HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 20 November 01 - No. 81
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
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+ IN THIS EDITION:
- SHORT CIRCUITS
- ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE - STARTS TOMORROW!!!
- FEEDBACK
- EMSA DRILL REPORTS
- ARES TO MARS BY DECEMBER (updated)
- TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
- WX SPOTTER NETS - WHY?
- NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
- WX SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
- ARES NETS REMINDER/SCHEDULE
- COMING ATTRACTIONS
+++ SHORT CIRCUITS -
+ RECENT UPDATES ARE NOW ON THE SV SECTION ARES WEBSITE
+ CHECK OUT THE NEW PATRIOTIC GRAPHIC PRIOR TO MAIN PAGE
Please visit www.qsl.net/k6soj often.
Changes occur daily!
+ SPECIAL QSL CARD TO BE ISSUED FOR FIRST SESSION OF “ON-THE-AIR”
RADIOGRAM PRACTICE - ALSO WIN A PRIZE!
(Details further down)
+ ATTENTION! CALLING ALL ARES LEADERS -
The ARRL Emergency Coordinator's Manual, 3rd edition 2001 is out! This
essential resource covers the finer points of the Emergency Coordinator’s
duties, as well as recruiting and obtaining the necessary resources to properly
plan and implement effective emergency and disaster communications.
A “must” for ECs, DECs, SECs, and any serious ARES member. 120 pages. Third edition, © 2001, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
ARRL Order No. FSD9 - $5.00. - Order from ARRL HQ or online at: http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=FSD9
+ TRINITY COUNTY EMCOMM NEWS -
Robin Sykes, CDF VIP Coordinator, Shasta-Trinity Ranger Unit, has appointed
Robert “Buck” Buckley, W6HOR, Trinity County EC, as the CDF VIP HAMCO for
Trinity County. Congratulations Buck! (Drew Witham, W1SAR, will continue to
serve as the VIP HAMCO for Shasta County.)
+ 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.
“TRAFFIC HANDLING IS REWARDING!”
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
+ FEEDBACK -
From Ed Ewell, K7DXV, Klamath and Siskiyou County ARES Member:
(Re. the recent SV Section ARES Leadership Workshop), “...where did the
discussion go on appropriate identification materials...?
COMMENT: Everyone present supports the use of visible ID materials for ARES (and
other EMCOMM) teams. (Caps, ARRL/ARES name badges, magnetic signs,
placards, etc.). A few county teams are leaning towards actual uniforms
(at the request of local authorities). It was suggested that each team,
should set the criteria for its own uniform and/or identification materials
based upon local direction or trends. A “standardized” cap and ARES
name badge are the minimum. Vests, jackets, and/or uniform-type shirts may
be adopted. At least everyone in a given county will identified similarly.
During mutual aid events, other teams may look different...but that may be an
advantage.
ARES patches and decals are available from ARRL/HQ, and we are currently
working on having vendors at EMCOMM 2002 to make name/call sign badges “while
you wait”, sell magnetic signs, etc. - de K6SOJ
+ EMSA DRILL REPORTS -
On November 15 the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)
conducted its annual statewide drill.
The agency interacts with local Operational Areas (“OAs”), and the
California Office of Emergency Services. The OAs cities, counties, special
districts and agencies, have the option of utilizing the amateur radio resource
as part of their EMCOMM response. (There are other non-ham EMCOMM services
available.) Where they choose to involve the ARES or RACES units, some
local teams opted to take the opportunity make the drill their annual
“SET”.) Below are two reports from amateur EMCOMM teams.
TRINITY COUNTY:
In attendance: Vicki Riley, KF6OAH, AEC, and TCARC President; Elise
Osvold-Doppelhauer, RN, PHN (Public Health Nursing Supervisor); Richard
Smith Weaverville Fire Marshal and staff; five representatives from
Trinity Hospital, including Dr. Krause; Dave Laffranchini, TCSO (OES Rep);
myself; and possibly a few others (that I may have missed).
Scenario:
This was a "tabletop" exercise that began with an anonymous call
warning of
a possible terrorist event, no details. Then an “18 wheeler” with a
hazardous chemical drives into a public gathering. Many calls via 9-1-1, EMS
callout, etc. Chemical overcomes first responders, many dead. EMCOMM was set up
between the "Center" which was at the conference room of the Public
Utilities Dept. instead of the pre-planned Hospital, and the possible evacuation
site at the Douglas City School. Both Packet and voice links were established.
The exercise began at 8AM and ended about 11AM.
Observations:
An "exercise" such as this should be treated as a "Learning
Experience",
and this one was great. The spirit of cooperation, the interjected information,
and potential solutions were very positive. For our component, i.e.
communications, it became apparent that we should bite the bullet, install
antennas at various locations within the county, and test for communications
between these sites. Costs for such installations will have to be
investigated for outside sources. We also need to train our operators
further with regards to packet and traffic handling.”
- Robert "Buck" Buckley, W6HOR, Trinity County EC
COMMENT: Great report Buck! The scheduled RADIOGRAM practice sessions
starting tomorrow night “dovetail” right in with your last sentence.
TUOLOMNE COUNTY (San Joaquin Valley Section):
Tuolumne County held their annual EMS drill and training on November 15 from
0800 to 1100. 20 volunteer EMCOMM operators participated. The
scenario: a downed commuter aircraft. The “crash site” was covered with old
airplane parts and “injured” students from nearby Columbia College
pretending to be victims. RACES/ARES teams operated from the “crash
scene”, the dispatch area, the Airport Communications Center, Sonora Community
Hospital (private), and Tuolumne General Hospital (county owned). After the
drill a short de-briefing was held, followed by pizza supplied by the county.
Our EMCOMM personnel wear many “hats” since we are all ARES, RACES and
VIP members. It was a good learning experience, working with all the
different agencies at the same time. We look forward to next year. (From
information provided by Phil Fish, WB6GGY, Tuolumne County RACES Officer.)
NOTE: The Tuolumne County EC is: Fred White, WB6WFF,
COMMENT: Sounds like you have an active team Phil, and I especially like the
part about free pizza! - de K6SOJ
+ ARES TO MARS BY DECEMBER - UPDATE
A few public service events have already occurred. (See last issue) Press
and other media releases have already gone out in a few counties, and will
soon be out in other counties.
“Q and A”:
Q: “I am a ham but I am not familiar with NTS traffic formatting. Is it
OK
if just I deliver a message into a net informally, and let someone else
format it?”
A: No. This operation is also a training modality and is designed to encourage
radio amateurs to learn message handling. There is no time like the
present, to learn how to handle traffic and become familiar with it. Educational
and reference materials: The ARRL Public Service Manual; The ARRL Operating
Manual; or online at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/teacher/kemp/appendixa.html.
Of course, in an actual EMERGENCY you may send a distress message informally;
but always make sure that all critical information is ACCURATE and cannot be
misinterpreted. (This is especially important when reporting locations,
etc.) Of course, ALL traffic (any priority), will be handled quicker if
sent in standardized format.
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.
PARTICIPATING ARES/MARS STATIONS - (updated):
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.
PARTICIPATING NETS -
Southern Oregon / Northern California region:
DAILY following the Jefferson Noon Net (JNN): 1200L on 7232 LSB
WEDNESDAY following the REGIONAL ARES LEADERSHIP NET: 1930L on 3987 LSB 24/7 VIA
PACTOR: N2RSN/AAT0AQ (near Keno, OR) station/mailbox on 7078.1 LSB ARES to MARS
traffic accepted. NTS format. n2rsn@arrl.net.
NOTE: ARES leaders, club officers, and net managers - if you want your net
schedule(s) listed here...please send the information.
+ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION -
(Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.qsl.net/k6soj)
+ WX SPOTTER NETS - WHY? - by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
In today’s “super-techno-world” complete with high and low orbiting
satellites, radar, Doppler systems, automated weather monitoring stations,
computers, computers, and even more computers; plus not-so-new weather balloons,
(yes, they still launch one every 12 hours from the Medford NWS Station), one
might ask: “Why are volunteer weather spotters necessary?”
National Weather Service Meteorologists tell me that, even with all of the
sophisticated high tech gear they have at their disposal; that actual ground,
marine and aerial, observations and reports, from real, live, trained, human
beings, provide important data that are not available any other way.
The southern Oregon / northern California region has many different
topographical features and “micro climates”. Volunteer observers often
report hazardous conditions like icy conditions on roads, ground fog, and
measurements during severe weather events. YEAR ‘round.
The Medford NWS Office has 445 trained and registered weather spotters in
its nine county service area. Most reports are made via landline to the
NWS using a special toll-free number. But they also have more than fifty
(50!) volunteer amateur radio operators, that have taken the NWS training and
registered their stations as “Official WX Spotter Stations”.
Radio amateurs provide the primary method of reporting when telephone systems
fail...as they can (and will) do during severe weather events. Amateurs also
provide WX reports on local conditions when operating mobile. In the Midwest, in
“tornado alley”, the SKYWARN program has saved many lives by providing the
NWS with many extra “eyes and ears”.
I recall an actual incident a few years ago. One late summer afternoon, I
was in the north Shasta Valley. A severe thunderstorm was
encountered, and we were soon being pelted with “3/4 inch plus” hail.
It sounded and felt like rocks and it was moving towards the County Airport!
Aware of the fact that hail of this size could cause significant damage to small
aircraft, I called on a local 2M repeater for “any weather spotter”. W6FKI,
Ted Graves in Mt. Shasta responded, noted my observation, relayed it to a
station in Jackson County, who then notified the NWS in Medford, Oregon.
As the hailstorm moved eastward, I tuned to a NOAA station on 162.40 MHz,
“to see if my report was going to be used.” Within minutes, MY REPORT
was
issued over the NOAA VHF broadcast system as a severe weather WARNING!
“I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!” - Colonel John "Hannibal"
Smith of the A-TEAM. -- This is just one (personal) example of WHY?
Here’s a few more:
- It promotes interest and involvement in public service by amateurs handling by
amateurs. Ref. FCC Part 97.1
- It promotes (and requires) disciplined operating procedures.
- It provides a positive image of amateur radio.
- It helps meet the need for public service oriented amateurs who often may
complain that “there is never anything important for us to do”.
There is no area in the country that does not have a need for WX Spotters.
(Some just have more of a need that others.) If there is no SKYWARN or WX
Spotter Program in your area...why not start one? Contact your EC or your
local NWS office.
Here are a few resources:
- Medford SKYWARN website: http://www.qsl.net/mfrskywarn/
Oh yes...their beautiful website is done by Bill, KC7REK. (Who also does
our ARES and other websites)
- National SKYWARN page: http://www.skywarn.org/
- NWS / NWS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/mou/weather.html
- NWS/ARRL SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY - 1 December 2001
(Details in November QST - page 76, and on above website.)
+ 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
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 -
KLAMATH COUNTY: (LAST CHANCE TONIGHT!)
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 ...
+ HISTORY OF THE 5-1-2+ BULLETIN
+ CW IN EMCOMM - WHY?
+ DEVELOPING YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN - TIPS
+ PLANNING AND EXECUTING YOUR NEXT “SET” - TIPS
+ CLUBS AND EMCOMM
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
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