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ARRL Western Washington Section (WWA)Section Manager
James David Pace, K7CEX PO Box 1602 Centralia, WA 98531-0748 360-736-2221 k7cex@arrl.org |
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District 1 has a new DEC, John Acton, K7ACT. We would like to welcome John to the team and thank the outgoing DEC, Bill, W7ARC, who stepped down to take on additional tasks and responsibilities for Section Manager Jim Pace, K7CEX. Please join me in thanking Bill for his efforts for the past 3 years in what have been very trying times for him personally. Few could have measured up to the efforts that Bill put forth. District 1 used the Ragnar Relay as a joint exercise this year. A total of 72 Operators took part in the 36 hour event on July 24/25 with teams from Island, Skagit and Whatcom Counties participating. A State Training Mission number was issued for the event which was executed as an ICS exercise. Over all, the Event went well with only one lost runner who was quickly found an operator. New Control duty was completed in 12 hour shifts with Whatcom county handing off to Skagit County who handed off to Island County with very little problem. We also need to welcome Alan Whitman, K6ZY, to the Region 1 team as EC/RO of Island County as of the 1st of July. A Cross Border Communications Group meeting was held in Surrey, B.C. on July 18th, with all members attending. Talks centered around prioritizing repeaters as to first use in case of an event during the Olympics. It was also decided that the group would start work on a document for ham radio similar to the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide. The Local Surrey Group also had their project trailer on display, a work in progress that will give them Satellite internet, Phone, VHF, UHF, and HF capability. On July 29 Mike Chaplin, W7SSO, and John Acton, K7ACT, represented the Amateur Radio community at the LECC meeting in Bellingham. The meeting was for the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and primarily for the local broadcasters to help rebuild the EAS system in Northern Puget Sound district. John Acton or Mike Chaplin will be point of contact for the Local group if they need help with repeaters or other information. In District 2, at the Clallam County July meeting the program presentation on Tsunamis was by Lee Diemer, Training Coordinator,. The Jefferson County Team is fitting a trailer for the Department of Emergency Management that will contain ham radio communications as well as an impressive public safety interoperable capability. The Sheriff's office is fitting out a similar complementary trailer, which can be used for a field office. The trailers are designed to back up to each other and connect, yielding a 24 foot long field office. Kitsap County supported the Kingston July 4th parade was with 11 ARES and North Kitsap Amateur Radio Club members coordinating the successful parade. The Tour de Kitsap bicycle ride was supported by 12 ARES volunteers. Several weeks of on-air training sessions for message handling, culminated in a face-to-face training session. Ongoing training in message handling will continue as this is their primary mission for their served agencies. In District 3, the Pacific County Team participated in the annual 4th July beach cleanup by coordinating the beach approaches and trash pick up trucks and some radio equipped beach cleaners. Eleven team members monitored a Tsunami Siren test. The Mason County Fair Amateur Radio Display was lead by Jean, AA7JK. Ken Dahl, K7TAG, judged the Amateur Radio Entries. Omer Fournier, AD7DY, took the "Best of Show" award for an antenna he built. Grays Harbor team members provided communications during a missing child search. One member spent nearly 40 hours with his Region 3, level 3 IM team at the Johnson Complex fire in Eastern Washington. The City of Centralia Team members participated in Centralia's Summerfest celebration. They also conducted a "lost child" drill and search. In District 4, the Clark County group has a new EC, Gary, K7GJT replacing long time EC, Bob, K7YFJ, who was given a Meritorius Service Award for 10 years as EC/RO of Clark County. We welcome Gary to the Team and Thank Bob for his many years of service to Ham Radio and Emergency Communications. The Team continues to provide the weekly Tuesday CEM NET coverage at CRESA. On 15 July, they met with Region 4 PHS representative to plan the CCARES participation in OCTEX 09 on 7 October, a multi agency exercise. They will be coordinating with the Cowlitz County Team in August. At the regular CCARES meeting, Gary, K7GJT, gave a presentation on ‘jump kit’ stations. Vern, KA7DCQ, discussed portable antennas and provided an update on the five county USAI grant DSTAR system changes. The completion status of the IS-100 & IS-700 courses by members was reviewed. Gary, K7GFT met with CRESA and discussed NGO function support parameters, development of Volunteer Mobilization Centers and the associated CCARES support of them. He also talked to City of Ridgefield PD on ARES support and met with City of Vancouver EM to discuss ARES support to CERT Teams aligned with 10 City of Vancouver Fire Houses. The CCARES weekly net participation will be reported by the NCS via web posting for tracking purposes. Ray, KC7MRM, got the Cowlitz County DEM’s Packet Station back on the air. At the Cowlitz County ARES Meeting Wally, WM7U, showed the new ACS web page mock up. Once Wally, Randy, NU7D, and Grover, KE7PAV, meet with the sheriff to get his approval on the new logo, the web site will become active and the name change from ARES/RACES to ACS will take place. There was also discussion on the fall training schedule, the July 31 ELT practice and upcoming Public Service events. Randy, NU7D, attended a meeting for the All Agency Mock Search. Wahkiakum County held their standard nets, a monthly meeting, provided communications for the annual Parade, and performed Repeater maintenance In District 6, the Mercer Island team participated in the Mercer Island Summer Celebration July 11-12, manning a public service information booth and providing information to the public about amateur radio support for emergency communications, licensing information, and community emergency preparedness. The Sammamish team assisted the City with their 4th of July celebration, providing event leaders, Sammamish PD and East Side Fire & Rescue with communication support. In District M, the Medical Services Team conducted no training meetings in July - summer vacation! However several of their members are key organizers of the Seafair parades and runs, which occupied their time. The technical committee worked on our repeater system linking problem and believe they are close to success. It’s not too early to mark you calendars for: Communications Academy XII - April 10-11, 2010 Bringing Professionalism to Amateur Emergency Communications