[HIham] SM Report

Sat May 21 04:24:29 EDT 2011

This report covers Mid-Apr 2011 to Mid-May 2011

According to many sources, the tornados & flooding in the mainland U.S. not
only caused widespread damage but also destroyed a lot of communications
infrastructure.   For example in the city of Tuscaloosa, the entire
emergency communications system was wiped out by a tornado. It was only
through reports filed by radio amateurs that first responders began to learn
the magnitude of the devastation to that city. 

The on the air event for Makani Pahili 2011 exercise is on Saturday May 28.
Some agencies are already doing planning for the event. It is not just an
Amateur Radio event.   The simulated Hurricane exercise is to better
identify problems that might happen in case of another real hurricane.  This
exercise is very important especially because of the just past tsunami
event, the start of hurricane season and the upcoming APEC conference in
November.  On 5/14 the Maui node of the SCD VHF RACES repeater network was
restored.  All repeaters (Lihue, Diamond Head, Mt Haleakala and Mauna Loa)
are available for inter-island calls and emergency traffic, and to
communicate state-wide. The restoration occurred ahead of the annual
State-wide hurricane exercise Makani Pahili.  The repeater system will be
used for coordination, and for handling simulated emergency messages. See:

 <http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/emcomm/makani-pahili-11.html>
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/emcomm/makani-pahili-11.html

As a reminder, amateurs are encouraged to limit their contacts during times
of non-emergencies to no more than 15 minutes to encourage all to monitor
the inter-island network for breaking developments.  Of course, during any
emergency strict net discipline will be used.  Tnx Ron Hashiro, AH6RH and
others.

Part of the preparation process is training.  Kevin Bogan, AH6QO and Bart
Aranoff, WH6AA are teaching and coordinating a series of Technician Class
License Preparation classes for the HAH.  Kevin just completed two years as
Vice Chair of HSVOAD and will continue as Chair of the Communications
Committee.  He plans to also teach License classes for Catholic Charities
and other members of VOAD.  Your SM has been elected as Vice Chair for East
Hawaii Island VOAD on Feb 15.  Bob Anderson, KH6AS, is chair of the Kauai
VOAD group.  VOAD stands for volunteer agencies active in disasters and
includes Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Food bank, many churches and
ARRL.

Appointments such as District Emergency Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator,
assistant DEC, assistant EC and Official Emergency Station are available.
Contact your SM, SEC or consult the ARRL webpages for more information.

Milt Nodacker, AH6I, said he is conducting a six week Technician class on
Thursday evenings at the Kilauea Ave. LDS church, starting April 14 and
ending May 26. He plans to test on Saturday May 28 at the Kilauea Ave. LDS
church.  The class is a project of the LDS, not of BIARC. Cost for exams is
now $15. Some VE prefer cash and other check.  Check with them for details.

The HealthComm net is on the 1st Saturday of each month.  June 4th at 9AM is
the next one.  Starting 3.888 MHz SSB, next 7.080 MHz SSB, last 5.371.5 MHZ
USB 50w PEP.  

June 25 & 26, 2011, is the annual ARRL
<http://kauaiarc.org/Field%20Day%20is%20an%20opportunity%20to%20pack%20a%20l
ot%20of%20Amateur%20Radio.pdf> Field Day.  Contact your local club for their
FD location and times.  So far EARC/KARC will be at
<http://www.karc.net/OperatingEvents/FieldDay/Directions.pdf> Kualoa Park on
windward Oahu.  BIARC will be at Wailoa Visitors center in Hilo. The HI QRP
club will be at Leleiwi Park also in Hilo.   The Kauai club will be at
Nawiliwili Yacht club however they have not posted their location on the
ARRL field day locater page. It is http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator.
Only three clubs are posted at this time.

KALAUPAPA DXPEDITION:   Bev AH6NF reports that the Kalaupapa DxPedition is a
definite "go" for Hawaii QSO Party weekend Aug 27/28 and will be operating
as one of Hawaii's event stations. Many thanks to Joe AH0A and Bart WH6AA
who worked with the National Park Service and the State Department of Health
to make this happen. Six members and two alternates have been chosen for the
team.  A charter flight will transport them there, and they will operate
from Kalaupapa Settlement. The effort will be funded by those making the
trip. Joe Speroni is leading a group, including some on the team, to help
interested Kalaupapa residents (Park Service, Department of Health and
patients) in obtaining their ham radio licenses and acquiring equipment for
an emergency communications setup.  

 <http://www.karc.net/OperatingEvents/HawaiiQSOParty/HIQSOPartyRules.html>
http://www.karc.net/OperatingEvents/HawaiiQSOParty/HIQSOPartyRules.html

The Big Island International Hamfest will be Sat. October 22, 2011 at the
Waimea community center, at 16-1260 Kawaihae Rd. (next to the ball field off
Mamalahoa Hwy) Kamuela, HI 96743. Hours are 10AM to around 3PM. Doors open
9AM for setup. Please stay for cleanup.  Sponsored by Big Island ARC, Kona
ARS, and Kohala Hamakua ARC. The event is free however registration at the
door is required and donations will be accepted to offset costs. Sellers are
asked for a donation of part their sales. There will be BIARC ARRL Testing
session about noon. Please note that this is a non-commercial event that
promotes the trading of equipment and information between hams and the
general public and to promote the open exchange of information concerning
the benefits of exploring Ham Radio as a hobby. Talk in will be on the
BIWARN system.  The 147.16+ repeater on Hualalai is down at the moment
however the Waimea Hospital on 147.92+ is up.  Both have a 100Hz tone.  A
trip to Hualalai is pending.  It is suspected that it took a lightning
strike.  There will be light refreshments.   Web URLs:
<http://www.biarc.net/> http://www.biarc.net/ and
<http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/pacific-section>
http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/pacific-section

Contact:  John Buck, KH7T - PO BOX 489 - Kamuela HI 96743 Phone:
808-885-9718 - email: kh7t at arrl.net or Bob Schneider, AH6J - P.O. Box 131 -
Keaau, HI 96749 Phone: 808-966-8146 - email: ah6j at arrl.net

Barbara Darling, NH7FY is the overall QSL manager for Hawaii however
distribution takes place at many club meeting.  Check your local club for
details.  If in doubt send several SASE envelopes directly to Barbara.
Remember the postage rate just went up.

The latest repeater listing for the State of Hawaii can be found at: 
 <http://www.hawaiirepeaters.net/coordinated.htm>
http://www.hawaiirepeaters.net/coordinated.htm 

Check Ron Hashiro’s, AH6RH, websites for more information on several
subjects.  Ron was featured on Newsline report 1740 on December 17.  It can
be heard on the Newsline conference on Echolink.

 <http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/emcomm/makani-pahili-09.html>
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/emcomm/makani-pahili-09.html 

 <http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/in-hawaii.html>
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/in-hawaii.html .

 <http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/cellular-phone-ordinance.html>
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/cellular-phone-ordinance.html

For other information about the Pacific section check the ARRL Pacific
Section website.   <http://www.arrl.org/Groups/view/pacific-section>
http://www.arrl.org/Groups/view/pacific-section . 

Effective May 1st, the ARRL has changed program administrators and insurance
companies for its ARRL-sponsored Equipment Insurance and Club Liability
insurance plans. The League has signed an agreement with
<http://arrlinsurance.com/> Hays Affinity Group to serve as the program
administrator to provide equipment insurance to its members who choose to
elect coverage. In addition, Hays will also provide club liability insurance
to ARRL Affiliated Clubs for those clubs that wish to take advantage of that
program. Hays will be replacing Marsh Affinity Group Services as the
program’s administrator and will be introducing new policies for both plans,
underwritten by the Hanover Insurance Company.

The Kauai ARC Saturday morning breakfast has changed location again.  They
are moving around looking for a new home for the Sat. breakfast.  They are
now meeting at Dani’s Restaurant @ 4200 Rice St., in Lihue.  Any visiting
hams and their family are welcome to join in.  The regular meeting is in the
first Monday of the month at 7PM.  See the KARC website for more
information.  The next first Monday is June 6th.  They had their third Ham
Radio Swap Meet at the Nawiliwili Yacht club from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Saturday, May 14th.  They got two new General Class licensees and one new
Technician in the month of April.  Congratulations to: Craig Harwell, WH6DQP
– William Miller, QH6DSC – and Ruth Montalbano, WH6DSD.   

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, - The Kauai Visitor Industry Charity Walk will be
held.  See KARC webpage for details.

On Saturday, July 23, 2011, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  The Kauai ARC will hold a
Radio Direction Finder Fox Hunt in the Lihue area.  All licensed Amateur
Radio operators are invited to participate in this First Annual event.
This is a basic level, single hidden transmitter fox hunt. Advanced
equipment such as a Doppler antenna or any computer assisted equipment is
not allowed.  All teams will stay together during the hunt. The names of
team members will also be recorded.  See the following link for basic
information on RDF fox hunting
<http://www3.sympatico.ca/alduncan/ham/RDFing.pdf>
http://www3.sympatico.ca/alduncan/ham/RDFing.pdf

The May meeting of the Honolulu Amateur Radio Club will be held this
Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the SIZZLER at PEARL RIDGE (Usual location). The
meeting will begin at 0900, come earlier for breakfast before the meeting.
Your QSL Bureau Cards may be picked up at the meeting.  We do not have a
speaker for this meeting so a discussion of the Tsunami in Japan, DX,
Contests, band conditions, and such usual ham topics should be expected.
The one man expedition to Trinidad (PP0T) has been on the air for several
weeks.   A large group in route to T32 will stop in Hawaii later in the
year.   I have not heard of any damage to any Amateur Radio Stations from
the recent rain and high wind so I hope no one was impacted. Tnx John, K1ER

In Honolulu If you would like to upgrade your license, OR, have a friend who
would like to become an Amateur Radio Operator this note is for you.  At
0700 on Saturday May 21, 2011 (before the Honolulu Amateur Radio Club
meeting) there will be an ARRL VE test session for all classes of Amateur
Radio License.  We will also administer FCC Commercial License exams. The
test site is the Sizzler restaurant at Pearl Ridge.  Lots of free parking
and you can get breakfast too.  In order to ensure that we have the correct
exams (and enough of them) for you; you MUST call in advance.  Call 247-0587
and ask for Lee and let him know which license you want.  Call after 9 AM
but before 9PM.   Any question you may have about the test will be answered
during that phone call.  If you know anyone who wants to get a new license
or upgrade, please pass this note to them.    Aloha and good luck.  John
K1ER, Pres. Honolulu ARC

The last meeting of the Ko’olau ARC on May 14th was about software-defined
radios (SDR).  Presented by Walt Niemczura, AH6OZ.  "Radio to computer
interfaces has been around for over a decade. Starting with serial
communications through a "trick box" to generate CW and through the parallel
port to do SSB the concept of computer controlled rigs continues to advance.
Currently you can control almost all aspect of radio operation by a
computer. There is a new generation of radios, "SDR" or software defined
radios, on the market that has taken the concept of computer control to the
next level. Truly a "black box" these rigs have evolved to the point that
never before imagined control of the transmit and receive signals is now
possible.” He reviewed the current state of the art and gave a glimpse into
what the future of ham radio might look like in as little as two years. 

The next meeting is Saturday June 11th at Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens
Visitor's Center on Luluku Road, Kaneohe from 9:30 AM to noon.  For
directions see: 
 <http://karc.net/ClubInfo/karcmap.html>
http://karc.net/ClubInfo/karcmap.html

THE PAC RATS MEET MONTHLY AT VARIOUS DXers AND CONTESTERS QTHs. 

MEETINGS START AT 7:30 PM ON NON-CONTEST DAYS. 

SEE CQ MAGAZINE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

THE CLUB GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE DX AND CONTESTS OPERATORS AND IMPROVEMENT IN
TECHNIQUES AND SCORES.

CALL THE CLUB SECTRY @ (OAHU) 247-7373 FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS.

SEE YOU. Lee, KH6BZF.

The regular meeting of the Maui ARC is the 2nd Wed. The next meeting will be
June 8th.  Their last meeting on May 11, at the CD Emergency Operating
Center (Maui EOC) was to make Field Day plans.  They will set up on Friday
June 24th.   Tnx Diane, KH6PO 

The Maui VE team will have exams on Aug. 6 & Dec. 3, 2011. The session
begins at 9AM at the Mahaolu Elua community hall at 200 Hina Ave in Kahului.
Contact Mel, KH6H, at 808-250-4591 for more info.  

KHRC (Kohala Hamakua RC) will next meet on Wednesday June 8th at Tutu’s
House, in Waimea

At their last meeting, on May 14th, the Big Island ARC members decided not
to cancel the June meeting.  The next meeting will be Saturday June 11th and
will be Field Day planning.  They meet at the Keaau Community Center at 2PM.

Here are some of the other things happening this coming month.

May 21-22 -- UN DX Contest; Aegean RTTY Contest; His Majesty King of Spain
Contest (CW); EU PSK DX Contest; Baltic Contest

Astronaut Doug Wheelock, KF5BOC, will be one of the guests at the Dayton
Hamvention May 20-22.

May 25 -- SKCC Sprint

May 25-26 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

May 27 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder

May 28-29 -- CQ WW WPX Contest (CW)

June 2 -- QRP Minimal Art Session

June 10-11 -- The National ARRL convention will be in Plano Texas.

See the  <http://www.arrl.org/contests> ARRL Contest Branch page, the
<http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update> ARRL Contest Update,
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> WA7BNM Contest Calendar
and the events listing on the ARRL website for more information.

Tornadoes and Thunderstorms Keep Radio Amateurs Busy in Midwest, Southeast;
http://www.arrl.org/news/tornadoes-and-thunderstorms-keep-radio-amateurs-bus
y-in-midwest-southeast

James McLaughlin, WA2EWE/T6AF, Killed by Afghan pilot.
http://www.arrl.org/news/james-mclaughlin-wa2ewe-t6af-killed-by-afghan-pilot

Find an ARRL Field Day Station near You; 

http://www.arrl.org/news/find-an-arrl-field-day-station-near-you

HR 607. ARRL Scores Partial Victory in ReconRobotics  

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-scores-partial-victory-in-reconrobotics-procee
ding

World Radio Labs Founder Leo Meyerson, WØGFQ (SK); Hams Provide
Communications Support during West Texas Wildfires;  

http://www.arrl.org/news/hams-provide-communications-support-during-west-tex
as-wildfires

Providing a Way for Others to Communicate with the ISS.
http://www.arrl.org/news/from-the-hearts-providing-a-way-for-others-to-commu
nicate-with-the-iss

FCC Launches Complete Overhaul of Website;  

 <http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-launches-complete-overhaul-of-website>
http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-launches-complete-overhaul-of-website

73,

Bob Schneider – AH6J

ARRL Pacific Section Manager

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™
 <mailto:ah6j at arrl.org> ah6j at arrl.org

808-966-8146