May 2021 Newsletter
The purpose of Georgia AUXCOMM is to promote, support, and lead emergency communications activities that support community needs. This is our monthly newsletter.
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Free give away!
As part of our 1 year anniversary (and to encourage you to read this newsletter), we're going to have another special prize give away. How would you like to win one of these cool GEORGIA AUXCOMM stickers?
Last month's winners were:
- Doug Lynch, W4DBL
- Chris Southerland, KJ4PLJ
- Emit Hurdelbrink, W0UAW
- Scott Royle, KK4Z
- Michael Rutherford, KM5BOR
The first five people who reply to this e-newsletter via email and include the following information, will win a free sticker.
1. Name
2. Callsign
3. Mailing address
4. What is your favorite digital operating mode?
5. Code word listed near the bottom of the email newsletter.
Winners will be announced in the next newsletter.
(NOTE - Georgia AUXCOMM leaders and last month's winners are NOT eligible to win, you all already have a sticker!)
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May Training Meeting - 5/27/2021, 8pm
Newnan Tornado After Action Review
by: Steven Nelson, NWS Atlanta
Please join us online on Thursday, May 27th at 8pm for the monthly training meeting of Georgia AuxComm. This month's presentation is titled "Newnan Tornado After Action Review and Lessons Learned".
Our presenter will be Steven Nelson, the Science and Training Officer of the Atlanta National Weather Service (NWS) office based in Peachtree City, GA.
Steven Nelson, a BS and MS Meteorology graduate from the University of Oklahoma, has been with the National Weather Service since 1994, working at the Norman and Tulsa offices and transferred to the Peachtree City office in 2004. As Science and Operations Officer, his responsibilities include overseeing training and mentoring of the meteorologists and student volunteers, collaborating with physical and social scientists as well as stakeholders, and conducting local research to improve weather forecast and warning accuracy and effectiveness.
Connection Information
This online meeting is open and free for interested amateur radio operators, ARES members, and anyone else with an interest in Emergency Communications. You do not have to be a member of Georgia AUXCOMM to attend. We hope you'll join us. Here's the connection information:
May AUXCOMM training - Newnan Tornado AAR
Thu, May 27, 2021 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EDT)
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/700322021
You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (669) 224-3412
- One-touch: tel:+16692243412,,700322021#
Access Code: 700-322-021
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/801649405
This meeting is free and open to all who have an interest in Emergency Communications. You do not have to be a member of Georgia AuxComm to attend.
Please note that now that the Governor has lifted COVID restrictions, we are planning to have in-person training meetings again soon.
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Georgia AUXC Teams Up with Fayette County ARES to Support Local Triathlon
Saturday, May 1st , 2021
Members of the GA AUXC team teamed up with Fayette County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) to support the Peachtree City International Triathlon on Saturday, May 1st.
AUXC member Joe Domaleski (KI4ASK) served as the COML and was assisted by fellow AUXC member and Georgia ARRL Section Manager David Benoist (AG4ZR). They worked with Fayette ARES EC (and Deputy Section Emergency Coordinator) Lynn Bianco (KN4YZ) who also served as the public safety liaison.
Net control operators - AG4ZR, K7CPT, KI4ASK
Race Incident Command - LT Mark Brown (PCPD), Bryan Macera (K7CPT), Mary Catherine Domaleski (KI4HHI), Race Director Kim Brown, (back row) David Benoist (AG4ZR), Lynn Bianco (KN4YZ).
Brent Baxter (KN4VAD) at a police checkpoint
Well known voice of the Skywarn and Southeastern Linked Repeater Nets, Robert Burton (KD4YDC) manning a bike checkpoint.
Race flyover by Airbase Georgia Commemorative Air Force
Amateur radio operators from AUXC and ARES worked together to provide primary race communications support along the 26 mile bike route of the triathlon. The race used a network of linked VHF and UHF repeaters to cover most of central Fayette County. A simplex frequency of 146.535 was also used as a backup.
Over fifteen radio operators participated in the event. The race was a great opportunity for local amateur radio operators to practice communications skills and support the community. It was also an opportunity for AUXC to work together with ARES.
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Georgia AUXC Leadership Meeting at Columbus Mass Vaccination Site (CMVS)
May 15, 2021
Georgia AUXCOMM held a leadership meeting this past weekend at the Georgia Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) mass vaccination site in Columbus, Georgia. Two months ago, members of AUXC helped to setup communications at the site. Next week, the site is scheduled to be shut down.
Selected members of the Georgia AUXC leadership team present in Columbus.
Anthony Brown (KJ4JJX) and his new AUXCOMM THSP vest
Georgia AUXC PIO Joe Domaleski (KI4ASK)
Stephen Price (KK4YQV) gives us an overview of VOIP telephony in advance of setting up a statewide AUXCOMM phone network.
GEMA Deputy SWIC Edwin Whitworth (KJ4KKB) leads the group in strategic planning for 2021.
Big plans were made, including discussion about a Fall 2021 AUXC class in Atlanta. We also made plans to resume in person training meetings and activities. Our next planned activity is ARRL Field Day on 6/26-27.
Stay tuned to this newsletter for more details as they become available.
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REMINDER - Georgia AUXC Monthly 60m Net - Second Sunday at 1400 Local
Georgia AUXCOMM has been conducting a monthly net on 60m Channel 5 on the second Sunday of each month at 1400 local. Recognizing the growing importance of 60m as an interoperability band, we've been practicing our own skills and testing our gear to ensure we can effectively communicate on 60m. We'd like to invite each of you to participate in the net. Please ensure that you have the proper radio licensure to participate. Amateur radio operators that are General class or higher are authorized to use the band. Please note that amateur radio is a secondary service on the band and must not interfere with other services such as government agencies.
Our net takes check-ins via 60m Channel 5 Phone (5.403.5 MHz, USB) and Winlink to WX4GMA. Most of our operators check-in using both SSB and Winlink. Winlink check-ins should include your location, power level, and equipment used. The net starts with a preamble, roll call of AUXC leaders, and then open check-ins. If Channel 5 is not available, the backup is 60m Channel 4.
Want to know more about the 60m band?
We hope you'll join us for the next net, scheduled for Sunday, June 13th at 2pm (local) on 5.403.5 MHz, USB.
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INVITATION - Georgia AUXC Field Day - June 26-27, 2021
We hope you saved the date, because you're invited!
Georgia AUXCOMM is returning to Cloudland Canyon State Park to participate in the ARRL 2021 Field Day Event, always held the fourth full weekend in June. The dates for this year's event are Saturday, June 26 through Sunday, June 27th.
Some of our planned activities include:
- Position Task Book (PTB) sign-off opportunities
- Fox hunt
- Digital mode operations
- Traditional HF field day contacts and DX
- Amateur radio satellite operations
- SOTA / POTA activation
- Waterfall hike
- More
We will send out a specific RSVP form via email next week, so be on the lookout for it.
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GaAUXCOMM needs your support!
We have established a non-profit membership organization to support our mission. Consider becoming an early bird member with a $30 donation. We need your support so we can continue serving the community. Here's a link you can use to apply for membership and make a donation.
https://gaauxcomm.org/membership
CODE WORD: auxcfieldday2021
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FAQ and Social Media
Keep in touch with Georgia AUXCOMM! We've prepared a handy FAQ about the organization and will regularly communicate updates from this monthly newsletter and via social media outlets.
This newsletter is our primary official communication outlet. If you're getting this newsletter, then "you're on the list". Feel free to share this newsletter.
Other information sources include:
Website
https://gaauxcomm.org
FAQ
https://www.gaauxcomm.org/media/GaAUXCOMM-FAQ-Version12-2020-April.pdf
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/georgiaauxcomm
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwtgAs5ps7IZI-zSRPMZqiA
Twitter
https://twitter.com/gaauxcomm
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/georgiaauxcomm
Please direct all general questions and press inquiries to Georgia AUXCOMM PIO Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK, at joe.domaleski@gaauxcomm.org.
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