ARRL Michigan Section Manager Dale Williams, WA8EFK, and Michigan SEC John McDonough, WB8RCR, have been working with the Homeland Security Division of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management office to align the capabilities of the Amateur Radio Public Service Corps (ARPSC) more closely with the communications needs of the state's public service agencies.

ARPSC -- Michigan's integrated ARES/RACES program -- also participates in the Michigan State Department Emergency Management Coordinators Quarterly meetings at the State EOC. It is here, Williams said, that discussion of the Public Safety communications grants are discussed and their investment justifications are detailed. "We have been afforded the opportunity to discuss Amateur Radio's involvement with communications interoperability, as well as our ability to fill gaps in disparate networks and outages. As a result of these conferences, I was asked to include a list of ARPSC's needs for the next three years."

To further that end, Williams said that they have been successful in incorporating the ARPSC program into the Michigan State Preparedness Priorities. Michigan intends to develop the ARPSC into a fully integrated communications team operating under common standards and procedures, including maintaining and enhancing the statewide Amateur Radio communications system; establishing suggested standards for Amateur Radio capabilities in local Emergency Operations Centers; and developing a public awareness and education program to bolster the
ranks of Amateur Radio participants. The hope, Williams said, is to have all of this implemented by 2010.

Williams said, "Since the early 1980s, Michigan has operated an integrated ARES, RACES and NTS program referred to as the Michigan Amateur Radio Public Service Corps. By combining the forces of these normally separate structures, these valuable resources are pulled together to form an active trained and unified organization. The SEC also holds the positions of Section Traffic Manager and RACES Radio Officer. Membership in ARPSC is open to all amateurs and is structured to allow a beginning ham to progress from an entry-level position to a RACES-qualified operator by meeting specific training milestones."

"There is no doubt that by presenting a unified organization, the Michigan ARPSC has demonstrated the effective use of resources, training and our unique capabilities so that we have become a well respected public service organization in the state," Williams said.--
ARRL Letter

This month several articles on antennas are included. As Dan Romanchik, KB6NU, points out, it is spring and amateurs thoughts tend to turn to antennas. Most of the time we erect an antenna that is familiar to us: a vertical of some sort or another dipole of some shape. Occasionally, something else comes along and we check it out. This last month Jerry, W8FOK, came in with what at first appeared to be an ancient Egyptian racing chariot. OK, here's another antenna to play with.
Of all the devices that we as hams can play with, we tend to do more with antennas than with any other aspect of radio. Probably happens as a result of actually seeing something and having a general understanding on how it works.
Probably, another reason that we get involvedwith antennas is that nice SWR meter that we all have complete(?) understanding of its meaning. Most other gadgets we use tend to be harder to understand in what is being measured .
Remember when working with antennas, you never admit that the new one is not as good as the one it replaces, especially to other hams.  And! The one time contact with that exotic foreign station proves how good the new one is. (Even though you can't get out of town with it on any other day.)
Yes it's springtime, so go forth and mount it as high and big as you can. Have a ball!

Mark Tomlonson, Chief Engineer Engineer for WMUK in Kalamazoo, has graciously accepted my invitation to present us with lecture on the workings of digital FM radio.
WMUK is the National Public Radio outlet at Western Michigan University.  NPR has digital FM transmissions in many markets around the country including our area.

Ned WB4BKO