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

Tue Dec 15 17:33:57 EST 2009

Hello everyone,

Here's reports and news for the current month.

Trafic and Net Reports:
SFL SAR November 2009: WD4DNC 381, WA4BAM 297, KA4FZI 160, KE4CB 142, KC4TM
28, W9MSS 11, N8BGJ 8, K9GCF 3
=================
SFL PSHR November 2009 -- KA4FZI 120, KE4CB 105
=================
NETS November 2009

NET ABB. SESS QNI QTC QND MGR
All Florida CW Traffic Net, QFN,60, 584, 393, 1329, WD4DNC
Broward Co. Emer Prep Net,BCEPN, 4, 18, 68, 138, KI4JRT
Florida Amateur SSB Tfc Net, FAST,30, 493, 95, -----, K4SCL
Florida Medium Speed Net,FMSN, 30, 274, 72, 591, AG4RJ/AB4XK
Jupiter Comm Emer Resp,JCERT,8,56, 24, 335, AG4BV/W4FK
Jupiter-Tequesta Rep Gp,JTRG,6, 52, 21, 259, AG4BV/W4FK
Palm Beach Co. Ares Net,PBCAN,8, 106, 24, 210, AG4BV/W4FK
Southeast Florida Tfc Net,SEFTN,30, 723, 60, 1293, AG4RJ/KI4IQZ
Southwest Florida Tfc Net,SWFTN, 26, 455, 132, 2260, KE4CB/N9WS
 October QNI 2587 (+70)QTC 848 (+108)
 November QNI 2761 (+174)QTC 889 (+41)

The nets are still growing! While the HF band conditions and near-weekly
contests have been a challenge, they have encouraged us to hone our operating
skills. Please remember to check for a clear frequency and find one before
starting a net or QSO. On phone... ask; on CW send "IE?" or "QRL?" and listen
for any answer. Net attendees should look up and down the band to see if the
net has had to move. Common courtesy and patience help make traffic nets
friendly, orderly, and productive. If you have never handled radiograms,
give it a try. For traffic handling information, send a request to me...
ka4fzi at aol.com.
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Holiday,and safe traveling with a
happy, healthy 2010!     73, Phyllisan West KA4FZI
=====================
It is with much regret and sadness that I inform youthat fellow radio amateur
George "Russ" Ackermann, AI7Q passed away December 13.For the last year Russ
courageously fought an intense battle with an aggressive form of colon
cancer. Russ was previously EC for Martin County ARES/RACES and prior to
that Lt. EC and AEC for Training. Russ was dedicated to "giving back" and
his passing is a great loss not only to MC ARES and the amateur community,
but to the entire local area. Please remember his wife Arlene,N7ALA and
family in your prayers and thoughts.
======================
ARES Report:

ARES members in the 9 counties reporting: 87, change since last month:   +5
12 active  ARES nets held 43 sessions and 6 maintained NTS liaison.
ECs reporting:N4LEM, KJ4AWB, N5KFR, WA4ASJ, W4LWZ, K8KB, K4NNX, K4DLF, W4ZE

Drills, tests and training sessions: 49, person hours: 426.
Public service events: 4, person hours: 126.  No emergency operations.
Total ARES operations: 53, Person hours: 552.
   SFL ARES Net Report --- QNI 36, QTC 1,  Time 38 Min.

Brevard County conducted its SET this month. The Red Cross has moved its
operation(and the ham station)to central Brevard,24+ miles. The SET was the
first time the new Red Cross ham station was tested for range and
capabilities.
Palm Beach County conducted the annual Food-for-Families public event on
(November 14th and 21st). 23 hams participated in the collection of food from
70 Publix supermarkets and a total of 33,000 pounds of food was collected and
brought to Channel 5 (WPTV).  The Sheriff's Office provided their Tactical
Command vehicle for net control. 120 public service hours were accumulated.

With hurricane season ending 11/30 Jeff Beals, WA4AW steps down as Gold Coast
District DEC to devote full time to his duties as Vice Director.  The Gold
Coast District has co-DECs effective December 1st - Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB and
David Fowler, K4DLF.  They will have equal authority and responsibility for
managing the district and both will continue as ECs in their counties.  Thank
you, Jeff for all of the various appointments you have held and the many
hours you have devoted to the SFL section.
=======
New Group on Yahoo  SFLPSE= South Florida Public Service Event.
Southern Florida Public Service Events (PSE) maintains, in calendar form,
events within the SFL Section where you can find many volunteer opportunities
that require our skills as Amateur Radio operators.  Those who wish to
volunteer for an event will be able to see those events by clicking on
"Calendar" in the left hand menu. Clicking on the event in the calendar will
show the details of the event with the contact name, email or telephone
number, the numbers of volunteers needed, dates, times, locations and
everything else you need to know about the event. It is up to you to make the
contact with the name(s) given.
Important Note: This web site is NOT a mandatory process. This site serves
several purposes:  It provides you with an opportunity to "browse" through
some public service opportunities that you might not know about and it
provides event organizers a method of publicizing their upcoming PSE's
(Public Service Events). This site is not "in place" of anything you are
doing now. It's just an additional aid in helping you find events. You could
participate in a public service event every week and never use this site.
It's only there to help you IF you want it.  In other words, relax and enjoy
yourself here. But remember, you're not required to be here. It's just an
"aid".
The site can be reached at: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sflpse
=============
The January, 2010 QST has 4 pages on the 'waiver' issue for EmComm.   It does
not mention the petition for rule making, or the fact that the FCC "Public
Notice" on waivers came several days after the petition was submitted. It
does not mention the communication by Laura Smith (FCC) that is quoted in the
petition.Consequently, the information is incomplete.
Please look at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/20/11151/?nc=1

Paid employees of private hospitals, United Way, Salvation Army, church
groups, Red Cross and similar organizations cannot make transmissions for the
employer during drills.  A drill is not the real thing so the rules fully
apply. And since an ARES SET is not a government sponsored disaster drill, a
waiver isn't going to be granted.

A petition for rule making has been filed with the FCC to allow paid employees
with amateur licenses to participate in drills and training. Here is the
link:
http://n5fdl.com/storage/ARPC%20Part%2097%20Petition%20Final.pdf
Your Division Director (w4ozk at arrl.org) and your Vice Director
(wa4aw at arrl.org) will be interested in your thoughts since this will be an
agenda item at the January ARRL Board meeting.
========
Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season!
73,
Sherri, W4STB

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