TO: OR-NorCAL-NV Regional VHF and HF A.R.E.S. Stations
SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs in OR District 5 and CA Districts 1, 2;
ARRL Officials and other HF EMCOMM stations
Selected EMCOMM and Public Safety Officials
FROM: D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, SEC, SV Section (North)
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
ACS Officer MAR III California OES
www.qsl.net/k6soj
THE “5-1-2 BULLETIN” - 31 OCT 2000 - No. 26
“PREPAREDNESS....IS A RESULT OF DILIGENCE”
THIS WEEK:
1 - W.A.R.N. - GET READY FOR WINTER!
2 - BECOME AN “OFFICIAL EMERGENCY STATION”
3 - SKYWARN NEWS - UPDATE
4 - A SUPER EMERGENCY SERVICE TWO METER ANTENNA
5 - REMINDER TO EMERGENCY COORDINATORS
6 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ...
7 - COMING ATTRACTIONS
8 - WEDNESDAY REGIONAL ARES NETS - REMINDER
1 - A.R.E.S. WEATHER AND ROAD NETS - “W.A.R.N.”
This past week the northern California area saw its first winter storm. Although it was
fairly mild, it is a reminder that it is time to prepare for winter.
For the past several years A.R.E.S. teams in the northern California and southern Oregon
region have conducted “Weather and Road Nets” during winter storm events.
As the SEC
for the Sacramento Valley Section (North), I am inviting all ARES units, to participate in
these nets on an “as needed” basis.
THE PURPOSE OF W.A.R.N. is: “To assist with, and promote, safe travel during
weather conditions when travel may be unusually hazardous; to provide accurate and timely
information to local, state, and federal agencies, especially the National Weather
Service; and to provide a training vehicle for amateur radio operators who wish to
improve their operating skills while providing a worthwhile public service.
HERE’S HOW A REGIONAL W.A.R.N. WORKS:
a) - When a winter storm or other severe weather event occurs, local ARES units
activate a local W.A.R.N. per your usual county plan. (Local repeater, simplex
channel, etc.)
b) - Nets are typically activated around sundown (when roads start to “freeze
up”); and close down around 2200L when travel ceases (for prudent drivers).
c) - HOWEVER...a W.A.R.N. may run up to 24 hours a day in very severe events.
d) - In multi-county or regional events, a REGIONAL ARES W.A.R.N. is activated by an SEC,
a DEC, or an EC. HF A.R.E.S. stations take turns as monitors and/or net control
stations.
e) - Use frequencies listed in A.R.E.S. “mutual aid plans”. (Northern
California is 7232 LSB daytime, 3987 LSB nighttime.) Adjacent sections (E.g. - OR,
NV, SF, SJV) with counties
affected by the event, who need information or wish to pass traffic, are welcome and
encouraged to participate.
f) - LOCAL (county) NET traffic and information will passed at the “top” of each
hour for forwarding.
g) - REGIONAL NET traffic and information will be passed at the “bottom” of the
hour.
h) - A radio “watch” on local or regional nets, may be maintained continuously
if operators are available and interested.
i) - The EC or an AEC in each affected / participating county, schedules Net Control
Stations, so their area will be represented in the regional net.
j) - All stations keep a log, documenting weather and road information, traffic, etc.
k) - Pertinent information will be forwarded to National Weather Service stations.
l) - A.R.E.S. nets will interface and co-operate with SKYWARN. Medford, OR NWS
(Oregon Section), and Hanford, CA NWS (San Joaquin Valley Section) now have SKYWARN
programs.
m) - All A.R.E.S. operators are encouraged to become NWS “Official Weather Spotters).
n) - Particular focus will be on (but not limited to) major highways (Interstate 5, US
395, US 101, etc.)
o) - CAUTION: Although most amateur operators strive for accurate reporting, there
have been a few incidents where exaggerated or bogus information has been reported.
All ARES operators need to be aware of this potential problem. If you don’t
know the operator, and the report sounds suspicious, attempt to verify the report from
another source before forwarding. Or, foward it labeled as “uncomfirmed”.
A.R.E.S. operators, and NWS WX Spotters can be relied upon. Be sure to enter
callsigns (and NWS assigned WX Spotter numbers) in your log, and forward when requested by
the NCS.
p) - PACKET, PSK31, and other digital modes are encouraged, and may be utilized, as much
as possible.
q) - COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, ON THIS EMERGING SERVICE ARE INVITED.
2 - BECOME AN OFFICIAL EMERGENCY STATION!
Are you a serious, proficient, and dedicated A.R.E.S. operator?
Then here is something you may be interested in:
Official ARRL Field Organization Appointment Description -
Amateur operators may be appointed as an Official Emergency Station (OES) by their
(SEC) or (SM) at the recommendation of the , or (if no EC) holding
jurisdiction. The OES
appointee must be an ARRL member and set high standards of emergency preparedness and
operating. The OES appointee makes a deeper commitment to the program in terms of
functionality than does the rank-and-file ARES registrant. The requirements and
qualifications for the position include the following:
Full ARRL membership; experience as an ARES registrant; regular participation in the local
ARES organization including drills and tests; participation in emergency nets and actual
emergency situations; regular reporting of activities.
The OES appointee is appointed to carry out specific functions and
assignments designated by the appropriate EC or DEC. The OES appointee and the presiding
EC or DEC, at the time of the OES appointment, will mutually develop a detailed,
operational function/assignment and commitment for the new appointee. Together, they will
develop a responsibility plan for the individual OES appointee that makes the best use of
the individual's skills and abilities. During drills and actual emergency situations, the
OES appointee will be expected to implement his/her function with professionalism and
minimal supervision. For more details go to: http://www.arrl.org/field/org/oes.html
3 - SKYWARN NEWS
Jim Reynolds, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Randy Miltier, K7RPM, SKYWARN Coordinator
Gary Pederson, N7GK, Asst. SKYWARN Coordinator
A SKYWARN Program is being developed for Southern Oregon and Northern California.
SKYWARN is the National Weather Service program of trained volunteer spotters
reporting
severe weather.
NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES:
KLAMATH COUNTY - Tue Oct 31 7-9 PM at: The Sizzler Restaurant, South 6th St. (near
Washburn Way). RSVP: (541) 883-5130 (push 1, leave message)
SISKIYOU COUNTY - Thu Nov 9 7-9 PM Location: CDF Yreka. Training Room. RSVP Grizz Adams @
842-8379.
WEEKLY SKYWARN NET: Sundays at 1930L on the Mt. Ashland 147.26+ repeater (WX7MFR/R)
The NWS/Medford “service area” consists of nine counties: Coos, Curry, Douglas,
Klamath, Jackson, Josephine, Lake, (OR); Modoc and Siskiyou (CA). If you have any
questions concerning the ham radio part of the program, contact Randy/K7RPM < k7rpm@arrl.net > or,
Gary/N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org > via e-mail or on 147.26+
(Mt. Ashland).
4 - INEXPENSIVE PORTABLE OMNI 2 METER ANTENNA WITH 6 DB GAIN!
Buck Buckley, W6HOR, Trinity County EC <jeanandbuck@snowcrest.com>
sent this
information. Buck has built two of these antennas and he reports that they are easy
to build
and work VERY well! The antenna looks like it will not only be excellent for
emergency and /or portable communications, but would make a doggoned good permanent
antenna. Plans are available at: http://people.ne.mediaone.net/buck0/5-8thx2j.htm
Buck adds: “When printing the antenna description, please print as
"Landscape" or 90 degree shift - original was too wide for my printer, but as
Landscape perfect. 73, Buck”
5 - EMERGENCY COORDINATORS - (REMINDER) - Your monthly EC reports are due
November 3.
6 - IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OR SOMETHING OF INTEREST TO REPORT about
your ARES team or other EMCOMM unit...and would like it posted in the 5-1-2
BULLETIN...just send it to:
k6soj@arrl.net
7 - COMING ATTRACTIONS...
*** STATEWIDE (EMSA) HOSPITAL DISASTER EXERCISE - NOVEMBER 9, 2000
*** The INTERCONTINENTAL TRAFFIC NET
*** EMCOMM 2001 - MARCH 31, 2001 - PALO CEDRO, CALIFORNIA ***
8 -REMINDER: WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET
1900 to 1930L - The OR-NorCAL-NV Regional ARES " early net" is on 3987 kHz + or
- (7232 or 1982 kHz alternate) This net is open to all ARES and other EMCOMM
1930 to 2000L - OR/NorCal/NV A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET 3987 + or - (7232 or 1982 kHz
alternate)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ECs and AECs: WE NEED YOUR HELP - BE A NET CONTROL OPERATOR!
(NOTE: ALL ARES Leadership personnel (ECs, AECs, DECs, and SECs), and ARRL
OES and ORS, from any District and/or Section are welcome to check in as visitors. If you
wish to be on the discussion list (second round), just indicate that when you check in.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IF YOU ARE A PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY, OR JUST A "MEMBER OF THE
PUBLIC"; AND YOU NEED EMERGENCY OR DISASTER RELATED
COMMUNICATIONS...JUST CALL "5-1-2". WE'RE OPEN...24 HOURS A DAY!
