Here is the updated script for tonight.? Sorry for the late release.? Rick you have the duty, please text me and let me know if you have any questions.
Here is the updated list for net callers.? Rick you are up for to night,? also there will be a Routine message Tuesday night. My apologies for missing last week, We had family visit us.
Saturday, March 1, 2025, the Houston County W4DHN ARES Club conducted our first Communications Drill.? At 0900 hours 11 Ham Operators manned 6 strategic locations around the Dothan area (American Red Cross Building, Dothan EOC, Farm Center, Westgate Rec Center, Southeast Health, and First Baptist Church) to test the efficacy of the 2M FM Repeater in the Houston County Alabama area as well as the Simplex capabilities of these operators spread throughout the Dothan area.
There were a few glitches in getting started but once underway most signals were 5/9 with few exceptions.? Operators followed the Script of the Drill making the connections as prescribed.? Handhelds with rubber ducky antennas could hear others but did not have the transmitting ability to connect to others consistently especially on Simplex.? Of note, the Southeast Hospital operator reported that from his vehicle (the adverse condition location) seemed to have a clearer signal than when in the building on the taller antenna.? There were a few issues with radios jumping stations or squelch issues, but on the whole the drill ran very smoothly. We did have one outside contact from Troy, Alabama during the 2M FM Repeater part of the drill.? We concluded the drill by 0948 hours.
During the Hot Wash session at the Golden Corral in Dothan afterwards, comments and experiences were shared.? It was agreed that the ARES group conduct another Drill within the next 6 months with a few tweaks and possibly some other locations added.
Thank you to all the operators who came out and participated today!? Great Job
Stay with Rick. We are trying to have two people at each station. I would say no later than 8:45. That way we will be ready.?
Alan
On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 4:26?PM Ken Hosey K4PDI via <hosey.ken=[email protected]> wrote:
Good afternoon, Barbara.
I am currently scheduled to be at First Baptist parking lot with Rick Major.? Do you need me to move to any of the un-manned locations?? Also, what time do we need to be on station?
Thanks,
Ken K4PDI
On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 7:40?AM Brian Bowman KQ4WDG via <brian_d_bowman=[email protected]> wrote:
Saturday morning I cannot go mobile, but I will do my best to assist from home on the repeater and simplex.
V/r, Brian KQ4WDG
On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 06:42:25 PM CST, Alan Curtis KQ4ELM via <sportingclaysguy1=[email protected]> wrote:
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
?
Thank each of you so much for your participation!
?
Barbara
KM4RBE
Re: Communications Drill Forms and Last Minute Info
On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 4:26?PM Ken Hosey K4PDI via <hosey.ken=[email protected]> wrote:
Good afternoon, Barbara.
I am currently scheduled to be at First Baptist parking lot with Rick Major.? Do you need me to move to any of the un-manned locations?? Also, what time do we need to be on station?
Thanks,
Ken K4PDI
On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 7:40?AM Brian Bowman KQ4WDG via <brian_d_bowman=[email protected]> wrote:
Saturday morning I cannot go mobile, but I will do my best to assist from home on the repeater and simplex.
V/r, Brian KQ4WDG
On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 06:42:25 PM CST, Alan Curtis KQ4ELM via <sportingclaysguy1=[email protected]> wrote:
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
?
Thank each of you so much for your participation!
?
Barbara
KM4RBE
Re: Communications Drill Forms and Last Minute Info
I am currently scheduled to be at First Baptist parking lot with Rick Major.? Do you need me to move to any of the un-manned locations?? Also, what time do we need to be on station?
Thanks,
Ken K4PDI
On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 7:40?AM Brian Bowman KQ4WDG via <brian_d_bowman=[email protected]> wrote:
Saturday morning I cannot go mobile, but I will do my best to assist from home on the repeater and simplex.
V/r, Brian KQ4WDG
On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 06:42:25 PM CST, Alan Curtis KQ4ELM via <sportingclaysguy1=[email protected]> wrote:
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
?
Thank each of you so much for your participation!
?
Barbara
KM4RBE
Re: Communications Drill Forms and Last Minute Info
Saturday morning I cannot go mobile, but I will do my best to assist from home on the repeater and simplex.
V/r, Brian KQ4WDG
On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 06:42:25 PM CST, Alan Curtis KQ4ELM via <sportingclaysguy1=[email protected]> wrote:
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
?
Thank each of you so much for your participation!
?
Barbara
KM4RBE
Re: Communications Drill Forms and Last Minute Info
Saturday morning I cannot go mobile, but I will do my best to assist from home on the repeater and simplex.
V/r, Brian KQ4WDG
On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 06:42:25 PM CST, Alan Curtis KQ4ELM via <sportingclaysguy1=[email protected]> wrote:
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
?
Thank each of you so much for your participation!
?
Barbara
KM4RBE
Re: Communications Drill Forms and Last Minute Info
Saturday morning I cannot go mobile, but I will do my best to assist from home on the repeater and simplex.
V/r, Brian KQ4WDG
On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 06:42:25 PM CST, Alan Curtis KQ4ELM via groups.io <sportingclaysguy1@...> wrote:
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
This Saturday is our ARES Communication Drill.? Attached should be all the forms that you need.? Please print them down so you can check the boxes when communications are made and for ease of use to add notes.
?
As of right now we only have one operator at the Farm Center and no operator at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.? We would like 2 operators at each location.? I have attached the Sign-Up Sheet for identification help and in hopes some others may step up and help fill out the Drill.
?
I have used names in some locations and others left open in case you want to switch with each other according to your radio abilities or preference.? Please discuss with whoever is on your location so you are clear as to who answers which calls.
?
When we move to Simplex, IF you do not hear someone during a particular contact, please wait until whoever is calling may say, ¡°I do not hear anything from ¡¡.. Could someone verify that they can hear them transmitting?¡±? If that happens, then please transmit your name and location and that you can hear them.? The operator that cannot hear them, will then move to the next location and continue.
?
This drill is to find out where there may be gaps or if there may be equipment issues, etc.? Please make notes so that when we get together, we can figure out what may have worked better or maybe you might have a better idea of repositioning a location.?
?
If you have any questions or comments or corrections, please let me know before tomorrow night so I can address it.
There are designated family zones that will have vendors, entertainment, and live music.
In a post to Facebook, the Krewe of Kolosse said this will be the last time the parade will roll down Foster Street. The post did not mention any changes coming in the future.
The 2025 Krewe of Kolosse Mardi Gras parade starts at 3:30 on March 1.
Alan Curtis KQ4ELM
N4MUL Thomas
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