The Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Emergency Amateur Radio Club Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
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The Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Emergency Amateur Radio Club Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Volume XIII, No. 3 Summer 2012 F ield Day 2012 was an outstanding success! Thanks to many of you who made it possible to put on this event, from the 25 plus members who showed up Fri- day afternoon at 4 pm to help set up to the 75 plus members and hams who just came down to support us throughout the day Saturday, to the spouses who put up with us and ran around getting things for break- fast, lunch and dinner. Let us not forget the support of the University of Hawaii, Dave WH6DSL and Jimmy WH7MW for their support and assistance to make this the best in-town field day in a while. The two HF antennas provid- ed by Fred KH6ZX and Randy KH6IB worked perfectly. Con- tacts were made into Europe and across the US and Canada during Field day. The site turned out to be a good HF spot. We'd like to say thank you to Eric KH6RT for the Icom 756 HF radio and ICOM America for the use of the ICOM 9100 HF radio for field day. Stacy KH6OWL brought out his satel- lite antenna and radio, making two satellite contacts, and the guys who brought out the MESH network setup that was very interesting. Congratulations to everyone who tested at Field Day and passed their Tech exam or up- graded. Great job! Again, Thank you all of you for supporting the club and this event, I am always humbled by all of you. Mahalo, Wayne Left: Tony KH6TG watches as Gordon KH6GL tests out the radio. Right: Ron AH6RH with Mario KH6PRD. (photos WH7GG) More photos: Page 4
Transcript
The Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Emergency Amateur Radio Club
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Volume XIII, No. 3 Summer 2012
F ield Day 2012 was an outstanding success! Thanks to many of you
who made it possible to put on this event, from the 25 plus members who showed up Fri-day afternoon at 4 pm to help set up to the 75 plus members and hams who just came down to support us throughout the day Saturday, to the spouses who put up with us and ran around getting things for break-fast, lunch and dinner.
Let us not forget the support of the University of Hawaii,
Dave WH6DSL and Jimmy WH7MW for their support and assistance to make this the best in-town field day in a while.
The two HF antennas provid-ed by Fred KH6ZX and Randy KH6IB worked perfectly. Con-tacts were made into Europe and across the US and Canada during Field day. The site turned out to be a good HF spot.
We'd like to say thank you to Eric KH6RT for the Icom 756 HF radio and ICOM America for the use of the ICOM 9100 HF radio for field day. Stacy
KH6OWL brought out his satel-lite antenna and radio, making two satellite contacts, and the guys who brought out the MESH network setup that was very interesting.
Congratulations to everyone who tested at Field Day and passed their Tech exam or up-graded. Great job!
Again, Thank you all of you for supporting the club and this event, I am always humbled by all of you.
Mahalo, Wayne
Left: Tony KH6TG watches as Gordon KH6GL tests out the radio. Right: Ron AH6RH with Mario KH6PRD. (photos WH7GG) More photos: Page 4
2 WIRELESS DISPATCH
The Emergency Amateur Radio Club
(EARC) is an ARRL affiliated club based in Honolulu, Hawaii, committed to preparing Hawaii’s radio amateurs for
emergency and public service communications.
2012 Club Officers: President: Wayne Greenleaf, KH6MEI Vice President: Chris Colquhoun, NH7QH Secretary: Gloria Hall, KH6GLO
Treasurer: Steve Hall, NH7ZD Directors: Tom Geier, KH6BLA Jim Connell, KH6JKG Darrell Omuro, KH6XL Alex Andrade, KH6IR Eric Ty, KH6RT
Wireless Dispatch Editor: Keith Higa, WH7GG
The Wireless Dispatch is the official newsletter of the EARC. It is published bi-monthly and sent to all members in good standing with the EARC. The newsletter is also available online on the EARC’s website at www.earchi.org.
Articles and photos are al-ways welcome from members and others on club events and timely issues in ham radio. Arti-cles may be edited for length or grammar. All articles reflect the views of the respective authors, and not necessarily those of the editor or Board of Directors.
Correspondence regarding the Wireless Dispatch may be submitted to the editor at [email protected]
About the
EMERGENCY AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB
Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 1900W EARC General Membership Meeting Fleet Reserve Association Saturday, October 6, 2012, 0900-1200W ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) More info: http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/in-hawaii.html
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 1900W EARC General Membership Meeting (Annual meeting) Elections of 2013 Board of Directors
Summer/Fall 2012 3
Our flagship net, every night at 1930W
on the 146.88/444.500 Diamond Head
repeater. This is a directed net designed
primarily as a training net for public
service communications, led by our
friendly NCS team. Remember to use
standard ITU phonetics when checking
in. New hams (and new NCSs) always
welcome!
EARC Nightly Net
Designed as a training ground for Oahu
DEM RACES, this net provides in-depth
training on emergency communications.
All Oahu hams welcome to participate.
Fourth Wednesday of the month,
1930W, on 146.88/444.500 (pre-empts
the EARC net on that day.)
Oahu DEM Net
Maintained and compiled by Dr. Frank
Young (KH6CDO), this net lists items of
equipment that other hams are selling or
seeking. If you have something to sell,
contact Frank at 988-7474. Every
Tuesday night after the EARC net, at
2000W, on 146.88/444.500.
Swap and Shop
Designed for introducing new hams to
the hobby and into the world of
emergency communications. NCS is
Kevin Bogan (AH6QO), ARES Section
Emergency Coordinator. Every Thursday,
1800W, on the statewide RACES system
(147.06 (+) with PL 103.5 on Oahu).
New Ham Net
4 WIRELESS DISPATCH
More photos from Field Day
Top left: John KH6HAM logs while Louise WH6DPE works the mic. Top right: The testing session at Field Day. Among those visible are Tom KH6BLA, Ryan KH6WEB, and Ralph WH7PD. Middle left: John KH6HAM adjusts the radio. Middle right: A close-up of the turnbuckle keeping the antenna secure Left: Stacy KH6OWL makes a satellite contact while Ed KH6GMB looks on. (photos from Ryan KH6WEB)
Summer/Fall 2012 5
From the ARRL Letter. Copyright 2012 American Amateur Radio Relay League
Hams Heed the Call to Help As Isaac Makes Landfall,
Downgraded to Tropical Storm Seven years to the day that Hurricane Katrina smashed into New Orleans, Hurricane Isaac came call-
ing. But instead of making landfall right at New Orleans like Katrina (a Category 3 storm) did on August 28, 2005, Isaac veered slightly to the west of the city. Through it all, hams at WX4NHC -- the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida -- and those supporting the Hur-ricane Watch Net and the VoIP Hurricane Net, along with various nets within the ARRL's Delta Division, relayed reports to their served agencies on Isaac's progress and the damage the storm created in its wake.
"Even though Isaac has made landfall and is currently tracking slowly up Central Louisiana to Arkan-sas, hams in the Delta Division are not done," explained ARRL Delta Division Director David Norris, K5UZ. "We had quite a few nets running as Isaac came ashore, and some are still going on, relaying dam-age reports and assisting with health-and-welfare traffic. As the American Red Cross and other served agencies venture out in the field within the next few days to assess the damage created by Isaac, hams in the Delta Division are ready to assist these teams with whatever communications support is neces-sary. Just because Isaac itself is over, we know that storms like this can bring tornadoes, power outages and other weather events in their wake, and we are prepared to continue to provide any support that is needed." Read more at: http://www.arrl.org/news/hams-heed-the-call-to-help-as-isaac-makes-landfall-downgraded-to-tropical-storm
FCC Releases Congressionally Mandated Study on Amateur Radio On August 20 -- in response to a Spring 2012 Congressional directive -- the Federal Communications
Commission released its findings on the Uses and Capabilities of Amateur Radio Service Communica-tions in Emergencies and Disaster Relief: Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 6414 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.
This report contains the FCC’s “ review of the importance of emergency Amateur Radio Service com-munications relating to disasters, severe weather and other threats to lives and property in the United States; and recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio opera-tors in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in the planning and furtherance of initiatives of the federal government.” It also required “that the study identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications and provide recommendations regarding the removal of such impediments.”
“There are many positive things included in the FCC report to Congress,” said ARRL Regulatory Infor-mation Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. “We are pleased that the Commission highlighted the existing Amateur Radio infrastructure to provide disaster and time-critical communications. They also recog-nized the flexibility of the Amateur Service in working with federal, state, local and tribal emergency service agencies to supplement existing communications. The affirmation of the value that Amateur Ra-dio brings to the communities across the country is underscored by the suggestion that ‘DHS work with state, local, and tribal authorities so they may develop disaster area access or credentialing policies for trained amateur operators, including a means for documenting their qualifications…’”
aren’t intimidated in the least by today’s technology. In fact, they live and breathe it. They've usually been the first people in Hawaii to discover the latest social network, the latest cool iPhone app, or the latest local startup company with a chance to make it big. Together, they host a talk show on Hawaii Pub-lic Radio called Bytemarks Cafe on which they spotlight the lat-est and greatest things happen-ing in the Hawaii technology scene, and actively promote innovation and networking in the Hawaii economic, scientific, cultural, and social scene.
So what would make these two tech evangelists, who are all about the latest, greatest, most innovative things, decide to take a few steps back on the technological scale and get their ham radio licenses?
For Ryan, the simplicity of ham radio holds an attraction to him. “As much as I love the latest and greatest gadget or website,” he says, “I'm in awe of fundamental, timeless technol-ogies that have been connecting and helping people long before the first dial tone or IRC chat room. Amateur radio was the original globe-spanning social network, and today is still as important as ever... especially in an emergency or when the Internet goes down.”
For his part, Burt is no stranger to radio communica-
Ryan Ozawa (KH6WEB, left) and Burt Lum (WH6DZJ) in the Hawaii Public Radio studios. (photo cour-tesy WH6DZJ)
tion, having gotten his Radio Telephone 3rd class operating permit when he was at Stanford pursing an electrical engineer-ing degree— “back in the dark ages,” as he says.
It was in the 1990s while working at Hawaiian Telephone (now Hawaiian Telcom) that he met a couple of hams, notably Ron Hashiro (AH6RH) and Billy Gomban (KH6JPL). At the time, however, Morse code was still a requirement to get a Technician license. Using a scanner, though, he was able to monitor the VHF and UHF bands, including the principal ham radio repeaters here.
Recently, Burt became inter-ested in the possibilities of us-ing social media for news and reporting emergencies, and in particular getting reliable infor-mation in an emergency—which led him back to amateur
radio and its proven, time-tested protocols.
“For me,” says Burt, “if I want to learn how to better use social media and the Internet for emergency management, it is best to start with the original emergency communicators, ham radio and the Emergency Amateur Radio Club. What bet-ter way to learn than to jump in with both feet.”
It led both Burt and Ryan to seek Ron’s help to study for, and eventually succeed in get-ting, their Technician licenses.
Burt and Ryan are both show-ing great enthusiasm in their new ham identities. Even be-fore he got his call, Ryan (who maintains his own Hawaii Blog at www.hawaiiweblog.com) set up a couple of new outlets: a new blog, hawaiiham.com, cov-ering the world of ham radio here in Hawaii, and a new group on Facebook called the Hawaii Ham Radio Group. The Facebook group, in particular, now has about 68 members and counting.
And who may be the next to be licensed? Maybe Ryan’s daughter Katie, or his two sons Zac and Alex?
For Katie’s part, she’s joined her dad’s Facebook group and will be coming to Field Day with him, so anything is possi-ble. “She’s a possible recruit for sure,” says Ryan.
Bringing hams into the future Hawaii’s two best-known tech geeks join the world of amateur radio
Summer/Fall 2012 7
Membership Application Form Time to renew your membership, or to become a new member? Here’s the perfect opportunity to do either. Just fill out this form and turn it in, along with your annual dues (see form for amount due) at the next general membership meeting OR mail it in to us at the address shown at the bottom of the form. You can also apply for or renew membership online at http://www.earchi.org. Follow the link for the Online Membership application form. Membership has its privileges! Here are just a few: free subscription to the Wireless Dispatch free EARC-sponsored test sessions for first-time hams and upgraders alike prize at the end of the year for the member that recruits the most new members an opportunity to do community service through club-sponsored events (i.e., the Great Aloha Run) a network of incredibly helpful, friendly, knowledgeable people who share your enthusiasm for
amateur radio And that’s just the beginning. As a member, you’ll have opportunities to present your ideas, as well. So fill out the form below, and get started! ——————————————————————————————————————————————
NEW MEMBERS JOINING IN: JAN-MAR $20.00, APR-JUN $15.00, JUL-SEP $10.00, OCT-DEC $5.00. Renewals: $20.00 for the calendar year. New Member Renewal Address Change (if this only, do not include payment) CALL SIGN ___________ LICENSE CLASS ____________ LICENSE EXP DATE __________ NAME _________________________________________________________________________ Last, First MI (Family: Name _______________ Call ___________ Name _____________ Call __________) ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________ CITY ________________________________ STATE ______ ZIP _____________- __________ HOME PHONE: (_____ ) _________________ WORK: (_____) _________________ PAGER: (_____ ) _________________ FAX: (_____) _________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS _____________________________________ I would like to subscribe to the EARC e-mail listserv (no spam, just news!). I am willing to read the Wireless Dispatch online instead of receiving a paper copy (saves the club $$). If you wish to submit this form by mail, please remit it, as well as a check for the amount specified to the EARC to the following address:
Emergency Amateur Radio Club P.O. Box 30315 Honolulu, HI 96820-0315
WIRELESS DISPATCH Emergency Amateur Radio Club P.O. Box 30315 Honolulu, HI 96820-0315
Welcome to the EARC’s newest members: Ken Cannon, AH6NN
James DeTour, AH6OY
Richard Flagg, AH6NM
Stephen Hazam, K1HZM
Dean Kozel, KB5HVJ
Christopher Wall, KC8LAS
Sonny Makalena, KG4HZF
Charles Schenck, KH6CS
William Osborn, KH6KV
Stephen Kawamae, KH6SK
Allen LeVie, KH7AL
Sam Cadelinia, KH7IE
Ronald Wallenhorst, KH7UT
Robert Collester, KJ4HUH
WH6DZK to KH6WEB Ryan Ozawa WH7BTE to KH6GLO Gloria Hall WH6DUL to KH6PRD Mario Alvarez WH6GD to KH6XJ Eugene Dashiell WH6DWT to KH6SK to KH6WG Stephen Kawamae WH6DUQ to WH6SKY Marc Nuzzo WH6DTR to KH6TG Tony Gannon WH6DTE to KH6WB Andy Andrade
