DAREN of WV News October 4, 2020(E74)
(304) 679-3470 wa8llm@yahoo.com
Wood County Emergency Communications, 319 Communications Dr, Waverly, WV 26184
www.wc8ec.com or 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 www.wc8ec.com and www.wc8ec.org websites.
Since we received only 28 E-Mails from Amateurs who said they would either like to attend, or said they were planning to attend the Parkersburg/Wood County Hamfest, the 2020 Hamfest was cancelled on October 1st. We have already reserved the Mineral Wells 4-H Building for the 2021 Hamfest. I hope things will get back to somewhat normal next year.
At the Middle School Cross Country races on Tuesday, September 29th, the Amateurs who were there were asked if they could provide the same type service at another event on October 22nd. At the present time the organizers of the event are just making plans. I suppose we will be notified if the event does happens.
Last week I talked about the commercial antennas for the 2.4 GHz HSMM (High Speed MultiMode) Mesh system. The antennas came in Thursday. Yesterday I changed out the antenna on one of the main Mesh nodes. It made a world of difference. The signals were so good that Sammy Mercer, N8SVX, is able to see that main node from his house which is about 10 miles away. We are now able to see, or be seen, by a couple other stations that we didn't think we would be able to work with. Tomorrow, Sammy and I will change out the antenna on my tower, which should make a big difference. I've always heard the antenna on any radio system is the key to the system. The antennas are about like the ones I've been building, but they have a couple other items that mine don't have. I think I'll be able duplicate the antennas and keep the cost down on any new nodes that will be added to the system. On Wednesday, I'm planning to drive around the county with my portable station, and test for signals a different locations. Maybe we can find some more hilltop locations to install additional nodes.
There were only 28 check-ins to the State Wide DAREN Net this week. Judy
Peterson, N8UFQ, needs only one more check-in to make 1450. And, Mike Tyler, WA8YWO, needs only one more check-in to make 200.