MARCO Grand Rounds for August 3, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will reflect on a new trend taking place with an outfit called "Any Lab Test Now." This fast growing direct to consumer will by-pass the doctor when the patient requires lab testing.

The concept is legal because the company contracts with physicians in the states it does busines, to sign off on all the tests. All it requires is one venipuncturer and a store front. The blood is then transferred to legitimate labs and results are sent out the next day. Price for lab testing drops about 30% + does not require a doctor visit. Franchise? Only $30,000.

Tune in--another shocker--is it good or bad?

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 13, 2008

Sorry for the late posting. I was on the road.
-KM2L

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will snore our way through SLEEP APNEA #2. We had a lot of fun with it last week, it should be better this week...since all you fellows are sound sleepers! 10 a.m. Sunday, 14.307.

MARCO Grand Rounds for July 6, 2008

Sorry for the late posting - I was on the road.
-KM2L

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday, as requested, we will talk about SLEEP APNEA. We almost all SNORE so we are all possible victims of this noisy disease--GASP!

Tune in, should be fun, 14.307, 10 a.m EDT.

The deadline for our Newsletter Aether is coming up for the August edition. If you want to contribute, get it in the mail pronto. Still haven't received CANADA NEWS from Bob VE3OQM. Bruce KM2L is on vacation so I have improvised his "20 years ago in MARCO" column. Danny crossed the press time ribbon okay.

Anything you want to sell or buy? Send to Marco, P.O. Box 127 Indian Rocks, FL 33785.

MARCO Grand Rou nds for June 22, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "Metabolic Syndrome." Over 30% of adult Americans have it and don't know it--until--they suddenly become aware when a prominent newsman passes. Did he have Metabolic Syndrome? Do you and I have it? What can we do about it?

This is a tough nut to crack. Instead of correcting a mistake, most just keep on making it worse. Soon 51% of Americans will have metabolic syndrome and then it will become "normal" because "normal" is the behavior of the majority! Then we will start treating abnormal (healthy) people who are not sick thinking we are doing the right thing.

What a mess--yes, even dogs get it--bow wow!

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 15, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion of the GAMMA KNIFE. This is an amazing device that is changing neurosurgery. It is limited however to the brain and neck.

Tune in, should be fun

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 8, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will follow through on the Kennedy brain tumor story by discussing THE GAMMA KNIFE. This will be an update from the lecture on July 20, 2003. The Gamma Knife is becoming more available and its benefits are outstanding.

Tune in, 14.307, Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern time.

"Aether" went into the mail yesterday so you should be receiving it shortly. There are too many members delinquent so check your renewal label, we don't want to lose you.

MARCO Grand Rounds for June 1, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss BRAIN TUMORS in light of the findings on Senator Kennedy. He is one of 9,000 people in the U.S. who will find out this year they have this fast growing brain cancer and few treatment options.

It was my opinion that headache was not a prime symptom until the late stages but apparently this has changed recently.

Tune in should be fun????

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 25, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday's topic will be "DAYTON 2008." Those of us who attended will inform those that missed the annual event, as several important points were brought up which can affect Marco in the future.

Those who attended and took photos should send them to Aether for publication.

Harry, WB9EDP, our new President, and his wonderful wife Ellen KC9ARN, were there but there stay was shortened because of a practice responsibility. President-elect for 2010-is Linda KE5BQK. Linda will be Marco's first woman president.

Live From Dayton, May 17 2008

MARCO's annual meeting has come to a successful close.

The booth remained a highly active place, with crowds attracted by Paul N6DMV's Dr. Pepper-can model of a satellite, suitable outfitted with a blinking LED. I have nominated Paul for the post of official MARCO sculptor.

With Arnold delivering his convincing sales pitch, we signed up four new members today. They are:

Matt Myszkowski KD8HMX
Tom Brewer W0RPH
Carlyle Rowland N0ARN
John Kalotai N1OLO

Honors for the major HamVention purchase of the day went to Chip N5RTF for his new March magnetic paddle. The best flea market artifact was definitely the control yoke from a B52!

Late in the afternoon, Bruce KM2L did an interview with Information Radio 1660 AM. They had a booth at HamVention and broadcast throughout the event. He put in a good word for MARCO, for MediShare International and for amateur radio in general. This interview will be available on the Web. I will supply the link once I review it to be sure that it is not a complete embarrassment.

Unfortunately, Harry WB9EDP and Ellen KC9ARN had to return to Chicago, as Harry had to go to work following the riot at Cook County Jail.

MARCO's banquet at the Holiday Inn North was well-attended. Marc Weinberg K9PET of Casual Dx presented an account of the ham radio trip to Antarctica he hosted with Lindblad/National Geographic. What an adventure!!

Tomorrow we go our separate ways until next year's meeting. See you in a week on 14.307 MHz.

Dayton, Friday May 16

It had rained overnight, and the day dawned gray and cold so we knew that it must be Dayton. Conditions improved progressively, so by afternoon it was very pleasant.

MARCO's members attended the annual meeting in the morning, with the exception of WA3ZZU who was compelled to hit the flea market early. The minutes of this meeting aer contained in the previous posting. We were excited and heppy to be treated to he company and participation of "first-timers" Linda KE5BQK, Bernie KD5QHV, Ellen KC9ARN, Harry WB9EDP, and John WB2MXJ.

In the afternoon it was off to HamVention! Your scribe has not yet made it to the flea market, but hears that it is smaller than in past years. Indoors was jumping. As usual the hat embroiderers, Flex Radio and Piero Begali drew enthusiastic crowds all day.

A couple of new software-defined radio products were on display. The Perseus SDR direct-sampling HF receiver looks particularly interesting. A Japanese vendor was showing a "do-it-yourself" radio. He supplies the cabinet, chassis, dial and mechanisms, and blank copper-clad PC boards. You design and build the radio.

Jeff K6JW was the clear winner in terms of money spent, as he is now the proud owner of a new Begali Graciela paddle and a high-power MFJ autotuner. I have been a relatively good boy thus far, purchasing only a balun from DX Engineering.

There were several visitors to the MARCO booth, many attracted by N6DMV's Dr. Pepper can sculpture of a satellite. We signed up new members Bryan KY4MD and Mark N8CPR (dude, you forgot to pay). Current members Mike NR3C and Yoshi JH1URT stopped by to say "Hello" and to renew their memberships.

In the evening at Roger's W8CRK urging most of us shuttled to Caffe Anticoli on north Main Street for a good time and pretty decent Italian fare.

On Saturday a full day is planned at Hara Arena, although some members may peel off for a visit to the Air Force Museum.

Stay tuned...

Minutes of the 2008 MARCO Annual Meeting

Minutes of the MARCO 2008 Annual Meeting

Members in attendance: Arnold WB6OJB, Bruce KM2L, Chip N5RTF, Danny W4DAN, Warren KD4GUA, Lou WA1HGE, Tom W3GAT, Linda KE5BQK, Bernie KD5QHV, Paul N6DMV, John WD8NMV, Roger W8CRK, Rich K9CIV, Jay AA4FL, Jeff K6JW, Keith N3IM, Joe WB2MXJ, Harry WB9EDP, Ellen KC9ARN, Lionel 4X1LL, Dave KT8E.

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM EDT by President WB6OJB.

WB6OJB thanked KD4GUA, W4DAN, WA1HGE and KM2L for their help and support of the organization.

Danny W4DAN read the minutes of the 2007 annual meeting. These were approved.

Lou WA1HGE presented the Treasurer's report. Dues income is down about $1000 from last year, but the MARCO balance is holding steady. The MediShare account is down to $1194.11 due to expenditure for the Sri Lanka VHF radio project. The Treasurer's report was approved.

Bruce KM2L proposed the formation of a Internet Committee to tap into the considerable expertise present in the organization, and to ensure the ability to access and edit Web pages should anyhting happen to a single member of the group. The formation of a committee was approved, with AA4FL, N5RTF, N3IM and KM2L appointed as members. AA4FL proposed the consolidation of MARCO's various accounts into a single account with one hosting service. For ease of access and editing at a reasonable price he suggested GoDaddy.com. These suggestions were approved.

W4DAN reported that MARCO has 186 active members and 24 additional who are delinquent on their dues. We recruited 18 new members in 2007 and three so far in 2008. The Secretary's report was accepted.

Warren KD4GUA requested input on improving the Newsletter. He would like to receive more technical information for publication. W4DAN questioned whether it would be better to simply post a .pdf copy of the Newsletter on the Web site rather than emailing it to everyone. After some discussion, it was decided to maintain the status quo.


Chip N5RTF reported that he is continuing to provide Internet streaming audio of Grand Rounds, and can accommodate about 20 simultaneous listeners. Several of those in attendance indicated that they had accessed or attempted to access the audio stream. Chip is planning to make hardware changes that will allow users to download archived audio by means of passive ftp.

Jeff K6JW reported that he helped Hemantha Gamage 4S7HG obtain an Icom IC-718 transceiver. Several MARCO members made contributions. Hemantha wrote an article about the Sri Lanka VHF radio project. Jeff made revisions and edits, and inserted favorable publicity about MARCO/ MediShare. This article has been accepted for publication in QST.

Nominations were taken for President Elect. Bernie KD5QHV, Roger W8CRK and Linda KE5BQK were nominated. Bernie and Roger declined the position. Linda was elected unanimously.

The other officers were re-elected to their current positions:
Secretary Danny W4DAN
Treasurer Lou WA1HGE
Newsletter Editor Warren KD4GUA

The current Directors were re-elected with the following changes:

2nd Call Area - Bruce KM2L
3rd Call Area - Keith N3IM
7th Call Area KA7LOT (although he is currently living in Mississippi)
9th Call Area Bill WB9HIR

There was considerable discussion of the MediShare Chairperson position. The Bylaws were reviewed, and it is clear that MediShare functions as an arm of MARCO, with the Chairperson and Advisory Board responsible to the MARCO Board of Directors. It was decided that Smitty W6CS be thanked for his years of exemplary service to MARCO and be awarded the title of MediShare Chairperson Emeritus. Arnold WB6OJB will become MediShare Chairperson. The Board approved these changes.

New Business:

The question of moving the CW portion of the Sunday morning net to a frequency in the CW sub band of 20 meters was brought up. After some discussion, the consensus was to remain on 14.307 MHz.

KD4GUA raised the possibility of starting Grand Rounds one hour later. Propagation is better at that time, and it would make it easier for west coast members to join the discussion. We would have to change frequencies. N5RTF proposed that after the net next week (5/25/08) we QSY to 14.311 MHz and do a roll call. K9CIV seconded. With the additional understanding that any changes will be publicized in the Newsletter and on the listserv, this motion was passed.

N6DMV presented a model of a DSP-23 satellite he had worked on.The model is cleverly constructed from Dr. Pepper cans and is now part of the MARCO display at our booth.

The acquisition of MARCO stickers or stamps for QSL cards was discussed, but without clear resolution.

W4DAN relayed Carl WA3ZZU's request that the annual meeting take place on Saturday so that people could get to the flea market early. It was decided to continue to meet on Friday morning.

For information it was noted that Marc WA3QWA has established an Echolink node named "MARCO."

N5RTF and WB2MXJ were invited to present a brief update on the status of New Orleans. Neighborhoods are very slowly coming back, although the French Quarter and area along the river are in good shape. Health care is struggling and crime is wide spread.

4X1LL reported that amateur radio in Israel is very active. He had attempted to start a European MARCO net last year and sent emails to every known MARCO member in Europe. He received no replies, however.

The meeting was adjourned at 11 AM.

Live , From Dayton

There is a large and active contingent of MARCO members at the Dayton Hamvention this year. Your scribe endured an absolutely terrible drive down from western New York, but made it about an hour behind schedule. The Ohio Department of Transportation has every road in the state under construction, or or so it seems.

We formed a large clot in the bar of the Holiday Inn North. There were drinks, then more drinks, and eventually some food as well.

Present and accounted for were Danny W4DAN and spouse Carolyn, Arnold WB6OJB and spouse Joan, Chip N5RTF, Rich K9CIV and spouse Marcia, Warren KD4GUA, Lou WA1HGE, Linda KE5BQK and Bernie KD5QHV, Keith N3IM, Roger W8CRK, John WD8NMV, Paul N6DMV, Jay AA4FL and spouse, Jeff K6JW, and yours truly, KM2L. If I have omitted anyone, blame the beer.

Tomorrow mornign we will get down to business with the annual meeting, and hten repair to HARA Arena.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 18, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Most of our active members will be in Dayton this Sunday. It will be "Open Sunday." "Vox Pox," communication program. Let's have 30 new net controllers on board...it should work out okay.

If possible, we will transmit from Dayton but it is doubtful as most of the visitors will be homeward bound by 10 a.m. eastern.

The program for the following week is pending...any suggestions?

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 11, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

One woman woke up with a paintbrush in her hand, having painted her front door in her sleep--she was taking Ambien (or Lunesta) sedative hypnotics. How safe are these non benzodiazaepines? Remember Halcion? I had a patient fall asleep while walking up the gangway to an airliner!

Tune in Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern time 14.307 and give us your experiences with these drugs. Should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for May 4, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss a problem that is becoming more and more prevelant--clostridium difficile infections. Which drug is best Flagyl or Vancomycin--or is there something else? Tune in, should be fun.

Sri Lanka Update

Hemantha Gamage notified MARCO today that the Sri Lankan government has been so impressed by the MediShare-funded VHF radio project, that they will pay to generalize it throughout the western part of the country. Read on:

Dear Sirs/Madams,
Our provincial council decided to have the VHF system to all the health units and ambulances in the western province , Sri Lanka. They have realised the value of VHF radios esp in disasters. MARCO/Medishare should get the credit for introducing the system and funding for it. Provincial health minister assured that the government would bear the cost for such a system.

They requested me to do a study and a plan for the whole province as soon as posible. Anyway I am supposed to start my MD at the post graduate institue of medicine,University of Colombo. But I promised to stay with them as a volunteer for the system. I enjoy the work.

Thank you.

Hemantha 4S7HG

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 27, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

You are on an airplane and a passenger is having chest pain. They call for a doctor...should you respond? Will you respond? Do Good Samaritan laws go into effect when you are passing over different states in rapid succession? What state law would ensue if something went wrong?

This Sunday we will discuss the "Good Samaritan" laws and how they effect you. Should be fun...10 a.m. eastern time...CW on at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This grand rounds generated some interesting commentary:

From Bob, K4RLC

I missed the net on Good Samaritan laws, and wonder if you will write it up for the newsletter?

I'm interested not because of air travel, but because both our kids play several high school sports. Fortunately, they haven't been hurt yet, but some of the parents in the stands are pretty out of shape, and I've had to work on one who collapsed during a basketball game. We all tailgate at the football games, and food is copious and tasty, and that situation is ripe for a coronary or diabetic event.

A rare event happened here a few weeks ago at a high school Lacrosse game. A player was hit in the chest by the lacrosse ball, and collapsed from Commotio Cordis. He was fortunate in that a teammate's Dad is Director of Rehab Medicine here, and had read up on this rare condition beforehand. There were a total of 3 physicians and 6 nurses among the spectators, and all helped. But what saved this young man's life was the AED, as he went into V Fib. He had to be shocked three times.

He survived but suffered a hypoxic event, so I'll probably see him. I'm the neuropsychologist for our professional hockey team (Carolina Hurricanes) and see them all after concussions, as well as high school and some college kids with concussive type injuries.

Thanks for your input about out of shape parents in the stands, hi.

From Mary Kaye, AE4BX:

had something to add about being a pseudo-team doctor. When my son was in 8th grade he played football for a small private school, It was his first year playing (over many of Mom's objections). I was the unofficial team doctor by default. My husband who was a first-aid trained pharmacist, sat down on the bench with the players. I had every possible piece of equipment in my station wagon, head board etc etc etc.

The routine was that when anyone was down, my son should step aside and show me his numbers (so I could walk). Well the feared incident happened, and one of our team members went down on the ground after a tackle, held his neck saying "my neck, my neck, my neck!!!!!!" After inspecting my son's number of course, I rushed down on the field, saw that the boy could move his legs, stopped the game and called EMS. Expected chaos. Well as the sirens were heard from afar, the boy's father came down on the field, a rough an tumble redneck also smelling of spirits if I were to render an opinion. He looked at the kid, shouted. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) SCOTT, GET YOUR RED LAZY A-- UP OFFA THE GROUND AND GO PLAY BALL!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well as the EMS guys were running the stretcher on the field, the kid got a red face and said "Uh, OK Dad", and jumped up and ran to the bench". Leaving me there red-faced and about to punch out that redneck myself.

I inquired from an orthopedist later how I could tell - and he said always ask the player to raise his head up himself, and of course don't help him or yank the helmet off etc. If he had either a bad whiplash or a structural damage of any kind to the neck he can't raise his head. I saw this done many times on the field in later football games when I became an armchair expert.

My son's football career was over that year by the way. I said he could grow tall and play basketball or find himself a foster home. He took the advice, grew to 6'3" and played basketball nicely according to plan. That was also the end of my team doctor career.

And Warren KD4GUA's reply

Bob RLC in Raleigh asked about the specifics concerning the Good Samaritan Laws as he missed the lecture. Basically you are covered if you act in good faith, do not perform gross neglect, do not accept money for your deeds and do not leave the patient until someone else can take over with equal or more experience. You do not have to perform a good samaritan act unless you live in Vermont, Minnesota or Louisiana, France or Germany and then it is mandatory to help. Benign neglect is acceptable, i.e., if you do 15 instead of 30 chest thrusts for each mouth to mouth (which is now not required) that is benign neglect because you simply missed the last Red Cross course in CPR. The individual or next of kin must give consent unless the patient is unconscious or not able to give good judgment. In most jurisdictions Good Samaritan laws only protect those that have had basic first aid training and are certified by the AHA, Red Cross, or other heal th organizations. In other jurisdictions, any rescuer is protected from liability, granted he acted rationally. Congress passed a bill about 1994 enabling good samaritan laws in flight regardless of which state the plane is flying over. In international flight the rules go by the carrier's home country.

PS: The requirements as you walk through the hospital and there is a cry for help from someone else's patient--that is another story and perhaps another Sunday lecture.

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 20, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we are planning on having Phil Wildman the pilot who has flown both the Atlantic and Pacific over 250 times in single engine Piper aircraft (and Cessnas). He will tell us what it is like flying for 17 hours over endless ocean and how he got to know himself better. This is today's Lindbergh. He will discuss the use of radio for navigation and communication. Today, GPS has largely taken the place of radio navigation but we will let him tell his story.

It should be a good one. Let' s hope propagation doesn't let us down this weekend. He assures me he will be on board and is not mike shy.

Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern 14.307--CW net at 9:30.

Further update from Sri Lanka

Additional news from Hemantha Gamage, 4S7HG:

Dear Sirs,

I wish to foward an outline of our VHF project in Sri Lanka.

The system operates from the District General Hospital Gampaha, which is the largest hospital in the area. There are small peripheral hospitals transfer difficult patents to above hospital. The system operates with a base station installed at the District General Hospital Gampaha and the mobile units are fixed to the ambulances. There are 3 ambulances at above hospital and one ambulances each in the peripheral small hospitals, Biyagama, Dompe, Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda. Therefore 7 mobile units are fixed are given for those ambulances.

The provincial health authority appreciated the contribution of the MARCO in establishing this system. The Ministry and the provincial director will address MARCO in order to thank you all for the good work done.

I presented the radios officially to the secretary of the provincial health ministry on behalf of the MARCO. I will attach few photographs for the time being but the provincial health ministry will contact MARCO with better pictures and hopefully video of the opening day.

I am grateful to all friends at MARCO for extending all the support and courage for me to drive this project towards success.

This morning our hospital system experienced a disaster just one day after launching the system. This was a suicide terrorist attack killing one eminent cabinet minister of the government and around 14 civilians. The incidence took place close to Gampaha draining most of the patient s to District General Hospital Gampaha. Hospital authority informed me that our system played a big role in coordinating ambulances very quickly.

Please give me some time to send the pictures and whole story in sometime as I was very busy with installing the system and other arrangements with the opening ceremony.

Thank you all once again.

Hemantha (4S7HG)

MARCO Grand Rounds for April 13, 2008

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We had 30 checkins for April 6's discussion on "Lipitor and Statin Drugs" with a 5/3 propagation rating (pp). This coming Sunday we will investigate medical arbitration...

"By signing this agreement you are waiving your right to a jury trial and you are agreeing to arbitrate all clams arising out of or related to your medical care and treatment." Will your patients sign this?

Those of you who are utilizing arbitration agreements be sure to be on board to narrate your experience in this new and challenging field. Should be fun.

PS: Linda KE5BQK is baking a cake for the Marco Banquet May 17th in Dayton, Ohio. All 16 reserved rooms at the Holiday Day North have been taken according to Danny W4DAN. However, there are still rooms available by phoning 937 278 4871. If you would like to share a room, notify Danny by email Danny@W4DAN.us

Let's have a party.