WORLDWIDE
eDISPATCH
- 1 MAY 2009 - 0004Z
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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. 10
www.emcomm.org May 2009
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The EM PHILOSOPHY
- THE
ENJOYMENT OF EMCOMM
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 - USPS
ABBREVIATIONS
NETWORK
NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE
- UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATIONS
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
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The EM PHILOSOPHY
THE
ENJOYMENT OF EMCOMM -
by D. W. Thorne, Editor
Most hams get into amateur radio for enjoyment. It is common to hear or
read what a "great hobby" it is. Although the word
hobby cannot
be found in FCC Part 97,
I have even heard some hams proclaim that "it is only a hobby" and its purpose
is fun! By and large, the majority of hams avoid training for and participating
in public service communications. Many consider emcomm only as an option
for those who may be interested, and few view it as a responsibility. So
be it.
FCC Part 97.1 states
service to
the public as the primary purpose of amateur radio. However, in
addition to being a responsibility and a resource, public service/emcomm can also be
very rewarding.
Learning geography, names of places, tuning up, dials, gauges, needles, glowing
tubes, weather observation and reporting, adventure, and great camaraderie, are
only a few of the many non-pecuniary rewards of
public service!
I still enjoy turning on my rig, switching to the proper antenna, double
checking the SWR, warming up my "one lung" amplifier (an AL80B with its lone
3-500Z), adjusting the PLATE and LOAD capacitors, making sure that I have a cup
of coffee and a water bottle handy, that several pens are handy and that my
logbook is ready. I also keep a pile of maps, an atlas and other reference
materials within easy reach. If I am net control, I check my station
clock against WWV, and then call for a signal report "from any net station"
before starting the net.
Currently, my favorite net is the Jefferson Noon Net (JNN) on 40 meters.
This wide-area public service net (JNN serves the western U.S. plus Canada and
Mexico) produces a great deal of enjoyment for all of the participants.
It primary focuses on public service net discipline, but it also has a social
component. The object is to promote practice and demonstrate proper net
discipline, but also allows each station a minute or two to participate in a
round table, by giving a brief weather report, signal reports, or (time
permitting) ask a technical question or discuss other radio-related topics.
One of the more enjoyable aspects (to me at least), is hearing stations check in
from out-of-the-way (read:
remote)
locations. I like the names of many places, especially those with
Point, Fort,
Springs, Bay, Port, Island, Mountain, and even
Ranch or
Rancho as part of their name.
On the tactical side of the emcomm coin, over the years, being active in public
service communications has greatly expanded and enriched my list of life
experiences into many new and exciting activities that I may have never enjoyed.
To name a few: off-road rallies, mountain bike races, equestrian events,
spelunking, boating events, parades, Bar-B-Ques and festivals, and
even...hot-air ballooning! Add to this some common emcomm-related
duties such as Search and Rescue, volunteer fire lookout, and disaster relief.
The list is endless!
TEN TOP REASONS FOR ENJOYING EMCOMM:
1. You get to learn about places that you have never heard of.
2. You get to visit places you would probably never visit. By radio
and/or in person.
3. You get to learn about various time zones.
4. You get to meet people and make new friends.
5. You get to learn how to improvise.
6. You get to improve your spelling and other clerical skills.
7. You get to learn about weather patterns and how to properly
report observations.
8. You get to assemble field radio and "go kits"...and use them.
9. You get to encounter less lids than in other aspects of amateur radio.
10. You reap a "spiritual" reward. The sheer pleasure of serving in and of
itself. Of giving back or contributing. Of a job well done.
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SHORT CIRCUITS
CLARIFICATION
Last month we said: "...consider avoiding using the _ (underscore) and/or the .
(dot) in your email address. Since punctuation is not used in
RADIOGRAMS
(except the slant bar /). If an email address is included in the text of a
RADIOGRAM, these symbols have to be spelled out."
What we should have said is: "...consider avoiding the (dot) in your email
address (except for the obligatory "dot" before the last three characters in the
address.) In message traffic the letter R is used for "dot" or
"decimal". Example, send k6soj@wrrl.org in
message traffic as: K6SOJ AT WRRLRORG. -
Editor
Also see "Q and A" in the June 2008 issue at:
http://www.emcomm.org/em/2008/june2008.htm
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NEW EMCOMM MESSAGE TOOLS PAGES
Check the main page at: www.emcomm.org and
www.wrrl.org
(These are PDF files.)
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INARES DIGITAL NET
Indiana ARES® digital net is every Tuesday at 2000 EDT / 0000Z 3583 USB - Olivia
500/16. All emcomm stations are welcome!
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EMCOMM WEST
May 1-3, 2009 - Circus Circus, Reno, NV
www.emcommwest.org/
EMCOMM EAST
October 3, 2009 - St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY www.emcommeast.org/
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FEEDBACK,
MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
BOTTOM GUNS and BUGS
(Editor's note: K6DBF is a retired submariner,
hence the "Bottom Gun" on his cap. View at:
www.emcomm.org/em/shacks
"Here is a picture of my shack and me for your Show Us Your Shack
page. The bug I'm using is a Vibroplex from about 1928 and it still works
perfectly.
"When I was a kid, I used to collect radio handbooks for seagoing operators.
Also had some books for railroad telegraphers and also naval radio operators.
And of course, those wonderful books on radio theory (including a WW-I Army
Signal Corp Radio Handbook and also one on making spark gap transmitters from
about 1908). Fortunately, my dad did not throw the books away when I went to
summer camp, so I still have all of them to this day. Lucky for me that my dad
felt that books were something special--never to be gotten rid of. Too bad he
did not feel the same way about my baseball card collection. I'd be a rich
guy today!
"In the Navy, the only way which one could use a bug on a naval circuit was by
having the Speed-key Cert. If you got on a circuit with a bug without having
that cert (even if you were a well qualified op), you could get into a world of
trouble. I used my own bug, the same one in the picture. I still have the box
for it--leather covered wood with felt inside and dampers to keep the arm from
moving.
"Those railroad telegraphers were supernatural in the speeds which some of them
obtained. Believe or not, some of them could operate two bugs
simultaneously, each hand sending a different message. I could never understand
how they could do this until I saw an older Navy Chief (who had been an active
duty radioman for almost 43 years when I was still in), actually send a bunch of
traffic with one hand, drink a cup of coffee with the other, and have a
conversation with someone else, all at the same time. I also hear that news and
sports (track) telegraphers were able to do some amazing things also. These guys
had their own modified version of the code, and hummed along easily at 50 - 75
WPM.
"I believe that code is a right brain function--kind of like drawing. When you
have to think about it, you're done for. I believe that Candler (who was at one
time supposed to be the fastest CW copier in the world at 125 WPM during the
1920s) said that he realized that when he was in the twilight stage of sleep,
not totally awake but not totally asleep, he was able to listen to and to
understand code at very high speeds without any difficulty. When he tried those
same speeds while fully awake, he could not do it. So he developed a system of
study, based on his own experience. It was pretty popular at one time (up
through the 1930s). There's a code course in book form which he wrote. I've been
looking for a copy of it for years.
"By the way, I forget where I read it, but the first cases of Carpel Tunnel
Syndrome (even though it was not called this way back when) appeared in
telegraphers. I forget what they called it something like dead fist or petrified
fist> (It was called "glass arm". - Editor). The early bugs
advertised that their use would prevent the condition from occurring--and of
course allow greater speeds easily--and they were right on both accounts." -
Mike Hyman, K6DBF, San Diego, CA
Editor's comment: I have never served as a commercial, military, or naval
telegrapher, but manage to plug along at about 12-15 wpm. I hear that in
Europe CW is treated as a competitive sport and speed (and accuracy) contests
are common. (Too bad that has never caught on in the U.S.) Thanks
for the interesting letter...and love that "BOTTOM GUN" (with dolphins) baseball
cap! - 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.
Q:
In one of the monthly issues of EM, I seem to remember you covered standard
operating procedures to include the use of the word "break".....Could you please
narrow my search and tell me which issue that was. Thank you, Gary
Jones, WB7DIE.
A:
I don't know what specific instance you are referring to, since we have covered
the appropriate use of the proword "BREAK" in
EM
numerous times
If you go to PROCEDURE WORDS
AND PHRASES at
http://www.wrrl.org/operating/icao_radiotelephony.htm you will find
that "BREAK" (BT in CW) indicates: "I hereby indicate the
separation between portions of the message." (To be used when there is no clear
distinction between the text and other portions of the message.)
Also, the ARRL says (ref. ARRL FSD-218) that saying "BREAK" on 'phone (BK on
CW) may be used to interrupt a net or other stations to indicate "let me in."
Other variations are: "BREAK-BREAK" (I have an EMERGENCY), and in (urrgh)
"CB jargon" such as "breaker one nine" etc.
A more efficient and less confusing way to "break" into a net is to use a
hail sign.
In CW, the first letter of the suffix of your call sign works very well.
For example I (K6SOJ) send di di dit. On phone I may say "S O J" or say
a TACTICAL call sign such as - "MACDOEL RELAY." Using a hail sign lets the NCS
immediately know what station or who is calling. -
Editor
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ICS PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry
Boyd, N7WR, Associate Editor and ICS Advisor
This will be the third and final column dealing with the assistance that
home-based stations can provide to the emcomm mission in times of emergency or
disaster. The first two segments
dealt with the reasons why some emcomm volunteers may be unable to accept field
assignments as well as some of the important services such operators can perform
from home. This month we will
address the equipment and preparation which home stations need to be effective.
The three most important aspects of reliable home based communications are: reliability of the power source; target
hardening of the antenna system; and proficiency in handling message traffic
accurately. In a major incident,
commercial power systems may well be disrupted.
Having a battery backup or generator (actually both, as the generator can
be used with a battery charger to keep batteries “up”) is extremely important. The station antennas need to not fail. In some types of emergencies that is not
necessarily an issue. However, if
the event is a tornado, hurricane, major windstorm or powerful earthquake,
antenna survivability may be tested.
Finally, being able to accurately handle message traffic using the
universal message format is critical.
Other preparations which ought to be considered include: pre-event preparation for personal and
family survival of the event if the home-based operator has insufficient food
and water or has to be concerned about his family/loved ones, his or her
availability is questionable); having available a means of recording radio
traffic (see the April column); an adequate supply of pens, pencils and
notepads. These are just some of
the many factors that one who anticipates being a home-based emcomm asset should
consider.
As is my annual summer practice, I will be taking the next three months off from
writing this column. However,
please feel free to contact me with your suggestions regarding the subject
matter of future columns. Have a
great summer and 73 from NE Oregon de N7WR
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WRRL NEWS and NETS
Pacific (and Mountain) Time Zones: PTZNN (aka Jefferson Noon Net/JNN)
daily at 1200 PTZ on 7214/± kHz (7204 and 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 (listen up or down the band as much as 20 kHz)
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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USPS ABBREVIATIONS
Recently,
a traffic relay station in Alaska received a RADIOGRAM for forwarding. The
precedence was W (welfare) and it was a disaster inquiry following the recent
tornados in the Midwestern U.S. Although it was riddled with procedural
errors, the message could still be deciphered and understood. But there
was just one problem: the address was not to Alaska (AK), but to Arkansas (AR)!
Apparently someone, somewhere used the postal abbreviation for Alaska (AK).
So...that's where it went!
This is only one of many examples of the sad state of affairs amateur radio is
in. But we'll keep "harping." It doesn't matter what mode you are
using, traffic handlers MUST KNOW AND USE PROPER PROCEDURES...EVERY
SINGLE TIME! (This applies to TACTICAL traffic as well
as formal message traffic.) If you can't do the job properly...get off the
air...and let someone who knows what they are doing...handle it!
USPS ABBREVIATIONS (PDF file) at:
http://www.emcomm.org/files/USPS_Postal_Abbreviations.pdf
"Record Message Traffic, by skilled operators, and by RADIO (only)!"
It's all about Dependability, Accuracy and Accountability!
NOTE: "Record Message Traffic" means that a record is
kept of all traffic you handle, (for at least a period of one year), in the
event a question comes up later. It also
documents
that YOU did your job properly and correctly! (Assuming that you
did...of course.)
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EMCOMM and TRAFFIC HANDLING NETS
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. (7204 and 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
This article first appeared in
EM
in December 2004. With the vacation season almost upon us, people
everywhere will soon be taking to the beach, the mountains, the deserts and the
rivers to "recreate". Some will even be descending into caves of the earth!
It is time to review this highly specialized type of emcomm....just in the event
you are called upon to provide underground emcomm. (Sorry, this is NOT
about clandestine operations. We don't need that...at least not yet!)
UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATIONS - Part I (updated)
by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
This
article ONLY discusses underground communications. There are many other
aspects skills necessary before anyone attempts caving. Safety is
paramount. Proper lighting, protective clothing and other specialized
gear, proper disposing of waste, etc. If you live in an area with caves or
cave systems, contact a local or state cave (or "spelunking") group for advice
and instruction.
In July 1999 the National Cave Rescue Commission conducted a national Operations
and Management Seminar and Training Session at Lava Beds National Monument in
eastern Siskiyou County, (at the far northern end of California). The
event included both classroom and field rescue training seminars spread out over
200 square miles.
The Lava Beds N.M. is considered "undeveloped" and boasts dozens of caves and
cave systems open to the general public. Only one cave, near the visitor's
center is "developed". (Lighted, stairs and guard rails, and self-guided
tour information.)
I was the EC of the Siskiyou County ARES® team in 1998, and we were asked to
provide a communications network for the 8 day event. Volunteers were
recruited and schedules were developed to provide 4 to 8 operators on duty every
day.
A base station was established at the Tulelake (CA) Fairgrounds some 20 miles
away and a second base was set up at the park's HQ. Mobile/portable
stations were assigned to the 2 or 3 sites where training events were
scheduled on a particular day. Radio traffic from these field stations
(mostly at cave entrances) was relayed to one of the base stations who had solid
contact with each other. Above-ground radio communications were handled
entirely using VHF SIMPLEX (2 meters) without any significant problems.
During this event (and at previous other SAR training in the caves),
experimentation with underground communications was provided. What
follows are some anecdotal findings and are offered here to provide some
stimulus to get you thinking about underground communications. I have not
been able to find a whole lot of concrete information from other sources on this
subject.
At Lava Beds N.M., the deepest cave extends back about 1.5 miles. Compared
to other caves and cave systems (and mines) around the world, this is "kid
stuff". However, if you are lost, injured, or your light source is
extinguished; a mile-and-a-half is a
very long
way to grope your way to the outside world and help!
Suppose your team has been called upon to provide emcomm for a cave or mine
rescue operation. Do you know what equipment is needed? Do you know
what might work and what won't work?
Experienced and prepared underground rescue teams have traditionally relied upon
dedicated telephone circuits and will normally arrive equipped and prepared.
(Don't bother with a cell phone. They are not edible and don't even much
light.) However, the cave/mine may be in a very remote location, and radio
communications may be warranted to provide contact between the cave (or mine)
entrance staging area and/or command post and other locations. Therefore,
an above-ground radio emcomm network should be established.
But suppose that the cave rescue team's portable field (closed landline)
telephones are not available or malfunction? Wouldn't it be nice to be
able to help? Here's how your team might prepare:
For a telephone circuit, you'll need a "quantity sufficient" of two-conductor
wire. Just about anything will work over distances up to a few
miles. Bell wire, lamp cord, TV twin lead, surplus "aerial drop" telephone
wire (this stuff is so strong you can tow a vehicle with it...but...it is very
heavy!) . Whatever you can "scrounge up" on the surplus market will probably
work, but select as light a wire as possible. "Twisted Pair" field
telephone wire is typically sold in 1/4 mile rolls and varies widely in price.
Try to buy it already on a spool if possible. I bought two quarter-mile
lengths and they arrived coiled up, but not on spools! It was NOT fun
winding it onto spools!
Cave rescue teams often lay out a twisted pair as they descend. The line is
left in place until the job is done. Anyone with a telephone set equipped
with two alligator clips can then tap in at any point along the route by simply
scraping the insulation off. Keep the two bare points about 12" apart to
avoid contact with each other. It is not usually necessary to tape the
connection points, but the bare spots should be "flagged" with some reflective
or light color tape to let others know about any pre-existing connect
point(s). An underground rescuer now has communications with the cave entrance
station.
Of course, at least two portable telephones that are rugged enough for emergency
field duty will be needed. Sadly, these instruments are rapidly going the
way of the caboose and manual transmissions! This may sound strange coming
from a radioman, but recently I tried to find an "wired" intercom to install
between home and shop. Much to my dismay,
everything
being offered today on the consumer market seems to have gone "wireless"!
The few non-wireless intercom units that are available are designed to
work through your 120 volt "house wiring".
Neither of these types are of any use for field communications...especially cave
rescue work! I also checked out a few "cheap" standard telephones.
"Cheap" doesn't even begin to describe them, plus they need up to a 48 volt
dc power source. Here is a partial list of what may be available (that is
useable):
• EE-8
Field Telephones (my choice). Either U.S., Dutch, French or
???. (They are all basically the same.) I have two French Army
units. They are practically indestructible and easy to service/repair.
• U.S.
(military) "old style" Field Telephones
(Both of the above types require two "D" cells each.)
• "Farm
Phones" - These units used to be offered for sale just about
everywhere for about $3.00 each. They consist of simple handset with a
couple of alligator clips on a wire and were intended to be used by clipping
onto a barbed wire fence. Some were "sound powered" and others required a
couple of D cells. I wish I could find some. Keep YOUR eyes open at
estate, bankruptcy, farm, yard sales and flea markets.
UNDERGROUND
RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS
•
VHF and UHF FM - Don't rule these bands/mode out. They can
provide limited underground coverage in many situations. As with all radio
signals, it depends upon the signal path. 1/4 mile is not that unusual
even if there is no "line of sight". Also, consider equipping all persons
with an FRS HT. Then, every non-ham is a potential relay. In our
field tests at the Lava Beds N.M., we learned that there are "radio corridors"
from underground spaces to the surface. The trick is to keep a radio
operator on the surface directly above the underground operator. This
takes skill, experience, some experimentation, and patience! A good map of
the cave or mine system and a GPS receiver are extremely helpful.
• 11
METERS (CB) - Believe it or not, a CB AM HT may work for some
distance in underground settings. (Again, no license required.) I've
heard that a signal will "follow" a single (or double?) wire laid out along an
underground route to the surface. No actual connection is made between the
radio(s) and the wire. I have not tested using this technique...but may do
so when the opportunity presents. I would be interested in hearing from
any of our readers who have tried this (whether it works or not.)
•
VLF and LF Radio - These frequencies are in the experimental
realm of the mysterious. Those of our readers who may be looking for
a sparsely explored area of radio may want to venture "down there". Some
research and testing has been done in England. This URL has some very
intriguing links:
http://radiolocation.tripod.com/
Underwater cave exploration
communications is an even more specialized frontier.
Read about it at:
http://www.floridasprings.org/expedition/dispatch2/
A
FEW SOURCES FOR SURPLUS TELEPHONE AND OTHER FIELD GEAR:
Try searching on eBay or these commercial mail order supply houses:
• Cheaper Than Dirt
www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/default.asp
• Sportsman's Guide
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/
• Crusty Old Joe
http://209.165.152.119/ee8.html
(Pictures, schematics and other hard-to-find information)
• Lee Frank, K3ECD
http://www.surplustuff.com/
"Surplus, Military and Industrial"
(Telephones, radios, medical items, and tons of other interesting things.)
NEXT MONTH: UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATIONS - Part II -
by Don Cantrell, ND6T
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EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
View at:
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$10.00 each or 2 for $18.00 - postpaid
Or, outfit your emcomm team by ordering:
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Mail check or money order to:
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RADIOGRAM TRAINING DVD
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MORE EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AT:
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• Bob Case, WE1DUX,
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• Art Hochberg, KI6LAQ, Solana Beach, CA - ARES®
• Gene Clark, W6HNE, Clovis, CA
• David Lolling, KD9GN, Lincoln, IL
• Orion Thrower, KE7VLC, Apache Junction, AZ
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RECENT CONTRIBUTOR$ - Thank you for your support!
The individuals listed below have recently made monetary contributions to help EMCOMM MONTHLY
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No contributions were received this month.
EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG are private (non-government, non-commercial) endeavors and
are funded by donations from emcomm operators who are concerned about preserving
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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/is700a.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
EM
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EM,
or its staff.
ARES®
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EMCOMM MONTHLY,
EM STAFF:
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher - k6soj@wrrl.org
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Ed "FB" Trump, AL7N - Traffic Editor and Alaska Correspondent -
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EM
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