K0USA
SIREN TEST VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
The Annual Douglas County Visual Siren Test will be held on Saturday March 23th. This exercise is to provide a radio operator at each siren location to observe it during activation. This will confirm that it is rotating as expected, that the siren is sounding properly and that it is in good repair. With more than 100 sirens in Douglas County all available hams are needed.
This year there will be only be two soundings. The first one at 11:00 am, and the second at 11:30 am. With enough volunteers we can get this done in one sounding
If everything goes off as scheduled the net should be secured by 12:00 noon. This is a great event for your first volunteer experience or just getting back into the community service arena! Sign up now to help with the 2019 Douglas County Siren Test at the link below.
WWV Centennial Special Event Will Use WW0WWV
With its funding secure for another year, WWV, the world’s oldest continuously operating radio station, will have extra reason to celebrate its centennial this fall. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club (NCARC) have teamed up to organize 100th anniversary events. A memorandum of understanding is pending. The WWV Committee has announced that the call sign WW0WWV was granted on February 23 to the WWV Amateur Radio Club for use during the Amateur Radio special event, planned to run September 28 – October 2, with operators on the air — no pun intended — around the clock. NCARC predicts the effort will require “hundreds” of volunteer operators.
“The 100th anniversary is an occasion to celebrate radio and our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum, and an opportunity to help people everywhere appreciate what radio does in their everyday lives,” said Dave Swartz, WODAS, who has been spearheading the on-the-air event.
The WWV Committee met on February 22, with representatives of NCARC and NIST on hand, to further firm up plans for the centennial celebratory events. Although the US government cannot fund any Amateur Radio special event expenses, club members will be allowed to use a 15-acre parcel on WWV property, Swartz has explained. The operating site lies outside the security fence.
For its part, NIST will focus on plans for an October 1 recognition ceremony and an open house at the radio station north of Fort Collins.
Spring Light Up 2 Meters Night, an FM Simplex Event
Spring Light Up 2 Meters Night, an FM Simplex Event March 24, 2019 6-8pm Local Time
Most Amateur Radio Operators today start out with a radio capable of operating FM on the 2 meter band, so, you probably already have the minimum equipment necessary to participate. The objective is simple - make 2 meter FM simplex contacts, challenge your operating limits, and just get on the air and have some fun.
146.52 MHz is a good place to start here in the USA, but in your part of the world there may be a better 2 meter simplex frequency. Even US based hams might have a good local simplex frequency in their area.
Now all you have to do is get on the air! Of course, you don't have to stop there, maybe your station needs an upgrade, whether it’s a handheld needing a better antenna, to the 100' of 30 year old RG8X to your 2 meter vertical on the tower needing replaced, or maybe, a new mobile rig has been on your shopping list.
Please share this announcement - the more hams that know, the more can participate, and the more contacts everyone can make.
If you use Facebook, check out: https://www.facebook.com/2MFMSimplex/
Equipment Library
As a Service to its members, the AARC has available some items that members might need occasionaly.
Members of the Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club, who are in good standing (that means current on your dues!) and possesses an active FCC issued US Amateur Radio License may borrow one of two Icom HTs. The radios are a basic 2 meter radio which is great for the new user. It has a NiMH battery and a drop in charger and an alkaline pack making it the perfect if you need to borrow a rig to help with that community service event, or if you are just itching to get on the air as you shop for your new radio. Completely programmable from the keyboard there is no need for the complication of computer based programming.
The radios are available for checkout at any club meeting and you can use it to your hearts content for then next month. Just bring it back to the next month's club meeting. If you can't make a meeting for either check out or return, you can contact the equipment committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make arrangement for its return. Someone else might be waiting!
We also have an MFJ-259B Antenna Analyzer and an MFJ-949C Versa Tuner as well... Both are available for pick up at a club meeting with advanced notice you want to borrow them.
At this time there is no other equipment on the loan list.
Please review the Loan Agreement at the link below.
| Item | Serial Number | Borrower | Date Due Back |
| Icom V80 Kit #1 | 25006471 | Available | |
| Icom V80 Kit #2 | 25006472 | Available | |
| ARRL Intro To Morse Code CD Set |
N/A | Available | |
| MFJ-259B Antenna Analyzer | N/A | Available | |
| MFJ-949C Versa Tuner II | N/A | Available |
To review the Equipment Loan Agreement click this link.
Board Meeting Changes Date
Due to scheduling changes and event confliccts, the Ak-Sar-Ben Amateur Radio Club Board of Directors meeting for March has been changed to be on March 19th 6:30pm at the Peony Park HyVee Deli 7910 Cass St, Omaha, NE.
This is a one time change - however in May the meetings will be moving back to the 4th Tuesday of the month. Still at 6:30 and still at the Peony Prk HyVee Deli -
