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 AAttention all Emcomm personnel: You must register on the new WPA ARES website to become or remain a member of ARES! The new WPA ARES website is working very well, and WPA SEC Larry Keller has told us there is no longer any need to use the schedule previously published.
ARES Registration is now open for all WPA ARES members. You are requested to register on the new WPA ARES website, now. Even if you already registered in the past using the ARRL website or a paper form, you still must use this new system to re-register!
Please visit http://www.wpaares.org to register. The registration system can be entered by clicking on the bottom left button.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access the registration page?
Go to www.wpaares.org. The registration page is accessed from a button on the left side of the homepage
- Is my information confidential?
Information you submit will be available only to the Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator and the Emergency Coordinator for your County.
- Why collect this information?
Collection of information on-line is more convenient , an easy to use roster is compiled to facilitate efficient communication with you and more effective response actions in your community and the Section.
- How will I know my registration was successful?
You will receive a confirmation message after you hit the submit button at the bottom. PLEASE DO NOT use ENTER when completing the form. Use the TAB or Mouse to navigate between fields and use the SUBMIT button.
- If I make an error, can I correct it?
Yes, just resubmit ALL data. We recognize duplicates and will use the most recent entry.
- Can I register in two counties?
Yes, if you live on a boundary and serve two counties. You must enter two complete and separate forms.
There is a growing need for ARES emergency communications services, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated.
Questions, contact your EC or AB3ER@comcast.net.
TThe Quad-County Amateur Radio Club has instituted a new program for voluntary contributions to fund the club’s Educational and Outreach programs. The leading priority for Amateur Radio clubs nationwide is the recruiting and training of new Amateurs. Without them, we will witness the end of Amateur Radio.
It takes money to make the wheels of the "New Ham Factory" spin, and club treasuries are already overstressed due to inflation and declining membership. This voluntary donation program allows those members who can afford to do so to contribute additional funds above their annual dues to specific programs of the club. It takes money to make the wheels of the “New Ham Factory” spin, and club treasuries are already overstressed due to inflation and declining membership. The voluntary donation program allows those members who can afford to do so to contribute additional funds above their annual dues to specific programs of the club. When suggesting  this program to the Quad-County club, I recommended the monies all be earmarked for our Educational and Outreach efforts.
Educational is self explanatory: Teaching licensing classes and giving license exams. But there is a promotional aspect to that as well. The League has produced many public service spots for radio ans television, but there are some small costs involved in obtaining them and supplying them to media outlets. Additionally, there are printed publications and handouts for the public and schools. These carry a cost as well. Finally, one of the best ways, even in this Internet age, to attract new hams is to place a license manual in school and public libraries. They are not cheap. Our Volunteer Donor program makes this activity possible without bankrupting the club.
Outreach is a fairly new word. Organizations such as ours use the word a lot. It means providing services to people in our communities who are not (yet) members. Some are hams who haven’t become active with their neighbor hams. Some aren’t hams but have an interest in our activities. Finally there are other, non-Amateur Radio organizations whose goals intersect with ours… Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Public Safety agencies, Red Cross, Salvation Army… It’s a long list. We incur some expenses providing these organizations with printed literature, and providing program materials such as DVDs about Amateur Radio they can show their members.
Besides these activities, there are year-round outreach activities as well. You are reading one of them. Registration for the domain name “qcarc.org” costs us about $12.00 a year. Hosting it costs $4.95 per month. That adds up to about $72.00 per year. If you do the math, it’s about 20 cents a day. From all comments I’ve heard, it’s worth it. The software is free, and I’ve donated my web-design services free of charge. If you were to pay a professional web provider for all the artwork and maintenance, you would be looking at $20 to 30,000 per year. Compare this website to the ARRL website and consider how much that cost the League. (Hint: It’s a deep, six-figure number!)
Taking a cue from the ARRL’s Diamond Club, I came up with the idea of the Dime-A-Day Donor program. For a mere $36.50 per year, you can help support the Outreach and Educational programs that are so important to the future of Amateur Radio and to your club. Our Treasurer collects these funds, and you will receive a certificate in recognition of your selfless contribution to these vital club programs. If you can afford to do more, consider becoming a Double Donor which is a really meaningful way for you to say “$73!”
Consider becoming a Dime-A-Day Donor today. The money will absolutely go to a cause you believe in: Bringing new hams into the hobby.
Dime-A-Day Donors
We thank the following people who have very generously contributed to the future of Amateur Radio:
| Joe Shupienis |
W3BC |
Double-Donor |
| Doug Rowles |
W3DWR |
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| Jeff Rowles |
KA3FHV |
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| Ed Morrison |
K3JE |
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| Tom Robinson |
W3KWT |
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| John Buttner |
KB3OUG |
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| Al Maddas |
KB3SVW |
Double-Donor |
| Bryan Simanic |
WA3UFN |
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| Kevin Hoynoski |
W3PIG |
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TTHE BIG DAY is here! All the planning and preparation comes together today at the Old Town Sportsmen’s Pavilion on the Clearfield County Fairgrounds. This morning, we are setting up antennas and radios and computers, and the grill… and everything else!
The contest portion begins at 2:00 pm and ends Sunday at 2:00 pm. Help will be needed to tear down as well, so please stop by. Many hands make light work, you know!
The Public and media are invited, and this year we’re trying something new – a GOTA station. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a “Get On The Air” station to allow unlicensed people, new hams and old-timers who haven’t been active lately to make some contacts at a more leisurely pace.
We are there now, come on over!!!
Update Saturday 10:00 pm
Channel 6 News visited our Field Day site and depending on the other stories (of course) plans on airing their coverage of us tonight on the 11:00 news. Catch us tonight, and stop by in person Sunday after 10 am. The contest period ends for us at 2 pm, but we’ll be cleaning up and enjoying a hotdog and conversing with old friends for hours after that!
 WWhat else could possibly be the main topic of the June meeting except Field Day? After getting the meeting started, things settled into a businesslike pace as minutes were read, and reports were given. W3BC reported the club’s ARRL Special Service Club status was renewed after many years of inactivity. He further commented that the Field Day Press Release had been picked up and published by several local news outlets, and that a television news camera crew is expected. The subject turned to Field Day, and visitors Lee and Mary Lewis (N3NWL and N3UDN) shared with us some very useful Field Day pointers from their years of experience at putting on a really great Field Day operation in Ridgway.
Hams from four counties gathered at the Clearfield County EMA Center for their June Meeting. Guests helped finalize Field Day plans, newcomers introduced themselves and guest Steve Waltman KB3FPN presented an engaging technology program to round out yet another good old QCARC meeting! Mike WB3EQW raised the question of why the club covers four counties, and Club Founder Joe W3BC related the history of the Club’s creation and the rationale behind the large geographic area.
Under new business, W3BC suggested a new program for members wishing to do more for the club — the Dime-A-Day Donor Program. Club members may voluntarily contribute an additional $36.50 each year to go toward the Club’s Educational and Outreach programs. In recognition of these voluntary contributions, they will receive the status of “Sustaining Member” and a certificate bearing witness to that fact. Several contributions were given to the Treasurer. 15 members and guests were in attendance.
After the meeting, Coffee and Donuts were enjoyed, and a 50-50 drawing was held. 
The program was then presented by Steve Waltman KB3FPN from Brookville, with help from Tom W3KWT. The program was a demonstration of the capabilities of a Communications Monitor, and how amateur transmitters could be tested easily to be sure they measured up to specs.
Photo Gallery
(Click any image to begin slideshow, press [ESC] to stop)
 TThe ARRL is the national asociation for Amateur Radio. Without the League, Amateur Radio would long ago have ceased existence.
In today’s tough times, every penny counts, and some question the need to belong to the League. The answer is: we need the ARRL now more than ever. Recently, the League has defended the Amateur Radio Service against powerful, deep-pocket corporate interests who threatened our precious frequencies. You’ve all heard of the BPL initiatives, which are now on the back burner, largely due to the League’s organized resistance. More recently, Congress wanted to horse-trade frequencies to fulfill campaign promises to emergency service providers by taking away our 432 MHz band. This too was defeated through the efforts of the ARRL. The ARRL pays our club a commission when you join or renew ARRL Membership through us! Every day, the League fights our battles for us with federal, state and local governments who picture us as a bunch of old geezers yelling “10-4” into our power mikes, or tip-tapping our rusty telegraph keys. Your ARRL dues support the League’s intensive efforts to change this image by educating and informing our leaders about Amateur Radio today.
Your dues also help your local club, too! The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Special Service Club, and as a League Affiliated Club, we receive a portion of your dues, when you join or renew your ARRL membership. But this only works if you involve us in the process. You have to use the ARRL Membership Application for use by ARRL Affiliated Clubs form, which you can bring to a club meeting along with your ARRL dues check, which must be made out to The Quad-County ARC.
You worked hard to get your license, you’ve spent a lot of money for your radios, and you have invested innumerable hours perfecting your skills on the air. You owe it to yourself, to your club and to Amateur Radio to protect that investment, and joining the ARRL is the way to do that. It’s even better for your friends and neighbors when you process your League Membership through the Quad-County ARC!
GGET YOUR LICENSE! The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club invites you to attend free classes that will help you prepare for the FCC Technician exams and get your license! Classes are every Thursday begining Thursday, July 14 at 6:30 pm, and will be held at the Clearfield County 911 Center, 911 Leonard Street, Clearfield. The class will be taught under the supervision of an ARRL Certified Instructorby a team of qualified, active hams who will be on hand to help every student over the rough spots. Additionally, our local mentors will be available between classes to answer any questions which may come up while students are studying at home.
 These classes will continue for four weeks, and will end with a Volunteer Exam session at the 911 Center on Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 pm. The material is appropriate for all ages from 10 to 110, however parents of those under 13 are especially encouraged to sit in with their children to provide any needed support. The course consists of the material you will need to know in order to take and pass the FCC license exams, and will follow the material in the ARRL License Manual Second Edition, which although not required is available from the ARRL or other vendors for the list price of $29.95 or through the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club at a substantial discount.
It's easier than you think to get your license. Our instructors guide you past the hurdles and lead you to the finish line!
Topics to be covered include every group of questions on the FCC Technician Exam Element 2:
SUBELEMENT T1 – FCC Rules, descriptions and definitions for the amateur radio service, operator and station license responsibilities
SUBELEMENT T2 – Operating Procedure
SUBELEMENT T3 – Radio wave characteristics, radio and electromagnetic properties, propagation modes
SUBELEMENT T4 – Amateur radio practices and station set up
SUBELEMENT T5 – Electrical principles, math for electronics, electronic principles, Ohm’s Law
SUBELEMENT T6 – Electrical components, semiconductors, circuit diagrams, component functions
SUBELEMENT T7 – Station equipment; common transmitter and receiver problems, antenna measurements and troubleshooting, basic repair and testing
SUBELEMENT T8 – Modulation modes; amateur satellite operation, operating activities, non-voice communication
SUBELEMENT T9 – Antennas, feedlines
SUBELEMENT T0 – AC power circuits, antenna installation, RF hazards
Course materials:
Lesson Plan: 
Word has been received from Larry Keller AB3ER, WPA Section Emergency Coordinator, that a new WPA-ARES website has now gone live. The address is the same, http://www.wpaares.org, but the design and content are all new.
All ARES members will have to re-register according to the schedule... The big story, however is that the new website contains an ARES registration system for Western Pennsylvania ARES participants only. All WPA ARES participants are required to register using the new system to remain ARES members. Due to concerns about server load and manual processing, you are requested to register only by the following schedule:
| District |
Registration date window |
North-1 District
Clarion, Crawford, Erie,
Forest, Lawrence, Mercer,
Venango, Warren
|
June 14-30 |
North-2 District
Cameron, Centre, Clearfield,
Clinton, Elk, Jefferson,
McKean, Potter
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July 1-14 |
South-1 District
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver,
Butler, Fayette, Greene,
Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland
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July 15-31 |
South-2 District
Bedford, Blair, Cambria,
Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Mifflin, Somerset
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July 1-14 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access the registration page?
Go to www.wpaares.org. The registration page is accessed from a button on the left side of the homepage
- Is my information confidential?
Information you submit will be available only to the Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator and the Emergency Coordinator for your County.
- Why collect this information?
Collection of information on-line is more convenient , an easy to use roster is compiled to facilitate efficient communication with you and more effective response actions in your community and the Section.
- How will I know my registration was successful?
You will receive a confirmation message after you hit the submit button at the bottom. PLEASE DO NOT use ENTER when completing the form. Use the TAB or Mouse to navigate between fields and use the SUBMIT button.
- If I make an error, can I correct it?
Yes, just resubmit ALL data. We recognize duplicates and will use the most recent entry.
- Can I register in two counties?
Yes, if you live on a boundary and serve two counties. You must enter two complete and separate forms.
There is a growing need for ARES emergency communications services, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated.
Questions, contact your EC or AB3ER@comcast.net.
 OON MAY 24, the ARRL renewed the Special Service Club status for the Quad-County Amateur Radio Club. QCARC has been an ARRL Affiliated Club since 1978, and became a Special Service Club in 1985. This renewal indicates the Club’s continuing commitment to providing additional services to its members and the communities it serves.
Is it a big deal? Yeah, it kind of is. Of the 43 ARRL Affiliated Amateur Radio Clubs in the Western Pennsylvania Section, the Quad-County Club is one of only three Special Service Clubs currently listed in the ARRL online Club Directory. Nationwide, only 137 SSC clubs are so designated from 2,000 ARRL Affiliated clubs. The national average is under 7% of all ARRL Affiliates are SSCs.
A Special Service Club is not “bigger and better” than other clubs; the designation is conferred upon those clubs that in addition to the usual ham radio activities have made an extensive effort to reach out to their members and communities, provide education and technological expertise to their members and the public, encourage and assist their members in keeping their operating skills sharp for emergency communications should the need arise, and present Amateur Radio to the public in a positive light, attracting new members and new hams by their activities rather than promoting with empty words.
The following description of Special Service Clubs is from the ARRL:
"TRULY SPECIAL Amateur Radio clubs are well balanced in their programs for serving the community, developing club members’ Amateur Radio skills and social activities, striving each year to build on their successes to improve their effectiveness. The objective of the ARRL’s Special Service Club program is to help good clubs organize and focus their efforts on those things that really count. Being an SSC should mean that members have certain skills, that the club as a group has the ability to improve service inside and outside the Amateur Radio community, and that it does so when needed.
To be accepted under the ARRL SSC program, a club must be actively involved in each of the following areas:
- New Ham Development and Training
Purpose: Develop an effective, coordinated program of public relations, recruiting, training and ongoing assistance targeted to prospective hams in your community to foster needed growth in Amateur Radio.
- Public Relations
Purpose: Establish an effective Amateur Radio presence in your community, including contact with local media and coverage of your activities; Public Information Officer appointment.
- Emergency Communications
Purpose: Club members should become skilled in communicating effectively during communications emergencies and be prepared to assist when needed; Official Emergency Station appointment and participation in ARES.
- Technical Advancement
Purpose: Continuing education in the technical aspects of Amateur Radio to ensure that your club members are technically competent, familiar and comfortable with modern radio-electronics technology; Technical Specialist appointment.
- Operating Activities
Purpose: Active participation as a club in one or more major operating or operating support activities to ensure that your club maintains a high level of operating skill.
- Miscellaneous Activities
Purpose: Every active club has its special interests and activities that make it unique, that give it special personality. At least three such activities are required to become a Special Service Club.”
Breaking News
(From ARRL WPA SM John Rodgers N3MSE)
RECENTLY SOME misinformation was obtained regarding the passge of a Senate Bill and sent to the House. This bill was mistakenly identified as SB583. This is incorrect. The bill that passed was Senate Bill 314 printer number 1295. This Bill specificially exempts amateur radio.
Please do not at this time write letters etc. except in support of this exemption. We do not want to upset the current situation.
73
John Rodgers, N3MSE
W. Pa. Section Manager
FIELD DAY IS many things to many people, but among amateur radio operators, it is popular! In the words of Francis E. Handy W1BDI (SK) the “Father” of Field Day, it offers “a great opportunity to get out in the open in this fine spring weather…”
All radio amateurs and people interested in personal communications in our entire Quad-County area are invited to participate in this year’s Quad-County Amateur Radio Club Field Day operation at the Old Town Sportsmen’s Booth on the Clearfield County Fairgrounds. This is a location open to the public, and there is plenty of free parking. Above and beyond that, there is a shelter where we will be setting up shop, and this will protect us from the inevitable showers and Mother Nature’s many otherinconveniences.
 Quad-County Field Day historically has been a family affair, and we continue that tradition this year. There are facilities for a cookout, so we will have one, and a place to sit and eat in comfort! We emphasize again that we intend to make this a family affair and everyone is invited.
Activities begin on Saturday morning, June 25th, and continue around the clock until 5 pm on Sunday. Field day is the largest event in Amateur Radio. Participate with your local club this year and get in on the fun! W3BC is bringing a couple contest-grade radios which he has used to achieve numerous contest awards, and is fine-tuning the networked computer logging system. There are several recently licensed hams locally, and we are setting up a “GOTA” (Get On The Air) station for recently licensed amateurs, those without licenses yet, and long time hams who have not been active lately.  The GOTA station is the ideal way for amateur radio newcomers and unlicensed family members to enjoy a meaningful part in the festivities by making actual contacts with other Field Day stations that will contribute to the Club’s overall score!
We also plan on having a VHF station on hand so if 6 meters and 2 meters open up we will be ready to go! Four transmitters, food, a public information area, shelter from the elements… It sounds like a large order, but we’ve done it before and we will do it again this year! There is a lot to be finalized at the meeting on Friday, June 17th, so plan on attending that important meeting!
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AAttention all Emcomm personnel: You must register on the new WPA ARES website to become or remain a member of ARES! The new WPA ARES website is working very well, and WPA SEC Larry Keller has told us there is no longer any need to use the schedule previously published. 
