I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Boedeker NM5BB as Assistant Section Manager for Northern New Mexico.

Bill is active in the Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club (LAARC) where he currently holds the position of Communications Officer.  He is an ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator and oversees quarterly examinations at the LAARC facility in Los Alamos. Bill has taught several licensing classes around northern New Mexico.  He has also run the local Sunday evening net as well as an informal SSB net on 28.440 MHz where Technician licenses could interact with hams across the state on 10 meters.  Bill has also been central to the Field Day effort of LAARC. Over the years, he has acted as its Field Day Coordinator, making arrangements for the Field Day site, submitting the club’s entry to ARRL, and gifting a transceiver, antennas, several logging laptops, and a network equipment to the club.

In the public service realm, Bill is District Emergency Coordinator and RACES official for Los Alamos County and has built an effective relationship with the Los Alamos County Emergency Manager. His efforts were evident during the Los Conchas Fire in 2011 which forced the evacuation of Los Alamos County.  He is also largely responsible for the ARES/RACES station at the New Mexico State EOC, where Bill oversaw the upgrade of amateur radio equipment including the installation of new antennas.

Bill holds an Extra Class licensee, is a Life Member of the ARRL.

Please join me in welcoming Bill as he assumes this new role.

73,
Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Alden Oyer AG5S as Section Traffic Manager.

Alden Oyer, AG5S, licensed since 1974, is a life member of the ARRL, and has been active in various traffic nets since the mid 1970s. He is active in public service work and in several local organizations including the Santa Fe ARC, Santa Fe ARES, Los Alamos ARC, the Albuquerque DX Association, and the Duke City Hamfest. He enjoys DXing, contesting, and operating special event stations using a variety of modes.

Alden worked on a variety of projects during an over thirty year career at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he made good use of his degrees in electrical engineering and nuclear physics. He retired in 2010 and now considers himself a full-time “professional amateur radio operator.”

Please join me in welcoming Alden to the New Mexico Section field Organization.

73,
Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

I would like to announce the appointment of Bob Longoria N5JH as a Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) for the ARRL New Mexico section.

First licensed in California in 1970 as WN6TPL, he tested in 1971 and passed both the General and Advanced licenses, and became WA6TPL.  During the past 46 years, he has been active for periods of times, when not pursuing a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University Northridge in 1977 and an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1978.  He worked for 30 years at Sandia National Labs, and managed the Instrumentation Development Department at the labs for 15 years.  During his tenure at Sandia National Labs, he also served on the Engineering and Computer Science Advisory Committees for the University of Texas, Pan American in Edinburg, Texas and taught at the University of New Mexico in the Electrical Engineering Department for a semester.  Active over the past few years in amateur radio, he obtained his Amateur Extra license and is now N5JH.

He has worked with youth in Scouting, and over the last 32 years working in most positions in Scouting, and has been involved at the local, regional and national levels.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Great Southwest Council, and is the Western Region Area 6 Vice President for Outdoor Adventure.  He has served on the committees that published the past two Scouting Handbooks, and chaired the committee that published past Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader’s handbooks.

He is a resident of Albuquerque, and after a 45 year marriage to Sharon, has 3 children and 7 grandchildren, all residing in Albuquerque.  He has a passion for working with youth in the Scouting program, and is equally passionate about amateur radio.

Please join me in welcoming Bob to the New Mexico Section Field Organization.

73,
Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Burmeister W5OMU as an Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, with focus on the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS).

First licensed with a novice class license in Cleveland in 1962, Jeff’s early interest in ham radio led him to study electrical engineering at The Ohio State University where he became interested in broadcast radio and television. Jeff interests include new technologies, space weather and propagation, astronomy, and physics. He also enjoy reading espionage and military novels, warm ocean beaches with palm trees, swimming, snorkeling and motorcycles.

You can find him on the air working CW and sideband, DX, Field Day and preparing for emergencies with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. He currently is a registered ARRL VE and emcomm instructor, and a Technical Specialist, Official Observer, and District Emergency Coordinator for Roosevelt County, NM.

Jeff recently joined the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) – he was very surprised to receive QCWA Certificates commemorating “Fifty Years of Service” and “Fifty Continuous Years of Service” as a licensed amateur radio operator…how time flies when we’re having fun!

Jeff is an active in MARS and will be the principal liaison between the ARRL New Mexico Section and MARS.

Professionally Jeff is the director of Engineering for KENW radio and TV at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Please join me in welcoming Jeff to the New Mexico Section field Organization.

73,
Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Mader K8TE to Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC).

Bill was first licensed in Feb 1960 as WV2RBF then upgraded to General in Oct to WA2RBF. He received KZ5WA at his first duty station in the (then) Panama Canal Zone. There he received a citation from the Governor for the assistance he provided during Hurricane Fifi recovery.

He transferred to Empire MI, upgraded to Extra and received the call K8TE. As vice-president and president of the Cherryland Amateur Radio Club in Traverse City, he brought their Field Day results from the bottom of 8th call district to near the top in 3A. Bill also was Emergency Coordinator for Leelanau County. While stationed at Canon AFB, he and others formed the New Mexicans Engaged in Radio Discussions (NERDs), an ARRL-affiliated club. They built the first repeater in Eastern NM with a range beyond 15 miles, installed at a TV station where Bill was an engineer. The repeater, long before wide cell phone access, provided coverage for emergency reporting. In 1979, the NERDs too first place in 1B Battery on Field Day. Bill also headed the Base Support Team for Air Force MARS. They provided communications for several plane crashes via VHF and HF.

An active contester and DX’r, he was the leadoff “professor” at DX University at the Duke City Hamfest/ARRL Rocky Mountain Division convention in Albuquerque for Aug 2014 and Contest Academy lead “professor” for 2015. He is the former newsletter (Que Pasa DX) editor (2nd time) for the Albuquerque DX Association (and former Activities Manager and President). He is a former member of Sandoval County ARES. He was a member of the W1AW/5 Team for the ARRL Centennial QSO Party and for the IARU contest in July 2015 and coordinated the 2015 W6H (New Mexico Route 66 On-the-Air) Team making over 4,000 of the 5,000 plus contacts.

He holds First Class Radiotelephone and 2nd Class Radio Telegraph licenses, both with radar endorsements.

As a 26-year Air Force veteran, Bill believes in giving back to ham radio and the community with a long record of public service. He looks forward to serving the citizens of New Mexico and all hams involved in emergency communications.

You can find out more about Bill on his QRZ page (https://www.qrz.com/lookup).  Please join me in welcoming Bill to the New Mexico Section field organization.

73,
Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

It’s been over two weeks since Winter Storm Goliath plowed through New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico is still digging out and assessing the damage from the storm. Please post your experiences and photos from Goliath on the NM Section Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1655358684680850

Congratulations to Jeff Burmeister W5OMU on his appointment as a ARRL Public Service Emergency Communications Field Instructor (FI). The ARRL Continuing Education Program offers Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses (ARECC) that are conducted online and in the field employing the services of volunteer instructors and examiners.

Jeff is New Mexico’s only FI.

If you’re interested in becoming a FI checkout: http://www.arrl.org/requirements-for-field-instructors

===================================

Upcoming events in and around the New Mexico Section:

January 30th, the 21st Annual Winter Tailgate and Swapfest (Albuquerque).
https://www.arrl-nm.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/flyer_tailgate_winter.pdf

February 27th, 2016: New Mexico Techfest (Albuquerque).
http://www.rmham.org/wordpress/new-mexico-techfest

May 13th-15th, ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention (Keystone, CO)
http://hamconcolorado.org/

Aug 12th-14th, New Mexico ARRL State Convention / Duke City Hamfest (Albuquerque).
http://dukecityhamfest.org/

===================================

We regret to report that the following Keys are now silent:

“Bud” Atkinson, K5DHZ.
Albuquerque, NM./Indiana.
Passed 12/28/15, Age 90+.
Reported by his Son.

Joseph “Joe” Hammond, W5IXX.
Roswell, NM.
Passed 12/5/15. Age 99.
Obituary in Roswell Daily News, 12/8/15.

Fred Barr, KB5ZRR.
Flora Vista, NM.
Passed 12/15/15. Age 63.
Reported by Four Corners Net.

===================================

Please visit the New Mexico Section website for the latest information on what happening in amateur radio in and around the Section: http://www.arrl-nm.org

The ARRL New Mexico Section is now on Facebook. Stop by check out the action, feel free to post on anything related to Amateur Radio in and around New Mexico.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1655358684680850

If you’re interested in serving as a member of the ARRL New Mexico Section Field Organization, don’t hesitate to contact me. More information on the Field Organization can be found at:
http://www.arrl.org/field-organization

Thank you for being a valuable member of the League. Your feedback is always welcome.

Happy New Year,
Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

The year-long ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) operating event is underway! The event coincides with the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.  Details about NPOTA can be found here: http://www.arrl.org/npota

New Mexico has 18 National Park Service monuments, parks, trails, and preserves that are ready for activators to visit and put on the air (or chasers to work from their shacks) between now the end of 2016.  A complete list of these units can be found here https://npota.arrl.org/nps-units.php (search under New Mexico).

The ARRL New Mexico section is pleased to announce a fun NPOTA side-challenge within the New Mexico Section.  It is to encourage getting out into the field to activate our state’s NPS units for everyone participating in NPOTA to work and enjoy.

Complete details about the Challenge can be found by clicking here.

This past Friday (December 25th) Michael Scales K5SCA tendered his resignation as Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC).  I am grateful for his many years of service to the New Mexico section.

Mike’s unexpected departure leaves a key opening within the New Mexico Section’s field organization staff that needs to be filled relatively soon.

This is a state-wide call for interest to the position of SEC.

The basic roles and responsibilities of the SEC are posted on ARRL’s website (http://www.arrl.org/section-emergency-coordinator).  As with all key Section roles, an abundance of resources would be made available to help our new SEC be as successful and effective as possible.  These resources include:

• Access to an internal ARRL email reflector that SECs from every ARRL section across the nation are subscribed to, enabling the exchange of ideas, best practices, lessons learned, etc.
• Contact with key staff at ARRL headquarters in Connecticut who can assist with administrative functions, policy explanations, etc.
• Close collaboration with and assistance from New Mexico’s devoted Section staff who play a variety of complementary roles across our state.

Anybody with questions or wishing to be considered for appointment to the position of New Mexico’s SEC should contact me at ka8jmw@arrl.org within the next week.

Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico

Congratulations to Leonor Morrow, AE5UF from Arroyo Hondo who has been named a recipient of a 2015 10-10 International Net Scholarship.  Leonor is an Extra class license and is an active in the Taos Amateur Radio Club.  You can read more about this exceptional YL at:

https://www.arrl-nm.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/AE5UF.pdf

===================================

There is a new ham in the house.  US Rep Steve Pearce (R-NM) of Hobbs has become the third Amateur Radio licensee in the Congress. Pearce recently became licensed as KG5KIQ.

http://www.arrl.org/news/there-s-a-new-ham-in-the-house

===================================

On January 1st, 2016 ARRL membership dues will increase by $10 to $49 per year.  You can still renew for up to three years at the current rate.  I’ll be in Albuquerque at the Flying Star at 8001 Menaul on December 18th 8:30 to 10:30 & 19th10- noon accepting renewals or feel free to stop by and chat.  You can also renew your membership on line at:

https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/

===================================

For the past year, ARRL has been working in both houses of Congress to promote the Amateur Radio Parity Act.  This is legislation that would provide some relief on antenna restrictions for Amateurs living in deed-restricted communities. The bills are H.R. 1301 in the House of Representatives and S 1685 in the Senate. Complete information on the legislation is available here:

http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act

ARRL has set up a website that makes contacting your Representative an easy task.  When you visit that page, enter your Zip code and your information (name, address, etc.).  An editable draft letter will be created.  Once you make any desired edits, click the “send” button and your letter will be on its way.  If you prefer to contact your Representative by phone, the site provides that information for you as well.

https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ctas/urge-congress-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act

===================================

Upcoming events in and around the New Mexico Section:

January 30th, the 21st Annual Winter Tailgate and Swapfest (Albuquerque).
https://www.arrl-nm.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/flyer_tailgate_winter.pdf

February 27th, 2016: New Mexico Techfest (Albuquerque).
http://www.rmham.org/wordpress/new-mexico-techfest

May 13th-15th, ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention (Keystone, CO)
http://hamconcolorado.org/

Aug 12th-14th, New Mexico ARRL State Convention / Duke City Hamfest (Albuquerque).
http://dukecityhamfest.org/

===================================

We regret to report that the following Keys are now silent:

Donald “Don” Fenstermacher, K5OWL
Albuquerque, NM.
Passed 11/4/15, Age 56.
Obituary in ABQ Journal, 11/14/15.

Michael “Mike” Stark, WA5OIP.
Albuquerque, NM.
Passed 11/20/15. Age 69.
Obituary in ABQ Journal, 11/29/15

Donald “Don” Witschger, KC5VLV,
Albuquerque, NM.
Passed 11/24/15. Age 90.
Obituary in ABQ Journal, 11/15/15.

Paul Richey, WO5K.
Albuquerque, NM.
Passed 12/6/15 in California,  Age 93.
Reported by Son, Steve Richey, KD5RHR.

===================================

Each month in QST’s Field Organization Reports column, the Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR) recognizes the efforts of Amateur Radio operators who are active in many aspects of public service. This includes net operations, traffic handling, emergency operations and public service communication support. There are chances that you’re already involved with some aspect of Amateur Radio that would apply to the PSHR. For more information on the PSHR, visit:

http://www.arrl.org/public-service-honor-roll

Please visit the New Mexico Section website for the latest information on what happening in amateur radio in and around the Section:

http://www.arrl-nm.org

The ARRL New Mexico Section is now on Facebook.  Stop by check out the action, feel free to post on anything related to Amateur Radio in and around New Mexico.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1655358684680850

The New Mexico Net Counts report can be found on the section website.  This includes net counts from the previous month as well as an archive of recent months net activity.  The report is available at:

https://www.arrl-nm.org/wp/nets/net-counts

Also on the Section website is a listing of recently licensed amateur radio operators across the state of New Mexico, based on public information provided by the FCC.  Amateur radio clubs across New Mexico are encouraged to use this resource to reach out to new licensees in your area, welcome them to ham radio, and recruit them into your club.  This listing is available at:

https://www.arrl-nm.org/wp/new-ham-report

If you’re interested in serving as a member of the ARRL New Mexico Section Field Organization, don’t hesitate to contact me.  More information on the Field Organization can be found at:

http://www.arrl.org/field-organization

Thank you for being a valuable member of the League.  Your feedback is always welcome.

Merry Christmas to All,

Ed James, KA8JMW
Section Manager, New Mexico
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

The ARRL New Mexico Section is now on Facebook!  Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1655358684680850/ or simply search for “ARRL New Mexico Section” on Facebook itself.

This page is dedicated to all topics regarding Amateur Radio in and about New Mexico.

The rules are simple: No Offensive Language (will get you removed and banned), keep your sarcastic comments to yourself (will also get you removed and banned).

Please, do post club meetings, pictures of your station (mobile, portable and home station…yup you can brag here!), VE test sessions, questions (there should be some Elmers to help you), ARES/RACES and EMCOMM…ANYTHING Amateur Radio can be posted there.

All licensed Amateur Radio Operators are welcome! If you’re planning on getting a license you’re also welcome there!

Thank you for being a valuable member of the League. Your feedback is always welcome.