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).
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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