ARRL TN SECTION PIC NEWS

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "ARRL TN SECTION PIC NEWS"

August Bates
6 years ago
Views:

ARRL TN SECTION PIC NEWS ARRL TN Section Public Informa

Eastern Time Location: Greene County Fairgrounds 123 Fair Grounds Rd Greeneville, TN 37745 The Greeneville Hamfest is just two weeks away, and finishing touches are in progress for this year s

1 ARRL TN SECTION PIC NEWS ARRL TN Section Public Information Newsletter October 2016 Date: Saturday, October 15 Time: 7:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time Location: Greene County Fairgrounds 123 Fair Grounds Rd Greeneville, TN The Greeneville Hamfest is just two weeks away, and finishing touches are in progress for this year s Greeneville Hamfest! Sponsored by Andrew Johnson Amateur Radio Club, this event will host a Radio and Electronics swap meet, LOTS of door prizes, and many great vendors. Featured vendors include Satellite Sam Adams, KG3JMN, N4FV and N4CAG Repeaters, Innovative Technologies, Lakeway ARC, Northeast TN District 7 SKYWARN, ARRL, Ham World, and Tower Electronics. Stop by to see their products, and to learn about the services they offer. Find out more information about the Greeneville Hamfest at HELP NEEDED: Chattanooga Amateur Radio Club (CARC): Club member and long-time Tour de Cure supporter, Ben Timmerman AC4HG, is looking for folks to help with the Tour de Cure Bike Ride on Saturday, October 8. You will need at least an HT with mag mount antenna, a spare battery or cigarette lighter power cable...even better would be a mobile (vehicle) radio. An APRS-enabled radio would be a plus. Please visit the Tour de Cure Website for more information including schedules, routes, and specific events. Events start as early as 8:00 AM and as late as 10:00, so I have places I can use folks that wish to come later. Please contact Ben Timmerman (ben@brtimmerman.com) to help with event communications. Thank you! In This Issue Greeneville Hamfest Help Needed : Chattanooga Tour de Cure Chattanooga Hamfest SEDCO Recap Preparedness Month Tips Recap Daily Tips from the ARRL Upcoming Events and Hamfests Speakers Registry Merit Badge College VE Sessions Weekly Club Nets National Parks on the Air Contact Us

2 Hamfest Chattanooga 2016 de Gary S. Ownsby, AK4ZX, W4AM President 2016 & Hamfest Chairman 2016 Date: Saturday, October 22 Time: 8:00 a.m 2:00 p.m Eastern Time Location: East Ridge Community Center, 1517 Tombras Avenue, East Ridge, TN The Hamfest is less than a month away, and the excitement is building for the next Chattanooga Hamfest! There is a new perk for those wishing to take their Technician Class Exam and pass it: To encourage interest in amateur radio and new hams, we will provide FREE admission to the first 20 individuals that pass their Technician Class Exam while at one of our exam sessions at Hamfest Chattanooga We want to reward and congratulate those that pass the Technician Class Exam and welcome them into the fun of amateur radio. Find out more information about the Chattanooga Amateur Radio Club and about their Hamfest on their website: For Hamfest Chattanooga details, click on the Hamfest tab. Be Our Guest Did you know Amateur Radio Operators, or soon to be HAMs, who are undecided about joining ARRL can try it for free by signing up for a 90-Day Guest Account? ARRL TN Section Public Information Team OUR MISSION: Work throughout Tennessee to show the value of amateur radio as a hobby, a skill, and a means of emergency communications to the general public to generate interest in amateur radio operations. Public Information Coordinator TN Section: Cathy Goodrich KK4IWN ARRL Public Information Officers: Stephan Anderman K2SMA Tom Tate WA4CGF Keith Gaines KC4YYF Len Grice W4MKS SPEAKERS REGISTRY : Are you an Amateur Radio Operator with skills to share? Do you know someone who gave a presentation that you would like others to hear? Local clubs are looking for great speakers who can help to generate (or keep) interest in Amateur Radio, and to teach new skills to their members. Contact kk4iwn@arrl.net to get listed on the Speakers Registry, designed to help those looking for Speakers for their events find those interested in sharing their Amateur Radio expertise!

Looking Back: SEDCO e CPARC met with the Principal of the Homesteads SEDCO W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention SEDCO : September 23-24, 2016 in Pigeon Forge, TN.

com/ The convention featured a full day Ham Radio Bootcamp, which provided information to new and experienced hams alike.

Topics included Antennas (K4ZLE), HF operations (N3CZ), Contesting (N7FT), Digital Modes (W8MRL), and many ways to improve your operating techniques to help you have more fun on the air!

along with additional presentations on Beaconing (K6TD), and DXpeditions from the Radio Vendor Perspective (KG6IRW).

During breaks between presentations, SEDCO participants could see various vendor products, ask questions, and take information to consider for their future purchases.

3 Looking Back: SEDCO e CPARC met with the Principal of the Homesteads SEDCO W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention SEDCO : September 23-24, 2016 in Pigeon Forge, TN. The SouthEastern DX and Contesting Organization (SEDCO) is a non-profit organization, founded for one reason - to bring DXers and Contesters together in fellowship. The convention featured a full day Ham Radio Bootcamp, which provided information to new and experienced hams alike. The day started with What is Ham Radio (W8GEX), followed by many more topics than listed here! Topics included Antennas (K4ZLE), HF operations (N3CZ), Contesting (N7FT), Digital Modes (W8MRL), and many ways to improve your operating techniques to help you have more fun on the air! Those who attending the evening session had an extra treat by from Bob, Allphin K4UEE, who talked about his recollections from Activating 11 of the DXCC Top 10 Most Wanted (no, that was NOT a typo), along with additional presentations on Beaconing (K6TD), and DXpeditions from the Radio Vendor Perspective (KG6IRW). Attendees also had the option to visit the Ham Shack (aka Radio Room ), where they could experience Digital modes, do a little HF, and see how they fared in a CW Ops test of their abilities. During breaks between presentations, SEDCO participants could see various vendor products, ask questions, and take information to consider for their future purchases. The second day featured several speakers who shared their experiences on various DXpeditions, plus several sessions that provided information about RFI (K3RFI), Contesting Hints and Techniques (N0AX), and Single Operator Contesting Strategies K4RO). Did you hear Heard Island??? I never did, but got to re-live their experiences during a very informative session. Attendees also heard some interesting metrics on the Costs for a DXpedition (N1DG), Remember as you seek a QSL, those who go on the expeditions so that we can make a contact spend so much time and personal funds to travel to these exotic places at great personal risk. Use Club Log (OQRS) to make the QSL more efficient, and to get funds to the expedition team faster. The convention wrapped up with a banquet, followed by an Acoustic pickin party around the cement pond by W4PA, N0AX and K4RO). A fabulous experience for all who attended! Those who missed it need not worry, it ll be back in Pigeon Forge in September 2017.

4 Upcoming TN Hamfests Greeneville Hamfest October 15 Hamfest Chattanooga 2016 October 22 Ongoing Event: 2016 National Parks on the Air: Throughout 2016, Amateur Radio will be helping the National Park Service celebrate their 100th anniversary. Hams from across the country will activate NPS units, promote the National Park Service and showcase Amateur Radio to the public. Upcoming Merit Badge College (see more at Badge-College-MBC ) Once again the Ham Radio merit badge is on the agenda for the 2017 Great Smoky Mountain Council Merit Badge College. Always held on the third Saturday in February, it is scheduled for February 18, Keith Gaines, KC4YYF, will be coordinating this event for What is a Merit Badge College? It is a one day event that Scouts can attend to obtain a merit badge that they are finding it difficult to find a counselor. Troop Registration is required, so please be sure to check their website for details Upcoming in Our Neighboring States: (see more at Helena Hamfest: Helena, AL October 8 Stone Mountain Hamfest and ARRL Georgia State Convention : Lawrenceville, GA November Alabama State Convention (MARC Hamfest 2016) Montgomery. AL November 19 Got An Event???? Let us know to get it listed here! kk4iwn@arrl.net

5 September Preparedness Month TIPS from the ARRL September is the traditional National Preparedness Month, and ARRL did great work promoting preparedness in Amateur Radio, including publishing the Amateur Radio Tip of the Day. Published in Social Media avenues such as Twitter and Facebook, ARRL provided almost-daily tips throughout the month of September enhance preparedness activity by Amateur Radio operators. Learn more about Emergency Communications Training at: Tip # Tip Title Tip 1 Memory Check 2 The ICS 3 Check That Coax 4 Portable Power 5 Share Your Skills 6 Get On The Air 7 Learn to Look Up 8 If You Build It, You Will Learn When was the last time you updated the memories in your HT? Verify the settings are still good, or add new frequencies that are relevant to your area. All hams involved with public service communications should know the basics of the Incident Command System (ICS). FEMA has lots of ICS info available at Old coax can deteriorate over time. Regularly test all coax runs and jumpers used in the field to ensure they will work when you need them. Make sure you have a portable 12V DC power source available for your radio. Many options exist, but a portable car jump starter is an excellent choice that has multiple uses. Mentoring others strengthens ham radio preparedness in your area and reinforces your knowledge of what you teach. Somebody once taught you; keep that cycle going. Any skill set gets rusty if not used. Get on the air regularly for recreation. Not all Ham radio is an emergency, and ops who are regularly active are more prepared if an emergency arises. SKYWARN teaches you how to relay how to relay critical weather info to the National Weather Service during a storm. Find a class near you at: When you make something yourself, you will better understand how it works. Building is a great club activity; have your club sponsor a "Build Night". The skills you learn make you a better troubleshooter in the field. 9 Be Adaptable 10 ARRL Training 11 Raise Your App Awareness 12 Catch a (Radio) Wave 13 Lighten Your Load 14 Weather-Wise Always keep a wide selection of antenna and audio adapters in your go-kit. You never know what gear you may encounter in the field; maximize your flexibility. If you want to get serious about Emergency Communications, ARRL Courses will give you the foundation you need to succeed. Learn more at emergency-communications-training Get smart about smartphone apps for emergency preparedness. FEMA and Red Cross apps are great but there's much more. Study up on apps here: Communication becomes easier when you know what band fits your needs. Learn how to determine the best band for getting a message where it needs to go. A lighter go-kit means more agility. Weigh your gear. If you're carrying more than 20 pounds of ham radio gear, try to cut weight without sacrificing capability. Be critical. Program your local National Weather Service Frequencies into our VHF/UHF radio. Weather can change in an instant, as evidenced by the sudden formation of Tropical Storm Julia along the Gulf coast yesterday [9/13]. Be informed!

6 September Preparedness Month TIPS from the ARRL (Cont.) Tip # Tip Title Tip 15 Blow Your Horn 16 Other Organizations 16 Here Comes Sunshine 18 Field Day isn't Just For June Public Information Officer (PIO) tells the local media how your club benefits your community. This raises your club's visibility and fosters relationships with served agencies. If your club doesn't have a PIO, get one! VOAD is a national-level organization of other groups dedicated to helping in times of need. Learn how your group can be of service at the state level. Solar power is free and plentiful. It can charge your batteries, but it can also be a source of noise. Learn the ins and outs of solar power to keep you on the air and noise-free during Field Day, after a hurricane, or the wake of the flood. Every time you operate portable, you gain valuable experience to use during an emergency or disaster situation. Use the fun of programs like National Parks on the Air to practice your deployment skills. 19 Go social 20 Master New Modes 22 Safety First 23 Access to Alkalines 24 Know your Gear 25 What Else Can You Do? 26 Learn From the Master 28 Pack Cheat Sheets 29 Ready Set Go! 30 Frequent Flyers Social media is the communication and networking tool of today. Learn to [use] it to promote what your group does to your community and served agencies. Phone may not be able to get the message out. Learn to use modes other than voice, such as CW or digital modes like PSK. The more ways you know how to communicate, the more valuable you are on a deployment. Whether a routine demonstration or a natural disaster, always operate with safety in mind. Cordon off areas with bright tape, keep a first aid kit on hand, and ALWAYS steer clear of downed power lines. Don't become another victim! Keep a supply of alkaline batteries available. They can provide power to many HTs in the event you can't recharge your normal power pack. They come in handy for hundreds of other applications, too. If stored long-term, check regularly for any leakage. Do you know how to use all the features your radio offers? Extra memories, special filtering and other settings can make working stations easier and reduce fatigue on long shifts. Sit down with the manual and try out all your rig can do. Many of us offer more skills than communication. When working with other agencies, et them know if you have other certifications (CPR, IT, etc.). You never know how you may be asked to help; make yourself valuable. If you need to learn a new procedure or skill, ask an expert to teach you. Whether handling a soldering iron or increasing your efficiency as Net Control, working directly with those who have the know-how will get you up to speed; soon, you will be doing well. Be sure to document how your go-kit is laid out. You may have a guest op, or forget how to perform a specific function. Bring manuals with you, or condensed versions of them. You could store PDFs of them on your phone, too. The Simulated Emergency Test Oct 1 & 2 gets your group involved in one of the nation's largest training exercises. If you aren't involved, contact your local Emergency Coordinator or member of the ARRL Field Organization. Whenever you are out with Amateur Radio in a public setting, keep a supply of promotional flyers on hand. You never know when you will get a chance to promote what we do! Free brochures are available at

VE Testing Sessions Looking for a VE Testing Session so you can bring someone to get their ticket? Taking the next step by upgrading your own? Check out the Exams link on arrl.

7 VE Testing Sessions Looking for a VE Testing Session so you can bring someone to get their ticket? Taking the next step by upgrading your own? Check out the Exams link on arrl.org to get details on sessions in your area: City Zip Date Sponsor Time (Local) Oneida /4/2016 Big South Fork ARC 7:00 PM Bristol /6/2016 Bristol ARC 7:00 PM Alamo /8/2016 Crockett Cty ARS 9:00 AM Chattanooga /8/2016 Scenic City ARS 4:00 PM Cleveland /8/2016 Cleveland ARC 10:00 AM Woodbury /8/2016 DeKalb/Cannon County ARC 1:00 PM Germantown /10/2016 Nashoba ARC 5:30 PM Memphis /11/2016 Delta Amateur Radio Club 5:45 PM New Johnsonville /15/ RATS 9:00 AM Atoka /17/2016 Tipton Cty Radio Society 6:00 PM Decaturville /17/2016 Decatur County ARC 7:00 PM Sevierville /19/ Amt Radio Group E TN 6:00 PM Sevierville /20/2016 Sevierville County ERS 6:00 PM Sevierville /20/ Amt Radio Group E TN 6:00 PM Lebanon /23/2016 Wilson ARC 1:30 PM Oneida /1/2016 Big South Fork ARC 7:00 PM Bristol /3/2016 Bristol ARC 7:00 PM Knoxville /5/2016 University of TN ARC 12:30 PM Smithville /5/2016 DCCARC 1:00 PM Memphis /8/2016 Delta Amateur Radio Club 5:45 PM Dickson /10/2016 Dickson Cty ARC 7:00 PM Chattanooga /12/2016 Scenic City ARS 4:00 PM Cleveland /12/2016 Cleveland ARC 10:00 AM Lyles /12/2016 Hickman County ARES 1:00 PM Murfreesboro /12/2016 Stones River ARC 10:00 AM Germantown /14/2016 Nashoba ARC 5:30 PM Sevierville /16/ Amt Radio Group E TN 6:00 PM Sevierville /17/2016 Sevierville County ERS 6:00 PM Sevierville /17/ Amt Radio Group E TN 6:00 PM Columbia /19/2016 MARC 9:00 AM Henderson /19/2016 Chester County ARC 9:00 AM Atoka /21/2016 Tipton Cty Radio Society 6:00 PM Cookeville /29/2016 Cookeville Repeater VE Team 6:00 PM Crossville /1/2016 Cumberland Plateau ARC (CPARC) 7:00 PM Knoxville /3/2016 University of TN ARC 12:30 PM Springfield /3/2016 Robertson County ARC 1:00 PM Woodbury /3/2016 DeKalb/Cannon County ARC 1:00 PM Oneida /6/2016 Big South Fork ARC 7:00 PM Lyles /10/2016 Hickman County ARES 1:00 PM Nashville /10/2016 Nashville VE Team 9:00 AM Sevierville /15/2016 Sevierville County ERS 6:00 PM Atoka /19/2016 Tipton Cty Radio Society 6:00 PM

8 WEEKLY CLUB NETS Club Name City Scheduled Nets Scheduled Nets Other Nets and Events BEDFORD COUNTY AM- Weekly Monday 7:30 PM BCARS ARES Net South Bedford County Repeater ATEUR RADIO SOCIETY Shelbyville Repeater Plus Offset CARTER COUNTY ARA CHATTANOOGA ARC Cumberland Plateau ARC DECATUR COUNTY AM- ATEUR RADIO CLUB DEKALB-CANNON COUNTY AMATEUR RA- DIO CLUB Elizabethton Hixson Crossville Parsons Smithville Every Monday on , tone at 8:00 PM CARC SUNDAY NIGHT NET Sundays at 8:00 EST Repeater NT Area Nets: Sun.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.*, CPARC ARES Nets Tone Mon-Fri, 6:30 p.m.*, TN Emergency Net LSB. Mon, 8:00 p.m.*, RACK Tech. METERS Net ** Tone Thursday 6:30 Weekly net on the Decaturville repeater PL tone. Weekly A.R.E.S. ( Amateur Radio Emergency Services) training net every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. on repeater WR3S ( no PL tone) Wed, 8:00 p.m.*, SE [US] Linked Repeater Net No Tone Thu, 6:30 p.m.*, 470 Amateur Radio Group Tone Local Repeaters: on Hinch Mountain linked to E. TN & W. NC repeaters plus Echo- Link Tone (solar mixed Fusion) Tone Tone (normal mode Fusion) CPARC owned: & Delta ARC Memphis Delta Club Daily Nets pl at 8pm central time. MS 150 Bike Ride Sept TBD DICKSON COUNTY AM- ATEUR RADIO CLUB Dickson DCARC Weekly Tuesday Nights 2 Meter Net at 7:30 p.m PL Local Repeaters: PL White Bluff PL White Bluff PL Cumberland Furnace Packet PL Cumberland Furnace PL 91.5 Cumberland Furnace

9 WEEKLY CLUB NETS Taking a long ride across the TN Section? Why not stop by a weekly club net and check in? Club Name City Scheduled Nets Scheduled Nets Other Nets and Events JOHNSON COUNTY ARC Mountain City 9:00pm with a tone of Thursday Night - Voice and Echolink 220 8:30pm on with a tone of LAKEWAY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB (LARC) Maury ARC MEMPHIS DIGITAL AMA- TEUR RADIO CLUB Mid South ARA MID TENN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY Talbott Columbia Germantown Memphis Tullahoma Tuesday 7:00 PM Repeater no pl Emergency Preparedness Net SUNDAY 8:30 PM CST MARC REPEATER (PL 127.3) Friday 20:30 Hrs. on the W4LET Node "B" Repeater And on Reflector 58-A. Friday Night Net D-RATS - Chat Room: Memphis Repeaters: DD Elmer Net on Monday evenings at 9:00 pm on (107.2 PL) HAM JAM VHF NET T Tuesdays 9:00-9:50 p.m. COMMUNITY PRE- PAREDNESS NET THURSDAY NIGHTS BEFORE MARC NET 6:30 PM EARLY CHECK IN ON SIMPLEX 7:00 PM REGULAR net MARC REPEATER (TONE 127.3) Two Nets weekly on Thursday and Friday evenings at 20:30 hrs. CDT. Both nets are on D-STAR, on the W4LET node "B" repeater and on Reflector 58A. Local Repeaters: VHF: no pl UHF: no pl MTEARS NETMONDAY 8:00 PM CST UHF RE- PEATER (PL 100.0) The MDARC Club Net is on Friday evenings. CERT NET - CERT Net on Thursday evenings at 20:30 hrs. CDT and it is open to everyone, not just CERT Members. Weekly Lunch Ham Luncheon at Farmers Old Shoney's Manchester Tuesdays 11:00-1:20 p.m. MTARS VHF NET Shoney's Restaurant, T (Farmer's) Skinner Flat Thursdays 9:00-9:50 Road, Manchester, TN, p.m. United States NASHVILLE ARC, INC. Nashville Monday at 7:30 pm MHz (no tone)

WEEKLY CLUB NETS (CONT.) Club Name City Scheduled Nets Scheduled Nets Other Nets and Events Short Mtn. Repeater Club, Murfreesboro Old Codger s Net 146.

10 WEEKLY CLUB NETS (CONT.) Club Name City Scheduled Nets Scheduled Nets Other Nets and Events Short Mtn. Repeater Club, Murfreesboro Old Codger s Net on Information Net Tuesday night Weekly Net: Traders Net Thursday Inc. Monday nights at 8 pm CST at 8 pm CST nights at 8 PM Smoky Mountain Arc Maryville SMARC Net each Thursday at 7:00 pm on backup is tone UNICOI COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION WILSON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Erwin Lebanon EVERY THURSDAY EVENING, EXCEPT FIRST Thursday Club Meeting Night 8:00 p.m MHZ, + OFFSET UP 600 PL TONE; WHEN ACTIVE 88.5; Backup MHZ, + OFFSET No Tone Thursday Night Wilson ARC & ARES Net Thursdays at 7:00 PM on MHz ARRL National Parks on the Air (source: Throughout 2016, Amateur Radio will be helping the National Park Service celebrate their 100th anniversary. Hams from across the country will activate NPS units, promote the National Park Service and showcase Amateur Radio to the public. Find out more, or register your park activation at: Send your NPOTA stories and pictures to kk4iwn@arrl.net to share the fun of your events. Contact Us Got questions? Need info? Have info to share? Contact: Cathy Goodrich KK4IWN TN Section PIC kk4iwn@arrl.net Or your nearest ARRL PIO or club PIO The ARRL TN Section Website: tnarrl.org TNARES The TN ARES Homepage : tnares.com ARRL Tennessee Section: LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!!!

ARRL TN SECTION PIC NEWS

ARRL TN SECTION PIC NEWS ARRL TN Section Public Information Newsletter APRIL 2017 YOUR CLUB IS SPECIAL BUT IS IT A SPECIAL SERVICE CLUB??? Each Amateur Radio Club is unique in its own way through its members,