Jan (KD7ZWV) walks us through getting licensed, buying a radio, and making that first scary transmission.  Additional topics include round tables and nets.  Plenty of discussion from the group, as well.  If you're a new ham who hasn't been on the radio, watch this presentation!

Also check out the slides, here:

or download them here:  Your First QSO (pdf)

Dan (KK7IOD) briefed us on introducing a radio communications plan to your neighbors. He covered equipment, appropriate radio services, training, and many other factors that go into putting together a viable, usable emergency communications plan for use in a local area. He closed with a recording of an actual neighborhood net (names and places have been deleted to preserve privacy).

If you missed this meeting, you missed out on some great post-presentation discussion as well.  Please review the video and slides here and feel free to comment.

Here’s the PDF version of the slide deck:  Radio Comms for Your Neighborhood

All of the photos are from pixabay.com and all of the quotes are from azquotes.com.  The sample family contact plan is from Kevin Westenskow KB7SNA.  The script for the recorded net is from Sherwood Preece KF7YCT.

The Retevis RB26 cheat sheet is here:  RB26 GMRS Quick Reference Card
Sample Net Control script is here:  South Cottonwood Ward ERC Net Control Dialogue

More info on Meshtastic can be found here: https://www.meshtastic.com/

The Icom Wi-Fi radio system can be found here: https://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/network/wlan/wlan/default.aspx

Screenshots of the ready.gov info came from: https://www.ready.gov/plan and https://www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations

Similar info available on: https://slcoem.org/be-prepared-community-outreach/family-communication-plan/ and https://slcoem.org/be-prepared-community-outreach/12-ways-to-prepare/

MARC members met and discussed our club's involvement with the Great Utah Shake Out, scheduled for 20 April 2023.  We identified several action items (see below) for the club to work on.  Here is a recording of the presentation:

Here are the action items we discussed:

1. have a presentation about the SAFE Neighborhood program and the JIT kits located at each school

   I have put together a very short presentation... please consider printing it out, taking it to your local school, and presenting it to your school's principal and/or PTA.  You can find the presentation on the club web site here:
   https://www.murrayarc.org/introduction-to-the-safe-neighborhood-program/

2. provide access to the SLCo ARES collection of files and materials that were distributed last year and should be included in each JIT kit:
   https://www.murrayarc.org/salt-lake-county-flash-drive-contents/
3. have an emergency procedures net on the day of the ShakeOut

   Please check out our eComms Protocol page on the club web site.  On the day of the Shake Out (this Thursday, 20 April 2023 at 10:15 AM) we will begin a drill emergency net as described here:  https://www.murrayarc.org/radio-resources/ecomms-protocol/

4. talk to the city engineer about the stability of our repeater tower
5. talk to the city council/mayor's office about our emergency power plan for the repeater
6. survey our membership:  who has equipment that will operate on 1.25m (i.e. our club repeater) AND who doesn't

   we took an informal survey during the last Sunday evening net and also would like people to fill out this form:  https://forms.gle/RFn126roP44n3GJTA

Dan (N7XDL) takes on repeaters in a way that is understandable to the new ham.  Have you ever wondered just what components go into a repeater system?  What the heck is a "cavity" and why doesn't my dentist care about it?  Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System vs. PL Tone?  Dan has the answers.

Jan (KD7ZWV) continues the presentation from two weeks ago, detailing Q-codes, Prosigns, and other code words used in Amateur radio, followed by some comments on everybody's favorite, Technobabble.

NOTE:  this is part two... the first half of this presentation can be found here:  Slinging the Lingo - Understanding the Old Men - part one - 2 March 2023.

Jan (KD7ZWV) lays out the language of the amateur radio operator. If you've been studying for your license (or have recently ... or not so recently ... received it), and you've been monitoring the local repeaters, you'll have heard several things that you may be unfamiliar with. This presentation will help you to gain an understanding of some of the words and phrases you are likely to hear on the air.

NOTE:  this is part one... we had so many comments and questions that we only made it about half-way through the presentation!  Tune in in two weeks for part two.

Paul (AE4KR) talks about WebSDR, which is software defined radio attached to a web site where multiple users can access it.  Here in Utah, we have an extensive WebSDR site available to all at https://www.sdrutah.org/ which is located near Corinne, UT.  This site has several receivers and several antennas available for your use.  Check it out!

Learn about different events and the roles and responsibilities of amateur radio operators.

Links from this presentation:

• Wisconsin and Idaho Stories
• Logan Canyon Story
• El Dorado Search and Rescue
• Timpanogos Emergency Response Team
• LOTOJA Frequency Map
• UtahSAG
• RATPAC Presentation on ICS Forms
• Links to previous classes mentioned in this presentation:
  • Go Kits
  • Cross-band Repeat
  • APRS
  • Tactical Call Signs

Dan (N7XDL) teaches us the basics of several common handheld radios.  Basic concepts are covered including turning your radio on (and off), switching between VFO and Memory Channel, and programming your radio for repeater use (including offsets and PL tones).  If you are a new ham, just getting used to your equipment, and you don't have an Elmer to ask, this presentation will get you on the local repeaters and operating your radio!

Radios covered include the typical Baofeng, Yaesu FT-60R, Yaesu VX-6R, and TYT TH-350.