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SM: Malcolm Keown, W5XX. Mississippi Section Web Site at arrlmiss.org. Web Master: W5UE.
ASM: KB5HC, KA5ICO, N5OMK, K0UPW, W4WLF, KB5YEE, AG5Z, KB0ZTX; ACC: W5VMS, PIC: K5RFL, SEC: KC5IMN, ASEC: AA1NA, W5DIX; SGL: AK5J; TC: N5JGK.
The logs are in for the 2023 Mississippi QSO Party. Scanning the 240 logs received shows that at least 60 Mississippi Stations were on the air with 26 stations making over 100 QSOs. Mississippi activity was good on 20 and 40 even though conditions were not that great. There was more activity on 15 as compared with years past. This should continue to improve as we head to the peak of Cycle 25. Preliminary high score results should be listed in next month`s Section Report.
W5VMS notes that Auxiliary Communications, or AUXCOMM, is an all-inclusive term used to describe the many organizations and personnel that provide various types of communications support to emergency management, public safety, and other government agencies. This includes, but is not limited to amateur radio, military radio, citizens band radio (CB), etc. Under AUXCOMM, each state sets minimum baseline standards for volunteer emergency backup communications training. In Mississippi, that role falls to the Mississippi Wireless Communications Commission and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, or SWIC.
Later this year, the Mississippi SWIC is planning to host AUXCOMM training. This is NOT how to talk on the radio (we can already do that!), but this training involves how to interact with EMA, EOCs, FOBs, etc. It is a first step in credentialing our members for possible future roles with Mississippi`s EMA.
At this time, we are attempting to determine interest from our membership. If interested, please advise w5vms@icloud.com. Currently dates, times, locations are all TBD.
Spring Coordinator W1AW/5 AG5Z says all the paperwork is complete and has been uploaded to ARRL Headquarters for the March 29 through April 4 W1AW/5 operation from Mississippi. Thanks to K9DSS, KC5LK, WQ5L, AG5Z, N5CW, WJ5K, N5YT, K5TLL, K0RO, NA5DX, KD4VVZ, W5UE, KF8PD, K2FF, and W5XX for putting Mississippi on the air. Did you miss your opportunity to be W1AW/5? You will have another chance November 14- 20 with W5UE as the Fall Coordinator.
Jackson ARC President AK5J reports that Hams from the Jackson Amateur Radio Club and the Central Mississippi Amateur Radio Association provided communications for the Natchez Trace Century Ride on May 6. This event was a 100-mile bike ride which started at Old Trace Park on the Reservoir in Ridgeland and went up the Trace towards Kosciusko, although parts of it were off the Trace. There were also shorter rides: 62-mile, 50-mile and 25-mile rides.
There were about 1,000 bike riders in this event. Hams were placed at all rest stops and turn around points and reported important information. Hams reported a rider who had to stop for health reasons and the location of several riders who broke down. Ridgeland Parks and Recreation, sponsor of the event, was very complimentary of the Hams and stated that the Hams always look after the safety of the riders. The Hams participating were K5XU, K5KKD, K5FIT, AK5J, N5KLT, K0UPW, K5ERB, AC5Z, KD5KHI and WM5A. AE5SK actually rode in the event with his hand-held and reported important information to net control.
Project Chairman KG5YEE reports that the Vicksburg ARC provided communications support for the former Chill in The Hills, which used to be held in January. A decision was made to take advantage of better weather, so the event was moved to May and the name was changed to Chillin in The Hills which this year was held on May 13. The event is a major fund raiser for the Grace Christian Counseling Center, which is a non-profit service providing professional counseling with adjusted fees. The 5K walk/run winds through downtown Vicksburg and surrounding neighborhoods. Club members that participated were: N5JGK, N5KWT, W5WAF, KG5OVR, KG5YEE, AF5OQ, KC5IBO, K5IMT, W5VMS, K5VXV, W5SFL, KC5VTN, W5SRF, and new ham KI5ZNE.
For your reference the listing of Mississippi VE Test dates for 2023 is on www.arrlmiss.org. Please forward any corrections or additions to w5xx@arrl.org.
Regret to report the passing of:
KB5EKW of Beaumont. Wayne was retired Chief of Police in Beaumont and a regular check-in to the MSPN.
W5RUE of Braxton. Rue was a retired HVAC Technician and Electrician. He was an active member of the Jackson ARC and the Central Mississippi ARA and builder for Habitat for Humanity. Rue had a large family and was very active in his church.
AA5ED of Brandon. Ed was retired from the Rankin County EOC in logistics and response and an EMT/Firefighter for the Reservoir Fire Department.
KC5ZLV of Vancleave. Tina was the XYL of K5CUB.
In EC Reports from around the State …
From Warren/Claiborne Counties EC W5VMS reports that he and KD5SBP have completed FEMA ICS-300 course. In addition, OES KD5SBP has been appointed Field Instructor for `Introduction to Emergency Communications` (EC-001).
Hinds County EC KG5SQZ that after seeing the devastation wrought by tornadoes to the MS Delta and other parts of the state in March, KG5SQZ, Director of Operations, and K5FIT, Director of Training, decided to conduct a training exercise for such an event. Their AECs, KI5JCL, KJ5ET, KI5TRX, and WM5A were tasked with developing a rapid response plan for a tornado event at least 100 miles out of their local area.
The scenario dictated that ARES assistance had been requested since all communications in the impact zone were down and infrastructure destroyed. Deploying operators would have to be self-sufficient for 48 hours.
A communications plan would have to be developed for traffic into and out of the disaster zone and must include served agencies. The plan would include relief for operators and resupply if needed. The plan was reviewed and critiqued at the April meeting of CMSARES. Once finalized, it will be added to our website. Development of the plan took approximately 21 hours.
E$ KFG5WVJ reports from DeSoto County that on April 22 KF5WVJ, KI5HWA, KC5BNM, W5TOD, KF5MMR and Shelia Chambers were invited to set up a table and their EMCOMM Trailer at Earth Day in Hernando from 8AM - 2PM. They had numerous members of the public stop by to see what Hams do for the community during times of disaster and emergencies.
Oktibbeha County EC AG5ND reports that they have added an Oktibbeha County ARES net which will take place concurrently with the W5YD weekly 2M net on Mondays at 8PM CT. The first net was called on May 8 and will occur every week into the future. Allan has confirmed that MSU has approved the use of their Artesia tower for emergency operations by the local ARES group. The MSU W5YD repeater (146.805) has been made available for emergency use. The new repeater and antenna ARES put on the retired Maben fire tower (147.315, tone 110.9) is working great and the signal is strong as far away as Amory (app 60 miles away). On Saturday, May 13 ARES put up a new antenna at the home of N5OMK (Steve), a home-bound Ham. They cooked/served breakfast in Steve`s front yard for club members, Steve, and any of his neighbors who wandered up to see what in the world we are doing.
Attached for your information below is the current status (updated from last month) of known upcoming Ham events in and around Mississippi:
- EMCOMM Checkin on 3862, 6:00 PM, June 1 (1st Thursday Each Month
- Field Day, June 24-25, see June 2023 QST for announcement
- SET, August 12, POC: KC5IMN
- ARRL Day in the Park, Oct 14, Olive Branch Park, POC: KF8PD and KF5WVJ
- W1AW/5 VOTA Operation from Mississippi Nov 15-22, POC: W5UE
Does anybody have additional information? Thanks to all who helped pull this information together. This list will be updated in future Section Reports.
Welcome to the following new Amateurs in Mississippi in April: KJ5ANA, Gary - Itta Bena; KJ5ANB, Thomas - Philadelphia; KJ5AOI, Patrick - Mooreville; KJ5APO, Randy - Bay St Louis; KJ5APZ, Christopher - Hernando; KJ5AQD, David - Horn Lake; KJ5AQH, Carl - Jackson; KJ5AQO, Buddy- Florence; KJ5ASH, Brian - Mendenhall; KJ5ASQ, David - Columbia; KJ5AUC, Jason - Amory; KJ5AUD, Michael - Hernando; KJ5AUK, Christian - Holly Springs; KJ5AUP, Kenneth - Laurel; KJ5AUR, Mark - Ocean Springs; KJ5AUW, Jerry - Byhalia; KJ5AVT, James - Brandon; KJ5AVV, Howard - Saucier; KJ5AWI, Jeremy - Brandon;
What to do with this list? Club Officers and members, if you see a local on this list that you are not familiar with, locate and ask them to visit your next club meeting. Ask W5XX for contact information, and also ask if they need help getting on the air.
Welcome to the following new ARRL members in April: KJ5AIN, George - Olive Branch; KB5KVI, Ruth - Biloxi; KG5MEA, Robert - Madison; KB5PFT, Alfred - Pearl; AE5VF, Jamie - Lake; KI5ZRU, Charles - Brandon.
ARRL Membership in Mississippi is 992 as of April 1. Down 3 from last month. Keep working towards 1000. Thanks to all who help promote membership.
Remember, if a member signs up through your club, the club gets a rebate of $15 for new members and $5 for a current member renewal. See Club Reconciliation Form on the ARRL Website.
Congratulations to the following on their upgrades in April 2023: KJ5AEI, Jimmy - Lumberton; KJ5AFB, Peter - Forest; KJ5AHT, Thomas - Belden; KD5CSI, Roy - Iuka; W5DBM, Drue - Canton; KC5GHZ, Edward - Terry; KI5KPG, Kenneth - Starkville; AI5LF, Douglas - Byhalia; KI5MNQ, Kevin - Petal; KI5MZL, Craig - Ellisville; KI5OAI, Darrin - Richton; KG5PVF, Robert - New Albany; KI5ZLF, Bradley - Moss Point; KI5ZQZ, Steve - Fulton;
Congratulations to K5FIT of Florence who has been appointed State RACES Officer.
Congratulations to W5UE of Lumberton, who reached the DXCC Honor Roll (341/340 countries) by working the recent DX-peditions to Bouvet and Crozet. Randy was licensed in 1973 and begin his Ham Radio career with a crystal controlled HW-16 and wires. After a VFO arrived, he became active on the CW traffic nets. After college and starting a family, Randy eventually was drawn into the DX World with encouragement by patriarch N5FG (SK). Looking back, Randy notes it only took 50 years to make Honor Roll. Now on to the Top of the Honor Roll!
SEC/DEC Reports for April 2023: KC5IMN (SEC), KD4VVZ (Gulf Coast), N5ZNT (SW MS), N5ZNT (SW MS), KB0ZTX (NW MS)
EC Reports for April 2023: N5AAS (Forrest), N5EYZ (Jackson), AE5FK (Walthall), NI5I (Perry), KF5IAY (Carroll), KG5IXV (Newton), N5MIS (Pontotoc), AG5ND (Oktibbeha), K1REZ (Scott), AG5RI (Harrison), KG5SQZ (Hinds), KB5SZJ (Lauderdale), W5VMS (Warren/Claiborne), KD4VVZ (George/Greene), KF5WVJ (DeSoto), KB5ZEA (Attala), N5ZNT (Lincoln), KB0ZTX (Marshall)
Club Newsletters (Editor): the Meridian ARC Spark Gap (W5MAV) and the Mississippi Coast ARA Splatter (N5OCT)
Note: The legend for the following net reports is number of sessions held/checkins/formal traffic.
HF Net Reports - sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
Magnolia Section Net 30/1055/7 (KA5ICO)
MS Baptist Hams Net 2/6/0 (WF5F)
MSPN 30/2392/7 (W5JGW)
VHF Net Reports - sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
Capital Area EM Net 5/68/0 (K5XU)
Central Mississippi ARES Training Net 8/131/0 (KG5SQZ)
Delta ARES EM Net 20 /150/0 (KF5IAY) 1 Skywarn Net
DeSoto County Training and Information 4/57/0 (KF5WVJ) 1 Skywarn Net
Forrest County ARES 1/12/0 (N5AAS)
George County ARES 4/57/0 (KI5TJO)
Harrison County ARES 1/5/0 (AG5RI) 2 Emergency Operations
Jackson ARES EM Net 4/47/0 (K5XU)
Jackson County ARES Net 4/90/0 K9EYZ)
Lowndes County ARC Net 4/53/0 (K5TCO)
Marshall County ARES - Trains with Desoto County ARES (KB0ZTX)
Mississippi Coast ARA 4/113/0 (W5JGW)
Meridian ARC EM Net 5/27/0 (KB5SZJ)
MSU ARC Net 4/102/0 (K4MAG)
Northeast Mississippi Skywarn 4/51/0 (W5BAQ)
Pontotoc ARES Skywarn WX Net 4/58/1 (N5MIS)
Southwest MS ARES Team 4/19/0 (N5ZNT)
Vicksburg ARC/MLEN 5/96/0 (KG5YEE)
Walthall County ARES Net 4/38/0 (AE5FK)
Digital Net Reports - sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
Central Mississippi ARES Digital Net 4/26/0 (KI5JCL)
(2 VHF nets and 2 HF nets)
Traffic: WV5Q 37 and W5XX 8
PSHR: WV5Q 97 and W5XX 80
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