FORT PIERCE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
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FOR WEEKLY NET INFO PLEASE CLICK OUR EVENTS TAB ABOVE OR SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE TO WEEKLY NETS.
*** Jesse W. Porter, W4DNS (SK) & Harold Levy N3UY (SK) Obit in Link on menu on left ***
Jeff Beals, WA4AW ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director has become an SK. Please click "Past Members SK" on left to read about Jeff's amazing life journey.
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The next FPARC meeting is Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at Indian River State College, 3209 Virginia Ave, Ft. Pierce, Classroom Building "R", Room 124.
The meeting starts at 7:00 PM. (Please note new meeting time.) All area hams and interested parties are welcome and invited to attend. Club members may get together for diner before the meeting at 6:15pm. Please inquire at our weekly club nets to see who plans to be there.
HF and DX Group Breakfast - September 13, 2024 at 9am. The group meets at Bob Evans restaurant, 1830 SW Fountainview Blvd, Saint Lucie West. Look for the group in the far back left corner of the restaurant. Please bring your recent logs, QSL cards and awards to share with the group. (Attendees are responsible for their breakfast cost.)
Bruce, W8HW is scheduled to give a short talk on upcoming fall and winter propagation.
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Treasure Coast Ham News - Fall 2024 Issue
The Treasure Coast Ham News Fall 2024 issue is here.
Treasure Coast Ham News (TCHN) is not affilicated with any amateur radio club. It is free and published quarterly for the benefit of all area hams and interested parties. If you would like to be included in their email newsletter list, please send an email to: tchamnews@gmail.com. TCHN is always looking for articles of interest. If you or your club have an item please email the publishers at the address above.
WEATHER FOR THE WEEK
There are a few disturbances that need watching, but nothing appears threatening at this time. The peak of hurricane season is September 10th. This is a good reminder to make sure that your hurricane preparations have been completed and that you are ready for what may come our way later in the season.
SLC ARES Winlink Wednesday
Every Wednesday, please check-in anytime with a Winlink Form (any mode: Telnet, Packet, Vara HF, Vara FM, etc.) with the "Form of the Week".
For this week, please complete the ICS Form 213. All Winlink messages should be sent to the tactical address SLCEOC-2 or W4ISZ.
Are you new to Winlink? Start by downloading the latest version of Winlink Express from: here.
Winlink Setup Info and Account Log In can be found here:
Hope to hear you on the air Wednesday.
73,
Paul Horner, W4ISZ
Emergency Coordinator
St. Lucie County ARES
Latest LoTW Update from the ARRL:
Please see the Treasure Coast Ham News Fall edition for in-depth information about the ARRL website outage and ransomware attack.
Effective July 1st at 12:00pm ET / 16:00 UTC Logbook of The World® (LoTW®) has returned to service. Large log processing can take some time to process. Some LoTW functionality is not working at 100%, but the road to recovery is proceeding. (Please see July 12th, 2024 update below.)
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Hurricane communication frequencies used by countries go here.
St. Lucie County ARES Frequencies go here.
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Update July 9th 2024 - Colorado State University extended range forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability
According to Colorado State University's extended range forecast of the Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Land Fall Strike Probability they maintain their forecast for an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season in 2024.
"We have slightly increased our forecast and continue to call for an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season in 2024. Sea surface temperatures averaged across the hurricane Main Development Region of the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean remain near record warm levels. Extremely warm sea surface temperatures provide a much more
conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification. We anticipate cool neutral ENSO or La Niña during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, resulting in reduced levels of tropical Atlantic vertical wind shear. Hurricane Beryl, a deep tropical Category 5 hurricane, is also a likely harbinger of a hyperactive season. This forecast is of above-normal confidence. We anticipate a well above-average probability for major hurricane landfalls along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season.
Thorough preparations should be made every season, regardless of predicted activity."
UPCOMING Events
HF and DX Group Breakfast - September 13, 2024 at 9am. The group meets at Bob Evans restaurant, 1830 SW Fountainview Blvd, Saint Lucie West. Look for the group in the far back left corner of the restaurant. Please bring your recent logs, QSL cards and awards to share with the group. (Attendees are responsible for their breakfast cost.)
VE LICENSE EXAM SESSION SCHEDULE - Our last exam session for 2024 will be this fall. If you need an exam before then, there are opportunities. The Melbourne Hamfest is October 12, 2024. Also Vero Beach ARC and Martin County ARA schedule exams. Please contact them for dates and times.
Please note: Federal Registration Number - All candidates are reminded that a Federal Registration Number (FRN) is required in order to take an exam. Social Security numbers are no longer accepted. Instructions for obtaining an FRN are available on the FCC web site, www.fcc.gov.
Candidates looking to upgrade their license - You are reminded to bring along a copy of your current license. The VE team must submit the copy with the exam paperwork.
Candidates with an expired license - To be awarded credit for a past license, you must provide the VE team with proof of your previous license. The proof you provide will be forwarded with your exam paperwork to the VEC administrator for processing.
13 Colonies Special Event - July 1st - 7th, 2024. It's a wrap! If you worked the stations and want paper QSL cards, be sure to do it quickly as supply is limited. Hams have reported a number of 13 Colonies clubs have started to send their QSL cards out. A 13 Colonies special event certificate is available. Please see below.
The 13 Colonies Special Event is a not for profit event. All donations are used to fund the next years event, and to defray any expenses occurred. All donations are used for operating costs, supplies, equipment, and 13 Colony Group initiatives. Donation is voluntary. If you have difficulty with a donation, tell us on your log sheet, and we will send you the certificate earned-No Questions Asked! Please go to http://13colonies.us/ for more info.
Treasure Coast Ham News - Summer 2024 is available here
ARRL Systems Service Disruption
Updated 07/12/2024
From the Amateur Radio website: "Bleeping Computer reported on a Maine State Filing by ARRL. The systems outage was caused by a ransomware attack."
MFJ Ceasing On-Site Production
MFJ Enterprises, Inc founder Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, announced that as of May 17, 2024, the company will cease on-site production at their Starkville, Mississippi, facility. Ameritron, Hy-Gain, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics brand products will be affected by the shutdown.
In a letter posted to social media, Jue said he is looking forward to retiring. "Times have changed since I started this business 52 years ago. Our product line grew and grew and prospered. Covid changed everything [for] businesses, including ours. It was the hardest hit that we have ever had, and we never fully recovered. I turned 80 this year. I had never really considered retirement, but life is so short, and my time with my family is so precious."
Jue founded MFJ Enterprises in 1972, after building a CW filter kit that sold for less than $10. Since 1990, the company has acquired several other legacy brands within the amateur radio market. Jue shared that the company will remain open to sell existing inventory because they have “a lot of stock on hand.” They will also continue to offer repair services for the foreseeable future.
Jue expressed gratitude to the many longtime employees of MFJ, some of whom have been with the company for 40 years. He also thanked MFJ dealers and radio amateurs for their patronage over the decades.
Active Hurricane Season Predicted for 2024
(CSU) hurricane researchers predict an active Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) in their initial 2024 forecast. ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, attended the National Hurricane Conference in Florida in late March, where the CSU prediction was issued. "The common discussion at the National Hurricane Conference this year was the potential for a very active year, and the forecast from CSU enforces that thought," said Johnston. "Several of the forecasters were pointing to indications that we are moving from an El Niño to a La Niña and that could potentially cause a more active season."
The CSU Tropical Weather & Climate Research team predicts 23 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season. Of those, researchers forecast that 11 will become hurricanes and five will reach major hurricane strength, as measured by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater. The prediction is above the 30-year average for hurricanes and storms and is above the total of 20 storms, seven hurricanes, and three Category 3 or higher hurricanes in 2023.
The National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center (NHC), and Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) are prepared for an active hurricane season. Amateur radio operators can take part in activations on 14.325 MHz during the day and on 7.268 kHz at night. As propagation changes, the HWN may operate both frequencies simultaneously.
At the Florida conference, Johnston also highlighted the relationship between ARRL and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as ARRL's position as a net control station within the SHAred RESources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES) managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
"Now is the time to prepare for emergencies of any type by building relationships, training and refreshing skills, and testing and preparing equipment," added Johnston.
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE ST LUCIE COUNTY ARES SIMPLEX EXERCISE PLEASE SEND YOUR REPORT FORMS TO W4ISZ @ OUTLOOK.COM.
WINLINK WEDNESDAY
Don't forget to practice your Winlink skills by participating in Winlink Wednesday. Each week a Winlink form will be designated. Please see Events calendar for form details. All Winlink messages should be sent to the tactical address SLCEOC-2 or W4ISZ. Please contact W4ISZ@outlook.com to be added to the SLC ARES mail outs.
If you are new to Winlink you can start by downloading the latest version of Winlink Express from:
https://downloads.winlink.org/User%20Programs/
Winlink Setup Info and Account Log In can be found here: https://www.winlink.org/user
It's ok to be creative when filling out the forms if you wish. The purpose of these varied requests is to acquaint you with using a variety of forms and to practice both locating and sending them. Now is the time for practice so that we don't have to learn during an actual emergency.
Looking forward to seeing everyone Wednesday!
73, Paul Horner, W4ISZ
Emergency Coordinator
St. Lucie County ARES
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Treasure Coast Ham News - Summer 2024 Issue
The Treasure Coast Ham News Spring 2024 issue is here.
Treasure Coast Ham News (TCHN) is not affilicated with any amateur radio club. It is free and published quarterly for the benefit of all area hams and interested parties. If you would like to be included in their email newsletter list, please send an email to: tchamnews@gmail.com. TCHN is always looking for articles of interest. If you or your club have an item please email the publishers at the address above.
SPECIAL NOTICE
FPARC plans to hold officers and directors elections in 2024. The club needs members to step up and volunteer to serve on the FPARC board to support the club, please contact: Pete, Secretary at KD4SPW@aol.com for more information.
TO ALL FPARC MEMBERS
This is your club. We can not exist without your participation. Attending meetings, serving as an officer or director, participating in weekly nets, and being a part of club activities are critical. As we move forward to get the club back on track we need your active support and paying of yearly dues.
PLEASE SEE OUR EVENTS CALENDAR FOR MORE TREASURE COAST EVENTS.
Club Meeting ALSO SEE EVENTS LINK AT TOP OF PAGE
The FPARC meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month (Dates to be announced) at Indian River State College, 3209 Virginia Ave, Ft. Pierce, Classroom Building "R", Room 124.
The meeting starts at 7:30 PM. All area hams and interested parties are welcome and invited to attend.
Club members may get together for diner before the meeting at 6:15pm. Please inquire at our weekly club nets to see who plans to be there.
<<< ARES INFO * SEE ARES GROUP MENU ON LEFT, THIS PAGE AND EVENTS CALENDAR
Weekly Nets
Rag Chew/Traders (analog) Net: 8 pm Tuesdays on our 147.345(+), tone 107.2. Weekly Net Controls are: 1st week - Barry AL7LJ, 2nd week - NEED VOLUNTEER, 3rd week - Jon Hall KN4QQF, & 4th week - Pete KD4SPW. If the month has a 5th week - Dave KG4ORQ
When using ECHOLINK: W4AKH-R node:2004
Also Web site WebApp.Echolink.org (use EDGE browser on phone or pc)
D-Star Net: Tuesdays at 8:30p.m. (immediately following the Rag Chew/Traders Net) on our W4AKH 444.500 +5 Port B repeater, link to Reflector 78C.
DMR Net: Tuesdays at 9:00pm on DMR 31123. Contact Kevin, W4KKW
Suggested Etiquette for Radio and Echolink is to wait 3 seconds before talking to give others a chance to break in.
Membership, Dues and Donations * SEE TOP MENU ITEM ON LEFT
Individual Member Dues are $25 per year. Family Membership Dues are $30 per year.
($5 of your dues goes to WQCS and IRSC)
If paying by check please write your callsign on the check.
**NEW CLUB Mailing Addree To:
Fort Pierce Amateur Radio Club
c/o Peter Amar, Secretary
1046 Trinidad Ave. Ft. Pierce, FL 34982
You can also bring a check or cash to a membership meeting.
Pay by credit card is also available. Click here Pay Dues Here via PayPal
If you need a Membership Application Form for mail in - please go here: Membership Application
FPARC NEWS ITEMS: (please click the Events tab at the top of the page for current events)
Treasure Coast Ham News - 1st Quarter 2024 Issue
The Treasure Coast Ham News Winter 2023/2024 issue is here.
Treasure Coast Ham News (TCHN) is not affilicated with any amateur radio club. It is free and published quarterly for the benefit of all area hams and interested parties. If you would like to be included in their email newsletter list, please send an email to: tchamnews@gmail.com. TCHN is always looking for articles of interest. If you or your club have an item please email the publishers at the address above.
Amateur Radio Exam Opportunities