WWV
The latest Presidential Budget proposal to Congress includes the shutting down radio stations WWV and WWVH. A petition to get a response from the White House is not looking healthy as of today. Only 9,550 signatures have been attained of the 100,000 signatures needed by September 15, 2018.
There is still time:
The JSC Amateur Radio Club, strongly urges all hams to sign an online petition to prevent the closure of the National Institute of Standards and Technology WWV and WWVH radio stations. These stations have provided radio hams and short wave listeners 100 years of on-the-air radio calibration transmissions on the HF bands. It is the legendary heartbeat of the radio waves in America and we need to seek Congress’ consideration to retain a budget to keep it going.
Please consider signing the simple online petition located on the W5RRR.org website and spread the word to your family and friends. You DO NOT have to be licensed to sign this petition.
New Rollout of Technician Class
Tentative Schedule: Sept 18th- Nov 13th
B16 TBD
Instructor: KG5HOK
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Saturday September 29 Texas QSO Party
Planning is still under development. This event will be a continuous 12 hour operation from 9:00AM Saturday to 9:00PM Saturday and continuous 6 hour operation from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM Sunday.
Sunday/Monday September 30-October 1 NASA’s 60th Anniversary
October 1 denotes the “other” official NASA 60th anniversary event when the agency opened its doors to the world. The September 30 and Oct 1 Sunday and Monday dates will be featured operations at the W5RRR shack, to reach out on-the-air and disseminate this important milestone to the public.
Saturday October 6th Belton Hamfest
Belton is the premiere hamfest in the Gulf Coast region. Although its 3.5 hour one way trip to Belton, this is the event to make if you have stuff to sell, or are looking for good deals for treasures to bring back home. W5OC has reserved a private table, but is willing to allow members to sell their items on it as well. KG5HOK will be bringing some club items to sell at the tailgate.
Sat/Sun Oct 20-21, Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)
This is the largest Scouting event in the world with over 1.3 million Scouts participating across 150+ countries. Scouts and Guides across the world connect with each other during JOTA-JOTI using the airwaves and the internet.
Saturday October 27
Plans are in the works for “Racin’ the Station”. The Gilruth will host a 5 person team relay race that will take place during NASA’s open house in late October. It consists of a 12 mile bike, 5k run, terrain run, and obstacle course with a 90minute time limit (time it takes ISS to circle earth), hence the name “Racin’ the Station”. With Gilruth estimating 20 teams, this will be an all hands on deck event for the JSCARC as there will be three events that will have to be covered for safety and traffic control. More to come as details develop.
Saturday October 27 ARRL EME contest
Tentative plans to make club EME contacts on 2m.
Wednesday October 31 Safety & Health Day
10:00am-1:00PM at the Gilruth Center with setup beginning at 8:00AM
Theme this year will be Halloween based and we’ll plan to have a booth with giveaway prizes and hopefully an active HF radio. A fun run is expect to follow, but details have not been confirmed.
Shack status
K5RG’s vintage Johnson Viking II transmitter has been repaired and is up and available for vintage ops at the shack. Please keep the grid current below 2.5 ma max at all times.
AMSAT Field Day Results
Congratulations to John AB5SS and Andy W5ACM, who anchored down the Field Day satellite operations continuously throughout the Field Day effort.
W5RRR was awarded 3rd place nationally with a score of 116 points, only 22 points away from 1st place, which was taken by K4BFT. The scores of W5RRR and the other top two finishers, significantly overtook all the rest of the field.
JSCARC Officer Nomination and Elections
Nominations close on September 10th, 2018 at 11:59pm CT.
Election Volunteers
Keith Brandt, WD9GET
David Fanelli, KB5PGY
Elections will be held at the next JSCARC meeting on September 13, 2018 at 6:30 PM at the Gilruth.