Wednesday, December 29, 2021

SM018 - Straight Key Night (SKN)


About Straight Key Night

The ARRL year starts out with a di and a dah with the Straight Key Night. This 24-hour event is not a contest; rather it is a day dedicated to celebrating our CW heritage. Participants are encouraged to get on the air and simply make enjoyable conversational CW QSOs. The use of straight keys or bugs to send CW is preferred. There are no points scored and all who participate are winners.

Contest Details

Dates

Straight Key Night is held every January 1 from 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC. Here in Oklahoma, Friday, December 31 from 6:00 pm central time through 5:59 pm on Saturday.

Terms Of Entry

  • Entrants agree to be bound by the provisions and intent of ARRL contest rules.
  • Entrants agree to be bound by the regulations of their national licensing authority.
  • Entrants agree to be bound by the decisions of the ARRL Awards Committee.
  • Log contents used to determine final score and awards will be available to the public.
  • All entries become the property of the ARRL.

Bands

All authorized Amateur frequencies, but activity has traditionally been centered on the HF bands.

Log Submission Deadline

Entries for Straight Key Night must be received by January 31, 2022. Votes for "Best Fist" and “Most Interesting QSO” will be tabulated and included in the results.


Send your information to straightkey@arrl.org

or by mail to:

ARRL Straight Key Night

225 Main Street

Newington, CT 06111

For more information, contact the contests group at contests@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232.

Results

Results from previous Straight Key Nights are available at https://contests.arrl.org/

Contest Exchange

When participating in SKN instead of sending RST before sending the signal report send the letters SKN, to indicate your participation, and to clue in passers-by who may be listening that SKN is going strong.  After SKN, send the Contest Branch a list of stations worked, plus your vote for the best fist you heard (it doesn’t have to be one you worked).  Also, include your vote for the most interesting QSO you had or monitored.

Don’t forget to post your comments and interesting photographs from your SKN adventure to the ARRL Contest Online Soapbox at https://www.arrl.org/soapbox. Entries should be emailed to the Contest Branch at StraightKey@arrl.org or may be sent via regular mail to SKN, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. The Soapbox https://www.arrl.org/soapbox becomes an online album of stories and photographs to share with others.

Clubs

Amateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby. The tremendous local hams have good information, and as Elmers or mentors, they love to share it. Send something that your club is doing well to me n5hzr@arrl.org, and I'll feature your club in this newsletter, and on the ARRL club newsletter. Most clubs are seeing an increase in new member activity recently. Our Oklahoma Affiliated Club Coordinator, Jim Shideler W5JCS, can help you find a club or help your club become affiliated. We currently have 39 clubs listed at http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/. Look for a club near you, or verify that your club is on the list. Send Jim an email at W5JCS@arrl.net if you need club assistance.

ARRL Oklahoma is On The Web

JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW --  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de Mark Kleine N5HZR -- Stand by, more follows…

Friday, December 24, 2021

SM017 – Happy Holidays and 2021 Year-End Summary

 DECEMBER 24, 2021

‘Tis the Season

The end of the year brings a number of holidays that tend to make the time fly by faster each and every year. So, no matter what you celebrate, all of us that bring you the Oklahoma ARRL experience wish you the best. So, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy New Year, and all the rest to you and yours from the Oklahoma ARRL section.

And, many thanks from me to the hundreds of volunteers that make this process run smoothly. Without the help of the section leaders, ARES leaders, ARES volunteers, NTS Traffic Handlers, club leaders, hamfest organizers, net control operators, net participants, and others we wouldn’t have been able to make the waves that we have during 2021.

2021 Year-End Summary

The ARRL national organization is defined by the five pillars of public service, advocacy, education, technology, and membership. These tenants are used to define all of the activities that make up the organization’s tasks. Earlier this year I took a look at the five pillars and found that we would be able to support all of them by concentrating on the following five action groups; ARES, NTS, Clubs, Member Communications, and Outreach. Throughout the year each of those groups has had a lot of activity, and some of it is shown here:

ARES – Amateur Radio Emergency Service

  • A new https://aresok.org website was unveiled to support the 800+ ARES members.
  • An ARES OK Fall Summit was held on 10/23/2021 that had 30 ARES members in-person in Norman and 20 more that attended via Zoom and YouTube.
  • We obtained several new Region Emergency Coordinators.
  • We obtained about 20 new county Emergency Coordinators.
  • Email communications were sent to the 800+ ARESOK contacts.

NTS – National Traffic System

  • The National Traffic System in Oklahoma will be highlighted during the month of January. If you are interested in NTS, more information is available at http://ok.arrl.org/nts/
  • HF Phone Nets are still going strong with the following schedule. More information is available at http://ok.arrl.org/ntsnets/
    • Sunday 3900 08:00 local
    • Sunday 3900 16:30 local
    • Daily 7290 AM/PM
  • New Tulsa Superlink UHF Night Net – More information is available at http://ok.arrl.org/ntslocal/
    • Every Thursday 7:00 pm
  • NTSOK Winlink is up and running on HF and VHF – More information is available at http://ok.arrl.org/ntsok/
    • Send NTS messages to message to NTSOK

Clubs

  • The Oklahoma Section Affiliated Club Coordinator – Jim Shideler mailto:W5JCS@arrl.org
  • We created a club leader email list
  • The 39 clubs are listed at http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/
  • A SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) club analysis tool is available at http://ok.arrl.org/clubtool/
  • ARRL Club Newsletter started in November from ARRL HQ (first time since 2009). If you have any club information and pictures you would like to share, send them to mailto:clubs@arrl.org.
  • ARRL Club news will start back up in QST as ‘strays’.
  • All club contact information for each club was updated on ARRL.ORG
  • A new national ARRL Club Funding program was announced at the Enid hamfest.

Member Communication

  • The https://aresok.org site was updated.
  • The http://ok.arrl.org web site was started. This site should be “THE” place to go for amateur radio information in the state. Wanna be hams, new hams, upgrading hams, and curious hams should find something to do here. Look here for clubs, testing sessions, classes, and more.
  • The https://arrlok.blogspot.com, Facebook page, ARRL.org section page, and the Twitter page all receive Section Manager News about every fortnight.
  • Postcards are sent monthly to the following groups of people. More information is available at http://ok.arrl.org/postcards/
    • New FCC license
    • Upgraded FCC license
    • New ARRL member
    • Lapsed ARRL members

Outreach

  • Oklahoma Memorial Marathon Communications
  • Do-Wacka-Do Communications
  • Tour de Tulsa Communications
  • Cycle 66 Bike Communications
  • Tulsa Makers Faire demonstration station
  • Tulsa Channel 8 News report on Hurricane Ida preparations
  • Lots of Field Day Stations and Field Day home stations
  • City of Norman National Night Out demonstration station
  • Westheimer Airport Open House demonstration station
  • NIGHT, the movie – we assisted with a feature movie short
  • ARISS – AMSAT school communication – Tecumseh, OK – K5TMS
  • Emergency Preparedness – Norman Sooner Mall demonstration station
  • Full blown Elk City Hamfest
  • Full blown Enid Hamfest


And, all of this happened during the international pandemic. Next year should allow even more activities.

Summary Numbers


This year in the state of Oklahoma, we welcomed 394 new Technicians, 137 upgraded licensees, and 413 new ARRL Members. This resulted in an increase in ARRL Membership of 87 (+5.1%), to over 1,800. We recently added three new clubs that will be detailed soon!

1,051 postcards were sent to the new hams, upgraded hams, and new ARRL members.

There are currently 832 ARES Oklahoma members.

— See you next year!!!

ARRL Oklahoma is On The Web

JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW —  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de N5HZR — Stand by, more follows…

Friday, December 10, 2021

SM016 – CQ HO HO Talk-In de W5HTK

The Enid Amateur Radio Club (W5HTK) is one of the 39 ARRL Affiliated clubs based out of Garfield County in Northern Oklahoma. This year, club members are helping the City of Enid to welcome the world to Enid in celebration of the whopping 140’ tall, fresh-cut Christmas tree, “Christ Tree.” This tree is the world’s largest fresh-cut Christmas tree from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California. The tree is just south of the arena located at 301 S. Independence. More information about the tree and events around it are available at https://facebook.com/TheOneEnid.

As amateur radio operators you can contact the Santa W5HTK via the Special Event Station called the “Ho Ho Talk-in.” This will operate next Saturday on December 18th, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm central time. The W5HTK hams will take your contact information, and they will send you a historic QSL card with a picture of the “world’s tallest Christmas tree.” More information about the Special Event Station is available at https://enidarc.org/ho-ho-talkin

Operating Frequencies

  • EchoLink — 255318 N5UBY-R
  • 2 Meters — 145.290 FM
  • 40 Meters — 7.195 to 7.220 LSB
  • 40 Meters — 7.140 to 7.150 CW
  • 60 Meters — 5330.5, 5346.5, 5347.0 and 5371.5-all upper wideband
  • 75 Meters — 3.845 to 3.900

Talk With Santa

If you make a contact with Santa W5HTK, you will also be entered into a drawing for one of three ARRL gift certificates.

Get on the air, make a contact with Santa, get a Special Event Station QSL card, and you may win an ARRL gift certificate. And, tell all of your friends!!!

Clubs

Amateur radio clubs like the Enid Amateur Radio Club (EARC) https://enidarc.org/ are the backbone of the hobby. The tremendous local hams have good information, and as Elmers or mentors they love to share it. Send something that your club is doing well to me n5hzr@arrl.org, and I’ll feature your club in this newsletter, and on the ARRL club newsletter. Most clubs are seeing an increase in new member activity recently. Our Oklahoma Affiliated Club Coordinator, Jim Shideler W5JCS, can help you find a club or help your club become affiliated. We currently have 39 clubs listed at http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/. Look for a club near you, or verify that your club is on the list. Send Jim an email at W5JCS@arrl.net if you need club assistance.

ARRL Oklahoma is On The Web

OK.ARRL.ORG — http://ok.arrl.org/

ARESOK —  https://aresok.org/

ARRL.org —  http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/oklahoma

Blogspot —  http://arrlok.blogspot.com/

Facebook —  https://www.facebook.com/arrloklahoma

Twitter —  https://twitter.com/arrl_OK/

ARRL Member Emails —  https://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#!/edit-info-email_subscriptions

JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW —  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de N5HZR — Stand by, more follows…


Saturday, November 13, 2021

SM015 - Ham Scholarships Available

Each year the ARRL Foundation awards scholarships to deserving amateur radio operators from the funds that they manage. West Gulf Division’s own Dr. David Woolweaver K5RAV, President of the ARRL Foundation, says that they issued $550,000 in scholarships last year. He said, “this year, through a generous contribution from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, Inc. (ARDC), they will be issuing 130 scholarships totaling $900,000!” There are twenty $25,000 scholarships, four $15,000, seventeen $10,000 scholarships, nine $5,000 scholarships as well as dozens of $1,000 and $500 scholarships. 

Now is the time to act for and Senior in High School or any college student returning next fall. The ARRL Foundation Scholarship application period for the academic year 2022-2023 opens on November 1st and ends on December 31st, 2021. Do this NOW, before the holiday season gets too hectic.

The descriptions of the many scholarships available are online.
http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions

It is also effortless to apply as the scholarship application is online.
http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-application

Since only amateur radio operator students may apply, the chances of being selected for a scholarship are good. It would be a shame for our Oklahoma students to miss this opportunity.

Since 1973, the ARRL Foundation, with the generosity of many donors and the hard work of a long line of dedicated Foundation Directors, has positively impacted the lives of many young amateur radio operator students. Being awarded an ARRL Foundation scholarship could mean the difference in whether a student can pursue their education in 2022-2023 or not.

Make sure every amateur radio operator student in your area knows this is available, and start that application process TODAY!

Clubs

Amateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby. The tremendous local hams have good information, and as Elmers or mentors love to share it. Send something that your club is doing well to me n5hzr@arrl.org, and I’ll feature your club in this newsletter. Most clubs have seen an increase in new member activity during the pandemic. Our Oklahoma Affiliated Club Coordinator, Jim Shideler W5JCS, can help you find a club or help your club become affiliated. We currently have 38 clubs listed at http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/. Look for a club near you, or verify that your club is on the list. Send Jim an email at W5JCS@arrl.net if you need club assistance.

You can find ARRL Oklahoma Section all over the web at:

OK.ARRL.ORG — http://ok.arrl.org/
ARESOK —  https://aresok.org/
ARRL.org —  http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/oklahoma
Blogspot —  http://arrlok.blogspot.com/
Facebook —  https://www.facebook.com/arrloklahoma
Twitter —  https://twitter.com/arrl_OK/
ARRL Member Emails —  https://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#!/edit-info-email_subscriptions

JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW —  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de N5HZR — Stand by, more follows…

Sunday, November 7, 2021

SM014 – Clubs, Clubs, Clubs, Clubs, Clubs, and Clubs

 

Amateur radio clubs are the lifeblood of the hobby. You know it, I know it, and now ARRL headquarters knows it. In this issue, we talk about everything club related, including a national ARRL Foundation club funding initiative that was announced here in Oklahoma at the Enid Hamfest for the VERY first time!!!!!!!! If you’re not in a club, find-a-club  http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/, make a club by contacting Jim Shideler  mailto:W5JCS@arrl.net, get your club affiliated with ARRL by contacting Mark Kleine  mailto:N5HZR@arrl.org, and document past club activities by sharing with ARRL HQ at  mailto:clubs@arrl.org.  

Clubs: ARRL Club Funding

West Gulf Division Director John Stratton N5AUS announced, for the first time, at the ARRL forum during the Enid hamfest on Saturday that the ARRL Foundation would be making about $500,000 available for grants to ARRL affiliated clubs. Clubs would be able to write proposals to receive grant funding to help with their region’s projects, programs, and activities. The current timeline is to have an online proposal system up and running in the March 2022 timeframe. This will not be a “first come, first served” program. ARRL clubs will upload their project request, and the foundation will select proposals based on the submitted program information. So, start a club; get your club affiliated, and have a proposal ready when the project opens in about six months.

Clubs: ARRL Affiliation

Our Oklahoma Affiliated Club Coordinator, Jim Shideler W5JCS, can help you find a club, start a club, or help your club become affiliated. We currently have 38 clubs listed at  http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/. Look for a club near you, or verify that your club is on the list. Send Jim an email at W5JCS@arrl.net if you need club assistance. Start the progress now, so your club is eligible for the newly announced club funding initiative.

Clubs: Enid Hamfest

One of the great things that clubs get to do is invite the world to their area by hosting a hamfest. This weekend the Enid Amateur Radio Club W5HTK held their annual hamfest. West Gulf Division Director John Stratton N5AUS made the trip to talk about the many significant changes happening at ARRL Headquarters. About 300 hams and potential hams visited the Hoover building to watch forums, meet with fellow hams, buy and sell radio gear, eat hot dogs, hamburgers, or tacos, and discuss radios, antennas, and a whole lot more. The flea market tables sold out in early October, and there were vendors from Kansas and Oklahoma. Congratulations to the Enid Amateur Radio Club for a job well done. Many thanks to Jim WA5ZBW, James KI5OEB, and Bill W5EIY, and the whole crew for their efforts. They passed out flyers that advertised the 2022 event. Mark your calendars for November 5th, 2022, at a larger, better location in downtown Enid! See you there!

Clubs: Club Testimonial

I saw the following announcement on Facebook, and it reminded me of my first Ham Club Meeting experience in 1985. It occurred to me that most of us have had this experience, and we need to make sure the new folks get the same chance. So, for you experienced hams, when you see someone new at a club event, track them down and say “Hello.” 

For the new folks in the hobby, listen to Harold Scoggins K5HES…

ADVICE FOR NEW HAMS…LIKE ME

Find a local club and join! I attended my very first Ham Radio Club meeting tonight and I can’t wait for the next one. I knew I had found a home when one member after another came up to greet me. Being the new kid, I sat quietly as the club president went down the agenda and other members added their input. However, as I sat there and looked around the room, I realized that there must have been over 500 years of radio experience around me. Classes prepared me to pass the test and manuals helped me set up my radio, but this is where I’m going to receive a real education in Ham Radio, in the trenches from operators who have earned their stripes over many years. As I was driving home I realized that not only am I going to gain valuable radio knowledge, but I have also made some new friends. Don’t sit around after you pass your test and wonder why you got into this hobby. Take the next step and join a club, you will not regret it. I am the newest member of the Lawton Fort Sill Amateur Radio Club.

Clubs: Club Activity

This time of year always seems to be brimming with club activities. Walks, runs, bike events, scouting events, picnics, and demonstrations have popped up on Facebook, Twitter, and club newsletters. In the past few months, I’ve seen activities from all around the state. The ARRL is reviving the ARRL Club Newsletter and would like to hear stories from clubs about recent activities. And, since Oklahoma has so many active clubs, I would like to showcase these activities to the rest of the country. So, look back at the last few months, find a picture of some recent events, write up some details of what happened, and send that to clubs@arrl.org. (Don’t forget to CC your favorite OK Section manager at n5hzr@arrl.org.) Then, wait for the club newsletter to appear in your email inbox!!!

Clubs: Club Analysis Tool

The Oklahoma Section wants to help amateur radio clubs and members to review their operations, document their efforts, and share their responses. Clubs in Oklahoma are very diverse, and a club in the panhandle will have very different needs than one in Edmond, Tulsa, or McAlester. However, we have many things in common, and we would like to help you and your club document its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. To help with this effort, I have created a Club Analysis Tool that leaders, members, and others can use to input these concepts on the ARES website at  http://ok.arrl.org/clubtool/. Then, Affiliated Club Coordinator Jim Shideler W5JCS and I will work to share your successes, fulfill your needs, take advantage of your opportunities, and plan to work around your threats. You don’t need to log in or create an account. All input is anonymous. So, give your responses today.

You can find ARRL Oklahoma Section all over the web at:

ARESOK —  https://aresok.org/
OK.ARRL.ORG — http://ok.arrl.org/
ARRL.org —  http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/oklahoma
Blogspot —  http://arrlok.blogspot.com/
Twitter —  https://twitter.com/arrl_OK/
ARRL Member Emails —  https://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#!/edit-info-email_subscriptions
JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW —  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de N5HZR — Stand by, more follows…

Sunday, October 31, 2021

[ARRL-OK] FOR SALE: New RTS Programming Cables

Recently I could not find my RTS programming cables
and ordered some new ones. Today I located my "old"
cables and therefore offer for sale brand new and still
in twist ties at $25 each (new $30 plus shipping and tax)
the USB-RTS01 and USB-29A.

These are both for Icom radios. The USB-29A is for
IC-2720, IC-2730, IC-2820, and many other Icom
mobile VHF and UHF rigs. The USB-RTS01 is for
the IC-706 Mk II, IC-7000, IC-746/746Pro, and
IC-756/756Pro (and maybe others).

Shipping NOT included.

73 - Mac, K2GKK/5
Since 30 Nov 1953
Oklahoma City, OK
USAF (Retired) 61-81
FAA (Retired) 94-10

Cell 405-642-7337

______________________________________________________
___________________ Information __________________________

http://arrlok.blogspot.com/ is the Section Blog
http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/oklahoma is the Section Page at ARRL

_________________________________


This list is for the discussion of topics relating to amateur radio in the ARRL Oklahoma Section. Anyone is welcome to post to the list. It was set up in order to improve communication between the section leaders and members.



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SM013 - Enid Hamfest

Enid Hamfest 2021

Enid Hamfest

Hamfests are just starting to open back up after a year off, and next Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, is the Enid hamfest. This hamfest has vendors from Oklahoma and Kansas and usually has lots of folks with small pieces, parts, and radio/building goodies. This year there are many great forums to visit, as well. In addition, ARRL Division Director John Stratton N5AUS will be here, and Bob Heil K9EID will be joining the OK DX forum via Zoom. Current information is available at https://enidarc.squarespace.com/enidhamfest

Location

Hoover Building, 300 E. Oxford Ave., Enid, OK, Garfield County Fairgrounds

Talk-in

145.290 (-) No PL W5HTK

444.825 (+) No PL N5LWT (Echolink N5UBY)

ADMISSION is $5. This also enters you into the drawing and a free hot dog lunch.

PRIZE DRAWINGS

Kenwood TM-V71A, Baofeng Handhelds, and more

Extra tickets, $3 each, or five for $10.

Hourly drawings of HAM radio things starting at 09:00

Grand prize drawings at 14:00L.

Club members and non-members are eligible winners

  • No restriction on winnings per person

PROGRAMS

09:00 – ARRL Information and Update

09:30 – Sandy Evans, N5JRT, OK Rehab. Services: Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

10:00 – David Locke, KC5SII, Raspberry Pi and Digital Radio usage

10:30 – Bob Heil, K9EID, ‘Sound Talk’ via Zoom

Lunch from 11:00 through 13:00. there will be no programs from Noon until 1300

13:00 – License Testing – ($14) VEs available for FCC Technician, General, and Amateur Extra testing. Technicians will be entered into a drawing. Only Techs who test during this VE session and pass will be entered into BaoFeng drawing.

14:00 – Grand Prize Drawing – Kenwood TM-V71A VHF/UHF Dual Band mobile radio will be announced.

14:30 – Tyler Flaherty, KI5BUS, Rocketry launch, recovery, and Amateur Radio

15:00 – Jeff Worth, N5UBY , EchoLink and Amateur Radio

Current Vendors and Contributors:

Radio Shack – Derby, Kansas

The Wireman – Oklahoma City, OK

The Quilt Lady – Liz Barker

D&L Antennas – Les – Fort Scott, KS

TABLE POLICIES

Tables are $5.00 per table. To reserve tables, call Bill Nokes, W5EIY, at 580-716-4788 or email him at nokes3139@gmail.com.

Pre-reserved vendor rooms are not refundable if not used.

FOOD 

Mr. B’s Rolling Grill – Hotdogs, chips, & a drink come free with Paid Admission. Also available are many items like hamburgers, tacos, and pulled pork, etc., which are available for purchase.

Free Coffee Bar and Donuts tips and donations appreciated

ARRL SANCTIONED EVENT Oklahoma Section Convention

Clubs

Amateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby. The tremendous local hams have good information, and as Elmers or mentors love to share it. Send something that your club is doing well to me n5hzr@arrl.org, and I’ll feature your club in this newsletter. Most clubs have seen an increase in new member activity during the pandemic. Our Oklahoma Affiliated Club Coordinator, Jim Shideler W5JCS, can help you find a club or help your club become affiliated. We currently have 38 clubs listed at https://aresok.org/clubs. Look for a club near you, or verify that your club is on the list. Send Jim an email at W5JCS@arrl.net if you need club assistance.

You can find ARRL Oklahoma Section all over the web at:

ARESOK —  https://aresok.org/

ARRL.org —  http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/oklahoma

Blogspot —  http://arrlok.blogspot.com/

Facebook —  https://www.facebook.com/arrloklahoma

Twitter —  https://twitter.com/arrl_OK/

ARRL Member Emails —  https://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#!/edit-info-email_subscriptions

JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW —  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de N5HZR — Stand by, more follows…

News from the American Radio Relay League