Hi, I wanted to let all of you know some of the actions that we are taking here at HQ with regard to Hurricane Gustav : * Dennis Dura, Steve Ewald and their team at MVP have been in direct contact with the Field Organization Leaders in the affected areas. * We have had a number of conference calls with the SMs and others to coordinate our activities. Directors Day, Leggette, and Sarratt along with Vice Directors Bullock, and Woolweaver were on today's call along with the SMs. * Our next conference call is scheduled for Sunday at 4pm Eastern. * We are working with the SMs to coordinate volunteer assistance requests from hams outside of their area. * A number of MOUs between sections have been activated. * The SEC email reflector is being updated and reactivated. [The SM reflector is already being used] * Allen Pitts is coordinating the national PR/Media response from here at HQ with the assistance of the PIOs and PICs in the Gulf. * Ham-Aid equipment is being shipped now to areas that have requested it. Norm Fusaro is coordinating this effort. * We are setting up some additional internal systems to handle the anticipated increased volume of phone calls and email. A special email address for inquires is being set up gustav@arrl.org * Two new Web pages are being posted: General Information and Volunteer/Staffing information * W1AW and W1HQ are fully functional and we are adding Echolink to W1HQ. We'll keep you posted as the storm progresses. We all, Field and HQ, seem better prepared this time than we were for Katrina. I am also encouraged by the level of cooperation that we are seeing between all parties involved. Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Telephone: 860 594 0220 email: hkramer@arrl.org web: www.arrl.org/ <http://www.arrl.org/>