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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
Welcome to the May
2005 issue of EMCOMM MONTHLY. As
usual it is JAM PACKED with down-to-earth-hard-core
information for radio operators who are serious about service
to the public. As usual we begin with SHORT
CIRCUITS, The EM PHILOSOPHY, and
FEEDBACK. Next The EM ADVISOR answers two
"FAQs". In ICS
PERSPECTIVES Jerry Boyd, N7WR comments on the use (and
misuse) of the National 2M Calling Frequency (146.52 MHz)
and proper use of Tactical Call Signs. This
month our FEATURE ARTICLE: "Make
Good Operating Procedures A Habit" - Part II takes a look
at Voice Net Operations. Following
NETWORK NEWS, EMCOMM TRAFFIC takes a look
at "ONE-WAY TRAFFIC?" RETRO REVIEW,
QSH has a poem entitled "CHAOS"
and a reminder about our March Survey and our new page "SHOW US
YOUR SHACK" at EMCOMM.ORG. EMCOMM
SPECIALTY ITEMS, NEW SUBSCRIBERS,
CONTRIBUTORS, SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS. Our handy
REFERENCE SECTION wraps up this issue of EM.
SHORT CIRCUITS
• WELCOME TO THIRTY (30) NEW
SUBSCRIBERS!
Since the last issue, thirty (30) radio amateurs have
signed on to EM! We don't know the
background and/or experience level of each of you. Whether
you are a newcomer to emcomm or a veteran traffic handler...we
acknowledge the responsibility we have to provide accurate and
worthwhile information that is of real value to you. There
is no other publication like EM, dedicated
solely to emergency and public service amateur radio! If you
are new to emergency communications you are very welcome. Please
do not get discouraged from all the rhetoric you will read. Trust
us...in time it WILL make sense...and you will be glad that you stayed
with us!
• "BTW" ... 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
• REGIONAL NET REMINDER
- TONIGHT (1st Wednesday of Month):
WINCOM (Washington, Idaho, Nevada,
California, Oregon, Montana) 1930PST on 3987 LSB.
All EmComm stations welcome! (Next scheduled
WINCOM NET: 18 May 05 at 1930PDT on 3987 LSB.)
• BEWARE OF:
"TECHNOLOGY INDUCED BREVITY"
On April 12 I sent a group email message
that Robert "Buck" Buckley, W6HOR, former EC for
Trinity County (SV Section), fanatical county hunter, past club supporter
and president, and Korea War veteran, had become "a
silent key as of this morning". (May Buck rest in
peace.) The email header read Sender: D W THORNE.
Subject: SK. The message was received by one addressee on a
small screen LCD text message cell phone as: DWTHORNE
SK. It appeared that I had been truncated right through
the pearly gates! But, I am happy to say...that contrary
to what some cell phones displayed...any and all reports of my
demise have been greatly exaggerated! - Editor
•
SOS ∙∙∙---∙∙∙
"SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS"
New listing: DC POWER, LLC
(Dealer for: Anderson Power Pole Connectors and Accessories.
Details in SOS section below.)
• W1AW
ARRL EMCOMM BULLETINS DURING EMERGENCIES
(save)
During wide-scale emergencies
monitor W1AW for Special EMCOMM Bulletins:
Modes:
Voice - on the hour
RTTY -- at 15 minutes past
the hour
CW ---- on the half hour.
Frequencies (MHz):
VOICE - 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160
RTTY -- 3.625 7.095 14.095 18.1025
21.095 28.095 147.555
CW ---- 1.8175 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475
18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 147.555
(Thanks to Pat Ryan, KC6VVT, Illinois SEC for the reminder.)
• EMCOMMWEST 2005 - RENO,
NEVADA - MAY 14-15, 2005 - http://www.emcommwest.org/
NOTICE: I am not planning to
attend EMCOMMWEST this year. (s) D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
The EM PHILOSOPHY - "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" - (Henry
David Thoreu)
We've heard yet
another call to abolish the universal RADIOGRAM for radio
message traffic and in its place adopt the ICS 213
inter-office "SPEED MEMO" . Faithful readers of EM
already know where we stand on this issue, so there is
no need to regurgitate what has been published in
EM over the past 12 months.
But we are reminded
of the poor guy, who in 1964 was "slick talked" by a
fast talking car salesman into trading in his "Universal
Jeep®" for a new Lincoln Continental. After
all...weren't they both similar? (Both were rectangular.) And
the new Lincoln was so much larger than the Jeep®!
Plus didn't it look prettier? And it appeared
much simpler to operate. And it had so many more
parts! So he took the bait, and turned in his old trusty
and reliable CJ5 for a beautiful new four-door sedan.
No longer would he have to pay attention to the gauges on the dash or
the stick shift and the manual 4WD and low-range levers.
Ah what comfort and ease of operation!
On his
first drive in the country he thought to himself "what a smooth
ride"! Then he decided to venture "off the
highway". Soon the road began to get a little rough.
Suddenly, without warning, all forward progress was halted! Much
to his chagrin he soon learned that the new model would not go
everywhere he wanted. Especially under adverse conditions. Soon
he realized that he was hopelessly "stuck". A
minor rough spot in the road had stopped the new model
dead in its tracks! He longed for his old, time-tested, and
proven Jeep®. Damn that salesman!
Moral to this
allegory: The time-tested, multi-mode, universal
RADIOGRAM...is the "Jeep®" of message traffic. It
will go anywhere, anytime. Even under the most adverse
conditions! (Of course, you must know how to drive
it!) In other words, beware of "new and improved
models" that will not do everything the older model does.
Even if the salesman says they will. Let others use them
if they insist. But they may find that their traffic is
stuck or lost somewhere along the way. And later must be
rescued by someone with a universal Jeep®!
For those who may have
difficulty understanding what this allegory is about: Much
like a Lincoln Continental, the FEMA/USFS ICS-213 has a
legitimate purpose. Both will do what they were designed
to do (transport officials and/or official messages), just so
long as the road is not too rough or too long. However,
the ICS-213 is an office memo. It was not designed for, nor
was it ever intended to be, a format for record
message radio traffic, that often must pass through multiple
relay stations; and often must (of necessity) change mode(s) along
the route. Earlier this week we even heard that a rumor is now
being circulated that "the ARES is now recommending the ICS-213
for relaying message traffic during emergencies". We didn't
believe that was true, but to be safe we checked
with ARRL HQ. We have been assured that
(quote) "the ARRL has NOT recommended
that ARES use the FEMA/USFS ICS 213 form for its
RADIOGRAMS." (We just hope that some slick salesman
never succeeds on selling a "continental" to the
League!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FEEDBACK,
MUSINGS... and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
MORE WHISKEY PLEASE?
Re: "A GOOD VOICE EMCOMM
OPERATOR KNOWS AND USES ITU PHONETICS" (April EM):
I was in an EOC during an emergency event and a non-ham
administrator overheard an on-the-air discussion involving a
station identifying to the NCS within the EOC. The administrator asked,
"Who would be asking for More Whiskey Please
at a time like this?" I
had to explain that it was a ham whose call sign suffix was MWP. I learned to dislike
“cute phonetics” long before I took my first ARRL EmComm
course! -- (Name and location withheld as
requested)
"KNOWING HOW TO OPERATE A
RADIO...DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MAKE YOU A COMMUNICATOR"
I
couldn't agree with you more! I do, however, have two
basic issues:
First - the old Novice test was a
pretty minimal "multiple guess" and the Morse
test of 5 wpm was only the barest of introductions. I recall
that I was only barely competent on getting my license -
amazingly ignorant. I was not a communicator in any sense of the
word. Yet I grew into a communicator. So can weekend
"puppy mill" licensees, if they are fortunate enough
to have, as I did, an Elmer to turn to and a helpful group
of local hams.
Second - I do NOT disagree with your
premise that becoming a full-fledged, HF-capable,
radiogram-savvy operator is clearly superior to being limited to the
VHF bands. Absolutely! I encourage Techs to upgrade
as quickly as possible. I just gave a class called "HF
101" to fifty new hams at the Communications Academy, for
example. Where I diverge in our common understanding of the need
for more capable hams is on tactics.
If we, as experienced older and
supposedly wiser hams, continue to disrespect new licensees, we
will continue to have a shortage of competent communicators.
What is a new licensee to think about joining a group with
an "attitude"? There is a fine line
between rightfully insisting on standards, as pilots and nurses
do, and being scornful of new hams that don't (YET) have our
skills. Not only do we need to say, "Here's something
good to do and you'll be better for it!" we should be
saying, "We'll help you get there!"
Along with asking ourselves, "Am I all that I
can be?" (and a very good question it is...); we should
also be asking, "Am I helping others be all they can
be?" To communicate requires, by definition,
involving others. In many cases, what we unintentionally
communicate is, "You're incompetent. Go away."
For a group that is supposed to excel in communications, we are
often rotten communicators.
Don't get me wrong. I am not
suggesting that standards be relaxed. Not a bit! I
totally agree, as well, that we need more hams capable of
meeting those standards. The question is, how do we get
them excited about taking the necessary steps to meeting
those standards? Aside from personally reaching out to the
Technicians.
The sales job has to
start with licensing class number one. We have to sell
the whole Amateur Service, not just the Technician license.
If the Technician license is seen as the first step, instead of an
end in itself, we would have more upgrades. I think the
proposal for the new entry-level class proposed by the League is a
step in the right direction - get people mixed in with the more
experienced hams so that they can feel the pull and get hooked on
"the magic of radio," which I agree is what it's really
all about. Sorry for rambling - this subject is the biggest
challenge to ham radio! -- Ward Silver, NØAX, Vashon, Washington
CLARIFICATION RE. THIRD PARTY
TRAFFIC TO THE UK
Just to clarify your lead article: The US Dept of State and its UK
analog worked out this agreement in 1999 (which we reported at
the time). There has been no revision whatever of §97.115. The FCC
did not appear to be aware of the agreement, however, until fairly
recently.
The actual list of countries (included with your article) with which
the US has third-party agreements is not part of the Amateur Service
rules; it's maintained by the US Dept of State. The applicable FCC
rule simply says hams can't pass third-party traffic to stations in
countries with which the US does not have a third-party traffic
agreement.
I'm not sure if this change has made it to the FCC Web site yet, but
the agreement has been in place for a few years now, in fact.
--
Rick Lindquist, N1RL, Senior News
Editor, ARRL--The National Association for Amateur Radio
SLOW SPEED TRAFFIC NETS
We started in amateur radio about 28
years ago and had a lot of trouble with learning CW. (Like most
everyone else.) Our "elmer" Jim White, WA5GWH,
suggested that we start checking into SLOW SPEED TRAFFIC NETS to
build our ability to send and receive in Morse. What Jim didn't
tell us was that we would have a lot of fun over the years, make a lot
of friends, and help others to learn. The traffic nets are now
getting fewer and fewer in members because many in those nets are now
silent keys. Here, in Oklahoma City, we have seen emergency
radio nets very valuable over the past ten years starting with
the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.
Then, we had a 19 mile long (on the ground)
twister that killed about 40 people and did a lot of damage.
What happened was that our telephone service provider switched
the long distance lines to cell phone use and told all locals to
stay off their cell phones. The traffic nets handled both
incoming and outgoing message traffic. We handled at least 50
on message on just one net. Our problem now is that most of
the people that were active during those emergencies are now gone.
We need more to learn how to handle message traffic. Keep up
the good work! -- Arley (WB5NKC) and Pat (WB5NKD)
Garvin, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
PS - Please add the following nets to your
list:
AMATEUR RADIO TELEGRAPH SOCIETY (ARTS)
0745 CT Mon-Fri on 7052.10 kHz
0745 CT Sat-Sun on 10120.00 kHz (NATION-WIDE)
OKLAHOMA TRAINING
NET (OTN)
1720 CT Daily on 7120.65 kHz
(TRAINING NET FOR ALL WITHIN RANGE)
TEXAS SLOW NET (TSN)
1950 CT Daily on 3719.00
kHz (TRAINING NET FOR ALL WITHIN RANGE)
COMMENT: Thanks for
the comments and information from the Oklahoma Territory.
EM does not maintain a comprehensive traffic
net list. However, we are happy to announce the
nets you mention; and since we are very concerned about the
rapidly declining number of skilled traffic handlers, we will
add the two slow(er) speed training nets to our REGIONAL
EMCOMM NET LIST under "specialty nets". In
fact, the addition of these two Midwest nets is a nice
complement between the east coast and west coast CW
training nets. - Editor
EAST COAST CW
TRAINING NET - 2100 EST (0200Z) Nightly 3702 kHz±
This Georgia Training Net is a
Morse code training net and meets to train traffic handlers
and to pass traffic as part of the ARRL National Traffic
System. The net offers training in Basic, Advanced, NCS,
Liaison and Instructor training.
WEST COAST CW
TRAINING and TRAFFIC NET (WCN) - 1900 PST (0300Z)
Nightly 3702 kHz±
WCN's slow speed operation
provides both a training ground and a bridge to operating on
regular CW traffic nets.
THE EM ADVISOR
Q: Should "no code techs" know how to handle
formal message traffic? (RADIOGRAMS) If so, why?
A: Absolutely! That is, if they want to consider themselves
fully qualified EmComm operators. VHF/UHF only operators are every
bit as much a member of the EmComm team and a NET STRUCTURE as is
anyone else. Whoever started this notion that VHF operators
are "second class" and are limited to handling tactical
traffic only should be made to stay after school and write: “No
• Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic
• Delayed” 500 times on the blackboard! ALL
message traffic originates at the local level...somewhere.
Envision an incident with six evacuation centers in
operation. All landline services (telephone, email and
Internet) are out. A VHF station is in operation at each
shelter and a local VHF traffic net is in operation.
There is always health and welfare, logistic, and
administrative message traffic originating from any shelter.
A Red Cross family service worker is directing evacuees who want
to send messages to family members (some are several states
distant) to the on-duty VHF operator. What will the
operator say if he/she doesn't know how to greet the victims
in an understanding way, and accept, format, and transmit a
RADIOGRAM? Will it be: "Sorry, I didn't think I'd
ever need to know how to do that?" Do not attempt to accept
"raw" information and forward it to some other station
with the hope that maybe they know how to do it! That will
only result in confusion. By that time it is too late to
learn.
All EC's and other EmComm leaders need to emphasize the is
importance and value of learning and practicing this skill to ALL
of their team members!
-...-
ONE-WAY TRANSMISSIONS (BROADCASTS)
Several inquiries, comments, and concerns have
been received regarding the appropriateness (and legality) of
"broadcasts" on amateur radio frequencies.
EM takes the position that compliance with all
FCC rules and regulations is mandatory. Therefore,
this topic worth addressing.
In the EmComm context an amateur station
may legally "broadcast" to provide information to many
other amateur stations simultaneously under certain conditions.
This is one of the great advantages of a public service net!
Last year an amateur radio group that had served
the public very well for decades during a large parade
event in southern California was told: "Thank you for your
service over the years, but you're no longer needed. All of
our officials now have cell phones".
We all know that lost children are a common
occurrence at major public events. Prior to the
implementation of this arbitrary (and ignorant) decision,
imagine a distraught mother running up to one of the event's amateur
radio net stations and reporting that her child is missing.
The alert operator quickly obtains a description of the missing
child and immediately calls "net control" describes
the child, and asks that the authorities be notified.
Simultaneously, ALL net stations have heard this initial
"broadcast". One minute later an alert
operator spots the lost child wandering around and crying.
Within minutes the child and mother are re-united. This
example is not only legal, but illustrates "service to the
public" at it best!
Although this may be considered by some as
"broadcasting" it is 100% legal. The example given
is technically speaking a two-way transmission (net station to net
control); but even one-way transmissions, or
"broadcasts", over amateur radio frequencies are legal
under certain conditions...but only in very limited
situations. Other than actual emergencies, (as
illustrated above) FCC Part 97 says:
Legal one-way transmissions ("broadcasts"):
Information bulletin(s). A message directed only to
amateur operators consisting solely of subject matter of direct
interest to the amateur service. - Part 97:3 (24)
While code practice sessions, propagation bulletins, occasional weather
warnings, etc. may be of interest to the general public they
are not prohibited.
The key words are: "only to amateur operators" and
"solely of subject matter of direct interest to the
amateur service", and..."occasional".
In Morse a (legal) "broadcast" to all amateurs would
begin with: QST QST QST de W1AW W1AW
W1AW
In Voice: CALLING ALL AMATEURS CALLING
ALL AMATEURS THIS IS K6SOJ IN MACDOEL CALIFORNIA
CALLING ALL AMATEURS
Example: An EC accesses a repeater
and announces: "Calling all amateurs. Beaver
County ARES is now on stand-by alert for possible
activation. All ARES stations please standby and monitor
these frequencies. This is ________." This is
an appropriate and legal "broadcast" because it
pertains solely to amateur radio operators and is
issued only when needed (occasionally).
Prohibited transmissions:
Broadcasting. Transmissions intended for reception by
the general public, either direct or relayed. - Part
97.3 (10), 97.113 (b)
Examples: Propagation, weather forecasts, and shuttle
re-transmissions may not (legally) be
conducted on a regular basis. ATV, SSTV and other
image formats that are one way and are not solely of
interest to amateurs are also not in compliance the
legal requirements as defined in Part 97. These
transmissions are legal only if occasional or
when they are incidental to normal amateur radio (two-way)
communications. (Examples of legal one-way image transmissions:
station call sign placards, QSL cards, etc.)
Example: Someone gets on the air
every day (or weekly) at a regular time and broadcasts
weather reports, weather forecasts, local news, or whatever.
This is a violation of FCC rules and regulations, because it is
not "solely of subject matter of direct interest to the
amateur service" and it is not "occasional".
A word to the wise: Owner(s) and/or trustee(s),
and or "SYSOPS" that permit illegal transmissions to
occur on a repeater or BBS, may also be subject to FCC
disciplinary action (in addition to the offending
operator).
ICS
PERSPECTIVES - by Jerry Boyd, N7WR
I recently had to make a
trip to the
Boise
Interagency
Fire
Center
and, per my usual custom, while traveling I monitored 146.52. While passing through a town which
shall remain nameless I heard what at first sounded like emergency traffic
on that frequency. Listening
closer however revealed that it was a “drill” of some sort. The “net control” was
directing certain stations to switch to another simplex frequency for
purposes of handling “tactical traffic”. 146.52 was obviously, however,
being used as the drill’s overall coordination frequency. Now I am a strong advocate of
using that 2 meter calling frequency for its intended purpose. Using it for command and control
is not that purpose.
Switching to the other simplex frequency I
was able to monitor the traffic for almost 30 minutes while transiting
through that town. The
scenario appeared to be that a small aircraft had crashed into a
railroad yard striking a tank car full of the customary “bad stuff”
resulting in deaths, inhalation injuries, and the need for evacuation. Good scenario. The stations I listened to were
handing tactical traffic on behalf of 4 different responding agencies. They were instructed to use
“tactical call signs”. Unfortunately
the way they used them provided little benefit as each time they used a
tactical call sign they also gave their amateur call sign…i.e. this is
KC7_ _ _, Evacuation Center to W7 _ _ _ at Decon.
The intent of tactical call signs is
twofold. One is to make the
location or assignment of the station clear. The other is to save time. The FCC rules make it very clear
that (with the exception of international third party traffic) it is
only necessary to use your amateur call sign every ten minutes and at
the end (not even at the beginning!) of the contact. Giving both the amateur and
tactical call sign on each transmission defeats the purpose and is not
recommended.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE "Make Good Operating Procedures A Habit"
Part
II -- TIPS FOR
GOOD VOICE NET OPERATIONS
NOTE: NET Protocol, format, procedures
vary depending upon the type of net, etc.
Here are some general principles that apply to most
nets...especially EmComm Nets:
AN EFFECTIVE
NET CONTROL OPERATOR...
1. ALWAYS knows what time it is and begins
the net on time.
2. Is at his/her operating position
and has a pad of paper and several pens/pencils handy and takes a
few minutes before the net to relax.
3. Calls for and obtains a signal
report before starting the net.
(This tells the NCS
that his/her gear is operating properly and provides an indication
as to current band conditions.
4. Knows propagation patterns for the
bands and time of day, etc.
(If the band is
"long" establishes contact with a distant net station
and asks if he/she is available for relay.
5. A good NCS is aware of the time
and is mindful of other stations standing by or
"holding".
6. Station checking in says his
call sign and location. (NO ONE, is so famous, that everyone
else knows who or where you are!)
7. NCS acknowledges a check
in by saying the call sign and location of the station.
(For the benefit of others who may not hear the other station.)
8. During a net using tactical call
signs is good practice. The name of the station's
location or some other designator is appropriate.
Example: the NCS
may say: "San Francisco. Go ahead."
9. NCS keeps a clock in front of him/her
and says his/her call sign at least every ten minutes.
10. Says the name of the net periodically.
Example: "This is the Jefferson Noon Net calling for
check-ins or rechecks".
11. NCS never leaves anyone
"hanging". Use of a note pad will eliminate this
frequent deficiency. If the net is busy, be sure to ask a
calling station if they can stand-by before saying
"stand-by" or "wait". (Maybe they
can't!) Allow them to reply "affirmative" or
"negative".
12. Never talk while eating or chewing
gum...
DOUBLE YOUR DISPLEASURE...DOUBLE YOUR
FRUSTRATIONS...WITH DOUBLE TALK, DOUBLE TALK...DOUBLE TALK GUMS!
"Doubling" happens far too often...it
slows down a net and lets everyone listening know what kind of
operator(s) you really are.
Good operators make it clear to whom they are turning the
frequency over to. (Use the proword
"OVER".)
Good listeners pay attention so they never have to ask:
"Did you turn it to me?" (Often over another
signal.)
Examples:
1 - "W6SOJ (the station it is going to),
K6SOJ (from), OVER". Works every time!
2 - (In "tactical speak")
"Lincoln School shelter, (this is) Net Control, OVER".
3 - "All net stations stand-by.
Maritime mobile, say your call sign, name of vessel, and
location. This is K6SOJ. OVER."
ZIG-ZAG SIGNALS
Experienced operators know that the quickest
route between two points is not always a straight line.
Often in a net situation two close(r) stations are unable to
contact each other. Often a distant relay must be used.
Astute net control operators must be aware of this factor.
Example: I manage a daily net on HF on 40M. Often
the band is "long". I can work stations 300-400
miles away, but not in the 50-200 mile range. It is
important that a distant relay (or two) be asked to call for
check-ins and/or traffic, The distant station acts as an
alternate NCS. As each station checks in the alternate NCS acknowledges
each station by saying the call sign and location.
Since the (primary) NCS can hear the relay, he/she makes in entry
in the net log. If a round table is in the routine, the NCS
then announces a rotation in such as way as to avoid a station
passing it next a nearby station. Example: Since I am
in northern California (near the Oregon border, I pass it to a
Washington station, when then passes it to a Nevada station, who
then passes it to an Oregon station, and so on. It is
useless to have all the Washington stations follow each other
since they are too close together. (Of course, if they are very
close to each other they may hear each other via ground
wave...but the NCS has no way of knowing this.)
DON'T DO WHAT (SOME) OTHERS
DO! SET THE STANDARD FOR GOOD NET OPERATIONS!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NETWORK NEWS
Schedules and updates on regional,
national, and international EMCOMM and TRAFFIC nets.
• 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)
• 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 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.”
ONE WAY PROPAGATION?
In EM ADVISOR
(above), "one-way transmissions" are discussed from a legal
perspective. However, if you ever happen to be at a convention for
"radio physicists"; and want to see blood pressures
sky-rocket, just bring up the subject of "one-way
propagation". Whether
or not this physical phenomena actually exists is beyond the
scientific and academic level of this author; but, as all HF radio
operators know, sometimes...one-way propagation appears to
exist!
We've all had the frustrating experience
of copying a station at "59+" and her them say: "your
signal is weak-readable" (or worse yet) "sorry, unable to
copy."
It easy to blame this on "conditions" (the
ionosphere)...but that may have little to do with the problem.
The propagation of radio signals beyond the horizon, is dependent
upon many factors, and signals may well never follow the same
exact path twice.
Most EMCOMM operators
typically operate at power levels of 100 watts (PEP) or less.
(Very few of us own, much less use, a high power amplifier.) When
the "I can hear you, so why can't you hear me?" syndrome
appears, the first inclination is to (want to) increase power. Of
course, this can and does sometimes help, most more often than not it
makes little difference. The most plausible reason for (seemingly)
"one-way propagation" may be antenna type(s), antenna
orientation, and other factors such as antenna height, and of
course...wavelength.
Example NR 1:
Two stations, 300 miles apart are QRV on the 40 Meter
band. Both are running the same output power.
"Station A" is using a balanced 1/2 wave horizontal doublet (NVIS)
wire antenna 20 feet above ground level. (The actual
"ground" may be somewhat below the surface.)
"Station B" is running a sloper antenna (low angle of
radiation). "Station B" hears "Station A's"
NVIS signal well. However, "Station A" only hears
"Station B" with faint signals. How can this be?
"Station A's" signal is going up to the ionosphere and is
bouncing down right onto "Station B", but the return signal
is "going right over Station A". (NOTE: This
phenomena feeds the notion that different "polarization" of
the antennas is the culprit; but "antenna polarization"
has little effect on HF signals over long distances.) Because of
the low angle radiation, another station, "Station C",
who is located 1000+ miles away, may answer and even inform
"B" that he is interfering with a net somewhere.
Example NR 2:
Assume "A" and "B" are running the same level of
output power and are using identical horizontal doublet wire antennas,
and both are the same height above ground level. "A's"
antenna is oriented perpendicular to the azimuth towards "B".
"B's" antenna is in line with the azimuth between the two
stations.
Although with NVIS it is usually not as much of a
factor, "A's" lobe (and signal) will generally be much
stronger in the direction of "B"; and "B's" lobe
(and signal) will generally be diminished.
When bands conditions are
favorable, these variables are usually less of a problem; but when band
conditions are marginal, the "correct" antenna can make the
difference between a contact or no contact. Where possible,
EmComm stations often have a more than one antenna choice that they can
switch to, back and forth, if necessary!
During EMERGENCY or
FIELD OPERATIONS skilled operators know that they may have
to change the orientation, the height above "ground", or
some other factor in order to successfully communicate. They also
know that the time of day/night, the season, and where we are in the
current sunspot cycle, and other factors can all affect radio
communications. They also know how to make changes and
corrections as needed! This underscores the value of
participating in nets on a regular basis and being active in
simulated emergency tests (S-E-Ts), Field Day, and special events.
Take a lesson from
top notch DXers: They often receive on one
antenna such as a low Beverage antenna (5 ft. above ground up to several
wavelengths long); and transmit on another antenna such as a beam or a
vertical.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Of course the mode can also make the difference. A
few days ago, I was hearing a net station (two states away) at
59. He could tell "I was there"...but "unable to
copy". I pushed the "A = B" button on the ICOM
736 and tuned the "B" VFO down 800 Hz from the SSB net
frequency and switched the mode selector to CW. (See:
EM ADVISOR in the April issue of EM).
My Morse key is always at the ready, but
knowing that the other station may not have a key handy I sent: AC7SB
DE K6SOJ R R R PSE RPLY IN SSB K. I then pushed the
"A" VFO button back to SSB to listen. He reported that my CW
signal was heard well! It is legal, to use this
"cross mode" form of communications (sending in Morse,
receiving in voice); as long as no one transmits in SSB
in the CW sub-bands.
With more and more reliance
upon repeaters, linked systems, satellites,
automated-computer-controlled-radio-landline-hybrid-systems, the ability
to knowledgeably and skillfully manipulate the propagation of radio
signals to get messages delivered is a dying art form
that is rapidly being dismissed by the digital generation. One of
the missions of EM is to promote the survival
of these essential communication skills by amateur radio operators. -
de K6SOJ
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
RETRO REVIEW - “EMCOMM
viewed through the Retrospect-O-Scope”
----------------------------------------------
4 R K7DXV 21 KLAMATH FALLS OR JUN 5
DAVE THORNE
P O BOX 99
MACDOEL CA 96058
530 398 4751
NUTS X THE BATTLE OF
BASTOGNE THE GERMANS ASKED GENERAL
MCAULIFFE TO SURRENDER DECEMBER 22
1944 X HE SENT PROFOUND
BREVITY
ED EWELL 6719 BECKTON AVE KLAMATH FALLS OR 97603
------------------------------------------------
COMMENT: That famous one word message: "NUTS"
sent by General McAuliffe in 1944 is a classic example of brevity.
One word said it all. (If it had General
Patton originating the reply, it would have been a two word
message.) - Editor
QSH ! EM’s Quiz,
Survey, and [attempt at] Humor Section...
"CHAOS"
In the
beginning...there was CHAOS.
And...Hiram looked over the CHAOS and said:
“Let there be an ARRL to bring order to the CHAOS"... and
that was good.
And later, FCC came upon the face of the mighty spectrum and
regulated...and that was good.
And Hiram said: “In order to serve
the public, let there be an AREC”...which to this day is
called ARES.
And ARES begat NTS.
And MARS was called into being to help the mighty warriors.
And behold...SATERN was created.
And RACES came upon the shoulders of the governments and grew
and prospered.
And RACES begat VIP and ACS.
And SAR and NASAR multiplied greatly and begat ESAR and USAR.
And NOAA begat SKYWARN who said: “Let us watch over the
heavens and the earth...and it was good.”
And DOT and ODOT and CALTRANS said: “Let us go out into
the highways and by-ways and assist the travelers".
And then came ICS, who begat SEMS and NIMS.
And DHS begat EMSA who begat HEART.
And APCO and CERT and CAP said: "Behold...FEMA SHARES!”
And they all raised their voices and
shouted: "Hath not Hiram said: Let there be HAM CLUBS?”
And it came to pass that the HAMS
began to divide and multiplied greatly.
And they turned and began to wield
their CLUBS upon each other...and ARES.
And Hiram and ARES looked over all that had come to
pass...and it was CHAOS.
ENTER EM’S - "SHOW US
YOUR SHACK" CONTEST - WIN A PRIZE!
• So far the response has been UNDERWHELMING!
So the odds are...that the odds are good...so far. You can
view the entrant stations
• All entries
received by May 31, 2005 will be entered into a random drawing.
Three (3) winners will be drawn and announced in the June issue
of EM.
=======================================================================================================
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
• Norbert Sichterman, KFØXO, Rapid City, South
Dakota - ARES®, Red Cross, (Also USAF MARS, AFA3BK)
• Frank Yocum, KQ4ZZ,
Nicholasville, Kentucky - ARES®
• Grant Brown, N8SQZ, Lebanon, Ohio - RACES,
ARES®, Warren County Incident Response Team (WCIRT)
• Lou Berry, AG4LB, Loveland, Ohio - ARES®, CERT
• Bob Cruthirds, AA5TX, Nampa, Idaho
-ARES®, RACES
• Hyrum H Huskey Jr., KB1KRS, Turners
Falls, Massachusetts - ARES®, RACES
• Brian Eller, AE6FJ, Redlands,
California - ARES®, Army MARS
• Ed Sloane, KB7ZBN, Sparks,
Nevada - ARES®
• Bill Gaedke, WV6YOK, Lemon Grove,
California
• Burt Sammis, AF5AA, Bell City,
Louisiana - ARES®, RACES
• Cedric Walker, K5CFW, New Orleans,
Louisiana - ARES®
• Joseph Maurus, KA5TWS, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana - ARES®
• Richard Burroughs, N5KIP, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana
• August Levert, KF5NA,
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana
• Wayne Hatfield, KD5JJP,
Homer, Louisiana - ARES® Claiborne Parish Emergency
Coordinator
• Robert Priez, WB5FBS,
Hammond, Louisiana - ARES®
• Jerry L. Glover, KD5IUZ, Coushatta, Louisiana - ARES®
• Glen Bays, WB5OMZ,
Homer, Louisiana
• Richard Small, W1KRP,
Ellsworth, Maine - ARES® EC and Executive Director
for Hancock County EMCOMM group (ARES®, RACES and CERT
Communications)
• David Crosby, K5SRZ,
Bossier City, Louisana - ARES®
• Mike Potter, KB7VNS,
Canby, Oregon - ARES®, Navy Marine Corps MARS NNNØEHG
• David Armstrong,
AA5HY, Mansfield, Louisiana - ARES®, RACES
• Pat Garvin,
WB5NKD, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - ARRL NTS
• Michael Hole,
KG6DER, Concord, California - Oakland
(California) RACES
• Daryl Morning, KC9DXF, Independence,
Wisconsin - ARES®, RACES
• Greg Higgins, KB5GLV, Fort Worth,
Texas - Tarrant County ARES®, RACES
• Randall Stone, K6RCS, Chico, California - ARES®
• Gregory Lavigne, AD5HA,
Washington, Louisiana - Lafayette ARES® Net Control Station
• J. Landon Reynolds, KF4CAU,
Dickson, Tennessee - ARES®, SKYWARN
• Matt Chapman, KE5DAZ,
Keithville,Louisiana
RECENT
CONTRIBUTORS - Thank you for your support!
• The individual below have recently made monetary
donations to help EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG
survive:
• Ken Dahl, K7TAG, Tumwater, Washington
•
•
•
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
665 SW 167th Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97006
(Anderson Power Pole Connectors and Accessories)
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/
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 and EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN archives: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives/
SEARCH FEATURE AT
EMCOMM.ORG www.emcomm.org
EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG is private
(non-government) volunteer organization 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 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, N7WR - Associate Editor and ICS Advisor
John Moriarity, K6QQ - Associate Editor and Technical Advisor
Dave Nicholson, KB6PNT - Associate Editor and SAR Advisor
COMING IN THE JUNE ISSUE
OF EMCOMM MONTHLY:
In our "GALA FIRST ANNIVERSARY
ISSUE" we'll be taking a look at:
"WHERE WE HAVE BEEN? AND
WHERE ARE WE HEADED?"
Plus...NEWS... FEATURES...
FEEDBACK.... QSH... and MORE!
∙-∙-∙ AR END OF
MESSAGE
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