October, 2009

Hello from the new guy on the block. Fresh out of orientation at Newington, I am "pumped" and feeling my way. So now you know "Who is taking Susan's place?"-NOONE will ever do that. But here is the new SM's monthly note:

New appointments in the Section: In addition to the new SM and Section Emergency Coordinator (Mike Brown, KE4FGF) we have a new OO Coordinator, Rich, WB4A. Mike "That's Me" Swiderski K4HBI has decided along with spouse, Susan AF4FO to take a breather and just be a ham for a while. Welcome Rich! Dominos fell in the Southwest district as Mike, KE4FGF, assumes the position of S.E.C., and Mark, KD4EYF (DEC NWS Tallahassee) moves to South Carolina. Thus John, KE4RWR will be the new DEC-SWGA; Stewart, KJ4GOJ will be the new NWS-DEC; Robert, KJ4HII, will be the new ADEC-SWGA and Zach, KJ4LOO will be the new NWS-ADEC (a totally new position). Thanks, guys for stepping up to the plate. Also, we welcome Emil, WA4FYA as EC in Echols County. We've lots to do, team, and thanks!

The big news, of course, is the North Georgia flooding. In general, the problems were not communication, so hams were asked not to self-deploy, and thus we stayed out of the way somewhat. However, several ARES groups were put on alert by request of the EMA's. Numerous hams in the central district, including several brand new hams with licenses a day old, reported flooded roads and other flooded facilities in to public works departments. Communications for shelters were established, but finally not required.

The end of an era: Scott, KB0Y, and the South Georgia Radio Association, WR4SG announced that the Tall Pines Intertie will come down at the end of 2009. This ends a decade of a service that has linked 2-meter repeaters in South Georgia. Many thanks to Scott for this service which will be sorely missed until newer systems and ideas evolve and deploy. Meanwhile Robert, KJ4HII is working on a 2 meter simplex net for the area. Get a good antenna!

Speaking of "the End" I have this from CQ-Contest:
Industry News: Goodbye to Astatic
Posted: Sep 30, 2009
The Astatic brand name for microphones is going away. Newsline reports that CAD Professional Microphones and Astatic Commercial Audio Products are being brought together under a single new brand name, CAD Audio. Astatic was a major player in the ham radio and CB microphone markets in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Its best-known and most distinctive mic was the lollipop-shaped D-104. I regret I never owned a "D-104"

As S.E.C. I asked Lowry, KM4Z to fill the void of the ASEC for Operations. He has accepted the challenge with vigor. My first charge was to assist GEMA, especially involving drills and preparedness for amateurs to be available in emergencies. This he has pursued and is bearing fruit, with upgrades in the equipment and use of it at the site. My second charge was to try to get the ARES-MAT activity going again. Lowry is working on that with the same passion and pursuit. He reports his efforts thus: Greetings to all Georgia Section ARES members. "My position of Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator (ASEC) of Operations currently includes the support of the Office of Homeland Security/Georgia Emergency Management Agency (OHS/GEMA) District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) and also the Mutual Aid Team (MAT) DEC. Tom Holcomb (K5AES) has filled the position of the OHS/GEMA DEC but our MAT group has dissolved completely as far as I know. Recent e-mails to previous members of the MAT group have yielded no interest except for Steve Reynolds (W4CNG) who has long been a part of and has sincere interest in the MAT area of the ARES. Unfortunately Steve's involvement is very limited due to his job position in the communications field requiring his full commitment of time when disaster strikes. He will be participating with MAT activities as his time permits. Saying that, my purpose in sending this e-mail today is to announce that I'm seeking individuals interested in becoming a member of the MAT group (including a DEC). As you know, these individuals must have a strong dedication to their involvement in MAT activations in order to handle pressures created by leaving home and family for several days at a time and be placed in or near the disaster area. At the same time though, knowing that you're providing life/property saving communications at "Ground Zero" will give a feeling of reward and accomplishment that would never be obtained by other avenues of public service. To keep this e-mail short and to the point, I'll not elaborate on any more of the requirements at this time. If you're interested in becoming a MAT member, please e-mail me km4z@arrl.net  or call (678) 472-7880 for further information."
Best regards, Lowry Rouse KM4Z ASEC of Operations

I just attended the first Hamfest for Lagrange Amateur Radio Club. Real nice event with vendors and forums and prizes all indoors. Some 75 attendees showed up this very foggy morning. Breakfast, lunch and snacks were available throughout the event. We look for a nice repeat next year.

The ARCA Hamfest will be on October 10, 2009 at the Evans Middle School in Augusta. There is tailgating, indoor tables, ARRL Forum, Mars Forum, and more. More on that later. See http://w4dv.org.

Look for the Rome Georgia Hamfest on Saturday October 17th from 8:00AM to 2:00 PM. This is an ARRL sanctioned event and promises to be a good place to meet up with the guys in that quarter of the state. I will be there! The location this year is again the Georgia Self Defense Force armory at 340 Wilshire Road NE in Rome, GA.
FREE Admission!
Door prizes!!! (you must be present to win)
Grand Prize: a 50/50 drawing will be held.
Tickets for the Grand Prize drawing cost a $1.00 donation.
For more information, contact: Ed Wilson, W4EMW, at EMAIL or (706) 234-7982 or; Grover Keith, KA5QFI, at EMAIL or (706) 766-1118

The Stone Mountain Hamfest in Lawrenceville is November 7th, & 8th with $3500 in prizes to be given away. This is probably the largest Hamfest in Georgia, and will include vendors, tailgating, food, and forums. See http://www.totr-radio.org/08hamfest/index.php for more info. CU there!

Reminders:

• Lawrenceville Techfest January 9, 2010. Got any technical questions to bring personally to the experts? This is a great clinic. See http://www.gars.org/sharedborder/Event_Archive/2009/Techfest09/techfest09.html for further details.

• ARES Annual Meeting, Forsyth. January 23, 2010. SEC Mike KE4FGF plans a new program with opportunities for all to voice concerns, support, and ideas. Start thinking of questions or topics for the program and email Mike Brown KE4FGF@arrl.net.

CARS (Savannah)- Planning EXTRA Upgrade classes. Check www.w4ihs.com for details. Club is working with Phil Niedlinger, KA4KOE, on plans for JOTA with the scouts, and for local support in the Scout EXPO in Savannah later this month.

From the Kennahoochie Amateur Radio Club Newsletter we learn that there is a LOT of activity there in license classes. Also, congratulations to Tad WFD4W on a nice plaque demonstrating his 5BWAS. Editor Jim Cummings, KT4MM@bellsouth.net tells us of a recall on dangerous conditions with the Fluke clamp on ammeter, models # 333, 334, 335, and 337. Jim says that the company is making it good free of charge. See http://www.hvacr-tools.com/Fluke-Recall.pdf 

Noted from the GARC: October 10,11: Athens area hams will be operating a Special Event station K4UGA from Sanford Stadium, for a 30-hour operation beginning 9 am Saturday, celebrating area hams and their help in providing communications for the Red Cross, and for the university, during home football games.

Chuck, Skolaut, K0BOG, our ARRL Field & Regulatory Correspondent advises us of opening of nominations for the International Humanitarian Award. See http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/awards/humanitarian.html for details. If you have information about a likely candidate for this award please forward the information to your Section Manager.

This year's Simulated Emergency Test will be seen as a great success. There was good participation all around, with much of it avoiding use of commercial power, since there was (simulated) total power grid failure. CHAS, our STM and ARES Net Manager had mostly inexperienced net controls for the SET ARES Nets and, no surprise, they each did a beautiful job. Now the work begins for Mike (S.E.C.) and all of you to get your information in as reports and critiques for collating into a final report by year's end. Do mention your use of emergency power as well as problems and solutions. We want to look good, but mostly we want to learn how to do it better next time, especially when it may not be simulated.

The questions about appropriate versus illegal communications in amateur radio have been much discussed with perhaps more heat than light at times. The rules have not changed. The interpretations have not changed. Please look at the ARRL Letter dated 1 October: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/index.html?issue=2009-10-01#toc01. If you still have questions contact your Section Manager ("That's Me!"). We can still help our served agencies with drills and emergency aid-legally.

Now, the U.S. Senate is also showing interest in Amateur Radio: SB QST ARL ARLB031 ARLB031 Senate Introduces Companion Bill to HR 2160.

October 6, Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), along with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), introduced Senate Bill 1755, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009. Similar to HR 2160 -- also called The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- that was introduced this past April by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), the bill, if passed, would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study on emergency communications. S 1755 points out that "There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."

ARES REPORT DE ASEC TOM FULLER, KE4QCM

Section Traffic Manager Report
Georgia Section
September, 2009

PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL:(PSHR)

STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS:

Traffic handled (QTC):

NET REPORT DE STM CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK

ARES REPORT DE ASEC TOM FULLER, KE4QCM

Monthly Section Emergency Coordinator Report to ARRL Headquarters
ARRL Section: GA Month: September Year: 2009

AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE

Total number of ARES members: *902 Change since last month: +17 (+, -, or same)
# of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 56
# of ARES nets active: 205
# with NTS liaison: 0 Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: see below
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 208 Person hours: 2792
Number of public service events this month: 14 Person hours: 652
Number of emergency operations this month: 5 Person hours: 297
Total number of ARES operations this month: 227 Total Person hours: 3741

Comments: see below
Signature: Thomas Fuller Call sign: KE4QCM
Please send to ARRL HQ, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 by 10th of the month FSD-96 (1-04)
* 902 members reported, 885 from last report, with +17 reported by EC's

DECs/ECs reporting DECs: DEC/Central/NM4W, DEC GEMA/K5AES, DEC GA Public Broadcasting/WB4QDX, DEC Metro Atlanta/N4SEG, DEC-National Weather Service/Charleston/Vacant, DEC-National Weather Service-Columbia/N0FBV, DEC-National Weather Service-Peachtree City/KD4YDC, DEC Northwest/KD4EKZ, DEC-Public Health/Augusta/AI4RV, DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC, DEC Southwest/KE4FGF

ECs:
Central: Baldwin/KG4EPI, Bibb/KJ4PEO, Houston/KI4QFF, Peach/KI4YNZ, Putnam/KF4EOH, Washington/K4GK

East Central: Richmond/AH6IW

Metro Atlanta: Cherokee/WA6IKS, Clayton/AJ4GT, Cobb/KI4RQQ, Dekalb/W4TGA, Fayette/AG4ZR, Gwinnett/WB4QDX, Newton/WA4UJC, North Fulton/W4UOC, Paulding/K4DMF, Rockdale/KC4ELV

Northeast: Barrow/K4JSR, Hall/AA4BA, Stephens/KU4ES, Towns/W4VFZ

Northwest: Bartow/N4QET, Carroll/N4IF, Floyd/KD4EKZ, Gilmer/KC4GH, Gordon/AF4DN, Haralson/KD4YDA, Heard/KE4OBM, Murray/AI4ZV (counted in Whitfield Co. report), Pickens/K4SJR, Polk/KD4EKZ, Whitfield/AI4ZV

Southeast: Chatham/K4GTM

Southwest: Baker/K4GCR, Dougherty/N4GPJ, Echols/AJ4RW, Grady/KI4RGD, Irwin/W4CWH, Lee/W5VRV, Lowndes/AL7NS, Macon/KI4BEO, Seminole/K4TPD, Thomas/N4KXl, Turner/W4GHW

West Central: Troup/K3IMC

Comments: DECs:
DEC/Central/NM4W: We had 13 new techs and 11 new general class upgrades in the last HamCram at the Houston Medical Center. All of the Hospital personnel that got their tech lic joined ARES, and several others. KJ4PEO a new Ham from this HamCram was appointed EC of Bibb CO and KJ4PER also a new Ham from the HamCram was appointed AEC of Twiggs CO. Our net is back on the Cherry Blossom Intertie Repeater System and on the WA4ORT in Warner Robins and 145.000 in Cochran covering most of the Central District. We are having our monthly ARES Central District on Oct 22 (4th Thusrday of the month) at the Houston Medical Center. Houston 911 EOC has requested that we do a HamCram for their personnel on Sat Oct 31 and there will be another HamCram class on Dec 5 at the Macon Medical Center. We are gowing rapidly on new Hams, new General upgrades and very key personnel joining ARES Central District.

DEC GEMA/K5AES: 1. Logged in to FEMA Webinar NIMS training session - 3hrs 2. Spent 4hrs, along with Lowry Rouse,KM4Z, meeting with Wayne Smith and Clint Perkins at GEMA SOC and to check out GEMA SOC station for 8 man hrs total.

DEC GA Public Broadcasting/WB4QDX: Working with GEMA on grant funding for statewide D-STAR Repeater Network

DEC Metro Atlanta/N4SEG: The September Metro NET was hosted by the Newton County ARES group. There were 25 check-ins and the net lasted for 40 minutes. Each check-in's time was recorded in the activities section of the State ARES Database. Additionally, each Sunday Night in September at 9:00PM I hosted an informal net on the 146.76 repeater of the Alford Memorial Radio Club to give as many individuals as possible a chance to get installations of FLDigi loaded and configured and to practice sending messages using the MT63 protocol. This method is to be my preferred way for the ECs of the Metro District to send their reports for their county's participation in the October S.E.T. DEC-National Weather Service-Peachtree City/KD4YDC: Conference co-ordination.

DEC Northwest/KD4EKZ: Participated in Emergency Preparedness Night at Rome Braves Stadium with Floyd County EMA and NW Georgia Public Health Service. HF and VHF radios set up and operational.

DEC-Public Health/Augusta/AI4RV: Also having weekly nets on the

DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC: Please remember to check into the Satern Nets. Monday thru Saturday on 14.265 MhZ at 11AM and Saturday on 7.262 MhZ at 11 AM.

DEC Southwest/KE4FGF: I sat in on a meeting between Colquitt ARES and Colquitt Regional Medical Center over a new radio station there. It went very well. Added Wes, W4CWH as a new EC for Irwin County, and added Robert, KJ4HII as another ADEC, plus Zach, KJ4LOO as a new ADEC for the NWS. This is my last report as SWGA DEC. Thanks to all the ECs in the District for their help building things up over the last 10 months.

Comments ECs:
Central Baldwin/KG4EPI: HAL REID IS DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THE OCONEE REGIONAL HOSPITAL TWO AND HF EMERGENCY SYSTEM. HE HAS MADE GREAT STRIDS WITH USING PSK31 AS A TOOL TO PASS TRAFFIC BETWEEN HOSPITALS/ AND GIVE US ANOTHER TOOL IN CASE OF A EMERGENCY.

Bibb/KJ4PEO: As new appointed Ec i have numerous hours studying ec manual and research online. I have several meeting lined up with local emergency officials to discuss ARES and how we can incorperate it in the event of emergencies. Still working on communication plan with local repeater owners and also discussing possiablities with local ema director of useing equipment established.

Peach/KI4YNZ: I am new to this job, but hope to bring Peach on line equal to Houston. (Above info is for Aug.) I will give much better detail in Sept. Bob Head KI4YNZ

Metro Atlanta: Clayton/AJ4GT: Ready for SET - Desk Top at Eagles Landing First Baptist Church on Saturday after VE testing.

Cobb/KI4RQQ: 15 members attended our monthly meeting, the topic being the upcoming SET in October. We had a digital check-in, Mike N4KOR, to one of our nets thanks to the efforts of Lew Cason N4HRA. And, thanks to Jim Jett KC6ETU, and Kurt Beeman WB4JFS for checking into one of the Cobb ARES nets from our new location at Kennestone Hospital. They tested the entire system, including both antennas, and were able to report the system is fully functional. They also reported good support from the hospital staff. Good work by all involved.

Dekalb/W4TGA: DEMA Flood assessment net, Mary Kay walk, MMRS meeting.

Fayette/AG4ZR: Meetings w/County RE SET preparation, other SET preparations and coordination, coordination for setting up BLS training, and various nets.

Gwinnett/WB4QDX: 9/28/09 - Supported Gwinnett EOC and Lawrenceville Shelter communications for Gwinnett EMA and Red Cross.

Newton/WA4UJC: Provided communications for the 26th annual fuzz run in Covington. 3,600 runners were involved in the race this year.

North Fulton/W4UOC: 1 ARES meeting (12x2), 4 ARES net (48x.5), 1 MMTS (1x2), 4 WeatherNet (4x1)

Paulding/K4DMF: Provided Communications capability for Georgia Rails into Trails Society (GRITS) Bicycle Ride on Labor Day weekend.

Northeast: Hall/AA4BA: WE HAD 4 THURSDAY NIGHT LEARNING NETS.

Stephens/KU4ES: The W4BNG 442.500 (T88.5) is back in service and available for Stephens County ARES use. The repeater has a wide coverage area. We are pleased to announce that an MOU was entered into between the Stephens County ARES and the Stephens County Emergency Medical Service. We look forward to working with this agency.

Towns/W4VFZ: Drill involved preparation and participation in S.E.T. In addition to required individual

Northwest: Carroll/N4IF: Linked Repeater System Researach & Planning = 1 Mhr. N4THM Training Sessions = 1.25 Mhr.

Floyd/KD4EKZ: Floyd County AEC set up and demonstrated/operated VHF and HF gear at Emergency Preparedness Night at Rome Braves Stadium with Floyd County EMA and NW Georgia Public Health Service.

Gilmer/KC4GH: Reviewed ARES & Gilmer Co. EOC Operations and facilities with Emergency Management Director

Gordon/AF4DN: Provided communications for the annual Unity Run for the United Way of Gordon Co.

Haralson/KD4YDA: Buchanan Trips (2) = 4 Mhr. Tower Planning = 1 Mhr. Repeater Planning = 1 Mhr.

Heard/KE4OBM: Franklin Trip = 2 Mhrs. Tower Planning = 1 Mhr. Repeater Planning = 1 Mhr.

Murray/AI4ZV (counted in Whitfield Co. report): See Whitfield County Report for combined Murray and Whitfield County report.

Whitfield/AI4ZV: This is a combined Murray and Whitfield County report.


Southeast:

Chatham/K4GTM: Read about Chatham County ARES and Savannah radio activities at www.k4gtm.blogspot.com.

Southwest:

Baker/K4GCR: Not much going on.

Dougherty/N4GPJ: Supported Nut Roll Bike Ride comunications on 9-12-09

Echols/AJ4RW: TNX FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE AS EC OF ECHOLS COUNTY

Grady/KI4RGD: September was a quiet month for Grady ARES.

Irwin/W4CWH: Wes is a new EC, and will take over this report starting in October.

Lee/W5VRV: PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS WERE IN SUPPORT OF THE 2009 NUT ROLL BICYCLE RACES.

Lowndes/AL7NS: Larry has stepped aside as Lowndes EC, so I'm answering for him. We'll begin searching for a replacememnt ASAP.

Seminole/K4TPD: Completed my HF antenna project this month and now I am

Turner/W4GHW: KF4BI and I have an appointment to speak to the Turner County Commission on October 6th. Any materials or suggestions for the meeting would be appreciated.

Worth/K1KBA: I will not be able to participate in the SET as I am leaving on a (motorcycle) trip to Virginia Beach, VA. WELCOME to our new leadership. de Ken, K1KBA

West Central:

Troup/K3IMC: MS 150 Bike Event at Callaway Gardens