ARCPC Newsletter Volume 26 No 6.pub

The Peanut Whistle
The Monthly Newsletter of the Amateur Radio Club of Parker County
ARCPC NEWSLETTER VOLUME 26 NO. 6
PRESIDENT
JACK NIXON KG5BBV
JUNE 2016 ISSUE
NEW ARCPC 2016-2017 OFFICERS
VICE PRESIDENT
THAD WEIKAL KG5ATD
SECRETARY-TREASURER
WILLIAM NEWMAN WL9N
DIRECTORS
JOEL PAGE KW5JP
WILL TEAGUE W5KD
W5PC TRUSTEE-QSL MGR
WILL TEAGUE W5KD
WEBMASTER
WILLIAM NEWMAN WL9N
PUBLIC INFORMATION
PHIL DALTON W5PRD
EDUCATION CHAIRMAN
WILLIAM NEWMAN WL9N
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
CLUB HISTORIAN
WILL TEAGUE W5KD
PROGRAM-ACTIVITIES
VACANT
FIELD DAY 2016
KEN STOUT K5KMS
CHAPLIN
CLAY RILEY KC0BWR
HOSPTALITY
JUDY WOLF KB5JEY
REGISTERED AGENT
JERRY THOMPSON W7JT
RACES-ARES
ALLEN BEADLE KB5AB
TONY GUESS N5NRU
BILL NEWMAN WL9N
VE TESTING
DOUG MAY WB5VQQ
ARRL
WEST GULF-NTX STAFF
DAVID WOOLWEAVER K5RAV
JOHN STRATTON N5AUS
NANCY MCCAIN K5NLM
The above photo is the new ARCPC officers that were elected on May 10, 2016.
They will serve for the 2016 - 2017 year. The upcoming meeting on Tuesday June
14,2016 will be the first meeting with the new officers in their elected positions. In
the above photo back row left to right: Joel Page KW5JP Director, William Newman
WL9N Secretary/Treasurer, Will Teague W5KD Director. Front row left to right:
Jack Nixon Jr. KG5BBV President and Chad Weikal KG5ATD Vice President..
These members have volunteered their time to fill these positions. It is important that
the club has these volunteers to fill those positions. It is equally important that all the
membership shows its support. The more members that show their support through
volunteering the stronger our club will be.
Each member has something to offer the club. We are always looking for VEs to
help, you could write an article for the newsletter, you could help with maintenance
on the club trailer. If we can find a time frame that works for us we could bring back
the annual swap and there is always things that members can do to help out. We are
in need of instructors so that the club can start conducting license classes again. Step
up and show your support by volunteering. Attending meetings is another way that
you can show support to ARCPC.
June 2016
The Peanut Whistle
Volume 26 No 6 Page 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ARCPC HOSPITALITY
June, 2016 Meeting
Upcoming Ham Fests/Conventions
Refreshments
Judy Wolf
KB5JEY
06/10/2016 | West Gulf Division Convention
(Ham-Com 2016)
Location: Irving, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: North Texas Area Clubs
Website: http://www.hamcom.org
07/16/2016 | Tidelands ARS Hamfest
Location: Texas City, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Tidelands Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://tidelands.org
07/22/2016 | Oklahoma Section Convention
(Ham Holiday 2016)
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs
Website: http://www.hamholiday.com
08/05/2016 | Texas State Convention (Austin
Summerfest 2016)
Location: Austin, TX
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Austin ARC & Texas VHF-FM Society
Website: http://www.austinsummerfest.org
09/10/2016 | Lubbock ARC's 3rd Annual Hamfest
.Location: Lubbock, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Lubbock Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://K5LIB.org
01/14/2017 | San Antonio Radio Fiesta
Location: Schertz, TX
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: San Antonio Radio Club
Website: http://w5sc.org
Jake Sez!
“ Be patient with the faults of
others; they have to be patient with yours”
Amateur Radio Club of Parker County
I want to say thank you to each of you that were in
attendance at the May meeting and voted for me in
the recent election, and if any of you didn't, I hope
to exceed any reservations anyone may have had
about me becoming the ARCPC VP.
I consider it an honor to be able to participate on
the board of this Ham club, I want to be an asset to
its efforts, and I look forward to working with each
of you.
KG5ATD
Thad
73
ARCPC VE TESTING
VE testing for all license classes and upgrades will
be conducted on the third Monday of each month,
except November and December.
Time: 7:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Douglas E. May WB5VQQ
(817) 613-7289
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: What-a-Burger off of I20
Weatherford TX 76086
June 2016
The Peanut Whistle
Volume 26 No 6 Page 3
May 2016 ARCPC MEETING MINUTES
The Meeting was delayed for a short period of time due to a active hail storm, and was subsequently called to order at 7:30pm by President Jack C. Nixon Jr., KGSBBV. The Invocation
was given by Doug May, WB5VQQ, and afterwards Vice-President Jay Cox, KG5BZW lead in
the Pledge of Allegiance which was said by all in attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: A total of 16 members were present for the meeting. There were no
guests. Bob Lindsay, KG5JOV, reported that he upgraded his license to Amateur Extra in April 2016. There were
no other reported upgrades or new calls. VE Coordinator Doug May, WB5VQQ reported that the written examination questions for the Amateur Extra license would be expiring in June 2016, and that a new pool questions
would be utilized for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020. He added that our monthly Club VE
sessions draw an average of 2-3 individuals desiring to take the amateur licensing exams.
OLD BUSINESS: Several members present at the meeting indicated they had not received the May 2016 edition
of the ‘Peanut Whistle’, and therefore did not have an opportunity to review the Minutes for the April 12th, 2016
Regular Monthly Meeting. President Nixon requested Director Will Teague, W5KD to re-send the monthly
newsletter containing the Minutes by e-mail to the membership, and that approval of the Minutes would be entertained at the next regular meeting. Secretary-Treasurer William Newman, WL9N reported that he had completed
revision work on the Club’s W5PC.org webpage on April 30th, 2016. He stated that in addition to the main page,
there are now six supplemental webpages relating to Club History, Meetings, Membership, Club Officers, VE
Licensing Exams, and Special Events. He invited the membership to visit the new website, and forward to him
any suggestions for additional content or necessary corrections. President Nixon requested status on the planning
for this year’s ARRL Field Day being held June 25-26, 2016. Ken Stout, K5KMS – who had been appointed
Chair for the event at the February 2016 meeting – gave an update to the membership stating that the usual portion of the North parking lot at the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, 2251 Bethel Road had been reserved for the event, that a porta-potty had been ordered, and the Club trailer was in operational condition and its
battery would be fully charged for use. He added that work was still in progress in an effort to network laptops
used by radio operators and to use software to log radio contacts made during the event. Jerry Thompson, W7JT
reported ‘ARRL 2016 Field Day’ pins and t-shirts had arrived in the mail – and he distributed them to those present. Thad Weikel, KG5ATD gave a brief update on the Weekly Club Net being held on the 147.040 repeater on
Monday nights at 8:00pm – stating on April 18th there were 5 check-ins, April 25th there were 6 check-ins, and
on May 2nd there were 6 check-ins. He added a solicitation for any Club member who wished to share in the
weekly Net Control duties to contact him directly. Secretary-Treasurer Newman addressed updating the Club’s
By-Laws as discussed and continued at the April Regular Monthly Meeting. He spoke to the membership about
three common written documents commonly adopted by non-profit organizations to guide their operations: 1)
Articles of Incorporation; 2) a Constitution; and 3) Written By-Laws. He reported that he had requested an archival search through the Texas Secretary of State to retrieve a copy of the Club’s ‘Articles of Incorporation’ filed
on July 12, 1991, and that he had received the 5-page document. He added that in speaking with several Charter
members of the Club, no one recalls a Constitution having ever been adopted, so he prepared a 2-page draft
‘Constitution’ document for consideration by the membership. He also related that a 7-page draft re-write of the
Club By-laws was now complete. Newman initially passed out written copies of the draft ‘Constitution’ and reviewed it in a Power Point presentation with the membership. There were no questions concerning its content,
and it was adopted by unanimous verbal acclamation and signed by the Board of Directors. Printed copies of the
existing undated Club By-laws and the 7-page draft re-write were also distributed and reviewed in a Power Point
presentation. Some discussion was conducted in reference to changes relating to annual dues, whether the President should have the right to vote during regular and special meetings, establishing a capped amount the Board
could spend on expenditures without prior membership approval, and in defining level of members needed to establish a quorum to amend the Club By-Laws in the future. Changes agreed upon by the majority membership
present were afterwards incorporated into a final draft of the By-Laws. President Nixon called for a verbal vote
on the final revised By-Laws, which were passed and adopted - with 1 dissenting vote recorded. Copies of both
documents will be prepared for distribution and e-mailed to the membership.
Respectfully submitted,
By William Newman WL9N
Secretary/Treasurer
Continued on page 4
June 2016
The Peanut Whistle
Volume 26 No 6 Page 4
May 2016 ARCPC MEETING MINUTES
Continued from page 3
SECRETARY-TREASURER REPORT: Secretary-Treasurer Newman reported on the current membership status stating it
has remained unchanged since the last Regular Meeting – and as of May 09th, 2016 - the Club had 35 paid members, 1 paid
associate member, and 17 life members for a total of 53 active members.
The collection of 2016-17 ARCPC membership dues was initiated at the April Monthly Meeting; and as of May 09th, 2016
seven (7) paid members have made dues payments.
He did add that two individuals approached him at the March 21, 2016 VE Session and gave him $20.00 cash towards membership, however they have not submitted ARCPC Membership Forms and are not considered in this total.
Newman reported that there were two outstanding bills received in the amount of $200.00 from the Hanover Insurance Group
which underwrites our ARRL Club Liability Coverage; and a bill for $ 1.03 from the Texas Secretary of State for archival processing fees in his request to obtain a copy of the Club’s ‘Articles of Incorporation’ that was filed on July 12, 1991.
A motion was made to Doug May, WB5VQQ and seconded by Tim Jewett, W5TIE to accept the Secretary-Treasurer Report.
NEW BUSINESS: President Nixon in accordance with Club By-Laws began the Annual Election of Club Officers, by soliciting nominations for all offices from the floor or individuals interested in serving in the position.
Singular nominations were received for the following Board positions:
President - Jack Nixon, Jr, KG5BBV
Secretary -Treasurer -William Newman, Jr., WL9N
Director (Elected) - Will Teague, W5KD
Director (Elected) - Joel Page, KW5JP
President Nixon called for a verbal election, and all four nominees were elected by unanimous verbal acclamation.
Two nominations were received for the position of Vice-President: Jay Cox, KG5BZW and Thad Weikal, KG5ATD.
President Nixon delegated Club members David Nelson, KG5ASU and Judy Wolf, KB5JEY as a committee to conduct a secret
ballot election for the position. All members present cast a written vote, and it was reported by the committee that Thad
Weikal, KG5ATD received the majority of the votes cast and was elected to be Vice-President.
TRAINING: No training session was conducted due to the itinerary of the meeting, but the membership did discuss ideas that
might be of interest at future meetings; to include topics that would be helpful to new hams, showing how various members
have equipped and organized their ham shacks to include photos/diagrams.
Jack Nixon, KG5BBW suggested we should also explore ways to bring the experience of the hobby out into our community –
both in an educational manner and to foster new interest. He suggested perhaps putting together an active ham display at a
local VA hospital.
Attendees purchased tickets for the 50/50 raffle, and Bob Lindsay, KG5JOV won the 50/50 raffle in the amount of $8.50.
At 9:20pm motion was made by Jack Nixon, KG5BBW, seconded by Director Joel Page, KW5JP to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
By William Newman WL9N
Secretary/Treasurer
June 2016
The Peanut Whistle
Volume 26 No 6 Page 5
ARRL
FCC Turns Away Petition to Permit Experimental Operation on Amateur Bands
06/10/2016
The FCC has denied the 2015 petition of a Missouri radio amateur seeking to have the Commission authorize low-power experimental activity on Amateur Radio frequencies. James Edwin Whedbee, N0ECN,
of Gladstone, sought to amend FCC Part 97 Amateur Service rules to let radio amateurs conduct experiments on all amateur radio bands, subject to certain limits on duration, power, and bandwidth. The FCC declined
to seek comments on the petition.
“The Commission's rules contain numerous provisions for experimentation and development of new radio equipment and techniques,” the FCC said in a June 9 letter to Whedbee. “The Experimental Radio Service (ERS) rules
contained in Part 5 permit a broad range of experiments, including in the Amateur Service, and prescribe the manner in which the radio spectrum may be made available to experiment with new radio technologies, equipment
designs, characteristics of radio wave propagation, or service concepts related to the use of the radio spectrum.”
The letter pointed out that the FCC “recently revised and streamlined” its Part 5 rules “to provide additional flexibility to innovators” and noted that Whedbee did not discuss in his petition whether those rule changes might address his concerns.
In the same stroke of the pen, the FCC denied a 2016 petition from Whedbee seeking to delegate to the chiefs of
the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) authority
to dispose of certain requests for exemptions, waivers, and rulemaking regarding new technologies or new application of existing technologies.
“The Commission has already delegated to WTB and OET authority to act on applications, waiver requests, petitions, and even some rulemaking matters, so long as they do not raise novel questions of law or policy which cannot be resolved under outstanding Commission precedents and guidelines,” the FCC told Whedbee.
“We conclude that [both] petitions present no evidence of an existing problem or other evidence meriting a rule
change, and we dismiss the petitions,” the FCC concluded. “Both petitions’ underlying premise is that the Commission’s current processes for granting experimental licenses, rule waivers, and other authorizations for use of
new technological developments are burdensome and impede innovation. In neither petition, however, do you provide an example of an experiment or technology that was unduly delayed by the existing rules and would have
been expedited by your proposed procedural changes. Nor do you demonstrate that your proposed changes would
have a substantial effect.”
Whedbee is no stranger to the FCC petition process. Earlier this year he petitioned the FCC to designate Morse
(radiotelegraphy) Amateur Radio band segments as “symbol communication” subbands, and the FCC invited public comment on his request (RM-11769). In 2012, the FCC turned down Whedbee’s request that the FCC declare
homeowners associations’ covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) unenforceable.
Editor’s Note: Above Article was taken from the ARRL Website.
June 2016
The Peanut Whistle
Volume 26 No 6 Page 6
THE KB6NU BLOG
Missouri radio amateur petitions FCC to designate “symbol communication” subbands
As you can imagine, this news has caused a bit of a stir on the CW mailing lists that I’m on. As I read it, this fellow is petitioning the FCC to allow digital communications with a bandwidth up to 2.8 kHz in what is currently the CW/digital portions of the
HF bands. As one commenter pointed out, “To permit data transmissions with a 20 dB bandwidth of 2800 Hz throughout the
non-voice segments of the 3.5-30 MHz. This would constitute a significant source of interference for narrow-band modes.”
This includes modes such as PSK-31. Please consider filing a comment opposing this petition. This is the comment that I filed.
–Dan
FCC LogoSB QST @ ARL $ARLB016
ARLB016
ZCZC AG16
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 16 ARLB016
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT May 12, 2016
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB016
ARLB016 Missouri Radio Amateur Petitions FCC to Designate “Symbol Communication” Subbands
James E. Whedbee, N0ECN, of Gladstone, Missouri, has petitioned the FCC to designate Morse (radiotelegraphy) Amateur
Radio band segments as “symbol communication” subbands. The FCC has invited comments on his Petition for Rule Making
(RM-11769), filed on May 2. Arguing that retaining the current regime of “legacy” CW subbands has proven to be grossly
inefficient, Whedbee said he’d like to see the FCC delete all privilege restrictions that limit any part of the Amateur Radio
spectrum to Morse code to the exclusion of other modes.
RM-11769 can be found on the web at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=60001692464 .
“Nostalgia for retention of Morse code telegraphy-only subbands is also an insufficient reason to avoid moving forward to [the]
elimination of such subbands, because nothing about this Petition suggests the elimination of the mode itself, only that it not be
the sole authorized mode in the subject subbands,” Whedbee told the FCC.
Whedbee characterized CW-only subbands as “an excessive regulatory constraint, as well as a poor use of the spectrum concerned.” He proposed that the FCC’s Part 97 rules reflect the “ultimate form of communication reproduced at the receiving
end.” As he explained it, his regulatory scheme would break down modes into three categories – “symbol communication
mode” – for CW, digital, and other emission modes that reproduce a discrete symbol on the receiving end – “voice mode,” and
“image mode.”
“[continuing regulation by specific emission designator is proving to be onerous with changes to the state of the art,” Whedbee
said. “Accordingly, to continue developing the state of the art in radio communications, Amateur Radio needs to clearly get
away from regulating in that fashion and return to consideration of what the
receiving end of the communication reproduces.”
He proposed that where the Part 97 rules refer to exclusive radiotelegraphy allocations – or subbands – privileges be changed to
reflect symbol communication modes. Where the rules prohibit voice and image modes, he would revise the rules to reflect
symbol communication modes. In situations where current rules prohibit symbol communication modes other than Morse, that
voice and image modes would be permitted, “with an exception for manually keyed” radiotelegraphy.
For example, he would drop the distinction between 75 meters and 80 meters, authorizing symbol communication modes between 3.5 MHz and 3.65 MHz, and voice and image modes between 3.65 MHz and 4 MHz, with manual radiotelegraphy authorized throughout the band.
Whedbee told the FCC that, if his Petition is accepted for filing and put on public notice, he would submit an appendix spelling
out proposed service rules as part of his Petition.
Commenters have 30 days to respond to Whedbee’s Petition.
NNNN
/EX
Editor’s Note: Above Article was taken from the KB6NU Blog.
June 2016
The Peanut Whistle
Volume 26 No 6 Page 7
NEWS BRIEFS
County, Ham Radio Operators Hash out Rules for Emergency Situations
The issue arose earlier this spring when a HAM operator who was not a member of the group tried to talk on its
repeater during a severe weather event.
Claire Kowalick, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas | May 17, 2016
(TNS) - Wichita County officials met with local members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and Texas Amateur Radio Emergency Service (TARES) to hash out some regulations about control of radio networks during emergency weather situations.
County Judge Woody Gossom said ARRL regional members decided to realign the system to have SKYWARN
be the parent network of a controlled network rather than a closed one.
Local ARRL member Charlie Byars said in a previous article that a repeater is normally open to all ham radios,
but is closed to unauthorized users during severe weather events. He explained that they would take a emergency
report, such as a tornado sighting, and refer the information to the National Weather Service.
The issue arose earlier this spring when a HAM operator who was not a member of the group tried to talk on its
repeater during a severe weather event.
In April, Matthew Morris, section emergency coordinator for the ARRL North Texas area, set into policy that
local ARES cannot prohibit participation of any license ARES user in the network.
The newly codified policy states: Section 1.02 Closed Nets Prohibited —
(a) All ARES nets shall be open for participation by any licensed amateur. No net control station or ARES leadership acting in an official capacity shall prohibit the good faith participation of any licensed amateur.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the establishment of minimum reporting criteria by a net
control station or ARES leadership as appropriate to the situation at hand, so long as these criteria are not established intentionally or knowingly to prevent the participation of an amateur or group of amateurs.
The policy prohibits the practice of an ARES network on a closed repeater. The SEC has no authority over storm
spotter networks that are not affiliated with the ARES.
It was agreed that a controlled network will have the right to reduce traffic on radio channels during emergencies
by not accepting certain stations on the network if necessary.
Gossom continued that if there is a declared disaster situation and unofficial storm chasers are disrupting official
business, then law enforcement can be called in to deal with the situation.
Sean Kutzko, KX9X, a ARRL public relations manager said in a statement, "One of the cardinal rules of all facets
of amateur radio is, 'Listen, listen, listen.' If amateurs can provide date of legitimate value to a weather net that is
responding to a weather situation, they should be able to do so. That said, if an amateur has nothing to contribute
to such a net, the amateur should remain silent to allow legitimate traffic to be passed."
———
©2016 the Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas)
Visit the Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas) at www.timesrecordnews.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Editor’s Note: Above Article was taken from the Wichita Falls, TX Times Record News.
Membership Application/Renewal form 2016-2017
W5PC
www.w5pc.org
A
P.O.
W
,I
.
1795
, TX 76086
ARCPC INFORMATION NET
Mondays at 8:00 pm on 147.040 (Tone 110.9)
WC5C Net
Thursdays at 8:00 pm on 147.1600+ (Tone 110.9)
MEETINGS
The Amateur Radio Club of Parker County holds general membership meetings
Throughout the year on a monthly basis the second Tuesday of each month beginning at
7:00pm at Harberger Hill Community Center, 701 Narrow Street, Weatherford, Texas
76086.
AMATEUR RADIO CLUB OF PARKER COUNTY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
NAME: ____________________________________________ CALL SIGN: __________________
LICENSE CLASS: (E)(A)(G)(T)(N)
ARRL MEMBER: (YES) (NO)
STATUS: (NEW) (RENEWAL)
(CIRCLE APPLICABLE ANSWERS ON ABOVE LINE)
ADDRESS: ___________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS: _________________
CITY: _______________________ STATE: __________ ZIP (plus 4): ____________—_________
PHONE: HOME: _____________________________ WORK: _____________________________
INIIATION FEE: One time initiation fee per family - $5.00
(+ 1 same household or full time college
ANNUAL DUES: $10.00. HAM FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: $15.00
student)(Add an additional $5.00 if you
wish to receive a hard copy of the newsletter).
HAM FAMILY MEMBER NAME: _____________________________________
CALL SIGN: ______________
Cut out and mail this application to the ARCPC Secretary/Treasurer along with you check or money order for
the amount due. Or, bring it to the next regular club meeting.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE IN JUNE