San Antonio Hams - Calendar of Events

Volunteer Opportunities & Swapfest Events

QUICK CALENDAR INDEX
2008	JANUARY	FEBRUARY	MARCH	APRIL	MAY	JUNE
2008	JULY	AUGUST	SEPTEMBER	OCTOBER	NOVEMBER	DECEMBER

This page will change frequently as time passes, and as the various clubs or groups pass along their upcoming volunteer opportunities for us to post on this web site. We will post them in chronological order as we get them, along with any contact info and specifics about what might be expected from the Amateur who wants to volunteer for that event or activity.

Send your Volunteer Opportunities to the webmaster at info@sanantoniohams.org as soon as you have any details at all. The more advance notice we have, the more advance notice our readers will have. Some folks do have a life outside of Amateur Radio (shame on them!) and they need to arrange their schedules to be able to make these events.

Radio Critter Volunteer Communications is frequently needed to ensure the safety of the participants and volunteers for such things as parades, bike-a-thons, run-a-thons and charity events or fund raisers. Special Olympics games are just one example of year round opportunities to use your radio skills to help others. None of these events pay you to be there. Hmm, wasn't there something on the ham test we all took that mentioned that we were not allowed to accept payment for our Amateur Radio services? Often you will get fed, might get a t-shirt or cap out of the deal, but we can guarantee you from personal experience, you usually will leave with a sense of having helped others and having done a good job of demonstrating how helpful Amateur Radio can be.

Some of these opportunities will not always be inside San Antonio proper. They might be up north at Boerne, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Universal City (that's almost San Antonio, right?), Austin, or even extend all the way to the coast for a couple of the annual events.

If permission to release contact info for an event has been received, you will find email or phone numbers listed below. If not, check the various club directories, ask another Ham on the air how to find them, or ask someone at KComm for contact info. (They know almost everybody!) You might even look in the San Antonio phone book (gasp!) or go to QRZ.Com for a call sign search. You can also send an inquiry to the webmaster at info@sanantoniohams.org for more information which we can then relay directly to you.

Date / Time	Contact	Description
??	Your Contact Name Here?	Your Event Here? Let us know about your Club or Group activities if you need or will welcome any additional volunteer help. Who knows, you might get some new members out of inviting them to participate.

2007 - Click here to see archived events calendar from 2007

2008 - Caution, Actual Dates/Details may change when closer to event date

Jan. 5-6

Jan. 5-6

Lee Besing N5NTG
210-771-7075 cell
Email

Coordinated by Hill Country REACT Team

Run-a-thon - Bandera 100k. This is a 100km Endurance trail running race. On Starts at sunrise on Saturday at 7:30am and ends at sunrise on Sunday 7:30am. The town closest is Bandera but its actually in the Hill Country State Natural Area. The race is pretty busy on the first day, but by 3pm, it slows to a crawl. We have a chef working round the clock, so all meals are provided and are actually pretty good. All the aid stations where the radio folks would work are on the main roads and easy to drive up and park.

More Info Here http://www.tejastrails.com/Bandera.html

Event usually held 1st Saturday - Sunday of month.

Jan. 12
Antenna

www.w5sc.org

SWAPFEST - San Antonio Radio Club's Annual event. The swapfest will be Saturday, January 12, 2008. Swapfest hours are 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. We will be at a new location in Shertz, Texas at the Knights of Columbus Haoo, 509 Schertz Parkway, near FM78.

Admission is $3 in advance or $4 at the door. Swapfest set up will open at 6:30 am with the doors opening at 8 am.

Prizes!

Admission is $4 at the door. Swapfest set up will open at 6:30 am with the doors opening at 8 am.

Tailgating Available! - In past years, this has been totally an Indoor event, but this year tailgating IS allowed. Limited tailgating spaces are available at $5 each. Please no swapping before 8:00 AM Saturday.

Event usually held 2nd Saturday of month.

Jan. 18

Charles Land, KC5NKK
210-568-7092 or 512-796-7565 cell
Email

Coordinated by Hill Country REACT Team

Run-a-thon: RIver Road Run - This race is a 12 mile run down the beautiful River Road, North of New Braunfels. The course has rolling hills and is a six mile out and back. The race starts at Camp Hueco Springs a 8:00 AM, turn around just before Rocky Beach Outfitter. Late registration and packet pick up starts at 7:00 AM. Race party and awards to follow at Camp Hueco Springs.

Course Map and details of the race available online at this link

Event usually happens 3rd weekend in January

Map of River Road Run

Feb. 3
Antenna

Rick W5RHT
Email
512-863-2428

SWAPFEST - Georgetown Sunday Swapmeet San Gabriel Park
San Gabriel Park Community Center, Georgetown TX
Exams- 8:30A.M. Setup-10AM, open to public 12noon-3PM
www.wcarc.com

Event usually held 1st Sunday of month.

Feb. 10
8am-5pm

Walter Hock, KK5LO
830-741-2474
Email

Tom Taylor
830-741-2289
Email

Technician Class - 1 Day Crash Course -Hondo, TX - Class will cost $20 per student. Includes registration, study guide & exam fee. VE Test given at the end of the day. Location: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1303 Ave. M, Hondo, TX. GOOGLE MAP HERE Preregistration Required. Registration Deadline February 8, enrollment space may be limited. Not recommended for students under the age of 15 years.

Call Call Walter KK5LO at 830-741-2474 or send message via Email. Alternate contact Tom W5VEI at 830-741-2289 or send message via Email. Visit the club's website for more info about the club at www.mcarc.org.

Event usually held 2nd Saturday of month.

Feb. 9

Contact National Weather Service via email or 830-606-3617

logo SKYWARN TRAINING CONFERENCE
Saturday, February 24, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Bonilla Science Hall Auditorium
University of Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209

MAP OF LOCATION

EVENT AGENDA

Event usually held on a Saturday in February

Feb. 9
Antenna

For more info, email MSET Officers
Or contact Barry KE5DFJ (MSET-TX PIO)
512-438-5154
email

Annual Starflight Landing Zone Training Class at Shoreline Christian Center, Fm1325 @ Shoreline. (Austin)
Free Admission to all First Responders, Fire, Police, & ARES
Attendees may Pre-Register on-line for Feb 2007 class in January

Learn how to prepare a landing zone for medical evacuation choppers to pick up victims at accident scenes. Know what to do, or not to do (such as leaving door / hood open when chopper landing nearby, or wearing a hat). Learn how to choose a LZ based on factors such as ground clutter, wires, trees, register on line at www.mset-tx.org

Event usually held 3rd Saturday of month.

Feb. 16
Antenna

www.bastrophams.org

BCARC Smithville Swapfest at Riverbend Park in Smithville, TX 8AM-?
Talk-in: 443.750, 145.350 pl 114.8
www.bastrophams.org

Event usually held 3rd Saturday of month.

Feb. 17

Martin KM5CT@arrl.net

Freescale Marathon
Completely different course! Start- Freescale Parmer, Half at Northcross Mall, Finish near Auditorium Shores area (not final)
www.freescaleaustinmarathon.com

Event usually held 3rd Sunday of month.

Feb. 23
Antenna

Teri Thomas KC5BJI
210-680-6841
Email

AARO
www.aa5ro.org

Ham Radio Operator Ham Radio Class - One Day "Crash Course" for the Technician Class Amateur Radio License. Alamo Area Repeater Organization (AARO) has scheduled a class for this date. More details will be posted here when made available, and on AARO's web site. AARO has established itself as the local leader in putting on such classes.

Class fee is usually cost $35 per student plus book. Includes continental breakfast, lunch and fee for the exam given at the end of the day. Students supply their own copy of Gordon West's Technician Class book. Location: Lecture Hall, Bonilla Science Building, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX. Visit AARO Web Site.

Students would receive suggested study guide in advance and need to purchase the recommended manual (not included in registration fee). Class would start around 8am, ending around 4:30pm, with testing following the end of the class. To improve your chances of passing, advance studying using the information provided plus the manual is highly recommended.

Feb. 23
Antenna

Sheila N5HL 409-727-1071 sheilapo@midcountypc.com
Delores KC5NEO
409-962-1435 kc5neo@gt.rr.com

SWAPFEST - Orange ARC & Jefferson County ARC- OARC/JCARC Swapmeet
VFW Hall North Highway 87
147.180+ (no tone) www.qsl.net/w5nd

Event usually held last Saturday of month.

March 3
Antenna

Mike N5VCX@arrl.net
713-771-4625 713-826-6917
Ross Lawler 281-342-3340 W5HFF@yahoo.com

SWAPFEST - Greater Houston Hamfest- formerly BVARC "Mix & Match" Swapmeet. New location- Ft. Bend County Campgrounds
http://houstonhamfest.org/

Talk-In: 146.880 (PL 103.5)

Event usually held first Saturday of month.

March 7-8
Antenna

http://hamfest.w5qgg.org

SWAPFEST -Midland St. Patrick's Day Hamfest
New location- Midland Downtown Lions Club building- 200 Plaza Ave
New, lower price table rentals- only $10 per table

Event usually held first weekend of month.

Apr. 19
Antenna

Mike LeFan, WA5EQQ
254-773-3590 hamexpo@tarc.org

SWAPFEST - Belton Ham Expo - Register on the website! www.tarc.org

More details www.beltonhamfest.org

Apr. 12-13
Bike

www.HoustonHams.org

Ham Communications
Mike Hardwick, N5VCX
Email or 713-771-4625

BP Hams
Chuck N5CGA
email or 281.251.4802

SAG Drivers
Jeff Walters, KE5FGA
email or 281-467-8595

New Website for 2007 via Yahoo Groups.

New link is ms150sags.org

MS150 Houston-Austin Bike ride benefiting Multiple Sclerosis research Enthusiastic, committed volunteers are key components of the annual BP MS 150 Bike Tour. Volunteering is a great way to help thousands of people living with MS, meet people, learn new skills and enjoy the largest MS 150 in North America.

It is time to plan and prepare for the largest 2 day bike ride of its kind in the US. The BP MS150 will have over 13,000 riders this year covering over 200 miles of Texas roads. Communications for this event is one of the most important and vital areas of the ride and 135 operators are needed to handle this critical role. To provide the best communications possible everything from HF to VHF to UHF is used during the ride. APRS is also used to track the medical vehicles as well as other critical support vehicles.

Sign up to be an operator for this year's BP MS150 Houston to Austin Bike Tour. You need to sign up as soon as possible to insure that sleeping arrangements are reserved. Due to the large number of riders and volunteers, sleeping arrangements are in short supply. If you planning to volunteer for the event, I must know what kind of arrangements you need.

Positions available:

Net Control in Bellville, Houston, LaGrange and Austin - total of 20 operators needed
Break Point operators - 25 operators are needed
SAG and transport communications - 15 operators are needed
Supply communications - 5 operators are needed
Medical Communications - 30 operators are needed
Houston and LaGrange Command Post communicators - 25 operators are needed
911 Center locations - 5 operators are needed
MS150 staff - 5 operators

The Houston Command Post this year will be coordinating medical communications for the entire course. More operators will be needed to man the operating positions in Houston for medical communications. If you would like to volunteer, please contact me as soon as possible. Two communications meetings will be held the week before the ride at the MS office, 8111 North Stadium Drive (just north of the AstroDome). Please plan to attend one of the meetings. Let me know which meeting you will attend so the correct amount of food can be ordered. Talk-in will be available on the 147.00 plus offset 103.5 tone repeater.

On Saturday morning, April 21, operators will meet at the METRO Park-n-Ride at 4:30 a.m. for t-shirts and any last minute information. Operators will then install equipment in medical vehicles, SAGS and supply trucks. Talk-in will be on the 145.19 minus 123.0 tone repeater. Event frequencies will be available at the communications meetings. The frequency list will also be available as well on www.houstonhams.org one week before the ride. Remember the minimum equipment requirements are a VHF radio with no less than 25 watts of power and a gain type antenna (19 inch antennas do not work!). UHF is used on the ride and it is a plus if you have a dual band radio or you can at least monitor UHF.

Several people that worked communications during Hurricane Katrina and Rita have said that the MS150 is the best training for emergency communications. So come on out and volunteer for the MS150. Put your radio and license to the best use every. This is one event that really can test you and your equipment under disaster type communications and you can sign up at www.houstonhams.org .If you have any questions about volunteering, please call Mike at 713-771-4625.

Apr. 26
Bike

www.HoustonHams.org

Mike Hardwick, N5VCX
713-771-4625
or via Email

Shiner Bash Bike Ride - As you likely know, riders ride from Austin, Houston and San Antonio and converge on Shiner. Six volunteers will be asked to work break points between San Antonio and Shiner, and one to work in an ambulance. The ride starts at 7:00 am. The riders at the first break point will have an early start, and should be finished around 9:00. Break points further down the ride – later schedule. Volunteers get shirts and lunch and get free ticket for the party in Shiner. Event details at www.shinerbash.com

May 3	Lee Besing N5NTG 210-771-7075 cell Email Coordinated by Hill Country REACT Team	Special Olympics - Area 20 Spring Games @ Samuel Clemens HS, in Schertz, Texas.. Coordinate commercial radios and run special event ham radio station for demonstrating to SO athletes. Special Event Station time 10am-2pm, 1 day only. QSL available for on-air contacts. All volunters must be pre-registered due to SO's security restrictions, but should receive an event t-shirt for helping.
May. 3	Charles Land, KC5NKK 210-568-7092 or 512-796-7565 cell Email Coordinated by Hill Country REACT Team	5K RUN - Bulverde Run For The Hills - Benefiting the Bulverde Senior Citizens Center. Starts 8am at Cougar Bend & Bulverde Rd (FM 1836) in Bulverde. Event lasts about 2 hours (7am-9am). Radio operators provide public safety observers along the 5k course, which is an out & back style course, i.e 2.5k out, turn around and come back to same point as start Course controlled by Bulverde PD and Comal Sherrif Department..
May. 16-18	http://www.hamvention.org/	SWAPFEST - Dayton Hamvention 56th show
May. 17-18	Lee Besing N5NTG 210-771-7075 cell Email Coordinated by Hill Country REACT Team	Tour de Cure - San Antonio - Austin, 2 Day Bike Ride - Benefiting the American Diabetes. Details still pending, but ought to be similar to MS150 type of operation or at least the former Baptist Wildflower 100 Tour type event. Already planning to coordinate with Austin Hams for 2nd day of event. Not sure how many hams are needed, so contact Lee if you think you might be interested in helping. 2008 Maps will be posted ASAP 2007 Map of Day 1 - 50/80mile Course (PDF 195kb) 2007 Map of Day 1 - 20 mile Course (PDF 120kb) 2007 Map of Day 2 - 25/58/80 mile Course (PDF 153kb)
May 23-24	www.w5ddl.org/hamfest/index.htm	SWAPFEST - 47th Annual Acadiana Hamfest Rayne Civic Center 300 Frog Festival Drive, Rayne LA 70578 47th Annual Acadiana Hamfest will be held on March 9-10 2007 Event usually held 2nd Saturday of month.
May 24	N/A	Annual Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day Special Event- 1800-2300 UTC- HF, MARS, PSK31, APRS, and Echolink Node # 16686, #267069 or IRLP Node # 8380 www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw http://www.dod.mil/americasupportsyou/america/stories/12756051.html

June 13-14	Alfred Horn, KG5QW 210-520-2001 or Email San Antonio Repeater Organization www.sarepeater.net	Texas Water Safari - 262 miles from San Marcos to Seadrift at the Gulf Coast. Canoe teams race from start to finish, non-stop, with ham operators at each check point to verify their arrival and relay info to the next check point. Communication is rough, with come check points down in the valley at river level where radio reception is challenging. SARO hams and other ham clubs provide communications along this course, with SARO providing coordination on the first day, handing it over to other ham clubs for futher down the course.
June 13-14		Ham-Com in Plano, TX (Fri-Sun) ARRL West Gulf Division Convention www.hamcom.org Want to volunteer and get in free? Visit: website for details From US Interstate 75 (North Central Expressway) in Plano, exit at Exit 31 (Spring Creek Parkway) and go east approximately one-half mile. Plano Centre is on the south-east corner of Spring Creek Parkway and Jupiter Road (local Mapsco Grid 659-D).
June 12-13	Ed Franks KE5CAX rot@mset-tx.org or call 512-989-7448 http://mset-tx.org	Republic of Texas Biker Rally- Communication and Medical Volunteers needed. The Motorcycle Special Events Team of Texas (MSET-TX) needs Medical, Communications, and Support volunteers for 2007 ROT Biker Rally. For the past 5 years, the ROT Rally has been rated the "Best motorcycle rally in Texas" and attracts over 60,000 participants. Events include: parades; live music; over 250 vendor displays; custom bike shows; Monster Truck show, stunt shows and much, much more. MSET-TX and MSET-TX Volunteers will be providing support. Multiple shift times are available for medical, communications and support volunteers. All volunteers will be granted free access to the ROT Rally (a $45 value) and may participate in the rally before or after their shift/s. This is one of Austin's largest events and volunteering is a great way to show your support to Austin, the medical, law enforcement and/or communications community and the thousands of visitors to our great city. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this fun and exiting event. To volunteer direct with the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, click here.
June 21	Jerry Wilson, K5JLW ac5zj@cs.com	SWAPFEST - Deep East Texas Amateur Radio Club (DETARC) in Lufkin, TX WHEN: Saturday, June, 21. Setup begins at 7PM and doors open at 8PM. WHERE: Denman Avenue Baptist Church, Lufkin, TX. WEB: http://detarc.net FREE ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION! Please register when you arrive. We would like to generate a contact list for next year in case we decide to do it again. FREE PARKING! Free parking is available in the north parking lot and behind the church. Behind the church parking is only accessible through the north parking lot. FREE INSIDE TABLES! We even provide the tables (first come first served). No electricity will be available. FREE TAILGATING: An area will be marked off for tailgaters only in the south parking lot. The south parking lot is the first parking lot you will see. PLEASE, do not park in this area if you are not selling/swapping items from your vehicle. You may set up a table at your vehicle if you bring your own. DIRECTIONS: Coming into Lufkin, the south on HWY. 69, go under Lufkin loop 287. Denman Avenue Baptist Church is less than 0.1 mile on the right. From everywhere else, get on Lufkin loop 287, go south and take HWY. 69 exit (to Beaumont). At HWY. 69, turn north onto HWY. 69/Denman Avenue (toward town). Denman Avenue Baptist Church is less than 0.1 mile on the right. VE TESTING: Starts at 9AM. Walk-ins only. Exams for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses offered. If taking the Technician class, you must provide your Social Security number. If sitting for the General Class or higher, you must provide a copy of your current license. All applicants must present two forms of identification, one of which must be a picture ID. A current Texas driver's license is perfect for this. Testing fee is $14, and exact change is always appreciated. PRIZES: Hourly drawings for door prizes will be held (based on the number of door prizes available) starting at 9PM. Tickets drawn for hourly door prizes will be included for the grand prize drawing. Hourly prizes must be claimed within 15 minutes. After 15 minutes tickets for the unclaimed prize will be drawn until the prize is awarded. Once a new ticket is drawn and announced, earlier drawn tickets are no longer valid except for the Grand Prize. GRAND PRIZE: IC-V8, 2-M, Handy Talkie. Drawing for the Grand Prize is at 1PM. You are not required to be present to win. PRIZE TICKETS: Tickets for the drawings are $1 each, $5 for 6 tickets, $10 for 12 tickets or $20 for 25 tickets.
June 28-29		Field Day - Multiple locations around the metro area. More details will be posted as they become available. SARC, AARO, ROOST, GVARC and KARS are known to be planning elaborate FD events. Hams and non-hams are encouraged to visit and even operate radios during this event to help out one or more of these clubs.