The September club meeting started as usual, with introductions and a question: Are you equipped to run your home station on back up power? Most of the answers were “yes,” with energy sources ranging from large batteries to solar power to generators. The business part of the meeting progressed quickly through several important announcements and discussions.
Barbara KC1SSY shared some of the preliminary planning notes for the MDI Marathon, to be held on Sunday, October 18th. Approximately 14 additional volunteers are needed for several communications points along the route. This is a great way to practice emergency communications procedures and share ham radio with the community. If you are a first-time volunteer, you will be paired with an experienced volunteer. Contact Barbara (via QRZ) or use the “Contact Us’ form on this website if you’d like to be a part of the event.
Barbara also shared that there will be a state-wide Emergency Communications Exercise held on Wednesday, September 16. If you are on local or regional nets, you may hear, “Exercise, exercise, exercise” followed by information regarding a fictitious event.
Once again, Jeff KA1DBE will coordinate the annual Ham Radio Symposium held in April. Jeff asked that club members and friends share with him ideas for presentation topics. This will help as he starts identifying potential presenters.
New this year, Stan W1BOY will coordinate the planning for Fabbri Special Event Stations, celebrating 110 years since the commissioning of the Otter Cliffs Radio Station on August 28th. The attendees were excited about the event, to be held on the exact anniversary day, Saturday August 28, 2027. Discussions ranged from operating as a small, POTA-style event to something similar to Field Day. Stan will share information on upcoming meetings for those interested in planning and operating in the event.
After a quick intermission that included home-made treats, we moved to the program for the evening. Barbara KC1SSY shared an overview of items recommended for personal emergency preparedness. She began with considering all the parts of your radio that may not work in an emergency, prompting us to think about back-ups. She then progressed to the environment for the radio and antennas, emphasizing potential damage from wind, rain, and lightning. She also mentioned the need for grounding and the capability to set-up and use a portable and/or mobile station quickly in an emergency.
The presentation then shifted to a wide range of topics, moving from personal safety concerns to issues affecting your home, family, pets, and others who may depend on you for assistance. Topics here included a 3 day supply of food and water, first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and copies of financial papers. Her discussion also included ‘psychological first aid,’ highlighting the stress everyone would experience during an emergency.
The September club meeting was packed with useful information, both in terms of planning for club events and planning for personal or regional emergencies. Almost everything we do as a club prepares us for the emergency that we hope never comes. Whether it is the bonds we develop by coming together for coffee, nets, and meetings, or the information shared in the programs and annual symposium, or the club efforts at Field Day and the upcoming special event — all of these things will help us be at our best if needed in an emergency.
If you are just learning about our club, please explore the website, particularly the “Regular Events.” You are always welcome to join in, whether you have a license or not.
Written by Marion W1GRL
W1TU 