BUSY APRIL MEETING INCLUDES CLUB BUSINESS AND INTRODUCTION

TO ARES & RACES The April 15 Meeting of Newton County Radio Club was called to order by Club President Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB at 6:30 p.m. at Newton County Law Enforcement Center. Vickie Henry KK4VUG led the Pledge of Allegiance. Eight members and two visitors attended. Visiting were Phil Call KD8TDJ,

who plans to join, and Gregory Haussmann, who is currently working toward

getting an Amateur Radio callsign.

The first order of business was nominations for Club Officers for the coming

year. Ronnie KK4CDB said he will not seek reelection due to too many other

commitments with family, job and church. He entered the name of Gary Cham-

bers K4MDC into nomination for President, which was quickly seconded. John

Nix N5EEO entered into nomination the current Treasurer, Brian Fain KI4JIL,

Secretary, Del Davis W4DEL and Trustee, Jim Marston K4DOI to continue in

their respective capacities. Ronnie KK4CDB, and others, expressed hope that

Vice-President John N5EEO will continue in his current capacity as well.

Next on the agenda was discussion regarding the upcoming Cheerios

Challenge. Gary K4MDC asked everyone to allow plenty of time for breakfast in

order to be at their assigned location by 7:00 a.m. (at the request of YMCA event

organizers). Gary explained goals of our communications between various lo-

cations and headquarters. He said regular communications will be on 146.550

Mhz Simplex, but that Net Control will also be monitoring the WA4ASI repeater

system. Jim K4DOI said he will pass out event tee-shirts to participants during

breakfast.

Vickie Henry KK4VUG, 2014 Hamfest Chairman, reported on progress for the

Covington Hamfest, which will be at Berry’s Tree Farm on July 26. She empha-

sized the Hamfest is a joint effort and that anyone who hasn’t volunteered to be

part of the planning committee is welcome to join. She pointed out that everyone

will be given an assignment sooner or later.

Vickie is planning a special event to promote our Club, Field Day and

Hamfest for Saturday, May 3 at the Kroger store on Hwy 278 in Covington,

between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Anyone who wishes to participate is encouraged

to do so.

The Seiko Analog Quartz Watch, donated by Fletcher’s

Jewelry for last year’s canceled Hamfest is available for this

year, as is the SignaLink USB Sound Card purchased for

last year’s Hamfest. A MOTION to reimburse Ronnie

KK4CDB the $99.00 he invested in the SignaLink was

SECONDED and PASSED. It was proposed he deduct the

amount from the money he will be handing over to the

Treasurer from the recently donated equipment sale. —->

NEWTON COUNTY RADIO CLUB

NEWTON COUNTY ARES/RACES

Covington, Georgia

The Newton County Radio Club/NCARES Net meets every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on 146.925 MHz (88.5 PL) and 444.800 MHz (88.5 PL). ῼ

The FM Digital Net meets every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. on 146.925 MHz (88.5 PL). The net starts out in MT-63-2KL Mode (1500 Hz Center), then sometimes switches to another mode. ῼ

May

2014

Edition

NCRC NEWSLETTER

http://ncrcga.org <k4ncr@ncrcga.org>

(678) 521-1355

Newton County Radio Club &

Newton County ARES / RACES

meets on the 3rd Tuesday

of every month at 6:30 pm.

Our May 20 Meeting will be 6:30 pm

at Newton County Law Enforcement

Center, 15151 Alcovy Road

(1/4-Mile NE of GA Hwy 142) ῼ

QTX Page 1 of 4

Newton County Radio Club Officers

President: Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB

(678) 521-1355 <kk4cdb@arrl.net>

Vice-President: John Nix N5EEO

(770) 483-7695 <ednix@bellsouth.net>

Treasurer: Brian Fain KI4JIL

(678) 439-6883 <ki4jil@gmail.com>

Secretary/News: Delbert Davis W4DEL

(404) 229-7555 <w4del@arrl.net>

Trustee: Jim Marston K4DOI

(404) 376-5107 <k4doi@arrl.net>

Page 2 of 4 QTX

Vickie asked for a MOTION, which was PASSED to allow a $300 budget for 2014 Hamfest expenses. The money will

be used mainly for printing and mailing costs related to promoting the Hamfest. A Club Banner may also be purchased.

Del W4DEL will work on a banner design. He has already received quotes from Staples: A 6 Ft. x 2.5 Ft. Banner can be

purchased for $37.49. An 8 Ft. x 3 Ft. banner would cost $49.99. Quotes from another source were substantially higher.

The meeting concluded with a presentation by Charles Davis WA4UJC entitled “An Introduction to ARES and

RACES.” Charles said there are 3130 ARES Members in the state of Georgia. He is Newton County ARES (NCARES)

Emergency Coordinator (EC). The following NCARES Assistant Emergency Coordinators are appointed by the EC:

Bob Carter W4NNN, AEC for Administration; Jim Marston K4DOI, AEC for Net Operations; Brian Fain KI4JIL, AEC for

Digital Operations; and Donna Reeves KJ4CAU, AEC for Law Enforcement.

Charles covered details and information too comprehensive to fully report in this newsletter. Subjects included the

purpose of Amateur Radio, memorandums of understanding and infrastructure between ARES and various government

agencies, forms used in handling traffic, State ARES and local chain of command, EMCOMM courses required for an

ARES member to be “deployable” and operational training exercises.

Charles is also RACES Radio Officer for Newton County, as well as Skywarn® Event Coordinator (EC). Greg Davis

KI4NWD is Assistant Skywarn® Event Coordinator (AEC).

No door prizes were donated so there was no drawing. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. ῼ

YMCA volunteers make a

difference year after year

Staff Reports news@covnews.com

(Article Reprinted from Covington News, April 27, 2014 Edition)

The Covington Family YMCA had a record setting 1,365 participants in its Covington Cheerios Challenge event on Saturday, April 19. This event would not be possible without many people volunteering behind the scenes.

There were 121 volunteers serving at the Covington Cheerios Challenge. Volunteers were posted throughout the race route serving in significant roles. There were 18 volunteers at four different water stations, 43 volunteers directing runners at intersections, volunteers at registration and handing out water and fruit. Covington News Photo

Capt. Ken Malcom of the Covington Police Department has volunteered at the Covington Cheerios Challenge for all 13 years the YMCA has held this event. Capt. Malcom leads the team at the finish line each year, including yearly returners such as Mark McGiboney and his family, Arnold and Leta Sills, Jeff Dollar, Barbara and Al Rivers, Doug Bolton, Kelly Tompkins, David Cleveland and Linda Brown. Volunteer Coordinators Lydia Parker & Debby Boykin work months prior to the race to get volunteers into place and prepped for their important jobs.

The City of Covington Police Officers led by Lt. Al Miller and the Newton County Radio Club were along the route making certain participants were safe. Communication for the race route was provided by amateur radio operators from the Newton County Radio Club.

The Covington Family YMCA wishes to thank all the volunteers, Covington Police Officers and Radio Club members.

“The Y is thankful for a wonderful community that supports events like the Covington Cheerios Challenge through

volunteering and participating. We thank all the volunteers and those who show their support by participating. It is

always a huge community effort. We are already looking forward to next year,” YMCA Membership Director Kacie

Brown said. ῼ

Upcoming Events & meeting CALENDAR MAY 16-18 Dayton Hamvention (hamvention.org) 17 Alcovy United Methodist Church Fun Run — Ronnie Pittman KK4CDB <kk4cdb@arrl.net> 20 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center, 15151 Alcovy Road, Covington - Election of new Club Officers - “EMP” (Electromotive Pulse) by J im Marston K4DOI JUNE 7 Atlanta Hamfest (atlantahamfest.org) 17 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center - Program: OPEN JULY 15 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center - “2M & 440 Mhz Antennas” by Dave Rudd AI4JI 17-19 ARRL National Centennial Convention — Hartford, CT 19 HamCram — Butts County - Buzz Kutcher <k3gwk@arrl.net> 26 Covington Hamfest (ncrcga.org) VE Testing <w4dns@arrl.net> AUGUST 16-17 Huntsville Hamfest (hamfest.org) 19 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center SEPTEMBER 13 Fuzz Run — Covington (covingtonpolice.com/fuzz-run.aspx) 16 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center OCTOBER 11 Augusta Hamfest - Blythe (theamateurradioclubofaugusta.org) 18 Rome Hamfest (w4vo.org) 18-19 Spin For Kids — Rutledge (spinforkids.org) - Bill Ronay KM4LS <billronay@plantationcable.net> 21 *NCRC MEETING — Covington/Newton 911 Center 8146 Carlton Trail, Covington NOVEMBER 1 Stone Mountain Hamfest (stonemountainhamfest.com) 18 *NCRC MEETING — Newton County Law Enforcement Center DECEMBER

For Meeting Program Scheduling — Contact Gary Chambers K4MDC <k4mdcc@arrl.net> ῼ

Page 3 of 4 QTX

VE TESTING =====================================

Spalding County ARC

Next Session — April 12 — 9:00 a.m.

2nd Saturday — EVERY Month

Charles Clark NQ3I <nq3i@aol.com>

Spalding Regional Medical Center ————————————

Henry County ARC

Next Session — April 19 — 9:00 a.m.

3rd Saturday — EVEN Months

Roy Baker AJ4GT <aj4gt@bellsouth.net>

Piedmont Henry Medical Center ————————————

Butts County ARC

Next Session — May 17 — 9:00 a.m.

3rd Saturday — ODD Months

Jesse Porter W4DNS <w4dns@arrl.net>

Newton county radio club meetings

* 3rd Tuesday Each Month — 6:30 p.m. *

DAILY GEORGIA NETS — HF

[7 am] Georgia Cracker Net 3995 kHz (Daily Except Sunday) [8 am-1pm] SouthCars Net 7251 kHz *South Coast Amateur Radio Service

[1 pm] GA Traffic Net - Cycle 2 3987. 5 kHz (or 7287.5) (Daily Ex. Sunday)

[6 pm] GA SSB Association Net 3975 kHz [7:15 pm] 3982.5 kHz GA Traffic & Emergency Net [9 pm] GA CW Training Net 3549 kHz [10 pm] GA State CW Traffic Net 3549 kHz ῼ

ALL TIMES

ARE

EASTERN

MONTHLY HOSPITAL & ARES NETS — HF, VHF

1st Sunday [3 pm] GA Hospital Net NCS: Ken Reid KG4USN, ASEC—Public Health: Barry Kanne W4TGA

Net Operating Frequencies: VOICE: 5330.5 kHz (USB), 7188 kHz (LSB), 3975 kHz (LSB) DIGITAL: 7042 kHz (USB), 3583 kHz (USB)

The May 6 Net will feature a test using RTTY digital format. Details will be announced on the phone portion of the net.

1st Sunday [4 pm] Metro ARES FM Net 145.430 Mhz (107.2 PL) Also on Echolink at WB4NWS-R (Node: 593209) ῼ

Page 4 of 4

WEEKLY COVINGTON AREA & GEORGIA NETS — HF, VHF/UHF

Sunday [5:30 pm-summer] GA ARES Digital Net 3583 kHz (USB) (or 7042 (PSK-31) (Center 1000 Hz)

Sunday [5:30 pm–summer] Butts County FM Training Net 147.285 Mhz (131.8 PL) Winlink Checkins: WX4BCA Sunday [6 pm–summer] GA ARES SSB Net 3975 kHz (LSB) WINLINK Checkins: WX4GMA Monday [8 pm] Walton County ARES FM Net 147.270 (88.5 PL) Monday [8:45 pm] Rockdale County ARES 10-METER PHONE Net 28.325 Mhz (USB) Monday [9 pm] Rockdale County ARES FM Net 147.210 Mhz (162.2 PL) Monday [9 pm] Southern Crescent FM Net 145.170 Mhz (146.2 PL) & 444.875 Mhz (123.0 PL) Tuesday [7:30 pm] NW GA *CERT Digital Net 3583 kHz (USB) (PSK-31) (Center 1000 Hz)

Tuesday [8 pm] GA *CERT FM Net 146.805 Mhz (100.0 PL) *Community Emergency Response Team

Wednesday [8 pm] NEWTON COUNTY DIGITAL NET 146.925 Mhz (88.5 PL) (MT63-2KL) (Center 1500 Hz)

Thursday [8 pm] NCRC/ARES/RACES FM NET 146.925 & 444.800 Mhz (88.5 PL) Winlink Checkins: K4NCR May: (NCS Ronnie KK4CDB) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS K4MDC) June: (NCS Jim K4DOI) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS Del W4DEL) July: (NCS OPEN) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN) August: (NCS Gary N4OLN) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN) September: (NCS Del W4DEL) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN) October: (NCS Ronnie KK4CDB) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN) November: (NCS John N5EEO) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN) December: (NCS Jim K4DOI) (ANCS OPEN) (WL2K NCS OPEN)

Saturday [11 am] **SATERN Net (Southern Section) 7262 kHz [1 pm] **SATERN Digital Net 14.065 (Olivia 8-500) **Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (Ctr 1000 Hz) ῼ

QRT

Thursday Night Net

Control Operators Needed!

No Experience Necessary!

Help & Net Script Available!

NCRC Membership Not Required!

Rewarding! Educational! Fun!

Interested?

Contact N5EEO,

<n5eeo@arrl.net> (770) 483-7695 ῼ

Please submit Newsletter contributions & suggestions

to Del Davis <w4del@arrl.net>

And now, as they say, he rest of the story . . .

CC NET GOES OFF, BUT NOT WITHOUT “HITCH” Although QRM and QRN were the order of the day for Cheerios Challenge Net Control

Operators Gary Chambers K4MDC and NCARES AEC for Net Operations Jim Marston

K4DOI, they were able to successfully conduct communications for the event.

The constant drizzle outside and the fact that the record number of participants were

scrambling for a dry spot inside the YMCA building accounted for the “QRM,” while RF

noise from fluorescent lighting provided the “QRN.” At times, Gary K4MDC found it neces-

sary to step outside to complete the handling of “traffic.” Use of 2M FM Simplex worked ra-

ther well for the most part, but occasionally it was necessary to communicate through the

WA4ASI repeater.

We all know that these drills are designed to help develop our operating skills and prepare

our equipment for actual emergencies. We’re sure Jim K4DOI and others will be working on a

solution for these issues before next year’s event! All in all, everyone did a great job during

adverse conditions.

Other Amateur Radio operators helping with the event were Greg Davis KI4NWD, Charles

Davis WA4UJC, Buzz Kutcher K3GWK, Del Davis W4DEL, Gary Lindemann N4OLN, Ron-

nie Pittman KK4CDB, John Nix N5EEO, Phil Call KD8TDJ, Cliff Prosser K4HCP, Monica

Ladson KK4KUF, Dan Darsey W4DED and Vickie Henry KK4VUG. Thanks to all for a job

well done! Ω