The repeater has a new home

UPDATED! Well, after more investigation, we discovered that the original coax appears to be connected to a small yagi antenna about two-thirds up the tower and not the 2-meter repeater antenna at the top. (Honestly, it's kind of hard to see when the sun is directly above the tower!) So, after cutting and splicing and reconnecting, the signal is GREATLY improved. Now the question is, again, how much coverage will it have. Feel free to add your reports in the comment section below. The more reports we have, the better idea we'll have of its capabilities.

The Future of the Repeater

by KN5G - Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend and didn’t over indulge with too much good food or get too much sun!

Keith, KN5G

As most of you already know our Henderson repeater is experiencing some technical problems. We believe it is due to an issue in the feed line or the connection between the feed line and the antenna on top of the water tower.
The repeater, cavities and jumpers in the shack below the water tower have all been checked out a couple of times without an issue being found. Of course the access to the radio shack below the water tower is limited due to Homeland Security Regulations regarding public water supplies so it isn’t easy to gain access when the repeater is acting up. Also it isn’t easy to find someone with the required insurance to climb the tower and check on the feed line or connection to the antenna.

Boston highlights benefits of ham radio

There was a recent article highlighting the role that ham radio was able to play during the Boston bombings.

Fortunately, hams were already on the scene working to support the marathon when the explosions took place. They simply took on a new role when cell service shut down in the chaotic aftermath.

What a great reason to get an amateur radio license!

Rusk County hams featured in Henderson paper

A story about the new Rusk County Amateur Radio Club appeared in Monday's edition of the Henderson Daily News. Here's the link: Story.

The story talks about the beginning of the club and our plans to host a Field Day in June.

Broadband Amateur Newtorks

There is an exciting development going on to bring about the existence of a high-speed, broadband amateur network. Below in an video introducing the concept and how to get involved.

More information can be found on the Austin group's website: HSMM-Mesh.org including a link to a buying guide for WRT54G hardware. Other hardware may be supported, but this is currently the best list.

By registering with the site, you gain access to a few more links to information as well as updates when they happen. Also, check out the Yahoo Group: DAWG-HSMM which is made up, mostly, of mesh-net hams in the Dallas area.

2013 Field Day plans begin to take shape

Field Day is drawing near and plans for the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club's Field Day operations are starting to fall into place. Members of the RCARC discussed preliminary plans during the monthly meeting in March. The clubs hopes to operate at Lake Forest Park from noon, June 22 to noon, June 23.

The public will be invited to attend and several radios will be setup for use during the national event. Check back often, as we will be posting more details and they are planned.

Advanced Skywarn class held

Several Rusk County ARC hams, along with a handful of others interested in weather, attended an Advanced Skywarn class Thursday evening, April 4th. Attendees learned about the how cold fronts, warm fronts, highs and low combine to trigger severe weather. Students also learn how to better interpret radar and weather data to determine the most likely place dangerous tornados activity might take place.

The class was taught by a National Weather Service representative from Shreveport, Louisiana.

New club established for area hams

A group of seven Rusk County Hams recently met to establish a new Amateur Radio club in East Texas. President Keith Ballow says the organization is hoping to promote ham radio to a new generation.

"We hope to bring the excitement of ham radio and electronics to the young people of Rusk County," said Ballow. "Of course, we'll have activities for all ages. Several local hams are interested in storm spotting, community service, emergency preparedness and even just talking to folks on the radio."

The Rusk County Amateur Radio Club is made up local amateur radio operators and their families. "Hams," as they are often called, are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate two-way radios on shortwave, VHF, microwave and other frequencies. While most often seen providing emergency communications during natural distastes  many hams enjoy talking around town or around the world nearly everyday.