From datwell@nycap.rr.com  Tue May  6 23:12:29 2003
From: datwell@nycap.rr.com (Dave Atwell)
Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 18:12:29 -0400
Subject: [Ares-races] Insurance Coverage for Amateur Communicators
Message-ID: <000c01c3141c$95caedd0$0200a8c0@DAVES>

Recently in New York State the issue of amateur radio operators being =
covered by insurance during calls for assistance to local governments =
had come to light. It seem that New York is a "Home Rule " state. what =
that means is it is up to the local government body to provide some type =
of coverage when amateur radio operators are called upon to provide =
asisstance.=20

Most local governments feel that this is an expence they can ill afford. =
Some county governments, even though they count amateur radio in their =
local emergency plans refuse to call out amateurs that are registered =
with them for assistance in emergencies. Many RACES and ARES groups who =
hold members in co-registration will not be called upon as the insurance =
coverage is not there. Some local governments do call out amateurs for =
assistance. This occured in an icestorm in northern New York in 1998. =
The amateurs were allowed to sign on as volunteer employees of the =
county they were assisting. In that way they were covered under workers =
compensation if somone became injuried in the performance of their =
duties as assigned. This seemed to work well.

As situations exsist differently in different parts of our country I =
think that a nationwide type of affordable coverage could be of =
assistance. I have over the last several years talked of this type of =
coverage for amatuer operators who are ARES and or RACES members. These =
registered hams could be covered nationwide no matter where they went to =
assist in time of need.=20

I have approched the ARRL about this idea and have not heard much from =
them to this point. I think that as with radio equipment insurance that =
they spear headed to get affordable coverage for all hams. Maybe they =
could be convinced that the time has come to take a look at speaking to =
an insurance carrier that would at least give an idea of some type of =
workers compensation type of coverage for amateurs that WE could afford. =


I think that if we went nationwide the cost would be spread out so =
eveyone of us could afford to have the coverage . In that way we could =
provide our assistance and not worry about insurance as well as provide =
this information to our local governments.=20

I know other parts of the country do not suffer from the same ills as =
some of us in the Northeast have faced.=20

What do you think? Is this at least worth a look on a national level?=20

I think it is.=20

Your thoughts and considerations would be appreciated and your support =
is requested. Manybe if enough amateurs approch the ARRL they would =
consider this a worthwhile idea and take a closer look at it.

I have checked with others in ARES and RACES and I know of NO claims =
made against a served agency by amateurs.



Dave N2FEP
E/C Saratoga County New York State



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From kc5fm@juno.com  Wed May  7 13:08:32 2003
From: kc5fm@juno.com (Lloyd A Colston)
Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 07:08:32 -0500
Subject: [Ares-races] Re: Insurance Coverage for Amateur Communicators (Dave Atwell)
Message-ID: <20030507.071214.-3802301.1.kc5fm@juno.com>

On Wed,  7 May 2003 04:01:05 -0400 (EDT)
ares-races-request@mailman.qth.net writes:


> Recently in New York State the issue of amateur radio operators 
> being =
> covered by insurance during calls for assistance to local 
> governments =

This is also a problem in other States besides New York.

> Most local governments feel that this is an expence they can ill 
> afford. =
> Some county governments, even though they count amateur radio in 
> their =
> local emergency plans refuse to call out amateurs that are 

As you can see, I am in local government.  I keep amateur radio operators
on my local roster and I use them.  A plan is not a plan, if it is not
exercised.  Volunteers are useless, if they don't know where they fit.


> 
> What do you think? Is this at least worth a look on a national 
> level?=20

Well, lets look at the issue.

You state that you know of no claims against local governments from
amateur radio volunteers.  I don't have any data, but we'll assume your
statement is correct.  This is for two reasons, probably.  One, the
volunteers have insurance of their own to cover their claim (I know for
many years, I operated under this condition).  Two, the volunteers are in
support roles such as Emergency Operations Centers where the likelihood
of injury is greatly minimalized.

While the insurance, on a National level, would be nice (I think it would
enhance volunteerism).  Could it be obtained in a cost-effective manner? 
It's going to be hard to beat the price the County is paying per
volunteer now.

Additionally, during a Federal disaster, EMA volunteers who die or are
injured in the line of duty are covered.  Again, though, the disaster
MUST be a Presidentially declared disaster (just one more reason why EMA
is an important player along the paper trail).

Locally, I'd just as soon have people volunteer with our local EMA and
get them on the roster.  In appreciation of the hard work for the agency,
they are benefited by the training available and the workmans'
compensation insurance.


Lloyd Colston             Mayes County Emergency Management
Pryor, OK USA           http://www.geocities.com/mccem
        Vigilance is the keystone to preparedness.

From KL7JCQ@generalmail.net  Wed May  7 22:26:57 2003
From: KL7JCQ@generalmail.net (Ken Akasofu KL7JCQ)
Date: Wed, 07 May 2003 17:26:57 -0400
Subject: [Ares-races] Re: Insurance Coverage for Amateur
 Communicators (Dave Atwell)
In-Reply-To: <20030507.071214.-3802301.1.kc5fm@juno.com>
Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20030507165542.024d7880@pop.generalmail.net>

>It's going to be hard to beat the price the County is paying per
>volunteer now.

I'm curious; How are they able to get a better price?
Depending on what it is, perhaps similiar avenues could
be taken with alternative methods to bring the cost down
to match.  If pursued at a national level, is it possible
to have some sort of "volume discount"?

 > Locally, I'd just as soon have people volunteer with our local EMA and
 > get them on the roster. In appreciation of the hard work for the agency,
 > they are benefited by the training available and the workmans'
 > compensation insurance.

Today, this is indeed the philosophy which most local RACES groups are
operating under by default.
I believe Dave is hoping to explore ways of getting over the
underutilization roadblock because the workmans comp insurance
costs the county money in any case.

73,  Ken Akasofu KL7JCQ
ARRL Eastern New York
Section Emergency Coordinator


From N2NOV@ARRL.NET  Thu May 15 04:52:16 2003
From: N2NOV@ARRL.NET (Charles J. Hargrove)
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 23:52:16 -0400
Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
Message-ID: <3EC30EF0.81E82F78@ARRL.NET>

I am looking for indications of Red Cross and OEM stations
around the country that will be active as a Class F for Field Day.
Please send an email to jburke@oem.nyc.gov and to this list so
that we know who will be on the air that weekend.  The reason
for a cc to the NYC OEM is to show that that others are doing it
also.

Thanks.

-- 
73
Charles J. Hargrove - N2NOV/NNN0BCE (Navy MARS)
NYC ARES District Emergency Coord./RACES Radio Officer/Skywarn Coord.
NYDXA SWL & Scanner Net Wed. @ 9PM 147.000/136.5 PL
http://www.n2nov.net
http://www.ibocity.com (Sign on with IBO/Ref #1989767)

From justin@w5jwp.org  Thu May 15 05:38:08 2003
From: justin@w5jwp.org (Justin W. Pauler (W5JWP))
Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 23:38:08 -0500
Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
In-Reply-To: <3EC30EF0.81E82F78@ARRL.NET>
Message-ID: <004e01c31a9b$c8e99470$0501a8c0@jwp>

Charles and the group:

At this time, we plan to have the State of Louisiana Office of Emergency
Preparedness on the air for Field Day. Also, it is my understanding that
both the East Baton Rouge Parish OEP and the West Baton Rouge OEP are
going to be on the air as well.

--
Justin W. Pauler, W5JWP
E-Mail: justin@w5jwp.org
WWW: http://www.w5jwp.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ares-races-admin@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:ares-races-admin@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of 
> Charles J. Hargrove
> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 10:52 PM
> To: ares-races@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
> 
> 
> I am looking for indications of Red Cross and OEM stations
> around the country that will be active as a Class F for Field Day.
> Please send an email to jburke@oem.nyc.gov and to this list so
> that we know who will be on the air that weekend.  The reason
> for a cc to the NYC OEM is to show that that others are doing it
> also.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> -- 
> 73
> Charles J. Hargrove - N2NOV/NNN0BCE (Navy MARS)
> NYC ARES District Emergency Coord./RACES Radio Officer/Skywarn Coord.
> NYDXA SWL & Scanner Net Wed. @ 9PM 147.000/136.5 PL
> http://www.n2nov.net
> http://www.ibocity.com (Sign on with IBO/Ref #1989767)
> Now, more than ever, QSL.NET is in urgent need of your 
> financial support. 
> 
> Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
> _______________________________________________
> ARES-RACES mailing list
> ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races
> 



From craig.a.labarge@lmco.com  Thu May 15 12:33:59 2003
From: craig.a.labarge@lmco.com (Labarge, Craig A)
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 07:33:59 -0400
Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
Message-ID: <92D277D85AF60343A65790EFEE7618E631E572@EMSS04M12.us.lmco.com>

Charles:

Chester County (PA) ARES-RACES is planning to run a Class F station from the
Chester County Emergency Operations Center in West Chester, PA.

Craig LaBarge, WB3GCK
AEC, Chester County ARES-RACES
http://www.w3eoc.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Charles J. Hargrove [mailto:N2NOV@ARRL.NET]
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 11:52 PM
To: ares-races@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC


I am looking for indications of Red Cross and OEM stations
around the country that will be active as a Class F for Field Day.
Please send an email to jburke@oem.nyc.gov and to this list so
that we know who will be on the air that weekend.  The reason
for a cc to the NYC OEM is to show that that others are doing it
also.

Thanks.

-- 
73
Charles J. Hargrove - N2NOV/NNN0BCE (Navy MARS)
NYC ARES District Emergency Coord./RACES Radio Officer/Skywarn Coord.
NYDXA SWL & Scanner Net Wed. @ 9PM 147.000/136.5 PL
http://www.n2nov.net
http://www.ibocity.com (Sign on with IBO/Ref #1989767)
Now, more than ever, QSL.NET is in urgent need of your financial support. 

Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
_______________________________________________
ARES-RACES mailing list
ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races

From k1ii@juno.com  Fri May 16 02:09:31 2003
From: k1ii@juno.com (k1ii@juno.com)
Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 21:09:31 -0400
Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
Message-ID: <20030515.220422.-4152633.16.k1ii@juno.com>

Field Day activity is planned by Southwick, Granville, Westfield, Tolland
Massachusetts Emergency Management RACES at one or more of the EOC's
operating class " F " station.  Possible callsign is KB1CDL.

Charles Dunlap K1ii  AEC Hampden County - West
EMA Director
Town of Southwick
www.southwick-ema.org    

On Thu, 15 May 2003 07:33:59 -0400 "Labarge, Craig A"
<craig.a.labarge@lmco.com> writes:
> Charles:
> 
> Chester County (PA) ARES-RACES is planning to run a Class F station 
> from the
> Chester County Emergency Operations Center in West Chester, PA.
> 
> Craig LaBarge, WB3GCK
> AEC, Chester County ARES-RACES
> http://www.w3eoc.org
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charles J. Hargrove [mailto:N2NOV@ARRL.NET]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 11:52 PM
> To: ares-races@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
> 
> 
> I am looking for indications of Red Cross and OEM stations
> around the country that will be active as a Class F for Field Day.
> Please send an email to jburke@oem.nyc.gov and to this list so
> that we know who will be on the air that weekend.  The reason
> for a cc to the NYC OEM is to show that that others are doing it
> also.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> -- 
> 73
> Charles J. Hargrove - N2NOV/NNN0BCE (Navy MARS)
> NYC ARES District Emergency Coord./RACES Radio Officer/Skywarn 
> Coord.
> NYDXA SWL & Scanner Net Wed. @ 9PM 147.000/136.5 PL
> http://www.n2nov.net
> http://www.ibocity.com (Sign on with IBO/Ref #1989767)
> Now, more than ever, QSL.NET is in urgent need of your financial 
> support. 
> 
> Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
> _______________________________________________
> ARES-RACES mailing list
> ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races
> Now, more than ever, QSL.NET is in urgent need of your financial 
> support. 
> 
> Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
> _______________________________________________
> ARES-RACES mailing list
> ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races
> 


From mcw@nwlink.com  Sat May 17 00:24:25 2003
From: mcw@nwlink.com (Mark C. Whitaker)
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 16:24:25 -0700
Subject: [Ares-races] RE; Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC
Message-ID: <001401c31c02$4b1b0480$6401a8c0@KD7KUNMOBILE>

The Washington State EOC will be active on Saturday from Camp Murray.
Bellevue Eastside Amateur Radio Support in Bellevue, WA will also be active
for Saturday as well.

73

Mark
KD7KUN

-----Original Message-----
From:	Charles J. Hargrove [mailto:N2NOV@ARRL.NET]
Sent:	Wednesday, May 14, 2003 11:52 PM
To:	ares-races@mailman.qth.net
Subject:	[Ares-races] Field Day Class F Stations at an EOC


I am looking for indications of Red Cross and OEM stations around the
country that will be active as a Class F for Field Day.  Please send an
email to jburke@oem.nyc.gov and to this list so that we know who will be on
the air that weekend.  The reason for a cc to the NYC OEM is to show that
that others are doing it also.
Thanks.

--
73
Charles J. Hargrove - N2NOV/NNN0BCE (Navy MARS)
NYC ARES District Emergency Coord./RACES Radio Officer/Skywarn Coord.  NYDXA
SWL & Scanner Net Wed. @ 9PM 147.000/136.5 PL http://www.n2nov.net
http://www.ibocity.com (Sign on with IBO/Ref #1989767) Now, more than ever,
QSL.NET is in urgent need of your financial support.
Please help QSL.NET by sending a donation now.
_______________________________________________
ARES-RACES mailing list
ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races




From kd5czm1@iwon.com  Sat May 17 14:40:49 2003
From: kd5czm1@iwon.com (kd5czm1@iwon.com)
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 09:40:49 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Ares-races] Class F Station Field Day 2003
Message-ID: <20030517134049.59E1927C5E@email.iwon.com>


The Wild Horse Desert ARES Team will operate HF/VHF from the Kleberg County, Texas EOC in Kingsville.  The EOC is at the Kingsville-Kleberg County Emergency Management Office in the basement level of the County Courthouse.

Joe Guerra KD5CZM ARES EC Kleberg County TX

_______________________________________________
Can a Web portal forever change your life?
Win up to $25 Million on iWon - http://www.iwon.com

From w3sj@ptd.net  Tue May 27 22:43:38 2003
From: w3sj@ptd.net (Dave Haney)
Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 17:43:38 -0400
Subject: [Ares-races] Help needed !
Message-ID: <019101c32499$08ba5010$d690e518@davescomputer>

I guess you have by now   probably received a note from Al Waller, K3TKJ,
regarding the lack of support the amateur community has shown for QSL.NET
over the past six months. Remember the old song lyrics that went "Don't it
always seem to go that you don't what you've got---till it's gone."  Do we
really want QSL.NET to be just a memory ?

If we all don't start chipping in (and a little financial chipping in is all
it would take if we all contribute), our good thing will be no more. The
current cost of keeping QSL.NET up and running is about $20,000 a year, so
let's help bear this burden.

If every subscriber to each reflector and each ham who has been given FREE
web page hosting through QSL.NET would contribute just $10,  the burden
would be lifted off Al's shoulders and would be borne fairly by all of us.

And besides doing the right thing (for Al and for yourself), look what else
you might walk away with !!!
ANNOUNCING THE FIRST QSL/QTH RADIO GIVE AWAY.....

A generous user has donated 4 of the NEW MODEL Yaesu VX-150 HT's ($150
value). QSL.NET will give these radios away on June 1st 2003 to four lucky
users. Take a look at the radio at this link.

http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/vx150.html

How to enter the drawing? Just make a contribution to QSL.NET during the
month
of May. For every $10 you donate you will get one chance for the radio.

$10 one chance
$20 two chances
$30 three.....etc.

Through the PayPal service we can now accept donations in the following:

U.S. Dollars
Canadian Dollars
Euro's
Pounds Sterling
Yen

If you are not a PayPal user it is recommended you take a look at their
services...Fast, Secure and Reliable....

If you can contribute, please do it today.

By Credit Card     http://proxy.qsl.net/donation
    PayPal          http://www.paypal.com   (account k3tkj@qsl.net)
    BidPay          http://www.bidpay.com   (account k3tkj@qsl.net)

Donations by mail:
                       QSL.NET
                       34087 Old Hickory Road
                       Laurel, Delaware 19956

73 and tnx for your generosity,
Dave Haney
W3SJ
List Moderator.




From kc5fm@juno.com  Wed May 28 13:06:53 2003
From: kc5fm@juno.com (Lloyd Colston)
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 07:06:53 -0500
Subject: [Ares-races] Re: Help needed ! (Dave Haney)
Message-ID: <20030528.070655.-48865097.24.kc5fm@juno.com>

On Wed, 28 May 2003 04:01:10 -0400 (EDT)
ares-races-request@mailman.qth.net writes:

> How to enter the drawing? Just make a contribution to QSL.NET during 
> the
> month
> of May. For every $10 you donate you will get one chance for the 
> radio.

Unfortunately, these are illegal in Oklahoma and a host of other States.

Why?

Because of the phrasing "chance".  The word makes it gambling.  Only in
States that allow gambling is this legal.

I'd leave off "For every $10 you donate, you will get one chance for the
radio".  I'd leave it off completely.  

When these "opportunities" pop up at work and around, we have to be very
careful about the wording.  We don't call them chances or anything close
to that word.  We just say by contributing, you are entered in a drawing
for X.  Some people contribute because they want X.  Others contribute
because, while they don't want X, they see the effort as good cause.

I will contribute, just as I did last year, but I won't gamble.

Let me know how more I can  help.

Lloyd Colston             Mayes County Emergency Management
Pryor, OK USA           http://www.geocities.com/mccem
        Homeland Security begins at HOME.

From dnicholson@mcmsys.com  Wed May 28 23:49:25 2003
From: dnicholson@mcmsys.com (dbn)
Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 17:49:25 -0500
Subject: [Ares-races] Re: Help needed ! (Dave Haney)
References: <20030528.070655.-48865097.24.kc5fm@juno.com>
Message-ID: <000301c3256b$64e6edd0$169d690c@Radioroom>

This is also illegal in Missouri. In this state you cant not say that you
can only enter if you give money. There has to be a way to enter without any
money changing hands and still have the same chance to win. Now if a person
wants to donate some money also thats ok as long as it is NOT tyed to a
chance to win the prize.

Dan


If I am tired now, why do I have to RETIRE later?


