The first gathering of 2006 for Floyd County Area Hams was on March 18th, 2006. We began with breakfast at Blue Ridge Restaurant in Floyd at 8:30 A.M. You could hear chatter about goings-on in and around Floyd County, and the usual “catching up” amongst friends. After breakfast we crossed streets to F.A.I.R.S. (Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service, Ltd.) Headquarters and the Emergency Communications Center (E.C.C.) which has been developed there.

As folks were gathering in the E.C.C., we received radio contact from Joyce Charles W4/J73BX, our Dominican friend who is currently in the States (near Appomattox, VA) providing elder care for one of Gaynell’s relatives. We held a short conversation with her as fellow hams and guests listened in.

David Larsen explained how it was possible to make contact with Joyce by two-way radio with the help of repeater relay. He also mentioned how the use of Echo link made it possible to reach friends in faraway places, and demonstrated with a dial-up to the Dominica node.

David extended a welcome to the group and folks were encouraged to say a few words about their current activities and how amateur radio was making a difference in their lives. Here are some of the responses:

Don Johnson KF4HDW, who is an active member of the Floyd Co. Rescue Squad (along with his wife Donna KF4HDX), mentioned how communications had helped him transition into many things. Everyone chuckled when he told how he flew airplanes and talked on the radio at the same time, and how during his days with Civil Air Patrol he was licensed to use certain ham radio frequencies and equipment. Don also told of interesting people he has met during his travels because they have noticed his call sign on his license plate…something about a ham in motorcycle duds knocking on his window… pretty funny! He and Donna continue to keep in touch via radio as they “run around Floyd County”.

Russ Abbey KG4MAV, who is net manager for Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club (RVARC) and quite knowledgeable about what’s happening in the radio community, listed the 6 local repeater stations which he regularly monitors. Russ gave announcements for several activities, including the local Hamfest to be held April 22nd. Russ looks to be licensed to operate Hf frequencies in the near future.

Don Clemens KE4UGF encouraged newcomers by sharing how he studied for his Technician license and how he received additional help and training from ham friends in order to advance his learning afterward. Since we had earlier toured the E.C.C. facilities and had mentioned emergency preparedness, Don shared a time when he and his wife Kay KF4EKH volunteered at a hurricane shelter and spent the night in Greenville, NC. The couple was awarded for their service. Don is net control for our local net on 146.745 each Tuesday night at 9pm, and he reminded the group of FAIRS nets held on Hf every Sun.-Tues.-Thurs. mornings.

Kay Clemens KF4EKH noted that there are remote areas, even in Floyd County, where cell phone communication is not possible. Don and Kay live in such an area (Walnut Knob). They rely on amateur radio for personal communication and for keeping tabs on the other’s location in sometimes dangerous travel conditions. Their son is a ham so that is a common bond between them. Kay has been invaluable in organizing 2 mission teams from the church to Dominica, and is currently working towards funding for communications on the island.

Gaynell Larsen KK4WWW helped us with some bits of history - of ham radio and of FAIRS - including communications in the former Soviet Union and the founding of the FAIRS organization. She was proud that FAIRS has helped many people around the world obtain amateur radio license, and has provided equipment to areas in need. One such place was Grenada in 2004 after hurricane Ivan… FAIRS plans to travel there in April to assess current emergency communications capabilities and give more assistance where required.

Dee Dannewitz KG4VMI highlighted several instances where local hams have “answered the call” to help in emergencies, though (thankfully) not recently within Floyd County. She thought it important that we interact periodically and conduct drills, so the group could be organized and effective when called upon. She finds ham radio to be a great help in emergency work, and hopes that ministering to the physical needs of people will make a way to share her faith with them also.

David Larsen KK4WW named amateur radio a “door opener” for him, both personally and professionally, throughout his life. Since formalizing FAIRS as a non-profit foundation, he found that also helped gain entrance to areas worldwide (the foreign work of the organization gained them an invite to dinner at the White House!). David agreed with Kay Clemens that helping family to become licensed hams was a pleasure and a good way to talk regularly.

The floor was opened to our guests, who were asked to introduce themselves and comment about their interest in becoming hams:

Steve Ryan from Christiansburg said that “enthusiasm is contagious”. He said how he wanted to be involved, and that gaining his license was an important goal. Steve is technically talented and a team player, so David (on behalf of FAIRS and the group) offered whatever help he might need.

Carol Ginger of Floyd County has found it difficult to get help with licensing in the past. She is motivated to equip a lovely boat she owns with the practical ham radio and antenna, accessories. We sure look forward to that contact! She received some training materials and some online direction, so local hams will want to follow up and help her in her study for Technician license.

Carmen Hamlin is a native of Floyd County and has been working in the FAIRS office since June. She talked about her interest in her work - the organization of FAIRS: preparing mailings, maintaining current contact information of its members, and keeping everyone “up” on activities. She is a wonderful help! Carmen will be working toward her first license, and is scheduled to make a FAIRS trip in January (members of the group were reminded that no donations to FAIRS are used for travel, salaries or personal expense).

Everyone in the group seemed enthusiastic about participating in community events sometime in the late spring or summer. Some suggestions were made, and it was settled that during our next meeting we would decide on an event and choose someone to head up the organization of the activity. The meeting wrapped up with hams exchanging information and ideas and picking up a gift from the FAIRS table.