Fusion C4FM digital voice repeater on the air in Syracuse N.Y.

The first Digital Voice Amateur Radio repeater is on the air in Syracuse.  This joint venture between KD2SL and KC2VER is unique on two counts: 1) It is the first digital amateur repeater on the air in Syracuse and Onondaga County; 2) It is the only repeater system we know of in the country to link an analog repeater with a System Fusion digital repeater, for full-time cross-mode operation in the same band, at the same site, on the same antennas. Both of these coordinated repeaters are open to all Hams.

The KC2VER repeater is on 145.31 (-) no PL tone, and is set up for full time C4FM digital operation. The KD2SL analog repeater is on 146.67 (-) 103.5 PL, and is linked full-time with KC2VER’s digital repeater.  Some final tuning and adjustments will be taking place over the next several weeks.

If you have a System Fusion equipped radio, jump over to the 145.31 repeater and give it a try. If you don’t, take a listen on the 146.67 to get an idea of what C4FM digital voice sounds like.

Let us know what you think, both Kevin (KD2SL@yahoo.com) and I (KC2VER@gmail.com) would be interested in your thoughts, questions and comments on this new set up. (...or leave us a comment below)

Also note that there are several more C4FM Sytem Fusion repeaters coming to CNY and the upstate area in the next few months. Stay tuned to www.UpstateHam.com for more System Fusion updates.

73 - KC2VER; Tony 

FCC to drop the regulatory fee for a vanity call sign

The FCC is eliminating the regulatory fee to apply for an Amateur Radio vanity call sign. The change will not go into effect, however, until required congressional notice has been given. This will take at least 90 days. As the Commission explained in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Report and Order, and Order (MD Docket 14-92 and others), released May 21, it’s a matter of simple economics.

“The Commission spends more resources on processing the regulatory fees and issuing refunds than the amount of the regulatory fee payment,” the FCC said. “As our costs now exceed the regulatory fee, we are eliminating this regulatory fee category.” The current vanity call sign regulatory fee is $21.40, the highest in several years. (The GMRS licensing free will also be dropped)
read more: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/fcc-eliminates-amateur-radio-vanity-call-sign-regulatory-fee

Cortland Hamfest - just a few weeks away!

Skyline Amateur Radio Club

Cortland Hamfest

& Technology Fair

Saturday June 13, 2015

From 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM

at the Cortland County Fairgrounds

Our 33rd year!

Talk-in on the 147.780/180 K2IWR repeater {PL71.9}

www.skylineradioclub.org or e-mail k2iwr@arrl.net

Admission: $5.00 per person (12 and under free)

- Outdoor flea market included with admission -

- Indoor flea market is first come, first served - Indoor Flea Market - $5.00 per 10’ plus admission

- Dealer tables - $10.00 ea, plus admission—8’ space, includes electricity

VE tests start at 9:00AM—no late entry allowed.

Pre-registration is requested, although walk-ins

are welcome. Please e-mail kb2luv@arrl.com;

indicate which test you wish to take.

Travel directions {signs will be posted}: I-81 to exit 12; turn left on to Route

281 South. Turn left again on to Fisher Ave, (8/10 mile) then right on to

Fairgrounds Drive.

From Ithaca: Route 13 North to Route 281 North. Turn right onto Fisher Ave,

then right on to Fairgrounds Drive.

For your GPS: 4849 Fairgrounds Dr. Cortland, NY 13045

“Inland Islands On The Air" report from KD2ETP

KD2ETP; Steve held his “Inland Islands On The Air" expedition; IIOTA, on Klein Island at the outlet of Onondaga Lake, west of Syracuse, this past Saturday 5/9/15. Steve and his XYL started around 10:00 am and ran until about 2:30pm. Steve reproted that he worked 6 bands, making 35 qso's, 4 dxcc, 7 states. His equipment was made up of an Elecraft KX3 with a 7ah battery, running a Windom 104' Off-center-fed dipole. Steve would like to thank everyone that participated. Great Job Steve! We can't wait for your next special event activation.

Steve reports that his Island was also recognized for a special Island Event: "The following New York island was Added and Qualified by KD2ETP during the 2015 IDG: Klein (NY056R) - Seneca River - Onondaga County"

Skywarn Training in Auburn N.Y. - May 28th

National Weather Service Binghamton

SKYWARN^TM Training

                                                   

  When: May 28, 2015

  

Where: Cayuga County Office Building, Genesee St. Auburn N.Y.  In the Sixth Floor Legislative Chambers. Enter through rear of County Office Building (basement door - then elevator to the 6th floor)

  

Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Training sessions last about two hours.

  

Who Should Attend: SKYWARN^TM is a nationwide program of spotters that report severe weather to the National Weather Service. Anyone can become a SKYWARN^TM spotter for the National Weather Service, all you have to do is attend one of our Spotter Training Sessions. There is no charge for the training.

Registration: Please contact the Cayuga County Emergency Management Office @ 315-255-1161 or register online @: http://www.cayugacounty.us/Community/EmergencyServices/ClassRegistration.aspx


Training provided in conjunction with the Cayuga County Emergency Management Office. Every community's level of preparedness begins with its individual families and businesses.  Take time to learn how you can be better prepared to protect yourself and your loved ones.  Develop emergency plans and make certain that proper emergency supplies are readily available at home, at work or anywhere else that you and your family spend time.

Brian

Brian P. Dahl

Director of Emergency Services

Cayuga County Emergency Management

160 Genesee Street

Auburn NY 13021

315-255-1161 Office

315-253-1551 Fax

More upcoming SkyWarn training classes: http://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

IIOTA - KD2ETP will be doing another outing this Saturday

KD2ETP; Steve is doing his “Inland Islands On The Air" expedition; IIOTA, on Klein Island at the outlet of Onondaga Lake this Saturday 5/9/15, starting around 9:00 am. 

Catch him on his HT on the KD2SL 146.67 repeater for details. 
HF frequencies listed below: 
- (so far) 7.210 mhz
- more to come?

Rochester Hamfest - Saturday June 6th

Mark your calendars, its only a month away! The Great Rochester HamFest returns to the Barnard Fireman's Field - 360 Maiden Lane Rochester NY 14616. This has been one of the better Hamfests in Upstate NY. You don't want to miss this one. Always some excellent tailgating here.

Learn more at the RARA website:
http://www.rochesterham.org/Hamfest.htm