[SMCARA] Fw: MDC Section News

[Ray]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ARRL MDC Section" <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
To: <Arbyone1 at verizon.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 08:59
Subject: MDC Section News


> ***********************
> MDC Section News
> Vol. 3  No. 3
> March, 2008
> ***********************
>
> * LICENSE CLASSES
> * HAMFESTS
> * SENATE BILL 2
> * SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET
> * NEW AFFILIATED CLUBS
> * T-MARC
> * FOUNDATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO
> * ATLANTIC DIVISION NEWS ITEMS
> * TEACHERS INSTITUTE ON WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
> * LOCAL ITEMS
> * ARRL EXPO 2008 AT DAYTON HAMVENTION
> * STM NET REPORT
> * FINALLY
>
> ==>LICENSE CLASSES
>
> A 12 session General Class license class was just started by the
> Historical Electronics Museum Amateur Radio Club this week.  A two day
> Technician Class will be held April 5-6 by Columbia Amateur Radio
> Association and one on April 6-9 by the Antietam Radio Association.  A
> two day General Class licensing class will be offered by Laurel Amateur
> Radio Club April 12-13 with a test session following the class on April
> 13.  Anyone is welcome to attend the test session.  Anne Arundel Radio
> Club will begin a 10 session General Class on April 19.  For contact
> information please click:
> <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/courses/?state=MD>
>
> ==>HAMFESTS
>
> Baltimore Amateur Radio Club (BARC) will hold it's annual
> Hamboree and Computerfest on March 29 and 30 at the
> Maryland State Fair Grounds in Timonium, Maryland.
>
> Licensing exams will be given by the Laurel VEC VE team
> on Sunday at 9:00 am.
>
> Something new this year that may be of interest to the XYL
> and rest of the family is the Art Show to be held in the
> Home Arts Building.  It will feature young artists and
> professional artists.  For more information or if you are
> an artist or know an artist that would like to register
> for a space please click
> <http://www.gbhc.org/home_arts_bldg.htm>.
>
> Bill (N3WD) Dobson will be checking QSL cards for various
> awards.
>
> The Antietam Radio Association Hamfest will be held on
> Sunday, May 4.  For information please click on:
> <http://www.w3cwc.org/HamFests.html>.  License exams will
> be held at 1 pm by the ARRL VE Team.
>
> Bill (N3WD) Dobson will provide QSL checking.
>
> ==>SENATE BILL 2
>
> The above referenced bill is in the Senate and will shortly be heard in
> the House.  This bill addresses driving while using a mobile phone.  As
> of this writing it contains a definition stating that a "Wireless
> communication device" means: (i) A handheld or hands-free device used
> to access a wireless telephone service; or (ii) A text messaging
> device.  You may read a copy of the bill at
> <http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/bills/sb/sb0002t.pdf> in its entirety
> with corrections.  If the language changes, we may be asking for you to
> contact your senator or delegate.   More as it develops.
>
> ==>SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET
>
> Our monthly third Friday Echolink net will be held this
> Friday, March 21, at 8:00 pm on the WASH_DC node 6154
> server thanks to John (WB3GXW) Creel.  This is a great
> venue to share what interesting things your club, ARES®
> group or you personally are doing in amateur radio.
>
> A number of local repeaters are linked on Echolink so
> that you can check in via RF.  Listen to your repeater
> as some of the control ops put an announcement on during
> the day.
>
> ==>NEW AFFILIATED CLUBS
>
> The Heritage Harbour Amateur Radio Society in Annapolis
> affiliated in December and is based in a retirement
> community.
>
> They will be able to provide situational awareness during
> an emergency for their community.  For information about
> the club and its activities, please contact Walter
> (AB4DQ) Van Gieson at: wvg at attglobal.net.
>
> We also welcome the Damascus Emergency Communications
> Team on recently becoming an Affiliated ARRL Club.
>
> If you live in that area and are interested in finding
> out more about the club, please contact Richard (WA1KQP)
> Dobson by e-mail at: rndobson at verizon.net.
>
> ==>T-MARC
>
> The Middle Atlantic FM and Repeater Council held their
> general meeting on Sunday, February 17th.  Their new
> board of director members were introduced and each of
> their jobs was described.
>
> There has been quite a few frequency coordination changes
> since the first of the year.  If you'd like to keep abreast of the
> latest T-MARC news, click on:
> <http://tmarc.org/tm-news.html>.
>
> ==>FOUNDATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO
>
> For information about scholarships please click:
> <www.foundationforamateurradio.org>.
>
> ==>ATLANTIC DIVISION NEWS ITEMS
>
> Bill (N3LLR) Edgar, Atlantic Division Director continues
> to lead us in new directions.  In February, he presented
> a very well attended and successful club "webinar."
>
> Below are two upcoming webinars open to all.  If you are
> interested, please click the registration site and attend.
>
> A future webinar will be directed towards 'grab-and-go'
> kits.  Don't miss these very informative sessions.
>
> For a webinar meeting you are given a phone number to
> call so you can listen or ask a question.  You should
> also be simultaneously connected to a website so that you
> can view presentations.  With many folks having unlimited
> long distance calling through their ISP or having plenty
> of minutes on their cell phones, the webinar provides an
> excellent way to pass information and avoid travel and
> finding accessible meeting space.
>
> On Saturday, April 19th from 11 am to 12 pm, meet with
> ARRL's Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager,
> Dennis (K2DCD) Dura, who will present information about
> the ARRL's EmComm program and what he's been working on.
>
> This webinar/teleconference is for club members, ARES®
> members, Section Managers, Section Cabinet Staff and
> those interested in emergency communications.
>
> You can register for this webinar at:
> <https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/874893521>.
>
> On Saturday, May 24 from 11 am to 12 pm, meet with ARRL's
> Media and Public Relations Manager, Allen (W1AGP) Pitts,
> who will present information about the ARRL's new public
> relations program for 2008.
>
> This webinar/teleconference is for Public Information
> Officers, Public Information Coordinators, club members,
> ARES® members, Section Managers, Section Cabinet Staff
> and those interested in public relations as it pertains
> to amateur radio.
>
> You can register for this webinar at:
> <https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/939266067>.
>
> For more information about Atlantic Division
> Teleconferences/Webinars, you can go to the Atlantic
> Division Website Training page located at:
> <http://www.atldiv.org/training>.
>
> ==>TEACHERS INSTITUTE ON WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
>
> If you know a teacher who would be interested in this
> excellent learning opportunity, please pass this on.
> If you are a teacher, please look at the site for more
> information.  By training over 100 teachers through this
> workshop, the ARRL estimates that they will touch over
> 30,000 children in their classes.  We always talk about
> how to reach youngsters, but here's a way to take
> action.
>
> The Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI) is
> a week long, in-residence learning opportunity designed
> for motivated teachers and other school staff who want
> to learn more about wireless technology and bring that
> knowledge to their students.  A variety of topics are
> covered during the 4 days of the TI including basic
> wireless technology literacy, electronics, and the
> science of radio; bringing space into the classroom;
> amateur radio operation; introduction to micro
> controllers; and basic robotics.
>
> The Teachers Institute is only the beginning of a
> participant's exploration with wireless technology.
>
> The goal of the TI program is to equip each teacher with
> necessary foundational knowledge, and through hands-on
> learning, generate the inspiration for teachers to
> continue to explore wireless technology and adapt
> relevant content into their classroom instruction.
>
> Teachers Institute opportunities are virtually free for
> the participants.  The grant to attend a TI covers
> transportation, hotel, a modest per-deem to cover meals,
> instructional resources for the electronics,
> microcontroller, and robotics segments of the course,
> and a resource library of relevant ARRL publications.
>
> The application to attend a Teachers Institute is very
> simple.
>
> Download and complete the application, indicating the
> dates you would like to attend, in order of preference.
>
> Send a cover letter on school letterhead, signed by you
> and a school administrator, along with the application,
> stating that you would like to attend.
>
> Be sure to include contact information that is good
> during school and summer (phone number, address, e-mail).
>
> Make sure the e-mail address(es) you provide (at school
> and/or at home) will accept e-mails from the ETP
> coordinator (mspencer at arrl.org).
>
> Mail the letter and application to Mark Spencer,
> Education & Technology Program Coordinator, at the
> address below.
>
> If you have questions, please contact:
>
> Mark Spencer, WA8SME
> ETP Coordinator
> 774 Eastside Rd., Coleville, CA 96107
> mspencer at arrl.org
> or by phone at 530-495-9150 (PST)
>
> ==>LOCAL ITEMS
>
> PRGE ARES® held a very successful Saturday morning show
> and tell on 'grab-and-go' kits.  Members brought in
> their kits to display and many excellent ideas were
> exchanged on items in the kit, antennas, and different
> configurations of battery/power supply and radios.
>
> ==>ARRL EXPO 2008 AT DAYTON HAMVENTION
>
> ARRL EXPO is a showcase of exhibits and activities to
> enhance your amateur radio experience.  Open to members
> and nonmembers, the ARRL EXPO is jam-packed with
> official ARRL program representatives, activities
> (including activities for youth) and forums.
>
> You may visit the ARRL bookstore for popular
> publications and products, join or renew your ARRL
> membership and pick up official ARRL merchandise.
>
> The ARRL EXPO 2008 will be held in Hara Arena's large
> exhibit area located in the Ballarena Hall (near the
> 400-numbered booths) during the Dayton Hamvention,
> Thursday May 16th through Sunday May 18th in Dayton,
> Ohio.
>
> For more information, click on:
> <http://www.arrl.org/announce/nc/2008/dayton.html>.
>
> ==>STM NET REPORT
>
> MDC NTS NETS:
>
> MEPN 0802 W3YVQ QND/29 QNI/316 QTC/125 MINS/1358
> BTN 0802 K3CSX QND/29 QNI/316 QTC/118 MINS/669
> MDD 0802 AA3SB QND/58 QNI/265 QTC/141 MINS/571
> MSN 0802 W8CPG QND/29 QNI/171 QTC/98 MINS/736
>
> PSHR: KK3F 140, W3YVQ 130, K3CSX 120, WB4FDT 100,
> AA3SB 100, W3CB 93, K3IN 90, N3ZOC 90, KB3LFG 76;
>
> TFC: KK3F 1613 (BPL), AA3SB 208, W3YVQ 196,
> KB3LNM 151, WB4FDT 114, N3ZOC 106, K3CSX 74, K3IN 59,
> W3CB 34, KB3LFG 28, KC3Y 3.
>
> ==========
> Note: The MEPN has returned to the normal starting time
> of 1800L (as of March 10, 2008) on 3820 or 3821 kHz for
> liaisons and regular business.  An informal session will
> be conducted starting at 1730L or as soon as stations
> are able to get on.
>
> If propagation is very poor, MEPN may shift to 160m on
> 1920 kHz +/-.  Traffic may be pushed to counties via WL2K,
> and the STM will take outbound traffic via WL2K as needed.
> Additional backup will make use of the ERP 2m net
> frequencies and/or Echolink on the WASH_DC conference
> bridge as announced on MEPN.
>
> MSN (3563 kHz 1930L, daily, W8CPG) is the slow speed CW
> traffic handling and net-operating training net.
>
> Daily liaisons from all jurisdictions are needed on our
> Section nets:
> MEPN (3820 kHz, 1800L, daily, W3YVQ),
> MDD (3557 kHz, 1900L/2200L, daily, AA3SB), and
> BTN (146.67/R, alt. 145.33/R, 1830L, daily, K3CSX).
>
> MANUAL NET OPERATIONS
> Each MDC ARES  jurisdiction is requested to provide a
> liaison to at least one of the three nets above on a
> daily basis for both traffic outlets and emergency
> communications preparedness.
>
> DIGITAL OPERATIONS
> If jurisdictions can not assign stations for daily
> contact via the nets above, they should advise the call
> sign of an interim selected target station to receive
> and originate messaging for the jurisdiction on a daily
> basis (via a winlink.org address, or Echolink via the
> WASH_DC conference bridge, or an email address) between
> 1800L and 1930L daily. The EC (default), AEC, or any
> other designated station may perform this task.
>
> ---
> All jurisdictions are encouraged to develop and deploy
> manual net, Winlink (WL2K) and Echolink liaisons to
> ensure Section-wide emergency communications
> preparedness for infrastructure independent ICS/NIMS
> and welfare support. Please advise the STM of your
> assigned representatives for all of the modes above.
> The Section database will provide the means to advise
> all jurisdictions of the available target stations on
> winlink.org and other routes.
>
> NTS/NTSD radiogram messaging is handled via authorized
> Section stations and liaisons per specified routing.
> Single and multiple welfare and agency radiograms may
> be sent via Batch Files to the designated NTSD
> representatives on winlink.org (contact the STM). All
> radiograms sent via email or WL2K must contain a
> request to confirm receipt of the message(s),
> using an HXC in the subject line, prompting a reply
> message from the recipient.
>
> See the NTS NETS, MDC ERP Summary, individual net tabs,
> and the WL2K tutorials (general information topics) at
> the Section Manager's web page.  Note the changes to
> the CMS in the Winlink 2000 telnet server addresses:
> <www.arrl-mdc.net>.
>
> Please remember the deadline for net reports to any NM
> is 48 hours after the session run. Net, SAR and PSHR
> reports to the STM are due no later than the 6th of the
> following month.
>
> Thank you.
> ---
>
> ->From the recently released ARRL NERPC report "Messaging
> Recommendations" (extracts):
>
> "1. The establishment of semi-automatic networks should be
> considered a priority for surviving and mutual assistance
> resources, but never to the exclusion of voice networks.
> Forward-based, self-contained mobile or portable equipment
> should include provisions for all modes of message
> transport possible, including voice, NTS-Digital, Winlink
> 2000, WiFi, and others that may be developed in the future.
> When possible, out-of-area gateway stations should be
> identified and scheduled to handle messaging in the most
> efficient method available to both ends of the circuit. If
> prior arrangements are not possible, the gateway stations
> in the affected area should immediately identify out-of-area
> capabilities, and set up the most efficient method of
> message transfer possible."
>
> "8. It must become and remain a perpetual priority for the
> ARRL and ARES to enhance training in basic message
> handling, particularly with respect to message accuracy
> through the major communication phases of transport and
> delivery."
> ---
>
> Thanks to all for your continued support of integrated
> ARES® and NTS/NTSD operations.
>
> 73, W3YVQ, MDC STM
> w3yvq at arrl.net
>
> ==>FINALLY
>
> Please check my website often for links in current information:
> <www.arrl-mdc.net>
>
> If you would like me to come to your club or ARES group for a
> presentation, please let me know.   I've been learning how to do
> powerpoint presentations.
>
> Also, I'd like to thank Al (KZ3AB) Brown who is a huge friend to
> amateur radio balancing many tasks and really works hard trying to keep
> me focused.
>
> 73, and I am at your service
>
> Jim (WI3N) Cross
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Maryland-DC Section
> Section Manager: James E. Cross, WI3N
> wi3n at arrl.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
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