Form 4 - ARES Monthly SEC Report
The following information was submitted by Jeffery Walter, KE5FGA, STX SEC for South Texas, August, 2026 at 2026-09-12 10:24:47
-
ARRL Section: South Texas
-
Month/Year: August 2026
-
Total number of ASECs/DECs/ECs appointed in section: 60
-
Number of ASECs/DECs/ECs reporting this month: 35
5.List of callsigns of ASECs/DECs/ECs reporting:
AA5AF AD5CQ K0LTB K0YA K5KYR K5LGV K5OB K5RWL K5STV KA5HIA KA5WMY KA7SSR KB5DTS KD5BJ KE5MHJ KF5OYI KI5FIZ KI5IQE KI5VKS KJ5CBL N4DDM N5MTX N5RXS N5WKM N5XJB N7FUL W0HIP W5ALE W5ATN W5MTR WA5LEE WB5UZZ WD5DAW WM5N WX5GC
18.Activity Details:
District 01
EC Fort Bend County
During the month, we were working with Fort Bend County on location and use of the AM repeaters (9) and the AM repeaters Trailers (2). We learned how to inspect them for functionality. Also, continual utilization of WinLink and utilizing the various gateways we could reach 64 users with 292 messages. On the last Monday of the month, we also completed a simplex test on the 146.88 repeater. We also met with the Red Cross to discuss the MOU for the Rosenberg location
EC Galveston County
The Community Services included continuing support for the League City EMCOMM system by 4 ARES members and continuing support for Galveston County’s EMCOMM system by 4 ARES members. As usual the Unclassified events included the Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club’s VEC test session and VE remote test sessions. We are continuing the weekly WinLink exercise to prepare for any really bad weather or event that could significantly interrupt normal communication systems
District 02
EC Polk County
Type List of events EC or County ARRL participated in Date # Hams Hr/Ham Total Hrs
12 Compiled monthly EC report for July by WD5DAW 4-Aug 1 1 1.00
5 Weekly Skywarn Training Net KE5YOW Net Control 4-Aug 14 0.42 5.88
5 No Net report sent - Information not sent from Net Control 11-Aug 0.00
5 Weekly Skywarn Training Net KJ5AWJ Net Control 18-Aug 9 0.17 1.53
5 Weekly Skywarn Training Net KE5YOW Net Control 25-Aug 14 0.50 7.00
5 Monthly Simplex Net on 146.52 KE5YOW Net Control 25-Aug 5 0.17 0.85
12 Repairs of EOC HF radio issues- replace LMR-400 coax and Install a 31-Aug 4 8.00 32.00
Different OCF Dipole 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 48.26
EC Walker County
The 147.18 WC ARES repeater is being repaired with still 15 days being possible return to air date.
WC ARES has conducted zoom meetings during August. Walker Co. OEM & CERT conducted an exercise 8-29-26. All ARES, RACES, and independent operators were invited to participate in the radio/WinLink exercise. This portion started at 10 am and concluded at noon. We did receive participation from locals and around the state. Thank you operators! Operators had the opportunity to check in via voice, RMS, P2P, and/or Telnet with NCS stations to take their calls/WinLink messaging. Approximately 30 operators did check-in via one or more of the available contact forms. The SET exercise is on the horizon. Plans ongoing for another exercise for the SET.
District 03
District 04
District 05
DEC
Area ARES / RACES personnel continue to meet and coordinate activities. Key areas: 1) Weekly - Monthly 2m-10cm Nets 2) Upgrades to the WinLink system…added capabilities such as an RMS Post Office (in Brazos Co.) and an additional WinLink node (being tested in Burleson Co.) 3) Local ECs have coordination with respective County EMC and personnel 4) upcoming joint RACES / ARES meetings, nets, and exercises 5) Hurricane / Flood preparation and follow on coordination activities.
NOTE: ARES in each County on STBY to assist as needed due to Tropical Storm Edouard. Several counties participated in both FM and HF voice Nets / also WinLink FM, HF, and P2P activities. All counties monitoring excessive rainfall and flooding potential.
Ongoing coordination, meetings, and activities are held with TDEM Region 08 & District personnel at the Rellis location.
EC Robertson County
N5RCO has moved our monthly meetings to an online format, using Zoom and other online venues for meetings and training. In person meetings will be on demand, utilized when we have a project, build or other reason to meet in person. This facilitates attendance for some members and also frees up the resources at our Volunteer FD in Franklin. We have also begun a YouTube livestream of our Netlogger session during our weekly nets on W5KVN. This is a training tool for those interested in learning to use Netlogger, and also another means of member participation. Member KJ5EFO leads this effort.
District 06
DEC
Attended the Medina County 2-meter Yagi Tape Measure event. It was well attended and everyone had a great time. 6 members successfully made their antennas and now have another “emergency” antenna if needed.
One of our local hams is moving due to health reasons. I loaned them my cargo trailer to put “donated” items and items they needed to have taken to the dump. I removed his antenna and pulled the coax up. Sad to see him leave but priorities are in the right place.
Bandera County is working on doing a set in October that will include neighboring counties from Dist. 12.
Kerr County is getting ready for SOTA Scouts on the Air in October. Should be a fun time.
EC Kerr County
- I met with both the Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator and the Kerr County TDEM Liaison Officer
EC Medina County
-
8/2/2026–ARES NET–Check-ins, general discussion, and announcements. Additional discussion centered around upcoming events: MCARC member meeting, Yagi antenna build, Stop-The-Bleed/CPR Class (TBD).
-
8/9/2026–ARES NET–Check-ins, general discussion, and announcements. Additional discussion centered around upcoming events: Yagi antenna build (8/15) and STB/CPR class will be held on 8/29 (location TBD)
-
8/16/2026–ARES NET–Check-ins, general discussion, and announcements. Additional discussion centered around upcoming events: Reviewed comments from successful Yagi build (10 builders/3.5 hours), STB/CPR class will be held 0900-1200 on Saturday, August 29, at the Medina County Public Health Office in Hondo.
-
8/23/2026–ARES NET–Check-ins, general discussion, and announcements. Patrick Kahn (KG5OMX) provided a quiz concerning ICS/NIMS course information found in FEMA IS-100, 200, 700, 800.
-
8/30/2026–ARES NET–Check-ins, general discussion, and announcements.
-
8/15/2026 --Yagi Antenna Build Class–We had ten operators who built, tuned, and used "measuring tape’ Yagi antennas. Event length: 3.5 hours.
-
8/29/2026–Stop-The-Bleed/CPR Training Class–We had four operators attend the training hosted by Ms. Trish Mechler, Chief, Medina County Public Health. Event length: 4.0 hours.
-
8/24/2026–Patrick Kahn (KG5OMX), Elwin Rozyskie (KI5VKS), and George Demick (N5GED) represented RACES and ARES teams, who were recognized by the Medina County Judge and Commissioners for their support of Operation “2026 Medina Flood”. We received certificates through the Medina County Office of Emergency Management.
The following is a Facebook input penned by Mr. Bill Lay, Assistant Fire Marshal/Emergency Manager:
"Three great groups that I have the honor and privilege of working alongside. All three are truly just a phone call away when our communities need them.
During the recent flooding event, these groups had personnel available and working 24 hours a day, helping ensure our county had the resources and support needed when it mattered most.
Their commitment goes far beyond major incidents. For our planned events, they consistently provide personnel and support to help keep our community safe and our operations running smoothly.
These organizations are truly the definition of a force multiplier. They bring highly trained, dedicated personnel to the table and are always looking for additional training opportunities to expand their capabilities and better serve this county and the surrounding areas.
I am grateful for the relationships we have built and, more importantly, for the men and women who continue to answer the call whenever they are needed.
Thank you for everything you do. It is an honor to work alongside each of you!"
- WinLink, Texas Traffic, and Texas ARES Net–Direct participation–WinLink exercises and direct participation.
District 07
DEC
Attended and Presented at 3 District 7 ARES Monthly Meetings.
LeeCARES, TCARES, WCARES
Directed planning for WCARES Emergency Preparedness Fair in City of Leander. Was part of the setup, presentation, and de-mob of Emcomm Trailer, and inside booth.
Spent time working with Glenn Meter on the re-organization of TCARES and creating By Laws
Backup NCS for a TCARES Sunday training net.
Numerous meetings and phone calls with EC’s in the District this month.
Met with TDEM CLO for Williamson County to get ARES authorized as participant in the State of Texas, TDEM, Peer Support program for deployed volunteers. Presentation will be held in Wilco in September meeting by
TDEM Section Chief.
This is an exceptional program that is new from the Texas Legislature. We get into the same program as First Responders, RACES, and other volunteer groups, as we are aligned with political divisions in the counties and cities. (OEM qualifies)
The program gives immediate support to those of our members that are affected by circumstances experienced during deployments and activations. Such as the Kendall Flood Response in 2025. This has the potential to be groundbreaking support for our members’ mental and emotional health needs.
EC Lee County
Lee County ARES members were honored to participate in the community event, “Back to School Giveaway,” organized by First Assembly of God. Lee County ARES deployed its Emergency Communications (EmComm) Trailer, whose back-door repairs and new decals had recently been completed, in support of the event. Members assisted the church’s security team by providing additional communications support to enhance on-site coordination throughout the day.
Members also welcomed the newly hired Giddings City Manager, as well as the Caldwell Fire Chief and his wife, who serves as a Burleson County CERT Director. It was an opportunity to visit with community members, explain the role of Amateur Radio in emergency communications, and discuss the importance of emergency preparedness and maintaining backup communications should conventional systems become unavailable during a disaster. We also met with the new Pastor, who was open to discussing community emergency preparedness with us after his move to Giddings.
We were also able to establish a relationship with Burleson County ARES, assisting them with their RMS station and discussing ways in which we can support each other. A couple of members successfully experimented with and evaluated an all-in-one, small go-kit equipped with an HT capable of WinLink, VarAC, and Vara FM.
We introduced fellow members and visitors on the radio net to a new training opportunity by simulating brief but intensive emergency and SKYWARN voice and digital nets using realistic scenarios designed to stimulate conversation, decision-making, and problem-solving throughout the week.
Members assisted fellow radio operators, both ARES and non-ARES members, with their radio needs and training, as well as with cyber-related preparedness issues. They also participated in numerous voice and digital training nets and in-person and Zoom training sessions, including new hardware node configuration and the Virtual National Traffic Network (VNTN). One member updated PCs software and hardware for radio field use.
CERT members participated in the Bastrop CERT meeting and training on the Bastrop County Call Center. The Call Center can be used during an emergency or disaster to take non-911 calls and provide information to the public, helping to reduce the burden on 911 dispatchers and other emergency responders.
Members held their monthly meeting, which was well attended by members and guests. Members also devoted their time to numerous tasks, including administration, reports, driving to classes and events, equipment-related activities, and other miscellaneous ARES activities.
EC Milam County
tower work still in process. 90 % completed.
EC Travis County
EC Glenn W5MTR returned from sabbatical on 8/15/2026.
The star of this month’s general meeting was Aaron Slaughter AI5KS, the TX Statewide Interoperability Coordinator. We also announced and had a discussion about Travis County ARES becoming its own non-profit.
We’re thrilled to have two new AECs: AEC Digital - Ka W5KYU and AEC Austin Runner Club Liaison - Rizzo KF5RIC. Planning began for the September City of Austin Emergency Preparedness Fair. Our activity will be getting citizens on the air. Between go boxes inside and outside the event.
EC Williamson County
District 08
EC Burnet County
HLARES has decided to participate in the annual ARRL SET this year. Our date has been established as the weekend of Oct. 23 to 25 with the formal event on Oct. 24, so we do not conflict with the Belton Hamfest. Our simulation is based on a flooding rain event similar to what we have experienced in the past 2 years in July. We are planning to set up our Command Center at the site of our new EOC using the Blanco County Emergency Communications Bus as our base. We are also planning to establish a simulated shelter, activate one hospital, and evaluate a known communications issue in the southwest part of Burnet County as part of the exercise.
We welcome 2 new members this month.
After Action Report for our July deployment at Post Oak Ridge State Park was completed and sent to all active members and our served agencies for evaluation.
September activities will focus on preparation for the SET in October. We are also in the process of acquiring some additional equipment using awarded grant funds. We also submitted another grant application and expect to have results in 10 to 12 weeks.
District 09
DEC
I attended local county-level ARES Meetings. I provided NCS for Jefferson Co. ARES 2-meter Net. I checked in to the Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin County ARES Nets. I checked in to the weekly STX ARES HF Net via both voice and WinLink. Continued planning for Public service events in September and October. Is everyone hoping for cooler weather soon? Still searching for a new EC for Tyler County.
Kirk Mahaney N5WKM
EC Hardin County
Wow, a hot dry month ends with one of the most unusual Tropical Storms that the National Hurricane Center has ever seen impacting our county and all of District 9 increasing in size wind-speed and lowering pressures while inland and then stalling near Lake Livingston dumping over 22 inches of rain in a very short time and as of this writing 9-2@2200local still raining with high water rescues and road closures Hams not able to drive out of their subdivisions all handled professionally mostly on HT’s.
EC Jefferson County
Continuing to hone WinLink skills and net check-ins with WinLink.
EC Orange County
Continued work and progress on adding the 146.060 repeater (Vidor, TX) being added to NESTxLiink System by October 2026!
District 10
District 12
DEC
Met with district ECs to discuss SET
EC Atascosa County
-
ARES Net sessions include submission of WinLink check-ins (2 x 5 voice nets, plus 1x5 WinLink)
-
Pretty consistent check-ins with Texas Traffic Net, 7290 Net, and other training net using 146.52 national simplex frequency net; Sunday STX Emergency Net check-ins.
6 & 11) 2x 1 hour meeting/training with Bexar County ARES; 10x1 meeting/training with Atascosa County ARES
- Various Atascosa County ACARC/ARES nets - HF Net, 2 Meter Net, DMR net
Not included - RACES Nets (with WinLink), RACES meetings, and coordination with GMRS nets, training for Skywarn and other training. Adding all the nets, meetings, & training, it comes to 156 cumulative events for August. This will likely become the ‘new’ normal for Atascosa County ARES.
EC Comal County
Confirmed I have very limited access to Bexar County ARES Repeater - North and no contact with South. Working with Kendall County EC to see if we might be able to build some sort of net between Kendall County and Comal County (Guadalupe River coverage). Comal County EOC is moving very slowly. After a recent Window 11 update, several applications have ceased to run and even radio software has ceased to function (all HF related). Duration has been 14 days and continuing.
District 13
District 14
DEC
Texas ARES Net (7/3,7/10,7/24,7/31)
D14 - District Meeting (Zoom/in person) (7/17) 25 Attendees (ARC)
Wide Area Net (8/30) 16 Check-ins
EC Harris-NW County
NW EC August 2026
Hosted D14 meeting at the American Red Cross.
Weekly WinLink practice and Weekly on-air Trainings.
Preparing for upcoming Community Events
EC - 4 hours updating harriscountyares.org, Groups.io, depot database.
EC Harris-SE County
- Only net sessions to report this month.
EC Harris-SW County
Unit/District/Section Activities reported elsewhere:
Type 5 (Exercises): D14 WAN, Weekly HF ARES nets, Houston Area Hospital Emergency Team Net
District 15
19.Administrative and Other Comments:
ASEC Section Traffic Manager
STX STM Monthly Report generation; NTS Traffic Nets Liaison & announcements; HLTN Net Control, D14 SW NC & BU/Training; FBC CERT Supporters Mtg; HAMOTTR Exercise Mtg Walker Co Storm Shelter; BVARC Mtg NTS Discussion; HAMOTTR Exercise; Recruitment/training/retention of NC stations, traffic handlers, ORS
ASEC Operations
Monitor groups.io
ASEC Digital
Check-in into several nets 7290 Texas Traffic Net Shares DMR Emergency net Zoom meeting
ASEC Web
Jae and I are still adding content and features to the ARRLSTX website… We need more STX Clubs to update their club info on the STX site, and we hope they will do the same on the ARRL site…
We need input… Tell us about your HamFest and Tailgate events so we can post them to the website… Tell us about your Training Events and SET plans…
SEC
Harris NW Net Control duty 8/2
Type 5 Texas ARES Net WA5LEE Net Control 8/3
Type 5 Texas ARES Net N5TRS Net Control 8/10
Type 12 SEC Monthly Report 8/12
Type 5 Texas ARES Net N5TRS Net Control 8/17
Type 5 Texas ARES Net K2WJ Net Control 8/24
Type 5 Texas ARES Net W5RRR Net Control 8/31
Type 12 Badge making for section As Needed
Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA
ARRL STX SEC
EOT
.,.,_