The Rig - A Hamventure

08/06/2024

The Rig will be there in support of Bay County Search and Rescue. Hope to see you too !!

07/05/2024

Thank You to RV Connections (https://www.facebook.com/RVConnections) for the new a/c I had to install. They also found it was the original one (2005) and gave up just as hurricane season was starting. Now its NICE and cold in here too !!

https://www.facebook.com/dometic/

05/17/2024

Old and New and In-between radio has definitely evolved over the years.

11/29/2023

Mark your calendar! Santa is coming to H.G. Harders Park! This is a free event. If you would like to help support the Bay County Sheriff's Project 25, please bring a new unwrapped toy to donate.

10/29/2023

https://www.facebook.com/TeamTyndall

"The following event has received final approval for U.S. Air Force Aerial Support: "

Warrior Beach Retreat Parade Es**rt
Date: 09 Nov 2023
Location: Panama City Beach , FL
4:33 PM – HATHAWAY BRIDGE
Aircraft: 2 x F-35

Please come to the bridge to see the F-35 flyover and show your support !!
https://www.warriorbeachretreat.org/wbr-parade-route

10/27/2023

Come see The Rig in our usual spot at the park. Just keep that spooky hayride away from us though. 😉

10/23/2023

The network was also updated/upgraded to add the AREDN mesh network system (see link) for communications over internet. The cables were ran to both computers and they work much better than on WIFI. I also added 2 new LED reading lights since it was kinda dark on the desk, even with the light there on.
I also fixed the heater to get it ready for the coming coldness.
https://www.arednmesh.org/

10/23/2023

I know it has been a while now, but here is a radio update. Once again, THANK YOU for following.

left to right :
Motorola GMRS 50w base radio
Xiego G90 QRP (20w) ham HF radio
Whistler PH1 digital scanner
ICOM 5100 (VHF/UHF/D-STAR digital)
Uniden VHF marine radio
Cobra CB
QYT GMRS mobile radio
Funghoo tri-band ham radio

These are basically all the radios that would be needed in times of emergency and more can be added, if needed.

09/18/2023

The purpose of AUX COMM Communicators is.......
“…volunteer organizations such as community emergency
response teams and auxiliary communications volunteers
(e.g., amateur radio operators; also called Hams) play key
roles…Today, nearly all States and territories have
incorporated some level of participation by amateur radio
auxiliary communication operators into their TICPs and
SCIPs; this allows them to quickly integrate the operators
into response efforts, which can strengthen communications
and operations during incidents of any scale.”
---National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) 2014
Auxiliary Communicators are one of many Technical
Specialists that may be called upon to support the National
Incident Management System (NIMS).
The Incident Commander has the final authority as to where
the auxiliary communications (AUXCOMM) personnel will
reside within their command.
It was a privilege to recently attend an AUX COMM volunteer communicators course at the Walton Co EOC this past weekend. This will help me to become a better radio operator and now I understand the process of Incident Command operations (for AUX COMMS) a bit clearer. The course laid out the foundation for what a volunteer AUX COMM person could be, and can be, and possibly called upon, to assist anywhere in the state and the Capitol EOC.
Thank You to Clayton and Dave (red shirts) for their patience and guidance to provide their experiences and knowledge over the course of 3 days.

08/28/2023

In anticipation of potentially heavy rainfall and isolated flooding associated with Tropical Storm Idalia, Bay County Public Works has placed sand for bagging at the locations outlined in the graphic below. Sandbags are available for purchase at home improvement stores.

Currently, Bay County is not under a storm watch or warning, but this is a very large, powerful storm, and we must remain diligent in the event the forecast changes.

The Deerpoint Reservoir level has been lowered in anticipation of potentially heavy rainfall, and Bay County Utilities will continue to assess the situation.

Please continue to monitor your local news stations for the most current weather information and subscribe to Alert Bay for emergency notifications at www.alertbay.org.

08/28/2023

08/28/2023

Hernando, Pasco and Manatee among counties issuing orders

06/24/2023

Amateur Radio Field Day.
Please come on out and see how ham radio operations are done during emergencies.
Starts at noon (for 24hrs non-stop), but stop by early if you can !!
And a special Thank You to Gov DeSantis for the acknowledgement and week long tribute.
Hope to see you here !!

06/10/2023

So...Panama City....you wanna know more about the weather and how to spot incoming storms, etc....? Well, here is your chance.
Building 'AC' at the College on Saturday June 17th, starting at 10am to about noon, so be early !!
https://www.gulfcoast.edu/about-gcsc/campus-locations/campus-maps/maps/pc-campus-map.png
https://www.weather.gov/tae/taeskywarn

Specialties: General Interest Call sign: W4MM Services: Help for newcomers, Entry-level classes, Higher-level classes PO Box 70601 Albany, GA 31708-0601 Contact: SHIPLEY WM A, N4GPJ Phone: (912)439-7055 (D) (912)439-7055 (N) Web: http://www.w4mm.com

06/01/2023

OKAY Followers !! Today is June 1st and the start of the 2023 hurricane season !! It looks we're off to a good start too with this junk developing out on the Gulf and it's drifting NNW-ish.
Be Prepared !!

An official website of the United States government Answers to common questions on our FAQ and Glossary or contact us. Learn more about the National Weather Service mission and vision. Discover career opportunities at the National Weather Service. Legal Information Disclaimer Information Quality Pri...

05/24/2023

Hey Followers !! Thank You once again for following and there are no new updates to The Rig at this time, but it will be participating in the national ARRL Field Day operations at the Bay County, Florida EOC (Emergency Operations Center) on HWY 2500 Southport, on Saturday June 24th, which is an all day event, starting about 10am.

Here is an explanation of the event :
ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth
weekend of June of each year, thousands of radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to
operate from remote locations.
Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN!
It is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together to highlight our many roles. While some will treat
it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent
opportunity to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the organizations that Amateur Radio might serve in an emergency, as
well as the general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar.
The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate our radio gear in
abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.
We use these same skills when we help with events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fund-raisers such as walk-
a-thons; celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums — these are all large, preplanned,
non-emergency activities.
But despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems — or maybe because they ARE so
complex — ham radio has been called into action again and again to provide communications in crises when it really
matters. Amateur Radio people (also called “hams”) are well known for our communications support in real disaster
and post-disaster situations.
What is the ARRL?
The American Radio Relay League is the national association for Amateur Radio in the USA, representing over
170,000 FCC-licensed Amateurs. The ARRL is the primary source of information about what is going on in ham
radio. It provides books, news, support and information for individuals and clubs, special events, continuing education
classes and other benefits for its members.
What is Amateur Radio
Often called “ham radio,” the Amateur Radio Service has been around for a century. In that time, it’s grown into a
worldwide community of licensed operators using the airwaves with every conceivable means of communications
technology. Its people range in age from youngsters to grandparents. Even rocket scientists and a rock star or two
are in the ham ranks. Most, however, are just normal folks like you and me who enjoy learning and being able to
transmit voice, data and pictures through the air to unusual places, both near and far, without depending on
commercial systems.
The Amateur Radio frequencies are the last remaining place in the usable radio spectrum where you as an individual
can develop and experiment with wireless communications. Hams not only can make and modify their equipment,
but can create whole new ways to do things.

I will have multiple radios on during this event and feel free to call upon me, if I can hear you !! Thanks.
CB ch 19
GMRS ch 4
VHF Marine ch 71
444.175 SARNET (FL repeater access only)
HF freq: 28.480
See ya there !! Thanks !

05/06/2023

I am honored to be part of this event for the kids !

Men and Boys! The 7th Annual Men's Field Day is coming Saturday, May 7th, 2-6pm at Cross Creek Farms. It's a fish fry and pig roast. It's kayaking,

03/25/2023

warriorbeachretreat.org
Panama City Florida Bay County
Thursday April 13th is the Warrior Beach Retreat parade. All motorcyclists are invited to ride in this parade to honor Combat Wounded Vets. Line up starts at 2:30pm at HOMEWOOD SUITES by Hilton, 47 Chip Seal Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL 32407.
The parade will end at Rodeos Steak House in Parker. (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063468822696&mibextid=ZbWKwL) Please be there no later than 3:30pm.
We depart promptly at 4:00pm.
I hope to see everyone there or along the parade route !! See the website for details.

We, Warrior Beach Retreat, Inc, are a nonprofit organization that makes it possible for combat wounded soldiers of the Iraq and Afghanistan tours and their spouses/caregivers to spend an entire week away at our relaxing beach retreat here at Panama City Beach, Fl.

03/24/2023

Saturday March 25th 9 AM – 1 PM
The Rig will be at the Operation Spay Bay Fun Day!!
Please stop by and say HI and bring an umbrella, it might get a little rainy !!

03/04/2023

Join our team ... https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pcgov
The Panama City Police Department is an equal opportunity employer

03/04/2023

The Grocery Outlet in St. Andrews is open again after 4 years

03/04/2023

🐱✨

03/04/2023

A year ago today, wildfires broke out across Bay County. Many agencies spent several days fighting the fires.

As we enter into wildfire season, you can help us by preparing your homes and yards.

Visit firewise.org for more info!

03/04/2023

Founder's Day event started at 10am!
Hope to see you here.

03/03/2023

At the school with K9 Geena and handler Judy for the "Celebration of Learning" day !!
Several other Bay County agencies and entities were there as well showing off their respective vehicles and equipment !! The dozens and dozens of eager kids had fun crawling all over everything. Was a fun day indeed !!
https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/schools/southport-elementary-hosts-celebration-of-learning-event/?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow

03/01/2023

SATURDAY AT 10 AM
10th Annual Founder's Day
Henry Brooks Memorial Park
The Rig will be here so please stop by !!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1546592925761471/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

02/22/2023

Airport Exercise for ARES (baycountyares.org) all day. Fun Stuff !!

02/19/2023

OPERATION SAFE HOME

Feb. 17, 2023

If you are renting out a home or traveling and leaving an empty home on Panama City Beach during spring break, please consider calling us and leaving your emergency contact information with us. If anything happens on your property that requires us to reach out to notify you, having the address of the property and your contact number makes it a lot easier for us to make you aware.

We appreciate you taking a few minutes to call communications at 850-747-4700 and providing your contact information or filling out and emailing the form you can find on our website https://www.bayso.org/safehome.

Click on the HOME icon and then Operation Safe Home. Download the form, fill it out, save it, and email it. We will also post a link to the form on our social media sites. Please email completed forms to [email protected].

Your peace of mind is important and it helps us better serve you, Bay County.

02/17/2023

Aldi announced a Callaway store will open at 550 W. Seventh St. at 9 a.m. Feb. 23. It will be the chain's second location in Bay County.