Fresno ARES/RACES

December 2, 2009-  November is a month of reflection, nearing the end of the year and with 2 major Holidays, Thanksgiving and Veterans Day even EmComm has to take pause and collect itself.  We are also gearing up for the new year while finishing this one with Skywarn Recognition Day (SRD).

Veterans Day, what has that to do with EmComm?  Remembering our Veterans is not hard when you think about it.  We have Amateur Radio in this country and all our other privileges due to the sacrifice of our military, many of whom went overseas during peace time, doing their duty for us.  So thank you for keeping our country safe for Ham radio, hi hi.

Then the image of Pilgrims and Turkey fills all our senses.  While gathered at the table with way too much food, I like most, am thankful for family, home and purpose.  I also remember those that have volunteered their time and effort to train and participate in the planning and training for disaster communications.  Mostly, I'm thankful that locally, our need for disaster communications is very sporadic and limited.  Thankful also for the dedication of our volunteers, because without their commitment, none of this is possible.

On to the future, Our Meeting for this Month will be on December 10, Thursday at 7 PM at the Salvation Army Citadel.  This will suffice as November and December's Training Meetings.  This is our planning meeting so please come down and voice your ideas.

I had the pleasure of being part of a Search and Rescue Exercise put on by the Tulare ARES, Tulare Sheriff and the Boy Scouts who were the prime volunteers looking for a downed Cessna above Kaweah.  They established Traffic resource and communications nets that passed traffic to PG&E in Bakersfield via the W. Kern County ARES.  I even received a message from the adhoc ARES traffic Net in Tulare via the W. Kern ARES adhoc Traffic Net.  Great practice in message handling.  I will be looking forward to the after action report, hopefully in time to bring it to our Dec 10 meeting.

Skywarn Recognition Day is 5 December, 0000 UTC (that is 4 PM Friday Dec 4) and WX6HNX is gearing up for the 24 hour QSO party with weather stations.  I can't participate this year so I'm going to miss the Chili and Pizza as well as the grave-yard operation I usually have fun with.  Last year I even talked to one of our operators who was traveling in South Carolina!  What a blast.  They have new antennas, APRS, a TS-2000 and VHF/UHF Yaesu.  I am anticipating some good stories, hi hi.  Contact Bruce KD6DRU This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to operate.

I will be at the Directors Meeting in Livermore, so think of me while I am getting the low down on the Pacific Division directly from Bob Vallio W6RGG.  I'm salivating at the thought of the cold cut lunch and under-stuffed chairs of the downtown City of Livermore Chamber room. 

This too I am Thankful, to be able to voice the EmComm News in the Fresno Amateur Radio Club SKIP newsletter and the Fresno ARES/RACES website. 

For that matter I am thankful for HAM Radio!

73 TU , Dan Pruitt.

NET:  Monday  1930 hours local  on 147.150+, PL 141.3
Monthly meetings on the 4th Thursday of each Month
Salvation Army Citadel, 1854 N. Fulton St  1900 hrs

EmComm and Coffee.  Time is 0830 hours.
Yosemite Falls Cafe on Blackstone, just North of Shaw

See us on the web  www.fresnoares.com or 
www.fresno-races.net .  Or email me directly This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it