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

Portable Ops August 2023 – Liberty Park

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Portable Ops music at Liberty Park, August 8 2023.

Important: Commercial Interests Petition FCC for High Power ( 20 kW ) Allocation on Shortwave Spectrum

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The ARRL has highlighted a recent petition by commercial interests for high power ( 20 kW ) data transmission in bands across 2 – 25 MHz and immediately adjacent to spectrum allocated to amateur radio (20 kW, frequency agility techniques across 2-25 MHz with a potential maximum bandwidth of 50 kHz.)

From the petition (RM-11593) and the ARRL page, the petitioners appear to represent high-speed stock trading interests.

The main FCC page for this petition is here:

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/RM-11953

and the PDF of the petition is here:

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1042840187330/1

The ARRL Legal Counsel David Siddal and the ARRL Lab are preparing the League’s response to this petition. It should be filed next week.

Comments on this filing are due by July 31, 2023 and reply comments by August 15.

Please read the petition and consider filing thoughtful comments before July 31.

Some of the more interesting comments already filed include:

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/10713675722127
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/1071024793161
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/1071462055647
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/10706635727185
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/10714152301570
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/107132575421283
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/10714276400361

WCARES Field Day 2023 & Tape Measure Yagi build photos

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Rene, KM4RGL testing his tape measure Yagi with David, W4DER [Dave, KI4PSR]

John, NM4N at CW. [Andy, KY4DF]

Andrew, N5EI and his children building tape measure Yagis [Dave, KI4PSR]

Rene, KM4RGL building a tape measure Yagi [Dave, KI4PSR]
Paul, KM4PT building a tape measure Yagi [Dave, KI4PSR]
Nick with his completed tape measure Yagi [Dave, KI4PSR]
Jonathan with his completed tape measure Yagi [Dave, KI4PSR]
Andrew, N5EI and his children with the completed tape measure Yagis [Dave, KI4PSR]
Doug and Nick building their tape measure Yagis. [Dave, KI4PSR]
Our EC Jeff, KC1DWP building his tape measure Yagi [Dave, KI4PSR]
Jim with his completed tape measure Yagi [Dave, KI4PSR]
Andrew, N5EI completing the tape measure Yagis [Dave, KI4PSR]

WCARES Field Day 2023 – Update 2 HamDash, 2nd SSB, GOTA, Tape Measure YAGI

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Update 2  – be sure to check out the introduction to HamDash in Paul’s June Monthly Meeting video.

Update – we have added:

  • a second SSB station so there are additional time slots available and
  • a GOTA station so bring your family and friends.

And: Build an antenna for Fox Hunting June 24th

During Field Day, at the Public Safety Center. Dave Matthews (KI4PSR) will be hosting a “Tape Measure Yagi” antenna-building exercise. Tape-measure Yagi antennas are great for Fox Hunting events. If you would like to participate in this kit build please get in touch with Dave.

Dave will have kits for the first dozen participants. The cost is anticipated to be around $28 for the parts. Please bring cash to pay Dave for the parts.

The Antennas will be great to have for the upcoming WCARES Fox Hunt later this year. Fox hunt participants do not need to be licensed to the antennas as it is a receive-only event. So this is a great way to get kids, XLS, XYLS and friends to participate.

Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC / 1300 CDT Saturday and running through 2059 UTC / 1259 CDT Sunday.

Field Day 2023 is June 24-25.

Again this year, we will be operating from the EOC for SSB and CW or your QTH or other designated location for any Digital mode in order to minimize interference on the bands.

And again we’ll use the aggregate scoring as WCARES-TN.

For all the details please read the WCARES Field Day Rules for 2023 which you can find here. This document includes the link to sign up for an operator slot or slots! at the EOC for CW and/or SSB.

Be sure to also read the ARRL new rules which you can find here along with everything else about Field Day here.

May 2023 WCARES Monthly Meeting – In-Person & Zoom

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Fox Hunting
Tim AD4CJ’s May 13, 2023, presentation on Ham Radio Fox Hunting.
A copy of the presentation is also available as a PDF here.


 

 

Apr 2023 WCARES Monthly Meeting – In-Person & Zoom

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Situation Awareness & Tactical Communications

Kevin Fitch (K4KCF) is a volunteer wildland firefighter. Situational Awareness & Tactical Communications is vitally important in this environment. In his presentation, Kevin gives ham radio operators some things to consider as we train for our role as emergency communicators.

Off-Center Fed Antennas

Ted Edwards (W3TB) gives a detailed presentation of the properties of a multi-band off-center fed dipole antenna. The antenna described is only 68 feet long, but covers the 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m amateur radio bands.

Mar. 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting:

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Paul Havlik (WD9IOK) thoroughly discusses RFI, how it affects you (and others!), and what can be done to reduce or eliminate it. Recorded during the WCARES monthly meeting on March 18th, 2023.

Feb. 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting:

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1. Blake and Ryan Pearson achieve “Big Dog” status

Blake Pearson (KN4VKY) and Ryan Pearson (KN4VKW) operated the CW station at the N4FR Winter Field Day. Their work was impressive, expertly handling traffic at 23-25wpm. Because of this, Tim Kreth presented the boys with certificates, clearing their way to sit at the proverbial “Big Dog Table” from now on. While the boys watched the presentation on Zoom, their father, Andrew Pearson (KN4VKX), accepted the certificates on their behalf.

2. WCARES Membership Requirements – 2023

In this video, Jeff Standifer (WB5WAJ) reviews the requirements for being a WCARES member in good standing.

3. Radio Wave Propagation

How is possible for us to talk to hams across America and beyond? Watch this video and learn the science behind the magic.

Tim Kreth (AD4CJ) gives a detailed presentation of radio wave propagation. Much of this material comes from the General license study materials. If you haven’t yet obtained your General class license – or if it’s been a while, and you’ve forgotten a few things – Tim’s presentation includes useful information for all hams.