January, 2010

Happy New Year all you hams out there.  I hope I will talk to you a lot this year.  Let’s make 2010 a great year for Ham Radio!  There is much to happen that is already on the books.

As I write this I am looking forward to seeing you at the Techfest in Lawrenceville on Saturday January 9, and as you read it, that event will be good history.  Next up is the ARES annual meeting at Forsyth in the GPSTC building.  We are hoping each of you will bring your EMA director.  All officers (DEC’s, EC’s AEC’s etc.), and all ARES members interested in EMCOMM are asked to come for the morning session (10AM) as well as the afternoon session.  Morning will have time for questions and concerns.  Best to write them in to S.E.C. Mike (ke4fgf@arrl.net) beforehand, but you can ask them at the time also.  We will also talk about “Commercialization and Appropriate Use of Amateur Radio”, the FCC, ARESMAT, VOIP as a method of communicating for meetings, and anything else you want to ask.  For the afternoon, there will be topics as published (see GAARES.org). 

Next up is the Hamfest in Dalton (see http://darchamfest.tripod.com/) with great prizes and dealers.  CU there.  Don’t miss this one.

Of note for those so interested is the DSTAR conference in Tallahassee on February 6.  More information later, but try to keep that date open.

The Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society (Spartanburg) announces its Hamfest and the SC Convention May 1.  Details at http://www.brars.org/upstatehamfest/index.html.

Again the North Fulton Amateur Radio League closed out a successful year with Chuck, AE4CW taking over the reins as president over some 260 active members.  Highlights of the year included emphasis on Youth and Scouting, and a seminar free to all of us with Joel Hallas, W1ZR (QST “Ask the Doctor”).  Looks great for 2010.  Emphasis this year will include programs on “Fundamentals of Electricity”, and  other special Interests, such as “Why CW”, “Antennas” etc at monthly meetings.  

ARCA (Augusta) has new officers with Henry KN4AV as president.  That club is using 12 repeaters plus an echolink node.

The CARS (Savannah) had a very active year under presidential leadership of Guy K4GTM.  Recent activities were an all-out Skywarn effort with NWS Charleston (again we see state lines mean nothing to us) with an all-nighter.  No disasters occurred, but they were clearly ready.  They contacted 9 other NWS stations.

TARC (Thomasville) is already assigning chairmen for the Field Day and their “Radio Reunion” which crosses state lines.  Great food as I remember.  We’ll look for that again.  “Permanent President” Mike KE4FGF (Yeah—also S.E.C.) remains in leadership.

Take a look at the Southeast District counties and the counties across the border in Florida.  They are planning a formal consortium since hurricanes etc. do not respect political boundaries.  Conferences are being planned to join forces across the border.

The SPAR (Society for Preservation of Amateur Radio) is again planning a midwinter field day.  Looks interesting, but I will be interested in the guys who camp out for it!  Look at http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php?pg=2 for more info.  (Compliments of KA4KOE). 

The Gateway Amateur Radio Club welcomes new officers including President Ray KO4RB, and the NGARC (Dahlonega) welcomes its president Andrew KI4KLP.  They have great news letters thanks to Diana KB4NSU.  Wish I could hire her but my budget won’t allow it.

We welcome new EC’s:  James Milsap WB4MWS Cherokee county; Dennis, K1OYQ, Columbia county.

News: The Senate bill referred to the House directs the DHS to, consider, among other things: "Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of Amateur Radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit."

Silent Keys:  Adam Mewherter, WB3BTX, of Decatur, GA, and Tom Haney, NØTH, of Jasper.  We pause a moment to remember these friends who have left our company. 

In order to keep this letter within bounds I will not routinely recycle material from other ARRL publications available to all.  To be sure you get the important information please go to ARRL.org and to the “Members Only” block, click on the “Member Data page” and direct that these letters be sent to you.   Don’t miss out!

Is your club an active ARRL-affiliated club?  Be sure it is listed on the ARRL-GA.org web site, with CURRENT information, especially any web page.  Please review this!  Then we can all be informed.

Monthly reporting by YOU!:

ARRL Section: GA   Month:  December Year: 2009

AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE

Total number of ARES members:  *754 (actual # on reporting system)  Change since last month:  -34 actual (+, -, or same)

# of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 57, # of ARES nets active: 200, # with NTS liaison: 0   

Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: see below

Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 149  Person hours: 1102

Number of public service events this month: 10 Person hours:198

Number of emergency operations this month: 5 Person hours: 45

Total number of ARES operations this month: 164 Total Person hours: 1345

Comments: see below

Signature: Thomas Fuller  Call sign: KE4QCM

* 754 (actual # on reporting system) members reported, 788 from last report, with -34 actual reported by EC's

DECs/ECs  reporting

DECs: DEC ARESMAT/K2HJ, DEC East Central/KJ4AMN, DEC GEMA/K5AES, DEC GA Public Broadcasting/WB4QDX, DEC Metro Atlanta/N4SEG, DEC National Weather Service-Columbia/N0FBV, DEC-National Weather Service-Peachtree City/KD4YDC, DEC Northwest/KD4EKZ, ASEC Operations/KM4Z, ADEC Public Health-Augusta/AI4RV, DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC

ECs: Central: Baldwin/KG4EPI, Greene/KF4EOH, Laurens/KF5TA, Macon/KI4BEO, Putnam/KF4EOH, Washington/K4GK

East Central: Columbia/WE4GW, Richmond/AH6IW

Metro Atlanta: Cherokee/WA6IKS, Clayton/AJ4GT, Fayette/AG4ZR,  Gwinnett/WB4QDX, Newton/WA4UJC, North Fulton/W4UOC, Paulding/K4DMF, Rockdale/KC4ELV

Northeast: Barrow/K4JSR, Clarke/N4ZRA, Hall/AA4BA, Madison/KI4MHF, Stephens/KU4ES, Towns/W4VFZ

Northwest: Bartow/N4QET, Carroll/N4IF, Chatooga/AF4XZ,  Floyd/KD4EKZ, Gilmer/KC4GH, Haralson/KD4YDA, Heard/KE4OBM, Murray/AI4ZV, Pickens/K4SJR,  Polk/KD4EKZ, Whitfield/AI4ZV

Southeast: Camden/WA4GWB, Chatham/K4GTM, Toombs/KG4BKO, Wheeler/KI4MNR

Southwest: Dougherty/N4GPJ, Grady/KI4RGD, Irwin/W4CWH, Lee/W5VRV, Seminole/K4TPD, Thomas/N4KXl, Turner/W4GHW, Worth/K1KBA

West Central: Troup/K3IMC

Comments:

DECs:

DEC East Central/KJ4AMN: Not much activity to report do to the holidays. Still trying to recruit ECs for the vacant counties within the district. AEC for Columbia County promoted to EC. Current EC resigned for health reasons.

DEC GEMA/K5AES: Reviewing FEMA IS-100 Course, D Star Reading

DEC GA Public Broadcasting/WB4QDX:  12/21 - Installation of server as D-STAR Reflector for Georgia repeaters at Sago Networks, 12/31 - Planning and layout of D-STAR equipment racks for GPB sites at GEMA.

DEC Metro Atlanta/N4SEG: The Metro Atlanta District ARES NET meets on the first Sunday of the month. The December NET was hosted by the ADEC of the Metro Atlanta District, Steve Reynolds, W4CNG. There were 28 check-ins and the NET lasted 25 minutes. The January NET will be hosted by the Gwinnett County ARES Group. Also I attended one web based go-to-meeting with other members of the GA Section during the month of December.

DEC National Weather Service-Columbia/N0FBV: SKYWARM TRAINING 2 NETS X 10 MIN = 20 MIN NO OTHER REPORTS REC N0FBV DON

DEC-National Weather Service-Peachtree City/KD4YDC: 3 events were all related to SRD (Skywarn Recognition Day): 2 events, preparations before and after SRD, and the 3rd is SRD itself. There were about 10 people involved in the 24-hr event

ASEC Operations/KM4Z: ARES MAT-2 HRS, WORKING ON MAT GAMEPLAN D-STAR TRAINING

ADEC Public Health-Augusta/AI4RV: Had a meeting with the Laurens County ARES EC and Fairview Park hospital staff. They had high interest in setting up a Ham Radio backup system. Working with the Toombs County EC to install antennas and coax I the new hospital under construction in Vidalia. We are looking forward to the annual ARES meeting in Forsythe later this month!

DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC: We have about five operators who check into the Satern Nets, we need more. Please try to check in at least once each week. Saturday 7.262 MHz @ 11am, weekdays 14.265 MHz @ 10am.

ECs:

Central: Baldwin/KG4EPI: THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HELD THE NET FOR ME DURING THE TIMES THAT WORK DID NOT ALLOW ME TO BE PRESENT. PATRICK SMITH KG4EPI

Greene/KF4EOH: 0 members in Greene county as of today. See Putnam county.

Laurens/KF5TA: The Heart of Georgia Vo-Tec College held a Haz Mat table top drill Dec. 17, 2009 at the school. Laurens Co. EMA/RuralFire/HazMat ,Laurens Co. Sheriff's Office, Laurens Co. EMS,Dublin Fire, Fairview Park Hospital, Georgia State Patrol, Laurens Co. ARES and members of the VoTec were there; total 48. the drill was that a tanker truck over turned near the school with a leak (asitone)and the shool was put on

Metro Atlanta:

Cherokee/WA6IKS: New EC-Jim Millsap WB4NWS effective 1-01-10. Adjustments made in actual member headcount to reflect 22. Total man hours = 31.5 hours, 18.5 nets, 6 hrs training, 6hrs repeater maint, 1hr meeting with EOC Director for planning. December Summary: 4 nets, 1 training session on repeater & controller. 2 Misc- ARES Repeater Maintenance 443.075, replaced backup emergency power with new battery and new charger at Pine Log Mtn. Jim-WB4NWS Met with OHS/EM Director Robby Westbrook to discuss plans for new weather station and data via APRS from repeater site to EOC. Please update GA-ARES Website of new EC and the following AEC info: Correct Mark Harris-KG4WIV email to KG4WIV at cherokee-ares.org Change Darragh McCluer from EC to AEC, all his info correct Add Jim Alderdice-N1ABM, 202 Jody Lynn Ct, Woodstock, GA 30188 (Cherokee County) N1ABM at arrl.net lat 34.128556 lon -84.395210 Juan Quiroga-KI4RXE, 2202 Towne Lake Heights, Woodstock, GA 30189 (Cherokee County), juanpabloquiroga at msn.com lat 34.117676 lon -84.554331 Steve Bramham-W4SKB, 2683 Summerbrooke Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152 (Cobb County) w4skb at arrl.net lat 34.019461 ;at -84.638178 Thanks for your help, moving ahead in 2010, Jim

Clayton/AJ4GT: Four local nets this week using link repeaters (one off link off for repairs). December 12th we had an Emergency Communication Course with testing. Seven advanced.

Fayette/AG4ZR: 911 Practioner, Nets, conferences, and ARES related meetings

Gwinnett/WB4QDX: 12/5-Participation in Children's healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade, 12/11-Survey of new Gwinnett EOC for equipment installation. Number of Deployable and Active members reported reduced by 6 due to year-end review of participation.

Rockdale/KC4ELV: Rockdale ARES EC served as Communications coordinator for Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade on Dec 4 in ATl

Northeast:

Barrow/K4JSR: The Barrow Bunch hopes all of you had a joyous Holiday Season. December's activities were all cold! You'd think it was Winter, or something! We had no regular meeting this month but had our 3rd annual Christmas Breakfast Party. We had over 20 in attendance and had a great time and fellowship. The Barrow ARES provided communications for the Winder, Ga Christmas Parade on 12/5. Of course it was cold and windy and I wish to thank the following hardy, now freeze dried, hams for their participation: KB4JEH; AB4TG; KJ4QDB; KJ4EX; KD4HLV; K4TGR; KC4WAI; W4RBR; AND K4JSR (NCS). The Barow Bunch is wishing everyone a great New Year. We are starting ours off with one of Barry Gooden's world famous SKYWARN Classes on 01/11/10. 73, Cal K4JSR EC

Clarke/N4ZRA: Communications were provided for the Sleigh Bell Run (East Georgia Red Cross)and the Santa Stroll. We have started over on our membership and are requiring ICS and ECOM training.

Hall/AA4BA: SORRY FOR THE REPORT DELAY, I WAS OUT OF STATE FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

Stephens/KU4ES: The Wednesday Training Net is simulcast on the W4BNG Repeater at 442.500+ (88.5 Tone). All amateurs are encouraged to participate in the net at noon.

Towns/W4VFZ: Previous reports did not include man-hours for weekly nets.

Northwest:

Carroll/N4IF: * Day of the week net is held: Wednesday & Sunday; Avg checkin = 6; Avg time = :32; 9x6x:32=28.8 mhrs. 5 training sessions with N4THM Net @ :21 = 1.75 mhrs.

Haralson/KD4YDA: Preparing monthly report and working toward West Georgia ARES repeater system

Heard/KE4OBM: Preparing monthly report and working toward West Georgia ARES repeater system

Murray/AI4ZV: See Whitfield County Report for combined Murray and Whitfield County report.

Pickens/K4SJR: We put up two phone poles at the 911 center .Pat (k4beh) and I Made a 40/75 meter antenna to go on the poles.I hope to put in up perennially this mouth.The first Sunday of each mouth I go to the 911 center and put up a 75 meter antenna, take battery, and my ft-897 to check-in on the State 75 meter ARES net. I call a local vhf net from the 911 center, repeater and simplex WE hope to have a permanent station set up by March.73' Frank k4sjr.

Polk/KD4EKZ: Conducted Santa Claus net on Christmas Eve. Logged in 9 youngsters and 4 young at heart, plus The Jolly Fat man in Santa Claus 1.

Whitfield/AI4ZV: See Whitfield County Report for combined Murray and Whitfield County report.

Southeast: Chatham/K4GTM: Activated Chatham EMA EOC for severe weather on Dec 2. Operated NWS station WX4CHS in Charleston for Skywarn Recognician Day event. Read about Chatham County ARES and Savannah radio activities at www.k4gtm.blogspot.com

Southwest: Dougherty/N4GPJ: N4GPJ, K1KBA, WB4TFW assisted Albany FD in evacuation of Hudson Malone Towers disabled residents following a smoke event on 12-14-09.

Grady/KI4RGD: Grady County ARES operations were quiet for the month of December

Lee/W5VRV: The 10 hours covers my time as net control for the Georgia Traffic Net, Georgia Traffic & Emergency net,& checking in to the nets each day. I was net control for a total of 14 sessions.

Thomas/N4KXL:  Quite month this Dec., but the year was very well attended by our group and we look forward to 2010! Happy New Year!!

Turner/W4GHW: I have not received a response from the County Commission therefore our local group will concentrate on supporting NWS.

West Central: Troup/K3IMC: West Point, GA PArade

Section Traffic Manager Report  December, 2009 

Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR)

Station Activity Report (SAR) Traffic

Section Nets

Charles A. Pennington, K4GK

Section Traffic Manager (STM)

Georgia Section