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Dedicated to Emergency Communications by RADIO
EMCOMM MONTHLY
“PREPAREDNESS is our most important
PRODUCT”
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IN THIS ISSUE...
HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome to
the January issue of EMCOMM MONTHLY.
This first issue of 2005 is "jam packed" with useful and
interesting information for radio operators who are serious about
emergency communication! We begin with an editorial on THE
SOUTH ASIA DISASTER. Next is SHORT
CIRCUITS, followed by The EM PHILOSOPHY
, The EM ADVISOR, and...
FEEDBACK. In ICS PERSPECTIVES, Jerry
Boyd, KW7J, contrasts ICS and NIMS.
Following that, read the feature article: "ESTABLISHING
A PRIVATELY OWNED ECC". NETWORK NEWS is next
followed by EMCOMM TRAFFIC. In
QSH is a bit of humor and reports
and comments about last month's survey on our proposed: “INTERNATIONAL
REGISTRY of EMCOMM OPERATORS”.
EMCOMM SPECIALTY
ITEMS. NEW SUBSCRIBERS, CONTRIBUTORS,
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS, and our handy REFERENCE
SECTION completes this first issue of EM
for 2005.
Editorial THE SOUTH ASIA DISASTER
Never
has the need for effective emergency radio communications been so evident
than it has been in the recent earthquakes in Sumatra and subsequent
Tsunami catastrophe in the South Asia - Bay of Bengal region.
Within the devastated area ham radio has once again proven to be the
only means of communication in many locations. VHF circuits (phone)
and HF nets (mostly CW) have been the most helpful. A few U.S.
amateurs who were in the region on a planned DXpedition, suddenly shifted
their interest and resource to emergency communications.
There is little need for U.S.
DX traffic stations since the disaster did not interrupt normal
trans-oceanic lines of communications. There was some message
traffic originating in the U.S. (some is still in limbo) and other points
around the world. However, stations capable of handling this
traffic were few and far between. EM
received a few requests asking for assistance in identifying routes
capable of handling RADIOGRAMS. The idea was to identify and
contact EmComm stations within the general region that are
capable and willing to accept inbound message traffic via email and
forward it via appropriate regional radio nets.
Having poured 95% of my ham
radio energy into EmComm the past few years, I (K6SOJ) am not as avid a
DXer as I once was; although I still enjoy that aspect of amateur
radio when I have time to spare. I contacted some of my friends who
are active in DX circle, to see if they had some suggestions for operators
in the Far East (whether nationals or U.S. operators in the region) who might
be capable of, and available for, handling some message traffic.
I came up "dry".
One of the reasons for this is
that the countries that have been devastated do not (under normal
conditions) allow third party traffic. This is due to the fact that
amateur radio has historically been viewed as a threat to commercial
services; and/or, it is seen as a threat to totalitarian or
repressive regimes. While the former could be remedied by the stroke
of a pen, the latter will take the implementation of democracy and will
probably only come about by war or revolution. Because third party
traffic is not allowed in these nations, the operators have no motive to
learn and practice traffic handling procedures and skills.
While U.S. hams stationed
abroad (e.g. - military personnel or civilians working with
NGOs) may know the proper procedures; in major disasters they have
little availability to handle radio message traffic.
Statistical records on amateur
radio operators in the countries that have been impacted the most are
somewhat alarming:
SOUTH ASIA LICENSED AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
Country
Prefix No. of
Hams
1998 Population
Andaman Islands VU
n/a n/a
Bangladesh
S2 0 125,000,000
Indonesia
YB
1,357 209,000,000
India
VU
8,522 967,000,000
Myanmar (Burma) XZ 2
46,000,000
Thailand
HS
272 59,000,000
Sri Lanka
4S
129
18,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS
10,282
1,424,000,000
(Source: N7JXN’s Worldwide Radio ATLAS - 1993 and THE
WORLD ALMANAC - 1998)
- Licensed amateurs per
capita (entire region): 1 for every 138,000
persons
- Licensed amateurs per
capita (United States): 1 for every
433 persons
Of the 600,000 (or so)
licensed amateurs in the U.S. (and its territories), we estimate that less
than 6,000 (1%) are trained, active, and experienced in message
traffic handling. If the percentage in the seven countries listed
above is the same as it is in the U.S. (1%), that leaves 102 operators, or ONE for
every 13.8 million people! Of those 102 stations, how many were left
in any condition to operate?
How can these
deficiencies and problems be fixed? EM
suggests:
- The ARRL, other national societies, the
IARU, the ITU, and other international bodies lobby to
lift the ban on third party traffic worldwide. This will at least
provide an incentive for amateurs in all nations to learn and practice
traffic handling procedures.
- The ARRL, other national societies, the
IARU, the ITU, and other international bodies lobby to make
amateur radio legal in countries where it is not permitted.
- Promote, train and encourage "cross-over
operators". Few DXers are interested or trained in EmComm
and/or traffic handling procedures; and most EmComm operators have
little or no interest or experience in DXing.
- Hams in the United States need to get
back to the "Basis and Purpose" of the amateur service as defined
in FCC Part 97.1.
- EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG are
considering developing an "International Registry of EmComm
Operators "that will provide a database of stations capable of
handling message traffic worldwide. (See "QSH"
this issue.)
- Promote and restore Morse Code. It is
the only truly universal language. If hams do not preserve
it, it will be forever lost! All EmComm operators should learn
and practice this most basic skill, before they
"advance" to other modes and new technologies. ( How it
once was! )
- SIDEBAR: NIST scientists
have figured out that Morse code may get through poor transmission
conditions when voice does not.
"...first responders may be able to receive and see simple
patterns—like Morse code—from a survivor repeatedly turning a radio
or phone on and off, in cases where the signal was too weak to
receive audible voice messages."
FULL STORY: http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/demolition_dcconv.htm
If you care about humanitarian emergency
communications...read QSH in this issue!
SHORT CIRCUITS
• A New Years Resolution...for EMCOMM
Operators:
" I resolve not to be overly occupied about what others
are doing...or not doing. I resolve to focus on being as
proficient a radio operator as I possibly can be and to keep my station
in top notch operating condition."
• NET REMINDER:
TONIGHT (5 January): WINCOM (Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California,
Oregon, Montana) 1930PST on 3987 LSB.
All EmComm stations welcome! (Next scheduled WINCOM NET: 19
January 05 at 1930PST on 3987 LSB.)
• WorldRadio
Jerry Boyd, KW7J (EM Associate
Editor and ICS Advisor) has an excellent article on Mutual Aid
in the January issue of WorldRadio.
(Subscribe: www.wr6wr.com or
1-877-472-8643)
• TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS:
EACH month a varying number of EM
are returned as "undeliverable addressee unknown" or
"rejected due to containing possible objectionable
material". Our very limited staff does not have the
time, energy, or desire to track down everyone who changes their
email address and forgets to notify us. Or, a
subscriber installs some automatic "spam filter", a "parental
control device" and neglects to tell the filter it that it's
"OK to let EM pass
through". We do not have time or patience to jump through secret
hoops, or solve puzzles, to allow us to send email to you. Also,
if you change your email address be sure to notify us at: k6soj@arrl.net ... that is, if you
want to continue to receive EM.
• BOOK REVIEW: Tom Brown's Field Guide To City
and Suburban Survival
(Berkley
Books, New York - May 1984 ISBN: 0-425-09172-4.)
Most of us think of "survival" in a
wilderness context. This is the only book that I know of that addresses
survival situations in an urban setting. Chapters include: Shelter,
Water, Heat and Light, Food, Crime, Weather and more. Tom even offers
some tips as to how to tell if food scavenged by "dumpster
diving" is fit to eat. (Yummy!) I doubt it if this book is still in
print. Check used book stores,and yard sales. I saw one on eBay recently
for .99¢. Don't ask me to sell my copy...even though I live in the back
woods...it makes for very interesting reading! - Review by D.W.
Thorne, K6SOJ
The EM PHILOSOPHY
Ever now and then, we hear someone
bemoan the lowly RADIOGRAM. Comments
like: "It's too complicated" or, "Why can't it
be simplified?" Or worse yet, "It's old technology
and is no longer relevant." When I hear these I think of
the B.C. comic strip where the guy is whizzing along on his (single)
stone wheel and axle, and picture someone commenting:
"Can't you simplify that?" Statements about the
complexity of a RADIOGRAM belong in the same category as statements
about the complexity of a penny (37¢) postcard!
I was "waxing
philosophical" the other day about how just because something has
been around a long time, or is simple to use and/or operate, does not
necessarily render it obsolete! What follows next is
a short list of things, that I say, will never be simplified.
INVENTIONS THAT CANNOT BE SIMPLIFIED
OR IMPROVED:
1. The HAMMER
• Started out
as a rock held in the hand of early mankind.
• Wood or bone handle increased force.
• Whether a claw hammer, a ball peen
hammer, a mallet or a single jack;
it remains basically
the same original design.
2. The WHEEL
• Whether on an ox cart, covered
wagon, wheel barrow, automobile, truck, or space shuttle...original
design (round) still works best.
3. PAPER
• Began in Egypt as papyrus.
• Is lightweight and
inexpensive.
• Has successfully recorded and
preserved history in documents, classic literature and art, and
messages for thousands of years.
• Even though the computer
age has increased the demand for, and consumption of paper, it
is still readily available.
4. RADIOGRAM
•
Simplest way to accurately transfer a message through multiple relay
stations.
• Inexpensive and easy to learn
and use.
• Four simple parts:
The PREAMBLE (Provides a record of,
and a method to track, a message)
Message Number
Precedence EMERGENCY, Priority, Welfare, Routine)
Handling Instructions (optional)
Station of Origin
Check (word count to ensure accuracy)
Place
of Origin (so message can be tracked)
Time (optional)
Date
The Address and Telephone number (so
it can be delivered)
The TEXT (A short message)
The Signature (Who originated the
message)
HOW SIMPLE CAN IT BE? THE RADIOGRAM IS IMPOSSIBLE
TO BE MADE ANY SIMPLER ! (And still do the job.)
READ: "A FEW MORE THINGS THAT HAVE
BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME... in "QSH".
(below)
The EM ADVISOR
Who do you know in San Joaquin County (CA)?
I've just been named EC here and don't know a soul. Help!
--
David Coursey, N5FDL
Well David, I know
what you are feeling. When I first entered this game as an EC
in 1994, I was handed a stack of about 80 old (some very old)
FSD-98's. Some were so old that they were yellow with age!
I started sorting them and weeded out about 10 that were silent
keys. Then about 10 more that had moved out of the
county. It was such a mess...that I decided to start over from
scratch and decided to call a meeting to "Re-organize and
Recruit". If you decide to do this, start planning
about 3 months ahead.
I then accessed the FCC
data base and sent a First Class Letter to all the licensed
hams in my county (at my own expense), inviting them to a special
meeting. As I recall about 30 attended. Later, I had a second
meeting, and I invited all of those who were at the first meeting,
plus others who hadn't previously "surfaced".
At the meetings, I
explained the mission of the ARES®, explained the difference
between ARES®, RACES, and other agencies and organizations. I
reviewed what was needed to develop a viable EmComm team, a county
ARES® plan, and invited them all to join with me.
I explained that EmComm
requires commitment, time, and operating discipline. About 29 out of
the 30 signed up that day and the team grew to about 45 members
during the first year.
I learned very quickly
that there are a lot of lonely people that will join just
about anything, attend meetings, have coffee and donuts
and enjoy the camaraderie. But when they learn that some
actual work is expected...they seem to evaporate into thin air.
I eventually ended up with about 25 members, with about 10 who were
reliable. (Our county has about 200 resident amateurs, so the
5% ratio is about normal.)
I encouraged
participation by planning and executing drills, classes, etc.
At one time, I even had six (6) AECs...each with a
specific area of responsibility. But due to deaths, people
moving away, lose of interest, disgruntled members who couldn't
have their way, and apathy...the group is now down to about 10
members, with my wife Nannette, KE6MZT serving as the current EC.
Unfortunately, I cannot
think of anyone in San Joaquin County that is active in EmComm.
I think there are a few subscribers to EMCOMM
MONTHLY there, but I don't have any way to do a search
for them by location in our address file.
Your first resource is
whatever records the previous EC kept. Also your current SEC
(and DEC if you have one).
As a new EC you will
receive a copy of the ARRL Emergency Coordinator's Manual.
Although it hasn't been updated for about 10 years, it is still
worth it's weight in gold. It will provide you with many
suggestions on recruitment and how to develop your team.
I hope this has helped.
Keep in touch and don't allow yourself to get discouraged. It
takes time to build an effective team. -- EM
FEEDBACK,
MUSINGS... and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
"The quality and depth of content of EMCOMM MONTHLY is
what is necessary to keep the amateur radio emergency services
community informed and prepared.
More importantly, it is what is necessary to keep their
interest peaked and keep them participating. Without that ongoing
participation we all are that much more exposed to failures of our
aging and vulnerable communications network that we too often tend to
take for granted. My dad and I were both in the Civil Air Patrol
years ago. My youngest
son will soon complete his training to be a firefighter/paramedic and
my oldest son is an Ohio state police officer. An uncle is a retired fire
chief. You might say I
have a deep-rooted respect for emergency services and how much those
people give back to the community.
When the power lines go down, it will be the volunteer hams who
help the helpers; the firemen and police who suddenly find themselves
with radios and cell phones that no longer work. Keep on
spreading the word. EM
is the glue that holds it all together!" -- Jerry Gosnell,
The Wireless Store
"I just read your very
interesting comments in the December EM
about cave communications. Here is a link I ran across some time
ago. It may have value to some of the readers." -
Larry Cardoza, N6DHC, Redding, California -- http://www.cc.utah.edu/~nahaj/cave/phones/
COMMENT: Thanks
Larry. That is a very interesting and informative site...to say the
least. - EM
"As usual, a great newsletter. Thank you so
much for all you do for us. We really appreciate it! In response
to Jerry’s column on ICS in the December issue, he strongly states
the reason why we in Colorado ARES District 23 consider no one a
deployable field asset, whether EmComm qualified or not, until they
successfully complete the I-200 Basic Incident Command System course.
With the deployment of NIMS, every single ARES and RACES member in the
U.S. should be required to pass this class prior to deployments in
support of any governmental agency. This is a now a requirement of
FEMA for all responders to federal incidents and should be the norm
for everyone down to the district level. One of my frustrations
is that we open our I-200 and S-158 (Radio Operator) courses to our
fellow ARES/RACES members, but attendance is DISMAL from outside our
group. Non-hams participate in a significantly higher percentage
than local ARES/RACES members. Getting an EMCOMM certificate means
nothing to a responder or recovery agency if you can’t prove that
you know what the heck is going on and who is on first. ICS is
the glue that holds everything together and helps everyone understand
their roles and the roles of others. Thanks again."
-- Mark Hall, KD6ZEK, Communications Unit Leader Jefferson County, CO
IMT (Type 3), Eastern Great Basin IMT (Martin, Type 1) Communications
Specialist, Colorado Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue
"Your page at http://www.emcomm.org/svares/projects/nvis.htm is
super...and is one of the most used URL that I reference for NVIS.
Below are a few suggestion/comments. Regarding the 40M/80M
1/4-wave roadside antenna: Since most of HF EMCOMM work is
in the 40 and 80 meter bands, the next step was to cut another 33 ft.
long wire, solder two more lugs, and use a machine screw, lock washer,
and wing nut to convert it quickly for 80M use. Or, install an
insulator, and a wire jumper with an alligator clip and you have a
quick 'n easy 40-80M antenna.
1 - How about using a 66-ft long wire with lugs on each end?
For 80M use, use as a 66-ft single element per your article. For
40M use, fold the wire in half; connect both lugs together at the
feedpoint. An insulated cord may be used at the folded end as a guy rope.
2 - I like to avoid using fasteners, (e.g., screw, lock
washer, wing nut) because I seem to drop them into the grass quite
often -- HI.
Would something like PowerPole® connectors be better?
I carry an assortment of wire nuts for emergency repairs when
connectors/fasteners break. They are available pre-packaged in
assorted sizes...light-weight, too. Store them in a small
see-thru poly bag if space is a premium. No soldering or
(crimping) tool needed. Back in the early to mid-80's, I used a
battery alligator clamp to attach my roadside antenna to the base of
my Hustler mobile mast. No need to change or remove the Hustler
coils." -- Matt Lee, K4AQ, Atlanta, Georgia
COMMENT: Thanks for some good suggestions Mike.
It's nice to know that there are still some hams around that are
innovative and are not afraid to venture "outside the box"!
(The box the gear came in.) The technique of attaching a wire
with an alligator clip to the stinger of the ever-popular
"screwdriver" antenna is fairly well known. The
wire extension can then be strung out horizontally for NVIS, or
angled all the way up to vertical... for various propagation angles.
The adjustable coil makes it easy to "match". - EM
ICS PERSPECTIVES - by Jerry
Boyd, KW7J
ICS and NIMS
A reader recently requested a discussion of ICS (Incident
Command System) and NIMS (National Incident Management System). Are
they the same? If not, what are the differences? Is my previous ICS
Training (FEMA Courses IS 195 and IS 200) now out of date since the
introduction of the NIMS Course (IS 700)? Good questions all, and
I’ll try to clarify briefly.
As most know, ICS began in
California in the early 1970’s through Project Firescope as a
means of providing better coordination of the wildfire responses
typical of that state. Initially ICS was used solely by fire
agencies. Its use grew, but slowly and mostly in California. The
catastrophic Oakland-Berkeley Hills fire of 1991 resulted in a piece
of legislation being passed in California (the Petris Bill). That
legislation changed ICS from being voluntary in California to
mandatory. It also changed its name to SEMS (Standardized Emergency
Management System). It expanded its application from just the fire
service to all public safety responder agencies. Eventually it grew
well beyond the public safety community. Schools, hospitals and even
private sector businesses saw its merits and adopted it. Between
1991 and 2001 ICS grew in popularity well beyond the borders of the
"Golden State".
9/11 has changed our lives
forever in this Nation. One of the most needed changes was a
national, standardized system for preparing for and responding to
major incidents. NIMS is that system. Operationally it is no
different from ICS. However, it adds some things not included in
ICS. It is mandatory nationally as anyone applying for a Homeland
Security Grant has already discovered. Second, it addresses not just
operational issues but training, exercising, preparation,
qualifications, and certification. In other words, it has many
"administrative" aspects attached to it that ICS does not.
I strongly recommend the NIMS
Course (IS700-available on-line via the FEMA website). In fact, I
have required the public safety telecommunicators who work in my
9-1-1 Center to complete this course even though all had completed
earlier ICS courses. However, from an operational/response
perspective there is nothing new in IS700 that goes beyond
IS195/200. What you would gain from the new course is a better
understanding of the "big picture" and some valuable
reminders of the importance of preparation and training as preludes
to the actual response phase of an emergency/disaster.
FEATURE ARTICLE - by D.W.
Thorne, K6SOJ
"ESTABLISHING A
PRIVATELY OWNED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER" (ECC)
There are advantages to
having a privately owned, operated, maintained, and controlled ECC
to meet the EmComm needs for your team’s service area.
It is not uncommon for
local incidents to require the activation of the American Red
Cross, other private relief organizations, a local fire protection
district, and many others that need amateur radio emergency
communications service. Often city or county EOCs do not
necessarily need to activate or may not be activated until several
days after a disaster has occurred and relief operations are well
underway.
A trend is developing where it is
believed that skilled traffic handlers and the universal
RADIOGRAM is passé and no longer relevant or needed.
In some EOCs skilled "traffic handlers" are not
needed or welcome to practice their art. Keyboard
operators and computers will do the job. Under ICS/NIMS/DHS
"rules", both government and private agencies are now
mandated to use the ICS-213 "message form" which is little
more than an office "speed memo". (This
subject was discussed in depth in ECWB #208, 27 April 2004.
Read at: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/number208.htm) Sadly, many
amateurs have bought into this notion and have abandoned any attempt
at learning or maintaining traffic handling skills.
While the ICS-213
may work OK between two points of communication, they do not
work well anytime a message must go through one of more radio relay
stations. While we may not be able to change the thinking of
"the powers that be"; we, as emergency communicators, must
not abandon the methods and capabilities that have
worked so well for over 100 years. The universal
RADIOGRAM has taken us through countless disasters, two world wars, and still
is the best method of record message traffic ever devised!
Fortunately there are a few
of us diehards still standing that subscribe to the concept
that record message traffic handling is the only reliable
and accurate method of communication that will survive during major
communications system failures and provides a system of message handling
via radio during major incidents.
It is not inconceivable to
envision an amateur radio mobile field communications center parked near an
agency ECC or EOC and accepting official formal (record)
message traffic and handing a RADIOGRAM to a guard at the entrance
for delivery to be delivered to some official. It is also
conceivable that an official who has learned that their own system
is "down" or overloaded, to leave the EOC compound
and walk outside to a private, volunteer, amateur radio ECC and
dispatch a message. (Ref. "EM Philosophy" -
December 2004)
Another occurrence when a local EOC is not
activated is when disasters or other incidents occur in adjacent or
nearby counties, the next state, or even across the country (or ocean). Local
officials will not usually be interested in opening their EOC
just to keep an ECC on-the-air for incidents outside their
jurisdiction.
Private ownership of an ECC eliminates the
problem of obtaining authorization to activate by someone that has no interest
in an incident many miles away.
A private ECC station could
easily be inundated with hundreds of inbound and outbound messages
when the Internet or other infrastructure dependent systems fail (either
due to technical glitches or sabotage by cyber-terrorists) or are
shut down for national security reasons. (Note: The federal
government has contingency plans to shut down the GPS system for
security purposes. So don't throw away your sextant, chronometer,
short-wave receiver and compass yet.)
EmComm radio amateurs MUST
be prepared to handle thousands of RADIOGRAMS accurately and
efficiently during times of emergency. Sadly, most of amateur
radio has become lazy, complacent, dependent upon complex and automated devices;
and is semi-comatose regarding the demands they may be asked
to fill and the services they could be capable of providing.
There are a number of alternative methods to bring
this about this needed public service in your area. Let’s start
with the physical "space" and components required. A
private ECC may be located in borrowed space. It should be
in a secure place, but MUST always be accessible to the
members of your team! The station can be in a garage, shop,
warehouse, or whatever else is available. Obtain a written
agreement or "lease" with the owner. ($1.00 a year is good.)
It should not be on government property. (Future security
issues may make it "off limits" to civilians.)
Another ideal choice is a mobile emergency
communications center (MECC), stationed at a home base which is located
in a fenced and locked yard, with easy access to commercial power
and land-line telephone service. Add an antenna tower
with appropriate "umbilical cords" and make it a
"world class" station! (Be sure to check local zoning
and other codes.)
A Mobile ECC can then be moved to
"on scene" (near a operational command post or EOC), or
even respond out-of-area for mutual assistance deployment. (It can
also be easily relocated to another base location if a
"landlord" suddenly needs the space back for another reason,
or the property changes ownership.)
Self-propelled units (e.g. - Step-vans, motor homes, decommissioned
ambulances, view: www.emcomm.org/svares/spotlight/team_spotlite_10_22_01.htm ,
surplus "deuce-and-a-half's", [view: www.emcomm.org/svares/spotlight/team_spotlite_10_29_01.htm
] and buses www.thesojourners.us/images/FD_K6SOJ.jpg may
be what you want. Maintenance and insurance costs, however, are
higher than it is for towable units.
A tent is less desirable,
but if your budget is limited, "command post" tents: www.emcomm.org/emcomm/emcomm2002/images/P4200022.JPG and
other types are available through military surplus suppliers.
Towable units include Wells Cargo® type
trailers, semi-trailers/fifth wheels, re-furbished travel trailers, and
construction or field office trailers. Size is important! A common
mistake is to use a small (13 ft.) camping trailer. Granted, that
is better than nothing, but you will later wish you had more space.
Often longer trailers are in less demand and may more readily available
for a much lower price.
Too long of a unit however, decreases
maneuverability, requires a larger tow rig, and you may not be able to
go where you want to go!
Do not try to use a unit over 8
ft. wide. While "10 wides" are readily available on the
surplus market, most states require a special permit before they can be
moved.
The ideal Mobile ECC is an "8 wide",
25-30 ft. long, that has been essentially "gutted" into two
rooms or one large open space. (Leave the self-contained potty and sink
if it has one.) Ideally, "fore" and "aft"
should be separated about 1/3 the way from the front end by a service
counter. The counter should have a lift-up section to allow
passage.
Good ventilation is a must. Roof or window
exhaust fans will usually provide adequate comfort without requiring
excessive current draw. At least two alternative heat sources will
ensure warmth in winter weather. (A busy ECC with several radios and
several operators and visitors will often provide plenty of "hot
air".
The public space (typically in the front end)
should be well lighted and be furnished with a few chairs and a desk or
two so agency officials and the members of the public can sit
down and write out messages. A water cooler, a coffee / tea
station, and a few cookies or other snacks, will make the waiting area a
very welcome respite to tired, cold, wet or smoky victims or workers can
relax while they write out messages or wait for messages to arrive.
A message board (as large as possible) of cork,
or an erasable "white board" with a few erasable markers is a
must, and allow some wall space for maps.
A Large battery operated wall clock
is a nice touch.
Who should "own" the unit? Remember,
whoever holds the title has the final "say-so".
This will vary from place to place depending upon what the team finds
that works for them. The ECC should not be owned by, or under the
control of a government agency or another non-profit organization.
In some cases an amateur radio club may provide and maintain an ECC.
But beware, "clubs" are political, and you may wake up some
day only to learn - that your Mobile ECC is no longer
under the EmComm team's control.
If your team has a success
story about developing a "PRIVATELY OWNED EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER" either stationary or mobile, and you
would like to share it with the our readers, feel free to write an
article and submit for publication. - EM
NETWORK NEWS
Schedules and updates on regional,
national, and international EMCOMM and TRAFFIC nets. NN is not
intended to duplicate other resources such as:
ARRL Net Directory: (ISBN: 0-87259-835-7) #8357 $5.00
ARRL Net Search: www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nets/client/update.html
EMCOMM.ORG NET DIRECTORY PAGE: www.emcomm.org/netdirectory/
RADIO WATCH • MONITOR • CALLING • TRAFFIC • EMCOMM •
GUARD
• 7111 kHz DAYTIME / 3711 kHz NIGHTTIME / 146.52 MHz
• ALASKA WATCH - 3540 / 7042 kHz / 14.050 MHz
• NEVADA ARES® MONITOR/CALLING SSB: 3965 ± kHz SSB
• NATIONAL RADIO EMERGENCY NETWORK: 7068 / 10122 / 14050 kHz •
• WEST COAST NET (WCN) Slow Speed Traffic/Training Daily 1900
Pacific 3702 kHz
• Alaska-Pacific Emergency Preparedness Net 1630Z 14.292 MHz
• IMRA TRAFFIC NET (INTERNATIONAL MISSION RADIO ASSOCIATION)
14.280 MHz USB M-F 1800Z (summer) 1900Z (winter)
• ARES® 146.55 MHz
• ARES®/Red Cross 147.42 MHz
• NATIONAL CALLING (and Wilderness Protocol) 146.52 MHz
• WILDERNESS PROTOCOL (ref. June 1996 QST, page 85).
Primary frequency: 146.52 MHz (FM simplex). Secondary frequencies:
446.0, 223.5, 52.525
and 1294.5 MHz. All stations (both fixed, portable or mobile)
monitor the primary (and
secondary if possible) frequency(s) every three hours starting at 7:00
am local time, for five
minutes (7:00-7:05 AM, 10:00-10:05 AM, etc.) Additionally,
stations that have sufficient
power resources monitor for five minutes starting at the top of every
hour, or continuously."
WINCOM NETWORK - 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 1930 Pacific Time
on 3987 kHz (down).
WINCOM is for EmComm stations in
Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon,
Montana and anywhere else within range. Scheduled nets are on
the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
at 1930 Pacific Time on 3987 kHz (down).
The WINCOM NETWORK may be
activated during disasters, communications system
failures, and other emergency incidents as a regional SSB
network for tactical and/or formal
EMCOMM traffic. WINCOM is not intended to replace local or
section ARES® or RACES nets,
but rather to supplement and provide regional support by skilled
operators who know each
other and work together on a regular basis.
EMCOMM stations are encouraged to monitor
and/or use these frequencies for routine
calling and for a RADIO WATCH during actual or potential incidents.
(During actual events
move message traffic at least 5 kHz up or down.)
Nighttime: 3987 kHz (down) 1982 kHz (down) alternate). Daytime:
7232 kHz (up)
NOTE: These frequencies may be in use for other scheduled state or
regional nets.
Always yield for scheduled nets. E.g. - JNN is daily at 1200
Pacific on 7232 kHz SSB.
REGIONAL EMCOMM NET LIST AVAILABLE
EM maintains
a roster of REGIONAL EMCOMM NETS. These are active
ARES and other EMCOMM nets (RACES nets are not listed).
It includes primarily VHF and HF local, district, state and
regional nets in Washington, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Alaska.
A few international nets are listed. The list is NOT
routinely dispatched, but anytime you would like a current list by
email, simply request a copy at: lazyt@cot.net
EMCOMM
TRAFFIC
“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.”
CW NIGHTLY SLOW SPEED (10 WPM)
TRAINING-TRAFFIC WEST COAST NET (WCN)
• NIGHTLY 3702 kHz ± 1900 Pacific Time
SSB ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM TRAINING-PRACTICE NET (WEST COAST)
• 1st and 3rd WEDNESDAYS 3987 kHz ± 2000 Pacific
Time (approx.)
• BEGINS shortly after WINCOM and/or SV Section ARRL/ARES® NET.
• NON-HF HAMS AND SWLS ARE INVITED TO LISTEN AND COPY.
• 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.)
NOTE: When band conditions are poor or there is thunderstorm activity in
the area,
the SSB training-practice net may be canceled. Listen
the following Wednesday.
HOW TO USE ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM TRAINING
AND PRACTICE SESSIONS:
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 team’s 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.
3) A few ARES® units around the country
have been using the RADIOGRAMS published in EM
in training sessions...both on-the-air and/or in classroom settings.
Feel free to use any or all if it will be of help!
THE “TRAFFIC HANDLER’S MANTRA”
(Recite to help remember the eight parts in 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)
QSH ! EM’s Quiz,
Survey, and [attempt at] Humor Section...
A FEW MORE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN
AROUND A LONG TIME...
(And we are still waiting to see improvements)
• Lipton Tea
• Original VW engine
• A good hunting knife
• Mixed breed dogs
• Colt .45 (the shootin' kind, not
the drinkin' kind)
• The egg
• J-38 key
• A natural woman
DECEMBER SURVEY EXTENDED
Last month EM proposed:
The amateur EmComm
“community” is currently fragmented into many groups and
organizations. EM is considering
sponsoring a "one-stop all-encompassing", world-wide Registry
of (Amateur Radio) EmComm Operators who are capable of providing
emergency communications during natural and man-made disasters,
communications systems failures, and other incidents that require
skilled communicators using their own fixed, mobile and/or
portable stations. The proposed Registry of EMCOMM Operators would
not be intended to usurp, replace, or upstage any other organization or
network. It is intended to transcend all barriers and
boundaries. The objective is to supplement them by providing
a reservoir of trained, skilled, practiced and experienced
operators that are capable and ready to provide emergency
communications whenever and wherever needed.
The registry would
open to all serious and currently licensed radio amateurs, of any
license class, who are capable of providing infrastructure
free communications using his or her own equipment and (when
necessary) without any commercial power source or landline based
communications systems such the telephone, email, Internet,
etc.
Every registrant will attest that he or
she is capable of handling tactical AND formal record message
traffic (RADIOGRAMS) accurately, in a timely manner, in at least
one mode.
Registrants will pledge to maintain
their station(s) in a state of readiness, and participate in at
least one NTS, ARES, or other EmComm traffic net at least once a
week.
Every Registered EmComm Operator (REO) may
be issued an official certificate assigning them a number in
the order in which they originally are registered which will indicate
their home state, province, and/or country. Example: CA-1
(K6SOJ)
If a REO, moves to another state
and notifies the registry, they will be assigned a new number, but
will also retain their original number.
An on-line data-base would be maintained
and available to any interested party
- Registrants would have a
password that would allow them to update their own data.
- It would include an
assigned registration number. Example: CA-1
- Registrant’s name
- Call sign
- License class
- Mailing address
- County, parish, district,
state and/or country
- Telephone number(s)
(optional)
- Email (optional)
- Other amateur EmComm
affiliations (such as): ARES®, NTS, RACES, SKYWARN, SATERN, and
others.
- The time, frequency and
name of at least two nets in which the registrant (REO)
regularly participates.
- Any
frequency(s) and modes the REO normally monitors.
- Visitors to the
Registry of EmComm Operators would be able to search for
registrants by:
State (Province or Country), county or parish, zip code, call sign
or name.
- Any
registrant who engages in illegal or offensive on-the-air behavior
will be removed from the registry.
DECEMBER SURVEY RESULTS:
The survey results
were disappointing. Out of 800+ readers only ten (10)
responded and participated in the survey. Of those ten, 100% said: Yes,
Yes, Yes to the three survey questions.
Perhaps our timing was
off. After all, December is a busy month.
Or, perhaps there simply isn't enough interest in the
concept. Initially we thought about scrapping the idea.
However, in view of the catastrophic incident in South Asia, EM
believes that an International data base of Registered EmComm
Operators is a worthwhile idea. Had such a
registry been available, with hundreds (or even thousands) of
skilled operators listed worldwide, the efforts to locate stations
in the affected region could have been potentially much more
effective.
Therefore, we will continue
the survey period at least one more month.
International
REO -- Q and A
"I just took your registry survey and
have some questions: Who will maintain this list? Who
will have access to it? How will it be used?
By whom? What safeguards will be
in place to keep it from being misused? How will any
individual ham's assignment among competing agencies be
determined? It seems a good idea but needs some more
thought -- which I think you are giving it!
-- Jane English, KD6PCE - Calais, VT
Thanks Jane. The program is still in the development
stage, but here is how we see it at this time:
Q - Who will maintain this list?
A - Using an assigned password, each
registrant will have access to their own data listing.
It will be their responsibility to keep it updated and
accurate.
Q - Who will have access to it?
A - Anyone with a computer and the
Internet.
Q - How will it be used?
A - It will simply be a data base/resource
of operators who claim to be skilled EmComm operators
and traffic handlers and that maintain a station
capable of operating on emergency power. There probably
will be no "exam" or other "certificated"
requirements. Acceptance will basically be on "the
honor system" (when you boil it all down..that is what
most everything is). A new registrant will be required
to provide the name of a "recommended by"
person. (Such as an current "REO", a
Section EC or Section Manager, a NTS net manager, etc.
Q - What safeguards will be in place to
keep it from being misused?
A - A password will be used to allow only
the registrant to modify only their own data. Other than
that there will be no "protection". If someone
doesn't want their data made available (e.g. telephone or
email address) they shouldn't post it. (This is similar
to QRZ.COM...only this is only for EmComm
operators). (see examples below).
Q - How will any individual ham's
assignment among competing agencies be determined?
A - That is solely between the
individual volunteer and "the agencies". The
"International REO" is only a data base. ICS
"mandates" only one (overall)
communications unit for any particular incident.
However, this concept has been promoted by the ARRL since at
least as early as 1956. (See "Our Creed"
http://emcomm.org/creed.htm) EmComm
must (of course) include "the general
public" which (for U.S. amateurs) is our primary
mission as defined in FCC Part 97.1. A message is a
message is a message! For every agency and organization
to have it own EmComm unit is a very poor use of a very
limited amateur resource; and makes about as much sense as if
every agency had it's own postal service! EmComm is
about delivering radio "mail". It is
of no concern to the U.S.P.S. as to who is mailing a
letter...(nor should we care who is sending a radio message)!
All the U.S.P.S. and us need to
know is: The addressee, the message text, the priority of the
message, and if a return receipt is desired. (HXC, D, or E)
EM'S JANUARY
SURVEY
This month EM
continues its DECEMBER SURVEY regarding our proposed
"Registry of EmComm Operators":
(All questions must be answered or
survey answers will not be accepted.)
EMCOMM
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
“License Plate”:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
• View this item at:
http://www.emcomm.org/products/
• Raised BLACK letters on WHITE background
• Durable Metal
• 6” x 12” with usual holes for mounting
• Mount on vehicle
• Place on visor or in window
• Space to "customize" with
your county or city's name, or your call sign using one inch vinyl
letters
(available at hardware stores)
• Use at fixed or field EMCOMM stations
• MADE IN U.S.A!
• $10.00 each or two for $18.00 [Postpaid to one
address includes all applicable taxes]
Send check or money order and shipping address
to:
EMCOMM
P O Box 99
Macdoel, CA 96058
• Allow 2 weeks for delivery
TRAFFIC
HANDLERS SUPPLIES:
RADIOGRAM
RUBBER STAMP
• Use on plain paper
• Use on front of envelope
• 3/4” x 3” wood handle stamp
Order: WRGS - Wood handle (traditional) rubber
stamp $10.00 each postpaid
($8.00 if ordered with Message Service Cross stamp
(below)
• Send check or money order to:
EMCOMM
P O Box 99
Macdoel, CA 96058
• Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery
"MESSAGE SERVICE
CROSS" RUBBER STAMP
• Makes the “record” part of record message
traffic handling easy and efficient.
• Use on any message form or on plain paper.
• A message received and forwarded should be stamped twice (L
lower / R lower).
• Check TOR (Time Received) or TOD (Time Delivered / Forwarded).
• Available in two styles:
Order: SIRS - Self inking
rubber stamp - $15.00 each postpaid.
Order: WHRS - Wood handle
(traditional) rubber stamp - $12.00 each postpaid.
• Order yours today!
• Specify style, quantity, and shipping address, and send check or
money order to:
EMCOMM
P O Box 99
Macdoel, CA 96058
• Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery
NEW SUBSCRIBERS
• Richard J. Bruno,
N6ISY, Fountain Valley, California - Fountain Valley RACES
• Bill Gabour, AB5G, Baton Rouge, Louisiana -
ARES®, OES
• Matt Lee, K4AQ, Atlanta, Georgia - Former
ARRL/ARES® SEC
• David M. Wellman, WX3E, Union City,
Pennsylvania - ARES® (EC), RACES, SKYWARN
RECENT CONTRIBUTORS
• Richard J. Bruno, N6ISY, Fountain Valley,
California
• Alex Salsbery, KF6TQG, Susanville, California
SOS - SUPPORT OUR
SUPPORTERS
When contacting these fine vendors... tell them EMCOMM
MONTHLY sent you!
Books, etc.
Jack (AC6FU) and Margaret (KE7AWA)
Ruckman, Owners
www.hamradiobooks.com
ac6fu@arrl.net
(775) 577-2639
P.O. Box 309
Silver Springs, NV 89429
(Amateur Radio Books, ARRL patches, decals and other supplies)
EmComm-Products LLC
Robin (N7GSU) and Kathy
(KD7OTY) Faulkner
www.emcomm-products.com/index.html
(775) 521-6153
(775) 307-7101 (Fax)
PO Box 383
703 Sixth Street
Fossil, OR 97830-0383
(Manufacturer of the RADS 9-11 Rapid Antenna Deployment System)
Q. R. Zed
Engraving
Gordon Yee, KI6UH
www.qrzed.8k.com
(415) 467-2235
P.O. Box 651
Brisbane, CA 94005
(Name badges, desk plates, signs, and more. Custom work.)
The Wireless Store
Manufacturer Distributor Niljon
Antennas
Jerry Gosnell, Owner
1599 Faye Road
Akron, Ohio 44306-4115
(330) 701-9280 Toll free: 1 (877) 751-8125
http://www.niljon.com/
Authorized Dealer: WiFi-PLUS, Inc.
http://www.wifi-plus.com/
REFERENCE and RESOURCE
SECTION
• ICS-ARCT GUIDE: www.emcomm.org/ARCT/
• TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE: www.emcomm.org (click bar on main page).
• TRAINING ARCHIVES: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/index.html
• PHONETICS: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/itu_phonetics_10_30_2001.htm
• NVIS PROPAGATION MAPS - http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/NVIS/NVISprop.htm
• GEAR AND EQUIPMENT LIST: www.emcomm.org (Click on GEAR LIST)
• 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
• NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN www.emcomm.org (click on NWS or links) or
Contact your EC or local SKYWARN coordinator for local net
information.
• 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
SUBSCRIBE TO EMCOMM MONTHLY www.emcomm.org/subscription.htm
EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN archives:
www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/
SEARCH FEATURE AT
EMCOMM.ORG www.emcomm.org
EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG are
funded solely by the voluntary donations of serious EMCOMM
operators who are concerned about preserving the ability of amateur
radio operators to be prepared to provide skilled, accurate and
efficient emergency communications during times of
disaster or other events where normal channels of communication may
be interrupted or overloaded. WWW.EMCOMM.ORG is “pop up free”. If you have benefited from
our efforts, and would like to support this work in a tangible way;
you may do so by sending a check or money order payable to: EMCOMM.
Send to: EMCOMM, PO Box 99, Macdoel, CA
96058. -- Your donation is an outright gift and is NOT
tax-deductible.
The opinions expressed by individual contributors
do not necessarily reflect the EM philosophy,
the editorial position of EM or its staff.
ARES® and Amateur
Radio Emergency Service® are registered service
marks of the
American Radio Relay
League, Inc. and are used by permission."
For permission to reproduce material in EMCOMM
MONTHLY
contact: D. W. Thorne at: k6soj@arrl.net or write:
EMCOMM MONTHLY, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058 U.S.A.
EMCOMM MONTHLY - Copyright (c) 2005 -
All rights reserved.
STAFF:
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and
Publisher
Bill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor and Webmaster
Ed Trump, AL7N - Associate Editor and Alaska Correspondent
Jerry Boyd, KW7J - Associate Editor and ICS Advisor
John Moriarity, K6QQ - Associate Editor and Technical Advisor
Dave Nicholson, KB6PNT - Associate Editor and SAR Advisor
COMING IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE
OF EMCOMM MONTHLY :
NEWS... FEATURES...
FEEDBACK.... QSH... and MORE!
____________________________________________
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