Hi,
 
My quick report:
 
We had W1AW running most of the day but there were severe thunderstorms here in CT that knocked out power in parts of the State, including Newington, and created an incredible amount of S9+ QRN for us at the station. Prior to my shift,  the antennas were disconnected for periods of time to protect against lightning.
 
I operated W1AW from 6pm to 9pm shift on 20 meters and couldn't hear much through the noise level until after about 7:30pm.  Chuck Skolaut was also operating 40m during the shift and experienced the same problems.
 
Once the storms passed and the noise was at least tolerable, I think that I worked about 100 stations and there were more in the pile ups.   Many stations were running on backup power including a solar power station, battery powered QRP rigs (a lot of FT 817's),  clubs and individual stations on generators.  I also worked quite a few stations in their mobiles, including a maritime mobile in the Pacific.
 
More than one operator  made  the good suggestion that we not use the word "Emergency" in the title of the event or on the air.   The sensitivity to hearing this word is very high due to Katrina.  After a few stations pointed this out,  Chuck and I used the words "Backup Power" rather than "Emergency Power" event.
 
I spent some time speaking with many of the stations, rather than just doing a quick exchange.  Most seemed pleased, as always, that we put W1AW on the air.  Many were happy to tell us about their backup power arrangement and many were complimentary of the ARRL's effort in the Katrina disaster. 
 
73,
 
Harold
 
 
Harold Kramer, WJ1B
Chief Operating Officer
ARRL - ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio
225 Main Street
Newington , CT  06410
860 594 0220
www.arrl.org
 
 

From: n5ok@arrl.org [mailto:n5ok.ok@att.net]
Sent: Sat 9/17/2005 2:27 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:13083] Public Awareness Day EPOE

Hello.  Hello.  Anyone home?
 
I dusted off the old 5kw generator yesterday and made sure it was running.  Had it all gassed up and ready to go this morning.  Beautiful cool morning here in OK.  The generator started first pull and purred like a kitten.  Fired up the rig and nobody home!  I checked into the Texas traffic net and let them know I was running emergency power.  They had heard about it.  Chatted with W6I (one of the Route 66 stations in Amarillo).  He knew about it but decided not to run emergency power for the special event.  Worked Jim K9JF/7 in the Washington Salmon Run.  He had a good pile going.  Never found anyone running emergency power or looking for emergency power stations.  Guess we didn't have enough time to push for participation.
 
At least I know that I can operate under emergency conditions.  Anyone else give it a try?
 
Coy
--
ARRL West Gulf Division Director
Coy Day, N5OK
20685 SW 29th St
Union City, OK 73090
n5ok@arrl.org 405-483-5632