Greetings, All. It's time to agitate the electrons again. (Scary thought, huh? Happy Hallowe-e-en!)

Earlier this year, the ARRL initiated teleconference meetings to provide Directors, Vice Directors, and SMs with the opportunity to enter into telephone discussions with each other and some of the ARRL HQ staff. The Southeastern and Roanoke Divisions were given the opportunity to teleconference on the 25th of October, and our Director FRANK BUTLER, W4RH, Vice Director SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, participated, along with nine SMs, (WV, NC, AL, NFL, WCF, SFL, VA, SC, and GA) one ASM,(SFL)and four HQ staff members (DENNIS DURA, K2DCD; STEVE EWALD, WV1X; KATIE BREEN, W1KRB; and CHUCK SKOLAUT, K0BOG) For better than an hour, we discussed many pertinent topics and shared experiences and ideas. Special thanks to Dennis, Steve, Katie, and Chuck for sharing some of their "free time" to make this such a meaningful meeting for all of us.

Dennis fielded many questions on our teleconference, and YOU will have the opportunity to meet him at the Lawrenceville Hamfest, at both the ARRL forum at 10AM, and at the ARES meeting at 11AM. When it comes to the role of amateur radio in Emergency Communications, Dennis is the man with the plan. (The ARRL forum will also provide you with the opportunity to give FRANK BUTLER, W4RH, a rousing three cheers in honor of his many years of service, so please stop by and express your appreciation.)

CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK, wanted me to let you know that the Annual Traffic Managers' Breakfast, formally known as the "GSN Breakfast", will be held on Saturday, November 3, at 7:30AM, at the Golden Corral, 2155 Riverside Parkway. Anyone interested in traffic and net operations is welcome to attend. Charles notes, "The restaurant is located just a short distance from the Hamfest site. The meeting will be short in order that everyone can arrive early at the Hamfest."

In the mid-monthly summary, I mentioned that kind gentleman ham at the Augusta Hamfest who provided information about the glitch that's been preventing many of our members from receiving their ARRL e-mailings through their Bellsouth provider. Now, I have a name and callsign to go along with it: it was VINCE CORDARO, AE4PQ. Again, many thanks to Vince for this useful information. Unfortunately, the "fix" hasn't worked for everyone. But, don't give up. If you've spoken to someone at Bellsouth about the problem, and asked them to allow your ARRL messages to come through, and that still doesn't work, please notify ARRL HQ.

Also in the mid-monthly summary, there was a request for any information about packet activity throughout the state. Alas, there was no response, but we're not giving up. LEE MCDANIELS, WB4QOJ, who has a lo-o-o-ong history (hee hee) of working digital communications, is currently working on creating a website devoted to digital operations in GA. Many thanks to Lee for doing the research that will lead to a valuable all-in-one-place tool to benefit every Georgia ham with an interest in packet radio. As soon as his website is ready for review, I'll let y'all know. In the meantime, if YOU have ANY information... any information at ALL... about packet radio operations in Georgia, please send it to Lee at wb4qoj@yahoo.com (P.S. Does anyone have any information about the 146.73 set-up on Sweat Mountain?)

Hats off to the members of the ARC of AUGUSTA and the NORTHWEST GA ARC for all of their efforts in hosting Hamfests during the month of October. It's a lot of work, I know, but I also know that I thoroughly enjoyed myself at both of your events. Thank you.

DON'T FORGET! The clock rolls back an hour this coming weekend. (Woo HOO! An "extra" hour of sleep!)

No real theme for this month's one-liners... just a mish-mash of stuff I've gathered from here and there.

Cogito ergo spud: I think; therefore, I yam.

CLUB NEWS

ALBANY ARC --- These fine folks recently reached an impressive benchmark... SIXTY years as an ARRL affiliated club. Not only do they have the longevity, but they still continue to be a thriving active public service group, and a bright and shining representative of amateur radio in their community. I hope they're still going strong for at least another sixty years.

ALFORD MEMORIAL ARC --- At the October meeting, club members enjoyed a presentation on the GA State Defense Force, what it is, what it does, and what role amateur radio can play with their organization. Last minute preparations are underway for the upcoming Hamfest, which promises to be bigger and better than ever. (November 3-4 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds on Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville) But you know what they say about all work and no play. Club members also took time out from preparing for the Hamfest to enjoy their annual picnic on October 20, and it was held once again at SUSAN and GEORGE, KE4SFO, COLLETI's place. Sorry we missed it, but knowing this crowd, there was lots of good food and good times to go around. On the 27th, members once again supported the Wesley Walk for Others.

CHARLES E KILBOURNE MEMORIAL ARS --- Georgia is proud to have another new amateur radio club. This club was organized by members of the Georgia State Defense Force, and includes members of the GA National Guard and Air National Guard, as well. Not sure who Charles Kilbourne was? Check out N4SDF on QRZ for some interesting reading about him and this club. Members will be holding a Special Event Station during their annual training at Ft. Stewart, the first weekend in November, operating from 1800Z on the 2nd until 1800Z on the 4th, using PSK-31 on 20 and 40M, and phone on 80M. (de ROGER SHADDICK, KI4TKB)

GATEWAY ARC --- (Cleveland) As we do from time to time, GARC used its regular Sunday night net on October 7 as an SET, with simplex check-ins and emergency power use for all who could, and net control operated from our new radio room in the EOC in Cleveland. We logged 15 check-ins on the regular part of the net, and 10 were able to check in simplex, plus one mobile relayed by a base station, and 10 were on emergency power. DON COLLINS, KA4BLS, is the club president, and RON MACENTIRE, K4RBM, CHARLES KENT, WC4DK, and DEAN DYER, KG4JDG, have led the work at the EOC in setting up our radio station. On October 20, during the JOTA event, several members of the Cleveland GARC club set up two radios and antennas for HF work at the Scout Hut and hosted Troop 48. JIM BALAUN, K4PZ, spearheaded the event, with MICHAEL STANLEY, AI4PL, seconding him, and DON COLLINS, KA4BLS, and IVAN WHITE, K4VJM, provided support. Jim had on hand the ARRL JOTA 50th anniversary patches and cards, a big hit with our Scouts. Feeding the group were TILITHA COLLINS, KI4MHH, DEBBIE STANLEY, KI4YME, and DIANA WHITE, KB4SNU, and MAC MACENTIRE, K4RBM, cooked. One of our Scouts is studying for his ham license now, and another got inspired that weekend; CHRIS EGELAND, AG4AX, has agreed to be the contact for these prospective hams. (de DIANA WHITE, KB4SNU)

GWINNETT ARS --- At the October meeting, BRIAN PAGE, N4TRB, presented a fascinating program on "Nostalgia Radio: A Visit to the Radio Society of Great Britain". Quite enjoyable. Coming up in November, MIKE BOATRIGHT, KO4WX, will present a program on the fun and challenge of operating QRP. Special thanks to club members for donating one hundred dollars to offset the costs of Youth Activities to be held at the Lawrenceville Hamfest. Your support is much appreciated.

LAGRANGE ARC --- CONGRATULATIONS to the club officers and members for their recent approval as the newest ARRL affiliated club in Georgia.

NORTH GA ARC --- (Dahlonega) TOM CROWELL, KD4DK, gathered a crew of communicators, mostly NGARC members, to help with the annual 6-Gap Century Bike Ride through the mountains of north Georgia. BUCK CHEVES, KC4GCK, acted as net control, and these hams manned the gaps, mobile contacts with SAG vehicles, and important checkpoints along the way: IVAN WHITE, K4VJM, RUSS BEASON, W4YKF, LARRY FLOYD, N4RPH, CRAIG PFEIFFER, KG4TJJ, ANDREW GEPPERT, KI4KLP, ART, KC4FRV, and ROBIN CHASE, KC4FRS, DAVE BURROWS, W9JWT, and BILL O'LEKSY, KF4IE. Besides the NGARC members, other hams helping out were WAYNE CHAPMAN, KG5WU, JOHN DAVIS, WB4QDX, CHARLES DELONEY, KI4RZU, DOUG KREGEL, KB6RRX, and JEFF HARRISON, KD4GPI. The ride enrolls about 2000 to 2500 bikers every year, and ham radio provides the communication in mountain gaps where cell phones and other means of contact are unreliable. K4VJM even worked out a temporary repeater to bounce between some tricky gaps; they used an exercise timer so they would ID at proper intervals. (de DIANA WHITE, KB4SNU)

THOMASVILLE ARC --- Club members are such staunch supporters of the annual Spaghetti 100 bike race, they'll be providing communications support again this year, along with members of the Tallahassee ARC, even though it falls on the same date as the Lawrenceville Hamfest.(Now, THAT'S dedication!)The following Saturday, the 10th, will be their world famous annual fish fry. Club president MIKE BROWN, KE4FGF, who is also EC for Thomas and Grady counties, as well as DEC for the Tallahassee NWS office, has made arrangements for the NWS to provide "Weather Updates" on the club's weekly 2M nets. Kudos to club members for their outstanding support of Mike and the local fire departments during this year's ambitious SET. (details on their successful SET under ARES News)

A Special THANK YOU to DIANA WHITE, KB4SNU, for sending me not one but TWO ready-to-go cut-and-paste items for two different clubs this month. Her efforts are much appreciated.

Those that forget the pasta are doomed to reheat it.

SPECIAL HAM CLUB, SPECIAL PEOPLE

These guys don't need to be called a Special Service Club to BE one, because these guys are all about service. They are Cobb county firefighters, and they are also hams. Many thanks to JAMES RAKESTRAW, KI4NIV, for sharing this great story with us:

On September 11th 2007, JIM PHILLIPS, AB2CD, and his VE team tested 8 Cobb County Firefighters for Technician Licenses. All 8 passed. Jim successfully requested a rush on the process and these new hams have an original issue date of September 11th. With the three previously licensed, KI4FSW, KI4NIV, KI4TUB, there are now eleven licensed operators in the ranks of Cobb County Fire Department. We expect this number to double by Spring 2008. This gives us an extra tool in our communications toolbox, and will be very helpful in working with disaster relief organizations we already have working relationships with.

We have formed our own Firefighter Amateur Radio Group called "Smoked Hams". We are holding a 2 meter simplex net on 146.550 at 7pm, depending on our work schedule it will be Friday, Saturday or Sunday, which ever we work each week. Everyone is welcome to check in.

A great big salute to the following Cobb county "Smoked Hams". (Dontcha just love it?)

GEORGE LEHNER, KI4FSW; JAMES RAKESTRAW, KI4NIV; FRANKIE MATTHEWS, KI4TUB; KEITH
TATUM, KI4ZJE; JOHN GRAHAM, KI4ZJD; BARRY LEWIS, KI4ZJC; STACEY DEARBORN, KI4ZIY; STEVE TATUM, KI4ZIX; NORM SPAFFORD, KI4ZIZ; and ANGELO HUNTER; KI4ZJA.

Am I ambivalent? Well, yes and no.

HELP WANTED

The Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon is quickly approaching on Thanksgiving Day, and we need your help to be successful! Ham radio is a key component of this event.

You can sign up online by going to http://www.signmeup.com/58176 or visiting the Atlanta Track Club webpage and clicking through the links http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/. This is the first year we are using the online registration system, so please also send me an email to let me know you've signed up.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I look forward to your participation!

73,
David Ziskind KE4QLH
ke4qlh@arrl.net
404-966-6864

One DNA molecule to another: do these genes make me look fat? (must be a female molecule...)

ARES NEWS

*** With the clocks turning back an hour this weekend, Sunday's statewide ARES net on 3.975 MHz will be held at 5PM local. As always, the first Sunday of the month will be emergency power week. All are encouraged to use a back-up power source when checking in. (Not necessary, but highly encouraged) The second Sunday of November, there will be a 60M test following the regular net, and on the second Sunday in December, there will be a test on 160M.

*** I am very pleased to announce a new ASEC appointment. Effective immediately, TOM FULLER, KE4QCM, will be taking responsibility for collating our monthly ARES reports and filing them with ARRL HQ. Many of you ECs and DECs have been extremely diligent about filing your reports each and every month, and I appreciate all of you. And I appreciate Tom for accepting the important task of getting your reports up to HQ every month. Thank you, Tom, and welcome aboard as our new ASEC for Reporting. Those monthly reports ARE important, and it is our intention to make 'em COUNT. Reminder: those reports are due by the 5th of the month.

*** SET: While we're talking about reporting, just a reminder to all of you ECs to please file a report with HQ about your group's SET. It'd be great to see MANY GA counties, not just a FEW, represented in QST when the accounting for this year's SET hits its pages. Many thanks to CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK, for doing an outstanding job, as always, running the statewide ARES net during the SET. I know about the stellar job that GWINNETT ARES did again this year, under the leadership of EC JOHN DAVIS, WB4QDX, and his excellent leadership team, and also about the amazing performance of members of the NORTH FULTON ARES group, under the leadership of EC TOM KOCH, W4UOC. With a fledgling group, Tom set the bar high, and these folks met or surpassed every expectation. Because of their success, there will be amateur radio capabilities integrated into many of the fire departments throughout the county. Kudos! The most complete after action report came this way from THOMAS COUNTY ARES, and their EC wearer-of-many-hats MIKE BROWN, KE4FGF:

Members of the Thomas County ARES group joined with Thomas County Fire Rescue on Saturday, October 20th, to test our ability to support their communications during an emergency. Known officially as SET, which stands for Simulated Emergency Test, the objective was to find out our shortcomings before faced with an actual disaster. Chris Jones, the county Fire Chief, is worried about losing communications after a large scale event, and wants to enlist our help. The stations involved were: 911 Ops, Bobby, N4KXL, and Alan, N4KGT, Remington Ops, Kerry, AI4CW, Beth, KI4NBV, and Sarah, KI4QYQ, Northside Op, Bobby, KD4QKI, Sunset Op, Paul, N7SDQ, Boston Op, Mike, KE4BZG, Ochlocknee Op, Buddy, WD4CJI, and Coolidge Op, Mike, KE4FGF. The morning had its share of obstacles to overcome; first, the shift on duty at 911 didn't know we were coming. Once that hurdle was cleared and we were inside, we found no way to get a coax out of the building. The doors were close fitting and kept locked, and the windows were not designed to be opened. We set up a small vertical in the window sill and thankfully that allowed us access to both the 147.06 and 145.17 repeaters. Other installs went more smoothly and the real problem stations, Boston, Ochlocknee, and Coolidge were able to check in with no problems. As Bobby and Alan tried to work from the 911 Center, they encountered problems in information transfer from the incoming calls that were fire related and that needed to be passed, plus they had to keep the radio quiet enough to prevent disturbing the 911 operators. For the other stations, we found that the 2 meter band was enhanced that morning and that gave KE4BZG's mobile rig enough help to reach the 06 repeater, though when the band faded, he was no longer able to make the machine. Coolidge and Ochlocknee both had tripod towers and were able to access the repeater for the entire exercise. Each station had an operator signed up ready to do a "ride along" but as chance would have it, there were no calls while the exercise was underway. We did some routine "housekeeping" traffic and that worked pretty well, but we found out that we need a better understanding of some of the technical language, and of the command structure. As Coolidge Op, I had all the traffic (even messages destined for another station with a ham present) delivered to me, and was left wondering why until we found out later that the Lieutenant on duty at my station was in overall charge and all traffic had to pass through him first. Bobby, KD4QKI, had the forethought to bring a 12 volt deep cycle battery along for his mobile radio in the fire truck and that was a good thing. The others found out that Fire trucks do not necessarily have cigarette lighters. I had a mag-mount and HT on my engine, but I could only reach the 145.17 repeater. We had a de-brief session afterwards at the EOC and talked about what went right and what went wrong while it was still fresh on everyone's mind. There was plenty of good information on both sides, and we agreed that we need to do this again in the near future, after we get a bit more familiar with how the message traffic should be passed. So, if you wanted to do this event, but were unable to, you will get your chance at the experience. I'd like to say thanks to Paul, N7SDQ, for being the principal architect for this exercise, and of course big thanks go to Chris Jones and the Firefighters who made us all feel welcome.

*** GOOD NEWS for all of you who were unable to attend the 2007 Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference, (GAREC-07)held in Huntsville earlier this year. The following info comes to us from the 9/27 ARES E-Letter:

Most of the presentations made at GAREC-07 are now available on the Web at
http://gaiss.tssg.org/GAREC07/index.html. A link to this site has also been put on the main GAREC-07 site at http://www.arrl-al.org/GAREC07.htm and will be added to the IARU pages at http://www.iaru.org/emergency/, from where a link also gives access to the presentations of GAREC-05 and -06. (de HANS ZIMMERMANN, F5VKP/HB9AQS, IARU International Coordinator for Emergency Communications)

*** ENCOMM PARTY ON THE AIR --- They're throwing a party, and for the first time, we're invited! When? Sunday, November 11th, 2007, 1100-1500Z. I know it's EARLY, but I thought you'd all like to know:

IARU Region 1 invites the HQ-stations of IARU member societies and stations of emergency communications groups to participate in the Third EmComm party on the Air. The operation will take place on and near the emergency Center-of-Activity (CoA) frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 meters (+/-QRM).

The objectives are to
1) Increase the common interest among member societies in emergency communications,
2) Test how usable the CoA frequencies are across ITU Regions,
3) Create practices for international emergency communication and
4) Practice the relaying of messages.

Please keep in mind: This is not a contest - it is an emergency communications exercise!

The protocol is as follows:

All traffic during this party will take place in SSB only (we will include digital modes in 2008).

Following the recommendation of GAREC-2007, we ask every participating station to use /D in their callsign (D=distress/disaster) where permitted by their licensing administration.

Each IARU Region will have a HQ station as follows:

Region 1 OF3F/D in Finland
Region 2 To be announced
Region 3 To be announced

HQ stations will be QRV simultaneously on the all CoA frequencies: 3760, 7060, 14300, 18160 and 21360 kHz +/- QRM.

Please note that frequencies on 80 and 40 meters may be different due to the band plan of your Region.

Stations intending to participate are requested if possible - to send their callsigns to emcomparty@raynet-hf.net before the exercise so that HQ stations can be aware of the number of stations that may be calling them.

The special Aim of this exercise is practice in relaying messages. Each participating station is allowed to send two (2) messages during the exercise: one during two first hours and the second during two last hours of the exercise.

After own message(s) participating stations start to relay messages of other stations and finally after two or more relays in the message forwarding them to the HQ stations of their own Region. It will be very useful if messages are "jumping" between Countries and/or Regions.

Participating stations are calling: "This is <callsign> station of (ARRL, DARC, HAMNET etc.) calling EmCom stations for testing." (Please announce time to time "this is an exercise".)

So each participating station (like 4U1ITU/D) will form own message as follows:

4U1ITU/1/20/17/15/03/IARC via .. via .. etc.

We will use the word "slash" to separate details in these messages where:

4U1ITU= the callsign of the station
/1/ = first message during first 2 hours of the exercise (/2/ in the second message during two last hours of the Party
/14/17/21/ = bands available for use at 4U1ITU[gm1]
03 = there are 3 operators at 4U1ITU
IARC = International Amateur Radio Club of ITU HQ
via .. via.. = callsigns of relayed stations - e.g. via LZ2US via SU1KM to OF3F/D

HQ-stations of the Regions (like OF3F/D) are not giving messages - only receiving and confirming them. To avoid QRMing the HQ-station, please move to frequencies near the CoA for contacts with other stations.

To create a more realistic situation, please limit your transmitting power during the exercise to 100 watts. A special value is given to stations operating mobile/portable and/or on emergency power.

Please send your comments and suggestions for future exercises after the exercise to: emcomparty@raynet-hf.net. Logs are only required from the three Region HQ stations for analysis.

This is the first time that all regions are invited to participate this EmComm Party. To be fair to all regions in the future we will use three different time slots for the Party: The fourth Party will be on May 3rd, 2008 at 1800-2200Z and the fifth on Nov. 8th, 2008, at 0400-0800Z.

de OH1VR, Emergency Communication Coordinator, IARU Region 1

*** CURRENT STATUS OF HOSPITAL PROJECT de BARRY KANNE, W4TGA, our ASEC for Public Health:

For the past year or so I have been working with the Georgia Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) to install full coverage ham radio stations in the 15 Regional Coordinating Hospitals throughout the state. We have been using grant funds supplied by the federal government via DPH officials and administered by the GHA. My role has been to visit each hospital, determine what they will need (along with the local ARES EC), create a detailed material list and wait for them to get the equipment ordered, and cable installed. Then I return to connect the cables, test the station and turn the station over to the local ARES EC for staffing.

So far we have all 15 hospitals either fully or partially operational. Those that are not fully in service are either waiting for coax to arrive from the vendor, or are waiting for the installation of that coax by an outside contractor or their internal maintenance staff. We have also equipped a few hospitals in the Atlanta area with 2 meter/440 stations using the same pattern, but with their own funding.

The basic set of equipment includes:

Two runs of LMR-600 coax (either normal or plenum rated, depending on local codes)
One Diamond X-50NA antenna
One B&W End-fed VEE antenna with 24 foot mast kit
About $200 worth of miscellaneous mounting items for the system antennas: (tywraps, ground clamps, mounting pole for the X50NA, etc.)
Two Polyphaser N type arrestors
One Kenwood TM-D700A dual band radio with internal APRS/packet
One Kenwood TS-480SAT with internal antenna tuner
One Astron RS-35M power supply
One "to Go" kit from West Mountain Radio with a PG40 PowerGate regulator
One 75 AH fully sealed battery from BCI in Norcross
All (except the coax) installed inside a custom watertight case

The equipment is installed in the case and tested by AIRNET Technologies Group, Inc. (my company) who donate my time (and mileage) to this project.

All antennas have N connectors. The coax lines terminate on a 4 x 4 inch stainless steel panel in the hospital command center. There are N to UHF adapters supplied for each antenna at that panel.

I have been trying to prioritize installations based on location with emphasis on the Southeast corner of the state and working toward the Northwest. The theory was to support hospitals in the path of any eventual hurricanes or similar disasters. So far, just the threat of being prepared has seemed to keep the hurricanes away.

The funding this year was only for the Regional Coordinating Hospitals. In the FY2008 budget there is supposed to be funding for hospitals of 300 beds and over. However, I have not seen any details of that to date. This year we had $7000 for each site, which covered most locations except where plenum rated cable ($10.82/ft) was needed. Then other funding had to be found to cover those additional costs. That is where GHA was a great asset on the team.

NOTE: If you would be interested in serving on the communications team for any of the regional hospitals, please contact your local EC or Barry, at w4tga@arrl.net I can't say enough good things about the exemplary work that Barry has done on this project. His drive and determination have been instrumental in taking this from a "great idea" to reality.

Sign in a music shop window: Gone Chopin. Be Bach in a minuet.

NET REPORT DE STM CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK

	QNI	QTC	SESS	QND	NM
GSSB: Georgia Single Side Band Association 3975 kHz  7 PM local, year round.	1964	19	30		N4DZ
GCN: Georgia Cracker Net 3995 kHz 7 AM Monday- Saturday;  8 AM Sundays	1304	8	30		N4VMC
GBH: Georgia Baptist Hams 3865 kHz 4 PM Sundays	NR
GA ARES: Georgia Amateur Radio Emergency Services 3975 kHz  5 PM winters; 6 PM summers - Sundays	605	2	5		K4GK
GTE: Georgia Traffic and Emergency Net 3983 kHz 7:15 PM DAILY	1159	10	30		W4AYK
GTN: Georgia Traffic Net (SSB) (Cycle 2) 3987.5 kHz 1 PM Monday - Saturday	287	10	25		WU4C
GTN: Georgia Traffic Handling Training Net (CW) 3549 kHz 9PM DAILY (slow speed)	142	1	28	562	N4VAD
GSN: Georgia Section CW Net (Cycle 4) 3549 kHz 7PM and 10PM DAILY (medium to high speed)	307	92	59	437	K4GK

PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL:

K4GK	110
WA4UJC	108
K8GA	78
WB4BIK	90
K4BEH	83

STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS:

Traffic handled (QTC):

K4GK	105
WA4UJC	16
WB4BIK	66
K8GA	85
K4BEH	20
K4BAI	18

"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

WHY ARE WE CALLED HAMS???

We've all been asked that question before, and there's an abundance of theories and ideas about just how we came to have that name. The following explanation came from smiling NORMAN HARRILL, N4NH, the WCARS VE Coordinator, and was shared by DAVE MEADOWS, K4LDI.

Have you ever wondered why we radio amateurs are called "HAMS"? Well, according to the Northern Ohio Radio Society, it goes like this: the word ham was applied in 1908 and was the call letters of one of the first Amateur wireless stations
operated by some members of the HARVARD RADIO CLUB. There were Albert S. Hyman, Bob Almy and Peggie Murray. At first, they called their station Hyman-Almy-Murry. Tapping out such a long name in code soon called for a revision and they changed it to HY-AL-MU, using the first two letters of each name. Early in 1909, some confusion resulted between signals from Amateur wireless HYALMU and a Mexican ship named HYALMO, so they decided to use only the first letter of each name and the call became HAM. In the early pioneer unregulated days of radio,
Amateur operators picked their own frequency and call letters. Then, as now, some Amateurs had better signals than some commercial stations. The resulting interference finally came to the attention of congressional committees in Washington and they gave much time to proposed legislation designed to critically limit Amateur activity. In 1911, Albert Hyman chose the controversial Wireless Regulation Bill as the topic for his thesis at Harvard. His instructor insisted that a copy be sent to Senator David I. Walsh, a member of one of the committees hearing the bill. The Senator was so impressed, he sent for Hyman to appear before the committee. He was put on the stand and described how the
little Amateur station was built. He almost cried when he told the crowded committee room that if the bill went through, they would have to close up the station because they could not afford the license fees and all the other requirements that were set up in the bill. The debate started and the little station HAM became a symbol of all the little Amateur stations in the country crying out to be saved from menace and greed of the big commercial stations who did not want them around. Finally, the bill got to the floor of Congress and every speaker talked about the poor little station "HAM." That's how it all started. You will find the whole story in the Congressional Record. Nationwide publicity associated station HAM with Amateurs. From that day to this, and
probably to the end of time, in radio, an Amateur is a HAM.

Confucius says: man who sit on tack gets point.

SWEEPSTAKES CONTEST!

A couple of people sent me the following information about a contest that you just might be interested in entering. It's sponsored by GigaParts, Inc, no purchase is necessary, and the grand prize is a Yaesu FT-950. (THAT got your attention, didn't it...??) Read on.

PRIZES. One Grand Prize, Yaesu FT-950, valued at $1499.00. The winner is responsible for all taxes and expenses associated with accepting the prize.

PROMOTION PERIOD. The Promotion Period begins October 14th, 2007 and ends December 07, 2007. All mail-in entries must be received by December 06, 2007. Online entries must be received by our server before noon (US Central time) on December 07, 2007.

ELIGIBILITY. To participate, you must be at least 18 years of age at time of entry and an FCC licensed US amateur operator or the legal guardian of a minor who is so licensed. Due to restrictive laws in many countries, this promotion is only valid within the United States, its territories, and possessions. Winners located outside of the 50 states but within a territory or possession will be responsible for all applicable freight charges. Entries with insufficient or inaccurate information will be disqualified. This promotion is VOID where prohibited by law. If you enter a club callsign, you may not enter, on the same day, the callsign of the trustee or another club callsign for which the same person is the trustee. Licensed amateur operators under legal age should have their legal guardians submit entries and claim any prizes on their behalf. GigaParts employees/ex-employees and their immediate family are not eligible to win.

WINNER SELECTION. The Grand Prize winner will be randomly selected on or after December 07, 2007. The winner's callsign will be announced at www.gigaparts.com as soon as the winner's information and qualification have been verified. To receive the winner's name by mail, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to GigaParts Sweepstakes Winner Request, PO Box 11367, Huntsville, AL 35814 to be received no later than December 21, 2007. Winners will be notified by email and/or telephone on or after December 07, 2007. The odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entries submitted by the participant and the total number of entries received during the Sweepstakes.

HOW TO ENTER BY MAIL. Mail a 3"x5" card with your Name, Amateur Radio Callsign, Address, and phone number to GigaParts Sweepstakes, PO Box 11367, Huntsville, AL 35814. The date of your entry will be the postmark date. If you have an entry submitted online for that date, your mailed entry will be discarded. Do not submit more than one Callsign per mailing per day. GigaParts, Inc. is not responsible for lost, damaged, illegible, or mutilated entries.

HOW TO ENTER ONLINE. Submit your callsign, email address, and a phone number in the space provided on our website, www.gigaparts.com  Only one entry per Callsign, per day is eligible. Subsequent entries may be received, but only the first entry will be eligible. Entries submitted using an automated process such as bots, macros, scripts, or a third-party do not qualify.

BONUS ENTRIES. Bonus entries may be submitted online by correctly answering a multiple choice trivia question after submitting your initial daily entry. Bonus entries are not guaranteed and may be revoked after being awarded. The Sponsor is not required to offer a bonus entry and participation in the bonus entry is completely voluntary. Limit one bonus entry per day per callsign. If the Sponsor determines that a bonus question is invalid, incorrect, poorly worded, or deficient in any way, the Sponsor will make its best efforts to address this deficiency in the interest of fairness as decided solely by the Sponsor. Remedies include, but are not limited to: discarding all bonus entries for any given day or every day; or awarding bonus entries to all participants who submitted an entry on any given day; or any other course of action or inaction deemed fair by the Sponsor.

DISCLAIMERS AND OTHER INFORMATION. Sponsor is not responsible for any conditions which prevent participants from submitting entries by mail or online including, but not limited to: hardware or software malfunctions, network unavailability, or service outages. Sponsor is not responsible for injury or damage to participants or their computer equipment. If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is unable to run as planned or if any incident occurs which affects the administration, integrity, fairness, or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, the Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, suspend, end prematurely, or restart the Sweepstakes, completely or in part. Any attempt at tampering with or manipulating the Sweepstakes will disqualify the participant and may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. The Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and other legal remedies from any such person. By participating, entrants agree to these Official Rules and agree to be bound by the decisions and interpretations of these rules made by the Sponsor which shall be final. The entrant also agrees to release and hold harmless from all liability, for any cause, the Sweepstakes Sponsor, its parent, subsidiaries, employees, officers, owners, or affiliates. Participants agree to allow us to publish their name, callsign, and participation statistics on our website, in future promotions and advertising campaigns. The winner will be required to provide GigaParts, Inc. with the information necessary for us to complete an IRS Form 1099. If the required information is not received by December 14 , 2007, an alternate grand prizewinner will be chosen.

ARBITRATION/JURISDICTION. Except where prohibited by law, participants agree that all disputes, claims, or causes of action against the Sponsor shall be resolved exclusively by arbitration in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and all liability of the Sponsor will be limited to actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the participant exclusively for their participation in this Sweepstakes excluding legal fees, attorney fees, punitive, incidental, consequential, or other damages. All aspects of this Sweepstakes shall be governed by, in the jurisdiction of, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama. If any part of these Official Rules is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall be considered valid and enforceable as if the invalid and unenforceable provision was not contained therein.

SPONSOR. This promotion is sponsored by GigaParts, Inc. Please mail questions or comments regarding this promotion to GigaParts Sweepstakes, PO Box 11367, Huntsville, AL 35814.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

ARRL 2007 FREQUENCY MEASURING TEST

The 2007 ARRL Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) will take place November 15 (UTC). It will be conducted using essentially the same format as last year's FMT.

The 2007 FMT will run November 15 at 0245 UTC (November 14 at 9:45 PM EST). It will replace the W1AW normally scheduled phone bulletin. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, recommends that those planning to participate listen to W1AW's transmissions prior to the event to determine which band--or bands--will be best for measurement purposes.

The FMT will start with a general QST call from W1AW at exactly 0245 UTC, transmitted simultaneously on three amateur frequencies. The approximate frequencies are 1854 kHz, 3583 kHz and 7045 kHz. The test will consist of three 60-second key down transmissions for each band, followed by a series of dits, followed by a station identification.

The test will last for approximately 15 minutes and will end with a series of Vs followed by station identification. W1AW will identify before, during and after the transmissions.

This year, your report should be submitted via the FMT Report form on the W1AW FMT Web site. Along with your call sign and e-mail address, enter your most accurate measurement on each band and indicate whether you measured the W1AW (or WA6ZTY) signal. There will be a window to list your equipment, describe the method you used to make the measurements and enter any Soapbox comments.

W1AW will post on the FMT web site the transmitted frequencies following the test. This will allow participants to quickly determine the accuracy of their equipment and methods.

An article, "Frequency Measuring Test 2007," by Ward Silver, N0AX, in the November 2007 QST and also available on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/fmt/2007/2007FMTSilver.pdf covers this year's FMT.

Additional information about the FMT--including a list of reference articles and updates to test schedules--is on the W1AW Frequency Measuring Test Web page, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/fmt.

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it stand to reason that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

SECTION NOTABLES

*** CONGRATULATIONS to GUY SHIELDS, W4GBU, who recently earned his place on the DXCC Honor Roll.

*** Talk about a cool job! I saw them listed in the November QST, and in case you missed it, JESSICA CARTER, KF4VKP, and JEFF CARTER, KD4RBG, are frequency coordinators for our own Atlanta Falcons. (With the way the Birds are playing this season, they don't have much in the way of on-the-job distractions, either!)

Psycho sclerosis: hardening of the attitudes.

GEORGIA PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)

*** YOUTH ACTIVITIES galore at the Alford Memorial ARC Hamfest, November 3-4, at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds on Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. And you don't have to raid your piggy banks, either, because if you're under 16, you get in for FREE. Lots of fun activities planned. THE place to meet a bunch of other young hams, and to participate in all kinds of fun activities designed just for you. Youth lounge, youth special event station W4Y, fox hunts, scavenger hunts, geocaching, a youth dinner, and more. And a special Youth Forum on Saturday at NOON. GEORGIA PIGLET tee shirts will also be on sale at the ARRL table.

*** RAMBLER RADIO CLUB --- Lafayette Middle School--- This news, from sponsor JODY CARTER, KI4TVE:

September was a busy month for the Rambler Radio Club! At the beginning of the month, we sponsored a presentation for Disaster Preparedness Month. Thanks to the American Red Cross, Jeff Pollard and the Walker County Fire Department, and Walker County Emergency Management Director David Ashburn for presenting. Over 250 Students participated in the presentation.

The donations continue to come in as well. Thanks to Doc, N4RNX, Eddie, KB4LD, and my dad, Keith Carter, KF4BI, we now also have 7 more jumpers, an antenna switch, more antenna parts, an SWR meter, and a countless supply of "QST" magazines. Thanks for the help. By the way, the article on the watermelon antenna was an absolute hoot!

The month of October has proven to be just as busy as the last. One of our members, Avery, made our first contact of the month last Thursday under the club call. He was pumped! He wanted to come to school next week during Fall Break just to make more contacts!

Also, the Chattanooga Hamfest is coming up on the last Saturday of the month. Doors open at 8am and $7 gets you in the door. We hope to have several students ready to take their Technician's test. Also, there will be a youth forum there. For more information, search Hamfestchattanooga.org

This week, thanks to Principal Culberson, we are having antennas installed and wired directly into my classroom. We are definitely excited about not setting up before and after every meeting. Listen for our yell next week when it finally happens.

Speaking of finally, I have finally finished our club's ARRL Big Project grant application. It will be in the mail next week.

NOTE: Jody and two of his students attended the Hamfest in Chattanooga, and were favorably impressed with the Youth Forum, as well as the warm welcome they received. There aren't many places left today where a young person can go with a couple of dollars in his pocket and leave with an armful of goodies.

*** And from GARY HEADRICK, KD4VQT, sponsor of the Otwell Middle School Ham Club, comes this news: We had our second Otwell Middle School Ham Club meeting. We are on the air from an apartment antenna mounted on a ten foot aluminum ladder outside my room at school. We had fifteen with four committing to attend a local class sponsored by the local ARES club to study for their Tech License. Since last month, we have gotten our radio up and running. Today, we talked to several local Hams on 2 m and learned more about the important place that Ham plays in our society, especially in time of disaster. We hope in the next month to get our permanent antenna erected and be ready to go wide open.

We're only young once, but with humor, we can be immature forever. ART GLINER

JOTA SUCCESS STORY

JOTA represents a unique opportunity for hams to generate excitement within the Scout community about the wonders of amateur radio, and I thank all of you who took advantage of this opportunity. Many thanks, also, to CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK, CHARLES DAVIS, WA4UJC, and GARY LINDEMANN, N4OLN, who once again manned the mike for our statewide JOTA net. Good job, guys.

I heard from a smattering of you who were planning to work with Scouts during JOTA weekend, and I hope the activity went well for all of you. The most excitement was generated down in south Georgia, where PHILIP NEIDLINGER, KA4KOE, did an outstanding job of promoting the activity and recruiting volunteers to help make it a success.

And a mighty success it was, which is pretty darned fitting, since it was held at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Savannah. (So, the Scouts could ooh and ahh over the planes, as well as the radios.) There were 50 Scouts and leaders in attendance, and a whopping 20 volunteers on-hand to assure a positive experience for all of the visitors. Kudos to Phil for putting so much effort and planning into the activity. And hats off to all of the volunteers. In addition to Philip, volunteers included his lovely bride SHERI, KG4KTW; SARAH PURVIS; JAMES GLENN, KD4MJH; ELAINE GLENN, KE4IPM; MICHAEL QUINN, KI4KWB; RALPH QUINN, W4REQ; GREG MOORE, KA4ZDI; MARK BOLTON, KA4CID; TODD HARGRAVE, KD6RYQ; MARCUS MARCANTEL, W4MWM; BOB HARMAN, W4WTO; MARK ZEIGLER, KD4PDX; HEYWARD LOVETT, KT4RW; MAC MCCORMICK, JR, AF4KL; MAC MCCORMICK,III, KF4LMT; KEVIN TISCHLER, KM5RT; JESSE BELL, K4QBS; KEN LANIER, KI4TYO; and COURTNEY COCHRAN. On-air assistance was provided by HEYWARD LOVETT, KT4RW; PETER COOLEY, K4JAC; DAVID ROSENTHAL, WD4FIH; KEN GRIFFITH, W4JKG; and MARCUS MARCANTEL, W4MWM.

Is Marx's tomb a Communist plot?

THIS 'N' THAT

*** In last month's newsletter, there was info from BOB CARR, W5UX, about a virtual ionosphere program on the Internet called CQ100. WARRENN FLYNN, WB4ZOJ, noticed that there was no website address provided, and he has very kindly provided that additional information. Licensed hams can download the CQ100 HF Transceiver from http://qsonet.com/programs.html Warren also adds that Dave, G3VFP, has written a review about the CQ100 on his website http://www.g3vfp.org/qsonet.htm. While you are there, scroll down and click back to his homepage for many more resources such as software and circuit downloads, and interesting Ham Radio links.

*** Cool site with downloadable information for anyone teaching a ham class: www.hamradioinstructor.com/powerpoint.html 

*** FREE is good, right? The following information about free amateur radio books, YOURS for the download, comes from LEE JUCKETT, AF4IA:

There are two web sites that have full copies of ARRL 1936 and 1941 Amateur Radio Handbook, QRP projects, Editors and Engineers amateur Radio Handbooks, etc.

Two books that any QRPer should have are the "Crystal Sets to Sideband" by FRANK HARRIS, KO1YE, and the QRP projects book. Both are available at http://www.tech-systems-labs.com/books.htm. Lee says, "Frank includes complete design techniques and circuits to build a total Solid State ham station. He provides the theory and then the actual circuits. A must read for any QRP builder." (Additional books are also available at this site.)

The other website is http://www.pmillett.com/tecnical_books_online.htm There, you can find some old (i.e. 1936, 1941) ARRL handbooks, and various other texts that, as Lee says, "cover everything from the birth of ham radio, history, antenna, glowbug receivers and transmitters to modern day solid state."

*** Seven New Audio PSAs for broadcast radio released Go to www.arrl.org/pio Left click to listen; Right click to download

*** If you haven't already seen this, it's worth a look. It's an old film on amateur radio. Good stuff! Got it from several different places, but I'm gonna credit BOB VARONE, W4ETN, as the first who sent it my way. (and to prove to him that I DO know his call sign!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBGIdf0VjQ4 

*** RADIOS FOR SALE --- an ICOM 706 and a Standard two-meter transceiver. What's unique about these radios is that they are permanently mounted in a silver 2000 Toyota Camry. The installation is so nice that owner JIM BRUCE, K1FF, wants to sell the whole thing as a package deal. Sounds like an ideal offer for a ham who needs a car, and doesn't want to have to go through the hassle of installing radios. He says, "For HF, it has a heavy-duty trunk-lip mount and several Comet HF antennas (80, 40, 20 and 10 meters plus a two-meter 5/8 wavelength). These are well made Japanese products and are unusually small for HF mobile antennas. For the Standard two meter rig, it has a through-the-glass antenna. The bodies and speakers of both radios lie under the driver's seat and are connected by heavy wiring directly to the battery. The detached faceplate of the IC-706 is attached to an aluminum bracket that slides into the ashtray slot. The Standard two-meter rig has all controls on the microphone." Jim is the original owner of the vehicle, which has 150,000 miles on it, and is in good mechanical order. Automatic door locks no longer function, the windshield wipers only have one speed, (not that we need ANY speed these days) and there are a few minor dings and scrapes. Interested? Please contact Jim at (770) 840-8098

*** This doesn't pertain to Ham Radio, but VICTOR WASILOV, KI4HPX, thought some of you might enjoy reading about a "NASA Connection" in Walker county Georgia. Researchers from the Marshall Space Flight Center have built a new "lunar impact" observatory there in north Georgia, and it's being used for some cutting edge research and also being shared with some lucky students in the area.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/28sep_wco.htm?list166175

-----> And several items of interest from the ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet 10/17:

*** John VE3EJ relayed a tremendous paper on preventing corrosion
http://www.anchorguard.com/reference_understand.cfm in tower guy anchors. It begins with a comprehensive discussion of what electrochemical corrosion is and then moves to a detailed discussion of buried guy anchors, corrosion mechanisms, and methods of avoiding corrosion.

*** Want to learn ALL about vacuum tubes? Here's a terrific on-line course http://www.tpub.com/content/neets/14178/index.htm on "hollow state" electronics.

*** The design team of Milt W8NUE and George N2APB have introduced a handheld, battery-operated digital modem that implements PSK31 communications without a host PC. Presented at the ARRL/TAPR DCC 2007 conference this past weekend, the NUE-PSK digital modem will work with any SSB transceiver to finally allow PSK31 to be easily done in the field "portable PSK". See the NUE-PSK web page http://www.amqrp.org/kits/nue-psk31/index.html for overview, details, photos and more. Also available is the DCC article, the slides from the conference presentation. (Thanks, George N2APB)

*** And one final item from the 10/31 ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet: It can be a real struggle to find microphone pinouts, so Jim W7DHC's contribution this week is one to bookmark. It's a Website http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rg4wpw/date.html that describes the proper pinouts for just about any microphone you might have. It's an amazing list!

*** Siemens is having a contest to give a free one million dollar MRI machine to a hospital in America. Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, GA, which was devastated by a tornado last spring, has submitted a compelling video entry and has sent out communications to hospitals throughout the Southeast, asking for employees to vote for their entry. You can submit one vote in a 24 hour period from each email account at work and at home. Please help SRH win this much needed MRI equipment by going to the following website and VOTING! Also, please forward this request to everyone you know and encourage them to vote as well.

http://www.winanmri.com/ 

You can vote once a day until November 30th. This is another small way we can support our state during their time of need.

*** HAM RADIO TO THE RESCUE: The following true story was sent to me by a GA ham, who wishes to remain anonymous: On October 18th, a Carroll county ham returned home from running some errands, and found a strange car in his driveway and lights on in his house. No one was home, but someone was inside... a burglar. Because this ham doesn't have a cell phone, he backed his car up and put out a call on the W4FWD repeater. Another ham called Carroll County 911, and Deputies arrived in minutes. The burglar escaped empty handed, but left his car and driver's license behind. No one was injured. I think this is a great example of citizenship in true Amateur Radio fashion. I wanted to tell you about it.

A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

GEEZERS

Recently, I've exchanged some emails with a delightful man, WALT MAURER, WB4JKD. He's one of our WWII veterans, and a self-professed "geezer"... even uses "geezer" as part of his email address. Got me to thinking about a piece that was included in a couple of past newsletters, and since it's been four years since it last appeared, it's time to give it another run. The last two times this was included, I heard from a bunch of you, proudly claiming the title of geezer. So, here it is again, in honor of all our veterans. You gentlemen are the backbone of our country. So, here's to you.... with a special nod to my new friend Walt.

"Geezers" (slang for an old man) are easy to spot at sporting events. During the playing of the national anthem, Old Geezers hold their caps over their hearts and sing without embarrassment. They know the words, and believe in them. Old Geezers remember World War I, the Depression, WWII, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy, and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Jet Age, and the moon landing, not to mention Vietnam. If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk, he will apologize. If you pass an Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his hat to a lady. Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women. Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection. Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children, and they don't like filth in TV or in movies. Old Geezers have moral courage. They seldom brag, unless it's about their grandchildren. It's the Old Geezers who know our great country is protected, not by politicians or police, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country. This country needs Old Geezers with their decent values. We need them now more than ever. Thank God for Old Geezers.

The only trouble with retirement: you never get a day off!

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOVEMBER 3-4 --- ALFORD MEMORIAL ARC Hamfest--- AKA the "Lawrenceville Hamfest". Whatever you call it, this is one you won't want to miss. To be held at the Gwinnett county fairgrounds, on Sugarloaf Parkway, opening at 8AM. Scheduled forums and meetings on Saturday include a MARS meeting at 9AM; ARRL forum at 10AM, with featured guest speaker DENNIS DURA, K2DCD, (and an opportunity for you to give a standing ovation to retiring SE Director FRANK BUTLER, W4RH); ARES meeting at 11AM; Youth Forum at noon; the Strange Antenna Challenge, by ARNOLD SOLOMON, KC4ZUA at 1PM; and an informative forum on Linux at 2 PM. And MORE!!! ALWAYS a great event. For more info, see www.totr-radio.org 

NOVEMBER 3-5 --- 2100Z Nov 3- 0300Z Nov 5- ARRL Sweepstakes (CW) Please see www.arrl.org/contests for details.

NOVEMBER 10-12 --- CQ WE (Western Electric)- 1900Z Nov 10- 0500Z Nov 12- As much a "ragchew" as it is a contest, a chance for Ma Bell employees, both pre- and post-divestiture, to "hook up" again. Phone, CW, and digital. cqwe.cboh.org

NOVEMBER 11 --- Veteran's Day "Freedom is not free" Many thanks to all of our veterans.

NOVEMBER 15 --- 0245Z--- W1AW Frequency Measuring Test 1.854, 3.583, and 7.045 MHz

NOVEMBER 17-19 --- 2100Z Nov 17- 0300Z Nov 19- ARRL Sweepstakes (SSB) Please see www.arrl.org/contests for details.

NOVEMBER 22 --- HAPPY THANKSGIVING

NOVEMBER 24-25 --- 0000Z Nov 24- 2400Z Nov 25- CQ WW DX (CW) See www.cqww.com for details.

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 1 --- Skywarn Recognition Day-1900Z Nov 30- 1900Z Dec 1

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 2 --- ARRL 160 M Contest. See p 102 of November QST for details

Every calendar's days are numbered.

SILENT KEYS

BOB SNIPES KS4EP
TOM VAN VALKENBURG N2SBD

Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of both of these fine men.

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

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

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