D.A.R.E.N. News 2013

DAREN of WV News August 25, 2013(.B03)
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.

I don't have much news this week.  I've just been getting some of the things around the house caught up, and trying to get the grass cut, that has got out of hand because of the activities and the rain.  On Tuesday my nephew Sammy Mercer, N8SVX, and I installed a Red Cross 47.42 MHz ground plane antenna on my 120 foot tower.  The antenna is part of the VLF/UHF system that I've been working on for a while.  The system will allow the Red Cross to communicate with the ERVs (Emergency Response Vehicles) from their office, using a UHF Link Radio system.  The system can also be accessed using a handheld radio from other places, such as Red Cross shelters. On September 21st, I will hold a one day General Class Amateur Radio class for anyone wanting to upgrade their license.  The class will be held at the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, 211 6th Street, in Parkersburg.  The class will start at about 9:00 am followed by a VE Test exam session. Terry Mills, KC8TUE, said that door prizes for the Parkersburg/Wood County Hamfest have started to arrive.  The Hamfest will be held at the Wood County 4-H Camp Grounds in Mineral Wells.  The date of the Hamfest is October 12th. For those wishing to sale their goodies, the tables are 5 dollars.  There will be three main prizes, and the door prize drawings will be held every 5 minutes. To find out more about the Hamfest check out the website: www.wc8ec.org There were 46 check-ins to the State Wide DAREN Net this week.  Joe Peterson, N8DSN, who's been participating in the net since March 26, 1994, has completed 950 check-ins, and will be receiving his certificate.  I'm hoping to get started printing up the certificates that I've fallen behind on.  I've finished with a lot of my activities for the summer, but now it's the end of the month and time to get my ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Report put together and sent to the ARRL.  I won't be doing that report much longer.  I've already advised the West Virginia Section Manager (SM), that I'm giving up the SEC position at the end of the year.  This will give me a little bit more time with some of my activities.