Just prior to getting my ticket, in 1993 I joined the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club. Deb, as I like to be called, am the Program Coordinator for the Club. As Health and Welfare Coordinator and the hamfest advertising and vender database manager I keep very busy. As a cofounder of the of the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club 2 meter YL Rag Chew Net, I need to tell you about the record Yule Tide Net of 232 checkins in 1997. We will have the sixth ANNUAL YULE TIDE GIGGLE NET the Monday before Christmas December 21, 1997 at 8 pm on 147.300. Please pass the word to anyone and everyone to check in and be part of this History making event. "Swing your beams and turn on the bricks be there"

Advocating volunteerism, I readily volunteer for many Public Service Events every year, and have provided communications for several MS 150 bike events, triathlons, mountain bike races, Habitat for Humanity, juvenile diabetes, March of Dimes and Crop Walks. I served as a registered nurse/medical communicator in the medical tent at the first Warwick Marathon. The SCARC toys for tots toy drive, which I founded, and chair, is ongoing from October through Christmas will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sussex County at Christmas time. As PIC of the Northern New Jersey Section, I am striving to bring Amateur Radio to the forefront by advocating volunteerism and the selflessness of the Amateur Radio fellowship.

Having a passion for helping people, I have been active with the Sussex County Office of Emergency Management. Starting out in the Skwarn Spotter, for the National Weather Service I have recently been appointed as the Sussex County Skywarn Coordinator. My shack sports a brand new Peet 2000 and an APRS weather reporting system. I have an avid interest in emergency management communications which is evidenced by my involvement with four full scale emergency drills, two of which I functioned as the net control station. I have been involved with the State RACES Symposium held annually at Rutgers University and have been to many FEMA and Red Cross sponsored courses to enhance my emergency management skills and interests.

Active in many facets of Amateur Radio, I enjoy HF, VHF and digital modes of operation. I have been active in SCARC, AWA, and Sussex County RACES/ARES, Tristate Amateur Radio Club and Vernon Township RACES. I am active in HF phone contesting and have won a trophy from the FRC for my participation in the K3ANS multi/multi operation for CQWW phone. My favorite Ham thing is Field Day, late at night when all you hear are crickets and the singing of CW. A cork pop at midnite and a glass of the finest red dry wine with N2BIM tops off the hard work and preparation in celebration of the successes of field day. (Which, by the way, we came in third in our class of 3-A nationally!!). I maintain, feeding a bunch of people over a hot weekend is an awesome job, but it could never be done with out the committee members - teamwork that is what field day is all about.

My goal as a Hudson Division Assistant Director and the NNJ PIC are to bring Amateur Radio to the forefront in a positive proactive way and to assist in the betterment of our great and wonderful hobby. As Public Information Coordinator for the NNJ section, a job I take most seriously, I hope to have a Public Information Officer appointed in as many clubs as by years end in an effort to give Amateur Radio the positive recognition it deserves. Amateur Radio Pride inspires me to write for the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club Newsletter, the Hudson Division Loop, and occasionally the Herald News. My appointment as an Assistant Director is yet another vehicle I will use to help spread the finery of the hobby. I readily accept ideas, challenges and critiques. To summarize my views on Amateur Radio, It is a microcosmic cross section of society and it is every bit as diversified and beautiful !!!!!