TRO SIGNAL BULLETIN 04 AUG 12

TULSA REPEATER ORGANIZATION
P.O. BOX 1422
TULSA, OK 74101
http://www.tulsahamradio.org/index.html

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IN THIS ISSUE:
Fire Watch Operations?
Smoke Gets In Your...Radio?
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Fire Watch Operations?
With the ongoing drought and recent wildfires, I have began to ponder the possibility of ham radio Fire Watch Operations. I don't know if groups in other parts of the country have developed plans or have experience in this field, so this is just speculation on my part for now.
Why have a Fire Watch? Would this be a net? Or just a ongoing operation? How would this relate to an emergency or disaster operation?
First, the purpose of the Fire Watch would be to gather, disseminate, and relay information concerning the location and intensity of wildfire and smoke hazards. I don't see the need for a formal net, but it would be a semiformal, ongoing operation. A Fire Watch operation could be a precursor to an emergency or disaster net. These would be similar to the Health and Welfare nets we have had in recent years for blizzards and ice storms.
The Fire Watch control operator would monitor a designated repeater to take reports of fire or smoke seen by mobile hams. The control operator would also monitor news sources, fire service / law enforcement / emergency management frequencies, websites, etc., for information relating to wildfires, road closures, evacuations, etc. In times of low activity, the control operator would give updates at regular intervals, and remind / inform other stations on the repeater of the ongoing Fire Watch. If a situation warrants, the Fire Watch operator would declare a formal net. Otherwise, regular operations and ragchews would be allowed.
Obviously, we need someone to draw up some basic protocols for a Fire Watch, including the criteria for calling a Fire Watch, what information can be handled during the Watch, and when to end a Watch.
Smoke Gets In Your...Radio?
Another issue I have begun to ponder because of the wildfires, is the possibility of smoke damage to radios or other equipment. I imagine that most handhelds would only experience external effects, that is, smoke residue on the outside, and would only need a good cleaning. But mobiles and base stations could have internal effects. They might not be serious enough to require intensive repair, but still require opening up the radio for some internal cleaning. Still something to think about in case we have to roll out on these wildfires.
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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.
DAM JAM Bicycle Tour, Saturday, September 8, 2012
Whitaker Park, Pryor OK
SAG's and stationary operators needed. Gas will be reimbursed at end of event, and lunch will be provided. Use of APRS is highly recommended for SAG's. For more information about the event itself, check their website: http://damjambicycletour.com/. To volunteer, contact Tom Stroud, KD5OPH at KD5OPH@tulsahamradio.org, or call 918-695-3735.
Bike MS Oklahoma, September 15 & 16, 2012
Tulsa to Oklahoma City, overnight stay in Chandler OK
SAG's and stationary operators needed. Additional Net Controls might also be needed. Gas will be reimbursed, and supper will be provided Saturday night. Use of APRS is highly recommended for SAG's. Hotel rooms are available for those working both days.
To volunteer, contact Tom Stroud, KD5OPH at KD5OPH@tulsahamradio.org, or call 918-695-3735. If you need a hotel room contact Stan Callahan, KE5HPB at KE5HPB@tulsahamradio.org or 918.381.9990 by 05 AUG 12.
Boy Scout Festival, 22 SEP 12
The Boy Scout Fall Festival is a one day event in Broken Arrow. Two operators are needed to demonstrate amateur radio to the Scouts, one should be a General or Extra class so you have more HF frequency capabilities. To volunteer, contact Tom Stroud, KD5OPH at KD5OPH@tulsahamradio.org, or call 918-695-3735.
Tulsa Bicycle Club's Fall Century, Saturday, September 29th
The Tulsa Amateur Radio club will provide communications for this event.
As information about the event itself comes available, it will be posted online at: http://www.tulsabicycleclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=539195&module_id=107744
Contact Jay Eimer, AD5PE at ad5pe@arrl.net or 918.852.2885 or 918.371.9137 to volunteer.
ON TAP: Route 66 Marathon in November, Post Oak Challenge in February, and Storm Spotter training from January through March. Details to follow soon.
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HAMFESTS

Green Country Hamfest, March 8 & 9, 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.

Joplin Hamfest
Holiday Inn Convention Center, I-44 at Exit 8-B, Joplin, Missour - August 24-25, 2012
http://www.joplin-arc.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/
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VE HAM RADIO TESTING

Walk-ins are welcome at the following ARRL affiliated 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: 20 SEP 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: 09 SEP 12 (delayed one week due to Labor Day weekend)
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
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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)
USS Batfish & USS Oklahoma Amateur Radio Club Net @ 2000 146.910
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
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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: 28 AUG 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: 06 AUG 12
Program: Amateur Radio at 2.4 GHz (HSMM) – Tony White KA5TRO, et. al.

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: 21 AUG 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: 25 AUG 12.000.
http://k5jme-aaarc.clubspaces.com/default_css.aspx
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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