DAREN of WV News May 1, 2011(.981)
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.
It's been a slow week for information. Twenty One Wood County Amateurs provided the Safety and Coordination Communications for the Bike For a Cure Bike Ride and Race on Saturday. The Ride and Race was held on a 14 mile section of the Rails-To-Trails in Wood County. The event used two UHF repeaters, and one Simplex frequency to provide the communications. While the event was going on the group worked on a plan to provide the communications using only simplex, if the organizers of the event decide to hold it again next year.
The West Virginia ARRL State Convention is coming together. Bob West, WA8YCD, has been putting together at least a couple of programs for those who are interested in the ARES program. He is going to have a Project Lifesaver demonstration and is hoping to have the National Weather Service teach a Storm Spotters Class. The Project Lifesaver program is a system to locate people who have a wristband that transmits a signal that can be found by using signal locating devices. That's right down Amateur Radio operator’s alley, since some of them love to do Fox Hunts. The state convention will be held on August 20th at the Jackson's Mills State Park in Weston. I would like to attend the convention, but since the date of the convention has been changed, it falls on the Parkersburg Homecoming weekend, and I need to be working the BINGO games as a fund raiser. Our communications group will also provide the Safety and Coordination Communications for the Parkersburg Half Marathon and Homecoming Parade.
There were 55 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Julie Hartley, KB8SYE, who's been participating in the net since January 21, 1995, has completed 300 check-ins. And, Robert Sellars, KB2FEL, who's been participating in the net since September 9, 2006, has completed 200 check-ins. Both of these operators will be receiving their certificates as soon as I can get my certificate computer back up and running. Jerry Sturm, KC8SIG, needs only one for check-in to make 100.