From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Sep  6 08:34:17 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2017 08:34:17 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Hurricane communicators desperately
	needed.
References: <00ea01d32706$555caba0$001602e0$@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <9BF2A3C6-8D34-4AA2-B9F1-7FFCAD27D182@bellsouth.net>


> HURRICANE IRMA COMMUNICATORS NEEDED   if you have volunteered for a shelter, please  call me ASAP so I can take it off my list and stop looking for someone to work that shelter..
> If your shelter is not listed, this means that someone is at that facility.  Call me to confirm your location.  If you email me, please include your cell phone number , name, and what your position or preference is so I can contact you.  I need someone to provide communications at Broward Health.  This is where ARES/RACES and the BARC meets.
> Robin
> n4hhp at comcast.net
> 954 583-3625
> These are the positions that I need covered.  
> 1. Lyons Creek Middle School 4333 Sol Press Blvd. Coconut 33073
>   3. Monarch High School 5050 Wiles Rd. Coconut Creek 33073
>   4. Pompano Beach High School 600 N.E. 13th Ave. Pompano Beach 33060
>   5. Park Lakes Elementary School 3925 N. State Rd. 7 Lauderhill Lakes 33319
>   6. Rock Island Elementary/Arthur Ashe Middle School 1701 N.W. 23rd Ave. Fort Lauderdale   33311
>   7. Plantation Elementary School 651 N.W. 42 Ave. Plantation 33317
>   9. Falcon Cove Middle School 4251 Bonaventure Blvd. Weston 33332
> 10. Silver Trail Middle School 18300 Sheridan St. Pembroke Pines 33331
> 11. New Renaissance Middle School 10701 Miramar Blvd. Miramar 33025
> 12. Watkins Elementary School 3520 S.W. 53 Ave. Pembroke Park 33023
> 13. Everglades High School 17100 SW 48 Ct. Miramar 33027
> 14. West Broward High School 500 NW 209 Ave. Pembroke Pines 33027
>  
> Broward County Hurricane Shelter Map;
>  
> SPECIAL NEEDS
>  
> Westglades Middle 11000 Holmberg Road Parkland
>  
> Mc Nicol Middle 1602 S 27 Ave Hollywood
>  
> New River Middle 3100 Riverland Rd. Ft. Lauderdale
> 
>  
> HOSPITALS
>  
> Broward Health MC 1600 S Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale
>  
>  
>  

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Sep  6 11:33:41 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2017 11:33:41 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Fwd: [SFDXA] QCWA  meeting
References: <DM5PR1001MB2396F18142442880506050D182970@DM5PR1001MB2396.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <BA5C0971-4CBC-45F6-B2BA-BD7865E5CE44@bellsouth.net>

From Mark:
> 
> Being that my desk top computer got damaged I'm trying to get a message out to the QCWA Everglades Chapter 69. The meeting for this Saturday September 9 th is obviously cancelled. The club along with the SFDXA hopes everyone stays safe and remember property can always be replaced not lives 
> 73
> Mark. K2AU 
> 


From n8pr at bellsouth.net  Wed Sep  6 11:58:14 2017
From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR)
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2017 11:58:14 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] QCWA  meeting Saturday is cancelled
In-Reply-To: <BA5C0971-4CBC-45F6-B2BA-BD7865E5CE44@bellsouth.net>
References: <DM5PR1001MB2396F18142442880506050D182970@DM5PR1001MB2396.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
	<BA5C0971-4CBC-45F6-B2BA-BD7865E5CE44@bellsouth.net>
Message-ID: <91906A0B6F614F5E8D5E273818478AEB@PeteRGateway>


Due to Hurricane Irma the Saturday QCWA meeting is cancelled. 

Everyone please be safe. 

73,  PeteR  N8PR

From k.siwiak at ieee.org  Wed Sep  6 11:31:38 2017
From: k.siwiak at ieee.org (Kai)
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2017 11:31:38 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Fwd: [SFDXA] QCWA meeting
In-Reply-To: <DM5PR1001MB2396F18142442880506050D182970@DM5PR1001MB2396.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
References: <DM5PR1001MB2396F18142442880506050D182970@DM5PR1001MB2396.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <e5cd170e-33fe-3052-6a43-3427de174480@ieee.org>

I tried to forward Mark's message to QCWA.
Kai


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	[SFDXA] QCWA meeting
Date: 	Wed, 6 Sep 2017 14:52:11 +0000
From: 	Mark Horowitz <k2au at hotmail.com>
To: 	sfdxa <sfdxa at mailman.qth.net>



Being that my desk top computer got damaged I'm trying to get a message out to the QCWA Everglades Chapter 69. The meeting for this Saturday September 9 th is obviously cancelled. The club along with the SFDXA hopes everyone stays safe and remember property can always be replaced not lives
73
Mark. K2AU

Sent from my iPhone
______________________________________________________________
South Florida DX Assoc. "SINCE 1974"
SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
To Post: mailto:SFDXA at mailman.qth.net
To UNSUBSCRIBE/EDIT: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sfdxa
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Sep  6 17:55:17 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2017 17:55:17 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Major X-class Solar Flare
References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20170906190159.6249710e9f.04a8aec8@mail96.atl11.rsgsv.net>
Message-ID: <27704651-4199-498E-9DD8-AE3401DF3167@bellsouth.net>

Space Weather News for Sept. 6, 2017
http://spaceweather.com
https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom

X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: On Sept. 6, 2017, at 12:02UT, active sunspot AR2673 unleashed an X9.3-class solar flare--the strongest solar flare in more than a decade. The explosion also hurled a CME into space, and possibly toward Earth. Analysis of the event is still underway. Visit Spaceweather.com for updates and more information about the historical context of today's remarkable flare.

From k.siwiak at ieee.org  Thu Sep  7 16:19:40 2017
From: k.siwiak at ieee.org (Kai)
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2017 16:19:40 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Fwd: Updated Communicators needs
	URGENT!
In-Reply-To: <045801d327fe$4995b200$dcc11600$@comcast.net>
References: <045801d327fe$4995b200$dcc11600$@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <090ebb75-6263-c6f5-30c5-437d5864112a@ieee.org>


------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Updated Communicators needs
Date: 	Thu, 7 Sep 2017 13:25:17 -0400
From: 	Robin Terrill <n4hhp at comcast.net>
To: 	Robin Terrill <n4hhp at comcast.net>



*We now have 10 facilities needing hams.PLEASE HELP_
__
Broward County RACES NEEDS YOUR HELP._*

*If you can help with backup communications, please call me NOW. We need your help*

*Call me at 954-583-3625 or email me n4hhp at comcast.net <mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net>*

*We have 10 facilities to cover.*

*3. Monarch High School 5050 Wiles Rd. Coconut Creek 33073*

*
 ? 5. Park Lakes Elementary School 3925 N. State Rd. 7 Lauderhill Lakes 33319*

*? 6. Rock Island Elementary/Arthur Ashe Middle School 1701 N.W. 23^rd Ave. Fort 
Lauderdale 33311*

*? 7. Plantation Elementary School 651 N.W. 42 Ave. Plantation 33317*

*?10. Silver Trail Middle School 18300 Sheridan St. Pembroke Pines 33331 *

*11. New Renaissance Middle School 10701 Miramar Blvd. Miramar 33025 *

*13. Everglades High School 17100 SW 48 Ct. Miramar 33027

14. West Broward High School 500 NW 209 Ave. Pembroke Pines 33027*

*Broward County Hurricane Shelter Map* 
<http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Documents/EmergencyShelterMapWebBigger.pdf>; 
http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Documents/EmergencyShelterMapWebBigger.pdf?The 
numbers beside the names of the schools are located on this map

*_SPECIAL NEEDS_*

**

*McNicol Middle 1602 S 27 Ave Hollywood Fl*

**

*New River Middle?3100 Riverland Rd. Ft. Lauderdale*


From n8pr at bellsouth.net  Sat Sep  9 13:36:21 2017
From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR)
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2017 13:36:21 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Melbourne Hamfest Dates
Message-ID: <7D8FB75702F44E24A1E484DC31724922@PeteRGateway>

For those of you who find your emergency equipment lacking, here is a good 
place to get better stuff:


The Melbourne Hamfest is October 13 & 14.

Just while you are sitting around, you can plan and make reservations for a 
hotel, if any are left standing.

73,l  PeteR  N8PR



From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Sun Sep 10 16:17:01 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2017 16:17:01 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Another Major Solar Flare on Sept.
	10th
References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20170910200955.8026bc8ae5.440b80f1@mail217.suw16.rsgsv.net>
Message-ID: <CA4A0D2E-D49D-4C66-B1FE-D77CEA7AAE6F@bellsouth.net>

Space Weather News for Sept. 10, 2017
http://spaceweather.com
https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom

ANOTHER X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE:Departing sunspot AR2673 erupted again on Sept.10th (1606 UT), producing a major X8-class solar flare. A moderately strong solar radiation storm is underway as protons accelerated by the blast swarm around our planet. Shortwave radio blackouts over the Americas and around Earth's poles have also been observed in the aftermath of the explosion. Visit Spaceweather.com for updates and more information.

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Mon Sep 11 08:29:15 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2017 08:29:15 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Quick Band Condition Site
Message-ID: <8959806C-45E4-4F0D-948C-C338E1E742DB@bellsouth.net>

http://bandconditions.com/

From k.siwiak at ieee.org  Thu Sep 14 15:42:02 2017
From: k.siwiak at ieee.org (Kai)
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2017 15:42:02 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] More reports on Irma
Message-ID: <a92bf671-1e47-24dd-1e89-7abd4d69d209@ieee.org>

This just in from a ham friend in Huntsville Alabama.

"Hope you're well on the way to getting dried out and cleaned up down there. 
They actually cancelled school here for two days as Huntsville bravely faced the 
onslaught of Tropical Drizzle Irma. Thanks for bearing the brunt on that one."

I understand that the press were interviewing rain droplets up there... slow 
news day.
73
Kai, KE4PT



From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Sep 21 14:52:19 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2017 14:52:19 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Dayton 2018
References: <05CC085F-06FF-470C-925D-6E9E4CA0A947@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <4CA0CBB3-4564-492E-8910-060F18A8D2E5@bellsouth.net>

From another list. 
Bill W2CQ

> FYI... I just spoke with the red lion Inn in Dayton. This is the old Fairborn North where many of us stay. There are only 14 standard rooms left as of this date. There is a huge dedication going on at the Air Force Base the same weekend and rooms are filling up fast. Prices have gone through the roof so be sure and mention that you are a Collins Collector which may help.  For those of you that hesitated last year because of the new venue the entire weekend turned out great except for the usual downpours.  Dayton 2018 should be even better. 


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Sat Sep 23 10:21:20 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2017 10:21:20 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Net Control and Net Relay Operators
	Needed For International SATERN SSB Net During Maria Operations
References: <9A653A56648BED4483D0395B67A0091A01356543@EXCHANGE.ARRLHQ.ORG>
Message-ID: <19C300F2-014F-4D3F-8F60-045FF8443D40@bellsouth.net>

> 
>  
> TO: Mike Corey (KI1U), ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager 
> Paul English (WD8DBY0, U.S. Army MARS Program Manager
> Mike Webb (KC?YHM), Hurricane Watch Net Assistant Net Manager 
> 
> CC: Ken Gilliand (AG6SV), International SATERN SSB Net Manager
> Bob Rogers (WA5EEZ), International SATERN SSB Net Assistant Net Manager
> Flo Knox (KB3YAT) Salvation Army National Disaster Specialist
> Tameka Sharp, Salvation Army National Government Relations Specialist
> 
> 
> Greetings:
> 
> The International SATERN SSB Net has been in daily operation from 0900 (CT) / 1400 Z until at least 1800 (CT) / 2300 Z (at least until 1900 or 2000 (CT) the last two days) since this past Tuesday, 19 September 2017.  SATERN had initially planned on terminating the Net operations for Hurricane Maria by today, Friday, 22 September 2017,  However, the amount of Health & Welfare messages flowing through the Net the last two days is expected to continue today and likely through at least Sunday or Monday (25 September).
> 
> Hurricane Maria is now the fourth activation of the International SATERN SSB Net in a month.  As a result, our dedicated group of Net Control and Net Relay Stations are very tired and it is time to reach out for some assistance.
> 
> Therefore, I am asking the ARRL, HWN and MARS to reach out to their operators to ask them to assist the International SATERN SSB Net in one of two ways:
> 
> 1. By signing up for a one hour slot as Net Control Operators sometime on Saturday, Sunday and / or Monday.  To do this send an email to the following people indicating what time(s) they are available from 0900 (CT) / 1400 Z until 1800 (CT) / 2300 Z any one or more of those three days:
> 
> Operators interested in being a Net Control Operator should contact:
> 
> Net Manager Ken Gilliland (AG6SV) at AG6SV at ATT.net
> 
> Assistant Net Manager Bob Rogers (WA5EEZ) at BobRgrs at Hotmail.com
> 
> We are looking for experienced, qualified Net Control Operators who have had some experience as both a Net Control Operator and in handling messages by voice.  Net Control Operators with a strong signal (power, antennas, etc.) and / or bilingual would be a valuable additional asset / skill.
> 
> The Net is operating on 14.265 MHz.
> 
> 2. For those who may not wish to be a Net Control Operator or simply want to do more in addition to that, SATERN always needs Net Relay Stations to simply check-in and assist that hour's Net Control Station.  With Net Control Stations operating from all over the country, they often may not hear a station with message traffic.  As a result they rely on the Net Relay Stations to assist them with that.  Stations with a strong propagation path into the Caribbean (especially Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and others) are especially valuable.  Again, bilingual operators are a particular asset in this operation.
> 
> As National SATERN Liaison, I sincerely thank each of you for being willing to help out in this operation.
> 
> As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time.
> 

From wa4aw at juno.com  Sat Sep 23 11:18:40 2017
From: wa4aw at juno.com (wa4aw)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2017 15:18:40 GMT
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] QCWA Chapter 111 LUNCHEON MEETING
	Sept. 26th
Message-ID: <20170923.111840.590.0@webmail10.vgs.untd.com>

         QCWA Palm Beach Chapter # 111               Hello,
 This is friendly reminder that our Palm Beach Chapter meeting is the last Tuesday of each month. We will be meeting at the  Golden Corral Buffet, 10100 Fox Trail Rd., on the service road behind the SW corner of Okeechobee Blvd. and State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach at 11:30 AM.  This month our meeting date is Sept. 26th.    Hope you can join us for fellowship, rag chews & information.     We encourage everyone who has not been to the Golden Corral to call for info on either the Palms West repeater 147.045 or the AREC repeater on 146.670. Both repeaters have a 110.9 PL.    Everyone is welcome to join us.  We meet in the private dining room in the back of the restaurant.  The Florida State ARRL Convention will be held on October 13-14 at the Melbourne Auditorium.QCWA National will hold a membership forum on Friday at 1 PM. Look forward to seeing you there.   47,  Jeff  WA4AW, Secretary  QCWAQuarter Century Wireless AssociationJeff Beals, WA4AWNational Director &QCWA Historian QCWA Palm Beach Chapter 111Secretary-TreasurerPO Box 1584Loxahatchee, FL 33470-1584561-252-6707 wa4aw at qcwa.org www.qcwa.org  QCWA Chapter 111 webpage link: www.qcwa.org/chapter111.htm  Chapter YahooGroup website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qcwa111             

               

                  

  











 

 

____________________________________________________________
We Say GoodBye To Sally Fields
iflperfecttouch.com
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/59c67b9bb51097b9b20aast03vuc

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Sat Sep 23 15:26:10 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2017 15:26:10 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Net Control and Net Relay Operators
	Needed ForInternational SATERN SSB Net During Maria Operations
References: <2FB427FB56394D7F9CAB43BC2FD7DF40@PeteRGateway>
Message-ID: <9DE28540-2D98-4684-9DB6-DB635732D191@bellsouth.net>

Kudos to Pete N8PR, SFDXA President. 

He has already logged 5 hours as a volunteer Net Control. Has anyone else volunteered?

Bill W2CQ

>> Greetings:
>> 
>> The International SATERN SSB Net has been in daily operation from 0900 (CT) / 1400 Z until at least 1800 (CT) / 2300 Z (at least until 1900 or 2000 (CT) the last two days) since this past Tuesday, 19 September 2017. SATERN had initially planned on terminating the Net operations for Hurricane Maria by today, Friday, 22 September 2017,  However, the amount of Health & Welfare messages flowing through the Net the last two days is expected to continue today and likely through at least Sunday or Monday (25 September).
>> 
>> Hurricane Maria is now the fourth activation of the International SATERN SSB Net in a month.  As a result, our dedicated group of Net Control and Net Relay Stations are very tired and it is time to reach out for some assistance.
>> 
>> Therefore, I am asking the ARRL, HWN and MARS to reach out to their operators to ask them to assist the International SATERN SSB Net in one of two ways:
>> 
>> 1. By signing up for a one hour slot as Net Control Operators sometime on Saturday, Sunday and / or Monday.  To do this send an email to the following people indicating what time(s) they are available from 0900 (CT) / 1400 Z until 1800 (CT) / 2300 Z any one or more of those three days:
>> 
>> Operators interested in being a Net Control Operator should contact:
>> 
>> Net Manager Ken Gilliland (AG6SV) at AG6SV at ATT.net
>> 
>> Assistant Net Manager Bob Rogers (WA5EEZ) at BobRgrs at Hotmail.com
>> 
>> We are looking for experienced, qualified Net Control Operators who have had some experience as both a Net Control Operator and in handling messages by voice.  Net Control Operators with a strong signal (power, antennas, etc.) and / or bilingual would be a valuable additional asset / skill.
>> 
>> The Net is operating on 14.265 MHz.
>> 
>> 2. For those who may not wish to be a Net Control Operator or simply want to do more in addition to that, SATERN always needs Net Relay Stations to simply check-in and assist that hour's Net Control Station.  With Net Control Stations operating from all over the country, they often may not hear a station with message traffic.  As a result they rely on the Net Relay Stations to assist them with that.  Stations with a strong propagation path into the Caribbean (especially Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and others) are especially valuable.  Again, bilingual operators are a particular asset in this operation.
>> 
>> As National SATERN Liaison, I sincerely thank each of you for being willing to help out in this operation.
>> 
>> As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time.
>> 
> ____________________________________


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Sep 27 21:54:22 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:54:22 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Help Needed...
Message-ID: <F7258494-9E6E-45A8-8686-D8884C9A3EAC@bellsouth.net>

>> Monday, September 25, 2017
>> Dear ARRL Member:
>> 
>> There are few times when I have needed to reach out directly to you for your help. This is one of those times.
>> 
>> The American Red Cross (ARC) has asked ARRL for assistance with relief efforts in Puerto Rico. In the nearly 75-year relationship between ARRL and ARC, this is the first time ARC has made a request for assistance on this scale. Hurricane Maria has devastated the island?s communications infrastructure. Without electricity and telephone, and with most of the cell sites out of service, millions of people are cut off from communicating. Shelters are unable to reach local emergency services and people cannot check on the welfare of their loved ones. The situation is dire.
>> 
>> How can you help?
>> 
>> 1) Volunteer. ARC needs up to 50 radio amateurs who can help record, enter, and submit disaster-survivor information into the ARC Safe and Well system. There are very specific requirements and qualifications needed for this deployment; for instance, familiarity with Winlink, an Amateur Radio license of General class or higher, and previous experience in disaster response. Deployment will be for up to 3 weeks (at ARC expense). If you would like to be considered for deployment, please complete the following online ARRL form, which asks for your qualifications and skills: Volunteer Deployment Form
>> 
>> 2)  
>> Donate to Ham Aid. ARRL?s Ham Aid program loans Amateur Radio equipment kits to established Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES?) groups and partner agencies during disaster response, in order to establish Amateur Radio communications support. Ham Aid is supported by donations from individuals and corporations ? including many of our ham radio industry partners. ARRL has previously staged Ham Aid equipment in Texas, and in the last few weeks, we have supplied kits in Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Our supply of Ham Aid kits has been rapidly depleted. Your donation to Ham Aid will help us now. Your contributions to Ham Aid are 100% tax deductible. To make a donation online, go to www.arrlorg/arrl-donation-form and select ?Ham Aid? from the ARRL donation form. To donate by mail, print a donation form, and mail it with your check payable to ARRL, noting ?Ham Aid? on the memo line of your check; mail to ARRL, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111 USA.
>> 
>> It has been four weeks since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas. In little over a month, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have left paths of destruction and catastrophic flooding that will impact the lives of people throughout the southeast U.S. and Caribbean for years to come. Throughout these disasters, our trained ham radio volunteers, and especially those in coordinating roles, have helped us meet the requests of our partner agencies and organizations. To all ham radio operators who have been on alert, activated, deployed, or donated, THANK YOU. We are grateful for your service and for your generosity.
>> 
>> 73
>> Rick Roderick, K5UR
>> ARRL President

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Sep 28 09:55:59 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx)
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:55:59 -0400
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] When all else fails - Ham Radio GOOD
	Guys...
References: <7512d72f-9c28-7b96-07d5-05f6932af1f8@verizon.net>
Message-ID: <1E0DC910-7E4C-458A-9B1C-D28557ABD6BE@bellsouth.net>

> 
> Amateur Radio?s Force of Fifty Answers the Red Cross Call in Puerto Rico
> 
> 09/26/2017
> Fifty of the nation?s most accomplished Amateur Radio operators responded within 24 hours to the call of the American Red Cross to deploy to Puerto Rico and provide emergency communications. At the behest of Red Cross, ARRL rallied the US Amateur Radio community to provide up to 25 two-person teams of highly qualified hams. The group?s principal mission will be to move health-and-welfare information from the island back to the US mainland, where that data will be entered in the Red Cross ?Safe & Well? website.
> 
> The group will deploy the middle of this week and remain on the island for up to 3 weeks.
> 
> ARRL will equip each two-person team with a modern digital HF transceiver, special software, a dipole antenna, a power supply and all the connecting cables, fitted in a rugged waterproof container. In addition, ARRL is sending a number of small, 2,000-W portable generators as well as solar-powered battery chargers of the variety the US military uses on extended deployments. The hams and their equipment will be sent to Red Cross shelters extending from San Juan to the western end of the island.
> 
> ?This generous outpouring of response represents the finest qualities of the Amateur Radio community,? ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, said. ?These individuals are dropping whatever they are doing now, heading off to an extended hardship-duty assignment, and offering their special talents to Americans who have been cut off from their families, living amid widespread destruction and without electrical power since Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean region last week.?
> 
> ARRL?s Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, said this was the first time in the nearly 75-year relationship between ARRL and the American Red Cross that such as request for assistance had been made. ?Hurricane Maria has devastated the island?s communications infrastructure,? Corey said. ?Without electricity and telephone, and with most of the cell sites out of service, millions of Americans are cut off from communicating. Shelters are unable to reach local emergency services. And, people cannot check on the welfare of their loved ones. The situation is dire.?
> 
> How You Can Help
> 
> In a letter to all ARRL members, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, asked for contributions to ARRL?s Ham Aid fund. ?Equipment has been flying out the door since Hurricane Harvey struck the US mainland,? he emphasized. ?>From meeting requirements in aid of Hurricane Irma victims in the US Virgin Island and Florida, our store of Ham Aid kits has been depleted.?
> 
> ARRL?s Ham Aid program loans Amateur Radio equipment kits to established Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES?) groups and partner agencies during disaster responses, in order to establish Amateur Radio communication support. Ham Aid is supported by donations from individuals and corporations, including many of our ham radio industry partners.
> 
> ARRL has previously staged Ham Aid equipment in Texas, and in the last few weeks, ARRL has supplied kits to             Florida, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. With our Ham Aid inventory depleted, your donation is needed now. Contributions to Ham Aid are 100% tax deductible.
> 
> To make a donation online, go to the ARRL donation form and select ?Ham Aid.? To donate by mail, print a donation form, and mail it with your check payable to ARRL, noting ?Ham Aid? on the memo line of your check. Mail to ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA.
> 
>  

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Fri Sep 29 13:26:08 2017
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:26:08 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Puerto Rico Amateur Radio Operators
 Are Playing Key Role in Puerto Rico
References: <1030613495.764559.1506705968985.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
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Puerto Rico Amateur Radio Operators Are Playing Key Role in Puerto Rico    by Suzanne Gamboa            When things went dark and quiet in Puerto Rico, a cadre of amateur radio operators became a lifeline on the island.   About two dozen amateur radio operators on the island helped police and first responders communicate when their radio networks failed completely. Some of the radio operators, or hams traveled on trucks to provide communications to the power company, PREPA.      Buildings are surrounded by floodwater, a week since the passing of Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sept. 27, 2017. Ramon Espinosa / AP   ?It?s a less than ideal solution, but it works and that?s the essence of amateur radio ? make it work,? said Tom Gallagher, CEO of the American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio.   Now the ranks of operator are about to get reinforcements.   At the request of the Red Cross, the league planned to send 50 radio operators into Puerto Rico with ?enormous? radio gear in water proof containers, their own power supplies, new generators and solar arrays. The crew and equipment were to leave Thursday from Atlanta.   Their job, once set up and in place, will be to be the communication pipeline for the Red Cross Safe and Well program, helping people on the mainland trying to connect with loved ones on the island or get news of their status.   ?You can relieve a lot of misery by telling people their relatives are okay,? said Gallagher, whose call sign is NY2RF.   The ham operators working with first responders are part of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, ARES. They regularly drill with police, fire brigades and hospitals and regularly drill and practice what to do in floods, hurricanes or dangerous rainstorms.   PHOTOS: Powerless Puerto Rico Struggles to Recover Post Maria    ?I don?t think anything we did prepared us for this,? said Gallagher, a Wall Street investor who ws licensed as an amateur radio operator when he was 16.   When Hurricane Irma hit St. Thomas, turning the island into ?matchsticks,? and destroying its communications infrastructure, the league sent equipment to St. Thomas through FEMA and got St. Thomas connected with slow speed digital communication. The league left some radio units in Puerto Rico in case more was needed in St. Thomas and Dominica.   That turned out to be fortuitous, Gallagher said.      Steven Sands sits outside his home with a flashlight and his smart phone at night, coping with the lack of electricity in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert / AP   ?When everyone woke up from Hurricane Maria, they kind of felt like they were in the 16th century,? he said. ?The only technology you have is fire.?   ?People tend to think of (amateur radio) as a dying hobby. In fact, we?ve never had more (hams),? Gallagher said putting the number at 750,000 with an additional 30,000 every year.   ?We use old fashioned techniques and we use very modern digital, computer based radio and we use it in many ways ? to talk to each other, for high altitude balloon launches ? We do a lot of satellite communications so the technology is quite advanced,? he said.   Gallagher said amateur radio operators also helped in Hurricane Harvey but the association was not as active because the existing infrastructure has become very resilient since hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, with investments "hardening up" networks. There was some loss when of communications when Irma hit Florida, but those networks were up pretty quick, he said.   Puerto Rico's electrical infrastructure was already in bad shape because, not upgraded for about a decade because of its economic woes, and materials to the island must be shipped in.   Related: Lawmakers Call for Military General to Oversee Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Relief   The radio operators are granted frequency spectrum by the government ?for our frequency and experimentation ? developments on telephones were invented by hams,? Gallagher said.   ?But we also have a responsibility to use those skills in service for country in times of need. It's not a privilege, it's a grant" he said. "We are making payments on that grant."   The association's role in the hurricane rescue and recovery could be useful for the association as it works to get federal legislation passed that would allow amateur radio operators to erect effective radio towers on property in places where home owners associations restrict it