TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY ARES BULLETIN NR 20.38 DATE: September 20, 2020
SUBJECT: BEFORE ALL ELSE FAILS, READ.
This seems to be a routine that so many of us have fallen victim to in this world of ease and technology. Items come pre- assembled, no assembly required or easy to assemble. Or it may be, we feel knowledgeable enough to complete a task without any advice from others (instructions).
You know, the ole' "if all else fails, read the instructions" routine? Well....., that may work with some things, that you can go back and do properly. But it doesn't work on something that you only have one chance at, like operations during an emergency, how to send formal traffic, what route to use to check into a Pocket net, or even a walking or running event.
In situations like these and many others, that we as amateur radio operators participate, we must read the instructions before we begin putting it together. Because once it is over, it may be a year before we can correct our mistakes.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV