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Current Feature Articles   Nov 20 The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler   Nov 20 Adventure in the Arctic: VO2A Expedition to Labrador   Nov 20 Surfin': More Radio Piracy on the High Seas   Nov 16 Youth@HamRadio.Fun: Fall Magic   Nov 13 Surfin': The Real Pirate Radio   Nov 06 Surfin': Homebrewing Today   Nov 05 DX the Hard Way   Nov 02 ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?   Nov 01 It Seems to Us: It Doesn't Just Happen   Oct 30 Surfin': Mapping Up ARRL Products: Instructor Support (More) Boe-Bot Robot Kit -- The new USB Boe-Bot is a reprogrammable robot built on a high-quality brushed aluminum chassis. Basic Electronics Course and Kit -- The Basic Electronics Course and Kit is intended for those teachers and instructors that want a ready resource that they can adapt to their instruction of electronic fundamentals. The materials include a PowerPoint presentation and instructor's script. The course is designed around affordable components, prototyping board, and VOM and uses Understanding Basic Electronics as the associated reference (sold separately). Basic Electronic Morse Code Keyer Kit -- Build a Morse code keyer kit and experience the project-building fun! Parallax USB Oscilloscope -- This portable two-channel digital storage oscilloscope is a handy and affordable tool for both hobbyist and student! The ARRL Instructor's Manual for Technician Class License Courses -- For use with The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. Includes CD-ROM.

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This week's Surfin' relates the story about hams finding a new venue for a public service ham station.

Amateur Radio public service finds a new home at a big box store in Warrenton, Oregon.

Two weeks ago, Surfin' kicked off a series of columns devoted to public service.

Continuing in that vein this week, check out this January 29 story from The Daily Astorian of Astoria, Oregon. Don Hillgaertner, WA7TEM, the county coordinator for the local RACES, and Ken Lucke, WA7PIX, vice president of the Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club (SEARC), worked with Home Depot's corporate office to install a ham radio station at the local Home Depot to serve the public in times of emergencies. Visit the W7BU/SEARC Web site to see and read more about the installation.

This is a great article on two fronts because (a) it informs the public about the availability of ham radio's emergency service on the local level, and (b) it informs hams - us -- what is possible when we try to find a home for a public service oriented ham radio station. Who knows? Since Home Depot corporate supported the Warrenton installation, they may be agreeable to support similar installations at the other locations, which are everywhere.

Until next time, keep on surfin'!

Editor's note: To communicate with Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, send him e-mail or add comments to his blog. By the way, every installment of Surfin' is indexed here, so go look it up.

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Next: The K7RA Solar Update