TALARC president's message (December)

Veterans Day Special Event Ops: BRAVO-ZULU
The old salts among us will remember from their Navy service the term "Bravo-Zulu." If you were a seagoing sailor, you likely saw those two signal flags hoisted when your ship was underway. If you were below decks in the radio room, you likely heard those words through your headset. It was, and still is, the Navy's way of saying "well done" to other ships or persons for outstanding performance, individually or collectively. With that explanation, I offer a hearty Bravo-Zulu to everyone who participated in The American Legion Amateur Radio Club's Special Event Operations on Veterans Day 2014. To those who aided W9L's on-air activities with relays, to those who worked the positions from the Headquarters radio room, and to the 375 ham operators we logged that day, goes a snappy right-hand salute of respect and admiration for your participation. Bravo-Zulu, all.
Prior to the SE we asked TALARC members to send us photos of their operations when working W9L on that day, as we've done in the past. This time, we also asked for video from those who had that capability and I, for one, am sure glad we did. Larry, WD0AKX, in Albert Lea, Minn., did an absolutely superb overview on the who, what, why, when and where of special event operations, to include his "live" communication with W9L. Frankly, those of us at HQ couldn't have scripted a better video to explain it all. It is the perfect "media package," and I commend its review to each and every club member. It is posted on YouTube at http://youtu.be/lK4BE4A9xcM, with the title "Working Ham Radio Special Event Station W9L American Legion Veterans Day."
There are a good number of comments under the video that range from appreciation for Larry's media abilities to the impressive station layout he operates. There are a few comments, too, about TALARC in general with notes of surprise that the Legion does such things. Comments like that are great to hear/read. It's good for the Legion and it's good for ham radio. Win-win, for sure. To Larry: BRAVO-ZULU, sir, for your outstanding work. We all appreciate it, greatly.
We would greatly appreciate, as well, any TALARC-related videos/photos for posting on the club website. Send them to k9tal@legion.org.
One last reminder: if you were able to reach W9L on Veterans Day 2014, but haven't requested a Special Event Certificate, you can do so by sending a LARGE SASE to The American Legion Amateur Radio Club, 700 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
TALARC article in Legion magazine
Amateur radio and The American Legion Amateur Radio Club will be featured in the March 2015 issue of The American Legion Magazine, which should be in your mailbox in mid- to late February. With a circulation of over 2.3 million, our hope is that it inspires more members of The American Legion Family to consider getting licensed and joining TALARC.
Our club is also prominently featured in the new American Legion publication "Disaster Preparedness and Response for American Legion Posts." You can download a copy at http://www.legion.org/publications/160967/disaster-preparedness-guide. To get a hard-copy booklet, email your request to pr@legion.org.
Nets - Nets – Nets THIS IS NET WEEKEND FOR TALARC
The monthly 20 METER American Legion Amateur Radio Club Net that meets the second Saturday of each month with net control Bill, KI0CW, runs on or about 14.280 MHz. The net is held at 1800 Zulu.
The monthly 40 Meter Net that has been on hold returns Sunday, Dec. 14 and every second Sunday of each month after that. It will be held on 7.243 MHz, 1700 EST (2200Z) or immediately following the Drake Technical Net. Terry, KE6RWB, will be net control from Phoenix.
TALARC's IRLP/Echolink Net is gaining momentum and continues to grow. It is held the second Saturday of each month at 1400 EST (1900Z). To add Echolink operability, we’ve moved to IRLP Channel 9735. For Echolink users, you may connect using conference call sign *CROSSRDS* (aka 99735.) Until we find a volunteer net control for a 10 meter net, the IRLP/Echolink Net is perfect for all Technician-class members to check in and participate in TALARC ops.
SPECIAL NOTE: Mark, W2UIS, in Wallkill, N.Y. (Post 1034), is hoping to establish a D-STAR Net for TALARC digital voice mode fans. He will be calling "CQ TALARC" at 2100 EST (0200Z), Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, on Reflector 001C. The initial objective is to determine if there is an interest for this net among American Legion ARC members. If there is, a regular schedule will be established. Fire up your Dongles, DVAPs, Hot Spots or local D-STAR repeater, link to Reflector “One Charlie” and join the net.
Regional Nets: TALARC members are encouraged to consider holding local and regional nets at times and bands convenient to members. Just drop us a line and let us know your schedules – we will post them on the national TALARC webpage.
Member email addresses
If you know of members who have not been receiving TALARC updates by email, it may be that we don’t have their correct email address on record. If they have any doubt, or want to get on the TALARC email distribution list, or if their email address has changed since they joined TALARC, please ask them to send us their new email address so we can update our database and ensure that they receive the latest club information.
Send changes to k9tal@legion.org. Let us know also if their – or your – snail mail address has changed.
TALARC Forum
Be sure to check out and use the Ham Radio Forum on the TALARC website. It’s a great online community center, where you can get tips and ideas on getting TALARC active at your post and get other TALARC-related comments from hams around the world. Just go to www.legion.org/hamradio and click on Ham Radio Forum.
This being my last message for 2014, I want to ask everyone to look at their Legion membership card to be sure it is current, so that you can remain a bonafide member of The American Legion Amateur Radio Club and be counted among our 2,061 members.
To each of you, and to your families, all of us at TALARC National HQ wish you the warmest of Season's Greetings and the highest of hopes for good fortune and good health in the coming year.
73,
Marty Justis, W9WMJ
President, TALARC
Indianapolis, IN
December 2014