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ARRL US Virgin Islands Section (VI)Section Manager
John J. Ellis, NP2B Gallows Bay Sta PO Box 24492 Christiansted, VI 00824 340-773-9643 np2b@arrl.org |
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ALERT: Tue, October 13, 2009; 1:10 AM ET
The section website has been updated as of September 4, 2009. Please go to it for a lot of Virgin islands amateur radio information. www.atthehelm.com Also, After many years of service, Paul Jordan, NP2JF, has decided to take a well-deserved break from his duties as manager of the VI Incoming QSL Card Bureau. We thank you, Paul, for all your time and hard work. Ann Keegan, KP2YL, who lives in St. Croix, will be taking over as manager of the Virgin Islands Incoming QSL Card Bureau (KP2 Incoming QSL Bureau). Accordingly, the incoming QSL Bureau will now be located in St. Croix, with a St. Croix post office box address. Those of you who are active DXers and who would like to receive your incoming Bureau cards should contact Ann at kp2yl@arrl.net so that arrangements can be made for you to get your cards by mail. If you do not want to receive cards via the KP2 Incoming QSL Bureau, please let Ann know that, as well. She will hold all cards for a period of two months, at which time, she will dispose of the cards that have not been claimed. We hope that the foregoing will provide for a smooth transition from Paul to Ann. 73, John Ellis Section Manager |
News last updated: Thu, October 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM ET
Hams in Paradise - October 2009
FEMA Visit Includes Relationship Building With Local Hams
FEMA employees spent several days in the territory in late August focusing on emergency planning -- including ways to build a closer working relationship with local hams. Representatives from clubs on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John met with FEMA public relations and emergency communications employees in two separate meetings -- one in St. Croix, and one in St. Thomas. Those representing FEMA Region II, which includes the US Virgin Islands: Deputy Regional Administrator Michael Moriarty; Disaster Operations Director Dug Salley; External Affairs Director Kristina Simpson; and Disaster Emergency Communications Coordinator Sean Kielty. Also attending was Fema's Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Dan Stoneking. "The meetings were very positive; FEMA realizes the important role the amateur community plays in emergency communications, and would like to build on that in our region," said John Ellis, NP2B, ARRL Virgin Islands Section Manger. Also attending the St. Croix meeting were Ann and Brian Keegan, KP2YL and KP2HC.
On St. Thomas, Mark Quetel, WP2Y, representing both the local Transportation Safety Administration and St. Thomas hams, and Paul Jordan, NP2JF, President of the St John Amateur Radio Club, and Phyllis Benton, NP2MZ, ARRL Public Information Coordinator for the Virgin Islands, met with the FEMA team. "Some of the participants seemed surprised at the type of communications that can take place in an emergency using very little amateur radio equipment, and with only a handful of people," said Jordan. Among the topics discussed was the need for Virgin Islands hams to get some digital radio equipment. "Now that first responders are moving to digital mode, club members should have a way to be in contact with police, fire and EMS in the event of a major emergency or disaster," Jordan added. Local amateurs also expressed a desire for "Sky Warn" weather training -- to better coordinate on-the-ground reporting of severe weather.
One question asked by a FEMA representative was, in light of the communications problems during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina -- when amateur radio was the only reliable source of communications in some areas -- why aren't more people interested in becoming hams? "Folks seem to think that cell phones and Internet connections will always be there -- along with electricity," said Quetel. "They just don't grasp what a hurricane or other disaster can do."
KP2G Receives Rotary Community Service Award For Emergency Communications Efforts
The Rotary Club of St. John has selected George Cline, KP2G, as the recipient of its Community Service Award for his tireless work in the area of emergency communications. The award was presented at a dinner held on October 17. According to a rotary spokesman, Cline was selected to receive the award based on his vast amount of work with "numerous island agencies to improve emergency response time" as well as showing "his leadership as St. John Rescue's dispatcher for the past five years." In accepting the award, Cline noted that St. John Rescue -- a critical first-responder volunteer group -- now responds to more than 200 calls per year. Those can include anything from auto accidents to life-threatening medical problems or injuries. In addition to his work with first responders, Cline also is the backbone of the 2-meter Virgin Islands Weather Net; he also provides weather information twice-daily via the Caribbean Net to cruisers traveling anywhere between Bermuda and South America.
According to Cline, "I was surprised to be chosen for this award, and I am very honored." Close to a dozen friends and members of the St. John Amateur Radio Club turned out to see Cline receive the award.
STT Club To Host Quarter Century Wireless Association Cruisers
More than 100 members and guests of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) -- including former local Ron Hall, KP2N, plan to visit St. Thomas on Weds. October 28 as part of a Caribbean cruise; members of the local club will be on hand to welcome them. The group -- open to amateurs who have been licensed 25 years or more -- is making the trip aboard the Holland America Line ship, "Eurodam," and plans to do some DXing along the way. (For more information on QCWA, go to: http://www.cmh.net/qcwa)
The St. Thomas Club will greet these visitors at the Crown Bay cruise ship complex. A hospitality area will be set up from 8 am until noon near the Costa Java Restaurant. According to Deborah Thomas, NP2DJ, St. Thomas Club Secretary/Treasurer, local hams should look for a banner and, just in case there are any last minute changes, listen into the St. Thomas repeater the day of the event. Hope you can make it!
QSL Reins Passed; Bureau Moves to St. Croix
There's a new bureau manager in town. Stepping up to the QSL plate is Ann Keegan, KP2YL, an avid DXer, who has volunteered to take over the responsibility from Paul Jordan, NP2JF. In doing so, the USVI QSL Bureau will now move to St. Croix where Ann is located.
For the past six years, Paul has had the often-thankless job of collecting and sorting QSL cards for all of the US Virgin Islands. We would like to commend him for the great job he has done. Paul has sorted literally thousands of cards and delivered them with great care. Thank you again, Paul.
In case you haven't met Ann, she and her husband, Brian, KP2HC, are back on St. Croix for what they hope is a very permanent move. "Brian and I are thrilled to be back in the VI. We have made five major moves in four years and are here to stay." Regarding her new duties, Ann told us, "I'm happy to be taking over the incoming bureau; I have always believed in volunteerism," and, according to Ann, any number of hours she puts in couldn't "repay the joy this hobby has given me." Ann has already sent out postcards to local hams that have DX cards waiting for them. If any hams want their cards from the local bureau, you can e-mail Ann at kp2yl@arrl.net, call her at 340 244-0505, or write to her at the new bureau address: VI QSL Bureau, PO Box 25782, Christiansted, VI 00824.
British Virgin Islands Gets New Repeater
The British Virgin Islands Radio League has a new repeater up and running, giving local amateurs and emergency organizations a valuable communications tool. The repeater, on frequency 146.73 (-) offset 100HZ PL was the talk of the Virgin Islands Weather Net when the BVI group announced, last week, that the repeater was "good to go."
Hams from the USVI, including both St. Croix and St. John, were heard using the repeater and making "international" contact. On another quick listen, a cruiser could be heard asking local hams where to get computer-related parts. The new repeater is great news for local hams and visitors. Great job, BVI group!
St. John Hams Become Interference Sleuths; Receive National Attention
Some sleuthing by members of the St. John Amateur Radio Club uncovered the source of radio interference which potentially serious public safety ramifications, and put club members in the national and local spotlight. The problem involved very strong radio signals that were jamming a dedicated frequency used by St. John Rescue, a volunteer first-responder organization. This meant that the ability of the group to relay critical information during response to emergencies -- such as auto accidents and medical emergencies -- was greatly impaired for a period, until local hams were able to discover the source of the interference and have it stopped. Special credit for solving this problem goes to Paul Jordan, NP2JF, Mal Preston, NP2L, and George Cline, KP2G, of the St John Amateur Radio Club, and St. John Rescue Chief Gilly Grimes.
If personal satisfaction for solving this serous problem wasn't reward enough, the amateur radio detectives received front page ink on the American Radio Relay League's home web page, and numerous stories in local newspapers. To view the complete stories, go to the following links:
ARRL story: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/07/29/10986/
VI Daily News: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17638184
St. John Source:
http://stjohnsource.com/content/news/local-news/2009/07/30/st-john-amateur-radio-hams-featured-national-website
Local Ham Celebrated as Children's Book Author
Lee Morris, NP2NI, a St. John resident and member of the local amateur radio club, always thought about writing a book. It wasn't until recently that she penned her first children's book, Marshmellow Little Cloud Discovers an Island, and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. "I had the idea for awhile, and the time was right to make it happen." Lee is a regular on the early morning Virgin Islands Weather net, and is known for her "Barge Report" --- an overview of how many barges are running on a given day between St. John and St. Thomas -- important information if you are planning to travel between islands. Since she participates daily in the net, a weather-related book seems like a natural. Congratulations, Lee! To order a copy of the book, e-mail Lee at www.leeandschatzi@gmail.com The book is $20 including shipping, and is written for children ages 2 and up. For more information about the book, and Lee's writing career, go to: http://stjohnsource.com/content/news/local-news/2009/09/28/island-expressions-lee-morris By the way, Marshmellow is a "traveling gal" and, according to Lee, her next adventure is going to be in England!!
Exam Information
Are you thinking about upgrading your license, or know someone who is preparing to take their first licensing exam? To find out about upcoming exam dates, please contact the following individuals:
St. Croix -- Al Rymsha, NP2V, at 340 773-4725.
St. John -- Exams are usually held twice yearly, in the spring and fall. Please contact Mal Preston, NP2L, at 340 693-8782
St. Thomas -- To take an exam, or find out about becoming a Volunteer Examiner, contact Peter Sinkowski, KP2US, at HamTestingVI@yahoo.com
ARRL Calendar 2009
November
7 -- 8 ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW) 7 -- 8 ARRL International EME Competition 21 -- 22 ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone)
December
4 -- 6 ARRL 160 Meter Contest 5 -- 6 ARRL International EME Competition 12 -- 13 ARRL 10 Meter Contest
VI Club Meetings
The St. Croix Club meets on the first Saturday of the month at the Deep End Bar at Tamarind Reef Hotel at Green Cay Marina. The group gathers around noon for lunch; an informal meeting begins around 12:30 pm. Contact John Ellis, NP2B, 340-773-9643; np2b@arrl.org (Annual dues are $1 per year.)
St. John Ham (and Eggs) Breakfast -- 9 am, first Sat. of each month; alternates between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay; BYOB (Buy your own breakfast). Contact Paul Jordan, NP2JF, President, St. John Amateur Radio Club, 340 776-6568 reeladventuresstjohn@yahoo.com or George Cline, KP2G 340 693-5137; KP2G@surfcoralbay.com (Annual dues are $5 per year.)
The St. Thomas Club meets every Tuesday at the Hook, Line & Sinker restaurant in Frenchtown, just west of the Seaplane base and the Veterans Drive Post Office. 12 noon to 1 pm. The Club meets in the back room. (Annual dues are $10.00 per year.)
The British Virgin Islands Amateur Radio League meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5 pm at the office of the DDM in Road Town. Anyone with an interest in Amateur Radio is welcome. For more information, contact league secretary Jasen Penn, VP2VJ, at pinniepenn@yahoo.com or call 284-468-4200.
Local Ham Nets Virgin Islands Weather Net
St. John Repeater (146.63 (-) offset, 100Hz PL); 6:40 am each morning; hams provide local weather conditions. Get to know your fellow hams (and know that your rig is working!)
Local Repeaters
St. Croix Repeater 147.250 (+) offset. No tone required.
St. John Repeater 146.63 (-) offset, 100Hz PL
St. Thomas Repeater 146.81 (-) offset, 100Hz PL
British Virgin Islands Repeater 146.73 (-) offset, 100HZ PL
Southeastern Division contact info:
Director:
Greg Sarratt, W4OZK 912 Pine Grove Rd Harvest, AL 35749 256-337-3636 w4ozk@arrl.org
Vice Director:
Jeffrey Beals,WA4AW PO Box 1584 Loxahatchee, FL 33470-1584 (561) 252-6707 wa4aw@arrl.net
For more information: http://www.southeastern.arrl.org/
Virgin Islands Amateur Radio contact list:
Section Manager
John J. Ellis, NP2B P.O. Box 24492 Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00824 340-773-9643 np2b@arrl.org, john@atthehelm.com
Assistant Section Managers
Malcolm M Preston, NP2L PO Box 1318 Cruz Bay, VI 00831-1318 (340) 340 693-8782 np2l@arrl.net
Alvin F Rymsha, NP2V 96 Judiths Fancy Est # 4018 Christiansted, VI 00820-4407 (340) 773-4725 alvinr26@gmail.com
Ann Keegan, KP2YL (manager)
VI QSL Bureau PO Box 25782 Christiansted, VI 00824 340 244-0505 kp2yl@arrl.net
For more information: www.atthehelm.com
Hams in Paradise is compiled by P. Benton, np2mz@arrl.net Please e-mail any Ham-related info you would like included in the next e-letter.
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Greetings to all, and thanks to Phyllis for the updated section news!
Welcome to the Virgin Islands page on the ARRL website. Please take time to visit the Virgin islands amateur radio website too, at www.atthehelm.com.
Jeanette NP2C continues to work on the VI section website, look for it at www.atthehelm.com.
The St. Croix Club now has it's station complete and working properly. It is located at Southgate Baptist Church, across from Green Cay Marina where the Club has it's meetings. The rig is a Kenwood TS-140S and an MFJ tuner. An Icom IC-25A serves as the 2M rig. The antenna system on HF consists of a Cushcraft A3S at 30 feet (yup, it's on a tower!!!) and atop that is a Hustler G6 antenna.
A lot of people donated equipment to this project including Dave NP2I, Steve K2OMP, Larry N4FD, Manny NP2KW, the Pina Colada Contest group and even John NP2B.
Now we need to put some hours on it!
The St. Thomas repeater (146.81 MHz) is up and running, actually it has been up and running for some time! It is a brand new repeater. Much of the credit goes to Bernie, NP2W, who basically put it together. It has been upgraded to 60 watts out and it has a controller with a lot of nifty features. You can dial the numbers "929"and it will give you the correct time and date. You can also dial "878", unkey the repeater and it will come up and say "ready". You then have 4 seconds to start talking. When you stop transmitting, it will automatically play your last transmission back to you so you can see how well you are getting into the machine. It works very well, try it!
The St. John and St. Thomas repeaters now require a 100Hz PL (CTCSS) tone. The St. Croix repeater currently does not require the use of a PL tone. Convention here in the VI is that if a repeater goes down, go simplex on the output frequency. That is the frequency everybody will be listening on anyway and when the repeater comes back up, you will know it and can go back to usual duplex repeater operation.
Mal NP2L has taken over the VE licensing operations for St. John while Debra NP2DJ has taken over the VE operations for St. Thomas. Al NP2V runs them on St. Croix. Mal can be reached at np2l@arrl.net while Debra can be reached at 340-344-9427. Al can be reached at 340-773-4725. The St. Thomas exam sessions coincide with the Tuesday luncheons at Hook Line and Sinker in Frenchtown. Thank you folks, for picking up the ball and running with it.
The St. John Amateur Radio Club conducts exams for the St. John group, the V.I. Amateur Radio Club conducts them for St. Thomas and the St. Croix ARC does likewise on St. Croix. Exams are generally given on an "as needed" basis, contact the coordinator for your island to schedule a test.
For all exams, applicants must bring the following.
1. Legal photo ID.
2. Social Security number or taxpayer ID (TIN) number if you are a US citizen or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence or US employment. (If possible, non US residents should contact the FCC at (202) 414-1250 or email them at ulscomm@fcc.gov to obtain an Alternate TIN (ATIN) prior to the exam).
3. If upgrading please bring the original and one copy of a) your valid US amateur license and b)completion certificate (CSCE) to claim element credit.
4. Required fee of $14.00.
Also, if you have an FRN number, please use that instead of your social security number on your form 605. If you don't, the FCC will reject your application. Go to the ARRL website (www.arrl.org) for further information.
Please contact Malcolm Preston, NP2L, at (340) 693-8782, if you have any questions on the St. John test sessions, Peter Sinkowski, KP2US, (kp2us@yahoo.com) on St. Thomas for those sessions or Al Rymsha, NP2V at (340) 773-4725 for the same on St. Croix."
Also, please welcome back Phyllis Benton, NP2MZ, our new Public Information Coordinator. She is taking care of distributing news to the various media concerning amateur radio activities in the Territory and the one who puts the first part of this newsletter together.
Section website www.atthehelm.com
e-mail your news to Phyllis (NP2MZ@arrl.net or myself at NP2B@arrl.org
np2b@arrl.org or john.np2b@gmail.com
73, John, NP2B
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