TARA News Letter for November 2003 tara banner

issue date: mailed - Nov 3 web post - Nov 16

from the pres:

Whoaaaaaa
What the heck happened to those warm days?

Joann, you can slow down on the SNOW DANCE!!

Looking back, I'm proud of another successful year for TARA and its members.
Some new faces on the board, new enthusiasm for Amateur Radio, and a renewed spirit for working together.

With that spirit in mind, I have made some changes in our committee chairs. At my request, John Sloane, (kc7agi), has passed his "special events" hat to Jack Shrawder, kt6js. I know Jack is looking forward to guiding us through our busy activities season next year and is already gearing up for a full fledge Field Day in 2004!
John, (as emergency comm. Coordinator) will now be able to devote his "extra" (ahemmm) time to a special project I've asked him to take on. With the condition of events in the USA and the world, I would like to see TARA better equipped, both technically and politically, to merge with other existing emergency agencies in time of crisis, both in California and Nevada. Our fellow hams on both sides of the "hill" have procedures that we need to be aware of and capable of dealing with if we are to provide communications into and out of lake Tahoe. John will work as our liaison to establish that link and prepare us to provide efficient and thorough communications under those difficult circumstances.

And speaking of emergency communications, the Barton hospital exercise this month (13th), is expanding to include E.O.C.'s from both sides of the hill. This will provide us an excellent opportunity to see where we stand with communicating, not only with the local hospitals, but also with state agencies looking for assistance in the passing of emergency traffic. Details at the general meeting, Monday night net, and the TARA web page.

If you missed our last meeting, you missed an excellent presentation by Bob Griffth from Cal-Star Air Rescue. Nice to know we have an organization that can bring help and mobility to our mountainous area.

Finally, we are VERY CLOSE to Christmas! So, we'll be finalizing our plans for a Christmas gathering to wrap up another great TARA year. If you want your two cents heard, you'd better be at the November meeting!!! (I'm pushing for pumpkin pie regardless of where and when we celebrate!!)
73 my friends!
See you at the meeting!
Paul, wa6ewv

Happenings:

this information after the publishing of mailed newsletter!
as of nov 15, 2003

Christmas Party!
At the November meeting, it was decided that TARA will celebrate Christmas at our regular December meeting (the 13th). Snacks and desert treats will be offered by TARA. Also, look for some "festive" drinks (non-alcoholic) to be available. A drawing is in the works, and details will be made available on Monday night net, and here in the happenings section (check back for updates!)

Barton Emergency Exercise !
The Barton Hospital State Emergency Exercise was held on Thursday, the 13th. TARA participated in the operation to provide communications from the Barton hospital (established as the EOC) to Sacramento EOC. This is the first year Traffic was passed from EOC to EOC. This provided us an excellent opportunity to learn to communicate under state protocols using Message forms pre designed to facilitate Traffic for hospital information. This year's scenario was also somewhat eye opening, as it was a bioterrorism incident. This exercise exposed us to the realities of providing emergency communications under Dangerous conditions, and indeed will guide us in re organizing our own plans for Responding to incidents that might expose us to immediate danger. Thanks to John Sloane for organizing our response, and to the participants for allowing TARA to perform as a "professional" response team. AND, a very special thanks to Dick, KJ7UK, for delivering the all-important hospital Report forms to the TARA van from the DCART exercise, allowing us to communicate at the same level as the other county EOC's! Click the TARA Communication Events: Info and Pictures!! link for further pictures and comments!

FT-5100 John And Sheila Sloane have donated one of their dual band radios for the TARA Communications Van. The Yaesu FT-5100 will give the van UHF capability and provide a backup 2 meter radio for our communication needs.
Thanks to both for their donations of time AND a nice radio for the Van!!

NEW BADGES !!
TARA Membership badge<BR>
for the new century The new TARA badges are available.
Join the look of the " New Century" with the silver background
and Mount Talac displayed on the badge.
Thanks to Penny, KG6QYM and Bob, NR7A for their designs. Inquire at a TARA meeting for details!

Field Day!
Jack, KT6JS is wasting no time in taking on his new position. Field Day plans are being discussed, and one topic is the FOOD ! Hot Dogs or steak? Get to a meeting a voice your opinion!

Repeater Systems

The best laid plans of mice and men or something like that.
I had hoped to do more at our radio sites, but I missed my mark by a fair amount.
end of 2003 winter

The "Good news" is heavenly fixed the east peak site for snow load repaired hardline snow bridge

problems and I was able to repair the 147.24 receiver. "24" is hearing well again, and performing a little better with some additional tuning of system components.
Also, our UHF repeater is once again "linked" to mount VACA in California. We should also see the link extended to Mt Volmer in the Bay area before the end of the Year. The link is always on, so give it a try!
And, the digipeater frequency change has worked well. The 145.05 KA-Node can connect you with packet stations both locally, and in Sacramento. And, on a good day, to San Francisco direct! Packet is continuing to grow locally here, with 20 active users on the "nodes" and TARA bbs!
Angels Roost and the 146.85 system, along with N6ICW's 145.15 system are also ready for winter. Chris has recently made some linking changes, so the Tahoe-Sacramento link will be reliable for all conditions at the site.
I'm in the process of adding Packet Radio information pages to the site. Check the TARA Systems link for access to the information series by Larry, WB9LOZ.

So, let it snow! Hmmm I guess it already did that!
I'll look forward to a friendly hello over the TARA systems and of course the always interesting, "Is it snowing where you are yet?"
73
paul, wa6ewv

The TARA Newwsletter will be published bi-monthly. Please submit contributions to John Sloane, or Sheila Sloane.
US Mail and Fax available.
Anything submitted for publication should pertain to TARA and its members.

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