News

You can view and download the presentations from the June Meeting of the Austin Amateur Radio Club from the Technical page.

Go to the Repeater Info page and download the PDF document which shows placement of the W5KA repeater antennas on the KVUE tower. It includes bearings and distances to area cities as well as reduced coverage areas.

If you're ready for a break from involuntary confinement, download the latest AARCOVER Newsletter for a different topic than the human malware.

Check out the Just For Fun page for a distraction, Catch up on on-the-air events. And follow the link to a simple survey. We'll publish results in next month's newsletter.

Head on over to the Newsletter page to download the AARCOVER now!

Can't wait for in-person exams? There are several groups around the country now providing Remote Amateur License Exam Sessions. (Sorry... NO remote sessions from Austin exam coordinators.) Each group will have their own requirements for your testing environment.

Most of the requirements involve a "sterile" testing environment - one computer, one monitor, and nothing in the room that could be used for assistance (cheating) during the exam. The sessions will require a smart phone to be used to show examiners your ID and to scan the room prior to examination. The computer will require a web camera and microphone for monitoring during the exam. Please review the requirements for each individual session to make sure you can meet the requirements. 

Visit this site: https://hamstudy.org/sessions for a list of testing sessions. Note: The list includes in-person exams, so be sure it says "Remote" session.

Per the FCC's Public Notice released April 30, 2020. "We make clear here that nothing in the FCC’s rules prohibits remote testing, and prior FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests."  So... Remote testing IS allowed!  Full text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-467A1.pdf

Unfortunately, the W5YI and ARRL VEC exams in Austni will not be held remotely. Someone mentioned that the San Antonio club is offering remote testing, but no details were available yet.

John's TCARES presentation on VARA FM "inspired" me to finally get digital going on my rigs. This month's main article is how I'm using a SignaLink interface with different radios that require different cabling.

Also in this issue, links to several other sound card interfaces for running digital on your rig.  The usual sections are also included: Action on the Airwaves, Just for Fun, and Calendar of Events.

Download your copy here.

There are several free online meeting apps. Some are better than others, so you are encouraged to do a little research on which one will work best for you.  If you do use an online meeting app, be sure you use a password! Some platforms are more vulnerable than others and are constantly "bombed" with audio and video obscenities. Your research should include how reliable or vulnerable a platform is.

A few of the companies providing free teleconferencing include, in no particular order:

• Cisco WebEx - https://www.webex.com/pricing/index.html
• Jitsi - https://jitsi.org/
• FreeConferenceCall - https://www.freeconferencecall.com/support
• Zoom Teleconferencing - https://zoom.us/pricing

Note: Each of this has different restrictions, i.e. number of participants, time limit on meeting, etc.. Some have inexpensive "Pro" or "Plus" service plans that are relatively inexpensive (less than $20.00/month) and provide some valuable extra features.

This issue of the AARCOVER is important. Please note that The Austin Amateur Radio Club meeting for April IS being held... ONLINE!  All registered members should have received an email with the meeting info. If you are a registered member and did not receive the notice, login and make sure your email address is correct.  The online meeting info is also available on page 2 of the AARCOVER as well as in the Events listing for the April meeting.

There's more to read in the AARCOVER. Go to the Newsletter page and download your copy now!

(Please forgive the delay. COVID-19 has hit home pretty hard and this Editor's workload has more than doubled. This doesn't leave any time to produce a newsletter and maintain a website.)

In response to the Corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic the Travis County ARES March 24th General Meeting is cancelled.  Public Health officials advise that cancelling public gatherings is critical to stopping the spread of the virus.  ARES leadership is acting to protect our members and to contribute to the world-wide effort to contain the virus.

Weekly nets will continue as scheduled but face-to-face meetings will be suspended until further notice. Please note that we may be called upon to support our served agencies at any time. Stay ready and stay safe!

Sincerely,

Michael Marks, KG5RXG

Emergency Coordinator

In an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and the fact that the St. Edward's campus is closed until further notice, the W5YI exam session for March is cancelled.

Due to the uncertain future of this pandemic, please be aware that future exams may be cancelled or postponed. Check here or with the contact for each exam for current status of their exams.