Bulletin No. 88

Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit."
                          - Vince Lombardi

-----------------------------------------

The 5-1-2+ BULLETIN - 8 January 2002 - No. 88

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:

- EMCOMM 2002 UPDATE
- VOTE IN OUR STRAW POLL
- SHORT CIRCUITS
- EC CORNER
- CELLPHONE SERVICE MAY BE RESTRICTED DURING EMERGENCIES
- SIMULATED POWER OUTAGE PLANNED
- TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
- ON-THE-AIR RADIOGRAM PRACTICE UPDATE
- NWS-SKYWARN NEWS
- WX SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
- ARES NETS REMINDER/SCHEDULE
- COMING ATTRACTIONS

+++ IMPORTANT +++

+ EMCOMM 2002 - APRIL 20-21 - UPDATE -
The 3rd Annual “EMergency COMMunications EXPO” - EMCOMM 2002, will feature all new classes, workshops and seminars.  Planning is now in high gear and the curriculum will be announced soon.  Watch this spot each week for
progress reports and updates.  Registration begins online on January 15 at:
http://www.emcomm2002.net/.

+ VOTE IN THE EMCOMM 2002 “SATURDAY NIGHT B-B-Q STRAW POLL" -
For Saturday night (April 20), we are planning a catered "on the grounds” B-B-Q, complete with live entertainment.  It will include: Tri-tips, chicken, salad, rolls, beans, cake and soft drinks.  The price will be $10 per person, pre-paid by April 1, 2002. Since the caterer requires a minimum of 100 persons, we need to know if there is enough interest before we commit.  Please vote...but ONLY if you are planning to attend EMCOMM 2002. (Do not send any money now. This is only a survey.) Vote by going to: http://www.emcomm2002.net/  (Click on B-B-Q Poll.) After voting please state your name, call sign, and the number of tickets you will purchase.  Thank you.

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

+ ARRL URL FOR CODE PRACTICE -
From Ray Balch, K6VX, Professor Emeritus of DX:  “The ARRL URL at:
http://www.pcpractice.com/CW/ is an easy way to practice code.  Directories
with speeds from 5 to 40 wpm.  Those with dates are complete down loads (for that date) from W1AW.  I hope this will help those who are interested in brushing up their CW speed or learning CW. 

COMMENT:  Thanks Ray.  I tried it and it was easy and fun.  I saved it in
my “favorites” file! - de K6SOJ

+ OREGON SECTION WEEKLY ARES NET -
Lew Williams, WB7NML, Oregon SEC reports that the Oregon ARES/RACES net is every Tuesday at 1800L on 3993.5 kHz.  Also an ARES traffic net is daily at 1730L on 3993.5 kHz.

+ EC CORNER - REMINDER TO ALL EMERGENCY COORDINATORS
If you haven’t submitted your December monthly (FSD-212) report, please get
it in to your DEC and/or SEC... pronto!  (SV Section ECs submit online at www.qsl.net/k6soj > click on “ECs Only”.) At “press time” the following SV Section Counties have reported: Amador, Butte/Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Placer,
Plumas, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Yolo.

Also, (while we’re on the subject of “paper work”)... 2001 EC ANNUAL REPORTS (Form C) are due January 31, 2002. Print a copy at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ec_ann.pdf. Send copies (via U.S. Mail) to: ARRL HQ, your DEC and SEC.

+ ANTENNA WEBSITE - From Joe Park, WB6AGR, AEC Placer County:
“...take a look at http://www.antennex.com/ lots of stuff on antennas.”

+ CELLPHONE SERVICE MAY BE RESTRICTED DURING EMERGENCIES

From: California OES ACS Newsletter December 17, 2001
Editor: Ken Bourne, W6HK, Southern Region ACS Officer

According to an article ("U.S. Considers Restricting Cellphone Use in Disasters," by Jayson Blair) in the December 12th issue of "The New York Times," federal officials are proposing to close cell-phone networks to almost everyone but government officials in the event of a major emergency (such as the September 11th attacks).

Cell-phone networks thus would be prevented from being so saturated with calls that emergency workers could not communicate.

The new system would give first priority to calls from local, state, and federal government officials during emergencies.

National Communications System (an agency that advises the White House on telecommunications) officials said the initial system would guarantee that 2,000 government officials in Washington, New York, and Salt Lake City would be able to make wireless calls in an emergency. It would later be expanded to give priority to calls from 15,000 government workers in each city and then 50,000
workers in each city, officials said. The NCS goal is to have a nationwide system in place by 2002.

Government officials would be given an access code to allow priority calls. Each code would be assigned one of five priority levels.

The system will not be unlike the one for regular landline calls, which gives priority to calls from certain telephone numbers. However, cellular networks do not have near the capacity of landline networks, making it more likely that most of the public would not be able to use cell phones in an emergency.

+ 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 checkins, 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.

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

+ RADIOGRAM PRACTICE SESSIONS -

RADIOGRAM practice sessions are Wednesday nights following the ARES
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP NET - (Approximately 2000L on 3987 LSB ±)

- 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 a receiving) station, please let us know.  Don’t let the
fear of making a “misteak” 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 2 JANUARY
SENDING STATION KC7IXX -- RECEIVING STATION WA7IZU
------------------------------------------
TEST 19 R KC7IXX 20 PROVOLT OR JAN 2

DAVE THORNE
RANCHO RELAXO CA  00222
555 326 2002

TEST MESSAGE HIGHWAY 338S CLOSED
AT SUMMIT X 2ND ANNUAL
SNOWBALL FIGHT POSTPONED X WILL
ADVISE WHEN RESCHEDULED X 73

BILL
-------------------------------
TEST 20 R KC7IXX 25 PROVOLT OR JAN 2

ED EWELL
3292 RADIO LN
CALAMITY FALLS OR  97701
514 999 5555

TEST MESSAGE TROPHY BROKEN BY
DOG DOG BROKEN BY TROPHY
X TROPHY NEEDS GLUE DOG
NEEDS X RAY X MUST
REPAIR BEFORE DAVE SEES THEM

BILL
--------------------------------
TEST 21 R KC7IXX 21 PROVOLT OR JAN 2

GENERAL R SUBER
5432 PINE ST
KENO OR  97597
540 978 6543

TEST MESSAGE NEED TO DEVELOP
BATTLE STRATEGY FOR NEXT SNOWBALL
FIGHT X CALL ME AT
555 864 1234 AT YOUR
CONVENIENCE

BILL
----------------------------
NOTE:  There was a “planned error” in test message 21.  The “check” was
originally sent as 20.  The receiving station caught the discrepancy and it
was corrected to 21.
----------------------------

+ 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), and 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, 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 ...

PLUS:

+ 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