Bulletin No. 87

OUR CREED FOR 2002:
*Learn all you can.
*Educate all you can.
*Set an example as best you can.
*Talk up amateur radio all you can.
*Promote ‘The League’ all you can.”
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 1 January 2002 - No. 87

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

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

+ GREMLINS - DUE TO A COMPUTER GLITCH OUR GROUP EMAIL FILES WERE PARTIALLY FOULED.  WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RECONSTRUCT THEM.  PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU:

1 - DO NOT WISH TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE 5-1-2+ BULLETIN.
2 - KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO WAS INADVERTENTLY “DROPPED”.
3 - HAVE OTHER CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS.

+ MODOC COUNTY EC RESIGNS -
Tom “Fergy” Ferguson has resigned from his post as ARES Emergency
Coordinator and ACS Officer for Modoc County.  Fergy was the first Modoc EC in recent history, and served over two years.  He implemented and conducted weekly Modoc County nets and rarely missed a regional net or monthly report. His departure from the leadership team leaves a large gap in
Northern California EMCOMM.

+ SIMULATED POWER OUTAGE EXERCISE AND COMPETITION -
TWICE...during the month of January, the Jefferson Noon Net (1200L daily on
7232 kHz) will stage two “simulated power outages”.  One will occur on a
weekday, and one will be on a weekend.  Here’s how it will “go down”:

1. Stations check in as usual using their normal power source.

2. Sometime after the first round of check-ins, the NCS will declare that
“a (simulated) widespread power outage has just occurred”, will identify,
and STAND BY.

3. Net stations switch or connect to emergency power and call the NCS as
soon as they are “back on the air” (on auxiliary power source).

4. As stations check in (using emergency power) the NCS will note the time
in the log.  Elapsed time will be recorded by the NCS, in the order of
“re-checks” and will be announced the next day on the JNN and published in
the following issue of the 5-1-2+ Bulletin.

5. Stations who normally operate “off the grid” may participate by
simulating a failure in their normal power source, and by switching to a
different system.

6. “Emergency power” is defined as:
    - A gas, diesel, solar, wind, pedal, or hydro powered generator...or
      any other “off the grid” power source.
    - A Battery.  (Pre-charged “from the grid” is allowed.)
    - Going outside to your mobile unit.

7. If a station does not have emergency power for HF, they may go to a VHF
mobile, HT, or other emergency powered VHF radio and check in, PROVIDING
they contact a participating VHF-HF station (also on emergency power)
and be relayed in to the NCS.

8. The “exercise” will end at 1300L.  In other words, if you are unable to
be operating by 1300L, you need to improve your response time.  ;-)

9. Stations who participate in one or both “tests”, and send a business
size SASE to: The SOJOURNERS, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA  96058 will receive a SPECIAL QSL CARD that will confirm the number of minutes that it took them to switch to an emergency (or other back up) power source.

+ “ARES TO MARS” PROJECT - FINAL REPORT

The “ARES TO MARS” project was announced November 7 in a SPECIAL EDITION of the 5-1-2+ Bulletin.  Response from the amateur community was “lukewarm” at best.  A few local EMCOMM units, and a few clubs, made considerable effort to implement this program of support to members of the armed services, and the public we serve.

In spite of good press coverage the response from the public was disappointing.  We have no particular explanation for this, other than to suspect that the patriotic fervor that resulted from the terrorist attacks on September 11 has began to wane.  In others words, for many Americans, it’s back to their apathy and complacency.

Another reason may be that the e-mail and Internet services are holding up
well; and one major electronic/computer retail chain promoted and provided
a public service to send video messages to service members.  (Much more
dramatic than a drab RADIOGRAM.)

The SV Section ARES is still available to handle traffic addressed to service members via its regularly scheduled nets, and will continue to forward that traffic to MARS stations as appropriate.

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

+ RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS -

While there are many listening/participating in the southern Oregon / northern California region, it was nice to receive a report from Daniel Crane, KB7DFL in “The Evergreen State”.  Thanks Dan, your special QSL card is on it way!  (See “A SPECIAL QSL CARD” below for details.)

RADIOGRAM practice sessions are Wednesday nights following the ARES
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP NET - (Approximately 2000L on 3987 LSB + or -.)
- Test messages will be sent by volunteer operators. 

- The RADIOGRAMS will be published in the following 5-1-2+ Bulletin, so
participants can check their copy 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 the 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 next two Wednesdays.  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 26 DECEMBER
SENDING STATION K7DXV -- RECEIVING STATION KC7IXX
------------------------------------------
TEST 18 EMERGENCY HXC K7DXV ARL12 KLAMATH FALLS 0403Z DEC 27

BILL JONES ARES EC
1234 MAPLE AVE
KLAMATH FALLS OR 27001
919 555 1234

TEST MESSAGE X ARL NINE
ARES X ARL ELEVEN RED
CROSS 7DOT232

CHUCK SMITH K6HSS SHELTER TEAM
-------------------------------
TEST 17 P K7DXV 18 KLAMATH FALLS OR 0402Z DEC 27

BILL JONES ARES EC
1234 MAPLE AVE
KLAMATH FALLS OR 27001
919 555 1234

TEST MESSAGE X POWER SUPPLY
FAILED X NEED 12V 35A
AC POWER SUPPLY AT SHELTER
SOUTH HENLEY SCHOOL

CHUCK SMITH K6HSS SHELTER TEAM
--------------------------------
TEST 16 R K7DXV 21 KLAMATH FALLS OR DEC 26

DONALD R SMITH
164 EAST SIXTH AVE
NORTH RIVER CITY MO 96604
760 352 2737

TEST MESSAGE X MIXED GROUPS
AND GROUPS OF FIGURES ARE
COUNTED AS ONE X FOR
EXAMPLE FSD218 COUNTS AS ONE
GROUP

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

+ 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:
147.260+   K6SOJ   SY42
3987 LSB  KE7WEU  JO25

2nd and 4th Wednesdays:
147.260+   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, gpederso@OregonVOS.net; 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: gpederso@OregonVOS.net

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:

-------------------------------------
(ARES leaders* who are willing and available to serve as the NCS on one of
the blank dates above, please contact K6SOJ to be placed on the schedule.)
* SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs, OES, ORS, etc.)

+ 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

+ 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
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) 2002 - 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