We are roughly two weeks away from the Springtown All-American Bicycle Rally “Boo” Ride on Saturday October 26.

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For this event, we need a total of 7 Rest Stop Volunteers to man the Rest Stops, 7 SAG Unit Volunteers with a Pickup (or Trailer) to transport bicycles and Riders in need of assistance, a Net Control Operator and a Net Logger Volunteer.? One of the SAG Unit Volunteers typically also signs up for the 72-Mile Course Tail assignment to sweep the route to ensure all Riders have cleared the course near the end of the event.?

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The Net Logger Volunteer logs the radio traffic using a Microsoft Excel Logging/Assignment Tracking worksheet application that helps the Net Control Operator track SAG Unit assignments/availability as the Ride progresses and documents all the RF Communication Team’s Radio Traffic for the All-American Bicycle Rally “Boo” Ride Director.

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Currently available are three (3) Rest Stop Volunteer assignments, seven (7) SAG Unit Volunteer assignments including the 72-Mile Tail and the Net Logger Volunteer assignment.? Please sign up soon to support this Bike Ride.

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Here is the link to the Springtown All-American Bicycle Rally “Boo” Ride Volunteer Signup Sheet -

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Thanks for your support.

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73,

Bob Ballard – KG5SQJ

ARC of Parker County

RF Communications EOC Ride Control

FYI – As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, you may want to listen in to the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz (USB) in the daytime and/or 7.268 MHz (LSB) at night.

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Here is the link to the Hurricane Watch Net website with information regarding what is planned when Milton gets within 300 statute miles of Florida (or at the request of the forecasters at the National Hurricane Center). -

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73,

Bob – KG5SQJ

FYI - Here is a link to DX Engineering’s 13-Minute video entitled “The Truth about SWR: Debunking the Myths and Misunderstandings” - ?

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I found this to be an excellent overview of the subject and thought you might also find it useful.

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73,

Bob – KG5SQJ

FYI – See the attached Springtown Hamfest Flyer regarding date and time details and the door prizes that will be given away during the Springtown Hamfest on Saturday October 19.

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During the Springtown Hamfest, I will be conducting my “40^th Practical BaoFeng HT Radio Programming 101 Class” that teaches Hams how to manually program Baofeng HT radios using only the radio’s keypad (i.e., no computer, no cable and no Programming Software like CHIRP).? If you plan to participate in this class, bring your Baofeng HT radio with you to program it during the class.

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I will also be presenting my “Modified Antenna” presentation at the Springtown Hamfest.? Using this modified (i.e., lengthened), inexpensive, very lightweight, portable homebrew Doublet Antenna for Winter Field Day 2022, I Scored the highest Score for the Outdoor, Single Operator, Off-Grid Powered, Phone only, Low Power (100W) Station Category for that contest and spent 85% of the 15.5 hours I Operated during that event working pileups calling my Station.

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Antenna Kit Prize Raffle - There will be specific $1 Raffle Tickets (i.e., not related to the Hamfest Raffle Tickets or Hamfest Prizes) available to purchase a chance to win a “Modified NorCal Doublet Antenna Kit” (this Antenna Kit includes a SotaBeams 125W 4:1 Balun Kit). The winning Raffle Ticket will be drawn at the end of the presentation.? Must be present to win.

Note – All Raffle Ticket money collected for this Antenna Kit Raffle prize will be contributed to the Amateur Radio Club of Parker County.

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73,

Bob – KG5SQJ

FYI –

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Chuck Inmon (K5IJD) discovered and informed me that ”On The Air” magazine published a YouTube “A Tour of 10 Meters” PodCast video last Monday -

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Thanks Chuck!

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73,

Bob – KG5SQJ

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For those of you interested (especially Technician Licensees that are limited to the 10M Band for HF SSB Operations), below is an article from the latest issue of “On The Air” magazine that provides an excellent short overview regarding Operations on the 10M Band.

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73,

Bob – KG5SQJ

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