Further exploration of Digital Voice #ARRL #hamradio

Someone has a good spouse.  Birthday produced a new hotspot and Yaesu Fusion radio.  It joins the KC5FM setup on Oklahoma Link.  

Learning curve is still in the upside.  It's entertaining to see just how far away someone is located.  It appears it can be used to set waypoints and such.  There's competition for WAZE.  APRS included.  

It joins:

Dstar ... also on Oklahoma Link

Echolink 906281

Allstar 28848

APRS KC5FM-9

Hamshack Hotline 94032 in the radio room. 

Smart Phone users: Search for DroidStar on Android and a beta on IOS.  There's connections to YSF, DMR, and others.

Don't expect this to be 100% all the time.  It's a big hobby.  Places to go explore.  Someone must boldly go.

It's a BIG hobby. Enjoy it. #hamradio #ARRL

Folks don't seem to get it.  Amateur radio is a BIG hobby.  From AM, CW, to satellites and VOIP, the hobby is as diverse as the number of Facebook groups, Reddit discussions, and LinkedIN resources to talk about it.

On the first Wednesday of the month, on 3885 kilocycles in the evening, AM signals radiate from coast to coast.  For QCWA members and others, it's nice to find an SDR to give a listen or get on a radio and check into the experience. 

Even in IARU Region one, there's an AM users group.  Of course, during the summer it might be hard to reach them on 160, but 20, 15, or 10 meters might work.

Some folks like to work mobile and talk to Rome on HF.  Others like to fight Home Owners Associations and community bulding codes to operate at home. 

When HF is not reaching to ROME, some folks like working VOIP modes such as Echolink, Allstar, Yaesu Fusion, IRLP, and Hamshack Hotline to check into nets like the Alaska Morning Net, the Rogers County Wireless Association Boredom Breakers Net, and public service efforts like the VOIP Skywarn Net.

CW?  There are plenty of them.  Do a google search.  Want to learn CW?  There's a site for that too.

Satellites?  CW on Satellites?

It's a BIG hobby and the League is the only National Organization representing ALL of amateur radio.  From the League insurance programs for individuals and clubs to representation before the Federal Communications Commission, the League really has a field organization to help you enjoy the best hobby on the Planet.  Even the Oklahoma Section Manager has a Hamshack Hotline extension.

The League, like the American Red Cross, operates largely on volunteers like your section manager staff and divison director folks.

It's a BIG hobby.  Enjoy every part of it you wish but, please, enjoy the hobby.

73

 Secti

Blog subscribers note #ARRL #hamradio

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The Movie Twister #Skywarn #OKwx @NWSnorman @NWSTulsa #Oklahoma @NWSNorman @OKmesonet @NWSSPC

In preparation of the 25th anniversary of the movie Twister, I spent my first day away from deployment listening to the National Weather Service Norman briefing and watching the movie.  

May 15 at 10 a.m., the Twister Movie Museum in Wakita will lead the charge in the 25th anniversary celebration. 

A lot has happened in the weather enterprise in 25 years.  The movie started out remembering the way things were in 1996.  

Since then, the force layout has changed even more.

1.  NWS Norman has moved along with the Storm Prediction Center and the Oklahoma Mesonet to the National Weather Center. 

2.  Doppler radar is now Old School.  Dual Polarization, or what one person called "Bipolar", radar is the latest tool.

3.  The Oklahoma Mesonet, the premier Statewide weather system, has been joined by  New York and other States to provide public safety and agriculture information.

4.  Sirens have been replaced by personal electronic devices.  At least eight ways have been documented for receiving warnings from the National Weather Service.  The Emergency Alert System replaced CONALRAD and the Emergency Broadcast System in 1997. Since then, the Wireless Emergency Alert and Integrated Public Alert & Warning System are on the field, along with improvements to the nationwide All-Hazards Radio.  In other words, for someone to say "I didn't get a warning" they actually meant "I didn't WANT a warning".  Even television and radio stations have wall to wall coverage with some 24-hour streams.

5.  Thanks to tools like Twitter, SpotterNetwork, mPING helps  reports easily flow to the appropriate weather service office and Skywarn has been joined by Weather Ready Nation 

6.  Gusty was gone. Gary England is retired. Dan Threlkel, Jon Slater, and Travis Meyer are not. 

In 25 years, Oklahoma has been one of many impacted by ice storms, flood, wind storm, wildfire, and, even "Non-Tornado tornado".  FEMA has been a good partner with State Emergency Management in helping with recovery and mitigation dollars.

A LOT has changed in 25 years.  Will you be in Wakita to participate in remembering 25 years ago and maybe engage in the next 25?