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News last updated: Sun, May 11, 2008 at 4:13 PM ET
Mississippi Section Report for April 2008
SM: Malcolm Keown, W5XX. Mississippi Section Web Page at arrlmiss@org. Web Master: NW5R at nw5r@arrl.net, ASM: NW5R, K5DSG, KA5ICO, ACC: K5WLP, PIC: N5WLW, SGL: AK5J, TC: N5JGK.
A series of major storms moved through Mississippi during the last month. The storm of April 4th left parts of Warren, Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties looking as if Katrina had returned. SkyWarn fed a series of key information reports to NWS-Jackson that aided in developing warnings for residents in the path of the storm as it moved from east to west across Central Mississippi. EC KD5GWM reports that the storm finally exited the Meridian area leaving 95 homes damaged.
Several lesser storm events occurred during the month until an EF2 tornado struck Union County on May 2. EC W5LMW reports that the tornado left a 20-mile long path of destruction across the County (see photo on section web site). The Northeast Skywarn Net was activated. WB4VYB initially sited the tornado having quarter-sized hail. The list of damage is long but this will help understand magnitude of destruction: 19 houses destroyed, 47 houses major damage; 103 houses minor damage; plus multiple other structures damaged. Union County ARES was activated the following morning with AD5YB, W5UBG, WB4VYB and W5LMW responding. Several pieces of traffic were passed for the Red Cross. W5LMW escorted the Memphis NWS on their damage assessment tour. Two amateurs responded in non-communication roles, KD5YVY with the Union County Sheriff's Office and KJ5JR with the Red Cross.
Switching from real storm events to exercises, in preparation for the 2008 Hurricane Season, Ulysses moved ashore with 115 mph winds as the eye passed over Biloxi Bay. This was the beginning of the annual MEMA Hurricane exercise which commenced at 0800 on May 1 with the eye just east of Laurel and continued until 1530. This exercise was the first deployment of a ham station on the MEMA Mobile Operation (MOBOPS) Center which was located for the exercise at the Air National Guard Training Center in Gulfport and operated by K5BLL and WB5TTE on HF, VHF, and WinLink. This was also a very successful test for the MEMA to the Coast VHF Link which has been put in place through the continuing efforts of N5LRQ, K5GVR, and the members of the South Mississippi Repeater Coalition. Thanks, Guys!
Nets were operated on HF and VHF. The Mississippi ARES Net operated on 3862 (W5XX as NCS with KB5YEE as operator most of the time) with EOC checkins from KM5EMA - MEMA (AB5WF, KD5KHI, KE5KTU, WB5BNV ops), WX5MEI - Lauderdale (KD5GWM), KA5LNY - Simpson (KA5LNY), W5SGL - Harrison (W4WLF), KD5RMM - Lamar (KC5TYL), N5YCK - Attala (N5YCK), W5WA - Jackson (KD5CQT), KB5WAT - Greene (KB5WAT), KC5WFM - Forrest (KD5XG), N5LOK - Webster (N5LOK), and KB5MPW - Hancock (KB5MPW). In addition, checkins were logged from Forrest County Hospital (KE5IUJ) and Camp Shelby (K5TLL). Also on 2 Meters K5RKN (K5FV) checked in from the Rankin County EOC and KA5KNY from the Simpson County EOC.
K5DMC reports that Hancock County was well covered by hams across the county in addition to having KE5QCM on from the Hancock Medical center. Further, 145.010 Packet was active as well as 3596 USB MT63. K5DMC maintained HF liaison with the 3862 Net
EC KD5XG reports from Hattiesburg that the HAEN was activated with AG5Z as NCS and 22 checkins including checkins from Wesley Medical Center, Forest General Hospital, Camp Shelby, and William Carey College. Lex reports identifying a number of interesting problem areas that need attention including that it is difficult for one operator to monitor HF/VHF/UHF/packet and take traffic from EOC personnel! According to Lex he will have another operator with him next time - HI.
As expected most participants experienced some operational and equipment glitches, but that is why we have exercises. Let's find out where the problems are now. Not during a hurricane or tornado outbreak. Some hams were disappointed that Ham Radio did not play a more important role in the MEMA Scenario (me, too), but at least we had a chance checkout links and equipment.
And all of the exercise action was not in South Mississippi. NE Mississippi DEC WB5CON reports that Operation Vigilant Guard '08 went well. The Tennessee Army National Guard moved into Alcorn County after a simulated earthquake along the New Madrid fault. Alcorn County was a staging area for troops moving from central and east Tennessee toward the Memphis and Millington area. Alcorn County ARES was involved in the first 24 hours of the 6-day operation and set up two communication trailers with HF and VHF equipment. At the EMA, they were self-contained with batteries, inverters, generator, a 30-foot Rohn 25 tower with inverted V and a 2-meter omni antennas. At the Magnolia Regional Health Center Alcorn ARES set up a trailer with inverted V and 2 meter omni, batteries, generator, and solar panels. The Tennessee Army National Guard had a beautiful communication trailer and satellite system that was not working properly while ARES was on site. The National Guard Major gave ARES a message to send to his superior at Millington Naval Air Station regarding troop movement which was sent as formal traffic to a station in central Tennessee who relayed the message via WinLink to Millington NAS. Several EMA folks were there as the traffic was passed and were impressed. ARES operators involved in the Vigilant Guard '08 were: KG4BTU, WB5CON, KE5EFB, KE5HYT, KD5LAP, K0RIS, KB5VML, KD5VNJ, WM4U, and K5WHB.
DeSoto County RACES/ARES has been busy. April 5th was a workday at the EOC. Some finishing touches were put on the RACES trailer. KB0ZTX, N5UOV, KE5BXL andKD5VMV were onsite, while KD5CKP provided field reports as the work crew fine-tuned everything. In addition, the group was asked to participate in a Health Department functional exercise in Tunica County on April 17th. They were tasked with providing long distance communications via HF and tactical communications via 2-meter simplex. They also tested the ability to access various repeaters through out Northwest Mississippi to verify medium range communications. KD5CKP and KD5VMV manned the RACES trailer and coordinated traffic from the Health Department, MEMA,and local Law Enforcement. K5JAW, KE5IZC, KE5IZL, KE5JIZ, KE5IZE, KE5IZJ, KE5IZD, KE5IZY, KE5IZZ, KE5IZK, and KE5IZM provided field information.
On Saturday, April 12, the Jackson ARC again provided communications for the annual Natchez Trace Century Ride sponsored by the City of Ridgeland. This 100 mile bicycle ride with the start-finish line at Old Trace Park on the Barnett reservoir, goes 50 miles north on the Trace (nearly to Kosciusko), with turn around points for a 25 mile, 50 mile and 100 kilometer ride, for those cyclists who prefer a shorter ride. No medical emergencies were encountered, only a few leg cramps and sore knees. Mechanical problems, flat tires and chains off sprockets were reported to our ham in the SAG vehicle for quick response. JARC members participating were K5CID,K5KKD,K5XU,KA5TJW, KD5JPB,KE5JKD (and XYL),W5GEJ, WB5TTE, WM5A, K5BLL and K5RWB.
WB5CON reports that the Coca Cola Classic 10k Run occurred Saturday, May 3rd. The Alcorn County ARES group provided communications and APRS position information for the footrace. This was the 4th year for ARES to do this and seems to be greatly appreciated. This is the 2nd largest footrace in Mississippi. There are usually around 700 participants, but a count for this year is not yet available. Operators involved in the 10k Race were: KD5LAP, K5WHB, KE4RXB, KE5EFB, K0RIS, and W4TX.
The Pearl River ARC set up a booth with HF/VHF stations for the Picayune Spring Street Fair. KB7PGT, N5WLW, and AE5DW manned the booth and answered many questions for the multitude of visitors.
One might get that impression in reading through this monthly report that all Mississippi Hams do is to prepare for EMCOMM, respond to emergencies, and support public service events. Guess what? That's what we are supposed to be doing to justify our use of the frequencies that we use for DXing, contesting, and ragchewing. Give all the folks mentioned above a pat on the back the next time you see them.
The Alcorn County newspaper, The Daily Corinthian, published their Spring 2008 Crossroads Quarterly Magazine on May 3rd. The cover picture and first article are about K0RIS and amateur radio which was a good media hit for ham radio. K0RIS is the current Alcorn County ARES Club President.
W5MPC reports that the Ole Miss ARC (W5UMS) entered the 2007 Phone Sweepstakes in the school club category and finished 4 out of 15 entries nationwide. On top of that W5UMS had the high score in Mississippi (all classes). Congratulations!
Welcome to new Mississippi hams: KE5TSK, Sabrina - Booneville; KE5TUF, Austin - Gulfport; KE5TVD, John - Brookhaven; KE5TXV, Vernon - Hernando; KE5TZB, Albert - Brandon; KE5TZV, Jarred - Sumner; KE5UAQ, Peggy - Lorman; KE5UBH, Janusz - Quitman; KE5UBV, Amy - Madison; KE5UBW, Daniel - Madison; KE5UBX, Mickey - Union; KE5UCV, Sergio - Olive Branch; KE5UDK, Ivan - Starkville; KE5UFZ, Charles - Tupelo; KE5UGA, Gabriel - New Albany; KE5UGC, Jethro - Columbus; KE5UGD, Drashinda - Starkville; KE5UGE, Jamal - Macon; KE5UGF, Nathaniel - Yazoo City; KE5UGG, Lydia - Southaven; KE5UGH, Brian - Mississippi State; KE5UGI, Samuel - Starkville; KE5UGJ, Amol - Starkville; KE5UGK, Steven - Vicksburg; KE5UGH, Andrew - Pass Christian; KE5UGM, Jacob - Starkville; KE5UGN, Bradley - Mississippi State; KE5UGO, Richard - Starkville; KE5UIH, Jerrel - Gulfport; KE5UII, Ron - Gulfport; KE5UIF, Craig - Kiln; KE5UIK, Natascia - Gulfport; KE5UIL, Terrell - Gulfport; KE5UIM, Robert - Long Beach; KE5UIN, Robert - Brandon; KE5UIO, Michael - Richland; 37 new hams in one month. Keep up the good work!
Also welcome to new ARRL Members: KA5BEE - Gloster; NG5D - Carriere; KC5FMN - Union; KE5IZE - Crystal Springs; KD7LWU - Biloxi; K5MIQ - Hattiesburg; W5MSW - Gulfport; KE5QXG - Gulfport; KI4OGY - Southaven; K5OMC - Lake Cormorant; KE5SZY - Hattiesburg; KE5TMM - Forest; N5TNT - Ellisville; KE5TPP - Southaven; KE5TUF - Gulfport; KE5TXV - Hernando; KE5TZB - Brandon; and AD5VS - Port Gibson.
Congratulations to the following on their upgrades: KE5FBA - Starkville; KE5IZL - Courtland; KE5JJE - Purvis; KE5JLO - Jackson; KE5KTP - Crystal Springs; KE5LQB - Mize; KE5NBD - Hernando; KC5ODF - Poplarville; KE5RJQ - Hattiesburg; KE5RXB - Jackson; KE5SZY - Hattiesburg; KE5THF - Starkville; KE5TMJ - Mississippi State; KE5TMM - Forest; KE5TZC - Canton; KE5UBY, Philadelphia; KC5ZFY - Corinth; and N5ZNT - Bogue Chitto.
In addition congratulations to K5FV, who completed ARRL ECC-001.
DEC/EC Monthly Reports: WB5CON (NE MS/Alcorn), KD5CQT (Jackson), KC5EAK (Pearl River), WB5GUD (Newton), KD5GWM (Lauderdale/Clarke), W5LMW (Union), WX5N (Prentiss/Tishomingo), N5TBB (Tippah), W4WLF (Gulf Coast/Harrison), KD5XG (Forrest), K4ZLC (Benton), and N5ZNT (SW MS).
RACES Report: KD5VMV (2)
Club Newsletter/Reports: Hattiesburg ARC (AC5E), Pearl River ARC (N5WLW), and Vicksburg ARC (W5WAF)
Regret to report the passing of K5YIN of Biloxi.
Net reports: sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
DRN5 62 MS 100% Rep by W5XX, KA1ZIA, WB5ZED, W5MLO, WA5FB (WB5ZED)
MSPN 30/3519/13 (K5NRK)
Magnolia Section Net 30/766/6 (K5DSG)
MTN 30/96/4 (KB5W)
Jackson Co ARES 30/389/5 (KD5CQT)
MS Slow Net 22/37/0 (W3TWD)
Stone County ARES 5/93/0 (N5UDK)
Magnolia DX Assn 5/92/0 (N5FG)
MCARA CARES 5/54/0 (KA2KMU)
Meridian Area EN 5/53/0 (KD5GWM)
Tishomingo County ARES 5/139/6 (WX5N)
Miss/Lou WX Net 4/31/1 (K5NRK)
MS Baptist Hams Net 4/28/0 (WF5F)
Pearl River ARES Net 4/56/0 (KC5EAK)
NE MS ARES 4/41/0 (W5LMW)
Alcorn County ARES 4/57/0 (WB5CON)
SW MS ARES 4/27/0 (N5ZNT)
South MS YL Net 4/81/0 (KB5CSQ)
Itawamba County ARES 4/41/0 (KB5NMB)
Lowndes Co ARC Net 4/44/0 (AD5DO)
Hattiesburg Area EN 4/109/0 (K5MIQ)
Monroe ARC 4/28/0 (AD5DO)
Newton County ARES 4/33/0 (WB5GUD)
PSHR: WB5ZED 150, W5XX 77.
Traffic: WB5ZED 2734 (BPL), WA5FB 20, W5XX 7.
Compilation of Net, PSHR, 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.
