Public Service

Amateur radio public service events

Public Service

Amateurs Needed For Mt. Washington Hill Climb, July 9-10, 2005

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Mt. Washington Vintage Hill Climb logoAdditional Amateur Radio operators are needed for the Mt. Washington Vintage Hill Climb, July 9-10 in New Hampshire.

“We expect an exciting car turnout and are doing everything that we can to make this an enjoyable event,” writes the coordinator. “We want to be able to start everyone up the mountain about 7:00 AM both days so that, with the inevitable delays and last minute adjustments we are ready to go before 8:00 AM.”

The event will secure just after 11:30 AM on both days. “You should be off of the mountain by 12:00 noon. There is a car show and, on Sunday there will be an awards program. And, of course, you will be able to drive your own car to the top in the afternoon.”

The schedule of events are as follows:

Friday: BBQ in the Stage House starting at 5:30 PM
Saturday Meeting/Breakfast at 6:30 AM
Sunday Meeting Breakfast at 6:30 AM
Additional activities – TBA

If you are interested in participating, please contact Steve Chisholm or Jean Petryshyn at (860) 536-3196 between the hours of 6-9 PM.

—Thanks, N1HTS

Public Service

PART To Provide Communications For Westford Apple Blossom Parade, May 14, 2005

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Police ART logoTerry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on PART-L:

[The Police Amateur Radio Team] has once again been asked to assist as a communications resource for the Westford Apple Blossom Parade on Saturday, May 14, 2005.

The parade runs from 10 AM until 11 AM starting near the junction of Graniteville Rd and Main St. and ending at Abbot School. Like last year but not as big! Duty will be from 8:30/9:00AM until 11:00AM/noon at the latest. You will need to bring a 2 meter walkie.

Most volunteers will be assigned to “shadow” various members of the Parade committee. Our actually duty will not start till about 9:00AM but we need to get into the center of town before the roads are closed and we need to establish our assignments by 8:30 AM or so.

Please contact Bo or I if you are interested and can assist or need more information.

Terry, KA8SCP
ka8scp@wb1gof.org

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem RC: “Very Few Volunteers” At Present

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K1USN QSL cardBill O Hara, N1EY, writes:

We need people to help out the Scouting Program. We have very few volunteers. I have only three persons scheduled including myself. Radio Room 5 shall be open at the bare minimum on April 9th.

Anyone welcome to checking out the radio room and its operations should come by on the 9th. Pi K1RV shall be giving tours.

We require help every weekend. This should not be news to any club members. I shouldn’t even have to put an email in the manner that JC did every week.
I think that people should hold themselves accountable and be responsible. Other individuals arrive every week and work to man other stations such as CIC, sickbay, gunnery, engine rooms, or act as tour guides.

If we are truly interested in maintaining this ship, then people should be showing up.

April 9th – 225 scouts
April 16th – 85 scouts
April 23rd – 50 scouts morning; 155 scouts afternoon
April 30th – 203 scouts
May 7th – 170 scouts
May 14th – 225 scouts
May 21st – 225 scouts
June 4th – 177 scouts
June 11th – 210 scouts

This is the primary source of revenue to pay for badly needed repairs to the ship. Few club members are helping out. W1BT works very hard and is at the ship many times during the week to keep the juice running.

We also have not handled other club tasks such as getting the transmitters in RR 2 up to sniff and scratch standards. Nor we have done anything like getting a working teletype circuit.

All / Public Service

Walk For Hunger Volunteers Needed, May 1, 2005

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Walk For Hunger '05 logoBruce Pigott, KC1US, writes:

Do you have a two meter hand held radio? Six hours of time? On Sunday May 1st, we can use your help to support the 40,000 walkers participating in the Walk for Hunger. Project Bread will be depending on the skills of hams to tie together the walk coordinators, volunteers and managers. The twenty mile route starts in Boston, goes out to Newton, continues through Watertown and then back to Boston Common. This is the major fund raising event for Project Bread which provides assistance to nearly 400 feeding agencies across the Commonwealth. Last year just over $3 million was raised thanks in part to our efforts.

Assignments include both stationary and mobile positions. You can sign up on line at the Crocker Public Service Group web page http://cpsg.amateur-radio.net/. For more information call Bruce KC1US, at 781 275-3740, or send a message to wfh2005@amateur-radio.net.

All / Public Service

Pepperell EMA Seeks Volunteers

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoThe Pepperell Emergency Management Agency is seeking additional volunteers, according to Pepperell EMA Communications Officer David Peabody, N1MNX.

“We need [individuals who] would like to get involved in emergency communications [using] Amateur Radio, Citizens Band or FRS radio.” Peabody writes, there is also a need for persons with skills in “computers or networking, gas generators, water pumps, lighting and electrical.”

“If you have the knowledge, or urge to learn, then you are welcome to join us,” states N1MNX.

For further information or to volunteer, contact David Peabody at n1mnx@n1mnx.com or call 978-433-2577. Peabody can also be reached at P.O. Box 1309, Pepperell MA 01463-3309.

—Nashoba Valley ARC Signal, March 2005

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Eastern MA Handiham Volunteer Assists At California Radio Camp

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K9HI explains cw simulation program to campersAn EMA amateur participated in the annual Courage Center Handiham’s California Radio Camp. Phil Temples, K9HI was invited for the fifth straight year to attend the event, held Feb. 28-March 5, 2005 at the Joan Mier Camp near Malibu, California.

“I was thrilled to have been invited back again as a volunteer,” said Temples. “It’s a way for me to give back to the hobby and to serve others. In the process I feel I’ve made many life-long friends, and I’ve joined a tight-knit community.”

The radio camp draws volunteers, staff and campers from across the United States and Canada. Campers who are blind, who suffer from brain injuries, or diseases that affect their mobility study for their Technician, General and Extra licenses in a safe and supportive class room environment. Morse code mentors work with those who wish to learn or improve upon their code skills.

In addition, the radio camp holds an Operating Skills class for licensed campers who wish to improve their operating skill level. K9HI along with four other volunteer “veteran” hams led the Op Skills class. “The Op Skills class has become increasingly popular. We had nearly 16 participants this year,” said Temples. “In the class we cover a wide number of topics–HF operating, familiarity with station equipment, propagation–even news and current events about Amateur Radio.”

Two popular activities during the week-long camp include the radio direction finding foxhunt and the simulated emergency test. “This year I wrote the script for the emergency test,” remarked Temples. “It involved a simulated mudslide that affected Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. It didn’t take much imagination for everyone to identify with the scenerio, since the immediate area experienced mudslides only weeks earlier.”

The camp established five different simulated “emergency” stations on 2 meters, including a Salvation Army canteen truck, and a Red Cross Shelter. In addition, a real station was set up next door at the Ventura County Fire Department. Well-known ham instructor Gordon West, WB6NOA, was on hand to assist the campers at one operating position. “We introduced a number of realistic scenerios into the script, including intentional interference,” Temples said.

The Courage Center Handiham program runs an identical radio camp in the late summer at Camp Courage North near Bemidji, Minnesota. In addition to its highly successful radio camps, the program provides equipment and audio materials for blind hams. (See also N1BLF CD Recordings For The Blind.) For additional information about the Courage Center Handiham program, visit http://www.handiham.org.

Pictured, above: K9HI demonstrates a Morse code simulator program to campers Grady, KB5SDU (standing); Marie, WA0MMK; Evan, KB1IWR. (WA0TDA photo)

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem Scouting Program “In Danger Of Collapse”

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K1USN QSL cardThe scouting activities aboard the USS Salem in Quincy are in danger of collapse. This, according to Harold “Pi” Pugh, K1RV, in the wake of the resignation of USS Salem Scout Coordinator “JC” Cunningham, W1AI.

Despite numerous pleas for ham assistance, Cunningham and company have been unable to recruit any new volunteers. Wrote Cunningham, “I received zero volunteers, so I have cancelled all K1USN activities on the USS Salem for tomorrow (3/12/2005). I hereby resign as Scout Coordinator!”Pugh, who coordinated the program prior to Cunningham, praised W1AI’s efforts. “I want to personally thank J.C. for all his hard work during the past several years maintaining this program! …I know how difficult it can be to keep up the momentum.”

“We have had a wonderful time during the past eight years running the International Museum Ships Weekend and other K1USN operations,” added Pugh. “These have helped draw much deserved attention to the USS Salem, but those activities may not be enough to keep K1USN ‘afloat.’ On more than one occasion we have been threatened with eviction from the ship if we can’t find a way to regularly assist the Overnight Scouting Program.”

Pugh stated the group now has an “immediate need” for someone to step forward to become the new Scouting Coordinator. He added that the group can give the next coordinator all the training he or she needs to get started.

“As J.C. has stated in the past, the Scouting Coordinator does NOT have to live nearby the ship. All the main duties can be handled by e-mail and phone.”

Concluded K1RV: “We need to find a way to get some more of the hams in Eastern Massachusetts to want to help save this program.”

Amateurs in Eastern MA are encouraged to forward this message to anyone who might be interested in salvaging the USS Salem’s Overnight Scouting Program.

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem Scouting Schedule

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USS Salem ARCJC Cunningham, W1AI writes:

I sent a message last week asking whether we should shut down the K1USN scouting program. The responses were quite underwhelming. I got responses from about 10 people, including 2 who actually volunteered to help with the scouts. We lost about 4 subscribers to the list as a result of my message.

Everyone – if you want to see this program continue, email me this week volunteering to help with one or more of the following sessions. If you really want to see the scouting program continue, also forward this message to other hams in Eastern Mass.

Saturday morning 5 March….(24 scouts expected) [1 volunteer so far; 1 more would be nice]

Saturday afternoon 5 March….(158 scouts expected) [1 volunteer so far; 3 more needed]

Saturday morning 12 March…(40 scouts expected) [2 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 12 March…..(154 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday morning 19 March…..(100 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 19 March……(164 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 26 March…..(24 scouts expected) [2 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 2 April…(215 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 9 April….(225 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 16 April….(85 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday morning 23 April….(50 scouts expected) [3 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 23 April……(155 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 30 April….(203 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 7 May…(170 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 14 May …(225 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 21 May…(225 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 4 June….(177 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 11 June….(210 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

All morning sessions are from 9:30am to 10:30am on Saturday. All afternoon sessions are from 3pm till 6pm on Saturday. Volunteers should plan on arriving 30 minutes early to help with setup, and staying a few minutes late to help with cleanup.

No experience is necessary. Our experienced volunteers will show you what needs to be done. There are jobs for no-code Techs and even unlicensed individuals!

Here’s the deal. This message is going out to almost 100 subscribers. If I get 30 or more person-session signups as a result of this message, I will assume that there is still interest in this program, and I will commit to acting as volunteer coordinator until June 30. If I do not, then I will resign as volunteer coordinator and shut down the program until such a time as someone else decides to start it up again.

Your response to this message determines whether we introduce 2656 scouts to amateur radio over the next 4 months, or shut down the K1USN scouting program.

You decide.

JC, W1AI
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

All / Public Service

Volunteers Requested: Kids At Risk Half Marathon/5K Run, Boston, March 13, 2005

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Boston ARC logoBob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

The Boston Police and the State Police are sponsoring a half marathon and a 5K run and walk to benefit the “Kids at Risk” programs. All events run concurrently with the start and finish at the World Trade Center in South Boston. They will be held on Sunday, 13 March, with hams reporting at 0900.

The sponsorship is of particular interest to us since it gives hams exposure to the police departments, letting them see the communication skills we use under critical situations.

Considering the short notice we were given for this new event, our prompt mobilization will also be observed.

While the final routes have not yet been authorized, the venue is expected to be in the Back Bay, downtown Boston, and Cambridge. Course aid stations, a mobile, and several shadows are expected. All stations should be closed by early afternoon (some sooner).

We should not miss this opportunity to show public agencies what we can do. Time is short and your help is needed. If you can lend a hand or you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Bob Salow, WA1IDA, at wa1ida@arrl.net or 508.650.9440.

—Thanks, Boston ARC The SPARC, February, 2005

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem Volunteers Needed, Feb. 12, 2005

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USS Salem ARCJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes on K1USN@YahooGroups.com:

What if we had an opportunity to demonstrate amateur radio to 73 youngsters – the potential next generation of hams – and nobody showed up?

I still need volunteers for Saturday, 2/12/2005, from 3pm to 6pm, to demonstrate amateur radio to scouts visiting the USS Salem.

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help! If I do not have at least 3 more volunteers by Friday morning, I will be forced to cancel again! We’ve been doing that a lot recently! Let’s not let another group of scouts down this weekend!

No prior experience is necessary. We can train you!

Live too far away from Quincy, MA? You can still help! I’m looking for someone to take over the task of volunteer coordinator. No prior experience on the USS Salem is required. We can train you! All you need is reliability and good people skills!

JC
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem ARC: QRV For Scouting!

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K1USN QSL cardJC Cunningham, W1AI writes:

The USS Salem K1USN radio club is going to be busy with the scouting program in the coming months:

* Sat Jan 22 – 25 scouts in the afternoon
* Sat Feb 12 – 73 scouts in the afternoon
* Sat Mar 5 – 68 scouts in the morning and 160-190 in the afternoon
* Sat Mar 12 – 40 scouts in the morning and 172 in the afternoon
* Sat Mar 19 – 100 scouts in the morning and 119 in the afternoon

What are you going to do to help?

Several people have expressed disappointment that the scouting activities are always on Saturdays, when they are unavailable for a variety of reasons. Well, there’s one activity that needs to be done during the week (either days or evenings). That’s the job of volunteer coordinator. I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now, and I’m ready to pass the torch. I plan to stay active with the scouting program, but primarily in the role of occasional volunteer.

What you need to do this job is:

* Good organizational skills
* Good communication skills
* The ability to get along with people

What the job entails:

* Find out from the ship what scouting events are coming up
* Send emails (and/or make phone calls) to get volunteers
* Send more urgent emails (and/or make phone calls) if your first email doesn’t raise enough volunteers
* Make sure that enough people, with sufficient USS Salem experience, have volunteered to get the job done
* Letting the ship know by Friday morning what our participation will be
* Send a final email letting everyone know what will or won’t be happening

The volunteer coordinator does not ever have to go to the ship. In fact, this is a job that could just as well be done from Hawaii as Massachusetts! (Know that would be my preference!) That makes it perfect for people who want to help out, but who live a long ways from Quincy!

Please contact me to volunteer, or if you need more information.

JC Cunningham, W1AI

Outgoing USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator

http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

All / Public Service / Youth

SEMARA Receives Donation of DVD Programs

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SEMARA logoThe library at the Southeastern MA ARA is about to get a whole lot more interesting, thanks to the efforts of Bob “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV. Doherty is donating a set of DVDs with ham-related materials to the club’s library for use by its members. Doherty has personally produced and created many of the titles himself.

“Over the last couple of years, we have put together a number of video DVDs. We’ve donated some to the ARRL. They sell them on their web page.” Doherty adds, “We receive no compensation for this, nor do we expect any.”

K1VV says some of the DVD programs have been shown on Braintree cable television.

The set includes:

* New England Museum of Wireless and Steam
* International Lighthouse Weekend
* Real Radio Ft Burnside RI W1NZR Military Radio equipment.
* Marconi 100th Anniversary Cape Cod, January 18,2003
* FISTS CW Event on the USS Salem Quincy, Ma.
* South Shore Fox Hunters’ Association
* STEAM UP at the New England Museum of Wireless and Steam
* JOTA- Scouts Jamboree On the Air, Cape Cod, Ma.
* SET- Simulated Emergency Test Bridgewater, Ma.
* BPL – Broadband Over Power Lines
* ARRL – Trip and tour of the American Radio Relay League Newington, Ct.
* The Mighty 4 Watter – CQ Magazine April 1956 rebuilt Tube QRP rig
* 1934 Collins 30FX Transmitter Restoration by Don K1DC
* Museum Ships Event – USS Salem Quincy, Ma.
* DXCC – ARRL DX Century Club

In response to K1VV’s offer, another SEMARA club member has donate a new DVD player to the club.

—Thanks, SEMARA Mailing List

All / Public Service

Call For Volunteers: BAA Marathon, April 18, 2005

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BAA logoBob DeMattia, K1IW writes:

Amateur Radio Operators are needed to participate in the communications effort for the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2005. Amateurs should have their own two meter portable with extra batteries. Some locations require extended-range antennas. 440 MHz portables, dual banders, mobile rigs and remote bases are a plus. For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Bostom Marathon Amateur Radio Communications website, http://www.bmarc.info. Or you may contact Bob DeMattia at (508) 393-4148.

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem 6-Meter Repeater Update, Etc.

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K1USNHarold “Pi” Pugh, K1RV writes:

“I want to give everyone an update on the K1USN Six Meter repeater. The repeater will soon be located on the Cohasset water tower thanks to the dedicated work of a few individuals. This will give increased coverage and will allow for better access and control of repeater operations.

This repeater will round out our stable of repeaters in the South Coast. The South Coastal Affiliated Radio Clubs – SCARC (SCARC because the people on the south shore are members of many clubs SNS, Marconi, Salem, Capeway,Whitman ARC, etc. )will have 145.39 (IRLP) 443.6 (ECHOLINK) 145.25 and 53.33 machines for their usage. (These repeaters are open for all to use!)

This new site will provide excellent 6 meter coverage from Cape Cod to NH and will be the first 6 meter repeater that is in our backyards. Since this repeater will be one of the local machines we are asking for small donations to help defray the costs. One of the guys just ordered 350 feet of cable and we would like to help him out with the costs. We are also looking for a 70 cm control receiver.

If anyone can help with a small donation it would be greatly appreciated. If you can help then send your donation to:

Bob Callahan – W1QWT
56 Acorn St.
Scituate, MA. 02066

Bob’s e-mail address is w1qwt@comcast.net

I’d also like to let everyone know that NS1N and KC1HO have been busy upgrading both Norwell repeaters. They will have lots of exciting features.

They have purchased new Kenwood repeaters for both the (443.600 88.5HZ)UHF and (145.250 77HZ) VHF machines. Also the VHF machine has a new Hustler G144-7 antenna and lowloss hard-line. A new controller with many exciting features is controlling these machines.

A Kenwood transceiver has been purchased and hooked up to allow the linking of these machines to other area repeaters and the UHF machine has had upgrades to its echolink system.

Anyone wishing to support this system please contact NS1N-

KARL S JOHNSON, SR – NS1N
39 RICHFIELD RD
SCITUATE MA 02066

Karl’s e-mail address is ns1n@msn.com

Our November 11th Veterans Day 2004 operation was a tremendous success! We had a dozen operators and made over 500 contacts on HF, VHF and IRLP. Thanks to all who helped make this a success! HRO even loaned us an IC-756-PRO-II from their Salem, NH store!

73, Pi – K1RV / K1USN

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem ARC Veteran’s Day Operation 11/11/04, And Scouting Opportunities

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K1USN QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

Three things:

Don’t forget the Veteran’s Day operation on the USS Salem on Thursday (11/11/04). Bands permitting, we hope to have 5 concurrent operating positions. More operators are needed! Contact Pi at K1RV@hamtestonline.com for details.

We are expecting almost 200 scouts on the USS Salem this coming Saturday (11/13/04).

I need several more volunteers to do the Morse code presentations and/or HF and VHF demos from 3pm to 6pm.

Please send me a message at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help. I need to know by early Friday morning at the very latest!

We are also expecting about 150 scouts on the USS Salem the following Saturday (11/20/04).

I’m taking a long-deserved vacation during the week of Nov 13-2. Therefore Bill O’Hara, N1EY, has agreed to coordinate the volunteers for that week.

Please contact Bill at who_icrr@adelphia.net if you can help that week.

No prior experience is necessary for any of these events.

JC Cunningham, W1AI
USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator

http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

All / Public Service / Youth

USS Salem Scouting Demo Volunteers Needed Oct.-Nov. 2004

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USS Salem RC QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

“I still need volunteers for:

* Saturday, October 16, 2004 (~102 scouts)
* Saturday, November 6, 2004 (~246 scouts!)
* Saturday, November 13, 2004 (~135 scouts)
* Saturday, November 20, 2004 (~100 scouts)

All activities are from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday afternoon. (Volunteers should plan on being on the ship from 2:30pm till 6:15pm to help with setup, activities, and cleanup.)

Send me an email at W1AI@hamtestonline.com to let me know which date(s) you will help.

JC, W1AI

USS Salem K1USN Radio Club scouting program volunteer coordinator
http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

All / Public Service / Youth

Eighth Graders To Visit K1USN Oct. 5—Your Help Is Needed!

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USS Salem RC QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

“I need volunteers to help with ~50 8th graders who will be visiting the ship on Tuesday, October 5 between 10am and 2pm.

This is unusual for us because:

* It’s on a weekday during work hours.

* It’s not scouts.

I know that some of the regulars will not be able to make it because of work, so this would be a terrific opportunity for irregulars to step up to the plate!

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help.

JC, W1AI

USS Salem K1USN Radio Club scouting program volunteer coordinator
http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

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USS Salem ARC Needs You!

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USS Salem ARC QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

I need volunteers to demo amateur radio to scouts on the USS Salem. All three of the following events are from 3pm till 6pm on Saturday afternoons:

— Saturday 9/11/04 – 1 or 2 volunteers to work with ~20 scouts

— Saturday 9/18/04 – 4 or 5 volunteers to work with 100+ scouts. (This follows the morning CEMARC meeting on board the USS Salem.)

— Saturday 9/25/04 – 3 or 4 volunteers to work with ~50 scouts.

Those who have never helped on the USS Salem before are welcome and especially encouraged to participate. I will make sure that there aresufficient experienced volunteers to show the newbies the ropes!

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com to let me know if you will help. I know it’s a pain having to give a commitment in advance, but the ship needs to know in advance so they can schedule alternate activities if we cannot help out.

While I’m always happy for extra volunteers to show up unannounced, I’m especially grateful for the ones who commit in advance, as they are the ones that make this activity possible!

As for this Saturday’s event, I need a response TODAY.

Thanks,
JC Cunningham, W1AI
USS Salem K1USN Radio Club scouting program volunteer coordinator
W1AI@hamtestonline.com
www.hamtestonline.com