN, Jib KE7TOS, Jacob KC7WXD, Ken KF6PUL, Arlan, KA7ZAU, who deployed with CERT teams during the simulated evacuation and provided their communications back to Sierra Fire with their status and a count of the number of vehicles that evacuated, while Doug KA7FOO and Ron N7GKI together were roving communications support. Joe WA6RKN, and Rob KI6TRK manned the sign in tables and notified Sierra Fire of the number of people signing in at the Red Cross Shelter at Galena high school area. Don KQ6FM, Paul NG1Q, Gary K7VY ran Net Control from the UNR EOC command vehicle provided by Ed KB7UHM, Emergency Manager of UNR, Ed Fred K7DTU ran the statewide HF tests and Bob WA6MTY coordinated communications support. Chris KC7PZS the Emergency Manager for Washoe County Schools managed the high school shelter. All in all it was a successful, Captain Mark Regan was impressed with our capability. This was a first step in working with Sierra Fire District to help them with communications support in dead zones of their communications during wild fires.
Steve "Ski" Woytowicz, AF7NB, Humboldt County EC: This is a composite report for activities for Humboldt ARES in April & May 2009. To lead off, we held a successful HAM KRAM and exam at McDermitt High School in April. Thirteen candidates were present. Nine candidates became new Technicians. Two of the nine upgraded to General at the same session. Special mention goes to our newest member Dave Roden KF7CGO for taking his Tech & General tests and upgrade to General at McDermitt. Dave is the bank president of US Bank in Winnemucca. He also is a member of the Humboldt County Search & Rescue group, expert in special operations. Dave really stepped up again by becoming a VE in May 2009. Special mention also goes to my AEC for northern Humboldt County, Mary Baird KF7CGN, on taking both exams and her successful jump to General. Mary is also attending the ARRL ETP Teachers Institute in California. This program prepares teachers to integrate radio education into their school curriculum. We have lovingly dubbed Mary General Baird , as she has already organized the first McDermitt High School Radio Club. New members include, Ernestine Coble KF7CGH, Trixie Byron KF7CGI, Lucinda Sherburn KF7CGJ, Hannah Brinkerhoff KF7CGK, Andrew Uphoff KF7CGL, and Luke Brinkerhoff KF7CGM. Go Mary!
A huge congratulations goes to my new AEC for Training & Development, Don Hogg KE7VNW. Don organized the event and guided the team to success. He processed the applications and exams like greased lightning! Everyone was pleased. This was Don's maiden voyage as the VE Team Lead. Outstanding job! Additionally, Don has also recently earned his FCC GROL ticket. For icing on the cake, Don upgraded his own license to Amateur Extra at the McDermitt session. Way-to-go Don!
No team functions without terrific support. Special thanks goes to my primary AEC, Dick Weisgerber KD7MIO for his meticulous work in screening the applications & exams. Dick developed a spreadsheet to speed the process and cut the work time in half. Rounding out the exam squad were Ed Maynard KE7QHM, Pat Henigin N6ZEM, and Ski Woytowicz AF7NB.
A special mention & huge thank you goes to Karen Young KH6QAJ for her bravery and single-handed effort in running the Humboldt ARES booth at the Winnemucca Safety Fair while the ARES VEs went to McDermitt on the same day for the KRAM and exams. All of our other members were busy with family or work. Unfortunately Karen and Michelle Kleider KH6QAI have decided to leave Humboldt ARES at this time. We wish them well and hope they will rejoin us soon. Every group loves getting a go-getter into their organization.
Recently Pete Johnsen W7TKO has joined Humboldt County ARES and has set a new standard for radio Road Runners (remember beep-beep!). Pete has graciously volunteered to be the new AEC for Net Operations (Net Management). Pete has also recently qualified as a VE and has joined USAF MARS. His new MARS call is AFA9PJ. Pete also volunteered to be our #2 web genius behind our Webmaster Pat Henigin N6ZEM. Pat and Pete are our IT tag-team.
The ARRL grant that was provided for McDermitt High School to establish it's radio station is complete. Team lead was Ed Maynard KE7QHM. He did the pre-field and coordination work with the McDermitt High School staff. The staff built and placed the masts and the Humboldt ARES team of Ed KE7QHM, Dick Weisgerber KD7MIO, and Pat Henigin N6ZEM completed the equipment & antenna installation. The school has become radioactive now (pun intended).
Special thanks to Don Carlson KQ6FM (Nevada SEC) for the lead on a repeater from Lon Beal AE7Z. Ski Woytowicz AF7NB (Humboldt County EC) and Ed Maynard KE7QHM (Pershing County EC) went to Reno to receive the machine from Lon. It will be placed at Ed's QTH to enable Pershing County communications as they are really strapped at the moment. This repeater will cover the major population centers for Pershing County. Ski AF7NB working with USAF MARS was able to locate another repeater for Humboldt County. It is currently searching for a home in Humboldt County. My northern AEC, Mary Baird KF7CGN, has investigated a site in Orovada at the television translator site there. With a few more donations and some luck, we will be able to link McDermitt with Winnemucca shortly.
Ski AF7NB, Pete W7TKO, and Ed KE7QHM ran multiple tests on HF and VHF from the abandoned USAF radio site in Unionville NV (on HWY 400). We were able to establish solid communications from the site using mobile gear to the W7LKO machine in Battle Mountain, the WO7I machine in Winnemucca, and FM simplex across the mountains to Humboldt River Ranch (Rye Patch) from that site. AF7NB is investigating a lease or possible purchase of the property for Humboldt County ARES. If accomplished, it will be shared with Pershing County ARES. HF communications were solid from the Pershing County site into Humboldt county using an end-fed Zepp at 20 feet. This site would marry the Humboldt and Pershing County ARES teams and allow for potential offices and training space. Ski AF7NB is also investigating another USAF radio site near Denio for improved services to the ranchers of Humboldt County and support the Humboldt Search & Rescue team for communications in the remote areas. Ski is also looking at a possible site from AT&T.
Last (but not least), I wish to thank my XYL Linda KG6JOF, for handling many phone calls and processing messages for me while I was away at work with AT&T. My job takes me through approximately 70% of Nevada and during phone emergencies, I have to run.
Turning our attention to the data side of the house, we are working feverishly to get onboard with the soundcard modes, IRLP, Winlink, and packet. AF7NB, KE7QHM, Gary Bennett KD7ZJY, and W7TKO have secured equipment to step up. We hope to link soon with Paul Wilcoxon KE7CRZ (Churchill County EC) through his recently installed system. As the repeater locations are turned up, we have seriously considered adding digipeater and IRLP capability to them where the mode can serve the largest constituency.
Some training has been conducted in message handling. We are approaching this slowly as the data modes will certainly increase our efficiency in traffic handling. Our goal is to be able to handle any request on-the-fly. Our member integration with other organizations (i.e. Red Cross, CAP, MARS, County SAR, SHARES etc.) will alleviate the conundrum of MOUs. We want to be able to integrate as many modes as possible or practical to make this happen.
Our next events are going to be Field Day (27 June 2009) and the next HAM KRAM (25 July 2009). The Field Day operations will be conducted at three sites (how about that!). Stations will be operated in McDermitt (at the high school), Winnemucca (at River Park on the Humboldt River), and the old USAF radio site in Unionville. Operations will be conducted on HF, VHF, UHF, and possibly packet or other data mode. We are going to demonstrate the teaming and communications links between Humboldt and Pershing counties. This should serve us well to convince our legislative brethren that we provide a much needed service for multiple communities and customers. We will also be on the lookout for more new hams. News media has been contacted regarding this plan.
The Winnemucca HAM KRAM will be conducted at the Winnemucca Ambulance Barn located at 1000 Mizpah Street (Corner of Mizpah & Pleasant Streets) on 25 July 2009. We already have new candidates and expect a showing of approximately 10 to 15 new ham prospects. Our ham review/exam events have increased the ham population in our county by 40% already. Our goal is to at least double the baseline ham population of 30 this year and possibly triple it by the end of next year. Future events will be the upcoming (not scheduled yet) Humboldt County SAR active emergency drill exercise. AF7NB is a member of the Humboldt County LEPC and is on the planning committee. Our bid to become Humboldt County RACES has been approved by the Humboldt County LEPC and has been sent to the county commissioners via Sheriff Ed Kilgore. They have tabled the item for the last three commissioner meetings. AF7NB has met with Sheriff Kilgore at least three times to cultivate his support and approach this with urgency. The Sheriff agrees, but county politics is an animal that moves with the speed of the Slow-ski s (Comcast commercial). There is more, but I need to save some for the June report. We have been called whirling dervishes because of our zeal for amateur radio here. I prefer the moniker Radio Phoenix because we always take our lumps and still manage to take wing and rise into the radio ether, living to serve another day.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT - Joe Giraudo, N7JEH, DEC - Elko County: Elko ARES activity has consisted of weekly nets on Wednesdays at 7:30. Activity has focused on Field Day Preparations with Dave W7GK taking the lead. Greg Barker, K7CWL is compyling a list of all repeaters in Northeast Nevada to be listed a available for emergency use to be forwarded on as part of the Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan for the state. This has required contacting the owners of these repeaters and linked systems to obtain formal permission to list these. Phill Cheetey, WB7BTS has graciously offered those of his that are part of the Elko County Ham Operator's (ECHO). All repeaters and linked system owned and maintained by Elko Amateur Radio Club will be listed. License testing for Ham Radio continues to be offered by the two groups regularly in Northeastern Nevada. Efforts to recruite new hams and ARES Members continues. A big thanks to all who participate and volunteer ! thier time, talents and resouces. Section HF Net: Propagation continues to suffer between the northern and southern portions of the state. Participation has been steady theough the month. Average participation is 17 members per net session.
June 11, 2009 - Changes in the ARRL Pacific Division -
Andy Oppel, N6AJO has resigned as ARRL Vice Director for the ARRL Pacific Division, citing family and work issues.
Division Director Bob Vallio W6RGG said of Andy,
"Andy served as my Assistant Section Manager during my terms as East Bay
Section Manager. When my very good friend Jim Maxwell, W6CF, passed
away in February of 2003, making me the Pacific Division Director, I
asked Andy to be my Vice Director. He served in both posts very well,
advising me on many issues, and providing me with his insightful
comments. I'll miss having him as my back-up, and I know the other
Board members will miss seeing him at Board meetings. He'll also be
missed at club meetings, hamfests, and conventions in the Pacific
Division. Thank you, Andy, for all that you have done for me, and for
Amateur Radio and the American Radio Relay League."
ARRL President Joel Harrison, with the approval of the ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee, has appointed Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, to serve the remainder of Andy Oppel's, N6AJO, term as Pacific Division Vice Director. Jim is an attorney in private practice in Oakland. He plans to attend the Board meeting next month.
Jim was deeply honored to be chosen to fill the vacancy left by Andy Oppel's resignation, and because Amateur Radio certainly has enriched and added value to many aspects of his life, he is elated to have the opportunity to contribute something back to the hobby. Jim believes that the future of Amateur Radio is at a critical crossroads which will involve our appeal to youth. (Jim and his XYL, Lilah, KE6EHD, have twin boys, Robert, and Matthew, who is licensed as KI6IHP.)
An Amateur Extra class licensee and ARRL Diamond Club Member, Jim was first licensed in 1970 as WN9ELU. Since then, he has also held the call signs: WB9ELU, N6OIK, V26JAT and 3D2TJ. Presently, he is the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) of the ARRL's East Bay Section.
Jim's favorite Ham Radio pastimes are contesting (more wallpaper than wall, he says), DXing (the easy 300 confirmed), and DXpeditions (a poor, but adequate excuse for a vacation). He has operated as 3D2TJ, PJ2/K6JAT and KH6/K6JAT, and from V26DX.
June 10, 2009 - Amateur Radio PR Issue in Western Nevada -
It has come to my attention that Amateur Radio in Nevada has been
recently getting some unwarranted bad PR. Dish Network customers in
the northwestern portion of Nevada are suffering reception problems
related to the local Reno stations which are downlinked from this
system. The signal levels to their receivers seem to decrease during
the evening prime time hours. When at least two of these customers
called into their service line they were told that they must have a ham
radio operator in their neighborhood who is causing the interferance.
This type of bad PR can lead to more antenna restrictions and worse so
we must head this inaccurate disinformation off.
If you hear of anyone being mis-informed as to the cause of poor satellite TV reception, blaming Amateur Radio instead of their own equipment, please notify me quickly so I can forward the information to League HQ who is following up on this. Look for updates to this situation at the ARRL Nevada Section web page and our local Section website (right here!).
Thanks
Joe
May 14, 2009 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for April 2009 -
April was a very busy month, especially for the Emcommwest/Pacificon crew putting on final preparations for the convention May 1 in Reno. Next month a report and some figures as to how it came off, as the exact counts are not yet available as of this writing. I do know we had close to 700 in attendance a record to be sure! I had the chance to spend a great week in Las Vegas April 21-25 attending the NAB convention. Had a very nice dinner in Tonopah with Randy, KB7TRI and his wife on the way down, which made the trip most enjoyable. One of the highlights was the LVARC meeting which hosted Allen Pitts, W1AGP from the League, Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG and myself (who also represented the ARRL at the NAB convention), Bob Heil came and did an outstanding presentation on audio, and a ton of prizes were given away. Many of our local Las Vegas hams gave of their time to man the League booth there. I saw 19 pages of names who signed the guest book there, who stopped by to visit. Thanks guys for your generous hospitality and for representing amateur radio well. I also attended the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting which was Bill Smith s first as our new EC. It was a great turnout, and would appear that the group is in excellent hands, and they continue to do a tremendous job as a team. Several exercises and training opportunities coming in May and June, and of course Field Day is right around the corner. Looks like a busy season coming up.
73 de Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT - Southern NV DEC Report Glenn KB7REO, DEC - Slow month for ARES activities. Met up with Don KQ6FM after NAB meetings to discuss up coming EmCommWest/Pacificon conference. I presented the appointment of Bob W7WOW as Esmeralda County EC during the last Clark County ARES/RACES meeting. Also activated Clark County ARES/RACES members to be on Stand-By per NV DEM request.
Clark County Report by Bill W4HMV, EC: I attended the April 7 meeting of the Nevada Communications Steering Committee. On April 14, I made an ARES/RACES presentation to the Boulder City city council. The Clark County ARES/RACES team had it's quarterly meeting on Saturday, April 25. Our special guest was our Section Emergency Coordinator, Don Carlson, KQ6FM. Don briefed us on the current issues and challenges facing NV ARES/RACES and some of the interesting prospects for ARES. We had 42 ARES/RACES members in attendance, including several new members.
Southern Nye Co. Report by Jerry KC6ILH, EC: Had another Bee Patrol on the 20th. On the 21st we where called out for a simulated hazmat type exercise. We opened a shelter and patrolled. On the 25th did some merit badge training for the Boy Scouts at Sunset Park in LV. On the 26th we where placed on stand-by for the Swine Flue epidemic. So far that is as far as we have went with that and hope that we do not go any farther. Looking forward to EMCOMM and summer.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - Paul Beavers, NG1Q, DEC
Churchill County EC Paul Willcoxon, KE7CRZ: Our next ARES meeting will be at 10 A.M. Saturday May 19th at Round Table Pizza in Fallon. I attended the Tactical Interoperability Communications Planning Workshop on April 30th and May 1st in Reno at the Regional Training Center. I attended this meeting on behalf of the Fallon Police Department, Fallon Department of Emergency Management and the Local Emergency Planning Commission. It was a very productive meeting and I believe that Nevada will have a workable public safety interoperability plan. Our node at the Lahontan Tower site is performing flawlessly as is our BBS at the Churchill County EOC. We have begun the preliminary instillation for the Winlink RMS at that site and the RMS should be operational soon. We will also be working on the linking of Packet to Tonopah and on to Las Vegas. We plan on a node at Fairview Peak linked to Mt. Brock at Tonopah to Gold Mountain and on to Las Vegas. This will give us a link to southern Nevada which we need. We are still waiting for Pershing and Humboldt Counties to get their packet up so we can test with them. Rich Giebitz-KE6QK has purchased a new Kenwood repeater that we plan on deploying at the Fairview Peak Site to replace the older GE MastrII working the 145.350. I would like to thank Rich for all of his hard work and the use of his site for this project as well as the funding for much of this. I once again must thank Otto Tune-KV7J for his technical assistance on our Packet project as well as Winlink. It has been a group effort and our network is coming together well. Earlier this month I met with our new Emergency Manager, Ron Juliff. I gave Ron a demo of the equipment at the EOC as well as Winlink and Packet. Ron was quite impressed with the system in place in Churchill County. He and I will be meeting at a later date to go over the emergency plans for the county as well as the ARES emergency plan.
Douglas County/Carson City EC, Sheila Clement, KA7 AJQ: At our monthly DCART (Douglas County Amateur Radio Team) meeting, members did a refresher tour of the 911 Dispatch Center and the 911 Mobile Command Post Vehicle courtesy of Supervisor Maggie. And we are still discussing emergency notification protocol for our ARES/ham radio operators. In addition to our Douglas County Amateur Radio Team meeting, nets, and training, our members are planning with Alpine County (California) officials for the annual Tour of the California Alps/Death Ride bicycle event the second weekend in July. This event offers area ham operators the opportunity to become familiar with the rugged terrain and actually use the planned repeaters and simplex frequencies to pass information throughout Alpine County. As the Tahoe Amateur Radio Association (TARA) Death Ride ham communications Coordinator, Dick Young, KD7JMR, (also a DCART member) is planning and coordinating with Alpine officials for the event. This month he has spent 5 hours for Alpine County time. This includes two meetings with the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce. It also includes planning with the various ride Captains on how to best interface and make improvements and changes. Also, Dick met with repeater (146.655) owner David O'Hara to coordinate the use since this one best handles the Alpine ride area coverage. Also, DCART member Dick Creley, KJ7UK, Assistant EC, (also Nevada Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator), traveled to Alpine County to meet with officials.
Washoe County EC Bob Miller, WA6MTY: April 4th training, Washoe County EC Frank KE7AJO ran the meeting. After all the reports, Doug KA7FOO conducted a basic message handling class. April 10th attended the Inter Hospital Coordinating Council meeting where we discussed the upcoming hospital training for 2009 include May 16, Community Evacuation Drill @ Galena High School (Wild Land Fire Scenario), May 26 & 27, 2009 - Evacuation & Shelter workshop at the REOC; June 15-16, 2009 - Mass Fatality Planning Workshop at REOC; Nov 18, 2009 - Mass Fatality Functional Exercise at REOC. April 24th attended the Emergency Planning Council meeting re-interring the same exercises show above. April 29th attended the Community Evacuation Drill on May 16th obtaining preliminary plans for the exercise.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT - Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC - EC Greg Barker, K7CWL and SM/DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH attended the State of Nevada's Northeast Nevada Tactical Interoperability Workshop on April 27 & 28.
February 23, 2009 - Cool media hit on KOLO-TV -
Last weekend we had a VE Testing session. One of those tested - and passed - was a 94 year old who had always wanted to become a ham. Well now he "are one!" Check the link at
KOLO-TV News.
On the right you'll see a header saying "hot topics" and a screen for video below it. Just under it are some picture icons. Click on the one showing a man sitting at the radio, click on it and check it out. You may have to watch a commercial before it runs, but hey - guess they've got to pay the bills. Enjoy!!
February 15, 2009 - NTS Traffic Report for January 2009 -
If you are involved in NTS or NTS/D, please send your traffic count to Joe at n7jeh@arrl.org or n7jeh on the winlink system.
February 15, 2009 - ARRL Nevada Section News -
Joe Giraudo-N7JEH, the Nevada Section Manager January meeting of the Clark
County ARES/RACES in Las Vegas. The meeting started on a sad note with Clark
County Emergency Coordinator Charlie Kunz, AA5QJ tendering his resignation.
Charlie is spending a large amount of time out of state and feels that he
cannot continue to serve in his current capacity effectively. Additional
information regarding the Clark County repeater system which serves the RACES
operation in addition to those repeaters provided by the LVRAC was also
discussed. Approximately 45 participants were in attendance. Billy Smith
Jr., W4HMV has been appointed to fill this position. He was the AEC for
training within this organization previously and will surely continue this
group's excellent leadership. Greg Barker, K7CWL was appointed to the EC
position for Elko County. Greg is closely aligned with the medical community
in his professional life. He operates several physical therapy clinics
located in Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Churchill and Clark counties. He meets
regularly with the various county commissioners as part of this work as well
as hospital administration in these locales. Please join me in welcoming
these two new appointees!
With the beginning of the new year, planning has begun for activities, drills and exercises and training in many areas all around the section. Northwest has welcomed Paul Beavers, NG1Q who has really hit the ground running. He and Don Carlson, KQ6FM, the Nevada SEC have been making the rounds to nearly all of the counties in the district as Paul becomes aquatinted with his team of EC s and their staffs. We are now beginning to work with the State Communications Interoperability Committee who have started to find ways with which to become involved with amateur radio. Don accompanied Paul NG1Q to Winnemucca on Jan. 24th for the first summit meeting with many of the EC s from the NW District. A very productive meeting and planning for the future. We were joined by Greg, K7CWL, our new Elko County EC who we also welcome to our leadership team. I m sure you will read more about this in Paul s report.
Online Emcommwest 09 registration slated to start just about the time you are reading this. Sign up early for the convention and especially the Saturday night banquet, as it surely will sell out quickly. Our speaker will be Riley Hollingsworth, so you won't want to miss it. Check www.emcommwest.org for details and registration.
February 10, 2009 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for January 2009 -
With the beginning of the new year, planning has begun for activities, drills and exercises and training in many areas all around the section. Northwest has welcomed Paul Beavers, NG1Q who has really hit the ground running. He and I have been making the rounds to nearly all of the counties in the district as Paul becomes aquatinted with his team of EC's and their staffs.
We are now beginning to work with the State Communications Interoperability Committee who have started to find ways with which to become involved with amateur radio. I will be talking with them to see how we can better serve our state in many areas of need.
I accompanied Paul NG1Q to Winnemucca on Jan. 24th for our first summit meeting with many of the EC's from the NW District. A very productive meeting and planning for the future. We were joined by Greg, K7CWL, our new Elko County EC who we also welcome to our leadership team. I'm sure you will read more about this in Paul's report. Meanwhile on the same day, SM/NE DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH traveled down to Las Vegas to attend the quarterly Clark County ARES/RACES meeting. I think we've subsidized the gas companies enough this month, but it has been a very productive time of planning.
Also, don't forget that Emcommwest is just around the corner. Online registration slated to start just about the time you are reading this. Sign up early for the convention and especially the Saturday night banquet, as I'm sure it will sell out quickly. Our speaker will be Riley Hollingsworth, so you won't want to miss it. Check http://www.emcommwest.org for details and registration.
Finally, thank you ARRL for asking me back for another year on the League's Public Relations Committee. It is a great group of people working on behalf of amateur radio, and I am honored to again be in their company.
73 de Don Carlson, KQ6FM Nevada SEC/PIC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT - Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC This past month, NV SM Joe N7JEH traveled south to visit Clark County ARES/RACES members at the quarterly meeting. During the meeting we were all surprised to hear Charlie AA5QJ recite his resignation as County EC. I was please to report that Bill W4HMV offered to take the position on such short notice. I've been briefing Bill on what to expect as County EC and providing any needed assistance.
Clark County ARES Report by Glenn KB7REO. Vern K0EGA was invited by Jim O'Brien to attend a meeting in Logandale on 16 January, 2009. Moapa Valley leaders requested the meeting so they could better understand what OEM could do for them in the event of an emergency. Roy, K7YWF, AEC Moapa Valley also attended the meeting. Also attending the meeting were: CC local rep to Moapa, Red Cross, SNHD, CC Fire, Metro, CC Public Works, LDS church, and leader of the local CERT group. Jim O. outlined OEM organization and procedures and asked reps from the various groups to discuss what they could do to help. Result of the meeting will be the establishment of an Emergency council in Moapa. After a group is formed, Jim O. will meet with them to put together a plan.
Jay KE7EGO was at the Henderson EOC doing an equipment check. Jay repaired the power cord to the radio and checked the SWR to the antenna, which pegged the needle on the SWR meter. Jay and others will have to get up there in the next couple of weeks and do some work. The antennas on the roof also need to be identified and marked.
So. Nye County Report by Jerry KC6ILH, EC: Not much happened during this month and we are gearing up for the next and hope that it is also slow. Know that it will not stay that way. Check you batteries and be ready.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - Paul Beavers, NG1Q, DEC January started the year as a very busy month for the ARES/RACES organizations in the 8 counties of the Northwest Nevada District. Just check the comments from the EC's below. There is a strong sense of enthusiasm and excitement for the planning and training in the months ahead, starting with some SIMPLEX VHF tests within and between the NW District Counties. We are looking for more opportunities to link our counties search for ways we can improve mutual aide. Many thanks to all for dedicating your time, your talent and your equipment for this important work you are doing. Cheers & 73 Paul NG1Q NW District EC
Carson City/Douglas County EC, Sheila Clement, KA7AJQ - In January, DCART (Douglas County Amateur Radio Team) held our 3 Monday evening (at 6:30 PM) nets on the 147.270+ PL 123 repeater. This is linked with the 441.250 (PL 123). And there is the repeater at the Douglas County Sheriff s Office ( 443.750 PL 123). Generally these three are linked together so that whichever one you can reach, we can talk. DCART members met in person at the Douglas County 911 Dispatch Center the third Monday, January 19th, to first, meet with our DEC, Paul Beavers, NGIQ, and our SEC, Don Carlson, KQ6FM, then, move on with training. After meeting them and hearing their news, we discussed our DCART frequency planning. In emergencies, planned use of simplex frequencies becomes very important to the maintenance of communications. We will be conducting periodic practices to see what our coverage currently is. We also had a training session on packet radio presented by Scott Donovan, KB1EEA. Another thing: the on-line ICS/NIMS(Incident Command) courses have been revised. Federal, State, and local governments are being mandated to have their emergency services people complete these courses. And it is mandatory for any entity seeking federal grant money. DCART members are urged to complete and document the completion of these most recent on-line ICS classes. We are noting the hours each member takes to this training.
Humboldt County EC, "Ski" Woytoyowicz, AF7NB - January was the busiest ever for Humboldt ARES. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for attending the "Winnemucca Summit" held on 24 January. Our special guests were Paul Beavers NG1Q (NW-DEC), Don Carlson KQ6FM (SEC), Greg Barker K7CWL (ELKO-EC), Paul Wilcoxon KE7CRZ (CHURCHILL-EC), Bob Miller WA6MTY (WASHOE-EC), Ed Maynard KE7QHM (PERSHING-EC). The Winnemucca leadership team was also present for the "Summit". Attending were Ski AF7NB (HUMBOLDT-EC), Tom Bunch WO7I (HUMBOLDT-AEC), Michelle Kleider KH6QAI(HUMBOLDT-AEC), Karen Young KH6QAJ (HUMBOLDT-AEC), Dick Weisgerber KD7MIO(HUMBOLDT-AEC), and Mary Baird (HUMBOLDT-AEC). Everyone was pleased with the food & fellowship. Mary Baird brought quite a few folks down from the north end of our county and advised that the McDermitt Project has grown from 10 to 30 ham candidates now. Thank you Mary ! KWNA radio program manager Rodd Stowall invited Ski AF7NB on live radio to spread the good news of the ARRL grant to McDermitt High.School, the teachers grant to the McDermitt staff, our new Winnemucca VE team, and the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) vote to install Humboldt ARES as Humboldt RACES. I also want to thank Don Hogg KE7VNW, Charlie Stempeck KE7VNX, Tom Bunch WO7I, Pat Henigin N6ZEM,Dick Weisgerber KD7MIO, and Gary Bennett KD7ZJY for standing together with me at the last LEPC meeting to be introduced by Sheriff Ed Kilgore to the LEPC as a sample of the new Humboldt RACES team. Final approval still needs to be voted on by the Humboldt County Commissioners. I urge everyone to once again turn-out and get our RACES football through the goalposts for a touchdown. Paul KE7CRZ (Churchill-EC) has offered to link our budding data-oriented members with his group. All of our members who are packet, PACTOR, MT63, PSK31, or ALE ready are urged to participate. We have some preliminary discussions under way with Paul and also with Ed KE7QHM in Pershing County to start networking. This will be discussed at our February meeting. All of the Humboldt folks that are USAF MARS members are urged to keep up your activity. Remember your station logs must be sent in monthly now to the Nevada SMD (AFF9NV) per the new MOI. Ski AF7NB will also be meeting with personnel at Humboldt General Hospital and Humboldt EMS to discuss joint operations. These meetings will occur in the second week of February. Pat Henigin N6ZEM is working to update our website. He also brought his son Jonathan KD6OTV into the fold. Welcome Jonathan! He is another data guru. We also want to extend a hearty welcome to Charles White KB7YWM on joining Humboldt ARES. Charles had chatted with Tom WO7I and checked in to our weekly net. We grabbed him! Glad to have you aboard Charles. Our next scheduled meeting of Humboldt County ARES will be on 2/21/09 at Las Margaritas restaurant at 1300 hours in the restaurant conference room. Please bring a friend. We are working really hard to make 2009 an even bigger and better year for our organization. 73 - AF7NB (Ski)
Washoe County EC - Bob Miller - ARES TRAINING SESSION Reviewed the after action meeting for the POD exercise and again the coordinator Dan Mackie re-emphasized how pleased the Health Department was with our support. This year's POD exercise will be even bigger. I also reviewed the after action meeting I attended regarding the St Mary's Hospital power generator failure. Tim KY7Y announced Net Control Training and passed out the new NC script and the schedule for the next two months. I gave a presentation on Amateur Radio Communications Teams (ARCT) and discussed plans of developing and deploying ARES members in ARC Teams.
NEVADA COMMUNICATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING: Andy KD7ZEV, Don KQ6FM and I attended Nevada Communications Steering Committee (NCSC) meeting to talk briefly about Amateur Radio Communications. Andy gave a presentation of HAMLINK server software that he and Al K7BFD developed to allow CERT and Red Cross volunteers to generate Radiograms using their laptops connected to the HAMLINK server.
INTER HOSPITAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE: I attended the Inner Hospital Coordinating Committee meeting at Renown South where the hospital emergency coordinators reviewed their accomplishments for 2008 and reviewed the generator event at St. Mary's Hospital in December. Next they listed the plans for future events, training and equipment needs for 2009.
D-STAR REPEATER TESTS: Bill AA7WB and I met with Mark Foxen KB7MF of the Nevada State Health Department and Dr. Randy Todd KE7QHN of the Washoe County Health Department to test the new D-STAR 1.2G repeater. Bill brought his ID-1 mobile to help with the tests.
NW DISTRICT EC MEETING I accompanied Paul NG1Q and Don KQ6FM to NW District ARES Meeting in Winnemucca. Very good session, discussing everything going on in the district and plans for training exercises
UNR RADIO-PACK STATION Met with Erv KB7IWT to re-install the packet station at UNR Radio-Pack radio room in the Engineering Building.
Pershing County EC, Ed Maynord, KE7QHM - I went to the Humbolt Co. ARES and Washoe Co. ARES meetings for training. I traveled to Elko Co. for my up grade to EXTRA class lic. I am still waitng for Pershing Co. I did talk to Roger Mancibo, a Co. commissioner. Still talking but no action.
Churchill County EC, Paul Willcoxon, KE7CRZ - I attended the meeting in Winnemucca on January 24. It was a pleasure to meet everyone there and I hope this will lead to better interoperability with neighboring counties. I am also looking forward to getting the hospital project going here in Churchill County. We have the BBS station operational at the Churchill County EOC with the call KE7CRZ-5. The BBS is accessible through RNO as well as N7LPT-1 in Yerington on 145.050. It is operational 24/7 and can be used for packet traffic to Churchill County. Our next project will be the Winlink RMS at the Lahontan Towers site. This system is in testing and we hope to have it deployed soon. The UHF repeater for the Lahontan Towers site is being worked on also and should be deployed this spring. Our next monthly meeting will be on February 21, 2009, 10 AM at the Churchill County EOC at 140 N. Taylor street. We will be conducting packet training as well as getting our newer members familiar with the equipment at that location. I would also like to thank Don Carlson and Paul Beavers for attending our January meeting. It was a pleasure having them.
Storey County EC, Tom Taomina, K5RC - His prime location in the Virginia Foothills has very good VHF line of sight coverage over wide areas of the Northwest District. He stands ready to serve as a vital link during simplex tests as well as emergency communications.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT - Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC - We initiated an ARES Registration drive from scratch and came up with 13 for Jan so far. Thus the decrease in members from 16 to 13. I am meeting with both local groups and trying to build relationships and garner interest with some early success. I attended the Summit in Winnemucca on Jan 24 and networked with other EC, DEC and SEC. Learned much and look forward to implementing as much as we can in Elko & surrounding communities.
Elko County EC, Greg Barker, K7CWL -
- Hospital Project in Elko
- a.Room has been allocated by Hospital directly off of hospital Incident Command center (Classrooms)
- b.Generator Back-Up outlets being pulled to room
- c.Engineering working on planning conduits from room to roof
- d.Cleaning out room has begun
- e.Rehab Services of Nevada donated 8x2 foot laminate countertop for room
- f.Waiting on distribution of funds for equipment purchase
- g.VHF/UHF/HF, IRLP/ECHO, Autopatch, Winlink, Digital Modes,
- h.Access to 2 linked repeater systems in Northern Nevada.
- Questions:
Packet Radio in Rurals???
Variance from proposed equipment list???
Hospital Station Callsign??? - Goal: Complete Install of Grant funded Equip, Begin Statewide hospital net Participation, Use as stepping stone for relationship building with Elko Co. LEPC group.
- Meeting weekly with two local groups
- a.EARC & ECHO
- b.Relationship building, Recruiting for ARES
- c.Would like to begin some ARES education/in-servicing for groups
- Goal: Increase Elko County ARES membership to 10 solid/active members
- Eureka LEPC Group
- a.Met Tue Jan 20 in Eureka They meet quarterly
- b.Well represented by County, NDOT, NHP, Sheriff, BLM, NDF, EMT/Ambulance, Eureka Medical Clinic, ARC from Elko
- c.Well received distributed ARRL When All Else Fails Brochures and other literature with my contact info.
- d.Several have already expressed interest.
- Goal: License 3-4 solid/active Hams/ARES members in Eureka Co Assist with set up of amateur equip at medical center and one other place In community get connected with Elko
- Elko LEPC Group:
- a.Was invited by Vice-Chair to come to next meeting in April
- b.Working on getting on the agenda
- c.Will be inviting Dennis Moore, Dir Facility Mgr at NNRH & N7JEH
- d.Basic Intro to Ham Radio and EmComms capabilities
- e.Highlight Hospital Project
- f.Perhaps invite group to listen in on approp frequencies on State IRLP ARES net to experience firsthand capabilities.
- Goal: Would like to develop relationship such that we are invited to be active Quarterly participant in Elko LEPC group and Initiate real discussion About Ham Radio EmComms capabilities and where it may fit into the County preparedness plan.
December 8, 2008 - ARES SEC Monthly Report for November 2008 -
November was a fairly quiet month as everyone gears up for the holiday season. We do however have some new blood coming to join our leadership team as you will discover in the NW District report. A new DEC and net manager coming in January, and a new EC in Pershing County (something that we ve never had for many years). Everyone around the state has been ramping up for Skywarn Recognition Day from 4pm Friday December 5 for 24 hours through Saturday December 6. All 3 districts having an NWS office will be participating again this year. Good luck to everyone. SM Joe Giraudo, N7JEH has been passing books from the League for distribution to clubs around the state. These will make great prizes at some of the club Christmas parties just around the corner. More coming soon I m sure. As an FYI, there will be NO IRLP NET on either Thursday December 25, or Thursday January 1, 2009 as we celebrate these holidays with family and friends. On that note, here s wishing you all A Merry Christmas to all and an exciting and Happy New Year ahead! Don Carlson, KQ6FM SEC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT (Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC Southern) - Comments: November 2008 DEC Monthly Report - Southern District Not much news regarding ARES in the past month. Had one weather observation for snow accumulation in Tonopah, which was phoned into Elko NWS office. Snow had accumulated to 4 inches one Sunday morning. The report was included on the NWS Winter Storm Advisory. It's a good reminder that any weather conditions that meet the SKYWARN reporting criteria should be called into your local office during any time of the year. Dave AK7DB was given a Net Manager Appointment for his efforts with Clark County ARES/RACES nets.
Clark County ARES/RACES Report by Charlie, EC AA5QJ Local Amateurs, including many ARES members supported two public service events in November. On November 8th and 9th the MS 150 ride had bike riders going from Las Vegas to Mesquite on Saturday and returning to Las Vegas on Sunday. Hams were posted at rest/aide stations and were also in support vehicles. Also on November 9th a Triathlon was conducted. Amateur operators were posted at rest/aide stations along the 112-mile bike course. This course is in the mountain area near Lake Mead. Neither cell phone coverage nor the park ranger radio system is available in many portions of the bike course. Vern, K0EGA has attended meetings with OEM and first responders planning for a tabletop exercise to be held on December 11th.There were 50 checkins to the GMRS Emergency Net in November.
Southern Nye County ARES Report by Jerry, EC KC6ILH - Did some training in message handling also our annual distribution of dinners to the shut in with Emergency Services and the Senior Center. Had a day of rain, no flooding, no SKYWARN, a day of stuffing, felt like a turkey. Hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving and a slow month also. Keep the batteries charged you never know when things happen.
Northern Nye County ARES Report by Randy, EC KB7TRI - Randy, KB7TRI and Dave, KE7LC participated in a meeting with the Nye County communications officer Fred Jones, as well as two members of the Southern Nye County ARES, including Jerry, the EV for S. Nye. The meeting was very productive and established a dialog between North and South Nye County and the County representative. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT (Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC) - Our NW District ARES net is growing! Following our move to the new time and repeater system, we are averaging more than 17 check-ins each week. As a reminder, the net operates at 7pm (1900 hours) over the WADG system of 147.150+ PL. 123.0 on Mt. Rose; 147.210+ PL. 100.0 on Peavine Peak and 147.030+ PL. 123.0 on Virginia Peak. This system covers most of the NW District. We may also have a new net manager for this one coming soon, so stay tuned. Please note that new Pershing County EC, Ed Maynard, KE7QHM files his first report this month. Ed is in the process of making served agency contacts and building relationships with them, and is putting together a new team in his county. Thank you Ed for hitting the ground running and the start of your building process. More exciting news is that effective January 1, 2009, Paul Beavers, NG1Q will become our new DEC for the district. Paul brings us a real treasure trove of experience not to mention his booming HF station based in Reno. Paul will be a most welcome addition to our team. Also, Tim O Shea, KY7Y (formerly K2RNO) has agreed to become net manager for the Tuesday night NW District ARES net. Thank you Paul and Tim for accepting these challenges, and I know that all of the ECs and members will enjoy working with you both. More on these additions next month.
A New ham forum will be held in Reno on Saturday December 13 at the REOC. This will give the newly licensed hams who have joined us to get a show and tell taste of all of the various aspects of the hobby.
Lyon County - EC Patti Polish, KE7JIV - LCARES has been working through our Section and Disrict Officers to finalize the MOU between Lyon County and ARES. All issues seem to have been resolved and we are in the signature mode. At our monthly meeting John Abrott, KD7NHC, gave a presentation on Echo Link, and by all accounts everyone was pleased. We will not be having a meeting in December, however, our next meeting will be on January 26th in Silver Springs at the Senior Center. All are welcomed.
Carson City/Douglas County - EC Shiela Clement, KA7AJQ - DCART members met Nov. 17th for our monthly training session at the Douglas County 911 Dispatch Center. Ron Sagen has been formally named 911 Manager. Ron is helping us coordinate county plans and resources to support our DCART 911 operations and equipment. Scott, kb1eea, briefed us on sms (text messaging) protocol and website addresses. During disasters like Katrina, people were able to get through by texting as the method takes less bandwidth than voice. Guess we will have to join the younger generation and learn to become proficient at this. This discussion led to preplanning for member emergency notification procedures. Ron noted he could help us use the reverse 911-notification process whereby our members may get an automated phone call announcing the emergency. Then, members would tune to one of our three valley repeaters (which are linked together unless actively de-linked). In the event those were not available we have a simplex frequency where we could meet. The first person on the repeaters (or simplex) would establish a net and document member availability, then check in the resources. This information would be passed on to those in charge. At the same time we could brief everyone with information regarding the emergency. Also during our training meeting, several members reviewed our packet radio operations and set up there at our corner in the 911 Dispatch Center. The training meeting helped us review our member resources and capabilities and see how we can plan for emergency operations there at the 911 Dispatch Center. We are also planning to acquire the ARRL self-study course on Digital Technology for Emergency Communications and make it a DCART study project.
WASHOE COUNTY - EC Bob Miller, WA6MTY - 11/01/08 at the ARES training session, Aaron Kenneston KE7GFF our Washoe County Emergency Manager was our guest speaker. Aaron gave us a brief presentation of the Emergency Management software WEBEOC and our part with data entry from the EOC Radio Room with input to the significant events. After the presentation we held a brief after action meeting of the Health Departments POD exercise.
11/14/08 Andy Munoz KD7ZEV and I attended the Inter Hospital Coordinating Council meeting and Andy did a presentation on the Hamlink portable message handling server software that he and Al Fallis K7BFD developed on the and portable Packet/Paclink server that Andy developed. Andy and Al put in over 300 man-hours developing this software.
Humbolt County - EC Ski Woytowicz, AF7NB - Our members in Humboldt are really shining. New members Charlie KE7VNX and Don KE7VNW have really been active. Both are studying for upgrade exams. Humboldt ARES will be sending five of our own and one new ham recruit (recruited by Joe - N6COA) to Elko on 20 December 2008 for their exams. Once the upgrade exams and our new recruit's exam are complete, we will have the horsepower to run our own exam team for the future. Dick - KD7MIO, Ed - KE7QHM, Joe - N6COA, and Ski - AF7NB held an Introduction to Amateur Radio presentation complete with VHF/UHF and HF equipment at McDermitt Combined School on 25 November 2008. The presentations were held throughout the school day with students attending ranging in age from 11 to 18, parents, and interested members of the community. Four new ham recruits were gleaned and a strong potential to grab an additional six new candidates exists. Mary Baird, Science Instructor at McDermitt School, was appointed AEC for the McDermitt area of Humboldt County by Humboldt ARES EC Ski Woytowicz - AF7NB. Thank you Mary for your energy and volunteer spirit. Another huge thank you goes to Richard Nendick - W7QWD for donating a Motorola Micor repeater (70 cm) to Humboldt ARES. After the repeater is overhauled, it will be used to facilitate communications and extend emergency communications capabilities in remote areas of northern Humboldt County. Finally, Ski (AF7NB) attended the latest Humboldt County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) meeting and together with Sheriff Ed Kilgore proposed that the existing ARES group be grandfathered in as the new Humboldt County RACES team. The LEPC will vote to make this official in the families and friends during this Christmas season and into the new year. -- AF7NB
Churchill County - EC Paul Wilcoxen, KE7CRZ - I would like to welcome Irv Beebe-K6DHN as our newest member. Rich Giebitz-KE6QK, Mark Beedle-KD7ZPP, Patrick McCartin-KC7ORU, Meta Brewster-KE7TXJ and I have been busy working at the Lahontan Tower site. The antenna and hard line have been installed at the Lahontan Tower site for the 145.350 back up repeater. The Yaesu repeater has been tested and both the repeater and controller should be operational within 2 weeks. This repeater will be an open repeater operating on 145.350 with a PL 100.0 and will back up the 145.350 PL 123.0 at Fairview Peak. This also gives the Silver Springs area access to the 145.350 through the Lahontan site. We have received authorization for the 449.500/444.500 frequencies for Lahontan through CARCON, so that project will be started very soon. We expect in the future to use this 449.500 as an IRLP repeater. In addition, we are planning a BBS station for the Lahontan site as well as TELNET access. Our next scheduled meeting will be January 17th, 2008, 10 A.M. at Round Table Pizza Restaurant in Fallon.
Pershing County - EC Ed Maynard, KE7QHM - We went with AF7NB to the High school at Mc Dermitt Nevada. We assisted in a presentation of How to start in Amateur Radio. We attended the HUMBOLDT ARES meeting in Winnemucca Nevada. I have talked with Pershing County commissioner Roger Mancebo and he is supportive and is going to call me so I can attend the next Pershing County Emergency Committee meeting.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT (Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC) - November was a very quiet month. Plans were laid for the upcoming SKYWARN Recognition Day event in early December. No news has been received regarding moving forward with the radio room for the Northeast Nevada Regional Medical Center. Propagation for the Saturday morning HF Section Net continues to be acceptable. Thanks to Jerry, KC6ILH for taking the helm while Joe - N7JEH was out of state. -de N7JEH
December 6, 2008 - WEB SITE NEWS -
Some of you may have noticed the this website (and the
EMCOMMWEST(R) website as well)
has been a trifle unstable the last couple of weeks. It turns out that both sites
were rehosted and a few things were broken during the move. Everything should be
back to normal now. Should you find anything still out of whack, please let me
know at
wb6w@arrl.net.
Also, the section event calender (seen by clicking on the "Calender" above) has been updated for 2009. I invite all clubs to have a look and let me know if club meeting dates are correct. If you're club meetings aren't on the calender, please send details to wb6w@arrl.net so your club meetings can be added to the calender. A link to your club website will be included if you send your club URL along. See the current calender for examples.
...de wb6w
November 13, 2008 - NEW HAM FORUM ON DECEMBER 13 -
Frank Walsh, KE7AJO writes:
With many new hams being licensed recently, the question of "how do we get them active?" looms once again. One answer is "THE NEW HAM FORUM". This is a "show and tell" session whereby newly licensed amateurs have the opportunity to check out various aspects of the hobby to give them a chance to see which
area(s) spark their interest. Therefore, the next New Ham Forum for the Northwest District area will be held on Saturday, December 13 starting at 0800 hours PST at the Regional Emergency Operations Center in Reno. If you are a new ham or know some people who are, THIS is the place for them to be!
We are once again looking for people to help give presentations on various subjects on our great hobby. This includes IRLP and Echolink, Packet radio, Emergency Communications (ARES), Amateur Television and Proper Operating Procedure, DXing and Contesting among others. If you would like to help with a presentation or be available during the day to help answer questions please feel free to contact me at KE7AJO@gbis.com.
Thank You, /s/Frank Walsh KE7AJO
November 11, 2008 - ARRL Nevada Section News -
(ARES report is the article following the section news)
Pacificon 2008 was attended by numerous Amateurs from the Nevada Section.
Once again it was a great event. The vendors were swamped with customers,
The technical sessions were well attended and the banquet was sold out! The
banquet speaker was Jill Tarter, SETI Director. Her talk described the new
radio telescope construction that is being undertaken in Northern California.
She also described all that is involved in the search for extra-terrestrial
intelligence. It was a very interesting presentation.
Two awards were garnered by Nevada Hams at the banquet. Dick Flanagan, K7VC was given an appreciation award by the Pacific Division Director, Bob Vallio for his service as Nevada Section Manager. The big surprize of the evening was the granting of the Pacific Division Amateur of the Year Award to Kent Johnson, W7AOR for his achievement in growing the use of IRLP through the Western Reflector and numerous linked repeaters throughout the State of Nevada.
FIELD DAY 2008! The results are in for Field Day 2008. They can be viewed at the "Members Only" area of the ARRL website. There were 8 participating stations in the Nevada Section that submitted results to the League. This year's BIG GUNS were the Reno QRP Group. Nevada Section scores are shown below:
November 11, 2008 - ARES SEC Monthly Report (October 2008) -
October was a very busy month with lots of different activities going on. First of all, Pacificon, our Pacific Division Convention was held in San Ramon, CA with some great forums, a tremendous turnout and a great time for all. I was a presenter this year, doing a forum on PIO's During Emergencies on behalf of the ARRL's Public Relations Committee. A new course is now being developed for PIO training. To me, the best highlight of the weekend was presentation of two awards of special interest to the Nevada Section at the Saturday night banquet. First was a special recognition award to Dick Flanagan, K7VC our outgoing SM for his many contributions to the section and to Amateur Radio over the past several years. While Dick was not able to attend this year, we all were moved at the tribute made by Pac. Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG. Bob also presented the Ham of the Year Award for 2008, which went to Section Technical Coordinator and NARRI chair, Kent Johnson W7AOR, for his contributions in the IRLP/Echolink arena. Kent was also unable to make Pacificon, so both awards were accepted by SM Joe Giraudo, N7JEH. I was given the honor of presenting the award to Kent personally on October 25 at the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting in Las Vegas. Kent was totally surprised and without words as we presented him with this well-deserved award.
(Dicks award was presented to him by yer editor in a private ceremony. Dick was uncharacteristicly speechless - de wb6w)
While on the subject, it was again a true pleasure to attend the Clark County meeting and meet with our team in the Southern District. They even held an H/T clinic and tested a ton of radios brought to the meeting for testing. Thanks guys for making me feel so welcome, and for the great job you all continue to do for us.
Statewide POD exercise with the NV State Health Department was also held on October 25, and included participation by Clark, Carson City, Douglas and Washoe Counties. Our served agency was thrilled with our performance and astounded as to how well we operated on a variety of modes. You'll read more in the NW District report. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this effort a tremendous success.
As a reminder, Skywarn Recognition Day is coming on Saturday Dec. 6. In the past, all 3 NWS stations around the Nevada Section have participated with great success. Hope to hear of plans next month from around the state as to what we re going to be up to this year. 73 Don Carlson, KQ6FM SEC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT - Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC - Fairly busy end of the month event. Don KQ6FM attended the Clark County ARES/RACES meeting bearing gifts from Joe N7JEH's trip to Newington, CN., including a Pacificon's Ham of the Year plaque for Kent W7AOR. I was busy assisting Cliff W9CRB with handling traffic for the Southern NV Health District POD exercise. The event co-insided with the Clark County meeting so I had to miss that meeting. I was able to handle traffic from Washoe County Health District with ease thanks to Bob W7WOW for his support as relay operator. The exercise ran from 9am to 11:30am that morning. Direct HF communications was established on 40M that morning after 75M began to fade.
Clark County ARES/RACES Report by Charlie, EC AA5QJ No report - net numbers provided by net manager Dave AK7DB
Southern Nye County ARES Report by Jerry, EC KC6ILH - SET finished for this year. Did an earthquake exercise and had people located all over the local area. Beatty, Armagosa and Pahrump. We simulated crystal, Tacopa and Shoshone. This year we had operational our new EOC as well and exercised its abilities as well as our own. Finished it all off with a hot wash and BBQ. Finishing the HF work on the EOC and will be trying to come up on the Saturday NV ARES/RACES net in the near future.
Northern Nye County ARES Report by Randy, EC KB7TRI N. Nye County ARES participated in the Nevada SET with 3 members present on nets for a total of 12 man-hours. Bob, W7WOW did a fantastic job acting as a relay between Clark and Washoe Counties and ended up doing a lot of traffic relaying. Great job Bob! Dave, KE7LC was also able to relay some traffic. Randy, KB7TRI participated in two ARES HF Nets during the month with Dave, KE7LC participating in one that I know of.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT - Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC - First off, we have moved our NW District ARES/RACES Net on Tuesday nights. It is now conducted one hour earlier at 1900 (7pm) to accommodate more people. The difference in the number of check-ins is remarkable. We have also changed systems from the 147.180 Virginia Peak repeater to the Wide Area Data Group s linked system. The repeaters which now carry the net are: 147.150+ PL. 123.0 on Mt. Rose; 147.210+ PL. 100.0 on Peavine Peak and 147.030+ PL. 123.0 on Virginia Peak. You can access the net from any of these repeaters, which gives us optimum coverage for the bulk of the district. Thank you WADG for allowing us to use the system for our net. We will be doing some mini-drills as part of the net, so please check in and join us.
POD exercise held on Saturday October 25 based in Washoe County in service to the State Health Department. This was a point of dispensing whereby doses of flu vaccine were administered to the hundreds who showed up. We passed traffic from one end of the state to the other and from what I heard, it sounded great. Many kudos from the Health Department, so thanks to all who participated, especially to Bob Miller, WA6MTY who coordinated the effort. Great job everyone!
Another ham cram and VE testing session coming up on November 8 at the REOC in Reno. Contact Bob for more information and to volunteer time, as he needs us to help put this event on. -Don Carlson, KQ6FM - Acting NW DEC.
Lyon County Patti Polish, KE7JIV - I am pleased to report that we have two prospective members, Jason Roche,KE7VQE, and Mike Detullio, KE7GFS. This report reflects the activites for September and October. The team had a booth set up at the 20th Annual Dayton Valley Days on September 20th & 21st. I wish to thank Brian Freitag, KE7JIO, Tom Tabacco, KE7NCJ and our PIO, Leonard Mithchell, KC7PET, for the work they did during the weekend. Great Job! At our monthly meeting in October, Gina McGuire of the National Weather Service gave the members a presentation on the weather spotter training. Gina was able to sign up 5 new spotters from the team. Next month our monthly meeting will be in Yerington at 7:00 PM at the Pizza Factory. Anyone interested in Emergency Communications is invited.
Carson City/Douglas County Shiela Clement, KA7AJQ EC: DCART members supported and staffed the State Health Division s POD/flu shot Exercise Oct. 25th with radio operators located at the State Health Division in Carson City, Douglas High School (POD site), and the Douglas 911 Dispatch Center/EOC. Scott Donovan, kb1eea and site coordinator; Dick Young, kd7jmr; Otto Tune, kv7j; and Cynthia Bagley, kb7bze, staffed the State Health Division in Carson City. They used several modes such as packet, VHF, UHF and HF. Mark Foxen, kb7mf, the State Health Information and Communication Team and Public Health Preparedness person coordinated the State Health site and statewide exercise efforts for all modes of communication. Of course ham radio was our part and discussion is on going about permanent radio facilities. LeRoy Clement, ka7uis, and site coordinator; Ed Goldberg, ke7eaa; JD Fowler, ad7cd; Herb Klemme, aa7mr; Robert Winkleman, ki6cpw, Rick Martin, ke7vqa, staffed the Douglas High School POD using UHF simplex to the operators at the Douglas County 911 Dispatch Center. The operators at the 911 Center then reported the statistics to the State Health Division in Carson City on the VHF repeater, 147.270+ pl 123. Dick Creley, kj7uk, and site coordinator; Nanci Lemburg, ke7oer; Sheila Clement, ka7ajq; and Dale Anderson, kv7s, DCART technical advisor, staffed the Douglas County 911 Dispatch Center in coordination with the 911 Center acting manager, Ron Sagen. We used the opportunity to practice simplex operations to receive the POD information and become familiar with the station s VHF and UHF radios and other Center resources. Sheila Clement, ka7ajq, Douglas County EC.
WASHOE COUNTY Bob Miller, WA6MTY: Please welcome our newest WCARES member, Dr. Randy Todd KE7QHN of the WC Health Department. Frank KE7ZJO AEC Washoe County moderated the training session. Dan KE7HLR did a presentation on Rapid Damage Assessment and I talked about the POD exercise. October 25th the WC ARES participation in the Nevada Statewide POD exercise. Setup started at 0700 where Andy setup the PACKET/PACLINK Station in the remote server capacity with a laptop connected using wifi to send packet traffic to the WC Health via the VA Medical Center PBBS. Andy also sent out email status reports to various Health Department desktop email addresses as well as several officials Blackberry s. I setup the POD net control station with a J-pole antenna in the library where the Incident Command Post was so we would have good simplex communications within the high school. Also manning the POD was Doug KA7FOO as POD net control and Tim K2RNO as communications between the POD and WC Health Department. In the medical area shooters where the shots were given was Jacque KE7NMJ, in the education area was Leif W7RNV, at the front entrance was Ruth KD7ZPO and Parking lot communications was Dan N2RDO. The POD opened at 0900 and ARES provided communication between all areas providing status of the people entering and traversing the POD for their flu shots. Every 100th person entering the building carried a flag with a number on it. The number 1 was for person 100, 2 indicated person 200 and so on. Therefore we provided a status of when each flag entered and exited each area. That way POD Incident Command personnel were able to estimate the approximate number of people with in the building at any one time.
At approximately 1000 it was determined that the FRS radios used by POD personnel were inadequate, therefore we were requested to provide shadow operators for the POD commander, Operations Section Chief and Liaison officer. So Tim K2RNO, Ray W7TAP and I took on that responsibility. We could have used another five radio operators to provide more adequate communications.
At 1025 a little 6 year old boy decided to pull the fire alarm, and this was not a drill. It took approximately 23 minutes to completely evacuate the high school, wait for the fire department to appear, be informed what had happened and return to the building and continue with the POD exercise. The POD processed just under 2500 flu shots in four hours. Andy KD7ZEV processed 72 packet and Paclink messages. The WC Health Department was manned by Frank KE7AJO providing communications between the POD and WC Health Department, Dan KE7HLR did communications between the WC Health Department and the NV State Health Department. Steve KE7HLS sent packet communications to the NVSHD, while Joe WA6RKN made HF communications with the State and Clark County.
The WCARES ATV team Joe WA6DDF, Jon WA7DDF, OT WA0DDF and Bill AA7WB had successfully transmitted live video tests during the day before the POD exercise. They used the VHF/UHF antenna on the roof that was to be used for voice and packet communications during the exercise. Without an additional rooftop antenna, they were unable to transmit live video of POD activities during the exercise. The ATV team also had the problem of not enough people to help with the communications. We will have to move forward to locate a site and funding for an ATV repeater.
Humbolt County Ski Woytowicz, AF7NB: KH6QAI (Michelle) and KH6QAJ (Karen) have completed USAF MARS training and are regular affiliates. N6ZEM (Pat) has our fledgling website up at www.hcares.net . Kevin Chatfield N7WGC was able to break away from rodeo to attend our last meeting and received a hearty welcome aboard. Tom Bunch (WO7I) is maritime mobile in Hawaii at the moment!! Ed Maynard (KE7QHM) has completed the first ARRL emergency communications course! Congratulations Ed! He will soon become EC for Pershing County, but will still maintain membership with Humboldt County ARES. The monthly meeting was held at Las Margaritas restaurant and was well attended. The restaurant staff liked us so much that we have booked the restaurant as our home base for the remainder of this year and through 2009. Our 2 meter machine 146.73 (PL88.5) should be operational in the next 2-3 weeks. The IRLP machine is being sent back to W7AOR for more extensive troubleshooting.
McDermitt Combined School has applied for an ARRL ETP grant with the full support of Humboldt County ARES (HCARES). If approved, the League will provide a radio station for the school. HCARES is scheduled to present an all day program on amateur radio at McDermitt school before Thanksgiving. During the presentation which will include radio demonstrations, new students will be signed up for the upcoming "KRAM" to be held in January 2009 in McDermitt. HCARES will provide support and mentoring during the "winter study period" to help our new budding ham class make a successful entry into ham radio. We are planning to field an exam team there after the "KRAM". More next month ... 73 from AF7NB
Churchill County Paul Wilcoxen, KE7CRZ: On October 15, 2008, the Churchill County Emergency Manager, Mert Mickelson-N7HVS, became a silent key. Mert's dedication to the job has been responsible for the success of the ARES/RACES group in Churchill County. He will be missed! Our newest member is David Enteles-WA7OZT, welcome aboard Dave! Casey Forsch-AD7RW, Command Master Chief at NAS Fallon will be leaving the area in December for sea duty aboard the USS John C. Stennis. Casey has been an asset to the ARES group and we will miss his contributions and we all wish him luck in his new assignment. We are still in the process of setting up a back up repeater system for the 145.35 on Fairview Peak. In the future we plan to deploy a 70CM repeater north of Fallon. All of our technical projects would not be possible without the dedication of Rich Giebitz-KE6QK, who has designed and engineered all of our repeater and network projects.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT - Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC - Repeater maintenance was the focus of the month. The 146.96 machine in Wells was relocated into another location including its tower-mounted antenna. Unfortunately there was no SET participation in the District this year. The local hospital was not dialed into the Washoe and Clark County POD scenarios. Hf net participation was good through the month. Thanks to Jerry, KC6ILH for covering for Joe on two of the weekends that he was out of State.
November 11, 2008 - ARRL Nevada NTS Traffic Report
October 14, 2008 - New FEMA EMCOMM Course -
Many of you may already be aware of this course, or have taken it. Nevertheless, here is information on a relatively new FEMA online independent study course that presents the concepts of Emergency Support Function #2-Communications (ESF-2). For those that have heard Dennis Dura's presentations around the country, he strongly encourages integrating ARES in the local, county, regional or state government emergency operations plan. This presents a variety of mission options, not beholding to any one specific group, and we become more aligned with the emergency management structure.
The course, available at
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS802.asp
will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
October 14, 2008 - ARRL Nevada Section News Summary -
ARES SEC Monthly Report (September 2008) - We are preparing for the
2008 SET which will encompass much of the state including counties of:
Washoe, Clark, Douglas and Carson City. I plan on being in Clark County for
the quarterly ARES/RACES meeting on that same day, Oct. 25. Don t forget
that Pacificon is coming the weekend of October 17-19 in San Ramon, CA, so
make plans if you are able, to attend. Info available at www.pacificon.org,
including link for hotel reservations at the San Ramon Marriott.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT- Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC Southern: - We've had a few attempts to test local HF coverage across the Las Vegas valley after the Clark County ARES/RACES nets. Some discussion remains on how to improve HF communications across the State under poor propagation conditions. Clark County ARES/RACES Report by Charlie, EC AA5QJ: Charlie AA5QJ, EC, participated in Clark County-Specific Integrated Emergency Management Course at the FEMA Training Center in Emmitsburg MD, with 74 other management personnel. Vern K0EGA, AEC Ops/Training attended the Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting on Sep 30.
Southern Nye County ARES Report by Jerry, EC KC6ILH: Early mornings saw us doing two public service events. The annual Pony Express ride and the Fall Festival Parade. We support these every year. This year the SET will be on its own the first weekend of October. Northern Nye County ARES Report by Randy, EC KB7TRI: Dave, KE7LC did extra PR work for Skywarn this month (5 Hours).
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC- Our new IRLP repeater on Ophir Peak is working like a champ. Many thanks to Kent, W7AOR and NARRI, along with Steve Kometz, N7KP and SNARS for hosting this great new ARES resource. Joe, N7JEH reported hearing it as far away as Lovelock along I-80 to our east.
Churchill County Paul Wilcoxen - KE7CRZ: Lots of positive things happening in Churchill County lately. We have installed the computer at the Churchill County EOC and we now have the capabilities for several sound card digital modes on our HF system. The equipment for our packet station has arrived consisting of a KAM TNC, VHF antenna and power supply and coax cable. We plan on having an antenna party soon to mount the antenna on the tower at the EOC. We should have the radio in place soon and the BBS will be operational. In addition a second radio is planned for the NAS Fallon radio room and a packet station will be established there also. The ailing SGC-2000 HF radio at Fallon P.D. has been replaced with a modified ICOM-718 at the Fallon P.D. dispatch. In addition, Fallon P.D. has just purchased a YAESU FT-60R dual band handheld which. Our next monthly meeting will be held on Saturday, October 18th, 10 A.M. at Round Table Pizza Restaurant in Fallon.
Carson City/Douglas County - Shiela Clement, KA7AJQ EC: Membership roster had 28 members and we lost 2 for a total of 26. We had two State Health communications exercises in preparation for the October 25th POD/flu shots event.
WASHOE COUNTY Bob Miller, WA6MTY September 4th, Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe had their Emergency Management meeting and Tahoe Amateur Radio Association took their communications van to show and tell after the meeting. Paul WA6EWV contacted me a few days before the meeting and asked if we could provide a brief communications test between SLT and the Regional EOC. I opened the radio room at the REOC and provided a ommunications and packet test. September 6th was the WC-ARES training session where we continued planning the Health Department POD Exercise. Andy KD7ZEV unveiled the ARES Radiogram/Radio Email program that he and Al K7BFD developed to allow Red Cross Shelter volunteers and CERT volunteers to generate resource and Health/Welfare message traffic.
On the 24th we helped with the second communications tests with the Health Department in preparation for the October 25th POD exercise. I did COMM tests between the POD location and the health department. September 27th, was the first test of the Radiogram software described above in a Simulated Red Cross Shelter Communications Exercise. Approximately 12-15 Red Cross and CERT volunteers came in to help us with the tests by generating test messages. Al K7BFD, Andy KD7ZEV and Michela KE7GFA set up all the ARES computers and coordinated the exercise, Frank KE7AJO, Jacque KE7NMJ and Dan N2RDO processed the messages, Rob KI6TRK and I manned the Simulated Red Cross Chapter across the room and responded to the messages, Kevin KE7BQX and Mark KE7FPR did some video taping of the activities during the exercise. The ATV team transmitted video between Geiger Grade and Galena High school and projected the video on the wall during the exercise. Thanks to Joe WA6DDF, OT WA0DDF and JON WA7DDF.
Humbolt County Ski Woytowicz, AF7NB N6ZEM (Pat Henigin) has established a website for Humboldt County ARES at: www.poshpets.com/hcares. Pat will migrate the site to another website for Humboldt ARES when the URL can be registered. KH6QAJ has been conducting a local swapnet after our weekly UHF net. We are conducting simplex testing to assess our capabilities if/when a repeater failure could occur. WO7I (Tom Bunch), AF7NB (Ski Woytowicz), and N6COA (Joe Woytowicz) have been prepping the new 2 meter repeater for its debut on Winnemucca mountain. WO7I and AF7NB have also been testing the IRLP machine with W7AOR (Kent Johnson). The IRLP machine has issues and Tom & Ski will be bench testing the equipment to isolate the trouble. We expect it to be online by the end of October 2008. The IRLP machine will be networked with the 2 meter repeater on 146.73 (PL88.5). The Humboldt Sun released a major article in the Community News section of the paper detailing our "Ham Kram" and solicited new hams. This article was written by AF7NB and published as a "special contribution" without byline in the paper. This was the third article this year in the Humboldt Sun for Humboldt County ARES.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT (Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC) - The Phil Cheety, WB7BTS reports that the Elko County Ham Operators have successfully linked their Blue Star repeater to their Swales Mtn. site, improving communication in northern Eureka County. Greg Barker, K7CWL and Joe Giraudo, N7JEH met with personnel from the Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital regarding Amateur Radio as an emergency communication option. The hospital has been in contact with the Nevada Hospital Association and is willing to allocate a small room for radio operations adjacent to one of their classrooms which doubles as their Emergency Operations Center. They are modifying this room to include it on their emergency generator circuit. Technical discussions are continuing regarding antenna locations, coax runs and equipment desired. Participation in the Section HF ARES net continues at its average level. Net counts were 16-18 over the month. Propagation is still waining during the latter portion of the net between northern and southern Districts.
September 12, 2008 - Pacifcon'08 is coming! -
Pacificon'08 will be held October 17 - 19 at San Ramon Marriott Hotel
in San Ramon, California. See the
Pacificon'08 Website
for details and for registration. See you there!
September 9, 2008 - ARRL Nevada Section News Summary -
Dick Flanagan, K7VC resigned his position as Section Manager effective August
15, 2008. Dick has done much to bring the Section closer together by
attending club meetings around the State, participating in club Yahoo Groups,
checking into HF and VHF nets, and making it a point to meet members in the
southern portion of the State either personally or by sending Don Carlson,
KQ6FM on a quarterly basis. One of Dick's many accomplishments is the
formation of EMCOMMWEST, an ARRL Special Convention which has grown by leaps
and bounds over the past 5 years. League HQ officials have attended as well
as Amateurs and League leadership from around the Nation. Dick has also
formalized the Section Cabinet, a body of Section Leadership personnel who
advise the Section Manager on all manner of items affecting the Section.
Please join me in thanking Dick for his years of dedication. I know I will
rely heavily on him for guidance as we move forward.
Amateur operators from the Elko Amateur Radio Club (EARC) provided public safety communication for the Pony Express High Speed Road Race from Battle Mtn. to Austin Nevada on Sunday, August 24. Communications were provided on a linked commercial repeater system with backup emergency communication being held on a portable linked Amateur system. Reliable communication was provided between all points along the course which traverses several valleys and the narrow Reece River Canyon. The Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation personally visited the net control station and was impressed with both the technology and professionalism made available by the group. Approximately 75 racers drove the course at speeds exceeding 200 mph with no accidents or mishaps.
EARC members also assisted with public safety communication for the ElkoVelo, Lamoille Canyon Hill Climb on Saturday, August 9. Approximately 45 cyclists braved the 3,500 foot climb in Lamoille Canyon with automobile traffic. No injuries or medical cases were reported. The Amateurs provided communication up and down the course and were also stationed with an Elko County Ambulance should the need have arisen for medical care.
Brian Chapman, NB9E reports that he and Phil Cheety , WB7BTS have expanded their "Snow Bowl" repeater system by making it the hub of their linked repeater system in the Elko area using a technique referred to as PL on COR. The system is on the air and operational with the exception of 10 meters which will be operational in a few weeks when they complete the antenna installation. The system PL is 100.0 Hz. as are most others in the area. The link repeater system includes an IRLP node and all bands from 10 meters through 1.2 GHz.
The repeater frequencies are as follows:
| 10m | 29.680/29.580 MHz | |
| 6m | 53.01/52.01 MHz | |
| 2m | 146.940/146.340 MHz | |
| 1.25m | 224.140/222.540 MHz | |
| 70 cm | 443.375/448.375 MHz | |
| 33 cm | 927.4875/902.4875 MHz | |
| 23 cm | 1283.100/1271.100 MHz |
Their 2m repeater may not always be linked in, as it has a steerable UHF link radio that allows it to link it to several different UHF repeaters. Brian hopes to catch some DX on six and ten and have beacon ID's enabled to attract DXers. The system call sign is KE7LKO which is the Club call for the Elko County Ham Operators.
Clark County ARES participated in a Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) communications test. The office of the SNHD communications room was used. HF communications to Reno/Carson City was ineffective, however it was confirmed that the station at SNHD was operating properly. Communications were established using IRLP Western Reflector 9258. Charlie AA5QJ, Vern K0EGA and Cliff W9CRB participated in the hour-long test.
The relocation of the Sparks IRLP repeater to Ophir Peak was completed this month. Its coverage is amazing with full-scale signal reports from Fallon and great coverage to Reno-Sparks, Douglas County and most of Carson City. Joe N7JEH even reported a good signal into South Lake Tahoe. Many thanks go to Kent, W7AOR and the NARRI group, "Tech Guru" Steve Kometz, N7KP and SNARS for hosting our new ARES tool. This repeater is locked in full time to channel 8 of the Western Reflector (9258) and Echolink via NV-gate #152566. Several weekly nets are to be found there including the Thursday 1900 ARES/RACES VoIP net, Sunday 1800 ARC Net, Disaster Communicators Net, Wednesday 1900 NOAA weather net and a newly initiated Thursday 2000 SATERN Net as well. We now have almost all of the state dialed in with a new Winnemucca node coming soon. Again, many thanks to all who made this project possible.
Several Amateurs throughout the Section are active in the National Traffic System. Currently, there is no HF traffic net in the Nevada Section, but these operators routinely check into various nets in Arizona and California. They bring NTS traffic into the Section for delivery and also deliver outgoing message to the nets as well. The traffic count for August is as follows:
| Bruce | N7CPP: | 26 total | |
| Fred | N7SWI: | 58 total |
Ham Cram sessions and examination activity have continued at a good pace in August. Sessions have been held in most of the population centers as well as in some of the rural communities such as Winnemucca.
Who is this new Section Manager N7JEH? I thought I'd give you a short bio since many folks in the Section may not know who I am. My name is Joe Giraudo, I moved to Nevada in 1972 where I attended the University of Nevada, Mackay School of Mines. I married in 1974 to Lynn, N7URF and have two children, Jenny, KE7GIV and Patrick. After moving to Elko in 1985, I got my license in 1987, but was interested in Amateur Radio much earlier and just couldn't get it together to take the exams. Since being licensed, I have tried a little of everything including VHF / UHF phone and packet, HF phone, CW, and digital modes too numerous to name. I was a member of the Army MARS and SHARES for 15 years. I currently assist the Red Cross as a disaster instructor and perform disaster response in the northeast portion of the State of Nevada. I am a Registered Professional Engineer and Certified Environmental Manager in the State of Nevada and work at a large gold mine in the Elko area and log most of my air time during my daily commute of 1˝ hours each way. I can be contacted by telephone, e-mail, Winlink 2000 (N7JEH), or on my IRLP node at the house (Node # 3227). I can also be found on many nets on HF and VHF / UHF throughout the month.
How do I view my job a Section Manager? My job is to see that the Field Organization adequately serves the ARRL membership in Nevada. I am also the point of contact for members who have questions about the League, and a liaison with our Pacific Division Director. Got a question or gripe? Fire away and I'll do my best to address it.
Until next month, DE N7JEH...73 K
August 1, 2008 - ARRL Nevada Section Manager Resigns -
K&VC writes-
I have submitted my resignation as ARRL Nevada Section Manager to be effective Friday, August 15, 2008. My reasons are health related.
ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton NN1N has appointed ARRL Nevada Assistant Section Manager Joe Giraudo N7JEH to serve the remainder of my term.
Joe Giraudo N7JEH is a Professional Engineer graduate of the University of Nevada, an experienced licensing instructor and ARRL Volunteer Examiner, and active on VHF and HF. Experience as Nevada Section and District Emergency Coordinators and as veteran Net Manager for the long-running section-wide ARES HF net have all combined to make him a well-respected leader throughout the section.
Joe can be reached in several ways:
Postal mail:
Joe Giraudo N7JEH
720 Holyoke Drive
Spring Creek, NV 89815
E-mail: n7jeh@arrl.org
Home: 1-775-738-7110
Work: 1-775-778-8140
Cell: 1-775-777-4798
I ask that everyone please give Joe their fullest cooperation as he assumes his Section Manager responsibilities on the 15th.
73, Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
July 6, 2008 - Field Day'08 in Pahrump -
The ARES/RACES group in Pahrump had themselves quite a Field Day this year. Their story, with pictures, can be found
here. Thanks to Carol Bird,
PIO for
South Nye County
ARES/RACES for this. If you'd like to see your clubs Field Day effort given this type of treatment, please send me (Glenn Thomas wb6w@arrl.net) your pictures and descriptions.
June 24, 2008 - Field Day'08 -
Earn your Field Day site bonus points for special NTS traffic!!!
Part 1: Send our section manager, Dick Flanagan, K7VC, or Don Carlson, KQ6FM SEC, a message from your site to get 100 points. The message does not have to be delivered to either of them during Field Day but it must be relayed off your Field Day site to another station during Field Day.
Part 2: Earn 10 pts for each additional message you send, receive, or deliver, for a maximum of 100 additional points. Messages may be sent via any radio mode, including packet. Let's say you receive 5 messages for Dick Flanagan from other Field Day stations, then relay those to another station, that's 100 more points. You could also send 10 messages from your Field Day site to friends/family/anyone, to earn that second 100 points.
Sample Message to Section Manager or SEC (100 pts):
101 R C W7TA 20 Reno NV 1800PDT JUN 27 Don Carlson KQ6FM ARRL SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR NV SECTION 5591 Barcelona Ct. Sparks, NV 89436 775 354-2636 GREETINGS FROM SNARS FIELD DAY AT REOC RENO NV XRAY OPERATING 3A WITH 25 PEOPLE INCLUDING 15 ARES MEMBERS W7TASample indicates club, location, how many A stations, how many people there so far, how many ARES members so far. "C" after the R for Routine in message header means confirm delivery with a return message. Use club call sign as Station of Origin.
Here is a way to get an additional 100 bonus points. HANDLE (i.e., send, receive/deliver) 10 messages in addition to the one to their Section Manager. Messages may be delivered after Field Day but must be SENT and RECEIVED during Field Day to get credit.
Don't forget to log all your messages, sent and received/delivered. Note times sent, received and delivered, from or to whom, on what frequency, etc.
Hope this helps everyone and that you all have an exciting, fun and successful Field Day 2008!
Don Carlson - KQ6FM
NV Section EC / RACES Officer
Public Information coordinator/ARRL National PR Committee
June 10, 2008 - ARES Monthly Report for May'08 - SEC Summary -
Emcommwest, May 2-4 was an overwhelming success this year. With more than 360 attendees, it was the best year ever!
Riley Hollingsworth sent his video presentation,
in which he thanked amateur radio emergency communicators for all it gives to the community and nation.
We so appreciate Riley taking the time to share with us.
He would like to join us in person next year, which is already in the works.
Dennis Dura, W2DCD came from ARRL HQ to deliver the keynote address, and fielded questions from many of us,
as we sought to learn more about how to better serve.
Gordon West, WB6NOA was a real hit at the banquet this year, with one of his famous presentations.
He's just got to stay away from the swap meet though.
A wonderful meal was enjoyed by all, with thanks to Circus Circus for giving us an evening to remember.
Many of the forums were packed with attendees from near and far, and a great time was had by all.
Looking to an even bigger and better conference next year.
Many folks around the section are now gearing up for the "Vigilant Guard" exercise and Field Day,
both coming in June.
We were able to hold an NV Section ARES meeting which was well attended.
All DECs and many ECs were on hand to share with each other and become better acquainted.
This was great getting everyone together at the same place.
This will become an annual event, so plan now to join us for EMCOMMWEST 2009! 73 de Don Carlson, KQ6FM SEC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT- Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC Southern - There has been some coordination with Washoe Co. EC, Bob WA6MTY on the upcoming exercise for June. Bob wanted to include the State with some traffic messages sent via WinLink. I've been "testing" HF coverage on 10M and 15M SSB. The objective is to find a band that will have adequate simplex range without the use of repeaters.
Esmeralda Co. EC Report by Ron WB5KLJ - I check into the Region 7 traffic net on 7268.5 most week days
Lincoln Co. EC Report by Lee K7NKH - I think that AD7OY Charles Reifsnyder will soon be named as Lincoln Co. RACES officer. Would you please send him anything that would be in his interest His E-mail is ad7oy@arrl.net. Thanks North Nye Co. EC Report by Randy KB7TRI - May 27th - SKYWARN Activation via NWS Reno. Two operators were activated locally for the duration and relayed real time weather information to NWS Reno.
South Nye Co. EC Report by Jerry KC6ILH - On the 17th we participated in a drill put on by our Emergency Operations people. We took part as observers, safety personnel and what ever else was needed. It was good to be on the giving out end of an exercise instead of the receiving end. Got a chance to see what can really be involved in doing one. Looking forward to exercises now with a different attitude and a better respect for those putting us through our paces. If you get the chance to assist, please do so. Training is training no matter what side of the exercise you are on. We still communicated in a different way then what we normally did. However it gave us a chance to utilize our equipment. You never know how you may have to us it.
Clark County EC Report by Charlie AA5QJ - John Fay K7FAY has been appointed AEC for Boulder City, and is working to get more hams involved in ARES/RACES in the area. We thank Dave Floyd W9MPD, for manning this position since Mar 06. Several members, working with other organizations, supported the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure on May 3 in downtown Las Vegas, and the Silver State Nevada Open Road Challenge road race from Lund to Hiko on May 18. Charlie AA5QJ EC, and Dan Starr AA7I AEC RACES attended the Clark County Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting on May 21. Charlie briefed the attendees on current ARES/RACES activities. There were 41 checkins to the GMRS Emergency Net in May.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT (Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC)May was a great month full of activity. Things started here in Reno with EMCOMMWEST as you have already read. Then the NW District took part in a district-wide exercise called Broken Wing , which is held every 3 years. Great participation by many from all over the district, with several different modes of operation were used. WA6MTY Bob Miller's Washoe County report gives details. Thank you Bob for doing an outstanding job spearheading the efforts. We got some great reviews and kudos for our participation. We are working on ways to work close together as a district to help each other and prepare should mutual aid ever be requested or needed by anyone. Thanks to Ski, AF7NB and Paul, KE7CRZ for working hard to shore up their groups and do some well needed recruiting of new members. You guys are great! Thanks also to Bob Miller, WA6MTY who is working tirelessly on helping put together training exercises and drills coming up this year. The efforts by our EC's are deeply appreciated. Memorial Day weekend was anything but summer-like. Lots of rain in NW Nevada, and on Tuesday & Wednesday, 5/27 & 28, NWS Reno activated Skywarn. Thanks to Dee KA7LOZ for manning the NWS station as spotters from all over the district submitted constant reports. We also thank Dave, KE7LC from Tonopah for keeping us updated.
Churchill County Paul Wilcoxen - KE7CRZ: We are putting the finishing touches on things for the Vigilant Guard Exercise on June 13th. We will have county wide communications testing on June 12, 2008, the day prior to our actual exercise. Our monthly meeting, regularly scheduled for the third Saturday of the month, has been re-scheduled to June 7th for this month only.
Lyon County Patti Polish, KE7JIV: Several members attended EMCOMMWEST. And I would like to thank John Abrott (KD7NHC) and Brian Freitag (KE7JIO) for assisting with the Emergency Communications display on Saturday. John brought his ATV and we set up our portable station with it. Brian showed off our Communications Van. Several people took pictures and a host of questions were answered. The Lyon County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (LCARES) Group assisted the Lyon County Sheriff's Search and Rescue (LCSSAR) over Memorial Weekend at Lake Lahontan. LCARES provided communication for the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) group, and the four wheel drive (4wd) group. We concentrated on terminology and message handling. In addition we spent some time on Sunday evening trying to contact our friends and members in Oregon, Harry (KC7HVM) and Gayanne (KD7KAY) Bryant on 40 and 80 meters. We could hear Harry but he could not hear us. It was the first time the group had used the new radio and antennas in the Command Post. We learned a valuable lesson due to the fact that we forgot to purchase a step ladder to install the antennas. There was no meeting this month due to the Memorial Day weekend. We hope that Bob Freeman (KE7ATZ) is recovering from his root canal. Our next monthly meeting will be held on Monday June 30th Leonard Mithcell KC7PET is our new Public Information Officer. Leonard has researched the responsibilities associated with the position and took the PIO class offered at EMCOMMWEST. Congratulations Leonard. We are looking forward to participating in Vigilant Guard this month.
Carson City/Douglas County Acting EC, Dick Creley, KJ7UK: This was a very slow month but we are gearing up for an active summer with more drills and the fire season. Many of the DCART members are active in the bikes held in the area and much very good training on molble site and NCS can be had.
WASHOE COUNTY Bob Miller, WA6MTY EC: Well we survived EMCOMM West where Kevin KE7BQX did a fantastic job coordinating an event that was bigger and better than ever. The Reno-Tahoe Airport exercise Broken-Wing finally came and went, and the ARES part was very successful. This was the first exercise with five local hospitals where we provided communications between the hospitals and the airport family assistant center. This was the first packet team exercise that went with just a few glitches that we need to work on. All in all the exercise went well, great training. Even though they would never be allowed near an air disaster, the ATV team shot live video from the incident to the Regional EOC as well as the airport EOC. Our Emergency Manager, Aaron Kenneston was very pleased with the results as it show ARES has the capability to shoot damage assessment video directly to the EOC. I attended the workshop on the Red Cross response to Aviation disasters, and also a two-day workshop on managing evacuation shelters. On Thursday May 29th, Tahoe Forrest Hospital in Truckee held a Pandemic Rob KI6TRK and Barry K6ST provide ARES support for the hospital. They asked if I would provide a link to the Reno area in the event they would ever need local hospital when the real thing happens. Since the hospital belongs to the local Inter Hospital Coordinating Council, I felt it important to participate. Therefore I activated the REOC radio room and asked Bill AA7WB to activate the VA Medical Center Radio. Reports are the Hospital officials were very impressed with our communications. Still preparing for Vigilant Guard earthquake exercise coming up on June 12-19th.
Humbolt County EC - Ski Woytowicz, AF7NB: KH6QAI - Michelle appointed to AEC for Training & Development. KD7MIO - Dick appointed to AEC for organizational liaison. Harry Bell appointed PIO for our group. 2 meter machine to be online by late June or early July (146.73). Field exercise scheduled for 14 June 2008 in Veterans Park, Winnemucca (Vigilant Guard/ Pre-Field Day prep). WO7I will host IRLP repeater from NARRI. New tech class planned for July in Winnemucca. KD7MIO, KE7QHM, AF7NB attended EMCOMM. WO7I to enter USAF MARS program. Humboldt group investigating forming a 503c corporation. 73 -- AF7NB.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT (Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC) - May was another month of planning. Upcoming events include Field Day and an open road race from Wendover to Laggies Junction on US 93 Alt. This race will be held in June and is the first of three races to be held in northeast Nevada. Communications support is paramount at these races and is not taken lightly by the race organization or regulatory agencies. These events also provide critital under-fire training for emergency communication. HF propagation has suffered as it does every summer. The NV Section ARES HF Net on Saturday morning is experimenting with the utilization of an IRLP liaison station to relay stations from the IRLP Western Reflector who are encountering difficulty hearing or being heard on the HF net. In the next few months an additional experiment will involve patching the HF net to the Western Reflector so it can be simulcast on bith circuits. Stay tuned for developments! 73
May 10, 2008 - EMCOMMWEST'08 a great success -
This was the best EMCOMMWEST ever! Everyone enjoyed the
event there were more attendees than any ECW
ever!
If you'd like to see pictures of EMCOMMWEST, take a look at the EMCOMMWEST website at http://emcommwest.org.
April 10, 2008 - ARES Monthly Report for March'08 SEC Summary - March has been pretty quiet, but much on the horizon. A couple of major training exercise events are being planned for May and June this year. Please see Washoe County EC report in NW District Report for some of the details.
The first weekend of April will find ASEC/Douglas Co. EC Dick Creley, KJ7UK and I heading out on a road trip. We will meet with Ski, AB7FB Humbolt County EC in Winnemucca and our NE DEC Joe Giraudo, N7JEH and his team in Elko. Then on April 11-13 I will head to Las Vegas to attend the Clark County ARES/RACES team meeting. Looking forward to seeing everyone down south again. Report on these trips coming next month.
With the recent earthquake in Wells and recent swarm of small quakes near Reno, please remember to be prepared as these shakers can strike at any time without notice or forecast. We just need to keep these things in mind as we plan to protect our homes, families and communities. 73 Don Carlson, KQ6FM SEC.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT - Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC Southern: Not much news from here this past month. Bruce AL7LS has coordinated with Jack K6JAC of central CA to set up an auto-forwarding messaging service. The Packet messages are routed through an HF Packet link to K6JAC. Messages from there can be routed to the Reno/Carson City area through various VHF packet ports. The network supplements the WinLink network.
South Nye Co. EC Report by Jerry KC6ILH - Picked up more members from the HAM-cram class and testing. Starting with some training for new people and getting ready for the B2V run and field day. Had a great Easter as I hope you all did. See you next month
Clark County EC Report by Charlie AA5QJ - Quiet month - no activities other than nets, and no meetings! There were 65 check-ins to the GMRS Emergency Net in March.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT (Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC: March has been a fairly quiet month, with no callouts or major events which involved amateur radio. More planning continues for EMCOMMWEST which is getting ever closer, with the scheduled dates of May 2-4 at Circus Circus in Reno. If you have not registered for the conference and/or the banquet, please do so as quickly as possible. Check online at the website at www.emcommwest.org. New items are being added all the time, so check frequently.
Finally, from our SM Dick Flanagan K7VC the following: It is with extreme sadness that I announce the passing of two local and well-loved hams. Both Al Bertone W1LVN and Jack Jones KC7OCB became Silent Keys this morning (3/30). Al and Jack were frequent contributors to club activities in the area and were always available to help a ham in need. There will not be any services for Al and any arrangements for Jack are not known at this time. Please keep Al and Jack's friends and families in your prayers.
Churchill County Paul Wilcoxen - KE7CRZ: We are still without the 145.35 repeater on Fairview Peak and it has been sent in for needed repairs. We are monitoring 145.35 simplex until the repeater is back in operation.
I am still trying to deal with the programming of simplex frequencies which seems to be difficult on some radios. Mark Beadle-KD7ZPP and I have been working on the Fallon Police Department's SGC 2000 HF radio. It would seem that the antenna tuner at the P.D. has a problem and that will be addressed soon. The SGC 2000 at the Churchill County EOC was tested on Tuesday April 1st and is now operational.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan Fallis-KE7BFD, for his valuable help in programming and repairing the Motorola radios for us. Al worked hard to do this for us and we really owe him big time. Thanks Al!
Lyon County Patti Polish, KE7JIV - Not much to report this month as things have been relatively quiet. We are currently developing a manual of definitions for words used by some of the agencies we have served. We felt that we can pass on information better if we understand what it is we are "repeating." We are reviewing procedures in anticipation of "Vigilant Guard" and discussed what will be expected of us during this exercise. We also discussed the assistance we will be providing Search and Rescue during Memorial Weekend at Lake Lahontan. Our next meeting will be April 28th at the Silver Stage High School Library at 1900 hours.
Carson City/Douglas County Acting EC, Dick Creley, KJ7UK: Training was held at Douglas Co. training room, subject was Helo recovery and launch. The varied aspects of this type of work due to our mountains valleys and the safety of personnel were covered. Easter Sunday a crew of 3 members of DCART, Sheila and Leroy Clement working with Dick Young (landing control officer) actually recovered and launched a CareFlite Helo for demo at the Jacks Valley Vol. FD Easter egg hunt. There were about 50 adults and kids present. It was well recieved event as the Easter Bunny was the passinger of the Helo.
Washoe County Bob Miller, WA6MTY EC: ARES TRAINING SESSION - With 18 members in attendance. I presented more detailed information regarding Broken Wing and Vigilant Guard and ARES participation in both. Bill AA7WB (Hospital AEC) and I attended the Inner Hospital Coordinating Council Meeting, some discussion about Broken Wing. I did an ARES presentation for Red Cross Shelter Managers. I met with Cheryl Curtis at Airport REOC to discuss the details of ARES goals for Broken Wing. I continue to attend the Vigilant Guard Exercise and Broken Wing planning meetings.
Humbolt County Ski Woytowicz, AB6FD
- Monthly meeting (mixer) - 3 hours on 15 March 2008. Six members in attendence.
- Conducting VHF nets on Wednesdays at 1900 hours. Average net length is 0.5 hours. Using WO7I repeater on 442.825 (PL141.3). Also conduct simultaneous HF check-in during scheduled net time.
- Mapped repeater coverage to the south. WO7I machine from Winnemucca has good copy along I-80 from Winnemucca to Mile Marker 134. Copyable at Exit 129 (Rye Patch - Humboldt River Ranch) depending on antenna orientation (very weak). Test conducted by AF7NB, KH6QAI, KH6QAJ, and KE7QHM.
- KH6QAI & KH6QAJ expressed desire to enter USAF MARS to gain interoperability skills. Getting more info for them.
- KE7QHM acquired new linear amp. Good copy into Humboldt from Pershing County.
- Tested 10 meter copy. Marginal within county on simplex. No copy from Humboldt into Pershing County.
- 10 meter repeater proposal being considered.
- KG6JOF acquired new dual band handheld.
- No reply yet from National Guard concerning IRLP repeater installation.
- One NTS message (#1179) handled by AF7NB from the Nevada Section ARES HF Net for Winnemucca. Service message provided back to originator, Loren, N1IQI. Time invested not included in this report. If counted, add approximately one hour for delivery attempts, research, and follow-up service message. CC copies to N7JEH and KQ6FM.
- As a result of item #9 (above), new owner of property where ham had lived, was impressed with efforts taken to deliver radio message. She and her husband will try to attend Humboldt ARES Field Day event to view in person how traffic is processed. They may become hams.
- Training classes are in planning stage. Want to start ham class for new Technician class hams. Still in planning stage. Time seems to be an issue. Most candidates want to do a one day class. A weekend class was recommended. Training for new hams will obviously still be under further consideration/discussion.
- Two new candidates accrued for planned training class. Potential for more prospective hams is definitely there from American Red Cross youth group and Humboldt County Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
- Members reminded to attend EMCOMMWEST in May in Reno and the Field Day event at WalMart.
- Next Humboldt ARES meeting will be at 1300 hours on 19 April 2008 at the American Red Cross Office on Traders Way in Winnemucca.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT (Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC). Winter weather is still slowing field activities such as mountain-top repeater maintenance. Seismic aftershocks continue to rock the City of Wells, some in excess of magnitude 5 on the Richter Scale. Additional seismic activity has also been felt near Carlin, approximately 70 miles west of Wells. Recovery efforts continue but no communication support has been needed.
The Elko Amateur Radio Club is planning for the upcoming Field Day activities in June as well as communication support for the open road races held in this area. The Section HF Net continued through the month. Propagation between the southern and northern halves of the State continues to decline on 75 meters. Communications are decaying around 8:15 AM. Participation continues with visitor station from surrounding States checking in.
April 7, 2008 - CA Hands Free Law - We are not out of the woods yet -
Our esteemed ARRL Vice Director Andy Oppel N6AJO, passes this along. It looks like California strikes again!
I noticed a number of bulletins have passed around this link http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/dl208_03cell_phone.pdf as proof positive that the hands-free driving law that will go into effect July 1st does not apply to amateur radio. And in fact, when this page first went up on the DMV site, I recall passing it on to you as an indication that the matter was settled. Unfortunately, there has been a turn of events that gives me pause.
At the time the page cited above was put up by the DMV, it was linked from this page http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/ (the link was named something on the order of "FAQs about the new hands-free laws" and if you searched on the DMV site you would find both pages. Sometime subsequent to that, the FAQs were placed directly on page http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/ and the link to the old page (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/dl208_03cell_phone.pdf) was removed. The text now on the main page says nothing about an exclusion for two-way radio use except for specific exclusion "for those operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow truck, to use a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature". The page we have seen passed around is ***not*** linked to or from any other page on the DMV site and it does not show up when you search the DMV site (there is a search tool anchored in the upper right corner of every DMV page). And the text on the published page reads to me like anything with a push-to-talk switch cannot be operated by the driver of a vehicle except for the exclusions for emergency workers, tow truck drivers, commercial truckers, and so forth.
So what happened?
* Did a web developer at the DMV attempt to merge the two pages and inadvertently put the old text on the main page, and leave the old pdf out there for us to find (assuming we know the exact URL)?
* Was there an official change of interpretation and the result is this republication of the FAQs on the main page with the example that excluded two-way radios deliberately removed?
We don't know! And so far our attempts to find out have not yielded an answer.
The root of the problem is the law uses the term "wireless telephone" without defining it. This leaves the definition up to the DMV and CHP and eventually to the courts when someone gets cited and starts the process of challenging it. Changing the law is a 2 to 3 year process, so that's not an immediate remedy. Asking legal authorities such as the State Attorney General for a definition of "wireless telephone" is risky because there is no assurance we would get a favorable definition, and thus might get stuck with the unfavorable one.
We're working the issue with our contacts in Sacramento. In the meantime, I strongly advise against making any statements that the issue is resolved or pointing people to what amounts to an orphan document on the DMV web site. It's too bad, because this was so promising -- now we just don't know. Bob and I will update you the minute we hear anything official. And if you happen upon any developments, please share them with all of us.
73, Andy Oppel, N6AJO
Vice Director, Pacific Division
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
The National Association for Amateur Radio
March 30, 2008 - 2008 VoIP Technical Forum in Las Vegas Saturday April 12, 2008 -
Since 2002 Nevada Amateur Radio Repeaters, Inc. (NARRI) has sponsored a
public VoIP conference every Spring . Up until this year the meeting focused
mostly on IRLP, and featured the system designer of IRLP, now the meeting
is of a broader scope including all the major VoIP systems in use by the
amateur radio community, i.e., IRLP, Echo link, EchoIRLP, All Star and
D-Star.
This year's meeting plans have been finalized with Circus-Circus being chosen as the meeting location. Here is a summary of details:
| Place: | Las Vegas Circus-Circus | |
| Date: | Saturday April 12, 2008 | |
| Time: | 9am to 3pm | |
| Program: | the various VoIP systems with demonstrations. | |
| Venue: | Topical Conference plus Continental Breakfast and buffet style Deli Lunch | |
| Cost: | $55 per person, no exceptions. | |
| Hotel Rooms: | Find your own sleeping rooms. | |
| Registration: | Please send your check to NARRI, c/o Kent Johnson, 395 Peaceful Street, Las Vegas, NV 89110 ASAP or $60 if PayPay at www.narri.org. |
March 24, 2008 - Reno QRP Club meeting -
The March Reno QRP Club meeting, at IHOP in Sparks, was a fun experience. We had a quiet room with booths and tables to ourselves. The windows provided sufficient natural light. The service was excellent.
Please welcome new Ham, Steve Jackson, KE7RTV.
Gary Grant, K7VY, spoke of his days with Collins Radio and his contribution to the first manned space flight. This was accompanied by photos and teletypes; even to Air Force 1.
Bruce, W7JBB, gave away the book Test Equipment for the Radio Amateur by RSGB to whomever might have use of it. Carl, K5HK, passed out an article on the new software, "CW Skimmer" by VE3NEA. Gary, K7VY, showed off his Heathkit SB610 monitor scope. Swede, K7UAL, passed around ARRL: The Radio Amateur's Handbook 33rd edition from 1956. Other attendees were Ray, W7TAP; Bill, AA7WB; Tim, W7YQ; Van, W7EIX; Craig, AE7I; Steve, NU7T and Ed, WD7Y.
Craig, AE7I, has downloaded "CW Skimmer" for use with his Flex 5000 SDR. A cursory inspection of the new software illistrated to Craig it will complement his operations.
Carl, K5HK, is exploring the possibility of a booth at EMCOMM West again this year. If you are interested, contact him at: k5hk at clearwire dot net.
The next luncheon will be April 21, 2008 at IHOP, 80 E. Victorian in Sparks.
Steve, NU7T
Correspondence Secretary, Pro Tem
(thanks Steve! - de wb6w)
February 5, 2008 - New Ham Forum in Reno planned for February 23, 2008 -
The amateur radio community will be hosting a New Ham Forum to acquaint newly licensed hams to the endless aspects of our hobby. There will be displays from local radio clubs in the area and information on how new hams can join. The forum will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC), 5195 Spectrum Blvd, from 8:30 am to 12:30pm.
The New Hams Net is now on the Pond Peak repeater 146.76 minus (-) pl 123.0, every Sunday, Jan 13 at 1300 hours local.
Please contact Frank Walsh at (775) 742-9072 or email ke7ajo@gbis.com for information on the New Ham Forum.
February 4, 2008 - New Official Observer Coordinator Appointed -
The Nevada section has a new Official Observer Coordinator (OOC), Glenn Thomas WB6W. Glenn was Santa Clara Valley Section Manager before moving to Nevada and has just been appointed Nevada OOC. Questions concerning the ARRL official observer program as well as the FCC Amateur Auxillary should be directed to him at
wb6w@arrl.net.
We thank Paul Cavnar K7IN the previous OOC. He did a wonderful job before other responsibilites starting taking more time than he had. Paul continues as the Nevada section Bulletin Manager.
January 27, 2008 - NWS Skywarn Recognition Day results -
NWS Skywarn Recognition Day results are now available at
here.
SKYWARN Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service.
Nevada stations did well this year. I dunno what happened to Reno WX7RNO. The results for Elko and Las Vegas are:
| Rank/91 | Call Sign | Location | QSOs | States | NWS Offices |
| 9 | WX7LKN | Elko | 493 | 47 | 46 |
| 78 | WX7LAS | Las Vegas | 35 | 18 | 35 |
January 18, 2008 - ARES After Action Report from the Fernley Floods -
The
ARES/RACES After Action Report
(a PDF file) from the Fernly Floods of January 5, 2008 has been released. It's available
here.
Apart from reading about how Amateur radio served the public interest, convienence or necessity,
the report provides critical information about what we could've done better.
Knowing this is how we avoid makeing the same mistakes again, thus enabling us to find brand new
mistakes to make next time! There's nothing wrong with making new mistakes, That's how we learn.
However it's unwise (at best!) to repeat mistakes we've already made.
January 12, 2008 - Changes to ARRL NV Website -
The ARRL Nevada Section webpage has a slightly changed look. Primarily, the "bingoboard" at the top
of the page has been rearranged, with some links deleted and some new ones added. Also, the site was designed
for a screen that is 800 pixels wide. Unfortunately the older version was slightly wider, something that apparently caused
problems for some folks. Accordingly, the page has been made slightly narrower!
- 73 de Glenn WB6W NV webmaster
January 12, 2008 - New Hams Net QSY's -
The New Hams Net in the Reno area is moving to the Pond Peak repeater 146.76
minus (-) pl 123.0.
The New Hams Net meets every Sunday at 1300 hours local.
(tnx to Steve KE7HLS for this)
