10/22/2010
News
From Around
Hello
One
of the highlights of being Section Manager is receiving complimentary copies of
the newsletters published by our WTX clubs.
I “borrow” a lot of information from those newsletters and am very
grateful to the editors that put in time researching and composing their
information. Often they dig up information on amateur radio’s history that that
few of us have seen before. One “how about that” moment occurred this month as
I read the San Angelo ARC newsletter. At some time in our lives, most of us
have had the experience of either playing with a model train or helping a
son/daughter/grandchild with their model train. Chances are that the Lionel
Electric Train Company made it. My train-buff XYL has a half-century old Lionel
2037 Prairie type steam locomotive on our mantel. It is not in mint condition anymore,
probably due to several train wrecks back in the 50’s, but it is a reminder of
another age. You are wondering, what in the world does this have to do with
amateur radio. During the first part of the 20th century. The word
“Lionel” was synonymous with “electric trains”. They sold 40,000 electric train
engines and over a million sets of track in 1937. Oops, along came WW2. Electric
trains were not very important to the war effort and their factory began
turning out navigation and communication products for our country. Are you
beginning to see where we are going? During WW2, Lionel began making bugs, more
specifically, clones of the Vibroplex Lightning Bug. The next time you see a
“Vibroplex” J36 or a J38 straight key at a flea market, check out the label. It
just might a long lost kin of the electric train that you played with as a
child. Thanks to the folks in
On
the subject of newsletters, Section Managers get a lot of their information
from the monthly newsletters. A few years ago, I received several each month. It
was common practice for clubs to send complimentary copies to other clubs
across WTX and share information. Today, I only receive three newsletters. The
San Angelo ARC, Key City ARC, and the Big Bend ARC continue to publish and
share information with their members on a regular basis. A club newsletter
enables your club to communicate with every member on a regular basis. Not all
club members can tune into your 2-meter. Not all club members can attend the
Monday night club meeting. (Ever notice that most clubs meet on Monday night?)
However, most of your members have email access. In this digital age, an emailed
newsletter can do wonders in maintaining participation in club affairs.
I
have received several inquiries this week from WTX ARRL members concerned that
they have not received their ballots for the West Gulf Director and
Vice-Director elections. As a matter of
background, all
If
you have not received your ballot by October 30, 2010 or if there was a problem
with your ballot package, contact Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, at ARRL HQ ka1ufz@arrl.org and request a ballot package. Please note
your callsign in the request. It makes it easier for Lisa to verify your
information in the database. You can also call ARRL HQ at 860-594-0200. Ask for
Lisa Kustosik.
That
is it for this month. There probably is some more news scribbled on scraps of
paper buried somewhere in this pile of papers that seem to be a permanent part
of my operating desk. Maybe they will surface next month. Than goodness for
logging software. I probably couldn’t find my logbook on the desk.
See
you next month,
John
Dyer
AE5B
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AMATEUR
RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
Monthly
Section Emergency Coordinator Report to ARRL Headquarters
ARRL
Section:
AMATEUR
RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
Total
# of ARES members: 307 Change since last month: +6
DEC's/EC's and Net reporting
this month 15: ARES nets active: 15 Number with NTS
liaison: 3
Calls
of DEC's/EC's reporting:
W5NPR, KM5VM, W5ZOX, KD5HYB, WT5C, KD5KBU,
KD4LXC,
KD5URW, KC5NHV, KB5HPT, N5DO, WA5NBP, N5SQK, KE5UAL, N5DO,
Number
of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 21 Man Hours: 283
Number
of public service events this month: 4 Man hours: 416
Number
of emergency operations this month: 0 Man hours: 0
Total
number of ARES operations this month: 25 Total Man hours: 699
Comments
SEC:
With
September behind us and fall weather and cooler temperatures we have managed to
escape any bad weather this season. It is now time that we focus on our Set
Drills and begin to hone our Emergency Communications skills. In doing so I would suggest that everyone become proficient in
sending and receiving messages. This is important as the first thing you will be faced with is handling messages should you be
activated.
Seems
to me the participation in Public Events has been exceptional. We can do so
much to promote Ham Radio. Your visibility while taking part in these events
goes a long way.
J.T.
Caldwell WA5ZFH
Following
Comments taken from EC Monthly Reports:
Brewster County ARES participated in the regional hospital /
EOC net from two locations: the Brewster County EOC located at the Fire Station
and the Alpine EOC located at the Alpine PD.
Members of the Brewster County ARES, and one member of the
Jeff Davis County ARES, provided communication support for Ft.
Davis Cyclefest on Saturday, September 18, and
Sunday, September 19. Approximately 450 bicycle riders on Saturday and 100 for
the hill climb on Sunday.
Signature: David L. Cockrum Title:
EC Call sign: N5DO
Nolan
County ARES have been working on a preplan for communications with Sweetwater
Nolan
Signature:
Title: EC Call sign: KC5NOX
Traffic
Reports:
W5NPR
Cycle 1, 9 Cycle 2, 13 KM5VM Cycle 1, 25 Cycle 2, 27
Traffic
Sent:
Traffic
Received.. 1
Traffic
Relayed: 1
BBEN
Total 7
TX TR
Net 1
ARRES
0
BB 2 Mtr Net 56
NTEN 3
As
much as I would like to acknowledge all Counties and Nets
it would create more than we can accommodate in our report. All are read that
are sent in and it gives me and John AE5B the important
input we need. Thanks for your input....
As
time permits I will attempt to drop in on your nets...
J.T.
Signature:
J.T. Caldwell WTX Section Emergency Coordinator Call Sign:WA5ZFH
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Silent Key
Report
Pat Minatra
N5GJR
Luther Lee
(Tommy) Thomas W5VUW
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Name/sessions/checkins