"People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football
defenses, or the problems of modern society." -- Vince Lombardi

THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN - No. 174 - 
2 September 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 and Webmaster - w7arc@arrl.net
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Assoc. Editor Training/Technical - ewell2@fireserve.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 Time Coordinated - UTC (same as ZULU and GMT.

    HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT LEVEL:   ELEVATED    (Yellow)

    EXTREME CONDITIONS FIRE SEASON ADVISORY
    INCREASE FIRE AWARENESS AND READINESS
    • Know and obey all fire rules and regulations.
    • Monitor for “Red Flag Watches/Warnings”.
    • Survey your perimeter/horizon hourly (or more often).
    • Report all suspicious smoke immediately.
    • Carry a shovel, rake, water hose, bucket, radio, and personal
      safety gear with you when in rural or remote areas.
    • Keep a dedicated hose of sufficient length ALWAYS ready at home.
    • Tell your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.
    • REMEMBER...EARLY REPORTING MAY PREVENT A MAJOR DISASTER!

IN THIS EDITION ...
+ WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS
+ SHORT CIRCUITS
+ EC CORNER
+ SV SECTION ARES LEADERSHIP CHANGES
+ RADIOGRAM SENT IN MAY 2002 ACKNOWLEDGED
+ FEEDBACK
+ COMING EVENTS
+ ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSION
  • SPECIAL CERTIFICATE IS BACK
+ DIGITAL DIMENSIONS
+ TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • THE COUNTER PERSON
+ NWS SKYWARN WX SPOTTER NEWS AND INFORMATION SECTION
  • MEDFORD NWS
  • RENO NWS
  • SACRAMENTO NWS
  • CANWARN
+ FEATURE
  • “INTERNATIONAL ORANGE”
 + EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN INFORMATION
  • HOW IS EMCOMMWEST AND EMCOMM.ORG FUNDED?
  • RECENT CONTRIBUTORS
  • SUBSCRIBE TO EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN
  • BACK ISSUES LINK
  • SEARCH FEATURE AT EMCOMM.ORG

+ WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS

  • Manna Welchel, KG6PNE, Marysville, CA - ARES AEC and Liaison to Yuba County OES

  • Leonard Wilkerson, KG6PND, Live Oak, CA - ARES Co-AEC for Live Oak.

  • Tricia Wilkerson, KG6PNC, Live Oak, CA  - ARES Co-AEC  for Live Oak.

  • James Riddle, KD7AOI, Prescott, AZ - Heliograph Station Operator

+ SHORT CIRCUITS -

  • If you move, or change your email address, please let us know.
    (We will NOT expend the time to trace and/or track you down.)

 • EMCOMM.ORG is approaching MAXIMUM LOAD.  As soon as we receive a few
    more contributions, we will be able to double (or quadruple) our
    web space. We do not accept paid advertisements and we are “pop-up
    free”. Ref: “HOW IS EMCOMMWEST AND EMCOMM.ORG FUNDED?” (below)

  • TRUE HEROES - UPDATED 
    New pictures at: www.emcomm.org/country/index.html

  • GOT TRAFFIC? -
    Check out the PACIFIC AREA TRAFFIC NETS page at:
    http://home.earthlink.net/~k7bfl/nwnets.html
    (Good to print and keep handy)

+ EC CORNER -

• REMINDER TO ECs:  Monthly EC reports (FSD-212) for July are due.
SV Section ARES leaders may submit reports online at:
www.emcomm.org/svares/reports/main.htm
OREGON Section ARES leaders may report online at:
www.orares.org/orares/orecreport.html

+ SV SECTION ARES LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES -

• Gary Willett, KB7QWC, Sacramento Valley District 4 EC, has announced plans to move (with his lovely wife Linda) to eastern Oregon by end of year.  Gary has served well in this capacity for two years and is responsible for growth and improved EMCOMM in District 4.  His resignation, as DEC, is effective 1 October.  We will miss you Gary.  Best wishes for this new Chapter in your life.  Gary formerly served in the ARES in Oregon.

• Kyle Noderer, KB6OLL, Yolo County EC, (SV District 3) has indicated that he would like to step down as soon as a qualified replacement can be found.

• The search for a capable replacement for both of these important positions is now underway. If you live within SV District 4 (for the DEC-4 post) or Yolo County (for the Yolo EC post), and you are interested in serving as an ARES leader, please contact: D. W. Thorne,  SV SEC, at: k6soj@arrl.net for a job description and application information.

• Factors that are considered for SV Section ARES DEC/EC applicants:

1. Must be an ARRL Full Member.
2. Must reside within the district/county.
3. Demonstrated leadership ability.
4. History of working with volunteers.
5. Experience as an EC or AEC (does not have to have been in SV Section).
6. Good radio operating and communication skills.
7. Operate an effective and active home and mobile station. (HF “a plus”)
8. Knowledge of FCC rules and ARRL procedures and policies.

+ RADIOGRAM SENT IN MAY 2002 - ACKNOWLEDGED!

  Knowing that I am interested in signaling via heliograph, our county SAR Coordinator Sgt. Dave Nicholson, KB6PNT told me about a web site maintained by a James Riddle, KD7AOI in Prescott, Arizona.

  After sending an email that produced no response I decided to send a RADIOGRAM to see if I could establish contact. 

  During one of our Wednesday evening training session the message below was sent:
SENDING STATION K6SOJ -- RECEIVING STATION KI6MX
-------------------------------
12 R HXD K6SOJ ARL6 MACDOEL CA MAY 15

JAMES RIDDLE KD7AOI
123 BRIAR ST
PRESCOTT AZ 86305

ARL FIFTY CONGRATULATIONS ON HELIOGRAPH
REENACTMENTS

D W THORNE K6SOJ
-------------------------------
On 30 May 2003 this email was received:
Hi David,
 “Have been wanting to thank you for sending me your ‘radiogram’ congratulating me for heliograph demonstrations.  I just noticed the info is posted to The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 21 MAY 2002 - No. 107 at www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/number107.htm and found your email address on qrz.com

  Have a mailing list of abt 175 folks who are interested in the Hg (quick as mercury), and a website on heliography as indicated below. 

  Thanks again, and have added your name to the mailing list; simply drop me a line for its removal.  Jim's  Heliograph Site:  http://myweb.cableone.net/kd7aoi/
--------------------------------
COMMENT:  What a pleasant surprise to hear from you Jim!  I’m curious: When did you actually receive the RADIOGRAM?

  I am still planning on building a heliograph “one of these days”...but it won’t be much fun if I don’t find someone in my area that is also interested in experimenting with this form of communication.

  Currently, I am building a homebrew Morse signaling light.  (It should work better than an Hg does...at night! - HI).  Once I get it “perfected” I plan to write a “how to” article for the ECWB. 

  If we ever loose our amateur radio privileges, we will need these gadgets, or we’ll be doing this:
http://www.beardsleetelegraph.org/beardsleephotos.htm .  I have added you to the mailing list for this bulletin.  “Simply drop me a line for its removal.” - 73 D.W.

PS - Did you by any chance see Bart Rowlett’s military heliograph in the March 2003 (p. 20) issue of Antique Radio Classified?  If not, let me know if you’d like me to send you a photocopy of the article.

+ FEEDBACK, SQUEALS, WHISTLES...AND SPURIOUS EMISSIONS -

• In the “Q and A” in last week’s ECWB (#173) your editor wrote:

  “This may open a huge can of worms...but I’ll “tackle” it! Well, I’m almost ready to go fishing!  The topic did bring a lot of response...fortunately most of it was constructive...even if it expressed a
different perspective.

  There was one “unsubscribe”. (It was from a REACT operator.)  No kiddin’! 

  The editorial policy of the ECWB is that we will publish INTELLIGENT rebuttals and/or differing opinions.   Read on:

  “Thanks for your kind response to the CW question. I have difficulty responding to questions like that...   If I were to check into the weekly net in CW you would likely get a solid copy, albeit not terribly strong -- On SSB, we would say it is marginal and "in the noise".

  I wonder if the folks who launch these kinds of questions have ever operated CW?  As someone who spends about 75% of his HF time in the CW portion of the band, I think they ought to give it a fair shake.  Further, there are a small number of times every year where it is CW that saves
someone’s butt!

   Regarding the piece (Guest Editorial in #173) on EC-001 & 002 -- I agree, nothing helps more in the domain of handling emergencies, at any level, like positive experience. I have listened and participated in events, where one serious problem puts the whole communications process
into the "crapper" (Lever action? - Editor) -- the NCS, didn't know what to do and everybody started talking and taking action, trying to do a good job.

  This just illustrates the need for experienced personnel to be at the head of the net control team in an emergency, someone who will take control and take care of people’s "feelings" after the emergency is resolved.

  That's it, just wanted to blow off some steam!  Have a great day!”

                                 -- (s) “The Ghost of HPM”

  COMMENT: Thanks for checking in Hiram.  What frequency do you monitor?

  “Excellent rebuttal to the gentleman about the use of CW.  I believe you have it pegged just right.  Now if we could just convince some of these other guys around here.  Keep up the good work!
                                 -- Ed Trump, AL7N, Alaska CW Net Manager

   “Great bulletin, good comment about CW, yes we need all modes, and just because it is dropped from license exams it is still needed. A indication of the need for EMCOMM radio operator schools.

   The comments about the ARECC program were excellent, it is not a Cracker Box Degree in communications.  It is well done talking about the fundamentals.  We could not have a gun, or sail on a ship until we completed Boot Camp.  Every one needs to go to Boot Camp.”
  -- Ed Ewell, K7DXV, OES, AEC, VE, OO, and former U. S. Navy “Sparks”

  “Having just read  EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN #173 and particularly the article where the question was asked about “Why do you push CW for EMCOMM so much?”   Your response prompted me to add these comments:

  First, I am an Extra class (not a 20 WPM extra class….but not a 5 WPM extra either….I was an Advanced class having passed the 13 WPM code test, when I decided to quit trying to build my speed up to over 20 WPM, and took the written test for Extra.

  I think that CW is a mode of the past.  Having said that I think it’s a good idea to keep the skill of Morse code alive in our amateur radio service, but only on a voluntary basis with each ham making the decision to do so or not.

  As you know, I am an Official Relay Station and for many years have been involved in the NTS; and was a NCS for several years. I still check into traffic nets on a daily basis, and well as NAVY MARS.  I am a “traffic guard” station on MARS which picks up traffic from a PACTOR/AMTOR mail box in Southern California and brings it to a Northern California local MARS traffic net, putting it out in AMTOR Mode B.

  CW is a truly an effective mode of communication using a simple transceiver and simple wire antennas and a tree or two. (I have a complete HF emergency station including antenna and battery in an old fashioned camera case. I can be on the air in about 5 minutes from just about
anywhere. It has CW capabilities, but they are seldom used.)

  I am of the opinion that more time should be spent in perfecting some of the more modern modes of communication for EMCOMM. AMTOR/PACTOR/PSK31/MT63 to name a few. The old fashioned RTTY and those just mentioned are easily done with a small laptop computer added to a simple HF rig.

  Of course CW is usually available, but the large problem there is having operators that can handle traffic. In those situations where there is a proficient CW operator on both ends it works great.
  I find that on those practice messages you send on the Wednesday night net, I have less problem copying the CW sessions than the SSB sessions, but not a lot of traffic can be passed at 5 WPM.

  I would wager that PSK31 will cut through QRM just as well as CW and with just as much accuracy, while being considerably faster.  As far as weak signals, PSK31 will print accurately when the signal can’t even be heard by ear. CW won’t do that.

  Also a very large portion of true EMCOMM during actual emergencies will be handled on VHF/UHF. The use of “portable repeaters” will really expand the usefulness of these bands.

  My recommendation to the FCC when the discussion was being held as to how to change the code requirement was to lower the code speed requirement for General class to 5 WPM, leave Advanced at 13 WPM and Extra at 20 WPM. My motivation was to get more people on HF as General class operators, and then let them upgrade as they saw fit.  Obviously the FCC had other plans.

  I accept that,  and move on.  Unfortunately there are many other hams that have not accepted the new requirements and constantly berate all of the new operators who are coming on the air. It always galls me to hear someone giving a speech about how he had to get his license the
hard way and everybody else should also have to it that way too.

  My point is that there are more important things in life than whether or not a ham (or EMCOMM operator has to be proficient CW to perform a useful function during communications emergencies.

  Finally while I support continued use of CW as a mode of communications for all those that wish to do so, I don’t feel that it should emphasized as the most important mode. I also fear that pushing CW too hard could turn off more potential EMCOMM operators than the benefit it might give.   73 and thanks for reading this.”
  -- Frank Sharit, W6DHN Eldorado County ARES EC, NTS, RACES, SHARES, MARS,

COMMENT: Thanks for your views Frank.  You summed it up pretty well!  The bottom line is that we need more skilled and disciplined EMCOMM operators for ALL modes and bands.  Most hams have their “favorite” mode and bands. EMCOMM operators seem to be no different.  It too bad that more EMCOMM operators aren’t willing to expand their horizons and at least learn how to
at least communicate in some new mode/band...even if it never becomes their “favorite”.  ARES leaders must realize this and work with what is available to get the EMCOMM mission accomplished.

  One of the reasons I have heard stated as to why some EMCOMM operators don’t get into the digital communication is the cost.

  I also had no problem with the lowering of the CW speed requirement to 5 wpm (at least for general class).  I proposed that they require prospective hams to demonstrate their ability to communicate via CW, (a short 5 minute QSO across a table with an examiner would have been sufficient), rather than just answering a few questions after listening to a tape. - Editor
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For anyone who would like to hone their Morse skills listen in to the: WEST COAST NET (WCN) Slow Speed Traffic/Training Net every night at: 1900 PDT on 3702 kHz.  Visitors are welcome to check in.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
+++ COMING EVENTS +++

++ TOMORROW ++ (9/3)

+ NET REMINDER - (1st Wednesday of the month)
• 40 Meters frequency added for SUMMER SEASON!
• 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 LSB 3987± // 7232± (Alternate NC/Relay)
•  Longer daylight periods cause altered short-wave propagation patterns. In an attempt to not leave out stations on the “outer reaches” of the WINCO NET (e.g.- The Evergreen State); an alternate NCS will be QRV on 40M. If you find that you are unable to contact the NCS (K6SOJ) on 3987±, tune to 7232± and listen or call for K7DXV.  K7DXV and K6SOJ are 35 miles apart and
well within 2M simplex range.

++ ALSO TOMORROW ++ (9/3)

+ ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS
• SENDING STATION: K7DXV - RECEIVING STATION: K6SOJ
• MESSAGES will be transmitted on 3987 kHz ± 10 kHz.
• TRAFFIC will begin shortly after the WINCO NET. (Approx. 2000 Pacific)
• Two ACTUAL or TEST MESSAGE formal traffic RADIOGRAMS will be transmitted.
• FIRST: the messages will be transmitted in slow speed CW.
• NEXT: the exact same messages will be transmitted in SSB.
• NON-HF HAMS AND SWLS ARE INVITED TO LISTEN AND COPY.
• RENO, NV VHF stations: The RADIOGRAM(S) will be re-transmitted on the
  Western Nevada Noon Net (WNNN) on 147.12+ (123.0) on Thursday 4 Sept.
• HOW TO CHECK YOUR COPY FOR ACCURACY:  Messages will be published in
  the ECWB the following Tuesday.
• A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE IS AVAILABLE to anyone who submits a correct
  copy of at least one of the transmitted RADIOGRAMS postmarked within  three (3) days of the practice session.  Specify CW or SSB or both.
• Use standard ARRL RADIOGRAM format and send to: EMCOMM, P.O. Box 99,
  Macdoel, CA  96058.  (Enclose a #10 self-addressed stamped envelope.)

+++ OCTOBER ===

• ANNUAL ARRL SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST (S-E-T)
  October 4-5, 2003
  Check with your EC for local plans.

• YUBA-SUTTER ARES TO SPONSOR “HYBRID” ARECC LEVEL ONE COURSE
  By Michael Colvin, W6CUJ, Yuba-Sutter County EC

  A ARRL Hybrid Emergency Communications Course Level-01 class has been scheduled for the five Wednesdays in October.
  Beginning October 1, 2003, 7:00 to - 9:00 PM
  Three Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross
  2125 E. Onstott Road, Yuba City, California.

  The class cost is $45 for ARRL members (payable to the ARRL).  Students who successfully complete the course will be reimbursed.  The course manual costs an additional $10.

  If you are not an ARRL member, the cost is $75 and is not reimbursable. The good news is that if you pay the $39 for your ARRL membership, not only will you receive a refund of the course fee, but ARRL will include the manual for the course for free.

  The course covers the basics of emergency communication, including message handling and basic net practices.  There are 20 Learning Units (LUs) in the online course, plus a final exam. Each 2-hour class session will cover 4 LUs, assuming that participants in the class have read their
ECC-01 manuals covering those LUs ahead of class.

  When the 20 LUs have been completed and the activities are turned in, each participant will take the final exam online.

  Participants should plan to spend approximately 25 hours of time in class and preparing the activities.

  If you are interested in taking this course, please contact me directly at: mcolvin@gmx.net  and I will contact you about registration.

  The information below is taken from the ARRL web site. Please read it over and make sure you understand it.

  About HYBRID CLASSES:  The recommended method for students with computer and/or Internet access limitations is a mixture of in-person tutoring with on-line registration and on-line Final Assessments.

  All students go on-line to register during the appropriate registration window. The designated Mentor/Instructor should provide a class roster -- which includes start and stop dates -- during the registration week. At that time, the Hybrid class will be set up and all listed students will be moved into the appropriate Hybrid class. Any portion (or all) of the instruction and Student Activities would be done through the local Mentor/Instructor as coordinated between all persons involved.

  To complete the course, students would return to a computer and take the Final Assessment.

  This makes students eligible for reimbursement of their registration fee under any applicable grants being offered for their class. One reason why this works extremely well is because it eliminates the need for exams and related materials to be sent back and forth in the mail. All
grading would be done automatically with the computer software generating the on-line course exam.

  Even students without computers can usually find someone nearby -- or a local library with Internet access -- to enroll and later to take the final exam.

+++ NOVEMBER +++

+ CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE EXERCISE
•  The California Emergency Medical Services Authority and Department of Health Services (EMSA/DHS) will conduct a statewide exercise on 13 November 2003.  (NOTE DATE CHANGE)

• The California OES/ACS has been invited to coordinate emergency communications.  The exercise will include ACS/RACES and ARES EMCOMM at the local, section, regional and statewide level.  All ACS, RACES, and/or ARES operators should begin now to make sure that their field gear is operational, and that their formal message handling and net operating skills are up to par.  Stay tuned -- UPDATES to follow in the weeks ahead.

+ DIGITAL DIMENSIONS -
  Warren Olney, KB7EKF, Coordinator - warren@broomshop.com
  12 stations have registered in our “Digital Dimensions” data base.  The list is for active packet stations/operators who maintain a 24/7 mailbox and who are also active in ARES, NTS, or other bona-fide EMCOMM organizations.  To view the current list go to: www.emcomm.org and click
on: Digital Stations. (To PRINT a copy use LANDSCAPE format.)

+++ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION +++
    Ed Ewell, K7DXV, Associate Editor for Training/Technical

+ MESSAGE FORMATTING - THE COUNTER PERSON
    by Ed Ewell, K7DXV, Associate Editor for Training/Technical

   Let us suppose that you are “working the counter” at an ARES station set up in an emergency shelter.  All normal means of communications are “down”.

   An agency official comes to you with an important message that she has written out on a piece of notebook paper.  It must be sent and received accurately as soon as possible. The message must have security, as it has private information in it. A quick count shows that it is about 75 words.

  As the “counter person”* you are representing amateur radio.  You also must determine if the message is appropriate for amateur radio message traffic.  How you greet and interact with the “customer” is very important. What you say and do will determine their impression and any opinions they develop about amateur radio.

  If the entire 75 word message is sent verbatim, it would take a lot of air time (it would take three RADIOGRAMS); and the probably for error would be much higher (what happens if one of the 3 messages gets lost?)

  The counter person works with the originator to make sure that the message TEXT is properly written, and in nearly all cases, the thought, idea, or request expressed can be said in 25 words or less.

  First determine the security classification and precedence.  If the message is on behalf of a government or agency it must be signed by an authorized official.  Always make sure that the third party is aware that amateur radio communications are NOT secure.  (While some modes and/or
bands may be “more secure” than others, DO NOT promise secure communications.)

  If a confidential or long message is necessary, and landline circuits are down, consider using a courier.  (Obviously this is impractical over long distances or in extreme weather, etc.)  Also, secure (scrambled or encoded) government radio circuits may be available for EMERGENCY or priority traffic.

  Speed and accuracy are determined by how the text is composed, not by how fast the message is sent when actually transmitted.  A message is simply a communication from one person to another.  It will usually be expressed in plain language (often hurriedly written and often too wordy).  It must be FORMATTED into a text suitable for radio transmission.

  Formatting an original or draft a message into a RADIOGRAM text requires skill, experience, and the cooperation of the person or agency who wants to send the message.  Emphasis must be on speed, security and accuracy.

  Speed is accomplished by using brevity. (E.g. - ARL numbered RADIOGRAMS, deleting unnecessary and superfluous words.)  Brevity AND standardization promotes speed AND accuracy!

    While it is true that longer messages can be sent using digital modes, What happens when the mode must change to CW or SSB or FM to complete the delivery circuit?

    Before the “station of origin” sends a message, the final message text must be OK’d by the person who is the signer.  Once signed, the message is taken to the radio room and handed to the operator on duty.  If it is EMERGENCY or Priority make sure the operator is informed. 

  The station of origin is then responsible for transmitting the message to the station nearest the addressee or a relay station in the traffic circuit.

  REMEMBER: All formal traffic messages must be authorized or released in the name of the originator. This is some times called the releasing officer or official.  Do not send a message that has not been authorized or released.  Remember keep it simple, and accuracy and speed will be there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The “counter person” is every bit as important as the sending operator(s).  However, they do not necessarily need to be a licensed amateur!  Anyone with good “people skills” and a decent mastery of the language can be trained to perform this important function.  Using non-hams for this will free up your trained operators...and may even result in some new operators!  - Editor.

If you have a question, send it to: k6soj@arrl.net. Selected questions will be answered in this column.

• Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
• THE TRAFFIC HANDLER’S “MANTRA”:
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
(NUMBER-PRECEDENCE-HX-STATION OF ORIGIN-CHECK-PLACE OF ORIGIN-TIME-DATE)

+++++ REFERENCE/RESOURCE SECTION +++++

+ MANAGEMENT OF THE AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS FUNCTION 
    by Jerry Boyd, MS, KW7J is “hot off the press”.
  • Available from:
    WORLDRADIO BOOKS, 2120 28th St., Sacramento, CA  95818
    $8.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling. (CA residents add 62¢ sales tax)
  • (Mention that you “heard about it” in the EMCOMMWEST Bulletin!)

+ ANTENNA LENGTH CALCULATION PAGE: www.emcomm.org/svares/antenna/design.htm

+ 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)

=== NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN SECTION ===
=== MEDFORD -- RENO -- SACRAMENTO -- EUREKA  ===

=== CALIFORNIA/NEVADA/OREGON NWS OFFICE MAP: ===
    www.stormready.noaa.gov/stormmaps/ca-cwa.htm

=== NWS - ARRL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:  ===
    www.arrl.org/FandES/field/mou/weather.html

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 (WX7MFR) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
OREGON: Curry, Coos, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lake Counties.  CALIFORNIA: Modoc and Siskiyou Counties.
• Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
• Gary Peterson, N7GK, SKYWARN Coordinator
• D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. SKYWARN Coordinator

• MEDFORD NWS SKYWARN WEBSITE: www.emcomm.org/skywarn

• MEDFORD NWS SUMMER 2003 WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE HAS BEEN COMPLETED
--------------------------------------------

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.

MEDFORD/RENO NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -

DATE      147.26+        3987 LSB
SEP  3    N7GK           N7TOD
SEP 10    N6RSN/N2RSI    K6SOJ
SEP 17    N7IXS          N2RSN/N2RSI
SEP 24    N7GK           KB7EKF

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 email: 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.
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+ RENO NWS (WX7RNO) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
• RENO FORECAST AREA MAP: www.emcomm.org/reno/index.html
• Roger Lamoni – Warning Coordination Meteorologist
• Matt Parker, N7TOD - SKYWARN Coordinator
• http://renoskywarn.org/

SKYWARN NETS:
WEDNESDAYS 1845L 146.61- (123.0) and 1915L on 3987 // Medford (OR) NWS

PACKET Information: Frequency 145.050 Keyboard : WX7RNO (automatically
forwards to MBX when station is unmanned)

MBX: WX7RNO-1 (NWS/SKYWARN related traffic only please, due to limited capacity of 10K, most of which is occupied by daily forecast bulletins)

KaNode: WX7RNO-7
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+ SACRAMENTO NWS SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION
• Kathryn Hoxsie, KC8CLO - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
---------------------------------------------
+ CANWARN (Canada “SKYWARN”)
http://hamster.ivey.uwo.ca/~dcolvin/canwarn/what.htm

+++ FEATURE +++

+ “INTERNATIONAL ORANGE”

  On Tuesday, August 19, it was one hot day.  I had just dispatched the ECWB.  I had previously loaded our old ‘61, International Harvester 3/4 ton, with a load of “recyclables” and rubbish and was on my way to “the dump.”  (For the politically correct, it’s called the “Solid Waste Management District Transfer Facility.”)

  The SWMDTF is about 25 miles from the Lazy T Ranch.  The “big six” IH was running good.  I had just passed through the most northern town in California, and was about halfway up Dorris Hill on U.S. 97, when the IH sputtered and came to a grinding halt.  The fuel pump had decided to
“crump”.

  Now one doesn’t coast very far when headed uphill, but I was able to get it partially out of the right hand traffic lane.  Not a good place to break down!

  I checked the rear view mirror.  No one was bearing down on me...at the moment.  I keyed the mic on my vintage “thumb wheel” ICOM IC-2AT.  1½ watts on 147.54 simplex.  “KE6MZT K6SOJ”  Nannette answered within a minute: “K6SOJ KE6MZT go ahead.”  “I am broke down, northbound, on Dorris Hill in hazardous location.  Bring the Land Cruiser.  Expedite.  Expedite!  K6SOJ.
OUT.”

  Now I am about as prepared as anyone you might know.  I exited the pickup, checked my flare box and counted the FUSSEES.  Five.  I quickly took two and walked back about fifty feet, lit one and dropped it on the lane dividing line.  The another fifty feet back and dropped a lit flare the middle of the right lane, all the while watching for any oncoming traffic.  The flare pattern was in full view for at least 1/2 mile. 

  I knew Nannette was at least 20 minutes away.  The road flares were good for about 15 minutes.  I waited.

  Highway U. S. 97 is a main truck route.  The speed limit in Dorris is 15 mph, due to sharp, right angle curves.  Generally, when most truckers leave the city limits and cross the old Southern Pacific (now BNSF) grade
crossing, they put the pedal-to-the-metal, in an attempt to hit Dorris Hill
at the greatest possible speed.  As I said...this is NOT a good place to break down.  I knew I was in DANGER!

  As I stood well way from my measly little 3/4T, I watched numerous 18 wheelers “come out of the gate”, often two abreast competing with each other to see who could get to the top of the hill first.  (Apparently, not all truckers are safety conscious drivers!)  They didn’t seem to want to
see the broke down truck or the flares ahead.

  One big rig, running at full power, saw me at the very last minute, and swerved into the 2nd lane missing my truck by inches while running over and extinguishing my lit flares.  In the process he forced a small passenger car into the oncoming traffic.  Fortunately, the southbound drivers were
alert and no collision occurred.  I lit two more flares and placed them out to warn (at least) alert drivers.  I was now down to one flare!

  A few minutes later, Harvey Johnson, a Dorris local, passed by going south.  He saw my plight, made a U turn at the bottom of the hill, and came to my aid.

  He got out his tow chain, we attached it to his 1964 Ford pickup and the IH.  In a few minutes he had towed me to safety at a “turnout” about a mile ahead.

  Nannette soon arrived.  We were unable to get the IH running, and she towed me home.  A CHP unit had arrived and provided a “traffic break”, as we turned around and headed south.

  The last time the fuel pump on the IH died was on “The Grapevine” (now called Interstate 5), south of Bakersfield, CA.  It was in August 1988 during our “Great Escape” (final move) from southern California to the outback of northern California.   And all last week we had been commenting
about the events of our move 15 years ago.

  Later that evening we got to thinking...it had been 15 years TO THE DAY, that the old IH last said: “I quit”.  We wonder...was it trying to tell us something?

  Back in ‘88, after a new fuel pump was found in Bakersfield, we proceeded north in 100+ degree heat.  Up through the great San Joaquin Valley.  Then the IH “died” again in Modesto (radiator hose); and again in Sacramento (vapor lock); and later it “died again” in Williams (third member bearing blew). And all on the same day!

  But the rest of that story will have to remain untold...for now.

LESSONS LEARNED:
• Five flares are not enough.  I suggest at least 10 or 12.
• DO NOT trust drivers to see and heed road flares or other warning
devices.
• If stranded in a dangerous location, have someone call law enforcement
and have them respond to provide traffic control.  (I did not ask Nannette
to do this, and I should have)
• In addition to warning reflectors, flares etc., I am now carrying warning
flags.  You can make your own by affixing a square (18x18” minimum) of
bright orange cloth to a dowel or lath handle.  I made mine 30x30” since
the six yards of cloth I bought at Wal-Mart ($1 per yard) were 60” wide.
That gave me enough to make two flags for each vehicle, plus some to carry
in my SAR and recreational field packs.  Minus a handle (one can always be
quickly made) they can also be worn as a ‘kerchief.  As a signaling device
these flags can be a lifesaver.  I also carry a signaling mirror and three
aerial flares when venturing far afield (plus my HT of course!)
  In the predicament described above, I would have walked back, (staying
out of the harm’s way), and signaled oncoming traffic.  I believe that
someone waving an “International Orange” warning flag is more visible than
flares are during bright daylight.

You can view two pictures of “International 1961” (and crew) at:
www.emcomm.org/sojourners/album/number1.htm

EDITOR’S NOTE:  If you have a “first person” amateur radio related “adventure”, an attempt at humor, 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 would like 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.

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