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The HOTLINE |
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Salvation Army on Stage |
by Terry Williams KD5KJU |
Hello everybody! Hopefully this finds you all doing well after a Happy Easter with family and friends.
After the past couple of months of Red Cross
presenters, we’d like to give the Salvation Army a chance to talk about its
role in disaster response. We were expecting to have Captain Tim Gillam of the
Salvation Army talk to us but, due to scheduling conflicts, Captain Gillam can
not attend. So, our very own Wayne Branscum KD5SMC of Waco’s Salvation Army
Disaster Team graciously volunteered to step up and do the presentation. Wayne
says that he’ll tell us about how he came to be a volunteer for the Salvation
Army, and share some of his first-hand experiences working in the Katrina
relief efforts at the staging area in Baton Rouge and feeding victims on Interstate 10
in New Orleans.
The Salvation Army, Wayne, and his brother Ernie KD5WKQ have been very supportive of amateur radio—and our Club, in particular. If you’ve come out to our last couple of Field Days, Wayne has brought the Salvation Army canteen and their mobile communications vehicle. They also have generously furnished one or more meals, soft drinks, and other supplies and equipment for the HOTARC Field Day. So, I hope to see you all at this month’s meeting and join me in giving Wayne and the Salvation Army a very big “Thank You!”
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President’s Corner |
by Rodney Baden, K5YKC |
“Are you Ready?” seems to be the cry we are hearing around the world. You might ask yourself a few questions along these lines:
· Was I able to contribute to the Katrina-Rita efforts in 2005?
· Am I any more prepared for the 2006 hurricane season?
· Have I planned some time out of my busy schedule to take part in any way?
· Am I planning to participate in Field Day this year to practice my and the Club’s skills?
· Have I completed FEMA’s online NIMS and CERT courses?
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Rodney, K5YKC |
It might be that you can only spend 30 minutes or an hour helping with communications, or helping a neighbor, or helping someone else’s neighbor that have been displaced by a storm or other disaster. But the whole idea is “service”—to donate your time and resources to help your fellow citizen, and also demonstrate the spirit of cooperation we know exists in ham radio. I know we are all very busy. All I am asking is: give it some thought.
Last month we helped with communications for Race for the Cure after all. Now we have some other opportunities coming up where we will need your help: Field Day, Fourth of July, Symphony Run, Wild West Century Bike Ride, and so forth. Can you start thinking about how you can contribute to these?
Speaking of Field Day, John Chamberlain AC5CV sent out an email regarding Field Day t-shirts that we can make ourselves with the ARRL 2006 Field Day logo. Bill Russell K5WAR and others have stepped forward to make a commitment to make this great idea a reality. The 2005 Field Day photo with K5WAR in his Field Day t-shirt sitting beside Mayor DuPuy made amateur radio look very sharp and professional for such a hot summer event. If you want to join us in “dressing up” this year (even if you can’t be at the event), please let us know by sending an email to either John or me (include shirt size).
And finally, just to let you know: We are still working on the details to organize a RACES group here in McLennan County. This has taken longer than I had hoped, but we want it to be good when it happens. In the meantime, please continue to support the Monday night ARES/BDWN on 145.15 MHz at 8:00 PM.
I hope to see all of you at the April meeting.
73
Rodney A. Baden, K5YKC
HOTARC President
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For the Record... |
HOTARC Meeting of Members
March 23, 2006
The March meeting was called to order by President Rodney Baden K5YKC at 7:03 PM at the American Red Cross Building. Present were fourteen full members, one associate member, and one visitor: our guest speaker, Aaron Thompson KD5MBX of Mexia.
The meeting was opened with a prayer by Wayne Branscum KD5SMC. The Minutes for the February meeting were approved as published in the HOTLINE, on a motion by Bill Feltenberger KD5UEW, second by Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, and unanimous vote by the members present. The Februrary Treasurer’s Report was also accepted as published in the HOTLINE following a motion by Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, second by Grant Gilliam KE5ERW, and unanimous vote by the members present.
Announcements
· KD5IQ: Continue to remember Marshall and his family in your prayers.
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The Treasurer Reports... |
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Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club Beginning Account Balance $ 5,308.00 Income TOTAL Income $ 0.00 Expenses TOTAL Expenses $ 0.00 Ending Account Balance $ 5,308.00 Outstanding (as of 4-19-06) Submitted by |
· WA5IEX: Roland Richter is also having health problems, and K5YKC asked everyone to remember Roland in your prayers, too.
Committee Reports
· ARES: K5YKC reported that the McLennan County exercise was cancelled. Another one being considered for May might involve the DPS. A brainstorming session dealing with area disaster services was attended by KD5MBX, N5MVL, KD5SMC, KC5NT, KD5UEW, KC5UOZ, Ed Hynan KC5KNI, and Leon Cheney K5ZZM. Results of this meeting are forthcoming.
· Trailer: Mike Ross N5MVL reported that all is well with the trailer. David Bush KC5UOZX reported on his research into a flat-panel TV to replace the CRT-type: 15-inch LCD capable of VGA or television, with HDTV tuner are available between $290 and $400. A motion was heard from KC5NT to allocate up to $400 for LCD TV, HDTV tuner, and bracket; second by KD5UEW, discussion, and vote was unanimous to approve the motion. Further discussion prompted a motion by KD5UEW to allocate up to $100 to secure an extended warranty and wall-mount bracket, seconded by Horace Bushnell W5TAH, and again, unanimously approved by the members.
· Repeater: No report.
· Web page: John Chamberlain AC5CV reported that all is well with the web site.
· ATV: KC5UOZ reported that all is well with the ATV repeater.
· Education: K5YKC reported that he was contacted by Hillcrest Hospital (HH) who wants all security guards to be licensed amateur radio operators. KC5NT was eager to organize a class and move on this ASAP. K5YKC will get back with HH on this to move forward.
· Public Relations: No report.
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Aaron Thompson, KD5MBX |
· Special Events: KE5ERW reported that the “Race for the Cure” folks do not need our help this year; they are planning to use FRS radios to communicate. Grant also volunteered to serve as the Field Day Chairman this year; KC5NT, K5YKC, John Chamberlain AC5CV, and Bill Cox W5JRM also volunteered to help.
Old Business
· Small Communications Trailer: N5MVL has delivered his trailer to KC5UOZ for consideration and possible use as a “grab-n-go trailer” for the Club.
New Business
· None.
Motion to adjourn heard from N5MVL at approximately 7:48 PM.
A pair of PowerPoint presentations was given by Aaron Thompson KD5MBX addressing the role played by the American Red Cross during the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina/Rita response and also during the Shuttle Columbia Recovery effort in 2003.
Submitted by:
John Chamberlain AC5CV
HOTARC Secretary
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What is A.R.E.S.? |
by Ed Hynan, KC5KNI, |
The Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered
their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public
service when disaster strikes. Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership
in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership
in the ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio
license, is a sincere desire to serve. Because ARES is an amateur service, only
amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered
equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
ARES is what amateur radio is all about—using equipment and communications skills to help others. Amateur radio and ARES has played a big part in disaster response since the events of 9/11. Support for recovery efforts in New York, Washington, Texas floods, and the Colorado and Arizona fires have put amateur radio in the public spotlight. Registration is necessary to best match equipment and operator availability to support disaster relief efforts. In addition, security requirements for responders have become a requirement as a result of the 9/11 attacks. Access to Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), hospitals, and incident command (ICs) posts will be limited to those individuals who have been screened and identified. McLennan County ARES is the backup communication resource for Waco-McLennan County Emergency Management, Hillcrest Hospital, and other government agencies within the county.
If you are interested in becoming a member of McLennan County ARES, download and complete the application from the “FAQ” page on the HOTARC web site. Follow the instructions listed at the bottom of the application for e-mailing or mailing the completed application. Your application will be processed and you will receive an ARES ID Card. Check in to the Weekly McLennan County ARES net every Monday at 8:00 PM, on the 145.15 repeater, tone 123. IMPORTANT: If you have a sincere desire to help, registration is necessary before the next emergency—not after it occurs.
For those who are ARES members, the time is here to verify personal data and provide updates where necessary. I will be sending your current information out for correction/revision. Please return and include copies of any emergency training certificates that you have received (NIMS, ICS, ARRL ECC, etc), since the new ID cards will reflect your current levels of training. Completion of the following courses is suggested for all ARES members: IS-700 (NIMS), IS 100 (ICS) and IS-200 (ICS), IS-800 (NRP), and the ARRL EC-001, EC-002, and EC-003. While this training is not required to be an ARES member, it is strongly suggested. Lack of training could limit your participation in an emergency.
Every amateur radio activity is a training opportunity for ARES. Get involved and be a part of the solution!
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Get Your Custom Field Day T-shirt Here! |
by John Chamberlain, AC5CV |
Several of us noticed
the “smart-looking” Bill Russell K5WAR last year…in his 2005 Field Day t-shirt.
Attaboy, Bill! Wouldn’t it would be quite professional-looking for all
the HOTARC hams at this year’s event to be wearing a 2006 Field Day
shirt?
As I shared with the HOTARC members email list, Bill has offered to make and customize such a shirt for each of us (at a cost of about $7.50…final price will depend on the quantity of orders). In addition to the ARRL Field Day logo (as shown above), Bill can add your name and call sign, and perhaps the HOTARC logo. (Look closely at Bill’s photo from last year and you’ll see his name and call sign above the logo.)
If you are interested, please send me an email as soon as possible with your desired quantity (if more than one), size (either S, M, L, XL, or XXL), and custom printing info (e.g., your name and call sign), if desired. I would like to collect all orders by May 13. Thanks!!
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Have You Talked to Your Astronaut Today? |
from ARRL Web |
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Bill McArthur, KC5ACR |
Operating from NA1SS, Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, logged more than 1700 contacts on VHF and UHF during his nearly 190-day stay in space. The most active radio amateur ever to serve aboard the ISS, McArthur worked all continents--including Antarctica. He also racked up QSOs with 130 DXCC entities and worked all states. Read more about MacArthur’s exploits in this ARRL story.
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Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ |
So, were you one of the lucky ones to add NA1SS to your logbook? If not, take hope! The new crew seems to be just as eager to talk to you!
Now completing his fourth week aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 13 ISS Flight Engineer Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ, already has been making contacts from NA1SS. Over the Easter weekend, Williams made “a handful of random contacts,” according to ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO. The ISS Fan Club Web site reports that Williams exchanged Easter greetings April 15 with WB9IIV, and that N5VHO and WA4HT both heard NA1SS on FM voice while the ISS was passing over the US. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contacts are set resume in early May. Contacts are scheduled with schools in Madison, AL on May 1, and in Kuujjuaq, Quebec on May 4.
For more helpful information about contacting station NA1SS (the space station), see the HOTARC home page.
The HOTLINE is the monthly newsletter of the Heart O’ Texas Amateur Radio Club (HOTARC), Inc., a nonprofit corporation, chartered by the State of Texas and principally located in Waco. It is permissible to use any of the original material contained herein, provided proper credit is given to the source.
Edited and Published by John Chamberlain AC5CV, AC5CV@arrl.net
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2006 Board of Directors |
HOTARC 2006 Board of Directors
President: Rodney Baden K5YKC, 857-9760, K5YKC@arrl.net
Vice Pres: Terry Williams KD5KJU, 662-2438, pumpman_rpss@yahoo.com
Secretary: John Chamberlain AC5CV, 855-7731, AC5CV@arrl.net
Treasurer: Norris Martin KB5SLI, 829-2138, KB5SLI@flash.net
Past-Pres.: Ed Middlebrook KC5NT, 826-4053, KC5NT@arrl.net
Director (2006): Scott Shafer KD5MLY, 848-5888, ScottShafer@clearchannel.com
Director (2007): Bill Feltenberger, KD5UEW, 756-1397, bfeltenb@swbell.net
Director (2008): Wayne Branscum, 857-3964, wbscum@grandecom.net
145.15 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
146.88 MHz (input at –600 kHz)
146.98 MHz (input at –600 kHz, tone 123 Hz)
ATV: 421.25MHz (Cable 57), input 439.25 MHz (Cable 60)
Next session Saturday May 20, 10:00 am. Location: Baylor’s Rogers Engineering and Computer Science Bldg (#63 on the map), Room 109. Bring: 1) testing fee of $14 (cash only); 2) current license and photocopy of it; 3) a photo ID (two for first-time licensees), and 4) photocopy of any relevant CSCE. Contact: Linda Hynan, AC5QQ at 666-4873 or Linda.Hynan@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Meeting NoticeThe monthly meeting of HOTARC will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday April 27, 2006 in the Kultgen Automotive Center of the TSTC Waco Campus. Meetings generally last about 75 minutes consisting of fellowship, general Club business, and an interesting program. Visiting hams, family members, and prospective hams are welcomed! |
Ham Radio AND the Internet…
What
a great partnership!