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NEWS & BULLETIN ARCHIVE (Continued) . . .

Marengo Swamp Ride - Saturday, June 3rd in Hebert, LA - This annual event is the fundraised for the Wish I Could foundation, who grants wishes to terminally ill children between 3 and 18 years old. Over 4000 people riding stock, slightly modified and super-modified 4-wheelers bail off in the woods south of Hebert, LA., into some of the slickest, slipperiest goop you have ever seen. Last year, we were able to successfully prove that we can beat cell phones and commercial HT's. The previous average response time for medical aid was over 45 minutes. Using Amateur Radio for tactical communications, we were able to reduce the response time to under 10 minutes. The ride sponsors were very pleased and have asked us to join them again this year. Because of the length of time the event runs(about daylight till dark), we will have a morning and an afternoon shift.

For more information, or to volunteer to help, please contact either Mark(K5ER) or David(W5DSG).

Click Here to view photos from last year's event (Courtesy Alan Hudspeth, W5HUD)

If you are planning to ride in the event the entry fee is $15 in advance and $20 at the Gate - Click Here for a Pre-Registration Form

NEW !!! Northeast Louisiana ARES Online Forum . . .
Courtesy of: Jeff Barnhill, KB5SAR - http://forums.delphiforums.com/nela1

Online EC Reports - For Northeast Louisiana Emergency Coordinators. This online form sends a copy to the DEC and SEC.

Online Public Service Honor Roll Form - Send in your PSHR points online

Northeast Louisiana Call Book - Complete Listing of all amateur radio operators in Northest Louisiana - Download PDF Document

ARES provided communications Support for the Wish I Could of Northeast Louisiana's Marengo Swamp Ride on Saturday, June 4th. . . Wish I Could of Northeast Louisiana is a charitable organization that was created in 1984 to grant wishes to terminally ill children from the ages of three to eighteen years old in northeast Louisiana. The Swamp Ride is held annually in Hebert (Caldwell Parish) and the event coordinators plan to include ARES in next years operation as well. Click Here for Map
Click Here for Photos

Another Above Normal Hurricane Season Expected . . . NOAA hurricane forecasters are predicting another above-normal hurricane season on the heels of last year's destructive and historic hurricane season. NOAA's prediction for the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season is for 12 to15 tropical storms, with seven to nine becoming hurricanes, of which three to five could become major hurricanes. Read More >>

ARES Booth at Franklin Parish Catfish Festival . . .
Franklin Parish ARES hosted a special booth at the annual Catfish Festival in Winnsboro. Special thanks to Franklin Parish EC Larry Laborde, N5ASA for coordinating this event.
Click Here for Photos (Courtesy: Alan Hudspeth, KE5AJC)

147.135 W5KGT Repeater - Skywarn/Emergency Messages . . .
The 147.135 Repeater now has a series of automatic messages setup to notify members of Skywarn or ARES activation. These messages will play throughout the day in the event of severe weather or an emergency.

Walk-A-Thon Communications Support . . .
The March of Dimes Walk-America event was held on Saturday, May 7th. We were asked once again to provide tactical communications. A total of sixteen operators participated in this event. Thank you to everyone !!!

Skywarn Activated on Monday, March 21st . . .
The first round of spring severe weather warranted the official activation of the district Skywarn net late Monday night into early Tuesday morning. Large hail and high winds were the main reports from seventeen storm spotters including: KC5RJY, AD5AQ, KE5AJC, KE5ABB, KD5ITA, KD5URP, K5WCR, N5HMH, N5KWB, KD5MWL, W5WZ, KD5PGH, N5ASA, KD5CQV, W5KGT, KD5QCV, and W5DSG. Special thanks to all that assisted with this net.

Ouachita Parish Receives Section ARES Award . . . Congratulations to Ouachita Parish EC, Mark Ketchell, K5ER and the Ouachita Parish ARES members for receiving the Louisiana Section ARES award for 2004. To find out more about the Section ARES award, Click Here.

Basic & Advanced Skywarn Course Scheduled . . . The National Weather Service held a Basic and Advanced Skywarn Class at the Ouachita Parish Fire Training Facility on April 2, 2005 at 10 am. This class focused on the concepts of weather observations and how to report those observations.

2004 NELA Emergency Coordinator Commendation. . . Each month, EC's from each parish send in an activity report to the District and Section Emergency Coordinators. Congratulations to Richland Parish EC, Melinda Hudspeth, KC5RJY placing first in our district, for prompt reporting during 2004. Melinda also was among three EC's in the entire section that tied for the most reporting activity.

ARES PARTICIPATES IN REGIONAL TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE. . . A regional terrorism/disaster drill was held on Wednesday, January 19th. ARES communicators in both Ouachita and Union Parishes, participated in this, a full scale exercise in Union Parish, and a function exercise in Ouachita Parish. Although the use of amateur bands was limited during the exercise in Ouachita, local officials and drill coordinators commended ARES for the willingness to assist during times of need and reiterated the need for backup communications.

Thank you to the following ARES members that took time out of their busy schedule to assist with this important drill: Debbie, KD5RWQ; Bill, KD5PGH; Tim, KD5URP; Claude, KD5ITA; Keg, K5CZD; and Mark, K5ER. If you participated in this exercise, please make note of the hours worked and report them for PSHR - MORE INFORMATION >>

District ARES Briefings / Meetings . . .
Beginning on January 3rd, 2005, we will have a monthly District ARES briefing at 6:00 p.m. These briefings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month (before the Twin City Ham Club meeting), at the Ouachita Fire Training Center in West Monroe. These briefings will last aprox. one half hour and will be used to address and discuss any upcoming events, training opportunities and/or questions that members in the Northeast District may have.

SKYWARN Active During November 24th, Severe Weather Outbreak . . .
Skywarn operators around the region were active during the severe weather system that passed through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi spawning tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rain. K5SHV (Shreveport NWS) as well as WX5JAN (Jackson NWS) were both monitoring the I-20 link for storm reports. Dean Dozier, Director of Ouachita Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as well as NELA DEC David, W5DSG were both on standby at the Ouachita EOC monitoring for storm reports during this event.

Storm damage photos and radar imagery: Courtesy: Don Wheeler, KD5MWL
http://www.ladeltaweather.com/ollatornado

National Weather Service Shreveport - Storm Summary for Nov. 23rd
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/11_23_2004_Tornadoes.htm

ARES/SKYWARN members in NELA that were active during this event include: Ray, N5YEE; Claude, KD5ITA; Melinda, KC5RJY; Alan, KE5AJC; Larry, N5ASA; Mark, N5HMH; Curtis, AC5DW; Don, KD5MWL; Mack, KA5JNL; and Kevin, W5KGT.

Monroe Hamfest held on Saturday, November 13th . . .
The Twin City Ham Club Hamfest 2004 was held at the Barak Shrine Temple on Frontage Road, just East of Monroe. The club wishes to thank everyone that supported this event and looks forward to an even better fest next year !!! - Click Here for Photos (courtesy Alan, KE5AJC).

ARES offeres assistance with coordination of area Tornado Drill . . .
Each year ARES is asked to help assist with coordination efforts and public awareness for the Spring and Fall Tornado Drills. A media release was composed and issued for viewing of the Fall drill that was held at Riser Elementary School in West Monroe. Representatives from Ouachita Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Red Cross, Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office and ARES were on hand to witness and provide insight on the overall quality of the school's readiness should tornado threaten the area. KARD/KTVE and the News-Star were also on site to raise public awareness of the Fall severe weather season.

ARES Booth at Wal-Mart . . .
In an effort to raise awareness of the vital role that ARES and Amateur Radio plays as well as to educate the public on emergency preparedness before an emergency occurs, ARES in conjunction with Wal-Mart, the Red Cross, and Office of Homeland Security setup a information booth at Wal-Mart in West Monroe and Winnsboro on Saturday, September 18th from 11 - 3 p.m. - CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS (courtesy, Alan Hudspeth, KE5AJC)

ARES Active During Hurricane Ivan . . .
Northeast Louisiana ARES was active providing communications support for shelter operations as well as around the clock standy at the Ouachita/NELA Office of Homeland Security during Hurricane Ivan.

A special thank you to the following operators that assisted with this event: Claude KD5ITA, Ray N5YEE, Mark K5ER, Melinda KC5RJY, Alan KE5AJC, Keg K5CZD, John KB5YEN, Tommy N5KWB, Joe W5PVE, Mickey K5MC, Bill K5WGQ, Mark WC5M, Larry N5ASA and David KC5LFB.

147.135 W5KGT REPEATER RELOCATED
The 147.135 W5KGT Link Repeater has been relocated to a 502 foot tower in West Monroe in order to provide easier access via HT and low powered radio during SKYWARN activation as well as a reliable backup for the 146.850 N5DMX repeater in Monroe. The antenna is located at 480 feet above ground level and 591 feet above sea level, with east and west link antennas located around 200 feet.

Northeast Louisiana ARES thanks Time Warner Cable for their support of this project.

Click Here For more information and photos

NELA Red Cross - New Website !
The Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross now has a website at:
www.nelaredcross.org

Special Event W5EA at Aviation Museum in Monroe, LA
On May 29, 2004 a group of Amateur Radio people got together at the Aviation Historical Museum in Monroe, Louisiana. Kevin brought a portable tower that he put up to a height of 70 feet. Antennas were strung from that and coax run. David brought his HF radio to connect to the antennas. Different people made 47 contacts around the Country as a Memorial Tribute to Lieutenant Augustus J. Selman, and others who have fought for Our Country. Lieutenant Selman, U.S.N., a native of Monroe, LA, died at Norfolk, VA, on November 28, 1921, of injuries recieved in an airplane crash in the line of duty.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

(Courtesy: Alan, KE5AJC)

Communications Support at Walk America
NELA ARES/Twin City Ham Club members once again provided tactical communications for "Walk-America", the annual March of Dimes walk, held May 15 this year. Communicators were stationed at water stops around the four mile walk. They were able to keep the walk sponsors informed of the progress, as well as coordinate supplying water and volunteers at the stops. In an emergency, they would be able to summon Red Cross safety personnel or the on-site ambulance, graciously provided by Metro/AMR. Special "thanks" to Sheriff Richard Fewell and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department for the use of their Communications Vehicle as our command post, and Monroe Police Chief Ron Schleuter and the Monroe Police Reserves for providing traffic control and security for the walk.

ARES members participating were:
Keg, K5CZD; Duffy, KD5IGZ; Claude, KD5ITA; John, KB5YEN; Bobby, AA5IH; Ken, N5WKI; Tom, N5KWB; Mack, KA5JNL; Jay, KD5TGZ; Carolyn, KM5YL; and Kevin, W5KGT.

Ouachita Parish / Regional Emergency Preparedness Drill
On Wednesday, May 12th ARES in conjunction with other local, state, and regional agencies throughout the Northeast Louisiana area, provided communications assistance for one of the largest emergency preparedness drills ever conducted. A total of sixteen ARES members participated in this exercise at various locations throughout Ouachita Parish, including: Monroe Regional Airport, LSU Medical, Glenwood Regional Medical, St. Francis Medical, North Monroe Hospital, and the NELA / Ouachita Emergency Operations Center. At one point during the drill the main repeater (146.850) was temporarily inassessable; however, after just a short duration everone was up and running again on simplex operation.

ARES members participating were:
Keg, K5CZD; Scott, KD5CQV; Melinda, KC5RJY; Alan, KE5AJC; Bill, K5WGQ; Mark, WC5M; Joe, W5PVE; Larry, N5ASA; Joe, K5AD; Kevin, W5KGT; David, KC5LFB; Wilbur, KC5KFJ; Claude, KD5ITA;Tom, N5KWB; Chris, KE5ABB; Ron, AC5VN, and Mark, K5ER

* Ouachita Parish ARES Emergency Plan - Download/View

Amateur Radio Booth at the annual Catfish Festival
Winnsboro, Louisiana - April 3th, 2004
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & PHOTOS

SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST HELD ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4th
On Saturday, October 4th, ARES and NTS members across our region, state, and nation participated in a annual training exercise known as SET (Simulated Emergency Test).
SET, the largest nationwide exercise in emergency communications, provides ARES & NTS communicators the unique opportunity to focus on strengths and weaknesses, in order to and enhance overall emergency communications capabilities within each community . This exercise attempted to "overload" the network and provided a real life scenario type “hands-on” training opportunity for the less experienced members. This year's exercise, included scenarios ranging from severe weather events to threats to homeland security and was extremely fast paced in nature. The dynamic nature of this drill, provided an extremely accurate feel of what communications in an “actual” emergency would consist of.

Hams a Bright Spot During Power Blackout (Aug 15, 2003)
When a blip on the electricity distribution grid August 14 took out power to at least a half dozen states in the eastern US, many Amateur Radio operators were ready and able to provide whatever assistance they could. Hardest hit were metropolitan areas like New York City, Detroit and Cleveland. In New York, residents and commuters found themselves stranded in electricity-dependent elevators and subway or rail cars while visitors ended up stuck at airports, which were forced to shut down. With the cellular telephone system overloaded or out altogether, the incident turned into a test of Amateur Radio's capabilities to operate without commercial power. Full Story >>

BPL Advocates' Comments Lack Technical Substance, ARRL Reply Comments Say
(Aug 21, 2003)

The ARRL says Broadband over Power Line (BPL) proponents failed in their comments to the FCC to substantiate their claims that the technology will not cause widespread interference. In reply comments filed August 20--the FCC's deadline to receive comments in the proceeding, ET Docket 03-104--the League said that if the FCC is going to rely on industry statements in making decisions on BPL deployment, the industry should back up its assertions with technical studies and hard data and make these public.

Full Story >>

Hams Get Ready for Hurricanes
A press conference was held Friday on the 4th floor of the Premiere Bank One Building to announce the new Louisiana Section Public Information Coordinator for Northeast Louisiana, David S. Gore, and to discuss hurricane emergency awareness. During the press conference, issues discussed included a nationwide communications exercise, an announcement drill with department and human resources and preparing for hurricane action season. Gore, also President of the Twin City Ham Club and a Monroe native, said hurricane season 2003 has been predicted to be one of the worst and most active ones in recent history. He said preparation is imperative. "Communication is a vital and critical element," he said. "This field day gives us a chance to test our communication skills." A 24-hour field exercise to prepare in case of emergency will be held today, beginning at 1 p.m. at Kiroli Park. The type of communication focused on Saturday will be by way of amateur or "ham" radio, which Ron D. Whitecotton, state emergency coordinator for the Air Force Military Affiliate Radio Service and a Monroe native, said is a necessary service. "When normal communication fails, and it takes a matter of hours before re-routing, we are the second line of defense," he said. Gore said modes the groups will be using include voice, Morse code, a digital station and operating on emergency power. Hams will have a chance to communicate with groups on a nationwide level. Communicating nationwide is what Debbie Christian, of Bernice and a "ham" for a little over a year, said she likes the most. "I love meeting people from all over," she said. "They become like your extended family."

Radio Personality, Paul Harvey Praises Ham Radio . . .
On Wednesday, March 19th, national radio personality, Paul Harvey gave praise to the nation's amateur radio operators during the daily noon newscast. Harvey stated, "Right now at this moment they are involved in homeland security to a greater degree than you would want me to mention." Click Here to Listen (mp3 audio)

Formal Traffic Handling Presentation . . .
On Saturday, March 15th, Carolyn KM5YL and Jim N5JU conducted the first in a series of presentations on formal traffic handling. This presentation was held at the March meeting of the Minden Amateur Radio Association and a number of questions were answered from those in attendance. If you are involved in any form of emergency communications, this presentation is for you. Carolyn and Jim are working to develope additional presentations as well as a video to address topics relating to handling "real life" emergency communication traffic and tactical messages.

Check this website frequently for future presentation dates . . . You don't want to miss it ! For more information contact Carolyn at KM5YL@arrl.net

ARES Related Section News . . .
WA5LQZ reports that the National Weather Service (NWS) Drill on February 19 was a huge success! Amateurs from LA, MS, and TX representing NWS stations in Lake Charles, Shreveport, Jackson, and Corpus Christi, along with a large number of other served agencies (OEP, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.), were active on 7285 kHz during the drill. Over 50 stations from the tri-state area were active on the HF net and many others participated during the drill on VHF/UHF nets. In fact, time constraints limited the number of check-ins on the 40-meter net to served agency representatives and ARES/NTS officials! Alan did an excellent job of organizing the event and I want to thank him and > all of the drill participants in demonstrating our unique ability to provide backup communications for the NWS and other served agencies. Alan also reports that the new LA ARES Net (LAN) will hold its very first session on Sunday, April 6, at 7:30 pm (local time) on 3873 kHz. A short training exercise will usually be conducted during the weekly net. ARES members and others interested in emergency communications are encouraged to check in as often as possible. W4DLZ reports that our section's CW traffic net, LCW, handled 150 messages during February, a new all-time record. This is an average of over five messages per session! A special thanks is owed to WA5CAV, W4DLZ, and W5NK for relaying much of this traffic from LCW to RN5. We are also seeing several new stations from the Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas checking into LTN these past few months. Everyone is invited to check into either or both of our section traffic nets whenever possible. LTN meets daily at 6:30 pm on 3910 kHz; LCW meets daily at 6:45 pm on 3673 kHz.

Resolution Recognizes ARES on a regional level . . .
On Wednesday, February 26th, 12 parish Sheriffs (the Troop F area) signed a resolution creating a formal agreement to support each others needs in times of crisis, whether natural or otherwise, unified through communication, training, and technical assistance. This agreement also recognizes and supports ARES activities within our region.

CLICK HERE to read the resolution.

Spring Tornado Drill / Communications Exercise . . .
On Wednesday, February 19th between 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., the National Weather Service conducted the Spring Tornado Drill. At the same time, ARES communicators around the state conducted a communications network test between national weather service offices via VHF repeater links and HF. All ARES members were encouraged to monitor this activity and check-in when advised.

Texas amateurs aid in shuttle debris recovery, cataloging . . .
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and SKYWARN volunteers in Nacogdoches, Texas, have been assisting local emergency management officials and NASA to locate and catalog debris from the Columbia shuttle. The shuttle and its crew of seven, including three hams, were lost over Texas February 1. MORE >>>

Hams stand at the ready . . .
Local hams smell a war coming. Amateur radio operators who assist the U.S. military in providing communications between soldiers and their families believe business may be picking up by end of the month. The operators are volunteers, part of the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.
MORE >>> (thenewsstar.com)

NEW Repeater in Kilbourne, Louisiana . . .
There is now a repeater located in Kilbourne, Louisiana (West Carroll Parish, near Arkansas line). This is the KJ5NQ repeater, frequency 145.110 MHz.

NEW !!! - ARES-NELA Guestbook Page . . .
On Monday, January 13th a new feature was launched on ares-nela.org. You can now post your comments or suggestions for this website in our "new" guestbook section.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE ARES-NELA GUESTBOOK

The Union Parish Amateur Radio Net - Monday night at 6:00 pm...
After discussing this with the other members, it was decided that this would be more conducive in perhaps increasing the number of hams, both inside and outside of Union Parish, to know that there is indeed a Net in our area....Monday night seems to be the time when hams are in the "Net Mode." In a true emergency, the increased number of hams that are available to assist us could be invaluable... In any case, I would like to invite each of you to join us at 6:00 pm on 145.230....There is no tone... As control operator of this particular repeater, I encourage you to use it as often as you wish.....Rag chewing is especially encouraged.... Any comments, suggestions and critical comments are welcomed....

73,

Mack KA5JNL
Emergency Coordinator Union Parish

NEW Morehouse Parish Repeater . . .
The KB5SAR repeater located on frequency 146.925- (162.2 tone) is currently operating (Beta) and serving the Morehouse Parish area. This frequency will most likely change in the near future, please check back for futher updates.

The FBI has requested public assistance in locating suspected terrorists . . .
The individuals pictured right are believed to have entered the United States illegally on or about December 24, 2002. Although the FBI has no specific information that they are connected to any potential terrorist activities, based upon information developed in the course of on-going investigations, the FBI would like to locate and question these persons. Please review the press release and the Seeking Information poster about these individuals. The FBI asks that anyone with information about them contact their nearest FBI office. MORE>>

Hams help out during Oklahoma telephone emergency . . .
January 3, 2003 - Hams responded with emergency communication when Broken Arrow, OK, a town of 75,000, experienced a citywide telephone outage on December 23. A request went out for amateurs to assist with emergency effort at the local Emergency Operations Center and three area hospitals. Several hams from the Broken Arrow Amateur Radio Club responded to the call, staffing positions at the Broken Arrow EOC and three hospital emergency rooms. The operation lasted about five hours, with messages between the EOCs and hospitals being passed. Lines of communications were also opened with the Oklahoma State Department of Civil Emergency Management in Oklahoma City via the HF amateur station in the Broken Arrow EOC. The trouble with the phone system was created by the loss of SS7 signaling, a digital protocol for call routing. Unable to route a call out of the local exchange, Broken Arrow phone customers could not call outside the city limits. As a result, the City of Broken Arrow implemented its Telecommunications Failure Plan.

ARES Teams Assist Mississippi Town . . .
December 20, 2002 - Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams from Mississippi have converged on the community of Newton to provide emergency communication support following a devastating tornado December 19. ARRL Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, said about a dozen amateurs from the Metro Jackson ARES and the Lauderdale County ARES groups are taking turns supporting relief agencies in Newton, which has no ARES organization of its own. The twister struck a Wal-Mart filled with holiday shoppers, blowing out the front windows and collapsing part of the roof. Keown said the two ARES teams had established a headquarters in the same shopping center. The tornado also damaged a furniture factory and other businesses. 70 people were hurt, but no one was killed. Property damage in the town was said to have been widespread, and Gov Ronnie Musgrove has declared a state of emergency. ARES teams helped the Red Cross with damage assessment and shelter communication. In the tornado's aftermath, telephone service and electrical power were out in much of the town of nearly 4000 residents. Hams also made themselves available to local emergency management officials. Keown said SKYWARN teams had activated all along the I-20 corridor in anticipation of the severe weather, and the National Weather Service had issued tornado warnings.

NELA Red Cross names Volunteer of the Year . . .
Duffy Frantom, KD5IGZ was named "Volunteer of the Year" during the Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. "This is unbelievable," Frantom said. "I've volunteered to help our community for a long time, but I never expected or wanted any recognition; I did it because I love this area." MORE>> thenewsstar.com (11/20/02)

ARES Station at Union Parish Sheriff's Department . . .
On Thursday, November 14th, ARES was granted permission from the sheriff of Union Parish to install a full ham station in the UPSO dispatch room and a 2 meter set in the mobile communications bus. If anyone has a 2 meter mobile they wish to donate or sell for this purpose, contact Mack Redmond KA5JNL ka5jnl@bayou.com

Louisiana Section Simulated Emergency Test (SET) . . .
The section-wide SET exercise was held on Saturday, November 9. This year's SET included VHF and UHF stations in addition to HF and allowed ARES & NTS groups in our region a chance to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the communications network structure. We would like to say a special thank you to all stations that participated in this comprehensive exercise, if you have any comments or questions concerning this years SET CLICK HERE

Killer Tornadoes Rally ARES Teams in Several Eastern States. . .
(Nov 11, 2002) -- Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams in several states activated following an outbreak of severe weather November 10th. Characterized as the worst rash of tornadoes in the US in years, the twisters left behind more than 30 people dead, dozens injured and widespread property damage. Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio were among the states hardest hit, but the swath of violent weather and the tornadoes it spawned also affected Mississippi, Kentucky and Pennsylvania as well as parts of the Virginias. MORE>>

State, local officials meet to discuss emergency strategy
Area hospital officials met with a representative of the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness Thursday at St. Francis Medical Center to discuss strategy in the event of a catastrophic accident or attack in northeastern Louisiana. Plans are also in the works to get ham radio operators involved at hospitals. MORE>> thenewsstar.com (11/08/02)

Amber Alert & Amateur Radio . . .
Larry W5AVZ is seeking input on how ARES members and other LA Section amateurs can play a part in the LA Statewide Amber Alert System that will soon be operational. Repeater owners, in particular, may want to consider how they might be involved in this project. Larry can be contacted via email lward@lpb.org

For More Information on what Amber Alert is visit:
http://www.lpb.org/aboutlpb/technology/laeas/index.html

Northeast Louisiana ARES launches e-mail reflector service . . .
On Tuesday, October 8th, we added a new e-mail information service. For the latest advisories and news updates pertaining to ARES/SKYWARN in our area, take a moment to subscribe to the Northeast Louisiana ARES/SKYWARN e-mail relector service. It's FREE and only takes a minute to setup, CLICK HERE or visit the link in the left hand column.

ARES members provide communications assistance during Lili . . .
On Wednesday, October 2nd A.R.E.S. members began implementing plans to establish communications assistance between area agencies and relief shelters. Around 11:00 p.m. that same day a Red-Cross shelter was opened at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on the campus of ULM, and during the early morning hours of October 3rd evacuees were already setting up camp. As Lili progressed steadily on a northward track, various storm reports, and other such health & welfare traffic were passed by ARES operators, totaling over 100 combined hours of duty between net control and liaison stations in our area alone. MORE>>

Hurricane Lili Hit 'Most Dangerous Place On Coast'
When Hurricane Lili turned north late Tuesday, October 1st and headed for Vermilion Bay, building wind strength as it came, it was headed for a spot that makes the hair stand up on the necks of some meteorologists. "In fact, the exact spot where Lili came ashore is the most dangerous place on the U.S. coast for a strike," said veteran Lafayette meteorologist Ed Roy. MORE>>

Hurricane Lili Images & Charts (Provided by: Don Wheeler, KD5MWL) CLICK HERE