RV'ing Hams Rally In Pahrump
Regional Rally mixes RVing with Amateur Radio
On October 14th around sixty Airstream travel trailers, many from the Northern California Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI) rolled into the Lakeside Casino RV Park in Pahrump. Nevada and they were intent on making amateur radio a big part of their activities.
The group was in Pahrump for the Region 12 Rally of the WBCCI. Region 12 is made up of California and Nevada.
The group was in Pahrump for the Region 12 Rally of the WBCCI. Region 12 is made up of California and Nevada.
In 1951 Wally Byam organized a 50 trailer caravan to tour Central America. The group began caravanning various countries and in 1955 the group became a formal organization.
In 1963, Caravan #35 spent one year circling the entire planet. 1963 also saw the formation of the WBCCI Amateur Radio Club. More than 50 years later that club (WB8RC) and amateur radio plays a major role in WBCCI activities.
Amateur Radio Activities Abound at the Rally!
In 1963, Caravan #35 spent one year circling the entire planet. 1963 also saw the formation of the WBCCI Amateur Radio Club. More than 50 years later that club (WB8RC) and amateur radio plays a major role in WBCCI activities.
Amateur Radio Activities Abound at the Rally!
Airstream trailers begin arriving at Lakeside RV Park
Amateur radio activities were plentiful at the Rally.
Beginning with the Northern California Unit Caravan on October 13th. Drive In Net Control operations were up on Simplex and Southern Nye County ARES Repeaters.
There were many opportunities to get on the air. A daily VHF simplex net was held each morning. Also, a daily 20 meter HF net was held each morning.
Beginning with the Northern California Unit Caravan on October 13th. Drive In Net Control operations were up on Simplex and Southern Nye County ARES Repeaters.
There were many opportunities to get on the air. A daily VHF simplex net was held each morning. Also, a daily 20 meter HF net was held each morning.
Special event station WB8RV/12 was on the air from the Rally each morning on 7.245 MHz and each afternoon on 14.265 MHz.
Much of the amateur radio related activities were organized and directed by Roger Peeples, KD6FBF, of Woodland, California.
Presentations, exhibits, classes, and exam.......
Much of the amateur radio related activities were organized and directed by Roger Peeples, KD6FBF, of Woodland, California.
Presentations, exhibits, classes, and exam.......
Special Event Station QSL card
There were also some really great off the air amateur radio activities, beginning on Wednesday with an "Introduction to Amateur Radio and Exhibit" hosted by Peeples and Eric McHenry AA6EM.
This activity featured an overview of ham radio and an equipment show, along with some nice door prizes.
The hams of the Region 12 Rally didn't just tease the attendees with amateur radio, they took the necessary steps to make sure that those who were interested could quickly join their ranks.
A six hour "Crash Course" was given on Thursday to those wishing to earn their Technician or higher class license. The WBCCI hams were aided in this instruction by Dick Grady AC7EL of Pahrump
The WBCCI reports that most of their members are retired or semi-retired. From this statement we might conclude that these RV'ers idle their days away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their days begin bright and early....perhaps a bit too early!
The organizers scheduled an amateur radio licensing session for 6:30 AM! Local Pahrump VE team Liaisons Dick Grady and Leo Marchetti AD7DP found their selves with the dilemma of trying to assemble a VE team to report before sunrise on a work day.
Unable to muster enough volunteers in Pahrump, they called upon their counter-parts from the Las Vegas VE Team. Although it required them to fall out of bed at 2:00 AM, Dennis Simon KB7UTV, Jane Garwood KB7YUZ, Rebecca Moss KG7AVZ,
Lorrie Linnert-Dunnford KE7WUU, and Rick Jones KD6UBZ all made the more than 70 mile trip from their homes to help administer the exams.
Thirteen of the students from the previous days crash course sat for the examination. Ten of these candidates earned their Technician Class license. Leo Marchetti reports that the remaining examinees only missed passing by one or two questions and are expected to easily pass when they re-test at a later date. Thanks to Leo Marchetti AD7DP for contributing to this article
This activity featured an overview of ham radio and an equipment show, along with some nice door prizes.
The hams of the Region 12 Rally didn't just tease the attendees with amateur radio, they took the necessary steps to make sure that those who were interested could quickly join their ranks.
A six hour "Crash Course" was given on Thursday to those wishing to earn their Technician or higher class license. The WBCCI hams were aided in this instruction by Dick Grady AC7EL of Pahrump
The WBCCI reports that most of their members are retired or semi-retired. From this statement we might conclude that these RV'ers idle their days away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their days begin bright and early....perhaps a bit too early!
The organizers scheduled an amateur radio licensing session for 6:30 AM! Local Pahrump VE team Liaisons Dick Grady and Leo Marchetti AD7DP found their selves with the dilemma of trying to assemble a VE team to report before sunrise on a work day.
Unable to muster enough volunteers in Pahrump, they called upon their counter-parts from the Las Vegas VE Team. Although it required them to fall out of bed at 2:00 AM, Dennis Simon KB7UTV, Jane Garwood KB7YUZ, Rebecca Moss KG7AVZ,
Lorrie Linnert-Dunnford KE7WUU, and Rick Jones KD6UBZ all made the more than 70 mile trip from their homes to help administer the exams.
Thirteen of the students from the previous days crash course sat for the examination. Ten of these candidates earned their Technician Class license. Leo Marchetti reports that the remaining examinees only missed passing by one or two questions and are expected to easily pass when they re-test at a later date. Thanks to Leo Marchetti AD7DP for contributing to this article