Gail,  Who is or was  the yl by the name Darlene  that was on the nets from the northwest here?  I recall big bear hugs at Milton Freewater and other hamfests much to my wife's and than girlfriends consternation.  She got over that or has for 29 plus years grin.

thank you!

BRETT K WINCHESTER  PM  KD7JN   VOLUNTEER & READING SERVICES MANAGER
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>>> gale conard <[log in to unmask]> 11/18/03 11:35PM >>>
Yes, I handle some traffic.  Most of it is relayed from one handler to
another, since there is not much traffic coming directly into my area.

I am currently Net Manager for the FARM net (which, by the way, has nothing
to do with agriculture).  It is a part of the NTS.  I also serve as NCS, at
least once a week,  for that net and the Idaho Montana Net, a cw net
affiliated with RN7.

I am a regular on several other nets in the western states.  It seems that
the number of net members is increasing, but the number of traffic handlers
is diminishing.  Too many members just check in to keep their place on the
rosters, and disappear, or find excuses to refuse, when traffic is offered.

I agree that learning to deal with traffic correctly, and efficiently is
important to ham radio.  Situations is which ham radio may be most valuable,
are those where e-mail is impossible, because the internet no longer
functions.

73,
Gale
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