K6MEP Keyer – The Journal of the Ventura County Amateur Radio … 2015 01 Keyer... · 2018. 6....

K6MEP Keyer – The Journal of the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club

K6MEP Keyer January [email protected] / www.qsl.net/k6mep Page 1 of 21 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ventura-County-Amateur-Radio-Club/218258118205441https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/K6MEP/info



The KEYER is published monthly by K6MEP, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. as a means of providing club members the minutes from K6MEP’s monthly general membership meetings, the monthly board of directors meetings, a calendar of events and articles of interest on amateur radio.

Layout and logos are the property of The Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, K6MEP. The stories printed in this journal remain the property of the writers, without whom we would not have a publication. Permission to reprint articles should be obtained from the authors. Articles from the ARRL are reproduced with permission.

Material submitted for inclusion is encouraged. Submit material on IBM(tm) PC diskettes, USB sticks, or by e-mail to [email protected]. MS Word, WordPerfect or ASCII is preferred. Send all submissions directly to the club mailing address atK6MEP, PO Box 2103 Oxnard, CA 93034-2103 or deliver to the editor at any time mutually convenient.

K6MEP holds general membership meetings at 7:30 p.m on the 2nd Friday of each month at The Ventura Port Authority building, 1603 Anchors Way Ventura 93001

Dues are $20 per year.

Message from the President

Greetings Members:

Happy New Year to all! What are your plans for 2015 relative to Ham Radio? Do you have any projects in progress, completed, or planned, are you building something, experimenting with or measuring something?

Planning to obtain or upgrade your license? Let us hear about your thoughts and plans at the meeting. We want to share in your enthusiasm for our hobby.

As shown on page 4, there is an estate TS-450S being offered for the very reasonable amount of $400.00. This is a decent HF rig that will make an excellent "starter" for someone getting their feet wet on the all the HF bands we commonly use today. Please consider it at $400, and/or feel free to make an offer on it combined with the AT-230 tuner, and any other gear shown. Meanwhile, the TS-450sat donated to K6MEP in 9/2013 was found to have some receiver issues, which W6JBR worked diligently to resolve, donating much time, expertise, and personal expense, with some success, for which we are very grateful. Thank you John. Stewart has offered to purchase this donated rig as is and add it to his RF arsenal.

See you all at the Friday meeting, January 9, 2015, at our usual meeting location, 1603 Anchors Way, Ventura, 93001! See map on page 15.

Joe Krigbaum K6NE President, VCARC

Secretary’s Column and Meeting MinutesVentura County Amateur Radio Club Inc. Club Meeting

There are no Minutes from the Decemberfest Dinner Meeting, but pictures from the dinner at Yolanda’s Ventura are on pages 17 & 18.

-- Ed.

Ventura County Amateur Radio Club 2015 Officers and ChairsPresident Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 Vice-President John Castorina WB6AZP Secretary Rob Byl KD6UDA Treasurer Jose Vasquez N6VUY (805) 651-9899 Board Member Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 Board Member Rod Austin KA6GSU (805) 983-7141 Board Member John Gartman AG6GL Photographer Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 Facilities Mgr. Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 Refreshments ARRL Liaison Chris Dimond KJ6QOP Editor/ Publisher Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 Prize Chairman VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club PR chairman Dana Wentling KG6WXE Awards Mgr. VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club Programs Chair Stewart Stone KG6BOV (805) 488-7388 Webmaster Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 New Members Bob Brodie KJ6AAE QSL Manager Jose Vasquez N6VUY (805) 651-9899 License trustee Joe Krigbaum K6NE (805) 642-2337 Historian VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club Elmer Coordinator VACANT - An Opportunity to serve your club

The Inside StoryMessage from the President………….………………….…..………2 Meeting Notes………………………….…………………...…………2 Contests & Spec Events…………….…………………..……..….…3 Gear Available…………………………………..………………….…4 Upcoming FCC Exam Sessions…….…………...……….......….5 - 6 New Element 3 (General Class) Question Pool Released…….…6 Upcoming HamFests ……….……..……………..………..…..…….7 Trivia…………………..……………………………………..…………7 Net Script……………..…………..………….……….……..….…..…8 K6MEP Calendar……………………..……..….………...………..…8 Volunteer Training Classes…………..……..…..…...….........9 & 10 ARES & Frequency information……..………………….…..………11 ARRL Public Service Classes……..……….……………………….12 Area Nets…………….……..…………………….……..….……..….13 WD6EBY / Pleasant Valley Repeater System Update……………14 Yaesu Fusion Repeater on line……………………..………………14 Meeting Local Maps ……………………………..…….….…………15 You Might be a Ham Operator if ……………………………………16 DecemberFest Pictures ………………………..…….. .…….17 & 18 IARU Seeking Support for 5.275-5.450 MHz Allocation …….…..20 Homeland Security’s Comm. Plan Incorporates Amateur Radio..20 Amateur Enforcement “Very Much Alive”……………………..…....21



Selected January Contests & Special EventsThe following contests and special events caught your editor’s eye. This is by no means a complete listing. Please see QST or the ARRL website (www.arrl.org) for any details and QSL information.

---------------------------------------------------------- 12/06/2014 | 200th Anniversary of the Treaty of Ghent

Dec 6-Jan 6, 0000Z-0500Z, XM3G, Mississauga, ON. Robert Emerson. QSL. VE3RHE/XM3G. VE3RHE will be operating as XM3G to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Treaty of Ghent. ve3rhe.ca

12/27/2014 | Ham Radio University/NLI Section Convention Dec 28-Jan 4, 0001Z-2359Z, W2HRU, Bethpage, NY. Ham Radio University Amateur Radio Club. QSL. W2 QSL Bureau, eQSL, LoTW or direct to, N2MUN. www.hamradiouniversity.org

01/01/2015 | 200th birthday of Sir John A Macdonald Jan 1-Jan 31, 0000Z-2359Z, VG3SJAM, Kingston, ON. Kingston Amateur Radio Club. Certificate & QSL. Kingston Amateur Radio Club. The Kingston Amateur Radio Club members will be operating the special call VG3SJAM during the month January 2015. QSL cards and/or certificates will be available. See website, click on VG3SJAM for more details, or email [email protected] www.ve3kbr.com

01/01/2015 | 40th Anniversary Year Jan 1-Dec 31, 0001Z-2359Z, K6BB, Big Bear Lake, CA. Big Bear Amateur Radio Club. QSL. BBARC. K6BB will celebrate this year long event on the air at various times throughout 2015. QSL via QRZ / on air info. See you on the bands. #10 SASE for QSL & Brochure explaining the event. www.bbarc.org

01/01/2015 | Celebrating Amateur Radio in Shelby County Indiana Jan 1-Jan 31, 0000Z-0000Z, W9JUQ, Shelbyville, IN. Blue River Valley Amateur Radio Society. QSL. www.brvars.com

01/02/2015 | 9th Anniversary Celebration Jan 2-Jan 31, 0000Z-2359Z, K3Y, All. Straight Key Century Club (SKCC). QSL, K9JP. Celebrating 9 years of steady growth to over 13,000 members, worldwide. www.skccgroup.com

01/03/2015 | Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days Jan 3-Jan 5, 1400Z-0200Z, N0J, Lake Ozark, MO. Lake of the Ozarks Amateur Radio Club. Certificate. Please send SAE with $1.00 for 8.5" x 11" certificate.

01/07/2015 | Camino del Diablo Jan 7-Jan 11, 0000Z-1200Z, W7D, Sonora Desert, AZ. Area Amateurs. QSL. Various desert locations. PSK31, CW, SSB on 10-40 meter bands. www.qrz.com/db/w7d

01/10/2015 | 100 Years of Radio in Shelby County Indiana Jan 10-Jan 24, 1400Z-2100Z, W9S, Shelbyville, IN. Blue River Valley Amateur Radio Society. QSL. www.brvars.com

01/10/2015 | Battle of Midway Exhibit Inaugeration Special Event Jan 10, 1700Z-2359Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Ship.. QSL. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Radio Room. Please enclose Self Addressed Stamped Envelope with QSL request.

01/10/2015 | Eagle Watch On The Mississippi River Jan 10, 1600Z-2000Z, W0CS, Clinton, IA. Clinton Amateur Radio Club. QSL. Clinton Amateur Radio Club. www.qrz.com/db/w0cs

01/10/2015 | Radio Day at Upland Memorial Park Jan 10, 1700Z-2300Z, WA6HP, Upland, CA. Heaps Peak Radio Association. Certificate & QSL. Heaps Peak Radio Association. [email protected]

01/10/2015 | State of Florida Constitution Convention Commemorative Special Event Jan 10, 1400Z-2000Z, W4FFC, Port Saint Joe, FL. Gulf Amateur Radio Society. QSL. SASE #10 Enevlope www.gulfars.net

01/16/2015 | Frog Leg Festival Jan 16, 1400Z-2359Z, K4FRT, Fellsmere, FL. Fellsmere Amateur Radio Team. QSL. W4STB.

01/16/2015 | Silent Key Memorial Weekend Jan 16-Jan 18, 0000Z-2359Z, K5D, Port Aransas, TX. South Texas Section Amateur Radio Club. QSL. Silent Key Memorial Weekend. We well be on the air for this special event to celebrate our friends and family members who have passed away. www.silentkeymemorialweekend.com

01/17/2015 | Pioneer HS ARC 25th Anniversary Jan 17, 1400Z-2000Z, KC2AIF, Yorkshire, NY. Pioneer High School Amateur Radio Club. QSL. KB2JDB. We are celebrating a quarter century of ham radio in our school! [email protected]

01/24/2015 | Kansas Day Jan 24, 1600Z-2100Z, KS0KS, Olathe, KS. Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club. QSL. Santa Fe Trail ARC. Mahaffie Heritage Center, Olathe, Kansas. Kansas joined the Union Jan. 29, 1861. www.sftarc.org

01/24/2015 | Madison County Special Olympics Polar Plunge Jan 24, 0700Z-1500Z, WA4TRS, Fairview, NC. The Road Show Amateur Radio Club. Certificate & QSL. The Road Show ARC. This is also a USI Activation -- USI 036R www.wa4trs.org

01/24/2015 | Winter Field Day Jan 24-Jan 25, 1700Z-1700Z, N8W, Mineral City, OH. SPAR Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio. QSL. N8W will be operating near the town of Mineral Wells, Ohio. See URL for more info. www.spar-hams.org

01/31/2015 | 21st Tubac Collector Car Show Special Event Jan 31, 1600Z-2100Z, WE7GV, Tubac, AZ. Green Valley Amateur Radio Club. Certificate & QSL. Green Valley Amateur Radio Club. Santa Cruz Valley Car Nuts 21st annual car show. gvarc.us

01/31/2015 | Macon Police and Bibb County EMA Jan 31, 1300Z-1800Z, WX4MPD/WX4EMA, Macon, GA. Macon Police Department Amateur Radio Club and Macon Bibb Emergency Management Agency. Certificate. Macon Police Dept ARC. Being held with the 2015 Bibb County Communications Exercise [email protected]

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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Available Gear

Hallicrafter SR-160 Transceiver

Kenwood TS -430 HF Transceiver with external MFJ tuner.

Ten-Tec Century 21 Analog CW Transceiver, 70 watts,

HeathKit SB-110 VHF Transceiver 6M (x2 – 1 obtained as a parts locker, the other appears complete)

Heathkit 2M

Contact Stewart / KG6BOV at arrl dot net Local pick-up

Rusty Hemenway - K1GGS has the below equipment for sale.

I have the following D-Star equipment for sale:

IC-80AD, 144/440 dual band radio. It has the MARS mod done for 150 Mhz. 5W HT with fast charger, two batteries, headset, Speaker/microphone/GPS unit. Works both DV (D-Star) and FM-N and FM, AM (rcv for acft band). 1052 channels. In excellent shape. $100.00

IC-31A 440 single band. Speaker/microphone with GPS. 5W transmitter. FM, FM-N, DV. 552 memory channels. Hi and Lo capacity batteries, fast desk charger. Ability to scan for nearby D-star stations (from data base). Many new features. $200.00. Excellent radio.

If you are interested, contact Rusty at: 805-426-6357

Cobra 200 amateur ham radio, full-featured am/fm SSB CW 10 meter amateur radio 30 Watts RF power on AM FM hundred watt SSB dual fit finals SWR calibration system antenna warning indicator Nightwatch illumination 6-digit frequency counter echo control Roger beep jewel tower + 10 kHz control large full function analog meter.

I paid $365 for this radio would be happy to get 275dollars The Palomar linear is 100 watts would like to get 75 or trade for a nice Wilson or k40 antenna

Jack Millbury [email protected]

TS450S (no tuner) -- Contact Joe / K6NE [email protected]

I still have three 220 radios and a couple of 741/2 tribanders with 2/440/6 for sale if anyone is interested

Dan / KE6NYT (805) 444-9120



Upcoming FCC Exam Sessions

ON EXAM DAY BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 1. A legal photo ID (driver's license, passport). 2. When no photo ID is available, two forms of identification must be presented:

a. non-photo ID/driver's license (some states still have them) b. birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal) c. social security card d. library card e. utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked

envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on the Form 605. 3. Students may bring any of the above items and/or a school ID, minor's work permit, report card, or a legal guardian may

present a photo ID. 4. Bring your Social Security Number (SSN) or your FCC issued Federal Registration Number (FRN). VEC's are required by

FCC to submit either your SSN or your FRN number with your license application form. If you prefer not to give your SSN, then you may use your FCC issued FRN, if you have one. For instructions on how to register your SSN with the FCC and receive a FRN, visit the FCC's FAQ page and the FCC's registration instructions page.

5. If applicable, bring the original and a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio license and any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. The photocopy(s) will not be returned.

6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen. 7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations

into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they're free of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session. The phones' calculator function may not be used.

8. Bring a check, a money order or cash to cover the exam session fee(s). Check the ARRL VEC's current exam fee.

License Preparation and Sample Test Sites

http://aa9pw.com/radio/

http://hamexam.org/

http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation -- Weekly Webcast

http://www.AmateurLogic.tv -- Weekly Webcast

http://www.eham.net/exams/

http://www.Facebook.com/HamStudy

http://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com -- cost / on-line subscription

http://www.hamstudy.org (ICOM sponsored site)requires free registration

http://www.qrz.com/ht/ -- requires free registration

http://www.radioexam.org/

Upcoming FCC Exam Sessions

01/03/2015 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Test 1st Saturday Every Month Sponsor: AA6WC/Ali Hassan VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Ali Hassan (323) 758-0565 Email: [email protected] Location: VE's Residence 6043 3rd Avenue Los Angeles CA 90043-2618

01/03/2015 Time: 10:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: ARES LAX VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: James W. Laage (818) 368-8710 Call before 6PM Email: [email protected] Location: Valley Presbeterian Hospital Health Education Center 15107 Vanowen St Van Nuys CA 91405-4542

01/17/2015 Time: 8:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: Santa Clarita ARC VEC: Greater LA VEC Contact: Ronald B.

Klein (661) 259-0948 Email: [email protected] Location: Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center 22900 Market St Santa Clarita CA 91321-3608

01/31/2015 Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: Crescent Bay VE Grp/W6TRW ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Scott V. Swanson (310) 459-0337 Email: [email protected] Location: Northrup/Grumman 1 Space Park Blvd Redondo Beach CA 90278-1001

02/04/2015 Time: 7:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: Baldwin Hills ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Edward L. Walker (323) 394-1818 www.barc.us Email: [email protected] Location: Round Table Pizza 4330 Redondo Beach Blvd Torrance CA



90504-1031 02/07/2015 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Test 1st Saturday

Every Month Sponsor: AA6WC/Ali Hassan VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Ali Hassan (323) 758-0565 Email: [email protected] Location: VE's Residence 6043 3rd Avenue Los Angeles CA 90043-2618


02/08/2015 Time: 8:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: Conejo Valley ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Jeffrey M. Reinhardt (818) 706-3853 Email: [email protected] Location: Ventura County Sheriff's E County Station, Community Room 2101 E Olsen Rd Thousand Oaks CA 91360-6861 Betw 23 Hwy & Reagan Library

02/14/2015 Time: 8:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: SMRA Emergency Repeater Network VEC: ARRL/VECContact: George W. Kreider (805) 388-2488 Email: [email protected] Location: Betty Plotkin Center, American Red Cross 834 / 836 Calle Plano, Camarillo, Ca 93012; 34d 11m 55.21s N / 119d 00m 28.30s W ; Directions: From US 101, exit Pleasant Valley / Santa Rosa Road, southbound on Pleasant Valley turning left at Pancho Rd. approx. 3/4 mile on Pancho Rd. Left on Pancho at Calle Bolero; Red Cross is 1/2 mile directly ahead.

02/14/2015 Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor: South Bay ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Joseph M. Lanphen (310) 328-0817 Email: [email protected] for details Location: Torrance

Memorial Med Center 3330 Lomita Blvd Rm A, 2nd Flr, West Tower Torrance CA 90505-5002

02/21/2015 Time: 12:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed) Sponsor:Pine Mountain ARC VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Irene M. Smith-Quick (661) 242-1345 Email:[email protected] Location: Frazier Park Library 3732 Park Dr


03/07/2015 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Test 1st Saturday Every Month Sponsor: AA6WC/Ali Hassan VEC: ARRL/VEC Contact: Ali Hassan (323) 758-0565 Email: [email protected] Location: VE's Residence 6043 3rd Avenue Los Angeles CA 90043-2618


03/21/2015 Time: 8:00 AM (No walk-ins) Sponsor: Santa Clarita ARC VEC: Greater LA VEC Contact: Ronald B. Klein (661) 259-0948 Email: [email protected] Location: Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center 22900 Market St Santa Clarita CA 91321-3608


------------------------------------------

New Element 3 (General Class) Question Pool Released

12/17/2014 The Question Pool Committee of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) has released the

2015-2019 Element 3 (General Class) question pool. The new question pool becomes effective for all Element 3 examinations administered on or after July 1, 2015, and it remains valid until June 30, 2019.

The question pool files are available in PDF, Microsoft Word (.doc), and ASCII text formats. Section G7A requires the use of one illustration, a schematic identified as G7-1. This drawing file is published separately. — Thanks to Roland Anders, K3RA, NCVEC Question Pool Committee Chairman



************************ Upcoming HamFests & Conventions

Thunderbird Hamfest 2015Start Date: 01/10/2015 End Date: 01/10/2015 Location: Northwest Community Church 16615 North 43rd Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85001 Website: http://w7tbc.org Sponsor: Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 446.150- (PL 100) Public Contact: Walter Reinert , N7GDP 5546 West Sweetwater Avenue Glendale, AZ 85304 Phone: 602-938-8219 Email: [email protected]

Quartzfest ConventionStart Date: 01/18/2015 End Date: 01/24/2015 Location: Roadrunner BLM Short Term Camping Area 53rd Street North

(off US 95) Quartzsite, AZ 85346 Website: http://www.quartzfest.org Sponsor: Quartzfest Organizers Type: ARRL Convention Talk-In: 146.55 Simplex Public Contact: Kristyn Weed , KR1SS 3115 North Fairview #59 Tucson, AZ 85705 Phone: 619-733-2320 Email: [email protected]

WVARC Annual AUCTIONStart Date: 02/02/2015 End Date: 02/02/2015 Location: St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church 15800 North Del Webb

Blvd. Sun City, AZ 85351 Website: http://westvalleyarc.org/ Sponsor: West Valley Amateur Radio Club Type: non-ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 147.30/.90 (PL 162.2) Public Contact: Ted Walker , KB5OF 13722 West Gable Hill Drive Sun City West, AZ 85375 Phone: 623-910-9275 Email: [email protected]

Arizona Section Convention (Yuma Hamfest)Start Date: 02/20/2015 End Date: 02/21/2015 Location: Yuma County Fairgrounds 2520 East 32nd Street Yuma, AZ

85364 Website: http://www.yumahamfest.org Sponsor: Yuma Amateur Radio Hamfest Organization (YARHO) Type:ARRL Convention Talk-In: 146.840 (PL 88.5) Public Contact: Roger Hunt , K7MEX 13156 East 51st Lane Yuma, AZ 85367 Phone: 928-305-1034 Email: [email protected]

Palm Springs HamfestStart Date: 03/14/2015 End Date: 03/14/2015 Location: Palm Springs Pavilion 401 South Pavilion Way Palm Springs,

CA 92262 Website: http://palmspringshamfest.com Sponsor: Desert Radio Amateur Transmitting Society Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 146.94- (PL 107.2) Public Contact: Glenn Morrison , WB6RLC 68040 Valley Vista Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234 Phone: 760-770-6434 Email: [email protected]

SCOTTSDALE SPRING HAMFESTStart Date: 03/21/2015 End Date: 03/21/2015 Location: Mountain Valley Community Church 17800 North Perimeter Drive

Scottsdale, AZ 85250 Website: http://www.scottsdalearc.org Sponsor: ARCA & Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Type:ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 147.18 (PL 162.2) Public Contact: Ed Nickerson , WU7S 902 North 73rd Place Scottsdale, AZ 85257 Phone: 480-949-5162 Email: [email protected]

---------------------------------------Trivia for January 2015

DID YOU KNOW 1. The kitchen is the most popular place in the house for an argument?

2. In 1992, 4 presidential candidates were left handed?

3. The fruit loops breakfast cereal is all one flavor?

de Dana kg6wxe



K6MEP Net Script“Is this frequency in use, or is there any emergency or priority

traffic?” “Hearing none , the following is a Q-S-T.” “This is ____, net control station for the Ventura County Amateur

Radio Club Net.” “This is a directed, open net for all radio amateurs, sponsored by

K6MEP, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club. This net begins each Monday evening at Eight Thirty P-M local time, first on Two—Eight—Decimal—Four—Zero—Zero megahertz, and then will Q-S-Y to One—Four—Six—Decimal—Nine—Seven—Zero megahertz. This is linked to Four Four Eight Decimal Eight Zero Zero Megahertz. All amateurs are welcome to check in. A roundtable will follow roll call. A ragchew session may follow the formal net.”

“K6MEP, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, meets at Seven Thirty P-M on the Second Friday of each month at the Ventura County Port Authority 1603 Anchors Way Ventura, CA 93001.”

“The next meeting date is___________” (From the newsletter calendar section).

“A roll-call of club members will be followed by a request for late, missed and visitor check-ins.”

(Roll Call) ******** “Any late, missed, or visitor check-ins? Please call K6MEP”

(Roundtable) ******** “Any last comments?”Ten Meter Closing: — “Control is now transferred to One—

Four—Six Decimal—Nine—Seven—Zero megahertz. All net members are invited to Q-S-Y. This is _____.”

Two Meter Closing: — “Good evening to you all, this net is closed at ___________. (Time) We would like to thank WB6YQN and K6JLW for the use of their repeaters for our net”

“73, This is ______.” ****************************************************************

K6MEP CALENDAR January 2015 1: New Year’s Day – Be Careful 9: Regular Monthly Club Meeting at 7:30pm. K6MEP Board

meeting precedes the club meeting at 7:00pm. “A Comparison of Antenna Analyzers”

February 2015 2: Groundhog’s Day 12: Lincoln’s Birthday 13: Regular Monthly Club Meeting at 7:30pm. K6MEP Board

meeting precedes the club meeting at 7:00pm 14: Valentine’s Day 15: Bandit 50K Ultra – ARES Support – contact Steve KE6WEZ,

[email protected]: Presidents’Day 22: Washington’s Birthday March 2015 13: Regular Monthly Club Meeting at 7:30pm. K6MEP Board

meeting precedes the club meeting at 7:00pm 15: “Ceasar, Beware the Ides of March!” 17: St.Patrick’s Day – Don’t irritate the Leprechauns



Emergency and Volunteer TrainingSome excellent emergency and volunteer training is

available through the American Red Cross of Ventura County, FEMA and the American Radio Relay League.

Red Cross CoursesThe following is a list of locally available Red Cross

courses and a current schedule of classes over the next two months. Enroll by calling the Red Cross Chapter House at 805-987-1514 Ext 320 leaving your name, course code and telephone number. If you are interested in a class not currently scheduled call to be placed on a waiting list for the next scheduled date.

Note: The classes Fulfilling Our Mission and Introduction to Disaster Services are required for all Red Cross classes if you are not currently registered as a Red Cross Volunteer.

For training class registration, call: 805-987-1514 Ext 320. Course schedule and descriptions:

http://www.arcventura.org/DSCourseDescriptions.html

Locations and directions:

http://www.arcventura.org/contact_us.html

COLLABORATING TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY(ARC3089-4)

COMMUNITY SERVICES OVERVIEW (ARC 3068-1) DISASTER ASSESSMENT (ARC 3067-1) DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES: OVERVIEW (3076-1F) DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES SIMULATION (ARC 3076-

2F) DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (ARC 3077-1F) DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH: AN OVERVIEW (ARC

3077-2) DISASTER WELFARE INQ.:CONNECTING YOUR

COMMUNITY(ARC 3085-1) DISASTER WELFARE INQUIRY SIMULATION (ARC 3085-

2) EMERGENCY OPS CENTER/INCIDENT COMMAND

LIAISON (ARC 3089-5) ERVs: READY, SET, ROLL (ARC 3068-4) FAMILY SERVICES: PROVIDING EMERGENCY

ASSISTANCE (ARC 3072-1) FINANCIAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

(ARC 3078-2) HUMAN RESOURCES IN DISASTER (ARC 3087-3F) LOGISTICS: AN OVERVIEW (ARC 3087-1) LOGISTICS SIMULATION (ARC 3071-2) MANAGING TOTAL DIVERSITY MASS CASUALTY DISASTER (ARC 3079 1F) PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN DISASTER 1 (ARC 3080 1F) SAFE FOOD HANDLING WORKSHOP SHELTER OPERATIONS (ARC 3068-11)

SHELTER SIMULATIONS (ARC 3068-12) WORKING WITH TOTAL DIVERSITY

Scheduled Red Cross ClassesFor training class registration, call: 805-987-1514 Ext 320. Please try to register for classes a week before the class is being offeredCLASS ID Basic Courses Day Date Time Loc.For class info call 805-987-1514 Ext 320 OFFERING ID Chapter OFFERING Day Date Time

Prerequisite Instructors Location



The following free FEMA Independent Study Courses are also recommended. There are several other FEMA courses available; see the other courses at http://training.fema.gov/is

IS-005.A An Introduction to Hazardous MaterialsIS-007 A Citizen's Guide to Disaster Assistance IS-10.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and

Preparedness IS-11.a Animals in Disasters: Community Planning IS-022 Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen

PreparednessIS-35.11 FEMA Safety Orientation 2011IS-055 Household Hazardous Materials - A Guide for

CitizensIS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System,

ICS-100IS-101.a Deployment BasicsIS-102.a Deployment Basics for FEMA Response

PartnersIS-120.a An Introduction to ExercisesIS-197.SP Special Needs Planning Considerations for

Service and Support ProvidersIS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action

Incidents IS-208 State Disaster ManagementIS-230.b Fundamentals of Emergency ManagementIS-235.a Emergency PlanningIS-240.a Leadership & InfluenceIS-241.a Decision Making and Problem Solving IS-242.a Effective Communication -(1/14/2011) 0.8 1.0IS-244.a Developing and Managing VolunteersIS-250 Emergency Support Function 15 (ESF 15) External Affairs: A New Approach to Emergency

Communication and Information Distribution -(12/4/2007)IS-275 The EOC's Role in Community Preparedness,

Response and Recovery ActivitiesIS-288 The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency

ManagementIS-292 Disaster BasicsIS-317 Introduction to Community Emergency

Response TeamsIS-393.a Introduction to Hazard MitigationIS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS),

An IntroductionIS-702.a National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)

Public Information SystemsIS-703.a NIMS Resource ManagementIS-704 NIMS Communications and Information

ManagementIS-800.b National Response Plan (NRP), An

Introduction

The ARRL offers several on-line courses. The courses listed here are recommended for those involved in disaster and emergency service. See these and other courses at the ARRL web site.

Introduction to Emergency Communication EC-001 HF Digital Communications EC-005 PR-101: ARRL Public Relations (EC-015) Public Service and Emergency Communications

Management for Radio Amateurs- EC-016

There are some costs with the ARRL courses but discounts and occasional scholarships are available to ARRL members. See www.ARRL.org for details and enrollment.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------ARES-ACS Frequency Updates

The Tuesday night Ventura County ARES/ACS Net is held on the SMRA ERN South Mt Repeater. Local nets are 7:00 to 7:30 PM; County Net starts at 7:30 on SMRA South Mt / K6ERN 146.385 Mhz (+) PL 127.3 (linked to 224.100 Mhz (-) / PL 127.3 and 447.320 Mhz (-) / PL 100.0).

Good Frequencies to have pre-programmed into your radios...

Area 1 Simi Valley – K6ERN 146.805 Mhz (-) PL 100.0 Area 2 Conejo Valley, T. Oaks, Newbury Park – N6JMI 147.885

Mhz (-) PL127.3 BOZOArea 3 Camarillo, Somis,– K6ERN 147.915 Mhz (-) PL 127.3Area 4 Oxnard, Port Hueneme, NBVC – WB6YQN 146.970

Mhz (-) PL 127.3Area 5 Ojai Valley – N6FL 145.400 Mhz (-) No PL

Area 6 Ventura City – N6VUY 147.975 Mhz (-) PL 127.3Area 7 Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru – WA6ZSN 146.385

Mhz (+) PL 127.3Area 8 Moorpark, Santa Rosa Valley – K6ERN 145.460 Mhz (-

) PL 127.3County-Wide – WA6ZSN 146.385 Mhz (+) PL 127.3ACS Portable – VCACS/p 144.930/147.585 Mhz PL 127.3

Other Good Area Frequencies ...

W6GRG 146.940 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 Simi DSW Repeater WA6FGK 146.640 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 Simi Valley WD6EBY 145.420 MHz (-) PL 127.3 Chatsworth PkN6EVC 146.850 Mhz (-) PL 94.8 Rasnow K0AKS 147.150 Mhz(-) PL127.3 TOaks WD6EBY 147.060 MHz (-) PL127.3 Laguna Peak (Temp Inact) K6ERN 146.880 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 SMRA Red Mt. K6ERN 147.765 Mhz (-) PL 127.3 Olivas Park / SMRA K6TZ 146.790 Mhz (-)PL131.8 SBARC WA6COT 145.180 Mhz (-) PL 131.8 Sta Ynez

WB6OBB 147.000 Mhz (+) PL 131.8 Sta Barbara AA6DP 147.090 Mhz (+) No PL Catalina KB6C 147.735 Mhz (-) PL 100.0 Oat Mt / MMRA LA DCS K6CPT DCS 145.300 Mhz (-) PL100.0 LA DCS K6CPT DCS 147.270 Mhz (-) PL100.0 LA DCS K6DCS DCS22 147.225 Mhz (+) PL 94.8 N6FDR 145.260 Mhz (-) PL 100.0 Malibu W6AAX 147.180 Mhz (+) PL 186.2 Chatsworth WA6PPS 147.300 Mhz (-) PL 110.9 L.A.City ACS

Due to assignment and coordination of several D-Star Repeaters, TASMA, the southern California Two meter amateur frequency coordination body, has had to re-align several frequencies. Among these changes are the channelization (15 KHz spacing) of the 145.5 - 145.6 simplex allocation and reassignment of 147.540 from simplex to repeater use.

None of the local Ventura County repeaters are directly affected; however several previous simplex frequencies are now in use either as repeater inputs or outputs.

Ventura County ARES-ACS simplex frequencies have been re-assigned as follows:

Area 1 Simi Valley – 147.480Mhz (S) Area 2 Conejo Valley, T.O., Newbury Pk – 146.445 Mhz (S) Area 3 Camarillo, Somis – 146.550Mhz (S) Area 4 Oxnard, Port Hueneme, NBVC – 146.595Mhz (S) Area 5 Ojai Valley – 145.555Mhz (S)

Area 6 Ventura City – 147.510Mhz (S) Area 7 Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru – 147.540Mhz (S) Area 8 Moorpark – 146.535Mhz (S) County ARES Simplex – 147.525Mhz (S) National Simplex – 146.520Mhz(S)

__________________________________________________________________________

Ventura County ARES / ACS Emergency Coordinators

ACS RO/ARES DEC: Rob Hansen, W6RH, Email: [email protected] ACS RO/Deputy DEC: Rick Tate, KQ6NO Email: [email protected]

Area 1 Simi Valley EC: Steve King, KE6WEZ Email: [email protected] 2 TO, Conejo Valley EC: Zack Cohen, N6PK , Email: [email protected] 3 Camarillo, Somis EC: Ted Lansing KI6PTX Email: [email protected] 4 Oxnard, Hueneme, Mugu EC: Stewart Stone, KG6BOV Email: [email protected] 5 Ojai EC: Wayne Francis, W6OEU Email: [email protected] 6 City of Ventura EC: Jose Vasquez, N6VUY Email: [email protected] 7 Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru EC: Jose Vasquez, N6VUY Email: [email protected] 8 Moorpark, Santa Rosa Valley EC: Marc Handley KM6B, Email: [email protected]



ARRL offers online training for hams who want to participate in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

The time for training is before a disaster...not during one.

The former Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) series of three training courses has been reconfigured into two courses: An introductory course and a course for leaders and managers.

Introduction to Emergency Communication (#EC-001)

Revised in 2011, this is an update of the former Level 1 course. It is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for hams who want to serve as a Public Service volunteer. It provides an opportunity for non-hams who rely on communications in emergency situations to learn about Amateur Radio and its unique role in emergencies.

The course is offered online using the Moodle learning platform. The Introduction to Emergency Communicationcourse has six sections with 29 lesson topics and a 35 question final assessment. Participants should plan on completing the course in approximately 45 hours over a nine week period. This is a mentored course, in which you may work according to your own schedule. Cost is $50 for ARRL members and $85 for non-members.

For start dates, registration deadlines and more visit www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog

Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs (#EC-016)

Launched in 2010, this course is designed for Amateur Radio operators who will be in leadership and managerial roles, organizing other volunteers to support public service activities and communications emergencies. Participants will learn how radio amateurs prepare to support local community events and, when working in coordination with governmental and emergency response organizations, how to deploy their services. This is a self-study course. For more information and to register visit www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog.

PR-101: ARRL Public Relations (EC-015)

This is a basic training course for PIOs and anyone interacting with the media and promoting Amateur Radio.

This course is designed to give hams a quick overview in public relations activities. It uses the skills of experts in various aspects of public relations to provide volunteer Public Information Officers with the basic skills and expectations that a PIO needs to know to be effective in their home region. PR-101 covers everything from the basic news release to Web sites and video work.

This course is available--free! – on-line, or can be purchased in CD format from the ARRL store. --------------------------------------------------

The new Ventura County ACS Trailer at SkyWarn Operations, NWS Oxnard, 7 Dec 2014



Local Area Radio Nets

Weekly Nets Monday

Cuckoo Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL every weekday morning from 7:00 AM to about 8:20 AM

California Rescue ARES Net 7.25 Mhz MTWThF 8:30 AM

K6MEP / VCARC Club Net -- 8:30 PM 28.400 Mhz USB / 146.970 Mhz (-) / 127.3 PL (WB6YQN repeater) linked to K6JLW 448.800 Mhz (-) PL 131.8

Santa Barbara South County ARES net 7:30 p.m. on 146.79 Mhz (-) PL 131.8.

LA Section ARES Net - HF Every Monday following the VHF/UHF net (~2130 hrs) 1st, 3rd and 4th Monday - 75 meters 3.995 MHz (± 45 kHz) / 2nd Monday - 10 meters 28.495 MHz

LA DCS-22 Net -- 1930 Hrs. - K6DCS - 147.225 MHz (+)then on 7.235± MHz LSB

Southern California ACS NET MONDAY AT 2000 HOURS LOCAL TIME ON 3992, 3960 KHz LSB

Tuesday



Ventura County ARES/ACS Nets between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Emergency Service / Auxiliary Communications Service holds their local and County-wide nets. Local Nets are by area and normally run from 7:00 to 7:30 PM. The County-wide Net starts at 7:30 PM and normally finishes by 8:00 PM 146.385 (+) / 127.3 PL

Ventura County ARES-ACS 6 Meter Net -- between 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM K6SMR 52.980 Mhz (-) PL 82.5 SMRA Red Mt

Ventura County ARES-ACS HF Net -- between 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM 40M on 7.230 Mhz LSB +/- ; 80M on 3.820 Mz LSB +/-

West SB ARES HF Net ( 1st Tuesday, Monthly) 3822 Khz LSB 2030 / 8:30 PM

2000 6-Meter Roundtable - 50.125 Mhz USB First Tuesday of each month.

2030 ATV Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL K6TZ repeater

Wednesday --



Channel Islands 10-10 Net 28.340Mhz USB 10:00 AM / 6:00 PM

Southern California ACS NET 1000 Hours, 40 Meter Net 7230 KHz

SMRA Tech Net 146.880 Mhz (-) / 127.3 PL (SMRA Red Mt) 8:00 PM

SBARC Swap Net 146.790 Mhz (-) / 131.8 Hz PL K6TZ 2000

Thursday



So Cal 6 meter net, 51.940 Mhz – pl 82.5. 1900-2000 local Thursdays.

Southern Calif 6M SSB Technical Roundtable NetThursday night at 8:00 PM on 50.2 MHz USB SSB

Friday



Saturday

Quad Squad Net 1300 / 1:00 PM 21.365 Mhz USB

Military Radio Collector Net 1830 / 6:30PM 3985 Kc +/- AM

Sunday

Newbie Net 7:00-7:30 pm Sundays; Bozo Repeater 147.885 Mhz (-) / PL127.3



Yaesu Fusion Repeater on line

A Yaesu Fusion Repeater, on OAT Mountain, was placed in service several weeks ago. It’s a open repeater operating on 449.460 out and 444.460 in. No PL. This is a digital repeater only that works with the Yaesu FUSION C4FM/CDMA. Coverage is excellent from Simi Valley to Oxnard//Camarillo areas. Some coverage in Santa Paula/Fillmore area.

Most Fusion repeaters can handle both FM voice and CrFM with conversions done in the repeater to allow both to co-exist on the same repeater. However this repeater is limited to data only due to its frequency assignment.

If you're not familiar with Fusion equipment, it can operate C4FM, FM (narrow or wide), APRS and has a data port for packet.

If you have a C4FM Yaesu radio, plug in the frequencies and give me a call. I also have a Wires setup on 441.500, for Fusion stations in the Western Simi area, and possibly Moorpark that can be used to connect to stations around the world. The antenna is at ground level but i hope to get it up about 40 feet next week.

Rusty K1GGS

-------------------------------------------------------- WD6EBY / Pleasant Valley Repeater System Update Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the County Not a Repeater was churning Not even a Rag Chew

When all of a sudden what do I hear The presence of new RF from my scanner oh cheer I dashed to my radio and programmed it well I got the right frequency and even the PL

I grabbed the mic, keyed it and well With what to my wondering eyes did appear A strong signal followed by a hardy cheer

I was so excited that I had to exclaim I installed a new repeater, Merry Christmas to all

Hello All,

Today I installed two new open repeaters on Chatsworth Peak.

445.660 MHz 141.3pl 145.420 MHz 127.3pl 2.4 GHz MESH to be installed soon

Both repeaters are using Corner Reflector antennas pointed towards Ventura County. I am trying to mitigate as much RF to LA as possible. I do expect some coverage into the Valley. UHF is running about 18 watts from the duplexer and is using a PHEMT (GaAs FET) preamp. VHF is running about 24 watts from the duplexer and does not require a preamp.

**NOTE: The VHF repeater has a bad jumper and is resulting in poor performance. It will be replaced on Friday.

At this time, these repeaters are standalone systems. As time progresses, these TEST repeaters will be replaced with higher power systems that are interconnected and Linked.

If you get chance to try the systems, I would appreciate a comment at to their performance.

Thank you and Merry Christmas To All

Paul Strauss / [email protected] h

----------------------------------------





Jose / N6VUY came across this a few years ago (Blame him)

You Might be a Ham Operator if....

1. When you look at a full moon and wonder how much antenna gain you would need.

2. When a friend gets a ride from you and remarks that you have a lot of CBs in your vehicle, it turns in to an hour long rant on how ham radio is not CB radio.

3. When someone asks for directions, you pause, wondering if long or short path would be best.

4. When you can look at a globe and be able to point to your antipode (and you know what an antipode is).

5. Your cell phone ring tone is a Morse code message of some kind.

6. You have accidentally said your Amateur Radio call sign at the end of a telephone conversation.

7. Your favorite vacation spots are always on mountain tops.

8. You notice more antennas than road signs while driving your car.

9. You have driven onto the shoulder of the road while looking at an antenna.

10. Porcupines appear to be fascinated with your car. 11. If you ever tried to figure out the operating frequency of

your microwave oven. 12. When you look around your bedroom of wall to wall ham

gear and ask: Why am I still single? 13. The local city council doesn't like you. 14. You actually think towers look pretty. 15. Your family doesn't have a clue what to get you for

Christmas, even after you tell them. 16. Your HF amplifier puts out more power than the local

AM radio station. 17. The wife and kids are away and the first thing that goes

through your head is that no one will bother you while you call "CQ DX" a few hundred times.

18. You refer to your children as your "Harmonics". 19. Your girlfriend or wife asks: "You're going to spend

$XXXX on what??? 20. Every family vacation includes a stop at a Ham radio

store. 21. You actually believe you got a good deal on eBay. 22. You have pictures of your radio equipment as wallpaper

on your computer's desktop. 23. You look for unused 30 A circuits in a new car's fuse

panel. 24. Removing snow from the roof of your car requires

working around the antenna and wires. 25. The first question you ask the new car dealer is: "What

is the alternator's current output"? 26. You buy a brand new car based on the radio mounting

locations and antenna mounting possibilities. 27. You have tapped out Morse code on your car's horn.

28. When you pull into a donut shop and the cops there on their coffee break ask if they can see your radio setup.

29. You always park on the top floor of the deck, just in case you might have to wait in the car later.

30. Your wife has had to ride in the back seat because you had radio equipment in the front seat.

31. Your wife has delivered meals to your Ham shack. 32. Your wife threatens you with divorce when you tell her

that you are going on a "fox" hunt. 33. Your next door neighbor thinks that your wife is a

widow. 34. Your neighbors thought you were nuts when you ripped

up your lawn to bury chicken wire. 35. Your flagpole has ground radials. 36. You walk carefully in your back yard to avoid being

close-lined. 37. When house hunting, you look for the best room for a

radio shack, scan the property for possible tower placement and check the CCR’s for antenna restrictions.

38. The real estate agent scratches his head when you ask if the soil conductivity is high, medium, or low.

39. You sell a house and have to explain the grounding points and independent 30 Amp AC circuit in the spare bedroom.

40. When house hunting, you give your realtor topographical maps showing local elevations.

41. When you see a house with a metal roof, and your only thought is what a great ground plane that would be.

42. A lightning storm takes out a new Laptop, Plasma TV, and DVD Recorder, but all you care about is if your radios are okay.

43. You have Ham radio magazines in the bathroom. 44. When your doorbell rings, you immediately shut down

the amplifier. 45. Fermentation never enters your mind when "homebrew"

is mentioned. 46. Instead of just saying no, you have said "negative". 47. You have used a person's name to indicate

acknowledgement. 48. You become impatient waiting for the latest AES or

HRO catalog to arrive. 49. You have found yourself whistling "CQ" using Morse

code. 50. You always schedule the last full weekend in June for

vacation. 51. Your exercise machine is a Morse code keyer. 52. You walk through the plumbing section at the hardware

store and see antenna parts. 53. If you sold all your Ham radio equipment, you could pay

off your mortgage.



54. You can carry on a conversation and send CW at the same time.

55. You know a dozen ways to hide antennas in CCR restricted areas.

56. You have deep anxiety or panic attacks during high winds or heavy ice.

57. You and the FedEx/UPS men are on a first name basis. 58. You really start to miss people that you've never seen.

DecemberFest Pictures

These are pictures from our Decemberfest Dinner Meeting. If you don’t see yourself, you missed out on a good meal and a good time !!





A Comparison of “Affordable” Antenna Analyzers

If you’ve got one different from one of these, bring it to the January meeting !

Comet CAA-500 Rig Expert AA-1000

MFJ-269 and MFJ-266



IARU Wants Member Societies’ “Engaged” in Seeking Support for 5.275-5.450 MHz Amateur Allocation

11/21/2014 International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, has called

upon IARU member societies to seek the support of their respective governments for an Amateur Radio secondary allocation at 5.275-5.450 MHz, per Agenda Item 1.4 at World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15). Ellam told his colleagues in a letter this week that obtaining the allocation is “one of the main goals at WRC-15 for the Amateur Radio Service.” WRC-15 will take place November 2-27 in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The IARU officers and the Administrative Council have discussed this issue and feel it is very important that we have our IARU member-societies engaged in seeking support for Agenda Item 1.4 from their respective administrations,” Ellam wrote. “In order to achieve success for [Agenda Item] 1.4, which will be a very difficult task for the IARU team at WRC-15, we will need as much support from administrations as possible.”

Agenda Item 1.4 stemmed from Resolution 649 at World Radiocommunication Conference 2012, which invited WRC-15 to consider, based on International Telecommunication Union (ITU) studies, “the possibility of making an allocation of spectrum, not necessarily contiguous, to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis within the band 5.250 to 5.450 MHz.” As the WRC-12 resolution noted, more than 50 administrations have allowed various uses of frequencies in this band to carry out propagation studies, permit communication during emergencies and disasters, and verify that Amateur Radio can share spectrum with incumbent services. The IARU is seeking consideration for a secondary Amateur Service allocation at 5.275 to 5.450 MHz.

“An allocation at 5 MHz will bridge the propagation gap between the 3500 kHz and 7000 kHz Amateur Radio bands and enable the Amateur Service to maintain stable communication over various distances for the whole 24 hours, especially for use when providing communications in disaster situations and during relief operations,” the IARU has stressed.

To date, Amateur Radio allocations in this part of the HF spectrum have been largely in the form of discrete channels, such as the five channels available to US radio amateurs.

Homeland Security’s 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan Incorporates Amateur Radio

11/20/2014 The US Department of Homeland Security’s 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) has

incorporated Amateur Radio in its mix of media that could support and sustain communications in a disaster or emergency. The 2014 NECP is the first update since the original plan was released in 2008. The NECP is “the nation’s over-arching strategic plan for enhancing emergency communications capabilities and interoperability nationwide,” DHS said in announcing the updated plan on November 12.

“[A]mateur radio operators…can be important conduits for relaying information to response agencies and personnel when other forms of communications have failed or have been disrupted,” the NECP states.

The NECP also describes changes that lie ahead for emergency communication systems, such as 9-1-1 systems. “In the future, Next Generation 9-1-1 will enhance the capabilities of current 9-1-1 networks, allowing the public to transmit pictures, videos, and text messages that will provide additional situational awareness to dispatchers and emergency responders,” the NECP says.

The updated NECP stresses the importance of interoperability. It recommends that state, regional, and local administrations “assess their existing governance structures to ensure they are positioned to address current and emerging policy, technology, and planning developments.” This effort, the NECP continues, could include the addition of representatives from the Amateur Radio community to statewide interoperability governing bodies and executive committees.

The NECP also recommends that federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions “identify domestic and international entities with potential roles in information sharing and the delivery of emergency communications during emergencies,” such as Amateur Radio operators. “As appropriate, these entities should be incorporated into training and exercise activities on a more regular basis,” the NECP suggests.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — a part of the Department of Homeland Security — is headed by a radio amateur and ARRL member, W. Craig Fugate, KK4INZ.



Riley Hollingsworth to North Carolina Club: Amateur Enforcement “Very Much Alive”

11/19/2014 Former FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, told the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club

that the FCC is still active in the Amateur Radio enforcement arena, even though it’s not always apparent. He spoke to the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, club on November 10.

“You may not think so, but enforcement is very much alive,” said Hollingsworth, who — although retired — still keeps up with goings on at the FCC and with the enforcement activities of his successor, FCC Special Counsel Laura Smith. “You just don’t hear a lot about it, as you used to,” he said, because ham radio news media report only the “big announcements” these days. During his tenure, Hollingsworth routinely released preliminary letters of inquiry and warning notices to radio amateurs suspected of breaking the rules. Now, he said, the FCC is using “the IRS model” of releasing information, partly in response to privacy considerations.

“You only see final actions [now],” he said. “So, you don’t think a lot’s being done, but it’s all behind the scenes, and you don’t know about it.”

What is not helpful, he told the club members, is e-mailing or writing Laura Smith or the FCC proper to demand Commission attention to particular enforcement issues. Hollingsworth said the FCC has received “nasty e-mails to FCC personnel” concerning suspected ham radio rule breaking.

“I’m talking about horrible e-mails, threatening e-mails, threatening to the degree that the security office sometimes gets involved,” he said. “We’ve got to stop this.” Hiding behind the anonymity of the Internet, he stressed, gives some people within the FCC a bad impression of ham radio and could prove counterproductive.

Hollingsworth suggested that hams interested in keeping up with enforcement subscribe to the FCC Daily Digest or view it on the FCC website. “You read these and you get an idea of how busy the FCC is across the board,” he said. The FCC also documents Amateur Radio Service enforcement actions on its website. The page is not frequently updated, however.

Hollingsworth pointed out that the FCC is still running two parallel websites, since many were unhappy with the new site when it was unveiled a few years ago. The old — or “transition” — site remains fully functional.

Hollingsworth praised FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler for his role in helping to get the agency on a more active footing, and Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc, who was appointed last March. “I’m very impressed with him,” Hollingsworth said of LeBlanc. The Enforcement Bureau is the FCC’s largest bureau.

In remarks now familiar to many who have heard him speak at Dayton Hamvention and elsewhere, Hollingsworth also warned his audience members against getting into on-the-air spats with rude or careless operators.

“Don’t engage people, and don’t humor the idiots,” he said. “Stupidity can’t be regulated, no matter how good the rules are. Just turn the big knob. Every rig has one.”

Hollingsworth speculated that a lot of interference that is considered deliberate actually is accidental, but that hams encountering it automatically assume offense. He said the number of rule breakers represent only a small fraction of a percent of the Amateur Radio population, however, and “they’re getting whittled down.”

“Our responsibility is to get Amateur Radio through the next 100 years,” Hollingsworth concluded. “You must recruit. You’ve got to keep these newcomers interested” and show them everything ham radio has to offer.

Today’s hams, he said, ought to be presenting a good example for those who follow. “It’s time for us to leave a legacy for this avocation,” he said.

Hollingsworth’s complete talk appears as Episode 174 of the online Amateur Radio television series HamRadioNow, produced by Gary Pearce, KN4AQ. — Thanks to HamRadioNow and Gary Pearce, KN4AQ

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