June 08, 2008 (.830)
Kenneth Harris WA8LLM (304) 679-3470 wa8llm@yahoo.com
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, P.O. BOX 3328, PARKERSBURG, WV 26103 http://www.wc8ec.com
DAREN News, are articles and information about the Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network of WV, which operates on 145.69 MHz. Anyone having any information about DAREN, or Amateur Radio in general, and would like to share it with others, may send it to WA8LLM @ PKBGWV on 145.69 MHz, or to my E-Mail: wa8llm@yahoo.com. A State Wide DAREN NET is operated every Saturday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and lately, before and after those hours. The DAREN Net Announcement, showing the MAIN NCS, ALTERNATE NCS, NODEs accessible to both, and the previous week's check-ins, are posted by Thursday on most of the Main county DAREN PBBS'. The DAREN News can also be found on the wc8ec.com website.
I just tried connecting to the K8KHW-10 Winlink 2000 Telpac NODE that had a computer problem a couple of weeks ago. I was able to connect to the station, but it isn't the same as it was. Randy Thomas, K8KHW, said that he needed to replace the computer which is running Windows XP, before he could get it back the way it was. He must still be trying to get it to work the same way, but there are some changes you must do to connect to the Telpac NODE to send and receive E-Mails. To send and receive E-Mails on both the K8KHW-7 and K8KHW-10, you must first type the word "TELPAC". That will give you access to a Telpac NODE, then you can send and receive your E-Mails. Randy works hard keeping the Internet access NODEs operational and I know any help would be appreciated. I'm not for sure about the K8KHW-10 NODE, but I know the K8KHW-7 NODE also has access to HF (High Frequency) packet, a chat room, and access to VHF frequencies of 145.010 and 145.090 MHz. Randy says the more Winlink 2000 Telpac NODEs that can be put into operation on DAREN, the merrier. Randy seems to be living in a lightening rod area, any time that it just looks like there might be a lightning storm, his stations get nailed. If you think you can help Randy to keep his stations and NODEs on the air, feel free to contact him.
After teaching the one day class at the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department, and holding an Amateur Radio VE Exam here in Parkersburg, those passing the test were issued their licenses on Friday. One of those receiving their license was Jim Rose who is the Threat Preparedness Coordinator for the Health Department. Jim was the driving force who was able to get the FEMA grant money to purchase and install the 2 Meter Voice and Packet stations at the six county Health Departments in Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, and Wood Counties. Jim now holds the callsign of KD8ITI. KD8ITI will be the callsign put on Parkersburg Health Department DAREN station.
I got an E-Mail from Bob Ott, WB8OIF, and told me that he has sent an E-Mail to Mark Kraham, W8CMK, who is the SYSOP for the Berkeley County NODE/PBBS of BERKWV/MRTNWV. He asked Mark if he needs any help getting the station back on the air. If they cannot get it going soon, Bob may put up a temporary NODE at his house and point a yagi antenna toward the Mineral County NODE. I talked to Mike Talkington, KC8FWD, on the phone this past week. Mike would like to install an NODE/PBBS in Harrison County but is unable to find a good tower site. If anyone knows of a good location, they might contact Mike and help him get the station on the air.
After the storms the past week I'm not for sure what DAREN stations may be off the air. When I post this week's DAREN News and Net Announcement I guess I'll find out, and let you know next week. There were 60 check-ins to this week's State Wide DAREN Net. Bill Wagner, N8RSM, needs only one more check-in to make 400.