West Central Florida Section of the ARRL

Dee Turner, N4GD - Section Manager

Dennis Griffin, W4DG - ASM & Webmaster

Technical Activities

Page Last Updated: Monday, September 15, 2008 16:51:43

Field Service Application Form | Field Services Forms and Reports

Technical Specialists List | WCF Section RFI Policy and LIC Information

Technical Resource Links:

Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art. [Part 97.1(c)]

One of the five main tenants of the amateur radio service is technical advancement. Amateur Radio Operators who are interested in promoting technical advancements are encouraged to apply for a Technical Specialist (TS) appointment.

There are two main areas of responsibility: Radio Frequency Interference and Technical Information. Technical Specialists can specialize in a specific area or can be a generalist. Some examples of TS duties are:

Serve as a technical advisor to local hams and clubs. Correspond by telephone and letter on tech topics. Refer correspondents to other sources if specific topic is outside TS's knowledge.
Serve as advisor in radio frequency interference issues. RFI can drive a wedge in neighbor and city relations. It will be the TS with a cool head who will resolve problems. Local hams will come to you for guidance in dealing with interference problems.
Speak at local clubs on popular tech topics. Let local clubs know you're available and willing.
Represent ARRL at technical symposiums in industry; serve on CATV advisory committees; advise municipal governments on technical matters.
Work with other ARRL officials and appointees when called upon for technical advice, especially in emergency communications situations where technical prowess can mean the difference in getting a communications system up and running, the difference between life and death.
Handle other miscellaneous technically-related tasks assigned by the Technical Coordinator

If you are interested in applying for a Technical Specialist Appointment in the West Central Florida Section, you can fill out the Online Field Service Application Form.

The Technical program of the ARRL Field Organization in each section is coordinated by the Technical Coordinator (TC) - The West Central Florida Section Technical Coordinator is Geoff Haines, n1gy.

A list of Technical Specialists, their area of expertise, as well as ways to contact each is listed on the Technical Specialists link.

The Experimenter
The Official Technical Newsletter of the
ARRL West Central Florida Section

WINTER - 2007 Issue of the WCF Experimenter - in .pdf

Fall 2007 Issue of the WCF Experimenter - in .pdf

Spring 2007 Issue of the WCF Experimenter -in .pdf

Special Hurricane Season - Summer, 2005 - Issue [Acrobat]

Second Quarter -2005 - Issue [Acrobat]

First Quarter - 2005- Issue [Acrobat]

Summer 2003 Issue [Acrobat]

First Quarter 2001 Issue [Acrobat]

First Half 2001 Issue [Acrobat]

September/October 2000 Issue [Acrobat]

July/August 2000 Issue [HTML]

May/June 2000 Issue [HTML]

Beginning with the Sept/Oct 2000 issue you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view The Experimenter.   (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader it is available at this link:

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html#a

SPECIAL HURRICANE SEASON TECHNICAL SPECIALIST REPORT FOR JULY, 2005

Well, it's Hurricane Season AGAIN!

Because of that fact, I have decided to put out a Special Hurricane Season Edition of The Experimenter. I have also just received a very outstanding article from Dennis, W4DG, one of our Technical Specialists and also an Assistant Section Manager for WCF. I have known Dennis for almost as long as I have lived in Florida. He is an outstanding TS and veritable fount of knowledge about Amateur Radio. Together with Dennis' article on standby generators, I have included a brief piece on being prepared before you get called out by your local ARES/RACES organization. You are a member of ARES, aren't you?

73 to all. Geoff Haines, N1GY - Technical Coordinator, WCF/ARRL

TECHNICAL SPECIALIST REPORT FOR MAY, 2005

            Several of the Technical Specialists in the West Central Florida Section have been quite busy in May. For example, Dennis, W4DG, is writing an article for possible publication in QST about his design for a "Service Platform" for his tower. This may also appear in "The Experimenter". Dennis is also building a new amplifier for six meters, capable of putting out two kilowatts at maximum. He is also installing a standby generator at his QTH with auto transfer in case of storm or other disruption of the commercial AC.

            Buddy Morgan, WB4OMG, has written an article on digital photography which will be making an appearance in " The Experimenter" next quarter since many amateur operators use digital cameras to create pictures for web sites and articles as well as the more usual family photography.

            Alan Pickering, KJ9N, has been very active with the QCWA and other nets, including the Technical Net on Thursday evenings on NI4CE. Speaking of the Tech Net, a request for assistance to an amateur in Wachula with a tower problem brought an immediate response from Eric, KD4MZM and Ed, WA4ISB. Great job, guys,

            Remember, if you are a Tech Specialist, please keep me informed of your activities every month. I cannot highlight good performances if I don't know about them. Likewise, to the ham operators in the ten counties covered by The West Central Florida Section, if you have a question or problem, bring it to the Tech Net. If the Tech Specialist or others on the net that evening can't give you the correct answer right away, we will at least point you in the right direction. Sometimes with a little research, the answer pops right up. Either way, the answer to most questions is easily found.

            Of course, that only happens if you bring the question to the Tech Net. If you cannot make the Tech Net because of work schedules etc. then feel free to E-mail your question to me, Geoff N1GY at the following e-mail address (n1gy@arrl.net). I will bring it to the net for you and get the answer back to you the same way. The Tech Net happens every Thursday at 9:00pm local on the NI4CE repeater system. (100 Hertz Tone) (145.43, 442.95, 443.45, 145.29, 146.76) Please note that the last two frequencies, 145.29 in St. Pete and 146.76 in Holiday are temporarily off line due to repairs and/or site changes. They should be back up soon.

            Well, that's about it for this month. 73 to all.

Geoff Haines, N1GY - Technical Coordinator, WCF/ARRL

Page Last Updated: Monday September 15, 2008 16:51:43

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