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“Speak not into the ears of a fool: for he
will despise the wisdom of your words.” - Proverbs 23:9
THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN No. 152
- 1 APRIL 2003 -
A Weekly Bulletin for ARES and other EMCOMM Operators and Public
Safety Officials in “the west”...and beyond.
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ- Chief Editor - k6soj@arrl.net
Bill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor, Washington - w7arc@arrl.net
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Associate Editor/Training, Oregon - ewell2@cvc.net
Paul Cavnar, NN7B - Associate Editor, Nevada - nn7b@arrl.net
INTERNET: www.emcomm.org E-MAIL: k6soj@arrl.net
A.R.R.L. HQ: www.arrl.org/ (Check it daily!)
---------------------------------------------------------------
• RADIO WATCH • MONITOR • CALLING • TRAFFIC • EMCOMM • GUARD •
• EMCOMMWEST: 7111 KHZ DAY / 3711 KHZ NIGHT / 146.52 MHZ 24/7
• ALASKA WATCH/TRAFFIC/CALLING: 3534 // 7042 // 14050 KHZ
• NEVADA ARES MONITOR/CALLING SSB: 3965 KHZ
---------------------------------------------------------------
L = Current local time in the [PST winter / PDT summer] zone.
Z = Universal Tome Coordinated - UTC (same as ZULU and GMT.
HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: HIGH (Orange)
IN THIS EDITION ...
+ APRIL FOOL?
+ EMCOMMWEST 2003 - RENO
+ DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CONFERENCE
+ WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS
+ EC CORNER
+ FEEDBACK
+ NET REMINDER
+ KNOW CODE NETS (KCN)
+ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
• RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE
+ NWS-SKYWARN SECTION
• SUMMER 2003 SKYWARN WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
• Active SKYWARN Stations
• Reno NWS Section
+ SPECIAL FEATURE
• “THE LAST MILE”
+ APPENDIX
• WINCO REGIONAL EMCOMM NET ROSTER
+ APRIL
FOOL? - by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor
I don’t know how long it’s been (if ever) since an EMCOMMWEST
Bulletin was issued on “April Fool’s Day”. Earlier this year, when I
first checked the 2003 calendar, I thought to myself that I might have some fun
by publishing some bogus announcement that might cause some alarm with the
readers. I thought of several “April Fool” scenarios.
But I am unable to bring myself to joke around while American and British
soldiers, sailors, airman, Marines and civilians are being wounded, captured,
and dying in the battle to liberate the people of Iraq from a murderous,
ruthless, dictator.
However, a portion of the report immediately below would
have made a great “April Fools Joke”. There’s just one
problem...it’s true!
The State of California is in a fiscal crisis. Regular readers will
recall the lead editorial in ECW Bulletin
No. 148 (March 4), subtitled: “Are You Worth Twenty-five Cents a Year?”
It warned about the possible loss of funding for California’s Disaster Service
Workers (DSW) program that provides worker’s compensation and liability
insurance for emergency service volunteers working for state agencies and local
government jurisdictions. California residents were then asked to write
their elected officials and express their opinions.
On March 18, 2003 California Governor Gray Davis signed into law Senate
Bill x1 19, which put into effect many budget cuts for the current state fiscal
year. The Disaster Service Worker workers’ compensation fund was
suddenly “de-funded”.
It was announced that payments for reimbursement of medical costs for
DSWs that had pending claims would not be paid. DSWs who might be injured
after March 18, 2003 could submit claims to SCIF, but we were informed that
there was no money to pay the claims.
Search and Rescue teams were suddenly lost in legal limbo and suspended
without belay*. The Sacramento Drowning Accident Rescue Team (DART) was
left to founder. Throughout California, agency and county officials were
scrambling to find funding to provide their own workers compensation and
liability insurance.
Some DSWs offered to sign “release of responsibility” waivers,
thereby allowing some government volunteer emergency service programs to
continue. But citing liability issues, the state’s legal department
recommended against allowing volunteers to continue within government programs
(and on government property). RACES and ACS operations and other civil
preparedness volunteer programs had been eliminated with one fell swoop of the
Governor’s pen.
Media outlets in the Sacramento area ran editorials and the Governor’s
office was deluged with irate email and telephone calls. Ten days passed
and on March 28 the DSW program was restored by Governor Gray Davis. TV
Channel 10 in Sacramento reported: “The governor said he was unaware that the
bill he was signing slashed insurance for volunteer emergency workers. A
governor's spokesperson called it an ‘unintended consequence’ of a larger
budget bill.” Oh well. At least the DSW program had been restored.
Had it NOT been restored, the impact upon the ARES would probably have been
minimal.
The ARRL/ARES is a private, non-profit organization, and we would have
continued on...just as we have since 1935. Some of us envisioned ARES
field or mobile units being set up near (but not on government property)
Emergency Operations Centers during disasters, with written message traffic
being hand carried back and forth to an ARES EMCOMM station. Or, stationed
on private property (with the owner’s consent) near a disaster area, handling
health and welfare traffic on behalf of “the public we serve”. Remember, the
ARES can self-activate, and operate anywhere there is a need for communications.
(As long as we don’t break any laws, or interfere with any other emergency
operations.)
Unless assigned to a local or state government agency, ARRL/ARES
operators do not enjoy publicly funded worker’s compensation and liability
insurance. (Hopefully we are all covered by another private or group
(include Medicare) plan from an employer or whatever each of us can
afford.)
With or without the RACES and/or ACS (especially with the world situation
being what it is), the ARRL/ARES is now even more important than ever. I
call upon ARES teams everywhere to expedite any plans they may have to expand
our fleet of field mobile and portable EMCOMM stations. Whether they call
for utilizing borrowed rooms, tents, motorhomes, trailers, vans, buses, trucks,
or even Volkswagen “beetles”.
The joint Sacramento Valley Section ARES / Central Zone American Red
Cross Emergency Communications Center (ECC) project at Yuba City is underway;
and the recruiting of additional qualified ARRL Official Emergency Stations (and
operators) is ongoing.
ARES operators who have received basic disaster training and are
registered as Red Cross volunteers, DO have some liability insurance protection
(NOT worker’s compensation) when operating for, and under the direction of,
the American Red Cross.
The bottom line is...in California, as an emergency worker, unless you
are specifically covered by a served agency...”you are now on your own”. If
you aren’t willing to accept the risk(s) and the responsibility for your own
actions and well being...don’t participate.
As for me...none of this has ever affected my desire, willingness, and
readiness to serve my country and fellow man as a volunteer emergency worker.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Belay: to secure (as a rope) by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt; to
make fast, secure (a person) at the end of a rope; to secure (a rope) to a
person or object.
+++ EMCOMMWEST
2003 +++
• ARRL PACIFIC DIVISION OPERATING SPECIALTY CONVENTION
• Reno, Nevada
• May 31, 2003 - hosted by:
• The ARRL Nevada Section and the Northern Nevada Amateur Radio
Service.
• RENO is known as “the Biggest Little City in the World”.
• It is also “The Crossroads of the West”.
• Information and registration now at: www.cvrc.net/emcommwest/
• History of EMCOMM • The EVENT • www.emcomm.org/emcomm/
• May 2002 QST Magazine story • www.emcomm.org/emcomm_story.htm
+++ ARRL AND
TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CONFERENCE +++
• Hartford, Connecticut
• September 19-21, 2003, in
• Topics include: Software defined radio (SDR), digital voice,
digital satellite communications, Global Position System
(GPS),
precision timing, Automatic Position Reporting System®
(APRS),
short messaging (a mode of APRS), Digital Signal Processing (DSP),
HF digital modes, Internet interoperability with amateur
radio
networks, spread spectrum, IEEE 802.11 and other Part 15
license-exempt
systems adaptable for Amateur Radio, using TCP/IP networking
over
amateur radio, mesh and peer to peer wireless networking,
emergency
and Homeland Defense backup digital communications, using
Linux in
amateur radio, updates on AX.25 and other wireless networking
protocols. More information at: www.tapr.org/dcc/
+ WELCOME
NEW SUBSCRIBERS -
• Bob McInnis, KG6BQG, Lincoln, CA - Placer Coounty ARES
• Rick Neville, Disaster Coordinator American Red Cross - Sacramento, CA
+ EC CORNER -
“No job is complete until the paper work is done.”
REMINDER TO ECs: Monthly EC reports (FSD-212) for March are due. SV
Section ARES leaders may submit reports online at: www.emcomm.org/svares/reports/main.htm
+ FEEDBACK -
From Casey McPartland, W7IB, Placer County ARES AEC, Net Manager, and ARRL
Official Emergency Station:
“Great issue (#151) today! It has nudged me to ask a couple of
questions:
While I'm not ready to take the Emergency Coordinator Certification Course at
this time (I just started EC-02 today), I am interested in knowing more about
it. Where can I get more information, or is it right under my nose?” Tnx
agn for the great bulletin! 73 Casey
REPLY: (NOTE: This applies to AECs in the SV Section. In other
sections, AECs should check with their SEC to inquire if the EC Certification
Course is available to them.)
You will need a copy of "The ARRL Emergency Coordinator's
Manual" (1993) available for $5.00 from ARRL HQ. You will also need a copy
of the ARRL Operating Manual. (All active amateurs should have a copy, but
they are expensive. You might be able to borrow one from a friend or your
club’s library. It need not be a current edition, any fairly recent
edition will suffice). You’ll also need a copy of the FCC Rules, and a
copy of "The ARRL Field Organization" (FSD-300) which is available
free from ARRL HQ. (Your EC may have a supply of these.)
When you are ready to take the (open book) "test" let me know,
and I will send you the question booklet (17 pages). You answer the questions,
(please use a typewriter if at all possible), make a copy for yourself, and send
it to me. During the course, if you have any questions that you just can't
find an answer to, feel free to contact me for help.
+ THE WINCO NET - UPDATE
The “WINCO NET” (Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Oregon)
is open to all ARES (and other affiliated EMCOMM) stations. The primary
purpose of the net to advance the mission of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
through practice, training, the exchange of ideas, and keeping in contact with
other active ARES stations throughout the west.
The net is still evolving and has grown considerably. So large in
fact that there has been little time left (after the check in period) for
discussion. However, just checking in and getting to know “who and
where” is active in EMCOMM on a multi-section, multi-state, multi-division,
scale has great value.
Regular participants who have a fairly adequate station, are invited and
encouraged to take their “turn in the barrel” as NCS. (Contact the net
manager - K6SOJ). Plenty of help (relay stations) will be available.
So if you haven’t joined in yet, and met EMCOMM operators outside your
normal “circle”...please join us. Those who check in two months in a
row will be added to the roster. For the convenience of the net
participants, a current WINCO NET PROTOCOL/ROSTER is
provided at the end of this bulletin.
+ NET REMINDER (1st
Wednesday) - 2 APRIL 2003
• WINCO ARES NET - Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Oregon.
(Also Idaho, Montana, and elsewhere...including “ships at sea”.)
• All ARRL, ARES (and other EMCOMM) stations welcome.
• VHF/UHF stations are encouraged to listen on HF and check in by relay.
• 1930 PST on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate)
+ DAILY
“KNOW CODE NETS” [KCN):
1300 PST 7111 kHz “up”.
2000 PST 3711 kHz “up”.
These are 1 kHz above QRP CW calling frequencies. (EMCOMM operators
are encouraged to operate QRP.) The KCN nets are for those who want to
improve their Morse skills and make contact with other EMCOMM oriented operators
in a somewhat informal setting. If you do not hear anyone...try calling CQ.
Since many CW operators are reluctant to “break in”
to an existing QSO, or are not yet ready for a “round table” type format; it
has been suggested that the listed frequencies be used for calling, and consider
moving long QSOs or roundtables up a few kHz. Learn to tune around...and
listen to
what’s going on. Remember...stations using crystal controlled
transmitters may be operating “split”.
+++ TRAINING
and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION +++
+ RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE - by Ed
Ewell, K7DXV
Associate Editor for Training - ewell2@cvc.net
RFI feedback can be a real problem, especially with our new
transceivers and multi band antennas.
You will normally get RFI when your antenna is very close to your shack
or you run a linear amplifier. Another cause for RFI is long cables. Try making
your cables and coax leads as short as possible.
RFI can be eliminated rather easily in most cases. Ferrite rods and
torroids work wonders in keeping RF out of cables and coax leads going to your
radio. Check all your antenna cable connectors to make sure you don’t
have a faulty connection. Check your antenna cables to make sure they are
in good condition and not leaking RF.
Also use shielded cable on all your audio cables. Make sure all
equipment is properly grounded. I use ferrite rods and torroids on almost all of
my shack’s cabling. I do this as a precautionary measure more than
anything.
You can have RFI on the transmit audio cable and not know it. If you have
a second radio, it’s always a good idea to listen to what your signal sounds
like. Or have someone on the air listen to your signal. Be careful
that the distortion of your audio signal is not FM modulation of your signal.
Some stations operate from batteries and when the voltage gets low the signal
will FM, and SSB signals that FM sound similar to RFI. Work at the problem
until you get it solved, we are trying to trap, or filter the RF signal that
rides on the outside of the coax and audio wiring from getting back into the
radio. “Clip on” RF chokes (available at most Radio Shack stores and
many other outlets) work great. You may have to place them on the speaker
leads, and power supply leads if you operate from a separate power supply.
I use a balanced antenna (Zepp) dipole with a ladder line feed. If
you use the common coax fed dipole antenna or a G5RV antenna, you will probably
have RFI on at least one band. You can choke off the RF imbalance at the radio
end of the coax with a homemade balun of 10 to 12 turns of 50 coax wound on a 4
to 6 inch diameter PVC pipe wrapped close together. RG8U or RG58U 50 ohm coax
will work well. Place the balun as close to the radio as you can, between
the radio and tuner if you use one. I have one of these on my radio between the
linear amplifier and the transceiver. Feed line lengths are important and
with some antennas you will want to experiment
with different lengths of coax.
If you happen to have a length that presents as a virtual
short or an open wire to your tuner then you will probably get RF in the shack.
Try adding about eight feet to the line and see if the problem clears up.
I had an RFI problem that would not go away until I found that one side of
the line broke loose at the antenna.
Be sure and check all of your connections, and make sure your mike
connector is on tight. When you install torroids, or RF chokes place them
at both the input and output points at the radio. In real tough cases you
might have to add .01 uf bypass capacitors at the audio input points of your
radio since some manufacturers do not have these points bypassed well.
The first step in locating an RFI problem is to disconnect all cables
except the antenna and microphone. If the RF problem is gone then, add each
cable you use until RFI shows up, then filter that cable. If you have RFI
on the first step, you will have to deal with your antenna and ground system.
The coax choke is real easy to make and it works well. And ALWAYS be sure
your radio, tuner, and all other components are well grounded.
- Ed Ewell 73 K7DXV
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
• THE TRAFFIC HANDLER’S “MANTRA”:
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic •
Delayed”
(NUMBER-PRECEDENCE-HX-STATION OF ORIGIN-CHECK-PLACE OF ORIGIN-TIME-DATE)
+++++ REFERENCE/RESOURCE SECTION +++++
• ARRL FSD-218. The famous “pink card” that contains
(almost) “everything
you ever needed to know about RADIOGRAMS”. An electronic version of the
FSD-218 is available at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#fsd-218
• National Traffic System (NTS) Methods and Practices Guidelines
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nts-mpg/
• DIGITAL EMCOMM YAHOO GROUP (packet, SSTV, APRS, etc.):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cadigitalemcomm/
• BEEN AWHILE SINCE YOU OPERATED CW? NEVER HAD THE ENJOYMENT OF MORSE
OPERATING? Then, take a look at: “A Beginner’s Guide to Making CW
Contacts” by Jack Wagoner, WB8FSV at: www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.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
• CW “NETIQUETTE” (An excellent guide for the advanced operator):
http://www.qsl.net/n5lf/cw-nts.html
• FOR AN INTERESTING HISTORIC LOOK AT... “THE ART OF COMPOSING TELEGRAMS”:
www.metronet.com/~nmcewen/telegram.html
(Some of the information at the above URL may NOT apply to ARRL RADIOGRAMS)
=== NWS-SKYWARN
SECTION ===
+ MEDFORD NWS (WX7MFR) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
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
-----------------------------------------------------
+ MEDFORD
NWS / SUMMER 2003 SKYWARN WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
Monday, May 5 - Lake County
6-8 p.m. at the Lake County Court House
Tuesday, May 6 - Josephine County
7-9 p.m. at the Josephine County Sheriff's Office
Thursday, May 8 - Jackson County
7-9 p.m. at North Mountain Park in Ashland
Tuesday, May 13 - Jackson County
7-9 p.m. at the National Weather Service office in Medford
Wednesday, May 14 - Douglas County
6-8 p.m. in the Douglas County Court House in Roseburg.
Thursday, May 29 - Klamath County
Class from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room of the Klamath Falls Sizzler
Optional dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 4 - Curry County
7-9 p.m. in Brookings - Venue to be determined
Thursday, June 5 - Coos County
6-8 p.m. - Venue to be determined
Siskiyou County
Time, date and location to be determined.
Modoc County
Time, date and location to be determined.
--------------------------------------------
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER / SKYWARN NETS:
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET: Wednesdays 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)
7232 LSB (up) DAYTIME
3987 LSB (down) NIGHTTIME
1982 LSB (alternate).
SKYWARN nets will be activated on these frequencies during severe weather
events.
• ACTIVE MEDFORD AND RENO NWS SKYWARN “HONOR
ROLL” -
NET LOG FOR 26 MARCH 03:
NCS VHF - N7GK
NCS HF - KB7EKF
NCS RENO - N7TOD
STATIONS REPORTING:
JA14 N7GK VHF/HF
JA77 K7GE VHF
JA78 N7IXS/N7VTK HF
JO08 KB7TSX HF
JO60 KB7EKF HF
KL07 KA5EZM HF
KL12 K7DDI HF
KL98 N2RSI/N2RSN VHF/HF
CU39 K7SEG HF
SY08 KG6AFA VHF
SY39 AB6UE VHF
SY42 KE6MZT/K6SOJ HF
SY83 WB6IDM HF
MO37 N6SSQ/N6SVV VHF (relay via K6QQ 146.97-)
MO38 AD6RV VHF (relay via K6QQ 146.97-)
MO39 K6QQ HF
RENO NWS AREA:
WA24 N7TOD HF/VHF
WA29 KD7GZR VHF
WA45 KD7QDL VHF
WA92 W7TOC HF
LY29 KK7KS HS
VISITORS/OTHER:
---- KB7JZM Reno, NV
---- W7ARC Silverdale, WA
TOTAL: 23 !!!
NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -
DATE 147.26+
3987 LSB
APR 2 N7GK
N7TOD
APR 9 N2RSN/N2RSI K6SOJ
APR 16 N7IXS
N2RSN/N2RSI
APR 23 N7GK
KB7EKF
APR 30 TBA
ADDITIONAL NWS NET CONTROL OPERATORS SOUGHT -
For more information contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederso@OregonVOS.net;
or,
Dave, K6SOJ, k6soj@arrl.net
Matt, N7TOD, n7tod@arrl.net (Reno)
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 on 145.090 MHz 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
+ RENO NWS (WX7RNO) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
• Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM): Roger Lamoni
• SKYWARN/Amateur Radio Liaisons:
- Matt Parker, N7TOD, Washoe County (NV) EC
- Mark Spencer, WA8SME, Mono County (CA) EC
SKYWARN NETS:
WEDNESDAYS 1905L 147.12+ (123.0) and 1915L on 3987 // Medford (OR) NWS
PACKET Information:
Frequency 145.050
Keyboard (Incoming WX Reports): WX7RNO
MBX: WX7RNO-1 (NWS/SKYWARN related traffic only please,
due to limited capacity of 5K)
KaNode: RNOWX (for contacting other local stations)
(NOTE: The call RNOWX for the KaNode is currently not recognized as a valid call
by the RNO node, a situation we are trying to get corrected. If you know of
anyone intimately familiar with the "The Net X1J4" netrom operating
system (used by the RNO node) that can offer us some advice,
please let me know. RNOWX is, however, recognized by YRGTN, the other high-level
node in the area and connections are possible along this route. Basically,
YRGTN-RNOWX provides back-up path for out of area connections in case RNO
fails...which it hopefully won't do again for a while).
+++ SPECIAL
FEATURE +++
THE LAST MILE - by Ed Trump, AL7N,
Fairbanks, Alaska
Handling third party written message traffic is a well established
activity in the Amateur Radio Service, and has been around nearly as long as
radio. It is one of the reasons we exist. Amateurs help out when
commercial communications fail. We are often the only communications
service left intact or are usually the first to be restored.
The rules and conventions for this activity are well spelled out in a
number of available publications. Most of the time we handle messages just
for practice. In the doing of that, here is something to think about: If
you check into any of the statewide (include local or higher - editor)
nets, you might get called upon to handle a third party written message. Do you
know how to do it properly?
Message handling takes a certain amount of commitment on the part of all
amateur operators who engage in it. If it is to be done at all it is
important that it is done correctly. For now, we'll talk about the
message’s final delivery. It could be called: "The Last Mile".
Consider the following scenario: You are checked in to one of the
statewide evening nets, and old Joe down at Two Harbors comes on with a piece of
formal traffic for your town. Net control asks you if you can handle it.
It would be kind of silly to decline, wouldn't it?
So you take it on, and NCS sends you and old Joe off frequency to handle
the traffic. You tune to the assigned frequency, and give old Joe a call.
You call Joe because you will be the one receiving the message. Joe comes
on, and his signal has gone down a little, but you can still hear him pretty
well. You tell him to go ahead with the message. You copy the
message down. Although the band is not in the best condition tonight, you
think you get everything OK, even though you had to ask for a couple of
“fills” or “say agains” (repeats) along the way.
Now think about it:
#1: Are you sure you have the entire message exactly correct?
Don't say "Roger" or send the signal "QSL" on CW unless you
are ABSOLUTELY SURE you have the message OK ("OLL KORRECT"). If there
is ANY doubt, about ANY part of it, fix it RIGHT NOW, before you let old Joe get
away. Otherwise, you will always be a nagging doubt. Now that you
have this message copied out, what are you going to do with it?
#2: How are you going to deliver the message it to the addressee?
How you handle this (“Last Mile”) step probably has more impact on the
public's perception of the Amateur Radio Service than anything else you do.
(More about that later.)
#3: Look at the message contents....(Message precedence notwithstanding).
Is it of a routine nature, or does it look like it might be something someone
would want to know about right away? Is there a local telephone number on
the message? This is a judgment call.
If the message is of a routine nature, and the hour is late, say after
8:30 or 9:00 PM, probably the best thing will be to wait until the following
day, and then try to phone the addressee. If the message looks like it
might be of an urgent nature, a phone call late in the evening might be OK.
You just don't want to get someone out of bed in the middle of the night and
scare hell out of them over nothing. Just think about it before you make
that call.
Lets suppose you elect to deliver the message by telephone the following
day, but the number comes up no good. What to do?
You might look in the local directory, and see if there is a
newer listing by name, and try that. If still a “no-go”, your only recourse
is to attempt delivery by mail (or in person.)
The message should have a mailing address on it. Is the address
such that you could hand carry it to the addressee someplace? If there is
no way to physically send or give the message to the addressee, all you can do
is file it "undelivered" and originate a return service message (now
you
get to send one!) to the originating station, and say so. Give a good
reason for non-delivery, whatever it is. Bad address/bad phone
number/moved-no forwarding address/deceased, etc.
NEVER throw a message away unless the originator cancels the message or
otherwise instructs you to do so. It is a good idea to keep a copy on file
for at least a year...just in case.
#4: Let’s say you end up having to mail the message (or maybe you
delivered it over the phone and the addressee wants a hard copy...it is always a
good idea to offer one). Type it or write it neatly on a radiogram blank or a
plain half sheet of paper in PROPER MESSAGE FORM. (Note: see “tip”
below.) Put it in a neatly addressed envelope with your return address on
it, and mail it. You buy the stamp.
Nothing makes a better impression on a person receiving a message than a
neatly typed radiogram on an official-looking blank; especially these days when
radiograms or telegrams are a VERY rare event for the average person.
By the same token, a sloppily copied and poorly delivered or
non-delivered message will leave a negative impression. People do talk, you
know. Consider this: If Aunt Minnie sends Nephew John a radiogram from an
amateur radio booth at the county fair, she sort of expects it to be delivered.
If Aunt Minnie and Nephew John have a phone conversation sometime after the
fair, Aunt Minnie might ask Nephew John if he ever got the radio message she
sent. If Nephew John remembers getting a neatly typed message in a timely
manner, he will probably say "Yes, I sure did!", The event has left a
good impression on him, and the esteem of the Amateur Radio Service goes up a
few points with both of these people; as well as others they may tell about it.
The message delivery was handled in a professional manner.
I know..... "Fair Messages" are considered "junk
traffic", but look at the impact this can have. Suppose Aunt Minnie
asks Nephew John if he got her message, and John says: "Huh? What
Message?" Now, the Amateur Radio Service takes a BIG hit in the
eyes of these people. Aunt Minnie probably will say..."The heck with ever
doing THAT again...They're amateurs, all
right...Phooey!"
You could apply this scenario to any message activity, not necessarily
traffic from County Fairs. It might be traffic from a Disaster Shelter
someplace, where people are trying to find out the status of relatives and loved
ones. The positive or negative impact on the public would be even greater
in this instance.
#5: So think about it. ANY message involving a third party will
have either a positive, or negative, impact on how the Amateur Radio Service is
perceived by those who send and receive that message. It will depend upon
how well WE handle it. It will have even more of an impact on messages of a more
important nature, such as welfare inquiries and the like.
So what if you have to come up with a 37 cent stamp and
an envelope to mail a message! That's pretty inexpensive "good PR”,
is it not? And a short paid toll call to deliver an urgent message would
likely be very well received in almost any circumstance, and buys a lot of
“good PR” with the
folks who receive the message. They will be grateful that you went to the
trouble. And the cost is small. Even if the message preamble bears
the handling extra code "HXG", (way too many do these days, by the
way), you might want to consider a nice delivery anyway.
What it boils down to, is simply this...If you are going to engage in
handling message traffic, resolve to learn how to do it and how do it right, and
then commit your efforts to always doing it so. Especially when dealing
with "The Last Mile". A little practice now and then will help
too. The Amateur Service will be the better for it, and so will you.
-----------------------------
+ “LAST MILE” RADIOGRAM TIPS -
Detailed instructions about delivering RADIOGRAMS can be found on page 76 of the
ARRL NET DIRECTORY 2001-2002 edition; in older editions (buff cover) of the
Public Service Communications Manual; and numerous other places.
Remember:
• “X” separators are not read or included in the final delivered message.
• “ARL” NUMBERED RADIOGRAMS are spelled out verbatim per ARRL FSD-3.
RADIOGRAM blank forms with twenty-five lines (one per word) are available at: www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#radiogram_form
and can be printed out (two per page). You can print out a “master
copy” and then take it to a copy center and make as many as you like on canary
color paper.
You can make the old style forms (that are blank in the middle) by “whiting
out” the twenty-five word lines. The “blank in the middle” forms are
much nicer (and easier to use) if you are typing the final message and mailing
or hand delivering it.
RADIOGRAM postcard blanks (FORM 4) are available (10¢ ea.) from ARRL HQ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have a “first person” amateur radio related
“adventure”, or other story of interest, please feel free to submit it for
publication in the EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN. We can’t pay you for it, but if
you want to share it with others...send it along. It probably will get
(slightly) edited. NOTE: Before submitting long texts, please contact the
editor for a FORMATTING GUIDE.
+ BACK ISSUES OF THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN and (the former
5-1-2+ BULLETIN) ARE ARCHIVED AT: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/
+ SEARCH FEATURE 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!
+ HOW IS EMCOMMWEST AND EMCOMM.ORG FUNDED?
There are no charges, dues, or membership fees for the EMCOMMWEST Bulletin or
EMCOMM.ORG. The domain name, server, and other costs for EMCOMM.ORG are
funded solely by a few very dedicated EMCOMM operators. If you have
benefited from our efforts, and would like to say thanks by supporting this work
in a tangible way; you may do so by sending a few green stamps, or a check made
payable to: EMCOMM. Mail it to: EMCOMM, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA
96058. A receipt will be issued upon request. (A SASE would be
appreciated). Your donation is an outright gift and is NOT tax-deductible. A
five dollar annual donation works out to less than 10¢ an issue.
“Brother...can you spare a dime?”
+ The “EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN” - Copyright (c) 2003 - 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
=== END OF BULLETIN ===
+++ APPENDIX
+++
WINCO REGIONAL ARES NET (“NET A”)
(Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon)
1st Wed. of the Month @ 1930 Pacific on 3987 KHZ LSB
(05 MAR 03 - update) DATE: ______________
Good Evening. This is _____________ in ________________ net control for
the WINCO Net. All ARES and other affiliated EMCOMM stations are invited
to check in when your ARRL section is called. Check-ins via relay are
encouraged. When you check in, say your call sign and location.
Also, indicate if you have a contact call, an announcement, or other traffic.
The primary purpose of the net to advance the mission of the Amateur Radio
Emergency Service through practice, training, the exchange of ideas, and by
keeping in contact with ARES stations throughout the west. Stations with
EMERGENCY traffic break by saying the word EMERGENCY.
Calling stations with limited power or limited time:
Calling stations with traffic or announcements:
Calling Mobiles:
Western Washington Section:
W7ARC Bill Silverdale
OES Kitsap
KB7DFL Dan Lacey
EC/RO Thurston
N7NVP Ed Silverdale
ASM/RO Kitsap
K7TAG Ken Tumwater
DEC Dist. 4 / Thurston
Eastern Washington Section:
Idaho Section:
Nevada Section:
N7CQQ John Laughlin
Clark
KA7FOO Doug Reno
Washoe
WA7HVY Cliff Reno
Washoe
KK7KS Dale Yerington
Lyon
KB7REO Glenn Henderson
DEC Clark
W6SXX Roger Gardnerville
Douglas
W7TOC Rick Carson City
Carson City
N7TOD Matt Sparks
EC Washoe
N6YMA Bob
Gardnerville AEC/OES Douglas
Sacramento Valley Section (CA):
WB6AGR Joe Roseville
AEC Placer
KG6BAJ Bill Grass Valley
AEC Nevada
WD6BXN Chuck Burney
AEC Shasta
W6DHN Frank Georgetown
El Dorado
WO6H Ken Grass
Valley
Nevada
W7IB Casey Loomis
Placer
WB6IDM Charlie Mt. Shasta
Siskiyou
KD6ITD Alan Canby
Modoc
KI6MX Ed Orland
Glenn
KE6MZT Nannette Macdoel
EC Siskiyou
WO6P Dick Shingletown
DEC Shasta
K6PTT Paul Redding
AEC Shasta
K6QQ John California Pines
Modoc
KB7QWC Gary Roseville
DEC Placer
AD6RB Ted Volcano
Amador
W6RFF Jettie Roseville
SM Placer
W6RWL Ralph Sacramento
Sacramento
WA6RWS Richard Applegate
Placer
K6SOJ Dave Macdoel
SEC Siskiyou (SV)
K6ST Barry Truckee
Nevada
NU6T Richard Fair Oaks
Sacramento
WA6TWJ Dave Rough and Ready
Nevada
AB6UE George Hammond Ranch
AACSO Siskiyou
N6UG Birton Rocklin
EC Placer
San Francisco Section:
KE6HEC Don Eureka
Humboldt
San Joaquin Valley Section:
KC6QNC Jerry Walker
Mono
NI6Z Carl Groveland
Tuolumne
Santa Barbara Section:
KA7DXP Bill Santa Maria
Santa Barbara
Oregon Section:
KK7BF Brian Grants Pass
EC Josephine
K7DXV Ed Klamath
Falls OES Klamath
(OR)
KB7EKF Warren Grants Pass
AEC Josephine
KA5EZM Rick Klamath Falls
Klamath
N7GSU Robin McMinnville
AEC Yamhill
KC7IXX Bill Grants Pass
AEC Josephine
WA7IZU Bob Klamath Falls
Klamath
WA6KLA Neil Bend
AEC Deschutes
N2RSI Terry Keno
AEC Klamath
N2RSN David Keno
AEC Klamath
KB7TSX Leonard Wolf Creek
Josephine
WK7Z Ferd Medford
Jackson
Calling ARES Stations in other sections:
Calling late or missed stations anywhere:
Calling for any late check-ins or traffic:
Thanks to everyone who participated tonight. The WINCO net meets on the
first Wednesday of every month at 1930 Pacific time on or near 3987 KHz. Other
ARRL/ARES nets are scheduled at this time and on this frequency every Wednesday.
This is ___________ in _________________ closing the Washington, Idaho, Nevada,
California and Oregon Regional ARES Net. It is:____________ Pacific time.
73 and good night.
|