Antenna Project? Beware of Summertime Heat

Well my fellow Hamsters summertime is here and temperatures have soared near or over the century mark in many parts of the country.

 That said, please be aware that the temperatures we are experiencing can cause serious heat injuries.


Below is a Youtube video covering heat injuries. Although the nurse in the video is talking about this subject related to children, this info also applies to adults.


This is great information. Pay attention when you are out on field day and when working on antennas and such. Ham radio is a fantastic hobby, but don’t get n trouble in the summer heat.

Check out this Amazing Picture of Today's Total Lunar Eclipse

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In the fowwowing picture you can see  the blood-red phase of today's remarkable total lunar eclipse.  It was taken from South Africa around 4PM Eastern.

What a shot!

Skywatcher Derek Keats of Johannesburg, South Africa
June 15, 2011 with a Cannon EOS 50D Camera.
CREDIT:  Derek Keats

If you would like to see more amazing pictures of this event, visit  this SPACE.COM link.

New Introductory Emergency Communications Course Offered

Interested in New Online Introductory Emergency Communications Course?

If you are, you might want to know that  registration is open for the new online Introduction to Emergency Communications course (EC-001).

Course information, including a description, pre-requisites and instructions on how to register are available on the ARRL website. Slots are still available for the first section which begins Wednesday, July 29; the registration deadline is Sunday, July 17.

For the eomplete ARRL article,   CLICK HERE!

For information and registration,  CLICK HERE! 

Repeater Fire in my Hometown is Quickly Extinguished

Recently, my ham shack experienced a wiring overload that resulted in loss of power to all my radio gear.

Since I serve as net control for the region 5 traffic net, I sent the net administrator an e-mail briefly explaining my predicament and informing him I’d be unable to call the net.

What I told him: I told him I had an overload that caused the wiring to overheat and I lost power. I also specifically wrote, “I did not have a fire”.


That evening I was doing the dishes when the phone rang. A local ham who participated in the afternoon’s net was on the line. He started telling me he heard about my fire and asked if I was alright.

Immediately, I understood what happened. I told him I didn’t have a fire, then asked if it was out on the local repeater that I did. The caller coyly answered yeah.

I went into panic mode!  Thinking that I should have been monitoring the 'in-the-house' 2 meter rig all day, I quickly turned it on and put that 'fire' out!  I think the guys on the repeater sounded more releived than I to learn I didn't have a fire after all.

One thing I know, if certain hams in my area thought I lost all my gear in a fire, they’d start showing up on my doorstep, equipment in hand, saying, “here“… And I wouldn’t want them wasting a trip.

It’s kind of funny that issues can get blown out of proportion and quickly spread around in the world of amateur radio.

2011 HamCom - 3916 Net Luncheon

Fellow Tailgaters &  Freewheelers,

HamCom is coming to Plano this Friday and Saturday!

On Saturday at 2:30 PM at Fuddruckers in Plano, we'll be having a 3916 Net Lunch! All Tailgaters, Freewheelers and friends are welcome to come to the event. The lunch will be 'Dutch treat' with everyone responsible for your own bill. And, buying lunch is NOT required….so if you just want to hang out, have a soda and rag-chew, there is no problem!

If you are planning on coming, please let me know by  email. I'm trying to get an idea of how many tables we'll need.

Fuddruckers is located at:
2205 North Central Expressway (Hwy 75/Central Expressway at Park Lane)
Plano, TX 75075-2500
(972) 423-0267

More information, including a map can be found HERE.
If you have questions, feel free to call my cell anytime. 214-803-1695

Information on HamCom is at http://www.hamcom.org/

Best 73s to all. We hope to see you Saturday, 2:30 PM @ Fuddruckers!!

Pete
KE5GGY



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SATERN Seeks Amateur Radio Volunteers for Joplin Operations Still in Progress

According to an article on the ARRL website, the salvation Army could use ‘Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net’ operators to assist Salvation Army operations in Joplin, MO.

From the ARRL Website:


“The Salvation Army continues to provide food, drink and other items of basic care to survivors and rescue workers in the impacted areas of Joplin. While cell phone coverage is no longer much of a problem in Joplin, Amateur Radio continues to be important in certain operations -- such as those of the Salvation Army -- where the ability for several persons to hear what is going on at the same time is an asset.”
According to the article, not just anyone can perform in this capacity. Here are the qualifications:

• * Technician or higher Amateur Radio license.

• * Good health -- you will encounter 100 degree heat, exertion and long hours. You need to be in good shape!

• * Ability to take on a 3-5 day deployment in the field.

• * Have a handheld transceiver and a mobile (VHF/UHF) radio -- APRS capability is a big plus.

• * Experience with disaster responses. ARES® leadership experience is a plus.

• * NIMS/ICS training with a minimum of IS-100 and IS-200 completed.

To learn The process of volunteering, or to read the full article, CLICK HERE! <--Link to ARRL Article.