tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331823412024-03-12T09:34:50.525-07:00KG5VKInfrequent Ramblings from Steve KG5VK
Topics are Mainly Ham Radio,
Fishing, Target Shooting or just nonsenseStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.comBlogger440125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-60353382151598294262024-02-28T18:08:00.000-08:002024-02-28T18:08:50.394-08:00CEO Briefing to ARRL SM's analysis by Dick Norton<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Dick
Norton<br />
Shares Comments on The ARRL CEO’s dialogue with ARRL Section Managers<br />
during their February 2024 Team’s Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The
February 2024 ARRL Section Managers Electronic Meeting was primarily a lecture
by Mr. Minster. I found a great deal of what Mr. Minster presented to conflict
with facts or to omit relevant information.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">My
comments on some of the subjects presented follow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1)
Introduction</span></b><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mr.
Minster used the word "transparency" in his introductory remarks,
claiming that he will give a "straight answer" to any question.
However, he then stated that members do not have all the information that he
does, and if you disagree with any of his answers, you need to "buckle
up," which apparently means change your thinking to match his.<br />
<br />
However, the ARRL Organizational Structure states, "The ARRL is a
representative democracy. Its <b>members control its policies</b> through
the power of the ballot." <br />
<br />
If the members control the policies, the members are entitled to information on
potential changes to policies as well as reports on impact of policies and
changes made to them.<br />
<br />
<b>2) Notice to Members About Potential By-Law 46 Changes</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster said that it was not the practice to release potential
Articles-of-Association and By-Laws motions to members. However, after the 2018
attempt to enact questionable bylaw changes, the Board, as articulated by
President Roderick, promised to do exactly that. Despite that commitment, Mr.
Minster complained about a couple of Board members following through on that
promise by releasing a proposal to substantially expand By-Law 46 beyond its
original purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The
notice prompted a group of prominent ARRL members to send postal-mail alerts to
donors about the implications of the proposed changes. Mr. Minster claimed the
letters had essentially no effect, something that conflicted with
communications I received from multiple donors who were even reconsidering
future gifts to the League. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Those
letters and other communication among members led to the proposed motion not
being presented at the Board meeting, although it may well resurface in a
slightly different form at a future meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<b>3) High-functioning ARRL Board</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster claimed that the January Board meeting was great, and that we now
have a high-functioning Board. This may be a result of the "Shadow
Board" of 10 or 11 Directors who meet secretly with Mr. Minster on the
Internet, forming League policy without the participation of all the Directors.
His characterization may be appropriate to him if he confers only with those
who agree with him.<br />
<br />
<b>4) By-Law 46</b><br />
<br />
Misdirection is a technique used by magicians to divert the audience's
attention away from what is actually causing an outcome. Misdirection was used
in the defense of the proposed changes to By-Law 46.<br />
<br />
Mr. Minster directed attention to a part of the proposed changes that
purportedly just combined a number of relevant items into one single document,
something that no one would likely find objectionable. He did not talk about
three things that people have criticized:<br />
<br />
a) allowing a majority of the Board to effectively vote minority or dissenting
Board members off the Board, something that conflicts with Connecticut law.<br />
<br />
b) requiring that Board members and potential Board members sign what amounts
to a loyalty oath.<br />
<br />
c) requiring Board members to publicly promote political ideas of the majority,
rather than act in accordance with their beliefs of what best serves the
organization, as required by Connecticut law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mr.
Minster claimed that the proposed changes to By-Law 46 were not another attempt
by a majority faction of the Board to concoct a mechanism to vote another
member off the Board, but the details of the motion do not support that
contention.<br />
<br />
<b>5) Ultra Vires Report</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster made reference to an analysis of proposed By-Law 46 changes by an
attorney in Massachusetts, who said the proposed changes went beyond the
authority the Board actually had in that area.<br />
<br />
a) Although Mr. Minster stated that he did not read the attorney's analysis, he
nevertheless said that he initiated action by the League's Connecticut counsel,
claiming that counsel had met with someone in the Connecticut Attorney
General's office on the matter. He represented that that the Attorney General's
office rejected the ultra vires analysis, although he has produced no written
legal opinion from either the Attorney General or Connecticut counsel to
support that representation.<br />
<br />
b) Mr. Minster had not previously mentioned this legal engagement to either the
Board or even the Administration and Finance Committee, nor had he advised them
as to the legal fees involved, which could easily have run into tens of
thousands of dollars.<br />
<br />
<b>6) Life Membership Costs</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster made a few cursory comments on Life Membership costs. He stated
that, in 1973, it was already clear that Life Membership was a bad idea, a
conclusion not supported by facts and certainly in opposition to my evaluation.<br />
<br />
In his discussions, Mr. Minster showed that he did not understand the roles of
management, the Board, and the auditors in determining how much money can be
recognized as revenue to cover the yearly costs of sustaining a Life Member.
The assertion that you "can't take more (money) out" is not correct.<br />
<br />
For 50 years, the League has run the Life Member program very satisfactorily,
and in all years the related revenue recognition, which is based on
management’s estimate of servicing costs combined with actuarial analysis, has
been unconditionally approved by auditors. There have never been any contrary
comments on this in any of the Annual Reports.<br />
<br />
<b>7) Internal vs. External Financial Reporting</b><br />
<br />
For budgeting and internal reporting purposes, ARRL reports revenues and
expenses without income from bequests (understandable because they are less
predictable and cannot be managed) or unrealized changes in the market value of
the League's investments (which fluctuate with short-term market conditions).
External reporting, such as in the published annual report and in IRS filings,
includes these components. Clams that the League lost money in a certain year
may be based on the less complete internal reporting. A truer measure of
financial condition can be gained by looking at Unrestricted Net Assets. ARRL’s
unrestricted net asset balance grew over eleven of the past twelve years from
roughly $6 million to over $20 million. The decline in 2022 was due to a
decline in the market value of the investment portfolio with general market
conditions, which was most likely temporary and should largely reverse during
2023 and 2024 as the markets recover.<br />
<br />
Mr. Minster's claims of a dire financial situation do not appear well founded.<br />
<br />
<b>8) Roll Call Votes</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster defended the July 2023 motion that eliminated the ability of a
single Board member to call for a roll call vote and raised the threshold to
now requiring five members. This change raises questions in the minds of
members as to why their representatives’ votes are not all recorded and
available in the meeting minutes. He referred to some roll call votes being
“weaponized.” Why should a Director fear the electorate seeing his or her vote
on a matter? How a Board member votes on motions best describes the Board
member's performance in directing League affairs.<br />
<br />
<b>9) Director's Workbook Being Made Public</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster reported that the Board passed a motion that the Director's
Workbook would be made public and that this would happen before Dayton. The
Workbook is presently on the <a href="http://arrl.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">arrl.org</span></a> website and could have been made
public the day after the Board meeting. Is there something wrong with it that
requires rewriting before the public can see it?<br />
<br />
<b>10) Print QST Costs, Dues Increase and Projected Member Loss</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mr.
Minster defended the Board's actions in not living up to providing print QST to
term members. I have not encountered a single member who agrees with this
action in my participation in club meetings or forums. Membership forms that I
accepted at conventions specifically stated postal delivery of print QST.<br />
<br />
About 30 years ago, the League commissioned a study which concluded that the
League would maximize its finances by roughly doubling the membership dues. The
increase from the remaining members would offset that money lost from those who
left. The Board at that time wisely chose not to go that way. They valued a
larger membership over a larger treasury. I believe that choice should still
prevail. Mr. Minster said that with every dues increase, the ARRL loses 6 to 9%
of its membership, but that it returns after 3 years. This is simply not true.
When the $39 to $49 increase took place, the League had been adding several
thousand members per year. That series of increases abruptly stopped, and the
membership has since shrunk from 170K to 150K. The membership has not
rebounded.<br />
<br />
<b>11) Cost Cutting</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster stated that at some point early in his present role, he determined
that the League did not have a spending problem, but had a revenue problem
instead. <br />
<br />
There has never been any evidence of this presented to either the Board or the
A&F Committee.<br />
<br />
There are many areas where costs could and should be better controlled. In one
six-figure example, management replaced top-tier volunteer (free) trademark
legal services with paid services running tens of thousands of dollars and
additionally wasted over $50,000 in trademark extension fees by not providing
trademark counsel with timely responses to repeated, documented requests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">12)
Minster Salary</span></b><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<br />
In a textbook example of a "Straw Man" response to an issue of his
salary, Mr. Minster pointed out that an estimate that someone apparently made
that it was $891K per year was not true. He also correctly pointed out that he
did not give himself a $100K per year raise in April 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He
never did disclose that his salary is actually about $350K per year, up more
than 40% over what he agreed to work for three years ago, but did claim that
even with the new higher salary, he was the only underpaid person on the staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mr.
Minster is actually overpaid, and should be making about one half of his
present $350K. If you want to verify this, put "Median salary for
non-profit membership organization CEO in the Hartford, CT area" into any
search engine such as Google or Bing. Ignore very high salaries from large
non-profit medical or hospital groups with thousands of employees, since they
are not related to a hobbyist organization with 75 employees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">One
reference from <a href="http://salary.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">salary.com</span></a> shows: "The average
Nonprofit Executive Director salary in Hartford, CT is $139,213 as of
January 26, 2024, but the salary range typically falls
between $116,573 and $168,847." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Also
note that none of these estimates consider that many League employees have
worked for substantially less money than they might otherwise receive because
of their love of Amateur Radio and their desire to serve it.<br />
<br />
<b>13) Employee Morale and Satisfaction</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In
response to a comment about employee morale, Mr. Minster related a comment from
a Director who reported hearing a staff member describe the ARRL like being in
North Korea. Mr. Minster countered with his claim that another long-time
employee who had recently retired stated that the last two years there had been
the best two years of the employee's career. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
The reports I've received as a Director unquestionably match the North Korea
report best. I note that Mr. Minster is on his seventh
administrative-assistant/secretary in three and a half years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Since
the ARRL Board's Standing (or permanent, not temporary) Committees now meet in
the Marriott Hotel's meeting rooms rather than at ARRL headquarters, not only
have our costs increased by several thousand dollars but Board members no
longer have their long-standing opportunity to interact with staff members.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<b>14) Logbook of the World (LOTW) and IT Manager</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster stated that LOTW needs to be completely redesigned and rewritten
from scratch, a conclusion actually not shared by LOTW experts.<br />
<br />
The reason he gave that a new LOTW project manager has not been hired is that
such a project manager would report to an IT manager, and the IT manager
position needs to be filled first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mr.
Minster has not been able to hire and retain an IT manager position in the
three and a half years he has been on the job. He did hire a competent IT
Manager once, but that person left after a few months, citing Mr. Minster as
the reason for leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
Note that the person most respected as being the LOTW expert is retired
software executive Dave Bernstein, AA6YQ. Dave would be the clear choice for
someone to lead development of a future version of LOTW, and would probably do
it without charge. Unfortunately, Dave is one of a number of volunteers with
whom Mr. Minster is having a personal feud and is extremely unlikely to assist
the League while it is under control of Mr. Minster.<br />
<br />
<b>15) Concluding Sermon</b><br />
<br />
Mr. Minster ended his presentation with what might be called a threatening
sermon.<br />
<br />
He described people who disagreed with him as being ignoramuses.<br />
<br />
He demanded that all SMs and volunteers talk positively about the ARRL, which
seems to mean talk positively about how Mr. Minster is running it today. Those
who wish the ARRL would operate in some different way that benefits Amateur
Radio are not welcome. If you don't support Mr. Minster, you don't belong, and
you should resign.<br />
<br />
Some of you might now better understand what it must be like to work under Mr.
Minster. Both volunteers such as Section Managers and paid employees should be
treated with respect by management.<br />
<br />
He lauded himself for the way he will be working at Dayton and expects
volunteers to do the same. I suspect that if any volunteer Section Manager
receives $350K per year, the SM will be happy to do so.<br />
<br />
<b>16) Conclusion</b><br />
<br />
I found much of Mr. Minster's presentation to be inaccurate and/or
inappropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I
welcome your comments on the Section Manager meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
73,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Dick
Norton, N6AA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-73663338965208812302024-01-20T03:42:00.000-08:002024-03-12T09:34:19.130-07:00ARRL Bylaw 46 Proposed Changes<p style="background-color: white; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 40px;">Proposed ByLaw 46 is a Terrible Idea</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NfMGQ5B07_wZmKJ3ar2VnF5StqLroL7p/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NfMGQ5B07_wZmKJ3ar2VnF5StqLroL7p/view?usp=sharing</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">and </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14vTWDLWZYISyRDuEEiVdqoPqXu99FRqa/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/14vTWDLWZYISyRDuEEiVdqoPqXu99FRqa/view?usp=sharing</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">Steve</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0000fd; font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">KG5VK</p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-66624131757168971182023-05-05T18:31:00.001-07:002023-05-05T18:31:32.712-07:00VHF Propagation<p> </p>
<center>
<a href="https://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html" title="Click to add Solar-Terrestrial Data to your website!"><img src="https://www.hamqsl.com/solarvhf.php"></a>
</center>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-42475963824971294112022-03-31T14:38:00.004-07:002022-04-01T17:00:19.351-07:00ARRL North Texas Mentor Fest is this Saturday April 2nd, 2022 This is a FREE event<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZY1ZA6f9v1m1eBMbny0Ua4KJYkBAsKM5TcI-eCVWHkr5kkEuutJ1iWRdBRSjljBrfj_JzTAezyPDN-b06ExlZT-4jPKAZrzwKVgYx0wqXGUS1vzJvNWDWRK0OWw3_Z25CbnEmjVLBEncRMOJd1p9iqQvu_0LP6a_bzqiukMyJXWFYT1b0gM/s690/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="642" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZY1ZA6f9v1m1eBMbny0Ua4KJYkBAsKM5TcI-eCVWHkr5kkEuutJ1iWRdBRSjljBrfj_JzTAezyPDN-b06ExlZT-4jPKAZrzwKVgYx0wqXGUS1vzJvNWDWRK0OWw3_Z25CbnEmjVLBEncRMOJd1p9iqQvu_0LP6a_bzqiukMyJXWFYT1b0gM/w345-h370/image001.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><br />Please join us a reward our Presenters with your attendance<br />I will be Providing One door prize at each presentation as well as<br />Numerous Prizes given out during the Great Pizza break<br />The New Dual Band Yaesu HT drawing for thos that RSVP'd<br />by the 28th of March will also be drawn<br /><br />Steve KG5VK<p></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-52363481566240885052021-12-08T12:07:00.001-08:002021-12-09T08:51:39.065-08:00How I use Stream Deck and Node-Red tools at my Station KG5VK<h1 style="text-align: left;">Stream Deck and Node-Red tools at KG5VK</h1><p><br /></p><p> A buddy of mine (K8KI) recently said </p><p>"He had heard of both tools but was unsure how he would benefit from their use"</p><p><br /></p><p>I decided to document my answer here...</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Stream Deck (Manufactured by Elgato)</b></p><p>I use the Stream Deck tool for two things:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Allow quick access to buttons which launch Aps</li><li>Allow use of Macros via other Software on my Desktop </li></ul>The first is the Aps, which I could easily navigate to on my Computer Desktop via mouse movements, but I find much easier with a one button click are pictured below on the Main Stream Deck profile I use<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdG1ApARCK2uJNECyhzGHYKOqCpAnyfGbt4XfG8Ezdi5h-Oq0vmD3t5RFTFDX7-YcoHKdfdcEt_nmAKnJ8OuaQCaKORZW5RFBEjmjsdtBeSmlkRFR8Kw4tP1DMRow0wtYXSMnxgETwRBn9NlQP5Xgw9qGhXkZzfA5H_dS-1AAvvBsZqa378o=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdG1ApARCK2uJNECyhzGHYKOqCpAnyfGbt4XfG8Ezdi5h-Oq0vmD3t5RFTFDX7-YcoHKdfdcEt_nmAKnJ8OuaQCaKORZW5RFBEjmjsdtBeSmlkRFR8Kw4tP1DMRow0wtYXSMnxgETwRBn9NlQP5Xgw9qGhXkZzfA5H_dS-1AAvvBsZqa378o=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From Top left to Bottom right, I have the "Next Profile button, SDR, DAX, CAT, Tune etc.<div>SDR launched my FlexRadio SDR software, Dax and Cat are launchable if I have terminated them for some reason (They normally launch when Smart SDR is launched)<br />Tune allows quick access to Enable/Disable of the SDR Tune button versus movement of the mouse<br />TQSL simply launches that app versus mouse usage and the same with N1MM+, Antenna Genius Software, DxLabs, FRStack and Slice-Master are there for less mouse use as well.<br /><br />The CQ Test button takes me to another profile set within within my Stream Deck</div><div>allowing use of buttons to send Voice keyer messages, The FlexRadio Power button keys the shut shutdown of my radio locally in the shack.</div><div>Pressing the Commander button allows me one button selection of tools within the DxLabs Commander control of my radio allowing one button selection of keys like A=B VFO, A/B VFO, etc. which would other wise require mouse movement and mouse clicks.</div><div><br /></div><div>I find pressing a button or even two or three buttons easier </div><div>than dragging a mouse and clicking several times</div><div>much easier especially under contest or working a needed DX entity much less stressful.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Stream Deck is the smaller 15 key version, however keep in my </div><div>we can have many different profiles for different page sets of keys and what they do for us</div><div>Some of my keys launch a new page profile, some of the keys simply launch an App versus dragging the Mouse, the key is you setup your Stream Deck for your needs.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Node-Red</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>First off what the heck is Node-Red......</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: #eeeeee; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 0px;">Node-RED is a programming tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services in new and interesting ways.</p><p style="background-color: #eeeeee; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 0px;">It provides a browser-based editor that makes it easy to wire together flows using the wide range of nodes in the palette that can be deployed to its runtime in a single-click.</p><p style="background-color: #eeeeee; box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 0px;">IOW it is a Browser based tool for building a Program to do something with Hardware or other software, without the requirement to get a degree in C# Computer programming or even have a basic understanding of C#</p></div><div><br />Want to learn more there is a fantastic Groups dot IO email reflector with lots of </div><div>Flows (Scripts) on Node-Red for use in Ham Radio here is a link to it.....<br /><a href="https://groups.io/g/nodered-hamradio/messages">https://groups.io/g/nodered-hamradio/messages</a><br /><br /><br /><p>So how do I use Node-Red tools:</p><p>Mainly for both local and remote control of equipment with my Ham Radio shack</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIAwTHxECQNa23NbnFPKfYS05-h_M2X-gFGTypyvBa0ba2AVKAyvU3j6ZR4U4ZNvurV_J7Et2B4ecJod0q5SpTZVR3LxGNkxnHwqCwwlpulTd2Bj9LNDM9uN6JeDfsXs4Sz6ZXGEzJEBXNfZKqBwBDWqGxo6EEOZEYAQegXxOok-WyAx7XYkc=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIAwTHxECQNa23NbnFPKfYS05-h_M2X-gFGTypyvBa0ba2AVKAyvU3j6ZR4U4ZNvurV_J7Et2B4ecJod0q5SpTZVR3LxGNkxnHwqCwwlpulTd2Bj9LNDM9uN6JeDfsXs4Sz6ZXGEzJEBXNfZKqBwBDWqGxo6EEOZEYAQegXxOok-WyAx7XYkc=w545-h409" width="545" /></a></div><br /><p>I mainly built this to use when I am on the road and want to use my station remotely and be able to select different antennas, rotate an antenna etc.<br />My display layout is a bit rough, but it works for me<br />You will note two exact columns of beam heading on the right side</p><p>The Left column is for my 40m beam and the right one is for my HF Log periodic</p><p>I do not have a Flow installed on my Raspberry Pi that holds my Node-Red software and Scripts<br />which would show the Radio's different meters, I do have two other Node Display pages, which are available by clicking on the ICON to the Top Left of My Callsign on the page shown.</p><p>They look like this....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkSWmeK-9NoVApzpPdIpcwzotLfom2NqnmD5PkZ37sUhkTLz33ap77D0aa7VkOCn7z470pvSWyqXPb2brcQPct61IDyzp5feAZZle8xaOboU_eGnQyufgm-RYS5HF4jOfu3Ffa9YK6xJzKy2IHCZ5I8UaEU6s4WLOWM1T-j0MTAWmcuPgARMc=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkSWmeK-9NoVApzpPdIpcwzotLfom2NqnmD5PkZ37sUhkTLz33ap77D0aa7VkOCn7z470pvSWyqXPb2brcQPct61IDyzp5feAZZle8xaOboU_eGnQyufgm-RYS5HF4jOfu3Ffa9YK6xJzKy2IHCZ5I8UaEU6s4WLOWM1T-j0MTAWmcuPgARMc=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7wUC0nUhCpDH8WUj6SAwWwlNFB9XLyVPTHc-2u6_6zSev1HUd1HDbJa99VwO5EDzz02F7VekrIgMsvFg2jOKIh3NZCmnQGHmdU_4X5BTKiWTTbPFuQXZrYxeDWrM5F53m-4_GxnJ2d72pBley0sEFBM5BgpPh7tiQW9gVQUqvw_3drHYXDTI=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7wUC0nUhCpDH8WUj6SAwWwlNFB9XLyVPTHc-2u6_6zSev1HUd1HDbJa99VwO5EDzz02F7VekrIgMsvFg2jOKIh3NZCmnQGHmdU_4X5BTKiWTTbPFuQXZrYxeDWrM5F53m-4_GxnJ2d72pBley0sEFBM5BgpPh7tiQW9gVQUqvw_3drHYXDTI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Top one controls relays to a Receive antenna , changing the direction it is favoring</div><div>The lower screen controls a board with eight different relays mounted to my Raspberry Pi</div><div>for other tools in the shack, such as selecting an entirely different Receive antenna.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are more than a few different tutorials on YouTube of getting started with use of Node-Red</div><div>my recommendation is just jump in and play with it</div><div>Start with small sketches and build-up from there.</div><div>I am far from a programmer, having only learned a bit of basic programming in the 70's in high school with Basic and punch cards.</div><div><br /></div><div>I barely know what C Sharp (C #) is :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Node-Red Flows are built using Sketches versus writing Scripts or Code</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I will tell you building Stream Deck profiles is supper easy</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers!</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve</div><div>KG5VK <br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-60355773033826212052021-11-06T08:03:00.001-07:002021-11-06T08:03:24.625-07:00Presentation of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award to ARRL North Texan<h1 style="text-align: left;"> The First North Texan</h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">and the first Young lady in Texas</h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">to receive the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial</h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">youth award. </h1><div>Ms. Katherine M. Forson KT5KMF, amateur radio Extra class Licensee, was presented the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Youth Award. The presentation was orchestrated by Sean Kelly W5SPK President of the Plano Amateur Radio Klub (PARK) at a gathering of fellow amateur radio operators and dignitaries on the 20th of September in Plano, Texas</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7HXA7tb6ds_Ul2TKFmmZMjS2jEN_xWtqwPdP83FMS2UWOayENgekJ2mJIjafUyCI8u5j-ztkuc7SJm0UMkfHY1tcrtA2uCrLXXikHWiQS7DXwraRL-0QTtshPmfqbBLz_-3Rkg/s640/IMG_3134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7HXA7tb6ds_Ul2TKFmmZMjS2jEN_xWtqwPdP83FMS2UWOayENgekJ2mJIjafUyCI8u5j-ztkuc7SJm0UMkfHY1tcrtA2uCrLXXikHWiQS7DXwraRL-0QTtshPmfqbBLz_-3Rkg/s320/IMG_3134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Seated Left-Right, John Robert Stratton N5AUS The ARRL West Gulf Division Director,<br />Steven Lott Smith KG5VK ARRL North Texas SM, and Deputy Mayor Maria Tu of Plano, Texas)<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y2H4RaX6JDDYOlOo2-FtVaB8jZhoxvbetUI1VmnZJQwRyh4Gk4_lJVoBNqyidZRNXvApl92g29RtG-Nv6PudJMit9neq6tp-PmS9-ztPuOxigwWserI3RxRi5mOeDU3OTqxNMQ/s640/IMG_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y2H4RaX6JDDYOlOo2-FtVaB8jZhoxvbetUI1VmnZJQwRyh4Gk4_lJVoBNqyidZRNXvApl92g29RtG-Nv6PudJMit9neq6tp-PmS9-ztPuOxigwWserI3RxRi5mOeDU3OTqxNMQ/s320/IMG_3144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">John Robert Stratton N5AUS ARRL West Gulf Division Director<br />Presents Katherine Forson KT5KMF the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial plaque</div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_Fnpjw-bgdIwiX5V8DpPrLR9abuRdG9sjmOJSiuhz1TRWjDJCzEtkaK72PCrhlTeHdl9UKRE-RJqv_InOtUXLnisUKkWT0xmttFrN8o8shnSTjMN9BNOzdLlR2STLJr1f-6GDg/s640/IMG_3137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_Fnpjw-bgdIwiX5V8DpPrLR9abuRdG9sjmOJSiuhz1TRWjDJCzEtkaK72PCrhlTeHdl9UKRE-RJqv_InOtUXLnisUKkWT0xmttFrN8o8shnSTjMN9BNOzdLlR2STLJr1f-6GDg/s320/IMG_3137.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />Attendees included friends and family members of the award recipient, as well as officers and members of more than a few ARRL affiliated clubs from North Texas and the former ARRL North Texas Section Manager Jay Urish W5GM</td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpgVLRO_Zj-iT8oL1DR8BVZr_Rzj4vl49fCJaadzGpgKroksWYktUvdTmD1zXE9FCO5EcbvdCH1m-IM3eeKFGCzJGxCSMmQEWen8xaTxR2Qz8RNV4p1sDeCKgw_c6fcHv_qH7_A/s640/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpgVLRO_Zj-iT8oL1DR8BVZr_Rzj4vl49fCJaadzGpgKroksWYktUvdTmD1zXE9FCO5EcbvdCH1m-IM3eeKFGCzJGxCSMmQEWen8xaTxR2Qz8RNV4p1sDeCKgw_c6fcHv_qH7_A/s320/IMG_3150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Check accompanying the award is presented by<br />West Gulf Division Director John Robert Stratton N5AUS and ARRL NTX SM Steven Lott Smith KG5VK, while the honorable Deputy Mayor Maria Tu of Plano, Texas looks on.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">While Katherine is the first ever North Texas amateur Radio op and the first YL in Texas to receive this prestigious award, she is far from a stranger to receiving awards and making milestones. Having received her first Amateur Radio license at the young age of 15, in 2018 she was the recipient of the First place award in the Plano, Texas District Science Fair and went on that same year to secure second place in the Dallas Texas Science and Engineering Fair.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">In early 2019 while campaigning to become the ARRL North Texas Section Manager (SM), I was afforded the opportunity to see a Ms. Forson do a rehearsal presentation for her third science fair competition, I was so impressed I decided that if I became the new SM I would waste little time asking her and her parents if she could be our Section Youth Coordinator.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">In May of 2019, I appointed Ms. Forson KT5KMF as the ARRL North Texas Section Youth Coordinator, She has of course excelled at her position being one our most active and engaged ARRLNTX Section Staff Members. It is a great honor to have come to know her and her parents. (Steve KG5VK)</p></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote><br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-3224568912058126402021-08-30T13:00:00.001-07:002021-08-30T13:00:46.226-07:00<p> Mic Gain Setting on a FlexRadio</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGDXpqzcYo3q232_QCE41-D8S59t1knqbCT-aee1eFRDzdXt4KGQrG1fYs4uuB8ZvRgzVc0xc3rkxyw1EvFvhDdkfIrCtYYu-4nS5F1qQA0kPQmhBbCu6cuyTuBwrgJWefMp6RQ/s269/Mic+Level+and+Compression+Metering+on+a+Flexradio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="121" data-original-width="269" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGDXpqzcYo3q232_QCE41-D8S59t1knqbCT-aee1eFRDzdXt4KGQrG1fYs4uuB8ZvRgzVc0xc3rkxyw1EvFvhDdkfIrCtYYu-4nS5F1qQA0kPQmhBbCu6cuyTuBwrgJWefMp6RQ/s0/Mic+Level+and+Compression+Metering+on+a+Flexradio.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-31164610520325482722021-04-01T05:15:00.006-07:002021-04-01T05:16:23.071-07:00KG5VK updated Bio as of 2021<p> <!--[if !mso]>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal">KG5VK<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Steven Lott Smith<br />
<br />
Born Miami Florida September 1955<br />
First Licensed in 1972 as WN0FOI<br />
Graduate of Parkway High School Manchester Missouri 1974 (But I am class of 75)
<br />
Entered Active Duty with The United States Air Force September 1974 where I
trained as an Aircraft Electrician.<br />
Met my Wife who is from North Texas, while we were both stationed in
California.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Next tour was at Spangdahlem AFB in West Germany for three
years.<br />
We lived in West Texas from 1981 - 1985 (Dyess AFB)<br />
During that time, I was twice president of the Key City Amateur Radio Club in
Abilene, Texas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From Abilene we went to Grissom AFB in Indiana.<br />
Following that assignment we were at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, where I was
the President of the Shreveport Amateur Radio Association for 3 years
consecutively and two more years later.<br />
I served in Desert Shield / Storm from December of 1990, through March of 1991
with the 801 Bomb Wing (B-52's) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">August of 1993 I served as the Electro-Environmental NCOIC
on the KC-135 maintenance team at Riyadh Saudi Arabia during Operation No Fly.<br />
Retired from the USAF October 1st 1993 and started a Professional Photography
Business (Lott's Photo), continued that line of work and also began teaching
photography at Bossier Parish Community College in 2001 to late 2014<br />
In 2015 My wife and I moved from Louisiana to North Texas<br />
In 2016 I started work at Main Trading Co. Paris, Texas.<br />
In 2018 I retired from working a day job and ran for election as the ARRL North
Texas Section Manager.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 2021 I ran as the ARRL NTX Section Manager again, this
time unopposed.<br />
I greatly look forward to hearing your concerns and accolades on what the
league can and has done, for you my fellow ARRL members as well as recruiting
new ARRL members.<br /><br />
A member of the Dallas Fort Worth Contest Club,<br />Lone Star DX Association, CW OPS (#1806), A-1 Operator Club
and of course The ARRL. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">DXCC awards:<br />5 Band DXCC Award,<br />DXCC CW with 298 entities<br />DXCC Phone with 283 entities<br />DXCC Digital with 127 entities<br />Early 2021 Attained confirmation of entity 331 (mixed) <br />and
was accepted in to The DXCC Honor Roll</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I pledge to be Transparent and available to your
communications <br />
<a href="mailto:KG5VK@ARRL.ORG">KG5VK at ARRL dot ORG</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iTrd3hVWWWb0svZTaeLLzPlsI9M40HOLb7C4nM71sgpDxkTcuX2C0owjbWKX64cihAd8N7PBaHHDr9myxfq0JZJXvo1R_hOmVlDctjIyb2Ek-Rc6oGJtW0i9w1U0X4B0WEAExQ/s1600/Steve+at+Dayton+2018+B%2526W.jpg"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a></p>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-75370019458660100142021-01-21T13:15:00.002-08:002021-01-21T13:15:21.307-08:00<p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">This morning January 21, 2021<br />I officially became a proud member of the DXCC Honor Roll</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">I started this journey back in 1981, when my DXCC mentor<br />Tom Blackley KR5D told me "Steve, Just submit your cards, you have plenty for Mixed and Phone DXCC certificates" Of course since I started my Ham Radio journey in 1972 he was very correct.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">About a week ago I worked my 331st Current DXCC Entity<span><br />Leaving me in need of nine more countries to have all 340 confirmed </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>I thank Tom KR5D for getting me started on this journey<br />and Marshall KA5M for the continued encouragement to stay in pursuit of our goal.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>The Nine I still need are: </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>North Korea<br />Bouvet Island<br />Crozet Island<br />Johnston Island <br />Kerguelen Island<br />Pratas Island<br />San Felix Islands<br />Syria<br />Turkmenistan</span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>My Journey to get all current entities continues<br />And I also start focusing on Top Band (160m) DXCC<br />If I live long enough, after that maybe Moon Bounce.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>73</span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span>Steve<br />KG5VK</span><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-71281331378563424142020-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:002020-10-04T08:00:44.832-07:00I am Seeking a Second Term as your ARRL North Texas Section Manager Steve KG5VK<p align="center"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><em><strong>From the Desk of your ARRL North Texas Section Manager<br />Steven Lott Smith<br />Steve KG5VK<br /></strong></em></span></p><p align="center"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><em><strong></strong></em></p>
<p align="center">Greetings fellow ARRL North Texas Amateur Radio OPS<br />
I am seeking a second term as your ARRL North Texas Section Manager<br />
<br />
I have proudly served 17 Months as of this writing<br />
I am asking for your continued confidence in me<br />
by way of nominations for SM for the period of 2021/2022</p>
<p align="center">I took office on April the 1st, 2019</p>
<p align="center">During my Campaign to be your Section Manager<br />
I pledged I would be a visible Section Manager,<br />
I hope you feel I have done that and much more.<br />
I am now seeking a second term.</p>
<p align="center">Before taking office, I gladly took many phone calls,
and emails with questions and comments, I continue to talk with fellow
ARRL members on a weekly sometimes daily basis.<br />
While I have not solved everyone's concerns. I have always listened and
followed up with answers to questions that I may not have had at the
time of initial contact.<br />
I have been publishing a Monthly Newsletter since my appointment as your
Section Manager, this is a small part of the process of staying in
touch with the members I serve.</p>
<p><strong>Some highlights of specific accomplishments:</strong></p>
<ul><li>Appointed a Section Youth Coordinator, which is one of Youth.<br />
Katherine Forson KT5KMF should, by now be well known to any ARRL NTX member.<br />
She was highlighted in QST the same year she was appointed with a full page article<br />
and continues to serve us proudly by sharing what Ham Radio is with both young and old.</li></ul>
<ul><li>Asked and Received Nominees for an ARRL North Texas Ham Radio
Operator of the Year 2019/2020. Appointed an award committee from the
Section Management team to vote on the nominees. I presented the Award
to Jim Erickson KB0DBJ president of MJARS at their September 2019 club
meeting. (I will soon be forming another Team to vote on ARRL NTX Ham of
the Year 2020/2021 Nominees)<br /><br /></li><li>Within the First Seven months of taking office as your Section Manager<br />
I attended Nine Ham Fests, Seventeen Different Club Meetings, Two JOTA
events and a visit to the EOC at the Plano Balloon fest. I also appeared
at Eleven different ARRL FD sites.<br /><br /></li><li>I have attended the Belton Ham fest 3 times since taking Office,
this is significant because the ARRL members from that area had for
several years been in pursuit of being realigned by the ARRL with South
Texas, until I showed them the support they deserve. <br /><br /></li><li>Began Monthly ARRL NTX Section Management Team Staff meetings, held virtually with Teleconferencing tools.</li></ul>
<ul><li>As of October 2020 we now have Quarterly Zoom conferences with ARRL
NTX Affiliated Club officers and the ARRL NTX Section Staff members.
These meetings came from a suggestion received by one of the club
officers during a recent round table conference with myself and John
Robert Stratton N5AUS our ARRL West Gulf Division Director.<br /><br /></li><li>I continue to attend club meetings on a Virtual basis with those
clubs that are having Virtual Meetings during this time of COVID19
Social Distancing<br /><br /></li><li>Built a strong working relationship with Section Managers and their
Staff near and far from our Section, doing so betters our readiness to
respond to neighboring Sections that need our assistance with ECOM and
allows them willingness to assist us in times of need. I feel we can
always learn from others and therefore maintain contact with all the
fellow Section Managers within the ARRL West Gulf, and Delta Divisions,
as well as several Section Managers beyond those borders.<br /><br /></li><li>I have assembled an outstanding team of assistants, from Greg Evans
K5GTX our Section Emergency Coordinator, to all the other Assistants on
the Section Management team. Our team works as a cohesive unit for the
betterment of our fellow ARRL members which we serve.<br />Our complete Team may be viewed at <a href="https://arrlntx.org/WP/about-us/ntx-officials/">https://arrlntx.org/WP/about-us/ntx-officials/</a><br />
<br />
In summary, I would appreciate your Nomination for another term as your
Section Manager. This will allow myself and the ARRL North Texas
Section Management team to continue the progress which will benefit all
North Texas Amateur Radio OPS.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>News Flash !!!</em></strong><br />
Thanks to Greg Evans K5GTX and Aaron Hulett K8AMH for many hours of
work and planning, our team has just unveiled our new ARRL North Texas
website https://arrlntx.org<br />
<br />
The ARRL has announced that prospective Nominees may solicit
Nominations with electronic signatures during this continued time of
COVID19 Social Distancing.<br />
I can email anyone that request it, one of these Electronic Nomination forms,<br />
just drop me an email with the request <a href="mailto:KG5VK@ARRL.NET?subject=Please%20email%20me%20an%20Electronic%20Nomination%20Form&body=Request%20from%20the%20KG5VK%20website%20Link">KG5VK@ARRL.NET</a><br />
<br />
Thank you for your time and your service as an ARRL member!<br />
<br />
Steve KG5VK<br />
Please call or Email me any time<br />
318-470-9806</li></ul>
<br /><br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-5053479043026855032020-09-03T15:09:00.002-07:002021-01-21T12:50:58.222-08:00ARRL NTX Section September 2020 Newsletter<p> Greetings fellow North Texans!<br /><br /><i><b>Update:<br />Since the ARRL North Texas Website Update<br />Now contains all of my newsletters, including the current one</b></i></p><p><i><b>I no longer duplicate those posts here.</b></i></p><p><i><b>So Please visit <a href="https://arrlntx.org/WP/news/newsletter/">https://arrlntx.org/WP/news/newsletter/</a></b></i><br /></p><p></p><p>*** Many of you are already aware that the ARRL Now has a new CEO <br /><br />You may not know that he is a very active On The air amateur Radio operator<br />He is a Life Time member of CWOPS group and a fellow DXER and Contest OP<br />He received over 2/3rds of the Votes by the Board of Directors, which to me shows<br />the over whelming majority of our Board Members at ARRL have confidence in him<br />He is David Minster NA2AA<br /><br />*** The Board also seated a member to a brand new position at Headquarters....<br /></p><p>The ARRL ECOM Director is Paul Gilbert KE5ZW<br /></p><p>We can all be proud that Paul Gilbert KE5ZW is a fellow Texan<br />Paul
is the current South Texas Section Manager, he has a wealth of
background in Federal, State and Section Level ECOM and will be a valued
asset to all of us. A new Section Manager will be elected for South Texas, watch ARRL News for more info.<br /></p><p>*** The Second West Gulf Director Round Table meeting with ARRL NTX Club Officers and myself was held on the 29th of this past month (August). Due to COVID19 this round table was held virtually<br />by way of Zoom conferencing. We had over 24 club officers represented and I feel it was a very progressive meeting. Your Club officers gave Director John Stratton and myself more than a few issues we could work on.<br />Per the request I have formed an On-Line discussion area where club officers can have a working dialogue with myself and the rest of the North Texas Section Management Staff on any topics that their members wish addressed.<br />A couple of your officers mentioned what happen to the ARRL Club Coordinator position that the Board of Directors were working on. This position was not seated before we found the need to find a new CEO. Now that Mr. Minster NA2AA has been appointed as the CEO and once he has found his way around the inner working of Headquarters, we hope to see some momentum on this new position.<br />The Club Coordinator at Headquarters will allow greater attention towards affiliated club needs.<br /></p><p>*** Once again I make my plea for Safer Tower Climbing to everyone.</p><p>If you think Free climbing, or climbing with a Climbing Belt is Safe<br />You are only kidding yourself.<br />Every Ham Radio Club should take time out to present a video or two on Safe Tower Climbing<br />Every amateur radio OP owes it to their family and loved ones and them self to learn the right way to climb and work on towers. By the way Climbing Belts have not been OSHA approved for many years.<br />The right Gear begins with Boots and a Climbing Harness that has two Fall arrest lanyards and a positioning lanyard as well as the knowledge of when it is safe and unsafe to climb.</p><p>The recent fatality was from only a 50 foot tower!</p><p>Here is a link to an Excellent Video<b> </b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/uJO-L3td_p8&source=gmail&ust=1598911199053000&usg=AFQjCNGont5BPZ7JzIubwkLEvYniR_6QwA" href="https://youtu.be/uJO-L3td_p8" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/uJO-L3td_p8</a> <br />If you are unable to view the Video, please email me for another link.<br />I implore Clubs to help promote Tower Safety, maybe even an OSHA approved climbing kit for member use, everything but the Boots.<br /></p><p>*** ARES and ECOM</p><p>Please never self Deploy, you will only burden resources that are not prepared for your arrival.<br />Greg Evans K5GTX and I work closely with all neighboring Section Leaders and we would love for everyone to take heed of the following message he and I have created on this subject.....<br /></p><p><b> </b>"If you are considering volunteering as an ECOM resource during any emergency<br />Please make sure you first notify Section Management (SM & SEC) within your Section before<br />expressing your willingness and readiness to any served agencies and/or other Sections.<br />We appreciate willingness, however we need to do our part as a Team.<br />Please, allow us to do so by communicating with us first.<br />Steven Lott Smith KG5VK<br />ARRL NTX Section Manager<br />Greg Evans K5GTX<br />ARRL NTX Section Emergency Coordinator"<br />One should also consult their respective County ARES EC and if your an EC up channel to the District (DEC)</p><p></p><p></p><p>*** ARRL North Texas Ham of The Year 2020/2021</p><p>As of Today (September 3,2020) I have received only one Nomination !!!<b><br /></b>I am again accepting nomination packages for the ARRL North Texas<br />Amateur of the Year award<br />Please title the email with the Nomination "ARRLNTX 2020 HOY"<br />The Nominee must be an ARRL member and Reside in North Texas<br />Deadline for nominations is 1 October 2020<br />Nomination packages emailed to myself should include the full name and call sign of the Nominee<br />and Bullet statements of accomplishments with short paragraphs or a few sentences of justification under each bullet statement. Again the Deadline for nominations is the First of October.<br /><br />Please remember I am available to attend any Virtual Club Meetings while we all continue to Social Distance, my last announcement of this last month netted only Two invites to attend meetings.<br />Most important I still come bearing a Door Prize or two, dependent on how many attendees are in the meeting. I can bring a presentation that last about 15 minutes or just be on had for questions your group may have. Of course you can always drop me a line any time, email is preferred but I am welcome to phone calls as long as you are willing to leave a message if I do not answer with the topic.<br /><br />No sign of Fall weather, yet. So please stay safe in this heat.<br />Hydrate, Hydrate, and take cool breaks away from the heat.</p><p>73<br /></p><p>Steve KG5VK <br />Tele 318-470-9806<br />KG5VK@ARRL.ORG<br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-32627844086873439152020-08-03T07:37:00.001-07:002020-08-04T05:56:01.560-07:00August 2020 ARRL NTX Section Manager Newsletter<div>ARRL NTX Section Manager August Newsletter August 3,2020</div><div><br /></div><div>Many Amateurs are wondering if the Newly proposed Band plan with additional Technician privileges</div><div>is actually in effect now, The Proposed Band Plan allowing more privileges for Technicians is just that<br />a proposal by the ARRL to the FCC.<br /><br />Let me state it this way..............<br />Nothing has changed on where and how you can operate if you are a Technician class Licensee<span> <br /><br />And I will add............<br /><br /></span><span>The next step will be the drafting and filing a request to the
FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to adopt the proposed band
plan.<br />
<br />
This ARRL proposed band plan is a result of the requests of both the
Rappaport/White/Kolarik supporters and the "Winlink" folks. It is a
compromise based on those "members" compromise discussions. </span></div><div><span>Any FCC action within the next year is not likely and approval, in my opinion, is doubtful.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>-------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>If you have not yet heard of the ARRL Learning Network's new speaker forum/seminars<br />http://www.arrl.org/arrl-learning-network</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>These are 30 minutes presentation with 15 minutes allotted for Question and Answer session following the presentation<br />These presentations are online using GoToWebinar<br />Which is safe Industry standard software <br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Recently the New Forums kicked off with our Very own Section Traffic Manager Aaron Hulett, K8AMH<br /></span></div><div><span>presented </span>"<span>Relay Stations and the Art of Traffic Handling"<br />Aaron's presentation was on July 28, 2020<br />His presentation has received rave reviews from the many folks that watched his presentation<br />Presentations are archived here.........</span></div><div><span>https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4275483259008807176</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The next Five presentations are...........</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>HF Wire Antennas<br />
George Cooley, NG7A, ARRL Life Member<br />
Thursday, August 6, 2020, 12:30 PM PDT / 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)<br /><br />Introduction to Digital FM Modes<br />
Korey Chandler Sr., WA5RR<br />
Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 5 PM PDT / 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Wednesday, August 12)<br /><br />Introduction to Computer Logging<br />
Steven Lott Smith KG5VK<br />
Thursday, August 13, 2020, 12:30 PM PDT / 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)<br /><br />Capture the Magic of 6 Meters<br />
Jim Wilson, K5ND<br />
Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 10 AM PDT / 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)<br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The Sport of Finding Hidden Transmitters On Foot<br />
Robert Frey, WA6EZV, ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding Committee<br />
Thursday, August 20, 2020, 12:30 PM PDT / 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)<br /><span></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>-----------------------------------------------------</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>If you are a Club Officer in an ARRL affiliated Club within North Texas<br />and you have not heard about the upcoming round table discussion with our Division Director and myself your ARRL NTX Section Manager, </span>which had been scheduled for the 1st of this month has been rescheduled.</div><div><span>Then you either not getting my Newsletters via the ARRL server<br />Not subscribed to ARRLNTX on Groups.io</span></div><div><span>Or just missed it when you read the newsletter...</span></div><div><span>The "Virtual" Round table session has been rescheduled to the 29th of this month.<br />To RSVP if you have NOT already done so, send an email with the title<br />"RSVP for ARRL NTX Round Table" to KG5VK@ARRL.ORG<br />The meeting is for Two Officers from each club<br />(Typically the President plus one Board member)</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>--------------------------------------------------</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>ARRL NTX Mentor Fest at this time is still scheduled for October 17, 2020<br />Our main push is offering License Testing<br />If you desire to take an exam please RSVP to Bill Caldwell <br /></span></div><div>mentorfest@arrlntx.org<br /><br />We would love to have some presenters confirm that they are willing to present on this new date</div><div>please use the online registration form.....</div><div>https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b49afa728a4fa7-mentorfest</div><div>Or just browse over to https://www.arrlntx.org/mentorfest2020</div><div><br /></div><div>------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>Reminder myself and the whole ARRL North Texas Section Management Team</div><div>are available to do presentations at your Virtual Club meetings during this COVID19</div><div>limited socialization period.<br />If you would like us to attend just drop us an email invite</div><div>Our Section Emergency Coordinator Greg Evans K5GTX, Aaron Hulett K8AMH, myself and many of the other team members are prepared to talk with your group on many different topics.<br />If you have not heard Katherine Forson KT5KMF speak, virtually in a web conference or in person you are really missing out - she is our Section Youth Coordinator for a good reason<br />More on Katherine may be seen here............</div><div>https://www.arrlntx.org/youth-coordinator</div><div><br /></div><div>----------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>ARRL NTX Ham of The Year<br />I am again accepting nomination packages for the ARRL North Texas Amateur of the Year award</div><div>Please title the email with the Nomination "ARRLNTX 2020 HOY"<br />The Nominee must be an ARRL member and Reside in North Texas</div><div>Deadline for nominations is 1 October 2020</div><div><br /></div><div>--------------------------------------------------<br />ARES Message for DEC and EC's<br />Our Section Emergency Coordinator Greg Evans K5GTX</div><div>has scheduled an online conference call via Zoom for August 11</div><div>This conference will start at 7:30 pm and will last no more than 90 minutes<br />All EC's and DEC's must attend this conference<br />If you will not attend contact Greg Evans now!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-53413831717452617962020-07-25T12:57:00.002-07:002020-08-03T06:40:19.803-07:00FTdx5000 with Station Monitor For Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hzZDmQPUFupjX-0FVfe-3pzQBMD-vA-dqjTvdhBf3BHPJdbcsQYv7w5W2W6Pj9K806KhNUdIhst45OGW9oNoZU0RuRcbtunSPPIqOMKOMO7VC1l4yJSeeu_3UDUdd56biZmIng/s1600/IMG_2532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hzZDmQPUFupjX-0FVfe-3pzQBMD-vA-dqjTvdhBf3BHPJdbcsQYv7w5W2W6Pj9K806KhNUdIhst45OGW9oNoZU0RuRcbtunSPPIqOMKOMO7VC1l4yJSeeu_3UDUdd56biZmIng/s400/IMG_2532.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">FS: Yaesu FTdx-5000MP with Yaesu SM-5000 Station Monitor</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Serial number 1F280021</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">New OLEDS and Finals installed and serviced at Yaesu California in 2014</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other than some light Dust on knobs etc</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">this is a very clean radio and station monitor</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Comes with all original packaging, double yaesu boxing</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Power cords and cables, hand mic</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Includes a well read User manual</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Does <b>NOT</b> include the FH-2 Remote Control Keypad</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div><span style="font-size: 12pt;">$2500.00</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><font size="5">-SOLD-</font><br /></span></h1></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-67925783775936175362020-05-04T06:02:00.001-07:002020-05-04T06:21:43.767-07:00ARRL NTX May 2020 Newsletter<h2>
<i>Greetings fellow North Texas Amateur Radio Operators</i></h2>
<br />
<h3>
Mentor Fest 2020 New Date October 17, 2020</h3>
ARRLNTX Mentor Fest has now been rescheduled<br />
details will be posted at the http://arrlntx.org website soon<br />
we are very hopeful that by October we are able to have gatherings<br />
and proceed with Mentor Fest, but remain flexible for any change.<br />
We appreciate any and all Speaker commitments and should have the schedule block opened back up this week. <br />
Mentor Fest is only a success with Presenters on various Topics<br />
I will Not hold anyone's feet to the fire if they commit and back out later, <br />
if you have a topic that you may like to present you are welcome to call me with any concerns Telephone 318-470-9806 or better yet drop me an email KG5VK@ARRL.ORG<br />
<br />
<h3>
I continue to be available to speak with your clubs via Video Conferencing</h3>
This past month I visited with two different clubs, with Video Conferencing tools<br />
and can do the same for your ARRL affiliated club.<br />
Just like face to Face meetings, I still arrive providing door prizes.<br />
To schedule me at your next virtual club meeting,<br />
just ask one of your club officers to contact me.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Spring 2020 American Red Cross<br />National Communications Exercise May 30, 2020</h3>
Watch for more information on this Nation Wide Exercise<br />
on <a href="http://arrlntx.org/">http://arrlntx.org</a><br />
and on the ARRLNTX ARES Group of <a href="http://groups.io/">Groups.io </a><br />
<a href="https://arrlntx.groups.io/g/ares/topics">https://arrlntx.groups.io/g/ares/topics</a><br />
<br />
<h3>
ARRL Field Day Plans</h3>
I would like to hear about your club's ARRL FD plans<br />
what is your team planning ?<br />
Are you promoting members work FD from their home, their back yard ?<br />
Or something entirely different ?<br />
Are any clubs planning Remote use of one station with rotating virtual seats "in front" of the radio ? <br />
<h3>
</h3>
<br />
<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-9735913710365245732020-02-17T06:26:00.003-08:002020-02-17T06:26:43.428-08:00Section Management travels & Other ramblingsI will be traveling to the Wichita ARC meeting (February 20th) and the<br />
West Fork ARC meeting in Bridgeport the following Saturday (February<br />
27th)<br />
<br />
<b>New!!! </b><br />
February 29th Hella Hams Sidewalk Sale at the Hella Shrine in Garland<br />
Texas.<br />
More info on this event below....<br />
<br />
March 7th is the Irving Ham Fest<br />
this is one of the best Flea Market style events in North Texas<br />
<br />
March 13/14th is the Belton Ham Fest (Temple,Texas)<br />always a big turn out and lots of used gear for sale.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>ARRL Awards:</b><br />
<br />
We should have many of our fellow North Texas ARRL members getting<br />
nominated for awards that are provided by the League each and every<br />
year, details may be found on the ARRL website with a simple search<br />
string "Nominations Solicited for 6 ARRL Awards." It would be great if<br />
club's in our section would each form a nomination committee to get<br />
select amateurs from their club or community nominated for these awards.<br />
I know folks this kind of stuff takes time, but if we don't nominate<br />
someone, none of us will get recognition that we all deserve. Pay it<br />
forward, one day you may get an award. As of today, I have forwarded two<br />
nominations for awards to our Division Director.<br />
Mentor Fest<br />
<br />
<b>Mentor Fest</b> this year will be held on the third Saturday of April, April<br />
18th. This is an all-day event that you should plan on attending. If<br />
you’re a Mentor and you do presentations, I really would like to have<br />
a conversation with you Now!!! Telephone 318-470-9806 Email<br />
<a href="mailto:KG5VK@ARRL.ORG" target="_blank">KG5VK@ARRL.ORG</a>. You may also signup at ARRLNTX.org<br />
New... Hella Ham's Flea Market/Sidewalk Sale<br />
<br />
Starting February 29, 2020 at the Hella Shrine in Garland. This will be<br />
an ongoing event each month of the year that has a 5th Saturday. Just<br />
like February 2020 has a 5th Saturday on the 29th. Shriner Clowns that<br />
are Ham Radio Ops, hosting a sidewalk sale - what could be more fun!!!<br />
<br />
73,<br />
<br />
Steve, KG5VK<br />
ARRL NTX Section ManagerStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-51276461008035613172020-01-03T08:49:00.002-08:002020-01-13T04:10:51.833-08:00Our use of Spectrum is again under attack<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<h2>
FCC Formally Adopts Proposals to Remove Amateur 3-GHz Band, Invites
Comments</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At its December 12 meeting, the FCC formally adopted a <i>Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking</i> (<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-130A1.pdf"><i><b>NPRM</b></i></a>)
in WT Docket 19-348 and invited comments on its plan to remove “existing
non-federal secondary radiolocation and amateur allocations” in the 3.3 – 3.55
GHz band and relocate incumbent non-federal operations. The FCC said it’s
seeking comment on appropriate “transition mechanisms” to make that happen.
ARRL has indicated that it will file comments in opposition to the proposal.
The amateur 9-centimeter allocation is 3.3 – 3.5 GHz</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
Our use of the Spectrum is again under attack</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we sit by and don’t speak up in defense and or support
the ARRL through donations to the Spectrum Defense Fund, we will again loose
frequencies that we are using.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I know many of you do not personally use the 3.5 GHz
band</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the clubs and organizations in larger Metropolis
areas do use this band,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They use it to help protect you and I during Severe Weather
by the way of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesh Networks known as
AREDN,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you may live in an area where 3.5
GHz is in use by fellow amateurs to help protect you, your loved ones and your
property and not even know it.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<h2>
The Bottom line is they are after more of our Spectrum<br />
without Spectrum to operate we will all be off the air</h2>
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There are several ways you can help prevent this……</div>
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File Comment on the notice of proposed rule making on the
FCC website<br />
<a href="https://www.arednmesh.org/content/templates-submit-comments-3-ghz-fcc-docket-19-348" target="_blank">https://www.arednmesh.org/content/templates-submit-comments-3-ghz-fcc-docket-19-348</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-comment">https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-comment</a></div>
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If you file comment and I encourage you to do so,</div>
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be professional in your comments, no rants and definitely no cuss words<br />
Stick to the facts as you know them.<br />
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Donate to the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund, even small amounts
will help<br />
please donate what you can reasonably afford and/or encourage your Ham Club to
do the same<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.arrl.org/spectrum-defense-fund">http://www.arrl.org/spectrum-defense-fund
</a></div>
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For more info go to the ARRL website<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regulatory & Advocacy Tab<br />
<a href="http://www.arrl.org/regulatory-advocacy">http://www.arrl.org/regulatory-advocacy</a></div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-81560116553025053642020-01-01T04:46:00.000-08:002020-01-01T04:46:26.635-08:00January 2020 ARRL North Texas Section Newsletter<h2>
Happy New Year fellow North Texas Communicators!</h2>
<h3>
Events This Month:</h3>
<div>
The ARRL North Texas Section Convention will be held at the Cow town Ham fest</div>
<div>
Date 17-18 January 2020 Friday from 3 PM - 7 PM and Saturday from 7 AM - 3PM<br />
Complete Details may be found at cowtownhamfest.com<br />
This is a great ham fest, with a great flea market and seminars, I look forward to seeing you all there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The CW OPS Group is Celebrating it's Tenth Year<br />
with an on the air event throughout January.<br />
More info may be found here on their website cwops.org<br />
CW OPS members pride themselves in slowing down when someone wants a QSO, so don't be shy.<br />
Non members are welcome to join in the fun and work member stations that will be signing with CW10 before or after their call sign, There will also be members such as myself using a One x One Call signs, mine is K5N. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Don't forget to take a glance at National news headlines from the ARRL website by clicking on the News and Features Tab Near the Top of the page.</div>
<div>
In fact if you have not visited the ARRL.ORG website in awhile I encourage you to do so, and browse around it, you might find something new you were over looking.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Awards from the ARRL and Certificates of Merit from your Section Manager:</h3>
<div>
<b>Certificates of Merit from your Section Manager:</b><br />
In the last two newsletters I called for your help in providing me info of those in your community that deserve recognition for what they are doing for their fellow amateur radio ops and or their community, I received one such nomination and promptly created a certificate and citation letter to accompany the certificate of merit. We have over 4,480 ARRL members in North Texas, I am sure you all can help me find more than one deserving person in two months.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Submitting someone from your local club or even a non club member</div>
<div>
is not hard to do. Just drop me an email with a half a dozen bullet points</div>
<div>
on what they do that merits a certificate from their Section Manager</div>
<div>
If, I get over whelmed with Nominations I will pick several, each month</div>
<div>
and get the certificates mailed. I will give priority to nominations from Club officer/members, that does not mean you can't nominate who you want if they are a member of the league.</div>
<div>
Email me KG5VK@ARRL.ORG</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will announce last months Section Manager Certificate of Merit recipient at the Cow town ham fest.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>ARRL Awards:</b></div>
<div>
We should have many of our fellow North Texas ARRL members getting nominated for awards that are provided by the League each and every year, details may be found on the ARRL website with a simple search string "Nominations Solicited for 6 ARRL Awards"</div>
<div>
It would be great if club's in our section would each form a nomination committee</div>
<div>
to get select amateurs from their club or community nominated for these awards.</div>
<div>
I know folks this kind of stuff takes time, but if we don't nominate someone, none of us will get recognition that we all deserve. Pay it forward, one day you may get an award.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Mentor Fest<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mentor Fest this year will be held on the Third Saturday of April</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">April the 18th, this is an all day event that you should plan on attending.<br />If your a Mentor, if you do presentations I really would like to have a conversation with you</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now !!! Telephone 318-470-9806 Email KG5VK@ARRL.ORG</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">New.... Hella Ham's Flea Market/Side Walk Sale</span></h3>
Starting February 29, 2020 at the Hella Shrine in Garland.<br />
This will be an ongoing event each month of the year that has a 5th Saturday<br />
Just like February 2020 has a 5th Saturday on the 29th<br />
<i><b>Shriner Clowns that are Ham Radio Ops, hoisting a side walk sale</b></i><br />
<i><b>what could be more fun !!!</b></i><br />
<br />
<div>
73</div>
<div>
Steve</div>
<div>
KG5VK</div>
<div>
ARRL NTX Section Manager</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-79819310314300144802019-12-29T05:46:00.002-08:002019-12-29T05:47:45.011-08:00Tower SafetyWatch this Video<br />
<h1 class="post-title">
Amateur Radio Tower Safety Presentation for the Billerica ARS</h1>
<div class="post-meta post-meta-c the-post-meta">
<span class="post-author"><span class="by">By</span> <a href="https://blog.thedrivenelement.com/author/jim-idelson/" rel="author" title="Posts by Jim Idelson">Jim Idelson</a></span>
<span class="meta-sep"></span>
<a class="date-link" href="https://blog.thedrivenelement.com/2019/11/amateur-radio-tower-safety-presentation-for-the-billerica-ars/"><time class="post-date" datetime="2019-11-09T19:52:06+00:00">November 9, 2019</time></a>
</div>
<br />
It could save you life or the life of your favorite tower climber<br />
It is chock full of solid information and is based on facts.<br />
<a href="https://blog.thedrivenelement.com/2019/11/amateur-radio-tower-safety-presentation-for-the-billerica-ars/?fbclid=IwAR2XvKjQvu4ya-KsrHHXoNzvSZ8mAoGibwOTXTcbbGU17QNU2_TQfGFnjgU" target="_blank">Click here for the Video</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpLrSPfHDy-txXnmh52KYOjK2FXER1G50snUxfNAvarRt0i-F5wOEB2J0Snh9NJRdJ9o31c8GzZq0feG1XNkht2JQfqYd20lDTKdtGZGFqo7PXWr1x_h27SByT2cCcyhFrxLpFg/s1600/TowerSafteyImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="540" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpLrSPfHDy-txXnmh52KYOjK2FXER1G50snUxfNAvarRt0i-F5wOEB2J0Snh9NJRdJ9o31c8GzZq0feG1XNkht2JQfqYd20lDTKdtGZGFqo7PXWr1x_h27SByT2cCcyhFrxLpFg/s320/TowerSafteyImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now how many of us want to change the tide of the numbers lost to tower accidents?<br />
<br />
Steve<br />
KG5VKStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-10970924024602249272019-12-24T04:20:00.003-08:002019-12-24T04:20:50.604-08:00KG5VK Shack as of December 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJdDcUKihLQaSqADozGyC0u03xB-cZz0MCQ2gQ7UtWn19wJy-YVg_XxbtaKG-LWLJyy9dDM5W3nm5k2tq7hhppqnOka8tOAqoUBSWqWpHNC0IOJGzmRNWmE8ttWK2_lTqZyWS0A/s1600/KG5VK+Station+December+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJdDcUKihLQaSqADozGyC0u03xB-cZz0MCQ2gQ7UtWn19wJy-YVg_XxbtaKG-LWLJyy9dDM5W3nm5k2tq7hhppqnOka8tOAqoUBSWqWpHNC0IOJGzmRNWmE8ttWK2_lTqZyWS0A/s1600/KG5VK+Station+December+2019.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
KG5VK </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shack<br />December 2019</div>
Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-61019550240676399652019-12-14T15:17:00.000-08:002019-12-14T15:19:52.462-08:00Louisiana QSO Party 2020<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2020 Louisiana QSO Party (LAQP)</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The 2020 Louisiana QSO Party will run from 14:00 UTC,
April 4, 2020 to 02:00 UTC, April 5, 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Louisiana Stations work everybody. Non-Louisiana Stations work Louisiana Stations. Multipliers - by BAND and MODE - for Non-Louisiana Stations are the 64 Parishes in Louisiana.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three (3) new CATEGORY-OVERLAY: have been added: WIRES, TB-WIRES, and POTA. Stations can compete with other stations with similar antennas or those operating Field Day style from a park, campground, or wildlife refuge. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For complete updated Rules please see <a href="http://www.laqp.org/">http://www.laqp.org</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please make plans now to get on and operate.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Marshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01770752476633892897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-43146221669186073402019-12-14T15:11:00.000-08:002019-12-14T15:11:07.763-08:00Finaly Tower Number 1 at the new QTH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8M4vC30cK3rmhjyturCrveCP18y2DxKEhDdmmlZSXvPsR42J4U9krnsXEDMvwLp8NzDg2gh07frn1B2ye7IwGaineyR1pVpyG89sUyXB2QuiuS6BEkqRdmIK_Pjyadc7PZlohw/s1600/Tower+One+September+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8M4vC30cK3rmhjyturCrveCP18y2DxKEhDdmmlZSXvPsR42J4U9krnsXEDMvwLp8NzDg2gh07frn1B2ye7IwGaineyR1pVpyG89sUyXB2QuiuS6BEkqRdmIK_Pjyadc7PZlohw/s400/Tower+One+September+2019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top 4el M2 40 Meter at 140 ft<br />Lower Beam M2 6El 20m Long Boom at 125 ft<br />KG5VK</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-28778707487025255252019-12-14T15:04:00.001-08:002019-12-14T15:20:44.965-08:00CWOps 10th Anniversary Celebration<br />
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">CW
Operators’ Club 10<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Celebration</span></strong></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EtfeWyWLFWY/XfVqKUu1IXI/AAAAAAAAASw/mSejpccwTSgGEOrbys_sL4AnEY0t8OsywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CWOps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="624" height="113" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EtfeWyWLFWY/XfVqKUu1IXI/AAAAAAAAASw/mSejpccwTSgGEOrbys_sL4AnEY0t8OsywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CWOps.png" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">January 2020 marks the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the CW
Operators’ Club (CWops). </span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In our ten years of promoting the use of CW in amateur
radio communications, we’ve grown to more than 2,400 members worldwide. To
honor our members’ devotion to CW and the efforts of many volunteers toward promoting
its use and educating new devotees, we’re celebrating with a month-long on-air
event in January, 2020. </span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To learn more about CWops, visit our Website at </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://cwops.org/" target="_top"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">https://cwops.org</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All radio amateurs are invited to participate in our Celebration.
Certificates will be awarded in various categories including certificates for
working at least 25 members of CWops.</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">CWOps Members work everybody. Non-CWOps Members work only CWOps Members.</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A number of unique Special Anniversary Celebratory Calls—e.g.
K3CWO, GB10CWO or K5N, will be active during the celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Complete rules and QSL information are available at </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://cwops.org/cwops-10th-anniversary-celebration/" target="_top"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">https://cwops.org/cwops-10th-anniversary-celebration/</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></strong><br />
<div style="background: white;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Look for CWops members and special event
stations near 28 kHz up from the bottom of each band. We also suggest using the
CW Club RBN Spotter at </span></strong><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://rbn.telegraphy.de/" target="_top"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">https://rbn.telegraphy.de/</span></span></b></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Marshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01770752476633892897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-48808869471417564472019-11-05T01:27:00.001-08:002019-11-05T01:27:16.844-08:00What is a SET and why should I participate....<div class="row" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;">
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Greg Evans K5GTX ARRLNTX SEC</div>
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<span class="text-muted" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #777777;">Nov 3</span> <a href="https://arrlntx.groups.io/g/section/message/531" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="hidden-xs" style="box-sizing: border-box;">#531 </span><span class="fa fa-link fa-lg" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 1.33333em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; line-height: 0.75em; text-rendering: auto; vertical-align: -0.0667em;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What is SET?</span> SET stands for Simulated Emergency Test. It’s an opportunity for participating ARES/RACES members and served agencies to practice those skills called upon during an actual emergency. Objectives for a SET can vary from turning on and testing equipment up to and including staging a mock emergency with full deployment of assets from multiple agencies.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Why do a SET?</span> It is a great opportunity to knock the dust off plans, test them out, and identify future training opportunities. Participants have a chance to figure out what works and do not work. And most importantly, renew working relationships. </div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Why should you participate?</span> Our partners and served agencies – from local through national; have expressed interest in continuing to improve our relationships and understand the role that Amateur Radio can play. After all, when it does hit the fan, we will have to stand together in support of the mission to serve our communities.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What is the goal of the WGD Fall 2019 SET?</span> In a single word, communicate. While the Division has had SETs in the past, we are breaking new ground by creating a coordinated effort to consolidate and share local situational awareness with our partners at the local level up through the Division level. The sharing of information is important because it will help the section and division leadership coordinate resources within the division. What we learn from this exercise will help all of us in the future.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">How do you participate?</span> At the local level, ARES members will work with the Emergency Coordinators (EC) or Assistant Emergency Coordinators (AEC) in support of their local exercises. These exercises may range from a staging of resources, local facility situational assessment, to training. During the SET, partner agencies and ECs are asked to consolidate a Situational Assessment Report (example ICS-213 is <a href="http://arrlntx.org/uploads/SET2019/WGD%20SET%202019%20GENERAL%20MESSAGE%20ICS-213%20SAMPLE%20SITUATIONAL%20REPORT.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a>). The assessment is a report of whether power is on, water, and sewage is operating. Transmit the reports via Winlink or voice nets to the District Emergency Coordinators (DEC), the SEC (Winlink Address ARES-NTXSEC), and to the designated State Operations Center Winlink Address KT6CCG). Traffic should also be sent using the HF nets between the cities/counties up to the regional entities using the Regional HF Nets, State ARES Nets, and HF Digital stations. </div>
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Army MARS will be supporting the SET. MARS operators are an integral part of the interoperability plan for amateur radio. MARS Operators will be monitoring 60m Channel 5 (5403.5 kHz).</div>
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We strongly encourage participants to send reports via radio using winlink; however, sending via Telnet as an alternative is acceptable. But it is important to test sending the reports using the radio because, during an event, the internet may not be available.</div>
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More information is available on the <a href="http://arrlntx.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">ARRLNTX.ORG</a> website.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Anything Else?</span> ECs, DECs, SECs, and participating agencies are asked to send an after-action report no later than 20 November. Include information about you and your teams participated in the exercise, what worked, what didn’t work, future training opportunities, and lessons learned. </div>
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Thank you for participating. I look forward to hearing all of you on the air! Please have fun!</div>
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73,</div>
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Greg Evans, K5GTX<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />ARRL NTX SEC<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />ARRL NTX ASM<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />sec @ arrlntx . org<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Winlink: ARES-NTXSEC</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-84450953709180851432019-10-25T08:28:00.001-07:002019-10-28T08:29:04.468-07:00ARRL North Texas JOTA activity<div class="MsoNormal">
How we operated at the Lewisville JOTA 2019 event K2BSA/5<o:p></o:p></div>
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by<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dale Finley, kb5nft<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our Lewisville Amateur Radio Club “Digital JOTA” area
consisted of several different modes of operations. The primary area was
designed to allow scouts to see, send and hear PSk/RTTY/CW modes with as much
hands-on as possible. So, we set up 2 “Back to Back” laptops running Fldigi software
(no radio transmissions with antennas and actual radios were used) so that scouts with a minimum amount of
training could hear and send & receive messages on screen. This gave them the opportunity to sit next to
each other so that one scout could train the other scout then “hand-off” to
other scouts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After I showed Garrett Mayes from troop 2819 a brief “how to
use Fldigi…” he then trained Ben Olden from troop 838 and they exchanged
messages using PSK back and forth. Then Ben Olden trained Ben Bowman and they exchanged messages from
laptop 1 to laptop 2.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stephanie, Ben Bowman’s mom joined in and Ben explained to
her how to send and receive PSK messages… SNAP, the picture was taken. Ben’s mom and I talked about how teenagers tend
to not talk very much to their parents… Ben’s mom said, “Now I have a way to
communicate with my son”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our Fldigi setup was designed with external speakers and USB
dongle microphones on old laptops so that the scouts could hear as well as see their
messages. All acoustically coupled. It is also possible to use an iPhone app,
called PSKer on phones or tablets that can be used with minimum portable
setup. Or PSKer and a laptop, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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An MFJ code oscillator was used to show them CW. We had a
sample coding sheet that they could write their name and use the straight key
to send their name and simple messages… And, it is possible to use this method
with an App on an iPhone/Android and demonstrate different ham radio
modes. On the back of the sheet is a
“How to get a ham license”, in 3 easy steps…<o:p></o:p></div>
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A second area was setup with Echolink connected to JOTA-365.
It was very busy. A third area with
DStar was setup and Reflector 33A was so busy we couldn’t “break-in” so I drew
a block diagram on a white board explaining how ham radios are linked over the
internet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a forth area, Ferris Watson, WT5B had his Raspberry Pi
setup and was explaining how the Pi could be used with ham radio… He was also
decoding the Fldigi messages we were sending in the “Back to Back” setup area. One
scout, Max, was interested in the Raspberry Pi,
because he could play Minecraft on the Pi.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our display table explained “EOM” on how to <u>E</u>ducate
(teach scouts), <u>O</u>perate a radio
setup, and <u>M</u>entor the scouts. With
licensed hams standing by as control operators and mentors, this method worked
very well with our “Digital JOTA” setups. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My goal was to help fulfill as may Radio Scouting Merit
Badge requirements as possible. I
believe we started these scouts on a “radio journey” and hopefully this
“STEMulized” them not only to get the Radio Scouting Merit Badge but to assist
them in getting a ham radio license.<o:p></o:p></div>
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de kb5nft <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1M5ne7LTcz2ypn1ziNDq8mLV7ymzvLn1K57YGwQDccU9yN_opXBPvULPfJqom3fDnbkTv6I_E73BBBjMaSFpp8DpELRwJKc9MgJ515aCo0EpKbf488wEsc69bspIFqjNHD00lw/s1600/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1M5ne7LTcz2ypn1ziNDq8mLV7ymzvLn1K57YGwQDccU9yN_opXBPvULPfJqom3fDnbkTv6I_E73BBBjMaSFpp8DpELRwJKc9MgJ515aCo0EpKbf488wEsc69bspIFqjNHD00lw/s400/image0.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Ben Bowman and his Mother Stephanie<br />
at the Lewisville Amateur Radio Association <br />
JOTA station K2BSA/5 in North Texas<br />
October 19, 2019</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NLAbpcEDg9M4P9hI4zuE4QAS7dbX44pXZuy9d9xQjjlLOXtX2fTFiV7bRQjsTCUKpuT7m6EIiPBh4W0LwVOgedDavXYSZiaQUOGHpYxLMvAmi2nzVZG6ECLMSI8FqFsiWVJymg/s1600/KG5VK+at+K2BSA+portable+5++JOTA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NLAbpcEDg9M4P9hI4zuE4QAS7dbX44pXZuy9d9xQjjlLOXtX2fTFiV7bRQjsTCUKpuT7m6EIiPBh4W0LwVOgedDavXYSZiaQUOGHpYxLMvAmi2nzVZG6ECLMSI8FqFsiWVJymg/s400/KG5VK+at+K2BSA+portable+5++JOTA.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Scouts at North Texas JOTA event<br />
Ben Bowman, Ben Olden and Garrett Mayes (L/R)<br />
Back row left, Steven Lott Smith KG5VK ARRL NTX SM<br />
Back row right, Mike Reitz W5EVT Scout Master and ARRL NTX ASM for Scouting</div>
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Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33182341.post-1549276450140512132019-09-23T09:01:00.000-07:002019-09-23T09:01:14.267-07:00West Gulf Division Director CandidatesThe ARRL announced an election will be held for a new Director in the West Gulf Division<br />
this Division includes Texas and Oklahoma.<br />
<br />
Earlier indications were that Alan Brown K5AB was going to run against John Robert Stratton N5AUS our current acting Director.<br />
<br />
In fact during the Austin Summer Fest, I was approached by friends of Mr. Brown<br />
Wanting me to support Alan. At that time I had not yet met Alan, but knew of his website and I was not impressed, however, later that day after being berated by his friend's for over an hour in the hall way at Summer Fest, I did get to meet Alan.<br />
<br />
<b>In fact, instead of chatting in a hallway Alan and I found a quiet place to visit</b><br />
<br />
<b>I came away liking the man, but not in favor of his campaign style.</b><br />
<br />
I asked him if he could create a page that contained Positive Bullet statements on what he brings to the table, his reply was that he already had that on his website <a href="https://standforhamradio.com/">https://standforhamradio.com/</a> which at this moment is being rewritten apparently as that site is under construction as of September 16 at 1300 local.<br />
<br />
Of course, both current candidates have a QRZ.com page<br />
I recommend you read each one for yourself and see who you think will be the most beneficial as our director.<br />
I know who I am voting for, he has a track record of working the issues and a working relationship with the majority (8) of the 15 current directors.<br />
<br />
I think it is strange behavior, that the friends of Alan Brown<br />
were hard-pressed to find positive reasons for fellow amateurs to vote for him without<br />
harping that another candidate is an attorney, guess what.....<br />
<br />
Their new guy Madison Jones is an attorney, but nothing wrong with that, just kind of humorous that now they are backing an attorney.<br />
<br />
Fact is Madison Jones W5MJ is running with one agenda<br />
to fight tooth and nail against WinLink, because they (his supporters) feel WinLink will be the death of Ham Radio.<br />
<br />
WinLink is no more a death sentence to our hobby than was Side Band, or No Code Licensed amateurs.<br />
<br />
WinLink does help ECOM members save lives and that is why the FCC has allowed it on a temporary basis during several Natural disasters, allowing WinLinks use on a regular basis will allow more people to be trained on use of this tool.<br />
<br />
John Stratton has pushed more than a few bills through for us Ham Radio operators<br />
and even one that many homeowners in HOA's know little about.<br />
Yes, you can have a whole house propane generator even if you live in an HOA<br />
John Stratton had a direct hand in that bill and it has been the law for some time now.<br />
<br />
The same is true for Flag Pole antennas!<br />
<br />
Something else that rubbed me the wrong way and did not win me over to the Alan Brown / Madison Jones Camp, they kept telling me their guy was an Extra class OP and that John Robert Stratton is just a General class licensee. Maybe they thought since I am an Extra class op I would look down on someone being in office that is not an Extra class op, I don't look down on anyone because of a license class, I look at the person as a whole person and the talents they bring.<br />
<br />
They also tried using the well he ain't even an active amateur radio op,<br />
guess what....<br />
<br />
Once you start working in any ARRL position, your on the air activity level is going to suffer.<br />
<br />
Want to know more contact me and please take a look at<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.votewestgulf.org/">http://www.votewestgulf.org/</a><br />
<br />
Learn who the Candidates are and what they bring to the table in support of us members<br />
and please Vote when your ballot arrives<br />
<br />
Thank You!<br />
<br />
Steve<br />
KG5VK<br />
KG5VK@ARRL.NET<br />
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<br />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11482703268849533519noreply@blogger.com0