Greetings, All,

OK, it's mid-month summary time, but there's not a whole lot to share with you at this time. But short is good, right? So, here goes...

First thing, the weekend of May 25-27 is GA Special Olympics, and MORE HELP is desperately needed. The summer games will be held on the Emory campus in Atlanta again this year, and yes, I do realize that this is Memorial Day weekend, so many of you may have plans to go out of town. However, if it is at all possible for you to volunteer to help out with the communications needs for these events, please contact STEVE GARRISON, N4SEG, asap. Many hams are needed to fulfill the needs, but so far, few have committed. The GA Special Olympics folks have come to depend on amateur radio operators. And Steve, who has done an excellent job coordinating the communications for the past several years, is depending on you. Let him know when you're available to help: n4seg@arrl.net

Looks like BPL may be rearing its ugly head again. Several of you sent me info on how DirectTV is considering doing some BPL testing in a "major", as yet unnamed, city next year. This bears some watching. For more info, please see:

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1433448320070514?feedType=RSS&rpc=22

With the rapid approach of yet another hurricane season, GA ARES is planning a check of local SkyWarn nets, by briefly activating them, assessing their capabilities, and then reporting the results to the State net. At the suggestion of PAUL BENNETT, N4LXB, sometime over the weekend of June 2-3, but prior to the State net at 1800 on the 3rd, local SKYWARN nets will conduct a small, simple drill to assess communications capabilities in the event a major tropical storm were to strike Georgia. They will self-assess emergency power capabilities, and report total checkins to the State net on June 3.

This drill should also give the DECs a good idea of their local capabilities and any issues they may need to address.

As Paul puts it, "Hurricane season has already tapped us on the shoulder with that little storm off the coast. The next one might be a big one. To ensure we are ready, there will be a State wide SkyWarn Readiness Drill conducted on the 2nd or 3rd of June 2007. The date and time of your local drill will be up to you. Just make sure all Drills are completed by 18:00 local time 3 June so you can report your results on the State ARES Net at 18:00 local on 3 June on 3.975. When checking into the net give your report as, SkyWarn check ins 27 or what ever your check in count is. We want to know how many local drills were conducted and the total number of check ins. I may be contacted at n4lxb@arrl.net or 706 863 8351." (info de LYNN BIANCO, KN4YZ, ASEC, NWS)

Info on some of your Field Day plans has been slowly trickling in, and I want to especially thank Albany ARC, N4N, (our favorite eclectic group) Bartow ARES, and West GA ARS for sending me such nice write-ups about their field day plans. I'm only too happy to compile a list of field day sites every year, but remember: If you want your club or group listed, you gotta let me know. You've gotta send me your info. At a minimum, where ya gonna be? Who can people contact if they'd like to attend? As much or as little as you want, but I'm not gonna make it up; it has to come from you.

I must confess that I was a weather wimp, and missed the Byron Heart of Georgia Hamfest this year. But from what I've heard, the rain did hold off, and everyone who made it there had a terrific time. There were even a couple of commercial vendors this year. Sorry we missed it. Our loss. Coming Up: The Atlanta ARC Hamfest, in Jim Miller Park in Marietta, on June 2. Hope to see you there.

SILENT KEYS: WILLIAM BENNISON, SR, WB2AWE, and WAYMON BLACKBURN, W4KXT.

Sincere condolences to their families and friends.

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

QTC April: K4GK-108; K8GA-75; WB4BIK-54; K4BAI-10; WZ4UJC-6; K4BEH-6　

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