Page 5 - 2000 AMA Millenium

EDITORIAL
By SSgt Steve Willson
Yet again the festive season is upon us and it is time for the Journal to hit your coffee tables. This special edition has been complied in a way that will give an overview of the AMA's life so far. In THE beginning, by Bronco Lane, tells us of early days of military mountaineering when the tactical relevance was still to the fore. Later in the Journal Tim King tells us of his personal feelings during the successful 1976 Everest expedition that saw Brumie Stokes and Bronco Lane stand on top of the World Near the end of the Journal Martin Bazire, our Vice Chairman, takes stock of the AMA today and also dares to look to the future to see how the AMA will cope with the next millennium. Interspersed between these milestones are accounts of outstanding mountaineering adventures that you have been involved in. Two of the most memorable must be the Northern Summits and the very successful Himalayan Dragon. I hope you enjoyed sharing the experiences of other climbers.
As we near the count down to this special New Year’s celebrations I would also like to mention the end of another era in the life of the AMA. Allison Willoughby, our Membership Secretary, has been a focal point for the AMA for many years. In the periods when we were all off around the World doing Army things’ she kept the AMA's feet on solid ground. I personally, through my involvement with the committee, have a great deal of respect for the work Allison has done on all our behalves and I do not believe that we would be as strong an organisation as we are today without the contributions she has made. I wish my friend Allison all the best in her retirement and thank her for being the star that the modern AMA has formed around.
It only leaves me to wish you all the best of luck in the next millennium and fun celebrating in whichever way you choose. I, myself, will enjoy my two cans! That is jerry cans in Kosovo. What ever you get up to please let the other members of the AMA share your climbing exploits by penning me an article for the Summer 2000 journal. I look forward to hearing from you!
AMA Expedition Radio Set
The AMA hasrecently added to its radio equipment by purchasing four more hand held VHF sets for use by its members and others. The equipment available to hire now consists of eight hand held Motorola GP68 VHF sets, one GM350 VHF base station, solar panels, video battery charger and all the ancillaries. This service has been provided bythe AMA from the contributions you make as members ofthe association, therefore the equipment is yours and you should make full use of it. The set has been tested in Europe, South and North America and Nepal. The hand sets provides a good line of sight service up to 5km and the more with the base station’s 25W output. The set, or part set, is available by booking it through the Publications Editor, Steve Willson, with the
following conditions.
1.The radios must be insured by the expedition for the replacement cost.
2. A hire fee, to cover maintenance and renewal, of £50 for part of the set or £100 for the whole set paid to the AMA on collection.
3.The expedition must book their own frequencies through which ever country they are visiting and then inform the radio manager to program the radios prior to collection.
The equipment is very good and it will improve the command and control of any expedition not to mention the increased safety cover. If you have any questions about the radio set or its availability please give Steve Willson a call on Ripon military 4384 or 01748 874384, or by fax on 4296. Please make use of this kit!
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