In This Issue…
- OKC Memorial Marathon Needs YOU
- SCARS Discord Server
- SCARS Facebook Signup
- March Meeting
- 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 / Ham Radio Workbench
OKC Memorial Marathon Needs YOU — Menu
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was organized to be a Run To Remember for those who died, those who survived, and those whose lives were changed forever, in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. It is usually held on the last Sunday of April each year. This year it will be April 29th and 30th, 2023.
110 amateur radio operators are needed this year to cover the entire course with public service communications, and currently, 41 have signed up. We have operators that operate in all of these locations:
- shadowing the race director at the Start and Finish lines
- operators at each of 4 relay locations
- at each of the 19 medical tents on the course
- net control operators
- SAG vehicles
- water and ice trucks
- the incident command trailer
- in the MASH medical tent at the finish line
- in the lead vehicle for the full and half marathons
- tail-end Charlie following the last runner
- operators at the “kids’ corral” at the end of the kids’ race
- radio observers along the “last mile”
- operators at the Regional Emergency Operations Center in OKC
- running in the race
- and any other assignments that may be needed.
Volunteer registration is online, and you can sign up today. Be a part of this amateur radio community event. This will assign you to the Public Services Communications team.
This URL will take you directly to the PSC registration page.
Please read the header info on the site. We all will have a background check done as part of the registration.
Please fill out all the boxes. It is a different company than last year, and we are trying to get a couple of other things added to the form. Please have patience with us.
Please send any special needs and/or comments to gjnmerock1@cox.net.
Sunday race day usually begins at about 0600 with an on-site check-in, and most operators should be released by 1400. It is a very rewarding experience, to see and assist runners from all over the world.
A pre-brief meeting will be held on April 10th at 7:00 pm at the OKC Fire Training Center, 820 N Portland, Oklahoma City, 73107, where T-Shirts, credential packets (for those in the downtown area), frequency cards, and other necessary information are dispersed.
Most radio operators will need a good mobile or base unit with an external antenna. An HT with an external antenna and spare battery packs or an external power supply may also work. Please visit your assigned location and test your radios with the repeaters used. Stay flexible and able to adapt to course changes and changes in the weather (hot, cold, rain, hail, wind, etc.) Follow the Marathon Communications Plan created by the Public Safety Communications chair.
There is a NO WEAPONS policy – open or concealed again this year for any part of the marathon. If you do not feel you cannot abide by the No Weapons policy along any part of the course or on any OKC MM property, then please DO NOT volunteer.
This is the main fundraiser that supports the Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum. It is usually about 1 million dollars each year. There are about 25,000 entrants each year.
The in-kind contribution of the amateur radio community is over $65,000 in volunteer time and equipment each year.
Sign up today and get in on the fun!
SCARS Discord Server Signup — Menu
What? Discord in SCARS? Yes, but it’s probably not what you are thinking. SCARS President Mark Clayton N5AZQ talked about this at the last meeting, and here are the details. Discord is called a ‘collaboration tool’, and features real-time chat, file sharing, notifications, and more. Discord is similar to an online product like Slack and facilitates real-time discussions. So far, SCARS members have used this to fix equipment, test their signals, and learn about active stations.
If you have a question and want to chat with someone, an answer may be waiting for you there. Or, you may just want to test out a new method of communication. This is a great place to find out what the bands are doing locally, and see what others can work. Feel free to join the 50 folks by clicking this Discord invitation https://discord.gg/bYj67uUnYc.
If you have trouble getting Discord up and running, please visit one of our Elmer Nights. More information on Elmer Nights is available at this link.
See you on Discord!
SCARS Facebook Signup — Menu
SCARS also has a Facebook group that has over 800 people monitoring it from around the world. Feel free to join us at https://w5nor.org/facebook/ 24 hours a day to share your stories or learn more about the hobby.
See you there!
March Meeting Info – Rotators — Menu
It will be spring before you know it. Which means antenna and tower work. Fred Goughler K5LLZ is our Oklahoma antenna rotator repair service, and he will be joining us in person to talk about these devices at our March 11th meeting. Fred has been repairing rotators for 50 years and will share some history, service techniques, and what to do when all those ball bearings roll out.
Fred has some Ham 4s, TR-44s, and a Tailtwister to rehome to a needy ham. He can also repair your rotor or control box and is already servicing some. He will buy your old Ham Ms and Tailtwister rotors. Bring them to the meeting, and you can make a deal or send yours in for repair. The rotor man is helping hams rotate the world.
Join us in person at Norman Firehouse #7 – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069 and on Zoom at https://w5nor.org/zoom/ or 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 meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month (the 3rd during April for the Green Country hamfest) at Norman’s Firehouse 7, 2207 Goddard Ave, Norman, OK, and online via Zoom / YouTube / Telephone. The monthly presentation starts at 9:30 am. The club meeting begins at 10:30 am. Guests are always welcome! Join us Saturday at 9:00 am for coffee and donuts. To join Zoom, load up the Zoom software and click this link at https://w5nor.org/zoom. You can join using 893 9952 6291 password w5nor. Or, to watch the fun, click the YouTube play button here or at https://w5nor.org/stream …
New/Upgraded Hams
Please join the SCARS Exam Team in welcoming the following new amateurs to the air:
Travis, KI5ZON
Christian, KI5ZOO
Raymond, KI5ZOW
Joyce, KI5ZOX
Jordan, KI5ZOY
Paul, KI5ZOZ
Reginald, KI5ZPE
All of whom earned Technician-class licenses at SCARS’ recent “Ham In A Day” session (lead by Alfred, N5VEV), as well as:
Charles, KF4GRO
who upgraded to General class at the 2/2 session.
Congratulations!
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/.
- SCARS Meeting – March 11, 2023, presentation starts at 9:30 am – 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 March 2, 2023, License Test – 6:30 pm – Norman Firehouse #7 – 2207 Goddard – Norman, OK 73069
- Technician In A Day Class – https://w5nor.org/classsignup/
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 for this yourself, you can go to the newsletter at https://w5nor.org/newsletter. Any way, you found the newsletter, and 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, or a member spotlight, or if you’d like to help produce the newsletter, please email at w5nor@w5nor.org. These don’t have to be polished articles; we’ll edit them 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 great places to meet local hams and learn new tricks.
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
7/28-29/2023 | Ham Holiday | Location: OCCC – Oklahoma City, OK
8/12/2023 | Reno County KS Hamfest | Location: Hutchinson, KS
8/25-26/2023 | Joplin Hamfest | Location: Joplin, MO
9/9-10/2023 | Arkansas State Convention | Location: Mena, AR
9/16/2023 | Ponca City Tailgate | Location: Ponca City, OK
9/16-18/2023 | Duke City Hamfiesta | Location: Albuquerque, NM
9/24/2023 | Springfield MO Hamfest | Location: Springfield, MO
10/01/2023 | Wichita Area Hamfest | Location: Wichita, KS
10/27-28/2023 | Hamarama Hamfest | Location: Ardmore, OK
11/4/2023 | Enid Hamfest | Location: Enid, OK
The ARRL lists all US hamfests if you want 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 Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY offers additional resources, techniques, and hints to help you get the most from the magazine’s content.
Running an Amateur Radio Net
As the national association for Amateur Radio in the US, ARRL offers programs and services for its members across the country. Many of these are made possible by the ARRL Field Organization, a network of ARRL member-volunteers who give of their time and knowledge to other hams, as well as to the Amateur Radio Service itself. Field Organization volunteers are positioned all over the country, in the various ARRL Sections, doing everything from offering technical advice, to liaising with government contacts, to working with young hams.
In this episode of the On the Air podcast, Editorial Director Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, talks with ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, about how the Field Organization is structured, what kinds of positions and duties are available (truly, there’s something for everyone, no matter what aspect of ham radio you’re interested in), and how to get involved.
The “On The Air” podcast homepage is available by clicking here.
ARRL Letter & Audio News — Menu
- Amateur Radio Digital Communications Releases 2022 Annual Report
- Bouvet Island DXpedition Wraps Up
- IARU Holds First 2023 Meeting
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts
- Announcements
- In Brief…
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL DX Bulletin — Menu
SB DX @ ARL $ARLD007
ARLD007 DX news
ZCZC AE07
QST de W1AW
DX Bulletin 7 ARLD007
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT February 16, 2023
To all radio amateurs
SB DX ARL ARLD007
ARLD007 DX news
This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by
W2GD, The Daily DX, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and
the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.
TIMOR-LESTE, 4W. Satoshi, JH2EUV is QRV as 4W/JH2EUV until March 3.
Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using FT8. QSL to home call.
TOGO, 5V. Eric, F5LCX is QRV as 5V23LE until February 25. Activity
is holiday style on the HF bands. QSL to home call.
CHINA, BY. Look for BD1KV to be either a Multi/2 or Multi/Multi
entry in the ARRL International DX CW contest. QSL direct to home
call.
CAPE VERDE, D4. Tony, CT1FFU is QRV as D4T from Sal Island, IOTA
AF-086, until February 22. Activity is holiday style on 80 to 6
meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL to home call.
MARTINIQUE, FM. Yuri, VE3DZ is QRV as FM/VE3DZ until February 21.
He will be active as TO4A in the ARRL International DX CW contest.
QSL to home call.
JERSEY, GJ. Matt, MJ0ASP will be QRV as GJ2A as a Single Op/Single
Band on 15 meters entry in the ARRL International DX CW contest.
QSL via LoTW.
SAUDI ARABIA, HZ. Special event stations 7Z3FD, 8Z3FD, and HZ3FD
are QRV until February 22 to celebrate Saudi Arabia's Founding Day.
QSL via HZ1SAR.
GUINEA-BISSAU, J5. Livio, IZ3BUR is QRV as J52EC. Activity is on
15 and 10 meters using mostly SSB. His length of stay is unknown.
QSL direct to home call.
AUSTRIA. OE. Members of the 4U1A Radio Club are QRV as 4UNR until
the end of February to commemorate World Radio Day. QSL via UA3DX.
ARUBA, P4. John, W2GD is QRV as P44W until February 20. Activity
is on the HF bands using CW. He will be a Single Op/All Band/Low
Power entry in the ARRL International DX CW contest. QSL via N2MM.
BANABA ISLAND, T33. Norbert, DF6FK and Judith, DL2ZAD will soon be
QRV as T33BB and T33BA, respectively, until March 1. Activity will
be on 160 to 10 meters using CW and SSB with two stations. QSL to
DF6FK.
COSTA RICA, TI. Nathan, N4YDU is QRV as TI5/N4YDU from Guanacaste.
Activity is on the HF bands. He will be active as TI7W in the ARRL
International DX CW contest. QSL direct to home call.
MICRONESIA, V6. John, V63JB is QRV from Ulithi Atoll, IOTA OC-078.
He is a staff member at a local school here. Activity is currently
on 30 meters using FT8 but hopes to expand to 20 meters, and use
SSB. QSL via operator's instructions.
BRUNEI, V8. Hajime, JO1RUR is QRV as V85RH until February 21.
Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.
He will be a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry in the ARRL
International DX CW contest. QSL via LoTW.
COCOS (KEELING) ISLAND, VK9C. Nobby, G0VJG plans to be QRV as
VK9CVG until February 24. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using
mostly SSB with some CW and FT8. This includes a possible entry in
the ARRL International DX CW contest. QSL via M0OXO.
NORFOLK ISLAND, VK9N. Dom, VK2HJ is QRV as VK9/VK2HJ until February
20 while on work assignment. Activity is in his spare time on 40 to
10 meters using SSB. QSL via eQSL.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, VP2V. Steve, AA7V is QRV as VP2V/AA7V from
Tortola, IOTA NA-023, until February 20. Activity is on 160 to 10
meters using CW. QSL direct to home call.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5. Bill, AC0W and Pat, K0PC are QRV as
VP5/AC0W and VP5/K0PC, respectively, until February 20. Activity is
on the HF bands. They will be QRV as VP5K in the ARRL International
DX CW contest. QSL via home calls, and VP5K via K0PC.
MYANMAR, XZ. Akio, JE2QIZ is QRV as XZ2B from Yangon. He is active
in his spare time on 15, 12, 10, and 6 meters using CW. QSL via
JH3SIF.
INDONESIA, YB. Jozef, ON6HX is QRV as YB9/ON6HX from Lombok Island,
IOTA OC-150, until March 8. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using
all modes. QSL direct to home call.
NEW HEBRIDES, YJ. Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR are QRV as YJ0A from
Efate Island, IOTA OC-035, until February 23. This includes an
entry in the ARRL International DX CW contest. QSL via K7AR.
THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The ARRL International DX CW Contest,
NCCC RTTY Sprint, QRP 80-Meter CW Fox Hunt, NCCC Sprint CW Ladder,
K1USN Slow Speed CW Test, YLRL YL-OM Contest, 0000Z, Russian PSK
World Wide Contest, Feld Hell Sprint, FISTS Sunday CW Sprint and the
Run for the Bacon QRP CW Contest will certainly keep contesters busy
this upcoming weekend.
The ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, OK1WC Memorial, Worldwide Sideband
Activity Contest, ICWC Medium Speed CW Test, SKCC CW Sprint, QRP
40-Meter CW Fox Hunt, Phone Weekly Test, A1Club AWT, CWops Test,
Mini-Test 40, Mini-Test 80 and the UKEICC 80-Meter Contest are on
tap for February 20 to 22.
Please see February QST, page 69, and the 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
– BREAKING NEWS: AMATEUR BALLOON’S FATE A MYSTERY
– DXPEDITIONERS LEAVE BOUVET ISLAND
– WAKE-UP CALL FOR WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
– HAMS ADD MOMENTUM TO PANCREATIC CANCER EVENT
– SYDNEY HAM RADIO CLUB MARKS 100TH YEAR
– SILENT KEY: DXER, DXPEDITIONER MAMIRO YOSHIZAWA PY2DM
– OFCOM APPROVES SPECIAL CALLS FOR 2 MORE DX CONTESTS
– CW/AM EVENT CELEBRATES VINTAGE GEAR
– FCC CREATES ROOM FOR 16 NEW FM RADIO STATIONS
– HOTEL BOOKINGS BEGIN FOR WRTC IN BOLOGNA
– WORLD OF DX
– KICKER: WEARABLE FABRIC HELPS ‘SING THE BODY ELECTRIC’
The Amateur Radio Newsline can be found at ARNewsline.org.
W5KUB – Amateur Radio Roundtable Video
use a scope and signal generator to tune an antenna. Glen reports from Hamcation, Tom builds a retro VFO, plus more.
The W5KUB YouTube channel link is here: W5KUB YouTube.
Ham Nation / Ham Radio Workbench — Menu
These two podcasts are published bi-weekly, so we alternate them in this space.
SHOW NOTES
Q5 Signals
http://www.q5signal.com/
2 Transverters / 1 SCU
https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8026248/2-transverters-1-transverter-port
The recent Ham Nation episodes are linked right here Ham Nation.
The most recent Ham Radio Workbench episodes are linked right here Ham Radio Workbench.
73 de Mark N5HZR
scarsnewsletter 