Page 6 - 1998-99 AMA Winter

to SSgt Steve Willson and Capt Andy Parsons for bringing this to fruition - these radios represent a most valuable AMA asset.
MEETS & AREA REPS
SSgt Tim Bird took over from Maj Duncan Strutt: vve thank them both for helping to maintain momentum. A total of 12 meets were planned, with 10 taking place from Scotland to Pembrokeshire and the South Coast. Attendance at most was, sadly, on the whole poor, perhaps due in part to poor weather and winter conditions. Suggestions for encouraging greater participation are welcomed. The meets list for 1998/99 was in the last news letter, for the latest information contact the Meets Co-ordinator. All members are encouraged to look out for and support these meets. Four new Area Reps were recruited, covering Northern Ireland and Colch­ ester, and giving support in the South East and in Germany. Any­ one interested should contact the Meets Co-ordinator. Clearly much more activity takes place than covered by Meets and Area Reps. There may be scope for less formal meets to be advertised through the AMA Web page, as well as in the Newsletter. JSAM this year was quieter than usual, with relatively few attendees due to the late notice. JSAM 99 will be in the Bemese Oberland, while JSAM 2000, possibly based in Chamonix, will be the AMA’s turn to run, so an AMA leader is needed.
SPORTS CLIMBING
For the 5th year running, the AMA has undertaken the organisa­ tion of the Army Sports Climbing Competition, masterminded byr Capt Paul Edwards and W02 Mike Smith. Some 120 competitors from both regular and territorial units took part, with a rank range from private to brigadier. The event was planned to be financial­
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ly self-supporting: in fact, it showed a small profit. Overall, the championships were considered to be successful. The AMA intends to organise the 1999 competition at the “Rock Face”, Birmingham, on 7 May 1999, when more publicity will be given to the photo competition. The status of sporting aspects of climbing, as viewed by the Army, is still being debated.
JOURNAL
The Journal continues to be a high quality publication. Grant recipients and others are submitting more reports, but articles are always needed. The twice-yearly publication in the Summer and Winter will continue. SSgt Steve Willson is now the Editor.
NEWSLETTER
The Newsletter continues to act as an important means of com­ munication for the AMA. It does, however, take time to prepare, with difficulties of delays to submissions of articles, compilation, photocopying, collection and distribution, all conspiring to pre­ vent publication until about one month after committee meetings. Efforts are being made to speed up the process.
PUBLICITY
A revised Recruiting Leaflet has been produced. The Internet site was recently updated, but further revisions are due soon.
SUMMARY
The AMA remains very active in many areas, despite numerous other commitments, and it has a reasonable financial base to pro­ vide support. I would like to record my thanks for the work of Committee Members who find the time and energy to assist in the running of the AMA.
AMA Expedition Radio Set
The AMA has recently purchased a set of radio equipm ent
for use by its members and others. The set consists of four hand held Motorola GP68 VHF sets, one GM350 VHF base station, solar panels, video battery charger and all the ancillar-
ies. This service has been provided by the AMA from the con­ tributions you make as members of the association, therefore
the equipment is yours and you should make full use of it.
The set has been tested in Europe, South America and Nepal.
The hand sets provides a good line of sight service up to 5km
and more with the base station’s 25W output. The set, or part
set, is available by booking it through the Journal 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 between £50 for part of the set to £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 773 4355 or Civil 01748 874355. Please make use of this kit!
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Aqueduct Mill, Tame Street, Stalybridge. Cheshire, SK15 1ST
Tel 0161 338 3046. Fax: 0161 338 7956 E-mail: mail@bendcrete.com
Army Mountaineer