Goosebumps

New ARRL Frequency Chart Available

ARRL has released a new frequency chart, in four formats. It now includes the new 630 and 2200 meter bands.

Thinking Of Trying Out 2meter MoonBounce?

Think outside the box. How about 2m MoonBounce? Here's some information on the topic:

Get ready for 2m MoonBounce, Gabriel Sampol, EA6VQ

Tips on successfully completing EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) contacts on the 2m (144 MHz) amateur radio band. R Lance Collister, W7GJ

2m MoonBounce thread on QRZ

EME on a Budget: MoonBounce for the Rest of Us, Paul Bock, K4MSG

(pdf) Beginner's Guide to Small-Station EME, Paul Bock, K4MSG

(pdf) Getting Started on Two Meter EME To Work lots Of DX, Bob Kocisko, K6PF

OARS Net, 26 September, 2017

Net Control: KI7SS
Checkins: 25
WA7BAM gave a review of upcoming events, reminder about helping Ham Aid at ARRL.org, review of last week's meeting.
W6EGV reviewed work party and SK sale over the past weekend.
KB6LE mentioned that he may get the newsletter out early.
WA4RAY mentioned that members can send updates or modifications for their contact info on the OARS site to him and he will make the changes for them.
KI7SS reviewed the DooWop road rally event from the past weekend.
WA7BAM mentioned problems that he'd had recently. One was caused by water in the antenna base, while the other was resolved by performing a factory reset.
KI7SS mentioned that he'd purchased an old lawn tractor for $45, that had a simple problem of bad battery cables.
Discussion of the Salmon Run, and contesting in general.
Discussion of the 50 volunteer Hams heading to Puerto Rico, ongoing disaster recovery efforts.
WA7BAM discussed the article at ThurstonTalk.com, by KA7FRZ, "Are you prepared for an emergency in Thurston county?"

FalconSAT-3 Now Open For Amateur Radio Use

FalconSAT-3, built in 2005/2006 and launched in March 2007, is now entering its thrid mission phase as an on-orbit resource for the Amateur Radio Service.

In amateur service the downlink is at 435.103 MHz transmitting 1W into a ¼ whip that extends from a corner of the satellite near the Lightband separation ring. The uplink is at 145.840 MHz and the receive antenna is a ¼ whip on the opposite side of the satellite near the S-band antennas. All UHF and S-band equipment on NTIA licensed frequencies has been disabled. The ARS VHF receiver is very sensitive. Modulation is 9600 bps GMSK for the uplink and downlink. The broadcast callsign is PFS3-11, and the BBS callsign is PFS3-12, Unproto APRS via PFS3-1.

You can track where FALCONSAT-3 or any other satellite happens to be, by searching at http://www.n2yo.com

Amateur Radio Support in Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands Continues

Following the significant hurricane destruction in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, (Saint Croix, Sant John, and Saint Thomas) Amateur Radio operators are continuing to support recovery efforts.

A satellite caught OARS during Field Day 2017

OARS Convinced the folks who control the satellite to take photos of the 2017 OARS Field Day activities. :)

Get ready for the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET)

From ARRL.org:
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Fall Classic is coming up soon, October 7-8.
The primary League-sponsored national emergency exercise is designed to assess the skills and preparedness of ARES® and other organizations involved with emergency and disaster response.

“Every local ARES team and/or ARRL Section will come up with their own scenarios and work with served agencies and partner organizations during the SET,” said ARRL Field Organization Team Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, who pointed out that not all SETs will take place on the first full weekend of October.

Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net Requests Clear Frequencies

As a result of hurricane Maria, the Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net (http://cewn.org) is requesting that amateur radio operators avoid using 7.188MHz and 3.815MHz, as CEWN is using those for emergency operations at this time.

Here we go again, this time with Hurricane Maria

As Hurricane Maria moves into the Caribbean Islands, Caribbean Emergency Weather Net activates.

Register at UTC to Operate on 630 and 2200 Meter Bands

Operation on 630 and 2200 Meter bands becomes legal on October 16. You need to register at https://utc.org/plc-database-amateur-notification-process if you plan on operating on the new bands.

FCC Opens 630- and 2200-Meter Bands; Stations Must Notify UTC Before Operating

From ARRL, comes the News that FCC has approved the information-collection requirement of the FCC March 29 report and Order that outlined Amateur Radio rules for the 630 and 2200 Meter bands.

Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net Requests Clear Frequencies

The Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net (http://cewn.org) is requesting that amateur radio operators avoid using 7.162MHz, 7.188MHz, and 3.815MHz, as CEWN is using those for emergency operations at this time.

USA Today: During Hurricanes, Emergency Officials Turn To Ham Radio

September 10 article about Amateur Radio activities during emergencies.

“We take for granted our communications,” said Etta LoPresti, emergency management coordinator for Indian River County.

“But when you have something catastrophic like they do in the Keys and in the west coast of Florida, where you’re not going to have communication, these amateur radio operators take care of things for us.”

Amateur Radio Preparation Has Begun, Ahead Of Hurricane Irma

Amateur radio operators and organizations are beginning to get ready, in advance of Hurricane Irma, currently heading for the Caribbean. Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) may activate soon. More at ARRL.org. UPDATE 1: HWN to activate Tuesday, September 5, at 1800 UTC UPDATE 2: Hurricane Irma info at Weather Underground Irma is now a Cat 5, will continue as a Cat 5 as it it hits Puerto Rico, DR, Haiti.

FCC Reform of Part 95 Effective September 28

The FCC's rewrite of Part 95 has been registered, so the rule changes take effect September 28, 2017.