Amarillo Office of Emergency Management 2019 Prep Expo
Saturday, September 28, 2019, the PARC Van participated in the Amarillo OEM Prep Expo — we had fun hanging out at the van table and sharing ham radio with interested expo attendees. Lots of inquiries about the club and licensing helped make our presence there time well spent. Thanks to those club members who manned the van or stopped by to chat: Ed K5KBV, Charlie W5CEH, Dell AG5QU and kiddos, Daniel KG5KIF, Michael KG5SNX and Sarah KI5BTX and kiddos, Melinda KG5NWD, Mark KG5NWE, William KG5QNJ, Kim WK5X and Dave WA5X.
2019 Panhandle Regional Preparedness Conference *Recap*
The PARC Van and crew attended the Panhandle Regional Preparedness Conference on September 18th at the Amarillo Civic Center. This conference, sponsored by PREMAC is for professional first responders and community volunteers, is always informative and educational. The crew was there to learn and network and made many new contacts that will assist the club in helping maintain amateur radio communications “in the loop” during times of disaster.
Participants:
- Mark Koster KG5NWE
- Melinda Koster KG5NWD
- Kim Opitz WK5X
- David Opitz WA5X
- Michael Powers KG5SNX
- Sarah Powers KI5BTX
Christmas Potluck 2018
**** We had a great time!****
Thanks to all who came out and brought delicious entrees, sides, and desserts (which Ken WB5QLI labeled “mandatory” – HA!) Special thanks to Betty W5UGR for the beautiful tablecloths, festive plates and cups. Congratulations to organizers Kim WK5X and Dave WA5X – we had a fun time with enjoyable fellowship and wonderful food.
A very special thanks to everyone who pitched in to help set up and clear up the tables. These things do not happen on their own, or through the efforts of a few. PARC is truly blessed to have so many wonderful folks!! Merry Christmas everyone…Kim WK5X
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Tri-State Fair Parade 2018
What a fun event! Our “rolling billboard,” the W5WX radio van, represented our club in the 2018 Tri-State Fair Parade – we made important contacts, passed out some info cards and generally had a great time – we’ve got a long list of ideas for next year’s parade so hope more of our members will participate!
Today’s van escort consisted of Kim WK5X, Jamie AB7II, John K5IT, Del AG5QU, Dell’s kids and Melinda KG5NWD.
Panhandle Regional Preparedness Conference
All Hazards – All Disciplines
Thursday, September 27th, 2018 — Amarillo Civic Center
Hosted by the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission and open to responders, community leaders, disaster volunteers and health and medical personnel. Displays included FirstNet/ATT mobile cellular tower and command center display, Randall County Mobile Command Unit and Bomb Squad vehicles, American Red Cross, LifeStar, Pantex, National Weather Service, Grainger and many more including the PARC van with displays about ARRL and amateur radio.
www.r2beready.com for more information on this event and other information on how you and your family can prepare for a disaster-type regional event.
PREP EXPO 2018
Saturday, September 29th from 10 am to 2 pm
Hosted by the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management, this event for the general public offered all kinds of information on how to prepare your family, pets, and livestock for the types of hazards this area might face such as wildland fire and domestic fire to tornados and everything in between. City of Amarillo departments were present, First Responders were there to meet and greet and the PARC van again displayed ARES information and Amateur Radio information.
Lamar Science Day Recap
Annual Christmas Potluck Lunch on December 2, 2017
The food was fabulous and the camaraderie was festive and enjoyable. Our new ARRL WTX Affiliated Club Coordinator John Dyer AE5B and wife Karla K5RLA introduced themselves and even brought door prizes! John gave us all an update on ARRL news and the status of radio related issues being deliberated in Congress.
Special appreciation goes to Betty W5UGR and Maury W5UGQ, organizers of the event, and Henry W5HPJ and Kevin Starbuck, Assistant City Manager-Community Services, for arranging the use of the Simms Municipal Building facilities.
Potluck Recipes:
Spinach and Pepperoni Quiche — Phyllis McCabe
Oriental Salad — Melinda Koster
Lemon Pie : Tartlets — Betty Sproul
Creamy Grape Salad — Kim Opitz
Dump Cake — Danelle Heidingsfelder
Post-Event Recap: Route 66 On The Air
2017 W6I Participating Operators:
K5FS, N5LUL, KK6NTL, K5KBV, WA5X, K5OPI, W2CYV, KG5NWD, KG5NWE
1,389 Total Contacts logged
456 portable (including 336 in Adrian, Tx)
933 in Amarillo
ADRIAN, TX / Exact Mid-point of Route 66
ADRIAN, TX QTH SPECIAL THANKS TO:
MidPoint Cafe
Situated on the actual mid-point of historic Route 66, Dennis, Donna and crew offer great pie and other baked treats along with delicious burgers, hot dogs, and a gift shop filled with Route 66 memorabilia. Dennis was the club’s initial contact in Adrian and smoothed the way for our inaugural portable Route 66 midpoint operations AND kept us well-fed throughout our two weekends of calling CQ W6I and logging contacts. We recommend anything on the menu, especially the PIE! MidPoint Cafe Facebook Page
ADRIAN, TX QTH SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Fabulous 40s Motel
Ramona and Roy Kiewert and family graciously donated a large field and a convenient place to relax or take a break during operating times and a site with electricity to power the portable “shack” and give the generator a break. The Fabulous 40’s Motel offers a comfortable B&B atmosphere complete with recreation room. An RV park is also in their long-term plans and “boon docking” is available upon request. Don’t hesitate to stop and enjoy this nostalgic motel! Fabulous 40’s Google Maps
Ed K5KBV was this year’s event coordinator for W6I – and all us “newbies” out at the portable QTH in Adrian appreciated his enthusiasm, help and guidance!
Thank you to local organizers Howard KD5CEM, Gene WA5ETK, Brad N5LUL and Ed K5KBV for your efforts past, present, and future that make this a fun activity for amateur radio operators in the panhandle and nation-wide! We’re all looking forward to next year’s event!
Pre-Event Info: Route 66 On The Air
Contact Ed K5KBV at (806) 683-5603 to sign up for operating times/band preference.
Everyone is invited to participate in this fun special event — preparations are finalized for “W6I” once again — and, to add even more novelty for operators, the PARC Mobile Operations Van will be in Adrian, TX, the exact middle of Route 66! Operate from your own QTH, or come on out to the van!
Route 66 OTA ADRIAN QTH Info: MidPoint Cafe (thanks to owner Dennis!) offers great pie and other baked treats along with delicious burgers, hot dogs, and a gift shop filled with Route 66 memorabilia. Additionally, the Fabulous 40s Motel (thanks to owner Ramona!) has graciously provided a convenient place to relax or take a break during operating times and a site with electricity for any unforeseen issues that may arise.
Ed K5KBV is this year’s event coordinator for W6I – thanks, Brad, for the help.
Thank you to local organizers Howard KD5CEM, Gene WA5ETK, Brad N5LUL and Ed K5KBV for your efforts past, present, and future that make this a fun activity for amateur radio operators in the panhandle and nation-wide!
July 10 – Boy Scout Radio Badge
Another enjoyable educational event — assisting Carl Jeans with BSA Radio Badge classes he recently held for one of our local Boy Scout troops. Carl talked about the dual band mobile radio and the handy-talkie in the “cab” and Mark demonstrated HF reception in the “operator’s” area. There were many questions about the WAS and Grid Locator maps. We used the Kenwood and a portable ATAS-25 antenna set to 40 meters this go-round, although next time we’ll take Carl up on his offer and see if we can’t get his ham-sticks up in the air for 80 meters!
We also presented one of the younger scouts, Daniel, with an “Altoid” practice key! He was having fun showing his buddies how CW worked (he came to Field Day as well) — we hope he continues his interest in CW. 73 to all these young men exploring the fascinating world of amateur radio!
June 24/25 – Field Day 2017
Coffee, a sturdy shelter, comfy lawn chairs, and lots of pizza, burgers and water are paramount. Operating is fun. W5WX is a phonetic tongue-twister. You never know who will show up at a GOTA station. Having a camper with a bed and heater is a plus. Drones are cool. Mysterious interference is frustrating. Antenna analyzers have limitations. Be prepared for any weather. Relax and enjoy the experience!
Adair KD5DYP reported: “We ended up with 400 CW QSO’s (Thanks Doug Speer!) and 682 phone QSO’s for a total of 1482 QSO points. Claimed score is 2964.”
James AB7II took some awesome pictures:
Cory KD5ROK captured action on his drone:
Looking forward to next year!
May 12 – Lamar Science Day
One of the van’s missions is to be available for educational events to promote Amateur Radio — and Lamar’s Annual Science Day was just perfect for our first outing of this type.
Our team set up three inside stations: RF (demonstrated with SDR and FRS radios), Morse Code (complete with practice Altoid keyers built by Mark KG5NWE) and Energy Transfer (which included a hands-on demonstration built by Robert WR9B). After the students finished the three inside activities, they headed outside to the van and, assisted by Ben W2CYV and Mark KG5NWE, made actual contacts via the north repeater with our remote crew (Brad N5LUL, James AB7II, and Ed K5KBV).
By the end of the day, we had demonstrated for 12 classes and a total of 197 students!
photos courtesy of Gene WA5ETK
April 8 – Skywarn Expo at the Civic Center
PARC and the *new* mobile operations van were there with promotional / educational materials, a practice keyer, “retro texting” code cards, and some fun folks. The van attracted a lot of attention and Brad even made some contacts throughout the day. Thanks to John K5FS, Mark KG5NWE, James AB7II, Brad N5LUL, Melinda KG5NWD and Jim NL7C for manning the info table and/or the van!
PARC in the News
2009 Field Day ARRL Contest Soapbox — submitted by Jim K5BZH
Panhandle Amateur Radio Club 