Here’s a collection of resources about all of the different activities, events, operating modes, and conditions available on the SCARS W5NOR website. This page can be used as a site map to find what you want quickly. If you have a resource, or topic to add to this system, please send it to Mark Kleine N5HZR. Wherever possible, this information is geared toward Hams based in the Central Oklahoma area.
About the South Canadian Amateur Radio Society (SCARS)
Want to learn more about the club? Here’s the info on how it all works.
AM – Amplitude Modulation
Amateur radio operators use Amplitude Modulation (AM) as a throwback to the historical methods of early radio. AM is still allowed, and still available on the ham bands. Learn more on the AM page.
Antennas
Antennas are arguably the most important part of the amateur radio system. You can spend $10, or $10,000 but getting the right antenna for the right location is more art, than science. The Antennas page has a number great ideas for you to review.
APRS
The Amateur Radio Packet System uses mostly VHF/UHF radios to send packets of data through interconnected radios. Most of this data is used to send automated position and weather data over the network. Look on the APRS page to find the details.
ARES
The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is the group of hams that are trained, and available for emergency communications when weather, or other issues impair normal communications. Join us as a Cleveland County ARES member and find out more info on how to join, and get involved.
Band Conditions – Propagation
More information can be found on the Solar Weather page.
Bike MS Communications
SCARS is providing communications for the annual fund raising bike event for MS. This event runs hundreds of bicycle riders from Norman to Stillwater each year. More information can be found on the SCARS BikeMS page.
Collector & Emitter (The C&E)
Gary Skaggs WB5ULK, and Mark Kleine N5HZR have collected, scanned, and uploaded all 28 years of the CORA C&E Newsletters. The Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs (CORA) produced a combined newsletter from Feb 1975 through Feb 2002.
Changelog
W5NOR.org web page modifications are noted on the changelog page. Mind you, not all of them, but most of them will be documented here…
Codeplugs
As radios become more and more complex, they require individual programming to set all of the parameters of operation. A group of these operation instructions are called a Codeplug, and are typically sent to the radios via a computer. The SCARS Codeplugs page has a number of different programming references, and some codeplugs for a number of analog and digital radios.
Contact Info
The contact information for SCARS can be found here. So many ways, so little time.
Contesting
Almost every weekend there’s a contest or some kind of event that lets you get some recognition for making contacts. This is a fun way to make connections and grow your operating log. Learn more about contest on the Contesting page.
CW
The continuous wave (CW) operating mode will get traffic through when voice communications can’t. This mode requires the operator to know Morse Code, and sends information by simply keying the transmitter. Figure this all out here on the CW page.
DX Operations
Distance Operations (DX) involves making contacts with others who are not in your country. These involve contests, certificates, DXpeditions and even spotting networks. Look here for the DX Operations page.
Elmers
People who help others learn to be better hams are called elmers, and are the backbone of amateur radio education. On this page you can find an elmer, or recognize someone who has been your elmer.
Email Signup
Email is the preferred method to notify SCARS Members and Friends of Newsletters, SCARS Club business, and occasional general news of interest to all Amateurs. We operate a mailing list that you can join. This list sends out messages about once a week, announcing the newsletter, and a few additional random messages. Our online email signup page will let you subscribe right away.
Events
There are a number of local amateur radio events held in the central Oklahoma area. This will help you find them.
Of course we have an active Facebook page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
We’ve collected a few FAQS and answers. If you have one, you can ask it here.
Field Day
The Superbowl of amateur radio is our Field Day. On the fourth weekend in June we all head out to a field and communicate. This page talks about our attempts, and will list current, and past details. Make sure this event is on your calendar.
FM
More information can be found on the FM page.
Ham Holiday
On the fourth weekend in July, the Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs hold Ham Holiday, a two day conference in Oklahoma City.
History
The history of SCARS goes way back to 1977. Learn more here.
Homebrew Your Own Equipment
One of the best things about Amateur Radio is that you can build your own equipment. This is one of the best times to be build your own stuff. Parts are cheap, and information is plentiful on our homebrew page and on the rest of the Internet, including Youtube. Start small, think big. You can get going for about $50, including etching your own printed circuit boards.
Installation – Suppliers
Once you get a radio, you’ll need to integrate it with your home or mobile station. More information and other examples are available on the Installation – Suppliers page.
JT65
JT65 is a very low bandwidth digital communications mode that allows hams to send small quantities of data over the HF bands in bad conditions. More information can be found on our JT65 page.
License Information
Amateur radio licenses are granted through the FCC, and more information on how to get licensed is available on the SCARS license page.
Listen To The 147.06 Repeater
The audio from the SCARS 147.06 MHz repeater is streamed 24/7 on the Internet, and can be heard online here.
Meetings / Nets
Groups run on meetings, and here we talk about how you can join us in person, in nets on the radio, and in cyberspace.
Membership
SCARS is nothing without our members. Here you can join the group, get information on membership, or find out the member directory information.
Minutes
Over the years we have stored our meeting minutes in various ways. As we try to obtain them all, you’ll see them here.
Morse Code Lessons
While Morse Code is no longer a requirement to obtain an amateur radio license, it’s a very popular part of the hobby. Learning Morse Code is something that takes a personal effort, and we’ve built a system to help with that effort. Look here for more information and to start your 20 day program.
Newsletter
Gary Skaggs WB5ULK, produces an awesome weekly SCARS newsletter online, and it’s available here.
Oklahoma DMR
Motorola’s Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) is taking the amateur radio community over. This mode can allow users with handie talkies to connect to others, via the Internet, from across the world. Our OK DMR page has become the place to find digital mobile radio (DMR) information in the state of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma D-STAR
D-STAR is a digital audio mode that is used on the VHF, UHF and 1.2 GHz bands. This method was pioneered by ICOM, and uses the Internet to connect repeaters and reflectors all over the world. D-STAR info can be found on the OK D-STAR page.
Pictures
Pictures of the past are loosely assembled here.
PSK31
Phase Shift Keying is a method of computer to computer communication over HF radio waves. This mode uses a baud rate of 31 bits per second, and signals can travel the globe. Information on operating this mode can be found on the PSK31 page.
Q-Codes in Amateur Radio
The International Q Code system is an abbreviated way to exchange a great deal of information with a simple code. This page details those Q Codes.
QRP
Operating with reduced, or limited power is known as operating QRP. While it sounds restrictive, operating this mode is quite satisfying. Information can be found on the QRP page.
QRZEDD
KU5B Jack Bickham wrote about 100 columns in the Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs (CORA) C&E newsletter. We’ve assembled those columns on this page for you to review. They detail the life and times of A5A, the worlds greatest DX’er.
Repeaters
SCARS operates a number of repeaters, and their operations are detailed here.
Repeater Blog
The SCARS technical committtee maintains a Repeater Blog to detail operations of these machines.
Silent Keys
Deceased amateur radio operators are called “Silent Keys”. This page pays tribute to members that no longer resonate.
Summits On The Air (SOTA)
Summits On The Air is a points based award scheme for radio amateurs that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas. Get involved, join the fun, climb a hill, or look for SOTA activations, and chase ’em down.
Skywarn
The National Weather Service has a program called Skywarn that allows amateur radio operators to provide weather information for forecasting purposes. SCARS has been working with this group for its entire life.
Solar Weather
Nothing affects amateur radio more than the influence of the Sun, and its magnetic field. Look on the Solar Weather page for current propagation info, and solar activity.
Space Operations
Space may be the new frontier, but amateur radio has been operating there for over 50 years. Catch the space fever, and take a look at the Space Operations page.
Single Side Band – SSB
The single sideband mode of operation is what amateurs use to communicate on the HF bands, over long distances. More information can be found on the Single Side Band page.
Like everyone else, SCARS has a Twitter feed and here you’ll find our current info. Follow us to keep up with the crew.
Volunteer Examiner Registration (VE)
To be an amateur radio opertor, you must pass a test that is proctored by a Volunteer Examiner team. Our ARRL VE team offers amateur radio tests monthly, and here you can register for a future test.
Weather
Weather plays a big part in amateur radio. It can control the propagation of our signals, keep us from building antennas, and require us to go out in the rain to perform Skywarn activities. We have assembled a group of weather resources for you to watch what’s coming in the Oklahoma area.