[SMCARA] SMCARA August meeting this THURSDAY at 7"30 PM

[petebutt at comfac.com]

Hi Folks,

  Please plan to attend our monthly meeting of the St. Mary's County
Amateur Radio Association (SMCARA) which will be held this Thursday
evening, 25 August, beginning at 7:30 PM sharp in the Naval Air Museum
located by Gate #2 of the Naval Air Station (northbound MD Route 235).

  With three major natural disaster-type events (severe lightning, a
relatively strong earthquake and a hurricane) occuring in the southern
Maryland area in just this one week, now would be a good time to take a
few minutes to have an open discussion on methods to ensure that you are
prepared to survive an unusual severe natural event.

  Lightning and earthquakes are somewhat difficult to prepare for but
there are a few things one can do regardless.  Hurricanes, on the other
hand, give you time to prepare and we now have one that is currently on
a projected track to come right up the Bay (or at least near).  There
are a lot of things that we can do this week to prepare and it would be
prudent to discuss them at the meeting.  First and foremost, prepare
your house for high winds and lots of rain.  Charge your battery-powered
items including flashlights, radios, etc.  Stock up on food and water. 
Gas up your vehicles and make sure they are in good running order. If
you have a generator, ensure it is in working condition and gas is
available.  Check to ensure that your homeowners insurance is up to date
and paid for.

  From an amateur radio perspective, let's talk about a communications
plan of action should things go sour.  Will we want to have impromptu
net sessions?  What happens if the repeater stops working?  What simplex
frequencies will we monitor?  Tom Clarke, in a recent e-mail, detailed a
host of other actions.  Let's review them and ensure we all can help
each other if needed.

  I look forward to seeing all of you this Thursday evening.  Let's talk
about emergency communications and emergency preparedness and be part of
the solution for surviving the hurricane, not part of the problem when
things go bad.  Feel free to bring a guest.

  Vr, Pete (WA3UMY)
      President, SMCARA