--- N5TC Tom Comstock Retiring from ARRL Service
--- K5RAV Re-elected to the ARRL Executive Committee
--- Unsung Hero, Fred Varian WD5ERD Receives Award
--- Volunteer Counsel Support Program to Launch March 15
--- Vice Director Receives Committee Assignment for 2012
--- KF5CRF, Viking ARC Rocks at the School Roundup
--- HamCom 2012 Set to Host the WGD Convention
--- Notable WGD Members Serving on ARRL Committees
--- South Texas Balloon Launch Team Sets Sights on World Record
--- WGD QSL Contest
--- New Rules for 5 MHz (60 Meters) To Go Into Effect March 5
--- Planned ARRL Events for K5RAV and N5AUS
--- Upcoming Hamfests/Conventions
News from David Woolweaver, K5RAV your West Gulf Division Director
---N5TC, Tom Comstock Retiring from ARRL Service
The West Gulf Division wishes to thank Tom Comstock, N5TC for his
thirty years of ARRL service. Over the years, Tom has served not only
as a past Vice Director and Director for the West Gulf Division, but
also as an ARRL Foundation Director serving as the Chairperson for the
Scholarship Committee for ten or more years. Tom reflects that his
service on the ARRLF was a joy to him because of his strong belief that
the future of our country lies in the education of young people.
As a Director, Tom was instrumental in helping to get Amateur Radio
EMCOMM services into the digital age. He counts this endeavor as his
hardest battle won while on the ARRL Board of Directors. Tom's love
in Amateur Radio is working CW. He was a Transcontinental Corps member
of the NTS for many years and notably was their first digital operator.
Having been a member of the Texas Traffic Net during that period, he
served as Net Control and Manager of the net. He was also a member and
Net Control of both the RN5 and Texas CW nets for a number of years.
Tom's second love was DX-ing and proudly has the ARRL DXCC Award for
his efforts.
Over the years, Tom has shepherded and assisted many ARRL volunteers
along the way including President Emeritus Jim Haynie, W5JBP, Former
Division Director Coy Day, N5OK and current Director David Woolweaver,
K5RAV as well as countless WGD Section Managers, Section Emergency
Managers and other ARRL volunteers. The WGD Leadership, the ARRL and
the ARRL Foundation thanks, Life Member Tom Comstock, N5TC for his
generous and fruitful efforts over the past 30 years.
---K5RAV, Re-elected to the ARRL Executive Committee
The 2012 ARRL Annual Board meeting convened on Friday, January 13th and
as customary, following the opening ceremonies and Officer elections,
the next agenda item was the annual election of the Executive
Committee. Director Woolweaver was again nominated and elected by an
overwhelming majority of his peers on the Board to serve on this
distinguished committee. He is joined by his fellow Directors from
the Central, Midwest, Northwestern and Rocky Mountain Divisions.
The Executive Committee – The Executive Committee was established in
the ARRL Articles of Association. During intervals between meetings of
the Board of Directors, the affairs of the ARRL are administered by the
Executive Committee (EC). The EC is composed of the ARRL President,
five directors and without vote, the First Vice President and the ARRL
CEO. The EC meets at the discretion of the President but no less often
than semi-annually.
Director Woolweaver also serves on the ARRL Centennial Planning
Committee and as a Director on the ARRL Foundation Board. Foundation
President Tom Frenaye, K1KI appointed Woolweaver to the Grant Proposal
Committee for 2012. K5RAV had served on the Scholarship Committee for
the ARRLF for the previous two years.
--- Unsung Hero, Fred Varian WD5ERD Receives Award
"America's quiet warriors are the legion of ham radio operators, who
are always ready for backup duty in emergencies..."
- Paul Harvey, Radio Personality
Ham radio operators are the unsung heroes during times of chaos and
uncertainty. They are unpaid and often uncelebrated, but are the voice
of calm and reason when the world can be at its scariest. Founded in
1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public
service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within
government agencies in times of extraordinary need.
Fred Varian is one of those unsung heroes who has been actively
watching over our City for the last 28 years. As a Ham radio operator,
Fred works alongside Plano's Public Safety Director, Police Chief, Fire
Chief, and Emergency Management Director to provide a critical
communications link in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during
emergencies. Fred's many years of public service was honored at the
Ham-Com Amateur Radio Convention held in Plano this year. Shane
Stovall, Director of Emergency Management, says, "Fred's dedication and
tireless effort in amateur radio and emergency communications has been a
great benefit for the City of Plano and its citizens. His expertise is
second to none and is highly valued by the City Department of Emergency
Management."
Chadwick Stelzl-KD5UMO, Collin County AEC and NWS SKYWARN Liaison,
comments that "Fred unselfishly gives his time and shares his
experiences to help others in the Amateur Radio community and to
inspire and guide those that are interested in providing this support
function to our served agencies." He continues with, "Fred's time and
talents cannot go unnoticed and we always look forward to being in his
presence, to take that experience forward, aiding us in becoming better
operators."
Fred Varian's volunteer resume is as impressive as it is extensive. His
service dates back to the late 70's, and he has put his time and effort
into a huge number of services. He was a member of Plano's First
Citizens Fire Academy Class, as well as being active in the Collin
County K-9 Search and Rescue Team, Collin County Citizen Association,
Collin County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) Club and Vice
President of Ham-Com. Fred's finest accomplishments include the hours
he puts into helping at the EOC. "As his role as the Area SKYWARN
Liaison, Fred is the eyes and ears in the field," said Ron Timmons,
Public Safety Communications Director. "He relays important and crucial
information from area spotters back to the EOC."
Mr. Timmons, who helped present Fred's honor, sums it up best. "Fred is
the rare individual who really doesn't care who gets the credit, he just
wants to make sure the job gets done." Volunteering is about giving back
to the community and making it stronger. People like Fred Varian are
excellent examples of people making a difference in those communities.
On May 18, 2011, Governor Rick Perry declared the week of June 20 - 26,
2011, to be Amateur Radio Operator Week. Governor Perry writes, "In
times of crisis - such as Hurricane Ike or the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001 - when other forms of communication may be inhibited
or rendered unavailable, amateur radio operators relay critical
information. At this time, I encourage all of Texas to learn more about
amateur radio and to recognize the contributions amateur radio operators
make to our great state, both in times of crisis and in times of calm."
-Contributed by Robin Popik, Volunteer Resources Supervisor, Volunteers
in Plano, City of Plano, Texas
---Volunteer Counsel Resource Support Program to Launch March 15
Amateurs often look to the ARRL for assistance and resources to help
them present information to their local city, county or neighborhood
associations that are attempting to hamper their radio activities. One
valuable but neglected asset of the ARRL has been the Volunteer Counsel
Program. Originally designed to provide Amateurs with a local attorney
who was versed on Amateur issues, VC's have often felt inadequately
supported.
In 2010, Director Woolweaver made this issue a part of his election
platform and has worked to design a new working model for the VC
program. Having consulted with several VC's in the Division, K5RAV
identified a need for a national VC reflector that allowed the League
to quickly disburse information and a secure document website where the
attorneys could share information, query other VC's on issues facing
them, all the while maintaining their confidentiality needs. A
national program will also enhance the ARRL's ability to disburse
information regarding applicable FCC changes that may not be readily
apparent to the volunteer attorneys. Also, under consideration for the
future, is the potential for Continuing Legal Education programs
specifically designed with Amateur Radio driven content.
Woolweaver presented the proposal to the Program and Services Committee
to consider in January 2011. PSC approved Director Woolweaver's
program in October 2011. During his visit to HQ in January,
implementation was foremost on his mind; consequently, Woolweaver
visited with Regulatory Information Manager, Dan Henderson, N1ND and
ARRL Chief Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD to get it launched.
On March 15, ARRL representatives will host the first VC webinar to
discuss the revamped program. This is not a public webinar –
however, if you are currently an ARRL Volunteer Counsel, or if you are
a licensed attorney and would consider becoming a Volunteer Counsel, we
would encourage you to participate in this webinar. Please contact
Director Woolweaver at K5RAV@arrl.org for more detailed webinar
information.
To become more familiar with the Volunteer Counsel program or to seek
out a VC in your area, please visit
http://www.arrl.org/VC-Description.
--- Vice Director Receives Committee Assignment for 2012
WGD Vice Director John Stratton, N5AUS received his first ARRL Board
Committee assignment at the January Board meeting, having been tapped
by ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN to serve as Committee Liaison to
the Board Ad-hoc RF Safety Committee. As Liaison, Stratton will submit
the Committee's report to the ARRL Board at their regular meeting.
The RF Safety Committee is made up of volunteer scientists, physicians,
and engineers who are knowledgeable about interactions between
electromagnetic energy and biological tissue. Many of the committee's
members participate in RF bioeffects activities outside of Amateur
Radio. Responsibilities include writing and maintaining the RF Safety
related text that appears in ARRL publications, such as the Handbook,
the Antenna Book, License Manuals, and RF Safety and You and reviewing
RF Safety related questions in the Amateur Radio question pools. The RF
Safety committee has aided the FCC in the process of editing the
recently enacted Environmental Exposure regulations. Members of the
committee monitor the scientific and popular press for new developments
related to electromagnetic bioeffects. The committee advises the ARRL
Board of Directors about all RF safety issues.
To learn more about the RF Safety Committee visit the ARRL website at
http://www.arrl.org/arrl-rf-safety-committee.
--- KF5CRF, Viking ARC Rocks at the School Roundup
What happens when you have 24 hours, 18 operators and boundless teenage
energy? You sail into the winners circle in the October ARRL School
Roundup Contest. Mentored by Paul Goulet KC5CYY and Eisenhower Middle
School Teacher, Clifton Harper KE5YZB and complimented by the support
of K5USA and non-Amateur parents, the kids of the Viking Club came in
First Place in the Middle/Intermediate/ Junior High category with a
score of 140,000 points!
Over the contest period, the club made a total of 625 contacts –
covering 48 states and 5 Canadian Provinces.
---HamCom 2012 Set to Host the WGD Convention
The 2012 HamCom website is now active for you to start planning your
pilgrimage to Plano in June. HamCom will be the ARRL West Gulf
Division Convention! Want free admission? Volunteer a few hours of
your time! Want to sell some stuff? Reserve your indoor/outdoor
tables now! Know a Scout who wants their license? Sign them up for
the free one day merit badge program and encourage them to test for
free afterward (restrictions apply). Prepared to share your knowledge
with the masses? The forum speaker signup form is available for
HamCom's consideration. It's never too early to start planning!
Visit the HamCom website today!
http://hamcom.org/
---Notable WGD Members Serving on ARRL Committees
The WGD has several outstanding volunteers serving on a variety of 2012
ARRL Committees. Steven Polunsky, W5SMP was reappointed to the Public
Relations Committee along with OK SM Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW. Polunsky,
in his second year with the Committee was also asked by ARRL President
Kay Craigie, N3KN to Chair the Committee for 2012. The PR Committee is
a national level committee of about 10 people appointed annually by the
President of the ARRL. Comprised of people with extensive experience in
different areas of public relations, media work, news and social issues
experience, this committee is the "go to" group to make national
level events happen. They provide support, advice and skilled help to
make things happen. This is very much a working committee and
appointees realize that it will take time and effort. But it also pays
off handsomely in feelings of accomplishment for those whose passion is
Amateur Radio. To learn more about the Committee please visit
http://www.arrl.org/how-arrl-s-pr-program-works.
Former Director Coy Day, N5OK was asked to continue his Chairmanship of
the DX Advisory Committee. The DXAC is responsible for making
recommendations to the Board of Directors through its oversight
standing committee, Programs and Services.
James George, N3BB continues with his appointment to the Contest
Advisory Committee and AE5P, Army Curtis will continue to serve on the
VHF/UHF Advisory Committee.
Glen Reid, K5FX will continue to represent the WGD on the Emergency
Communications Advisory Committee for 2012. The ARRL ECAC (Emergency
Communications Advisory Committee) was established at the January 2010
Board of Directors meeting. Each of the 15 ARRL Divisions has a
representative on the ECAC. There is also a representative from Radio
Amateurs Canada, a Board of Directors liaison, HQ staff liaison, and
administrative liaison.
WGD League members interested in serving on Advisory Committees should
contact Director Woolweaver.
---South Texas Balloon Launch Team Sets Sights on World Record
The South Texas Balloon Launch Team launched its 28th balloon the
Orient Express, from Katy, Texas, aiming its hopes on the balloon
reaching China. Previous launches were aimed at reaching altitude, but
on this launch the team is aiming to establish a world record for
distance by attempting to fly an unmanned helium-filled balloon from
Katy, Texas to Nanjing, China.
Team spokesman, A.C. Spraggins, W5EZM noted to the Katy Times that the
balloon will carry a small package equipped with a high-altitude GPS
tracking system and a VHF amateur radio transmitter. Starting at
approximately five feet in diameter, Spraggins stated, "As it rises,
the balloon will fill to capacity and will expand to about 39 feet in
diameter. We don't want it to get to 40 feet because the balloon
will burst. The maximum altitude is expected to be above 100,000 feet
with horizontal speeds between 100 and 150 miles per hour."
The South Texas Balloon Team consists of about 25 Amateur Operators
from a variety of occupations, who donate their time and resources to
their projects.
You may read the full story at
http://katytimes.com/news/article_b2683a60-527e-11e1-bca4-001871e3ce6c.html
or track the balloon's progress at
http://aprs.fi/?call=KT5TK-11&mt=roadmap&z=11&timerange=86400&_s=ss_call.
--- WGD QSL Contest
Don't forget to submit your QSL card for consideration in the WGD QSL
Contest that is currently being held for all Amateurs residing in
Oklahoma and Texas. Three categories are available for you to enter:
Best Photo, Best Graphic and Most Humorous. Each category winner will
receive a Dual Band HT. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced during
the ARRL Forum at HamCom 2012, and will receive an MFJ Antenna Analyzer.
Contest submissions may be made in person at most of the upcoming
Hamfests or by mailing them to Director Woolweaver. Full contest
information can be found on the WGD website at
http://arrlwgd.org/2012/01/03/2012-arrl-wgd-qsl-card-contest/.
---New Rules for 5 MHz (60 Meters) To Go Into Effect March 5
On November 18, the FCC released a Report and Order (R&O), defining new
rules for the 60 meter (5 MHz) band. These rules are in response to a
Petition for Rulemaking (PRM) filed by the ARRL more than five years
ago and a June 2010 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). In the
February 3 edition of the Federal Register, the FCC announced that
these new rules will go into effect at 12:01 AM (EST) on March 5, 2012.
In summarizing the new rules, the FCC explained that the new rules
amend the current rules to facilitate more efficient and effective use
by the Amateur Radio Service of five channels in the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz
band (the 60 meter band): "Specifically, and consistent with our
proposals in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this proceeding, the
Commission replaces one of the channels with a less encumbered one,
increases the maximum authorized power amateur stations may transmit in
this band and authorizes amateur stations to transmit three additional
emission designators. The Commission also adopts an additional
operational rule that prohibits the use of automatically controlled
digital stations and makes editorial revisions to the relevant portions
of the Table of Frequency Allocations and our service rules."
The Amateur Radio Service in the United States has a secondary
allocation on 60 meters. Only those amateurs who hold General, Advanced
or Amateur Extra class licenses may operate on this band. Amateur
stations must not cause harmful interference to -- and must accept
interference from -- stations authorized by any administration in the
fixed service, as well as mobile (except aeronautical mobile) stations
authorized by the administrations of other countries.
--- originated from ARRL.org
--- Planned ARRL Events for K5RAV and N5AUS
Director Woolweaver, K5RAV and Vice Director Stratton, N5AUS are
planning to attend the following upcoming events:
K5RAV – 2012 Orange Hamfest, sponsored by the Orange and Jefferson
County ARC's, Orange, TX, February 25, 2012
N5AUS – Williamson County ARC Hamfest, sponsored by the Williamson
County ARC, Georgetown, TX, February 25, 2012
K5RAV – Greater Houston Hamfest, South Texas Convention, sponsored by
the Brazos Valley ARC, Rosenburg, TX, March 3, 2012
K5RAV – Green Country Hamfest, Oklahoma State Convention, sponsored
by Green Country Hamfest, Inc., Claremore, OK, March 9-10, 2012
K5RAV – 57th Annual St. Patrick's Day Hamfest, West Texas Section
Convention, sponsored by the Midland ARC, March 17, 2012
N5AUS – HamEXPO, sponsored by the Temple ARC, April 14, 2012
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. Visit our website at
www.arrl.org, follow us on Twitter at ARRL_WGD or on Facebook at ARRL
West Gulf Division.
-- Upcoming Hamfests and Conventions
02/25/2012 | 2012 Orange Hamfest
Location: Orange, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Orange ARC and Jefferson County ARC
Website:
http://www.qsl.net/w5nd/index_files/HAMFEST%20INFO/hamfest%20info.htm
02/25/2012 | Williamson County ARC Hamfest
Location: Georgetown, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Williamson County Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://wcarc.com
03/03/2012 | Elk City Hamfest
Location: Elk City, OK
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: West Central Amateur Radio Club
03/03/2012 | South Texas Section Convention (Greater Houston Hamfest)
Location: Rosenberg, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC)
Website: http://houstonhamfest.org
03/09/2012 | Oklahoma State Convention (Green Country Hamfest)
Location: Claremore, OK
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Green Country Hamfest, Inc.
Website: http://greencountryhamfest.org
03/10/2012 | 10th Annual IARC Hamfest
Location: Irving, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Irving Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://irvingarc.org/iarchamfest.html
03/17/2012 | West Texas Section Convention (57th Annual St. Patrick's
Day Hamfest)
Location: Midland, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Midland Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://hamfest.w5qgg.org
03/24/2012 | ARC of Parker County Hamfest
Location: Weatherford, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Amateur Radio Club of Parker County
Website: http://www.w5pc.org
04/14/2012 | HamEXPO
Location: Belton, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Temple Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.BeltonHamExpo.org
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ARRL West Gulf Division
Director: David A Woolweaver, K5RAV
k5rav@arrl.org
