k8bxq.org

Norman B. Dusseau, age 91, of Fayette, Ohio, passed away Monday morning, December 17, 2018 at Windsor Care Center in Gibsonburg, Ohio. Arrangements are pending at Grisier~Weigel Funeral Home in Delta (419.822.3121).

The Police Chief informed KB8ELG that they had enough officers volunteer for tonight, but appreciated us mustering the group on such short notice.  Come on out for the parade if you have nothing else going on, but our help is not required for this event.

• 39 paid members.
• KD8KBU pointed out we have not taken in a lot of new club members this year.  He will produce some print outs of the club promotional page to hand out to VE testing participants to make them aware of the club and our activities.

• No report, but a renewed effort after the first of the year to organize a class will be made.
• KD8KBU offered to put on a digital mode workshop sometime in February with time and location to be determined.

• KB8ELG purchased a combination heating and air conditioning unit for $365. With weather turning to winter quickly, we might not get it installed this year, but Dave Claar pointed out we should plan a maintenance day to unbox it and verify it works while under warranty.  We can plan an install date in the spring.

On Nov. 7 2018 , members of the club and the Emergency services group conducted a practice deployment in Fulton County. Jim McBride, K8JPD, opened the net at 20:00 and if I recall correctly, we had 6 check ins, and a new ham, KE8KRI, rode along with KB8PUD.

Everyone successfully deployed to police, fire and other Emergency oriented agencies as we requested. The travel times were fairly short and the deployment phase went well.

Once everyone was at their deployment site and checked in, we exited our vehicles and conducted communications on our HT’s. Other than 2 Hams that were a long way from the repeater, HT communications went well.

K8JPD then released everyone to their home QTH and had them report in once they arrived safely.

I was very pleased overall with the exercise. The following points explain why.

1. Everyone participating did a very good job of using our established protocols. Communications were clear and easily understandable.

2. Everyone complied exactly with K8JPD’s instructions which would be critical in a real emergency.

3. Once we went mobile, all equipment worked properly, and communications remained easily understandable.

4. The HT communications were much better than I anticipated.

Tower work planned this weekend for KA8KDS is being postponed until November 3 due to the weather conditions.