TOday is Fri. Dec. 31, 2010  
    
  TOday is Fri. Dec. 31, 2010.  
    
    
  WEll folks, winter is definitely upon us here in the northern  
  latitudes.  We hope you got all that antenna maintenance done last  
  fall you needed to get done, as well as your house gutters cleaned  
  out and all other winter preparations made.  
    
  THe holidays are just about over.  Be sure to dust off that old  
  straight key for the annual straight key night, and kick back in  
  the warm comfort of your shack while the other amateurs party the night  
  away.  IF straight key night isn't your thing, or you don't have hf  
  amateur priveleges be sure to monitor local frequencies where you  
  might be of assistance to that traveler in need of assistance or to  
  report that accident to the authorities which was caused by  
  somebody who did a bit too much celebrating.  
    
  Be sure to keep those batteries charged and your skills sharp.  YOu  
  never know when you'll need them.  
    
  Some other good cold weather activities you might consider:  
    
  Study for that license upgrade.  
    
  Learn the international Morse code if you haven't already.  
    
  STudy for other certifications that might be useful.  
  THis includes but is not limited to ARRL emergency  
  communications courses, Fema ICS coures, etc.  
    
  VOlunteer to be a net control for your local or section net.  
    
  Fabricate and test antenna feedline jumpers and wiring harnesses  
  for power distribution to gear requiring 13.8 vdc.  
    
  If you haven't already done so, make a new year's resolution  
  to take a CERT class this year.  COntact your localfire or  
  police department, or your local emergency management agency  
  and ask where you can acquire cert training.  Join your  
  local cert team.  IF there isn't one, help start one!  
    
  73 de nf5b  
    
    
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   * Origin: RRN BBS: Your fidonet ham radio connection! (1:116/901)