[ARRL-OK] April 18, 2005 -Oklahoma Section Report

[N7HRT at aol.com]

April 18, 2005
Oklahoma Section  Report

Hope all are prepared for storm season with summer plans  inclusive of a very 
enjoyable Field Day 2005!

Topics covered in  this report include-
Oklahoma City Marathon 2005
McCurtain County ARC  Public Service
Lawton-Ft. Sill Amateur Radio Club (LFSARC) Media  Story
Enid Amateur Radio Club
OKC FAA Club and OKC Emergency  Management
March Section Traffic Report
Upcoming  Events

Oklahoma City Marathon 2005
The 2005 Oklahoma City  Memorial Marathon will be held this Sunday, April 24. 
 A very large scale  event which is unprecedented in significance,  memories 
and Amateur Radio  public service.  Many thanks to all who supported in 1995 
and continue in  their effort with marathon assistance.   A prebriefing for the 
 marathon will be held on Tuesday April 19.  A more than meaningful date to  
say the least.  Recognition to Tom Webb-WA9AFM, OK Assistant Section  Manager  
and Mark Hamlin-AE5MH for their organization, coordination and  communication 
before, during and after the event. 

Below is narrative  from Tom about the event: 

Amateur radio has been an  important part of the Marathon since it began in 
2000 and our presence and  contribution have grown each year.  The Oklahoma 
City Marathon has taken on  the nickname, "The Run To Remember".  To remember the 
168 people killed,  the hundreds injured, the lost of  property and 
livelihoods, and the  thousands of volunteers who gave of their time, talents, treasure 
to help.   This year is significant, as it is the 10th anniversary of the 
Murrah Building  bombing. The Memorial Marathon has been identified by a leading 
running magazine  as one of the "Twelve Must Run Marathons"; quite an honor
for an event so  new.  As many of you are aware, within 15 minutes of the 
blast which  destroyed the
Murrah Building, the Oklahoma County ARES Net was up and  running. The net 
continued for over 300 hours. Over 330 amateur radio operators  from Oklahoma, 
Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas came to Oklahoma City to lend  their
assistance.

McCurtain County Amateur Radio Club- Saddle  Up!
This club in southeastern OK has  a neat public service opportunity  
upcoming.  Below is a write-up by Steve-WB7VYC.  Thanks to Steve and  the club for 
their effort. 

On Saturday April 30 the McCurtan  County Amateur Radio Club (MCARC) will be 
providing Public Service  Communications during a Horse Endurance run. This 
event involves Horse  enthusiasts who travel from all over the Country to 
participate in this grueling  Cross-Country event. The ride involves having Horse 
riders traverse a 25 or a  50-mile course across varying degree of difficulty 
trails and Mountains. Through  out this course are Check Points, which are used 
to record the progress of each  of the participating riders. This is where 
MCARC club and its members come into  the picture. The MCARC has a dedicated 
group of Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS)  which are involved in the local Amateur 
Radio Emergency Service (ARES)  organization providing public service. 

The Local ARES group will  travel many miles to help provide the needed 
communications for the Winding  Stairs Endurance Run. Ham operators are scattered 
through out the course to keep  track and make sure all the riders made it to 
all the required checkpoints along  the route. As riders progress the course, 
Amateur Radio operators will pass  along the information to the Headquarters 
camp for  tabulation.


Lawton-Ft. Sill Amateur Radio Club  (LFSARC)
A recent newspaper article in the Lawton Constitution covered  Amateur Radio 
service provided by the LFSARC.  Thanks to Bob-W5KCB,  Assistant OK Section 
Manager  for sharing this great development.  The  two articles covered spotting 
provided by the club and how the club members  coordinate with each other and 
emergency service the procurement and  distribution of the weather 
information.  This certainly assists emergency  service and the National Weather Service 
in their service to the public.   Sims indicates the journalist doing the 
story is a first class reporter and did  likewise with the story.  The news 
article mentions Mike-NH6CH,   Claude-KB5RCL and Sims.   Please be sure and share 
similar stories of  successful media hits with OK Section leadership. 

Enid Amateur  Radio Club (EARC)
This club continues in quality activity and public  service.  Their March 
meeting included a visit to an Enid fire  station.  Mike Honigsburg, Garfield 
County Emergency Manager gave club  members a tour of the weather center and 
discussed computer links to the  National Weather Service. Great stories and 
pictures in the club's April  newsletter. Club President Dave-KC5SII makes 
excellent points about storm  spotting:

Knowledge, preparation, communication and support are the  spotter's biggest 
weather spotting allies.  And, he emphasizes that storm  spotters are not 
storm chasers! 

OKC FAA Club and OKC Emergency  Management
The newest round of successful licensing by the above  entities  is nearing 
conclusion.  This coordinated effort has resulted  in several hundred new hams. 
 Appreciation to Dave-KF5OZ, Stan-WB7WNM   both of the FAA center for their 
diligent and long standing effort to help so  many become licensed and 
contribute to public service. Likewise Ronnie-KD5WFP of  OKC Emergency Management has 
brought forth resources and professional skills to  make a good thing even 
better.  What an energetic and creative group.   Many thanks to these individuals 
for their hosting a recent visit to  demonstration night at the class.  
Jim-N5OHL Section Affiliated Club  Coordinator and your Section Manager enjoyed 
this visit greatly.  

Section Traffic
March 2005 Oklahoma Section  Traffic  Report prepared by Arlyn-KK5GY Section 
Traffic Manager
Please send your  station and net reports to kk5gy at arrl.net
Public Service Honor  Roll
O.C.-WA5OUV
Arlyn-KKGY
Sam- W5CU 

Station Activity  Reports
Cecil-KI5LQ
O.C.-  WA5OUV
Arley-WB5NKC
Pat-WB5NKD
Arlyn-KK5GY
Sam-W5CU

Monthly  net totals.   These numbers are  growing!
Sessions-226
Stations-2560
Traffic-1010
Net Managers  Reporting-22

Many thanks to the following net managers for  reporting as many new ones are 
sending in their reports. It is very much  appreciated!
KC5UNC, WB5NKD, KF5RD, N5VEA, KE5CJR, KM5GZ, KC5OKG, N5NIO,  N5FM, KD5NAQ, 
KD5FX, AC5JV, KC5NWC, W5JPI, WA5OUV, NM5W, KB5BQB, W5GGW, N5IKN,  KD5YPF,  
WB5OSM,  KB5EUS

Upcoming  Attractions-

May 7  Tri-State Amateur Radio Group Hamfest  in  Woodward  Contact Jay at 
k5gud at cneconnect.com  His telephone  is 580-994-2751

May 20-22 Dayton Hamvention-ARRL National  Convention
Dayton,  OH
www.hamvention.org
info at hamvention.org
937-276-6930


June  3-5  Ham-Comm 2005
ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
Arlington,  TX
www.hamcomm.org
214-732-2086


July 15-16   ARRL  Oklahoma Section Convention 
Oklahoma  City
www.HamHoliday.org
HamHoliday at hotmail.com
405-390-2231


73,  John Thomason-WB5SYT