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HAPPY THANKSGIVING ! `@º `@º `@º
A Weekly Bulletin for ARES and other EMCOMM Operators and Public
Safety Officials in “the west”...and beyond.
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, Editor.
INTERNET: www.emcomm.org E-MAIL: k6soj@arrl.net
A.R.R.L. HQ: www.arrl.org/ (Check it daily!)
L = LCL (Local time in the (PST winter / PDT summer) zone
Z = ZULU (Universal Coordinated Time - UTC)
IN THIS EDITION ...
+ A BOGUS DISTRESS CALL
+ NEW SUBSCRIBERS
+ NET REMINDER
+ HOLIDAY NET SCHEDULES
+ YUBA-SUTTER ARES HAS NEW EC
+ FEEDBACK
+ “PLEASE BE REMINDED”
• KNOW CODE CW NET [KCN]
• ARC/ARES TRAINING in central Sacramento Valley
+ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
• HOW TO “ZERO BEAT” CW SIGS
+ NWS-SKYWARN SECTION
• NWS / ARRL Special Event
• Active SKYWARN Stations
• Reno NWS Section
------------------------------------------------
+ A BOGUS
DISTRESS CALL -
On 18 November at approximately 1930 PST operators in southern Oregon heard a
distress call come over the OCRA repeater system. The caller said that he
was not a ham, but that he was using his brother’s radio and call sign, and
that his brother was injured and they were stranded and freezing on Mt. Shasta.
KB7EKF (AEC in Josephine County, OR) called K6SOJ via landline in Siskiyou County (Mt. Shasta is in Siskiyou County), and reported that the call was monitored on a frequency ending in “.76”. 3987 kHz was active for the Shasta County ARES net at 1945L on schedule, and since there is a repeater on 146.76 in Shasta County, the ARES operators there were asked to monitor that frequency.
WB6YQP in Grants Pass (who is one of the control operators for the ORCA system), contacted K6SOJ on 3987 kHz, who contacted WB6IDM in Mt. Shasta City who was asked to monitor 147.76 (the input frequency of the 147.16+ repeater which is believed to have been the entry point of the distress call into the five repeater linked ORCA system). Also assisting was KB7SKB in Central Point, OR. Law enforcement officials in Siskiyou County were notified and looked up the call sign that had been given.
They obtained a telephone number and called the licensee at home in Butte County about 100 miles away. The ham with that call sign stated that his 2M radio was stolen “over a month ago”, and that he was safe at home and that he did not have a brother.
It was finally decided that the perpetrators of this bogus
distress call (a felony) were unlicensed, using a stolen radio, and operating
simplex on the input of a five repeater linked system. The entire incident
was over within 30 minutes and was ruled to be
a hoax.
WHAT IS THE LESSON HERE?
• Assume all distress calls are legitimate until proven otherwise.
• Respond to all such calls with efficiency and accuracy.
• Write DOWN everything heard. Call signs, location, names, etc.
• ONLY ONE STATION should maintain contact with the “calling party”.
• Other stations on the primary frequency should stand by unless called.
• Law enforcement should be notified ASAP. Offer to assist them by
providing the name and address that goes with a call sign (if any). The
law enforcement agency should make the telephone calls to the licensee.
(The distress call could be legitimate.)
+ WELCOME TO
THESE NEW SUBSCRIBERS:
• Curt Sylvester-Jose, KF6VFP, AEC, Yuba-Sutter County
• Barry Barnes, KE6LW, Yuba-Sutter County ARES
• Lee Sheffield, KC6MCI, Yuba-Sutter County ARES
+ NET REMINDER:
(4th Wednesday) NOV 27 @ 1930 PACIFIC - 3987 KHZ
Sacramento Valley Section ARES Net. (ARES stations outside the SV Section
are welcome.) NCS: SV SEC, DEC, EC. or AEC.
+ HOLIDAY
NET SCHEDULES:
Since emergencies do not take holidays, all Sacramento Valley Section Nets, and
NWS SKYWARN Nets, will continue on their regular schedule through the holiday
season. We understand that net participation may be lighter than usual.
By doing this, it will give us an indication of who might be available for an
actual activation.
+ NEW EC FOR
YUBA-SUTTER ARES -
Michael Colvin, W6CUJ, of Marysville has been appointed as the new
Emergency Coordinator for Yuba and Sutter County ARES. Michael has an
excellent track record as an AEC and has recently been instrumental in
developing a written emergency plan, established training classes (see “Please
Be Reminded” below), and is currently working with the Three Rivers Chapter of
the American Red Cross, local hospitals, government agencies, and the
Yuba-Sutter Amateur Radio Club.
He was first licensed as an amateur radio operator in 1959, and holds an
advanced class license. He has experience in emergency communications, working
in public service events and tornado spotting (SKYWARN) in Iowa for the NWS. He
also has an abiding interest in QRP operation, and is a teacher by profession.
Other avocations include bicycling, backpacking (he likes to take his radio gear
along), computers, and astronomy.
Michael has many years of experience working with volunteers in the non-profit sector including serving as the Assistant Executive Director of the National Kidney Foundation of Iowa where he developed skills as a negotiator and diplomat. He has also served as a church pastor and says: "...as a pastor I developed the skin of a rhinoceros". (You may need THAT Michael! - ed.)
Russell Decker, KB6YAF, the previous Yuba-Sutter EC, is
remaining on the Yuba-Sutter ARES team as an AEC.
+ FEEDBACK -
(Re. “CALLING AND EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES” (Bulletin No. 133)
From John Moriarity, K6QQ, AEC, Siskiyou-Modoc County ARES:
“I agree completely, but ... “24/7” is going to be hard, especially since
it requires dedicating a receiver to that task alone. We're going to need
a whole lot more CW operators to make this thing work! I think the
"Novice" band idea is good, but we have no idea what the FCC is going
to do in the future. The phone bands will most likely be extended downward as in
Canada.”
COMMENT: We’re not suggesting that an uninterrupted "24/7" radio
watch is an achievable goal. While most of us have an extra receiver or
two sittin’ around, very few of us are available to monitor more than a few
hours a day...at best. But we have to start somewhere. For now, the
idea is to encourage EMCOMM operators who are in their shacks anyway, to monitor
the calling frequencies as much possible. Hopefully, in time, others will
join in and support the effort. And maybe, just maybe, someday, somewhere,
someone, will pick up an important call that otherwise might not have been
heard. And, just maybe, our little efforts will help "stem the
tide" towards loss of the amateur bands or sub-bands. - de K6SOJ
From Lake “Ed” Trump, AL7N, Fairbanks, Alaska:
“Great idea designating 3705/7105 as CW calling frequencies! We are still
working at keeping listening watch as much as possible on 3534 (moved down one
kHz due to local interference) and 7042 khz here in Alaska. Regular traffic work
is carried on each evening usually between 0500 and 0730Z whenever there is
traffic to move. Listen for KL5T and AL7N on 3534 and 7042. We will attempt to
guard 7105 also from this end, although foreign BC covers that frequency pretty
well on the Alaska end. Keep up the good work!”
COMMENT: Thanks Ed. I plan to give you a call some
night when conditions and my schedule permit. - de K6SOJ
From Ken McTaggart, N6KM, Sonoma, CA:
“Thanks for the continuing bulletin effort; it is very good. I am a HF
digital operator and can do RTTY/AMTOR/Pactor, preferring the later.
Please let me know how I can help from here in Sonoma. I used to talk with
N2RSN from time to time and worked him on his Pactor MBX and LSB on the ARES
net.”
COMMENT: Thanks Ken. As soon as we find someone willing to
coordinate the digital traffic net effort for northern California/Nevada I will
announce it in the EMCOMMWEST Bulletin. Stay tuned. - de K6SOJ
From Dave Nicholson, KB6PNT, Big Springs, CA:
“Hey Dave, no matter how neat the digital modes and fancy computer stuff is, I
think that CW with a basic rig is the greatest of all. Can't wait to get
my new kit and get it built. I know that I could work CW on my new HF rig, but
the only challenge to that is the CW itself. With the QRP rig.....
‘nother story. I will get around to some CW with you on the new Icom,
but things need to settle down with winter some. How ‘bout some ‘hobo
camp’ qrp? Great article in the last bulletin re. CW!”
COMMENT: I am eagerly looking forward to hearing sigs from your soon-to-be
1/4 watt QRPp transceiver. I checked out the PIXIE 2 website at www.qrpp-i.com/pixie2.htm
and conclude that...even I...could build one of these! And the $9.95 price
is almost within my budget! - de K6SOJ
NOTE: I would like to hear from anyone who has built/used a Pixie 2.
+ “PLEASE
BE REMINDED” SECTION:
(previously announced but important stuff)
+ “KNOW CODE” CW NET [KCN] & ROUND TABLE -
The nightly KNOW CODE “slower-speed” CW Round Tables are slowly gaining
momentum often with two to three stations active. Designed for EMCOMM
operators who want to get their Morse skills “up-to-faster-speed”.
Join in (or listen) at: 2000 PST nightly on 3722 (“down”) kHz. If you
don’t hear anyone...call CQ or try another night.
+ AMERICAN RED CROSS and ARES TO HOLD JOINT TRAINING
SESSIONS
Mike Scott, Disaster Services Director for the Three Rivers Chapter ARC and
Michael Colvin, W6CUJ, AEC, Yuba/Sutter County ARES have scheduled several
orientation meetings for ARES members (other hams interested in EMCOMM are
welcome) in the use of the newly re-furbished ARC Disaster Utility Vehicle (DUV).
The meetings are primarily for amateurs in the service area of the Three Rivers
Chapter: Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Butte, Glenn, and Plumas Counties; since these
operators will most likely be using the DUV for their own county disasters.
EMCOMM operators from other counties who have experience with ARES are welcome
to attend and help Yuba-Sutter ARES get off to a good start!
LOCATION:
Three Rivers Chapter ARC Headquarters
2125 E. Onstott Road
Yuba City, CA.
(Onstott Road is the frontage road along Hwy 99 on both sides of the highway, so
East Onstott is that part of Onstott that is on the east side of Hwy. 99. Take
the Queens Avenue exit. If you are coming from the north, take the bridge across
99 and turn left at the first street you come to. From the south, take Queens
Avenue. Turn right on Queens, and turn left immediately at the frontage road
across the street.)
2nd Meeting: Wednesday, 12/11/02 at 1900L
Emergency Communications and DUV training mtg.
Topics to be covered (not necessarily in this order):
1. Introductions
2. How prepared are we?
3. Working with the American Red Cross in disaster situations
4. Set up and operation of the DUV
3rd Meeting: Saturday, 01/04/02 from 0900L to 1500L
DUV training and tentative SET (bring your own lunch)
Topics to be covered (not necessarily in this order):
1. Practice setting up and putting away the DUV
2. Take the DUV to a remote location, set up and make contacts with local
and regional hams on all frequencies.
3. Contact Red Cross HQ using public service xcvr
4. Return to ARC for debriefing
For more information contact: Michael Colvin, W6CUJ, w6cuj@arrl.net
+++ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION +++
+ HOW TO “ZERO BEAT” CW SIGS - by Ed Ewell, K7DXV,
Official Observer,
AEC Siskiyou and Modoc County ARES, and Official Emergency Station.
Here is a tip to help zero beat a CW signal that may be useful to others using
modern solid state rigs. These transceivers usually have a built in off
set on receive of 600, 700, 750 Hz, etc. and it can be difficult for new
operators to get on frequency. The method that I use with my TS440 Kenwood
transceiver is to switch to either upper or lower side band, zero beat the
carrier, and switch back to CW. If you follow this procedure you will be
on the same frequency as the station you wish to contact.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous training bulletins are archived at: www.emcomm.org/svares/training/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
• THE TRAFFIC HANDLER’S “MANTRA”:
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic •
Delayed”
(NUMBER-PRECEDENCE-HX-STATION OF ORIGIN-CHECK-PLACE OF ORIGIN-TIME-DATE)
=========================================
+++++ REFERENCE SECTION +++++
• BEEN AWHILE SINCE YOU OPERATED CW? NEVER HAD THE ENJOYMENT OF MORSE
OPERATING? Then, take a look at: “A Beginner’s Guide to Making CW
Contacts” by Jack Wagoner, WB8FSV at: www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm
• AN EXCELLENT NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (NTS) TRAINING WEBSITE IS AT:
http://www.qsl.net/aresco/nts-top.htm
• ADDITIONAL (VERY) USEFUL information is available at:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/FandES/field/pscm/sec2-ch11.html
http://www.area-ham.org/tngdocs/ntsdocs/ntsman.htm
• CW “NETIQUETTE” (An excellent guide for the advanced operator):
http://www.qsl.net/n5lf/cw-nts.html
• FOR AN INTERESTING HISTORIC LOOK AT... “THE ART OF COMPOSING TELEGRAMS”:
www.metronet.com/~nmcewen/telegram.html
(Some of the information at the above URL may NOT apply to ARRL RADIOGRAMS)
=== NWS-SKYWARN SECTION ===
+ SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY -
7 DECEMBER 2002 - 0000 to 2400 UTC
WX7MFR MEDFORD and WX7RNO RENO (plus many others) to be QRV !
The National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League developed
SKYWARN recognition day in 1999. It celebrates the contributions that
volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service. During
the day SKYWARN operators visit NWS offices and contact other radio operators
across the world. - Full details in the November QST (page 83) or at: http://hamradio.noaa.gov/
+ MEDFORD NWS (WX7MFR) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
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.emcomm.org/skywarn
• ACTIVE MEDFORD AND RENO NWS SKYWARN “HONOR
ROLL” -
NET LOG FOR 20 NOV 02:
NCS VHF - N7IXS
NCS HF - KB7EKF
NCS RENO- N7TOD
STATIONS REPORTING:
SY08 KG6AFA HF
SY42 K6SOJ/KE6MZT HF
KL07 KA5EZM HF
KL98 N2RSI/N2RSN HF/VHF
MO38 AD6RV VHF (rly via K6QQ)
MO39 K6QQ HF
JA14 N7GK VHF/HF
JA60 KI7XW VHF
JO11 KC7IXX VHF
JO15 KC7JJG HF
NWS RENO SERVICE AREA:
WA24 N7TOD HF/Packet Sparks
---- KD7TAO VHF Spanish Springs
---- K7WYC VHF Sparks
TOTAL: 13
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER / SKYWARN NETS:
MEDFORD NWS WX SPOTTER NET: Wednesdays 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 Relay)
3987LSB (1982 LSB alternate).
SKYWARN nets will be activated on these frequencies during severe
weather events.
NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -
DATE 147.26+
3987 LSB
NOV 27 N7GK
N2RSN/N2RSI
DEC 4 N7GK
N7TOD
DEC 11 N2RSN/N2RSI K6SOJ
DEC 18 N7IXS
N2RSN/N2RSI
DEC 25 N7GK
KB7EKF
ADDITIONAL NWS NET CONTROL OPERATORS SOUGHT -
For more information contact:
Gary, N7GK, gpederso@OregonVOS.net;
or,
Dave, K6SOJ, k6soj@arrl.net
Matt, N7TOD, n7tod@arrl.net (Reno)
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.
+ MEDFORD NWS / SKYWARN WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE -
--- The Fall schedule of classes has been completed. ---
-----------------------------------------------------------------
+ RENO NWS
(WX7RNO) SKYWARN NEWS AND INFORMATION -
• Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM): Roger Lamoni
• SKYWARN/Amateur Radio Liaisons:
- Matt Parker, N7TOD, Washoe County (NV) EC
- Mark Spencer, WA8SME, Mono County (CA) EC
SKYWARN NETS:
WEDNESDAYS 1905L 147.12+ (123.0) and 1915L on 3987 // Medford (OR) NWS
PACKET Information:
Frequency 145.050
Keyboard (Incoming WX Reports): WX7RNO
MBX: WX7RNO-1 (NWS/SKYWARN related traffic only please,
due to limited capacity of 5K)
KaNode: RNOWX (for contacting other local stations)
(NOTE: The call RNOWX for the KaNode is currently not recognized as a valid
call by the RNO node, a situation we are trying to get corrected. If you know of
anyone intimately familiar with the "The Net X1J4" netrom operating
system (used by the RNO node) who can offer us some advice, please let me know.
RNOWX is, however, recognized by YRGTN, the other high-level node in the area
and connections are possible along this route. Basically, YRGTN-RNOWX provides
back-up path for out of area connections in case RNO fails...which it hopefully
won't do again for a while).
+ BACK ISSUES OF THE EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN
and (the former 5-1-2+ BULLETIN) ARE ARCHIVED AT: www.emcomm.org/svares/archives
+ SEARCH FEATURE AT EMCOMM.ORG
Ever try to locate an article in a past issue of the bulletin? Or, maybe
you’re a new subscriber, and you are interested in knowing if a particular
subject has ever been addressed in a former bulletin. Or...maybe you are just
doing some research. The “site search” feature at www.emcomm.org
may be just what you need!
+ HOW IS EMCOMMWEST AND EMCOMM.ORG FUNDED?
There are no charges, dues, or membership fees for the EMCOMMWEST Bulletin or
EMCOMM.ORG. The domain name, server, and other costs for EMCOMM.ORG are
funded solely by a few very dedicated EMCOMM operators. If you have
benefited from our efforts, and would like to say thanks by supporting this work
in a tangible way; you may do so by sending a few green stamps, or a check made
payable to: EMCOMM. Mail it to: EMCOMM, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058.
A receipt will be issued upon request. (A SASE would be appreciated). Your
donation is an outright gift and is NOT tax-deductible. A five dollar annual
donation works out to less than 10¢ an issue.
“Brother...can you spare a dime?”
+ The “EMCOMMWEST 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 “EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN”
and/or the author or originator of the material. Send corrections, updates, etc.
to: k6soj@arrl.net