[BVARC] Fw: SkyWarn and Amateur Radio

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

A conversation started on the BVARC reflector about the lack of radio 
communications during the past few heavy rainfalls and wind storms.
Several operators wanted to relay reports from their areas last week but could 
not raise anyone on the air at Transtar or NWS.

I reached out to the SkyWarn coordinator for Houston/Galveston with questions 
about repeaters, reporting, and training.

His reply is attached below.  Basically he says:

  *
they were on the air during last week's storm
  *
They now use the south coast linked repeater system
  *
training is available
  *
we can always use the 800 phone number listed on their webpage.
  *
They are willing to do a class tailored for amateur radio operators.

My thoughts:

  *
PLEASE understand that SkyWarn is NOT storm chasing.  A few comments I saw on 
the reflector indicated some people equate the two.  SkyWarn is nothing more 
than reporting what you see where ever you are ... on the road, at home, at a 
ball game, in a shelter, etc.
  *
The training tells you what the NWS wants you to report.
  *
The training schedule shows multiple classes in March...none in the SW sector 
of "Greater Houston"
  *
We can go online to take the classes on our own.  We do not have to wait on 
them to give a class that is convenient to us.
  *
The south coast repeaters web page does not load for me, but the second link 
works fine and lists several linked repeaters
  *
That 800 phone number may not work during  severe weather because the circuits 
are overloaded or the towers are down.
  *
Make sure you can reach several of the repeaters listed in case  the ones 
closest to you go down during a storm.
  *
An on-line search revealed there is a SkyWarn net on Echolink that meets every 
month during the "off season" and weekly during hurricane season.
https://voipwx.net/welcome-to-the-voip-skywarn-hurricane-net-support-site/
  *
I had training several years ago and should probably take a refresher.  I will 
watch for ZOOM  based (or similar) sessions.

Reach out to Dan Reilly if you want to request training for a club or something 
tailored to amateur radio.  dan.rei...@noaa.gov

73
Ralph KE5HDF

From: Dan Reilly - NOAA Federal 
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2024 7:20 AM
To: ralph phillips 
Cc: David Fanelli ; D. A. Fanelli 
Subject: Re: SkyWarn and Amateur Radio

We activated for this event, had a board operator (copied here). We do more 
Skywarn training than most offices.

https://www.weather.gov/hgx/skywarn_schedule

There have been some changes in the network past few years Saltgrass has faded 
away, South Coast Reflector I believe has taken its place, although the web 
site for that network seems to be down.

http://southcoastreflector.com/

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/feature_search.php?system=South%20Coast%20Reflector%20System_id=%=systems#google_vignette

We'd be happy to do a ham-centric training next go around. But The 800 number 
remains a viable method of reporting as well.

Dan Reilly
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston
281-534-2157 ext. 223

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[BVARC] Emergency communications

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

I agree with the observations made regarding the current deficit of 
communications during storms.

Houston used to have sirens all over town.  They are gone.

We used to have 2 or 3 repeaters active for weather spotting.  One of them was 
manned by a local TV station meteorologist.  Now we don't have anything regular 
set up.

Weather spotting,  NOT Chasing, is a big activity in the Midwest and North 
East.  Why has it disappeared here
My first thought (not necessarily accurate) is a reliance on formal ARES 
groups.  They function when activated for major events to support served 
agencies.  That is what ARES is for.  They are needed there and do a good job.  
After Harvey, I needed help to report a broken gas line.  Transtar answered ob 
the first call

The answer is simple ... reach out to the NWS to ask about classes and 
repeaters.  I will do that and report back to this reflector.

Ralph
KE5HDF


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[BVARC] Interference remedy

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

You could ask ARRL if they have any experience with the lights.  They have 
tested laptop power supplies, breakers, doorbells, and other devices for RFI.
perhaps suggest the neighbor take them back to the seller for a refund or 
exchange.  A big box store got busted several ago for selling uncertified 
fluorescent lights.  If they are making that much noise then they are likely 
not tested and certified but falsely labelled.

Ralph. KE5HDF


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[BVARC] Fwd: post WW2 field cell phone to donate

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

Anyone interested in this for restoration??

Ralph
KE5HDF

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From: Susan White 
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 2:52:49 PM
To: ke5...@sbcglobal.net 
Subject: post WW2 field cell phone to donate

Hi Ralph, this is Susan, one of your HAM students from 2019-2020!  I hope this 
email finds you well.  I have a vintage Tandy Radio Shack Cellular Mobile Phone 
Model CT-1033.  Would you or any in your groups want it, to restore, etc.  I 
dont want to just donate or throw it away.  The wiring from the phone to the 
pack would have to be replaced but the battery pack and phone are in good shape 
from what I can tell.  Not sure if the batteries will still hold a charge, but 
the charger is included.

This ebay posting is exactly like what I have, bag and everything
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154293841577?chn=ps=1=1=711-117182-37290-0=2=101=154293841577==c=pla=2840=9033980=20389314120===9317278=6296724=CjwKCAjwjaWoBhAmEiwAXz8DBbRkn8AsReWEC9U1doOb5CgJKyupo9Gzu5hgZjw9AgcHaSVARlI7tBoCiuEQAvD_BwE

Thank you,
Susan






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[BVARC] Antenna guides

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

Nope ... Antennas do not have to be metal.
A tube or hose filled with saltwater can radiate.


Ralph. KE5HDF

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[BVARC] Oak Forest ARC Field Day

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

OFARC is hosting a field Day event:We are on the ARRL locator page as KE5TRB

DATE:    June 25/26

LOCATION:  Brazos Bend State Park

    Screened shelters #7 and #9 


COST:    park entry is $7 per person per day. 

    

Set Up Time:  10 a.m. Saturday June 25

Operations  24  hours

Take down time:  we need to vacate both shelters by 1200 Sunday June 26

 
We will operate from Shelter #9.  It backs up to the trees.
Shelter #7 will be for resting & cooking

I know it will be hot and it is a bit of a drive.However the idea of FD is to 
operate away from your comfort zone.I think this fits ...
Ralph  KE5HDF

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[BVARC] Ofarc zoom link problem

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

I want to apologize to all for the confusion on the oak forest club zoom link.
A note was sent with a bad link and a follow up note with a good link was not 
labelled as a correction.
Most of our meeting today was a discussion of our plans for FD then some nice 
videos of field trips provided by a member.
The meeting was recorded and will be posted to our YouTube channel in a few 
days.

Ralph KE5HDF

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[BVARC] antenna analyzers

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

I have seen some very nice antenna analyzers from Comet and RigExpert.  They 
cost anywhere from $200 to $600 depending on the model.
I have used some of them and they do a good job.  Apparently they are ready to 
use out of the package…no calibration routine needed.

Then there are small units called VNAs that cost $50 to $200.  They seem 
impressive for the small size and do everything the big ones do.  It appears 
some of them require a special calibration kit and need to be checked every 
time they are turned on.

I want an analyzer for building antennas from HF through UHF.  A bonus would be 
a function to check band pass filters (some VNAs seem to include this function).
What is your experience and recommendations on the options?

Ralph
KE5HDF
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[BVARC] Naked wire dipole

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

I agree the antenna should not touch any other object.
A curious study at my shack... I have an 80m inverted V running from house to 
the 2 back corners of my yard.  One near one corner is a latch of banana 
plants.  I cut them to the ground after the any freeze and have a nice swr.  As 
they grow my swr changes and I retune after a month.  The capacitance of a 
plant full of water off the side of the wire has a major impact.
The same will be true for any vegetation or other obstruction

Ralph KE5HDF

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[BVARC] Ham needs help update

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

Several people have responded with offers to help.  Wonderful!!One of the 
responses has contact with the Pearland ARC.  I am hoping they can send a 
couple of people over to help Tony.
If we need more help I will reach out to those who responded.
Ralph. KE5HDF

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[BVARC] 70 cm j-pole

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

Many Thanks!!  Several people responded and all with helpful information/advice
Going through the comments I see I need to check feed locations again, add a 
choke, and play with the distance between elements.I had already checked all 
dimenaions and which leg got braid.
My antenna analyzer only goes to 2m so no user here BUT analyzer gives same 
reading as cross needle vhf/uhf watt/SWR meter across 2m band.
I will let you know how this plays out!!
Ralph.   KE5HDF
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[BVARC] Need antenna build advice

[ralph phillips via BVARC]

Having problems with my home brew 440 mhm jpole...will not tune better than a 
SWR 1.9.  Books and articles no help.  Will velocity factor or resistance 
change dimensions for steel vs aluminum??

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