Do you want your club to grow?

Pretend, just for a moment, you are new to your City.  First time amateur radio visitors may try to find a club or may search for the local repeater listings.

Failing there, the searcher may try to check the local media or check with the local Chamber of Commerce for clubs.

Did the local club announce their meeting in the newspaper?  Was there a press release sent to the radio station?

If the answer was "No", then what chance is there the visitor may discover the meeting time and place?

Did the press release mention the topics of discussion?  If the answer was "No", what chance is there the visitor would be interested in attending?

Did the club send a press release announcing what happened at the club meeting?  If the answer was "No", what chance is there that the public is doing to learn what club projects and activity are occurring?

While there is a LOT of competition for News Editors and Producers eyes, it is guaranteed ... very sure ... 100%  likely ... the press release will never get used, if the press release is not sent.

If your club lacks a public information officer, please reach out to the Public Information Coordinator in your section.  That person wishes to help you get a PIO, but, until one is selected, can help with your press needs.

Do you want your club to grow?

Nominate your favorite Oklahoma ham

Go to the West Gulf Division web site at www.arrlwgd.org and read the article on the front page regarding a nomination(s) of some Oklahoma ham. We all know that there are members of your club that have worked and sacrificed for amateur radio. Many have been doing outstanding work for amateur radio and we need to recognize them. They deserve this recognition and there is nothing better than receiving this award from their peers.

The nomination form can be found in the article mentioned above. Go to www.arrlwgd.org and send your nomination(s) in by April 15. Winners will be honored at the Ham-Com 2013 Convention in Plano TX, June 7 and 8th.

Thanks

Eddie - K5EMS

Here's your Oklahoma Section News!

Oklahoma Section News – March - April 2013

Is it spring yet??

Well, maybe pretty soon.......

We've had a great start to the hamfest season here in Oklahoma!

Eddie and I had a great time in Moreland back on the first weekend in February. Great hams, great hospitality and great deals, what more could you ask for. You need to try and make it next year.

I didn't get to make it to Elk City, but I understand they had a great timd as well.

Green Country is in the books and I can say it was wonderful as usual. It did seem that the numbers were down some this year, but I though Friday evening was better than in the past. We go to play host to Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG and his wife Mary (I forgot her call). Chuck gave a good talk on the Official Observer program. If there is anyone in the section that would be interested in becomng an OO, let me know.

Also in attendance was our Vice-Director, John Stratton, N5AUS and my wife Wilma, W5WRO. John had one of the best talks on the League's Advocacy that I have ever heard. Wilma, with Mary's help manned the League booth while Chuck, John and I shook hands and generally mingled with members. The booth generated 31 new or renewal memberships.

Speaking of memberships, if you either join or renew at the league booth, we have some nice premiums for you to choose from. The usual Repeater Directory, More Wire Antenna Classics, Hints & Kinks (New), Small Antennas for Small Spaces (New) and the 2012 Periodicals Collection. The last item is really pretty neat. It is the entire year of QST, QEX and NCJ on CD. They are all in PDF format and fully searchable. So sign up at the booth.

ASM Tom Webb WA9AFM sent along the following announcement.....

We're having another "Ham-Aid"!!! It will be on Saturday, 20 April at the Salvation Army Citadel, 1 blk west of SE 44th & Bryant. Tentative start time is 9:00 AM. This will also be a follow-up to the Marathon Pre-Briefing for those who can't make the regular briefing on Tuesday,16 April. The various activities are still being developed. If you have a request or suggestion for an event or activity at 'Ham-Aide" contact Dave, NE5S. One activity will be helping folks program HT/mobile rig for the 2013 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Please bring your software and cable!!!

2013 Hamfests

6/7 – 6/8 Ham-Com, Plano, TX 

7/26 – 7/27 Ham Holiday, OKC

9/13 - 9/14 Ada Hamfest, Ada, OK????

10/25 – 10/26 Texhoma Hamarama, Ardmore, OK

11/2 Enid Hamfest, Enid, OK 

---WGD Announces New Annual Division Awards

Director David Woolweaver is pleased to announce the creation of the West Gulf Division Annual Division Awards. There are two primary awards: Ham of the Year and Young Ham of the Year, which will be
complimented by a third award, the West Gulf Division Excellence Award.
While the first two awards are self explanatory, the third award represents any Amateur Radio endeavor that the nominators feel deserves recognition. Suggested categories can be found on the Division website.
www.arrlwgd.org They include Educator of the Year, Radio Scouter of the Year, Technical Achievement and Amateur Radio Organization of the Year among many others. For the WGD Excellence Award only, the nominators are not limited to the suggested categories. 

Divisional Awards will be presented at the West Gulf Division Convention each year. Nominations for 2012 Award Winners will be accepted until April 15, 2013 for presentation at HamCom in June. Nomination forms for each nominee (by category) must be supported by at
least three ARRL members on the award nomination form, a minimum 150-word statement and any available supporting documentation. Other rules do apply and can be found on the WGD website at www.ARRLWGD.org. 

The Division Awards judging panel consists of four (4) ARRL members, selected by each of the Section Managers in North Texas, Oklahoma, South Texas and West Texas Sections. The Section Manager may opt to
appoint his/herself to the committee. The fifth judge is selected by the Division Director and may reside anywhere within the West Gulf Division. Neither the Division Director nor the Vice Director will participate in the vote.

Legislative Agenda

Eddie Manley, K5EMS, our State Government Liaison , has informed me that as of 3-25-2013 our legislation changng the wording in our state PRB-1 law has passed the House floor vote unanimously and has been passed out of committee in the Senate. So, it's looking like it's gonna get through unless something big comes up.

Youth

I am proud to let you know that the section now has an Assistant Section Manager for Youth. Conner Keef, WX5CJK is a meteorology student at OU and will be working with the youth of the section. He is being assisted by Megan McCellan, K5MEM past North Texas ASM for youth. They are planning on having a Youth Lounge at the sections 3 larger hamfests this year starting with Green Country, then Ham Holiday and ending with Texhoma. The youth lounge concept has really started to catch on. This way, any kids that come to these hamfests, licensed or not, will have programming aimed directly at them.

The youth lounge at Green Country got the ball rolling. Both of our ASM's for Youth Activities couldn't attend for family reasons. However, Gary Way, AE5OF of Meeker, picked up the ball and ran with it. Gary got 2 eagle scouts to take over the booth for Conner and Megan. They did a wonderful job.

ARRL Centennial

Don’t forget the ARRL Centennial is coming up in 2014. By the beginning of 3rd quarter this year you should start seeing ideas for your club to start the planning process for next year.

E-mail Groups

If you aren’t a member of the aresoklahoma or OKtraders Yahoo groups, then you should be. Also check out the section presence on Twitter and Facebook. Then make sure you join the ARRL-OK section e-mail list at http://mailman.qth.net/.

That’s all for now. I hope to see all of you at one time or another this year.

73,

Kevin O’Dell, N0IRW

Oklahoma Section Manager

Chairman ARRL PR Committee

One-Day License Class in Woodward

Tri-State Amateur Radio Group (TSARG) is hosting a "Ham Cram" in Woodward, OK.

I am NOW taking registrations for a 1 Day ONLY, ENTRY-LEVEL (Beginners) - Amateur (Ham) Radio License Class and Exam.

On Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Format will be an ALL DAY class, where we will take you through the learning materials, and help answer any questions you may have.

The day will conclude with YOU getting your Amateur Radio License Exam THAT AFTERNOON.

Spend a day learning and making new friends and walk out with your "Amateur (Ham) Radio License".

We provide instruction, AND discussion.

ALL REGISTRATIONS AND FEES DUE ASAP. REGISTRATIONS WILL CLOSE ON FEB 2ND !!

Invite anyone you know that may be interested !!!  Spread the Word !!

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 2013

COST: $20 = Training Materials and $14 - Exam Fee

TIME: 8am - 5pm

EXAM: Commences at 5:30pm

WHERE:

City of Woodward Training Rooms,
Texas Avenue,
Woodward OK

NEW Ham Pack for ALL registered participants, and lunch is provided.

Please Register ASAP, as VERY limited places are available.

For Further Information and Registration, please contact:

Kind Regards,

Paul Mitchell - N1AUS / VK5PKM
Tri-State Amateur Radio Group (TSARG)
City of Woodward, Emergency Management Technical Specialist

Test Sessions during Class Time

In past years Clifton Harper KE5YZB has been able to coordinate test session for his students after 

school. That worked fine until he had three classes (one of 7th graders, two of 8th graders) of students to test. Now test sessions are schedule during normal class hours. The community Volunteer Examiner Team consists of Claude KD5RQ and several volunteers. From left to right, Kenny N5PYU, Bill AD5NK and

Claude KD5RQ.

Clifton's art classroom, full of students about to take their test, the end result will prove to be one upgrade to General and three new Technicians for the 80 that will have tested, for a program total of 30 licensed students in four years. We have only achieved results in the last two years.

Bringing young hams into the hobby is difficult enough when dad or grandpa is the mentor. Imagine the challenges when there is no family connection to amateur radio. Our commitment to the students is huge and there are many volunteers supporting the program to help make it work. When we discuss activities to maintain the student's interest, we talk in terms of years. Of course the best part is the fun we have in working with the students.

Thanks to Paul, KC5CYY for this report

Oklahoma ham scores perfect on test

Congratulations to Trevor Watts KF5RRH, accomplishing a perfect score
for the ACT. Trevor has been accepted to the University of Oklahoma
and will start in the fall with an undecided Major. In addition to
studying at OU, Trevor plans to be an active participant at the OU
radio club, W5TC.

KF5RRH has been involved with amateur radio since his sophomore year
at Lawton High School, Lawton, OK, working with school club amateur
radio station W5LHS. Trevor became committed to amateur radio while a
guest operator aboard the USS Batfish WW2SUB, Muskogee, OK, during the
2012 Museum Ships Weekend. With a challenge from the WW2SUB trustee
Wade Harris KF5IF, Trevor started studying and passed his Technician
license in Aug 2012.

Trevor has participated in several amateur radio outreach events in
the Lawton area. Trevor is forever introducing amateur radio to other
students and is proving to be an excellent on the air coach. In
addition to amateur radio, Trevor is a member of the Academic
Decathlon Team, Key Club (community service organization) and plays
the violin in the school orchestra.

Thanks to Paul Goulet, KC5CYY for this information.

Look what you missed in Elk City

Ron Roman, AF5AS, reports a  very good turn out for the Elk City Ham Fest with folks from Oklaoma, Texas, Kansas, providing a lot of new faces!!! "There was some good deals there, great friends reunited

Wayne KC5OK (L) and Johnny AC5QT take a
moment for an eye-ball QSO.

to new friends made, contacts all over in the Eyeball to Eyeball QSO's. Feeding time with some great Stew, and then a test session"

Next weekend is the big Green Country Hamfest in Claremore.  

James AB5FS (L) chatting with Owem AB5VF (R), as Gary KA5BSA (C) listens

Thanks to Ron Roman, AF5AS for the report and the pictures.

Good turnout in Mooreland

The Tri-State Amateur Radio Group held their first annual Amateur Radio Ham Fest. Approximately 40 people attended to visit with Kevin O’Dell, Section manager for Oklahoma Section and Eddie Manley, the State Government Liaison. 

Jay Kruckenburg, K5GUD, Secretary/Tresaurer of Tri-State, setting up his table.

Thanks to Melissa Wilkerson, KE5BJO, for this report.

Look what's happening in the Oklahoma City Area

The Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs, Inc. will

present the 40th annual "Ham Holiday 2013" at the Bricktown Hotel/Conference Center, I-40 & Martin Luther King Ave., Oklahoma City July 26-27.

(). 

PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A NEW LOCATION!!! 

Doors open on Friday, 26 July at 3:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday, 27 July 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. 

Technical and nontechnical programs, DXCC/WAS card check, VE testing, flea market is part of the program.

Preregistration $8; at door $10; flea markets $10/table in advance; $15/table at door (if available). Online registration available in mid-April!! 

Under 16 yrs of age free with paid adult. 

Talk-in: 146.82MHz (negative offset,

PL 151.4Hz). 

Additional information and registration forms available on the CORA Web site.

Thanks to WA9AFM for this report.

Editor's note:  Please look forward to additional announcements, including a prominent amateur radio equipment manufacturer as speaker.