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Dedicated to Emergency Communications by RADIO
EMCOMM MONTHLY
Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League
Where Every Month is "Preparedness Month"
www.wrrl.org----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------VOL. 3 -- No. 11 ONLINE: www.emcomm.org/em/ APRIL 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTSThe EM PHILOSOPHYSHORT CIRCUITS - Brief ItemsFEEDBACK, MUSINGS... and "SPURIOUS EMISSIONS"
The EM ADVISOR - "Q and A"ICS PERSPECTIVES - by Jerry Boyd, N7WR
WRRL NEWS and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING - THC QUESTION 35 REVISED
NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
EMCOMM WORKSHOP
QSH - YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE SECTION - THE WELL EQUIPPED STATION
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for Sale
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTIONThe EM PHILOSOPHY
After every issue of EM we receive 2 or 3 letters challenging us on something we said. We don't mind receiving sincere questions and comments. But we do get a little tired of letters from people who have not been reading EM any significant amount of time, or have (apparently) not done any research by using our handy site search at: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm or back issues files at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/Last month was no exception. One reader wrote saying: "...the Radiogram is dead....why are we continuing to use and train with the archaic radiogram when we all are supposed to be using ICS 213 (General Message) form? I truly hope, that the WRRL will join the major organizations such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, ARRL, State EMAs and U.S. Department of Homeland Security in agreeing to a truly 'Universal' message format."
Since issue Number One EM has unceasingly addressed this issue. However, we'll try again here. If the RADIOGRAM is dead it sure is showing a lot of signs of life! We are aware that there are a few around who would like to bury it, but we will do (and will continue to do so) all we can do to keep it alive.
Pronouncing the RADIOGRAM as dead, or saying "CW is dead," is like saying, "the claw hammer is dead". Granted, there are electric and air-powered nail guns, but we guarantee that every capable carpenter still keeps a 16 or 20 ounce claw hammer in the tool box or on his (or her) tool belt! And, when any of us "home improvement types" need to drive a nail (or pull one), the first thing we reach for is a claw hammer. Like the RADIOGRAM, this BASIC and ESSENTIAL TOOL is simple to use. It requires minimal training, requires no power or air, and it is lightweight and highly portable. Of course properly formatting a RADIOGRAM message requires a certain amount of literacy. (If you are unable to spell or write you probably should not be in communications.) Like CW, once this basic skill is learned and practiced, the capability remains with you. And like hammers, which have been around since before the nail was invented, this basic tool has been around since before radio. RADIOGRAMS still work as good as they always have. We hope that they will be around when you and I are long gone. And we dare any of our readers to throw away their claw hammers!
None of the agencies the writer mentioned (except for the ARRL) are emcomm providers. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, State EMAs and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and many others--including the general public--need and use other emergency communications providers during disasters and other incidents.
Another writer said: "What is really required then is date/time, message number, priority, who the message is going to, who the message is from, text of message and time sent/operator transmitting message. If the idea is for the WRRL to send and receiving Health and Welfare traffic, the ARRL message format is fine. However, during the aftermath of hurricane's Katrina and Rita, there was practically no request for H & W from or to the Mississippi or Louisiana areas."
Isn't that exactly what the standard RADIOGRAM format* does? It is the simplest, most reliable, and effective means ever devised to send and receive accurate message traffic via radio. And contrary to what many hams believe, it is not an ARRL invention. It is true, however, that over the years, the ARRL/NTS has made some "additions" to the basic method, (e.g. - The ARL NUMBERED MESSAGE SYSTEM). We can all be thankful that the ARRL/NTS has done a lot to keep it alive.
While there may be a need for agency traffic in some disasters, there will be victims with no means of communication who need to get a message out to family or friends in every major disaster. In Katrina, there were literally thousands of evacuees that had no way whatsoever to communicate with "the outside," and there was no one to properly format and originate outbound H & W traffic. We know that there were hams within the stricken area(s), but many (including their families and property) were severely and adversely affected, and otherwise rendered unable to respond Those who were able to get on the air, and who also were trained in message handling, were few and far between. And out of those few, a good percentage were involved in emcomm on behalf of served agencies--which often have their own (non-amateur) radio services. The reality is that out of the over 650,000 licensed U.S. amateurs, only a handful can properly format a RADIOGRAM without looking in a book or using a form!
Another problem is that most emcomm operators think only in terms of "tactical" communications. As long as emcomm operators in the field are unable to properly originate formal message traffic--and get it into a capable network--the writer is correct. There will be no outbound (or inbound) messages delivered. And whether you want to accept it or not, formal record message traffic handling is an integral and essential part of emergency communications. This applies to agency, as well as general public welfare traffic. DO NOT be deceived into thinking that record message traffic (RADIOGRAMS) are for "H & W" messages only. It is for any and all message traffic, no matter who originates it, when it must pass through at least one relay station...regardless of mode or precedence.
Anyone who believes that complicated, fragile, expensive, computerize, wide-signal-width, radio-email-hybrid stations can be positioned everywhere a field emcomm station is needed, is in for a huge disappointment. While these systems may work on a daily basis, do not assume that they will remain viable when "the big one goes down."
The standardized RADIOGRAM message format has been reliably used worldwide by commercial services, maritime, military and naval services for well over 100 years. (Our RADIOGRAM DVD demonstrates this.) If every agency were to set it's own "standard" for radio traffic, the end result would be chaos! Think what would happen if everyone were to decide to address letters in "their own way". E.g. -: Place the "to" address in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope, and the return address in the center or lower right? Suppose that hospitals each decided to use a different measurement system or had different non-standard lab values? Ford Motor Company cars and trucks were once POSITIVE GROUND, before they finally decided to join the world-wide standard of NEGATIVE GROUND. And what would happen if each state had a different gauge for railroads? What would happen if someone decided to use # or & instead of @ in an email address?. Effective communications require standardization. We'll stick with what works, and has been the accepted standard, for well over one hundred years.
Now to the NIMS/ICS issue. NIMS/ICS is a management (or command) system. It is designed for managers and incident commanders (and so that the rest of us will know how to work within the system.) It was never intended to be an instruction manual for each and every specialized discipline. In NIMS/ICS there are no "how to solve a crime" or "how to put out a fire" sections. Nor, is it intended to mandate procedures for doctors, nurses, EMTs, food service workers, mechanics, or radio operators. We haven't found any instructions within NIMS/ICS as to how to do an emergency tracheotomy, perform CPR, make a pot of stew, repair a broken axle, operate a radio, install an antenna, or handle message traffic. The ICS-213 "Office Speed Memo" is for short-range, administrative, written messages, and was not designed to be used for radio traffic. (See TRAFFIC HANDLING in the December 2006 EM at: www.emcomm.org/em/december2006.htm )
Conversely, persons outside the radio room do not necessarily need to know how to format a RADIOGRAM or how message traffic will actually be passed.
The only things a counter person or the radio operator needs to be supplied with by the "customer" are:
1. WHO the message is going to (the addressee) (TO)
2. WHERE that person or organization can be found to deliver the message (AS COMPLETE AN ADDRESS AS POSSIBLE)
3. WHAT is the message? (TEXT)
4. WHO is sending the message (SIGNATURE OF ORIGINATOR)
5. IF there are any special instructions, reply requested, confirmation of delivery, etc. (HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS)
THEN the counter person and/or radio operator(s) will format the message, add the preamble, and by using standardized procedures and protocols, get the message into the appropriate network to ensure that it gets to the address accurately and in a timely manner.
FINALLY - One of the biggest fallacies ever promulgated is that the RADIOGRAM message format is or "H and W" traffic only. WRONG! It should be used for all formal (record) message traffic of any precedence and for any third-party agency or person. AND, another fallacy is that the RADIOGRAM is a CW-only format. WRONG AGAIN! One of the great advantages of the RADIOGRAM format is that it is standardized. Therefore, it works in ALL MODES and a message can change modes along its route and be received by an addressee exactly as it was originated.
We doubt that we have settled this issue once and for all, but this is exactly what EM and the WRRL were created for and are trying to fix.
*(Please note our use of the word "FORMAT" as opposed to "FORM". A form is only recommended for the final delivery if by courier or mail.)
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SHORT CIRCUITS
APRIL FOOLS EDITION? - SADLY, THIS IS NOT
Some of the "stuff" in this issue may cause some of our readers to wonder: "Is this stuff for real?" We wish some of "this stuff" was a joke...but we assure you...it is all "for real". We apologize for the negative tone of much of what we feel we must report--and comment on. We wish it was different. But we believe that we are in a battle to save effective emcomm and what is simply good operating procedures and plain old common sense. Emergency communications is NOT complicated, but it seems that there are very few others that are defending "How to KISS"! - (Keep It Simple Sherlock.)
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SPAM FILTER PROBLEMThanks to our readers who offered suggestions to resolve the problem of "SPAM filters" that have been blocking EMCOMM MONTHLY whether inbound or outbound. Our computer "gurus" are considering different options. Here is one solution to the problem from our webmaster, Bill Frazier W7ARC:
"Advise our readers to put @cot.net, @wrrl.org, and @emcomm.org on their "Whitelist". This is the list of addresses that allows recipients to select who can send email to them and bypassing any "SPAMGUARDS". Those who may not know what their "Whitelist" is, should contact their ISP."
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JNN (Pacific Time Zone Noon Net) PLAGUED by SWBC Interference
The JNN 1200 PTZ has been experiencing severe QRM from SWBC stations since the switch was made to Daylight Savings Time
Nominal frequency is still 7220 kHz, but look for us "down" around 7214±. 3987 is the 75m alternate.
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Audit: Emergency Communications Project Imperiled
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=36454&dcn=e_gvetPrinter Friendly Version:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=36454&printerfriendlyVers=1&(Submitted by Cas, KF6CUE, and Debbie, KG6CGQ, Grys, WRRL 12 and 95 - Winnetka, CA)
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T- SHIRT QUESTION
"Are the EXTREME EMCOMM T-shirts for WRRL members only? Would it be acceptable for me to offer the shirts to members of my RACES organization, and other clubs? If that's OK, I could print up a sheet showing the shirt with the pricing and then take a list of names of people who would want one (or more). Once I had the list together, I could let you know how many shirts I have orders for, and if that combined with other orders gets us over the 60 mark, I would collect the money and send it in with the order." Rick Stoneking, W2RDS, WRRL 163, Lumberton, NJ
The EXTREME EMCOMM T-shirts are for anyone who can cough up the money. If anyone wishes to put a group order together, individuals can each save the $4
or $6 shipping cost if the shirts are shipped to one address. The actual shipping costs will be billed to the person that puts the order together, and may be "pro-rated" and collected from each member. - EM
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A CORRECTION
Under New Subscribers, in the August 2005 issue, we got the recognition for William Hatfield wrong; it should have read:
"William Hatfield, W3QX, Silver Spring, Maryland - Volunteer Staff OEM for Montgomery County and a founder of County's CERT."We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. - Editor
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FEEDBACK, MUSINGS... and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
I SAID WHAT?
"I don't know what you intended to say in the March 31 Special Bulletin, but I don't think it was what you intended. You said (in part): 'Now you know why we DO NOT promote the use of computer systems for EMCOMM. If we can guarantee delivery on a routine basis over landlines, how can we know that a message will get through via radio?' Can or can't? I manage several Internet based email reflectors and we are all having the same kind of problems you discussed. AOL started it almost three years ago and now just about every major ISP has implemented some filtering in an attempt to stem the tide of spam. They are rejecting mail in many cases without notifying either the sender or the intended recipient. I learned that I had some accounts that were filtering mail despite the fact that they had specific instruction not to do any filtering. I had a situation last month where I learned that for several hours Verizon® was discarding all email from an Earthlink source. The filtering, like the spam, is out of control. Keep up the good work!" - Jim Fortney, K6IYK, Camarillo, CA
COMMENT - I meant to say can't. My sole defense is: "too much reliance upon spell check devices." - Editor
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HAMNET WESTERN CAPE
"Thanks for the opportunity of telling you more about our dedicated emergency communications group in the Western Cape. You might want to include this, or some of it, in your monthly news letter. I hope you find this interesting.
"We are situated in and around Cape Town, to be more politically correct, we are the emergency communications group for the Western Cape. Our region of responsibility covers some 200 km north of Cape Town, about 450 km along the southern coast towards Plettenberg Bay and about 400 km to Beaufort West. Not terribly big in area, but big enough to provide challenging communications solutions. Our group consists of some 50 hams, with the most being concentrated in Cape Town. HAMNET is the official emergency communication division of the SA Radio League, with regional participation in all six divisions, hence the name HAMNET Western Cape. Our biggest challenge is to keep this group trained and active, as we definitely do not experience the same type of weather pattern and disasters that you have in the USA.
"We have a dynamic management team under looking after logistics, administration, operations, liaison and finance. Our Provincial Director is Peter Grobler ZS1PSG, who skillfully provides advice, leadership and direction to our team. Our National Director is Francois Botha ZS6BUU.
"The Western Cape is unique and provides many rescue and communication challenges. We have the sea and big mountain ranges, with Table Mountain being world famous. Our Metro Emergency Medical Services created the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) organization to co-ordinate all rescues in our province. This group has nineteen Agencies / NGOs, with the likes of our Police, Military, Mountain Rescue Clubs, Off Road Rescue Unit (ORRU), Red Cross Air Mercy Service, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), to name a few. This provides an ideal platform to interface with other Agencies / NGOs where we can support and train them while they are rescuing or out training. HAMNET and the ORRU work extremely closely together
Exercise Double Barrel 1:
"Our first exercise was called Exercise Double Barrel 1 and was a joint HF exercise between 71 Signal Unit and HAMNET Western Cape. This was unique as it was the first exercise where HAMNET received permission to conduct exercises with the SA National Defence Force on amateur frequency bands. This exercise was held in May 2005. Our deployed teams were operating on battery power for the day, simulating a bad earth quake in the Winelands District. I must add that I am a technical instructor with 71 Signal Unit, with the rank of Flight Sergeant. My Officer Commanding is Lt. Col. Johan Johnson, ZS1OC and second in charger is Lt Col Frikkie Rabie ZS1FH. The unit has another nine radio amateurs and the unit’s call sign is ZS71SIG.
Exercise Double Barrel 2:
"This exercise was a joint exercise between the SA Weather Service, HAMNET and the Reserve Force Signal Units, namely 71 Signal Unit, 84 Signal Unit and 7 Signal Brigade. This was a national HF exercise, being planned, coordinated and controlled in the Western Cape.
Exercise Waaihoek (Windy Corner):
"This was the first exercise where HAMNET and WSAR practiced together. The farm Waaihoek, meaning windy corner, belongs to one of our members, Christi van Zyl ZR1CVZ and is situated just outside Worcester. This exercise was the first time we as HAMNET practiced with Table Mountain Rescue and Hottentots Rescue. The last day of the exercise was set aside to search of a lost pensioner who went missing up a gorge. This gave us the experience of difficult terrain communications, as well as communications with non-radio experienced persons.
"Our biggest headache is funding. Unlike the support that ARES and RACES receive from your government, we are still battling to get the support we deserve. Most of the equipment we fund ourselves. We have a number of projects set aside this year, some of which are to establish APRS, a new linked 2m repeater network and getting radio equipment purchased for two emergency control centres. - Pierre Tromp ZS1HF Assistant Provincial Director: Operations and Liaison HAMNET Western Cape 34, Louis Trichardt Street, Worcester, 6850, South Africa
COMMENT - Your report is very interesting. I only wish I had the means to visit South Africa, but the best I can hope for is to maintain a schedule with one of your HAMNET stations. We hope we will be able to do that later this year after the tower and YAGI are operational at W7RRL .
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LEADING BY EXAMPLE
"The March issue of EM was another good informative issue. With all the focus on landline-radio hybrid systems, it's good to see some straight talk about what the real meaning of emcomm is, and how we can best go about it.
"I seem to recall an exercise our local ARES® group did last fall where teams of operators deployed a member to a location where he/she had to go in the last mile by foot using gear that could be easily transported and exchange record message traffic with other team members. Both time and accuracy were graded. Kathleen (KCØHZU) and I graded the message traffic for accuracy on Thanksgiving evening.
"We saw some pretty dismal showings from a couple of teams when it came to ability to properly format a radiogram. Our ARES® group has been spending a lot of time on getting stations up and running with Winlink®, and this seems to excite many, but you can bet when it comes down to teaching and reviewing basics, we'll see a lot of these operators hit the mental snooze button. All the glittering icons and flashing lights impress, but basic radio skills development takes work, real work.
"Those of us who are familiar with message handling need to redouble our efforts at mentoring with all these newcomers to HF. Part of this is encouraging those who will be pressed into net control duties to actually be net controls for busy traffic and service nets to learn how to handle a busy emergency net.
"We try to lead by example. As you say, good operating practices are contagious!" - Richard Webb, NF5B, Eads, TN - WRRL 93
COMMENT: Richard and Kathleen were radio operators who provided communications between LSU Medical Center New Orleans and the outside world for six days immediately following Katrina. Kathleen is wheelchair-bound and Richard is blind. Although the much-touted WinLink® and email systems have been embraced by MARS, the MARS primary mission is NOT emcomm. Emcomm is about what works when all the other stuff breaks. - EM
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FLIPPED LIDS?
"I picked this (Info about RM 11306* - Editor) up on the microHam reflector and thought it important enough to forward here as well. I need to research it more, but it sure sounds to me like ARRL has finally flipped its lid. Whether or not CW is required to obtain a ham license, those of us who still love CW and think it is important as the simplest and most reliable means of communication during an emergency had better come down hard on this.
"Having been caught in St. Maarten during hurricane Luis (a level 5 hurricane) in 1996, I can report first hand what happens in this kind of natural emergency. Power is out, phones are out, satellite dishes are reduced to rubble, commercial radio and TV stations are off the air with no power and antenna towers lying on the ground, airports are strewn with rubble and closed, the Internet is out, roads are impassable, food and water are scarce. Basically we are reduced to surviving like cave men except for one thing. Emergency generators, and skilled ham radio operators with the know-how and equipment to communicate long distances using makeshift antennas and the simplest form of conveying intelligence - CW. We are the last line of defense folks. Apparently the ARRL has lost sight of this. Let's make sure the FCC hasn't." -
Richard B. Drake, W3ZJ, Lexington Park, MD
EM COMMENTS - *RM-11306 is a proposal that will allow wide-signal (3 kHz) data-transmissions in what's left of the HF CW sub-bands. You may read the actual proposal at: http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/rm-11306/RM-11306-asFiled.pdf
If RM-11306 is approved, the next step may be for someone to start promoting the use of wide high-volume, wide-signal data, automatic-robotic transmissions (email, with attached files, WinLink®, etc.), originating from key boards located within "government" agencies (read non-ham gov't employees), and transmitted (in part) on amateur frequencies all in the name of disaster relief and/or "homeland security".
CONSIDER THIS (WORST CASE) SCENARIO: Two stations are in contact handling emcomm traffic using CW. The message might be R, W, P, or EMERGENCY. Maybe it's a weak-signal DISTRESS call. Suddenly, right in the middle of a transmission, the signal is obliterated by a robot transmitter!If you wish to comment on RM-11306, we suggest that you make your comments DIRECT TO THE FCC at:NOTE: The above link may not work for everyone. At "press time" it was still working from WRRL HQ. - Editor)
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BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
"Beginning in 1943 (in the United States at least), each President of the United States has proclaimed March to be "Red Cross Month". We didn't hear much about that this year. But we did hear that the American Red Cross apparently intends to require that all radio amateurs providing communications for the Red Cross must submit to a background check. Apparently, this also applies to partner organizations that do not conduct their own criminal background checks on their members.
"When the ARC says "all", we wonder if they mean to include operators handling radio traffic which may be originated at a Red Cross facility (on behalf of a disaster victim--the general public), but are operating from home stations or at other relay stations? And whatever happened to the proposed exemption that would allow anyone to walk-in and work as a Red Cross volunteer for seven days without undergoing a background check?
"If anyone believes that performing background checks on disaster volunteers (no matter how long they volunteer) will prevent or reduce crime, fraud, or other maladaptive behaviors, they are more politically correct than I am. What's next? Background checks on evacuees? Strip searches on little ol' gray-haired ladies that just want to help pass out coffee and donuts?"If they want to require background checks for staff and volunteers working inside Red Cross facilities we might accept that as reasonable. I hope they haven't just shot themselves in the foot, and I wonder what Henri Dunant* would think about all this as he tirelessly rendered aid to the victims of the Battle of Solferino*? Or, how would the fiery Clara Barton** react to such a requirement at the Battle of Antietam**?" - D. W. Thorne, R.N. - American Red Cross Nurse and former Director of Nursing and Disaster Services, Orange County (CA) Chapter.
* http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1901/dunant-bio.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Solferino
** http://www.nps.gov/anti/historyculture/clarabarton.htm also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam
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THANKS
"Thanks for sending the EMCOMM Monthly. I do appreciate receiving them." - Judy Nurenberg, KC7KPG, Milan, NMCOMMENT: You're welcome Judy. It is comments like yours that keep us going. (Oh yes, nice picture on QRZ.COM) - Editor
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THE EM ADVISOR
The staff of EMCOMM MONTHLY is happy to answer your questions to the best of our ability. Some are "FAQs" (Frequently Asked Questions) and others are of a specific nature. Each month, we will answer questions that may have value to other emcomm radio operators. Technical questions are forwarded to our Technical Advisor, Ed Ewell, K7DXV. Questions about our ARCT program or NIMS/ICS are forwarded to Jerry Boyd, N7WR. Others may be forwarded to other staff members. Questions regarding emcomm in general are usually handled by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ. Some will wind up on our FAQ page at: http://www.wrrl.org/faq.aspBefore submitting a question, we ask our readers to check the FAQ page first...your question may have been asked before. Also, please consider checking our site search page at: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm to see if your question may have been previously addressed in EMCOMM MONTHLY. Thank you.
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Q: We received a question and a report saying: "Red Cross managers in Oregon and Washington are saying ALL traffic originating from a Red Cross location (shelter, feeding station, chapter HQ, etc.) must be routed through the appointed disaster coordinator for that disaster. The reason being given is to keep track of information passing in and out of the Red Cross operation. This has, however, not been confirmed as policy at the National ARC level."A: As far as Red Cross "business" (logistics, administrative, etc.) traffic is concerned, then we agree. (It's their business.) Also, the ARC should probably have access to view welfare (W) messages. But we see no reason to have all traffic reviewed by a Red Cross official. However, to avoid conflict, perhaps "counter persons" (ref: www.emcomm.org/em/november2005.htm ) who are accepting messages could ask the person originating the message: "May we share this message with the Red Cross and/or other agencies?" A notation could the be made in the corner of the paper: "OK TO SHARE". Remember, the ARC is NOT the only agency that accepts disaster welfare inquires (DWIs). The Salvation Army is noted for finding lost/missing people, and there are other capable agencies such as Catholic Family Services.
Also, emcomm stations are usually better off if set up outside of shelters, EOCs, etc. A tent or trailer in the parking lot or on the street makes a LOT of sense, and we have advocated that for a long time. The noise, lack of security for radio and personal gear, and the stench of dirty diapers, over-flowing toilets and ruptured colostomy bags is not the best environment to operate a field radio station.See TRAFFIC HANDLING (below) for more "fall out" from this question.∙-∙-∙
ICS PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry Boyd, N7WR, Associate Editor and ICS Advisor
I thought it might be a good idea to include a quiz this month. Answers will be found towards the end of this month’s Emcomm Monthly.
1. Under which branch of ICS is the communications function generally assigned?
2. What is the title of the person in charge of communications (all communications, not just amateur radio) when ICS is being used?
3. What is the title of the person who has overall responsibility for the incident/situation being responded to?
4. If 75 meters is not providing a good propagation path during winter, nighttime conditions, what other amateur band might prove more useful?
5. If two stations, using HF, are too close to each other for them to hear/work each other, how might communications between them be facilitated?
6. Can amateur stations use “tactical call signs” during an emergency?
7. Can an individual amateur radio station be considered an ARCT (Amateur Radio Communications Team)?
8. Have you contributed to Emcomm Monthly lately?
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WRRL NEWS and NETS: "EMCOMM WITHOUT BORDERS."
∙ WRRL NET on MONDAYS on 14.280 MHz USB (Alternate: 14.270 or somewhere "in between.")
NEW TIME: 2000Z (SUMMER) 2100Z (WINTER)
∙ REGIONAL NETS:
Pacific and Mountain Time Zones: Daily at 1200 PTZ on 7220 kHz (7214 and 3987 alternate) JNNEastern Time Zone: Daily at 1200 ETZ (in planning stage)
∙ WRRL STATION MAP UPDATE
Map showing the location of WRRL stations can be viewed at: http://www.wrrl.org/map/
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TRAFFIC HANDLING“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.”
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THC QUESTION 35 REVISED - by Ed Trump, AL7N - Traffic Editor
(Ref. EMCOMM ADVISOR above)If one volunteers as a “Red Cross Volunteer”, one obviously does as the Red Cross directs. And that may or may not be to work as a radio operator. You might be serving soup, instead. Certainly the American Red Cross would want complete control over any Red Cross “Administrative and Logistic” radio traffic. That is fine, and that is their business, but...that is not the issue here.
The reason for question 35 is to find out if the quiz taker has the necessary knowledge to properly originate “third-party written traffic” being handled by amateur radio nets going out from “the general public” in a disaster situation where “normal” means of communication (local or long distance telephone, cell phones, Internet, or even US mail) are disrupted, overloaded, or otherwise not available as they would be normally...perhaps even before the ARC can get their own operation set up.
The accepted definition of “third-party traffic” is any traffic between the control operator of one amateur station and the control operator of another amateur station on behalf of a third party, of any precedence, written or otherwise.
By “the general public”, we mean regular people (anyone) who may be displaced in an affected disaster area, and who are NOT necessarily involved with the Red Cross organization.
Actually, emcomm traffic stations can be more effective if set up OUTSIDE of shelters, EOCs, etc. if they are to serve the public in general. A tent or trailer in the parking lot or across the street makes a LOT more sense. The noise, lack of security for radio and personal gear, and (as stated above in The EMCOMM ADVISOR) the general chaos within a shelter operation is certainly not the best environment in which to operate a field radio station.
During peacetime, we don’t know of any rules, regulations, or policies that place ALL third-party message traffic under the absolute complete control of the American Red Cross anywhere.Recent changes may place incident operations under the NIMS hierarchy. Radio communication resources when NIMS is invoked are under the Logistics Section Chief, who reports to the Incident Commander, and who will direct the radio communications operations and resources as required by the incident. ARC won't have much to do with that. There could even be more than one radio communications resource involved in different areas, depending on the size and scope of the incident.
Amateur organizations may not even be involved at all, but they can be useful for outbound or inbound H&W traffic work that other communications resources maynot be able to (or want to) handle.To avoid getting what the Red Cross might require confused with the intent of the quiz question, we have made a change in the Quiz question 35 to remove the reference to working "in a Red Cross disaster shelter".
TAKE THE TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE AT: http://thc.emcomm.org
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TRAFFIC HANDLER'S SUPPLIES at: http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/-∙∙∙-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
To help you to memorize the eight parts of the preamble, RECITE the "Traffic Handlers Mantra" often:
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
ASSESS your current traffic handling skill. Take the "TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE" at: www.emcomm.org (main page)
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NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE (N.E.T.S.)
The NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE uses designated watch and calling frequencies. Public service amateur radio operators everywhere are invited to monitor these frequencies whenever possible. But when disasters or other incidents occur, emcomm operators are asked to warm up their radios and "light up" the NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE..."24/7". Active operators know which bands are most likely to be "open" depending upon the time of day, season, etc.
During disasters and for other emergencies, the frequencies are "open nets". When traffic becomes heavy, they will become "command and control" frequencies with a net control station "triaging traffic" and directing stations with traffic to another (traffic) frequency. (At least 5 kHz away.) Proper net procedures are essential.
NETS does not maintain regular schedules and does not handle routine "make work" messages such as birthday greetings, "your license is about to expire", "book messages", etc. NETS is intended to supplement and fortify other networks by providing a vehicle for emcomm operators to originate, relay and deliver legal radio message traffic (i.e. - "first class mail") of any precedence, at any time, from and to anyone and anywhere--especially during disasters or other crises. NETS stations will cooperate and use other networks that are known to be capable of accurately and efficiently handling RADIOGRAMS.
NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE (NETS) WATCH • MONITOR • CALLING • TRAFFIC FREQUENCIES
All listed frequencies (except 60 meters) are nominal. Actual nets may be up or down as much as 20 kHz.
SSB:
• 1982 kHz
• 3987 kHz
• 5332 kHz "Up" to other 60M channels as necessary. 50W maximum ERP. (Activated during actual incidents.)
• 7220 kHz
• 14280 kHz
• ALASKA ONLY: 5167.5 kHz (USB emergency traffic only)
CW:
• 1911 kHz
• 3711 kHz
• 7111 kHz
• 10119 kHz• 14050 kHz
• ALASKA - 3540/7042/14050 kHz
• GULF STATES (LA, MS, TX, AL) - 7111 kHz 1100Z-2300Z / 3711 kHz 2300Z-1100Z
(Times approximate depending on band conditions and changes in sunrise/sunset.)
VHF/UHF FM
• LOCAL EMCOMM SIMPLEX - 146.55 MHz
• RED CROSS LOCAL EMCOMM SIMPLEX - 147.42 MHz
• NATIONAL CALLING SIMPLEX - 146.52 MHz
Frequencies listed may be on or near other established net frequencies.As a matter of operating courtesy, always move up or down a few kHz to avoid QRM when a frequency is in use.
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THE EMCOMM WORKSHOP
"I love the smell of rosin core solder in the morning!"
ANTENNA TIPS FOR (NEW) HF OPERATORS(An EM basic studies training module)
Many new HF operators are appearing on the bands. Many are checking into emcomm and traffic nets and are displaying some excellent operating practices. These former VHF and/or UHF only operators are finding out that HF operation and propagation is a somewhat different "ball game". Occasionally, we hear someone say, "I'm using a simple dipole and it is only 30 feet in the air. I need to get it up higher."
Not so fast! It all depends on what you are trying to achieve, and how long the ranges are you wish to "work". Unlike VHF and UHF, increasing height above ground may actually decrease your effective range. Most emcomm nets are in the 40 and 75/80 meter bands. (The 30, 60 and 160 meter bands are less commonly used for emcomm--but we probably will be seeing more utilization of those bands as the number of amateur stations increase.)
NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) is simply the technique of using horizontal, low-to-the-ground, antennas for short range (0-300 miles) HF communications. It will get a signal up and out of a deep canyon, etc. It is a simple and VERY useful technique.NVIS is less directional. The signal is going UP and back DOWN to earth...a form of "scatter."
NVIS not only allows HF stations to work each other at closer (regional) distances, but it reduces interfering with stations at longer distances. Two nets that are far away from each other, can even operate on the same frequency if they are far enough apart and every station in the net is using NVIS. As soon as one station comes on that is using a vertical or high beam antenna, that luxury may go out the window. But consider this: One station located between the two nets can effectively serve as a valuable relay! Example: A station in the MTZ (Mountain Time Zone) could relay traffic from the CTZ to the PTZ, and back, on 40 or 75/80 meters!The NVIS Antenna is NOT a specific type of antenna. It can be a simple balanced doublet, a G5RV, a resonant end-fed Zepp, or even a random wire. Factors such as ground moisture and the sub-surface water table are (of course) variable factors. Generally speaking NVIS antennas are effective that are from 10 to 30 feet (about 3 to 9 meters).Making your own antenna a very useful emcomm skill. It is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying projects a new ham can do. Give it a try!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NVIS ANTENNAS:
http://www.emcomm.org/antenna/
http://www.emcomm.org/projects/default.asp
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QSH -- (I HAVE HUMOR FOR YOUR STATION)
EM’s Quiz, Survey, and [attempt at] Humor Section...
Now that the Homeland Security Bill has passed, things will be different now and Internet surfing will be tracked by what the FBI calls a "non-intrusive method."
The FBI says you will not notice anything different. For a demonstration, click on: Homeland Security
NOTE: The link may not work for everyone. At "press time" it was still working from WRRL HQ. - Editor
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"SHOW US YOUR SHACK"
• "SHOW US YOUR SHACK" is at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/shacks/
• Send a picture of you AND your shack (all in one frame and in JPG or JPEG format) to: k6soj@wrrl.org
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FEATURES SECTION
+ THE WELL EQUIPPED AMATEUR RADIO STATION
(An EM basic studies training module)
Whether you are a skilled EMCOMM operator, a serious traffic handler, or simply a hobby operator, listed below are a few suggestions for accoutrements that will make ham radio more enjoyable and efficient in your own “WELL EQUIPPED AMATEUR STATION”.
• Ideally you’ll have a RADIO ROOM. But that is a luxury that many hams just don’t have. Nevertheless, you need some place that you can call your shack, whether it's a corner of a room, a closet, an attic space, or in the basement or garage. Some hams use a camp trailer or camper in their back yard as their “shack.”
• A well-lighted desk or table and a comfortable chair is essential
• An accurate battery clock is a must. Two are better. One set for local time and one for UTC.
• Wall calendar. (REMINDER...the UTC/GMT/ZULU date is tomorrow after 0000 UTC until midnight your local time.)
• Flashlight or other emergency light source.
• Logbook(s), note books, etc. Some 3x5” index cards with a file box are also nice to have.
• Extra pens and pencils + a sharpener.
• A repeater directory, operating guide, local and copies of emergency plans, antenna books, and a recent copy of FCC “Part 97”.
• Telephone list and appropriate telephone books. (See "Ready Book", below.)
• Maps. Local, state, regional and world. Road, political and topographic. Consider U.S.F.S., BLM, aeronautical and nautical maps and charts.
• Current world postal guide, plus stamps, envelopes, address labels, etc.
• Recent World Almanac.
• A safe place (where it won’t get spilled) for your cup, mug, or plate.
• File folders and cabinet(s).
• Weather station or outdoor thermometer (properly shaded).
• Wallpaper. (FCC license, certificates, awards, QSL cards, snapshots, pennants, other memorabilia, and whatever else may be important to you.
• All serious EMCOMM operators keep a READY BOOK handy! A 3-ring “half-size” binder, for 5½ x 8½ paper works very well.
(It stands up nicely on the desk and is handy for “grab ‘n go”.)
Have a section for EMERGENCY numbers, names and addresses.
Also lists of contact persons in FIRE, OES, SAR, Red Cross, U.S. Coast Guard, NWS, etc.
Have a section with lists of VHF and HF net frequencies and schedules, and severe WEATHER reporting criteria.
• All serious TRAFFIC HANDLERS keep a good supply of blank paper and a few message blanks, with appropriate envelopes
• Headphones are a must, and a (non-electric) typewriter "at the ready" is very useful.
• There is more that could be added to this list...but this should provide a great start towards
setting up a “WELL EQUIPPED AMATEUR STATION”.
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EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS:
"EXTREME EMCOMM" T-SHIRT∙ Features original artwork by Don Cantrell, ND6T.
∙ Six color silk-screen process on heavyweight (6.1 oz.), 100% cotton.
∙ SPECIAL PRE-PRODUCTION PRICE OFFER, ordering information, and pictures of our "EXTREME EMCOMM" T - Shirt, go to:
http://www.emcomm.org/products
NOTE: Pre-production orders for the EXTREME EMCOMM T- Shirt have been slow. If we don't receive sixty (60) advance orders (the "break even" point),
the project will be cancelled and those who ordered shirts will have their checks returned.(We're just glad we played it safe and didn't order a pallet of shirts!)
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RADIOGRAM TRAINING DVD
Features D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, as the instructor. The session was taped live at the U.S.F.S. facility at Redding, CA on October 29, 2005 by Paul Peterson (K6PTT). As you watch it, you'll feel like you are actually in the classroom. DW begins with a review of the history of communications beyond the horizon, followed by a thorough explanation of the "whys and wherefores" of basic message handling. Essential information for all emcomm operators is presented in a palatable way. The video includes a brief overview of the ICS. Thanks to Robert Jackson (KB6YTD) of Weaverville, CA, the quality is good. Disclaimer: This is not your usual scripted, studio, well-rehearsed, and edited training video--it is raw and unedited and it includes flub-ups, bloopers, jokes, as well as unsolicited comments! There are a few "glitches" that could not be remedied; however, it is not necessary to adjust your player or TV when you encounter them, but rather just let the video run. Not rated. 155 minutes. $10.00 ea. and includes protective case, study and instructor's guide. $5.00 for extra DVD (disc only) to same address. $18.00 for two complete sets to one address. The DVD is copyrighted. Contact us for permission to copy for non-commercial use, only.
Send check payable to: EMCOMM, P. O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058
MORE EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AT:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
======================================================NEW SUBSCRIBERS
• John Kiernan, KE2UN, New York, NY - RACES, ARECS
• Catherine McDaniel, WB4CAT, Mooresville, NC - ARES®
• Martin Harris, Jr., W4FOT, Etowah, NC - ARES®, RACES
• Matt Rutherford, KG4UAD, Fletcher, NC - ARES®
• Debbie Hicks, AD2H, Hendersonville, NC - ARES®
• John Howell, KC2NHK, New York, NY - U.S.C.G.Auxiliary, NYC CERT
• Greg Trent, KI6BGR, Vista, CA - ARES®, CERT
• Donald Boulanger, WA1ELA, Wernersville, PA - ARES®, RACES, NTS, SATERN
• Jerry Bennett, KD7OPE, Puyallup. WA - ARES®, RACES, ECRT
• Gary B. Sheets, KE5IQA, Graham, TX - RACES, Graham Fire Rescue Safety Chief
• Bob Aiello, KC2LWV, Hillside, NJ
• Norm Stewart, W6NIM, Concrete, WA - ARES®, RACES, Red Cross, Navy MARS
• Col. James R. Weber, KCØYEF, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO - MARS, ARES®, SKYWARN, CAP
• Vicki Ball, KI6EDS, Paradise, CA
• Jim Sutton, N2OPS, Mount Morris, NY
• Jack Gordon, WA2RHJ, Tabernacle, NJ - Burlington County ARES®, RACES
• Charlie Schlieper, N5TD, Temple, TX - RACES
• Mark Humenyk, VE3HMK, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Dennis R. Beckner, K8DRB, Lansing, MI - ARES®, RACES, ARC
• Charles Queen, Akron, Ohio - REACT TEAM C480
• Jeffrey "Droopy" Carpenter, W3JJC, Pittsburgh, PA - SATERN
• James Norris, K4JDN, Lawrenceville, GA
• Jim DiTucci, N2IXD, Rochester, NY - ARES®, RACES, InfraGard
• Scott Honaker, N7SS, Snohomish, WA - RACES
• Chris McCormick, N3JHR, Philadelphia, PA - ARES®, RACES
RECENT CONTRIBUTOR$ - Thank you for your support!(The individuals listed below have recently made monetary contributions to help EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG survive.)
• Edward J. Wirtz, W7JGM, Mount Vernon, WA
• José Fernandez, KI4BIE, Port Orange, FL
• Robert Jackson, KB6YTD, Weaverville, CA
SOS - SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
When contacting these fine vendors... tell them EMCOMM MONTHLY sent you!
Auxiliary Emergency Radio Organization (AERO)
Contact: Dave Gomberg, NE5EE, San Francisco.
www.wcf.com/aero/fun(Headsets, books, other items.)
Proceeds go to support AERO.
EmComm-Products LLC
Robin (N7GSU) and Kathy (KD7OTY) Faulkner
http://www.emcomm-products.com/index.htm
(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)
PowerFlare® Safety LightsCall: 408-323-2370(Safety Illumination and Signaling Products)RDTechnologyRobert D. Miller, WA6MTYbobmiller@gbis.com
(775) 843-59523895 Corsair St., Suite E
Reno, NV 89502
(Dual Radio Sound Card Interface)EMCOMM.ORG and EMCOMM MONTHLY are free of paid commercial advertising and "pop-ups". However, we list vendors who offer products specifically of interest or value to the emcomm community 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 its products (see examples above) and a donation to: EMCOMM, P. O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058. If you have further questions, just ask.
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
• ICS-ARCT GUIDE: www.emcomm.org/ARCT/
• TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE: http://thc.emcomm.org
• TRAINING ARCHIVES: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/
• OPERATING PROCEDURES: www.wrrl.org/operating/
• PHONETICS: www.wrrl.org/operating/itu_phonetics.htm• GEAR AND EQUIPMENT LIST: www.emcomm.org (Click on GEAR CHECK LIST)
• RADIOTELEPHONE PROCEDURES: www.wrrl.org/operating/icao_radiotelephony.htm• FEMA TRAINING COURSES: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp
• FEMA TRAINING COURSE IS-700 (NIMS): http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp
• ARRL FSD-218. The famous “pink card” that contains (almost) “everything you ever needed to know about RADIOGRAMS”.
An electronic version of FSD-218 is at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#fsd-218
• NTS page by W7ARC: http://www.w7arc.com/nts/
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (NTS) Methods and Practices Guidelines: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nts-mpg/
• PACIFIC AREA TRAFFIC NETS: http://home.earthlink.net/~k7bfl/nwnets.html
• NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN www.emcomm.org (click on SKYWARN or Links) or
Contact your EC or local SKYWARN coordinator for local net information.
• BEAUFORT WINDSPEED SCALE: http://www.zetnet.co.uk/sigs/weather/Met_Codes/beaufort.htm
• STANDARD TIME ZONE SCALE: http://www.travel.com.hk/region/timezone.htm
• HOSPITAL DISASTER SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (HDSCS): http://members.aol.com/emcom4hosp/
• U. S. AIR FORCE Search and Rescue SURVIVAL MANUAL MIRROR SIGNALING (AFM 64-5 Aug. 1969)
http://www.emcomm.org/drawings/Mirror_Signaling_mid.jpg
SUBSCRIBE TO EMCOMM MONTHLY www.emcomm.org/subscription.htm
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 forgets to notify us. Also, if a subscriber installs a "spam filter" or a "parental control device" and neglects to tell the filter 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@wrrl.org ... 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
Upon request EMCOMM MONTHLY will be transmitted in plain text format to visually impaired subscribers who use an email-to-audio conversion program, and/or other subscribers whose computers do not process email in HTML format.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.SORRY: We have no PayPal®, credit card, or other methods to accept the electronic transfer of funds. "We do it the old fashioned way!"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 theAmerican Radio Relay League Inc., and are used with permission.
For permission to reproduce material in EMCOMM MONTHLY
contact: D. W. Thorne at: k6soj@wrrl.org or write:
EMCOMM MONTHLY, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058 U.S.A.EM STAFF:
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher - k6soj@wrrl.org
Jerry Boyd, N7WR - Associate Editor and ICS Advisor - n7wr@wrrl.orgBill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor and Webmaster - w7arc@wrrl.org
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Technical Advisor - k7dxv@wrrl.org
Ed Trump, AL7N - Traffic Editor and Alaska Correspondent - al7n@wrrl.org
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ANSWERS to ICS PERSPECTIVES QUIZ
1. Logistics Branch
2. Communications Chief
3. Incident Commander
4. 160 meters
5. By using a relay station that can hear both and pass traffic on their behalf. Relaying was the original form of message traffic handling and is one of the reasons the WORLD RADIO RELAY LEAGUE still uses the term RELAY.
6. Yes, they can as long as the FCC-required amateur call sign identification requirement is met.
7. Yes, an ARCT Type IV is a single operator/station.
8. If you answered “no”, you can change that to the correct answer of “yes” by mailing in a contribution today to support the continuing work of EMCOMM MONTHLY.
∙-∙-∙IN THE MAY ISSUE OF EMCOMM MONTHLY:
• "The Chronicles of Nocandoo" - Episode VIII
• NEWS... FEATURES... FEEDBACK.... QSH... and MORE!
IN THE WORKS:
• PROPAGATION AND EMCOMM
• DXers and EMCOMM
• The FIELD OPERATION DISASTER PORTABLE STATIONEMCOMM MONTHLY -- The Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League - WRRL®Copyright (c) 2007 - All rights reserved.∙-∙-∙
