Here in the southeast, life is slowly returning to normal. The exception is those hit hardest by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These hurricanes are a stern reminder that none of us are immune to the effects of severe weather.
I’ve just completed my first year of retirement which is a round about way of saying I am not young anymore. These hurricanes caught me in the middle of other commitments that precluded me from going to help out. I felt the longing to go. I train pretty regularly for just such an instance. However, times change, things change, and some of the things I do now may be better done at the home QTH than out in the field. Over the years, I have become a pretty good NCS or Net Control Station. Much like playing an instrument, it takes practice to become proficient. There are not many NCS’ out there. The only path to becoming a good NCS is to be an NCS. YouTube cannot help you.
I may still have a few deployments left in me. I still like to take my radios camping a couple of times a year. This year I didn’t get to go out as much as I like. That and I have had a shift back towards EmComm. I am concentrating my efforts in the southeast United States or FEMA Region 4. In addition to ARES and AUXComm, I am involved with US Army MARS and SHARES. I also help with the SouthEast Emergency Network (SEEN). I’ve always had a penchant to serve, and I do so through radio communication. I have been doing a lot of digital modes, maintaining proficiency so I can get traffic through when needed. As Hurricane Helene proved, High Frequency (HF) radio communication is still needed in an emergency. CW for now has taken a back seat. Hopefully, I will get back to that.
Don’t wait for bad things to happen before you decide to “help”. On several deployments I have had an operator come up to me with a broken radio saying something like: “If you can help me fix this, I can help.” Don’t be that guy. Get your act together now. Get your gear together now. Be proficient in your skills. The next time a bad thing happens, you may be the most experienced guy. People who really need help, may be depending on YOU! 73 de Scott
KK4Z 