The SW VA AUXCOMM Association participates in several public service events throughout the year. These events show the usefulness of the amateur radio service and act as a form of practice for emergency communication events. 

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events, please either email Randy Lilly (KE4RL) or briarpatcharc@gmail.com. 

April 05, 2025 – Appalachian Journey Bike Ride, Floyd County, VA

April 12, 2025 – New River Trail 25-50-100K Run, Fries, VA 

April 17-20, 2025 – No Frills Horse Ride, Star Tannery, VA (Exit 296 on I81)

June 12-15, 2025 – Old Dominion Horse Ride, Orkney Springs, VA

August 22-23, 2025 – Iron Mountain Jubilee Horse Ride, Cripple Creek, VA

September 20, 2025 – New River Trail Challenge Triathlon, Foster Falls, VA

October 16-19, 2025 – Fort Valley Horse Ride, Fort Valley, VA (Exit 296 on I81)

Virginia Auxcomm exercise called Perfect Storm. This is Randy’s Trailer located at the Hospital Coordination Office in Bristol. We also had a VHF Winlink station inside the facility.  

Ham Radio Now interview of Glen Sage W4GHS about the VA AUXCOMM SET on January 21, 2017.

This past Saturday on 10/20/2018 the National Weather Service in Blacksburg VA had their open house to showcase their capabilities and invited VA Auxcomm to bring one of our Communications trailer. Randy Lilly KE4RL brought his trailer and had over a hundred visitors.

VDEM Advisory Message for state and local government employees in Southwest Virginia to share with relatives, friends and neighbors:

The Virginia Department of Emergency (VDEM) wants to ensure that everyone in Southwest Virginia is aware of the potential effects and impacts of what will be left of Hurricane Florence as it turns north and heads up through the area over the next two to five days. Officials at VDEM would appreciate the help of all state and local government employees by sharing the information below with members of your family, your friends and your neighbors. By sharing this information with as many people as possible, you will help ensure people are prepared for the flooding that could result from the heavy rain that is predicted for Southwest Virginia.

While Virginia’s coast was spared a direct hit from Hurricane Florence, heavy rains capable of causing flooding will impact portions of Southwest Virginia over the next two to five days. Rain totals of between four and 10 inches will cause creeks and streams to overflow. Homes and businesses in low-lying areas will experience flooding. Roads and bridges could be washed out, and emergency services will have difficulty reaching some areas. The time to prepare for this is now. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management encourages everyone to remain vigilant, keep informed about the weather conditions and, if you encounter flooded roads or bridges to turn around and not drive through the deep water

Al Keen N4ZZQ in his communications trailer.

Governor Northam has declared a state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Florence. Read more here: https://bit.ly/2CAdy1L. To learn more about what a state of emergency does, read: http://vaemergency.gov/soe.

Virginians, in all regions of the Commonwealth, should make preparations: build an emergency kit (http://vaemergency.gov/emergency-kit), fill vital prescriptions, make a family emergency communication plan, check on neighbors and friends and exchange contact information, keep your vehicle’s gas tank at half a tank or more, clear gutters and drains near your residence, photograph the current condition of your property, including your vehicle and gather critical documentation and consider storing a copy on a secure, virtual cloud based service.

Coastal Virginians should learn their evacuation zone and review the Hurricane Evacuation Guide at KnowYourZoneVa.org.