Ham Radio in a School Zone?

By David Chenault (W5CWT) - In Texas, it's been illegal to use cell phones in most school zones for years, which prompted many hams to ask if their HTs and mobile rigs were off limits, too. Now that new legislation has expanded the area where cell phones are illegal, (and both police and school officials are on the look-out for new violators) it warrants a second look at the ham radio question.

More than five years ago, the Texas Legislature enacted new laws making it illegal to use cell phones while driving through most school zones. The "most" comes from the fact that school districts had to post signs along roads alerting drivers to the law before it could be enforced. Of course, most, if not all, school districts did.

MEETING CANCELLED - NET INSTEAD

The RCARC's monthly meeting in January was cancelled due to freezing precipitation in the area. The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for February 27th, 7pm.

The Reverse Beacon What?!

If you've never heard of the Reverse Beacon Network, then set aside some time on Saturday, February 1st. The Worldwide Radio Operators Foundation is hosting a webinar highlighting the network and showing how to use it to make more contacts! Click here to register.

So what is the the Reverse Beacon Network? According to its website, the Reverse Beacon Network is a revolutionary new idea. Instead of beacons actively transmitting signals, the RBN is a network of stations listening to the bands and reporting what stations they hear, when and how well.

Creative solution for portable radials!

By Keith, KN5G - Take a look this photo. If that doesn’t get your “HAM” creative juices flowing I’m not sure what will.  I was recently in the process of putting together a 4-band HF vertical antenna to be used as a portable antenna and ran across another ham’s write-up talking about using metal tape measures as temporary radials for an antenna they put up at a Field Day event.

Then, while talking to David, W5TWC about the tape measure radials, he recounted using a couple of tape measures to erect an inverted "V" antenna, so this got me to thinking, (not always a good thing), about what I could do with a few tape measures of various lengths.

What'd you get for Christmas?

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. But what was left in its wake? Here's a sampling of what some local hams got. Did you get something too?? Send me a photo (send it to w5cwt with the domain part being @ruskcountyar.com) and I'll add it to the list!

NU5G got a leg up this year!

NU5G's Christmas Lamp

W5CWT got a new 2m mobile and is ordering a new HF vertical antenna!

W5CWT's new mobile

Lions roar about the RCARC

Henderson Daily News, 11/21/2013

Richard (K5RRB) and David (W5CWT) spoke to the Henderson Lions Club on Wednesday, promoting ham radio and the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club. Several of the club members asked
questions ranging from license requirements (including CW) and emergency preparedness.

The club also got a nod from the Henderson Daily News with a story and photo about the program. If anyone has any contacts with other service clubs in the area, let us know and we'll be happy to put on a program!

Special Events and Logging Software

Rusk County hams got a chance to learn about special events, Boy Scout on-air jamborees and logging software Tuesday evening during the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club's November meeting.

Tom Noe (W5DTN), of Longview, visited the club and shared some his experiences with special event stations. Tom explained the process of applying for a special "1x1" callsign for special events such as the Syrup Festival and Field Day.

Tom also demonstrated the logging software he uses for contests like Field Day. He explained that he preferred to use the technique of "sitting" on a single frequency to rack up contacts, instead of dialing up and down the band looking for strong signals.

Hamming it up at the Syrup Festival

Thousands of people attended Henderson's Syrup Festal November 9th, and many of them stopped by the Rusk County ARC's booth! Thanks to K5RRB (Richard) who designed a nice setup including three pieces of tower for the booth and to Craig (KD5YHR) for helping to get it put up!

In additional to several contacts made throughout the day, N5SAY (Dudley) was able to work the repeater from Buffalo, Texas, logging a contacts of just over 95 miles. He arrived later to man the booth.

Club members handed out flyers and information about becoming a ham and also worked closely with the Rusk County Emergency Management Office which activated its emergency response trailer for the duration of the festival.

Are QSL cards waiting on you?

Are hams from exotic countries trying to send you a QSL card? Is there a pile of cards just waiting to be sent to your station? The ARRL's incoming QSL Bureau is free of charge, but unless you've send a SASE or money to pay for postage, your cards may be waiting on a self, delayed from making that final leg of the trip to you.

It used to be that the only way you would know was if you sent a SASE to the bureau. Then you waited. Or maybe you got lucky and a generous QSL sorter dropped you a postcard to let you know cards were on file for you. Now, however, the answer may be just a mouse click away! 

If your callsign contains a five, the person responsible for sorting your cards has posted his or her database online. It's waiting to searched right now! Search it from our own Operating Page or click through to the Bureau's website and search from there. Good luck!

New Calendar added to the RCARC website

A new calendar has been added to the website. You'll find the calendar under the "About Us" tab or by clicking here. We will be posting regular club events such as meetings and nets on the calendar.

If you have an other events, contests, or ham fests, just email David (W5CWT) to get them added. Email him at dhchenault[at]gmail.com.