Program a Baofeng by Hand

I have always avoided learning how to program my Baofeng handi-talkies by hand because it was just too easy to plug them into a laptop and use the CHIRP programming application to program them with.

But, if you don’t have a laptop handy or you can’t find your programming cable, these directions should walk you through the steps to program a Repeater’s Frequencies into your handi-talkie. There are a lot of different versions of the Baofeng radios out there so your’s menu numbers may be a bit different. You will just have to give it a try and see.

Remember, the basic keystrokes for changing menu items is:
 [MENU] [Use Arrow buttons to chose menu item] [MENU] [Use Arrow buttons to chose value] [MENU] [EXIT]

Baofeng Programming:

• Switch to Frequency Mode:
• In top line, press the numbers on the keypad to set the repeater’s X-mit Freq.
• Menu 13: Select the CTCSS tone to transmit
• Menu 25: Select Offset Shift, + or -
• Menu 26: Set Offset, 000.6000 for VHF, (005.000) for UHF
• Press PTT to test  (Freq. should shift by 600 KHz, in the correct direction)
• Menu 27: Store programming into Memory Channel Number
• Press *  (Reverse Freq. will be displayed)
• Menu 27: Store in Memory Channel Number (Same as above)
• Switch to Channel Mode:
• Tune to programmed Channel Number

• Test programming by pressing PTT

• NOTE: Menu 28: Will delete programming in Channel Number if you made a mistake and need to start over. It's a good idea to delete a menu BEFORE trying to write to it, just in case it was already assigned once before.

Give it a try. If it works you can copy and past these steps into your NOTES application on your iPhone or iPad. Android probably has a similar application where you could store the notes for later use.


Keith
-.- -. ..... --.

Roger Newell, AC5VX, SK

Our sympathies go out to the family of Craig (AF5RI), one of our club members, on the passing of his brother-in-law and fellow ham, Roger Newell (AC5VX).

Many Rusk County hams knew Roger from his frequent visits to local radio events and hamfests. If Craig was talking about new technologies, a new radio or some amazing radio experience he had, the conversation usually began with, "Well, my brother-in-law Roger..."

Roger's family is planning a graveside service this week. Details are available at Crawford A Crim's website.

Roger's wife (Craig's sister) has asked, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club to help promote the hobby that was such a big part of Roger's life. Donations made be made at any branch of Texas Bank or by PayPal.

RCARC joins with BSA for JOTA!

We have a great opportunity to help out the Boy Scouts AND showcase Amateur Radio! The Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) is the 3rd Weekend in October and is a three-day ragchew event for scouts across the country! But they need our help to get on the air. Here's more about JOTA: http://www.arrl.org/jamboree-on-the-air-jota

The Henderson Boy Scout leadership CAME TO THE RCARC, requesting our help in getting their kids On the Air! We met with the leaders tonight and worked out some of the details.

What we will do: 

We will set up one (maybe two) HF station(s) at the OEM for Saturday, October 20th, 10am - 4pm. We will be ready for both voice and data (PSK and maybe FT8). The scouts (ages 5 thru 18) will come and go (with leaders) and spend some time talking on the air with other scouts as well as learn about ham radio.

What we need...VOLUNTEERS!!!

1. Volunteers to help set up Friday afternoon from 5:30-7pm. We'll put up one or two antennas as well as setup the radios and do some on-air testing.
2. Volunteers to serve as control operators for the scouts from 10am-4pm. We can work in shifts of 1-2 hours or so, depending on how many we have available.
3. Volunteers to greet folks and talk about how much fun it is to be a ham! ANYONE can do this!! Don't be shy! 
4. We've the equipment worked out, we just need folks willing to help! This could be an EXCELLENT opportunity to showcase ham radio. Let's not disappoint them!

A new frequency for W5ETX repeater

The guys from Tyler have the W5ETX repeater back up and running, although the frequency has changed. The antenna is located on the roof of the UT Health Henderson hospital (formerly ETMC).

Previously, the repeater was on 146.92 MHz and linked into the W5ETX network of repeaters across East Texas. However, the group (ETECS) recently installed a new repeater in Rusk (Cherokee County) and due to frequency coordination issues, moved that repeater to the 146.92 frequency, requiring the Henderson repeater to change.

John Newman (N9JN) says that process has been completed and the repeater in Henderson is back up and ready to go. Please note the NEW frequency: 147.04 MHz with n offset of +0.60 MHz. The PL tone remains the same as before, 136.5. It is still connected to the entire W5ETX system through a link to Tyler.

Take time in the next few days to reprogram your radios since the machine will again serve as our backup repeater for events and nets.

Club honor's KZ5S's son with donation

The Rusk County ARC's members honored Richard Johnson, the son of member Ken Johnson (KZ5S) after he passed away unexpectedly August 5th 2018. Ken has been an active member of the RCARC since it was formed nearly six years ago.

Although he was not yet a ham, Kan said his son had an interest in amateur radio and was studying to take his license exam. The club unanimously decided to donate a selection of amateur radio books to the Rusk County library in Richard's honor.

The books will be available to anyone with a library card. Richard's obituary is available on Sunset Memorial Park's website.