West Gulf Division April Newsletter

       West Gulf Hosts National Antenna Ordinance Webinar
       2011 HamCom/National Convention Update
       Congratulations Corey Minyard, AE5KM
       ARRL Teachers Institute Now Accepting Applications for 2011 Sessions
       New W5 DX QSL BURO Manager
       Recent Hamfest Reports
       Special Service and Affiliated Club Notice
       Top Ten Membership Contest Draws to a Close
       Planned ARRL Events for K5RAV and N5AUS
       Upcoming Hamfests/Conventions

News from David Woolweaver, K5RAV, West Gulf Division Director

--- WGD Hosts National Antenna Ordinance Webinar

The West Gulf Division is hosting a webinar entitled "Antenna
Ordinances, You and the ARRL" on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 8:00 PM -
10:30 PM CDT.  Featured speakers for this webinar will be ARRL General
Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and noted antenna zoning lawyer, Fred
Hopengarten, K1VR.

The scope of the webinar will be an overview of common local antenna
regulations that can impact amateur radio tower installations and how
the local amateurs should approach dealing with local city officials.
Following the presentations by Imlay and Hopengarten, participants will
have the opportunity to submit written questions to the moderator for
the presenter's consideration.

Please note this is only a general informational forum. While useful
information will be shared, it is not the intent for the presenters to
answer questions directly geared towards resolving a specific antenna
zoning situation. They will not have the full facts of the situation
and may not be licensed to practice in your state.  If you are involved
in a specific antenna zoning situation, you should contact the ARRL
Regulatory Information Office at reginfo@arrl.org with a request for
assistance. The Regulatory Information Manager will be happy to provide
you with information and contacts for your specific situation.
Amateurs wishing to participate may register on-line at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/967072785

For more information, contact Director Woolweaver at k5rav@arrl.org.
As of the publication date of this newsletter, there are over 400
members registered.

---2011 HamCom/2011 ARRL National Convention Update

HamCom is pleased to announce that pre-registration and W5DXCC LSDX
Dinner tickets are now available through the HamCom website,
www.HamCom.org.

The HamCom pre-registration prize (internet transactions only) is a GRE
PSR600.  Advanced adult tickets are $8 with each additional family
members $6.   Students (K-12) and Scouts in uniform receive FREE
admission!  On-line registration will be accepted until May 30th.  All
pre-registration tickets will be held at WILL CALL at the Plano
Convention Centre.  HamCom tickets may be purchased on-line at
http://hamcom.org/attending-gm-purchase.cfm.  Day of the event tickets
will be $10.

The Lone Star DX Association is proud to present as its keynote
presenter, Don Greenbaum N1DG, who will discuss the DXpedition to South
Orkney Island.  Don was licensed in 1962 in New Jersey and has been
DXing and Contesting ever since. After years of working the DX and
reaching the honor roll, he travelled to Dubai in 1989 and has been on
the other side of the pileups ever since.  LSDXA is featuring a Yaesu
FT-2000 as its door prize!  Tickets for the W5DXCC banquet are $39 each
and can be purchased on-line at
http://hamcom.org/attending-dx-dinner.cfm

Individuals who which to present a forum are encouraged to apply for
time on the HamCom schedule by registering at
http://hamcom.org/attending-presentation-signup.cfm

INSIDE swapfest tables are all sold out; however, there are a few
tables left in the OUTSIDE AREA.  If you wish to reserve a table
OUTSIDE, you may do so at
http://www.hamcom.org/attending-swapmeet-purchase.cfm
At the time of this newsletter's release, there were 11 OUTSIDE
tables available.

Volunteers are needed to assist in a variety of ways.  If you are
interested in volunteering for a 2-hour block, you may do so at
http://hamcom.org/attending-volunteer.cfm
Volunteers receive FREE admission and the traditional volunteer ball
cap.

---Congratulations Corey Minyard, AE5KM

Corey participated in the Japan International DX Contest in April 2010,
making six Japanese contacts.  Submitting his log, mostly to be polite,
he never dreamed that he would win 1st Prize in the 14MHz High Power
section, USA Area 5.  He placed 4th in North America.  Corey received a
"cool" certificate for his wall, and he wants to remind everyone to
submit their logs because "You just never know…"

---ARRL Teachers Institute Now Accepting Applications

The ARRL Education Services Department has announced the 2011 schedule
for the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology workshop. Offered
through the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), the Teachers
Institute is a four-day, expenses paid, in-residence learning
opportunity designed for motivated teachers and other school staff who
want to learn more about wireless technology and bring that knowledge
to their students. A variety of topics are covered during the TI,
including basic wireless technology literacy, electronics, the science
of radio, radio astronomy, how to bring space into the classroom, ham
radio operation, introduction to micro controllers and basic robotics.
While participants do not need to have an Amateur Radio license to
attend the basic TI sessions, one is required for the TI-2 session.

"We'll be offering four sessions of the introductory Teachers
Institute workshop this summer and one session of the TI-2 on Space in
the Classroom, focusing on satellite communications," said ARRL
Education Service Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "The workshops are
offered to teachers in America's classrooms, with all expenses paid
by donors who have contributed financial support to ARRL's Education
& Technology Program Fund. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA)
will once again host and sponsor the TI-2 session on Space in the
Classroom. Generous support by Yaesu, Ham Radio Outlet and Parallax
make our donors' contributions go even further."

There are four ARRL Teachers Institute sessions scheduled for 2011:
June 13-16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico; June 20-23 at Parallax Inc in
Rocklin, California; July 11-14 at the Mohawk Valley Community College
in Utica, New York, and July 18-21 at ARRL Headquarters in Newington,
Connecticut. The deadline to apply for the New Mexico and California
sessions has passed; however, the deadline for the New York and
Connecticut sessions is May 15. The TI-2 will be held in Dayton, Ohio,
on July 11-14, and the application deadline is May 15.

All information about the Teachers Institutes -- including the
application and a downloadable brochure -- is available online. There
you can also find links to read more about what other ETP schools are
doing with Amateur Radio and wireless technology topics.
If you'd like to support ARRL's outreach efforts to bring wireless
technology literacy to American teachers and students, you can donate
online. For more information on how you can help support the ARRL
Teachers Institute, contact ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,
K1MMH at mhobart@arrl.org.

---New W5 DX QSL BURO Manager

Effective March 28, Meinhardus (Mike) Schenkel, W5VXU accepted the
position of W5 DX QSL BURO manager.  The new mailing address is as
follows:

Mr. Meinhardus K. Schenkel, W5VXU
W5 DX QSL ARRL INCOMING BURO
P.O. BOX 10
Hobart, OK 73651

Mike is replacing Peter Mann, KF5RD, who graciously accepted the
position temporarily after long-serving BURO Manager Jerry Chouinard,
K5YAA resigned following the development of some health issues.

W5VXU is a retired Air-Force Master Sergeant who served proudly for
20-years as ground radio operator and tech controller.  Mike is also a
long-standing volunteer in a multitude of Amateur organizations and we
are very happy that he has chosen to accept this important role in the
ARRL member service organization.

The Tulsa P.O Box will remain open until early August so that everyone
has time to adjust.

---Recent Hamfest Reports

March 12th – Another great ARRL Hamfest was put on by "The Friendly
Bunch" at the 9th Annual Irving ARC Hamfest in March!  Several new
vendors greeted the crowd and Janet Crenshaw WB9ZPH, ran another
successful VE session for upgrades and new licensees.  Ken Moore KF5KBA
and David Christian AE5OW walked away with the awesome Kenwood door
prizes.  The gorgeous day made for a cool AMSAT demo by Tom Schuessler,
N5HYP!  Our thanks go to Raymond Jeffcoat WA5RWO and NTX SM Jay Urish
W5GM, who provided the pictures for our Facebook page, ARRL – West
Gulf Division.

March 19 – The 56th Annual St. Patrick's Day Hamfest enjoyed a
larger crowd than 2010 and a good time was had by all in Midland!  AD
Carla Dyer K5RLA reports that 11 membership applications were processed
with five of those being new/lapsed ARRL members.  The ARRL forum hosted
by WTX Section Manager, AE5B John Dyer was well attended and included a
discussion on relevant topics such as Texas HB3038, HR607 and other
ARRL issues by Vice Director N5AUS.  AE5B announced his formal
resignation as WTX Section Manager and received a standing ovation from
the forum attendees for all of his SM efforts.  No candidate application
was received for the WTX SM election, so John has graciously offered to
continue to serve in that capacity until a new SM can be
elected/appointed as dictated by the ARRL Field Service guidelines.

---Special Service and Affiliated Club Notice

All Special Service and Affiliated Club Presidents are encouraged to
review their organization's public information on the ARRL website
(http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club).  Individuals use the Find-A-Club
link to gain insight into local clubs in their area and the ARRL uses
this information to disseminate information to your organization.
Be sure to click on the "Go Now" option to review all of your
pertinent club information.  It is imperative that your organization is
accurately represented so that you do not miss out on great
opportunities like potential new club members or ARRL opportunities
like the WGD Top Ten Membership Contest.  If you need help correcting
your organizational information, please contact K5RAV for assistance.

---Top Ten Membership Contest Draws to a Close

Affiliated and Special Service Clubs participating in the Top Ten
Membership Contest are reminded that all paperwork must be postmarked
to HQ by April 30th.  This is the 2nd Annual Top Ten contest to
encourage these organizations to recruit long term lapsed or new ARRL
membership.  Contest winners will be awarded prizes by ARRL President
Kay Craigie, N3KN at the ARRL Forum during HamCom in June.

---Planned ARRL Events for K5RAV and N5AUS

Director Woolweaver, K5RAV and Vice Director John Stratton, N5AUS are
planning to attend the following upcoming events:

K5RAV and N5AUS – 2011 ARRL National Convention/HamCom, at the Plano
Convention Centre, Plano, TX,   June 10-11th.

K5RAV and N5AUS – 2011 Second Meeting (ARRL) Board of Directors
Meeting, Windsor, CT, July 15-16th.

N5AUS – Ham Holiday 2011, OK Section Convention, sponsored by the
Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs, Oklahoma City, OK, July 29-30th.

K5RAV and N5AUS – Austin Summerfest, Texas State Convention,
sponsored by the Austin ARC and Texas VHF-FM Society, August 5-6th.

K5RAV and N5AUS - Texoma Hamarama, West Gulf Division Convention,
sponsored by the Texoma Hamarama Committee, Ardmore, OK, Oct 21-22nd.

ARRL Convention and Hamfest events are a great place to visit with the
Division and Section Leadership!   Each event will also include an ARRL
forum where you can receive additional insight into Division and Section
matters.

At anytime that you have a concern or just want to say hello, contact
Director Woolweaver at K5RAV@arrl.org or Vice Director John Stratton at
N5AUS@arrl.org.

---Upcoming Hamfests/Conventions

05/07/2011 | Smithville Hamfest
Location: Smithville, TX
Type:  ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor:  Bastrop County Amateur Radio Club
Website:  http://www.bacarc-hams.org/

05/14/2011 | Panhandle ARC's 11th Annual Picnic/Swapfest
Location: Amarillo, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Panhandle Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.w5wx.org

06/10/2011 | ARRL National Convention (Ham-Com 2011)
Location: Plano, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Ham-Com, Inc. & supporting clubs
Website: http://www.hamcom.org/

07/09/2011 | TARS Hamfest
Location: Texas City, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Tidelands Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://www.tidelands.org

07/29/2011 | Central States VHF Conference
Location: Irving, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Central States VHF Society
Website: http://www.csvhfs.org/

07/29/2011 | Oklahoma State Convention (Ham Holiday 2011)
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs
Website: http://www.hamholiday.org

08/05/2011 | Texas State Convention (Austin Summerfest)
Location: Austin, TX
Type:  ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Austin ARC and Texas VHF-FM Society
Website:  http://www.austinsummerfest.org

10/21/2011 | West Gulf Division Convention (Texoma Hamarama)
Location:  Ardmore, OK
Type:  ARRL Convention
Sponsor:  Texoma Hamarama Committee
Website:  http://www.texomahamarama.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL West Gulf Division
Director: David A Woolweaver, K5RAV
k5rav@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Antenna Zoning Webinar scheduled

West Gulf Division Director, David Woolweaver, K5RAV, is
hosting a webinar entitled "Antenna Ordinances, You and the ARRL" on
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 9:00 PM - 11:30 PM EDT. Featured speakers
for this webinar will be ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and
noted antenna zoning lawyer, Fred Hopengarten, K1VR.

The scope of the webinar will be an overview of common local antenna
regulations that can impact amateur radio tower installations and how
the local amateurs should approach dealing with local city officials.
Following the presentations by Imlay and Hopengarten, participants will
have the opportunity to ask general questions related to the topic.

Please note this is only a general informational forum. While useful
information will be shared, it is not the intent for the presenters to
answer questions directly geared towards resolving an specific antenna
zoning situation. They will not have the full facts of the situation
and may not be licensed to practice in your state. If you are involved
in a specific antenna zoning situation, you should contact the ARRL
Regulatory Information Office at reginfo@arrl.org with a request for
assistance. The Regulatory Information Manager will be happy to provide
you with information and contacts for your specific situation.

Amateurs wishing to participate may register on-line at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/967072785 For more information,
contact David Woolweaver at k5rav@arrl.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL West Gulf Division
Director: David A Woolweaver, K5RAV
k5rav@arrl.org

More GREEN COUNTRY Pictures

KB5KKT scoped out the hamfest.

Quarter Century Wireless Association member, WA5EOD, manned the booth.

KB5OK, K5MRK, and WD5HUT pause for a photo opportunity.

The camera caught up with Eddie, K5EMS.

Thanks to Mary, KE5LTA and Don, KE0CQ for these photos.