5-1-2 Bulletin No. 56

The 5-1-2  BULLETIN - 29 May 01 - No. 56

TO: OR-NorCAL-NV ARES and other EMCOMM Stations, ARRL Officials, other EMCOMM and Public Safety Officials; in Oregon District 5, California SV Section Districts 1, 2...and BEYOND.

FROM: D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, ARES SEC, SV Section (North), editor.
Assistant ACS Officer MAR III California OES

INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj  E-MAIL:  k6soj@arrl.net

CA OES ACS INLAND REGION WEBSITE: www.acs.oes.ca.gov/Inland/

+ SHORT CIRCUITS - Brief (important) announcements:

ARES TEAM ACTIVATED IN LASSEN COUNTY FOR DEVIL FIRE COMMUNICATIONS (DISTRICT ONE, SACRAMENTO VALLEY SECTION)

LATEST DEVIL FIRE STATS:  4,069 ACRES.  35% CONTAINED.

PICTURES will be on: www.qsl.net/k6soj later today.

FOR STATISTICAL UPDATES ON THE DEVIL FIRE GO TO:
http://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/webs/Devil/IncidentInformation.html

FOR URGENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVACUATION ORDERS GO TO: http://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/webs/Devil/UrgentNotices.html

FLASH: 0016L 29 May 01 - From Terry Cobb, K6ME, ARES AEC, and CDF/VIP HAMCO Lassen-Modoc RU:

“Just got home from Red Cross Shelter at Lassen High School boy's
gymnasium. Need to be back at on site at 8:00 Am Tuesday.

You probably have more updated fire figures than I do by now. Chip Jackson
stopped by at 8:00 PM too see how the shelter was doing and briefed us
about the shelter plan and evacuation orders up to that time which are to
remain in effect until at least 9:00 AM Tuesday.

One (ARES) person staying at the shelter overnight with radio contact with
City PD and Sheriff for security.

I will get update to you ASAP Tuesday. Hitting shower and sack.”
73 Terry

Thanks Terry.   We’re monitoring the Lassen County situation here.  EMCOMM
mutual aid will be sent from nearby counties if needed - de K6SOJ.

+ FEEDBACK - From Paul Cavnar, NN7B, SEC NV Section:
(Editor’s note: There have also been some wildfires in the Reno area.)

“Thanks, Dave - I have been listening and that's why I checked in. Our activity here has been one Level-I "standby" notification. We simply post an informational message on the NNARS list and announce it on the .61 repeater system every two hours during the day. If the ARC had opened a shelter, we would have been on a limited activation to provide comms for the shelter back to ARC HQ in Reno. This would involved a voice link and VHF packet. It never happened. When the winds died right after sundown last night, they very quickly got a handle on things and several staged units were sent back. Today, several hot spots flared up but, given the terrain and the threat, they did not escalate their operations.

Providing comms from the location they would have set up a shelter would have been a challenge since I think the only repeater we could see from there was Virginia Peak. That's fine because it's the Washoe County RACES machine that no one uses but once a month to ker-chunk a few times.... It's the packet that might have been a problem. So, I would expect we would be setting up an HF station using NVIS type antennas given that it would be about 60 miles from Reno and it would be ideal for that kind of setup.

I'll sure be glad when we can get our comm van done and running. With June just around the corner and no progress at all in six months, getting a trailer this year is not looking very good. I have one I would really like to trade in but, so far the people I figured would be interested aren't available to find out right now.” 

+ NET REMINDER - 5-1-2 REGIONAL ARES AND NWS NETS

UPDATED (May 9) LEADERSHIP 5-1-2 NET ROSTER AT:
http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/net.htm

DAILY:
1200 to 1230L: Jefferson Noon Net on 7232 LSB (3987 LSB alternate)

WEDNESDAYS:
1915 to 1930L: NWS WX SPOTTER NETS (see NWS-SKYWARN section below)

1930 to 2000L: A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate) (NOTE TO ALL ARES and other EMCOMM LEADERS (including, but not limited to SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs) in any section, district or county:  Although this net is primarily for District 5 (OR) and Districts 1 and 2 (SV); you are all cordially invited to check in and participate in the discussion(s). A wide range of EMCOMM topics are covered.)

+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS- (updated March 19, 2001)list at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm

+ ICS COURSE IN JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON
Medford, OR. July 23-27, 2001.
Info: Kelly Jo Jensen at: (503) 378-2911 or kjensen@oem.state.or.us

+ AND NOW...THIS WEEK’S  TRAINING:
The article:  “DISASTER / MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? by Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department” appeared in its entirety in BULLETIN # 36 (January 9) and is archived at www.qsl.net/k6soj.
Below are excerpts from that article with comments.

40. There will be rumors; people will be listening to their radios and must be given accurate information.

COMMENT:  Ever since people began to sit around campfires discussing the events of the day...this has been a problem.  Press releases should only be issued only by duly authorized PIOs.  But EMCOMM operators need to keep in mind that many media organizations have “scanners”.   They can and will use information they hear.  Packet and other digital modes (and CW) will practically eliminate this problem.  Use them as much as possible.  And when use phone transmissions...think before you speak...the “world” is listening!   One type of radio communications that is always inappropriate is the giving the names, addresses and medical condition of any victim. And NEVER give any details about any deaths.

TRAINING BULLETINS that appear in this bulletin are also archived at:
 www.qsl.net/k6soj
(PLUS A “PLETHORA” OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING MATERIAL)

+ NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Peterson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator

NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES:

The pre-summer schedule of WX SPOTTER training classes, held throughout the southern Oregon and northern California area has been completed.  Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS really did a tremendous job!

One of the last classes Jim conducted was in Modoc County.  Donna Ferguson, N6SVV, SV Section PIO and Modoc County AES reports:

“For those interested in severe weather conditions, the summer SKYWARN
class by Jim Reynolds of the NWS is both interesting and educational. The two-hour presentation included a slide show which illustrates the formation of various thunderclouds and an explanation of what to look for when spotting potential weather conditions such as lightning, hail and micro-bursts. The class included a 30-minute video in which time-lapse photography showed the formation of wind funnels and tornadoes, and also talked about the invaluable role played by weather spotters and ham radio operators.” For more information on the WX SPOTTER program contact Jim Reynolds at the National Weather Service, 1-800-483-4573 or email him at: James.Reynolds@noaa.gov”.

MEDFORD NWS SKYWARN PAGE: http://www.qsl.net/wx7mfr/SKYWARN/index.html

CURRENT NWS WEATHER BULLETINS AND WARNINGS ARE AVAILABLE VIA A LINK AT: www.qsl.net/k6soj

SKYWARN is the National Weather Service program of trained volunteer spotters reporting severe weather The ARRL/ARES has a national “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) with the NOAA/NWS.

MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET WEDNESDAY NIGHTS.
The Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET is on Wednesdays at: 1915L on 147.26+ (Mt. Ashland repeater - WX7MFR/R); SIMULTANEOUSLY ON: 146.55 SIMPLEX (Siskiyou and Klamath Counties); AND 146.97- the Likely repeater (Modoc County). FROM 1920 to 1929L: on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate), relays and other check-ins will be accepted and forwarded.

ALSO, a packet WX SPOTTER NET is being developed to run concurrently SKYWARN will be activated on these frequencies during severe weather events.

The NWS PACKET NODE ON MT. ASHLAND is on 145.030 MHz, ID is: skywrn. NWS is asking for SKYWARN and ARES packet stations to connect and let them know your location, the type of antenna and power you use to access the Mt. Ashland node. The “connect” to NWS packet bbs (direct) is 145.090 and the ID is NWSMFR.  Then connect to NWSBBS, e.g., c nwsmfr.  Then, c nwsbbs. The NWSMFR at nws mfr is a node.  

Questions? contact Gary, N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org >

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 about the SKYWARN program, contact: Gary/N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org > via e-mail or on 147.26+ (Mt. Ashland). 

REGIONAL ARES WEATHER AND ROAD NETS (ARESWARNS) for SV Districts 1 and 2 are on the MUTUAL AID FREQUENCIES of 7232 LSB (daytime) and 3987 LSB (nighttime). 1982LSB (nighttime alternate).  Up/down  QRM.  OREGON District 5, and all ARES stations elsewhere, are CORDIALLY INVITED to participate.

During a SEVERE WEATHER EVENT, the HF WARN meets hourly AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUR, until all information and traffic is passed,  (more often as needed).

LOCAL ARESWARNS are activated by a local EC or AEC per your local plan. Check with your EC for more information about your area.  It is recommended that they meet at the TOP OF EACH HOUR, and include a local HF - VHF station for relay / interface duty with the regional net.

Check in to the JEFFERSON NOON NET daily at 1200L on 7232 // 3987 LSB for announcements regarding anticipated severe WX.

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...send it to: k6soj@arrl.net

+ COMING ATTRACTIONS ...
  WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?  THE SERIES CONTINUES
  HOW PREPARED ARE YOU? - A FUN QUIZ

+ EMCOMM 2002: April 20-21 2002 - Bishop Quinn High School, Palo Cedro, CA.

+ FIELD DAY 2001 - JUNE 23-24.

2001 FIELD DAY RULES AND FORMS: www.arrl.org/contests/forms/index.html#FD or check the May issue of QST p. 112. If you haven’t reviewed and familiarized yourself with this information...please do so.

NOTE: Announcements of field day sites sponsored by EMCOMM groups and
special service clubs will be listed below. (Send the name of the sponsoring group, the approximate location of your FD site, a contact person, and an email or web address, or phone number.)  Listed below are some of these...

FIELD DAY sites sponsored by EMCOMM groups:

+ CALIFORNIA OES/ACS
WHO: “Anybody and everybody from any ACS/RACES/ARES/VIP/REACT
organization statewide.”
WHERE:   El Dorado N.F. (5 miles from Silver Springs Campground )
CONTACT: Bill Pennington, WA6SLA <Bill_Pennington/OES@oes.ca.gov>

+ The SOJOURNERS (State Of Jefferson Operators United Relay Network and Emergency Radio Service) www.qsl.ney/w6soj
WHO: Members, (guest operators by permission only), visitors welcome.
WHERE:  Klamath N.F., Goosenest R.D., Juanita Lake.
CONTACT: D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ <k6soj@arrl.net>

+ Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club
WHO: All operators are welcome
WHERE: Nyack, CA. I-80 @ Nyack across from the Nyack general store.
CONTACT: Matt Diridoni, KC6RUO, President SFARC at: 916-632-4084;or, Wayne Mikel, KE6DJE, Placer County ARES EC at: 916-645-0565

+ Lassen Amateur Radio Club, <www.qsl.net/k6lrc/>
WHO: All visitors are welcome, operator training rotations.
WHERE: Highway 139, Antelope Summit Day Use Area.
CONTACT: Terry L. Cobb SR, K6ME <k6me@arrl.net>

+ The “5-1-2 BULLETIN” - Copyright (c) 2001 - D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and re-circulate items from this
bulletin providing appropriate credit is given to the “5-1-2 REGIONAL ARES
BULLETIN” and/or the author or originator of the material.  Send
corrections, updates, etc. to: k6soj@arrl.net

+ PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY!