Author: Deb KK7DEB

  • Membership News

    Welcome to our newest member, Andrew W7TKX.

    Many thanks to all of our ARES members who attended Field Day on Kelly Butte.

    We are hoping to have an ARES information and recruiting booth at the Sunday Parkways event on July 26 in NE Portland. There are two more of these events happening this year: August 23 in SE Portland and September 27 in SW Portland. If you would like to meet your neighbors and promote Multnomah County ARES, contact our PIO, Steve W7SRH, at hallstr [at] hotmail [dot] com.

    We are making progress on the state ARES Red Cards. It is our hope to have cards for all of our eligible members by the end of the year. You must be an active, ARRO certified member and pass a background check. I may be contacting you for a new background check authorization form.

  • Membership News

    Steve W7SRH is our new Public Information Officer. He will be getting us more coverage in the media via press releases of our activities, articles for QST Magazine, and other recruitment and public awareness activities.

    Marino KG7EMV is assuming the role of Net Manager for our weekly ARES and NET net. He will be bringing more fun and informative content to the net. Look for the net to be more than just a check in exercise. Thanks to Julie W7OW for her service as net manager these past many months.

    Reminder: Multnomah County ARES apparel is available to all members. We are all excited about the new design with the embroidered logo on the front. T-shirts are $14, polo shirts are $23, and ARES high-visibility vests are $22. Sweatshirts and other apparel are also available. See Deb or email her at dprovo [at] yahoo [dot] com.

  • Trailer Project Update

    We have the official confirmation letter that our $16,450 Homeland Security grant request has been approved and will be funded on or before October 1. This money is for equipment only and does not cover the trailer or its modifications.

  • Membership News

    Welcome to our newest members, Eric N9WJQ, Kent K7YXZ, and Dave KF7QYW. Congratulations to new ARROs Kevin KF7QGH on the PBEM Team, and Ross KD7TUR on the Lewis and Clark Team. Richard AE7BT has agreed to move to the Multnomah County ECC Team.

  • News from Around the County

    The new communications officer from Oregon Emergency Management, Terry Pietras W7JOC, will be attending our May 28 ARES meeting. I am sure he will have a few words about OEM for us. It is an honor to have him attend one of our meetings. I think it shows a positive step forward.

    Stevie Bullock from Multnomah County Emergency Management (MCEM) is back to work after several months off following an automobile accident. It is great to have him back. He has always been a huge supporter of MCARES and is our liaison with MCEM.

    April was indeed a busy month with Walk MS and the statewide SET. The ARES communications trailer was used for both of these events. I think all the net controls enjoyed the new space in spite of the temporary tables and chairs. Thanks to everyone for volunteering your time for both of these events. We are very fortunate to have such an awesome ARES group.

    Our next big event is the Disaster Relief Trials which is usually in July, however this year it looks like the event is being moved to October. We will let you know when we have a confirmed date.

  • Trailer Project Update

    The white wall board is almost completely installed. John KF7ZWX and Adam KF7LJH are collaborating on the electrical design. Robert WX5TEX has almost completed a Gator Box with the donated equipment we have so far. The trailer was used for Walk MS and on Council Crest for the SET. It was great to have the shelter and we got a lot of attention, including from several dogs who came in for a look around. One even curled up under the table for a nap!

    If you are interested in helping with the construction, you can contact the trailer crew at trailer [at] multnomahares [dot] org.

    Thanks to all who have so generously donated to this project. Donations are still being accepted. Send your check to Portland Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 33454, Portland, OR 97292-3454. Please note on your check “ARES Trailer Project.”

  • Membership News

    Welcome to our newest members, Mark KG7NZQ and Kevin KG7QGH. Congratulations to Lori W3LOR, and Dave and Mark from PBEM, for upgrading to General class. Harris KG7AMN just passed the Extra exam. You are all awesome!!!

  • Trailer Project Update

    The BIG news is that the State Homeland Security Grant that we applied for has been approved!! Our request and funding for equipment is very likely. They list all the approvals in a top to bottom list and we are in the top one third. This will mean over $16,000 in equipment for the trailer. Way to go Adam! The downside is that we will not receive this equipment until October or November.

    The insulation is in; the walls are back up and the floor is in. Deb and Will hope to start the wall install this week. John KF7ZWX has the detailed plans worked out for all the wiring. Net control for Walk MS this Saturday will be in the trailer with the equipment we have. This is also going to be used for the April 25 SET. At this point the trailer functions as a shelter only as there is no cabinetry or radio equipment installed yet. It is portable tables and folding chairs and a loaner generator but should serve us well for the time being. Take a look at the checkerboard flooring. We decided to put a little pizazz in the design. If you are interested in helping with the construction, you can contact the trailer crew at trailer [at] multnomahares [dot] org.

  • News from Around the County

    Nate has informed the leadership team that his wife, Christina, has decided to return to school and he will be on afternoon daddy duty for their two kids, ages 5 and 2, for the foreseeable future. He has delegated some of his responsibilities to the AECs and we will all work together to keep the ARES group running smoothly.

    Multnomah County has a new Emergency Manager, Chris Voss. Mr. Voss starts on June 1 and comes to Oregon from Maryland. We understand he has some experience working with amateur radio operators and we are looking forward to meeting him and working together.

    OEM (Oregon Emergency Management) has a new Director, Andrew Phelps (who is working on his ham license), and a new Communications Officer, Terry Pietras W7JOC.

    It is a busy month with Walk MS and the April 25 SET. Many thanks to all who have volunteered to lend a hand and a voice!

  • Membership News

    Welcome to our newest members, Cele KI6TUK and Monty KG2RS. Dylan W7KEF and Matthew KG7RIA have completed their certification and have joined the PBEM Team. Carrie KG7NZP and Doug KG7MJJ have joined the Lewis and Clark Team. Judy KE7JTN and Bob KG7JKQ have joined the Rover Team. Way to go guys and gals!