“For want of a word, the message was lost.
For want of a message, the medicine was lost.
For want of a medicine, a life was lost.”
- (Paraphrase of an old
proverb)
-----------------------------------------
The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN -11 December 01 - No. 84
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, Editor.
INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj E-MAIL:
k6soj@arrl.net
-----------------------------------------
+ IN THIS
EDITION:
- SHORT CIRCUITS
- EC CORNER
- PACKET NEWS
- FEEDBACK
- TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
- ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE - CRITIQUE OF NOV 21
SESSION
- ARES TO MARS PROJECT (updated)
- NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
- WX SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
- ARES NETS REMINDER/SCHEDULE
- COMING ATTRACTIONS
+++ SHORT CIRCUITS -
+ NEW OFFICIAL EMERGENCY STATION -
Congratulations to Ed Ewell, K7DXV, Klamath Falls, OR who was appointed as an
ARRL Official Emergency Station on December 1, 2001.
For more information on becoming an “OES” go to:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/org/oes.html
for Official Relay Station “ORS” information go to:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/org/ors.html
+ FREE ON-LINE RADIOGRAM TRAINING COURSE - By R.
Bruce Winchell, N8UT http://www.area-ham.org/tngdocs/ntsdocs/ntsman.htm
This complies with ARRL procedures and makes NTS easy to learn.
(Thanks to K7DXV for sending this along.)
+ STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT - 0000 to 2400Z - January 1,
2002
(1600 PST December 31 to 1600 PST January 1).
Info: www.arrl.org/contests
HOPE TO C U ON AIR NY EVE ES HOPE UR SKN IS ALWAYS 599 73 DE K6SOJ
+ RADIO BACKPACK - I don’t make it a habit of “plugging”
commercial
products...but check out the ad on page 35 of the December QST. Looks like
a nifty item. I can’t afford another pack, (my old “A.L.I.C.E.” pack
will just have to suffice). But, the WORLDPACK II does look like a pretty
nifty product!
+ ECC: “EMERGENCY
COORDINATORS’ CORNER” -
Thanks to the SV Section ECs in the following counties who reported for
November. - Butte/Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Placer, Plumas, Tehama, Shasta, and
Siskiyou Counties; plus Districts One and Two.
The SV Section report as submitted to league HQ for November 2001:
ARES members: 247
Active nets:
11
Net sessions: 80
Public Service events: 1
Emergency Operations: 0
Total volunteer hours: 436
NOTE: Compare with the August 2001 report, when SV Section ARES teams
responded to seven emergency operations (fires) with 1,118 volunteer hours
reported. And that report only included Districts 1 and 2! - de K6SOJ
+ PACKET NEWS -
From Terry Cobb, K6ME, Lassen County
(Excerpted from the Lassen County Amateur Radio Club Newsletter):
(At the LARC meeting) “Vic, KE6REA gave an operations overview of the new
(APRS-DiGi-Repeater) that he, Alan, K6JKC, and several others helped to install
on Fredonyer Peak recently. The APRS DiGi Repeater is relaying the movements and
Packet traffic of APRS equipped amateurs that are within about a 500 mile radius
north and south of our area. Specifically San Louis Obispo to the south up to
Portland Oregon to the north and many operations in between. Reno and
areas to our northeast are still without an APRS repeater, but word has it that
a Reno Club may get one online in the spring and open up a vast area of
northwestern Nevada. If you have 2-meter packet you can copy most of the
information from Fredonyer Peak on 144.390 MHz. simplex. Some of the info cannot
be decoded with older packet modems so you will see some gibberish. APRS can be
operated through your PC sound card & a 2-meter TX/RX radio and is also on
the Internet.”
Editor’s note: Fredonyer Peak at 7995 ft. elev. is approximately 20 miles
north of Susanville and four miles east of Eagle Lake.
-----------------------
+ FEEDBACK -
From Clyde Hood, WH6AB, Vacaville, CA:
“I enjoy your bulletins every week. I was at EMCOMM 2001 and plan to be
there next year.”
COMMENT: Thanks Clyde...I am looking forward to seeing you at EMCOMM 2002! - de
K6SOJ
+++ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION -
(Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.qsl.net/k6soj)
+ MORE ABOUT NVIS:
NVIS allows stations to more effectively work each other in the 30-300 mile
range. But another “fringe benefit” of NVIS is that, stations beyond
the desired distance won’t hear you. In a net however, it only takes one
station using a vertical antenna or excessive power to cause a “problem” by
being heard beyond the desired range. The end result may be that that
station may be asked to “listen out”, or the NCS may have to move the net to
different frequency. Many EMCOMM hams use a vertical antenna, (that may be
all they have available) and can still be heard well in a regional net...but
they may (underscore MAY) be heard beyond the net’s service area and cause QRM
to another net or QSO. If a distant station complains, reducing power or
minimizing transmissions may help.
+ RADIOGRAM
PRACTICE SESSIONS CONTINUE -
A SPECIAL QSL CARD will be issued to all operators who participate in any
Wednesday session, and submit a copy of one correctly copied RADIOGRAM 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 Wednesdays at 2000L on 3987 LSB (+ or -). Three RADIOGRAMS
will be transmitted.
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; (a “printer friendly” version is available
at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/radiogram2.pdf
or, you may use a plain piece of paper. However, your “copy” MUST be
in
ARRL 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. Entries MUST be postmarked by Monday that follows the practice session,
since the correct copy will be published in the 5-1-2+ Bulletin the
following Tuesday.
+ RADIOGRAM TIP - #4
(A critique of the November 21 practice session.)
The first in this series of training sessions was successfully conducted
Wednesday (11/21). Most of the RADIOGRAMS submitted were accurately
copied. A few operators, however, need a little more practice. As it
is in copying CW, it is never a good idea to anticipate ANYTHING.
In TEST MESSAGE NUMBER 1, the place of origin was: PLYMOUTH MA
and the addressee was:
CHRISTOPHER NICHOLS
PLYMOUTH PORT
SOUTHAMPTON ENGLAND
One operator had the RADIOGRAM going to: PLYMOUTH MA
and another had it addressed to PLYMOUTH SOUTHHAMPTON
(PORT and ENGLAND were missing)
LESSON: A complete and accurate address is essential.
One other fairly common error was to not count the three words:
TEST MESSAGE X in the “check”.
Except for a few other minor errors... the ‘grams were copied well. Oh yes,
these practice sessions are not only a very good tool to practice and evaluate
our copying. They also provide practice and evaluation of our sending of
formal messages!
SURVEY:
If you are participating in these RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS, please send a
short e-mail to: www.qsl.net/k6soj
indicating that you are. And please
make any comments or suggestions. Thank you.
RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSION STATION SCHEDULE:
SEND RECEIVE
------------------------------------
Dec. 5 KB7EKF K7DXV
Dec. 12 KB7EKF K7DXV
Dec. 19 K7DXV KC7IXX
Dec. 26 K7DXV KC7IXX
------------------------------------
Jan. 2 KC7IXX
Jan. 9 KC7IXX
Jan. 16
Jan. 23
Jan. 30
------------------------------------
As you can see from the above pattern, volunteer stations will send three
messages for two consecutive Wednesdays. Then, they will receive messages
for the two Wednesdays following. If you want to “jump in with both
feet”, and be a sending (then receiving) station, please let us know.
Don’t let the fear of making a misteak (HI) hold you back. Operators who
have not practiced this will have one a hell of a time if they ever need to send
a message. Learn how to, or polish your old skills, BEFORE an EMERGENCY
occurs!
OK...who will be next? (Need a receiving station for Jan 2 and 9.)
+ TEST (PRACTICE) RADIOGRAMS AS SENT ON 5 DECEMBER:
-------------------------------
TEST 7 R KB7EKF 23 GRANTS PASS OR DEC 5
SANTA CLAUS
NORTH POLE
TEST MESSAGE X MANY OF
YOUR HELPERS ARE BUSY IN
STATE OF JEFFERSON GETTING READY
FOR CHRISTMAS X LOOKING FORWARD
TO YOUR VISIT
U R ASSISTANT
-------------------------------
TEST 8 R KB7EKF 22 GRANTS PASS OR DEC 5
JULIE KEITH
1250 W 7TH AVE
APACHE JUNCTION AZ 95220
480 671 7538
TEST MESSAGE X CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
X LOTS OF RAIN HERE
X MOUNTAINS IN ALL DIRECTIONS
HAVE TWO TO THREE FEET
OF SNOW
WARREN
---------------------------------
TEST 9 R KB7EKF 21 GRANTS PASS OR DEC 5
ANY SERVICE MEMBER
TEST MESSAGE X HOLIDAY GREETING
FROM ALL AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
IN THE STATE OF JEFFERSON
X OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH
YOU
IMA HAM
---------------------------------
RADIOGRAM practice sessions will continue following the ARES REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
NETS every Wednesday night.
- 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
“TRAFFIC HANDLING IS FUN AND REWARDING!”
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
+ ARES TO MARS
BY DECEMBER -
(See 5-1-2+ Bulletin No. 79 for complete details)
+
NWS-SKYWARN SECTION
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Peterson, N7GK, Acting 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
+ NWS/ARRL SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY - 1 December 2001
http://hamradio.noaa.gov/
+ WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE -
Classes for 2002 will be announced as they are scheduled.
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER / SKYWARN NETS:
The Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET every Wednesday at 1915L on:
147.26+ / CTCSS: 123.0, (Mt. Ashland - Jackson County and more) 146.55 SIMPLEX
(eastern Siskiyou and Klamath Counties) 146.97- (Likely - Modoc County) 3987LSB
(1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN nets may be activated on these frequencies during severe weather
events.
NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -
1st and 3rd Wednesdays:
147.26+ K6SOJ SY42
3987 LSB KE7WEU JO25
2nd and 4th Wednesdays:
147.26+ N7GK JA14
3987 LSB N2RSN KL98
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPERATORS NEEDED FOR NWS NET CONTROL OPERATIONS -
While we now have a total of four (4) NWS NC operators for Medford NWS, we
still would like about four more, either for regular or back-up duty.
For more information contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederson@orednet.org;
or,
Dave, K6SOJ, k6soj@arrl.net
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.
+ 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 and/or 146.55
MHZ DURING THE NOON NET TO RELAY CHECK-INS 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 REGIONAL NET CONTROL STATION SCHEDULE:
-----------------------------------
Dec. 5 Josephine Co. EC KK7BF
Dec. 12 Dist. 1-2 DEC WO6P
Dec. 19 Josephine Co. AEC KC7IXX
Dec. 26
------------------------------------
Jan. 2
Jan. 9
Jan. 16
Jan. 23 Dist. 1-2 DEC WO6P
Jan. 30
------------------------------------
+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS - list at: www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm
+ 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 ...
+ HISTORY OF THE 5-1-2+ BULLETIN
+ CW IN EMCOMM - WHY?
+ DEVELOPING YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN - TIPS
+ PLANNING AND EXECUTING YOUR NEXT “SET” - TIPS
PLUS:
+ WHAT does “Amateur Radio”...mean to YOU?
+ MORE... “SATIRICAL SYMPHONIES”
+ 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