This month’s ARES meeting discussed Task Books and getting tasks signed. 

Remember to date the Communications Drill and add a date if you have called the net and if you have programmed a radio or taken a course. This picture is of the ARES Task Book Intermediate Level Page. Notice under participation the Net Participation, Public Service Event Participation (i.e. Field Day), and Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise (i.e.,Communications Drill). Add the dates and get Alan Curtis to sign them off. Also, if you were at the Antenna Workshop, there is under proficiency/skill the Build a Simple Dipole Antenna…

We also talked about what we wanted to see at the next workshop.  Some of the suggestions included:  Building Dummy Loads, a DIY Antenna amplifier, or of course we can follow some of the requirements in the task book like soldering a PL259 connecter to coax, or programming frequencies and off sets into a radio or perhaps we can demonstrate cross band repeat on Mobile Radio (UHF-VHF).    We have also added setting up a go box design class.

Discussion was held about the May 10th Fundraiser at the Rocket Launch in Samson, AL.  The decision was made to just sell chips, candy and water due to initial outlay and the limited intended crowd size.  We would still appreciate help at the event.  AND OF COURSE, please bring a rocket to launch.

During the last storms that rolled across Alabama, there seemed to be very little radio chatter.  We decided to increase our presence on the 2 meter radio during or right after storms.  Also, we will start monitoring the Hurricane Net.

A suggestion was made to add a rag chew to our weekly net to make it a more “friendly” net instead of just “can I make a check in?”  We decided to add the rag chew.

We will also be having a few HF net calls to check the connections and configurations to make it work.  We are working out the kinks in this area.

All in all, we had a great meeting.  Thank you all who attended.

BLC