Northwest Amateur Radio Society
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  1. Home
  2. Contesting and Operating

Reserve the K5VFD Radio Room

Details
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NARS members have access to the K5VFD radio room and equipment at the Harris County ESD 16 Administration building. Only credentialed members who have passed a background check, been issued an access badge and key fob, and received instruction from either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. are authorized to enter the facility. 

We have been given strict rules to ensure that we do not interfere or obstruct the operation of this facility in any way. Violations will result in the loss of the use of this facility by the individual and could result in the loss of the privilege of operating from this facility for the entire club. The following rules are in place and must be strictly adhered to:

  1. Under no circumstances may anyone touch any of the Fire Department communications equipment located in the racks. This is an operating Emergency Operations Center and we may not hinder or obstruct activities in any way.
  2.  Do not attempt to reconfigure the Amateur Radio equipment unless you have received instructions in how to do so and how to reconnect it for the next user.
  3. You are authorized to enter the building and proceed directly to the radio room. You may leave the room to go to the restroom or to leave the building, but all other areas are off-limits at all times.
  4. You are never to loan your assigned access fob to anyone.
  5. You may bring one guest to assist with logging or operating only after clearing it with Paul or Rich.
  6. You may bring a personally owned transceiver with you to use instead of the one connected to the antenna as long as you have permission from Paul or Rich.
  7. Bringing personally owned items is permitted, but you must remove them when you leave.
  8. You are expected to reserve the room before your desired operating time using the reservation system available at the following link:
    Reserve K5VFD Radio Room. 
  9. You will receive logon credentials by email after you have been approved and issued an ID badge and key fob. 
  10. If you fail to make your reservation and find a user already present who has, they have priority.

Beacon Resources

Details
Hits: 3169

There are many beacon projects that hams can use to help plan activities on the ham bands. Here are a few we are aware of:

International Beacon Project - The NCDXF \operates a worldwide network of high-frequency radio beacons on 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930, and 28.200 mHz. 

If you are aware of other beacons or beacon resources that you are willing to share with the rest of us, please forward a them to webmaster (at) w5nc.net.

 

 

 

Contest Calendars

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WA7BNM Contest Calendar

ARRL Contest Calendar

Field Day 2023

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  • NARS news
  • Club activity
  • Operating
NARS has been planning our participation in the upcoming ARRL Field Day on June 24th and 25th based on operating from the Klein Volunteer Fire Department Station 3, but a last minute change is necessary due to a scheduling conflict with another user of that facility. We will now operate from the new Harris County Emergency Services Building located at HCESD 16 Admin Building, 18606 Stuebner Airline 77379. 

We will still be able to operate indoors, so hot weather is not likely to be a factor. We have an entire bay to operate from, with easy access to antennas and plenty of power. We also have access to a very nice kitchen and an onsite chef. All we have to provide is the food. Please coordinate with Bob, K9HOU, on the W5NC Groups.io field day subgroup.

Parking is in the parking area in front of the main entrance. Please be considerate, this facility is an operating administrative headquarters and we do not want to inconvenience our gracious hosts. This is also a secure facility and we have only limited access to the main hallway and the two meeting rooms on the left side of the hallway, the restroom facilities on the right, and to the vehicle bay where we will set up tables and equipment. Under no circumstances are we to enter any other rooms, rather they are locked or not.

For more information, contact Bob Ewers, K9HOU, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are still positions open on the Field Day Committee, as well as operating slots for SSB and CW operators.

UPDATE

The Exam session scheduled for Saturday morning (June 24) will also be offered at the HCESD 16 Admin building. Turn right off of Stuebner Airline, then turn right into the parking area in front of the main building. Enter the building through the main entrance and and proceed down the hall to the conference rooms on the left.

This is a secure facility. We have limited access and are allowed only in the main hallway, the two meeting rooms on the left side of the hallway, and the restroom facilities on the right. Under no circumstances are we to enter any other rooms, rather they are locked or not. Please visit the exam information on this website for additional information regarding the exam. All information posted is correct except for the location, which is HCESD 16 Admin Building, 18606 Stuebner Airline 77379. See the map on this page.

NetLogger

Details
Hits: 4100

NetLogger is a popular logging application that uses the Internet to share net check-in information in close to real-time. Participants who are monitoring a net with NetLogger automatically receive updated check-in data approximately every 30 seconds.

Key Features

  • Automatic lookup of station information using callbook services such as QRZ, HamCall, and others.
  • Club Profiles that store custom information not found in callbook databases, such as membership numbers or club-specific details.
  • Automatic logging of UTC date and time.
  • Import and export support for ADIF and CSV formats.
  • Built-in contact database with advanced search capabilities.
  • Online net schedule viewing and publishing.
  • Email distribution of check-in lists.
  • Printing of QSL labels, mailing labels, and contact logs.

Why Use NetLogger?

NetLogger makes net operations easier for Net Control Stations (NCS) and more visually enjoyable for participants. It streamlines check-in management and provides almost real-time visibility for VHF, DMR, HF, and other nets from around the world.

Getting Started

NetLogger is free and available for:

  • Windows (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Linux (64-bit)
  • macOS (64-bit)

To download the software and learn more, visit the NetLogger website

Netlogger Instructions:

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbrAwjRsPTc
  • http://www.wx4qz.net/Setting_Up_Netlogger_For_Nets.pdf

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Of Interest

  • Event Use of the W5NC Repeater System
  • Meeting Presentations
  • NARS Has A Trailer!
  • Reserve the K5VFD Radio Room

ARRL News

  • ARRL Headquarters Closing Early on Friday, October 9, 2026
  • Radio Amateurs Prepare for Hurricane Isaias
  • Watching the Gulf
  • 2026 Collegiate QSO Party is October 3 – 4
  • Remembering Four Silent Keys

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Northwest Amateur Radio Society
Post Office Box 11483
Spring, TX 77391

A Texas Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Corporation 
Founded in 1985 - Serving our community for over 40 years

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