Very exciting happenings this last month for EmComm. In Summary we had EmComm West / Pacificon on May 1, 2 and 3.  Everything followed in rapid succession after that.  The FARC meeting was the following Friday then ARES/RACES/SATERN sponsored a 3 week class for ARECC Level 1.  Field day is getting close and Hamfest not that far beyond.  Now it is June and there doesn't seem to be enough time to finish everything, old story I guess.

EmComm West / Pacificon 2009 -- Well I was impressed.  There were more vendors, very good forums and breakouts.  Lots of ARRL participation.  To top it off Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, who “...No longer have to be Politically Correct.,” was very candid in his views of the past and future FCC enforcement issues.  Might I add a very entertaining speaker.  Some take-aways I saw were the need for more Public Relations involvement locally and the increased need for digital type communications in a disaster mode.  Discussions on the merits of Outpost and Airmail that I attended, projected capabilities and direction.  I personally had some insight from the realm I'll be joining in July as Section Manager.  All of the Pacific division Section Managers were present, even Hawaii.  Steve Ewald, WV1X, the head of the Field Services Branch at ARRL invited me to participate in all the SM functions, where I was well handled. hi hi.  It was a very enlightening experience and I found an unexpected camaraderie.  Thank you Steve for the opportunity.

Everyone should be aware that I am a believer in the ARECC Level 1 EmComm Course.  I had the luck of taking all three when we had grant money to reimburse us.  Well when the money ran out I started looking for a way to cut the cost and have it taught locally.  After researching it and getting all the requirements met, scheduling became a real problem.  We accomplished this May 9 through May 23.  One of the long time requesters actually donated 3 books and we registered 7 students.  There were still scheduling conflicts and illness that threatened the class however I'm glad to say 6 completed and 100% of them passed the test for certification.  As they say in Hollywood, “It is in the can” and off to ARRL.  We have already started the planning of a second session, and another instructor.  Three students are already registered so get your name in the hat if you wish to sign up. 

This is Field Day Month, and though I am an avid FARC Field Day participant, there is a need to set up an EOC for SATERN, at 1854 Fulton Street.  The Salvation Army will be sponsoring station N6S (NOVEMBER-SIX-SATERN) as the SATERN EOC on Field Day.  We will be open house, operating either 1 or 2 Foxtrot.  Our main goals will be to pass a few pieces of traffic, operate for 24 hours, allow a tour for some Boy scouts and be available to those who would not normally be at another Field day site for whatever reason.  Very low key, but functionality will be our hallmark.  If you would like to participate, contact one of us or email me at the website with the subject line of “Field Day”.  Get out and operate.  If you can't make your own club, feel free to stop by the Citadel.

This is June, October is not very far away and that means HAMFEST!  We will have a booth or area or whatever, where we will display information and tools of the trade.  We hope you will stop by and pass on your opinions and questions.  Look for more Boy scouts as that will be JOTA weekend!  Don't forget, tickets for the FT-857 will be out soon.  73!

Join us on the net at 1930 hours local, on Monday nights on 147.150+, PL 141.3 or at our Monthly meetings on the 4th Thursday of each Month at 1900 hrs.  Come join us at the Salvation Army Citadel, 1854 N. Fulton St. and on the 3rd  Friday of each month at Yosemite Falls Cafe on Blackstone, just North of Shaw Ave, for EmComm and Coffee.  Time is 0830 hours.

Check out the websites www.fresnoares.com or www.fresno-races.net .  You can contact us on the website or me directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .73 TU , Dan  AE6SX.