As I sat in front of my computer with echolink on and connected to The Missing Lynk System a messege comes across that a fellow ham needs help. G4WDI was suffering from a heart attack right at his home while talking on the radio. WA4VWV was chatting with James when it happened and this is an email that was sent to me directly from Steve, WA4VWV:

"James...you sounded like things were not going well...and then I got the text message that simply said "HELP"

We rallied the troops and had the paramedics dispatched to your QTH. Hope you didn't mind that friends of yours was concerned, but when I get a message that says "HELP" then be assured that I will gather every resource available to make sure it happens.

It took several folks on MissLynk to assist and gents from Indiana, Arizona and Washington were directly involved and the entire network went quiet until we were sure that assistance was on the way. Geez, talk about the spirit and intent of amateur radio. We all anxiously await positive news!

Let me know what you can, when you can. Take care and be well!

73 de Steve, WA4VWV"

Also sent in another email was an update:

"Let the record show that our good gang did, in fact, save a life. The British Army Air Corps responded and found him damned near flatlined, fired up a chopper and flew him off. Apparently he was on O2, along with CPR during the flight.

A rush trip to the ER of his local hospital brought him around and about 4:15 this AM I got the word that all is once again well. Hey guys...let's face the reality of last night. Were it not for the "system" and some heroic reactions, we might have had a Silent Key on our hands. By all means, this should be an Amateur Radio Newsline item. What a classic example of our hobby, with several people involved, quite actually saving a life of a fellow ham in a whole different part of the world. Geez, am I proud of our collective efforts! Thanks to all involved! This not to pump sunshine up our skirts, but an acknowledgement of a job well done!

73 de WA4VWV"

Just goes to show, doesn't matter what you use as a tool as long as it's for the greater good.

There is a "new kid on the block" when it comes to interfacing radios, computers, and the internet. It has been talked up in the last few months of QST (but I don't subscribe). Thankfully there is a world of information on the Net, but way too much to print in even six newsletters, so for the sake of convenience, go to http://www.winlink.org and be prepared for information overload. Basically, with a TNC, radio, and computer, you can have a text based e-mail address. (Believe me, you DON'T want to try to get the latest picture of that new grandbaby on a 1200 baud link) But the place where it really shines is in emergency response. It was used with great success in the Katrina hurricane. Considering both the potential and actual occurrences of emergencies that shut down normal communications, Winlink sounds like what the doctor ordered.

The December meeting of the SEMO Amateur Radio Club was called to order at 7:30 P.M.by President Willie Sandin. The Secretary's minutes were read and approved as read. The Treasurer reported no change in the Treasury with a total of $837.96 in the Treasury.

Old Business: The multicoupler for t he 146.865 repeater was displayed to the membership and it is to be installed as soon as the coax is ready. The surge supressors were also displayed and explained. Morris Haman asked if the equipment will work on the 440 machine. No one knew for swure but decdided it wouldn't hurt to try.

The Christmas Party is December 18th at 2:00 at Delmonicos.

The election of officers was held. Gerald Litner made a motion to accept the proposed slate and Steve Hay seconded the motion. The motion carried . The 2006 officers are: President: Willie Sandin (N0MGJ), 1st VP: John Frye (WJ0U), 2nd VP: Ernest Chiles (W0RMS) Secretary : Martha Vandivort (N0XBW) Treasurer: Irma Frye (N0JPJ)

Dave Golightly reported the directions to the club meeting have been sent to K9YP. There has been no response from Bill.

New Business: We are trying to update the current operators list. Please update youre address, phone number and e-mail address.

It was noted that the Constitution and Bylaws are out of date and in places in conflict with each other. A Committee of Gerald Litner, Steve Hay. Ernest Chiles,and John Clark headed by Willie Sandin to update and correct the Constitution and Bylaws was formed.

John Frye reminded everyone of Bob's borcotti party.

John Frye made a motion to adjourn seconded by Ernest Chiles. The motion carried and the club adjourned for social hour at 7:45 P.M.

Hello fellow amateur radio operators. I guess what I am ultimately asking here is why there has to be such a deep division among the classes and ranks of the amateur radio operators?

Folks as I look over the various bands and modes of operation allotted to us in this hobby. I can see a large and very open field for experimentation rather it be aimed towards the advancement of amateur radio it self or for personal curiosity. And I realize that with certain class of license comes new and expanded spectrum for folks to operate in.

And please believe me if I was really interested in the hf spectrum I would not be happy till I held the amateur extra license. But what I personally enjoy is the rather unique surprises that await me when the vhf and uhf bands open. There is so many interesting phenomena's that occur up here in this area.

Nothing thrills me more then the unexpected surprise of the band opening to an unknown location. By one other various factors the influence the vhf / uhf spectrum. So yes folks I am a technician class operator some say I am a no code tech. I guess that's true. If you consider I don't need to know Morse code to get this class license. But I also wonder what they call me being I use Morse code on more then half my qso's.

Now don't get me wrong here folks. I believe that amateur radio is a fantastic hobby. And I very much admire those who have reached the pinnacle of the license class.

But what I respect most is the fact. That when we can all get along and share the talents and knowledge each other with out causing any unnecessary insult's derogatory remark's.

Towards the class of the other operator.

Ok by now sounds like I am whining about myself. I will admit I am sorry about that. But what I really am talking about here folks is all the bashing you see on the sites such as this and on the radio it self. What we need to remember is we are unified by the same desire to be on the radio. To communicate with each other.

So what we are faced with here is a hobby steeped in tradition. With many hams whom have settled into there ways. And a new group of hams coming in to this marvelous hobby wish to experiment with new technologies and explore new modes. But what has sadly happened is the fact that the old school hams feel there going loose tradition. And some the new school thinks we should do away with the old school ways.

Well what I say is every one chill out. I personally am a follow that loves tradition and thinks there is nothing wrong with the old school. But I also realize that there nothing wrong with advancement either. So I say to you all can we not find a way to support both the old school and new school thinking? I think we can.

Also I like to remind you all of a couple interesting facts also. Fcc rule and that (97-1)

And it reads as.

97.1 basis and purpose.

The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles

1. Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service. Particuly with respect to providing emergency communications.

2. Continuation and extension of the amateurs proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

3. Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service through rules, which provide for advancing the skills in both the communications and technical phase of the are.

4. Expansion of the existing reservoir with the amateur radio service of trained operators technicians and electronic experts.

5. Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

And folks that last one about good will I say is most important. As if the rest of the world hears such nonsense as all this bickering has been on the bands. How our they ever going take us serious in the future. We all know the FCC is about to make new legislation soon dropping the Morse code exam. Please don't let a simple law be what divides us. Our tradition and out future are both to valuable for this. Thanks every for bearing through another poorly written and horribly spelled article. I realize I need better English and all. But I believe you all get the point.