Daren News (00-04-16)

=============================================================================== D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. April 16, 2000 (.405) by Ken Harris WA8LLM (304) 679-3470 (HOME) or 428-9980 (WORK) WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, P.O. BOX 3328, PARKERSBURG, WV 26103
D.A.R.E.N. News, are articles and information about the Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network of WV, which operates on 145.69 Mhz. Anyone having any information about DAREN or Amateur Radio in general, and would like to share it with others, may send it to WA8LLM @ PKBGWV on 145.69 mHz. A State Wide DAREN NET is operated every Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. DAREN NET Announcements, showing the MAIN NCS, ALTERNATE NCS, NODEs accessible to both, and the previous week's check-ins, are posted by Thursday on most of the Main county DAREN PBBS'.

Well... there's two things that over, the Income Tax Deadline, and code speeds above 5 words per minute. Just because the FCC no longer requires 13 and 20 per minute code means that code is dead. There are still a lot of Amateurs and future Amateurs that will look at CW as a second language. In the past when it was required to have 13 WPM code and to some it was a struggle, there were others that went on to use CW more than voice. CW to others was a deterrent to keep them from either getting a license or from upgrading their license and being able to get on the High Bands. A lot of these Amateurs could be good operators, maybe even better than some I've heard on 75 Meters. By reducing the code speed requirement may get us some better operators and may renew the interest in Amateur Radio to others. In any case give the operators a chance to prove themselves before you start putting them down. Remember, you were once new to the HF frequencies to.

I got a telephone call from Mac, W8XF Wednesday and he says he's still alive and kicking. He's been talking to Jim, WA8HPD who works at the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services. Jim has been working with some people from FEMA, (Federal Emergency Management Agency) about getting money for some DAREN system upgrades. As I find out more about it, I'll pass on the information. Mac and I talked about APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) and where a couple stations could be installed. Anyone interested in APRS should contact Mac in Charleston.

The new 110 foot tower at my house has started up. At the present time it's only up 60 feet, which went up Friday evening. I didn't get a chance to do anything with it yesterday do to some other activities. Once the tower is completed several antennas will be installed on it. A couple of stations that will be installed are an APRS digipeater and moving of the 145.09 mHz WOODWV from the 60 foot tower to the top of the new one. The Athens County, Ohio Hamfest with be held Sunday April 30 in Athens, Ohio. The Jackson County Amateur Radio Club will be holding their Hamfest on May 7th at Ripley, West Virginia. If you know any other Hamfests that will held in the area, send me the information so that I can get it in the DAREN News.

There were 73 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. David, KG8XR who's been checking into the net since October 14, 1995 has completed 150 check-ins and will soon be receiving his certificate. Marshall, WG8T needs only one more check-into make 150. I was about three weeks behind getting the last certificates out, but I think I'm caught up now. If someone should have gotten a certificate but didn't let me know so that you can get the proper thanks for supporting the DAREN system that you deserve.
73 Ken WA8LLM ===============================================================================