Year of Celebration
Silver State Hams Honor Their Past As They Look to the Future
2014 was a year of growth and service for amateur radio operators in Nevada. It was also a year of celebration, as a couple of historical milestones were reached.
The ARRL at 100 One hundred years have passed since Hiram Percy Maxim presented his plan for the "American Radio Relay League" to the Radio Club of Hartford in April of 1914. The transmitter technology of pre World War I only allowed signals to travel a hundred or so miles, making it impossible for a ham to send a message across country. Maxim's scheme involved the formation of a coalition of amateur radio operators into a network of stations linked across the continent to effectively relay messages from coast to coast. In 2014 the ARRL reached their Centennial year and there was much to celebrate. Maxim's league has grown into an organization with more than 154,000 members and more than 2000 local affiliated clubs. Today, the ARRL and it's many programs is not only recognized as the national association representing amateur radio, but is a model for nearly 200 similar national organizations in countries around the world. |
Throughout the League's first 100 years Nevada hams have been a part of the ARRL, beginning with the Silver State's first licensed amateur operator, Willis Pressel.
Pressel's station 6VI in Reno, first appears on the governments roll of licensed stations in 1915. 6VI soon became a part of the Washington's Birthday 9XE radio relay tests and subsequent Trans-continental relay tests conducted by the ARRL and the Radio League of America.
Number of Hams in Nevada Tops 7000
From that single station 100 years ago, amateur radio has grown in Nevada. 2014 saw the number of individual operators in Nevada reach it's highest level, with 7,031 licensed operators. In 2014 the Nevada Section was edged out by the Idaho Section, to land in the second place spot among the 71 sections, in the number of newly licensed operators.
Pressel's station 6VI in Reno, first appears on the governments roll of licensed stations in 1915. 6VI soon became a part of the Washington's Birthday 9XE radio relay tests and subsequent Trans-continental relay tests conducted by the ARRL and the Radio League of America.
Number of Hams in Nevada Tops 7000
From that single station 100 years ago, amateur radio has grown in Nevada. 2014 saw the number of individual operators in Nevada reach it's highest level, with 7,031 licensed operators. In 2014 the Nevada Section was edged out by the Idaho Section, to land in the second place spot among the 71 sections, in the number of newly licensed operators.
Centennial Celebration brings W1AW/7 to Nevada.
As a part of the ARRL Centennial Celebration W1AW was operated portable in all 50 states and in the U.S. Territories. Nevada hosted these operations twice in 2014. Once in May and again in October.
W1AW/7 operations in Nevada were coordinated by Tom Taormina K5RC and the Comstock Memorial Contest Station in Virginia City served as the host facility.
As a part of the ARRL Centennial Celebration W1AW was operated portable in all 50 states and in the U.S. Territories. Nevada hosted these operations twice in 2014. Once in May and again in October.
W1AW/7 operations in Nevada were coordinated by Tom Taormina K5RC and the Comstock Memorial Contest Station in Virginia City served as the host facility.
The May operating period overlapped the annual 7th Call Area QSO Party (7QP). Nevada took advantage of this unique opportunity and during the contest period W1AW/7 was operated simultaneously from several locations around the state.
In Las Vegas, the Sisterhood Of Amateur Radio setup a public operation from the parking lot of the Amateur Electronic Supply store.
The month of May was a busy one for Nevada's amateur operators who routinely provide communications assistance for a wide variety of public events. It should be noted that Nevada covers an area of 110,000 square miles. Events in the Silver State often cover hundreds of miles and may have thousands of participants. The Race for the Cure, Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay, the Silver State Striders 50/50 Ride, the Tour de Cure, and the high speed Silver State Classic Challenge Road Race were just a few of the events which Nevada hams supported during May.
Nevada's QSO Party, the Nevada Mustang Roundup also took place in May. This years event was won by ten year old Sam Chase KG7HBY of Reno.
In Las Vegas, the Sisterhood Of Amateur Radio setup a public operation from the parking lot of the Amateur Electronic Supply store.
The month of May was a busy one for Nevada's amateur operators who routinely provide communications assistance for a wide variety of public events. It should be noted that Nevada covers an area of 110,000 square miles. Events in the Silver State often cover hundreds of miles and may have thousands of participants. The Race for the Cure, Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay, the Silver State Striders 50/50 Ride, the Tour de Cure, and the high speed Silver State Classic Challenge Road Race were just a few of the events which Nevada hams supported during May.
Nevada's QSO Party, the Nevada Mustang Roundup also took place in May. This years event was won by ten year old Sam Chase KG7HBY of Reno.
Nevada Has It's First State Convention
The month of May wrapped up with Silver State hams participating in their first ARRL State Convention. Dubbed NVCON, the event was held in historical Virginia City and was sponsored by the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society, Washoe County ARES and Storey County ARES.
In addition to all of the usual hamfest activities, the convention also hosted a State Leadership Conference for emergency managers from the State of Nevada, local, and tribal agencies, along with the Nevada Section ARES leadership.
The month of May wrapped up with Silver State hams participating in their first ARRL State Convention. Dubbed NVCON, the event was held in historical Virginia City and was sponsored by the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society, Washoe County ARES and Storey County ARES.
In addition to all of the usual hamfest activities, the convention also hosted a State Leadership Conference for emergency managers from the State of Nevada, local, and tribal agencies, along with the Nevada Section ARES leadership.
State of Nevada Honors Hams
During the convention Chris Smith W4HMV, Chief of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management/Homeland Security, addressed the general assembly. At the conclusion of his address, he read a letter of greeting from Governor Brian Sandoval and a Proclamation naming June 2014 as "Nevada Amateur Radio Month" Similar proclamations were later made by city mayors and county commissioners around the state.
Number of Clubs Grow in 2014
Nevada's first amateur radio club was started back in 1920 at the Engineering Department of the University of Nevada-Reno. The UNR Radio Pack remains active to this day and has been joined by dozens of ham radio clubs around the state. During 2014 two new clubs have emerged in Nevada. The Great Basin Amateur Radio Club in Pioche and the Sun City Anthem Amateur Radio Club in Henderson are both off to a running start.
During the convention Chris Smith W4HMV, Chief of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management/Homeland Security, addressed the general assembly. At the conclusion of his address, he read a letter of greeting from Governor Brian Sandoval and a Proclamation naming June 2014 as "Nevada Amateur Radio Month" Similar proclamations were later made by city mayors and county commissioners around the state.
Number of Clubs Grow in 2014
Nevada's first amateur radio club was started back in 1920 at the Engineering Department of the University of Nevada-Reno. The UNR Radio Pack remains active to this day and has been joined by dozens of ham radio clubs around the state. During 2014 two new clubs have emerged in Nevada. The Great Basin Amateur Radio Club in Pioche and the Sun City Anthem Amateur Radio Club in Henderson are both off to a running start.
As a part of Nevada's 150th Anniversary, the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society set up Special Event Station N7V and re-enacted the sending of the Constitution to President Lincoln. Visitors were given the chance to try their hand at sending some of the text. The Nevada State Sesquicentennial Commission designated the re-enactment as a Nevada 150 "Signature Event".
Nevada at 150
Each year Nevada celebrates Nevada Day, the anniversary of entering the Union on October 31st, 1864. After 150 years Nevadans were ready for a year long celebration leading up to our sesquicentennial Nevada Day.
Nevada's motto "Battle Born" possibly would be more correct if it read "Born via Morse Code." Although fifty years would pass before Morse Code would be transmitted from a Nevada amateur radio station, Morse Code played a pivotal role in the birth of the state. It would also be showcased during the state's 150th Birthday Celebration.
In 1864, with the Civil War raging and facing re-election, President Lincoln and the Republican party was eager to grant statehood to the gold and silver laden Nevada Territory and it's Republican leaning citizens. Through a snafu, copies of the newly passed Nevada Constitution, which was travelling overland, would not reach Washington in time for Nevada to be admitted to the Union before the election.
Territorial Governor James Nye and his associates quickly had all of the 16,546 word text of the document sent to Lincoln via telegraph. The message set the record for the longest Morse Code transmission in history. That record has never been be broken and still stands today.
Each year Nevada celebrates Nevada Day, the anniversary of entering the Union on October 31st, 1864. After 150 years Nevadans were ready for a year long celebration leading up to our sesquicentennial Nevada Day.
Nevada's motto "Battle Born" possibly would be more correct if it read "Born via Morse Code." Although fifty years would pass before Morse Code would be transmitted from a Nevada amateur radio station, Morse Code played a pivotal role in the birth of the state. It would also be showcased during the state's 150th Birthday Celebration.
In 1864, with the Civil War raging and facing re-election, President Lincoln and the Republican party was eager to grant statehood to the gold and silver laden Nevada Territory and it's Republican leaning citizens. Through a snafu, copies of the newly passed Nevada Constitution, which was travelling overland, would not reach Washington in time for Nevada to be admitted to the Union before the election.
Territorial Governor James Nye and his associates quickly had all of the 16,546 word text of the document sent to Lincoln via telegraph. The message set the record for the longest Morse Code transmission in history. That record has never been be broken and still stands today.
Preparing for the future
Nevada amateur radio operators took many steps in 2014 to assure the future of ham radio in the Silver State. New DMR repeater systems have been introduced in the Las Vegas and Reno areas. Improved repeater systems have also been installed or are currently being installed in Ely, Winnemucca, Elko, and other portions of the state.
In Nevada's urban areas, hams continue to experiment, expand, and improve High Speed Multi Media radio Mesh networking (Broad-band HamNet).
Nevada Amateur Radio Repeaters Inc. is working with SNARS to install new D-Star VHF and UHF repeater upgrades on Mt. Davidson, just outside of Reno.
Mentoring of new hams and young people has been on the rise in Nevada. Participation by Scouts and parents at 2014 Jamboree On The Air events around the state was at an all time high.
During 2014 the Las Vegas based Sisterhood of Amateur Radio continued their work of introducing the magic of amateur radio to women and girls.
In the southern part of the state, the leadership of the various amateur radio organizations, under the auspices of the Southern Nevada Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, is working together to create new events, share resources and manpower, and to assist one another in enhancing the amateur radio experience for the members of their respective groups.
ARES members throughout the state have expanded their training regime, with a number of hams completing the rugged 2 day Auxiliary Communications Course in 2014.
In 2014 Silver State hams took advantage of many opportunities to showcase amateur radio via the media. Nevada hams were featured several times on television and in the newspapers. Articles concerning amateur radio in Nevada have appeared several times on the ARRL website and in the ARRL Letter. Many stories which originated here on the Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire have been republished on amateur radio blog sites and in club newsletters around the world.
Nevada amateur radio operators took many steps in 2014 to assure the future of ham radio in the Silver State. New DMR repeater systems have been introduced in the Las Vegas and Reno areas. Improved repeater systems have also been installed or are currently being installed in Ely, Winnemucca, Elko, and other portions of the state.
In Nevada's urban areas, hams continue to experiment, expand, and improve High Speed Multi Media radio Mesh networking (Broad-band HamNet).
Nevada Amateur Radio Repeaters Inc. is working with SNARS to install new D-Star VHF and UHF repeater upgrades on Mt. Davidson, just outside of Reno.
Mentoring of new hams and young people has been on the rise in Nevada. Participation by Scouts and parents at 2014 Jamboree On The Air events around the state was at an all time high.
During 2014 the Las Vegas based Sisterhood of Amateur Radio continued their work of introducing the magic of amateur radio to women and girls.
In the southern part of the state, the leadership of the various amateur radio organizations, under the auspices of the Southern Nevada Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, is working together to create new events, share resources and manpower, and to assist one another in enhancing the amateur radio experience for the members of their respective groups.
ARES members throughout the state have expanded their training regime, with a number of hams completing the rugged 2 day Auxiliary Communications Course in 2014.
In 2014 Silver State hams took advantage of many opportunities to showcase amateur radio via the media. Nevada hams were featured several times on television and in the newspapers. Articles concerning amateur radio in Nevada have appeared several times on the ARRL website and in the ARRL Letter. Many stories which originated here on the Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire have been republished on amateur radio blog sites and in club newsletters around the world.