Mesilla Valley Radio Club:  If you don’t know what a hay-box cooker is check out the story from Mesilla Valley Radio club with their report on the Bean Feed and the Bataan Death March memorial at http://n5bl.org/LO1205.pdf.

Sacramento Mountains Radio Club:Following a visit by our Section Emergency Coordinator, K5SCA, J.P K5FBK and me the Sacramento Mountains Radio Club is continuing to work on ICS and other training related to ARES:   http://sacramentomountainsradioclub.org/.

Sandoval County ARES:  On April 25 Sandoval County and municipalities went narrow-band on their public safety and other radios with members of Sandoval County ARES, Bernalillo County ARES & Santa Fe County ARES on duty at key locations to handle emergency traffic while base stations and repeaters were down for re-programming.  SCARES DEC NM5AA did an excellent job of positioning people at the right locations at the right times throughout the county.  Good job Ron and everyone involved!

Caravan Club:  Tim Shy, KM4KS, from the National Weather Service will be the guest speaker at the Caravan Club meeting on April 13^th 2012 at 7 p.m. at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Road NE, at the corner of Academy and Moon. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts promptly at 7.

Taos Amateur Radio Club has received their new call sign, KF5PFO.  The club has also submitted their paperwork and will soon be testing in the Taos area as a VE team.  Great job!

Attention Search and Rescue in New Mexico:  (updated 4/26) Just in case you missed it, the State Resource Officer Bob Rodgers, KD5CGJ and Area/Incident Commander Tom Bemis, WB5CFT have set a date of July 1^st, 2012 for going “narrow-band” on SAR channels in New Mexico.  July 1^st is a Sunday;  If you are not participating in a mission in-progress you will need to reprogram your public safety radios at that time.  This will include the three VHF and 2 UHF frequencies licensed by the NM Search and Rescue Council but does NOT include any other public safety channels such as State Fire, NMSP Car-to-car and Law Enforcement Network (LEN).  These additional channels will go narrow-band on a date TBD sometime between July 1^st and December 31^st of this year.  On January 1^st all public safety channels in the 150 to 470 MHz range are required to be narrow-band per FCC Rules (Part 90).  A waiver was issued by the FCC on April 26^th for the “T” band public service agencies operating between 470 & 512 MHz since those licensees will have to vacate the band by 2021 anyway.

DCHF and D-Star news by Assistant Section Manager, Ed James, KA8JMW:

The Albuquerque Duke City Hamfest is back in business for 2012.  Planning is well underway for the state’s largest ham radio gathering which will be held August 3-4 in Albuquerque.  This year’s DCHF is shaping up to be an exciting event filled with social events, multiple forum tracks, classes, indoor vendors and tailgate sales, contests and competitions, demonstrations, superb prizes, license exams and much more, all capped off with a banquet on Saturday night with an anticipated nationally recognized speaker.  If you are interested in joining a super volunteer team to help craft or execute this event, please contact Ed James KA8JMW at ka8jmw@arrl.net  Complete details about the upcoming Hamfest will soon be posted at www.DukeCityHamfest.org

Two new  D-Star repeaters are now up and running in Santa Fe,W5SF on 444.575 and Raton Pass, KD0RDI on 446.775. Both these repeater were acquired under Icom’s D-STAR infrastructure promotion.  The Las Cruces D-Star repeater, W5GB on 146.84 has been deployed recently to its permanent location atop A-Mountain. The Socorro Amateur Radio Association (SARA) is also in the process of deploying their UHF D-Star repeater.  The continued interest and growth of D-STAR in New Mexico has been superb.  A year ago there was but a single D-STAR repeater in the state, and about 12 months later the Land of Enchantment’s D-STAR repeater count has increased to seven (Las Cruces, Socorro, Capilla Peak, Sandia Crest, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, and Raton Pass) along with a growing user base.  More information on D-STAR in New Mexico can be found on the NM-DSTAR email listserve (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nm-dstar).  All interested hams are welcome to join this interactive group.
Hero’s Club by Don Wood, W5FHA, past Section Manager:  The “Hero’s club” is a listing of those generous hams who have contributed equipment for our efforts to get radio clubs into the schools and encourage the students to become active hams. The donated equipment will be available to any school amateur radio club in the state. A licensed amateur will be needed as the custodian of the equipment. There are only three requirements to obtain this equipment. 1) The custodian of the equipment must be 18 years of age or older and a General Class licensee or better, 2) The club must be sanctioned by the school, 3) A member of the school staff must be the sponsor of the club. The school sponsor does not have to be a ham. Contact Don Wood, W5FHA (w5fha@arrl.net) for a list of the available equipment.

Robert Fox, KA5VRV

Christopher Aas, NB5T

William L. Nohrn, N5UNB

Raymond J. Caraveo, N5IZV

Evan R. Newlon, WB5HAM

Stuart Simon (Stu), K2QBU with a second donation

Jess Wright, W5QDW – SK

Don Wood, W5FHA

Ray Hill, KB5SF

Robbie Hill, KC5FT

Dan Oppenheimer, WB6CRG

Mid Rio Grande ARC and Rio Rancho Cyber Academy (reported by Frank Warren, AB5WJ):  Mid Rio Grande ARC is sponsoring an amateur station at the Cyber Academy in Rio Rancho which will be set up as an ARRL school operation. The on board teacher is Nan Porterfield KE5VQB.  Nan is also a member of the MRGARC. Two antennas have been installed; one for VHF/UHF one for HF. A dual band ICOM for 2/70 has been donated along with an ICOM 756 (complete) for the school. Three MRG club members have been approved and been given ID badges as volunteers for the school; Chris Drummond KC5IZR to oversee the operation and maintenance of the station and Jim Hunter NM5JH and myself (AB5WJ) to teach Amateur Radio classes at the school. Nan Porterfield attended 2011 summer teacher training held in Albuquerque and has filed for an educational grant from ARRL.  Technician classes were conducted on April 14, 21 & 28 with nine passing the test on the 28^th and a few still working to re-take the test.  Nan will apply for ARRL club affiliation when their licenses come back.

High Desert ARC VEC report for March (reported by ARRL VEC liaison Marty Soffran NM5MS):  HDARC ARRL VEC April testing report

April 1:  1 passed Element 3, 1 passed Element 4

April 9:  1 passed Element 2

April 21: 9 examinees and 1 retest for second exam

El 2 – 6 persons passed

El 3 – 4 persons passed

El 4 – 4 persons passed

2 persons passed El2 and El3

1 person passed El3 and El4

1 person passed El 2, El3 and El4

Net Traffic reports for April (reported by ARRL ASM Don Grab, K5BIS):

Net traffic reports are missing this month due to technical difficulties.  We’ll catch up next month.

Bernalillo County ARES net report via STM, W5WHN:  105 checkin stations for April 2012.

Coming Attractions – mark your calendars!

May 18-20 – Dayton Hamvention

May 19 – Pecos Valley ARC VE testing & tailgate:  http://qsl.net/w5zu/pvnlcurrent.pdf

May 19 – High Desert ARC VE testing on Albuquerque West side:  http://www.nm5hd.com/

May 26 – Eastern NM ARC (Clovis) tailgate at Ned Houk Park:  http://www.ka5b.org/gpage1.html

June 23-24 – 2012 Field Day, ARRL’s Flagship operating event.  For details and to download a Field Day packet go to http://www.arrl.org/field-day.  Bring out the batteries and generators and be sure to let me know where you or your group will be operating from for Field Day.

July 27-29 – Rocky Mountain Division Convention at Bryce Canyon, UT.  Go to  http://www.utahhamfest.org/ for details and to download a mail-in registration form.  Ruby’s Inn is taking reservations now!

August 3-4 DCHF.  Watch this page for info on the Duke City Hamfest:  http://www.qsl.net/dchf/

September 1, 2012.  Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club 28^th annual Hamfest:  http://www.qsl.net/k5lrw/hamfest.htm

Silent Key Report (reported by ARRL ASM Don Grab, K5BIS):  It is with regret we report the passing of the following Amateur Radio operators:

W5RAU, Ray Arvidson of Albuquerque on April 5, 2012.

NM1Y (ex W5RAZ), Mark Rasmussen of Albuquerque.

K5ERS, Eliseo Sisneros of Albuquerque

General Information

The Section Web site, designed and implemented by Mike Pendley, K5ATM, can be found at www.arrl-nm.org.  If your club or group is not yet set up on the web site please contact Mike at k5atm (at) arrl.net and he will take good care of you.  Our thanks to Mike for the great job he’s doing.

Please send your monthly newsletters and reports to me at w5yej(at)arrl.net.  73, Bill W5YEJ/100

The ARRL is gathering information to be used in responding to an FCC Public Notice seeking comment on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster reliefIf you have already responded to an earlier ARRL request by filling out one or both of the forms that are available at http://www.arrl.org/ccr-study-information, thank you! Your assistance is greatly appreciated. If not, and if you have ever been affected by Home Owner’s Association or deed restrictions, please use those forms or take this very brief survey to help the ARRL prepare its response.

Please complete this questionnaire by clicking on the following link, and you will be redirected to an online survey hosted by Zoomerang. This survey will close on Monday, May 14th. Complete Survey Now>

Or, copy the following web address into your browser: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22FJ7YKLXKC/

Thanks for your assistance and support.

Sincerely,

The ARRL Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC)

The following email is a request that was sent to me;

—————————————————————

From: “Robert Griffin” <K6YR at ARRL dot NET>
Date: Apr 7, 2012 9:30 AM
Subject: NTS Twelfth Region Net (TWN) Cycle 4
To: Jay, W5WHN

Jay: I am after NM CW ops who may be interested in checking into TWN Cycle 4 net for handling traffic into and out of NM.

New TWN NM is Jim, NA7G. He needs NM reps. Can you assist? 73

Rob K6YR
NTS Pacific Area Staff Chair

——————————————————–

If anyone is interested in the CW HF Traffic Nets, please let me know via email or check into the 80 meters CW HF Net on 3,570 KHz @ 10:00 PM MDT or contact NA7G at ARRL dot NET for info. Jim, NA7G is the CW Net Manager for the 12th Region TWN.

TNX,

Jay, W5WHN/100

Subject:

Date:

From:

To:

Yesterday at the Club House, two scouts from El Paso and one from Las Cruces

completed several elements required for their Radio Merit Badge.

Instruction included:

wavelengths vs frequency

Q signals and other HAM abbreviations

Simulated QSOs.

Logging their On-The-Air 2-Meter and 20-Meter Band contacts

completed their learning experience.

“Mike Fright” soon disappeared.

Scout leader  Zack, KF5DNK and myself lead the activity.

Thanks to all who participated in the 2-meter QSOs !

73

Joe O,  K I 5 F J

NNNN

FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications

http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra

04/03/2012

In response to the Congressional directive to prepare a study to assess Amateur Radio’s role in emergency and disaster communications and the impact of private land use regulations on the amateur community’s ability to provide such communications, the FCC issued DA 12-523 soliciting comments from the public. The period for public comment runs until May 17, 2012.

“As part of the study contained in Public Law No. 112-96, the Commission has opened a 45 day period for comments to be filed on the issue,” said ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. “Because of the short deadline for the study to be completed and presented to Congress — before the end of August — the ARRL and the amateur community must quickly mobilize their response.”

The FCC Public Notice focuses on two specific areas for comments. The first is the role that Amateur Radio has played and continues to play to support emergency and disaster relief organizations, such as FEMA and local/state emergency management agencies. The second is to determine impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications. This would include the impact that private land-use regulations — such as deed restrictions and homeowner association covenants — have on the ability of licensed amateurs to fully participate in providing support communications to the served agencies.

“This study is not about zoning ordinances or regulations adopted by the local or state governments,” Henderson explained. “Amateurs already have the limited protection of PRB-1 to assist them with those situations. The areas of concern here are the limitations that are placed on a property when it is purchased, either as part of the deed of sale or by restrictions imposed by the neighborhood/homeowner’s association. Those restrictions — sometimes referred to as CC&Rs — are not currently covered by the FCC’s PRB-1 decision from 1985.”

To allow the ARRL to quickly collect and collate relevant information from the amateur community to help support the filing it will make with the FCC on this issue, a website has been setup. The site — www.arrl.org/ccr-study-information — provides details about what kind of information is needed by the ARRL.

Also on the site, you will find links to two online data collection forms. The first form allows you to provide information about specific emergency communications in which Amateur Radio has played a role since January 2000. The second form asks for specific information on the CC&Rs/deed restrictions that control your property. It also asks you to provide information on how those restrictions have impacted your ability to fully support emergency communications.

“Whether you are an ARRL member or not, your information and situation are important to helping us make the case for all amateurs,” Henderson said. “Whether your support communications are with ARES®, RACES, SKYWARN, CERT or other emergency and disaster groups, your voice should be heard. If you cannot operate effectively from home during an emergency because CC&Rs prohibit adequate antennas on your property, that is important to document and quantify. This issue affects all of Amateur Radio, not just ARRL members.”

Henderson said that due to the short timeframe that the FCC has allotted for public comment, time is of the essence. In order to allow the ARRL to develop its comments, the ARRL asks that all information sent by the amateur community be received at the ARRL no later than April 25, 2012: “We realize this is a very short turnaround asking for your response, but this is based on the time provided by the Commission for the comment window.”

It is important that when you provide specifics of your CC&R, you also provide the ARRL with a copy of its actual wording. If you have the CC&R in a digital format (or you can scan the document into a file), it can either be uploaded through the website above or it can be sent via an e-mail to CCRinfo@arrl.org . If you do not have an electronic format, a hard copy may be sent via US mail to: CCR Study Information, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

“We need factual, specific details,” Henderson said. “The more accurate information we have — including copies of the CC&R language — the stronger case we can make. Having copies of the exact CC&Rs is important. It allows us to demonstrate the wide variation of restrictions. Including the specific text is as important as any other piece of information you provide.”

If you have questions about what is being requested, you may contact the ARRL Regulatory Information Office via e-mail. “Again, time is of the essence in this matter,” Henderson said. “This is the best opportunity that amateurs have had to address the impact of overly burdensome private land use restrictions. If Amateur Radio is to succeed in this effort, it is going to take all of us working together.”

We welcome the newest ARRL affiliated club in NM, Taos Amateur Radio Club.   Here is a brief description from the president, Lew Baker, K5LEW:   “The High Valley Amateur Radio Club has now disbanded, and after a fashion, TaosARC is the follow on club for our local area.  We are an ARRL affiliated club with emphasis towards ARES and use the Picuris repeater (147.12+/67 Hz) as our primary local repeater for communications.  As a non-profit organization, our club is working closely with Taos County to assist in establishing a communications center at the Emergency Management site.”  You can find more information on the new club at http://www.taosarc.com/index.html.

Attention Search and Rescue in New Mexico:  State Resource Officer Bob Rodgers, KD5CGJ and Area/Incident Commander Tom Bemis, WB5CFT have set a date of July 1^st, 2012 for going “narrow-band” on SAR channels in New Mexico.  July 1^st is a Sunday;  If you are not participating in a mission in-progress you will need to reprogram your public safety radios at that time.  This will include the three VHF and 2 UHF frequencies licensed by the NM Search and Rescue Council but does NOT include any other public safety channels such as State Fire, NMSP Car-to-car and Law Enforcement Network (LEN).  These additional channels will go narrow-band on a date TBD sometime between July 1^st and December 31^st of this year.  On January 1^st all public safety channels in the 150 to 512 MHz range are required to be narrow-band per FCC Rules (Part 90).

More D-Star:   Additions to D-Star repeaters in NM will be a new UHF repeater operated by Socorro Amateur Radio Association on 444.500 MHz and a new UHF repeater operated by Santa Fe Amateur Radio Club (frequency pending) to be located at the AG5S QTH.  The Upper Rio FM Society is considering adding a UHF D-Star at the Hub location (Gibson & Truman Gate) in the near future and talking about the possibility of later adding a VHF repeater at the same location.  Upper Rio’s UHF D-Star on Capilla Peak has been off the air for nearly three weeks now due to a power glitch and will be repaired when weather conditions once again allow access to the site.

Albuquerque Duke City Hamfest  and other info (reported by ARRL ASM Ed James KA8JMW): The Albuquerque Duke City Hamfest is back in business for 2012.  Planning is well underway for the state’s largest ham radio gathering which will be held August 3-4 in Albuquerque.  This year’s DCHF is shaping up to be an exciting event filled with social events, multiple forum tracks, classes, indoor vendors and tailgate sales, contests and competitions, demonstrations, superb prizes, license exams and much more, all capped off with a banquet on Saturday night with an anticipated nationally recognized speaker.  If you are interested in joining a super volunteer team to help craft or execute this event, please contact Ed James KA8JMW at ka8jmw@arrl.net  Complete details about the upcoming Hamfest will soon be posted at www.DukeCityHamfest.org

Two additional clubs in New Mexico have had their applications approved to receive a D-STAR repeater as part of Icom’s D-STAR infrastructure promotion.  The Socorro Amateur Radio Association (SARA) and Santa Fe ARES will each be deploying UHF D-Star repeaters within the next couple of months.  The interest and growth of D-STAR around the country and in New Mexico has been superb.  A year ago there was but a single D-STAR repeater in the state, and about 12 months later the Land of Enchantment’s D-STAR repeater count has increased to seven (Las Cruces, Socorro, Capilla Peak, Sandia Crest, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, and Raton Pass) along with a growing user base.  More information on D-STAR in New Mexico can be found on the NM-DSTAR email listserve (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nm-dstar).  All interested hams are welcome to join this interactive group.

Hero’s Club by Don Wood, W5FHA

The “Hero’s club” is a listing of those generous hams who have contributed equipment for our efforts to get radio clubs into the schools and encourage the students to become active hams. The donated equipment will be available to any school amateur radio club in the state. A licensed amateur will be needed as the custodian of the equipment. There are only three requirements to obtain this equipment. 1) The custodian of the equipment must be 18 years of age or older and a General Class licensee or better, 2) The club must be sanctioned by the school, 3) A member of the school staff must be the sponsor of the club. The school sponsor does not have to be a ham. Contact Don Wood, W5FHA (w5fha@arrl.net) for a list of the available equipment.

Robert Fox, KA5VRV

Christopher Aas, NB5T

William L. Nohrn, N5UNB

Raymond J. Caraveo, N5IZV

Evan R. Newlon, WB5HAM

Stuart Simon (Stu), K2QBU with a second donation

Jess Wright, W5QDW – SK

Don Wood, W5FHA

Ray Hill, KB5SF

Robbie Hill, KC5FT

Mid Rio Grande ARC and Rio Rancho Cyber Academy (reported by Frank Warren, AB5WJ):

Mid Rio Grande ARC is in the process of sponsoring an amateur station at the Cyber Academy in Rio Rancho. This station will be set up as an ARRL school operation. The on board teacher is Nan Porterfield KE5VQB. Nan is also a member of the MRGARC. At present a work order has been set up and approved by the RRSD for two antennas to be installed; one for VHF/UHF one for HF. A dual band ICOM for 2/70 has been donated along with a ICOM 756 (complete) for the school. Three club members have been approved and been given ID badges as volunteers for the school; Chris Drummond KC5IZR to oversee the operation and maintenance of the station and Jim Hunter NM5JH and myself (AB5WJ) to teach Amateur Radio classes at the school. Nan Porterfield attended 2011 summer teacher training held in Albuquerque and is filing for an educational grant from ARRL.

On the 3rd and the 4th of April at 2:30 we set up a demonstration station at the school for both 2/70 and HF for about 2 hours. On the 14th, 21st, and the 28th I will conduct a Tech class for 24 students as well as some adults that are involved with the school and on the 28th we will give exams for the class. The school will be setting up a club station affiliated with ARRL after the testing is completed.

We are also hoping that we can set part of the science curriculum with some Amateur sessions that will assist with a future General exam for students as well.  (Note: Frank and Nan’s efforts may become the pattern for setting up similar projects in other schools around the state – teachers please take note and email me for additional information — Bill, W5YEJ).

High Desert ARC VEC report for March (reported by ARRL VEC liaison Marty Soffran NM5MS):

March 5 – special exam session:  El 4 – 1 person passed

March 17 – Monthly HDARC testing session:  El 2 – 6 people passed;  El 3 – 2 people passed;  El 4 – 5 people passed.

Note:  two people at this test session passed El 2, 3 and 4 at one sitting (can’t top that)

March 25 – test session following HDARC Technician License class:  El 2 – 12 people passed; El 3 – two people passed (both people also passed El 2 at the same session).

Totals for March:  Element 2 – 18 people; Element 3 -   4 people; Element 4 -   7 people.

Peñasco Valley Amateur Radio Association Special Event Operation for New Mexico Centennial Celebration:  Affiliated Club K5PVR, The Peñasco Valley Amateur Radio Association in Artesia NM, operated special event station N5M from Jan. 1-15 of 2012 as part of the celebration of New Mexico’s Centennial Statehood.  Operation was on 160 through 6 meters using SSB and PSK making over 1100 contacts with 270 contacts requesting the Special Event QSL card.

Valencia County Amateur Radio Association:  K5SCA, K5FBK and W5YEJ joined VCARA for a special meeting held on March 13^th.  VCARA  is restructuring the way ARES interfaces with the club.  For a full report and their informative new letter please visit dots-n- dashes at:  http://kc5our.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DotsNDashes2012-04.pdf

Net Traffic reports for March (reported by ARRL ASM Don Grab, K5BIS):

NM Roadrunner Tfk. Net: 1431/106

NM Breakfast Club Net: 1279/90

Caravan Club Net: 69/6

Yucca Net: 648/18

Four Corners Net: 546/43

SCAT Net: 952/190

Rustys Raiders Net: 519/93

Valencia Cnty. ARA Net: 43/22

40 Meter Boat Anchor Net: 57 Checkins

220 Ragchewers Net: 38 Checkins

High Desert New Hams Net: 31 Checkins

Coming Attractions – mark your calendars!

 April 14 – The 2012 New Mexico QSO Party will take place Saturday, April 14 from 8:00am
MDT until 8:00pm MDT, and all Hams across New Mexico are invited and encouraged to participate. Hams from across the United States — and the world — will literally be seeking New Mexico hams on HF and 6 meters during the event period…looking particularly to work hams from as many New Mexico counties as possible. The Land of Enchantment will essentially be the “DX” on this day, making for a great time on the airwaves for all of us. Over 120 hams participated in last year’s QSO Party.

April 28 – Spring Tailgate sponsored by Amateur Radio Caravan Club and Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club from dawn until noon, location will be in the back parking lot of TransCore, 8600 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM. TransCore is situated between Alameda and Paseo Del Norte, on the East side of Jefferson.   Free tailgating & free admission, free porta-potty but you’ll have to buy your own burritos from the burrito wagon.

April 29 – Mesilla Valley Radio Club Bean Feed.  Details at http://n5bl.org/lo.html.

June 23-24 – 2012 Field Day, ARRL’s Flagship operating event.  For details and to download a Field Day packet go to http://www.arrl.org/field-day.  Bring out the batteries and generators and be sure to let me know where you or your group will be operating from for Field Day.

July 27-29 – Rocky Mountain Division Convention at Bryce Canyon, UT.  Go to  http://www.utahhamfest.org/ for details and to download a mail-in registration form.  Ruby’s Inn is taking reservations now!

August 3-4 DCHF.  Watch this page for info on the Duke City Hamfest:  http://www.qsl.net/dchf/

Silent Key Report (reported by ARRL ASM Don Grab, K5BIS):  It is with regret we report the passing of the following Amateur Radio operators:

N5HV, Columbus Wayne Jones of Farmington on March 12^th at age 71. 

K5PMC, Paul McClendon of Santa Fe on April 1^st.   

General Information

The Section Web site, designed and implemented by Mike Pendley, K5ATM, can be found at www.arrl-nm.org.  If your club or group is not yet set up on the web site please contact Mike at k5atm (at) arrl.net and he will take good care of you.  Our thanks to Mike for the great job he’s doing.

Please send your monthly newsletters and reports to me at w5yej(at)arrl.net.  Section news doesn’t happen in a vacuum and I need your information on events you would like to tell all of us about.  We have 27 ARRL Affiliated Clubs in NM Section and each should have a PIO to handle the news duties and share information within the Section.  Clubs and individuals are invited to submit information for the Section News.

73, Bill W5YEJ/100

New Mexico celebrates its 100th anniversary of statehood in 2012, and this year’s New Mexico Centennial QSO Party will take place Saturday, April 14 from 8:00am MDT until 8:00pm MDT. This event is a perfect activity for your club’s members to participate in, either as a joint club effort or on an individual basis, whether participants just received their ticket or has been licensed for decades. Every ham club across New Mexico has been invited to participate in the New Mexico QSO Party, and yours is certainly encouraged to participate as well.

What’s all the fuss about? Hams from across the United States — and the world — will literally be seeking New Mexico hams on HF and 6 meters during the event period…looking particularly to work hams from as many New Mexico counties as possible. The Land of Enchantment will essentially be the “DX” on this day, making for a great time on the airwaves for all of us. Over 120 hams participated in last year’s QSO Party and, with your help promoting this event among your members, there will be even more participants this year. Especially with our bands that are teeming with activity due to great propagation.

We are looking for hams across all of New Mexico’s 33 counties to participate in the 2012 New Mexico QSO Party, whether for just a few hours or for the entire 12 hour period.

This is a super event for new and experienced hams alike, and you DO NOT need to be a contester to participate — just join the airwaves with a desire to make enjoyable ham radio contacts. Operate from the comfort of your home, or combine forces with hams in your club as a joint club activity. Invite a group of friends to your shack to enjoy a day of radio. Hit the road as a mobile station and activate multiple counties which create much needed — and appreciated — point multipliers for every New Mexico QSO Party participant. Or use this event as an opportunity to introduce a new person to ham radio in general.

This year’s event is sponsored by the High Desert Amateur Radio Club. Great-looking plaques will be awarded and participation certificates will be available for those desiring one. Complete details, rules, prize information, and more can be found on the New Mexico QSO Party website at http://pages.swcp.com/~n5zgt/nmqsoparty

FRIENDLY HAM CLUB COMPETITION: A special, attractive plaque will be awarded to the New Mexico club with the highest aggregate New Mexico QSO Party score submitted by its members. It doesn’t matter what operating category your members participate in, or for how long they are on the air during the event; each entrant just needs to clearly mark their club name in their individual logs and your club will be automatically entered. Something to talk up and rally your club members around!

Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit the “Activate a County!” page on the event website, and asked to let the organizers know which county (or counties, in the case of mobile stations) they’d like to be on the air from, and we’ll add them to the event website. This list, while not all-inclusive, helps others plan their operation to ensure that every county in New Mexico is on the air for the event. (NOTE: Even if hams are already listed on the website for a county you’re interested in operating from, please tell us anyway. Multiple stations in each county are HIGHLY encouraged and makes the QSO Party even more enjoyable.)

We also ask that you please encourage other hams in your county, even those outside of your ham radio club, to participate in the New Mexico QSO Party. We can use all the help we can get spread the word via email, in your club newsletter, on the airwaves, or via nets between now and the event in April.

Thank you, and we look forward to your organization and members enjoying the 2012 New Mexico QSO Party — Saturday, April 14 from 8:00am MDT until 8:00pm MDT.

73,
Brian N5ZGT
NM QSO Party website: http://pages.swcp.com/~n5zgt/nmqsoparty

Greetings Task Force Members:

• We would like to thank everyone who attended the monthly training.  And, special thanks to Larry Melchior for teaching the class, it was remarkable! 

• Don’t forget that this Saturday & Sunday, the COMM team is holding a Technician Level Amateur Radio class here at the MOB center.  If you are interested, please contact Harris Goodwin (harris.goodwin311@gmail.com) or Keith Hayes (kc5kh@msn.com).  Cost of the training and exam is $25. 

• FYI:   “Training Files” are in the middle of construction, so we kindly ask that you be patient with us in regards to your personal training file as to what you need.  Again, any questions you may have regarding training please go through your Task Force Leader.  A list of your Task Force Leaders has been sent out to you via email on the February 24^th Hotline Message.

• Keep also in mind that Jan Snyder updates facebook on a daily basis if you are interested in current events in regards to the Task Force.

Thank you and wishing you a magical day.

Darlene A. Torres-Vigil

NM Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Urban Search and Rescue / NM-TF1