Editor’s Comments

Our club president, in the next column, talks about “mic fright”.  Consequently I found a piece of the very same topic, which I included in the Tid-Bit section.  There were a couple more references to “what hams fear”, and you’ll probably (?) find them amusing.  But the one concerning “mic fright” is very real, and I can add one more; participation fright!  How many times are exercises, public service events, and just regular amateur activities short of “able bodied” hams for one of many excuses.  There are many valid reasons that a person can’t take part in a particular event, but not for all of them.  Some events are annual and we know years in advance that they are going to happen, and save for an actual emergency, there’s really no reason not to put a couple in your plans for that year.  

Then comes the question; why should I participate?  First is to support the club, or the group, and of course, amateur radio as a whole.  It is written in the very first FCC regulation in Part 97.  Second, to be prepared in case your skill and equipment are needed.  Just look at North Carolina for proof there.  And lastly, to build fellowship with other hams in our immediate area.  The better you know people, the easier  it is to obtain, and lend, assistance when needed.

So what do we do?  Maybe plan to participate in our hobby?  Winter field day is coming on January 25 – 26, 2025.  It is also coming on January 24 – 25, 2026 and January 23 – 24, 2027.  Summer field is June 28 – 29, 2026 and June 26 – 27, 2027.  Save for some real reason not to attend, be there, operate, eat some of the great food, and have fellowship, and most of all, have fun!

Along those lines, a rumor has come down the creek that FEMA is requiring all participants in an exercise, or real emergency, to be ICS trained and qualified.  What if you’re not?  Then FEMA could withhold funds of reimbursement to the county, or state, if it was found out the volunteers, or employees lack the required training.  And how would they tell?  Lack of certificates on file or someone asks the question, “what’s this green light for?” might very well indicate the lack of ICS training.  

So the solution is as winter is coming down on us and it isn’t as much fun to be outside, sit down and do those FEMA online courses.  And if you have time on your hands, DEMA has in person classes also.  Bone up on that stuff and be prepared to tell someone what that green light means.

Take note that the date for the Delmarva Hamfest in Georgetown is now posted.  This is now the only one in Delaware.  Plan to support it and come down and have some fun and fellowship.  Another event to put on your calendar.