An experimental “forum” page for all things Amateur Radio or PARC
From the “management:” comments and inquiries will be posted after review process. Obscenities and political rants not accepted – yes, that’s happened before – see above. Have fun and share your knowledge!
Just start typing in the “Leave a Reply” area below …
I am a Disaster Program Specialist with the American Red Cross in the Pahandle and would be very interested in investigating how your group may be able to assist our communities in the event of a disaster. May I join you sometime and have that discussion?
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Hello Betsy, Thanks for reaching out! Would be happy to have a chat about what we may be able to help you guys with. Would you mind sending and email to panhandlearc at gmail.com and we can work on getting connected over the phone or however works best for you. Thanks!
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Hi, Betsy. I am the PARC president, ARES Emergency Coordinator, and CERT team member. What you are asking about is exactly the reason I got into Ham Radio. Feel free to email me or text (806-881-6534) me and we can discuss it more.
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Just wanted to say thanks to Mr. Laur and the other VEs who facilitated the test on 2/6. It was a very friendly group, and I enjoyed the meeting.
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Glad you enjoyed it!
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I’m just checking to see if testing will occur after the 9:30 meeting on 2/6. Not sure if I’m ready, but have been working through the questions on Hamstudy.org. Have also started listening in to the 10:00 am net. Hoping to take the technician exam. Who should I notify? Attempted to email Laurel VEC, but the provided email appears invalid, bounced back. Thanks.
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I’ll check for you – John Laur K5IT is the testing coordinator – his email is johnlaur@gmail.com
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Thank you. I’ll attempt contact at that address.
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Yes, as far as I know, we will be having testing. Good luck and hope to see you there.
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Again, thanks for the information and good wishes. Hope to meet you there too.
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Tanks for the information. I will attempt contact at that address.
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If you are new to Ham Radio or want to get started:
1. Visit http://www.ARRL.org and explore all the resources they have for everyone.
2. Go to YouTube, find videos for Ham Radio Basics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0kVD3JTtY&t=18
3. Come to one of our meetings. We meet on Wednesdays at 11:30 am at John S. park and on the first Saturday of the month at 9:30 am at our building on 1900 line avenue.
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I am a 100% disabled Iraq war Marine veteran. My grandfather was a HAM radio operator and passed while I served. I still remember sitting with him as he did cutting edge stuff like packets over uhf to other engineers overseas etc. I am interested in getting into this, but being wheelchair/ bed bound a significant amount of time I’m not sure I would physically be able to set things up. I still remember my grandfathers number it was K9AVP and I would like to talk to someone who can give me an idea what this would require so I can see if it is even practically doable for me in my situation. Thanks in advance for the feedback.
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Chad, first and foremost, thank you for your service. I do not see any reasons why being in a wheelchair or bedbound would inhibit you from being a Ham. If you would like, I can provide you with a study book to get your license. There are many of us that would be more than happy to help you get set up and running once you get your license. If you want to discuss this more, feel free to contact me at Michael.powers@suddenlink.net or you can text me at 806-881-6534. Texts work best for me because I’m usually at work and it is easier to respond that way. I look forward to hearing from you.
73,
Michael – KG5SNX
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Hello everyone. The 28.360 USB net is alive and kicking. Yes the band isn’t open to DX but local isn’t too bad. Great way for techs to get their feet wet in the fine arts of HF DXing. Yes 28.360 USB is open to technician class licensee’s. Great Idea Xanos (KJ6RKS)!!
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I am considering a ham radio, but know so little about it that I don’t even know where to start. I know I have to have a license, but what equipment is necessary, and how expensive this hobby? I am intrigued with the possibility to be useful during a crisis, but also about just being informed during a crisis.
Any suggestions?
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Hi Dwayne – if you’ve got time to show up at the picnic tomorrow (Oct. 10) you’ll find lots of helpful folks – I personally started out on a Baofeng UV5R type radio – not too expensive and can get you going on the repeaters here in the area. Xenos KJ6RKS also just started up a 10m net and I think a bunch of the members are trying to recondition some 10m radios for loaners to new techs in our club. There are all sorts of different areas you could explore with amateur radio – hope to see you at a meeting! 73-Melinda KG5NWD
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The 10M net is a great way for new hams to get their feet wet in HF. You’ll get some coaching on tuning. You’ll hear Ideas and stories as well.
The UV5R is a fairly decent radio. And using it on a home built J-Pole antenna certainly helps when in a building. Study up, Take the test and would love to hear you on the air. Its by far one of the most rewarding hobbies I’ve taken up!
Everyone is absolute Gold!
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Just to let you know, two of your members are part of our Y.A.C.H.T. young ham team. Anastasia KI5KGE and her dad Del AG5QU. We are impressed with Ana’s on air manner, for 8 yrs. old, she is remarkable. Check us out on F.B. We also have a weekly youth net on Sat. 7pm CDST on our YACHT echolink node #954283. Looks like your club is very active and ham radio is alive and well in the Amarillo area. 73 de KG8CX
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Hello all. I’m not sure if this is the right place to post so forgive me if it’s not. I had a question about the upcoming ham fest. In order to sell, is there a registration or something similar or do you just show up with what you have to sell/trade? Thanks!
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Hi Matthew – just show up – ham radio stuff only, though (long story, I’ll tell ya all about it Saturday 🤣)
73! Melinda KG5NWD
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Sorry, all, I just noticed the “Leave a Reply” area timed out – I think it’s fixed now! Comment on any or all things Amateur Radio, etc. 73! KG5NWD
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Hello Club Members –
This year I have penned several articles having to do with amateur radio and plan to continue until sometime this fall. My schedule is changing and I will have less time as I try getting my hamshack back in order and a few others things completed as we move into the autumn season.
Hopefully another club member will step up and pen a few articles for 2021. Let me state that we should be open to others who have different likes and views than me. In fact I would totally support that path.
Diversity is often a really good thing. Someone who has different interest than me to continue articles in 2021 would likely be far better than a person who has the same views as me. Club members need to have the advantage of looking at pictures from different angles.
You wouldn’t believe how many dropped out of amateur radio when spark was outlawed. As regulations changed and raw AC notes were outlawed a few more dropped out. I knew a few AM operators who entered ham radio in the 1950s and dropped out when the HF dominate voice mode became SSB and what we know as old fashioned AM had all but died.
Regards,
Jim, K5BZH
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Just ran across this feature. Interesting. We had something similar several years ago as the HPARG (High-Plains Amateur Radio Group) on yahoo/groups.
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no metal roof because of the signal being blocked like a faraday shield The operation of a vhf/uhf hand held . transceiver for instance would be blocked
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But that would only apply handhelds, correct? If I was only using outside antennas connected to a transceiver would the metal roof matter? My goal is to turn this room into a faraday cage anyway.
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I have a question for the group. My house, when I bought it had a radio room. I noticed that the house has a metal roof, the back deck area (which comes off the radio room) has a metal roof, but the radio room does not have a metal roof. It looks like they skipped over the radio room. Would there be a radio related reason for this? Any thoughts?
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I guess I’ll be the first to post on here. I asked Melinda to put a forum so that we would have another medium to communicate. My goal is to have anyone be able to post on here to ask or respond to technical questions, future hams that need study help, general radio questions, etc… Sometimes, it is hard to get someone on the radio to ask a question and for soon-to-be hams, impossible. I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Until then, 73.
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It might be worth looking at groups.io. This site is where the Yahoo groups and many tech and radio clubs have set up forums. A W5WX group could be created with provisions for members and non-members to post and see replies. I am not technically versed in how to set it up, only a user sometimes on certain groups such as equipment forums.
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