The Special Event Call Sign System meets the needs of amateur operators for temporary operation of their stations during events that are of special significance to the amateur service community.� A Special Event Call Sign is an amateur station call sign with a one-by-one call sign format that may be reserved for assignment to stations operating in conjunction with these short-term events. A one-by-one call sign consists of a single prefix letter (K, N, or W), the region number (0 to 9), and a single suffix letter (A to Z, except the letter X). There are 750 such call signs. Amateurs of any license class may reserve a 1x1 call sign for up to 15 days. Once you reserve the call sign, you simply substitute the self-selected 1x1 call sign for your FCC-assigned call sign. Be sure to read the 1x1 call sign Frequently Asked Questions. A One-by-One Database has been established so that you can determine which 1x1 call signs are available during specific dates. Coordinators have also been selected by the FCC to approve and post 1x1 call sign reservations to the database. Request Your One by One Callsign Online At the EOC meeting in Sevierville on Thursday N6EST Harvey had brought up some interesting comments about WinLink, I looked up and found interesting so I thought that I would pass along to everyone else to take a glance at.... Hope that you all find interesting also....... Get Started Using Winlink 2000There are a number of ways to get to started using Winlink 2000 radio e-mail. If you are without a local teacher or mentor, we suggest you follow this general approach:
Easy Transfer Cable For Windows Vista, Thank Bill N4BHK for the information !! http://belkin.com/support/product/?lid=en&pid=F5U258&scid=1 What is Windows Transfer Cable,Click Below http://belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&pid=F5U258&aid=6201&scid=1 Check Out The East Tennessee-Ratpack Newsletter Blog, Thanks Moe!! A place to check out previous news letter's and current weather conditions for the area.. http://etskywarn.org/ratpack.html
Lightning Protection & Station Grounding Lightning and static protection is something that should be high on your list of priorities. The buildup of a powerful static charge that can be caused by wind, lighting, man-made sources, etc., can be detrimental to the delicate electronics of your amateur radio gear. A couple of good products that bleed off static surges of this type are offered by the compainies Alpha-Delta Communications and PolyPhaser Corporation and can prolong or even save the life of your equipment many times over. After the initial cost (around $50), the replacement arc-plugs are about $10 each, which is a small price to pay to protect hudreds or even thousands of dollars worth of radio equipment.This does NOT mean that you should operate your equipment during a storm. The best way to ground your antennas is through the use of a coax switch like this Alpha-Delta model. Allow me to explain how this switch works. First of all, it acts as an antenna switch. You can use it to switch between two or four different antennas (depending on the model), and it has a COMMON setting which effectively disconnects the transciever from the antenna(s). The Alpha-Delta brand coax switches also have the arc-plug surge protection built in, meaning you won't be needing a seperate Transi-Trap or similar item. The way this particular model is installed is as follows: The switch will mount to a wall or similar sturdy surface. You will connect a ground strap going from the ground-rod to the shiny (unfinished) mouning hole on the switch. Now you have effectively grounded your antenna switch. When a static buildup is on the feedline, it will be instantaniously be transferred to the ground via the arc-plug. To select the antenna you want to use, simply put the switch in the position of the antenna you want to use. When not using your equipment, set the switch to the common position, which disconnects your radios from the antennas, which are now isolated from your equipment and well grounded. Occasionally you will need to replace the arc-plug after it gives it's life doing it's duty. Agan, $10 for a replacement arc-plug is a small price to pay to keep your expensive and delicate equipment protected. Lighting can travel through the power lines and fry your equipment that way too. Unplug your equipment from the wall if you do not have a good quality surge protector. I can't tell you all the times I have seen fireballs shoot out of the electrical outlets of my home and shoot across the room, disipating in the air. It does not take a direct strike to cause this, a near strike can also cause this phenomina. Imagine what would happen to any equipment plugged in that is not protected by a good surge protector! I reccomend a surge protector such as the Isobar ISOTEL6ULTRA by Tripp-Lite which not only protects the supplied outlets, but also the telephone line. This particular surge protector also has isolated filter banks which serve to isolate your equipment from any EMI/RFI in the electrical lines. Something else you should do (or have done) is make sure the electrical wiring for your place of residence is properly grounded. If it isn't have a certified electrician come out and do the the job properly. Improperly grounded electrical wiring in your house can be a major cause of RFI, and also is a potential fire hazzard. Proper station grounding is also an essential part of keeping RF out of the house. The last thing you want is for RF to build up in your equipment. Not only can this get into your transmitted signal, but it can also jump out and bite you when you least expect it, by just touching a metal surface that is energized with it. Don't let this happen to you, ground your station properly. RF burns are very painful! Do not daisy-chain your equipment together, this is bad for causing unecessary RFI problems. Instead, make as short a run as possible from each piece of equipment directly to the ground-rod. If you use a grounding plate, mount it directly behind your equipment and run your ground straps from the equipment to it. Then run a heavy ground strap from the ground-plate to the ground-rod. Something to note about base station grounding is that if you are going to use a mobile radio for base station use, you might have to make your own ground connection. Most mobile radios do have a dedicated ground lug, and manage to ground themselves through both the negative power wire, and some also use the rf-shielding of the coax to an extent. This is fine for mobile instalations, and should be for base station use also, provided that your power-supply is properly grounded. If you experience RF problems, try running a ground strap to the mounting bracket (provided it is metal), as this will help to properly ground the radio's chasis. A Vet's Second Opinion
More Humor........ A tourist from the Atlanta area was hiking through the mountains of What Is A Elmer? An elmer is the guy you go to, to ask questions about topics in Ham Radio that you don't understand. In that vein, you know it's time for you to find an Elmer if...
Also anyone wishing to test in the Sevierville area,contact me by phone or e mail and we will setup a special testing before our next test in August... We would like to at least have a minium of 2 if possible....We wanted to try to help those in the area so that you wouldn't have to drive so far... All testing will be conducted by the W5YI Group... Field Day is 28-29th of June just a few weeks away, so if you wish to participate you can go to the ARRL Website and check the locator for those that will be close in your area..Hope that everyone has a great time and if you never have been to field day take the time to go and experience a great time and great people.... Don't forget the 470 Prayer List e mail..its - 470prayerlist@gmail.com Hope that everyone has a chance to stop by the net this Tuesday at 7:00pm on the 145.470 ..its been really nice out I know, so just stop by and say Hi if possible if you have some time...Thanks Again from the 470 Amateur Radio Rat Pack Group... Ladies !!! Monday And Thursday 8:00pm The Ladies Round Table on the 145.470..This net ladies is about you all and has been going really great, so come on by and join in, if you know a lady ham operater let them know .... 220 Mhz is still active, stop by and join everyone on the 224.800 repeater in the Sevier / Knox County area.. 8:30 pm every Thursday evening... Rocky Top Traders Net Wed @ 9:00pm on 145.230... Gerat Net and this next two weeks will be Kevin on the net !! rick Jr is off getting MARRIED!!! Congrats To Rick KG4QPG SMARC 7:00 Thursday on the 146.655 with a backup of 146.940 Stop By And Say Hi To Miss francis And The Great Net Controls On The Net..... Well let me say goodnite to everyone, hope that you enjoyed the news letter this week, the photo's are suplied by a couple hams here local.. Larry KB4ITS sent the first picture, and James of New Market sent the 2nd, There Is Water On Mars !! 73 All and God Bless Everyone and God Bless Amereica Rick & Cathy |
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Rick Sawaya Sr N4JTQ &
Cathy Sawaya KI4YPO
2005 Spence Mountain Loop
Sevierville,TN 37876
865.429.2422
Monitor 145.470 & 444.300
Member Of SCARS,ECARS,SSCC
OMISS,MWCC
Donations to the 145.470 send to:
Tim Berry WB4GBI
214 Echodale Rd
Knoxville TN 37920
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Rick Sawaya Sr N4JTQ &
Cathy Sawaya KI4YPO
2005 Spence Mountain Loop
Sevierville,TN 37876
865.429.2422
Monitor 145.470 & 444.300
Member Of SCARS,ECARS,SSCC
OMISS,MWCC
Donations to the 145.470 send to:
Tim Berry
214 Echodale Rd
Knoxville TN 37920
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