KJ5KAP First POTA Activation US-4422

#2501

Thought I would brag on Jen since she got her license recently. We went to Jones State Park off of 1488 and activated the park.

She managed on 10m to get 45 contacts in around 1 and half hours! That includes contacts from 6 different countries!

I was working hard just keeping up with logging for her as she was making the contacts!

Now she is hooked on getting as many rewards as possible!

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Bid is open for this muti-band compact antenna! Mar 23 Bid Open for Antenna!

#2500

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This brand new in the box antenna was donated by Jim, W5ZYX!? This HF antenna is compact and a performer!? A great antenna if you do not have a tower or trees to hang wires!? Please review specs. on this antenna to see if it will fit your HF application!

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Bidding begins immediately.? The opening bid must be at least $250.00.? Bid updates will be published at 5:00 pm through Sunday March 23, 2025 via email and groups.io to give everyone a chance at this great opportunity! Bidding will cease at 6:00 pm on Sunday allowing prospects to increase your bids accordingly.

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Additionally, when placing your bid, please make it to both to Laura and myself.

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Laura-bonnieclyderainy@...

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Russ- iav84u@...

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If you have any questions, please call me at (281) 433-1513.?

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Thanks and Good Luck!

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Russ NR5US

VP, WCARG

Event: WCARG Breakfast - Saturday, March 22, 2025 #cal-reminder

Group Notification

#2499

Reminder: WCARG Breakfast

When:
Saturday, March 22, 2025
9:00am to 10:00am
(UTC-05:00) America/Chicago

Where:
Denny's, 3016 11th St, Huntsville, TX 77340

Organizer:
WCARG
[email protected]

View Event

Description:
Walker County Amateur Radio Group Breakfast.? Anyone interested in ham radio, whether licensed or not, is invited.

Re: PAULINE ROAD FIRE / San Jacinto & Montgomery Co., NW of Cleveland / 1300:ac 10% containment / Evac’s / Shelters open

#2498

Rick,

Thank you for taking the time to share this valuable information. I will be updating my radios with the frequencies you've provided. ?

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For me, EMCOMM plays a critical role in the Amateur Radio community, and I deeply value its importance. ?

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I sincerely appreciate your efforts in supporting this aspect of our hobby. ?

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Catch you on the air,

Jason Hampton

*Freedom Isn't Free

N5DRI, WXCT237

Re: PAULINE ROAD FIRE / San Jacinto & Montgomery Co., NW of Cleveland / 1300:ac 10% containment / Evac’s / Shelters open

#2497

PAULINE ROAD FIRE / San Jacinto & Montgomery Co., NW of Cleveland / 1300:ac 10% containment / Evac’s / Shelters open

Update, appears the broadcastify feed for Montgomery Co FIRE is not passing audio.

Over-The-Air monitoring of Montgomery Co FIRE and Texas Fire Services from my QTH (SE corner of Walker Co.). I program my TIDRADIO H8’s with various public safety freq’s, and set TX inhibit. Makes for a reasonable scanner, exclusive of P25 modes.

Frequency	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
158.820	RM	107.2 PL	Montg FD 1	Countywide Dispatch (except Conroe) with 30201 on MCHD TRS	FMN	Fire Dispatch
158.790	RM	107.2 PL	Montg FD 2	Countywide Fire Response (except Conroe) with 30202 on MCHD TRS	FMN	Fire-Tac
154.965	RM	107.2 PL	Montg FD 3	Countywide EMS Response (except Conroe) with 30203 on MCHD TRS	FMN	Fire-Tac

?TEXAS A&M Forest Service

159.405		RM	127.3 PL	TFS Lvngston	Livingston Repeater	FMN	Fire-Tac

——————
Wednesday RACES Zoom mtg was timely as I had the various fire tracking web sites mentioned in the chat, open on the iPad. By far, WatchDuty was the most informative, with regular posts and links to county OEM notification sites.

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Additionally, my HT is programmed with nearby Fire and EMS freq’s. I’m out of range for the ground traffic, but BROADCASTIFY has excellent interfaces to the county channels. I learned quite a bit about EMCOMM radio protocol, command post, staging, response and NIMS in action. The calm demeanor in the voices of those professionals with urgent and priority traffic. Impressive !

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Wed night, I tuned into the various ARES repeaters in the area - no fire related traffic heard. However during the evacuation calls, most of the repeaters in the linked system shared by ARES were occupied by simulcasting the weekly ARRL news. I do not know how I would have been able to break in with priority traffic if I needed to access the repeater network while it was in news broadcast mode.

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San Jacinto County Fire

#2496

Be careful out there folks. Pray for our first responders and all affected.

Current rports are 1200 acres with 0 containment.?

Catch you on the air,

Jason ?Hampton
-Freedom Isn't Free
*Seek to be better today, than you were yesterday
N5DRI, WSCT237
830-992-1334?

Sent from an Android mobile device. Please excuse brevity and disregard any spelling or grammatical errors.

--

Catch you on the air,

Jason Hampton

*Freedom Isn't Free

N2TXS, WXCT237

FB_IMG_1742431119040_22867404357056.jpg

Re: Go-kit battery array master disconnect switch: Place on the positive or negative lead?

#2495

开云体育

I always cut the power side. Much easier to get an accidental ground than accidental power

Regards,

Steven Prindle

512-966-2137

Show quoted text

On Mar 19, 2025, at 09:30, Rick WA2HRF Fell via groups.io <rickyf@...> wrote:

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… plenty of 50/50 opinions on the web. Does it matter?

What if your go-kit is vehicle battery powered (vehicle ground), vs- isolated and dedicated to operating the go-kit (floating ground)?

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Steven
K9UNI

Go-kit battery array master disconnect switch: Place on the positive or negative lead?

#2494

… plenty of 50/50 opinions on the web. Does it matter?

What if your go-kit is vehicle battery powered (vehicle ground), vs- isolated and dedicated to operating the go-kit (floating ground)?

WCARG Publicity!

#2493

Dave / Lee,

Bullet Point Mounting System liked my truck radio install so much, they publicized it on their FB page!

The top picture is the dash mount in myb2021 Ram! You'll notice VFOA & B.

Catch you on the air,

Jason ?Hampton
-Freedom Isn't Free
*Seek to be better today, than you were yesterday
N5DRI, WSCT237
830-992-1334?

Sent from an Android mobile device. Please excuse brevity and disregard any spelling or grammatical errors.

--

Catch you on the air,

Jason Hampton

*Freedom Isn't Free

N2TXS, WXCT237

Re: Seeking logging software recommendations for go-kit operations, voice modes.

#2492

I have been using HAMRS on my iPad and my phone. It used to be free but I think it cost a few bucks now. It does also have a subscription that will support syncing between devices. ?

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Also saw this one for iPad. Might have to give it a download and check it out.?

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Christopher Nelson

KG5DWM

Re: Seeking logging software recommendations for go-kit operations, voice modes.

#2491

开云体育

Have you tried JS8CALL? It has some distinct advantages over FT8 in that you can work digitally, text or ragchew. It operates from the same WJST-X software. It is my preferred field software.

Regards,

Steven Prindle

512-966-2137

Show quoted text

On Mar 11, 2025, at 14:17, Rick WA2HRF Fell via groups.io <rickyf@...> wrote:

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For the past year, I’ve mainly worked FT8/4 digital modes, and automated logging to QRZ and LoTW is built-in to WSJT-x + Gridtracker. However, I’m seeking options to logging (HF) voice QSO’s. Preferably a solution that works on the iOS / iPad, so as to not bring a laptop into an outdoor environment.

Thanks

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Steven
K9UNI

Seeking logging software recommendations for go-kit operations, voice modes.

#2490

For the past year, I’ve mainly worked FT8/4 digital modes, and automated logging to QRZ and LoTW is built-in to WSJT-x + Gridtracker. However, I’m seeking options to logging (HF) voice QSO’s. Preferably a solution that works on the iOS / iPad, so as to not bring a laptop into an outdoor environment.

Thanks

Re: Go-Kit V2 - activated !

#2489

开云体育

A great setup Rick! ?Please bring it to the emergency preparedness fair in May!!!! ?A great forum to display such equipment!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Russ

Show quoted text

On Mar 9, 2025, at 9:05?PM, Rick WA2HRF Fell via groups.io <rickyf@...> wrote:

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Whitey, battery box:

1: Pre-configured-?

2: Added - Fuse box:?

3: Added - DC monitor:?

4: Added - 2x30Ah LiFePo4 ?:?

5: Added - Buck Booster:?

6: Added - 12v Laptop charger:?

7: Added - 12v to multi-USB:?

8: Added - USB Volt/Amp meter:?

9: Added - Additional anderson power-pole connections

10: Added - Solar Panel (entry level) and a 120vac to LifePo4/SLA battery charger.

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To be added:

1- 12v disconnect, as battery box has no master disconnect.?

2- Panel mount USB ports.

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Thanks, Rick

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Re: Go-Kit V2 - activated !

#2488

Whitey, battery box:

1: Pre-configured-?

2: Added - Fuse box:?

3: Added - DC monitor:?

4: Added - 2x30Ah LiFePo4 ?:?

5: Added - Buck Booster:?

6: Added - 12v Laptop charger:?

7: Added - 12v to multi-USB:?

8: Added - USB Volt/Amp meter:?

9: Added - Additional anderson power-pole connections

10: Added - Solar Panel (entry level) and a 120vac to LifePo4/SLA battery charger.

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To be added:

1- 12v disconnect, as battery box has no master disconnect.?

2- Panel mount USB ports.

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Thanks, Rick

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Re: Go-Kit V2 - activated !

#2487

开云体育

Looks like April's Meeting demonstration to me...?

On 3/9/2025 20:19, Whitey K5YTA Nelson via groups.io wrote:

Nice setup??.

Did you build that power box? Would be cool to know more about it.

K5YTA

** WHITEY **

On Sun, Mar 9, 2025 at 1:50?PM Rick WA2HRF Fell via <rickyf=[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks to those who provided Field Day feedback, Version 2 of my go-kit is on the air. Major motocross event, outside Decatur, Tx. Motorhome setup near tracks junk pile allowed me to raise my painters pole in between pallets of cider blocks.

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Make contact with a POTA station on 20m.

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Photos attached.

--

Ryan Gills

General Class Amateur Radio Operator

ARRL Volunteer Examiner and License Instructor

Amateur – K4TXN? ? ? ?GMRS - WQZF521

k4txn@...? ? ? 713-689-8794

?? ?? ?? ??

Re: Go-Kit V2 - activated !

#2486

Nice setup??.

Did you build that power box? Would be cool to know more about it.

K5YTA

** WHITEY **

Show quoted text

On Sun, Mar 9, 2025 at 1:50?PM Rick WA2HRF Fell via <rickyf=[email protected]> wrote:

Thanks to those who provided Field Day feedback, Version 2 of my go-kit is on the air. Major motocross event, outside Decatur, Tx. Motorhome setup near tracks junk pile allowed me to raise my painters pole in between pallets of cider blocks.

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Make contact with a POTA station on 20m.

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Photos attached.

Re: Go-Kit V2 - activated !

#2485

very neat , functional and compact

On Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 01:50:39 PM CDT, Rick WA2HRF Fell via groups.io <rickyf@...> wrote:

Thanks to those who provided Field Day feedback, Version 2 of my go-kit is on the air. Major motocross event, outside Decatur, Tx. Motorhome setup near tracks junk pile allowed me to raise my painters pole in between pallets of cider blocks.

?

Make contact with a POTA station on 20m.

?

Photos attached.

Go-Kit V2 - activated !

#2484

Thanks to those who provided Field Day feedback, Version 2 of my go-kit is on the air. Major motocross event, outside Decatur, Tx. Motorhome setup near tracks junk pile allowed me to raise my painters pole in between pallets of cider blocks.

?

Make contact with a POTA station on 20m.

?

Photos attached.

Now: WCARG Meeting - Saturday, March 8, 2025 #cal-notice

Group Notification

#2483

WCARG Meeting

When:
Saturday, March 8, 2025
9:00am to 10:30am
(UTC-06:00) America/Chicago

Where:
Walker County Storm Sherlter, 445 TX-75 Huntsville, TX GPS: 30.73614, -95.58279

Organizer:
WCARG
[email protected]

View Event

Description:
Monthly meeting of the Walker County Amateur Radio Group followed by amateur radio license testing

Re: New Project for WCARG plus upcoming Ham Cram!

#2482

开云体育

Laura and? Russ, Thanks for the information, and we appreciate all you do for the club

Jim (KI5NC and Pat KJ5GKL) ?

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Sent from

Show quoted text

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Laura WW7OO McDonald via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 1:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [w5hvl] New Project for WCARG plus upcoming Ham Cram!

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An update on a new radio project plus- We can use more ARRL instructors! Ryan has made it very easy to teach and certification is simple also! Please contact Russ NR5US or myself for more information. We are sharing a copy of the most recent communication with the instructor team so you can see what we are working on.

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Greetings instructors!

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I have been in contact with Joe Schorre who is the newly appointed emergency manager at the Huntsville Memorial Hospital.? Joe, who is cc;d on this e-mail has committed to a ham cram course on April 26, 2025!? Now, the 26th is the fourth Saturday, not the third which is my lack of paying attention.??

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As you all recall, Jeff Froehner, KI5VNR works at HMH and with Joe.? Jeff and Joe are spearheading plans to expand ham radio at the hospital and hopefully have a functional HF station on the air soon!? As we all know, the hospital can be the main focal point for communications during emergencies and disasters.? I applaud Jeff and Joe in their efforts!? The WCARG is committed to this worthwhile endeavor and will provide technical expertise and "boots on the ground" if needed.

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Ryan, can you please forward your "ham Cram" packet to Joe?? I briefed him that you will follow up with information to get started and the importance of obtaining an FRN number to take the test.? Additionally, this would be an excellent opportunity recruit other "LIT" instructors to participate.? Anyone wishing to cover my module 5 would be welcomed!? Let's get the word out!

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Scott, can you make arrangements for the airport and follow up with the this group?

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Who's bringing doughnuts? Hi-Hi.........!

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Many thanks to our "ham cram" team for your commitment to our club and the community!

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7? 3 and God Bless

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Russ Cooper

NR5US, VP WCARG?

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