Information on Form ICS 213
|
FCC ULS Pages (For Renewal)
|
ARES Connect (Sign up here!!)
The new ARES Connect volunteer management system provides many valuable features that will truly enhance the experience of emergency communication volunteers. Those features include: a robust event management feature that allows you to create events, register users, log hours; a more automated reporting system based on user input, so that, instead of filing reports, you will be able to generate reports based on the events users register and log hours for; enhanced roster management capabilities; and embedded communications tools that will allow you to send email and text messages to volunteers. |
Read More
|
|
New ARES Simplex Frequency Plan Approved!
At the February 9th WPA Cabinet Meeting, the proposed WPA ARES Simplex Frequency Plan was unanimously approved. This new suggested frequency plan improves our use of scarce frequencies, and greatly enhances ARESMAT (mutual aid) operations, by ensuring that every radio has every frequency pre-programmed into it for the entire section! |
Read More Source
|
|
How to get WSJT-X, JTAlert and N1MM Logger+ all working together.
This will be a step by step instructional on how to WSJT-X, JTAlert and N1MM Logger+ all working together, not using the Digital Interface within N1MM Logger+. I will assume that at least you have WSJT-X alone working correctly with your radio, having CAT Control plus audio to and from WSJT-X. If you need help with setting up WSJT-X please refer to WSJT-X 2.1 User Guide. So now let's get started. We start with some important things in WSJT-X. |
Read More |
|
C.A.R.S. is now an ARRL Special Services Club!!! August 16, 2016 club meeting.
 |
Joe Shupienis (W3BC), ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, was at the August 2016 club meeting to give a short presentation on ARRL updates, but most importantly to present the club with our certificate and banner to be recognized as an ARRL Special Services Club (SSC). |
Read More
|
|
FCC Paperless Amateur Radio License Policy Goes into Effect on February 17 2015
 |
[UPDATED 2015-01-29 1939 UTC] Starting February 17 2015, the FCC no longer will routinely issue paper license documents to Amateur Radio applicants and licensees. The Commission has maintained for some time now that the official Amateur Radio license authorization is the electronic record that exists in its Universal Licensing System (ULS), although the FCC has continued to print and mail hard copy licenses. In mid-December the FCC adopted final procedures to provide access to official electronic authorizations, as proposed in WT Docket 14-161 as part of its �process reform� initiatives. |
Read More
Source
|
|
FCC Eliminates Amateur Radio Vanity Call Sign Regulatory Fee - 05/22/2015
 |
The FCC is eliminating the regulatory fee to apply for an Amateur Radio vanity call sign. The change will not go into effect, however, until required congressional notice has been given. This will take at least 90 days. As the Commission explained in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Report and Order, and Order (MD Docket 14-92 and others), released May 21, it�s a matter of simple economics.
|
Read More
Source
|
|
How to become a C.A.R.S. member.
If you would like to become a member Click on this link for an application. Print it off, fill it out, and mail it in or bring it to the next meeting.
We hold club meetings the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm. We will meet at St. Brigid's Church Social Hall on Arch Street in Meadville.
Currently, annual membership dues are $15.00 C.A.R.S. P.O. Box 653 Meadville, PA 16335
As a ARRL Special Service Club in the Western PA section, we currently support 4 VHF/UHF repeaters, and provide emergency communication support for the Crawford County EOC and numerous public service events.
|
Crawford Amateur Radio Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.)
The Crawford County Emergency Services coordinator, WW3S Jamie, has requested that everyone that is interested in Amateur Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.)/Crawford Amateur Radio Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.) or those that have registered in the past to please fill out the form at this link. You can bring it to the next club meeting or return it to his email account.
|
What is Skywarn & how to get involved?
 |
The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARN� with partner organizations. SKYWARN� is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. |
Read more
Read farther
Crawford County Pa. Skywarn Training Information
|
|
What is A.R.E.S.?
|
What is R.A.C.E.S.
 |
The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a standby radio service provided for in Part 97.407 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations governing amateur radio in the United States. |
Read more |
|
What is A.C.S.
The Alternate Communications System (ACS) is a program created by the government's disaster and emergency management office to supplement its emergency communications with unpaid staff. The ACS combines and maximizes the readiness and effective use of part time communications resources; e.g., RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service), ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), CAP (Civil Air Patrol), MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System), Special Emergency Radio Service, Citizens Band including REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Team), and others. Skilled and dedicated people, licensed and unlicensed, can be recruited to serve in one or more of four categories: administrative, management, technical and operations.
|
What is Ham Radio?
Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) is a popular hobby and service in which licensed Amateur Radio operators (hams) operate communications equipment.
Read more
|
What is Field Day!
ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June of each year, more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.
Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN!
Read more
|
What is the N.T.S.?
The NTS is a relay messaging system developed for content accuracy. Whatever message is sent by way of the NTS, is received exactly as it was originated. There is no margin for error.
The National Traffic System consists of ARRL affiliated and independent amateur radio networks ('nets') which pass non-commercial messages on behalf of third parties as a public service. That's it in a nutshell.
NTS has been in operation since 1949. It was established by the ARRL in response to membership demand. It carries on a tradition of message relaying, established by Hiram Percy Maxim when he founded the ARRL for the purpose of handling message traffic in 1914.
Read more
Download the N.T.S. Manual
|
Net Protocol, procedures and practices
In this article I am going to cover what an Amateur Radio Net is and good operating practices and procedures. Appropriate net practices and procedures is for the good of the net because there will better communications and less confusion between participating stations and the Net Control Operator, also between each participating stations. So that everyone participating will know everything happening on the net.
Read more
|
ARRL at 100: A Century of Ham Radio [ Video ]
 |
The ARRL continues to promote and advance the art, science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.By being an ARRL member you not only reflect the commitment and enthusiasm of American radio amateurs, or hams, but also provide leadership as the voice of Amateur Radio in the USA. The ARRL is all of us working together
|
Source
|
Using RG-59 or RG-6 CATV cable with an amateur radio antenna
As ham radio operators, we are always looking for a way to save a buck. I will frequently dig through a free bin of part, hoping to scavenge something for the next project. This scavenger mentality extends to coax feed-line. High quality coax cable can be expensive. That's why we love a deal when can find it. The cable television companies go through miles of coax cable on a daily basis. Often a ham can pick up free pieces and reel ends for pennies on the dollar. Or just take a trip through your local home improvement store and you'll see 100 foot spools of 75 Ohm RG-6 for a fraction of the cost of similar 50 Ohm RG-8U.
Read More
Source
|
Ultimate Radio Communication Guide: What to Look for in a Handheld Transceiver

|
My previous article on radio communication was a primer that went into detail about why you'd want to learn about radios, the way they operate and what frequencies are available for you to operate on. |
Read more
Source
|
|
Antenna Gain Explained
I'm gonna take a confusing subject and hopefully demystify it. Antenna Gain is a popular subject amongst hams. We talk about gain all the time, we'll compare antenna systems and apply values to as how impressive they are by their gain figures. But what exactly is antenna gain, and what do those numbers mean to me? I'll take a non mathematical look at antenna gain and how it relates to performance.
Read more
Source
|
What is the ARRL?
Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim, ARRL (American Radio Relay League) is the national association for Amateur Radio in the US. Today, with more than 161,000 members, ARRL is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the world. ARRL's mission is based on five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership.
Read More
ARRL Website
|
How Repeaters Work
What's the most popular band and operation mode in amateur radio? If you guessed 2 meter VHF FM, you would be correct. As new hams, our first radio is usually a small handheld model. This is a great way to get started in ham radio and connect with other local hams. But your handheld radio would only be a fraction as useful if it wasn't for repeaters.
Read More
Source
|