Arkansas Radio Emergency Services
Welcome
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This is the homepage for the Arkansas Radio Emergency Services (abbreviated as A.R.E.S.), Club, located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and it has the club callsign N5AT. For more information on what we do, how to become an amateur radio operator, and how to join our club, just click on one of the links above. This page was last updated on May 8, 2008. Your webmaster is Daryl Stout, N5VLZ.
I have done a bit of redesign from the previous format, so all of the information needed is on this one page. This way, one doesn't have to look elsewhere, as appropriate links are provided. I also use a similar format on my personal homepage, and other websites that I maintain...as it's easier for me to work with.
The background Morse Code translates to ''Arkansas Radio Emergency Services''. The sound file was created with the WinMorse program. It converts text to Morse Code in several formats...click on the WinMorse link for more information, and system requirements. Even though Morse Code is NO LONGER REQUIRED for any U.S. Amateur Radio license, it's an important part of the heritage and history of ham radio.
Since I was first licensed in 1991, I can tell you that while there are many other aspects of amateur radio besides Morse Code...such as digital modes (Packet Radio, APRS, PSK31, Amateur Television, RTTY), DXing (talking around the country and around the world), VoIP modes (Echolink, IRLP), contesting and awards, nets, public service events, satellites, and more...and you may be excited about the HOBBY...it's recommended that you try each one out. Some of the things of amateur radio may greatly interest you, while other things won't at all. If you concentrate ''too hot and heavy'' in the early going, you risk getting burned out...making it seem like your preparation was for nothing.
Net Information
The A.R.E.S. Club has a Weekly Traffic Net, that meets every Thursday night at 8pm, U.S. Central Time, except for the second Thursday night of the month, at which time, the club holds their monthly meeting. The net is on the 145.130 repeater (minus offset...no PL tone required). After testing, it'll also be available on Echolink as the N5VLZ-R node, number 72203, which is one of the zip codes for Little Rock, Arkansas. Echolink is for those who don't have radio gear, or are too far away from the repeater to get in...but they do have an Internet connection.
The node will be up before, during, and after the nets...and at other times when I'm here in the shack, as Control Operator. The link will be set to LISTEN ONLY mode from the Internet, during a public service event, emergency preparedness drill, etc.
However, the Echolink capability will NOT be available, if I have to be away fromt he shack for a time...if there are thunderstorms in the Central Arkansas area...or if the power or high speed Internet is off at my location.
NO AMOUNT OF SURGE PROTECTION, LIGHTNING ARRESTORS, ETC. WILL PROTECT YOU FROM A DIRECT, OR NEARBY LIGHTNING STRIKE. For central Arkansas weather information, click here. Should an EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SITUTATION be going on at the time of the net...or if I have a prior commitment (dates are noted below), and no one else takes the net in my absence, the net will be CANCELLED for that evening.
All amateur radio operators with a valid Technician Class license, or higher...regardless of club membership or affiliation...are cordially invited to participate in the net. The net will start with traffic, club announcements, information related to amateur radio, and checkins. Note that the ARRL Audio News, and/or the Amateur Radio Newsline may be added later.
The repeater itself is located on top of Arkansas Children's Hospital, just south of Interstate 630 at Exit 2B in downtown Little Rock. I can hit it with just 5 watts of power with an HT (a portable handi-talkie), and an inside magmount antenna from my location in west Little Rock (the apartment complex where I live doesn't allow outside antennas). Another ham radio operator from Cabot, approximately 20 miles northeast of Little Rock, can hit it on the same wattage (he has an outside antenna)...so, the repeater has wide coverage.
Recent Traffic Net Log
A log of checkins and traffic passed will be posted here, shortly after the nets that I run, which meet at 8pm Central Time each Thursday, except the second Thursday of the month (as noted above). This is designed for those who may miss the net, for whatever reason, and want to know what went on, as it were.
The following stations checked into the May 1, 2008 net:
1) N5VLZ, Daryl, Little Rock (Net Control)
2) N5UZT, Mike, Bryant
3) N5WTD, Jeannie, Bryant
4) KC5NPR, Gary, Mabelvale
The following traffic was passed on the May 1, 2008 net, updated May 8, 2008 (club meeting night):
1) The website page and the next club meeting were mentioned...details are elsewhere on this page.
2) Due to my involvement with an area ARRL/VEC VE Test Session, on Thursday night, June 5, 2008...the net will be CANCELLED for that evening. The only upcoming VE Test Sessions in the Little Rock area, prior to the Amateur Extra Class Question Pool change on July 1, 2008, are as follows:
a) C.A.R.E.N. Club, Thursday, June 5, at 7pm, Red Cross Building, next to Ray Winder Field in Little Rock. VE Liason: Steve Porter, AE5SP.
b) Little Rock A.R.E.S. Test Group, Saturday, June 14, 9am, Historic Arkansas Museum, 3rd and Scott Streets, in Little Rock. VE Liason: Gunter Lindermeier, WW5AA.
Details on what to bring to the exam sessions are elsewhere on this page.
3) Due to prior commitments, I'll be unavailable on the following Thursdays, so someone else will need to take the nets those evenings:
June 26, July 31, August 28, October 9, and October 23...my apologies for any inconvenience.
4) The A.R.E.S. Club will be joining with the C.A.U.H.F. group for Field Day...further details are elsewhere on this page.
5) I'm still having some issues with the Echolink node setup into the repeater...I will try to work these out as soon as possible.
6) More stormy weather is forecast over the next several days...check the Little Rock National Weather Service website, and the Storm Prediction Center for the latest forecasts.
Monthly Club Meeting
The A.R.E.S. Club has their monthly meeting at 7pm, U.S. Central Time, on the second Thursday of each month. The meeting is at the Baptist School Of Nursing in west Little Rock, just west of Exit 4 off of Interstate 430. For directions, click here.
Disregard the mention of ''Suite 1000'' from that link...as the A.R.E.S. Club meets on the FAR NORTH SIDE of the building, in the first room on the left, after you enter. Go to the west side of the building, then turn right once you pass the building, and you will be on the far north side. Everyone is cordially invited to attend.
The next meeting is set for Thursday, June 12, 2008, and the meeting after that is Thursday, July 10, 2008. The location of the club's Christmas Party in December may be different...and details will be posted on this, if required.
Public Service Events and Activities
The A.R.E.S. Club takes part in providing communications to various public service events, such as parades, marathons, bike-a-thons, etc. This is to ensure the safety of the participants involved, and to summon First Aid, should it be required...such as if a participant should injure themselves in some way (by falling, etc.).
You do NOT have to be a member of the A.R.E.S. Club to participate in any of the events that the club takes part in. This is because...sometimes...the club joins with other area amateur radio clubs for the event. In some cases, the amount of participants, or the area covered, is so large, that a large number of amateur radio operators are needed to handle communications.
While only licensed amateur radio operators may transmit on the appropriate frequencies for the events, you may be able to assist in other ways, if you're not currently licensed. The following events are scheduled, and links for other information, etc. will be posted as soon as possible, if not noted already.
A public service event is set for sometime this fall...details will be posted as soon as possible.
The club also has an annual Chili Supper on New Years Eve (Dec. 31), to coincide with the ARRL Straight Key Night...encouraging the use of CW (Morse Code) in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere. Bugs and iambic paddles are allowed, but all participants are encouraged to use a straight key, if possible. The ARRL Straight Key Night runs from 0000 UTC to 2400 UTC on January 1 of each year (6pm CST Dec. 31 to 6pm CST Jan. 1). The event is usually held at a local ham radio operators home, and is a time for food, fellowship, and most of all, the operating fun of CW.
Field Day
Always the last full weekend in June, Field Day is an annual event, where amateur radio operators set up antennas, run their stations on emergency power (generator), demonstrate amateur radio to the public, try to make as many contacts as possible during the 24 hours (1pm Saturday to 1pm Sunday), and a time of fun and fellowship for all involved.
This year, the A.R.E.S. Club will join with the Central Arkansas UHF Group...more details will follow shortly after the June 12, 2008 meeting.
Studying For A Ham Radio License
There are now just three (3) U.S. amateur radio licenses, issued by the Federal Communications Commission. These are Technician (now the entry level license), the General, and the Amateur Extra. While there still are Novice and Advanced amateur radio licensees, these licenses are no longer being issued. And, as of Feb. 23, 2007, a Morse Code Test is NO LONGER REQUIRED for any U.S. Amateur Radio license.
To get an amateur radio license, you must pass a written examination...covering rules, regulations, RF Safety, and electronic theory related to the particular class of license...Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The higher license you obtain, the more amateur radio privileges you have. Whichever study option you choose below is up to you.
You can obtain the question pools from the American Radio Relay League, or the National Council of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. For the PDF files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.
You can also purchase study materials from the American Radio Relay League, or the W5YI Group, among others. You can also study, and take practice tests with QRZ, or with HamTestOnline.
I personally recommend HamTestOnline, as that is what I used to upgrade from Technician to General, then to Amateur Extra...all in just under 4 weeks...not bad for someone who isn't that electronically inclined!!
For a $49.95 fee (at this typing), you get a two (2) year subscription, with all three (3) U.S. exams (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra), and both Canadian exams (Basic and Advanced).
You study in the privacy of your own home, taking all the time you need...using your computer and the internet. A dial-up, DSL, or broadband cable connection will work...plus, there is no software to download and install. When you get to at least 80% study, take as many Practice Tests as you need. When you start scoring 80% or better on a regular basis, you are ready for your License Exam. However, if after adequate study and practice tests, you still FAIL on exam day, send them proof of your failure, and they will CANCEL your subscription, and REFUND your money. Less than 1% of everyone who have up with them have asked for a refund.
License Exams And What To Bring
The A.R.E.S. Club conducts amateur radio license exams in the central Arkansas area, at 9am, U.S. Central Time, on the second Saturday of the even numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, and December), at the Historic Arkansas Museum, at the corner of 3rd and Scott Streets, in downtown Little Rock. Free parking is available across the street. Should winter or severe weather be occurring on the exam day, the test session may be POSTPONED or CANCELLED. The next test is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2008, and the one after that is Saturday, August 9, 2008.
If you plan to attend one of these license exam sessions, you need to bring:
1) The ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of your license, if you are already licensed.
2) A photo ID, such as a drivers license, passport, state ID, etc. Lacking that, you will
need two (2) forms of identification...such as a Birth Certificate, with the appropriate seal affixed, or a
bill, or other piece of mail addressed to you.
NOTE: On the license application form, you will be REQUIRED to provide your Social Security number (SSN), if you're not already licensed. If you've previously signed up at the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) website, or if you're already licensed...an FCC Federal Registration Number (FRN) takes the place of your SSN on the application.
If you DON'T want to provide your SSN on the form, you can go to the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) website where you can get information, then sign up to obtain a FRN. You will be REQUIRED to provide your SSN on the CORES website to obtain an FRN.
If you do NOT provide either your SSN or an FRN at the test session, or the VE Team can NOT verify your identity, you
will NOT be allowed to take the license exam(s).
3) The ORIGINAL and a PHOTOCOPY of any applicable Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE), which are valid for 365 days after initial issuance for upgrading. An amateur radio operator who had previously passed the 5 words per minute (wpm) Morse Code test does NOT need to keep the CSCE showing that they passed Element 1, since the FCC removed the Morse Code requirement for any U.S. amateur radio licensee as of Feb. 23, 2007.
4) Cash, or a check payable to the appropriate Volunteer Examination team for the appropriate amount. It's currently $14 for ARRL VE Test Sessions (payable to ARRL/VEC)...and it'll remain that way through 2008. However, the fee may increase in 2009. The fee may be different for other VEC groups.
5) A calculator, with ALL MEMORY FORMULAS CLEARED...the VE Team may personally inspect the calculator to verify this. CHEATING, IN ANY FORM, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!
The Exam And Afterwards
The exams are multiple choice tests...35 questions for the Technician exam, 35 questions for the General exam, and 50 questions for the Amateur Extra exam. You take the Technician exam to get your first amateur radio license...then if you wish to get more amateur radio privileges, you take the General, then the Amateur Extra Exam. As stated above, there is NO LONGER ANY MORSE CODE EXAM REQIREMENT. Also, you are under NO OBLIGATION to take the higher license class exams, if you don't wish to do so.
Again, the higher class of amateur radio license that you hold, the more amateur radio privileges you have available for use. However, even though I'm an Amateur Extra Class licensee, I PREFER and ENJOY the modes that Technician Class licensees can use...mainly Packet Radio, and Echolink.
You do NOT have to score 100% on the exams...you can MISS as many as nine (9) questions on the Technician exam, nine (9) questions on the General exam, and thirteen (13) questions on the Amateur Extra exam...and still PASS. As any coach would tell you, ''a win by one point is as good as a win by ten points''. Your score will NOT be on your ham radio license, and not every amateur radio operator has passed a license exam on the first try.
Once you fill out the paperwork, and your ID has been verified, you fill out the answer sheet (this is where you will mark your answers), then begin the test. Feel free to ask for scratch paper, if you feel you need it. Take all the time you need to complete the test, as you're more likely to make mistakes if you rush through it. When finished, turn in your test booklet, answer sheet, and scratch paper to the VE Team, who will grade the test while you wait.
If you pass (Congratulations!), you'll receive a Certificate Of Successful Completion Of Examination (CSCE). This is if you decide to take the next exam in line, before your license shows up in the FCC ULS database, so you don't have to retake the exam that you just passed, at another test session. It takes approximately 10 to 14 days after you pass the exam for your data to show up, so be patient (when I was first licensed in 1991, it took seven (7) weeks before I got my license and callsign!). You can also check the QRZ New Hams listings.
Once your callsign is in the database, you can begin operating, within the privileges of the license class you earned. If you're already licensed and have a callsign, you can begin using your new privileges IMMEDIATELY, with the instructions on the back of the CSCE.
You will receive a paper copy (one suitable for framing, and the other a wallet size copy) from the FCC, via U.S. Mail, approximately two (2) weeks later. Be sure to SIGN your license before laminating it, as the license is NOT VALID WITHOUT YOUR SIGNATURE. Also, be sure to keep your license with you...and keep your U.S. Mailing address current. If mail to you from the FCC is returned as undeliverable, your amateur radio license could be SUSPENEDED or REVOKED.
If you fail the exam, don't be discouraged. If you're willing to pay another test fee (noted above), and the VE Team has another set of questions, you can retake that exam element. As noted earlier, not every amateur radio operator has passed their exam on the first try.
Contact Information and Officers
You can contact the A.R.E.S. Club by U.S. Mail to:
Arkansas Radio Emergency Services Club
P.O. Box 22072
Little Rock, Arkansas 72221-2072
President: Georgia Seward, KB5VJA
Vice President/Treasurer: Roger Fidler, KC5NPU
Secretary:Emil Mackey, AA5BE
Webmaster: Daryl Stout, N5VLZ
Membership Application
Membership in the A.R.E.S. Club is $20 per year. While membership in the ARRL is NOT REQUIRED, it is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, and the A.R.E.S. Club BENEFITS if you're also an ARRL Member.
To become a member of the A.R.E.S. Club, right click on the form below, save it, print it, fill it out, and mail it with your check for $20, payable to Arkansas Radio Emergency Services, to the address noted above. We look forward to having you as a member!!
Daryl Stout, N5VLZ, A.R.E.S. Club Webmaster
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