Notable Group Activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dec 20 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The NW5NM\u201110 VARA FM Winlink RMS and Digipeater is now fully operational on 145.0700 MHz VHF Simplex in Farmington, NM. This activation expands digital coverage for San Juan County, the Four Corners, and the wider ham community. This project was made possible through funding provided by a grant from ARDC (Amateur Radio Digital Communications). Operators are encouraged to connect and share signal reports, VARA FM speeds, and coverage notes to support ongoing optimization. Stronger links. Stronger community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Oct 24 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The NWNM EMCOMM GROUP was awarded a grant from the ARDC to assemble and standup a Winlink RMS with Starlink backhaul capability. Installation is anticipated in mid December.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Sept.19-21 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Two members of the Group, W4IFI and KF5SMH traveled to the Duke City Hamfest<\/a> to give presentations on Winlink Radio Email <\/a>and VARA HF \/ FM. <\/a> Approximately 35 operators participated in the 3 presentations covering basic setup, transmitting and receiving messages, and soundcard diagnosis. Sincere ‘Thanks’ goes out to KC5QOC John Mocho (M8),for his assistance and guidance during the 3 day event. KB5HPT Lew Maxwell of El Paso ARES<\/a>, (EPCARES) and the Winlink Tuesday Exercise also lent some valuable insights to operating in the mode during the training. Thanks also to Charlie Zurenko N2TFS, and fellow team members of the Arizona Red Cross K7ARC <\/a>for their assistance with the presentation flyers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n August 21, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The group held it’s monthly meeting at the San Juan County 911 Communications Center<\/a> in Aztec. Center Director Nicole Brown took the time and effort to provide a most informative and interesting tour of the state of the art facility. She provided insight into the History of the facility, operating challenges, and how dispatchers track, and aid responders during an incident. Ben McGaha KB5ITS provided technical information into the radio communication operations, and the interoperability the center provides between the tri-city police departments, the NM State Police, the San Juan County.Sheriffs Office, and their interaction with the community at large. The facility also accomodates communications with other agencies such as the BLM and the FBI. A sincere Thank You to Nicole for this inside look at a most impressive, effective, and efficient facility. It is abundantly obvious that the entire team lives up to their motto of, “Saving Lives everyday”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n June 14, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The Group held the annual Summer training event at Riverside Park in Aztec. This year the event centered around standing up a field radio station, including, tuning and adjusting the radio for repeater operation with PL tones and offsets, troubleshooting and repairing power circuits, and assembling and replacing power feed wiring. An HF station was also operated on both 20 and 40 meter bands with an inverted Vee antenna at 25′ that KI5TOZ, and K8OIP had constructed and erected. While the propagation was not ideal for transmission, contacts were made using FLDIGI with stations in El Paso Tx., Green Valley Az., Wickenburg Az, and.Ft. Collins Co., While the training was informative and enjoyable, a delicious added treat was the breakfast and lunch provided by KG5RGN. Our Special Thanks to NM5PH, KE5LZJ, and N5QDH for sharing their extensive talents and expertise with those participating.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n May 17, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The FCC today awarded the NWNM EMCOMM GROUP the Vanity Callsign NW5NM.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n May 12, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Effective May 12, 2025, the NWNM EMCOMM GROUP is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization, donations to the GROUP are tax deductible. Donations are greatly appreciated, and graciously accepted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n April 29, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Effective today the NWNM EMCOMM GROUP has a new Club Callsign. We are now KJ5LCZ, with Tom Miller K9TMM acting as Trustee for the Group. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n March 5, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n KF5SMH traveled to McKinley County with SJCOEM <\/a>Assistant Coordinator Dawn Knuppel to attend the NMDHSEM <\/a>regional Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (IPPW). Activities included a response preparedness exercise with discussion on what would be required to respond to an internet\/cellphone network down scenario, Also a presentation regarding radio communications in the State by Wynn Brannin NMDHS StateWide Interoperability Coordinator, also discussion relating to future EMCOMM\/AUXCOMM incorporation at the SEOC, and AUXCOMM PTB activity certification .<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n February 27, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n NM5PH, KG5BPC, KG5BPE, KD5NMX, and KF5SMH attended The Desert Gridlock TTX, presented by the NMDHSEM<\/a>, EMNRD<\/a>, and SJCOEM<\/a>, at the San Juan College School of Energy. <\/a>The presentation was “designed for stakeholders involved in energy response, restoration, public communications, and coordination.” An act of sabotage to a power generation substation was the scenario presented, and attendees offered potential response and mitigation ideas, as well as additional areas of concern and response beyond the obvious electrical interruptions, such as supermarket food storage, water treatment and delivery, and communications interruptions. This was a very informative and thought provoking presentation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n February 26, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n KE5LZK, KD5NMX, KB7PXR AND KF5SMH attended the Four Corners Damage Prevention Group <\/a>Meeting. Information regarding pipeline damage, wellsite theft, and Hazmat response was presented. Presenters were from the oil and gas Industry, the San Juan County Sheriffs Office<\/a>, Farmington Fire Department<\/a>, San Juan County Fire and Rescue<\/a>, and San Juan County Office of Emergency Management<\/a>. Special Thanks to Sheriff Deputy Mike Sandelar for the great information and reporting booklets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n February 5, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n KF5SMH and KD5NMX made a presentation to the The San Juan County Local Emergency Planning Committee who graciously donated the bulk of the monies needed for the Group to apply for 501c3 Non-Profit status with the IRS. Non-Profit status will allow the Group to pursue Grants and funding to expand and improve upon existing capabilities, and incorporate new Ham Radio and EMCOMM operations for San Juan County and the surrounding areas. The Group would like to extend our sincere Thank You to the LEPC Board members for approving the donation of these funds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n January 25, 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Several members of the Group participated in the Western Slope AUXCOMM Exercise, with LaPlata , Mesa, and Delta Counties in Colorado. Digital Messaging, and Voice traffic was passed successfully via HF on both the 40 and 60 meter bands, and over VHF using the KB5ITS San Juan Connection linked repeater system. We would like to Thank N0WKR, KI0KY, AC0MM, W4IFI, LPCSAR<\/a>, and Colorado ARES<\/a>, for this opportunity to extend our EMCOMM message handling capabilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n December 19 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n KF5SMH represented the Group as Net Control for radio operations for the SJCOEM support activities at McGee Park for the Economic Council Helping Others, ECHO Inc. Holiday Distribution Event.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n November 13 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Members of the Group participated in the SJCOEM Functional EOC Training exercise. Exercise information and updates were exchanged between the EOC Radio Room and ‘at home’ VHF stations utilizing both voice and digital data modes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n October 17 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Members of the Group participated in the Great American Shakeout<\/a>, for the 5th year. This is a USGS sponsored nationwide practice of Earthquake reporting with Winlink <\/a>for Did You Feel it <\/a>reports, and using local voice communications to simulate a Health and Welfare radio net..<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n