[OFARC] Fw: STX Newsletter - May 2015

Tue Jun 2 09:22:13 EDT 2015

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ARRL Members Only Web site" <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
To: <ke5hdf at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2015 9:18 AM
Subject: STX Newsletter - May 2015


> STX Section Newsletter – May 2015
> CQ CQ,
>
> This has been a tough week all across Texas. We have experienced
> unprecedented flooding and tornadic activity at the same time.  There
> has been untold property damage and sadly, loss of life.  I have heard
> some details on your involvement and know that the strong tradition of
> South Texas Amateurs are out helping either via ham radio weather nets,
> manning EOC’s or maybe assisting through the Red Cross, CERT or other
> ways.
>
> I hope all of you came out of this Memorial Day event safe and suffered
> minimal damage, and if not please let us know any way we can be of help
> to you.  In either case, I know you are out there giving back to the
> community and I thank you greatly for those contributions. I know you
> are giving Amateur Radio a good name.  - Lee
>
> GOOD NEWS!
>
> HB 939, the Standby Generator bill as amended, passed the House today
> 140 to 0.  It had previously passed the Senate 31 to 0.  The bill now
> goes to the Governor for his signature.  If he signs, the bill becomes
> law immediately.
>
> Passing this legislation was a hard hard fight.  John Stratton has done
> a great job at the Capitol.  He has put in an enormous amount of time
> and personal money into the project.  I have no idea how many hours
> were dedicated to the effort.  Be sure to personally thank John for his
> successful efforts the next time you see him.
>
> GRASS ROOTS LOBBYING COURSE AT HAMCOM
>
> Back around 2007 we had several issues we were dealing with in the
> legislature.  On one hand there were a number of cell phone bills that
> had language harmful to hams that needed to be killed or reworded.  On
> the other side we had an aggressive plan to pass a multi-part bill that
> included Flagpoles, Generators and PRB-1 tower relief.
>
> The members of this section stepped up when asked and helped to kill
> off the cell phone bills (actually we succeeded in getting exemption
> language added to protect us). You all did a fantastic job.  Sadly, we
> were not so successful on our other bill.  A lesson learned was to step
> back and tackle them as individual bills instead on one big one and we
> have since seen the successful passing of the Flag pole bill last
> session and the generator bill this time.
>
> The next legislation to be proposed for Texas is the Tower and Antenna
> Bill.   Passing a Tower and Antenna Bill in Texas is not going to be an
> easy one.  Without a significant ground swell of support from the
> membership it will be a hard battle.
>
> One of the best ways you can help is by becoming a trained and
> certified member of our Grassroots Lobbying. David has arranged for us
> to get a formal training class to help us be better prepared.  This
> class will be held at Hamcom on Saturday June 13th following the ARRL
> session.
>
> To be successful in the next session We will desperately need your
> trained assistance. I would ask you to consider attending this session
> and becoming part of our boots on the ground team. Preregistration is
> desired, but not required.  The course is an open course.  Anyone can
> attend.  For those who chose to preregister, a Course Handbook on
> Grassroots Lobbying and a personalized Certificate of Completion will
> be presented to those who do.  Course completion qualifies participants
> to apply to become a Legislative Action Assistant in the West Gulf
> Division.
>
> In order to receive a Course Handbook on Grassroots Lobbying and a
> personalized Certificate of Completion, you must preregister. Send an
> E-Mail requesting preregistration to:
>
> David Woolweaver, K5RAV
> K5rav at arrl.org
>
> Include in the E-Mail your request to attend the Grassroots
> LobbingCourse, your name as you wish it on the Certificate of
> Completion, your call sign and your mailing address.
>
> 1.  Request to preregister for Grassroots Course
> 2.  Name as you wish it on the Certificate of Completion
> 3.  Call sign
> 4.  Mailing address
>
> If you preregister, Director Woolweaver will have your Course Handbook
> available at the beginning of the session and your Certificate of
> Completion immediately after the session.
>
> Deadline for preregistration is June 3, 2015.  Registrations received
> after that date will not be honored.  No unassigned Course Handbooks
> will be available at the Forum.
>
> EC-001 CLASS IN CENTRAL TEXAS
>
> I have received many requests from members that want to take the ARRL
> EC-001 course but would like to do it in a live classroom setting.  I
> am hoping to arrange a number of these across the section BUT We have
> pinned down dates, times, and a location for an EC-001 class in the
> Austin area.
>
> This is a FREE class. The only costs are to sit for the formal exam.
> If you attend the course you will receive a certificate from South
> Texas ARES for completion.  If you would like to receive national
> credit then you will need to sit for the final exam.
>
> WHERE: The Jester Annex on E. Old Settlers Blvd in Round Rock TX
> MAP:  https://goo.gl/maps/BiFg
> WHEN: 6 excitement-filled Mondays from 6pm to 10pm, starting July 20
> through Aug 24.
> WHO: Any ham who would like to take it
>
> I have setup a status page at www.k5ktf.com/ec001/ that also has a link
> to a form I would like any interested persons to fill out, so I know who
> and how many will be coming.
>
> Please pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested but
> might not be on any of the lists that this went out to.  73 Jim K5KTF
> Cedar Park TX
>
> Harris County HCOHSEM
>
> This story is from last month and is a nice oversight of the Harris
> County OEM /HCOHSEM and mentions Amateur Radio and quotes from our own
> Joey Clements.
> “
> We trained more than 300 radio operators in 2014. That is three times
> the number from the previous year,” said HCOHSEM Logistics Chief Joey
> Clements. “Texas is second nationwide in the number of licensees, with
> more than 50,000 amateurs. By utilizing the DHS AUXCOM class, we have
> trained a cadre of hams in public safety systems.”
>
> The story is even more relevant considering the past few days that
> Houston has been experiencing.
> Link for story is:
> http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/west_university/news/new-communications-center-vital-element-to-harris-county-emergency-operations/article_f4adc28b-a695-54f7-ba8b-3489480d1556.html
>
> South Texas Section ASM for Scouting
>
> I would like to welcome aboard to my team Les Mignerey, KB0MEF.  Les
> has taken on the challenges of promoting Ham Radio and Scouting in STX.
> He has formed a team with several others in the Section that have a
> strong interest in both Scouting and Ham Radio.  I have been following
> their discussions and it sounds like they have some great ideas.
> Looking forward to seeing more involvement throughout the Section.
>
> IF you are part of a team coordinating a Hamfest or event in STX I
> would like you to consider involving the Scouts in your event, similar
> to the way Hamcom does every year.  Reach out to Les to discuss.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Lee
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL South Texas Section
> Section Manager: Lee H Cooper, W5LHC
> w5lhc at arrl.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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