[ARRL-OK] Section News

[Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW]

Oklahoma Section News – April /May 2012

 

Hello everyone.  First let me apologize for my tardiness with any news updates.  The first 3 months of the year and even into this month have been hectic to say the least.  With Wilma retiring and us starting to take care of our now 8 month old grandson back in January, sharing sinus infections, the long process of getting my only son married off, attending another family wedding in FARRRRR west Texas, it’s bee a long 3 months.

 

Then on April 3rd, we lost a very good friend both to myself and to ham radio.  Michael W. Key, N5KEY passed away that evening quietly and with his family and friends around him.  I have known Mike since high school, in fact we met at a field day.  Mike was a ham’s ham.  He firmly believed that “real radios glow in the dark”.  Mike supported his local clubs and the section.  Mike was a VE, EC, DEC, ASEC and SEC.  He believed in the ARES program 110%.  He will be missed.

 

On to other things……..

 

In March I had the pleasure of attending the Severe Weather Workshop in Norman to assist Ken Bailey, K1FUG from HQ with the ARRL Booth.  We met and got to chat with lots of folks, a lot of which we got to steer toward getting their ticket.

 

That Saturday, ASEC Charles Goodson, KC5UEG and I attended the Elk City Hamfest.  As usual, the guys and gals in western Oklahoma did a great job.  If you have never been to their fest, you need to make the trip.  Great people, brisk sales (I sold almost everything I took) and GREAT food!  And if you travel I-40 you get to see a couple of impressive wind turbine farms….(now these would make great repeater sites).

 

Sadly I had to miss Green Country Hamfest as that was the weekend my son Christopher, N5CMO, got married.  I got a great daughter-in-law out of the deal.  But even though it was my only son, and given the fact that I had to wear a tux…….quess what I would have really chosen to do…….and it doesn’t include formal wear.  I do want to thank Eddie Manley, K5EMS, Mark Conklin, N7XYO, Kansas Section Manager Ron D. Cowan, KB0DTI and Larry Wolfgang, WR1B for taking care of the duties with the League booth and running the ARRL forum.  I got great reports from everyone I have talked to about how good this year’s fest was.

 

The Viking Radio Club in Lawton has been busy, as usual.  This is really a neat bunch of kids with a real passion for amateur radio.  Here is their latest news…..

 

With a wet spring break behind us (and plenty of green grass cutting in front of us), Mr. Harper has re-started Saturday classes to help students that want or need extra help understanding the materials to secure a license.  The next test session will be before the end of April.  Classes are held in his classroom, number 250, from about 10 until 12.

 

Mr. Harper and the Viking Radio Club have been invited to participate in Lawton’s annual sharing of our cultural differences, during the International Festival.  W5KS will be asked to provide their support trailer to set up an educational theme – the role amateur radio continues to offer young minds.

 

The Missouri QSO Party is in full swing this weekend and students that stick around will get a chance jump in and have some fun, maybe on 40 meters for a while.  Will also jump over to 20 meters for more fun.  Look for K5USA or KF5CRF around 14.295 +- operating from their school station, from about noon until 4pm central time.

 

A handful of students have become a bit overwhelm as a result of thier first session (good news, no one cried this time).  Yes, there is a lot to learn about amateur radio, and the learning does not stop after the first license.  Many students have struggled with the material much longer than your child, but they continued with the program and today enjoy amateur radio privileges.  Your child can achieve success in the program too.

 

During last nights weekly net, I heard one of Mr. Harper’s students, Tyler KF5PBN getting on the net for the first time with that brand new callsign.  In the background was Bill, W5SZ, Tyler’s grandfather, together they are going to put up an HF station and be on the air frequently.    Both were invited to come to Saturday breakfast – do teenage boys get up that early on Saturdays?  Bill, the PL is 173.8 or bring that HT and we’ll program the PL for you.  Congratulations to both of you.

The Viking Radio Club holds a daily net on 14.290 MHz from about 8:30a until 9:20a Central Time.  They are already getting regular school contacts that stop in and visit, while they operating from their school station, KF5CRF.  If you can, join in when time allows.  There are several new students in the program, please be patient if you hear a bit of a pause.

 

Thanks Paul for the update.  I’m hoping to get out there in the fall.

 

Filed Day 2012

 

It’s not to late to be thinking and planning Field Day.  Make sure you put your groups Field Day site on the League’s database.  I use this database to decide where I can visit on Field Day Saturday.  I don’t know how we did it, but Jim and I missed the meal everywhere we went by about an hour…….I gotta plan better.  Here’s the link to the database sign up……

 

http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

 

Events in the section coming up…….

 

June 23-24                        Field Day

July 27-28                        Ham Holiday OKC, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN will be                                                 the guest of the OKC crew.

 

I want to thank everyone in the section that has helped with the severe weather we have had so far this year.  Whether spotter or helping in the clean up, your efforts are really appreciated.  A special thank you to the Tri-State Amateur Radio Group (TSARG) in northwestern Oklahoma for assisting Emergency Management with the coordination and intake if donated supplies in the aftermath of the Woodward storm.  Good job guys.

 

Last Minute News!

 

We just received the word that not only will Governor Mary Fallin make a Proclamation to make the week of June 17th Amateur Radio Week in Oklahoma, but she will personally present the proclamation to members of the section cabinet in late May.  We will get photos!

 

Until next time…….

 

73

 

Kevin O’Dell, N0IRW

Oklahoma Section Manager