How does the Williamson County EOC actually operate during an emergency activation? There are many tables and computers, but how does it all come together to support the mission? Ed Hudgens (WB4RHQ) and Jeff Standifer (WB5WAJ) give us a great overview of how it works.
Brian Hendrix (N0DBH) has been visiting parks almost every weekend and has thousands of POTA contacts from his activations. His presentation is packed with photos and information on what he takes and how he prepares.
January 25th-26th, 2025
David Rogers shot and edited this brief video showing activity at the recent Winter Field Day event. Thanks, David!
The WCARES Discord server has been nicely enhanced and organized for greater application to the WCARES group and beyond. In this presentation from the January 18th, 2025 WCARES Monthly Meeting, brothers Ryan (KN4VKW) and Blake (KN4VKY) Pearson gave an update on DISCORD and all it can do for us.
The featured presenter at our January 18th, 2025 WCARES Monthly meeting was Ryan Husted, National Weather Service Coordination Meteorologist in Nashville. Ryan has been with the NWS for over 16 years. His topic will interest all Skywarn enthusiasts: Severe Weather/Storm Forecasting in Middle Tennessee: Understanding the Watch and Warning process of the National Weather Service.
Special thanks to Paul Havlik (WD9IOK) who worked with NWS to schedule this presentation.
WCARES is again offering free classes to help prepare for the ARRL license exams for both the Technician (beginner) and General (intermediate) amateur radio licenses. The classes are open to everyone interested in getting their first license, upgrading or simply auditing the classes as a refresher.
You can find more details along with links to the sign-up forms here:
https://wcares.org/wcares-university/
Severe Weather Awareness Day (SWAD) is a free event open to weather enthusiasts of all ages.
This event is hosted by NWS (National Weather Service) Nashville and Trevecca University and encourages weather safety and prepardness as we head into the peak severe weather season.
When:
Saturday, February 22, 2025 9AM to 4PM CT
Where:
Trevecca Nazarene University
Boone Business Center
333 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37210
For more details check out the official SWAD webpage here:
https://www.weather.gov/ohx/swad
From Paul, KM4PT
The last full weekend in January (25 & 26) is Winter Field Day.
When is it?
The event officially begins at 1600 UDT (10 am) Central time on Saturday, January 25th, 2025.
It runs for 30 hours, ending at 21:59 UDT (3:59 pm) on Sunday, January 26th, 2025.
Where is it?
WCARES will operate CW/SSB and Digital stations at Brightstone, 4184 Columbia Pike, Franklin, TN.
All Modes/ Six Bands may be operated at your own designated location or QTH.
We have the opportunity to both operate in a group setting and individually at any one or multiple locations listed in the WFD 2025 Rules (See guide below). We will participate fully in Winter Field Day as individuals and a group while working together for an aggregate score AND by staying in touch (virtually) throughout the weekend.
Where do I sign signup to work a station:
Please sign-up for a three hour shift at the following links:
WFD 2025 CW
WFD 2025 SSB
WFD 2025 DIGITAL
Winlink (Note you will need to be able to accept and reply to Winlink messages)
SET-UP/TEARDOWN
Setup:
You can begin setup 24 hours before the event. You are allowed a total of 12 hours of setup time.
Introduction
Detailed Guide for WCARES Participants:
Paul Tampien KM4PT “Winter Field Day Coordinator” has written a detailed document for setup and participating as a team regardless or where you are located. Click here for the document
You can also go online to winterfieldday.org and pull up the regulations.
Tony Protor, KF4KFQ has announced this years Santa Net:
Santa Claus is coming! … To a receiver near you.
This year the Santa Net will once again be soaring through the skies of Middle Tennessee. Each year Tony, KF4KFQ, presents the “Santa Net” escorting Santa across Middle Tennessee. Amateur radio operators will be able to contact Santa during his rounds on the 146.415 simplex and 446.415 simplex.
For those heading out of the area or for our non-ham listeners, the Santa Net will be simulcast on YouTube.
Just go to: https://youtube.com/c/braintrusts
The Santa Net will begin at 7 PM CST on December 24th (Christmas Eve, of course) and will continue as long as traffic holds. In addition to talking with old Saint Nick there will be skits and readings of traditional Christmas favorites.
Sometimes a great introduction to ham radio that entertains the younger set is to let them speak to Santa on the air. Hams are invited to allow 3rd Party traffic to talk to Santa, as well as, provide reports of Santa Sightings and other items of interest on Christmas Eve.
Jeff, WB5WAJ will be hosting a special event station on SSB on 20m and 40m as N4S for the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin.
You can find the details about the event and the participation certificate on the Events Calendar here.
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