Mar/10

ARES / RACES Monthly Meeting

Please feel free to join us for our monthly ARES/RACES Training Meeting on the second Tuesday each month at 7:30pm. Our meetings are currently located at the Amarillo Emergency Services Building at 1900 Line Avenue in Amarillo, TX. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Click here for a map of the building location.

Additionally, we encourage all amateur radio operators to participate in the ARES Net on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm on the Caprock Intertie linked repeater system. The purpose of this net is to provide communications during emergencies and to provide training in procedures that would apply in actual emergencies and test communications capabilities of the Caprock Intertie system.

Bob Sanders, N5TBD, requested that we all bring copies of our licensures, identification and certifications (amateur radio licenses, CPR certification, medical licenses, NIMS/EmComm Training, etc) to the July ARES meeting to receive identification badges from the Panhandle Regional Planning Commision (PRPC).

Amarillo, Ares, Meeting, Races 5 Comments more...

Mar/10

ARES NET Reports

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under ARES Nets

This is a historical record of the ARES Net logs. If you are a net control operator and need to submit a report, please click “Comments” above and submit the following information:

Net Control Operator:

Date of ARES Net:

Start time/End time:

Number of check-ins:

Number of rechecks:

Any pertinent information such as inoperable/defective repeaters:

Additionally, please follow this link for ARES Net Script and Information.

History, Net, Preamble, Script 8 Comments more...

Mar/10

Current Weather and 4-Day Forecast

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Weather

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar | Hurricane Center

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Jul/10

Tour d’ Cotton 2010–cancelled

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Events

This year’s race has been canceled for a variety of reasons, including one of the bridges will still be under construction. They are hoping to run it in June next year (2011). We have a repeater to install in the next few weeks so we will have one by the race. I will let everyone know when it is finally operational. It will be on 146.96 (-) with the call N5OX.

Thank’s for your interest and I will keep you informed as we move forward.

73, Jim Moody, NL7C

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Jul/10

G-300 & G-400 Training in August

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Uncategorized

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be conducting G-300 Intermediate ICS (20 hours) and G-400 Advanced ICS (12 hours) training in August 2010. Registration for this training is through Preparing Texas (http://www.preparingtexas.org/) website. Applicants for the training will need to create a user account on the Preparing Texas website and then register for the appropriate course(s) after the user account has been established. All training will be conducted in the Amarillo/Potter/Randall EOC located at 808 S. Buchanan St. Seating is limited; registration is on a first come, first serve basis.

G-300 – ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents

This course provide training on resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). This course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses.

Target Audience:
State, county, local officials and volunteers who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents or Type 3 incidents.

G-300 Intermediate ICS: August 10 & 11 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., August 12 – 8:00 a.m. to noon.

G-300 Prerequisites: ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700

G-400 – ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System, Command and General Staff

This one and a half day course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). The course expands upon information covered in the ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses.

Target Audience:
State, county, local officials and volunteers who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents or Type 3 incidents.

G-400 Advanced ICS: August 12 – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., August 13 – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

G-400 Prerequisites: ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800, G-300

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Jun/10

Silent Key–Owen “O.C.” Cartwright, WW5Y

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Silent Keys

OWEN “O.C.” CARTWRIGHT

Owen “O.C.” Cartwright, 74, died Monday, June 7, 2010.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Coulter Chapel, 8310 S. Coulter St., with the Rev. Danny Logar of Bell Avenue Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

O.C. was born July 20, 1935, in Chalk to E.R. “Ras” and Ida Lylyan Cartwright. He moved to Amarillo in 1943 where he attended Amarillo High School and Amarillo College. He joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War. In 1958, he married June King.

O.C. worked for several years as an insurance claims adjuster and then as claims manager for SIC. He established W.J. Claims Service and worked there as a manager until his retirement in 1986. He was an extra class ham radio operator for more than 30 years.

O.C. was a Christian with a deep, genuine faith in God and was a charter member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, June Cartwright of Amarillo, a son, Grady Cartwright and wife Joanna of San Diego; two brothers, Bill Cartwright and wife Bonnie and Ray Cartwright and wife Bettie, all of Amarillo, three grandchildren, Calvin Owen Cartwright, Madeline Cartwright and Emily Cartwright, all of San Diego; and several nieces and nephews and friends.

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Jun/10

ARRL Reflective Vests

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Uncategorized

ARES Deployment Vest with Pockets (Solid) $24.95

This reflective style vest is similar to the type you’d see police or runners wearing. Place this green “bib” over your shirt or jacket. Solid neon with front pockets and large front and back reflector panels. Imprinted with the words “AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS” on one side and the ARES logo on the other. Lightweight. Fold it up, and store this small handful in your immediate-response kit. Great for ARES volunteers, emergency and public service use.

ARES Deployment Vest (Mesh) $15.95

This reflective style vest is similar to the type you’d see police or runners wearing. Place this green “bib” over your shirt or jacket. Constructed of neon mesh with large front and back reflector panels. Imprinted with the words “AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS” on one side and the ARES logo on the other. Lightweight. Fold it up, and store this small handful in your immediate-response kit. Great for ARES volunteers, emergency and public service use.

PARC ARES Chair Bob Sanders, N5TBD, has advised us in the last ARES meeting that reflective vests such as these will be a requirement in almost any emergency deployment scenario. Bob suggests that we all purchase a vest from the ARRL. You can purchase your own from the links above, or you can bring cash, check or a money order in to the next ARES meeting on July 13th, and we can submit a bulk order for all ARES members and save some money on shipping. If necessary the vests can be paid for once they are received.

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May/10

Text Message Alerts

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Uncategorized

Now you can receive text message alerts directly to your cell phone. This feature can be used by the site administrators to notify users of pending SKYWARN activation, or any emergency which may require ARES activation. To sign up to receive this service from PanhandleARES.org simply enter your phone number with the area code into the right column of the website under “Text Message Alerts”

If you have signed up for Text Message Alerts, and you would like to be removed from the list, please email me with your phone number and service provider. christopher.seright@dhs.gov

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May/10

Plum Creek Horse Ride

by kd5dyp under Events

Summers approaching and you know what that means… yep you guessed it, the Top of Texas Arabian Horse Club’s annual endurance ride!

This event will take place in Plum Creek at Lake Meredith June 5th and 6th 2010.
The ride is generally pretty laid back and a great way to get out of town for a weekend and enjoy beautiful horses, country and of course your hobby.

Starting at sun up (around 7 am) those wishing to help are generally asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the ride. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to travel from Amarillo depending on where you live and how you drive.
I know, I know… that’s really early in the in the morning but you will not be disappointed. They serve an amazing cowboy breakfast with all the trimming plus not to mention a beautiful sunrise!

Being a two day event people are welcome to camp out in plum creek. Some come Friday afternoon and stay all weekend to avoid having to travel to and from home. RV’s or tents are equally welcome. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided to any volunteer that participates, however you are welcome and suggested to bring you own snacks and drinks.
The ride encompasses about 50 miles of the plum creek area and includes 7 rest stops along the way including base camp.

Those wishing to help but are unable to stay all day or all weekend are still encouraged to come. Several locations clear all riders well before noon and others don’t receive riders til later in the morning.
Even if all you can only do one day or a part of a day, we want you!
All that is required is a licensed operator that has a mobile radio capable of transmitting on 2 meters. 2 meter simplex is where the event communications take place with backup communications on local VHF/UHF repeaters.

If you are interested in helping and would like more information you can contact me via email at adair@kd5dyp.com or call me at 806.231.7180.

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Apr/10

Bushland 4/20/10

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Storm Photos and Reports

This funnel touched down approximately 4 miles southwest of Bushland on 4/20/10 and was on the ground for about 5 minutes. No injuries or damage were reported in this storm.

We parked safely off the road, watched the tornado develop, and called the NWS to report the touchown.

Two more vehicles parked on the highway behind us (not spotters or chasers–just some rubber-necks), and a third vehicle did not see them in time. The third vehicle swerved to miss them and hit our bumper while I was on the phone with the NWS. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the other driver’s insurance is going to cover the cost to repair my chase vehicle.

We learned a very valuable lesson though. In the past, many other chasers have “run me off” when we parked too close to their location. Until now, I never understood why–I thought they were only being arrogant. I learned that not only do I have to make sure that I am spotting safely, I also have to watch out for rubber-necks and others who are not driving safely.

Spot Safely!

KE5ZRT

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Apr/10

Field Day 2010–June 26 & 27

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Events

2009FieldDayPSA1

ARRL Field Day

June 26-27, 2010

Always The Fourth Full Weekend In June

Where the spirit of “Amateur Radio Past” joins forces with the Next Generation of Innovations, Interests and Individuals!!!

ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in amateur radio. On the fourth full weekend in June, tens of thousands of amateur radio operators gather for a public demonstration of our service. Field Day is part educational event, part operating event, part public relations event – and ALL about FUN!

Amateur radio is about knowledge and growth. It is a hobby and service that truly offers “something for everyone.” Amateur Radio embraces both the old and new. While CW may no longer be a testing element, it is still a strong and favorite operating mode for many. Tens of thousands of operators are embracing digital technologies, from RTTY to newer digital modes like PSK31 and Olivia. Phone operation, probably the largest segment of the hobby, also has new frontiers to be explored with digitized voice, VOIP, and IRLP. And this is why Field Day – the largest annual on-the-air operating event – is so exciting. It gives all – the old timer and the newcomer, the brass-pounder and the computer assisted operator – the chance to share and teach the broad range of modes and technologies we find in our hobby.

Field Day is truly the time in which we bring amateur radio to Main Street USA. By setting up in parking lots, malls, Emergency Operations Centers, parks and even at home, amateur operators learn skills that will allow them to better serve their communities. Setting up in these public venues gives added public relations value – their friends and neighbors can see and experience the fun and public service capability that their “ham radio” neighbors bring to the community.

Join in the fun! For more information on amateur radio and the ARRL – the national organization for Amateur Radio – visit http://www.arrl.org/

W5WX
Panhandle Amateur Radio Club
Thompson Park Boat House
Amarillo, TX
GOTA: YES
Talk-in: 146.940 – (88.5 tone)
Contact: John H Robinson, WD5FOI
806-355-7889
leslijon@1s.net

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Apr/10

MS 150 Wild West Ride 2010

by ke5kul under Events, Ham Radio

July 24th and 25th 2010

Update: Thank you all for volunteering to assist with communications for this event. Hope to see you all at breakfast at Denny’s at I-40 and Ross, Saturday morning at 4:00 am. Otherwise, we will see you at the Amarillo College East Campus at 6:00 am. If you are driving a SAG vehicle, please remember to bring a cooler if you have one, and pick up some water, ice, fruit, etc. at the start line, for the riders.

I want to thank everyone for helping with the MS BP 150. Enjoy the weekend and put your hobby to a good use for a wonderful cause. Helping with the BP 150 Bike Ride is where the true spirit of amateur radio is. Let’s keep active with public service events and keep amateur radio alive and useful!

Current Volunteer Assignments:

Position		Call Sign	Name
Day One	RS 1	KE5ZRS	James Lowe
	RS 2 / SAG	KC5HQY	Daniel Blount
	RS 3	N5YXN	Carl Jeans
	RS 4 / Sweep Assist	W5RAW	Raymond Winter
	RS 5	W5PVI	Neal Lowe
	RS 6	KE5ZRS	James Lowe
	RS 7 / SAG	N5ZLU	Ronnie Kerr
	RS 8 / SAG	KE5ZRT & ZRU	Chris & Terra Seright
	RS 9 / Supply 1	KF5CBS	Bill Brownlee
	RS 10	KD5DYN	Lee Arnold
	RS 11	W5MJM	Mike McGlynn
Day Two	RS 1	KE5ZRS	James Lowe
	RS 2	KE5ZRT & ZRU	Chris & Terra Seright
	RS 3	KD5DYN	Lee Arnold
	RS 4	KE5ZRT & ZRU	Chris & Terra Seright
	RS 5	KE5ZRS	James Lowe
SWEEPER Truck		KE5WXN	Matthew Artley
SUPPLY 2		KE5ZTZ	Tony Ralf
Lead SAG		KF5CBT	Matt Carter
Lead SAG		KF5CBU	Rodney Whitney
SAG			Terri Reininger
SAG			Matt & Mandy Koumalats
SAG			Wally Dean
SAG		WD5FOI	John Robinson
SAG		KE5KUL	Damon Massey
FLOAT / Comms Expert		N5LTZ	Chip Andrews
Net Control A / SAG		KD5DYP	Adair Winter
Net Control B / SAG		KD5ROK	Cory Elliott
Medical		KD8IAH	Jason Dennis
Tour Director		KF5CBR	April Brownlee
		Amarillo	444.200 pl 88.5
		Pampa	444.400 pl 88.5
		Miami	444.850 pl 88.5
		Canadian	443.750 pl 88.5
		Talk Around	446.000
		Talk Around	146.520

For us Amateur Radio operators, the BP 150 serves two purposes. First and foremost it is a fun time to get together and give back to the community. We always have a lot of fun with this event each year. Second, and also equally important, it is practice for an actual emergency situation where Amateur Radio operators would be called upon to provide emergency communications. For more information, visit the Event’s Website

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Apr/10

2010 SKYWARN Spotter Training Schedule

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Uncategorized

Spotter training will be offered at our ARES meeting on March 9, 2010, and will be open to the public. Please remember that this certification is only valid for 2 years. If you are unable to attend the training at the ARES meeting, there are many more training sessions available. Follow the link below for more information.

2010 Spotter Training Schedule

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Mar/10

THE WEDNESDAY MONSTER The Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornado of April 9, 1947 by Kellie Sanders

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Storm Photos and Reports

Monday, April 5, 2010

7:00 PM

Amarillo Public Library

Downtown Meeting Room, 2nd Floor

OUR PROGRAM WILL BE THE WEDNESDAY MONSTER The Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornado of April 9, 1947 by Kellie Sanders. Ms. Sanders is a native Texan, and with the exception of college, has lived in the Texas Panhandle all of her life. She has been employed as a part-time Instructor at West Texas A&M University since Fall 2005. Sanders received her Master of Arts in Communication in May 2005 (4.0 GPA) from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, where she was also a Graduate Assistant/Graduate Teaching Assistant in 2004 to 2005. Her thesis, The Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornado of April 9, 1947: An Oral History of the “Wednesday Monster,” won WTAMU’s Best Thesis Award. She is in the process of expanding her thesis into a book, but due to her late mother’s many debilitating illnesses, this was at a hold for more than two years. She has lectured frequently on this topic. Kellie also works for the Transportation Security Administration. Prior to concentrating full-time on her graduate studies, Sanders taught nine years in the public school system as well as working many years as an Administrative Assistant in various businesses. Sanders received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Theatre Education in December 1984, from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She was a cum laude graduate with a 3.9 GPA and was an active member of the nationally-award winning KSU Speech Team. In her limited spare time, she enjoys spending time with her cats and going to movies. She dedicates this presentation to her late mother, Eleanor Pearl Barnes Seedig Sanders, who, as a seven-year-old, survived the tornado, along with her mother, Pearl Marie Fox Barnes Seedig, and four others as they huddled underneath the last two pews in the First Baptist Church in Higgins.

Contact Kellie Sanders for more information: kbelle12001@yahoo.com

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Mar/10

Elk City Tornado 3/8/10

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Storm Photos and Reports

Hams at Elk City assisted with this tornado event by reporting the storm which first touched down approximately 4 miles north of town, and by assisting with recon of of the area after the tornado strike. Reports indicated a “long-lived stovepipe” which caused damage to numerous structures, but no injuries or casualties have been reported at this time.

KE5ZRT

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Mar/10

Silent Key–O.C. “Tex” Sumner W5IEA

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Silent Keys

$Tex Sumner, W5IEA$ O.C. “Tex” Sumner, 90, of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 6, 2010.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in The Church at Quail Creek with the Rev. Stan Coffey and Dale Moreland officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Mr. Sumner was born Jan. 24, 1920, in Perrin to Ruby and William T. Sumner. He graduated from Tulia High School. He was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II in the 45th Infantry Division. He had been the branch chief at the Bureau of Mines Helium Activity. Mr. Sumner was an amateur radio operator (W5IEA). He was a founding member of San Jacinto Baptist Church/The Church at Quail Creek.

Mr. Sumner was an outgoing, caring Christian man. He never met a stranger, and people gravitated toward him.

Mr. Sumner was preceded in death by his wife Margaret and daughter Lynda Sumner Kellum.

He is survived by two sons, Dwight Sumner and wife Karen of Plano and Rick Sumner and wife Ketzi of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Kimberly Moore, Kristen Knight, Amy Sumner and Emily Blaut; and seven great-grandchildren, Karley, Meredith, Alex, Kellen, Clara, Noah and Gabe.

The family suggests memorials be to The Church at Quail Creek, 801 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124.

Amarillo Globe-News, March 8, 2010

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Mar/10

Scouting for Meteorologists–Sat. March 27, 2010

by KE5ZRT-Chris Seright under Uncategorized

What: “Scouting for Meteorologists” is a biennial outreach by the National Weather Service in Amarillo to Girl Scouts of the Texas Oklahoma Plains, and Boy Scouts of the Golden Spread Council, who are interested in weather as a career or hobby. Scouts are invited to become a “Meteorologist for a Day” and to meet and interact with meteorologists from different segments of the career field, such as television, emergency management, storm spotters and the National Weather Service. Participants will have the opportunity to: