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Dedicated to Emergency Communications by
RADIO
EMCOMM
MONTHLY
“PREPAREDNESS is our most important
PRODUCT”
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CONTENTS:
SHORT CIRCUITS
The EM PHILOSOPHY
FEEDBACK
The EM ADVISOR
NETWORK NEWS and "NET OF THE
MONTH"
EMCOMM TRAFFIC -
"MORE TIPS FOR GOOD VOICE OPERATING"
RETRO REVIEW - "Originating Third Party Message
Traffic"
QSH
STATION & OPERATOR NEWS
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE ARTICLE - "LET'S
SIMPLIFY OUR TRAFFIC SYSTEM"
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and
CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE
SECTION
SHORT
CIRCUITS
• FIRE SEASON IS NOW! INCREASE
YOUR 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 when traveling 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!
• HAVE A SAFE AND SANE INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION!
• EM NOW
AVAILABLE IN PLAIN TEXT
Subscribers who are visually
impaired using an email-to-audio conversion program, or whose
computer does not process HTML format, we will (upon request) dispatch
EMCOMM MONTHLY in plain
text format.
• BEWARE OF POSEURS -
(poseur: "a person who pretends to be what he or she is
not".)
Be careful what you read, believe, and who you
choose to trust on the Internet. (And anywhere else for that
matter.) It has come to our attention that there are some "counterfeit"
groups who are masquerading as legitimate ARES® groups. These sites are
usually run by some misfit who has had a "falling out" with the ARRL
and/or the ARES®. Some are even using "ares" as part of a web
address. While anyone is free to start their own organization
and call it just about anything they want, they are not free to impersonate
and/or misrepresent themselves as the ARES®. Since it is next to
impossible to police the Internet in its entirety, if you suspect that you
have run across one of these poseurs, please notify your Section Manager or
Division Director so the matter can be investigated.
• "BACK TO THE FUTURE" -
VIA 600 METER WAVES
The FCC has assigned call sign WD2XSH
to the ARRL 600-Meter Experimental Group. An actual license has NOT been
issued...and it could be a long wait. Should the proposed 495-510 kHz
amateur band ever make it through the experimental and testing phase
and actually become a legal ham band, it could be a tremendous resource to
EMCOMM. Our hats are off to these modern pioneers who are navigating
this course. For more information and the latest updates:
http://500kc.com/
• SPECIAL REGIONAL
OFFICIAL EMERGENCY STATION NETS
Wednesday evenings are regional EMCOMM net nights in the Pacific
Northwest Region. For the past few years and
in months that have a fifth Wednesday, a special
regional net has been conducted specifically for ARRL Official
Emergency Stations. These nets transcend all section and state
boundaries. June 29 was one such event and 19 stations reported in
from three states (California, Nevada, Washington), and four
sections (NV, SF, SV, WWA). Perhaps the idea of regional OES nets is
something that other regions of the country might want to adopt and provide
camaraderie between ARRL Official Emergency Stations.
There will be four "five Wednesday months" in 2006.
(March, May, August and November). We are planning to
issue a SPECIAL AWARD CERTIFICATE to all Official
Emergency Stations who check in to all four of these special nets next
year.
The ARRL OES may be our last line of defense in amateur radio
emergency communications. To become an ARRL Official Emergency Station,
contact your Section EC, your Section Manager, or check out: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/org/oes.html
• WILDERNESS
PROTOCOL
It is now
officially summer! (Unless, of course, you're one of our
"down under" readers.) Hoards of people will soon be heading for the
hills and mountains, the beaches, rivers, lakes and
deserts. It's a good time for all of us to review
the 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."
• NATIONAL HF WATCH • MONITOR •
CALLING • GUARD FREQUENCIES
Over the past few years lightweight highly portable HF
rigs have become popular and are increasingly being carried into wilderness
areas. HF mobile units are more common than ever.
EM believes that it is high
time to implement NATIONAL HF WATCH • MONITOR • CALLING •
GUARD FREQUENCIES. (They were once a reality in the
U.S.) Some operators on the West Coast of North America monitor
the RADIO WATCH and CALLING FREQUENCIES listed below. We would
be honored if public service amateurs everywhere were to begin to monitor these
frequencies anytime they are in their shacks or mobile.
GUARD • MONITOR
• CALLING • EMCOMM
• SSB 7232 kHz DAYTIME / 3987 kHz
NIGHTTIME
• CW 7111 kHz DAYTIME / 3711 kHz
NIGHTTIME
• ALASKA WATCH: 3540 / 7042 kHz/14050
kHz
The
EM PHILOSOPHY
"What Ever Happened to
K.I.S.S.?" (August 2004 EM)
http://www.emcomm.org/em/august2004.htm
We continue to be baffled as to
why some people make emergency communications more complicated
than necessary. This month, in our
FEATURE SECTION, we present some
down-to-earth suggestions, as to how our traffic system could be
simplified and streamlined. Hopefully, our ideas will
NOT fall upon "deaf ears".
FEEDBACK, MUSINGS... and
SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
"Fantastic first anniversary issue of EMCOMM
MONTHLY! I learn so much from reading every issue first page
to last! Will you and Nannette be attending SEA-PAC this year? My
husband and I are planning to attend. He's a non-ham, and it seems that
the activities they have for non-ham spouses are geared for women--crafts,
etc.
The local ham club I'm a member of (and of which my husband is an
Associate member) had raffle prizes last holiday at our annual banquet---prizes
were for hams and non-hams. My husband bought some non-ham tickets and ended up
winning an angel pin and a plant. We've been members for a year now, but I guess
old habits die hard." - Judi Robins, KD7GZR, Silverlake, Washington
COMMENT: Thanks for the "kudos",
Judi. Sorry, but we could not attend SEA-PAC. We're too
tied down here at the Lazy T Ranch with work, animals, etc.
etc.
Sadly, amateur radio has been male dominated
for far too long. I finally got people to stop
using the term "man-hours", and start using "volunteer hours" on the
monthly report forms. But you are correct when you said that "old habits
die hard". Female hams belong in the mainstream of amateur radio
and not in some separate organization! -- Editor
∙-∙-∙
"It looks like we can have some effect on our hobby.
If you like working the bands the way it has been for the last month or so then
you won't mind working through BPL. I don't like it and will send all of
the letters I need to help our hobby. 73's to all." -- A concerned
ham.
COMMENT: Well OM, I'm sure you mean
well. You can have all the concern in the world and get hundreds of
hams to write letters, but as long as you continue to refer to the
amateur service (Part 97.1) as "a hobby", you will gather
very little (if any) sympathy from non-hams. The telecommunication
industry promoters that are lobbying for BPL (as well as
the FCC and other regulatory agencies), do not give a rat's ass about
someone's "hobby". Years ago I had a retired FCC Field Officer
tell me that in every single case or hearing, where he was called to testify
before a federal administrative law judge, where the ham involved
referred to the amateur service as "a hobby"; the judge
immediately ruled against the ham no matter what the issue was before him.
The FCC Officer said that the standard answer from judges was: "This
court has no jurisdiction or interest in someone's hobby. Case
dismissed!" As long as hams and amateur
organizations see the amateur service as "only a hobby"...we are
all doomed. All hams need to read FCC part
97.1 and learn why we have our amateur privileges. Oh yes, it's 73.
"73's" (possessive) is only proper if you're referring to something
that belongs to, or once appeared in, 73
Magazine. -- Editor
∙-∙-∙
"You guys are doing a helluva job and your work is
much appreciated here." - Richard Webb, NF5B, New Orleans, Louisiana
"I am
long overdue for showing the support that you and your crew are doing for
amateur radio and the camaraderie that comes about because of your supreme
effort in man hours and discussions that you must do to get the job done."
- Bob Welzbacker, WA7IZU, Klamath Falls, Oregon
COMMENT: Thanks for the "real mail"
letter Bob. And thank you for your donation to help
keep us afloat. -- Editor
"Good job on the article: 'who we are' and 'who we
should work for' in the June EM.
I am still trying to find a frequency I can communicate
with Sarone Kennedy C6ASK on Abaco Island, Bahamas. I think he may
be feeling like the Lone Ranger right now because he didn't seem to get
much help during last year's storms. Am trying to work him into a regular
sked during Hurricane season so he can talk out his frustrations and ask
questions although he may be the one to answer them this year.
I am the ham communicator with the County Fire Ops
Center during storms. Last year during the HURRICANES, my wife
Gail (KG4HZW), and I spent one storm in the FOC and have come to
really admire the "hose draggers". They are the guys and gals that
are out there pulling dummies (who try to drive during 85 mph winds) out of
the canals and giving them CPR on the bank. I have gained a lot of
respect for these guys and gals as well as our EMT/EMS. One of
them talked an elderly woman through a anxiety attack while the wind was
pulling at her roof. They also conducted triage over the phone
and kept a lot of ambulances off the road when the wind made safe travel
impossible. Anyway, I love EMCOMM
MONTHLY!" - Roy Hill, W6QCM, Merritt Island,
Florida
∙-∙-∙
"The comments by Jerry Boyd, N7WR, about Winlink® are
very true. In emergency communications planning you must identify the
most common modes and the number of trained operators for those modes.
Many of us can operate in several modes and are trained in traffic handling of
record traffic. To plan communications around a mode that very few people
have and that is not dispersed well is a no-win situation. Plus it is
equipment intense, involves infrastructure of several systems, and it when
it fails it will not be easy or quick to repair." - Ed
Ewell, K7DXV - Klamath Falls, Oregon
THE EM
ADVISOR
Q: If the telephone, Internet, and other
landline services are working and available following a disaster, why would
anyone bother sending a RADIOGRAM? Why wouldn't they just call the person
they want to communicate with on the telephone or send an email message? -- A.
Nonymous
A: We've been
wondering about that ourselves! If the stricken area where the landline systems are out of service or
overloaded is local (or even regional)*; and the message is EMERGENCY or
PRIORITY all that has to happen is get the message to a traffic station
that has a working telephone. The operator can then deliver the
message by telephone (or email if the address is provided). If the
message is WELFARE (or ROUTINE for that matter), I would probably call
the addressee and deliver the message. (I have a "flat rate" long distance
plan for all 50 states.) For operators who
cannot afford to make a toll call...the good ol' U.S. Postal Service still works
pretty well. A 'penny postcard' only costs 23¢. - Editor. (*
May God help us if we ever have a nation-wide communications system
collapse!)
(See: "DELIVERING A MESSAGE WHERE THERE IS
NO AMATEUR STATION NEAR AN ADDRESSEE" in this month's feature
article.)
Q: How does one join a local RACES
organization?
A: An amateur does not actually "join" RACES,
but may register with a government jurisdiction or agency
that maintains an active RACES unit. In most states an amateur may
register with only one RACES unit. A (legitimate) RACES
"organization" is a sub-unit of a city, county, special district, or state
Office of Civil Defense or Emergency Services. In recent years, in order
to expand the emcomm resource for government beyond amateur radio,
some states and local governments have expanded upon the RACES
concept and include non-amateur services such as CB, REACT, GMRS, FRS,
telephones, computers and government frequencies. This is often called ACS
(Auxiliary Communications Service). The use of amateur radio for
government communications is however still regulated by FCC Part
97.407.
In some states, registered RACES operators may not
concurrently be members of non-government EmComm units (e.g.- the
ARES®). In most states however, both government officials and the ARRL
encourage membership in the ARES® and registration with a RACES unit.
To register with a RACES unit contact your local or state Office of Civil
Defense or Emergency Services.
Q: I need information concerning
the requirements referred to and the agreements concerning third party
transmissions. I need to begin the process here in the Bahamas. Is sample
documentation available? I would like to have a better understanding on
this matter so I can speak with the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) (responsible for Ham Radio)and
do or get done what is necessary. Thank You.
- S. A. Kennedy,Sr.
C6ASK
A:
Third-party traffic agreements are arranged between
countries. However, actions taken at World Radiocommunication Conference
2003 (WRC-03) essentially have rendered such agreements unnecessary in the case
of
emergency traffic. Also, according to the Tampere Convention
(which became effective January 8, 2005) agreements are not necessary for
third-party traffic related to
emergency or disaster relief traffic.
Ref:
http://www.reliefweb.int/telecoms/tampere/
and
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/01/20/3/
You may want to call these documents to the attention of
officials in the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the
Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
In the United States, third-party
traffic related to an emergency or disaster relief, is permitted with or without
any formal agreement, provided that the other country's administration
does not object. We suggest that you check with the appropriate government
agency in the Bahamas to learn if they permit third party emergency and/or
disaster traffic without agreements.
If you wish to pursue a third party
agreement for non-emergency third party traffic, we suggest that
you begin by contacting your elected representative (The Bahamas has a Bicameral
Parliament), who may contact your Department of State (or equivalent) and
begin to work on an agreement through diplomatic channels.
However, we
have heard that this can be a long drawn-out process.
Please keep me
informed of your progress or write if you have any further questions. -
Editor
∙-∙-∙
NETWORK
NEWS
Schedules and updates on regional,
national, and international EMCOMM and TRAFFIC nets.
"NET-OF-THE-MONTH":
IDAHO-MONTANA NET (IMN)
•
IDAHO-MONTANA CW TRAFFIC NET - DAILY at 0300Z on 3647 kHz (7043 kHz Tuesdays
only)
RADIO WATCH • MONITOR •
GUARD • CALLING • EMCOMM TRAFFIC
•
REGIONAL SSB 7232 kHz DAYTIME / 3987 kHz NIGHTTIME
• REGIONAL CW 7111 kHz DAYTIME / 3711 kHz
NIGHTTIME
• 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
• IMRA TRAFFIC NET (INTERNATIONAL MISSION RADIO
ASSOCIATION) 14.280 MHz USB M-F 1800Z (summer) 1900Z (winter)
• NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AMATEUR
STATION: http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/w4ehw/
• HURRICANE FREQUENCY LISTINGS:
http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/hurricane.htm
• 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 primarily for
EmComm stations in Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon,
Montana but stations anywhere within range are welcome.
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 across
section and state boundaries 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. E.g. - The 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 and club nets are not
listed). It lists VHF and HF local, district, state and
regional nets in Washington, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Alaska. For a
current copy of the list contact: k6soj@arrl.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.”
MORE TIPS FOR GOOD VOICE AND NET
OPERATING (for those who want to sound courteous and
intelligent)
(An EM basic studies training
module)
A few "Do" and "Don'ts":
DON'T - Chew food, gum, or tobacco) while on the
air. (Morse operators excepted!)
DON'T - Operate (voice or CW) while
intoxicated. You will sound great..but only to
yourself.
DON'T - Tune up without identifying with your FCC call
sign. This is illegal.
DON'T - Make check of make final adjustments to your
SWR within three 3 kHz of a frequency in use.
DON'T - Transmit music or other background
noise.
DON'T - Try to run a net on a "HT"! If you don't
have an adequate radio...let somebody else do
it.
DO - Keep a glass of water (or other non-intoxicating
beverage) handy to "wet your whistle" when
needed.
DO - Know what time it is. We used to
have a ham in my area that would tune up on a net frequency, and
then without listening first and with his audio gain
turned DOWN, would push his PTT and just start talking (often
doubling upon another station). After he finally stopped
talking, and he was informed that a net was in progress, his standard answer was
usually: "Net? What net? What time IS it?"
Followed with an "I'm sorry" and proceeded to tie up the frequency
by apologizing for at least 5 minutes!
DO - Welcome a station checking in for the first
time. But don't over do it by "gushing" all over the
newcomer. (This is almost as bad as giving them a "cold
shoulder".) Always remember that they may not know all the nuances
of a particular net, so treat them with dignity and respect. If
time permits, tell them a little about the net. If your net includes a
round table, invite them to participate and tell the group a
little about their station. Hams often check into a net to
obtain a signal report on a new transmitter or antenna. Occasionally
you'll have a lid or blowhard check in who has a speech to make and
runs on and on with (what seems like) an eternity. One way to handle this
is to thank him/her for "visiting" the net...and then move on in a
business-like manner. If you feed their ego by allowing them suck you
in to a bunch of chatter ...they'll be back. And you may loose a few
of your regular members
DO - Avoid the "Good Old Boy syndrome".
Sure, many net stations have been regulars for years. You all know each
other by your first names and can recognize each operator by
their voice. A newcomer who has just checked in for the first
time, will feel estranged if he or she feels like they have just stepped
into a clique and will rarely stick around...or return. Also,
being able to recognize each other by voice...does not excuse any of you from
always using good net operating practices.
DON'T DO WHAT (SOME) OTHERS DO!
INSTEAD...SET THE STANDARD FOR GOOD NET
OPERATIONS
THE “TRAFFIC HANDLER’S
MANTRA” (Recite often 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
∙-∙-∙
RETRO REVIEW - “EMCOMM viewed
through the Retrospect-O-Scope”
Originating Third Party Message Traffic
- Part one in "Trump's Traffic Trilogy" - by Ed "FB" Trump,
AL7N
"Getting down to
the nitty-gritty of actually doing it."
Special care is
required when preparing written third party message traffic for transmission
over the amateur NTS traffic networks. What is third party traffic?
The
generally accepted definition is "written or voice traffic between the control
operator of one amateur station (first party) and the control operator of
another amateur station (second party) on behalf of another person (third
party)”. Usually it amounts to short written noncommercial messages
between people who are not necessarily amateur radio operators".
The objective of the NTS is to cause these written messages to
transit the system, word for word, character for character, and be
able to be handled without alteration via any of the common modes of
transmission currently in use such as CW, SSB, VHF-FM or PACTOR. It is important
to reproduce the message at the far end of the system exactly as it was
initially sent, regardless of mode transition en route.
The main
source for any volume of such traffic is usually either of two
occurrences.
1. An unplanned event, which forces
people to use the Amateur NTS traffic networks due to failure or overload of
normal regular commercial facilities or,
2. A planned
event, such as a convention, fair or other public gathering that encourages
use of the amateur traffic networks more or less as a novelty.
In
either case, the average person will need help in composing their messages so
they can be properly and expeditiously handled by the NTS network operators.
This will be especially so with Health & Welfare traffic coming from
disaster shelters in times of emergency.
If any large volume of
third party traffic is expected, the radio operator proper must be assisted by
another person or persons ("public counter" assistants) who can take care of
preparing the messages for transmission. The operator will have his or her
hands full just working the radio. The people detailed as counter
assistants must be trained and familiar with this kind of message work, but they
need not be licensed radio operators.
There are several things that
must be considered when taking in message traffic from the general public:
1. The average sender has no idea about putting his message into the
standard format which we require to be used, in order for the generated traffic
to be capable of being properly relayed through the system. They will need
assistance.
2. The word count of the message text must be kept under
control to avoid network overloading. Improper or illegal content or symbols
that cannot be transmitted must be kept out of the text. The message must
be composed so as to convey the desired meaning without unnecessary wordage, and
to minimize the possibility of being misunderstood by the
recipient.
3. Addressing must be properly done in order
for the message to be delivered at its ultimate destination.
a) All messages must be sent to a person or
organization by NAME.
b) The
address must also contain a PHYSICAL LOCATION where the addressee can be found
in order to deliver the message. Street number and
name,
rural delivery
route, post office box, hotel/motel name and room (if known) are some
common ways of providing this information.
c)
The address must also contain the DESTINATION City, State or Province, Country
if not in USA or Canada, and postal code, if known.
d) If at all possible, the address should include a full ten-digit
TELEPHONE number. In the USA and Canada, use the form
NPA-NNX-NNNN,
which
will greatly aid expeditious message delivery.
4. The
sender only needs to furnish the address, text and signature of the message.
Normally, messages should be written either by the sender him/herself or the
operator's "public counter" assistant for or in behalf of the sender. Use plain
half sheets of paper 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches in size. This is plenty
large for the average
25-word message, and will help discourage excessive
wordiness in message texts. Pre-printed blanks are not really
necessary for messages being sent and represent an unnecessary expense and
logistic problem.
5. Messages must be SIGNED properly with a name
so the recipient will know who sent it. The sender should also furnish
LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION so they can be reached if there is an answer to their
message or if some problem occurs with delivering it. This information
should be written on the back of the message blank for future reference if
needed.
Appropriate message numbering, precedence, handling
codes, Station of Origin's callsign, check, originating point , filing
time (if used) and date must then be properly appended as a PREAMBLE along the
top edge of the message half-sheet. This is required in order to route the
message correctly through the NTS system from origin to destination. The
entire message should be carefully checked over in regard to legibility and
completeness at this time. These tasks are best left to the counter
assistant who is trained and knows how to do them.
At this point
the message is ready to be handed to the radio operator for transmission.
The written message copy is now the "document of record" for the message, and
after the radio operator notes on it the time sent, frequency or net, and the
callsign of the station it was sent to, it should be filed in the Originating
Station's "Sent" file. The FCC no longer requires copies of amateur
messages to be retained, but it is a good idea to keep them on file for at least
a year anyway, "just in case".
Only by careful attention to all
these details will good service be provided for the
public. Messages that are properly originated have a far
better chance of making it through the NTS to destination than those which are
not.
=========================================================================
QSH -- (I HAVE HUMOR FOR YOUR
STATION)
EM’s Quiz, Survey, and [attempt at] Humor
Section...
WARNING! -- EM
is not advertised "As seen on TV!" and it is
not "found in finer stores everywhere", nor is it "available at
your local news dealer".
EMCOMM
MONTHLY may be habit forming!
WHAT IS YOUR
LOCATION?
An outdoorsman was driving home from a fishing trip
in northern Michigan with his boat in tow. Suddenly he had
engine trouble a few miles inland from Lake Huron. He didn't have a cell phone,
so he decided to use his marine radio to get help. Climbing into his boat, he
broadcast his call letters and asked for assistance. A Coast Guard officer
responded with, "What is your location." The man replied, "I'm on
Interstate-75, two miles south of Standish." After a pause the officer
said, "Say again?" "I'm on I-75, two miles south of Standish." After a
longer pause, an incredulous voice asked, "How fast were you going when you hit
shore?
∙-∙-∙
EMCOMM STATION & OPERATOR
NEWS
Alaska: AL7N is on motor trip
around YT, BC, WA, OR, ID, CO, UT. Ed, is on 40M CW QRP. No
set sked but try evenings on 7050 kHz ±.
Arizona: WO6P and
W6DEE were in Shasta County (CA) for Field
Day.
California: WB6AGR now has
packet operational in shack. Joe monitors: BERRY on
145.05 wb6agr-1 mailbox. AB6UE has completed
ARECC Level I.
Florida: W6QCM is preparing for
hurricane duty and looking for reliable frequency(s) to establish a
regular schedule with C6ASK on Abaco Island, Bahamas.
Louisiana:
NF5B Louisiana STM is active on CW and NM for
Central Area NTS Cycle 2 and is working to set up stations at LSU Medical Center
and Charity Hospital.
Oregon: N2RSI is
back at work and in her eighth year as an Initial Attack Dispatcher at
Klamath Falls (OR) Air Tanker Base Kingsley
Field.
Nevada: N7TGB has
new Davis WX station and all radios are
connected full time to a battery bank (two six volt golf cart lead-acid
batteries) topped off with an Iota®
auto-charger. Lights are also battery powered in event of power
outages.
Washington: W7ARC has
completed ARRL ARECC Level III. Bill is also on the State of Washington
EOC Communications Team.
∙-∙-∙
"SHOW US YOUR SHACK" CONTEST
WINNERS:
(From
EM's "box of radio stuff"):
• 1st Place - Dave Gomberg, NE5EE
- San Francisco, California
Prize: Copy of
"WIREBOOK IV" - by Press Jones, N8UG
• 2nd
Place - Richard Nehrbass, N7TGB - Sun Valley, Nevada
• 3rd Place -
Debbie Grys, KG6GCQ - Winnetka,
California
Prize (both
chose the same): 1941 WWII British Army canvas tool roll with British Crown
insignia.
• The contest is over...but
keep those pictures of you at your primary operating position
coming!
• Send a picture of you
AND your shack (all in one frame and in JPG or JPEG format) to: k6soj@arrl.net
LET'S
SIMPLIFY OUR TRAFFIC SYSTEM - by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
Let's begin by reviewing the definition of emergency
communications:
1. EmComm is simply the ability to transfer a
message or other information from one place to another under emergency or other
adverse conditions when normal channels of communication fail, are overloaded,
or are otherwise not available..
2. In the amateur radio context, non-commercial
messages are accepted, relayed, and delivered (as rapidly as possible) by
skilled amateur radio operators using their own radio equipment and power
source(s) and independent of any commercial or landline
"infrastructure".
3. Messages may be TACTICAL or FORMAL and have
a precedence of either: EMERGENCY, PRIORITY, WELFARE or
ROUTINE.
4. In a wide scale incident, there must be a system in place
in order for messages to reach the addressee.
5. This process is relatively simple. Nearly
every licensed ham can learn to participate in this in just a few hours.
All it takes to learn this skill is some basic instruction, practice, and
participation in net operations on a regular basis.
6. This is NOT
"rocket science". All a message needs is: an address, the message itself,
and who it is from. It also needs some simple record and routing
information to facilitate an accurate and timely
delivery.
7. An established route (net
system) and standardized methods of relay a message is absolutely essential.
The problem is that most ham operators never learn traffic
handling and most never (regularly) participate in EmComm and/or
traffic nets. Another problem is that some who do, attempt to make the
whole process overly complicated. (If hams were being
paid by the hour...we would see a reason for this!)
Most public service hams realize that the ARRL/NTS is in
trouble and agree that "something needs to be done". Cheap long-distance
telephone plans and email have made it difficult to maintain any sustainable
level of participation in the 56 year-old-service. HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
SEASON'S GREETINGS, or YOUR LICENSE WILL EXPIRE SOON messages
are, frankly...passé.
A new (proposed) NTS-NTSC-ARES® plan has been "on the
table" for about a year and a half. Upon review it appears
to be much more complicated than necessary. (How something so simple, can
be made so complex is mind-boggling. Even Rube Goldberg would be
impressed!) Take a look for yourself at: http://www.laarrl.org/EMCON4P.htm
What we would like to know (and
this is what EM proposes) is: What is wrong with
the routing of message traffic that originates in a local net, and then is
passed "up" to a section net, and then "up" to a regional net, and
then "up" to an area net; and then, back "down" via a regional net, section
net, local net and finally delivered to the addressee? It should
make NO difference which mode(s) are used (voice, CW, Pactor, etc.) just as long
as the universal RADIOGRAM format remains unchanged. All
this takes to maintain is more trained, capable, amateurs with minimally
equipped stations. EM maintains...that if just
10% of the licensed amateurs in the U.S. took Part 97.1 seriously, we would have
60,000 stations equipped and ready to serve the public during times of
emergency!
Two years ago this writer made a formal written
proposal to the special ARRL committee with some additional
suggestions as to how the current NTS could be salvaged by integrating it more
closely with the ARES®. In fact, the proposal was
submitted twice through the appropriate
channels. Sadly, no response was received from the ARRL
Special Committee as to whether or not the proposal was even considered.
Therefore, we are publishing it now in
EM. If the ideas below seem like a workable
solution to you, we recommend that you write to the ARRL through your elected
representatives (Section Manager and/or Division Director), and voice your
opinion(s).
The proposal included that (for the conterminous United States)
the three current NTS "areas" be renamed "zones", and be expanded to four
zones congruent with the U.S. time zone boundaries (Eastern, Central,
Mountain, Pacific). These are all clearly delineated on
every map, almanac, telephone directory and many amateur radio
books. This would also help to simplify the scheduled time of "zone"
nets, for operators in other zones. Further: east-to-west
traffic could potentially flow (along) with the hour hand of our
clocks. Example: A message forwarded from an Eastern
Zone Net (EZN) net at 1800 EST, would be picked up and relayed by a
Central Zone Net (CZN) net at 1800 CST, then relayed by a Mountain
Zone Net (MZN) at 1800 MST, and be in the Pacific Zone Net (PZN) by
1800 PST for forwarding to a regional, section, or local net. In
addition, every ham would always know what net zone in which he or she
was located. The Atlantic Zone Net (AZN), and Alaska and Hawaii zones
could also have their own zone identifiers. (AKZ and HZN would probably
suffice.)
NOTE: Of course west-to-east traffic could not
"follow the hour hand", but it is believed that this system would make traffic
flow easier.
Once a message arrived within the (time)
"zone" of the addressee, it would then flow north or south to
regional, section, and/or local NTS affiliated net.
In fact, this same system, if used in all world time
zones, could form a basis for an International Traffic System
(ITS). Using existing networks, third party traffic (TPT),
could flow around the globe in either direction to an ITS net or
station within the time zone of the addressee. Once within that
time/traffic zone, it would be routed north or south to
a national, then regional, and finally a local net. The well
established 24 zone single letter nomenclature system might be worth
considering, but since time zone boundaries often do not coincide with the 15
degree lines of longitude, it probably would not work. However, if a
single letter identifier were to made for every time zone, a second
letter N or S could be added to designate northern or Southern Hemisphere.
This might help DX traffic stations that often
rely upon the gray line for signal paths.
Easy to remember the
flow? YES! Difficult to implement? Maybe.
Implementing an International Traffic System (ITS) would be easier with the
support of the IARU and national amateur radio societies.
Would there be glitches? Of course. (E.g.
- countries where there are "half-hour off-set time zones,
etc.) But EM believes it is
"do-able".
Of course, special PTP "hotlines" (net
circuits), should be established to expedite the flow of message
traffic between designated net "hubs" during major national or
international
incidents.* EM believes
that these dedicated high volume circuits are a natural for HF
digital relay stations.
LET'S END THE NTS / ARES®
DICHOTOMY!
Hams that are active in public service know that the
NTS is fighting for its survival. Some say that the NTS has run its
course and has served it purpose. We strongly
disagree. A common criticism is regarding the volume
of "make work" messages such as HAPPY BIRTHDAY or YOUR LICENSE IS
ABOUT TO EXPIRE that enter the system. Whether this type
of traffic will speed the demise of the NTS or help to save it is
open to debate, but we know some NTS operators who have resigned in
frustration because they see no value in this type of traffic.
ARES®, and other EmComm leaders, MUST coordinate and
participate with NTS managers...and vice versa! Otherwise what
good is either? One of the roots of this problem is that the majority
of ARES® members tend to be more voice and tactical oriented, while
the majority of NTS operators tend to be more CW or digital
oriented. In some sections, ARES® leaders and traffic net managers
don't even know each other. These two factions must begin
to work together and develop traffic networks that
complement each
other. The dichotomy of the NTS and the ARES® must
end!
To further complicate matters, a third element (NTSD) has been recently
introduced. The notion of two parallel (e.g. - digital and
non-digital) traffic systems is ludicrous. Where it has
been tried, it has resulted in duplication, splitting of the amateur
resource, and confusion!
EM advocates
one united and coordinated national (and
international) traffic format and system! We believe that FM
and SSB traffic nets can fill much of the need at local and section
levels. HF stations operated by skilled traffic handlers must carry the
load for most day-to-day inter-zone traffic. Notwithstanding (as mentioned
above), high speed PTP traffic "hotlines" may be the best method for
high volume traffic between zones, "hubs", or major centers. But,
since HF digital EmComm and/or traffic stations are few
and far between, it seems to us that they would be best utilized to provide
"hub-to-hub" traffic circuits.
Again we emphasize, the notion that two or three parallel, redundant
systems (one traditional, one digital, and one Internet based) is a huge
mistake. So far, these schemes have only demonstrated that they are
confusing, and have resulted in duplicated and (even worse) lost messages.
Further, the notion that some modes should handle non-standardized (NTS)
format or 100 word (or longer) messages is not a good idea. What happens
when one of these 100 word messages must be relayed or delivered by a Morse or
voice station?
WHAT
EMCOMM OPERATORS CAN DO NOW TO IMPROVE OUR
CAPABILITY:
If WE don't do this...who will? Nothing below
is new or different and does not require any major policy changes by
the ARRL or anyone else!
EVERY EMCOMM
OPERATOR:
1. Pledge to learn and maintain the skill of message
traffic handling. No matter what your license class, favorite mode or
band may be!
2. Maintain an emergency station to the best of his/her
ability and budget.
3. Become "a regular" on both your local and
section ARES and traffic nets.
4. Learn (and practice) all you can about proper operating
procedure and on the air etiquette.
5. Contact your EC (Active ECs are often
overloaded). Ask if there is anything that YOU can do to help
the overall effort.
6. Be a team player. Every job is
important.
7. Don't allow yourself to "get bored", "go stale", and
"fade out". We are in this together...for the "long haul".
8. If your EC, DEC, SEC or other EMCOMM leader is asleep,
senile, semi-comatose or just inept ...ask some hard
questions. Shake things up a bit!
ARES® ECs, DECs, SECs (and other
EmComm) LEADERS:
1. Cooperate and maintain an active liaison and coordinate
with local or section NTS Manager(s). If there is no local and/or section
NTS net...contact your ARRL Section Manager and make plans to start one.
(A local ARES® net can (and should) become an
NTS affiliated net. Check with your Section Manager.)
2. Move towards having every operator in your local
unit, learn and maintain the skills of message traffic handling.
3. Promote the use of, and expand the number of, ARRL
Official Emergency Stations and Official Relay Stations.
4. Encourage ALL ARES® members to participate in at least
one NTS net on a REGULAR basis! Daily if possible, but at least once a
week.
5. Plan realistic "S-E-Ts" and other regular training
sessions and drills to practice volume traffic
handling without using repeaters or other automatic devices.
6. Set an example for others by checking in to and
participating in local and regional nets.
7. Promote the traffic flow concept of: local net
> district or section net > regional net > area net > regional net
> section or district net > local net.
8. Stop worrying about impressing "the agencies".
Plan, work, and coordinate with them if possible, but in any
case GET YOUR TEAM PREPARED to
deliver messages for the general public and any and all agencies for any
emergency or disaster by doing "all of the above!"
9. Contact RACES Officers
and other amateur EmComm groups and attempt liaison with them. Inform them
about the capability of the ARES® and NTS stations in your area and
region. Tell them that the ARES® and the NTS are available
to handle message traffic on behalf for government agencies as well as
non-government agencies, plus the general public. Be sure they know
how to contact a local ARES®/NTS operator and/or station.
"LIGHT UP YOUR
SECTION"
In the Sacramento Valley Section we have a term
to describe our response when a disaster or other emergency threatens or
occurs. Also, when the power grid fails, or when the lights go
out, we "light up the section!" We do not wait around for
someone to tell us "it's OK". The SV Section ARES® plan http://www.emcomm.org/svares/mutual_assistance/index.htm calls
for all stations (as they become aware that something may be happening)
come up on a pre-determined frequency(s) and monitor. (Check in if a
net has been activated). If there is
traffic, announcements or bulletins, there is no delay by waiting for a
regularly scheduled evening NTS net or affiliated NTS net such as
the regional Jefferson Noon Net (SSB). In
actual practice...this system has worked very well for the past five
years. Furthermore, NTS and ARES® stations in nearby sections (NV, OR, SF,
SJV, etc.) are welcome and regularly participate. When an incident threatens or occurs that may require emergency
communications...why not have a plan to..."Light Up Your
Section"?
DELIVERING A MESSAGE WHERE THERE IS
NO AMATEUR STATION NEAR AN
ADDRESSEE
An
EM reader recently asked: "Does anyone have any good
suggestions or solutions to moving traffic into areas which do not have
traditional NTS outlets?"
This is a very real problem.
Especially in remote areas. While amateur radio will never be capable of
meeting the needs of everyone, in every place, at every time, we certainly
could try! In the June issue we said:
"EM envisions a network of 60,000
amateur stations (10% of the 600,000 licensed radio amateurs in the
U.S.), plus others around the world at outposts, villages, towns,
or cities on land, plus as many maritime mobile stations as possible.
Each with the ability to accept and receive record message traffic!"
As far as we're concerned, it's a disgrace that the majority
of licensed amateurs take their amateur privileges for granted,
and display little interest in service to the
public.
Ed "FB" Trump, AL7N - Alaska STM and
EM Associate Editor comments:
"I frequently run into this problem here in Alaska...The area is
vast, many of the more remote towns and villages have no amateur operators
at all, much less one that can be contacted and/or will take and deliver third
party written traffic. My solution is the U.S. Mail. It takes a
couple days extra, but the message WILL get there if you copy it off properly
onto a printed blank and then mail it in a sealed envelope. (Assuming some relay
operator somewhere along the line has not deleted an important part of the
message address!)
Yes, I buy the stamps. Yes, I ignore
the "HXG" handling extra code. (Why in the world anyone would bother to
originate a message with a code on it that tells the delivering end station they
can throw it away is a little beyond me), so I DELIVER 'em regardless, if they
come to my station. Since many other operators volunteered their time
and effort to move the message this far, I am not about to waste that
effort.
If the circumstance is such that there is a larger volume of
messages than just one or a few, they are bundled together and sent as one
mailing. This is pretty rare, however, and if the traffic volume is such,
other means of doing it by radio (special circuit etc.)can probably be arranged,
or a hand-carry operation worked out.
These remarks regarding
mailing of messages to outlets without traditional NTS outlets obviously apply
to "routine" precedence messages....If the message is of a more urgent nature,
then obviously a delivery by telephone is to be used, followed up by a written
copy in the mail. If the phone number with the message is incorrect
or not in service, a priority or emergency message can usually be relayed
via the local law enforcement organization that serves the addressee's
location."
ABOUT COURIERS
Message by courier is as "old as dirt". Motorcycle,
Moped and bicycle couriers should be included in overall
planning. Four Wheel Drive (4WD) clubs and associations are
another very worthwhile resource. How about horseback (backcountry
equestrian organizations) or small watercraft/boating
clubs? What about cross-country and marathon
runners? Consider enlisting the support of local motorcycle,
bicycle, equestrian, boating and running clubs. These methods should be
seriously considered. But all couriers must understand how
to transport and deliver messages in a safe, secure and reliable
manner.
Messages should each be in a separate envelope (addressed)
and may be placed inside Ziploc® "baggies". They should all
transported in sturdy waterproof container and may be locked or
sealed. A "fanny pack" or a canvas shoulder bag works well.
Israeli Paratrooper, Swiss Army, or other over-the-shoulder courier bags
are commonly available from military surplus outlets. Also, an
inexpensive hard tube carrier can be easily made from a 16-20" piece of 2 or 3"
schedule 40 PVC pipe. Permanently seal one end using an end
cap and PVC glue. Cement a threaded adapter with a screw off cap on
the other end. A handle or carrying strap can be made from inexpensive
webbing. These can easily be secured to a bicycle, motorcycle, or
horse. Be sure that courier bags and tubes are clearly labeled:
"If Found Return To:__________. Remember:
ALL parcels and containers may be subject to inspection by
security personnel.
* Hiram Percy Maxim proposed this system eighty years
ago! Of course, back then it was all in spark or CW Morse, but
today it could be done using HF digital
modes. However, anyone who thinks that digital stations
will ever be available at every whistle stop, village, town, or even city is
living in fantasy land. Certainly not at the multitude of field sites
where stations will be needed during a disaster or other
incident.
∙-∙-∙
===============================================================================================================
EMCOMM SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
“License Plate”:
-----------O-------------------------------------------------O----------
EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
-----------O-------------------------------------------------O-----------
• 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 HANDLING
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
• Ed Ramsey, KG4THS,
Jacksonville, Florida - ARES®
• Richard Webb, NF5B, New Orleans, Louisiana - Louisiana
STM, Maritime Mobile Service Net, Hurricane Watch Net, SATERN
• Wayne Whitelock, W1WRW,
Calais, Vermont - CVART, VTSG, VTSP
• Jim Daly, N8JSO, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania - Cumberland
County ARES®, RACES
• John Palazzari, KG6ZHF,
El Dorado Hills, California
• D.Michael Clements, K6BJS, Roseville,
California
• Rhett Isley, KB4HG,
Sanford, North Carolina - Lee County ARES®, Lee County
RACES
• Fred Campbell, KE6MJC, Chico, California
• Dave Thompson, KN6HF,
Colfax, California
• Chris Walter, KI4CBF, Pembroke, Virginia
• Robert Hewitt, KC6PYF,
Oroville, California - Butte County Sheriff
Communications Reserve
• Doug Rich, W7DVR, Boise, Idaho - RACES
• Wm. M. Smith, W7GHT,
Boise, Idaho - NTS Idaho-Montana Net (IMN)
• Roger Counts, KI4JJJ, Morehead City, North
Carolina
• Kenn Hudelson, KØKEN,
Sacramento, California
• Robert Farrow, N7MZI, Ammon, Idaho -
RACES
• Dave Colvett, K4WWV, Jackson, Tennessee - NTS STM, ARES®
DEC-3
• Nick Patterson, KG6ZNL,
Turlock, California - RACES
• Rick Irvine, KC9CJJ, Richmond,
Indiana
RECENT CONTRIBUTORS - Thank
you for your
support!
(The individuals listed below have made recent
donations to help EMCOMM MONTHLY and
EMCOMM.ORG survive.)
• Diane and Roy Brite, KB7JZN / KC7QVO, Granby,
Missouri
• Stan Smith, KE6SLX, Redding,
California
• Russ and Vonda Milton, Alturas,
California *
• Bob, WA7IZU and Katie Welzbacker, Klamath Falls,
Oregon
• Anonymous *
* In Memory of John Moriarity,
K6QQ
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)
DC POWER,
LLC
Wes (K7WWG) and Debbi Allen
(503) 531 4081
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Accessories)
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www.emcomm-products.com/index.html
(775) 521-6153
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97830-0383
(Manufacturer of the RADS 9-11 Rapid Antenna Deployment
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The
Wireless Store
Manufacturer Distributor Niljon
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1599 Faye Road
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(330) 701-9280 Toll free: 1 (877)
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EMCOMM.ORG and EMCOMM
MONTHLY does not accept commercial "advertising".
However, we list commercial vendors who offer
products specifically of interest or value to EmComm and who make periodic contributions. If
you would like your company to be listed in SOS - SUPPORT OUR
SUPPORTERS send a brief mention of your company and it's
products (see examples above) and a donation to:
EMCOMM, P. O. Box 99
Macdoel, CA 96058 - If you
have further questions just ask.
ABOUT ADDRESS CHANGES: Every month a varying number of EM are returned
as "undeliverable addressee unknown" or "rejected due to containing
possible objectionable material". Our very limited all-volunteer
staff does not have the time, energy, or desire to track down everyone who
changes their email address and forget to notify us. Also,
if a subscriber installs a "spam filter" or 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.
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.
EMCOMM
MONTHLY is originated in:
10, 12, 14, and 18 point Arial font and transmitted in
HTML format. Occasionally selected portions are set up in the: Lucida Console
font. HOWEVER...we
have received a few reports that on some computer
screens...EM appears unformatted in Plain
Text or FUBAR. ("Fouled Up Beyond All
Recognition.") If this happens to
you, you can always view EM, as it is intended to
appear, at: www.emcomm/org/em
EMCOMM MONTHLY and
EMCOMM.ORG are private (non-government) volunteer
organizations funded solely by donations from 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. EMCOMM.ORG is advertisement and “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.
Mail 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 with 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.
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, N7WR - Associate Editor and ICS
Advisor
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Technical Advisor
Dave Nicholson, KB6PNT
- SAR Advisor
IN THE AUGUST ISSUE
OF EMCOMM MONTHLY LOOK
FOR:
• RELAYING THIRD PARTY
MESSAGE TRAFFIC (Trump’s Traffic Trilogy -
Part II )
• RECORD KEEPING DURING
INCIDENTS - The “Records and Reports
Officer”.
• PLUS...NEWS...
FEATURES... FEEDBACK.... QSH... and
MORE!
EMCOMM MONTHLY -- The
Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League - WRRL
Copyright (c) 2005 - All rights
reserved.
