Jackson County Amateur
Radio Association, Inc.

We plan to eventually expand the list to include South Alabama and Southeast Louisiana. If you know of a machine we missed, please contact the Webmaster so we can incorporate your update.

U.S. Amateur Bands (05/23/2012)

Here is the latest revised Amateur Radio Band Frequency Chart.  Click on the graphic to get an enlarged version suitable for printing.  This chart reflects the recent FCC changes in the 60 Meter band for U. S. Amateurs.

Narrow Band Deadline - January 1, 2013 (05/08/2012)

Editor's Note: There has been a lot of chatter about how all two-way radios and repeaters would be forced to go to narrow band (2.5 kHz deviation) in the future.  This DOES NOT apply to Ham Radio transmitters. 

Because the Florida Repeater Council decided to implement this plan, the rumors started to fly which made everyone think they had to modify their rigs or buy new ones.  This is hog wash.  Ron, N9EE explains in his message which follows:

'Land mobile radio systems operating in the VHF and UHF radio bands must begin operating with 12.5 kHz efficiency technology by January 1, 2013. Licensees not operating at 12.5 kHz efficiency at that time could be subject to FCC enforcement action, which may include admonishment, monetary fines or loss of license.

The deadline?  January 1, 2013

Narrow banding means all 16F3 transmissions will go to 12F3 or 2.5 kHz deviation instead of the now 5 kHz.

Only segments affected are Part 90 or commercial radio systems and not Ham Radio Part 97.

The commercial world has known about this for over 5 years and have been gearing up for it. Most all radios made after about 2005 have narrow band and will require only reprogramming, resetting the radio for narrow band.

The Florida Repeater Council is proposing 2 Meters be forced to narrow band, but there are flaws in their proposal and also Hams are not going to throw out their rigs to accommodate this. It will happen, but at a much slower pace than what the FRC proposes.'

For inquiring minds, here is some additonal info to kick around. The channel spacing is going from 25 kHz to 12.5. 5 kHz deviation FM is 16F3 meaning 16 kHz bandwidth. A typical voice FM signal is 16 kHz wide, that is with 5 kHz deviation and 3 kHz maximum audio frequency. A 2.5 kHz deviation with 3 kHz maximum audio frequency is 11 kHz wide. The equation for bandwidth of an FM analog signal is 2x deviation plus 2x maximum audio frequency.

Ronald Wright (N9EE)

Vanity Call Sign Fee Going Up (05/08/2012)

The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on May 4, seeking to raise the fee for Amateur Radio vanity call signs. The NPRM can be found in PDF format on the web by clicking here.

Currently, a vanity call sign costs $14.20 and is good for 10 years; the new fee, if the FCC plan goes through, will go up to $15 for 10 years, an increase of 80 cents. The FCC is authorized by the Communications Act of 1934 (as amended) to collect vanity call sign fees to recover the costs associated with that program.

The vanity call sign fee has fluctuated over the 14 years of the current program -- from a low of $11.70 in 2007 to a high of $70 (as first proposed in the FCC's 1994 Report and Order). The FCC said it anticipates some 14,300 Amateur Radio vanity call sign "payment units," or applications, during the next fiscal year, collecting 214,500 dollars in fees from the program. The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when applying for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity call sign for a new term.

The first vanity call sign licenses issued under the current Amateur Radio vanity call sign program that began in 1996 came up for renewal six years ago. Those holding vanity call signs issued prior to 1993 are exempt from having to pay the vanity call sign regulatory fee at renewal, as Congress did not authorize the FCC to collect regulatory fees until 1996. Such "heritage" vanity call sign holders do not appear as vanity licensees in the FCC Amateur Radio database.

Amateur Radio licensees may file for renewal only within 90 days of their license expiration date. All radio amateurs must have an FCC Registration Number (FRN) before filing any application with the Commission. Applicants can obtain an FRN by going to the ULS web site at this address, and clicking on the "New Users Register" link. You must supply your Social Security Number to obtain an FRN.

Mississippi Ten-Tuners (05/08/2011)

Those of you who have been Amateur Radio Operators for a long time most likely remember how wide open 10 Meters was about 12 years ago and how it peaks every 11 years, allowing worldwide contacts, even while mobile, all day long.

Those of us who became Hams after the last Solar Cycle Peak have heard the tall-tales about these amazing contacts and wondered if they were true. Well they are, and we got a brief glimpse of what its going to be like last November when the number of sun spots suddenly rose dramatically and opened up ten meters all around the globe.

With the current Solar Cycle gradually reaching the peak of its 11 year cycle, 10 Meters is about to really open up in a big way. The greater number of sun spots during solar peak allow practically constant long distance contacts to be made via the F2 layer of the ionosphere as the Sun moves across the globe. In North America, for instance, F2 brings Europe and Western Asia in the morning, the Americas during midday, and the Pacific and East Asia in late afternoon and early evening. The current Solar Cycle is predicted to reach its peak in May 2013 which means long distance (DX) contacts on 10 meters are going to get better and better over the next twelve months and remain great for at least another year or so. Even Technician Class Amateurs have voice privileges on 10 Meters, so all Hams are able to join in on the fun. More ...

A Call For Photos (05/04/2012)

We hear that you are really proud of your shack and antenna farm?  We would like to feature it on our web site.  The JCARA Photo Gallery (mentioned elsewhere on this page) will be adding a new section designed to display your amateur radio craftsmanship.  The best of the best will be featured as our "Shack of the Month" on the Home Page. All submissions will be added to the Photo Gallery.  But the best will be in the spotlight.

Here are some guidelines:

1.  Make sure you are in the photo with your gear.
2.  Include a description of the gear in the shot.
3.  Please use a digital camera and not a phone camera. It looks better.
4.  Do not crop or reduce the size of the photos.  We'll do that here.
5.  If you have wall paper and awards displayed, make it a wide shot.
6.  Clear shots of your tower and antennae are encouraged.
7.  QRP Station?  Contest Station? DX Station? All are welcome.

You do not have to be a member of JCARA to submit.  The JCARA, Inc. web site is published for use by all current and prospective amateurs. We welcome your input and feedback. Submit your photos to the Webmaster.

Smile ... You're On Candid Camera (05/01/2012)

We are happy to introduce a new feature on our web site this month. The JCARA Photo Gallery has been launched.  We will be posting some of our club's activities in this section.  If you have captured a Ham Radio event or outing that would be of interest to others, please send it to us.  The Web Master's e-mail address is at the bottom of this page.  Shack photos, Mobile installations, Antenna Farms, Contesting photos and Project Pix are all welcomed and encouraged.  By the way, when we get enough pix of your various shacks we will crank up a "Shack of the Month" photo spotlight which will be displayed on our Home Page.  Installing a new antenna?  Just got a new rig?  We know you are proud so invite us in .. we would like to share in your joy.  Snap it, send it and we'll post it.

There are very few pictures in the Gallery presently.  We are just getting started so help us expand this section.  Ham Radio is fun, educational and entertaining.  Why not share your experiences with us.  It only takes a couple mouse clicks and a short caption to identify your photo masterpiece.

One final note .. we all have been tempted, at one time or another, to capture a picture of our favorite pet while in the ham shack.  If you can't resist, please be sure he or she is either pawing the keyboard, fondling the mouse, or barking/meowing into the station mic. This adds color and authenticity to the photo.  Authenticity?  Well, maybe that was a stretch.  Gr-r-r-r-r...

April 10th Testing Session (04/13/2012)

The recent exam session at the St. Martin Community Center went quite well. Results are as follows: 7 new Extras, 2 new Generals and 3 new Technicians.

Also, three new VEs got the chance to use their credentials for the first time: Hank AE5WU, Fred N5GJ and Egan KF5CXI. The other VEs were Ed AB5RS and Bill K5YG.

Thanks to all for a great exam session.

Where, Oh Where, Have They Gone? (05/01/2012)

It is time for a little bit of nostalgia.  I became licensed in the early 60's.  It was a great time for Ham Radio.  The Sunspot Cycle was peaking and you could work the world with 5 watts and a simple antenna.  10 meters stayed open way past sunset.  Many hams bought used SSB CB Radios and converted them for use on 10 meters.  They worked great, especially in the mobile.

If you wanted to buy or sell some gear, there were at least four stores within driving distance of your QTH.  Grice Electronics in Pensacola, Emrich Radio Supply in Mobile, Hooper Electronics in Biloxi and Southern Radio in New Orleans.  Sadly, these retailers no longer exist or have stopped handling ham radio equipment.  Grice Electronics took trade-ins and would buy your gear for cash.  They even did repair on site.   All used gear was checked out before being offered for sale.

Yes, it was a great time.  Unfortunately since 2008, with the downtown we have experienced in our economy, it has become more difficult for the small radio dealer to continue operating.  You still see a few independent dealers, some of which operate out of their homes, showing up at area hamfests. Because of the cost of travel and Online Sales availability, the larger dealers only show up at the bigger events.

With this said, it was like a breath of fresh air to discover there is a new dealer who recently opened for business.  And, they are within driving distance of our QTH.  Hub City Amateur Radio Sales in Hattiesburg is the reseller for several Amateur Radio brands.  Be sure to check them out.

Do you have some nostalgic experiences you would like to share?  AM mode, crystal controlled transmitters, building your first rig, or remembering Heathkits.  All these topics would be of interest to all the new Hams who are joining our community and Old Timers alike. So, tell us about it.

Patrick "Pat" Fagan (WA5DVV)

ARRL Foundation Scholarships

ANNOUNCING A NEW SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FOR 2012!

The ARRL Foundation Board of Directors is proud to annouce the addition of the Jackson County (MS) Amateur Radio Association Scholarship to be awarded in 2012. The $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student pursuing higher education from Mississippi or the Delta Division (Arkansas, Mississippi, Lousiana or Tennessee).More ...

For Sale Section Added

We have added a new For Sale section to the site.  You can list the gear you want to sell or swap.  Additionally, if you are wanting to buy some used gear, those listings will be accepted too.  All listings will run for one week unless the seller or buyer desires to renew for an additional week.  This area is to be used for Amateur Radio Related and Computer Equipment only.  If you sell or find the desired item, please notify the Webmaster so the listing can be removed.  New listings should also be sent to his attention.  The link is available in the Navagation section of the site. (New Listings 05/12/2012)

60 Meters - Update (05/01/2012)

NTIA: No Objection to Additional Data Modes on 60 Meters

In response to requests for clarification from the ARRL, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has confirmed that it has no objection to the use of a broader range of data emissions by amateurs on the five 5 MHz frequencies on 60 meters. ARRL’s original understanding was that the NTIA preferred that the use of 2K80J2D emission be limited to Pactor III. The NTIA now says that that is not the case.

In an e-mail response to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, Karl Nebbia, Associate Administrator of the NTIA Office of Spectrum Management, stated, “NTIA has no interest in limiting the types of emission used by the amateurs as long as the data emission does not exceed the 2.8 kHz bandwidth generated by the upper sideband transmitter.” Nebbia referred all further inquiries to the FCC, which “…sets the conditions for use of the five 5 MHz frequencies by the amateurs.”
The requirement of only one signal per channel remains, as well as the prohibition against automatic operation. The FCC continues to require that all digital transmissions be centered on the channel-center frequencies, which the Report and Order defines as being 1.5 kHz above the suppressed carrier frequency of a transceiver operated in the Upper Sideband (USB) mode. This is typically the frequency shown on the frequency display.

Channel USB Suppressed Carrier Center (KHz)

1 5330.5 5332.0

2 5346.5 5348.0

3 5357.0 5358.5

4 5371.5 5373.0

5 5403.5 5405.0

The ARRL advises amateurs to operate with care when using digital modes in consideration of the fact that hams are secondary users on these frequencies. See the revised 60-Meter FAQ page on the ARRL Web, as well as the revised ARRL 60-Meter Recommended Practices document.

Amateur Radio Licensing Classes
New classes for Tech, General and Extra will start up again during the month of August 2012. Any interested individual should contact Dan Miller AE5JG danbarb@bellsouth.net or call 228-539-4930 to get their name on the list for the class they are interested in. Keep checking the JCARA Web Site for updates. Instructors are: Technician Class: Ed Scheufele AB5RS                           General Class:  Charlie Hardt N2PKW                           Extra Class: Dan Miller AE5JG Instructors are volunteers and do not receive any monetary consideration for their time and effort.
Our Main Events VE Testing Field Day 2012 Hamfest 2012	Nets and Meetings Jackson County Emergency Net JCARA Monthly Meeting Saturday Breakfast