December 2022 Newsletter
The purpose of Georgia AUXCOMM is to promote, support, and lead emergency communications activities that support community needs. This is our monthly newsletter and here's what we have for you in this edition:
- Happy Holidays from Georgia AUXCOMM
- Georgia AUXCOMM promotes Dan Ozment and Bob Herrin
- Skywarn Recognition Day at NWS Atlanta
- 2023 Gwinnett TechFest
- 2023 Winter Field Day with Georgia AUXCOMM
- 2023 ARRL Field Day with Georgia AUXCOMM
- Join Georgia AUXCOMM and get a cool patch
- Georgia AUXC Monthly D-Star Net on REF030B - 12/19/22, 8:30pm
- Georgia AUXC Monthly 60m Net - 1/8/23, 4pm
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Happy Holidays from Georgia AUXCOMM
Christmas Party on December 3, 2022
Chattahoochee Technical College
Georgia AUXCOMM held its first annual Holiday/Christmas Party on the evening of Saturday, December 3rd at Chattahoochee Technical College. Edwin (KJ4KKB) and Megan Whitworth graciously hosted members of the Georgia AUXCOMM leadership team and their families for a fun filled evening of celebration.
Georgia AUXCOMM board members conduct a brief business meeting before the party.
Party hostess Megan Whitworth prepares to let hungry hams eat dinner.
 Training manager Jeff Watson (K5JCW), PIO Joe Domaleski (KI4ASK), and Mary Catherine Domaleski (KI4HHI) are ready to partake in the feast, catered by EPIC Catering.
 MCV manager Anthony Brown (KJ4JJX) enjoys dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Whitworth, Edwin's parents.
 Great turnout for our first ever Holiday/Christmas Party.
Edwin (KJ4KKB) and Megan Whitworth enjoy dinner with friends.
 Some of the hardest working members of our team - Deputy ACM Joe Martin (WB4S), Training Manager Jeff Watson (K5JCW), ACM John Davis (WB4QDX), and the newly promoted Planning Section Chief Bob Herrin (KE4JLL).
 We even had time for a tacky Christmas sweater contest - Edwin Whitwoth (KJ4KKB), Jeff Watson (K5JCW), and winner Mary Catherine Domaleski (KI4HHI).
We're looking forward to having an even bigger general membership Holiday Party in 2023. Join Georgia AUXCOMM and stay tuned for more information next year!
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Georgia AUXCOMM Promotes Dan Ozment and Bob Herrin
During the business meeting at the 12/3/2022 Holiday Party, members of the leadership team announced two promotions.
- Dan Ozment, W4DTO, was promoted to Operations Chief.
- Bob Herrin, KE4JLL, was promoted to Planning Section Chief.
Members of the leadership team prepare to announce the promotions.
Georgia AUXCOMM Operations Chief Dan Ozment, W4DTO.
Georgia AUXCOMM Planning Chief Bob Herrin (KE4JLL) and PIO Joe Domaleski (KI4ASK) providing auxiliary communications support at a UGA Football Game. We thought Bob would like a picture promoting the Dawgs.
Deputy AUXCOMM Manager Joe Martin (WB4S) wasted no time in updating our organizational chart!
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Skywarn Recognition Day at NWS Atlanta
December 2-3, 2022 - Peachtree City, Georgia
Join Georgia AUXCOMM PIO and Skywarn station operator Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK, for a tour of the local National Weather Service (NWS) Atlanta office, an interview with NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist David Nadler, and a visit to WX4PTC - the amateur radio station inside NWS Atlanta.
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Skywarn Recognition Day 2022 - WX4PTC at NWS Atlanta
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SKYWARN® is a national network of volunteer severe weather spotters. The spotters are trained by local National Weather Service Forecast Offices on how to spot severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail and flooding. In some parts of the country, spotters also report snowfall and ice accumulation.
Skywarn Recognition Day (SRD) is generally held the first Saturday in December at NWS offices across the country. This year it was held Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday, 7pm local - Saturday 7pm local). SRD was developed in 1999 by the NWS and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It celebrates the contributions that Skywarn volunteers make to the NWS mission, the protection of life and property. Most spotters are also amateur radio operators and the event serves as recognition of that contribution. NWS offices around the country host their local spotter groups to make contact with other spotters using amateur (ham) radio. Think of it as POTA inside an NWS office. Offices are also free to contact each other. Usually a weather report is exchanged in addition to other information.
The NWS Atlanta office is located just south of Atlanta in Peachtree City, GA and serves a 96 county area of north and central Georgia. Over the years, our local Skywarn group has had a very close relationship with the NWS. Volunteers from the Fayette County Amateur Radio Club and Fayette County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) provide staffing and support for the WX4PTC amateur radio station located inside NWS Atlanta. During severe weather, our local Warning Coordination Meteorologist or Forecaster-in-Charge can “activate” Skywarn. When that happens, our local group sets up a radio network to take in spotter reports. Most of the time that’s done with a VHF/UHF linked repeater network, but also happens on DSTAR, APRS, and even HF. Spotter reports provide “ground truth” to help the NWS staff. Spotters can also file web-based reports or call the local office with a report.
WX4PTC Equipment includes: Kenwood TS-570S HF radio, Icom IC-2820H DSTAR VHF/UHF radio that’s linked to Georgia reflector REF030B, two Icom IC-207 UHF/VHF radios (that get the most use), and a PC workstation with two monitors. During an activation, a linked repeater network is setup with the 442.400 Peachtree City repeater and 444.600 Fayette Skywarn repeaters serving as a hub for a linked network of repeaters that cover all of north and central Georgia. Many repeaters are involved in the network and WX4PTC appreciates the support and use of other club repeaters.
For more information:
Skywarn program - https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/
NWS Atlanta - https://www.weather.gov/ffc/
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Gwinnett TechFest
January 14, 2023 - Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Georgia AUXCOMM will have an information table and participate in the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society (GARS) TechFest on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 9am-3pm. This year the event will be held at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Expo Center Building
2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Use Davis Rd Parking Lot and Entrance to Expo Center.
We will also be presenting a forum about Georgia AUXCOMM, tentatively scheduled for 12pm with ACM John Davis (WB4QDX) and PIO Joe Domaleski (KI4ASK).
Georgia AUXCOMM Manager John Davis, WB4QDX, gives a presentation about the Georgia AUXCOMM program at a recent hamfest.
For more information about the TechFest, please visit their website.
http://www.techfest.info
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2023 Winter Field Day with Georgia AUXCOMM
January 28-29, 2023
Save the date! On Saturday January 28th and Sunday January 29th, 2023 Georgia AuxComm will be participating in Winter Field Day. We will be having the event at GEMA/HS Training Facility in Forsyth, Georgia (near GPSTC).
GEMA/HS Training Office South
2406 Collier Road
Forsyth, GA 31029
Stay tuned for more details as they become available. You do NOT have to be a member of Georgia AuxComm to participate, but we do hope you'll consider joining.
Some of the activities we have planned:
- Position Task Book (PTB) sign-off opportunities
- Amateur radio contesting for Winter Field Day
- Portable radio operations
- MCV setup and deployment
- Fox hunting
- Fun and fellowship with the Georgia AuxComm team
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2023 ARRL Field Day with Georgia AUXCOMM
June 24-25, 2023 - Cloudland Canyon State Park
Save the date! On Saturday June 24th and Sunday June 25th, 2023 Georgia will be returning to Cloudland Canyon State Park for ARRL Field Day!
Original founding members of Georgia AUXCOMM participate in Field Day 2020 at Cloudland Canyon.
Stay tuned for more details as they become available. You do NOT have to be a member of Georgia AuxComm to participate, but we do hope you'll consider joining.
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Join Georgia AUXCOMM and get a cool patch
It's been a long three years of COVID and other challenges, but we're finally ready to re-launch our membership program! We want you to become a member of Georgia AuxComm to help support auxiliary and emergency communications in the state. Here's why you should join:
- Assistance with PTB sign-offs
- Official deployment opportunities
- Listing in official Georgia AuxComm database roster
- Access to members-only training and special events
- Access to members-only newsletter (coming soon)
- Ability to order official AuxComm member apparel and badges
- Official AuxComm sticker
- Official AuxComm tactical patch (see below)
Members-only tactical patch with velcro backing to put on hats, go-bags, etc.
You can join online by filling out the membership application and submitting the $30 annual dues from our website using this link.
If you've already joined, your patches will be mailed out soon - we just got them. We've got big plans for Georgia AuxComm, but need your support to get things launched.
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REMINDER - Georgia AUXC Monthly D-Star Net on REF030B - December 19th, 2022 (Third Monday of each Month)
Georgia AuxComm recognizes the utility of leveraging the Georgia D-Star Network, which links repeaters and hotspots all across the state using REF030B. Georgia AuxComm also uses REF030A as a backup. During the Winter Storm Izzy incident, it became apparent that AuxComm and ARES could work together using the network for statewide coverage.
Want to know more about D-Star? Check out https://dstarinfo.com
We hope you'll join us for the next net, scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2022 at 8:30pm (local) on REF030B. In the event that reflector is not available, please use REF030A as a backup. If you have D-Star picture capability, be ready for a special image transmission at the conclusion of the net!
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REMINDER - Georgia AUXC Monthly 60m Net - January 8th, 2023 (always the second Sunday at 1600 Local)
Georgia AUXCOMM has been conducting a monthly net on 60m Channel 5 on the second Sunday of each month at 1600 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).
Don't forget - you can use Winlink to check-in! Send Winlink check-ins to the tactical address GAAUXC using the standard Winlink check-in form. 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, January 8th, 2023 at 4pm (local) on 5.403.5 MHz, USB (Channel 5).
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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
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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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