San Antonio Area Hams 
New Feature starting in
October 2008 - The News Blog!
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Check out our new News Blog and let us know what you think! Blog authors wanted. Contact us via email if you want permission to post your own news stories here.
This page is where we post local Amateur News as we find out about things of general interest which have been happening in our community, or which have directly affected our local Amateur Community. We've also included the news highlights from ARRL's web site. And just like we're pulling the highlights from ARRL's web site, the news highlights are available to be pulled from this page for use on other radio club web sites. Contact the webmaster for info to obtain permission and instructions on how to accomplish this.
Check back frequently for updates. If you have something you would like to have included, feel free to send that to info@sanantoniohams.org
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A Short Note On Hurricane IKE
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Bob Hejl W2IK - NNN0KSI - NNN0GBY2 Ecom STX
One of the advantages of preparing for a hurricane is that it may take a few days before it "concerns" your area. As the projected path of hurricane IKE became more focused on the Texas Gulf coast area, it became evident that I might be called upon to deploy as a MARS Ecom station to report conditions at whatever location I might find myself. I was, of course, going to use my station with one of my NVIS antennas due to it's ability of having lower noise floor reception and wouldn't be prone to too much of an increase in "static crashes" caused by distant lightening.
The Problem
I began to think that if the ground were to become too saturated due to intense rains it might undermine my standard ground-stake support system.
http://hometown.aol.com/alonestaryank/ENVISANT.html
I do most of my best thinking when I am either in the "Reading Room" or in bed, so I laid in my bed and it came to me..... a way of supporting my NVIS antenna in weather not prime for ground stakes. Not only would I be able to use this support system in saturated soil, but ALSO if I had to set up an antenna on a paved surface.
The Solution...
End supports each with a short PVC pipe cemented in cider-blocks with hydraulic cement. I'd also make one with an additional pipe to support my wireless weather reporting units.
Since my simple NVIS antenna offers little wind-load, it seemed the perfect answer. Just one additional thought, when deploying the antenna the blocks should face with the long side running with that of the antenna so any pull will not tip the blocks.
I made my new mounts and as you can see below I used them to deploy during hurricane IKE. These are actual deployment pictures taken before the storm hit.
The center of this antenna was made from just two sections of aluminum military masting with a bolt to hold the sections in place.
The masting was secured to a heavy-duty cast-iron umbrella mount secured with one of the rear wheels of my car. See below:
When it became evident that I'd have to deploy, I drove in a semi-circle to reach my deployment location (to avoid evac routes and support traffic). Since it was determined that the hurricane would track in a direction more northerly once it made landfall in the Houston area I deployed along it's would-be path about 60 miles NE of the city.
After driving over 145 miles from my home, I ended up in Brenham, Texas in Washington County. Sometimes you tend to over-think a deployment and it can bite you in the ass. This time, it did just that.
The Location
One of the best locations to set up is usually in the parking lot of a Walmart Super-Center because they allow overnight parking of campers and truckers and since the store is always open, you have use of their "facilities".
Well, not this time! As you can see below, the store closed at 6PM on Friday with them creating a barrier against projectile damage to their doors. It's also a good idea to be in a location such as this because you are less prone to trees falling as long as you park in the clear.
There were dozens of truckers and evacuees from Houston hoping to ride out the storm there. Many had campers and even offered the use of their own "facilities" if I needed them. It's always nice to see people willing to go out of their way to assist others during events such as hurricanes.
Although we didn't get as nearly as intense wind forces as were experienced at the coast (top gusts at this location were about 60 mph), we experienced quite a bit of the product of this hurricane in the form of constant wind and horizontal rain.
During the Storm
I remained safe on my car and gave half- hourly weather reports and visual observations to an emergency MARS net established for this very purpose. My reports were sent to such agencies as FEMA, DOD and Homeland Security so they could see the development of the storm along it's path. You could easily tell the storm was bearing down as the barometric pressure steadily dropped during it's approach and the average wind speed increased with each report.
I never worried about either my safety and my antenna system never budged. From an operational standpoint, it was a good deployment. I was kept busy with my communications duties which was a joint effort by all three MARS services. We only lost local power for a short time. My equipment, rigs and led lighting system ran well using three sets of deep-cycle marine batteries.
Heading Home
I was done with my deployment/reporting duties late Saturday and a quick breakdown had me on the road in little time. There was minor flooding and minor damage to the scale that it wasn't worthy of taking pictures and I was too tired to stop and take any. The only worry that I had to concern myself with was over-road flooding of the many creeks and streams I had to drive over. None created a problem. I do know that a few of my fellow MARS ops who lived in that area suffered loss of power and in one case roof damage.
I regret that I couldn't post a picture of my messy/cramped operating station in my car but the picture shows my rig's frequency display set on a MARS classified frequency.
Walmart never did re-open during my stay.
August is hurricane season but apparently it is also the season for cooperation between various radio communications agencies as well. 
On August 18, 2008, Charles Land, president of the local San Antonio based Hill Country REACT Team, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Texas Navy – Marine Corps MARS (Military Affiliated Radio System). Minutes later, Texas State REACT Council Secretary, Lee Besing, signed a similar agreement with the Texas Navy – Marine Corps MARS. The MARS signature was NOT that of Bob Hejl, W2IK, but rather that of a MARS officer higher up in the chain of command for Texas. See links at bottom of this article for PDF copies scanned with signatures of both agreements.
{Photo Left – Right; Charles Land (KC5NKK) signing as president of Hill Country REACT, Bob Hejl, (W2IK, NNN0GBY2) representing MARS, and Lee Besing (N5NTG) signing as the secretary for the Texas State REACT Council.}
This agreement was initiated by local MARS operator Bob Hejl, and supported by the MARS officers above him in their chain of command. Bob contacted REACT to ask if they would be willing to sign such an agreement, and the rest is history. Ironically, the signing took place during REACT’s monthly meeting at the Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department, where the sign on the wall behind them said “Don’t train till you get it right, train until you don’t get it wrong.”
By signing this agreement, it opens the doors to joint operations, and sharing of equipment such as the radio equipped communications trailer operated by the REACT Team, or the many other resources provided by MARS. The wording of both agreements were similar, and basically provide a mechanism by which the two emergency radio organizations will utilize so that they can better communicate with each other prior, during, and after, emergency operations. To characterize one member’s summary, he said “we’ve agreed to play nice with each other and talk to each other.” The agreement does not commit either organization to specific actions, but does create a framework to encourage communications between the local REACT Teams and local MARS units.
Texas State REACT Council secretary Lee Besing was quoted as saying “We plan to use this MOU as a basis for approaching other Ham Radio emergency agencies in Texas to establish similar agreements with them and will be asking REACT International’s board of directors to open similar talks with MARS as well on a national basis.”
Both groups are comprised of volunteer radio operators, normally licensed Amateur Radio operators (also referred to Ham Radio operators or Hams), who have agreed to use their two-way radio skills to help their communities in time of need, or in the case of REACT; also for public service events. There are nearly two dozen organizations in the San Antonio and Central Texas area who utilize Ham Radio in their missions.
The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established as separately managed and operated programs by the Army, Navy-Marine Corps and Air Force. MARS members are volunteer licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in providing auxiliary or emergency communications to local, national and international emergency and safety organizations, as an adjunct to normal communications. Last month in late July, a Navy – Marine Corps MARS unit in the south Texas Rio Grande Valley was very instrumental during Hurricane Dolly when 6 out of 10 key Ham Radio voice type repeater towers in that area were knocked off the air by the storm and loss of power. The MARS unit (Ray - NNN0VHO) stationed down at Harlingen was able to maintain radio communications through out Hurricane Dolly and send messages via HF digital modes on Ham Radio up Bob Hejl’s station, and then Bob relayed them to Amateur Radio Operators located in the San Antonio Emergency Operation Center (manned by another ham organization called ARES) and to the Texas State EOC up in Austin, Texas. Information in the reports included such facts as updated info about local area flooding of major streets and highways, damage to structures and infrastructures, availability of emergency vehicles to respond to calls during the storm, and weather reports as the hurricane passed through his area.
REACT Teams are independently organized groups of radio operators using multiple modes of communications, including Amateur Radio, FRS & GMRS radio, and in some areas of the country, CB radio. REACT Teams are known for working public service events and playing a supporting role to other agencies and organizations, such as the Bexar County ARES who provides the primary manpower for the local American Red Cross and the San Antonio EOC. REACT Teams are only chartered thru REACT International, Inc., which provides for their 501(c)3 non-profit status and liability insurance coverage. REACT’s stated mission as listed on their website is as follows: “We will provide public service communications to individuals, organizations, and government agencies to save lives, prevent injuries, and give assistance wherever and whenever needed. We will strive to establish a monitoring network of trained volunteer citizen-based communicators using any and all available means to deliver the message.”
Keep the 147.14 Repeater On The Air!
Fund drive started by REACT
Members of Hill Country REACT manned a booth at the 2008 Austin Summerfest event to raise funds to help with the anticipated repair needs for the 147.14 Canyon Lake Repeater. Water has been detected in the feedline leading up to the antenna which is 580' up on the tower. At this time, it is unknown whether the existing feedline can be repaired and salvaged, or if it will need replaced. This repeater is owned by San Antonio Radio Organization (SARO) and REACT has been providing some funding for the past several years to help keep this important repeater on the air.
As of the conclusion of the Summerfest, REACT had raised nearly $750 from area hams, but this is only a fraction of what may be needed if the full 680' of feedline needs replaced. All donations will be dedicated for this purpose, and you can use PayPal to make donations or mail checks to the REACT Team's PO Box address.
Visit the REACT's website for more details at www.hillcountryreact.org.
From Noon Saturday thru Noon Sunday
by N5NTG - Lee Besing
I made a tour of three FD locations this year... I used to do this in previous years, but with fuel prices increasing, I had sort of slowed down a bit. But this year, I decided to spend the bux and go visit some of my friends. I had planned to visit two others, but one shut down earlier than planned on Saturday, and around 1am I decided I was too tired to safely drive all the way out to Boerne to visit Kendall County, so I headed home to get some sleep instead.
I started this with compiling a list of known locations around San Antonio, then we received contact from other clubs in Central and South Texas asking that we list their FD site, so we ended up with 13 locations. Click Here for a full list of 13 sites in or around San Antonio, as far west as Ulvade, north to Austin, South to Laredo and Southeast to Corpus Christi.
This report will contain photos from the three locations I managed to visit (GVARC, SARC, AARO) plus photos that were sent to me from other operators. Band conditions this year were sort of weak, so contacts appeared to be less than in some previous years, but the weather cooperated with us locally. The Bexar Operators Group set up down on Mustang Island, "roughing it" with a portable A/C unit sitting on the edge of his picnic table sticking out thru the sides of his pop-up shelter that they rigged around the table. His pop-up was the only one that didn't blow away in the high winds that hit the gulf coast during that weekend because he rigged for the possibility of high winds at the start.
Photos are embedded in the 2008 Field Day Page here.
From Noon Saturday thru Noon Sunday
using only Old Vacuum Tube Radio / Equpment
by K5AXN - Jerry Barry
Jerry says... It's time for my 8th annual Vintage Field Day. this is mostly a social event, so bring a yard chair and join the fun. The place may need mowing and I might be slow in getting the equipment set up, but come pitch in and have fun. This is a gathering of some old AM guys and some family, plus new friends, and not a contest, so come join us to discuss Ham Radio or the problems of the world. Enjoy some tiem under the big pecan trees down by Cibolo Creek near Marion, Texas. We will have Polish Sausage wrapped in tortillas and bottled water. Carol will play you Hammered Dulcimer. If there is a lot of rain, call first because this is near a creek bottom with the usual country / creek insects.
TALK-NET - PICNIC AND SWAP MEET FESTIVAL
MAY 31, 2008 SATURDAY - TIME 11:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
FREE HOT DOGS, DRINKS, AND CHIPS AT
ORSINGER PARK 12230 HUEBNER
For more information, check in to the Tuesday night net on 146.42 at 7:30pm, or contact Andrew Watson at 210-422-5304 or BEXARTALK@GMAIL.COM
Close to 3 dozen hams showed up for this first annual event at Orsinger Park. Free foot long hot dogs, with buns almost long enough to hold them, plus all the toppings, chips and cold iced tea you could ever want. Click here to view some photos taken during the event by Lee N5NTG.
I've collected 673 photos from hams taken during the 2008 Tour de Cure event which rode from San Antonio to San Marcos on Day 1, and San Marcos to Austin on Day 2. Around 56 ham volunteers worked this event on Saturday, 53 Ham Volunteers on Sunday this year, a new record. We also drove 9 SAG vans on Saturday, 8 SAG vans on Sunday, manned 9 Rest Stops on Saturday, 6 Rest Stops on Sunday, plus we had around a dozen or so Motorcycle Safety Marshals on both days.
Photos provided by Lee Besing N5NTG, Joe Plano KA1MZY, John Trigg W5KXO, Eugene Bentz KI6MPA, and Phil Boggan KD5MMM as indicated. If you have photos to share, contact me for simple FTP instructions. Credit will be given to each source.
Photo at left, Day 1 San Marcos Net Control Station. L-R rear, Roger W5WIA, Sterling KE5KZE, Mike KD5OZM, front - Pat AD5BR
Two pix of my "NAV3" operation for the Armed Forces Day Cross Band event. I contacted about 100 stations from my set up at Bullis Cnty Park, San Antonio, using one of the 40 meter "inverted V" antennas I'll have for the N5D event next weekend. - Bob W2IK
About a dozen hams showed up for ROOST Ham Club's annual 2-meter Antenna Shoot-out. Homebrew antennas and commercial antennas were compared using the same transmitter and receiver to see what designs worked the best. Click here for a collection of photos taken by Andy, KD5TNI.
A seven member VE Team lead by Pat AD5BR on behalf of San Antonio Radio Club, gave tests to 16 TSA agents and two other hams who wanted to try and upgrade. The test session was held during the week on a Wednesday morning, which created a challenge for Pat to find enough VE's willing to take off work to handle this session.
TSA agents from all over the USA were flown in for a week's worth of training, including studying for their ham radio license. 15 of the 16 passed their tech test, 1 tried twice but missed by 1 or 2 each time. One local ham upgraded to General while another tried for Extra without any luck.
After the test session was completed at the San Antonio International Aiport in the SA Airport Police's training room, the participants got some hands-on work with stringing dipole antennas and other on-the-air practice.
Click here for more photos from this event.
Actually, despite the perception you might get from this photo, Bob W2IK was not up to monkey business during the Special Olympics Area 20 Spring Games held May 3rd at Harlendale's Memorial Stadium in south San Antonio. Bob set up his self-contained EmComm station on battery power, plus an inverted 40 meters dipole. While there were at least 4 pop-up awnings destroyed by the high winds that morning (winds gusting to over 30+ mph), Bob wisely had used metal stakes to secure the legs of his awning, plus used a pair of bungee cords to secure the top cover to prevent the wind from lifting it off.
Bob checked into the Navy Mars HF net before the start of Special Olympics, then allowed Schuylar KE5VIP to borrow his station while he explored the nearby facilities and looked for refreshments. This event is about the fifth time in a row that Bob has offered to help with this event, using K5BCR club call for Hill Country REACT as the special event call. Operators making contact could send SASE to the REACT Team's PO Box address for a certificate to be mailed to them.
Click here for more photos from this event.
Here is what Bob reported following the conclusion of this annual event...As a warm up for the N5D operation (to be held May 16-17), this Saturday (May 3rd) from 10am-2pm local, I operated using the call sign K5BCR, on behalf of Hill Country REACT during the Special Olympics Texas Area 20 Games which took place at Harlandale Stadium on the south west side of San Antonio.
The event took place on a sunny, but very windy day. I had planned to use an "inverted V" mounted on a 31 foot orange telescoping fiberglass pole, but not having the area for "tie downs" to prevent it swaying in the strong gusts, which over turned several industrial strength steel framed canopies, I switched to my old reliable steel telescoping mast which I lashed to an 8 foot chain-link fence that ran along the "Olympic Village" area where I was going to operate. It never budged. (Always be prepared for the unexpected.... in this case winds that gusted to over 40 mph!) My ez-up canopy went up quickly and I did two very important things..
After the operating area was completed with tables and chairs, I did a quick station setup using my MARS Ecom station which is a self-contained station/tuner/speakers/rigs/power supply/clock all permanently mounted in a large transit case. Hooking up to a deep cycle marine battery and connecting the coax from the "inverted V" had me on the air in a minute.
My first contact to test the system out was checking into a Navy MARS net '"around" 60 meters with my signal getting good copy all over that net's region: AZ,NM,TX,OK,AR,LA. Band conditions were fair in the morning on 40 meters, with me making contacts as far as Colorado, with 5/9+ replies and in to many other states.
After several hours, however, the band conditions on both 40 and 20 took a nose dive and contacts became few and far between. Very few signals were even heard on any band. I did manage to also give out points in the "7-Land QSO Party" by contacting stations on 20 meters. Band conditions played an open/closed game for most of the day.
As per planned operations, I closed down at 2pm local after making a modest amount of QSOs and did a reverse cycle to pack up the station. Lee Besing, N5NTG, who was handling local communications for the Special Olympics, took some pix of this special events operations. As always, by taking more than what you need, and pre-planning for contingencies, helped make this another smooth operation regardless of propagation factors. (The one thing you can't adapt to a great extent is cranky propagation.)
Next weekend (May 10th) ..... MARS/HAM Crossband operation with my same basic setup in the field at a location north of San Antonio.
Bob W2IK - NNN0KSI - NNN0GBY2
About a dozen hams helped support the annual Wildflower 100 Bicycle Tour, which operated from Retama Race Track on the NE side of San Antonio, and runs multiple courses thru Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties. We've been promised an article about this event, but in the meantime, here are some photos taken by the webmaster. Click on photo for a larger view.
Barry W5BLH working Net Control |
Net Control for the Wildflower 100  |
Finish Line
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Finish Line
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First Aid Station @ Last Break Point
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First Aid Station @ Last Break Point
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About a 150+ hams helped support the annual BP150 Bicycle Tour, from Houston to La Grange on Day 1, La Grange to Austin on Day 2. 3 calls for life flight to pick up riders with serious problems, plus a few transported by ambulance on Day 1. No major medical calls on day 2. We're working onan article about this event, but in the meantime, here are some photos taken by the webmaster. Click on photo for a larger view. We'll put to gether a photo montage set of pages, separate from this page to keep from causing the load time to deteriouate for all viewers. Webmaster Lee, N5NTG, and his son David, KD5MTJ, was driving SAG 10, Alternate Turtle on Day 1, Express Route Turtle on Day 2. This was a tremendous effort with hams from Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and points between, setting up temp repeaters in areas that had little or no coverage normally, including digipeaters for APRS. Echolink and IRLP were used to tie in all repeaters each day, so that Houston Net Control was able to run the route up until the last segment of Day 2 when it closed with Austin. (And I'm not sure they weren't still listening in, but they needed some sleep also.)
Got a few minutes to look at a couple hundred more photos?
Click Here to start viewing the webmaster's collection of photos.
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