NBEMS connects Hams in Emergencies

Software for emergencies

Emergencies breed chaos. Planning helps to minimize it. Let's face it, chaos and confusion will always be a part of emergencies, but knowing what tools to will use and being familiar with how they work can go along way to reducing the stress and urgency of responding to sudden situations. Recently, at a club meeting, I was giving a brief overview of how we might respond in an upcoming emergency drill. One of the hams in the room admitted, my overview when right over his head. I'm certain he wasn't alone. Now is the best time to learn.

So when an emergency happens, what tools will you use? Part of the joy of ham radio is the fact that it is such a varied and diverse hobby. There are dozens of modes, hundreds of radios, and an infinite number of frequencies to use. How will anyone ever communicate with anyone else?  That's where NBEMS steps in.

The Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (or NBEMS) is a suite of software that connects hams in emergency situations. It provides a single set of programs and operating concepts that can unify a group of hams. NBEMS is based upon the idea of keeping the things cheap, using simple,

Winlink Packet Gateway Up at OEM

A new packet station is up and running at the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management, providing a Winlink gateway for local amateurs. The station is designated as W5CWT-10 and can be reached on 145.07 MHz.

The station is using the OEM's Icom V8000 radio at about 70 watts, connected to a large onmi-directional antenna above the building. KN5G was able to work the station from a little less than six miles away. Additional reports would be helpful in determining actual coverage area.

Although the station can be used as a digipeater, its primary function is to provide a local packet gateway to the Winlink system. Winlink is a volunteer-supported network of email servers located around the world. Access to the servers is provided by thousands of VHF and HF "gateway" stations.

HF gateways typically use the "Pactor" protocol or a similar open-source protocol called "Winmor." VHF station generally use packet the protocol. Radio amateurs can log into the system via a gateway and send or receive email messages, including ones to or from regular, non-amateur radio internet users.

To use the system, an amateur needs a radio, a computer and an interface to connect the two. In the past, a physical "TNC" or radio modem was required to act as an interface between the user's radio

Featured Shack: NU5G, Jon

NU5G, Jon, at his station in Henderson.

For this month's featured shack, we peek in on NU5G's station. Although Jon is a relative late comer to ham radio, what he missed out on in time, he's made up for with an avid spirit of exploration. Jon tells the story best in his own words.

I have always had a passion for electronics and when Christy and I got married, I got a formal introduction to Ham Radio. Her family was full of heavy hitters in Ham. Her dad, Gerald (AD5Z), got me hooked and then has been my Elmer when I was lost and scratching my head. Christy’s Grandmother, Nell (WA5JOC), embodied the spirt of ham like no other, serving nearly three decades in the Ladies Auxiliary at Henderson Memorial Hospital. Lynn Roy (W5LD) was old school Ham radio. He helped start and operate KGRI here in town, was the Roy in Roy & Siler Radio Shack and an owner of Lynn Roy-Wayne Freeman Co. which sold and serviced Air Conditioning, Radios, and Televisions. I have a lot to live up to in order to carry on the torch.

I decided in 2009 that it was time to get my license. I studied hard and could not wait for a local session. Christy, Alexis and I drove to Crockett so I could take the test and in June of 2009 was

First Club Meeting of 2015

Members of the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club met for the first meeting of the year this past Thursday evening, Nine members were present for this meeting. Incoming club officers for 2015 were recognized, President - David Chenault, Vice President - Craig Roquemore, Treasurer - Lester Davis, Secretary - Keith Ballow, and Public Information Officer - Michael Searcy.
Ken Johnson accepted the duties of Net Control Coordinator for 2015.

President, David Chenault speaking about WinLink

David Chenault presented outgoing, President, Keith Ballow with a plaque of appreciation for his service as the first president of the club.

Other items of business discussed included the report that the club repeater's, updated information had been sent to the Texas VHF/FM Society, the repeater coordinating body for the state of Texas, and reflected the club's callsign, N5RCA having been programmed into the repeater's controller for ID purposes.

David advised members of an upcoming regional emergency drill, planned for April 9th. Members also discussed some pending changes to the club's bylaws to support the club's efforts to acquire 501-C3 status.

Members Jon Brunner, Eric Smith, and Dudley Craig volunteered to serve on a newly formed "Awards Committee". More information on this will be forthcoming at future meetings.

David Chenault discussed and showed examples of the club's webpage and Yahoo E-Mail Reflector. David closed out the meeting with an informative presentation on WINLink and the various methods and modes by which it can be used for emergency communications.

Following the meeting, Eric Smith let members try their hand at flying his quad copter!


The Rusk County Amateur Radio Club holds a monthly meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Fire Station on West Main Street in Henderson, Texas. Area Amateurs and the public are invited to attend.

2 Meters SSB Contacts

2 meter band opens up with clearing weather.

The 2 meter band was in pretty good shape on Wednesday morning from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.. Made a few Single Side Band contacts on 144.200 MHz., from the DFW area all the way down to near Houston. You never know who you might work when the conditions are good on 2 meter SSB.

73 and Happy New Years to everyone !
KN5G

Digital Modes on 2 Meters

Well, we did have some success this past Saturday morning using PSK-31 on 2 meters. Rob, KC5RET and I were able to make a 2 meter, PSK-31 contact between Henderson, TX and Woodville, TX.

The path according to QRZ, was only 106 miles but it is a great start. There are more amateurs out there that we normally do not get to talk to, that are active and interested in 2 meter weak-signal work, be it with voice or digital modes.

This past Saturday morning we used the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club's chat page to coordinate with each other in real-time, which worked very well.

N5SSH, Frank in Laredo, K3TD, Tad, in George Town, KG5UN, Ed, in Abeline, and KA5DWI, Art, in Arizona, also joined the effort and checked in via the chat page.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to check in and increasing the activity on the weak-signal portion of our 2 meter band.

Wouldn't it be great if we had enough active 2 meter stations on the air each Saturday morning to be able to get on and make some SSB and Digital mode contacts with surrounding and distant stations for a few hours each week?

The "Sidewinders on Two" group is a collection of amateur operators, with an Internet presence, who are interested in 2 meter, weak-signal work, especially SSB Voice. I found this group and began to check into some of their 2 meter, SSB nets a couple of years ago. You can find out more about them and what activities they participate in at the Widewinders website and on the SWOTRC website.  

The various SWOT groups hold 2 meter SSB voice nets on most evenings of the week. Several are close enough that we can check into them from the local Henderson area with modest SSB stations and horizontal antennas.

73 and Happy New Years!
Keith - KN5G

Celebrating 2014 with fish and friends

Rusk County Hams celebrated another year of amateur radio fun by devouring a load of catfish two days before Christmas. Twenty-five people attended the party, held at Hushpuppies in Henderson and included club members as well as family and friends.

After an evening of fellowship and remembering the past year, a few awards were handed out including New Ham of the Year to Lester Davis and Rarest QSO to James Pike (watch for him on the repeater!).

All agreed that the evening was most enjoyable! More photos of the Christmas Party are posted on here.

Saturday Morning, 2 Meter, PSK

Digital Modes on Two Meters:

Well, it wasn't a roaring success but we had several stations on the air this morning. We leveraged, (high-jacked), the Rusk County Amateur Radio club's chat page to coordinate our efforts and that seemed to work really well. We had N5SSH in Laredo, WD5RP in Arlington, KG5UN from Abilene, KD0TEL from Kansas City, myself, KN5G, KZ5S and AF5RI, all located here in east Texas on the chat.

Unfortunately we were never able to make a PSK contact with the outlaying stations. KZ5S and AF5RI were as strong as garlic on PSK,of course, being as close as they are to me.

KG5UN and WD5RP were able to work each other on USB voice and I could just hear them down in the noise from here in East Texas with my horizontal beam pointed west towards them, so they can claim a contact for this morning!

Anyway, just wanted to share a quick report and tell everyone that took the time this morning to try and check in, THANKS for their time and effort.

One of these Saturday morning we are going to catch some propagation and actually make some PSK-31 contacts!

73 and Merry Christmas!
KN5G

Keith

Take your Humor where you find it !

"Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying",
as the saying goes. Well, this morning I noticed this cryptic warning sticker on one of my Amateur Radio related devices. I suspect many of you will have this same or similar device in your collection of radio gear and like me, may have glanced at it without actually bothering to read it.

So, here's your challenge for the day, if you choose to accept it.

Decode the text on this warning label and tell us all what it is really trying to say, and secondly, What device do you think this label is found on?

Sorry, no prizes for the correct answers, but as Amateurs, we normally all like a challenge, so get to looking at your equipment and see if you come up with a similar warning label !

You can give us your answers during the Thursday evening net this evening, so remember to check in, starting at 7:30 p.m.

KN5G

Featured Shack: KF5UNL

Today we get a chance to peak in at Lester's (KF5UNL) shack, and especially at his brand new IC-7200.  Here's his story: 

"I had a desire for many years to be a Ham Radio Operator but something always came up more important at the time. I was very excited when I learned that the process had been made easier so I studied and passed my Tech level then my General a month later. My goal is to pass my Extra License this winter. 

"I started out with a FT 840 Yaesu radio and a FT 2900 Yaesu 2M radio. Later I purchased an TS430S Kenwood which was just as exciting as the first radio purchase. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the above radios for different reasons but this hobby takes on a life of itself in a good way. 

"I have grown to a stage of getting interested in digital and 6M work which the other HF radios required a few extra pieces to accomplish this task. I researched many radios in my price range and found an IC 7200 ICOM that fell in the range of what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted everything as compact as possible so the adjoining pictures are my accomplishment.

"I am finding Amateur Radio to be more than I had hoped or expected. My only regret is that I didn't pursue this journey sooner!"