Author: Steve Taylor

Posted on

Msg From the EARC President: W1HQL

//WL2K R/ EARC Meeting Recap.

Good Evening,

I am about ready to shut down the shack and call it a night...but wanted to take a couple of minutes to do my weekly email as emergency comms practice and sending it out to you via HF...

W4NTR just left a short time ago after assisting me with my final stages of training for MARS operations. WHEW! Intense.

Thank You Ryan!

Fridays meeting went well and we elected a new Vice President.!!! Robert Cruz W4THM.

Luis KI4VEY stepped in as interim to replace Frank AK4FU. Thanks Frank and Luis for all the work you did building up ARES...Luis will be the primary coordinator for our area ARES moving forward.

Pete WB4DB was elected as our Treasuer and Bill KG2CS will remain as our Secretary.

Congrats to them all and thank you to all the members for  asking me to remain as your president.

Speaking of Pete, he deliverd some really nice equipment that was donated to the club including a spectrum analyzer and  100mhz ocilliscope. Some of the other items we will decide later on selling to club members, free flea, or on ebay to help add some additioanl funds to the club coffers.

We had one civilian tested and now he is an official Amateur!

Winter Field Day was obviously a great success. Thanks to all that participated. It was you that made is such a great event. I will be heading over to the office Tuesday to secure the venue for next year.

Also April was selected to have another Free Flea. I will be meeting up with the Director of the Ag Center to secure a weekend and will keep you all posted. Robert our new VP will be the primary coordinator and any questions should be directed to him. Here is his email address: dcat4955 (at) gmail.com.

THANK YOU JOHN FOR THE AWESOME UPSIDE DOWN PINEAPPLE CAKE....WARM AND HOME MADE...

Feel free to respond to this email with a simple CONFIRMATION RX....

Thanks and 73 de W1QHL

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Posted on

Winter Field Day 2020

Winter Field Day is now history.....And this one will be remembered by all that attended as probably one of our best outings!.

I will not go into any details....Show up at the meeting to hear all the stories....and see al the pictures.

Speaking of pictures....Check out the Gallery that Pete posted on the site.

I will not be on the net for the next two weeks due to job commitments....Our back up net moderators will be filling the airwaves with their version of running a net....
Big thanks to thosae that voulenteered to take on that task.
If any of you want to participate in net moderating....Let me know and I will add you to the email list.

That is all for now....
73 de W1HQL
Steve

Posted on

Winter Field Day 2020 Update

I hope you are enjoying the last day of this long weekend.
Temps are dropping nicely and it will be a bit chilly in the morning.

Weather looks quite promising and ideal for out upcomming event this weekend.

I will be there at 06:00 to begin set up and issue passes.

Information pertinent for the event.

1. Restroom facilities are located on site.
2. There is a resturant on site also for those wishing to purchase meals.
3. There are park style BBQ grills scattered about.
4. Arrive prepared to support your own personal needs such as food/beverage/comfort.
5. Set up areas are first come first serve.
6. Talkin Frequency will be 444.800 (94.8)
7. On site intercom is 144.925 simplex
8. Band operations will be coordinated also on a first come first serve.
     Multiple operators on the same band will be scheduled in 1 hour rotating operations to avoid any interference.

Bottom line, lets work together to make this a fun event for all.....

See you Saturday
73 de W1HQL

Posted on

Updated Email List and General Message

Good Evening....
I just completed updating my the list of email addresses and added a few new names to the list.
Now there are more operators on the list that will be receiving my occasional test messages via the RMS Express Winlink.

Great participation at the meeting and it looks like we are going to have a great turnout for Winter Field Day.
Hopefully the weather cooperates.

As we get closer to the date I will provide additional updates if needed to aid in your preparations.

I will not be conducting the net this week. Bill KG2CS will be your net moderator for that evening. Give him a healthy turnout and check into the net. Bill is always quite entertaining and very informative.

I will attempt to send this out now. Hopefully condtions will be favorable.

Until the next time......
73 de W1HQL
QRT

Posted on

DORIAN

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service…………

Dorian to our favor, has tracked a little further north and east moving the predicted land fall east coast mid-state.

There still remains some uncertainty on how Dorian will interact with a ridge forming from the north and with the island of P/R.

Still review your storm plans and think ahead to make your preparations less stressful in the event you need to activate them.

Overview:

  • Uncertainty still remains high
  • Wind and rain impacts are possible later this weekend
    • Wind impacts could begin as soon as Saturday
    • NWS is predicting a 5% chance Miami may experience winds that are typical for a Tropical Storm 20-30 mph
  • A Hurricane will be approaching somewhere along eastern Florida coast this weekend.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms and associated impacts will continue over the next several days
  • King tides expected over the next several days which could cause coastal impacts

Do not cancel your weekend plans yet….

Check out this link below for a 24 hour birds-eye view of the storm as it tracks over the islands.

http://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/real-time/mimtc/2019_05L/web/gifsBy12hr_04.gif

https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/storminfo/05L_tracks_latest.png

Posted on

Weekend Forecast

The National Weather Service is forecasting rainy conditions starting today and continuing throughout the weekend across South Florida.

Bottom Line:

A tropical wave will bring rainy conditions today and throughout the weekend. Periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the next 3 days. Heavy rainfall will be the primary threat. Waterspouts are also possible.

Overview:
*A tropical wave will move near Florida and the northwest Bahamas this weekend before turning northeast over the western Atlantic Ocean.
*Heavy rainfall is the primary threat with the possibility of waterspouts.
*Elevated tides could create drainage problems in conjunction with the heavy rainfall.
*Widespread 3-5" of rainfall, isolated totals in excess of 8" are possible.
*The highest potential rain amounts are expected along the East Coast metro areas.
*NWS will reassess whether to issue any Flood Watches or Warnings on Friday.
*Canals are in low stage.
*Poor beach and boating conditions are expected throughout the weekend

Posted on

Invest 94 L Update July 22, 2019 @ 14:30 EDT

The Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is monitoring an area of low pressure (Invest 94L) located near Andros Island in the Bahamas.  If this system further develops it could be named Chantal.   

Current location: 24.6N / 77.5W (Approximately 100 miles East of Miami-Dade County)

Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 30 MPH

Forward Speed: - - MPH

Forward Direction: NW

Potential for further development or weakening:  While environmental conditions are only marginally conducive for development, only a slight increase in the organization of this system could result in the formation of a tropical depression later today or tonight.  The low is expected to move northwestward today and northward tonight and Tuesday.  By Wednesday, the system will have merged with a cold front and development will no longer be a possibility.

Potential Impact for Miami-Dade County: Although the system is expected to remain offshore the approach and passage of this system could bring increased coverage of showers, thunderstorms and wind gusts across South Florida tonight and through Tuesday.  The main concern will be the potential for locally heavy rainfall (1” - 3”) and street flooding, especially along the east coast.  Any westward shift of the system may bring a higher flooding risk. 

              

Posted on

E.A.R.C. ANNUAL FIELD DAY IS HERE!

Oh Yea!

Our favorite time of the year when family and friends in our normal lives excuse and allow us 24 hours of uninterrupted focus and fun playing Ham Radio.....OOOPs.... No not playing.....excuse me....Practicing Emergency Communications.

Honey, we will be out there roughing it in the heat, fighting the bugs and sheltering from those possible dangerous thunder storms to test our emergency communications abilities.

Last minute preparations are on the menu. Generators, extension cords, lighting, wires ropes, tent, table, bug repellent, gasoline, fire extinguishers, tools...tools...and more tools....meters...coax....oh yeah, water....what am I going to eat....What a mission....See honey how intense this is!... Whew, I think she is taking me seriously....

WHEN........................JUNE 22, 2019

AT THE JOHN D. CAMPBELL AGRICULTURAL CENTER located in the Redlands 18710 SW 288 St. Homestead, FL 8am thru Sunday 2pm. Talk in: 444.700 pl 94.8

AN ADDED PLUS TO THE VENUE............ At 10am thru Noon on Saturday we will be having a SkyWarn Class taught by the National Weather Services Meteorologist Robert Molleda......Now she is really taking me seriously...or is very happy to get me out of her hair for 24 hours.

Be sure to register for the class. Send me an email at staylor@cityofhomestead.com.

Our regular club meeting is on Friday June 14th. (Flag Day) at 7 pm. Most of our meeting activity will be Field Day related. Hope to see you there!

Here is a link explaining what Field Day is:
http://www.arrl.org/field-day

73 de W1HQL

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SkyWarn Class Scheduled for Field Day!

I am pleased to announce that the Everglades Amateur Radio Club, in partnership with the City of Homestead and as part of our annual A.R.R.L. Field Day Event there will be a SKYWARN class on Saturday June 22nd from 10 am. to 12 pm.
Robert Molleda, Meteorologist from the National Weather Service will be your instructor/presenter.
Where: John D Campbell Agricultural Center 18710 SW 288 St.Miami, FL. 33030

TO REGISTER FOR THE CLASS PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO staylor@cityofhomestead.com.
There are no fees, the class is free.
To obtain critical weather information, the National Weather Service (NWS) established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program that help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the main responsibility of a SKYWARN® spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. 
SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods. SKYWARN® storm spotters are citizens who form the nation's first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that your efforts will provide your community the precious gift of time--seconds and minutes that can help save lives.
73 de W1HQL
Steve TaylorPresident EARC

Homestead Emergency Manager

Posted on

Club News: Lightning Protection & APRS Geo-Location

Saturday morning George KD4WET used some of his rare free time and installed a Polyphaser lightning arrestor at the base of the tower for added protection to the 444.700 repeater. He had to use specialized tools and skills only the experienced posess to cut into the LMR 600 cable and add N connectors. The lightning arrestor is located inside a utility box at the base of the tower. Nice neat installation. Thanks George.

Ryan W4NTR programming the APRS repeater.

Then Robert KE4MCL and Ryan W4NTR on Sunday updated the Solar Powered APRS Digi Station so that it is now providing an accurate geo-location when squawking a beacon.

Here is a link to see the club location: https://aprs.fi/#!addr=homestead%2Cfl