So many things have broken over the last six months that there is very little left intact. Since spring there have been a long string of power surges, lightning strikes, wind damage, and magic smoke leaving nearly every device. By the time one thing was fixed and operation another event would break three more things. As if there were not enough issues, a fallen tree took out the antennas for the shack. The last of the base radios failed early this fall.

I’ve removed the blown up equipment and supporting wiring. I lack the time and energy to rebuild what was a decade in the making. I’m going quiet for a while. I may well be back at some point, but that is far enough down the road not to be in sight.

Due to aging hardware and software in the data center this site cannot be upgraded without a complete start from scratch, and an upgrade is required to get it to run on modern software. As bad as the whack-a-mole with the radio and power systems was, the digital side of things has been an even bigger handful.

I am going to archive this site into cold storage for another day where I might be able to pull a magic rabbit with a quick fix, but don’t look for it soon. If you want anything that is on the site I’d suggest downloading it very soon. Nothing will be erased, and it may even return sometime between later and when pigs take flight.

In the ways that matter things are fine, so don’t worry be happy… I’m also shutting down the last of the online projects as soon as a graceful exit presents. It is time for a long sabbatical to examine the insides of my eyelids and recharge.

de w5mz QRT

After much planning and careful implementation the “Zombie Special” antenna is finally on the air.   Basically this is a caged fan dipole.   I have gotten fantastic signal reports on 75 meters in excess of the standard fan dipole that this antenna replaced.  It also seems to hear extremely well also.  I have already heard stations that I’ve never been able to copy before the highlight of which was a QRP station in Oklahoma running 5 watts. 

The annual Amateur Radio Field Day is again at hand. (June 28-29, 2014) It is held the 4th weekend in June here in North America. Other regions have similar exercises on various dates. This has been going on since 1933. There are well over a thousand stations that will be operating around the region with participation by over 30,000 amateur operators.

Field Day is one of the largest single emergency preparedness exercises in the country. There are a wide range of Field Day stations participating in the event ranging from stations set up under tents in remote areas running completely off “Emergency Power” to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs).

The use of rapidly deployed stations are greatly encouraged because in real emergency situations commercial power and other vital infrastructures are often disrupted. This valuable practice prepares amateur operators to effectively respond and operate in emergency conditions. When the grid has been damaged by disaster conditions the emergency response often uses amateur radio communication to save lives.

There is an integrated contesting component to Field Day. The goal of the contest is to make as many contacts with other stations during the contest period. This serves to familiarize the operators participating with communicating across various regions using different bands. This is also an excellent opportunity to exhibit the capabilities of amateur radio to the public. Follow this link for the Contest Rules.

This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the radio amateurs in your area. Whether you are interested in the hobby or not making contact with the people near you that will be communicating in disasters is a good idea. It doesn’t matter whether the disaster is a naturally occurring event or one created by humans. There are many things that can (and do) happen to disrupt the communications grid. Where the cell phones, cable television, internet, and other service fail, the amateur radio community will still be communicating over a wide range of bands and modes.

If you will be in southwest Arkansas on field day weekend the WB5SPA Spa Amateur Radio Association is holding it’s field day at 401 Mid America Blvd in Hot Springs on June 28, 2014.

To find a Field Day station near you use the ARRL Field Day Locator .

Global warming makes it colder?

We have already had significant ice at this point in the season. As it was, it took days for the last ice to clear from my HF dipole.

When I saw this image (The High Peak tower) it kind of inspired me to hook a transmatch to an icicle to try my luck.

Then again, it’s way too cold out there, and I might be inspired, but I’m not THAT motivated.

Click image for larger one from orignal source.

The site has moved to a brand new server that has more capacity. This has resolved all resource related issues.

73
W5MZ

The annual Amateur Radio Field Day is at hand. (June 22-23, 2013) It is held the 4th weekend in June here in North America. Other regions have similar exercises on various dates. This has been going on since 1933. There are well over a thousand stations that will be operating around the region with participation by over 30,000 amateur operators.

Field Day is one of the largest single emergency preparedness exercises in the country. There are a wide range of Field Day stations participating in the event ranging from stations set up under tents in remote areas running completely off “Emergency Power” to operations inside Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs).

The use of rapidly deployed stations are greatly encouraged because in real emergency situations commercial power and other vital infrastructures are often disrupted. This valuable practice prepares amateur operators to effectively respond and operate in emergency conditions. When the grid has been damaged by disaster conditions the emergency response often uses amateur radio communication to save lives.

There is an integrated contesting component to Field Day. The goal of the contest is to make as many contacts with other stations during the contest period. This serves to familiarize the operators participating with communicating across various regions using different bands. This is also an excellent opportunity to exhibit the capabilities of amateur radio to the public. Follow this link for the Contest Rules.

To find a Field Day station near you use the ARRL Field Day Locator

The long awaited anniversary certificates are posted. On the list your call signs will be links (in orange) to a printable (10X8in) PDF file. You should be able to easily view and print by just clicking the link.

The Awful Awful Ugly Net web page has been created and is growing.

To view the 21st anniversary certificates just follow this link.

73
David
W5MZ

The Arkansas State Championship Duathlon “Du for the Parks” is on Memorial Day at the Transportation Depot, 100 Broadway Terrace. The “Du” involves a two mile run, followed by a 12 mile bike ride and another two mile run.

The Spa Amateur Radio Association helps with communications for this event every year. We are looking for volunteers to help with the event.  Those that participate will get a free t shirt. 

This year the time is one hour earlier. People need to be registered by 0630 Monday May 27 at transportation depot if they want a shirt.  The race will begin at 0700. 

Please pass the word. People may contact me if there are questions.

Contact JM Rowe for further details at n5xfw (at) arrl.net or on the 146.88 repeater in Hot Springs.

The Awful Awful Ugly net turns 21 today! Jump on 3855 khz and say hello. All check ins will get a certificate for participation. Check back here for further details.

73
W5MZ

We will be having a program about RMS Express and packet radio at the upcoming club meeting. This will be the first meeting at our new meeting place. It will be located at the Garland County Department of Emergency Management office, 401 Mid America Boulevard, Hot Springs, Arkansas. The meeting is on Tuesday February 5th and will start at 7:00pm.

For more information go here: http://www.winlink.org/

RMS Express Direct Download Link: ftp://autoupdate.winlink.org/User%20Programs/RMS_Express_setup_1-2-9-0.zip