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SM--Tom Ciciora KA9QPN
ASM/SRM--Ron Morgan, KB9NW
ASM/SEC--Brad Pioveson, W9FX
ASM/ASEC--Shari Harlan, N9SH
ASM for Youth--Neil Gebhardt, KB9ZGZ
ACC--Joe Serocki, N9IFG
SGL--Charles Richey, K9DUE
STM--Roy Eades, KA9MZJ
PIC--Fritz Bock, WD9FMB
TC--John Dinella, WA9IL
OOC--Tim Childers, KB9FBI
ASEC--Curtis Williams, W5DTR
ASEC--Kelly Robertson, KC9FVK
ASEC--Pat Ryan, KC6VVT
ASEC--Pat Stowell, N9PN
ASEC/Digital Ops--Danny Pease NG9R
DEC: Region 2--OPEN, Region 3--Dale Marzano N9JH, Region 4--Neil Ormos N9NL, Region 6--Gary Shanks KA9FAJ, Region 7--OPEN, Region 9--John Van Sandt N9YRX, Region 8--Curtis Williams W5DTR, Region 11--Bruce Talley WA9APQ

From the top...
**Several times a year, it falls upon me to be contacted by a family member of a recently deceased ham. The conversation is some variation on a theme of "where/how do I get rid of all of this 'stuff'?" My drill for this occurrence is to have someone from the closest club contact the relative and let things progress from there. It has always worked out, and I've never heard any negative feedback. However, there is a better way. First, I am not one bit embarassed by making the following statement: If you do not make provisions to facilitate the disposal of your ham-related possessions after your death, you are doing a gross disservice to your survivors. Foremost among the reasons for pre-planning is that you may unintentionally prolong the grieving process by requiring your heirs to at least supervise a possible stranger going through your favorite toys. On the heels of that is that by and large, we have spent a lot of money in accumulating our gear over time. A life's collection of electronics is an asset and should be treated as such. Proper inventory should be kept and plans made to recoup some of that asset in cash--cash that your family might need if your departure is prolonged or untimely. And, there's no one who can pre-plan for this but *you*. You should compile a proper inventory of your equipment. This should include serial numbers and approximate purchase cost. (Note that a lot of what I've just described is also a good drill in case of theft, or natural/manmade mishaps. Try to explain Amateur Radio to an insurance adjuster.) Also, a list of other things like books and magazine collections should be compiled as well. All of this is going to be a dynamic listing, kept current as things come and go. And, it needs to be kept in a safe place where your family knows how to access it. On your password protected and encrypted Linux box is probably a bad idea. People are going to be upset and in no mood for puzzles. The most difficult part is going to be finding a trusted individual outside of your immediate family who is willing to help your survivors navigate through your stuff. This is the person who is going to help your spouse get the prevailing buck for your equipment if if goes for sale. He/she will know where to contact help to remove your antennas from the roof and uninstall gear from the family car. In case your plans call for donating your gear: making sure that it gets to a place where it will be appreciated and used. In short: someone who will carry out your final wishes to the best of their ability and help your family get on to the new normal. It goes without saying that your entire plan should be committed to writing, and your family needs to know all of the details. They should have the contact info for your 'trusted individual'. And, know who he/she is personally. Again, there is something profoundly disturbing about a total stranger rummaging through one's dead relative's most prized possessions. Everyone dies. It's usually a fairly traumatic passage for those who are left behind. But, you have it within your power to assure a level of comfort after you are gone. Make plans for orderly disposal of your station and its trappings. It's only right.
**"Lighten up, Francis." The notorious Velveeta (or do you say 'Valve-eater'?) and ham radio television commercial is being aired again. And again, we hear the low moan of those stricken by the prop CB radios in the background. TV and film very rarely get things like Amateur Radio even remotely right. We know this. John Amodeo NN6JA and his crew are doing their best with Last Man Standing to introduce and maintain accuracy. I'm sure that there are plenty of other folks in Hollyweird who are trying the same thing with other productions which use ham radio as a prop or plot device. But, accuracy is the first thing to go when balanced against the quest to entertain. So, what to do? Simple. We as a group can own this stuff, flawed or no, and use it as a conversation starter to get people interested in the Service. We can bounce past the inaccuracies and correct them later when we get down to Elmer's business. The other two options when asked for an explanation by a lay person would be to mumble and walk away, or go into a tirade over the inaccuracies and lose the questioner in minutiae and jargon. Either one of those does not serve our ultimate purpose, which is to explain our passion so well that anyone who hears just wants to drop everything and join our ranks.
**SKYWARN Recognition Day is laid on for 7 December from 0000 UTC to 2400 UTC. Most National Weather Service forecast offices are mounting some type of participation with the area SKYWARN partners and activating their in-house amateur stations. Some offices are having open houses in conjunction with the on-air event. Check with your local NWS office for their plans.
 

Get informed...
**As I write this, the K9W Wake Island DXpedition is winding down. By all accounts, a good time was had by all, and there were plentiful contacts. Of note is the approval of the operation for DXCC credit and the QSO between the team and Illinois Congressman Brad Schneider. That contact was facilitated by Wally Klinger W9BEA. Wally had originally contacted Representative Schneider to address concerns about obtaining access to US possessions abroad for DXpeditions. One thing led to another, and the contact happened shortly after. Most important was the purpose of the trip, which was to commemorate and honor the "Forgotten 98". These men were civilians: employees of Morrison Knudsen Corporation who were trapped on Wake Island by the Japanese invasion, forced to work to build infrastructure for the invaders, and then summarily executed when the Japanese thought that the US was going to retake the island. It's a story that I had not heard until this exercise was laid on.
**Also ongoing at this time are relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan's passage over the Philippines. Even five days later (at this writing), the full measure of the disaster is still being assessed. As is the case in nearly all of such events, Amateur Radio is the only means of communication until temporary infrastructure repairs can be affected. Please avoid 7.095 MHz for the duration as that is being used for emergency traffic.
 

Around the Section...
**The Kishwaukee ARC/DeKalb County ARES was involved in providing communication for two events in Sycamore during the last month. The first was the CROP Walk for Hunger held on 20 October, involving 16 hams and 138 walk participants. The second was the annual effort as Parade Marshals for the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Parade held on 27 October. This is one of the Big Deals in the area for the year, involving 22 operators to help organize the procession of 120 units and 12 high school bands. Well done on these two high visibility events.
**And, finally: Fritz Bock WD9FMB sends "The Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club participated in two public service events on October 12 and 13.  The Goodwill Forward March and Run comprised a 1 mile march and both 4 and 8 mile runs.  The Saturday event was the first run for Goodwill in Peoria and PAARC was pleased to participate.  Proceeds from the run are used to further veteran services in central Illinois as well as the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Homeless Veterans located near downtown Peoria. Club members covered key intersections used by the runners’ as well strategic locations within the Springdale Cemetery and Park. Amateur Radio Operators included, Darhal, K9DRF as net control, Dwight, WD9HZK, John, KB9TNZ; John, N9FAM; Jon, NM0O; Larry, KC9QYA; Jim, KC9FWR; Mark, W9WGN; John, N9YUY; Merle, KB9VQH and Fritz, WD9FMB. On Sunday, October 13, four members of the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club provided logistical and medical team emergency communication support during the 36th Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The group manned Aid Station number 10. This is the 5th year the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club has supported the marathon and the 5th year the organizers have used amateur radio to support the runners. Amateur Radio Operators (assisting with the Marathon) included Jim, KC9FWR; Ron, KB9NW; Mark, W9WGN and Fritz, WD9FMB."
**And, a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving to you and yours!
 

Ye Olde Traffic Report DE KA9MZJ...(welcome back!)

Illinois Side Band Net - Net Manager WB9QPM
Daily on 3905 at 1800 local time
QNI 261 QTC 52 Sessions 31
 
Illinois Phone Net - Net Manager K9GYI
M-F on 3857 at 1645 local time
Sunday on 3940 at 0810 local time - right after the Illinois Emergency Net
QNI 242 QTC 19 Sessions 27
 
Illinois Emergency Net - Net Manager K9HEZ
Sunday on 3940 at 0800 local time
QNI 65 QTC 4 Sessions 3
 
North Central Phone Net – Net Manager K9HEZ
M-F on 3912 at 0700 local time
QNI 296 QTC 6 Sessions 23
 
Illinois CW Net (ILN)   Net Manager WB8SIM
KF9ME reporting
Daily on 3838 at 1915 local time   
QNI 70 QTC 8 Sessions 16