It was great to see many of you at the Austin Summerfest this weekend!   A good percentage of our DECs and ASECs attended a productive lunchtime Senior Leadership meeting over lunch and the ARRL and ARES forums were well attended.

Here are some highlights from the ARES Forum:

- Alan Shuff W9ON EC for Harris NE did a moving presentation on what it was like as a MARS communicator in Haiti just after the earthquake.

- Jim Russell NQ5L ASEC for Task Force Operations did a brisk update on Task Force progress over the last year and described Task Force and Communications Coordination Group (CCG) functions.   A huge amount of progress has been made since the last Summerfest when all this was really just being formulated.

- Richard Driscoll KD5URB ASEC for Digital proved how fast he can talk with a brief Winlink overview.  Richard needs inputs from across the section on Digital activities to bulk up the newsletter he has been putting out.

- Dallas Mellichamp KD4HNX ASEC for the Website did a quick advertisement for the website and emphasized how easy it is to add articles to the site.

- I announced the formation of the non profit "Texas Amateur Radio Emcomm Fund".  This organization has applied for 501-3C status and will emphasize raising money for amateur radio projects not benefitting a specific area.  The impetus for creating the Texas Amateur Radio Emcomm Fund was the need to cover the greater than $6000 expenses being born by individual and local organizations to purchase gear needed for the Rapid Response Task Forces and the fund will be overseen by the Texas Section Managers and will absolutely minimize organization overhead expenses.   West Gulf Director Dr. David Woolweaver K5RAV pledged $100 on the spot for the fund - thanks David!  It is hoped that many individuals contributing small amounts like $5 can really make a difference.

On a different topic, Section Manager Lee Cooper W5LHC sent along this link: http://www.arrl.org/ares-anniversary celebrating ARES 75th birthday.   Check it out.

Stay cool and keep an eye on the Gulf!

73, 

Tom Whiteside

ARRL South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator