The Amateur Radio Parity Act Has Passed in the House!

Amateur Radio history was made on September 12, when the US House of Representatives approved the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301.

The wording directs the FCC to enact rules prohibiting the application of deed restrictions that preclude amateur radio communication on their face or as applied. Also prohibited would be deed restrictions that do not permit an amateur radio operator living in a deed-restricted community to install and maintain an effective outdoor antenna on property under the licensee’s exclusive use or control.

But we’re only halfway there. Now we must pass the corresponding bill in the Senate.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL HAMS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS!

• If you want to have effective outdoor antennas but are not currently allowed to do so by your Home Owner’s Association, SEND AN EMAIL TODAY!!
• If you already have outdoor antennas, but want to support your fellow hams, SEND AN EMAIL TODAY!!
• If you want to preserve your ability to install effective outdoor antennas on property that you own, SEND AN EMAIL TODAY!!

The ARRL has made it easy for us. They’ve created a web page where you enter your name, address, telephone number and email address. All you need to do is click here:

 

I typed this in and filled out the form in 2 minutes and 7 seconds. Surely you can do it in 5 minutes. Please do it for those of us who live in HOA neighborhoods!

Thanks,

Justin  K5JTL

Murphy’s Law isn’t just some metaphysical clap trap. As scientifically minded as we hams are, there comes a time when you have to throw it all out the window, close your eyes and point. And whatever choice you go with, just know – it’s gonna be wrong. Never mind that the odds *should be* 50/50. Trust me, kiddo, they ain’t.

Such was the case one early June morning when I was standing around the Acapulco Diner parking lot with a group of hams from SWDCARC. We were trying to choose an initial direction to head for our fox hunt. Jerry Keltner, KB6OJE, pulled all kinds of wondrous looking techy-type ham gear out of his SUV and under his watchful eye, we constructed a gynormous PVC framed, wire-loop antenna. At the predetermined time, the fox began transmitting “VVV VVV DE W5WB FOX HUNT “and the hunt was afoot. Slowly we twisted that behemoth antenna around, listening closely for the signal null.

On a completely unrelated note, at the time I was also studying for the Extra exam. I remember some questions about that wonderful loop antenna of Jerry’s. Their major advantage of loop antennas is: They are great for direction finding because they give really good signal nulls. The major disadvantage is: They have a bi-directional pattern. Meaning when you receive a good strong signal the origination point could be straight ahead of you or directly behind. Which brings us right back to “choice” and Murphy’s Law.

But let me back up a minute and tell you how I got to be in that parking lot to begin with.

[Read more…] about My First Experience on a Fox Hunt

In front of me stands an elderly woman. We will refer to her as Mary. She is driving what I would approximate to be a 1978 Buick LeSabre. I’m not a super huge car guy, but I have driven a 1973 Impala and am fairly well versed in driving of older model cars. I worked for Enterprise Rent-a-Car in a prior life and am extremely comfortable parking cars.

But let me back up a moment. Our esteemed President (Barry Fulfer KF5JPE) asked for some volunteers to help out the Windsor Park Baptist Church put on their Easter production. I am a big believer in volunteer work and thought I could double dip ham radio and volunteering. As I have mentioned many times in this publication, I do not own a V/UHF radio. Fortunately a friend was willing to loan me an HT and ultimately Jerry convinced me to use one of his Chinese beauties!

When I arrived at the church Jerry was very clear, our job is to fill the lot as orderly as possible. On the Southwest side of the lot is the area where eventually Jesus is hung on the cross. (A pretty powerful moment, even if you’re on parking lot duty.) Jerry was very clear, this is an area they really try to be discreet about people parking, headlights and noise can be very distracting. The GroundWire Lester Wong K5ITO Jerry Keltner KB6OJE 2 As fate would have it, I am now standing in a quickly filling parking lot in the Southwest corner with an irritated woman staring at me. I jumped straight into the car.

“HOOOOOOOOONK”

I look at the steering wheel. I don’t believe I have touched anything.

“HOOOOONK” “You’re honking the horn!” Mary shouts.

The thoughts that went through my head were not particularly honoring to the cause that we were supporting at that exact moment. I knew I was honking the horn, but couldn’t figure out how. I’m pretty sure Mary had a custom extension placed under the driver’s seat so that it could be further forward than stock. Being six feet 230 pounds, I am most assuredly filling the entirety of the cockpit. But I’m not touching the steering wheel.

“Its under the dash” Mary shouts.

There directly in front of my knee is a small round thumb knob. If you push it, it will recess and sound the horn. Let this be a lesson should you meet Mary or anyone else who refuses to park a car.

Once I figured out how to contort my leg in such a way that I was not sounding the horn and scaring everyone, I was able to put the car in the parking spot first try. I peeled myself out of the driver’s seat. I’m confident it looked about like a sea lion rolling up onto an iceberg. On second thought it was nowhere near that majestic.

I hand Mary her keys. “Thanks” she says.

“You are most welcome, I hope you enjoy the show. Let me know if you need help getting out.” I look down the hill and Jerry is staring at me. I’m pretty sure he was smiling, but it was a very puzzled smile.

 

All in a day’s work I guess.