Georgia Section On My Mind

May, 2005

Greetings, all.

Well, are you ready? For Field Day, that is. With the dawning of May upon us, Field Day is right around the corner and will be here and gone before we know it. You know what that means, right? That means that it's time for all of you Georgia clubs (and you eclectic groups, too) to send me some information, please, about your Field Day plans so I can put all of that information out in next month's newsletter. Every year, we have a brand new crop of eager hams who've not yet experienced the unique and memorable pleasure of hanging out for the weekend with a bunch of their fellow hams to string antennas, grill hot dogs, swat mosquitoes, wipe the sweat, cement friendships and.... oh, yeah... make as many contacts as they can with other hams around the country.... who are happily stringing their own antennas, grilling their own hot dogs, swatting.... (you get the picture.) This newsletter is one way to let those new hams, or hams that are simply new to Georgia, know where they can go to participate. If you're going to be setting up in the same location as last year, a simple note that tells me your club name and "same as last year" would be fine. (And special thanks to those who've already provided me with your club's information.) I'd appreciate that information as soon as possible. Thanks.

While I'm soliciting information, here's another one for ya. With the able assistance of SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, EDDY KOSOBUCKI, K4JNL, BOB GOOD, K4BG, and JOHN LANEY, K4BAI, I've been trying to amass the names and callsigns of all of the fine folks who've served as SCM/SM here in Georgia. It'd be great to have the years that they served, as well, but that may be more difficult on some of the ones from the earlier years. The idea is to put all of those names on the ARRL table covering that I made for use at Hamfests, as one small way to remember these folks. These are the names that I have as of now: BANNIE STEWART, W4CE,(1936); LELAND SMITH, W4AGI,(1940); WILLIAM HANK, W4AOB,(1942); GEORGE PARKER, W4NS,(late 40's?); BILL KENNEDY, W4CFJ,(1956-62); BUBBA BORN, W4ZD,(?- 1962); JIM GIGLIO, W4LG,(1962-64); HOWARD SCHOENER, W4RZL,(1964-68); MEL ROSSER, W4PML,(LATE 60'S?); JACK GARRISION, WA4WQU,(1971-73?); RAY LARUE, W4BYG,(1973-75?); JOHN ENGLUND, K4JJQ (1975); STAKE STAKELY, K4WC,(1976-79); EDDY KOSOBUCKI, K4JNL,(1979-91); JIM ALTMAN, W4UCK, (1991-95); DOT FENNELL, KA4HHE,(1995-97); SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, (1997-2002); and me.... (2002 and counting...) If anyone has any corrections or additional info to share with me, I'd be most appreciative.

OK, let's see what's been going on and what's coming up around the corner....

Money doesn't bring you happiness, but it enables you to look for it in more places.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!!

This just in, as I was about to send out this newsletter, and it's TOO GOOD not to include!!

NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 28, 2005--Rep Michael Ross, WD5DVR, of Arkansas, has introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives calling on the FCC to "conduct a full and complete analysis" of the radio interference from broadband over power line (BPL) operations. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has urged ARRL members to contact their US representatives to support the resolution when it reaches the floor of the House. A sample letter http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/filings/hres230/HRes230-SampleLtr.doc  is available on the ARRL Web site, although members are encouraged to express their support in their own words. If you're not sure who represents your congressional district, visit the United States House of Representatives http://www.house.gov/ Web site.

The resolution, H.Res 230 http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/filings/hres230/HRes230.pdf, says the Commission should comprehensively evaluate BPL's interference potential incorporating "extensive public review and comment," and-in light of that analysis--to "reconsider and review" its new BPL rules http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-245A1.doc. If approved by the full House, the non-binding resolution, introduced April 21, would express the requests as "the sense of the House of Representatives."

While the resolution's prime focus is on BPL's potential to disrupt critical public safety radiocommunication, it reinforces what the Amateur Radio operators have been warning. When high frequency signals are put into unshielded wires, such as electrical lines, it creates radio static and can make communications impossible. It cites National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA http://www.ntia.doc.gov/) studies that "have determined that broadband over power line creates a 'high risk' of radio wave interference, and that harmful interference to public safety mobile radio receivers can be expected at distances of 75 meters from a power line where broadband over power line is in operation, and at distances of up to 460 meters from fixed stations, such as police or fire dispatch communications facilities."

Many public safety agencies and support services, including emergency medical services, fire, and law enforcement, utilize radios which can be affected, the resolution points out. Thirteen states--California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming--use radios threatened by BPL for their state police operations, and they are the primary public safety radios in nine states.

See the full story on www.arrl.org

(P.S. When you write to your representative, be sure to indicate that this is House RESOLUTION, i.e. HRes-230, NOT HR-230, which is a different matter altogether.)

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL 23--- Calhoun Hamfest--- Sponsored by the members of the Cherokee Capital ARC, this little Hamfest has grown quite a bit and has developed a nice following since its tiny beginnings back in the late 90's. My better half, MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and I have been to every one of this club's Hamfests since its inception, and we've always enjoyed the friendliness of club members and the welcoming atmosphere that has been in evidence each and every year. I'm not sure, but a great big smile seems to be a part of this club's official wearing apparel. The attendance may have been down a little bit this year over last year, but that may have been because of the iffy weather, with rain falling over most of the area the night before. Thankfully, the rain had cleared out by early morning, but it did leave behind an unusual nip in the air, which certainly didn't hurt the sale of steaming bowls of chili that were being served up in the kitchen. Good to the last drop. (and I should know... I got the last bowl!) Thanks to all of the Cherokee Capital ARC club members for another fine effort, and of course, thanks to each and every one of you who were able to attend and support those efforts. Another good event, and I know that, come next April, Mike & I will once again find ourselves heading north to make it to this Hamfest. Wouldn't want to ruin a perfect record, or miss sharing in that warm welcome.

Your conscience may not keep you from doing wrong, but it sure does keep you from enjoying it.

CLUB NEWS

ALFORD MEMORIAL ARC --- My better half, MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and his trusty sidekick MITCH BOTSFORD, W4IFP, did a tag team presentation at the April meeting about the MARS program and its current-day mission. Hopefully, their efforts will result in a new member or two for the cause. In the club's outstanding March-April newsletter, (Hat's off to editor MAUREEN HELM, KG4NDV) there was an article that I found to be particularly interesting. It was about DICK ALFORD, W4DOC, for whom the club was named, and whose callsign is carried by the club's flagship repeater. Naming a club in memory of a special SK is a wonderful thing to do; continuing to remind people about that person is even more commendable. Dick was an operator of the old Atlanta Police Radio Station WDPY, beginning in 1936. After serving during WWII, he returned to the Atlanta PD, and post-retirement, he was able to devote even more time to amateur radio, especially as a mentor to new hams in the area. He also served as Southeastern Division Vice Director for the ARRL. The newsletter article, excerpted from a June, 1971, publication, said, "It is with great pleasure that we take this opportunity to honor Dick Alford, a ham whose friendship and helpfulness will occupy a warm place within the memories of all Atlanta area hams." Kudos to club members for keeping that memory alive, and for honoring him by continuing to extend their own friendship and helpfulness to other hams. I think he'd be pleased with what they're doing in his name.

ATHENS ARC --- Never thought of this as a possible club program, but it's quite fitting. At the April meeting, a speaker from Batteries Plus did a presentation about.... What else? Batteries.

ATLANTA ARC --- Coming up at the May 4 meeting, club members will be treated to a MARTY "ROCKET MAN" REYNOLDS, AA4RM, presentation on classic radios. Marty always does a terrific job of providing a glimpse at the days of amateur radio before the advent of SSB. He also has the distinction of being one of the hams involved in the restoration of the radio equipment aboard the historic LST-325, currently berthed in Mobile, AL. Meeting at 7:30 at the Red Cross building on Monroe Drive in Atlanta. (It's the building in the rear)

DALTON ARC --- Thanks to club members for their warm reception when Mike and I visited with them at their April club meeting. They even laughed (in all the right places!) when we did our presentation. Lots of fun.

GWINNETT ARS --- As a replacement for the scheduled speaker for the April meeting, who had to cancel at the last minute, attendees were invited to tell a little bit about how they got into the hobby, their Elmer, their special interests in the hobby, etc. Turned out that hams like to talk! (Go figure!) Because the meeting was running late, half of the folks were put on "hold" to tell their stories at a future meeting. Turned out to be a very successful and interesting evening.

JASPER ARC --- Club members anticipate receiving CPR training and certification at their June meeting.

KENNEHOOCHEE ARC --- We had the pleasure of seeing the club's new meeting space on the Southern Polytechnic campus while attending the April meeting, where that dynamic duo, MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and MITCH BOTSFORD, W4IFP, gave a power point presentation on the MARS program. Even recruited some new members.

MIDDLE GA RC --- On June 13, 14, and 16th, from 7 to 9 PM, members will be volunteering their time at Camp Ben Hawkins, in Byron, where they'll be working with the Scouts to help them earn their Radio Merit Badge.

NORTH FULTON ARL --- The program at the April meeting was on fox hunting, presented by TODD MCGINNIS, KB4KAY, and the club will be hosting its next fox hunt on Saturday, May 14, kicking off at 10 AM. Participants are to gather at 9:30 AM next to the silos at the corner of Hwy 140 and Crabapple Road in Roswell. Teams of two or more are encouraged. Coming up at the May 19 meeting will be a program on radio-controlled airplanes.

NORTH GA ARC --- The March club program was on GPS, (Global Positioning Systems) and members were treated to a number of hands-on demonstrations that allowed them to play around a bit with the technology. Discussions about other locating systems, and on practical uses of APRS may very likely have led to a upswing in the number of Tiny Trackers sold recently. Some of these fine folks volunteered their services in support of the Tour de Georgia, which hopefully gave them a chance to catch sight of bicycling icon LANCE ARMSTRONG as he whizzed by, in this, his last US race. In future meetings, DAVE BURROWS, W9JWT, Lumpkin county EC, and RUSS BEASON, W4YKF, will be sharing some of what they learned by taking all three of the online EmComm courses. (That should take a month or two!)

QCWA, CHAPTER 49 --- JOHN JOHNSTON, W3BE, QCWA National president, gave an enjoyable talk at the April meeting, topped off by a video tape made by an Oregon amateur radio club. The tape may have been made more than a few years ago, but the humor in it was timeless.

SE DX CLUB --- President WES LAMBOLEY, W3WL, recently returned from another DX-pedition, this one being to Kerguelen (FT5XO), and he will be doing a program on his latest adventures at the Dayton Hamvention, as well as at the June SE DX club meeting. The March program was presented by DX Hall of Famer BOB ALLPHIN, K4UEE, in which he detailed the many obstacles that were faced by the team who worked so hard to make the much-anticipated trip to icy Peter I earlier this year. The April program was on a topic that most of us don't want to think about, but which we will all eventually have to face: ham radio estate planning. Presented by DICK BAXTER, K5TF, and BILL MILLS, KC4AA, they provided real food for thought. Coming up at the May meeting will be the ever-popular "show and tell", which never fails to entertain.

STATESBORO ARS --- BRAIN KOEHLER, KE4TYQ, has been elected as the new president for this group, and to round out the leadership team, the following have been re-elected to serve another term: VP- MARK AULICK, KF4MLT; Treasurer- KEN DAVIS, N4RGX; and Secretary- BUDDY HORNE, N4ZAJ. Congratulations to all of them, and best wishes for a successful and enjoyable year in leading the club. At the March meeting, Mark talked about the alleged "dumbing down" of the hobby, saying that the VECs have been working to counter that charge by including questions of a more technical nature in the new pools. (He followed through by reading aloud some of the questions in the pool...) The April meeting featured a program on "ready kits", presented by KURT HOFFMAN, N4CVF. Coming up in May will be a program on fox hunting, to be followed by a club fox hunt, tentatively scheduled for May 21 at G.L. Smith State Park in Twin City.

VALDOSTA ARC --- Club president WAYNE BRANT, KO4QJ, reports that club members have been busy for the last 2 month's taking -all- of their repeaters "out of service" due to maintenance being performed on their water-tower site. However, for anyone visiting the area, he notes that if anyone needs assistance, members are still operating on 146.760 SIMPLEX. During this required "down time", the club will make good use of the opportunity to service their equipment and get it in tip-top working order. Wayne wrote, "The VARC is a rather small club with very limited assets. We would not be able to get any re-alignment, repairs to the output of all repeaters, etc....had it not been for the generous contributions of Cory-N9QCJ, Cody (non-ham) that are from Moody AFB radio shop (As part of their community service) as well as Scott Haner-KBØY- who agreed to supervise and assist the guys from Moody in getting our repeaters top-notch." The club plans to link their 2-meter and 440 repeaters to provide additional coverage, and then both will be linked to the Tall Pines Intertie (TPI), the South Georgia linking system.

$$$$ CLUB TREASURERS $$$$ Did you know that club members can join the ARRL through an affiliated club, and earn $15 for the club's treasury in the process? That's FIFTEEN DOLLARS for new members, and TWO dollars for renewals. See http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/rebate.html to get more details and to download the rebate form.

??? Running out of ideas for club programs? Have you checked the ARRL power point presentations that are available for download? Two new ones have been added recently... one on the NTS and traffic handling (along with downloadable handouts that you can print) and another on APRS. Check 'em out! www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/materials/videos.html

Middle age is when broadness of mind and narrowness of waist change places.

ARES NEWS

GA ARES e-mail group - Sorry for any confusion that may have been caused when the address changed for this group. Those of you who had already registered on the old list should have been automatically registered for the new ARES@GAARES.ORG All ARES members are welcome and strongly encouraged to join. To do so, go to www.gaares.org and click on the e-mail logo on the right side of the screen. This is a valuable tool for sharing information, and I do hope that you'll all take advantage of it.

A number of our ECs have already drawn up formal MOUs with their local EMAs and/or with other served agencies in their area. For others, this may still be a work in process, or something that remains just another item on the "to do" list. We strongly encourage the establishment of these formal agreements, but PLEASE, be sure that your DEC and our SEC JIM COTE, N4PJR, receives a copy of any and all MOUs, so they are FULLY AWARE of these commitments. This should be considered a required SOP throughout the state. Your members should also be FULLY AWARE of these agreements. If your group has a website, it would also be a good idea to post these MOUs there, as well, for the benefit of all of your members. Each and every one of your members is a vital part of these agreements, because you WILL need their support and cooperation when the time comes to fulfill your end of that agreement. Let's not spring any surprises on our members; without them, we can't function effectively.

CAMDEN county ARES - EC CHUCK COOPER, N4TIS, reports on the latest activities for his group:

"ARES and the local amateur radio club are planning Tec. License classes. We are advertising and taking names for a one day and two weekend class. The first class will be May 7.

Members of our group are involved in the establishing of an Amateur Radio/ Red Cross planning group in Brunswick. This month was our second meeting with Red Cross, Jekyll Island Fire Chief, a Brunswick Police Liaison officer and other individuals interested in a better communication in S. E. Georgia especially when dealing with Red Cross needs. Plans were made to have ARES communication active at an upcoming drill along with stations in Camden, Charlton and Ware counties.

Camden County ARES has been incorporated as CCARES a non profit corporation. We feel this will help in raising monies and equipment to be placed in shelters around the county.

With our SOP completed we are establishing the means to identify our members as essential workers for reentry to the county after an evacuation.

Our next meeting May 3 will be on VHF digital operations that will be at the hospital thanks to KD4NUD Gary in Brunswick. June we will be starting Red Cross disaster training.

With hurricane season just 40 or so days off we held an unannounced call tree test. We are small but had a better than 50% on line in less than 30 minutes. Not bad." (Not bad, INDEED!)

FORSYTH ARES members, in conjunction with the Forsyth VE team, will be providing a VE test session on May 7 at 10 AM at Grace Chapel Church of Christ, at 6577 Majors Road in Cumming.

SCREVEN county ARES members, under the leadership of EC TOM EVANS, KE4YLC, will be staging an SET (Simulated Emergency Test) on April 30th.

CONGRATULATIONS to HENRY KELLEY, JR., W4HK, who has accepted the appointment to serve as EC for South Fulton county. This position was formerly held by TONY KING, W4ZT, our current DEC for Metro Atlanta. Many thanks to Henry for stepping up to lead this group.

CONGRATULATIONS, also, to GARRY HARLEY, KD4NUD, for accepting the challenge to serve as assistant DEC for digital communications. Combining his talents and expertise to those of DEC JOHN KRAUS, KC4ZGQ, certainly stands to put Georgia ARES and its digital system in great shape. Thanks, Garry, for joining the efforts.

SEARCH AND RESCUE efforts: Lee county FD Chief JULIAN TYE expressed his gratitude in a letter that was published in the "Lee County Ledger" for the assistance given in an exhaustive search for two missing children. Among those cited were the Albany ARC and several CERTS teams. Members of the club and CERT team #9 who participated were BOB SMITH, K4PHE, DEC for SW GA; BOBBY SPENCER, KI4FHL, Lee county firefighter; ART WALTERS, N4WOY; LEON PERRETT, K4GCR, EC for Baker county; and DAN TYSON, KB4OMV, EC for Lee county. The girls were finally sniffed out by a bloodhound team about midnight, a little cold, but none the less for the wear. As Bob said, "A great ending."

In another SEARCH AND RESCUE effort, which is still ongoing, Gwinnett ARES has been activated by Gwinnett EMA to assist in the search for a woman who has been missing in the Duluth area since she left to go jogging at 8:30 PM on April 26th. Let's all hope that this one has a great ending, too.

NWS Basic and Advance Sky Warn classes will be offered on May 24 at the Waycross Auditorium from 6 to 9 PM. To register, contact PERRY BLACKBURN, KF4SUY, Ware county EC, at (912)449-6798 or at nwsskywarnspotter@yahoo.com 

Talking about NWS, here's an account of some recent weather events experienced in south GA, from GRAHAM WILLIAMSON, KG4PNF, DEC for the NWS in Jacksonville:
On Tuesday March 22, 2005 Wayne County, Georgia experienced a major severe weather event. The City of Screven was hit by two tornadoes and a large area of the city was severely damaged. All across Wayne County there was high wind and hail. Some of the hail was baseball size to softball size. The area around Screven was hit the hardest as homes and businesses where destroyed. Shortly after the severe weather began. Greg Tillman N4VAD began a local net on the local 2 meter repeater at about 1639 local (146.865 -), HF, and by telephone. Greg Tillman N4VAD was also continuously contacting the National Weather Service in Jacksonville with updates about the weather that were provided by the amateur radio operators, many of whom were also Skywarn Spotters. The Wayne County club uses the Call sign WX4JES for its official nets and other activates. Several of the local amateurs in Wayne County and the surrounding county began to give weather reports from their locations.

These included the following Coray Crawford KI4IAD, Graham Larson KI4ILY, Eugene Walker KG4HHT, Susan H Williamson KG4VKF, Graham Williamson KG4PNF, Brian Bray KG4CEJ, Bill Warnick, KI4FMT, Ed Murphy KA4PCN, Wilma Cote N4RRO, Jim Cote N4PJR, Connie Cote N4CAC, Greg Tillman (Net Control) N4VAD, Brad Peters WD8KJX, Julio A Cabrera, KI4IR, Danny Morgan KI4ELJ, Jacob Weaver KI4JBO, Angela Batten KI4JBK, Pratt Johnson KG4BEH, Keith Wright N5EMA, David Delamater K4DJD, Tom Evan KF4YLF, Mark Aulick KF4MLT, David Swindell KC4MKD, Terri Tillman K4TMT, Garry L Harley KD4NUD, David Sweat AE4OF, Chip Rose N4WAR, Dale A Culp W1BPP, Charles Pennington K4GK, Bill Collins KG4BKO and Allen Robinson, N4ZON.


David Delamater K4DJD from Savannah also informed WX4JES that he had four or five folks lined up and ready on stand by if needed.

After the tornadoes hit Screven, the Wayne County EMA Director Keith Wright (N5EMA) requested and activated the WX4JES club for help in the disaster. WX4JES is the Communication Division of the Wayne County Rescue Unit. Keith Wright contacted Jim Cote N4PJR for help with both communications and moving the Wayne Emergency Management Agency Mobile Commanded Post (MCP) to Screven and to set up the Commanded Post for operation. The following amateurs helped with the Command post: Jim Cote N4PJR, Wilma Cote N4RRO, Connie Cote N4CAC, Van Williamson KG4VKE, and Graham Williamson KG4PNF. Allan Robinson N4ZON also responded to the disaster in his role as part of GEMA. At 1725 local these amateurs departed for Screven and arrived in Screven at 1755 local. By 1801 local the MCP was operational. The amateurs in Screven helped provide communication for the EMA director and other services that he needed help with. Greg Tillman N4VAD also provided weather updates to the MCP via the 2-meter repeater from his home computer while he continuously operated the net. By 2030 local it was determine by the EMA director and the Screven Public Safety director Mike Hargrove that there was nothing else that could be done until the next morning when the sun was up. So the amateur radio operators secured their stations at 2030 local and returned home for the night. During this time Greg Tillman N4VAD continuously operated the local net and relayed information to the National Weather Service, only taking a brief break during which Chip Rose N4WAR took over local net control. Note that the city of Screven was off commercial power till the next day so that various clean up crews could begin clearing debris from the roads and other areas. The next morning Jim Cote N4PJR and Graham Williamson KG4PNF returned to Screven to secure the MCP to be moved back to Jesup; by this time commercial power had been restored and the Screven city hall was being used as the Command post for all activities in Screven.

The follow is an email from Greg Tillman N4VAD:

The following is a synopsis of log events from this station during the tornado event in Screven March 22, 2005. I have a hand written copy of details upon request. Our position was to report weather from around Wayne County and get information to the National Weather Service office. Set up Mobile Command Post in Screven at City Hall and assist Public Service setting up to operate from the effected area.

Touch down reported 1630

Called Severe Weather Net into session 1639

Multiple calls to NWS Jax 1641-1746
Had a total of 20 plus amateurs check in and report information. 5 Amateurs called in via radio and phone to advise in stand by for support from other Counties

MCP departed for Screven 1725
MCP arrived in Screven 1755
MCP up and running in Screven 1801
Amateurs stood down 2030
This station stood down 2103

The action of the amateurs involved in the disaster cannot be commended enough in word by me. They answered the need of their community in the highest of amateur radio traditions and continued to help until they were no longer needed.
73,
Graham Williamson KG4PNF
DEC NWS Jacksonville

The goose won't be laying those golden eggs for much longer. The grant that enables the ARRL to reimburse you after you successfully complete those online emcomm courses is drying up. Here's the scoop from STEVE EWALD, WV1X:

As you have likely heard in recent months, ARRL is now well into the final year of the grant-sponsored Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Courses. With this grant, the $45 registration fee paid upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the course. At this time, it's only available to ARRL members.

Students need to enroll during the May or the June registration periods to be eligible for reimbursement under the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) grant. That also means that students will need to have completed their course work, and their Mentor/Instructor must upgrade their student status at the ARRL Mentor/Instructor Site to "Passed" by August 31, 2005, to qualify for reimbursement from the CNCS grant.

Registration for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level I on-line course (EC-001) opens Monday, May 2, 2005, at 12:01 AM EDT. Level II (EC-002) registration opens the same time on the following Monday, May 9. Level III (EC-003) will also open at the same time, but on Monday, May 16. On-line registration (and further information about the courses) is found at http://www.arrl.org/cce.

ARRL members will be able to register for the remaining on-line course seats at the ARRL EXPO area of the ARRL National Convention at Dayton. Applications and payment via credit card, check or cash will be accepted there.

Registration by mail is also an option. Make the check or money order out to ARRL, and mail it to 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111.

Please mark the envelope "ATTN: CCE." In the comment segment of the check or money order, write "CCE EC-00# Registration." # means the course number such as 1, 2, or 3.

Include your call sign, current mailing address, preferred e-mail address, age, gender and veteran status, and complete telephone number with your check or money order. Missing information will cause delays in registration, and there is no time left for delays.

For more information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, 860-594-0340 or send your query to cce@arrl.org. Thank you.

DIGINEWS

JOHN KRAUS, DEC for Digital Communications, reports:

I have created an online forum for the Georgia Digital Committee. To register for this, go to: http://www.kc4zgq.com Then look for the FORUMS BUTTON there is also a link to the same thing. So far there have been a number of posts besides my own. I want this forum to be a place for constructive debate and the dissemination of information on what works and what does not work.

I am also offering to guide the installation and configuration of the Airmail client program via phone to any ham who would like to test the Winlink concept.
I can walk them though setup and configuration of the built in telnet client in about 30 minutes or less. Once configured Airmail will be fully functional as a Winlink offline mail reader that functions similar to the old Juno client. The addition of a Radio / KPC-3 combo would then give the station RF capability that could access any other Airmail system or Telpac site. The further addition of Telpac (also free) would give them the ability to function as a ham radio "hot spot" with their range only limited by terrain and antenna system.

If you have doubts about the viability of Winlink I ask that you contact Jerry Reimer jerryreimer@charter.net He is the SEC for the South Texas section and is using Winlink throughout his organization. He can answer the questions that I can not about the actual functionality of the system.

You've probably read something about the huge coup scored in the South Carolina section, in the awarding of a $100,000 grant for the purchase of a fully equipped communications trailer. Section Manager JIM BOEHNER, N2ZZ, shared the following information on the SM reflector, and it bears repeating here. It was written by his assistant SM, who actually applied for the grant.

Subject: Re: ARES Trailer

Thank you for your questions on the new Aiken County South Carolina ARES communications trailer. I submitted through our own state government a grant for the trailer. In South Carolina, homeland security monies are distributed through the State Law Enforcement Division. Each state is different. You must first find out who gives out the money in your state. Second, find out when is the application period for submitting your grants. In South Carolina it is done in the month of January. You must have a good relationship with state and local government. If you think that someone is going to just give out $100,000 to someone they don't know of, you're crazy. Start now by working with your local and state Emergency preparedness officials. Make sure they know who ARES is and what you have to offer. In our state we assisted in just one large scale practice event and showed how hams could provide communications between hospitals, to make the State boys look at us. It is your positive partnerships that will get you the funding. In applying for your grant, don't go over board, and don't leave anything out that might shine positively on you as well. I will note that I have worked closely with a group from "NOMAD Technologies" located in Montana. These guys are first class and are building our project for us. Call them and ask for Will Schmautz (406-755-1721) who is the President of the company. I can not overemphasize how good these guys are in designing your project. They know radio! Check out web site: www.nomadtechs.com Hope this has helped. Bob Besley- K4NJN ARRL, Asst. Section Manager, South Carolina Section

Misers aren't much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors.

FAQ ON REGULATIONS BY BANDWIDTH

It should be no secret to you that the League has been working for some time on a way to regulate our frequency usage by bandwidth. Maybe you still have some unanswered questions on the plan? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on this topic... hope they help with your understanding of the situation.

1. The rules are fine just the way they are. Why can't you just leave them alone?

In reality, they're not. The present rules were written long before most of the current digital modes were even thought of. Applying them to present and future digital emissions is like applying rules written for the horse and buggy to an Interstate highway.
With even more digitally based modes on the horizon, major crashes are going to happen. The recommended band plan will keep order, while still allowing radio amateurs to continue implementing new technologies.

2. I'm a CW operator. Why should I care about making the rules better for digital?

Regulating by bandwidth gives CW and other narrowband operators more protection than they now have. As the rules now stand, there is nothing to prevent digital modes from expanding all the way down to the very bottom of the "CW bands."

3. You're proposing to mix digital e-mail systems with SSB phone!

Not necessarily. The proposal doesn't force any changes in amateur operating patterns at all. It simply shifts responsibility for these sorts of issues from the FCC--where they are seldom dealt with at all, and then only with great reluctance--to the amateur community itself. This approach keeps hams in the driver's seat, regulating ourselves as to where digital and analog emissions will work best within our bands.

4. But band planning doesn't work very well!

It may not work perfectly, but amateurs generally do abide by band plans, and band plans do offer much more flexibility to meet changing requirements than FCC rules do. Most of the world's radio amateurs are governed by voluntary band plans. Why should amateurs in the US be any less capable of doing so? Just as PSK31 and similar modes have centered by consensus in one area to the benefit of all, voluntary agreements will work well with other modes too.

5. Isn't this just caving in to the Winlink crowd?

What we're asking the FCC to do is to rewrite the rules so they will still work five or ten years from now. The trend toward more digital operation is unmistakable, but exactly what amateurs will want to do on the air five or ten years from now is anyone's guess. The debate over Winlink made it abundantly clear that it's wrong to ask the FCC to resolve such issues for the amateur community. If we don't do it ourselves and leave it up to the FCC to impose rules, we might not like them, and we'll have to live with them for a very long time.


6. Why perpetuate HF packet by allowing automatic control? HF packet is hopelessly obsolete.

One of the guiding principles behind the Executive Committee's recommendations is that amateurs should not lose any privileges they are now using. That includes HF packet. A few of the automatic control subbands are proposed for deletion because they can't easily be accommodated in our narrowest and most popular bands. Otherwise, HF automatic control--a privilege that was not added to the rules until 1995--should be retained. If amateurs stop using HF packet, fine. But they shouldn't be forced to stop, nor should we ignore the possibility that a newer, better way may come along of time-shifting some amateur traffic into the hours when the bands are relatively quiet.

7. What about AM?

The recommendations include a special exception for AM and for ISB to continue within bandwidths of 9 kHz and 6 kHz respectively. (In ISB, or independent sideband, each sideband of a double-sideband signal carries information or data independent of the other.)

Have a question we didn't answer or a comment you'd like to make? Please e-mail them to ARRL Headquarters bandwidth@arrl.org.

Be careful what rut you choose. You may be in it for the rest of your life.

ARES REPORT DE JIM COTE, N4PJR, SEC

Total number of ARES members: 1164
Change since last month: + 37

Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: WB4EEL, KC4ZGQ, KN4AV, K4GK, KM4Z, WB4WQE, WK4E, N4SEG, AG4ZR, W4ZT, WA4DYD, AG4LS, KC4ELV, KG4PZI, KG4PNF, KG4OJJ, N4ZRA, KG4SRX, K4DEY, WA4NEE, KT4VP, WB4HAT, KD4YDA, KE4OBM, K4BEH, KD4EKZ, N4VAD, W4WDT, KJ4WX, N4TIS, WB4GPR, AF4VH, W4HYU, WO4X, KG4CEJ, KD6ZR, KG4BKO, KF4YLF, N4RRO, K4PHE, K4GCR, KB4OMV, KO4QJ, N4IFO, W4WY

Number of drills, tests and training sessions 160
Person hours 1070
Number of public service events 7
Person hours 106
Number of emergency operations 23
Person hours 527
Number of miscellaneous activities 77
Person hours 464.5

Total number of ARES operations 267
Total Person hours 2168

The trouble with bucket seats is that not everyone has the same size bucket.

NET REPORT FROM JIM HANNA, AF4NS, STM

*****NOTE: Don't forget the South CARS net, which meets every day from 8 AM until 10 AM and again from noon until 2PM, on 7.251 MHz. A friendly, welcoming group of folks. Especially great company while on the road. I understand that a Trader's Net meets on this same frequency on Wednesday mornings at 10 AM.

***** Other GREAT nets:
QCWA: Saturdays at 9AM on 3857.5 MHz
SE 6M SSB Net: Sundays at 8 PM on 50.145 MHz
SE AM Net: Tuesdays at 7:30 PM on 3885 kc (AM nets ALWAYS meet on kcs...)
Hole in the Wall Net: Wednesdays at 9 PM on 50.135 MHz

PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL:

STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS:

Traffic handled (QTC):

"In days of old, when ops were bold and sideband not invented, the words were passed by pounding brass, and all were quite contented."
Anonymous

ON THE ROAD AND ON THE AIR!

When BARRY KANNE, W4TGA, saw that there was going to be a meeting of RV enthusiasts in Perry, and that there would be an amateur radio class there, as well, he thought it just might be worth a visit. He was kind enough to send an accounting of what he found when he attended the festivities. This is his account:

Perry, GA March 23, 2005 - Imagine the sight of 6,500 motorhome coaches all nestled next to each other in a large open field at the fairgrounds. That was the view that met me as I exited I-75 south of Perry, GA. I was about to attend one of two annual rallies sponsored by the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), one of several groups attracting the more mobile portion of our population. FMCA membership numbers in excess of 120,000 family coach owners and at this rally, approximately 5,100 coaches from all over North America were in attendance. Then there were the over 1,500 coaches on hand for viewing by prospective buyers looking to trade up or buy for the first time.

The motor coach or motor home industry is a rapidly growing segment of our society, increasing at an annual average of 6 percent since 2000, according to figures published by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. A growing segment is bringing Ham Radio along for the ride. The FMCA actively supports those with an interest in our avocation by having a special chapter devoted strictly to amateur radio activities. The current Chapter President is Jerry Floyd, K3IY based on Huachuca City, AZ when he is home. His able Vice President for Membership, John Wilder who resides in Shelby, AL, supported him at this rally.

The FMCAARC as it is known, sponsored a seminar entitled "What Is Ham Radio? An Introduction To Amateur Radio Operation From The Motorhome." There were about 50 people who took the time to attend and several asked questions of the presenters. At the seminar were several old time hams in various states of activity and a few who had a renewed interest in amateur radio. John Wilder offered information on training for a new or upgraded license and used materials available through the ARRL bookstore.

The group operates two nets each day, with the exception of field day. All are welcome to join in; membership and a motorhome are not required. You can hear their net each day at 1900 UTC on 14.263 USB. They also have a "YL Net" on the same frequency starting at 1845 UTC to give the ladies a chance to catch up with friends around the country.

Their official newsletter called "The Transmitter" may be viewed at: www.fmcaarc.com and they maintain a more traditional website at: www.fmcaarc.net.

To this observer it was obvious that this is a most active and gregarious group. Several members are "full timers" who spend their time on the road going from one scenic spot to another, carrying their interest in amateur radio along. Quite often members will coordinate a meeting place to renew old friendships on the daily net. Once they reach a stopping place they switch to 146.55 MHz on 2-meters to coordinate on-site activities. Along the highway, they monitor 146.52 MHz.

When you see the handwriting on the wall, you can bet you're in a public rest room.

ODDS 'N' ENDS

Have you taken the time to write to your legislator yet about HR 691? (Spectrum Protection Act of 2005) Well, BILL CHEREPY, WB4WTN, not only wrote to REP. NATHAN DEAL, but he has already received a very positive response. Bill reports that Rep. Deal replied, "I have supported similar legislation in previous Congresses and to show my support for this legislation, I have signed on as a cosponsor." Score one for our side!

PATRICK WILSON, KG4YUV, converted a Midland CB radio over to ten meters, and now that it's rehabilitated, it's hooked up to a Solarcon A99 vertical antenna and is running as a 4W 10M beacon. It's set up on 28.253 MHz.

We're still fighting the battle against BPL, but it's nice to know that the fight has been won in some other countries. BILL CHEREPY, WB4WTN, shared this message from a very happy ham in Chile: "Good news, recently here in Chile the BPL or PLC has been rejected by the "SUBTEL" like FCC in USA, Because BPL causes harmful interferences to the public, the government communications, military hf communications, emergency, and the amateurs bands. By the moment i will continue using my HF Very Happy Regards from Chile 73`s de CE3SUR"

FYI, I've received some information indicating that there may be an invasion of BPL testing here in GA, in the Douglasville area. Sincere thanks to EMORY GORDY, W4RO, who has agreed to recruit other hams from that area, as needed, and to monitor very closely for any interference on the ham bands, and to document it.

TEACHERS!!! Interested in participating in a Teachers Institute at ARRL HQ that can help you be more effective in teaching some of today's science to your students? Things like wireless technology, microcontrollers, robotics, and space technology? After spending five day of studies and hands-on work, (with some "down" time for operating W1AW, of course) you'll return home laden with books and kits.... Even a robot kit... that can help you generate enthusiasm into your students. Last year, the very first Teachers Institute was offered, and JIM FOUTS, AA4JF, who teaches at Northside High School in Warner Robins, counts himself as fortunate to have been in that inaugural class. Now, this year, two Teachers Institutes are planned: one for June 13-17, and one for August 1-5. Contact MARK SPENCER, WA8SME, at mspencer@arrl.org for details on the application process. It's a first come, first serve deal, so don't put it off!! (Oh, and by the way.... Did I mention that costs are covered by donations??)

Now that mosquito season is coming back, (why, oh, why didn't ol' Noah swat 'em when he had the chance?!) here's a reminder: DEET, the ingredient in bug repellents that is most effective against those nasty little blood-suckers is also quite effective at breaking down plastics, so be sure to wash your hands after applying bug repellent... BEFORE you reach for that HT or microphone.

Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.

SECTION NOTABLES

CONGRATULATIONS to a number of QCWA members, who recently received awards in recognition of their many years as active members of the amateur radio fraternity. BRUCE MONTGOMERY, W4BFR, our DX-meister, was honored for an amazing 75 years in the hobby. (And he's still on the Saturday morning nets most every week!) WAYNE FLICKINGER, W9BKJ, who is also the AF MARS state director for Georgia, has 65 remarkable years under his belt. Fifty year awards went to LYLE LETTEER, W4KE; JERRY LOFSTEAD, W3CDE; (one of South CARS able NCS operators) GUY SHIELDS, W4GBU; MAXIE STRICKLAND, AC4DD; FRANKIE WOMACK, W4BJT; and DON KASTEN, N4DK. Century Club awards were also earned by members CHARLIE AKINS, AB4HR and ED BIGBIE, W4MMQ. These guys have all served as leaders and mentors for many years, and our gratitude and congratulations go out to them all.

THANK YOU to ROGER MCGEE, K4RNM, who quickly answered the call to speak to 37 gifted fourth grade students at Ocee Elementary School in Alpharetta about amateur radio. These students have been studying such topics as sound waves, water waves, and the electromagnetic spectrum, and their teachers thought that a guest speaker who could tell the kids how radio works and a little bit about amateur radio would complement the curriculum nicely, and maybe even spur some of these bright youngsters into pursuing the hobby. Roger was kind enough to oblige.

That prolific writer PHIL NEIDLINGER, KA4KOE, has been back at it, after a brief respite, and has put out a couple more of his popular "Dead Electrical Dudes" columns. Number 17 is on Hans Christian Oersted, and number 18 is on Charles Augustin de Coulom. You can find these newest installations at
http://www.eham.net/articles/10603 and http://www.eham.net/articles/10693

The real reason you can't take it with you is that it's usually gone before you are.

PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)

Last summer, BILL HUSTED, KQ4YA, AKA "Technobuddy", wrote a column in the newspaper about amateur radio. One of the people who read that column was BOB CRONE, who'd had his license once upon a time but had let it expire. After reading that column, he got to thinking that maybe, just maybe, the hobby might be a perfect fit for his bright 10-year old son ROBERT, who wasn't all that crazy about sports, but who really enjoyed math and science. So, Bob sent an email to Bill. Bill, in turn, got in touch with me, to see if I had any suggestions on how to possibly introduce the hobby to young Robert.

Shortly thereafter, Bob and Robert met with my better half and me at the radio station at SciTrek. We spent several hours together, and I discovered that Robert seemed to be a real natural at Morse code, and he didn't take long to warm up to the microphone, either. Meanwhile, ex-ham Bob was getting the bug again himself. You see, you can go into "remission", but once you get bitten by the radio bug, you just never know when the craving may flare up all over again. That's what happened to Bob. After that, we'd see Bob from time to time at the GA Tech VE sessions, where he passed his tests, one by one. Even before he'd earned his Extra class license, it was pretty clear that he'd been bitten pretty hard by that ol' radio bug again.

So, what's this have to do with a piglet? Remember young Robert? I'm pleased to say that he took the one-day class held in Conyers recently, and he came down to the GA Tech VE session the next day, and passed his technician test. Both father and son were mega-thrilled.

Bob was telling me about a "déjà vu" experience he'd had recently. He remembered making his first DX contact with a station in Alaska at about 3 AM when he was fifteen years old or so. He was so excited that he woke his mother to tell her all about it. Recently, he made a contact with Japan at about 2:30 AM, which got him pretty fired up, too. Only difference was that it was his wife that he woke to share in his excitement this time around. I'm sure that his mother and wife were equally "thrilled". Before you know it, young Robert will be the one who'll be waking up his dad to share his excitement over some contact he's made. Proud dad Bob, said, "I can't wait!" And I do believe he meant it!

CONGRATULATIONS to ROBERT CRONE, IV, KI4??? (still waiting!) for earning his license, and congratulations to BOB, WA4VJC, too, for being able to reconnect to this hobby of his youth and now, to be able to share it all with his son.

Junk is something you throw away three weeks before you need it.

TECH TIPS

Got some old computers or monitors that you'd really like to spring houseclean right out of your house, but hate to dumpster them, just in case they could be put to good use by someone else? The Bobby Dodd Institute accepts old computers and monitors, even those that aren't working, and refurbishes them and finds them a good "home". See www.bobbydodd.org 

Floridian BRIAN CARLING, AF4K, has put together an extremely comprehensive directory of sites related to boatanchors. If you can't find info you're looking for here, I'm not sure you can find it at all!
http://www.af4k.com/Boatanchors_Directory/

The two following pieces were posted by ham guru HOWIE GOULD, W9HG, on the Gwinnett ARS reflector. Howie has served as a mentor to many hams over the years, and by including his words of wisdom here, he'll be serving as mentor to many more.

++MODERN LIGHTNING PROTECTION FOR RADIO FACILITIES: RF ENTRY PORTS
Lightning is one of Nature's most destructive forces. It has the power of a good sized explosive and cannot be avoided if you're connected to antennas that are high and in the clear.

In installations using coaxial feedlines the measures used to protect station equipment are simple but critically important. Here is a list of observations and recommendations in the strongest possible terms .....

1) Always bring coaxial cables to ground level before entering equipment area. Never bring coaxial cables into the building at an elevated height directly. Lightning currents induced into the cables will be forced throughout the equipment chassis on their way to ground, and that's what causes extensive damage. Even if your equipment is on the second floor, always bring coax to ground level first and insert appropriate lightning protection, then route the cable to the station.

2) Absolutely, absolutely, positively, positively ground those shields with as short an earth terminal connection as possible. Use a commercial shield grounding block if possible, or fashion your own. In most cases as much as 80% of an induced or direct lightning blast comes in on the shield. This is because of the external exposed nature of the shield and its larger metallic mass. Always make sure that grounding the shields occurs BEFORE the cable enters the building. Multiple shield grounding (such as once at the tower base and again before building entry) is an excellent idea.

3) Use lightning arrestors on lines that feed sensitive electronics. But beware. Don't use so-called lightning arrestors that employ nothing more than a gas-discharge device to ground. These units are DC passive and only activate when the potential voltage between conductors reaches hundreds of volts. By that time in most cases the radio has already been damaged before the arrestor kicks in, leaving you with an arrestor that did mostly nothing and a damaged rig. Additionally, gas discharge tubes are very low power, typically only around 1 watt dissipation. They're rated for 20,000 amps or more, but only if a lightning blasts starts and ends in a few billionths of a second. Few bolts ever do, and bolts that are slowed down coming through transmission lines almost never do. That's why gas discharge arrestors require repair and replacement so often. They're overpriced and offer little, if any, protection from induced voltages.

If lightning. arrestors are used always specify a blocking type arrestor - that is, a unit that has no DC continuity through from input port to output port. And one that offers constant drain mechanism with no pre-determined turn-on voltage has enormous power handling capacity, far exceeding the units that rely solely on gas discharge tubes or varistor devices.

4) Establish a grounding. bulkhead near the radio equipment where the distance from the bulkhead to the soil entry is short - preferably less than a, foot. Use this bulkhead for lightning protection as well as RF neutral for interference filters and similar items. The bulkhead can be a bar, metal sheet, or just heavy wire. Remember - the length of ground leads is far more significant to good grounding performance than the specific materials or even wire size used. Keep 'em short!

Once again the spring rains and summer heat bring our old ugly lightning bolts out of the blue and before you now it your in trouble if you don't follow some common sense guidelines that will hel;p insure that you get good signals and also some protection in the event of a strike either direct or close by.

++GROUNDING COAXIAL CABLE SHIELDS: WHY, WHERE, AND HOW
Even today it's a controversial subject - but we don't know why. The purpose and importance of grounding coaxial line shields is so critical to safe and clean station operation that it should not be a matter of discussion, except as a how-to subject such as this writing represents.

Coaxial cable used in radio work is referred to as unbalanced line primarily because the center conductor carries the current and signal voltage nearly all to itself. The shield of the transmission line is just that - a shield. It carries no current except for a small induced current flowing as the result of induction by length. In a perfectly matched system the current in the shield is almost nil. That's also why in most modern applications  coaxial cable shields are fitted to connectors without soldering - only compression fitting. Center conductors carry the current during transmission so they are generally soldered in place.

But that doesn't mean that the shield has no work to do, and that's the purpose of this brief technical narrative. Coaxial shields provide a protection for the center conductor and prevent ground level line leakage during transmission, noise pickup from external local sources during reception, continuous impedance matching, and physical rigidity to the line.

Short distance grounding of coaxial shields introduces an earthen neutral integrity to the shield and provides a drain source for the very types of disturbances the shield is designed to resist. It's very common to hear of stories relating how interference to other services disappeared or reception noise was reduced when shield grounding was accomplished. In lightning protection applications the shield is an exposed element, and when lightning strikes overhead or a direct "hit' occurs to antennas and tower frames it's not unusual to find as much as 80% of the applied current seeking ground through the transmission line flows down the shield. If the lightning currents do not find earth through a dissipation point before reaching the radio equipment chassis then damage to the station gear will nearly always result. In severe cases injury or loss of structure can occur.

Grounding of shields is easy and requires little experience or effort. The connections for grounding should always be done at ground level if maximum value is to be obtained, and the lead length from shield to earth entry point (the dirt) should be kept as short as possible - less than a foot if possible. Using a commercial grounding block is a very neat way of accomplishing the task, but making your own shield connections can, be done as well. Cutting the cable, inserting connectors and grounding the shield by attachment to the connectors is a common method but suffers from the inevitable impedance "bump" in the line at that point and the possibility of exposure to water or contaminants. Removing the outer plastic with a sharp knife carefully, wrapping a solid copper wire around the exposed shield and then grounding the wire is another method that seems to work well and doesn't leave an impedance irregularity in the line.

However the work is done is far less important than making sure it gets done, and establishing a common point for multiple shield grounding makes sense in stations that use many different transmission lines. But the most important element is to be sure that the coaxial cable lines are ALWAYS brought to the ground surface first, and that shield grounding, is accomplished at that point BEFORE the cable continues on its way to reach station equipment. Keep the connections clean, tight, and waterproof - then relax and enjoy the benefits of your efforts.

Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were.

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL 30 --- North GA QRPers will be setting up to participate in this year's QRP to the Field event, "Riding the Rails", on location at the SE Railroad Museum, at the corner of Pleasant Hill Road and Buford Highway in Duluth, from 9AM until about 4PM. FREE admission, but attendees are asked to please bring a canned good to support the local Food Bank.

APRIL 30-MAY 1 --- Birmingham, AL Hamfest

APRIL 30-May 1 --- "Submarines on the Air" Certificate for working 4 or more subs. 0000Z Apr 1- 2400Z May 1

MAY 7 --- Informal Ham Radio Swap Meet 9AM at Rozier Park in Perry, GA

MAY 8 --- MOTHERS DAY

MAY 14 --- In honor of National Police Week, the FBI will be on the air, with their station K3FBI, from Washington, DC. 21.280, 14.280, 7.280. Certificate.

MAY 14-15 --- Armed Forces Amateur/Military Crossband Communications test. For details, see www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/af-day/AF-Day-2005-SKED.pdf

MAY 14-15 --- Mid-Atlantic QSO Party. With multiple states participating, here's an opportunity to fill in some of those states you might need for your WAS.

MAY 20-22 --- Dayton Hamvention, and ARRL National Convention

MAY 24 --- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my better half. (36 years and counting...)

MAY 28 --- MAD: Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day. See www.freewebs.com/kb9ibw/ for info

MAY 28-30 --- CQ WW WPX contest (CW)

MAY 30 --- Memorial Day "To those who died, honor and eternal rest; to those still in bondage, remembrance and hope; to those who returned, gratitude and peace." From the Illinois Vietnam Memorial

JUNE 4 --- Atlanta ARC Hamfest, Jim Miller park in Marietta

JUNE 3-5- -- Special Olympics Summer Games, Emory University campus, Atlanta. Volunteer communicators needed. Serving again as this year's communications coordinator is STEVE GARRISION, N4SEG, Dekalb county EC. You can register to volunteer at www.dekalb.org

SILENT KEYS

ARCHIE MCKAY, K4GA
WILLIAM MURRAY MITCHELL, W1AR
GEORGE OWENBY, WD4CMQ

Sincere condolences to the families and friends of each of these men.

Well, folks, that's about it for another month. Until next time, this is AF4FO, signing clear. Take care of yourselves. And each other.

73, Susan af4fo@arrl.org   (Send me your news and tech tips!!)
ARRL Georgia Section Manager

No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However,
a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

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