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

Bill Marx bmarx at bellsouth.net
Mon Mar 19 17:46:40 EST 2007


March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.  For ARRL the lion part is
true.  We have had many license test sessions and many new hams.  Some 
groups
have not held a test session since the changes took effect on February 23 so
I doubt the month will go out like a lamb.

Are you working on an antenna project? I bet many of you and your fellow 
club
members did not know that informational web pages from ARRL are there for 
the
asking.  Join ARRL -- pass the message -- this is just one of the advantages 
of
the existence of the ARRL and membership in the organization.  For more
information visit:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/antheory.html.

It is noted that many ARES groups are holding EmComm training sessions and
making classroom NIMS training available.  It is only two and a half months
till hurricane season and this training may be beneficial this year.  But
don't wait for hurricane season to use the training.  Why not schedule a
surprise tabletop SET for your next ARES meeting and make the scenario
something other than a hurricane. Please work with your EC to schedule
training sessions.   For training requirements for ARES members go to
www.arrl.org/sections/SFL.html. (You will also find additional reports,
useful web sites and club activity information here, including some special
operating events to introduce newcomers to HF operating).

We now have an ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) in all 14 counties.  Please
welcome Brad Humelsine, K4NNX as the EC for Monroe County.  David Wagner,
WA2DXQ is the EC for Broward County.

Other ARES changes: Don Thomas AF4NR has stepped down as Net Manager (NM) of
the South Florida ARES Net (SFAN).  He has changed work hours and is 
devoting
more hours to career, family and church.  Thank you Don, for many years of
managing the net.  Thom Street, N5KFR is the new NM for SFAN.

Reports:
SFL SAR FEB 2007: KA4FZI 274, NY4E 111, WA2YL 79, KE4UOF 78, AA4BN 71,
K4FQU 62, KI4MGF 53, KI4KQQ 24, KI4OUD 16, K9GZT 14, W4WYR 5
===============
SFL PSHR FEB 2007
WA2YL 145, K4FQU 120, KA4FZI 120, NY4E 100, AA4BN 87, W4DKB 16
===============
NET ABB. SESS QNI QTC MGR
All Florida CW Traffic Net QFN 56 588 318 NY4E
Florida Amateur Sideband Traffic Net FAST 28 214 56 K4SCL
Florida Medium Speed Net FMSN 25 190 16 AG4RJ/AB4XK
Jupiter-Tequesta Repeater Group JTRG 7 103 33 AG4BV
Palm Beach County ARES Net PBCAN 8 93 16 KG4PFY
Saint Lucie Repeater Association SLRA 4 29 5 KE4UEI
Southeast Florida Traffic Net SEFTN 56 580 50 AG4RJ/AI4GE
Southwest Florida Traffic Net SWFTN 24 251 49 K4FQU
===============
Bulletin Report from David Smith KE4UEI: Recd 22, Sent 5, Total 27
ARES Report for February 2007
There are 614 Members in the 9 counties reporting. 12 Nets held 51 sessions, 
6
with NTS liaison.
ECs reporting: WA4GUK (Lee), AD4RZ (Okeechobee), AA4BN (Hendry), N1XC
(Martin), WA4ASJ (Indian River), KF4MJJ (Collier), KA4HLO (Miami-Dade), 
N5KFR
(Glades) and WA2DXQ (Broward)
There were 6 drills, tests and training sessions and 57 ARES operations.
SFL ARES Net Report -- QNI 26 QTC 3 Run time 36 min. Sessions 3.

Martin County ARES joined the Red Cross in an Emergency Drill as part of an
evaluation by American Red Cross. Eleven members participated by providing
Amateur Radio communications. In total it amounted to 55 volunteer hours

Lee County ARES began six weeks of EmComm training on February 24 with Level 
1
and Level 2 self study mentoring sessions on Saturdays.

Okeechobee County ARES supplied communications on February 17th and 18th for 
a
group of 15 people who were doing a run/walk of about 118 miles, non-stop
around Lake Okeechobee.  Five people finished the trip in about 31 hours.
They used VHF and HF communications to keep track of the runners.

The licensing changes that went into effect last month brought some 
publicity
for amateur radio in the section.  AI4GK, W3ALE, W4STB, and AG4BV scored
media hits in February.

Does your club have a Publicity Chairperson?  Is there a Public Information
Officer for your ARES group?  Are these people actively promoting amateur
radio on an ongoing basis and are they known at the EOC by the county or 
city
PIO? For more information read the e-magazine Contact, at www.arrl.org/pio.

Please remember to register all of your licensing classes (you need to log 
in
as a member to do this).  Recent experience has taught us that people will
drive 100 miles for a test session and I had someone drive 100 miles for a
licensing class that I am currently teaching.  Also, if you become a
registered instructor you can purchase textbooks and instructors manuals at 
a
discount.  Don't forget to send an e-mail to me and to Jeremy, K4OCD our
Affiliated Club Coordinator when you schedule the licensing class -- we can
help you publicize the class.

That's all for now.  Stay safe and stay on the air.
73,
Sherri, W4STB


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




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