Seven Three Newsletter
Amateur Radio Newsletter For November 2017
Welcome to the November edition of the seven three newsletter! To say we are a bit late getting this edition out is a bit of an understatement. We normally shoot for sending out the newsletter at the beginning of the month but November has been very busy for all of us. We’ve also not received any updates from the local continuity either so this months news will be a little on the light side. The HF bands continue to be in and out, local traffic on the the repeater seems to be scarce so I am guessing people are busy and I can totally relate.
Below I found a thread on Puerto Rico from NS0S that was over on reddit.com that has since been removed. I don’t know why he removed it but I think it sheds some perspective on his experiences on the event. Some times our best intentions don’t go exactly as planned and we can always learn from them and hopefully get better for the next event. These types of events get hectic, demanding, and exhausting so mistakes will be made.
Also, we are always looking for more local ham radio information from the community so please feel free to submit your information to us: seventhree @ bcham.org
The latest edition of Ham Nation
David Casler Which is better: Vertical or Dipole?
For more on David Casler KEØOG visit his blog, he also have a great youtube channel if you’re looking to upgrade your class.
Lessons Learned – Puerto Rico
I have had a very rewarding time in Puerto Rico. But there was tons of chaos. I honestly could only control what happened in my circle and in my area. We had lots and lots of issues because of the ARRL leadership here and certain members that came.
We were chosen to come to support the Red Cross. The Red Cross made 22 of us volunteers. ARRL gave them a list of names of qualified people who asked to come. After two weeks the Red Cross basically said they were done with the ARRL group and said they would not extend the need of our support anymore. The Red Cross is staying. They just don’t want the bullshit out group caused anymore. We had tons of freelancers. We only had 22 members go, it was never ever a force of 50. At least 5 of those members decided they would rather be famous than help people. Three of the members completely abandoned the Red Cross and tried to go to FEMA as “liaisons” leaving us with less resources. FEMA already had tons of resources for communication. But, some members from the ARRL group were more concerned about making a name for themself than doing any work. We were promised we would not be sent out alone. Then, they pulled us all back to San Juan to send us out across the island and other islands alone with zero support. There was not even a regular red cross volunteer where I was at.
Net control would abandon the station at times. I was told they were turning off the volume at times. They were supposed to be there 24 hours a day for emergencies. They started closing at 7pm without notifying anyone of changes. I would call for help and my calls went unanswered. They would not respond to emails for support. They would skip the Red Cross and forward messages directly to FEMA. The Red Cross would be often unaware of issues we faced. The Red Cross weren’t informed of request for service from the communities we were in.
They expected me to pull down my antenna in a thunderstorm off a metal roof. When I was four hours late they emailed me and lied to say they needed me back in San Juan to do a news interview. I had made the Red Cross completely aware of what was going on but the ARRL was acting independently of the Red Cross. I would of never left the island I was on with such haste. The community is still in dire need. The mayor was excited that they might get some exposure to get assistance. This was all a complete lie.
I had to find a stranger on the ferry and get them to take me. I was basically hitchhiking at 10pm at night because they were acting like immature two year olds. They honestly said they thought they would have to send the MPs to get me. They were in some fantasy world. I am a volunteer and I am in the United States. They thought they could get the military to get me if I quit. These are the same morons trying to make decisions for us.
I guess they never got the memo that we are in a free country and I am just a volunteer. They were complete amateurs. I know some of the people here on reddit do not know me. I will fill you in on some things. I am a veteran. I was in the 101st Airborne. I was a medic in the Navy Reserves after I got out of the army. I have been a firefighter in the inner city of Kansas City for 13 years. I am very active in Boy Scouts. I volunteer at our Boy Scout camp every year as a medic. I just try to be a nice guy.
I have zero tolerance for liars or people of poor character. I do not like people with no integrity.
When I got back to San Juan another member of our group said that the ARRL leaders were upset that I got so much accomplished and they wanted to stop it. I don’t even comprehend this logic. I guess they thought I was stealing the limelight. I don’t think this is a ARRL problem across the board. I think this is more of an issue with the ARRL members they sent down.
Some of this might stem from me taking a phone call from Marco Rubio’s office to get supplies for the hospital. I am sure the ARRL people were like the red headed step children at the Fema headquarters. I guess they were jealous. I was just trying to be helpful. Fame doesn’t really do much for me. We are all just people.
Another issue we faced was ZERO members from the actual ARRL leadership came down. They were trying to dictate what we did when they had no idea what we were even doing. They weren’t there. I guess the stolen valor person who finally came down late might of been from ARRL but I dont know. You can tell they were complete morons in emergency situations.
One of the ARRL members that was “concerned” that they couldn’t get in touch with me said they had tried repeatedly. This was not true. I literally have zero emails from anyone on winlink other than one email saying they wanted me to be at a dock at 1230. There was no repeated attempts. No messages to my personal email. No text. No nothing. Maybe someone here knows someone from winlink to verify my story. I don’t lie.
The last conversation I had with the ARRL members said they didn’t want me to tell the Red Cross what had happened because they didnt want to get embarrassed by their behavior.
The truth is the ARRL jeopardized missions in Puerto Rico. The honestly put lives at risk. There was good things that were done but it was my the average people that wanted to go down to Puerto Rico to help. Not the ARRL leadership that wanted to act like they were some superior group that had saved the whole government from chaos. They really just added to the chaos. I am ashamed to be associated with that group.
Members of our group could not work as a team. Two members were kicked off their teams because of fights they caused with regular volunteers. One member was almost sent home because of fighting.
I am not going to publically name anyone. But, I think the ARRL needs to stay away from this in the future. The Red Cross could use Hams again. But, hams need to remember we are their to support the mission. We are just one part of a huge picture. We are not their to make our own missions and go rogue. We pass traffic. We don’t coordinate efforts.
We actually had a member of our group that we found out had paid a VE friend to give him a license. He didn’t even know how to use the radio. I honestly don’t know how he did it. It pisses me off.
If there is any question about the hard work I did down there just Google my call sign. It really hurts me to expose them in such a public way but what they did was terrible. It is horrendous.
My wife has already talked to a local reporter here in Kansas City. They want to talk about this on the news tomorrow. I am debating how far I want to push this.
Another point is a walked away from those people 24 hours ago after I turned in my equipment. My mission was done. The same people who lied and said they thought I was going rogue or some shit. They said they had a broken arrow. It makes me laugh just to think of them saying this silly stuff. Anyways, still no concerned email. No email asking where in Puerto Rico I am. They have a missing member they don’t care about. It pretty much shows they were just upset I was taking the limelight away.
NS0S
Link to Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/772zlk/please_cancel_your_arrl_membership/
Update: https://www.reddit.com/user/KP4IA/
News From Our Region & Elsewhere
New Ham Bands Spring to Life; Veteran LF Experimenter Denied Amateur Access to 2200 Meters
Amateur Radio’s two newest bands came to life on Friday the 13th. Both 630 meters (472-479 kHz) and 2200 meters (135.7-137.8 kHz) now are available to radio amateurs who have notified the Utilities Technology Council of their intention to operate and did not hear anything back during the ensuing 30 days.
Complete Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/new-ham-bands-spring-to-life-veteran-lf-experimenter-denied-amateur-access-to-2200-meters
Ham Radio Bridging the Gap in Wildfire-Stricken California
More than a dozen wildfires in Northern California have damaged or destroyed cellular telephone and Internet infrastructure in some areas, and Amateur Radio has helped to fill the communication gap. Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas Allman told news media on October 10 that damage to cell towers and fiber optic telephone phone and computer lines had left officials relying on Amateur Radio operators to communicate with area hospitals.
Complete Story: http://www.arrl.org/news/ham-radio-bridging-the-gap-in-wildfire-stricken-california
Amateur radio in the news: Emcomm/disaster edition
The past few months have really shown how amateur radio can respond in emergencies. And, the press has noticed. Below, are some links to news reports of hams helping out when there’s been a natural disaster: http://www.kb6nu.com/amateur-radio-news-emcommdisaster-edition/
Regional Ham Radio Events
Hamfest/Convention
11/04/2017 | MRC-91 Swapfest
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Milwaukee Repeater Club
Website: http://www.mrc91.org
Exam Session
11/04/2017 | Maplewood MN 55109-1577
Sponsor: St Paul Radio Club
Location: Ramsey Co Library Maplewood Branch
Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Learn More
Exam Session
11/04/2017 | Menomonie WI 54751
Sponsor: Dunn County Area Amateurs
Location: Keyes Chevrolet
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Learn More
Exam Session
11/09/2017 | Oak Park Heights MN 55082-6482
Sponsor: Stillwater ARA
Location: Boutwells Landing
Time: 6:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Learn More
Exam Session
11/11/2017 | Blaine MN 55449-8100
Sponsor: Anoka County Radio Club.
Location: www.ci.blaine.mn.us/_docs/directions.pdf
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Learn More
Exam Session
11/11/2017 | La Crosse WI 54601-7949
Sponsor: Riverland ARC
Location: Church of Christ
Time: 9:00 AM (No walk-ins)
Learn More
Brand New Hams
Let us know about new hams: seventhree @ bcham.org
Silent Key Report
KØMN – Richard A Kleppe
Dick was an avid Ham radio operator, originally working under the call sign K0KTP and later K0MN. He spoke with radio enthusiasts in every country in the world several times over and was awarded “Top of the Honor Roll” by the American Radio Relay League. To visit Dick in the family home, you were most likely to find him in the “Ham Shack,” that mysterious, closet-like “man cave” in the basement, with tables of radios, computers, terminals, and wires — clearly off limits to all, unless invited to enter, which he frequently (and kindly) did.
MORE: http://lacrossetribune.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/richard-dick-allan-kleppe/article_dc3f0dd8-f99d-52c2-b258-a8bb7d33d6c3.html
Audio/Podcast:
Practical Amateur Radio Podcast
Northeastern Minnesota
ANOKA COUNTY RADIO CLUB – www.anokaradio.org
ARROWHEAD RADIO AMATEURS CLUB – www.thearac.org
BAKKEN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY – http://www.w0mdt.com
BEARGREASE AMATEUR RADIO COALITION – www.beargreasearc.com
BOUNDARY WATERS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – http://raven.boreal.org/bwarc/
BRAINERD AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – www.brainerdham.org
COURAGE CENTER HANDI-HAMS – www.handiham.org
EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – www.ecmarc.org
ISANTI COUNTY ARES – www.isantiares.org
ISANTI COUNTY SKYWARN – www.isantiskywarn.com
LAKE COUNTY RACES/ARES – www.n0lcr.org
LAKE SUPERIOR AMATEUR COALITION – www.lsacrepeaters.org
MAGIC REPEATER GROUP – www.magicrepeater.net
MAPLE GROVE RADIO CLUB – www.k0ltc.org
MINNESOTA ARES – www.minnesotaares.org
MORA OPEN REPEATER ASSOCIATION – www.morahamradio.com
NORTHERN LAKES AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – www.northernlakesamateurradioclub.org
SHERBURNE COUNTY ARES – www.shercoares.org
ST CLOUD AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – www.w0sv.org
STILLWATER AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION – www.radioham.org
ST PAUL RADIO CLUB – www.stpaulradioclub.org
TWIN CITY FM CLUB – www.tcfmc.org
Northwestern Wisconsin
BARRON COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION – http://www.bcham.org
TRI COUNTY REPEATER ASSOCIATION – http://tcra.org
BURNETT WASHBURN RADIO ASSOCIATION – http://www.bwra.org
DUNN COUNTY RADIO AMATEURS – http://dunncohams.wix.com/dunn-co-hams
POLK COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION – www.n9xh.org
ST CROIX VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – www.scvhamradio.com
ST CROIX VALLEY RADIO AMATEURS – sites.google.com/site/stcroixvalleyhamradio/home
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN/SUPERIOR AMATEUR RADIO CLUB – www.uwsuper.edu
WISCONSIN ARES/RACES – www.wi-aresraces.org/
VHF/UHF NETS
BARRON COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION NET
Thursday Evening @ 7 PM – 146.715 MHz, PL 110.9 [KD9EJA Repeater – Barron, WI]
BAKKEN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY MINWIS NET
Monday Evening @ 7:30 PM – 444.525 MHz FUSION [WØMDT Repeater – Anoka, MN]
BRAINERD AREA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB REPEATER NET
Sunday Evening @ 8 PM – 147.225 MHz [WØUJ Repeater – Brainerd, MN]
BURNETT WASHBURN RADIO ASSOCIATION [FORMERLY NORWESCO ARES/RACES] NET
Every Wednesday @ 8:00 PM – 146.625 MHz, PL 110.9 [N9PHS Repeater – Siren, WI]
CENTRAL MINNESOTA REGION EMERGENCY HOSPITAL NET
First Wednesday of every month @ 1 PM – 147.015 MHz, PL 100.0 [WØSV Repeater – St Cloud, MN]
COOK COUNTY ARES RESPONSE TEAM NET
Every Sunday @ 7:00 PM – 146.655 MHz, PL 151.4 [WØBBN Repeater – Grand Marias, and BWARC Repeaters]
DUNN COUNTY ARES/RACES NET
First Thursday @ 7:00 PM – 146.685 MHz, PL 110.9 [N9QKK Repeater – Menomonie, WI]
EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB NET
Every Monday Evening @ 8 PM – 145.330 MHz [KØECM Repeater – Rush City, MN]
EASTERN MINNESOTA EMERGENCY SERVICES NET [EMESNET]
Every Tuesday @ 7 PM – 147.240 MHz, PL 146.2 [KDØCI Repeater – Ogilvie]
MINNESOTA DISTRICT 6 ARES NET
First Thursday of every month @ 12:30 PM – 146.700 MHz, PL 127.3 [WCØHC Repeater – Minneapolis]
EMESNET SIMPLEX TEST
Every Fourth Tuesday immediately following regular EMESNET session – 146.565 MHz Simplex
POLK COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION NET
Monday @ 9 PM – 147.195 MHz [N9XH Repeater – Balsam Lake, WI]
SHERBURNE COUNTY ARES NET
Every Monday @ 7:30 PM – 146.970 MHz [KØCJD Repeater – Elk River, MN]
ST CROIX VALLEY RADIO AMATEURS/ST CROIX ARES/RACES
Every Monday at 7pm 147.330 + 110.9 Hz [N9UPC Repeater – Roberts, WI]
SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA DIGITAL NET
Every Thursday @ 6:30 PM – 147.225 MHz, PL 100 [WØEAS Repeater – Rochester – Use MT63/2L Mode]
TRI COUNTY REPEATER ASSOCIATION NET
Every Thursday @ 8:00 PM – 145.470 MHz, PL 110.9 [N9LIE Repeater – Holcombe, WI]
TWIN CITY FM CLUB 76 SATURDAY SWAP SHOP NET
Every Saturday @ 9:30 AM – 146.760 MHz, PL 114.8 Hz [WØEF Repeater – St Louis Park, MN]
WECOMM ARES/RACES VHF NET
Last Thursday of the Month @ 7 PM – Multiple Linked Repeaters [WE9COM Repeater – Wisconsin]
HF NETS
BADGER WEATHER NET
Daily @ 5 AM – 3984 KHz LSB [Net Manager: W9IXG]
BADGER EMERGENCY NET
Daily @ Noon – 3985 KHz LSB [Net Manager: K9LGU]
MINNESOTA DIGITAL ARES NET
Thursday Evening @ 8:00 PM – 3583.5 KHz [via Olivia 8/500].
MINNESOTA SECTION [CW] NET
Twice Daily: @ 6:30 PM and 9:50 PM – 3568 KHz [Net Manager: KØWPK].
MINNESOTA SECTION PHONE NET
Twice Daily: @ 12 Noon [Net Manager: NØYR] and @ 5:30 PM – 3860 KHz LSB [Net Manager: WOØA].
PICONET ALL DAY WATCH
9 to 11 AM Monday thru Saturday and 4 to 5 PM Monday thru Friday – 3925 KHz LSB [Net Manager: KAØIZA]
WISCONSIN ARES/RACES NET
Sunday Morning @ 8:00 AM – 3967 KHz LSB [Net Manager: WB9WKO]
WISCONSIN SIDEBAND NET
Daily @ 5 PM – 3985 KHz LSB [Net Manager: KB9KEG]
About Seven Three Newsletter
The Seven Three Newsletter is a free, independent Amateur Radio information periodical covering a large portion of Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. It is published and distributed exclusively to amateur radio operators and clubs, public service agencies and officials, and other interested parties.
The mission is to provide balanced coverage of radio related news and information within our coverage area as much as possible in order to keep interested parties throughout the region and elsewhere informed. The extent of coverage depends on input from individuals and clubs throughout the region.
Permission is granted to subscribers to reprint all or portions of this newsletter for distribution to others, and materials herein may be used as long as this newsletter is referenced as the source, or sources noted within the newsletter are credited.