Oklahoma Section News from N0IRW

Things have been pretty busy around the section. But, everyone has been having fun, if the hamfest attendance is any indication. Ham Holiday 2012 was a wonderful event. Great vendors with lots of goodies, both new and used. There were new commercial vendors there as well. Bill Wilburn, N5NUK and the whole CORA crew does a great job of getting things put together. In addition to all the normal functions and festivities, Ham Holiday had a special guest.....Kay Cragie, N3KN, ARRL President. If you missed the opportunity to stop by and chat with Kay or hear one of her talks, you really missed a treat. Especially memorable was her comments at the Friday evening banquet. Kay talked about how amateur radio has affected her and effected her. She did it from the heart with no notes.....totally off the cuff. It was a very moving talk. So, if you missed it, you missed a lot. Also in attendance were our West Gulf Director, Dr. David Woolweaver, K5RAV, WG Vice Director John Stratton, N5AUS, myself and a number of our section cabinet members.

The October issue of QST has a great write up on the School Club Roundup with lots of print for our own Viking Club in Lawton. Those kids are really blowin' and goin'. Congrats on the HIGH score in their class......and not by just a little!!

Amateur Radio and Scouting in the West Gulf is getting a real shot in the arm. We have an Assistant Director for Scouting and each section has an Assistant Section Manager for Scouting. They ran a Radio merit badge class and a Robotics merit badge class at Ham Holiday with GREAT success! Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) is coming up the 3rd weekend in October (20-21). Get together with a troop or pack in your area and show them just how much fun amateur radio can be!.....Do let us know about it if you do.

The re-imagined Ada Hamfest is in the books. It was a real pleasure to participate in this well run small hamfest. Jack Skinner, KB5KKT and company have put together a neat hamfest. I even made a couple of purchases of used stuff. The new facility at the Chickasaw Activity Center was plenty large, clean and bright, with plenty of parking. Plus it's always good to see everyone from my old stomping grounds of southern Oklahoma.

Coming up on the first weekend in October is the Simulated Emergency Test (SET).....If your group would like to participate, contact SEC Mark Conklin, N7XYO for more info.....n7xyo@arrl.net

Ther are still 3 events on the calendar for the rest of 2012.....

October 20, Woodward/Mooreland is planning a tailgate. As I get more info, I'll post it.

The following weekend, October 26-27 is Texoma Hamarama. This is becoming a premier event located in the beautiful Ardmore Convention Center just off I-35 in Ardmore. I will be there as well as Dr. David Woolweaver, K5RAV and others. It should be a lot of fun.....(it usually is)

Then the next weekend, the first one in November will be the Enid Hamfest. They always serve good grub there and I have my fair share!! I look forwrd to seeing all of you at these events.

My new email is n0irw@me.com or n0irw@arrl.net or n0irw@arrl.org

Tilll later,

73,

Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW