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I expect that many of us have witnessed a scene very similar to the above photo. In our immediate area it is a natural event to have severe winter weather that impacts driving conditions, sometimes to the extent that we really should not be on the road. Often just postponing travel for an hour or two may enable road crews to treat the roads and give the chemicals time to take effect on the snow and ice to provide a safer traveling environment.
If you have to travel, be prepared. First off be sure you are aware of what you are getting into with severe winter weather driving. Be sure your vehicle is ready to go with a full tank of fuel and appropriate tires in good condition. Consider some additional items such as a small shovel, sand or traction mats, chains for times it gets really bad and even a very good blanket such as wool or a Mylar reflective emergency blanket. Remember to keep the cell phone charged too. Common sense helps but too often it is not so common!
Many amateur radio operators who travel have an additional resource at hand that will help with gaining a little more information about the weather. That resource can be the 2 meter transceiver which may have the capability to receive the NOAA Weather Radio announcements. Some transceivers even have a feature that will activate an alert when the NOAA radio station broadcasts their severe weather alert. Another useful service often provided through APRS digi-peaters are text alerts about road conditions that may relate to road closures due to various issues such as traffic accidents. Also some repeaters transmit bulletins relative adverse weather and road conditions.
For much more information that may make your winter and 
your travel safer check out the link
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml
 The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is a WRN Ambassador “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ and the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
AMSAT recently deployed the FOX-1A amateur radio satellite, also designated AO-85. These tiny satellites are only 4 inches square! Image that little cube flying around the earth and using it to talk to other amateur radio operators around the world. Communications can be established via the FM transponder that has an uplink of 435.180 MHz and a downlink of 145.980 MHz. Reports are that the downlink signal is rather strong.
If you’re interested in listening for the new tiny satellite check out the active, real time locator map for AO-85 at – http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=40967
To obtain a precise time that AO-85 will pass over your location, check out the AMSAT Pass Prediction webpage. You will need to enter some data such as your grid square or your latitude and longitude.
 Quad County Amateur Radio Club Membership dues are now past due but payable.
> Renewal memberships: $25.00
> First Time only memberships: See the pro-rated chart on the form.
To download a fillable form, click 2016 Membership Application you can then open that form, fill, then print. Please submit the completed, printed form with your dues. Checks are made payable to Quad County Amateur Radio Club and submitted to the treasurer at the meeting or mailed to:
QCARC
P O Box 599
Du Bois, PA 15801
The November meeting brought about a discussion concerning the times of the breakfast and meetings. After a discussion, the membership voted to change the times for the breakfast to 8:30 AM and the meeting to 6:30 PM. The unanimous vote resulted in the decision to change to what is believed to be more appropriate times.
With some of our members being involved in local fire departments, I felt this may b e of special interest.
The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum will celebrate its 20th Anniversary, with an on the air special event. As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum , in conjunction with the Harrisburg Radio Amateurs’ Club (HRAC) , will sponsor a special event. The Special Event Station will be on the air on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on Sunday, Nov. 15, from noon to 4:00 PM, operating from the museum in Harrisburg.
The Pennsylvania National Fire Museum opened on November 17, 1995. Housed in an 1899 Victorian firehouse of the former Reily Hose Company No. 10, the all-volunteer museum features a collection of firefighting artifacts, from hand-drawn equipment to the equipment of today. For more information, contact Richard Lenker, KB3YRC.
QSL cards can be obtained by sending a S.A.S.E. to:
PNFM S.E.S.
1820 N. Fourth Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
This year the SkyWarn™ Recognition Day will be Sunday December 5. This special event started in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay Le ague to recognize the contributions of amateur radio operators during SkyWarn™ events.
Operations are December 5 from 0000Z – 2400Z. This is not a contest but an operating event that encourages operators to contact as many amateur stations as possible, whether they are on the air at a Weather Service Office or otherwise. Stations exchange call signs, signal reports, locations, and a one or two-word description of the weather at their respective locations. Bands that are activated for this event are typically 80 meters through 70 centimeters using all modes, including digital.
Updated details are available on the National Weather Service SkyWarn™ Recognition Day web site http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio/
Recent information from ARRL indicates that those in opposition to this bill are  campaigning against the bill with fraudulent information which is shown in a video on the link below “Contacting Your Congressional Representatives”. It is also part of the QCARC meeting program on November 20. To counter these false representations of the bill, ARRL president Craigie asks that amateur radio operators contact their representatives to request that they support this important bill. Phone calls, emails and letters are all acceptable. Letters should be submitted through the ARRL to prevent delays in the letter’s delivery to the representative. Visit Contacting Your Congressional Representatives on the ARRL website for contact information or see the list in the website version of this story.
The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 (H.R.1301) & (S 1685)
Attention all amateurs, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 ( H.R. 1301) has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. Now a Senate Bill has been introduced (S 1685). Both bills pertain to amateurs obtaining permission to erect antennas where an HOA, or other covenant prohibits an antenna outside. If passed the FCC would amend part 97 rules to include homeowners’ association regulations and deed restrictions, often referred to as “covenants, conditions and restrictions” (CC&Rs). Even if you do not currently live in such an environment, you may encounter this issue some day. Support for this bill will assist your fellow amateurs who may live with such constraints and even restrictions at your QTH that you may be unaware.
Remember to submit your letter to your representative the quickest, file it through the available ARRL links.
To read all the details and how you can assist in this very important issue to all amateurs, go to the updated web site: http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act
Check this ARRL page for the latest information as of August 25, 2015. : http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-president-expects-parity-act-house-bill-cosponsorships-to-top-100-soon
It’s that time again when Mother Nature will soon shift into another season that some folks love and some hate! Winter can bring some rather enjoyable times but also some treacherous times. It is the treacherous times, with winter storms, that we have to be ready to deal with in order to make those times as safe as possible.
Winter weather issues highlighted during the week can be found by clicking the weekday tabs at: http://www.weather.gov/ctp/WinterWeatherAwarenessWeek
Be sure that your NOAA Weather Radio is operating properly and has fresh batteries in the event the electric goes out.
You can find some addition information about the NOAA Weather Radios at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/index.php
Also remember to check out the 2015 Fall edition of the SkyWarn Spotter Newsletter at: http://www.weather.gov/media/ctp/Spotter%20Newsletters/Fall2015.pdf
The 2015 – 2016 winter outlook can be found at: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/videos/2015-16-winter-outlook
Last but not least, another site for winter weather information can be found at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml
The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is a WRN Ambassador “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ and the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
Renewing your amateur radio license is something that happens every ten years and it is rather easy to do it yourself – FOR FREE. I received a mailing from a group that offered to renew my license, that had already been renewed over 30 days earlier, for a fee! I did not find any mention that the renewal could be completed online. A disclaimer would be in order but I guess that would be counterproductive for their “service”. I found this pretty lowly when it really is a free function when you do it yourself. If you are reading this, you can do it yourself
It is rather straight forward to renew your license on the FCC ULS, https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp, just follow the directions. Have your license handy for your 10-digit FCC Registration Number (FRN). It may appear a little over whelming a first but really, just take your time, enter the data and you’ll be on your way. If you are not registered to log into the ULS, again it is a straight forward operation to get set up and get your password.
Even though hurricanes typically do not significantly impact our area, there are times when they do and it may be worthwhile to keep aware of hurricane developments.
Amateur radio is one way to keep aware with the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. There is also a Hurricane Watch Net web site that has quite a bit of information available. Along with keeping informed, be ready with fully charged hand-helds, a full tank of fuel for your vehicle, if you’re lucky to be high enough where flooding risk is minimal consider the possibility that you may be out of electric service for a while.
There is also more information to avail yourself at the National Weather Service/NOAA websites to be able to keep updated with the latest conditions and forecasts for hurricanes.
The following sites will help you stay informed:
http://www.weather.gov/
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://water.weather.gov/ahps/
Just remember “Turn round Don’t Drown“!
The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is a WRN Ambassador “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ and the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
With the current flood watches being issued for the surrounding counties, play it safe for yourself and emergency responders.
When you drive into floodwaters, you’re not only putting your own life at risk, but also the lives of those who will be called in to rescue you. It’s far better to be late to work or to an appointment and remain safe, than to take a risk and possibly lose your life. Turn Around Don’t Drown! weather.gov/flood
The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is a WRN Ambassador “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ and the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
Even with the bright colors and cool temperatures, Fall can also hold some rather hazardous weather too. Be prepared for the hazards that can occur during this time of year as many of us are winding down from a hectic summer.
 Click for detailed information on what various Fall weather hazards can occur and how you can prepare for a safe Fall.
The Quad-County Amateur Radio Club is a WRN Ambassador “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ and the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™ logo are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”
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