Below is the newsletter for December 2nd, 2024. Please let me know if you can help with the newsletter so we can keep sending one out regularly.
I purchased a new handheld radio from HRO while I was in the Dallas area for Thanksgiving. Once I have a little more time to play with it, I will do a review for the newsletter. So far, it seems to be a decent option for someone wanting to get into DMR for a decent price. Look for it soon!
If you have gear you would like to review and share, please let me know!
Steven Christy, N5ZQ
n5zq@n5zq.us
New Repeater Site Update
During our last board meeting, I emailed Ben Curry, KJ5IEB, Edmond’s Emergency Manager and received the following regarding the new repeater site:
“FAA/FCC filing and 1A have been completed. Archaeology has also been completed. We are now waiting for NEPA/SHPO to complete. Once that is done, and it is projected to be completed by December, we will be able to begin clearing the land and doing foundation work. All equipment and materials have been ordered.”
Looks like the project is in the middle of the bureaucratic paper shuffle. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Clay, WA6LBU
Stockyards City Cowboy Christmas Parade
The 2024 Stockyards City Cowboy Christmas Parade is on Saturday, December 7, 2024, starting at 10am. Volunteers are needed from 8am to 11am, meeting at the northeast corner of Penn and Exchange, with an optional breakfast at 7am at Cattleman’s.
This is a short, easy parade that is great for newcomers and veterans alike. Less experienced volunteers will be paired with more experienced volunteers so don’t hesitate to sign up to help!
Please complete the sign up form on the Stockyards City Cowboy Christmas Parade page to volunteer. The form will be turned off at 12pm tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3rd, to give us time to complete the parade assignments.
Contact parades@k5eok.org for any questions.
Frankie, KE5KQL
Christmas Dinner
The 2024 Christmas Dinner is Saturday, December 7th starting at 6:30pm. It will take place at the Westwood Church of Christ at 3100 W. Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73012. Members and family members are invited to attend.
The menu is Rudy’s barbecue and cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Please RSVP using the form at the link below. You can either pay online or select the option to pay in person at the dinner. Today, Monday, December 2nd, is the last day to RSVP.
https://k5eok.org/christmas-dinner/
Steven, N5ZQ
December Siren Test
The next Edmond Siren Test is Saturday, December 7th. Please let Clay know if you have an assigned siren and you are unavailable to help this month. If you would like to be added to the list to help, please send an email to Clay, WA6LBU, at sirens@k5eok.org.
December VE Test Session
The next EARS VE Test Session is Saturday, December 7th at 9am. If you or someone you know is planning to attend, please visit the License Testing page and complete the sign-up form. This allows the VE team to prepare to accommodate all of the testers.
If you have any questions, please contact Ralph Turner, N5AMR at Raltur47@gmail.com or you can contact him by phone at 573-999-4748.
December Board Meeting
There is no board meeting this month. We will see you at the January board meeting on Tuesday, January 14th!
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!
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 about every 2 weeks with new space weather reports. I encourage you to watch her channel for updates when you can as it is very educational.
Contests
Below are a few upcoming HF contests. The ARRL has a more complete list in their Contest Corral from QST which is available as a downloadable PDF file. You can also find a list of upcoming contests along with contest details at contestcalendar.com.
| ARRL 160-Meter Contest | 2200Z, Dec 6 to 1600Z, Dec 8 |
| ARRL 10-Meter Contest | 0000Z, Dec 14 to 2400Z, Dec 15 |
| ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW | 1800Z-2359Z, Dec 22 |
| YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) Contest | 1000Z-2159Z, Dec 30 |
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.
- ARES
- ARRL ARES – https://www.arrl.org/ares
- OK ARES – https://aresok.org
- Winlink – https://winlink.org
- AREDN – arednmesh.org
- POTA (Parks on the Air) – https://pota.app
Upcoming Events
- EARS Information Net – Every Monday at 8pm
- Route 66 10m Net on 28.390 – Every Monday Following the Information Net
- EARS Breakfast – Every Saturday at approximately 6:30am at Around The Corner, 11 S. Broadway, Edmond
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, December 7th – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Stockyards City Cowboy Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 7th – Sign Up on the Christmas Parade Page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, December 7th at 11:30am
- EARS Christmas Dinner – Saturday, December 7th at 6:30pm
- No December Board Meeting
- January Elmer Session and Training – Tuesday, January 14th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- January Board Meeting – Tuesday, January 14th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- All Ham Dinner – Thursday, January 16th, at 6:00pm at Pickles Steakhouse, 1201 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
