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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. July 4, 1999 (.364)
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. Outside of the
DAREN system, on the regular Nation Wide BBS System, it may be sent to WA8LLM
@ WA8OMR.WV.USA.NA. D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV is posted on several High Memory
DAREN PBBS', and on the regular BBS system @ ALLWV. A State Wide DAREN NET is
operated every Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 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'.
I hope everyone is having a safe 4th of July holiday, and don't get your
fingers burnt lighting those fireworks.
I just got a flyer in the mail yesterday giving the date and time of the 22nd
Annual Wheeling/Martins Ferry Hamfest and Computer Show. The show will be held
on Sunday August 8, 1999 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The location has been
changed from what it has been for the past several years. The new location is
at Redman's Park. Redman's Park is located on County Road 4 just outside
Martins Ferry, Ohio. The show is sponsored by The Triple States Radio Amateur
Club (TSRAC). The show has been the best there was in West Virginia, up until
last year when the attendance was down due to a mis-communications problem on
the date. Even though it's not in West Virginia lets make it like it used to
be, and get it big again. The Talk-in frequency will be the 146.91 repeater.
For further information and ticket sales contact: The Triple State Radio
Amateur Club Inc. 2011 State Highway 250, Adena, OH 43901-9736. Phone (740)
546-3930, Fax (740) 546-3685, E-Mail: K8AN@AOL.COM or K8AN@ARRL.NET.
I've noticed that some of the check-ins to the State Wide DAREN Net get a
"RETRIED OUT" message from time-to-time. Once in awhile you may get a "LINK
MADE" message after you have connected from NODE-to-NODE. If you get just a
"LINK MADE" message back from the last NODE before the Net Control Station,
there's almost a 100 percent chance that your check-in will be logged even if
you don't get your "CONNECT TEXT" greeting back. If your call doesn't show up
on the list of check-ins the following week let me know so that I can update
your check-in record. If you continually get retried out using the system, try
a different path from NODE-to-NODE, the paths will change a lot from season to
season.
There were 87 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Carol KC8JYA
who's been checking into the net since April 25, 1998 has completed 50 check-
ins and will be receiving a certificate. Bill W8FZP needs only one more check-
in to make 200. Jim N8PEJ needs only one more check-in to make 150. Opal
KB8YIS needs only one more check-in to make 100. And Bernard KC8BTZ needs only
one more check-into make 50. Thanks for checking into the State Wide DAREN Net
and using the DAREN system for you traffic handling.
Ken WA8LLM
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. July 11, 1999 (.365)
When was the last time that you changed the Lithium Battery in your Kantronics
KPC-3? From all that I can find out, a Lithium Battery will have a life
expectancy of about 5 years. This week a couple of our NODEs were off the air
for a little while due do some power outages. When power came back on the TNCs
had no memory. They were brain dead, and had to be re-programed from day one.
The NODEs were PLEAWV which operates on 145.69 MHz and WOODWV which operates on
145.09 MHz. All the information on both of these NODE/PBBSs was lost. Summer
time the time to replace the Lithium Battery in the TNC before you lose the
power due to a storm and have to use the station after it the power comes back
on, only to find the station is dead. You don't want make a trip to the top of
a mountain in the middle of winter to get the station back in operation. The
Kantronics manual says to replace the Lithium Battery with a CR 2032 or it's
equivalent.
I received a message from Juddie KC8CON last week, he says he's getting ready
to install an APRS Digi at the same tower site as the Nicholas County NODE/PBBS
NICHWV/RWODWV. The location is at about 4000 feet. The APRS group is hoping
to hear an APRS Digi coming from the Wood County area to help get complete APRS
coverage of West Virginia. He had a short report on their Field Day activity.
The Plateau Amateur Radio Association and Black Diamond Amateur Radio Club had
a great Field Day, with over 1600 contacts being made. There was a lot of
press coverage at Field Day both from newspaper and TV. The newspaper reporter
brought her daughter over just after Field Day started, she was on her way to a
family reunion. Her daughter, who is 13 or 14 years old, sat down at the
Novice station and after a few contacts she was hooked. Her mother had to
promise to bring her back after the family reunion. They returned later and
was there till around 11:30 pm Saturday night. You couldn't get that girl away
from the radio. She made a total of eleven contacts all over the United
States. Juddie says they already have one student for their fall class at the
Fayette County VoTech where they will be having a class on getting a Technician
License. He'll give more information on the class later. Juddie says there
will be a SKYWARN weather class on July 27th at 7:00 pm in Oak Hill at the
Office of Division of Environmental Protection, 116 Industrial Drive. If
anyone wants more information leave Juddie a message on either the RWODWV or
FAVLES mailbox.
A new call, K8NNK that I reported in the DAREN News on May 23, 1999 isn't a new
operator after all, but a callsign change of Mike WB8WKO who has a new vanity
call. Remember to let me know anytime that you have a callsign change so that
I can get your DAREN Net Check-in Records updated, and also to let others know
that you have changed you call.
There were 76 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Bill W8FZP who's
been checking into the net since July 16, 1994 has completed 200 check-ins, Jim
N8PEJ who's been checking into the net since November 28, 1992 has completed
150 check-ins, Opal who's been checking in since March 30, 1996 has completed
100 check-ins, and Bernard KC8BTZ who's been checking in since June 28, 1997
has completed 50 check-ins. All of these operators will be receiving their
certificates.
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. July 18, 1999 (.366)
I want to thank Dean N8OLT for finding this week's DAREN Net Announcement and
posting it on various DAREN PBBS'. The 2 Meter Band has been strange the last
few weeks and some of the NODEs that I normally can hit are next to impossible
to get through. I am also hearing distant Public Safety radio traffic on the
155 MHz band that I don't normally hear. If at any time you don't see the Net
Announcement on your normal PBBS, you might want to go to another PBBS, pick it
up, and post it for me. I will try to get the announcement posted, but
sometimes it hard to find a path to some of the PBBSs. I try to start
posting the Net Announcement by Wednesday morning and have it posted by
Thursday Morning.
While going around posting the DAREN Net Announcements on the various PBBSs I
notice there are messages that have not been picked up, or have been picked up
and just not deleted. With more and more people getting on the Internet, plain
ole Packet Radio seems to be quite slow and not very interesting, BUT it is
Amateur Radio and to keep Amateur Radio alive and out of the hands of the
commercial businesses we need to show the Federal Communications Commission
that it is being used.
The following information is from the August, 1999 QST. The ARRL West Virginia
State Convention, sponsored by the WV State Amateur Radio Council, will be held
August 28, 1999. The location will be the Jackson's Mill Conference Center,
Jackson's Mill, Weston, West Virginia. On I-79 take Exit 99 (Weston) Route 33
West, and follow the signs. Doors are open from 6 am to Midnight. Features
include ARRL, DX, APRS forums, VE test sessions, Wouff Hong ??? ceremony,
special event station. Talk-in frequency is 145.29. Admission is free.
Tables are on a first-come first served basis. For further information contact
Dick Fowler, N8FMD, Rte 3, Box 52, Clarksburg, WV 26301; Telephone (304) 623-
9479; n8fmd@neumedia.net; http://qsl.net/wvsarc.
There were 67 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. The net check-ins
are down some from the previous weeks and that maybe because of the band
conditions. Now is the time to try different paths to get to the Net Control
Station. The bands don't only change conditions from Winter to Summer, they
will also change from Night and Day. Stations that you may be able to hit at
night may not be available during the Day and vice versa. Jack N8MDZ needs
only one more check-in to make 200.
73 Ken WA8LLM
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. July 25, 1999 (.367)
Here is information that Juddie KC8CON would like to pass along to all Amateur
Radio operators. There's not enough room to put it all this week, so there
will be more next week. If you have information such as this to tell about in
your area sent it to me so it can get passed along.
The Plateau Amateur Radio Association and the Fayette County ARES will be
hosting a SKYWARN Class at Oak Hill on July 27th, 1999 at 7:00 pm. The class
will be held at the Division of Environmental Protection office at 116
Industrial Drive, Oak Hill, WV. For exact directions the talk-in frequency
will 146.790 (-) repeater. Dan Bartholf N2RNF, Warning and Coordination
Meteorologist will be conducting the class.
On July 30th and 31st the Plateau Amateur Radio Association will be putting on
an Amateur Radio Demonstration at the Fayette County Fair which is located at
the 4H CAMP at Beckwith, West Virginia. The Fair runs from July 27th through
July 31st. APRS, VHF, and HF will be demonstrated.
The Fayette County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be in Oak Hill at the
Holiday Inn on August 21st & 22nd conducting classes both days for volunteers.
More information will follow when it becomes available.
On September 20th the Plateau Amateur Radio Association will be conducting an
Amateur Radio Class. This will be a No code Technician License Class and will
run on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for 8 weeks. The classes will be
held at the Fayette County Vo-Tech on Oyler Avenue in Oak Hill. On the ninth
week a test session will be given. The test session will be open to the class
attendees and the general public. The test session will only be for Novice and
Technician theory exams, and 5 WPM code tests, these are the only exams the
Volunteers Examiners are authorized to administer at the present time. This
will change in the future.
The Fayetteville Hamfest has listened to the suggestions and comments of the
Amateur Radio Community and has made a change. They are changing the name and
moving the Fayetteville Hamfest from the Fayetteville High School, to the
Raleigh County Armory in Beckley, WV. They are starting the new millennium
with a new site that will be larger, have better parking, handicap accessible
and overnight camping available with full hookups. They have also changed the
Hamfest to a Saturday event. The 22nd Annual Plateau Hamfest will be held
March 25, 2000 from 9:00 an to 3:00 pm.
(to be continued)
There were 77 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Jack N8MDZ who's
been checking into the net since April 15, 1995 has completed 200 check-ins and
will be receiving his certificate.
73 Ken WA8LLM
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. August 1, 1999 (.368)
Here's the rest of the information that Juddie KC8CON sent me last week. The
Plateau Amateur Radio Association (PARA) has moved it's WEBPAGE. The new site
is HTTP://MEMBERS.SPREE.COM/SIP1/PLATEAU. This site IS NOT case sensitive and
the address is a little shorter. Be sure to check out their site, there's
always new things being added. He says the club's quarterly newsletter is
there. You can also sign up to get EMAIL when the page is updated and about
club functions.
The Plateau Amateur Radio Association will be operating a Special Event Station
using the Special Event Call of W8V. The time for the special event will be
from 1400 UTC to 1800 UTC on October 16th, 1999. This special event will be in
celebration of New River Gorge Bridge Day and the 20th anniversary of the
Plateau Amateur Radio Association. The frequencies will be 28.400, 14.300,
7.250 (ssb) and 14.100 (cw). A certificate will be issued. If contact is made
with the Special Event Station, send a QSL with a 9 X 12 SASE with 2 First
Class postage units to: PLATEAU AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION C/O JUDDIE D.
BURGESS, KC8CON, PO BOX 96, FAYETTEVILLE, WV 25840.
Juddie also says the W8XF-3 APRS Digi is now at it's 4000 foot elevation at the
tower site of the NICHWV DAREN NODE. (end)
During the lightening storm that went through the Kanawha County area last week
end, the Kanawha County NODE/PBBS of KANAWV/CHASWV, hasn't been heard from. I
have contacted Jim WA8HPD with the State Office of Emergency Services and he
has been talking to the radio technicians with the West Virginia Emergency
Medical Service who the maintain the tower site where it's located. They were
at the tower site last Tuesday, but we couldn't get a hold of them to see if
they could take a quick look at the station. They will be going back to the
site this week. Jim will ask them to look over the station to see if there is
an easy fix, if not they will bring it off the hill. We're not sure if the
station will be going back in operation or not, only time will tell. The tower
site is on Maulden Mountain. To get into the tower site building the WV EMS
people have to be contacted for access. Wood County Emergency Communications,
who owns the equipment, will determine if the station will be installed or re-
installed. It's an all day job getting to the site, getting access, getting
the problem fixed and getting back home.
There were 84 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Judy, N8UFQ needs
only one more check-in to make 350. Merlin, WB8PAM needs only one more check-
in to make 200, and Paul, K8VKI needs only one more check-in to make 100.
Thanks everyone for supporting DAREN and the State Wide DAREN Net.
73 Ken WA8LLM
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. August 8, 1999 (.369)
I'm getting the news out a little late this week again, but I went to the
Harper's Ferry/Wheeling Hamfest today. This was the first year the hamfest was
held at it's new location, so you can't really judge it. It's definitely not
the Wheeling Hamfest of years gone by. Even with all of the construction going
on in the area the location wasn't hard to find at all. The rain, which we did
need badly, could have held off a few more hours and let the hamfest have a
better start. Don't give up on the hamfest, but give it a little time to get
built back up to what it used to be. From reading articles in Amateur Radio
magazines, it looks like hamfests are starting to die off and that would be a
shame.
I talked to Mac, W8XF this past week and he has a place to re-install the
Kanawha County NODE/PBBS of KANAWV/CHASWV, if we can get it back in operation.
He knows one of the Amateurs that works for the West Virginia State EMS agency
that owns the tower site where the NODE/PBBS is located. He is going to talk
to him shortly and try to get the station off of Maulden Mountain and see if it
can be repaired. If so he is going to install it at a tower site in the City
of Charleston. The new site won't have near the range of the Maulden Mountain
site, but it will have better access. With the loss of the Kanawha County NODE
it is almost impossible to reach the Southern part of the state.
With some of the major NODEs down and problems of getting to some parts of the
state, I want to thank Dean, N8OLT and any others who help post the net
announcements each week.
The net really dropped off this week, there were only 60 check-ins to the State
Wide DAREN Net. Judy, N8UFQ who's been checking into the net since October 31,
1992 has completed 350 check-ins. Merlin, WB8PAM who's been checking into the
net since December 19, 1992 has completed 200 check-ins, and Paul, K8VKI who's
been checking into the net since May 3, 1997 has completed 100 check-ins. All
of these stations will be receiving their certificates.
73 Ken WA8LLM
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. August 15, 1999 (.370)
Lynn, AI8I, dropped me a message about the Greenbrier NODE/PBBS, GREEWV/LSBGWV.
Since I've been unable to connect to the station with the mountain top Kanawha
County NODE/PBBS, KANAWV/CHASWV down, and a low profile station on the air, he
has been trying to post the DAREN News. He's having as much trouble getting
into it because of the intermod. He's going to contact Jim, WB8DMS to see if
there's anyway the problem can be fixed.
I stopped by the Pleasants County NODE/PBBS, PLEAWV/STMYWV yesterday and set
the station back up. For some reason it just keeps losing it memory. I
thought that as long as there was power on the TNC it would not lose it's
memory, even if the Lithium Battery is dead. The station has a large battery
back-up and the commercial power hasn't been off in the area, so I don't know
what the problem might be. As soon as I get a new Lithium Battery in the
station we'll see if that cures the problem.
ON THE SOAP BOX:
I guess it's time for me to get back on the soap box and try to get some
activity on Packet Radio. The DAREN system is having several path problems and
needs some help getting fixed. With so many Amateur Radio operators getting on
the Internet, Packet activity is dropping off. There are two good reasons for
keeping Packet Radio, and all modes of Amateur Radios active. One is to make
sure the FCC understands that we don't want to lose any more of our Amateur
frequencies to commercial business, who are looking for frequencies they can
use to make money, and two, what happens when there is a telephone system
outage and there is no access to the internet. I have worked for the telephone
company for over 32 years and I know how reliable and unreliable telephone
systems can be. The telephone company tries to keep their telephone service in
good working order, but there are some things that are beyond their control,
like storms, fires, and motor vehicle accidents that disable telephone service
for long periods of time, how do you communicate then? Also when there is a
telephone outage some Cellular Telephones are also affected. If you are the
member of a club or group that is interested in emergency communications, you
might consider having your organization sponsor a DAREN NODE/PBBS in your
county. Some county Emergency Services will also help fund the NODE/PBBS if
they can see that it can help keep emergency communications active. If your
county Emergency Services director is an Amateur Radio operator, there's a
better chance of getting a station installed.
There were 71 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. I'm a little late
getting some of the certificates sent out, so if you are due a certificate and
haven't got it yet, it should be arriving shortly. I try to get the
certificates out within two or three weeks after you qualify, so if it runs
over a month, and you haven't received your certificate, send me a message and
I will make sure you get the certificate that you deserve.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. August 22, 1999 (.371)
The news is late this week because of the activities that our group has been
involved in this past weekend. The Parkersburg Half Marathon was held on
Saturday the 21st and about 45 Amateurs provided the various communications
that was necessary. Also starting last Thursday our communications group
started setting up the equipment to operate our biggest fund raiser of the
year, BINGO. The games were operated from 5:00 pm till 11:00 pm on Friday,
then on Saturday the Parkersburg Half Marathon road race was held from 8:00 am
to 11:00 am followed by the Parkersburg Homecoming Parade until about 12:00
noon, with Amateur Radio operators providing safety and line-up communications.
Then the BINGO games were operated again from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm with the
securing of the equipment until about midnight. Then on Sunday with a two hour
period of cleaning up from the night before, the BINGO games were in operation
again at 1:00 pm, operating until 10:00 pm. Then the tearing down of the
equipment and getting it back to it's storage location. At 1:30 am this
morning I got to bed and was back up at 4:30 am to start for work. I started
working on the DAREN News until the company made me start doing work for them.
I talked to Dick, K8VE on his way through the Parkersburg area last week and he
said that he has moved the Webster County NODE/PBBS, WEBSWV/WBSPWV. He says
the new location is about 400 feet higher in elevation. While posting the Net
Announcement this week I tried several different paths through WEBSWV with some
very good results. There are several new paths, some that may help get a way
to the Southern part of the state.
John, W8DRO sent me a message to let me know about the Nicholas County
NODE/PBBS, NICHWV/RWODWV going off the air Wednesday night. He said the
station has been acting strange for the past few days. The APRS DIGI located
on the same tower site seems to be ok. He says Juddie, KC8CON was going to
check on the station this past Saturday.
There were 72 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Criss, N3IWJ
needs only one more check-in to make 50 check-ins.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. August 29, 1999 (.372)
Friday morning the ARES/Data station "FINDER" went inoperative. The computer
was trying to communicate with the TNC, but they didn't seem to communicate
with each other. The system needs to be back in operation before a Wood County
Airport disaster drill which will be coming up September 16th, if they decide
that want Amateur Radio operators to participate in the drill.
Lightning Detection: By Ted W8KVK
Some of you who are active in SKYWARN/ARES/RACES, or who are simply
interested in Weather applications, may be interested in a "Lightning
Detection" packet server we are experimenting with here on 145.09 mHz.
This project originated with our interest in exploring some of the newer
Very Low Frequency (VLF) lightning detection technologies. We have used this
system this summer in support of several County Fairs, where large at-risk
outdoor populations were a concern.
We stress that the lightning detectors we are using are clearly
'experimental'. However, they appear to be effective in allowing us to obtain
good 'relative' readings on whether the lightning strike count is increasing or
decreasing, for whatever reason. ie; either the storm is getting closer, or
the lightning activity itself is increasing in frequency and/or intensity
within a given storm.
When you first log on to the Lightning Detection server, you will
immediately be told if the server has detected lightning within the past five
minutes. The initial logon screen will also tell you the approximate 'range'
setting of the sensors. We continue to experiment with this aspect of
operation. However, as this is being written, the range is set at roughly 60
miles.
But the real strength of the server is its ability to display lightning-
strike counts for the past sixty minutes. This is presented in tabular form
using the LOG command, and allows a good overview of relative trends in
lightning activity for the past hour. The table entries are in 'strikes per
minute'.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The LOG table is ALWAYS available for display even though
lightning may not have been detected during the past five minutes. ie: even
though lightning may not have been detected in the past five minutes, it MAY
have been detected during the 55 minutes prior to that.
The server is located at Athens, Ohio. However, we are working on
activating other sites as well, including a nearly-complete installation at the
existing N8UBG weather server. This Athens location may be useful to those of
you in West Virginia as an 'early-warning' indicator of approaching lightning
activity.
If you are interested in the technology involved, there are several short
information files on the Lightning Detection server itself.
To connect to the server, first connect to WOODWV, JCO, or MEIGOH.
Then C ATHENS, then C W8KVK-4. 73/ted
There were 71 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Criss, N3IWJ
who's been checking into the net since April 4, 1998 has completed 50 check-ins
and will be receiving his certificate.
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. September 5, 1999 (.373)
Friday morning August 27th the ARES/Data station "FINDER" went inoperative.
The computer was trying to communicate with the TNC, but they didn't seem to
communicate with each other. The system needed to be back in operation before
a Wood County Airport disaster drill which will be coming up September 16th, if
they decide that want Amateur Radio operators to participate in the drill.
Using another TNC and computer, the system still didn't seem to want to work.
After changing the power source of the TNC the system seems to be back up and
working. I need to do a little work to make the system a little more reliable,
such as putting it on it's own power supply, radio, and lower the antenna so
that it has a less chance of being the victim of lightning.
John, W8DRO said that he has been in contact with Juddie, KC8CON about the
Nicholas County NODE/PBBS, NICHWV/RWODWV. The station has been hit by
lightning and both the radio and TNC have been damaged. John says the radio
has been repaired, but the TNC can be written off. Juddie's group is going to
contact the Nicholas County EOC to see if they will replace it. As with any
politics they don't know when, or if will be ordered and replaced.
Don't forget to support other Packet nets such as the one Juddie, KC8CON
operates every Thursday evening on 145.090 MHz. The net runs from 7:00pm to
10:00pm. You need to work your way to the Nicholas County NODE "MTNNIC" on
145.090 MHz and then connect to "NET".
There were 71 check-ins again this week to the State Wide DAREN Net. Lisa,
KB8UER needs only one more check-in to make 350 check-ins.
Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. September 12, 1999 (.374)
Larry, KB8CVP says the Preston County Amateur Radio operators will be operating
as Net Control Station for the State Wide DAREN Net on October 2, 1999. The
net will be operated in conjunction with the annual Buckwheat Festival which
runs from September 31st through October 3rd this year. All connects to the
NCS, during the net, should go through PRESWV. During the Buckwheat Festival
they will be running a Special Event Station on HF, on 40, 20, and 15 Meters,
using the call W8B (WE 8 BUCKWHEAT). Anyone who contacts the station and sends
a QSL card and an SASE will receive a certificate. Certificates will also be
sent out for those connecting on packet during the net. A SASE should be sent
to: Richard V. Wolfe KA8UEU, PO Box 512, Kingwood, WV, 26537.
Ray, KA8GOH has also contacted me about operating as the NCS for the State Wide
DAREN Net during their Special Event Station at the Tyler County Fair which
also happens on the same weekend as the Buckwheat Festival. Since Larry KB8CVP
is going to be the NCS for the October 2, 1999 net, Ray said he would like to
be the NCS for the following week, October 9, 1999. Special Event Station
certificates will also be sent to those connecting to the Tyler County Special
Event Station during the net even though it will be a week later.
Ryan, KC8IOG will be operating a Special Event Station on 75 Meters SSB between
3840 and 3865 Khz, 40 Meters SSB between 7220 and 7240 KHz, and two meters FM
on 146.52 KHz simplex during the Volcano Days Festival. The Special Event
Station will be in operation the whole time of the Volcano Days Festival, from
about 5:00pm on Friday September 24th through about 5:00pm, on Sunday September
26th. Certificates will be sent upon receiving a SASE to: Wood County
Emergency Communications, PO Box 3328, Parkersburg, WV, 26103.
Tim, KB8EHT has shut down the BBS and Internet access station "KB8EHT" which
operated on 145.09 MHz, effective September 11th. Several stations in the Wood
County area used the station to send and receive E-Mail through the Internet.
The last we heard from Tim was that he was going to be moving out West and take
a new job. So anyone who used to use the KB8EHT BBS will know what has
happened to the station.
There were 70 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Lisa, KB8UER
who's been checking into the net since August 20, 1994 has completed 250 check-
ins and will be receiving her certificate. Jerry, NQ8B needs only one more
check-in to make 250. I want to thank all of those of you who have been
checking into or trying to get checked into the net each week. I get messages
from time to time letting me know that some operators don't get checked into
the net each week due to various path problems. This is what the net is for,
to make sure what paths are the best, and which ones to use in case you must
use the system for real emergency communications. When one NODE or PBBS is
down, it sometimes prevents operators from getting into the net, or useing the
DAREN system when they need it. If at any time you try to get checked into the
net, and fail, send me a message and let me know what paths you have tried to
use so that we can get the problem fixed, or contact someone who is responsible
for getting it fixed. Also you will get credit for checking into the net if
you just let me know. 73
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. September 19, 1999 (.375)
Ken, KA3SKW says he has a Two Meter transceiver and TNC for sale if anyone is
interested. The radio is a Radio Shack 212, the TNC is a Kantronics KPC-3. He
is asking $150 dollars for the radio and $75 dollars for the TNC. You can
leave him a message on ELKNWV or call him at (301) 334-9105.
John, W8DRO says that Juddie, KC8CON has a new TNC to be installed on the
Nicholas County NODE/PBBS, NICHWV/RWODWV. He's not for sure when the station
will be put back in operation. John has also upgraded the DAREN BBS software
to make it Y2K compatible. He's also taken the temporary CHASWV/KANAWV station
off the air. He now has a 50 watt radio and better antenna on the DAREN BBS,
and is able to connect direct to PUTNWV NODE solid. He doesn't have a beam
antenna to aim toward JACKWV yet. He's turned off the MSYS Network NODE since
he never got around to it before. He has the MYCALL on DAREN set to W8DRO-1,
so stations can connect to either DAREN or W8DRO-1 for the DAREN BBS. He has
the KA-NODE set with the alias of KANABB. Those wanting the NEWS and/or NET
announcements in Charleston can get to DAREN now, and connect to KANABB for the
NODE, atleast till CHASWV/KANAWV gets back in operation. He also wants to
pass along this url, it's a great new online Ham Magazine called EHAM.NET.
It has the latest Ham news, ham chat, ham classified, etc. and much more.
The url is: http://www.eham.net/
Chris, N3IWJ would like for me to publish more information on nets that are
held in the West Virginia area. He says the folks in Pocahontas County get
bored at night and might be able to check into some of the nets, if they can
get into them. This could be Packet, Voice, or CW. Anyone or any group that
would like for me to announce their net should let me know the day, time, and
frequency of their nets.
There were 75 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Jerry, NQ8B who's
been checking into the net since November 7, 1992 has completed 250 check-ins
and will be receiving his certificate. Bob, KC8VV needs only one more check-in
to make 150, Bill, W8OO needs only one more check-in to make 100 check-ins and
Debbie, N8ZYB needs only one more check-in to make 50.
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. September 26, 1999 (.376)
During the 11th annual Volcano Days Festival the WCEC group ran a Special Event
ion. Those stations who made contact with Volcano Days SES can receive a
certificate by sending a SASE to Wood County Emergency Communications WC8EC,
Parkersburg, WV, 26103-3328. Ryan KC8IOG is thinking about operating another
Special Event Station at next year's Volcano Days activity.
Sam, N8SVX says that a new station has been ordered to replace the station that
was hit by lightning in Tyler County. The new station should be in shortly and
be put back into operation.
Don't forget the State Wide DAREN will be located at different locations for
the next two week's. This coming weekend, October 2nd, the Net Control Station
will be located at the Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood, Preston County. The
only NODE that can be used to connect to the NCS will be "PRESWV". The Preston
County people will be operating a Special Event Station operating under the
Call Sign of W8B, (We Ate Buckwheat). On October 9th the Net Control Station
will be located at Tyler County. Since their county fair is the same weekend
as the Buckwheat Festival, in October they will be operating as NCS one week
later. Their Special Event Station will be operating this weekend also. They
will be operating under the Call Sign of W8T (for Tyler County). If the Tyler
County NODE, and the Pleasants County NODE are back in operation they should be
used to connect to the NCS on October 9th.
There were 81 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Bob, KC8VV who's
been checking into the net since April 23, 1994 has made it to 150 check-ins,
and Bill, W8OO who's been checking into the net since July 5, 1997 has made it
to 100 check-ins. Both of these station will be receiving their certificates.
Ryan, KC8IOG who was the coordinator for the Special Event Station for the
Volcano Days activity, tried his hand at Packet radio, and checked into the
DAREN Net for the first time. There was one station that checked into the net
that was identified as "NOCALL". If your call doesn't show up on this week's
Dt Announcement, it may have been you who checked in. Send me a message
so that I can update your check-in records.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. October 10, 1999 (.378)
Since the Net Control Station for the State Wide DAREN Net was going to be
located in Tyler County this week, I needed to make a trip the Pleasants County
NODE/PBBS of PLEAWV/STMYWV. The Pleasants County NODE is used by several
stations from the North to get to me when I'm the NCS, so I figured that it
would be used by several stations to get to Ray, KA8GOH who was the NCS for
this week's net. I don't think there is many ways to get into Tyler County
without it. The last three times I made a trip to the NODE and got it back on
the air, I noticed that the TNC had completely lost it's memory, and had to be
programed from start. This time Ken, KB8QPW and I took another TNC to the site
and changed it out. The old TNC will be put in operation in our Mobile
Communications vehicle, MOBILCOM-1, so that I can watch it and get a better
idea of what might be going wrong with it.
I tried to connect into the PARC Net last Thursday with no luck. Either the
band was in real bad shape or the NODE "MTNNIC", operating on 145.09 Mhz was
off the air. I haven't heard much out of Juddie lately, but I assume that he
is still operating the PARC Net every Thursday evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
on 145.09 MHz.
I've been noticing the last few weeks there's been some stations that are using
the DAREN NODEs to make access into BBSs outside of West Virginia. The SYSOPs
for those NODEs need to make contact with those stations and ask them not to do
that. If other stations that are new to the DAREN system sees other stations
using the DAREN NODEs to make access to non-DAREN, Buy, Sale, Trade type BBSs
they will think it's ok to do so, and before the long the DAREN system will be
cluttered up just like the other Packet frequencies.
I want to thank Ray KA8GOH for acting as Net Control Station for the State Wide
DAREN Net this week. There were 67 check-ins that found their way to this
week's State Wide DAREN Net. There were two new stations that checked into the
net. I want to welcome Donna, KC8GVS and Ricky, N8TMR to the DAREN system.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. October 17, 1999 (.379)
Ken, KB8QPW and I made a trip to Tyler County to show the Emergency Services
Director Chuck, KB8NXF, our Emergency Communications vehicle. Chuck has a
school bus they want to convert into a communications vehicle and wanted to get
some ideas. He will be bringing Bobbie, KB8TBF down to Wood County this week to
look it over and get some ideas. While at Tyler County I found out about the
new radio and TNC that Chuck had purchased. The station was for the Emergency
Services office and not for the main county NODE/PBBS, TYLEWV/MIDBWV. The main
county NODE has been back in operation for awhile. The one that got hit by
lightening was the one at the office, along with some radios and computers.
I got some news from Juddie, KC8CON. He says the Packet NODE "MTNNIC",
operating on 145.09 MHz, was off the air, but is now back on. He didn't know
why it was off unless someone was working on the "switching" NODE between
145.09 and 145.01 MHz. He took the NODE "PARC" back on the mountain last
Sunday and put it back into operation. Also the NODE "MTNPAC" owned by Mike
WA8YWO is back on the air. If the Plateau Amateur Radio Association gets to
keep the old fire tower, he will be leaving the APRS station on it and maybe
get a DAREN NODE to install on it. He'll first have to see if the County
Commission will fund the radio, TNC, and antenna. He says there is no more
"Fayetteville Hamfest", it is now sponsored by the Plateau Amateur Radio
Association and the Black Diamond Amateur Radio Club. The Hamfest will be held
at the Raleigh County Armory Civic Center. Three dealers have been confirmed
and they are working on more. They should have 100 tables with 10 foot aisles
between them. The Hamfest has been changed to a Saturday event and is also a
month later. The Hamfest will be held on March 25th, 2000. The doors will
open at 9:00am for the general public. The location is a bigger facility which
is handicap accessible, and has over night camping facilities. He says the
announcement will be in the November's SERA Journal. He would also like for
you to check out their new website at the following URL:
HTTP://MEMBERS.SPREE.COM/SIP1/PLATEAU. It's a little too late to tell about
the Special Event Station they held over this past weekend, but it was to
commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Plateau Amateur Radio Association and
to celebrate Bridge Day. The event used the call sign of W8V. Any one who
made contact with the station can receive a certificate by sending a 9X12 SASE.
(to be continued)
I'll pass some more of Juddie's information on in next week's DAREN News.
Anyone having this type of information can have it passed on by sending it to
me.
There were 70 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Joe, N8UXE, needs
only one more check-in to make 300, and John, KF8OM needs only one more check-
in to make 200. One station checked in with the call sign of "NOCALL". If
your call doesn't show up on this coming week's Net Announcement, and you think
it may have been yours, let me know so that I can correct your records.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. October 24, 1999 (.380)
Continued from last week. Juddie, KC8CON says the club started another Amateur
Radio class on September 20th. The class is for no-code Technicians, with
seven students in the class. Some time in November the Plateau Amateur Radio
Association WV TEAM will be conducting exams. At the present time the only
exams they can administer are Technician and Technician Plus. The Fayette
County Simulated Emergency Test was using simplex and to show the Red Cross
officials how Packet Radio could be used during emergencies. There may be a
station set up at the Fayette County Red Cross office in the future. At the
ARRL State Convention at Jackson's Mills, Juddie was appointed the West
Virginia Phone Net Manager. He would like to ask all Amateurs, with HF
capability, to help support their WV HF Nets.
Juddie, KC8CON sent me a report on the Special Event Station, W8V, that the
Plateau Amateur Radio Association operated on Bridge Day October 16th. He felt
that it was very good for their first attempt operating an SES. They had 3
radios setup on 40, 20, and 10 meters. He said that 10 meters wasn't all that
good so they didn't spend much time there. They made 26 contacts on 40 meters
and 20 meters had 22 contacts. Contacts ranged from West Virginia to Georgia,
Massachusetts, New York, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio,
and Kentucky. They thought it was a real good practice for when they operate
the next Special Event next year and every year. They only had 5 participants.
He thinks that next year they are going to turn it into a summer or early fall
picnic for the club and a Special Event Station. He said that he will have
some pictures on their webpage when he gets them downloaded from the digital
camera.
Juddie also thinks their ARES group will be getting their foot in the door by
working with the Red Cross. The Red Cross seems more interested in their help
than the 911 officials do. They are unable to gain access to their radio room
at the 911 center if none of the 911 Officials are present. This is not
unusual for some counties. Here in Wood County in January 1997, when the new
Emergency Services Director, who's also the 911 Director, took over, said he
did not need a communications group, and called us a bunch of Amateur Radio
"Enthusiasts". This is not the case in several counties such as Tyler,
Jackson, Hancock, and Pendleton to name just a few. They will just have to
find out on their own how Amateur Radio will pull them out of hot water when
the time comes, although they probably won't admit it.
Mike, WA8YWO passed a message to me from County Commissioner O'dell and Dave
King at the Nicholas County Office of Emergency Services that the Nicholas
County NODE/PBBS of NICHWV/RWODWV was back on the air.
There were 79 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Joe, N8UXE, who's
been checking into the net since November 7, 1992 has completed 300 check-ins
and John, KF8OM, who's been checking into the net since December 3, 1994 has
completed 200 check-ins. Both of these stations will be receiving their
certificates. I'm a little late getting a couple other certificates out, but
all the certificates will be out this week.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. October 31, 1999 (.381)
The Kanawha County NODE/PBBS, KANAWV/CHASWV is back on the air. I don't know
who was responsible for getting it back in operation, but THANKS. Maybe I'll
know more about it next week, but anyway, it's back.
Here's a re-typed copy of a letter from the West Virginia State Office of
Emergency Services to all County Emergency Services Directors:
"This office will conduct a RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Services)/MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) exercise on December 4, 1999
beginning a 8:00 AM and terminating no later that 12:00 noon. This exercise
will consist of message traffic sent from the State EOC to the county EOC's
with questions that are to be answered by the counties and a reply returned to
this office. The mode of transmission will be by radio only with whatever band
is normally used by the RACES/MARS personnel in your county. If you have an
active RACES organization in your county, contact the coordinator and request
their participation in this exercise. If you do not have an active
organization and still wish to be in the exercise then contact Clay Carney for
possible contacts in your county that would be willing to work with you. This
office will contact the MARS operators in the state and request they
participate in the exercise and identify themselves to you prior to the event.
This exercise is very important as RACES/MARS could be the only means available
to you to contact the State EOC on January 1, 2000 if the predictions of
widespread outages of utilities actually takes place. If for some reason you
cannot participate in this exercise notify Clay Carney no later than November
22, 1999." (end of letter)
Jennifer from the State Red Cross Headquarters here in Parkersburg has asked
for assistance in a 14 county communications exercise. The Red Cross will be
opening up shelters in 14 counties and the only communications between these
shelters will be by whatever Amateur Radio Communications that is available
from the Red Cross shelters. At the present time the only two counties that
I know of is Wood and Wirt Counties. Representatives from the Red Cross will
be at the next Wood County Emergency Communications Inc. meeting which will be
this coming Tuesday, November 2, 1999. They will have a list of the counties
that will have shelters opened up in them. Jennifer says there may be more
than 14 counties and shelters by the time she makes the meeting. I will give
any additional information that I find out in next week's DAREN News. Now
would be the time to try out the ARES/Data (FINDER) system that is in operation
here in Wood County on 145.69 MHz. If you're interested in participating in
this Red Cross exercise contact your local Red Cross. The date of the exercise
will be December 7, 1999 in the evening, I think. I'll have more information
next week. If you need information on how to operate FINDER send me a message
and I'll send you a FINDER package.
There were 87 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Maurice, AB8E,
better known as R-2, needs only one more check-in to make 100. KC8IWS needs
only one more check-in to make 50. There was one new check-in to this week's
net, I want to welcome KC8NBF to the DAREN system.
73 Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. November 7, 1999 (.382)
The Red Cross communications drill which was to be held on December 7th has
been changed to Thursday, December 2, 1999, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The
purpose of the drill is to allow new Red Cross volunteers the chance to open up
a Red Cross shelter, become familiar with local Amateur Radio operators, and
provide information back to the state Red Cross Headquarters. The Red Cross
officials in 22 counties are wanting to make contact with the Amateur Radio
operators in their area, to help provide the communications links back to the
state Red Cross headquarters. All nine ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
Zones in West Virginia are involved by having from one to five of their
counties involved in the communications drill. Amateur Radio operators in each
of the counties, which is operating a Red Cross shelter, needs to establish a
communications link back to the state Red Cross Headquarters which is located
in Wood County. That communications link can be by what ever means is
available from the Red Cross shelter that has been put into operation. Most of
the time the only communications from a Red Cross shelter will be by Low Power,
Hand Held, Two-Meter or 440 MHz transceivers. More than one Amateur Radio
station may have to be set up to provide the communication links. Stations in
Wood County will be operating on HF SSB on 3865 KHz, plus or minus QRM, Packet
on 145.69 MHz, and on Two-Meter FM Voice, monitoring the 147.255 (Wood County),
146.67 (Jackson County), and 147.36 (Tyler County) repeaters. The station Call
Sign being used by the state Red Cross Headquarters contact point will be
WC8EC. The ARES/Data (FINDER) system, on 145.69 MHz will also be in operation
for those who want to handle their communications via that system. A total of
10 stations can connect to "FINDER" at one time and handle their traffic. If
you are interested in using the ARES/Data system, send me a message and I will
send you a package on how to operate it. "FINDER" is in operation 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week so you can play with it when ever you have some free time.
The Red Cross officials in each of the 22 counties will be trying to make
contact with the Amateurs in their county, so help them out by getting in
contact with them. The counties that will have Red Cross shelters in ARES Zone
(1) are: Hancock and Wetzel, Zone (2) are Marion, Monongalia, and Harrison,
Zone (3) Mason, Wirt, and Wood, Zone (4) Braxton, Zone (5) Grant and Hardy,
Zone (6) Berkeley and Jefferson, Zone (7) Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Nicholas, and
Wayne, Zone (8) McDowell, and Zone (9) Mercer, Raleigh, and Summers. If your
county is not involved with the drill, give the other counties a helping hand
and help provide the communications link needed to show the Red Cross that
Amateur Radio can provide the needed communications when disaster strikes.
Pass this information along to others on HF Nets, Repeater Nets, and Packet
Nets. Get the word out. If anyone needs additional information, please
contact me by Packet, Voice, or Mail, all three are in this DAREN News.
There were 82 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Jim, N3AAS, who's
been checking into the net since April 20, 1996 has completed 200 check-ins.
R-2, AB8E, who's been checking into the net since February 2, 1996 has now
completed 100 check-ins. Darlene, KC8IWS who's been checking in since May 9,
1998 has completed 50 check-ins. John, N8RIG and Joe, N8DSN need only one more
check-in each to make 250. Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. November 14, 1999 (.383)
Last week I talked about the Red Cross Communications Drill which is to be held
on Thursday, December 2, 1999, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This week I will talk
about the State Office of Emergency Services Communications Drill that has been
scheduled for December 4, 1999 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. The drill has been
announced as a RACES/MARS drill. As for those who are not familiar with the
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service or better known as RACES program, you
must be registered with a governmental agency to be classified as a RACES
member. That means that you have made contact with a government agency such as
your city, county, or state Office of Emergency Services, Disaster Services
Agency, Civil Defense, Disaster Management Agency, or what ever the agency
might be named. If not previously registered as a RACES member you're unable
to participate in any disaster drills, exercises, or actual emergencies that
are classified as a RACES activity. As per the Federal Communications
Commission Rules and Regulations, any Amateur Radio operator that is not
registered as a RACES member, can not communicate as a RACES operator, and if
the President of the United States was to enact the "War Powers Act" only
Amateur Radio operators that are registered as RACES members would be allowed
to transmit on any Amateur Radio frequencies, during that period of time.
Saying all of that, the best way to keep from restricting Amateur Radio
operators from participating in drills, exercises, and actual emergencies is to
call it an ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)/RACES activity. That way
Amateurs Radio operators that are either registered or non-registered ARES
members, and/or RACES members can participate in the activity. I talked to
Clay Carney, the Communications Officer, at the State Office of Emergency
Services and he said that he was going to change the activity to make it a
RACES/ARES/MARS Communications Drill. He's also going to contact Jennifer at
the State Red Cross office here in Parkersburg, and see if they can combine the
Red Cross Communications Drill and the RACES/ARES/MARS Communications Drill and
have them both on the same day instead of having two drills two days apart. I
haven't heard back from either Clay or Jennifer about the drills, but hope to
hear back soon. As soon as I hear if they are going to combine the drills and
what date it will be held on, if they combine, I will put the announcement out
on the weekly DAREN Net Announcement.
There were 80 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Joe, N8DSN who's
been checking into the net since March 26, 1994 has completed 250 check-ins and
will be receiving his certificate. Jim, N8BHY needs only one more check-in to
make 200, and David, WD8LDY needs only one more check-in to make 50.
Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. November 21, 1999 (.384)
It looks like the Red Cross Communications Drill will be held on December 2,
1999 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and the State Office of Emergency Services
Communications Drill will be held two days later on December 4th, 1999 from
8:00 am to 12:00 noon. I don't know for sure how the State OES drill will be
conducted or who will be the Net Control Station, but I figure the State
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated with the Amateur Radio
station in operation and operating on either 3865 KHz and/or on 7235 KHz,
depending on which band is the best. We'll just have to wait and see if any
information is given out by the Amateur Radio liaisons at the state office.
As for the Red Cross Communications Drill, as stated in the November 7, 1999
DAREN News, stations in Wood County will be monitoring 3865 KHz plus or minus
QRM, the Two Meter voice repeaters of 146.670, 147.255, 147.360 MHz, and on
Packet on 145.690 MHz. The call sign of the Wood County stations will be WC8EC
on all frequencies. Since the Red Cross shelters that will be set up for the
drill will more than likely not have permanent antennas or stations at them,
most communications out of them will be by Handheld or Portable stations back
to a center point within the county they are in, and then relayed back to the
Red Cross State Office in Parkersburg. If you have not already made contact
with the Red Cross office in your area, you might want to do so as soon as
possible so they will know that you are willing to help, and to plan on how to
set up your stations and pass your traffic. For those who want to play with
the ARES/Data system "FINDER" which operates on 145.69 MHz, you can get some
information on how to use it by downloading the help guide posted on the
following PBBS': on CHASWV message number #748, on MGTNWV message number #442,
or on PKBGEC message #586 with a subject title "FINDER HELP GUIDE TO
ARES/Data". For those of you who don't know who to contact at the Red Cross,
here is a list of contacts for different counties: for Mercer, Raleigh,
Summers, Monroe, McDowell, Wyoming; Call Linda Feola at 327-5017: for Nicholas,
Boone, Fayette; Call David Hoge at 340-3650: for Hancock, Wetzel; Call Ray
Braddock at 232-0711: for Grant, Berkeley, Hardy, Jefferson; Call Shari Munson
at 263-5241: for Wood, Wirt, Jackson; Call Brian Thompson at 485-7311: for
Mason, Lawrence, Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln; Call Seth Staker at 526-2900; and for
anything in the triangle between Doddridge, Randolph, and Preston; Call
Jennifer Morris at 598-9500.
Now's the time to show the State Office of Emergency Services and the American
Red Cross what Amateur Radio can do in emergencies. Pass the word to other
Amaters on other nets and get Amateur Radio involved.
There were only 65 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. David,
WD8LDY who's been checking into the net since January 31, 1998 has completed 50
check-in and will be receiving his certificate. John, W3JTW needs only one
more check-in to make 50.
Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. November 28, 1999 (.385)
Well, Thanksgiving is over, now comes Christmas and Winter. I hope everyone
got plenty to eat.
Well, this is the last DAREN News that will go out before the Red Cross and the
State Office of Emergency Services Y2K Communication Drills. I don't know how
well the word has been spread, but I did my best. Be sure to make contact with
your local chapter of the Red Cross, make contact with someone who can pass on
your traffic, or help make links and relay the traffic for both of these
drills. There will be very little traffic actually there will be very little
traffic passed. The two agencies just want to make sure that there is a way to
have radio communications on January 1, 2000, by making sure that Amateur Radio
is there for them. Don't let Amateur Radio down, show both of these agencies
that Amateur Radio is not just a hobby, but a working communications system.
If you have any questions, drop me a message or read the November 7th, 14th,
and 21st DAREN News and help make the two drills a success.
Has any one had any problems with their Kantronics KPC-3 "PLUS" TNCs? Three of
the ones that I have, have little problems in them that make them difficult to
use. On one of them when you are connected directly to the RS-232 port,
connect to the Built-in PBBS, you can only read about 2 lines of a message and
the TNC locks up. On another one, when you are uploading a long message, such
as the DAREN News, there is no "Hand Shaking", so the computer just keeps on
dumping information into the TNC, even though the buffer is full. Needless to
say, when you try to read the message, most of it is not there. I've tried all
of the parameters listed in the book, but can't find anything to fix the
problem. The cable's ok because it works fine on a regular KPC-3 TNC. The
third TNC has an unusual problem. When you try to do a "CALIBRATE" command the
TNC will give you part of the message and stops just after the "T". You have
to turn the TNC off and back on to get it unlocked. I don't think the KPC-3
"PLUS" is near good as the good ole KPC-3. Any comments? let me know, I think
I need to get a hold of Kantronics and let them know about the problems.
There were 79 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. John, N8RIG who's
been checking into the net since January 30, 1993 has completed 250 check-ins.
Jim Jr., N3BHY who's been checking into the net since April 22, 1995 has
completed 200 check-ins. John, W3JTW who's been checking into the net since
November 7, 1998 has completed 50 check-ins. All of these operators will be
receiving their certificates. Diane, KB8VLS needs only one more check-in to
make 250. Amber, KC8HHI, Amber Jr., KC8HHJ, and Paul, K8GLA need only one more
check-in each to make 100. For those of you who are expecting to receive a
certificate, and you have moved or changed your address, you might let me know
what your new address is. I have had a couple of certificates come back that
were undeliverable due to wrong address. I got the addresses from the Internet
which should be as up to date as possible.
Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. December 5, 1999 (.386)
Juddie, KC8CON gave me an update on things happening in his neck of the woods.
The Plateau ARA finished its very first Amateur Radio Class on November 8th,
1999. They had 7 participants in the class. Out of the seven 5 passed their
exams and should have gotten their callsigns by now. The Plateau ARA gave its
very first exam session on November 15th, 1999. This was actually the
conclusion of the Amateur Radio Class. The Plateau ARA Volunteer Examiners are
both W5YI and ARRL certified VEs. They had 5 VEs at the testing session, which
was a written exam. No one came to take the 5 wpm code. The testing session
was open to all who may of wanted to take the exams, whether they took the
class or not. The only draw back with their VE team is they don't yet have
enough Extra Class licensees to give any other testing except for Novice, Tech
and Tech Plus. They are hoping that will change in the future. He wants to
pass along for those interested in the Internet the Plateau ARA webpage. The
url is http://members.spree.com/sip1/plateau. Also, check out the eGroups.com
signup to keep up to date on club activities. As of this date there are about
32 amateurs signed up to receive email and event announcements about club
activities and meetings. Even the WV SM is signed up along with the WV SEC for
ARES. He says the Mountain Packet Association has not had a meeting since
spring, but they are still in existence. They are still awaiting the switching
node that will operate on 145.01 and 145.09 MHz to be installed. Mike, WA8YWO
says that it's ready, just awaiting a date to get to the site and hook it up.
From the looks of the stacks of RADIOGRAM message forms and other note pads and
papers after the Red Cross Y2K Communications Drill, it looks like the drill
was a success. There was supposed to be 27 shelters set up in 27 counties, but
I'm not for sure how many of them had radio operators at them and got checked
into the network. It will take several days to get all the information
together, but the State Red Cross Chapter here in Parkersburg, was very pleased
with the out come. There were plenty of mistakes, but that is what drills are
for. You will never see a perfect drill, if you do there's something wrong.
Drills are for the purpose of learning. You will find problems and mistakes on
everything from how to set up your equipment to finding out who to communicate
with to how to fill out ARRL RADIOGRAMS, and hope that you will learn from
them. A drill is never a failure, if you have learned anything from it and
promise not to let it happen again. I can't say much about the State Office of
Emergency Services Y2K Communication Drill since I was at the Pleasants County
City building and only had a Two-Meter Radio. All I know is that we got our
message and the one we sent back was received. It sounds like that drill was
also a success.
There were 78 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Diane, KB8VLS
who's been checking into the net since January 7, 1995 has completed 250 check-
ins. Amber, KC8HHI, Amber Jr., KC8HHJ, who have checking into the net since
December 17, 1997 and Paul, K8GLA who's been checking into the net since
September 6, 1997 have all reached the 100 check-in mark. All of these
operators will be receiving their certificates. With the planning of the two
Y2K communications drills, I'm a little bit behind on getting out a few
certificates. They all should be going out this week. I got a couple of
address changes for certificates that are past due, so they too will be going
out this week.
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. December 12, 1999 (.387)
Yesterday Don N8NUS, my son Kevin, and I had to relocate the 60 foot tower that
houses the Washington County, Ohio NODE/PBBS of WASHOH/MRTAOH, and a remote
receiver for the 147.255 MHz repeater. The tower had to be moved so the ALLTEL
Cellular Company can install a 200 foot self supporting tower in it's place.
An agreement for moving the tower was worked out so the antennas for both the
DAREN NODE and the remote receiver will be located at 150 feet on the new
tower. The installation of the new tower is supposed to be completed by the
end of December. It may be sometime in January before the DAREN NODE gets on
the new tower. In the mean time the station is operation on a tower at a lower
elevation.
Have any of your Public Safety, Red Cross, or Hospitals contacted you about
having Amateur Radio Communications on stand-by for the end of the Year,
Century, Millennium? If so, let me know who they are and what bands, modes,
and frequencies will be in used, so that we can let others know what agencies
will have Amateur Radio in operation. I understand the State Office of
Emergency Services in Charleston will be having their Emergency Operations
Center in operation for three days before, and three days after the first of
the year. They will have their Amateur Radio station in operation also. The
Red Cross office here in Wood County has asked us to have an Amateur Radio
operator at their office, Packet on DAREN and Two Meter Voice will be in
operation. The Camden Clark Memorial Hospital will also have their Emergency
Operations Center in operation and will have a couple of Wood County Emergency
Communications radio operators manning the radios there running Packet on
DAREN, Two Meter Voice, and hopfully HF on 3865 KHz. The hospital has already
gotten approval to purchase an HF station to be installed at their EOC. We're
hoping to have the station in and operational before the end of the year. Our
Communications group will be operating a "Free Coffee" Safety Break over the
New Years weekend from Thursday December 30th through Sunday January 2nd. I
will be working the 10:00 pm to 6:00 am shift New Years, and will have our
mobile communications vehicle, MOBILCOM-1 at the Safety Break operating Packet
on DAREN, Two Meter voice, and HF on 3865 KHz.
There were 84 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Debbie N8ZYB,
who's been checking into the net since September 6, 1997 has completed her
first 50 check-ins. Bob, W3RUA needs only one more check-in to make 250.
John, N8ZIJ needs only one more check-in to make 50. I lied last week about
getting the certificates out to those who deserve them this past week. I ended
up working midnights, something that only happens to me once in a blue moon,
and my days and nights were all fouled up. I promise I will try to get them
out either Tuesday or Wednesday. Here's a list of those who should be getting
their certificates. If you're expecting to get a certificate, and your name
isn't on this list let me know. N3IWJ (50), KB8NYR (50), W3JTW (50), N3BHY
(200), N8RIG (250), KB8VLS (250), KC8HHI (100), KC8HHJ (100), K8GLA (100).
===============================================================================
D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. December 19, 1999 (.388)
The members of Wood County Emergency Communications Inc., and I want to wish
you all a very Merry Christmas. Have you ask Santa for a new rig? How about a
TNC to add to that rig.
There's not much news this week, with all the activities of Summer and Fall
winding down there's not much to talk about. There are a couple of Hamfests
that are coming up in the next two to three Months. SCARF (Sunday Creek
Amateur Radio Federation) is holding a Hamfest and Computer Show from 8:00 am
to 2:00 pm at the Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio on January 16, 2000.
Juddie KC8CON keeps reminding me of the Plateau Amateur Radio Association and
the Black Diamond Amateur Radio Club Hamfest being held March 25, 2000. The
Hamfest will be held at the Raleigh County Armory Civic Center in Beckley from
9:00 am until?. Juddie has asked me to bring our mobile communications center,
MOBILCOM-1 to the Hamfest. We've had the vehicle several miles from home in
different counties, but not that far. We're thinking about bringing it to the
Hamfest. The vehicle hasn't been painted or lettered yet, but we feel it's
more important to have a vehicle that is usable, rather than one that just
looks good.
Don't forget to support other Packet nets such as the one Juddie, KC8CON
operates every Thursday evening on 145.090 MHz. The net runs from 7:00 pm to
10:00 pm. You need to work your way to the Nicholas County NODE "MTNNIC" on
145.090 MHz and then connect to "NET".
There were 83 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Bob, W3RUA who's
been checking into the net since December 18, 1993, has completed his 250th
check-in and John, N8ZIJ who's been checking into the net since September 19,
1998 has completed his 50th check-in. Both of these stations will be receiving
their certificates. We had one station that checked into the net for the first
time back on March 11, 1995 and hadn't been heard from since until last night,
and that was Chuck, KB8NXF, the Emergency Services Director from Tyler County.
I want to welcome him back again. I know I'll hear about this when Chuck reads
this either here on Packet or when he reads his WCEC Newsletter, Hi Hi. I
think I've gotten all of the certificates out that I was supposed to. If by
chance you were supposed to get on and haven't gotten it yet let me know, so
you can get what you deserve. The certificate is just a small way of telling
you thanks for helping to support the Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network
of WV. The DAREN system has been on operation since the early part of 1991 and
the State Wide DAREN Net has been on operation since October 31, 1992. By
checking into the weekly net helps keep you familiar with the NODEs and PBBSs
that could be used in a real emergency. Keep checking into the net and using
the system to help pass your traffic.
Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
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D.A.R.E.N. NEWS of WV. December 26, 1999 (.389)
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, now we can start working on a Happy
New Year. Are you worried about Y2K?, well I'm not, the new year and new
century will come in no matter what. It will be interesting to see what kind
of incidents happen after the turn of midnight. I know for sure there will be
some things that will happen, and they will be caused by the turn of the new
year, not by Y2K, but by the celebration of the new year. I know of at least
four times when I was called out to work (for the telephone company) right
after midnight because someone shot and damaged telephone cables. Most of the
time they didn't shoot the cable in half on purpose, they were just celebrating
and accidently hit the cable. I'm sure there will be a few car accidents where
some drunk runs his car off the road and wipes out a power pole or telephone
pole and knocks out the electric or telephone or both. The people living in
those areas of the outages are going to think Y2K bug got them. Of course
you've all been hearing about the terrorist that are sneaking into the country
with material to build bombs. How much of that will actually happen, nobody
knows. As with several counties in the state that I've heard from, Amateur
Radio operators in Wood County are going to be on standby, just in case. We
will have operators at the state headquartes of the Red Cross here in
Parkersburg, and at the Camden Clark Hospital in Parkersburg. Since my wife
Dot, KC8HAI and I will be giving away free coffee at the Southbound Rest Area
on I-77 near Mineral Wells on the midnight shift, we will have our mobile
communications vehicle, MOBILCOM-1 with us. Both the Camden Clark Hospital and
MOBILCOM-1 with be operating Packet on 145.69 MHz, Voice on the 147.255 MHz
repeater, and HF Voice on 3865 KHz. The Red Cross chapter will have just
Packet and Two Meter Voice. If you get a chance give us a call.
There were 75 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. I want to welcome
Connie, N8TWS back to the net. Her last check-in was November 30th, 1996.
Santa even checked into the net last night. It was a last minute decision to
operate the net from midnight, December the 24th to midnight, the 25th after I
got a message from David, KB4LCI about the net. By running the 24 hour net it
allowed those who would be traveling or shopping have a chance to get checked
in. I was a little late getting the net announcement posted this week due to a
lot of long hours at work, but I think the word got out ok. I hate to cancel a
net since a lot of operators are conditioned to being there when a net starts
and wonders what has happened if it isn't in operation. Since New Years also
falls on Saturday, I will operate the net the same way this week. The net will
start at 12:00 Midnight, December, 31, 1999 and run through Midnight, January
1, 2000. I didn't get the certificates done this week for those who completed
their check-ins last week, but I hope to get them done this week since I have
to be at my work location and may have nothing to do, Hi Hi.
Ken WA8LLM @ PKBGWV
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