Southern Crescent Amateur Radio Club

Date: May 10, 2012

From : AJ4GT – EC Clayton/Henry Co.

 From The Start:

The Ham Radio group went to work after arriving around 8:30 AM. Paul, the Hospital Amateur Radio coordinator, had already set the equipment up for operation as he does most every morning. On station was Paul, KE4KXV; Roy, AJ4GT; Belinda, K4QVZ; and from Newton county Greg, KI4NWD.

 The EOC of Henry county was allowing us to use their radio room but the liaison, Bruce KI4ZUT just got out of the hospital and we had no other personnel to send. (They are moving into their new location as this is being reported.) I do want to thank Don Ash for the opportunity, but we are going to have to wait for another time to test that station. We are are working to set a time to do so.

 The station reported when the drill started but we had to change frequencies when our temporary antenna for the local radio could not link with some of our southern counties. Once our permanent antenna is set up we should be able to do so. North, east and west our coverage is good simplex. Once we linked to the 145.45 repeater we had no problems with analog or digital communications.

 Most of communication was digital as we were trying to work out all the kinks. It worked great after I got the right form. Communication with our own hospital was more challenging. That is something to be worked out in other training, but the word was noted and plans are already in the work to help that situation improve.

 It was a great day and much was learned. We did have a drawback that could not be help. We had to work around our biggest advantage. Our 444.875 repeater was off the air. Both our VHF repeaters of 145.170 (- T 146.2) and 146.715 (- T 146.2) are linked to that repeater and it covers southward to Forsyth. We have had Macon stations checking into out nets using that repeater… Training without it – Learned….

 We have been told by the hospital that we will be involved with other drill and our Field Day will be in multi-location around the Hospital.

Georgia ARES monthly report for April, 2012
Reported by: Clayton/Henry County EC, Roy Baker, AJ4GT
Report submitted by: AJ4GT, Roy Baker – EC

Total number of ARES members in your group is: 31
Change since last month: 0
Name of your Local ARES Net: CARES/SCARC NET
Net Frequency: 146.715 – 146.2
Day of the week: Monday
Time of the Net: 9 PM L
Total of Nets this month: 5
NTS Liaison: ARES=GTEN=MARS
Drills, Tests and Training sessions: 8
Drills, Tests and Training Man Hours: 73
Public Service Events: 0
Public Service Man Hours: 0
Emergency Operations: 0
Emergency Operations Man Hours: 0
Misc Activities: 2
Misc man hours: 15
TOTAL ARES OPERATIONS: 10
TOTAL ARES MAN HOURS: 88
Comments: Five weekly, one SKYWARN nets. Backed up Newton County WIPPTREX test from from Piedmont Henry Hospital Ham radio Room. I want to thank all the group coming together getting that station online. One general meeting where we practiced putting up a surplus military antenna with a working portable station in the parking lot of our meeting area.

Georgia ARES monthly report for April, 2012
Reported by: Butts County EC, Buzz Kutcher, K3GWK
Report submitted by: K3GWK, Buzz Kutcher – EC

Total number of ARES members in your group is: 32
Change since last month: 0
Name of your Local ARES Net: Spalding & Butts County Communicator Training Net
Net Frequency: 146.910 – 88.5
Day of the week: Sunday
Time of the Net: 21:45 UTC
Total of Nets this month: 4
NTS Liaison: GA ARES, GTN
Drills, Tests and Training sessions: 12
Drills, Tests and Training Man Hours: 113
Public Service Events: 1
Public Service Man Hours: 18
Emergency Operations: 1
Emergency Operations Man Hours: 5
Misc Activities: 2
Misc man hours: 14
TOTAL ARES OPERATIONS: 16
TOTAL ARES MAN HOURS: 150
Comments: FM Training Net and Digital Training Nets continue. EC gave a presentation on Radio Equipment to Butts County’s CERT group. General Training Meeting: Presentation on Logging and Field Day. Participated in the GEMA District 4 Comm Test. Several members attended GEMA WebEOC training. Members installed an HF antenna at the Jackson hospital and assisted with antenna upgrades at Piedmont/Henry hospital. Members attended planning meeting for the Region F Hospital WX Drill and Evaluator Training. Assisted Newton County ARES with comms at The Cheerio Challenge 10K race. Assisted Henry County ARES with a SKYWARN event. Currently holding a 5 week General License Course.ntenna upgrades at Piedmont/Henry hospital.

FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra

WX4PTC may possibly be activating this afternoon into the evening hours.SPC has the entire state under a slight risk of isolated damaging winds, large hail, and lightning. Please pass this info to Skywarn and ARES groups around the state.
Thanks,
Robert Burton
KD4YDC
DEC NWS / Peachtree City, GA