THE SPARK GAP

A monthly publication of the Meridian Amateur Radio Club October 2009

 

 Bible Verse

John 4:23-26 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. KJV

Next Business Meeting

Next business meeting will be held at the Checker Board Restaurant on Saturday, November 7th, 2009. Come join us for breakfast, coffee and fellowship.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

The monthly staff meeting of the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency is scheduled for Monday, 26 October, 2009. This will most likely be conducted after the storm spotter class which is scheduled below. If the LCS&R Board needs to meet they can do so as well.

Amateur radio exams will be given on Saturday, 24 October at the LEMA Office. If you are interested in taking an amateur radio exam or know someone who is, please let them know about our test session.

Saturday is a busy day. Rescue Day is also scheduled for 24 October and will start at 0800 hours. I believe registration is at the METRO building. If you need CEUs to keep your certification up to date this would be a good time to do so. Call Allan or Cecilia to get more information.

Storm Spotter Class

Even with all the technology used by the National Weather Service to prepare severe weather warnings, storm spotters still give us the most complete picture of what's really happening in and around severe storms. Radar simply cannot tell us everything we need to know. Storm spotters are the eyes and ears in the field.

For more than 60 years, storm spotters have been the Nation’s first line of defense against deadly storms. Working with their local communities and with the local National Weather Service office, spotters provide invaluable assistance and critical information to decision makers when hazardous weather threatens. Countless lives have been saved because of this unique partnership between volunteer storm spotters, emergency management and the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service Meridian Office will be conducting a Storm Spotter class on Monday 26 October, 2009 at the Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) building located at 2525 14th St in Meridian, MS. Class starts at 6:30pm.

The class is open to all LEMA-SAR volunteers, and ARES members. Amateur Radio Operators and the general public are also encouraged to attend.

Jim

VE EXAM DATES

Per conversation at Saturday's coffee session: After the MARC meeting on 7 November we will have a VE Team Meeting. Anyone with questions, suggestions or other input regarding the VE team, please attend.

The ARRL Volunteer Examiner team from Meridian ARC has scheduled examination dates as follows:

October 24, 2009
November 19, 2009
January 21, 2010
March 25, 2010

All exams will be held at 6 PM at the Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) office, 2525 14th Street Meridian, MS 39301

Interested parties should contact Russell Brown, W5RB at 601*917*9612 or email W5FQ@arrl.net Walk-ins are accepted. Reservations are preferred. Session fee is $15.00, check or money order preferred. Other dates and times may be arranged if needed.

Russ, W5RB MARC VE Team Liaison

 

Transylvania Water Tower Special Event

Just wanted to let you all know that the Northeast Louisiana ARES Foundation is having a special event at the Transylvania Water Tower on October 31. It starts at 12:00 noon. If any one wants to come by, we'll be happy to have them.

W5KGT

October 21st statewide tornado drill

November is a secondary peak for severe weather in Mississippi, as you likely know. History shows that a tornado outbreak is more likely than normal in November during El Nino years, which is the pattern we are in this year. Thus, National Weather Service offices across the state conducted a tornado drill using the NOAA Weather Radio Routine Weekly Test on October 21st at 915 a.m.

Please encourage your schools, businesses, etc. to hold drills to be sure they are ready should a tornado strike. We have already had a tornado fatality this fall in a mobile home park in Washington County. If you have the time, please be in touch with your mobile home parks about preparedness and how they can receive severe weather information.

Finally on another subject, many of you have allowed your NWSChat password to expire. With the most active part of the severe weather season approaching, now is the time to have all the tools working that the NWS provides. Please update your password before the storms are bearing down on you. Call if you need any assistance.

Thanks, Steve

 

Antique Radio Equipment Photos

Over 100 photos of antique radio equipment (173 to be exact). After the short spark video, hit the arrow on the right to see all the photos. A great walk down memory lane. http://tinyurl.com/kmtxlf

NVIS theory, application and construction

For those that are interested, especially those that were able to attend the NBEMS presentation in Meridian the 3rd of October 2009, here are 2 good links concerning NVIS theory, application, and construction. Never hurts to brush up on things we have become complacent with.

http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/NVIS/

http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=13329

Rick, AE5FE

Have a great month

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