"Not to know is bad.
Not to want to know is worse.
Not to hope is unthinkable.
Not to care is unforgivable."
-- African Proverb
-----------------------------------------
The 5-1-2 BULLETIN - 9 October 01 - No. 75
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), 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
+++ SHORT CIRCUITS - Brief
(important) announcements:
+ “TERRORISM - PREPARING FOR THE
UNEXPECTED” -
(Useful information to pass on) http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html
Thanks to Dale Brown, KF6DBM, Emergency Services Coordinator, WEROC
(Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County).
+ NEW “WIDE AREA” SOUTHEAST
OREGON REPEATER -
The Drake Peak (8,405 ft.) repeater, located 14 miles NE of Lakeview, OR,
is now operational on 145.310- (100.0 Hz). It is accessible from locations
in southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada.
Owner/trustee is: Rob, KE7QP, who reports that it is an open and “ARES
friendly” repeater.
COMMENT: This repeater fills a much needed gap in this region for EMCOMM.
Thanks to KE7QP, K7DXV, and others for their hard work and $$$. - Editor.
+ “ERMA” PROGRAM - UPDATED -
DETAILS NEAR END OF THIS BULLETIN -
NOTE: There were a few operators who previously registered as “ERMAs”
(EMCOMM Responder - Mutual Aid), but your info did not make it in to the
new data base. Please check the list of ERMAs at the end of this bulletin.
If your name is not on the list, and you still want to be an “ERMA”; please
read the new guidelines and re-register.
+ NET PROTOCOL/ROSTER FOR THE
5-1-2 WEDNESDAY REGIONAL NET IS BEING UPDATED
A copy will soon be sent to all ARES leaders. It will be posted at: www.qsl.net/k6soj as soon as possible.
+ NWS WEATHER SPOTTER CLASSES
SCHEDULED - UPDATED -
(JOSEPHINE COUNTY added - details below in the NWS-SKYWARN SECTION)
+ MULTIPLE COUNTIES PARTICIPATE IN
REGIONAL ARES “S-E-T” -
While ARES teams in several northern California counties staged simulated
scenarios for the annual ARRL S-E-T on October 6-7; A regional HF net was
conducted for inter-county communications including “information gathering”,
mutual aid requests, formal traffic on behalf of agencies, and “H & W”
traffic. SV Section counties participating included: Butte/Glenn, Modoc,
Siskiyou, and Trinity. OR Section included Josephine and Klamath counties.
From the SF Section Sonoma County participated. Modes used:
SSB, FM, PACKET, and AMTOR. RADIOGRAMS were sent from: Klamath Falls >
Lakeview (OR); Alturas (CA) > (State of) Georgia; Petaluma > Oakland (CA);
Paradise > Macdoel; and back from Macdoel > Paradise (CA);
+ TRINITY COUNTY “S-E-T”
SCHEDULED FOR OCT. 12-14 -
From Robert “Buck” Buckley, W6HOR, Trinity County EC:
“The TCARC (radio club mostly ARES members) will be having a camp-out and
training session Oct 12-13-14. The club/ARES has three complete Packet
stations ready to roll... however some members are unfamiliar with Packet, and
this training session should help.
The campout weekend will be at Junction City Park. A CDF representative
has promised to be at our campout with forms for us to sign-up with the VIP
program.
So you can see things are getting a bit better "organized" here in the
hinterlands.”
73 Buck, W6HOR
COMMENT: Glad to hear “things” are going well in “the hinterlands”
- ed.
+ NEW - FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FOR
EMCOMM OPERATORS -
REACH 250 EMCOMM OPERATORS WITH YOUR “FOR SALE” OR “WANTED” AD.
Please keep your ad short (2-3 lines), and limited to radio and / or other
EMCOMM related equipment only. Listings will appear near the end of every
5-1-2 Bulletin and will run for four issues unless cancelled or extended.
Send text to: k6soj@arrl.net
+ WELCOME NEW ARES LEADERS -
From Bill Pennington, WA6SLA, SV Section (south) EC:
+ NEW ASSISTANT SEC FOR SACRAMENTO
VALLEY SOUTH -
Gary Crowe, KG6HIM, of Sacramento, is the new Assistant SEC for SV Section
south, and will be working with the Red Cross in Sacramento using volunteer ARES
members from Sacramento and adjoining counties to form strike teams/task forces
for Red Cross HQ amateur operations (using our mutual aid plan); and, working to
develop the Tahoe Basin ARES organization.
+ NEW DEC IN SV DISTRICT FOUR -
Gary Willett, KB7QWC, (Roseville) is the new DEC for District 4.
(Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Sierra, Placer, Nevada and Plumas Counties)
+ AND...FROM THE SAN JOAQUIN
VALLEY SECTION -
Fred White, WB6WFF, (Sonora) is the new EC for Tuolumne County.
Fred writes: “The TCARES (Tuolumne County Amateur Radio Emergency Services)
supported the Railtown Movie Days celebration and associated activities at
Jamestown, CA, this weekend (Sept. 29-30). We had about 15 operators providing
perimeter security and capability to call 911 directly in the
event of an emergency. Our Communications trailer (Unit 49) was used as
control, with Phil, WB6GGY, as net manger. There were three incidents, one
non-injury accident and two cases of possible “gate crashing”. In each
case the team response was timely and efficiently handled. The event ran
from 0900 until 1800 on Saturday and until 1600 on Sunday.
TCARES was deployed earlier in the month in support of the Creek and Darby
fires. Over 400 hours were expended on the Creek fire, and almost that many
on the Darby incident. Primary involvement was use of radio operators to
shadow fire managers and provide telephone answering personnel (Darby fire)
and phone bank service on the Creek fire. We were pleased to provide
requested support in each case.”
COMMENT: Thanks Fred for your report. It sounds like you have a active
ARES team in Tuolumne County. - Editor.
+ REMINDER - 5-1-2 REGIONAL ARES
AND NWS NETS
DAILY:
1200 to 1230L: Jefferson Noon Net on 7232 LSB (3987 LSB alternate)
NOTE: ALL STATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MONITOR AND/OR CALL ON 146.52 MHZ
DURING THE NOON NET TO RELAY CHECKINS OR TRAFFIC.
WEDNESDAYS:
1915 to 1930L: NWS WX SPOTTER NETS (see NWS-SKYWARN section below)
1930 to 2000L: A.R.E.S. LEADERSHIP NET on 3987 LSB (1982 LSB alternate) ALL ARES
and other EMCOMM leaders are welcome. A net roster is available at: www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/net.htm
+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS - list at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm
+ “SWAP-TOBERFEST” -
OREGON’S FIRST ARES/RACES CONVENTION - OCTOBER 20.
(Thanks to Dick Suber, K7DDI, Klamath County EC for forwarding this.)
The Mid-Valley ARES Corporation (Marion, Polk and Oregon Emergency
Management's ARES volunteers) are proud to announce their 7th annual
Swap-Toberfest, Amateur Radio Emergency Services Convention. This
Convention has been carefully coordinated with the Emergency Communicator
in mind...the group has made arrangements to display emergency
communications vehicles and will host static displays from various ARES
groups represented throughout the state. New this year will be VE testing
(pre-registration required).
The Convention will be held on Saturday, October 20th, 2001 at the Polk
County Fairgrounds in Rickreall, Oregon. The Convention hours will be from
0900 hours to 1530 hours, with hourly drawings and the grand prize drawing
at 1500 hours.
SWAP-TOBERFEST OFFERS:
- Swap Tables
- Oregon's 1st ARES/RACES Convention
- Commercial Dealers
- Meetings and Seminars
- Displays/demo's from Oregon ARES units
- VE Testing (pre-registration required)
Registration is $5.00 (age 12 and under are free); $6.00 at the door
Parking is free
Self Contained RV camping $10.00 per night
Non-Power Swap Tables $13.00
Swap Tables with power $15.00
Commercial Vendor Space $25.00 (for 2 tables)
**Tables are still available (both power and non-power)
For additional pre-registration/table information, please call Bud Smith at
503-838-0266, or E-mail to: n7bud@arrl.net
Thanks, and hope to see you at the Convention,
Mid-Valley ARES Publicity Committee
------------------------------------
+ TRAINING and CONTINUING
EDUCATION SECTION -
The article: “DISASTER / MAJOR EMERGENCY -- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? by Lt. Dan
Blackston, Chula Vista Police Department” appeared in its entirety in BULLETIN
# 36 (January 9) and is archived at : www.qsl.net/k6soj
Below are excerpts from that article with comments.
67. The message flow to, from, and within the EOC and Field Command Post
will break down and become inefficient and unmanageable.
COMMENT: If we intend to provide communications for agencies, it is
ESSENTIAL that all of us in EMCOMM be PROFICIENT and ACCURATE operators.
When normal channels of communication fail (and they will) or become so
overloaded that essential, even EMERGENCY traffic may not get through.
AMATEUR RADIO MAY BE THE ONLY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. AROs in EMCOMM must
know proper operating and traffic handling procedures. Remember: “RADIOS
do not communicate... PEOPLE communicate!” Sloppy
communication methods are NEVER appropriate in emergency or disaster situations.
If you are an EMCOMM operator:
1. Practice good operating practices in ALL of your ham radio contacts.
2. Learn how to say what you have to say with a minimum of verbiage.
3. Make sure messages can ONLY be interpreted to mean what they are
supposed to mean.
4. Do not use “cutesy” lingo or jargon.
5. Learn and use ITU phonetics. (I actually once heard a ham use
“Juarez”
as the phonetic for “W”!)
6. Follow ARRL guidelines and operating procedures.
7. There is only one standard for accuracy: ONE HUNDRED PERCENT
ACCURATE!
8. Keep your station and mobile gear in good operating condition.
9. Set an example for others to follow.
10. Practice, and live by, “The Amateur’s Code”.
TRAINING BULLETINS that appear in this bulletin are archived at:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
------------------------
+ NWS-SKYWARN SECTION
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Peterson, N7GK, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Asst. Medford SKYWARN Coordinator
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.
MEDFORD NWS SKYWARN WEBSITE: www.qsl.net/mfrskywarn
WINTER WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE - UPDATED
JOSEPHINE COUNTY:
Tuesday, October 23; 7-9 PM
Anne Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass
(between city offices and court house on 6th St.)
DOUGLAS COUNTY:
Monday, October 29; 7-9 PM Drain Fire Station
531 South Cedar St. Cedar St. is also Hwy 99
LAKE COUNTY (OR):
Thursday, November 1; 7-9 PM at Lakeview Senior Center
MODOC COUNTY:
Saturday, November 3; 1-3 PM at Modoc Office of Education in Alturas
CURRY COUNTY:
Tuesday, November 13; 7-9 PM downstairs in the Blue Room in the County
Annex Building in Gold Beach.
COOS COUNTY:
Wednesday, November 12; 6:30-8:30 PM Coquille Fire Station
JACKSON COUNTY:
Thursday, November 15; 7-9 PM at Jackson County Public Works Auditorium
200 Antelope Dr. White City (just north of Medford).
SISKIYOU COUNTY:
Monday, November 19; 6-8 PM at Ray Trigar Training Center @ CDF Yreka
KLAMATH COUNTY:
Tuesday, November 20; 6:30-8:30 PM in the Banquet Room of the Klamath Falls
Sizzler. Optional dinner at 6:00 PM.
---------------------------------------------
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER / SKYWARN NETS:
The Medford NWS WX SPOTTER NET every Wednesday at 1915L on:
147.26+ / CTCSS: 123.0, (Mt. Ashland); 146.55 SIMPLEX (eastern Siskiyou and
Klamath Counties) 146.97- (Likely); 3987LSB (1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN nets will also be activated on these frequencies during severe
weather events.
ALSO, the NWS PACKET NODE ON MT. ASHLAND is 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 e-mail: gpederson@orednet.org
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 does “Amateur Radio”...mean to YOU?
MORE... “SATIRICAL SYMPHONIES”
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? THE SERIES CONTINUES
HOW PREPARED ARE YOU? - A FUN QUIZ
+ EMCOMM 2002
April 20-21 2002 - Bishop Quinn High School, Palo Cedro, CA.
www.emcomm2002.net
+ PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE 5-1-2 BULLETIN ARE ARCHIVED AT:
www.qsl.net/k6soj
+ The “5-1-2 BULLETIN” -
Copyright (c) 2001 - D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and re-circulate 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. Send
corrections, updates, etc. to: k6soj@arrl.net
+ PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONSERVE ENERGY!
----------------------------------------------------
ERMA ROSTER
(EMCOMM Responder - Mutual Aid)
TACTICAL#/CALL-SIGN/COUNTY/JURISDICTION
ERMA - 1: K6SOJ SV Section (north)
ERMA - 2: W1SAR Shasta County
ERMA - 3: K6ME Lassen County
ERMA - 4: KA7RAM Klamath/Siskiyou(Relay)
ERMA - 5: AD6RV Modoc County
ERMA - 6: WO6P Districts 1 and 2
ERMA - 7: WD6BXN Shasta County
ERMA - 8: KF6VYL Shasta County
ERMA - 9: KC6CLK Shasta County
ERMA - 10: K6MLA Butte County
UPDATED: 9 OCT 01
--------------------------------------
+ UPDATED - RESOURCE POOL OF
SKILLED EMCOMM OPERATORS BEING COMPILED
Do you have what it takes to become an “ERMA”?
(EMCOMM Responder - Mutual Aid)
Here are the “ground rules”:
1. The “ERMA” program is not for everyone...but if you wish to be in a data
base for possible mutual aid response...read on.
2. You MUST be an active and current registered Disaster Service Worker
(DSW) with at least one EMCOMM unit. (E.g. - ARES, ACS and/or RACES,
CDF/VIP, etc.)
2. This is primarily for Districts One and Two (SV Section); but...
3. If you are in District Three, Four, District Five (Oregon Section),
northern Nevada, SF Section, or elsewhere, you may still register as a
mutual aid responder. The data will be stored and made available to your
DEC, SEC, and/or regional ACS Officer when needed.
4. No ERMA operator will be deployed without notification of, and approval
by, their local EC, RO, HAMCO, or other EMCOMM leader.
5. This is also a regional resource pool from which Mutual Aid TEAMS
(e.g.-ARESMATS), can be assembled.
6. Only one person per registration form please. (E.g - if a couple, each
one must register separately. If you can only respond together, please
indicate that under: “other”.)
7. If you cannot, or are not able to, respond to field operations; but you
are available to serve as a relay station/monitor during mutual aid
incidents, you may also register. Indicate that under: “other”, and state
if you are an Official ARRL Emergency or Relay Station.
8. By registering as an “ERMA” (EMCOMM Responder - Mutual Aid) it is
automatically assumed that:
- You have the appropriate personal gear to be self-sufficient for a
minimum of 48 hours (72 hours or longer is recommended);
- You will carry a power source (battery or generator) to sufficiently
support your mobile/portable station for a minimun of 48 hours.
- Both YOU and your VEHICLE are properly licensed and insured.
- You carry a quickly deployed, portable, HF NVIS antenna kit.
- You are familiar with mutual aid plans and procedures.
- You know and use ITU phonetics.
- You are capable of handling formal (RADIOGRAM) traffic, and carry a
supply of blank forms and other related materials.
9. Assignments will vary in duration; and may last from being “cancelled”
while en route, to a few hours, to a few days, or possibly longer.
Responders are only obligated for the amount of time they agree to for a
particular incident.
To register as an Mutual Aid resource EMCOMM operator or station:
http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/registration_form.htm
NOTE: It will be your responsibility to keep your information accurate by
going to the registration page and submitting an “update” as changes occur.
------------------------------------
5-1-2 CLASSIFIED ADS - FREE TO ALL EMCOMM OPERATORS -
(Please keep your ad short (2-4 lines), and limited to radio and / or other
EMCOMM related equipment only. Listings will appear at end of every 5-1-2
Bulletin and will run for four issues unless cancelled or extended.)
Send text to: k6soj@arrl.net
FOR SALE -- YAESU FT-290 II 2 meter FM/SSB/CW
Transceiver.
Includes snap-on 6 “C” cell battery pack (2.5 watts output), snap-on 12v
power amp (25 watts out), tone board, shoulder strap, mobile mount.
Excellent
condition (like new) with original box, manual etc. $350.00 + shipping.
Contact: k6soj@arrl.net
(10/9)