Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Upcoming ARISS contact with Tulsa Community College #ARRL #hamradio #AMSAT


An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Tulsa Community College, NE Campus, Tulsa, OK on 01 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:59 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time.The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between OR4ISS/RSØISS or RSØISS/OR4ISS and WD5AGO. The contact should be audible over the middle U.S and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

TCC is Oklahoma's largest community college with more students and more degree earners than any other community college in the state. We offer students a choice of 235 associate degrees and certificate of completion programs of study. TCC students come from every walk of life, and our graduates work in all sectors of business and industry to help build a stronger, more diverse economy.  Four campuses (Metro, NE, SE, and W) serve the Tulsa, Oklahoma area.
 
If you're passionate about electronics, criminal justice, horticulture, engineering, computer networking, human services, fire emergency services, interpreter education or aviation science, "Northeast" is the campus for you. Located near Tulsa's industrial and aerospace hub, the campus is perfect if you're seeking a career in high-tech business or service-focused careers.  Along with a strong educational curriculum, the campus is home to the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, offering access to higher education for all segments of the population.

The TCC Electronics club started in the early 1980's on the NE Campus which is where the Electronics and Engineering Technology classes are offered.  Amateur Radio activities were added in 2000 (the year an instructor came on board as the only HAM operator), and we became an "ARRL" affiliated club in 2005.  Now the TCC-ARC station consists of two towers for HF and VHF, along with two EME and Radio Astronomy arrays. 


Monday, June 29, 2015

Field Day Recap #ARRL #hamradio #ARRLFD

What an amazing time was in the Oklahoma Section for Field Day this year!

From Mooreland to Poteau and from Tulsa to Altus, the Section was alive with activity.  

The West Central Oklahoma Amateur Radio Club reported 18 hams and five visitors participated in their operation.  Here are the numbers from N5OP.

Field Day messages were received from AD5BU, W5GT, AE5MT, W5PAA, and W5TAH

Up at Mooreland, W5AOK used a pickup for an antenna
point.  Did they remember to unhook it?  <G>
Embedded image permalink
Folks at Edmond, K5EOK,  had a colorful banner.  (Anthony
Tompkins photo)
Embedded image permalink
Mark, N7XYO, tweeted a photo of  Paul, KE5EHM and
Ed, K5CRQ at the Tulsa Field Day operation.

Leflore County posted on +Facebook that this was their
first EVER Field Day event!  
At AJ5Q, James, AB5FS scored some CW points while Carole,
AF5CT operates alongside.
Eddie Manley, K5EMS, the Division Legislative Liaison
sent a photo of the Stillwater Field Day site.


Check out Tagboard for other news about Field Day in Social Media.



In addition to Eddie, K5EMS, Section Leadership visits were made by Conner, WX5CJK, Mark, N7XYO, Tom, WA9AFM,.  Extra points were made possible by Mary, KE5LTA.

Thanks to all hands who made light work.




Friday, June 26, 2015

Field Day Safety #ARRL #HamRadio #FieldDay


As we kick off this field day remember a couple golden rules:


Stay hydrated!  (not all of us are still spring chickens).  Keep an eye on the rest of your group for signs and symptoms of exhaustion.  I would be fitting to assign one of the elmers as a safety monitor especially during erecting antennas.  I like to supervise the cooking!



 It's just a hobby despite the bragging rights associated with it! (I have to tell myself that all the time)




Give more than you get.  This life and this hobby is more about giving than getting.  Make a difference to someone else and you will look back on this weekend as a success.



Thanks to  Mark/AE5MH (SK) for these thoughts..


Do you practice the Incident Command System at your field day?  Did you logistics section have enough fuel for the generator?

If you have Field Day Photos please tag @arrl_OK on Twitter, add them on Facebook, or send them to the Public Information Coordinator.

73 and have fun.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Spring 2015 issue of Radio Waves is now available.


Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, ARRL Education Services Manager, asked me to share the following announcement with you about the newly published Spring 2015 issue of Radio Waves.  This is the newsletter for ARRL registered instructors and teachers.

73,

Steve Ewald, WV1X
Supervisor, Field Organization Team


===============================================

Greetings!

We've just published our Spring 2015 issue of Radio Waves.

You'll find this issue and past issues on our website at: www.arrl.org/radio-waves

Inside This Issue
Scaling Heights to Teach Remote Sensing….page 1
Club’s Instruction Initiative Leads to Growth …. page 2
A Dream Becomes Reality with ARISS …. page3
Licensing Approach for Would-be Hams with Dyslexia/ADHD …. page 4
Girls Scouts Get Food for Thought During Thinking Day on the Air …. page 5
LASA High School Club Builds Satellite Station …. page 6
New Edition of ARRL General Class License Manual, Instructor Manual …. page 7
2015 Licensing Statistics …. page 7
Boy Scouts Recognize ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award …. page 8
Goldfarb Scholarship Recipient …. page 8
Upcoming Events, Opportunities, and Deadlines …. page 8


Debra Johnson, K1DMJ
Education Services Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111-1494

Office:(860) 594-0296
Fax: (860) 594-0259



Monday, June 22, 2015

Field Day Site Visits

Planning Field Day visits based on the ARRL Field Day Locator sites,
here's the plan for Saturday visits.



https://goo.gl/maps/NGwno gives you the map with the day starting and
ending in Altus.  As one can see, just the drive alone is 10 hours, not
counting stops.  Therefore, this is extremely subject to change.



Using 146.52 and 446.000 for radio, one can also message KC5FM-9 and
follow the progress at
http://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FKC5FM-9&timerange=3600&tail=3600



Don't expect a APRS message while driving, however.  :)



One might check into the Echolink/IRLP 7203 on Echolink and 9219 on
IRLP. There may also be activity on the WX5EM remote on
http://www.remotehams.com



The Field Day Locator is club sites considered for visits.  If contact
is to be made, it will be a phone call to the number listed there.

Hope to hear of the GREAT Oklahoma Section activity on the air during
Field Day.

--



Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, Section Manager

Altus, OK 73521-4903

(234-564-2775)

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Mount Scott Revisited

Below is a reply from US Fish and Wildlife service regarding Mount
Scott.  This reply came as a result of an inquiry regarding amateur
radio activity in the Refuge.  Again, my conclusion is that one does
not need a permit when one is operating mobile.  I hope this brings
clearer understanding to the issue.



This is in response to your request for clarification of the rules
regarding special use permit requirements for amateur radio operations
on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Refuge).  The confusion about
the permit requirements stems from recent changes that have not yet been
formalized or documented on our website.



Previously, refuge special use permits were required for all amateur
radio use.  We recently eliminated the permit requirements for small
scale and short term amateur radio use that involves portable or mobile
radio equipment contained in a single vehicle, and antennas attached to
vehicles. We continue to require refuge permits for larger-scale radio
operations that involve antennas and/or equipment set up outside
vehicles, and for group events involving multiple operations.
Following is a brief background and rationale for the changes in permit
requirements.



In September 2013, we completed a Comprehensive Conservation
Plan/Environmental Assessment for this Refuge, which addressed public
use management. It included the compatibility determinations that are
required for all public uses to be allowed on the Refuge, including
amateur radio operations.  Our planning exercise concluded that amateur
radio activities have minimal risk of impacts to Refuge resources and
found the use to be compatible with the Refuge purposes if managed
under the terms of special use permits that insure it does not
interfere with other priority public uses of the National Wildlife
Refuge System.  That general permit requirement is identified on our
Refuge website.



Mt. Scott is a popular Refuge location for Ham radio operators and
other visitors to gather.  Its high elevation offers good radio
coverage for Ham radio operators. Other visitors enjoy the scenic
views, and observe and photograph wildlife. Ham radio activities that
require large antennas, large amounts of radio equipment, noise and/or
group events may compromise recreational opportunities for these
visitors.  We therefore need to manage and minimize the impacts of Ham
radio activities on other users.



This past April, questions arose regarding varying permit requirements
for Ham radio operators versus walkie talkie or CB radio users.  After
careful consideration, we determined that it was not necessary to
require Refuge permits for small-scale and short term amateur radio use
by individuals in their vehicle, if it does not involve setup of radio
antennas and/or other equipment outside the vehicle, or group events.



We have begun the process of changing our website information to
reflect the modified requirements for amateur radio operations.  That
information should be in place and available to the public by August 1,
2015.



I hope this clarifies our permit requirements and the reason for the
questions.  If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.


--



Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, Section Manager

Altus, OK 73521-4903

(234-564-2775)

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

ARES Manual has been posted on the ARRL Web page.



The updated and revised Amateur Radio Emergency Service Manual has now been posted on the ARRL Web page (in PDF), and it can  be downloaded.   A link to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service Manual  can be found on the ARES Web page.  http://www.arrl.org/ares

An ARRL news article, dated today (May 21), has announced this posting.  Here is a link to the article.

73,

Steve Ewald, WV1X
Supervisor, Field Organization Team


Monday, June 15, 2015

ARRL Test Session Okmulgee #ARRL #hamradio



We are hosting a test session on June 20 at 4 pm. It will be held at the Okmulgee County Emergency Operations Center, 110 N Alabama in Okmulgee

Walk-ins are welcome. All license classes will be offered.

Everyone is welcome to test. 

All 3 test pools will be changing in July of this year. 

For more information, contact 

--

Jason Dawson
KF5KFB
Okmulgee County 
Emergency Management (COMT)
(918)-521-1968 cell





__._,_.___

Posted by: Mark Conklin <n7xyo@yahoo.com>






__,_._,___

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Oklahoma Governor proclaims Amateur Radio Week



GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS WEEK OF JUNE 21
AMATEUR RADIO WEEK IN OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed a proclamation making the week beginning June 21 as Amateur Radio Week in Oklahoma. Field Day closes out the week June 26-27 with many amateur radio clubs setting up Saturday and operating through noon Sunday.
From Altus to Vinita and Ardmore to Woodward, amateur radio operators will
be using their radio stations to participate in a National Preparedness Drill
called "Field Day", announced officials with the American Radio Relay League.

The Governor told Section Manager Lloyd Colston growing up in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, her father had a number of radios and scanners with which he monitored weather conditions in Central Oklahoma.
The Governor said she is quite aware of the help radio amateurs in Oklahoma provide.  She cited the recent severe weather Oklahomans have experienced in recent months including tornadoes and flooding resulting in requests for federal assistance for at least 40 of Oklahoma's 77 counties.
For over 100 years, Amateur Radio — sometimes called ham radio — has allowed people from all walks of life to experiment with electronics and communications techniques, as well as provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster, all without needing a cell phone or the Internet. Field Day demonstrates ham radio's ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent communications network. Over 45,000 people from thousands of locations participated in Field Day in 2014.

"It's easy for anyone to pick up a computer or smartphone, connect to the Internet and communicate, with no knowledge of how the devices function or connect to each other," said Lloyd Colston, Oklahoma Section Manager of the American Radio Relay League, the national association for Amateur Radio. "But if there's an interruption of service or you're out of range of a cell tower, you have no way to communicate. Ham radio functions completely independent of the Internet or cell phone infrastructure, can interface with tablets or smartphones, and can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. That's the beauty of Amateur Radio during a communications outage."
Amateur radio clubs in nearly every county in the state as well as clubs in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa will participate in Field Day. Also, some individuals have listed their Field Day operations.
Persons interesting in visiting a Field Day site near them can locate that site

For more information about amateur radio, http://www.arrl.org is the National
Organization for Amateur Radio.
                                                          ###




Cutline:  (from the left)  Oklahoma Section Public Information Coordinator Michael Dean (K5MFD), Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston (KC5FM), and Oklahoma Section Assistant Manager Thomas Webb (WA9AFM/5).  (Oklahoma Government photo)

Thanks to Public Information Coordinator Michael Dean for this report.



 

Saturday, June 13, 2015

W3JY to be guest on WTWW's QSO Radio Show #ARRL #hamradio

The W3JY NTS interview will air today on WTWW 9475 KHz 1 – 3pm CDT & Sunday on WTWW 5085 KHz 7 – 9pm CDT. It will also at that time be uploaded to our website http://qsoradioshow.com on our podcast page.

The NTS has survived, since George Hart’s retirement, solely on the willpower and grit of its dedicated volunteers.  We understand our network of networks – not to mention the skills that make them happen – cannot be allowed to pass away.  They must be preserved at all costs no matter how unloved and unsexy they may be.  They are the core of the ARRL mission and represent the totality of the Amateur Radio “value proposition” to the American public:  relaying messages when they are needed most of all.

Thing is, when all your effort goes into making it happen, there’s no time left to spread the word even among our own beloved League’s headquarters officials and staffers let alone the general public!

We are laboring mightily to raise NTS’s presence and hope this interview with Ted Randall, to be broadcast worldwide on his QSO Radio Show this weekend, will help.

Won’t you turn your dial to 5085 or 9475kHz this weekend?  Who knows – maybe you’ll be inspired to send a few Radiograms yourself.

J

VY 73 DE W3JY
Joe
Chairman, NTS Eastern Area Staff
Section Manager for Eastern Pennsylvania

http://www.epa-arrl.org/w3jy-to-be-guest-on-wtwws-qso-radio-show-this-weekend/
SCHEDULE UPDATE: W3JY to be guest on WTWW’s QSO Radio Show this weekend
SCHEDULE UPDATE: From The QSO Radio Show staff:
The W3JY NTS interview will air this Saturday on WTWW 9475 KHz 1 – 3pm CDT & Sunday on WTWW 5085 KHz 7 – 9pm CDT. It will also at that time be uploaded to our website http://qsoradioshow.com on our podcast page.
The National Traffic System will be the topic of this weekend’s QSO Radio Show program, broadcast on WTWW world-wide from Memphis, Tennessee on 5755 kHz and 9480 kHz.  (Schedule to be announced.)
https://twitter.com/qsoradioshow
Show host Ted Randall, WB8PUM interviewed W3JY for two hours Monday evening about ham radio, the meaning of life, and the NTS.
Ted is an enthusiastic supporter of the NTS mission and thinks we do not tell our story very well.  I agree!  So to help change that, he made WTWW and its 100,000 watts available to NTS.  His program reaches an audience so vast it is hard for hams to conceptualize it.  Apparently, a typical podcast version of his radio program is downloaded more than 100,000 times and anywhere from 600 to 1,000 emails from around the world come in response to any given program.  And there’s the snail mail, too.  Sacks of it.
He offered to have me back on his show to delve deeper into the NTS, which he believes taps into something much deeper than a simple message platform,  rather a kind of human community the Internet cannot simulate but which we need.
This is a good week for the NTS!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Upcoming APRS Net ... will you participate? #ARRL #hamradio

Many thanks to those who checked in during last month's Automatic Packet Reporting System net.  Check ins were received on APRS, DMR statewide OK group, and the TARC UHF linked system.  The list included:

W5LHG, KC5FM, KD5NJR, WA5RDG, WX5ASA, AF5LW, KC5RBH-9, KA5WRG, KK4WZQ-10, KF5ZTX-5, KG5EWK, K5SJW, KF5YIW, KE5URG, KG5CQJ, KE5HPV, KC5WQX, KD5ISA-7, and AJ5W.

The next statewide APRS net will be on Saturday, June 13th at 1 PM.  Net control will be KC5SHE-2, Scott Mayes, located near Claremore, OK.  In addition to standard messages and bulletins, Scott will be using the ANSRVR to send out requests for check ins and receive check ins.  If you don't know how to use ANSRVR, check out the training materials at https://www.dropbox.com/s/rgvw6bokclb4ttj/APRS%20Messaging%20TDRC%20Training.pdf?dl=0.  Scott will also be monitoring the DMR statewide OK group and the TARC UHF linked system for those stations that may not have APRS capability, but still want to participate.

We continue to operate HF APRS using the instructions located at  http://tulsadigitalradioclub.blogspot.com/2015/03/hf-aprs-fldigi-style-using-pskmfsketc.html .  As an additional incentive for this upcoming net, a certicate of appreciation from the Tulsa Digital Radio Club (TRDC) will be sent to those stations that try this new high-tech wrinkle on the two decades old HF APRS mode.  The HF APRS net will be running on 7036 kHz at a center frequency of 1000 Hz using MFSK-16 for highest robustness during the net.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Jeff Scoville, AE5ME 


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Federal Emergency Management Agency and Ad Council Release new PSAs in Partnership with New Movie San Andreas

In an effort to raise awareness of earthquake preparedness, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council have partnered with Warner Brothers to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSA’s) featuring scenes from the action thriller San Andreas, starring Dwayne Johnson.

The PSA’s educate audiences on the three steps to take if an earthquake strikes; “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” The PSA’s direct audiences to Ready.gov/Earthquake, where visitors can access more information on how to protect themselves, their families, and property before, during, and after an earthquake.

“Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the U.S. without warning,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “The PSA provides earthquake safety tips that are vital to preparing yourself and your family to react quickly, which will save lives.”
For more information about the PSA’s, please read the full press release.



Saturday, June 6, 2015

ARRL Strategic Plan Survey

Good Afternoon to All,

During the Dayton Hamvention last week, A meeting for Section Managers was held at the Mariott Hotel on Edwin Moses Blvd. in Dayton on Friday May15. It was a two hour meeting and a Go To Webinar session was hosted to allow Section Managers not attending the Dayton Hamvention an opportunity to be included in the meeting as their schedules would allow. Speaking at the Meeting was Norm Fuzaro W3IZ ARRL HQ Clubs Coordinator, Steve Ewald WV1X ARRL Field Services Coordinator, and Jim Fenstermaker K9JF 2nd Vice President of the ARRL Board of Directors. He spoke to us about the ARRL Strategic Plan and some of the goals and needs for the ARRL going forward. He provided us with a survey and asked that we please complete it and return it to him at our earliest availability. He is to make his next report to the BOD in mid July.

Please find attached a copy of the survey for you to complete and either send by snail mail or email to him not later than June 12. A copy of this survey has alredy been posted on the SM only portion of the ARRL website as well.
Keith Miller SR N9DGK
Tennessee Section Manager
PH# Cell 615-631-9952
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think." - John Wooden - UCLA Basketball Coach

Friday, June 5, 2015

ARRL President Kay, N3KN writes

At the time I'm writing this, H.R. 1301 has 64 co-sponsors, with a few more expected by the end of the week. That's excellent, but we need more. A lot more.

Some of you have done e-mail bulletins encouraging members to meet with and write to their members of Congress. Thank you! Please repeat the message periodically. Although we don't want to spam members and irritate them, keeping the issue fresh in their minds is necessary. The ARRL's national media do stories about the bill, but the message needs reinforcement from someone whom members know personally. They know you.

Please mention the bill when you speak at conventions and club meetings, too. Do you carry information about the bill when you visit these events?

We have been told quite bluntly by some Congressional offices that they want letters from constituents, that they will be interested in what the ARRL has to say only if they know that voters care about this issue. Why should the Congressman care, they ask, if the voters don't? There are tens of thousands of ARRL members who have not written yet. You can do a lot to persuade them to write, because they know you.

The ideal way for members to contact their Congressmen is to write personalized, signed paper letters based on the sample letter on the ARRL web site at www.arrl.org/hr-1301 and send them c/o ARRL. The address is

ARRL
Attn HR 1301 grassroots campaign
225 Main St
Newington CT 06111

Why is this the best way? For one thing, we able to keep track of how many communications are going to which Congressional districts. More importantly, when letters are hand-delivered to the Hill, there's an opportunity to speak with Congressional office staff people. The stack of letters is proof that voters care about the bill. We have to convince the staff people, so they'll advise the Representative to co-sponsor. That's how it works on Capitol Hill.

One more thing. When you see that a member of Congress in your Section has become a co-sponsor, urge your members to call or e-mail a message of appreciation. Good manners, good strategy.

The list of co-sponsors is updated regularly at www.arrl.org/hr-1301  This is the URL that gives members the information they need in order to be effective advocates.

We are working on having a companion bill introduced in the Senate, but there is nothing to report on that yet. Members often ask about this. Until we have a bill in the Senate, we do not need letters to members of that body.

I have a Twitter feed, @KayCraigieN3KN, which I use only for advocacy about this legislation with the hashtag #hr1301. I'm not doing this as an ego trip to develop a personal fan club but rather to get information, encouragement, and reminders out there rapidly. When there is an amateur radio news story that I can reasonably tie to the issue of antenna privileges, I tweet about it and use the phrase "Can't do it without antennas."

Please keep your Director well informed about your activities on behalf of the bill. This is a full-team effort.

Thanks for all you do.

73, Kay N3KN
President, ARRL


Thursday, June 4, 2015

Weekend activities

This weekend, there's activity in the Oklahoma Ham Nation!

First, this information from Jerry, N5KNU

TAILGATE / SWAPMEET--JUNE 06,2015

DATE :  JUNE 06,2015- SATURDAY

ADDRESS :  332 West 33RD  (south Edmond,Okla.)-73013

TIME 9:A.M.  til  12- NOONISH

NO COVER CHARGE, NO PARKING FEE, ..

FREE COFFEE, DOUNTS, FREE BOTTLED WATER, ( while as they last )

TALK-In Frequency 146.790- (minus offset )
               requires a  P L  tone -  100 hrtz.

DIRECTIONS ::   JUST WEST OF South Broadway Ave. ABOUT THREE (3 ) BLOCKS,

LOCATED::   IN THE  REAR PARKING LOT of
R.L. Williams Co. Inc.....
Located just under the  90 ' tall Edmond Okla. Water Tower...

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE.....

Jerry,  N5KNU

Don't forget the "Comanche Code Talkers of WWI & WWII"  are on the air June 5 through 7.

Also, the Museum Ships Weekend will see activity from WW2SUB and WW2OK

What will you do?


















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--


Lloyd Colston   director
Altus Emergency Management
Altus, OK      http://www.cityofaltus.org
Phone:  580.481.2260
Fax:  580.482.4738

It is better to be informed than it is to be afraid.

http://twitter.com/altusready
http://altusem.blogspot.com
calendly.com/kc5fm

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Director Woolweaver writes


West Gulf Division Newsletter May 2015

--- FCC Eliminates Vanity Call Sign Fee
--- Dave Sumner to Speak at HamCom
--- HamCom Ticket Sales
--- Grassroots Lobbying Course
--- LSDXA Dinner Tickets Going Fast
--- Planned Events for K5RAV and N5AUS
--- Hamfests and Conventions

--- FCC Eliminates Vanity Call Sign Fee

The FCC is eliminating the regulatory fee to apply for an Amateur Radio
vanity call sign. The change will not go into effect, however, until
required congressional notice has been given. This will take at least
90 days. As the Commission explained in a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, Report and Order, and Order (MD Docket 14-92 and others),
released May 21, it's a matter of simple economics.

"The Commission spends more resources on processing the regulatory
fees and issuing refunds than the amount of the regulatory fee
payment," the FCC said. "As our costs now exceed the regulatory
fee, we are eliminating this regulatory fee category." The current
vanity call sign regulatory fee is $21.40, the highest in several
years. The FCC reported there were 11,500 "payment units" in FY
2014 and estimated that it would collect nearly $246,100.

The FCC said it has since had an opportunity to obtain and analyze
support concerning the collection of the regulatory fees for Amateur
Vanity and GMRS, which the FCC said comprise, on average, more than
20,000 licenses that are newly obtained or renewed, every 10 and 5
years, respectively.

The Commission said that after it provides the required congressional
notification, Amateur Radio vanity program applicants "will no longer
be financially burdened with such payments, and the Commission will no
longer incur these administrative costs that exceed the fee payments.
The revenue that the Commission would otherwise collect from these
regulatory fee categories will be proportionally assessed on other
wireless fee categories."

The FCC said it would not issue refunds to licensees who paid the
regulatory fee prior to its official elimination.

See more detail on the www.arrl.org web site.

---Dave Sumner to speak at HamCom

Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, will be the keynote speaker at the ARRL Forum,
HamCom, Saturday, June 13th at 11:00 AM.   Sumner, known as "Mr.
Amateur Radio" is the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the
ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio.  Sumner is
responsible to the ARRL Board of Directors for managing the affairs of
the league including its headquarters staff and official journal, QST.
His presentation is entitled, "ARRL Today and Tomorrow".

First licensed as KN1ZND in 1962 at age 13, Dave has been active in
most phases of Amateur Radio operating with special emphasis on CW
contesting.  Active from the first as an ARRL volunteer, he joined the
Headquarters staff in 1968 for the summer, became a part of the
permanent staff in 1972, and was named Assistant General Manager four
years later. He was named Secretary and General Manager in 1982, with a
change in title to Executive Vice President in 1985 and the additional
title of Chief Executive Officer in 2001.

--- HamCom Ticket Sales

HamCom online ticket sales ends May 31st.  Don't miss your chance to
save $2.00 and a chance to win the preregistration prize, a Kenwood
TM-D710G, 2M/440 Transceiver capable of APRS/TNC, GPS and ECHOLINK .
That is a lot of "stuff" in one radio!

HamCom is celebrating its 37th year by moving to a new and larger
facility, the Irving Convention Center at Los Colinas, 500 W Las
Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX 75039.  Telephone is 972-252-7476.

With the move to the new facility, the indoor flea market has increased
from 60 tables to more than 140 indoor, air conditioned tables.

Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.hamcom.org/email/1505-0754-finalchance/1505-0754.html

Sign up for your preregistration tickets and download the HamCom
brochure available on the above web site.

---Grassroots Lobbying Course

Immediately following the ARRL Forum in Room 3, a course on Grassroots
Lobbying will be presented by a representative of the Keelen Group,
Frank McCarthy.  Frank has had extensive experience in Grassroots
organization and training.  The Keelen Group is the political action
firm assisting the ARRL in Washington, DC.

If you ever wanted to be involved in political action to the assist the
ARRL or to influence your legislators on other matters, this is your
chance to learn what to do and what not to do from a professional.

Preregistration is desired, but not required.  The course is an open
course.  Anyone can attend.  For those who chose to preregister, a
Course Handbook on Grassroots Lobbying and a personalized Certificate
of Completion will be presented to those who do.  Course completion
qualifies participants to apply to become a Legislative Action
Assistant in the West Gulf Division.

In order to receive a Course Handbook on Grassroots Lobbying and a
personalized Certificate of Completion, you must preregister.

Send an E-Mail requesting preregistration to:

David Woolweaver, K5RAV
K5rav@arrl.org

Include in the E-Mail your request to attend the Grassroots Lobbing
Course, your name as you wish it on the Certificate of Completion, your
call sign and your mailing address.

1.  Request to preregister for Grassroots Course
2.  Name as you wish it on the Certificate of Completion
3.  Call sign
4.  Mailing address

If you preregister, Director Woolweaver will have your Course Handbook
available at the beginning of the session and your Certificate of
Completion immediately after the session.

Deadline for preregistration is June 3, 2015.  Registrations received
after that date will not be honored.  No unassigned Course Handbooks
will be available at the Forum.

--- LSDXA Dinner Tickets going fast

The annual Lone Star DX Association's W5DXCC dinner will be held at
the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel at 4440 W. John carpenter FWY (TX 114),
Irving, TX

Dinner speaker will be Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, of the K1N Navassa
DXpedition.  Tickets are $49.00 .  Send check or MO to Rick Barnett,
N0RB, 657 Oakdale Drive, Plano, TX 75025.  If you have questions,
contact Rick at n0rb@verizon.net.

You have to move fast as tickets are in short supply.  Send your check
or MO today.

---Planned events for K5RAV and N5AUS

Director Woolweaver, K5RAV and Vice Director Stratton, N5AUS plan to
attend the following upcoming events:

K5RAV
---7290 Traffic Net Picnic, May 30th , www.7290trafficnet.org for more
details
---West Gulf Division Convention, HamCom, June 12-13
---ARRL Board Meeting, Newington, CT, July 15-18
---South Texas Section Convention, Austin Summerfest 2015, Aug 7-8

N5AUS
---7290 Traffic Net Picnic, May 30th, www.7290trafficnet.org for more
details
---West Gulf Division Convention, HamCom, June 12-13
---ARRL Board Meeting, Newington, CT, July 15-18
---Oklahoma Section Convention, Ham Holiday 2015, July 24-25
---South Texas Section Convention, Austin Summerfest 2015, Aug 7-8

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 any time that you have a concern or just want to say hello, contact

Director Woolweaver at K5RAV@arrl.org.

 --- Hamfest/Convention

06/12/2015 | West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com)
Location: Irving, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Plano ARC, Dallas ARC, & Irving ARC
Website: http://www.hamcom.org

06/20/2015 | Big Spring Swapfest
Location: Big Spring, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Big Spring Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.qsl.net/w5aw


07/18/2015 | Tidelands Hamfest
Location: Texas City, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Tidelands Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://tidelands.org

07/24/2015 | Oklahoma Section Convention (Ham Holiday 2015)
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs
Website: http://hamholiday.org

08/07/2015 | South Texas Section Convention (Austin Summerfest 2015)
Location: Austin, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Austin ARC and Texas VHF-FM Society
Website: http://www.austinsummerfest.org

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

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--


Lloyd Colston   director
Altus Emergency Management
Altus, OK      http://www.cityofaltus.org
Phone:  580.481.2260
Fax:  580.482.4738

It is better to be informed than it is to be afraid.

http://twitter.com/altusready
http://altusem.blogspot.com
calendly.com/kc5fm

News from the American Radio Relay League