Steve Wooten, KC0QMU, the Emergency Coordinator presided over the monthly meeting of the St. Louis County ARES^® group on July 9, 2007. The Meeting was held at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.

Steve said that the group now had 66 members, about 38 of whom regularly participate in some fashion.

Steve reported that Rick Crockett, W0PC had held an amateur radio technician class for members of the Missouri Department of Transportation, which resulted in seven MoDOT employees getting their ham radio licenses.

Steve said that the St. Louis Veterans Administration Medical Center had installed amateur radio stations in Cochran Hospital and Jefferson Barracks Hospital, but that there were some safety concerns over the feedlines, so the stations are not yet operational.

Steve said that St. Louis County ARES^® would have a table would be the Zero Beaters hamfest in Washinton, Missouri. The hamfest will take place on July 15, 2007 from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

St. Louis County ARES^® will also be participating in the Disaster Awareness Fair on July 21, 2007. The Fair is sponsored by the Zombie Squad.

Steve mentioned that the Moonlight Ramble and the Race for the Rivers will both take place on the weekend of August 25-26, 2007. Both events need amateur radio volunteers.

Steve said that St. Louis County ARES^® plans to hold a field station demonstration and exercise on Saturday, October 13, 2007. It will be an all-day event. It will most likely be held at a park, and the public will be invited. The group will try to get other ARES^® teams to participate in the exercise.

Steve said that Rich Will, KB0IAN, will offer a Homeland Security approved class on Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Steve said that Dave Rust, W0DLR is trying to organize SATERN activity in the state of Missouri. He would like to hold a SATERN net on 3.963 MHz on Tuesday nights immediately after the Missouri Traffic Net.

Steve noted that many communities will be participating in National Night Out on August 7, 2007, and that this would be an opportunity to make your community aware of amateur radio.

Steve said that he would soon be sending out surveys to St. Louis County ARES^® members so he can get an idea of what sort of equipment is available in what areas of the County.

Gary Hoffman, KB0H, said that St. Louis County ARES^® would probably hold more digital workshops, as they were very popular. Gary said that he would like to organize a seminar on how to perform as a net controller. He also asked for suggestions on what other sorts of workshops and seminars the members would like to see.

Ben Shipman, W0BEN, recommended devising a standard means of marking equipment so that it would be easier to return to its rightful owner after an emergency.

Jim Conley, N0OBG, responding to a Planning Committee request for information about insurance, said that the ARRL had $1-2 million policies for $350 a year. (This would be liability insurance for group activities.) He has sent for more information and for an application. He also said that there were policies for the equipment of amateur radio operators for $1.00 per $100 of value.

Rob Robinson, KC0VPL, said that members should think about what they wanted done with their equipment after they die, and to make appropriate documents or notations in their wills.

Craig Klimczak, K4LSU, gave a presentation on Winlink and its place in emergency communications.

© 2008 St. Louis County ARES^®

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