[SFDXA] Net Control and Net Relay Operators Needed For International SATERN SSB Net During Maria Operations

[William Marx]

> 
>  
> TO: Mike Corey (KI1U), ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager 
> Paul English (WD8DBY0, U.S. Army MARS Program Manager
> Mike Webb (KCØYHM), 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.
>