Bulletin No. 86

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 25 December 01 - No. 86

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
- FEEDBACK
- TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
- ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE UPDATE
- ARES TO MARS PROJECT UPDATE
- NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
- WX SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
- ARES NETS REMINDER/SCHEDULE
- COMING ATTRACTIONS

+++ SHORT CIRCUITS - (Brief, but important announcements)

+ AND THE WINNER IS (insert drum roll here) -
Warren Olney, KB7EKF, AEC, Josephine County, is the winner of the GRAND
PRIZE DRAWING from all correctly copied RADIOGRAM entries submitted from the first RADIOGRAM TEST on November 21.  Your prize is on the way.  A 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.  Congratulations!

+ NEW PICS ON THE ARES TEAM SPOTLIGHT PAGE -
See the Humboldt Amateur Radio Club/ARES/RACES mobile EMCOMM unit all decked out for the Eureka Christmas Parade!  Go to: www.qsl.net/k6soj
and click on “ARES Team Spotlight.

+ WX SPOTTERS - NO ANEMOMETER?
The NWS suggests you use the BEAUFORT SCALE to estimate wind speed.
A chart is available at: http://www.onlineweather.com/BritishIsles/windDefinitions.html

And for a very interesting history of the Beaufort Scale go to:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/webpage/beaufort/
(Thanks to John Moriarity, K6QQ)

+ STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT - 0000 to 2400Z - January 1, 2002
(1600 PST December 31 to 1600 PST January 1).
Info: www.arrl.org/contests
HOPE TO C U ON AIR NY EVE ES HOPE UR SKN IS ALWAYS 599 73 DE K6SOJ

+ FEEDBACK -

From St. Nick: “What a night!  Just before dawn today, I finished my rounds
by dropping off a load of toys to the children at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, WI (http://www.stnicholashospital.org/).  I was northbound at about 15,000 feet, when my GPS conked out.  Then, my cell phone battery died and Rudolph’s nose iced up.  Thank goodness I had my HT with me! Thanks to all the members of the ARRL and RAC for the contacts, keeping me company and relaying a message to Mrs. Nicholas that I was homebound. By the time I arrived at the North Pole, she had a real working man’s breakfast of Caribou (heh, heh, ho) Steak ‘n Eggs breakfast ready. It was just what I needed before my long winter nap!

C U ALL NEXT YEAR ES MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ES 73!

+++ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION -
(Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.qsl.net/k6soj)

+ RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS -

RADIOGRAM practice sessions follow the
ARES REGIONAL LEADERSHIP NETS every Wednesday night.
- Approximately 2000L on 3987 LSB + or -.
- 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

“TRAFFIC HANDLING IS FUN AND 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
http://www.area-ham.org/tngdocs/ntsdocs/ntsman.htm

SURVEY OF PARTICIPANTS:
We would like to know who and how many are participating in these RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS, please send a short e-mail to: www.qsl.net/k6soj indicating that you are.  Better yet...send in for the special QSL card. Please include any comments or suggestions.  Thank you.

A SPECIAL QSL CARD is available to all operators who participate in any
Wednesday session, and submit a copy of a correctly copied RADIOGRAM by
regular mail.  All radio amateurs (including “no code” Technicians) are invited to listen in and submit an entry.  Here are the rules:

1. Listen on Wednesdays at 2000L on 3987 LSB (+ or -).  Three RADIOGRAMS will be transmitted.

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; (a “printer friendly” version is available
at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/radiogram2.pdf
or, you may use a plain piece of paper.  However, your “copy” MUST be in
ARRL 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. Entries MUST be postmarked by Monday that follows the practice session,
since the correct copy will be published in the 5-1-2+ Bulletin the
following Tuesday.


RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSION STATION SCHEDULE:

As you can see from the above schedule, volunteer stations will SEND three
messages for two consecutive Wednesdays.  Then, they will RECEIVE messages for the two Wednesdays following.  If you want to “jump in with both feet”, and be a sending (then receiving) station, please let us know.  Don’t let
the fear of making a misteak (HI) hold you back.  Operators who have not
practiced this will have one a hell of a time if they ever need to send a
message.  Learn how to, or polish your old skills, BEFORE an EMERGENCY
occurs!

OK...who will be next?  (Need a receiving station for Jan 16 and 23.)

+ TEST (PRACTICE) RADIOGRAMS AS SENT ON 19 DECEMBER:
------------------------------------------
TEST 13 R K7DXV 23 KLAMATH FALLS OR DEC 19

MICHAEL H EASLEY
500 BLOUNT ST
RALEIGH NC 27601
919 555 1212

TEST MESSAGE X HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
ARE OPTIONAL X A COMPLETE
LIST OF HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE ON THE PINK CARD
ARRL FORM FSD218

ED EWELL
------------------------------------------
TEST 14 R K7DXV 18 KLAMATH FALLS OR DEC 19

JOHN PUBLIC
1234 MAPLE AVE
ANYTOWN NC 27000
919 555 1234

TEST MESSAGE X THE ADDRESS
SHOULD BE AS COMPLETE AS
POSSIBLE X INCLUDE THE TELEPHONE
NUMBER WHEN AVAILABLE

ED EWELL
--------------------------------------------
TEST 15 R K7DXV ARL13 KLAMATH FALLS OR DEC 19

WARREN OLNEY KB7EKF
PO BOX 1182
GRANTS PASS OR 97526
919 555 1724

TEST MESSAGE X ARL SIXTY
SEVEN TEST12 PHONE INCORRECT X
ADDRESS INCORRECT ALSO

ED EWELL K7DXV
---------------------------------------------

+ ARES TO MARS BY DECEMBER -
(See 5-1-2+ Bulletin No. 79 for complete details)

+ 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  http://hamradio.noaa.gov/

+ WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE -
Classes for 2002 will be announced as they are scheduled.

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 SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -

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.
For more information contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederson@orednet.org; or,
Dave, K6SOJ, k6soj@arrl.net

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 and/or 146.55 MHZ DURING THE NOON NET TO RELAY CHECK-INS 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. Starting November 21, 2001 at 2000L (approximate) on 3987 LSB (+ or -): “ON-THE AIR” RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS

ARES REGIONAL NET CONTROL STATION SCHEDULE:
-----------------------------------
Dec. 19  Josephine Co.  AEC  KC7IXX
Dec. 26  SV Section EC       K6SOJ
------------------------------------
Jan.  2
Jan.  9
Jan. 16
Jan. 23  Dist. 1-2      DEC  WO6P
Jan. 30
------------------------------------

+ ARES and other EMCOMM NETS - list at:
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

+ NEXT WEEK...SIMULATED POWER OUTAGE EXERCISE AND COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT

+ COMING ATTRACTIONS ...