Section News from Kevin, N0IRW

Happy Holidays Oklahoma Amateur Radio Operators!!



How is everyone in the Oklahoma Section?  I hope all of you have had a good year with lots of QSO’s and DX!



First thing I’d like to say is a big THANK YOU! To everyone that has expressed well wishes during my recovery from my ankle surgery.  Also, another huge THANKS to Eddie Manley, K5EMS and Mary Peelman, KE5LTA and all the other folks that helped out at Ham Holiday and Ada for their work in setting up and manning the league booth while I was laid up.



As for the surgery, everything went well.  I am presently in a walking boot, after 4 successive casts.  I am getting some strength back and relying on the chair a little less every day.  The doctor is putting me back in a brace but, one that is not quite as substantial as the previous one.  The hardest part will be just building up stamina.   I am back to work though.



The XYL, Wilma, W5WRO has retired, again and is taking care of the grandson again, so things are hoppin’ around the QTH.



Ham Holiday



The reports I have gotten from this year’s Ham Holiday were very encouraging.  I understand Bob Heil was a big hit.  I really would have liked to hear him speak at the dinner Friday night.  Director, Dr. David Woolweaver, K5RAV and Vice-Director, John Stratton, N5AUS both had an excellent time chatting with all the members that dropped by.  The venue also seems to have been well received.  Trust me, I would have much rather been with all of you guys than in the hospital.



Thanks to Eddie for handling the booth and the forum.  I look forward to the 2014 edition of Ham Holiday, Friday and Saturday, July 25 & 26, 2014.



Ada Hamfest



This years Ada hamfest was good, but could have used some more hams in attendance.  I want to thank all the folks that put in the work to make the hamfest happen.  All of us need to support these local hamfests or they will disappear.  I know gas is epensive and none of us have as much cash to spend as we used to, but let's try our best to help these folks that work so hard to put on a good show for us.  This includes patronizing the commercial vendors.



Texhoma Hamarama



The 2013 edition of Texhoma Hamarama is in the books.  This was the first hamfest I got to attend since the surgery.  Wilma, W5WRO was gracious to take me to this event and Enid since I still can’t drive.  The event was VERY well attended with lots of gear, both new and used, walking out the door (hopefully paid for).  This was probably the largest crowd that stayed through the drawings that I have ever seen.  Most of the vendors were still there after12:00.



The forums were well attended with a few new wrinkles including a morse code contest.  The testing minted 4 or 5 new Generals and 1 new Technician.  This is one of the few hamfest test sessions I can remember where there were more upgrades than new licensees.



Henry and the rest of the Hamarama Committee are to be commended for putting on a great hamfest.



Simulated Emergency Test



The 2013 SET is scheduled for December 14.  Everyone in ARES needs to check with your EC or DEC about the details of the test.  Let’s have a good showing and find out where our  weak spots are.



2014



2014 is the Centennial of the ARRL.  There a lot of neat things coming for the year.  The first one is the Centennial edition of the ARRL Handbook.  You can even get the hardback version embossed with your name and call sign…..(mine’s ordered)…..If you haven’t gotten a yearbook yet, this is the year to do it.



As I write this the final edit of the ARRL Centennial Video is complete and will be released in January.  This is a very good product available for use at your local club meeting, hamfest and broadcast and cable television outlets.  The video is an overview of the ARRL’s first 100 years.  I think you will like it.



Also in 2014, will be the Centennial Convention at Hartford, Connecticut.  If you have never been to headquarters, now is the time to go.  There will be lots to do and see, including tours of HQ and W1AW with opportunities to operate W1AW.



If you can’t make it to Hartford for the convention, there will be 6 regional Centennial Conventions.  Ours will be the West Gulf/Delta Divisions Centennial Convention at Ham-Com in Plano.  There will be an ARRL Expo like setup giving you the chance to meet with folks from HQ that keep the day to day things at the ARRL moving.  Come to Ham-Com  for your piece of the Centennial!



Also in June, Field Day!  This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Amateur Radio to the public and use the Centennial as a hook for the media exposure.  There will be additional PR materials for your use.



The Directors and Section Managers also will have available PowerPoint presentations on the 5 Pillars of the league.  These make good programs for your club meetings.



There will also be a revised version of PR-101, titled PR-101.2 to be released at Dayton.  When it is released, you will be able to view/download the entire program on the league website.



Stay tuned for more Centennial stuff!!



Hamfests 2014



Elk City Hamfest

March 1

Elk City Conference Center

Green Country Hamfest – West Gulf Division Convention

March 7-8

Claremore Convention Center

Ham-Com – West Gulf/Delta Divisions Regional Centennial Convention

June 13-14

Plano Convention Center


Ham Holiday

July 25-26

Oklahoma City



More to follow as the information becomes available.



Again, thanks to all of you that have given me your support during and after the surgery.  It is greatly appreciated.



This will be the last Section News for 2013, so I would like to say as we all gather around the table, tree and even the rig, let’s all remember the real reason for this great season of togetherness.  Wilma and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year!



73,



Kevin O’Dell, N0IRW

Oklahoma Section Manager