WORLDWIDE
eDISPATCH
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1 NOVEMBER 2008 - 1745Z
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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. 5 -- No. 4 www.emcomm.org NOVEMBER 2008
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM
PHILOSOPHY
- Conservative or Liberal?
SHORT CIRCUITS - News and Announcements
FEEDBACK,
MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
The EM
ADVISOR - "Q and A"
ICS
PERSPECTIVES - by
WRRL NEWS
and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING
NETWORK
NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE - "The Green Mountain Boy Scouts"
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
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The EM PHILOSOPHY
Are you "Conservative" or "Liberal"?
The 2008 election year is one of the most important election years in the
history of the United States. On November 4, citizen-voters will elect
local, state and national legislators and leaders. The mass media
is flooding our eyes and ears with reports of charges, counter-charges,
speeches, reports, false reports, and explanations of the reports and the false
reports. Campaign TV, radio and internet ads, plus millions of placards
and bumper stickers are everywhere and will remain visible long after the polls
are closed. Whatever results, politicians and pundits will rehash and
dissect all of this until the next election cycle begins. But this is the
price of democracy and liberty.
We hear lots and lots of labeling. The most common labels we hear
are liberal and conservative. Either can be used as a compliment or an
insult, depending upon who is calling whom what. Most people assign the
term
liberal to someone who's politics lean towards "the
left". "Liberal" is a polite way to label someone who prefers the socialist
philosophy. The term
conservative
is usually the label assigned to those on "the right" who advocate a free
enterprise system, or
capitalism, with less
government involvement in private business.
By definition a
liberal
is simply someone who wants and promotes change. They want to try some new ways
and thereby a departure from the "old ways." A
conservative
is someone who wants to preserve "the old ways" and values.
Actually neither term defines any particular political philosophy. The
terms are relative to time and place. For example, at the time of the
American Revolution, the "founding fathers" were very
"progressive/liberal", and the loyalists (loyal to King George) were
"conservative". Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy was labeled a "liberal", but
by today's standards he was quite conservative. Another example: In
today's world, a person in a communist state who promotes freedom, is by
definition, a liberal. And those who want to retain totalitarianism would
be a conservatives.
Liberalism and conservatism are often related to people's ages. Generally
speaking, younger folks are more inclined to adopt and want to try out new
ideas, trends and fashions. On the other hand, older folks are inclined to
want to preserve the "old ways." (The "old fogies are resistant to change"
syndrome.) Older folks believe that
with age
comes knowledge, and that knowledge +
experience = wisdom.
Now (you may ask) what does all this have to do with amateur radio? More
specifically public service and/or emcomm? Within amateur radio there are
liberals and conservatives. We are not addressing anyone's particular
political persuasion, but we are referencing our attitudes and convictions
regarding the amateur service. There are those who believe (often quite
strongly) that the old ways are best and should be preserved. This old
vs. new conflict has existed since the early days of radio. Spark gap vs. CW.
CW vs. 'phone. AM vs. SSB. FM vs. digital voice. Universal message RADIOGRAM
format vs. the ICS 213 form. Emergency communications solely by radio vs.
emergency communications by landline and radio combined.
Label
EM as conservative if you wish, but we still believe that the
older, proven methods of public service radio communications, that have stood
the test of time for decades, are worth keeping. The older ways that were
not worth keeping fell by the wayside long ago. They were abandoned
because they were proved to be obsolete by newer ways that clearly worked
better. The "new" ways (which are often unproven and experimental) will
stand or fall on their own.
Final thought: "All progress is change, but not all change is
progress." We welcome progress, but change for change's sake usually means
someone is advancing a hidden agenda.-
EM
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SHORT CIRCUITS
FROST
FEST - Richmond, VA - Saturday, February 7, 2009
February may seem like a
long way off...but time flies...and early planning is important!
"Frost Fest"
www.frostfest.com
is sponsored by The Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society ("RATS"), and it
is held in the winter when most other amateur radio conventions are being
planned.
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FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
From the Green Mountain
State
"It seems to me that we have
not been including the youth (the next generation of Hams) in our articles.
In a few years we will all be silent keys. (Cough, cough!) We need to
think about grooming the next generation more and more. (You can tell that I
must be an older codger!) I am including a write-up for a project we just
finished with the CERT and the Boy Scouts of America. Their "Radio Merit
Badge" and "Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge" are a great opportunity for us
to recruit and train the next generation of personnel. Take a look at what
we did and let's get the message out that we have to be good Elmers if we want
to keep our mission and capability alive. The Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts
are good places to start. There are probably hundreds of other good places
where we could offer our help and get young people interested in Amateur Radio.
Let's do it!" - Wayne Whitelock, W1WRW, Calais, VT
COMMENT: EM couldn't agree with you more,
Wayne! Your letter prompted me to pull my "Official Boy Scout Signaler"off
the shelf and fondly recall the days when I was a young man. (View at:
http://www.emcomm.org/nostalgia/nostalgia.htm ) It's too bad that the BSA dropped Morse
Code from the requirements for a "Radio Merit Badge" few years ago. But
that notwithstanding, thank you for writing. READERS: Wayne's
article is published in our FEATURE section below . - Editor
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From the mouth of the mighty
Columbia River
"I was glad I was able to check into
the JNN.....conditions are slowly improving on 40..so maybe I'll get a chance to
check in more often. I USUALLY can copy only two or three stations, so I
don't stay in for the roundtable. I am running a TS-450S on a ground
mounted 4-BTV right off my back patio....I am living at Eagle Pointe Village, a
Senior Retirement complex, here in Cathlamet. All nice ground floor
condos, but there are restrictions. I got permission for this set up, but
NO TOWERS OR ROOF ANTENNAS AND ANTENNA CANNOT BE SEEN FROM FRONT OF COMPLEX
(higher than roof top), I am lucky that my back yard faces South!
My mobile rig is a IC-730 and running a Hustler RM-40...all my stations are
'barefoot'. Anyway, wishing you the very best the upcoming Holiday
Season." - Dave Kelley, N7YBZ, Cathlamet, WA
Well, Dave, it was sure nice to hear you back on the air! Even if you can
only copy one station in a public service net, try to stay in the net if you
have the time. Then, if someone has traffic for your general area, or if
they need information, such as a weather or road report, it can always be
handled via a relay. - Editor
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THE EM ADVISOR
The staff of
EMCOMM
MONTHLY is happy to answer your questions to the best of our
ability. Some are
"FAQs" (Frequently Asked Questions) and others are of a specific nature.
Each month, we will answer questions that may have value to other emcomm radio
operators. Technical questions are forwarded to our Technical Advisor, Ed
Ewell, K7DXV. Questions about our ARCT program or NIMS/ICS are forwarded to
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 ordered two EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS "license plates" for my vehicle. I am VERY
PLEASED with the quality. Where can I get some magnetic signs? I've
looked everywhere. - Billy Joe Costiloe, N3VEF, Coraopolis, PA
A:
We are glad to hear that you like our EMCOMM license plates. Sorry, but we
don't offer any magnetic signs for sale. Try
The Sign Man
at:
http://www.thesignman.com/magnetic/index.html - (Tell them
EMCOMM
MONTHLY sent you.) -
Editor
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Q: Subject: Antenna Analyzers. Between the MFJ
269 and the AUTEK RF1 and/or RF5. From your experience with either of
these, which one(s) would you now buy. Or is there another one that may be
out there. The cost of the MFJ and the AUTEK are about the same. Any
comments? -
Jim Samuels,
K6TUG, Redding, CA
A:
I have both an MFJ 259, and an AUTEK RF 1.
Have had both of them about ten years. I don't know how I ever got along
without at least one! The RF 1 is nice for field work since it is "pocket
size" but it is a little more tricky to use. (I am not familiar with the
RF5.) The 259 is easier (for me at least) to use. I have the
259 sitting next to my transmitter connected via a three-way co-axial switch
(the other two cables going to transmitters), and the common cable leading to a
DENTRON
SUPERTUNER, and finally to a 5-pole antenna selector switch .
If I could only have one antenna analyzer, I would choose the MFJ -
Editor.
READERS: If you have a comment or two regarding Jim's
question, send it in for later publication here.
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Q: I have some questions concerning the comments by Ed
"FB" Trump" AL7N, in "Short Circuits" in the October issue of EM. Ed said that
he encouraged monitoring 3540, 7042, and 14050 kHz.
1. If I was lost and came up on one of them (3540) would anyone be listening?
2. Are those frequencies
monitored in the "lower 48" also?
3. If #1 is true, do other
amateur radio operators know about these frequencies?
4. I have not been able to find the WRRL Monday net. I have listened 20
kHz on either side of 14280. I have tried the last three weeks. Am I
missing something?
5. I have not heard any traffic on JNN. Do you send stations with traffic
off freq. to pass it? If so, how far away to you send them?
(Re. QSH - October) I do
not have keys mounted on anything unusual except for a piece of 3/4 inch ceramic
floor tile that I used when I was in Mexico for 18 months. It was the only thing
I could find that was heavy enough to keep the key from bouncing.
I sat inn the air-to-ground
communications station in Rota Spain for three years (late fifties and early
sixties) while in the Navy. When CW went out, they closed my position down and I
took my key and I still have it. It is mounted on the floor tile. The Airedales
(radio operators in planes) were terrible on sending and I criticized them all
the time. I have one of their keys that clips on my leg. I now know why their
sending was so bad. I feel terrible about my criticism. -
Gary Parr,
K7ZNP, Enterprise, OR
A:
Thanks, Gary. Your questions are all valid.
I'll try to answer them one by one.
1. If you were in Alaska,
there is a high probability that someone would hear your signal. (Of course, if
you called on 20 meters your signal might be heard anywhere.) We have no
way to know how many stations might be monitoring at any given time. But
no matter how many there may be, it is safe to say there aren't enough amateurs
who keep their receiver(s) on and set on one (or more) of the listed calling
frequencies while they are in the shack, office or workshop. NOTE: Anyone
transmitting a distress call should be ready to provide their position
(location)* and other pertinent information.
2. EM
and
WRRL are doing all we can to promote public service and
monitoring. In the "lower 48," we advocate/promote the frequencies published
every month (see below). And if our efforts save one life...it is worth
it.
3. Unfortunately, no. Or, at the best..."not many." Of course,
EM
readers are aware, but these frequencies (and radio monitoring in general), are
not widely promoted by other publications. What's worse, the majority of
radio amateurs aren't interested in any of this. Amateur radio has become "only
a hobby" for most hams...and for many, it is little more than "yak-yak-yak,
ratchet jaw, CB." Years ago...the ARRL promoted monitoring designated HF
calling frequencies (both CW and 'phone), and published them every month in
QST.
But that was all dropped many years ago.
4. The WRRL net is at 2000Z on Mondays on 14.280 MHz and down as needed (in 3
kHz increments). When 14.280 is occupied, we usually are on 14.277.
Participation has been low lately due to poor band conditions, and many
operators won't participate if they cannot hear all (or most) stations.
Many fail to realize that they only need to be in contact with one net station
to be in a net and be of potential value as a contact point for their area, or a
relay. (Of course it is always nice when "everyone can hear everyone
else.")
I am hoping that when conditions improve, we will have more serious operators in
our scheduled nets. Curious hobby operators drop in often, but usually
only take up time and are of little value to a public service net. Some
ask for a "radio check." (Of course, neither I nor anyone else has any way
to "check their radio," but we will usually be able to provide a
signal report
(the proper term) as time and conditions permit. I invite them to come
back (unless they are a full-blown lid)...but when most learn that we are a
public service net, they steer clear. I guess they have forgotten (if they
ever knew) what the Basics and Purpose
(FCC Part 97.1) of the amateur service is...or at least is supposed to be.
5. We haven't had any actual third party message traffic on the JNN in
over a month. We used to have more, but with email so popular, easy, and
convenient these days...don't expect much. Of course when the
infrastructure (email, telephone, etc.) breaks down we will have plenty.
The question then will be "how ready will hams be to handle formal message
traffic?" Unfortunately, I think I know the answer.
When I get a traffic listing on the JNN, I may or may not move the traffic off
frequency. This is at the discretion of the NCS. If it is R or W, I
will usually ask all stations to standby until end of net, and invite all
stations to copy the message (for practice). They also may be needed for
relay.
In a busy EMCOMM net, the traffic should be moved to another (designated)
frequency. Usually up or down at least 5 kHz.
Finally, I have one of
those J-45 aeronautical mobile hand keys this is mounted on a spring-steel
"thigh clamp." It was obviously design to fit young (read thin) men! Mine
feels more like a tourniquet! :-) Send a picture of your
hand key affixed to a chunk of the Mexican tile if you can. -
Editor
* Ref. RETRO REVIEW: "What is your Location?" - EM
December 2005 http://www.emcomm.org/em/2005/december2005.htm
Also RETRO
REVIEW: "Sending: POSN"
-
EM
January 2006
http://www.emcomm.org/em/2006/january2006.htm
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ICS PERSPECTIVES
By
A reader indicated that his
county has decided to adopt an ICS-based organizational structure for its RACES
program and wonders how to make that successful given the fact that most of
their RACES personnel are of the frame of mind that they don’t need to practice,
but "will be there to help if something happens".
We are actually dealing with two separate issues here. A number of amateur radio Emcomm groups
have adopted the ICS organizational model and it is something I have discussed
in the past both here and in my former WorldRadio column. The ICS structure (Operations, Planning,
Logistics and Finance) makes sense though the finance part may not be
particularly relevant to many Emcomm organizations.
It isn’t the structure or organizational model that is at issue here. Emcomm organizations, whether they use
the ICS organizational model or not, can be successful but not unless on-going
training is part of the equation. To
expect volunteers of any sort to be proficient in an emergency without
familiarization with equipment set-up and use, without traffic handling
proficiency, and without on-going “practice” working within whatever
organizational structure is in place is to expect the impossible. If the current organizational model
(non-ICS) is not producing trained and properly equipped Emcomm operators, a
switch to an ICS-based structure will not, in and of itself, have any different
outcome.
To be good at anything (communicating, target shooting, bowling, baseball, etc.)
requires practice. The real decision
is not whether to be ICS-based or not.
The real decision is whether or not the group wants to be good at what
they do and, if so, whether they are willing to devote the effort necessary to
attain that.
73 from NE Oregon de N7WR
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WRRL NEWS and NETS
∙ REGIONAL
EMCOMM NETS
(ALL SERIOUS EMCOMM STATIONS WELCOME):
Pacific (and Mountain) Time Zones: PTZNN (aka Jefferson Noon Net/JNN)
daily at 1200 PTZ on 7214± kHz (3911± kHz alternate)
Central (and Eastern) Time Zones: CTZNN Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at
1200 CTZ
on
7214± kHz
∙ WRRL NET
on MONDAYS on 14.280 MHz USB (Alternate: 14.270 or somewhere "in between.")
2000Z (When on Daylight Saving Time) and 2100Z (When on Standard Time)
∙ 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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"Record Message Traffic, by skilled operators, and by RADIO (only)!"
It's about Dependability, Accuracy and Accountability!
NET and TRAFFIC HANDLING
LINCOLN NOON NET - LNN
(CTZNN) M-W-F
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, and
FRIDAYS at 1200 CTZ on 7214 kHz ± LSB.
All emcomm stations in the
Central (U.S.) Time Zone, PLUS the Eastern and Mountain Time Zones are
invited to check in.
JEFFERSON NOON NET -
JNN (PTZNN) DAILY
DAILY at 1200 PTZ on 7214
kHz ± LSB. (3911 kHz alternate)
Stations in the MTZ (and CTZ if the band is very long) are also welcome!
The LNN and the JNN are for operators who want to learn and/or practice proper
net operating procedures and standardized traffic handling skills.
Stations in the MTZ (band conditions permitting) can potentially participate in
both of these nets, and thereby provide a relay
circuit between the east coast and the west coast on 40 meters three times a
week! It is anticipated that the LNN will eventually become a daily
circuit.
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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”
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.)
• 7214 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 / 3570 kHz 2300Z-1100Z
During EMERGENCIES: 7111
kHz daytime, 3570 kHz nighttime.
(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
EM EXCLUSIVE
"THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOY
SCOUTS"
by Wayne
Whitelock, W1WRW, Calais, VT
A
Joint Emergency Communications Demonstration by the Green Mountain Council of
the Boy Scouts of America Jubilee at Plymouth State Park Camp, Vermont, VEM/CERT
Emergency Preparedness, RACES and ARES®.
October 3-5, 2008
After several days of preparation and coordination, Wayne Whitelock (W1WRW)
and Julie Benedict (AHSVD, LEPC#5) signed on with the VEM (Vermont Emergency
Management) State Duty officer at 08:00 hrs, Friday, 10/3/08 and proceeded to
move the LEPC#5 (Local Emergency Planning Commission #5) CERT Trailer from
Berlin to the Camp Plymouth State Park, in Plymouth, Vermont. There we set
up Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communications literature, displays, and
a hands-on Merit Badge area where scouts of all ages could work on their
Emergency Preparedness and Radio Merit Badge requirements. After becoming
functional, we monitored all the published RACES/VEM frequencies starting about
16:00 hrs. We checked in on the Green Mountain net at 17:00 hrs. and found good
coverage from the signal reports both in VT and as far away as PA and NY.
The IC 706MKIIG with the AH-4 proved to be an excellent HF (and VHF/UHF) system
for mobile/emergency use.
At 09:00 hrs on Saturday, 10/4/08 the scouts descended on us after finishing
their breakfast meals. We experienced a steady stream of Cub, Boy,
Pioneer, Explorer, and Eagle Scouts as well as an appropriate and matching
number of Troop Leaders, Council Executives, Staff, and parents throughout the
day. Everything went well. Then about lunch time, a VNG (Vermont
National Guard) Medical Evacuation Helicopter (Blackhawk) started circling the
assembly area and everyone assembled with flags and banners as it landed. The
Governor arrived and over 2,000 attendees rounded out a rousing “Adopt a Park”
speech by the Governor with the singing of “God Bless America.” It was a
moving and appropriate experience for any American.
We continued throughout the afternoon following the ceremony until we finally
had to send scouts back to their troops for dinner. I estimate we had over
400 scouts participate in the activities we set up. Many of the scouts
made contacts all over the country on 20, 40, and 80 meters. We used the
Motorola special events station in Orlando Florida for several contacts as they
were delighted to help the scouts get their Radio Merit Badges which required an
actual QSL. Throughout the day the signal reports were 5/9 and the
literature was snatched up as fast as we could put it out. That and warm
sunshine made for a perfect day. I guess all’s well that ends well!
One of the most popular activities was the enactment of a mock “incident” in
which we used the 146.490 FM simplex frequency to provide “field reports” back
to the “Command Trailer” from scout teams sent into the woods with hand held
transceivers. They did everything from inspecting the lake level and
reporting the temperature to counting the number of cars in the front parking
area – anything to lead an expedition and report back by radio. Not only
did they learn radio procedures (or at least something like it), but they got
lots of exercise and had fun. Simultaneously, the HF rig was in full use,
so it was a very realistic introduction to the atmosphere of Emergency
Communications.
One of the most important aspects of the demo was the coordination it took to
get everyone on the same sheet of music. The original request for a “Ham
Radio Station” came to Tom Long (KB1NGQ) and was brought to CVARC (Central
Vermont Amateur Radio Club), the LEPC#5, and VEM to see if this would be a good
opportunity to help scouts throughout the state and their Troop Leaders learn
more about Emergency Communications. All three organizations were
enthusiastic about the idea. The LEPC#5 supported it and endorsed it. Rob
Schell (KA1ZPI) at VEM also endorsed it and said it could be done under the
State of Vermont as a CERT activity. Many CVARC members (three
months out) said they would help out. Response was particularly good after the
following note was run in CVARC’s QFQ, the monthly Newsletter.
HAM Radio volunteers needed on October 3,4,and 5,
2008 at the Plymouth State Park in Plymouth, Vermont.
Under the
sponsorship of Vermont Emergency Management (VEM), through the Local Emergency
Planning Commission #5 (LEPC#5), Members of the Central Vermont Amateur Radio
Club (CVARC) and the Washington County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
will join to provide a demonstration of the communications and community service
resources available at times of disaster through the use of the new CERT
Disaster Communications Trailer as part of the Radio Amateur Communications
Emergency Services (RACES) and Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) networks.
The
demonstration will be held in cooperation with the Green Mountain Council of the
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Scouting Jubilee, on October 3,4,and 5, 2008 at the
Camp Plymouth State Park in Plymouth Vermont. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts,
Explorers, and scout leaders from throughout Vermont will be given the
opportunity to experience hands-on Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications
activities, both as part of their Badge programs and as an orientation to
emergency radio communications. We will be operating on HF, VHF, and UHF
bands.
We need
licensed Hams to help run the program. Transportation and food will be
reimbursed by VEM through their CERT Training and Outreach Program. Responders
will be covered by the VEM as deployed personnel because the CERT demonstration
deployment has been authorized by VEM. You status will be logged in with the VEM
Duty Officer while you are on duty as a volunteer. Please see attached flyer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coordination continued with the BSA leadership in Waterbury. Judith
Christensen, David Osborne, and Robert Byrne all helped provide information on
requirements and sample worksheets for the various BSA Merit Badges. John
Malinowski (K1JCM) provided detailed information on his previous activities with
the BSA Radio Merit Badge program and much appreciated practical advice. Bob
Allen (KB1FRW) helped with the processing of the Radio Merit Badge paperwork.
Unfortunately, the RACES annual conference was scheduled for the same date, so
most of the Saturday contingent were called by other duties; however, there were
enough willing hands and helping hearts to make everything flow nicely.
The day was done. It was time to pack up and go home. The Trailer
was returned to Berlin. A late snack and a final report to the VEM Duty
Officer to clear the operation marked the last official activities of the
project. After sleeping in the trailer, boy did a real bed at home feel
good! I thought to myself, we planted a flag today! We invited the
youth of our state to join us in Emergency Communication and Disaster
Preparedness. We did a good thing. I hope we encouraged the next
generation of Hams. If we did, it was a day well spent.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Julie Benedict,
Judith Christensen, David Osborne, Bernard Byrne, John Malinowski (K1JCM), Rob
Schell (KA1ZPI), and Tom Long (KB1NGQ) for their efforts on behalf of the Boy
Scouts of America Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Demo held
on October 3-5 at the Camp Plymouth State Park, Vermont.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's note: To read about the original
"Green Mountain Boys"
go to:
http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/allen.htm
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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
• 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
• NOAA/NWS WINDCHILL CHART:
http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/index.shtm
• STANDARD TIME ZONE SCALE: http://www.travel.com.hk/region/timezone.htm
• HOSPITAL DISASTER SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (HDSCS): http://www.hdscs.org
• 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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D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher -
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