Georgia on My Mind - July 2017
July is turning out to be a rather inactive month. No hamfests in
Georgia and apparently no special meetings or events. Everyone is
probably still coming down from Field Day. However, we’re looking
forward and planning for major events coming later this year and in
January – those being the ARES SET in October and the State ARES
meeting in Forsyth in January. More on those events in the next few
months as we make progress. I did, however, attend a meeting on QRP at
the Atlanta Radio Club on July 6th. Steve Hudson, AA4BW, gave a very
interesting presentation on his personal history and activity using QRP.
Steve's approach to QRP is to use as little power as possible to make a
contact and often makes an effort to see just how low in power one can
go and maintain the contact. Steve evidently has the “more power”
gene turned off. Steve is also not an elaborate equipment user. He
likes to use some fairly bare bones older equipment with little more
than a wire tacked to a tree. It was almost as though “let’s see
how crude we can get and still make contact”. Steve passed around
several historical and current QRP equipment which brought back some
memories for some of us. If you get the chance to see one of Steve’s
presentations in the future, you’ll find it educational and
interesting.
Hope this finds you doing well and enjoying the Summer.
David Benoist, AG4ZR, Section Manager, Georgia
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF GEORGIA NETS::
Ever been curious about what other Amateur Radio nets take place in
Georgia or maybe you want to try something beyond a local net? Martha
Muir, W4MSA, our Section Youth Coordinator, came across the West Georgia
Amateur Radio Society (WGARS) website and found a comprehensive list of
nets that take place over a significant part of Georgia. Nets are listed
by the day of the week listing the time, Band or frequency, and mode.
Take a look and see if you see something that interests you.
Go here to see the list of nets: http://wgars.com/areanets
If you see a net that needs updating or you want to add a net, send an
E-mail to Wayne Hitch KM4BYH club president at . Wayne
also tells me that they periodically hold a foxhunt or two. Foxhunts
are listed on their website events calendar.
ICOM 7100 – WINLINK – VHF PACKET GATEWAY::
This is for those Amateurs that have an Icom 7100 and want to configure
it for accessing their Winlink (RMS Express) E-mail through a VHF packet
gateway. Here is a comprehensive document that gives direction on how
to configure a 7100 for Winlink packet to a VHF gateway (not to be
confused for a Winmor gateway which is accessed over HF). While the
sound device and software are different than those used in the Georgia
ARES standard, this article may offer insight into how to get the 7100
working for VHF packet with other software and sound devices.
Go here for link to document:
https://gaares.org/documents/IC-7100A_PacketRadioSet-up-20170709.pdf
PLEASE TEST IF YOU’RE IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA::
The Fannin County ARES team has recently relocated their KM4MAD-10
Winlink packet gateway (145.790 MHz) to a 180 foot tower at Fannin
Regional Hospital. This new location offers greater coverage throughout
the county but also with surrounding counties. We are requesting anyone
local to Northwest Georgia to try and "hit" the gateway and give us a
report. You can also attempt to connect via our digipeater, W4HBS-14,
located at 3000' on Brawley Mountain 14 miles away which greater
increases the access range of the Winlink E-mail packet gateway. Fannin
County ARES now supports three gateways, Winlink Packet, Winlink Winmor
and Winlink Pactor on 2m, 80M & 40M.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT::
Looking for a Georgia on My Mind newsletter editor. The ARRL Section
Manager is looking for an individual to help gather, collect, edit, and
format the monthly Georgia Section newsletter that goes out to all ARRL
members in the State of Georgia on a monthly basis (who have elected to
receive the newsletter in their ARRL membership user profile – some
2000 plus individuals). Tasks include:
- Gathering news and information from Amateur Radio operators, Amateur
Radio Clubs, ARES groups, and Individuals, and other sources of
information and interest.
- Working with the Section manager and others to contact members and
news resources for news worthy information and content
- Working with Subject Matter Experts (SME) to write an article
- Coaxing Amateurs to write “How-to” or personal experience
articles
- Edit and, if necessary, rewrite or construct news items and articles
for clarity and content.
- Assist the Section Manager and other ARRL and ARES leadership in
developing content.
- Help develop a methodology that goes beyond the current text-only
newsletter to include graphics, documents, links, etc.
- Anything else you can think of that will help get more interesting
and educational information out to the Amateur Radio community in
Georgia
- Topic areas include: education, youth, next generation, scouting,
accomplishments, events, event outcomes, technical, who’s who, emcomm,
clubs, hospital, people, hamfests, forums, nets, etc.
This is not meant to be a full-time job but a way to spread the demand
for getting more useful and interesting content into the newsletter.
The candidate will have considerable influence on development and
format. If you’re interested or have questions, send an E-mail to
.
GEORGIA TRAFFIC MANAGER REPORT::
Public Service Honor Role
1 Chuck WA0CGZ 199 K4GK 110
Station Activity Report
Chuck WA0CGZ 179, K4GK 94, K4BAI 11
Section Net
Geogia ARES Statewide K4GK Manager
QNI 752, QTC 2, Sessions 4
Net manager K4GK
Georgia ARES Digital
QNI 212, QTC 0, Sessions 4
Manager K4GO
Georgia Single Sideband
QNI 1715, QTC 17, Sessions 30
Net manager KE4VPD
Georgia Cracker Net
QNI 688, QTC 6, Sessions 30
Net manager AF4XZ
Georgia Traffic Net
QNI 190, QTC 6, Sessions 26
Net manager WA0CGZ
Georgia Training Net CW
QNI 174, QTC 2, Sessions 24
Net Manager KG4FXG
Georgia State Net GSN
QNI 472, QTC 64, Sessions 60
Net Manager K4GK
Georgia Traffic and Emergency Net
QNI 988, QTC 19, Sessions 30
Net manager KI4NGD
Reported by Charles Pennington, K4GK, Georgia Net Manager
YEAR TO DATE HOSPITAL NET REPORTS::
Go here for the year-to-date Georgia Hospital Net report:
https://gaares.org/docs/2017_YTD_Hospital_Net_Report.pdf
Go here for the July 2nd Georgia Hospital Net report – includes
participation by call sign:
https://gaares.org/docs/Hospital_07-02-17_Net_Report.pdf
Reported by Stephen Jonas, K4DSJ, EC Chatham County, Net Manager - State
Hospital Net
EC / DEC MONTHLY REPORTS FOR JUNE::
The following information is gathered from reporting by Georgia County
Emergency Coordinators and District Emergency Coordinators and is
compiled by Thomas Fuller, ASEC, Section Reporting
Monthly Section Emergency Coordinator Report to ARRL Headquarters
ARRL Section: GA Month: JUNE Year: 2017
AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
Total number of ARES members: * 1414 since last month= -102
reported (+, -, or same)
# of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 61 , # of ARES nets active: 310
, # with NTS liaison: 23
Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: see below
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 592
Person hours: 6418
Number of public service events this month: 38
Person hours: 1516
Number of emergency operations this month: 21
Person hours: 688
Total number of ARES operations this month: 651
Person hours: 8622
Comments: see below
Signature: Thomas Fuller Call sign:
KE4QCM
Please send to ARRL HQ, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 by 10th of the
month FSD-96 (1-04)
* 1414 members reported, 1516 from last report, with -102 reported
by EC's
ASECs/DECs/ECs reporting
ASEC/DECs:
DEC Air Force/MARS/WB4BDP, DEC Central/WB4KNU, ASEC Digital
Communications/WB4QDX, DEC East Central/K4BR, DEC Handiham/N0FBV, DEC
Metro Atlanta/W4IGE, DEC National Weather Service/Charleston/KB1WEI,
DEC Northwest/AF4DN, DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC, ASEC Education and
Validation/AC4MG
ECs:
Central:
Baldwin/K4DRS, Crawford/WB4NKU, Dodge/KC5AVR, Dooly/KK4REG,
Houston/WB4EEL, Jones/N5BI, Lamar/N5FBI, Laurens/K4DBN, Macon/KI4BEO,
Monroe/KK4TLG, Peach/KK4WTO, Pulaski/N4TUA, Putnam/N0COW,
Washington/K4GK, Wilkinson/WB4FNG
East Central:
Burke/K4BR, Columbia/K1OYQ, Jenkins/W4EIZ, Richmond/NY3Y
Metro Atlanta:
Butts/K3GWK, Clayton/AJ4GT, Coweta/W1AJO, Fayette/KN4YZ, Gwinnett/W4IGE,
Newton/WA4UJC, North Fulton/K4JLG, Paulding/K4DMF, Rockdale/WN4JC
Northeast:
Barrow/KJ4EX, Greene/N0COW, Hall/AF4GT, Morgan/KM4LS, Walton/KJ4NMO,
White/KR4AE
Northwest:
Bartow/KC4DGX, Fannin/KK4NTE , Floyd/KA5QFI, Gordon/AF4DN,
Pickens/K4SJR, Walker/W4LWC, Whitfield/K4HYJ
Southeast:
Brantley/KI4LDC, Bryan/KK1JE, Bulloch/KK1JE, Chatham/K4SDJ,
Effingham/KK1JE, Pierce/KI4LDC, Screven/KK1JE, Ware/KI4LDC
Southwest:
Tift/KE4RJI
West Central:
Troup/N4VPI
Comments:
ASEC/DECs:
DEC Air Force/MARS/WB4BDP, The next COMEX will be in August. The
specific date has not been released. We need new members with digital
experience. We use higher than 300 baud methods with in-line encryption.
The software packages are well integrated and easy to use, but a
challenge to set up. If you are interested in AF MARS, contact,
We can also forward requests for Army MARS to them.
Submitted by WB4EEL AF MARS State Director
DEC Central/WB4KNU, I took part in the Pappas Peaches Classic 5K as a
volunteer with several others KK4TLG KW4SZ KJ4DFP, . Attended the DEC
Webinar. Also helped with the Ham Cram on June 17th in Fort Valley. I
attended the Marietta Hamfest and enjoyed the ARES forum Spent a lot of
time on phone working with ECs on different
ASEC Digital Communications/WB4QDX, 6/3-Participated in ARRL/ARES and
Digital forums at Atlanta Hamfest, 6/4 - Metro ARES Net participation,
6/7-Section Special Operations GoToMeeting. 6/8-Metro ATL EC conference
call. Planning for August Digital Training in Columbia County.
Administration of Georgia D-STAR repeaters.
DEC East Central/K4BR, Things are really starting to happen here. We
are in the process of appointing hospital operators at our four
hospitals. We are still looking for ECs in Glascock, Hancock, Lincoln,
Talliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes Counties. We are looking for ARES
members in all of our counties, particularly Richmond. Interested hams
should contact me at . John Davis, WB4QDX, will lead a
digital training event for East Central GA ARES personnel on August 12.
Registration applications are being accepted on https://csraares.com
DEC Handiham/N0FBV, Working to get other handicapped Hams in to program.
Happy July 4th, N0FBV Don
DEC Metro Atlanta/W4IGE, The 6/4 net was called by Dekalb ARES. We had
our Metro Atlanta District conference call on 6/8. Most of the Metro
Atlanta counties participated in Field Day.
DEC National Weather Service/Charleston/KB1WEI, I Participated in 5 GA
Health Nets, 1 GAARES Nets and 7 local ARES Nets. I activated 1 local
Skywarn nets for severe weather and also did a short article for a local
ARES Publication. Training included Field Day and a Chatham Co.
Hurricane Seminar.
DEC Northwest/AF4DN, Good reports from across the district. Please read
the individual reports from our counties.
Good participation from several of the counties in the district. The
month of June digital net was PSK 125. July we will be doing both PSK
125 and MFSK 16. Tuesdays at 7:30 PM till 8 PM on 3.583
DEC Salvation Army/WA4UJC, Thank you for your support of the SATERN nets
each week. For information on SATERN please go to www.SATERN.org
ASEC Education and Validation/AC4MG, 1. Processed 4 incoming ID Card
requests 2. Attended monthly Cabinet meeting Total Active GA ARES ID
Cards = 226
ECs:
Central:
Baldwin/K4DRS, Had an excellent Field Day with Milledgeville ARC. Were
visited by representatives of two served agencies, an elected official,
media, and several interested in earning a license. 20 operators and
guests in total.
Crawford/WB4NKU, We participated in 3 Weather Sky Warn nets. Also
several members went to Marietta and had a very good time. Those that
took part in events and Training K4BCO,KJ4RXR, KJ4DFP,WB4NKU, K4RAD,
W1LQJ, KK4BHS, W2VP, Congrats to Wally Glaze on obtaining his General
Class license.KM4UER ???
Houston/WB4EEL, The monthly Tri-County ARES meeting was held June 22
with five Houston County members present. A refresher presentation on
ICS-200 was given from FEMA training materials. A similar presentation
on ICS 800 and possibly the Gwinnett County Course will follow in the
coming months. Several members participated in Field Day with Jump or Go
Kits. Many members are using the smaller HF rigs in Jump kits, which
they use, as their home station. This keeps everything working, and
together.
Jones/N5BI, Great job by everyone. Thank you all.
Lamar/N5FBI, Completed third part of GEMA desktop training. Working with
local CERT group to enhance training and prepare for upcoming events.
One CERT member wants to obtain license.
Laurens/K4DBN, The big event for us this month was Field Day. We
didn’t get in as much operating time as we had planned due to a storm
front that came thru early in the evening. This caused us to have to
secure the radios and move inside, but it wasn’t long before the hot
dogs and hamburgers were ready and a good time was had by all. While we
have nothing to brag about in the number of contacts we made, we are
proud of our public awareness effort. We had representatives from three
county EMA directors including one EMA director who attended in person.
A Laurens county commissioner came by with his eight year old daughter.
His visit lasted quite some time. The local paper ran an article on Ham
Radio two days running. One featured a picture on the front page that
was taken while we still had our field day radios running.
Monroe/KK4TLG, KK4TLG and KM4YSA attended the Marietta Ham fest, Good
presentations and information for Ga. ARES KK4TLG assisted with a ham
cram in Peach County, for Peach Co. ARES. KK4TLGand KW4SZ assisted
Crawford Co. ARES with the Dickies 5k road race. KW4SZ was instrumental
in providing a runner with Medical assistance, when he saw the runner in
distress. KW4SZ immediately called for water and Medical personnel.
Runner was attended to, and taken care of. Monroe County Amateur Radio
Society, held their first ever Field Day. Even though they were rained
and flooded out of their primary location, we deployed to an alternate
location and participated in Field Day, by making several contact. Much
was learned and next year will be even better. Participating was:
KK4TLG, K4XRA, KM4JEX, KW4SZ and K4OYY
Peach/KK4WTO, Thanks ,to Rick Gunderman WA4RG an Floyd Malone KK4WTO for
the help with the Ham Cram at the Peach Co. EMA Center also thanks to