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Latest from NWS From: NWS Houston - NOAA Service Account <nws.houston@...> Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 4:24 PM Subject: Multiple Days of Severe Weather Possible Good afternoon, Overview Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible over the next several days leading up to a cold front this weekend. For Wednesday and Thursday, the severe weather risk is expected to be more isolated in nature, focused across our northern counties. The Storm Prediction Center has these areas under a Marginal (Level 1/5) Risk of Severe weather on these days, with damaging wind gusts and large hail being the primary risks. An isolated tornado cannot be completely ruled out. Risk of severe weather increases and expands further south to the I-10 corridor on Friday, extending into Saturday as the cold front pushes through SE Texas. The Storm Prediction Center has these areas along/north of I-10 under a Slight (Level 2/5) Risk of Severe weather for Friday as Saturday. All severe weather hazards will be on the table for these days (damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornado). In addition, locally heavy rainfall will also be possible on Saturday as the front pushes through SE Texas. The Weather Prediction Center has areas north of I-10 and along/east of I-45 under a Slight Risk (level 2 of 4) of Excessive rainfall for Saturday. Urban Flash Flood Messaging Heavy rainfall is forecast for portions of Southeast Texas, including highly urbanized areas like the Houston metropolitan area. Based on forecast conditions, NWS Houston will be utilizing the following urban flash flood messaging for this event: Street Flooding (Select if Anticipating Moderate Rainfall Rates; 1-2"/hour) - Drive with caution. Cars may flood in low-lying areas. Ponding on roadways may increase risk of hydroplaning. - Pay attention to the weather. Monitor the NWS, your local media, HCFCD and other official weather information sources. - Rain may move repeatedly across the same area, causing a rapid rise on creeks and bayous. However, creeks and bayous are not likely to exceed their banks. Miscellaneous Hazards A Wind Advisory and Small Craft Advisory are also in effect for Wednesday Resources NWS Houston Galveston Phone Numbers: (281) 337-5074 ext. 232 or ext. 234 NWS Houston/Galveston Webpage: www.weather.gov/houston National Hurricane Center Webpage: www.hurricanes.gov Hourly Forecasts (Click Your Location) West Gulf River Forecast Center Webpage: www.weather.gov/wgrfc NWPS Webpage If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our office at the phone numbers listed in the Resources section above. Bradley Brokamp, Tim Cady and Hayley Adams Forecasters National Weather Service - Houston/Galveston, TX
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Event: WCARG Breakfast - Saturday, March 29, 2025
#cal-reminder
Reminder: WCARG Breakfast When: Saturday, March 29, 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 weekly breakfast. Anyone interested in ham radio, whether licensed or not, is invited.
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Amateur radio topics and emergency communications. Very active group, twice weekly recorded zoom presentations. https://www.ratpac.us/home - and associated group.io forum. List of recent training:
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[W5SC] San Antonio Radio Club - Daily Summary
For those who don't have access to this group, Here is the text: BSides SATX 2025 is Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at St. Mary's University! BSidesSATX is a community-driven, open information security conference held annually in San Antonio, Texas, providing a platform for security experts and enthusiasts to share ideas, insights, and build relationships in a collaborative atmosphere. Many years ago, SARC had a public information table there displaying radio equipment and answering questions. I would love to have a presence this year and need your help! If you're interested in volunteering to provide information and staff the table for a few hours, let me know! Below is from the table in 2018. They were showing off some digital radios. SADRC, this would be fun to do as a joint event! 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 https://www.qrz.com/db/n5dri Sent from an Android mobile device. Please excuse brevity and disregard any spelling or grammatical errors. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 00:02 Subject: [W5SC] San Antonio Radio Club - Daily Summary To: Jason Hampton (N5DRI) <im.n5dri@...> This is a daily summary for San Antonio Radio Club. View all your groups.io groups, and edit your subscriptions, here. Do not reply to this email. To view and reply to a topic, click the subject. new topics: ¡ñ BSides SATX 2025 and Amateur Radio By Paul Guido Home Subscription Messages New Topic ? 2025 Groups.io You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the [email protected] group via im.n5dri@.... You can unsubscribe here. -- Catch you on the air, Jason Hampton *Freedom Isn't Free N5DRI, WXCT237
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Those also with ARES/RACES/CERT - Disaster vs Emergency & Ham Radio
2
Suggest skipping to part 3 -https://stxd14ares.org/training/eme-103-emergency-vs-disaster/ Thanks, Rick Begin forwarded message: From: "King, Jay" Date: March 24, 2025 at 10:30:36 CDT To: ARC Amateur Radio EmComm Subject: Disaster vrs Emergency ? Here's an interesting item from Harris County. I found Part 3 especially thought provoking. It offers many insights into how we can best serve our agencies. Some of it is provocative, it's honest in its assessment of ham organizations. For me, it will serve as a checklist of how to talk to my served agency about what hams can do and how best to engage. https://stxd14ares.org/training/eme-103-emergency-vs-disaster/ 73 W2AFE Jay King EPA ARES SEC <EME-103 Emergency vs Disaster ¨C Harris County ARES.pdf>
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Winner of the Antenna Auction
Rick Fell WA2HRF Congratulations Rick!
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Current bid for the antenna auction
The amount now is at $285.00 and this is the last hour- bids close at 6 PM!
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FREE ON-LINE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATING CLASS Apr 3 - Jun 19, 2025
3
Via the guys putting on the on-line extra class)¡Like the extra class, I¡¯m assuming these will be recorded. / Rick From: roland.anders@... Date: March 22, 2025 at 12:50:52 CDT Operating Class Announcement For your information, and please publicize: FREE ON-LINE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATING CLASS A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class on Zoom will begin on Thursday April 3 and run through June 19 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. The presenters will be various experienced folks in the various subjects. A detailed syllabus will be published before the classes begin. Attend them all, or any that you like, but you must register for the classes. To receive registration information, contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@.... Subjects will include: All About Operating--A general Introduction Amateur Radio Organizations¡ªLocal to International Ham Radio Awards DXing-History and Tips from the Experts QSLing-How to get that needed card for DXCC or WAS VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work and ¡°Roving¡± Image Operating¡ªSlow Scan and Fast Scan TV Remote Station control over internet Learning CW in the no-code era Digital Modes¡ªFrom RTTY to FT8 and beyond Contesting¡ªHow to get started, tips for the beginner and intermediated contester Logging Software¡ªWhat¡¯s available, how to use Propagation¡ªA general intro to HF Propagation Amateur Satellites¡ªHow to get started Portable (backpacking) operation¡ªTips from an expert Setting Up a Modern (or not so modern) HF Station Lightning Protection and Grounding Traffic Handling Public Service, Emergency Communications Thanks, Rol, K3RA
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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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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! 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. Additionally, when placing your bid, please make it to both to Laura and myself. Laura-bonnieclyderainy@... Russ- iav84u@... If you have any questions, please call me at (281) 433-1513. Thanks and Good Luck! Russ NR5US VP, WCARG
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Event: WCARG Breakfast - Saturday, March 22, 2025
#cal-reminder
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.
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PAULINE ROAD FIRE / San Jacinto & Montgomery Co., NW of Cleveland / 1300:ac 10% containment / Evac¡¯s / Shelters open
2
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. https://www.radioreference.com/db/browse/ctid/2692#cid-2510 Frequency License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag 158.820 WQKZ358 RM 107.2 PL Montg FD 1 Countywide Dispatch (except Conroe) with 30201 on MCHD TRS FMN Fire Dispatch 158.790 WQKZ358 RM 107.2 PL Montg FD 2 Countywide Fire Response (except Conroe) with 30202 on MCHD TRS FMN Fire-Tac 154.965 WQKZ403 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 WPMC847 RM 127.3 PL TFS Lvngston Livingston Repeater FMN Fire-Tac ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª 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. https://share.watchduty.org/i/44281?ts=1742440804000 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 ! https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/44345 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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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 https://www.qrz.com/db/n5dri 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
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Go-kit battery array master disconnect switch: Place on the positive or negative lead?
2
¡ 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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WCARG Publicity!
Dave / Lee, Bullet Point Mounting System liked my truck radio install so much, they publicized it on their FB page! https://www.facebook.com/share/1FkxKJKoVC/?mibextid=wwXIfr 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 https://www.qrz.com/db/n5dri 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
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Seeking logging software recommendations for go-kit operations, voice modes.
3
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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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.
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Now: WCARG Meeting - Saturday, March 8, 2025
#cal-notice
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
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New Project for WCARG plus upcoming Ham Cram!
2
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. Greetings instructors! 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. 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. 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! Scott, can you make arrangements for the airport and follow up with the this group? Who's bringing doughnuts? Hi-Hi.........! Many thanks to our "ham cram" team for your commitment to our club and the community! 7 3 and God Bless Russ Cooper NR5US, VP WCARG
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See attached for details. (Thanls for sharing K5YNU) 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
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Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am