On Saturday Sept. 26., the EMA will be conducting an emergency exercise.  The purpose of this exercise is to simulate a disaster at the State's Regional Jail in Mercer.  This will require a coordinated effort from the Fire, EMS, Hospitals, and Amateur Communities. This will be a great opportunity to demonstrate the benifits of PACKET Radio. We will be putting a packet station at all four of the counties' hospitals and from the jail.  This will allow the jail to communicate directly with the hospital to exchange patient information and provide security information to the hospitals.
We are still working on the particulars of antennas and frequencies.  United Community Hospital has agreed to purchase a complete packet station and antenna.  I suspect that all the hospitals will have a packet after this drill.  United Community will probably not have the equipment in time, so I will be looking for 3 laptop computers/ 5 TNC's/ and mobiles.  It is nice that this is slated for a Saturday from 12 noon to about 3 pm, this opens it up to a bigger audience. I will calling you if I don't hear from you, so don't think you are the hook.  I think this will be fun as well as educational.  Did I mention lunch?  Yes, lunch will be at the Mercer Fire Hall after the drill for those who particticated.  I will be at the meeting to field other questions, comments, or complaints!

73   Dan  K3DR

FOCUS ON THE CLUB       

Next regular scheduled meeting:  Tuesday, August 24, 1998 7:30 pm.  Shenango Valley Medical Center, Farrell, PA 
Also, members of the club meet informally at the following locations/days/times ...  all are welcome, you do not have to be a member of the club  or a "Ham" to stop in and chat...
Wednesday Lunch:  Arby's, Rt. 18, Hermitage, PA, 11:30 am
Friday Dinner:  Suburban Restaurant , State St. - Hermitage, Pa; 8:30 pm; Next to the New "high-rise" First Natl. Bank office bldg.
Saturday Breakfast:  Mr Hero, Sharon-Newcastle Rd., Farrell, PA.;  8:30 am; Across from The Farrell Athletic Field.
Don't forget to check in to the  THURDSAY NITE NET on the W3LIF repeater - 145.350 (-) at 9:00 pm. 
Next VE session will be on Saturday, October 17, 1998 at the Mercer County 911 bldg. located in Mercer Pa.  Registration is at 9:00 am. with testing at 10:00 am.
Upcomming Hamfests:   NORTH COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, OCT. 25, 1998, BROOK PARK ARMORY, BROOK PARK, OH.;