07/03/2006 | W2MPX METROPLEX AND RAMSEY OEM JOIN FORCES

The Metroplex Amateur Radio Club, a New York City Metropolitan Area repeater association and the Ramsey, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management collaborated for a fourth year in a row to run a 5F station from Ramseys Emergency Operations Center. Once we came indoors from the inclement weather, having erected our antennas and started our generator, we would be high and dry for the 24 hour duration, commented Tom Bennett, W2TAB, Metroplex President.
Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF, Hudson Division Vice-Director, addressed the group and thanked them for the support they have given. Mayor Richard Muti and Councilmen Art Nalbandian and Andrew Siemsen had authorized the use of the Municipal Building and participated in the opening ceremonies by issuing a proclamation and welcoming the group to Ramsey. Ramsey OEM Coordinator Michael Adams, WA2MWT, Deputy Coordinator Bruce Greenwood, K3OEM, and Police Lieutenant Mark Delhauer, KB2ZQU, also welcomed the group.
Adams, who along with Greenwood, is a member of MARC, told the group, Although we do not have to use temporary antennas and emergency power, we will be using both, to demonstrate our flexibility. RACES Officer Lou Janicek, N2CYY, a member of MARC, and OEM staff member John Acovino, KB2VVO, Vice-President of MARC, conducted tours for visitors who were members of the Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT).
The radio rooms brand new ICOM 746 PRO was used for the first time and performed flawlessly. The EOC also operates a Kenwood TS50, an ICOM IC910 and an Alinco DR 150. It was nice having a Davis Weather Station and a Meteorologix Weather Station in the radio room, commented Secretary Walter Lange, AE2AA, We notified, via VHF radio, the A station field day sites in the area and gave them updated weather forecasts. -- WA2MWT