Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (C)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Nov 11 2022 13:16:12

ELMERS ORGANIZE TO HELP CANADA'S NEWBIES

JIM/ANCHOR: In western Canada, a growing number of hams have discovered 
that the most effective way to transmit to other hams doesn't necessarily 
involve being on the air. Andy Morrison, K9AWM, has that story.

ANDY: In Calgary, Alberta, a group of enthusiastic mentors has begun 
tackling the ongoing mystery of the vanishing newbie - the candidate who 
studies for and passes the Canadian Basic certification. That same ham then 
moves on to an Advanced licence, attends some club meetings but soon tapers 
off radio-related activity within that first year. It is a recurring 
pattern of loss that Jerry Spring VE6TL and others in Calgary believed they 
could help stop.

Jerry told Newsline [quote]: "This pattern continued for years until a few 
of us Elmers got together and figured out what was missing." That's when 
they formed a dedicated team of Elmers known as SASTAR. SASTAR stands for 
Southern Alberta Support Team for Amateur Radio. Compiling a list of the 
latest newbies, the team reached out to reduce what Jerry calls the 
"culture shock" experienced by new licence holders: the antenna regulations,
the different modes and their own puzzling equipment needs. The Elmers of
SASTAR organised and reached out via personal contact methods that included
Zoom and groups.io which added extra appeal for the youngest among the
newbies.

Jerry said: [quote] "Suddenly, we started seeing/hearing a lot more people 
on the air.  Some even decided to learn CW and take to the HF airwaves even 
though they hadn’t considered these things before. The same thing happened 
with fox hunting, SOTA and Field Day." [endquote] In fact, some now 
volunteer as SASTAR Elmers too.

The enthusiasm is spreading to the Atlantic provinces, where APSTAR was 
born with the help of SASTAR. Prince Edward Island amateur George Dewar, 
VY2GF/VY2PLH, is replicating this proven method with Elmers in that region 
with guidance from Jerry, and Pat, VE6PDS. George may not be the last one 
to extend the experiment either. Jerry said he's already had inquiries from 
a friend in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Stay tuned.

This is Andy Morrison, K9AWM.

(JERRY SPRING, VE6TL)

**

DISASTER-RESPONSE STARTUP LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

JIM/ANCHOR: Just as the word Anemoi (Anna Moy) signifies the mythical Greek 
gods of the four winds, a new effort known as Anemoi Incident Response is 
looking to provide communications and assistance to all corners of the 
United States when disaster strikes. As it grows from its Arkansas 
location, the not-for-profit conducting a nationwide recruitment action, a 
multifaceted outreach that includes amateur radio operators. Dave Parks, 
WB8ODF, has those details.

DAVE: Colleen Udell, president of Anemoi Incident Response, said the 
organization received its nonprofit status in May but its origins go back 
much further with the veteran responders who created it. Anemoi's component 
teams include AUXCOMM, weather spotters, ground crew, social media and 
dispatch. Colleen told Newsline [quote] "We all have plenty of years of 
disaster relief experience and wanted to find a way to utilize 
communications to complement what is going on with all these other disaster 
relief organizations." [endquote] The other assistance groups include ARES 
and nongovernmental organizations that step in during a crisis. Colleen 
said Anemoi is as much a safety net for these NGOs as well as for the small 
communities that sometimes fall between the cracks in a crisis because they 
lack a robust response team or any plan at all.

AUXCOMM team director Thomas Sarlitto, KD9JSA, is based in Illinois and 
assistant AUXCOM director Paul Falk, KO4KXV, is in Florida. Anemoi hams can 
live anywhere in the US, just as the group's stormchasers are scattered 
throughout the US. Tom said that portable repeaters are in the works for 
UHF/VHF radios and non-amateurs can eventually be deployed using GMRS and 
business radios.

If you have skills that you think can be put to good use in helping, visit 
their website myanemoi dot org (myanemoi.org). That's anemoi, spelled A N E 
M O I

You'll find a link to an application form, and a reminder on their home 
page that [quote] "there's no shortage of ways to give back." [endquote]

This is Dave Parks, WB8ODF.

(ANEMOI)
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7)

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