American Red Cross Hosts Business Before Hours

Twenty-five Chamber members and guests attended the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at the Iroquois County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Darcey Smith, Executive Director for the Chamber, began by welcoming all members. Smith noted that the Chamber is sponsoring several upcoming events and registration forms are available for each of them: Ladies Night Out, the annual Christmas Parade, and the upcoming “How To Be A Trade Show Pro” seminar. All registration forms are available at the Chamber office.

Smith, then, introduced Joan Goodwine, executive director of the American Red Cross of Iroquois County. Goodwine spoke of the many services offered through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross offers disaster relief services for emergency situations in Iroquois County. In case of a disaster emergency, the Red Cross will start a shelter, register victims at the shelter, and provide RN services at that shelter. They will also provide child care services at the shelter.

The American Red Cross provides community assistances through community services, health and safety services, military services, and the blood mobile. Goodwine spoke about the many volunteers the organization requires to carry out the services they offer. On hand were volunteers Judy Hudgens, Thelma Raymer, Shirley Roach, Sam Ripple, and Cathi VanNatta.

The American Red Cross gave away an emergency first aid kit as a door prize which was won by Dick Arie of FTH Insurance. Cheryl Bohlmann of Main Street Gifts won the Chamber’s 50/50 drawing.

Business Before Hours is a program of the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce, designed to provide networking opportunities for area businesses and organizations, as well as to help promote the community through the success of its members. For more information about Chamber activities, contact the Chamber office at 815-432-2416.

Sam Ripple – American Red Cross Volunteer of the Year

Hi Sam:

Just want to extend my Congratulations again to you—for being named “Red Cross Volunteer-of-the-Year.” Well-deserved honor.

Your knowledge and expertise in the communications field and of course, the Ham radio know-how is an absolute asset for us at WGFA Radio and for what we’re trying to do for area citizens thru the Emergency Services & Disaster Agency (ESDA). Keep up the great work, CD #3.

Carl Gerdovich
WGFA News Director
Iroquois County ESDA Director

News from the American Red Cross – ICARC Repeaters

I think that the FCC data base has our Red Cross license as WQDB331. Hope we get our paper copy in a few days and will post for all to see.

The other night in the middle of a lightning storm (Lori had to wear sunglasses) the 03 repeater went off the air. It was about 1:00 in the morning and Jerry and I were talking and then we were unable to hit the repeater? What a sinking feeling!! Of course Jerry and I tried to go simplex but could not get through to one another. We could not remember what freq we were going to goto. I have talked to Jerry and others in last couple of days and we think a good plan would be to go to 146.52 or
147.03 simplex. I think that everyone has 52 in all of their HTs or base units. I still have some crystal radios but all have 52 installed. The 147.03 simplex has the advantage of knowing when the repeater is up if we use the output of the repeater.

The Red Cross dinner was last night and we got a very nice mention and round of applause for our efforts in the communication unit. Also got a very well done certificate.

Carl, Chris, and Sam accepted the honors on behalf of all of you.

Steve and I plan to work on repeater on FRi morn about 10 am to see if we can figure out a way to get the voice id to stay off and get battery back up going. Listen on repeater and help us out if we need a signal check.

I will like to get some testing done on the 47.42 freq up and down 57. Winter storms and shelters at Ashkun, Clifton,Buckley, Onarga, Gilman up and down the interstate will be here before we know it. If we can get in from mobile I assume we could set up a quick base station.

Carl has tested south on route 1 and says works well down to Milford and Hoopston.

Remember that we will NOT have a meeting in person in Aug. Meet on the air and solve problems that way.

73
Sam Ripple
W9QKF KAE7607

2 Meter Repeater Scare – Red Cross License

We had a scare last Thursday with the 2 meter repeater–lots of interference. We think that it has been solved. The controller is still not acting right but at least range is very good.

I think that the Red Cross license is on the way. I got to talk to hams in charge of communications for the Red Cross at Dayton and next day got paperwork.

My wife and I are both retiring from our jobs on Tues and Wed for Rosie. My retirement party is one Tue and Rosie’s is on Wed night. I will not be able to be at the radio meeting this month but Steve and Carl will have a great meeting.

The 440 project is still in the works–paper works has been resubmited. Steve has most of the material for the wiring of the 220 volts.

Guy in charge of weather bureau called Mike and I other day.

Some members might like to have supper together on Wed night before meeting. Listen to repeater to arrange the event.

73 Sam

Danville Ham Operators Help The Red Cross

By: Brian Huchel

DANVILLE — Area residents easily remember the storm and straight-line winds that plowed across Vermilion County on July 13.

That day offers a perfect example of the importance of amateur radio operators, according to local ham radio operator Harry Seyfert.

“The cell phone system was pretty much gone,” he said. “That’s when we could come to play and provide the services necessary.”

The Vermilion County chapter of the American Red Cross recently realized that importance, putting together an assistance agreement during emergencies with the Vermilion County Amateur Radio Association.

Jamie Davis, disaster service coordinator for the local American Red Cross chapter, said such agreements exist in other counties and both sides talked about the setup for a while.

The radio operators’ main function with the Red Cross consists of reunifications or welfare inquiries between families and victims. “If (family members) have an idea they’re all right, that gives them some peace of mind,” Davis said.

The amateur radio association reports about 40 members, with a little more than half still active.

Local Red Cross officials approached club member Dave Leininger in the days following the Dec. 26 tsunami to help a local mother verify the safety of her son who was in Thailand.

“Anything they need, we’re willing to do,” he said.

Under the agreement between both sides, radio operators either come to the chapter office, 320 N. Franklin St., to help or travel to a particular scene, such as an area damaged by a tornado, to offer assistance.

But according to Red Cross Executive Director Carolyn Schwabauer, the radio operators could even report from their neighborhoods in times of crisis.

“They could give us a good read very quickly,” she said, noting that association members live throughout the county.

Leininger said the organization hopes to work out an agreement with the new director of the Danville/Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency. City and county officials expect to hire a new director for the agency in
the coming weeks.

Since the agreement, many of the amateur radio operators also joined the Red Cross as volunteers.

Every October the association members have situational emergency tests to stay sharp in case an emergency arises.

“We need to hone our own skills under adverse conditions,” Seyfert said.