ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, this week was among those noting the role of Amateur Radio in 9/11 as he marked the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. In remarks posted to the ARRL Web site and delivered via a massive global repeater, Haynie com- mended the "dedication and perseverance" of the amateur community in responding in the wake of the attacks. He also vowed that ARRL would continue to look out for

Amateur Radio as it faces competition for spectrum from commercial interests.

"As a ham, I will remember it as the day that the entire amateur community stood proudly together and provided the only foolproof communications system," Haynie said. "Literally within minutes of the incidents, teams of amateurs were mobilizing to provide emergency com- munications within the zones. In metro- politan areas that no longer had phones or electrical power, local amateurs were heard handling vital information out of the

region and assisting their fellow man."

Haynie said hams don't always agree with one another, but in a crisis will put dif- ferences aside for the greater good, just as they did last year on September 11. And, he said, the ARRL will make sure that the story of Amateur Radio's personal sacrifices and contributions "does not go

unsung in Washington."

"The ARRL will continue to remind those who hold our fate in their hands to not get swallowed up by the commercial systems that failed on that fateful day," Haynie pledged. "While we do not expect excessive honor and acclaim, we should and do expect the protections that are required to provide this service.".

The Commemorative 9/11 Net effort was spearheaded by Len Signoretti,

N2LEN. Scott Schmautz, WB2UZR, served as the net control. The linkup

relied on either EchoLink or eQSO Internet software connections. The net

logged more than 400 checkins in most or all 50 US states plus "a tremendous amount of international activity," Signoretti said.

"We were pleased and surprised," Signoretti said of the turnout, which

exceeded all expectations. He credited publicity on the ARRL Web site

and elsewhere for attracting such a huge crowd. Originally planned to run about two hours, the net overshot that goal by more than 90 minutes.

It was so touching for everyone," said Signoretti, who credited Bob Raymer, N2BR, Greg Germek, KC3MN, and John Powell, KG4LMU, for assisting as "sub net controllers." Signoretti and Johnny Davis, K5JD, worked in the background to make sure all the associated server hard- ware continued in operation.

As they did a year earlier, members of the New York City Amateur Radio Emer-

gency Service and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (NYC ARES/RACES) activated September 11--this time to assist in the first anniversary observances. In addition, Salvation Army Team Emer- gency Radio Network (SATERN) mem- bers supported The Salvation Army's commemorative activities.

Some 30 NYC ARES/RACES members assisted the American Red Cross and other

organizations during the 9/11 commem- oration activities--in some cases remaining

on duty for more than 15 hours. Thousands of family members of those who died in the World Trade Center attacks were on hand for the remembrance at Ground Zero. ARES/RACES supplemented commun- ication for memorial concerts and other commemorative activities in the five

boroughs of New York City, whose residents were able to watch the lighting of an eternal flame in Battery Park on giant TV screens.

"NYC-ARES installed K1RFD's EchoLink system to aid in communications from the Red Cross headquarters--a known RF black hole," said Mark Phillips,

KC2ENI/G7LTT, who's the NYC ARES/RACES Public Information Officer. "We believe that this is the first such use of this technology." Phillips also

expressed thanks to the Broadcast Engineers Amateur Radio Club for the

use of its W2ABC repeater on very short notice.

Security for the events was described as very tight. NYC ARES/RACES had to

negotiate with the Secret Service, the FBI, the NYPD and the Port Authority Police Department as well as with the served agencies to be permitted to have radio equipment in the area.

Reprinted from the ARRL newsletter.

Clayton Southam, twin brother of Clifton, KD7HIX, passed his Tech exam at a test session held in Provo. He has now received his call sign which is Something To Rember, KD7STR. Is Amateur Radio big enough for two of them? Bart Holmes of Vernal passed his Tech exam at Vernal's last testing session. He is now KD7SPF. Just Some Poor Fellow ham. Congratulations to both. A testing session in Roosevelt on September 26, brought two new hams also. Cody Fisher and Alex Peterson are now going through the waiting process. Congratulations to them also.

Lisa, KC7JZW, has expended considerable time and effort and now has the Club Scrapbook caught up to date. She has done a beautiful job on it and we'll see if we can't get her to bring it to the next club meeting. Hope everyone has a chance to see it.

By now everyone knows that Lowell, AA7MU, and Louise, KB7WEX, have returned from their mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was sure good to hear their voices once again. They had to catch up with family affairs so took off for Canada and Alaska. They have been sorely missed.

The September meeting was held in the backyard of Leo, KF7AG. Those of you who missed, and most of you did, missed an interesting demonstration of EchoLink by Wes, K6EIL. He logged on to a couple of stations down under and the ensuing conversation was as clear as if you were in the same room. The question has arisen: "Is this amateur radio?"

Equipment needed to participate in EchoLink is a computer, PC or laptop, microphone and speaker, and access to the internet. No radio or antenna is needed. One more item IS required. A valid amateur radio license. Proof of this is required before the software and procedures are made available. Just one more mode of amateur radio even if it doesn't seem like it. Software is available, free of charge, at <www.echolink.org>. Both Wes and Gary, NB7B, said it is a lot of fun and comes in handy when traveling without having to have an HF radio in the car. Q car. Quite often it is impossible to use HF radio in hotel and motel rooms. Something to think about. As noted above, EchoLink got a baptism of fire at the World Trade Center.

Would you like one man's opinion of what is right about Utah? Log on to <www.proutah.com> Now, if you would like the same man's opinion of what is wrong with Utah, log on to <www.conutah.com> You don't have to agree with him, but it is interesting.

With the year almost over (less than 90 days till Christmas), I would like to simply reflect back for a bit. No offence is intended. If a finger of blame for anything needs to point, aim it at me.

We have had a pretty fair year, I think. Thanks to Brett (WX7Y), we had the chance to learn about the IRLP. And thanks to Wes (K6EIL), we learned about EchoLink. Field Day was a blast and we had some great social gettogethers.

Attendance at meetings has been quite low, so here's a thousand thanks to all the regulars, and 900 thanks to everybody that drops in whenever they can.

Contributions to the News letter, well, there have been a few, but far too few. So here's an invite, how about some constructive criticism. What can we do different, or better. Signed or too shy to, now's the time.

Oct. meeting is still open for whatever. We do need to meet, and plan for Nov. and Dec. (election time, and Christmas), and some mop up projects like some minimal Repeater work. If you would like to see a repeater sight, volunteer. It's worth the trip and we'll plan around schedules if we can. No technical knowledge required to look and hold a flashlight. If you do have the know-how, come teach us.

Well, kinda scattered I suppose, so let me end with this. I think we should all be looking at ways to make next year better than this was. Not perfect, just better. In so doing the club survives and we pass it along to the next group. It's our hobby, and theirs. Want something? Ask, don't wish. Or as Dad used to say, "if we had ham, we could have ham sandwiches... if we had some bread."

73 KD7JEZ

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