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

Mobile Radio Power-Werx’s 30 AMP Switching Power Supply with PowerPoles Diamond’s SX40C SWR meter KI0BK’s Low Loss PWRGate Power Sonic’s PS-12550U 55 Amp Hour AMG Battery Various Powerpole extension cables

Any questions on my setup?
What kind of power backup do you have for your radio rig?

Please click here for the “Spring 2012 Ham Radio Class (70)” flyer for more information.  Feel free to distribute this information to anyone, regardless of religious affiliation, who may be interested in attending.

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.

As some of you may know, the 2.4 GHz frequency that 802.11 Wireless Networking (“WiFi”) uses partially overlaps with the 13 CM ham radio band.  There has been some hams who have modified inexpensive part 15 wireless equipment and turned it into part 97 equipment, creating a ham radio Wireless Network.  Referred to as “HSMM” (short for High Speed Multimedia) or “HInternet” (short for Ham Internet), this could be a powerful technology to link together hospitals, shelters, EOC, etc, using ham radio, combined with laptops.  I have ordered some equipment to start experimenting with.  If it works out well, this would be a great service that MARA could setup in association with the Nevada Hospital Association or other groups.

Does anyone else have any interest in these or other digital modes?

As many of you know, hospitals in Nevada are receiving a suite of amateur
radio equipment. In addition to VHF and UHF radios, they will be receiving
a stand-alone packet radio system, complete with a dedicated transceiver,
TNC, software and monitor, etc., called “HAM-LINK”. The software is a
powerful combination and includes the AGW terminal program and Outpost.
This will be an easy to use system, in that the packet messages are
formatted and appear like emails created, sent and received using Outlook.

Although the hospital employees (who are newly licensed and inexperienced)
amateur radio operators will receive separate training on the HAM-LINK
system, there is a need for ARES/RACES members to be trained, too, in the
event they are needed to staff hospital communications during emergencies or
drills or to provide additional training and support to the new hospital
hams. For ARES/RACES members in Southern Nevada, that training date is
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3. The location has yet to be determined. We have no
control over the date or location. Bob Miller, WA6MTY, one of the
co-developers of the HAM-LINK system will be conducting the training
session.

Here in Clark County, we have 30 hospitals which will be receiving the
HAM-LINK system, so we would like a good turnout to ensure that we can
support the hospitals when and if needed. I will provide the location and
times when I learn them. If you are at all interested in receiving training
on this impressive and relatively easy to use packet-system, please respond
to me at w7hmv at cox dot 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.