*The ARRL has asked all members to support HR 2160 “The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009.” This bill was introduced by Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Tx). You can get more info at . The League is asking all members to write to their representatives in support of this bill. You can find a sample letter for League members to personalize and send to your Congressional representative at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/files/DearMemberOfCongressHR2160.doc .

You can find the name and address for your member of Congress on the ARRL Members Only Web page http://www.arrl.org/members-only/ .

Once it has been personalized, ARRL members should send their letter to Chwat & Co using one of three methods:

* As a signed attachment to an e-mail arrl@chwatco.com

* As a signed fax to 703-684-7594

* As a regular letter to John Chwat, Chwat & Co, 625 Slaters Ln, Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22314

The reason for sending your letter to Chwat & Co is they are our representatives in Washington and they will hand deliver all the letters from each state directly to the representative.

While this bill does not affect any laws now it authorizes a study about the contribution of Amateur Radio for community emergency assistance. It is the first step in overcoming many of our antenna restrictions.

*On May 29-30 Pat and I attended the Rocky Mountain Convention, which was held in conjunction with the Colorado HamCon 2009 at Estes Park. They had an amazing 499 in attendance. Next year the convention will be held in Casper Wyoming and the following year we will host the convention here in New Mexico. The HamCon was packed with lots of technical forums, demonstrations, W1AW/0 get- on- the- air stations and lots more. It was a great opportunity for all four Section Managers to meet and discuss activities.

*ARRL is currently reviewing the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications program. The League is looking at the requirements that the Department of Homeland Security is putting in place for approved courses. The League willrevise the Level 3 course to become a new Advanced Emergency Communications course, which will replace both the current Level 2 and Level 3 courses. Plans are to release the new course in the last quarter of 2009. Students who have taken the Level 2 course will need to have the new Advanced course to complete the current Amateur Radio Emergency Communications training program. Those who have completed the Level 1 course may progress directly to the Advanced course when available. For the time being, the Basic Level 1 course will continue to be offered in its current format The training program mandate is to provide the training ham radio communicators need to be prepared to serve their communities in time of communications emergencies.

*If contesting is your interest use the WA7BNM Contest Calendar http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html for more info.

*For a Special Event station check out the ARRL Special Event Station Web page http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html .

* ARRL Continuing Education Courses are available to the membership. Many different subjects are available. For registration information go to the CCE Course Listing page http://www.arrl.org/cep/student or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator cce@arrl.org.

*The May 30th Kids Roundup Contest station in Bosque Farms, New Mexico: 35 kids attended; 27 kids got on the air & make contacts; three kidshelped as control operators; 18 Cub and Girl Scouts earned badges; 37 adults signed in; 10 adults (included in the 37)helped with the event; 4 rigs running, made contacts on HF, IRLP and via repeaters. 6-meters died just as the first kid called CQ on that band. The event was managed by Phil, KE5LZX, the Rocky Mountain ARRL Division’s Young Ham of the Year. This group took first place last year in the multiple operator category. We will see how they faired later when the results are posted. Many thanks to Ralph, NM5RC for the report and his efforts. This is what we need to get young people interested in Amateur Radio.

*Another reminder about the 220 band in Albuquerque. The “220 MHz Rag Chewers Net”, which is hosted on 224.480 MHz OPEN repeater, gets together every Wednesday evening at 8:30 PM local time (MST). Its purpose is to promote the use of the 220 MHz band and to just have a lot of fun. For those who don’t have 220 gearor areout of range of the repeater, you can still join the net by using the IRLP system and connect to IRLP New Mexico Reflector 9221. We need to show that this band is important to us by using it. Thanks to Jerry Aceto, K6LIE, for providing and maintaining this repeater.
*Another reminder about QSL Net. As a licensed ham you are entitled to have a free ham Web page there. For example, if your call sign is N5BL, you can get http://www.qsl.net/n5bl as your QSL Net Web page. See http://www.qsl.net . Thanks to Fred Atkinson, WB4AEJ with the Mesilla Valley ARC for this info.

*The Field Day Station Locator Service is an interactive map that helps you find a Field Day http://www.arrl.org/fieldday site nearby. This is free to clubs or individuals who will be operating public Field Day stations. Go to the Field Day Station Locator Web site and follow the instructions http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php. ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in Amateur Radio. On June 27-28, join tens of thousands of Amateur Radio operators as they gather for a public demonstration of our Service.

* Field Day Packets are available on the ARRL Field Day Web site www.arrl.org/fieldday.

***Field Day is our opportunity to show the public what we do! While it is fun to head for the hills and have a great fun weekend remember that we get this opportunity only once a year so find a great public place to set up and plan on talking up our hobby and the contributions we make to the community.

*The Tall Pines endurance horse race was held on Friday and Saturday May 1st and 2nd. They used the K5GAR repeater in support of that event. Thanks to Tim O’Donnell, N5TJO.

*ESCAPE 2009 was held on May 1,2,3 at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Thanks to Joe Oski, KI5FJ , Treasurer Mesilla Valley RC

*The “Tour of the Gila” bike race started on Saturday May 2. This event took place in Silver City. Hams from Grant and Luna Counties assisted with local law enforcement providing communications for this event. This is an annual event

*Albuquerque Run for the Zoo was on May 3, coordinated by Fred Ream, N5CJC.

*The Santa Fe Century bike race took place on May 17

Upcoming events:

*Ed Ricco, N5LI, our fearless community activities organizer, still could use some help with upcoming events. Contact Ed Ricco, N5LI, n5li@arrl.net , or edward.ricco@gmail.com (505) 247-4866

***June 6, 2009 – Albuquerque Century. This is a 100-mile bike tour that will start and end at the Embassy Suites Hotel near I-25 and Lomas and will follow a wide loop around the city, going north as far as Bernalillo. There will be shorter routes included in the ride. This list entry will be updated as further details become available. See www.abqcentury.com. We will need portable or mobile stations to be positioned at rest stops and mobile stations to cruise the course and keep an eye on the riders.

***August 2, 2009 – La Luz Trail Run. Jay Miller, W5WHN, and Rees Bevan, WB5DEJ are coordinating this event. Amateurs provide communications support for this annual race up La Luz Trail from positions in the starting area, at the finish, and from points along the course. Persons interested in volunteering or in obtaining additional information about the event may contact Jay or Rees or are welcome to contact me and I will put potential volunteers in touch with Jay and Rees.

***August 22-23, 2009 – MS150 Bike Tour. This is a two-day, 150-mile bicycle ride to raise funds to fight multiple sclerosis. The event organizers count on radio amateurs for essential communications support. Tentative plans are for two loop rides starting and ending in Pojoaque. The first day route will run through Abiquiu, El Rito, and Ojo Caliente, and the second day route will run through Alcalde, Embudo, Ojo Sarco, and Chimayo. We will need volunteers for one or both days to operate mobile along course segments with the riders, to accompany tour officials and supply trucks or medical personnel, and to operate from rest stops.

***September 6, 2009 – New Mexico Marathon. This is a one-way, 26-mile run from approximately Tramway and I-40 along Tramway west and south and eventually winding its way to Tiguex Park near Old Town. There are half marathon and 5K runs associated with the race as well. We will need stations at mileposts along the route and probably shadowing some race officials. The communications plan likely will include a need for several bicycle mobile stations. Go to www.newmexicomarathon.org (to be updated for 2009) for more information. Dick Powell, AD5CS, will coordinate this event.

***October 18, 2009 – Duke City Marathon. Albuquerque area amateurs have supported this event for more that 20 years. We will need a substantial number of volunteers to cover rest stops along the course or to shadow race officials. Further information is pending at www.dukecitymarathon.com (to be updated for 2009).

*The Lone Star DX Association invites all 5th district DXers to meet at 2009 W5DXCC. W5DXCC is held in conjunction with Ham-Com on June 12 and 13 in Plano, Texas. For more information contactDave Jaksa, W0VX, President, Lone Star DX Association at dxer.org.

* Darryl Clutter, NX5W, has provided me with his testing schedule for the coming year:

Saturday, July 18th, 2009, 900 until 1200 (ARRL)

Saturday, September 19th, 2009, 0900 until 1200 (N5YI)

Saturday, November 21st, 2009, 0900 until 1200 (N5YI)

All testing will be in the “computer lab” at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, 501 Elizabeth St SE, Albuquerque, NM

The Net Counts for May are:

NET NAME CONTACTS QSTs

NM Roadrunner Traffic Net: 1128 /72

NM Breakfast Club Net: 1200 /116

Four Corners Net: 422 /52

Rusty’s Raiders Net: 607 /64

Valencia County. ARA Net: 55 /15

High Desert ARC Net: 55 /6

Caravan Club Net: 76 /7

220 Ragchewers Net: 49 /4

Two Meter SSB Net: 43 /5

SCAT Net: 763 /111

Yucca Net: 818 /45

(Many thanks to Don Grab, K5BIS, for keeping track of all the nets and reporting each month.)

For a listing of all nets in New Mexico, please go to http://www.swcp.com/~n5zgt/abqham.htm#nets.

Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, who is our Rocky Mountain Division Director, provides this list. Thanks again Brian.

ARRL Silent Key Report, April 2009

Name, Call, and Address of Silent Key:

FIGGINS, W DEAN, WA7EPU (Extra)
LAS CRUCES, NM 88012

Reported by: Cash Olsen, KD5SSJ – Ernest Santuchi, KB9CDJ – Jack Lemons, N5PK and Don Grab, K5BIS

Name, Call, and Address of Silent Key:

HILGEMAN, Jerry R, K5FEZ (Technician)
Alamogordo, NM 88310

Reported by Larry Moore, WA5UNO & Don Grab, K5BIS

Obituary in the Alamogordo Daily News

If you don’t see your club’s activities here you need a PIO and you need to let me know. I try to include any and all activities. If I missed something send me an e-mail and chew me out. Have a great month.

Don – W5FHA

When I wrote this NMHams.com post about the Japanese creating a Morse device as a way to quickly input Twitter content, it got me to thinking…

Why not use a code key in place of your computer keyboard?

Turns out that at least one other person had this idea. The Comax people have developed an application that allows you to use your mouse to input text and other key strokes into any MS Windows computer. Attaching your favorite Morse paddles is as easy as buying one of these specially equipped mice.

The concept of using a keying device to translate content from your brain into a PC began at the dawn of the computer age. Folks with physical challenges that precluded keyboarding noodled creative alternatives that included straight keys, even bugs as input devices. Physicist Stephen Hawking is a notable example of someone who has mastered a joystick as a tool to turn his brilliant thoughts into everything from books to real-time speeches.

Comax has a code group for every key on your computer keyboard and with a little practice, you’ll be popping text into your Windows apps like a pro.

So if you’re a hunt and peck typer who is more comfortable at 20 WPM on CW, hook those paddles up to your PC and send away.

Rick Roderick, K5UR, is currently Vice President of the American Radio Relay League. He has held ARRL appointments continuously for over 40 years. He is known world-wide for his operating achievements in amateur radio on the HF and VHF/UHF bands, having held numerous records in the fields of DXing and contesting. He lives on a 50 acre antenna farm outside Little Rock, Arkansas where he practices law. Rick is a frequent speaker at clubs and events, and loves telling stories about what he calls “the greatest hobby in the world – amateur radio!”

Here’s his speech from the 2009 Colorado Hamcon Banquet. 19MB Mp3

In 1984, I had been a ham for just 3 years. My antenna was an energized downspout and I had just bought a used Ten Tec Omni to energize my Heathkit 2080a antenna tuner. We were at a great point in the sunspot cycle. Working DX on CB radios converted to 10 meter from the parking lot at work during lunch hour was not uncommon.

It was a time before DX clusters were on line, when we’d call one another on a special two meter frequency when we heard a rare one. We depended on the beacons to tell us when the circuit was open to the far East, and we calculated the grey line with our trusty ARRL tools.

I was president of the Oak Park Amateur Radio Club and then, as now, was responsible for coming up with an interesting program each month. The highlight of that year for me was a presentation by Jim Sansotera – K8JRK.

Jim was the quintessential DXer in Detroit. His country count was the envy of everybody in our group and when he agreed to be our speaker on August 13, 1984, we knew we were in for a treat.

From today’s perspective, many of the tools he recommends are outdated, but his tips of how to snag the rare ones are timeless.

Here’s an MP3 of that presentation. 25 years later, we can still learn from him.

Members of the NM-ARTS group saw a terrific presentation by Mike, K5KM, about how to protect your station from a lightning strike. It’s all about grounding, grounding, grounding. We learned a ton of theory plus some very useful ideas on how to protect your station, both from lightning and from the static discharge that’s often an issue during our March windstorms. Here’s a PDF of Mike’s presenation. Join their Yahoo group and get free access to all the NM-ARTS presentations.

Isaac, W5IDT proved again that DX is within our reach, bagging LY2ZZ the other night. Here’s what propo looks like to Vilnius.

By Scott Westerman – W9WSW

When we gathered to audit the logs from the New Mexico QSO party with the great guys from the Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club, the conversation turned to the challenges of suppressing ignition noise. KJ5KU has a hamstick and a Icom 706 as part of his mobile installation and recommends this link. Not only is Alan a New Mexican (he lives in Roswell), K0BG is an expert on identifying and mitigating ignition noise. A trip to his website will give you solutions along with audio examples with the fingerprints of the various devices that are often the culprits.

Fixing ignition noise can be as simple as turning on your noise blanker, Fred K9GAJ solved his issues that way, or as complex as wrapping the offending item with copper tape.

Need help? Visit K0BG.com. Your answer may well be found there.

By Scott Westerman – W9WSW

As a bunch of us hams gathered at W5FHA’s place to help him erect his new vertical antenna a couple of weeks ago, my mind faded back to my earliest days as an amateur.

We were living in a long two-story town-house building on “Sugarbush Road” in suburban Detroit and despite my great relationship with the complex manager, overt antenna installations were a no-no. I immediately popped the attic door and attached a 2 meter ground plane to a truss. One problem solved.

But hot to get on the low bands? I had built a Heathkit SA-2060 roller inductor tuner for my Ten Tec Omni, but needed something to connect it to. My shack was in the basement and as I pondered my predicament I happened to glance outside the window and saw my solution… The gutter downspout.

Our complex had a long rain gutter system that ran the length of a football field, with periodic downspouts to help drain the inevitable Michigan thunderstorms. That night, I drilled an 8 foot copper ground rod next to the down spout and, after connecting the coaxial shield to the copper, bonded the center conductor to the downspout.

With my 2060 tuner, I found I could get a nice 1:1 SWR on every ham band, including 160 meters. And since we were a the height of the sunspot cycle, the DX came rolling in.

This all came back to me today when I read the latest ARRL DX bulletin and their story about Jeff Lackey, K8CQ of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia and his HF rain gutter stealth antenna. In the March, 2009 issue of CQ, Jeff’s antenna system is diagrammed. He uses an auto-tuner and has, even at the low ebb of our sun cycle, bagged 243 “DX entities” in 38 zones. He’s confirmed 87 countries on 80 meters and… 34 states, 3 provinces and 7 countries on 160!

Since I’ve dragged my YL across the country and back again in my 30 year telecom career, she gets to pick the houses and our current location forbids external antennas. We don’t have rain gutters, but I do have a well hidden long wire that wraps the roof line of our place, terminating into an SMC 320 auto-tuner. It works great, as my recent QSOs with K5D attest.

But every time I tune up, I can’t help thinking of Sugarbush road. Proof once again that in amateur radio, anything is possible!

If you’ve perused the left navigation column at NMHams.com, you’ve probably discovered our all new DX Spot application. It’s an RSS grabber that propagates the #DX search over at Twitter.com. If you haven’t visited Twitter yet, check it out! It’s been described as the “heartbeat of the Internet”, a 140 character world of comments and information, a microblog environment where you can share what’s on your mind and follow what’s on others.

Digging a bit deeper into how the DX spots get to Twitter, and to us.. Many come via DXSummit, through the VE3SUN DX Monitor software, which has a hook to spit spots to Twitter.

There’s also a tantalizing Twitter account, W5UGD, through which John Hoyt fires spots from the #marac dx spot interface over at irc.superhosts.net. Notice the “irc” at the head of that last Internet address? That stands for Internet Relay Chat, the granddaddy of all Internet communication mechanisms. Not as many folks use IRC these days, but it’s still a robust and customizable system that hams sometimes use to augment emergency communications.

And we can’t forget Telnet. Telnet is another of the early Internet applications from the days when plain text ruled the web. Just about every computer operating system has a terminal program built in. You can use it to Telnet into DX Clusters that send DX spots as they are reported. It’s textual so you have to learn the language of telnet to control how you get your DX feed, but it’s possible to customize what you see to meet your specific tastes. You can also send your own spots via Telnet, too.

If you want a full featured GUI DX application, there are a ton of choices out there for whatever operating system you prefer from Linux, to Windows, even for the IPhone.

But, whether you Telnet, tweet or have your own application, with our special DX cluster monitor here at NMHams.com, you’ve got the latest spots whenever you visit.

Scott Westerman – W9WSW – is the New Mexico Technical Coordinator for the American Radio Relay League.