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Serving the needs of the Amateur Radio Operators in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties.

A Ten County Slice of Florida Paradise!

 
Dee Turner, N4GD - Section Manager

Page Last Updated: Sunday, May 19, 2013     (All web pages are written by Microsoft Front-Page for viewing on 1024x768 screen size)

Dennis Griffin, W4DG - Assistant Section Manager, OOC & Webmaster


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The West Central Florida Section is one of seventy-one administrative sections of the ARRL - The American Radio Relay League.   The ARRL is the National Association for Amateur Radio in the USA.

The WCF Section of the ARRL Field Organization serves amateur radio operators in ten counties in Florida:  Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota.   The WCF section includes the following cities:  Bradenton, Clearwater, Lakeland, New Port Richey, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Sebring, Tampa and Winter Haven.

This web page has information specific to the ARRL Field Services activities in West Central Florida.   

More News.........

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club presentation to the MOAA

On March 28, 2013, Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club, Port Richey, FL., president, Bill Pfaff Jr. KI4QJK, gave a HAM radio presentation to the Military Officers Association of America, Sun Coast Chapter, Port Richey, Florida. The presentation consisted of the history of HAM radio, the hobby, community service and emergency communications. He had a typical HAM radio "shack" set up with all of the  items found in most HAM shacks and brochures to hand out including hurricane preparation brochures from the Pasco County Florida, Office of Emergency Management.

Those present were amazed at the current state of HAM radio and the advancement of the hobby and its importance in providing emergency communications. The fact that we can communicate with the International Space Station and the hobby is growing more now than ever, was amazing to them.

Bill received a certificate of appreciation and a gift from the MOAA Chapter President Robert Ayers., Col U.S. Army (Ret) that showed their appreciation for his presentation.

 
Florida Hams Prove that Ham Radio Works When Cell Phones Don’t

03/06/2013

After a day of exploring the Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area -- which covers 50,692 protected acres in Florida’s Lake, Polk and Sumter Counties -- with his grandson, Joe Cody, KE4WDP, of Winter Haven, Florida, saw that the roads were flooding and becoming hazardous. As he tried to drive out of the area, Cody’s small pick-up truck got bogged down in the mud. Since he was out of cell phone range, Cody tried calling for help on the Dade City 146.880 repeater. Richard Parker, KF4ORW, of Dade City, Florida, heard the call and answered.

After hearing the situation, Parker called 911 in Pasco County, who put him in touch with the dispatch in neighboring Polk County. Cody passed his location on to Parker, who in turn passed it on to the Polk County Sherriff’s Office. “Polk County 911 took over trying to get help,” Parker said. “They called me back several times for more information and I was able to relay information from Joe to them. Then Ted Bulmanski, W4TKB, who is also from Dade City, started monitoring and copying Joe’s information.”

About 30 minutes later, Parker saw a helicopter fly over and around Cody’s position, and after another 30 minutes, Cody radioed back on the repeater, saying he was on his way home -- thanks to a Lake County Deputy in a Sherriff’s Office truck that had a winch. “We learned that Joe was eight miles inside Lake County,” Parker explained. “That’s why the Lake County Sherriff’s Office responded instead of the Polk County authorities. The Polk County Sherriff’s Office called me back to say that the helicopter from Lake County found the truck inside Lake County and sent both a deputy from Lake County, as well as a Fish and Game Officer and winched him out of the mud. They called me back to thank us for assisting the stranded pair. Ham radio still works when other forms of communications don’t.” -- Thanks to ARRL West Central Florida Section Public Information Coordinator Kevin Poorman, KV4CT, for the information
 
REPORT ON TAMPA BAY AMATEUR RADIO SUPPORT FOR THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 2012 TAMPA, FLORIDA
 
Bill Williams AG4QX, Hillsborough County ARES/RACES Operations Manager/Assistant Emergency Coordinator and the Greater Tampa Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Liaison for the City of Tampa was asked by the Tampa Office of Emergency Management to provide emergency back-up communications for the City during the timeframe of the Republican National Convention, August 24 through September 2, 2012.

This tasking required amateur radio at four primary locations: the Tampa EOC, Tampa Fire Station #1, Tampa Fire Station #3 and the Tampa Fire Rescue Training Academy & Police Training Center staging area. Each location had ICOM Model IC-2820 radios pre-programmed with numerous D-Star and analog frequencies, any of which were tested and could be used for emergency communications. Two training sessions were conducted prior to the event, to familiarize the operators with the radio operation and the Incident Command System-compliant plans for the Convention coverage.

This was treated for the City as a CERT event, and for the County, an ARES/RACES activation. Volunteer radio operators were scheduled for 24/7 coverage at the four locations, plus the Hillsborough EOC was available for any additional activations if required.

Over 1800 volunteer hours were put in to prepare for and support the city and county for the week long operation. The city operated the Consequence Management EOC, staffed that was supported by the RNC, Secret Service, FBI, State Warning Point, Hillsborough County and surrounding counties Emergency Management representatives. A Joint Incident Command was established and operated nearby.

Even the threat of Hurricane Isaac did not interfere with the operation. Under the county plan, ARES/RACES put out the call for more operators to support Hillsborough County and the Red Cross shelter operations, and the city support continued unfazed.

The county RACES Officer and ARRL Emergency Coordinator, Keating Floyd KC4HSI, called on operators from the Tampa Amateur Radio Club to run a Resource Net until the storm threat passed. Hillsborough County experienced heavy rains and flooding but only minor damage was reported. All facets of the amateur radio operation were undeniably successful. The RNC went off with very few problems, and congratulations are due to Bill Williams for a job well done, along with all the CERT and ARES/RACES members who supported him and the Tampa Bay community.

Budd Johnson WB4J
Hillsborough County AEC - Club Liaison
ARRL West Central Florida Official Emergency Station
wb4j@verizon.net

Additional comments so far received:

All, I am pleased and honored to know that we have such a dedicated group of individuals that would be able to provide a critical service and function if the need arises.  Bill and so many others have proven this time and time again. The events of this week reaffirm the fact that we are more prepared than ever for disasters.  Enjoy a wonderful and un-eventful weekend.

Thank you for all you do

Preston Cook

Director of Emergency Management

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue


This acknowledgment is well deserved.  Bill, Keating and the rest of the CERT and ARES/RACES volunteers are remarkable citizens and very gracious with giving the city/county so much of their personal time and expertise.

Michael M. Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Airport Fire Chief
Tampa Fire Rescue


Bill,

Thanks again for the dedication, effort, time and professionalism you always provide. The support you and your team provided to the City of Tampa and 2012 RNC is greatly appreciated and will not go unnoticed. My hat is off to all that supported and continue to support the mission.

This go to show the willingness and support that volunteers and their agencies can and do provide, not just in times of a disaster but whenever the call go out.

Thanks again for a job well done and the continued support you always have provided,

Oliver E. Greene, Jr
Emergency Planner
(813)274-7553

 
 
Eric, KD4MZM & Bill K4FLV put together an Island Activation event in Sarasota!
 

A group of operators in Sarasota put Venetian Waterway Park in Venice on the air the weekend of May 19, 2012.

Since the island was a never on the air before it received a designator of FL-488. The group make over 140 contacts on CW, SSB, PSK31 and BPSK63. 

 The group of operators were: Eric KD4MZM, Bill K4LFV, Craig KI4SNR, Net N2RDX, Den W3DEN, Dick KI4EFJ, Eddie K4JP Louis WA2COP, Mark KV4FC, Scott KG4YHR, Tony KE4AWM, Jim W4JDB.

The link to the TV on air spot is here, click on any text

In the video was Bill K4FLV, with Craig KI4SNR speaking. Eric KD4MZM was in the background operating.

 
 

*SPRING 2010* ISSUE OF THE WCF TS EXPERIMENTER NOW AVAILABLE  in .pdf (Click on any text to link)

"Revised" DATABASE OF THE WCF SECTION COUNTY HAM TOWER/ANTENNA RULES & REGULATIONS (05, 2010)

Our WCF Section ASM & TC, Geoff, N1GY, has complied a list for our ten (10) WCF Section County Amateur (HAM) Tower and antenna rules and regulations. Click here to access this link!

WCF Club Newsletters

The Latest issue of The Communicator from the TARC.  TNX to Jack Sproat, W4JS, their editor for forwarding a copy to post on the WCF Section Webpage!

 
The EARS Newsletter is now available at this link!  
 
Florida Contest Group (FCG)  "Contest Gazette" Newsletter - Now Available Here!
 
The Kings' Point ARC Newsletter is now available by clicking this text!
 
Latest issue of the WORMHOLE Newsletter is here! 
 
St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club (SPARC) "Spark Gap" Newsletter      
 

Florida D-Star Information Site   &   West Central Florida -DSTAR Group    

MARCI - Manatee AmateurMARCI _ Manatee Amateur Radio Club, Inc. Newsletter Radio Club Inc. - Newsletter

Florida State-Wide D-Star Hurricane Net Started                       (Click on any text for Link)

North Port Amateur Radio Club CW Training Net

A reminder that the weekly North Port Amateur Radio Club CW Training Net will be held on Sundays, at 8:30 PM local time - CW on 28.350 and voice on NPARC Repeater 147.12.

Net Control is K8QI - The goal of this net is to encourage members to develop their CW skills to a level where they feel comfortable in making CW contacts. The speed will be around 5 wpm - characters sent at 12 wpm with 5 wpm spacing - Farnsworth Method

Did your New Year's Resolutions include CW? Tune in on 28.350 and check-in or just "copy the mail"

73, Barry K8QI

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club Activities

Our club has been very active and we are getting more calls for our communication
services!

The first call for us was from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. They requested
communications assistance from the Pasco County ARES/RACES Volunteers and
some of the members from the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club volunteered. This was
for the United Cerebral Palsy's "Ride Without Limits" rally on Sunday Nov. 11th in
Darby, FL. It consisted of three courses of 36, 63 and 100 miles. We were located around the courses to provide communications for the whole day.

The second was for the "Filthy Fun Run" on Saturday,
Nov. 17th sponsored by the Pasco Pediatratic Foundation which raises funds for children
and young adults needing assistance in Pasco County. This was held at Safety Town on
SR 52 in Land O Lakes. It consisted of a 5k course with eleven mud filled obstacles.

The Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club has other events coming up and I will keep you
informed of our activities. Our events are posted on the clubs web page at
www.Gulfcoastarc.org and on FACEBOOK.
Respectfully,

Bill Pfaff Jr KI4QJK
Public Information Officer
Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club
PO Box 595 New Port Richey, FL 34656
ki4qjk@yahoo.com
727-869-0784

2012 FIELD DAY REPORTS

Hopefully, Club PIO's will send  this year upcoming Field Day Reports, for posting!

Click this link to see upcoming WCF Section & Florida Statewide Hamfests & Tailgates!

 
 
WCF Section Net Schedule
West Central Florida Section Nets -- The WCF Section has several nets during the week.  Most of the nets are held on the NI4CE repeater system on 145.43 / 442.95 Verna, 145.29 / 443.45 St Pete, 442.825 / Peebledale (just south of Mulberry in Polk)  & 146.76 /442.650  Port Richey (Pasco). All require 100.0 Hz Sub-audible tone.  
Day(s)   Net Name Time (ET) Where
Daily   Eagle Net (WCF Florida Section Traffic Net) 8:30 PM NI4CE/R
Sunday   West Central Florida Section Weekly (VHF/UHF) 7:30 PM NI4CE/R
Monday   West Central Florida Section ARES Net 7:30 PM NI4CE/R
Tuesday   Open 7:00 PM NI4CE/R
Wednesday   Tampabay Traders Net 9:00 PM NI4CE/R
Thursday   WCF Technical Net 9:00 PM NI4CE/R
Friday   Open    
Saturday   WCF Section HF Net  8:30 AM 3.911 MHz LSB and 7.281 MHz LSB.(alt.)
Saturday   WCF YL Net   7:30 PM NI4CE/R

 

This Weeks DX NEWS.... 

ARLD020 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by CS5CRE, F5TRO, NC1L, The Weekly DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, The Daily DX, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

CYPRUS, 5B. Tony, RT9T is QRV as 5B4ALB until May 28. Activity is on all HF bands and modes. This includes being an entry in the upcoming CQ WPX CW contest, possibly with a different call sign.  QSL direct to home call.

SENEGAL, 6V. Vlad, RK4FF is QRV as 6V7S from Le Calao in Ngaparou until May 30. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home call.

PORTUGAL, CT. Special event station CS25ARVM will be QRV from May 20 to 26 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ARVM. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters, as well as 2 meters and 70 cm, using CW and SSB. QSL via CT1VM. In addition, special call sign CR5AT will be QRV on May 18 from the castle Amieira do Tejo. QSL via CS5CRE.

FRANCE, F. A group of operators will be QRV as F6KUF/p from May 18 to 20 from the Ile de Noirmoutier. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY with three stations. QSL via F6KUF/p.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, E7. Special event station E720SRRS is QRV until the end of 2013 in celebration of 20 years of the Savez radio-amatera Republike Srpske. QSL via bureau.

BELARUS, EW. Special event station EV196VTAP is used to commemorate the 70th anniversary of a military regiment. QSL via EW8LL.

GALAPAGOS, HC8. Alex, HD2A and Alberto, HC2AQ are QRV as HD8A from Isla de Santa Cruz, IOTA SA-004, until May 20. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL direct via HD2A.

COLOMBIA, HK. A large group of women operators will be QRV as 5K3YL on May 18 during the Days of YLs contest. Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters using SSB. QSL via EA3DUF.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA, HL. Kang, DS4DRE/5, will be active from Hajo Island, IOTA AS-060, until December. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via home call.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS, KP2. Look for Fred, K9VV to be QRV as NP2X and Bob, WP2XX to be QRV from May 21 to 28 from the Radio Reef DXers Super-Station on St. Croix Island, IOTA NA-106. During the upcoming CQ WPX CW contest, they will be active as KP2M. QSL KP2M direct to AI4U, NP2X direct via K5WW and WP2XX direct.

BONAIRE, PJ4. John, K4BAI will be QRV as PJ4/K4BAI from May 22 to 27. Activity will be on the HF bands. He plans to be active as PJ4A in the upcoming CQ WPX CW contest. QSL both calls via K4BAI.

SLOVENIA, S5. Special event station S545DSW is QRV until May 31 in celebration of the founding of Radio Club Mozirje 45 years ago.  Activity is on the HF bands using mainly SSB and digital modes. QSL via S51DSW.

GREECE, SV. A group of operators are QRV as SZ8S from Samos Island, IOTA EU-049, until May 30. Activity is holiday style on the HF bands. QSL direct via G1LAT.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5. Dave, W5CW is QRV as VP5/W5CW from Caicos Island, until June 11. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.

FALKLAND ISLANDS, VP8. Andy, M0HLT is QRV as VP8DOH while on work assignment for the coming two years. He is active on the higher bands using SSB in his spare time. QSL via operator's instructions.

OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT. The following operations have been approved for DXCC credit: Ghana, 9G5EME, 2013 operation; Cocos Island, TI9CCC, February 15 through February 28, 1984 operation.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The NCCC RTTY Sprint, NCCC Sprint, The Day of YLs, UN DX Contest, EU BPSK63 DX Contest, Aegean RTTY Contest, His Majesty King of Spain CW Contest, Feld Hell Sprint, Baltic Contest and the UA2 QSO Party are all on tap for this weekend. The Run for the Bacon QRP CW Contest is scheduled for May 20. The SKCC CW Sprint and CWops Mini-CWT CW Test are scheduled for May 22. Please see May QST, page 80, and the ARRL and WA7BNM Contest websites for details.

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Page Last Updated: Sunday, May 19, 2013 15:40:21