July, 2010    

The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, July 6, at 7:00 PM in the EOC Training Room. Please plan to attend.

We have received a membership application from Bruce Snyder, KG4YEV. Bruce is now a Temporary Member until approved by membership vote at the meeting.

As an additional reminder all family members of a full member have full Club privileges with the exception of voting.

We continue to appreciate and need the support of our membership during the StormNet alerts. We had only 1 alert in April and 1 in May. However, in June we had a string of alerts on June 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18. It seems that every evening we had a line of cells with the potential for Tornados or severe thunderstorms enter our County. With the lack of active hams in the Elwood and Frankton area we have to rely upon our observers from the central part of the County to man the northern observation points. Our observation network is closely linked to the Public Safety communications organization in our County and many citizens in addition to the police and fire agencies monitor your reports. Your dedication to the StormNet operation is greatly appreciated.

I’m sorry to report that Tom Dodge, K9WHI, is a Silent Key (May 8). Tom was not a member of this Club but he was a very active member of the Madison Co. Club in the 70’s. He was also active with us in Civil Defense. Tom worked with many of us and helped teach amateur radio classes for years. Tom’s father-in-Law was Carl Bourne, KL7IFQ (WA9SBY).

Also Bob Brobst, WB9UOF, became a Silent Key on June 27. Bob was another very active member of the Madison County Club in the 60’s and 70’s, and was a member of the ARC in ’77, and ’90 thru ’92. Bob operated a low profile repeater on 145.43 in Alexandria. Bob’s assistance in Code and Theory classes added many new amateurs to our ranks.

I hope you had an opportunity to participate in Field Day. The weather was much better than last year and we didn’t have all the atmospheric noise that plagued us in ‘09. Field Day is not only a good time but an opportunity to exercise our communications skills in a temporary or emergency environment. If you weren’t able to participate this year plan to attend next year.

Remember the County Hospital exercise on July 14. We still need amateurs to provide support communications that morning. If you can help contact Steve-WA9CWE, or Mike-KC9AOM.

73,
Steve