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.
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
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.
Jeffs Standifer WB5WAJ and Schwartz KC1DWP operating POTA in the snow at Henry Horton State Park.
They made 25 contacts on a frosty and bright sunny day. See the HAMRS map below the photos.
Updated – Paul has published the guidelines for this years WCARES Winter Field Day event here – be sure to read through this for all the details including schedule, rules, location, logging etc.:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qD724kbSfLua78_re9h7NLQ2h_FC_wkt8BDOytetRBo/
From Paul, KM4PT
Reminder that the last full weekend in January (27 & 28) is Winter Field Day. You can go online to winterfieldday.org and pull up the 2024 regulations.
The sign-up sheet is available at this link.
This year we will be operating from the Williamson County (Robert A Ring) Soccer Complex, West Fields. Paul, KM4PT will have more details soon so check this posting.
Santa Claus is coming! … To a receiver near you.
This year the Santa Net will be once again be soaring through the skies of Middle Tennessee. Each year Tony, KF4KFQ, presents the “Santa Net” bringing Santa across Middle Tennessee. Amateur radio operators will be able to contact Santa during his rounds on the 146.415 simplex and simulcast on 446.415 simplex.
For those heading out of the area or for our non-ham listeners, the Santa Net will be simulcast on YouTube and on Facebook Live. Just go to: http://youtube.com/c/braintrusts or via Facebook Live (See Below)
The Santa Net will begin at 7 PM CST on December 24th (Christmas Eve, of course) and will continue as long as traffic holds. In addition to QSO’s with old Saint Nick there will be skits and readings of traditional Christmas favorites.
Sometimes a great introduction to ham radio that entertains the younger set is to let them speak to Santa on the air. Hams are invited to allow 3rd Party traffic to talk to Santa, as well as, provide reports of Santa Sightings and other items of interest on Christmas Eve.
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To join the Santa Net Facebook Live Session:
https://www.facebook.com/events/303677205875868/
For Facebook users; You will receive a link in the notifications section of your FB page. Click that link to access the Santa Net.
Additionally, those wanting to make the Santa Net extra special for a little one that will be listening that night, email information about the child to: tony.proctor@comcast.net
Please include Santa Net In the subject line.
Include the following:
If desired, I can also provide Elf-On-A-Shelf reports before Christmas that I will return as an audio file to your email address. Just send an email and the above information to the address above. Please put “Elf Report” in the subject line.
The Skywarn Recognition Day 2023 Operating Event is Saturday, December 2nd. The ARRL News contains a link to the NOAA website giving operating procedures, participant registration forms, maps, the logging sheet and other details: https://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-is-ready-to-go
K4OHX will be activated with 2 operating positions – HF and a VHF/UHF station that will be manned for 24 hours. Stations may also operate from home – register yourself on the NWS SRD Map with your location as a Skywarn Spotter. If you’d like to sign up to work a shift at the NWS Nashville office, please do so here: https://form.jotform.com/233230949789167
In this video, Ted Edwards (W3TB) explains what NVIS antennas are used for and how to deploy them. From a presentation to the WCARES monthly meeting in November, 2023.
Communication Without Infrastructure – Winlink
Phil Sherrod, W4PHS
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