Fresno ARES/RACES

January 27, 2010-  Already this month there is a change in the flavor of EmComm from all aspects.  Our own Craig K6QI, went on an Air Force sponsored tour of the Pave Paws facility at  Beale AFB.  Skywarn is going to exhibit at the Cal Ag Expo in Tulare.  The ARRL Emergency Management position formerly held by Dennis Dura K2DCD, is now vacant.  Our Asst. ARES EC is starting new training programs.  The ARES/RACES web site has a new face.  SATERN is growing and working with ARES/RACES.  This month's training meeting is tasked with completing this years calender.

Craig K6QI along with hams in the ARRL Pacific Division, were invited to accompany and have a chance to get the Air Force's spin on the interference with their Pave Paws project.  Led by Dan Henderson N1ND (ARRL Regulatory Information Specialist) the Air Force welcomed the hams with a tour and a forum to exchange ideas.  The Air Force is the "Primary user" in the 70 CM band and is being very gracious in not asking the FCC to just shut down our privileges.  They are seeking ways to accommodate the hams.  They will be at Pacificon, in October.  The more we work together on this, the sooner we will see a resolution.

WX6HNX will be operating portable at the World Ag Expo, February 9,10 and 11, in Tulare.  The National Weather Service will be exhibiting in Pavilion 1.  The SKYWARN contingent with the Kings Co. ARES group will operate a demonstration of Amateur Radio's contribution.  Bruce KD6DRU, Skywarn's coordinator, had this as the focus of the January 20 meeting in Hanford.  For info: Bruce.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ARRL EmComm Manager's position is now vacant, however ARRL's commitment to Emergency Communications has not diminished.  The Haiti disaster was well handled with HQ shipping out a repeater, HT's and mobile units for their use.  They were shipped with coax, antennas, batteries and all the hardware to put them into operation.  Looks like the responsibility fell mostly to Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, ARRL's Asst manager for membership and Volunteer Programs.  Good job!  It is nice to know the cache of equipment is there in time of crisis. 

Joe WA6FFJ will be unveiling his new training programs at the Monthly Meeting.  This will include a lot of hands-on training.  His emphasis stresses 'using the radio".  Learn by doing.  It should work very well with the idea of having at least 1 event per month.  I'm looking forward to working with him on this.  Field Day will allow a lot of participation from those that normally can't go out of town or up a hill with a club..

I hope you were there to help set the Calender for this year.  I know the March of Dimes event is late March, Field Day in June, and Joe has a place to do Amateur Radio Awareness Day in September.  SET (Simulated Emergency Test) is in October and Skywarn Recognition Day is first weekend of December.  Check out the new face on the website to see the completed calender.

The Salvation Army of Fresno has always been there to help and be ready at the drop of a hat.  Their SATERN arm, coming with Dwaine Brezeale, Captain  KG6SYA and his association with the Bishop SATERN group, will show our group what to aspire can be achieved.  He and Captain Kristin KI6QED are planning to upgrade their EOC before Field Day with some more permanent antennas and equipment.

The ARES contingent all through the San Joaquin Valley are under mandate to improve simplex VHF and HF functionality.  This means training for relaying traffic, point to point with all modes, not just voice.  This will demonstrate the capability to pass traffic through the section 

73, Dan AE6SX

NET:  Monday  1930 hrs local  on 147.150+, PL 141.3
Monthly: meetings, the 4th Thursday of each Month
Salvation Army Citadel, 1854 N. Fulton St  1900 hrs
EmComm and Coffee:  Time is 0830 hrs, 3rd Friday Yosemite Falls Cafe on Blackstone and Shaw
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