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

DAREN of WV News September 22 2013(.B07)
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.

After I wrote the news last Sunday, I got a Packet message from Gene Roy, N8ER. Gene said that he has been working with Bruce Minor, KA8ZKL, and Bob Tuckerman, W3RUA, trying to get Pendleton County NODE/PBBS of PENDWV/FKLNWV back on the air.  Gene wants thank John White, W3JTW, for the offer of the radio but, but he thinks they have the radio equipment working.  The problem getting the station back on the air is the antenna.  He said the antenna they were using was a temporary antenna, and it went bad.  The temporary antenna was being used until other work on the tower was completed.  Gene says it looks like they will be using a mobile antenna on a metal roof until, when they get back up to the tower site.  Then they can get a good antenna and get it mounted on the tower.

I also received an E-Mail from Al Poland, K8AXW, about the Mineral County NODE/PBBS of MINEWV/KEYSWV.  He said that Butch Sayers, N8RCG, got the station back on the air when he had to work on his 147.39 MHz voice repeater, which is located at the same location.  Al didn't know what kind of problem it was, but it was an antenna problem.  Al said that he is thankful the Mineral County NODE/PBBS is back in operation.

I going to be busy this coming week again.  The Wood County Emergency Communications group purchased a 1995 Terry Camping Trailer back in January, and they have been converting it to a Communications Trailer.  I have been putting in conduit, getting ready to add additional 115 volt wiring, and 12 volt DC cabling for the radios.  When we get time, my nephew Sammy Mercer, N8SVX, and I have been working on it for the last three weeks.  We are hoping to have all the wiring completed in time to take the trailer to the Volcano Days festival next weekend.  The trailer won't be ready for communications, but it will be used as an office for the BINGO games the group will be operating at the festival.  Also the group will be providing the safety communications at another High School Cross Country foot racing event on Thursday.

There were 47 check-ins to the State Wide DAREN Net this week.  My daughter Cathy Wotring, KC8DJJ, who's been participating in the net since April 27, 1996, has completed 900 check-ins.  John Western, KC8ODI, who's been participating in the net since March 13, 2004, has completed 450 check-ins. And, Mark Sweitzer, KD8MIV, who has been participating in the net since September 25, 2010, has completed 150 check-ins.  All of these operators will be receiving their certificates as soon as I can find time to get them printed up.  Bill Bayless, KB8HEK, needs only one more check-in to make 550.  Brad Carabine, KC8TYU, needs only one more check-in to make 500.  And, Remington Sweitzer, KB3TXG, needs only one more check-in to make 150.