A Ham's Night Before Christmas

December 2011 Technician Class and Testing

The December 10th/17th Technician Class at the Panama City ARC Clubhouse went well. We wrapped up with a testing session on the 17th. Congratulation to the following:


New Licenses:

Felix Blair (Technician)
Stephen Corbitt (Technician)*
Tom Cothern (Technician)*
Thomas Gilmore (Technician)*
Ruth Jurgonski (Technician)*
Roger Lemire (Technician)
Christopher Oswald (General)*

Upgrades:

Joseph Bayba (Extra) KC2OI
Robert Jurgonski (General) KK4CVU


The * indicates students in our class. Sam Oswald our youngest student yet will be passing the tech test soon. Thanks for Gary Bills heading up the testing and team of volunteer examiners including Addison Marvin "Marv", Jack Crusan, Rick Gutknecht and John Latham. Thanks to Charlie Wooten for loaning us the projector.

Tom Cothern, Roger Lamire, Ruth Jurgonski, Tom Gilmore,  Chris Oswald,  Sam Oswald, Steve Corbitt

Bob Jurgonski, Tony Blair, Don Cornelius

Instructors: Greg Lane, Jack Crusan, Gary Bills

Grumpy's Ranch and KK4DWC Antenna Farm

I had the opportunity to visit Grumpy's Crooked Fence Ranch and the KK4DWC Antenna Farm the Friday after Thanksgiving. The proprietor is Don Cornelius (Not the one from Soul Train). Don and his sons live North of Southport on 388 East. The highlight of the farm is the horses and each one has their own story which Don will fill you in on. Don's Son Gene has the ajoining Lazy C Ranch. Gene offers pony parties, riding lessons and more. See www.lazycranch.us.

Don KK4DWC is getting setup on the HF bands and has a nice tower up which is just the beginning of his antenna farm. The tower has a G5RV now hanging from it and may get a yagi soon. Don is one of the of the new hams at the Panama City Amateur Radio Club. He has received elmering from Henry N4HHM and Steve AC4QB. Of course we appreciate Don running for Club Treasurer. He is unopposed. So give him your support next year. By the way Don has invited the club out to the ranch to do portable ops.

Greg N4KGL

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Amateur Radio Technician License Class December 10 & 17

The Panama City Amateur Radio Club is offering a two day Technician License Class December 10 and December 17 at the Panama City ARC Club House. Students must register by November 30. To register for the class, contact: Greg Lane N4KGL at panamacityarc@gmail.com  

Please get the word out anyway you can! Let your church, other clubs, co-workers and neighbors know. There is a flyer attached.  Thanks for your help.

Greg N4KGL

Panama City ARC President

The Technician license is your gateway to the world-wide excitement of Amateur Radio   

• Earn your ham radio Technician class radio privileges
• Pass your FCC amateur radio license exam right in class on the second day
• Multiple-choice exam, *No Morse Code Required*
• Live equipment demonstrations
• Learn to operate on the ham bands, 10 Meters and higher
• Learn to use the many VHF/UHF FM repeaters in Florida
• Find out how to participate in emergency communications
• Find out how to communicate with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS)

There is no charge for the class (donations accepted)


However, students must have the required study guide: Gordon WestTechnician Class 2010-2014 guide, 7th Edition $20.95 and pay the FCC Exam Fee: $14.00  The text book is available on Amazon.

For more information on amateur (ham) radio visit  www.arrl.org or www.wedothat-radio.org

November 12th Lynn Haven Portable Ops

The park by the bay at the west end of 5th street in Lynn Haven FL was an excellent portable location and the blue skies made it even better. Jason Charles N4JTC had his ground plane setup for 10 meters which was very hot. Using PSK-31 he worked:

IW0BMC - Rome, Italy
YU7YG - Serbia
HB9BRU - Switzerland
IK5FKB - Italy
OE6BMG - Austria
9A1CCB - Croatia
VE7MWP - B.C. Canada
DL2OCE - Germany


Jason also did phone message relay, health and welfare for ve7mwp. He has relatives here and wanted to send a message of hello all is well from B.C., Canada.

Marv KK4DKT had his 20 meter dipole setup at the shore. Jim K4LIX had a QRP setup and Greg had a QRP rig hooked to a 40 meter full wave loop. Thanks to all for a great turn out.

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Under The Oaks Portable Gathering

There was a well attended gathering for portable operations October 29th at Under The Oaks Park. The setup included Greg's Icom 703 hooked to Marv's dipole hung from an oak. Jason's SDR/TX hooked to his ground plane and Greg's Ten Tec R4020 hooked to his half square supported by crappie poles. Jim also brought his K-1.Other attendees included Dave and Tom, Ron, Henry, Sonny, Duane, and Jim and his wife. We enjoyed meeting Lars and Jared who are excited about ham radio. Marv worked a station in Trinidad. He was pretty happy about that.

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Jamboree On The Air 2011

The scouts had a good time doing Jamboree On the Air at the Panama City ARC club house on October 15th. Thanks to club members NZ2I, KA4UOW, AJ4KY, KK4DWE, WB4BLX, and N1HQ for making this a success.

Ham License Exams and Classes

Panama City ARC has Technician classes several times a year. Let us know if you are interested. We use the textbook  Gordon West Technician Class 2010-2014. You also can study on your own and take the test. It is a good idea to use online tests like HamExam.org to practice and know when you are ready, 

Amateur Radio Exams by Panama City ARC
Third Wednesday of each month (5:30 pm - 7:00 pm)
Saturdays (by appointment only)
Location: Panama City ARC Clubhouse, 130 N Church Ave., Panama City, FL

Please notify Gary Bills AJ4KY by the second Wednesday of the month if you wish to take an exam. Those wishing to take the test should be present by 5:30 PM CT to complete the necessary paperwork. For more information, contact Gary (AJ4KY) at billsga@comcast.net or at 850-747-9996.

Congrats to New Hams

Our Technician Class concluded on August 13th. We had six students in the class pass the technician test and an additional three that passed their technician at the test session. Plus Marv, KK4DKT, upgraded to general. Thanks to my fellow instructors Gary Bills, Jack Crusan, and Greg Morrison. Gary Bills also was the test coordinator. We were also assisted by Rick Gutknecht with the testing. Bill Peavy was at the first day but was unable to be there on the second. He will likely test soon.

Students passing tech : Left to right  Timothy Seaboch, Ron Downs, Robert Pelc, Bruce Morrison, Pat Baumann and Don Cornelius.

Passing tech left to right Amanda Pelc, Phil Radford and John Crusan

Panama City ARC Upcoming Events as of August 2nd

The Panama City ARC will have the August Business Meeting 7 PM Wednesday August 3rd. The meeting will be at the club house at 130 N. Church Ave Panama City, FL. Anyone interested in amateur radio is welcome.

The club will have a two day Technician License Class on Aug 6th and Aug 13th at the club house. The test session is 2:30 on Aug 13th. This will also be an opportunity for those not in the class to take a license test or upgrade. The fee is $14 cash and bring a picture ID. If you are upgrading bring a copy of your current license. Gerald Quick AG4PZ is in charge of the testing.

The Panama City ARC 2 Meter Net meets weekly on Monday at 7PM. The frequency is 145.210, minus offset, no tone.

There has been a lot of gear and books donated to the club. We can't store them for long. So if there is anything that interests you, please take it home. Just let a club officer know. A minimal donation is requested.

Our web site is w4ryz.org

Thanks,

Greg Lane

Panama City ARC President

Panama City ARC Technician Class August 6 & 13 Register by July 25

The club is offering another class on short notice. Students must register by July 25th. Please get the word out anyway you can! Let your church, other clubs, co-workers and neighbors know.  Thanks for your help.

Greg N4KGL
Panama City ARC President

The Technician license is your gateway to the world-wide excitement of Amateur Radio    

• Earn your ham radio Technician class radio privileges
• Pass your FCC amateur radio license exam right in class on the second day
• Multiple-choice exam, *No Morse Code Required*
• Live equipment demonstrations
• Learn to operate on the ham bands, 10 Meters and higher
• Learn to use the many VHF/UHF FM repeaters in Florida
• Find out how to participate in emergency communications
• Find out how to communicate with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS)

There is no cost for the class (donations accepted) However, students must have the required study guide: Gordon West Technician Class 2010-2014 guide, 7th Edition $20.95 And pay the FCC Exam Fee: $14.00  The text book is available on Amazon.

The class will be held on August 6^th and August 13^th 2011 at the Panama City ARC Club House. Advance registration is required (no later than July 25th, earlier is better!) To register for the class, contact: Greg Lane N4KGL at panamacityarc@gmail.com  

Class Location: Panama City ARC Club House 130 N. Church Ave Panama City, FL. 

Preparation for first class: Read pages 1 through 125 of the Gordon West Technician Class Book Optional: Read the entire book and start taking online practice exams Bring a sack lunch to class

For more information on amateur (ham) radio visit www.w4ryz.org,  www.arrl.org or www.wedothat-radio.org

Panama City ARC Upcoming Events as of July 12 2011

The Panama City ARC had Field Day at the Bay County EOC on June 25/26th 2011. See the report here.

The Panama ARC will have a Ragchew Meeting Wednesday July 13th at 7PM (come by early if you like) at the PCARC club house 130 N Church Ave Panama City FL. This is a good time for new hams to get help with getting on the air.

There will be a amateur radio license test opportunity on July 20th at the club house. Contact Gerald Quick AG4PZ  ag4pz@comcast.net for info ASAP if you want to take a test.

Please have anyone interested in a two day Technician License Class August 6 & 13 in Panama City send an email to panamacityarc@gmail.com. There will need to be enough interest to setup the class.

The Milton FL Hamfest is July 22/23.  See details here. This is a great opportunity for new hams to shop for equipment.

The Central Florida D-STAR Group will hold a one day D-STAR Academy on July 30, 2011 at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora Florida. See details here.

Jason Charles passed on this announcement for Weather Spotter Classes: See:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/tae/briefing/SpotterAnnouncement.pdf

The Panama City ARC 2 Meter Net is each Monday at 7PM 145.210 repeater (no tone). 

You can find more club info at w4ryz.org

Thanks,

Greg Lane

Panama City ARC President

Panama City ARC July 6th Business Meeting will be at the EOC

The July 6th business meeting will have a special guest Paul Eakin, the ARRL North Florida Section Manager and we will have the results of our Field Day. The meeting will start at 7 PM. It works out well to have our guest and the presentations at the EOC. Please attend and help me get the word out that we will not be meeting at the Club House this time.

Thanks,

Greg Lane

Panama City ARC President

Panama City Amateur Radio Club Field Day June 25/26

The Panama City Amateur Radio Club will participate in Field Day on June 25/26 at the Bay County Emergency Operations Center 700 Highway 2300 Southport, FL. We will be having fun contacting as many Hams as possible operating with similar setups around the United States. However, this will also demonstrate a capability to support emergency communications should normal systems be unavailable. The operating hours are 1 PM Saturday to 1 PM Sunday. A good time for visitors is between 2PM and 6PM Saturday but you can come at anytime. We will have various radios and antennas to operate voice, digital and morse code. We encourage all hams to pitch in and operate and will make a special effort to give young people a chance to get on the air.

We will be operating under the EOC Category 2F with the club call sign W4RYZ .There will be two operation positions one in Room 102 inside the EOC building and one outside on the West end of the parking lot. The inside position will operate commercial power and may include a brief test of the EOCs emergency power. The outside will be battery power and may also test a generator setup. If you are planning on operating you are welcome to bring your own radio if you like. There will be a 12 V power supply inside. We are good on antennas. I'll be getting with folks that showed an interest in making bonus points. Setup will be at 8 AM on Saturday and will not take long but it will give us time to address any issues that come up.

We thank Mark Bowen and Joby Smith of the EOC for giving us an opportunity to operate at this new venue. I want to invite all Bay County Hams especially our recent Technician Class to make it out. We have opportunities to observe, log and operate.

The Bay County Emergency Operations Center is 4.9 miles North on Highway 77 from the intersection of  Highway 77 and 390 and then West on Highway 2300 2.3 miles. It is a good idea to bring some drinks, snacks, sun screen and insect repellent if you are going to stay a while.

Greg Lane N4KGL

Panama City ARC President

June 2011 PCARC Technician Class and Tests

Congratulations to the ten students who passed their technician class tests on June 11th. They were Diane Tuzinkiewiez, Don Byran, Joby Smith, Robert Jurgonski, Kevin Dutton, Don "Luke" Odom, Brandon Churukian, Jose Cuadra, Tony Tripp, and Sonny Frazier. Pat Baumann and Rob Fortner were not able to attend the full class and I hope will take their tests soon. 

Special thanks to my fellow instructors Gary Bills and Greg Morrison. Also thanks to Gerald Quick and the testers including Charlie Hickman, Russ Hill, Kenn Handschuh, Gary Bills and Dale Everly. And thanks to Joby Smith for hosting us at the Bay County EOC.

Also congrats to the license upgrades including Allan Williams, Joseph Smith, George Tyson, and Jason Charles.

Thanks,

Greg Lane N4KGL

Panama City ARC President

Panama City ARC Upcoming Events as of May 24th

IMPORTANT THE JUNE 1st PANAMA CITY ARC BUSINESS MEETING WILL BE AT THE BAY COUNTY EOC at 7PM. This will be an excellent opportunity to see the facilities. Come at 6 for a tour. Thanks to Joby Smith for inviting us. Field Day will be the main topic. Please pass on the meeting location change to everyone as we don't folks going to the locked clubhouse on Church Ave.

Bay County Emergency Operations Center, 700 Highway 2300, Panama City, FL 32409 Directions from Lynn Haven: Take Highway 77 4.9 miles North from Highway 390 then West on Highway 2300 2.3 miles.

Heads Up for Field Day. We will have a good time this year. So please make room on your calendar for June 25/26. We would like have many participants for at least a few hours. 

Our June 4/11 Technician Classes have eleven students registered.

Did you know KF4MOU upgraded to General. Congrats Jason.

Panama City ARC 2 meter Net 145.210 repeater each Monday 7PM. You can also check in via Echolink

Club website W4RYZ.org

Greg Lane

Panama City ARC President

Two Day Technician Class Must register by May 21st 2011

Class is two Saturdays June 4th and June 11th. Students must register by May 21st. 

The Technician license is your gateway to the world-wide excitement of Amateur Radio    

• Earn your ham radio Technician class radio privileges
• Pass your FCC amateur radio license exam right in class on the second day
• Multiple-choice exam, *No Morse Code Required*
• Live equipment demonstrations
• Learn to operate on the ham bands, 10 Meters and higher
• Learn to use the many VHF/UHF FM repeaters in Florida
• Find out how to participate in emergency communications
• Find out how to communicate with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS)

There is no cost for the class (donations accepted) 

However, students must have the required study guide: Gordon West Technician Class 2010-2014 guide, 7th Edition $20.95

And pay the FCC Exam Fee: $14.00 

The class will be held on June 4^th and June 11^th 2011 at the Bay County EOC. Advance registration is required (no later than May 21st, earlier is better!) 

To register for the class, contact: Greg Lane N4KGL at panamacityarc@gmail.com  

For more information on amateur (ham) radio visit www.w4ryz.org,  www.arrl.org or www.wedothat-radio.org

The text book is available on Amazon.

Class Location: Bay County Emergency Operations Center, 700 Highway 2300, Panama City, FL 32409 

Directions from Lynn Haven: Take Highway 77 4.9 miles North from Highway 390 then West on Highway 2300 2.3 miles.

Preparation for first class: Read pages 1 through 125 of the Gordon West Technician Class Book Optional: Read the entire book and start taking online practice exams Bring a sack lunch to class

Panama City ARC Open House Saturday April 30th

There will be on open house at the Panama City ARC clubhouse at 130 N. Church Ave. If you are interested in ham radio come on down between 10 AM and Noon Saturday April 30th. There will be demos of various ham radio setups.

Thanks,

Greg Lane N4KGL

Panama ARC President

Echolink now available via W4RYZ Repeater

KF4MOU EchoLink Station

NODE # 322151

Connected to the 145.210- W4RYZ Repeater
Located in Panama City, FL

Introductory Information

• All stations are welcome to connect to the station (Local and EchoLink stations).
• Please adhere to all the Amateur Radio rules and EchoLink connection standards.
• This service is provided to all Amateurs to expand their QSO possibilities and greatly extend the range and use of the local Panama City 145.210  W4RYZ Panama City Amateur Radio Club repeater.

Links:

PCARC Club Page

EchoLink Home Page
Official EchoLink User Manual
EchoLink Station Status List Near Panama City
EchoLink Current Login List

KF4MOU Usage Logs (Updated every 5 Min) Callsign Log

Important: If you would like to add a station to the station favorites or you have questions concerning the system please e-mail Jason Charles: KF4MOU_@_gmail.com(don't forget to remove the underscores!).

If You Have Never Before Used EchoLink Please Read The Following!

Basic Operating Steps:

1. Figure out where you want to connect and obtain the node number for that location. Use the Echolink Links page to obtain the node number.
2. Tune your 2 meter transceiver to the local club repeater 145.210 - offset.
3. Listen for a current QSO. If no QSO is in progress, say your call sign followed by "Using Echolink" so that anyone preparing to use the repeater locally knows it's about to go into use.
4. Enter the appropriate DTMF tones.

Panama City ARC Upcoming Events

The Panama City Amateur Radio Club is having an Open House on Saturday April 30th 10 AM until noon. We will have several types of stations on the air. These will include fixed HF, mobile HF, portable QRP and PSK-31. This open house will be a good time for prospective hams to visit and current hams to get on the air. Note the Florida QSO party will start at 11 AM. The location is at the Panama City Amateur Radio Clubhouse at 130 N. Church Ave Panama City, FL. Questions about this event can be sent to Greg Lane N4KGL at panamacityarc@gmail.com. The club web site is w4ryz.org.

Wednesday May 4th is the next business meeting for the Panama City ARC. The location is at the Panama City Amateur Radio Clubhouse at 130 N. Church Ave Panama City, FL. All hams and those interested in amateur radio are welcome to attend. A regular membership to the club is $20.

The Panama City ARC will support the Gulf Coast Triathlon on May 7th. Our volunteers are Greg Morrison, Kenn Handschuh, Dick Agar, Greg Lane, Dale Everly and John Koltz. Henry Mc Clain is coordinating the effort.

The Panama City ARC will give a two day class for the technician amateur radio license. This will be at the Bay County EOC June 4th and June 11th. The test will be given at the end of the second day. Registration is required by May 21st. Email panamacityarc@gmail to register. The book 2010-2014 Technician Class by Gordon West, about $21, is required a week before class. The testing fee is $14. Please help get the word out to potential new hams.

The Panama City ARC 2 Meter Net is on Mondays 7PM 145.210 no tone. All hams are welcome to check in.

Greg Lane N4KGL
Panama City ARC President

Panama City Amateur Radio Club Tailgate April 9th

Panama City Amateur Radio Club Tailgate

 

Hours: Saturday April 9th  9 AM until 1 PM

Buy, Sell, or Trade Ham Radio Items

Raffle 

Food

Tables available for $5 (first come first serve)

Location: PCARC Clubhouse

              130 N. Church Ave

              Panama City, FL

Talk In Repeater: W4RYZ 145.210 minus no tone.

Questions? Contact Greg Morrison KG4LFS 

Email: panamacityarc@gmail.com

Club Web Site: w4ryz.org

Please pass on this announcement to all hams within 100 miles Panama City via email, nets or any other opportunity.

Greg Lane N4KGL

PCARC President

Hams help oppose HR 607 from taking away 420-440 MHz

Your prompt help to defend one of our amateur bands is urgently
requested.

You may have already heard that our 440 MHz band is being attacked by a
bill introduced into the US House of Representatives. In its current
form, HR 607 would take away the 420-440 MHz segment that is presently
allocated to Amateur Radio on a secondary basis as our 70 cm band.
Along with certain other segments not allocated to Amateur Radio, the
420-440 MHz segment would become part of a spectrum “give back”
involved in allocating 758-763 and 788-793 MHz for a Public Safety
broadband network.

The concept of this network has merit. Everyone wants first responders
to have the radio systems they need in order to protect themselves and
us. However, there is absolutely no need to take our 440 MHz band in
making it happen. We need to let our US Representatives know we oppose
the current form of HR 607.

Let your US Representative know you oppose the present bill, go to
http://www.kd4pyr.net/hamletter.htm . Insert your call sign where
indicated and follow the simple instructions. The name and address of
your US Representative will automatically be put into the letter, as
will your name and address. It will be ready to be printed and signed.

Signed letters can be sent by fax or postal mail. They can also be
scanned into PDF format and e-mailed as a file attachment. 
Postal mail: John Chwat, Chwat & Co., 
Suite 103, 625 
Slaters Lane, 
Alexandria, VA 22314. 
E-mail: john.chwat@chwatco.com. 
Fax number: (703) 684-7594.

Do not send this letter or any letter about HR 607 to your US Senators
at this time. The bill is only in the US House of Representatives.
Letters sent on HR 607 to US Senators will merely waste their time and
demonstrate lack of knowledge of how our system of government works. 

WHY SHOULD the letter be mailed to John Chwat? There are two reasons.
First, all postal mail to members of the US House (and other government
bodies) is delayed 6 to 8 weeks in being searched for hazardous
materials that may be included in them. Second, Mr. Chwat will hand
carry and greatly increase the value of your individual letter by
combining it with others and delivering the stack of letters directly
to your Representative's office. This manner of delivery makes a
particular impact on our Congressmen.

If you feel it necessary to mail your letter directly to your
Representative, do it. However, please also send a signed copy of it
to Mr. Chwat for the reasons outlined above.

For your information, the letter generating utility will be open for
use by any US amateur for at least a couple of weeks.

For additional information see:
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-members-respond-to-hr-607
http://www.arrl.org/sample-letters

Thanks for your help and support in this important effort. Please let
me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

73,
Greg Sarratt, W4OZK
Director, Southeastern Division American Radio Relay League

Harold KD4YDO meets friends at Orlando Hamfest

Here are some hams that I also met at the Orlando Hamfast. John, Virgin Island, works with the MMSN, Luis, Mexico, Inter-Con, w3zu, Fred, MMSN & Inter-Con, Inverness, Fl, Burnie, Orlando, MMSN ,and John, Orlando, MMSN. A bunch of great Hams.

Harold KD4YDO

John np2b, xe1l Luis, w3zu Freb, Burnie np2cb, John kg4rqo and Harold kd4ydo, in the middle.

See more photos here.

March 7th Panama City ARC Monday Net and Repeater Challenge

The winner of the March 7th Repeater Challenge was KA4UOW Mike with 10 points. Also participating KI4ARJ 7 points and KJ4MAK 7 points

The challenge is one point for working someone on a Bay County 2 meter repeater. Four bonus points if they check into the Monday Net 7PM 145.210 No tone.

March 7th Net Checkins

KI4ARJ
N4BOY
NH7FK
NZ2I
K3IJD
KJ4MAK
WB4NEQ
N4RLF
KA4UW
KF7JYZ
W4IMH

Thanks for a good net.
Greg N4KGL

D-STAR Presentation

Cameron Mackenzie K6CLM gave an excellent presentation on D-STAR capabilities to an audience of fourteen at the club on March 2nd.. The presentation included a live demo through an access point. We are much better informed. Cameron is active duty military and will be moving to California to pursue a masters degree. You may still catch him on a 2 meters in the near term and of course on D-STAR.