Greetings, All.

Last weekend was the Hamfest sponsored by the ARC of Augusta, and I do believe a good time was had by all. One of the attendees told me some VERY useful information, which I've since passed on to quite a few hams with Bellsouth email accounts, as well as to ARRL HQ. Remember when I mentioned a problem with Bellsouth blocking the ARRL messages? Turns out, there may be a very simple fix. Seems that under Members Only, the member data page contains a "glitch" for many of our Bellsouth users. For whatever reason, (a default setting of some kind?) the item "temporarily disable all automatically sent mail" shows a YES. Simply changing that to a NO should open up the flow of ARRL messages again. Problem is, those folks with Bellsouth accounts that I haven't already contacted won't see this message, so I'm counting on you fine folks to help spread the word. Thank you so much. And many many thanks to that fine ham at the Augusta Hamfest who provided this useful info. (wasn't wearing a badge.... didn't tell me his name or call sign... but HE knows who he is... THANK YOU!)

Coming up this Saturday is the Al Brock Memorial Hamfest, sponsored by the Northwest GA ARC, and to be held at the Rome American Legion Post 5 on Shorter Avenue. Admission only $5, and the grand prize drawing will be an HF transceiver. Somebody's gotta win it... maybe YOU? Hope to see you there.

Also this coming weekend is JOTA. I know quite a few of you have plans in place to make this a memorable event for your local scout groups. Good luck to all of you, and I hope you all have a terrific time. Also, don't forget:

there will once again be a JOTA Net on Saturday, on 3.975 MHz, kicking off at noon. This offers all of you folks working with a Scout group the chance to stand up and be recognized. We'd love to know where you're operating, approximately how many are there, whatever other pertinent info you'd like to share. This frequency is also suggested for Scouts to make contacts with other Scouts around the state.

CONGRATULATIONS to the officers and members of the LaGrange ARC, who have recently been approved as our newest ARRL Affiliated Club here in GA. My better half MIKE SWIDERSKI, K4HBI, and I are looking forward to visiting with them at their January club meeting. Another club is due congratulations, as well, and that's the Albany ARC, who've hit a milestone anniversary of 60 years as an ARRL Affiliated Club. Very impressive.

QUESTION: Do we have any hams or groups of hams around the state who are still actively using good ol' "just plain packet" radio? I've heard from some hams who have an interest in giving packet a try, but they'd like to know what kind of activity level already exists. Anyone with info, please let me know, and I'll share that info in the November newsletter. Thank you.

Coming up on the weekend of the 27th are a couple of fun activities. The CQ WW DX contest will be going on most of that weekend. If conditions are good, here's an excellent opportunity for you to wrap up DXCC. Also that same weekend is the Chattanooga Hamfest. I know quite a few of you make the trip to TN for that one, and there's a little more incentive to take you there this year. Top doorprize is one thousand dollars... in cash.

Talking about DXCC, CONGRATULATIONS to CHARLES PENNINGTON, K4GK, for recently earning 5BDXCC. Quite an accomplishment.