Tag Archives: National

V Bar V Heritage Site, Red Rock visitor center to reopen next week

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FLAGSTAFF — The V Bar V Heritage Site and the Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center will both reopen to the public beginning next week.
V Bar V Heritage Site:
The V Bar V Heritage Site, located at 6750 N. Forest Road 618 in Rimrock, will reopen on June 18.
Operating hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Monday.
COVID-19 restrictions include group size limitations and requested mask usage for unvaccinated individuals.
Either an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass or a Red Rock Pass (available on site) is required for access to the heritage site.
V Bar V is a rock art/ ceremonial site that features more than 1,000 petroglyphs and is largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.
Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center:
The Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center, located at 8375 Highway 179 in Sedona, will reopen June 14.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The Arizona Natural History Association Gift Shop will be open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Several COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect. Capacity inside the building will be limited to 20 visitors at a time, and social distancing is encouraged. Visitors who have not been vaccinated are asked to wear a mask, and visitors who wish to remain outside are welcome to call 928-203-2900 for assistance, or to visit the informational kiosk outside the building next to the parking lot.

Happy HONOR AMERICA DAYS!

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We are looking forward to the parades, band concerts, flags lining the streets and demonstrations that honor America for the 21-Day period of Honor America Days! We are just waiting for the City of Williams to post the schedule.

What? You’ve never heard of Honor America Days? Of course not. If you went through public schools in Arizona they did not tell you about Honor America Days, for some reason. 36 U.S. Code § 11 (an ACTUAL law written by Congress) designates the 21-days from Flag Day to Independence day is a period to honor America. “Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.”

Independence day is the day you probably call 4th of July because of the brainwashing you have received in school. Of course you probably don’t know independence was declared on July 2, but that’s another article.

Rome, New York the only city we’ve found that actually has an Honor America Days celebration. They have, unfortunately, fallen into the Plandemic trap the Cuomo set in New York. We also found the WriteShop web site that has writing suggestions for students for the Honor America Day celebration. WriteShop is a company that sells books on writing for young people. A South Dakota web site called Keloland has published a PDF called 21 Ways to Honor America.

You may find other Honor America Days information if you use a search engine. You certainly will not hear about this celebration of America from Washington D.C. Unless it has to do with any “bad” things the United States has done. The United States “government” has done bad things based on what ever it takes to get the people to vote for them. The recent plandemic is an example of that. Fortunately it is now going away because the mean tweeter is gone.

Before we started sending jobs to China and other countries, however, America brought newer and better technology to the world. America put the computer in your home that you are reading this on. American medicine, before Obamanationcare, extended the life of Americans and people around the world.

What the United States did give to the world is a government run by the people. “We the People…” are the government. Not the employees in Washington D.C. or Phoenix or where ever. This government was meant to be sovereign “States” bound together for a common cause. There was never any intention that the national government in Washington would control the individual States or control their lands. We the People let that happen.

What can you do at home to celebrate? How about reading a copy of the Declaration of Independence? How about making sure your children say Happy Independence Day instead of happy fourth of July. Study the Bill of Rights and the history of the Bill of Rights. Read Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States of America and see what limitations they have exceeded. Read a few of the Federalist Papers, especially Federalist Paper No. 29.

Annual Armed Forces Day Cross-Band Test Set for May 7 – 8

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NATIONAL — The US Department of Defense will host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD) Cross-Band Test, Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, in recognition
of Armed Forces Day on May 15. The event is open to all radio amateurs. For more than 50 years, military and amateur stations have taken part in this exercise, designed to include amateur radio and government radio operators alike.

The AFD Cross-Band Test is a unique opportunity to test two-way communications between military and amateur radio stations, as authorized under FCC Part 97 rules. These tests provide opportunities and challenges for radio operators to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise in which military stations will transmit on selected military frequencies and will announce the specific amateur radio frequencies being monitored.

The schedule of military/government stations taking part in the Armed Forces Day Cross-Band Test and information on the AFD message is available on the MARS website at, http://www.dodmars.org/home/armed-forces-day-2021.

KA6LMS – Special Radio Event

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The Last Man Standing Amateur Radio Club is joining with a team of seasoned special-event operators across several states to present a multi-band, multi-mode special event celebrating the prime-time network TV show for its positive and accurate portrayal of amateur radio. During its nine seasons, the Last Man Standing ARC also operated as KA6LMS from real radios on the set during production breaks, making thousands of contacts with the show’s amateur radio fans.

The special-event team includes the Long Island, N.Y. – based Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club, the 12 Days of Christmas and the K2Heroes teams, and a number of guest operators and podcasters.

KA6LMS and a number of affiliated stations will livestream their operations. At times, the Amateur Logic team will pick up video feeds from active stations to provide commentary and context.

The event will start at 00:00 UTC on March 24, 2021 and end at 23:59 UTC on March 30, 2021, the last day of shooting for the show, which is concluding its long, successful run.

The event will feature guest operators with special 1-by-1 call signs in most call sign areas. The 1×1 calls will act as Bonus Stations qualifying contacts to be able to download a “Clean Sweep” certificate. The KA6LMS call will also be used with a /(Call Area) attached to give access around the country.

The intent is to operate on as many bands and modes as possible. Satellite and repeater operation is also encouraged. We want to thank the PAPA Repeater system and Georgia DSTAR. We’ll be running on REF012A DSTAR and a DMR TalkGroup via PAPA and REF030B via Georgia DSTAR.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, operations from the set will be limited to crewmembers at times the stage is otherwise empty. Operations will always be spotted online.

Eric Clapton and Van Morrison release anti-lockdown songs

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This month, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison released an anti-lockdown song called Stand and Deliver. Eric Clapton performed the blues-style song written by Van Morrison. The songs are released under the label of “The state51 Conspiracy.”

Previously Van Morrison released songs entitled “No More Lockdown,” “Born to Be Free,” “As I Walked Out.” The song rebellion was started by Van Morrison to support his Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund to help musicians hurt by shutting down concerts.

Pop Sensations Jason Derulo & Rachel Platten to Headline the MI Charitable Foundation’s Annual Summer Concert

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GRATZ, Pa. – Featuring chart-topping singer-songwriters Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten, the MI Charitable Foundation’s sixth annual summer concert will be streamed online Saturday, August 15, from 8-10 pm EST.

This is a free event with opportunities for viewers to donate if they choose. All funds raised will benefit the MI Foundation’s local, regional, and national beneficiaries. Additionally, MI Windows and Doors will be matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to the first $100,000.

“We are elated to have Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten performing this year,” MI Windows CEO Matt DeSoto said. “They’re both fantastic singers and great performers.”

A Florida native, Derulo has 11 platinum singles to his credit, including “Whatcha Say,” a 2009 hit that reached No. 1 in the U.S. During his decade-long career, he has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and many other pop music superstars.

Platten, whose 2015 hit, “Fight Song,” reached No. 6 on the American charts, won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016 for her live performance on “Good Morning America.” She has also appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The X Factor,” and “American Idol.”

“Smooth Like Clyde,” a popular group out of Harrisburg, Pa., that has been called the top cover band in Central Pennsylvania by multiple outlets, is also going to perform. Additionally, the concert will feature inspirational videos from some of the MI Foundation’s beneficiaries, including Homes for Our Troops, Four Diamonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“When we first started planning the 2020 summer concert, we had no idea that we wouldn’t be meeting in person,” DeSoto says. “But I think we’ve put together a fantastic program – one that will give our team members, customers, suppliers, and friends from around the country a chance to learn about the many wonderful causes the MI Foundation supports. And we think it will be a lot of fun, too.”

Diverting $500 in unspent Ebola funding? Shameful.

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By Glen Davis

A researcher holds a container with female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in the Sao Paulo’s University, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. The Aedes aegypti is a vector for transmitting the Zika virus. The Brazilian government announced it will direct funds to a biomedical research center to help develop a vaccine against the Zika virus linked to brain damage in babies. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

An article on the Foreign Policy web site complained in May 2018, Entitled Ebola is Back. And Trump is trying to kill funding for it.:

As U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, the White House discreetly released an official proposal to cut funding for children’s health programs, Medicare, and Ebola responses. The two policies may seem unrelated, but they share the same basic design — assuming vast national security risks simply for the sake of dismantling former President Barack Obama’s legacy.

The web site Common Dreams reported in February:

Democratic members of Congress on Monday slammed President Donald Trump’s failed management of the nation’s public health system as he attempts to shift congressionally appropriated funds away from other public health emergencies to fund the administration’s effort to combat the growing threat of the coronavirus.

This because President Trump proposes a $2.5 Billion budget to fight the Chinese Communist Party virus funded in part with $530-million in unused Ebola virus response money.

Remember when Obama diverted $510-million in Ebola funding to deal with the Zika virus in April of 2016? Neither do the Democrats.

What is this Amateur Radio?

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Glen Davis, KG7YDJ

An amateur radio operator, Yvette Cendes, KB3HTS. Wikipedia photo

You might have heard of Amateur—or “Ham”—radio, but do not really know what it is about. You may be familiar with Citizens Band, or CB, radio and have seen it in movies. Perhaps you purchased those bubble packs of walkie-talkies off of the shelves at Walmart. These are nothing compared to amateur radio. This article will attempt to explain the differences between these radio services and how you can obtain a license.

We should explain where you can find the rules about the radio services, first. The radio services and radios mentioned above are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The regulations are found in the Code of Federal Regulations. You can simply search for 47 C.F.R. and you will find all of the FCC regulations. Part 97 of those regulations cover Amateur Radio and Part 95 of those regulations cover CB and other radio services. “In the business,” we simply refer to Part 95 or Part 97.

We will start with a brief explanation of Part 95. The regulations for Citizens Band, General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Family Radio Service (FRS) are covered in Part 95. There is another little used radio called Multi-Service Radio Service (MURS). CB, FRS and MURS are “licensed by rule.” That means that you can use these services without getting a “hard copy” license from the FCC. If you break the rules in Part 95, however, the FCC can track you down and fine you and order you to stop using them.

You are required to get a license from the FCC to use the GMRS frequencies. Even if you have those walkie-talkies you purchased from Walmart a few years ago. On some of those radio they combined FRS and GMRS channels. To use the GMRS channels, you are required to get a license. The reason is that GMRS uses more power than the other services and can use some features found in amateur radio. A ten-year license costs $75. Only the head of the household needs to obtain the license and all family members can use the same call sign assigned by the FCC.

The difference between the aforementioned radio services and amateur radio is power. Amateur radio uses more power and a broader spectrum of frequencies. You are not allowed to modify Part 95 radios discussed above. In amateur radio, however, you can modify radios for special uses and even build your own radio.

Amateur radios can be used to control radio controlled planes, robots, cars, boats or whatever. Although you cannot use the full power of amateur radio for this purpose, you can use more power than the controllers that come with normal models you put together giving you longer range.

Amateur radio can be used with the Internet to allow you to connect to different locations around the world. With the appropriate license, you can use amateur radio frequencies and power to contact people direct. You can also use radio frequencies and equipment to send and receive digital messages and send emails. You can use a simple handy talkie (HT)—what amateurs call walkie-talkies—to talk through satellites.

Amateur radio operators set up a trailer in Flagstaff to continue emergency communications as the Museum Fire threatened communication facilities on Mt. Elden.

There is more to amateur radio, but on a more practical level all of these radio services can be used in an emergency. In fact, anyone can use any radio service to call for help to prevent “…the immediate loss of life or property.” Amateur radio is used at the Emergency Operation Center in Flagstaff. At the beginning of the Tinder Fire in 2018, cell phones were useless. An amateur radio operator sent evacuation notices from the scene to the Emergency Operation Center in Flagstaff.

There are three-levels of amateur radio licenses. From lowest to highest they are Technician, General and Amateur Extra. You are NOT required to learn Morse code for any of the licenses. Most people are happy with a Technician license because you can do a lot even though you are limited in frequency privileges. The General license gives you access to most of the frequencies available in the amateur radio portion of the spectrum. The Amateur Extra is much harder to obtain and gives you just a few more frequency privileges over the General.

We should point out that you are not allowed to use any of the radio services if you have a felony conviction on your record. If you get your rights restored, however (which is not difficult to do), you can obtain a license. It might take a little longer.

Another thing about amateur radio is you are NOT required to join any club or participate in emergency communication programs, such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, to use the radio. Once you are licensed, you can use the frequencies appropriate to your license level. It is intended, first and foremost, as a fun hobby.

For more information you can consult the following web sites:
Amateur Radio Relay League
Bill Williams Mountain Radio Club
Coconino Amateur Radio Club

Hikers, Runners and Riders Attempt to Complete Entire Arizona Trail in One Day

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Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? It’s not – if you volunteer to cover one of nearly 100 separate sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), along with others who each choose to travel different sections of the route, which extends from the Mexico border to the Utah border.

Section 67, Snow Bowl Rd to FR 418 – Photo Arizona Trail Association


A Record Setting Endeavor

On Saturday, October 12, more than a thousand hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians from around the world will be staged along the course to participate in AZT in a Day in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Arizona Trail Association.

“We want to get people out to experience the entire length of the trail and set the record for participation in a single day to celebrate our first 25 years of existence,” said Matthew Nelson, executive director of the Arizona Trail Association. “This will be the first time a National Scenic Trail will be completed in this way,” he added.

Choosing Your Section

The 800-mile trail has been divided into sections ranging in length from 2.1 to 15.6 miles. Participants will have 24 hours to complete their portion of the trail. Registration is free and is open to anyone.

Participants can choose between desert, mountain, canyon, forest or urban segments of the path. The AZT passes through eight wilderness areas, four National Forests, two National Parks, one National Memorial, 1 State Park and passes near 33 gateway communities.

“We’re advising that all participants be well-prepared. Several access points require 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles,” said Karrie Kressler, Community Program Coordinator.

A few sections of the trail are remote and require extra planning. For these sections, participants familiar with back packing will be required to camp in particular areas at least a day before the actual event to be ready to complete their portion on October 12, according to Kressler.

“So far, we have hikers, bikers and equestrians booked for more than half of the sections, but there are still many sections that need to be covered,” Nelson said.

Fundraising Opportunities

Participants who want to help raise money to support the Arizona Trail Association can appeal to family, friends and others to pledge dollars to support their commitment on October 12. Information about fundraising can be found in the registration information online.

Another fundraising opportunity to support the Arizona Trail Association is provided by Phoenix-area children’s book author Rodo Sofranac. Proceeds from the sales of the award winning author’s most recent book, The Red Tail Tale on the Arizona Trail, will go to support the organization.

The colorful, illustrated book is the story of Rowen, a young red-headed explorer, and Rojo, a clever red-tailed hawk, who meet, bond and experience a wonderful adventure on the fascinating Arizona National Scenic Trail. A list of 22 retail outlets where the book can be purchased throughout Arizona can be found on the author’s website: rodowrites.com.

How to Get Involved

To sign up, get a trail map or for more information about AZT in a Day, visit aztrail.org/events/aztinaday-2019/, email karrie@aztrail.org or call (520) 261-8460.

FEMA and FCC Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

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WASHINGTON – FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The test is being conducted through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This year, the test message will originate from designated radio stations, known as Primary Entry Point stations, which participate in a component of IPAWS called the National Public Warning System.

All other radio and television stations, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers should subsequently receive and broadcast the test message.

This year’s test will evaluate the readiness of the national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity. The test will be approximately one minute long, have a limited impact on the public with only minor interruption of radio and television programs, and will be similar to regular monthly EAS tests. Both the audio message and text crawl should be accessible to people with disabilities.

The test will not include a message on cell phones via Wireless Emergency Alerts.