As a result of this requirement, the FCC has issued DA 12-523.  This includes very specific questions that the FCC is looking for, including “private land use restrictions on residential antenna installations” or in other words do HOA’s CCNRs prevent you from putting up an antenna.  The Southern Nevada MARA group, as do other ham radio clubs, groups, and organizations, strongly recommend you read this information and send the FCC a response.    It is always better to create an individual response rather than just use a template, but as many are not comfortable with creating their own response, the Southern Nevada MARA group will be coming up with a template that you can use and modify to post a reply.

Post your comments online at: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/ or by mail to: 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.

** Red Cross and Amateur Radio

The Red Cross serves the public in many disaster situations including on site relief, disaster assessment, evacuation and sheltering those persons displaced in an emergency. This webinar describes the Red Cross activities and the role amateur radio can play in providing vital communications support. The intention is to provide Red Cross and amateur radio operators with a basic understanding of mutual expectations and needs in the sheltering environment and stresses efficient and accurate communications using various amateur modes including NBEMS.

The date and time are: Wednesday, April 4th from 5pm through 7pm PDT.

To register, go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/803987488

** Winlink 2000 Webinar

This session will focus on Winlink used for EmComm purposes.

Presenters for this session will be Steve Waterman K4CJX, Lor Kutchins
W3QA, Dave Skolnick KO4MI and Phil Sherrod W4PHS.

Date and Time: Tue, Apr 24, 2012 6:00 PM – 7:40 PM EDT

To register, go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/656044145

First, we will be hosting the entry level ham radio technician course.  This course will be taught over a few days and, at the conclusion, the test will be offered.  By getting your first ticket, you will be able to enter the exciting world of amateur radio.

Second, will will be holding a class on APRS – Automatic Position Reporting System.  APRS allows for many things, including:

• Scouts while hiking, biking or boating.
• Watching the progress of a TREK.
• Family trips to let relatives know your progress to various destinations.
• Track a family member who may have a serious health condition.
• Put in a private aircraft while flying.  It’s much better than the EPERB or crash transponder.
  (If Steve Fossett would have had one on the plane he crashed the site could have been found quite easily.  Hams flying general aviation aircraft often use APRS.)
• Tracking your teenage driver.  The system shows location and speed.

Both of these classes are open to anyone interested in ham radio and/or emergency communications, regardless if you have a license or not.

Time and location of these courses will be announced shortly.  Check back here or Like Us on Facebook.  Also, we will be sure to announce it on twice weekly radio nets.

For more information, you may contact us by email, via our email group, or on the local Net.

After you have signed the letter please mail it to:

John Chwat
Chwat & Co.,
Suite 103
625 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314

You may also fax it to (703) 684-7594
 

Note: Chwat and Co. is the ARRL’s legislative relations firm in Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit http://www.arrl.org/news/spectrum-management-bill-threatens-amateur-frequencies

You can also read the bill online at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr607ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr607ih.pdf

Please contact the sponsors of this bill as well as the Nevada representatives and let them know that you oppose the lose of both 70 CM ham and GMRS.

The bill, S.B.-140 and its amendment, exempts police, fire, and other emergency personnel in the performance of their jobs. AMATEUR RADIO IS NOT MENTIONED.

Before the same thing happens here as it did in California, to alleviate the tribulations of trying to change it later, I urge you to write the sponsors of the bill and specifically ask that an exemption to Amateur Radio be included in the bill’s language.

You can read SB140 at http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/SB/SB140.pdf

This would effect Citizens Band Radio (CB Radio), Family Radio Service (FRS), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), and other radio services.

The FCC NPRM requests comment and discussion of their proposed changes, which, among other things, propose to end the requirement for licensing in GMRS, LOWER the power allowed (to 2 watts for portables), potentially remove repeaters, potentially require GMRS portables to have non-detectable antennas, firmly prohibit scrambling of any kind, give maximum antenna heights switching FRS & GMRS from Wideband to Narrowband, and perhaps, prohibit use of radios dual/type accepted for part 90 and 95!

Read the proposal in PDF format: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-106A1.pdf

In Doc Format: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-106A1.doc

or, in Txt Format: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-106A1.txt

After you read it, please comment below on your reaction.    These changes could greatly effect, for example, The Bishop Storehouse Net and other Emergency Communication Groups.

GMRS radios operate on 8 UHF frequencies that were set aside by the FCC for family use. A license is required ($85.00) for five years, and it covers your entire immediate family, including  (parents, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, spouse, etc). The purpose is to facilitate the communications of families over a limited distance. You can enter GMRS fairly inexpensively; however the extended range of repeaters is usually not available on the lower cost radios (the “Wal-Mart” radios).  If you have questions about which radio you need, feel free to Contact Us and we will work with you to point you in the right direction.

What can GMRS be used for?

Pretty much anything.
GMRS can be used as an alternative to a cell phone.  There are many areas with limited, or no cell coverage, that have clear radio coverage.  You can talk with your family or other GMRS users. It’s a way to communicate with multiple people at the same time. Some uses can include family outings outdoors, kids visiting friends or family away from home, ATV riding, hiking, fishing, hunting, traveling, camping or just keeping up with the kids. These are just a few of the uses for GMRS. You can use your imagination to come up with many ways GMRS can add to your life.

What are the advantages of GMRS?

GMRS radios provide instant communications rather than having to dial a number each time as with cell phones. It is great for families with children because the GMRS radio is “easier to use” for kids than a phone.

By having a repeater capable GMRS radio you can open up your options and range. You may have a mobile unit in your vehicles, repeater capable walkie talkies, base stations which in combination with a repeater can extend your talking abilities from a couple of miles to 40 plus miles. Best of all, the repeater access is FREE.

Here are some FAQ about the differences between GMRS and Amateur Radio?

In Las Vegas, the Southern Nevada MARA Net operates on Ham Radio frequencies. We also work with the Bishop Storehouse Net, which operates on GMRS frequencies. There are quite a few people who have both GMRS and Ham licenses and are members of both.

adapted from: http://northgeorgiagmrs.com/IsGMRS4me.html

Southern Nevada MARA exists to provide communication, especially in times of emergencies.

Our website is under construction.

We operate a twice weekly net on VHF 147.27+ , also linked on UHF 447.30- (PL 100).
The net meets Mondays at 9:00 pm and Saturdays at 8:30 AM.

For more information on our Nets, for our Preamble, or for a current roster, click on Net Info.  To learn more about the Southern Nevada MARA, click About MARA.   And, for our download library, which includes manuals, software, training materials, and more, click on Downloads. To read Southern Nevada MARA news, click News