Oklahoma Section News Update

From Section Manager Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, here's your update of
Oklahoma Section activity:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope you all made it through the food and festivities without
gaining more than a new piece of ham gear......if not, you will have
the chance to get that piece of gear soon.

Upcoming Hamfests

February 5th – Ada Hamfest
March 5th – Elk City Hamfest
March 11th & 12th – Green Country Hamfest

I will be in attendance at all 3 of these events and having a League
Forum at each. I look forward to seeing you there.
 
The National Weather Service Severe Weather Workshop is the first week
in March. Mike Corey, the head of Emergency Communications and
Preparedness at HQ will be in attendance all week. I will be there
part of the time along with the SEC and a few others helping Mike man
the booth. If you are in attendance, make sure you drop by and say
HI!

The Saturday spotter training will be well attended I'm
sure……..however some of us will be in Elk City that day………..

Viking Radio Club News – This group in Lawton is really doing some
great stuff for the kids in the area getting them turned on to
wireless communication. If you can find a way to support them, please
do.


Good Morning Viking Parents and supporters of the Viking Radio Club, KF5CRF
On Thursday we met with the Eisenhower Middle School Viking Radio Club
and presented a UTUBE video developed by KF5BOC. The young looking
Astronaut Col. Wheelock from aboard the International Space Station
(ISS) did an excellent job of both a tour and an amateur radio
demonstration. http://www.k0nr.com/wordpress/2010/12/nasa-amateur-radio-video-from-iss/

We did not have time to view the entire presentation, and this is
certainly a rare look into the ISS and worth viewing.. Several
Vikings were surprised to learn that amateur radio was aboard the ISS.
Some were even more surprised to learn that they can begin using
satellites with their very 1st license. Col. Wheelock's presentation
has proven to be a great lead-in as we begin to discuss amateur radio
and satellites.

It's great that so many amateurs are supporting the Viking effort as
they tune in to listen and make contact with the students during their
Saturday Amateur Radio Outreach Events from their local Kid's Zone
Park here in Lawton, OK, USA. Thank you for your continued support
and assistance.

This Saturday we are expecting temperatures in the high 50s with lots
of bright warm sunshine. Yes, you can get sunburn in the winter time.
Expect K5USA to begin setting up about 11am and operate until about
4pm (CST) (or 5pm if the temperature stays warm enough). The best
place to find the Vikings will be around 14.325 MHz +- 10 but we have
gone as low as about 14.280 MHz, looking for a clear frequency. If
you chime in, expect to be asked to support the upcoming School Club
Round-up held in February.

During the 2010 Fall SCR the Vikings racked some great school contacts and several foreign country contacts including Italy, Denmark, Argentina and a ship in the Pacific Ocean.  Most contacts were made using an antenna that consisted of $13 worth of wire stuck up 31' in the air. The Vikings are again looking
forward to talking with several schools from around the country.
 
Testing: Clifton Harper KE5YZB has arranged for a test session on
Thursday January 20th beginning about 4pm. Parents, students should
have a photo ID and their social security card/number with them.

Prior to the test, students will have a chance to experience Echolink,
a hybrid of amateur radio and Internet. Hopefully the K8DAR Boys and
Girls of Menominee, MI club will he "on the air" and we can make a
contact.

Good luck to Isaiah, Tasia, William, Rosetta, Sh'Kira, Laura, Marcos
and Itzel, KF5JAZ, who will be testing for General Class Operator, or
as Itzel puts it, "my generals". Everyone should keep studying,
especially over the weekend. Schools will be closed on Monday, in
celebration of MLK day, and temperatures will be in the 60s and that
means … Look for K5USA on Monday, January 17th as we will do a repeat
Outreach Event between 11am and 4 or 5pm CST. For Vikings that can
not participating at the park, invest in some study time. As they
have all learned, becoming an amateur radio operator is not easy and
requires some serious study time.

Books Presented To University Ham Clubs

On November 15th, your Section Manager presented a Set of Books to the
Oklahoma State University Amateur Radio Club (W5YJ). The set consisted
of a 2011 Handbook, Antenna Book, Operating Manual and Technician
License Manual. The books were presented to the club as a way of
showing League support for the organization. The books are to be kept
in the shack and used by the club members as needed.

I was accompanied by Assistant Section Manager, Jim Shideler, W5JCS.
We had a great time talking with the club members about the clubs
history and some of their current needs and plans.

Then on December 4th, I presented a set of the same books to the
Oklahoma University Amateur Radio Club (W5TC). This presentation was
mad at their station location on the observation deck of the National
Weather Center in Norman. Again, I enjoyed chatting with the students
and some members of the SCARS club that were present.

The books were presented by the Oklahoma Section with help from ARRL
Headquarters.