• Remembering the friends that we will miss • Staff appointments, resignations, and cancellations • Section Manager’s Desk • Section Emergency Coordinator’s report • Section Traffic Manager’s report • Technical Specialist Coordinator’s report • Public Information Coordinator’s report • Amateur Radio on the International Space Station • Club information • 2021 Indiana Hamfest Schedule and Flyers • 2021 Amateur of the Year Nomination form and rules
Herbert James, KB9UZZ, Ridgeville, IN Dennis Prunty, KB9HJW, Spencer, IN Michael Moore, KD9EFH, Greencastle, IN James Kehr, N9DUZ, Goshen, IN Gary Gruesbeck, KB9TUI, Fort Wayne, IN Greg Chaney, N9MOX, Greenfield, IN “To promote and advance the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio.” ~ ~ Hiram Percy Maxim
For silent key notice to be placed in the newsletter, please forward a copy of the obituary notice directly to Jimmy Merry, Indiana Section Manager at [email protected]. For Silent Key notice inclusion in QST, INARRL will submit the Silent Key notice to ARRL headquarters so there is a record of the submission, for record keeping purposes. National Silent Key Archive http://www.silentkeyhq.com/
Appointments: Paul Nielanderm K9PBN – Emergency Coordinator Dearborn Co. Brent Walls, N9BA – Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator
Alan Schwab, WO9G – Technical Specialists, Tippecanoe Co.
Resignations and Cancellations: None
Find Indiana ARRL on the web: www.inarrl.org * Facebook: ARRL – Indiana Section
Online ARRL publications Digital QST * On the Air magazine! * Electric Tech QEX * National Contest Journal
View online at: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-magazines Meet the Indiana ARRL State Section staff:
Jimmy Merry, KC9RPX, Section Manager & Affiliated Club Coordinator Brian Jenks, W9BGJ, Asst. Section Manager & Section Traffic Manager Thomas Busch, WB8WOR, Technical Coordinator Jim Moehring, KB9WWM, Section Emergency Coordinator Brent Walls, Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator Barry Palencer, KC9WMS, Public Information Coordinator Andrew Murray, N9AWM, Section Youth Coordinator nment
Greetings,
The current Hamfest calendar and flyers are in this month’s newsletter. Also, in the newsletter you will find the 2021 ARRL Indiana Section Amateur of the Year Award nomination form and rules. As a reminder to clubs, please fill out the hamfest application form on the ARRL website. I try my hardest to review all club websites that I have address for at least a few times monthly. I appreciate seeing the newsletters from clubs that forward them to me. But the list of hamfests that is on the ARRL website is usually the method that I use to make the hamfest list that I post on the Indiana Section website, Facebook page, and email. Its easy to overlook events as I often receive information from a lot of sources. The hamfest application can be found at http://www.arrl.org/hamfest-convention- application
Section Emergency Coordinator Report
I would like to thank all of the ECs, DECs and OES stations for their reports and comments they submitted. It is great to see that the ARES Teams across the Section are slowly increasing in-person activities and support of various community events!
I recently met with Brett Skidmore from IPSC regarding statewide emergency communications support to the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Skidmore is the Communications lead at the Indiana Public Service Commission and has been tasked with improving the Amateur Radio support to the DHS within the state. His enthusiasm towards this endeavor was greatly appreciated. This project may take some time but it was encouraging that we are beginning to work on bringing improvements to EMCOMM in Indiana.
As part of this endeavor, Brent Walls, N9BA has been appointed as an ASEC to represent the Indiana Section in the discussions with IPSC. Brent has a professional working relationship with IPSC and will give the Section a “voice at the table”. Thanks, Brent for accepting the appointment!
As we enter the severe weather season, I would like to remind everyone to make preparations in anticipation of activation in support of our communities. Make sure your equipment is ready to go, batteries are charged and you are personally ready for deployment.
Thanks for all you do!
Stay Safe and Well! 73
Jim Moehring, KB9WWM Section Emergency Coordinator Amateur Radio Emergency Service Indiana Section
***********ARES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED********** Current Open District Emergency Coordinator Positions: District 4 and District 10. If you are a current EC in one of these districts, or have past experience in the ARES field organization, please consider stepping up to serve your community with your hobby. Current Open Emergency Coordinator Positions: Adams, Benton, Blackford, Carroll, Clinton, Crawford, Dubois, Delaware, Elkhart, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Fulton, Gibson, Huntington, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, LaGrange, Marshall, Martin, Noble, Ohio, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Pulaski, Ripley, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Union, Wabash, Warren, Washington and White.
EC’s are the backbone of the ARES organization. I would like to fill as many of these county openings, as possible. If you are interested in filling a vacant County EC Position, please contact me at [email protected] to express your interest.
District Emergency Coordinators Reporting (5/8) Joe Cirone, W1SPY (District 1) Lyle Long, N1LL (District 2) Jim Moehring, KB9WWM, (District 3) Tony Stokes, N9UN (District 5) Marv Gilliland, KC9RVL, (District 6) David Ofansky, K9DWO, (District 7)
Emergency Coordinators Reporting (39/55) KB9WWM, K9JAJ, W9DBA, KV9N, KB9OIC, W9EEU, N9JFH, WD9GC, KC9RVL, N9GTL W9MDT, W9MSK, KD9GHS, N9CWW, KD9DHJ, N9SIU, NM9R, KD9EDR, AC9EB, KC9WPH, W9GNR, WD9GIU, KC9EVU, KD9BKH, N9JPX, KD9HIG, KB9RZK, KC9PJX, WR9G, W9DRB, KC9GUY, KP4CI, W9DAC, N9QVQ, W9COD, K9DWO, KB9ML, AB9HP, K9EJS
District Emergency Coordinators Reports
Joe Cirone – W1SPY – District 1
On 7 APR, Indiana ARES D1 held a no-notice exercise which requested members successfully contact a DOD MARS station on 5 Mhz. and exchange a short message during the Federal Government (DOD) Communications Interoperability Exercise. AC9EB and W1SPY successfully participated. Both stations are also designated as Federal Interoperability stations. One additional station participated but was unable to operate on the 5 Mhz. frequency, where Hams have secondary use privileges. On 25 APR 21, Indiana ARES D1 held a no-notice exercise, piggybacking on the FEMA Region V Winlink Ham- Federal Government Interoperability Exercise. For ARES D1, it allowed us to get a feel for what the Winlink capability would like look if a real emergency were to suddenly occur. Ten ARES D1 members, operating from nine Ham stations, three of which are also designated as Federal Government interoperability stations, participated in the exercise - AC9HD, W9REL, AC9EB, KD4CXG, KD9LWR, AC9WQ with KD9PCF, KD9OVF, W9JOM and W1SPY. Coming to the realization that 5-10 year absence of ARES in the District 1 area caused a near-complete loss of personnel skilled in the transmission and reception of official/formal voice messages in the proper ICS 213, ACP-125/126/127, and ARRL radiogram formats and the extreme difficulty (and failure) teaching the skills that will used rarely, ARES D1 has relegated voice communications to short tactical and informal messages in favor of using digital (data) communications for formal and longer messages. Members are encouraged to embrace digital capability and data skilled ARES D1 personnel are helping interested members to interface their radios with computers and learn and practice the needed skills. ARES D1 Training and Information Nets continue to occur on VHF-FM weekly and monthly on GMRS, with an average of 10 stations checking in on VHF and fewer on GMRS.
Jim Moehring – KB9WWM – District 3
Things are slowly returning to normal regarding the Covid pandemic. We are currently planning for a bicycle touring event to occur on June 5.
Marv Gilliland – KC9RVL – District 6
East Central Indiana Hamfest will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Randolph County Fairgrounds, 1885 S HWY 27, Winchester, Indiana.
The White River Cleanup is planning to resume this year on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Randolph County ARC, Muncie ARC and EmComm ECI have been holding their monthly meetings in person once again.
Emergency Coordinator Reports
Jim Moehring – KB9WWM – Allen Co, The radio installation at the AC DHS office has been completed. We will meet with the Director of Allen County DHS to clarify our role as an ARES/RACES Team in the near future.
Jeffery Jones – K9JAJ – Bartholomew Co. Participation by BC-ARES team members in the Weekly ARES 2m net has been down lately while participation by non-members from Bartholomew and surrounding counties has been on the upswing. Two team members, N9CJT and K9JAJ remain active on the Indiana Traffic Net and also the Indiana DIGITAL Traffic Net.
Scott Nelson – W9DBA – Brown Co. During April there were 5 scheduled ARES nets conducted on the Brown County KA9SWI 2 meter repeater 147.300 MHz PL 136.5 with 68 check-ins lasting 125 minutes providing operators an opportunity to test the capabilities of their equipment and practice net protocol.
Daniel McDonald – KV9N – Cass Co.
All activity from regular weekly net - 5 nets / 68 check-ins / total 142 minutes
JW Temple – KB9OIC – Clark Co. Clark County ARES Net now on Saturday mornings at 9am
Gary Adams – W9EEU – Clay Co. Group is looking forward to FD 2021. We had an excellent meeting in April.
Gabe Creech – WD9GC – DeKalb Co. Not a lot going on this month. We have been doing our weekly 2m ARES nets. We are preparing to do a parking detail for the Auburn Hamfest in July.
Marv Gilliland – KC9RVL – Delaware Co. East Central Indiana Hamfest will be held Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Randolph County Fairgrounds, 1885 S HWY 27, Winchester, Indiana. The White River Cleanup is planning to resume this year on Saturday, September 18, 2021.
P. Edwin Brown, DDS - N9GTL - Grant Co. We have started to provide tornado siren testing information from each location back to DHS/EMA each month.
Mike Tansley – W9MDT – Greene Co.
No activity this month.
George Boaz – KD9GHA - Hancock Co. Our primary net control station (Jeff K9HCA) decided to conduct each of our weekly nets from a different location in the county to test our repeater. One of the tests was conducted on an HT from Ft. Harrison State Park in Marion County. The experiment was a great success, and we thank the Hancock Amateur Radio Club for providing a great repeater.
We conducted our first Fox Hunt this month, under the guidance of Brent N9BA. We had about a dozen people show up and everyone had a great time. For most, it was their first fox hunt. Brent would like to hold one every month. The next will be on May 22nd.
We also conducted a table-top exercise in cooperation with the Hancock County COAD. Our team helped the COAD test their communications plan while testing
our ability to communicate between the EOC and their primary assembly site on simplex.
Jeff also met with the Director of the Emergency Management Agency to discuss the Community Radio Project. Both the EMA Director and the Director of the 911 Center were excited about the project.
Clark Whitehouse – N9CWW – Hamilton Co.
During April there where 4 scheduled Ares Nets, conducted on 146.820 PL 103.5 with an negative offset of .600. With 39 check-ins, lasting for 76 minutes. Nets are on Sunday nights at 8:30 pm. Thanks, N9CWW / Clark
Don Somerville – KD9DHI – Hendricks Co.
Weekly/Monthly Nets: We conducted four (4) weekly Tuesday night ARES Nets on the 147.015 MHz during the month and had good participation. We accumulated just over 25 hours of airtime.
The Simplex net was held on 145.555 MHz Simplex at 2000 hours, right after the scheduled weekly Tuesday Night Net on April 20th. Ken Kayler, KC9SQD was our net controller and did a great job. These Nets are conducted to check our radio performance and capability with a Net Controller Operator as well as other Amateurs in and around Hendricks County.
Our hospital net was restarted In November with Hendricks Regional Hospital at their request. Vern Madden, N9VAM, conducted the net on March 23rd from Hendricks Regional Health hospital (HRH). We were hoping to get back to regular nets in January 2021, but HRH has agreed to every other month at this time. IU West is still in the process of getting their building back together after all the construction.
Community Events: There have been no community events for the past two months, but it is getting
to that time of year where we are getting plans started. The town of Plainfield will be holding a Public Safety Day and we have been invited to set up a table/booth along with the rest of the public safety organizations that will be attending. This event is scheduled for June 12th at the Al & Jan Sports Complex in Plainfield from 1100-1400.
We are also working with Hendricks County Amateur Radio Society (HCARS) on plans for the upcoming Field Day on June 26-27 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds.
General: The Hendricks County MRC received a grant to purchase a newer, more powerful AM Radio to replace the 10Watt mobile one we used to transmit Covid information throughout the county this past year. ARES helped haul equipment up to the roof of HRH while technicians from Radio Source installed the radio and larger antenna. This radio boasts more power and can have pre-recorded messages updated through the internet unlike the old portable one where we updated the message with a thumb drive weekly. More information to come.
Robert Lagrange – N9SIU – Johnson Co.
Johnson County ARES is looking forward to getting back to normal. Plans are being made for a Johnson County ARES/RACES exercise early this summer. We want to include some other Johnson County government agencies in this communication exercise.
Brian Sexton – KD9EDR – Kosciusko Co.
I participated in the District 2 Emergency Communication workshop this month and we will be working on updating our ARES communication plan and partner relationships.
James (Allen) Bottorff – AC9EB – LaPorte Co.
4 VHF Nets, 1 GMRS net.
Participated in the INARES District 1, "No Notice Exercise" that encompassed the dates of 07 April 2021 through 10 April 2021-voice contacts and MT63 message on 60 Meters, VARA Winlink messages on 80 Meters.
Participated in the FEMA Region 5 Winlink Test Exercise, on 25 April 2021.
F. Gary Sherman – W9GNR – Madison Co.
Madison County has managed to remain very active, and its members are looking forward to many possible events in the summer and fall. As the Covid restrictions are beginning to lift, more events are planning to reopen this season.
Madison County is averaging more than 200 hours a month with 850 volunteer hours to date. In addition to the normal nets and meetings Madison County conducted a Project: LifeSaver exercise. Three search teams were dispatched from the Madison County EOC to Pendleton and were able to locate and identify the volunteer lost persona in 45 minutes in a rural, wooded area.
Madison County is gearing up for the summer months activities and preparing for any severe weather.
Madison County holds a Storm Net check in every Sunday at 2000hours [8pm] on the 146.82 repeater with a PL Tone of 110.9Hz.
The Madison County Amateur Radio Club holds a Net every Wednesday at 2000hours [8pm] on the 145.39 repeater with a PL Tone of 151.4Hz.
Stay safe, be alert and 73, W9GNR
Michael Anglin – KC9PIX – Saint Joseph Co. MARC group was planning a DX-pedition to a local island. RACES will be participating in preparation for the Sunburst Race Events
Steve Jewell – W9RG – Scott Co. The Scott County EMA Group held a VE Session Saturday, April 10th at the EOC. We had a total of 6 candidates come in for testing. Four successfully passed their Technician exam with one going on to try for his General exam. We also had one General come in passed the Extra class exam. The next testing session is scheduled for June 12th at 11:00 AM. Walk-Ins are welcome, however due to virus, social distancing is still required. There is a limit of 8 candidate seats. The testing location is at the Bacala Center, 69 E Wardell St, SE Corner of Courthouse Square, Scottsburg IN 47170 and is ADA accessible. For more info email: [email protected] or visit www.wr9g.net/links. 73, Steve WR9G
Peter Crasher – W9DRB – Spencer Co. 4 nets analog 4 nets digital
Mark Tritch – KC9GUY – Steuben Co. Team is holding monthly digital mode and HF NVIS nets in addition to weekly ARES team nets. Also holding some local workshops to help those struggling with set-ups.
Robert Sambolin – KP4CI – Tippecanoe Co.
Next TCARES will take place on May 20th at 7pm via Zoom, Presenter will be announced as soon as we have confirmation. Web site is still in transition. Email delivery has seen some problems and we are working to find a solution.
Len Schmitt - N9QVO – Vanderburgh Co.
Vanderburgh County Auxcomm continues to meet using Zoom. A number of our members are participating in the May 8th Red Cross Winlink communications exercise coming up this weekend. Many members will be operating remotely to submit their reports (using a Field Day type Setup).
David Ofsansky – K9DWO – Vigo Co.
Working on a Quarterly ARES Meeting for Vigo Co. in May or June. James “Mike” Laboyteaux – KB9ML – Wayne Co. We are just now beginning to meet again. We have started our plans for Field Day. We will again be at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on the last day of the fair.
Ed Scott – K9EJS – Whitley Co.
Very exciting month for the Whitley County Team. Had the usual monthly activities of the Weekly ARES Training Net and two Columbia City Early Warning Siren Testing, but even more exciting is that we had our first public event since the start of COVID. Team members assisted with the Easter Seals Passages Annual 5k/10k Race and have been requested for 3 more events in the coming months. Super excited to start the slow progress of the new normal! Stay safe out there everyone and keep your batteries charged.
Official Emergency Station Reports
Jimmy Merry, Jr – KC9RPX – Monroe Co. Total ARES hours for April 2021 was 12 hours. Which includes 1 Skywarn net as NCO, 2 sessions of the Monroe Co. ARES Net NCO and Backup. Net control for the Bloomington Thursday night net and Assisting Greene and Owen Counties with their ARES Nets as NCO or backup NCO. Also includes checking in to various nets across Indiana. Plus time spent organizing area events for this summer.
Vernon Austermiller – NA9L - Morgan Co. I checked into the Morgan County, Hendricks County ARES nets. I checked into the Indiana Traffic Net. I checked into the Brown County ARES, Bloomington ARC, Monroe County net. I received and sent Routine traffic on the ITN.
Mark Thienes – KC9TYA- Vanderburgh Co. Watched several NWS Webinars, also viewed the Emergency Communications Webinar. This was a great Webinar, with many professional presentations. Should you be interested you can view these presentations on YouTube. The Indiana Winlink Wednesday (IWW) Net is still showing good numbers and I believe everyone is getting more comfortable using Winlink. The IWW net check- in is on Wednesday only, using an RF connection from your station. If you are interested in joining us, send a Winlink message to KC9TYA. The IN Section ARES Net had a slow month. The IN-Section ARES Net meets on Sundays at 2100z, on or about 3.900, learn what others are doing in the Indiana Section. Please join us if you have time, all are welcome.
Hope everyone has a nice Spring Mark / KC9TYA
Don Evilsizor – KA9QWC – Whitley Co.
April was another interesting month being involved numerous nets using diversity of various communication modes from voice, vhf packet, Winlink packet express, thor-22, mfsk-32 and HF Vara. The Indiana Wednesday Winlink (IWW) sessions have been incredibly challenging at times for me considering all the various forms and applications. Thanks to KC9TYA for heading up IWW assignments. If anyone wants to learn how to deal with different agencies on what is expected using their forms during potential emergencies, I suggest giving the IWW a try.
INDIANA ARES BY THE NUMBERS (ONLY 39) ECs REPORTING! Total ARES Members reported: 767 Number of reporting ARES EC’s: 39 Number of reporting OES’s: 5 Number of reporting DEC’s: 6 Number of ARES Nets: 183 Number of Nets with NTS liaison: 72 Number of exercises, and training sessions: 76 Person Hours: 1466.28 Public Service Events: 8 Person Hours: 63.6 Emergency Operations: 0 Person Hours: 0 SKYWARN Nets: 8 Person Hours: 166.9
ARRL – INDIANA SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER REPORT Greetings everyone and welcome to May where we had snow on Mother’s Day this year of all things! This has been a weird weather year so far. Hopefully with the approaching spring and summer will come improved band conditions and some of our traditional long-haul bands will return. Traffic numbers are holding steady and keeps Indiana as a leader in the National Traffic System. I have all our dedicated traffic handlers to thank for that. Everyone have a good month looks like there will be some Hamfests coming up in the next few months as we begin to return to normal 73 all until next month! BRIAN G JENKS W9BGJ ARRL ASSISTANT SECTION MANAGER INDIANA SECTION ARRL SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER INDIANA SECTION ARRL OFFICIAL RELAY STATION [email protected]
INDIANA STM REPORTS APRIL 2021 HF NETS NET NAME SOURCE QNI QTC QTR SESSIONS INDIANA SECTION ARES KC9TYA 33 0 76 3 IDTN K9JAJ 149 44 389 22 ITN N1LL 1864 86 1217 59 QIN K0TQ 104 60 262 30 INDIANA WINLINK KC9TYA 61 61 1830 4 TOTALS 2211 251 3774 118 NETS REPORTING 5
INDIANA STM REPORT APRIL 2021 PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL STATION SESSIONS MESSAGES APPTS PUB SVC EMG RES DIGITAL TOTAL W9BGJ 0 40 30 0 0 10 80 KA9QWC 40 40 30 0 0 10 120 AB9ZA 36 40 10 0 0 0 86 N1LL 40 40 30 0 0 20 130 W9EEU 24 40 30 0 0 20 114 TOTALS 140 200 130 0 0 60 530 STATIONS REPORTING 5
INDIANA STM REPORT APRIL 2021 ORS AND SAR STATION REPORTS STATION TYPE ORGINATED RECEIVED SENT DELIVERED TOTALS W9BGJ ORS 0 75 80 0 155 KA9QWC ORS 0 11 27 9 47 AB9ZA ORS 0 32 19 13 64 K0TQ SAR 21 117 93 10 241 N1LL ORS 0 174 0 0 174 NA9L ORS 1 2 1 2 6 W9EEU ORS 0 12 7 5 24 W9PC ORS 0 0 4 0 4 W9MGB ORS 3 3 6 6 18 K9ATP ORS 0 2 3 0 5 TOTALS 25 428 240 75 738 STATIONS REPORTING 10
INDIANA STM REPORT APRIL 2021 VHF/UHF NETS NET NAME SOURCE QNI QTC QTR SESSIONS BARTHOLOMEW CO ARES K9JAJ 37 0 86 4 CASS CO ARC KA9BYN 62 0 123 5 CLAY COUNTY W9EEU 41 0 70 4 CROSSROADS DMR K9NQW 102 0 108 4 D STAR NET K9NQW 59 0 119 5 DEKALB CO ARES WD9GC 69 0 62 4 HUNTINGTON CO NET K9BME 66 2 181 5 HENDRICKS CO KD9DHJ 83 5 32 5 IMO NET K9SKS 503 0 392 30 JEFFERSON CO N9XVB 31 0 15 3 JENNINGS CO ARES KB9EFN 66 2 139 4 KOSCIUSKO CO ARES KD9EDR 48 0 240 8 LAWRENCE CO ARES KC9WPH 4 0 2 60 MID STATE ARC K9DY 196 0 176 4 MONROE CO KC9EVU 135 32 150 8 MORGAN CO ARES N9JPX 80 0 96 4 NORTHEAST INDIANA PACKET NET KA9QWC 37 4 150 4 SCOTT CO ARES/RACES WR9G 63 7 86 4 SOUTH CENTRAL AREA KA9OPL 56 0 114 4 TARS EVANSVILLE KE9YK 101 1 127 8 TRI STATE 2 METER W9OU 462 0 509 24 VIGO CO ARES K9WDO 7 0 7 1 WCARC SUN NET KA9QWC 32 4 71 4 WHITLEY CO ARES W9NNH 25 0 82 4 21 REPEATER GROUP KA9QWC 31 4 91 4 2396 61 3228 214 NETS REPORTING 22
Monthly Report for D/Star and DMR
DMR Month of April Report: 2021 Net Time Time Date Control QNI QTC QTR Began Ended Freq
04/05/21 KC9OYW 25 0 24 20:00 20:24 442.750(+)
04/12/21 KC9OYW 26 0 28 20:00 20:28 442.750(+)
04/19/21 KC9OYW 27 0 26 20:00 20:26 442.750(+)
04/26/21 K9NQW 24 0 30 20:00 20:30 442.750(+)
Sessions: 4 Total: 102 108
D-Star
Net Time Time Date Control QNI QTC QTR Began Ended Freq
04/01/21 K9NQW 16 0 28 20:00 20:28 443.400(+)
04/08/21 K9NQW 11 0 14 20:00 20:14 443.400(+)
04/15/21 KA9OPL 11 0 23 20:00 20:23 443.400(+)
04/22/21 KA9OPL 11 0 33 20:00 20:33 443.400(+)
04/29/21 K9NQW 10 0 21 20:00 20:21 443.400(+) Total: Sessions: 5 59 119
Technical Specialist Coordinators Report
Jeff DeLucenay KB9QG I had a license testing session on April 6th. Roger Fieldhouse, Christopher Fieldhouse and Any Grote updated to General Class license. I was the net control for the DeKalb County ARES Net on April 10th and 17th using the W9OU repeater on 147.015 Mhz. I have been attending zoom meeting in preparation for the Auburn Indiana Hamfest on July 10th. Myself and Roger KC9IPL help Tim Grube put up a 2 meter J-pole and a trapped dipole antenna. I have been participating with the Winlink Wednesday training sessions ran by Mark KC9TYA.
Chris Frederick KQ9Y Johnson County MARC continues to have monthly in person meetings in a small group of less than 20 with audio of meeting carried on the local 2M repeater. Masks and distancing being observed. Interaction from additional members at home via 2M. Working well, but participation noticably down from full, in person meetings. WIRES-X has been active on the MARC UHF repeater as a test. Interest in making this full time is being analyzed. Plans in startup mode for replacing coax and antenna for UHF rptr. "Tech-talk" via WebEx Tuesday evenings becoming more popular. Diverse, spot-on topics mixed with general Q&A format.
Roger McEntarfer N9QCL I spent most of my time working with fellow ham Steve Leisinger KD9QHK installing new laminate flooring in my living and dining rooms, Thanks Steve.
I did purchase a new Icom IC-7300, a Nano VNA-SAA2N, Nano VNA-H4 and an RTL-SDR. Hopefully will have some time to play with the new toys soon. With spring and summer arriving, my outside yard and gardening activities are starting to take up much of my time. So much for having more time in retirement…LOL The Whitley County Amateur Radio Club members activated Indiana Parks On The Air (INPOTA) using the club call WC9AR on Saturday April 24, 2021. Activating Chain-O-Lakes State Park K-2252 twice using FT-8 and SSB. A great time was had my all in attendance. The club plans to do this again in the fall adding a fox hunt, possibly an antenna building project and a picnic.. I continue working with my Whitley County W5YI VE Team with virtual remote testing, helping a team out of Texas on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I am also helping a team out of Oregon Monday through Saturday. Averaging 11 virtual tests per week. The next Whitley County Amateur Radio Club (WCARC) General Meeting will be held on Thursday May 13, 2021 starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the Peabody Public Library, 1160 E, IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725 Lower level Community Rooms A & B. The Program for the evening will be Parachute Mobile - What I have learned so far from combining hobbies, presented by Carlos Felix, KD9OLN. All WCARC General Meetings are open to the Public. For additional information visit the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Web Page at www.wcarc.org, or the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Group Facebook Page The next Whitley County W5YI Amateur Radio Test Session will be held on Saturday July 31, 2021 from 9:00 till 11:00 AM at the Peabody Public Library, 1160 E, IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725 Lower level Community Rooms A & B. The cost to take the test is $14.00. Note we are also holding Bi Monthly Virtual Test Sessions. The next Virtual sessions will be May 10, 2021 and May 24, 2021. Click this link to sign up for either the Live or Virtual test sessions: https://hamstudy.org/sessions/N9QCL
Mark Skowronski K9MQ This month, I had two requests for assistance. The first request was concerning the current state of DMR activity in the area. The second request was from someone who had a G5RV in a less than ideal configuration due to lot size and tree placement, and was looking for other ideas on how he could possibly improve things.
No Activity to Report Tom Busch WB8WOR Lou Kruizinga N7BBW
Public Information Coordinator’s Report
Hendricks county ARES ( HCARES ) PIO Report Jake Stellmack, HCARES PIO KI6PKV Completed events- APRIL The scheduled weekly W9HCA Hendricks County ARES net was held every Tuesday night at 1930 on the 147.015 Mhz repeater. The Hendricks County ARES Tuesday night Simplex net was held on APRIL20 right after the regular net with Ken Kayler KC9QSD hosting on the 147.570 Mhz simplex. This is the last simplex net until September. The Hendricks County Health Department Has a new more powerful emergency radio broadcasting on the 1670 am frequency. The portable radio will be used as needed as a backup in the field and be on the 1620 frequency. The Hendricks Regional Hospital net was held on April 20 at 10:30 am with Ken Kayler KC9SQD hosting. Upcoming events The latest HCARES Emergency Plan is now available for viewing and downloading on the Hendricks County ARES web page. This
can be reached with this link: htpp://hendricksares.org/docs/misc/emergency-plan-v10.pdf
Submitted by Jake Stellmack, KI6PKV HCARES PIO Whitley County PIO Roger McEntarfer, N9QCL
I announced in the local newspapers: Columbia City Post & Mail, Churubusco News, IN Whitley County, and South Whitley The Tribune News, Local WJHS 91.5 FM (Whitley County Joint High School) radio station, Local Web based News: Columbia City Talk of the Town. HF Nets: Indiana Traffic Net and several of the local 2M and 70 CM nets around the northern Indiana area about the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club (WCARC) General Meeting on April 8, 2021, the Whitley County W5YI Test Session for April 24, 2021, the results from the Whitley County W5YI Test Session for April 24, 2021, the Whitley County W5YI Virtual Remote Test Sessions on April 12, April 26, May 10 and May 24, 2021 and the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club (WCARC) General Meeting on May 13, 2021.
The next Whitley County Amateur Radio Club (WCARC) General Meeting will be held on Thursday May 13, 2021 starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the Peabody Public Library, 1160 E, IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725 Lower level Community Rooms A & B. The Program for the evening will be Parachute Mobile - What I have learned so far from combining hobbies, presented by Carlos Felix, KD9OLN. All WCARC General Meetings are open to the Public.
For additional information visit the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Web Page at www.wcarc.org, or the Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Group Facebook Page
The next Whitley County W5YI Amateur Radio Test Session will be held on Saturday July 31, 2021 from 9:00 till 11:00 AM at the Peabody Public Library, 1160 E, IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725 Lower level Community Rooms A & B. The cost to take the test is $14.00. Note we are also holding Bi Monthly Virtual Test Sessions. The next Virtual sessions will be May 10, 2021 and May 24, 2021. Click this link to sign up for either the Live or Virtual test sessions: https://hamstudy.org/sessions/N9QCL
73 Roger McEntarfer/ N9QCL Whitley County Amateur Radio Club President Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Technical Specialist Whitley County Amateur Radio Club Public Information Officer Whitley County W5YI CVE
Amateur Radio on the I.S.S. ARISS-USA, the US arm of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is seeking volunteers to support its mission. ARISS-USA is best known for providing opportunities, mostly for students, to speak via ham radio with astronauts on board the ISS. Less known is its important role in providing and supporting amateur radio equipment for the ISS (NA1SS), which could offer back-up communication in an emergency. Its primary objective is educational — to inspire, teach, and engage youth and communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics via amateur radio. Hams who are interested in joining the volunteer ARISS team can read details about the types of ARISS roles and teams at the ARRL web story: http://www.arrl.org/news/ariss-usa-seeks-volunteers-to- further-its-mission. The ARISS Radio was switched to crossband repeater mode on May 7, 2021. Previously, the radio was set for packet. Here are the details: ARISS Inter-Operable Radio Station (Kenwood D710GA) status is active and currently supporting crossband repeater operation (145.990 up [67 Hz tone] /437.800 down MHz). The next mode change will be back to packet operations, targeting for this change in mid-June. Thousands of hams are having fun engaging the International Space Station radios. Remember: the ARISS radios are always turned off before, during, and after spacewalks. The radios are also turned off before, during, and after scheduled dockings and undocking of spaceflight vehicles. On rare occasions, the radios are turned off before, during, and after specialized testing in the ISS. Courtesy of: 73, Rosalie White - K1STO
Club Report Information Suggestions that clubs list their Field Day site on the ARRL.org website at http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator ------Also, make sure the club's annual report is current for 2021. Required every year by ARRL to keep affiliation. I can assist with this if needed contact me at [email protected].
Please make sure all information is updated so the section staff can contact if needed, or hams in search of a club to join.
How To Update Your Club Record The club update area is now active. This section allows you to edit information in your club record and also upload photos of your club activities.
The club update is your annual report. You must update your club record at least once per year even if nothing changes. The club update is how we know that the club is still in business and keeps the contact information current for ARRL and prospective hams to get in touch with your club. Should two years pass without an update your club will be listed as inactive.
Follow this link for an instructional overview of how to use the editing system. http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Clubs/Club%20Update%20Online_20150806.pdf
To find your club switch state to Indiana for a listing of all affiliated clubs for the state. http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club
Note: You must be logged into the ARRL web site to use the editing system • Find your club • Click Go now • Click Edit (upper right corner beside club name) • Update the club information • click save
ARRL Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to Ryan Sissons, KD9BGD an Eagle Scout has been awarded one of the ARRL $2000 scholarships. Ryan was one of the youth, in the first few technician classes that I was teaching with several troops back in 2014. Good to see him win that scholarship.
73s Andrew Murrey - N9AWM IN ARRL - Section Youth Coordinator
Indiana Welcome Net for new ham’s Wednesday's on the W9WIN Linked Repeaters at 8 pm On May 5th there were 53 check-ins for the first net. On May 12 there was 56 Check-ins. 32 of the check-ins were new to the net. The net is for anyone but geared at newly licensed hams to offer them information about repeater, help to find Elmer's, and current information about amateur radio.
Thanks to Russ Ryle, N9DHX; Ken Bandy, KJ9B; Gordon Brock, KD9RUE; Stuart Shear, KD9POP, and Ellen Brock, KD9RUD for creating this net. I have been offering my assistance to the project and the net.
Stats 5/5/21 5/12/21 5/19/22 Net Control Russ Ryle - N9DHS Ken Bandy - KJ9B Jimmy Merry - KC9RPX Check-Ins 53 56 40 First Time 53 32 14 Cities 26 25 11 Counties 20 17 11 Zip Codes 42 33 13 Net Time 1:05 1:05 1:05
Got an amateur radio related question? Ask an Elmer by sending an email to: [email protected]
The net can be heard on the following repeaters of the W9WIN linked repeater system:
Marion County Indianapolis – 444.325 + offset, CTCSS 136.5
Monroe County Bloomington – 443.775 + offset, CTCSS 136.5
Greene County Vicksburg – 442.425 + offset, CTCSS 136.5 or 118.8
Gibson County Fort Branch – 145.150 – offset, CTCSS 136.5
Lawrence County Huron – 442.250 + offset, CTCSS 136.5
Huron – 29.680 – offset, CTCSS 136.5
Washington County Salem – 444.925 + offset, CTCSS 136.5
Echolink [1] Node #338340 N9UMJ-R Note: the N9UMJ-9 Echolink node in Lawrence County is currently non-operational but should be back up and running soon.
2021 Indiana ARRL Hamfest Schedule (As of 22 May 2021) ______
June 12 Monroe Co Tailgate Fest 8 am to 12 pm Southside Christian Church 500 E Empire Mill Rd Bloomington *** July 9 & 10 Indianapolis Hamfest 2021 - ARRL – Indiana Section Convention Marion County Fairgrounds 7300 E Troy Ave – Indianapolis http://indyhamfest.com *** July 10 Auburn Hamfest Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum 1600 S. Wayne Street – Auburn http://W9OU.ORG *** July 31 East Central Indiana Hamfest Randolph County Fairgrounds 1885 S US Highway 27 - Winchester, IN https://sites.google.com/view/ecindianahamfest *** August 7 Elkhart East Hamfest August 7, 2021 Norther Indiana Event Center 21565 Executive Parkway
Elkhart, IN https://elkharteasthamfest.com/ *** August 14 Hendricks County Tailgate Fest Avon United Methodist Church 6850 E. Highway 36 – Avon *** August 28 North Central Indiana Hamfest Miami County 4-H Fairgrounds 1029 W. 200 North, Peru, Indiana 9am – 2pm http://www.nci-hamfest.net *** October 2 Hoosier Hills Ham Club Hamfest Lawrence Co. 4H Fairgrounds 11265 US Hwy 50 W – Bedford, IN http://www.w9qyq.org/pdf/2021_Hamfest_Flyer.pdf *** October 16 Shelbyville Tailgate Hamfest Blue River Valley ARS 8 AM - 12 PM Shelby Co Fairgrounds 500 Frank St. Shelbyville, IN http://www.brvars.com *** OCTOBER 23 Hamtober Fest 7 AM - 12 PM Lynnville Community Center 416 W ST RD IN-68 - Lynnville, IN http://www.w9og.net/hamtoberfest-hamfest-2021
*** November 13 & 14 Fort Wayne Hamfest & Computer Expo 2021 - ARRL - Central Division Convention Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 4000 Parnell Ave – Fort Wayne http://www.fortwaynehamfest.com *** November 27 Turkey Fest 8 am to 12 pm Clay Co. Fairgrounds 6550 N SR IN 59 - Brazil, IN www.w9uuu.org/hamfest/turkeyfest_2021.pdf