Regarding the new 630/2200 meter bands, ham operators should register to protect your station and urge your fellow hams to do the same.

PLC Database Amateur Notification Process

Click to access DA-17-893A1.pdf

According to CQ MF/LF Editor John Langridge, KB5NJD/WG2XIQ, it is a good idea for “all amateurs to register, even if they don’t plan to use these bands in the near future, as the FCC rules prohibit UTC (the Utilities Technology Council) from deploying PLC in these bands closer than 1 kilometer from registered stations. Registration now will protect your ability to use our new MF/LF bands in the future.”

73!

William, KW1LL

The following is a 4 part (almost 3 hour) video presentation by the Ohio ARRL that explains programming DMR code plugs. This is a detailed presentation and will answer a lot of questions. Dale (KC2CBD) of the Putnam County ARES recommended this series to members interested in using DMR.

http://arrl-ohio.org/digital/cp-writing.html

73, KW1LL

Below is a link to the updated ARRL Band Chart. It includes the two new bands, 630m and 2200m.

http://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations

Submitted by KW1LL

Via William (KW1LL)

The following is an update on the status of the Cookeville addition of DMR, Brandmeister, D-Star, and Fusion. The link goes to the Cookeville Repeater Association website. Hopefully, this will help those who wish to try some of the digital modes through the Cookeville link.

https://sites.google.com/site/cookevillerepeater/url-redirect/repeaters

From club secretary Bob (N9IWJ):

Just to let all know the new TYT MD-2017 dual band portable is out and it is sweet, nice having VHF and UHF in one portable and digital and analog, (about $178.00) if you look in the right spot, I use letsgetready on ebay great folks, top notch dealer.
3000 channels incredible. Now 64 modes per zone instead of 16,
1000 contacts, digital and analog, being told the mobil rig is about 2-3 months out being checked out now working out bugs.
Also be sure to get the GPS model if ya get one.
Microphones out in a couple weeks.

From Delta Division Newsletter:

Delta Division Ham of the Year nominations are now underway. I am sure most of you have received an email form your respective Section Managers recently, but allow me to reiterate: It is time to nominate your choice for Delta Division Ham of the year. Nominations will close on June 30, 2017. Please send your nominations to your respective Section Manager. One source online for the form can be found on the TNARRL.org website Resources page. Other sections may have it available shortly. Please take the time to nominate a great ham that you know.

Submitted by KD4WX

For those interested in using the TYT DMR and some other DMR radios, this is a free contact manager that helps with programming the DMR groups and contact lists. The software was “advertised” on the Ham Radio 2.0 show.
Software: http://n0gsg.no-ip.org/contact-manager/

Program on using the software can be viewed at:
Ham Radio 2.0: Episode 58 – How to Write a DMR Codeplug / N0GSG Contact Manager Demo
https://youtu.be/FTvtK8ZOxqc

Submitted by KW1LL

I thought some members might be interested in experimenting with this software. The page has a full description, but the software will model the propagation on a selected HF band and show the expected propagation based on historical data back to 1900. It can also obtain real-time data from WWV and use it for a live assessment of the band. It also shows a daily point to point chart showing the best time and frequency for communication between the two locations.

NOTE: Read the installation details completely.

http://www.g4ilo.com/voaprop.html

Submitted by KW1LL

There were many questions from newer members at last night’s meeting about emergency operations. A good place to start is the FEMA online classes that explain the Incident Command System. The first two courses give a foundation for how the system works. Here are links to those courses.

https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.b

Submitted by KW1LL, White County Emergency Coordinator

From ARRL

New Bands! FCC Issues Amateur Radio Service Rules for 630 Meters and 2,200 Meters

03/31/2017
It’s been a long time coming, but the Amateur Service will get two new bands in the near future. The FCC on March 28 adopted rules that will allow secondary Amateur Radio access to 472-479 kHz (630 meters) and to 135.7-137.8 kHz (2,200 meters), with minor conditions. The FCC Report and Order (R&O) spells out the details. It allocates 472-479 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis and amends Part 97 to provide for Amateur Service use of that band as well as of the previously allocated 135.7-137.8 kHz band. The R&O also amends Part 80 rules to authorize radio buoy operations in the 1900-2000 kHz band under a ship station license. The new rules become effective 30 days following publication in The Federal Register.
Continue reading “New Ham Bands” →