2009 7290 TRAFFIC NET PICNIC SUMMARY

The 39th annual 7290 Traffic Net picnic was held at the Riverbend Park in Smithville, Texas with 72 people attending the 4 PM BBQ with several more coming for just the afternoon.

The 2009 7290 Traffic Net Picnic was dedicated to James “JR”Aaron K5SUB from Orange, Texas who became a silent key on March 25,2009

We were honored to have the ARRL West Gulf Division DirectorDr. David K5RAV and the West Gulf Division Legislative Action Chairman John KE5ESX. They gave us some very interesting information.  Also in attendance and speaking was Ray N5NAVthe South Texas Section Manager and Mike KG5TL. 

Other Net Managers in attendance and speaking were Lou WA5LOU Manager of the Texas Traffic Net who presented certificates to their net controls, Rodney W5DY Assistant Manager of the Texas CW Traffic Net who presented the Pfeiffer Pfist Award  to Pat KD5TXD, and  Chuck AA5J Manager of  the Texas Slow net.  Unable to attend were Robert KG5YK manager of the Central Gulf Coast Hurricane Net and Sam WA5DTY manager of the DaytimeTexas Traffic Net.

Items discussed at the 7290 meeting were:

• Treasurer’s report
• Introduction of the net officers
• Introduction of the net controls and alternates
• Next year’s 40th picnic.  One idea that was suggested is to have a special event station with a certificate that could be issued
• How to generate more traffic for our net and others.

A group of about seven ladies went to Bastrop for a shopping and craft event.  They reported having a good time.

Friday night 13 of us met at Nancy’s Steak House for dinner. 

The Whitney Nugget, which is our Ham of the Year award, was presented to Joe Kallina K8KP for all his dedication to the net and Ham radio this past year.  Congratulations Jody.

Charlie W5GKH has been our unofficial photographer over theyears and has several big albums of pictures from past picnics.  He has donated those to the net and they will be passed down to the Net managers as they change and brought to future picnics.

The BBQ was good again this year.  In addition to the brisket and chicken, the group consumed 10 gallons of Tom’s home made ice cream, a cake, two pecan pies, two dozen donuts, two trays of brownies, a case of water,  several packs of soft drinks, coffee and tea. 

 Each lady in attendance was presented with a carnation in honor of mothers day.

This year’s list of Silent Keys was read by Ray N5NAV. 
Garland K5VY did a tribute to W5ZIN and Aris KB5RXS did a tribute to JR K5SUB.

I would like to thank several for their help in making this a fun time.

Archie WB5NCK WhitneyNugget Chairman

Tom W5UFO for his icecream

Norman AD5EF for thegroup picture and calling the net from the park

Aris KB5RXS (Lucky’s KA5SUR better half) for leading the ladies outing

Charlie W5GKH for donatinghis photo collection of past picnics to the net

All those that brought deserts

And

Those very generous folks that sent money to the treasury

I would like to thank everyone that attended and I certainly hope everyone had as good a time as I did. The weather was prefect except for being too hot but at least no storms. 

Jo Ann KA5AZK

7290 Traffic Net Manager