[ARRL-OK] Message from ARRL President

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

My fellow Amateur Radio Operators,

There is no doubt that the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina
will be the largest and longest emergency actions that hams have ever
undertaken.  It will also be one of the hardest, not simply due to the
large areas involved, but also because many of us have friends and
relatives directly impacted by this catastrophe.  For them, and all the
people of the Gulf region, we ask divine aid and comfort in this time of
sorrows.

But we are also hardened and resolved to turn this event into one of the
most glorious opportunities to show the unique attributes of ham radio -
it works!  You know that.  We can again show the world that we have the
best trained, most ingenious and dedicated ARES and RACES operators ever
in history.  We have the attention of the world press, and we will show
what ham radio can do.

This will not happen in a week, not even in a month.  The recovery efforts
will be drawn out over numerous states and are expected to go well into
the winter.  Hams will grow weary and need relief and replacement from all
across America.  The ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, is
already working on strategic plans to make it possible for these
volunteers to come.  Our goal is to provide the SEC's with all the support
we can muster and allow them to do their jobs.

There is a curious coincidence in the fact that the United Technologies
grant, which allowed the ARRL to train so many thousands of hams in
emergency communications, ends this week.  Now we are seeing the results
of that effort.  Disciplined hams, using correct procedures have already
saved many lives, and will save hundreds more by providing timely,
accurate and critical communications to our served agencies.  To the
students, mentors, organizers, funders and teachers of those courses we
can only say, "Well done!"

I know many people would like to move NOW - please don't.  I know many of
you want to enter the fray, come to the coast and get involved.  Please,
not yet.  Instead, get yourself ready.  Refresh your skills and knowledge
of protocols and procedures.  Once the agencies are able to complete a
preliminary needs assessment, we will know who is needed and where.  For
now, the area is simply too dangerous and no one is being allowed in. 
Transportation and logistics, including volunteer groups coming in, must
be done in an orderly manner or we may only add to the chaos and
confusion.   Information and coordination for such a historically large
response is being developed and will be made available soon.  But for now,
work through your SEC's and follow their lead.  I would also ask that you
be professional and disciplined whenever checking into an HF net.   Net
control is a difficult job at best, so be respectful.  If you have traffic
fine, but if not, please stand by.

There is already no doubt that when the history of this event is written,
to role of Amateur Radio will be one of honor.  Unpaid volunteers who came
through for their country and communities when all other systems failed or
were overwhelmed.  By working together and mutually supporting each other,
we can perhaps give these very dark days a small glint of glory.  Let
these be the days that hams, decades from now, remember with pride. 
Together we can - and will - make it happen because, after all, we are
HAMS.

Jim Haynie, W5JBP
President
ARRL