Date:  April 6, 2006
From:  Steve Hilberg
Subject:  ARES of Champaign County QST  - April 2006


The April meeting of ARES of Champaign County was held Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at the Fire Service Institute.  Here are important notes from that meeting and other news.

ATTENDING
N9XDC, KB9KAI, W9DML, W9EML, KC9HND, KC9AZX, WB9HFK, AB9FJ, K9SI, N9DN, KC9DEQ, W9MOO, N9GPA,  KB9VFZ, KC9DSS, KC9IKL, K9MLT, KC9IHX, W9HC, K9CFD, K9LMM:  Guests:  KC9ISP, W9CMA, KD8ACX, KC9GIE, KC9GID, KB9LGE


ARES SPOTTER TRAINING
27 ARES and ham radio storm spotters attended the April 5th meeting where our annual "Spotter Preparation, Safety, and Communication" training was provided.  We also reviewed the Severe Weather Net procedures which were revised this year.  You should have received a copy in email before the meeting.  If you did not, you can download a copy from the web site, www.wa9res.org.  The link is on the home page.  Be sure you READ these procedures and keep a copy with your spotting "go" kit.   The NCS script for the Resource/Information Net will be sent out soon.

We've already had two severe weather activations this season, and the response has been excellent for each.  Thanks to all those who have participated so far.  A special "hats off" goes to the stalwarts who remained on standby into the wee hours of the morning following the March 12 storm.  The ARES operations closed about 3:00 a.m., and the EOC closed by 4:00 a.m.


MARCH OF DIMES REQUESTS ARES ASSISTANCE
March of Dimes here in Champaign County has once again requested our assistance for their Walk America event this spring.  The walk will be held on Saturday April 29, headquartered at Centennial Park in Champaign.  Heather Schlesser, KC9DEQ, AEC for Public Service, is coordinating our participation for this event.  Please contact her if you would like to help out.


MS WALK ON MAY 9
Another in what has become a regular public service event for ARES will be held on Sunday, May 9.  Our assistance has been requested for the Multiple Sclerosis Walk held in Meadowbrook Park.  This event runs from about 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm.  Heather will be sending out more info and asking for volunteers in the near future.


WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION
A few items will be distributed via the email list in the near future.  Included are the Severe Weather Resouce/Information Script, an updated Emergency Operations Plan, updated membership roster, and more information on the ARES training plan that AEC-Training Mike Spinar, KC9DSS, introduced at the April 5 meeting.


2006 DUES
If you were planning on sending them in and haven't gotten around to it yet, please note an address change.  Please send your check to Heather Schlesser, 187 Paddock Drive East, Savoy, IL 61874. 


APRIL  NET CONTROL STATIONS
The weekly ARES net is held each Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., on the 444.100 repeater, CTSS 162.2.  An updated net check-in list is now available on the web site.

April 11        W9DML
April 18        KC9HND
April 25        AB9FJ

May 2           N9GPA


NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting will be on Wednesday, May 3, 7:00 p.m. at the Fire Service Institute.