Henry Wyatt, K4YCR, SEC
| Total number of ARES members | 1188 | Change since last month | +12 |
| DECs reporting this month | 8 out of 15 Call Signs |
ARES nets active | 206 sessions (reported) |
| ECs reporting this month | 31 out of 75 Call signs |
Nets with NTS Liaison | most of these nets |
| Number of Drills, tests and training sessions this month | 56 | Person hours | 306 |
| Number of Public service events this month | 10 | Person hours | 405 |
| Number of Emergency operations this month | 0 | Person hours | 0 |
| Total number of ARES operations this month | 64 | Person hours | 656 |
ODEN
From K3EP:
- Conditions were great for the Dec 3 ODEN/A Net. We had 31 check-ins and 13 of 15 districts checking in; as Henry (K4YCR) our SEC stated, we almost had a clean sweep for district check-ins.
- Conditions were also great for the Dec 18 ODEN/A Net. Conditions were so good, we decided to capitalize on it and sent an impromptu NTS message to all listening DECs and ROs, asking them to send an e-mail to the SEC with the total number of members for the jurisdiction (it's all I could think of at the moment). It was good practice. [SEC received 3 replies]
- Thanks to W4CAC and N4WDC for running the two nets this month. If you are interested in being an occasional NCS, let K3EP know.
District 3
- K4MSR in Fluvanna County - Very Quite month
- N3DFS in Greene County - Very slow this month. Cancelled last two GCEN sessions due to so many being otherwise engaged. We will resume first Sunday in 2008.
- WW4GW in Buckingham/Cumberland Counties - I met with representatives from the Buckingham EOC, Sheriff's office and rescue squad to suggest a possible use for a rescue ambulance that has been retired. It was agreed that the unit will be sold to the EOC for $1.00 to be used as a remote command center. Since the unit already has lights, siren and radio(s), we will only need to re-program the emergency radio(s) to the local frequencies, add an amateur radio with antenna, and outfit the rear with a work area (counter). This unit will be a welcome addition to the Buckingham County emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
District 4
- Tom, KI4AFE, EC/RO, Spotsylvania County: We had a successful SET on 15 December. The SET was held jointly with Fredericksburg. Happy New Year to all!
- Steve, KD4KNR, EC/RO, King George County: Worked on running coax and installing dual band antenna at the EOC.
- Tom, W4LLK, EC/RO Fredericksburg City: SET held on 12/15 with KI4AFE. Seven voice check ins, two packet.
- Dick, W6WLG, EC/RO, Orange County: Nothing new in Orange.
- Bart, N3GQ, EC/RO, Stafford County: District 4 reaches 100 members! December was a quiet month for ARES/RACES activities. We worked on our training orientation briefing for the new Amateur Radio room that will open in the new Public Service Building in March 2008. We did a thorough scrub of our ARES/RACES roster and ended up with more team members than we expected! We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and are enjoying a Happy New Year!
District 5
Five members of the Middlesex ARES Group were sworn in by the Clerk of Court on Dec. 13th as "Communication Officers". They were AD4RG, KB2FQF, KB4NGO, KB4JIR, and AA4HQ. They are awaiting background checks before receiving I.D. cards.
District 6
A big thanks go out to all of our team members. Thanks for your support and I appreciate all of your help in 2007. 2008 will be an even busier year with Henrico coming online during Q1 2008. Recruitment and retention is a primary goal for us moving forward in 2008.
- W4FEG (Goochland): Well, gone is 07 and 08 is here. We have a lot of new plans here in Goochland this year. ARES is a work in progress and the New Year has a lot of work planned here. We did not have two nets in Dec. as Christmas and New Years Eve fell on Mon. nights. Happy New Year and keep your battery charged;
- KG4YXP (Henrico): The new equipment (Kenwood TM-D710As) has arrived and is awaiting installation of antennas and testing.;
- K2QIJ (New Kent): 2007 was a good year. We picked up one new member who passed his tech and general in is actually "on the air". Anthony, your leadership is much appreciated. Even better things to happen in 2008!
District 8
This month has been a busy one for us in Dist 8. Our ESHARC/RACES group supported the Onancock Christmas Parade on Dec. 1 with 10 hams. Our Eastville repeater is back to normal with two new antennas installed by riggers who have been almost nonexistent in the past months. APRS on the two repeaters at Eastville & Accomack seem to be working nicely with the new antennas. The next operation will be re-programming all our operators’ radios with the new schedule of frequencies used by RACES in the two Counties.
District 11
- The Mecklenburg County ARES and Lake Country Amateur Radio Service is sponsoring Amateur Radio testing classes in January to provide support for people interested in becoming Amateur Radio Operators. There will also be a testing session Saturday January 26 in South Hill
- I would like to encourage all ECs to have their members go to the ARES website and update their information online so ARES can stay current.
District 12
- KG4HOT has notified me that he will resign as Nelson Co. EC effective 1/1/08. He has suggested another amateur in the area to replace him, so we will be working on getting that assignment made in January.
- 13 ARES members, including me, assisted with the annual Hellgate 100K foot race in early December. This is an 18 hour event that begins at 0001 and finishes at 1800 with some 150 runners participating. The weather was much more cooperative for this year's event, although ice caused part of the Blue Ridge Parkway to be closed, hampering the aid station workers and ARES volunteers from getting to some of the aid stations.
- Happy New Year!
District 14
Met with Carroll/Grayson County EC Jeff Sexton KI4TSK to update website information and initiate planning for installation of radios for emergency services in Grayson County.
- Washington County: There was not much happening during December for MEARS. The regular Wed. night nets were held with about a 2 year record for check-ins. The regular monthly meeting was held at the Swallowtail Restaurant where we had 30 people attending. We also had 4 new members join. The nominating committee presented the slate of officers for 2008. We have a new president, Jim Cole K4HRO. The other officers did not change. Plans were discussed for the Husky Serum Run to be held Jan.19th and 20th. This will be an exciting event. It is being advertised in several papers, radio, and TV. Hopefully, we will have a good attendance, both for amateurs and sight seers. The public is invited.
- Smyth County: Attended MEARS annual Christmas dinner and was introduced as new Smyth Co EC. Discussed support help and handoff with Gary Sutherland KM4X. Planning to support Huskie Dog Sled Run in mid-January with MEARS group of members. Joined club. Stepped up participation in area nets. Spent time with team member Don Morgan KD4JDI who was critical in hospital, doing better now. Plan for upcoming month to get short form ARES registrations to other active members still not showing in our system so roster is more accurate.
- Grayson County: Attended MEARS annual Christmas dinner and was introduced as new Smyth Co EC. Discussed support help and handoff with Gary Sutherland KM4X. Planning to support Huskie Dog Sled Run in mid-January with MEARS group of members. Joined club. Stepped up participation in area nets. Spent time with team member Don Morgan KD4JDI who was critical in hospital, doing better now. Plan for upcoming month to get short form ARES registrations to other active members still not showing in our system so roster is more accurate.
- Grayson and Carroll Counties: Myself and KI4ONE got together and talked about updating all of the information that is wrong on the web site such as the ARES net on the 09. And some had wrong P.L. Also still working on get radios equipment for Grayson County line up.
- Russell County: I hope that things will pick up this year and that we will grow in membership as well as in training. Am looking forward to attending the communications training in the future.
- Scott County: Regular scheduled LEPC meeting was held this month. Plans are being made for an up-coming county wide drill to be held in May 2008. It will be a full functional exercise with all agencies taking part.
Thanks to all those submitting their reports and activities.
Submitted:
Henry L. Wyatt, K4YCR
SEC VA ARES