December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
12:00 noon lunch and 1:00 PM Meeting at the NFLARC clubhouse, 1092 nw co rd 1020 Corsicana, Tx. (near Dobins Rd & CR1020)
NFLARC W5NFL DMR # 3148669 DMR Repeater #314849
Sign points to Clubhouse on CR 1020
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The Linked Repeaters at • Corsicana - 2M (145.290 + with a tone of 146.2) The NFL Amateur Radio Club • Corsicana – DMR 440 (442.925 cc9) • Buffalo - 2M (147.280 + with a tone of 146.2) PO Box 334 • Franklin - 2M (146.960 - with a tone of 146.2) • Corsicana, Tx 75151 Hillsboro - 2M (146.780 - with a tone of 123.0) • Fairfield * 2M (145.110 * with a tone of 146.2) • Lindale * 2M (145.600 simplex with a tone of 146.2) Meets the second Saturday of each month at • Mexia * 2M (145.39 - with a tone of 146.2) Page 1 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
• Echolink * KD5OXM-L TG Name PTT TG Name PTT • We can be Monitored via 9000 Texas BM(Primary) No 2 Dallas Metro o http://nflarc.org/radio.html (Primary) o http://www.radioreference.com Look for 3148 Texas DM(Primary) No 10 Tarrant Metro Navarro, Freestone, Limestone and Leon 3140 Ok lahoma State 15 9 Local Counties Repeaters or BM 314878 * These talkgroups are interconnected between MARC and BM, so you will be able to talk to someone from either The DMR Linked Repeaters network on these.
Up-to-date code plugs located here Corsicana, TX - 442.92500MHz, CC9 - DMR-MARC http://nflarc.org/DMR/codeplugs/ Repeater ID 314849 ------Updated: 1/26 Timeslot Talkgroup Name Talkgroup PTT NFLARC Channel on Zello aka “Network Radio” ID 1 DM Texas Statewide 3148 No
1 BM TG 3148 Link 9000 15
1 Texas Nexus Link 31488 15 http://zello.me/k/eVG6G
1 DMR Track 31489 No License Training Class / Testing
1 Oklahoma State 3140 15 TBA
2 DFW Metro 2 No New Members
2 KC5HWB Repeaters 8210 Yes
2 Local Repeater 9 No or Featured Amateur ~BM314849 * These talkgroups are interconnected between MARC and BM, so you will be able to talk to someone from either network on these.
~ This channels are also accessible via a BM Talk Group source
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Hillsboro Tx. Radio RX 443.275
Radio TX 448.275 Color Code DMR/9
Slot 1 Slot 2
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
NFLARC Weather Nets
Hill County ARES Group
Joe Moore KE5YPH is the Hill Co ARES Coordinator.
NFLARC Weather Net Frequencies: He plans to have “Hill County Emergency Training Net” • Corsicana - 2M (145.290 + with a tone of 146.2) o Echolink - KD5OXM-L • Corsicana - 440 (442.925 +5 DMR CC9 TG-Local) • Buffalo - 2M (147.280 + with a tone of 146.2) • Franklin - 2M (146.960 - with a tone of 146.2) Caught on camera this month • Hillsboro - 2M (146.780 - with a tone of 123.0) o Echolink - KD5JUM • Fairfield - 2M (145.110 * with a tone of 146.2) • Lindale - 2M (145.600 simplex with a tone of 146.2) • Mexia - 2M (145.39 - with a tone of 146.2) • Simplex Frequency - 146.500 MHz
ARES Net
Smile you’re on “not so candid” camera
Limestone County ARES Group ARES group for Limestone Co. List their Coms plan as follows:
• Repeaters o Mexia Repeater 145.39 – Primary o Hillsboro Repeater 146.78 – Secondary • Simplex o 146.500 FM Primary o 146.550 FM Secondary o 147.550 FM Texas State Guard Freq
They will have a weekly net on Tuesday Nights 8PM on Mexia Repeater 145.39
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
Local News & Events
Skunks
NFLARC 2018 Christmas Dinner
La Pedera Restaurant, Corsicana, Tx Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 12 PM – 1 PM
meeting after at clubhouse aprox 1pm
http://www.lapraderamexicanrestaurant.com
La Pedera Restaurant Visitor 1401 W. 7th Corsicana, TX 75510 Tel: (903) 641-0077
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New linked DMR+Analog Repeater (K5ZY) for brazos county
Repeater Callsign: K5ZY It’s Wes Repeater ID: 114805 or 310026 Repeater City: Benchley Repeater State: Texas Repeater Country: United States
Repeater Coordinates: 30.772937, -96.470091 (approx) Repeater Height: 400ft Repeater Power: 20w Repeater Frequency: 444.12500 Repeater Offset: +5.000 Repeater Mode: DMR + Analog Repeater Trustee: KG5RKI Trustee Email: [email protected] Repeater Network: Brandmeister and TGIF. DMR-Marc & Allstar coming in future.
-- DMR -- Repeater ColorCode: 1 Repeater M/P: Peer
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
NØA/NWS). It’s suggested that during SRD operations a non- Repeater Time Slot 1: Brandmeister, NWS volunteer serve as a station control operator. all talkgroups. Dynamic, PTT activated with 15min timeout. Talkgroup 2 is local. Event certificates are electronic and printable from the main website at the conclusion of SRD. Submit SRD log summaries Repeater Time Slot 2: TGIF Network. using the online submission form. Talkgroup 9 is main tgif and is static, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftT2qohysZo7cdV talkgroup 2 is local z6I25xEnqtxQmap9qzeJJehDfzp2f0tvA/viewform
-- Analog -- PL Tone: 88.5 ------
Contact me for any issues or questions. If you'd like support for URC Calls for Basic French License other digital modes added or any change in talkgroup scheme just hit me up. -Ty/KG5RKI ([email protected]) The French Union of Radio Clubs (URC) made a submission to the regulator DGE calling for a Basic amateur radio license to be introduced.
World News & Event “We have wanted for many years the creation of several classes of licenses, before 2012 a class 3 license existed, it did not have an Reminder: SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018 is December 1 UTC equivalent CEPT, we wish its reform, but absolutely not its disappearance. Today we do not ask not its recovery, but the SKYWARN™ Recognition Day (SRD) 2018 takes place on creation of a true Basic license that allows for many young and Saturday, December 1, from 0000 until 2400 UTC. Developed in old, to access the world of radio amateurs. 1999 by the National Weather Service (NWS) and ARRL, SRD celebrates the contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to We also want the creation of an intermediate [CEPT Novice] the NWS mission, the protection of life and property. During license, these two licenses finding equivalence in CEPT countries. SKYWARN Recognition Day, special event stations will be on the These licenses have already been put in place in some European air from NWS offices, contacting radio amateurs around the countries. In the name of the equality of all European citizen world. radio amateurs, we request the creation of these licenses which will respect the CEPT REC0506 recommendations and “Amateur Radio operators comprise a large percentage of the ERCREP032 for the intermediate [CEPT Novice] license, and SKYWARN volunteers across the country,” the NWS ECCREP089, for the basic license. announcement said. ” “Amateur Radio operators also provide vital communication — French Union of Radio Clubs (URC) between the NWS and emergency management, if normal communications become inoperative.” The only amateur radio exam in France is the HAREC exam which has a total of 40 questions. These are split into two The object of SRD is for all amateur stations to exchange papers, a 15 minute 20 question Rules and Regulations paper contact information with as many National Weather Service and a 30 minute 20 question Technical paper. A pass mark of 10 stations as possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meters plus or more in each paper is required. Currently, a wrong answer 70 centimeters. Contacts via repeaters are permitted. Stations counts as -1, not 0, DGE plans to change this so candidates will should exchange call sign, signal report, and location plus a no longer lose a point for a wrong answer. quick description of the weather at your location (e.g., sunny, partly cloudy, windy, rainy, etc). EchoLink and IRLP nodes, URC propose that the results from the existing HAREC exam be including the Voice over Internet Protocol Weather Net (VoIP- used to determine which of the three classes of license the WX), are expected to be active as well. candidate is eligible for. A pass of 10 or more questions correct out of 20 for Rules and Regulations paper and: Stations will employ various modes, including SSB, FM, AM, RTTY, CW, and PSK31. While working digital modes, special • 12 or more correct in Technical paper = HAREC CEPT event stations will append “NWS” to their call signs (e.g., Class 1 licence
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
I was lobbied by a really large cross-section of the community • 8-11 correct in Technical = CEPT Novice license that spends time in remote areas and when shortwave was cut there was a lot of angst, so it will be a good thing to bring it • 4-7 correct in Technical = Basic license back to keep people on the land and waters connected.”
URC - https://www.news.urc.asso.fr/ — Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling URC (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/F8URC_news ------URC submission to DGE (PDF) - https://www.news.urc.asso.fr/wp- Santa's Radio Club Special Event - OH9S content/uploads/2018/10/Réponses-URC-ANFR-08-11-2018.pdf Santa's Radio Club will be active 1st - 8th December 2018, from ------the Arctic Circle as Special Event Callsign OH9S.
Australian Labor Party Commits $2 million to Resurrect ABC Activity will be mainly on 80-6 metres using all modes; also Shortwave Radio (if elected) including the popular FT8 Digital mode.
If elected next year, Federal Labor says it will provide the ABC QSL via ClubLog's OQRS (Preferred) or LoTW. QSOs will with $2 million in funding to help re-establish shortwave radio automatically be QSLed via the Bureau. services across the Northern Territory. More Information - https://oh9s.fi The ABC controversially switched off its shortwave service in January 2017 and defended the decision by saying it would ------"only affect a very, very small amount of people" and save taxpayers up to $1.9 million. Extending and Enabling New Licence Exemptions for 57-71 GHz
The decision was heavily criticised by industry groups such as Ofcom (UK) say more airwaves are being made available for the NT Cattlemen's Association (NTCA) and the NT Seafood industry to use without needing a license, after new regulations Council. relating to 57-71 GHz
NTCA president Chris Nott welcomed today's announcement by Following a review of fixed wireless services, published in July, Labor and said the ABC's decision was short-sighted. Ofcom published draft regulations to extend and enable new license exemption conditions for the 57- 71 GHz band. “What people take for granted in the cities is a luxury for those of us in the bush. Following consultation, Ofcom has confirmed these changes will go ahead. This means a continuous block of 14 GHz of the We rely on the HF shortwave radio transmitters because we spectrum will be available on a license-exempt basis. This could don’t have mobile and data coverage for AM and FM radio be used for very high capacity services including 5G - the next stations. generation of mobile. It could also open up opportunities for new services in other sectors. The ABC can expand its modern day platforms all it likes but the truth is we don’t all have access to it and the ABC did not The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption and Amendment) care at all about the impact of its decision.” (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations necessary to bring in these changes have now been made and will come into effect on 27 — Mr Nott November 2018.
Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling said the axing of Statement: Decision to implement technical and regulatory shortwave had angered a lot of people and community groups. changes to the 57 – 71 GHz band - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and- “Many thousands will benefit from this [bringing back statements/category-3/implementing-decisions-57-71-ghz- shortwave]. band
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
------Kuo said a near round-the-clock net, which secured on CT1BAT New Vice-President of EURAO November 14, took place in Ventura County on the Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club’s BOZO repeater and the WD6EBY José Machado, CT1BAT, has just been elected unanimously new Repeater Network (PVARC) countywide, with updates, Vice-president of EURAO by its Board of Directors, after the important evacuation information, and more. Kuo copied resignation of David, F1SXC before the summer. information from the repeaters and his scanner onto his Twitter feed, for broader dissemination. José has extensive experience in the field of amateur radio and associationism. Since 2008 he is president of Tertúlia He credited Stu Sheldon, AG6AG, and Zak Cohen, N6PK — the Radioamadorística Guglielmo Marconi, CS5TRGM, and very two primary net operators — for working to make sure committed with the EuroBureauQSL project in Portugal from everyone had current information on the fire. “Many others the beginning. were also involved providing first-hand reports — in many cases, eyes on the fire and where it was at any point,” Kuo ------added. He said that with landline telephones, television cable, and internet service disrupted and cell phones intermittent, Repeaters, Amateur TV Play Communication Role in California repeaters were often the only source of information. Fire Emergency “Personally, the whole disaster cemented for me how much more resilient Amateur Radio is in these kinds of situations, and how it’s actually pretty critical to keeping informed and aware of what’s going on,” Kuo said
Elsewhere, Scott Bastian, AK6Q, of the Catalina Amateur Radio Association (CARA) in Southern California, said a ham in Malibu used his club’s repeater to call for help at the onset of the Woolsey Fire that decimated Malibu and surrounding areas.
“This ham — and I do not have her call sign — used the CARA 2- meter repeater located on Catalina Island, calling for someone to make a phone call to the fire department as there was a
large fire approaching her home, and she had no power or Amateur Radio repeaters and TV (ATV) have helped to keep the phone service due to our power company shutting off power broader community informed on the local status of widespread due to the high winds and fire danger,” Bastian told ARRL. “Two fires in Southern California, radio amateurs say. Benjamin Kuo, of our members — Bob Parker, KI6UPJ, in Bellfower, and KI6YR, who had to evacuate but now is back home, said remote Gabriel Saldana, K6GLS, in Avalon were able to pull her Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) mesh information out of the ‘mud,’ as she had a poor signal. They cameras captured video from fires across Southern California were able to notify Los Angeles County Fire and get her aid.” earlier this month, including the early stages of the Woolsey Fire. ------
ATV cameras also offered views of some of the state’s less prominent fires, including the Briggs Fire in Santa Paula, and the Montenegro and Lithuania Join the 60-Metre Band Peak Fire in Simi Valley. Community
“Another big success: When most of Southern California lost Montenegro and Lithuania are the latest countries to announce their internet and phone, local repeaters were used to relay adoption of a new Amateur Radio band at 5 MHz. Both information about the fire status to ham radio operators,” Kuo countries have authorized amateur operation on a secondary told ARRL. “We also used our AREDN mesh to enable some of allocation of 5,351.5 – 5,366.5 kHz at up to 15 W EIRP, per the our members to be able to access key public safety information Final Acts of World Radiocommunication Conference 2015. on their computers via our high-speed network when they had no phone or Internet.” Page 7 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
Montenegro’s International Amateur Radio Union member- ARRL Director and Vice Director Election Results society, the Montenegrin Amateur Radio Pool (MARP), Announced confirmed the new allocation. ARRL has announced the results of contested elections for Lithuania’s IARU member-society LRMD President Tadas Director and Vice Director. Ballots were opened and counted Vysniauskas, LY2BAW, said the news was “enthusiastically on November 16 in seven contests within five ARRL received” there Divisions.
------ARRL Central Division Director Election
Santa Net Launches 3.916 MHz • Kermit Carlson, W9XA 1,898 • Valerie Hotzfeld, NV9L 1,755
For the 13th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets will be presenting Mr. Carlson was declared elected. The Santa Net on 3.916 MHz. Good girls and boys can talk to Santa Claus, via amateur radio, nightly at 7:30 PM (Central) ARRL Hudson Division Director Election starting Friday 23rd November 2018. The Santa Net will run nightly at 7:30 PM Central through Christmas Eve, 24th • December 2018. Ria Jairam, N2RJ 1,292 • Mike Lisenco, N2YBB 1,239 “Christmastime is our favorite time of the year on 3.916 MHz. Our group thoroughly enjoys helping young people and their Ms. Jairam was declared elected. families have a shared Christmas experience that they’ll always remember. In addition, Santa Net has introduced a lot of young ARRL New England Division Director Election people to the magic of amateur radio.” • Fred Hopengarten, K1VR 1,432 — Pete Thomson (KE5GGY) - 3916 Nets • Tom Frenaye, K1KI 1,383
Youngsters can talk to "Santa at The North Pole" via Mr. Hopengarten was declared elected. strategically placed operators who relay the voice of Santa. Thomson said that The Santa Net is a team effort that involves ARRL Northwestern Division Director Election the efforts of a number of 3916 Net members. He said, "In our first year, we connected 10 kids to Santa on Ham Radio and it's • Mike Ritz, W7VO 1,589 grown steadily since. For 2018, we're expecting between 600- • Bonnie Altus, AB7ZQ 1,308 700 children to participate." • Horace Hamby, N7DRW 495
Prenet check-ins are welcome each night starting at 7:15 PM Mr. Ritz was declared elected. centra.
ARRL Northwestern Division Vice Director Election The Santa Nets are presented annually by The 3916 Nets. The Rag Chew Crew, The Tailgaters and The Freewheelers are all • amateur radio nets that meet on 3.916 MHz nightly. Mark Tharp, KB7HDX 1,368 • Daniel Stevens, KL7WM 1,228 • The 3916 Nets - http://www.3916nets.com Delvin Bunton, NS7U 767
Mr. Tharp was declared elected. The 3916 Nets (Facebook) - https://www.facebook.com/3916santanet/ ARRL Roanoke Division Director Election
------• George Hippisley, W2RU 1,891 • Dr. James Boehner, N2ZZ 1,365
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
Mr. Hippisley was declared elected. Amateur Radio operators who support the program and give their reports during times of severe weather.” ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director Election — Rob Macedo, KD1CY • William Morine, N2COP 1,742 • John Humphry, W4IM 1,505 ------
Mr. Morine was declared elected. Icom Inc. Announces Partnership with Iridium Communications Inc
All newly elected officials will take office at noon on 1st Icom Inc. (Headquarters: Hirano, Osaka, Japan/President: January 2019. Masataka Harima) has entered into a partnership with Iridium Communications Inc. (Headquarters: McLean, Virginia., ------USA/CEO: Matthew J. Desch) to develop and sell a new satellite Push-To-Talk (PTT) communications product for the Iridium® IARUMS reports Polish Military in 40m Ham Radio Band network. In a smart collaboration of both companies’ core competencies, Icom’s radio expertise and Iridium’s satellite IARU-R1 Monitoring System reports the Polish military has been expertise, the partnership will provide a professional radio using transmitting MIL-STD-188-110B daily on 7001.8 kHz in the communications solution which will enable users to Primary Amateur Radio 40m band communicate wherever they are on the earth.
The International Amateur Radio Union Monitoring System The Satellite PTT radio is a professional radio communications (IARUMS) Region 1 October 2018 newsletter can be read - system using the Iridium satellite communication network. This http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/news2018/news1810.pdf system enables real-time, one-to-many communication throughout the world with only a push of a PTT (transmit) Reports of Amateur Band intruders can be logged on the IARU button. In addition, Iridium’s unique interconnected satellite Region 1 Monitoring System Logger - architecture ensures stable and reliable communication even if http://peditio.net/intruder/bluechat.cgi large-scale disasters occur on earth and terrestrial networks are compromised. Monitor the shortwave bands online with a web-based SDR receiver - http://www.websdr.org/ “Icom has been developing various wireless communications equipment for land use, marine use, and air band use. This IARU Monitoring System (IARUMS) - https://www.iarums- Satellite PTT project will be a tough challenge, but the project r1.org/ will fill an important piece of our product lineups that cover all areas from the surface of the earth and even in to space. We ------continue to challenge ourselves.”
Blue Hills Observatory Outstanding Service Award — Icom President Masataka Harima
The Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center has awarded “The market has shown a clear demand for a PTT-only radio Eastern Massachusetts ARES SKYWARN Coordinator and Section solution designed for the Iridium network. With Icom’s Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, with its significant experience in the LMR sector, we believe they are the Outstanding Service Award. Macedo received the award on 9th perfect partner to introduce what will be the world’s first truly- November 2018 during a Blue Hills Observatory fundraising global PTT-only handheld.” event. Doing the honors were meteorologist and Weather Channel personality Jim Cantore and former Weather Channel — Mr. Joel Thompson, vice president, Global Product and meteorologist Mish Michaels. The honor was especially Service Management, Iridium meaningful for Macedo as it coincided with his birthday. Shipment time and price of the product are still not fixed as of “It’s both rewarding and humbling to receive [the award] in this announcement. the presence of some of the most respected people in the meteorology profession. It wouldn’t be possible without the ------support of hundreds to thousands of SKYWARN spotters and Page 9 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
Young Amateur Radio Club Contest Amateur Radio Experimenters Group's Balloon Success
The Young Amateurs Radio Club will be holding its’ second ever To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Amateur Radio contest, and first annual Winter QSO Party, sponsored by Experimenters Group released a high altitude balloon carrying Hamstudy.org! on 1st December 2018 transmitters for APRS and SSTV, and a crossband FM repeater
The goal of this amateur radio contest is to get the youth The balloon was launched from Mount Barker High School at involved; to incentivize everyone to get on the air, there are 10am and quickly floated high enough to take in views of loads of prizes! In order to be eligible for prizes, however, your Adelaide, the Fleurieu and Yorke peninsulas, and the curve of station must have a median age at or below 30. If you’re over the Earth's atmosphere giving way to the blackness of space. that age, we encourage you to find local young hams and get them involved in your station! It reached a height of 36 kilometres and zig-zagged across the sky, carried by stratospheric winds, before bursting somewhere All prizes for the under-30 categories are general purpose gift above Monteith and falling to earth in a paddock south of cards, courtesy of our fantastic event sponsor, HamStudy.org: Wynarka.
• First Place, Single-Operator QRP: $25 Recovery teams followed signals from an APRS beacon to find the exact landing site of the transmitter, a white object about • First Place Single-Operator Low: $25 the size of a shoebox.
• First Place Single-Operator High: $25 “Amateur radio is all about self-learning and experimentation. It covers people who want to chat with people around the • First Place Multi-Single Low: $75 world, people launching balloons like myself, people who bounce signals off the moon ... there’s all sorts of sub-groups.” • First Place Multi-Single High: $75 — Mark Jessop VK5QI • First Place Multi-Multi Low: $75 Group member Mark Jessop VK5QI said his team was able to • First Place Multi-Multi High: $75 follow its descent closely enough to watch it land from a kilometre away and, after obtaining permission from the • First Place School Club: $75 property owner, go and pick it up.
He said the flight, the 50th conducted by the radio group under • Second Place School Club: $75 the name Project Horus, was just one kind of experiment amateur radio operators were interested in. • First Place New Contester: $75
Media Story and Video - • Second Place, New Contester: $25 https://www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au/story/5740661/radi
o-hobbyists-balloon-floats-36km-high-photographs-space- The top three scoring entries in each category (under- and over- lands-at-wynarka/ 30) and all stations who work all WY4RC stations on the air during the contest will receive a certificate of achievement.
Amateur Radio Experimenters Group - http://www.areg.org.au/ If you are over the prize eligible age, we strongly encourage you to still participate in the contest and treat it as you’d treat any ------other. All of these young operators will need people to QSO with! Three New Amateur Radio Bands for Indian Hams
Young Amateur Radio Club - http://www.YARC.world The Indian Government’s Telecommunications regulator has
published a 2018 Update to the Indian National Frequency Plan, ------Page 10 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG effective 25th October 2018, which lists new bands at 5 The existing frequency of 6070KHz in the 49m broadcast band MHz/60m, 472 kHz/630m and 135 kHz/2300m. will still carry Channel292's existing programs.
• 5351.5-5366.5 kHz - Amateur 5.133B (Secondary, 15W The planned programs for both frequencies are available on the EIRP) Channel292.de website - http://www.channel292.de
• 472-479 kHz - Amateur 5.80A (Secondary, 1W EIRP ) ------
• 135.7-137.8 kHz - Amateur 5.67A (Secondary, 1W EIRP) Young Belgian Exam Success
The regulations are as follows current ITU criteria for these The Belgium IARU member-society UBA reports 13-year-old bands. Lana has passed her amateur radio exam
Indian National Frequency Plan - Lana is the youngest Belgian amateur radio operator, and has http://wpc.dot.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/NFAP%202018. been assigned the callsign ON3LNA. pdf The UBA congratulates Lana and warmly welcomes her to our ------hobby world! Of course, congratulations also go to Hans, ON8PZ, her dad and CM from the DST section who undoubtedly What's My WAI Square? supported her with advice and action.
More Information (Google English) - The IRTS (Irish Radio Transmitters Society) report that during https://tinyurl.com/BelgiumUBA the recent 40-metre Counties Contest, a number of contesters were asked which Worked All Ireland square they were ------operating in, which led to some enquiries about the WAI Awards Scheme. Armando M0PAM Champions Local Amateur Radio Rights
Following a suggestion from one of our members, we have After his nightmare neighbour experience, Armando, M0APM is expanded the explanation of the WAI Awards Scheme at preparing a legal challenge against a nuisance that anyone who http://www.irts.ie/wai to include a section explaining how WAI takes up amateur radio as a hobby can experience: squares are calculated from the Irish grid reference system, and included links to sites that can identify the grid reference of any Unwanted attention from nightmare neighbours supported by location in Ireland. council officials.
------Stuart Dixon - G4IYK, who manages the Armando Martins Campaign, wrote: "While dealing with his council housing Channel292 Tests department, it was noted that knowledge of planning law was November 12, 2018 in short supply and his rights were affected by this. Several times he was told to take down antenna by council workers and The Amateur owned and run AM Short-wave broadcast station yet these were compliant with planning rules. CHANNEL292 will be starting testing on their new 41 metre broadcast band frequency of 7440 kHz from this weekend “During the time we worked with Martins, council workers onwards. demonstrated no knowledge of what normal neighbourly behaviour is, or how to separate it from unwanted, aggressive Rainer Ebeling DB8QC who owns and operates the station from and unlawful behaviour, even though they had sound policies near Ingolstadt in the state of Bavaria in southern Germany on the topic. M0PAM’s investment in equipment to maintain a would appreciate all signal reports which can be sent simply via livelihood in his retirement was at risk of being trashed and we the form on the channel292.de website at wanted to prevent the injustice. http://www.channel292.de/deutsch/kontakt/ or http://tinyurl.com/y78etubo (Google translated English). We think:
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
- IT’s NOT OK to drum up false claims against a neighbour or News about prohibiting unrestricted two-way radios - his property for any reason. https://rsm.cmail20.com/t/r-l-jjuijkn-qbuiqil-q/
- IT’s NOT OK for council workers to support poor neighbour ------behaviour by taking enforcement action before establishing the facts. Using Authentication in Amateur Radio
- IT’s NOT OK to condone neighbour aggression or blame the The rules of Amateur Radio forbid the hiding of messages i.e. victim of it. encryption. However, modern encryption technology makes Authentication possible without encryption. This can be useful - IT’s NOT OK to stand by and watch such behaviour without where there is a need to control remote devices such as challenging it. repeaters and beacons that sometimes suffer from electronic vandalism. There are others who came forward with stories of similar treatment. That’s why we continue to support Armando who is More Information - preparing to go to court to highlight the issues and seek a https://www.cix.co.uk/~klockstone/201605_Authentication.pdf judgement that prevents such behaviour.” ------More Information - https://chuffed.org/project/prevent- abusers-from-using-planning-law-to-blight-peoples-lives HMS Belfast Armistice Amateur Radio Special Event Callsign
------The HMS Belfast Radio Group has obtained the special callsign Licence to Supply Radio Transmitting Equipment GB100ARM to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting in World War I on the 11th of New Zealand's regulator, RSM, has issued the following November 1918. statement regarding the import, supply or sale of radio transmitting equipment: The callsign will be active until the 28th of November from the Bridge Wireless Office on-board HMS Belfast. “Suppliers wanting to import, supply or sell radio transmitting equipment, including unrestricted two-way radios, must apply QSL details are available on QRZ.com for a Licence to supply radio transmitters. The licence is free and you can apply by completing the relevant Licence to supply ------online form below. ROTA Recipes On The Air We’ll send successful applicants an email confirming you have been added as a client in the Register of Radio Frequencies (the Taking place after the Australia, New Zealand and Africa DX Net, Register). If your application is not successful, we’ll contact you. ROTA is the one and only World Wide Recipe Swapping Net.
Amateur radio operators or suppliers wanting to import To gain some culinary inspiration or to exchange cooking tips, unrestricted two-way radios must hold a Licence to supply radio tune your radio to the Twenty Metre Band and 14.183 MHz, transmitters. You must then email us [email protected] to 0630 UTC Mondays straight after the ANZA Net. continue with your application.” Fun on the air swapping information about recipes or favourite Application for licence to supply radio transmitters (Individual) - ingredients, listen for the gastronomic cue from Lyn VK4SWE. https://rsm.cmail20.com/t/r-l-jjuijkn-qbuiqil-m/ ------
Application for licence to supply radio transmitters Santa Net 2018 Kicks Off November 23rd on 3.916 MHz (Organisation) - https://rsm.cmail20.com/t/r-l-jjuijkn-qbuiqil-c/ For the 13th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets will be presenting The Santa Net on 3.916 MHz. Good girls and boys can talk to Santa Claus, via amateur radio, nightly at 7:30 PM (Central)
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG starting Friday, November 23, 2018. The Santa Net will run The workgroup met on Skype this week and agreed on two nightly at 7:30 PM Central through Christmas Eve, December main initial initiatives to get the promotion of activity on bands 24, 2018. above 30 MHz off the ground.
Pete Thomson (KE5GGY), of The 3916 Nets, commented on The As a number of beacons are already operating in South Africa, it 3916 Santa Net. He said, "Christmastime is our favorite time of was agreed to prepare a comprehensive list and publish the the year on 3.916 MHz. Our group thoroughly enjoys helping information on the SARL web and in the news. Dick is calling on young people and their families have a shared Christmas beacon operators to send all the information to experience that they'll always remember. In addition, Santa Net [email protected]. has introduced a lot of young people to the magic of amateur radio." The second initial initiative is to set up a two-metre beacon in the upper Karoo area. The workgroup will meet again on 15 Youngsters can talk to "Santa at The North Pole" via November at 20:30. This is an open invitation to join the strategically placed operators who relay the voice of Santa. discussion. To participate make sure you have an updated Thomson said that The Santa Net is a team effort that involves version of Skype. the efforts of a number of 3916 Net members. He said, "In our first year, we connected 10 kids to Santa on Ham Radio and it's South African Radio League - grown steadily since. For 2018, we're expecting between 600- http://www.sarl.org.za/Default.asp 700 children to participate." ------Prenet check-ins are welcome each night starting at 7:15 PM central or on Facebook at Amateur Radio Book - Power Supplies Explained https://www.facebook.com/3916santanet/ Third party rules and regulations apply. The RSGB has published a new book written by Paul Lee, G3ZKO explaining power supplies. The Santa Nets are presented annually by The 3916 Nets. The Rag Chew Crew, The Tailgaters and The Freewheelers are all A power supply is something that is often overlooked by radio amateur radio nets that meet on 3.916 MHz nightly. For more amateurs, as for many it is simply the box, that at the flick of a information on The 3916 Nets, go to http://www.3916nets.com switch, provides stable DC voltage. A modern power supply is For more information on The Santa Net, email KE5GGY at Gmail though much more, combining theory that dates back to the dot com. nineteenth century incorporating the latest techniques in digital control, with a wealth of electronics practice in between. Power ------Supplies Explained sets out to do exactly this – explain in understandable terms what that little box is doing, right SARL VHF Workgroup Coordinator Selected through to designing your own bespoke power supply.
Dick Coates, ZS6BUN has been selected as the Coordinator for the SARL VHF/UHF/Microwave workgroup. The formation of the workgroup resulted from discussions at the recent joint SARL/AMSATSA workshop held at the NARC.
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The EC also was told that the FCC has yet to reply to ARRLs concerns regarding a recent FCC Enforcement Advisory that addressed the importation and use of non-certified radios, which have been marketed to the general public. ARRL officials recently conferred with FCC officials about the Advisory, expressing concerns about a portion of the notice that called on radio amateurs possessing such radios not to use them. ARRL officials believe there was no valid legal basis for that assertion in the notice. The EC directed General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, to prepare a “white paper” explaining ARRL’s position on the issue to inform members in response to inquiries.
In another FCC matter, ARRL officials met with the chief and staff members of the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to urge more rapid FCC resolution of a series of long-pending rulemaking proceedings now before the Bureau. Most urgent are the long-delayed “symbol rate” petition (WT Docket 16-239) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Supplies-Explained-Paul- and the ARRL’s Entry-Level License Enhancement petition. The Lee- FCC has not yet put the latter petition on public notice for ebook/dp/B07H9F1T4N?SubscriptionId=AKIAIA3UEVTLIG7AIKFA comment. &tag=icqpodcast- 21&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASI ARRL Story - http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-executive- N=B07H9F1T4N committee-updated-on-regulatory-governance-issues
------Executive Committee Minutes - http://www.arrl.org/board- RSGB Spectrum Forum Reports Released meetings
The RSGB has released the reports from the annual Spectrum ------Forum meeting held on 27th October 2018 RAC welcomes Directors for 2019 RSGB Spectrum Forum Reports - https://rsgb.org/main/blog/spectrum-forum-posts- The RAC have completed the nominations and election process overview/spectrum-forum-meeting- for Directors in the Atlantic, Ontario North/East, Midwest, and minutes/2018/09/01/spectrum-forum-meeting-2018/ British Columbia and Yukon Regions.
------Dave Goodwin, VE9CB (Atlantic), Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Bj Madsen, VE5FX (Midwest) have been ARRL 20th October 2018 Executive Committee Minutes reelected as Directors for their Regions.
The minutes of the ARRL Executive Committee (EC) meeting Keith Witney, VE7KW, has been elected Director for the British held 20th October 2018 in Bloomington, Minnesota have been Columbia and Yukon Region and will take office on 1st January published 2019. Keith, based in Vancouver, is a very active BC Amateur and is the co-recipient of the RAC Amateur of the Year Award ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, chaired the ARRL Executive for 2017. Committee (EC) meeting. During his opening comments, President Roderick said his membership contacts have indicated Allan Munnik, VA7MP, the current Director will become Deputy that strong support exists for the Entry-Level License Director BC and Yukon when Keith becomes the Director. Enhancement petition to the FCC as well as for the Volunteer Monitor Program that would supplant the current Official ------Observers. DKARS Magazine October 2018
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
ARISS and local HAM radio clubs are, in my opinion, becoming The DKARS (Dutch Kingdom Amateur Radio Society) October more and more necessary to attract new talent” issues is available to download in a free PDF Magazine. It contains articles written in English and Dutch. — Dave Honess M6DNT
DKARS October Issue - https://dkars.us13.list- Dave mentions Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS and the work of manage.com/track/click?u=2a0602da7add78cfc4cee370d&id=4 ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. 50c37249a&e=ca64a74f86 Download the Free PDF of MagPi magazine ------https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi-issues/MagPi75.pdf
Bank of Lithuania Gold Coin Features Amateur Radio Satellites ------
The Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos Bankas) has released a Proposed French Amateur Radio Exam Changes and 60m commemorative gold 5€ coin featuring the country’s Access LituanicaSAT-1(LO-78) and LitSAT-1 Amateur Radio Satellites. Bank of Lithuania Gold Coin Features Amateur Radio The Directorate General for Enterprise (DGE) intends to make Satellites.jpg changes to the amateur radio exams and permit the WRC-15 60m allocation
France currently has a single 40 question HAREC amateur radio exam, however, one point is deducted for each wrong answer on the paper.
The good news is this rule is to be scrapped and a wrong answer will simply count as nil points.
It seems DGE also plans to introduce exam questions covering DSP, Sampling, Nyquist, Convolution, Anti-aliasing, and ADC/DAC.
The two CubeSats were launched to the International Space DR@F additionally report that French radio amateurs will gain Station (ISS) on January 9, 2014, and deployed from the ISS on access to the WRC-15 60m band 5351.5-5366.5 kHz Secondary February 28. LituanicaSAT-1 carried a FM transponder and a with 15 watts EIRP. camera, while LitSat-1 had a linear (SSB/CW) transponder developed by William Leijenaar, PE1RAH. See the DR@F Twitter feed at - https://twitter.com/DigitalHam
The face of the gold coin features the Lithuanian coat of arms as a star constellation, with LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSAT-1 on the DR@F website in Google English - other side. https://tinyurl.com/FranceDRAF
------
ARISS and Amateur Radio in Raspberry Pi Magazine UK National Radio Centre Now Open 7 Days a Week
Radio amateur Dave Honess M6DNT is interviewed within an The RSGB is pleased to announce that the RSGB’s National article published in MagPi, entitled 'Taking Education to the Radio Centre (NRC) at Bletchley Park will now be open seven Stars' covering the educational role of the two Astro Pi units on days a week, starting from this week. the International Space Station. Thanks to all the volunteers that make this possible. “Radio remains the only way to communicate with all our spacecraft throughout the solar system, and organisations like RSGB Members can download a free admission voucher to Bletchley Park by logging into RSGB Membership Services. Page 15 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
the current publications in FRCUBA and in others especially UK National Radio Centre - aimed at Twitter. http://www.nationalradiocentre.com/ Follow FRC (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/frcuba_cu ------Catalonia 70cm RB-TV Beacon
Italians Gain 60m Access On 23rd October 2018 a 70cm RB-TV beacon was installed in
Catalonia. Italian radio amateurs have just been allocated a slice of The beacon is based on a remote controlled raspberry pi with spectrum on the 60 metre band. F5OEO software, located at the top of Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona (JN11BI). They will be allowed to use 5.3515 MHz to 5.3665 MHz on a secondary basis with a maximum equivalent isotropic power of Transmission frequency 434,5MHz, power 1w, 2 element Yagui, 15 W (e.i.r.p.). F5OEO software. Project was conducted by EA3CNO (Antoni) and EA3ANS (Joaquim). There has been reception reports from This follows the pattern set by many other European countries Terrassa, 25Km north of Barcelona. that have obtained similar allocations.
More Information - More Information - https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2018/10/italy- http://www.radioaficionats.cat/radioaficionats/baliu-rb-tv-a- gains-access-to-60-metre-band.html catalunya/ ------
Free Copy of NZART Break-In Magazine New SARL Hamnet Deputy National Director
At the SARL Council meeting held on 9 October, the New Zealand's national amateur radio society, NZART, has appointment of Grant Southey, ZS1GS as the new SARL made the Jan/Feb 2018 edition of their magazine Break-In Hamnet Deputy National Director was approved. Grant will also available as a free PDF continue as Regional Director for SARL Hamnet Western Cape as well. The magazine features the popular columns Digital Modes by Murray Greenman ZL1BPU and Satellite Orbits by Alan South African Radio League (SARL) - http://www.sarl.org.za/ Cresswell ZL2BX.
------On pages 28-30 there is an interview with FT8 developer Joe Taylor K1JT. Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba (FRC) Joins Twitter Download Jan/Feb 2018 (PDF) - http://www.nzart.org.nz/assets/breakin/sample/BreakIn- JanFeb-2018.pdf
NZART Break-In - http://www.nzart.org.nz/h-quarter/break-in/
------
Belgium Announces Introduction of CEPT Novice License The Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba (FRC) has activated an official Twitter account. At a recent meeting with Belgium amateur radio associations, the communications regulator, BIPT, announced it wants to FRC’s presence in this social network will contribute to introduce the CEPT Novice license and reduce Basic license increased information about activities carried out by its power level members throughout the country; it will be linked to most of Page 16 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
JOTA Participants Urged to File Post-Event Reports The BIPT Licensing Proposal Boy Scouts of America Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Coordinator CEPT Novice license Jim Wilson, K5ND, is urging JOTA participants to file post-JOTA • Access to all HF bands (except 60 m and 160 m only reports. JOTA and the companions Jamboree on the Internet 1.81-1.85 MHz), 6 m, 2 m and 70 cm. (JOTI) took place over the 19-21st October 2018 weekend. The • 100 W transmission power on the HF bands and 6m, 50 reporting system combines JOTA and JOTI reports. W on 2 m and 70 cm. All modes except (D) ATV. “It’s critical that we demonstrate the activity level for this event to support further work in developing support systems, Basic license A rearrangement of access to the bands information, and activities for the 2019 JOTA-JOTI event..” compared to now • 80 m: unchanged — Jim Wilson K5ND • 40 m: unchanged • 30 m: 10 kHz extra (10.10-10.15 MHz instead of 10.11- Station information will be compiled into the US JOTA-JOTI 10.15 MHz) report and filed with the World Organization of the Scout • 20 m: 65 kHz extra (14.00-14.15 instead of 14.000- Movement for their overall 2018 JOTA-JOTI report. More than 14.085 MHz, 14.25-14.35 MHz unchanged) 9,000 locations signed up on the World JOTA-JOTI website. • 17 m: no access (now 18.080-18.168 MHz) • 15 m: 40 kHz extra (21.00-21.10 MHz instead of 21.04- File Your JOTA Report - https://k2bsa.net/jota-station-report/ 21.10 MHz, 21.32-21.45 MHz unchanged)
• 12 m: no access (now 24.90-24.99 MHz) • 10 m: 40 kHz extra (28.00-29.70 MHz instead of 28.04- 29.70 MHz) Funnies • 6 m: no access (now 50.128-52.000 MHz) • 2 m: unchanged • 70 cm: unchanged • 10 W transmission power, but the use of 100 W transceivers is still allowed. All modes except (D) ATV.
The listed ratings are the average allowed power, the permissible peak power (PEP) is higher for CW and SSB: 10 W average power = 40 W PEP in SSB, 20 W PEP in CW, 10 W PEP in FM. 100 W average power = 400 W PEP in SSB, 200 W PEP in CW, 100 W PEP in FM.
The above is also just a PROPOSAL from BIPT. Before anything is changed, a public consultation will take place, where both recognized associations and individual radio amateurs can comment or submit alternative proposals.
However, the objective of the proposal must be maintained: there must be sufficient difference in the privileges of the basic permit, Novice permit and HAREC license so that there is an incentive for radio amateurs to continue growing.
Source UBA - https://tinyurl.com/BelgiumUBA
------
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
• Onboard Voltage Monitor • 2 Radio Interfaces • Mini DIN-6 Connectors History • Cables Included
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An image will be available on release with popular applications pre-installed, including: New Gear • Packet
o DIREWOLF 1200/9600 DRAWS™ Digital Radio Amateur Workstation (Board) o APRS, WinLink, ARDOP
• Soundcard Digital o FLDIGI, WSJT-X o Digital Voice Repeater/Hotspot
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DIY
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Raspberry Pi HAT with Dual Radio Interface, GPS and More …
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HW Features:
• Raspberry Pi 3 Compliant HAT • Power HAT and Pi from 6-15VDC
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
The main emphasis of AC Log 6.3 is to satisfy the many Flex
Ham Software users who have been writing me, eager to see DX Spots appear on their panadapters fed directly from my software, but there Android App connects to D-STAR are some other new goodies in 6.3 too. Here is the enhancement summary: The Peanut App enables you to talk to radio amateurs around the world via an Android device. Some of the rooms are connected Flex users are now fed DX Spots directly, which will appear on to D-STAR reflectors their panadapters.
On the rig interface form, just select Flex API to enable rig interface and also receive the spot postings. Lord willing, I hope to have this feature incorporated into all the major contest programs before the Fall / Winter contest season goes into high gear as well.
Added CW Tab Sends Message (TSM) feature.
This feature is intended primarily for the contest software, but works in AC Log too. When you are running a frequency, to enable the Tab Sends Message (TSM) option, press Ctrl + Shift +
G from the main form. With TSM enabled, when you tab from Among the D-STAR reflectors that can be used are REF001C, the Call field, the F2 string will be sent. When you press enter, REF030C, XRF076B, XRF076F, XRF71L, XRF070C. the F3 string will be sent. It may seem like a small thing, but not having to reach for the F2 key each time your CQ is answered and F3 after you enter a QSO really makes for a smoother contest flow. I hope to have this feature incorporated into all the major contest programs before the Fall / Winter contest season too.
Fire rig internal memories from F keys in CW mode when CW keying option is not selected.
It is no longer necessary to select a CW keying option if you want to use your rig's internal memories (for rigs that support this feature).
Save award query settings in AC Log. The App works with Android 4.x or higher. Since we often query awards with the same parameters, your Peanut (Google Play) - query options are now saved and will appear next time you load https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=peanut.peanut either awards form.
Change Kilometers to km in AC Log.
I had several requests to shorten kilometers to km for those opting for that measure (Settings > Appearance > Display Distance as Kilometers).
Amateur Contact Log 6.3 is Now Available! FT8+ added to AC Log mode list. Page 19 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
automatically sent. When you press enter, the F3 string will be In anticipation of the new FT8+ mode, I've added that option to automatically sent. the mode drop down list. As always, you aren't limited to the modes in the list. You can type any mode you like in the mode The idea is to set up your F key strings like this (using W1AW as field. Just be sure that the LoTW folks support your mode an example for the CQ World Wide contest exchange) for designation (or plan to). More details on FT8+ are here: running a frequency: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjt-x_v2.0.txt F1: TEST W1AW ------F2: $ 5NN 5 ($ is the wild card for the value you've typed in the Call field on the main form). With TSM enabled, the software Upgrades for the Alabama (1.7) and Arizona (1.9) QSO Party will automatically send the exchange when you tab from the Contest Logs are Now Available! Call field, by pressing space bar or tab. F3: TU W1AW The software will automatically send this when you press the Enter key to log the contact. I've updated the instate and out of state programs for both parties to accommodate the new contest rules for their Please give this a try and practice a little bit. I think that once respective contests. In the case of the AZ party, after you get the hang of it, you are really going to love it! upgrading, you must click File > Download County List File to load the new county abbreviations. This step isn't necessary for ** Additional DX Spotting menu items including spot on entry, a new installations. jump to next spot on entry, band map, and large DX spots form. upgrades are free to registered users! You'll find the latest All these features already existed as keyboard shortcuts, but state QSO party software here: you can now enable them using the menu options as well. Please note that the spot DX on entry and jump to next spot on http://www.n3fjp.com/stateqsoparty.html entry option settings are always disabled when you launch the programs, since it is easy to forget they are on. You definitely And the upgrade steps here: won't want them enabled when you are running a frequency, but you probably will when you are in Search and Pounce http://www.n3fjp.com/upgradestepscontest.html mode. Remember, spotting stations helps you too, since you are directing guys to a station that is already in your log, so ------there may be less competition for the next station you are trying to work! Hi All, ** Fire rig internal memories from F keys in CW mode when CW keying option not selected. I'm really excited to share the latest N3FJP Contest Software upgrades with you! It is no longer necessary to select a CW keying option if you want to use your rig's internal memories (for rigs that support New Versions for All Major Contest Programs are Now this feature). Available! ** Flex users are now fed DX Spots directly, which will appear The latest contest software enhancements (most of which were on their panadapters. already in the last release of AC Log) include: On the rig interface form, just select Flex API to enable rig ** Added CW Tab Sends Message (TSM) feature. interface and also receive the spot postings.
Saving two keystrokes per QSO may not sound like a lot, but it All these upgrades are free to registered users and available for really creates a much smoother CW experience when running a all the contest software, except for the state QSO party frequency. To enable / disable the Tab Sends Message (TSM) programs. Lord willing, I hope to have these enhancements option, press Ctrl + Shift + G from the main form. With TSM added to the state QSO party software in the next few months, enabled, when you tab from the Call field, the F2 string will be too.
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
New Pennsylvania QSO Party Programs are Now Available! Hi All,
PA In State 4.4 and Out of State 4.2 have been updated for the I am aware that downloading data from the ARRL site currently new contest rules and are now on the website. You'll find these is not working from within AC Log. ARRL made security changes free upgrades here: http://www.n3fjp.com/stateqsoparty.html to their web site today that they said would cause XP and Vista operating systems to no longer work, but presently all OS Wordsmithing Contesting? flavors are failing when you attempt to download LoTW data from within AC Log.
Have you ever tried communicating the joy, thrills and fun that I have e-mailed ARRL to hopefully better determine if the radiosport brings to a new ham, much less a non ham friend? Is problem is theirs, mine or both. I understand your frustration there a way to explain contesting in a concise, compelling and and I am doing my best to see if I can resolve the problem from relatable way, so that they understand well enough to be this end as well. I will let you know as soon as anything excited and intrigued, without ever having experienced it first develops, but this may take some time. hand? If it is possible, it is well worth trying! Thanks for your patience and understanding.
One of my goals has been to add a page on n3fjp.com that does 73, Scott just that, but I'm confident some folks here have better words N3FJP than mine. If you would like to try a two or three paragraph http://www.n3fjp.com explanation that effectively communicates why we love this stuff and you wouldn't mind me including your words (in whole ------or in part), please send along your prose! Amateur Contact Log 6.4 is Now Available! Encouraging Club Contesting! Just today, 10/15/18, ARRL implemented a new security And speaking of the joys of contesting, I want to encourage protocol on their web site that I originally understood would everyone to consider setting up a local group (formally or only affect AC Log users on now unsupported operating systems informally) to enjoy the contest experience with your friends in (XP and Vista users). It quickly became evident that all users of real time. Sure, we like to see how we do overall, but our fun my software, regardless of operating system, could no longer has increased multifold, primarily by keeping our text chat room download LoTW data from within AC Log. open throughout the contest weekend, pulling together as a group and watching our local club leaderboard update in real Thanks to my genius son, Chris, KB3KCN, (who knows much time. You can learn lots more about how we do that here: more about Internet security than I do) and in cooperation with ARRL, we have upgraded AC Log's LoTW download code so that http://www.n3fjp.com/help/clubcontesting.html it will work with ARRL's new system.
Please Submit Your Contest Logs! To continue to be able to download from LoTW, please go ahead and follow these instructions here: Many folks have told me over the years that they love playing in contests, but for a variety of reasons never actually submit their http://www.n3fjp.com/upgradestepsaclog.html logs to the contest sponsors. Submitting your logs to ARRL and CQ has never been easier and literally takes about two minutes. ------It's of great benefit to the contest sponsors to get a more accurate assessment of participation. Submitting your log helps ARRL RTTY Roundup 3.5 and VHF Contest Log 6.2 are Now me too, as some sponsors track usage of contest logging Available! software.. Besides, even if you place at the bottom, it is fun to see where you wind up and perhaps help you set a goal for next In response to ARRL's request for the ability to separate RTTY time. You may find out your are doing better than you think! from other digital modes on the Cabrillo submittal file, I have updated these two programs accordingly. With these new ------
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG versions, RTTY will continue to display as RY, while other digital Contest and Fox-mode logging have been updated; the program modes will be designated DG on the Cabrillo file. disables transmit after 5 minutes of no mouse movement, and it will not auto-log a contact with incomplete exchange info. When you select the digital mode option in my software, RTTY is the default.. Since most of us are setting our rigs to SSB and Coinciding with the release of WSJT-X version 2.0-rc4, the WSJT- using sound card interfaces for digital, there isn't a way to X development team has scheduled an on-the-air FT8 protocol determine via rig interface which specific digital mode you are practice session to help operators become familiar with the using. Some digital programs that interface with my software, software and to identify operational issues. The 1-hour FT8 such as JT Alert, will transfer the specific mode, but if you are mock contest will be held on 20th November 2018, 0200 – 0300 using a digital program that doesn't, when you operate a digital UTC (Monday evening,19th November 2018, in North American mode other than RTTY, you must remember to manually enter time zones). the digital mode from the menu option, or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + M. You will also have to remember to manually disable Download links for WSJT-X “release candidate,” version 2.0.0- the mode override when you switch back to RTTY.. In the heat rc4 - http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html of the contest, don't forget! ------As always, upgrades are free to registered users! You will find the ARRL RTTY Roundup Contest Log software here: Ham Radio Deluxe 6.4.0.902 Released http://www.n3fjp.com/rttyroundup.html The 6.4.0.902 release is the final release of 2018. The next And the VHF Contest Log here: release will be in January 2019. http://www.n3fjp.com/vhfuhf.html This release includes fixes for – logbook refreshing ------automatically on ADIF import, frequency correction for N1MM integration, split operations with IC-7610, performance New Beta Version of WSJT-X is Now Available, Mock FT8 improvements, double entry of QTH with certain integrations, Contest Set 30 day solar data updates, FTdx-5000 power on function, update for LOTW changes to security, and a number of crash A new WSJT-X “release candidate,” version 2.0.0-rc4, now is scenarios gathered from the Microsoft dashboard. available, and the version 2.0 Quick Start Guide has been revised and extended. The developers urge anyone upgrading Download Ham Radio Deluxe 6.4.0.902 - to the new version to read the release notes thoroughly, since https://www.hamradiodeluxe.com/ the upgrade requires users to change operator settings, so the software may not work “out of the box” when upgrading from ------previous versions. Updated JTAlert Released The latest version of WSJT-X also removes compatibility with earlier versions of the software in certain circumstances. “Users of version 1.9.1 and earlier will be unable to decode This latest release of JTAlert is available in two builds, the transmissions from users of version 2.0.0-rc4, and vice-versa,” traditional build (menus and band activity displayed on the developer Joe Taylor, K1JT, said in announcing the new beta titlebar) plus a new “Alternate Layout” build created for those version. “To minimize this cross-protocol interference, we Win10 users who are experiencing missing menus and band suggest initially using the -rc4 release at audio TXfrequencies activity display with the traditional JTAlert build. 2,000 Hz and higher. As more users upgrade their software to - JTAlert Release Notes rc4 or later, activity can gradually move downward in audio JTAlert Changes frequency. By December 10 or very soon afterward, everyone should upgrade to the full WSJT-X 2.0 general availability (GA) Late logging of a WSJT-X QSO (after changing DX Call before release.” completing the logging of the previous DX Call), initially no longer shows a Callsign Mismatch error. The log fields data Some changes from the RC3 beta version include these: The Esc from a snapshot taken (for the previous DX Call) when the DX key aborts a QSO, clears a DX Call, and selects Tx6; Call was changed is used if the Callsign Fox/Hound/Contest selection boxes and new facilities for
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG of the snapshot matches the logged Callsign, otherwise the Callsign Mismatch error is still shown.
JTAlert Fixes Hamfests & Events
Incorrect country for WSJT-X decode callsigns using special 01/12/2019 | San Antonio Radio Fiesta 2019 Location: Schertz, TX event words as the callsign prefix eg. POTA/Callsign, Type: ARRL Hamfest SOTA/Callsign, QRPP/Callsign, etc. (Why the recent change in Sponsor: San Antonio Radio Club operator behaviour? The convention has been to include these Website: http://w5sc.org activation words as a suffix, eg Callsign/POTA). 01/18/2019 | North Texas Section Convention (Cowtown JTAlert - Hamfest) https://hamapps.com/?fbclid=IwAR1mqiW2q24l_e5GtQm3vQPi Location: Forest Hill, TX qK1VQryhqaamJwQoyb8iEJn3pKIu7EBp3dM Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Cowtown Amateur Radio Club Website: http://cowtownhamfest.com
03/22/2019 | Texas State Convention (Greater Houston Hamfest) Location: Rosenberg, TX BUY, SELL, or SWAP Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club Website: http://houstonhamfest.org If you’re in need of a fully assembled, configured and tested Digital hot spot. That works with DMR, Dstar, P25, Fusion. 06/07/2019 | West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com 2019)
Location: Plano, TX Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Ham-Com, Inc. Website: http://www.hamcom.org
08/02/2019 | Austin Summerfest 2019
Location: Austin, TX Type: ARRL Convention Includes: Sponsor: Austin ARC & Texas VHF-FM Society • Rasberry Pi Zero W Website: http://www.austinsummerfest.org • Hi quality fast SD card w/ Pi-Star updated & configured for you. • Jumbo Spot MMDVM board w/ display • Metal case • 70 cm Antenna NFLARC Weekly Information Net • Customer support o Phone Net meets every Wednesday night at 9:00 PM local time o Team view • The Linked Repeaters at o Email o Corsicana - 2M (145.290 + with a tone of o On DMR TGIF server TG9 146.2) o Buffalo - 2M (147.280 + with a tone of 146.2) $120.00 shipped USPS W/ tracking o Franklin - 2M (146.960 - with a tone of 146.2) o Hillsboro - 2M (146.780 - with a tone of For more info please contact me at [email protected] 123.0) o Fairfield * 2M (145.110 * with a tone of Thanks 146.2) Robert Bretzman K4WZV Page 23 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
o Lindale * 2M (145.600 simplex with a tone of • Echolink 146.2) • IRLP o Mexia * 2M (145.39 - with a tone of 146.2) • 10:00p CST PAPA DMR Roundtable California Statewide Net on TG 3106 o Echolink * KD5OXM-L • Tue- • We can be Monitored via • 12PM Cyprus DMR Net BM TG280 o http://nflarc.org/radio.html • Wed 1800z 12pm CST BM TG280 o http://www.radioreference.com ” • 7:00p - Bosque County ARC Round Table Net “Navarro, Freestone, Limestone and • 147.180 Leon Counties Repeaters” • 7:00p Brand Meister DMR Statewide Net • This is a DMR Digital mode Net. • To participate you must use a DMR Radio on a Repeater Net Control Schedule that has Brand Meister Texas Statewide TG31648 Channel Set up, (or DMR-MARC TG9000 not with TG31648 move). • All licensed radio operators are welcome to check in. • Net Control Schedule • 8:30p- Slo-scan Emergency Preparedness Net • December • 147.24 (97.4 tone) • • 8:30p- Hytera BrandMeister USA Net on BM TG-31089 05 Jason/Rebehah • • 9:00p- SlowScan-ATV Talkabout Net 12 Michael/Doug • 147.140, 97.4 • 19 Wil/Jason • 9:30p Ventura County Digital Radio Club Net VCDRC 31070 • 26 Jim/Jason • 10:00p 147.360 PL Tone 110.9 Tarlton Area ARC • 10:00p Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society (SNARS) weekly If you would like to learn or practice being net control, contact DMR net • us here http://nflarc.org/email.html BM TG 31328, • Time Slot 2 • 10:00p SNARS DMR Net SNARS 31328 • Weds. • 12PM Cyprus DMR Net BM TG2806 NFLARC Scheduled Club Meetings • Wed 1800z 12pm CST BM TG2806 • 7:00p North America Tech Net North America 93 • 7:30 p.m . DMR-MARC DMR Texas Net • December 8, 2018 This is a DMMR Digital mode Net • TG3148 NFLARC Lunch Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm • to participate you must use a DMR Radio on a Repeater NFLARC Meeting Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm that has DMR-MARC Texas Statewide Channel Set up. • All licensed radio operators are welcome to check in. • 7:30 p.m. W5TSG Emergency Relay Net • SIMPLEX . 147.550 Other Area Nets • All checkins during the 7:30 net will have an opportunity to make comments on the 8:00 p.m. net • 7:30p Ohio Statewide Net Ohio 3139 • 8:00 p.m. W5TSG Traffic and Training Net • HF • 147.320 with a tone of + 123 • 10 mtrs Tues 8:00p 28.437 + or – W5DXS net • 8:00pm THE W5TSG TRAFFIC AND TRAINING NET • 40 mtrs M-Sat 10:00-noon 1:00-2:00p Sat 10:00a-noon 7.290 • ON THE LAST WEDS. OF THE MONTH ON 145.31 TONE • 80 mtrs 24/7 6:30p SW Traffic Net 3.873 123. • 80 mtrs 24/7 8:00p-9:00 Gulf Coast Hurricane Net 3.935 • All licensed radio operators are welcome to check in.
• Bud AD5SK Net Control • U/VHF • 9:00p- Quad County net • Daily- • (NFLARC Linked repeaters) • 4:00 a -An informal net • This is on a linked repeater system that includes some or • on 146.580 Simplex every morning, all these repeaters • Come and visit with the bunch! • Hillsboro 146.780 CT 123 • Mon- • Buffalo 147.280 CT 146.2 • 7:00p 146.82 and Waco area 146.660 linked Temple ARC • Corsicana 145.290 CT 146.2 • 8:00p Hotarc Bakers Dozen Training net (WX Net) • Farifield 145.110 FM 0 • 145.150 • Franklin 146.960 CT 85.4 • 8:15p Oklahoma VOIP Net • Mexia 145.390 CT 146.2 • This is a DMR, Fusion, Echolink, Digital, etc. mode Net • Lindale simplex 145.600 CT 146.2 • BM3140 • 9:00 PM Metroplex AMSAT - • to participate you must use a • Arlington ARC Repeater 147.14+, 110.9 Hz Tone • DMR Radio on a Repeater. Open or Hotspot • 10:00p EU DMR net Europe 92 • Fusion Page 24 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
• Thurs. • Brand Meister TG92 • 7:00p LWARS Training Net • 7:30p Johnson County ARC (Cleburne) • 146.78 • 444.00 tone 136.5 and 145.45 tone 88.5 • 7:00p Kentucky Net Kentucky 3121 • 7:00pm cst South East Florida DMR Tech Net • 7:00p West Virginia DMR and Service net West Virginia 3154 • DMR BM TG 3112529 • 7:30p Texas DMR Swap net 1st Thursday of the month. • 7:00pm Tac310 DMR Net • This is a DMR Digital mode Net • Tac310 Talkgroup on DMR-MARC TG310 & Brand Meister • TG3148 TG310. • to participate you must use a DMR Radio on a Repeater • 9:30p Iowa Statewide Net that has DMR-MARC Texas Statewide Channel Set up. • Iowa 3119 • All licensed radio operators are welcome to check in. • 8:00 pm DMRTrack Net • 7:30p Drone Talk Round Table Net DMR TG31489 • TG 31489 DMRTrack • 8:00p Central Texas Amateur Radio Net 145.310, 123.0 • 8:00p 147.14 Central Texas ARC Net (WX Net) *Black = Analog • 8:00pm DMR Net Arkansas *Red = Digital • On DMR BM TG3105 • 8:00pm 100 watts on a wire DMR Net • World Wide English Talkgroup on DMR-MARC TG13. • 8:00pm DMR Tech Net AREA CLUB MEETINGS • 0100 UTC in Summer • 0200 UTC in Winter months • • North America English Talkgroup (3) All-Ham Breakfast o Every Sat.9:00am GRIFFS at China Spring Road & • 8:30p- Hytera BrandMeister USA Net on BM TG-31089 Wortham Bend Road in China Spring. Come join your • 9:00p NorCal NorCal 31063 fellow hams every Saturday morning. • 9:00p Ventura County Digital Radio Club (VCDRC ) Ventura • Bosque County ARC 310652 o 2nd Sat. 6:30pm Johnny’s Café on HWY. 6 In Clifton • 9:30p Oklahoma VOIP Net o VEC team there to give a test or upgrade at 5:30 each • This is a DMR, Fusion, Echolink, Digital, etc. mode Net meeting • BM3140 • Central Texas ARC • to participate you must use a o 1st Tues. 7:00pm Belton EOC • DMR Radio on a Repeater. Open or Hotspot • HOTARC th • Fusion o 4 Thurs. 7:00pm W5NCD Workshop 12772 Chapel Rd., • Echolink Lorena • • IRLP Lake Whitney ARS o 3rd Sat. 10:00am Whitney Fire Department • Friday • Leon County Ham Radio Club • 12:00 noon Alaska Morning Net o • 1st Tues. 7:00 p.m. at the Centerville Municipal Building, Corsicana Saltgrass Repeater 444.775 + t100 also known as the fire station. The building is located just • 7 :30p cst TGIF Net TGIF server TG 9 past Lacy's Grocery Store on the right • http://globaldxclub.com/index.php?page=TGIF_NET • Temple ARC • 8:00p Louisiana Statewide Net o 1st Thurs. 7:00pm Western Hills Church of Christ Adams • BM TG3122 & I-35, Temple • 8:00p cst Tennessee Digital Amateur Radio Group Net • W5TSG ARC • BM TG3147 o 2nd Monday 6:30pm TSGARC Clubhouse 3292 • Last Friday of the month Speegleville Road, Waco • • monthly friendship and rag chew net Tarleton Area ARC o • http://www.tg3147.net/ 1st Tuesday of each month Stephenville (also a 70cm repeater available 444.775 PL tone 88.5) • • CCARC - Cedar Creek Amateur Radio Club
o • Second Saturday of each month at the Mabank Cafe, 301 Sat. N. 3rd. Street in Mabank . • OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GROUP / NET "DIGITAL" o Their meeting room is a no-smoking area for us all • (OAG/N ~ www.HamRadio1.com ) morning. • DMR TG: 31772 • 10:00 AM PST (12 Am CST zone) • Worldwide DMR-MARC Net • 1600 UTC 11pm cst in Summer, • 1700 UTC 12pm cst in Winter months CONTEST CALENDAR • Worldwide Talkgroup (1) • Worldwide DMR-Brand Meister Net Grand Tour Across All Continents DX Contest • 1600 UTC 11pm cst • Worldwide Talkgroup (91) The Czechoslovak DX Club's 'Grand Tour Across All Continents' • • Sun. dx contest is to be held from Friday 30 November 2018, 0000 • 19:00 UTC - 2:00 CST Europe Net UTC, to Sunday 9th December 2018, 2400 UTC. It is open to all Page 25 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
shortwave listeners regardless of their membership in any DX + Padang DX Contest 1200Z, Dec 15 to 1159Z, Dec 16 club. + Croatian CW Contest 1400Z, Dec 15 to 1400Z, Dec 16 + ARRL R ookie Roundup, CW 1800Z -2359Z, Dec 16 More Information - + Run for the Bacon QRP Contest 0200Z -0400Z, Dec 17 https://www.dx.cz/index.php?&rubrika=7&id=393 + NAQCC CW Sprint 0130Z -0330Z, Dec 19 + QRP Fox Hunt 0200Z -0330Z, Dec 19 ------+ Phone Fray 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 19 1300Z -1400Z, Dec 19 and December 2018 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 19 and 0300Z-0400Z, Dec 20 0600Z -0629Z, Dec 1 and 0630Z-0659Z, Dec 1 and + NCCC RTTY Sprint 0145Z -0215Z, Dec 21 + Wake-Up! QRP Sprint 0700Z-0729Z, Dec 1 and + QRP Fox Hunt 0200Z -0330Z, Dec 21 0730Z-0800Z, Dec 1 + NCCC Sprint 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 21 + YARC QSO Party 1400Z, Dec 1 to 0259Z, Dec 2 + AGB -Party Contest 1600Z -1700Z, Dec 21 + TOPS Activity Contest 1600Z, Dec 1 to 1559Z, Dec 2 + RAEM Contest 0000Z -1159Z, Dec 23 + FT8 Roundup 1800Z, Dec 1 to 2359Z, Dec 2 + SKCC Sprint 0000Z -0200Z, Dec 26 + EPC Ukraine D X Contest 2000Z, Dec 1 to 1959Z, Dec 2 + Phone Fray 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 26 + ARS Spartan Sprint 0200Z -0400Z, Dec 4 + DARC Christmas Contest 0830Z -1059Z, Dec 26 + QRP Fox Hunt 0200Z -0330Z, Dec 5 1300Z -1400Z, Dec 26 and + Phone Fray 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 5 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 26 and 1300Z -1400Z, Dec 5 and 0300Z-0400Z, Dec 27 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 5 and + NCCC RTTY Sprint 0145Z -0215Z, Dec 28 0300Z-0400Z, Dec 6 + NCCC Sprint 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 28 + QRP ARCI Topband Sprint 0000Z -0300Z, Dec 6 + RAC Winter Contest 0000Z -2359Z, Dec 29 1800Z -1900Z, Dec 6 (CW) and + Stew Perry Topband Challenge 1500Z, Dec 29 to 1500Z, Dec 30 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 6 (SSB) and + NRAU 10m Activity Contest + Original QRP Contest 1500Z, Dec 29 to 1500Z, Dec 30 2000Z-2100Z, Dec 6 (FM) and 2100Z-2200Z, Dec 6 (Dig) + Bogor Old and New Contest 0900Z -2359Z, Dec 31 + SKCC Sprint Europe 2000Z -2200Z, Dec 6 + NCCC RTTY Sprint 0145Z -0215Z, Dec 7 + QRP Fox Hunt 0200Z -0330Z, Dec 7 + NCCC Sprint 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 7 + PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint 0000Z, Dec 8 to 2359Z, Dec 10 DX News + ARRL 10 -Meter Contest 0000Z, Dec 8 to 2400Z, Dec 9 + TRC Di gi Contest 0600Z, Dec 8 to 1800Z, Dec 9
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon 1200Z, Dec 8 to 2400Z, Dec 9
+ International Naval Contest 1600Z, Dec 8 to 1559Z, Dec 9
+ QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint 2000Z -2300Z, Dec 9 + CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run 2100Z -2259Z, Dec 9 + 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint 0100Z -0300Z, Dec 10 + NAQCC CW Sprint 0130Z -0330Z, Dec 12 + QRP Fox Hunt 0200Z -0330Z, Dec 12
+ Phone Fray 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 12 1300Z -1400Z, Dec 12 and + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 12 and 0300Z-0400Z, Dec 13 + NCCC RTTY Sprint 0145Z -0215Z, Dec 14 + QRP Fox Hunt 0200Z -0330Z, Dec 14 + NCCC Sprint 0230Z -0300Z, Dec 14 1400Z -1559Z, Dec 14 and + UN DIGI Contest 1600Z-1759Z, Dec 14 + Russian 160 -Meter Contest 2000Z -2400Z, Dec 14 + Feld Hell Sprint 0000Z -2359Z, Dec 15 + OK DX RTTY Contest 0000Z -2400Z, Dec 15
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
SSTV
Amateur Satellite - AMSAT
Fox-1Cliff Launch Postponed
SpaceX has announced that the SSO-A: Smallsat Express mission, previously scheduled for 28th November 2018, has been postponed due to extreme high-altitude winds at Vandenberg Air Force Base. A new launch date will be announced once coordinated with the range.
The SSO-A mission will carry several amateur radio satellites, including AMSAT’s Fox-1Cliff, FUNcube on ESEO, JY1-SAT, K2SAT, and ExseedSat.
The launch window each day opens at 18:31:47 UTC and extends for approximately 30 minutes.
More Information - https://www.amsat.org/fox-1cliff-launch- postponed/
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Es’hail-2 Geostationary Satellite Launched Summits On the Air Talk Two new satellites have been launched on 19th November 2018 A recent talk on Summits On The Air (SOTA) given by Michael from Spaceflight’s SSO-A SmallSat Express mission.
Sansom G0POT to the Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club The Launch of Fox-1Cliff satellite took place from Vandenberg is available on YouTube Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. In addition to carrying experiments on board from Vanderbilt and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1usAFerA7vE Penn State universities, the Fox-1Cliff has the Fox-1 U/V FM repeater and AMSAT’s L-Band downshifter. There is also a SOTA or Summits On The Air is an award scheme originally VGA camera provided by Virginia Tech that will provide devised in 2002 and launched in the UK. Since then, the scheme images at a resolution of 640 x 480, much higher than that has gone worldwide and has thousands of operators across the aboard the AO-92. globe who can partake by either working the SOTA stations from home (Chasers) or taking to the hills and mountains with a Anticipation is high for the Qatar Satellite Company’s Es’hail-2 radio to ‘activate’ a summit (Activators). geostationery satellite that is carrying two AMSAT transponders that was launched by SpaceX on 15th November 2018. Summits on the Air (SOTA) - https://sota.org.uk According to AMSAT-DL, the satellite will first complete several orbital maneuvers, then enter a commissioning phase before ending up in geostationary orbit. While hams will understandably be enthusiastic about giving reception reports,
AMSAT-DL is requesting reports be made only after the official
release so as not to get in the way of the commissioning phase. Think of it as a “repeater in the sky” for some regions where it will almost constantly be visible, such as Africa and Europe. It is said to have the potential to link amateurs from Thailand to Brazil. The satellite will be carrying two transponders for Page 27 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG amateur radio, operating in the 2400 MHz and 10450 MHz bands.
More Information - https://amsat- uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/
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Es’hail-2: First Geostationary Satellite with Amateur Radio Transponders Successfully Deployed
Today SpaceX have successfully launched and deployed the Es'hail-2 satellite which is now in geostationary orbit. This launch is special for amateur radio enthusiasts because it is the first geostationary satellite that contains an amateur radio transponder on it. The satellite is positioned at 25.5°E which is over Africa. It will cover Africa, Europe, the Middle East, India, eastern Brazil and the west half of Russia/Asia. Unfortunately, North America, Japan, most of South America, Australia and NZ Coverage of Es'hail 2 miss out. ------The satellite has a two bandwidth segments, a 250 kHz narrow band for modes like SSB, FreeDV, CW, RTTY etc, and a 8 MHz ‘Fox-In-A-Box’ Available from AMSAT wide band for digital amateur TV (DATV) modes like DVB-S and DVB-T. Fox-in-a-Box is a small, easily-deployed Fox satellite telemetry receiver based on a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and a FUNcube Dongle The downlink frequencies are at 10 GHz so a low cost TV LNB Pro+. could be used as the antenna. For receiving the narrowband modes, an RTL-SDR or similar SDR could be used, and for the Get started by simply plugging these 8Gb SD Cards with the 8 MHz DATV modes a standard DVB-S2 set top box can be Fox-in-a-Box software pre-installed into your Raspberry Pi and used to receive and decode the video. For uplink, the booting it. transmission frequency is at 2.4 GHz. Just a bit of configuration (your call and grid) are required. According to the commissioning order of the satellite, it is expected that the AMSAT transponders will be activated only The website above also has an SD card image, but buying the after all tests have been passed, and after other higher priority SD card with the software pre-installed saves a lot of trouble and commercial telecommunications systems have been activated. any additional proceeds go to Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. This is expected to take about 1-2 months. Raspberry Pi and FUNcube Dongle Pro+ not included
Fox-in-a-Box - https://www.amsat.org/product/2018-amsat- symposium-proceedings-digital-download/
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Radio Ham's India's Space Program Book
A new book The Leapfroggers: An Insider’s Account of ISRO by radio amateur Ved Prakash Sandlas VU2VP (SK) tells the story of India’s success in the field of space science
The Leapfroggers: An Insider’s Account of ISRO (published by Harper Collins) is the story of how India developed its launch vehicles literally from scratch. The author Ved Prakash Sandlas
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VU2VP, passed away on July 6, 2017, a year before his work hit AMSAT Bulletin Board (AMSAT-BB) - the stands. https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sandlas, an electronics engineer from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, joined Thumba Equatorial Rocket Information on IARU coordinated satellite frequencies - Launching Station near Thiruvananthapuram in 1967. He was http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/ mentored by APJ Abdul Kalam, the then project director of the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) development mission and was ------fortunate enough to be guided by Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of India’s space programme. Sandlas’ is the story of a boy born in a lower-middle-class family in New Delhi rising in life Satellite Operation from RMS Queen Mary through hard work and perseverance. As part of the activities taking place during a period docked at There was a time when students interested in physics would Long Beach California, the RMS Queen Mary will be active for assemble electric calling bells, radio sets and even transmission Satellite Amateur Radio Operations on 15th December 2018. equipment with components collected from neighbourhood kirana stores. Sandlas was one such student. He assembled many The day is designed to be like a Field Day. It is hoped that electronic gadgets and went on to become a Ham Radio operator operations from portable station(s) will be on FM, SSB and by the time he completed his undergraduate studies in physics. maybe some packet along with HF.
His interest in Ham Radio came handy when he was posted in Callsign in use will be W6RO, which is the callsign of the the SLV mission to develop a communication system. wireless room on the ship operated by the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach. Media Story - https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/sunday- edition/india---s-leap-into-space.html More information - http://www.qrz.com/db/W6RO
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UKube-1 Falls Silent
UKube-1, the UK Space Agency’s first CubeSat, was launched into space in July 2014. It completed its successful nominal mission fourteen month later in September 2015
Since that date, for the past three years, the FUNcube based payload has continued to provide a transponder for use by radio amateurs and, additionally, 30+ channels of real time Microsatellite and CubeSat launch Nov 19 telemetry for STEM outreach and for use by schools and colleges. These downlinks have operated continuously on the The Spaceflight SSO-A launch on a Falcon 9 rocket is currently 145 MHz band and more than 450 stations have supported this expected at 18:32 UTC on 19th November 2018 from ongoing activity. They have uplinked the telemetry data to the Vandenberg Air Force Base. FUNcube Data Warehouse where it is stored and available for research. It is planned to launch 15 microsatellites and 56 CubeSats on this mission. Several of those satellites will have amateur radio Just before midnight (UTC) on Thursday 18th October, the payloads. Warehouse received a data frame from KB6LTY, Christy Hunter in California. This is the last record of signals being received Full details on this complex launch, including the full list of from the spacecraft and since that date, careful observations satellites to be deployed - have failed to detect any signals from either of the transmitters https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite- carried by the spacecraft. missions/content/-/article/sso-a An early analysis of the last telemetry received has not shown any obvious anomalies, but this work continues.
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------Although it is obviously sad for both the amateur and educational worlds to lose such a valuable resource, both AO73- AMSAT Senior Leadership Positions for 2018 FUNcube 1 and EO88-Nayif 1 continue to operate nominally and JY1SAT and ESEO are expected to launch before the end of The 2018 AMSAT Board of Director's Meeting was held 2018. November 1-2, 2018 at the US Space and Rocket Center Marriott Hotel in Huntsville, Alabama. UKube-1 - https://amsat- The following positions were announced during the meeting. uk.org/satellites/communications/ukube-1/ AMSAT Senior Leadership Team • President Joe Spier, K6WAO ------• Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM • Secretary Clayton Coleman, W5PFG Planned South African SDR Cubesat • Treasurer Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF • Manager Martha Saragovitz AMSAT SA has announced that parallel to its analogue Kletskous • VP Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA CubeSat, the group is working on a digital project featuring a • VP Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY Software defined transponder. • VP Educational Relations Alan Johnston, KU2Y
• VP for Human Spaceflight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Called AfriCUBE, the CubeSat will use the same space frame as • VP Marketing Open KLETSKOUS. Anton Janovsky is current building a prototype • VP User Services Open transponder.
AMSATSA is inviting persons interested in becoming part of the development team to send their details to [email protected].
Meanwhile the development and final construction of the AMSAT SA KLETSKOUS is plagued by electronic component obsolescence. This forces unwanted design changes to be made to ensure that when the time comes to construct the final launch unit, the main components are still available. The KLETSKOUS team decided to freeze the design of KLETSKOUS and purchase a quantity of devices to proactively mitigate AMSAT Ambassador Coordinator - Clayton Coleman, W5PFG future obsolescence. This decision will also speed up the AMSAT IARU Representative - Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA process of putting a final satellite on the table. Hamvention Operations Manager - Phil Smith, W1EME AMSAT Journal Editor - Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK “Every time we change designs to mitigate for the ANS Senior Editor - Mike McCardel, AA8EM discontinued components, it is like starting the design afresh, ARISS International Delegates - Dave Taylor, W8AAS and Chet often creating new problems that have to be solved. By freezing Latawiec, VE3CFK the design, in other words making a final decision on the main IT Team Leader - Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P specialised devices to be used, we will be able to speed up the AMSAT Store - Bruce Paige, KK5DO process of putting a flight ready unit on the table.” Web Content Manager – Open
— Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP AMSAT Board of Directors • Joe Spier, K6WAO KLETSKOUS is not a textbook design. Most of the sub- • Paul Stoetzer, N8HM components that will make up KLETS KOUS are designed and • Clayton Coleman, W5PFG being built by the volunteer team. "We do not have the • Tom Clark, K3IO finances to go out and purchase sub-units and simply wire them • Jerry Buxton. N0JY up," Hannes said. • Bruce Paige, KK5DO
• Mark Hammond, N8MH Page 30 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
• Peter Portanova, W2JV (First Alternate) • Scott Harvey, KA7FVV (Second Alternate)
AMSAT - http://www.amsat.org/ ------
Digital Radio News
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Galway VHF Group Digital Projects to go Live
Following rigorous bench testing, the Galway VHF Group Digital Projects will be going live from their new site on the Western side of Galway City this weekend (3/4 November 2018).
The 70cm DMR repeater, EI7RHD, operates on 439.450 MHz
O/P and 430.450 MHz I/P with a power output of 30 watts into a
9db Gain Colinear antenna. ------
The Multimode Digital Gateway, EI2GCD, will initially run DMR and Yaesu Fusion on 144.850 MHz running 20 watts into a dipole antenna. There are facilities to add more digital modes such as D-Star and P25 should the need arise.
The Galway Wires-X gateway, EI2SHD, operates on 144.8125 MHz and is operational from the Salthill area running 20 watts. TGIF Server Talk Groups Updated This will facilitate experimentation with Wires-X networking in From http://tgif.network conjunction with the Galway Fusion Repeater EI2TBR. All other cross modes have been disabled due to issues and disruptions with them. Galway VHF Group - http://galwayvhfgroup.blogspot.com/ Name Talk Group Type Number TGIF 9 Group Call ------Parrot 100 Private call
TAC -101 101 Group Call TAC -102 102 Group Call TAC -103 103 Group Call North America 110 Group Call Europe 111 Group Call
Asia Pacific 112 Group Call ------World Wide English 113 Group Call
World Wide 114 Group Call
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Over The Road 115 Group Call RWK 190 Group Call QSL Card TESTING AND EXPERIMENTING 201 Group Call TESTING AND EXPERIMENTING 202 Group Call DigiComm Cafe 203 Group Call New York Link 212 Group Call CCARS 250 Group Call PASOLA -CLUB 267 Group Call Canada 302 Group Call Florida 312 Group Call PA CREW 314 Group Call New Mexico 315 Group Call Indiana 317 Group Call Michigan 318 Group Call
YLSYSTEMS 319 Group Call Tech ONE 321 Group Call Web LINKS
Reserved 334 Group Call Sorry for the small print for the link, they are quite long and over run the CTDG 345 Group Call readable portion of the columns. But they are readable and clickable The Carolinas 411 Group Call info sites Raleigh 412 Group Call
Amsat http://www.amsa t.org/ W5CBT GROUP 431 Group Call ARDEN http://www.aredn.org/ Reserved 440 Group Call Ham Contest Calendar http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html 1st Responders 450 Group Call My DX Summit http://new.dxsummit.fi/#/ Wisconsin 500 Group Call QRZ http://www.qrz.com/ CC&lARA 702 Group Call QRZnow http://qrznow.com/ PVRA 991 Group Call RepeaterBook http://www.repeaterbook.com TANN 992 Group Call South African Radio League http://www.sarl.org.za/ Israel 1818 Group Call (SARL) -
Wireless Inst. of Austrailia WIA - http://www.wia.org.au/ Ontario 3023 Group Call
Black Sheep Lounge 3933 Group Call News Sites TX Misfits 5323 Group Call amateurradio.com http://www.amateurradio.com/ EMCOM 9911 Group Call Grapevine Amateur Radio http://hamradio2.com Parrot 9990 Private call Grapevine Amateur Radio http://www.livefromthehamshack.tv/ KC2ABV REPEATER SYSTEM 31018 Group Call ICQpodcast http://icqpodcast.com/ DMR Track 31489 Group Call Southgate Amateur Radio http://www.southgatearc.org/index.htm Latinos Unidos 33013 Group Call News
The Spectrum Monitor http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx Puerto Rico Digital System 33014 Group Call
SKYNET 37030 Group Call DMR Info WC3PS -WEARS 65911 Group Call
http://tg3148.net/ DMR DMR Activity Map http://kg5rki.com/ Page 32 of 35
December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
DMR Blog http://www.dmrhamradio.com/
DMR Lonestar Netwatch http://216.130.253.123:42420/MinimalNetwatch Software
DMR repeater map http://www.cqdmrmap.com/ Chirp http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
N3FJP logging software http://www.n3fjp.com Youtubers
2E0XVX Mick https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfuO1NAmnDD_FlZ_AEAkDQ Dealers
AmateurLogic.TV https://www.youtube.com /channel/UC_1S1TU_F6RKNtYxTlhAm2A Associated Radio http://www.associatedradio.com/home.php
Chris Andrews https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7p -0FTegAEJpn1c7J8YDug B and H Sales Derby Radio http://www.hamradiocenter.biz/ Shack Explaining Computers https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbiGcwDWZjz05njNPrJU7jA Baofengtech https://baofengtech.com/
Hak5 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3s0BtrBJpwNDaflRSoiieQ Bridgecom Systems, Inc https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/
Ham Nation https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCNV2nHyBoSSekgFrVFuaXg Clear Signal Products Inc. (the http://www.coaxman.com/
Ham Radio 2.0 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpVMjRE0m60lKCBWhIlo0A Coaxman) D & L Antenna https: //www.antennatail.com/ Hamrad88 aka Tom’s Radio https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLVm5STfCi4fYim73JIKClA Room Show Grapevine Amateur Radio http://www.grapevineamateurradio.com/ Ham Radio Concepts https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuawHU2iYR_0tpYAIDyIH4Q Lido Mounts http://www.lidomounts.com
Handy Radio https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0vkvyZSD9E -5m9d8S_PTw WB0W - Dealer http://www.wb0w.com/ ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrD_lPlZBLNPJ049IEDKTQ
Podcast
JD Dupuy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9qKoCKD4vChg3yVw -2KiQ Joe Lalumia https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN5crzsUHII4BpDkBozCcYQ SILENT KEYS
K5WCE https://www.yout ube.com/channel/UCDijqwX -8VNVRIkd9J8kRhw
K6UDA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoLhSME -yEY3PQ_Z6EC6rSw
K7AGE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgG5iIOZpqFBBkAgg5iN1w kb5jbv https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5OQmE1K8aBaWAH6ofPBJFA
knoxieman https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1865SUFCq4IXvm dN5q6iog
Laboenligne.ca https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Ib70Ja70L7pb4EOdIYaLQ
Let's Get Ready https://www .youtube.com/channel/UCVdvrhr_4C5X15rmPxPtTXQ
m3daf https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMarmQr3m9tyGoUIqBxW5Nw
Main trading company https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAxQZnObtm5x4rtqx5Fb2g Former ARRL Headquarters Book Team Supervisor Jan Carman, K5MA, SK Mr blogger https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBFu6UqW -BrvWUD5Wk3a4A
NFLARC https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5mUmrfdIJHuoQ3v -ZLY7g R. Jan Carman, K5MA (ex-W5SBX, W3JXS), who was a member of
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ge3pzu2rtjdjHA6rAnBVA Normsweb.com the ARRL Headquarters staff from 2001 until 2003 died on 13th
Peter K endall https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWBDIDu7jYuvLRB4PLeO4RQ November 2018. An ARRL Life Member, he was 76.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCFFjaQTDob1sI9A_7zoZBsg Radio Ham Guy Carman’s career spanned the fields of aerospace, oil-field equipment,
radiosification https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt12Et6EkzzXwm0st9L2VjA industrial control and instrumentation, underwater acoustics, communication systems, manufacturing automation and consulting. Ringway Manchester https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC67TJP9i84zbCi2h1aaSO6Q Carman held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering RingwayManchester2 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgmM3bprh_50fG -L-zG9XEQ from the University of Pennsylvania, and he was active with the
SechoDB https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqArP77iSR8ByC5pc_QLdKQ University of Pennsylvania Amateur Radio Club (W3ABT).
Shutter Mafia https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzF5EGcO29DynhPrqQluqww His Amateur Radio interests included contesting, DXing and VHF/UHF
Stephenwol fe jenkins https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBnqtuccbRMiPGn9tLXUQzw weak signal work. He is a member of the DXCC Honor Roll and the First Class CW Operators Club (FOC). He also was a member of the Techmoan https://www.youtube.com/channel/U C5I2hjZYiW9gZPVkvzM8_Cw Yankee Clipper Contest Club. He was a past president of the Texas DX
The Rc Saylors https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYWhRC3xtD_acDIZdr53huA Society
ht tps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnfnPpcvCwxqlNDHX_bJIXg TX Factor ------
W1MSG HamRadio https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcjYjtognBaSAa -ZLk3EU2A
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG
Ham Radio Contester and AR-Cluster Developer Terry Gerdes, VE Team Rebekah M - K5RCM AB5K, SK Michael B - KF5KHS Kevin M - KW5MOS Well-known contester and AR-Cluster developer Terry Gerdes, AB5K Mary S - KE5FGU (ex-KX6OI), formerly of Texas, died on 13th November 2018 in Belize, Doug S - KE5CDK where he had recently relocated and married. Terry was 69. Wil G – WB5YFX An Arkansas native who was initially licensed as WB5SFA, Gerdes Bud G – AD5SK held a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas. And more…? In the 1980s, he operated from the Marshall Islands as KX6OI while Public Relations Chairman Rebekah M - K5RCM tracking missiles from Vandenberg Air Force Base. He did work for Activities Chairman Rebekah M - K5RCM Garmin, Dell, and FlexRadio Systems and performed tower work as a Ragchew Editor Doug S - KE5CDK contractor, including much of that done recently at NR5M. ------Gerdes may be best known for his development work with N1MM
Logger+ and his ubiquitous AB5K AR-Cluster software, and he was among the handful of hams to work toward integrating the cluster Ragchew Newsletter is online also system with the internet Yes there is yet another place to get The Ragchew newsletter ------and previous editions.
Cliff Lindsay, G4VJI - Silent Key On the Club web page (nflarc.org) Look for the green arrow Cliff Lindsay, G4VJI has passed away peacefully at home in Blandford, Dorset on 6th November 2018. He had been diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier in the year but he battled it right to the end.
He was an RSGB member, a member of RSARS and an active radio ham whenever his deteriorating health would allow. He will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends.
FYI
• NFLARC Club Dues are due every May
Or go to the link 2015-2016 Officers http://nflarc.org/newsletter.html
President: Doug S - KE5CDK Vice President: Clayton D - WA5HED • All sources of The Ragchew Newsletter Secretary: Rebekah M - K5RCM o Email list Treasurer: Rebekah M - K5RCM o Forum area Asst. Treasurer: o Web Page Director (1yr): Mary S - KE5FGU Director (2yr): Kevin M - KW5MOS Director (3yr): Michael B - KF5KHS Field Day Committee: Testing Committee: Rebekah M - K5RCM Address Book
Be sure to whitelist /add to your address book [email protected]
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December 2018 ISSUE WWW.NFLARC.ORG and check spam folder this is from our membership management software to send messages to members
73 DE W5NFL
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