In This Issue…
- Ralph Moulton KA5RUZ Celebration of Life
- SCARS First POTA Activation
- Field Day 2022 starts June 25
- Six Meters Anyone???
- New/Upgraded Hams
- Newsletter News
- Local Hamfests
- Dates To Remember
- Odds and Ends
- SCARS Is On The Web
- Podcast: On The Air
- This Week’s ARRL Letter
- ARRL DX Bulletin
- Podcast: Amateur Radio Newsline
- Podcast: W5KUB Amateur Radio Roundtable
- Podcast: Ham Nation
On January 28th, Norman lost a wonderful ham, Ralph Mouton SK at 91 years young. Ralph was licensed back in 1985 and as shown above, he was a prolific collector, operator, and builder. In addition, he was a great husband, father, and friend. His obit tells most of his story at https://obituaries.normantranscript.com/obituary/ralph-moulton-1084314102. However, anyone that ever met Ralph will have stories that go on for days. About 15 years ago, the Norman Transcript ran an article on Ralph and he talks about his service to the country during the Manhattan project days. That article is available at https://www.normantranscript.com/news/local_news/he-saw-the-light/article_41a739f0-e93b-5c84-9758-c3013c30c5af.html
Due to the pandemic, the family will finally be celebrating this amazing man’s life this Friday, June 17th. Now that all his family can be present they are planning on holding a very casual celebration of life Friday, June 17th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Norman Depot at 200 South Jones, Norman, OK.
Come and share a Ralph story with the rest of us.
Ralph and all of the SCARS Silent Keys are listed on the SCARS SK page at https://w5nor.org/sk/. Deceased amateur radio operators are known as a silent key (SK). These are hams whose morse code keys have become silent.
Ralph will be missed by all that knew him.
SCARS First POTA Activation — Menu
Last Saturday Jon Jeitz W5JWZ gave a great presentation on the wildly popular Parks on the Air (POTA) program. The video of his presentation is available on YouTube at this link. When you turn on an HF radio these days you will quickly stumble upon someone calling CQ POTA. Next time you hear that call, answer them back and you’ll have a great QSO. The activators will log the contact and when you sign up for your POTA account those contacts will be waiting for you. In fact, when we signed up for a POTA account for W5NOR, there were 43 contacts waiting for us from past field day contacts.
Last Saturday, after the presentation, meeting, and lunch, about 20+ SCARS folks make the trek out to East Sentinel park at Lake Thunderbird. We had dozens of antennas show up, and at least a half dozen radios and power sources were laying on all of the tables. We made 22 contacts under the W5NOR callsign, and three of us made our first POTA contacts. It’s easy to see why this is so popular. The logs and scorekeeping provide a great incentive to earn awards. The culture of the operators is a lot more laid back than a normal ‘contest’ situation. The operators are willing to chat a bit during each contact. The activations in a park give you practice a remote operation, or you can just get out of town for a bit.
As a reminder, Jon Jeitz W5JWZ has offered to help anyone get started on their own park activations. Jon’s contact information is good on QRZ. And the SCARS Tuesday evening Elmer Nights are a great way to work out any radio/antenna/logistic problems. Join us Tuesday nights at the Firehouse from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
More POTA information is available at https://w5nor.org/pota/. And get ready for the Oklahoma POTA day on August 20th!
Many Thanks, Jon!!!
Field Day 2022 Starts June 25 — Menu
Every year the amateur radio operators from across North America join in the ARRL’s June Field Day. SCARS will be operating three main stations, a voice transmitter, a CW transmitter, and a digital transmitter at Firehouse #7. This year the activities will be on June 25 and 26th. Put this on your calendar and join us for 24 hours of fun. This is a great place to learn more about radio operations and practice any skills that you need to polish. In addition, we will be serving lunch, dinner, and breakfast, testing for amateur radio licenses at 14:00, and performing a VHF fox hunt.
If you want to be involved, please contact Mark Clayton N5AZQ at hamsat2959@gmail.com.
More details will be available at https://w5nor.org/fd/.
Clear your schedule and see you there.
Six Meters Anyone??? — Menu
Just a reminder from the OK ARES DMR net Monday night. We’re starting to see the effects of sporadic-E season and the reports are coming in locally, from the east coast, and the west coast. This time of year the propagation on the VHF/UHF bands drills magic holes from here to there. Reports from locals show six-meter contacts from Oklahoma to Japan, the east coast, and even Europe. The East Coast folks are getting Europe like they’re right next door. You’ll even hear some signals on VHF repeater frequencies from places far away. If you have a radio/antenna for six, two, or 440 you might turn it on and make some magic happen!
Now, where’s that six-meter Moxon…
New/Upgraded Hams
Please join the SCARS Exam Team in welcoming the following new amateurs to the air:
Carrie, KI5VRB
Brad, KI5VQR
each of whom earned Technician-class licenses as well as:
James, N5JEA
who upgraded to a General-class license and also:
Kevin, AI5HU (ex-KI5TZS)
William, KI5RMQ
each of whom upgraded to Amateur Extra.
Congratulations to all!
Upcoming Exam Sessions: June 2nd, Field Day (June 25th), July 7th, August 4th
Next Exam Session: Field Day (June 25th), July 7th, August 4th
Dates to Remember — Menu
- SCARS Elmer Nights – Every Tuesday evening, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Join us in person at Norman Firehouse #7 – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069 and on Zoom at https://w5nor.org/zoom/ or simply watch the fun on YouTube at https://w5nor.org/stream/. All meetings/presentations are recorded so you can stream them later from the SCARS YouTube channel.
- SCARS Meeting June 11, 2022, meeting starts at 9:30 am – Jon Jeitz W5JWZ will be presenting about Parks On The Air (POTA) activations. After the meeting, we will be heading to the East Sentinal Park at Lake Thunderbird so you can operate a POTA station. Bring your radio/antenna or just operate ours. – Join us in person at Norman Firehouse #7 –2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069 and on Zoom at https://w5nor.org/zoom/ or simply watch the fun on YouTube at https://w5nor.org/stream/. All meetings/presentations are recorded so you can stream them later from the SCARS YouTube channel.
- SCARS June 2, 2022, License Test – 6:30 pm – Norman Firehouse #7 – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069
Newsletter News — Menu
This newsletter is announced in several places. Feel free to subscribe the way that suits you best. If you’re an email person, you can subscribe by visiting https://w5nor.org/email. If you’re a Twitter person, visit us at https://w5nor.org/twitter. And each newsletter announcement is posted on the Facebook group at https://w5nor.org/facebook. And, if you like to search this yourself, you can go straight to the newsletter at https://w5nor.org/newsletter. Any way you found the newsletter, we’re glad you made it.
And, this newsletter should be for, and about, you. If you have a neat build project to share, an interesting QSO, a new radio review, a new idea, an upcoming event, a member spotlight, or if you’d like to help produce the newsletter, please send an email at w5nor@w5nor.org. These don’t have to be polished articles; we’ll edit as required. Don’t forget a picture or two. Those pictures are worth a thousand words.
Local Hamfests — Menu
Briefly, here’s the list of the upcoming local hamfests. Hamfests are always great places to buy new equipment, sell your underused equipment, and find that great flea market bargain. They are always a great place to meet local hams and learn some new tricks.
7/22-23/2022 | Ham Holiday | Location: OCCC – Oklahoma City, OK
8/13/2022 | Reno County KS Hamfest | Location: Hutchinson, KS
8/26-27/2022 | Joplin Hamfest | Location: Joplin, MO
9/10-11/2022 | Arkansas State Convention | Location: Mena, AR
9/16-18/2022 | Duke City Hamfiesta | Location: Albuquerque, NM
9/24/2022 | Springfield MO Hamfest | Location: Springfield, MO
10/01/2022 | Wichita Area Hamfest | Location: Wichita, KS
10/21-22/2022 | Hamarama Hamfest | Location: Ardmore, OK
11/5/2022 | Enid Hamfest | Location: Enid, OK
3/4/2023 | Elk City Hamfest | Location: Elk City, OK
4/7-8/2023 | Green Country Hamfest | Location: Claremore, OK
4/8/2023 | Ozark Con – 4 States QRP | Location: Branson, MO
5/19-21/2023 | Dayton Hamvention | Location: Xenia, OH
The ARRL maintains a list of all US hamfests if you would like to travel. Click here for the ARRL list of those within 250 miles.
Odds and Ends — Menu
- All those links
- SignalServer.Okiefrog.net – RF Path prediction
- ARES Memory Settings (Red Box at the bottom of the page)
- Collector and Emitter Archive
- YLRL (Young Ladies Radio League)
- Real-time Solar Weather
- SCARS Officers / Minutes
- HF Net List
- Norman VHF Repeaters audio stream
- ARRL Outgoing QSL Service
- Announced DX Operations
- D-Star stuff
- Real-time lightning data
- Oklahoma ARES Voice Over IP Net
SCARS Is On The Web — Menu
- Homepage: W5NOR.ORG
- Hamvention Club of the Year: W5NOR.org/hvclub
- News and Updates: SCARS Newsletter
- Repeater Resources: SCARS Repeater
- Oklahoma DMR Resources: OKDMR
- Facebook: SCARS Facebook
- Twitter: W5NOR
- Email: w5nor@w5nor.org
News, links, repeater info, hamfests, licensing, and more are linked from the menu sidebar at the SCARS Homepage – W5NOR.ORG!
Podcast: On The Air — Menu
The On the Air podcast is a companion to the bi-monthly On the Air magazine (an ARRL membership benefit) and takes a deeper dive into select features and projects. Each month, host Steve Ford, WB8IMY offers additional resources, techniques, and hints to help you get the most from the magazine’s content.
ARRL’s On The Air – Episode 29
Discover what “FM” really means, and how it is different from “AM.”
The “On The Air” podcast homepage is available by clicking here.
ARRL Letter & Audio News — Menu
ARRL Audio News – June 10, 2022
- FCC Proposes Record $34,000 Fine for Alleged Interference and Unauthorized Transmissions During Idaho Wildfire
- SEA-PAC Celebrates 40th Year
- ARRL Podcasts Schedule
- Amateur Radio in the News
- Announcements
- In Brief…
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL DX Bulletin — Menu
SB DX @ ARL $ARLD023 ARLD023 DX news ZCZC AE23 QST de W1AW DX Bulletin 23 ARLD023 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT June 9, 2022 To all radio amateurs SB DX ARL ARLD023 ARLD023 DX news This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all. AZERBAIJAN, 4J. Alex, 4J3DJ is QRV as 4JF1EU from Baku until June 15 during the sixth Formula One Grand Prix. QSL to home call. MONTENEGRO, 4O. Majo, YT2ISM is QRV as 4O/YT2ISM from Ulcinj until June 10. QSL to home call. EAST MALAYSIA, 9M6. Dennis, 9M8DEN is QRV from Kuching City and is usually active on 80 to 10 meters, and possibly 160 and 6 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. QSL via LoTW. BAHRAIN, A9. Special event station A91BFA is QRV until June 15 to draw attention to Bahrain's national football team. QSL via EC6DX. BALEARIC ISLANDS, EA6. Andreas, DK5ON is QRV as EA6/DK5ON from Mallorca until June 17. Activity is holiday style on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4. QSL to home call. REPUBLIC OF KOREA, HL. Operators DS2GOO and 6K2CEW will be QRV as home calls/4 from Sangchuja Island, IOTA AS-084, from June 17 to 19. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and various digital modes. QSL to home calls. ST. LUCIA, J6. Operators K9HZ and WA2LLN are QRV as J68HZ and J68AG, respectively, until June 24. Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4. QSL via LoTW. OGASAWARA ISLANDS, JD1. Operator JI5RPT will be QRV as JD1BLY on Chichijima, IOTA AS-031, from June 11 to 14. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, FT8, and on Satellite. QSL via LoTW. SVALBARD, JW. Peter, DL5FF is QRV as JW5E from Longyearbyen until June 12. Activity is on the HF bands using CW. QSL to home call. DENMARK, OZ. Stefan, DL7AOS is QRV as 5P5K from Romo Island, IOTA EU-125, until June 18. Activity is holiday style on 40 to 6 meters using SSB and various digital modes. QSL direct to home call. NETHERLANDS, PA. Special event station PA900UTR is QRV until November 11 to celebrate the 900th anniversary since Utrecht was granted city rights. Activity is on various bands and modes. QSL via PI4UTR. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE, S9. Ryan, K0EFW will be QRV as S9EFW from Sao Tome, IOTA AF-023, from June 14 to 19. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL via LoTW. POLAND, SP. Adam, SQ9S is QRV with special call sign SN35FISTS until June 30 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the FISTS CW Club. QSL via LoTW. GREECE, SV. Special call sign J43POTA is QRV until August 31 to promote Parks On The Air, POTA, activity from the Peloponnese region. QSL via LoTW. BELIZE, V3. Joe, KD9CJX is QRV as V31JX from Ambergris Cay, IOTA NA-073, until June 10. Activity is on 20 and 17 meters using mainly SSB but may also be on 15 and 10 meters if conditions permit. QSL to home call. ANTARCTICA. Warren, VK7WN is QRV as VK0WN from the Australian Casey Station, possibly until October. Lately he has been QRV on 20 meters using SSB around 0430 to 0800z. QSL via operator's instructions. UK SOVEREIGN BASE AREAS ON CYPRUS, ZC4. Dave, G4WXJ is QRV as ZC4RH until June 15. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, possibly FT8, and on Satellite QO-100 as well. QSL via LoTW. THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The ARRL June VHF Contest, NCCC Sprint, K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, VK Shires Contest, Asia-Pacific SSB Sprint, SKCC Weekend CW Sprintathon, Portugal Day Contest, AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, GACW WWSA CW DX Contest, REF DDFM 6-Meter Contest and Cookie Crumble QRP Contest are scheduled for this weekend. The 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, K1USN Slow Speed Test, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC Memorial, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, RTTYOPS Weeksprint, NAQCC CW Sprint, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test, VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Mini-Test 40, Mini-Test 80 and the RSGB 80-Meter Club CW Championship are on tap for June 13 to 15. Please see June 2022 QST, page 69, and ARRL and WA7BNM Contest web sites for details. NNNN /EX
The latest ARRL DX Bulletin is always at the top here — ARRL DX Bulletin
Amateur Radio Newsline — Menu
– HAM CHARGED WITH INTERFERENCE FACES RECORD FINE
– PARACHUTE MOBILE OPERATOR TAKES BIG LEAP FOR NEWCOMERS
– BBC HIGHLIGHTS PORTABLE OPERATION WHERE MARCONI TEST OCCURRED
– PROGRAM RELEASED FOR HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
– VANCOUVER HAM WINS TOP AWARD FOR CANADIAN AMATEURS
– TEXAS EMERGENCY RESPONSE GROUP GETS GRANT FOR EQUIPMENT UPGRADES
– JAMSAT PREPARES FOR VIRTUAL CONFERENCE THIS MONTH
– 100 WATTS AND A WIRE ‘TUNE UP’ WEEKEND ARRIVES
– OHIO NET INVITES THE WORLD TO CHECK IN
– GERMAN RADIO CONFERENCE SEEKS PRESENTERS, PAPERS
– WORLD OF DX
– KICKER: A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE WAS IN THE CARDS
The Amateur Radio Newsline can be found at ARNewsline.org.
W5KUB – Amateur Radio Roundtable Video
The W5KUB YouTube channel link is here: W5KUB YouTube.
Ham Nation — Menu
Randy, Gordo & Josh recount their Hamvention experience and maybe talk about their favorite pickups. Don catches up with last year’s YHTY winner, shares Amateur Radio Newsline and Amanda closes the show with a recent ARES activation.
The last half-dozen or so episodes are linked right here: Ham Nation
73 de Mark N5HZR
scarsnewsletter 