SM Dan Pruitt, AE6SX- ASMs K6YK and N2NS, ACC W6DPD, SEC KF6FIR, OOC N1VM, STM K6RAU, PIC K6QI, TC W6TE. What great Hobby!! There are so many things going on, Satellites, Digital modes, ATV, tracking, remote controls, linking and on and on. Not the least of which is operating in an event that perks up your ego and inner child. Again there are many, IOTA, SOTA, DXpeditions, Indy races etc. This last weekend was Museum Ships Weekend and coming up is Field Day. First let me give a personal account of Museum Ships Weekend. The Stockton Club (W6SF) has been working to restore both a WWII bomber and the USS Lucid. Just check out the web pages at USS Lucid (just Google USS Lucid) and N6MSO her radio call sign on QRZ.com. There are pictures on the W6SF website. Well to say I had a great time would be an understatement. I was welcomed by all and made to feel right at home. Good Hams! Even more, Paul N6KZW was the ramrod and crowd pleaser. His hospitality was unbeatable. At this point I would have to rattle off a whole list of calls but let it suffice to say there were operators from the Lodi, Manteca, Tracy as well as the Stockton Clubs. I want to thank all of them and encourage each in the section to find your history or notoriety that speaks to you and join in. This is a fun event but it helps to promote community. The restoration project enlists students from the San Joaquin Future Builders Academy that gives under privileged kids the opportunity to learn skills and trades that will continue to be viable in the future. What a great way to invest 2 weekends a month on a work project? We need to remember Field Day, it is getting close. Get your PIO and Field Day coordinator all the support you can to get the word out. Post your locations on ARRL. Invite your friends, neighbors and coworkers to your site. Don't have a site, look up one on ARRL and go play Radio! Bring a relative, younger is always good. Show off your hobby. Don't forget our HR-1309, write your letter! Check out ARRL Pres. Kay Craigie, N3KN, her remarks regarding the sponsorship. To write your letter go to : www.arrl.org/hr-1301 . To read Kay Craigie’s, N3KN, note: www.arrl.org/news/letters-to-members-of-congress 73; Dan Pruitt, AE6SX NEWS: From ARRL newsletters. Read complete articles from May to now. 05/11/2015 | New ARRL General Class License Manual Available as Soft cover, Spiral Bound, or E-Book 05/12/2015 | Amateur Radio Nets Crucial Link in Maritime Rescues 05/13/2015 | US Navy-Marine Corps MARS Program to End 05/13/2015 | Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015: 55 Cosponsors — and Climbing 05/14/2015 | ARRL Recognizing Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award Winners with Certificate 05/19/2015 | Radio Amateur Sworn In as New NASA Deputy Administrator 05/21/2015 | Updated Amateur Radio Emergency Service Manual Now Online ARES Manual PDF 05/21/2015 | Dayton Hamvention 2015: Great Weekend, Friendly Crowd 05/22/2015 | ARRL to Change Administrator for Insurance Plans Effective May 26, 2015 05/22/2015 | FCC Eliminates Amateur Radio Vanity Call Sign Regulatory Fee 05/22/2015 | US Naval Academy PSK31 CubeSat Transponders Active 05/26/2015 | China Set to Launch Several Amateur Radio Satellites this Summer 05/26/2015 | Alberta ARES Requests Priority Access to 14.135, 7.135, and 3.675 MHz Due to Fires 05/27/2015 | Got Grids? ARRL June VHF Contest is June 13- 15 05/28/2015 | USNA APRS/PSK31 CubeSats Offer Something Different 05/28/2015 | Sarah Brightman Spaceflight Postponed 05/28/2015 | Hams Invited to Test APRS on Duchifat-1 CubeSat 06/01/2015 | It's Alive! LightSail Spacecraft Restored After Being Silenced by Software Issue 06/04/2015 | Another Australian Balloon with a Ham Radio Payload Circumnavigates Earth 06/07/2015 | US Naval Academy CubeSats Get OSCAR Numbers Contests: JUNE 2015 RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW 1900Z-2030Z, Jun 10 + HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest 1900Z-1929Z, Jun 12 (40m) and 1930Z-1959Z, Jun 12 (80m) + DRCG WW RTTY Contest 0000Z-0759Z, Jun 13 and 1600Z-2359Z, Jun 13 and 0800Z-1559Z, Jun 14 + Asia-Pacific Sprint, SSB 1100Z-1300Z, Jun 13 + Portugal Day Contest 1200Z, Jun 13 to 1200Z, Jun 14 + GACW WWSA CW DX Contest 1500Z, Jun 13 to 1500Z, Jun 14 + ARRL June VHF Contest 1800Z, Jun 13 to 0259Z, Jun 15 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, Jun 17 and 1900Z-2000Z, Jun 17 and 0300Z-0400Z, Jun 18 + All Asian DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Jun 20 to 2400Z, Jun 21 + Ukrainian DX Classic RTTY Contest 1200Z, Jun 20 to 1159Z, Jun 21 + AGCW VHF/UHF Contest 1400Z-1700Z, Jun 20 (144) and 1700Z-1800Z, Jun 20 (432) + Stew Perry Topband Challenge 1500Z, Jun 20 to 1500Z, Jun 21 + West Virginia QSO Party 1600Z, Jun 20 to 0200Z, Jun 21 + WAB 50 MHz Phone 0900Z-1500Z, Jun 21 + Kid's Day Contest 1800Z-2359Z, Jun 21 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, Jun 24 and 1900Z-2000Z, Jun 24 and 0300Z-0400Z, Jun 25 + NCCC RTTY Sprint 0145Z-0215Z, Jun 26 + NCCC Sprint 0230Z-0300Z, Jun 26 + Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest 1200Z, Jun 27 to 1200Z, Jun 28 + His Maj. King of Spain Contest, SSB 1200Z, Jun 27 to 1200Z, Jun 28 + ARRL Field Day 1800Z, Jun 27 to 2100Z, Jun 28 + 10-10 Int. Spirit of 76 QSO Party 0001Z, Jun 29 to 2400Z, Jul 5 JULY 2015 + RAC Canada Day Contest 0000Z-2359Z, Jul 1 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, Jul 1 and 1900Z-2000Z, Jul 1 and 0300Z-0400Z, Jul 2 + NCCC RTTY Sprint 0145Z-0215Z, Jul 3 + Venezuelan Ind. Day Contest 0000Z, Jul 4 to 2359Z, Jul 5 + DL-DX RTTY Contest 1100Z, Jul 4 to 1059Z, Jul 5 + Marconi Memorial HF Contest 1400Z, Jul 4 to 1400Z, Jul 5 + Original QRP Contest 1500Z, Jul 4 to 1500Z, Jul 5 + FISTS Summer Slow Speed Sprint 1700Z-2100Z, Jul 4 + PODXS 070 Club 40m Firecracker Sprint 2000 local, Jul 4 to 0200 local, Jul 5 + WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone 1000Z-1400Z, Jul 5 + DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest 1100Z-1700Z, Jul 5 + QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint 2000Z-2359Z, Jul 5 AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS CLOVIS ARP ++ The Club is teaming up with W6TV and new equipment to operate in the GHz during the contest this weekend. Headed up by Rob, AE6GE and W6YEP they are intending to set some high water marks in those frequencies. The Field Day will be off to the mountains with 4 wheel clubs in the area. www.k6arp.org/ FRESNO ARC++ Dave Smith, W6TE remembers John Stephenson, KD6OZH (SK) and his work with AMSAT, NASA and TAPR. Big plans are in the works for Field Day, chaired by Ron, N6MTS. Great instructions on the VHF/UHF North-South operating hour on Field Day recommended by Chip, K7JA. www.w6to.com LODI ARC ++ Bob, K6DGQ, showed off a nice plaque he received for being one of the operators for the W1AW/6 special event stations. USS Lucid was visited by some of the Lodi Club. lodiamateurradioclub.org/ LOS BANOS ARC ++ The Club remembers Gus Villalta, WB6QXE (SK) recommending the following link www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNZ3vtUHktA . Ken, KF6FDK (Merced ARES EC) presented a talk on preparedness sporting his “go box” of radio equipment. Nicely done Ken, we all need to be prepared for any event. www.aa6lb.org SIERRA ARC ++ Field Day at Kennedy Meadows plans are all in place. Harry K6HLS (Pres.) all set except for antenna choice. BARC and SARC in the Park was deemed another successful collaboration. June meeting will be on Arduinos. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/ SEQUOIA ARG ++ Al, N6ALP has resigned as news editor. A very good producer of the Club's newsletter, the pres Pete W6S, says. He is in hopes he will continue to submit articles. Turn by turn directions to Field Day are included. Good information concerning RFI from W1RFI. www.n6krv.org STOCKTON DELTA ARC ++ NZ6Q, John reported; Museum ships weekend just concluded as I am writing this newsletter. Not only did we have a great time operating, but also we enjoyed a fantastic meal – first ever served in the restored ship’s galley. Your ARRL Section Manager was in attendance. Operators came from several valley clubs to check out the ship and grab the microphone or key. Over 500 Qs were logged by Saturday night. Next up Kids day on the 21st and Field Day. We will have a full report in the July Flysheet. www.w6sf.org TURLOCK ARC ++ Grady K6IXA, had a presentation on Winlink. Suggested Winlink.org for more info. Rick K4REF on You Tube has the details on how to get started. No TNC required with Winmor software. www.w6bxn.org. The following Amateurs became Silent Keys since the last report: "Sid", WA6NWP and Gus, WB6QXE. They will be missed. Traffic for May 2015: ORS: W6SX 13 WA6IAF 0, WS6P 1298, K6RAU 15 Total 1326 PSHR: W6SX 38 WA6IAF 0, WS6P245, K6RAU 82 Mark your Calendars: 06/20/2015 | Santa Maria Radio Swapfest Location: Orcutt, CA Sponsor: Satellite Amateur Radio Club (W6AB) Website: http://www.satellitearc.com 09/11/2015 | Southwestern Division Convention (Hamcon 2015) Location: Torrance, CA Sponsor: Los Angeles Area Council of Amateur Radio Clubs & Orange County Council of Amateur Radio Organizations Website: http://www.hamconinc.org 09/19/2015 | Ninth Annual Sacramento Valley Hamfest Location: Lincoln, CA Sponsor: Western Placer Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.wparc.us 09/26/2015 | Washington State Convention (Spokane Hamfest) Location: Spokane Valley, WA Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: IEVHF Radio Amateurs, KBARA, NW Tri-State ARO, Spokane DX Assn., Palouse Hills ARC, Panoramaland ARC, & University HS ARC Website: http://kbara.org 10/16/2015 | Pacific Division Convention (PACIFICON 2015) Location: San Ramon, CA Sponsor: Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.pacificon.org Need to take an Amateur exam? Are you having an exam? Check the ARRL web page, www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml for exam information. You can also search for Amateur Radio Classes in your area and register your exam. Instructors can also register classes there. Card Checking in the Section: You can get cards checked for awards within the section. W6XK, K6ZZ, and W6DPD can check your cards for DXCC in accordance with the rules for field checking. DXCC card checkers may now check cards dated from Nov 15, 1945, including Deleted DXCC Entities. K6ZZ can now check 160 Meter Cards. DXCC card checkers may, at their discretion, check cards for WAS, WAC, and VUCC. W6DPD and K6ZZ can check cards for the CQ Awards, WAZ, DX, Field, and Prefixes. The card checkers may also check applications for the IARU Region 2 Award. ARRL Special Service Clubs may appoint a HF awards manager for WAS and a VHF Awards Manager for VUCC. The Webinar by Hank Garretson, W6SX, has been posted to the WWROF webpage (www.wwrof.org) under the Webinars link. Hanks presentation will be of particular interest to "Little Pistols" and those who are space limited. He added a link to the elevation plot which can be viewed at http://www.heywhatsthat.com/ It's worth checking out! Also the Ladder Snaps in the presentation can be found at http://www.73cnc.com/product_p/ls100.htm You can e-mail Hank at w6sx@arrl.net for additional details. The K6RAU (our Traffic Manager) Morse Code Instruction Course is available at www.pdarrl.org/K6RAU or www.pdarrl.org/k6rau. No need to know a "dit" from a "dah", simply with paper and pencil, and following the instructions. CWops Tests are held weekly – Every Wednesday at 1300Z, 1900Z, and 0300Z (Thursday). Info and rules at http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html . San Joaquin Valley Nets: The Noontime net meets on 7.268.5 MHz. This net handles a lot of messages. Daytime Region 6 Traffic Net meets daily at 3:30 pacific time on or near 7.275 MHZ. This one is probable not in operation at this time. The California Traffic Net meets daily on 3.906 MHZ and 6:00 PM local time. The Golden Bear Amateur Radio Net meets nightly at 7:00 PM local time on 3.975 MHZ. Northern California Net (NCN), the Section Traffic Net, meets nightly on 3.533 MHZ at 7 PM Pac Time. San Joaquin Net meets Monday-Saturday on 3.918 MHZ, at 6 PM Pacific Time. Western Public Service System (WPSS) meets nightly on 3.952 MHZ, roll - at 7:30 PM local Pacific Time. The Mission Trail Net meets nightly on 3.856 MHZ at 8:00 PM local time. Northern California Net 2 (NCN2) The slow speed training session of NCN, meets nightly on 3.533 MHZ at 9 PM Pacific Time. Handling traffic on CW is a good way to improve your CW skills. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX ae6sx@arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------