Below is the newsletter for February 19, 2024. I could use some help with the newsletter so we can keep sending one out weekly. If you can help, please let me know.
Steven Christy, N5ZQ
n5zq@n5zq.us
Ham Holiday – July 26-27, 2024!
Preregistration for Ham Holiday 2024 is now open!!!!
Ham Holiday 2024 will be on Friday, 26 July and Saturday, 27 July at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC). Preregistration tickets are available on the Ham Holiday website at hamholiday.com/tix.
More information on prizes, forums, special drawing, and other Ham Holiday 2024 activities will be announced over the next few months. Please visit hamholiday.com regularly for all of the updated info!
Tickets Available Now – Click To Get Yours Today
Membership Renewal
EARS membership runs on an annual basis so it is time to renew your membership if you have not already done so. Renewing is as easy as completing the membership form on the Membership Form page. You can either pay at that time using a credit card via PayPal or you can mail in a check. The membership roster is purged of non-renewals at the end of March so be sure to renew soon!
If you have any questions, they can be directed to the membership coordinator, Chris, KD5OOJ, at membership@k5eok.org.
Membership Information Update
As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our records are up-to-date and to foster continuous engagement within the Edmond Amateur Radio Society, we kindly remind you to renew your membership for the upcoming year. Your active participation and support are the bedrock of our vibrant community.
I recently sent out an email verification to current members. This is an essential step in confirming that your contact information is accurate. If you received this verification email, please take a moment to review your info. If you see a correction that needs to be made, please reply with your details as necessary.
If you did not receive a verification email, it’s likely because:
1. Your membership needs renewal.
2. We have an incorrect email address on file.
In either case, please contact me at your earliest convenience to update your membership status or correct your email information.
membership@k5eok.org
https://k5eok.org/membership-form/
73s, Chris KD5OOJ
Medical Status Of Mac, K2GKK
During this past week, Mac, K2GKK, was taken to the Saint Anthony’s hospital for
treatment of blocked arteries. As is Mac’s nature, he did not want word of his
situation to be public.
Although one blockage was treated, the other was not treated as his blood
pressure dropped too low for the doctors to safely proceed. He also experienced
several Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) while at Saint Anthony’s. He was
released Thursday to recuperate at home and get his BP up. His son was in town
for that timeframe.
However, this evening, Coy Day, N5OK, got the following information from Mac’s
daughter, Barbara:
“Hello all this is Barbara Gloria, Mac’s daughter. Dad is back in the hospital
and he wanted me to let you know. He had TIA symptoms again this afternoon
around 1400. He couldn’t move anything on his right side very well and his
speech was very slurred. Then he couldn’t move his left side enough to even
stand up, so I called 911.
His speech came back while I was on the phone with the operator but 2 ambulances
and the fire truck still showed up a few minutes later. They ran tests out in
front of the house and decided to take him in to the ER. He got here around
2:45. I guess and I arrived 30 minutes later.
The doc who took care of him last week just came in a few hours ago. They’re
pretty sure he had a stroke in the left side of his brain at least once in the
past but can’t confirm it because the leads in his pacemaker aren’t compatible
with an MRI. Because his arteries are so occluded (even after his surgery on
Monday), his stroke symptoms return when his blood pressure drops.”
Barbara cleared the release of information on Mac’s situation. He is now in
Saint Anthony’s for observation. At present, no visitors allow. Barbara will
keep Coy updated.
Monday, February 19, Noon Update
From Mac’s daughter, Barbara:
“He also has significant blockages in this legs, so the gastroenterologist and
the vascular surgeon will be conferring after the colonoscopy tomorrow, to see
what the next step is. Perhaps and angiogram Wednesday or Thursday.”
Thomas Webb
WA9AFM
PIO
OCAPA
Ham Corner
I wasn’t sure about a name for this section of the newsletter but I think I am going to call it Ham Corner. At least that is what it is called this week!
I have been sitting here trying to decide what to write about this week and I have decided to write a short column on the ARRL and some of the resources available through this organization.
What exactly is the ARRL (American Radio Relay League)? The ARRL mission statement below is taken directly from the ARRL website.
ARRL is the national association for Amateur Radio in the US. Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs. ARRL numbers within its ranks the vast majority of active radio amateurs in the nation and has a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in amateur affairs. ARRL’s underpinnings as Amateur Radio’s witness, partner and forum are defined by five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership.
A bona fide interest in Amateur Radio is the only essential qualification of membership; an Amateur Radio license is not a prerequisite, although full voting membership is granted only to licensed radio amateurs in the US.
The ARRL supports amateur radio on our behalf through the FCC and the federal government. When a group request spectrum from the FCC they help defend our use of the spectrum. They lobby congress for legislation and we will discuss that a little more later. They provide books and training including a teacher’s institute where teachers can travel to the ARRL headquarters to get training on integrating electronics and amateur radio in the classroom. The ARRL has a VE (Volunteer Examiner) testing program so teams can provide amateur radio testing in the communities. The ARRL also helps with public service by managing the NTS (National Traffic System), ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) program and more. They also publish multiple magazines including QST and On The Air. In short, the ARRL does a lot for amateur radio.
Should you consider joining the ARRL? This is a personal choice but I think there is value in a membership. One benefits of membership is regular newsletters that are sent to membership via email. You can select the newsletters you would like to receive so this is totally up to you. Some of the newsletter options are ARES, Club News, Division and Section News and the ARRL Letter. The ARRL Letter is my personal favorite. It has current information and happenings about amateur radio and it is published weekly.
Here are a few examples of recent articles which I think would be of interest:
- Senators Roger Wicker and Richard Blumenthal Introduce S.3690 to Eliminate Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio
- This is a bill that, if passed, would limit the HOA’s ability to restrict antennas
- The K7RA Solar Update
- The First Amateur Radio Station on the Moon, JS1YMG, is Now Transmitting
Both QST and On The Air have some very good articles. On The Air is bi-monthly and it is geared towards new hams while QST is published monthly.
If you are not aware, EARS is an ARRL Special Service Club. A Special Service Club is defined by the ARRL below.
A club that exists to go above and beyond for their communities and for Amateur Radio is what defines a Special Service Club (SSC). They are the leaders in their Amateur Radio communities who provide active training classes, publicity programs and actively pursue technical projects and operating activities.
Joining the ARRL really helps them help us. Please consider joining and feel free to ask me if you have any questions.
You can also visit the ARRL Oklahoma section web page for updated section news.
If you have any questions about the above info or about anything radio (or EARS) related, feel free to contact us at k5eok@k5eok.org and we will do our best to help.
NWS Weather Spotter Training – Skywarn
Believe it or not severe weather will be here before we know it. That means that the National Weather Service will be holding their annual weather spotter training soon. They recently released the schedule. There are 3 online sessions and the closest in-person sessions are Tuesday, February 20th in Norman and Thursday, February 29th in Guthrie.
The recommendation is to take the class at least every other year. If at possible, please consider attending the class. Even if you have taken it before, you may learn something new!
A link to the full training schedule is below.
https://www.weather.gov/oun/spottertalk
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be here before you know it. The date this year is Saturday, March 16th. It is a great starter parade if you have never helped with one before. I highly recommend it. Usually the reporting time is 8am and the parade is over by 11am.
The signup form is live on the website at the link below. Please check your calendar and consider helping!
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Signup
EARS Volunteers
I am sure all of you are aware that EARS is an entirely volunteer organization. That means we alway need volunteers. There are many tasks to get done and the more we share the load, the more this club will be able to do!
Below is a summary of just some of the events and activities in which the club participates:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
LibertyFest Parade
Cowboy Christmas Parade
Cycle 66 Bike Race
Monthly Siren Test
Weekly Information Net – 52 Net Control Volunteers
Monthly VE Test Session
Bi-Monthly Club Dinner – 5 Dinners
Christmas Dinner
Technician License Class – Spring and Fall
Field Day – Also One of the Club Dinners
Severe Weather Spotting
This list does not include all of the administrative and management function of the club. The website needs frequent updates, this newsletter needs to be written, etc.
What does all this mean? It means We Need You! If you are able to help in any way, please let us know. Even if you are unsure how to help or where you might best fit, please let us know and we will work with you to find the best fit.
If you are willing to help, please contact us at k5eok@k5eok.org. That will send a message to both myself, Steven, N5ZQ, and Clay, WA6LBU and we will be in touch!
March Siren Test
The next Edmond Siren Test is Saturday, March 2nd. If you are a regular who is unable to help that day or if you would like to be added to the list to help, please send an email to Clay, WA6LBU, at sirens@k5eok.org.
February Club Dinner
Thursday evening we had the February EARS dinner at Panang 5. It was a great evening to socialize and eat good food. If you missed it, you missed a great time!
Our next EARS dinner will be April 18th so be sure to add it to your calendar and make plans to join us!
Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
Please read the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon info below from Gayland and consider volunteering if you are available.
Registration is open for volunteering for the communications unit that supports the Oklahoma City Marathon. Last year we had more than 70 amateur radio operators supporting the nearly 19,000 runners over a two-day period. Amateurs helped with logistical tasks, such as providing information on locations of the head and rear of the races, supported delivery of ice and water to the various water stops, provided communications at each of the medical stations, gave real-time information to relay team members readying to make their exchanges, and in general provided another set of eyes and ears for the Marathon operations leaders as well as the public safety responders.
The Marathon events we support will be on Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th. We’ll need folks on Saturday to support the 5K race, Senior Marathon and Kids Marathon; and then a full contingent of communicators to support the full/half marathons on Sunday.
Register to volunteer for either or both days by going to the Marathon website at https://okcmarathon.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=76852&job_name=Auxiliary%20Communications . When you’re asked for a password or code, enter 20HAM24 ; this takes you directly to our communications section of the volunteer registration. If you have a preferred location to work or preferred hams to partner with, there’s a place for you to enter that as well.
For planning purposes, this year’s pre-event meeting will be on Monday evening, April 22nd, at the Oklahoma City Fire Training Center (more details to come).
Please feel free to share this far and wide among your fellow hams; this event requires as many people as we can provide. And yes, we’ll be making recruiting visits to the various clubs shortly.
Thank you for your participation in last year’s event and we’ll hope to see you this year too!
WX5MOR / Gayland
2024 Auxiliary Communications Unit Leader
gkitch@cityofmoore.com cell 405-834-6304
Field Day 2024
We have hit a bit of a hiccup with our Field Day site. Unfortunately the fire station is not available. We have a possible site that needs to be approved by the board. Once that is done, I will let everyone know.
Regardless of the site, we do need to start our preparations and we will need all of your help in order to be successful. Please consider helping. If you are able to help in any way, please contact myself, Steven, N5ZQ (n5zq@n5zq.us) and let me know!
2024 Green Country Hamfest – April 12th& 13th in Claremore, Oklahoma
Pre-Reregistration is OPEN!
2024 Green Country Hamfest – April 12th& 13th in Claremore, Oklahoma.
Only 30 minutes from Tulsa!
Claremore Expo, 400 Veterans Parkway, Claremore, OK, 74017
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/X9kEa
Talk-in on: 147.09+
Free Parking!!! – Low Cost ON-SITE RV Parking!
Terrific Prizes! Fantastic Forums – Learn something new! See
Flea Market – Great Bargains!
Free Test Table – Check It Before You Buy It!
On-site VE Testing Get or upgrade your license!
Advance admission is $8.00.
Preregistered Tables are $15.00 each.
Commercial booths are $50.00 each.
Tickets are $10.00 at the door.
Tables are $20.00 at the door.
Order early and save!
Online Preregistration Closes
March 31, 2024
Several Commercial Tables remaining
and Flea Market Tables remaining
Children 12 and under are Free!
Friday open to public at 4 PM to 9 PM
Saturday open to public 8 AM to 3 PM
Setup Friday 12:00PM.
Setup at 7:00AM Saturday until 8:00AM.
More info at http://www.greencountryhamfest.org
Space Weather
Space (Solar) Weather is important is impacts our radio communication. While the greatest impact is usually on HF frequencies, it can also impact VHF, UHF and even higher frequencies. The video below comes from a YouTube page that is updated frequently with new space weather reports. I encourage you to watch her channel for updates when you can as it is very educational.
Web Links
Here are a few links to other websites that may be of interest.
- ARRL (American Radio Relay League) – https://arrl.org
- CORA (Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs) – https://coraok.org
- Ham Holiday (OKC Hamfest) – https://hamholiday.com
- ARRL Oklahoma Section – https://ok.arrl.org
- South Canadian Amateur Radio Society (SCARS)
- DMR Info – https://w5nor.org/okdmr/
- They have lots of other good info on their website such as modes of operation, weather/emergency info etc.
Upcoming Events
- EARS Information Net – Every Monday at 8pm
- Technician Class – Starts Tuesday, January 30th at 6:30pm to 8:30pm and runs for 9 weeks
- Skywarn Weather Spotter Training – Thursday, February 29th at 6:30pm – Meridian Technology Center at 3025 S. Division Street in Guthrie
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, March 2nd at 8am – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, March 2nd at 11:30am
- March Board Meeting – Tuesday, March 12th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Saturday, March 16th – Signup Form Now Live!
- Green Country Hamfest – April 12th and 13th
- April EARS Dinner – Thursday, April 18th at 6:30pm
- Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon – April 27th and 28th
- All Ham Dinner – May 9th at 6pm at Golden Palace Buffet at 1224 South Air Depot Boulevard
- Ham Holiday – July 26th and 27th
