We are in need of operators for a RACES regional  hurricane drill with the local hospitals.  The drill is to be held on May  31, 2008 and is designed to provide information as to the communications  abilities between the hospitals in our region (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Columbia, Green). 

We will need operators  for Vassar, St. Francis, Northern Dutchess, and Castle Point VA. and Dutchess EOC)  Please confirm your availability ASAP.  I expect this drill to  last no more than 1 hour.  I will as soon as available forward a verified  start time which I at this time believe to be 11 AM.

You may  confirm participation by email to either Brian, W2BJP at optonline dot net or to  my email at KC2DAA at aol dot com.

Adam, KC2DAA

Dutchess County RO

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2008 Skywarn Training Schedule & 5/27/08 Westchester Session 

(From Terry Long KC2BUV - Westchester County Skywarn Coordinator)

I'm pleased to announce that the Spring 2008 Skywarn Training Sessions are now being booked and registrations are open. Visit the NWS Upton Office website at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining-08.htm for "on-line" registration, if you plan on attending any of the sessions.

We're very fortunate again, to have secured the Westchester County Emergency Services Training Center, the night of May 27th (Tuesday) and a hearty "Thank You" goes out to Mike Volk with Westchester County Gov for jumping to the rescue (pun intended) in grabbing a classroom for us.

Who needs "refresher" training?  That's easy to answer. Any spotter who has not been trained in more than three years, any spotter who feels a refresher is in order and anyone who would like to be trained, but has never been to one of these sessions. The sessions are free to the public. Skywarn spotters are used in weather type emergencies, for ground 'truthing'. We are trained by National Weather Service personnel. Skywarn spotters are trained to recognize serious and often, life threatening situations, "before" they actually become serious and life threatening. Spotters are the "eyes" of the NWS from the ground, something that radar is incapable of, and as such, spotters play a significant role in the issuance of Emergency Action Notifications that go out to the public. Obviously, people who work and play outdoors, such as law enforcement and emergency service personnel, postal workers and other public service personnel, make excellent candidates for the program and we actively seek these people, but anyone interested in taking part are encouraged to sign up for a class near you.

Again, in Westchester County, we'll conduct the free, three hour training on May 27th, 7pm, at the Westchester County Emergency Services Training Center at 4 Dana Road in Valhalla. Parking is at 7 Walker Road, just up the hill from the center. There is no parking in the front lot.

Oh, and this year ... there "will" be a test.


Terry Long - KC2BUV
NWS Skywarn
Westchester County, NY
email: trlong@sprynet.com
website: http://www.kc2buv.com

The Pearl amateur radio club is sponsoring a junior net on May 7th, 2008 from 7pm-7:30pm on the Pearl machine(145.130 minus split with a pl of 136.5). This will be an informal net primarily for juniors with or without licenses. Those who do not have licenses are welcomed to join in via a control op. We'd greatly appreciate it if you can help out by joining in or helping others participate and learn about amateur radio. This net is mainly for juniors but all are welcome to join in. Thanks for your time

Dave KC2QFS