==============================================================================
                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   July 7, 1996               (.208)
          by Ken Harris WA8LLM (304) 679-3470 (HOME) or 485-3828 (EOC)
          WOOD COUNTY RACES, 1810 STAUNTON AVE., PARKERSBURG, WV 26101

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
information about the network, they would like to share with others, may send
it to WA8LLM @ DAREN, or @ PKBGWV on 145.69 Mhz.  Outside the DAREN system, it
may be sent to WA8LLM @ WA8OMR.WV.USA.NA.  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV is posted on
at least 13 High Memory DAREN PBBS', and on the regular BBS system @ ALLWV.  A
State Wide DAREN NET is held 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 PBBS'.  When you have traffic to get delivered, think about using
the PBBS "DAREN", located in Glenville, WV., accessible via GILMWV.

With so many DAREN stations becoming inoperative due to lightening storms, you
might be asking yourself "who is responsible to get them back in operation?"
The DAREN system was designed to put as many NODEs and PBBSs in operation as
possible to let operators, that are serious about traffic handling, and
emergency communications, send messages from one point to another within the
state, as easy as possible.  In the DAREN Plan it was suggested that clubs,
groups, and organizations that are involved with Emergency Services type
organizations be the ones that help acquire, install, and maintain the DAREN
stations.  It was also suggested that DAREN stations not be owned by
individual operators using their own money and equipment.  If a station is
installed by an individual, and that station gets hit by lightening, who is
going to put it back in operation?  The owner, if he wants it back in
operation.  DAREN is just a name it is NOT an organization.  It doesn't have
an income, it doesn't have any money, or it doesn't have any members.  If a
station gets hit by lightening, it is up to the club, group, organization, or
individual that owns the equipment to get it repaired or replaced, if they
want it back in operation and be part of the system.  Some stations are owned
by county Emergency Services or groups that have insurance and are able to
repair or replace a station if it is damaged.  Now might be the time to ask
"Should we have some kind of membership dues for those who own and maintain
stations as part of the DAREN system?" Send me your ideas.

The Tyler County NODE/PBBS, TYLEWV/MIDBWV went off the air Saturday evening,
June 29th, during the State Wide DAREN Net.  Bobbie, KB8TBF went to the tower
site and could not find anything wrong with the station, it just would not
work.  He took the TNC home and put it on another radio, and guess what, it
worked.  On Wednesday evening he re-installed the TNC and the station is still
in operation, Bobbie doesn't it any idea what the problem was.

Lynn, AI8I was unable to post this week's net announcement on PCTNES or BLFDWV
on July 3rd because it seems the Mercer County NODE/PBBS, MERCWV/BLFDWV was
off the air.  He tried again on the 4th and it was still down.  I got a
message from him July 6th that said he has no idea what happened to the
station, but it is back in operation.

Since I knew I was going to be late getting home for the this week's State
Wide DAREN Net, I had my daughter Cathy, KC8DJJ set up for the net.  I gave
her all of the instructions, over the radio, except for one.  I forgot to have
her set the TNC up for more than "one" user.  A few stations that tried to
check-in at the first of the net got a "LINK BUSY", but I was able to get them
in anyway.  Cathy had 75 check-ins to this week's net.  George, K8QEW needs
only one more check-in to make 150.  I want to welcome a new station, KG8OF,
to the net.
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                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   July 14, 1996              (.209)
  
I was glad that I had much of the News already written last week and didn't
have much else to write about.  I had just got through working a Safety Break
at the Rest Areas on the Interstate and was late getting home, and I was
tired.  Things went well at the Safety Break, but it wasn't a very good
weekend.  Gail Hartshorn, the Wood County Emergency Services Director had
fallen from his boat dock into the Little Kanawha River, after being on the
river all day.  It was several minutes before his friends and neighbors were
able to find him, and by then it was too late.  Gail had been a big supporter
of the DAREN system, and helped fund some of the first NODEs that were
installed in Wood County.

I got a message from Mark, KJ4QQ that explained why the Mercer County
NODE/PBBS, MERCWV/BLFDWV was off the air for a few days between July 2nd and
July 6th.  Apparently a lightening storm went thorough the area, but did no
physical damage to the station.  The only visible problem was in the radio, it
some how got reset back to the factory default frequency of 145.00 Mhz.  This
might be something to keep in the back of your mind if you have a station go
off the air.  Try connecting to the station on the factory default frequency.
It will at least give you a piece of mind knowing that it still in operation
and not been destroyed by lightening, I'll try to remember that myself.

There were 79 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
George, K8QEW has checked into the Net 150 times, and will soon receive his
certificate.  I also want to welcome three new stations to the DAREN System,
and they are:  KF4EWM, KC4LGK, and KC4PDS.  Since there have been several
stations that have been disabled or completely destroyed by lightening, and it
doesn't look like they will be coming back on the air soon, I will start to
update the DAREN Path Map.  Anyone wanting a map should leave me a message on
"PKBGWV", and be sure you leave your address.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   July 21, 1996              (.210)
     
Pat, N3AAS reminded me of something that happened in 1985.  Since this is
Hurricane season, and even though most of the time we are not affected by the
storms from hurricanes, we still must be prepared.  It was a storm from a
hurricane that dumped several inches of rain on the Eastern Half of West
Virginia in 1985 causing a lot of death and destruction.  You should always be
prepared by having your batteries charged and portable radios ready to go into
action.

Pat also told me the Fort Ashby Volunteer Fire Department has built a new fire
station and is going to have a DAREN station installed in it.  He says the
coax is already in place.

I talked to Randy, WA8ART on the telephone and he told me the Wetzel County
NODE/PBBS, WETZWV/NMARWV had taken a lightening hit.  It wasn't bad enough to
destroy the equipment, but it done major damage.  He said it didn't look like
there was any burnt parts in the TNC, but it just doesn't seem to be working.
It may be awhile before the NODE is back in operation.

I also talked to Bob, W3RUA on the telephone and he is still looking for a
radio that he can use to put another Pendleton County NODE/PBBS back in
operation.  He does have access to a commercial radio and may crystal it up to
be used.  The Pendleton County NODE/PBBS, PENDWV/FKLNWV has been out of
service since it was hit by lightening around the first of May.  PENDWV was
the only path for Bob and others in Pendleton County.

I still haven't seen or heard any more about the Gilmer County NODE/DIGI,
GILMWV/GILMWV.  It was taken off the air to be moved to another tower site a
few weeks ago, but it's not back in operation yet.  GILMWV is the only path
into the Central Message Center "DAREN".  Without the PBBS "DAREN", some
messages that are "Auto-Forwarded", may not reach their destination.  The most
sure way of getting your messages to someone is to put them in a Mailbox, BBS,
or PBBS that is checked regularly by them.  Even the regular Nation Wide BBS
system is not 100 percent reliable.  I'm still waiting for a message sent by
Bob, W3RUA, that was sent over two weeks ago by the regular BBS system.  When
sending someone a message, that needs a reply, be sure to put what PBBS you
want the reply put in.

There were 76 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  There are two
stations that need only one more check-in each to have 100 check-ins, and they
are: N8RH and N8PFZ.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   July 28, 1996              (.211)
 
Don't forget the West Virginia State Amateur Radio Council will be holding
their Annual Convention and Hamfest on August 24th.  The location will be
Jackson Mill, WV.  Information can be found of most of the county DAREN PBBS'.

I haven't heard from anyone this week so there's not much to write about.  I
still see a few operators using some of the DAREN NODEs to connect through the
state to connect to a regular BBS outside the state.  It's not bad if all they
are doing is checking to see if they have any personal mail, but if they are
connecting to the BBS to see what all is on it, or to download a lot of Buy,
Sale, Trade information, or other Non-Emergency information, then's when they
are starting to cause interference to the DAREN Network.  If someone else sees
them using the DAREN NODEs to connect to Non-DAREN stations, they will think
it is ok, and we have lost control of the system.  We can't do anything about
other stations, outside of the state, being on the same frequency, all we can
do is not cause ourselves problems connecting to them.

For those of you who have ask for a new DAREN Path Map, I haven't forgot about
you, I just haven't got the new map done yet.  As soon as I get it done I will
be sending it out.  For those of you who get the Wood County RACES Newsletter,
the new map will be in it.

There were 77 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  Two stations,
N8RH and N8PFZ have checked into the net a total of 100 times each and will be
receiving their certificates.  Two stations, KG8JA and KF8ZH need only one
more check-in each to receive their 100 check-in certificate.  There was one
new check-in that I would like to welcome to the net, and that is KB8YJX.
==============================================================================
                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   August 4, 1996             (.212)
     
Anyone have any news?  It sure has been quiet lately.  It seems like the only
news that I was writing about was bad, and now there's no news at all.  Does
anyone have any ideas of how to get the stations that have been destroyed by
lightening back on the air?  Any ideas of how to protect the stations that are
on the air?  There are many ideas of how to protect radios that are at tower
sites, everyone has their own idea.  Commercial Radio services have the same
trouble with lightening, but they have a lot more to lose, not only equipment,
but they have customers that rely on them to keep their radios in operation.
Grounding is the best way to help protect your radio system.  I know... you're
going to say, "grounding is the reason that lightening hit it in the first
place", and you're going to be right.  The grounding that I'm talking about is
stopping the lightening before it gets to the radio.  A well grounded and
lightening proofed tower site can protect the radio equipment inside if it's
done properly.  First off, make sure your antenna is a DC grounded antenna,
one that shows a short if you look at it with an ohmmeter.  This by itself is
not going to stop a lightening bolt from reaching your radio, but it will help
if the lightening strike is close and produces an "induced" hit.  An "induced"
hit happens when lightening strikes near by.  The lightening strike produces a
very strong magnetic force.  When this magnetic force passes through a wire or
coil of wire, it generates electricity just like in the secondary windings of
a transformer.  The closer, and stronger the lightening strike, the more
secondary voltage is produced.  You have to remember one thing about a radio,
it is looking for voltage coming from the antenna that is on the order of
.0000002 volts.  Can you imagine the antenna sending voltages to the radio on
the order of 100 volts or more?  It would be like looking straight into the
flash bulb of a camera.  We are lucky when we look at a flash bulb, after a
few seconds our eyes will go back to normal, a radio is not as lucky, once it
sees such a high voltage, it is ruined for life, or until you get it fixed.
With a grounded type antenna, most of the large voltages, such as 100 volts
will go to ground and protect the receiver.  If you're lucky, and the
secondary "induced" voltage is only 100 volts, but most of the time it is on
order of tens of thousands of volts.  What happens to this voltage?  Some of
it will be drained off to ground by the antenna, but a bunch of it will go on
down the coax an into the radio.  How do you stop such high voltage from
getting to the radio?   (to be continued next week)

When I'm out of something to write about, you may see me ramble on.  If you
have something to say, jump in and tell me about it.  Just send me your ideas
or articles.  Drop me a message at PKBGWV.

There were 83 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station will
soon be receiving his certificate for checking into the net 100 times and that
is KG8JA.  One station, N8UXE needs only one more check-in to make his 150th
time checking into the net.  I want to welcome four new stations to the DAREN
system, and they are:  KF4EWM, KB8FHW, KC8BLI, and KB8WQM.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   August 11, 1996            (.213)
   
Last week I left off talking about how to protect your station from being hit
by lightning.  In the past few years I've heard all kinds of ways to protect
your radio equipment from lightning damage.  Some people put their antennas
lower than the top of the tower, hoping the tower will take the lightning
strike and not hit their antenna.  Some try to leave their radio equipment
ungrounded in hopes that lightning will not see a ground and be attracted to
it.  Others tie knots in their coax or wrap it around a piece of pipe or
conduit that is grounded, hoping the lightning will go to ground before it
makes it to the radio equipment.  All of these ways plus others may be able to
help your equipment from getting hit, but you have to remember, scientists
have determined that a bolt of lightning can be as big as eight inches in
diameter and produce 20,000 amps of current.  To carry such a jolt, you have
to have a darn good ground.  If a bold of lightning does hit a tower that is
well grounded, what happens to the coaxes that are running in parallel down
the tower?  Remember the secondary winding of a transformer effect, "induced"
voltage?  The "induced" voltage that I talked about last week can also be
produced in power and telephone lines.  Lightning doesn't always hit the
tallest thing in sight.  I've seen lightning completely miss a forty foot
tower, and hit the ground ten feet away.  If it can miss a forty foot tower
and hit the ground, it could miss the top of the tower and hit an antenna that
is mounted on the side of the tower.  Lightning doesn't only come into your
radio equipment through the antenna, it can also come in through power and
telephone lines.  There is NO SURE way to keep lightning from destroying your
radio equipment, but the more you study what has happened in the past, it will
give you a better understanding of how to protect your equipment.  Once
lightning gets on a conductor heading for ground it likes to run straight, it
doesn't usually make 90 degree turns.  Ground leads from towers, bulkhead
plates, and other grounded devices should be as short as possible and have
sweeping turns, not 90 degree turns.  Make sure that all ground connections
are tight and not corroded.  One of the best things that I have seen is to run
all of your lines (Coax, Power, Telephone, etc.) into your equipment building
through "feed through" type lightning suppressor such as the "PolyPhaser" that
is mounted on a very well grounded bulkhead plate.  I could go on and on about
lightning protection, but you may be getting the idea of how to protect your
radio equipment.  Maybe I'll get on my soapbox again someday about another
subject.

There were 72 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN.  One station, N8UXE
has checked into the net 150 times.  One station, KF8ZH has checked into the
net 100 times.  Both of this stations will be receiving their certificates.
One station, N8QJL needs only one more check-in to make 100, and two stations,
KB8NWU and N8TJD only net one more check-in each to make 50.  There were two
new stations that checked into the net this week and they were: N8TGL and
KB8CON.  I want to welcome both of them to the DAREN system.  Due to the
passing away of the our Emergency Services Director here in Wood County July
4th, things have been a little hectic around here.  Those stations that have
checked into the net a total of 50, 100, or 150 times in the past 4 or 5
weeks, and haven't received your certificates yet, don't worry, I will get
them out shortly, thanks for having patience with me.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   August 18, 1996            (.214)
   
I received a message from Lynn, AI8I telling me that a severe storm went
through the Southern part of the state on Thursday, August 8th, and the
Wyoming County NODE/PBBS, WYOMWV/PINEWV hasn't been heard since.  There's a
good chance that lightning has ruined another DAREN station.

I talked to Ed, N8OYY last Sunday and he told me the Gilmer County NODE/DIGI,
GILMWV/GILMWV is still laying on the floor of the new tower site.  It may be
some time before the station is placed back in service.  The Amateur Radio
operators are not allowed to install any antennas on the tower, they must be
installed by professional climbers.

The new US Department of Transportation "1996 North American Emergency
Response Guidebook" is now available.  There have been changes made in the new
books and the guide numbers are not the same as the last books that were
published.  The old Guide numbers started at 11 and went to 76, the new Guide
Numbers start at 111 and go to 172, so you CAN NOT make reference from the old
Guide Numbers to the new Guide Numbers.  The new Guides are divided up
different from the old ones.  The book is a little thicker, so and has more
information in the GUIDES.

I talked to Bob, W3RUA on the telephone and he said that he should have a new
NODE on in Pendleton County.  The old NODE/PBBS that was located on Spruce
Knob was completely destroyed by lightning.  He said the new station should be
in operation in the next few days.  I received a message from Bob yesterday
and he told me the new NODE was in operation.  Since the location of the new
NODE is not at the same as the old, the paths are not the same.  At the
present time the only paths that are available are to TUCKWV in Tucker County
and GREEWV in Greenbrier County.

There were 75 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
N8QJL has checked into the net 100 times.  One station, KB8NWU has checked
into the net 50 times.  Both of these stations will be getting their
certificates.  One station, WB8MZI needs only one more check-in to make 50
times.  I want to welcome a new check-in, KC8EOJ to the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   August 25, 1996            (.215)
   
The West Virginia State Amateur Radio Convention was held this weekend.  It
rained most of the day Saturday, but several Amateurs turned out for the
event.  I talked to several DAREN operators and was updated on the status of
some of the NODE/PBBSs.  Pepper, KA8ZOO said the Monongalia County NODE/PBBS,
MONOWV/MGTNWV, that was completely destroyed by lightning, may be back on the
air in the next three weeks.  The station won't be going back on the air at
the same tower site.  The new site will be located closer to Preston County
and should have coverage of most of the Northern part of West Virginia.  He is
concerned the station may start being used to connect to the regular BBS' in
Pennsylvania.  The only thing we can do is ASK operators not to use any of the
DAREN NODEs to connect to stations that are not a part of the DAREN system.

Rich, N8KGK has asked me to keep an eye on the Upshur County NODE/PBBS.  He
will be, off the air for awhile, while he has his house raised up about three
feet above the old foundation and replace the dry wall in the house.  The last
flooding that hit Upshur County flooded his home.  I told him the NODE was
still on the air as of Wednesday night.

Brad, WB8MZI said he has been busy and not been on the air for some time.  He
did manage to find a station and get checked into the State Wide DAREN Net
last week.  He says there are several old messages, and Net Announcements that
need to be cleaned off of GASSWV.  I think I cleaned some of them off of there
the last time I checked into it.

Rich, KA8UEU told me there is very little activity at the Preston County EOC.
He keeps the EOC station at his house and takes it to the EOC when ever it is
activated.

While at the ARES/RACES Forum at the convention it was brought up about the
DAREN Path Maps.  Some of the operators feel the DAREN NODE List gives more
information than the maps.  I have been falling behind keeping the NODE Lists
up to date.  I will update the list and post it on the High Memory PBBSs.  It
was also mentioned that any of the counties that have paid Emergency Services
Directors are able to be Federally Funded Counties.  Also any of the Federally
Funded counties that have DAREN stations, that have been damaged by lightning
might be able to be repaired or replaced with Revenue Sharing money.  The
SYSOPs of those stations need to check with their county Emergency Services
Director.

I haven't talked to Randy, WA8ART for awhile, so I'm not sure of the status of
the Wetzel County NODE/PBBS, WETZWV/NMARWV.  I still have a site available in
Wetzel County, and may install a station there until we see what will happen
with the other NODE.

There were 82 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  Brad, WB8MZI got
his 50th check-in this week and will be receiving his certificate as soon as I
can get my paper work back together.  I want to welcome two new stations to
the DAREN system and they are: KB8XQM and KC8CHM.
==============================================================================
                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   September 1, 1996          (.216)
    
Well...I'm finally getting caught up with some of my paper work.  Between
trying to satisfy the Government with IRS 501C3, applying for our major fund
raiser BINGO license, and playing politics with our County Commission of
trying to fill the position of County Emergency Services Director, who passed
away July 4th by drowning, I finally got the DAREN Net Certificates ready to
be mailed out.  I wanted to get them in the mail Friday, but I didn't get to
the Post Office.  Those of you who have checked into the State Wide DAREN Net
at least 50, 100, or 150 times since the June 29th should get your certificate
in the next few days.  I usually enclose a DAREN NODE PATH MAP and a AUTO-
FORWARDING MAP with the certificates that I mail out, but with so many NODEs
out of service, and I'm not for sure when they will be back on line, I just
haven't got either map updated.  I have a list of operators that want the new
maps as soon as they have been updated.

I haven't seen much activity on Packet lately, and I haven't received any
messages about any NODE/PBBS activity, good, bad, or indifferent.  If you have
used your Packet equipment for any activities involving any the public service
like runs, walks, races, or emergencies, I would like to hear about them, and
I'm sure that others would to.  If you have used Packet Radio in any unusual
activities, like search and rescue or caving let me hear about it to.  By the
way, Preston County will be holding the Buckwheat Festival starting September
26th and running through the 29th.  The Festival always starts the last
Thursday in September.  The State Wide DAREN Net control operator will be at
the Festival on September 28th.  Be sure to keep an eye on the DAREN Net
Announcements to make sure where the Net Control Station will be located each
week.  If you would like to operate as the NCS for the State Wide Net, let me
know when you want it and which NODEs you can connect to the best.

There were 71 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  It's down a
little bit, but it's also a holiday weekend, the last long holiday weekend of
the summer.  Judy, N8UFQ needs only one more check-in to make 200 check-ins to
the net.  It's hard to believe the net has been operating for almost four
years and it has a lot of support.  I want to thank everyone who have made it
a success.  The first State Wide DAREN Net was held October 31, 1992.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   September 8, 1996          (.217)
  
I think Lynn, AI8I is right about the lack of packet activity.  He thinks the
reason packet activity is down is because of E-Mail and the Internet.  I've
noticed that a lot of the DAREN OPs around here are also getting on the
Internet.  Just don't put your packet station away yet.  I was listening to
the news about Hurricane Fran, and they were talking about the telephone lines
being overloaded and some Cellular service was inoperative.  I'm not saying
that packet is the way to go, because it to has it's problems.  As you know
there have been several NODEs that are inoperative and during storms such as
Hurricane Fran, we could lose more.  During emergency operations you must use
all of the modes and forms of communications that you can come up with.  What
you need to look at, in the line of communications during emergencies, is the
reliability of your messages or traffic getting through.  During emergencies
it's important that your messages get through without getting garbled or
misunderstood.  You need to set up priorities in the kinds of communications
that you are going to use.  Always start with the easiest and work down from
there.  Try the telephone, almost everyone has one.  Most of the time it will
be in operation, but don't rely on it only.  Monitor your State Wide HF Voice
Net frequencies.  Even though your county may not be directly involved with
the emergency, you may be able to handle traffic out of the affected area.
When a storm, such as Hurricane Fran is going to affect a part of the state,
you should standby to handle traffic.  If you are not in the affected area,
hold your traffic to a minimum.  The stations that are in the affected area
may not have any telephone or commercial power service, and may have to
operate on battery power, and may be operating with very low power.  If that's
the case the Net Control Station may not be able to hear them.  If you are not
in the affected area, you don't know what conditions those operators are
operating under, you should always give them the use of the frequency.  I know
that CW is not the most popular mode of communications, but there are still
plenty of CW OPs out there.  If you are a CW OP, you to should monitor your CW
Net Frequencies, you can never tell, the operator in the affected area may
only have CW capability and he needs someone to talk to also.  No mode of
transmission is any more important than any other, they all have their
advantages and disadvantages.  The important thing to remember is during times
of emergencies monitor what ever type of communications that you have
available to you.  You can never tell, you may be the only link to those in
the affected areas.

There were 79 check-ins to this weeks State Wide DAREN Net.  Judy, N8UFQ made
her 200th check-in to the net, and will be getting her fourth certificate.
One station, N8TJD has checked into the net 50 times and will be receiving a
certificate.  And one station NQ8B needs only one more check-in to make 100.
I want to welcome a new operator, KC8EOI, to the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   September 15, 1996         (.218)
    
At the ARRL State Convention August 24th the conversation about DAREN Node
Maps and NODE lists were talked about.  It was suggested the NODE List is
better than the NODE Map.  The NODE List is a lot easier to keep updated and
can be posted on most of the High Memory PBBS'.  When I started to update the
NODE List, I realized there are stations that are on the same frequency as
DAREN, but are not set up the same as DAREN NODEs.  A lot of the stations are
personal stations that are the DAREN frequency, and are used to handle DAREN
type traffic.  It would be impossible to list all of the stations, even though
they are used for DAREN Type traffic.  What I'd like to do is explain what I
call a DAREN Station.  A DAREN Station is a station that is on 145.69 Mhz, 24
hours-a-day, has it's PTEXT, NTEXT, and CTEXT programed as close as possible
to the written plan that was set up for the DAREN System.  A DAREN Station is
one that has the ALIAS' named after the County and City they are in.  The
ALIAS' were set up this way to make it easy for DAREN users to work their way
around the state without having to remember a bunch of calls and odd ALIAS'.
Most of the DAREN stations are owned by the County Emergency Services or clubs
and/or groups that work with their county Emergency Services.  There have been
a few DAREN NODEs that have changed SYSOPs, and may have upgraded their memory
since the last NODE List was posted.  I have a lot of the DAREN NODEs already
corrected on the list, but I would like to make sure the information is as
correct as possible before sending it out.  What I would like you to do is
send me a list of the NODEs, DIGIs, PBBS' and call signs of DAREN stations
that you can connect to.  The only stations that will be on the DAREN NODE
List will those that are set up as DAREN stations.  If there are enough other
stations that are in operation on the DAREN frequency, another list may be
published indicating they are not DAREN Stations, but can be used, if they are
in operation, during emergencies.

A few days after Bob, W3RUA got a Pendleton County NODE/PBBS in operation, he
went on a trip.  A few days after he was gone, the station went off of the
air.  When Bob got back to Pendleton County, he made a trip to the hill to
work on the station.  There's a problem in the transceiver that he has to get
fixed, but in the mean time, a good thump on the top makes it work.  While he
was out of the area, Hurricane Fran made it's appearance.  He was unable to
get to his home, since all of the bridges and culverts on the road to his
house were washed out from the flooding.  There were some reports the flooding
was as bad as it was in 1985, but Bob said it wasn't.  In 1985 Bob's rain
gauge had over 13 inches of rain, this time it only had about 5 inches.  The
flooding did come up fast and went down pretty fast, but it did do a lot of
damage.

I haven't talked to Randy, WA8ART, but it seems he has another Wetzel County
NODE/PBBS on the air.  I might run into Randy at the Wheeling Hamfest today,
if so I might have a better report next week.

There were 67 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
NQ8B has checked into the net 100 times and will be receiving his certificate.
One station, KB8UER, needs only one more check-in to make 100.  Remember, the
Net Control Station on September 28th will be located in Preston County.
==============================================================================

                    D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   September 22, 1996         (.219)
     
I talked to the State Office of Emergency Services last week and got some
information about Federal Funding.  The Federal Government DOES NOT provide
Federal Funding at the present time to help maintain the DAREN NODEs which
they may have helped purchase.  For a few years there was Federal Funding
available which could be used to purchase and maintain DAREN stations, but
it's no longer available.  If you have a DAREN station, or would like to get
one in your county, you should get to know, and work with your Emergency
Services Director.  You may be able to get financial help with your stations
if they need to be repaired.  Also don't be afraid to let your county
Emergency Services Director know what communications capabilities you have,
before, you have to use them.

I didn't see Randy, WA8ART at the Wheeling Hamfest last Sunday, so I don't
know much about him getting the Wetzel County NODE/PBBS, WETZWV/NMARWV back in
operation, but as long as it's up and running that's all that matters.

I did see Pepper, KA8ZOO at the Hamfest and he said the Monongalia NODE/PBBS,
MONOWV/MGTNWV should be back in operation again soon.

I've had comments about some DAREN operators liking the DAREN Path Map more
than the DAREN NODE List, so when I get all of the NODE/PBBS information up-
dated, I will do both the List and Map, just like before.

There were 82 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  Lisa, KB8UER
has checked into the net a total of 100 times and will be getting her new
certificate.  One station, N8HGK needs only one more check-in to make 100.
One station, KA8JOR needs only one more check-in to make 50.  I want to
welcome a new user to the DAREN system, and that is KC8EUR.  Remember, the Net
Control Station for next week's State Wide DAREN Net will be at the Buckwheat
Festival in Kingwood.  I would like to go to the festival myself, but our
group is operating BINGO Games at a festival called Volcano Days here in Wood
County next week.  If you get a chance to go to the Buckwheat Festival, I urge
you to go.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   September 29, 1996           (.220)
     
Last night's State Wide DAREN Net Control Station was located at the Buckwheat
Festival at Kingwood, West Virginia.  The station was operated as a Special
Event Station and those checking into the net can receive a Special Event
Certificate.  Those who want to receive a certificate from the Special Event
Station can send a Self Address Stamped Envelope to: KA8UEU.  If you're not
sure whether you got checked into the Special Event Station or not, a list of
those getting logged in will be posted with next week's State Wide DAREN Net
Announcement.  There were 64 check-ins to the net.  One station N8HGL has
checked into the DAREN Net a total of 100 times and will be receiving his
DAREN Net Certificate.  Another station, KA8JOR has checked into the net 50
times and will be receiving his DAREN Net Certificate.  There were two
stations that checked into DAREN Net for the first time.  I want to welcome
KC8EMQ and KB8VDH to the DAREN System.

Speaking of Packet Nets, there are other local Packets nets that you might
want to check into.  Juddie, KC8CON is operating a Plateau Amateur Radio Club
Packet Net on 145.09 Mhz.  The net starts at 7:00 pm on Thursdays, just before
their Voice Net on the 146.79 repeater.  If you can find a path to the NODE
"PARC" on 145.09 Mhz, just connect to "NET" from there.  The Jackson County
Amateur Radio Club operates a Local DAREN Packet Net at the same time they are
operating their Two Meter Emergency Voice Net.  Their Packet net is operated
on 145.69 Mhz on Monday nights at 8:30 pm.  Connect to JACKWV and then to
"NET" from there.  Their Two Meter Emergency Voice Net is operated on the
146.67 repeater.  If there are other Packet Nets that you know of, send me the
information so others will know about them to.

I was late getting the DAREN News out this week since I've been busy all
weekend with a festival here in Wood County.  I was monitoring the frequency
when I saw a BEACON from the W8SP BBS.  Out of curiosity I tried to connect to
it and was able to do so.  Did someone accidently hit the knob on the W8SP BBS
in Morgantown, or is it going to stay on 145.69 Mhz?  I hope it's just a
mistake and they don't intend to leave a regular Nation Wide type BBS on the
frequency.  I know there's a BBS in Pennsylvania on 145.69, but we've been
pretty lucky to keep our DAREN frequency clear so we can have a quiet
frequency for emergency type traffic.  If it stays on 145.69 Mhz, I'm afraid
the DAREN frequency is going to be just as congested as all of the other
Packet Frequencies.  If anyone knows the status of the W8SP BBS, you might
send me a message.
==============================================================================
                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   October 6, 1996              (.221)
     
For the last few weeks the Greenbrier County NODE/PBBS, GREEWV/LSBGWV has been
having a lot of trouble.  When you connect to the NODE, all you get is a "LINK
MADE" message.  It's also hard to get connected that far.  No one's for sure
what the problem is, but it sure makes it hard to get into the Southeastern
part of the state.  One path to Pocahontas County is to get connected to the
Mercer County NODE, MERCWV and then connect to the Giles County, Virginia
NODE, GILEVA and then connect to POCAWV or MARLWV.

Lynn, AI8I also said there is a problem with the Mercer County Emergency
Services PBBS, PRTNES.  It's been inoperative for a short time.

My intentions are not to embarrass, or belittle anyone when I ask for help
locating problems with the DAREN System, or explaining to new Packet operators
what we are trying to do with the DAREN System.  It's up to all of us to make
sure we have a reliable system to use if and when we ever need it in an
emergency.  I did get a message from K8LG, who is the SYSOP of the W8SP BBS in
Morgantown.  As I mentioned in last weeks News, someone may have accidently
changed frequencies on the radio and caused it to be on 145.69 Mhz.  Well,
that's exactly what happened.  Accidents do happen, and Mike said he would in
no way ever cause intentional interference to DAREN.  He suggested that if
anything like that happens again, to give him a call on the phone.

I've had several inquiries as to when the Gilmer County NODE/DIGI, GILMWV and
the PBBS DAREN will back in operation.  I really don't have any idea.  The
last time I talked to Dave, KA8ZXP and Ed, N8OYY they were unable to do
anything to get the station back on the air.  It's up to the owners of the
tower as to when they will install Gilmer County NODE/DIGI antenna on the new
tower.  Dave says as soon as GILMWV goes back on the air the PBBS DAREN will
be back in operation.  The only path to the PBBS DAREN is through GILMWV.
Also I don't know if Dave will ever put another Pendleton County NODE back on
the air.  Most of the equipment for the Pendleton County NODE/PBBS,
PENDWV/FKLNWV, was personal equipment, owned by Dave, and that kind of loss is
hard on a club or group, let alone an individual.

There were 90 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
N8DSN needs only one more check-in to make a total of 100.  One station, KC8VV
needs only one more check-in to make a total of 50.  There were four new calls
on the net last night.  I want to welcome N5XUJ, KF4LRV, KB8ZLX, and KC8AUR to
the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   October 13, 1996             (.222)
   
Mike, KG8JA has finished putting together a software program of DAREN
information this past week.  It's a graphical display of the DAREN network.
For a graphical display, a Color monitor and ANSI driver are required.  From
any of 4 menus you can choose from a selection of any active county all
pertinent information such as: NODEalias, PBBSalias, Callsign, or any codes
that is uses, and choose to print the information. From there you can also
choose whether to view a graphical display of other NODEs it can connect to,
or return to another menu screen.  He's presently working on a program to
immensely compliment the first one which involves what he calls "node logic",
(Artificial Node Logic.)  It lists all active counties within the DAREN
network (MAIN NODE's) and from any of those listed you can enter one of them
at the prompt.  The user is then asked to enter the county he/she wants to
connect to, and a suggested route is displayed on screen to the destination
node. (To view, or hit PRINT SCREEN to get a printout.)  He's used the first
program several times (as an aid) to forward mail out via DAREN since he has
finished it, and says it's a lot easier to pull up from CRT monitor verses
finding the a magnifying glass and trying to read the DAREN map.  He is making
it pretty much a shareware version and only ask for donations from any users
that are using it.  If someone wants to register their copy, for a small fee,
he will send them a registered copy of the program and include the NODE-LOGIC
program as well. They will compliment each other and are intended to go hand-
in-hand with each other.  If you have any questions about the program, you can
leave a message to KG8JA @ HURCWV.

I saw a message from Olie, WD8V who is the West Virginia Section Emergency
Coordinator, about the ARRL election.  Olie's message said that a statement
which was included in a ballot for election of Director for ARRL, Roanoke
Division was "INCORRECT".  The statement says that Olie was endorsing Reed
Whitten, AB4W as Director, which is "WRONG", he does however, endorse John
Kanode, N4MM for Re-election as Director, Roanoke Division.

I received a telephone call from Pat, KB8QEV with the National Weather Service
in Pittsburgh Friday.  He told me they now have a Packet station set up at the
Weather Service in Pittsburgh that can be used to report severe weather.  The
exact way of connecting to it, and what all it will be used for, has not been
completely ironed out yet.  He told me it is operating on 145.09 Mhz and uses
the ALIAS of PITNWS.  I'm going to send him a package of DAREN information so
he can see how we have our system set up here.

There were 89 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
N8DSN has completed 100 check-ins and will be receiving a certificate.  One
station, KC8VV has checked into the net 50 times and will be receiving a
certificate.  Bob, W3RUA needs only one more check-in to make his 100th.  I
want to welcome a new station, N8GXE to the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   October 20, 1996             (.223)
    
A week after I told you about other Packet Nets in the state, the one that is
sponsored by the Plateau Amateur Radio Association (PARC), was hard to get
into.  The main path to the NCS, Juddie, KC8CON, was poor.  Juddie told me the
NODE, PARC, which operates on 145.09 Mhz had to be moved temporarily to
another location, but it is back in good operation.  From his last net report,
I see his net is starting to grow.  I also see that he has extended the hours
of operation of the net to three hours.  If you want to check into the PARC
Net, you need to find a path to the NODE, "PARC" on 145.09 Mhz and connect to
"NET" from there.  The net runs from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on Thursday evenings.

Lynn, AI8I says the Greenbrier County NODE, GREEWV, is acting up again.  He's
hoping it's just the weather, but he's not for sure, it might even be the
antenna.  There is a path around GREEWV to some of the other stations in that
area.  You might try the Giles County, Virginia NODE, GILEVA.  You can connect
to it from the Mercer County NODE, MERCWV.

Before the weather gets too bad, you might want to make a last minute trip to
your remote stations, whether they are Packet or Voice.  Winter will soon be
here and those stations will be getting harder to get to, also the days will
be getting shorter as we go into Day Light Standard Time, next SUNDAY.

Another hospital now has a full time DAREN station at it's location.  The PBBS
is called "PKBGCC" and the NODE is "WOODCC".  Camden Clark Memorial Hospital,
in Parkersburg, started building an Emergency Operations Center about six
months ago at it's location.  At their EOC they have two Public Safety radios,
one HIGH band, and one UHF band, and they have just ordered LOW band radio to
be installed at the EOC.  As well as the DAREN station, it has a Two Meter
voice station sitting right beside it.  The equipment for the Packet and voice
stations has been around for a few years.  One of the stations had been placed
in a portable cabinet that could be unlocked and taken to the Emergency Room
area any time there was a disaster or drill.  The voice station started out as
a DAREN Packet station that was installed in one of their used ambulances
which, had been turned into a HAZMAT response vehicle.  The HAZMAT response
vehicle has since been retired and taken out of service, (which we ended up
with.)  The radio from the HAZMAT vehicle had a microphone added to it and was
installed at the EOC.  The TNC from the HAZMAT vehicle was then installed as a
second TNC on the EOC DAREN station, two Packet stations can be operated at
the EOC.  The Camden Clark EOC also has at least six telephones, two FAX
machines, about eight telephone lines, plus a Ring-Down line to the Emergency
Room.  The EOC also has two televisions, one for the weather channel, and one
for the news channels.  It has all of the necessities of home, including a
Microwave, Refrigerator, and coffee pot.

There were 81 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  Bob, W3RUA got
his 100th check-in last night and will be receiving his second DAREN Net
check-in certificate.  There was one new station that checked into the net.  I
want to welcome KG8WB to the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   October 27, 1996             (.224)
  
If you have any Amateur Radio related articles that you would like to have put
in the DAREN News, send them to me.  Any articles about what is happening in
your part of the world, it doesn't have to be Packet only, any thing you think
would be of interest to those who read this news.  DAREN News isn't only read
by those on Packet in West Virginia.  DAREN News is placed in our monthly
newsletter which is mailed to several Amateurs outside of the state, to Fire
and Police Departments, County Commissioners, and also to the State Office of
Emergency Services.  So if you want someone to see what you are doing let me
know and we'll try to get it in the News.  If the articles are too long for
one issue, we will put them in another one.

Did everyone set their clocks back an hour this morning?  How about the time
on your NODE/PBBSs?  It's not real important to have the time set on your
NODEs and PBBSs, but it does help to know when some one leaves a  message on
it.

I got a telephone call from Pepper, KA8ZOO last night and he told me he has
the Monongalia County NONE/PBBS, MONOWV/MGTNWV back in operation.  He says the
antenna is a long way up the tower and it shows.  He's able to connect direct
from MONOWV to HANCWV, WOODWV, and RITCWV, stations that weren't possible
before.  The antenna is mounted on the tower favoring the Southern direction.

Jim, WB8DMS was in the Parkersburg area yesterday and I got to talk to him on
voice.  He said they have the problem with the Greenbrier County NODE/PBBS,
GREEWV/LSBGWV worked out.  It seems the battery was the biggest problem, and
it has been replaced.  Like all other tower site, rodents also had a hand in
making the station unreliable.  Our furry friends will be looking for a nice
warm place to spend the winter, so, before the snow starts, make a trip to
your tower site and button every thing up.

There were 79 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  I want to
welcome a new station to the DAREN system, and that is N8VAC.  I'm glad to see
one of my favorite operators has made it back on Packet.  Ted, WD4KHL hasn't
been seen since December 9 of last year.  He went in the hospital shortly
after his last check-in.  I hope he is getting along better, I miss reading
his articles which he writes for the SERA Repeater Journal.  Welcome back Ted.
==============================================================================
                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   November 3, 1996             (.225)
      
While he was changing the time on the Pendleton County NODE, PENDWV, Bob,
W3RUA had a commercial power failure at the house.  The power was only off a
few seconds, but when it came back on he could no longer connect to the NODE,
PBBS, or backdoor.  Bob had already changed the time, and was just asking for
a verification when the power went off.  I tried to simulate the same trouble
condition, but was unable to get mine to fail.  The only thing we could think
of was something strange was transmitted to the NODE that caused it to reset,
or lose it's memory.  The NODE is battery backed up so there should have been
nothing wrong with the station.  It was a couple of days before Bob could make
it to the hilltop station so PENDWV was off the air for awhile.  It was a
strange coincidence, but all Bob found when he got to the site was a blown
fuse in the transceiver.

I want to thank Juddie, KC8CON for something.  I enjoy running the State Wide
DAREN Net, but I didn't relize the enjoyment of just checking into one.  Every
Thursday evening I find myself watching the clock and waiting to check into
the PARC Packet Net that operates on 145.09 Mhz.  I think I can see now why
our State Wide DAREN Net has had such a good turn out in the last four years.
The first State Wide DAREN net was operated October 31, 1992.  It had a grand
total of 22 check-ins, but at that time there were only about 11 NODEs in the
DAREN system.

There were 93 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
KG8NV needs only one more check-in to get his 50th check-in certificate.
There were two new check-ins to the DAREN Net.  I want to welcome KA8CMG and
KB8CWR to the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   November 10, 1996            (.226)
     
While I was posting the DAREN News on some of the PBBS' last week I noticed
the Braxton County NODE/PBBS, BRAXWV/GASSWV was not in operation.  Last night
while I was checking to see if the NODE/PBBS was back on the air, before I
wrote about it, Brad, WB8MZI, the SYSOP of the station, connected to me and
said the antenna for the station was gone, but he has found parts of it.  With
any luck he may be able to get another antenna and have the station back on
the air in the few days.

Since the FCC has their computer for vanity calls back up and running I know
their may have been some new vanity calls issued.  If you have changed your
call by either upgrading your license or by receiving a vanity call, be sure
to send me a message and let me know what your old call was and what your new
call is so I can update your records on the DAREN Net check-in list.  Also I
will announce any call changes here in the DAREN News.  I only know of one
DAREN operator that had a call change and that is Dick, N8PEK.  Dick's new
call is W8ZP.

I just got my SERA Repeater Journal today and found there's another writer for
the "West Virginia Notes".  The new writer is Barbara Marsh, KB8GGG.  I don't
know if she is permanent or just temporary since Ted Wolfe, WD4KHL was
hospitalized in December last year.  I must have missed the last issue of the
Notes and didn't know that Barbara was writing for SERA.  From reading her
article I see she's wanting something to write about.  If you have anything
happening as far as Repeaters, Packet, Nets, Hamfests, etc., send her the
information.  Also put her on your newsletter mailing list.  Barbara's address
is: BARBARA MARSH, KB8GGG, 126 UP LEFT FORK RD, SHADY SPRING, WV, 25918.  The
SERA Repeater Journal is the official voice of the SouthEastern Repeater
Association Inc., and is distributed to all SERA members in Kentucky, Georgia,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West
Virginia.  For SERA membership information write to: SERA Membership, PO Box
215, Tobaccoville. NC 27050-0215.

There were 92 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
KG8NV has checked into the net a total of 50 times and will be receiving his
certificate.  There are two stations, K8SOR and KC8ABP that need only one more
check-in each to make 50.  There was one new check-in to the net.  I want to
welcome N8KNG to the DAREN system.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   November 17, 1996            (.227)
     
I got a message for Tony, N8KNG saying the Nicholas County NODE would have
been in operation last week, but the weather and other scheduling got in the
way.  Since I've received his message I've been watching to see when the
station gets in operation.

With the weather turning colder I've been noticing some very strange band
conditions.  I thought we were having trouble with the Jackson County NODE,
JACKWV when it seemed there was no path between it and the Wood County NODE,
WOODWV.  JACKWV could see WOODWV, but WOODWV couldn't see JACKWV.  WOODWV
could see every other NODE it normally could see, except JACKWV.  Even a trip
to the JACKWV by Terry, KC8AOF indicated there was no trouble with JACKWV.
After several tests from different NODEs to JACKWV it was indicated the
trouble must be with WOODWV, and not JACKWV.  After about four hours of no
path, the problem just seemed to go away.  For the next few days WOODWV seemed
to be hard to connect to.  After making a trip to the hill and finding nothing
wrong, I'm beginning to suspect a weak intermod signal that was, or is causing
some signals to get distorted and not being received by WOODWV.

Don't forget to check and correct the time in your TNCs.  If the Date and Time
aren't correct, messages left in the Mailbox or PBBS won't have the time the
messages were left in them.  By not having the correct time, operators won't
know when messages were really posted.

I've been asked what is going to become of the Pendleton County NODE, PENDWV
since it was hit by lightening a few months ago.  The station was completely
destroyed.  A temporary NODE that Bob, W3RUA has on the air is limited to it's
range, but it does allow operators in Pendleton County a way to connect to the
rest of the DAREN system.  As soon as I can get some answers, I may be asking
for assistance in installing a new station on Spruce Knob.  The location of
the Pendleton County NODE was a vital link to the DAREN system and we need to
get it back in operation.  I'll keep you posted as I get the information.

Olie, WD8V wants everyone to know that John Kanode, N4MM has been re-elected
for another term as the Director for the ARRL ARES Roanoke Division.

There were 92 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
KC8ABP has checked into the Net 50 times and will be receiving a certificate.
Dick, W8ZP needs only one more check-in and he will have checked into the Net
a total of 100 times.  One station, KB8QLG needs only one more check-in to
make 50.  There was one new check-in to this week's net.  I want to welcome
KB8QKY to the DAREN system.

==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   November 24, 1996            (.228)
  
I talked to Ashby, KB8OPH on the telephone the other day and he says that a
new radio and TNC have been ordered for the Pendleton County NODE/PBBS,
PENDWV/FKLNWV.  He has already talked to Dave, KA8ZXP about the site and Dave
says the power supply and antenna are still in good condition, even after the
lightening hit that completely destroyed the station.  By the time you read
this news, the radio and TNC may be in Ashby's hands.  It may take a little
while to get the station installed since winter has arrived and it has already
snowed.  It may take a good 4-wheel drive or a snow-mobile to get to the site,
but I will stay in contact with Ashby and keep you posted.

I also talked to Bob, W3RUA and he is going to order an antenna and make an
antenna mount to increase the height of the temporary Pendleton County NODE.
At the present time the antenna is just a 20 year old coaxial antenna about 15
feet off the ground.  Using the station as it is right now, Bob is able to
connect to the Greenbrier County NODE, GREEWV, but that's all he can do, the
path isn't good enough to get any traffic through it.  He figures that when he
gets the antenna up 50 or 60 feet he will have a better path to GREEWV.  When
the new Pendleton County NODE gets re-installed on Spruce Knob, Bob will
change the ALIAS of his NODE/DIGI/PBBS, but will keep it in operation as a
back-up station.

This is the first time in a long time that I've seen FOR SALE items on any of
the DAREN PBBS'.  We need to remember the DAREN system is NOT a Buy, Sell, and
Trade system, and we don't want it to get out of hand.  If you see someone
placing FOR SALE type messages on the DAREN PBBSs, please ask them not to do
it.

David, KB4LCI has posted a message in a few places telling about illegal radio
operators using the two-meter Amateur band for their activities.  If you get a
chance to read it, pass the word to other Amateurs.

There were 90 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  Dick, W8ZP has
checked into the DAREN Net 100 times and will be receiving a certificate.
There were two stations that made their 50th check-in this week and they are:
KB8QLG and K8SOR.  Both of them will be receiving their certificates.  There
were also two new stations that checked into the net and they were: AA8TQ and
N8RKV.  I want to welcome them to the DAREN system.  I hope everyone has a
safe Thanksgiving and get those deer with your gun, not your car.  73
==============================================================================
                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   December 1, 1996             (.229)
       
I posted the DAREN News last week before I checked my messages and found that
I had some information to pass along to the users of the system.  Tony, N8KNG,
with the help of Juddie, KC8CON, and Mike, KG8NV, have installed a Nicholas
County NODE/PBBS.  The station is located on a tower belonging to Mike, WA8YWO
which is on Grasshopper Knob about 6 miles North East of Richwood, WV.  The
site has an elevation of about 3850 feet.  The NODE has the ALIAS of NICHWV
and the PBBS is RWODWV.  From the tests that I have made from the NODE, it has
good paths to WOODWV, JACKWV, KANAWV, RITCWV, PLEAWV, GREEWV, PUTNWV, and
TYLEWV.  From these tests, it looks like the tower is on the North East side
of the mountain.  When spring gets here the antenna will be moved up the tower
another 90 feet and should have even better coverage.  I want to thank these
guys for helping the DAREN system to grow.

I've been asked if there's any shipping cost when I send out the certificates
to those who have connected to the State Wide DAREN Net in multiples of 50
times or more.  The answer is NO.  Wood County RACES and Wood County Emergency
Communications Inc. are glad to have so many users of the DAREN system and are
proud to be able to send out the certificates.  I do, however, get a little
behind from time to time and it may take me awhile to get your certificate to
you, but I do get caught up once in awhile.  The certificate is our way of
saying thanks for supporting the DAREN system.  But as some one told me once,
"a certificate and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee" hi hi.  But really,
thanks for supporting the DAREN system.

If Bob, W3RUA finds the material he needs to build the antenna mounting out-
rigger this week he will try to get it put together.  He says there's still a
lot of snow in Franklin, WV, so it may be awhile before he can get to his
tower site and increase the height of the antenna of his Pendleton County
NODE/PBBS, PENDWV/FKLNWV.  I haven't heard anything more about the station
that will be replacing the original PENDWV/FKLNWV which will be going back on
Spruce Knob.

There were 99 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  There were three
new check-ins the net.  The new stations were: KB9AUB, N8YYD, and WD5EXD.  I
want to welcome them to the DAREN System.  If any of the these stations, or
any one else needs information about the system, send me a message at "PKBGWV"
or the address above.  73 Ken
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   December 8, 1996             (.230)
  
How many times have you sent something, and as you watch it go up the screen
you notice a mistake.  Last week I wrote about the new Nicholas County NODE.
As I watched it being sent, I noticed that I had said "From the tests that I
have made from the NODE, it has good paths to WOODWV, JACKWV, KANAWV, RITCWV,
PLEAWV, GREEWV, PUTNWV, and TYLEWV.  From these tests, it looks like the tower
is on the North East side of the mountain."  It should have "North West", how
many of you caught that?  After making a few more tests later it looks like
the NODE has good paths in about all directions.  I looks like NICHWV is going
to be a real asset to the DAREN system.

Brad, WB8MZI climbed the tower in the rain and 50 mile an hour winds to get
the Braxton County NODE/PBBS, BRAXWV/GASSWV back on the air.  It looks like
the antenna may have been accidently broken with the installation of another
antenna.  The NODE seems to be working about the same as it did when Brad
first put the station in operation.

Since some messages, such as the DAREN News and NET announcements are posted
by automatic means, the person posting the message doesn't get the chance of
erasing or deleting old messages.  Some SYSOPs like to leave the DAREN News on
for several weeks, and some for only a few weeks.  The DAREN State Wide NET
announcement, on the other hand, is no good after the net is over.  The NET
announcements should be deleted after the net is over.  If you check your
local PBBS on a regular basis, kill or delete any old NET announcements.  The
DAREN News shouldn't be left posted for more that two or three months, if the
space is needed for new information.

I got an interesting message the other day.  It was from Jim, N8COG.  The
message was just to say Hi and to practice sending a message.  A lot of
operators don't get much practice sending messages and this is one way to keep
in practice.  With the holiday season coming up fast, now is the time to
practice sending messages and get ready in case you have to send important or
emergency messages.

There were 87 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
W8FZP needs only one more check-in to make his 100th and receive his
certificate.
==============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   December 15, 1996            (.231)
   
I'm sorry to announce that we have lost another very active Packet operator
and supporter of the DAREN system.  Ted Wolfe, WD4KHL, who was hospitalized in
December 1995, has passed away.  Ted wrote articles called "WV Notes" for the
South Eastern Repeater journal.  He seemed to write an article about DAREN in
every issue after he got involved with it.  I've met Ted several times at many
Hamfest and always looked forward to talking to him.  He must have been well
enough to check into the DAREN Net on October 26th and November 16th of this
year.  I was hoping he was getting along better and would soon be a regular on
DAREN again.  I will surely miss him.

In the September 25, 1994, DAREN News, I reported that with the installation
of the NEXRAD Radar system in Charleston, the National Weather Service would
shut down it's weather service operation in Beckley.  At that time the DAREN
packet station RALEWX/BECKWX, would be out of taken out of operation.  Friday
the 13th Charlie, WB8CNN gave me an update on the station.  Since the weather
service was shut down, the station has now been installed at a new location.
The new location is at the Mining Academy in Raleigh County.  The NODE/PBBS is
now RALEMA/BECKMA.  I haven't had a chance to do any testing to see how it is
working.  Maybe next week I can give a report on the station.

Only 10 more shopping days left till Christmas, have you asked Santa Claus or
the County Commission for a DAREN NODE for your county?

There were 88 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
W8FZP has finally made 100 check-ins to the net and will be receiving a
certificate.  I'm just about caught up with the other activities and should be
getting all of the paper work that I need to get out.  There are about eight
certificates that need to get finished and a couple of DAREN packages that I
need to get mailed out.  I have the updated DAREN Path Map done and have
already started sending them out.  If anyone needs a map send me a message and
I'll get one mailed out to you.
=============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   December 22, 1996            (.232)
      
It's that time of year again when there will be new Packet operators getting
on the air for the first time.  Santa will be bringing them radios and TNCs so
they can operate Packet.  Now is the time to keep an eye on the DAREN system
and make sure the NODEs don't start getting used for regular Packet use such
as connecting to BBSs that are used for buy, sale, and trade type traffic.  I
know there are a few DAREN NODEs and PBBSs that aren't set up like a DAREN
station should be, and may be misunderstood as regular NODEs and PBBSs.  The
biggest problem in misunderstanding is the texts of the NODE and PBBS.  The
texts of some stations don't explain what the stations are used for, and new
operators may not realize the NODEs and PBBSs should be used for Emergency,
Priority, and NTS Type traffic.  If you are the SYSOP of an NODE/PBBS that
doesn't have the DAREN type text, please keep a close eye on your station to
be sure that new Packet Radio operators aren't abusing your station.

I talked to Bud, WA8FFG the other day and he's going to get the Barbour County
NODE/PBBS, BARBWV/PHILWV back in operation.  The station was hit by lightening
a few months ago and has been off the air ever since.  The TNC and power
supply are ok, but the radio won't transmit, even though it receives ok.  Bud
may need to send the radio away to be repaired to get the station back in
operation.

There were 87 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
KB8LVS needs only one more check-in to make 100, and she will receive another
certificate.  One station, KB8TIS needs only one more check-in to make 50, and
will receive a certificate.  There were two new stations that checked into the
net this week, and they were: WA8NED and WA8YWO.  I want to welcome them to
the DAREN system.

On behalf of all the members of Wood County RACES I want to wish you all a
very Merry Christmas and hope you get everything you want under the Christmas
Tree.
=============================================================================

                  D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV.   December 29, 1996            (.233)
   
I received a message from Lynn, AI8I saying he hasn't been able to connect to
the Raleigh County NODE/PBBS, RALEWV/BECKWV for a couple of weeks now.  We're
not sure what has happened to it, but I will try to find out.  If anyone in
that area knows what has happened to it, you might let me know.

The Wood County NODE/PBBS, WOODWV/PKBGWV is also having trouble.  I think the
receive sensitivity has went down the tubes.  It's hard to connect to it
unless you have a very good signal.  George, K8QEW sent me a message telling
me he was having trouble connecting through it.  I'll get to the hill in the
next few days and get it fixed.  I think that may have been why there were so
many retry disconnects on the week's State Wide DAREN Net.

Bob, W3RUA says he has all the parts he needs to install a better antenna on
his Pendleton County NODE/PBBS, PENDWV/FKLNWV.  He is just waiting for two
things to come together, his climber and better weather.  Once he gets the
antenna installed we may see a big difference in the station.  It still won't
be as good as the NODE/PBBS that was on Spruce Knob, but it may help get a
better path out of Pendleton County.

Until we get a forwarding computer set up again to take the place of the
Central Message Center "DAREN", try not to auto-forward messages.  I try to
catch and forward any messages that are Auto-Forwarded through PKBGWV and
forward them to where they need to go, but some times they are a few hours
late.  Once we get another forwarding computer set up, we will get all of the
PBBSs that have the capability to forward messages, rearranged.  The one thing
to remember is the DAREN system was established to be a manual system and to
keep it's operators familiar with it's NODEs and PBBSs.

There were 96 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net.  One station,
KB8VLS has checked into the net 100 times and will soon be receiving a DAREN
Net certificate.  One station, KB8TIS has checked into the net 50 times and
will be getting a certificate.  One station, KB8KKV needs one more check-in to
make 100.
=============================================================================