Yolo ARES News

FCC APPROVES 97.113 CHANGES

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:16:17 PST

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010 AT 05:43PM The Federal Communications Commission today issued a Report & Order that changes Part 97.113 to allow employees to take part in disaster drills and exercises that involve their employers. 97.113 Prohibited transmissions. (a) * * * (3) Communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer, with the following exceptions: (i) A station licensee or control station operator may participate on behalf of an employer in an emergency preparedness or disaster readiness test or drill, limited to the duration and scope of such test or drill, and operational testing immediately prior to such test or drill. Tests or drills that are not government-sponsored are limited to a total time of one hour per week; except that no more than twice in any calendar year, they may be conducted for a period not to exceed 72 hours.

Small Quake Hits Near Esparto

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:48:30 PST

A mild 3.0 temblor struck near Esparto last night around 1800hrs (6pm).

Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup Ride - 24-25 July 2010 - UPDATED: 19 July 2010

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:04:54 PST

AS OF 17 JULY 2010, 184 RIDERS ARE REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR'S TEVIS CUP RIDE! MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: The Tevis Cup is falling short of volunteers this year. If you would like information, please click here or contact Judy Suter. To volunteer, please fill out the VOLUNTEER FORM.

The 55th Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup

The Western States Trail Ride, popularly called the Tevis Cup Ride, is the oldest modern day endurance ride, having been held annually since 1955. As such, it has been the inspiration and model for the most challenging endurance rides worldwide. Founded on a bet in 1955 by one of Auburn's prominant citizens, Wendell T. Robie, modern-day endurance riding began with what now is called the "TEVIS CUP." Today there are hundreds of endurance riding events throughout the nation and in many countries overseas that are based upon the methods and standards originally established by this event. Remember the words of our founder, Wendell T. Robie: “Ride a horse. Really ride!” Communications Support Volunteer Information & Signup Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Tevis Cup Ride. About 600 people participate each year in the presentation of the Ride – more than two per rider! AND ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!! More specifically, non-Communications Support. Please see below for more information.

THE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT WEBPAGE IS CURRENT AS OF 13 JULY 2010 FOR THE TEVIS CUP RIDE.
Please continue to check back often for updated information. Thank You!

- Communications Support Main Webpage - Communications Support General Requirements - Communications Support Volunteer Signup Form - You can also send an email to Todd Root, KE6GCV, with any questions or to request information. Non-Communications Support Volunteer Information - Volunteer Information - Volunteer Signup Form - You may also contact Judy Suter for more information. Please help in making this year another successful Ride.

Yolo County ARES - July's Meeting & Weekly Nets

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:56:47 PST

Yolo County ARES conducts weekly Nets on Monday evenings at 2000hrs (8:00 PM) PDT, primarily on the KE6YUV repeater. This repeater is sponsored by Berryessa Amateur Radio Klub (BARK). We also conduct a regular Net on the Monday following our monthly meeting on the N6QDY repeater, or via Simplex. The N6QDY repeater is sponsored by California Amateur Radio Users Net (C.A.R.U.N.) and Valley Emergency Repeater Association (V.E.R.A.). Additional details regarding both repeaters and Simplex frequency is below. BARK Repeater Information Frequency: 146.9700 MHz Offset: Negative (-) PL Tone: 123.0 (Enc/Dec) Website: Berryessa Amateur Radio Klub (BARK) N6QDY Repeater Information Frequency: 147.2550 MHz Offset: Positive (+) PL Tone: 123.0 (Enc/Dec) Website: California Amateur Radio Users Net (C.A.R.U.N.) Simplex Frequency Information Frequency: 146.5500 MHz (Northern California ARES Frequency) Offset: -- NONE -- (Simplex) PL Tone: -- NONE -- We would like to thank the Officers and Members of both the BARK and the N6QDY repeaters for their use during our Nets.. Monthly Meeting Information Our monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Yolo-Lake County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Woodland, CA. Members are encouraged to attend and visitors are always welcome. Talk-in is on the KE6YUV repeater. July's meeting will be Tuesday the 20th, at 1900hrs (7:00 PM) PDT. For a map and directions to Red Cross, please click here: 120 Court Street, Woodland. The Chapter is located east of West Street, next door to Wallace Safe & Lock Company, Inc. (Across the street from Woodland's Fire Station 1.)

E.V.A.C. Exercise- Woodland Memorial Hospital

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:18:29 PST

Ken - K6WLS, James - W6JSC, and Greg - KG6SJT, supported Red Cross at the E.V.A.C. Exercise at Woodland Memorial Hospital. Several ICS-213 as well as tactical messages were passed between Net Control, The Red Cross Rehabilitation site, and the staging area. It was an excellent training exercise for Yolo ARES.

More Active Sun Means Nasty Solar Storms Ahead

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:12:22 PST

Yahoo! news and other news Websites are reporting that the sun is becoming a bit more active with solar storms on the horizon.

Western States Endurance Run - 26-27 June 2010 - UPATED: 10 June 2010

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:32:37 PST

The 37th Annual Western States Endurance Run

The Western States Endurance Run (WSER) is one of the oldest ultra trail events in the world and certainly one of the most challenging. The Run is conducted along the Western States Trail starting at Squaw Valley, California, and ending in Auburn, California, a total of 100 miles. The trail ascends from the Squaw Valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4� miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850's, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn. Approximately 1,500 dedicated volunteers help out at each Western States Endurance Run. They range from basic logistical needs to Webcasting and more. Of those 1,500 volunteers are several Amateur Radio operators who volunteer their time to provide Health and Welfare communications at various checkpoints along the trail. Communications Support Volunteer Information & Signup

THE COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT WEBPAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 8 JUNE 2010.
Please continue to check the Communications Support Webpage for the most updated information. Thank you!

NOTE: Additional Radio Operators are still needed. If you would like to volunteer, please see the below links or send Todd, KE6GCV, an email. The need for additional volunteers is due in part by the course possibly being rerouted because of snow on a portion of the trail. A final decision will not be made until 18 June 2010. - Communications Support Main Webpage - Communications Support General Requirements - Communications Support Volunteer Signup Form - You can also email Todd, KE6GCV, with any questions or to request information. Non-Communications Support Volunteer Information The race is always in need of medical professionals, aid station personnel, trail sweeps and start and finish-line helpers. If you'd like to volunteer, sign up via the Volunteer Form. Please help in making this year another successful Run.

Welcome New Yolo County ARES Members

Thu, 20 May 2010 23:40:56 PST

Yolo County ARES has has added three new members this month. Please welcome W6JSC, James; N6JOA, Charles; and N6OLO, Pamela.

On the Nature of Interacting Antennas

Tue, 18 May 2010 10:43:56 PST

A while back Wes, WS6Z, built a 2m Copper “Super-J-Pole” antenna which he attached to his chimney. Then a friend of his (AD6IL) was kind enough to supply me with a 2m square loop for horizontal work which he attached at the bottom of the J-pole. AD6IL and WS6Z were debating how much of a problem it would be to have them so close together and I figured I'd give it a try and see how much they interacted. After putting them both up they both performed adequately though Wes was pretty sure he could detect a performance difference in the J-pole after adding the square loop to its base. He measured the performance of both antennas as they were mounted together and then moved the square loop to the opposite corner of the chimney and remeasured them both again. The following 4 graphs show the results of these tests.

David Coursey's 97.113 PRESENTATION

Tue, 11 May 2010 01:16:41 PST

David Coursey, N5FDL – Emergency Coordinator, San Joaquin Co. (CA) ARES has posted a NEW VERSION OF his 97.113 PRESENTATION that gives a good overview of what is currently happening with FCC rule making and 97.113 If you need additional information, please write or call him: david@coursey.com . On his blog, he notes that you are welcome to use this presentation to explain the 97.113 issue to the amateur community and served agencies.

Yolo County ARES Members set up a School to School Ham Radio Contact

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:33:06 PST

Yolo County ARES members Wes Hardaker, WS6Z, and Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT setup a school to school ham radio contact. Wes was in a fourth grade classroom at Korematsu Elementary School in Davis and Greg was in a fourth/fifth grade classroom at Cambridge Elementary school in Vacaville.
The students at each school took turns asking students at the other school questions, and then answering questions they were given. The excitement level in the classrooms was terrific!

Emergency Communications Leadership Seminar April 24, 2010

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:51:38 PST

The third annual seminar for Emergency Communications Leadership in the Sacramento Valley Section will take place Saturday, April 24, 9 A.M. to 2 P.M., at the U.C. Davis Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center, 8279 Scott Forbes Rd., in Browns Valley. The seminar is hosted once again by Art, K6ALC, Yuba and Sutter County Emergency Coordinator. The seminar is organized and presented by Larry, WD6FXR, Section Emergency Coordinator. All Section EMCOMM Leadership is invited as well as anyone who intends to step up to a leadership position. All EMCOMM organizations, not just those whose title includes the ARES label, are urged to attend. Attendees need to bring a bag lunch. There is no food service available in the area. Also bring your go kit if you want to share your ideas, and any items you would like to discuss. Coffee, tea, and bottled water will be provided. Directions: take I-5 to Hwy. 99, then Hwy. 70 Marysville. Take Hwy. 20 east 14 miles to Peoria Road. Turn left, and follow signs 5.6 miles.

ARRL Rookie Roundup

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:30:19 PST

The ARRL is conducting a Rookie Roundup contest for all licensed operators from 2008 to present. All newly licensed operators are encouraged to participate. For rules regarding the Rookie Roundup, please click this link.

BARK - Yolo ARES Ham Test Update

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:38:24 PST

Yolo ARES and BARK sponsored a test session February 13, 2010 in Woodland. We had 14 candidates. 8 successful Technician candidates 3 General class licenses. 2 upgraded to General and one of the Technician candidates passed the General test also, 3 Amateur Extra class licenses. One of these candidates took and passed all three exams at our session. Thanks to our Volunteer Examiners : K6WLS, K6KN, K6HEW, K6VNQ, WS6Z, KG6SJT

December 15, 2009 Yolo ARES Monthly Meeting Cancelled

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:18:57 PST

The December 15, 2009 Yolo ARES Monthly Meeting has been cancelled. Have a great holiday! We will see EVERYONE at the January meeting January 19, 2010.