[ARRL-OK] February Section News

[Kevin ODell]

Oklahoma Section News - February 2011

 

Upcoming Hamfests

 

March 5th – Elk City Hamfest

March 11th & 12th – Green Country Hamfest

April 2nd – Durant Tailgate Fest

April 2nd – Hanging Judge Hamfest, Ft. Smith, Ark.

April 2nd – Ham Expo, Belton, Tex.

 

I will be in attendance at the first 3 of these events and have a League Forum at Elk City and Green Country.  We may have an informal one at Durant.  I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad to see the snow melt and things start to warm up.  Everyone was sorry to see the Ada Hamfest get cancelled on account of the weather, but it happens.  I know Chris Faulkner and the whole bunch was really excited about the new venue, so, we’ll see what happens next year.

 

The National Weather Service Severe Weather Workshop is the first week in March.  Mike Corey, the head of Emergency Communications and Preparedness at HQ will be in attendance all week.  I will be there part of the time along with a few others helping Mike man the booth.   If you are in attendance, make sure you drop by and say HI!  The Saturday spotter training will be well attended I’m sure,  Mike will be presenting during the Saturday session……..however some of us will be in Elk City that day………..

 

 

Viking Radio Club News – This group in Lawton is really doing some great stuff for the kids in the area getting them turned on to wireless communication.  If you can find a way to support them, please do. 

 

Good Morning Viking parents and Viking Radio Club Supporters

 

This morning we woke to news that in Lawton, OK we broke a Feb 10 local record (unofficial still) low temperature, moving the record from 0 to -1 set back in 1980.  The news reported that an OK all time state low record of -27 was broken this morning in North Eastern Oklahoma.  This bitter coldness will be long forgotten as the Vikings venture over to the local park during their Saturday Amateur Radio Outreach event from about noon until about 4pm, temperatures will be about 60 degrees and next week we see 70s.  On Saturday, stop in and visit the group around 14.325 MHz.  This will be the last day the students will get a chance to get on the air prior to next weeks School Club Round-up.  We also have two new SCR coaches that will be assisting Physics Lawton High School Teacher Jim Havens KE5HAZ, during the School Club Round-up working as W5LHS.

 

Mr. Harper KE5YZB is hosting a study hall in his classroom this Saturday from 10am until noon then encouraging students to venture over to the park.  Do you smell pizza too?

 

Many schools across North America will be active during the School Club Round-up Monday - Friday of next week.  Schools participating range from elementary through University.  Yes, parents there are scholarships for Amateur Radio.  On Monday, the Vikings will be using the day as a practice day, operating as a club, but not a school club, using the callsign, K5USA.  On Tuesday through Friday, the Vikings will be using their school club callsign, KF5CRF.  This allows the students to participate for a total of 24 hours (max 6 hours per day) as a school club.  Vikings will always talk to a school, even if previously worked.  If you hear a school on the airwaves say hello.  Please make it your personal goal to talk with 10 different schools during the school club round-up.

 

 

--

73

 

Paul Goulet /KC5CYY

 

I received some notes from the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club (TARC) this month from ARRL PIO Nathan Huffstetler…….

 

What an eventful past few months and there’s still more to come!  In January’s Tulsa Amateur Radio Clubs meeting, Dan Threlkeled (KF5FSL) made his first Ham Radio contact. His very first contact ever was with an 11 year old named Electra (KB3RGE). Dan is a local weather man that works for NBC’s TV station KJRH.

   

As you all know, February has pulled out some extreme winter weather that has given us some record snow falls. In preparation for these conditions, ARES zones 4 and 5 went into stand-by and ran health and welfare nets during this time.

 

In March, we have the Green Country Ham Fest coming up on the 11th and 12th at the Claremore Expo Center. There will be drawings for some great prizes including the grand prize, an Elecraft K3. Plenty of vendors are going to be present and, as always, of course there will be several swap meet tables. If you or someone you know needs to upgrade your license, you will have the opportunity at the ham fest. There will be two ARRL test sessions making this a convenient time to upgrade while you browse around the event. To learn more, check us out on the web at www.greencountryhamfest.org.

 

 

I would like to thank everyone that participated in any capacity during the winter storms this year.  Your help and generosity are what makes us so valuable to our served agencies.  We may not be needed during a given event, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t appreciated.  Keep on, keepin’ on!!

 

One more thing, during the League forums at the section hamfests, the last few minutes will be devoted to ARES information.  We will quickly cover what is upcoming and how we are going to approach things………not to mention, I’ll have some goodies to give away!!

 

Keep the info coming……the more stuff I get, the more fun this is!!

 

73,

 

Kevin O’Dell N0IRW

Oklahoma Section Manager