Georgia Section On My Mind

December, 2006

Greetings, All. The weather may still be mild, but sure enough, the calendar's telling us that December is here. I wish for each of you a very wonderful Christmas and a happy Hanukkah.

Many thanks to all of the clubs who have so graciously invited us to join you at your club party this month. We really do appreciate your kind offers, but I think we're gonna stay closer to home this year, rather than attempt another whirlwind tour of the state. (I wouldn't say "burn-out", but the flame is flickering a bit. Time to re-group and relax so we can hit the new year with renewed enthusiasm.)

For those of you who are planning to attend a VE session this month, please check with the contact person to be sure that the session will be held. I do know that we will NOT be holding a session at GA Tech this month. We sure had a full house there for our session in November, though. We had 'em sitting all over the place. (SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, says that the reason we have so many applicants every month is because everybody knows that they become "instantly smarter" just by setting foot on campus. And, here I thought it was our magnetic personalities...) Some of the folks there were from a new Scout group, and both Scout leaders and Scouts alike were there to take a test. It's their goal to build a Scout group with the highest percentage of licensed hams of any other Scout group in the country. All I can say is that they're off to a great start.

Okay, let's get on with it and see what's going on, and what's coming up around the corner. The one-liners this month are from an article that was in the newspaper some years back. It's called "Republicans and Democrats Celebrate Season Differently" and it was put together from anonymous Internet sources. I ran these once before, but it's time to give them another whirl.

Republican parents have no problem buying their kids toy guns. Democrats refuse to do so.
That's why their kids pretend to shoot each other with dolls.

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

NOVEMBER 4-5 --- LAWRENCEVILLE Hamfest--- What can I say? We all look forward to this one every year, and it always lives up to our expectations. Chalk up yet another rip-roaring success for the Alford Memorial ARC and Hamfest chairman RANDY BASSETT, KR4NQ, and his army of volunteers. These folks know what it takes to please, and they put in lots of hard work to deliver it. Great job!

There was a whole host of forums on Saturday, and they were all well-attended and much appreciated. NORM FUSARO, W3IZ, was our visiting representative from ARRL HQ this year, and he did a fine job leading the ARRL forum. If you missed out on talking to him while he was in town, you missed a real treat. He's a straight-shooting, blunt-speaking, contester from Philadelphia, and he's just plain fun to be around. It was great to have him down this way for the Hamfest. (Thanks to SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, for inviting him.)

The ARES forum focused mostly on WinLink 2000 this year, and TOM OLLEY, KG4VUB, did a fine job of explaining how it works and fielding questions about it. He, JOHN KRAUS, KC4ZGQ, and LOWRY ROUSE, KM4Z, also had stations set up to demonstrate its operation, one of which was in the GEMA MCV. There were probably others working behind the scenes to make this an effective demonstration, and thanks go out to all of the people involved in making this a successful venture.

The Youth Forum and associated youth activities reached another new high this year. Forty-five young people signed the register, but there may have been even more who never took a time-out from all of the fun to write down their names. ANDREA HARTLAGE, KG4IUM, our ASM for Youth was the keynote speaker at the forum, and she gave a PowerPoint presentation on some of the things she's been able to do, all because of her involvement with amateur radio. Very impressive! Like her dad, SCOTT HARTLAGE, KF4PWI, said, "It made me tired just to watch it!" She and CONNIE COTE, N4CAC, last year's GA Section Young Ham of the Year, joined forces to present the prizes to this year's winner, MATTHEW RUBERSON, KI4JQS, and to all of the other nominees. (You can find more details under "Georgia Piglets".) The activities were plentiful, and the kids really seemed to enjoy the fox hunting, although one youngster wasn't satisfied with merely locating the fox. He actually "bagged" it and brought it back to the youth lounge with him! (He must be a REAL hunter at heart!) Many thanks to all of our special sponsors: Kenwood, HRO, MFJ, Alford Memorial ARC, Gwinnett ARS, and Native Georgian. We couldn't have done it without you.

The MARS forum was, as always, very enjoyable, and we had a good showing from both Army and Air Force. Alas, no Navy/Marine Corps attendees this year. During the same time slot, our PIC NORM SCHKLAR, WA4ZXV, along with ARRL PR committee chairman and SFL SM, SHERRI BROWER, W4STB, held a forum for all of our PIOs and others interested in gaining new PR ideas. Since I still haven't figured out how to be two places at one time, I had to miss this one, but by all reports, it was also a very successful and worthwhile meeting.

The ARRL booth was hopping all weekend. Literally. Our favorite SE Division Director FRANK BUTLER, W4RH, broke his foot just days earlier, but he wasn't about to miss the show, so he grinned and took it all in stride, even though it did ALTER his stride quite a bit. (There were also several other hams spotted hobbling around the Hamfest with casts on their legs... like our SEC JIM COTE, N4PJR, and KEN DALTON, KI4BQS. None of 'em let something like a broken leg keep THEM away from this great Hamfest.) We signed up a bunch of new members and enjoyed chatting with a bunch more. SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, our SE Director of Vice, once again spent long hours at the booth, and worked his little fingers to the bone. Also at the booth were SFL SM SHERRI BROWER, W4STB, AL SM GREG SARRATT, W4OZK, NORM FUSARO, W3IZ, and DAVE THOMPSON, K4JRB. And yours truly, when I wasn't off gallivanting to one of the forums.

Also of note: the VE team that held sessions on both Saturday and Sunday did a fantastic job, and Georgia has a LOT of new hams, thanks to their hard work and dedication.

All in all, it was a great Hamfest. Congratulations to the Alford Memorial ARC for another job well done. Thanks to them for their hard work, and to all of you who attended. If you didn't make it this year, hope to see you next year. As always, it'll be on the first full weekend in November. And it's ALWAYS worth the trip.

NOVEMBER 11 --- THOMASVILLE ARC FISH FRY-- The food is always good and plentiful, but that isn't what prompts us to keep on making the trip down to south GA for this annual club meeting. It's the people. It's the "one big happy family" atmosphere that makes it such a pleasure to join with them, if only for this one meeting a year. And this year, I knew that the meeting was going to be even more special than usual. President MIKE BROWN, KE4FGF, is the real heart of this family. ("Miles and miles and miles of heart...") In the club's newsletter, he pens a column that often pays tribute to one or more of the club members, and he's always the first to offer a helping hand or a pat on the back. He's quick to celebrate his friends' victories, and he's quick to share their sorrows. I don't believe it's an exaggeration to say that it is Mike who has helped create the warm atmosphere that is so evident among this radio "family". At this meeting, unbeknownst to him, the tribute was going to be all about HIM, and I was looking forward to being a part of it. At Field Day this year, Mike not only celebrated life; he saved a life. Although Mike had never performed a Heimlich maneuver before, he didn't hesitate before using it to save the life of BOBBY COOPER, N4KXL, his fellow club member, his fishing buddy, his friend. For this, and for all that he is, Mike was presented with a special ARRL Certificate of Merit. And a standing ovation. It was quite a night, and it was an honor to be a part of it. Before Mike asked me to "say a few words", (and got delightfully blind-sided) he presented several awards, too. SARAH HUNT, KI4QYQ, and her brother JORDEN, KI4NBW, both received a Golden Microphone Award. At eight years of age, Sarah is the youngest (and most precocious) member of the club. She has already served as net control for the club's nets, something many of her seniors are reluctant to do. And Jorden, at thirteen, is a great role model for her. He is the driving force behind the formation of the Hamsters Radio Club. They are both delightful young people, and it's also a pleasure to report that Sarah received that pink HT that she's been wanting. (Her parents are very innovative!) For the first time, a special Veterans Award was also presented at the meeting. This club is particularly proud of its many veterans, and has always taken a special group photo of them during this annual meeting, which falls on or near Veterans Day every year, but this was the first time for the award. The first recipient was EDNA "SHUG" CARROLL, who was a "pistol packin' mama" Army nurse during WWII. (Rather fitting, her award featured a pistol.) It was a wonderful evening. And I know that it was extra meaningful to everyone there to once again see Mike and Bobby manning the deep fryers out on the patio. Just like always. And I hope they'll be doing it together for many years to come.

Democrats do most of their shopping at Target and Wal-Mart. So do Republicans, but they don't admit it.

CLUB NEWS

ALFORD MEMORIAL ARC --- CONGRATULATIONS go out the club's fine slate of new officers: President- KARL PHILLIPS, K4GZZ; VP- STEVE GARRISON, N4SEG; Secretary- DAVE WHIRTER, KB4UVW; and Treasurer- LES SCOFIELD, W4SCO. Best wishes for another great year.

ARC of AUGUSTA --- Elections were held here, too, and their new team of club officers follows: President- REGGIE FRASER, KG4HAD; VP- HENRY AROSTEGUI, KN4AV; Secretary- AL MENGES, KF4NXL; and Treasurer- TOM BROWN, KF4ITM. Joining them are Directors CHUCK TEETERS, W4MEW, 3-year; DOUG PUGH, KE4JSJ, 2-year; DON STEIMEL, KE4TTA, 1-year; and RICHARD STURGIS, defacto. May you all have a successful year leading the club.

ATHENS ARC --- Elections were held for this club, too, putting the following slate of officers into leadership positions for the next year: President- BOB HERRIN, KE4JLL; VP- STEVE HULSEY, KI4KPA; Treasurer- STEVE SCHWAB, KT4Q; and Secretary- PHIL KOEHLER, AF4TQ. And for the executive committee: JAMES REEVES, KF4AQQ; ED ROLLOR, N4ZRA; and KAY MCMANN, KG4WHA. CONGRATULATIONS to all of these fine folks, and best wishes for an enjoyable and successful year. At a recent meeting, LARRY OSBOURNE, WT4XX, presented a program on establishing a Search & Rescue team. More on those plans to come in an upcoming newsletter.

GWINNETT ARS --- In November, AMY WOODRICK, KE4IFK, presented a program on the 506th Fighter Group. With a combination of background history, beginning with Iwo Jima, to this year's reunion, where Amy flew aboard a KC-135, and got to watch, up-close and personal, the mid-air refueling of F-16s, this made for a very interesting evening. If you'd like to see Amy's PowerPoint presentation, it is posted on the www.gars.org website. Just click on "November program" to find it. Coming up in January, VESTER SCOTT, N8EKA, will be doing a presentation on the MARS program. Also in January, on the 13th, will be the club's annual Tech Fest, always a great event.

KENNEHOOCHEE ARC --- At the November meeting, TED BRUCE, KX4OM, presented an informative program entitled "Let's Get Technical: Designing and Printing Your Own Printed Circuit Boards".

LANIERLAND ARC --- CONGRATULATIONS to this fine club's new slate of officers: President- DOYLE GANTT, W4DJG; VP- ALFRED WESTBROOK, KT4VP; Secretary- BOB ALDRICH, KI4QVN; Treasurer- JOHN BRANDON, KE4PCF; and Activities Manager- ROGER GIBSON, WB4T. Here's wishing you all a terrific year with the club.

NORTH FULTON ARL --- BOB ALLPHIN, K4UEE, did another great presentation on the Peter One DX-pedition for the club's November meeting. The "official" video had just recently been completed, so we got to see an early viewing of it. (and it's available for purchase) Very enjoyable. Afterwards, Bob fielded questions from the club members (and answered 'em, too!) Coming up in January, there will be another interesting program. ROBIN CUTSHAW, AA4RC, will be telling us all about D-Star. www.nfarl.org

SEDXC --- At the October meeting, HAL KENNEDY, N4GG, presented a program on "The Anatomy of a Winning Contest DX-pedition". As a member of the TI5N team, winners of the 2006 ARRL International DX CW Contest in the multi-op, 2-transmitter category, Hal was speaking from experience. In November, ERNIE ZINGLEMAN, KS4Q, gave a presentation on DX clusters, how to use them, and what goes into making them work. Beginning in January, meeting nights will change to the third Wednesday of every month, at the same location, in the Fuqua Heart Center classroom at Piedmont Hospital. www.sedxc.org 

WALTON COUNTY EMERGENCY RC --- It was a pleasure to visit with these folks at their November meeting, and to present them with their ARRL Charter of Affiliation. Thanks to club president DAVID RUDD, AI4JI, who cooked an Italian feast for everyone's enjoyment before the start of the meeting, the evening got off to a real festive start. Special thanks go out to ROYCE STOVALL, KD4EXY, for picking up JOHNNY FEARON, W4WKP, and bringing him to the meeting. Johnny's been a bit "cut off" from the ham community he loves so much for quite a while, so it was great to see him getting "back in the swim" again. Thanks, also, to LARRY PHILLIPS, K4PIC, and my better half, MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, for providing Johnny with some equipment to get him back on the air again, too. Once again, I did a program on "Amateur Radio, the ARRL, and the WOW Factor", and we all had a bit of fun with it. Thanks to all of the club members for their warm welcome. We enjoyed our visit with you.

WEST GEORGIA ARS --- CONGRATULATIONS to the following newly-elected slate of officers: President- TIM TYSON, KB4TIW; VP- TOM KOCOUREK, N4FWD; Secretary/Treasurer- PATTI SMITH, KE4ZZK; and Field Day Chairman- WILLIAM PARRISH, KI4MJO. Members also voted on their choice for this year's Ham of the Year, but that will remain a secret until the award is presented at this month's meeting.

Democrats wear wide red ties and green sports jackets during the festive season. Republicans do it all year round.

TECH FEST IS COMING!

This comes to us from our friends at GARS:

Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society (GARS) TechFest 2007
Free Admission - Bring your friends
Free Tailgating - Bring stuff to sell or trade
Free Booth - Sign up to share your expertise or interest.

Starts: 1/13/2007 Ends: 1/13/2007
Event Time: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Location Marguerite D'Youville Church, 5 Gloster Rd NW, Lawrenceville
Price: Free

You are invited to attend as well as publicize this event in your Gwinnett area publication. Experience tells us that the largest group of participants is generally just before noon. We are inviting the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). This will be an opportunity for the community to become aware of several modes of operation for Radio Amateurs and view some of the preparations taking place by public service volunteers in the HAM radio community.

Learn how Amateur Radio and Scouting are having fun and working together to improve everyone's world. And how you can get your kids and grandkids involved.

Questions or comments can be directed to me, Norm Schklar, WA4ZXV, home 770-840-9664, Cell 770-313-9410, Wk 770-455-1958 x23 norman@schklar.com or David Adcock, KA4KKF 678-467-1140 ka4kkf@arrl.net. Tech Fest information is available at this link TechFest 2007.

Get the Crock Pot Ready! Look up that recipe for the best chili in town. It's time for the GARS Tech Fest and Chili Cook-off. Mark your calendar: Saturday January 13th, 2007 10:00-2:00 at the Marguerite D'Youville Church in Lawrenceville. (Directions available at TechFest 2007.

The idea of Tech Fest was first tested 6 years ago when Kevin Berry, KF4RMA expressed interest in an event whose primary function was to expose members of the community to the many facets of Amateur Radio. Unlike Field day, this is not a contest or race. It is a chance to experience parts of our hobby that we might never have seen.

It's a chance to hear the truth about radios and antennas, without the flashy spin that a salesperson might put on it. It is an event that encourages the free exchange of ideas and knowledge. Watch the GARS web site for the latest information on this year's Tech Fest. Tech Fest is an inside event, so unless there is some really strange weather, it should take off as scheduled.

If you have a special interest in some mode of amateur radio or electronics and would like to share your equipment and experiences with the community, please give David, KA4KKF, a call @ 678-467-1140 or email him at ka4kkf@arrl.net to arrange for a table to showcase your demonstration. Space is somewhat limited, so go ahead and reserve a table. This is also a good time for our Elmers to show up and share some tales of HAM radio history.

We'll do setup around 9:00 and start at 10:00 and serve lunch along with the Great GARS Chili Cook-off around noon. Last year we were a little short on chili, so this year we need additional entries in the Cook-off. We could use a volunteer to coordinate the Cook-off. We hope to demonstrate fellowship, HF, VHF, UHF, QRP, digital communications, CW, antennas, portable operations, electronic gadgets, Club and Ham Services, our association with the ARRL, great chili and hamburgers.

Be sure to invite your non-ham friends. This should be a great family experience and a time for some of our younger citizens to become interested in the Magic of Amateur Radio. If you have a special interest in some part of amateur radio and would like to share it with the local amateur community, please give me a call @ 678-467-1140 or email me at ka4kkf@arrl.net to schedule a table to showcase your demonstrations. Norman Schklar, WA4ZXV 770.840.9664 C: 770-313-9410

Event Contact Info:
www.gars.org
Contact Person: Norman Schklar
Email: wa4zxv@schklar.com
Phone: 770-313-9410
Download the TechFest Poster Portrait

Democrats spend hundreds of dollars and hours of work decorating the yard with outdoor lights
and Christmas displays. Republicans drive around at night to look at other people's lights.

SANTA NETS

**** From JOE DOMALESKI, KI4ASK, and the folks of the Fayette County ARC:

FCARC Presents 3rd Annual Santa Net on 12/19 @ 8pm

CQ, CQ, CQ - calling all kids...Santa Claus is coming to the 521 KK4GQ amateur radio repeater in Fayetteville, GA! If you have a friend or family member who is a "ham radio" operator, then they can help you get on the radio to talk to Santa.

The Net will take place on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 8 p.m. (local).
The Net will be conducted on the KK4GQ Repeater - 145.210 (-), 131.8 Hz
PL located in Fayetteville, GA (covering most of South Metro Atlanta).
We will also have our Echolink node linked in for check-ins.

For more information:

http://www.kk4gq.org/santanet.html

***And on the HF side, this is from CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK:

This is a very busy time of year for Santa Claus. We have contacted Santa at the North Pole, and he has agreed to power up his Ham Radio Station a few days before Christmas in order that we can submit last minute request.

Santa will be on 3975 KHz, at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 23.

He is expected to be on frequency for about an hour, before he must return to his duties, and feed his reindeer.

Please pass the word along to anyone interested in contacting Santa before Christmas. Let's have a good turn out at our annual "Santa Net."

He will be using his alias callsign "XMAS," his real callsign is WA4UJC. (AKA CHARLES DAVIS)

Republicans help the poor by sending $50 to the Salvation Army. Democrats help the poor by giving $50,
one buck at a time, to panhandlers on the street.

ARES NEWS

** The Statewide ARES meeting is coming up on January 27. If you're interested in taking an EmComm test there, please contact GREG TILLMAN, N4VAD, by the end of the year. n4vad@bellsouth.net 

** The first Sunday of every month, at 4PM, is the metro area ARES net, on the 146.820 repeater. (And many thanks to the Atlanta ARC for the use of their repeater.)

** Also, the first Sunday of every month is "emergency power" day on the statewide ARES net, on 3.975 MHz, at 5PM. So far, a very high percentage of check-ins have been running emergency power.

** On December 10, following the regular 3.975 net, there will be a follow-up net on 1.975 to test propagation.

** In case you missed it, our Georgia ARES-MAT team got a very nice write-up in the December QST. (page 67) It was about their success in providing support for the National Guard exercise in September.

Democrats' favorite Christmas movie is "Miracle on 34th Street. Republicans prefer "Die Hard".

SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY

The 8th annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) special event will take place Saturday, December 2, 2006. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an event co-sponsored by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League, and it is the National Weather Service's way of saying "thank you" to Amateur Radio operators for their commitment to helping keep their communities safe. During the 24-hour special event, amateur radio operators will visit their local National Weather Service (NWS) office, set up Amateur Radio stations, and work as a team to contact other hams across the world.

Ham radio operators volunteering as storm spotters are an extremely valuable asset to National Weather Service operations since they are cross-trained in both communications and severe storm recognition, says Scott Mentzer, organizer of the event and Meteorologist-In-Charge at the NWS office in Goodland, Kansas.

In typical warning operations, it is the direct communication between mobile spotters and the local NWS office which provides vital ground truth information. Spotter reports of hail size, wind damage and surface-based rotation in real time greatly assists the radar warning operator since that information can be correlated with Doppler radar displays. The result can range anywhere from a more strongly-worded statement to convey a greater sense of urgency, or the issuance of a tornado warning a few minutes earlier than would otherwise have been possible.

While National Weather Service offices utilize the real-time reporting of severe weather events to assist in warning operations, hurricanes and tropical storms have shown us that ham radio operators are equally important during the recovery phase of natural disasters. There are countless stories where ham radio worked in tandem with more conventional technology to relay emergency traffic.

Details of the Event

SKYWARN Recognition Day will be held from on December 2, 2006, from 0000 UTC to 2400 UTC.

The object is for all radio amateur stations to exchange QSO information with as many National Weather Service Stations as possible on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meter bands plus the 70 centimeter band. Contacts via repeaters are permitted.

The exchange should include call sign, signal report, location, and a one or two word description of the weather occurring at your site ("sunny", "partly cloudy", "windy", etc.).

NWS stations will work various modes including SSB, FM, AM, RTTY, CW, and PSK31. While working digital modes, special event stations will append "NWS" to their call sign (e.g., N0A/ NWS).

The National Weather Service will provide event information via the internet. Event certificates may be requested from:
SKYWARN Recognition Day
920 Armory Road,
Goodland, KS 67735

Simply enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with a list of NWS stations worked. The certificate size is 8.5 x 11 inches.

Separate NWS stations will also issue individual QSL cards. See the Web page for a list. To learn more, check out the Web site: http://hamradio.noaa.gov.

When toasting the holidays, Republicans ask for eggnog or mulled wine. Democrats ask for a beer.

ARES REPORT DE DSEC STAN EDWARDS, WA4DYD

Membership: 1,258 Change since last month: -7

Total Net Sessions: 147
Drills, Tests, Training Sessions: 142 Man-hours: 1,537
Public Service Events: 37 Man-hours: 1,174
Emergency Operations: 2 Man-hours: 49
Misc. Events: 38 Man-hours: 158

Total Events: 219 Total Man-hours: 2,918

Reporting by District:

West Central 100.0%
Metro Atlanta 72.7%
Northwest 46.2%
Central 36.4%
Northeast 26.7%
Southeast 21.4%
Southwest 20.0%
East Central 14.3%

Total Reporting 30.9%

The following jurisdictions reported for October: Baldwin, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Camden, Carroll, Charlton, Clarke/Madison, Clayton/Henry, Cobb, DEC for Digital, DEC for Central, DEC for GPB, DEC for NWS - Peachtree City, DEC for OHS/GEMA, DEC for Southeast, DEC for Southwest, DeKalb, Dodge, Effingham, Fayette, Floyd, Fulton-North, Gilmer, Grady/Thomas, Gwinnett, Hall, Houston, Lee, Morgan, Murray/Whitfield, Muscogee, Newton, Polk, Putnam, Rockdale, Toombs, Towns, Walton, Washington, Wilkinson, and Worth.

Democrats always take the price tag off expensive gifts before wrapping them.
Republicans also remove price tags off pricey gifts... and reposition them to make sure they are seen.

NET REPORT DE JIM HANNA, AF4NS, STM

PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL

STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS

Traffic handled (QTC):

*****NOTE: Don't forget the South CARS net, which meets every day from 8 AM until 10 AM and again from noon until 2PM, on 7.251 MHz. A friendly, welcoming group of folks. Especially great company while on the road. I understand that a Trader's Net meets on this same frequency on Wednesday mornings at 10 AM.

***** Other GREAT nets:
QCWA: Saturdays at 9AM on 3.8575 MHz
SE 6M SSB Net: Sundays at 9 PM on 50.145 MHz
SE AM Net: Tuesdays at 7:30 PM on 3885 kc (AM nets ALWAYS meet on kcs...)
Hole in the Wall Net: Wednesdays at 9 PM on 50.135 MHz

"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

THE ARRL LEGLISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM (WANTS YOU!)

From the ARRL, November 9:

The ARRL Legislative Action Program wants League members who are willing to get directly involved in promoting and protecting Amateur Radio through coordinated, legitimate political action at the "grassroots level." The program is being staffed to prepare for the 110th Congress, which convenes in January.

ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Jim Weaver, K8JE, who chairs the Legislative Action Committee, says members of Congress often base their votes upon their understanding of what their constituents -- the voters who put them in office -- want. "As a constituent, your opinion is important to them," Weaver says. "Constituent input helps lawmakers gauge positions on legislation and determine how a particular bill might affect voters in their states or districts." He says radio amateurs can be a valuable resource to members of Congress, who may have only a limited knowledge of Amateur Radio. "Your combination of being a constituent and a federal licensee can help make a difference by ensuring that your member of Congress and staff receive the balanced information they need to make good decisions on Amateur Radio-related legislation," Weaver adds.

A new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the ARRL Legislative Action Program now is available for ARRL members and others interested in this ARRL grassroots effort. http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/laprog-faq.html.

Contact your ARRL Division Director for additional information or to volunteer. There's more information on the ARRL Government Relations page. http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/

Most Republicans try enclosing indulgent, maudlin form letters about their families in their Christmas cards. Public ridicule from Democrats usually discourages them from doing it again.

SECTION NOTABLES

** CONGRATULATIONS to LARRY PRICE, W4RA, who was recently inducted into the QCWA Hall of Fame, in honor of his "outstanding contributions to QCWA, amateur radio, and the community".

Republicans see nothing wrong with letting their kids play cowboys and Indians.
Democrats don't either, as long as the Indians win.

PIGLETS (AKA YOUNG HAMS)

** CONGRATULATIONS to PETE COPPOLA, KG4QDY, for his recent upgrade to Extra class. His dad SKIP, KG4QDZ, sent me a note to tell me that Pete had passed elements one and three, but before I had a chance to type up that good news, they both came to the November test session at GA Tech, and Pete also passed element four. Great job!

** The following is from our Assistant SM for Youth, ANDREA HARTLAGE, KG4IUM, on this year's youth activities at the Lawrenceville Hamfest:

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2006 Stone Mountain Hamfest youth activities a success by promoting and supporting them. The activities, including a Youth Lounge, Youth Dinner, and Youth Forum were very well-attended; at least 45 youth stopped by at some point during the weekend.

Congratulations to the 2006 Georgia Section Youth Award winner MATTHEW RUBERSON, KI4JQS. An eighteen-year-old Technician class ham, Ruberson was dispatched to Waveland, Mississippi to provide communications after Hurricane Katrina. He has been involved in many aspects of Amateur Radio, including teaching a module on ham radio to his high school technology class. An Eagle Scout, he was also very involved in high school, as a member of National Honor Society and Varsity Soccer Team Captain. Future aspirations include a job in law enforcement. CHRISTOPHER EVANS, KI4FUJ, received honorable mention for his involvement in promoting ham radio to others, and the other three nominees (LISA BIANCO, KG4UIB; SEAN MORGAN, K4ZF; and MIKE OLSON, K4MBO) also received special recognition.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, Ruberson received a certificate, a 2 meter mobile radio, an antenna, $100, an atomic watch, a Georgia Piglet t-shirt, and a name badge. The four other nominees were each recognized with certificates and an HRO gift certificate.

A big THANK YOU to the following organizations and businesses who contributed to this year's Hamfest youth activities in one way or another: Alford Memorial Radio Club, American Radio Relay League, Batteries America, Cedar City Sales, Discount Products, Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society, Ham Radio Outlet, Kenwood, Klassic Embroidery, MFJ, www.NativeGeorgian.com, and The Sign Man.

Another big thank you goes out to all of our fine Georgia Section Youth Award judges. This year's judges were AL MENGES, KF4NXL; BOB SMITH, K4PHE; BRIAN MILESHOSKY, N5ZGT; LEE MCDANIEL, WB4QOJ; SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU; SID BISHOP, KB4QKZ; and SUE GODWIN, W4SUE.

NOTE: MATTHEW RUBERSON, KI4JQS, this year's terrific "Golden Piglet" sent me a very fine thank you note, expressing his appreciation for all of his gifts, and affirming how much he enjoys amateur radio. Matthew will be going to Arizona in January, for a two-year mission for his church. We wish him all the best.

** Time to start applying for those scholarships! The ARRL Foundation scholarship application window is now open. The application period for ARRL Foundation scholarships http://www.arrl.org/arrlf/scholgen.html will remain open until February 1, 2007. The ARRL Foundation offers 44 different scholarships. Maybe one of them has YOUR name on it. But don't wait; apply NOW. Recipients will be named in the spring of next year. IMPORTANT: Applicants must include high school or college academic transcripts with scholarship applications. Those applying for the four-year William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship http://www.arrl.org/arrlf/goldfarb.html must also include a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a transcript. Good luck!

** I wonder which one of our Assistant SMs just got her acceptance letter from GA Tech? CONGRATULATIONS, Andrea! Not that we doubted it for a second. For this gal, the sky's the limit. (Actually, with her plans to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering, not even the SKY can stop her!)

** Youth Amateur Radio Club special event station WBØCAP, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. QSL WBØCAP Youth ARC c/o Offutt Composite Sq., Civil Air Patrol, P.O. Box 13402, Offutt AFB, NE, 68113

** KIDS DAY coming up, on January 7.

Republicans first began thinking like Republicans when they stopped believing in Santa Claus.
Democrats became Democrats because they never stopped believing in Santa Claus.

THIS 'N' THAT

** HOT NEWS! A SECOND D-STAR Repeater in Georgia! On November 25, AL SM GREG SARRATT, W4OZK, with the able assistance of ROBIN CUTSHAW, AA4RC, installed a D-Star repeater on Sawneee Mountain, in Cumming. With the D-Star repeater already in place on top of Stone Mountain, that brings us up to two in the state now. The newest one is in support of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief group, and was a joint effort between Alabama and Georgia. Greg said that the repeater is open for general amateur usage.
Frequencies:
145.190
444.350
1284.40
1250.00 data
And check out the link: http://www.southbears.net/d-star.htm

** I don't know how HOWIE GOULD, W9HG, found this site, but talk about something that could create a little bit of "shack envy"! Check it out. Unbelievable!

http://www.greengate-wibb.com/HamRadio.html

** Thinking about teaching a tech class, or know someone who's interested in getting their license? Maybe this site can help. You'll find ten study guides for the tech exam, in PowerPoint format. http://cnormany.googlepages.com/home 

** ROYCE STOVALL, KD4EXY, posed a question on the GARS reflector about those old Motorola bag cell phones. He was wondering if there was a way to modify them for amateur radio usage. He got some serious responses, (in a word, no there isn't) but NORM SCHKLAR, WA4ZXV, stuck his tongue firmly in his cheek and came up with these suggestions for what to do with those old bag phones. He wrote:

It can be used several different ways in Amateur Radio.
You can use it to hold down the guy wires on a portable HF antenna.
You might use the battery to operate a QRP rig, or at least a keyer.
You can use the bag to carry spare parts when you go to the field with your rig.
Use the handset cord to tie your pencil to the desk so no one walks off with it at field day.
Hand it to the grand children to keep their hands off the real radio.
Just keep it laying around so the first time the XYL says you have too much junk, you can make her happy by throwing them away.

** PATRICK WILSON, KG4YUV, has a beacon back up on 28.253 MHz. He switched from the old CB unit that he'd converted and put in an HTX-10, running 7 watts. If you hear it, let him know. ham.kg4yuv@alltel.net (Patrick is a very innovative young man, and was one of our GA Young Ham of the Year nominees last year.)

Democrats get back at the Republicans on their Christmas list by sending them fruitcakes.
Republicans re-wrap them and send them to in-laws.

UPCOMING EVENTS

DECEMBER 1-3 --- ARRL 160 M Contest. 2200Z December 1- 1600Z December 3. See November QST, page 105, or www.arrl.org/contests for details.

DECEMBER 2 --- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta parade. To volunteer, please contact TIM ROSING, KC4ELV, at kc4elv@etoii.com 

DECEMBER 2 --- National Skywarn Recognition Day

DECEMBER 7 --- Pearl Harbor Day

DECEMBER 9-10 --- ARRL 10M contest. 0000Z December 9- 2400Z December 10. See November QST, page 105, or www.arrl.org/contests for more information.

DECEMBER 10-18 ---North American Meteor Scatter Contest. 0000Z December 10- 0700Z December 18. 50, 144, 222, 432. See www.ykc.com/wa5uth/Rally/NAHsms.html for details.

DECEMBER 15 --- Omnibus changes to go into effect.

DECEMBER 16 --- Happy Hanukkah!

DECEMBER 16-17 --- PSK31 Death Match. Scary name, but fun contest. 80-6 M. See www.mdxa1.org/deathmatch.html for more info

DECEMBER 16 - JANUARY 1 --- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party

DECEMBER 25 --- Merry Christmas!

DECEMBER 29-30 --- Three Special Event Stations will be on the air to celebrate the centennial of voice over radio. W1ØØBO/W1F, GM3TNT, and W1AW. 2000Z December 29- 2000Z December 30. See page 43 of the December QST for details.

DECEMBER 31 --- Straight Key night

"New Year's Eve is the time of year when a man most feels his age, and his wife most often reminds him to act it." WILLIE BROWN, AG4HY

JANUARY 1 --- Happy New Year!!

JANUARY 7 --- Kids Day (1800-2400Z)

JANUARY 13 --- Tech Fest

JANUARY 27 --- Statewide ARES meeting

Democrat men like to watch football while the women fix holiday meals. On this,
Republicans are in full agreement.

SILENT KEYS

EVELYN BYRD WD4MYW
BECKY ROBERTS KF4SLZ
CLAUDE SAPP, JR. KD4TZP

Sincere condolences to the families and friends of all of these fine people.

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

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

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

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