This year has been a good year for Amateur Radio in Flagstaff and Williams. The exam October 19 is indicitive of that
Congratulations to Morgan KI7WTS who upgraded to Amatuer Extra and Mike who upgraded to Amateur Extra from… Well. Nothing. He passed all three exams. His dad, Don, got a General license. Congratulations to Jeremiah KF7NIQ who upgraded to General. Carl passed the Technician and General exams. Nathan and Willis, from Williams, got a Technician license.
The final talley is two new Amateur Extras, two new Generals and two new Technicians.
Thanks to Ken KF7DUR, Ron KG7OH and Glen KG7YDJ for proctoring this exam and Joe W7LUX and Janice KI7WCK for setting up the exams. Also thanks to all of the other VEs who helped this year. We, of course, thank Melissa Fisher and North Country Health Care for allowing us to use their facility.
Thanks to the instructors who helped in Flagstaff and Williams. Phil AE7HO, Ron KG7OH, Kevin KK7NAZ, Jack NT7MM, Jackie KI7YQO, and Peter. I hope I remembered everyone.
On my way to Circle K in Williams, this evening (this evening being Saturday, September 7), I stopped off at Bellemont to check out Route 66 On-The-Air. My goal was to get more experience in HF. I had a lot of fun and made 61 confirmed kills, uhhh, contacts. It also just happens to be one of Prince’s favorite spots along Route 66. Prince and I wandered around a bit while Andrew WA7DPS made his contacts.
The NADXA trailer used for the event.Andrew WA7DPS and ron KG7OH making contacts.
Prince was anxious to get on the air.
When my turn came up I had keep in mind 3-kHz for sideband and 6-kHz for straight AM. Of course we were working sideband. So I stepped up to the mic and began calling out. Surprisingly they kept rolling in creating what is commonly called a “pile up.”
It was a little difficult, at first. I soon realized that I when I caught a partial call sign, I called for that and was able to make contact. Another method used by W6G (we were W6T) was to call for call signs by numbers. In other words, he called for call signs with 0 first, then 9’s and worked his way down. Ron KG7OH explained that is a technique used the help clear the pile ups.
I also learned that people on HF use a different set of phonetics from those in the ARRL books. The phonetics used actually seem to work better for HF.
Prince pouted on the couch when he realized I was going to be a mic-hog. (Should that be mic-ham?)
The contacts rolled after I figured that out. I even made contact with one QRP station and one working on solar power—although by that time he was working off of the batteries. In the end I made 63 contacts. I’m still waiting to see if my final count beat Andrew’s.
I learned a little more about working the many knobs and dials on the HF rig and how to check the SWR with the internal meter.
And I learned HF can be fun. I got to talk with people in places I have been such as Napa Valley, Oklahoma City and Fort Smith, Arkansas.
So if you have not thought about upgrading to a General, you should think about it.
Ron KG7OH and Andrew WA7DPS through the window.Route 66 On The Air after dark.
On Sunday July 21, I turned on my two radios to monitor the 146.980 (- 162.2) repeater on Mt. Elden and the 146.780 (- 91.5) repeater on Bill Williams mountain as I normally do. On Sunday I did not expect much as traffic is normally light. To my surprise, I heard Janice KI6WCK announcing that the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) in Flagstaff was active and the Coconino Amateur Radio Club (CARC) Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) was providing communication services.
The ARES group was providing backup communications in support of a fire that was being called the Museum Fire. I listened to monitor the situation for a few minutes. When it was clear they were asking for volunteers, I volunteered. This is, after all, what we train for. I could not drop everything and run up that day. So I volunteered for Monday. I contacted Joe W7LUX who is the District Emergency Coordinator for Coconino County. He needed someone late in the day Monday so I volunteered.
There were other things happening on Sunday. Amateur radio operators responded to the call to tow the CARC antenna tower trailer and the communication trailer to the EOC. Others brought coaxial cable that was needed. Some came to help set up and relieve Janice. It was a busy day.
The trip to Flagstaff for me is about 80-miles round trip and about two-hours travel time. Arizona Department of Transportation is currently doing repairs on the highway in both directions east- and west-bound on I-40. So that was another thing I had to contend with.
I packed my emergency dual-band antenna and mast in my car and an extra power supply in case it was needed. I carried them to Flagstaff every time I went up.
The Museum Fire from 4th Street in Flagstaff.
When I arrived in Flagstaff, I was actually stunned by the magnitude of the fire. To make matters worse, the fire was in an area called Shultz Pass that had a fire years ago. This caused flooding when it rained. Fortunately Coconino County had been working on the problem long before this fire. There was some flash flooding because of rain on Tuesday—according to NOAA radio—but it did not damage any private structures, as far as I know.
The big concern was whether or not the fire would reach the repeaters at Devil’s Head on Mt. Elden. I was impressed that the CARC trailer was set up for its intended purpose of emergency communications. The CARC antenna trailer had been set up and Ken KF7DUR had a VHF and UHF emergency repeater set up in the trailer in case the worse happened.
The CARC trailer and antenna set up for emergency communications.
We were also able to maintain communications with the Bill Williams Mountain Club repeater in Williams. The 146.780 (- 91.5) Bill Williams repeater is also attached to Echolink. Under normal conditions, I’ve met some new Hams coming in on Echolink.
Ken KF7DUR set up a UHF and VHF repeater in the CARC trailer in case the worse happened.
By the end of the day Monday, it was clear that there was less danger to the repeaters. Things slowed down and Erv KE7QFI conducted the Skywarn net.
On Tuesday I had an appointment at the VA in the morning, so I went to the EOC right after. I did not expect to, but I wound up staying until they secured ARES for the day. In the morning, the Southwest Area Type I Incident Management Team 2 took over management of the fire. What that means, in layman’s terms, is that this was a serious fire. The terrain was rugged and aircraft had been bombing the fire with water since the fire began.
l-r Ken KF7DUR, Jacob KI7WNS, Governor Doug Ducey, Glen KG7YDJ and Joe W7LUX
The big news (though not over the amateur radio airwaves) was that Governor Doug Ducey was going to come to the EOC to sign the Declaration of Emergency for the Museum Fire. They had podium, flags and chairs set up for the purpose. He did not arrive at the scheduled time. It turns out he went into the field. He did,however, show up at the EOC later and took time out to thanks us for our work. He also patiently took time so we could all snap a picture with him.
The Museum Fire on Tuesday. The trailer in the foreground is a piece of equipment from Arizona DEMA that is used to establish cell communications and Internet.
After he left we returned to duty. The monsoon rains started. They were relatively light but seemed to help slow the fire a bit. Surely it helped cool off the fire fighters. The problem was that there was now a flash flood warning until 7 p.m. People were given the opportunity to get sand bags for their homes. At about 5:30 p.m., I checked NOAA radio and it was reported that a flash flood was crossing Paradise Road and heading toward the community of Sunnyside. It was reported by Skywarn observers that the flash flooding carried ash and debris from the fire. I did not hear of any damage to homes. After 9.5 hours I went home.
On Wednesday I returned to the EOC at about 12:45. The fire was still going as was the EOC. I did notice that there was considerably less smoke. I received a surprise visit from an amateur radio friend, Ian, who was a fire fighter on the TYPE I team that was sent in to manage the fire. He got to see just what ARES does.
Wednesday is the regular ARES net. I remembered to take my computer, but forgot to take a copy of the roster and even the script. So I had to text Ron KG7OH to email me a copy of those items. It was an interesting experience running the net from the EOC. I made it more interesting by playing with the buttons on the radio and forgetting to re-set it back to the proper settings before the net. I was familiar with the Yaesu radios, so it was no problem getting it set properly and conducting the net.
I simply could not return on Thursday due to personal reasons. I still monitored the radio, of course. On Friday I monitored fully prepared to respond if needed. I learned, however, that ARES was being de-activated at 10 a.m., but that the EOC was still being staffed over the weekend. So we are still “on call,” though we are breaking down the CARC equipment tomorrow.
Overall it was an interesting experience participating in an actual ARES activation. It was more interesting because this was such a major emergency. I met new Ham operators both on the radio and in person. It gave me a chance to learn to interact with the different groups in the EOC.
The EOC provided plenty of food and snacks. In fact on Tuesday they provided an Italian cuisine with spaghetti, Parmesan chicken and the works. Of course, no Italian menu would be complete without Chinese fortune cookies. They had a box of them. This was one of my fortunes:
ARRL and the FCC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that paves the way to implement the new and enhanced Volunteer Monitor program. The memorandum establishes the Volunteer Monitors as a replacement for the Official Observers (OO) program. Current OOs have been encouraged to participate in the new program.
“We
are excited by the opportunity to codify our partnership with the FCC and to
work together to achieve our mutual interests of protecting the integrity
of our Amateur Radio bands,” said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. “This
Memorandum of Understanding will serve as the foundation for a new
level of partnership on this very important issue.”
Rick Hollingsworth – K4ZDH
ARRL
has contracted with retired FCC special counsel and former Atlantic
Division Vice Director Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, to oversee the ARRL’s role in
the development and implementation of the Volunteer Monitor program.
Approved by the ARRL Board of Directors at its July 2018
meeting, the new Volunteer Monitor program is a formal agreement between the
FCC and ARRL in which volunteers trained and vetted by the ARRL will monitor
the airwaves and collect evidence that can be used both to correct
misconduct or recognize exemplary on-air operation. Cases of flagrant violations
will be referred to the FCC by the ARRL for action in accordance with FCC
guidelines.
The intent of this program is to re-energize
enforcement efforts in the Amateur Radio bands. It was proposed by the FCC
in the wake of several FCC regional office closures and a reduction in field
staff.
“Under this program, the FCC will give
enforcement priority to cases developed by the Volunteer Monitor program, without
the delay of ARRL having to refer cases through the FCC online complaint
process,” Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth has committed
to FCC and ARRL officials to ensure the adequacy of training for the new
positions, to review the quality and utility of Volunteer Monitor submissions
to the FCC for enforcement actions, and to advocate for rapid disposition
of cases appropriately submitted to the FCC.
ARRL
officials estimate that the first Volunteer Monitors will be in place and ready
to begin their duties within 6 to 9 months. Read more.
By Lor Kutchins, W3QA, Winlink Development Team, President, Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc
April 5, 2019–The FCC has opened for comment RM-11831, a proposal for rule making that would do two things the the US amateur radio rules:
1) remove paragraph (c) of 97.221. This would disallow narrow-bandwidth ARQ modes of 500 Hz or less from outside the specified 97.221 sub bands for automatically controlled digital stations. This will require all US Winlink HF gateway stations, regardless of mode/technique, to only operate within these narrow sub bands.
2) modify the wording of 97.309(4) thusly:
(4) An amateur station transmitting a RTTY or data emission using a digital code specified in this paragraph may use any technique whose technical characteristics have been documented publicly, such as CLOVER, G-TOR, or PacTOR, (remove –, add the following:) and the protocol used can be be monitored, in it’s entirety, by 3rd parties, with freely available open source software, for the purpose of facilitating communications.
This effectively eliminates Pactor 2, 3, and 4 from the US amateur bands unless SCS steps up and publishes complete technical specifications, including their proprietary signal processing methods, and produces an open-source monitoring program allowing on-air eavesdropping by third parties (not likely).
The Winlink Team will have to produce monitoring software for an unconnected eavesdropper for WINMOR, ARDOP. VARA’s author must do the same. The alternative is for Winlink to close shop for US licensees on HF amateur bands, or to eliminate B2F compression for messages sent by US-licensed amateurs. This will cause US users of all modes to suffer much longer transmission times by a factor of 2-10 times. Limits would not be placed on other users.
See and read the new proceeding from the link below. The 30-day comment period opened on 28 March. We have prepared a document containing useful arguments you may paraphrase for your comment filing. The formal ARSFI Motion to Dismiss RM-11831 and Petition for Rulemaking is also here for your review.
Unless we receive support from users on this serious threat, Winlink may be forced to close shop on HF in the USA. US and non-US users and gateway operators are urged to educate themselves and file a comment soon!
The nerve center of the Emergency Operation Center.
FLAGSTAFF – On March 23, the Emergency Operation Center in Flagstaff held an open house to allow the public to peer inside for the first time.
The Emergency Operation Center is based on a modular, FEMA model. That means that only those areas necessary for the current emergency are staffed. That could mean representatives from federal agencies, State agencies or local agencies. Local agencies can be anything from the American Red Cross, Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Community Emergency Response Team, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, representatives from fire and police departments from anywhere in Coconino County to name a few.
The Coconino Emergency Operation Center is operated by Coconino Emergency Management. It received national recognition during the Tinder Fire in the Blue Ridge area. Amateur radio operators from the Coconino Amateur Radio Emergency Service was the only communications to get through to the EOC at the beginning to issue evacuation orders.
Visitors got a chance to see the various community emergency services in Coconino County. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department was one. The group is made up of volunteers that respond to various emergencies as directed by the CCSO. This can be anything from assisting in searching for a lost person to providing traffic control. CERT training, provided by the CCSO, is required to be a member.
Amateur radio operators set up antennas to demonstrate emergency communications.
The Coconino Amateur Radio Club Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) group mans their space at the EOC for almost every emergency. Amateur radio—aka “Ham”—operators are people of all walks of life licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate amateur radio equipment on several frequencies. This is not the same as a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) license. Although amateurs are not required to, many donate countless hours in training and providing emergency communications. Amateur radio can get through when many other means of communications fail. They use a variety of digital and voice modes and sometimes even old-fashioned Morse code. Some FEMA courses are required to work with the amateur radio operators in the EOC, however any amateur radio operator can participate by providing reports in their area. ARES is a program sponsored by the American Radio Relay League. There is no requirement to join any group or provide emergency communications attached to an FCC amateur radio license.
The American Red Cross also provided an information table for their continuing role in many emergency situations in and outside of the EOC. The State Emergency Management Agency also presented their role.
Ground control to Major Tom. This unit provides cell and wi-fi service in remote locations.Flagstaff Police Department bomb squad robot.
Outside there were several agencies present . The Flagstaff Police Department bomb squad had their bomb robot present. The State Emergency Management Team had their “Ground Control” unit that provides cell and Wi-Fi services in remote areas. There were also representatives from the fire department and ambulance services.
By Miguel Alcaine, Representative of the ITU Area Office in Tegucigalpa, Honduras
In recent years, the increasing number of disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods has highlighted the urgency of establishing strong telecommunication systems, which are essential if medics, firefighters, police and others are to provide effective relief during emergencies.
In the aftermath of disasters, alternative telecommunication systems are often needed to replace normal systems that have been damaged or destroyed. ITU membership has recognized this need: For many years, emergency telecommunications has been a priority in the Americas Region.
n 2018, ITU teamed up with regional telecommunications bodies in the Americas such as la Comision Regional Tecnica de Telecommunicaciones (COMTELCA), the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) to set up an alternative telecommunication system for use in times of emergencies. The system does not rely on conventional means of communication such as the Internet, but rather on amateur radio systems.
The benefits of Winlink
The alternative telecommunications system used is known as Winlink, a worldwide email service that uses radio pathways and is capable of operating completely without the Internet.
WILLIAMS – At the last meeting of the Williams Amateur Radio Club, Harry KQ7G, Rose K7NAZ, Jud N6GYF and Bryan Whipp W7BNW attended the meeting and discussed the merger. They explained that the clubs are merged. They elected Kevin Kelly KK7NAZ as Vice-President.
Here are the minutes of the meeting.
Date Friday, February 15, 2019
PRESENT
Ron Gerlak KG70H
Kevin Kelly KK7NAZ
Ken Williams KI6VDT
George Murray KK6RLV
Bryan Whipp W7BNW
Harry Ober KQ7G
Rose Ober K7NAZ
Jud N6GYF
Glen Davis KG7YDJ
Merger with BWMRC
We are officially BWMRC.
Kevin Kelly KK7NAZ elected Vice-President
Glen Davis KG7YDJ appointed Emergency Coordinator/Liaison between the BWMRC and Coconino ARES/Emergency Operation Center.
Meetings will now be held the first Friday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Wild West Junction Breakfast room.
Social net will be held every Friday at 7 p.m. on the 146.780 repeater (91.5 CTCSS – offset). The net on the Friday after the meeting will be time for members to catch up on what happened at the meeting in case they could not attend. They can make inputs on items also on that net.
Glen KG7YDJ discussed attending the Williams Non-Profit Huddle on January 21.
Glen discussed the CARC Winter Field day and lessons learned. He is developing a package for the next Winter Field Day if anyone is interested in participating.
New Business
We discussed the upcoming Young Life Auction and Dinner. Harry NQ7G noted that we should not give radios as we did last year. Kevin suggested and it was decided that we would donate a package with a Technician License Manual and if the person studies and passes the exam, they would be given a radio and a year membership in the Bill Williams Mountain Radio Club.
Glen discussed the upcoming American Legion Woman’s Auxiliary Freedom Celebration on August 13th. Last year Glen, Kevin and Bill KQ1S from CARC attended and prepared demonstrations for radio and satellite communications. Kevin noted that the Williams Fire Department did not attend. They usually attract attention, especially yournger people.
ARRL Summer Field Day
Glen sent a package containing information about the upcoming ARRL Field Day. The package explains what the Field Day is about and possible locations. The club discussed the locations and possible pitfalls. Harry pointed out that we could do a mini-field day of less than the 24-hours. That would give us a chance to try it, let everyone see what it is about. The package is for an extensive Field Day, but it can be trimmed and we can build on it next year. Or even wait until next year to do it. We do have time to plan for this year if there is enough interest. Most of our members visited the CARC Field Day last year and have an idea of what it is about already.
The Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos Bankas) has released a commemorative
gold 5€ coin featuring the country’s LituanicaSAT-1(LO-78) and LitSAT-1
Amateur Radio Satellites.
The two CubeSats were launched to the International Space Station
(ISS) on January 9, 2014, and deployed from the ISS on February 28.
LituanicaSAT-1 carried a FM transponder and a camera, while LitSat-1 had
a linear (SSB/CW) transponder developed by William Leijenaar, PE1RAH.
The face of the gold coin features the Lithuanian coat of arms as a
star constellation, with LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSAT-1 on the other side.
The Coconino Amateur Radio Club holds a last successful exam for 2018. Every candidate left with a new license or upgrade.
FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Amateur Radio Club finished a successful class and exam cycle for 2018. The club held two Technician and one General license class in 2018 in Flagstaff. They also sponsored a Technician and General license class in Williams.
Several amateurs from CARC were responsible for the successes of the year. Phil AD7EO, Ron KG7OH, Jack Lunsford NT7MM from the NADX Club taught antenna courses in Williams and Flagstaff. New amateur extra Joe Ellison AG7OR taught the electronics section for the last Technician course. Joe passed all three exams to earn the amateur extra in one sitting in Williams.
“I really appreciate the assistance of all of the instructors and volunteer examiners,” said Glen Davis KG7YDJ, CARC Training Coordinator. “This year we added General classes for the first time. We held one in Flagstaff and one in Williams. Next year we will probably only hold one Technician and one General class in Flagstaff. We’ll do the same in Williams if there is interest.”
The Inquisitors. Mary Lou KG7TPK, Bill KG7TPM and Ron KG7OH administer the last CARC exam for 2018.
The last exam was held Saturday, October 10. Mary Lou and Bill Hagan and Ron Gerlak administered the final exam. Three new technician licenses, 3 General and one Amateur Extra license were earned at the exam. Joe W7LUX coordinated the effort with the assistance of Glen KG7YDJ.
Thomas Pifer, Lance Husted and Matthew Frentzen earned a Technician license at the exam session. David Jackson passed element 2 & 3 to earn a General license. Jerry KI7RHL and Robert KJ7APS upgraded to General and Pete KI7ZWP earned an Amateur Extra license.
Peter Blakan, who gave up a General license in 1962, came in to earn a new General license.
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