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“TRAINING + DISCIPLINE + EXPERIENCE = PREPAREDNESS”
THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN No. 125
- 24 SEP 2002 -
A Weekly Bulletin for ARES and other EMCOMM Operators and Public
Safety Officials in “the west”...and beyond.
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Editor.
INTERNET: www.emcomm.org E-MAIL: k6soj@arrl.net
L = LCL (Local time in the (PST winter / PDT summer) zone
Z = ZULU (Universal Coordinated Time - UTC)
+ IN THIS
EDITION...
- FIRE SEASON ISN’T OVER
- SHORT CIRCUITS
• Net Reminder
• New Subscriber(s)
• New Weather Spotter Class Schedule
• Annual ARRL/ARES “S-E-T”
• PACIFICON
- THE WELL EQUIPPED STATION
- NET SCHEDULES
- TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
- NWS-SKYWARN SECTION
• Active SKYWARN Stations
=== FIRE
SEASON ISN’T OVER ===
+ INCREASE YOUR FIRE AWARENESS AND MAINTAIN YOUR READINESS BY:
- Observing all fire rules and regulations.
- Surveying your perimeter/horizon hourly (or more often).
- Reporting all suspicious smoke immediately.
- Carrying a shovel, rake, water hose, bucket, radio, and personal safety
gear at all times when traveling or camping in rural or remote areas.
- Keeping a dedicated hose of sufficient length ALWAYS ready at home.
- Informing your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.
- REMEMBER: EARLY REPORTING MAY PREVENT A MAJOR DISASTER!
=== SHORT
CIRCUITS ===
• ARES LEADERSHIP NET CONTINUES TO GROW -
On the THIRD Wednesday of the month, at 1930L on 3987kHz, ARES leaders
meet for an on-the-air REGIONAL (multi-county, multi-district, multi-section,
multi-state, multi-division) net and discussion. The purpose of the net (in
addition to getting to know each other better) is to exchange ideas relative to
the ARES and...to learn from each other.
Last week (9/18) 22 AECs, ECs, DECs, SECs, Offical
Emergency and/or Relay Station operators from 18 sections, districts, or
counties (from 4 states) checked in...along with 6 ARES stations “at large”.
28 ARES stations in all!
The topic last week was planning for the upcoming S-E-T.
However, the net manager is asking for suggestions of subjects of interest (and
value) for future nets. Anyone with a question or topic that they would
like to hear discussed on the ARES leadership net may email it to: k6soj@arrl.net
• WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET REMINDER
-
TOMORROW NIGHT (4th Wednesday, 9/25):
Sacramento Valley Section ARES Net. (ARES stations outside the SV Section
are welcome.)
• WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBER(S) -
George Brand, WA8SCO. AAT5BC, Lewiston, MI. RACES, ARES, ARPSC, ARMY MARS.
• WINTER WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES
ANNOUNCED -
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, WCM (Warning Coordination Meteorologist), at NWS
Medford, OR has announced a Fall schedule for WINTER WEATHER SPOTTER
CLASSES. See NWS-SKYWARN SECTION (below) for information about the class
nearest you.
• ANNUAL ARRL/ARES “S-E-T” OCTOBER 5-6 -
The national date for the annual ARRL “S-E-T” is October 5-6, 2002.
For a
few ideas to help plan and execute a test exercise see bulletin #124.
(09/17/02)
• PACIFICON - ARRL Pacific Division
Convention -
October 18,19, and 20, 2002. Concord, CA. INTERNET: www.pacificon.org
+ THE WELL EQUIPPED AMATEUR RADIO STATION -
The Autumnal Equinox is past. Fall is in the air. For those
of us in the northern hemisphere, the nights will be longer than the days for
the next six months. And, the bands will improve...we hope! Ah, the
winter radio season!
There is nothing quite like sitting in a warm
shack...looking out at a starry sky or watching snowflakes blow by your window
while enjoying a nice QSO with some exotic far-off station, snagging an elusive
DX “entity”, participating in your favorite net, or just talking with your
circle of friends from around the country...or the world.
Ahh, the MAGIC OF RADIO!
It’s even more enjoyable with a dog or two at your
feet, your cat asleep on that old pile of QSTs, a radio that “glows in the
dark” with just a hint of ozone or warm paper capacitor in the air.
Ahhh...I love...RAY-DEE-OH!
Give me the dim glow of dial lights, rather than the
bright light of a CRT...anytime!
Whether you are a serious traffic handler, a skilled EMCOMM operator, or
simply an “arm-chair amateur”; here are a few accessories to make ham
radio more enjoyable and efficient...in your “WELL EQUIPPED AMATEUR
STATION”.
• Comfortable, well lighted, desk or table and a comfortable chair.
• Accurate battery clock (Two are better. One for local and one
for UTC.)
• Wall calendar. And REMEMBER...the UTC/GMT/ZULU DATE is TOMORROW from
0000 UTC until midnight LOCAL time.
• Flashlight or other emergency light source.
• Logbook(s), note books, QSL cards, etc.
• ARRL Repeater Directory, Operating guide, local and regional
emergency
plan, antenna books, recent issues of QST, and a recent copy
of FCC “part 97”.
• Telephone list and several telephone books.*
• Maps: local, state, regional, world. Road, political,
topographic
forest service, BLM, aeronautical, nautical, amateur radio
zone,
historical...it is impossible to have too many!
• Current world postal guide, plus stamps, envelopes, address labels,
etc.
• Recent World Almanac.
• Extra pens and pencils (+ sharpener).
• A safe place (where it won’t get spilled) for your cup, mug, or
plate.
• File cabinet(s).
• Weather station or outdoor thermometer and binoculars.
• Wallpaper. (Your FCC license, certificates, awards, QSL cards,
snapshots, pennants, toys, miniatures, memorabilia, and
whatever else is
important to you.
* All serious EMCOMM operators keep a READY BOOK (that’s what I call
mine) handy! I use a 3-ring half-size binder that accepts 5½ x 8½ paper
because it stands up nicely on the desk next to my radio gear.
Index it as you like...but you’ll want a section for
EMERGENCY numbers, and a section with names and addresses for contact persons in
FIRE, OES, SAR, Red Cross, and NWS. I also have sections with VHF and HF
frequencies, NET schedules, severe WEATHER reporting criteria, media contacts,
plus addresses and LL numbers of friends and commonly called businesses.
When updates are made, I make four copies to update the “READY BOOKS” in the
shack, both vehicles, and for YL Nannette, KE6MZT.
There is probably more that could be added to this list. If you
have an item that you believe enhances the MAGIC of RADIO, let me know. I
will publish it under FEEDBACK. In the meantime: HOPE TO C U ON AIR DE
K6SOJ
=== NET
SCHEDULES ===
NET DIRECTORY PAGE -
Find (participating) EMCOMM Nets quickly by day or location at:
www.emcomm.org/netdirectory/
NIGHTLY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA / NEVADA TRAFFIC NETS -
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NET (NCN/1) 1900L 3630
kHz CW
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NET (NCN/2) 2100L 3705
kHz CW (slow speed)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NET (NCN/V) 1930L
145.210- FM (100.0) Stockton
SACRAMENTO VALLEY TRAFFIC NET (SVTN) 2100L 146.850- FM (110.8) Chico
6TH REGIONAL NET (RN6)
1945L 3655 kHz CW
6TH REGIONAL NET (RN6)
2130L 3655 kHz CW
PACIFIC AREA NET (PAN) (SUMMER) 2030L 7052
kHz CW
PACIFIC AREA NET (PAN) (WINTER) 2030L 3651
kHz CW
=============================================
+++ TRAINING
and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION -
(Previous training bulletins are archived at:
www.emcomm.org/svares/training/index.htm
+ AN EXCELLENT NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (NTS) TRAINING WEBSITE IS AT: http://www.qsl.net/aresco/nts-top.htm
ADDITIONAL (VERY) USEFUL information is available at:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec2-ch11.html
http://www.area-ham.org/tngdocs/ntsdocs/ntsman.htm
When composing a RADIOGRAM, pretend that you will
be charged ONE DOLLAR for
every “word”.
“TRAFFIC HANDLING IS FUN AND REWARDING!”
+ 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.emcomm.org/skywarn
• ACTIVE MEDFORD NWS SERVICE AREA SKYWARN
STATIONS -
NET LOG FOR 18 SEP 02:
NCS VHF - N7IXS
NCS HF - K6SOJ
STATIONS REPORTING:
SY39 KD6WZC VHF
SY42 KE6MZT/K6SOJ HF/VHF
KL98 N2RSI/N2RSN HF
MO39 K6QQ HF
MO38 AD6RV VHF (relay via K6QQ 146.97- Likely)
JA78 N7IXS VHF/HF
OUTSIDE MEDFORD SERVICE AREA SKYWARN STATION & VISITORS:
TØ5 W6HOR HF (EUREKA NWS)
WA24 N7TOD HF (RENO NWS)
WB6AGR HF (ROSEVILLE, CA)
KD6ITD
HF (CANBY, CA)
+ NWS / SKYWARN WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE -
Anyone interested in becoming a registered WX Spotter is welcome. (Need
not
be a ham.) No RSVP is necessary and there is no charge for the classes.
MODOC COUNTY: Tuesday, October 15. 7-9 p.m. U. S. Forest
Service, 800 West 12th St., Alturas, CA. (On Highway 299 as you enter town
from the west. Use the back entrance...east side of building.)
SISKIYOU COUNTY: Wednesday, October 16. 6-8 p.m. CDF
Training Room, 1809 Fairlane Rd., Yreka, CA.
KLAMATH COUNTY: Tuesday, October 29. 6-8 p.m. Banquet Room
of the Klamath
Falls Sizzler Restaurant (So. Sixth St. a at Washburn Way). Optional dinner at 5
p.m.
JOSEPHINE COUNTY: Tuesday, November 5. 6-8 p.m. Anne
Basker Auditorium,
Grants Pass. (Between city offices and court house on 6th St.)
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 Relay)
3987LSB (1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN nets will be activated on these frequencies during severe
weather
events.
NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -
DATE 147.26+
3987 LSB
SEP 4 N7GK
KC7WEU
SEP 11 N2RSN
K6SOJ
SEP 18 N7IXS
N2RSN
SEP 25 N7GK
KB7EKF
ADDITIONAL NWS NET CONTROL OPERATORS SOUGHT -
For more information contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederso@OregonVOS.net;
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: gpederso@OregonVOS.net
Check in to the JEFFERSON NOON NET daily at 1200L on 7232 LSB
(alt. 3987)
for announcements regarding anticipated or actual severe WX.
+ BACK ISSUES OF THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN and (the former) 5-1-2+
BULLETIN ARE ARCHIVED AT: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives
• SEARCH FEATURE NOW ON LINE AT EMCOMM.ORG
Ever try to locate an article in a past issue of the bulletin? Or, maybe
you’re a new subscriber, and you are interested in knowing if a particular
subject has ever been addressed in a former bulletin. Or...maybe you are just
doing some research. The “site search” feature at www.emcomm.org may be just what you need!
+ The “EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN” - Copyright (c) 2002 - D. W.
Thorne, K6SOJ
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and re-circulate items from this
bulletin providing appropriate credit is given to the “EMCOMMWEST
BULLETIN” and/or the author or originator of the material. Send
corrections, updates, etc. to: k6soj@arrl.net
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