| Total number of ARES members | 1094 | Change since last month | +16 |
| DECs reporting this month | 13 out of 15 Call Signs |
ARES nets active | 235 sessions in 32 nets |
| ECs reporting this month | 45 out of 75 Call signs |
Nets with NTS Liaison | most of these nets |
| Number of Drills, tests and training sessions this month | 72 | Person hours | 571 |
| Number of Public service events this month | 17 | Person hours | 492 |
| Number of Emergency operations this month | 0 | Person hours | 0 |
| Total number of ARES operations this month | 70 | Person hours | 1077 |
SEC Comments
- I note as I start this report that Dave Damon, K4DND, has completed all the FEMA courses recommended. Congratulations Dave! Dave was the Section representative of VA ARES at the Berryville Hamfest.
- Glen Sage, W4GHS, Section Manager, Henry Wyatt, K4YCR, and Dan Edwards, AG4YU, attended the Roanoke Hamfest and presented the progress on the draft of the Section Emergency Plan being assembled and the various means of completing the Emergency Communications courses from the ARRL. Dan presented the website and the changes that will be forthcoming with the new provider.
District 2
Prince William County July and August are traditionally our slow months and so far, this year is running true to form. We had one training session, discussing APRS, response plans and learning WebEOC. Looking forward to September and National Preparedness Month.
/s David Lane, KG4GIY, EC
The rest of the district has been quiet. The big upcoming event is the 32nd Marine Corp Marathon. The Amateur role has expanded again this year. We will be staffing the backup command post for the first time. We are also deploying a DStar network for direct runner injury input into the MCM tracking system. The packet network that has served this purpose for the past twenty some odd years will be deployed again but it will be used as a backup the the DStar network. With packet, there was a protocol converter between the packet network and the MCM tracking system. Since DStar is a more robust system, we will be able to do away with the protocol converter and connect directly to the MCM tracking system. For the first time we will be able to query the MCM tracking system from the race course as necessary. This will reduce the amount of voice net traffic for the aid stations.
District 3
District 3 held an ARES training session last month at the Martha Jefferson Hospital Education Center. We had a total of 22 people attending, all were ARES members with the single exception of our Charlottesville/Albemarle/UVA joint Emergency Services Manager, Marge Thomas. Marge has been an enthusiastic supporter of ARES/RACES and we were particularly pleased that she took the time to attend our training session. We had amateurs from Louisa, Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Buckingham and Prince Edward Counties in attendance. This was a general session that covered the Amateur Radio Service in general, ARES and RACES, emergency nets, public service, and traffic handling. The session concluded with the attendees being divided into teams of two operators, who were asked to pass preformatted traffic messages to each other. Participants indicated that was a valuable experience in developing confidence in their ability to be able to pass information from one location to another, the basic substance of traffic..
- From AD6JV in Albemarle County: The Albemarle/Charlottesville/UVa EOC requested ham radio support for the Scottsville 4th of July Parade and, in spite of short notice, we were able to provide a team of four to provide backup communications for the morning.
- From N3DFS in Greene County: Greene County Emergency Net continues apace. Trying to get more of the approx. 37 licensed amateurs in the county involved. The GCEN has "invaded" Stanardsville, where His Honor the Mayor, KE4NHP / Jerry participates. 2 members participated in the District 3 ARES training this month.
- From WW4GW in Buckingham/Cumberland Counties: Buckingham/Cumberland ARES members continue to work closely with amateur radio operators in Prince Edward County to form an ARES group there and to assist with bringing some repeaters online in the Farmville area. We did attend the District 3 training session in Charlottesville.
District 4
In Memorium - Nick Hirsch, KI4OQA, SK
Nick KI4OQA was one of the star members of our emergency communications community. He was one of our Super Hams and a dedicated member of our regional Emergency Communications Team.
Nick had a heart of gold and always went the extra mile to help the people around him. He not only bought a 3-position radio console for our emergency communications team, he also transported it from Fort Meade, Maryland to Stafford (it easily weighs a ton!) in his blue pickup truck. Nick also bought several steel pipes that he welded together to hold our two vertical antennas at the county’s temporary Emergency Operations Center.
Nick recently spent many hours helping to program our new digital radio repeater systems; no easy task. Nick would always offer a helping hand. When he was driving home from work, he would get on the Stafford radio repeater and ask if anyone wanted him to pick something up at the Candy Store (also known as Ham Radio Outlet in Woodbridge).
Nick was a regular at Perkins Restaurant on Saturday mornings and always had an interesting story or anecdote to share at the morning breakfasts.
Not long ago, he bought several top-notch blue aluminum heat sinks with fans used to cool computer hard drives. I bought one from him at cost and use it on one of my radios. I will dub it my OQA heat sink.
We will indeed miss ol’ Nick.
Rest in Peace, Nick, and thank you for all you did for our club and regional emergency communications preparedness. 73.
Bart, N3GQ, EC/RO, Stafford County: We dedicate this report to Silent Key Nick Hirsch, KI4OQA.
Dick, W6WLG, EC/RO, Orange County: CARA had a picnic in Orange at the Harley dealership on July 29. Purpose was to develop community relations, attract other amateurs and provide a forum for swapping, selling or trading electronics equipment. We had 20 participants and welcomed a new member to CARA.
Tom, KI4AFE, EC/RO, Spotsylvania County: The Spotsylvania ARES/RACES Simplex Exercise on 28 July was successful. We also conducted 2 public service events. ((Please contact Tom, KI4AFE for details if you would like to try a similar simplex exercise. Highly recommended! –Bart, N3GQ))
Steve, KD4KNR, EC/RO, King George County: Nick Hirsch KI4OQA passed away this month.. Nick was a strong member of our little group...Nick will be missed by all.
Boyd, KO4WK, EC/RO, Caroline County: It was a light month for ham activities - we did have a breakfast with about 6 hams attending. We talked about several plans, and have started getting more serious about putting up an UHF repeater. We had 7 different hams check in to the CarCo Net. 73, Stay cool, and the Lord bless you all. Boyd, KO4WK
Tom, W4LLK, EC/RO Fredericksburg City: Our two events were the Heritage Festival Run and the Colonial Beach Triathlon.
District 5
Made presentation to Three Rivers Health District Communications Coordinator on possible setup and location of amateur radio communications equipment in the Middlesex County facility. All of the equipment has been purchased. The only thing remaining is to have the tower installed by the county (county property).
Same scenario for the Middlesex County EOC, equipment in house and antennas installed at shelters but waiting for antenna to be installed at EOC.
Westmoreland County is still planning, and has been for the past 2 years, to purchase amateur radio equipment. We are working with the Assistant County Emergency Manager on this matter. I do have 2 ARES members in the county, but neither will take the EC position.
There are no ARES personnel in Essex County and one new ARES member in Richmond County.
District 6
W4FEG (Goochland): Considering Field day! Things have been quieter this month. Our ARES program has six computers to aid in our packet operation that we are installing at all six Fire and Rescue buildings. The county has installed generators at all locations with 100 to 125 kw output which will greatly enhance our emergency operations. We are currently working on another project that will give our ARES a lot of flexibility. Have a hot August!!! KI4PXU (Powhatan): We added a second registered ARES member this month and set a meeting with the Powhatan County Emergency Managers for August 2 at 1530hrs. I also attended a Red Cross Sheltering class held at the Powhatan High School at the request of the Emergency Managers on July 18. I hosted and attended and the District 3 ARES Training held by Dave Damon-K4DND-at the Martha Jefferson Hospital Education Center on July 21. All in all, it was a great month for myself and ARES in Powhatan County. KG4YXP (District 6): I attended a training session with District 3 and had a good time meeting the D3 folks.
District 7
Joe Safranek: K4JJS, AEC, Gloucester: Participated in 2 Hurricane Preparedness Expos with Sheriff's Office, CERT, Three Rivers Health District, and Gloucester and Abingdon VFRS. Joe met with Mathews County Emergency Manager and discussed how amateur radio may be able to serve county. Future meeting planned. Joe also attended Disaster Volunteer Day training in Hampton this month. Earl Evans, KE4NBX, EC, and Joe attended the D7AC meeting.
Chris Hosman, KC4F, EC, Hampton provided training on packet software Airmail for shelter workers. Attended Peninsula Disaster Volunteer Day and coordinated parking. Worked to place an emergency repeater at Sentara CarePlex Hospital. Worked to establish an independent (non-amateur) emergency communications at the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Rick Ross, KG4TAX, EC, Newport News July was a quiet month. Supported a one event. Newport News ARES was featured in the July meeting of a local radio club. Provided voice and packet demonstration in D7 Communications Trailer. Participated in 2 meetings: Newport News and D7. Attended Disaster Volunteer Day and assisted with parking cars. Held 5 radio nets with Mike Hawk, KB4CAU, as net liaison.
Chris Courson, KC4CMR, EC, Williamsburg-James City County: Installed 2 meter antenna at the guard house at Fords Colony and a permanent radio to provide contact with 14 licensed CERT members in that very large community. Thanks to residents KI4SNN and KI3SAW for coordinating that work.
Tom Goyne, N4NSP, DEC7: Chris Courson, KC4CMR, has worked diligently to coordinate the smooth transition of the VDEN packet node TIDE from the old to the new water tower. This was done with the assistance of Earl Moore, KR4MA. Earl, KR4MA, provided many hours of assistance to VDEM in improving the packet radio station at the VAEOC. He has also traveled widely throughout the state to help radio operators set up their packet BBS stations.
Earl Evans, KE4NBX, and I co-authored an article the Sparkgap, the newsletter of the Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club. The article 'Knife Edge RF Diffraction: An Experiment in UHF Mountaintop Propagation,' provided observations on UHF propagation over a mountain ridge using RF diffraction. Attended a Gloucester County Hurricane Expo and the D7AC meeting.
District 8
We've added new computer and radio equipment at our EOC and plan to revamp our operating procedures very soon.
District 9
Virginia Beach ARES completed Shelter Training
Norfolk - Congratulations to Stro, KO4FR for qualifying for the Bronze Presidential Award for Volunteers 2006.
Portsmouth - Bill Farmer received the Silver award from the President's Volunteer Awards Program. Congratulations Bill!
PARES received about $5,000 of equipment from the State Health Dept. (HF Equipment, Dual Band Radios, Antennas, Coax cable, Power Supplies etc)
Chesapeake EC - position still open.
District 10
A second shelter installation at the same site located on the Smithfield High School/Middle School Complex is underway. The second installation is to support decontamination requirements for VOPEX in Isle of Wight County.
A drill / planning session was held by Isle of Wight county to acquaint the new emergency manager with the process and review the counties emergency plan. The session was attended by Dick W4RBH and Fred KG4BKI along with material support from Bruce KE4GFM.
We will be holding an ARES/RACES training session on August 25th.
District 12
Reporting from the Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention, where it is 101 degrees in the shade...
The City of Lynchburg now has an EC, Dave Murphy, AJ4AL.
District 13
Focus in July was on the preparation of a detailed Power Point presentation of Tactical Emergency Net Operations plus a new look at district served agency digital requirements.
Craig County: We had a good meeting with Craig County Emergency Manager. New steps are being taken to upgrade the ham station in Craig County EOC.
Pulaski County: Pulaski Co will be having a table top SET on Aug 13 at NRCC with the following joint counties Montgomery (Radford City), Bland, Wythe, and Giles. EC's from those counties have been invited to attend. Wythe and Giles have no active EC's
Franklin County: July activities focused on the acquisition of additional antenna materials to upgrade our EOC capability.
District13:
District 14
Tom, KI4ONE, is the new DEC. He was having problems with his e-mail provider and made his report via the twisted pair.
Thanks to all those submitting their reports and activities.
Submitted:
Henry L. Wyatt, K4YCR
SEC VA ARES