I’M A HAM (Wednesday 9/23/09)

I am an ‘official’ net controller for the Amigo Net. This particular net is a single sideband (SSB) mariners net to help sailors with weather. Don Anderson on 'Summer Passage' is a SSB/HAM weather man in Oxnard, CA who volunteers his time and knowledge at scheduled frequencies/times to help vessels at sea negotiate weather patterns that develop.

This year is an El Nino year and Jim and I expected to have some hairy weather here in the Sea. Hurricane Jimena has been the only scare. We're close to Don Juan, a well known hurricane hole where it is safe to anchor during tropical storms and hurricanes. However, during Jimena, we hoofed it up to Bahia Willard instead due to there being so many boats anchored in Don Juan.

I am scheduled at 1400 Zulu every Saturday morning for the Amigo Net. I collect and document any emergency or medical traffic info, boat names and locations, any general announcements or QST's, and then Don comes on to deliver the weather. Usually, I have great reception and can copy Don well. Last Saturday was an exception... AND a fiasco. No one could hear Don’s weather, no one could relay for me, I was at a loss... what can you do? At any rate, I guess being net controller is something I can put on my resume... if I ever decide to go back to work again. ;)