My name is Shane Banks, and am an amateur radio operator living in San Antonio, TX. I have had an interest in radio technology since I was fairly young, but did not have much opportunity to pursue it as a kid. My interest was renewed years later when I realized I could combine ham with another interest of mine, weather. While living in Abilene, TX, there was an active Skywarn group there as the area gets many thunderstorms during the season. I pursued and accomplished my Skywarn training first, but work always seem to conflict with the local club test dates for my amateur radio operator license. Finally, in March 2008, I decided to look for clubs within reasonable driving distance that might have test dates that I could actually make, and finally found a club called the Tarleton Area Amatuer Radio Club located in Stephenville, Texas.
I made the real nice drive to Stephenville right after work on April 1st (April Fool?). I was very well received and met some of the nicest bunch of folks one could hope to meet. I stayed for their club meeting and enjoyed a rather informative presentation on APRS. After the meeting, they held a test session where I took and passed my Technician exam. My ticket was signed by Bill Allen (WA5PB), Joe Bramblett (KD5NRH) and Gene Morrison (K5IIY)(SK). Shortly afterwards, I had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Morrison on the Tuesday night Big Country Net check-ins, and many times after that while still living there. <Mr Morrison is SK now. A good one gone from the hobby and will be missed!>
I have since picked up more equipment (It multiplies, I swear!) and have learned a few new things along the way. I have experimented with digital modes like packet, APRS, IRLP and DMR. I have set up Winlink gateways, and BBS stations over the years. In September 2011, I finally worked on and received my upgrade to General. I took my upgrade exam at a VE session offered by the Mountain Amatuer Radio Club in Woodland Park, Co; another good group of hams. I have an FT-747GX HF rig that has worked well as both a base and portable rig and an FT-100D used as a dedicated portable rig.
I have been a member of several great groups over the years and have been involved with many types of activities. Below is a list of some of the things I feel are notable.
Abilene, TX I was part of the Skywarn group with the club KCARC . There is a great group of knowledgeable individuals there. When I was there, they had a very good working relation with the Weather Service there and had great coordination among the spotters. Usually someone manned the County EOC and coordinated from there.
Colorado Springs, CO I was in PPARES , a group that has been featured more than once by the ARRL. I participated in several wildfire callouts while down there (once while having to evacuate from my home as well!) and it is there that I really started to get an interest and develope the digital side of the hobby. Lots of great knowledge and capability in that group! They have a Skywarn net at noon as I recall where they would brief the forecast and whether or not spotter activation was expected that day. Great net control during activations and another very successful partnership with the Weather Service.
Mountain Home, ID I was chosen to be the ARES EC of a fairly quiet little county, Elmore County Idaho. Despite the low amount of activity in the area, I learned a few things along the way! I also decided to try my hand at running a VHF Winlink gateway. My QTH was not in the best location for the area antenna wise, but I was able to get it up and running.
I learned from that experience and set up a gateway again in Del Rio, TX. While in Del Rio, I also started working on a 440 repeater project using two Motorola SM50s and the ID-O-Matic IV as a controller. It works great, but I am still working out a case of some sort. I will likely go with a 4u shallow rack case, but funds for that aren’t in the plan at the moment.
Along the way, I managed to pick up my ARRL Public Information Officer certification (PR-101/EC-015) and am registered as an ARRL VEC. I do need to work on Extra so that I can VEC for any exam.
I am also proud to have played host to a few club’s websites. I currently host the ppares.net site, and have hosted the site for an Idaho club and ARES group before the domain name was allowed to lapse.