Georgia Section On My Mind

August, 2005

Greetings, All. Looks like we're deep into the hot weather now, huh? Once again, the farmers have been feeding their chickens plenty of ice chips in a vain attempt to try to keep them from laying those hard boiled eggs. But as my mother used to say, "This too shall pass...." In the meantime, y'all keep cooooool.

Ok, you should all be well aware by now of the FCC proposal to do away with element one, the 5 wpm Morse code test. This has met with cheers from some of our Georgia hams, and has been deeply lamented by others as a signal that we're stomping on tradition, and that CW will end up going the way of the dinosaurs. Not so, grasshoppers! The elimination of the testing requirement doesn't mean gloom and doom for the mode itself. CW will remain a wonderful part of this hobby, and those who learn it will continue to take pride in its mastery. In last month's newsletter, I mentioned the code course that has been developed by CHUCK ADAMS, K7QO, that helps develop your high speed code proficiency. It can be downloaded from his website at http://www.k7qo.net but if you don't want to go the downloading route, there is another way: FISTS will also provide you a copy via snail mail. A padded mailer or cardboard envelope is recommended, and if you send it, SASE, to NANCY KOTT, NX8C, at P.O. Box 47, Hadley, MI, 48440, she'll send you that terrific course. In addition, Chuck has also started a new CW Book-of-the-Month code practice program, where he converts a book to mp3 format, starting at 20 wpm, and increasing by 2 wpm every two hours. Sound pretty neat? The book for July was "The Wizard of Oz", and August's challenge is "War of the Worlds". To receive one of these books to test (and improve) your skills, send five dollars to K7QO, along with a self-addressed mailing label.

Our webmaster, ROBERT TYLER, KF4VBR, has been wanting someone to help with the arrl-ga website for about a year now. I'm very pleased to announce that it was worth the wait, because ROSS STATHAM, KX4BSA, has agreed to do "as much or as little" as is needed to see to the care and feeding of our section website. If you've ever looked at the www.forsythares.org website, you'll have an idea of just how much talent and creativity Ross brings to the task. We're very grateful to have him. Thank you, Ross.

Last month, I mentioned a couple of towers that were for sale, and one person who responded was ANDY ANDERSON, K4PSW, who said, "I don't NEED one; I have one to go!" What Andy has to offer is a Rohn 25 tower, 3 guy lines with anchors, 3 ft in ground, 10 foot section, 10 foot top section with rotor base and bearings, an 8 foot pipe for antenna, a Cushcraft 312 2 M antenna, and a Hygain tail twister model T2X rotator with manual. If you check in your handy dandy HRO catalogue for the cost of the rotator alone, you'll be amazed that the asking price for all of this is $425. Plus a little bit of manual labor to take it all down. Andy's in the Augusta area, and you can contact him at k4psw@comcast.net 

It's a pleasure to announce that we've added two more PIOs to the Georgia PR team, headed up by PIC NORM SCHKLAR, WA4ZXV. Representing the Columbia County ARC is DEAN MAPLES, K4EQQ, and SUE GODWIN, W4SUE, comes aboard from the Columbus ARC. Thanks to both of them for stepping forward; we're glad to have you both. (And there's always room for MORE. There are a number of folks out there who already do a terrific job of getting information to the local newspapers and/or TV stations about club activities and amateur radio, in general. Why not join the Georgia team?) Other recent Section appointees are EMORY GORDY, W4WRO, as an Official Emergency Station, and RON WEST, WB3ILX, as a Technical Specialist. Both are members of the Silver Comet ARS, and make fine additions to our field services.

OK, enough chatter. Let's see what's been going on lately, and what's in store for us around the corner...

This month's one-liners come to us from AL MENGES, KF4NXL. They are winning entries to a contest put on every year by the "Washington Post", in which readers are invited to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and then supplying a new definition.... Or by simply supplying an alternate meanings for common words.

Bozone: The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating.

JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Things were pretty quiet for the month of July, with many clubs opting to cancel meetings, and with lighter attendance than usual for those who did hold them. Hams from all over the state were involved in providing communications for various fourth of July parades, the Peachtree Road Race, and other local events. Some were involved in post-hurricane clean-ups and communications, particularly our Red Cross volunteers and members of the GA Baptist Disaster Relief Team. Members of the COLUMBUS ARC worked together in a fun operating event in conjunction with the Museum Ships weekend. Our friends at the LANIERLAND ARC held their tail-gating Hamfest on JULY 9, and I hear that it was very successful and enjoyable for all who attended. That same day was also the Tennessee wedding day for former GA ham CLIFF SEGAR, KD4GT, and his lovely new bride KATI, and my better half MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and I felt honored to be a part of that wonderful experience. What a rollicking adventure, from their exchange of vows while standing in their creek's running waters, to the kazoo serenade (we thought we sounded good!) to the fireworks display that night. A day to long remember. May their love continue to glow as brightly as those fireworks.

Sarchasm: the gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

CLUB NEWS

COLUMBIA COUNTY ARC --- This group has added a fun special event to their calendar. Coming up on October first, from Harlem, Georgia, club members will be operating as W4O, operating from 1300z to 2100z, in conjunction with the annual Oliver Hardy Festival. Maybe you already knew it, (I didn't!) but the well-loved "Ollie" was born right there in Harlem, and this annual festival is to commemorate the life, birthplace, and career of the famous comedy team member. +/- 7.260 Mhz, 14.260 Mhz, 21.360 Mhz. SASE for Certificate. Dean Maples, 1053 Blackfoot Drive, Evans, GA 30809, website WWW.CCARC.HAMRADIOMAN.COM 

COLUMBUS ARC -- Members of the Columbus Amateur Radio Club participated in the Museum Ships Weekend Event Saturday, July 16, 2005, using the club's call sign W4CVY. Two stations, operating on 20 and 40 meters, made about 330 contacts, 17 on CW and the rest on SSB, under less than ideal band conditions. Radios were set up at the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum next to the recovered remains of the ironclad CSS Jackson. This was our second year of participation. The Jackson was built in Columbus at the Confederate States Naval Iron Works but before completion, was captured by Union troops, set afire and cut adrift on the Chattahoochee River. It drifted for two weeks, burned down to the waterline and sank 30 miles downstream. The remains were recovered in the early 1960s. (de SUE GODWIN, W4SUE)

FAYETTE COUNTY ARC --- Our club meets (and eats) once per month on the last Thursday of the month. Some business is conducted as we fellowship and enjoy each others' company. This past Wednesday, several members met on an ARES tabletop training session that involved a scenario very similar to what actually occurred with the recent heavy rains, tornadoes etc. Our main focus will always be the Fayette County Amateur Radio Club but we do have these sidelines that are noteworthy and newsworthy. Additionally, the Volunteer Examiners provide testing sessions once per month and we seem to always have 3 or 4 new hams or upgrades. (de STEVE HUNNICUTT, KA2PWZ)

GA SINGLE SIDEBAND ASSN --- These folks met recently and elected their new slate of officers for the next year. Congratulations to the following fine fellas:
President - CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK; VP- MICKEY ROBINSON, N4DZV; Secretary-Treasurer- JIMMY PIPER, W4HON; and Directors- J.D. GOINGS, AA4P and PAUL PROSSER, WA4RWS. This organization has a long history here in Georgia, and it's good to know that they are still going strong. Best wishes for another successful year. The Georgia Single Sideband Association operates and sponsors The Georgia Single Sideband Net, which meets nightly on 3.975 MHz at 7:00 P.M. Eastern Time.

MIDDLE GA RADIO ASSN --- These folks scored a terrific article in their local newspaper, thanks to club member BILL ELLIOT, KJ4O. You can read all about it at: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/states/georgia/counties/houston_peach/12162361.htm

QCWA --- The August 27 meeting of the Chapter 49ers will feature a fascinating program presented by DX Hall of Famer BOB ALLPHIN, K4UEE, on the Peter I DX-pedition, about all of the extensive planning that went into it, and all of the problems they encountered which ended up derailing those well-laid plans. Meeting at the Fire Mountain Grill, near the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, in Norcross. Eat at noon, with meeting, program and good fellowship to follow. All are welcome.

STATESBORO ARS --- Club members enjoyed another successful field day this year, operating class F from the Red Cross EOC. A slate of interesting programs for upcoming meetings was announced by club president BRIAN KOEHLER, KE4TYQ, and they will include a show-and-tell in July, a video in August, a program on Red Cross shelter operations in September, and a homebrew show-and-tell in October. The November program will include a Skywarn training session by the National Weather Service. Other potential program topics include digital operations,
paper chasing, and contesting. Having LARRY PRICE, W4RA, as a club member gives these lucky folks a unique opportunity to be informed of the international news on amateur radio. Larry recently shared with club members these pertinent items, as reported in the club's newsletter: There is a possibility of a new ham band at 155 Khz, possibly by 2007. There is no low-frequency band currently allocated in the U.S., even though this band is already allocated in Europe. Larry indicated that the U.S. FCC is opposed to this allocation, but will not actively oppose it at WRC 2007. Their apparent reason for this opposition is the claim of power companies for the frequency 135 Khz for signaling purposes. Regarding the 60-meter band, currently allocated in five channels, Larry said that chances are low that a full allocation of that band will be made available to hams. There is 4-meter band, 72 Mhz, allocated in some European countries, although it is close to some radio control frequencies. The frequencies from 37 to 42 Mhz are reasonably open, and additional ham allocation in this area is possible. There are no microwave frequencies allocated above 2.5 gigahertz, and amateur radio should make a serious effort to stake a claim to some of those frequencies. There is a significant possibility that the World Radio Conference scheduled for 2007 will be postponed.

**** REMINDER --- Many of our Special Service Clubs are overdue for renewal; many of our affiliated clubs are overdue for their annual reports. If you have any questions on how to renew or update, please contact either me or our Affiliated Club Coordinator, ROBIN CUTSHAW, AA4RC.

Cashtration: The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

ARES NEWS

FULTON COUNTY --- Metro Atlanta DEC TONY KING, W4ZT, reported on a recent excursion by members of south and north Fulton county ARES members. He wrote: Want to get a few strange looks from the public? Try hauling tower sections up the side of a building in downtown Atlanta! Members of South Fulton and North Fulton ARES got together for a work party at the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency to haul Rohn 25G tower sections to the roof for use in a horizontal antenna structure. It was impossible to get the tower to the roof by any other means than pulling it up the side of the building. Participants were Sam Smith, N4MAP; Jim Cook, Director AFCEMA; Tony King, W4ZT; David Ziskind, KE4QLH; Darryl Vickers, N4OME; John Lesak, N4JML; Rick Muller, KC4HYM; and Patty King, W4PTK.

Pictures of this adventure are posted at: http://afcema.sfares.org/20050709/

LUMPKIN and DAWSON counties ARES groups have combined their weekly net, meeting every Monday evening at 8 PM on the 146.835 repeater.

WORTH COUNTY --- I think we can safely say that the drought has officially ended here in Georgia. The massive amounts of rain which fell over many parts of the state, courtesy of Hurricanes Dennis and Emily, brought flooding to numerous areas. Southwest GA was one of the areas that was hard-hit, and Worth county EC KEN ADAMS, K1KBA, provides the following account:

On Sunday, July 10, 2005 Hurricane Dennis dropped more than seven and one half inches of rain on Sylvester, Georgia in Worth County. Throughout the day and into the night the heavy rains came. At 11:15 PM the Worth County 911 Center called Ken Adams, K1KBA, who is the Worth County ARES Emergency Coordinator and a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer. They were requesting assistance for citizens who were being flooded out of their homes by the rising water from the excessive rains of Hurricane Dennis.

ARES members of the Albany Amateur Radio Club were called to respond to the needs of flood victims in Sylvester and Worth County Georgia as well as a few victims in Dougherty County. The Dougherty County Rescue Team was put on alert but they were not needed because local residents provided boats and manpower for those needing rescue by boat.

Ken Adams called fellow ARES members in Albany for assistance. Bob Smith, K4PHE, Richard Morefield, WB4TFW, Allan Russell, KI4HLN and Arthur Shipley, N4GPJ were soon on their way to Sylvester. Ken's wife, Glenda Adams, W4GWA also assisted in the response. Calls were made to the Albany chapter of the American Red Cross and a Disaster Shelter was opened in the gymnasium of the Worth County High School to receive the displaced residents.

The immediate need was to open a Red Cross emergency shelter in Sylvester for the displaced residents. Some residents had to be rescued by boat as the water reached as high as five feet deep inside some homes and turned streets and neighborhoods into rivers of water and debris. Several residents said the water rose so fast that it was into their homes before they were aware of the problem. Over one hundred homes were affected by the flood waters but thankfully there were no injuries The Red Cross shelter took in 17 people that first night.

Working with Worth County Emergency Management personnel and local Public Safety officials, transportation for the flood victims to the disaster shelter was provided by the ARES members. Throughout the morning hours until around 6:00 AM more calls came in of new areas being flooded as water continued to rise. More calls were in the outlying county areas and it seemed that the water within the City limits had reached its peak. The ARES members patrolled the affected area of the city and the outlying county looking for other homes and families that might need assistance. Many roads were washed out and several roads were impassable because of water still standing several inches deep.

In the days following the initial flood response, these same ARES members performed the duties of Red Cross volunteers and conducted Damage Assessment of the affected homes. Bob Smith, K4PHE, Richard Morefield, WB4TFW, Arthur Shipley, N4GPJ and Ken Adams, K1KBA visited each home and documented the amount of damage to each one. They handed out bottled water to the flood victims as well as the clean up crews from various churches and other organizations who help remove all of the damaged furniture and appliances.

Ken Adams, K1KBA wishes to thank his fellow ARES members who quickly responded to his call for help. Worth County has only three ARES members but he knew that a phone call to the Albany Amateur Radio Club members would bring the needed help and it did. "When you already know that they will come, it is a comfort to have friends and fellow ARES members like these", said Ken.

Inoculatte: to take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

WINLINK 2000- AN UPDATE: WHERE ARE WE NOW?

It was after the July 2004 ARRL Board of Directors meeting that the recommendation was made that WinLink 2000 be adopted by the ARES organization as an additional way to provide service to our served agencies. At that time, I provided the following information:

You've probably been reading and hearing more about this technology lately, especially since the Board of Directors' recent recommendation that WinLink be adopted by ARES as an additional communications tool with which to better accommodate the needs of our served agencies. There are many good reasons for this recommendation. Among them:

1. There may be situations where ARES will be called upon to pass digital traffic across the nation quickly and accurately. Email can do this. And it provides an accurate record.
2. Efficient use of the spectrum, especially through digital modes, effectively demonstrates to policymakers and regulators alike that we are good stewards of the spectrum that has been entrusted to us, and may actually strengthen our case should we seek additional spectrum allocations in the future.
3. The use of email is universal, so our served agencies are used to it and will be most comfortable being able to continue using it in times of emergencies.

OK, so are you scratching your head, saying something along the lines of, "Email is NOT amateur radio, and that's NOT why I got licensed?!"

That's a perfectly understandable sentiment. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I have a LOT to learn about this mode, but let me share just a little bit about it, as I understand it. Have you heard of the "Last Mile"? That's the incident area where conventional communications have been totally disrupted or overloaded by an emergency situation. With the use of WinLink, amateur radio can provide email capabilities to any served agency, without telephone service, without the Internet.... within that "last mile", across the nation, or around the world.

DICK MONDRO, W8FQT, Vice Director of the Great Lakes Division and chairman of ARESCOM (the committee formed to examine how to best provide emergency communications to our served agencies) wrote this about WinLink: "This is a working, reliable, redundant system that is being tried out, and it's currently capable of supplying served agencies with seamless, end-to-end "last mile" email from their own email programs on their own desktop computers with or without normal Internet connectivity. In addition, it provides an opportunity to establish Internet connectivity over HF should normal regional Internet links be disrupted. All of this may happen with little or no learning curve on the part of those who will benefit from the system, and without adding additional stress to an already stressful situation."

And just how would we accomplish this, you might ask? Currently, there are two central redundant servers, called CMBOs, or "Central Mailbox Offices", one on the east coast and one on the west coast, each located in a secure site with backup power. A worldwide network of participating radio stations, called PMBOs, or "Participating Mailbox Offices", enable users to communicate, either directly through the PMBOs, or through other modules. There are currently 41 of these public PMBOs, 23 of which are located in the US. All of the US mailboxes are permanently hooked up to the Internet.

Each PMBO, incorporating a VHF/UHF Telpac node onsite, has the ability to hub all digital radio traffic that passes through it, both UHF/VHF and HF. For emergency communications, with a "non-public" ARES PMBO installed at emergency management facilities, intended for emergency communications only... not for everyday usage, served agencies would be able to send each other email, as well as email the field, all without any Internet capability. If you haven't already read it, you might read Part One of the article in the August QST describing how this system functions in the Houston, Texas, area.

The software to run WinLink is free. The hardware to make it work, alas, is not. A basic WinLink HF long range field station would require an HF transceiver, a Pactor capable modem, (PactorII @ 800 bps. P3 @ 3600 bps. recommended) an HF multiband antenna, possibly a tuner, 12V DC power source, and a laptop computer (Win 95 or later) If you're running a BBS, you probably already have the essential ingredients.

This technology, developed by hams for hams, could be a valuable addition to our current means of emergency communications. I repeat, a "valuable addition". There will continue to be a need for more traditional NTS and digital NTS modes. Implementing WinLink into our ARES work will take time, work, and money. Nonetheless, if we are truly a part of Homeland Security, and if we want to provide the best emergency communications possible for our served agencies, it behooves us to learn more about this technology and investigate means to integrate it into GA ARES.

For more information, and even a great downloadable power point presentation on WinLink, see www.winlink.org

That was a year ago, so where do we stand now?

For the past year, our digital DEC JOHN KRAUS, KC4ZGQ, has experimented with WinLink 2000 and has become very much an advocate of its capabilities and is convinced that it can greatly enhance our emergency response plans. Mind you, this is not meant to be a replacement for whatever your group uses now, whether that be the Packet Client developed by STAN EDWARDS, WA4DYD, or some other preferred mode of operations, but as an additional and valuable tool to add to our bag of tricks. It has been used successfully by other emergency communicators around the country, and it was recently added to the response efforts of the GA Baptist Disaster Relief folks during the recent hurricanes. With John's able assistance, baby steps have been made towards integrating its usage into the GA ARES. Thanks to him and our DEC for GEMA, LOWRY ROUSE, KM4Z, the GEMA SOC now has installed this program.

And yet, most of us are still somewhat clueless, including me. So I asked John to provide us with some basic information about this system, which will hopefully answer some of the questions that are still prevalent out there.

QUESTION: Do I HAVE to have one of those high dollar Pactor III TNCs?

ANSWER: High dollar TNC's? Absolutely not. Especially at the local level. I do think some of the wealthier groups and individuals may choose to obtain these but for the individual or county level EC they are not required.

QUESTION: Do we HAVE to provide a constant Internet connection?

ANSWER: A constant internet connection is only required if you plan to run a full time Telpac gateway or EMCOMM PMBO.

QUESTION: What I'd like for you to do, John, is to write what Mike calls a "dump truck".... in simple, easy to understand words that even those who know nothing at all about digital modes can understand.... description of your vision for the use of WinLink to supplement our emergency response capabilities here in GA, and here's the important part: What exactly does that entail for each EC and/or ARES member? I'm talking in simple terms. If this plan is going to succeed, it's imperative that everyone understands, "What do I have to DO??" Downloading the free software..... OK.... then what?? Assume that people reading your explanation know nothing about WinLink and its capabilities.

ANSWER: Ok ya want simple I'll give ya simple.

Download Airmail then call me. I will have you up in about 30 minutes with no hardware connection at all. This program uses a modular connection scheme and one of the modules is telnet. This will work with a dialup connection and can even function as a backup for your regular email.

PS Many Howtos have already been written and are posted on the Winlink site. Lowry and I are working on a plan to hold a series of "Winlink Weekends" at the training center in Forsyth. I am planning on adapting some documentation that I got from Jerry Reimer KK5CA the SEC for the South Texas section. They have been using Winlink for several years.

One good site for this is: http://home.earthlink.net/~bscottmd/wl2k_implement.htm 

Once you are up on telnet it is easy to add VHF packet or even Pactor I if you have a KAM that supports it. However, I don't recommend Pactor I for any real volume of traffic it will work for short <500 word text messages. However it will be best to have stations at each end running Airmail and avoid the need to find a Winlink PMBO that supports Pactor I. Most don't accept Pactor I simply due to the extremely slow connection compared to Pactor II. It is on the order of hours vs minutes for the same message.

My goal is to train as many hams as possible in the installation and setup of the Airmail and Telpac programs. Both are free and for the RF link they only need a basic 2 meter radio and TNC. Airmail supports a smaller list of TNC's but Telpac can use the AGWPE packet engine to handle almost any common TNC. These two programs should be on every well equipped hams computer. When combined with basic packet equipment they allow two hams to create a ham radio wireless bridge in less than an hour.

My basic recommendation is for the establishment of VHF Telpac gateways in as many communities as possible. When coupled with a trained ham using airmail the potential exists to bridge the last mile in the absence of internet connectivity at a given EOC or Command post.

Once this is under way and we have proven the value to GEMA and other agencies I would like to undertake a grant proposal to have GEMA / OHS fund several complete portable HF Winlink Pactor III stations. These would be pre-sited in chosen locations to enable NVIS range last mile bridging.

Remember it won't require one of these at every EOC.

73 de John F. Kraus II KC4ZGQ
DIGITAL_COMMS_GA@cox.net
GA-ARES DEC for Digital Communications

So, there ya have it. I'll let you know when these classes are scheduled at the Forsyth training center. Hopefully, by this time next year, many more of us will have a better understanding of this system, and we will have made great strides towards its effective usage here in Georgia.

Coffee: the person upon whom one coughs.

ARES REPORT FROM STAN EDWARDS, WA4DYD, ASEC

Thank you to all who submitted their reports this month. Those reporting included many groups with only a few members, including some where the only members is the EC.

Here are statistics for DEC and EC reports for the month of June (reported in July) based on the filled positions:

Central 10.5%
East Central 16.7%
Metro Atlanta 36.4%
Northeast 35.7%
Northwest 33.3%
Southeast 33.3%
Southwest 22.2%
West Central 0.0%

Non-District DECs 50.0%

Total Reporting 28.23% of appointees

Based on these reports, here are summary numbers for the Section:

Total Section ARES members: 1199 includes previously reported membership
New members from last report: +30
Total net sessions: 85
Drills, Tests, Training Sessions: 101 Man-Hours: 1248
Public Service Events: 8 Man-Hours: 392
Emergency Operations: 2 Man-Hours: 22
Misc. Events: 68 Man-Hours: 1230
Total Events: 179 Man-Hours: 2892

The key thing is that these ARES groups took time to file their monthly reports using the on-line reporting system. Reporting is one of the administrative expectations of the DEC and EC positions. Please take the few minutes required each month to file your monthly report so we can accurately report activity to the ARRL. Reports are due the 5th of the month following the reported month. Information about filing can be downloaded from the GA ARES website, www.gaares.org  and going to Plans & Guidelines. Download document ADM 2-1. Should you have any questions, please contact me.

NOTE: Some additional reports were filed after the deadline, bringing the numbers up a little, as follows:

Total Section Membership: 1177 Change Since Last Month: +8
Total Number of Net Sessions: 101
Drills, Tests and Training Sessions: 116 Man-Hours: 2398

Public Service Events: 10 Man-Hours: 748
Emergency Operations: 2 Man-Hours: 22
Miscellaneous Events: 74 Man-Hours: 1392
Total Operations: 202 Man-Hours: 4560

Arachnoleptic fit: the frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

NET REPORT FROM JIM HANNA, AF4NS, STM

PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL:

STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS:

Traffic handled (QTC):

** SID HUTCHINSON, WB4GGS, earned yet another BPL listing in QST, with 256 messages sent and 248 received, for a grand total of 504. CONGRATULATIONS!

"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

NET NEWS

** For MORE information about MORE nets than you can imagine, check out this website, provided by BILL CHEREPY, WB4WTN: http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html

** And 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

** And these nets, information courtesy of FELTON FLOYD, AF4DN: Southbears Regional HF net, Sundays at 3:30PM, on 7260 KHz, and Southbears National HF Net, on Sundays at 4:30PM on 14.265 MHz

** Members of the Dalton ARC are a-buzz about the Geritol net. This net operates in the Extra portion of 75M, and provides certificates for WAS. See www.qsl.net/geratol 

** ALFRED WESTBROOK, KT4VP, reports that there is a new Deep South 2 M daily SSB net. For info, see http://www.deepsouthnet.net/

** I got an email from a gentleman ham from another state, asking me to please check into the CENTURY CLUB NET, which meets every night at 0230Z on 3.902 MHz, because he needed to work a GA YL in order to earn an award. When I obliged, I was very impressed with the folks on this net (and VERY surprised at how many of them wanted to work ME!) This is a "Worked All States and Awards Net", and they even have their very own QSL bureau to save members some of the cost of QSL-ing. (They all sent QSL cards to me directly, with SASE.) The way this net works is check-ins are called for by call areas, and once check-ins are complete, they start at the top of the list, asking each person in turn who they'd like to contact. I only stayed for one list, but they go through the process again; I don't know how many times. I believe they hold nets on both 80 and 40 M, and it's a good way to get your WAS or a whole host of other awards offered by the club. Check http://www.3905ccn.com for more information. By the way, our own HOWIE GOULD, W9HG, was one of the founders of this club (1977) and served as its charter president. He also attended a convention held by them the end of July.... right here in Georgia.

Caterpallor: the color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

APRS CHANGES

In the March, 2005, newsletter, there was some information about the recommended changes for APRS settings. To refresh your memory, here's a thumbnail rerun of that information, as provided at that time by JOHN KRAUS, KC4ZGQ:

These changes can be summed up as falling into two primary categories.

1) Moving away from the generic digi paths of RELAY, WIDE and TRACE
2) Providing for local operations while limiting the impact of increasing load on a limited resource (1200 baud ALOHA packet channel)

The APRS new paradigm is described by BOB BRUNINGA, WB4APR in this webpage:

http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs/fix14439.html

For users the currently recommended outgoing path is WIDE2-2. If you are using RELAY OR WIDE in you path please change to WIDE2-2 now. Once this plan is implemented the two basic paths in Georgia will be WIDE2-2 for routine communications with WIDE3-3 for mobiles in more remote areas. The use of GAn-N will be reserved for statewide communications. It is the intent of this plan to get rid of generic RELAY, WIDE, and TRACE.

ALLEN KENNY, KK4EMK, recently sent me a note about these changes, and said that he'd noticed that there are still a number of APRS users here in Georgia who continue to operate under the old parameters. Allen admitted that he'd been a little confused about exactly what changes he had to make and what the reasoning was behind those changes until he read an excellent article written by STEVEN SMITH, WA8LMF. He said that the article does an outstanding job of explaining the situation and what changes users must make, and suggested that I promote the reading of this article so all of our APRS users out there can gain a better understanding of how and why to comply. You can find this article, "APRS Digipeating and Path Selection 101" at http://webs.lanset.com/wa8lmf/DigiPaths/index.htm 

Thanks, Allen!

Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

PBS AND AMATEUR RADIO

This information comes to us from another Allen, ALLEN PITTS, W1AGP, Media and Public Relations Manager for the ARRL:

A unique opportunity exists for promoting Amateur Radio in September. PBS, the national Public Broadcasting Service, is hosting two special shows on September 12 and 19. These will be "Fred Friendly Seminars" which are tied to the Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Month. As part of these special presentations, local PBS stations are being encouraged to have live panel discussions and other activities featuring their area's emergency responders and organizations.

BARBARA MARGOLIS, CEO of the Fred Friendly Seminars, says that they are willing to push Amateur Radio in their promotions of the shows. While the local PBS stations may not have decided just what they will do yet (each one can act independently, but most usually follow the format), this is a chance for appropriately selected ARRL/ARES leaders to contact their local stations and be part of the local discussion.

Soooooo, what I am looking for are some of you good, sharp, literate, camera friendly people out there who are familiar with ARES activities to contact me to be one of those "selectees" to approach a local PBS station in your area and become part of the local dialog and activities that are planned around these shows. We can't go off all willy nilly with this, but I know we have some extremely capable folks who can serve as able representatives of amateur radio, and with an organized effort, we can take advantage of this terrific opportunity.

Please contact me and let me know if you'd be interested in this unique opportunity.

You can learn more about the shows at:

http://www.pbs.org/fredfriendly/disconnected/seminars.html
http://www.fredfriendly.org

Esplanade: to attempt an explanation while inebriated

SECTION NOTABLES

Well, there's no doubt that we have a LOT of section notables, but no news has come this way about any of them this month.

However, I would like to mention an "adopted" GA Section member. That's BRIAN MILESHOSKY, N5ZGT, Vice Director of the Rocky Mountain Division. Brian has been here in Georgia for the past year as a student at Georgia Tech, and in the time he's been here, he's attended club meetings, ARES meetings and Hamfests, operated at Field Day with the Gwinnett ARS, and has even served as a regular net control station for the Atlanta ARC. In other words, he's made his presence known, in a very friendly and most pleasant way. He will be receiving his Masters Degree the beginning of August, and then will be heading back to New Mexico and his lovely bride. CONGRATULATIONS, Brian! All of us who've had the pleasure of meeting you will not forget you. You've left your imprint on the section and in our lives. Best wishes for a very successful future.

Oyster: a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)

*** It was terrific to read that REBECCA RICH, KB0VVT, OF Raytown, MO, was chosen as this year's recipient of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award. We had the privilege of meeting this bright young lady at the Dayton Hamvention this year, and were very impressed with her poise and abilities. This seventeen year old has been licensed for almost ten years now, and she became a 20 wpm extra class operator at the ripe old age of eight. Since then, she's been an avid contester and a real asset to her local DX and Contest groups, partly due to her high-speed code capabilities. She's a real whiz kid, and a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.

*** Talking about recipients of this award, our own ANDREA HARTLAGE, KG4IUM, last year's HPM award winner, as well as the Young Ham of the Year award, recently spent an amazing week at the Space Camp in Huntsville, AL, as part of her YHOTY award. By all accounts, she had a fantastic time and enjoyed lots of hands-on experiences and team building exercises. If you see her, ask her about it.... I'm sure she'd be happy to tell you all about it. She has some great pictures to share, too.

*** While we're on the topic of Young Ham of the Year awards, this year will mark the first GA Section Young Ham of the Year Award, to be bestowed at the Alford Memorial ARC's Hamfest in Lawrenceville this November. (Andrea very wisely suggested that we NOT call it the "GA Section Piglet of the Year" award, seeings as how that wouldn't look nearly as impressive on some young person's resume.) For directions on how to nominate someone for this award, go to www.arrl-ga.org  for the pertinent information and application. We're blessed here in Georgia with a lot of very worthy young people in the hobby. Your son or daughter maybe? A neighbor? A really bright youngster in your local ham club or Scout troop? Please help us select this year's winner by nominating that special young person that YOU know.

*** BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE ---As many of you already know, the 2005 National Scout Jamboree is now underway at Fort AP Hill, Virginia. It began on Monday, July 25 and will run until Wednesday, August 3, and thousands of Boy Scouts from all over the country are there. K2BSA, the official Amateur Radio station of the Boy Scouts of America, will be on the air (as K2BSA/4) for the duration of the Jamboree. Staff and volunteers (including ARRL staff member Larry Wolfgang, WR1B) will assist already-licensed scouts to operate the station and experience all that ham radio has to offer. In addition to workshops for the Radio merit badge, the K2BSA staff will be offering licensing classes and examinations for those bitten by the radio bug while at the Jamboree.

By monitoring the Scout frequencies and making a contact with K2BSA, you just might be helping a Scout to earn his Radio merit badge or even be that memorable First Contact for a scout who's earned his brand new Amateur Radio privileges.

Band SSB CW
80 meters 3.940 MHz 3.590 MHz
40 meters 7.270/7.290* MHz 7.030 MHz
20 meters 14.290 MHz 14.070 MHz
15 meters 21.360 MHz 21.140 MHz
10 meters 28.360/28.990 MHz 28.190 MHz

* Note that 7.290 MHz is the AM Calling Frequency, according to the ARRL Band Plan http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/40m.

With a ban on cell phones at the Jamboree, K2BSA will serve as an important contact point for message traffic into and out of the Jamboree. Those who know scouts who will be attending the National Jamboree can surprise them with a greeting via Amateur Radio! Make your station and traffic-handling skills available to parents and Scout leaders back home and offer to send messages to the campers.

Traffic handlers are encouraged to use the National Traffic System (NTS) rather than the Scout frequencies to pass traffic. There's a list of traffic nets on the ARRL Web site http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nets/.

To address traffic to a scout at the Jamboree, use the following address format:

Scout's Full Name
Jamboree Troop XXXX
Subcamp No XX
2005 National Scout Jamboree
Bowling Green, VA 22428-Troop#

The Troop number used in the address is a special number assigned for use during the Jamboree. It is not the scout's hometown troop number. Scouts and parents can get the Jamboree troop number and subcamp number from the Jamboree registration information they received. If you don't have the Jamboree troop number and subcamp number, then use the scout's hometown BSA council name.

July 25 until August 3 is also a good time to check into your local traffic net, because scouts may be generating traffic home from the Jamboree. Outlets are needed to clear traffic from the nets and deliver them to parents andfriends.

K2BSA/4 has been approved for a contact with the crew of the International Space Station. The date and time of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) QSO have not yet been established, however, and current plans to launch the shuttle Discovery to the ISS on July 26 could complicate matters.

For more information, visit the K2BSA Web site: http://www.lightlink.com/bbm/k2bsa.html.--Brian Cieslak, K9WIS

*** KIDS SPECIAL EVENT STATION--- August 6, 1200Z- 2000Z. W9Z from the Broad Ripple Hamfest in Indianapolis. 28.350, 21.330, 14.280, 7.250. Certificate. All operators at this event will be 18 years old and under.

*** Have you read this month's online youth column yet? Check it out at: http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/07/24/1/ Andrea's column always has items of interest for young and old alike.

Hipatitis: terminal coolness.

TECH TIPS

*** Getting a little bored on these long hot summer days? How about a project for your shack? See www.arrl.org/tis You'll find "Projects for the Shack" under the technical information page menu

*** Already working on a project and need some help or inspiration with a circuit design? With more than 11,000 circuits, this site is sure to provide you with whatever help you may need: http://www.discovercircuits.com 

*** For a site that is chock full of valuable information, especially regarding antennas and amplifiers, check out the site of Georgia's own TOM RAUCH, W8JI, noted 160 M guru and all-around Elmer. http://www.w8ji.com 

*** A year or more ago, I mentioned a "hamband" website, with numerous songs all about, what else? Amateur radio. Well, DOUG REED, N3AIA, provided this related URL that you might all enjoy. He said, "I don't know if you have seen this or not, but it gives a whole new meaning to the term, 'Armstrong Rotor'. Just make sure to have your sound turned on." http://64.27.98.24/clip.ram Takes a few minutes to load but it's worth the effort.

*** Contester's Rate Sheet timely, informative, humorous: What absolutely free biweekly ARRL e-mail newsletter provides timely news, product releases, technical tips and tricks, information about and results from radiosport events, and even a sprinkle of ham radio humor? If you're one of the more than 13,100 subscribers to the Contester's Rate Sheet you already know the answer. Noted Amateur Radio writer Ward Silver, N0AX, edits each edition. Signing up to receive it couldn't be easier. Just visit the ARRL Web site:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/about.html#get and follow the directions to bring the Rate Sheet to your e-mail inbox every other Wednesday. Even non-contesters will find lots of good technical and product information. Recent issues have featured notes on safe tower work, sources for inexpensive Field Day logging software, new radio books, propagation predictors, operating from Canada and a humorous list of new definitions. Back issues are available on the ARRL Web site http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/.

*** ARRL Goes to Washington! New Video Available for Download--The ARRL has made available a 10 minute video documenting its actions advocating for Amateur Radio in Washington. The ARRL Goes to Washington is now available for downloading from the website at www.arrl.org/pio/VTS-video 

Featuring ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and having narration by Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, the debut of the presentation at Dayton was resoundingly positive. Now it can be downloaded right off the website and saved into your computer or to a CD. It is a great discussion topic for club meetings and programs.

Because it is usually done quietly, the extensive activities of the ARRL behind the scenes in Washington only receive occasional notice compared to the actual amount of work done in behalf of Amateur Radio. This is an opportunity to bring this critical ARRL function to the attention of your group in an entertaining way.

The video is not for broadcast, but intended for showing in groups, Hamfests, forums and clubs. It was produced by Dave Bell, W6AQ, Alan Kaul, W6RCL, and Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. The file is 95 megabytes so you will need a high speed connection, but higher resolution copies on DVD disks will be available in a few weeks.

*** Are you a fan of old Navy radios? Old broadcast radios? How about old ham stations? Check out this site for all of the above: http://uv201.com/index.html

Dopeller effect: the tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AUGUST 5-8 --- Getting itchy for football season to start? How about a contact with the Football Hall of Fame to tide you over? 1400Z Aug 5- 0400Z Aug 8. Canton ARC Special Event Station W8AL 7.265, 14.265, 21.365, 28.365 CERTIFICATE. QSL WQ8J

AUGUST 6-7 --- National Lighthouses/Ships on the Air. 0001Z Aug 6-2359Z Aug 7 There seems to be more and more lighthouses on the air every year. How many can YOU work??

AUGUST 6-7 --- North American QSO Party (CW) 1800Z Aug 6- 0600Z Aug 7. See www.ncjweb.com for more info

AUGUST 6-7 --- ARRL UHF Contest 1800Z Aug 6- 1800Z Aug 7. See www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2005/uhf.html for details.

AUGUST 6-7 --- Ten Ten International Phone QSO Party 0001Z Aug 6- 2359Z Aug 7. www.ten-ten.org 

AUGUST 13--- ELLIJAY HAMFEST--- Ellijay Lions Club, 1729 S. Main St (old Hwy 5 South) SETUP Friday evening from 5-9 PM and at 6 AM Saturday. General admission at 7 AM. FREE! Tailgating and covered pavilion sites available. VE testing at 9 AM. Raffle tickets available for IC-2100H 2M mobile transceiver and for an IC-V8 2M HT, $1 each, or 6 for $5. Hope to see you there!

AUGUST 20-21 --- HUNTSVILLE, AL HAMFEST. SE Division Convention.

AUGUST 20-21 --- North American QSO Party (SSB) 1800Z Aug 20- 0600Z Aug 21. www.ncjweb.com 

AUGUST 20-21 --- International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. 0001Z Aug 20- 2359Z Aug 21. Another opportunity to work even more lighthouses.

AUGUST 23 --- HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our own Director of Vice, SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU (and many more!!)

AUGUST 28 --- Colorado QRP Club's Summer VHF/UHF QSO Party. SSB/CW/FM. 5W maximum power. See www.cqc.org/contests/summer05.htm for more information.

SEPTEMBER 3-4 --- SHELBY HAMFEST

Abdicate: to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

SILENT KEYS

JERRY ADAMS, N4ZKO
HENRY "BUDDY" OWEN, W4VWA
JIM REEVES, KF4GEZ

Heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all of these fine men.

Well, gang, 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.

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