Santa Net 2023

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Santa Claus is coming! … To a receiver near you.

This year the Santa Net will be once again be soaring through the skies of Middle Tennessee. Each year Tony, KF4KFQ, presents the “Santa Net” bringing Santa across Middle Tennessee. Amateur radio operators will be able to contact Santa during his rounds on the 146.415 simplex and simulcast on 446.415 simplex.

For those heading out of the area or for our non-ham listeners, the Santa Net will be simulcast on YouTube and on Facebook Live. Just go to: http://youtube.com/c/braintrusts or via Facebook Live (See Below)

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 QSO’s 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.

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To join the Santa Net Facebook Live Session:

https://www.facebook.com/events/303677205875868/

For Facebook users; You will receive a link in the notifications section of your FB page. Click that link to access the Santa Net.

Additionally, those wanting to make the Santa Net extra special for a little one that will be listening that night, email information about the child to: tony.proctor@comcast.net

Please include Santa Net In the subject line.

Include the following:

  • Child’s Name (a phonetic pronunciation if the name is difficult)
  • Child’s Gender (Santa got burned on this one year)
  • A general neighborhood where they are.
  • And any other information that Santa should know that will make the evening special for the child. For example, Teacher’s name(s) … Pet Name(s) … Elf’s Name (If using Elf-On-A-Shelf) … etc.
  • Item(s) that you KNOW the child is receiving for Christmas.

If desired, I can also provide Elf-On-A-Shelf reports before Christmas that I will return as an audio file to your email address. Just send an email and the above information to the address above. Please put “Elf Report” in the subject line.

Portable Ops December 5th, 2023

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Photos from Cliff, N4CCB

Skywarn Recognition Day 2023 Operating Event

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The Skywarn Recognition Day 2023 Operating Event is Saturday, December 2nd. The ARRL News contains a link to the NOAA website giving operating procedures, participant registration forms, maps, the logging sheet and other details: https://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-is-ready-to-go

K4OHX will be activated with 2 operating positions – HF and a VHF/UHF station that will be manned for 24 hours. Stations may also operate from home – register yourself on the NWS SRD Map with your location as a Skywarn Spotter. If you’d like to sign up to work a shift at the NWS Nashville office, please do so here: https://form.jotform.com/233230949789167

Nov. 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting: NVIS Antennas

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In this video, Ted Edwards (W3TB) explains what NVIS antennas are used for and how to deploy them. From a presentation to the WCARES monthly meeting in November, 2023.

October 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting: Communication without Infrastructure – Winlink

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Communication Without Infrastructure – Winlink
Phil Sherrod, W4PHS

Sept. 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting: WCARES & the ARRL and the Jim Creek Naval Station Antenna

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WCARES and how it fits within the ARRL Field Organization
Ed Hudgens, WB4RHQ

Jim Creek Naval Station Antenna
Scott Yates, N4BBB

Siren Test Monitoring is back starting this Saturday.

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The GIS team at the Williamson County EMA have put together an updated Siren Test Monitoring system. This system will look familiar to some of you and is now ready to be used.

We will restart the monthly siren test monitoring this coming Saturday, November 4th at 1PM local and you can find these and future events on the WCARES event calendar.

There will typically be an announcement on the WCARES repeaters at noon (an hour before the siren test) to confirm whether the testing is going ahead or has been cancelled for that day.

Update: The siren test is on for today (Saturday Nov 4, 2023) – there is still time to sign up to monitor one of the sirens. Go to the Events calendar and click on the “SIREN TEST MONITORING” event.

WCARES Antenna Party – then and now

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The WCARES Antenna Team helped Robin, K4IDK install antennas back in 2013. In 2023 they were back to help take them down. Pictures then and now courtesy of Jon, KK4AIZ.

2023

Jeff WAJ & Jeff DWP are at the window, Don is in the black shirt and the roof crew are Don, Dennis and Jeff WAJ.  Robin is in the red shirt.

2013

WCARES.org – website updates     August 2023

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Recent updates to the WCARES website include June (updated), July and August meetings presentations (PDFs and videos) and a couple of additions to the Portable Ops page.

You can find WCARES presentations here:

Library & Special Interests --> Presentations
Link to WCARES presentations

and the Portable Ops page here:

Library & Special Interests --> Special Interests --> Portable Ops
Link to Portable Ops

August 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting: Nano VNA’s and HT for New Hams

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Nano VNAs – W4DML
Doug Miller (W4DML) gives a first-rate presentation on Nano Vector Network Analyzers (VNA’s). He tells what they are, what you can do with them, where to purchase one, and gives a demo that uses a Nano VNA for an antenna analyzer, bandpass filter analysis, and coax testing.

HT for the New Ham – K9QJS
This presentation by Hoop, K9QJS is specifically for new hams with an HT, to help them improve their signal and their reception. Hoop promises at least one new piece of information for even the most experienced HT operators.

Click here for a PDF of Hoop’s presentation.