Greetings!! A friend of mine commented to me last month about the newsletter, "Geez, Susan, I thought you were writing a BOOK!!" Well, folks, maybe you'd better get yourself a fresh drink and make yourself comfy, because it looks like this newsletter may be even longer…..( hopefully, it'll be "just enough", Frank…..) MARK TWAIN said, "Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." Hopefully, I've kept the facts, but managed to make this interesting for y'all, nonetheless….

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

The STATE ARES MEETING, held at the Georgia Training Center in Forsyth on February 9th, was a huge success. Many thanks to STEVE STRONG, KS4EL, for the excellent job he did setting up the agenda, and to each and every one of you who attended. (Me, I really blew it, though…. I managed to get pretty much everyone in the room up on their feet while I was speaking, but doggone it, I should've asked everyone to clap, too. Then, when people asked me about how the meeting went, I could've said, quite honestly, that I'd gotten a standing ovation!) SEC MIKE BOATRIGHT, KO4WX, with his straightforward approach, his plans and his vision for the ARES program in the state of Georgia, was very well received, and the amount of dedication among the attendees was very impressive. Each of the speakers did an excellent job, and we all went away from the meeting considerably more informed than we were before we came. As a means of improving the over-all calibre and preparedness of the ARES leadership, all ECs are being requested to take the level one online emergency communications course by the beginning of next year, and all DECs are asked to take levels one and two. This is not intended to cause hardships on anyone, and accomodations will be made, perhaps in the form of classroom instruction for those without internet access. STEVE EWALD, with the ARRL, was very impressed with this innovative and gutsy approach to improving the ARES program in Georgia. To borrow a line from the Army…. Let's "be all we can be"….

The DALTON HAMFEST was terrific! If you missed it, you definitely missed a good one. It was a pleasure and an honor to meet with a bunch of our state traffic handlers at a pre-hamfest breakfast, and it was great to have the opportunity to talk with so many of you who stopped by the ARRL booth to say hello. It's always fun to spend time with SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, and FRANK BUTLER, W4RH, but it was a special treat to meet EDDIE KOSOBUCKI, K4JNL, our section Bulletin Manager and former Section Manager. He was kind enough to take me under his wing and introduce me to a bunch of folks. (He knows EVERYBODY!!) It was also an honor to present the ARES Amateur Radio Operator of the Year award to TERRY JONES, W4TL. Anyone who knows Terry knows just how deserving he is of this award. Emergency communications isn't just something that he does…. with him, it's a ministry.

CLUB NEWS

1. Albany ARC: Club secretary STAN HALSTEAD, W4GOD, has developed a Skywarn for the Deaf notification system. This program has both regional and national attention, and has been endorsed by the NWS. Way to go, Stan!! Club members will be helping out at the SW GA Council Boy Scout Camporee at Camp Osborn in Worth county March 1-3, promoting amateur radio and helping the boys with their radio and communications badges.
2. Atlanta ARC: Meetings have been moved to a new location…. to the Red Cross headquarters building at 1955 Monroe Drive in Atlanta, first Thursdays of the month. If you're ever in town, check out their 146.820 club repeater. Because of an internet link, there's no telling what you might hear on this repeater…. Australia, England, Canada, etc.
3. Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society: Congratulations to the new club officers… President IKE CHAPMAN, K4WEC; VP VICTOR GANN, N2VG; Secretary, MORGAN RINGOLD, KG4PAN; Treasurer, DAN KEOHAN, KF4YSU; and Activities Manager, BILL AHLS, AB0KF. The club is planning its 5th annual Techfest for March 23, at Central Baptist Church, on Gwinnett Drive, in Lawrenceville. More info under "upcoming activities."
4. Lanierland ARC: Before a recent club meeting, members shared a dinner of homemade chili….. lots of varieties to chose from. It made for a time of much fellowship and fun, and ACC MARY AHLS, W4NZJ, and her hubby BILL, AB0KF, made a surprise visit Enjoyed themselves tremendously.
5. Liberty County Emergency Communication ARC: Congratulations to newly elected club officers…President DAVE REEFER, KG4ERR; VP WALLY RANKIN, KE4ISH; Secretary JAMES MARKWITH, KG4PNE; and Treasurer BILL GARY, KT4KH.
6. NoGA QRP Club had to change their meeting locale, due to the imminent closing of the RS.Com store. They will now be meeting at Wieuca Baptist Church, on the corner of Wieuca and Peachtree at 10 AM on the first Saturday of each month. This is a fantastic gathering of guys who are into building, innovations, and QRP. They recently built and donated a K2 radio to the STARS station at the SciTrek museum in downtown Atlanta. Club nets each Tuesday: PSK-31 8PM on 3580, FM 145.41 at 9PM, and CW net at 9:30 on 3568.4 KHz.
7. Peachtree Chapter 49 QCWA… next quarterly meeting coming up at noon on March 2, at the Ryans restaurant on Jimmy Carter Boulevard near Peachtree Industrial Blvd., in Norcross. This club is made up of a membership who've been licensed for at least 25 years, and most of them have many more years than that under their belt. A gathering of wisdom, if you will, whose main purpose is fellowship and the enjoyed sharing of the hobby.
8. SE DX Club also had to change their meeting place… to the Fuqua Heart Center classroom on the first floor at Piedmont Hospital, 95 Collins Road, in Atlanta, 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM. These folks don't just like to work DX…. some of them have actually participated in some unbelievable DXpeditions.

CONGRATULATIONS to both the ARC of Athens, and to the Valdosta ARC, who recently renewed as Special Service Clubs. SSCs represent the highest ideals of amateur radio, and strive to help their members achieve excellence in fulfilling the purposes of the amateur radio service, as described in Part 97.

ARES NEWS

Congratulations, and thanks to the following new ECs: STEVE HAMMOND, K4SAH, Cherokee; HAROLD RIVERS, KG4PRE, Greene; BILL SIMS, KG4BWB, Henry; and STAN EDWARDS, WA4DYD, Gwinnett. The search is on for an EC for Douglas county…. If you're interested, or have any suggestions, please contact DEC STEVE REYNOLDS, W4CNG (w4cng@arrl.net).

STATE TORNADO DRILL: Held on February 22, there were 74 participants, representing 24 counties. An outstanding effort, all the way around.

EC-001 COURSE registration opens on Monday, March 4 at 4 PM http://www.arl.org/cce.

DIGITAL NETS

FYI

If you frequent the HF bands, chances are, you've come across K1MAN. I've received a couple of emails about him, and have heard a bit of chatter about his "blatant broadcasting" and "frequent interference", both on the radio and at club meetings. So, I asked our Official Observer Coordinator (and my better half) MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, to comment on the situation. This is what he had to say:

"K1MAN, Broadcast/Interference/Entertainment?/Enlightment/Pain in the %#@&

Ladies, Gentlemen, and all others, the arguments you make are justified from the true feelings regarding what our great hobby and public service was and should be today. Remember, about a year ago you received a postcard to join an amateur radio club, as a life member, for a few bucks. I sure hope you did not respond and join this club, if you did, you gave legal credence to this exact activity. We have our thoughts and morals as to what amateur radio is all about. However the enforcement of Part 97 is only enforced by cases built by the OO system and individual operators, AND then interpreted and prosecuted by Philadelphia lawyers. As the OOC for GA, I have discussed this issue with the Enforcement group at ARRL-HQ. I was assured that this issue is a top priority with the ARRL folks. They also "broadcast"- bulletins, CW practice, etc.

Remember the old adage "Time Wounds All Heals" or some spin on that. There are sharp people at the ARRL and the FCC. The station in question was removed from operation once, because of "control operator/circuitry" issues. They also got Al Capone on IRS violations, not the investigated crime(s). I was informed that this issue is a top priority with the ARRL, etc, and the lawyers still have to do their thing in a legal manner. This is the US, and we are supposedly innocent until proven guilty. The following may not be what my personal management wants to hear, however while they are working on this issue, there is strength in numbers and the "squeaky wheel gets the oil", so all input should remain at a high level to both the FCC and the ARRL. If the interfering station is illegal per the law, then ample evidence to persecute should be provided. If it is proven that the lawyers show "no foul" on the part of the interfering station, enough noise will show that modifications in Part 97 are in order.

I am not an ARRL flag waver, I am someone who wants to maintain the integrity of our service, however if you or your peers are not members, the power to speak for amateur radio operators as a whole is diminished. The "majority rule" in this country has some power, a disjointed group is typically put on the back burner. Wished there was more I could do personally on this issue, however the legal eagles are the controllers now.

Respectfully, Mike, K4HBI"

HEADS UP!!!!!! It was brought to our attention at the ARRL booth at Dalton that there is another bill under consideration by the GA legislature that may affect us as amateur radio operators. It is House Bill 1353, introduced by Rep. Parham of the 122nd district. Relating to miscellaneous provisions of uniform rules of the road, it aims to remove wording that currently protects the "proper use of a radio" from the law. While the major target of this legislation is cell phone use, the broad deletion of words would impact on us, too. In the words of CHARLES GRIFFIN, WB4UVW, ARRL State Government Liaison for GA, "We need to oppose this."

CONGRATULATIONS to FRED RUNKLE, K4KAZ, our Technical Coordinator, VHF-UHF enthusiast, and all-around good guy, who was able to take advantage of the phenomenal openings on 6M in December and January. (best in over 40 years, I hear!) He worked 30 different countries AND now only needs Hawaii to have completed his WAS on the "magic band"! Amazing, huh? If a bunch of you were able to play in the openings, chances are that you'll soon be ready to claim your VUCC award…. for confirming 100 different grids. DID YOU KNOW that we have a number of folks around the state who are able to check your cards locally, so you don't have to entrust your precious cards to the mail service? The following eight fellas can check your cards, both for VUCC and for WAS (worked all states):

1. LARRY LOWE, AF4MI Richmond Hill (912) 756-5988 af4mi@aol.com
2. ANDY BLACKBURN, WD4AFY Savannah (912) 238-4676
3. VERNE FOWLER, W8BLA, Roswell (770) 364-9500 vfowler@mindspring.com
4. IRA BRAY, KA4JNB Newnan (780) 253-0392 ka4jnb@aol.com
5. SANDERS WALKER III, WB4EVH Centerville (478) 953-9104 wb4evh@fiamg.net
6. JIM WORSHAM, W4KXY Buford (770) 945-9910 w4kxy@bellsouth.net
7. CARROLL NORTON, W4WTA Augusta (706) 798-5060 w4wta@arrl.net
8. DON ENNEST, KS4WR Norcross (770) 923-4851 dcennest@aol.com

And that's not ALL!!! If you're a DX enthusiast, we have a couple of folks who can check your cards for DXCC, too. Appointed by the SEDX Club is BILL BARR, N4NX, FROM THE Atlanta area (n4nx@msn.com), and from down Statesboro way, we have MARTY HOLZMAN, WB4MOG (mart@bulloch.com). Marty also told me that there may be a new DX club forming down his way soon, too. Fantastic! All of these checkers are here to serve you, and they deserve our thanks (and our patronage!)

MORE CONGRATULATIONS go to RON MCDANIEL, W4ALZ, who recently hung up his judge's robe for the last time to join the ranks of the retired. (We saw him at the Dalton hamfest, and he already looks ten years younger!) Now, Ron has more time to get involved in amateur radio activities there in Fayette county. ALSO, congrats to KEVIN THIEM, W4EUH, of Marietta, who missed the Dalton hamfest because he was out passing his FAA private pilot exam. He's already prepared to use his 2M rig in his Piper Cherokee, and says he may even install HF someday. He plans to be somewhat active while airborne, so listen out for him.

EXCITING COLLEGE NEWS: As part of a new course at UGA entitled "Training Health Care Professionals for Weapons of Mass Destruction Events and Natural Disasters", ED ROLLOR, N4ZRA, professor and member of the Athens Radio Club, will be giving a 2.5 hour lecture on amateur radio and emergency communications. The overall objective of this course is to train students to respond to disasters where medical teams will be needed, and it will be offered to students on the UGA campus, as well as at the Medical College of GA in Augusta (via Distance Learning). Ed's lecture will also be shown at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC, over the site's cable channel 30, which serves the site's 10,000+ employees. To provide the students with the opportunity to experience amateur radio first-hand, Ed set up an amateur radio station for the students during the ARRL's School Round-Up on February 13th. ENRIQUE (HENRY) AROSTEGUI, KN4AV, ARC of Augusta president, also provided an amateur radio station for the students in Augusta. Students from the two schools were able to make contact with each other on 40M.

PIGLETS (AKA "YOUNG HAMS")...

STEPHANIE "FOO" MCCARSKY, KG4GQX, 10 years old, recently won the 4-H N. GA DPA competition, and with a perfect score, at that! She did a project on fiber optics, optio-electonics, and laser technologies. (WOW!) Stephanie, the youngest member of the Murray county ARES and the Dalton ARC, represented Eton Elementary School, and opened her presentation by saying, "My name is Stephanie McCarsky. I am an amateur radio operator and a student at Eton Elementary School…." Her proud dad, DREW, KB2SEO, noted that…. She's got her priorities straight!

DAVID NANCE, KG4LZC, 15 years old, runs a "young hams" net every Friday night at 9 PM out of Dallas, GA on the 147.015 machine. He welcomes those of us who are "young at heart", too, so why not check in with him sometime?

MEGHAN KORNEGAY, KG4QC, 11 years old, will be presenting a program at the April meeting of the Thomasville ARC on the Tuna-2 tuner HF transceiver that she and her dad, WILLIAM, N4APO, built together.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 9-10 at Sweetwater Creek State Park… a couple of practice events in ARDFing, just to try out the sport, or to hone your skills in preparation for the ARDFing Championships coming up in April. (See the article in March QST) March 9 will be 2M competition, and the 10th will be 80M. For more info, check the website, http://www.mindspring.com/~sam.smith/gaoc/

March 16-17 Kennehoochee hamfest at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Expanding to a two day format this year, it will also include an "Emergency Communications Expo". Lots of exciting exhibits planned.

March 16… Can't make it to Savannah for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration? Well, how about working the special event station, K4S, instead? QSL manager, LARRY LOWE, AF4MI. Listen out for them on 10, 15, and 20 M. Next best thing to being there...

March 23 Gwinnett ARS will be holding its 5th annual techfest at Central Baptist Church on Gwinnett Drive in Lawrenceville, from 11 AM until about 3 PM. There will be multiple displays on various aspects of amateur radio, lots of folks "in the know" to answer your questions, a great forum to share ideas and fun, etc. As if that weren't enough, there'll also be FOOD…. Chili, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. Lots of fun For more info, check www.gars.org

CORRECTIONS AND COMMENTS

In last month's newsletter, as a "human interest" tidbit, I mentioned RANDALL KOEHL and his callsign K0EHL, and said that as far as he knew, he and JACK KOVAR, K0VAR, were the only two amateur operators who had their names as their callsigns. I heard from SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, and a few others, about KENNETH KOPP, K0PP, as another. Could be others, but it's still kinda neat. (worked a guy a few years back…. W0RRY… thought that was neat, too).

JERRY ABBOT, K8GA, who lives in Michigan, but plans to relocate to GA in the future, had some interesting comments about last month's newsletter, as well. (He read it on the web.) He said that he was particularly interested in the comments about the QN signals, and wanted to offer up some clarification. He said that "These Special QN Signals for Net Use"were developed in the late 1940's by the Michigan QMN Net and were later adopted by the ARRL as a standard for CW nets. (QST, Dec. 98, p.83) Jerry says that he knows that to be factual, because his Elmer was W8FX (Tate, now an SK) who spearheaded the development of the QN signals. QMN has been on 3663 khz since 1935, and one of its current members, W8EGI, has been on there almost since its onset. Check out their website at www.qsl.net/w8ihx/ Thanks, jerry, for sharing that information with us.

WILLIE BROWN, AG4HY, thought that it'd be good to remind everyone that that we can get in touch with our congressmen to express our opinions about pending legislation that pertain to the protection of our frequencies. He also pointed out that JOHN HENNESESEE, N1KB, of the ARRL can provide specifics on these bills.

SILENT KEYS

TERRY QUEEN, KD4IXO, from Dalton, GA, age 45, died on February 17th, leaving behind a wife, a daughter, his mother and brothers. Also, GEORGE HADDOCK, KB4HCB, of Martin, GA, who served as the state director for Army MARS for 7 years, and was most recently serving as the national software librarian for Army MARS. Condolences to the families and friends of both Terry and George.

EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC HANDLING

At the GA ARES meeting, BILL CARTER, KG4FXG, mentioned that he'd gotten a phone call the day before from a lady who needed to get a message about a death in the family to her husband, a ham, who was sailing in the Bahamas. By the time that Bill got home from the meeting, he'd received confirmation that the message had been delivered. He got the needed assistance from the 14.300 Maritime Mobile net. MIKE PILGRIM, K5MP, told Bill that this was the 5th successful conclusion out of 5 cases brought to the net so far this year. Last year, they logged a perfect 38 successes out of 38 cases. This is amateur radio at its best.

SHINING IN FAYETTE COUNTY

COMING UP NEXT MONTH: Hear all about the exciting SOAR group (Supporters of Amateur Radio) and what they're doing to promote amateur radio…. (I'd tell you now, but I'm telling ya, that Frank is REALLY gonna give me a hard time about how long this newsletter is this time!!! That's FRANK SAUCIUNAS, KF4TQV… see, I mentioned your name, Frank… now be NICE!!)

WHEW!!! Well, fellow hams-ters, that's it. Hope you found something of interest in here. Again, thanks for all of your input… y'all have been terrific. Until next time, this is AF4FO, signing clear. Take care of yourselves. And each other.