SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of July 2013

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

Home from the hill...

Field Day is in the books and the reports are in.  Most of the News
Letters address the plus and minus ends of the expedition.  All in all
everyone was well fed, had fun and had good learning experiences.  I
have noted a few.

We have some housekeeping to do in the section.  Some of the Clubs have
not updated their affiliations with ARRL.  Please attend to this as soon
as you can.  I am looking to contact those that HQ has noted as being
out of date.  It is a simple fix.

We have a vacancy in ARES positions, most notably the Southern District
Emergency Coordinator (DEC).  Formerly filled by Hal KC5LUB, he was
forced to step down for personal reasons.  He was an effective
coordinator for many years, not only in SJV, but in other
sections/divisions as well.  Anyone interested in this or any of the
current vacancies, please contact Ed KF6FIR, Section ARES EC via email:
 ed@kf6fir.net .

73; Dan AE6SX

NEWS: From ARRL news letters.
 07/15/2013 | ISS Crew Member Chats with Scouts in Canada via Ham
Radio        
 07/16/2013 | Ham Radio Provides Reliable Link for
Solo-Circumnavigating Grandmother 
 07/19/2013 | Yasme Foundation Funds Transceivers for New Ethiopian
Hams        
 07/21/2013 | Temotu DXpedition Dates Set.  DK9FN will be operating
once again from Temotu 
07/23/2013 | The Great Mothball Fleet Raid        A group of hams volunteer to
rescue vintage radio gear from
                     mothballed Navy ships. 
 07/24/2013 | Boy Scout Jamboree Hosts Space Station Ham Radio Contact.
 The ARISS program continues
                      to facilitate ham radio contacts between the ISS
and youth. 
 07/26/2013 | Hams Aid Crew of Foundering Vessel: Hams monitor distress
call from sailboat. 
 07/29/2013 |  DXCC Desk approves new DX operations for credit.        
 07/30/2013 | Adobe Air 3.8 Currently Not Compatible With Downloaded
Digital QST using Windows.  Digital
                     QST readers may need to use Version 3.7 until the
issue is resolved.
07/31/2013 | ARRL Now Taking Orders for Personalized Hardcover 2014
Handbook , Centennial Edition.
 07/31/2013 | Police are investigating a case of suspected vandalism
that dropped a 200 foot radio tower 
                      owned by the Mt. Diablo Radio Club.
 08/02/2013 | Hands-On Technology Training, Robots, Ham Radio — What
More Could Teachers Want? 
                      ARRL's Education & Technology Program Teachers
Institutes continue to be popular.   
 08/03/2013 | Air Personality Art Bell, W6OBB, Returning to Nighttime
Radio        

Contests: 
August 2013
+ Maryland-DC QSO Party                1600Z, Aug 10 to 0400Z, Aug 11 and 
                                                        1600Z-2400Z, Aug 11
+ 50 MHz Fall Sprint                                 2000Z-2400Z, Aug 10
+ NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint         0030Z-0230Z, Aug 14
+ SARTG WW RTTY Contest                 0000Z, Aug 17 to 1600Z, Aug 18
+ ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest         0600 local, Aug 17 to 2400 local, Aug 18
+ North American QSO Party, SSB        1800Z, Aug 17 to 0559Z, Aug 18
+ SARL HF Digital Contest                1300Z-1630Z, Aug 18
+ ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY        1800Z-2359Z, Aug 18
+ Hawaii QSO Party                        0400Z, Aug 24 to 0400Z, Aug 26
+ Kansas QSO Party                        1400Z, Aug 24 to 0200Z, Aug 25 and
                                                1400Z-2000Z, Aug 25
+ Ohio QSO Party                        1600Z, Aug 24 to 0400Z, Aug 25
+ Colorado QSO Party                1200Z, Aug 31 to 0400Z, Sept 1

September

+ Tennessee QSO Party                1800Z, Sept 1 to 0300Z, Sept 2
+ All Asian DX Contest, Phone        0000Z, Sept 7 to 2400Z, Sept 8
+ QCWA Fall QSO Party                1800Z, Sept 7 to 1800Z, Sept 8

CLUBS

CLOVIS ARP ++  Summer Sizzler Club party was3 August.  September will
be their first meeting since July.  They will be ramping up for their
swap meet on 21 September.   www.k6arp.org/

LOS BANOS ARC ++  The news letter has pictures of the July meeting. 
August 10 will be the Pizza Bash.   www.aa6lb.org

SEQUOIA ARG ++ Mike KA6IYS – Field Day Chairman writes a great
description of their Field Day.  Well worth reading.    www.n6krv.org

STOCKTON Delta ++   The 11 July meeting and Field Day is described in
the Flysheet.   A very good article on Public Service supporting the
Kingdom Speedway charity event and amateur Radio support with pictures.
 A description of antenna directionality and polarity is explained by 
John KD6FVA. www.w6sf.org

TURLOCK ARC ++ Bob, WB3CDB report on Field Day was a great blow by blow
description.  It seems to be a template for any Field Day.  The August
meeting will be a potluck at the home of the celebrated Marcie K6YTK. 
The club must be doing something correct as the Police Department has
invited them to do a demonstration of Ham Radio, in a park.
www.w6bxn.org

Traffic for JULY 2013:
ORS: WS6P 490, K6RAU 12, W6SX 12 Total 514
PSHR: WS6P 125, W6SX 29, K6RAU 70

Mark your Calendars: PACIFICON 2013 is scheduled for October 11-13,
2013 at the Santa Clara Marriott. See www.pacificon.org for
information.  SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 7, 2013. The 2014
International DX Convention will be April 4-6, 2014, at the Visalia
Convention Center.  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 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 nightly 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. 
The Young Ham Net every Saturday 2:00 PM local time 145.230 –0.6 PL
100 or Echolink KR6DD-R 271122 or N6WN-R 477737

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

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06/21/2013 The ARRL Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to

announce the scholarship recipients for 2013 with 7 of those being

California Residents.  One recipient was Joy Mellora, KI6AJC, of West

Point CA in Calaveras County.   Congratulations!!
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2013 August UHF is August 3-4!

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from ARRL

Objective: To work as many amateur stations in as many 2 degrees by 1 degrees grid squares as possible using authorized amateur frequencies above 222 MHz and all authorized modes of emission.

Date and Contest Period: First full weekend of August. Begins 1800 UTC Saturday, ends 1800 UTC Sunday (August 3-4, 2013). Entrants may use as much of this time as they wish.

http://www.arrl.org/august-uhf

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SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of June 2013

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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 Radio!

June was a very busy month for Ham Radio.  First the Museum Ship
Weekend, then VHF Contest, various other contests all this while you
got ready for Field Day!  A lot of work, but fun and naturally it is
quite gratifying when all the efforts come together.

It was my pleasure to visit a number of Field Day sites in the Southern
San Joaquin.  I would say that “Public Access” was a prerequisite at
most sites.  I saw some new and younger faces, GOTA operations and some
very cozy layouts.  One Club was surrounded by Girl Scouts!  They had
never seen Ham Radio in operation, so a demonstration was gladly
provided.  The universal component for every place I visited was just
having fun.

I posted a few photos from my travels on the Section Page.  Well done
San Joaquin.

73; Dan AE6SX

NEWS:
06/04/2013 ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, has accepted
the position of ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager.  Mike
Christopher, NT1A takes over as the Contest Branch Manager.
06/10/2013 The ARRL DXCC desk has announced that it has approved DXCC
credit for the May 2013 VU7KV operation from Lakshadweep Islands.
06/10/2013 Several videos of Contest University 2013 sessions from the
2013 Dayton Hamvention now are available on You Tube.
06/11/2013 Kids Day was Saturday, June 15. Sponsored by the Boring (OR)
Amateur Radio Club, Kids Day is the perfect way to introduce a young
person to the magic of Amateur Radio.
06/19/2013 A new version of Trusted QSL (TQSL) software for Logbook of
The World (LoTW) is available to users. TQSL v. 1.14.1 may be
downloaded from the LoTW page. 
06/21/2013 E-mail service to and from ARRL Headquarters has been
restored. However, it may take some time for staff to respond to the
thousands of messages that have accumulated during the outage.  If you
have received a message indicating that your original e-mail message
was undeliverable, please re-send. We apologize for the inconvenience.
06/21/2013 The ARRL Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to
announce the scholarship recipients for 2013 with 7 of those being
California Residents.  One recipient was Joy Mellora, KI6AJC, of West
Point CA in Calaveras County.   Congratulations!!
06/24/2013 ARRL Life Member and Public Relations Committee Member Don
Carlson, KQ6FM, of Sparks, Nevada, died June 21, of complications
related to pancreatic cancer.
06/25/2013 FAA regulations let you travel with dry cells in either your
carry-on or checked baggage, but prohibit loose lithium batteries in
checked baggage. But what about rechargeables in carry-on luggage? 
Look up the details!
06/28/2013 It has been reported by several members that someone posing
as “Arrl.net Online Services” is attempting to convince members to
provide personal information. These e-mails ask the user for his or her
username and password. Please be advised that these e-mails are not from
the ARRL.
06/28/2013 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
program hopes that an Amateur Radio digital TV system will be up and
running aboard the International Space Station by later this year.
06/30/2013 The Wake Atoll 2013 Commemorative DXpedition team reports
that preparations for its planned K9W operation this fall are
“progressing nicely.”

Contests: 
July 2013

IARU HF World Championship                      1200Z, Jul 13 to 1200Z,
Jul 14
CQ Worldwide VHF Contest.                              1800Z  July 20 to 2100Z
July 21
North American QSO Party RTTY                      1800Z July 20 to 0600Z July
21
RSGB IOTA Centenary Contest                      1200Z July 27 to 1200Z July
28

August 2013

North American QSO Party, CW                      1800Z, Aug 3 to 0559Z, Aug
4
ARRL August UHF Contest                                 1800Z, Aug 3 to 1800Z,
Aug 4
North American QSO Party PH                              1800Z Aug 17 to 0559Z
Aug 18
ARRL 10 GHZ and UP                                      0600Z Aug 17 to  000Z
Aug 18

FRESNO ARC ++  Next meeting's program is on Bob Stroup, K6UGM, who will
display the most comprehensive collection of keys in this part of the
world.  FD was great fun and many pictures are on the website and
“Skip”.  Ron, N6MTS, has an extensive report on Field Day.  
www.w6to.com/

LOS BANOS ARC ++  Almost 5 pages of Field Day pictures are in
“Frequency”.  Great shots the young Hams there also.  
www.aa6lb.org

SEQUOIA ARG ++  .Al Price (N6ALP) is the proud owner of a whale of an
antenna and tower.  Pete W6SV, talks about the photos of events that
are posted on the website.  www.n6krv.org

SIERRA ARC ++   The club operated as N6N 4A ORG, on Field Day. 
Preliminary results are 1230 points. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/ 

STOCKTON Delta ++  June 1 and 2, about 15 hams boarded the USS Lucid to
participate in the Museum Ship’s Weekend.  A very informative article
regarding “EMERGENCY TRAFFIC”, handled BY KD6CPA   www.w6sf.org

TURLOCK ARC ++ Pres Darren, K6RDJ, writes a nice article about June and
up and coming events.  Field Day pictures are in the newsletter.  Grady
K6IXA, offers a link to someone using his RMSmail system, as they go
'round the world  www.norvikinfo.com/?. www.w6bxn.org

The following Amateurs became Silent Keys since the last report: Jim
KD6TDD, Mark N6ICM, and Mark KK6BIL.  They will be missed.

Traffic for JUNE 2013:
ORS: WS6P 377, K6RAU 18, W6SX 0 Total 395
PSHR: WS6P 150, W6SX 22, K6RAU 71

Mark your Calendars:    PACIFIC NORTHWEST DX Convention is scheduled
for 2 August 2013, in Spokane Valley, WA.  See www.pnwdx.org for
details.  PACIFICON 2013 is scheduled for October 11-13, 2013 at the
Santa Clara Marriott. See www.pacificon.org for information.  The 2014
International DX Convention will be April 4-6, 2014, at the Visalia
Convention Center.  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 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.
Elmering: Guy W6MSU's Elmer talk group is at W6SF@yahoogroups.com

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 nightly 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. 
The Young Ham Net every Saturday 2:00 PM local time 145.230 –0.6 PL
100 or Echolink KR6DD-R 271122 or N6WN-R 477737

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section
Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX
ae6sx@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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TCU Local Farris Incident in Rancho Calaveras

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Saturday (6-29-13) was hot and windy in the afternoon when I heard a call-out for a grass fire at Farris Rd and Rex Road. Lots of equipment and air resources were quick to knock it down and contain it to 11.5 acres. Thanks to the brave and efficient CalFire personnel!

Hawk going up to investigate 404

Hawk going up to investigate 404

Helicopter 404 checking the perimeter

Helicopter 404 checking the perimeter

Air bomber 82 setting up for another run

Air bomber 82 setting up for another run

Mop-Up at Farris incident

Mop-Up at Farris incident

Vallecito hand crew is finished with the mop-up

Vallecito hand crew is finished with the mop-up

Mopping up the Farris incident.  Looking north over Rex road, Hwy 26 is just over the hill

Mopping up the Farris incident. Looking north over Rex road, Hwy 26 is just over the hill

Looking up Rex Road, which the fire did not jump, much to the relief of the owner of this home, I'm sure.

Looking up Rex Road, which the fire did not jump, much to the relief of the owner of this home, I’m sure.

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Museum Ships Weekend June 1-2

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The Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club will again participate in  this year's
Museum Ships Weekend. June 1-2, 2013.  Our call sign, KK5W  will be credited
as a contact with both WW II Submarine USS Cavalla and  Destroyer Escort USS
Stewart.   representing the USS Cavalla and  USS Stewart.  Visit our web 
page for more information,  www.bvarcmswe.org.  We will be operating from, 
Seawolf Park in  Galveston, Texas, NA-143.

WE will have four stations set up, two  located in the park, aboard the
Cavalla and  aboard the Stewart.   Weather permitting these stations will be
on the air continuously.   

We need operators.  Amateur radio operators in the Galveston -  Houston area
are cordially invited to participate. You can sign up on the  web page if 
you would like to operate KK5W during the event at Seawolf  Park.

Frequencies as follows:
SSB 
7.260 MKHz
14.260 MHz  
21.360 MHz 
28.360 MHz

CW
7.039 Mhz
14,039 MHz
21.039  KHz
28,039 KHz

Operation on OSCAR satellites is planned for daytime  passes on Saturday,
June 1.

KK5W will host two VHF Nets for  Houston-Galveston amateurs to contact the
local museum ships using the  WA5CYI repeater 146.94 (-) PL 167.9 on 
Saturday and Sunday from 11AM - 1 PM  Local time.  We are anticipating the USS Texas
(NA5DV), Elissa (N5E),  and the Grandcamp/High Flyer Memorial (AC0TX) will 
be on the net. 

A  balloon launch is scheduled for Saturday morning, APRS trackers will  use
N5BPS (the Cavalla's wartime call sign was NBPS).  

Once  again, we will be offering the Texas Navy Award. 

This year's Texas  Navy Fleet is expanded to include:
USS Cavalla and USS  Stewart  - KK5W
USS Texas - NA5DV
Tall  Ship Elissa - N5E
USS Lexington - W5LEX
SS  High Flyer and SS Grandcamp Memorial - AC0TX
National Museum  of the Pacific War - N5P 

For KK5W and AC0TX, one contact counts for  both ships. Provide evidence of
two way communication (log extract) with at  least four of the call signs
during MSWE 2013 to earn the 2013 Texas Navy  Certificate.  Work all six to
earn the coveted "Clean Sweep"  endorsement.

73,
Ron, K5HM
Event  Coordinator
k5hm.ron@gmail.com
www.qrz.com/db/k5hm
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SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SECTION Report for the month of April 2013

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

Time for planning the fun, food and frequencies for Field Day.  April
is gone, May is in full swing and the temperature is still quite
comfortable.

It seems we always plan our Antenna work and Field Day about the same
time.  Maybe to knock the dust off the stored equipment from last year.
 I think it is our nature to improve over and above last year.  A good
antenna always goes a long way.  Get out and work while the temperature
is right.

If you do not have your contacts in place for your bonus points for
Field Day, time is a wasting.  The Political and Government officials
are always scheduling 90 days ahead.  Put your story together for the
press and media.  Make sure to line up the youth for your GOTA Station
too.

Enjoy the planning, add food, good equipment and a good place to
operate, add some contacts, and you will have a great time.

73; Dan AE6SX

NEWS:
 04/10/2013 | Applications for Teachers Institute, ETP Grants Due in
May        
 04/20/2013 | Chinese Amateurs Assist in Earthquake Aftermath        
04/19/2013 | Surfin’: Wire in the Spring, outdoor maintenance -- with
wire antennas in mind. 
04/16/2013 | Radio Amateurs Provide Communication Support in Boston
Marathon Bombings 
 04/22/2013 | Seattle Will Host the 32nd (TAPR) Digital Communications
Conference        
 04/23/2013 | Changes to FCC Radiotelegraph Operator Certificates
Coming May 20        
 05/01/2013 | Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Test Scheduled for May
11 
W6TV placed #1 in September VHF Contest
W6SX placed #1 in 160 Meter contest
WC6H placed #1 in November Sweepstakes -Phone

Contests: 
May 2013
+ Armed Forces Crossband Test      1400Z, May 11 to 0300Z, May 12
+ HPC World Wide DX Contest        1200Z, May 11 to 1159Z, May 12
+ CQ-M International DX Contest        1200Z, May 11 to 1159Z, May 12
+ VOLTA WW RTTY Contest        1200Z, May 11 to 1200Z, May 12
+ Nevada Mustang Roundup        1700Z, May 11 to 1700Z, May 12
+ CQ WW WPX Contest, CW        0000Z, May 25 to 2359Z, May 26

June 2013
+ 10-10 Int. Open Season PSK Contest        0000Z, Jun 1 to 2400Z, Jun 2
+ Maritimes QSO Party        1200Z-2400Z, Jun 1
+ SEANET Contest        1200Z, Jun 1 to 1200Z, Jun 2
+ Alabama QSO Party        1600Z, Jun 1 to 0400Z, Jun 2

CLOVIS ARP ++ The Clovis group will be doing communications for the
California Classic Century Bike Ride, 18 May.  The May meeting will be
a “how to” on Fox Hunting by Rob AE6GE.   www.k6arp.org/

FRESNO ARC ++  “Skip” includes pictures and reports from the DX
Convention in Visailia.  Paul W6VPS continues his journal on
refurbishing his Mosley Beam and adding 12 & 17 Meter elements.  Also
pictures and comments from the M Squared Open House showing owners Mike
Staal, K6MYC, and the team.  www.w6to.com/

LOS BANOS ARC ++  Dr. Joe will be presenting at the 11 May meeting. 
His topic will be his operating aboard a Submarine during WWII.  Time
is 7 PM at the Police Annex building.

SEQUOIA ARG ++  Nice article in the “Voice” of the awarding of the
Amateur Radio Rating Badge to a young Boy Scout.  Pete W6SV, praises
the guests from Bakersfield at a recent club function.  I am thrilled
about hearing of collaborative events like these.  The other colorful
articles are worth the reading.  www.n6krv.org

SIERRA ARC ++  Hal N6HAL describes many good Emcomm practices and
public service events.  The Club is very good at working with other
clubs and groups in the area.  A very well rounded example of
cooperation with the local CERT members. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/ 

STANISLAUS ARC ++   SARA Quarterly spells out the public service
events.  Registration for FEMA training courses offered by the ARES
group.  Joe WB6AGR offers 2 links regarding videos on “Situational
Awareness” http://freedv.org/tiki-index.php?page=video and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCmE_vvHeqw .  . www.saraclub.net

STOCKTON Delta ++ Charlie WB6NVB and Fred WB6ASU are preparing an ATV
presentation.  The club is very involved in a multitude of public
service events.  The Club is activating the minesweeper USS Intrepid
for the June 1 Museum Ship Weekend.  . www.w6sf.org

TURLOCK ARC ++ Amateur Radio & Velveeta Cheese link: 
http://youtu.be/aTeAtPFEuyc depicting Ham Radio in the add.  Grady,
K6IXA, said a new diagram of the repeater system has been created and
placed on the club's web page. Grady also said a new satellite receiver
has been put in place in Modesto and one will soon be going into place
in Atwater and Fresno.  Plans for Field Day seem to be in place.  A
reprint of the ARES participation in the Boston Marathon Bombing was
very informative. www.w6bxn.org

The following Amateurs became Silent Keys since the last report: Edd,
K6LSB and John, AE6QR.  They will be missed.

Traffic for February 2013:
ORS: WS6P 136, K6RAU 13, W6SX 1 Total 150
PSHR: WS6P 202, W6SX 22, K6RAU 70

Mark your Calendars:   May 17-19 -- Dayton Hamvention, Trotwood, Ohio. 
For more information see hamvention.org.  SEA-PACK 31 May through 2 June
2013 Seaside, OR.  Check the details at www.seapac.org/ .  ARRL Field
Day is June 22-23, 2013.  You can down load the FD Packet from ARRL. 
PACIFICON 2013 is scheduled for October 11-13, 2013 at the Santa Clara
Marriott. See www.pacificon.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 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.
Elmering: Guy W6MSU's Elmer talk group is at W6SF@yahoogroups.com

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 nightly 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. 
The Young Ham Net every Saturday 2:00 PM local time 145.230 –0.6 PL
100 or Echolink KR6DD-R 271122 or N6WN-R 477737

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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 March 2013

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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 All;

Public Service events are in full swing. Charity events and spring
celebrations in the form of bike rides, Marathons, picnics, parades and
carnivals are worthy of community support. They also offer good
opportunities for training in safety and security, also fun radio. I
recommend you plan ahead and choose the commitments you will enjoy
volunteering and gain the most benefit.

Some calendar items for April in SJV. I think it note worthy that the
annual Turlock Auction is on 13 April. Check out their website for
details www.w6bxn.org . Remember the International DX convention is
in Visalia starting 19 April. See all the happenings at:
www.dxconvention.com/ .

Last but not least, Field Day in June. You should have your plans so
you can post your site at ARRL.org and get your publicity going for the
event.

Weather is nice so go play radio!
73; Dan AE6SX

NEWS:
* Montana Governor Signs Legislation to Protect Mobile Amateur Radio
Operations from Distracted Driving Regulations and giving Amateurs a
100-foot tower by right.

* Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, led a group of radio amateurs earlier this
month to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky to test how APRS can be
used as a means to extend radio communications underground via
digi-peaters

* 03/11/2013 | W1AW Announces 2013 Spring Operating Schedule

* Radio Before Radio – Article about the 1910 pamphlet “The Wireless
Telephone.”

* Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig
Fugate, KK4INZ, met with ARRL leadership at FEMA Headquarters in
Washington, DC last month.

* 2013 World Amateur Radio Day — April 18 — Celebrates 100 Years of
Disaster Communications

Contests:
April
21 Rookie Roundup – Phone

CLOVIS ARP ++ The Clovis club is taking the lead on 3 events in Fresno
County. Rob, AE6GE, will be doing a program of “Fox Hunting from the
fox’s point of view”. www.k6arp.org/

FRESNO ARC ++ Read about; “New Antenna material! Make antennas that
will float in the air and be invisible!” Paul, W6VPS, journaled his
antenna restoration. Pictures from the M Squared open house show food,
hams and swappers. If you like state of the art tech – check out the
insect transmit drone! www.w6to.com/

SEQUOIA ARG ++ This issue reports on a 15 year old from Sierra Leone
earning a trip to MIT. Some history: Hungry Gulch described. Pete
W6SV reminds us even the Tech Class can participate in the “Rookie
Round-up” by using 6 and 10 Meters in the contest. www.n6krv.org

SIERRA ARC ++ John, KJ6MQN will be talking on his work on the SDR
dongle radio featured in QST during the April Meeting. Elmer Says –
discusses measuring SWR accuracy. This month shows great pic of
Pan-Starr Comet. Hal, N6HAL, gives a tour of the Ridgecrest ARES/RACES
at PD and Mobile Command Center. www.qsl.net/wa6ybn/

STOCKTON Delta ++ Charlie WB6NVB is working with Fred Coe WB6ASU to put
on a demonstration of amateur television, when the ATV repeater is up
and operating. Charlie also put on a presentation on batteries, power
supplies, inverters and how they can be used. www.w6sf.org

TURLOCK ARC ++ Field Day Countdown, by Bob, WB3CDB, is a great
checklist for prepping for Field Day. Feed System Discussion By Larry,
K6IY, compares voltage and current fed antennas. Don’t forget the
Auction 13 April. www.w6bxn.org

The following Amateurs became Silent Keys since the last report: Ed,
K6AHQ and Bill, KB6HRB. They will be missed.

Traffic for February 2013:
ORS: WS6P 315, K6RAU 15, W6SX 4 Total 334
PSHR: WS6P 175, W6SX 27, K6RAU 73

Mark your Calendars: The Turlock ARC Spring Auction is April 13, 2013,
at 9:00 AM, at the First United Methodist Church in Turlock. For
information check www.w6bxn.org. The 64th Annual International DX
Convention sponsored by the Northern California DX Club will be held at
the Visalia Conference Center in downtown Visalia, California from April
19-21, 2013. See www.dxconvention.com for the latest information. EMCOMM
West for 2013 has been postponed. ARRL Field Day is June 22-23, 2013.
You can down load the FD Packet from ARRL. PACIFICON 2013 is scheduled
for October 11-13, 2013 at the Santa Clara Marriott. See
www.pacificon.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 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.
Elmering: Guy W6MSU’s Elmer talk group is at W6SF@yahoogroups.com

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 nightly 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.
The Young Ham Net every Saturday 2:00 PM local time 145.230 –0.6 PL
100 or Echolink KR6DD-R 271122 or N6WN-R 477737

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

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KD6WYV, SK

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CARS members,

A friends’ remembrance….by Greg Gran W6UQK

KD6WYV Dr Karoly (Charles) Szabo became a silent key (SK) March 27,
2013 at 94 years old. Charles was a long time member of CARS, Inc.

“I met him over 22 years ago & remember our first conversation vey well.
He was from Hungary and was a Communication Officer in the Hungarian
Service. He spoke several language’s & mentioned how they had a
communication site set up to listen in on information being sent to
Hitler during WW11. So, already knowing morse code, I encourage him to
join our radio club & I would elmer him.

After obtaining his General license he went on to get his Extra. To get
him on the air, we put up a J-pole , a 75-meter Dipole, & later with the
help from his neighbor we put up a large Rhombic. He was active on the
2-meter Monday nite Net, and 15 & 20-meters with schedules in South
America, Canada, and a daily weather report on 75-meters to the Calif
Weather Service.

Because of his importance of staying in contact with his native
Hungarian’s, he would come to my house, get on the computer and make
contacts with Hams in Hungary.

I was very proud to be his friend, and will always remember the wisdom
he gave to me.

Greg Gran W6UQK, Angels Camp

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Union Democrat Article

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For those of you that did not see the article on “Radio Buffs Combine
Service with Fun” in the Union Democrat on March 1st (Community Section),
I am providing a copy of the text from this article written by Lenore
Rutherford in this email as an attachment.

The article includes interviews with CARS and TCARES…

Enjoy…!

73

John
KI6ART
CARS, Inc.
PIO

Radio Buffs Combine Service With Fun (w/pic by maggie of tuolumne county guy, and a submitted pic of the calaveras county tower)

By LENORE RUTHERFORD
The Union Democrat

Like many community organizations, amateur radio clubs have dual purposes — social and serious.
They link people around the world with an interest in radio communications for fun and to share information. At the same time, they are an integral part of a worldwide emergency team, providing back-up communications for county, state and federal agencies during severe emergencies.

“Our slogan is ‘When everything else fails, amateur radio is there,’” said John Davenport, public information officer for the Calaveras Amateur Radio Society, based in Angels Camp.

That group, which was founded as a small organization with a few dedicated enthusiasts about 50 years ago, has grown to a membership of about 100 people who maintain a national repeater called N5FRG on Fowler’s Peak in Calaveras County. A repeater relays radio signals.

The Calaveras club meets for breakfast at 9 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Murphys Hotel, and visitors are welcome. The club’s website is www.calaverasARS.org

Club members participate in several events throughout the year and are always available in emergencies to help relay information.

The Tuolumne County Amateur Radio Emergency Service also welcomes visitors. The club meets for breakfast at 9:30 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at the Pine Tree Restaurant on Hess Avenue off Mono Way. Its website is www.lodelink.com/tcares.

T.C.A.R.E.S. maintains five repeaters, because of the county’s rugged terrain, to enable emergency workers to communicate with each other in the backcountry, as well as to relay messages around the world.

“We have a lot of fun,” Phillip Fish, of Twain Harte, said, “but amateur radio operators have always had a serious purpose and still do.”

He said the practice of training ham radio operators began during World War I and grew during World War II, when there was a shortage of radio operators. The Federal Communications Commission made it possible for civilians to hone their skills and be licensed so there would always be a ready supply of operators available for national defense purposes.

“We still go out on field operations,” Fish said, “where we take radio equipment out into the countryside, operate without any power from PG&E and talk to people all around the world using homemade antennae constructed over a weekend.”

Fish said being an amateur radio operator is a lot of fun. “It’s not a hobby where you find many grouches,” he said. “We are definitely people who like people.” He said he particularly likes being able to chat with people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. “But our primary function is to be there for emergencies, whether they are local or not.”

He said they have helped relay communication during many disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the disasters in Haiti. And it helps locally when the radio operators can communicate with each other during snowstorms. “Last week, my wife was caught in Groveland during that big snowstorm, and we were able to help her avoid the worst areas and bypass the
areas that were jammed up with traffic,” he said.

Davenport said it’s a privilege to be a licensed amateur radio operator, and that privilege can be taken away for improper conduct on the air. He said one man recently had to pay a $16,000 fine for using the wrong frequency.

“There is a definite protocol, based mainly on courtesy,” he said. “If somebody starts using cuss words, a bunch of other amateurs will jump on them and tell them to knock it off. Eventually, someone will report it to the FCC.”

He said there are three levels of licensing, and each one requires passing a test. There are members of all ages, some as young as 10 years old. “They just have to be able to pass the test and understand all of the requirements,” he said. “There is even a Boy Scouts of America amateur radio badge.”

Every licensed amateur radio operator is eligible to apply for membership in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, which provides communications to public agencies when disaster strikes. Training may be required to fully participate in ARES.

Founded in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is another service provided by volunteer amateur radio operators during times of extraordinary need. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides planning guidance and technical assistance, and the Federal Communications Commission regulates it.

Contact one of the local clubs for specific information.

Contact Lenore Rutherford at lrutherford@uniondemocrat.com or 588-4585.

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