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2023 Spokane Ham Fest Canceled (Again)

Just a note that I received the following from Vice Director Mark Tharp, KB7HDX this morning. I'm passing it along to all Division members, just in case.

"The Spokane Hamfest, September 23rd, has been canceled. The School had a last minute student event come up and the organizers could not find a replacement venue in enough time to relocate."

73;
Mike
W7VO

Sept 2023 In Person Amateur Radio License Testing

There will be ARRL in person amateur radio license testing (Volunteer Examiner license testing) on Sept. 17th at 1 PM in Kennewick. All license classes testing will be available. If new to Amateur (Ham) Radio, you must go to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Web site and register for a FRN number which you must have to test (https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-...). If upgrading, you must bring in a copy of your current license which we must send in with the rest of your paperwork. This test session uses no computers, just pencil and paper. This is in-person testing only. Pre-registration is required by Sept 14. Test location will be provided when registering. Questions or to register please contact Mike at 509-783-6236.

Richard Bogert's picture

SALMON RUN 2023 Washington State QSO party

The 16th and 17th of September is the Washington State QSO party called "SALMON RUN". W7AZ will be on the air activating Benton County. The contest hours are Saturday 9 AM to 12 PM and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM. Modes are Phone and CW. No digital is allowed.
Fro contest rules, go to: https://salmonrun.wwdxc.org/rules/

Richard Bogert's picture

September Club Meeting - Monday September 4th 7PM

The September Club Meeting will be at 7 PM at the Kennewick Red Cross Office, 7202 W Deschutes Ave. There will be a number of interesting projects to tlk about as well as results from our HAM SHACK Light House Weekends.
There will be a multiband QRP antenna and a FOX HOLE radio to talk about and share.
Use the side door at the Red Cross Office. Anyone interested in Ham Radio is welcome to attend.

Richard Bogert's picture

Starlink Sats may be causing interference.

I was sent this from a ham in Arizona. I am sharing it with you now.
Dear Fellow Hams,

A recent study discovered that 47 out of 68 tested Starlink Satellites were leaking RF radiation, far outside their GHz authorized frequencies. The researchers discovered that RF was leaking into the frequencies from 110 to 188 MHz and of course our 2-meter band falls right in the middle. Also of even more importance is the aeronautical frequencies from 108 to 136 MHz that pilots and air traffic controllers use to conduct safe traffic separation (voice starts at 118.0 MHz, navigation aids are below 118.0 down to 108.0 MHz).

At this time, I could not find any discussion as to whether the StarLink RF leakage is actually interfering with any comms between 110 and 188 MHz since this is just a very recent study. However the fact that some of the Starlink satellites were quiet but others were transmitting (leaking) in the 110 to 188 MHz frequencies should indicate that there is a RF quality problem with some of the Starlink birds. Since some of the signals used in this frequency band are considered to be weak signal (aircraft navigational stations and ACARS text messaging to airline cockpits for example), if any reports do develop about interference to aviation comms, you can bet that the FCC will be all over the problem. This will be a difficult problem to observe as the Starlink satellites are traveling at 17,000 MPH and so you might have one satellite exhibiting no leakage and the next one behind it will be a "leaker". It may turn out that there is no interference detected that is harmful to earth comms from Starlink but there are many other constellations of satellites that still need to be tested for RF leakage.

You can read more at: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/unintended-satellite-emission...

KK9HAM's picture

Updated files in "New Ham Kit"

We have updated and expanded the files in our NEW HAM KIT area. We now have more relevant information for new and aspiring HAMs TCARC-HAM-INTRO-101.pdf to help them get started.

If you have one of those popular Baofeng radios, we have a nice, english and detailed operations manual UV-5RV2+ User Manual.pdf and a quick and dirty instructions sheet to manually program that radio Baofeng-Programming-ae2.pdf.

You will also find a Band Plan for Western Washington WWARA-BAND-PLAN-20211218.pdf.
Plus a file with humorous clips on being a HAM radio operator.

Enjoy . . . 73

W6OLA's picture

WINTER FIELD DAY

Ed on Microphone web.jpg

WINTER FIELD DAY IS IN THE BOOKS

8 MEMBERS OF THE TRI-CITIES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, AND 4 VISITORS TOOK PART IN OUR WINTER FIELD DAY OPERATION.
THE CLUB STATION IN THE RED CROSS BUILDING WAS A VERY BUSY PLACE ON SATURDAY THE 28TH..
MARK HUNN BROUGHT AND OPERATED HIS "GO BOX" I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN A BETTER THOUGHT OUT PORTABLE UNIT. THANKS MUCH MARK!
WS7V TONY, KG7TYU SCOTT, AND W6OLA ED, SPENT TIME ON THE AIR CHASING POINTS.
THIS EVENT WAS OPERATIONAL FOR 24 HOURS, BUT WE ONLY SPENT 6 HOURS, 4 ON THE AIR AND 2 HOURS STATION PREP TIME DUE TO BUILDING RESTRICTIONS.
OTHER CLUB MEMBERS ACTED AS LOG KEEPERS AND "ELMERS". WE WERE GLAD TO HAVE CLUB MEMBERS THAT ACTED AS "ELMERS" SINCE OUR 4 VISITORS WERE FULL OF QUESTIONS. RON KK7JNU, JIM W7ZND AND MARTY N7UMW. THANKS GUYS.
ONE OF OUR OPERATORS HAD NOT BEEN OF HF FOR A LONG TIME, SO OUR FIELD DAY OPERATION ACCOMPLISHED ONE OF THE GOALS WE HAD IN MIND FOR "FIELD DAY". HAVING MEMBERS ACT AS "ELMERS" AND HAVING NON-HAM VISITORS MET TWO OF OUR OTHER GOALS.
WE MAY NOT HAVE WRECKED UP A LOT OF POINTS IN THE CONTEST; BUT AS A CLUB WE SPARKED INTEREST IN MEMBERS. OLD AND NEW, TO GET ON THE AIR.
WE EVEN PUT MIKE KC7CCK TO WORK. MIKE SPENT THE WHOLE TIME TROUBLE SHOOTING OUR KENWOOD RIG THAT MAY BE A LOST CAUSE.
COFFEE, COOKIES AND FRIENDSHIP KEPT US GOING.

TAKING A LOOK AT "LESSONS LEARNED" WE SEE SOME ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT:
1. WE NEED A RIG TO REPLACE THE KENWOOD TRANSCEIVER. ANY DONATIONS WILL BE WELCOME.
2. WE HAVE 3 HEAD SETS THAT ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF USELESSNESS.
AGAIN I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED MAKE IT A SUCCESSFUL "FIELD DAY"
ED W6OLA

2023 Tri-Cities ARRL Amateur Radio License Testing

ARRL-based in-person Amateur Radio Testing (VE Testing) for the Tri-Cities area is held every other month. Pre-registration is required. You are asked to call Mike Tesky (509 783-6236) to pre-register. The location will be the Boy Scout office, 8478 W Gage Blvd, Kennewick, WA on Sundays at 1 pm. Updates to particular testing dates and locations will be listed on this website, Tri-Cities Amateur Radio Operators Facebook page, and when you call to pre-register. The ARRL charges a test fee of $15. Please be prepared with EXACT cash, as no change will be provided. A check payable to the ARRL will also serve as payment, for a cash-less transaction.

Dates

  • Jan 15
  • March 19
  • May 21
  • July 16
  • Sept 17
  • Nov 19

More Info Contact Testing Coordinator Mike Tesky:
Phone(509) 783-6236
Click To Send An Email Message

Richard Bogert's picture

New Vertical Antenna is Installed

On Saturday the 29th, men of the Tri-Cities Amateur Radio Club got busy and removed the well aged vertical antenna for the club station and replacex it with a new vertical antenna. A huge thankyou to Mike, Marty, Steve, Tyson, Ed, Albin and Dogger for getting it done.
Things are working fine. We now have a vertical and loop antenna for the club station. Some of the guys were working some DX.

Richard Bogert's picture

New Morning Net on W7AZ 146.64 7:30AM

Everyone is feeling a little isolated these days and for good reason but you don’t have to be isolated. You can be social, make friends and still be safe at the same time. There is a new 2 meter social net in town.
If you’re a NEW HAM or an Old HAM you are invited to participate in a new morning social net on the 146.64 repeater W7AZ. The purpose of this net is to help new hams get involved and give old hams a way to stay involved in the exciting world of amateur radio. The net is every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7:30 AM. This is a social net open to anyone with a valid FCC amateur radio license. The conversation will be light and casual. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about ham radio operations. The 146.64 repeater uses a standard NEGATIVE offset and a TONE of 100 Htz. Come join the fun!

You do not need to be a member of the Tri-City Amateur Radio Club to participate. New Hams are encouraged to participate. - Richard Bogert https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2999824720083254&set=gm.29080593...

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