"IMPROVISE, ADAPT, OVERCOME” - Sgt. Highway...in Heartbreak Ridge
TO: OR-NorCAL-NV ARES and other EMCOMM Stations, ARRL Officials,
other EMCOMM and Public Safety Officials; in Oregon District 5, California SV
Section Districts 1, 2...and BEYOND.
FROM: D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, ARES SEC, SV Section (North), and editor.
Assistant ACS Officer MAR III California OES
INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj E-MAIL:
k6soj@arrl.net
CA OES ACS INLAND REGION WEBSITE: www.acs.oes.ca.gov/Inland/
ERRATA? Please report to K6SOJ. And...“it wasn’t my fault”!
* THIS WEEK...IN THE “5-1-2 BULLETIN” - 03 APR 01 - No. 48
Copyright (c) 2001 - D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce items from this bulletin providing
appropriate credit is given to the “5-1-2 REGIONAL ARES BULLETIN” and/or the
author or originator of the material.
*** SHORT CIRCUITS ***
(Brief - but IMPORTANT - announcements)
*** FEEDBACK ***
*** NEWS & FEATURES ***
EMCOMM 2001 -
“The Aftermath”
HAM’S LIGHT - (On
the lighter side of the spectrum)
TRAINING -
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
NWS SKYWARN
SECTION
IF YOU
HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ...
COMING
ATTRACTIONS
*** SHORT
CIRCUITS ***
(Brief - but IMPORTANT - announcements):
---------------------------------------
!FLASH! New “EMERGENCY AND
ALTERNATIVE POWER”
webpage(s) on: www.qsl.net/k6soj
The requested class materials from EMCOMM 2001 are now posted!
“Kudos” to: KK7VO, KK7XO, AB6UE, KD6WZC and KC7REK!
1 - REMINDER TO ALL ECs: March monthly reports are due.
2 - NET REMINDER: 5-1-2 REGION ARES AND NWS NETS
WEDNESDAYS:
1915 to 1930L - WX SPOTTER NETS (see
section # 3 below)
1930 to 2000L - A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP
NET on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate)
DAILY:
1200 to 1230L -Jefferson Noon Net on
7232 LSB (3987 LSB alternate)
For a list of local ARES and other EMCOMM Nets (updated March 19, 2001):
http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm
*** FEEDBACK ***
Last week the article: “KNOW CODE”. CW. QRP. DOES IT HAVE ANY VALUE IN
EMCOMM? Appeared here.
At EMCOMM 2001, during the traffic handling class, a comment was
made about including an addressee’s e-mail address, after the telephone number
on an ARRL RADIOGRAM. Sounds like a good idea on phone. But a very
good point was raised: “How do you send the @ symbol on CW?” -
ANSWER: I don’t know! Does anyone know if there is a “prosign”
for @ in Morse? I sure would like to know! If not, I suggest
that the ARRL or the ITU look into this “problem”. de K6SOJ
*** NEWS & FEATURES
***
* EMCOMM 2001 - “The aftermath”
On Saturday, March 31, more than 100 ARES, ACS, RACES, CDF/VIP,
other amateur radio operators, and public service officials from California,
Oregon, Nevada and Washington, converged at Bishop Quinn High School in Palo
Cedro, CA, for the 2nd Annual Emergency Communications Conference:
“EMCOMM 2001”. While a full report will be forth coming in various
amateur radio periodicals, here are a few observations and highlights:
Attendance more than doubled over
last year! (46 were at EMCOMM 2000)
Interest in this type of event is
very high.
Excellent support was received
from many public and private agencies.
American Red Cross
Media interest was
high including a spot on the TV News (ABC-Redding)
Excerpts from a few of many
comments:
“Excellent Session! Great group of people! Great Location - Thanks for
the good weather.
It was such a pleasure it made the long drive seem short. I plan to
attend next year”
Reginald Driscoll, WA6ZAP, Contra
Costa County ARES/RACES.
“...a great day. Even non-technical folks like me found a lot of
information. Thank you!”
Wilma Dibelka, KD6WZC, Siskiyou County.
“...thanks to all the fine folks up there. I am pleased with the spirit
of cooperation and all the hard work you have all done to put this on. I would
hope to continue this type of workshop and have it spread statewide.” - Ben
Green, WD8CXP, California Office of Emergency Service.
SPECIAL THANKS to the entire
EMCOMM 2001 STAFF, FACULTY, and AGENCY personnel
for all of your time, effort, and tireless dedication!
PLANNING FOR EMCOMM 2002 HAS
ALREADY BEGUN. But for now:
“IT’S ONWARD AND UPWARD TO ... FIELD DAY!”
* “HAM’S LIGHT” - (On the
lighter side of the spectrum)
ANTENNA REFLECTIONS by W6HOR
NOTE: These are: “buckisms”, (not exactly
“truisms”...but close!)
1. After years of "Improvements" the best antenna I've ever used
was the first one.
Over 50 years ago.
2. There is NO such thing as a perfect antenna - except on some Engineer's
drawing
board.
3. DX and NVIS are VERY Different.
4. Any multi-band antenna is a COMPROMISE.
5. Broad band antennas, work a bit better than a Dummy Load.
6. Gain can be accomplished by either:
a) Shaping the antenna radiation pattern,
(up to about 10 db for desired direction).
b) Increasing POWER (up to about 20
db)...but it doesn't help reception.
c) Propagation (we can get +/- unlimited db
all at "Mother Nature's “desecration”).
7. The difference between a VSWR of 1.0:1 and 1.5:1 is NOT discernable at
the other
station.
8. Bigger or Higher doesn't always mean better.
9. 0.5 DB gain is NOT detectable by the "Other Guy"
10. Gain measurements by a manufacturer are not always "set in stone".
Some seem to hire their technical writers from the National Enquirer.
11. Any antenna put up on a nice sunny day will always work worse than one put
up on a miserable cold wet rainy day. (not proven fact but sure seems that way)
12. "GOOD" antennas do NOT require a tuner. Unless of course you want
to move frequency by a considerable amount.
13. Antenna measurements are often cloaked by using some other means of data,
like the constant reference to "Isotopic", the use of 1/4 wave
references for VHF antennae, the often used "Ground Additive
Reflections" and such. The point to follow, is if it works - that's OK.
14. "S" meter measurements usually don't mean much except for
"Bragging". If you desire a valid measurement, the only true way
is on an antenna range. But if you give the reference signal on CW instead of
SSB you will have a constant strength signal and one that is not following
voice duty cycles. Only the variances of propagation.
15. If some "New" antenna hits the waves - just go back 15-20 years
and you will probably find the same thing. Antennae seem to get
"re-invented" every 15-20 years.
16. Ground is NOT dirt, lawn or soil. Unless of course, you are Maritime
Mobile on
SALT WATER.
17. Who are the "Experts"? -- I like Walter Maxwell, Kurt (World
Radio) and Cebik; the rest are interesting, but some have rather weird ideas.
18. Read all you can from World Radio's Kurt, go to: < www.cebik.com >
19 For a very informative antenna website, and for info on easy to build VHF
antennas go to: http://people.ne.mediaone/buck0/5-8thx2j.htm
20. If MONEY is the problem, WIRE is the solution.
(Robert “Buck” Buckley, W6HOR is the EC for Trinity County)
* TRAINING *
(NOTE: The article: “DISASTER / MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
by Lt. Dan Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department” appeared in its
entiretyin BULLETIN # 36 (January 9) and is archived at www.qsl.net/k6soj.
Continued now, are excerpts from that excellent article with comment.
-------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING:
# 25. Portable toilets will be in demand; there will be no place to go, and if a
place is found there will be six photographers there to cover the event.
COMMENT: A very “real” problem. In my years with the American Red
Cross, I’ve seen numerous incidents where toilets overflowed in emergency
shelters...and this was when the water and sewer systems were operating in a
normal manner! Trust me...a plugged toilet in an emergency shelter (or
anywhere else for that matter) is NOT a pretty sight!
Disaster Health Services will have their hands full with the sick and injured,
and all of
us must do all we can to minimize sanitation problems. Report or “flag” all
malfunctioning toilet facilities ASAP!
As far as volunteer workers are concerned, prepare to be “self-sufficient”
in you camper, trailer, or whatever. Oh yes...in your “ready kit” I strongly
urge you to carry a
partial roll of TP in a baggie, and at least one four-roll pack of “TP in your
vehicle. - editor
TRAINING BULLETINS that appear in this bulletin are also archived at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
(PLUS A “PLETHORA” OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING MATERIAL)
* SKYWARN NEWS *
*** CONGRATULATIONS! ***
Jim Reynolds, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS has been issued
his amateur radio license! Callsign: KD7MLO. Hmmmn...
(“Medford’s Lead Observer?” - HI). WELCOME JIM ES FB!
Gary Pederson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
CURRENT NWS WEATHER BULLETINS AND WARNINGS ARE AVAILABLE VIA A LINK AT: www.qsl.net/k6soj
SKYWARN is the National Weather Service program of trained volunteer spotters
reporting severe weather The ARRL/ARES has a national “memorandum of
understanding” (MOU) with the NOAA/NWS.
!IMPORTANT!
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET HAS MOVED TO WEDNESDAY NIGHTS.
The Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET is now on Wednesdays at:
1915L on 147.26+ (Mt. Ashland repeater - WX7MFR/R); SIMULTANEOUSLY ON: 146.55
SIMPLEX (Siskiyou and Klamath Counties); AND 146.97- the Likely repeater (Modoc
County).
FROM 1920 to 1929L: on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate), relays and other
check-ins will be accepted and forwarded. ALSO, a packet WX SPOTTER NET is being
developed to run concurrently SKYWARN will be activated on these frequencies
during severe weather events.
The NWS PACKET NODE ON MT. ASHLAND IS NOW OPERATIONAL on 145.030 MHz, ID is:
skywrn. NWS is asking for SKYWARN and ARES packet stations to connect and let
them know your location, the type of antenna and power you use to access the Mt.
Ashland node. The “connect” to NWS packet bbs (direct) is 145.090 and the ID
is NWSMFR. Then connect to NWSBBS, e.g., c nwsmfr. Then, c nwsbbs.
The NWSMFR at nws mfr is a node.
Questions? contact Gary, N7GK < gpederso@orednet.org
>
*** UPDATED ***
NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES:
! ATTENTION ! - EMERGENCY
COORDINATORS
Please announce the classes in your area on your local nets, in your local
newsletters, etc.
KLAMATH COUNTY: April 23 -
6:30-8:30 PM in the Banquet Room of the
Klamath Falls Sizzler. (Optional dinner at 5:30
PM.)
KLAMATH COUNTY: April 24,
7-9 PM at the Walker Range Fire Patrol building in
Crescent.
LAKE COUNTY (OR): April 25, 7-9 PM
at the Community Center in Christmas
Valley.
LAKE COUNTY (OR): April 26, 7-9 PM
at the Senior Center in Lakeview
CURRY COUNTY: April 30, 7-9 PM in
the Blue Room in the County Annex
Building , Gold Beach., OR.
COOS COUNTY: May 1, 6-8 PM ,
Emergency Operations Center, 360 E. 2nd
St., Coquille, OR.
DOUGLAS COUNTY: May 2,
7-9 PM Ford Room of the Douglas County Library,
Roseburg., OR.
JACKSON COUNTY: May 10,
7-9 PM, Jackson County Public Works Auditorium,
200 Antelope Dr., White City, OR. (Just north of
Medford.)
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 about the SKYWARN program, contact: Gary/N7GK
< gpederso@orednet.org > via
e-mail or on 147.26+ (Mt. Ashland).
REGIONAL ARES WEATHER AND ROAD NETS (ARESWARNS) for SV Districts 1 and 2 are on
the MUTUAL AID FREQUENCIES of 7232 LSB (daytime) and 3987 LSB
(nighttime). 1982LSB (nighttime alternate). Up/down QRM. OREGON District
5, and all ARES stations elsewhere, are CORDIALLY INVITED to participate.
During a SEVERE WEATHER EVENT, the HF WARN meets hourly AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
HOUR, until all information and traffic is passed, (more often as needed).
LOCAL ARES WARNS are activated by a local EC or AEC per your local plan. Check
with your EC for more information about your area. It is recommended that they
meet at the TOP OF EACH HOUR, and include a local HF - VHF station for relay /
interface duty with the regional net.
Check in to the JEFFERSON NOON NET daily at 1200L on 7232 // 3987 LSB for
announcements regarding anticipated severe WX.
* 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...send it to: k6soj@arrl.net
* COMING ATTRACTIONS...
*** WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? THE SERIES CONTINUES
*** HOW PREPARED ARE YOU? - A FUN QUIZ
*** FIELD DAY 2001 - JUNE 23-24
NOTE: A LIST WILL SOON BEGIN TO APPEAR HERE OF FIELD DAY
SITES
SPONSORED BY LEGITIMATE EMCOMM GROUPS AND SPECIAL SERVICE
CLUBS. Send the name of the sponsoring group, the
approximate location of your
FIELD DAY site, a contact person, & an email, web
address, or phone #.
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 UPON "5-1-2". WE'RE OPEN...24 HOURS A DAY!
*** PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY ***
