KY SEC ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF KY DIGITAL NET

February 25th, 2010

Henderson, KY, February 25, 2010—Ken Garrett, N4KLG, ARRL kentucky, Section Emergency Coordinator announces the launch of Kentucky Digital Net (kdn)

“A first for Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Services” (ARES) says Ken Garrett, KY SEC, “the launch of the Kentucky Digital Net (KDN) combines the strengths of digital technology with the best of Kentucky amateur radio to support our first responders in the event of a communications emergency in the Commonwealth.”

With input about the need for digital support and training during the ARES Conference in October 2009, a team of ARES members set out to develop a digital net for Kentucky amateur radio operators.  Now, four months later, the Kentucky Digital Net will be called on a weekly basis to build and develop digital skills and practice emergency communications methods.  Simply put, the KDN will benefit all amateurs that participate.

According to Ken, the net will begin Wednesday, March 3, 2009, at 7:00 pm EST, 6:00 pm CST as follows:

  1. The KDN will operate on 3,585.00 MHz using PSK31 digital mode, using the upper side band (USB), up 1,000 Hz above the dial frequency.
  2. The Net will be held each Wednesday at the above time and frequency.  Initially, Net Control will be K4DMU, Joe, in Louisville, KY.
  3. The net frequency may move up or down the band to avoid harmful interference with other stations.
  4. The KDN will be a directed net and will be managed initially by Joe Leitsch, K4DMU. All hams interested in assuming the role as NCS are asked to contact Joe at joe@iglou.com. Joe will maintain an ongoing calendar visible on the kyham.net discussion forum at http://kyham.net/bbs.
  5. The net is open to all amateur radio operators interested in amateur radio communications and emergency preparedness in Kentucky and all other states.
  6. When checking-in, give the NCS your call sign and number of message or announcements for the net.  Otherwise, just advise “no traffic”.
  7. Last, practice net courtesy.

“This is a great opportunity for Kentucky amateur radio operators that have been interested in digital operations to start building stations and learning about the technology “, commented James Brooks KY4Z, KY ARRL Section Manager. “It is in the best traditions and spirit of the amateur radio to experiment with new technology for fun and for the good of our community”. 

In keeping with this spirit, Ken stressed KDN users must remember the Kentucky Digital Net is a “work in progress”.  Everyone should expect to use different digital modes and frequencies to find out what works best.  So, it is important for everybody to be in experiment mode. 

Concluding, Ken Garrett said, “we don’t have all the answers, but we recognize the need.  So let us work together to build the KDN into something we can all be proud of.  I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard get us to this point.  It has been quite an undertaking and I appreciate all the hard work.  I look forward to hearing everyone check-in on 3585 MHz, Wednesday, March 3, at 7:00 pm (6:00 pm CST).  73 de N4KLG

For More Information contact:
Nick White, NV9V, ARRL Kentucky Public Information Coordinator 270-256-7775 or NV9V@arrl.net
Joe Leitsch, K4DMU, KDN NCS, joe@iglou.com
Ken Garrett, ARRL Kentucky Section, Section Emergency Coordinator, n4klg@arrl.net or sec@kyham.net.

Posted in KY ARES, KY ARRL, KY Ham Radio News, KYHAM System | Comments Off

GRANT CO. EC RELAYS EMERGENCY TRAFFIC TO IOWA

January 19th, 2010
On 01/18/10, Grant County EC, Lonnie Kuhn received an email requesting assistance in attempting to contact a family member that was traveling in Iowa.

Utilizing APRS and Echolink, Lonnie contacted the Webster County Iowa EC in Fort Dodge Iowa and delivered the message to AC0LM. At which time, a net was activated within Webster County, and they assisted in making contact with KB6VAA that had stopped for the evening in Boone Iowa.

The emergency traffic was successfully delivered.

Excellent Work and a Job Well Done to EC Kuhn from Grant County and all who assisted in this event. Keep up the good work!

de N4KLG, Ken Garrett
ARRL KY Section; Section Emergency Coordinator

 

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Region Three gets a new ASEC!

January 16th, 2010

Dateline: Henderson, Kentucky, January 15, 2010: Kenneth Heavrin (KY4COP) appointed Region 3 Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator (ASEC) for the Kentucky Amateur radio Emergency Service (ARES).  

Ken Garrett (N4KLG), KY ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator announced the appointment of Kenneth (Kenny) Heavrin (KY4COP) as Region 3 (Districts 6 & 7) Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator (ASEC).

SEC Garrett praised Kenny Heavrin, saying “He is very knowledgeable and has a long, professional career in law enforcement, including four years with the Jefferson County Police Department and seven years with the Kentucky State Police.”

In addition to his training in law enforcement, he has gained special experience in analyzing and managing life and property threatening events as a Hazardous Devices Investigator (Bomb Squad) for the KSP and Jefferson County as well as working as an EMT for the Emergency Medical Services.  Most recently, he has served in the capacity of a Security Specialists.

Kenny has first responder training including IS-100, Incident Command System, IS-300-400, Advanced ICS, IS-700 National Incident Command System, WMD Response and Operations, plus ARRL Emergency Communications training, having completed EC-001.

A Kentuckian, he graduated from Meade County High School, received an Associate Degree from Elizabethtown Community College, and attended Indiana University Southeast, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  He holds a General Class amateur radio license, call sign KY4COP.

On behalf of ARES, Ken Garrett, KY ARRL SEC, said, “I welcome Kenny to the ARES leadership.  I am confident he will make a positive contribution to Region 3.  His appointment completes our new ASEC organizational structure.  \

I look forward to working with each of our ASEC’S and all of the ARES organization to add new volunteers, strengthen emergency communications training, and build stronger relationships with our served agencies and first responders”.

73

For more information contact:

de N4KLG, Ken Garrett
ARRL, Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator
Nick White, KY ARRL Public Information Coordinator 
nv9v@arrl.net or Tel: (270)-256-7775

Posted in KY ARES | No Comments »

KY ARES Region 2 gets a new Leader.

January 12th, 2010

Dateline: Henderson, Kentucky, January 13, 2010: Kenny Garrett (N4KLG), KY ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator announced the appointment of Region 2 (Districts 4 &5) ASEC (Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator).

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Lodico, K1EG, as the ASEC for Region 2 (Districts 4 & 5).  Michael has a rich background in radio communication and electronics including research and development know how in military electronics and experience in companies such as Raytheon.  During his career he worked on strategic projects like the Apollo XI Moon Landing Program, Over the Horizon Radar, Side Scan Sonar, and Fleet SATCOM for the US NAVY.

 Originally a resident of Massachusetts, he served as the communications officer for Civil Defense, the precursor of FEMA, and later in the capacity of police and fire dispatcher, on call fireman, and EMT.  

Michael has been a licensed amateur radio operator for over 20 years, holding an Extra Class License as well as a FCC Commercial Radio License.  He has also worked with county emergency management to use and develop emergency amateur radio communications.

In Kentucky, he has been involved with ARES over the last five years, serving as an AEC for Barren County.  Presently he is a lifetime member of the Mammoth Cave Amateur Radio Club, serving on the repeater committee.  Michael is also a member of ARRL and the Radio Society of Great Brittan (RSGB).

Committed to the healthcare profession, Michael has returned to college for a BA degree in Healthcare Management, which he can leverage to further his career goals, as well as, aid in building the Region 2 ARES organization.  According to Michael, “one of the challenges for District 4 and 5 is the need for more people to be involved in ARES”, and I couldn’t agree more.  Recruiting more amateur radio operators for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service is one of best ways to ensure ARES can continue to provide critical communications support for Kentucky’s first responders.

I look forward to working with Michael and welcome him to Kentucky’s ARES leadership.

73

de N4KLG, Ken Garrett
ARRL, Kentucky Section; Section Emergency Coordinator
For more information contact:
Nick White, KY ARRL Public Information Coordinator 
nv9v@arrl.net or Tel: (270)-256-7775

Posted in KY ARES | No Comments »

KYHAM 2009 – A year in review…

December 20th, 2009

2009 has been a good year for KYHAM.  I am so thankful to all of you in the Kentucky Amateur Radio Community that have continued to support the site by sharing updated information from your local area, and spreading the word to new hams about the site and the email list.

Here’s a few of the highlights on how the site has changed in the last 12 months.

  • In January, we switched hosting companies, and I assumed full control of the site.  This was primarily for economic reasons, and we needed to get the registration of the site in my name.  Tyler Allison, KI4BUM helped us for a long time (there are many days I miss him), but he moved north to the Chicagoland Area.  I can’t thank Tyler enough for all the help he has giving us!
  • We launched a BBS on the website to reach back to our roots when the KYHAM email list was run on a telephone BBS (Remember those?).  Everything was going along good and then some anonymous web administrator accidentally removed the BBS from the site *looking around innocently*.  We relaunched it, and it is back up to 130 members.  I can’t thank Kenny Garrett, N4KLG enough for his assistance.
  • We now have someone who can help us out by grading the KY ARES Training Exams.  Thanks to Amber Clayton, KG4IFO for taking on that role!  It is a BIG help!
  • For the first year, we have adopted a holiday theme on the BBS.  I just felt the urge.  We may do this next year.  It takes a lot of time to convert the whole site over, so no promises.  :)
  • There will be a who new site design in 2010.

A few stats for those who like that sort of thing.  (Know that the year isn’t over yet, but 11 days doesn’t matter to me.)

  • There were over 59,700 visits to KYHAM this year.  That is about 160 per day.  I count “visits” instead of “hits” because the hits include bots like the Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines.    There were a total of 948, 289 hits in 2009
  • The average visit was 14 minutes.  Not bad for a web site.
  • The busiest month was November with over 6000 visits and the slowest was January with over 2000.  That doesn’t surprise me since a lot of things broke in January when we changed web hosting companies.

Thanks again for all the support.  All the best to you and yours from us and ours.  Here’s to a great 2010!

Happy Holidays, Take care, 73,
Pat Spencer, KD4PWL
KYHAM Admin

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Theme updates on KYHAM

December 6th, 2009

I have had a several emails about the holiday theme on KYHAM.  It was an impulse.  I love the horses and mountains as they represent KY, but they are three years old.  I have completed a new theme for the web site for after the holidays and am working on converting the site over to it.  It will go live January 2 or 3, 2010 after the holidays.  It also has a strong KY stamp on it.

Included in the new design concept is a careful reduction in HTML code in the template.  I hope the site runs even faster.

Thank each of you for the information you contribute to the web site to keep it accurate.  If you didn’t the site would be worthless.  I hope that all enjoy the new design work.

Happy Holidays, and all the best to you and yours from us and ours.
Take care, 73,
Pat, KD4PWL
KYHAM Admin

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ARRL Annual 10m Contest

November 29th, 2009

December 12th, 2009

It’s that time again: Annual 10m contest

For more information: http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/10-meters.html

73,
de KG4HEV
Kenny

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Looking for a new News Editor for KYHAM

November 28th, 2009

Complete information on the KYHAM BBS in the KYHAM Job Postings forum.

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Kentucky Slow Net (KSN) Going QRT

November 11th, 2009

TO:  All Radio Amateurs
FROM:  Fred Jones WA4SWF
Please read the following, I hate to see the Kentucky Slow Net (KSN) go off the air, it is the CW Net that is on each night at 10:00 p.m. on 3.535.  It will soon be an SK.  The KYN will continue to operate at 8:00 p.m. on 3.535.
I think the time has come for KSN to QRT.  The only ones doing net control is myself and AD4DX and Willis has indicated his eyesight is failing.  Checkins for October averaged 3.3 and only 15 pieces of traffic of which 12 were net reports.  We have not had a new trainee in over 2 years.  I don’t know how other training nets are doing, but if they are in the same shape KSN is, then I’m sure they are frustrated also.  Maybe we ought to do a regional type training net and rewrite the training messages.  I have enjoyed the net, but help is needed.  If we don’t come up with a couple of net controls in the next couple of weeks that will be regular, the last KSN session will be Nov 30th.  I will devote more time to KYN and digital operation.  I would like to see a KY digital net started.  It wouldn’t have to be everyday.  There is a net on Monday’s out of PA I think and the Indiana ARES net on Tuesdays at 8 P.M. est, but that’s another topic.  Please pass the word.
73’s

Glenn/ko4ol

Net Manager

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KYHAM BBS

November 1st, 2009

Although thoroughly planned and documented, the simplification of KYHAM had a casualty.  :(

When removing directories before uploading the new, simpler site, someone *looking around innocently* accidentally deleted the wrong directory.  There was one letter difference in the directory name and “working fast – way past my bedtime” contributed.

Despite any reason or excuses, this “someone” accepts 100% responsibility for his mistake and wanted to share his apologies.

Despite the loss of what has transpired on the BBS, I personally see this bad circumstance as a priceless opportunity to restart the facility with a much more experienced hand.  So much on the original BBS was “cobbled together” as a first time learning experience.

I personally would like to thank Kenny Garrett, KG4HEV for his help in rebuilding the majority of the BBS to help us!

Take care, 73,
Pat, KD4PWL
KYHAM Admin

Update 11/4/09:
Thank you for the response everyone.  In three days we now have 58 members back.  I’m glad that you saw it as valuable.

73, Pat

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