March 2000 QST

148agencies have had a working relations either started or improvedwith the planning sessions that occured. Hopefully we can buildon this in the future. I would like to thank Malcom Shepherd,W5FB, for his ASM service to the section in the past. I haveenjoyed the meetings that I have had with Malcom and look forwardto meeting with their group more in the future. I would alsolike to thank Josiah Brown, K5UPN for his past service to thesection as SEC. Joe has agreed to continue on with many of hisother duties in the ARES organization including DEC, DTTN NetManager. He has also accepted the new job of NTX liaison tothe Texas ARES Net. A couple of thoughts on the new licenseclasses. I am glad that it is finally released. Even though it mighthave not been exactly what I would have wanted (what in lifeis???). It is now time to close ranks and make the most of whatis there. I want the section members to do every thing possibleto encourage new hams and to encourage all current ham to riseto whatever level that they wish to aspire to. Half of the fun ofham radio for me was the learning necessary to advance to thenext level. My recommendation for everyone this next year is totry a new aspect of ham radio that you had not done before, be itCW, Digital, Satellite, ATV, APRS, SS, microwave or find someone that is doing that aspect and follow them around. Most wouldbe very happy to have a captive audience. We will be buildingup the section web page with possible contacts. You might evenlike it. Dec SAR Report: N5JZ 336, K5AO 289, KC5OZT 268,WA5I 127, K5MXQ 101, W5AYX 89, KC5VLW 81, KB5TCH 68,PY2CGB / W5 67, AC5Z 26, KT4CB 14, N7DXH 12, KB5YAM10, KC5SMC 6, KD5AHW 2, N8QVT 1.OKLAHOMA: SM, Charlie Calhoun, K5TTT—ASMs: N6CL,W6CL. SEC: W5ZTN. ACC: KB5BOB. PIC: WA9AFM. OOC:K5WG. SGL: W5NZS. STM: K5KXL. I was very pleased with thelevel of activity across the state during the Y2K watch. I receivedreports from the following groups who manned operations fortheir localities. The City of Lawton and The Comanche CountyEmergency Management folks asked The LFSARC to supporttheir efforts with Y2K. The Tri-State Amateur Radio group mannedthe nursing home and city hall. The Salvation Army AR/OK Divisionhad 8 SA stations and 29 check-ins on their HF net. TheEnid ARC supported the local hospitals, OHP, and the EOC.Shawnee amateurs supported their local EOC. Tulsa had a largeoperation with operators at all local and outlying hospitals coordinatedthrough the EOC. All local clubs participated with 79 hamsactive. The OPEN net on 3900 was activated at 23:00 CST. ElkCity hams were on standby with an operator at the hospital readyto activate them if needed. Bartlesville hams readied the localhospital and also the hospital in Nowata, coordinated throughtheir EOC. All the reports I have compiled are on the Web pagefor your convenience. I want to thank you for all the sacrificesyou made to make this happen. I must point out one in particular.Brad Pitts, KD5IUS, made the effort to participate even afterhe and his wife welcomed their new son on 12/30. Thanks andcongratulations Brad! Many of the local nets had direct links tothe state EOC. If you aren’t on my e-mail list please let me know.http://www.busprod.com/k5ttt. 73, Charlie.SOUTH TEXAS: SM, Ray Taylor, N5NAV—ASMs: NR5ED,N5WSW, W5GKH, K5DG, N5LYG, WA5UZB, KK5CA, WA5TUM,KB5AWM, WA5JYK, K5PFE, K5PNV, and K5SBU. STM: W5GKH.SEC: K5DG. ACC: N5WSW. PIC: KA5WSS. TC: KJ5YN. BM:W5KLV. OOC: W5JAM. SGL: K5PNV. March is the windy month.We just finished Y2K stand-by. I noticed one thing with interest,as we watched midnight move into New York City, none of thebuildings came tumbling down and the people seemed to behaving a great time. I left my computer on at home and it didn’tgo down. I want to thank N5IJR for bringing the Prime Co Van tothe New Braunfels EOC. N5HK for manning the EOC and thevan. KC5WZV for manning the New Braunfels Hospital, while Imanned the new Red Cross Office. We spent until nearly 4 AMon duty, just in case something happened in California. We hadplenty of good food throughout the night. In the State of Texas,we had about 2500 Amateurs working with all the different agencies,due to the reports that I received. I want to thank all thosewho gave of their time to assist in Y2K. This is the first time thatall agencies and organizations were looking to ham radio for backupcommunications. This has been a great awakening as to thevalue of Amateur Radio for Texas and the World. Thanks againto all. On January 3 the Red Cross called me to furnish communicationsbetween New Braunfels, San Antonio, and the majorfire, which burned about 400 acres, here in Comal County. N5HKwas dispatched to the fire, as he was coming home from work. Istayed here in New Braunfels to coordinate between this officeand San Antonio. We were released about 11 PM. It’s great tohave operators that are ready at a moment’s notice. It was suregood to see Coy Day, N5OK, at the Austin Amateur Radio Club80 year celebration, affiliated with ARRL. I was impressed withthe CW contest, sent by foot. Those in Austin that did not attend,missed out on excellent food and fellowship. W5WIA looked alittle more aged than normal, maybe he should be an actor. Whilewriting this, I just learned that Don Dingus, K5RYT, became aSK at about 6:15 AM today. Cousin to Henry Dingus, W5YQZ.W5YQZ became a SK on December 11 and K5RYT became aSK January 11 just one month apart. Don and his wife and mywife and I were close friends. He will be missed by all. Don wasvery active on most of the traffic nets. Have a good March. 73until next month. Tfc: W5SEG 807, KA5KLU 230, NR5ED 192,W5KLV 184, W5GKH 144, N5OUJ 72, W5ZX 47, W5ZIN 41,N5NAV 27, K5UCQ 17, W5OYY 14, N5HK 1.WEST TEXAS: SM, Charlie Royall, WB5T, 915-944-0469,WB5T@arrl.org. ASMs-Cley, K5TRW. Ron, KB5HGM. Jerome,K5IS. Fred, W6VPI. Sandy, W5MVJ. SEC: Alex, N5LRH. OOC:John, KO5D. OBM: Frank, N5WT. New Appointment: EC, EctorCounty, Tom McCain, KC5ETW. Midland ARC new officers: Pres,Pete Stull, WB7AMP; Vice Pres, Larry Mitchell, N5OKO; Sec,Norma Bentley, W5STG, Treas, C.A. Ross, KM5OK. Don’t forgetMidland’s St Patrick’s Hamfest, March 18 and 19 - come early;stay late! San Angelo ARC new officers: Pres, Gil Gilstrap,KK5YZ; Vice Pres, Paul Wittenborn, N7SDQ; Sec/Treas, GlennMiller, AA5PK. SAARC’s Ham of the Year was David Wolfe,KA5VTG. This New Year brought the long-awaited changes fromthe FCC for Amateur Radio. There is now a shortage of studyguides for upgrades! My special thanks to Odessa’s Gary Peek,N5XXF, for all his years to service to Ector County as the ARESEC. The ARES net control for Y2K did fantastic statewide. Everyonedid their job well under the leadership of the South TexasSM, Ray Taylor, N5NAV. Thanks to all who participated. 73 deCharlie, WB5T.