Category: News

MONTHLY REPORTS ARE IMPORTANT

The following is an open letter to all ARES personnel in the ARRL West Central Florida Section from our Section Emergency Coordinator Dave Rockwell W4PXE:

“Dear ARES® Members,

Why report should we report our activity in providing public service radio support?

Reporting volunteer hours is crucial for several reasons. These hours are recognized by
counties, states, and federal officials, demonstrating the value of our contributions. Each
volunteer hour equates to a $34.08 (on average nationally) benefit to the organizations we
support, highlighting the economic impact of our efforts.

Additionally, public service hours are being used to support the passage of The Amateur
Radio Emergency Preparedness Act of 2025 (H.R. 1094 and S.459), aimed at eliminating
restrictions imposed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Your reported hours are
essential in showcasing the importance of amateur radio in emergency preparedness and
response.

Every ARES member should report their volunteer hours through their county Emergency
Coordinator. These coordinators should then report the hours and activities to the Section
Emergency Coordinator (SEC) using the ARRL Form 2 online or the WCF forms available on
the section website, https://arrlwcf.org/. As SEC, I send a summary of these reports to the
ARRL®. The League uses these reports to advocate for all amateur radio.

What we do is important. Our sponsors and supporters rely on the work we do. Many
counties have used the volunteer hours to justify purchasing radio equipment, ensuring we
are well-equipped to handle emergencies and disasters.

Every hour spent volunteering improves our abilities to respond during emergencies and
disasters. Therefore, it is imperative that your ARES® hours are reported accurately.
Please make sure your ARES® hours are reported.”

For the PDF version of this letter you may go to http://arrlwcf.org/download/wcfares/W4PXE_SEC_Letter_2025-04.pdf

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11th ANNUAL TECHCON VIDEOS AND PAPERS NOW AVAILABLE

The 11th Annual TECHCON was held on Saturday February 22, 2025 with about 30 to 35 in attendance personally.  Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to do a live stream of the primary track.

However, there is a “silver lining” in this cloud.  Russ Delaney N4RTD, Assistant Section Manager, has processed all the videos and added the speaker slides to them, and they are now available for viewing on the ARRL West Central Florida Section YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@arrlwcf.

Darrell Davis KT4WX, Assistant Section Manager for Technology, has added the links to the slide presentations developed by all our presenters and they are available on the 11th Annual TECHCON webpage at https://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/wcftechconference/.

Later in the year, the 11th Annual TECHCON webpage will be archived for historical and future reference and will always be accessbile via the TECHCON webpage.

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11TH ANNUAL TECHCON FRIDAY EVENING SOCIAL VENUE SET AND SPEAKING SCHEDULE PUBLISHED.

The 11th Annual TECHCON Friday Evening Social venue is now set.  The Friday Evening Social will be held on Friday February 21, 2025 from 1800 to 2100, at “The Original Mike’ Grill Restaurant located at 1037 N. Broadway Ave., in Bartow.  The directions and Google Map information for the Friday Evening Social is on the TECHCON webpage at https://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/wcftechconference/.

The 11th Annual TECHCON Presentation Schedule is now published on the Section website at https://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/wcftechconference/.  The List of Presentations will be loaded as soon as it is completed.

The 11th Annual TECHCON will be held on Saturday February 22, 2025 at the Polk County EOC, located at 1890 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880, about halfway between Winter Haven and Lakeland, just off of the Polk County Parkway.  The doors of the EOC will open at 0800 and the conference will begin at 0900 and run until 1630, with a break for lunch.  The primary track will be live streamed on the Section YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFA4-HEjr-lYMFisVG_Nk5A.  The second track will be recorded.  Both tracks will be “post-production edited”, have any related slides/handouts inserted, and then loaded to the Section YouTube Channel.

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FLORIDA TRI-SECTION ARES TASK BOOK TO SUNSET

The Florida Tri-Section Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Task Book is being retired. The three Florida Section Emergency Coordinators have agreed that the soon to be released update to the ARRL ARES Task Book and the CISA Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) Task Book will be the recognized task books for Florida ARES going forward. Individuals with completed Tri-Section ARES Task Books will retain that qualification. Those individuals who have a Tri-Section ARES Task Book opened, should proceed to complete the task book as soon as practical.

There was considerable confusion with the three task books covering virtually the same material. Many of the items identified in the Tri-Section ARES Task Book are included in the forthcoming ARES Task Book and we see no need to continue maintaining and updating the Tri-Section document. As a reminder, all ARES members are encouraged to complete a task book demonstrating your skills to operate during emergencies. You should complete the task book required by the agency you support, first. Then work on a second if you have the time and motivation.

ARES members with questions should work through their respective ARES Emergency Coordinator.  For any other questions, please contact Dave Rockwell W4PXE, our Section Emergency Coordinator at EC via email at w4pxe@arrl.net.

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JOE WALKER WD4BYK IS A SILENT KEY

Joseph “Joe” Walker, WD4BYK, became a Silent Key on Monday January 20, 2025.  Walker was 64 years old at the time of his passing.

Walker was first licensed in 1975 when he was 15 years old in Sarasota.  Walker was active in the Desoto County Amateur Radio Club, lending a hand in maintaining the Desoto Amateur Radio Club repeaters.  Walker was a active in his youth as a Cub Scout and then a Boy Scout, and as an adult in the Future Farmers of America and enjoyed the outdoors all of his life.

Walker served in the United States Air Force, in communications and eventually becoming a Green Beret.  Walker, was an electrician and a welder early in his professional career, but worked later in public service as a EMT, paramedic, and firefighter for Sarasota and Desoto Counties, retiring from Desoto County in 2011.  Walker earned a Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) in Fire Science, a Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Science and an Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, adding fire inspector, instructor, investigator and professor of Fire Science to his résumé.  Walker then served as Public Safety Director for Hardee County Board of County Commissioners, retiring from this position in 2021.

Darrell Davis KT4WX, Assistant Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section made the following comments about the passing of Joe Walker WD4BYK, “I had the pleasure of knowing Joe for around 30 years.  Joe was always passionate about amateur radio and always trying to get newcomers into amateur radio.  His finest hour that I remember was his leadership during Hurricane Irma in 2017.  I will miss him.”

Walker is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jeanne Walker, two children, and grandchildren.  There was a celebration of life, held at the Turner Agri-Civic Center (2250 NE Roan St, Arcadia, FL 34266) on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

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WX4TBW TO ACTIVATE FOR THE 2025 STATE TORNADO WARNING TEST

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the National Weather Service in Ruskin will conduct a Tornado Warning Test as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Florida. This DRILL Tornado Warning will be issued at 1000 EST as part of the weekly NOAA Weather Radio Test.

WX4TBW will be activated remotely on the NI4CE Analog Repeater System and the NI4CE NXDN Digital Repeater System on Network-Talkgroup 1299 for this test. This will be a great opportunity to test your severe weather communications capabilities. WX4TBW will issue the DRILL Tornado Warning on or about 1000 EST. Once it has been issued, please acknowledge receipt of the DRILL Warning. We would also like you to acknowledge receipt of the DRILL Warning from NOAA Weather Radio in your area.

For a list of frequencies for the NI4CE Analog and NXDN Repeater Systems, go to https://ni4ce.org.

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SECTION ARES HF NET CANCELLED FOR ORLANDO HAMCATION

The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES HF Net scheduled for Saturday February 8, 2025 at 0730 Eastern time on 3940 KHz is cancelled due to Orlando Hamcation, which will run from Friday February 7, 2025 through Sunday February 9, 2025.  Also the South Florida ARES Net scheduled for Saturday February 8, 2025 at 0745 on 3940 KHz, which is an ARES net which does a roll call of all Southern Florida Section and West Central Floirda Section counties, will also be cancelled due to the Orlando Hamcation.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES HF Net and the South Florida ARES Net will resume normal operation on Saturday February 15, 2025 at 0730 Eastern and 0745 Eastern time respectively on 3940 KHz.  All other Section nets will operate as scheduled.

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RICH KENNEDY N4ESS IS A SILENT KEY

On January 9, 2025, Rich Kennedy N4ESS, became a Silent Key.  Kennedy was 74 years old at the time of his passing.  First licensed in 1965, Kennedy had served for three years as President of the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club, was VE team leader for a number of years for the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club, and from early 2017 until early 2021 served as the ARRL Affiliated Clubs Coordinator for the ARRL West Central Florida Section.  At the time of his passing Kennedy was serving as President of the Zephyrhills Amateur Radio Club.

In his professional career, Kennedy served in the military and was a retired sheriff’s deputy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and also served overseas as a helicopter pilot.

Darrell Davis KT4WX, Assistant Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section made the following comments, “You always knew it was Rich when you saw him with his tiny little bottle of Tobasco sauce on a holder on his belt.  He always have very interesting stories to tell, and was a good friend not only to me but to amateur radio.  He contributed much to amateur radio and the service is better for it.”

For the full obituary you may go to https://www.hodgesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=34372969

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday, January 25, at Hodges Funeral Home, Dade City.  Funeral Services will take place 12:00 pm at the funeral home.

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THE ARRL WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA SECTION CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

On Wednesday January 15, 2025, the ARRL West Central Florida Section will have its 25th Anniversary of its inception.  The ARRL West Central Florida Section began operation on January 15, 2000.

In January 1999, the “West Central Florida Section Committee” was formed to foster the creation of the ARRL West Central Florida Section.  After many months of work, which included a petition that garned over 300 signatures, the ARRL Board of Directors authorized a special ballot to the members of nine counties in what was then the ARRL Southern Florida Section:  Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk, and Pinellas Counties.  The results of the special ballot was 92 percent in favor to create the new Section.  The ARRL Board of Directors approved the creation of the ARRL in October 1999.  The original section did not include Pasco County. ARRL members in Pasco County, following a similar procedure as was used in the creation of the Section, voted in favor of joining the new West Central Florida Section and became part of the Section in March 2000.  The West Central Florida Section Committee website has been archived as a historical document and can be viewed at https://qsl.net/wcfla.

An anniversary reception is being planned in December at the Tampa Bay Hamfest and a special operating event is in the planning as well to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ARRL West Central Florida Section.  There will be more details on these events as they are finalized.

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AN OPEN LETTER FROM OUR NEW SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR

The following is an open letter to all ARES personnel in the ARRL West Central Florida Section, from Dave Rockwell W4PXE, our new Section Emergency Coordinator:

“Greetings to West Central Florida (WCF) Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Members.

I am Dave Rockwell, W4PXE. Our Section Manager, Mike Douglas, W4MDD, asked me to serve as your new Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) and lead our section ARES program. I recognize this entails filling some rather big shoes. I am keenly aware that I follow in the footsteps of giants in the field of public service, some who have become silent keys and others whose personal situations led them to step aside. Many of you know me as the Section Traffic Manager and formerly as an Eagle Net Manager. Compared to many, I am relatively new to amateur radio, having been first licensed in 2012. During my 20-year military career as a communications engineer and subsequently as a contractor for over 20 years I have been directly involved with disaster response and contingency planning. I hope to bring this experience to improving our already effective ARES program.

My role as coordinator is simple, ensuring our ARES and Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) members receive the support they require from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and our section leadership. Emergency services start and end at the local level in all incidents. Our ARES members directly support various county, city, tribal, and non-governmental agencies who respond to incidents and events. Our ARES radio operators perform a myriad of duties depending on their individual qualifications and skill sets. We, the ARRL ARES leadership, do not intervene or interject ourselves into the direct support provided to our supported agencies. Each ARES member is encouraged to train continuously, achieve the required qualifications, and mentor new members supporting your responding agency.

There are a few things every ARES member should consider. First, complete the ARRL Emergency Communications training. The league has invested heavily in these training courses. The courses were developed in close coordination and with input from responding agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and many of our non-governmental partners. Keep in mind, what you learn in the courses is good to know, but it does not supplant the training required by your supported agency.

There is considerable discussion of ARES versus the CISA Auxiliary Communications (AUXCOMM) program. These are by no means mutually exclusive programs. In fact, the ARES and AUXCOMM Position Task Books overlap in many areas and require the same standard of performance. Folks ask me all the time, which program should I participate in? The answer is simple, you should complete the Position Task Books (PTB) that apply for the chair you occupy. For many of our counties, that is the AUXCOMM PTB with additional position-specific PTBs as required by your agencies. Other agencies may require you to complete the Florida Tri-Section ARES Task Book or the ARRL ARES Task Book. There should be absolutely no confusion about which task book you do first! After you meet your initial obligation, I encourage all of you to pursue additional task books as your time and energy permit. The more you know, the more valuable you become.

I encourage all ARES members to pursue emergency management training outside of the communications silo. Some task books require completion of both independent study and classroom Emergency Management Institute (EMI) courses. Do not let those be the only courses you take. While I started in emergency response as a radio operator, I pursued additional opportunities and skills (within the Coast Guard Emergency Management community), and achieved qualification as an Incident Commander, Type 3.

I find that every time I take another EMI-sponsored course, I learn new things and gain broader insight when responding to events. I hope each of you finds the same success and rewards in your studies. I look forward to working with each of you and to all, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.”

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