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Amateur radio operators go on air for field day
Valley Press on ^ | Friday, June 26, 2009. | RICH BREAULT

Posted on 06/26/2009 12:06:22 PM PDT by BenLurkin

[H]am radio operators will test their emergency communications capabilities with amateur radio clubs across the nation this weekend.

The field day, the culmination of National Amateur Radio Week, known as the Nationwide Emergency Communications Drill, is intended to give the public a glimpse of the services amateur radio operators provide and a chance to meet the operators themselves.

"In a disaster, when phone lines, cellphones and the Internet are all down, ham radio operators will be on the job," said Jon Clark, president of the Antelope Valley Amateur Radio Club.

The club will set up at the north end of Lancaster City Park, with members manning radios from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday.

In Palmdale, members of the Amateur Radio Club of the Lockheed Employees Recreational Club, will play host to a field day in front of the Lockheed Federal Credit Union on Eighth Street East, just south of the guard gate at the Lockheed facility. The field day begins at 11 a.m.

"It's not just about showing people what the hams do, but it's important because there's a need for more people to be involved in amateur radio," said Roberta Alexander, a Lockheed Employees Recreational Club board member.

The national event is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, a national organization for amateur radio. It originated the concept of a nationwide field day.

Amateur radio operators, better known as "hams," participate by gathering at a common meeting ground and communicating with each other without depending on outside power. They will talk with each other - across the Valley, with hams elsewhere in the state and with hams across the nation, to demonstrate forms of communicating on emergency power supply and the radios' capabilities when a disaster occurs.

(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: amateurradio; arrl; beprepared; communications; emergency; fieldday; fieldday2009; ham; hamradio; hams; preparedness; survival; tm
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To: dragnet2

Thank you for the bump dragnet2.


81 posted on 06/28/2009 12:34:32 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H5jl16e1yc

“Ham Radio Field Day in Northern Minnesota”

Video Description - Quote:

quam12972
June 27, 2009

Amateur Radio Operators across the U.S. conducted what is called Field Day over the weekend of June 27-28. This is a test of all lines of radio communications via Ham Radio to check the system should Amateur Radio Operators be called on during summer storm disasters. This field day ops was conducted near Emmaville, Minnesota.

Category: Education
Tags: Ham Radio Field Day


82 posted on 06/28/2009 12:37:12 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: Oshkalaboomboom
When I was in the Navy and there were no cell phones Ham operators in the US ran what was called the MARS network. If you were out at sea you could connect to a ham operator in the US who would dial a loved one for you collect and you could talk for 5 minutes. They were usually the best 5 minutes of the day, God bless them.

Barry Goldwater ran ham radio autopatches from his home near Scottsdale, AZ during the Vietnam War.

83 posted on 06/28/2009 12:37:30 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (Stop meddling in the affairs of countries and individuals Obama!)
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To: All

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090616/COLUMNIST/906169982/1155?Title=Ham-radio-enthusiasts-active-now-more-than-ever

“Ham radio enthusiasts active now more than ever”

Published: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.

SNIPPET: “Ricky Tharrington has been interested in radio since he was a boy listening to a shortwave radio at night, his bedroom lit by the green dial. He would tune into the BBC, Radio Moscow or stations in Ecuador and South Africa.

Bill Morine was hooked by a neighbor who had a father in the merchant marine. He would talk to his father at sea using a ham radio.

Members of the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club (www.ac4rc.org) followed different paths into the hobby, but they all have one thing in common: They take no pay or compensation for any of the services they perform.”


84 posted on 06/28/2009 12:48:35 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/06/28/hamradio06281.html

“Amateur radio operators spotlight emergency skills
Georgia’s hams will take part in showcase event outside their homes.”

By Mary Starr
Associated Press
Sunday, June 28, 2009
ST. SIMONS ISLAND —-

SNIPPET: “Charlie Wolverton, a member of the Glynn Amateur Radio Association and director of safety and security at Southeast Georgia Health System, says should that happen, ham radio operators will be all that’s left.

When trouble is brewing, amateur radio operators are among the first to respond and coordinate with emergency management and relief personnel, he said.”


85 posted on 06/28/2009 1:46:11 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/suburban/49351307.html

“Ham radio signals reach around U.S.”

By ASHLEY M. BAILEY
Advocate staff writer
Published: Jun 28, 2009 - Page: 5B
Print Email Save Twitter Social Media
Page 1 of 2 SINGLE PAGE VIEW

By ashley m. bailey
Advocate staff writer

SNIPPET: “The space station, which is equipped with its own ham radio, passed over the United States around 2 p.m. Saturday. Ed Laughery, president of BRARC, said when the astronauts have downtime, they sometimes get on the radio and talk to ham radio operators back on Earth.”


86 posted on 06/28/2009 2:03:55 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: Cindy
It's no problem...Listening to 20 meters right now, Americans amateur radio operators, (Hams) all over the country are participating...

Last night I was listening to one guy operating QRP on a mountain top, and so many were tying to make contact with him, he could barley pick out specific call signs...

It's actually encouraging for me to hear thousands of people our there that instead of gawking at the same old BS on TV, were actually out doing something.

87 posted on 06/28/2009 9:46:01 AM PDT by dragnet2
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To: dragnet2

“It’s actually encouraging for me to hear thousands of people our there that instead of gawking at the same old BS on TV, were actually out doing something. “

BIG DITTO.


88 posted on 06/28/2009 2:26:35 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/radio_operators_showcase_their_skills_at_american_radio_relay/27329/

“Radio Operators Showcase Their Skills at American Radio Relay”

By MICHAEL OWENS
Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: June 28, 2009

SNIPPET: “SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. – It resembled a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie: Computers and ham radios powered by a mobile generator cluttering a picnic stand of tables ringed by trees and overlooking South Holston Lake. A grove of tents stood nearby.

Men and women wearing headphones hunched over their radios Saturday hoping to reach a voice, any voice, in the next state, in Canada, or on the other side of the world.

“This is Whiskey-Four-Ugly-Duck, over,” Bill Price, of Blountville, called into the mike.

Static crackled. Then a deep, mechanical voice answered from Ontario.

“Whiskey-Four-Ugly-Duck, thank you for calling. Over,” the mystery voice said.

Another success registered by the Bristol Amateur Radio Club in just two hours. That was one more contact made and another 22 hours of transmissions to go.”


89 posted on 06/28/2009 2:30:48 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/ucf-club-participates-in-ham-radio-field-day-1.1770219

“Central Florida Future
UCF club participates in ham radio Field Day”
Billie Hartl

Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009
Updated: Sunday, June 28, 2009

SNIPPET: ““With this setup we can easily talk around the world,” Wall said. “We can run two to four stations simultaneously. We do a satellite contact — we transmit to a satellite in orbit and talk to someone somewhere else on the planet. It’s one of our favorite things to do because it’s such a difficult thing to accomplish.””

SNIPPET: ““We run these radios at 100 watts max, a little more than two incandescent bulbs,” Wall said. “With that we can talk globally. When you think of that in terms of power consumption, it’s nothing.”

The club works with different types of radio, including Morse code, AM radio and FM radio in addition to digital.”

SNIPPET: “The club finished fourth in the state in its category last year. The club is classified as 2A since it has two main stations and outdoor emergency power exclusively.

“It’s pretty cool because it’s the largest radio communications network in the world, and it’s privately owned by citizens,” Wall said.”


90 posted on 06/28/2009 2:35:07 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/jun/28/amateur-radios-used-for-us-drill/

“Amateur radios used for U.S. drill”

By Rachel McGrath
Sunday, June 28, 2009

SNIPPET: “Amateur radio operators from across Ventura County gathered in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley on Saturday to participate in a 24-hour national exercise testing communications that could be vital during a natural disaster or national emergency.”

SNIPPET: “At the Reagan Library, there were 12 operating stations set up by members of the Ventura County Amateur Radio Society, Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club and the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club.”

SNIPPET: “Marty Woll, vice director for the western division of the ARRL, came by to see the Simi Valley station in action.

“For some hams, this is one of the few times in the year when they can take their equipment out of their homes and set up in some location where they don’t have all the conveniences of power and everything else and make things work,” Woll said.

“In an actual disaster, of course, the infrastructure could be gone in which case they are often the only link perhaps between Red Cross shelters or between an isolated location and the outside world, so it’s important.””


91 posted on 06/28/2009 2:40:06 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All
Very cool...SNIPPET from post no. 91:

"At the Reagan Library, there were 12 operating stations set up by members of the Ventura County Amateur Radio Society, Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club and the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club.”

92 posted on 06/28/2009 2:41:55 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Video:

http://www.dailymotion.com/search/HAM+RADIO/video/x8jsku_hygain-log-periodic-ham-radio-anten_tech

“HY-GAIN LOG PERIODIC HAM RADIO ANTENNA REPAIRED IN THE AIR”
(Added March 3, 2009)


93 posted on 06/28/2009 2:57:48 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=318332

“Amateur radio field day”

By Matt Buhrman
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.

SNIPPET: “OTTUMWA, IOWA — Amateur Radio Field Day is part of an annual disaster and emergency drill coordinated by the American Radio Relay League. The amateur stations attempt to contact as many other stations as possible in the U.S. and Canada over a 24-hour period. Last year, the Ottumwa club contacted over 1,200 stations by either voice or Morse code.”


94 posted on 06/28/2009 3:01:39 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: steveo; mylife

Thanks, steveo and mylife for the pings.

Spent the morning and early afternoon helping out that the SATERN (Salvation Army) field day in Ontario, CA. Got 11 stations up and running Phone, CW and PSK all battery powered at 5 watts out in the park.

Then operated from home also on emergency power. Was making CW contacts on HF running 1 watt! Some great stations out there pulling in that signal as far away as Arkansas.

—... ...—


95 posted on 06/28/2009 3:26:17 PM PDT by Database
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To: BenLurkin

Just back from FD . Was AA3E 2F EPA from the Montgomery County RACES/ARES station. Bottom line was 1,911 contacts and 5,038 points before the bonus points are added. Finished last year 3rd in our class (2F) but had more contacts at 2100 and change. This year we concentrated on making the 2 point CW contact. Was very disappointed in our turnout. We only had 12 folks turn out and half of those didnt operate. I spent the entire week last week setting up the stations inside the Emergency Operations Center. We have a Optibeam OB6-3 at 103 ft. and wires for the low bands. Threw up a 2 element tribander for the second station. K index was 4 on Sunday afternoon and only worked one European. I did have New Zealand (ZL) call me over the pole on 20 CW this morning. That was cool. http://mcar.mcraces.com/ is the website. We are just refitting the operating station after a total reconstruction of the EOC. Icom 756 ProIII and ProII for stations. 857 on U/Vhf. Should be somewhere around 6300 points after bonus points. A fun time was had by all. Had a 14 yr old and a 12 year old running on VHF. Trainees ya know? Getting too old for this stuff....will post pix on that website soon. _._. .._.


96 posted on 06/28/2009 4:57:57 PM PDT by halfright (My presidents picture is in the dictionary, next to the word, "rectum".)
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To: usconservative

You can’t have that perspective when you live in Alameda county as I do. This post is late mostly due the fact that it’s the morning after field day. I’ve been out yelling my head off for the last two days.

The guy that spent the most time putting things together for my club’s field day is an extremely left wing fellow. Great guy otherwise.

When it comes to operating on the radio I was always told to avoid sex, and politics as topics - seems to work.


97 posted on 06/29/2009 7:28:03 AM PDT by fremont_steve
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To: All

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tQ0j1OLILQ
“DARS Field Day 2009”

Video Description - Quote:

July 04, 2009

Delta Amateur Radio Society Field Day 2009
Category:  Travel & Events
Tags: 
DARS  Field  Day  2009 


98 posted on 07/06/2009 12:17:36 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcOPUT4ql8g
“2009 Field Day at the Lucas, Texas Fire Department”

Video Description - Quote:

Subscribe

K5KJ
July 05, 2009
(less info)

ARRL Amateur Radio Field Day operation in Lucas, Texas using the callsigns K5LFD and WR5W.
WR5W was used for the GOTA (Get On The Air) station. K5LFD was the primary callsign.

Ham Radio operators from around north Texas and as far away as Tulsa, Oklahoma gathered in Lucas for this year’s operation.
Category: News & Politics
Tags:
K5LFD WR5W ARRL Field Day SKYWARN EOC Lucas Texas Fire Department K5KJ Dallas Emergency Operation Amateur Radio propagation ionosphere yagi uda vertical electrospace zepp HV-3 butternut NTCC


99 posted on 07/06/2009 12:18:08 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.eham.net/newham/

“Guide to Amateur Radio for New Hams”


100 posted on 07/06/2009 12:21:06 AM PDT by Cindy
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