A Closer Look at Morse Code

  

  

Imagine a time when there were no telephones and the only way to communicate long distance was to send a letter or a personal messenger. Although all the necessary ingredients were available to create a communications system, the only truly usable system at the time was the "Needle Telegraph" in England. Click here to read more.....

 

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D-Star Special Announcement

   

Hi Folks,

  

Changes were made to the dplus utility by Robin AA4RC. These changes affected the look of the dashboard https://k4fwb.dstargateway.org/ Due to Robin AA4RC's changes, two of the logging files were also changed which read the dplus.log file (monlink and dplusreport). Below are snippets from the emails documenting those changes.

  

From AA4RC's email regarding the change:

  

Version 2.2h of dplus has been released. 

From the CHANGELOG:

  

v 2.2h:   The changed reflector discovery code so it will dynamically

          find new reflectors and changed IP's without restart.  The

          reflector limit moved from 50 to 1000 as a result.

  

          Added support for modules D (for repeaters with that or

          for data/d-rats testing) and E (for remote Echotest).

          You can now test your internet connection by linking to

          a remote gateway's module E and keying up with an echo

          test (using CQCQCQ in urcall).  Don't forget to unlink! :)

  

          Also, DV Dongle users will be able to run echo tests

          through a connected gateway using module E.  This will

          require DVTool-2.0beta5 or later.

  

          Some of the messages printed to dplus.log have been

          shortened.  I'm trying to cut back on the volume in

          that log file.  Note that this will require new versions

          of monlink, dplusreport, and others that parse the logs.

  

Merry Christmas to all and to all . . . Good night,

Sharon KJ4TPQ

  

2nd Announcement:

  

Digital Repeater Users:

On Tuesday evenings, we link to the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club D-STAR Net to the ODOG "C" repeater from 8:20 pm to 9:30 pm. After the net last week, net control suggested we all connect to the new Ham Nation D-STAR Net (also known as The Ham Nation Round table) that follows the D-STAR Ham Nation Round table LIVE Video Feed.  So I connected the "C" repeater to The Ham Nation Round table.  It was a good net with lots of information sharing.  About 80 hams checked in to this new net. I checked in using D-RATS.

  

The Ham Nation Round table is scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm on REF 14C and since that could overlap with the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club D-STAR Net, I set up an automatic link and unlink as follows:  From 9:05 pm to 11 pm, the "B" repeater will be linked to REF014C for the Ham Nation Round table.  It is in place as of now and ready for Tuesday evening.

  

For more information, see the following links:

   - To catch the D-STAR Ham Nation Round table LIVE Video Feed: http://live.twit.tv/ Tuesdays at 8 pm to 9:15 pm CST

   - More information on Ham Nation: http://www.wx4adx.com/hn/

   - More information on the Round table: http://www.wx4adx.com/hnrn/

  

Sharon KJ4TPQ, ODOG Sysop

  

Note there will be a 25 minute over lap where ports B and C will be linked.  Usually Florida is complete before 9:15 so it should not be a problem to switchover.

  

Bob N4CU

  

Additionally, three wide area nets linked to K4FWB port C.

   

Check in is by pressing the PTT key, better known as "Quick Key" when called by net control. Net control will then recognize check-in's and then ask for name and locations.

    

Local users with RF capability check in via Port C, Dongle users should connect to the reflector.

  

Sunday, 8 PM CDST, Southeastern D-Star Weather Net, 8 PM CDST, Reflector 002A

  

Monday, 8 PM CDST, Florida Hurricane Net, Reflector 034A

  

Tuesday, 8:30 PM CDST, Birmingham ARC D-STAR Net, Reflector 002B (this covers most of Alabama and North Florida}

  

Bob-N4CU

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The next NOARC club meeting will be held on

  

Date: Thursday February 9th

  

Time: 7:00 p.m.

  

Place: Old Dorcas Fire Station  

  

------Tech. Night------

  

Topic: TBA

  

Date: Thursday January 26th

  

Time: 7:00 p.m.

  

Place: Old Dorcas Fire Station

  

Old Dorcas Fire Station #42 is located about 8 miles east of Crestview. Fire Station is on dirt road directly behind an Exxon Station off of U.S. 90.

  

(Click here for an aerial view)

  

Sunday Club Operation

  

The club station can be opened at any reasonable time after notifying the

  

Station Manager.

  

Point of contact: Richard Bailey-KE4BFX

  

E-mail Address(es):  bailey_richard@yahoo.com

  

Phone:

  

Cell:

 

  

  

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New Ham Brochure

(Click Here)

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Florida Panhandle Frequencies

(Click Here) pdf

Thanks, Bob - N4CU

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Satellite for Beginners 

Presented by Ron-KI5FR

   (Click here for .pdf file)

  

  

Help support your local repeater,

become a NOARC member!

  

$12.00 gets you Associate Privileges, (Non-voting member)

and 

$20.00 gets you Full Privileges 

  

Regardless of which membership you choose the repeater access is free to anyone wishing to use it.  These dues are mainly to ensure the repeater remains free to the public.

  

  

********** CLUB APPLICATION FORM FOR 2012 **********

  

  

Please fill this application form out and mail it to David Hayden-WB4EWS. You can also use it to make your Dues payment. He will then forward me your information so I can update you in the membership database.  

Click Here

  

       

  

 W4AAZ

Operates on 147.360 MHz with +100hz tone

  

The North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (NOARC) is a service organization located in Crestview, Florida. It has members from Santa Rosa, Walton, and Okaloosa Counties in Florida and Covington County, Alabama.  During the club's history, members have supported the community numerous times by providing emergency communications and were often the only means of communication in and out of areas affected by disasters.  Club activities include participation each year in the American Radio Relay League sponsored Field Day event, hidden transmitter hunts, picnics, and hosting Technician Classes.  Our goal is to enjoy amateur radio and to introduce and promote the hobby to the public to ensure that there will always be a pool of well trained and well equipped hams ready to support our community when needed.

 

 

  

Special Announcements

  

Tower Laws

  

Cal-W4GMH, has put together key legal information on Towers for Amateur Radio Stations.

  

See "Legal Area" (above), for attached PDF Files that cover

1. ARRL PRB 1 Info Page

2. Chapter 7 of Okaloosa County Ordinances-read section 1.01.073

3. The Original FCC PRB-1 Ruling of 1985

4. An FCC 2000 ruling on CCR's that cites the PRB-1

5. Florida Tower Laws

  

Thanks,

Cal-W4GMH for this information.  

  

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Satellite Flyby's

  

We have just added a new link for those who like to track satellites.  It's labeled "Satellite Flyby's"  click on it and put in your zip code.  It's as easy as that.

  

Thanks,

Tony-K4OZL from MARC and Cal-W4GMH for informing us of this website.

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Technician Classes:

Ron - KI5FR, would like to hold another Technician Class in the not so distant future.  If you are interested in getting your amateur radio license please contact him at noarc_class@yahoo.com