TO: OR-NorCAL-NV Regional VHF and HF A.R.E.S. Stations
SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs in OR District 5 and CA Districts 1, 2;
ARRL Officials and other HF EMCOMM stations
Selected EMCOMM and Public Safety Officials
FROM: D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, SEC, SV Section (North)
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
ACS Officer MAR III California OES
THE “5-1-2 BULLETIN” 17 OCT 2000 - No. 24
“WHERE PART 97.1 IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY”
1 - SET - BACKSCATTER
2 - NWS WX SPOTTER TRAINING
3 - MODOC COUNTY - FRONT PAGE NEWS!
4 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ...
5 - COMING ATTRACTIONS
6 - REGIONAL ARES NET - REMINDER
7 - REGIONAL ARES NET LOG - AN UPDATE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 - “SET BACKSCATTER” - Here are a few (lightly edited) reports:
FROM: YOLO COUNTY, Kyle Noderer, KB6OLL, EC
TO: John Lewis, KD6GSB, DEC, District 3
Yolo ARES did a local traffic handling exercise for the SET on Saturday. 3 of
our 4 members were able to participate. We tried to send you the status report, but
were unable to find the Sac Valley net. We looked on both 40 and 80 meters from
1355-1415 local as 1400 was the latest time mentioned for the start of the net.
Unfortunately the only member of Yolo ARES able to participate and also holding the
proper license for those bands had to leave at that point.
We thought about sending the message via packet, but without a mailbox for you, we
suspected the message would end up in the ozone somewhere, never to be seen again.
In case you are keeping track of the information covered in the status report, I
thought I'd pass it along.
1. Mobile: 2m: 4 HF: 0
2. Portable: 2m: 4 HF: 0
3. Digital: 2m: 3 HF: 1
4. <no listing
5. Qualified: NCS: 4 NTS:0
6. Act in my stead: 3
Actually, I am mobile HF capable of 10-80m, but my Tech Plus license
only lets me operate 10m. So, maybe Mobile HF should be 0.5. :)
Here is the report in standard RADIOGRAM form:
3 R KB6OLL 13 Davis, CA 1205L 07Oct2000
To: John Lewis KD6GSD
7017 Salmon River Dr
Sacramento CA 95842
916-331-2581
SET status report X 1A4
1B0 2A4 2B0 3A3 3B1
5A4 5B0 63
(s) Yolo EC
+++++++++++++++++++++
TNX report Kyle. 3 out of 4 (75%) isn’t bad! And having three others
that
can fill in for you as EC is better
than many other counties. Sorry you couldn’t find the Section-wide NET,
if
you had stuck around another
30 minutes you would have found us. (The HF net began at 1430L). Keep up
the good work in YOLO and
DISTRICT THREE! de K6SOJ.
+++++++++++++++++++++
EDITORS NOTE: For those of you that haven’t sent in 25 cents and a
box-top
from a box of ARES
KRISPIES, for your own “MAGIC DECODER RING” - here is the SECRET CODE
(used
in these reports):
Enter the number of personnel from your unit that can operate as:
1A = No. of 2M mobile ops
1B = No. of HF mobile ops
2A = No. of 2M portable ops
3A = No. of HF portable ops
4A= No. of digital 2M ops
4B = No. of digital HF ops
5A = No. of qualified NC ops
5B = No. of NTS ops
6 = No. of CW ops
7 = No. of alternate ECs (AECs)
8 = No. of ops available for mutual aid
+++++++++++++++++++++
FROM: DISTRICT TWO, Dick Cloyd, WO6P, DEC
Here is my status report for District 2 (for SET participants only)
SHASTA COUNTY:
1A 1 1B 0
2A 1 2B 0
3A 2 3B 2
4A 0 4B 1
5A 2 5B 2
6 2
7 2
8 1 sta avail for mutual aide
GLENN COUNTY:
1A 2 1B 2
2A 0 2B 0
3A 2 3B 2
4A 0 4B 0
5A 2 5B 2
BUTTE COUNTY:
1A 2 1B 2
2A 2 2B 0
3A 2 3B 2
4A ? 4B 1
5A 2 5B 2
6 ?
7 ?
8 ?
+++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks for the report Dick. Sounds like District Two is “on a roll”!
-
de
K6SOJ
+++++++++++++++++++++
2 - MODOC COUNTY ARES / ACS MAKES THE FRONT PAGE!
From the front page of October 12th edition of THE MODOC COUNTY RECORD:
***************************
HAM RADIO OPERATORS READY FOR EMERGENCIES
by Anthony Larson
Local amateur or "ham" radio operators have joined with local
emergency
services agencies in a
partnership to assist with communication in the event of natural
disasters.
In a move to follow the example of private ham radio operators
elsewhere
in California--and
across the country, a group of dedicated Modoc citizens have organized and
trained to voluntarily assist local
authorities in times of emergency. In the event of a natural disaster
large
enough to disrupt normal modes of
communication, the ham operators can step in to flash radio messages back
and forth between the outside
world and emergency workers and victims in affected areas. Nationwide,
there
are an estimated 50,000
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) operators.
While ham operators are technically referred to as "amateur radio
operators" by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), there is nothing amateur about them.
Their
investment in
equipment and training, at their own expense, is considerable.
Modoc County residents Tom "Fergy" Ferguson and his wife,
Donna, are
typical of these civic
minded private citizens who have volunteered their time, expertise and
sophisticated communications
equipment in an effort to augment local emergency agencies in times of
dire
need
"Luckily," says Donna, "we haven't had a major disaster in Modoc County
where we've been
needed, but we're ready for it!"
Unlike citizens' band (CB) radios, ham radios use many frequencies and
operate at much higher
power ratings, allowing them to transmit anywhere in the world., Ham
operators are typically
dedicated individuals, well-trained in the use of their sophisticated
electronic gear.
Historically, ham operators have volunteered their services in
humanitarian efforts, including search and
rescue operations as well as disaster management efforts. The most recent
example occurred when ham
operators were kept busy for many months during this year's Western
wildfires, transferring messages
between firefighters and their families as well as reporting the status of
victims to families awaiting word of
their loved ones.
Ham operators' assist in a variety of ways. Very often, local officials
have their hands full simply dealing
with a disaster, leaving them no time to pass personal messages.
Sometimes,
normal emergency channels
may be jammed with logistics traffic, needing additional avenues of
communication to augment them. In
extreme cases, those normal channels may be completely compromised by the
natural disaster itself, in
which case the ham operators can provide essential communications for
relief
efforts.
Working with Sheriff Bruce Mix under the auspices of the Modoc County
Sheriff's Department, Tom
and Donna, are licensed Disaster Service Workers (DSW). In an emergency,
they would act as
coordinators for ham radio communications in and out of a nearby disaster
area. They “rehearse” a regular
basis with 6 to 8 other active, local, ham operators. Using a special,
antenna called a Near Vertical Incident
Skyway (NVIS), Tom notes that, he can communicate easily with any other
ham
operator in the,
northwestern United States, or even further, if need be. "If something
happens, and a family wants to know
how their loved-ones are," says Ferguson.
With radios in their vehicles, portable generators and solar power to
ensure transmission capability, the
Fergusons and their fellow ham operators are prepared to pass along those
vital messages in the most adverse
conditions.
Tom Ferguson has had plenty of experience with using radio
communications
in difficult or
hostile conditions. He was trained while in the Marine Corps as a
reconnaissance team radio operator in the
late 1950s. His team was routinely inserted into hostile situations via
parachuting from aircraft or by
swimming ashore from a submarine.
In many disaster situations, all lines of communications are down.
"There
is no way to get out except with
ham radio," Ferguson says. In that case, ham. radio operators can contact
authorities to appraise them of the
extent of the disaster, coordinate rescue and paramedic activity and relay
messages in and out of the disaster
area between victims and, concerned family members.
Wayne Light, another local ham operator, adds that the emergency need
not
be a large-scale disaster.
Things like power outages, telephone outages, severe weather events or
even
potentially dangerous road
hazards may leave people isolated or stranded in dire need. At times like
these the ham operators can be a
link between those stranded, or isolated by these events, and the outside
world. Communication is the first
step in rescue or relief for such victims.
This liaison between local disaster officials and private, ham operators
began last year when Dave
Thorne, a Radio Officer with the California Office of Emergency Service’s
Auxiliary Communications
Service contacted Nancy Ballard, deputy director of emergency services in
the Modoc County Sheriff s
Office. Thorne urged Ballard to explore the use of local ham operators in
Modoc County as had been
successfully done in other counties. Ballard contacted the Fergusons, and,
the rest, as they say, is history.
***************
Nice work Fergy. Too bad I can’t run the picture of you and your station
they included here! Modoc has
made great strides over the past year...your team may be small but there
is
no lack of “esprit d’corp” ! de
K6SOJ
+++++++++++++++++++
3 - SKYWARN NEWS
Randy Miltier, K7RPM, SKYWARN Coordinator for Medford NWS.
A SKYWARN Program is being developed for Southern Oregon and Northern
California. SKYWARN is
the National Weather Service program of trained volunteer spotters
reporting
severe weather.
"Weather Spotter" classes are being planned for Siskiyou and Klamath
counties.
(Details will appear here and on the ARES nets as soon as they become
available.)
WEEKLY SKYWARN NET: Sundays at 1930L on the Mt. Ashland 147.26+ repeater
(WX7MFR/R)
The NWS/Medford “service area” consists of nine counties: Coos, Curry,
Douglas, Klamath, Jackson,
Josephine, Lake, (OR); Modoc and Siskiyou (CA). If you have any questions
concerning the ham radio part
of the program, contact Randy/K7RPM < k7rpm@arrl.net
or Gary/N7GK on
147.26+.
++++++++++++++
4 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OR SOMETHING OF INTEREST TO REPORT about
your
ARES team or other EMCOMM unit...and would like it posted in the 5-1-2
BULLETIN...just send it to:
k6soj@arrl.net
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
5 -REMINDER: WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET --- TOMORROW!
1900 to 1930L - The OR-NorCAL-NV Regional ARES " early net" is on
3987 kHz + or - (7232 or 1982 kHz alternate) This net is open to all ARES
and other EMCOMM
1930 to 2000L - OR/NorCal/NV A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET
3987 + or - (7232 or 1982 kHz alternate)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
6 - COMING ATTRACTIONS...
*** STATEWIDE HOSPITAL DISASTER EXERCISE - NOVEMBER 9, 2000
*** The INTERCONTINENTAL TRAFFIC NET
*** EMCOMM 2001 - MARCH 31, 2001 - PALO CEDRO, CALIFORNIA ***
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
7 - REGIONAL ARES NET LOG - UPDATE (scroll down)
(Print it out and keep for reference. Especially nice to have when you
are
travelling.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
website address: www.qsl.net/k6soj
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ECs and AECs: WE NEED YOUR HELP - BE A NET CONTROL OPERATOR!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IF YOU ARE A PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY, OR JUST A
"MEMBER
OF THE PUBLIC"; AND YOU NEED EMERGENCY OR DISASTER RELATED
COMMUNICATIONS...JUST CALL "5-1-2". WE'RE OPEN...24 HOURS A DAY!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARES NET LOG (updated 17 October. 2000)
TIMES ARE LOCAL - FREQS ARE IN MHZ
SEND CORRECTIONS, ADDITIONS, DELETIONS TO:
k6soj@arrl.net
EMERGENCY NET AND CALLING FREQUENCIES:
Northern California ARES Net Frequency: 3.987 (down)
Alternate: 7.232 (up), 1.982(down)
ARES / Red Cross 2 meter SIMPLEX 147.42
NATIONAL CALLING AND WILDERNESS PROTOCOL 146.52
ARES REGIONAL AND STATE NETS:
OR-NorCal-NV Regional Net
W @ 1900L 3.987
OR-NorCal-NV “5-1-2” ARES Leadership Net
W @ 1930L 3.987
Washington State ARES/RACES
M @ 1830L 3.987
Jefferson Noon Net
D @ 1200L 7.232 (3.987 alternate)
Oregon ARES/RACES
W @ 2000L 3.993.5
Oregon EMERGENCY Net
D @ 1800L 3.980
++++++++++++++++++++++
CALIFORNIA COUNTIES:
ARES SIMPLEX FREQ FOLLOWED BY ARES NET(S)
Lassen County (146.565)
Th @ 1830L 3.987
QSY to: 146.88- (after HF net)
Modoc County (147.48)
Tu @ 1900L 146.97-
Mono County (147.42)
Th @ 2000L 146.88- (151.4 Hz)
Shasta County (146.595)
M @ 1945L 3.965
2M Net - via repeaters...
1st M @ 2000L 145.45 -
2nd M @ 2000L 146.64 - 88.5
3rd M @ 2000L 146.76 - 107.2
4th M @ 2000L 145.15 - 107.2
5th M @ 2000L 146.925 - 85.4 (When there are 5 Mondays in a month)
Siskiyou County (146.55)
2nd & 4th Th @ 1930L 146.79-/.82-/.91- / 147.18+ (100.0 Hz)
++++++++++++++++++++
OREGON COUNTIES
ARES SIMPLEX FREQ FOLLOWED BY ARES NET(S)
Jackson County (146.58)
Tu @ 1930L 146.94-
Josephine County (146.46)
W @ 1900L 147.30+ (alternates: 147.14+ & 145.15-)
Klamath County
W @ 1900L 146.85-
++++++++++++++++++++++
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN:
Medford, OR service area
Su @ 1930L 147.26+