Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Pumpkin Patrol 2024


The 2024 Pumpkin Patrol will take place on Wednesday and Thursday October 30-31st for Bridges on the New York State Thruway.

This event contributes to the safety of travelers on the New York State Thruway. It is a statewide event and is held in cooperation with the New York State Troopers and Amateur radio groups.

The Pumpkin Patrol was initiated as a volunteer effort in 1976 by Katherine St. Jacques in Fort Johnson, Montgomery County.  Ms. St. Jacques was talking to a truck driver on her citizens band radio when the windshield of his vehicle was struck by an object thrown from an overpass.  The driver sustained injuries from the broken glass of his windshield.  St. Jacques and two companions decided to stand watch on the three over passes that crossed the Thruway in the Fort Johnson area. The State Police assumed control of the Pumpkin Patrol in 1990 as part of the State Police crime prevention effort.  More than 300 volunteers will participate in this year’s safety efforts.

Upstate NY Counties participating:

Erie (Buffalo area): https://ecarham.org/announcements/

Monroe (Rochester area): The RARA Pumpkin Patrol event captain, Ed Wilkonski, K1EM is preparing for this year's event. Please see his article elsewhere in this month’s Rag. For more information or to register for this month's events, see our Public Service page at https://rochesterham.org/public_service.htm for more information and to volunteer.
 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdr-KssQziuUPpDSEgn5SzqNZPIxgbGd9VmAmA-78UDttsTkg/viewform

Onondaga (Syracuse area): https://www.w2cm.com/public-service/


PLEASE SEND US YOUR GROUPS PLANS FOR 2024 toUpstateHam@gmail.com


Saturday, September 21, 2024

RAGS POTA event - Camillus 10/5/24

 The Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse (RAGS) will be hosting a Parks On The Air event on Saturday October 5, 2024 at the Erie Canal Park in Camillus NY on DeVoe Road. The hours are from 8am until1pm or later. There will be stations set up for use and all Hams are welcome to bring their own station and set up,The pavilion has electricity. Early coffee and donuts will also be available, There will also be hot dogs , chips, and drinks available around 10 ish, All courtesy of RAGS. 

Come out and learn about POTA and Amateur Radio. 

For more information, email Fred Legawiec, W2LGA at w2lga@yahoo.com


Monday, September 16, 2024

Bear Bait Radio Club - Tailgate fest - Sat. 9/21/24

Bear Bait Radio Club Tailgate Fest 

Saturday September 21st from 7AM to 1PM.   Rain or shine.

Door prizes and 50/50 raffle!

Admission: $5

Tailgate/Vendor: $5

Location:

Clay Highway Building
4483 State Rt 31
Clay NY

Saturday, September 7, 2024

International Lighthouse & Lightship weekend 2024 report

 (from Sept-24 RAGS Review newsletter)

INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE AND LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND– 2024 EDITION

Fred , W2LGA again operated from Oswego Harbor. Here is his report: 

We set up inside the Derrick Boat and it could not have worked out better!! We had more visitors than I have ever had during this event. Setup was super easy and not being hampered by the weather really made it nice!! Charlie Abbot helped set upon Saturday morning and we were on the air by 8am! . We made over 125 total contacts by phone and another 76 contacts via digital modes!! We contacted 18 lighthouses and 2 lightships. Saturday we contacted a lighthouse in France and Sunday we got a lighthouse in Sydney Harbor in Australia!! 

Visitors were from the area as well as one couple from Connecticut that wanted to see the museum as well as the Amateur Radio set up … the lady used to be a “Ham” when she was young and saw the announcement about the set up on the internet. The highlight was a family of 5 who stopped in Saturday afternoon. Two adults and three children. The kids were about 6-10 years old and I let them work the radio!! The youngest called “CQ Lighthouse” and he got a return call from a Canadian light house on Prince Edward Island. I walked the lil guy through the contact but he handled the mike the whole time!!! He was beyond excited!! I even let him enter the contact in the log!! Already looking forward to next year’s events

Sunday, August 25, 2024

AWA Conference & Flea Mkt - 10/3-4/2024

The AWA Annual Conference has a flea market on Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of October 2024 at the RIT Conference Center in Henrietta, NY.

Selling and buying is free.  Just park, set up and sell (or buy).  No registration needed unless you want to attend the conference inside. Take as many spaces as you want; it's a nice parking lot.


Please contact me if there are any questions.
73
Michael C. Migliaccio
Vice President,  AWA

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Fulton Amateur Radio Club - General Class - starts 9/5/24

 General Class Instruction - Press Release - 8/15/24

General Class Amateur Radio Exam Instruction Offered

Starting on Thursday, September 5, the Fulton Amateur Radio Club will host a free 10-week course designed for Technician Class licensees who are interested in obtaining their General Class Amateur (Ham) Radio license. 

The class will meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm in the lower level of the Oswego County Office Building, across from Mimi's Restaurant, Route 481, Fulton, NY. Class dates are September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, November 7. The exam will be administered on Thursday, November 14.

There are many reasons to upgrade. General Class licensees have access to many more frequencies, some of which allow for around-the-world wireless communication without the need for intermediate infrastructure (such as the internet, cell towers, repeaters, etc.). More communications modes and new technical opportunities are also available. 

The course material resembles that which was covered in the Technician exam, with more in-depth focus on high frequency (HF) operation and advanced operating modes. Topics will include operating effectively using single sideband (SSB) on HF, digital modes, solar effects on HF propagation, test instruments, practical electronic circuits, and antennas.

For more information contact Redd Swindells, AI2N, at ai2n(at)twcny.rr.com. Potential students are requested to preregister to assure proper course resource preparation.

More info at: https://www.fultonamateurradioclub.org/

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Ithaca VE Exam by TCARA on 8/24/24

 Tompkins County Amateur Radio Association has an upcoming VE exam session on 8/24/24.



To register for a TCARA (AF2A) test session, email:

Kevin Howe; AD2DD: tcara-ve-contact@googlegroups.com

https://hamstudy.org/sessions/66a7d8312d306a6a63fc4518/1


Wednesday, July 24, 2024

International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend Event - 8/17-18/2024

 

Good afternoon all,

 Once again, I will be setting up a portable station at the West Pierhead Lighthouse in Oswego, NY. I hope to be operating from inside the Derrick Boat near the museum itself …. If not I will be directly out front once again. 😊

My tentative hours of operation are from 8am until 4pm both Saturday and Sunday August 17th and 18th. Longer if they will have me!! The 48 hour event runs from 8pm Friday until 8pm Sunday EDT. I will be on most bands using SSB, CW, and FT8 whenever possible. I will try to stay in the General frequency range for the most part. It is hoped to have over 500 lighthouses and lightships registered on the website (illw.net) but regardless …. It will be fun!!

 Hope to see or “hear” you all,

Fred, W2LGA

more info at: https://illw.net/

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Send us your Field Day photo's and stories!

 Its Field Day 2024!


Hope you get out and visit a club or group activity. Or just sit in your air conditioned shack and make a few contacts!

After its all done please consider sending us some pictures and maybe even a story or two about this year or past memories. We'll try to publish them all on UpstateHam!

link to the Field Day locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator


Email us at: UpstateHam@gmail.com 


Monday, June 3, 2024

Commemoration - 80 years of D-DAY


 Plusscouts will be operating a special event station June 2nd-9th at the D-Day Museum at Omaha Beach to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Allied Forces landing at Normandy on D-Day. The event callsign will be TM80DDAY

Scheduled operating frequencies should include:

1.882 MHz LSB

3.682 MHz LSB

7.182 MHz LSB

14.182 MHz USB

21.182 MHz USB

28.482 MHz USB

DMR TalkGroup 907 - JOTA

More info at: https://www.qrz.com/db/tm80dday

Monday, May 20, 2024

ARRL Field Day - June 22-23, 2024


ARRL Field Day is just a month away! 

Do you have plans with a club or friends yet? Why not visit one of the many groups having events here in Upstate NY. ARRL Field Day locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

The object of Field Day is to work as many stations as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meter HF bands, as well as all bands 50 MHz and above, and in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio.

More info at: https://www.arrl.org/field-day




Saturday, May 18, 2024

Museum Ship Weekend - June 1-2, 2024

 Good evening fellow HAMS,


Once again, this year I plan on setting up a portable operation amateur radio station at the US Army tugboat LT-5 at the H Lee White Museum in Oswego, NY. I’ll be set up for the Museum Ship Weekend Event on June 1st and 2nd. Operating times are planned for 9am to 5pm depending on mother nature of course. The event details can be found at https://www.nj2bb.org/museum/ .  It is a fun event as we try to contact many other ships from all over the world with similar set-ups. Many Aircraft Carriers and Battleships have already signed up. The full list is on the website!!

Stop by or check in,

73’s

Fred Legawiec, W2LGA


more info on the H Lee White Museum in Oswego: https://hlwmm.org/

Monday, May 13, 2024

Cortland Hamfest - Sat. 6/8/24 (Updated)


The 42nd annual Cortland Hamfest and Technology Fair will take place on Saturday June 8th at the Cortland County Fairgrounds, 4301 Fairgrounds Dr. in Cortland.

 Admission: $6.00 per person, under 12 free. Outdoor Flea market is free with admission. There are 25 indoor flea market spaces available for $10.00 per 10' length, first come first served.
 
VE tests will be available beginning at 9 AM.

Coffee and Donuts will be available.

 Travel Directions: 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: 4301 Fairgrounds Dr. Cortland, NY 13045

 We hope to see you there!
 -- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Andrew Slaugh KB2LUV Secretary, Skyline Amateur Radio Club

more info at: https://skylinehamradioclub.org/?page_id=76

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Solar Event continues to unfold this weekend!

 HF radio communications remain unstable this afternoon here in Upstate NY. The effects of this weeks solar storms are expected to continue to affect HF communications through the weekend.


More info at: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

Significant HF radio effects from this weeks Solar events!

 HF radio communications were barely possible this morning here in Upstate NY. The effects of this weeks solar storms are expected to continue for the next few days. If cloud cover diminishes we may be able to see some Aurora activity this evening here in CNY!


More info at: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

Space weather info: https://solarham.com/

Friday, May 10, 2024

Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday, May 10

 

NOAA FORECASTS SEVERE SOLAR STORM; MEDIA AVAILABILITY SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, MAY 10


    published: Thursday, May 09, 2024 23:02 UTC

For Immediate Release [May 9, 2024]   

MEDIA ADVISORY

NOAA forecasts severe solar storm; media availability scheduled for May 10

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) — a division of the National Weather Service — is monitoring the sun following a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that began on May 8. Space weather forecasters have issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch for the evening of Friday, May 10. Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend.

A large sunspot cluster has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday at 5:00 am ET. At least five flares were associated with CMEs that appear to be Earth-directed. SWPC forecasters will monitor NOAA and NASA’s space assets for the onset of a geomagnetic storm.

CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations. SWPC has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action. Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth. A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for aurora to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California. 

WHAT:    Media availability via teleconference on the unfolding space weather event and Geomagnetic Storm Watch. 

WHO:    Experts from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center

WHEN:                Friday, May 10, 2024; 10 a.m. EDT 

        CALL-IN #:    630-395-0205

        INTERNATIONAL (TOLL FREE): 800-988-9736

        PASSCODE: 8186632

VIDEO:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dr2BIlDGDk&feature=youtu.be(link is external)

Video Caption: NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite captured the eruption from the sun that occurred around 2 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2024. Credit: NOAA

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center is the official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings and alerts. Visit www.spaceweather.gov for updates. The public can subscribe to receive NOAA space weather alerts, warnings, and watch information at pss.swpc.noaa.gov.  

Contact:  Erica Grow Cei, erica.grow.cei@noaa.gov(link sends e-mail), 202-853-6088




------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORE INFO AT: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

Thursday, May 2, 2024

East Coast Reflector is holding a "Meet and Greet" - Orchard Park NY - 6/8/24

 The East Coast Reflector is holding a "Meet and Greet" on June 8, 2024. 

This will be held at Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, NY.  This will be held at Martin's Lodge from 1 PM to 8 PM. Dinner will be from 3 PM to 6 PM.  Cost is a donation of $15 per person.  There will be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing.  Talk in will be on 146.520.  Food available will be hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese burgers and BBQ beans.  There will besome drinks available.  Last year, hams came from throughout Eastern USA. Tailgating will be allowed and clubs are invited to bring along several pamphlets on their clubs and membership applications. Hope to see you all there!

more info here: https://www.eastcoastreflector.com/ecr-2024-meet-greet/



Wednesday, May 1, 2024

RARA operating event - Rochester - Sat. 5/4/24

 Operating Event for New(ish) Hams



Saturday May 4, 2024 (10am setup, 11am open)

We have had great success in the last three years in getting new or new-again hams kick-started in their ham radio career.

This year's event will be on May 4th (Star Wars Day, so feel free to bring your lightsaber), and will again be at the Pathfinder Shelter in Black Creek Park. We can access the shelter starting at 10am, this is when setup will start and then our new(ish) hams will join us at 11am. The event goes until we run out of audience, or out of steam, which usually is between 3 and 4pm.

If you would like to interest somebody who is new to the hobby in your niche of ham radio, here is your opportunity :)

I would like to again have a wide range of topics that we can present. In years past, we've had antenna building, portable operating, digital modes, CW, soldering, programming HTs, foxhunting, throwing antennas into trees and more.

If you can spare a few hours to help our newest hams to get started in the hobby, they will appreciate your effort and your time.

If you would like to participate, please send me an email with what topic you would like to present. If you would like to participate, but don't have a good idea yet about what to do, let me know, I can help you with some ideas.

THANK YOU!


Karl Heinz, K5KHK    education@rochesterham.org

Location:

Pathfinder Shelter, Black Creek Park in Chili https://www.google.com/maps/search/Pathfinder+Shelter,+Black+Creek+Park+in+Chili/@43.0853966,-77.8047603,13z?entry=ttu

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

RAGS portable ops demo party - this Saturday!

 Reminder - RAGS is having an "open to the public" Amateur Radio Demonstration at Cedar Bay Park in Town of Dewitt, 8A-2P.  There will be portable amateur stations set-up.  This is a POTA park and is also within the Erie Canal Corridor POTA park.  

Please come to visit, or to operate if you like, or for just good old fellowship.  There will be coffee and donuts!!! 



Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Chasing weather balloons

Want to track a weather balloon? This is a pretty cool website that tracks weather balloon across the country.  You can also listen for their data packet telemetry on your radio when they in your area (Buffalo generally uses 403.800mhz). The NWS in Buffalo and Albany launch balloons around 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM everyday. They also may launch at other times like during storms. Check it out here: https://sondehub.org/#!mt=Mapnik&mz=7&qm=3h&mc=43.45329,-75.39917


Learn more about how the tracker works here: https://github.com/projecthorus/sondehub-tracker/wiki/SondeHub-Tracker-User-Guide#sondehub-tracker-overview


Cool tracking info: https://www.overlookhorizon.com/how-to-launch-weather-balloons/how-to-track-nws-weather-balloons/

More info from NOAA: https://www.weather.gov/upperair/

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Nice Drumlins Hamfest yesterday

Great turnout and weather yesterday for one of our favorite early season Hamfests! The best crowd we have seen there in a couple of years and lots of used equipment for sale. The Drumlins Club always does a very nice job and has great site there in Newark NY. Thanks guys!









Monday, April 15, 2024

Help needed - RAGS Public service comms for WorkForce Run on June 6th

(UPDATE 5/24/24) We are still in need of committed operators for the WorkForce Run on June 6.  This event is a late afternoon event with a pre-event meet-up at 5PM.  

Please sign-up by either going to www.ragsclub.org, click on the Public Service and fill out the Public Service Event Form OR email Andriy at KD2KUB@gmail.com or Walt at n2ikwkb@gmail.com.

This is a nice short event and our help is always greatly appreciated.

Jerry, NK2C


Thursday, April 4, 2024

ARES/RACES Quarterly Training - Onondaga County 4/22/24

 Get Involved In ARES and RACES

The next ARES/RACES Quarterly Training session

will be April 22, 7:00P at the Onondaga County

Emergency Operations Center, Electronics Parkway,

Liverpool. There will be a tour and we will check out

antenna systems.

John Perkins, K2VTT, RACES Radio Officer

Drumlins Hamfest - Palmyra NY - 4/20/24 (update)

 Note:   Ken Blume, K2UPI, A longtime friend of the CNY Amateur radio community passed away this past December 2023. Several of his friends will be selling equipment from his estate outside at the Drumlins Hamfest. The offerings include vintage and modern equipment from Eico, Hallicrafters, Hammarlund, Heathkit, Johnson, Kenwood, TenTec, Yaesu and more. Over 150 items will be for sale. The proceeds of all sales will be going to his family.



more info at: https://drumlinsarc.us/hamfest-info/

Monday, March 25, 2024

SkyWarn Spring 2024 Training

 The 2024 Skywarn Spring Training Season is upon us!


Learn more from your local NWS office listed below:

Binghamton NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

Buffalo NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

Albany NY NWS SKYWARN page:  http://www.weather.gov/aly/skywarn

The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the main responsibility of a SKYWARN® spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threatened lives and property.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

Learn more about CNY SKYWARN here: https://www.upstateham.com/p/skywarn.html

Learn more at the National SKYWARN web site: https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN



 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Syracuse/Rochester area GMRS repeaters

 Lots of interest lately in GMRS with the reduced cost of licensing. 

Some Syracuse/Rochester area GMRS repeaters:

462.550     Auburn, PL 141.3 - est. 5-15 mile coverage

462.550     Fulton, PL 136.5 - est. 5 mile coverage, City of Fulton

462.550     Cazenovia, PL 162.2 - est. 35 mile coverage

462.575    Bristol, Alliance, PL141.3 - est. 70 mileage coverage

462.600    Syracuse, ADD, PL 151.4 - est. 70 mile coverage

462.625    Locke, PL 71.9, est. 10 mile coverage (Owasco Valley?)

462.725    Bristol, Covert, PL-TBD (ask), est. 80 mile coverage

Some info about getting licensed and using the GMRS radio service - see links below:

https://www.mygmrs.com/help/about-gmrs

https://www.nysgmrsalliance.com/considering-gmrs

http://www.usagmrs.com/usgmrsassociation.html

https://woofthebeatenpath.com/quick-start-guide-to-gmrs-radio-for-beginners/

https://www.retevis.com/blog/a-guide-for-new-gmrs-radio-comers

GMRS/FRS Frequencies:

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/newsletters/gmrs-radio-frequencies-and-channels

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Operators needed - Syracuse St. Patrick's Day parade on Sat. 3/16

 We still need a few more operators to help with communications at the parade on March 16. Long range forecast is for 52F, so it will be balmy.  Please help if you can.... RAGS has loaner radios if needed.  Please contact Walt, N2IK at n2ikwkb@gmail.com or 315-243-0736. 

Jerry, NK2C

Monday, March 4, 2024

WNY Ham radio support for 4/8 Solar Eclipse


To:   All WNY Ham Radio Clubs

From:  Vince Harzewski N2JRS, Emergency Coordinator, Erie County ARES/Assistant Radio Officer, Erie County RACES
 
Re: April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
The Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
has requested the assistance of amateur radio operators in conjunction
with the total solar eclipse on April 8.
 
Amateurs will be asked to provide critical information on the day of the
eclipse:
 
All Amateurs from any county are invited to participate.
 
Hams working with Emergency Services will establish communications in
the Emergency Operations center in Cheektowaga NY and will take reports
from amateurs on location, traffic, weather and amount of people
gathering during the key times of the eclipse on the 8th.
 
They will also establish cross border communications with Canadian
amateurs to test viability of passing traffic across the pond.
 
Hams in the EOC will establish communications with the state EOC with HF
voice and WINLINK connectivity.
 
Amateurs from Erie County ARES/RACES will be positioned at certain areas
of interest in the county that are deemed possible points where traffic
leading up to and at the end of the eclipse might become a problem if an
emergency arises and will provide reports to the EOC throughout the
duration of the event.
 
Amateurs in Erie County will also establish 2 quick deployment teams and
station them in the north and south in the county should the need arise
to setup and operate until other county resources can assist and Erie
County RACES will provide an operator to Buffalo Fire in their
respective EOC for a link back to the county EOC and to test the
viability of using us as a backup to inter EOC communications.