SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of May 2014

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SM Dan Pruitt, AE6SX- ASMs K6YK and N2NS, ACC W6DPD, SEC KF6FIR, OOC N1VM, STM K6RAU, PIC K6QI, TC W6TE.

May is done, now we start June, my favorite month.

We have contests and Field Day!  A lot of special events are conducted in June.  Museum Ship Weekend is a good one, and more.  It is just a great month to operate.  Go camping, Mountain topping, sailing, fishing and just touring.  Then you stop, fire up the radio and find out where and what everyone else is doing.

Don’t forget to show off your hobby, kids day is coming up.  Show your relatives and friends all the varied ways to use Ham Radio.  No it isn’t CB (frown!).  Show them the difference.

Take your Ice Cubes and play radio, hi hi.
73;
Dan Pruitt, AE6SX

NEWS: From ARRL newsletters.  Read complete articles from May to now.
++  05/08/2014 | FUNcube-2 Launch Set for June 19
++  05/14/2014 | Alpha and TEN-TEC to Merge Under RF Concepts Banner
++  05/14/2014 | ARRL Announces Free Exam Review Website
++   05/14/2014 | US House Committee Expresses Support for MARS Program
++   05/15/2014 | ARISS International Partners Regroup at First In-Person Meeting  since 2011
++   05/19/2014 | ARRL Offers New Amateur Radio Public Service Announcements
++   05/19/2014 | QRZ.com Now Supports “Secondary” Call Signs and LoTW
++   05/20/2014 | Oklahoma Grant Will Fund Amateur Radio-Based SKYWARN Location-Tracking System
++   05/21/2014 | KickSat Re-Enters Atmosphere Without Deploying “Sprite” Satellites
++   05/23/2014 | WNPR Highlights the History of Amateur Radio and the ARRL
++   05/28/2014 | Cuba Now Issuing Licenses for Limited, Domestic 60 Meter Operation
++   05/28/2014 | Additional Places Opened for ARRL Centennial Convention Training Track Courses
++   05/30/2014 | Hundreds of Clubs Register their FD 2014 Sites on the ARRL Field Day Locator!
++   06/02/2014 | Kids Day is Saturday, June 21!
++   06/02/2014 | International Radio for Disaster Relief On-the-Air Trial Set for June 5-6
++   06/02/2014 | The ARRL June VHF Contest is June 14-16!
++   06/02/2014 | FCC Releases Warning Notices to Several Radio Amateurs
++   06/04/2014 | Hams Invited to Submit Papers for Digital Communications Conference
++   06/04/2014 | Huntsville to Host GAREC 2014
++   06/04/2014 | Radio Amateurs Are Key Players in Effort to Maneuver 36-Year-Old NASA Spacecraft
++   06/05/2014 | Amateur Radio Satellite Payloads Set to Launch into Orbit this Month
++   06/06/2014 | Radio Amateur’s Sub-9 kHz VLF Signal Detected Across the Atlantic

Contests:
June 2014
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test        1300Z-1400Z, Jun 11 and 1900Z-2000Z, Jun 11 and                                0300Z-0400Z, Jun 12
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint        0200Z-0230Z, Jun 13
+ DRCG WW RTTY Contest        0000Z-0759Z, Jun 14 and 1600Z-2359Z, Jun 14 and                                  0800Z-1559Z, Jun 15
+ Portugal Day Contest        1200Z, Jun 14 to 1200Z, Jun 15
+ GACW WWSA CW DX Contest        1500Z, Jun 14 to 1500Z, Jun 15
+ West Virginia QSO Party        1600Z, Jun 14 to 0200Z, Jun 15
+ REF DDFM 6m Contest        1600Z, Jun 14 to 1600Z, Jun 15
+ ARRL June VHF Contest        1800Z, Jun 14 to 0259Z, Jun 16
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test        1300Z-1400Z, Jun 18 and 1900Z-2000Z, Jun 18 and                                0300Z-0400Z, Jun 19
+ SMIRK Contest        0000Z, Jun 21 to 2400Z, Jun 22
+ Ukrainian DX Classic RTTY Contest        1200Z, Jun 21 to 1159Z, Jun 22
+ AGCW VHF/UHF Contest        1400Z-1700Z, Jun 21 (144) and 1700Z-1800Z, Jun 21 (432)
+ Kid’s Day Contest        1800Z-2359Z, Jun 21
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test        1300Z-1400Z, Jun 25 and 1900Z-2000Z, Jun 25 and                                0300Z-0400Z, Jun 26
+ Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest        1200Z, Jun 28 to 1200Z, Jun 29
+ His Maj. King of Spain Contest, SSB        1200Z, Jun 28 to 1200Z, Jun 29
+ ARRL Field Day        1800Z, Jun 28 to 2100Z, Jun 29
+ 10-10 Int. Spirit of 76 QSO Party        0001Z, Jun 30 to 2400Z, Jul 6

July 2014
+ RAC Canada Day Contest        0000Z-2359Z, Jul 1
+ Venezuelan Ind. Day Ctst        0000Z, Jul 5 to 2359Z, Jul 6
+ DL-DX RTTY Contest        1100Z, Jul 5 to 1059Z, Jul 6
+ Marconi Mem HF Contest        1400Z, Jul 5 to 1400Z, Jul 6

CLUBS

CLOVIS ARP ++  CARP Transmitter Hunt Thursday June 5.  Rob, AE6GE and Duane, KI6QEL have these T-Hunts down to a science.  A lot of fun.
www.k6arp.org/
FRESNO ARC++   Stu, WB6VRJ (Pres.) talks up Field Day as same place but new and improved with Ron, N6MTS as FD Chairman.  W6DPD, Charles notes the increased rates for Bureau cards and an up to date postal rate chart for international postage at  ww.qsl.net/w9ol/IRC_Chart.htm.
Charles also gives advice on DX Bulletins.  Bob, N2NS and Steve, K6AAB put up some good number with poor conditions during CQWW WPX CW.  ARES EC Glen, N6HEW sums up the EmComm accomplishments for May.
www.w6to.com
LOS BANOS ARC ++  I want to thank Michael, AD6AA and the AA6LB club for their hospitality.  There was a good discussion on ARRL and Amateur Radio in general.  Looking forward to Field Day 2014 at Big Page Park
www.aa6lb.org
SIERRA ARC ++  A suggestion of the 146.64 repeater new location was in the Salvation Army Building by the SARC repeater committee.  The 147.00 repeater remains running, Echolink is now available,tnx Bob, KK6ECM.  Summer will slow things down but Field Day is coming and so are the “Socials so stay tuned. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/

SEQUOIA ARG ++  New Arizona law bans all 2-way communication and is the work of the leaders of Coconino County.  Located in the north central part of Arizona and is a part of the Flagstaff metropolitan statistical area. It not only includes the city of Flagstaff but the Grand Canyon and adjacent areas as well.  As written, the new ban outlaws mobile radio communications most drivers who depend on the technology unless they are using a hands-free device. It also stops amateur radio operators and others who use push to talk microphone from being able to easily assist in a volunteer capacity with local events.  For more on this use these links:
tinyurl.com/arizona-hams-react-to-ban and
www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5309.  www.n6krv.org

STOCKTON DELTA ARC ++  John NZ6Q, Robert N6GTO, Craig KJ6PKU and Bill AE6J were invited to the host station of W1AW/7 at the W7RN Contest Superstation just outside of Reno, Nevada.  WOW was the description given by Bill AE6J.  Mike KJ6KDL’s “Comm Station” in a box,  made operating Net Control easier and a lot more fun at the Delta Century Bike run.  That is one of many events successfully supported in May.
www.w6sf.org
TURLOCK ARC ++ Ken, KF6IDK, and Lucian , KF6NPG are leading the crew for The Canyon Classic Bike Ride coming 14 June and I know a few of the Merced ARES members have enjoyed working at this event.  Field Day Location: The Schmidts’ (KI6PBL & KI6YQL).   www.w6bxn.org.

The following Amateurs became Silent Keys since the last report:
Charles, WB6HWH, Larry, W6KYO (ex WA6LUT), and Roy W6WZM.  They will be missed.

Traffic for May 2014:
ORS: W6SX 12, WA6IAF 215, WS6P 1692,  K6RAU 11  Total 1930
PSHR:  W6SX 37, WA6IAF 90, WS6P 145, K6RAU 67

Mark your Calendars:     Santa Maria Radio Swapfest June 14, 2014.  Check out the website at www.satellitearc.com .  Field Day is June 28 – 29.  For information and to post your locations access www.arrl.org/field day   46th MARAC national convention (Mobile Amateur Radio) July 9, 2014 in Visailia, CA.  See www.marac.org for particulars.
ARRL Centennial Convention, The National Convention is July 17 – 19, 2014.  For details for the 100 year celebration, go to www.arrl.org/centennial.org  Pacificon 2014/Regional ARRL Centennial Convention is 10 through 14 October 2014.  Details at www.pacificon.org/.  The International DX Convention will be April 17-19, 2015 in Visalia.  Check  ww.dxconvention.org for information as the convention time approaches..

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. It’s worth checking out!

Hank added a link to the elevation plot which can be viewed at http://www.heywhatsthat.com/  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.

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 Pacific Time.
San Joaquin Net meets Monday-Saturday on 3918khz, at 6 PM Pacific Time.
Western Public Service System (WPSS) meets nightly on 3952khz, 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.

CWops Tests are held weekly – Every Wednesday at 1300Z, 1900Z, and 0300Z (Thursday). Info and rules at http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html .

——————————————————————–
ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section
Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX
ae6sx@arrl.org
——————————————————————-

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SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of April 2014

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SM Dan Pruitt, AE6SX- ASMs K6YK and N2NS, ACC W6DPD, SEC KF6FIR, OOC N1VM, STM K6RAU, PIC K6QI, TC W6TE. Hi, Temperature is increasing and I hope all of your antenna projects are in place. My favorite time of the year is coming up. That is Field Day and your planning should be well on its way. If you are like me, there is still a lot to do. One eye is always looking at emergency communications and especially now with the drought affecting so much of the San Joaquin Valley and associated forests and mountain areas. The public service events that we have been practicing will be valuable during events like fires, food distributions, cooling centers and more. Remember the more volunteers that we have the less work for the rest of us. The ARRL Centennial Convention in July is accumulating many interesting speakers, presenters and vendors. If you can make the event, you will not be disappointed. Make your reservations as soon as possible. However, if you cannot attend then Pacificon is designated as a regional Centennial event. This brings to the West Coast much of what was at Dayton and Hartford, this year. For us in the San Joaquin Valley, Santa Clara is very close and accessible from both ends of San Joaquin Valley. I hope to see you there. I want to make an appeal to all those out there that wish to keep the hobby going, we need to mentor the youth in amateur radio if it is to continue. Participate in Scouts, student organizations, after school functions and maker fares. Create dialogs with your relatives about ham radio even if they themselves are not interested they may know someone who is. I know you are aware of this, I suggest we think about it a bit more often. Remember to post your events like Field Day, VE exams, public events, club meetings and license classes on the ARRL web site. You might be surprised at who will just show up to take a test or check out your club. Enjoy playing radio in the upcoming contests, museum ship weekend and Field Day. I plan on operating this Field Day. Monitor Google APRS, if I decide to operate mobile, hi hi. 73; Dan Pruitt, AE6SX NEWS: From ARRL newsletters. Read complete articles from April to now. ++ 04/07/2014 | ARRL Releases First Repeater Directory App for Android Devices The League has released a free Repeater Directory Android app . ++ 04/07/2014 | Amateur Radio-Developed Software Assisting in Search for Missing Airliner Ham radio-developed software is being put to use in the search for the missing Flight MH370. ++ 04/09/2014 | HI-SEAS Project Inaugural Ham Radio Event Will Commemorate Gagarin’s Space Flight A simulated Mars expedition will operate a special event station every weekend. ++ 04/11/2014 | HAARP Facility in Danger of Being Dismantled The HAARP Ionospheric research facility in Alaska could shut down entirely this year. ++ 04/14/2014 | FUNcube/AO-73 Transponder Will Be Active Each Weekend. The FUNcube-1 transponder will be available every weekend. ++ 04/15/2014 | Gear Up Now for ARRL Field Day 2014! Field Day gear is available now from ARRL. ++ 04/16/2014 | Amateur Radio Volunteers Provide Critical Support for 30th Challenge Cup Relay An annual relay race involving thousands of law enforcement personnel gets Amateur Radio support. ++ 04/19/2014 | KickSat Has Been Deployed in Low-Earth Orbit The KickSat CubeSat now is in orbit. ++ 04/28/2014 | Armed Forces Day 2014 Cross-Band Communication Test Set for May 10 The annual Armed Forces Day cross-band communication test will take place May 10. ++ 04/30/2014 | Convention Forums to Feature Presentation by Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, will be a speaker at the ARRL Convention. ++ 04/30/2014 | Massachusetts to Host USA ARDF Championships June 5-8 The USA ARDF Championships will take place June 5-8 in the Boston area. ++ 05/05/2014 | Canadian Radio Amateurs Gain New 472-479 kHz Band Hams in Canada now have a band at 472-479 kHz. ++ 05/05/2014 | Tiny KickSat “Sprite” Satellites May Not Deploy ++ 05/06/2014 | Ham Radio Volunteers Shift Gears to Handle Mountain Bike Event Emergency Volunteers helping communications for a mountain bike race found themselves handling a real emergency. ++ 05/08/2014 | FUNcube-2 Launch Set for June 19 FUNcube-2 will launch as part of the larger UKube-1 satellite on June 19. ++ 05/08/2014 | ARRL to Celebrate its 100th Birthday at Dayton! ARRL’s actual 100th birthday will coincide with the last day of Dayton Hamvention. Contests: May 2014 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, May 14 and 1900Z-2000Z, May 14 and 0300Z-0400Z, May 15 + RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data 1900Z-2030Z, May 14 + UN DX Contest 2100Z, May 16 to 2100Z, May 17 + Portuguese Navy Day Contest, Digital 0800Z-2359Z, May 17 + His Maj. King of Spain Contest, CW 1200Z, May 17 to 1200Z, May 18 + Aegean RTTY Contest 1200Z, May 17 to 1200Z, May 18 + EU PSK DX Contest 1200Z, May 17 to 1200Z, May 18 + Baltic Contest 2100Z, May 17 to 0200Z, May 18 + UA2 QSO Party 1300Z-1659Z, May 18 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, May 21 and 1900Z-2000Z, May 21 and 0300Z-0400Z, May 22 + CQ WW WPX Contest, CW 0000Z, May 24 to 2359Z, May 25 + The Day of YLs 0600Z, May 24 – 1800Z, May 25 + SARL Digital Contest 1300Z-1600Z, May 25 + MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint 2300Z, May 25 to 0300Z, May 26 + CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, May 28 and 1900Z-2000Z, May 28 and 0300Z-0400Z, May 29 June 2014 + ARS Spartan Sprint 0100Z-0300Z, Jun 3 + NRAU 10m Activity Contest 1700Z-1800Z, Jun 5 (CW) and 1800Z-1900Z, Jun 5 (SSB) and 1900Z-2000Z, Jun 5 (FM) and 2000Z-2100Z, Jun 5 (Dig) + 10-10 Int. Open Season PSK Contest 0001Z, Jun 7 to 2359Z, Jun 8 + VK Shires Contest 0600Z, Jun 7 to 0600Z, Jun 8 + SEANET Contest 1200Z, Jun 7 to 1200Z, Jun 8 + Alabama QSO Party 1600Z, Jun 7 to 0400Z, Jun 8 CLUBS CLOVIS ARP ++ AE6GE, Rob, continues to be creative with T-Hunts. Plans for the California Classic Century ride are in place for May 17. The FAME group (Fresno Area Mentors & Elmers) had another group get their hams license. www.k6arp.org/ FRESNO ARC++ Doyle W6OEZ commends Jack AC6LT, for his decade of service as the BS (Basic Science) Net Control. Jack, an avid DXer, wants to play more radio! Gearing up for the June VHF contest Erik, NI6G, sported his January FM only SJV Certificate. Tom, WB6HYD, showed the 5 level chart of Morse Code similar to those given him in the Boy Scouts. It was help when first learning the code. Charles W6DPD posted links to the Juno Experiment results from last October. Hams were definitely heard! Vic K2VCO is relocating to 4X land so the antennas came down and the pictures are in “Skip”. This link is about brass-pounding during Lincoln’s presidency – http://www.futilitycloset.com/2014/03/17/western-union/. www.w6to.com LOS BANOS ARC ++ April meeting pictures in the news letter with the announcement of Dan AE6SX, SJV SM speaking at the May 10 meeting. www.aa6lb.org SIERRA ARC ++ Visitors! On 8 April SARC hosted a visit by San Joaquin Section Manager Dan Pruitt and Salvation Army Captain Breazale. In route to Mono County, they were reviewing ARES and SATERN Amateur radio disaster communications. May’s program will be Skywarn Storm Spotters. Good advice regarding operating during a repeater failure. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/ SEQUOIA ARG ++ Amateur Radio Credited in Rescue of Wayward Hikers in Kern County. THE MESSAGE OF AMATEUR RADIO as recounted by Don, KW6PMC. www.n6krv.org STANISLAUS ARC ++ Quarterly newsletter starts with a calendar of the next Quarters Public Service events. A review of a prim o burger spot by Paul W6UHF. The next Hamcram is in August. A reprint of the June 1984 newsletter describing Field Day plans. Great read. Centennial Conventions has attracted 5 members to Hartford. An article discusses the prizes being offered. There is very interesting reading of FCC enforcement vs. household items like ballasts, doorbell xfrmrs etc. Don, KR6US shares “RADIO WAVES” discussing ARISS, Satellites and school participation. www.saraclub.net STOCKTON DELTA ARC ++ Paul N6KZW reminds us of the contribution of Amateur Radio in the 2013 Boston Marathon. He also gives an update on the USS Lucid (N6MSO) and Museum Ship Weekend, June 7-8. He also posted a form letter for club recruiting. Great idea. NZ6Q won “Single Operator – Low Power” category in the SJV for the 2013 CW Sweepstakes last November. The history of the ham bands after WWII. www.w6sf.org TURLOCK ARC ++ A demonstration of DMR radio was presented at the April meeting. The raffle was won by Darren, K6RDJ and it was a CS 700 DMR radio. Also posted in April’s ARCOVER, “A Combo DMR & D-Star Radio” announcement submitted by Loren, K6GPA. UP UP And Away By Grady, K6IXA, is an article describing parachute flying! Fascinating read. It’s Alive! An story by Grady, K6IXA about replacing a 220MHz repeater with a new one. www.w6bxn.org. The following Amateurs became Silent Keys since the last report: KJ6OUA Thomas. He will be missed. Traffic for April 2014: ORS: W6SX 1, WS6P 1746, K6RAU 25 Total 1772 PSHR: W6SX 23, WS6P 190, K6RAU 82 Mark your Calendars: Dayton Hamvention® May 16-18, 2014 — Regional ARRL Centennial Event, Dayton, Ohio . For details see www.hamvention.org . May 30-Jun 1 Nevada State Convention, Virginia City, Nevada. Go to www.nvcon.org for more information. SEA-PAC 2014 Regional ARRL Centennial Convention is June 6 – 8, 2014, Seaside, Oregon. For more information go to www.seapac.org/. Pacificon 2014/Regional ARRL Centennial Convention is 10 through 14 October 2014. Details at www.pacificon.org/. International DX Convention is April 17-19, 2015 in Visalia. Check www.dxconvention.org for information. 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. It’s worth checking out! Hank added a link to the elevation plot which can be viewed at http://www.heywhatsthat.com/ 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. 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 Pacific Time. San Joaquin Net meets Monday-Saturday on 3918khz, at 6 PM Pacific Time. Western Public Service System (WPSS) meets nightly on 3952khz, 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. CWops Tests are held every second and third Wednesday of each month at 1300Z, 1900Z, and 0300Z (Thursday). Info and rules at http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html . NNNN ——————————————————————– ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX ae6sx@arrl.org ——————————————————————–

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W1AW/7 operated by SJV operators

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May 2, 2014 – W1AW/7 Listen for local hams Bill AE6J, Robert N6GTO &
John NZ6Q on the air as W1AW/7 operating from the Comstock Memorial Station in 
Virginia City, Nevada. We will be on all bands and modes from 9AM until 
midnight.

Dan AE6SX
SJV SM
ae6sx@arrl.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section
Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX
ae6sx@arrl.org
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Club Breakfast

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Ham and eggs

Greetings All,
 It is the first week in May, beautiful warm weather, and a good time to
share breakfast.

Date: Saturday, May 3rd at 9 am.
Place: Murphys Hotel Dining Room

Hope to see you there for HAM talk and good company.

73's,
Steve Dexter, WT6SD
CARS Secretary
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Swap Meets!

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CQ-CQ- CQ
Calling all Hams
Just a short notice that Spring is here and so are Ham Radio Swap Meets.
So for the inquisitive , the builder & those looking for a great deal here
are but a few up coming Swap Meets not too far out of our area:
April 26- Saturday @ Sonoma Swap Meet , 126- 1st St. starts at 0800..
May 18- Sunday  @ North Hills Swap , Natomsas High School ,
                                 Sacramento.. starts at 0700
May 30-31&01June-Fri-Sat&Sun @ Nevada State Convention, Virgina
                                  City....Swap meet unk ?
June 7- Saturday @ Marysville Swap Meet, 6000 Lindhurst Ave..
                                 starts at 0700
June 6-7&8- Fri-Sat & Sun @ SEAPAC , Sea Side,Ore...great location &
                                 lots of new & used gear.
Sept. 06?? - Sat @ Lincoln Swap Meet, Lincoln,Ca.

73-
Bill- K6DUY
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SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of March 2014

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SM Dan Pruitt, AE6SX- ASMs K6YK and N2NS, ACC W6DPD, SEC KF6FIR, OOC N1VM, STM
K6RAU, PIC K6QI, TC W6TE.

Hello SJV,

Has anyone seen Spring?  Weather was in the 50 – 60 range now it is
80 – 90, and going up!  

It is just an observation but if you are involved with ARES® in
support of the Fire Service, I see a need to be updating your contacts
and action plans.  I took a trip through Kern County, passing trough
Fresno and Tulare Counties, and every reservoir is empty!  Some do not
have enough water to even reach their dams.  So Fire is the first
concern.

Come later in the year they are forecasting (or praying) for an El Nino
event.  This means a lot of water and the calamities that brings.  These
are evident in the articles about the mud slides in Oregon, Washington,
and Colorado.

The fun stuff is always good.  Field Day is coming very quickly. 
Public Service events are great ways to meet and greet and see another
smile, hi hi.  Where I am 10 Meters has been very active so the other
money bands are working too.

Don't forget that Pacificon is an ARRL Regional Centennial Convention,
so put it on your schedule.

Many thanks for the Hospitality of the Ridgecrest “Sierra” ARC.  I
welcome the chance to attend any Club meeting.  Just contact me and we
can arrange the details.

73;

Dan Pruitt, AE6SX

         W1AW Centennial Operations for April
April 2nd – April 9th Pennsylvania (W1AW/3) Oregon (W1AW/7)
April 9th – April 16th Massachusetts (W1AW/1) Virginia (W1AW/4)
Puerto Rico (W1AW/KP4)
April 16th – April 23rd North Dakota (W1AW/0) Mississippi (W1AW/5)
April 23rd – April 30th New Jersey (W1AW/2) New Hampshire (W1AW/1)

Mark your Calendars:  Dayton Hamvention   May 16-18, 2014 -- Regional
ARRL Centennial Event, Dayton, Ohio .  For details see
www.hamvention.org .  May 30-Jun 1 Nevada State Convention, Virginia
City, Nevada.  Go to  www.nvcon.org for more information.  SEA-PAC June
6 - 8, 2014, Seaside, Oregon.  For more information go to
www.seapac.org/.  46th Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club Convention.
Dates, July 9-12 2014. Location: The Holiday Inn Hotel & 
   Conference Center 9000 West Airport Drive Visalia, CA 93277   For
more info check http://marac.org.  Pacificon 2014/Regional ARRL
Centennial Convention is 10 through 14 October 2014.  Details at
www.pacificon.org/.

STATION ACTIVITIES

N6DVR, W6NIF, and KI6QEL, KJ6HUP, and AG6BP are active on JT65.

CLUBS

CLOVIS ARP ++  The season for Public Service events are in full swing. 
Rob AE6GE has 3 events in April alone.  Mag Loop Antennas was the latest
program presented by Mike, KD6LDA.   www.k6arp.org/

FRESNO ARC++   Did you ever wonder what is in WD-40?  Check out the
“Skip” for April.  The Fresno EC report, by Glen N6HEW, I think
shows the direction of most EmComm.  This includes social media
(Facebook, twitter etc.  Ron N6MTS enlightens us on the reports
required of 501 ( c ) 3 corporations.  www.w6to.com

SIERRA ARC ++  The rescue of five adult hikers, who became lost in San
Emigdio Canyon was facilitated by hams like Bill, AB6CF and Don KW6PMC.
 Relaying position and situation to the 911 Center. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/

SEQUOIA ARG ++  Pres. Pete, W6SV highlighted the March program from
NOAA, Skywarn.  Great turn out.  James Brotherton of the National
Weather Service will repeat his presentation in Bear Valley Springs. 
After seeing Lake Isabella, I think they were hoping for insight to the
water situation.  Thank you Mike, KA6IYS and the Western Kern Co. ARES
group command staff.  Keep the EmComm moving forward.  www.n6krv.org

STOCKTON DELTA ARC ++  Dave, N6LHL and John, NZ6Q reported on the
success of the Peddling Paths for Independence Bike Ride. Mike, K6MDS
gave a  presentation on transmitter hunting.  A Joint Manteca –
Stockton – Lodi transmitter hunt was suggested.  www.w6sf.org

Tuolomne Co.  ARES ++  Carl NI6Z submitted the Public Service Report
form detailing the equivalent cost of communication and volunteer
hours.  Although there is no cost of volunteering Amateur Radio and
there is no compensation, our portion would have cost the authorities
$4528.00 and 90 man hours for a 7 hour event.  Again there was no
compensation for this.  It is merely an equivalent of the voluntary
effort offered by the Hams. 

TURLOCK ARC ++ Darren, K6RDJ briefed the club on DMR Radio and D-Star. 
Link is included in their ARC-Over news letter.  Grady K6IXA, talked on
the W4MQ remote base software.  He also  said the W6HHD D-Star is back
on the air. www.w6bxn.org.

These Silent Keys were recorded, since the last report: Ted, W5ILA,
Tom, KA6Z and Solomon, KD6GHC.  They will be missed.

Traffic for March 2014:
ORS: WS6P 1666, K6RAU 25 W6SX 19  Total 1710
PSHR: WS6P 145, W6SX 44, K6RAU 89

NEWS: From ARRL newsletters.  Read complete articles from March to
now.

03/11/2014 | NPR’s “All Things Considered” Segment to Include
Spark Gap Morse from ARRL 
03/12/2014 | “Ham Video” Transmits Live Images of Astronaut Mike
Hopkins, KF5LJG, From the ISS 

03/12/2014 | New SATERN Emergency Disaster Services Ham Station May Be
Remotely Controlled 

03/14/2014 | FCC Invites Public Comment on Petition Affecting 10-10.5
GHz Band 

03/14/2014 | ARRL to FCC: “Grow Light” Ballast Causes HF
Interference, Violates Rules 

03/17/2014 | Former NASA Astronaut Visits Missouri School as Kids Talk
via Ham Radio with the ISS 

03/21/2014 | ARRL Announces Centennial Station Giveaway! 

03/24/2014 | Qatar’s Geostationary Es’hailSat 2 Satellite to Carry
Amateur Radio Transponder 

03/25/2014 | Amateur Radio Volunteers Staffing Shelters, EOC in
Washington Landslide Response 

03/26/2014 | HI-SEAS Mission Team Set for Mars “Landing” on March
28 

03/27/2014 | Amateur Radio, Federal Government Engaged in Joint 5 MHz
Communication Exercise 

03/28/2014 | High-Altitude Balloon Flight to Carry APRS and Crossband
Repeater 

04/01/2014 | Lithuania’s President Relays Greetings via Amateur Radio
CubeSat 

04/01/2014 | ARRL Calls for Timely, Visible FCC Amateur Radio
Enforcement 

04/04/2014 | Celebrate Ham Radio — WARD 2014

04/07/2014 | ARRL Releases First Repeater Directory App for Android
Devices 

04/08/2014 | The ARRL Rookie Roundup SSB is Sunday, April 20! 

Contests: 
APRIL 2014        

+ OK/OM DX Contest, SSB 1200Z, Apr 12 to 1200Z, Apr 13
+ New Mexico QSO Party 1400Z, Apr 12 to 0200Z, Apr 13
+ Georgia QSO Party 1800Z, Apr 12 to 0359Z, Apr 13 and 1400Z-2359Z, Apr
13
+ Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest 2100Z, Apr 12 to 2100Z, Apr 13
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, Apr 16 and   1900Z-2000Z, Apr 16
and 0300Z-0400Z, Apr 17
+ ARLHS Annual Spring Lites QSO Party 0001Z, Apr 17 to 2359Z, Apr 22
+ Holyland DX Contest 2100Z, Apr 18 to 2100Z, Apr 19
+ ES Open HF Championship 0500Z-0859Z, Apr 19
+ CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest 1200Z, Apr 19 to 2359Z, Apr 20
+ EU Spring Sprint, SSB 1600Z-1959Z, Apr 19
+ Michigan QSO Party 1600Z, Apr 19 to 0400Z, Apr 20
+ Ontario QSO Party 1800Z, Apr 19 to 1800Z, Apr 20
+ YU DX Contest 2100Z, Apr 19 to 1700Z, Apr 20
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, Apr 23 and 1900Z-2000Z, Apr 23 and
0300Z-0400Z, Apr 24
+ 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital 0001Z, Apr 26 to 2359Z, Apr 27
+ SP DX RTTY Contest 1200Z, Apr 26 to 1200Z, Apr 27
+ Florida QSO Party 1600Z, Apr 26 to 2159Z, Apr 27
+ BARTG Sprint 75 1700Z-2100Z, Apr 27
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test 1300Z-1400Z, Apr 30 and 1900Z-2000Z, Apr 30 and 
0300Z-0400Z, May 1

May 2014
+ 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, CW 0001Z, May 3 to 2359Z, May 4
+ 7th Call Area QSO Party 1300Z, May 3 to 0700Z, May 4
+ Indiana QSO Party 1600Z, May 3 to 0400Z, May 4
+ New England QSO Party 2000Z, May 3 to 2400Z, May 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section
Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX
ae6sx@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of February 2014

image_pdfimage_print
SM Dan Pruitt, AE6SX- ASMs K6YK and N2NS, ACC W6DPD, SEC KF6FIR, OOC N1VM,
STM K6RAU, PIC K6QI, TC W6TE.

Is it Spring or Winter?  Weather is so changeable; it is difficult to
make plans.  Still all the newsletters report Public Service Events,
projects on antennas and for served agencies.  Emergency Communications
Training using the latest modes are being practiced.

Amateur Radio has always been exciting and the Centennial events
continue to entice all operators.  Every month we are reminded, in QST,
of the leaps and progress of radio over the last 100 years.

Yet we continue to advance.  Satellites are orbited like confetti,
digital modes and applications and smaller devices every day.

If you are not participating, you are missing out on all the fun! 
Winlink, PSK, JT65, RTTY and ATV are in the capability of every Ham.

Attend your local Club meetings, get into a contest, and build
something.  Let's play radio!  When we see you at the Centennial
Regional Convention at Pacificon in October, there will be many stories
to tell.

73;
Dan Pruitt, AE6SX

Mark your Calendars:
Desert RATS Hamfest  March 15, 2014, Palm Springs.  
www.palmspringshamfest.com  Red Monkey Communications  Open house &
swap meet & VE testing March 15th at  5719 W. Barstow Ave, Fresno.  See
details at  www.redmonkeycb.com/ .  Communications Academy, March 22-23,
2014. Go to www.commacademy.org/ for details.  Seattle, Washington.  The
2014 International DX Convention will be April 4-6, 2014, at the Visalia
Convention Center.  Check www.dxconvention.org for information.  SEA-PAC
is June 6 - 8, 2014 at Seaside, Oregon.  For more information go to
www.seapac.org/.  Pacificon 2014/Regional ARRL Centennial Convention is
10 through 14 October 2014.  Details at www.pacificon.org/.

NEWS: From ARRL newsletters.  Read complete articles from February to
now, on the website.
   02/05/2014 | Cuba’s 5 MHz Band Comes with Strings Attached. Hams
using Cuba's new 5 MHz band may not contact hams outside of Cuba. 

 02/07/2014 | The Arecibo Observatory Club (KP4AO) is setting up a new
Amateur Radio station. 

 02/10/2014 | ARRL's Education & Technology Program will offer three
Teachers Institute sessions this year. 

 02/14/2014 | Orlando HamCation was the first of six ARRL Regional
Centennial conventions. 

 02/18/2014 | ARRL's Atlantic Division has provided forum resources
aiming at helping clubs.

 02/18/2014 | FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, will keynote the
ARRL Centennial Banquet in July. 

 02/24/2014 | “Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless
Communication” is World Amateur Radio Day 2014 Theme,   April 18. 

 02/27/2014 | March 1, Gary Grant, K7VY, will take over as Nevada
Section Manager. 

 02/28/2014 | More Amateur Radio CubeSats Released into Orbit from ISS,
Launched from Japan.

 03/04/2014 | Ham Radio Will Play a Role in “HI-SEAS” Simulated
Mars Mission.  Science researchers will have ham radio along when they
simulate life in a Martian habitat. 
 03/06/2014 | Hams’ Experimental VLF Signals Heard in the UK,
Europe.

Contests: 
MARCH 2014

+ Wisconsin QSO Party        1800Z, Mar 9 to 0100Z, Mar 10
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test        1300Z-1400Z, Mar 12 and   1900Z-2000Z, Mar 12
and
    0300Z-0400Z, Mar 13
+ BARTG HF RTTY Contest        0200Z, Mar 15 to 0200Z, Mar 17
+ Russian DX Contest        1200Z, Mar 15 to 1200Z, Mar 16
+ Virginia QSO Party        1400Z, Mar 15 to 0200Z, and Mar 16 1200Z-2400Z,
Mar 16
+ North American Sprint, SSB        0000Z-0400Z, Mar 16
+ Bucharest Contest        1800Z-2059Z, Mar 17
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test        1300Z-1400Z, Mar 19 and   1900Z-2000Z, Mar 19
and
  0300Z-0400Z, Mar 20
+ Oklahoma QSO Party        1300Z, Mar 22 to 0100Z, Mar 23 and
  1300Z-1900Z, Mar 23
+ Louisiana QSO Party        1500Z, Mar 22 to 0300Z, Mar 23
+ QCWA Spring QSO Party        1800Z, Mar 22 to 1800Z, Mar 23
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test        1300Z-1400Z, Mar 26 and   1900Z-2000Z, Mar 26
and
  0300Z-0400Z, Mar 27
+ CQ WW WPX Contest, SSB        0000Z, Mar 29 to 2359Z, Mar 30

APRIL 2014

+ SARL 80m QSO Party        1700Z-2000Z, Apr 3
+ Mississippi QSO Party        1400Z, Apr 5 to 0200Z, Apr 6
+ New Mexico QSO Party        1400Z, Apr 12 to 0200Z, Apr 13
+ Georgia QSO Party        1800Z, Apr 12 to 2359Z, Apr 13
+ Hungarian Straight Key Contest        1500Z-1700Z, Apr 13

CLUBS

CLOVIS ARP ++  Their website sings of exploits from T-Hunts, Public
Service events and praises of The ARRL Centennial information.  Rob
AE6GE, with one event completed has 2 more to look forward to in April.
  www.k6arp.org/

FRESNO ARC++   Identity theft was the topic for February’s monthly
club meeting.  Excellent program for the Valentines Day backdrop.  The
XYL's were impressed.  The topic was discussed by the well-versed XYL
of Duane KI6QEL.  Ron N6MTS discusses 160 mtr Vert in a small lot. 
www.w6to.com

KERN CCV ARC++  Feb 'Communicator' adds 2 new items to the news letter.
 "Ham of the Month" is a biograhy of renouned Ham in the Club by John
KG6ZBN.  The first in the spot light is Steve KB6WR.  "Mode of the
Month" .  The other item is "Mode of the Month" by  Eric NI6TE.  Of
course the first is the simplest, CW.    Email:KCCVARC@gmail.com also
on facebook.

LODI ARC ++   March Program is Digital Amateur Television, by Ron,
N6GKJ.  April Program is an   Emergency Exercise, San Joaquin County
ARES EC-Guy W6MSU.  lodiamateurradioclub.org/

LOS BANOS ARC ++  Fox hunt & Dinner is on the March program..  
www.aa6lb.org

STANISLAUS ARA ++  Club Officers 2014 - Pres: Lucian, KF6NPG; VP: Don,
KR6US; Sec: Bill, AE6J; Treas: Paul,  W6UHF.  Complete 2014 Calendar
for SARA is here.  www.saraclub.net/

SIERRA ARC ++  “How do you know you are ready?”, said the Pres
Dave, KJ6VRV.  He is referring to disaster preparedness.  It is
necessary to shut down the 146.64 translator so the IWV emergency Net
is moving to the 147.00 repeater, same time and day.  20 Mule Team
Endurance Ride Report is  a good read.   www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/ 

STOCKTON DELTA ARC ++  "The squeaky wheel gets the oil", says Pres.
Paul, N6KZW.  His article is an accurate understanding of the purpose
of ARRL.  John, NZ6Q, I believe authored the great article on the
Linden Bike ride using APRS and voice.  Well done  www.w6sf.org

TURLOCK ARC ++ The Valentine Dinner was a success with 35 attendees for
steak, Chicken and Lobster.  Multiple highlights of Amateur Radio's time
line.  Very nice “Thank you” to some guests at the meeting.  Well
done TARC. www.w6bxn.org.

STATION ACTIVITIES
JT65 has become the mode of choice for some hams in the Section. 
KJ6HUP, N6DVR, W6NIF, W6MSU, KW6PWG, AG6BP, KI6QEL, K6XJ, and W6DPD are
seen on the screen. 
W6DPD and K6XJ have WAS using JT65.  
Silent Keys since the last report: None.

Traffic for February 2014:
ORS: WS6P 1553, K6RAU 114 W6SX 14  Total 1571
PSHR: WS6P 155, W6SX 28, K6RAU 87

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. It's worth checking out!

Hank added a link to the elevation plot which can be viewed at
http://www.heywhatsthat.com/ 
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.

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 Pacific Time. 
San Joaquin Net meets Monday-Saturday on 3918khz, at 6 PM Pacific
Time.
Western Public Service System (WPSS) meets nightly on 3952khz, 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. 

CWops Tests are held every second and third Wednesday of each month at
1300Z, 1900Z, and 0300Z (Thursday). Info and rules at
http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html .

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section
Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX
ae6sx@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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