MTEARS 442.625 repeater on the air in Clarksville.

The MTEARS 442.625  (PL 107.2) repeater is on the air in Clarksville.  This repeater has Jack’s callsign, AA4TA, as the repeater callsign.  It is permanently  linked to the MTEARS system, which means that what is said on the repeater is heard everywhere on the MTEARS system, so don’t act like a lid and embarrass yourself statewide.  MTEARS covers all of Middle TN and parts of East and West TN, with plans for future expansion in both directions.  It is now easy for a mobile in Clarksville to have a conversation with a mobile in Cookeville, for example.
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  Everyday use of the repeater is encouraged, however, there are some situations where use is restricted.  The MTEARS system is designed primarily as a weather liaison network.  During weather or other disasters, only designated liaison stations are permitted on the  repeater.  Local weatherspotters will check in and report observations on their local nets.  One person from  that net will be specifically designated to take that info to the MTEARS net.  The National Weather Service monitors the net and uses the information  provided.  In addition, NWS HAMS provide storm warnings, bulletins and status updates via the MTEARS system for the liaisons to relay to their local Skywarn nets.  This area of TN, Montgomery, Stewart and Houston counties, have long been missing from the MTEARS system, and we finally are part of it.  One of the things that will, hopefully, be a result of this is an increased awareness and participation in Skywarn.  Our reports will  make a difference.  There is also a general  MTEARS ARES net on Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. Central time.  Check in is by  repeater as designated by the Net Control.  You  do not have to be a designated liaison to check into this net, all are welcome.
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If you have any questions, suggestions or problems with this repeater, please contact one of the designated control operators:  Hank Koebler/N3ORX, Howard Thompson/K2CEM, Frank Metcalfe/AA4AE, Tom Delker/K1KY, David Wolfe/WA4VVX.
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Thanks,
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Hank

BREAKING NEWS! FCC Amends Part 97 regarding employee participation in emeregency drills

The FCC has just announced that it is changing the Part 97 rules to
allow unlimited paid employee participation in government sponsored
drills and exercises, and will also allow limited paid employee
participation in non-government exercises and drills.  This is truly a
great breakthrough for EmComm.
Here is the actual NPRM http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db0714/FCC-10-124A1.pdf

ARES-NIMS Training

Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts to promote severe weather awareness at the Customs House Museum.

As we move into Spring the question is not IF middle Tennessee will see severe weather but is instead how much and how bad.

In recent years scarcely a year has gone by where Middle Tennessee communities have not suffered damage from wind, heavy rains, lightning and tornadoes.  How to deal with severe weather is something that anyone in Middle Tennessee should know.

With this though in mind the Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts will be operating a special event station at the Customs House Museum on Saturday March 27 2010 from 10:30 to 3:30.  Amateur Radio operators will be on hand to demonstrate Amateur Radio communications and to discuss how Amateur Radio operators provide support during severe weather through initiatives such as SkyWarn and ARES. 

The Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts invite all members of the community to come join us for this event.

For those interested in obtaining an Amateur Radio License testing will be offered from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.  The cost is $15.00 to take any test and if you pass one test you can take the next at no additional cost.  There are 3 classes of Amateur Radio licenses; Technician, General and Extra.  Each test is more involved and technical than the previous test and each license class includes privileges on more frequency than the last one.  Amateur Radio Exams MUST be passed in the following order; Technician, General, Extra.

The Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts look forward to seeing you on Saturday March 27.

Amateur Radio Stations will be operated in the Coca Cola Cafe and testing will be in the classroom downstairs.

Thank You
The Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts

APRS with K2LAW and N4PJX at CORE meeting on Tuesday March 9

This month CORE is changing our meeting day from the second Thursday of the month to the second Tuesday, this will be a permanent change and our meeting this month will be on Tuesday March 9 2010.

We have a special agenda planned this month.  Howard Thompson (K2LAW) and Rob Devlin (N4PJX) will be presenting to the group about the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). 

One of the most common misunderstandings about APRS is that it just transmits your location, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.  APRS is a fully featured digital mode which allows two way text messaging and transmission of data quickly and reliably. 

Howard and Rob will elaborate on this at our meeting on Tuesday and all Amateurs are encouraged to attend.

Again, the meeting will be on Tuesday March 10 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Park Lane Church of the Nazarene in Clarksville.  Click below for a map and directions.

Park Lane Church of the Nazarene.

We’ll see you at the meeting!