Serving the needs of the Amateur Radio
Operators in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough,
Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties.
A Ten County Slice of Florida
Paradise!
Dee Turner, N4GD - Section Manager
Page Last Updated:
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
(All web pages are written by Microsoft Front-Page for viewing on
1024x768 screen size)
Dennis Griffin,
W4DG - Assistant Section Manager, OOC & Webmaster
The West Central Florida Section is one of
seventy-one administrative sections of the
ARRL - The American Radio Relay League. The ARRL is the National Association
for Amateur Radio in the USA.
The WCF Section of the ARRL Field
Organization serves amateur radio operators in ten counties in
Florida: Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands,
Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota.
The WCF section includes the following cities: Bradenton,
Clearwater, Lakeland, New Port Richey, Punta Gorda, St.
Petersburg, Sarasota, Sebring, Tampa and Winter Haven.
This web page has
information specific to the ARRL Field Services activities in
West Central Florida.
Manatee
ARC is holding Technician Amateur radio classes
on two ( 2) Saturdays, September 4 and 11 starting 0830
a.m. until about 2:30 .
* Specific
information:
09/04/2010 Bradenton FL 34902
Start and End Dates: 09/04/2010 - 09/11/2010
Times 08:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
# of Sessions 2
Class Level: Technician
More Mores Code: no
Pre-register no
fee: for ARRL Manual $25
Pre Study no
Class Type Saturday
Exam Offered: 09/18/2010
Club Sponsor: Manatee Amateur Radio Club
Instructor: KR4WS
Contact : Roger Byron, KR4WS
Phone: (941) 538-9033
Email: kr4ws@earthlink.net
Location: Red cross Building:
2905 59th Street West, Bradenton FL
Additional Info:
Students contact KR4WS for License Manual
prior class or obtain same from ARRL direct.
No charge for the class although
anticipate we'll send out for sandwich for working lunch. VE
test session will be held following Saturday 9:00 a.m. at the
same location - Red Cross Building.
*(Above information submitted
directly by Roger Byron, KR4WS)
Manatee Amateur Radio Club (and we) made the web
and the paper!
Larry Gispert, KR4X obtains
support from IAEM for Senate Bill 1755
Larry Gispert, KR4X obtained support of the
International Association of Emergency Managers for Senate Bill
1755. A letter was sent to the Senate Homeland Security and
Government Affairs Committee. The IAEM are 4000+ emergency
managers around the U.S.
If you haven’t written your local congressional members, now it
the time recommending they support the bill.
ARLB037 Amateur Radio Bill
Passes Senate, Moves to the House (SEE NEXT POSTING)!
On Monday, December 14, S
1755 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement
Act of 2009 -- passed the Senate by unanimous consent; the bill
now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Sponsored by Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), and Senator Susan
Collins (R-ME), S 1755, if passed, would direct the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study on emergency
communications.
S 1755 points out that "There is a strong Federal interest in
the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and
that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of
government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation
and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications
provided by such stations."
Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee considered S 1755 on December 10. After it passed
through Committee, it was placed on the Senate's calendar to be
voted on.
"We are grateful to Committee Chairman Lieberman and Ranking
Member Collins for sponsoring the bill and arranging for its
swift consideration and passage by the Senate," said ARRL Chief
Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ.
Similar in language to HR 2160 (also called The Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 that was
introduced this past April by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee
[D-TX-18]), S
1755 calls on DHS to undertake a study on the uses and
capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in
emergencies and disaster relief and then to submit a report to
Congress no more than 180 days after the bill becomes law. The
study shall:
Include a review of the importance of Amateur
Radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland
security missions relating to disasters, severe weather and
other threats to lives and property in the United States, as
well as recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary
deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency
communications and disaster relief efforts and improved
integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and
furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives.
Identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service
communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or
unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna
installations; and make recommendations regarding such
impediments for consideration by other federal departments,
agencies and Congress.
In conducting the study, S 1755 directs the Secretary of
Homeland Security to "utilize the expertise of stakeholder
entities and organizations, including the Amateur Radio,
emergency response and disaster communications communities."
S 1755 makes note of the fact that Section 1 of the Joint
Resolution entitled Joint Resolution to Recognize the
Achievements of Radio Amateurs, and To Establish Support for
Such Amateurs as National Policy -- approved October 22, 1994
(Public Law 103-408) -- included a finding that stated:
"Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective
operation of Amateur Radio from residences, private vehicles and
public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government
should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a
public benefit."
The bill also pointed out that Section
1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c))
directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating
Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to
coordinate their activities with ham and Amateur Radio operators
among the 11 other emergency organizations, such as ambulance
services, law enforcement and others.
SENATE APPROVES BILL! ARRL Seeks Member Support for
HR 2160 bill now, as it goes to the House of Representatives!
To support
HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- the ARRL
is asking its membership to contact their members of the US
House of Representatives with a request to become co-sponsors of
this significant piece of legislation.
"Getting a bill successfully through Congress
is a formidable task -- one that is going to require the
involvement of every ARRL member," said ARRL Regulatory
Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "Working with our
Washington consulting firm Chwat & Co, we are laying a dynamic
approach that will allow us to make our case most effectively.
We have developed a strategy to maximize our impact when dealing
with each member of Congress."
Since the anthrax scare that followed the
9-11 attacks, all incoming mail to Congress is delayed anywhere
from four to six weeks while it is screened. This means using
normal US Mail is no longer an effective method of letting
Congress hear your voice. While e-mail is convenient, it is not
effective, due to the large volume of e-mail that each
Congressional office receives.
"To ensure that ARRL members' letters are
quickly and expediently received by Congress, our strategy is to
ask ARRL members send their letters directly to Chwat & Co,"
said Henderson. "Chwat's staff will sort the letters by
Congressional district and hand-deliver them to the appropriate
House offices, providing a direct point of contact with the
Congressman and their staff. This personal contact gives us the
chance to provide not only letters from constituents, but
information from the ARRL on why this legislation is important."
The ARRL has provided a
sample letter for League members to personalize and send to
their Congressional representative. "Personalized letters make a
better impression than a standard form letter or petition,"
Henderson explained. You can find the name and address for your
Congressman or Congresswomen, in the US Government by using the
below link:
As a regular letter to:
John Chwat
Chwat & Co.
625 Slaters Ln
Suite 103
Alexandria, VA 22314
If you choose to e-mail your letter,
please send it as an attachment to the e-mail instead of it
being the text of the e-mail. This allows the letter to be
easily printed and delivered. Should you decide to draft your
own letter supporting HR 2160 instead of editing the sample,
Henderson asked that you please remember a couple of things:
Identify the bill by number and
title: HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Enhancement Act of 2009
Keep the letter brief and on topic
-- one page at the most
Ask them to consider becoming a
cosponsor
Thank them for their consideration
"Simple is better when making this kind
of request to a representative," said Henderson. "They and their
staff are looking to gauge interest and support for the Bill. A
lengthy letter that strays off-topic can detract from the focus
of asking for support for the legislation."
Should you decide not to send your letter
to Chwat & Co but directly to your Representative, it is still
important that you send a copy of your correspondence to Chwat &
Co. This allows them to discuss accurately with the Congressman
and their staff the amount of support for the bill in each
individual district. "There is strength in numbers," Henderson
added.
Besides bill sponsor Representative Sheila
Jackson-Lee (TX-18), the ARRL is fortunate to already have six
additional members of Congress who have signed on as co-sponsors
of HR 2160 -- Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Brett Guthrie (KY-02),
Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Blaine Luetkemeyer,
(MO-9) and Bennie Thompson (MS-02).
"We congratulate ARRL Division Director
Jim Weaver, K8JE, and his grassroots legislative action team in
Kentucky for securing the support of Representative Guthrie --
the first new co-sponsor of the bill," Henderson said. "It shows
that our grassroots effort can work!"
You may be asking yourself "What should I
do if my Representative has already signed on as a co-sponsor
for HR 2160?" The answer is simple: Thank them for their
support. If your Congressman is one of those listed as a
co-sponsor, please send them a letter thanking them for their
support. Use the same contact information for Chwat & Co. "It is
important to convey your appreciation to your Representative
when they sign on as a co-sponsor or support the bill,"
Henderson explained. "That simple 'thank you' may help open the
door the next time their help is needed."
Once you have prepared and sent your
letter supporting HR 2160, your job is not over: Feedback is an
important part of the process. "What your Congressman has to say
in regards to your contact can provide the ARRL with important
information as we try to push our bill forward," Henderson
noted. "This feedback can possibly help us identify potential
new support for the bill or a weakness in the legislation we may
need to address."
When you receive a response from your
Congressman, please forward a copy to the Regulatory Information
Office at ARRL Headquarters via
e-mail or hard copy to
Regulatory Information, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
"HR 2160 presents the Amateur Radio
Service with a unique opportunity -- but also carries with it
the important responsibility of making your voice heard,"
Henderson summarized. "HR 2160 stands as the first step in
trying to address the long standing problem of extending the
protections afforded Amateur Radio operators under
PRB-1 to deed restrictions and covenants. To be clear,
passing HR 2160 is not going to achieve that goal right away.
But it will help lay the ground work by assessing the impact
such restrictions have on our ability to train for and respond
to disasters and other emergencies."
"Revised" DATABASE OF THE WCF SECTION COUNTY HAM
TOWER/ANTENNA RULES & REGULATIONS (05, 2010)
Our WCF Section ASM & TC, Geoff, N1GY, has
complied a list for our ten (10) WCF Section County
Amateur (HAM) Tower and antenna rules and regulations.
Click here to access this link!
WCF Club News
TheLatest issue of The
Communicator
from the TARC. TNX to Jack Sproat, W4JS, their
editor for forwarding a copy to post on the WCF Section
Webpage!
We have a new location (same
as last year) for our 19th Pasco Co Hamfest.
I think this will be very good one.
The Pasco Co Hamfest, Sponsored by the Suncoast Amateur
Radio Club,
will be September 25, 2010. Saturday, 0800 - 1400 hrs.
At the Gunn Hwy Flea Market. Gunn Hwy and SR54, 2317
Gunn Hwy, Odessa,Fl 33556
Admission will be $5, XYLs and under 12 FREE,
Tailgatoring spaces are $1+$5 admission, Total $6.
The $6 will go to the Flea Market as rental of space.
Gunn Hwy Flea Market is located on SR54 at Gunn Hwy in
mid Pasco Co,
about 15 miles west of I-75. And about 10 miles east of
US 19,
3 miles west of Veterans Park Way at 2317 Gun Hwy,
Odessa, Fl 33556
THE REGULAR Flea Market IS A FREE ENTRY, only the
Hamfest area requires admission.
You can bring your wife, girl friend, kids and they can
browse the Gunn Hwy Flea Market for the bargains while
us Hams go to a Hamfest.
Plenty of free parking.
.
The Flea Market open by 7:00 AM and ready for open to
the
public by 8AM.
For info contact: Ron, N9EE, Phone is 352-683-4476 and
e-mail is
mccrpt@att.ne
WCF Section Net Schedule
West Central Florida Section Nets --
The WCF Section has several nets during the week.
Most of the nets are held on the NI4CE repeater system
on 145.43 / 442.95 Verna, 145.29 / 443.45 St Pete,
442.825 / Peebledale (just south of Mulberry in Polk)
& 146.76 /442.650 Port Richey (Pasco). All require
100.0 Hz Sub-audible tone.
Day(s)
Net Name
Time (ET)
Where
Daily
Eagle Net (WCF Florida Section Traffic Net)
8:30 PM
NI4CE/R
Sunday
West Central Florida Section Weekly (VHF/UHF)
7:30
PM
NI4CE/R
Monday
West Central Florida
Section ARES Net
7:30 PM
NI4CE/R
Tuesday
Open
7:00 PM
NI4CE/R
Wednesday
Tampabay Traders Net
9:00 PM
NI4CE/R
Thursday
WCF
Technical Net
9:00 PM
NI4CE/R
Friday
Open
Saturday
WCF Section HF Net
8:30 AM
3.911 MHz LSB and 7.281 MHz
LSB.(alt.)
Saturday
WCF YL Net
7:30 PM
NI4CE/R
This Weeks
DX NEWS....
ARLD034 DX news
This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided
by K1ZZ, NC1L, The Daily DX, The Weekly DX, QRZ DX, the OPDX
Bulletin, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest
Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.
RODRIGUES ISLAND, 3B9. Giorgio, IZ4AKS will be QRV as 3B9/home
call from August 28 to September 4. Activity will be holiday
style on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL direct to
home call.
RWANDA, 9X. Tom, DL2RUM is QRV as 9X0TL from Kigali at various
times until September 28. Activity is on 80 through 6 meters
using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL direct via 9X0TL.
TAIWAN, BV. Dennis, KT8X is QRV as BW/home call until September
6. QSL to home call.
HAITI, HH. Roberto, YS1RS and Fazlay, S21RC are QRV as HH2/home
calls while working for UNICEF in the ICT area. Activity is
mainly on 40 and 20 meters. QSL via operators' instructions.
ITALY, I. Special event station II1ALV in La Spezia is QRV until
August 29 in celebration of the flag-lowering ceremony of the
Italian Navy submarine Leonardo da Vinci. QSL via IK8XVA.
JAPAN, JA. Special event station 8J6AIRA is QRV until August 31
in celebration of the anniversary of the city Aira on Kyushu
Island, IOTA AS-077. QSL via bureau.
LUXEMBOURG, LX. Special event station LX750D is QRV until June
30, 2011 in celebration of the 750th anniversary of the City of
Diekirch. Activity is on all bands and modes. QSL via bureau.
AUSTRIA, OE. Special event stations OE50AMRS, OE50XAM, OE50XCL,
OE50XCW, OE50XLC, OE50XMA and OE50XRM will be QRV from September
1 to December 31 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
Austrian Military Radio Society in Peace Support Missions.
Activity will be on all bands using CW, SSB and various digital
modes. QSL via bureau.
FRANZ JOSEF LAND, R1FJ. Jack, UA4RX is QRV as RI1FJ. QSL via
operator's instructions.
DODECANESE, SV5. Peri, HB9IQB is QRV as SV5/home call from
Rhodes Island, IOTA EU-001, until August 28. Activity is on 30,
17 and 12 meters using CW. QSL to home call.
CENTRAL AFRICA, TL. Pat, LA0HF is QRV as TL8PB and has been
active on 20 meters around 1830z. QSL to home call.
ASIATIC RUSSIA, UA0. Sergey, UA0FUA is QRV from Kurilsk on
Iturup Island, IOTA AS-025. Activity of late has been on 20 and
10 meters using CW and SSB around 1200 to 1730z. QSL to home
call.
VIET NAM, XV. Mal, VK6LC is QRV as XV2LC and has been active on
160 meters between 1100 and 1300z and then around 1900z. QSL to
home call.
VANUATU, YJ. A group of operators are QRV as YJ0VK from Efate
Island, IOTA OC-035, until September 2. They are active on 160
to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY with two stations active
simultaneously. QSL via VK2CA.
MACEDONIA, Z3. Vlado, Z35M/p will be QRV from the Pelister
National Park on August 28 and 29. Activity will be on 40, 30,
20 and 15 meters using CW and QRP power. QSL direct to home
call.
ALBANIA, ZA. Dik, ZA1E has been active on 20 meters using CW
around 1730z. QSL via I2MQP.
APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT. The following operation is approved
for DXCC credit: 9X0TL, Rwanda, 2010 operation.
CORRECTIONS TO DX NEWS BULLETIN ARLD033. The QSL route for the
CW1A operation to the Punta Brava Lighthouse in Uruguay is to
QSL direct to the Radio Club Uruguayo. Also, special event
station YL15LRG in Latvia is in operation to celebrate the 15th,
not 125th, anniversary of the Liepaja Radio Amateurs Group.
THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The YO DX HF CW Contest, SARL HF CW
Contest, NCCC Sprint CW Ladder, ALARA Contest, Hawaii QSO Party,
SCC RTTY Championship, Kansas QSO Party and Ohio QSO Party are
all on tap for this upcoming weekend. The QRP CW Fox Hunt is
scheduled for September 1. Please see August QST, page 74 and
the ARRL and WA7BNM contest web sites for details.
If you
have any suggestions of what you would like to see on your WCF
Section Web Page, please use the form below to inform your
Section Staff. We want to insure that your website
experience is both enjoyable and informative!