[KYHAM] Ky ARES Activity Summary for 2002

[Ron Dodson]

Again it is time for a good hard look at HOW 
Kentucky ARES is doing and what trends we
are seeing. 

Below is a summary of what went on in the twelve
months of 2002 and a comparison of this year's activity
versus those same numbers from 2001, 2000, and 1999.  
(Remember that the number of Public Service Activity 
Reports (PSAR's) for severe weather instances 
and other events can never be predicted from 
year to year as with all other participation.)

Unreported activity can never be counted and I remind
everyone that all of the  reports that I get from you go to
the ARRL in summary form each month.  The ARRL uses these
reports along with those from all the other Sections to
build a record of public service to show the FCC, Congress
or anyone else to justify our continued use of all of our
bands.  Many commercial interests out there with BIG MONEY
would love to buy up YOUR FREQUENCIES and then sell their
use back to you at a monthly fee for some type of
communications medium they designed and have control over
its use.  Amateur Radio is a hobby, yes.  Amateur Radio is
also the bottom line of communications in disasters for
governments, volunteer agencies etc. when all of these
commercial "for-a-fee" services fail to work!  

One hundred and two years ago this past Dec. 12,  Marconi
successfully transmitted the letter "S" in Morse Code from
Cornwall, England to St. John's Newfoundland and opened the
door for amateur radio and all other services. Our
forefathers with names like, Maxim, Handy, and others have
given us a proud tradition of service to our fellow man
through our "hobby" that goes back almost as far.  Keep up
the good work and remember to tell the newcomer's of today
and tomorrow about our past so that we will all have a
future.

THANKS FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!
73 all,

Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
Section Emergency Coordinator,  Ky ARES

*******************************************************************
MEMBERSHIP

Our roll of registered Ky ARES Members has grown markedly
since 1998! The membership numbers look like this...
December, 1998 -  711
December, 1999 -  738
December, 2000 -  818
December, 2001 -  871
December, 2002 -  944
*******************************************************************
Four Year Activity Totals...

TOTAL OF EC/DEC REPORTS RECEIVED BY YEAR:

2002  -  179  (Average 14.9 per month )   
2001  -  186
2000  -  155
1999  -  147

THE FOUR YEAR ACTIVITY BREAKDOWN:

2002
Regular Nets:  1,193    for   41,057.59  Man Hours
Public Service Events:  21    for  1,737.12     Man Hours
EMERGENCY ACTIVATIONS:  43   for   536.45    Man Hours

2001
Regular Nets:   1,186   for  57,230.22   Man Hours
Public Service Events:  25 for  1,975.05  Man Hours
EMERGENCY ACTIVATIONS:  38   for  521.15 Man Hours

2000
Regular Nets:   776   for  14,599.2   Man Hours
Public Service Events:  29  for 1,473.7   Man Hours
EMERGENCY ACTIVATIONS:   71   for  1,736.63  Man Hours

1999
Regular Nets:  949  for   8,167   Man Hours
Public Service Events:  22  for  1,888.3   Man Hours
EMERGENCY ACTIVATIONS:  67 for    2,604.6  Man Hours

* NOTE: 1,045 of the 1999 EMERGENCY ACT. Man hours
were from the Y2K operation 12/31/99 -1/1/2000 with state EM
*


GRAND TOTALS BY YEAR

EVENTS               Man Hours
2002 - 1,257	         43,836.39
2001 - 1,248             59,732.42
2000 -   876             17,809.5
1999 - 1,038             12,659.9

** NOTE: All 1999 figures also reflect reports received by
previous SEC, Craig Still, prior to April 1999 
when I took office.  Craig gave me a
great group to work with and I appreciate all of his hard
work as my predecessor.  Thanks Again, Craig!
_______________________________________________________________

This is a report that we all should take pride in and I
commend everyone who had a part in these activities over the
years. Ky ARES is certainly on the move.  

I do see a POSSIBLE trend of a downturn in net check-in
numbers which we may or may not be able to do anything to
correct.  This is also confirmed by reports from stations
across the state that average net participation has dropped
somewhat.  This would account for the figures reflecting
more regular nets, yet fewer man hours total.  The reason
for this could be anything from the downturned economy and
needed second jobs leaving people not having the spare time
to spend on nets, to a sign we need to make our nets as
interesting as possible and include new features which would
draw hams to our nets as opposed to the old standard "check
in and make your comments" format only which many tire of
quickly these days. The addition of training, news and/or
tech discussions could liven up nets and make them something
many would hate to miss each day or week.
If your net is one of these on the downswing, poll the hams
in your net and see if there is some reason that check-ins
are not as high as they used to be. Don't forget to ask what
would make the net more irresistible each week!  

On another note, new blood; 
Every month, we gain new people to Amateur Radio in 
Kentucky.  Let's welcome them and encourage their
participation in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service 
as we train, prepare and respond together to
the events of 2003 and beyond.
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END REPORT