Making Connections Since 2009
WANT YOUR LICENSE??
I serve Jackson County as a Volunteer Examiner (VE), and Team Leader- I'd love to help get your testing opportunity scheduled. My Team and I are happy to answer questions pertaining to the HAM Radio Hobby, and try to get your in touch with the resources you need to be successful in attaining your technician ticket.
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Many Free Resources are available as well. Click the "Get Involved" Tab Above to learn more.
ACTIVITIES
Some of my HAM Radio Related activities are below, although there is likely not enough space to detail it all ;)
IRLP & ECHOLINK
I maintain the K4WCU EchoIRLP Node, donated at my graduation in 2013. The node holds IRLP Number 8941/EchoLink 917222, and is operating on the K4WCU 444.975 Repeater. More information on the K4WCU Systems can be found at www.WCURadio.com. I also operate a personal IRLP Node (W3WDD 8755 / 789963). I also assist with the W3WZN 7755 Node in Raleigh. I also have node number 8173, which I have designated as my "portable node", however due to port and IP requirements (difficulty using, or my lack of knowledge) is often underutilized. I have tried a few things for this node such as incorprating it into laptops, and compact desktops, however since the release of the PiRLP Nodes, I have switched my main node (8755) to that setup and have been very pleased. Low power consumption, and a small package, paired with extended up times. David Cameron (IRLP Creator) has done a FANTASTIC job here.
SITE TRUSTEE
Currently I Trustee the hardware for two sites in my area. I am mainly involved with the Sylva Area (Jackson County Amateur Radio Service). Over the last year or so the club has upgraded to a TKR-750 Repeater with an ARCOM-210 controller. The site projects have been alot of fun and believe a huge win for the members of the club and the hams in the area. Most recently the club was also able to get it's antenna positioned on a higher tower to expand it's coverage widely. The Club has done a great job furthering the vision they have for the community and itself, and I've been privileged to support them in the site work as it evolves.
MOTORLA &Â DMR
I'm a huge fan of commercial equipment. I largely use Motorola as my radio of choice, as it allows me to carry one radio to fulfill my duties as a Rescue Squad Volunteer and interact with the Ham Radio Community also. My latest investment has been into the DMR Radios which allow me to communicate with family across the state (Like all link systems, when the links and components are working correctly).
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DMR Networks are largely designed around Motorola equipment as well, which is great for my radios of preference. I have picked up and played with several XPR 6550/6350/7550/4550/5550 Radios, as well as the SL7550 Radio. All work great, but I learned quickly how much the extra 2 Watts of power affords me on the handheld Radios.
As of late I've also been thoroughly enjoying the roaming capabilities of these radios. Roaming allows the radio to utilize a bank of repeaters based on their signal strength, or essentially change towers automatically, just like cellular networks utilize in their phones.
