"People who work together will win, whether it be against complex
football defenses, or the problems of modern society."
- - Vince Lombardi
-----------------------------------------
The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 13 November 01 - No. 80
A REGIONAL Bulletin for ARES and other EMCOMM Stations and Public Safety
Officials in northern California, southern Oregon, northern Nevada, and
elsewhere.
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, SV Section EC, Editor.
INTERNET: www.qsl.net/k6soj E-MAIL:
k6soj@arrl.net
-----------------------------------------
+ IN THIS
EDITION:
- SHORT CIRCUITS
- TEHAMA COUNTY ARES RESPONDS TO ITS FIRST REAL
EMERGENCY
- SV SECTION ARES LEADERS MEET IN REDDING
- ARES TO MARS BY DECEMBER (updated)
- FEEDBACK
- TRAINING and
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE
- NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
- WX SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
- ARES NETS REMINDER/SCHEDULE
- COMING ATTRACTIONS
+++ SHORT
CIRCUITS -
+ OREGON SECTION ARES/RACES SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST - November
17, 2001.
HF frequencies: 3993.5 LSB (alternate: 7228 LSB).
Contact your EC or other ARES Leader for details.
+ NEW DEC FOR SV SECTION DISTRICT ONE -
Dick Cloyd, WO6P, of Shingletown, CA, has accepted the appointment of District
One EC (Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, Trinity Counties). If his name sounds
familiar to you, it is because he is currently the DEC for District Two.
(He will now be the DEC for both districts.) Dick formerly lived in
Siskiyou County, graduated from grade school in Yreka, and is very familiar with
the people and the terrain of the “north state”.
+ NEW LAKE COUNTY (CA) DISTRICT EMERGENCY COORDINATOR -
Lee Dibble, KE6EAQ, San Francisco Section EC, has announced that Richard
Van Der Jagt, KQ6YH, has been appointed as the DEC for Lake County (CA).
Welcome to the ARES Leadership team Dick. Hope to C U ON AIR.
+ SV SECTION ARES WEBSITE HAS BEEN UPDATED -
Visit www.qsl.net/k6soj often.
Changes occur daily!
+ NEW NCS FOR NWS WX SPOTTER/SKYWARN NETS - (See NWS Section
below)
+ NWS/ARRL SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY - (Details in November QST -
page 76)
+ SPECIAL QSL CARD TO BE ISSUED FOR FIRST SESSION OF “ON-THE-AIR”
RADIOGRAM PRACTICE - ALSO WIN A PRIZE!
(Details further down)
+ TEHAMA COUNTY ARES RESPONDS TO ITS FIRST
REAL EMERGENCY -
From Jake Hickok, KF6KDD, Tehama County EC:
"At 5pm on October 24 I was contacted by the Red Cross via cell phone with
a request for EMCOMM. Operators were needed at the Command Post and Shelter for
an environmental evacuation. A truck overturn with spilled diesel fuel had
closed a major highway and turned off power in area.
A shelter was quickly opened although a few "clients" only got
coffee and then
left. Four of our ARES team members responded to the area. Another two stayed at
home, one on standby for Saint Elizabeth's hospital, and the other as relay
station. We setup a station at the shelter using a J-Pole antenna on the roof of
the school (janitor helped).
Tactical calls were used. "Net Control" was KF6ZJD and "Shelter" was KF6ZGY. "Command Post One" was KF6KDD and "Command Post Two" was KG6FSY who operated mobile and portable at the scene. We operated simplex 146.565 due to the proximity of the shelter to the incident and had relay and standby operators monitoring 145.45- (Red Bluff) for the evening.
Three hours later we were released by the CHP and Red Cross. We had some pizza at the scene and left in time to hold our weekly net that night. The CHP was VERY thrilled at us being there and shadowing the IC (who was walking all over and not staying put). I was even recognized by the CHP officer on scene who has run the previous county-wide disaster drills as the "ham radio person."
We were seen by all of the agencies involved and they will remember us.
This was our first callout. Our training and practice really paid off!"
COMMENT: A big “well done”, to Jake and all the Tehama ARES Team. (Now
we know why they call those antennas “J-poles”...the janitor puts them up!)
Hearing a report like this...is my “payday”. - de K6SOJ
SV SECTION ARES LEADERSHIP MEETING AND WORKSHOP
REPORT
17 ECs, AECs, DECs, plus the SEC and SM met in Redding on November 10, 2001 for
an all day meeting and workshop. Counties/districts represented:
BUTTE/GLENN COUNTY: Steve Kaps, N6NPN, EC; Chuck Orgovan, KF6YKQ, AEC
SHASTA COUNTY: Drew Witham, W1SAR, EC; Chuck Evans, WD6BXN;
Larry Cardoza, N6HDC, AEC; Dave Bradley, KC6CLK
TEHAMA COUNTY: Jake Hickok, KF6KDD, EC; Dan Ryant, KF6ZJD, AEC
TRINITY COUNTY: Buck Buckley, W6HOR, EC; Vicki Riley, KF6OAH, AEC;
Russ Riley, KF6OAI
SISKIYOU COUNTY: Nannette Thorne, KE6MZT, EC
DISTRICT 2: Dick Cloyd, WO6P, DEC
DISTRICT 3: Tim Tribble, KD6MDV, DEC
DISTRICT 4: Gary Willett, KB7QWC, DEC
SECTION LEADERS: Dave Thorne, K6SOJ; Jerry Boyd, K6BZ
AMERICAN RED CROSS: Vance Montgomery, Director of Emergency Services
Shasta Area Chapter
The VERY full agenda included (in part):
A review of an EC/AEC job description; a critique of ARES response to this
year's fires, and a review of the SV ARES Mutual Aid Plan. The new (June
2001) MOU between the Central Valley (CV) Zone American Red Cross and the
Sacramento Valley (SV) Section ARES was presented and reviewed. Guidelines
regarding press releases and other media/publicity issues were also covered.
Other topics reviewed were:
- The importance of record keeping, reporting, and recognition of
volunteers.
- NWS / SKYWARN and other nets.
- Use of VHF SIMPLEX and HF in ARES nets.
- Packet and HF digital (Pactor or ?) in the ARES.
- Portable repeaters in EMCOMM.
- How to keep your team viable.
- Appropriate identification materials.
- Early planning for EMCOMM 2002
Vance Montgomery gave an excellent update on Red Cross disaster responses, both
locally and nationally. Also, a very interesting review about the
experiences of three ARC volunteers (2 RNs one crisis counselor) from the
Shasta Area Chapter who had extensive “life changing experiences” while on
assignment in NYC after the terrorist attacks in September. (NOTE: These
volunteers have been invited to attend EMCOMM 2002, as has our own Bill
Frazier, KC7REK who also saw duty in NYC, to give us all an “in person”
report.) Vance also reported that over 10,000 private residences were
destroyed in the NYC WTC attack, and that the estimate for the amount of
time it could take to close all cases is 15 to 20 years! He mentioned that
the last case file for the Loma Prieta Earthquake (17 October 1989) was
just recently closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 1525. Some attendees lingered until after
1700 discussing EMCOMM and related topics. A high level of enthusiasm was
obvious. This easily could have been a two-day event!
The DECs present will be taking the information presented back to the ECs,
AECs, and ARES members within the individual counties of their districts.
Everyone agreed that this should be an annual event. WILCO! EMCOMM
in the Spring...LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP in the Fall.
+ ARES TO MARS BY DECEMBER -
The project is underway. Updates and refinements will be issued in the
5-1-2+ or SPECIAL BULLETINS as necessary.
REPORTS ON TWO VETERAN’S DAY ACTIVITIES -
FROM OREGON: On VETERAN’S DAY a contingent of MARS operators, assisted
by several ARES members, set up a public information booth at Veteran’s Park
in Klamath Falls, OR under the MARS banner.
They accepted about 30 “TO ANY SERVICE MEMBER” messages from the general
public. “A job well done” to:
Barb, KB7OMN/AAROJN
Terry, N2RSI/AAT0HD
David, N2RSN/AAT0AQ
Elizabeth, KK7VO
Al, KK7XO
Ed, K7DXV
Rick, KA5EZM.
NORTH CAROLINA:
The Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, Asheville, NC set up their Mobile
Communications Post at the Biltmore Square Mall from noon until 6 PM on November
11, to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the public, and collect messages to be sent
via NTS to friends and family.
They also added a “TO ANY SERVICE MEMBER” component. Paul Yeager,
W4SKI, President, reports: “We had good participation from the club, but
low traffic came by our display. We had to really work to get people to stop and
leave a message. We took about 2 dozen messages, about 6 of which were ANY
SERVICE MEMBER messages. I hear from folks at the mall that their customer
traffic has been off considerably since September 11. Perhaps the mall was not a
good location. Next time we try this, we'll do more publicity in advance,
and have better signs (or banners) so that folks who walk by will know what
we're doing. When trying to get people to come by to leave a message, we
got these responses most often: ‘I don't know anyone in the service’. (If
we could get them to stop for a second, we could explain to them why that
was not necessary.) ‘I don't know anyone who is a ham’. (Ditto)
It was, in short, a lot more work than we thought it would be for a lot less
result. I'm a bit disappointed, but not discouraged, and have learned a
bit for next time.”
COMMENT: Thanks Paul. Any of us who are “movers and shakers” have been
down that road a few times! Those who never try to do anything...never get
to experience either victory or defeat. But you DID try, and you did
receive a few messages to send. Sometimes it’s the small things that
make all the difference. Maybe those six messages will mean a lot to some
lonely service member...somewhere far from home. de K6SOJ
Here are a few ways that interested ECs, club or other EMCOMM leaders can
prepare: (See 5-1-2+ Bulletin No. 79 for complete details)
1. Find out how many members of your team can/will participate, and have
them prepare by “brushing up” on their formal traffic handling skills.
2. Locate and identify MARS operators/stations in your service area that
will participate jointly with the ARES/NTS.
3. In the SV Section ECs, send:
name, amateur and MARS callsign, and their county to: k6soj@arrl.net.
List of participating ARES/MARS stations (so far):
WD6BXN/NN0OJC/NN0GAE, Chuck Evans (Shasta County)
N6NPN/NNNOQAK, Steve Kaps, (Butte County)
AC6CO/AAR9VR, Zetta Friedel, (El Dorado County)
AC6CN/AAR9VS, Todd Friedel, (El Dorado County)
KB7OMN/AAROJN, Barbara Dahl, (Klamath County)
WA7IZU/AAR0FD, Bob Welzbacker, (Klamath County)
N2RSI/AAT0HD, Terry Bell, (Klamath County)
N2RSN/AAT0AQ, David Bell, (Klamath County)
The above stations are invited to check in to the nets listed below as
often as possible.
NET LIST for the ARES TO MARS PROJECT -
Southern Oregon / northern California -
FOLLOWING the Jefferson Noon Net (JNN): (Daily at 1200L, on 7232 LSB)
FOLLOWING the REGIONAL ARES LEADERSHIP NET: Wed. at 1930L on 3987 LSB)
NOTE: ARES units, clubs, net managers - if you want your net schedule(s)
listed here...please send the necessary information.
+ FEEDBACK # 1 -
From: Frank Reshke, N6SNO, Sacramento (city) RACES Officer
“Hi Dave, just a short note to tell you that we are still here in Sacramento.
I have used some of your training material, and constantly send people to your
"site" for information. Consider this as a formal invitation to check
in on the Sacramento Amateur Radio Communications Reserve Net on Mondays at 7pm
local, on 147.195+ (123.0). We would love to have you. If you would like
to say a few words, let me know. and we will schedule it
Again, thanks for all you have done for emergency communications, and keep
up the good work, and don't forget us down here in Sacramento.” 73, Frank
Reshke, N6SNO, Sacramento City RACES Officer.
COMMENT: Thanks for the kind words Frank. It’s always good to hear about
someone is getting some value from the 5-1-2+ Bulletin. Also, thanks for
the invitation to check in to your nets. I would love, but 300 miles is
quite a stretch for 2 meters - HI. (Although I have worked the Sacramento
area a few times on 2M SSB.) Anyway, it would sure be great to see you and
any/all members of your team at EMCOMM 2002 next April. - de K6SOJ
FEEDBACK # 2 -
Ref. “EMCOMM ON 160M?” (5-1-2+ No. 79) where mentioned was the recent solar
activity and Aurora Borealis observations, Ray Balch, K6VX forwarded this
from a ham in North Carolina: “Last night (11/5) we had one of the most
spectacular auroras of this solar cycle! At approximately 0153, the X1 Coronal
Mass Ejection of 4 November hit the Earth's ionosphere and began an incredible
aurora with sightings as far south as Florida, Texas and California.
I've seen two previously from here in NC but missed 2 others on October
21 and 28. This time I was prepared and...for the first time...I had my camera
ready: http://users.vnet.net/btippett/6_nov_aurora.htm
I'll add others but wanted to share this one showing my 160 meter tower
silhouetted by the light show!”
- Bill Tippett, W4ZV
+ TRAINING and CONTINUING
EDUCATION SECTION -
(Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.qsl.net/k6soj)
+ SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE QSL CARD TO BE ISSUED FOR FIRST SESSION OF “ON-THE-AIR” RADIOGRAM PRACTICE -
PLUS A CHANCE TO WIN A NIFTY PRIZE!
Beginning November 21, RADIOGRAM practice sessions will be held on
Wednesdays following the ARES REGIONAL LEADERSHIP NETS.
- Approximately 2000L on 3987 LSB + or -.
- One or more “test messages” will be sent by volunteer operators.
- The preamble and text of the RADIOGRAMS will be published in the 5-1-2+
Bulletin the following Tuesday, so participants can check for accuracy.
- You will need a supply of blank RADIOGRAMS. They are available from
league HQ; or, you can print them out from:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/RADIOGRM.pdf
- ALL EMCOMM operators are invited to “practice” with us. ARES leaders
are
asked to encourage members on their teams to participate.
- Operators that do not have an HF station, can still practice. All you
will need is an HF receiver.
- Later on, we may also do some sessions on CW.
- Watch the 5-1-2+ Bulletin for more information.
- Reference materials are:
The ARRL Public Service Manual; or go to:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/teacher/kemp/appendixa.html
A SPECIAL QSL CARD will be issued to all
operators who participate in the
first session, and submit a copy of one or more complete RADIOGRAM(s) by
regular mail. All radio amateurs (including “no code” Technicians) are
welcome to listen in and submit an entry. Here’s the rules:
1. Listen on November 21 at 2000L on 3987 LSB (+ or -). Three RADIOGRAMS
will be transmitted from K6SOJ to a pre-selected station.
2. Copy the entire RADIOGRAM(s) (preamble, text, and signature). Copy(s)
must be accurate and correct. VERY minor (non-consequential) errors, MAY
be accepted.
3. Use an ARRL RADIOGRAM blank (see above); or, you may use a plain piece of
paper. However, your “copy” MUST be in standard RADIOGRAM format.
4. Send your completed RADIOGRAM(s) and a business-size (4 x 9.5”)
self-addressed stamped envelope (.34 cent stamp affixed) to:
D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058.
5. Entry MUST be postmarked by November 26, 2001.
(Since the correct copy will be published in the 5-1-2+ Bulletin on Nov.
27th)
6. GRAND PRIZE DRAWING! All correctly copied RADIOGRAM entries (you may
submit up to three (3) and increase your odds) will be entered in a drawing
to be held on December 15, 2001.
FIRST PRIZE is an genuine, new-in-box (NIB), “Gov’t. Issue”,
crash-proof, cockpit lamp for a W.W.II Canadian Spitfire Fighter Aircraft.
A real “conversation piece”! Included will be a 12v. bulb to make it
functional as a nifty dashboard light or emergency desk light for your home
station.
“LET’S MAKE TRAFFIC HANDLING FUN!”
ADDITIONAL (VERY) USEFUL information is available at:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec2-ch11.html
http://www.iea.com/~donf/pan/NTSMinutes.htm
---------------------------------
+ NWS-SKYWARN
SECTION
Jim Reynolds, KD7MLO, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Medford NWS
Gary Peterson, N7GK, Acting 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
NWS/ARRL SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY - 1 December 2001
(Details in November QST - page 76, and on above website.)
NEW NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATION VOLUNTEERS -
Ernie Sanford, KC7WEU, JO25 (Wilderville) ; and David Bell, N2RSN, KL98
(Round Lake); have joined the Medford NWS net control operator team!
The NCS schedule for Wednesday night WX Spotter/SKYWARN nets now is:
1st and 3rd Wednesdays:
147.26+ K6SOJ SY42
3987 LSB KE7WEU JO25
2nd and 4th Wednesdays:
147.26+ N7GK JA14
3987 LSB N2RSN KL98
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPERATORS NEEDED FOR NWS NET CONTROL OPERATIONS -
While we now have a total of four (4) NWS NC operators for Medford NWS, we
still would like about four more, either for regular or back-up duty.
YOU can help us “carry the load”...
1. If you live in the nine county service area of the Medford NWS.
2. Are an active registered WX spotter.
3. Have a VHF and HF station (with NVIS antenna).
4. Are a “team player”.
5. Would like to serve your country as a NCS for the NWS.
Contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederson@orednet.org ,
or:
Dave, K6SOJ, k6soj@arrl.net
WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE -
CURRY COUNTY:
Tuesday, November 13; (TONIGHT) 7-9 PM downstairs in the Blue Room in the
County Annex Building in Gold Beach.
COOS COUNTY:
Wednesday, November 14; 6:30-8:30 PM Coquille Fire Station
JACKSON COUNTY:
Thursday, November 15; 7-9 PM at Jackson County Public Works Auditorium
200 Antelope Road, 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, 2506 S. Sixth St., KFO. 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 - Jackson County and more)
146.55 SIMPLEX (eastern Siskiyou and Klamath Counties)
146.97- (Likely - Modoc County)
3987LSB (1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN nets may be activated on these frequencies during severe
weather events.
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 LSB (alt. 3987) for
announcements regarding anticipated or actual severe WX.
+ 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 CHECK-INS OR TRAFFIC.
WEDNESDAYS:
1915 to 1930L: NWS WX SPOTTER NETS (see NWS-SKYWARN section below)
NWS NET CONTROL STATIONS:
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
147.26+ K6SOJ
3987 LSB KE7WEU
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
147.26+ N7GK
3987 LSB N2RSN
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
Starting November 21, 2001 at 2000L (approximate) on 3987 LSB (+ or -):
“ON-THE AIR” RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS
ARES REGIONAL NET CONTROL STATION SCHEDULE:
Nov. 7 Josephine Co. KC7IXX
Nov. 14 Klamath Co. N2RSN
Nov. 21 SV SEC K6SOJ
Nov. 28 Dist. 2 EC WO6P
Dec. 5
Dec. 12
Dec. 19
Dec. 26 Dist. 2 EC WO6P
+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS - list at: http://www.qsl.net/k6soj/nets/index.htm
+ 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 ...
+ WX SPOTTER NETS - WHY?
+ NTS - WHY?
+ CW - WHY?
PLUS:
+ WHAT does “Amateur Radio”...mean to YOU?
+ MORE... “SATIRICAL SYMPHONIES”
+ 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
-------------------