Our Club Meeting Is Monthly Shown Below
SCARS meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Shoneys in Sevierville. we will have the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, We meet in the rear dining room, stop by and join us and meet our member, If you have any questions, please let us know. by the contact information .. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!!!
SCARS
Getting Started In Amateur Radio
Here Is What Is Required
Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. US licenses are good for 10 years before renewal and anyone may hold one except a representative of a foreign government. In the US there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra.
The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. To earn the Technician license requires passing one examination totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above 30 megahertz, allowing these licensees the ability to communicate locally and most often within North America. It also allows for some limited privileges on the HF (also called "short wave") bands used for international communications.
The General class license grants some operating privileges on all Amateur Radio bands and all operating modes. This license opens the door to world-wide communications. Earning the General class license requires passing a 35 question examination. General class licensees must also have passed the Technician written examination.
The Amateur Extra class license conveys all available U.S. Amateur Radio operating privileges on all bands and all modes. Earning the license is more difficult; it requires passing a thorough 50 question examination. Extra class licensees must also have passed all previous license class written examinations.
Amateur Radio Code Of Conduct
The Radio Amateur's Code
The Radio Amateur is
CONSIDERATE...He/[She] never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL...He/[She] offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, the IARU Radio Society in his/[her] country, through which Amateur Radio in his/[her] country is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE...He/[She] keeps his/[her] station up to date. It is well-built and efficient. His/[Her] operating practice is above reproach.
FRIENDLY...He/[She] operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly advice and counsel to beginners; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED...Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
PATRIOTIC...His/[Her] station and skills are always ready for service to country and community. For You DXer's ....
I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.
I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station’s call sign before calling.
I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.
I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.
I will always send my full call sign.
I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.
I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.
I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.
I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine.
When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.
I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.
I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.
Having wonderful tools at your disposal does not abrogate your responsibility to operate in an unselfish manner. You must still be courteous to your fellow Hams. .....
Getting Our Youth Involved In Amateur Radio
As with any organization, younger participants are needed to replace aging members and to grow an entity. Until the 1980s, amateur radio was almost automatically attractive to youth because it offered access to cutting edge technology. However, with the advent of the personal computer, the internet and video games, many of the youth who might naturally have gravitated towards amateur radio are finding hobby and potential career satisfaction from newer technologies. The allure of distant communications via radio has been replaced by inexpensive global access through home computers for the price of a basic subscription. Such changes should give today’s amateur radio operators pause as to how to make amateur radio exciting when talking to youth.
If we examine the basic tenets of amateur radio, there are still many attributes which youth can find attractive. There remains the thrill of distant communications, the challenge of reaching a goal under adverse conditions, the freedom to experiment and the opportunity to engender good will among nations and to serve as a patriot to your own country in times of crisis. Amateur radio is also one of the few licenses available without a minimum age requirement. Yet, it is also a license that must be earned by demonstrating knowledge, much like a drivers license. Thus you can appeal to youth that the format for earning an amateur radio license is much like what children will face to get a driver's license.
There are multiple objectives in speaking to youth. The first is to gain recruits, but the reality is that statistically only a handful will ever step forward on their own to pursue a license. Some will be fascinated enough to pursue careers in fields allied to amateur radio, such as computer sciences. A presenter may never know that his or her presentation provided the stimulus to explore careers in a related area. For the majority of youth, the message will likely be that amateur radio has been a vital link in the development of today’s electronic technologies, that amateur radio operators provide crucial community services during disasters, and that those who are in the hobby seem to have genuine fun. The most we can expect from the majority of youth a speaker reaches is to leave them with a positive and favorable impression which will remain with them into their adult lives. Now that expectations are set, it doesn’t mean that you don’t give your presentation your all.
Safety & Security Of The Hamfest
Hamfest Policy & Disclaimer
Inside dealers, exhibitors, outside tailgate participants and others are to follow the following rules and all procedures as listed below by The Sevier CountyAmateur Radio Society, including those stipulated by Sevier County Fairgrounds , at the site for the event.
** All inside dealers, exhibitors and outside tailgate participants are fully responsible for collecting and
reporting all federal, state and local taxes (as applicable).**
** Smoking or vaping is not permitted inside the facility utilized for the Hamfest event or with 25 feet of any entrance.**
**The sale of inappropriate items such as knives, guns, explosives, dangerous chemicals, unlicensed
software, videotapes, etc., pornographic materials and other items that are inappropriate shall not be
exhibited or offered for sale. Sales of CBD products, vaping equipment, vaping fluids shall not be sold on the Hamfest site.**
** Packaged items for personal protection (stun guns and pepper spray) shall be allowed subject to
following local laws, and Tennessee regulations on sale of such items. In addition, these items shall , not be sold to persons younger than age 18.**
** Animals are prohibited inside except for service animals for the disabled or medical alerts. **
**Exhibit tables ARE NOT TO BE MOVED or reconfigured except by Hamfest volunteers under the
direction of the Sevier County ARS Staff , Limit table loading to 175 lbs.
SAT ON OR STOOD ON. Boneyard tables are not provided by SCARS, you must furnish your own tables, chairs, and tents for the BONEYARD ! **
Neither the Sevier County ARS, Staff or club members, or the Sevier County Fairgrounds,shall be held responsible for any warranty or the condition of items sold by either by the inside dealers, exhibitors or those in the outside tailgate area.**
** Dealers and outside tailgaters shall not leave unsold merchandise, boxes, and other trash upon their departure.**
** No outside electrical outlets will be available in tailgate area.*
NO WEOPONS ARE PERMITTED EXCEPT FO NIGHT SECURITY OR POLICE OFFICERS !!!
NEWSLINE
Amateur Radio Newsline
Amateur Radio Newsline™ produces a weekly newscast of interest to radio amateurs worldwide. The bulletins conform to all sections and codes as outlined under the United States FCC Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules regarding the legal means of amateur radio operators issuing “QST’s” or “Bulletins of Interest to All Amateurs.” We differ only in format and follow a more traditional radio “spot news” format. Whenever possible, we attempt to bring you the voices of those in the news. https://www.arnewsline.org/
GMRS & HAM RADIO
WHAT IS GMRS
Amateur Radio is a great hobby, with many modes of operation, and during a emergency Ham Radio Is there, but did you know also there is another radio system, and many Ham's are using as well !
What GMRS Radios To Use & When ...
The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a "licensed required" land-mobile FM UHF radio service that was originally in its intent designed for short-distance two-way communication (Apparently "short distance communications" has been removed from the language within the GMRS FCC rules). It requires a license issued by the FCC for the use of the GMRS Channels as allocated by FCC in the United States.
FCC permits use by individuals (licenses are issued to individual adults age 18 years of age and older) who possesses a valid GMRS license. In addition to this licensed individual who is authorized to use this license, other individuals (even those under 18 years of age) with permission of the licensed holder, such as his or her immediate family members, are allowed to use same said license. Per FCC, "family members" includes a spouse, children, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws (see 47 CFR 95.179).
Immediate relatives of the GMRS system licensee are entitled to communicate among themselves, or with other licensed GMRS users, regardless of location within the United States. Non-licensed individuals may place a base, control, or repeater station in operation anywhere within the United States but only licensed holder and approved individuals as approved by the hold may actually transmit on said GMRS base, control or through a repeater for personal or business purposes. Employees of the licensee, who are not family members, are not covered by said same license.
GMRS radios are typically, base, mobile, repeater, and hand-held portable devices. These base, mobile, and hand-held radios, unlike Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, and share some of the FRS frequency band near 462 and 467 MHz. Unlike FRS radios, hand-held radios are allowed to have detachable antennas. Mobile and base station-style radios available are normally commercial style UHF radios as often used in the public service and commercial land mobile bands. These are legal for use in this service as long as they are GMRS type-approved. Many public service and commercial radios manufactured prior to 2005 are type-approved/accepted for GMRS use.
Did you know Tim has a repeater up and running also! Has great coverage and super operators on as well,
Over the past years, due to disasters, parades, and other local functions, community leaders and law enforcement have had to ask its local community members to help with assistance in the aid or delivery of services of their community. At times it may become necessary for community leaders (including law enforcement) to ask others in the community to help provide additional communication when all other communications are stressed or stretched to the max and/or even not working. In a majority of the times when additional communications have been required Amateur radio operators will usually provide additional assistance with local, state and nationwide communications when called upon, but, they are not the only ones that can. GRMS licensed users can do the same. Amateur radio operators are not always available in all areas of the United States. In such places, GMRS licensed users and FRS radio operators can fill that gap. In addition, there are generally, nowadays, just as many if not more users of GMRS and FRS radio equipment than there are Amateur radio operators.
Like the Amateur radio operators, GMRS licensed user have been forming a relationship with other like GMRS licensed users in around their local areas. Some have even formed clubs for the training and sharing of GMRS information just like Amateur's have. Since many GMRS users have obtained a GMRS license before they obtained their Amateur radio permit, and vice-a-versa, many are familiar with how the advantages of additional communication can be of benefit to their communities. But like anything else, if your communities leaders are not aware that you have your license and radio equipment than you really won't be called upon. It is up to you, now that you have your license, to make contact with your community leaders and specifically your local County/City Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) to introduce yourself and let them know what you have, how often you can be available and what service(s) you can offer to them. Even if you have an EMC and he/she tells you they won't need your services or shows that they are not interested in talking with you and getting your information then contact your County Judge or Mayor and advise them of the response you received from the EMC so that they can be aware of your offerings and maybe so they can change the attitude of your EMC.... We all have capabilities and services we can provide to our communities, don't let one person or community "leader" convince you of otherwise....
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