------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Dedicated to Emergency Communications by RADIO
         EMCOMM  MONTHLY   
                        Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League
                                                                  www.wrrl.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOL.  4 -- No. 6        ONLINE: www.emcomm.org/em                November  2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           "Bypassing the Politics of Emcomm."
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM PHILOSOPHY - The SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRES

SHORT CIRCUITS - Brief Items and Announcements

FEEDBACK,  MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
The EM ADVISOR - "Q and A"

ICS PERSPECTIVES - by Jerry Boyd, N7WR
WRRL NEWS and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING
QSH - "The Way It Once Was"
 NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE - ZIG ZAG COMMUNICATIONS
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for Sale
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION

∙ - ∙ - ∙
The EM PHILOSOPHY 
Editor's note: "FIRST RESPONDERS?" was originally slated to appear here in this issue.  Instead, it will appear at a later date.

The SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRES

No two disasters are the same.  Each major incident presents has its own unique problems...and solutions.  There is something to be learned from every incident...no matter how large or small.  One axiom that remains constant is that experience and training are paramount.  It is also true that leaders in every discipline must be able "to think outside the box."
The recent conflagration in Southern California is no exception.   We heard numerous reports that amateur radio operators in Southern California were ready and eager to respond.  The media reports were very alarming and ARES@ leaders in Arizona and Nevada offered to send operators.  WRRL decided not to place its TYPE I ARCT (based in San Francisco) on stand-by.

But unlike Katrina and her ugly sisters, Rita and Wilma, the commercial and public safety communications infrastructure remained intact.  There was no identified need for welfare (W) or any other precedence message traffic on behalf of the general public.  And, as far as we know, there was no need for amateur radio auxiliary communications by any "served agency."  Therefore, no official request for amateur emcomm was issued by Incident Commanders.  (We received one report, that some uninvited hams were told to "get out and go home" by one law enforcement agency.)

We are aware however, that quite a few hams volunteered and were utilized in other aspects of the disaster relief effort.  No doubt they used amateur radio for their own communications.  We have not heard a single report of any third party message traffic (either TACTICAL or FORMAL), actually being handled for an agency or the general public.

At Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego (the largest evacuation center), three major cellular telephone providers brought in COWS units (cellular on wheels), and provided cell phone service on loan for brief calls from evacuees to loved ones, etc.  Also, since this is mostly a very affluent area, most evacuees brought their own cell phones (and chargers) with them.
 
Since 2001, billions of dollars has been spent on improving public safety communications in the United States alone.  Most of the public safety communications systems in San Diego County have power backup (propane generators into battery banks) that can keep the sites running for several weeks if the power goes out.  Most of the cell sites have the same capability.

Over the past few years, the American Red Cross has developed its own non-amateur radio field communication system (at tremendous expense) and has recruited and trained its own push-button communications specialists.

Will amateur radio emcomm be needed in the future?  Absolutely.  But "served agencies" that have been so highly courted by many in the past, will have less and less need for auxiliary communications.  And even if they do, they will be reluctant to allow amateur radio operators to handle any crucial traffic.  In fact, a state official in a major state recently said: "We will never allow hams to handle any of our official traffic.  But we will use them to fuel generators, make copies or coffee, and watch the parking lot."  Many agencies view hams as nothing more than a bunch of "wanna-be's" wearing a belt full of handie-talkies.  Sadly, they are often correct.

Many of those who have bought into the "served agency" notion like to think that they are important.  While they may be tolerated, any real importance will diminish in the future.  This may be a bitter pill for some of our readers to swallow, but FCC Part 97.1 makes no mention of "served agencies."  But it does however state that service to the public and emergency communications as the number one basis and purpose of the amateur service.

Sadly, very few hams care about providing H & W traffic on behalf of the general public.  But this "client group" should be our first priority.   And soon it may be our only client group.

In the final analysis, as we have always said:  "A message is a message is a message."  All amateur radio emcomm operators and stations should be ready and capable of originating, relaying and delivering tactical and/or formal (RADIOGRAMS) record message traffic, of any precedence whether it is welfare (W), routine (R), priority (P), or emergency (EMERGENCY), and be ready and available to serve both government and private agencies, as well as, the general public. - EM

∙ - ∙ - ∙
SHORT CIRCUITS

LIMA COMPANY 3/3 VIDEO
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81YG5rRm3-U  HM2 James Bourland, a U.S. Navy Corpsman, (see below) is on these patrols.  The quality is not great, but it provides some insight on what he and the other Sailors and Marines in his company are doing in Iraq. These are the men that you are helping with every letter and package you send out!  They are making a difference for us and everything you all are doing is making a difference to them. Thank you.

P.O.E.M. for the Holiday Season

HM2 James Bourland, a U.S. Navy Corpsman currently assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps and currently deployed in Iraq, has indicated a few ways that EM readers can SUPPORT OUR TROOPS in a very tangible way.   Our 1800+ readers can demonstrate the Power Of Emcomm Monthly - "P.O.E.M." in several ways.
 
James said that many of our service men and women receive very little (if any) mail.  You can help by writing a personal letter and address it to:
"Any Sailor or Marine."  Tell them a little about yourself, the area you live in, your interests (such as amateur radio).  Be "up beat" and be sure to tell them how much you appreciate the sacrifice they are making.  Be sure to include your mailing address, and telephone number if you wish.

You can also include other items in an envelope, or send a small parcel.  There is a need for pre-paid phone cards, stationary, envelopes, pens and/or pencils.  These items are inexpensive and lightweight.  Personal items such as lip-balm (Chapstick®) and sun-block are also needed, and snacks such as candy (send kinds that don't melt easily), or gum, dried fruit, and nuts, etc.  All will be greatly appreciated.

FOR PARCELS, YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO A POST OFFICE AND FILL OUT A CUSTOMS FORM.
Then, send to James at the address below.  He will see that the letters and parcel items are distributed equitably.

HM2Bourland, James
Lima Co 3/3 H/Q
UNIT 44090
FPO/AP96607-4090

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE BULLETIN
The U.S.P.S. advises that holiday mail destined to troops stationed overseas be sent as early as possible and to use the full APO or FPO address.  A Pentagon spokesman said that "MAIL CALL can be the best part of the day for service members, especially around the holidays."  The recommended deadline for mail going into combat zones is NOVEMBER 13 and that PARCEL POST is the most economical way to ship parcels.

(EDITOR'S NOTE:  Nannette (KE6MZT) and I shipped a 7 lb. parcel of gum, candu, nuts, jerky, etc. a few days ago via PRIORITY MAIL.  It cost us $8.85.  We included some steno pads, pens, and a self-addressed envelope (NO stamp needed) to make it easy for the recipeient to write us if he/she wishes to.)
- ∙ ∙ ∙ -
 NEW URL FOR WEST COAST CW TRAINING / TRAFFIC NET
The West Coast Net (WCN) provides training in the proper handling of messages in Morse code.
WCN's slow speed operation provides a training ground and a bridge to operating on regular CW traffic nets.
The new URL is:  http://billandkay.org/west-coast-net/index.html
- ∙ ∙ ∙ -
RADIO RESCUE - UPDATE

RADIO RESCUE is a group of volunteers (primarily in the southeastern U.S. at this time) who provide a radio watch set up to guard 3911 kHz DAILY from 0000 to 0500 ETZ (Eastern Time Zone).    The monitoring mode is SSB, but CW signals will be answered when a Morse operator is available.

RADIO RESCUE is also promoting the use of an ALERT SIGNAL to gain the attention of a monitoring station.  (Even if you do not know Morse.)

 REMEMBER!  A station calling a SSB monitoring station in CW may need to set their transmitting frequency 700-800 Hz below the nominal LSB frequency if they expect to be heard.  NOTE:  Some radios automatically offset the CW signal carrier enough in the proper direction when switching modes to be heard when tuned on a LSB  or USB frequency.  Others do not.  Example:  The TenTec does this automatically, and all one has to do is tune the USB or LSB voice signal in correctly, and then switch to CW mode...the CW carrier is  then automatically right in the passband at the proper offset so the voice stations hear it.   If operators are going to use this kind of alert system (identical to the old international 500 kHz auto alarm signal...which was 12 dashes, each four seconds long as timed from the radio room's deck clock sweep second hand) they will have to be familiar with their own rigs as to how to switch.

This is how it works:
1. A calling SSB operator "tunes down" 700-800 Hz and sends (in CW) a series of long (four second) dahs with one second pauses.
2. The calling operator then sends (in Morse) SSB SSB.
3. The receiving station will acknowledge by sending R R R DE ______  (call sign) in Morse.
4. Both stations then switch to SSB on 3911 kHz.

The RADIO RESCUE is looking for operators who are available to monitor during the early morning hours.
Contact Richard Webb, NF5B, at: elspider@bellsouth.net or Richard.Webb@116-901.ftn.wpusa.dynip.com 
- ∙ ∙ ∙ -
EMCOMM LICENSE PLATES

A new supply is now in stock.  Quantity prices available upon request.

(These make nice awards or door prizes for annual meetings, etc.)

View NEW PICS at:  http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
∙ - ∙ - ∙
 FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS

RAZORBACK TYPE I ARCT
"I am VERY excited about WRRL and EMCOMM.  I am blind and went to the web site and used the monthly newsletter link to read back through September of this year.  Very good newsletter and well presented.  In your Traffic Handling DVD, is there a lot of talking demonstrating the various steps?  I want to use the DVD with a group of new people who are now in training.  I eventually want to turn them into ARCT team members.  Being blind, I doubt that I would ever make a good team leader, but am recruiting one as I am sending you this email.  I will certainly do anything I can to be a relay station, monitor while working at my computer and around the house.  I have never taken the NIMS courses, but I have kept up the refresher course for CPR each year or two.  I will start taking the NIMS courses and also the Red Cross Introduction to Disasters.  Again, thank you and the staff for the great job on the newsletter." - Jack McSpadden, WA5ROP, WRRL 192, Little Rock, Arkansas
 
COMMENT
The DVD probably has what you are looking for, but it does use a lot of visual aids.  I am not a good judge of how effective it would be to listen to the audio track only.
As far as "Could someone who is blind be an ARCT leader?" is concerned, I have no problem with that.  Just because a person cannot see, doesn't mean they don't have "vision".  The bottom line is...can you (or whoever) do the job?  Of course others may or not accept your limitations and you may have to prove yourself.  Also, there may be a problem with a few persons in some "served agencies." 

However, being blind has nothing to do with ones ability to be a catalyst or leader, and a Razorback WRRL TYPE I ARCT would be tremendous asset to Arkansas and the Midwest.  You could well serve as a facilitator and/or coordinator.  A TYPE I ARCT needs more than one field team leader, so at least 1 or 2 will be available in a deployment.  You would then have the option of deploying to the field or not.
 
The NIMS/ICS and RED CROSS courses are important only so emcomm team members will know where they fit in the overall plan.  The courses have little (if anything) to do with actual emcomm. - EM

FROM THE VOLUNTEER STATE
"Kathleen and I now have a remote recording truck.  Its other purpose will be as a field communication station with two operating positions.  We've yet to get a 12 kw generator mounted on the trailer, but we can operate now on battery power (without the air conditioning and refrigerator <grin>).  We are looking for two (or more) like-minded individuals who are flexible and available enough to deploy with us, are willing to train and develop the necessary skills to form a TYPE 2 ARCT." - Richard Webb, NF5B, Eads, TN
 
EM COMMENTS:  Richard and Kathleen lost nearly everything during Hurricane Katrina, but still were able to provide communications between LSU Medical Center New Orleans and the outside world for six days during Katrina.  They now live in Eads, TN and are in the process of rebuilding their lives.  Richard is a musician and sound engineer.  He is also blind.  Kathleen is wheelchair-bound.  Richard also is active in RADIO RESCUE (see update above).  Emcomm operators who live within range of Eads, TN, who are interested in being part of an TYPE 2 ARCT may contact Richard at: elspider@bellsouth.net

FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE
I really enjoy The Chronicles of Nocandoo.  Please don't drop it from your publication.  It's the first article I read.  If you decide that it is not for you, please ask the author to continue publishing somewhere on the internet so I can continue reading this fascinating story.  It's realistic and believable. - CW Espey, KB4AAC/AAV4YZ, Marianna, FL.
EDITOR'S COMMENT: Thanks CW.  Your comments have been relayed to the author.  If Roger Wilcox, PHD (piled higher and deeper) submits any future random ramblings, we will publish them in EMCOMM MONTHLY.   Also, we are considering publishing The Chronicles of Nocandoo in booklet (printed) form.  Stay tuned.
- ∙ ∙ ∙ -
NEGATIVE ARTICLE?
The negative article in the October EM (Ref. QSH - CALVINBALL)  doesn't help the situation at all.  It contains vague criticisms with no details and doesn't move the cause of good planning and written plans ahead at all.  What we need are articles about, and copies of, well-written ARES® and other emcomm plans.  As the AEC of my area (Kern River Valley), I'm trying to put together a plan for our unique area in the mountains, physically removed from and sort of isolated from other areas of our county.  All of the few plans I have seen have some holes in then and I don't want to use them as a model.  Can you help with some positive information and samples of good plans?  Even outlines, indices, tables of contents, or other short-form guides would help considerably.  A full and proper plan would be a huge leap forward.  Sniping is not. - Joseph " Skip" Reymann, N6SR, Lake Isabella, CA

EDITOR'S REPLY:  EM has published many articles relating to "how to" write effective plans over the years.  (Go to: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm and search for Emcomm Plan.)  Many emcomm leaders have utilized our material (and some offerings by others) to very good advantage and have written some excellent emcomm plans.  Unfortunately, too many uninformed individuals attempt to "re-invent the wheel", and have come up with some pretty bizarre "plans".  In fact, some of the plans we've seen make CALVINBALL look organized!  That is what QSH was targeting in the October issue.  The intent was, that maybe a little "light-hearted" criticism could help some of those, who have no idea what emcomm is really about, to re-think and hopefully go back to the drawing board.   Anyway, if we can't laugh at ourselves every now and then...we have a more serious problem.

I have been in emergency planning and disaster response for 40+ years (not just for emcomm), and one of the most important things that I have learned is, that the more complex and detailed a plan is, the less effective it is.  When I was on the lecture circuit, I was often asked, "What plan do we need for floods?  What is a good plan for fires?  What is the plan for earthquakes?"  Using infrastructure free amateur radio, our objective is be ready to communicate tactical and record message third party traffic from wherever it may need to be originated, to wherever the sender may want it to go, whatever the cause of the outage or overload may be.  A message is a message is a message.  I would then say (with a smile), "But if you really need detailed instructions: in a flood, bring your boots, in a fire bring your hardhat and goggles, a bandanna, and a canteen of water.  For an earthquake, bring all of the above!"  Of course this is an over-simplification...but you get the point.  In other words...prepare well for one type of disaster...and you are pretty well prepared for ALL contingencies.
 
I have reviewed many fine ARES® and other emcomm unit plans.  Others leave much to be desired (either they are too brief...or they are too detailed). You can read an ARES® section plan that I wrote (when I was an SEC) at:  http://www.emcomm.org/svares/mutual_assistance/.  (Many have used it as a guide to develop their own plan.)  (NOTE: The Sacramento Valley plan was writtten before resource typing (ARCT).  If I were writing it today, ARCT would be an integral part. )
Ref: http://www.emcomm.org/ARCT/ and http://www.wrrl.org/arct_program/

Also, the Gear Checklist at:  http://www.emcomm.org/gear_list.htm is a helpful guide, for individuals, as well as ARCTs, to follow.
When you get your plan completed, I would like to see it. I hope this has been helpful. - EM
∙ - ∙ - ∙

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.asp

Before 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.

- ∙ ∙ ∙ -
Q:  "Why do stations routinely give weather reports on many nets?  Can't people just go to the internet and get the weather info on just about anyplace in the world?"

A:  Providing weather reports on nets serves several useful purposes.
       1. It provides experience in and promotes the accurate reporting of, and relaying of, "hard data" and promotes good operating discipline.

       2. Several of the nets that I manage have been historically monitored by NWS stations.  NWS meteorologists have stated that data provided by trained local

           ground (mostly) observers can be very helpful.  There is a lot of data that is not discernable on Doppler Radar, Satellite imagery, etc. (E.g. - Local fog, icing,
           etc.)
       3. It is fun and interesting to most other stations.


HOW TO GIVE A WEATHER REPORT (As instructed by the National Weather Service and in this order):

1. LOCATION* - (Being reported on)
2. TEMPERATURE - In degrees Fahrenheit (in the U.S.)
    (Do not give decimals of degrees.  Round up or down to nearest whole number.)
3. SKY CONDITION - (Sunny and clear, hazy sun, partly cloudy, overcast, fog (include visibility), etc.
4. WIND DIRECTION and SPEED** - Wind speeds over land are typically reported in MPH, while winds over bodies of water (lakes, oceans) are usually reported in knots.  Wind direction may be reported in points of the compass or in degrees.  EXAMPLE: A wind from the west would be 270 degrees.  A wind from the north is zero or 360 degrees. 
5. PRECIPITATION - Type, amount, and for what period of time.  Example:  ".35 in. rain (or thirty-five one hundredths of an inch) for 24 hr. period ending at 1200 PST."
6. OTHER PERTINENT DATA - "Icy road conditions HWY 97 at Deadman's Curve, 30 miles N of Dodge City."
 
WEATHER INSTRUMENTS - If you have an Davis, Oregon Scientific, or other fine weather station you are fortunate.  But you can suffice very nicely with a good outdoor thermometer (place in a shaded, well ventilated space), a rain gauge (available free from the NWS if you attend a weather spotter class and become an official spotter),  and a flag or windsock on a mast.  Use the Beaufort Windspeed Scale (see below).  Keep ruler or yardstick handy to measure snow depth (if applicable), and a pair of binoculars can be very handy.

FORECASTING - Don't try to be an amateur weather forecaster.  (The NWS has a hard enough time doing that! ;-)  Of course relaying bona fide weather warnings, advisories, and other relevant bulletins is more than welcome and is encouraged.

More info:
* "WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?" http://www.emcomm.org/em/2005/december2005.htm
**BEAUFORT WINDSPEED SCALE  http://www.zetnet.co.uk:80/sigs/weather/Met_Codes/beaufort.htm
∙ - ∙ - ∙
ICS PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry Boyd, N7WR, Associate Editor and ICS Advisor
Admittedly this column will not directly deal with ICS this month, but it does deal with emcomm, both the amateur radio type and the public safety version.  As many readers know there is a “wilderness protocol” which involves monitoring of various frequencies (depending on the amateur band) in the event amateurs have emergency traffic.  In the case of two meters that frequency is 146.520 MHz.  Public safety over the past four years has developed a similar “frequency watch” involving what are called V-Call channels.  Those public safety entities that have received Homeland Security (DHS) communications grants are supposed to install and then monitor V-Call channels in the event a public safety unit passing through the area has urgent traffic.
 
Based upon a couple of non-scientific studies I recently conducted, both programs are a failure.  I recently took three trips…one business, and two pleasure.  On the business related trip (I’m in public safety) I tried calling dispatch centers on the V-Call channel in counties (in two states I might add) that I knew had received DHS grants.  I did not receive even one answer.  On the two pleasure trips (covering both urban and rural areas in seven states)  I made numerous attempts to contact any amateur station on .52 simplex.  I had zero replies to my calls.
 
There is nothing amateurs can do about government entities not meeting their V-Call monitoring responsibility.  I can, and I have in the form of letters to those agencies explaining that I had called them and received no answer.  But as amateurs there is a lot we can do to insure that our “V-Call” channel is monitored.  I suspect most readers of this column have a two meter radio.  Many probably have a two meter radio with a priority watch function.  Keep your radio on .52 or set it to monitor .52 on a priority basis even if you are on another frequency.  That practice may someday result in you helping someone in need.  And isn’t that what amateur radio emcomm is all about? -- Until next month 73 from NE Oregon.
 
The author encourages questions, comments and suggestions for future columns.  Jerry may be contacted via n7wr@wrrl.org
 ∙ - ∙ - ∙
WRRL NEWS and NETS 
"EMCOMM WITHOUT BORDERS."

∙ WRRL NET on  MONDAYS on 14.280 MHz USB (Alternate: 14.270 or somewhere "in between.")
   2000Z (SUMMER) 2100Z (WINTER)

∙ REGIONAL NETS:
    Pacific and Mountain Time Zones: Daily at 1200 PTZ on 7220 kHz (7214 and 3987 alternate) JNN

    Eastern 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/  
∙ - ∙ - ∙
TRAFFIC HANDLING

“For want of a letter, a word was lost.
             For want of a word, a message was lost.
                         For want of a message, a life was lost.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TAKE THE TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE AT:  http://thc.emcomm.org
TRAFFIC HANDLER'S SUPPLIES:  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 (Handling Instructions) • 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)

∙ - ∙ - ∙
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

•   3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
•   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
•   3540 kHz
•   3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
•   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 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.
 ∙ - ∙ - ∙
QSH --  (I HAVE HUMOR FOR YOUR STATION)
EM’s Quiz, Survey, and [attempt at] Humor Section...
THE WAY IT ONCE WAS...
This  ten minute YouTube video clip could be humorous if you are a new generation ham.  Or it may be sad if you tend to lament the way things used to be.

Either way...it is entertaining and is definitely pure nostalgia!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBGIdf0VjQ4 
Thanks to: Zahra Anise, W7ZMA and Joe Consolo, KD7QDL
 ∙ - ∙ - ∙
 "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
∙ - ∙ - ∙
FEATURE SECTION
ZIG ZAG COMMUNICATIONS
by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ

An EM basic studies training module)

In radio traffic circuits the shortest route between two points may not be a straight line.  It may not even be possible.  Also, a common mistake is to think that radio communications during disasters or other emergency incidents can be contained within the affected or "declared area", a county or some other arbitrarily drawn jurisdiction.  While this may be true for very local incidents, emcomm planning must include the (often necessary) involvement of stations up to many hundreds of miles away and outside the affected area.  A large part of being a skilled radio operator is understanding and experience (on an ongoing basis) of radio signal propagation patterns, quirks, and anomalies.  This is essential in order to ensure that a message gets through under adverse atmospheric or other man-made conditions.

Consider this hypothetical scenario:  A disaster has stricken your county, state, region or even your entire country.  The infrastructure is down.  No telephone service, no email, no internet, and commercial power has been knocked out.   Radio repeaters (both amateur and public service) have been knocked out.  Satellite phones are non-existent or they are in very limited supply.  Public officials have no way to communicate within the devastated area or with the "outside".  Thousands of victims have no way to get messages out to family and/or friends.  Emergency planners often neglect to consider the need to relay messages accurately through multiple relay stations and networks far beyond their own jurisdiction.

This is what amateur radio was destined to do.  But only if operators are well trained and disciplined and properly prepared to handle record message traffic.  (RADIOGRAMS).

The EMCOMM radio spectrum can be divided into two primary resources.  VHF/UHF (frequency bands above 30 MHz), and HF (below 30 MHz).  Each band and the various modes all have a role.

VHF (2 meters) FM is the most common and most readily available.  Nearly everyone is able to talk.  (How well they can communicate is debatable...but that is another issue.)  While the VHF signal path is generally considered to be line-of-sight, experienced hams know that this often is not the case.  For example, I live in mountainous terrain, yet I routinely talk from my base station (using 25 watts and a ground plane antenna on a 20 ft. mast) to mobile units 40 miles way with hills in between.  If I switch to my 13 element Yagi at 35 ft., my base station range is extended to 100 miles or more...with a mountain range between.  On SSB or CW it is not unusual to work stations 300 miles distant!  From my home in Northern California, I have worked a stations in Washington state on 2 meters FM, using one solitary repeater in Eugene, OR.  (The local operators in Eugene could hardly believe it when they asked "where are you guys located?")
 
Now consider a hypothetical scene where the "hub" of a TYPE I ARCT has been stationed near the center of the desired service area.  Of course the location chosen for that station will depend upon several factors (e.g. - accessibility to persons and agencies who need to send/receive messages).  However, it may not be the ideal location for the best signal paths to the perimeter (TYPE 3 or 4) stations.  (Emcomm is not a contest, or field day, where you can choose the best radio location.)

Therefore the ARCT leader(s) must consider placing some relay TYPE 3 or 4 ARCTs to serve as relays at carefully selected locations (e.g. - a hill top or a tall building.)  If your planning has included a self-powered portable repeater, that will free up some operators for field stations.  A portable repeater can often be left unattended for 24-48 hours.  Also, consider enlisting trained operators who may already live at "good radio locations" and who are capable of relaying message traffic.
 
Ideally, every ARCT should pack a portable 20 to 30 ft. mast*.  These are available from war surplus and other outlets.  Add a two meter, 3 (or more) elementYagi**, or other gain antenna, and with careful planning and deployment, a TYPE I ARCT (and extra T-3 or T-4s if needed) can provide a service area of literally thousands of square miles!  And that's without HF and only using VHF simplex relays and networks!  You do not need a rotator other than the "Armstrong" type.***  Add a portable repeater on a mountaintop and your network range is greatly expanded!   (I recommend only full duplex repeaters.  Forget the so-called "simplex repeaters."  Most operators lack the know-how and necessary discipline to use these units.)  Of course, if the operators are not accustomed to good net discipline and message traffic handling, this effort will not be effective.

   * One source is Fair Radio Sales http://www.fairradio.com/
  ** I like the MFJ-1763 - Portable 3 Element 2 Meter Beam Antenna  http://www.mfjenterprises.com/index.php
*** (Turn it with your strong arm.)

NEXT MONTH:  ZIG ZAG COMMUNICATIONS - PART TWO
"The Art of Communications on HF...under less that optimal band conditions."
An EM advanced studies training module)
 ======================================================
 EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS


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

• Rick McNutt, N5XNF, Deming NM - Luna ARES®, RACES, SKYWARN Coordinator, Certified Police Radio Dispatch Instructor
• Daniel Musick, KG6VVN, Oceanside, CA - CERT, ARES®, SKYWARN
• Greg Albrecht, KF4MKT, San Francisco, CA - SF NERT
• Kim Callis, KG6UFN, San Diego, CA - RACES
• Jeff Newton, KE7OUR, Eugene, OR - ARES®, SKYWARN
• Dave Dixon, KA5DUG, Albuquerque, NM - ARES®
• Ken Gibson, N7ELF, Tacoma, WA - ARES®, RACES
• David Rosner, WA2MZZ, Irvington, NY - RACES, SKYWARN
• Joseph Supinsky, KC8PRJ, Reading, MI
• Jackie O. McSpadden, WA5ROP, Little Rock, AR - WRRL
• Douglas G. Nielson, N7DGN, American Fork, UT - WRRL, ARES®, RACES, Utah County S.C.A.T.
• Robert D. "Bob" Huson, WA7HYD, Marysville, WA - WRRL
• Dallas Erickson, K7DDE, Stevensville, MT
• Bruce Herold, WA6KAI, Cabazon, CA - RACES, SATERN
• Elmo A. Knoch, K5YWL, Harrison, AR - WRRL, RACES
• Mark Springer, WL7BCT, Bethel, AK - ARES® (EC, Bethel Alaska)
• Gary Jones, KB1AWI, Meriden, CT - ARES®, SKYWARN
• Kevin Haney, KCØYKX, Tracy, MN - ARES®
• Randy Donahue, WBØZSO - Fulda, MN - ARESØ
• Davy Smeda, ZR1FR, Cape Town, Western Province, Republic of South Africa - SARL, HAMNET.
• Bilal Emiroglu, TA1BU, Istanbul, Turkey
• David Lang, K4NSX, Leesburg, VA
• Gary Clark, NB7B, Layton, UT - ARES®, RACES
• George Remhof, KB3LJB - Colora, MD - Cecil County EC and SKYWARN Coordinator
 • Dave Olet, WB8MWG, Dewitt, MI - ARES®, MARS

RECENT CONTRIBUTOR$ - Thank you for your support!

(The individuals listed below have recently made monetary contributions to help EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG survive.)

• John W. LaHiff, WA6PHJ, Lincoln, CA

• John Emery, KG4RQO, WRRL 155, Winter Park, FL
• Hyrum H. Huskey, Jr., KB1KRS, WRRL 133, Turners Falls, MA
• Cris McBride, KB7QXQ, WRRL 23, Pinetop, AZ
• Richard Cloyd, WO6P, WRRL 19, Redding, CA
• Grant Olsen, KCØVTY, Boone, IA

EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG are private (non-government, non-commercial) endeavors and are 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!"


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/
(541) 763-3890
PO Box 383
703 Sixth Street
Fossil, OR 97830-0383
(Manufacturer of the RADS 9-11®   Rapid Antenna Deployment System ®)

PowerFlare® Safety Lights
Call: 408-323-2370
 www.powerflare.com
(Safety Illumination and Signaling Products)

RDTechnology

Robert D. Miller, WA6MTY

http://dualradiotnc.no-ip.biz

bobmiller@gbis.com
(775) 843-5952

3895 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/
• WRRL ARCT Page www.wrrl.org/arct_program/

• 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
• RADIOTELEPHONE PROCEDURES: www.wrrl.org/operating/icao_radiotelephony.htm

• GEAR AND EQUIPMENT LIST: www.emcomm.org  (Click on GEAR CHECK LIST)

• 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
• MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE NETWORK: http://mmsn.org/
• NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SKYWARN www.emcomm.org (click on SKYWARN or Links) or
  Contact your 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   -- IMPORTANT:  Many internet service providers (ISPs) are installing "SPAM filters" in their system that may block EMCOMM MONTHLY both inbound or outbound (if you try to forward it to someone).  To ensure that you receive EM and SPECIAL BULLETINS add: @cot.net, @wrrl.org, and @emcomm.org to your "Whitelist" with your ISP.  Contact your ISP if you have any questions.

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 archives:  www.emcomm.org/em
 
SEARCH FEATURE AT EMCOMM.ORG  www.emcomm.org 
 

The opinions expressed by individual contributors do not necessarily reflect the EM philosophy, the editorial position of EM, or its staff.

 

ARES® and Amateur Radio Emergency Service® are registered service marks of the

American Radio Relay League Inc., and are used with permission.


For permission to reproduce material in EMCOMM MONTHLY
contact: D. W. Thorne at: k6soj@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.org

Bill 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
∙ - ∙ - ∙
IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF EMCOMM MONTHLY:
 • FIRST RESPONDERS?

• TRAFFIC HANDLING DO'S AND DON'TS
• NEWS... FEATURES... FEEDBACK.... QSH... and MORE!

IN THE WORKS:
• DXers and EMCOMM
• The FIELD OPERATION DISASTER PORTABLE STATION

 

EMCOMM MONTHLY -- The Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League - WRRL®

Copyright (c) 2007 - All rights reserved.
- ∙ - ∙    ∙ - ∙ ∙