September, 2003

Greetings, fellow hams-ters.

Hope the (SHELBY!!) world has been treating (SHELBY!!) you all well. Without a lot (SHELBY!! SHELBY!!) of chatter, let's get right into (SHELBY!) the newsletter, and see what's been (SHELBY!) happening lately, and what's coming up (SHELBY!) around the corner. For some reason, I just can't (SHELBY!) seem to concentrate on writing this intro, which I actually do LAST, after writing the rest of the newsletter.

Seriously, this weekend is the Shelby Hamfest. Our favorite. It's a Hamfest that's more than just a Hamfest, with the festival-like atmosphere there all week long. How much do we like it? One year, honest to goodness, the engine in my car blew about halfway there. Labor Day weekend, uh-huh. Out of state, uh huh. Did that stop us? No, sir-ee. We weren't able to get to the Hamfest on Friday, like we usually do, but we sure as shootin' managed to get the car towed to a shop to get a new engine, got ourselves a rental car, and made it to the Hamfest all day Saturday and Sunday...... (which actually sounds much easier than it was!)

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

The things that come to those who wait are usually the things left by those who got there first.

AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

August 2-3--- Pan-Am Lighthouses on the Air event--- For the third year in a row, Mike and I had the pleasure of participating in this fun event from the Tybee Island lighthouse. The number of operators was down this year from years past, but the propagation was considerably more favorable this year, meaning those of us who did operate had the wow-is-this-ever-fun experience of drawing and working pile-ups. Twenty meters was the workhorse for us, but forty meters performed pretty well, too. We ran four stations, with three antennas strung from the top of the lighthouse: a G5RV fed our station; STEVE REYNOLDS, W4CNG, chose his off-center-fed half square; and Tybee Islander (and lighthouse stair-climber!) KEVIN BELL, WD0GFG, chose that old dependable standby, a long wire. First time participant KARL MELCHER, KG4OYR, happily set up his station and then slung his pre-cut antenna up in the palm trees. Unfortunately, he'd cut it for fifteen meters. Enough said. Undeterred, Karl embraced the opportunity to experiment a little, and seemed to enjoy the experience of yanking his antenna down, measuring and cutting, and then re-slinging it back in the trees to check its performance on various bands, in between operating from one of the other stations. All in all, it was another terrific venture. Kinda like Field Day, only 300 miles plus from the home shack for most of us. Thanks to everyone who visited with us, especially GA Army MARS SMD DAVID ANTHONY, KB4ERK, and his dear mother MISS EDNA, KF4TZZ, who enjoyed some much-deserved R&R with us in the south Georgia sunshine.

August 9--- Valdosta "Super Tailgate" Hamfest--- Congratulations to Hamfest visionary WAYNE BRANT, KO4QJ, Valdosta ARC president, and the primary moving force behind Year One of this brand new Hamfest. And what a Year One it was, too! Housed in a large facility that offers lots of room for growth, and an attendance topping over 300, Wayne has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that south Georgia and north Florida hams were eager to support a new Hamfest in their neck of the woods. One difficulty faced by any group attempting to start up a Hamfest is that old catch-22 bugaboo: the venders don't want to come until a fest has grown, and it's hard to grow a fest if the venders don't come. Hats off to a couple of our favorite venders, JESSE and CAROL, of C&J Radio, who took a leap of faith and came this year to help this Hamfest get off to a good start. Every Hamfest has to have a Year One, and I'd say that this first year for Valdosta promises a rosy future. Wayne and his fellow club members have already started planning for next year....

He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

CLUB NEWS

ALFORD MEMORIAL ARC--- The August club meeting featured the ever-popular "show and tell" program, which always proves enjoyable. Items ranged the gamut from a portable dish antenna for working satellites, brought by ROBIN CUTSHAW, AA4RC, to a nifty antique hand-cranked code tutor, that runs a paper tape, shown by club prez GENE BLACKBURN, N4UJ, with a host of other goodies in between. Very entertaining. And the flag that Congresswoman DENISE MAJETTE had flown over the US Capitol building on the 4th of July in honor of the club was presented to the club by GEORGE COLLETTI, KE4SFO, and was encased in a beautiful flag display case, which had been built by JAY SAGER, WA4BXA.

ARC of AUGUSTA--- Club members will be involved in two different types of training classes: taking CPR training, and offering 16 classes of instruction for technician class licensing, to be taught by DENNIS "PETE" LAPIERRE, K1OYQ. This group is fortunate to count CHUCK TETTERS, W3MEW, among its membership. The frequently published savant on many aspects of amateur radio presented an informative program at the July meeting on the various modes of propagation and their characteristics.

ATLANTA ARC--- Congratulations to these newly elected club officers: President- ROBIN CUTSHAW, AA4RC; VP- MARCEL PITZINI, W5BJV; Secretary- SANDY SLIDER, N4QXI; and long-serving Treasurer- CHARLES GOLSEN, W4CHG. Best wishes for an outstanding year leading one of Georgia's longest-running clubs. The program for the August meeting was on ARES, and was well-presented by DAVID ZISKIND, KE4QLH, EC for North Fulton.

CHEROKEE ARS- As of August 14th, this club's weekly net moved to Thursdays at 8PM (145.370) So, if you were looking for them on Monday night, (like me!) that's the story. Plans are already underway for members to participate in this year's Boy Scout JOTA (Jamboree on the Air), at Reinhardt College, on Saturday, October 18, from 8AM until 5PM, with demonstration stations and operating stations for the boys to make contacts, and with a focus on the Radio merit badge and JOTA.

CONYERS ARG--- In a "now why didn't we think of that?" move, this enterprising club has been building and selling dual band J-pole antennas as a fundraiser. (And I've heard lots of good reports on just how good these antennas are, too.) TIM ROSING, KC4ELV, has been leading these efforts. Great idea, huh?

GA SSB ASSOCIATION--- In an on-the-air meeting held July 14th, new officers were elected to lead this long-lived organization for Georgia hams. Congratulations to these newly elected officers: President- DALE CULP, W1BPP; VP- JAMES HOWARD, WQ4T; Secretary-Treasurer- JIMMY PIPER, W4HON; and Directors- J.D. GOINGS, AA4P and PETER BERTOT, K1GOD. Best wishes to all of you as you lead the association in this next term. The ANNUAL MEETING will be coming up on September 13, at the Piccadilly Restaurant in the Colonial Macon Mall, 11 AM for lunch, with the meeting to follow.

GWINNETT ARS--- CARL PLOTZ, WB9JSW, presented a program on an aspect of ham radio that has quite a following: county hunting. Did you know that some hams have actually worked ALL US counties.... twice and three times over?! Or that Georgia actually offers a "worked all counties" award for working all 159 of our counties (with smaller incremental awards along the way?) Sponsored by the Atlanta ARC, see details at http://www.w4doc.org

NORTH FULTON ARL--- Beginning with the September meeting, this group will change their meeting night to the third Thursday of each month, at the Southern Skillet restaurant in Roswell. Good eating and fellowship first, followed by the meeting at 7:30PM.

VALDOSTA ARC--- Two thumbs up for this club's first Hamfest, held August 9th. Next year's event is already penciled in for August 14th.

From MARGIE BOURGOIN, KB1DCO, that sweet lady who serves as Club & Educational Correspondent for the ARRL, comes this reminder:

"For a club to remain actively listed with, ARRL, we need to receive an update from the club, at least once per year, or as often as changes necessitate. If you have not submitted an update, with us recently, please follow these instructions: To report changes in club data, please go to our website at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd2/
Follow the instructions under the header 'how to submit an update for your club records'. Once the updates are received, the database is updated and then at the end of the day, a report is run to update the club listing on the web page. If your club is an SSC, please be sure that is also updated. The SSC renewal form is located at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/renewal.html"

ALSO, Margie has been working to improve the club pages on the web, and is asking for YOUR help. She says, "We love receiving club newsletters! Our favorite way of receiving them is by email. If your club has an electronic newsletter, could you please send it that way? If you are already doing so, thank you. Receiving them this way will allow us to feature highlights and excerpts from club newsletters in our new club area. Thank you."

OK, I've seen a lot of your newsletters, and they're terrific! Why not "show off" your wares a bit, and start sending them to HQ, if you haven't already been doing so? You can send those electronic versions to Margie at mbourgoing@arrl.org. And check out what a terrific job she's done with the new webpage for clubs at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/

A day without sunshine is like...... night.

ARES NEWS

First things first!!! A great big THANK YOU to the fifteen ECs who filed a report on behalf of their ARES groups for the month of July to SEC MIKE BOATRIGHT, KO4WX. This provided him with enough information to file a report with the ARRL on behalf of the Georgia Section.... The first ARES report filed by our Section for quite a long time. I'm very proud of you guys. A total of 1794.5 man hours was claimed, thank to you guys. Can you imagine what kind of numbers we'll be posting when ALL of you guys start filing every month?! All of you ARES members, check the list of counties who reported this time around. If you don't see your county listed, how about giving your EC a little "nudge"? A big bright GOLD STAR goes to the ECs of the following counties:
**BALDWIN
**BURKE
**CARROLL
**CHEROKEE
**CLAYTON
**COBB
**DEKALB
**EVANS
**FANNIN
**GWINNETT
**HENRY
**MURRAY
**SOUTH FULTON
**NORTH FULTON
**SUMTER
Even if the extent of your group's activities is limited to holding a weekly net at this time, THAT is reportable activity! Georgia is blessed with a terrific bunch of dedicated ARES members, from one end of the state to the other. I'm truly proud of you. How about showing some pride in all of that work you're doing. Make your man hours COUNT. (Think you can at least double... or even triple the number of counties reporting next month? Show me!)

Thanks to ROBERT TYLER, KF4VBR, you can file that report online at www.gaares.org. Gwinnett county EC STAN EDWARDS, WA4DYD, alerted us that the form initially posted on the website wasn't the most recent one. Robert has now replaced it with the latest form. So, thanks for the "heads up", Stan, and thanks to you, Robert, for setting this up for our Section.

The GA SECTION ARES NET held every Sunday at 6PM on 3975 has been going very well, with a good NCS team and lots of check-ins from all over the state. DALE CULP, W1BPP, our DEC for the Red Cross, said he could visualize a big Georgia map that we could light up, county be county, as a representative for that county joined the net. It really would be outstanding if we could "light up" the whole state, wouldn't it? The more of you that participate, the closer we'll come to making that happen. (Is YOUR county being represented? You'll never know if you never check in...)

CONGRATULATIONS and a huge thank you to the following new ECs: LYNN MORGAN, AE4JU, Terrell county; BOB CURREY, W4ALQ, Bibb county; JOHN HUNT, KB4MTE, Jeff Davis county; KEN FIELDS, KE4KRE, Calhoun county; WADE ETHRIDGE, KG4ABK, Colquitt county; and TERRY ATHA, KG4LTL, Butts county. Many thanks to all of you for accepting these appointments and for your willingness to serve.

VACANCIES--- We're still looking for a DEC for the West Central district, as well as multiple ECs in that district, and a DEC for Training and Education. Wouldn't it be terrific if we could offer a bit of worthwhile training on every statewide ARES net? Think you might be interested in organizing efforts to that end, as well as keeping track of the training efforts around the state? If so, contact MIKE BOATRIGHT, KO4WX. (Go ahead. Make his day!) And, y'know, even without a training DEC in place, there's no reason the net couldn't be used as a forum for various ECs to share information about their group's training exercises. The more we share this sort of information, the more the entire organization benefits. Betcha our newer ECs would particularly appreciate the ideas and guidance.

CARROLL COUNTY--- Some members are playing with PSK on 147.525 as a back-up in case the voice repeater goes down.

CHEROKEE ARES--- On August 9th, members participated in an exercise to familiarize them with the Zone Concept, to meet other members in their respective zones, reinforce the need for complete "ready bags", reinforce the need for training and experience in message handling, identify areas that need more training, foster a team attitude, and....... have fun. Whew! Pretty ambitious, huh? They were successful on all counts. EC STEVE HAMMOND, K4SAH, passed out ten sealed envelopes to the Zone Leaders, containing specific tasks to be completed by the team. Each task was challenging, thought-provoking, and required teamwork to successfully complete. And yes, all tasks were successfully completed.

COBB ARES--- This group provided communications support to the City of Marietta Fire and Emergency Services for the 4th of July parade in Marietta, as well as for the Georgia Games, held from July 13th to 27th at 25 different venues around Cobb county. They're pleased to report that they've recently received approval from SERA for a coordinated repeater pair, (442.425/447.425) and work is in progress to finish building and installing their new W4KE repeater. They also have a new webpage http://www.cobbares.org/

DEKALB ARES--- Members participated, along with the Alford Memorial ARC, in providing communications for a 1K Fun Run and parade in Stone Mountain on the 4th of July.

FAYETTE ARES--- Members will be providing communications for the first annual Tri-PTC Triathlon (biking, swimming & running) to be held on September 13th in Peachtree City. Details will be worked out in a meeting on September 11th. If you'd like to help, get in touch with LYNN BIANCO, KN4YZ, at kn4yz@arrl.net for more information on the meeting and the event.

GWINNETT ARES--- EC STAN EDWARDS, WA4DYD, and AEC JOHN DAVIS, WB4QDX, filled the two allotted slots for ARES in a tabletop exercise sponsored by the East Metro Health District and the Gwinnett county EMA, held at Gwinnett Technical College on July 25th. Gwinnett ARES is an active member of the county EOC Steering Committee and plays an active role as a partner with the county in emergency preparedness. Response teams are being formed, based on geographical location in respect to county Fire Stations. Three revised SOPs, a revision to the Skywarn operation plan, and two new SOPs on Safety have been completed recently, and are posted on the webpage, available for download. Additional SOPs for Training Levels and Recognition and for Packet Net operations, are in the works. (These folks have been busy!) During a recent weekly net, the repeater was disabled as a test to see how quickly members could re-establish communications. www.qsl.net/gwinnettares

Under DEC BOB SMITH, K4PHE, the SOUTHWEST GA DISTRICT kicked off a weekly VHF net, to be held every Sunday at 5PM on the 146.820 Albany repeater. The Tall Pines Intertie Link is brought up for this net, extending coverage to include Albany, Tifton, Nashville, Waycross, Valdosta, Lake Park, and Moultrie. All of you SW GA hams are encouraged to participate, if you possibly can. Bob is also planning a get-acquainted district-wide EC meeting, to be held in Moultrie on September 13, to do some group planning for the future of the district.

Likewise, a monthly VHF net is still being held for the METRO ATLANTA DISTRICT, under DEC STEVE REYNOLDS, W4CNG, the first Sunday of each month at 4PM, on the 145.410 MATPARC repeater.

JORGE MESTRE, K4KB, took an online course that he thought some of you might be interested in taking it also. Here's what he says:

"FEMA and The Department of Homeland Security are sponsoring a course entitled Emergency Response to Terrorism. Course number: Q534. It's completely FREE!!!! You may go to the link below, register and download the 100 page manual in Adobe pdf format. Once you have studied it, take the Final Online Exam. If successful, you'll be mailed a Certificate http://lstrng1.fema.gov/LearningSpace5/Program/UI/Main/Themes/Kendall/Main

This 10-hour self-paced course is designed to provide the basic awareness training to prepare first responders to respond to incidents of terrorism safely and effectively. Students who successfully complete the exam will be eligible for a National Fire Academy certificate of training.

Target Audience: Fire, emergency medical, hazmat, incident command and law enforcement responders. ARES too."

Thanks for sharing that with us, Jorge.

CHRIS W1LKE, W1LKE, one of the Assistant DECs at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, has taken on the responsibility of coordinating NWS services with the local clubs and ARES groups that lie within the 96 counties served by that office. What he'd like to do is meet with as many ham clubs and ARES groups as his schedule allows. So, if your club or ARES group is inside that 96 county warning area served by the NWS in Peachtree City, Chris would very much appreciate it if you would be so kind as to e-mail him the date, time and place of your monthly meetings at W1LKE@arrl.net  so he can attend one of your upcoming meetings.

It is said that if you lined up all of the cars in the world, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them

SECTION-WIDE SET SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 4

That's right.... It's SET time again. (Simulated Emergency Test) STEVE REYNOLDS, W4CNG, is madly working on this year's plans, and as soon as they are finalized, I'll be sending them out to y'all ASAP. In the meantime, here's some basic information on the exercise, as described by STEVE EWALD, WV1X, of the ARRL. All of you DECs and ECs should have already received this information, so this is mostly to bring all of the ARES members up to speed.

Guidelines, 2003 Simulated Emergency Test
October 4 - 5

The ARRL Simulated Emergency Test is a nationwide exercise in emergency communications, administered by ARRL Emergency Coordinators and Net Managers. Both ARES and the National Traffic System (NTS) are involved. The SET weekend gives communicators the opportunity to focus on the emergency-communications capability within your community while interacting with NTS nets. Although the main SET weekend this year is October 4-5, local and section-wide exercises may be held throughout the fall season.

Purpose of SET

1. To find out the strengths and weaknesses of ARES and NTS, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and other groups in providing emergency communications.

2. To provide a public demonstration--to served agencies such as Red Cross, Civil Preparedness, and through the news media--of the value to the public that Amateur Radio provides, particularly in time of need.

3. To help radio amateurs gain experience in communications using standard procedures and a variety of modes under simulated-emergency conditions.

Format

The scoring format reflects broad objectives and encourages use of digital modes for handling high-volume traffic and point-to-point Welfare reports out of the affected simulated- disaster area. Participants will find SET an opportunity to strengthen the VHF-HF link at the local level, thereby ensuring that ARES and NTS are working in concert. The SET will give all levels of NTS the chance to handle exercise-related traffic. The guidelines also recognize tactical traffic on behalf of served agencies.

Test messages should carry the word "TEST" before the precedence; that is, "Test Priority" on phone and "TEST P" on cw. The text of such messages should also begin with the words "TEST MESSAGE."

ARES units and other groups are free to conduct their emergency exercises anytime between September 1 and November 30 if an alternative date is preferred. The activity period should not exceed 48 hours.

Links to SET reporting forms and the EC Annual Report may be found on the ARRL Web site. You may e-mail your SET summaries to ARRL Headquarters via sewald@arrl.org. If you mail them to ARRL via the postal service, the address is: ARRL Headquarters, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494. January 30, 2004, is the receipt deadline.

Preparation is Important

Steps for the Emergency Coordinator

1. Sign up all available amateurs in the area under your jurisdiction and work them into your SET plans.

2. Call a meeting of all ARES members and prospective members to briefly outline (no details!) SET activities, and give general instructions. Do not divulge the exact time or nature of the test to them at this time. This should come as a surprise. Take this opportunity to register new ARES members and get up-to-date information on others. Hold an on-the-air meeting if it's not possible to meet in person.

3. Contact served agencies and explain the intent and overall purpose of the SET. Offer to send test messages to other branches of their agencies, and invite officials to your ARES meetings and SET operating sites.

4. Contact officials of any adjacent communities having no active amateurs and offer to provide representation in amateur networks for them as well.

5. Arrange publicity in consultation with an ARRL Public Information Officer in local newspapers and radio/TV stations by preparing an announcement and/or inviting the press to observe your group's SET operation.

6. Set up liaison with one or more NTS local/section nets (if you don't already have liaison) so you will have an outlet for all messages out of the local area.

7. Formulate your plans around a simulated disaster. Possible "plots" include: a flood, a serious fire, an ice storm, a missing person, a serious accident (automobile, bus, aircraft, for examples), a broken gas line, and so forth. Elaborate on the situation by developing a scenario, but please be realistic.

During the SET

1. Announce the emergency situation. Activate the emergency net. Dispatch mobiles to served agencies.

2. Have designated stations originate messages on behalf of served agencies. Test messages may be sent simulating requests for supplies. Simulated emergency messages (just like real emergency messages) should be signed by an authorized official.

3. Emphasize tactical communications for served agencies.

4. As warranted by traffic loads, have liaison stations on hand to receive traffic on the local net and relay to your section net. You should also be sure that there is a representative on each session of the section net to receive traffic going to the local area.

5. Operate at least one session (or substantial segment of a session) of the local net on emergency-only basis. Or, if a repeater is on emergency power, allow only emergency-powered stations to operate through the repeater for a certain time period.

After the SET

An important post-SET activity is a critique session to discuss the test results. All ARES (and RACES) members should be invited to the meeting to review good points and weaknesses apparent in the drill. Emphasize ways to improve procedures, techniques, and coordination with all groups involved. Report your group's effort using the appropriate forms and include any photos, clippings and other items of interest.

The Role of NTS

The main function of the National Traffic System in an emergency situation is to tie together all of the various local activities and to provide a means by which all traffic destined outside of a local area, section or region can be systematically relayed to the addressee.

Normal NTS routing should be followed. A valid exception is the handling of emergency traffic that should be routed as rapidly and efficiently as possible, bypassing various levels of nets when delivery can be expedited. Another exception is when one station is loaded down with traffic for one region or section. At the discretion of the Net Control Station (NCS), the station may be directed to bypass a normal channel and go directly to a lower (or higher) echelon net.

The interface between NTS and ARES lies in the liaison function between local nets and other NTS nets, particularly at the section level. Responsibility for representation of the local network on the section net lies with the local net manager who may or may not be the EC. Although we usually think of ARES members being the representatives in section nets, it is equally valid to expect NTS personnel to act as liaison to local nets.

At least one net session or substantial segment of a session should be conducted on emergency power. Plan a surprise session or two. Advise the NCS just before net time. If NCS is unable to operate on emergency power, then someone else must be net control. Only stations operating on emergency power may report in during this time.

Summary

One of the first steps on the way to a successful SET is to try to get as many people involved as possible, and especially new hams. In a real emergency, we find amateurs with all sorts of varied interests coming out of the woodwork. Let's get them involved in SET so they will know more about how emergency communications should be handled. Promote SET on nets and repeaters, and sign up new, enthusiastic radio amateurs. Many of those offering to help will be inexperienced in public-service activities. It's up to you to explain what's going on to them, and provide them with useful roles. They may like it so much that they become a permanent fixture in your ARES or NTS group. For a review of last year's nationwide Simulated Emergency Test, read the article in July, 2003, QST. The September, 2003, QST article, also talks about this year's Simulated Emergency Test.

Thanks to your efforts, the public service tradition in Amateur Radio continues!

SET Emergency Coordinator's Report Form A:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_set.rtf 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_set.pdf 

SET Net Manager's Report Form B:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/nm_set.rtf 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/nm_set.pdf 

Emergency Coordinator's Annual Report Form C:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_ann.rtf 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_ann.pdf 


You may download 2003 Simulated Emergency Test forms in Rich Text RTF or Adobe pdf formats from the ARRL Web site. The SET Guidelines on the ARRL Web Page: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/setguide.html.

Also, the reporting forms are found at this address:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#ec_set 

Specifically, the SET Reporting forms and the EC Annual Report forms, in the RTF format, are found here:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_set.rtf 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/nm_set.rtf 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_ann.rtf 


If you would like to submit your reporting forms via e-mail, please send it to sewald@arrl.org. Thank you!

I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.

ARES REPORT FROM SEC MIKE BOATRIGHT, KO4WX

Counties reporting: 15
Total number of ARES members: 535
Change since last month: 1
Total net sessions: 46
Number of drills, tests and training sessions: 33
Man hours: 473.5
Number of public service events: 15
Man hours: 1112
Number of emergency operations: 10
Man hours: 209
Total number of ARES operations this month: 58
Total Man Hours: 1794.5

Emergency operations were primarily SKYWARN due to severe storms and flooding. Counties reporting: Henry, Sumter, Burke, Baldwin, Fannin, Murray, Evans, South Fulton, Clayton, North Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, Cherokee, Carroll, and Gwinnett.

NET REPORTS FROM JIM HANNA, AF4NS, STM

NET ACTIVITY:

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

VE TEST SESSION CHANGES

Just a couple of additions to last month's listing:

In AUGUSTA, the first Saturday of EVEN numbered months, 9 AM at the Mann Memorial Methodist Church at 2700 Milledgeville Road, except for OCTOBER, when it will be held the 2nd Saturday, to coincide with the club's hamfest. Contact: MARK CHEEK, AB4XB

In GAINESVILLE, 2 PM on the first Sunday of EVEN numbered months at Johnson High School, 3305 Poplar Spring Road, as reported last month. However, the contact is ALFRED WESTBROOK, KT4VP (770) 965-4901 kt4vp@arrl.net

In MILLEDGEVILLE, 10 AM the 2nd Saturday of every month at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library, 151 S Jefferson St. SE, across from the GA Military College. Contact: OTIS MURPHY, W4OY at w4oy@arrl.net

Just for this month of September, the VE session held every month on the GEORGIA TECH campus on the 4th Sunday of the month at 2:30 PM will be in the EE building, NOT in the Student Center, as usual. Contact: DAVOD ZISKIND, KE4QLH (404) 966-6864 ke4qlh@arrl.net

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

SECTION NOTABLES

Our Assistant SM for Legal Affairs here in GA is JIM ALTMAN, W4UCK, and he has served in that position since before I assumed the role of SM. Well, it looks like Jim has quite a bit of excitement coming up on the horizon, because he has decided to throw his hat into the ring and run for election in July, 2004, as a Fulton County Superior Court judge. Cool, huh? Check out his website at www.altman4judge.com  to see if there's any way you can help. Jim sure would appreciate any support that you Fulton county hams can provide him. And, GOOD LUCK, Jim!

Boy Scout Venture Crew 73 is a high adventure, co-ed Scouting group for 14 to 21 year olds with an interest in amateur radio and amateur radio activities. This group was chartered about 5 years ago, and has been sponsored by the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society. Thanks, and a tip of the hat, to STEVE BACK, WB2OGY, and DAVID ADCOCK, KA4KKF, for stepping up into positions of leadership to keep this outstanding group functional. If you or someone you know falls into this group's age group parameters, and you enjoy amateur radio, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and public service activities, get in touch with Steve at wb2ogy@arrl.net If you live outside the Metro Atlanta area, maybe Steve or one of the other Scout leaders could tell you how to charter a similar group in your area.

A lofty high five to JEFF COLE, N4XGI, whose repeater has been resurrected to soar to new heights atop the new Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick. His 145.330 repeater rested atop the old (now demolished) bridge at a respectable 220 feet for the past eight years; now it sits proudly at 480 feet atop the shiny new bridge. Signal reports are good from as far south as Jacksonville, as far north as Hinesville, and as far west as Jessup and Waycross. Jeff says the installation was completed with the assistance of BOB WEST, N4XGJ, DOUG GRAHAM, KC5BMJ, potential hams BENNY CRAWFORD and MIKE CREWS, and the support of the local ham community. The Glynn County Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) and the Georgia Department of Transportation also played a big role in helping to get the repeater back on the air.... and up in the air. Not only is Jeff's repeater open to all hams, but it also serves as the back-up communications system for LEPC. A number of the Glynn county employees and Brunswick Police officers have recently gotten their ham license, and the true "can do" spirit of amateur radio has been brought to light. Of course, Jeff, N4XGI, and Bob, N4XGJ, are the lighthouse keepers for the St. Simons Island Light, so they're used to making the world a "brighter place". Thanks.

CONGRATULATIONS to ELLIOTT KANTER, W4PGI, the PIO for the Kennehoochee ARC and Cobb county ARES, for his article in the September issue of "73 Amateur Radio Today". Elliott wrote a review of the SGC SG-2020 Tactical Transceiver with ADSP2. (adaptive digital signal processing) Does this unit deliver what it promises in the ads? Read Elliott's article and find out.

Here's a report from SAM SMITH, N4MAP, on how a whole team of GA Section Notables fared at the recent ARDFing Championships: "Four Atlanta area hams attended the IARU Region 2 ARDF/Radio Orienteering Championships at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, July 30th to August 3rd: Martha Carr, KG4WVM, Bill Farrell, KG4WVN, Steve Shannonhouse, KG4UFY, and Sam Smith, N4MAP. The Georgia team did very well. Martha, KG4WVM, took the gold medals in the women's F50 age group in both VHF (2 meter) and HF (80 meter) competitions. Steve, KG4UFY, took the bronze medal in the men's M50 age group in the HF competition. Sam, N4MAP, took the gold medal in the open category in the VHF, and the silver medal in the open category in the HF competition. Full results are available at the competition web site http://www.ardfusa.com

All the Georgia competitors had a great time and are now eligible to represent the US and region 2 at the World Champs next year in the Czech Republic."

WOW! Congratulations. What a team!

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't

PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)

Nothing reported this month, but I can tell you that the Richards Middle School ARC has had two meetings already this school year. The first week, we had nine students, and the second week, thirteen, with indications that there are still more who plan to join. We're off to a good start. Last Tuesday, a number of the students had the opportunity to speak to a delightful gentleman in Nova Scotia on 20M. The jury's still out on who got the bigger thrill out of it.... the students or the ham in Canada.

I've heard of a few other schools in GA who've filed applications to become a Big Project school. That's outstanding, both for the students, and for the hams who are committed to work with them. All of you who work with the school radio clubs, please send me your news to share in the newsletters. Some hams don't think young people care anything about amateur radio. But WE know differently, don't we?

Honk if you love peace and quiet.

BPL....... SO WHAT'S NEXT??

OK, so most of us are aware of the nightmare of interference that BPL would cause to our amateur bands, not to mention some of the Federal bands, possibly some problems with interference caused by harmonics on the aviation frequencies. Thankfully, NTIA has spoken up with some concerns on this issue, and hopefully, most of you have dutifully filed your comments against this technology. The filing window has closed. Now what? In this letter that follows, that question is answered. Perhaps, at the next club meeting, you might consider "passing the hat"? Read on....

August 2003

Dear Amateur Radio Club Members,

As summer fades and we anticipate a return to the rigors of fall, you will be reinvigorating Amateur Radio club operations in your communities. But before you club launches its activities, I hope you can take a moment at your next meeting and consider a disturbing and critical topic - Broadband over Power Lines (BPL).

BPL is a devastating threat to the Amateur Radio spectrum - especially the HF bands. There has been a lot of publicity on this issue - articles on the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/bpl  http://www.arrl.org/bpl and other ham radio sites. Your ARRL is at the forefront of the campaign to defeat BPL and will continue to work tirelessly to protect your Amateur Radio bands. And you can help.

This summer individual hams - and clubs - have responded generously to fund ARRL's efforts to fight BPL, and have filed comments to the FCC. But we still need to raise an additional $55,000 to fund the field measurements and document filings necessary to defeat this threat. We're all in this effort together, so I hope your club will jump on the bandwagon and support the campaign financially. We've received club contributions ranging from $50 to $2000. If your organization has already made a donation, thank you.

And if your club is considering a contribution, I hope you'll do so right away. With a contribution of $100, $250, $500 or more, your club can join the roster of clubs that are joining the effort. Your commitment will make a tremendous difference. And we'll put a list of contributing clubs on the ARRL website this fall as our way of saying thank you.

If you need more information on BPL for your club, go to the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/BPL  http://www.arrl.org/BPL for the full story, including copies of the two FCC filings and a video that graphically demonstrates the interference radio amateurs would experience from BPL. The video can be downloaded and played at your next club meeting, and there's a PowerPoint presentation you can use. Just follow the link above to an "Understanding the NOI" page and a resource page where you'll find the presentation.

ARRL President Jim Haynie calls BPL the biggest threat to Amateur Radio in decades - and hams have lent their voices to the cause. If BPL becomes a reality, many Amateur Radio activities, like Field Day, will be meaningless. Your club's support with a generous financial contribution now will help fund this effort.

Thank you for considering this request. Contributions can be made on-line at http://www.arrl.org http://www.arrl.org, or by mail to BPL Special Spectrum Defense Campaign, ARRL, 225 Main Street, Newington CT 06111.

73,
Mary M. Hobart, K1MMH
Chief Development Officer

You can't have everything; where would you put it?

TECH TIPS

This heads up WARNING came to us through the Army MARS program, and it's important enough that I thought I'd pass it along to you. I know that you're all painfully aware of the recent rash of virulent computer viruses and worms, but what you may not know is that internet worms are also trying to infect PCs that are running ECHOLINK software. Because you have to open IP ports 5198 and 5199 in order for the echolink to function, your computer is left vulnerable to "attack", and unfortunately, firewalls offer no protection from this.

Many of you are already aware of this outstanding "Bama" site, but for those of you who aren't, have I ever got a site for you! Filled with manuals, schematics, etc. for a multitude of equipment: http://bama.sbc.edu/heath.htm

Looking for some electronic parts to do some repair work on one of your rigs? Check out this site at http://www.oselectronics,com/ (From BILL WILSON, KJ4EX, from the Athens ARC reflector)

If you're still interested in passing your Code test, here's a site where you can download the Super Morse program (for FREE) http://www.qsl.net/kb5wck/super.html According to code guru HOWIE GOULD, W9HG, once you install it, you can also go back to the link for instructions to set up Super Morse for the Koch method.

Are you a digital guru, or do you sometimes find yourself scratching your head in puzzlement when encountering one of those strange-sounding signals on the radio? Evidently, lots of folks fall into the head-scratching category, so the ARRL has stepped up to take some of the mystery out of those mysterious sounding signals emanating from your speaker. In a recent bulletin, it was announced that the LEAGUE DOCUMENTS DIGITAL MODES:

With a new Web page on digital mode specifications, ARRL hopes to make answering the question "Is that mode legal?" a lot easier. Until 1995, the only permissible digital modes under Part 97 rules were RTTY and modes that used ASCII codes. On November 1 of that year, the FCC--acting on an ARRL petition--agreed to allow the use of any digital mode, providing its technical characteristics were "publicly documented"--309(a)(4)--and the HF digital mode explosion began in earnest. To make finding technical specifications for existing and emerging digital modes more convenient, ARRL now provides technical documentation for many modes now in use on its "309(a)(4) Technical Descriptions" page http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/techchar/

"We needed a better place to find whether a technique has been published," said ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, in explaining the move to make the information more readily available. "A place on the Web seemed to be the best way of letting the amateur community know that a technique is published, as well as providing an accurate technical description of what it is."

The documentation is adequate to recognize the technique or protocol when observed on the air, to determine the call signs of stations in communication and to read the content of their transmissions. The page currently contains technical descriptions of CLOVER, CLOVER-2000, G-TOR, PACTOR, PACTOR-II and PSK31. Volunteers are developing documentation for MT63, PACTOR-III, MFSK-16 and Q15X25 for later addition.

The ARRL invites help from designers, manufacturers, users and user groups to fill in the gaps for additional modes. Send information or inquiries to ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 30-31--- SHELBY, NC Hamfest (oh, did I already mention that??)

September 6--- Prater's Mill Hamfest, a great tailgating event, touted as the "biggest and best free Hamfest", brought to you by the Dalton ARC. DIRECTIONS: from I-75, use exit #341 at Tunnel Hill/ Varnell onto Highway 201 E and follow the signs to Prater's Mill. From the Cleveland Highway, go to Varnell and turn east onto 201 to Prater's Mill. For more info, days: N2MC at (706) 629-1480, and after 6PM, K4FLG at (706) 278-0630 or N4BD at (7060 673-2291. Come early and be prepared to have fun. There's a good chance of seeing Pinky, the official GA Section Mascot, at this Hamfest, if the McCarsky clan comes. (She is, of course, a potbellied pig, but don't call her "ham".... Makes her very nervous!)

September 6-7--- First PSK63 Contest. Have you tried this newer variation? Here's a chance to give 'er a try. Details on p 105 of the September QST.

September 13--- Dallas Hamfest --- from 8AM until 2PM at Paulding Meadows Park, located 2 miles north of the Paulding County Courthouse on highway 61. FREE admission and tailgating. Indoor tables $5. VE testing offered nearby at the Paulding county library from 9AM until noon. Talk-in on 146.850(-) For more info, contact DAVE FULLER, K4DMF, at (770) 421-9902

September 13-16--- VHF QSO Party

September 26-29--- AM Operators, rejoice! TWO great, fun, concurrent events: AM International's DISCOVERY WEEKEND, a chance to dust off the ol' rig and put her on the air, from Friday evening until Sunday evening. (Not a "high pressure contest", it's for whenever it suits your fancy to get on the air that weekend and it's convenient for you to operate...) PLUS--The FALL CLASSIC EXCHANGE (CX) runs from 1700 UTC September 28th until 0500 UTC September 29th (1PM ET Sunday- 1 AM ET Monday) The purpose of these events is to encourage restoration, operation, and enjoyment of vintage equipment, and the older the equipment is, the more points you can earn. (And to show the ham community that AM is still alive and well) Got a whole boatload of boat anchors? Great! Put 'em ALL on the air!! (Last year's top scorer, JIM HANLON, W8KGI, put an amazing 24 BA (boat anchor) receiver-transceiver pairs on the air! Looking at the August "Electric Radio", I recognized a couple of GA hams among last year's participants: GENE BLACKBURN, NU4J, and MARTY REYNOLDS, AA4RM (who is also pictured in the August issue of QST p.86 in an article about these fun events) This'll be a real triathlon of operating modes: CW, AM, and even that new-fangled SSB. Sounds like a lot of fun. And hey, guys! "Electric Radio" is now offering an AM WAS award! (Hmmm......shouldn't be too hard to talk my better half into playing with this one... I can just sit there beside him, shoulder to shoulder, in the glow of the tubes....AHHHH.... romance is in the air...) For more info, see http://qsl.asti.com/cx

September 27--- SPECIAL EVENT STATION W4A--- from Flowery Branch, GA, celebrating the 64th anniversary of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. 146.550 FM; 21.375; 14.275; 7.275. QSL Albert Miles FSO-CM-26, 3325 Rangers Gate Drive, Marietta, GA, 30062

October 3-4--- TEN-TEC Hamfest

October 4--- Combined Georgia Cracker and Georgia SSB Association picnic, to be held at the Telephone Pavilion, just south of Ellijay on Highway 5. Bring a covered dish, and come prepared to have fun.

October 4--- SET (Simulated Emergency Test) Details TBA for a Section-wide exercise, still in the planning by STEVE REYNOLDS, W4CNG

October 11--- AUGUSTA ARC HAMFEST---9AM- 3PM at Evans Middle School, 4318 Washington Road. Talk-in 145.490(-)

October 17-18--- Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society annual convention will be held at the St. Simon's Island Lighthouse. HF operations will be conducted from the grounds. For details, see http://arlhs.com/

October 18--- AL BROCK MEMORIAL HAMFEST--- held by the Northwest GA ARC 8AM- 2:30PM at the Rome Civic Center, Civic Center Hill, in Rome, GA. $5 admission. FREE tailgating, and first five tables FREE to vendors (additional for $5 each) For more info, contact ED BYARS, WB4FGM, at (706) 235-2048 or via email at biged5341@aol.com  or JIM COUCH at (706) 235-9062 or at couch@bellsouth.net

October 18-19--- JOTA-- Jamboree on the Air-- another great opportunity to share the joys of amateur radio with the Boy Scouts in your area

"The US Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it.
You have to catch up with it yourself."
 BEN FRANKLIN

SILENT KEYS

KEITH BROWN, WB4DDR
A.B.CLEVELAND, WA4RKN
PHIL GOODMAN, W5YDT
"MISS BILLIE" MILLS, KD4CPB
TOM "TOMCAT" SHIRLEY, K4HVV

CLARENCE CRUMBLEY- He was a lifelong lover of radio, but it was only recently, under the kind guidance of Laura Block, KG4WQT, that he visited the Gainesville Hamfest, joined the Alford Memorial ARC, bought a new rig, and took his test to get licensed. Unfortunately, he passed away before he ever got that license. His love of radio was so great that it was even mentioned in his eulogy. So, though he never actually got that license, he was "one of us" at heart.

Sincere condolences to the families and friends of all of these fine people. They'll be sorely missed, one and all. Somehow, this following piece by one of my favorites, Erma Bombeck, seems appropriate. Thanks to AL MENGES, KF4NXL, for sending this my way. It gives us a little bit of food for thought.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER By ERMA BOMBECK

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the "GOOD" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I wasn't there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the
only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's" but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.....look at it and really see it ... live it. And never give it back.

Well, that's about it for now, folks. Thanks to AL MENGES, KF4NXL, for the "one liners" used in this month's newsletter. And thanks to all of you who sent news items this way. I appreciate it. (And psssst, not to bug you, but have you written your representative yet about HR 1478 and HR 713???)

Until next time, this is AF4FO signing clear. Take care of yourselves. And each other.