CMSARA

Central Mississippi Amateur Radio Association

Archives for 2016

It’s Not a Microwave Dinner…It’s High Speed Multi-Media Mesh (HSMM)!

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[dropcap]A[/dropcap]t the July meeting, CMSARA hosted our neighbor to the north, Glen Popiel KW5GP by Skype. Glen is the author of the recently published book High Speed Multimedia for Amateur Radio: Build a High Speed Amateur Radio Microwave Network (ARRL). Glen gave CMSARA members a jump-start for their MESH Tech Team, led by Rusty Yates KG5FSA. His book is available from the ARRL or from Amazon.

Few hams in the U.S. know more about high-speed multimedia modes than KW5GP: he wrote the book on it! His engaging style and witty sense of humor kept the crowd highly engaged throughout his talk. Glen shared his slides used in his presentation below. Unfortunately, due to a change in computer systems, the planned recording of KW5GP’s talk failed. However, he will be appearing in late August on the Amateur Radio Roundtable (w5kub.com) show, co-hosted by Tom Medlin (W5KUB) and CMSARA VP-Programming Frank Howell (K4FMH) using the same talk. We will add the Youtube link to that video when it’s online. [Read more…] about It’s Not a Microwave Dinner…It’s High Speed Multi-Media Mesh (HSMM)!

Shack Show!

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[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s a response to a member request, we changed the intended program topic on RF propagation for May! Examples and an open discussion of “shack setup” was the topic.

Participating CMSARA Officers and Board Members presented the informal program. Using one or more pictures of their shack, each one gave a brief explanation of what’s in their shack. President Flanagan, Past-President Mike McKay, VP-Special Events Dana Pierce, Board member Mike Dancey and VP-Programming Frank Howell participated. An open-forum Q&A discussion of the decisions and choices made on shack development was interspersed during the discussion. The thirty-plus members and visitors in attendance said that this was a very informative program. Serving the membership, this program change was made to assist new members to ham radio who attend CMSARA!

Slideshow of the May CMSARA meeting:

 [cycloneslider id=”may-shack-show”]

N5DU Does APRS for CMSARA Attendees

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Mike N5DU

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]nother great program was given to CMSARA in April! Past-President Mike McKay N5DU talked about APRS. A long time enthusiast for the Automated Packet Reporting System, Mike has served as a key expert on APRS, advising several clubs in the area on the deployment and operation of APRS digipeaters, iGates and trackers. He gave critical information about how Yaesu has enhanced the APRS implementation in their new line of Fusion transceivers and HTs. A modest debate about how well or poorly Icom’s DSTAR digital APRS has been implemented. All in good amateur radio fun, of course.

Mike’s program slides are available here. Video of the talk will be posted on the popular CMSARA Youtube Channel as soon as production has been completed.

March Program: Gordo’s Got Game on ARES!

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Gordo WB8NOA

[dropcap] O[/dropcap]ver 40 amateur radio enthusiasts crowded the ad hoc meeting place for the March meeting of CMSARA. Due to the Tuesday election, the Association moved it’s meeting to a conference room at the City of Brandon Municipal Building to welcome one of the most influential amateurs in the U.S. Gordon West WB8NOA brought his best “game” via Skype to educate those in attendance on the “care and feeding” of ARES teams. For an hour, Gordo demonstrated key procedures and issues facing ARES teams in California and around the U.S. using actual radio QSOs from emergency situations. Moreover, he shared with the crowd his suggestions for improving emergency radio teams as they grow and mature. 

Gordo complimented CMSARA’s motto of “We Do Stuff” as exemplary, saying that it’s important to keep engagement among ARES teams to keep their abilities sharp. By “doing stuff,” ARES teams have fun, the key to continual engagement. [Read more…] about March Program: Gordo’s Got Game on ARES!

Working Amateur Radio Satellites

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he former Editor of the AMSAT Journal, Russ Tillman K5NRK, and his long-time partner, Eddie Pettis N5JGK presented “Amateur Radio Satellites: An Introduction and Demo of AO-85” to a packed house at the February meeting of CMSARA. A tour de force of experience, Russ and Eddie taught attendees about the origins of how amateurs got satellites included on NASA missions, how NASA benefited by adopting ham radio technology, and how easy it is to get started working the “birds”. A demonstration in the parking lot was conducted with Eddie Pettis narrating the activities. At least one new ham committed to getting into the world of satellites during the program. Others may indeed follow! Our Vicksburg ARC neightbors were given a standing ovation at the end of the presentation. [Read more…] about Working Amateur Radio Satellites

Emergency Communications Operations in CMSARA

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[dropcap]J[/dropcap]anuary’s Association meeting featured emergency communications in Central Mississippi. Those in attendance heard about substantial statewide programs offered in each of the Magnolia State’s 82 counties by the MSU Extension Service. Tom Ball (MSU Extension Service) overviewed his program’s direct collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, MEMA, and other first-responding agencies. The ARRL ARES District Coordinator for West Mississippi, Robert Hayes KC5IMN, gave an overview of the progress and struggles he has experienced since his appointment a year ago. He mentioned the Rankin County ARES team as a “shining light” in both his District as well as the State at-large. Finally, Brian Grantham of the Rankin County EOC represented the schedule speaker, EOC Director Bob Wedgeworth. He gave a succinct description of what his organization does in the facility shared with the MSU Extension Service, the location where CMSARA holds it’s monthly and special meetings. The Rankin County EOC is particularly supportive of it’s collaboration with the ARES team supported by CMSARA. [Read more…] about Emergency Communications Operations in CMSARA