DAREN of WV News March 20, 2011(.975)
Harris WA8LLM (304) 679-3470 wa8llm@yahoo.com
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
P.O. BOX 3328, PARKERSBURG, WV 26103
http://www.wc8ec.org
DAREN News, are articles and information about the Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network of WV, which operates on 145.69 MHz. Anyone having any information about DAREN, or Amateur Radio in general, and would like to share it with others, may send it to WA8LLM @ PKBGWV on 145.69 MHz, or to my E-Mail: wa8llm@yahoo.com. A State Wide DAREN NET is operated every Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and lately, before and after those hours. The DAREN Net Announcement, showing the MAIN NCS, ALTERNATE NCS, NODEs accessible to both, and the previous week's check-ins, are posted by Thursday on most of the Main county DAREN PBBS'. The DAREN News can also be found on the wc8ec.org website.
Not much news this week. I did make it to the Charleston yesterday and was able to see, and talk, to a few of the DAREN operators. I didn't get to talk much since I needed to hold an ARES Forum in the back room. By the time I got finished, a lot of those who attended the Hamfest were already getting ready to leave.
With the spring and summer storms starting to arrive, we need to keep an eye on the Hilltop, and Mountaintop NODEs. There have been several stations that have been having problems over the past six months or so, we can't afford to lose any more. As soon as the weather gets a little warmer, and I can get up my tower here beside the house, I need to do some antenna work. I've been having trouble connecting to some of the NODEs that used to be able to connect to, and some of the participates of the State Wide DAREN Net have been having trouble getting checked into the Net Control Station, which uses those antennas. The antennas that I've been using are the Ringo Ranger II version. Since they are exposed to the weather, and the hardware is not weatherproof, they do get wear and tear on them. I'm going to replace the antennas with my homemade J-Pole antennas that are completely sealed, and no water can get into the electrical connections. With any hope that should take care of any antenna problems. That should also make it easier for those who participate in the net to get checked into the Net Control Station.
Gene Roy, N8ER, wants me to send a couple of DAREN starter packages out to a couple of Amateurs who are just getting started into Packet Radio. Mark Sweitzer, KD8MIV, and Michael Canfield, KD8MYQ, will be receiving their DAREN Packages in a few days.
That's all I have for this week. If anyone has something they want to pass on to those who read the DAREN News, send it to me and I'll get it in the News and posted on the DAREN PBBSs, and the www.wc8ec.org website.
There were 56 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Judy Peterson, N8UFQ, who has been participating in the net since October 31, 1992, has completed 950 check-ins. And, Delmas Hartley, N8JYS, who's been participating in the net, on and off, since January 14, 1995, has completed 300 check-ins. John Johnston, KF8OM, needs only one more check-in to make 700. I know I'm going to be busy this week going to a Office of Emergency Services class at North Bend State Park, so I won't be able to start printing the certificates for those who have been waiting for them. I hope to get started on them soon. I don't want to get as far behind as I did the last time. I do appreciate all of the Amateurs who participate in the net each week, and it's just my small way of saying thanks.