The WTARS Rag-Chew

2010 Bagels & Bluegrass Event

2010-10-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour

October 16, 2010

The Bagels and Bluegrass Ride across Southwest Tennessee is a bicycle ride featuring Southwest Tennessee’s State Parks and scenic roads. The 100 mile route has a total climb of greater than 2,000 feet. The ride begins with a breakfast of bagels at the staging area located at Jackson State Community College, on the corner of State Highway 412 (Parkway) and US 70 in Jackson, Tennessee. Featured stops include Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Area, the largest Middle Woodland Indian Complex in the Southeast, consisting of at least 15 earthen mounds; and Chickasaw State Park, near Henderson, Tennessee. End the day with dinner at the college.

WTARS has provided communication services for this event for many years. It is a challenge to keep track of 100+ bicyclists covering four different routes ... especially when the riders decide to change routes sometimes at will. Nevertheless, it is always fun and is a good practical exercise for our amateur radio operators.

This year, the following operators participated in the communications part of the event:

Chris Wray - KD4MPN
Chris Brazzell - KFRWNB
Gary Griffin - KI4UXO
Mike Winslow - N4GMW (Harley-Davidson Mobile)
Randy & Sharon Bennett - W4RFB
Jimmy Owen - W4JHO
Stephen & Rebecca Vandiver - KJ4TRB
Greg Flannagan - N4GMF
Tom Goodman - AI4DB

Many thanks to these amateur radio operators for their professionalism and proficiency in the art of Ham Radio!

A special thanks to the Boy Scouts of Henderson Troop 25 for their assistance at the Pinson Mounds station. They did an outstanding job of recording rider numbers as they passed through the park.

G. Michael Winslow - N4GMW

2010-04-08T16:44:00.001-07:00

The Casey Jones Day Special Event Amateur Radio Station

Hosted by

West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society

WTARS

May 1, 2010

The West Tennessee Radio Society will be operating a Special Event Amateur Radio Station (WF4Q) from the Casey Jones Museum located in the Casey Jones Village US Hwy 45 By-Pass & I-40 in Jackson, TN on May 1, 2010 from 10:00 am till 4:30 PM (CST).

Listen on 40 Meters (7.235) / 20 Meters (14.255) / 15 Meters (21.305)

Custom QSL Cards will be mailed to all contacts we can identify.

Come join the fun! Tour the Casey Jones Museum

Special thanks to Lawrence Taylor, Director – Casey Jones Museum

Notes from the February 2010 WTARS Meeting

2010-02-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

Hello WTARS Members:

Thanks to all who were able to attend the February Monthly Business Meeting of the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society to show your support and be involved in the activities of your club. We had a great turnout and it was great to see each and every one of you.

For those who were unable to attend the meeting this past Thursday, here are a few notes to get you caught up on WTARS activities.

Several events and functions were proposed for the 2010 year and were approved and sanctioned WTARS events. They are as follows:

May 1, 2010 - Casey Jones Special Event Station - Casey Jones Museum - Jackson, TN

April 17, 2010 - The Andrew Jackson Marathon - Union University - Jackson, TN

June 25 - 27, 2010 - ARRL / WTARS Annual Field Day - Brown's United Methodist Church - Jackson, TN

October 2, 2010 - Bagels & Bluegrass Bicycle Marathon - Jackson State Community College - Jackson, TN

October 9, 2010 - WTARS BBQ - Residence and compound of G. Michael Winslow, N4GMW - 626 Hwy 412 E, Jackson, TN. BBQ will be provided, everybody bring a dish and drinks.

Please put these dates on your calendar and plan to come and participate and have fun. Other events can be added as opportunities arise, so if you have something you would like to propose to the club, please come to a meeting and present it to us all.

At this meeting, Chris Brazzell presented a project to WTARS for March of 2011. Chris proposed that WTARS host a regional ham fest to be called the Hub City Ham Fest. Ideas were discussed and there was enough interest to establish a Ham Fest Committee chaired by Chris to further explore the feasibility of WTARS organizing and hosting an event of this type. If we can, we hope it would become one of the best in the Mid-South in a few years while generating a recurring stream of badly needed income into the club treasury. Chris and his committee are to report more detailed information to the Club at the March 4th 2010 meeting. Be sure to attend and give us your input so we can decide whether or not to move forward with this project. It is one of such scope that everyone will be needed and have a role.

The Executive Committee, consisting of:

Mike Winslow, President
Chris Wray - Vice President
Tom Goodman - Secretary
Phillip Julian - Treasurer
are receiving comments and input on the revision of the WTARS By-Laws. If you have comments or concerns you would like addressed, please submit them, in writing, to Mike Winslow at gmwinslo@bellsouth.net

We all look forward to an exciting and rewarding year ahead and we need your attendance and involvement to make it so.

G. Michael Winslow
WTARS President 2010

WTARS Meeting Rescheduled to Jan 21st, 2010

2010-01-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

Due to a potential winter storm with blowing and drifting snow and dangerous temps, we have re-scheduled our January monthly WTARS meeting to Thrusday January 21, 2010 at the same place, JSCC Tech Center at 7:00 pm.

The February meeting will be the regular date and time (1st Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm).

This was done out of an abundance of caution. What business that needs to be transacted can wait a couple of weeks.

Thanks & 73,
GMWinslow - N4GMW

It Seems to Us: Not an Emergency Radio Service?

2010-01-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

Editorial from QST Jan 1 2010

By David Sumner, K1ZZ
ARRL Chief Executive Officer

January 01, 2010

The FCC raised a few eyebrows by including the following sentence in its Public Notice DA 09-2259 (see page 72, this issue): "While the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communications service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications, is one of the underlying principles of the amateur service, the amateur service is not an emergency radio service [emphasis added]."

We might take umbrage at that, but the fact is that you'd be hard pressed to find a definition for "emergency radio service" -- or any other radio service that would qualify as one. The ITU Radio Regulations make no use of the term; rather, the ITU defines "safety service" as "Any radiocommunication service used permanently or temporarily for the safeguarding of human life and property" and offers radionavigation and other safety services a bit of extra protection against harmful interference. The ITU recognizes that a wide variety of radio services including the amateur and amateur-satellite services play a role in public protection and disaster relief (PPDR).

Even the FCC itself no longer uses the term "emergency radio service." There was once a Special Emergency Radio Service (SERS) but it disappeared a decade ago in a consolidation of Private Land Mobile Radio services. SERS spectrum is now part of the Public Safety Pool.

So, let's not waste a lot of energy worrying about what the FCC thinks we are not. Like many other radio services, the amateur service sometimes provides emergency communications. That's not our day-in, day-out function, but neither is it the daily function of any other radio service that's defined in the FCC rules. The point that the FCC presumably was trying to make is that we are not just an emergency radio service. We have a much broader mission as "a voluntary, non-commercial communication service authorized for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by licensed persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest." Our "self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations" are what create our value to the public. That value doesn't come from our licenses; it comes from the knowledge we have acquired, the skills we have developed, and the stations we have constructed in pursuit of our "personal aims" in the field of radiocommunication.

The result is a radio service that is uniquely equipped to serve in emergencies. If we're not an "emergency radio service" it is only because we are so much more.

Watch the Band Edges!

Following the relocation of most broadcasting stations from the 7100-7200 kHz band there has been a significant increase in DX activity by US amateurs on 40 meter phone. Judging from what we're hearing and what others are reporting from around the country, a reminder about band edges is in order.

When in SSB mode, most transceivers display the frequency of the suppressed carrier. This can be a bit confusing, because ideally your station isn't emitting any energy at all on that frequency. All of your transmitter power is going into the voice passband that extends roughly from 300 to 3000 Hz on one side or the other of that frequency.

The bottom edge of the US phone band for Amateur Extra and Advanced licensees is 7125 kHz. Without getting into hair-splitting debates about how wide your SSB signal might be compared to others, if you're operating on lower sideband (LSB) with a carrier frequency below 7128 kHz you're out of the band because some of your transmitter power is below 7125 kHz. For General licensees the band edge is 7175 kHz, so the lowest carrier frequency a General can use on LSB is 7178 kHz. At the top edge, as long as you're on LSB the situation is different; if you're confident that your opposite sideband and carrier suppression are up to snuff you can snuggle up to the band edge of 7300 kHz.

Two other bands where "falling off the edge" is too common an occurrence are 20 and 17 meters, and here -- because upper sideband (USB) is the norm on these bands -- the problem occurs at the top end. Carrier frequencies above 14,347 kHz and 18,165 kHz respectively are verboten. On these bands the lower band edge is not generally a problem because on USB, the carrier and lower sideband are suppressed.

As station licensees and control operators we are responsible for the proper operation of our stations. If a DX Cluster spot lures us out of the US phone band that's our fault, not the spotter's. If a DX station is on 18,160 kHz and is listening "5 to 10 up" it's our fault, not his, if we go up more than 5. And as long as we're talking about 17 meters -- a great band, by the way -- US amateurs must remember that RTTY and data modes are not allowed above 18,110 kHz, even if a RTTY DX pileup extends above that frequency. And remember, too, that if you're generating a RTTY or data signal by injecting audio into an SSB transmitter your actual operating frequency is different from what's shown on your display. How much different? Only you and your software know for sure!

WTARS Makes ARRL Newsletter

2009-12-18T03:02:00.000-08:00

ARRL Club Newsletter

December 18, 2009
_________________________________________________________

Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Editor

IN THIS ISSUE:

+ WTARS Helps a Member Return To Airwaves Dayton

____________________________________________________________

WTARS Helps a Member Return To Airwaves

By Lee Towater, KF4NZV

E-mail: kf4nzv@arrl.net

The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society < www.wtars.org > is pleased

to announce the return of Gary King, W4WKZ, to the amateur radio

waves. Gary, who is legally blind, has been off the radio for almost

two years. Gary had been a very active part of the amateur radio

community. He was an active participant in the daily weather

reporting of conditions from his home in Medon, TN to the National

Weather Service in Memphis, TN. He has not been able to make reports

via ham radio due to damage to his antenna system nearly two years

ago.

The story began back in November 2008 when a long time friend, Bob

Alper, W6KT, came to visit Gary. He noticed the damage to Gary's 60

foot tower and antenna array. Gary, not being able to make the

repairs himself, was left with no way to use his ham radio equipment.

Bob quickly got in contact with Philip Julian, KG4NVN, the treasurer

of West Tennessee Amateur Society (WTARS) here in Jackson. Bob and

Philip worked together to make a plan for repairing Gary's tower and

antenna system.

During the summer heat of July 2009, a group of WTARS members

assembled at Gary's home to begin the repair project. The group mixed

and poured more than 880 pounds of concrete, by hand in a 5 gallon

bucket, to make a new base for the existing tower. During the next

four months a new antenna system and other tower installation items

were purchased.

On December 5, 2009, the group reassembled at Gary's home to

complete the repairs. Philip, KG4NVN, contacted local crane owner and

operator Randy Rushing of Rushing's Crane Service. Randy happily

agreed to bring his equipment out for the installation of the new

antennas. All of Randy's expenses were donated to the project which

helped tremendously due to the fact WTARS was operating basically on

a $0 budget for this project. Randy is known throughout the community

for his willingness to serve others during local emergencies and

disasters. Randy is a part of the Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry.

The group installed a Diamond X50 dual band vertical. This antenna

will give Gary the coverage he needs to reach the local repeaters and

ample simplex coverage. They also installed a home brew HF multi-band

wire antenna built by Randy Bennett, W4RFB. The wire antenna was

installed on a pulley system allowing for easy lowering and raising,

eliminating the need to climb the tower, to tune or make adjustments

as needed.

At the end of the day Gary was back on the air. WTARS has given

Gary back the joys he once had in the amateur radio hobby. WTARS

would like to give a special thanks to Philip Julian, KG4NVN, for

taking the lead on this project. Philip spent a countless number of

hours in preparation for this project. We also give a special thanks

to Randy Rushing of Rushing's Crane Service in Jackson, TN for

providing the bucket crane to complete the installation.

-----

From the Editor: The WTARS example above shows what a dedicated club

can do to assist fellow members and Hams. Even a quick, visual

inspection of an antenna system can save life and property. Maybe

there are hams around your club who could greatly benefit from simple

assistance so that they may fully enjoy all that Ham Radio has to

offer?

The Gary King (W4WKZ) Antenna Project

2009-12-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

On December 5th, 2009 members of the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society completed a community service project to assist a fellow Ham, disabled by blindness, repair his aging tower and replace the damagaed antenna array with new equipment.

Gary King (W4WKZ) has been a long-time Ham Radio operator in the Medon, Tennessee area. The past few year's storms had severly damaged his antenna array which consisted of double 11 element two-meter beams and a Mosely, Jr. three element beam. The tower was in poor repair, with the base of the Rohm 25 rusted off at the ground. As it was, his station was unusable.

The frist step of the project was to secure the base of the tower and guide-wires so the old array could be removed. You can see from the photo what sad shape is was in.

To the secure the base of the tower, without having to drop it and start from scratch by digging a new foundation and re-assembling the structure, it was decided to pour a concrete base over the exisitng footing and brace the tower using 2-inch pipe as shown. Now picture a bunch of middle-aged Hams in the heat of summer (90's +), cardiac prospects all, mixing and pouring a base approx one foot thick in a 6' X 6' x 6' triangle. By the way, the mixing and pouring (11 bags 80 lb bags of concrete) was done with a 5 gallon bucket, a hoe, and garden hose. A sight to behold, indeed!

After the base dried and cured, an inspection of the tower was made and it was determined, that although much more stable than before, was still in questionalbe shaple to climb. Therefore plans were made to secure a bucket truck to remove the old array and install the new antennas.

Randy Rushing of Rushing Crane of Jackson, Tennessee and Andy Russell - KJ4CLS, kindly donated the use of a extended boom bucket truck for all the aerial work. We are very grateful for thier help for we could not have completed this project without them.

In order to reduce the possibility of ever having to go back up that tower, the two-meter beams were replace with a Diamond dual band vertical which will cover the area that Gary would like. At a heght of about 60 feet, this was accomplised.

The HF tri-element (which was missing an element) was replaced with a multi-band di-pole wire antenna built by Randy Bennett (W4RFB). This was attached via a pulley system to allow the lowering and raising of the the antenna, without climbing, for repair and tuning. Gary does not have an antenna tuner.

At the end of the day, all was installed and the W4WKZ station was once again operational and is now providing hours of Ham Radio pleasure to and old Ham who missed the hobby and unable to repair the damage himself.

Thanks to all participants in this project. This list is long and I am afraid that I would accidently leave someone out. Nevertheless, I would like to say a special thanks to Phillip Julian - KG4NVN - who conceived, planned, largely funded, and brought this project to fruition, once again confiming the fact that Hams as some of the best people you will ever meet.

WTARS 2010 Vision and Direction

2009-11-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

As President-Elect of the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society, I would like to take this opportunity to communicate to you, the West Tennessee ham radio community, the vision and direction for 2010 of the area’s oldest amateur radio club.

The hobby and craft of amateur radio is very diverse and has a plethora of opportunities to indulge in just about any method of the art of communication. From venerable modes such as Morse Code (CW) to the latest in cutting edge technologies with the fusion of digital computer & internet based modes of operation. From practitioner to theoretician to tinkerer, the hobby can sate the most voracious appetite for enjoyment and pursuit of knowledge.

The 2010 Vision for the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society is to offer ample opportunities for fun, fellowship, public service and education to the West Tennessee amateur radio community.

To achieve this vision, your officers and appointed chairpersons have outlined a plan of action for the 2010 calendar year. This plan is a ‘work in progress’ and is flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities that may avail themselves. Your input is important and is welcomed. This is YOUR club! However, a starting point is needed and is represented by this plan compiled by your elected club representatives and chairperson appointed by me, your president-elect. I have the greatest confidence in these people to serve WTARS in an exemplary fashion:

2010 Officers for The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society:

G. Michael Winslow (N4GMW) - President

Chris Wary (KD4MPN) - Vice-President

Tom Goodman (AI4DB) - Secretary

Phillip Julian (KD4NVN) – Treasurer

Appointed Chairpersons:

Chris Wry (KD4NMPN) – Program Chairman – ARES/RACES Liaison (EC)

Tom Goodman (AI4DB) – Contest & Special Event Chairman

Randy Bennett (W4RFB) – Equipment / Repeater Chairman

Greg Flanagan (N4GMF)– Non-Governmental Organization Liaison

Chris Brazzell (KF4WNB) – Governmental Emergency Services Liaison

Jimmy Owen (W4JHO) – Official WTARS Photographer

Marty Amick (KJ4CVU) – Area Amateur Radio Club Liaison

The positions of Public Information Officer and Field Day Chairman are still open. If interested in serving your club in any one of these capacities, please contact Mike Winslow (N4GMW), President (gmwinslo@bellsouth.net).

The planning process is underway for the following events and activities for WTARS for the 2010 calendar year:

1. Special Event Station – Casey Jones Museum – May 1, 2010

2. Field Day 2010 – June 26-27, 2010 – a change of venue is proposed and facilities are reserved. Brown’s United Methodist Church has a very nice pavilion (with electricity) and grounds available for use. The location is on McLeary Road (just off Hwy 412 E) about 6 miles east of Jackson. It is the feeling that this location will foster more public visitation with easier access.

3. Tennessee QSO Party and cookout – October 9, 2010 – The N4GMW Compound.

4. Boy Scout Jamboree On The Air – usually the 2nd weekend in October. Planning in process with West Tennessee Area Council of BSA.

5. Civil War Historical Special Event Station(s) – possibilities include: Parker’s Crossroad Re-enactment event; Britton Lane Re-enactment event; Shiloh National Battlefield Re-enactment event. Date(s) to be announced.

6. Area Ham Club Fox Hunt Competition – area ham clubs will be invited to field a Fox Hunt team to compete with other club teams in a Fox Hunt. A cookout can follow the event to foster closer relations with other ham clubs.

7. A continuing outreach program to other area amateur radio clubs to foster cooperation for the benefit of amateur radio for all. This will involve extending invitations to other clubs to participate in our events and to endeavor to visit their meetings and events.

Vice-President-Elect Chris Wray is working hard to arrange interesting and educational programs for our regular club meetings. Some suggestions include:

1. A PSK- Demo / Practical ‘How To’ to set up a station and get started.

2. An antenna building work session (possibly at my shop) to learn, hands on, how to design, cut and build an HF wire antenna and/or 2 meter j-pole.

Other suggestions are welcomed and needed. Please contact Chris Wray (KD4MPN) on the air or at (kd4mpn@gmail.com).

We look forward to an enjoyable and productive year for the enrichment of West Tennessee ham radio operators and the craft as a whole.

73,

G. Michael Winslow, President-Elect

WTARS

November WTARS Meeting

2009-11-06T11:20:00.001-08:00

The monthly meeting of the West Tennessee Amateur Radio society (WTARS), met at 7 pm at Jackson State Community College on Nov 5, 2009.

The attendees enjoyed seeing other Hams at the meeting and were informed by an interesting presentation by John Smith (K9KA) of Lexington, TN on computer defined radios. He discussed the theory behind this technology and demonstrated the interface between a radio he built from a kit and a laptop computer using free software to tune to and receive radio transmissions.

In other business, election of 2010 WTARS officers was done by acclimation of the slate presented by the nominating committee presented at the October meeting as no additional nominees from the floor were presented.

2010 Officers for The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society:

G. Michael Winslow (N4GMW) - President
Chris Wary (KD4MPN) - Vice-President
Tom Goodman (AI4DB) - Secretary
Phillip Julian (KD4NVN) - Treasurer

The December meeting will be held on December 3, 2009 and is the year-end Eatin' Meetin' and will be held at Cajun Cookers in Three Way.

November 2009 WTARS Meeting

2009-10-27T05:23:00.001-07:00

The November meeting for the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society will be Thursday, Nov. 5th at 7:00 p.m. at Jackson State. The program will be presented by John, K9KA, of Lexington on Software Defined Radio. The club will also be electing officers for the coming year at this meeting.

The slate of officers presented and accepted at the October meeting are as follows:

President- Mike Winslow, N4GMW
Vice-president- Chris Wray, KD4MPN
Secretary- Tom Goodman, AI4DB
Treasurer- Phillip Julian, KG4NVN

Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the meeting.
The December meeting will, as usual, be an eating meeting. So be thinking of a place in Jackson you would like to eat. There will be a poll coming soon.

Thanks and 73,

David, N4JDN

__._,_.___

Three People Killed While Erecting Antenna

2009-10-20T03:48:00.001-07:00

A man, woman and their 15 year old son were killed while trying to erect a 50 foot vertical antenna at the home of the man's mother, Barbara Tenn, KJ4KFF, in Palm Bay, Florida. The deceased were not licensed amateurs.

"It happened in an instant," Palm Bay Fire Marshal Mike Couture said in a statement. "It is an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to the most tragic result."

According to police reports, Melville Braham, 55, Anna Braham, 49, and their 15 year old son Anthony were putting up an antenna -- Tenn's second -- at night when they lost control of the antenna and it crashed into nearby overhead power lines. The impact sent 13,000 volts of electricity through the pole the three were holding. A family friend, a 17 year old boy, was on the roof at the time of the accident. He and the couple's daughter, who was in the house at the time, were not injured.

The mother was pronounced dead at the scene. When paramedics arrived, the father and son were not breathing; rescue crews immediately tried to resuscitate them. They were transported to a hospital where they later died.

Neighbor Jim Vallindingham told television station WFTV that he called 911 when he saw the fire in the back yard and then he ran over: "I had no idea it was electrical until we got over there and saw the three people laying on the ground. So I called 911 a second time to tell them there were casualties. You know, there were people on the ground. So [the 911 operator] told me that's electric, you back away don't touch anything."

Couture said that night was not the best time to be attempting to put up an antenna. "It wasn't the best time, meaning it was night time. Obviously, in darkness, and trying to do something like this and not being keenly aware of where the power line is in the backyard, [was not a good idea]," he said.

Neighbors said that Tenn, an ARRL member, used Amateur Radio to talk with her family in Jamaica. -- ARRL Letter

2009-10-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

Jackson Lodge #45 Pancake Breakfast

All-You-Can-Eat

$5 Donation

October 31st, 2009

6:30 am – 9:30 am

Jackson Lodge #45

2911 Hwy 45 By-Pass

Jackson, TN 38308

In support of the

Wounded Warrior Project

Successful Bagels & Bluegrass Event

2009-10-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who participated in the 2009 Bagels & Bluegrass Century Tour event held last Saturday, Oct 3, 2009.

As in the past, WTARS ham radio operators provided communication services along the 100+ mile route covered by bicyclists in the event. Rider's numbers were recorded at each water stop along the way and relayed to the Net Control operator located at Tour HQ at Jackson State Community College.

Tour officials consider our services a valuable part of the annual operations. The efforts and skills of WTARS enables officials to keep track of the progress of the ride in real time and to alert them of any rider that may need assistance.

Once again, WTARS members have displayed and utilized their skills for the good of the hobby and the community.

Bagels & Bluegrass 2009 Event

2009-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to everyone that The Bagels-n-Bluegrass Ride is coming up this Saturday October 3^rdbeginning at 8:00am.

As discussed at the last ARES/RACES meeting these are the assignments:

COM Trailer-Chris KD4MPN and Lee KF4NZV,

Deep Gap- Frank KJ4ETV,

Pinson Mounds-Mike N4GMW,

Hickory Corner-Randy W4RFB,

Chickasaw- Phillip KG4NVN and Mike N4GMW,

Malesus Park- Tom AI4DB and Greg N4GMF, and at the intersection

Parksburg and Bear Creek Roads -Jimmy W4JHO.

If there is anyone who was not at the last meeting that can help out please contact me at kd4mpn@gmail.com .I would like to get someone else if possible to help Frank at Deep Gap as that is a busy point and any extras can be floaters to relieve any others that might have to leave before the race is over. We will be using the 147.210 repeater primarily and the ARES/RACES simplex 147.42 as a talk around.

For Maps of Routes, go to the following link:

http://www.bagelsandbluegrass.tn.org/map.html

WTARS QSO Events

2009-09-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

Members of the West Tennessee Radio Society participated in QSO Events during the past two weeks. Last Sunday, Sept 6th, members of the group met at the N4GMW "Compound" and set up operations in his shop. At least three different transmitters were in operation on multiple bands. Several contacts were made but the event was interrupted for about an hour with a severe thunder-storm and the Skywarn Net was activated from the contest location. Weather information was sent and received and, luckily, no damage or injuries. Good times, good friends and good food.

Saturday, September 12, members of the group met at KF4WNB's radio shack to participate in the ARRL VHF/UFH QSO Party.

Tornado strikes Arkansas town, killing 3

2009-04-10T04:23:00.000-07:00

This could have happened here. Check and re-check your 72-hour kits and Jump-Kits. Review and practice your family safety plans. Be prepared!
_____________________________________________________________________

MENA, Ark. (AP) — A tornado struck a small Arkansas town Thursday night, killing three people, injuring at least 24 and seriously damaging about 100 homes.

Mena, near the Oklahoma state line, suffered a direct hit that destroyed at least 10 businesses, including city hall and two churches, Polk County emergency coordinator James Reeves said.

"One manufacturing plant is gone," he said. "It took a direct hit. It's no longer there."

The National Weather Service said a woman was injured at Shreveport, La., when a tree fell onto her car during a tornado. Twisters also damaged homes east of Vinita and near Muse in Oklahoma and at Crossett in far southern Arkansas, near the Louisiana line.

At Mena, one of the victims killed in the storm was found in a collapsed house, one in a Masonic lodge, and another was found in her front yard, he said. The identities of the two women and a man have not been released.

The 24 injured people were being treated at Mena Medical Center. The devastated downtown area was being protected by National Guard troops dispatched by Gov. Mike Beebe.

A curfew was in effect as emergency crews dealt with ruptured gas lines, downed power lines, fallen trees and heavily damaged buildings.

Reeves said he had never seen a storm like this hit the tornado-prone region.

"Not in my life time," he said. "The last tornado we had to hit the city of Mena was in November 1993. This time we had significant structures (hit)."

Officials described a chaotic scene Thursday night as the tornado struck, part of a line of severe storms that strafed parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

A state trooper in Mena called for assistance after his patrol car got stuck in the storm, pelted with debris and covered with power lines, state police spokesman Bill Sadler said.

"I'm in the middle of a tornado," Sadler said the trooper reported.

The National Weather Service reported that 3-inch diameter hail — forecasters described it as apple-sized — fell south of Mena just before the tornado hit downtown. Tornado damage was also reported at Ink, 5 miles east of Mena.

A twister damaged chicken houses in Howard County and another storm damaged an oil rig in Miller County, near the Louisiana and Texas state lines. At DeQueen, a number of mobile homes were damaged, according to Renee Preslar, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Emergency Management.

Violent thunderstorms moved quickly across southern Missouri, carrying large hail, winds up to 60 and 70 mph and reports of funnel clouds and tornadoes. There were no immediate reports of heavy damage. Scattered power outages were reported in several counties.

As the storms moved east, hail and high winds were reported in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. Power was out in many parts of the region.

EVE ! - Radio Amateurs bounce a signal off Venus

2009-03-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

Radio Amateurs have achieved the very first reception of amateur signals bounced off the planet Venus, over 50 million km away - EVE (Earth-Venus-Earth)

Peter Guelzow DB2OS, President of AMSAT-DL has provided a description of this landmark achievement.

On March 25th, 2009 a team from the German space organisation AMSAT-DL reached another milestone on its way to an own interplanetary probe towards planet Mars.

The ground station at the Bochum observatory transmitted radio signals to Venus. After travelling almost 100 million kilometers and a round trip delay of about 5 minutes, they were clearly received as echoes from the surface of Venus.

Receiving these planetary echoes is a first for Germany and Europe. In addition, this is the farthest distance crossed by radio amateurs, over 100 times further than echoes from the moon (EME reflections).

For receiving the EVE signals, an FFT analysis with an integration time of 5 minutes was used. After integrating for 2 minutes only, the reflected signals were clearly visible in the display. Despite the bad weather, signals from Venus could be detected from 1038UT until the planet reached the local horizon.

The 2.4 GHz high power amplifier used for this achievement is described in the current AMSAT-DL journal.
This represented a crucial test for a final key component of the planned P5-A Mars mission. By receiving echoes from Venus, the ground and command station for the Mars probe has been cleared for operational use and the AMSAT team is now gearing up for building the P5-A space probe.

For financing the actual construction and launch, AMSAT-DL is currently
in negotiation with the DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) amongst others, to obtain financial support for the remaining budget of 20 Mil Euros.

AMSAT-DL wants to show that low-cost interplanetary exploration is possible with its approach.

More information and the link to the official press release [in German]:
http://www.amsat-dl.org//index.php?o...=166&Itemid=97

The EVE experiment was repeated on Thursday, March 26th for several hours with good echoes from Venus. Morse code was used to transmit the well known “HI“ signature known from the AMSAT OSCAR satellites.

73s de DB2OS

Peter Guelzow
President AMSAT-DL

FCC Clarifies What Constitutes an Amateur Radio Repeater

2009-03-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

In December 2007, Gary Mitchell, WB6YRU, President of the NorthernCalifornia Packet Association (NCPA), filed a Petition with the FCC,asking for the Commission to clarify the definition of a repeater.According to Part 97, Section 3(a)(39), A repeater in the amateurservice is "[a]n amateur station that simultaneously retransmits thetransmission of another amateur station on a different channel orchannels."

Mitchell sought clarification on the word "simultaneously," askingif it referred to the signal information being retransmitted, or tothe fact that the receiver and transmitter must both be active atthe same time while acting on the same signal information. On March23, 2009, the Commission clarified that even if there is a slightdelay between what is received and what it transmits (as in the caseof D-STAR and other digital repeaters), it is consideredsimultaneous if the receiver and transmitter are both active at thesame time.

Mitchell pointed out in his petition that while the Commission'sRules specify on which bands amateur repeaters may operate, "someamateur repeaters are operating on bands other than set forth inSection 97.205(b) with systems that are essentially voice repeaterstations, but that digitize and retransmit the user's voice, on thetheory that because there is a small delay in retransmitting thesignal of another amateur station, the signal is not'simultaneously' retransmitted and, therefore, the system is not arepeater.

"In its reply, the Commission pointed out that prior to 1994, arepeater was defined as "[a]n amateur station that automaticallyretransmits the signals of other stations." This, the Commissiontold Mitchell, was revised to clarify "that certain accommodationsfor message forwarding systems do not apply to other operatingactivities such as repeaters and auxiliary stations." The Commissionproposed to define a repeater as "[a]n amateur station thatinstantaneously retransmits the transmission of another amateurstation on a different channel or channels," but ultimately replaced"instantaneously" with "simultaneously" because commenters notedthat there is always a small propagation delay through a repeater.As one commenter explained, "The word 'simultaneously' in this casemeans that the repeater is receiving and transmitting concurrently,whereas each signal might be slightly displaced in time betweenreceive and transmit."To be able to repeat another station's transmission, the Commissionsaid that a repeater "must be able to receive a transmission fromanother station and retransmit it. Because the word 'simultaneously'in the definition is used to modify 'retransmit,' we believe itrefers to a repeater station's transmitter being active whenretransmitting the signal received by the repeater station'sreceiver from another amateur station.

We conclude, therefore, that'simultaneously' as used in the definition of a repeater refers tothe receiver and transmitter both being active at the same time.

FCC Denies Petition to Increase Size of Amateur Radio Question Pools

2009-03-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

In April 2008, Michael Mancuso, KI4NGN, of Raleigh, North Carolina,filed a petition with the FCC, seeking to increase the size of the question pools that make up the Amateur Radio licensing exams.Mancuso sought to increase the question pool from 10 times the number of questions on an exam to 50 times more questions.

On March19, 2009, the Commission notified Mancuso that it was denying his petition.In his 2008 petition, Mancuso claimed that the current question pool is too easy to memorize and "that there has been a significant increase in the number of Amateur Radio operators receiving their licenses over at least the last decade or more who do not appear to possess the knowledge indicated by the class of license that they have received.

Most discussion about this topic, both on the air an don Internet forums, generally refers to these widespread observations as the 'dumbing down' of Amateur Radio. It has been widely assumed that the cause of this observed situation is based upon the subject material addressed by the license examinations,that the material requirements specified for the examinations does[sic] not meet some minimum level of knowledge expected by some or many in the Amateur Radio community."

The FCC pointed out to Mancuso that each applicant for a new or upgraded Amateur Radio operator license "is required to pass a written examination in order to prove that he or she possesses the operational and technical qualifications required to perform properly the duties of an amateur service operator licensee, i.e.,that he or she is qualified to be an amateur service licensee."The Commission summed up Mancuso's petition, saying, "You argue that the current question pool size is no longer adequate, because online practice examinations enable examinees to memorize a question pool without fully comprehending the subject matter being tested.Consequently, you propose to increase the size of the question pools, in order to hinder memorization."

The Commission concluded that Mancuso did not present grounds for the Commission to amend its rules: "As noted above, the purpose of the examinations is not to demonstrate an applicant's comprehension of certain material, but rather to determine whether he or she can properly operate an amateur station. Moreover, your contention that there has been 'a significant increase in the number of Amateur Radio operators...who do not appear to possess the knowledge indicated by their class of license' is not supported by any data or facts."The FCC pointed out to Mancuso that the Commission's Rules only dictate the minimum number of questions for each question pool for the three Amateur Radio license classes.

This, the Commission told Mancuso, "does not prevent the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) from increasing the number of questions in a question pool should it decide that this is appropriate. We conclude, therefore, that the petition presents no evidence of an existing problem or other reason for a rule change."

Police Detonate Ham Radio Equipment Mistaken for Bomb

2009-02-28T03:56:00.000-08:00

OMAHA (KPTM) - Police evacuated a midtown neighborhood briefly Thursday morning for what was originally thought to be a bomb, but in the end, it turned out to be ham radio equipment.

The house, located near 48th and Mayberry, caught fire last week. A cleaning company found the equipment and called police, thinking it was a pipe bomb.

Police were called, and officers detonated the equipment. The neighborhood was evacuated during the investigation.

ARRL Mobile Radio Statement

2009-02-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

On January 30, at the instruction of the Board of Directors at its
January 2009 meeting, the ARRL Executive Committee adopted a policy
statement on mobile Amateur Radio operations. The statement
addresses the growing number of proposed state and local laws and
ordinances regulating the use of cellular telephone and text
messaging, inadvertently affecting Amateur Radio mobile
communications.

In its statement, the Executive Committee urges state and municipal
legislators to limit the scope of their proposals, limiting them to
devices such as full duplex wireless telephones and related
hand-held or portable equipment. Alternately, it suggests that
licensed Amateur Radio operation be listed specifically as an
exclusion to the proposed regulations.

"At the start of each new session, you see a flurry of this type of
proposal in state legislatures across the country," said ARRL
Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.

As of February 1, 2009, Henderson said that the ARRL is aware of
proposals in 11 states: Georgia, Hawaii Idaho, Illinois, Iowa,
Maine, Montana, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming, as well as
several local city or town proposals.

"These proposals are usually intended to regulate cellular telephone
and text messaging by drivers as a matter of safety but, when they
are written in very broad terms, can include Amateur Radio mobile
operations in the 'net' they cast," Henderson continued. "The
Executive Committee's policy statement gives a good, concise
background of the role the Amateur Service plays in public safety
and service communications. It also highlights the differences
between communications conducted by cellular telephone and those
using Amateur Radio. Finally, the statement offers some suggested
statutory language for state motor vehicle codes which would protect
Amateur Radio mobile operation."

The ARRL recognizes that driver inattention is a leading cause of
automobile accidents. The policy statement raises the fact that cell
phones utilize full duplex communications -- where the user is
talking and listening simultaneously. The Executive Committee
statement says "Two-way radio use is dissimilar from full-duplex
cellular telephone communications because the operator spends little
time actually transmitting; the time spent listening is more similar
to, and arguably less distracting than listening to a broadcast
radio, CD or MP3 player. There are no distinctions to be made
between or among Amateur Radio, public safety land mobile, private
land mobile or citizen's radio in terms of driver distraction. All
are distinguishable from mobile cellular telephone communications in
this respect."

The ARRL Policy Statement also recognizes the responsibility of the
amateur community to conduct its activities in a manner that does
not create unsafe operation of their motor vehicle. "Safety has to
be a top concern at all times," Henderson concluded.

The ARRL Policy Statement can be found on the web at,
http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/MobileAmateurRadioPolicyStatement.pdf.

Skywarn Recognition Day - December 6th

2008-11-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Newington, CT November 12, 2008 -- Skywarn Recognition Day. When you are unsure about the weather you look to the TV to get a National Weather Service report. When the National Weather Service is unsure of the weather, they look to Skywarn - hundreds of volunteers who are trained to report ground level conditions that radar cannot detect. For 364 days of the year, volunteer Amateur Radio operators, often called "hams," affiliated with the NWS' Skywarn program provide the National Weather Service with critical, visual confirmation of major weather events. But one day a year, ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, and the NWS join together in recognizing all the Skywarn volunteers and light up the radio waves just for the fun of it.

The annual Skywarn Recognition Day begins on December 6 and will last 24 hours. Hams will be contacting the National Weather Service stations throughout America. But instead of passing tornado, snow and ice warnings, this time the hams will be exchanging reception reports and greetings. Last year, contacts were made in all 50 states and 40 countries during the 24 hour event.

While you do not have to be an FCC licensed Amateur Radio operator to take part in Skywarn, many of the volunteers are hams and they are most appreciated. Amateur Radio messages are able to get through to NWS offices quickly even if the phones and internet are out due to the weather. When minutes count, especially in a tornado, radio is the fastest and most certain way to get emergency messages in to the NWS offices.

The value of these reports is considerable. Skywarn volunteers are trained by NWS staff to spot and report conditions that the weather service needs to know. Because weather radar pulses go in a straight line and cannot follow the curve of the earth, conditions from hundreds of feet above down to the ground may be missed as it is "under the radar." Like the stagehands behind the curtain, the NWS and Skywarn hams quietly do the work that makes many local TV forecasters look good.

Gift Card Fraud on the Rise

2008-11-24T03:30:00.000-08:00

The following does not have anything to do with Ham Radio, but I thought it good information for the shopping season.
GMW

__________________________________________________

Fraud Alert from the Better Business Bureau

To protect yourself from gift card fraud, only buy gift cards that have a sealed or scratch-off security code (that's still intact).

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a new type of gift card fraud. Criminals have figured out a way to take advantage of unactivated gift card displays that many stores have set up. They jot down the card number, then wait a few days and call the card's 800-number to find out whether it's been activated, or how much money is on the account. Then, they shop online using the gift card's number.

"It's just like cash and if anyone gets their hands on the number it can be used," says Southern Colorado Better Business Bureau President Carol O'Dell.

The BBB says this type of gift card fraud is occurring, on average, about five times a day nationwide.

"What the scammers are doing is they are taking those gift cards off the racks, recording the numbers off the back of the card, hanging the gift cards back up, and they hope somebody will pick that up and take it to the cashier, activate it, and then what they do is they call the 800 number within a few days and see if the card's been activated," said Jim Hegerty of the Omaha BBB. "If it is, they go on a free shopping spree."

How to Protect Yourself From Gift Card Fraud

Gift cards can be a safe bet if you follow some simple precautions.

"Caution is the word here," Hegerty said.

Some easy tips to avoid gift card fraud include:

Don't buy gift cards that are located on displays the public can access, or that have all their security codes visible (even if they come from behind the counter).

Look for gift cards that have scratch-off security codes. If it has been scratched off, don't buy the card and report it to the store's manager.

Don't buy gift cards from online auction sites, which may be selling stolen or empty cards. Purchase gift cards online only from known, reputable retailers, or go to the actual store to get them.

Anytime you buy a gift card, call the 800-number to check the balance soon after you get home. You can also ask the cashier to scan the card immediately after you buy it to ensure the balance is correct.

Keep your receipt for the gift card in case of problems

Prepare for Winter Storms

2008-11-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:

Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
Sand to improve traction
Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

Prepare your home and family

Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.
Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Prepare your car

Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
- Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
- Battery and ignition system - should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
- Brakes - check for wear and fluid levels.
- Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes andrepair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
- Fuel and air filters - replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.
- Heater and defroster - ensure they work properly.
- Lights and flashing hazard lights - check for serviceability.
- Oil - check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
- Thermostat - ensure it works properly.
- Windshield wiper equipment - repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes:
- a shovel
- windshield scraper and small broom
- flashlight
- battery powered radio
- extra batteries
- water
- snack food
- matches
- extra hats, socks and mittens
- First aid kit with pocket knife
- Necessary medications
- blanket(s)
- tow chain or rope
- road salt and sand
- booster cables
- emergency flares
- fluorescent distress flag

Dress for the Weather

Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
Wear a hat.
Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Annual Holiday Eatin' Meetin' December 4th

2008-11-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society will hold it's annual Holiday Eatin' Meetin' at Kappas Restaurant in Humboldt on Thursday, December 4, 2008. We have a meeting room reserved starting at 6:30 pm.

All members and their guests are invited to join us that evening for fun, fellowship and food.

We would like to extend the invitation to all Ham Radio operators in the area, especially members of our neighboring Radio Clubs: AWARA, Crockett County Radio Club, and FHU Radio Club.

Happy Holidays - 73 and hope to see you there.

From the "What in the heck is that?" Category

2008-10-14T02:54:00.000-07:00

This is the latest contraption from the "Skunk Works" located in the Shack of Chris - KF4WNB. He, along with Chris - KD4MPN, re-discomboobalated an old TV antenna resulting in the creature pictured here.

According to KF4WNB, this is a "Fox Hunting" rig. However, it is still unclear if the device is designed to 'hear' the electronic critter or focus a beam of RF radiation on it and smoke it! To say the appearance of this piece of gear is 'strange' would be redundant considering the source of the desgn.

Residents in Chris' neighborhood are reporting numerous instances of spontaneous activation of garage doors and wireless pet collars coinciding with the testing of this piece of equipment . . . hmmm ... although no direct link has been made.

I think a contest is in order to name it. I will prime the pump with my submission:

"Buzzard Catcher"

Please submit your entry to gmwinslo@bellsouth.net . Who knows, we may even come up with a prize for the winner!

GMWinslow - N4GMW
President- WTARS

Lambuth Area Fall Harvest Arts Festival

2008-10-12T05:12:00.000-07:00

On Saturday October 11, 2008, WTARS and the Jackson Madison-Co EMA Community Emergency Response Team program participated in the 2008 Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association Fall Harvest Arts Festival. This public information event was held on the front lawn of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee.

The event was well attended and the weather was perfect. Mike - N4GMW had a station set up at the event assisted by Jimmy Owen - W4JHO and Tim Clark -KB4RPV with Phillip Julian - KG4NVN. Contacts were made from around the country including another Fall Festival in Batavia, Ill. The Fox River Radio Club was set up at the Scarecrow Festival there for a similar event.

Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour

2008-10-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society, as it has in years past, provided communication services for this event. Throughout the day, radio operators tracked over 100 bicycle riders through as series of six checkpoints with information relayed to our Net control station located in our communication trailer parked at Jackson State Community College.

Congratulations to all who participated in today's event. You did a great job and enhanced the character and reputation of WTARS and Ham Radio in the process.

GMWinslow, President

WTARS

WTARS 2009 Swamp Meet

2008-09-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

What was supposed to be the 2009 Fall Swap Meet turned into a Swamp Meet with rain starting promptly at the appointed time of the swap meet and ending shortly thereafter. If it were not for bad weather luck, we would have no luck at all!

This event was held today, September 20th, 2008 in the parking lot of Gander Mountain in Jackson, Tennessee. Many thanks to them for the use of their facilities and hospitality.

Despite spite the rain, a few transactions were made and WTARS gained at least four new members as visitors came by to see who was crazy enough to stand around in the rain. So, in the grand scope of things, all is good!

It was great to see everyone that came out and thanks to all for their support.

GMWinslow - N4GMW

TN QSO Party Outing

2008-09-17T05:12:00.000-07:00

On September 7th, 2008, members of the West Tennessee Radio Society gathered at N4GMW's farm to set up and participate in the TN QSO Party. The Emergency Communications Trailer was set up and put in full operation. The tower was fully extended with the big Mosely three element multibander deployed for the first atop the tower.

In addition to our primary activity of radio work, this group of Hams did what Hams do second best . . . eat! Burger, brats and N4JDN's chili-stew were consumed with relish.

Great weather and good fun made for an enjoyable weekend.

GMWinslow - N4GMW

Radio Training Needed After Deadly WTC Fire, FDNY Says

2008-08-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

A new report is claiming blocked stairwells, radio confusion and misinformation about the water supply caused the deaths of two fighters last year at a condemned ground zero skyscraper.

The Associated Press’ Amy Westfeldt says fire officials with the FDNY released the 176-page report last week, along with 40 pages of emergency radio transmissions from more than 100 firefighters who went into the former Deutsche Bank tower on Aug. 18, 2007.

The 26-story building was badly damaged during the 9/11 attacks, and was in the process of being dismantled when the fire broke out a year ago on the 17th floor. Two firefighters died of smoke inhalation on the 14th floor.

A grand jury is considering whether to criminally charge contractors or the government agencies overseeing the project.

While Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta told Westfeldt the report “is not about affixing blame,” it did detail a number of problems firefighters encountered while battling the blaze.

“Firefighters were told at the scene by construction workers that a standpipe supplying water to fire hoses worked, and 20 minutes were wasted before they realized it was broken, according to the report. It took 13 minutes for workers to call the department, and an additional 67 minutes to get a water supply,” Westfeldt says. “Firefighters sent more than 30 distress signals, including 14 maydays, from inside the burning bank tower, but some weren't heard because they came in at the same time.”

Scoppetta told Westfeldt it was “a failure of radio discipline” and said firefighters would be trained to allow the urgent signals to come through one at a time, keeping channels clear once one signal is posted.

This is why our nets are so important!

GMWinslow - N4GMW
WTARS

2008 WTARS Annual Tail-Gate Swap Meet

2008-08-25T11:24:00.001-07:00

QST ALL STATIONS!

The 2008 WTARS Annual Swap-Meet will be held on September 20th, 2008 at Gander Mountain located at 1523 Vann Drive in Jackson, Tn (see map). Swap Meet from 9am til 12 pm.

The management of Gander Mountain has graciously consented to our use of a portion of their parking lot for our "tail-gateing" activity.

So rummage through your "shack" and find all those 'treasures' you forgot you had, blow the dust off and bring them out and swap them for someone else's 'treasures.'

Following the Swap Meet, Members of WTARS will be presenting an Emergency Communication Seminar (about 45 minutes) for the public at 12 noon in the "Lodge Room" inside Gander Mountain. The Seminar is free and all are welcome. Come in and lend your assistance or simply observe and then enjoy wandering around the store. If you have never been in Gander Mountain, it is something see.

73,
GMWinslow - N4GMW
President - WTARS

Directional WI-FI Antenna Construction

2008-08-23T12:09:00.001-07:00

Here is a fun little video that shows how to build a directional wi-fi antenna out of a fruit juice can. Thought it might be of interest to you:

GMWinslow - N4GMW

Madison County ARES-RACES Activated

2008-08-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Madison County ARES-RACES, most of them members of The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society (WTARS) were activated along with the Jackson Police Dept, Jackson-Madison Co. Fire Depart on Sunday night at 9pm, August 18th in response to a "lost child" incident.

The child was a 10 year old little girl that had decided to run away from home and did not wish to be found. Fortunately, thanks to the professional responders and ARES-RACES, the little girl was found hiding in the woods behind Morris Nursery (Hollywood Drive), unharmed, in about 1 1/2 hours after the call went out.

Thanks to all the WTARS-ARES-RACES volunteers that were able to respond on such short notice.

G. Michael Winslow - N4GMW
President - WTARS

Hello From Hunstville

2008-08-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Several members of The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society made the trek to Hunstville, AL on the annual pilgrimage to see all the new toys and prove the old axiom that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

Phillip Julian - KG4NVN, Marty Amick - KJ4CVU, Jimmy Owen - WA4NIF and myself, Mike Winslow - N4GMW departed Jackson, Tennessee this morning at the crack of dark; fully fueled on petro and caffeine. Phillip and I traveled in one vehicle and Marty and Jimmy in another. Of course, we lost them about halfway to Huntsville and did not recover them until they emerged from the parking garage at the Von Braun Center, no worse for the wear.

Kenny Johns - AB4EG, Scott Pearce - KD4OZT, Clay Dungey- W8JVV, Greg Flanagan - KE4FTA, Wayne Murley - WA4BJY, Forrest Myers - AG4ND were spotted prowling the hunting grounds inside the exhibit center.

Above are some photos fromt the day so far. A few of us will probably meet up later and go out to dinner and maybe an adult beverage or two!!!

GMWinslow - N4GMW
President
WTARS

Three Phases of Learned Proficiency

2008-08-12T03:17:00.000-07:00

The following was contributed by Lee Towater - KF4NZV from "Coax Connections" e-Zine

By: Wayne Barringer KB6UJW, KAG0370

Those of you who have been reading this section from the very first issue already know there is nothing new to be learned here. So why is it included in each issue then?

Because, once in a while, we need to be reminded.

Most of us end a training exercise or an event with good intentions to improve or make it better the "next" time. We do not want to be in the same situation the next time. We sincerely (hopefully) want to improve.

But then, things gets in the way. Life continues around us. Those "best of intentions" slowly get put aside...and are soon forgotten. Until the next training exercise or event, that is, when suddenly a switch goes off inside our head reminding us we've "been there" and "done that" before. It is those "gentle reminders" that provide us with past moments of good intentions:

-- How many training exercises have resulted in lessons learned highlighting that we need to "slow down" when we speak because some poor sucker at the other end of the transmission is getting "carpel tunnel" as they try to write as fast as we talk?

-- Why is it we always seem to have someone who find a colorful way to "modify" the phonetic alphabet?

-- Why is it there is always someone at the last minute gets on the radio to ask for directions because they either came unprepared or forget how to get there?

-- Why do we, as professional communicators, or self-proclaimed "communications specialists" continue to have a radio operator show up without a manual for THEIR OWN RADIO and without any hesitation, ask if anyone can program it for them?

If one (or more) of the above has never happened to you, then I can only assume you live in a very gifted neighborhood, need to get out more often, or suffer from a terrible dose of "pinocchio disease" and opted to selectively forget rather than accurately remember!

Over the years, these "pearls of wisdom" have danced across my desk
on more than one occasion:

> How you perform is how you will be remembered.
> Good intentions do not produce good performance.
> A goal is just a dream...WITH an action plan.

Using that as a backdrop, I would like to offer a simple way to try and measure individual radio operator proficiency. It is not close to being scientific (if it was, I certainly wouldn't be offering it
here), but over the years, it has proven to be a reliable method of evaluating basic levels or phases of proficiency...both for myself and those around me.

--EXPOSURE--
This is the "awareness" phase, the most basic, introductory level. Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is that place. This is where most radio operators are with the NIMS or ICS courses. They know about it, probably have a Certificate of Completion on their wall proving they know about it, but other than that, they don't have a clue what all the fuss is about. (They are just glad they have the Certificate on the wall!!) I've got a zillion questions, and have few people with the time to give me all the answers. But the worst part is everyone is telling me to "be patient" and I'll pick it up with experience. If they would only stop speaking in the "Q" codes and just use "plain English" like I learned when I took my online ICS course!!

--EXPERIENCE--
Now, I've got a radio, have become an active participant on several radio nets, and I'm getting comfortable operating my radio "solo" and without panic. Heck, I can even help those "newby" types, and am more than willing to let them know how much I know, on "OR" off the air. Others come to me with their questions, and I'm happy to share with them -- even if I don't know completely what I'm talking about (after all, I know more than they do!). Why did I even need
to get that stupid Certificate of Completion for NIMS and ICS? No one in my club or group is using it. Heck, I'm just a volunteer!

--EXPERTISE--
The person who was going to provide the information for this last section is at a speaking engagement because they know it all. So, I will have to make it up as I go along. These are the people who freely offer themselves as a mentor, allow you --ENCOURAGE YOU-- to
make mistakes (and learn from them). They are patient, don't brag, and actually listen to your questions BEFORE they start giving you the answer they THINK you need (instead of what you want to hear).

Gee...we need more experts!!

Thanks for reading.

2008-08-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

In response to the "FCC Questions" segments, Jimmy Floyd - NQ4U - from MTARS contributed the following:
(Thanks Jimmy for participating in the discussion. 73, to all in MTARS)

This is good thought.............
Here is some material from the ARRL website FAQ. These pertain to FD but can be applied in everyday operating.

Q. Can KA1UFZ, a Novice, operate the station of N1KB, an Extra Class operator, during Field Day? Can she operate in the Extra Class segment even though she holds a Novice class license?

A. The answer is "yes" to both of these questions, but a control operator must be on duty whenever she operates outside of her Novice class privileges using the call of N1KB. FCC rules state that "A control operator must ensure the immediate proper operation of the station..." (97.105(a)). The rules go on to say, "A station may only be operated in the manner and to the extent permitted by the privileges authorized for the class of operator license held by the control operator" (97.105(b)).

Q. I am an Extra Class licensee, but I am going to use a Novice class operator's station and call sign during Field Day. Can I legally operate her station and use her call outside the Novice subbands?

A. You, the Extra, can be designated as the control operator. If you are authorized by the licensee, you may use the call sign of the Novice class licensee and operate only within the Novice class privileges. However, if an Extra Class control operator wants to operate outside the Novice class operator privileges, he may do so, but he must identify by appending his call to that of the Novice, such as signing "KA1UFZ/N1KB" on CW or separating the calls by the word "stroke" on Phone (97.105(a) and (b), 97.119(d)). True, this is a long identification procedure, but it is the only way to identify in this case. Why would an Extra want to use a Novice call, you ask. Well, that may not always be the case, but it clearly illustrates the point.

FCC Part 97 Questions To Ponder

2008-08-08T04:47:00.000-07:00

Wayne Murley - WA4BJY - brought an article from World Radio Magazine to the WTARS August Meeting. This article was written by John B. Johnson - W3BE- in the 'Rules & Regs' feature addressing interpretation questions relating to FCC part 97. I will, in this space, reprint some of these, from time to time, for your pondering and information. Good topics for discussion during rag chew sessions:

Question: I have an Amateur Extra Class license. A lower class license holder is visiting my station. If I am sitting right next to him, is he allowed to operate as an Amateur Extra?

Answer: No. As the station licensee, you would have, under Section 97.103(b), designated a lower-than-your class operator of your station. Consult Section 97.301 for the privileges authorized to the class of operator licese grant held by your station's visitor. There you will find the transmitting frequence bands available to an amateur station located within 50km of the earth's surface, within the specified ITU Region, and outside any area where the amateur service is regulated by any authority other than the FCC. Where you happen to be sitting is of no consequence to any of this.

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Andrew Jackson Marathon - Jackson Exchange Club

2008-08-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

This morning, as president of the West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society representing you, the members, I attended the breakfast meeting of the Jackson Exchange Club for the presentation of the check by the Andrew Jackson Marathon for funds raised in this year's event. There was a total of $8,000 raised this year.

As has been the custom, WTARS has provided communication services for this very public event. This year, we used the new Emergency Communication Trailer, from which all Net Control functions were performed from our location at Union University.

As one of the support organizations, WTARS was presented a Certificate of Appreciation and asked to, once gain, participate in next year's Andrew Jackson Marathon event scheduled for April 18th, 2009.

The Andrew Jackson Marathon and the Jackson Exchange Club thanks all the Ham Radio operators that participated this year for their time and expertise.

Mike Winslow - N4GMW
President - WTARS

AED / CPR Class

2008-08-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society and the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency co-sponsored and presented a training session on the use of the Automatic External Defibrillator and the CPR techniques recommended by the American Heart Association.

The class was held at Grace United Methodist Church on McClellan Rd and was attended by 18 participants from the Jackson-Madison County area. Instructors for the class were Phillip Julian - KG4NVN and Marty Clements - KI4EIV. They did a great job in presenting the material and tutoring all participants in the life-saving techniques of CPR and the use of the the AED.

I would also like to offer our many thanks to Grace United Methodist Church for the use of their facilities and Jackson State Community College for the use of the CPR training mannequins.

If there is enough interest in another class for those who would have liked to take this one but were unable to today, we will start taking names and when enough have signed up, another class can be scheduled. If you are interested in attending an AED / CPR class please drop me an email at: gmwinslo@bellsouth.net.

73,
Mike Winslow - N4GMW

Heart Saver AED Course

2008-07-19T06:12:00.000-07:00

The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society (WTARS) and the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency will be co-sponsoring the following class. Instructors will be Phillip Julian (KG4NVN) and Marty Clements (KI4EIV) J-MC EMA Director. The course will be held on Saturday August 2nd, 2008 (location to be determined but either Jackson State Community College or the Jackson-Madison County EOC). The course is FREE with the exception of a $5 Certification fee for the American Heart Association for your Certification Card.

The class is almost full. If you would like to register, please contact Mike-Ki4lmz at ki4lmz@bellsouth.net

HEART SAVER AED

This course is a four hour skills based program with instruction and practice in performing CPR (Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation) and hands-on practice with AED’s (Automatic External Defibrillators). Upon completion of this course, the participant will have the needed knowledge to effectively administer CPR and/or use a commercial AED device.

This course is provided by the American Heart Association and is based on the current recommendations in delivering emergent cardiac care to individuals suffering from a cardiac arrest. Additionally, barrier devices will be used and instruction on how to relieve choking in adults will be covered. If time allows, child CPR will also be covered within the program.

Automated External Defibrillator is a computerized device, which has the capability to:

Analyze the heart rhythm of a person in cardiac arrest.
Recognize a shockable rhythm.
Advise the operator whether the rhythm should be shocked.
Save many Lives, if used within minutes of an arrest.

This gives you three of the four links in the Chain of Survival

Facts about the AED

It can increase survival rates to as high as 50%
They are relatively inexpensive
They require little maintenance
They are accurate and easy to operate
Training is easier than CPR Training

ARRL Tells Red Cross of Remaining Background Check Policy Concerns

2008-07-19T03:54:00.000-07:00

From ARES E-Letter for July 18, 2008

ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has written to Armond T. Mascelli, Vice President for Domestic Disaster response for the American Red Cross (ARC), to identify the ARRL's remaining concerns over the background check policy for ARC partners. Harrison emphasized that the commencement of negotiation of a replacement Statement of Understanding (SOU) between the two organizations should not be further delayed while these concerns are resolved, and that he looked forward to signing a new SOU once additional edits to the background check Disclosure Form and clarifications of the background check Authorization Form are in place for those radio amateurs who volunteer their service to the Red Cross.

Harrison first wrote to Mascelli on November 28, 2007, setting out the ARRL's concerns with the background check procedures recently implemented by the ARC. ARC now requires a background check for amateur radio volunteers seeking to support a Red Cross disaster relief response for more than a seven day period. In the ARRL's view, amateur radio volunteers were being asked to consent to a more intrusive background check than was necessary or appropriate.

Mascelli's reply on May 8, 2008, addressed some of the ARRL's concerns, and Harrison's latest letter to the ARC - sent on June 30, 2008 - recognizes considerable improvement in the forms related to the background check procedures that are linked via the ARC's Web site. However, Harrison also states that analysis of the forms has revealed two continuing problems:

* The Authorization for Background Investigation consent form still contains "some highly equivocal and broad language which, because of its ambiguity, will inevitably discourage substantial numbers of radio amateurs from participating in the background check process."
This form was not included with Mascelli's reply and was not seen by the ARRL until later.

* The "Disclosure Regarding Background Investigation" can still be construed as overly broad, although this can be corrected by fairly simple edits.

Harrison told Mascelli, "We do not want the implementation of these additional changes to further delay the negotiation of the terms of a replacement SOU. A new SOU is, in my view, a critical and urgent matter. Because the old SOU expired on September 16, 2007, the vacuum thereafter has served neither ARRL nor ARC well." ARRL and ARC staff are ready to work on a draft replacement SOU, the text of which will be reviewed by the ARRL's Programs and Services Committee and approved by either the Executive Committee or the Board prior to completion.

Harrison concluded, "We look forward to continuing to provide seamless disaster response communications by Amateur Radio and to enhancing and expanding ARRL's proud partnership with the American Red Cross. I look forward to meeting with you and executing the new SOU once additional edits to the Disclosure Form, and adequate clarifications are included in the Authorization Form that appears on your web site for partner organizations are made, and when the new SOU terms are agreed upon."

2008-07-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

Top 25 things vanishing from America: #16 -- Ham radio

Tom Barlow

This series explores aspects of America that may soon be just a memory -- some to be missed, some gladly left behind. From the least impactful to the most, here are 25 bits of vanishing America.

An easy way to prolong a disaster is to have the respondents use dozens of different, incompatible communications systems, or operate them with no protocol. Yes, I'm thinking about Katrina. I'm also thinking about a vanishing American treasure, the amateur radio operator. In the past five years alone, the number of people holding active licenses has dropped by 50,000, even though Morse Code is not longer a requirement.

Many think of a ham radio operator as a tubes-and-wires geek, and there is a certain truth to that stereotype, although today's ham is more likely to be computer-savvy and involved in cutting-edge technologies. However, from my personal experience, I know them to be among our nation's best trained and most capable respondents to disasters. In the hands of the amateur radio volunteers, disaster communications become orderly and prioritized, as they employ the protocols and training received in gaining their licenses. As director of one of the nation's largest week-long bicycle tours, I watched the ham community deal with countless challenges with imagination and expertise, whether it was assembling a portable tower and repeater in the field, coordinating emergency medical transport, or organizing the search for a lost child. I saw them sit for countless hours patiently looking out for the safety of thousands of people that would never know of their efforts.

As cell phones and the Internet siphon off much of what once attracted people to amateur radio, the nation's ham radio population is graying rapidly. Given the cash value of the radio bands allocated to amateur radio, there will be relentless pressure on the government to take back those bands so they can be sold. All these elements speak to a long, slow diminishment of a pastime that began with Marconi.

When amateur radio as we know it disappears, it won't be the radios we'll miss. We'll miss the operators. 73's to a national treasure.

Tom Barlow, N8NLO

Field Day 2008

2008-06-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody:

Another Field Day has been completed successfully. This was our first experience at a new location in many years. The Jackson Fairgrounds location worked out well with advantages (such as restrooms, air-conditioning and power) outweighing the disadvantages.

The decision to decamp and move inside due to threatening weather was made based on the best information we had at the time, including a call to the National Weather Service in Memphis. The information they provided indicated a threat significant enough to warrant caution. Although late, the heavy rain came and it probably was a good thing we had our equipment under roof. Better weather protection for field deployments is already under discussion.

We were honored to have the Area Wide Amateur Radio Association as our guests at Field Day 2008. They are a great bunch of guys and are welcomed at WTARS anytime. We all have a common goal of furthering and promoting the craft of Amateur Radio.

Our encampment area was very nice and we, at least, learned how to set up and “bug out” as needed. You, once again, proved yourselves worthy the name of “Ham” in your ability to adapt and overcome in unusual situations and still complete your mission of communications.

I would like to thank all who came out and help setup, participate and teardown this weekend. We had a great time, although exhausting, and great fellowship and even managed to play with radios. Although there are many WTARS members who have spent time and effort in the preparation of the Communication Trailer for Field Day, I would like to acknowledge and offer a special thanks to two men who have spent countless hours working on the Communications Trailer that we all enjoy and utilize. These two Hams, Chris Brazzell (KF4WNB) and Chris Wray (KD4MPN) deserve a big hand and a great big THANK YOU!

And again, thanks to each and all for your hard work in making Field Day 2008 a success.

G. Michael Winslow, President

WTARS

Amateur Radio Week - June 23-29, 2008

2008-06-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

At this morning's Madison County Commission Meeting, Mayor Jimmy Harris read the following proclamation recognizing The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society for its half-century of community communications services and proclaiming the week of June 23-29, 2008 as:

Amateur Radio Week

Representing The West Tennessee Radio Society at this meeting were: Greg Flanagan - KE4FTA, Scott Pearce - KD4OZT, DJ Jablownski - KI4FZK and Mike Winslow, President, - KI4LMZ.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society is celebrating a half-century of
promoting and enhancing the craft of amateur radio providing a bridge between people, societies and countries by creating friendships and the sharing of ideas;

and

WHEREAS, The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society has continued to provide countless
hours of community services and emergency communications, without compensation throughout these decades; and

WHEREAS, The amateur radio’s people provide services to our many Emergency Response
organizations, including the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army and have demonstrated their value in public assistance by providing free radio communications for local parades, bike-a-thons, walk-a-thons, fairs and other charitable public events; and

WHEREAS, Jackson and Madison County appreciate the diligence of these “hams” who also
serve as weather spotters in the Skywarn program of the U. S. Government Weather Bureau; and

WHEREAS, Amateur Radio once again proved its undisputed relevance in the modern world
in 2003 and 2008 by providing emergency communications when other systems failed in the devastation of the tornados that struck Madison County; and

WHEREAS, The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Field Day exercise will take place on June 28-29, 2008 and is a 24-hour emergency encampment exercise and demonstration of the Radio Amateur’s skills and readiness to provide self-supporting communications even in fields without further infrastructure.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, JIMMY HARRIS, COUNTY MAYOR OF MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, AND JERRY GIST, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF JUNE 23-29, 2008 AS

Amateur Radio Week

in Jackson-Madison County, Tennessee, and urge all citizens to take advantage of the planned programs to be offered June 28-29, 2008 at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE HEREUNTO SET OUR HANDS AND CAUSE THE SEALS OF MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, AND THE CITY OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE, TO BE AFFIXED THIS 16^TH DAY OF JUNE, 2008.

JMMY HARRIS, MAYOR JERRY GIST, MAYOR

MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE CITY OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE

KF4WNB's Haunted Radio Shack

2008-06-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

Chirs finally got his shop/shack wired and running on the grid. He and Chris Wray - KD4MPN fiddled around with a gremlin in the shack most of today, Saturday the 14th. Seems that when KD4MPN's Yaesu 857 was keyed, the air-conditioner circuit breaker would trip. Even when operating on battery power.

No matter what they tried, when KD4MPN keyed his radio . . .phfffffft!

Needles to say, that made participating in this weekend's VHF QSO Parties rather interesting.

Anyway, glad to see Chris has his Shack up and running, gremlins and all.

Sounds like a job for Ghost Busters!

First Aid for Chest Trauma

2008-06-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

By Phillip Julian - KG4NVN

(A continuing series of emergency First Aid information)

This article discusses trauma to the chest and it begins with what we in EMS and medical circles call “Mechanism of Injury”. When looking at all the possible ways to physically insult the chest it really boils down to a few classifications for the common injuries we might see at some point. These include:

Blunt injuries : Injuries that impact the chest

Crush injuries: Objects that fall on the chest and compress the contents within the chest.

Penetrating injuries: Objects that enter the chest cavity causing lung, vessel, or heart damage. These may either be impaled, exhibit entry wounds only, or exhibit entry and exit type wounds.

Inhalation burns: Smoke or noxious substances that damage the chest membranes including the lungs, large or small airways, or vessels of the lungs and heart.

Aspiration (inhaling) of foreign bodies: Objects, water, caustic materials or any trash that can either block the airway or damage the lung tissues.

2 major forces within chest which lead to injury: compression and distraction. Compression results in destruction of vascular components (blood vessels being squeezed) , hemorrhage (blood loss due to vessel rupture), edema (accumulation of either blood or fluid) and impairment of function. Distraction injuries usually result in shearing forces which destroy integrity of chest organs within the chest such as the aorta (a major blood vessel responsible for carrying oxygen rich blood to the body) in addition to potential damage to the diaphragm and other vital oxygen carrying structures.

BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA: Motor vehicle accidents are the most common we may come across on a daily basis since we, as Amateur Radio Operators, are very mobile in and around our communities. Falls are another type we may additionally encounter.

Type of injury is important
- Where there has been massive deformity of a car or a history of a fall of 15 feet or more major intrathoracic (within the chest) injuries should always be suspected. The physical nature of chest wall allows for considerable elastic recoil, especially in young victims and therefore degree of injury within chest may need to be judged initially by deformity to car rather than appearance of patient
- Blunt injuries occur in 3 major directions: AP (Anterior-Posterior [front to back]) , lateral and transdiaphragmatic (across the diaphragm which is the major muscle of respiration).
- AP deformity results in relative backward motion of heart. This may result in disruption of aorta at level of ligamentum arteriosum just below left subclavian. As heart swings back and up it may cause so-called wishbone (pulling apart)of a proximal bronchus (major airway structure)
- Injuries to heart occur in up to 50% of patients after deceleration injuries
- Deceleration with impact to back causes relatively few intrathoracic injuries

- Lateral compression of chest during deceleration causes fractures typically of lower ribs with risk of injury to liver, spleen and kidneys which can cause major bleeding leading to severe shock and potentially death.
- When lateral compression results in flail (freely floating) rib segments, damage to thoracic cavity is usually relatively small and most frequently limited to contusion (bruise) and laceration (cutting) of lung parenchyma
- Lap belt of seat belts leads to rise in intrabdominal (great pressure within the belly) pressure in massive deceleration and this, combined with shearing and twisting of upper trunk may result in diaphragmatic rupture.

Penetrating Injuries

Result in tissue damage related to track of missile or stabbing implement and velocity. More solid structures such as the heart and major blood vessels suffer greater injury. High-velocity missiles and penetrating weapons yield the most lethal complication, hemorrhage. These are often associated with abdominal trauma.

Crush injury

1. Occurs where elastic limits of chest and its contents have been exceeded

patients usually have AP deformity.

2. Majority have flail chests with multiple fractures, pneumothorax (air within the chest cavity that is outside the lungs) or hemothorax (blood collection within the chest that is outside the normal vessels).

3. Most have pulmonary contusion (bruised lungs).

4. Injuries of heart, aorta, diaphragm, liver , kidney and spleen are common.

5. Another group of patients with crush injuries are those with "traumatic asphyxia" syndrome, where constrictive forces are applied over a wide area for as little as 2-5 minutes. Profound venous hypertension (increased pressure) associated with relative stasis (lack of blood flow) is mechanism of injury. There is widespread capillary dilation and rupture, subconjunctival hemorrhage and retinal hemorrhage (blood vessel rupture within and around the eye). Simultaneous injuries (eg intracranial hemorrhage[bleeding within the brain]) must be suspected. This may lead to altered levels of consciousness.

6. Severe crush injuries have a high mortality.

These are just a few items to ponder if you come across anyone suffering from these types of injuries. Remember the ABC’s and keep in mind that even though a victim may not be exhibiting the signs and symptoms of shock, they may quickly progress to a shock state at anytime. Plan to treat accordingly. These injuries can be catastrophic if not managed quickly and appropriately. Next we will look at some things you can do to ensure care is provided in the quickest manner to help prevent death.

Lost With GPS?

2008-06-03T03:07:00.000-07:00

By Robert E. McLaughlin (KI4WKW)

As you all know, GPS has been around for quite some time now. We, as Amateur Radio Operators, should know and use these proficiently. But, I have not till now understood all there is to know about GPS, and I’m still to this day learning even more. The basic use of GPS is to give some one a precise location fix on where you are at any given time. But until a few weeks ago I was under the understanding that all GPS coordinates were the same. Boy was I wrong, and so far from the truth. GPS coordinates can be given in many different formats, and this was where I was lacking. The coordinates can be in several different types of formats, there are 4 major ones used:

Decimal Degrees (WGS84);

Degrees, Minutes & Seconds;

Basic GPS;

and UTM.

All GPS units use various different ones of these formats, whether it is Garmin, AVMap, Magellin, or DeLorme.

I still don’t know that I would be comfortable in saying that I know everything about GPS. But I have been doing some homework, I spoke to Jane Waldrop at TEMA West, and she told me they used the Degrees, Minutes & Seconds format. So with that in hand I figured that if it was what the State Agency used, then that would be the one we needed to use. So then I went to Chris Brazzell (Deputy Director J-MC EMA) and told him of my findings. Then he in turn agreed that if that was the one used by TEMA West, then that would be the one we needed to use as well. This way if we were ever needed to give a coordinate to the TEMA West office, we could give it to them in the format they use, so they would not have to waist time trying to get it converted. I feel that the time wasted there might hinder life saving time that was needed to save some ones life that may be in jeopardy.

So I feel that us as Storm Spotters, ARES Members, RACES Members, or even just concerned citizens, need to be aware of the various formats of GPS units and how to get them converted to best help some one that needs life saving help immediately. So I have taken that as an incentive to do some more home work, and come up with a site where the ordinary person can convert these GPS coordinates to the (what I feel needs to be) the State Standard Degrees, Minutes & Seconds. My findings are as follows, no matter what type of GPS unit you may own, you can go here to get it converted.

http://boulter.com/gps/

All you have to do is input your GPS’ format in the window and it will then convert and map out the coordinates right there before your eyes.

Thanks for the time and everyone’s help in this matter,

Robert E. McLaughlin (KI4WKW)

KI4LMZ's Hamified Harley

2008-05-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing the progress of the 'Hamified Harley.'

The photos are of my 2004 Harley-Davidson Classic and how I have installed a Yaesu 8800R for use as a Mobile/MC. The 8800R is a perfect radio for this application. The removable control faceplate fits perfectly into the center windshield bag of a triple bag rack, a readily available accessory for most Harleys with faring and windshield.

The body of the 8800R, with the built-in fan for cooling, is mounted in the rear tour-pak with, as you can see, a clasp dog collar. This makes for quick and easy removal if necessary. A separate battery, also in the tour-pak, will be used for the radio to avoid the embarrassing prospect of having to push an 800 pound motorcycle home with a dead battery.

The control cable and external speaker wire was 'snaked' out of the rear tour-pak, under the seat and under the center gas tank panel. The control cable then fished up through the faring under the windshield and up through a hole drilled in the bottom of the center windshield bag. The speaker cable used the same route but instead of coming up under the windshield a small hole in an extra auxiliary toggle switch cover made for a relatively neat install. A 'mono' plug on one end (radio) and 'stereo' plug on the other (Harley sound system) allows radio audio to be heard through both speakers via the on board sound system. No extra gear to mount on the handlebars!

When not in use, the windshield bags close to protect the 'head' and microphone from the ravages of global warming (aka; normal weather).

All that is left to do is mount the Larsen ground plane antenna and then you will hear me sign as KI4LMZ/MC

The Spirit of Knoxville

2008-05-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

This is the story of how a local group of amateur radio operators quietly made history by guiding a balloon into the jet stream and sending it almost all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.

The project began in March 2005. Members of the University of Tennessee Amateur Radio Club were looking for something "interesting" to do.

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, dates back to the 19th century, but it really took off as a hobby in the 1920s, when amateur radio enthusiasts in the United States and Europe made the first transatlantic contact.

Wireless communication isn't the thrill it once was. Bored with Morse code and international chats, Bowen says younger amateur radio operators are expanding the scope of their hobby. Groups have loaded balloons with radio tracking equipment just for the fun of locating it.

"They wanted to play with it," Project Manager Dan Bowen says. "Send it up and down and chase it. We wanted to accomplish something."

The Knoxville group chose to be the first to attempt an "autonomous transatlantic balloon project."

"Others had talked about it," Bowen says. "Suddenly, they realized we were serious and were going to try to do it. Very quickly, others tried to accelerate their plans to reality."

But it was the Knoxville team that made it. Well, almost made it. The Spirit of Knoxville IV, launched in February, went down in the ocean about 200 miles from the coast of Ireland. (The 40-hour flight covered approximately 3,330 miles).

"If we had had two more hours of daylight we would have made it," says Mike Coffey, a project founder and key member of team.

"We needed one more pound of ballast to make it," Bowen says.

Still, Bowen and Coffey are satisfied. They proved the flight was possible. Their niche community has crowned them with glory (during the flight there were 13 million hits at www.spiritofknoxville.com).

Visit From US Senate Subcommittee Officials

2008-05-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Representatives of the US Senate Subcommittee on Science and Technology visited with officials of the Jackson-Madison County Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and officers and members of WTARS and ARES/RACES this afternoon, May 21, 2008.

This visit was part of a "case study methodology" to examine the status of emergency communications, under the auspices of the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Innovation chaired by Senator John F. Kerry.

The preliminary research objectives of this study are to:

1. Determine the primary vulnerabilities to the nation's emergency communications systems used by first responders, and to

2. Assess actions by federal stakeholders to address these vulnerabilities.

The Memphis, Tennessee area and the New Madrid earthquake is one of the scenarios used to illustrate the complexity and challenges of emergency communication among first responders in the event of a catastrophic disaster. They wanted to meet with the some of the people involved in the planning and execution of emergency communications to learn more about communications infrastructure and equipment on-hand to coordinate first response efforts in the event of the earthquake scenario.

They spoke with us about the following topics:

1. Emergency communications infrastructure and equipment used by local agencies and Amateur Radio operators, including capabilities, resiliency, and vulnerabilities.

2. Our views on the Federal Communications commission, Department of Homeland Security (including FEMA), and other federal agencies' efforts to support emergency communications systems.

As short notice of this meeting was given us, I would like to thank the following WTARS and ARES/RACES members (in no particular order) who were able to attend and help make a very impressive presentation to the members of this delegation, as well as Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris:

Randy Bennett - KD4RIP
Greg Flannagan - KE4FTA
Chris Wray - KD4MPN
Robert McLaughlin - KI4WKW
Jeremy Blankenship - KI4FYQ
Chris Brazzell - KF4WNB
Scott Pearce - KD4OZT
Bobby Thompson - KI4KVA
Mark Hollomon - KD4MJA (TEMA West Tennessee)
Mike Winslow - KI4LMZ

Thank you and 73,

G. Michael Winslow, President
WTARS

Red Cross Scales Back Background Checks

2008-05-21T03:29:00.000-07:00

American Red Cross Responds to ARRL Concerns Regarding Background Checks

In November 2007, ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, wrote to the American Red Cross (ARC) regarding concerns voiced by ARRL volunteers. In 2006, the Red Cross stated it would implement background checks that included, among other things, a credit check and a "mode of living" check for its staff and volunteers, including ARES volunteers providing services to the Red Cross during disasters.
ARRL saw these portions of the background check as unneeded and inappropriate for ARES service.

In a letter dated May 8 of this year, Armond T. Mascelli, ARC Vice President for Disaster Response Services replied to President
Harrison: "I can now report back to you that [these] actions have been completed and changes have been instituted which I trust resolves the concerns detailed in your letter. This effort took considerably more time and attention than originally envisioned, but I believe the results will now benefit our respective organizations.

"A new background consent form now [is] to be used by all Red Cross chapters for ARRL members and other partner organizations. The form and related process is limited to the name and social security number verification of the individual, and a criminal background check.
References and suggestions to other related investigative possibilities have been stricken."

From: The ARES E-Letter
May 21, 2008
=================

Welcome AWARA

2008-05-20T04:41:00.000-07:00

As President of WTARS, I attended the May meeting of the Area Wide Amateur Radio Association last night (May 19th) in Trenton, TN. I brought greetings from WTARS and our offer of support and cooperation in all things Ham Radio.

As we voted at our last meeting, on behalf of WTARS, I joined AWARA and they, in turn, voted to join WTARS as an 'associate club' member. I officially extended our offer for them to participate in our 50th Anniversary Field Day activities June 28-30 at Jackson Fairgrounds Park. They voted unanimously to accept the invitation. They will set a Club table with us and will have a ARRL table also.

So, please join me in welcoming AWARA as a 'sister' club and into the World of Amateur Radio.

Many thanks to AWARA President Carl - KI4PCW and the members of AWARA for their hospitality and welcome.

G. Michael Winslow, President
WTARS

Tennessee Valley ARES Simplex Net

2008-05-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Tennessee Valley ARES Simplex net. 146.550 every Tuesday night at 7pm.

The net is to teach amateur radio operators "ARES or not" how to relay information and messages via simplex. NCS is K9ATF in Carroll County. Assistant NCS Steve KB9IWS in Gibson County and assistant NCS Charles KI4ROF in Henderson County.

The NCS's call different counties within their range then relay all check in's back to net control.

Warren Rainey - KI4WRM

ARRL INTRODUCES "FIFTH PILLAR" AT DAYTON HAMVENTION

2008-05-16T14:39:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, May 17 at the Dayton Hamvention, ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, plans to announce that the League will expand its identity program to include greater emphasis on technology. Harrison explained that "Ham radio operators, and particularly ARRL members, closely identify with current and emerging radio technology. Today, we are naming 'technology' as ARRL's new fifth pillar." ARRL's other four pillars, the underpinnings of the organization, are Public Service, Advocacy, Education and Membership. "For hams, expanding the four pillars to include technology will reinforce one of the organization's guiding principles -- that ham radio is state-of-the-art, innovative and relevant," he said.

"Radio amateurs have entered a new era. More than a dozen Amateur Radio satellites are presently in orbit with more to come. Software is expanding the capabilities of their radio hardware and communication by digital voice and data is expanding rapidly among hams," Harrison said.

In addition to the new fifth pillar, the ARRL has launched a year-long ham radio recruitment campaign emphasizing the Amateur Radio Service as a scientific national resource. The campaign invites newcomers to discover ham radio in the 21st Century -- where hams are using science, technology and experimentation to explore the radio spectrum. "For more than 90 years, the ARRL has been at the forefront of technology, encouraging experimentation and education through its license training resources, publications and periodicals. ARRL provides its members with top-notch technical information services, trusted product reviews and radio spectrum advocacy," Harrison said. "The ARRL Laboratory is a centerpiece of ham radio technology, contributing to radio electronics experimentation, spectrum development and advocacy, and radio frequency engineering."

Harrison also noted that many hams attribute their affinity to "Amateur"
Radio as launching their professional careers in radio engineering, satellite communications, computer science and wireless communications.

"This is less about defining a new course for Amateur Radio, but simply recognizing a course that has always been a precept of radio amateurs and the ARRL," he said. Referring to the federal rules and regulations for Amateur Radio, Harrison explained that one of the defining principles of the Service's very creation by the government is the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. Harrison remarked, "Today's technology is nothing new to ham radio!"

From -- The ARRL Letter
Vol. 27, No. 19
May 16, 2008

Head and Brain Injury: Steps for Survival

2008-05-16T02:40:00.000-07:00

by Phillip Julian - KG4NVN

In the last article, a discussion on head injury dealt with some causes and what to look for if confronted with this type of emergency. Next, we look at other aspects pertaining to the head injured victim. Remember, when we always want to practice the ABC’s. Airway, being the most important, ensuring that there is an open access for breathing, either by victim efforts, or by rescuer-supported ventilations. Effective breathing provides vital oxygen to the lungs. The “C” as you know, stands for circulation. To survive any injury you need all of these for adequate rescue efforts.

Brain injury and its accompanying pathologic processes continue to be the leading cause of mortality associated with trauma.

Whether the injury is due to a blunt or penetrating mechanism, bleeding within the cranium or swelling of the brain and surrounding tissue may lead to an increase in pressure within the cranial cavity (intracranial pressure).

Mechanism Of Injury
The skull and its contents may be injured by blunt or penetrating trauma.

It is worthy to note that the patient's brain and surrounding tissue may be injured even when no evidence of skull fracture exists.

The brain is relatively fixed within the skull; however, it can move when significant acceleration and deceleration forces are applied.

Primary and Secondary Injury
The mechanical disruption of brain tissue and cerebral vessels is referred to as the primary brain injury. It occurs from direct trauma applied to the skull, brain and its surrounding structures. It often results in lacerated vessels, mechanical disruption of brain cells and increases in vascular permeability.

Mechanisms that lead to secondary brain injury are:

Hypoxia (Low oxygen levels)
Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
Increased intracranial pressure ( Elevated pressure within the skull)
Hypercarbia (Ineffective respirations leading to increased carbon dioxide levels)
Acidosis (Acid build-up within the blood stream due to low blood pressure and increased carbon dioxide levels)

Emergency Care
Management of the patient with a brain injury and suspected increase in intracranial pressure and decrease in cerebral blood flow must be centered on reversing hypoxia, hypotension, hypercarbia and acidosis (through effective ventilation).

Deterioration in the level of consciousness or changes in behavior, nausea/vomiting, gait abnormalities (ability to walk in a steady manner) or hypertension (high blood pressure) can all be signs of increased intracranial pressure.

Emergency care must include:

Spine stabilization

If the cervical spinal immobilization collar interferes with your ability to establish or maintain an airway, delay its use until advanced airway maneuvers can be performed. Consider complete spinal immobilization prior to moving the patient.

Airway management
Airway management is a key component in ensuring adequate alveolar ventilation and oxygenation and preventing hypoxia, hypercarbia and acidosis. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway and manual airway maneuvers may be an effective alternative in managing the patient's airway. Suction any blood, secretions, vomitus, bone, tissue or other debris during airway management. Ensure that the airway remains clear.

Oropharyngeal Airways

Assist ventilations
If the patient has an inadequate respiratory rate or ventilation volume, it is necessary to provide positive-pressure ventilation. If no signs of herniation (brain contents being pushed through the brain stem at the base of the skull) exist, ventilate an adult at 10/minute, a child at 20/minute, and an infant at 25/minute.

Oxygenation
If the patient requires assisted ventilation or hyperventilation, deliver 100% oxygen via the ventilation device. If the patient is breathing spontaneously and adequately, apply a nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute (LPM)

Nonrebreather Mask

Patient positioning

If the patient is immobilized to a backboard, slightly elevate (15° or less) the head end of the board or keep the patient in a supine position.

Rapid transport
Rapidly transport the patient to a medical facility that is capable of managing a brain-injured patient. A head injured patient is a true emergency.

Manage seizures

This may occur with head injured patients. If this does, protect the patient by sitting Indian style with your legs and support the head between your legs. Do not force anything in the mouth. Patients will not swallow their tongues. They may bite down hard so do not place any appendage you wish to keep into their mouths while the seizure is in progress. These victims need intravenous access so that seizure-stopping medications can be given. EMS will handle this part. Just remember to protect the victim from hurting themselves.

Summary
Increased intracranial pressure can be a catastrophic event that may lead to death or permanent disability. Without prompt recognition and reversal of hypoxia, hypotension, hypercarbia, acidosis and increased intracranial pressure, the cerebral blood flow and resultant cerebral perfusion can be inadequate, leading to an increased risk of secondary brain injury.

WTARS Meeting Miuntes from May 1, 2008

2008-05-14T03:50:00.001-07:00

WTARS MAY 1, 2008 Minutes

The meeting began at 7:06 p.m. with the reading of the March minutes. Sixteen members and one guest, WA4NIF, Jimmy Owen were present. The meeting began with a slideshow presentation and commentary from Chris Brazzell highlighting the construction phases of the WTARS Emergency Communications trailer. Chris recognized Chris Wray, Robert McLaughn, as well as D.J. for the many hours of donated work. The following upcoming events were announced:

1. May 8—Boy Scouts of America “Hello Program” @ Warehouse @ Englewood Baptist Church

2. May 9-10—set up and communication operations for Relay for Life at the Fairgrounds

3. Ham classes will begin on Tuesday night to help interested operators—every Tuesday night beginning on May 6 and concluding June 10 from 6-8 p.m. Classes held at the Madison County Emergency Operations Center, 234 Institute Street; Jackson, TN.

4. June 16—Madison County Commission meeting—proclaim Amateur Radio Week for Field Day

President Winslow introduced a motion that WTARS join the Area Wide Amateur Association (AWARA) —the motion passed unanimously.

Greg Flanagan presented a brief report on the ongoing process of updating the club bylaws.

Randy Bennett provided a repeater update. President Winslow introduced the idea that the club should consider insurance for materials. President Winslow also submitted a motion to allow $500 credit line for Field Day which passed unanimously. President Winslow recommended a motion to authorize $500 for Randy Bennett to allow for emergency repairs. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting concluded with a brief discussion of bylaw changes that the bylaw committee was considering:

1. family membership from $2 to $12 for additional family members—with a grandfather clause for existing members

2. consider changing the fiscal year to begin in August

3. add three "At Large" positions to the Board

4. members would be considered inactive if they haven’t paid dues for 3 months

The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

Meeting notes prepared by club secretary Lee Stanfill, KI4UXR

WTARS Mid-Year 2008 Report

2008-05-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone from the KI4LMZ Bunker!

This is the new version of the WTARS eNewsletter. I hope you find it a better product for the purpose of keeping you, the members, better informed on the activities of your Club.

I thought I would give you an informal mid-year report on the major activities of The West Tennessee Amateur Radio Society:

A busy year to date has been had by all. In January a very successful project was undertaken that had been in the planning stage since October of 2007. Members of WTARS offered their services as instructors at the Boy Scouts of America "Winterfest" on January 26th, 2008. This event hosted close to 1,000 Boy Scouts from all over West Tennessee offering classes and activities in a wide range of disciplines for the purpose of qualifying the participants for Merit Badges. Our WTARS contingent taught and qualified approximately 60 young men for their Boy Scout Radio Merit Badge. In the process, I believe we planted the seeds for a bunch of future Hams.

Early February was a tense and busy period. The tornadoes of February 5th tested the endurance and skills of our SkyWarn and ARES/RACES members. SkyWarn activities that night has been highly praised by the public and politicians for keeping the public and National Weather Service informed in real-time of conditions 'on the ground' during the storms. ARES/RACES members assisted the next day in the all-important Preliminary Damage Assessment process; the first step in the road to recovery. This group of talented and dedicated volunteers have been activated several times so far this year and always perform their duties with the highest level of professionalism and skill. Soon after the tornadoes, WTARS was back in action with a public event display and demonstration at the 2008 Jackson Boat & RV show held at the Jackson Civic Center.

April 5th brought the Annual Andrew Jackson Marathon event attended by several hundred runners. WTARS, as in years past, provided the communication services for the organizers of the event and manned emergency communication stations along the route to relay information to and from the routes. This event was the first time the Emergency Communications Trailer was used as a Net Control Command Post.

On May 8th, I had the pleasure, along with Phillip - KG4NVN and Greg- KE4FTA of addressing the Boy Scouts of America West Tennessee District Leadership Council where we gave a presentation about Ham Radio and emergency communications. The Scout leaders in attendance were interested and will tell their Troops about what Ham Radio can offer.

Yesterday, May 10th, several members of WTARS and ARES/RACES convened at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park to fully deploy the Emergency Communications Trailer to test all systems completely off the grid and to fully extend the 60-foot antenna tower and practice the setup and tear down procedures. Thanks to all that came out to help and learn how to use the equipment and trailer systems.

Of course, June 27th - 29th will bring our big event of the year - the 2008 Field Day Event. This year WTARS is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and we are going to celebrate it with a huge event at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park. This event will include displays and presentations from many of the emergency service agencies of the City of Jackson and Madison County. WTARS will have our Field Day activities, this year with the Emergency Communications Trailer as the main operating area. There will be VE Testing session as well as a FREE Ham Radio Tailgate Swap Fest to boot. Please plan on coming out and participating in our 50th Anniversary celebration.

Our next WTARS Club Meeting will be Thursday June 5th at 7:00 pm at the McWhorter Technology Center at Jackson State Community College. Come out and help us finish the plans for Field Day three weeks later.

73,

G. Michael Winslow, KI4LMZ
President - WTARS

The WTARS Rag-Chew

2010 Bagels & Bluegrass Event

Notes from the February 2010 WTARS Meeting

WTARS Meeting Rescheduled to Jan 21st, 2010

It Seems to Us: Not an Emergency Radio Service?

WTARS Makes ARRL Newsletter

The Gary King (W4WKZ) Antenna Project

WTARS 2010 Vision and Direction

November WTARS Meeting

November 2009 WTARS Meeting

Three People Killed While Erecting Antenna

Successful Bagels & Bluegrass Event

Bagels & Bluegrass 2009 Event

WTARS QSO Events

Tornado strikes Arkansas town, killing 3

EVE ! - Radio Amateurs bounce a signal off Venus

FCC Clarifies What Constitutes an Amateur Radio Repeater

FCC Denies Petition to Increase Size of Amateur Radio Question Pools

Police Detonate Ham Radio Equipment Mistaken for Bomb

ARRL Mobile Radio Statement

Skywarn Recognition Day - December 6th

Gift Card Fraud on the Rise

Prepare for Winter Storms

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:

Prepare your home and family

Prepare your car

Dress for the Weather

Annual Holiday Eatin' Meetin' December 4th

From the "What in the heck is that?" Category

Lambuth Area Fall Harvest Arts Festival

Bagels and Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour

WTARS 2009 Swamp Meet

TN QSO Party Outing

Radio Training Needed After Deadly WTC Fire, FDNY Says

2008 WTARS Annual Tail-Gate Swap Meet

Directional WI-FI Antenna Construction

Madison County ARES-RACES Activated

Hello From Hunstville

Three Phases of Learned Proficiency

More FCC Part 97 Questions

FCC Part 97 Questions To Ponder

Andrew Jackson Marathon - Jackson Exchange Club

AED / CPR Class

Heart Saver AED Course

ARRL Tells Red Cross of Remaining Background Check Policy Concerns

Top 25 things vanishing from America: #16 -- Ham radio

Field Day 2008

Amateur Radio Week - June 23-29, 2008

KF4WNB's Haunted Radio Shack

First Aid for Chest Trauma

Crush injury

Lost With GPS?

KI4LMZ's Hamified Harley

The Spirit of Knoxville

Visit From US Senate Subcommittee Officials

Red Cross Scales Back Background Checks

Welcome AWARA

Tennessee Valley ARES Simplex Net

ARRL INTRODUCES "FIFTH PILLAR" AT DAYTON HAMVENTION

Head and Brain Injury: Steps for Survival

WTARS Meeting Miuntes from May 1, 2008

WTARS Mid-Year 2008 Report