Our club started this special event station one year after the hurricanes. To the best of my knowledge, we are the only special event station that has been commemorating these two tragic events. The goal of the event was to spread the word that the city of New Orleans was not the only city affected by Hurricane Katrina. Many communities on the Mississippi coast were almost removed completely from the map. The same occurred along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana when Hurricane Rita made landfall almost one month later.

The Southeast Louisiana Amateur Radio Club (SELARC) will be sponsoring the 5th annual special event station, K5R, to commemorate the anniversaries of Hurricanes Katrina & Rita. Operations will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, 2010, from 1400-2000 UTC each day. Club members will be operating on 7.250 and 14.250 mHz (+/- QRM), and also in other areas of the general portions of the HF bands. Please send a SASE for a QSL to: SELARC/K5R, P.O. Box 1324, Hammond, LA 70404. 

More information can be found at the club's website at: www.selarc.org or on the Yahoo group site at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K5R .


Thank you very much.

73
Scott Hernandez
VP, SELARC
www.selarc.org

Update

 This year, the special event station, K5R, will be planning to operate a few modes we have not in the past. Look for digital modes within the general portions of the bands as well as CW. 
 One of our operators will not be able to make it to our main operating QTH but will be operating from a location in Mt. Hermon, Louisiana. Eric, AC5CW, will be operating from a location close to Mt. Hermon High School using the callsign WM5T. This school was used as a shelter for the employees of Jefferson Parish when Hurricane Katrina made landfall and later was used as a distribution center for supplies coming in from around the country. Look for Eric operating QRP on 40 meters.
 I plan to update our operating frequencies, modes, etc. throughout the special event via Twitter. You can follow me @kd5pck for updates.
 Operations will be from 9am-3pm CDT (1400-2000 UTC). Published frequencies are 7.250 and 14.250 MHz, but we may show up anywhere.

 Hope to hear you on the air.

Scott
KD5PCK

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Topics can be revisited or new topics can be discussed by checking into the Technical Net and asking a question. All are welcome.

The following is a link to the FCC Universal Licensing System: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home

You can apply for a new license, renew, or modify your existing license which also includes applying for a Vanity Call. You can also search the FCC callsign database.

To use the system, you must first register with the FCC. Read the getting started info here.

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If you want to make a complaint to the FCC, goto the Enforcement Bureau.

Check out the Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions

Always install antennas such that they can never come in contact with outdoor power lines in the event of a catastrophic antenna support or power line support structure failure. An adequate safety margin is usually provided by separating power lines from the antenna and its support structure [1.5 times the height of the support] plus [the length of any antenna or guy wires attached to the support] plus [the height of the power line support pole].

Ground the antenna support structure adequately, so as to dissipate energy absorbed during a lightning strike. Install appropriate lightning arrestors in the antenna lead-in and rotator cable (if used) according to the arrestors instructions.

In the event of an approaching electrical storm, disconnect all antenna lead-in, rotator control, and power cables completely from the station, but only if the storm is not immediately in your area. Do not allow disconnected cables to touch the case of your transceiver or accessories, as lightning can easily jump from the cable to the circuitry of your transceiver via the case, causing irreparable damage.

If a lightning storm is in progress in your immediate area, do not attempt to disconnect the cables, as you could be killed instantly should lightning strike your antenna, tower, or a nearby power line.

If a vertical antenna is used, be certain that humans and/or pets or farm animals are kept away both from the radiating element (to prevent electrical shock and RF exposure danger) and the ground system (in the event of an electrical storm). The buried radials of a ground-mounted vertical antenna can carry lethal voltages outward from the center of the antenna in the event of a direct lightning strike.

The following is from the ARRL Handbook, a must read and heed by all.

SHOP SAFETY

"All the fun of building a project will be gone if you get hurt. To make sure this doesn’t happen, let’s first review some safety rules.

• Read the manual!
The manual tells all you need to know about the operation and safety features of the equipment you are using.

• Do not work when you are tired.
You will be more likely to make a mistake or forget an important safety rule.

• Never disable any safety feature of any tool.
If you do, sooner or later someone will make the mistake the safety feature was designed to prevent.

• Never fool around in the shop.
Practical jokes and horseplay are in bad taste at social events; in a shop they are downright dangerous. A work area is a dangerous place at all times; even hand tools can hurt someone if they are misused.

• Keep your shop neat and organized.
A messy shop is a dangerous shop. A knife left laying in a drawer can cut someone looking for another tool; a hammer left on top of a shelf can fall down at the worst possible moment; a sharp tool left on a hair can be a dangerous surprise for the weary constructor who sits down.

• Wear the proper safety equipment.
Wear eye-protection goggles when working with chemicals or tools. Use earplugs or earphones when working near noise. If you are working with dangerous chemicals, wear the proper protective clothing.

• Make sure your shop is well ventilated.
Paint, solvents, cleaners or other chemicals can create dangerous fumes. If you feel dizzy, get into fresh air immediately, and seek medical help if you do not recover quickly.
• Get medical help when necessary.
Every workshop should contain a good first-aid kit. Keep an eye-wash kit near any dangerous chemicals or power tools that can create chips. If you become injured, apply first aid and then seek medical help if you are not sure that you are okay. Even a small burn or scratch on your eye can develop into a serious problem.

• Respect power tools.
Power tools are not forgiving. A drill can go through your hand a lot easier than metal. A power saw can remove a finger with ease. Keep away from the business end of power tools. Tuck in your shirt, roll up your sleeves and remove your tie before using any power tool. If you have long hair, tie it back so it can’t become entangled in power equipment.

• Don’t work alone.
Have someone nearby who can help if you get into trouble when working with dangerous equipment, chemicals or voltages.

• Think!
Pay attention to what you are doing. No list of safety rules can cover all possibilities. Safety is always your responsibility. You must think about what you are doing, how it relates to the tools and the specific situation at hand." © ARRL Handbook 2005