Posted 7:45 AM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Bob Bruninga, WB4APR to Vist GT Amateur Radio Club on Monday, November 4, 2002
Bob Bruninga, WB4APR will be visiting the Georgia Tech's campus on Monday, November 4, 2002. There will be a live satellite demo 5:45pm followed by a lecture at 6:30pm in the Old Architecture building, room 123. All area hams are invited. This effort was spearheaded by the GT Amateur Radio Club, in conjunction with IEEE at GT.

Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, came to wide renown in 1992 with his creation of the Automatic Position Reporting System, a way for Amateur Radio Operators to interface a GPS to a radio that allows for automatic position reporting of GPS locations via radio. Mr. Bruninga graduated from Georgia Tech in 1970 with a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, where he also joined the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. He followed-up with a Masters degree, also in EE, at the Naval Postgraduate School, in 1971. During his 20 years of service, Commander Bruninga rose to serve as Engineering Duty Officer, dealing with combat systems and communications. In the late 1970's, Bob Bruninga wrote one of the first Amateur Radio packet bulletin board systems (BBS). He specified the high frequency (HF) packet modem standard of 200 Hz frequency shift in the FSK mode (frequency shift keying). He also created the first HF packet BBS for Commodore PC's used worldwide in 1983. Commander Bruninga was hired as Senior Research Engineer for the US Naval Academy Satellite Lab. Owing to his creation of the APRS system, Bob Bruninga assisted Kenwood with design for its APRS-ready radios, the TH-D7A and the TM-D700A, in 1997. He helped the USNA design and build the PCsat, the first APRS satellite. He is currently designing three more follow-on APRS satellite systems with the US Naval Academy's Satellite Lab.

Any questions, please contact David Ziskind, KE4QLH, President, Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club at [email protected].

Posted 5:13 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
2002 Georgia Section ARES Simulated Emergency Test
The 2002 Georgia Section ARES Simulated Emergency Test will be a functional exercise designed to test Statewide, District-wide and local in-county communications

- At 0800AM on Saturday, October 5, 2002, a statewide net will be called into session on 3975KHz, LSB +/- QRM.
- Check-ins will include DEC's (or appointed representative) and EC's (or appointed representative).
- DEC's will dispatch local EC's who will activate within local county area.
- DEC will establish communications nets on VHF and/or HF or both to take incoming reports from within the district.
- All communications within the county must be from "the field," i.e. no fixed station operations, except from permanent stations located at a served agency (EOC, Red Cross Chapter, etc.)
- All operating must be on emergency or standby power. AC Mains may not be used. Mobile generators are welcome.
- Communications within a county must be on Simplex or on a repeater listed in the 2002/2003 ARRL Repeater Directory as having emergency power. If you have no repeater listed as having emergency power, you can only use simplex.

Following dispatch the counties are to operate their assigned scenario and furnish reports back to the DEC, who will collect the reports and generate a summary report for the district. All exercises are to be completed with DEC/EC check-ins at 1PM. Details on what reports are needed from the EC's to DEC's to State will be listed the morning of the exercise. Communications flow will come from the State to the DEC's, from the DEC's to the EC's to the ARES members in the county. If you have specialized communications facilities within the county level you would like to test, please feel free to do so.

In order to ensure quick and effective feedback, all DEC's must complete their final reports and send them to the Section Emergency Coordinator, Mike Boatright, KO4WX, via email, telephone or amateur radio no later than 1200 noon on Sunday, October 6, 2002. The results of the 2002 Georgia Section ARES Simulated Emergency Test will be announced on the section ARES HF net, at 2200Z on 3975KHz. DEC's and EC's are encouraged to make arrangements to retransmit this net on VHF (ensuring, of course, that an appropriately licensed amateur is at the control point for the retransmission) so that all amateurs participating in the SET may hear the results of this test.
For more details about this test, click here.

Posted 5:13 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
ARECC Mentor/Instructor Seminar
DAN MILLER, K3UFG, ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager, is considering offering a special seminar at some of the upcoming state conventions, with the purpose of training additional mentors to support the multitude of new students that will be taking the EC-001 course under the CNCS federal grant. How does this affect Georgia hams? Well, the Alford Memorial ARC hamfest (AKA "Lawrenceville hamfest") the first weekend in November, is one of the possible sites for one of these seminars, if there is enough interest.
For this to happen, Dan needs to know in advance how many Mentors/Instructors... either currently active mentors, or Level I graduates who want to BECOME active mentors... would be able to attend. (If you're not sure about the Mentor program and its requirements, check out http://www.arrl.org/members-only/cce/mentor/.
The free 4-hour seminar would guide you through the process of mentoring and instructing the Level I course. All tools and instructional materials will be explained in full, and each participant will receive the latest copy of the Mentor/Instructor Guide and a copy of the Level I course book. This seminar will be sponsored by the CNCS grant, and mileage for each Mentor in attendance will be reimbursed at 36.5 cents per mile, up to a maximum of 100 miles. As if that's not enough, they'll also provide coffee, soda, and snacks.
Interested?? Please RSVP to Dan Miller, K3UFG, at [email protected] Dan says, "On behalf of ARRL and CNCS, thank you for assisting to build a stronger emergency communications support team for our great nation."

Posted 5:09 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Regional SKYWARN/ARES Meeting
There will be an organizational and informational meeting for the purpose of forming and activating the new Regional Skywarn Program within the Jacksonville NWS warning area, which includes 15 counties in NE Florida and 14 counties in SE Georgia. The WX4JAX NWS office needs active participation from ALL counties to maximize the benefits of this program.
This meeting is planned for Saturday, September 14, at 10AM at the Jacksonville NWS office, 13701 Fang Drive. Due to limited space, they request only two persons attend as representatives of each county. Not all of our counties down that-a-way have an EC right now, but representatives are still requested, if at all possible. Hurricane season is upon us.... help your community by being prepared to participate in the skywarn program. RSVP to [email protected] or at (904) 838-9668 by September 7th. Lunch will be provided by the NWS. (Do a good deed....AND get fed!)

Posted 4:59 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Georgia Single Sideband Association Annual Meeting
Georgia Single Sideband Association Annual Meeting will be held on September 14th, at the Picadilly restaurant in Colonial Macon Mall, Macon, GA. Lunch at 11, meeting at noon. Contact president LEE FOSKEY, K4RIM, to let him know how many will be attending in your group, so he can make reservations.

Posted 1:35 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
The Georgia BikeFest will be held in Newnan GA again this year, Oct 4-6th. The event organizers are requesting Amateur Radio volunteers assist by providing communications between the Headquarters, each rest stop, and the SAG Wagons sweeping the course. We hope to utilize APRS to track the SAG wagons again this year as it worked out pretty well last year.
The riders are camping at the Newnan High School, and riding different routes each day through the back roads of Coweta County (and surrounding areas). They are bringing the famous shower trailer, which provides hot showers for hundreds of folks each day.
The City of Newnan is going all out to see that we have a good time. Mayor Keith Brady is heading up the BRAG Welcoming Committee. They are planning a Street Dance Saturday night, featuring the Paparazzi Band. A free shuttle bus will be available for the dance. The Newnan Chili Cook Off will be Thursday night downtown, featuring the Southern Outlaws Band. The Ice Cream Social will feature the top three winners of the Newnan Home Made Ice Cream Festival. BRAG riders will pick the grand winner. Merchants and restaurants are planning BRAG specials for us. There will be a Fall Tour of Homes Saturday for $15 (normally $25).
Due to the size and duration of this event, we need additional Hams to volunteers to staff rest stops and drive SAG wagons. If you are interested in helping out, even for one day, please let Sam Smith, KD4SHK know, ASAP. For more information about the event, go to the BRAG website at http://www.brag.org/gbf.html. 73, Sam Smith KD4SHK, EC, Coweta County ARES

Posted 2:40 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
EC-001 Certification Exam
SANDY DONAHUE, W4RU, and DAVID ZISKIND, KE4QLH, will be holding an EC-001 examination session on September 8th at 2PM at Georgia Tech. ***A pre-requisite for taking this exam is the self-taught EC-001 book, with activities COMPLETED.*** The cost to take this test is TEN dollars, and a certificate of completion will be issued after successfully passing it.
If you want to take this exam, you MUST RSVP David at [email protected] by September 4th, so he can make arrangements to have accomodating facilities available.
So, you folks who've already read the book and completed the activities, if you'd like to have one of those pretty certificates, here's your opportunity....
73, Susan

Posted 1:00 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Goings on in North Georgia Around Labor Day
The September meeting of the Cohutta ARS will be held on September 9, 2002 at Pat's Country Kitchen in McCaysville, Ga. This is the second Monday of the month instead of the first, which is Labor Day. We will begin discussing the NGAR in January. Pat's is located about 9 miles north of Blue Ridge, on Highway 5. It is on the left hand side at the top of Harpertown Hill.
Goings on in the area:
1. Shelby Hamfest--This weekend in Shelby, NC. This is one of the largest hamfests in the southeast.
2. Labor Day--Great BarBQ in downtown Blue Ridge. We will need a couple of ham volunteers to help the churches that day. If you are in town and want to help with the BarBQ, please let Jack White know. [email protected]
3. VE Testing--Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 1300 hrs in the Ellijay Telephone Building.
4. September 7, 2002--Prater's mill hamfest near Calhoun, Ga.
John Mullinix, KF4SKT ([email protected])

Posted 7:21 AM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Georgia Hams Participate in Federally Funded EC-001 Course
There's been quite a lot of excitement generated by the recent surprise announcement that the first EC-001 course that would be covered under the federal grant will actually be beginning next month, and not next year, as we'd all expected. As Section Manager, I was entrusted with the job of naming five worthy candidates from the Georgia section to be in this class. Sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to email me with suggestions and recommendations for who should be included in this tiny group, but now it's time to announce our section's Fabulous Five.
They are (a drum roll, please!) PHIL FAULKNER, K4PCF, EC of Forsyth County, BOB BUTLER, W4RBB, EC of Cobb County, VAL ASHCROFT, AF4VH, DEC of Southeast Georgia, DREW MCCARSKY, KB2SEO, EC of Murray County, and MARK AULICK, KF4MLT, EC of Bulloch County. All five of them are exemplary leaders in the Georgia ARES program, and I'm delighted that they'll be representing us in this initial "hand-picked" class. Their course will begin on September 3rd, and the registration for the next course will be on October first, then November first, etc. For at least the October course, priority will be given to ARRL field appointees.
73, Susan

Posted 10:47 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Volunteers Needed October 18, 19 and 20 for Special Olympics Fall Games
Ham radio operators are needed as volunteers for the Special Olympics Fall Games in Gainesville, GA, October 18, 19 and 20. This is a joint activity between the Georgia Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Lanierland Amateur Radio Club and the Georgia Baptists Association and all volunteers will get hats, t-shirt, and a name badge for participating!
So far only about 15 people have signed up for these events, and we are in need of at least 18 operators each day. If you can volunteer, please let Todd Bowden, AF4CZ ([email protected]) or Phil Loggins, K4PDL ([email protected]) know your NAME, T-SHIRT size, and DAYS that you will be able to work. All this must be turned in by the week of August 26, or else it may not be possible to get a tshirt and hat for every volunteer.
In addition to the seven venues we will have shadows and other positions for communicators. Please let Todd or Phil know as soon as possible what days you can volunteer. The event director with the radio group needs to know how to proceed and can only do so when he finds out what volunteers he has. Currently, we do not have enough volunteers to commit to these events, and we will have to back out if we do not get more support. Please volunteer whenever you can and show your support of the ham radio community in hosting large events like these.

Posted 12:14 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
VE Sessions
August 25 will be the "new beginning" of the VE sessions back at the GA Tech Student Center (Room 301) at 2:30 PM. For more info, contact DAVID ZISKIND, KE4QLH, at [email protected], or at (404) 966-6864.
Talking about VE sessions, to date, I've only heard about 15 different VE sessions around the state: Acworth, Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Cartersville, Columbus, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Lilburn, Marietta, Newnan, Peachtree City, Snellville, and Stone Mountain. If YOUR session isn't listed, please send the info my way. I'd appreciate it. Thanks a lot.
Y'all take care, now. And keep the news a-coming!
73, Susan

Posted 12:11 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Ellijay Hamfest, August 24
Also, on August 24 is the ELLIJAY hamfest. However, it will be held in a different location this year. It has been moved to the City/County Park, just south of the intersection of Old Hwy. 5 South and State Route 282, just across Rte. 282 from the Dairy Queen. I've been told that it's not hard to find at all, so maybe I'll see you there....73, Susan

Posted 12:08 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Technican Classes "Train the Trainer" August 24 in Fayetteville
Heard about the one-day technician classes that have been so successful in helping folks get that entry level license? Well, as promised, WADE MASSENGILL, KU4OJ, will be conducting a "train the trainer" class on Saturday, August 24, at 10AM at his home in Fayetteville, to enable other instructors to take his methods back to their own area to set up the same sort of classes. Although this was originally set up to instruct some potential instructors from Cherokee county, Wade has graciously offered to open up this class to any other interested hams.
So, if you've been wondering about how the one-day classes work, and thinking that it might be something that you'd like to be able to offer in your neck of the woods, here's your golden opportunity. Although there's no charge for the class itself, Wade does have a CD with a power point show that he's developed that costs 20 dollars. If you'd like to learn how to do it from the fella who knows how.... get in touch with Wade at [email protected]. He said that if necessary, the class can be re-located to better accomodate a larger number of folks. Sincere thanks to Wade for so generously offering his time and his talents to benefit other hams, and other prospective hams, as well.
73, Susan

Posted 12:00 PM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Cobb, Cherokee and N. Fulton County ARES to hold Simulated Emergency Test!
Beginning at approximately 12 noon on Sunday, August 18, 2002, the Cobb, Cherokee and North Fulton County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), in conjunction and with the cooperation of the Marietta Fire Department�s Crisis Management Center (CMC), the Cobb County EOC and the Red Cross Service Center will hold a joint simulated emergency test (SET) operating under the scenario that a Tornado has developed and has been sighted over Marietta Georgia.
Amateur Radio Operators (HAMs) volunteers from the three counties will be mobilized and participate in the exercise simulating an actual disaster. Upwards of fifty licensed HAM radio operators together with their personal sophisticated communications equipment will deploy in the same manner they would should a disaster occur. Under the direction of Bob Butler W4RBB, the Emergency Coordinator for ARES, Cobb County. Pre-designatedTeams will be dispatched to locations which include the Crisis Management Center, The Cobb EOC as well as the Red Cross Service Center to establish initial communications and control.

Posted 10:42 AM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program registration (Aug 16, 2002) -- Registration for the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level II (EC-002) and Antenna Modeling (EC-004) courses will remain open through the weekend of August 17-18. Registration for Level III and HF Digital Communications courses opens Monday, August 19, at 4 PM Eastern Time. Updates on the federally funded Amateur Radio emergency communications training program have been posted. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page and the C-CE Links found there. For more information, contact the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program, [email protected].

Posted 10:36 AM by Mike Boatright, KO4WX
Homeland Security Grant Training Set to Start September 1 (Aug 16, 2002) -- Amateur Radio emergency communications training supported by a $181,900 federal homeland security grant will begin within a few weeks instead of next year as reported initially. The grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) special volunteer program was announced July 18. During its first year, the grant will reimburse the cost of Level I ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course training for up to 1700 volunteers.