Category Archives: Events

May 2026 Dane/Iowa County ARES/RACES In-Person Meeting

This coming week we’ll be having our last Wednesday of the Month In-Person meeting at the EOC. I’ve learned that a mesh network is being built out around the county and I’ve asked Nicholas , KB9SKW to let us know how it has been going, what kind of mesh it is, how we might get involved and I’d like us to consider how we might take advantage of it for emergency and public service purposes.

I’ve been working on some software that I think is ready to share with you all as well if we have time.

Last Month Jeremy, N9VHT walked us through the latest version of skylog.net, which is logging software we use for logging severe weather events and most of our bike events. I have uploaded a copy of his presentation here: youtu.be/MClVh029yo0

I am populating the information for Horribly Hilly Hundreds even as we speak so we can use it and take advantage of all the new features he is building in.

As usual we will meet at the Dane County Emergency Operations Center at 2982 Kapec Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53719 (fillian.net/eocmap) on Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00 pm.

If you are unable to attend there is a Google meet connection that is available. The link information went out in the email I sent along to the team email addresses. If you didn’t receive the email and would like to attend virtually let me know at k9unz@arrl.net.

Dane/Iowa ARES/RACES Nets during Field Day

During ARRL Field Day exercises this year we will be exercising the frequencies on our ARES Communication Plan. We will conduct a series of Nets starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 28. If all goes according to plan we should be done by just after 4:30. I have a document outlining the times and purposes of each net. We would like to see how we propagate both with our repeaters as well as with Simplex frequencies. If you are available on Saturday at 4 please plan on joining us.

The plan and timing as well as the ICS205 can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wNo8SmguZ6o-fQ93Kqa8Nz1hjWjqYvaIv9BUT_mBCZ4/edit?usp=sharing

Let me know if you have any questions at me@k9unz.me (k9unz@arrl.net)

73,

Jeff

Trek 100 – 2025

Trek 100 will be held on June 7, 2025. This ride starts and finishes at TREK Bicycle Corporation Corporate Headquarters, Waterloo, Wisconsin. If you can help with Communications, SAG, Pick up vehicle, sweep radio vehicle, shadow operator and other positions on that day please send an email to John, n9guu@hotmail.com.

Dane/Iowa ARES/RACES In-Person Meeting Feb 26

We are meeting in person this week at the Dane County EOC for our monthly in-person meeting. Tom Kucharski, W9TJK, who coordinates Amateur Radio volunteer communicators for the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan (https://www.weather.gov/mkx/), WI under whose umbrella we reside, will join us to describe how they work with counties in our area. When reviewing the role of Amateur radio communicators in this part of Wiesconsin one of the most frequent concerns that comes up in conversations is related to weather events. We don’t get hurricanes but we get weather which has consistently been a concern on the county and state level. We will meet both in person and virtually on Wednesday evening March 26 at 7PM at the Dane County EOC, 2982 Kapec Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53719. See below for the virtual connection information.

Please also consider these weather related events.

Connection information for In Person Meeting

We do not publicize connection information in this space. If you are interested in joining us for this event and need the connection information please email kc9unz@arrl.net and include your name and call sign.

Dark Skies Severe Weather Seminar – 2025

The Dark Skies Severe Weather Seminar sponsored by the Midwest Severe Storm Tracking/Response Center will be held this year on March 8, 2025 from 0900 CST to 1530 CST at Madison College, 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI, Room D1630. It looks to be an interesting program including Alex Harington – Chief Meteorologist, WISC Channel3000, some presentations from Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences; Director, Space Science & Engineering Center UW Madison just to name a few. You will also be able to satisfy the SKYWARN Spotter training on your ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book. For more information please refer to the Seminar website at: https://sites.google.com/view/midwestsstrc-darkskies/home

2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management & Homeland Security

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management & Homeland Security.

It will take place March 10-12, 2025, at the Oneida Hotel in Green Bay.

Find additional information on the conference website and watch for registration to later this year.

Early registration fees will be $275. Late registration will be $325.

Whether you work in communications, health, the private sector, emergency response, or homeland security, together, we can promote greater community preparedness to build a more secure and resilient Wisconsin.

We look forward to seeing you in March!