Remember the old CW/HF days in the shack -

http://www.viddler.com/explore/GOAThiker/videos/10/


73,

Stan-KC7CJS
Oro Valley, AZ

CW By the Aurora Borealis - Can It Happen Again?

http://tinyurl.com/5g7lt2


73,

Stan - KC7CJS
Oro Valley, AZ USA

From the National Terror Alert web site:

http://www.nationalterroralert.com/communications



Amateur Radio

The great grandpappy of the two way radio scene is the Amateur Radio service whose operators are known as Hams and who have pioneered radio communications since the first decade of this century. AR is also the most regulated of the non-commercial services, it can end up being the most expensive, but it can also be the most versatile and powerful.


All hams and their stations must be licensed by the FCC, and in order to receive a license, you must pass a written exam. Any license above the entry level also requires a proficiency in Morse Code. There’s no fee for the license (which is good for ten years), no age requirement and operators are allowed to use any frequency for which their license qualifies them.




A nationwide system of repeaters on the 144MHz and 440MHz bands allows nearly seamless communications as hams travel around the country. These repeaters are built, installed and maintained by active and well-populated local amateur radio clubs. Traditional amateur frequencies in the shortwave bands provide excellent coverage for local, regional, national, and even international, communications. Unfortunately, there’s not one radio for all of these capabilities which is why hams typically have three or four separate radios and antennas.




The easiest way into ham radio is via the “Technician” class license which requires a written test based on a text available through many sources. This class allows the user to operate(among others) in the 2 meter band (144MHz). Small handi-talkies for 2 meters are relatively cheap and give a range of 20-50 miles depending on terrain, power and whether or not you’re using a repeater. Many repeaters provide access to 911 services through the handi-talkie.




Expect to pay $200-$500 for 2 meter transceivers depending on features. If you’re planning to use Amateur Radio for your family, each member needs a Technician license and their own handi-talkie.
==============================================
73,

Stan - KC7CJS
ARES - Pima County, AZ

NEW EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BILL INCLUDES ROLE FOR HAMS

A bill to enhance emergency communication at the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) includes Amateur Radio operators as part of an overall
effort
to provide interoperability among responders. The 21st Century Emergency
Communications Act of 2006 (HR 5852), an amendment to the Homeland
Security
Act of 2002, passed the US House this week on a 414-2 vote and has gone
to
the Senate. Its sponsor, Rep David G. Reichert (R-WA) -- who chairs the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology -- says
his
legislation is designed "to improve the ability of emergency responders
to
communicate with each other" -- interoperability.

"Until the events of September 11, 2001, many people in this nation
believed
and assumed that first responders from different disciplines and
jurisdictions could actually talk to each other," Reichert -- a former
police officer -- told the House in support of his bill. "It wasn't
happening. It is still not happening today. Unfortunately, that was not
the
case then, and, as demonstrated by the inadequate responses to Hurricane
Katrina, that is not the case today."

Reichert told his colleagues that the inability of first responders to
communicate with each another effectively led to the loss of many lives
along the US Gulf Coast last year. "This is simply unacceptable," he
said.

His measure also would require the DHS to strengthen its efforts to
improve
emergency communications. HR 5852 calls for Amateur Radio operators to
be
part of a "Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Group"
(RECC Working Group) that would be attached to each regional Department
of
Homeland Security office. The RECC Working Groups would advise federal
and
state homeland security officials.

In addition to radio amateurs, membership in the RECC Working Groups
would
include state and local officials; law enforcement, first responders
such as
fire departments; 911 centers; hospitals; ambulance services;
communications
equipment vendors, telephone, wireless satellite, broadband and cable
service providers; public utilities; broadcasters; emergency evacuation
transit services; state emergency managers, homeland security directors
or
representatives of state administrative agencies; local emergency
managers
or homeland security directors, and "other emergency response providers
or
emergency support providers as deemed appropriate."

Federal government representatives to the RECC Working Groups would
include
representatives from the DHS "and other federal departments and agencies
with responsibility for coordinating interoperable emergency
communications"
with state, local, and tribal governments.

According to the bill, the RECC Working Groups would function to assess
the
survivability, sustainability, and interoperability of local emergency
communications systems to meet the goals of the National Emergency
Communications Report. That report would recommend how the US could
"accelerate the deployment of interoperable emergency communications
nationwide."

The RECC Working Groups also would be tasked with ensuring a process to
coordinate the establishment of "effective multi-jurisdictional,
multi-agency emergency communications networks" that could be brought
into
play following acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other
emergencies.

HR 5852 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security
and
Governmental Affairs.
======================

So, ask your US Senators (2) to vote yes for this bill.

73,

Stan - KC7CJS
ARES - Pima County, AZ

In four years, ET can call home, finally!

But - it will be an expensive call!

Anyone want to "go along"?

Find out - if you can go:

http://tinyurl.com/a28tv

Stan - KC7CJS
Oro Valley, AZ USA

With the full list of accessory links:

http://www.spacetoday.org/k3rxk/EmergencyComms.html

Stan
RACES - Pima County, AZ

Since HTs are not on the Prohibited List, will there be any hassle w/carry-ons?