08/25/2016
ATTENTION: ALL CAMP TWIN LAKES, 2016 SPIN FOR KIDS RIDE, RUTLEDGE HAM RADIO EmComm OPERATORS
First...’thank you’ to each and every one of you who responded quickly and committed to an assignment for the 2016 Spin For Kids Ride, Rutledge. I have attached a PRELIMINARY roster, ICS 205, for your review. Please let me know of any corrections, possible changes, requests, etc any of you may have. Remember, this is a joint effort by members of several different ARES groups as well as non-affiliated hams from Central Georgia. You are urged to promote not only Ham Radio in general but to also use the opportunity/event to spotlight your individual organization(s).
Second, you will see there is good representation at each Rest Stop. There is at least one Morgan County ARES, WR4MC, member assigned. This should allow for more interaction among the volunteers and riders. Please look over those names and call signs and at your location and feel free to call each for any ideas and/or more specific details you may want to discuss. Also, on October 16 y’all will have a ‘reliable source’ for inquiries from the 900 “guests” who will be wheeling across Morgan County...
Third, especially those of you not assigned or looking for an opportunity to be a part of SFK 2016, please consider the importance of and extreme need for ROAD MARSHALS and ROVERS. You can see there several openings for each. Remember, these are the extra sets of “eyes and ears” watching these fast moving cyclists as they criss-cross Morgan County roads and may have the misfortune to become lost, have an accident or other emergency and be in need of IMMEDIATE RESPONSE!
On Friday, September 2, Bill Wilson, KJ4EX, and I...plus any of you who would like to join us...will be testing antennas and reception across Morgan County. I have purchased a Comet GS-9 Dual Band Antenna, 8.5 DB gain, and will be trying the smaller version used last year. Bill and a couple members of the Barrow CARS group will be there with a portable trailer setup. Wendell McNeal, WA4LHH, has a military surplus crank-up which we may also put into “play” (pun intended). If you would like to join us for this TEST exercise, please contact Bill at the number on the ICS 205 and we’ll plan accordingly. Meeting time is approximately 9 AM on that day...subject to change, of course.
Lastly...I extend the most gracious appreciation for our involvement over the past five years from the staff and administration of Camp Twin Lakes, especially the “Hometown” Rutledge, Georgia location. Your dedication and commitment have helped to make possible the Spin For Kids results of $900,000 being pledged and utilized in the CTL program. With continued and combined efforts, I am confident this goal will be met and greatly exceeded.
It was an honor to have been nominated and selected as the Camp Twin Lakes Volunteer of the Year, 2015. However, in my opinion, this award is definitely not mine. It belongs to each and every one of you...and I humbly accepted it on your behalf.
From the many phone conversations and over-the-air QSOs these past several months, the excitement, energy and ‘electricity’ for this event is growing exponentially.
As always, you are encouraged to contact me direct with any comments, questions and/or concerns.
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Bill
KM4LS
EC, Morgan County ARES, WR4MC
