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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