May 16, 2018

Net Control Station W9WMJ conducted the monthly net on the Family Motor Coach Association Amateur Radio Chapter *FMCA-ARC* EchoLink Conference Node on Saturday, May 12, 2018. The net was opened at 1200 ET [1600Z] and closed at 1258 ET [1658Z]. There were 17 check-ins logged, including Net Control. It is to be noted that four TALARC clubs [N3TAL, WF4TAL, KI6IRL and N6SJL] were represented among those who checked in to the net.

Contact with the following radio operators was logged:
W9WMJ, Marty; Greenwood, IN [Net Control Station]; MD Post 180
N6XLS, Doug; Sunnyvale, CA; Post 380
*WA3DVO, Everett; Palmer Park, MD; Post 275; TALARC N3TAL
KD6SWL, Larry; San Jose, CA; Post 380
KM6SDM, David; Lockwood, CA; Post 50
*KN4GUS, Ken; Raleigh, NC; Post 187; TALARC WF4TAL
K8DHH, John; Taylor, MI; Department HQ Post
*W4CEC, Chris; Raleigh, NC; Post 187; TALARC WF4TAL
*KC6UIS, Bob; Pacific Palisades, CA; Post 283; TALARC KI6IRL
WB5VDG, Mark; Logansport, LA;
WA2VFK, Lee; Mantua, NJ; Post 13
N6SWC, Jerry; San Jose, CA; Post 380
WG5TX, Steve; Sugar Land, TX; Post 294
N2MEP, Mike; Leonardo, NJ; Post 338
*AG6EM, Bill; San Jose, CA; Post 318; TALARC N6SJL
KD2JEC, Jude; New Rochelle, NY; Post 979
N1MN, Eldon; Mableton, GA; Post 294; relay via EchoLink text through W4CEC
*Local TALARC radio club member

Announcements were made regarding the following subjects:
• TAL Special Event Station operations on Memorial Day weekend
• Memorial Day ceremonies at Legion posts nationwide
• June 14 is the “birthday” of the flag
• Weekly 40m Net start-up in May
• Hamvention 2018 final reminder

An audio recording that featured National Commander Denise Rohan and Department of Puerto Rico NECman Angel was aired on the net. Both the commander and the NECman expressed thanks to amateur radio operators in general and to TALARC members specifically for communications provided in the immediate wake of Hurricane Maria in September 2017.
Discussion on the net was open, with comments from a few of those who checked in. Ken, KN4GUS, noted that he had just been elected president of Wake Forest Post 187 TALARC, call sign WF4TAL. Ken further noted that the 7 members of the club were active in community service projects in the Wake Forest, N.C., area. *** Dave, KM6SDM, reported that he and other amateur operators in his area were working with a group assisting a 200-mile charity bicycle event. Dave also is planning to attend a local flea market where, along with a Legion Riders unit, he will recruit Legion members as well as members for TALARC and ALR. *** Chris, W4CEC, relayed a message from amateur radio Volunteer Examiner Elden, N1MN, of Mableton, Ga., who was in the middle of conducting amateur radio testing for the Technician level at Post 294 at Powder Springs, Ga. *** Jude, KD2JEC, noted that he has preliminary plans to conduct an amateur radio special event station from the area of the Veterans Day Army/Air Force football game to be played at the Military Academy at West Point. *** Steve, WG5TX, reported that there were several amateur radio operators who are members of his post and that they are considering formation of a TALARC club.

General discussion ended about 1230 hours ET. The net remained open for late check-ins until 1259 ET [1658Z].
Submitted by Marty, W9WMJ