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HCRA Members, FYI, this last weekend I attended the Oregon Section State ARES/RACES Leadership Conference in Canyonville. A most interesting (and useful) presentation was delivered by Kevin Hedgepeth (NB7O) concerning the availability and use of “WSPR” software (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) at www.wsprnet.org designed for probing potential radio propagation paths (2m to 160m) using the WSPR low power and soundcard interface based digital mode.
If you are interested in checking your antenna performance, band propagation and signal paths from your QTH, or which DX stations around the world are able to hear your signal (even if operating QRP power levels) I guarantee you will find WSPR to be a most interesting and potentially addictive new tool. Basically WSPR enables you to transmit a soundcard-based digital mode on designated WSPR frequencies on HF or VHF amateur bands.
Your transmission contains your callsign and geographic locator identification. Other stations located around the world that hear and decode your transmission then transpond during their transmission reception of your callsign’s signal and report this information to the WSPR world spotting display map at: http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/map. You do need a radio (preferably with CAT capability), soundcard interface, computer, and the download of the WSPR application program to operate this mode.
I set up WSPR yesterday at my home station (K7COW) and after getting it working found within just a few minutes of operation on the 20 meter band that stations from over twenty different countries around the world heard and transponded to the reception of my little 5 watt transmitted signal. Very cool and addicitive!
73’s, Tom Sharp (K7COW)
The Federal Communications Commission yesterday amended its rules to permit amateur radio operators to transmit messages during emergency preparedness drills, regardless of whether they are employees of entities participating in the drill. Previously, FCC regulations prohibited employees from operating amateur stations during drills without a drill-specific waiver from the agency. The AHA requested the rule change, which applies to both government and privately sponsored drills, because some hospital emergency plans include the use of amateur (or HAM) radios as backup when traditional means of communication fail. Hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission must test their emergency operations plans twice a year, including how they will communicate in an emergency or disaster. “Although public safety and mobile radio systems are the primary means of radio-based communications for emergency responders, experience has shown that amateur radio has played an important role in preparation for, during, and in the aftermath of natural and man-made emergencies and disasters,” the FCC said in adopting the new rule.
We’ll meet at our usual place, the Harney County Courthouse basement conference room. Chris Howes will preside this meeting while Tom Sharp is away. Meeting starts at 10 AM. See you there!
Harney County Radio Association will hold classes for the General Class Amateur Radio License (must have technician class license to attend) at the Harney County Court House, basement conference room starting Wednesday, July 14, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Classes will run for seven weeks. The General Class License test will be given Saturday, August 28 at 9 AM at the same place. Instructors are Al Foulke, KE7IZH, and Lane Johnson, KE7KIB. For more information contact Marjorie Thelen, KF7EOH, at 541-493-2213.
At our regular monthly meeting in August, NOAA SkyWarn Coordinator from Boise, Paul Flatte will give SkyWarn training. The meeting will be open to the public. The meeting will be at our regular place — Harney County Court House on Buena Vista Street in the basement conference room. More details forthcoming.
Harney County Amateur Radio (HCRA) will conduct ARRL Field Day June 26 and 27 from 11 AM Saturday morning to 2 PM Sunday afternoon at the Harney County Courthouse, first floor. The public is invited to attend from 11 AM Saturday to 6 PM to see amateur radio operators in action and to participate in contacting amateur radio operators from all over the United States. Come and experience the wonderful world of amateur radio and find out how you can become a ham.
Background on HCRA
Prior to 2008 Harney County seldom had more than ten active ham radio operators. Some of the most notable were: Dr. Bob Fulton, KB7NRI, an advanced class operator who built the first Burns Butte repeater; Walter Cooper, WA7VGR, a advanced class operator who was instrumental in starting the first radio club in Harney County – High Desert Amateur Radio Group (HI-DARG); Richard Schwieren, W0OT; and Julia Milleson, KB7SIH. Radio tests were given by the FCC and only in a few places, Portland in Oregon and Boise in Idaho. Acquiring new members was a slow process. Eventually interest in Harney County waned and the HI-DARG club activities moved to Bend.
Late in 2008 some new hams came together in Harney County — Tom Sharp, a rancher who is also an electrical engineer, K7COW; Al Foulke, a retired electronics technician with thirty years experience, KE7IZH; Steve Ryder, a retired electronics repair shop owner with prior law enforcement experience, WA7WKH; Lane Johnson, a retired magazine editor, KE7KIB; and one from the past, Walt Cooper, WA7VGR. After getting together at a meeting at the Apple Peddler in Burns in October, 2008, they decided to start a new local club, Harney County Radio Association (HCRA). Steve Ryder, WA7WKH, installed a VHF repeater on Radar Hill for local use.
The group knew to be successful they needed to grow. Lane, KE7KIB, Al, KE7IZH, and Eric Guthrie, KE7SEA, volunteered to teach a technician radio class. These three also became volunteer examiners so they could provide tests in Harney County. As it turned out these fellows have a natural ability to teach. They have given three technician classes and one general class since the club’s beginning. All tests given have had a 100% pass rate. Another general class will be started in July, 2010 with a test session to follow in August. If enough demand is present another technician class will probably be offered in the latter part of 2010. HCRA now has thirty three regular dues paying members and nine associate members with more growth expected.
On Saturday, June 12, we will hold our regular monthly meeting at 10 AM in the Burns Courthouse basement meeting room. This is an important meeting where we will discuss and finalize all the details for Field Day on June 26 and 27. Be thinking about when you can volunteer to man the field day station. See you there!
Dave Tindle KB7USG and Tom Sharp K7 COW will be operating amateur radio at the annual Lion’s Club Fly-In at the Burns Airport. Pancake breakfast will be served at 7 AM as a fund raiser for the Lions Club. Motor cycles, cars, ultra-lights and airplanes will be on display. Event runs from 7 AM to 11:30 AM on Saturday June 5, 2010. HCRA members are encouraged to show up and support this event.
The Bend Swap meet will be held Saturday May 15 starting at 9 AM at Bill Johnson N7RGB’s house, 61825 Dobbin Rd., Bend 97702. Per Joe Barry, K7SQ in Bend, all Hams are welcome to come and buy or bring and sell whatever. Just bring a table to set up goods to sell, perhaps some chairs also. Bill has lots of room in his front yard. Directions are: About a mile east of the first traffic light you encounter on highway 20 going into Bend is Ward Road. Turn left (you’re then going south). Dobbin Rd is the third intersection, then turn left again. Bill’s house is the second on the left. Joe will be making an announcement about the swap meet on the HIDARG net on Tuesday night 7 PM Burns Butte Repeater frequency 147.30 mhz. This is an excellent chance for those of you looking for HF equipment or handhelds to support the event and see what they are offering, or take things you have to sell.
CQ HCRA Members,
There will not be a month of May HCRA Club meeting due to conflicts with several members providing communications support for this weekend’s Llama Pack Trials (see HCRA’s website or contact Linda, KF7CIS for information and participation) and also the Ham Yard Sale & Swap occuring in Bend on May 15th. Our next HCRA meeting will be on Saturday, June 12.
Remember – ARRL Field Day is June 26 & 27. We need HCRA Club operator participation again this year to staff our stations throughout this 27 hour event – so be thinking about whether you want to be an “early bird” or “night owl” this year and volunteer your operating shift times to either Marjorie (KF7EOH) or Lane (KE7KIB). Field Day will be the main topic for our June 12th HCRA Club meeting.
73s,
Tom – K7COW
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