[NevadaARES] Monthly DEC Report for January, 2002

[Matthew Parker]

A productive month in December 2001 has yielded to yet another productive 
month for the start of 2002. Much of the effort this month has centered on 
the local chapter (Sierra Nevada) of the Red Cross. Successful effort has 
restored the packet equipment at the Chapter House to operation. The 
Emergency Services Director and the Communications Liason were both very 
appreciative and complimentary regarding this effort. Additionally, NNARS 
began assisting them this month in the first of what will be monthly checks 
of all amateur radio equipment at the Chapter House to ensure that 
equipment is operational when needed in emergencies.

The annual membership meeting for NNARS was held this past weekend on 
Saturday the 26th. A turnout of 27 members was the best showing we have had 
in a while, although this is typical of the annual meeting. Election for 
the 2002 Board of Directors was conducted with the seated officers 
continuing on in their positions. Changes to the organization's bylaws were 
adopted that will streamline the administration of the group and lead into 
adoption of a policy regarding requirements for maintaining active 
membership. These changes were much needed as we prepare for the most 
active year the organization will see since its inception.

Planning is underway for an on-air exercise to be conducted in February. 
Efforts are being made to coordinate this event with the DCART and LCARES 
groups. It looks like we will be successful in bringing all three groups on 
board and making this a regional exercise.

Also in February, NNARS members expect to "descend" on the Nevada Air 
National Guard Base at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and begin 
putting the amateur radio station there back into operational condition. 
All equipment is on-site and in working order, but nobody has been keeping 
it up and it is therefore scattered about. With a minimum of effort we 
expect to have the station, which has a club call of W7ANG, back together 
and on the air. MSgt. Rob Taulman, KC7VAP, is very enthusiastic about a 
having a group get the station operational again and use it on a routine 
basis as he wants to see the equipment utilized but does not have time at 
present to make that happen himself. As we become active in this function, 
he has hopes to see some MARS activity from the station and receive 
appropriate motivation to get more active in amateur operations himself. 
 From our standpoint, we are assured that this will help strengthen our 
liason with the Air Guard.

On a personal note, I have dedicated much time this month to upgrading my 
training. I have completed the FEMA ICS course, upgrading my certification 
from NIIMS and meeting the requirements of our County Emergency Management 
Director for RACES operation. I have also completed First Aid and CPR 
training through the Red Cross. I am continuing to wrap up some other 
training issues and will then take a brief rest in anticipation of 
enrolling in the ARECC course in March.

The appearance of new packet stations in the area has leveled off while 
those already on the air continue to be active. Packet check-ins to the 
weekly net have decreased since the procedures for checking in were changed 
last month; hopefully, they will begin to increase as people get on-board 
with the new procedures. Several problems have cropped up with our "hub" 
station at the VA Medical Center in Reno and have required a number of 
visits to correct. This, too, has had some effect on our packet check-ins. 
Things are working well there at present and I hope they will continue to 
do so. I have begin sending daily weather observations to the Reno NWS 
Forecast Office via packet; Roger, the Warning Coordination Meterologist 
there and our SKYWARN contact, is very appreciative of these efforts and 
would like to encourage all amateurs involved in the SKYWARN program who 
have packet capabilities to begin submitting such reports.

As this is being written, we are seeing the worst winter traveling 
conditions to befall the valley in some time. Although snowfall 
accumulations have not yet been tremendous, it has been snowing throughout 
much of the day and this continues into the evening commute. This weather, 
combined with a temperature of 21 degrees and the typical rush of daytime 
workers trying to get home has created treacherous travel conditions both 
in the city and outward toward the surrounding suburbs as well. Law 
enforcement authorities are reporting many accidents resulting from the 
combination of slick conditions and crowded roads.

Submitted January 28, 2002,

Matthew B. Parker, N7TOD
Chairman, Northern Nevada Amateur Radio Services
http://www.qsl.net/nnars
ARES District Emergency Coordinator - Nevada Area 1