I became interested in amateur radio during a drive back from Ardmore, OK in 2004. We had just completed SAG support for the SAM’s Club MS150 from Frisco (near Dallas) to Ardmore.
Mike Hardwick N5VCX placed an HT in my van for me to listen to for our 10 van conga line trip drive back to Dallas. I have been hooked since. I must also give a tip of the hat to Susan KB5ICO, Chuck N5GCQ, and David N5SRC.
I couldn’t wait to mimic my public service friends by purchasing an ICOM 2720 and the study material for my technician license. I was several months of listening to conversations and police frequencies before deciding it was time to take the test. The test was administered by Mr. John Moore, KK5NU, and his VE team.
My friends told me to join a club. The push to join ARES came from Mr. Dale Walker AA5DW (SK) at a Northwest Amateur Radio Society (NARS) meeting. I joined and met Mr. Ken Mitchell KD2KW, who was a member and the D14 Emergency Coordinator. He pointed me to Mr. Hal Merritt KD5HWW who was the EC for the Northwest quadrant (now unit) for Harris County. Somewhere along the way Hal dropped a W from his call.
Becoming the administrative AEC for Hal, I then was moved up to Assistant District Emergency Coordinator (ADEC) for Ken. I think it was my willingness to do the monthly reports, not my radio proficiency or equipment.
On the Monday before Hurricane Ike (Sept-2008) I became the Emergency Coordinator for D14 (Harris County). While in the foreground our response to the recovery phase was fantastic, I don’t mind telling you that I cried when the final POD was scheduled to close hoping that we had done our best for the public that we could.
The SEC’s that I have served under begin with Mr. Jerry Reimer KK5CA
Jerry Reimer KK5CA 4/1/04 to 11/5/07
Mike Schwartz KG5TL 11/5/07 to 11/30/09
Tom Whiteside N5TW 12/1/09 to 3/5/13
Jim Russell NQ5L 3/6/13 to 1/25/15
Frank Aguilar N5SSH 1/26/15 to 11/30/16
Thank you Lee Cooper W5LHC, for your confidence that our team can lead the South Texas ARES group for the next several years. We will put together a staff that supports the member’s needs, putting them in a position to be successful with their assignments.
And thank you to Mr. Mark Sloan of Harris County OEM and their partners for what may be the biggest support of all for our ARES team. Joey W5BAK, Jennifer KF5TQD for continual training and facilities, Ben K5TBN as the D14 ADEC and those unnamed that make us look good.
Regards,
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
