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

[Bill Marx]

Hi everyone,
The holiday season is beginning soon.  Thanksgiving is around the corner and
we have a lot to be thankful for.  Each day I am thankful for the volunteers
we have in the ARRL community and our clubs in Southern Florida.  Thank you
for all the work that you do!

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD) 
was
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution
A/RES/40/212 on 17 December 1985. Since then, governments, the UN system and
civil society organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the
world to celebrate the Day on 5 December.  IVD offers an opportunity for
volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their
contributions at local, national and international levels.

Volunteering is healthy:
http://www.getinvolved.gov/newsroom/press/factsheet_health.asp
Visit this site to see the health benefits of volunteering.  There is more
than just the emotional feel good.

Looking for volunteers for your group? Consider these tips for volunteering
wisely from the USA Freedom Corps when you are recruiting members (or when
you are thinking of volunteering for a non-amateur radio organization):
1. Research the causes or issues important to you.
2. Consider the skills you have to offer.
3. Would you like to learn something new?
4. Combine your goals. Look for volunteer opportunities that will also help
you achieve your other goals for your life.
5. Don't over-commit your schedule.  Make sure the volunteer hours you want 
to
give fit into your hectic life, so that you don't frustrate your family,
exhaust yourself, shortchange the organization you're trying to help or
neglect your job.
6. Nonprofits may have questions, too.  If you contact an organization with 
an
offer to volunteer your time, you may be asked to come in for an interview,
fill out a volunteer application, or describe your qualifications and your
background just as you would at an interview for a paying job.
7. Consider volunteering as a family.  (November 17 is National Family
Volunteer Day).
8. Consider virtual or online volunteering
9. Discover volunteer work in your neighborhood.
10. Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering.  Bring 
your
heart and your sense of humor to your volunteer service, along with your
enthusiastic spirit, which in itself is a priceless gift.

It is now what some of us refer to as snowbird season.  Please monitor your
local repeaters and assist any visitors asking for driving directions and
local information.

The news page at www.arrl.org/sections/SFL.html is updated with lots of 
photos
and news that you have sent.   Please continue to send newsletters and event
information to me.

Many clubs are looking for members to be officers for 2008.  Please offer 
your
time and talent to your club.  Being a club officer is very rewarding in 
many
ways.  After the elections please remember to send the Affiliated Club
Coordinator, Jeff WA4AW and me your list of new officers.  Also check the
affiliated club listing and update the contact name, phone number, e-mail 
and
web site address.  You won't get new club members is your club can't be
contacted and the meeting sites can't be located.  Also, be sure to appoint 
a
publicity chairperson in order to have local media outlets contacted for
meeting dates and club events.

------------------------------

>From Karen Briggs, K8KB
ARES report for October:
Total reported number of ARES members:  1379.
ARES net active: 16, Sessions: 65, 7 with NTS liaison.
ECs reporting:  N4LEM, WA2DXQ, KF4MJJ, N5KFR, WA4ASJ, WA4GUK, AI7Q, K4FLC,
AD4RZ
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 51, Person hours 
141
Number of public service events this month:  1, Person hours 3
Total ARES operations this month:  52, Total Person hours: 144
SFL ARES Net Report: QNI 47, QTC 2, Time 4hr. 35min.
Comments:
Broward County: Used Lauderhill EOC for SET and did demo's at two of their
open houses.
Lee County:  Lee County conducted our Simulated Emergency Test on October 
6th.
Twelve members of ALERT responded and the event lasted for 3 hours. SET
report has been filed.
Miami-Dade County:  An SET was held the weekend of Oct. 6, and a Kayak Race
was held in which Amateur Radio had a part.
Okeechobee County:  Participated in an H5N1 pandemic flu drill with the EOC 
in
conjunction with the health department during the week of the 22nd. The 
drill
dealt with separation of government employees and communications issues.
Indian River County:  Indian River County SET is currently scheduled for
November 10/11. This may be delayed if the radios in the new EOC are not
installed by that date.
There were some concerns about Tropical Storm Noel affecting our section but
fortunately it took a more favorable path.
We are almost out of the official 2007 hurricane season but we still need to
remember to stay prepared at ALL times!

------------------------------

Traffic Reports from Phyllisan West, KA4FZI:
SAR October 2007: KA4FZI 397, KE4CB 119,
AA4BN 73, K4FQU 56, KC4TM 11, KI4OUD 5
================
PSHR October 2007: K4FQU 120, KA4FZI 120, KE4CB 85, AA4BN 81
================
Bulletin Report from KE4UEI: Recd 21, Sent 4, Total 25
================
NET, ABB, SESS, QNI, QTC, MGR
All Florida CW Traffic Net, QFN, 62, 483, 313, AD4DO
Florida Amateur SSB Traffic Net, FAST, 31, 220, 39, K4SCL
Florida Medium Speed Net, FMSN, 31, 225, 51, AG4RJ/AB4XK
Jupiter-Tequesta Repeater Group, JTRG, 6, 98, 41, AG4BV/KF4NJB
Palm Beach County Ares Net, PBCAN, 10, 102, 3, KG4PFY
Saint Lucie Repeater Association, SLRA, 4, 45, 4, KE4UEI
Southeast Florida Traffic Net, SEFTN, 31, 495, 48, AG4RJ/AI4GE
Southwest Florida Traffic Net, SWFTN, 30, 235, 56, K4FQU

--------------
That's all for now.  Have safe and peaceful Thanksgiving with family and
friends.

73
Sherri, W4STB


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