Citizens Emergency Response team responds to drill - Whitman, MA - Whitman Times

In other communities

Citizens Emergency Response team responds to drill - Whitman, MA - Whitman Times: "Of the 16 CERT volunteers who responded, 10 were licensed Amateur Radio operators. This radio training was in addition to the professional CERT training that qualified them for situations like this.

The 16 CERT volunteer participants were; Bob Schmitt KB1MTY WEMA Director, Bill Hayden N1FRE EOC-Radio Control operator, Mike Supple KB1OEP, Susan Supple, Stacey Supple, Paul Moss KB1MTW, Ron Stundze KB1OEQ, Gloria Chiaramonte KB1OAV, Skip O’Malley KB1MTZ, Cathy Costello KB1MTX, Erika LaFlamme KB1MTV, Rick Peterson KB1OEU, Joan Peterson, Mark Huska, Ted Petersen and Don Taylor.

The EOC radio control center was activated by radio operator Mike Supple KB1OEP and later manned by the Whitman Radio Amateur Civilian Emergency Service and RACES Radio Officer Bill Hayden N1FRE. During the day, radio contact was available between the EOC and CERT participants, Fire and Police at the drill scene. As many as 30 VHF and UHF radio frequencies were constantly being monitored at the EOC radio center during the exercise. Skip O’Malley KB1OEZ was assigned to drive one of the busses during activities. Although the CERT members played a small back-ground type support role in this exercise, such as bus driving and delivering food and drinks to the others at the town hall, all were ready willing and able to perform what ever task was assigned."

Google News

In other communities...

Google News: "Should weather or a man-made event knock out conventional phone lines, he said Ridgefield ham radio operators could tap into the Internet."

POLICE VOLUNTEERS

This Friday at 5:30pm there will be a meeting at City Hall for the purpose of introducing to the Newport Community the first ever Volunteer Police Program. Discussed will be the vision of how the organization will be developed for the community and what it offers volunteers for their service. After the presentation volunteers will be invited to join the program.

If you need further information prior to the meeting contact Ed Simon here in the park or at the Newport Police Department.

The Daily Courier - HOW'D THEY DO THAT? Morse code translations keep Prescott man busy

The Daily Courier - HOW'D THEY DO THAT? Morse code translations keep Prescott man busy: "Morse code is a dying art.

The romantic notion of a brave wireless radio operator resolutely tap-tapping out distress signals while rising sea water laps at his feet (think Titanic) has gone the way of the old-fashioned ice box and the wringer washing machine.

'It takes too long to learn,' admits Chuck Adams, a 65-year-old retired astrophysicist living in the high desert hills on the edge of Prescott.





Don't get him wrong - Adams loves Morse code. He is one of the fastest code transcribers in the United States. Since 1985 - just for fun - Adams has been translating books into Morse code. He has done about 25 so far.

About four years ago, he started putting the translated Morse code tones on CDs and selling them for a token amount on the Internet. He gets about three or four requests for the CDs a month.

Transcribing the books is not as complicated as it sounds because Adams wrote a software program that does the translation for him on a computer.

It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to do one book. He has sold about 100."

Why all this talk about "ham"? -- dailypress.com

Why all this talk about "ham"? -- dailypress.com: "ham radio,' as it's often called — is a vital resource to local communities, as well as communities worldwide. Unlike telephones or the Internet, ham relies solely on the Earth's ionosphere. This means there's no infrastructure, such as power grids, between you and whomever you might be talking to on your frequency. No matter what happens with your phone signal or wireless Internet connection, the equipment used in amateur radio will stay connected."

In Iraq, amateur radio's voice is muted - Los Angeles Times

In Iraq, amateur radio's voice is muted - Los Angeles Times: "BAGHDAD -- Whenever he gets a spare moment away from his electronics repair shop, Abdul Karim Hadi sneaks off to what he calls the 'radio shack' in the corner of his bedroom, flips a switch and escapes to the outside world.

Hadi could use the Internet or a cellphone to connect with friends near and far, but his choice is decidedly more retro.

Radio
Radio
click to enlarge

Graphic: A look into Iraq
Interactive Feature
Graphic: A look into Iraq
(Flash)

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- Iraq coalition casualty count - icasualties.org
- MORE IRAQ WAR COVERAGE

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'With ham radio, you can meet people around the world,' said Hadi, 48, who has been 'hamming' since 1978. 'It's also a hobby you can do on your own. And once you have your own equipment, it's free.'"

Amateur radio operators man posts - poconorecord.com - The Pocono Record

HAM's in other communities

Amateur radio operators man posts - poconorecord.com - The Pocono Record: "Among the people who show up at emergencies, there are those who are visible like EMTs, firefighters, police and members of the media. There are also those who are invisible, yet they can be heard if you know where to listen for them — on the radio.

'Amateur radio is a service, not a hobby,' said Bill Connelly. He volunteers with the Red Cross at many emergencies. 'A lot of us are registered with Homeland Security. We actually have identification. Flood, fires, any time they set up a shelter for any reason, we put one amateur radio guy at the shelter, one at the Red Cross headquarters and one at the scene if it's appropriate,' Connelly said."

ARRLWeb: Oregon Governor Allocates $250,000 for Digital Communications Network

ARRLWeb: Oregon Governor Allocates $250,000 for Digital Communications Network: "During the December storms, Amateur Radio operators were there to help. After a visit to one of the severely affected towns, Governor Kulongoski said, 'I'm going to tell you who the heroes were from the very beginning of this...the ham radio operators. These people just came in and actually provided a tremendous communication link to us.' Oregon's OEM said the radio operators were 'tireless in their efforts to keep the systems connected. When even state police had difficulty reaching some of their own troops, ham radio worked, setting up networks so emergency officials could communicate and relaying lists of supplies needed in stricken areas.'"

Ham operator fined for abuse

Ham operator fined for abuse: "A rogue ham-radio operator who interfered with the critical Mount Seymour repeater has been busted by U.S. authorities.

Onno Onneken, president of the B.C. FM Communications Association, said James Grinton of Bellingham, Wash., interfered with legitimate conversations hundreds of times over two years without giving his call signal."

Radio operators often serve as storm spotters

Radio operators often serve as storm spotters: "When it comes to severe weather, ham radio operators who double as storm spotters may be saving lives.

More than 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and 900 tornadoes occur in an average year in the United States. In addition to Doppler radar, it takes many eyes turned toward the sky to help keep up with developing weather situations."


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Pictures

We would like to have a digital picture of you in your radio shack with all your equipment. If you will send us one with your Call and name we will have it right here on the website as a continuous loop slide show. That way we will have both an introduction to you and your shack any time we look at the website.

To see what we mean visit the Newport CERT Team's website and watch the top of the page as the slide show scrolls through the images. Click the link below:

NEWPORT CERT TEAM CLICK HERE

When you get ready to email me your shack, picture, name and call send it to:
KE7NIW@GMAIL.COM