Internet Resources

 

The value of the Internet is that it is not just a resource, but a resource of resources.

Some hams see it as a competitor for new users.  But the Internet is one of the greatest resources that hams can tap into.  The problem is finding the Inrternet resources that help you the most because so many are out there.

This week I will highlight some general resources, and in coming issues, I'll move on to more specific online resevoirs of ham radio information.

The Big Three of ham radio Internet resources are www.arrl.org, www.qrz.com, and www.eham.net.

The American Radio Relay League has been around for almost 100 years!  It started as a way to organize communication networks in case of major disasters, then expanded into an organization to protect and advance ham radio.  It protects ham radio by watching out for the interests of hams and representing them in the halls of government from the federal down to the local level.  It advances ham radio by promotion and education.  When the Internet became publically accessible, the ARRL saw its value and launched its own website. Many parts of the ARRL website are fully accessible by anyone, but ARRL members have access to the entire website.  Need to find a test session or hamfest near you?  Try www.arrl.org.  Want to study for your ham radio license or to upgrade, or you want to learn more about a specific aspect of ham radio?  Check the publications the ARRL has for sale online.

QRZ started as a ham radio callbook, a directory of valid ham radio licensees.  I'm not sure it was ever in print form, but I do remember the CD versions.  You could buy the CD and install it on your computer.  When the Internet became publically accessible, you could download updates to the CD.  Eventually, they made their callsign database and other resources available through their website.  They offer news, product reviews, discussion forums, and swap & trade listings, for starters.   I have personally used their practice tests to get my upgrade to General, and many others have as well.

eHam.net is an online community of hams.  It offers very similar features and resources to QRZ.com, but it is run totally by volunteers.  They do depend on advertising for some of their funding, but they also accept donations.

 

Keeping Up

"The best way to keep up, is to stay ahead."  That is one of my favorite sayings, spoken by someone who is obvously very brilliant.

What this means is that in some areas, a proactive approach is better than a reactive one.  The Boy Scouts put it more succinctly: "Be Prepared!"

We have just finished a season of activities that are supposed to help us prepare for emergencies and disasters.  Now the public service calendar is clear for a couple of months.  Is it time to relax?  We probably do need to recharge and refresh after all the activity, but emergencies and disasters don't really follow any schedule, and we don't always get warnings in time to let us know when we need to act.

If you participated in any of the recent public service activities, thank you.   But I ask you to ask yourself several questions.  You don't owe me or anyone else an answer except yourself.

"What did I learn from working public service events and Field Day?"

"How did my equipment perform?  What can I do to make it work better?"

"How did I perform?  How can I do better next time?"

The only suggestion I would add here is to consider writing down your answers to these questions, to help you remember them.

 

PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS & TRAINING
 
TULSA ARES RACES NET
2000 hrs (8:00 PM) , Every Thursday 146.880 (PL 88.5 or 141.3), or 146.94 (backup), or 147.390 (second backup)
Repeater status: .88 is still on the air, but it sometimes acts up in the heat, so listen there or on 147.390.

 

 

ON TAP: DAM JAM Bicycle Tour, Boy Scout Festival, Bike MS Oklahoma and Tulsa Bicycle Club's Fall Century in September, Route 66 Marathon in November.  Details to follow soon.
 
##### #####
 
HAMFESTS
 
Green Country Hamfest
The Planning  Committee, after taking a break for storm season, should resume meetings in August to prepare for 2013.  Regular planning meetings are the 2nd Thursday of every month at the Rib Crib, 81st & Yale.  Next meeting should be on 09 AUG 12.

Zero Beaters ARC Hamfest, Wahington MO,  July 15
Contact: Bruce Serbus, KD0KCF, 636-451-2991, kd0kcf@sbcglobal.net
 
Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs (CORA) Ham Holiday 2012  July 27 - 28
http://www.hamholiday.org/
 
Queen Wilhelmina Hamfest - Queen Wilhelmina State Park, near Mena AR -  Sept. 7 - 8
www.qwha.org
 
Ada Hamfest, Ada OK, Sept. 14 - 15
Chickasaw Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi
 
Texhoma Hamarama, Ardmore OK - October 19 - 20
http://texomahamarama.org/
 
Enid Hamfest, Enid OK - November 3
http://www.enidarc.org/
 
##### #####
 
VE HAM RADIO TESTING
 
Walk-ins are welcome at the following ARRL affliated sessions:
 
Tulsa Repeater Organization
Third Thursday of odd-numbered months, 1900 (7 PM), except March
American Red Cross
10151 E 11th  (11th & US 169)
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128
Next scheduled session: 19 JUL 12
Contact: Merlin Griffin WB5OSM at 918-520-7668 - leave message, or email: WB5OSM@hotmail.com
 
First Saturday of odd numbered months - 0930 to 1100 (9:30 to 11 AM)
Hardesty Regional Library
8316 E 93rd Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
Next scheduled session: 07 JUL 12
Contact: Tom White K5EHX at tom@k5ehx.net  or 918-835-7889 and leave a message
 
Broken Arrow Amateur Radio Club
Second Saturday of EVEN numbered months at 0930 (9:30 AM)
Church of Christ
505 East Kenosha Street
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Next scheduled session: 11 AUG 12
Contact: Don Doyle AC5II at AC5II@arrl.net or 918-379-0962
 
All testing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY at this W5YI session:
 
American Airlines Amateur Radio Club
Last Saturday of every even numbered month, 0945 (9:45 AM)
Martin East Regional Library
2601 S Garnett Road
Tulsa, OK
Next scheduled session: 25 AUG 12
Contact: John Campbell, K5ENA, at  k5ena@cox.net, or 918 346-8284
 
 
##### #####
 
NETS
 
Sunday
    American Airlines net @ 2100   147.000 or 147.345 (as backup) No PL required
    ARES Oklahoma HF Net @2130Hrs UTC, Every Sunday 7.260 MHz (alt freq 3.900 MHz)+/- QRM
 
Monday
   BAARC net @ 2000   146.91
   Muskogee ARC net @2100 146.745
 
Tuesday
    RCWA (Claremore) net @ 1900   147.09
    NORA (Vinita) net @ 2000   147.36 88.5 PL
     
Wednesday
    Youth At Heart net @ 1900 146.91
    Bartlesville ARES net @ 2000   146.76
    KC5DBH (Rose, Okla) net @ 2100   146.985 110.9 PL
 
Thursday
    Mayes County ARC (Pryor) net @ 2000   147.06 88.5 PL
    Tulsa ARES/RACES net @ 2000   146.88 (see Public Service Events & Training for more details)
    Side Winders On Two net @ 2000   144.250 ssb
    Okmulgee ARES/RACES net @ 2100   147.225 (inactive)
 
Friday
    Youth At Heart net @ 1900 147.09
    Tech Net @ 2000 146.910
 
Saturday
    Simplex Net @ 2100 146.550
 
 
 
##### #####
 
CLUB MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES
 
Tulsa Repeater Organization (WA5LVT)
Fourth Tuesday of each month except June (Field Day)

Location: Tally's Good Food Cafe, 11th & Yale 
Next scheduled meeting: 24 JUL 12
Program: Unknown at this time
http://www.tulsahamradio.org/index.html
 
Broken Arrow Amateur Radio Club (W5BBS)
First Monday of each month 1900 hrs. (7 PM)
Broken Arrow Community Center
1500 South Main Street
Broken Arrow OK
Next scheduled meeting: 02 JUL 12
Program: Ice Cream Social; will meet at picnic shelter in park close to the Community Center

http://www.w5bbs.org/home.htm
 
Tulsa Amateur Radio Club (W5IAS)
Third Tuesday of each month 1900 hrs. (7 PM)
Room M Keplinger Hall, University of Tulsa
441 South Gary Place (West of 5th and Harvard)
Tulsa OK
Next scheduled meeting:  17 JUL 12
Program: Unknown at this time
http://www.w5ias.com/
 
American Airlines Amateur Radio Club (K5JME)
Last Saturday of each month 0900 hrs. (9 AM)
Martin East Regional Library
2601 S Garnett Road
Tulsa, OK
Next scheduled meeting:  28 JUL 12
http://k5jme-aaarc.clubspaces.com/default_css.aspx
 
 
##### #####
 
Request For Feedback
 
For the Bulletin to continue to be the useful tool I intend it to be, I need your feedback.  I need to know of any items that I should add, remove or change.  I will consider all suggestions.
 
Plus any comments about the quality or the handling of the Bulletin will be appreciated.
 
Please send any comments, corrections, additions, etc., to kc5zqm@cox.net.  DO NOT send them as a reply to the WA5LVT Yahoogroup, unless you want the entire group to see them before I have a chance to review them.
 
73 de Doug KC5ZQM