San Antonio Hams

Members of the Chaparral Amateur Radio Club (which happens to also be the Guadalupe County ARES group) set up and tested NVIS antennas at the county EOC in Seguin on Sunday, September 13th.   Their goal was to design an antenn that could be raised or lowered from the ground, in order to find that sweet spot where the noise floor was the lowest.  

We’re hoping to get an after action report to be added here in a few days, so please check back for more details about the results of this test.

The following photos were taken during the event by the well known local NVIS antenna consultant and guru, Bob W2IK, who was obviously present but not shown in the photos since he was on the other side of the camera. 

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The Atascosa County Amateur  Radio Club will start classes for the purpose of getting amateur license October 24, October 31, November 7, and November 14 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM with lunch will be 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM.  The cost will be $18.95 for study material and $14.00 for the FCC license.  Bring a photo ID.   The classes will be in the old jail building, 711 Broadway St., Jourdanton.

This class is for the Technician Class license.  

For further information contact Hugo B. South at 830-281-2408 hugokk5bz@aol.com

ACARC’s webpage is found at http://wa5ar.org/

The FCC examinations will be held on 19 September 2009 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the First Pentecostal Church of Atascosa, 70 County Road  431 (this road is south off SH97 across from South Texas Medical Center next to the fire works stand) in Jourdanton, TX.  Please bring a photo copy of existing license, photo ID,  and $14.00 for the FCC examinations.  For further information please contact Hugo B. South, 830-281-2408. hugokk5bz@aol.com

ACARC’s webpage is found at http://wa5ar.org/

I found these photos, and more, at www.ThereIFixedIt.com web site.  I laughed so hard at some of them, that I just had to share the orginal link back to their web site.  Here are a sample of how folks are using duct tape in a unique manner perhaps, something every ham radio operator knows is an essential part of their emergency prepardness kit. 🙂

COMING SOON: 

Details on the new “W5BOG ECOM TEAM” and what emergency events it plans to support, either short or long term, and contact persons will be posted for possible activation of this team.

We operate as a small part of a greater TEAM.  We are NOT “waiters”.  We DO NOT SERVE anyone. 

We WORK WITH other agencies in the “team spirit” concept to support them by supplying emergency communications. We also work alongside other emcomm groups to help fill any gaps.  All team members have actual “hands on” emergency communications experience. No room for b.s. in our group. We get the job done because we know what we are doing.

Our ecom van (see above) comes fully loaded with both HF and VHF/UHF stations and can operate as a self-contained, stand alone emergency communications post anywhere we might be needed.

We also work with NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) system and support their needs in emergency communications.

Any person with a sincere interest in helping their community may join. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A LICENSED AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR to be a part of our team and help. On the job training!

Contact:  Alonestaryank@aol.com if you wish to join.

We do not exclude anyone who is a member of any other emcomm group.  Keep tabs on our progress at:  http://www.w5bog.com/w5bog-ecom-team.html

This morning was the funeral for Liliane Bell, KC5AQP, and the bulk of the crowd was from the ham radio community.   As I walked down the road toward the site of the grave side services, it looked like an impromptu ham fest, with all the ham radio antennas sprouting from the cars, trucks and mini-vans.  Lots of vehicles with ham radio license plates as well.

During the service, we learned that Liliane Bell was  bornin Tonnay Charente, France on March 30, 1937.   She passed away due to long term illnesses caused by Cancer in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, September 6, 2009.   Her Obit in the Express News can be viewed online here.

The rain let up briefly, but it was standing room only, and about half the crowd was left standing outside in the uncovered area, using their umbrellas. One ham showed up without his umbrella or raincoat, but fortunately for him, Shane NS5D had been thoughtful enough to bring a really big umbrella, large enough for him and the other guy to stand under.

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Today marks 8 years ago that the United States was attacked by terrorists. 8 years ago, today, amateur radio stepped up to the task of supporting the relief efforts during this most trying time. Below is the story of what one ham, who now resides in San Antonio, did to help his country.

http://www.w5bog.com/world-trade-center.html

W2IK

Finally, the rain has returned to San Antonio!    It’s pouring down outside at 11am while I’m writing this entry, and I need to leave soon to go assist a customer near the Stone Oak Parkway side of town.

Yesterday (09/09/2009) while I was driving across town on Loop 410 from Bandera to Hwy 281, I took about a minute of video, dropped in some headers, posted it to youtube. Here is the video…

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MARK YOUR CALENDERS…….

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH 2009 @ 9:30 AM

IT IS TIME ONCE AGAIN FOR AN UNUSUAL SUSPECTS MEET AND GREET EVENT!

COME ONE, COME ALL…….GREAT TIMES HAD BY ALL

Hope to see everyone there…..

Please RSVP using (N5XO@satx.rr.com)  so we can know how much area to set aside for the group.

Taco Cabana @ Pat Booker Rd and Kitty Hawk…….
in Universal City, TX