[KYHAM] Annual Thanksgiving Message From the Ky SEC

[Ron Dodson]

It's that time of year again when we begin to reflect upon what
we have to be thankful for in our lives.  Most will be gathering
with family and friends this coming week in celebration of life
and the good things in it.  I hope that each and every one of you
can add your US Amateur Radio license as one of things you are
thankful for. Amateur Radio is a family of its own and while we
may not always see eye to eye on some things, I hope that you
feel that the time you spend on the Amateur Radio Service bands
is rewarding. 

Over these last eleven months we have lost several Ky amateurs
without whom the hobby will not be the same to those who knew
them. Let us remember them and their families who face a first
holiday season without their loved one. 

Many in this section have devoted a good deal of time and effort
in using their radios in service to their fellow man in 2003.
>From storms to lost aircraft and person searches to charity
events, Ky Amateurs have risen to the call and assisted their
communities by giving well over ten thousand man hours in
emergency and public service activities in just the first nine
months of 2003!  This speaks highly of today's civic spirited
Kentucky amateur radio operators in the manner first envisioned
by our forefathers in the days of spark and Hiram Percy Maxim.  

In January of this year, I went beyond the boundaries set by ARRL
and established a position for an Assistant Section Emergency
Coordinator.  I then appointed Ron Goodpaster, AG4TY of Lincoln
County to the position.  Ron has shown himself to be quite suited
to such a position in the service he has given to our section
ARES this year. Ron's assistance to me has been invaluable as my
paying job has severely curtailed much of the free time I have
given to the ARES program in past years.  Most recently, Ron was
instrumental in obtaining permission to edit and use material
written by Pat Lambert, W0IPL, the Training Coordinator of
Colorado ARES to provide Kentucky Amateur Radio Emergency Service
members a cost free way to improve their abilities.  He further
went the extra mile with competency tests at the end of the
material and certificates for those who pass.  This end testing
validates the level of knowledge the amateur gained from the
training and makes it a much more worthwhile program in the eyes
of outside agencies who want to know that we are striving for
quality in our membership.  By the way, I received a call from
KyEM's Training Supervisor on Nov. 21 and he has approved two
hours of EM credit for any state or local EM personnel who wish
to take the training to better their understanding of us.  This
further demonstrates the faith placed in us by Ky Division of
Emergency Management and their desire to continue to build on our
relationship in the future. 

It appears that 2004 will be bringing changes to the form of the
National Traffic System as it is moved under the ARES umbrella. 
Some of our nets here in the state will be changing in response
to this. SM Meyers and I will do our best to keep everyone
informed.  Again, these changes are not Kentucky Section based
but are in line with recommendations made by the Volunteer
Resource Committee to ARRL's Board of Directors and as they make
their plans known to us, so shall we advise you. 

Everyone, please, enjoy the coming holiday season but, remember
that severe winter weather is soon to approach this region. As we
celebrate over the next several weeks, please continue to remain
vigilant to the threats of the season and the times we live in. 
Let's all honor those who have gone on before us and continue to
improve our ability to serve in times of need in the coming
year.  A Happy Thanksgiving to All!

73, 

Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
Ky Section Emergency Coordinator   
   

Note: KEN Will be at its regular time this coming Monday Nov.
24th at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST on 3.888 MHz.  There will be no
training material this week other than the attached message to
all Ky amateurs.