[South Florida DX Association] Monthly Southern Florida Section News Summary

[Bill Marx]

This mid-January report wraps up the year 2004.  And what a year it was for
us.  We had 4 hurricanes within 6 weeks.  There were many Silent Keys and
included in that list were several section appointees.  On the plus side we
added new affiliated clubs and ARRL membership showed an increase.

So far the year 2005 looks like it may be named the Year of Changes. And
with
changes in mind let me begin with two Cabinet level appointees.

Jeff Beals, WA4AW will assume the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
position.  Jeff has been involved with ARRL and Amateur Radio at many levels
since his teen years.  Just about everyone in the Southern Florida section
knows him from his work as Affiliated Club Coordinator and Technical
Coordinator. (He's also an Assistant Section Manager and Assistant Division
Director).  All of these jobs are too much for one person so Jeff is passing
the baton of Technical Coordinator to Don Drennon, N4TZH.  Don has been a
Technical Specialist in Broward for several years and is currently heading
the
BPL team for the section.  Many of you know Don from his excellent
presentation at hamfests.  I know both Jeff and Don will do excellent jobs
in
their new positions and that all of you will enjoy working with them.   A
Thank You goes to Don Thomas, AF4NR who has stepped in as Interim Net
Manager
for the SFAN.  He will coordinate the NCS assignments and submit the Net
Reports.

There are some changes needed with traffic routing.  We've lost several net
managers and participation has dropped for some nets.  I am asking ALL
traffic
handlers and net managers to take a look at the number of check-ins,
liaisons
to other nets, areas where it is difficult to route traffic and any other
concerns that you have. The Section Traffic Manager (STM) and SEC plan to
gather your input and work with the STMs and SECs in the other sections of
the
state during the next few months to smooth out the traffic management.
Please
do not think I am saying the system is broke -- it is not, however it needs
some reinforcement.

'Nuff said about changes.  On to other things.

Miami Hamboree is just around the corner.  We are planning a midday meeting
on
Saturday for all club officers and appointees.  Club officers may send a
proxy.  We all need to eat lunch so grab some food and join the meeting.
There will even be some door prizes.  The ARRL forum and discussion of
Section
and Division news is scheduled for Sunday and all should attend -- Director
Butler will have the latest information from the Board of Directors meeting.
Ed Hare, W1RFI from ARRL Headquarters will have forums on both days about
BPL.
 The SFDXA plans an excellent DX forum and it will be of interest to anyone
interested in DX, newcomers to Honor Roll Members.  The Florida Repeater
Council will also have a meeting.

===============================================================
Reports
Station Activity Reports December 2004: WA9VND 300, KA4FZI 299, K4FQU 169,
KE4UOF 147, WA4EIC
101, AA4BN 36, W5VIF 26, KG4ILJ 23, W4WYR 9, KG4EQY 7, AF4NR 6, W4YTF 6,
W3JI
4, K0TIW 4
================
Public Service Honor Roll December 2004: K4MVO 196, KE4UOF 150, KA4FZI 120,
K4FQU 119, WA4EIC 100, AA4BN 80, KG4ILJ 39, WY4F 14
=================
Net Reports:
NET--Abbreviation--Sessions-- QNI --QTC -- MGR
ARRL Information Net--AIN --3 -- 31-- 4 -- W4WYR
Southwest Florida Traffic Net -- SWFTN -- 27-- 359 -- 113 -- K4FQU
Florida Medium Speed Net -- FMSN -- 31 -- 207 -- 30 -- AG4RJ
Florida Amateur Sideband Traffic Net -- FAST -- 62  -- 326 -- 79 -- (WA9VND)
Southeast Florida Traffic Net -- SEFTN -- 62 -- 1141 -- 133 -- (KD4GR)
Palm Beach County ARES Net -- PBCAN -- 5 -- 133 -- 10 -- AF4OR
All Florida CW Traffic Net  -- QFN -- 62 -- 704  -- 401 -- W8IM
Martin County ARA -- MCARA -- 4 --24 -- 4 -- KE4UEI
St Lucie Repeater Assoc. -- SLRA 2 -- 20 -- 1 -- KE4UI

========================================================
The following TSs reported for December -- N4TZH, W4KPG, N4BG, KE4PWE &
KF4KDO.  N4BG installed the MCARA repeater at the new location, Martin
Memorial Hospital.  KE4PWE assisted local amateurs with their technical
questions.
=================
December OES reports were received from KE4UEI (also a bulletin report),
N3HOE, K4MVO, WB2CKM, K4RBD, W4BAL, W6QCM and N4ZEB.

===============================================================

A Few Reminders:
Update the club listing at arrl.org if you are a club officer or listed club
contact person.
Send a list of new officers to our ACC (wa4aw at juno.com).
Send notice of your exam sessions to ARRL and to our SFL webmaster
Support your local radio club and repeater association.
(Already done all of the above? THANK YOU)

=================================
And Finally I would like to share a thought:

4 easy rules of the Ham...
1. This is a hobby, if it is not as fun as it was, then it is not a hobby
anymore.
2. Never forget during an emergency, Our Toys become our Tools.
3. If you can't Repeater it... Keep it Simple, Keep it Simplex.
4. You are always an Elmer to someone, and someone is always an Elmer to
You.
(From the Oklahoma Section)

73,
Sherri, W4STB

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Southern Florida Section
Section Manager: Sharon T. Brower, W4STB
w4stb at arrl.org