FAIRS directors David (KK4WW) and Gaynell Larsen (KK4WWW) are recently home from a mission trip to the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica. They were accompanied this time by grandson Dustin Thompson- a first mission trip and his first time flying! The group carried large suitcases stuffed with medical and school supplies, shoes, clothes, and items requested by program leaders who carry out work on the island which is supported by FAIRS. After taking time to activate a phone and organize ...

The days are going by very fast and each one is a busy one with projects. Here is some of the past two days.. Assisting with Medical Supplies The Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service (FAIRS) has bring medical supplies to the clinics in Dominica for years. The main hospital has also been on our list and many times we help furnish surgical and other supplies . Their is always a shortage of supplies and even simple things like Tylenol, Aspirin are always in short supply.  Things l...

Today (2/23/14) we donated a new Apple iPad computer  to the Dominica community of Bioche to help raise funds for repairs at the fishing village and start up of sustainable agricultural projects.  Bioche is a small fishing village of about 200 on the North West coast of Dominica. I am normally discussing vintage computers here on the blog but this project is part of a mission visit representing "The Foundation Amateur Radio International Service"  (FAIRS).   My wife Gaynell and I represent FAIRS...

On October 19th, we were a host location (one of several in the region) at Floyd Community Amateur Radio Station to a Simulated Emergency Test held from 9am until noon.   The test emulated weather conditions that occurred during the Flood of 85 which was a result of Hurricane Juan and a low pressure system that combined.  The ground had been saturated by four days of rainfall prior to the arrival of the major rainfall.  The hardest hit areas were the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas.  Th...

Gloria Walsh of Love One, Teach One Foundation has begun another session of the after school help program after a busy summer with the LOTO children. The Love One, Teach One Foundation is geared toward underprivileged children in Roseau, Dominica. See link for more information about the non-profit organization, to view pictures, and to read detailed updates at http://www.facebook.com/pages/LOVE-ONE-TEACH-ON-FOUNDATION-INC/118591084826493?ref=ts

First weekly meeting of amateur radio club N4FCH at Floyd County High School - now making its into the second year! The club meets weekly on Thursdays, after school, and many special events and training toward amateur radio license have taken place. FAIRS has given monetary support and time as volunteers to the club. Annemarie Radke, instructor at FCHS, continues as our sponsor, Tom King, president of FARS is club coordinator, and Secretary of FAIRS Dee Wallace is youth services coordinator for ...

Russ Abbey (KG4MAV) and Tom King (W4VZH) headed up the project to run coax and install a 2 meter antenna at the high school. This was in anticipation of our move of station N4FCH to room #301 at Floyd County High School. With the help of Steve KC4VJA, Mark KK4TAH, and Don KE4UGF the work was completed in a few hours. In addition, a digital voice recorder was installed at the repeater site (school board location) – it only needs to be programmed. The antenna will be raised another day due to rai...

Floyd Amateur Radio Society (FARS) offers a number of functioning laptop computers by program entitled “LAPTOPS ON LOAN." These are loaned for use by high school students of Floyd County who show interest and need by the process of application. This program was initialized by FARS president Tom King (W4VZH), who was aware of a need by area students to have laptop computers to assist in studies and to fulfill school and college pursuit obligations. Selected recipients of these computers will h...

Clement James (J73CI), of Dominica, informs that 2 new battery banks are needed for repeaters at Haut Jean and Haut Fraser. FAIRS made arrangements to pay for the batteries and shipment has been made.

Tens of thousands of dollars of food are being distributed by Plenty! each month to people in our community here in Floyd, Virginia. For the month of June, as an example- In-Kind donations to Plenty! (food): $10,026.95 Food distributed by Plenty!: $10,980.80 Pickups at the Plenty! Food Bank: 61 appointments Portable Produce: 376 deliveries Wednesday Free Lunch: 125 meals served For more information about Plenty! and its projects, visit their website: http://www.plentylocal.org/