TRO SIGNAL BULLETIN 02 SEP 12

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

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IN THIS ISSUE:
Why Amateur Radio?
DAM JAM Bicycle Tour, Saturday, September 8, 2012
Bike MS Oklahoma, September 15 & 16, 2012
Boy Scout Festival, 22 SEP 12
When Was The Last Time...
 

 

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Why Amateur Radio?
As ham radio leaders are fond of reminding us, amateur radio is a hobby. Most people that become hams do so because they enjoy doing things with radios. Ham radio offers many opportunities to have fun, as well as chances for education, personal development, and fellowship. But why should the government continue to allow ham radio to exist?
Much of what we do can be, and is, done by professional technicians and engineers. If anyone wants to work with radios, they can go to school to get the training or education they need. Most of the professionals design, build, and maintain the communications systems used by the military, law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical, emergency management and other government agencies, as well as the broadcast industries that keep the general public informed. Don't forget those that work to keep both the landline and cellular phone systems going. These systems do work most of the time, and nowadays, we see more and more interoperability incorporated into these systems. In light of how well these system perform most of the time, someone might question the need for amateur radio.
But what often happens to these systems in major emergencies and disasters? They fail, due to damage to the equipment, loss of power, or they become overloaded by the amount of traffic they have to handle immediately.
When this happens, the professionals concentrate their efforts on restoring and repairing these systems. But vital messages still need to be passed. The professionals don't have the time to handle this traffic. What is obviously needed is a backup system already in place or easily deployable. Amateur radio is that system. That's why, "When All Else Fails...."
Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, recognized this at a recent conference, where he said, "But when you need Amateur Radio, you really need them."
For more about this conference and Fugate's remarks, go to this website:
DAM JAM Bicycle Tour, Saturday, September 8, 2012
The DAM JAM Bicycle Tour begins and ends at Whitaker Park in Pryor OK. The routes will take riders across several dams in and around Mayes County, and through the scenic countryside. SAG's and stationary operators needed. We currently have about 8 to 10 people signed up, but more are 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
The Bike MS Oklahoma ride goes from downtown Tulsa to the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, with an 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.
To volunteer, contact Tom Stroud, KD5OPH at KD5OPH@tulsahamradio.org, or call 918-695-3735.
Boy Scout Festival, 22 SEP 12
The Boy Scout Fall Festival is a one day event at Camp Russell 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. Bart Pickens, N5TWB and Ben Joplin, WB5VST expressed an interest in working this event, at the last TRO meeting. They might even take along the ARES Go-Kit radio used at Field Day for the GOTA station. The event is from 1000 to 1500 (10 AM to 3 PM), so set up should probably begin around 0900. To volunteer, contact Tom Stroud, KD5OPH at KD5OPH@tulsahamradio.org, or call 918-695-3735.
When Was The Last Time...
...you checked into the ARES/RACES Net?
Joe Gorkos, N5TEX, (and no, he doesn't live in Texas) at the last TRO meeting expressed his concern over the lack of check-ins and the short or missing nets that have happened (or not happened) recently. A short discussion followed about why check-ins are down, and Stan Callahan, KD5HPB stated that things might pick up as nightfall occurs earlier during the autumn months.
I have to admit that I have been missing a few nets myself, but partly due to fact that my HT's can't get into the .88 system from Kiefer as well as they once did, since the move of the Mid-Con receiver to Skiatook. However, I did use my mobile radio last Thursday to get in, and even though the net started late, the numbers were good, as well as some of the comments made by participants.
Let's keep those numbers going up!
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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.
To volunteer, contact Tom Stroud, KD5OPH at KD5OPH@tulsahamradio.org, or call 918-695-3735.
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 13 SEP 12.

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: Loyd Beeson, AE5MM at ae5mm@arrl.net or 918.638.2393 (text msg or voice)

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: 13 OCT 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: 27 OCT 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, OK) 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), and possibly December (Christmas)
Location: Tally's Good Food Cafe, 11th & Yale
Next scheduled meeting: 25 SEP 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: 04 SEP 12 (tenative change due to Labor Day holiday)
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: 18 SEP 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: 29 SEP 12
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