Author: Robert WX5TEX

  • Winter Field Day

    Multnomah ARES has decided to participate in Winter Field Day this year and would love to have you join us.

    Winter Field Day is similar to the big ARRL Field Day in June, but a little smaller and definitely much colder – a perfect opportunity to not only get some on-air operating experience, but to also try out your go-kit and see how ready you really are to operate in less than ideal conditions.

    Winter Field Day takes place on January 26 & 27, however we will only be operating on Saturday, January 26, from 09:00 until around 17:00, depending on how many people we have on site. We will be located at the picnic shelter at the top of Scouters Mountain in Happy Valley – SE Boy Scout Lodge Rd & Southeast 147th Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086

    While this is the coldest part of the year, this will definitely be a fun event, and don’t worry, we will have tents, heaters, warm drinks, and hot chili on hand to warm you up.

    Please let us know if you plan on attending, we hope to see you there!


  • HF-101 Class

    There was such a huge interest in my HF-101 class I offered back in July, I’m offering it again on November 17!

    The location is yet to be determined as I’m waiting to see how many people are able to make it. I usually leave the class to a very small group of 4 or 5 folks so everyone can get plenty of on-air time, but since there was such a big interest in my July class, I’m thinking this time I’ll try to get everyone in to one big session, minus the individual radio time. But don’t worry, it will still be just as fun and informative.

    What is HF-101? This class is designed for people who just upgraded to a general class license or those who are interested in upgrading. This class does not prepare you to take the General class test, rather it gives you a practical understanding of how to actually operate on HF, with a big emphasis on propagation and space weather. For those studying to upgrade, it does help solidify some of the concepts on the test, but is not a substitute for studying.

    Again, the class will be on Saturday, Nov 17, starting at 9:30 and going until 1:00 at the latest.

    To enroll, email me at RGAnglin [at] gmail [dot] com.

  • MCARES Campout Last Call

    Are you new to operating on the HF bands? Thinking about upgrading to a General class license so you can work HF? Don’t care about HF but want to hang out and get to know your fellow ARES members and have a great time? The HF Campout is approaching soon, and we still have space for a few more folks!

    Date: September 14-16
    Location: Pine Point Campground, on the shores of Timothy Lake in the Mount Hood National Forest
    Cost: $20 to cover the campground and shared supper

    Come join us for our annual HF Campout, September 14-16, in the beautiful Mount Hood National Forest. We have reserved a nice group campsite for everyone and still have room for a few more folks.

    We will bring the trailer as well as set up a couple of other HF Stations, and we encourage everyone to bring their own portable HF setups.

    Now I know what you’re thinking, “But Robert, Timothy Lake is down in a valley. HF must not work down there very well”. Have no worries! I spent Field Day camped out on Timothy Lake a couple of years ago, and we had no problems making contacts all over the United States.

    To sign up for the campout, email me at RGAnglin [at] gmail [dot] com

  • MCARES Campout

    Our annual campout is coming up on the weekend of September 14-16. This is the highlight of the year and a reward for all our hard work through the busy spring and summer. Come for the whole weekend or just for the day on Saturday. If you like to camp, operate HF, or just relax with friends, this is the place to be. The trailer will be there and most likely another HF station or two. You may even earn your HF Operator certificate.

    We will be in the group site at the Pine Point Campground on the shores of Timothy Lake. The site allows tents and RVs (no hookups) and has drinking water and vault toilets. The campground is easily accessible by car. To get there, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles past the city of Sandy to Skyline Road/Road 42. Turn right on Skyline Road and continue south for about 9 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 57 and travel west for 2 miles, then turn right again at the Pine Point Campground entrance sign.

    The cost is $20 per person to cover the campsite fee. Campers are expected to provide for their own breakfast and lunch. Dinner Friday and Saturday are group potluck events. Email Robert at RGAnglin [at] gmail [dot] com for reservations.

  • HF 101 Workshop

    Whether you are considering upgrading to a general class license or recently upgraded, the HF 101 workshop on Saturday, July 7 will help you make sense of the world below 30 MHz. This isn’t a test preparation class but will give participants some hands on experience on the HF bands to help demystify many aspects of HF operation. To sign up, contact Robert WX5TEX (rganglin [at] gmail [dot] com).

  • HF 101 Workshop

    Whether you are considering upgrading to a general class license or recently upgraded, the HF 101 workshop will help you make sense of the world below 30 MHz. This isn’t a test prep class but will give participants some hands on experience on the HF bands to help demystify many aspects of HF operation. To sign up, contact Robert Anglin (rganglin [at] gmail [dot] com).

  • Skywarn Weather Spotter Training

    Lets face it, our weather is pretty mild here compared to the rest of the country. The northern states get feet and feet of snow, the Midwest is famous for tornadoes and large hail, and the Gulf and East coasts get pummeled by hurricanes every year. That’s not to say we don’t get severe weather and shouldn’t be prepared, especially for those who live in the eastern half of the county. Because of this, I would like to encourage everyone to become a Skywarn spotter for the National Weather Service, as we may be called upon to provide additional real-time weather updates to both the Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management and the NWS Portland office.

    The NWS Portland office just released their 2018 training schedule, and while there isn’t an in-person training opportunity yet in Multnomah County, there is an online Skywarn webinar on May 2 from 18:00-19:00. For more information or to sign up, go to the Weather Spotter Training page on the NWS website. There is also a class in Washington County scheduled for Monday, May 14, and I will advertise additional classes as they become available.

  • MCARES Campout

    Although I feel most at home in the deserts of the American Southwest, I feel very blessed to be living in one of the most beautiful places in the US. The outdoor opportunities here are endless, and the sights incredible. Because my home is so flat and dusty, I try to spend as much time exploring the mountains and other various landscapes as much as possible. 

    Since we built our awesome communications trailer four years ago, the first idea that popped into my head was, “We HAVE to take this thing camping!” And so we created our annual HF Campout. The purpose was three-fold: to exercise the trailer for an extended period of time away from the comforts of civilization; to provide HF training and experience; and as a relaxing team building event. To have a top performing, cohesive team, sometimes you just need to have fun without the pressures of a structured drill.  

    This year, we have found a great group campsite on the shores of Timothy Lake called Pine Point. The campsite allows up to 36 people and should provide for a very relaxing and fun adventure for the team. Although Timothy Lake is nestled in a valley, I have worked HF from this location during Field Day and had no problem reaching stations all over the world. 

    We will be arriving Friday Sept 14 and staying through Sunday the 16th, so we should be avoiding most of the Summer crowd. And although we call it the “HF Campout,” you don’t have to have any interest in working HF; just come out and have fun. If you would like to join us, please RSVP ASAP by emailing me at RGAnglin [at] Gmail [dot] com. We like to get a headcount as early as possible so that we can plan meals and whatnot. Typically everyone is on their own for breakfast and lunch, but we do group dinners at night. The cost this year is $20/person to help cover the cost of the campground and food. We look forward to seeing you there!

  • Annual HF Campout – September 23-25

    We are now one month away from our annual HF Campout, to be held at Fort Stevens on the Oregon Coast this year!

    The HF Campout was originally designed to help newer operators get their feet wet in HF radio operation, and to become a certified HF Operator if they desire. This year, our camping trip coincides with the National Parks On The Air event, which we will also be participating in, so all Multnomah County ARES members are welcome, whether you have never operated HF or are a seasoned veteran.

    You do not need to have your General class license to join us. If you currently hold a Technician license, there will be plenty of control operators available to help get you on the air! HF operation is very different than the VHF/UHF operating we do locally, and it’s very addicting!

    Our group is taking over the majority of Loop G At Fort Stevens State Park for this event, and there are quite a few spaces still available on this loop if you would like to join us. The spots are $29 per night, and you’re welcome to join us for both nights or just one.These spots will all accommodate an RV and have electrical hookups. So far, spots G-264 through G-269 have been reserved by our members if you would like to camp near us. There are about a dozen spaces remaining on this loop, so we would encourage you to reserve quickly if you are planning to join us.

    This link should take you to the correct reservation page; just enter the date range (we will be camping September 23 and 24) and select “Loop G”. If you have any questions or would like to join us, please email Robert at RGAnglin [at] gmail [dot] com.

  • Annual HF Campout

    Join the fun. All members and families are welcome at Fort Stevens for our 2nd Annual HF camp out. This year we will be operating as a National Parks on The Air (NPOTA) station to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of our National Parks service. This will be a great event to learn more about HF operations and have some fun and fellowship with other members. Robert WX5TEX is taking reservations for those who would like to get their HF certification; give him a shout at robert6594j [at] gmail [dot] com.

    We have reserved several campsites so if you plan to attend let Robert know so we can make sure there is room for all.