===============================================================
“All progress is change...but all change is not progress.”
                                  - an old Nevada farmer
===============================================================
THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN - No. 209 - 4 May 2004
===============================================================
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 - Washington Associate Editor and Webmaster
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Assoc. Editor Training / Technical Consultant
Ed Trump, AL7N - Alaska CW Net Manager and Alaska Correspondent
Sgt. Dave Nicholson, KB6PNT - Assoc. Editor and SAR Advisor
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
• NATIONAL RADIO EMERGENCY NETWORK: 7068 / 10122 / 14050 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)
===============================================================
IN THIS EDITION ...
+ EMCOMMWEST 2004 RENO
+ NEW SUBSCRIBERS
+ GREMLINS AND BUGS
+ EC CORNER
+ SHORT CIRCUITS
+ FEEDBACK
+ COMING EVENTS
+ TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • PRACTICE RADIOGRAMS SENT APR 28
+ NWS SKYWARN SECTION
+ ECWB INFORMATION
========================================================================

+ EMCOMMWEST 2004 RENO - “THE CROSSROADS OF THE WEST”
• 18 DAYS AND COUNTING! - See COMING EVENTS (below) or www.emcommwest.org
• C U IN RENO ..--..

+ WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS -
• Carl Phillips, KC1WH, Colchester, VT - ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
• Cap Pennell, KE6AFE, Santa Cruz, CA - ARES

+ GREMLINS AND BUGS - Ref. ECWB #208 - TRAINING SECTION -
• Ref. “MESSAGE FORMATTING - THE COUNTER PERSON” by Ed Ewell, K7DXV,
  ECWB #174) corrected URL: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/number174.htm

+ EC CORNER (REMINDER TO ALL ECs) -
• Monthly EC reports (FSD-212) for April are due.

+ SHORT CIRCUITS -

• CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!  STAY TUNED TO THIS STATION...

• THE BUDDIPOLE N-VEE
A Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) Mode Antenna System
For 80 And 60 Meter Local and Medium Distance HF Communications
http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/NVIS/cbp-nvis.htm

• 60-METER BAND SURVEY (ONGOING)
Results and updates will periodically be published in upcoming ECWBs.
(Ref. ECWB #203 at: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/index.htm)

+ LONG (LOST) CIRCUITS -

• Ref. ECWB #208 (TRAINING SECTION): “This type of form ... is usually hand
delivered by courier and/or popped into a pneumatic tube delivery system.
(Vacuum tube?)”
  For an interesting “read” check out: www.andreas.com/faq-steamnet.html
                                      - via Ed Ewell, K7DXV

• A interesting history of the quartz crystal industry in the U.S.
http://www.ieee-uffc.org/fc_history/bottom.html
                                      - via John Moriarity,  K6QQ

(Don’t think that “crystal control” is some antiquated technology.
Most modern transmitters and receivers use quartz crystals! - Editor.)

+ FEEDBACK, SQUEALS, WHISTLES, SPURIOUS EMISSIONS, and...MUSINGS -

  “Last month a tree fell over my co-ax, snapping the halyard that pulled
the antenna up the mast. This allowed the antenna to fall down on a tree
limb that had grown under it.
  As this meant no operating. I put the 40 meter mobile antenna on the
motor home and was able to keep my schedules on 40, but this did not allow
me to keep my skeds on 75M .
  I remembered reading about an ECWB reader that had car trouble and was
able to get help by stretching 1/4 wavelength wire out to a tree, so I
decided to try it and see how it works.
  I have a spool of magnet wire, size unknown but smaller than #28. I ran
out about 70 feet soldered, a lug to fit the 3/8-24 fitting, and fastened
it under the mobile antenna. A little trimming and it came in to about
3.850 MHz.  A rubber band for an insulator, some string, and up it went to
my neighbors flag pole across the street.  About 20 feet up which made it
safe.
  Called a ham friend for a test.  It sure looked like it would fill the
bill.  The next morning it didn’t work.  I found it on the ground. The
rubber band had broken!  I replaced the rubber band and while pulling it
back up in the air the wire broke.  While coiling it up I noticed the
enamel insulation was burned.  I guess it would not handle 90 watts.
  I installed some bigger wire and I didn’t even have to trim it.  No
rubber band this time...just a piece of string.
  I am now able to keep my skeds in the mornings with signal reports of S-7
to “S-9 + 10” out to about 1000 miles.
  After I get the tree cut and the halyard replaced this will be rolled up
and along with a ball of string, placed it the motor home for use while
camping.
                             - Ken Foster, K6LGR, Upper Lake, California

Ref: “Make A Quick, Easy, Cheap, NVIS Antenna for Roadside Operating.”
      http://www.emcomm.org/svares/projects/nvis.htm
      Also: “FEEDBACK” - ECWB #179
      http://www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/number179.htm

+++ COMING ATTRACTIONS +++

+ NET REMINDER - TOMORROW (1st Wednesday of the month)

• THE WINCO NETWORK - 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)

+ ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS IN SSB
• SENDING STATION: TBA - RECEIVING STATION: TBA
• WEDNESDAY EVENING on 3987 kHz ±
• TRAFFIC will begin shortly after the ARRL/ARES NET. (Approx. 1945-2000)
• 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 147.150+//147.210+ (123.0) Thursdays.
• 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.
• Use standard ARRL RADIOGRAM format and send to: EMCOMM, PO Box 99,
  Macdoel, CA  96058.  (Enclose a #10 self-addressed stamped envelope.)
• CHECK YOUR COPY FOR ACCURACY.  Last week’s RADIOGRAMS are in the
  ECWB Training Section (below).

+ UPDATE - EMCOMMWEST 2004 - RENO, NEVADA - “THE CROSSROADS OF THE WEST”
• May 22-23, 2004
• Fred W. Traner Middle School
  (Near the junction of I-80 and U.S. Hwy 395)
• Added this year: “RENO SPRING HAM SWAP”
• VE TESTING
• ADDITIONAL INFO AND FREQUENT UPDATES:
  EMCOMMWEST 2004: www.emcommwest.org/
  RENO SPRING HAM SWAP: www.nvrams.org/SpringHamSwap2004.asp
  EMCOMMWEST B-B-Q: www.satern-reno.org/EMCOMM_BBQ.htm
• C U IN RENO ..--..

====================================================================
+++ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION +++
--------------------------------------------------------------------
  - By D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Editor
  The TRAINING SECTION last week (ECWB #208) generated a considerable
amount of somewhat heated “feedback”.  Some of the comments were lengthy,
but most were polite...thank you!
  If the readers who commented are any indication, there appears to be two
distinct “camps” within the ranks of EMCOMM operators regarding what
message form and/or format should be used for third party, formal message
(record) traffic.
  Most of those who commented seem to be quite “set in their ways”.  But
since no real new ideas or solutions were presented, I doubt that
re-hashing the comments here would serve any useful purpose.  Therefore, I
have decided not to run any of the replies.  What follows next is a
synopsis and some general observations.
  There is little debate about what form and/or format should be used for
ARES or NTS traffic.  (Non-government agency and general public traffic.)
  All of the comments received all were relative to RACES (auxiliary
government communications).  But even for RACES, the majority (60%) of
those who wrote still prefer and use the ARRL/NTS RADIOGRAM format.
Further, it is no surprise (to me at least) that those who compose this
segment hold general class or higher licenses and have considerable
experience in traffic handling.




  Of the minority (40%) who commented, a few are using the ICS 213 in their
local or state RACES units; but most are using a modification of the ICS
213 or some completely different form that is unique to their unit.  All
but one in this group are technician class operators.
  It is too bad that this (license) “class struggle” exists.  In EMCOMM
there is room for everyone, no matter what their license class, level of
experience, or physical ability.  But we really ought to be playing from
the same sheet of music!
  My conclusion is that there is still a lot of confusion about the
difference between informal (tactical) traffic, and formal (record) message
traffic.  Maybe I am too much an idealist, but I say: “we are all on the
same team”.  In any incident, large or small, there will be more work to
do, than there will be available trained EMCOMM operators to do it.
  In the maritime service the RADIO OFFICER answered only to the CAPTAIN!
He/she was in charge of (and responsible for) all communications.  Everyone
on board was dependant upon the radio officer for their health and safety.
  Below is a URL with an essay by David Ring Jr., a Merchant Marine Radio
Officer.  It contains a good explanation of record communications.  It
demonstrates why a preamble is necessary and shows that written traffic
that follows a specific protocol and format also creates a trail to audit a
message.  http://webhome.idirect.com/~jproc/radiostor/record_comm.html
-...-

+ PRACTICE RADIOGRAMS SENT APRIL 28 ON 3985 (SSB)
SENDING STATION K7DXV - RECEIVING STATION K6SOJ
===============================================
NR 17 TEST R K7DXV 17 PORTLAND OR APR 28

DAVID THORNE
PO BOX 18
MACDOEL CA 96058
530 398 4755

TEST MESSAGE X SERVICE MESSAGE
X NUMBER 302 APRIL 21
NOT DELIVERED X NO PHONE
NO STAMP

ED K7DXV
------------------------------------------------
NR 20 TEST R K7DXV 13 PORTLAND OR APR 28

DAVID THORNE
PO BOX 18
MACDOEL CA 96058
530 398 4755

TEST MESSAGE X SERVICE MESSAGE
X NUMBER 109 DECEMBER 31
DELIVERED NO REPLY

ED K7DXV
==========================================================================

+ RADIOGRAM TRAINING AND PRACTICE SUGGESTIONS -
  For ARES leaders (within range of course):
  1) Organize small “study groups” to meet at a HF capable ham’s shack, an
EOC or club station, or the home of anyone with a short-wave receiver.
Pass out blank forms and have your members copy the RADIOGRAMS.  Follow the
on-the-air session with a discussion period and refreshments.  Have printed
reference material, such as the ARRL Net Directory on hand.
  2) Tape record the on-the-air sessions and play them back at your local
meetings. Provide blank forms and have your ARES members copy the
RADIOGRAMS. Follow with a critique and discussion period (and
refreshments)!  Have printed reference material, such as the ARRL Net
Directory on hand.
==========================================================================
“For want of a letter, a word was lost.
        For want of a word, the message was lost.
                 For want of a message, a life was lost.”
==========================================================================
RADIOGRAM PRACTICE EVERY WEDNESDAY ON 3987±KHZ AFTER NET (APPROX. 2000PST)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSESS your current skill level by taking the “TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE”
at:  www.emcomm.org (main page)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECITE the “TRAFFIC HANDLER’S MANTRA” often to help remember the eight
parts of the preamble:
“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 +++++
------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ ICS-ARCT GUIDE:  www.emcomm.org/ARCT/
+ PHONETICS: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/itu_phonetics_10_30_2001.htm
+ CALCULATOR DOT COM - http://www.calculator.com/
+ NVIS PROPAGATION MAPS - http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/NVIS/NVISprop.htm
+ GEAR AND EQUIPMENT LIST: www.emcomm.org  (Click on GEAR LIST)
+ TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE:  www.emcomm.org (click bar on main page).
+ 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/
+ NTS page by W7ARC: http://www.w7arc.com/nts/
+ NATIONAL RADIO EMERGENCY NETWORK (NREN)
www.aa8vs.org/nren/  (or)  http://68.43.101.244:81/nren/
+ PACIFIC AREA TRAFFIC NETS:  http://home.earthlink.net/~k7bfl/nwnets.html
+ U. S. AIR FORCE Search and Rescue SURVIVAL MANUAL (AFM 64-5 Aug. 1969) -
Reference Charts - (Print and Save)
GROUND-TO-AIR (close-in) VISUAL SIGNALS:
http://www.emcomm.org/drawings/Ground_to_Air_Signaling_mid.jpg
GROUND-TO-AIR EMERGENCY CODE:
http://www.emcomm.org/drawings/Ground_to_Air_Emergency_Code_mid.jpg
MIRROR (and other) SIGNALING:
http://www.emcomm.org/drawings/Mirror_Signaling_mid.jpg
===========================================================================
+++ 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
=== REGIONAL NWS SKYWARN NET: WEDNESDAYS AT 1915 PTZ on 3987
Consult your SKYWARN coordinator for your area for local net information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ 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
• 2004 MEDFORD NWS SUMMER WEATHER SPOTTER TRAINING SCHEDULE IS AT:
• MEDFORD NWS SKYWARN WEBSITE: www.emcomm.org/skywarn
------------------------------------------------------------------
+ RENO NWS (WX7RNO) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
• RENO FORECAST AREA MAP: www.emcomm.org/reno/index.html
• Wendell Hohmann, KD7ZEU, (Interim) Warning Coordination Meteorologist
• Matt Parker, N7TOD - SKYWARN Coordinator
• http://renoskywarn.org/
------------------------------------------------------------------
+ SACRAMENTO NWS SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION
• Kathryn Hoxsie, KC8CLO - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
--------------------------------------------------------------
+ ARIZONA SKYWARN - http://www.arizona-skywarn.org/
• 2004 ARIZONA NWS SUMMER WEATHER SPOTTER TRAINING SCHEDULE IS AT:
• www.wrh.noaa.gov/Phoenix/general/skywarn/index.html#training
--------------------------------------------------------------
+ CANWARN (Canada “SKYWARN”)
  http://hamster.ivey.uwo.ca/~dcolvin/canwarn/what.htm
========================================================================
+ EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN GENERAL INFORMATION

• SUBSCRIBE TO EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN: www.emcomm.org/subscription.htm

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Your donation is an outright gift and is NOT tax-deductible.

• THANK YOU TO THESE RECENT EMCOMMWEST SUPPORTERS:

  Nil, Nada, and Zero

  To those that would like to support our work, send only whatever you
think the ECWB and EMCOMM.ORG is worth to you.

• 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!

• The “EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN” - Copyright (c) 2004 - 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
=== ECWB #209 END ===