FROM W7RRL -
HAPPY NEW YEAR! - 0000 UTC - 1 JANUARY 2008
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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. 8 ONLINE:
www.emcomm.org/em
January 2008
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"EMCOMM
WITHOUT BORDERS"
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM
PHILOSOPHY - "First Responders?"
SHORT CIRCUITS - Brief Items and Announcements
FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
The EM
ADVISOR - "Q and A"
ICS
PERSPECTIVES - by
WRRL NEWS
and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING -
Proficient Voice Operating
NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
DOUBLE FEATURE -
1. ROUTE SIXTY SIX
2. TACTICAL CALL SIGNS
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
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The EM PHILOSOPHY
"FIRST RESPONDERS?"
We don't know who first promoted the idea that public service ham radio
operators fall into the category of "first responders". Whoever they are,
they are way off base. And this myth still continues to be promulgated.
Of course, many licensed amateurs serve in some "first responder" capacity such
as an EMT, fire-fighter, reserve deputy, etc. And, upon rare occasions,
they may use amateur radio during an emergency incident when normal public
service radio or cell phone service has failed.
Amateur radio emcomm is not about flashing lights, sirens, badges, etc. If
that is your forté, we suggest that you join a local fire department, become a
reserve law enforcement officer, or EMS worker.
When we say emcomm, we are talking about a volunteer amateur radio
service, capable of providing emergency communications (TACTICAL or FORMAL
message traffic) on the amateur bands, on behalf of a third party. It may be
for a government agency, a private relief organization, or the general public.
The last time we reviewed the NIMS/ICS structure, communications is still under
LOGISTICS...a support function.
Let's let people know what our mission actually is and not let our egos become
over-inflated.
While we are on the subject
of NIMS/ICS (contrary to what you may have read elsewhere), amateurs should
never use the term "Incident Commander" in reference to a leader within their
own emcomm organization. While using
the
principles of NIMS/ICS within an ARCT, or even a field day type of
event is a good idea, designating an emcomm leader as the "Incident Commander"
has the potential of confusing those who don't know the difference between
amateur radio emcomm and the command level of an incident. We suggest
using the term "Team Leader" or "Event Coordinator". If, during an
actual incident, someone starts using the term "Incident Commander" for an
emcomm leader, you may suddenly find you and your team being escorted "off
premises".
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SHORT CIRCUITS
NEW CENTRAL TIME ZONE NOON
NET (CTZNN) TO DEBUT ON JANUARY 7
The CTZ Noon Net (CTZNN) will debut on Monday,
January 7, 2008 at 1200 CST on 7214 kHz ± LSB.
Jack McSpadden, WA5ROP,
WRRL 192, Little Rock, AR is the Net Manager. Initially, the net will be
only on Mondays, but as interest develops it is expected become a daily net.
The net will also activate during times of emergency.
1200CTZ is 1800Z. Therefore, the CTZNN is two hours before the
(daily) PTZNN (Jefferson Noon Net). All operators with stations in the
Central Time Zone and Eastern Time Zone who are serious about public service and
message traffic handling are invited to participate. Also, stations in the
Mountain Time Zone are encouraged to check in. Westbound traffic
can then be relayed to stations in the Pacific Time Zone two hours later.
This is timed to coincide with the Monday WRRL net on 14.280± kHz at 2100Z,
which can move traffic east or west. (WRRL now has a member station KH2JU
in Guam.)
This
is a huge step forward! Between the PTZNN (Jefferson Noon Net) which
covers the Pacific and Mountain Time zones, and the new CTZNN which has the
potential of covering the CTZ and the ETZ, we have the potential of covering all
48 states on 40 meters!
The
primary purpose of the CTZNN and the PTZNN is public service and
message traffic. But they are not strictly public service and traffic.
Weather reports are a useful tool to practice the accurate reporting of data.
See The EM ADVISOR - November 2007 www.emcomm.org/em/2007/november2007.htm
Although there may
be little actual message traffic, the nets are intended to demonstrate, train
for, prepare for, and maintain proper net discipline.
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CALLING ALL CALIFORNIA HAMS
(PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS ITEM AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE TO ALL CALIFORNIA HAM RADIO
GROUPS)
Recently, to the dismay of many, the California Department of Motor Vehicles,
arbitrarily and unannounced, implemented a policy of inserting a blank space in
the middle of the call sign on amateur call sign four and five character license
plates. As we go to "press" at least three different explanations for this
policy change have been offered:
1 - The FCC requires a space in the middle of the call sign. (This is not true,
but just to make sure we checked with the FCC.)
2 - The manufacturing process does not allow four or five character license
plates to be manufactured without a space in the middle.
(If this is true, we wonder why personalized plates are
still being offered in the exact configuration requested?)
3 - Not having a space in the middle of an amateur call sign plate may confuse
law enforcement officers.
(The explanation for this one is that during an emergency law
enforcement and/or fire personnel may think the call sign plate is a regular
personalized plate.)
As it stands now, the WRRL and the ARRL are working together on this issue.
We are in the process of introducing a bill in the California Legislature that
will require the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue Amateur Radio call sign
license plates in the same configuration as the call sign appears on the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) issued license of the applicant. And, that
there continue to be no additional fee for this service.
A PETITION is currently being circulated in the ham radio
community throughout California. For more information, or if you would
like to sign the petition (California hams only), go to:
www.NoSpaceHamPlates.blogspot.com.
TO ALL U.S. HAMS
There is an old saying, "As
California goes...so goes the rest of the nation." We don't expect to
loose this battle, but for those of you in the other 49 states and the eight or
so U.S. Trust Territories, remain alert and watch for sneaky tricks by
politicians and burro-crats.
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January WorldRadio Magazine
Our own Jerry Boyd, N7WR, WRRL 2, has a great article in the January issue of
WorldRadio magazine. If you are not a subscriber, perhaps you can borrow a
copy, or better yet, subscribe at:
www.wr6wr.com
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FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and
SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
THIS JUST DEMONSTRATES...
Editor's note: The amateur
radio response to the recent storm and flooding disasters in Washington and
Oregon has been widely reported both in ham radio and general public media.
All the reports we have seen have been quite positive. Doug Barbe, W7GDB,
whose station is at Corvallis, Oregon sent in some favorable news clippings.
Doug also wrote:
"Here are some news items I
thought you might like to have for your files. They just further
demonstrate the point you make in
EMCOMM
MONTHLY that the infrastructure can't always be relied upon when
disasters strike. I also want to contribute to the support of
EM,
so I've enclosed some 'green stamps' to help out.
Keep up the good work." - Doug Barbe, W7GDB, Corvallis, Oregon
COMMENT - Thanks for the clippings and the "green stamps" Doug.
As you know, EM
is mostly supported by voluntary contributions like yours.
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AM I A NET OFFENDER?
"I read the December
EMCOMM
MONTHLY (Ref. ZIG-ZAG Part II) and I am wondering if I might be
a net offender. I often check into the JNN (PTZNN) when I work at home,
but it is difficult for me to stay by the radio, since I work in another room.
I often bring the speaker out (it's on a long cord) and listen in while I work.
Due to the fact that I am away from the radio, both in distance and in mind (I
have to time-share my thoughts with my job), I usually check in as a "limited
time" so as not to break up the round table by delaying or missing my turn.
I am not very reliable in this situation, so it's better for me to just listen
in while I can. Since I do try to listen in, I have, in the past, come
back sometimes with questions or comments. Is it better to stay off the
net after my in-and-out check-in?" - Jan Woldseth, KB6FMZ, Grass Valley,
CA
REPLY: I certainly wouldn't characterize you as a
"net offender". But to alleviate any concerns you may have, I can think of
two options:
1. When you check in
to a net as "limited time", tell the NCS (or relay station) that you do not want
to be included in the round table, but that you will be monitoring on a remote
speaker until the end of the net. And if there is any traffic for you or your
area, that you will respond. (This is close to what you have been doing.)
2. Budget some time for the net, take a break, pour a cup of coffee (or
whatever) and participate in the net. (This is what many of us do.)
As volunteers, we all have limitations on our time, ability and resources.
Please continue to participate as much as possible! -
Editor
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THC (Traffic Handler's
Challenge) LINK WRONG
"The newsletter is great! Thank you for your
efforts! A quick FYI...the Traffic Handler's Challenge link is down...it
was down last month as well.
Thanks for your attention to this." - John Abitabilo, KB3MJD
REPLY: The link previously in
EMCOMM
MONTHLY went "wacko" for some crazy reason and had to be taken
down.
The new link is: http://www.emcomm.org/thc/
Thank you for calling this to our attention. -
EM
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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
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: I
am trying to solder up a jumper from the binding posts on my old Astron 20
amp power supply to my Yaesu FT-897D. The manual wants #10 power cables.
The hole in the binding post is too small and I don't want to cut half the
strands off of the tip of my #10 wire to make it go in. I can connect to the
binding posts with banana connectors, but I have never run 20 amps with
banana connectors. Have you had any experience with this? - Cliff Cheng,
WW6CC, Los Angeles, CA
A: Depending upon what mode and power settings
you select, the current demand will vary on your 897D. The manufacturers
specifications say it may draw up to 22 amps on transmit, so your Astron 20 may
be a little "light". As long as you only run SSB, and keep the power
output to 50 watts or below on AM or FM the 20 amp power supply may be adequate.
A 35 amp power supply would be a much better choice. For wire terminals I
use heavy duty automotive type solder lugs of the correct size. Be sure
to crimp and
solder them. You can buy these at any auto or truck parts supply.
The yellow color type will accept either 10 or 12 gauge wire. -
EM
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ICS PERSPECTIVES
By
First of all I hope all of you had a very merry and blessed Christmas. Let
me wish you a very happy and healthy 2008. I don’t know if you are like me
but I did manage to make (and write down, so as not to forget them) a few New
Year’s resolutions. Two of them have to do with amateur radio, and one of
those with emcomm. The first is to spend some time on the air for the
simple sake of enjoyment. For me that will mean, given my work schedule
and the lack of sunspot activity, some rag chewing on 40, 80, or 160 in the
evenings. I’m so used to the DX and contest aspects of the service that I
need to actually talk on the radio rather than “5-9, and QRZ?”. I need
also, since these days I spend my working life dealing with radio, to find a way
to relax on the air rather than be constantly concerned that every little
technical aspect of my station is working just perfectly. Oh, the hazards
of running a public safety radio system where a system failure could cost
someone their life. For the last few years, I have let that
constantly-serious approach to radio carry over into my “hobby”…to the point
that I have been leaving the ham radios off for days at a time.
As for the emcomm related resolution, it is to recruit at least one more amateur
into our county’s Amateur Radio Communications Team (ARCT) program. And,
to insure that the new member is well grounded in the basics of emcomm, to
include the ability to properly handle formal message traffic. Given
my sometimes “type A” personality, the first resolution will be difficult to
achieve. The second may be as well, so wish me luck. -- 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
7204 kHz (3987
kHz alternate) Jefferson Noon Net (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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NET and TRAFFIC HANDLING
(NOTE: These skills used to be taught to, and learned by, new hams before
they ever went on the air.)
TEN
COMMANDMENTS FOR VOICE OPERATING:
1. Thou
shalt say:
FOXTROT
... NOT "fox." (FOX sound's too much like GOLF)
2. Thou shalt say: KILO ... NOT "kilowatt."
3.
Thou shalt not: Just stop
transmitting when you have completed your transmission and have
everyone guessing if you are done, or if your radio broke, or if you had a power
failure, or if you had a heart attack!
INSTEAD,
say the call sign (or tactical call sign) of the station you are passing it to,
identify with your FCC call sign (or tactical call sign) if you know you will be
transmitting again within ten minutes, and for HF (and VHF/UHF simplex) saying
"OVER" is highly recommended. This will eliminate 99% of
doubling and save an enormous amount of time and confusion.
4.
Thou
shalt say: The proword
"ROGER"
appropriately which
only means:
"I have received and I understand your last transmission."
DON'T say ROGER
(or worse yet ROGER, ROGER) when you mean "yes", "that's correct", or "I agree".
Even
worse, never
say: ROGER? (or ROGER, ROGER?) at the end of a transmission. (Unless you
want to sound like a lid.) Would you send R at the end
of a Morse transmission?
5.
Thou
shalt say: AFFIRMATIVE
to answer a question "yes."
6.
Thou
shalt say: NEGATIVE
to answer "no."
7.
Thou shalt not
say: AFFIRMATIVE
to indicate that you have received and understand the last transmission.
Use
ROGER for that.
8. Thou shalt not
say:
"Repeat" or "please repeat". It sound's too
much like "received."
SAY AGAIN followed by OVER
is unmistakable.
9.
Thou shalt
not
say:
QSL in voice unless you are talking about a
QSL CARD.
10.
Thou shalt not: "QUICK KEY" -- Always allow a 1-2 second pause
before transmitting. (Someone may have a contact call or an
EMERGENCY.)
FOR
MORE INFORMATION TO HELP KEEP YOU FROM SOUNDING LIKE AN UNTRAINED OPERATOR:
• OPERATING PROCEDURES: www.wrrl.org/operating/
TAKE THE TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE AT: http://www.emcomm.org/thc/
TRAFFIC HANDLER'S SUPPLIES:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
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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)
• 5332 kHz "Up" to other 60M channels as necessary. 50W maximum ERP.
(Activated during actual incidents.)
• 7204 kHz
• 14280 kHz
•
CW:
• 1911 kHz
• 3540 kHz
• 3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
• 7111 kHz
• 10119 kHz
• 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
"Record
Message Traffic, by skilled operators, and by RADIO (only)!" It's
about Dependability, Accuracy and Accountability!
ROUTE SIXTY SIX ? (or...ZIG
ZAG COMMUNICATIONS - PART III )
An EM basic studies training module)
In the
November and December 2007 issues of EM, we provided a brief
overview of the effectiveness of the various amateur bands relative to emcomm.
Some readers may have wondered why the 60 meter band and the 6 meter ("The Magic
Band") were not covered.
Below are a few "pros" and "cons" about these two lesser-used amateur bands.
60 METERS
PRO
1. Band is usually not
crowded with hobby radio activities.
2. 5 MHz is very good and
fills a needed gap especially for regional propagation
CON
1. SSB only
2. ERP (Effective Radiated Power) is limited to 50 watts output.
3. Most older transceivers cannot transmit or meet the stability requirements
without modifications.
4. Is "channelized". Cannot tune up or down to avoid noise or interference
5. Fewer hams have stations capable of this "new" somewhat restricted band. One
goal in emcomm is to increase the number available stations.
6 METERS
PRO
1. 4 MHz available.
Yes...FOUR! (This is like having 80 and 40 meters and everything in
between!)
2. Not very active (except during "Sporadic E" openings).
3. ALL modes...but since the band is so wide, antennas must be re-tuned to move
from CW/SSB to FM sub-bands.
4. Good for local FM
(especially mobile, including repeaters), but subject to interference from far
away.
5. Good substitute for overcrowded 2 meter and UHF bands.
6. Except for beacons, power output up to 1500 watts PEP is legal. (Over
100 watts is very uncommon.)
CON
1. Subject to interference
from far away when conditions change.
2. May cause TVI.
3. Requires longer (taller)
antenna on mobiles.
4. Fewer hams have stations capable of this non-mainstream band. One goal in
emcomm is to increase the number available stations.
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TACTICAL CALL SIGNS -- HOW, WHY and WHEN?
An EM basic studies
training module)
Tactical call signs, when used properly by well-trained and practiced operators,
can prevent confusion, save a great amount of time, and also aid in making a net
or operation run smoothly and efficiently. When used improperly, or with
poorly-trained and inexperienced operators, they will usually cause delays and
confusion.
Typically, "tactical call signs" are used during disaster or other emergency
situations to identify
a specific
location
or a function. They are especially helpful when multiple
operators are being rotated (in shifts) at stations such as a shelter, a net
control station, or for a certain job/position (e.g. - logistics or “tech
support”) which may be a mobile unit.
Tactical call signs are also appropriate in regular (daily or weekly) public
service, traffic and other nets. Properly used, they provide training,
practice and experience. They are more commonly used on 'phone nets, but also
can save time on CW nets. In the very early days of radio communication
(all Morse) they were rarely needed since call signs often consisted of just two
or three letters. Now that call signs are much longer, the use of tactical
call signs make a lot of sense.
The use of tactical call signs can be very helpful if "mutual aid" has
been invoked and operators with call signs that may be unfamiliar to "locals"
arrive in an affected area. For example: A station identifying as
"Riverdale EOC"* is immediately known as to where and what it is by everyone on
the net or arriving in an area, regardless who is the operator on duty.
Likewise, stations in the field who want to contact the "Riverdale EOC", can
simply say: "Riverdale EOC", and not have to worry about remembering the FCC
call sign of the operator.
ONE COMMON MISTAKE (often heard) is an operator identifying with the
station's tactical call sign and then says his or her own call sign.
Example: "Riverdale EOC KJ6ERK".
This is
unnecessary and defeats the whole purpose. Amateur
operators only need to identify with their FCC-assigned call sign at the end
of a transmission when they do not expect to transmit again within ten minutes
and at the end of their shift assignment. (Ref. FCC part 97.119)
ALSO, it is redundant and unnecessary to say, "for ID". Saying your call
sign IS your "ID!"
GUIDELINES
for using TACTICAL CALL SIGNS
1. In any NET, INCIDENT, OPERATION or EVENT, every location or station should
have its own unique TACTICAL CALL SIGN.
2. TACTICAL CALL SIGNS should be descriptive such as a LOCATION, "Maple Street
Shelter," a FUNCTION, "Team Leader," or both, "SEATTLE RELAY"
3. Don't use FCC call signs to identify a particular location or function since
it is possible that an operator may be at one tactical location one day and at
another the next day, or even the next hour! But be sure to use FCC-issued
call signs when, and as required, by FCC Part 97.
4. REMEMBER: A TACTICAL CALL SIGN remains the same for a given station and
does NOT change with the time, shift, day or with an operator change.
It remains the same until the net or incident is over.
* It is not recommended that an emcomm station actually be located within
earshot of the "war room" in an EOC. Ideally it is located near by and
written messages are hand carried between the EOC and the radio station.
Also, a message/bulletin board can be a VERY USEFUL TOOL!
A land-line intercom is also very helpful to deliver and receive tactical voice
messages. It is recommended that all
TYPE I ARCTS keep
a self-powered, closed circuit telephone system with enough "twisted-pair" (2
conductor wire), to reach between an EOC, command post, shelter, etc. and the
emergency communications center (ECC) or other field emcomm station. Used field
telephones are widely available from various military surplus supply houses.
======================================================
EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Features D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, as the instructor. The session was taped
live at the U.S.F.S. facility at
Send check payable to:
EMCOMM,
VIEW MORE EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AT:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
======================================================
NEW SUBSCRIBERS
• Steve Zuvicich, KA2HXU, Reno, NV
• Don Ormsby, KØNOD, Syracuse, UT
• Lance Peterson, VA3LP, Rockland, Ontario, Canada - ARES®
• Earle Richardson, KD4IE, Winter Haven, FL
• Robert Sidebottom, KØLQB, Yuma, AZ - ARES® DEC, RACES Chief RACES
Officer (Communications Coordinator)
• Tim Cwik, N2LTQ, Stone Harbor, NJ - ARES®, RACES, SKYWARN
• Morton Sparks, WI7C, Clearfield, UT - ARES®, RACES, CSERG
• Garry R. Blaskie, KB8QJH, Kalamazoo, MI - RACES, SKYWARN
• Gregory Allen, K6GMA, Costa Mesa, CA - Costa Mesa RACES, Orange County Red
Cross
• Jennifer Linden, K7WBB, Canby, CA
• Eric Mauney, W4ENC, Mills River, NC
• Martin Dockery, KI4NAI, Palatka, Fl - ARES®, EC
• William Whittom, N4VDJ, Glasgow, KY - ARES®
• Michael Lodico, K1EG, Glasgow, KY - ARES®
• Andrew Ingraham, KB1NXM, Acton, MA - CAP
• Joel Clements, N7SIY, Cedar City, UT - American Red Cross, RACES, EMCOMM
Manager for RCARC Club.
• Danny Pobre, KH2JU, Barridaga, GUAM - WRRL
• Adam Grose, KC7DVF, Tucson, AZ - Navy-Marine Corps MARS
• Edgar Osborne, K7ZMA, Tucson, AZ
• Emit Hurdelbrink, WØUAW, Aurora, CO - ARES®, RACES
• Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ, Sarasota, FL - Sarasota County ACS, Emergency Coordinator
• David Craven, AC5CU, Saucier, MS - ARES®
RECENT CONTRIBUTOR$ - Thank you for your support!
(The individuals listed below have recently made monetary contributions to help EMCOMM MONTHLY
and
EMCOMM.ORG survive.)
• D. Brite, KB7JZN, Granby, MO
• Doug Barbe, W7GDB, Corvallis, OR
• Russell Davis, N9PTK, Richmond, IN
EMCOMM
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efficient emergency communications during times of disaster or other events
where normal channels of communication may be interrupted or overloaded.
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:
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Mail to: EMCOMM,
SORRY: We have no PayPal®, credit card, or other methods to accept the
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When contacting these fine vendors... tell them
EMCOMM MONTHLY
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Auxiliary Emergency Radio Organization (AERO)
Contact:
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Proceeds go to support AERO.
EmComm Products LLC
Robin (N7GSU) and Kathy (KD7OTY) Faulkner
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(Manufacturer of the RADS 9-11® Rapid Antenna Deployment System ®)
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REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
• ICS-ARCT GUIDE: www.emcomm.org/ARCT/
• WRRL ARCT Page
www.wrrl.org/arct_program/
• TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE: http://www.emcomm.org/thc/
• 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/
• 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
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The opinions expressed by individual contributors do not necessarily reflect the
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ARES®
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For
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EMCOMM MONTHLY,
EM STAFF:
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher -
k6soj@wrrl.org
Bill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor and Webmaster -
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Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Technical Advisor -
k7dxv@wrrl.org
Ed Trump, AL7N - Traffic Editor and Alaska Correspondent -
al7n@wrrl.org
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IN
THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF EMCOMM MONTHLY:
• DXers and EMCOMM
•
NEWS... FEATURES... FEEDBACK.... QSH... and MORE!
IN THE WORKS:
• The FIELD OPERATION DISASTER PORTABLE STATION
EMCOMM MONTHLY -- The Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League - WRRL®
Copyright (c) 2008 - All rights reserved.
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