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Welcome to SCATS Webzine!
Instead of publishing a separate monthly newsletter, club news and other events will be posted here and can be published at any time. Check back periodically for the latest information.
NEXT MEETING: OCTOBER 6TH
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT DSTAR TECHNOLOGY
presented by Ken Chafin (W6CPA) and Leon Brown (KC6JAR) from the Independent Radio Club in Van Nuys
Ken will be giving us an overview of the new Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio (DSTAR) and why this is the fastest growing application in amateur radio. Can you really access the internet from your hand-held DSTAR enabled radio? Why are emergency communications groups embracing this technology? Are there still "bugs" to work out? Come join us Monday night to find out the answers to these questions and much more!
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY
BY N4NCY
added September 25, 2008
OPERATION: RADIO CONTACT
In the Fall of 2007, in response to the need for “hands on” training for new hams and more specifically with emergency communications, SCATS embarked on a new partnership with the City of West Covina Fire Department. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! READ MORE
FIRST-TIMERS REPORT
by Dru Nolan (KB6YUS)
added September 25, 2008
On September 13, 2008, SCATS participated in an emergency preparedness drill with the West Covina Fire Department. This first ever partnership was designed to see how well the SCATS volunteers could convey emergency communications from each of the five fire stations in West Covina, to the "emergency command center" at the West Covina City Yard. READ MORE
Hi everyone!!!
In prepping for this great drill on Saturday I thought I should pass on some valuable information to you. Be prepared for your job, this includes all necessary ham equipment to use your radio. Try not to forget your antenna, batteries, adapters, and other commonly left behind objects. Do a practice run the night before, see what you need to do this eventin your front yard. You will need the same equipment to do it on the side or front of a building. Chairs are a great thing to bring, along with a clipboard, pens, pencils, paper, etc. If you are not profiecient at your radio please bring your manual, and / or quick sheet. The weather will be warm so it is a good idea to bring water and a small snack. This drill will be a fun way to kick off our September and help us to become more efficient helpers when an emergency strikes.
-Craig
NEW PHOTOS IN PHOTO GALLERY
Take a look at photos from SCATS Summer Picnic and Radio Clinic held in early August at Galster Wilderness Park in West Covina. (Scroll to right - photo gallery)
UPDATE: September 8, 2008
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING DRILL
The City of West Covina NEEDS YOU!!
SCATS and the West Covina Fire Department will be holding a joint emergency communications drill on Saturday, September 13 from 7:30AM – 1PM. The purpose of this drill is for amateur radio operators of all skill levels to learn basic training (relevant to the Fire Department’s protocols) to become back-up communicators for our local Fire Department. We need coverage at all 5 Fire Stations located throughout West Covina, the OES, and the BKK repeater site. READ MORE
PROGRAM FOR TRAINING DRILL
COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME by Loren Kizzia (KI6JUU)
OK!, Now you have “worked” your first contact and had a great time “rag-chewing” with the other operator, but at the end of the session the other operator said, “QSL?”…Oh, great! What does that mean?”… Not to worry, all he or she is asking is for you to send them a “QSL” card, a card documenting your contact….Most of the information is info you already have in your Logbook, you do log your communications don’t you? READ MORE
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING DRILL
In keeping with the goals of National Preparedness Month in September, SCATS in cooperation with the West Covina Fire Department will be holding an Emergency Communications Drill on September 13, 2008 9AM - 1PM. The drill is designed for beginner's to get a feel for emergency communications as well as to provide hands-on training for those wishing to support the Fire Department or other amateur radio emergency communications group.
This partnership with the city's Fire Department began last year and the new SCAT's leadership have all worked together to continue this effort to support our community. READ MORE
RECENT ACTIVITIES
Field Day photos available in Photo Gallery
Field Day results coming soon!
Field Day Recap 
What some SCATS members had to say about Field Day . . .
"What a great time I had at the Field day. Being a new ham, I had a lot to learn, but felt I caught on quickly with the help of others. Worked 10 and 20 meters and had a ball. I hated to see the contest end. Thanks to all that came out and helped". - - - Lloyd, KI6NQY
"I had a great time, although, "Grumpy Old Guys" don't show it. We will have to get Craig an, "Order of the Purple Hand" award! Vincent gets "The Really Good Guy" award! - - - Loren, KI6JUU
"In spite of the heat, I had a great time! It was interesting to observe how the first-timers reacted when tuning across the band. Just when they were “brave” enough to answer a “CQ Field Day” from another station….BAAM…the signal fades or becomes unintelligible. Field Day is a great way for new comers to get over “mic fright” and see what operating in “less than optimal” conditions mean. I was thrilled to make a contact from a station in New York in the midst of so many California contacts! I also especially enjoyed “Uncle Loren’s” antenna tuning demo." I can hardly wait for our next operating event!- - - Nancy, N4NCY
"Well, I arrived later in the evening, the temperature was much less, it was great fun participating in the 'Tune the Antenna' contest. After a bit everyone took a break and fired up the grill, burnt they're favorite meat substance, and had a bit of supper! After that short break, everyone was re-charged and hit the airwaves with renewed fury!
It was still going hot and heavy on 10 meters when our Vice President started calling our club call sign Whiskey Bravo 6 Lacy Red Undies!!! She reeled them in from all over with that!!! All in all, great fun was had by all I saw!"
- - - Royal, KI6JUU
"As a non-ham, I am always amazed by the ingenuity and teamwork of the hams to get their stations up and running! Some of the antennas required teamwork to put up, while others were simple and easy to deploy. The one thing that did stand out, though, was the friendliness of everyone and how quick they were to help each other get the job done". - - Vince
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SCATS Summer Picnic
and Radio Clinic
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Galster Wilderness Park
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
AUGUST MEETING
Monday, 8/4/2008 7PM
Emergency Communications:
Getting ready for drill with
West Covina Fire Dept..
SEPTEMBER MEETING
Monday, 9/9/2008
Final preparations for
emcomm drill
OCTOBER MEETING
D-STAR Presentation
OCTOBER 25, 2008
"Get Your Ham Radio
License in 1 Day
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