WTARS Meeting Rescheduled to Jan 21st, 2010

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?

Editorial from QST Jan 1 2010

By David Sumner, K1ZZ
ARRL Chief Executive Officer

January 01, 2010

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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]."

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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

ARRL Club Newsletter


December 18, 2009
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Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Editor


IN THIS ISSUE:


+ WTARS Helps a Member Return To Airwaves Dayton

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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.



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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

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

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

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

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

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