On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 14:41:51 GMT, Al wrote:

Anyone doing contacts in Port Charlotte? I have a friend there who I
can't reach. Any ideas on how this could be done?

Al
Part of the mission of the National Traffic System, which is part of
the ham radio community's emergency preparedness and operations
efforts, is to pass "health and welfare" messages in times of
disasters.

Contact a member of a local radio club about sending a radiogram to
your friend. Keep in mind that this type of message is lower in
priority than others, and that his being in an emergency shelter or
utilities being down will slow it down.

There may well be hams doing direct contacts with hams in that area,
but the last step of getting the message to your friend may be a
problem.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom