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

Communication Without Infrastructure – Winlink
Phil Sherrod, W4PHS


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

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.

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

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

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

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.

 
 


July 2023 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting: POTA – Parks On The Air

Parks On The Air

w/ Jeff Standifer (WB5WAJ)

Jeff Standifer (WB5WAJ) provides an excellent overview of the Parks On The Air program. Jeff is a long-time POTA participant and shares his experience with those who may want to give POTA a try.

Recorded on July 15th, 2023 at the monthly WCARES meeting.


Portable Ops August 2023 – Liberty Park

Portable Ops music at Liberty Park, August 8 2023.


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

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