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January 2025 Meeting Change

There will be no regular meeting at the Storm Shelter in January.


We will meet instead on January 25 at the estate of Dave Godfrey NY5A at 243 Koonce Rd, Trinity, TX. Since that is Winter Field Day, members (and visitors) should bring their radios and antennas if they wish to operate. Operating starts at 10AM. A wood fire will be available for radioless hams.

The GPS coordinates of the Godfrey estate are 30.942467,-95.440758.


2025-01-02

Fusion Repeater Procedures

Repeater chairman, Russ NR5US, reports that more members are utilizing the 146.640 fusion repeater.

The repeater is unique in that it permits worldwide communication by simply typing in a Node or room number for a desired foreign location. The repeater is an open repeater and maintained for the pleasure of any licensed ham to use.

Please help us maintain the repeater in its normal operating mode by keeping it attached to the TEXAS-PATRIOTS room node 60755. You may change the repeater to another node if you wish. but please return it to the TEXAS-Patriots room when done. Otherwise it will appear to Russ that the repeater is down or needs maintenance, resulting in an unnecessary trip to the repeater site.


2025-01-02

Tower Donated in Memory of Dr. Rathke

Huntsville optometrist, Dr. Stephen Means,OD, has donated a Rohn 25 tower just under 150 feet tall in memory of his late, good friend and long time amateur radio operator, Dr. David Rathke, DDS. Dr. Rathkes amateur radio call sign was KI5NG.

The tower was subsequenlty auctioned off and was purchased by Shaun Dwyer, AD5V.

Walker County Amateur Radio Group is a Texas non-profit corporation qualified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations to WCARG are tax deductible.


2025-01-01

Zoom Extra Class in January

If you or anyone you know is interested in attending an Amateur Extra Class licensing course, please pass along the following information, and feel free to publicize it with your radio club or any group you feel would benefit.

A free, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Extra Class Licensing course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and will run through Thursday, March 27. There will be 11 sessions. The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time. Sessions will be recorded. Those attending should hold (or be studying for) the General Class Amateur Radio License. These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum. Please publicize this with anyone that you think would be interested. Those wishing to sign up should email roland.anders@comcast.net.

Thanks.
73,
Rol Anders, K3RA

2024-12-19

Raffle Winner Announced

Tommy McMillan has been announced as the winner of the WCARG raffle. Congratulations, Tommy!


2024-12-19

Eppink Named 2024 Ham of the Year

Tyson Eppink, N1TXN, has was named 2024 WCARG Ham of the Year at the club recent annual Christmas party. He was lauded especially for his work at VEC for the club as well as tirelessly helping other hams and teaching and demonstrating electronic technology at club meetings. Tyson is known for creating amazing electronic devices entirely from scratch, including electronics, software and printed enclosures.


2024-12-18

Ellisor Given Trifecta Award

Wade Ellisor, AI5TZ, was recognized at the WCARG Christmas dinner with a special Trifecta award for passing all three amateur radio class exams in one sitting.


2024-12-18

Christmas Party/Brunch Dec. 14

Don't forget the potluck Christmas party and brunch on December 14 at 9AM at the Storm Shelter. Everyone should bring a dish to share. Please contact Laura McDonald to let her know what you are bringing.

The Ham of the Year will be announced and the raffle drawing will be held at the party.

2024-11-17

January Meeting Changed to 25th

The Storm Shelter will be in use for official purposes on January 11, our normal meeting date.

We will meet instead on January 25 at the estate of Dave Godfrey NY5A at 243 Koonce Rd, Trinity, TX. Since that is Winter Field Day, members (and visitors) should bring their radios and antennas if they wish to operate. Operating starts at 10AM.

The GPS coordinates of the Godfrey estate are 30.942467,-95.440758.


2024-11-17

No June Meeting!!!

The Storm Shelter is in use by FEMA.

2024-06-04

May 11 Meeting Cancelled

The Walker county storm shelter is currently being used to house people affected by the flood and may or may not be available for our use Saturday. Due to this uncertainty and the possibility of even more rain, we will not be having our normal monthly meeting. Thanks and have a great day- Laura

2024-05-08

New May 11 Testing Location

Because the Storm Shelter is being used for flood refugees, the VEC testing session will be moved. Tyson Eppink, our testing coordinator, will be offering license testing at the Huntsville airport Saturday from 10-12. The addressis 1000 Airport Drive. For info call ‭(936) 635-2590‬.

2024-05-08

New Winlink (RMS) Stations

We now have two Winlink stations as follows:

Winlink VHF Packet - 145.03 W5HVL-10
Winlink VARA FM - 446.15 W5HVL-11

2024-03-23

Allen Wins AR-15 Raffle

The AR-15 offered in the WCARG raffle was won by Helen Allen of Huntsville. Happy shooiing to Helen!


2024-03-13

New Winlink Stations

On October 16, 2023 we installed the two RMS stations at the tower site that is utilized by the WCARG club.
The two stations were as follows:
• VHF 145.030 MHz. configured for WIN- LINK VHF PACKET under the station des- ignation of KM5VC-10.
• UHF 446.150 MHz. configured for WIN- LINK VARA FM under the station designa- tion of KM5VC-11.

2023-10-26

New Officers Elected

The following new officers wee elected for 2014-5:
- President: Clenard Hightower KC5IYA
- Vice President: Russ Cooper NR5US
- Secretary: Laura McDonald WW7OO
- Treasurer: Stepen Farlow KJ5YN

2023-10-26

November Meeting Date Changed to 11-18

The November meeting of WCARG has been delayed a week due to an event at the Storm Shelter. The new meeting date is November 18 at 9 AM at the Walker County Storm Shelter.

2023-10-26

Generator Winner -- Dustin Cotton

The winner of the generator this year was Dustin Cotton.

2022-12-10

FRN Required for Ham Exams

You are required to provide an FRN (FCC Registration Number) when you take an amateur radio examination. Social Security numbers will not longer be accepted.

If you ugrading, you alrready have an FRN. If you are a new licensee, you need to obtain a new FRN. See the FCC page below for instructions.

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration-number-frn

2021-05-10