Henry Wyatt, K4YCR, SEC
| Total number of ARES members | 1186 | Change since last month | -2 |
| DECs reporting this month | 9 out of 15 Call Signs |
ARES nets active | 201 sessions (reported) |
| ECs reporting this month | 42 out of 75 Call signs |
Nets with NTS Liaison | most of these nets |
| Number of Drills, tests and training sessions this month | 48 | Person hours | 337 |
| Number of Public service events this month | 18 | Person hours | 589 |
| Number of Emergency operations this month | 0 | Person hours | 0 |
| Total number of ARES operations this month | 56 | Person hours | 913 |
ODEN
From K3EP:
- Conditions were good but not great for the two nets this month, yet we're still averaging 30 or so check-ins per net.
- We're still looking for more stations to act as NCS. Contact K3EP if interested.
District 1
N4SFG, Ben in Page County reports they are having a meeting 15Feb08 to try to organize a Page Co. Radio Club.
District 3
- From WW4GW EC for Buckingham/Cumberland Counties - We had our first scheduled Emergency Services Operations monthly meeting and it was well received by all in attendance (18) which included members of the EOC, emergency dispatch center, Sheriff's office, Fire/Rescue, Red Cross, the Board of Supervisors and others. Everyone in attendance agreed that this was something very worthwhile and look forward to the future meetings. Items that were discussed included future radio communications needs, how they would be implemented, and how they would be funded. Having a member of the Board of Supervisors present was a big plus for future funding of projects.
- From N3DFS EC for Greene County - Participation in Greene Co EM Net has fallen off drastically. The last one (27 Jan) saw NO ONE from Greene but 2 from other counties. Have queried all who used to participate but not all have responded.
District 4
- Tom, KI4AFE, EC/RO, Spotsylvania County - I spent some time completing some of the FEMA courses on line. While the courses may not directly relate to communications operations, they help us understand the environment in which we will operate while supporting our county EOCs.
- Tom, W4LLK, EC/RO Fredericksburg City - A quiet month.
- Dick, W6WLG, EC/RO, Orange County - CARA started its monthly breakfast meeting in Culpeper County. This is a social meeting open to all amateurs. The meeting convenes on the 4th Saturday of each month at the Culpeper Golden Corral beginning at 8:30 AM. We had a great turnout.
- Steve, KD4KNR, EC/RO, King George County - We held a quarterly meeting this month; attendees were: KD4KNR, N4WDC, K0PT, W4MHQ, & K1JOZ. Talked about several issues; decided to start a weekly net and offer a Technician class at the Firehouse in early spring.
- Boyd, KO4WK, EC/RO, Caroline County - Nothing new to report.
- Bart, N3GQ, EC/RO, Stafford County - On 19 January, the Stafford Area Repeater Association (SARA) held its annual dinner. Emmett, K3EP was awarded “Ham of the Year,” and Bart, N3GQ was awarded “Elmer of the Year.” Emmett, K3EP was also awarded “ARES District IV Emergency Communicator of the Year.” Ike, K4IKN, the SARA President and EC/RO Bart, N3GQ presented two joint awards to the Stafford County Emergency Manager (Gerry Jaskulski) and the Sheriff’s Office 911 Manager (Carol Adams). EC/RO Bart, N3GQ managed 3 Saturday VE exam sessions and brought in several newcomers to our magic world of Amateur Radio.
District 5
AD4RG, Middlesex County - ARES members received their official I.D. cards this month. These cards were, after a background check by the Sheriff's Dept., issued by the D.M.V..
District 6
W4FEG (Goochland) - January was a great month for amateur radio. KG4YXP (District 6): Preparations are nearing completion for District 6's booth at Frostfest. We will be holding our Quarterly District 6 meeting at Frostfest this year. See you at Frostfest!
District 8
Our ESHARC unit is working to restore our Eastville, VA repeater linking to the Accomac repeater, and to upgrade the radio/computer systems used by our ARES/RACES team in the Accomack County EOC, plus six designated emergency shelters. We are developing plans for periodic testing of the whole system.
District 9
W4NMH Rich] Norfolk - ARES Meeting was 18 JAN Refer to Meeting Minutes published. Norfolk AEC position Vacant. Looking for two HAMs to step-up for the position. Welcome Aboard to Jerry (KE4URB)!
Upcoming Events
- :FEB 23-24 Norfolk CERT Class
- MAR 16 SHAMROCK Marathon WA4TCJ
- APR 01 6PM SKYWARN Spotter Training
- APR 14 6PM SKYWARN Spotter Training Call 441-5600 (8A-5P)
- APR 06 Chesapeake Spring Fest + Tests 1400 N. George Washington Hwy, Chesapeake, VA
- APR 19 7A-2P CERTEX '08 Contact: KI4GM
- APR 26 10K Race 7A-Noon Stro KO4FR
- SEP 20-21 HAM FEST VB
- OCT 13 2008 Ham Radio Cruise
District 12
- District 12 Ten ARES members provided communications support for the Virginia Special Olympics Winter Games at Wintergreen Resort January 27,28,29. We have supported this event for more than 25 years.
- KG4HOT has resigned as Nelson County EC.
District 13
Harry Weiss KA3NZR and I [Bill Wells, W4BOT] have been invited to speak at the Franklin County Planning Commission's February working session. While PC working sessions are open to the public they are normally closed to comment. This privilege was arranged on our behalf by the County Administrator's staff allowing us the opportunity to discuss legal issues within the draft of a proposed ordinance.
- Floyd - We now have two operating WinLink stations with plans for two more. A gateway propagation survey is planned.
- Franklin - Held two tower ordinance committee meetings preparing for a February 12th presentation to the Planning Commission working session.
District 14
Glen W4GHS, Jeff KI4TSK and I [Tom MacMullan, KI4ONE] visited the Grayson County Emergency Board Chairman, Robby Wingate, to determine their inventory of radios and accessories (purchased with grant money), and to offer our help in installing them in various emergency agency locations throughout the county. They were short on some necessities (coax, antennas and power supplies) and Robby is to approach county officials to get an appropriation to cover them. Also, had the opportunity to try out the WX Spots weather application during a snow and ice event. About 8 ARES members provided voice and digital updates to the NWS and stranded motorists with ham radios.
- Smyth County, Howard Roland, KI4LWA - participated with Washington County ARES and MEARS club providing radio communications and timing for the Alaska Serum Run Dogsled re-enactment on 1-19 and the Blue Ridge Dryland Overland Challenge Dogsled races on 1-20 all along the Creeper Trail near Damascus, VA. We established a number of tactical locations on both days, worked all reporting through centralized net control, and were able to provide support and work alongside the event sponsors, the Washington County Sheriff's Dept, and the Damascus Police Dept as served agencies. We are continuing to upgrade the ARES roster and registrations for Smyth County. I have registered and have plans to attend the ARRL Level 1 EmComm class being conducted by section mgr W4GHS.
- Dickenson County, Donnie Dotson KB4KTH - I met with Sheriff Bobby Hammons and other Co. personnel and was well received. One of the assistant Co. EC's sent my e-mail to the District 4 State EC.I check the hospital radio. I also assisted a ham operator with a possible intoxicated driver.
- Carroll County, Jeff Sexton, KI4TSK - Help get the word out on the ARECC level one class on 01/31/2008 at the Carroll County EMS building. Also had information on the class put in the Galax Gazette twice. I went to two other ARES net one from North Carolina and two in Virginia. And also sent out emails on the class. On 01/17/2008 took part in a public service event on WXspot.com with other ham and the Blacksburg NWS where we report weather to them by the program form WXSPOTS.com Also SkyWarn was activated that day for a winter storm. On 01/16/2008 Glen Sage W4GHS, Tom MacMullan KI4ONE and I had a meeting in Grayson County at 9:30 a.m. over the radio equipment bought by state grant and what we can do to get the radio in service.
- Washington County, Robert Jones, KD4CZE - MEARS held it's monthly meeting in January. This meeting was mostly planning for the Siberian Husky Serum Run on sat., 1-19-08, and husky races on Sunday 1-20-08. These activities were held as scheduled. MEARS had 9 members participating in each of the 2 day events. MEARS function was to monitor and report the progress of the serum relay run on Saturday and the actual timing of races against the clock on Sunday. The Sunday races were run from 2 different starting points at the same time. Everything went very well. The weather was very cold, but no one complained, it was a great experience. Mears has already been asked to participate in next year's events.
- Russell County, Charles Peake, K4CWP - Doing the best that I can with what I have. I appreciate all the support that I am getting. Thank you.
Thanks to all those submitting their reports and activities.
Submitted:
Henry L. Wyatt, K4YCR
SEC VA ARES