Welcome to KL7KC - Fairbanks Alaska

National Weather Service - SkyWarn Recognition Day - December 1,2 , 2006

AARC provided the volunteer HAM radio operators for the Fairbanks National Weather Service Office on December 1,2. The NWS SkyWarn Office was fully staffed for the 24 hour event.

Thanks For Helping To Operate....

John (KL1AZ), Kody (KL0RN), Larry (N1TX), Rod (KL1Y), Roger (AL7BH), Shelly (KL1SE), Weiyuan (N3WY), Dan (KL1JP).

Standing Room Only - Five AARC Operators staff the Fairbanks National Weather Service Radio Room: John (KL1AZ), Weiyuan (N3WY), Dan (KL1JP), Shelly (KL1SE) and Kody (KL0RN).

The KL7FWX - NWS Operator Position. Equipment included an Icom 718, two Kenwood VHF radios, a full APRS station, a variety of tuners and miscellaneous hardware. Although we did our best - propagation simply did not cooperate.

Volunteer operators Shelly (KL1SE) and Larry (N1TX) at the KL7FWX position.

AARC Mass Inoculation Exercise October 13, 2006

The First AARC implementation of integrating both Radio voice and Email (airmail) capability. This was a high-tech way to combine both normal and digital Radio capabilities to serve the public in a unique show of capability - in a (cell-phone prohibited) emergency exercise.

The Pioneer Park facility was one site for mass inoculations. Bill (KC8MVW) at the radio, passing digital traffic and discussing capability to Diane Johnson (HD Logistics). Zac (KL2S) and Jared (KL1TS) acted as roving/mobile AARC support HAM's - moving from location to location as necessary.

Bill (KC8MVW) and Benny (NL7XH) at the AARC Emergency Communications station located in the Pioneer Park inoculation area.

Public flyer - In preparation for the upcoming Mass Inoculation Exercise.

One of several locations; an Emergency Communications Station was also located at the Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center. Here too, capability included both Radio voice and digital capability.

The North Pole Mall was another site for dispensing mass inoculations. Although it appears congested, time from entry to exit was less than 8 minutes.

The North Pole Mall was staffed by three AARC radio operators. Weiyuan (N3WY), John (KL1AZ) and Rod (KL1Y) provided both radio and digital capability for the exercise.

The North Pole Mall was staffed by plenty of great volunteers and staff.

AARC Hamfest September 30, 2006

The AARC 2006 HAMfest - Friend and Family Oriented

The Elk's Club Hamfest 2006 parking lot was definitely full of vehicles sprouting a variety of antennas.

The AARC Emergency Communications kits were on display for members to review and experiment with. These were supplemented by a separate Digi-peater system set up in the parking lot by Kody (KL0RN).

In preparation for the upcoming Mass Inoculation Exercise, Linda (AD4BL) hosted several training sessions utilizing the AARC EMCom Kits.

Definitely a big hit, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and 60 pounds of Homemade Moose-meat Chile - all done to perfection.

Talking to other members is half the fun, learning new procedures, exchanging information about equipment and generally just saying "Hello".

The VE session was attended by a variety of members wishing to upgrade and some new folks attempting to get that first license.

AARC Meeting September 2, 2006

Yukon Quest (Alaska) Executive Director Julie Estey Gives AARC Membership A Big Thank You For Their Continued Quest Support And Especially For Their Help During The 2006 Eagle Summit Emergency

Yukon Quest (Alaska) Executive Director, Julie Estey presents the AARC Sponsor banner to the membership. It hung in downtown Fairbanks during the 2006 Quest run.

AARC received a card from the Yukon Quest vets, directors, staff and board members thanking the Club for all its hard work and continued support over the last 24 years.

Among other generous gifts from the Yukon Quest Office, AARC received an official "Sponsor" patch.

AARC received an extraordinary Quest poster hand-signed by all of the participating 2006 Quest mushers.

AARC Members Install New Antenna For The Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center (EOC) - June 21, 2006

AARC members installed a new Diamond X-50A in the Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center (EOC) for use in Emergency Operations. This adds to the growing list of antennas AARC members have installed across the Fairbanks area for use with ARES Emergency Operations.

Linda (AD4BL) stands with the new Diamond X-50A antenna destined to be installed in the Fairbanks regional public health center.

Bill (KE4ITP) climbs up the ladder to the roof area where the antenna will be located.

Bill (KE4ITP) and Jerry (KL7EDK) push coax into the ventilation shaft. The new Diamond X-50 is standing on the right side of the photo and is mounted (via a 3 mag mount shoe) onto the top of a ventilation plenum.

Scott (KL1PF) pulling cable through, up, over and around the ceiling tiles.

Jerry (KL7EDK), Rod (KL1Y) and Scott (KL1PF) pulling cable into the EOC area.

Jerry (KL7EDK) pulls something else from his "goodie bag" to finish to job.

Dan (KL1JP) talks to Kody (KL0RN) to confirm the new antenna works and to get a signal report.

Oops - Within several days of initial installation, the antenna sits disconnected on the roof.

Wade (from DOT) and Scott (KL1PF) install the new permanent vertical mount for the antenna.

Jerry (KL7EDK) and Scott (KL1PF) install the antenna onto the new mount. The permanent vertical mount raises the antenna an additional four feet and clears it from any metal obstructions.

AARC Field Day June 24-25, 2006

AARC members provided plenty of Bonus points for the Field Day Event. It was a definite WOW weekend!

Bringing it all over, and setting it all up.

Field Day 2006 - as viewed from the roadside. (64 degrees 54 minutes 48.9 seconds North and 147 degrees 54 minutes 23.6 seconds West)

Photo was taken at Midnight - ah... Alaska's endless daylight!

It took several hours and all hands to setup the Spider Beam.

The Spider Beam where it proved to be an amazing antenna.

A special Thanks to Alex (AL7EX) for the use of his new antenna.

Satellite guru Justin (KL1RL) getting setup for a variety of satellite passes.

Fire Commissioner Steve showed up - netting us another 100 bonus points.

The AARC Field Day Station: Our main rig was an Icom 706 coupled with Jim's (KL7JM) SG-500 amplifier out to Alex's (AL7EX) Spider Beam antenna. We also added a VHF station: Justin's (KL1RL) Yaesu-897 for satellite work, 6 meter contacts and VHF/UHF QSO's. Several additional antennas were set up: a 6 meter yagi, a 40 meter dipole, a 80 meter dipole and Larry's twin 2 meter/70 cm satellite yagi's as well as Justin's Arrow 144/440 handheld.

Plenty of free information for the public on display.

A special Thanks to FISTS for providing CW code tutorial CDRom's.

The QSO Family: Wayne (N1CKM) and Elizabeth (KL1WD) were responsible for more than one pileup at our location.

Jim (KL7JM) in the background optimizing his fantastic 500 watt amplifier. A special Thanks to Jim for the use of that amplifier, it made a huge difference.

Setting up another antenna - this time the 40 meter dipole.

XYL's and Guests are ALWAYS welcome. We can use 'em for logging QSO's.

Our CW guru Larry (N1TX) picking off the QSO's. Because of the number of contacts - we used a computer logging program this year.

Kevin (NL7WO) attempting to contact the AO51 satellite.

Rod (KL1Y) picked up plenty of bonus points for us - using PSK31. At 2 points for each digital contact - they added up fast.

How many people can boast they were responsible for more than one PSK31 pileup?

Rod (KL1Y) demonstrating the use of a nontraditional mode involving Ham Radio and Wireless Technology to Alex (AL7EX).

We got special dispensation (and an extra 100 points) for this very unique mode.

Youth - our secret weapon - Cole (KL1ST).

Larry's (N1TX) automated satellite system - an azimuth and elevation rotor coupled to a 2 meter and 70 cm antenna.

Bagging the QSO's - AARC was responsible for plenty of pileup's. It was nice to be on THAT end for a change!

Shelly (KL1SE) picking up the bonus points on HF for us.

Fine tuning Larry's (N1TX) automated satellite system.

Shelly (KL1SE), Eric (KL7AJ) and John discussing strategy.

AARC Board Meeting June 8, 2006

AARC Board member Rod (KL1Y) demonstrates the integration of Amateur Radio and Wireless technology in conjunction with his Master's Thesis Project.

A Unique Non-Traditional Mode.

Integrating Radio and Wireless technology to achieve a Masters Degree.

Rod (KL1Y) demonstrates how Amateur Radio and Wireless technology can be married and used successfully for emergency communications.

AARC Tour-de-Cure Support - June 3, 2006

The AARC Club supports the Tour-de-Cure Event by providing Checkpoint Communication using HAM radios to call in Racer Bib Numbers to "Net Control" as they pass the checkpoint. Every participant is accounted for throughout the entire length of the course. A few AARC members on bicycles act as "sweep" safeties and spotters trailing the participants to make sure that all of the Tour-de-Cure racers cross the Finish Line and that all bicycle malfunctions or emergencies are solved quickly.

Checkpoint table set up with essentials: food, drinks, HAM radio and participant checklist.

Just Follow The Chalk Lines - This Way To Tour-de-Cure Route.

The Fox Lions Club provide checkpoint support, drinks, food and plenty of vocal support for the riders.

This year they also provided a "warm up" vehicle for some of the cold riders.

Checkpoint rider list - EVERY one is accounted for!

Participants getting ready to roll down the road again.

Mob Scene - Fueling up prior to tackling the Old Steese - McGrath section as they head back into town.

Fox Lions Club member, Volunteer Pei and AARC HAM sweep-safety rider Ray (KL0VB) at the Fox checkpoint.

Nenana River Days - June 3 & 4, 2006

AARC members provided support for the Special Event Station N7R During The Event.

Nenana River Days N7R special event station Saturday June 3th, 2006 - Nenana, Alaska. Left to right: Wayne (N1CKM), Ron (KL1QG - standing) and Carl (WL7BDO).

Setting It all Up and working the QSO's:

N7R statistics: 28 QSO's, 7 DXCC counties, 8 20M QSO's, 2 80M QSO's, and 18 local simplex 2M QSO's. 1 or 2 first time QSO's for new licensees.

Equipment: Duel Band Handhelds for VHF and UHF. Home brew discone antenna for VHF & UHF thanks to Ron (KL1QG). HF was Icom 718 and Cushcraft R6000 vertical.

Delta Junction Frontier Days - May 27, 2006

AARC members provided support for the Special Event Station K7F During The Event.

Delta - Frontier Days special event organizer Wayne (N1CKM) putting on the finishing touches.

24 HAMS checked in. 2 satellite contacts (AK) 8 20M contacts – 3 DX (Russia, Canada and Germany) 3 80m contacts.

Demonstrations of APRS, Satellite, DXing, Winlink (VHF and HF), co-located with Emergency Preparedness information.

Setting It all Up - Wayne (N1CKM) and Rod (KL1Y).

Ya' gotta have a BIG RED Firetruck.

Linda (AD4BL) and Rod (KL1Y) demonstrate APRS and emergency operations.

Shelly (KL1SE) and Wayne (N1CKM) getting ready.

The Satellite QSO guru crew - Larry (N1TX) and Justin (KL1RL).

Any way you can - Getting the QSO's.

JPole Building Session - AARC Club Meeting - May 5, 2006

AARC technical members provided support for a Special J-Pole Building Session.

J-Pole guru Jim Movius (KL7JM) leads the technical session and "hands-on" construction.

J-Pole Building Session featuring AARC members and guest.

J-Pole Building Session featuring Elizabeth (KL1WD) and Marybeth (KC0CWG).

Hands-On - Completing The Soldering.

J-Pole Measuring Template.

Ok - Now, does it work correctly?

AARC Emergency Communication Kit Construction & Programming Session - April 22, 2006

The AARC Emergency Kits consist of a standardized laptop/software package together with a Yaesu 8800 radio, a Kantronics KPC3 TNC and necessary cables. The kits are standardized and are available to volunteer "Team Leaders". They were put together to form a first-responder emergency backbone communication network with analog and digital capability. The kits are a result of a ten thousand dollar grant from the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club (KL7AA).

Many showed up to help with the kits and to enjoy the great food and company.

The AARC software installation and computer setup crew.

Programming the radios, initial cable installation and verifying that everything works.

Standardized and finished kits - ready to go to a emergency.