Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
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As work progressed on the network, some users encountered LoTW opening briefly during which some 6600 logs were uploaded. The logs were not processed until this weekend as we tested that the interfaces to LoTW were functioning properly. We are taking steps to help manage what will likely be a huge influx of logs. We are requesting that if you have large uploads, perhaps from contests or from a DXpedition, please wait a week or two before uploading to give LoTW a chance to catch up. We have also implemented a process to reject logs with excessive duplicates. Please do not upload your entire log to “ensure” your contacts are in LoTW as they will be rejected. Lastly, please do not call ARRL Headquarters to report issues you are having with LoTW. You can contact support at
Through the end of the year, you may experience planned times when LoTW will be unavailable. We have been using this time to evaluate operational and infrastructure improvements we would like to make to LoTW. Those times will be announced. We appreciate your patience as we worked through the challenges keeping LoTW from returning to service. We know the importance of LoTW to our members, and to the tens of thousands of LoTW users who are not ARRL members. LoTW, just behind QST, is our second most popular ARRL benefit.
Click on the link for the latest repeater information used by STX by county.
ICS 205 Severe Weather Repeaters
Here is the link for the HF information used by STX.
ICS 205 Severe Weather HF Only
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
Hello ASEC’s, DEC’s, EC’s and other interested parties,
Mr. Timothy J Lewellen, WX5GC, has accepted the position of Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Hardin County in District 9 of the South Texas Section. District 9 is composed of Jasper, Jefferson, Hardin, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine and Tyler counties. Tim replaces Steve Fletcher, N5BOY, who served for 4 years and is still active in radio. This appointment was recommended by the District 9 Emergency Coordinator (DEC) Mr. Brian Cater, KC5YSM and approved by the Section Manager Mr. Stuart Wolfe KF5NIX.
Mr. Lewellen is married and a graduate of San Jacinto College with 40 years in industrial process instrumentation, transitioning from pneumatic to electronic controls, and automated control systems.
Tim’s interest in electrical circuitry was sparked in 1974 with a crystal radio kit from where else, Radio Shack. Moving on to CB in the late 70’s into the 80’s. Tim remarks “My interest in radio waned probably due to use of it all day on the job”. “In the late 90’s it resurfaced due to Y2K influences, and I took my technicians license test and was licensed on 11/17/1998.” “Later taking my General and Extra exams and becoming interested in Emergency Communications and then hurricane communication issues.” “I operated at the Houston / Galveston weather office, at the site before where they are located now.” “During Tropical Storm Allison, I relayed flood water depths from hams in the field to the hydrology desk, since all of their gauges were not reporting.” “I have been involved in EmComm issues ever since.”
Tim is presently active on the Texas Traffic Net, the 7290 Net daily and South Texas ARES Net on HF. Additionally, with the JCARC net and the Jefferson County ARES net on Wednesday night. “I am the ARES WinLink net control station, generating an ICS 309 report after the net and sending it to the Jefferson County EC and AEC.”
“I am looking forward to heading an active ARES group with a willingness to serve the agencies that may require our assistance.” “I am writing this to you while taking flooding and damage reports for NWS LCH or EM in Hardin County.”
This appointment was effective May 21, 2024.
Welcome Tim.
Regards to all,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
Below is an excerpt from an email from an ARRL Section Manager that should be a wake-up call for ALL of us to join the ARRLSTX and STXARES email groups so our ARRL Leadership has a backup email system to contact you. Currently, the ARRL.org and possibly the ARRL.net email systems are down.
For the few ARRL members that have signed up to get Division and Section News your ARRL Director and Section Manager cannot email you using the ARRL email system until it is fully restored. It doesn't matter what email address the ARRL has on file for you.
To Join our Groups.io Email List:
I encourage those using @arrl.net addresses to update them to a real email address you check often.
For ARRL Members Only
As you may know, various IT systems at ARRL have been down for nearly three weeks due to an outage that began on or about May 15. My May 21 newsletter was not sent out through the ARRL mail system and I am not currently able to directly communicate with members except by entering individual email addresses. Because the ARRL email system is down I cannot communicate with 2812 NC ARRL members who receive my newsletters through the ARRL mail system.
Hello to all EC’s, DEC’s, ASEC’s and other interested parties,
Mr. Emmett "Ray" McCoppin, N5SRF, has accepted the position of Emergency Coordinator (EC) for San Jacinto County in District 2 of the South Texas Section. District 2 is composed of Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker County. Recommended by DEC 2 Mr. James “Skip” Straus, W5TXT, DEC for District 2, the appointment is approved by the STX Section Manager Mr. Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX.
A former county commissioner for San Jacinto County, Ray has been a Ham Radio operator since 1994. Originally licensed as a Technician Plus having passed the 3a element, morse code 5
WPM, Ray most recently upgraded to General license class.
“I was a successful IT business consultant, working mainly on larger capital projects for Fortune 500 companies including I.E. DuPont, Conoco, Northrop, EDS, Raytheon, Wal-Mart, Hughes, and Tyson”. “These projects included the implementations of large computer software systems like SAP, SharePoint, and others”. “I am retired now and have been using my talents as a volunteer with my church, Ham Radio ARES, and the American Red Cross”.
Ray earned his associate degree from Lamar University In Beaumont, TX. Go Cardinals!
Ray volunteers as an American Red Cross Disaster Services Technology (DST) as a HAM Radio Operator Liaison/Operator, Ray has performed the following duties:
distribution.
The appointment was effective April 25, 2024.
Welcome Ray,
Regards to all,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
Hello to all EC’s, DEC’s, ASEC’s and other interested parties,
Mr. David C. Hancock, KJ5AWJ, has accepted the position of Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Trinity County in District 2 of the South Texas Section. District 2 is composed of Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker County. David is believed to be the first EC for Trinity County. Recommended by DEC 2 Mr. James “Skip” Straus. W5TXT. DEC for District 2, the appointment is approved by the STX Section Manager Mr. Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX.
David tells his story:
I spent a great deal of time on the radio in my younger years as a member of the Military Police. Those radio protocols are very similar to what is in practice on ham bands. I was first licensed as a technician in May of 2023 and then as a General in late June 2023.
I belong to the Upper Lake Livingston Wireless Association and the Walker County Amateur Radio Group. I regularly participate in their weekly nets and meetings. I currently have 2-meter, 70 cm, 10- and 6-meter bands and have acquired a dual band to install in my primary vehicle. I plan to add other HF bands to my base station in the future.
I find amateur radio is a great hobby and have learned that it is a way I can serve my rural community in times of need.
Being the county's first EC will allow me to help establish accepted operational procedures, recruit additional ARES members, and stress the importance of amateur radio to the community.
The appointment was effective May 21, 2024.
Welcome David,
Regards to all,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
We heard what attendees were saying:
All this for the same great price of $5 admission and covers both days.
The Lewisville Amateur Radio Association will handle all tailgating.
All times are available on the website.
Check us out at dfwhamexpo.com
SKYWARN Weather Spotter's Field Guide and a list of SKYWARN classes held by the National Weather Service offices in South Texas:
Austin/San Antonio https://www.weather.gov/ewx/skywarn
Corpus Christi https://www.weather.gov/crp/skywarn
Houston/Galveston https://www.weather.gov/hgx/skywarn_schedule
A message from our West Gulf Division Director, John Stratton N5AUS. Our Oklahoma/Texas leadership supports this Motion. However, they are currently in the minority. Feel free to contact the leaders that John lists below and contact your friends outside the region so they can review this information and take appropriate action:
“No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”
A centuries old truism often attributed to Mark Twain — it is applicable to any elected organization with the power to alter the lives and rights of others — public, private, or governmental — including the ARRL Board of Directors.
While the Agenda for the Board Meeting is always published before a Board meeting, the many motions to be considered by the Board have rarely ever been published before a Board Meeting. The most recent and notorious exception occurred before the January 2018 Board meeting when the Executive Committee and Lisenco motions intended to juice the 2017 “Code of Conduct” were leaked to the general Membership. The overwhelming Membership outrage resulting from the unintentional disclosure was instrumental in the punitive proposals being withdrawn. The 2017 Code of Conduct was itself overturned by a newly elected Board in January 2019.
The Members’ voices were heard — and their wishes were honored.
It is my belief, that of a small minority of Directors, and Vice Director Lee Cooper’s, that the Members should be permitted to have advance notice of the substantive matters to considered by the Board of Directors at its meetings.
To that end, the West Gulf intends to publish to its website the substantive motions scheduled to be considered at the January Board meeting and subsequent meetings.
It is our intent to discuss each known January 2024 motion in a separate email, although we will publish to the website each motion as it becomes available.
At present, there are three known motions. The Agenda for the January Board meeting and each of these three motions are available for review and download at: https://westgulfdivision.org/motion
The first motion we wish to discuss is the:
Motion To Honor Membership Contracts
In July 2023, the Board voted to raise the annual dues from $49 to $59 and to eliminate the delivery of a printed copy of QST or On The Air, effective January 2024, unless a Member paid an extra $25/year.
The West Gulf Division, the Atlantic Division, the Southeastern Division, and the Southwestern Divisions voted against both proposals, but the two proposals passed by an 11-4 vote.
While a dues increase was long overdue and actually needed, the West Gulf Division voted against it because it was tied to the termination of the delivery of a printed copy of QST/On The Air unless a Member paid an extra $25/year.
The four divisions argued it was a breach of the ARRL’s legal contract with those Members — both annual memberships and 3-year memberships — to terminate their promised printed copy of QST/On The Air before their membership contracts expired. The membership applications in use at the time promised, in writing, the delivery of QST/On The Air magazines by “standard mail.”
Besides the risks attendant upon a breach of contract, Article 11 of the ARRL Articles of Association prohibits the Board from terminating or reducing the rights of any Member. The stripping of the delivery of printed copies of QST/On The Air from unexpired Memberships constitutes a reduction in the rights of the affected Member.
Both the Membership Application and Article 11 are promises — and the League should stand on its promises. That is the reason we have filed the Motion To Honor Membership Contracts.
The ARRL is a membership organization, and the opinions of the Members are important.
I have been asked by each of the West Gulf Division Section Managers — NTX SM Steve Smith (KG5VK), STX SM Stuart Wolfe (KF5NIX), WTX SM Dale Durham (W5WI), and OK SM Mark Kleine (N5HZR) — to share that they each support the Motion To Honor Membership Contracts.
If you believe the Motion has merit and it should pass, it would be important for you to share your support for the Motion with the ARRL President, Rick Roderick, and the other Directors. All of their email addresses can be found on Page 15 of QST or at http://www.arrl.org/divisions . If you choose to share your views, please be respectful — we choose to disagree, but need not be disrespectful.
John Robert Stratton
N5AUS
West Gulf Division Director
Lee H. Cooper
W5LHC
West Gulf Division Vice Director
December 26, 2023 — Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announces a special SSTV experiment to be held this week. The ARISS Voice Repeater will be the downlink for enthusiasts, and several ARISS-selected ground stations around the world will serve as SSTV uplink stations. Two special images will be transmitted on 437.800 MHz using PD120 formatting.
This limited experiment will be conducted on several passes over Europe, Australia, and the USA between Wednesday, December 27 and Saturday, December 30, 2023.
Go to www.ariss.org and ARISS social media posts to monitor for pass information.
ARISS hopes enthusiasts will have fun downloading the images and follow along with the event.
**IMPORTANT: Please, all hams should hold off from using the ARISS Voice Repeater for voice contacts during the event times.
About ARISS:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (SCaN), and the ISS National Lab—Space Station Explorers. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see http://www.ariss.org.
Media Contact:
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
Find us on social media at:
Twitter: ARISS_Intl
Facebook: facebook.com/ARISSIntl
Instagram: ariss_intl
Mastodon:
Check out ARISS on Youtube.com.
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® reports that earlier today, the FCC Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Amateur Radio Service rules to replace the baud rate limit on the Amateur HF bands with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit to permit greater flexibility in data communications.
Full article on ARRL website: ARRL Hails FCC Action to Remove Symbol Rate Restrictions
The STX Section Communications Plan 3.7
Dated: September 21, 2023
Jeffery A Walter - KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
STX ARES has a PUBLIC email group on Groups.io at; https://stxares.groups.io Membership is free and open to all hams, ARES members, and other EmComm members to join.
Note that your messages posted to the group are forwarded to 600+ members of the group. Due to the private nature of some of our Served Agencies, the emails are not open to the Public.
To join this group use use the Join This Group button or Log In If You Are Already a Member.
You will need to enter an email address that you wish to get the group emails. Please do not use
You will need to confirm that you got the email sent to your email address.
You can change your Subscription Options to select how often you will get emails; Individual, Full Featured Digest (rich text formatting), Plain Digest, or Daily Summary.
Finally, so that the Group Admins know who you are please send an email to the Group Owner at
Make sure to check your inbox and spam folder and reply to the confirmation email.
All new members will be moderated until you are verified by one of the moderators. Once verified you will be unmoderated. This is to help keep Spammers from joining the group.
We also have subgroups for all 15 Districts. To join them repeat the above steps above for the one(s) you want to join.
ARRLSTX has a PUBLIC email group on Groups.io at; https://arrlstx.groups.io Membership is free and open to all including non-hams for those that have not gotten their license yet.
Note that your messages are posted to the internet for ALL to see. This lets visitors visit before joining.
To join this group, simply use the above link and use the Join This Group button or Log In If You Are Already a Member.
You will need to enter an email address that you wish to get the group emails. Please do not use
You will need to confirm that you got the email sent to your email address.
You can change your Subscription Options to select how often you will get emails; Individual, Full Featured Digest (rich text formatting), Plain Digest, or Daily Summary. You can change these settings later.
Finally, so that the Group Owners know who you are please send an email to the Group Owner at
Make sure to check your inbox and spam folder and reply to the confirmation email.
All new members will be moderated until you are verified by one of the moderators. Once verified you will be unmoderated. These steps help keep Spammers from joining the group.
This YouTube video sums up the story behind the ARRL Flag.
Hello to all ASECs, DECs, ECs, and other interested parties,
Mr. David Rice, NB5K, has accepted the position of Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Bexar County in District 12 of the South Texas Section. David is recommended by the District 12 Emergency Coordinator (DEC) Ms. L. Ruth Lewis, KE5MHJ, and approved by the STX Section Manager Mr. Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX.
District 12 is composed of Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Kendall, and Wilson counties. Greg Lewis, N5XO, outgoing EC, will remain very active in our radio hobby.
Mr. Rice grew up in a mixture of Florida, Nebraska, and Texas. While in San Antonio, he attended three high schools: MacArthur, Marshall, and O’Connor. In 2005, David graduated from Baylor University with a degree in economics and business. After college, David managed a flower store in San Antonio.
David is married to Therese Frentz. Therese was an officer in the Air Force but was medically retired as a result of a suicide bomber attack. They have a small terrier-mix dog named Gilbert. Gilbert appears to be part Yorkie and wiener dog but he’s keeping his secrets.
In 2006 David was first licensed as KE5LOU. David comments “I started volunteering at various public service events around San Antonio to support marathons, biking tours, and trail runs.” “I Learned about my current job, a State Park Police Officer, while volunteering for the Texas Water Safari with Gordon K5SUZ (SK).”
“In 2009 I was hired by Texas Parks and Wildlife as a park specialist and assigned to Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site. I completed law enforcement training in San Antonio at Alamo Area Council of Governments and State Park Police Academy at Bastrop State Park. Therese and I moved into a house on Seminole Canyon.”
“In 2014 I transferred to Government Canyon State Natural Area in San Antonio. Therese, Gilbert, and I currently live on Government Canyon.”
“During my time with TPWD I’ve worked temporarily at numerous state parks for special events, holidays, and natural disasters.” “I deploy a few times a year to the border to conduct marine patrols to deter crossings.” “Additional TPWD trainings that I have completed are EMT, wildlife fire, and interpretive guide.”
This appointment is effective August 1, 2023.
Welcome David, you are our first park ranger!
Regards,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
RACES 16-201-U
Hello to all ASECs, DECs, ECs, and other interested parties,
Mr. George Fletcher, AD5CQ has accepted the position of Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Southeast Unit in District 14 of the South Texas Section. District 14 is composed solely of Harris County subdivided into 4 quadrants. I-10 is the north-south divider. I-45/HWY 288 is the east-west divider. George replaces Mr. Andrew Downing, WB5TAD. Andrew remains active with his local clubs.
This is George’s 2nd round of EC appointments. District 14 EC (DEC) Mr. Sherwin Klemp, K5SEK, and Section Manager Mr. Stuart Wolfe, KF5NIX, approve of the new appointment.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, George earned his Novice ticket in 1965 and his General ticket a year later. His first antennas were inverted Vs on 80 and 40 meters, 30 feet on top of the house, with no RF choke, and no tuner. Going off to college required letting the license lapse. Fast forward to 1995, he earned Technician, General, and Extra class in quick succession.
Volunteering has been an important component in George’s amateur radio journey. An untold number of hours have been spent supporting public service events like fun runs, CERT Rodeo, Extreme Weather Expo, Harris County Health Department CASPERs, and hamfests just to name a few. He became an ARES volunteer eventually rising to the rank of Emergency Coordinator. George was previously the Emergency Coordinator for southeast Harris County for almost 11 years.
George has been active in the responses for Hurricanes, Rita, Katrina, Ike, and Harvey. During Hurricane Rita, he worked 12-hour shifts as net control at Transtar and slept in a closet. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he helped coordinate radio volunteers to assist during the influx of refugees from Louisiana. During Hurricane Harvey, he volunteered for a 6-hour shift at Transtar and was unable to return home due to flooding stranding him at Transtar for 4 days.
George is an active member of both the Clear Lake and Johnson Space Center amateur radio clubs. In his spare time, he likes to build loop antennas. He is currently working on his 5-Band Worked All States award. Parks On The Air is another amateur radio pastime for George.
George is married to Jean and together they have three married daughters, six grandchildren, and one cat.
This appointment is effective July 17, 2023.
Welcome back, George.
Regards to all,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
RACES 16-201-U
Mr. David Fanelli, KB5PGY, has accepted the position of 3873 Texas ARES Net Manager. David replaces Mr. Mark Mireles AD5CA who has served this position since October 2016. Both gentlemen also serve as a net control in the monthly rotation.
The 3873 net is held on Monday each week immediately following the Texas Traffic Net at about 7:30 PM.
A bit about David.
Mr. Fanelli has been licensed in the Amateur Radio Service since April 1991 and held an Amateur Extra Class license since September 1991.
David is also an active Volunteer Examiner in the ARRL/VEC who has participated in over 470 test sessions since accreditation in October 1991. He also acts as the VE Liaison for both the Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club and Johnson Space Center ARC and has held that position since July 1996.
Mr. Fanelli has been active in public service events and local ARES organizations since 1991 and presently is the Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Training for the Harris County – Southeast Unit. He also holds the Official Relay Station designation for his activities in the National Traffic System.
Professionally, Mr. Fanelli earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering in August 1996. He has worked at the Johnson Space Center in the capacity of software engineer for Lockheed Martin, Hamilton Sundstrand, and Jacobs Technology since February 1997 in both a facility testing International Space Station Guidance, Navigation, and Control flight software and at the Energy Systems Test Area. He has earned both a Group Achievement Award and a Space Flight Awareness Team Award from NASA Headquarters for his efforts in software development for tests at the Energy Systems Test Area.
We will be looking for additional net control and scheduled relay staff as we move forward.
This appointment is effective September 5, 2022.
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
RACES 16-201-U