Comments for 0 at http://www.everythingnrv.com , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://www.everythingnrv.com Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:30:21 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.everythingnrv.com/content/view/95041/521/#comment-611 Attn: David Grimes Everything NRV News Pearisburg, Virginia Re: Amateur Radio Emergency Services – Field Day Exercise – June 27-29, 2008 Dear Mr. Grimes: On behalf of the New River Valley Amateur Radio Club and the Montgomery/Pulaski Amateur Radio Emergency Services members, please allow me to convey our sincere appreciation to you for web coverage of this important field day exercise held on June 27, 28 and 29, 2008. Eighteen NRVARC and ARES members participated in this field day exercise and successfully operated a wide range of high grade amateur radio equipment – both portable and fixed stations, emergency power systems and antennas which included high frequency for national communication to very high frequency and ultra high frequency for local and regional communication. Local and regional communications were also achieved by the use of amateur radio repeater systems located throughout Southwest Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Public interest in this emergency communications exercise was substantial as reflected by the numerous visits and inquiries made by the general public and various public officials. This extensive exercise is conducted annually in real-time field conditions to provide ongoing testing and training of our emergency communications teams and their equipment. Most importantly, this real-time exercise ensures the viability of our amateur radio emergency communication teams capacity to quickly create efficient communication networks to assist various government and non-government agencies during times of emergency/disasters in which normal communication systems are overwhelmed or become inoperable due to usage overload, power failure, etc. The members of NRVARC and the Amateur Radio Emergency Services are also available to assist the public in service events where communications expertise is required. On May 24 and 25, 2008, Montgomery/Pulaski County ARES members provided the communications backbone for the East Coasters Cycling of Southwest Virginia – Wilderness Bike Ride and the well known and difficult Mountains of Misery Century Ride, a challenging 100- and 125-mile road course in mountainous terrain involving over 500 competitive cycling participants from throughout the US and Canada. Through the ARRL, the national association for amateur radio operators, Amateur Radio Emergency Services members nationwide provide emergency communications for many state and local agencies such as the DHS Citizens Corps, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and FEMA. We welcome the public’s inquiries. Respectfully Yours, Roger R. Bell, II V.P. , New River Valley Amateur Radio Club Montgomery/Pulaski County Amateur Radio Emergency Services Amateur Radio Call Sign – N4FPA - Roger R. Bell, II Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:45:48 +0100