ARRL: IBEC Broadband over Power Line (BPL) Systems Interference Violates FCC Rules

From the ARRL news desk:

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission documenting ongoing harmful interference and egregious rules violations by Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) systems installed by IBEC, Inc. in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. ...Full Story

My comments:

The ARRL is doing a good job protecting the interests of amateurs across the nation.  It is important that we hams through organizational support of this institution continue to hold the FCC's feet to the fire when it comes to enforcing its rules.

Thanks to the ARRL for doing this in our interest.  Although I don't live in any of the states this complaint addresses, I know that if the FCC gives an inch, the businesses will take a mile!

Northeast Louisiana Regional Ham Radio Fest - 2011

Louisiana State ARRL Convention


Come join us on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 for one of the premier Hamfests in the region. Meet friends, enjoy great food, see the latest equipment, attend informative forums, or find a great flea market deal!


Take I-20 (Exit 120) then East on Frontage Road just past Sam’s Club aprox. 1 mile.
Look for the Barak Shrine Temple on right.


Dealers & Vendors Include:

• Signman of Baton Rouge

• Palmetto Antennas

• More to be announced soon

Forums. . .

• Louisiana Contest Club 10:00 AM

• ARRL State Convention, 11:00AM

Guest: Dan Henderson, N1ND (Regulatory Information Manager)

Hamfest Grand Prizes . Must have a Amateur License to win Grand Prizes

1st prize: Icom IC 718 HF Rig

2nd prize: Yaesu FT 7900R Dual Band FM Mobile

3rd prize: MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer

Lots of Door prizes

Doors open at 8:00 AM on Saturday, set-up for vendors and flea market on Friday, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Saturday morning at 7:00AM
$5 Entry Fee . . . Tickets available at the door and include a chance at the grand prizes. Additional prize tickets also available for purchase for $1 each or 6 tickets for $5 or 25 for $20.  

Reserve Your Table Today!!! Tables are $10 each; electricity is an additional $10.

Send e-mail to: tables@tchams.org, or by mail at: Table sales, PO Box 1871, West Monroe, LA 71294

ARES Information for Northeast Louisiana

District ARES Briefings

First Tuesday of each month @ 6:00 p.m. (Prior to TCHC Meeting)

Ouachita Parish Fire Training Center / EOC
1000 New Natchitoches, West Monroe, LA


Statewide EOC HF Tests: The state EOC in Baton Rouge will be conducting a series of HF tests on a bi-monthly basis. These tests will be conducted on 7.285 and 3.873 MHz. For a current schedule and results of the tests, visit: http://www.eacom.org/

There will be a Skywarn Class conducted at the Fire Training Center Feb 12.  I'm not sure on the time, probably 0800 central time zone.

ARRL Straight Key Night: A Return to Amateur Radio’s Roots

From the ARRL news desk:

Always on New Year’s Eve and Day, Straight Key Night gives hams a chance to return to the time when Amateur Radio was just a bit simpler -- a time when a straight key or an old bug, along with a basic transceiver, was all that was needed to communicate around the world. In fact, that’s still all that is needed. Keep the CW paddle or computer keyboard on the shelf this night and send CW the way it’s been sent since the beginning.  ....full story
------------------

This sounds like fun.  This is the first I've heard of this event.  I am an aspiring CW operator, but seldom take the time to practice.  When I do practice, I improve quickly. I go here to practice.

When I think of using the computer to send and receive CW, I think of it as 'the easy way'. I think it's like using an M-1 Abrams to go deer hunting... there is no sport to it what so ever.

so, I like this retro-going-back-to-basics event.

Freewheeling in the New Year on 3.916MHZ

If you're looking for a fun way to bring in 2011, join us for The Tailgaters & Freewheeler's Nets on Friday/New Year's Eve. The fun will start at 8:30 PM Central with the Tailgaters and will go into high gear at 10PM as the Freewheelers blast off.


Net Control will be Mr. Jimmy himself...KC0MQS!!
HISTORY WILL BE MADE NEW YEARS EVE!!


We're expecting to hit 1,000 members on the Yahoo Groups on Friday and will commemorate the occasion by awarding the 1,000th member a special, one-of-a-kind T-Shirt.


Pass the word that the BEST place to be on New Year's Eve will be 3.916 Mhz.


Happy New Year!

Stranger Repeater Calls Ignored: Now is that Nice?

Repeater Friendly, Is it for Locals Only?


I’ve traveled through towns of all sizes with my repeater directory in hand hoping to make a few repeater contacts along the way.


Some communities, unfortunately, don‘t seem to like talking to strangers. I’ll give my call and get no replies.


Some of the communities are pretty large so the excuse of not having hams listening, doesn‘t hold water.


When this phenomenon occurs, I know there is a slight possibility that folks are just busy, but using my area as a template, I find people are always listening and ready to talk.


Question. What is the real reason for this phenomenon? I think it’s just plain unfriendliness.


When people, strangers even, ID on our area repeaters, he/she will be greeted by a friendly ham, because that the kind of people we are.


What kind of ham are you? Are you one that doesn’t want to talk to strange call signs? Or, are you the kind of ham who welcomes strangers to your area?
Of the above two types of hams, which kind would you like to talk to when passing through a strange town?

Santa & the Freewheeler's Livestreaming on Ham Radio Christmas Eve

At 9 PM Central time on Christmas Eve, Santa will be transmitting on the Freewheeler’s net! His elves have installed a screwdriver antenna on his sleigh, and his mobile HF radio has 1:1 SWR on 3.916.

Anyone with a shortwave receiver can listen in, and General class operators with 3^rd party children are invited to join in the fun.

I will also be live streaming this event over the internet for anyone else who wants to listen in. Click here for the live show on Christmas Eve.

Ham Radio while Hospitalized - Hospital Hamming isn't a Problem for Me

I was in the hospital in Jackson, Mississippi for all of last week. I live in Louisiana, and have repeater frequencies programmed in my handi-talkie for both areas. That said, last week I found out one of the frequencies is in use in both areas.


145.450mhz there is a repeater I found when I was scanning my memory channels. I was able to speak to a few folks there.


This repeater is echolink enabled. I was surprised to learn of this, but never did hear any unusual stations speaking.


I normally use the 146.760 and 146.940 repeaters. Occasionally, I use the 147.300 when someone has difficulty hearing my h/t.


The ..7.300 is very close to the VA hospital and I can get into it without standing by a window.


Talking to hams is a great way for me to pass time while in the hospital. So far, I have had no complaints from doctors and nusing staff.


As a matter of fact, many of the doctors are impressed and curious when I answer their inquiries about the h/t charging on the bedside table.


One night when a starmwarn net was activated, a doctor stood by listening intently to damage reports as they cam in.


I love ham radio… what a hobby!


Pardon my spelling and grammar here tonight.

I frequent the Freewheeler’s net on 3.916 mhz almost nightly. All too often some numbnut gets in there and intentionally disrupts our net. Idiots who do things like this think they are untouchable, right? Read this story and find out about a guy who wasn’t untouchable. It does my heart good to read this.


Here’s part of the article and a link to the full article follows.


British Man Convicted for Deliberate Interference, Operating Without a License
 11/29/2010

Clive McMurray of the British town of Hull (located about 45 miles southwest of York) was convicted and sentenced on November 22 for causing deliberate interference to Amateur Radio users and unlawfully using radio equipment without a license. According to the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) -- that country’s IARU Member-Society -- McMurray caused interference to operators in the Hull region of Humberside between June-November 2009.

LINK TO FULL ARRL ARTICLE

Happy Thanksgiving from KE5UTN

Well, it's time to eat Turkey and/or Ham and all the fixin's.  I hope God blesses you throughout the year.  73;

ke5utn

Signal *** Moonbounce *** Signal Bounced off Moon

HAARP bounces HF signal off moon that is received by Amateurs. Very Cool!

Interview with a Blind Ham Mark, WB6BJN

Tom, K6THM interviews Mark, WB6BJN who is blind.   Mark answers general interest questions pertaining to amateur radio, and gives insight into what amateur radio is. 

Mark, being visually impaired, is an impressive guy who successfully functions as NCS on different nets.


Disability

Latest GOES-15 SXI Image (Image of the SUN) VERY Cool

This is said to be the lates image of the sun and it's solar flux activity.. check it out... really cool image.

You can go to the Solar Weather Website yourself by clicking here.

For today's solar activity forcast, click here.

Mass Solar Ejection (MSE) November 2010 *** VIDEO ***

Currnnt Information indicates a glancing blow to Earth by a Mass Solar Ejection filament.  Watch the video for more details.

Ham Shack Amateur Radio Equipment Video

This is a fun little project I put together that displays the equipment and other aspects on my ham shack. This video is set to the "Airwolf" TV theme, that's why I call it "Airham".

Veterans Honored in Monroe, Louisiana's Chennault Avation Museum 11/06/10

With the traveling Vietnam memorial wall being  a vivid reminder of the sacrifices made on our behalf, thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to veterans (past and present) at Chinnault Avation Museum in Monroe, Louisiana.

Here are some pictures I took Saturday, 6 Nov 10.

The Wall

About the Wall

Air Force Honor Guard

Commo room inside museum.  I used a teletype very much like this one.  This is a TT-74 I think.  I used a TT-76

Museum piece in front of museum

In The Boneyard

Teletype again

Another Boneyard peice.  You could walk up and touch it if desired.

This is a pretty big bird.  The Nose is like 20 feet high.  There's a picture of a starving horse with some grass hanging from it's mouth drawn on the nose, on the other side. 

Another Boneyard Bird

Flag on tip of our Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) tower

NELA ARES & Special Event Operation At Monroe's Chennault Historical Avation Museum 11/06/10 - Pictures

I had a wonderful time helping as much as I could at the Chennault Avation Museum Saturday.  There were thousands of people paying respects to all veterans with special emphesis placed on Veteran's whose service took them to Vietnam.

Many, as reminded by the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, didn't come home. 

I, a veteran, extend my gratitude for all the work that went into making this day a success.  I'm alos thankful for all those who came out to honor veteran's, and would like to thank those who brought their kids.  It's important that they understand the sacrifices that make our freedom possible.

Here are some pictures I took:

//

Chennault Avation Museum

Me (KE5UTN) and ULM Warhawk, ACE

Gonna have to fill me in on the names here photo A.

Chris and Shawn with their main squeezes (KE5HLX & KE5HLY)

This defines an ARES flagpole

Bad Boy "BT", N5EXS

Bad to the bone N5EXS, KERBD & N5ASA

Parked in the bone yard

WA5WX ARES Tower and van - W5KGT's sweat equity on display

The Traveling Vittman Memorial Wall

Duffy, KB5IGZ & Mack, KA5JNL (NCS in the Museum)

Carlos, KB5YEG Prior to calling the LTN Saturday

Mack-daddy, KA5JNL's warm smile

UUPFWRZ623Z9

What Equipment goes into Ham Shacks

Equipment recommendations for ham shacks


Since amateur radio is so diverse, there can be no definitive explanation of what equipment you might decide to put in your shack.


For simplicity sake, I’ll give some suggestions based on most common items.


Some of the most basic equipment:

1. Transceiver(s) - Most hams start out with a VHF radio or an HF radio.

2. Antenna(s) - Whatever radio(s) you have, you’ll need an antenna for each. There are multilane antennas. Additionally, each band you want to use might require an antennas of different lengths. Why is this?

If you divide the frequency by 468, you can get the length of your antenna. (this is not so in every case, but for the sake of this post, we’ll go with it).


There are vertical antennas that are not so long. I have a Butternut that’s 24 feet long (I think). It doesn’t take up as much real-estate as a long wire antenna might.


3. Electrical power/ Power supply- You will need electrical power. Many radios require DC power, so you’ll need a power supply which plugs into a wall outlet. The radio(s) then get wired to the power supply which will convert 120AC to 12VDC.


If you don’t have a power supply, you could use a car battery to directly power your radio. If you use this method, you’ll need a way to recharge the battery as well.


Some things are in ham shacks for pure comfort.
1. Chair
2. Air conditioner/heater
3. Lights
4. Rug
5. A place to sleep
6. Coffee pot
You get the picture.


Other equipment people have in their shacks are computers, antenna tuners, telephone, weather monitoring device, clock, battery charger.


I hope this helps you. Look through my site. I’ve got some videos that show off my peanut whistle station.
Leave a comment or sign my guestbook.


Thanks

KA5JNL Mack's Bear in the Smoky Mountains

Mack, KA5JNL, took this picture while on vacation in Smoky Mountains.

He said he saw many bears on this trip, a Male who e estimated to be at least 800Lbs, and a momma (with her cubs) who was at least 600Lbs.

The Freewheeler's Wish "Happy Birthday" on Oct 20 - This is Awsome!

I don't like ham radio, and the Freewheeler's net, just because a bunch of guys wished me happy birthday. I like them because the hobby and the freewheeler's are filled with good people.

I submit my happy birthday wish as evidence to support my claim.

Be advised, you'll have to endure a commercial in the video (30 seconds).
----------------------

Freewheeler Rewind: 10/14/10 Thursday Night

Recorded Ham Radio.  Jim, KC0MQS is calling the net tonight.  Lots of fun to be had, and some new guys welcomed in.  If you're a ham, or if you  have a shortwave radio, you can tune to 3.916 mhz every night except Saturday night, at 10:00pm Central time and hear this net LIVE!

Getting the most out of your Ham Shack for ARES and SkyWarn

What kind of ham shack do you have? Maybe you have a large separate building or a garage. Maybe you have a radio or two in your bedroom. That said, when making the most of your ham shack, you’ve got to answer some questions.

What will your ham shack be used for? Will you be a skywarn operator? Will you operate as an ARES station?

If so, you’ll need to take a couple things into consideration. 1. You might have to be in it for an extended period of time, and 2. You might need emergency power.

My shack is a small 8’ X 8‘, and I think I have made the most of it. I have 3 spare 12V batteries, as well as a generator for emergency power. Additionally, I have a portable camp stove, an old style percolator coffee pot, and a gas lantern.

These items would be used in the event of an extended power-outage; or entended ARES activation..

Something else I have in my shack is a place to crash.

I have a large toolbox designed for the back of a pick-up to hold odds and ends, and a mattress atop making up a comfortable place to sleep, if necessary.

Any comments or questions can be left in the comment form, or sign my guestbook.

The Late Walter Kronkite Talks about Amateur Radio (Video)

Walter Kronkite was a ham. He made this video: Ham Radio Today. This is a great video for potential hams to see.

October 30 SkyWarn Class Announcement

NELA ARES and the National Weather Service will conduct an official SkyWarn (storm spotter) class on October 30, 2010 at the Ouachita Parish Fire Training Center located at 1000 New Natchitoches, West Monroe, LA.

Anyone with an interest in severe weather reporting is encouraged to participate. The cost is free to the public, and I’m not sure about this class, but the last one I attended a certificate was given.

The class Starts at 10:00am. I hope to see you there.

Directions to the training center are as follows.

I-20 / US 80 Westbound

I-20 / US 80 Eastbound(From Ruston / Shreveport, LA)
In West Monroe - take Well Road South to Well Road
Turn Left off of Well Road onto New Natchitoches
Ouachita Parish Fire Training Center is 3/4 Mile on Left (From Rayville, LA / Jackson, MS)
In West Monroe - take Thomas Road South to New Natchitoches
Turn Right off of Thomas Road onto New Natchitoches
Ouachita Parish Fire Training Center is 3/4 Mile on Right

Traffic Net Recording ON Line: The Region 5 Traffic Net

This is a recording of the 5th Region Traffic net.  This picks up with the net control station taking early check ins.  This net takes place 2 times a day, every day.  KJ2V, George (the net control today) is a highly dedicated ham who takes on way more than his share of the traffic handling responsibility.  KJ2v has my respect and admiration.  

This recording could serve as a training tool for interested hams wanting to get into traffic handling.

Freewheeler Rewind 10/6/10 Amateur Radio Recorded

The beginning of this is great!  I began recording the Tailgator  pre-freewheeler net- and Larry, N0MST talked about colorful meals.  This is great stuff!

Watch live streaming video from ke5utn at livestream.com

Personal Benefits of the Ham Radio Hobby

I want to steer clear, for now, of speaking about all the community benefits of amateur radio in emergency situations, and want to focus on the hobby in terms of the hobbyist.

The longevity of ham radio, as a hobby, speaks volumes about its personal benefits. Radio-Hams get a sense of satisfaction that they get nowhere else.

Friendships are forged in clubs and over the airwaves. That said, there is camaraderie among ham operators that spans the globe. I have personally spoken to people around the world; sending and receiving the warm 73 (best regards) wishes.

Accomplishment is felt by those who study and pass the test to become hams. It is felt again each time the ham upgrades to the next class.

In addition, completed projects, antennas, contests, special events and upgrading equipment all offer vast opportunities for feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Accomplishment is found in learning a new skill, or in knowing that his/her participation was a benefit to someone else in a crisis situation.

For many handicapped folks, life might be quite boring without ham radio. This is because ham radio is a way for homebound people to connect and interact with others outside the home.

The keyword in this instance is “interact”. This is a form of mental stimulation that television does not address. This is also why television has become very unattractive for me since I became a ham.

So, if you are looking for something to do… a hobby, consider Amateur Radio. It’s full of great people and it is fun.

The Freewheeler Rewind 10/05/10 Amateur Radio Recorded

This edition includes a large portion of the Tailgator's net. Conditions were pretty good this night... only a few signals down in the noise.

ke5utn on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

The Freewheeler Rewind 10/4/10 Amateur Radio Recorded

This is From the 10/4/10 - Monday night edition of the Freewheeler's. W5CCT is NCS.

Unfortunately, there was a livestream glitch and the recording starts well into the net. I did manage to get the entire 73 round.

The Freewheeler Rewind 10/1/10 Amateur Radio Recorded

That's right!  I recorded the freewheeler's net, including a couple minutes of the preceeding Tailgator's net. Don't mind what's happening in my shack 'cuz it ain't much. Just listen to the great net!

ke5utn on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

The video below is From the 10/4/10 - Monday night edition of the Freewheeler's net. W5CCT is NCS.

There was a livestream glitch and the recording starts well into the net. I did manage to get the entire 73 round.

Watch live streaming video from ke5utn at livestream.com

S.E.T. at the Ouachita Parish EOC - My Findings (Pictures too)

We had an interesting time Saturday October 2, 2010 during the Simulated Emergency Test (SET).  Our scenario was based on a Hurricane Pam that cam on shore in Southern Louisiana at 4am that morning.

I was the operator who activated Skywarn by bringing up the net, and I was the net control station, WA5WX.  I began taking check-ins at 9am sharp. 

From the start, we had chaos!  Let me tell you, we had tornados, flooding, hail, powerlines down, car accidents and all sorts of mayham.  David Gore, W5DSG was "dreaming up" the various scenarios related to this event to see how we (the NELA ARES) operators would react, and test our overall effectiveness.

Here are some suggestions I have:

1.  During this "Test", we should have other services there to make the simulation more authentic feeling.  Information we pick up via storm warn could then be "actually" passed to those served agencies.

2.  Many ham operators are physically limited due to eyesight or other issues.  If we know hams will be acting in an emergency capacity in an EOC, their efforts can be made much more effecient if some accessability efforts are made.

In Yesterday's test, the emergency coordinator of our group was able to help some.  The point is, this test pointed out this issue.

3.   We might think of how we enter information on the NWS chat.  This is an issue I can consider for myself though without having to take a formal class.  I can simply keep the reports simple, to the point, and supply only relavent informaiotn.

These are just a few of my thoughts.  Below are a few pictures I took.

Below:  not in any particular order

David W5DSG, Chris KF5HLX, and Sean KF5HLY

 Below:  This is where I was sitting during the test.  This is the EOC ARES communications room.

Below:  Duffy KD5IGZ

Below:  David, W5DSG

Below:  The workspace beside where I was sitting

I invite any and all questions.  Leave a comment, or sign my guestbook.  Thanks.

The KE5UTN Channel (Live Streaming Audio/Video)

I recently upgraded  from Livestream to UStream because Livestream made the process of a simple internet feed quite arduous.

When will I activate this channel?

This channel will be up and running during major weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes, floods and severe thunderstorms in my area.  I'll also turn on the feed when requested by anyone.  If you want it turned on leave a comment, sign my guestbook, or send me an email:  ke5utn@yahoo.com.  I'll get back to you so we can schedule a time.

From time to time I'll turn the feed on during contests and some fun rag-chew nets.

What's good about someone running a live internet feed is other stations can hear what their audio and their signal sounds like over the air.  All they have to do is  come here and play the player.  Then contact me and listen.

I will always notify via twitter and Facebook whenever I turn the channel on.  So like me on Facebook and follow me on twitter.  The links are on the right side of this page.



Stream videos at Ustream

Northeast Louisiana Simulated Emergency Test (S.E.T.) 2010

Saturday morning, Oct. 4, 2010, Northeast Louisiana ARES will conduct a communications drill in conjunction with the ARRL. This drill is known as SET or Simulated Emergency Test.

 The S.E.T. will actively involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES), the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), the ARRL National Traffic System (NTS) and many other related groups that prepare for and respond to emergencies. Public service and emergency response agencies and organizations in our community, ARRL Section Leaders and/or local and state officials are also be invited to participate.

Our S.E.T. is in conjunction with the ARRL S.E.T. nationwide.  Click here for more information on S.E.T. from ARRL.

The Daily Beck- Watch The Glenn Beck Show- September 24, 2010: Mixing Big Government and Religion

The Daily Beck- Watch The Glenn Beck Show- September 24, 2010: Mixing Big Government and Religion

Traveling Vietnam Memorial wall Special Event Station

The Traveling Vietnam memorial wall will be visiting the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana the first weekend of  November, 2010.

The Twin City Ham Club is marking this occasion with a special event station from the museum grounds on November 6.

Frequencies have not been released yet, but the callsign will probably be WA5WX.

Check back for times, frequencies and conformation of the call sign. I imagine we’ll be working 10, 20 and 40 meters.

If you would like to visit the museum yourself, and would like to get talked in, use the repeater frequency 146.850 (no tone) and someone will help you.  Even if it's not the 6th and a ham isn't on site, that repeater is very active and just about every ham in the area knows how to get to the museum.

Ever think about going Bicycle Mobile? Pictures and Video Below

Operating bicycle mobile is a way for me to enjoy two of my favorite activities:  Amateur Radio and bike riding.

What are some practicle applications for Bicycle Mobile Stations?  I think, following severe weather,  that bicycle mobiles might be useful for identifying neighborhood  storm damage.

An advantage of bicycle mobile is the bike can be a platform for a bigger and better antenna than a rubber-duckie.

This is what I did.  In the pictures below you can see my 5/8 wave antenna with a Larson coil.  This enabled my FT-209R to access the repeater.

If you have any ideas on novel applications for bicycle mobiles, leave it in a comment, or sign my guestbook.

Pictures Below:

This is a little video of my bike set u: