Sparks, Crackles, and Other Random Thoughts – February 2014

“Further Training Required”

I used to strongly dislike putting that comment on an employee’s training documents. But sometimes it happened. Usually for something that was not an unachievable issue, but one of those critical points that just had to be met and was barely below standards.

Last weekend was not one of those times. And it started for several of us, in a manner that would not probably be placed in a training exercise. In hindsight, during my work years the same thing happened more often than not when a leadership group had been sent off to a location for a meeting of some sort a couple of counties away. But then, as now, we had a plan. Wade KF5AUD, Moe NT7C, Mark KF5UZW, and I had carpooled over to Paris for the MTC event. We had met early, enjoyed breakfast and arrived by 9, joining in the shopping fray that was a fun Ham event. Our plan was to leave about 10-ish and head back for the CERT cookout. We were enjoying some good ham camaraderie and looking forward to a good lunch. We were on schedule and on the road west when the texts started popping. Continue reading

Texoma VE Testing Location Change Starting February 6

Beginning with this month’s testing session on Thursday, February 6th, the location for Amateur Radio License Testing sessions offered by the Texoma VE Team will change. The new location is:

Grayson County College
Center for Workplace Learning (CWL), Seminar Room C

6101 Grayson Drive, Denison TX

The scheduled time will not change; sessions will still begin at 7:00pm.

The Texoma VE Team offers testing sessions for all three Amateur Radio license levels (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra) on the first Thursday of each even-numbered month (February, April, June, August, October, and December).

ARES Training Nets Change To 8pm

Starting this month, our twice-monthly ARES Training Nets will be held at 8pm instead of 9pm. The dates will not change – they will still be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month on the 147.000 repeater.

This change was made to reduce confusion with the GCARC Information Nets, which are held at 8pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.