May 20

May 20, 2010 11:31:48 AM,
FCC-ConsumerNews@fcc.gov wrote:

Under a new FCC rule, anyone who uses a wireless microphone. or similar device, that operates in the 700 MHz Band will have to stop operating their wireless microphone, or similar device, no later than June 12, 2010.

To see if this law affects your wireless microphone, check our Manufacturers Equipment list at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/manufacturers.html.

 All users of 700 MHz Band wireless microphones and similar devices – including theaters, churches, schools, conference centers, theme parks, sports leagues, and musicians – will need to retune or replace, if necessary, their equipment no later than June 12, 2010. Wireless microphones that operate outside of the 700 MHz Band are not affected.

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May 20

Our thanks to all the hams and other volunteers who responded to our pleas for help!  

We’ve now got every Rest Stop, Start Line, Finish Line, SAG Van, etc. covered for Day 1 and Day 2!   Give yourselves a big pat on the back!

But… Oops, just found out the Tour de Cure staff wants TWO MORE SAG VANS!   Special purpose vans to be used to haul mostly just people, not bikes and equipment, but I’d bet on still needing a couple of the van’s bench seats out anyway!

Special Assignment:     Pickup Van on Friday before 6pm, or early  Saturday morning from Enterprise.  Arrive in San Marcos at the Texas State University, designated finish line area by noon or earlier.   Start shuttling riders who finished early, over to the river toobing location, and bring them back after they get all wet and tired (again).

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May 17

Once again, the regional American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure event is upon us!  May 22-23rd are the Dates.  This is a 2-day event starting at the Retama Park in Selma (Just north of San Antonio, Off IH-35 & 1604).    Day 1 ends in San Marcos at the Texas State University, Butler Dorm.   Day 2 starts at the same place as Day 1 Finish, and ends at Akins High School in south Austin.

HELP IS STILL NEEDED!  

SAG DRIVERS & REST STOP HAMS (Day 1 only)

We’ve got a few vacancies left for driving either a Toyota Truck (from Austin Champion Toyota) or a 15 Passenger Van (from Enterprise in San Antonio near the airport).   Call Lee at 210-771-7075 ASAP If you want to volunteer cause time is running out.  1 Toyota Truck is available as of Sunday  night, and 2 of the 15 Passenger Vans are available as of Sunday night.   We could also put a few more folks into Documation SCION sag cars, but that is being controlled by another person and the # of vacancies is unknown as of Sunday night.

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May 14

Per the ARRL Website – posted 05/08/2010…

Acting on a 2006 Petition for Rulemaking filed by the ARRL, the FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), ET Docket No 10-98 to modify the rules that govern amateurs’ secondary use of five channels in the 5 MHz frequency range known as 60 meters. The proposed changes would substitute a new channel for one that is seldom available because of occupancy by the fixed service, which is primary in this range. Also proposed is an increase in power from 50 to 100 W effective radiated…

Acting on a 2006 Petition for Rulemaking filed by the ARRL, the FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), ET Docket No 10-98 to modify the rules that govern amateurs’ secondary use of five channels in the 5 MHz frequency range known as 60 meters. The proposed changes would substitute a new channel for one that is seldom available because of occupancy by the fixed service, which is primary in this range. Also proposed is an increase in power from 50 to 100 W effective radiated power (ERP) and the addition of CW, PSK31 and PACTOR-III modes with provisions to ensure that such operations would be compatible with the primary service. The proposed changes can be found beginning on page 8 of the NPRM.

“The ARRL is pleased that the Commission has opened this proceeding to increase the usefulness of the limited 5 MHz Amateur Service allocation,” said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. “We are gratified that the Commission and the NTIA agree that the responsible manner in which amateurs have been using the five USB channels warrants some expansion of privileges so that the Amateur Service can be even better prepared for service to the public.”

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May 12

Title: ACTHA Competition and Benefit
Location: Hill Country State Natural Area – Bandera, TX
Description: When: June 12th and 13th
Where: Hill Country State Natural Area – Bandera, TX
What: ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) Event – a not-for-profit event.

Details: We need 8 -10 radio operators each day.

Saturday, June 12th – event will run from 0900 to 1300hrs – lunch at 1400hrs – Breakfast for volunteers will be provided 0730. Proceeds benefit the AQHBA youth scholarship Program.

Sunday, June 13th – event runs from 1400hrs to 1700hrs – Breakfast at 0730, lunch at 1200hrs – The late start time is due to a nationwide event that is attempting to break a Guiness Book of World Records title. Proceeds from Sundays event benefit ACTHA Horse Rescue Operations.

ACTHA events judge the ability of a horse and rider to negotiate natural obstacles, handle standard task, and the overall condition of the horse. Although rare accidents and injuries do occur.

Our Task: as most know, cell phone coverage is slim to none, closer to none at the park. Our number one purpose is safety, secondary is to assist the Event Observers to track the participants through the course. Each course is approximately 7 miles long, with Saturdays course being of mild to moderate difficulty, and Sundays course utilizing the moderate to difficult terrain.

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May 12

Title: PedolPhest Bike Ride
Location: Selma, TX – Guadalupe, Bexar and Comal Counties
Link out: Click here
Description: Fellow Hams:

I have had the pleasure of working with most of you at many public service events (Bike to the Beach, Ride to the River, BPMS150, Water Safari, Bandera 100K Run, etc.) for several years, so when I was asked to organize amateur radio support for a new bike ride I accepted knowing that the local amateur radio community has a long history of supporting these events.

We have been called upon to support PedOLPHest, a bike ride similar in size to the Wildflower ride. More information about the ride itself can be found at www.pedolphest.com. The ride will have 4 routes, 15
mile, 30 mile, 60 mile, and 100 mile. It will have 8 breakpoints along the route and starts and finishes at OLPH church is Selma, TX.

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May 11

Frances Draper KB5TMI

Frances Louise Draper, born December 21, 1938, passed on May 6, 2010. She was preceded by husband Bennie Sr., parents and 1 brother. Survived by children, Bennie Jr. (Judy), Barbara, Lee, Kenneth (Annie), Bobby (Gina), 2 brothers, 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be May 12, 2010 from 4-8 at Funeral Caring USA 2200 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78230. Funeral Services by Pastor Timothy Soukup on May 13, 2010 at Our Savior Lutheran Church 11503 Vance Jackson San Antonio, TX 78230 at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at 3pm in Corpus Christi, TX.

Frances has been an amateur radio operator since April 16th, 2002, and has been a very active volunteer for the MS150 bike rides having worked many Bike to he Beach events and the inaugural Ride to the River.  Frances is the mother of Barbara Rabenaldt, N5RZH, another very active San Antonio amateur radio operator. 

Frances was a member of the SARO ham club.

On a personal note when organizing local MS150 rides I have counted on having Frances and Barbara working a breakpoint.  Frances will be missed, and I am sure I speak for the local ham community when I tell Barbara that she is in our thoughts and prayers.

Milton Johnson, N5HMJ

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May 8

June VHF QSO Party
 for details. In July of last year, we traveled to several counties during the CQ VHF Contest stopping to operate from 4 grid squares south and east of Bexar County. see: San Antonio Hams » Blog Archive » CQ VHF Contest 2009 W5BOG – Diary   If anyone is interested in joining me for this event, or would like to operate their own station during this contest along with me, feel free to email me at: alonestaryank@aol.com

W5BOG, the Bexar Operators Group, will once again be going “rover” this time during the ARRL June VHF QSO Party, the second full weekend in June as a warm up for “ARRL Field Day”. See
W2IK
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May 6

No, not a magic trick or a hockey play, W2IK recently scored a “hat trick” by having top scores in three 2010 state QSO Party contests.

He scored tops in the country in the New Mexico QSO Party as an out-of-New Mexico mobile station, tops in the country in the Louisiana QSO Party event as a fixed, phone, out-of-state station and in the Idaho QSO Party had the top score from Texas, and may be tops in the country when the final scores are posted after the 25th of May.

 See the blog about  San Antonio Hams » Blog Archive » Little Contests For “Little Guns”  to see the basic operating techniques he used.

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Apr 29
When: June 12th and 13th
Where: Hill Country State Natural Area – Bandera, TX
What: ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) Event – a not-for-profit event.

Details: We need 8 -10 operators each day.

Saturday, June 12th – event will run from 0900 to 1300hrs – lunch at 1400hrs – Breakfast for volunteers will be provided 0730. Proceeds benefit the AQHBA youth scholarship Program.

Sunday, June 13th – event runs from 1400hrs to 1700hrs – Breakfast at 0730, lunch at 1200hrs – The late start time is due to a nationwide event that is attempting to break a Guiness Book of World Records title. Proceeds from Sundays event benefit ACTHA Horse Rescue Operations.

ACTHA events judge the ability of a horse and rider to negotiate natural obstacles, handle standard task, and the overall condition of the horse. Although rare accidents and injuries do occur.

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