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News last updated: Fri, June 12, 2009 at 11:40 AM ET
Mississippi Section Report for May 2009
SM: Malcolm Keown, W5XX. Section Web Site: www.arrlmiss.org. Web Master: nw5r@arrl.net.
District Emergency Coordinators: KD5CKP, WB5CON, KD5FUO, K5XXV, AG5Z, and N5ZNT.
Emergency Coordinators: WB5CON, WV5D, AD5DO, KC5EAK, KI5F, AE5FK, KD5FUO, K5FV, WB5GUD, KD5GWM, W4HOZ, WB5HQH, AD5IT, KB5JN, KE5KTU, KD5KXJ, N5LJC, W5LMW, KE5MIS, KE5MOZ, W5MPC, WX5N, K5NRK, KD5NMB, N5SP, N5TBB, K5TV, KC5TYL, N5UDK, KD5VMV, W4WLF, K5WLP, KM5WX, KB5ZEA, N5ZNT, and KB0ZTX.
The Mississippi Section conducted its Annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET) in coordination with the Mississippi Emergency Agency (MEMA) Hurricane Wendi Exercise on May 12. Category IV Wendi moved ashore in Jackson County on Monday evening May 11 at 8 PM. The exercise began 12 hours after landfall at 8 AM on Tuesday May 12 with the focus of the exercise being coordinating movement of resources into the impacted area after landfall.
As part of the SET activities Ham Stations at EOCs and Served Agencies were asked to send a formal message to KM5EMA (at MEMA) stating that their ARES Group was aware of the hurricane landfall, that ARES was in contact with local emergency response officials regarding possible assistance, and that the local VHF emergency net was or was not activated for this exercise. KM5EMA operators report that messages were received from the following counties: DeSoto (KD5VYB), Forest (KC5WFM), George (N5UCF), Greene (KE5WGF), Harrison (W5SGL), Itawamba (KE5LUX), Jackson (W5WA), Lamar (KD5RMM), Lauderdale (WX5MEI), Lawrence (AE5CY), Stone (K5STO), and Warren (K5ZRO). In addition, two hospitals were active: Forrest General in Hattiesburg (WX5Y) and Rush in Meridian as well as Petal High School (N5YH). Activity reports were also received from five ARES groups: Hinds County (N5DU). DeSoto County (KD5VMV), Hancock County (K5DMC), Itawamba County (KE5LUX), and Forrest/Lamar Counties (AG5Z/KC5TYL). In addition, KM5EMA was linked through the Collins Repeater to many of the repeaters in South Mississippi including the Gulf Coast.
Activity from MEMA was coordinated by N5DU, who substituted for AB5WF, the State RACES Officer, who was ill. Thanks for a great job, Mike! N5DU notes that he was assisted at MEMA by K5BLL, KD5KWS, KE5LRR, and KE5SUR, and WB5TTE. W5XX and KB5YEE helped from Vicksburg by activating the Mississippi ARES Emergency Net on 3862. This Net passed traffic to KM5EMA as well as traffic among EOCs.
Considering that this activity was conducted by MEMA on a Tuesday workday, the participation was great. Hinds County EC KE5KTU reports that sufficient participation was not available on Tuesday, so Hinds/Rankin Counties held their SET on the following Saturday involving a train derailment into a power substation. Other counties are expected to hold a local SET later in the year.
Clear your calendars for Field Day 2009 on June 27-28! Mississippi Hams will charge off into the boonies to wrestle with coax and guy wires, scratch their heads when rigs won't load, fight the heat and humidity, and swat mosquitoes. Don't miss the fun, food, and fellowship! Now is the time to get prepared!
State Government Liaison AK5J made arrangements for Governor Barbour to declare June 21 through 27 as Amateur Radio Week. A copy of the document has been placed on the Section Web Site. If you would like a copy for publicity purposes send an email to ak5j@arrl.net or print it from the web site.
Dayton 2009 is now history. Fortunately this year it only rained on Saturday Morning, so all enjoyed the Flea Market for most of the Hamvention. Several Mississippi Hams made the trek to Dayton including K5BLL, WB8BZH, KB5CSQ, W5MSW, KA5VFU, WB5TTE, W5XX, N5YY, and the MFJ Gang.
Although it has been nearly four years since Katrina made landfall, residents of the Gulf Coast are still painfully aware of the aftermath, especially the children. With this in mind, Vo Tech Teachers K5CQT and K5RGM offered a course leading to the Technician Licensee with the thought that when the next `Big One' comes, these students could do something to help. With some assistance from K5MOZ, K4GSG, and other members of the Jackson County ARC, twenty-six 10 through 12 grade students took the Technician Test in mid May and 23 passed (see list of new hams later in this Section Report). Kudos for K5CQT and K5RGM and their helpers for giving these kids an opportunity to `be prepared.' Watch for them from the W5WA GOTA Station during Field Day. A detailed account of this effort was prepared by K4GSG and posted on QRZ.COM.
Reporting from DeSoto County, EC KD5VMV relays that DEC KD5CKP and Asst. EC KE5WUN manned the Desoto County RACES Trailer during the Mississippi Task Force Exercise in Brandon. As fate would have it, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Rankin County over the local repeater, and as a result, KD5CKP and KE5WUN quickly coordinated moving the 100 participants to shelter. In addition, KD5VMV and KE5WKF attended the Mississippi All Hazards Conference in Biloxi.
EC KD5GWM reports that local net activation and manning of the EOC was required several times during May because of storm activity. Donna notes that ARES storm spotters did an excellent job of reporting information during tornado warnings. Further, the tower at the Lauderdale County EOC is finally up.
EC K5FV reports that the Rankin County ARES has signed an MOU with River Oaks Hospital in Flowood. Beginning immediately ARES will provide communications technical assistance to the hospital in the event of an emergency. One of the provisions of the MOU is that ARES Members will receive training. River Oaks Security Director KE5UQS will provide a course based on FEMA's IS-100, IS-200, and IS-700 courses.
DEC/EC WB5CON reports that Alcorn County ARES assisted with communications during the 28th annual Corinth Coke 10K race in downtown Corinth. The volunteers included KD5LAP, K5WHB, K0RIS, KE5EFB, KJ4IHT, and KJ4ISD. Volunteers were posted at each mile marker to relay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place runner and wheelchair participant information back to the start/finish line. This is the fourth consecutive year for ACARES to assist with this duty. APRS was used in the past two years as well, but was not implemented this year due to equipment issues. Corinth Coca-Cola Manager and Race Director Ken Williams was very pleased with the efforts of ACARES and stated he looks forward to having the group assist again next year. ACARES plans to implement APRS again next year as well as the possibility of feeding video back to the finish line and on the local access channel.
After six years and many hurricanes, Gulf Coast DEC W4WLF has retired and turned his duties over to K5XXV. Tom will remain as EC for Harrison County as well as accepting an appointment as Assistant SM. Thanks for your efforts over the years, Tom! Also in the EMCOMM area welcome to N5SP as EC for Forrest County and N5MZ as Assistant EC.
Marshall County EC KB0ZTX reports that Northwest Mississippi had a fairly quickly developed weather event in DeSoto County on May 27 with a great deal of ARES/RACES communications support. Heavy Winds downed numerous trees which resulted in multiple power outages. This information was relayed via 2 Meters to the Sheriff and Police departments. Much of the debris and power were restored within the first couple of hours after the storm event. Thanks to the following who participated in the event: KD5VMV, KE5EOQ, KD5CKP, KB0ZTX, W5GD, N5OUV, N5PYQ, KE5EOR, W9IK, W5LJD, KE5NBD, KE5OPL, KE5WKF, KE5UTJ, and KE5UTK.
Welcome to the following new Mississippi Hams: KF5BAH, Michael - Bay St. Louis; KF5BAI, Anthony - Laurel; KF5BAJ, Deidre - Laurel; KF5BDV, Margaret - Brookhaven; KF5BDW, John - Brookhaven; KF5BEN, Christopher - Pearl; KF5BFP, Kayelee - Gautier; KF5BFQ, Samuel - Gautier; KF5BFR, Ashley - Pascagoula; KF5BFS, Christian - Pascagoula; KF5BFT, Mykhael - Gautier; KF5BFU, David - Pascagoula; KF5BFV, Zachary - Pascagoula; KF5BFW, Casey - Gautier; KF5BFX, Cameron - Pascagoula; KF5BFY, Thad - Pascagoula; KF5BFZ, Peyton - Moss Point; KF5BGA, Johnathan - Pascagoula; KF5BGB, Shane - Pascagoula; KF5BGC, Broderick - Gautier; KF5BGD, Matt - Pascagoula; KF5BGE, Timothy - Pascagoula; KF5BGF, Tyler - Gautier; KF5BGG, Brooke - Pascagoula; KF5BGH, Jessie - Gautier; KF5BGI, Christian - Gautier; KF5BGJ, Shawn - Pascagoula; KF5BGK, Adrian - Pascagoula; KF5BGL, William - Pascagoula; KF5BHB - Read, Olive Branch; KF5BHC, Rachael - Senatobia; KF5BIE, Candi - Corinth; and KF5BIF, Ricky - Corinth. In addition a special welcome to KF5BNB of Saltillo, who at the ripe young age of 81, passed his Tech Exam at a Northeast Mississippi ARA Test Session in Fulton!
Also congratulations to 10-year-old Amber Kadel, who is now KJ4KCP, as result of some Elmering by the Jackson County ARA. As a result of her passing the Technician Exam, Amber had a nice write up in the Mobile Press-Register.
Welcome to the following new ARRL Members: KF5AMI - Vancleave; N5DQT - Hattiesburg; KC0DWH - Baldwyn; WB3EZQ - Oxford; WB3GRC - Oxford; KE5MOY - Gulfport; AB5NB - Louisville; WB4POP - Meridian; KE5RUD - Belden; N5SRT - Sumrall; N5TOG - McComb; KE5WOQ - Gulfport; and KE5WPW - Tremont. The ARRL Membership in Mississippi has dropped back this month to 1,021 from 1,031 during May. Time to go to work again!
Congratulations to the following on their upgrades: KF5ATV - Myrtle; KF5ATX - Blue Springs; KE5MQS - Byram; KE5PXD - Ocean Springs; KE5RRT - Long Beach; KE5UQS - Brandon; KE5VMT - Biloxi; KE5WKE - Etta; KE5YKH - Ocean Springs; and KE5ZQY - Biloxi.
Club Newsletters/Reports: Central MS ARA (K5FV), Hattiesburg ARC (AC5E), Jackson ARC (K5XU), Meridian ARC (W5MAV), MS Coast ARA (W5JDH), Pearl River County ARC (N5WLW), Northeast Mississippi ARA (KB5NMB), and the Vicksburg ARC (W5WAF).
DEC/EC Reports: KC5EAK (Pearl River), K5FV (Rankin), WB5GUD (Newton), KD5GWM (Lauderdale/Clarke), K5MOZ (Jackson), WX5N (Prentiss and Tishomingo), N5TBB (Tippah), KC5TYL (Lamar), N5UDK (Stone), KD5VMV (DeSoto), AG5Z (SE MS), and KB0ZTX (Marshall).
Net reports: sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
DRN5 62/Miss 100% Rep by W5XX, W5MLO, W5OXA, K5BBA, WB5ZED, and W5CPO (WB5ZED)
MS Section Phone Net 31/2742/21 (K5NRK)
Magnolia Section Net 31/813/6 (K5DSG)
Jackson Co ARES 31/507/8 (K5MOZ)
MS Slow Net 21/44/0 (W3TWD)
Meridian Area EN 6/71/2 (KD5GWM)
MS Baptists Ham Net 5/31/0 (WF5F)
Metro Jackson ARES 5/47/0 (KE5KTU)
MS-LA EN 5/31/5 (K5NRK)
Capital Area EN 5/94/0 (K5XU)
HAEN 5/131/1 (K5MIQ)
Rankin Co ARES 4/47/0 (K5FV)
Tishomingo County ARES Net 4/117/4 (WX5N)
Booneville and Prentiss Co ARES 4/43/3 (WX5N)
Stone Co ARES Net 4/68/0 (N5UDK)
Newton County ARES 4/20/0 (WB5GUD)
MDXA 4/98/0 (AE5JG)
JARC EN 4/40/0 (N5DU)
Itawamba Co ARES 4/51/3 (KB5NMB)
South MS YL Net 4/63/0 (KB5CSQ)
Pearl River ARES 4/55/0 (KC5EAK)
Southern Coast Med Supply 4/56/0 (AE5JG)
NE MS ARES 3/36/0 (W5LMW)
PSHR: October - WB5ZED 150, W5XX 102.
Traffic: WB5ZED 2011 (BPL), W5XX 5.
Compilation of Net and Traffic Statistics provided by KB5RCJ
Responsibility for content of all posted material above rests
exclusively with the item author. ARRL staff assumes no responsibility
for errors, omissions, and accuracy of items appearing on this page. All
questions and comments should be directed to the item author.
