EMCOMM Monthly - September 2007

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

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VOL. 4 -- No. 4 ONLINE: www.emcomm.org/em September 2007
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"Where Every Month is Preparedness Month"
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM PHILOSOPHY - "The e-TOASTER"

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 - "RADIO RESCUE"
NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE - "The Chronicles of Nocandoo" -- Episode X
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for Sale
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION

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The EM PHILOSOPHY
The "e-TOASTER"

A few weeks ago, our toaster died. Before I unceremoniously disposed of it, I clipped the line cord as is my custom and saved it to the box in the shop marked "line cords". I don't know exactly why, but I have quite a collection of black, white, and brown 3 ft. line cords. They are all that's left of many appliances that have served their time on earth. I figgr'd that I get by with iron skillet (yes we have several..and THEY don't wear out!) toast until my next social security check arrives and I can get to Wal*Mart.

Then I remembered that we had a "toaster-oven" that we had won in a contest a few years back. It was yet unopened and had been safely stored in our '71 Ford/Gillig/Caterpillar camper-bus. When we won the (imported no less) toaster-oven we didn't have room for it on the kitchen counter, so it wound up in the bus. The thought was it would make life a little easier if we were ever camping or set up somewhere providing emcomm at a disaster.

The new appliance was opened carefully and placed on the counter. I looked at it...and it looked back at me. Hmmmn. It looked like it had not one, but two, LED digital readout panels, and of course lots of other LED indicators of various colors and other buttons. There is a scroll up + or down - button to set for "toast color". I thought, what if I want to toast a piece of dark rye? It is "digital," "multi-mode," and has a "mode selector" to choose between: 1) toast, 2) oven cooking, 3) browning, and 4) keeping warm. Hmmmn again. Now that might come in handy if I should ever find myself camping out on a cold night...and my main squeeze isn't with me.

I thumbed through the 62 page instruction manual and thought, "Not another learning curve!" I think my 65-year-old brain is still capable of learning a few new things, but I am really not interested in spending a half a day reading a small book written by some techno-crat (that probably has never seen a cast iron skillet, much less actually used one) just to learn how to toast some bread or heat a frozen waffle. Whatever happened to the concept of just a simple on/off toggle switch*, and a timer?

The "on" button turns it on (and off). I pressed it and the LED panels came to life. The LED panel said E-1. "Use the scroll button; set the LED readout to the desired darkness of your toast." I scrolled up to E-6 and then scrolled back down to E-4. That should be about medium. I opened the nice glass door and (per the instructions) removed the broiler tray and pan. Two pieces of rye bread were placed on the rack, the unit was set to "toast", and off it went. The toast was a little dry...so next time I'll program it for E-3. Or maybe I'll just use the cast iron skillet. We have come along way since the days of open-fire cooking. But what I wonder about is, "Have we gone too far?" But, there are two things I really like about the e-TOASTER. 1) It sends S S S in Morse when my toast is ready. PLUS, it has a recyclable 3 ft. line cord.

Whatever happened to actually driving an automobile or a truck? I love the three (3) shift levers in an old CJ5, and I still enjoy shifting through the gears of our Land Cruiser (which only has two shift levers) or my ' 61 International Harvester 3/4 ton. Real car and truck drivers don't need a tachometer to know when to shift gears. They know by the sound of the engine's rpms. I enjoy looking at the gauges on the dashboard. Idiot lights are appropriately named. Watching real gauges is part of the essence of the art and skill and fun of driving. And it helps to keep you from falling asleep or going brain dead. A few times in my life I have had the pleasure of serving as an engineer, keeping the engine and pump properly functioning on a fire engine. Take the gauges and knobs and levers away and the joy of operating any piece of equipment is seriously lacking. And whatever happened to actually operating a radio?

I admit that I use a 15 year old all-solid-state Kenwood TS-140S as my primary transceiver/exciter. And, like the e-TOASTER, it also sends characters in Morse when certain buttons are pushed. "L" for LSB, "U" for USB, "C" for CW, etc. (A real nice feature for visually-impaired operators.) But it still has plenty of knobs and sliding variable resistor levers on the front panel. Plus, a nice, large main dial (with a brake on it), and a really cool-looking S-meter with its own dial light. These all do what they say they will do. NO "multi-function" buttons. I am running this radio! And, it is not running me, (all the way to the nut house). I also greatly enjoy firing up my Ameritron AL-80B and watching the glow of its 3-500Z and the dial light. I love to turn the band switch to the selected band, switch my 6-pole radial antenna switch to dummy load, and adjust the plate and load capacitors while carefully watching the grid and plate current meter. If something goes wrong...it is my fault. I am in control of this amplifier! The operator is not some invisible microprocessor buried deep inside the rig somewhere, that I have no idea how it works, what it is doing, or what it may do next!

The EM Philosophy is: "K.E.S.S." (Keep Emcomm Simple Sherlock), at least as much as is reasonably possible.

There is no computer in my main shack, but I do have several telegraph keys in my shack that are always hooked up and ready to go. I also keep a good supply of spiral notebooks, pads of paper, a message service cross rubber stamp and ink pad, and several pens and pencils for when I must handle a piece of message traffic.
I even have an old SEARS (non-electric) portable typewriter nearby.

Call me an old fogey that is behind the times if you wish. (I have been called a LOT worse!) But I think I am getting more enjoyment and satisfaction, with a lot less frustration, out of being a radio operator!

* We have a drip coffee maker. The cheesy plastic rocker on/off rocker switch broke the first month of operation. I replaced it with a 20 amp HD toggle for a Kenworth truck. The coffee maker still works fine after many years.
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SHORT CIRCUITS

SPAMCOMM MONTHLY - UPDATE

Over the past ten years, the much touted INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY, has become highly congested and a confusing morass of deceivers, robbers, perverts, and other low life forms. Last month we reported our own difficulties with getting EMCOMM MONTHLY to send. As for now, we think we have found a safe passage to navigate through the cyber-swamp.

The August issue prompted an avalanche of comments. So many in fact, that we were unable to reply individually to all that offered help. Please accept our hearty thanks to all who responded. Nearly every one expressed sincere concern and offered appreciation for all of our effort to produce EM each month. One person wrote, "...you are not alone with ISP problems. With spammers spoofing email addresses, the whole email system is in chaos. No one can tell who is real and who is spoofed." Here is a summary of the many, many comments and suggestions:

1. Most all said that receiving EM as an attachment was OK. A few expressed fears of getting a virus, worm, or some other type of unwanted "hitch-hiker."

2. A few who produce other newsletters report that they have had much the same problems that we have been experiencing, and some reported some real horror stories

3. Many suggested using a PDF file attachment as opposed to MS WORD.

4. Others said that we should use a YAHOO, or similar group or start a "blog."

5. Several suggested that we dispatch EM in "plain text". (NOTE: EM is already available in plain text upon request.)

6. One person suggested that we send EM via packet.

7. One person suggested that we reduce the length of EM by minimizing the opinions and emphasizing the facts, eliminating the list of NEW SUBSCRIBERS, and reducing the graphics clutter. By "graphics clutter", he meant the large fonts, extra bold text, and section-breaking code script that only feed the printer ink vendors. He suggested that we standardize on a common font type and size for section titles. (Editor's note: Imagine a newspaper or magazine with all font sizes and styles identical. Anyway, EM is already available in plain text upon request.)

8. A few suggested that EM simply be posted (as we do now) on EMCOMM.ORG, and send a short notice each month informing subscribers that a new edition has been posted. (That is, in fact, what we may eventually do.)

But, for the time being, we think we have the problem solved. It turns out that the problem was NOT with our local ISP. It appears that it was with a SECURE SERVER service with which we had contracted. Apparently, the service is so secure that it was blocking some our own transmissions, both inbound and outbound! (We wish that these services could somehow be that successful at blocking the real SPAMMERS!)

Finally, our local ISP, California-Oregon Telephone Co., has been very cooperative and helpful. They have set us up with two new email addresses (no extra charge). emcomm@cot.net will now be used to send EMCOMM MONTHLY and wrrl@cot.net will be used to send group file e-bulletins to WRRL members. If applicable, we suggest that you have these new addresses "white-listed" by your ISP. (Our existing e-mail addresses will remain valid, but EM and WRRL will use the new addresses for mass e-mailing.
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National Preparedness Month

Thank you for registering to be a National Preparedness Month 2007 Coalition Member and for making a pledge to promote emergency preparedness throughout September and beyond.* The Coalition Member list can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/members.html - The Ready Campaign

* They noticed our slogan: "Where Every Month is Preparedness Month" - Editor
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N.E.T.S. FREQUENCY CHANGES
(See TRAFFIC HANDLING below)

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RADIO RESCUE
Be sure to read about RADIO RESCUE in this month's TRAFFIC HANDLING section.
EM wishes them the best of success and hope that the idea will catch on elsewhere!
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NEW NWS PENDLETON (OR) HF SKYWARN NET
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pendleton, Oregon has asked us to announce that a new HF Skywarn Net is starting. They are looking for NCS and other skilled operators (trained weather spotters preferred, but not mandatory) who reside in the following counties:

Washington: BENTON, COLUMBIA, FRANKLIN, KITTITAS, WALLA WALLA, YAKIMA.
Oregon: CROOK, DESCHUTES, GILLIAM, GRANT, JEFFERSON, MORROW, SHERMAN, UMATILLA, UNION, WALLAWA, WASCO, WHEELER

Contact:   Robin Faulkner, N7GSU Robin@emcomm-products.com
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HELP WANTED
Our RADIOGRAM TRAINING DVD continues to be in demand. Two volunteers in our "production unit" have relocated and are no longer available. Our sole DVD technician, Robert Jackson, KB6YTD, has been very helpful making sure we meet the demand, but he is a full time school teacher and will be back on the job soon.

We are looking for a person, or small group (2-3) of dedicated emcomm volunteers, who have, or have access to, DVD production/duplication equipment including printing on the DVDs, on an ongoing basis. Production runs are usually about 25.. No pay...other than the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a real contribution to this vital service. (We reimburse for materials, shipping, etc.) If you think you can help, or have a question, please contact the editor.
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FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS

FROM THE QUAKER STATE
"I'm an AEC for our Berks County ARES/RACES Group here in Pennsylvania. I always read your newsletter as it is sent to me by our Berks County EC here in EPA District 2.  Regarding this comment written in the August newsletter:

"...to further convince us that it is a HUGE mistake for anyone to count upon the internet for even one segment of emcomm..."

" I believe that that type of statement is very naive to make, especially after all the traffic that has been passed using WL2K. Yes, voice should be the primary mode of emcomm. But, to pass lists and other data needed during and after an emergency, digital modes such as WL2K have a place in emcomm."  - Ed Breneiser, WA3WSJ
Reading, PA

REPLY and COMMENTS: Thanks for taking the time to comment and express your opinion Ed. I am taking the time to write this fairly long reply because I believe that you are serious about emcomm. But, like many others, you may not have fully considered the risk of putting your "emcomm eggs" in the internet basket.  We are concerned that there are many who have done just that, and worse yet, they use it as an excuse for not learning and practicing the basics such as the International Morse language and message traffic handling. So, when the infrastructure collapses, not only will they not have a paddle...they won't even have a canoe!

I don't recall ever saying anything about voice being the only mode that should be used for emcomm. Digital modes (such as RTTY, AMTOR, PACTOR, etc.) can play an important role.* But messages must be transmitted via emergency powered radios only, if they are to be 100% reliable during disasters when the infrastructure is broken. If the landline services are "up and running", why use radio at all? Just use e-mail or the telephone.

It is unrealistic to think that a digital station can be located at every shelter, evacuation center, or wherever. (Fewer skilled operators, expensive and fragile equipment, etc.) In my opinion, the best utilization of the few digital operators/stations available would be at "hub" stations (TYPE I and TYPE II ARCTs), or other communications centers for PTP relay of message traffic that most like will be originated by a 'phone station. (TYPE 3 or TYPE 4 ARCT)

Of course, all messages, no matter what mode, should be brief and in the universal RADIOGRAM format. A message can then be originated at a location where only a voice handie-talkie is available, sent to a relay (or hub), forwarded to another hub or relay in SSB or CW or a digital mode to a station relatively near the addressee, then relayed via voice to a final delivery station who may only have a VHF voice rig, and then delivered to the addressee EXACTLY as it was originated.
(Ref. "The Last Mile" www.emcomm.org/em/september2005.htm )

None of this should be taken lightly. "The message is sacred." As far as I am concerned, RADIOGRAMS, (and even short TACTICAL emcomm messages) are the equivalent of FIRST CLASS MAIL. If the HX (handling instructions) are A, C, D, or E, that message is analogous to a letter designated CERTIFIED mail. If the precedence is EMERGENCY or PRIORITY, it is similar to EXPRESS or PRIORITY postal service mail. Messages should be delivered in person (written or typed) or by telephone spoken directly to the addressee. Leaving a message on an answering machine is unacceptable. Otherwise, how will the delivering operator, clerk or courier know if the addressee received it or not? Delivering routine messages (with no HX) by 1st class mail is acceptable; or, the delivering operator may call via telephone (assuming the phones are working and a number was included in the address). If you get a voice mail box or answering machine, leave a call-back number and then deliver it "live" when the addressee calls back.)

Delivering a message via e-mail provides no guarantee that it has been delivered, even if it is sent with "read receipt request". How does one know if the message was actually received and read by the addressee?

Regarding the need for sending l-o-n-g messages. If officials (and others) know how to effectively use resource typing** (not only for emcomm but for ALL tactical and logistical support services) there will be little or no need for long laundry lists ordering supplies, etc. (This subject is covered in the RADIOGRAM DVD that we offer for ten bucks.)

* One very real problem is that digital amateur radio emcomm radio operators can't seem to come to any agreement as to one common digital mode.

** Here are two examples of messages using brevity and resource typing:

SEND SHELTER KIT FOR 500
TO JEFFERSON SCHOOL FIFTH AND
ELM IN JEFFERSON PARISH

(No need to list how many cots, blankets, medical kits, paper cups, etc.)

or my favorite:

SEND CARRIER BATTLE GROUP TO

SOUTH PACIFIC

(There is no need to list how many ships, how much ammunition, how many cooks, how many barbers, how many able bodied seamen, etc.)

You still may not agree, but at least you now know the rationale for my "naiveté".

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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.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.

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Q: No questions this month

A: No answers this month
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ICS PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry Boyd, N7WR, Associate Editor and ICS Advisor

Instead of taking three months off, circumstances allowed me to get all the “summer chores” done in two, so ICS Perspectives is back a month early. In between some wild land fire duty (I’m sure many of you faced that this year!) I did manage to get most of the pre-winter ranch work (http://3bitsranch.blogspot.com/) done and managed to build a pasture/shelter etc. for the sheep we now have on hand to use in training our border collies. That would be my wife’s (N7WRJ) “pursuit of happiness”. Anyhow, one of the more interesting queries to arrive by e-mail during my off time was this: “What do you think of using digital voice protocols such as D-Star ™ for Emcomm purposes?” At the risk of sounding flippant, my current answer is “not much”. By way of explanation, while digital voice may be “the way of the future” there are two current drawbacks. One, there are not nearly enough D-Star users out there involved in Emcomm to permit digital based emergency communications. You might react with “well in my area there are plenty and, in fact we have a digital voice repeater devoted exclusively to Emcomm”. Fine, but what happens if your local group needs outside help or if your group is sent out of the area to assist other amateurs who are not D-Star equipped? Better keep analog radios handy for the time being.

My personal position is that I will not spend the money for a digital voice radio until there is an industry-wide adoption of one digital voice standard. What good is served if my D-Star radio can’t communicate with someone else’s digital voice radio based upon a different protocol? The public safety communications profession faced this same question years ago. Wisely, through APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officers), the public safety radio service agreed on an industry standard (“P-25”). That is what is in use now in the public safety digital voice arena and it matters not what brand of P-25 radio you buy or where you operate it. If APCO could facilitate an industry-wide standard effecting a million public safety users one would hope the ARRL could work out a standard for the thousands of hams interested in using digital voice. Until next time, 73 from NE Oregon de N7WR
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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.")
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/
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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.”
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TAKE THE TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE AT: http://thc.emcomm.org
TRAFFIC HANDLER'S SUPPLIES: http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
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RADIO RESCUE

RADIO RESCUE net is a group of volunteers gathered from among regular net controls who cover 14300 kHz. These volunteers endeavor to have resources available to assist with any sort of emergency situation that may require skilled radio operators.

In the interest of providing similar services to those provided on the Maritime Mobile Service Network (MMSN) this group has set up to guard 3911 kHz DAILY from 0000 to 0500 ETZ (Eastern Time Zone).    A mobile operator who finds himself or another traveler in need of emergency assistance can come on 3911 kHz and find a station there with the resources to get the proper authorities to the scene. NOTE: Primary mode on 3911 will be SSB, but CW signals will be answered when a Morse operator is available

RADIO RESCUE operators have available to them contact information for all fifty state police agencies and some medical professionals that can be brought onto the frequency, etc.

Although networks on other bands have been organized to assist such folk, there is little or nothing on 80 meters which can be regularly counted on to be of assistance, especially during the early morning hours. To fill this need when it arises, RADIO RESCUE will have trained operators guarding the frequency to assist.  Of course, during widespread emergencies, stations can list and handle emergency or priority traffic here as well.

As with most true emcomm groups, RADIO RESCUE is not interested in handling routine book traffic, make-work birthday greetings, or other routine traffic.

Occasionally, stations will announce that 3911 kHz is being guarded for this purpose. Stations desiring a quick signal report or to advise that they, too, are monitoring are welcome to call/answer at these times so long as there is no emergency business to be handled.

The RADIO RESCUE net control operator pool is thin at the time, so we're interested in recruiting operators who are available during the early morning hours to assist
us. Anyone interested can contact me at elspider@bellsouth.net or Richard.Webb@116-901.ftn.wpusa.dynip.com  - Richard Webb, NF5B, Eads, TN

NOTES:

1. Montana Traffic net is on at 0030Z every day except Sunday and on Sundays at 0800 local, (1500Z) on 3910 for nets and at times for emergencies.
2. West Central Florida ARRL Section lists 3911 as its emergency frequency. This may be a good thing (more ears used to listening to this frequency).
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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)

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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

•   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.

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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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FEATURE SECTION
"The Chronicles of Nocandoo" -- Episode X
by Roger Wilcox, PHD

A "Farcical Fantasy of Futuristic Fiction" (FFFF). In the year 2057.

Episode I - EM April 2006 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/april2006.htm
Episode II - EM June 2006 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/june2006.htm

Episode III - EM August 2006 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/august2006.htm
Episode IV - EM October 2006 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/october2006.htm
Episode V - EM December 2006 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/december2006.htm
Episode VI - EM January 2007 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/january2007.htm

Episode VII - EM March 2007 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/march2007.htm
Episode VIII - EM May 2007 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/may2007.htm

Episode IX - EM July 2007 read at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/july2007.htm

EPISODE X: "The Departure"

The team spent nearly two weeks sorting everything out and storing it in safe locations. The "SOLAR POWERED, WATER DEMOLECULEARIZATION, HYDROGEN-OXYGEN POWER SUPPLY UNIT" was generating power and they had it hooked up to the "AUX PWR IN" jack on the "COMM XCVR" so they wouldn't have to crank.

Late one night, Micc was maintaining the radio watch when he heard: dah dah, dit, dididit, didah dah dah, dit, dididit, didah dah dah, dit, dididit, didah (MESA the station's tactical call sign. Then: dahdidit dit di dahdah didah dididit dididdidit dah di dah (DE WASH K). Micc "snapped to" hit the vintage J-38 and sent: WASH WASH WASH DE MESA QRK IMI

The reply: R R R MESA DE WASH QRK 5 QTC ONE ROUTINE K
Micc shouted to Thor who was still sitting at the campfire, "Washington is calling us." Thor came into the cave and watched as Micc copied this message.

ADVISE HEMP AND PSUE THAT

THEY ARE RELEASED FROM ASSIGNED

MISSION X ADVISE THEM WELL

DONE X PEACE

CHEL

Micc acknowledged the message and signed off. Thor said, "I wonder what they will do now? If they leave us, it will be sad. We'll tell them in the morning."

The next morning, Thor and Vint rode down to the TYPE 3 ARCT at the bottom of the hill to deliver the message. Hemp and Psue read the message with mixed emotions.

"Well, that's it Psue," remarked Hemp. "We can head out anytime we want."

"Whatever you decide is fine with me, Love. Do you realize that we've been here nearly a year and a half? But in spite of the hardships, we have made some life-long friends. He looked at Thor and Vint and said, "And that includes you two!"

Thor laughed out loud, but Hemp noticed a bit of moisture in the eyes of his bearded, leathery face.

"Well, you two probably would like to be alone for while, and we have work to do. Will you come up to the Mesa for dinner tonight? We have some wine we have been saving for this night."

That evening, the two young adventurers rode the mountain bikes up the trail to the Mesa Verd Camp. As they rode through the gate, they passed Gard in the gate house, and they fondly recalled the first time that they were escorted into the compound.

When they arrived there was music in the camp, and a large banner was displayed that said, "We Love Hemp and Psue." After a toast and a glass of wine, they were escorted to the head of a long table, the others were all seated, and the children began to serve a vast repast that exceeded the banquet they enjoyed so much the first time the dined together over a year ago. (Episode IV)

The bitter-sweet celebration lasted past the midnight hour, With the exception of Shak, the radio duty officer, and Gard, the gate sentry, everyone in the camp was gathered around the fire. There was a lot of reminiscing about how much the world had changed within their lifetimes. Those who were older recalled the good old days before the U.S.A. became the U.S.S.A (Episode I), and the old amateur radio service, before it was "phased out." (Episode VI)

As the night wore on, and most of the youngsters had fallen asleep, Thor asked Hemp and Psue, "What are your plans?"

Hemp said, "Psue and I have thought about this for a long time. We like the idea of more personal freedom, and think we might migrate to Cuba. (Episode IV)

Hurd (who usually remained quiet) blurted out, "I hope those bicycles float...maybe you should install balloon tires!"

The group all laughed in unison.

"We know someone in south Florida who has a sailboat that makes the trip once a month. If we can find Capt. Paul he will take us and our bicycles to Habana."

"My father told me that they used to say in 'the sixties'...don't worry, they're only 90 miles away, " remarked Rose. "Now it's freedom that is only 90 miles away! I have always wanted to visit the Free Territory of America, and I envy you. We wish you well in your next adventure...no matter where your heart leads you."

Hemp and Puse spent the next few days gathering up a few things they would take with them. Mech gave their bicycles a thorough "going over" and brought them up to tip-top condition. They couldn't carry everything that was being offered, but did accept a supply of high energy nutritional bars.

Hemp and Psue made the mental shift that they were leaving the Yellow Pine and Magnolia country of the once-great Deep South, and would be moving on to their next great adventure in Cypress and Palm country. The day arrived, and they arose early. The Mesa-Verd group all came down to see them off.

"I hate long good byes," said Hemp. Psue was choked up with emotion. It was hard for them to break away from their friends that had become so close over the past 18 months. After a series of hugs (and even some kisses), they doubled-checked the straps that secured their gear to the bicycles, mounted up, and pedaled off into the sunrise, while the Mesa-Verd family waved and shed a tear or two and many offered a silent prayer.

To be continued..in the distant future. Maybe.

NOTE: We would like to know how our readers liked this series. Feedbackers place NoCanDoo in the subject line of e-mail comments. - Editor

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REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION

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An electronic version of FSD-218 is at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#fsd-218
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