FYI…I was going to send this in a little while, but we posted this to the SM reflector this morning. It’s probably pretty good advice to post to the members as well. Barry, N1VXY Here at HQ we’ve received lots of communications from our members either asking for guidance or offering suggestions during the current crisis. We hope everyone is adhering to CDC and local health department guidelines by staying home, maintaining safe distances when around people, and following sanitary practices. With many hams staying home there are opportunities to get on the air and call CQ or gather around the local repeater. We certainly don’t need a reason to get on the air, after all, that’s what hams do. In terms of ham radio preparedness, this current crisis has not disrupted communications on a national scale. We know many of our members practice and train for a personal radio communication capability that can be called on when disaster strikes. ARES volunteers and our partners in providing emergency communications already routinely monitor the information and requests from Emergency Coordinators and the like. Station and skills readiness are tenets of the Amateur Radio Service – and this current crisis hasn’t changed this. We can encourage members to remain safe, and to follow the guidelines and requests of their national and local government officials and public health leaders. For those members who are healthy and safe at home, we can encourage them to get on the air: • Get on the air. As online fatigue and a feeling of isolation will inevitably creep into our “new normal,” being on-air will introduce variety into our communication practices. As many of us are now homebound or working and studying from home, turning on a radio to connect with your ham radio peers will be a welcome respite! • Radio Clubs. Think of this current challenge as an opportunity to encourage our club’s members to get on the air. Move (short) meetings to the club’s repeater, and encourage check-ins. Organize skeds, nets, and challenges. Try different bands (HF, VHF, UHF…) and modes. This will also help new radio amateurs gain practical operating experience. • Readiness. Station and skills readiness are tenets of the Amateur Radio Service. Any time we spend on the air will contribute to developing and practicing our personal radio communication capability. If you are a radio amateur serving your community through the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) or by volunteering with any of our partners in providing public service communications, thank you. ARES members routinely monitor the information and requests from their ARES Emergency Coordinators. We are grateful for all the ways you stand-ready to support the emergency service personnel in your communities when disaster strikes. From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of rjairam@gmail.com Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 12:40 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:29963] Fwd: announcing the Corona Challange A local club in my division has started this challenge. Others in other divisions may want to join in. Basically it’s on air activity to keep people active while social distancing is in effect Ria N2RJ ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Scara K2DLL <sparksfromthespa@gmail.com<mailto:sparksfromthespa@gmail.com>> Date: Wed, Mar 25, 2020 at 11:55 AM Subject: announcing the Corona Challange To: Hello all, I know that you are sitting at home with time on your hands. In order to help you out,SCARA has created the Corona Challange to help you while away the time. The ultimate Social Distancing happens via ham radio. Every QSO will be guaranteed to be in excess of the recommended 6 feet.. Just get on the air. I have attached a copy of the rules for you to download and keep, but here they are.: Corona Challenge - On Air Operating Event 2020 Purpose: to encourage ALL licensed Amateurs to get on the air and become more active while practicing “Social Distancing” or “Self-Quarantine” during the State of Emergency. DATES: March 22 2020 thru the end of the State of Emergency in Saratoga County, NY Suggested Frequencies: Any Amateur Bands and Repeaters Modes: SSB, AM, FM, DMR, C4FM, D-Star, CW, RTTY, FT8, FT4, SSTV, basically any over the air mode used by Amateurs Exchange: Call sign, signal report, Logging: Date, Time, Band, Mode, Call sign, Signal report, State for WAS, Optional : Name and QTH Scoring: SSB, AM FM (voice) 1 point each CW and Digital (Excluding Digital Voice) 2 points each Only count a QSO’s with a station once per band and mode QSO’s made on a net are not to be included. Bonus Points: Making a 2 way QSO on a mode or band that you have never used before 100 points. Non Licensed Household member make a QSO 200 points (Follow third party traffic laws) Work All States 300 points DXCC 500 Points Total Score: Total QSO points plus any bonus points Entry: Electronic logs for submission with over 50 QSO’s , prefer ADIF format or excel. Email your logs and summary sheet to KG2H@ARRL.NET<mailto:KG2H@ARRL.NET> or bring your log to the first club meeting after the state of emergency Awards: Certificates and TBD MISC: WAS application form is available at Http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Awards/ARRL_WAS_APPLICATION_FORM_-_2019_July.pdf DXCC Country List http://www.arrl.org/files/file/DXCC/2020%20Current_Deleted.txt N1MM+ logging program https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/