This bulletin will recap activities and meetings for November, December, and January.

NOVEMBER 6, 2007 MEETING
Attending:  N9XDC, K9LMM, K9SI, KC9KGJ, KC9JVR, W9DML, W9EML, KC9MHP, KC9HXY, WB9HFK, N9DN, KC9HND, KC9DEQ, KC9IHX, AB9FJ, KB9KAI, N9GPA (17)

We discussed the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) that was conducted on October 28th. There were two objectives for this exercise.  One was to set up and operate from the Champaign Red Cross office where a dual-band antenna was installed in early October for the radio operating location.  The second objective was to determine what kind of range and operational capability we have from the Red Cross office station on 2m simplex. The ultimate goal was to determine which possible shelter sites in each served community offer the best options for emergency communications.  13 ARES members participated in the SET. 


DECEMBER 5, 2007 MEETING
Attending:  N9XDC, K9SI, KC9HXY, KC9IHX, N9DN, KC9DEQ, WB9HFK, K9LMM, KB9KAI, KC9HND, W9DML, AB9FJ, K9MLT, N9TXB, N9GPA (15)

The December meeting is the annual business meeting.   Elections were held for the board positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and one Director.  The ARES Board Members for 2008 are :  Steve Hilberg, EC/President; Joan Friedman, Secretary; Heather Schlesser, Treasurer;  Director, Mike Trautman (2 yr term).  Outside board members are Jamie Davis with the Red Cross and Biller Keller with Champaign County EMA.

At the December meeting the membership also voted to assess dues for the 2008 calendar year.  Dues are $20 and are payable to ARES of Champaign County.  Please send your check to  Heather Schlesser, 187 Paddock Dr. East, Savoy, IL 61874 no later than January 31.


JANUARY 2, 2008 MEETING
Attending:  N9XDC, KC9HXY, W9EML, W9DML, KB9KAI, N9XDH, AB9FJ, N9TXB, WB9HFK, N9DN, N9GPA, NA8K, KC9MHP, K9MLT (14)

At the January meeting we reviewed basic emergency communications concepts and procedures.


SEVERE WEATHER SPOTTER TRAINING
Severe weather spotter talks are being scheduled throughout central Illinois by the Lincoln NWS office, including several Advanced talks.  I will let everyone know when there is a session scheduled for Champaign County.  The complete updated schedule can be found at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/?n=spotter . You are welcome to attend the Advanced talks or a talk in another county.  If you do, please let me know so that your training record can be updated.  Spotter training is recommended at least very two years, and I encourage active spotters to attend every year.  We are not likely to go another season without any severe weather callouts, so be prepared.


VE EXAMS JANUARY 27
Debbie Fligor, N9DN, announced that the first quarter VE exams for new ham licences or upgrades will be held Sunday, January 27, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Fire Service Insitute.  For more information go to http://www.w9seh.org/intro1.htm


WEEKLY NETS
The weekly ARES net is held each Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., on the 444.100 repeater, CTSS 162.2.  The ARES 2m Simplex net is held on 146.550 immediately following the 440 net.  The monthly digital net is held on the fourth Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.  Net control stations for the next month are posted in the Nets section of the web site, www.wa9res.org.   There has been  a slight change in the procedures for the net.  The NCS for the 444.100 net is also the NCS for the simplex net, unless another member volunteers.


NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting will be on Wednesday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m.   We will be reviewing our Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) at this meeting.