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Georgia Section On My Mind
February, 2010
Wet enough for you?
(Not cute!) Some
of you have driveways and more under water.
Some have been trapped on a highway or off-ramp due to
flooding—no retreat available.
Should we give more attention to monitoring 146.52?
It is a good radio, but useless unless the rest of us listen.
So what else is new in
the Georgia Section?
Notice that we have two new DEC’s:
for Georgia State Patrol Steve Bramham W4SKB,
and for South East District Guy McDonald K4GTM. We
also welcome Wayne Gay, K4MQ who passed his exam
and is now part of the Amateur Auxiliary as an “OO”.
Welcome, guys!
There is much work to do.
Thanks for stepping up to the plate!
Why don’t we hear more from the Amateur
Auxiliary? These 700
amateurs do much more listening than talking, and when they contact
one of the rest of us, it is to assist us in being better and legal
operators. They work in
the background out of the lime-light, but the FCC has made it clear
that this service is vital to them in making the Amateur Service
largely self policing.
Better ourselves than them!
The would-be OO must first pass an examination (and some
fail, at least their first attempt) and then is considered by the
Section Manager and OOC for recommendation to ARRL for appointment.
Thanks, guys!
From the ARRL we have a new president:
Kay Craigie, N3KN (former First VP).
Steve Ewald of ARRL in Newington reports that more help is being
brought in the take care of the DXCC backlog.
So you have not been forgotten.
And, finally, the new question pool for the Technician class
license exam has been released and will be used beginning July 1,
2010. The old pool
expires June 30, 2010.
So, new books and new exams then.
Definitions:
“Amateur” comes from the Latin “Amo”, and defines activity
done for the love of it, i.e. not paid. “Professional” indicates a
commitment to an ideal.
Many are paid, but are not committed to anything.
Some are voluntary, yet are totally committed to the work.
So most hams are both “Amateur” and “Professional”.
SK-Darragh McCluer WA6IKS
January 29. Memorial
Service will be held in Acworth February 13 in the Oak Grove
Community Room.
Len Di Maso,Jr, K2YRW.
A moment of silence, while we ponder the loss of these
friends.
In
Haiti:
Amateurs continue deployment with SATERN.
Haitian amateurs are also active.
Note from Julio Ripoli WD4R documents
frantic efforts by hams there with relays in US to get emergency
care for 6 year old child with requiring cornea transplant for
survival in the rubble of
Haiti
(otherwise blind!).
Other similar efforts are documented.
Nice article by CNN about Haitians using “low tech radio”
[No, I don’t think so] to carry out emergency communications (http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/20/haiti.amateur.radio/index.html).
“When everything else fails”… “Tip o’the Hat” to Diana of
NGARC and GARC.
Please take time to read the new report from
the standing NERPC (National Emergency Response Planning Committee)
of the ARRL:
http://www.arrl.org/announce/reports-2007/january/NERPC-32aa.pdf.
ALL AMATEURS interested in
EMCOMM will read this document.
The annual “Techfest” in Lawrenceville was
again very successful.
Many learned about simple, and complex things related to amateur
radio.
Kudos to S.E.C. Mike KE4FGF
and others for the ARES conference in Forsyth January 23.
Good information from the speakers.
We did have a tornado drill February 4 and
according to STM Charles K4GK it proved that
amateurs in Georgia are ready and willing to
help in time of need.
Activity was as follows:
Total VHF/UHF checkins:
308. Total HF checkins
Statewide: 139.
Total counties
reporting: 83. Estimated
man hours: 547.
Time in operation: 1 hr. 5 min.
NFARL reports 259
members. Programs are on
basics of electricity, on antenna sig. and on CW sig.
Yourh night on Feb 16.
Coming events:
Georgia QSO Party
April 11, 12
ARRL International DX
Contest
CW Feb 21-23
ARRL International DX
Contest Phone
Mch 7-8
Orlando Hamcation Feb
12-14
www.hamcation.com
Dalton Hamfest Feb 27
www.daltonhamfest.com
Kennehoochee Hamfest Mch
20
www.w4bti.org
ARCA (Augusta) announced
their “Winter Swapfest” on Feb 20.
Charles, K4GK: Boy Scouts
are reinstating the “Signaling” merit badge.
I remember learning semaphore.
Anyone for Morse?
Hall
County
has a digital NBEMS net on VHF with many participants.
Several modes are studied.
Check
www.HallCountyARES.com
or contact AA4BA@arrl.net for
further info.
Monthly Section Emergency Coordinator Report to
ARRL Headquarters
ARRL Section: GA
Month: January Year: 2010
AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
Total number of ARES members:
*863 Change since last month: +32 reported
# of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 63 ,#
of ARES nets active: 199 , # with NTS liaison: 0
Number of drills, tests and training sessions
this month: 255 Person hours: 3005
Number of public service events this month: 6.
Person hours: 53
Number of emergency operations this month: 8.
Person hours: 56
Total number of ARES operations this month:
269.Total Person hours: 3114
Signature: Thomas Fuller KE4QCM
863 members reported, 754 from last report, with
+32 actual reported by EC's
DECs:
DEC ARESMAT/K2HJ, ASEC Digital
Communications/KG4VUB, DEC GEMA/K5AES, DEC GA Public
Broadcasting/WB4QDX, DEC Georgia State Patrol/W4SKB, DEC Metro
Atlanta/N4SEG, DEC National Weather Service-Columbia/N0FBV,
DEC-National Weather Service-Peachtree City/KD4YDC, DEC
Northwest/KD4EKZ, ASEC Operations/KM4Z, DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC,
DEC Southeast K4GTM
ECs:
Central :
Baldwin/KG4EPI, Bibb/KJ4PEO, Crawford/WB4KNU,
Greene/KF4EOH, Laurens/KF5TA, Macon/KI4BEO, Putnam/KF4EOH,
Twiggs/KJ4LAM, Washington/K4GK
East
Central:
Columbia/K1OYQ, Richmond/AH6IW
Metro Atlanta:
Cherokee/WB4NWS, Clayton/AJ4GT, Cobb/KI4RQO,
Dekalb/W4TGA, Fayette/AG4ZR, Gwinnett/WB4QDX, Newton/WA4UJC, North
Fulton/W4UOC
Northeast:
Barrow/K4JSR, Clarke/N4ZRA, Forsyth/W4PX,
Hall/AA4BA, Madison/KI4MHF, Stephens/KU4ES, Towns/W4VFZ
Northwest:
Bartow/N4QET, Carroll/N4IF, Catoosa/Vacant,
Dade/Vacant, Floyd/KD4EKZ, Gilmer/KC4GH, Gordon/AF4DN,
Haralson/N4IF, Heard/N4IF, Murray/AI4ZV, Pickens/K4SJR,
Polk/KD4EKZ, Walker/Vacant, Whitfield/AI4ZV
Southeast:
Camden/WA4GWB, Chatham/K4GTM, Toombs/KG4BKO,
Wheeler/KI4MNR
Southwest:
Baker/K4GCR, Dougherty/N4GPJ, Grady/KI4RGD,
Irwin/W4CWH, Lee/W5VRV, Seminole/K4TPD
Comments:
DECs:
DEC GEMA/K5AES, Attended
the GA ARES Annual meeting at the GPSTC in Forsyth, Ga.
DEC GA Public Broadcasting/WB4QDX, 1/5 -
Presentation to Athens Radio Club on D-Star Network, 1/23 -
Participation in Section ARES Meeting, D-STAR Network update.
DEC
Georgia
State
Patrol/W4SKB, REVISED REPORT Attended Statewide ARES meeting at
GPSTC Created DRAFT document for DEC-GSP position, goals, solutions.
DEC Metro Atlanta/N4SEG, The Metro
Atlanta District ARES NET meets on the first Sunday of the month.
The January NET was hosted by the Gwinnett County ARES Group. There
were 43 check-ins and the NET lasted 35 minutes. The February NET
will be hosted by the Rockdale County ARES Group. Also I attended
one web based go-to-meeting with other members of the GA Section
during the month of January. My time for the GA State ARES Meeting
in Forsyth is accounted for in the report by DeKalb County.
DEC National Weather Service-Columbia/N0FBV,
SKYWARN TRAINING 2 X 15 MIN =30 MIN NO OTHER REPORTS REC.
DEC-National Weather Service-Peachtree
City/KD4YDC, MISC: Skywarn Recognition Day QSL Cards, Link Codes,
Correspondence, Meetings. EMERGENCY OPS: Winter Storm, Severe TSTM.
DEC Northwest/KD4EKZ, Attended Statweide ARES
Meeting in Forsyth 14 hours, 272 miles.
ASEC Operations/KM4Z, Met with K2HJ to discuss
ARESMAT game plan. Attended Statewide meeting at the GPSTC.
Participated in two (2) WEBINARS. Continued testing WINMOR and NBEMS
digital modes with K5AES and others.
DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC, WA4UJC Worked 12
hours on the SATERN Net on 3977.7.
ECs:
Central:
Baldwin/KG4EPI,THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR HAVING TO
CHANGE THE NET FREQ. AS WE FURTHER OUR WORK ON THE REPEATERS TO
SERVE US BETTER IN THE FUTURE.
Bibb/KJ4PEO, Just want to say excellent job on
the state meeting ! I learned a lot and met a lot of the central
district EC's. I'm proud to announce that we have established a
repeater to use for our weekly nets and it should be coming online
in the next few weeks..Thanks to NM4W and WB4NFG for the new Peach State
Intertie...its going to be a great asset for the local ARES groups.
I'm still working on the plans for a meeting facility and should
have the final plans sometime this week. I'm also in the final plans
of setting up my PSK31 on my radio and am working on getting D-Star
brought into the area. 73's
Crawford/WB4KNU, This was a bad month for our
group. With the holidays and the weather we got very little
accomplished.
Laurens/KF5TA, Seven counties of the Central
District meet at the Impire Baptist
Church on the last
Saturday of each month. They are; Baldwin, Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Twiggs, Washington,
Wilkerson. There were 12 members at the Jan.30, 2010 meeting.
Laurens County ARES group had 4 members go to The State Wide Meeting
on Jan.23,2010. Mr. Don T. Bryant Laurens County EMA dir. also went
with the Laurens group. Don is a big help in getting things stated
in the Laurens Co. The Laurens Co EMA will host a
Twiggs/KJ4LAM, Annual GA ARES Statewide
Meeting@GPSTC
East
Central:
Columbia/K1OYQ, Six members attended training in
Forsythe
Ga on Feb 23, 2010. Skywarn
training held twice a month during net.
Metro
Atlanta:
Clayton/AJ4GT, this includes 92.833 Man Hours
for the ARES meeting 13 members present. We will have a Ham Class on
Feb 6th, 2010.
Cobb/KI4RQO, EC attended the Georgia ARES annual
meeting in Forsyth,
GA. Nets are being run using the radio at Kennestone Hospital installed as part of the Georgia
Hospital Association System.
Dekalb/W4TGA, Met with leadership for ING
Marathon to discuss amateur radio participation. We will use this as
a drill with local CERT and Fire Reserve units. Also met with LEPC
executive council, I am a member. Also met with Grady Emergency
Steering Committee, I am a member.
Fayette/AG4ZR, AEC Various Nets(2), 911
Practitioner Activity(4), State ARES Meeting(4), ARES Related
Meetings(2)
Newton/WA4UJC, Worked 12 hours on SATERN Net.
Northeast:
Clarke/N4ZRA, The Clarke County ARES group
started over on membership at the end of 2009. We are now up to 13
members who are taking training in emergency communications, IS-100,
IS-700, IS-800, and IS-200. We had 8 members attend the Georgia
Statewide ARES meeting along with our Clarke County EMA Coordinator.
We had 4 short training nets preparing for SkyWarn nets and message
handling. We had 1 ARES training meeting which consisted of a table
top exercise that included training in ARRL Radiograms. We had one
SkyWarn operation on Jan 24 with good participation with a liaison
to the Jackson County ARES Net. Stan Edwards, WA4DYD, is writing a
new updated Emergency Operations Plan.
Stephens/KU4ES, The K4TRS has been adjusted to
mitigate problems recently experienced with the receive portion of
the repeater. Efforts continue to be made to establish the K4TRS and
W4BNG (443.500) repeaters as the premier machines to serve in tandem
for extreme Northeast Georgia
during times of emergency.
Towns/W4VFZ, Misc. activities include
preparation of S.E.T. 2009 Report.
Northwest:
Carroll/N4IF,
WG ARES Simplex Net: 38.87 Mhrs; THMRA Training: 1.13 Mhrs;
Forsyth ARES Meeting (Two People inc travel): 20 Mhrs WG ARES
Simplex Net Meets on Sunday (4:00pm) & Wednesday (7:30pm)
Catoosa/Vacant, Null report filed by KD4EKZ, DEC. EC post in Catoosa County
is vacant. Replacement being sought. Volunteers welcome. COntact
KD4EKZ@arrl.net.
Dade/Vacant, Null report filed by KD4EKZ, DEC.
EC post in Dade County
is vacant. Replacement being sought. Volunteers welcome. COntact
KD4EKZ@arrl.net
Gordon/AF4DN, Attended both sessions of State
ARES meeting along with one other member. Meeting with
Gordon Co. United Way
to cover Bike ride on March 27. State meeting was very informative
and enjoyable.
Haralson/N4IF, See Carroll County report which includes all relevant data for
Haralson, Carroll and
Heard
Counties
Heard/N4IF, See Carroll County report which includes all relevant data for
Haralson, Carroll and
Heard
Counties
Murray/AI4ZV, See Whitfield
County report for combined Murray and Whitfield County
Report.
Polk/KD4EKZ, 1 member attended Stateside ARES
Meeting in Forsyth,
GA - 14 hours
Walker/Vacant, Null report filed by KD4EKZ, DEC.
EC post in Walker County
is vacant. Replacement being sought. Volunteers welcome. COntact
KD4EKZ@arrl.net
Whitfield/AI4ZV, Misc AI4ZV and KJ4IKC attended
Georgia ARES Conference January 23.
Southeast:
Chatham/K4GTM, Keep up with what's
going on in the Chatham County ARES program at
www.k4gtm.blogspot.com.
Toombs/KG4BKO, Attended Statewide ARES Meeting
in Forsyth at GPSTC. 2 men/5 hrs. Excellent meeting.
Southwest:
Baker/K4GCR, Thanks goodness for no problems.
73's
Grady/KI4RGD, ARES operations for
Grady
County consisted of
participating in the Thursday night nets held on 145.170 at 8:00
p.m. Several Grady ARES members attended the TARC club meeting held
in Thomasville, Georgia
on January 9, 2010. Preliminary plans are being discussed concerning
field day and operations at the Thomasville EOC. Several emails were
sent to Grady
General
Hospital in regards to
their request for amateur radio equipment installed in the hospital.
They have not followed up to date.
Irwin/W4CWH, Tested multiple batteries to see if
they are going to work for my 2m/70cm rig.
Lee/W5VRV, 12 hours covers my time as net
control for the Georgia
Traffic Net, Georgia Traffic & Emergency Net, and
checking in to the nets each day. I was net control for a total of
17 sessions.
Seminole/K4TPD, January produced several days of
heavy rainfall. Only one produced flash flood conditions resulting
in the temporary closing of eastbound lanes of US 84 near Iron City,
GA, State Road 91 about 2 miles south of Donalsonville, and State
Road 39 about 17 miles south of Donalsonville. This information was
forwarded to the NWS in
Tallahassee
via the internet. The Corps of Engineers has done an outstanding job
keeping Lake
Seminole
from flooding. The Flint River and
Chattahoochee
River both have been above
flood stage several times upstream during January. The Apalachicola River
at Blountstown (downstream) has been above flood stage most of the
month. Although flood waters on these rivers did not impact anyone
locally they have caused the closing of the oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay.
Finally we had 14 consecutive days of temperatures below freezing in Seminole County. Most of the daily low
temperatures were in the low to mid twenties. This set a record of
consecutive days below freezing.
Section
Traffic Manager Report:
Charles Pennington, K4GK.
January, 2010
Public
Service Honor Roll (PSHR)
|
K4GK |
140 |
|
WA4UJC |
164 |
|
K2HJ |
235 |
|
WB4BIK |
90 |
|
WA9WNE
|
90 |
|
K4BEH |
168 |
|
K4BG |
100 |
|
N5EEO |
85 |
|
KG4FXG
|
64 |
Station
Activity Report (SAR) Traffic
|
K4GK
|
124 |
|
WB4BIK |
74 |
|
K4BG
|
200 |
|
WA4UJC
|
34 |
|
WA9WNE
|
548 |
|
WA4AXV |
302 |
|
K4BEH |
28 |
|
W8CXU
|
264 |
|
K4BAI
|
14 |
|
N5EEO
|
74 |
|
N4UJ |
16 |
|
KG4FXG |
8 |
Section
Nets
|
|
QNI |
QTC |
SESS |
QND |
NM |
|
GSSB:
Georgia Single Side Band Association
3975 kHz 7 PM local, year round. |
2113 |
41 |
31 |
|
KE4VPD |
|
GCN:
Georgia Cracker Net
3995 kHz 7 AM Monday- Saturday; 8 AM Sundays |
1113 |
10 |
31 |
|
N4VMC
|
|
GA ARES:
Georgia Amateur Radio Emergency Services
3975 kHz 5 PM winters; 6 PM summers - Sundays |
536 |
7 |
5 |
|
K4GK |
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GTE: Georgia Traffic and Emergency Net
3982.5 kHz 7:15 PM DAILY |
1016 |
15 |
31 |
|
W4AYK |
|
GTN:
Georgia Traffic Net (SSB) (Cycle 2)
3987.5 kHz 1 PM Monday - Saturday |
602 |
193 |
26 |
|
WA4UJC |
|
GTN:
Georgia (CW) Training Net
3549 kHz 9PM DAILY (slow speed) |
164 |
4 |
31 |
614 |
KG4FXG |
|
GSN:
Georgia State Net
3549 kHz 7PM and 10PM DAILY (medium to high speed) |
315 |
186 |
62 |
|
K4GK |
Remarks: Congratulations to Terry
Sanders, W4WNE, on making Brass Pounders League (BPL) with
a message count of 548. Excellent job Terry.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses three thousand
times the memory. 73, Gene, W4AYK, Section Manager
Georgia
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