Altus Area Amateur Radio Association

INTRODUCTION

The Altus Area Amateur Radio Association is headquartered in Altus Oklahoma, which is located in the South-West corner of Oklahoma in the famed "Red River Valley", bordered on two sides by Texas. Altus Oklahoma is host to the Altus Air Force Base and several of our members hold positions on base (either as military or civilian employees).

Our club has members from all walks of life from within approximately a 60-mile radius of the city (from both sides of the State line). We have members at all levels of Amateur Radio, from the seasoned extra class down to the beginner. We enjoy having interested people attend our meetings, which are held monthly at Southwest Technology Center.

HF, 2 Meter FM and Packet are the three main modes our members are involved with. We have three local 2-Meter repeaters, 146.790(-) MHz 100.0 PL, 147.285(+) MHz, and 146.715(-) MHz linked to Cyril, OK 147.045 Rptr and the 147.255 Grandfeild Rptr 100% of the time (The KB5LLI & NWS Norman WX5OUN Storm network).

The addition of the ALTUS APRS Digipeater 144.390 (simplex) MHz. We are experiencing a new outlook in the APRS Packet area, now that we can link "digis" all the way North to Interstate 40 and East to Lawton and from there, all over the state (and the World, by making use of the INet Gateways). APRS the way to go, even our friends in Lawton, OK has a APRS Digi up, as well in Wichita Falls, TX.

APRS is mainly used for the WX Spotting mapping and of knowing where our spotters are when the storms come.

On the Public Service side, our organization is involved with the annual Altus Hamfest, the Boy Scouts, Mangum's world- famous Rattlesnake Derby, the Spring Car Cruise, the Decmember Christmas Parade, and other local events. In times of emergency, members of our organization are involved in emergency communication and "storm spotting" to help the Altus EOC get info locally and pass that info to the NWS in Norman, OK storm center.

We do help the Red Cross with doing Disaster Assesment after we are called to an area that needs help when they call. We have a Radio Comm Van that aids us at the scene as a Mobile Command Post (MCC), a project of Red Cross, ARES, and local dealers and individuals who donated to this effort, and we thank those who have done a part in this.

This website was conceived in March of 1998 by Alan KD5GOV, and implemented with the assistance and donations of web server space from the following organization: QSL.NET (K3TKJ) of Laurel, Delaware. Please thank his crew, they deserve your support.

We hope that you enjoy your visit to the AAARA Website and that you will "bookmark" us and come back often. We have a host of interesting links for your use and enjoyment and are always open to suggestions on how we might make this site better for YOU.

Thanks again and 73s

de KD5CYW, Ron the Webmaster ;-), last updated 2 Feb 2003
(I'm new at this website stuff, so be kind)

Feb 2003	*The 2003 Club Officers Are:*	Jan 2004
*Ron R.*	*KD5CYW*	*President*
*Ron H.*	*KB5UVC*	*Vice President*
*Ann S.*	*KA5YWY*	*Secretary*
*Mike S.*	*W5VXU*	*Treasurer*
	open	*Sgt at Arms*
	open	*Fundraising*
	open	*Editor*

Meeting Schedule

The AAARA holds a General Meeting each month (except December) at:
Where: Southwest Technology Center, 711 W. Tamarack Road, Altus Oklahoma
Day: Second Thursday of the Month
Time: 7:00 pm as General Club Meeting

Amateur Radio Testing

The AAARA holds FCC-approved Test Sessions bi-monthly as follows:
Where: Fire Station #2, 1915 North Main St., Altus, Oklahoma.
Day: 4th Tuesdays of ODD-NUMBERED Months Only
Time: 6:30 PM until completed
2003 Dates: 28 Jan, 25 Mar, 27 May, 29 Jul, 23 Sept, 25 Nov.
Special note: Not handicapped accesable, let the VEC know and other means can be made for that.

If you wish to test for any class of Amateur Radio Operator License, you must provide the following:

1. Original Valid Photo-ID
2. Original and copy of your valid Amateur Radio License (if a Ham upgrading)
3. Original and copy of any proof of prior testing Certificates 1 yr prior to testing date.
4. $12.00 to cover testing fees
5. Calculator (recomended)

For further details about testing contact Fred KC5SRJ (VE Coordinator)