It's that time of year
again, when everybody's "Irish". (Would you believe "O'Swiderki"?)
And talk about the luck of the Irish! We have another fine Hamfest coming up this
weekend. That, of course, is the Kennehoochee Hamfest, to be held on
Saturday, the 18th, at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Gates open at 8AM, and the
weather forecast looks promising, so no excuses! (Besides, there's lots of
tailgating that'll be under-cover, plus the two buildings, so even the threat
of rain shouldn't keep you away.) My better half has been hauling and
stacking so many boxes of goodies in our living room to carry to the Hamfest
that I'm a little concerned that he may be planning to lash me up on the roof
of the truck like an ol' deer carcass. (But I'm sure that he'll be considerate
enough to strap me up there backwards so I won't have to pick so many bugs
out of my teeth.) Hope to see you all there.
Kudos to DAVID BENOIST, AG4ZR,
LYNN BIANCO, KN4YZ, and JIM LYNCH, K4GVO, who spent the day at the GEMA SOC on the
9th, teaching a one-day technician class to a host of GEMA employees and various
emergency responders from all over the state. Following a review session
the next morning, a VE team came in and administered the test. I'm pleased to report that there was a better than 50% success rate, and those who didn't
quite make it this time are planning to give it another shot at one of the many
VE sessions around the state. This is an exciting development, and what's
more, there was a much greater demand to take this class than there were seats
to accommodate them, so it looks like there will be additional ham classes
held at GEMA in the future. Many thanks to the instructors, the VE team, and to
LOWRY ROUSE, KM4Z, our OHS/GEMA DEC, for making this first venture such a
success.
Have you ever toyed with the idea of
becoming a Red Cross volunteer so you could put your amateur radio skills to
good use in times of emergencies.... but were turned off to the idea once
you heard about all of the onerous training and deployment requirements
that it would entail? Well, the times they are a-changin'. FRED RUNKLE,
K4KAZ, long-time Red Cross volunteer and Communications Director for the Metro
Atlanta chapter, met with me recently to tell me all about the changes that
have been implemented to make it much easier for amateur radio operators to
join the Red Cross team. If you've ever considered joining, now may be the
time. Fred has long advocated better use of the skills that hams have to offer,
but it took Katrina to fully drive the idea home. The Red Cross wants and
needs technically skilled volunteers... BEFORE the next "big one"
hits. Fred will be at the Kennehoochee Hamfest, with one of the cool Red Cross
Emergency Communications Response Vehicles. Why not stop by and have a chat with
him to see how you can beome a part of the Metropolitan Atlanta Response Technology Team?
Several new EC appointments to report:
Bartow county- CHARLIE PITCHFORD, N4QET; Glynn county- JEFF COLE, N4XGI; and Thomas county-
MIKE BROWN, KE4FGF. Many thanks to all of these fine fellas. We really appreciate their willingness to serve.
Elections were held at the Columbus ARC
recently, and CONGRATULATIONS are in order for President JIMMY MONROE, KA4JJM, VP
JIM HERRING, WX4JIM, Secretary/Treasurer JOHN WINGARD,
WB4GLJ, and Activities Chairman MARC POPE, WX4MAP. Best wishes for an enjoyable
and successful year leading the club through its 50th (!) year.
I'm pleased to report that the radio
equipment that was in search of a good home in the Winder area has found one.
It will be going to Winder Barrow High School. Many thanks to JOHN MCGUIRE,
KF4GRY, for making this generous donation, and to TOM HARRELL, N4XP, for
coming up with such a worthy recipient. Sounds like some exciting
amateur radio activates will be going on at the school in the near future,
thanks to John and Tom. (NOTE: A number of others also contacted me with some excellent suggestions as to how to put this equipment to great use, so if
you're ever in search of a worthy recipient for one of your HF rigs,
please let me know.)
We have a terrific group of Section
Notables for the April newsletter, but let me give quick mention to a couple of
them now. CONGRATULATIONS to AL "SPARKY" MENGES, KF4NXL, who
recently received the National Republican Congressional Committee's 2005 Ronald
Reagan Gold Medal. (WOW!) Details will follow in the newsletter. And
CONGRATULATIONS, also, to HARVEY CHASE, W4TG, who was recently featured in an article
in the Macon "Telegraph". Among other things, Harvey just received a 75 year
award from the QCWA. And after 75 years of operating, he's still got one
of the hottest fists in town.
Talking about QCWA, (weren't we?) you
might want to mark the next Chapter 49 meeting on your calendar: April 15, at
the Fire Mountain Grill in Norcross, near the intersection of Jimmy Carter
Boulevard and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Eat at noon, with the
meeting to follow. GEORGE NICHOLSON, N4GRN, recently thawed out after his return
from the Peter One DXpedition, will be providing what's sure to be a
fascinating presentation on the Peter One experience.
Oops, almost forgot! Just a reminder
that DST will begin on April 2. As in years past, the statewide ARES net will
shift to 6PM. Gotta chase the prop.
Okay, folks, that's about it for now.
Hope to see you all at the Kennehoochee Hamfest. Until next time, this is
AF4FO, signing clear. Take care of yourselves. And each other. 73, Susan
QTC February: WB4GGS-344; AF4NS-114;
KR4JI-83; K4BG-50; WB4BIK-69; N4VAD-65; K4GK-59; K4WKT-39; K4BAI-17; K4BEH-9
