Greetings!

The last time I got a message like that it was from the draft board. This was from the FCC and no, it was not a pink ticket.

My application for a vanity call sign was granted today. My new call sign is K5HM.

I first tried to get my old call sign, K2KMA but someone in California had grabbed it.  So I decided, if I was going to get a new call sign, it should have the characteristics I wanted.

I deliberately selected K5HM to have as few phonetic syllables as possible from the available choices at the time.  I did not want to wait more than 6 months for a better call sign to come out of the two year wait.

I wanted something that had a good CW weight too, with as few dah’s as practical. K5HM has only two dah’s at the beginning and end of the call sign. I have been wanting to get proficient in CW again, so I guess I can’t procrastinate any longer. Well, I don‘t even own a key, so I guess that will have to wait a little while.

Did you ever think about all the other things that have to change when your call sign changes? It will take me a while to make all these: QRZ, Club memberships, LOTW, QSL’s, subscriptions. Hats, name badges, e-mail, License Plate, Software configurations . . .etc. All that thinking makes my brain hurt!

See you on the bands!

73,
Ron, K5HM, ex-AE5NO

DATE: March 27, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Ron McDonald (WB5FFD)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): Do you send and collect QSL cards?

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

Saturday and Sunday, April 21st and 22nd
‘MS-150′
Help is ALWAYS needed with a little event known as the MS-150. It’s a little bike ride that runs between Houston and Austin. It is an early start Saturday and a late end Sunday. You can sign up via email at bpms150 at the domain n0xfd dot com.

More Information:
http://bpms150hams.org
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?sid=3590&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=17896

Saturday, April 28th
‘No Label Triathlon’
This Triathlon is a 300 meter swim / 14 mile bike / 3 mile run. It is an early start and an early end. Everyone will be on their way by noon at the absolute latest. It will be at the No Label Brewing Co., 5373 1st Street, Katy, Texas. (yes brewery, and yes, samples available)

More Information:
http://www.itrievents.net
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=5373+1st+Street,+Katy,+Texas

Sunday, April 29th
‘Kemah Triathlon’
This two distance event weekend consisting of a Sprint (0.5 Swim, 20K bike, & 5K run) and an Olympic (1.5K Swim, 40K bike, & 10K run) distance events. They will run at the same time. It is an early start, we should be done no later than 2:00PM. It will be centered around the Kemah Boardwalk.

More Information:
http://www.onurleft.com/KEMAH_TRIATHLON/WELCOME_TO_THE_KEMAH_TRIATHLON_IN_KEMAH,_TEXAS_-_ALCATRAZ_QUALIFIER.html

Thanks goes to Sid (N5ZKD) for his organization and Scott (KT5SR) for passing this email.

DATE: March 20, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Peter Farver (KD5OCR)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): Have you used ham radio in relaying severe weather?

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/

As promised, here’s the powerpoint I used for the presentation at the BVARC hamfest and now the KARS club meeting.

HF Propagation

Its Official, I just received authority for Special Event call sign, N0D.

Very Special Event Station N0D, celebrating Doomsday – The End of the World, will be on the air from Dec 20-22 2012.  As you may know, according to the ancient Mayan calendar the world will end on December 21,2012.  N0D will commemorate (if that is the right word) and celebrate the event.  Our operation may be cut short if Doomsday really happens!

In the event it does, N0D may be your very last QSO!

This is a three phase event:
12/20 – Say goodbye celebration.
12/21 – The big day! We’ll be on the air as long as we can hold it together!
12/22 – The day after; that’s a little iffy right now!

Unfortunately, we may not be able to send you a QSL, unless Doomsday is canceled.

More details to follow as we approach Doomsday.  BTW, if you are not busy that day, drop me an e-mail if you would like to help with the N0D project.  Remember, this may be your last chance!

73, Ron AE5NO

DATE: March 6, 2012 (Tuesday)
PRE NET: 1930 hours (7:30 pm)
NET TIME: 2000 hours (8:00 pm)
FREQ: 147.200 PL 141.3 HZ
NCS: Mr. Jim Andrew (K5UI)

Pre-net: 1930 hours (7:30) Open discussions, we can discuss anything…
Net topic (Question): What are the newest and (besides yourself) oldest pieces of gear in your shack?

Please check the Net Script so you can read along for the practice.

http://www.katyars.com/about/net-info/