Greetings, All.

I hope you all had a super Field Day this year. Preliminary reports indicate that, even though it was bloomin' hot, a fun time was had by one and all. (The record may have been in Columbus, where it hit 98 degrees, and club members operated from the asphalt of a local shopping center... PHEW!) If you would, please send a few pictures to our webmaster, BOB SMITH, K4PHE, so he can provide a window for us into the field day fun experienced all over Georgia this year. A little blurb would be nice, too, but at the very least, we sure would appreciate some pictures (with captions and proper credit for the photographer) k4phe@arrl.net

This coming Saturday, June 30, members of GA Army MARS will be meeting in Macon for a picnic, and a day of fun, food, fellowship and some radio, too, operating on both the MARS frequencies and the amateur frequencies. Listen out for us. We'll be operating under the call sign of AF4MI.

The 4th of July is right around the corner, but it isn't too late for you to volunteer to help out with communications at this year's Peachtree Road Race. If you can help, please contact DAVID ZISKIND, KE4QLH at ke4qlh@arrl.net

In light of the fact that the thermometer is starting to flirt with triple digit figures, the one-liners this month fall into the category of "How hot is it?"

It's so hot the best parking place is now determined by the amount of shade, rather than distance.

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

June 2 --- ATLANTA ARC Hamfest --- Jim Miller Park, Marietta. For sure, it was a whole lot warmer this time around than it was back in March when we gathered at this same location for the KARC Hamfest. In March, people spent more time milling around inside, trying to thaw their various and sundry body parts, but this time, the elements made it much more conducive for people to spend more time outside milling around in the bone yard. Even so, plenty took the time to enjoy the great indoors, too... buying, visiting, and generally taking advantage of the wonders of air conditioning. We saw a lot of activity around the ARRL table, where we signed up a bunch of new members and sold a record number of GA Piglet tee shirts. It was great to have our illustrious SE Division Director FRANK BUTLER, W4RH, and our favorite Director of Vice SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, at the ARRL table again. Since Sandy left us in December of 2006 to move to bucolic Dothan, Alabama, we don't get to see him as a standard "fixture" at all of our GA fests like we used to, so it's always a special treat when he can make it back for one of our events. As a special bonus, we were also graced with the always-welcome, always-fun presence of the ARRL's DAN HENDERSON, N1ND, who drew an impressive (and duly impressed) audience at the ARRL forum. Dan provided an entertaining virtual tour of ARRL HQ and fielded a host of questions. (answered 'em, too!)

All-in-all, this was an excellent Hamfest. In the after-the-fest chatter, some hams were talking about the many Atlanta Hamfests that they'd attended over the years. This club has hosted some real extravaganza fests over the years, and in a wide range of locations. (I'd love to run an article in an upcoming newsletter, chronicling the history of the Atlanta Hamfest. If anyone is willing to write an article, based either on research or your own memory of these fests, please let me know. You write it... and I'll run it!) Bottom line, though, is that everyone seemed to have a terrific time THIS year. It takes a lot of hard work for a club to put on a Hamfest, and this club is to be commended for their continued efforts over the years, in spite of all of the changes they've had to make. Kudos, Atlanta ARC!

One of the things I like about this fest is that they offer a FREE table to other ham clubs, and a number of the smart clubs take them up on it. It's a great way for other clubs to "be seen" and to sign up new members. It's also a great way to demonstrate that we're all members of the same community, and NOT competitors. Since we're all in the same boat, as members of the amateur radio community, it only stands to reason that we'll move ahead much more effectively as a community if we're all rowing together in the same direction. The simple gesture of providing these free tables to other clubs gains high marks for demonstrating healthy support for the overall ham fraternity.

Hearty thanks to all of the members of the Atlanta ARC, especially to Hamfest chairman JOHN TALIPSKY, N3ACK, for hosting yet another Hamfest for our enjoyment. And, of course, thanks to each and every one of you who attended. With our continued support, the Atlanta Hamfest will continue building on its long history for many years to come.

JUNE 23-23 --- FIELD DAY --- Some of you let me know that you were looking forward to reading this year's Field Day "travelogue" in this newsletter. It was nice to know that some of you have actually read those field day reports in the years past, because I had a lot of fun writing them. However, this year, I decided to focus less on the "travel" part, so that we could spend a little more time enjoying the actual Field Day part. For the past five years, my better half, MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and I have had a lot of fun visiting around the state, and we met a lot of people and saw some interesting and sometimes surprising things. (Like the year we encountered the troop of Renaissance re-enactors while driving to one of the sites. Certainly not what we expected to see while winding our way through the woods, but there they were, bounding out of the woods right in front of us, in full costume... and brandishing swords, no less. We'll be hard-pressed to EVER top that one!) But all of that travel translated into too many hours on the road and too little time to spend at each stop. Just as we were really starting to enjoy ourselves, it was time to hit the road again. So this year, we decided to visit three locations, all in the metro Atlanta area, and to spend some quality time at each of them. So, you could say that Mike kinda got the day "off", compared to his long hours behind the wheel in past years. We both enjoyed it tremendously, but next year, who knows?

Anyhow, this is where we went this year:

NORTH FULTON AMATEUR RADIO LEAGUE (NFARL) --- These folks were set up at Waller Park Extension, in Roswell. Along with the club members, there was also an enthusiastic 12-year-old non-ham named David in attendance, who lived in the vicinity and learned about Field Day and the NFARL operating location via the wonders of the Internet. A self-described computer whiz, David helped with the set-up and had a grand time making radio contacts. It looks like the fun of field day has helped to give the "bug" to yet another one, because David said that he fully plans to get his license as soon as possible. What was unique? They gave out a custom-designed NFARL Field Day 2007 button to all in attendance. (And I was told by more than one of them that any resemblance between their "Bitten By the Bug" logo and the ARRL's "Bitten By the Bug" logo was purely coincidental...)

ALFORD MEMORIAL ARC --- Field Day operations were set up inside of Stone Mountain Park, across from the area where the Highland Games are usually held. Nestled under the trees, there was plenty of shade, thank goodness, because it was beastly hot by the time we got there. One of the best places to visit and sit a spell was inside of the air-conditioned trailer of STEVE GARRISON, N4SEG, a real lifesaver location when the heat got to be too much. What was unique? CARTER BENNETT, K4CB, who has supplied generators for several different clubs for field days over the years, really outdid himself with his emergency power set-up this year. I've suggested that he write an article for QST... or even for our website... telling all about it, so I won't divulge any secrets, in the hopes that he does just that. But trust me, it was quite ingenious, and worked extremely well.

GWINNETT AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (GARS) --- Set up once again in Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, this group continues to draw a large crowd for their Field Day activities, and things were still hopping well into the night. It was good to see so many young and non-licensed visitors, too, many of whom made their first (and more) contacts. It was also good to see continued activity around the CW station, with several hams on-hand and patiently waiting for their turn at the key. As always, RON LANGSTON, WE5O, was an important part of the CW team, and the club really appreciates his continued participation in club activities, even though he's moved to SC. What was unique? These folks held an on-site Antenna Launching Contest on Saturday. Sorry we weren't there in time to see that fun, but we were told that the winner was BARRY HOLDERREAD, K4WX.

FIELD DAY MESSAGES --- Many thanks to TOM HASKINS, W4WXA, and CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK, for accepting the SM field day messages that were entered into the NTS: Oconee County ARS, South GA ARC, N4N, ARC of Savannah, Milledgeville ARC, Jasper Radio Club, Alford Memorial ARC, Newton County Radio Club/ARES, and Forsyth ARES. Other messages were sent and received by me via WinLink VHF pactor: ARC of Augusta, Silver Comet ARS, Columbus ARC, (3 separate messages!) Cherokee ARS, Conyers ARG, Wayne County EMA ARC, Gwinnett ARS, and the Buckhead Contest Club. Good job, all of you who sent a message. That's 100 easy bonus points for each of you.

It's so hot the cows in south Georgia are giving evaporated milk.

CLUB NEWS

ARC of SAVANNAH --- PHIL NEIDLINGER, KA4KOE, said that his isn't the "official" field day bulletin from the club, but it's too good not to share. Here are some excerpts from his account:

Well, me and the PRC-1099 and the Amateur Radio Club of Savannah did field day together for yet another year. I have only missed one field day since 1980. A club member brought a Harris PRC-150, a General Dynamics URC-2000, Shakespeare AT-1011, and an AS-2259 NVIS (I hope that number is correct). The 150 is an impressive rig to look at, but it's a true bear to use if you plan to change freeks a lot. I stuck with the 1099 after giving up on the 150. I didn't want to spend an hour in the manual. The URC-2000 was fun to tune up on the club's 2m repeater pair. One big honking radio to work a repeater. It was cool (the radio, not weather). I used a 110' long reel doublet at 40' fed with 300 ohm twin lead, tied directly to the long wire adapter on the front of the 1099. I had trouble making contacts on SSB again due to competition, but almost 80-90% of my calls on CW were answered. Most of the hams were squeezed onto 80-40-20. 10 seemed dead most of the time. Not a peep on my TS-600 tuned to 50.125 Mhz. We had a mess of antennas up this year. My doublet, two TA-31 Moselys, a 6m vertical, 2m beam, tape measure dipole for 80m, 2m ground plane, 40m dipole, and perhaps one or two I can't remember at the moment. HOT again. My bride, the ever-delightful Miss Sheri KG4KTW spent a good amount of time in her air conditioned tent (smart girl). The club had about 50 visitors come by, mostly around dinner. WTOC showed up as usual on Sunday, and in normal form (for them) about 5 minutes prior to us breaking down. None of us wanted to interview as nobody looks great after 24 hours in the hot weather with a lack of sleep. I did the interview in the end but the station only did voice-overs and quoted some of my comments, but no on air face time. As the old joke says, I have a face that's perfect for radio ...HI!! Still, 100 points is 100 points.

COLUMBUS ARC --- I hope your Field Day experience was cooler than ours. Air temp was 98 on Saturday, 96 on Sunday, but we were set up on the asphalt of the K-Mart parking lot which made it feel much hotter. Thanks to the web site of one of the local TV stations, WTVM-channel 9, I'm able to show you coverage we had locally. It's in the video on demand section with "amateur radio operators....." header. The Columbus ARC and the Russell County (AL) Radio Club joined forces this year and it was a lot of fun, as usual. http://www.wtvm.com/
(de SUE GODWIN, W4SUE)

GA TECH ARC --- This is the only GA club I know of who ran their Field Day stations on solar power for most of the weekend. (ALL of the daylight hours) That's smart operating... saves on the gas money, too.

MILLEDGEVILLE ARC --- Congratulations to the officers and club members of Georgia's newest ARRL Affiliated Club. It's a genuine pleasure to welcome this fine group aboard, and my better half, MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and I are looking forward to visiting with them at their July club meeting, where we'll help celebrate that new affiliation. As an extra bonus, we'll also get to hear that special fella HARVEY CHASE, W4TG, do a presentation on HF operations.

NEWTON COUNTY RC --- Congratulations to the newly-elected slate of club officers: President- CHARLES DAVIS, WA4UJC; VP- JIM MARSTEN, K4DOI; Treasurer- BRIAN FAIN, KI4JIL; and Secretary- BOB CARTER, W4NNN. Best wishes for another successful and enjoyable year leading the club.

OCONEE COUNTY ARS --- In recognition of more than a decade of service to the City of Watkinsville and the citizens of Oconee County Georgia, Mayor Jim Luken issued a proclamation which declared the week of June 18-24, 2007 as AMATEUR RADIO WEEK, a great lead-in for the club's participation in Field Day, operating as 1F, from the Oconee County Government Annex Building/ EOC. (de BILL RONAY, KM4LS)

SE DX CLUB --- New to DX? Well, now you can get help from some of the grand masters of the art. The SE DX Club is now offering formal mentoring to anyone who is interested in learning the "tricks of the trade". If you go to their www.sedxc.org website, click on the "New to DX?" button, and help is but a click away. (What a great idea! Thanks, guys.)

It's so hot that you discover that asphalt has a liquid state. (ain't that right, Columbus ARC?)

STRANGE ANTENNA CHALLENGE, 2007

Lots of hams look at the annual announcement of the "Strange Antenna Challenge", and think, "Gee, sounds like fun." End of story. Not ARNOLD SOLOMON, KC4ZUA, who wined and dined (or was that whined and cajoled?) some of his other ham friends into participating this year. Here's his story, and you can see a couple of cool pictures on our www.arrl-ga.org website. Check 'em out!

Recipe for a fun Memorial Day BBQ, the Strange Antenna Challenge - 2007

What happens when you take one 16 foot extension ladder, 2 C-clamps, and 50 feet of chicken wire fencing? You get a full day of fun with a "Strange Antenna Challenge" 20 meter vertical!

Since 2003, Erik Weaver N0EW and Dwayne Walker WB5PLJ have been hosting the Strange Antenna Challenge through the Ozark Hillbilly Portable Operations Team in Springfield, Missouri. After reading about the challenge on the ARRL web site, a group of radio amateurs from the morning drive time group embarked on a quest to build a "Strange Antenna" at the house of Bill Perkins, KB4KFT. Although an aluminum extension ladder was used in previous challenges, the group gave it a new twist. They added three radials made of chicken wire fencing. The ladder antenna was extended to its maximum length and secured with C-clamps.

Because the completed antenna was not resonant on the 20 meter band, an antenna tuning unit was connected to protect Bill's HF transceiver. The radiating element, AKA ladder, was quickly constructed and propped up against a tree by James and Sophia Loner, W4JHL and KI4EWW. Billy Christensen, KI4KGK attached the three radials to a pine 2 x 4 with sheet metal screws under the antenna. A patch of poison ivy caused the radials to be skewed to a configuration that enhanced northeastern coverage. The center conductor of the coaxial cable was fastened to the ladder with a set of locking pliers and the shield to the radials with another sheet metal screw. After hoisting the antenna up, it was secured with rope to the tree to prevent it from toppling over. Within just minutes, Sylvia Richardson, KG4OEG, established a contact with Northern Ireland. The evening's fate was sealed as Rob Osattin, KI4UTY, worked contacts late into the evening.

Atlanta Strange Antenna Challenge roster:

Bill Perkins kb4kft
Arnold Solomon kc4zua
Gordon Shirley ki4tbj
Rob Osattin ki4uty
Ron Hogue
Sophia Loner ki4eww
James Loner w4jhl
Sylvia Richardson kg4oeg
Addison Le Platte ki4iya
Billy Christensen ki4kgk

It's so hot the birds are using pot holders to pull the worms out of the ground.

ARES NEWS

*** GA ARES DATABASE --- GREG TILLMAN, N4VAD, writes: "Database coming up is going smooth so far however may need to mention in your next report about DEC's, EC's and members getting online to update their info when they are advised that it is open to them."

OK, here comes a major "mention": Folks, this GA ARES Database is a fantabulous tool, but it's only going to be as good as each of you make it. Please, please, please, when you are notified that the system is ready for the input of your information, please do enter it.

And a hearty thank you to Greg for providing me with information that enabled me to put together the following FAQs to help address some of your possible concerns:

***Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns About the GA ARES Database

Q. When will it be ready? I thought it was supposed to be completed in June.

A. Soon, very very soon. It's taken a huge amount of work, and it is already up and running in some districts. Each DEC will be notified and trained when the system is ready for uploading of info from his ECs, and then the ECs will work with his own members. A comprehensive manual is also currently being compiled for each of our ECs, to help guide them through the whole process.

Q. How secure is this? I don't feel good about entering personal data into this system.

A. This is an https system, not an http, which means that it has the same security as one of those sites where many of you pay bills, etc. And except for the information about training and equipment, the information that we're asking you to enter is the same sort of info that's already listed on QRZ. No social security numbers, nothing sensitive, just a practical compilation of resources, so GA ARES will be better able to respond quickly and efficiently when called upon to assist in a large-scale call-out. If GEMA or FEMA requests an accounting, or audit, of our available resources, this database will provide us with the tools to give an accurate response. But its accuracy will only be as good as ALL of our members are willing to make it.

Q. Who will see the information that I enter?

A. Each individual member only has access to his own page, and is responsible for keeping his own information up to date, but he will NOT have the ability to do a search on anyone else's information. Each EC has clearance to do a search on the information for his own county members, but NOT for any other county. Each DEC can search each county within his own District, but NOT for any other district. The only people with full access are the SEC, DSEC, ASECs, and me, the SM. Each of us can search the data for the entire state, which enables us to pull resources from other counties and districts, if necessary.

Q. OK, so say that I'm willing to do this. How's it going to work?

A. Each DEC will be notified, and then he will register and notify each EC. Each EC will then be responsible for entering his own data, and for registering each of his members into the system. Then, he will notify the members, who will be responsible for entering their own info.

Q. Is it enough to simply enter the info into the database about what training I've had?

A. No, each ARES member should make two copies of all their certificates and documentation of courses they have taken and give them to his EC, and the EC is actually the one who will enter that data. Once the data is entered, it's recommended that the EC retain these copies in two separate notebooks, one for himself, and one for the local EOC. Once the data is entered, it's recommended that the EC retain these copies in two separate notebooks, one for himself, and one for the local EOC. (redundancy... redundancy. That's the name of the game.)

*** BARROW COUNTY --- EC CAL NEFF, K4JSR, was the lead instructor for CERT classes that were held recently in Barrow county, and in addition to Cal, the CERT team now includes the following hams: DENNIS HEVENER, WN4AZY; FE HEVENER, N6MRQ; DAVIS WALLACE, K1DGW; and JULIAN SPENCE, KI4HVQ. Extra, extra, read all it.... This article tells about how Barrow county is supporting the CERT training: http://www.barrowcountynews.com/news/stories/20070620/localnews/180662.shtml

*** PUTNAM COUNTY --- After doing a stellar job of serving as EC for many years, TONY NUETZI, KF4EOH, has decided to step down. We were very sorry to accept his resignation, but are very grateful for all of the good work that he has done.

***The Georgia State Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) conducted a SKYWARN readiness drill over the weekend of June 2-3, 2007. The purpose of the drill was for each County ARES organization to self-assess their readiness for a severe weather event as we enter the 2007 hurricane season. The results of this drill were reported to the State ARES net on June 3.

Thank you to the following Counties and their operators for your participation and dedication to readiness:
Baldwin
Burke
Carroll
Clarke
Clayton
Columbia
Coweta
Fayette
Forsyth
Gwinnett
Hall
Henry
Johnson
Lincoln
Newton
Paulding
Richmond
Towns
Washington
(Aiken & Edgefield Counties in South Carolina)

We had a total of 145 Checkins to the various SKYWARN nets.

Some observations: The total number of checkins is very good considering many individuals are involved in other activities during the weekend. The number of Counties represented is somewhat disappointing. Only 19 of the 159 Counties in Georgia either relayed their numbers to the Net or sent an email to either K4GK, Charles, or to Paul, N4LXB, with their results. We can't drop the ball on being prepared. Severe weather can and has struck every County in Georgia. Consider this a plea to the 140 Counties not represented to ensure you are ready.

Thank you, again to N4LXB, Paul, DEC, NWS Columbia, who conceived this drill, and to K4GK, Charles, State Net Manager, for tabulating the checkins.

Stay ready,
Lynn, KN4YZ
Assistant SEC, NWS

*** Hear ye, hear ye!! For the first time, GA broke into the top ten for high scores in the 2006 SET, as reported in the July QST. Georgia's total score of 1139 points was an accumulation of the points reported by nine different counties, plus GEMA. (i.e. KM4Z) TOP SCORE kudos go to Gwinnett ARES, with 301 points. Congratulations for the fine showing, and many thanks to all who filed a report. Let's see if Georgia can break 2000 points in 2007. If all active ARES groups file a report, it'll be a piece of cake! (make mine chocolate, please)

It's so hot the farmers are feeding crushed ice to their chickens to keep them from laying hard-cooked eggs.

ARES REPORT DE DSEC MIKE BOATIGHT, KO4WX

Total number of ARES members: 594
Change since last month: +9
# of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 36
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 167
Person hours 911
Number of public service events this month: 10
Person hours 213
Number of emergency operations this month: 1
Person hours 4
Total number of ARES operations this month: 178
Total Person hours 1128

DECs/ECs reporting
Baldwin/K6DPL, Bibb/KS4GH, Morgan/K2MGL, Pulaski/N4TUA, Putnam/KF4EOH, Washington/K4GK, Clayton/WB4WQE, Cobb/WK4E, Dekalb/W4TGA, Fayette/AG4ZR, Gwinnett/WB4QDX, Newton/WA4UJC, Paulding/K4DMF, Rockdale/KC4ELV, Georgia Public Broadcasting/WB4QDX, National Weather Service - Columbia/N4LXB, National Weather Service - Peachtree City/KD4YDC, National Weather Service - Tallahassee/KG4OJJ, Clarke/N4ZRA, Hall/KE4PCF, Oglethorpe/N2YYP, Towns/W4VFZ, Bartow/N4QET, Carroll, Coweta/KL0UD, Haralson/KD4YDA, Murray/KG4RSU, Camden/WD8LQT, Charlton/WB4GPR, Dodge/ KG4WQZ, Toombs/KG4BKO, Lee/KB4OMV, Thomas/KE4FGF, Muscogee/W4WY, Troup/K3IMC, Salvation Army/WA4UJC

Comments
**Bibb/KS4GH: The miscellaneous ARES activities: several members (5) went to Waycross GA to assist in the Wildfire on 5 different dates. I have included their hours as they used HAM radio and ARES protocols while working from their command center.
**National Weather Service - Peachtree City/KD4YDC: As part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 20-26), the PTC NWS Office sponsored a visit by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to Falcon Field (people toured a Weather WC-130J aircraft from Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS) in PTC on May 26. The NWS Office was also open for tours, and two Skywarn personnel were present for demonstrations and fielding questions. Severe activity was very limited to just a couple of days in May, and there were no activations. David Homan - KG4PZI - AEC NWS PTC
**Oglethorpe/N2YYP: WE hold a net every Friday at 7:30 pm and haven't missed any since we have started.
**Fayette/AG4ZR: Miscellaneous activity includes meeting related to repeater move, interface with EMA, and EC/AEC meetings.
**Charlton/WB4GPR: Wildfire briefings May 1-30 = 34
**Clarke/N4ZRA: Clarke Co. Nets included: Radiogram drill, SkyWarn Training, Health and Welfare Traffic training. There was one Public Service event: Running with the Dawgs This event was 2-hours and was covered by 9 Amateur Radio operators: KE4JLL, KG4PPQ, WT4XX, N4ALE, KG4WHA, KE4EOI, W9TBY, KG4WGZ,and KF4AQO.
**Dekalb/W4TGA: Special Olympics. Spent 55 hours visiting 4 hospitals and attending 1 RCH meeting
**Gwinnett/WB4QDX: New 900 MHz repeater installed at Gwinnett Medical Center on 927.5500-/PL 100.0. Participation in Gwinnett Emergency Management Advsory Team meeting.
**Troup/K3IMC: Public Service Events: March Of Dimes, Tour De Lake. Miscellaneous: Training Public Health Distict HQ 4 to prepare for Technician Test
**Clayton/WB4WQE: CARES Monday 145.170 net has combined with Henry county Thursday net. Operation of special event at Berry Hill Airport Flyin on May 5th. Two Skywarn nets went into operation on both nights of May 11th and 12th.
Morgan/K2MGL: 2 meetings with Morgan County Em. Preparedness Committee.
Pulaski/N4TUA: Started our new net with a mock Skywarn activation on 5/31/07 and was able to identify a number of areas which need attention. Will try to hold the net weekly. May need to change day and time.
**Baldwin/K6DPL: Prototype of Red Cross Location Finder brought up on http://routemap/esri.com/directions

If you plan for problems, they cease to be problems and become merely a part of the plan.

NET REPORT DE STM CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK

	QNI	QTC	SESS	QND	NM
GSSB: Georgia Single Side Band Association 3975 kHz  7 PM local, year round.	2015	24	31		K4GK/NM
GCN: Georgia Cracker Net 3995 kHz 7 AM Monday- Saturday;  8 AM Sundays	1366	11	31		N4VMC
GBH: Georgia Baptist Hams 3865 kHz 4 PM Sundays	NR
GA ARES: Georgia Amateur Radio Emergency Services 3975 kHz  5 PM winters; 6 PM summers - Sundays	440	1	4		K4GK
GTE: Georgia Traffic and Emergency Net 3983 kHz 7:15 PM DAILY	1195	16	31		W4AYK
GTN: Georgia Traffic Net (SSB) (Cycle 2) 3987.5 kHz 1 PM Monday - Saturday	275	14	27		WU4C
GTN: Georgia Traffic Handling Training Net (CW) 3549 kHz 9PM DAILY (slow speed)	104	9	20		N4VAD
GSN: Georgia Section CW Net (Cycle 4) 3549 kHz 7PM and 10PM DAILY (medium to high speed)	372	166	62		K4GK

PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL:

K4GK	95
K4BEH	81
K8GA	90
WB4BIK	90
N4VAD	1285 (WOW!!)
WA4UJC	90

STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS:
Traffic handled (QTC):

K4GK	94
WA4UJC	30
WB4BIK	46
K8GA	79
K4BEH	73
K4BAI	14
N4VAD	42
K4EV	2

"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

SECTION NOTABLES

*** HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY!!! --- June 16th marked the 50th Wedding Anniversary of SUE, W4SUE, and GRIFF, W2YO, GODWIN of Columbus, GA. The happy couple celebrated the event with their family and amateur radio friends from the Columbus Amateur Radio Club and the Russell County Radio Club at Buffet City in Phenix City, Alabama. (de KAREN HERRING, KI4NGX)


*** CONGRATULATIONS to CLAY SMITH, WO4X, who is hitting a couple of big milestones this year: 60 years as an amateur radio operator, and 65 years as a member of the ARRL.

*** We are graced with many special teachers in Georgia, and one of them is CRISTA LEROY, KD4KPS. Thanks to her efforts, SIX young fourth graders, from Chicopee Woods and Sugar Hill Elementary Schools, recently earned their technician licenses.

*** I've always had some concerns about how well (or poorly) we follow up with new hams, once we teach them the material they need to know that enables them to get licensed. Then, what? Is our "job" done then? Do we then sit back, and let them sink or swim on their own? No, that's when the real mentoring and training begin, so we can help these new hams learn what they need to know to become proficient operators. KUDOS to GREG TILLMAN, N4VAD, and Effingham county EC TODD HARGROVE, KD6RYQ, who recently put their heads together to come up with a plan to provide additional practical training for a bunch of new licensees from within the Coastal Health District. On Friday, June 29, Greg will be holding a special training session at the Altamaha Tech in Jesup, and all of the hospitals within the area will be sending their licensed amateurs to this session. Topics will include basic preparedness, radios and antennas, batteries and other hook-ups, nets, NTS and formal traffic, relay stations, and things like what to do when the repeater doesn't work. So, Greg taught the class that helped these folks earn that license. But much to his credit, he's not willing to let them sink or swim on their own. No sir, he's going to be teaching them what they need to know to keep them afloat... and swimming like pros.

*** In case you didn't read it under "Club News", here it is again: Kudos to the members of the SE DX Club, who are prepared to offer formal mentoring to hams looking for tips and pointers on HF operations, especially in bagging those DX contacts. See www.sedxc.org and click on the "New to DX?" button to take advantage of this terrific offer.

*** A very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to 4th of July baby KATI SEGAR.... (And yes, just like your parents always told you.... all of the fireworks will be just for YOU.) I hope you have a wonderful day.

It's so hot (and dry) the trees are whistling for the dogs to come pay them a visit.

GEORGIA PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)

*** A good number of youngsters earned their licenses this month, and we are proud of all of them:

In Gwinnett county, BRITTANY HANCOCK, KI4WNY, granddaughter of KEN DALTON, KI4BQS, passed her technician test. (Not sure which of the two is prouder...)

Also, in Hall county, thanks to teacher CRISTA LEROY, KD4KPS, six fourth grade students also earned their tickets. CONGRATULATIONS to ALEXANDER MANUS, KI4VZY, BRECKEN LAWLER, KI4VZZ, and DOUGLAS FRAZER, KI4WAA, all of Chicopee Woods Elementary School, and to OSCAR MEJIA, KI4WAB, EDUARDO FIGUEROA, KI4WAC, and ABBY BLACK, KI4WGF, all of Sugar Hill Elementary.

CONGRATULATIONS to all of these fine new Georgia piglets, and welcome to the greatest hobby in the world.

*** Interested in making contacts with other Scouts this summer? Check out the suggested procedures to help you do just that at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/ScoutCampCallingProtocol-07.pdf 

*** Not that all of our GA piglets have phone privileges on 10 M, is there any interest in establishing a GA Piglet 10M net?? If so, we need someone who is willing to take on the responsibility of Net Manager, and to set a day(s), time, and frequency. If you kids want it, I'll do all I can to promote it.

It's so hot the milkweeds in our back yard only give powdered milk.

THIS 'N' THAT

*** In the shuffle of a move, have you lost or simply misplaced your amateur radio license? Or ya just plain can't find the thing? Fear not. The FCC has made it easier for you to get a replacement copy. http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=cft&id=amateur&page=cft_replace_amateur 

*** Talking about the FCC, here's something on our favorite "Enforcer", RILEY HOLLINGSWORTH, K4ZDH. If you weren't able to make it up to the Dayton Hamvention this year to see his presentation in person, no problem, because you now have the opportunity to download it and watch it in the comfort of your own home: (in 2 10-minute segments) http://www.therainreport.com/rainreport.shtml 

*** While you're looking for info on some of those other forums you missed in Dayton this year, check out http://www.kkn.net/dayton2007 to see presentations from the Contest and Antenna Forum

*** WWV is more than a handy tool for synchronizing your clocks. Here's an interesting website, with all kinds of interesting facts about WWV: http://tf.nist.gov/stations/wwv.html (de BOB ALDRICH, N9RLA)

*** Here's a fine website that provides a good online repeater directory for Georgia... or for the state of your choice. If you join, (and I do not have the details on what it takes to join) you can even access a downloadable map, showing you the location of the repeaters. http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/states/Georgia.asp

*** DEBRA JOHNSON, K1DMJ, the ARRL Education Services Manager, is the editor of a ***NEW*** monthly E-newsletter especially for ARRL instructors and teachers. You can check out the latest issue at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/InstructorNews0507.pdf.
All ARRL Registered Instructors should receive a copy of the newsletter by way of a bulk e-mail that originates from ARRL Headquarters. The April edition (the first one) can be found at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/InstructorNews0407.pdf

It's so hot the corn is popping before it's even picked.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY 4 --- Hope y'all have a Bang Up day! And many thanks to those who've volunteered to help with communications at the Peachtree Road Race and a host of parades all over the state.

JULY 14 --- Lanierland ARC Tailgating Hamfest. FREE. Johnson High School, 3305 Popular Springs Road, Gainesville. For details, please see www.lanierlandarc.org 

JULY 14-15 --- IARU HF World Championships CW/SSB 1200Z-1200Z 10M-160M For details, see www.iaru.org/contest.html or April QST, page 102

JULY 21-22 --- CQ Worldwide VHF Contest. 1800Z July 21- 2100Z July 22. 6 & 2M, all modes. See www.cqww-vhf.com 

JULY 29 --- Flight of the Bumblebees. CW QRP. Another QRP in the field event, combining a bit of the great outdoors with some fun operating. Low power portable stations walk, bike, or boat to their operating site, and then sign /BB after their call sign. For info, see www.arsqrp.com/ars/pages/bumblebees/bb_rules.html

AUGUST 11 --- Ellijay Hamfest ("the biggest little Hamfest in Georgia")

AUGUST 18-19 --- Huntsville Hamfest (ARRL National Convention site)

If you get so hot that you're tempted to tear off your clothes and run around naked, take a few swigs of Windex, and the urge will pass. (After all, Windex DOES prevent streaking....)
(based on a joke from GREG TILLMAN, N4VAD)

SILENT KEYS

TRACY SNYDER WD4DMA
NORM TALLEY W4ARH

Sincere condolences to the families and friends of both of these fine men.

Well, folks, that's about it for now. 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.