[Oremem/Idamem] Oregon Army MARS Members

[leo]

As 2003 comes to a close, Oregon Army MARS can look back at the years
activities and see some substantial progress which brings credit to every
member of our State organization.

The following is but a few of the expansions, changes, and progressions of
our organization.

1.  Established and utilized an Oregon Gateway which, at present, is the
most active, if not the only scheduled Gateway in the Northwest.
2.  Changed our Foxtrot nets, which served little purpose these days, into
digital training nets that are growing and training us all in the protocols
and procedures of digital net operations.
3.  Through the tenacious efforts of AAR0JY, we have a listing of all
emergency frequencies and agencies throughout our State, thus preparing us
for more efficient operations in any future emergencies.
4.  Maintained consistent training from our new BTC and Operators' Guide
Book.
5.  There is an on-going systems of tests for proper frequencies to enable
us to move our evening nets to a new time - 7 PM - which will allow more
members to access our nets. AAM0TOR, with AAR0JY and our SMD have gotten us
to the point whereby we may soon have these nets available.  This will be a
major step in motivating and affording our entire membership more access to
our evening nets and participation is the most important factor in our
fulfilling our Army MARS missions.
6.  Increased our net participation from an average of 3.5 checkins a net to
7.5 and this is a reflection of the hard work offered by our dedicated
members.
7.  The SMD has established this oremem list for faster communications
between our members and a more efficient administration system within our
State.
8.  More members are becoming digitally capable which doubles our
effectiveness as an emergency traffic system.  This has come about through
the efforts of our members to share resources and time in assisting
operators' with their problems in getting started with digital systems.
9.  We have expanded our contacts and cooperation's with other branches of
the Tri-MARS systems.
10. Oregon Army MARS responded with speed and exemplary operations in the
Grecian Firebolt emergency exercises, due primarily to the training programs
and nets of Oregon Army MARS.

These are but highlights of the successes of Oregon Army MARS this past
year.  Every member in our organization has reason to be pleased with our
growth, and, I hope, more reason to expand their participation in the coming
year.  We are helping to make the Northwest Area a real pearl in Army MARS.
Well done, one and all.  Well done!

73's
leo
AAR0NH
Oregon Gateway Sysop