“When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains,
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.”
- - Rudyard Kipling
(From: “The Young British Soldier” - pub. 1892)
---------------------------------------------
The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 30 October 01 - No. 78
A REGIONAL Bulletin for ARES and other EMCOMM Stations and Public Safety
Officials in northern California, southern Oregon, northern Nevada, and
elsewhere.
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, SV Section EC (north), Editor.
INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj E-MAIL:
k6soj@arrl.net
----------------------------------------------
+ IN THIS WEEKS
EDITION:
- SHORT
CIRCUITS
- SISKIYOU COUNTY ARES (update)
- ARES TEAM SPOTLIGHT - JOSEPHINE COUNTY
- EMCOMM 2002 MOBILE UNIT EXPO (update)
- ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE
- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? (conclusion)
- ITU PHONETICS, WHY? (training)
- RADIOGRAM
- NETS REMINDER/SCHEDULE
- NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
- WX SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
- COMING ATTRACTIONS
- CLASSIFIED ADS
+++ SHORT
CIRCUITS - Brief (important) announcements:
+ MEDFORD NWS REPEATER ON MT. ASHLAND
(147.260+ / 123.0) -
Is now operational and providing good coverage.
+ REMINDER TO EMERGENCY COORDINATORS
- Your monthly reports for October (ARRL FSD-212) are due November 3.
Send to your DEC or SEC.
+ SPECIAL QSL CARD TO BE ISSUED FOR
FIRST SESSION OF “ON-THE-AIR” RADIOGRAM PRACTICE - ALSO WIN A PRIZE!
(Details further down)
+ NWS/ARRL SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY
-
(Details in November QST - page 76)
[back]
+ SISKIYOU
COUNTY ARES NETS NOW ON NWS MT. ASHLAND REPEATER - 147.260+ (123.0)
Siskiyou County ARES Thursday night nets (7:30 PM) are now on:
3987 LSB, 147.26+ (123.0), and 146.55; + packet (145.01 and 145.05) HF stations
will be called first. After a HF relay net is established; VHF stations
will be called on 147.26+, followed by a call on 146.55. VHF stations are asked
to standby for net until at least 7:45 PM
Nannette Thorne, KE6MZT, Siskiyou County EC says: “I am asking all ARES
stations (including those who check in on HF) to join us in a “test” every
Thursday night during the month of November and check in (or attempt to)
via 147.26+ (123.0) so we (and the NWS) will have a better idea as to what
the coverage area is for the Mt. Ashland repeater. ARES and other EMCOMM
stations anywhere within range are invited to check in.”
[back]
+ OUR NEW FEATURE “ARES TEAM
SPOTLIGHT” CONTINUES -
Our webmaster, Bill, KC7REK, reports that we are starting to run low on
available space on our website (too many pictures-HI). However, Bill has
found a way to archive ARES TEAM SPOTLIGHTS with a link to an index on another
server page. This will allow visitors to view earlier “spotlights”. The new
page will open in a new browser window, but will have a “pop-up ad”. That's
the "price" we have to pay for the extra space.
+ “ARES
TEAM SPOTLIGHT” - JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OREGON
From: Brian Fritsen, KK7BF, Emergency Coordinator
“This is a view of the JoCo emergency command truck. (See below how to view
picture - ed.) Notice the front top. There are two dual band antennas. We
have installed an Alinco DR 605 and it is preprogrammed. Also, there is a
Yaesu FT 2600 for phone and packet. It will mostly serve as the packet radio.
Included is a KPC3+. On the other side of the truck for emergency
communications is a CB and two VHF JoCo Sheriff radios. There are plans for a
Kenwood HF and aircraft radio. There are two cell phones plus an IBM lap top for
packet. The rear of the command truck will have a photo copier and printer.
There are power strips for charging the SAR radios. The search commander station
has a computer for search management. There are two VHF Sheriff antennas on the
rear of the truck. The masts are raised by cable. The purpose for a truck such
as this is because of the mountains and log roads that seem to be everywhere.
We have already had the truck out in the mountains for use by the Sheriff’s
Office, and the three days of the boat racing event on the Rogue River
this summer kept the radios going without missing a beat!”
COMMENT: Thanks Brian. What a heavy duty rig. WOW!. Your group
is to be commended for doing a great job putting the old a “deuce-and-half”
back into service! You may have to tow a fuel trailer, but I hope that you
can bring the rig to EMCOMM 2002 for display at the “EMCOMM 2002 MOBILE UNIT
EXPO”. (Photo at: www.qsl.net/k6soj
- click on “ARES Team Spotlight”.)
[back]
+ EMCOMM
2002 MOBILE UNIT EXPO - (updated)
To all ARES teams, clubs, and individual EMCOMM Team Members:
In order to promote preparedness, (and have some fun) we are planning a “Car
Show”! Urrr, make that a: “Mobile Unit Show and Competition” for
EMCOMM 2002! A competition, complete with awards, for privately owned and
sponsored (i.e. non-agency) mobile EMCOMM units. There will be two categories:
CLASS ONE - Best ARES, or club owned, privately funded, mobile EMCOMM field
unit. Includes “non-publicly (tax payer) funded”, RACES/ACS or CDF/VIP
mobile units.)
CLASS TWO - Best INDIVIDUALLY owned mobile EMCOMM field unit.
AWARDS will based upon: design, function, appearance, innovation,
multi-agency capability and availability, and use of re-cycled and/or
surplus gear.
Watch the 5-1-2 Bulletin, or check: http://www.emcomm2002.net
for updates
and more information as the time approaches.
[back]
+ SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE QSL CARD TO
BE ISSUED FOR FIRST SESSION OF “ON-THE-AIR” RADIOGRAM
PRACTICE - PLUS A CHANCE TO WIN A NIFTY PRIZE!
Beginning November 21, RADIOGRAM practice sessions will be held on Wednesdays
following the ARES REGIONAL LEADERSHIP NETS.
- Approximately 2000L on 3987 LSB + or -.
- One or more “test messages” will be sent by volunteer operators.
- The preamble and text of the RADIOGRAMS will be published in the 5-1-2+
Bulletin the following Tuesday, so participants can check for accuracy.
- You will need a supply of blank RADIOGRAMS. They are available from
league HQ; or, you can print them out from:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/RADIOGRM.pdf
- ALL EMCOMM operators are invited to “practice” with us. ARES leaders are
asked to encourage members on their teams to participate.
- Operators that do not have an HF station, can still practice. All you
will need is an HF receiver.
- Later on, we may also do some sessions on CW.
- Watch the 5-1-2+ Bulletin for more information.
- Reference materials are:
The ARRL Public Service Manual; or go to: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/teacher/kemp/appendixa.html
+ A SPECIAL QSL CARD will
be issued to all operators who participate in the
first session, and submit a copy of one or more complete RADIOGRAM(s) by
regular mail. All radio amateurs (including “no code” Technicians) are
welcome to listen in and submit an entry. Here’s the rules:
1. Listen on November 21 at 2000L on 3987 LSB (+ or -). Three RADIOGRAMS
will be transmitted from K6SOJ to a pre-selected station.
2. Copy the entire RADIOGRAM(s) (preamble, text, and signature). Copy(s)
must be accurate and correct. VERY minor (non-consequential) errors, MAY
be accepted.
3. Use an ARRL RADIOGRAM blank (see above); or, you may use a plain piece of
paper. However, your “copy” MUST be in standard RADIOGRAM format.
4. Send your completed RADIOGRAM(s) and a business-size (4 x 9.5”)
self-addressed stamped envelope (.34 cent stamp affixed) to:
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058.
5. Entry MUST be postmarked by November 26, 2001. (Since the correct copy
will be published in the 5-1-2+ Bulletin on Nov. 27th)
6. GRAND PRIZE DRAWING! All correctly copied RADIOGRAM entries (you may
submit up to three (3) and increase your odds) will be entered in a drawing
to be held on December 15, 2001.
FIRST PRIZE is an genuine, new-in-box (NIB), “Gov’t. Issue”,
crash-proof, cockpit lamp for a WWII Canadian Spitfire Fighter Aircraft.
A real “conversation piece”! Included will be a 12v. bulb to make it
functional as a nifty dashboard light or emergency desk light for your home
station.
“LET’S MAKE TRAFFIC HANDLING FUN!”
ADDITIONAL (VERY) USEFUL information is available at:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec2-ch11.html
http://www.iea.com/~donf/pan/NTSMinutes.htm
[back]
---------------------------------
+ “RADIOGRAM”
- FOLLOWS TEST MESSAGE NUMBER
99 R K6SOJ 23 MACDOEL CA OCT 30
ALL ARES OPERATORS
ANYWHERE USA
I ANSWER SOME EMAIL WITH BRIEF REPLIES X DUE TO HIGH VOLUME AND TO PRACTICE
BREVITY NO PUNCTUATION USED AS IN RADIOGRAMS X
D W THORNE
[back]
-----------------------------------
+ TRAINING and
CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION -
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 http://www.qsl.net/k6soj
. Below are excerpts from that article with comments.
70. Things will get better -- some time after they have become considerably
worse.
COMMENT: When Lt. Blackston first published his “list of seventy (70)
things to expect" article in 1989, I am sure that no one expected what
would befall our nation beginning on September 11, 2001. Nor did any of us
as we began to expand upon his thoughts last January. We must continue to
prepare...we do not know what lay ahead. This completes this series.
[back]
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING MODULE:
+ ITU
PHONETICS, WHY? - by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
The use of ITU phonetics in EMCOMM and formal traffic handling is essential
to accurate and efficient communications. (I use them on a daily basis just to
keep in practice.) It is my experience that some hams simply haven’t ever
researched “the why”. Others just haven’t ever taken the time to learn
them. And sadly, I have heard a few hams campaign against their use based upon
some weird misguided resentment of “authority”. (I sure hope they drive on
the right side of the street as do most of us.)
I have in my possession a list of many different phonetic alphabets, that have
been used by one group or another, since the earliest days of radiotelephone
traffic. During WW II the British used one version, while the U.S. had
another. Others had even different phonetic alphabets.
In 1947 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), adopted rules
and procedures that included standard phonetics. The reason? TO SAVE
LIVES. There are documented incidents where aircraft (and lives) have been lost
as a result of phone traffic being misunderstood or unreadable as a result of
non-standard phonetics and thereby miss-communication between pilots (usually
those whose primary language was not English) and ground control stations.
In 1956 the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) adopted the current
phonetic alphabet. Today (with a few rare exceptions) it is THE worldwide
standard for military, naval, civilian aeronautical and maritime, search and
rescue groups, public safety, (law enforcement is an exception); AND, the
A.R.R.L. Even the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts teach them!
Here are a few reasons that the ITU Phonetic alphabet is used by proficient
EMCOMM and NTS phone operators:
1) It is the INTERNATIONAL standard. Operators that do not have English as
their primary language, can clearly spell out a word that may be difficult to
copy. Not only due to poor conditions or static, but due to a foreign
accent. I know personally, of an incident, where EMERGENCY traffic, originating
from a foreign (visiting in the U.S.) mobile amateur operator, calling for
assistance on 2 meters FM was boggled, because the responding ham did not know
ITU phonetics.
2) In handling RADIOGRAMS, or other traffic, a skilled operator that is familiar
with ITU phonetics will automatically recognize that a phonetic is NOT part of
the text of the message. If non-standard phonetics are used, the receiving
station may get confused, and require additional time consuming “fill”.
3) It sounds...”professional” and efficient.
ITU phonetics and correct pronunciation (use under poor conditions):
A--Alfa “AL-FAH”
B--Bravo “BRAH-VOH”
C--Charlie “CHAR-LEE” or “SHAR-LEE”
D--Delta “DELL-TAH”
E--Echo “ECK-OH”
F--Foxtrot “FOKS-TROT”
G--Golf “GOLF”
H--Hotel “HOH-TELL”
I--India “IN-DEE-AH”
J--Juliet “JEW-LEE-ETT”
K--Kilo “KEE-LOH”
L--Lima “LEE-MAH”
M--Mike “MIKE”
N--November “NO-VEM-BER”
O--Oscar “OSS-CAH”
P--Papa “PAH-PAH”
Q--Quebec “KEH-BECK”
R--Romeo “ROW-ME-OH”
S--Sierra “SEE-AIR-RAH”
T--Tango “TANG-GO”
U--Uniform “YOU-NEE-FORM” or “OO-NEE-FORM”
V--Victor “VIK-TAH”
W--Whiskey “WISS-KEY”
X--X-ray “ECKS-RAY”
Y--Yankee “YANG-KEY”
Z--Zulu “ZOO-LOO”
Numbers pronunciation:
0 - “ZEE-RO”
1 - “WUN”
2 - “TOO”
3 - “TH-UH-REE” or “TREE”
4 - “FOW-ER”
5 - “FI-IV” or “FIFE”
6 - “SIX”
7 - “SEV-EN”
8 - “ATE” or “A-IT”
9 - “NIN-ER”
DECIMAL = “DAY-SEE-MAL”
ANOMALIES and IDIOSYNCRASIES:
1 - To distinguish “Z” from “C” on phone, is it a common practice to say
“zed” (an old British phonetic) for “Z”, especially when saying a call
sign. “Zed” is shorter (one syllable vs. two for “zulu”.) However,
in formal traffic, the ITU: “ZULU” is correct and proper.
2 - “ROGER” (an early phonetic) is still used for “received” (equivalent
of sending “R” in Morse) - It does NOT mean “yes” or “affirmative”.
It only means: “I have received your complete message”.
Next week we take a look at:
ICAO RADIOTELEPHONY PROCEDURE WORDS AND PHRASES
PREVIOUS TRAINING BULLETINS are archived at: www.qsl.net/k6soj
------------------------
+ UPDATED - REGIONAL ARES NET
PROTOCOL AND ROSTER -
(Including a “printable version”) is now available at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj (click >“NETS”,
then click > “5-1-2 Net Protocol”
[back]
+ REMINDER -
5-1-2+ REGIONAL ARES AND NWS NETS
DAILY:
1200 to 1230L: Jefferson Noon Net on 7232 LSB (3987 LSB alternate)
NOTE: ALL STATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR AND/OR CALL ON 146.52 MHZ DURING
THE NOON NET TO RELAY CHECKINS OR TRAFFIC.
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) ALL ARES
and other EMCOMM leaders are welcome. A net roster is available at: www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/net.htm
Starting November 21, 2001 at 2000L (approximate) on 3987 LSB (+ or -):
“ON-THE AIR” RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS
+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS -
list at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm
[back]
+ NWS-SKYWARN
SECTION
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Peterson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
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 SKYWARN WEBSITE: www.qsl.net/mfrskywarn
SKYWARN / WX SPOTTER NET CONTROL OPERATORS NEEDED -
Currently there are only two NWS NC operators for the Medford NWS.
Help us “carry the load”!
1. If you live in the nine county service area of the Medford NWS
2. Are an active registered WX spotter
3. Have a VHF and HF station (with NVIS antenna)
4. Would like to serve your country as a NCO for the NWS;
Contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederson@orednet.org ,
or:
Dave, K6SOJ, k6soj@arrl.net
[back]
WINTER WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE -
LAKE COUNTY (OR):
Thursday, November 1; 7-9 PM at Lakeview Senior Center
MODOC COUNTY:
Saturday, November 3; 1-3 PM at Modoc Office of Education in Alturas
CURRY COUNTY:
Tuesday, November 13; 7-9 PM downstairs in the Blue Room in the County
Annex Building in Gold Beach.
COOS COUNTY:
Wednesday, November 12; 6:30-8:30 PM Coquille Fire Station
JACKSON COUNTY:
Thursday, November 15; 7-9 PM at Jackson County Public Works Auditorium
200 Antelope Road, White City (just north of Medford).
SISKIYOU COUNTY:
Monday, November 19; 6-8 PM at Ray Trigar Training Center @ CDF Yreka
KLAMATH COUNTY:
Tuesday, November 20; 6:30-8:30 PM in the Banquet Room of the Klamath Falls
Sizzler, 2506 S. Sixth St., KFO. Optional dinner at 6:00 PM.
---------------------------------------------
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER / SKYWARN NETS:
The Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET every Wednesday at 1915L on:
147.260+ / CTCSS: 123.0, (Mt. Ashland); 146.550 SIMPLEX (eastern Siskiyou and
Klamath Counties) 146.970- (Likely); 3987LSB (1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN nets will also be activated on these frequencies during severe
weather events.
ALSO, 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 e-mail: gpederson@orednet.org
Check in to the JEFFERSON NOON NET daily at 1200L on 7232 LSB (alt. 3987) for
announcements regarding anticipated or actual 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
[back]
+ COMING
ATTRACTIONS ...
+ ICAO RADIOTELEPHONY PROCEDURE WORDS AND PHRASES
+ NTS - WHY?
+ WX SPOTTER NETS - WHY?
+ CW - WHY?
PLUS:
+ WHAT does “Amateur Radio”...mean to YOU?
+ MORE... “SATIRICAL SYMPHONIES”
+ 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. www.emcomm2002.net
+ PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE 5-1-2+
BULLETIN ARE ARCHIVED AT:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
+ 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
[back]
------------------------------------
5-1-2+ CLASSIFIED ADS - FREE TO ALL EMCOMM OPERATORS -
(Please keep your ad short (2-4 lines), and limited to radio and / or other
EMCOMM related equipment only. Listings will appear at end of every 5-1-2+
Bulletin and will run for four issues unless cancelled or extended.)
Send text to: k6soj@arrl.net
FOR SALE -- YAESU FT-290 II 2 meter FM/SSB/CW Transceiver. Includes
snap-on 6 “C” cell battery pack (2.5 watts output), snap-on 12v power amp
(25 watts out), tone board, shoulder strap, mobile mount. Excellent
condition (like new) with original box, manual etc. $350.00 + shipping.
Contact: k6soj@arrl.net
(10/9)
--......--
[back