WICHITA FALLS MAN
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08-13-2024 - The Wichita Amateur Radio Society 147.140 MHz repeater now has a digital voice as well as analog capability. The only problem for me, a listener with analog capability only, is that when people use the digital voice mode, all I hear is static. That's absolutely fine. They should do whatever gives them utility and enjoyment. But, it's a little rough listening to a 15-minute conversation in the static dialect when I don't speak static. Do I take that frequency out of "scan", or just turn down the volume? I don't know. Before you suggest that I make myself digital voice capable, that's probably not going to happen. Or, I might and just not tell anyone. Hmmm.
08-13-2024 - I find amusing the number of people on X, formerly known as Twitter, who have no idea that CB Radio had a life before truckers began using it. When they do find out, some say, "Well, it was the truckers who gave CB Radio a boost." Then, I'm amused even more, wondering why they think CB Radio needed a boost.
08-13-2024 - I made contact with K8RLE at Haymarsh Lake State Game Land (US-0832) in Michigan on 20 meters (14 MHz) CW (Morse code) in the Amateur (ham) Radio Parks on the Air® program.
08-13-2024 - From the U.S. Federal Communications Commission - FCC ACTIVATES DIRS AND MDRI IN PUERTO RICO AND USVI FOR TS ERNESTO. (DA No. 24-808). The FCC announces the activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System and the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (MDRI) in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to Tropical Storm Ernesto. OMR PSHSB.
08-13-2024 - Let it be written, let it be known, that on one of our Wichita Falls tax-supported radio systems, someone loudly expelled gas! I'll leave it to you to imagine which one it might be. In other news, a Wichita Falls woman told police the injuries to her 3-year-old child were caused by the 5-year-old child. Police thought otherwise. A man out on his second parole could be going back to jail after police found a handgun in his vehicle.
08-13-2024 - FEMA National Current Ops / Monitoring – August 12-13, 2024
New Significant Incidents / Ongoing Ops:
• Tropical Storm Ernesto – Puerto Rico/USVI
• Wildfires – Western U.S.
Hazard Monitoring:
• Excessive rainfall/flash flooding – Central Plains to the Middle Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and Puerto Rico/USVI
• Fire weather – Northern Intermountain to the Northern Rockies
• Excessive heat – Southern Plains to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Florida
• Tropical Activity:
Atlantic:
• Tropical Storm Ernesto
Eastern Pacific:
• Disturbance 1: Low (20%)
Disaster Declaration Activity:
• No new declaration activity
Event Monitoring:
• No significant events
08-13-2024 - There's talk online about an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning the Amateur (ham) Radio 900 MHz band. I have not read it, but it seems that a commercial entity wants a chunk of the band. Amateur Radio people are making their thoughts known to the FCC. Should I submit a comment to the FCC? I have never used the 900 MHz band, and I'm sure I never will. I'm also sure that most hams would say I need to join the fight just because I'm a ham. Is that fair? Does it give the FCC an accurate picture if 90% of people commenting don't use the band and never will? I'm conflicted. Sort of.
08-13-2024 - NWS Forecast - Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Heat index values as high as 109. South wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 81. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
08-13-2024 - 7:12 AM - According to Water Data for Texas, Wichita Falls water supply reservoirs are: Arrowhead: 70.7 Kemp: 100.0% Kickapoo 74.1%. The City of Wichita Falls uses the combined levels of Arrowhead and Kickapoo to determine drought stage.
08-13-2024 - 5:31 AM - NOAA SPACE WEATHER - Last 24 Hours - Radio Blackouts (Minor) Solar Radiation Storms (None) Geomagnetic Storms (Severe) - Solar Wind Speed: 432 km/sec Solar Wind Magnetic Fields: Bt 17 nT, Bz 14 nT Noon 10.7cm Radio Flux: 272 sfu.
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08-13-2024 - 5:31 AM - ERCOT (Texas) snapshot of grid conditions - ERCOT reports that conditions are normal and there is enough power for current demand with an operating reserve of 8,756 Megawatts.
08-13-2024 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday. That means the Clay County Amateur Radio Club will hold its weekly informal net tonight at 8:00 PM on the 146.800 MHz repeater. As far as I know, all licensed Amateur (ham) Radio operators are invited to check in. Of course, scanner radio enthusiasts can also tune in. In other news, I didn't turn on the TV yesterday. Not for a minute, and I didn't miss it. I didn't avoid it purposely. I just had other things to do. Maybe it'll happen again, and that would be fine with me. My Folgers Black Silk coffee is ready!
08-12-2024 - Local News - Wichita Falls Memorial High School will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on August 19 at 5:30 PM. Legacy High School will do the same on August 22nd at 6:00 PM.
08-12-2024 - We have a new Amateur (ham) Radio Parks on the Air® site: Fort Sill National Historic Site - US-11778. It was activated for the first time on July 7, 2024. I'll need a strong ground wave (too close for skip) to hear them and for them to hear me, but I'll be listening for it.
08-12-2024 - From the U.S. Federal Communications Commission - IN THE MATTER OF INTELSAT LICENSE LLC. FCC EB settles with Intelsat resolving EB's investigation into Intelsat's unauthorized operation of its Galaxy 35 satellite. Intelsat admits to violating the Commission's rules, agrees to implement a compliance plan, and will pay a $160,000 civil penalty.. Action by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau . Adopted: 2024-08-12 by Order/Consent Decree. (DA No. 24-778). EB
08-12-2024 - The Wichita Falls ISD school buses are active on 152.360 MHz this morning, even though school doesn't start until August 15th. New drivers need training. Tune in with your scanner radio.
08-12-2024 - FEMA National Current Ops / Monitoring – August 11-12, 2024
New Significant Incidents
Ongoing Ops:
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Preparations – Puerto Rico/USVI
• Wildfires – Western U.S.
Hazard Monitoring:
• Heavy rain / flash flooding – Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the Carolinas
• Critical fire weather – Nevada
• Tropical Activity:
Atlantic:
• Potential Topical Cyclone Five
Disaster Declaration Activity:
• FMAG Approved: Gold Ranch Fire – Nevada
Event Monitoring:
• No significant events
08-12-2024 - NWS Forecast - Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Heat index values as high as 108. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Tonight: Clear, with a low around 79. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
08-12-2024 - 7:12 AM - According to Water Data for Texas, Wichita Falls water supply reservoirs are: Arrowhead: 71.1 Kemp: 100.0% Kickapoo 74.2%. The City of Wichita Falls uses the combined levels of Arrowhead and Kickapoo to determine drought stage.
08-12-2024 - 7:12 AM - NOAA SPACE WEATHER - Last 24 Hours - Radio Blackouts (Minor) Solar Radiation Storms (None) Geomagnetic Storms (Strong) - Solar Wind Speed: 498 km/sec Solar Wind Magnetic Fields: Bt 19 nT, Bz -16 nT Noon 10.7cm Radio Flux: 282 sfu.