July 2024 presentation – Antennas at the PSC

In this video, Cliff Batson takes the mystery out of the antennas and antenna routing at the Williamson County Public Safety Center… the HQ of WCARES.

Recorded on July 20th, 2024 after his presentation during the July 2024 WCARES monthly meeting.


May 2024 presentation – Tornado Observing and Safety

In this presentation, Ron Howes (KD4MV) and Paul Havlik (WD9IOK) provide outstanding education on the lifecycle of tornados, examples of local tornados, cloud identification, and best practices for safe observation of tornados. Recorded during the WCARES monthly meeting on May 11th, 2024.


May 2024 presentation – Making YouTube Videos on a Shoestring Budget with Cliff, N4CCB

In this video, Cliff Batson (N4CCB) encourages you to start making YouTube videos with minimal equipment. You don’t have to make your videos Public, so there’s no reason not to get started experimenting with making videos.

Note that this is an expanded version of the presentation given on Saturday, May 12th during the WCARES monthly meeting.

Cliff shows you the gear you can use for less than $100 that will produce great results. A sample ham activation video is shown within this presentation.

Be sure to check out the links in the video description for the gear Cliff mentions.


April 2024 presentation – 10 Years of APRS Projects

In this video, Dallas Clements (K7DCC) reviews practical applications for APRS, reviews the many projects from his 10 years of experimenting with creating APRS stations, and potential new projects on the horizon.

Recorded during the WCARES.org monthly meeting in April, 2024


March 2024 presentation – Bill Jorgensen, K4COM and the WCARES repeater system

Bill Jorgensen (K4COM), Williamson County Tennessee, Director of Public Safety, gives an extensive overview of the linked repeater system in use by the Williamson County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (WCARES) group. This linked repeater system consists of 5 repeaters that cover all of Williamson County.
History, technical details and more made for a great presentation.


February 2024 presentation – Weather Observation and Amateur Radio

Weather Observing & Your Ham Radio Hobby

Paul Havlik (WD9IOK) gave this comprehensive presentation during the monthly WCARES group meeting in February 2024.

Key Objectives of Paul’s Presentation:

– Share what it takes to be a good observer by being “weather aware”
– How to stay ahead of the storms and be ready when they arrive
– Typical weather spotting equipment
– Operating a safe indoor station
– Knowing what and how to report what you see or measure
– Resources for training and participating


Feb. 2024 In-Person & Virtual Monthly Meeting: Weather Observing and Amateur Radio

An excellent presentation at the February meeting by Paul, WD9IOK on safely reporting weather events as part of a local spotting network.

A PDF of Paul’s presentation is here:

Click to access Weather-Presentation-February-2024-Final-widescreen-Rev-2.pdf

Update See this link to watch the recording of the presentation.


WCARES Monthly Meeting

The WCARES Monthly Meeting takes place the 3rd Saturday of every month with the possible exceptions of May (Hamvention) or August (Huntsville Hamfest) in which case it is held on the 2nd Saturday to allow members to attend those events.

We meet at the Williamson County Public Safety Building, located at:

304 Beasley Drive in Franklin, TN.

You can also take part in these meetings using Zoom. Look for the meeting information in the WCARES Notes e-mails.

Meeting starts at 8AM in the EOC.  Members periodically give presentations covering a wide range topics including emergency communications,  propagation and antennas, operating techniques and best-practices, kit building, hardware and software, Winlink, weather, ARRL, new modes and more.  Upcoming events are also discussed.

Meet other WCARES members and learn more about WCARES and Amateur Radio.


WCARES Monthly Meeting

The WCARES Monthly Meeting takes place the 3rd Saturday of every month with the possible exceptions of May (Hamvention) or August (Huntsville Hamfest) in which case it is held on the 2nd Saturday to allow members to attend those events.

We meet at the Williamson County Public Safety Building, located at:

304 Beasley Drive in Franklin, TN.

You can also take part in these meetings using Zoom. Look for the meeting information in the WCARES Notes e-mails.

Meeting starts at 8AM in the EOC.  Members periodically give presentations covering a wide range topics including emergency communications,  propagation and antennas, operating techniques and best-practices, kit building, hardware and software, Winlink, weather, ARRL, new modes and more.  Upcoming events are also discussed.

Meet other WCARES members and learn more about WCARES and Amateur Radio.


WCARES Monthly Meeting

The WCARES Monthly Meeting takes place the 3rd Saturday of every month with the possible exceptions of May (Hamvention) or August (Huntsville Hamfest) in which case it is held on the 2nd Saturday to allow members to attend those events.

We meet at the Williamson County Public Safety Building, located at:

304 Beasley Drive in Franklin, TN.

You can also take part in these meetings using Zoom. Look for the meeting information in the WCARES Notes e-mails.

Meeting starts at 8AM in the EOC.  Members periodically give presentations covering a wide range topics including emergency communications,  propagation and antennas, operating techniques and best-practices, kit building, hardware and software, Winlink, weather, ARRL, new modes and more.  Upcoming events are also discussed.

Meet other WCARES members and learn more about WCARES and Amateur Radio.