[CVRC] NNARS Updates

[Matthew Parker]

Well, I'll take it as a sign of success in getting the momentum of the
group going.  During this past week while I've been on "vacation," many
things have happened that I wish to update you on:

1.  The FCC today processed the application for modification of the license
issued to the National Weather Service Reno Forecast Office and approved
the requested modification changing the callsign from "KD7LQS" to
"WX7RNO".  We will wait until we have a copy of the license in hand before
changing things on the packet system - this should allow for a period of
7-10 days for users of the facility to adjust to using the new call.  Once
the change is made, connecting to WX7RNO will give you the "keyboard" (work
is currently underway to route all incoming reports on this circuit
directly into the NWS's AWIPS network) while WX7RNO-7 will be the new call
for connecting to the KaNode.  I will send another notice just prior to
making the change and then again after the change is made.

2.  Rick Klimovich, W7TOC, has began putting together a geocaching event to
be held on Saturday, September 7 at Davis Creek County Park.  Rick has
tentatively gotten the day use area there reserved for the event while we
seek a Special Event Permit for the event.  He has also secured donation of
a Magellan GPS unit to be offered as a prize for participants and is
pursuing other prizes as well.  The event is designed to pair up
experienced geocachers with us hams with little or no experience so that we
can learn the art of GPS target location while sharing the benefits of ham
radio with those who may be uninitiated to the service.  Prizes will be
given away in a drawing of tokens that the teams will obtain by locating
targets - so the end result will be the preference of accuracy over
speed.  This promises to be a very fun event that Rick is expecting will
draw geocachers from over the hill in California as well as those in the
local area.  Mark your calendars!

3.  July is time for a meeting of the NNARS Board of Directors.  We have
secured use of the conference room at the National Weather Service Office
on Tuesday evening, July 23, at 7:00 P.M. for this meeting.  I apologize
for the short notice resulting from our busy schedules with the recent
fires and my taking a week off from ham radio last week.  I will have an
agenda available for distribution within the next few days.  Members and
visitors who are interested are welcome to attend.

4.  Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief will be conducting training
for all levels of their disaster relief operations on Saturday, August
17.  This will be an all-day training opportunity with breakout sessions
for various classes throughout the day (a complete schedule will be
forthcoming).  I will be making a presentation regarding emergency
communications from 9:30 to noon.  The presentation will be tailored toward
both SBC-DR workers (who we hams are and how we serve them) as well as
toward amateur radio responders (how we serve SBC-DR as a relief
agency).  We plan to have the NNARS comm van operational by then and to use
it to demonstrate the capabilities of ham radio during this event (it is
planned to include this unit in the geocaching event as well).  The
location for this training event will be the Desert Springs Community
Church and, again, further details will be forthcoming.

5.  I am tentatively planning the NNARS Third Quarter 2002 Business Meeting
for Sunday, August 25 at 1:30 P.M.  The day of week and time for this
meeting is in accordance with the recommendation of members present at the
Second Quarter Meeting.  The location will be the V.A. Medical Center in
Reno, Classroom MG-10.  I will advise when I have confirmed availability of
the room for that date and time.

6.  A malfunction of the TS-520S HF Radio at the Red Cross Chapter House
caused damage to the tubes in the final amplifier section of the
radio.  Gary (K7VY) is rounding up new tubes to remedy this and the SG-2000
HF Radio on loan to NNARS from the Air National Guard has been placed at
the Chapter House in the interim.  Replace of tubes in the TS-520 will
require re-neutralizing and re-balancing the FA section of the radio.  Gary
is familiar with the performance of this work and is eager to offer
instruction on same to those interested.  When he is ready to do the work,
we will announce a time and place (most likely the Chapter House), and all
hams interested in learning how to do this work will be welcome to join us
for some instruction.

7.  The Our Gang Amateur Radio Group is looking to run two amateur radio
licensing classes in September; one for those seeking General Class
licenses and one for those seeking to join the ranks of ham radio by
acquiring Technician Class tickets.  Both classes will culminate in ARRL-VE
sessions.  I am working with them to see if the classroom at the V.A. is
available for these classes - this is another announcement for which
further details will be forthcoming.

I believe that pretty much covers what's coming down the line for
now.  Don't forget our HAZMAT drill with the Red Cross this coming
Saturday, the 20th.  NNARS members are still needed to man the equipment at
the Chapter House for this exercise.  Again, this will be a good
opportunity for those members with little or no field experience to come
get some on-the-job training.  Contact me if you would like to volunteer.

73 to all,

Matthew B. Parker, N7TOD
Chairman, Northern Nevada Amateur Radio Services
http://www.qsl.net/nnars
ARES District Emergency Coordinator - Nevada Northern District