[SMCARA] HURRICANE ISABEL OPERATIONS

[Robert G. Carter]

Ladies and gentlemen:

Hurricane Isabel has come and gone.  For many of us, she is a unpleasant
memory we will not soon forget.  For some, who are attempting to deal
with significant, even catastrophic property damage, she will
unfortunately live on even more vividly.

The response to Hurricane Isabel from southern-Maryland radio amateurs
was impressive.  The Saint Mary's County Hurricane Net, conducted on the
146.64 MHZ Lexington Park repeater in advance of and during Isabel,
registered the simultaneous presence of an unprecedented number of radio
amateurs, supporting communications in and around Saint Mary's, Calvert
and Charles Counties and liaisons to region and state nets.

Particularly noteworthy were the efforts of Rene Ramirez, KB3JLZ, who
tirelessly spearheaded the Hurricane Net and John Johnson, WA3ZGD, who
was the voice of K3HKI (County Emergency Communications Center in
Leonardtown) the night of the hurricane through the morning after.

To all of you who responded to the call for operators in advance of the
storm and/or supported local, region and state net operations, a
heartfelt THANK YOU for contributing your time and talents in the true
spirit of the Amateur Radio Service.

Warmest regards,

Robert G. Carter, W5BTC
RACES Officer, Saint Mary's County, Maryland