“The hardest thing in the world to understand is income
tax.”
-- Albert Einstein
A Weekly Bulletin for ARES and other EMCOMM Operators and Public
Safety Officials in “the west”...and beyond.
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ- Chief Editor - k6soj@arrl.net
Bill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor, Washington - w7arc@arrl.net
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Associate Editor/Training, Oregon - ewell2@cvc.net
Paul Cavnar, NN7B - Associate Editor, Nevada - nn7b@arrl.net
INTERNET: www.emcomm.org E-MAIL: k6soj@arrl.net
A.R.R.L. HQ: www.arrl.org/ (Check it daily!)
---------------------------------------------------------------
• RADIO WATCH • MONITOR • CALLING • TRAFFIC • EMCOMM • GUARD •
• EMCOMMWEST: 7111 KHZ DAY / 3711 KHZ NIGHT / 146.52 MHZ 24/7
• ALASKA WATCH/TRAFFIC/CALLING: 3534 // 7042 // 14050 KHZ
• NEVADA ARES MONITOR/CALLING SSB: 3965 KHZ
---------------------------------------------------------------
L = Current local time in the [PST winter / PDT summer] zone.
Z = Universal Tome Coordinated - UTC (same as ZULU and GMT.
HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: HIGH (Orange)
IN THIS EDITION ...
+ EMCOMMWEST 2003 - RENO
+ DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CONFERENCE
+ WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS
+ COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF Q SIGNALS
+ NEW OFFICIAL EMERGENCY STATION
+ JNN SPECIAL EVENT RESULTS
+ EC CORNER - CALCULATING VOLUNTEER HOURS
+ FEEDBACK
+ NET REMINDER
+ KNOW CODE NETS (KCN)
+ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION
• WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?
+ NWS-SKYWARN SECTION
• SUMMER 2003 SKYWARN WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS SCHEDULE
• Active SKYWARN Stations
• Reno NWS Section
+ SPECIAL FEATURE
• GETTING BACK IN THE SADDLE
+++ EMCOMMWEST
2003 +++
• ARRL PACIFIC DIVISION OPERATING SPECIALTY CONVENTION
• Reno, Nevada
• May 31, 2003 - hosted by:
• The ARRL Nevada Section and the Northern Nevada Amateur Radio
Service.
• RENO is known as “the Biggest Little City in the World”.
• It is also “The Crossroads of the West”.
• Information and registration now at: www.cvrc.net/emcommwest/
• History of EMCOMM • The EVENT • www.emcomm.org/emcomm/
• May 2002 QST Magazine story • www.emcomm.org/emcomm_story.htm
+++ ARRL AND
TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CONFERENCE +++
• Hartford, Connecticut
• September 19-21, 2003, in
• Topics include:
Software defined radio (SDR), digital voice, digital satellite communications,
Global Position System (GPS), precision timing, Automatic Position Reporting
System® (APRS), short messaging (a mode of APRS), Digital Signal Processing (DSP),
HF digital modes, Internet interoperability with amateur radio networks, spread
spectrum, IEEE 802.11 and other Part 15 license-exempt systems adaptable for
Amateur Radio, using TCP/IP networking over amateur radio, mesh and peer to peer
wireless networking, emergency and Homeland Defense backup digital
communications, using Linux in amateur radio, updates on AX.25 and other
wireless networking protocols. More information at: www.tapr.org/dcc/
+ WELCOME
NEW SUBSCRIBERS -
• Blake T. Haskell, K1BTH - East Massachusetts ARES, Hull, MA RACES
• Stephen Parker, WR9A, Lafayette, IN - Tippecanoe County ARES
• Lance Atchison, KG6GGK, San Francisco, CA - ARES
• Mike D’Antonio, KC2GMH, - Allegany County (New York) American Red Cross
+ COMPREHENSIVE
LIST OF Q SIGNALS -
• The ITU Q-code is a list of signals abbreviating a detailed question or
answer. The code, as agreed upon by the International Telecommunication Union,
is used worldwide on radiotelegraph. These international signals are
prescribed for use on all types of communications, military and
non-military. This comprehensive list is at the Wilderness Emergency
Medical Services Institute website: http://www.wemsi.org/qsigs.html
Note: The "Q" Signals of special interest to radio amateurs are
indicated in RED on the online list. The list is a must for serious EMCOMM
operators. (Thanks to K6VX for referring us to this site.)
+ NEW OFFICIAL
EMERGENCY STATION -
• Richard E. Hill, NU6T, has been appointed as an ARRL Official Emergency
Station at Fair Oaks, California. Richard also successfully completed
EC-002 (ARECC Level II) and the FEMA ICS course! Richard says: “I look
forward to completing EC-003 and then getting my nose out of the books and
bringing my experience up to speed.”
COMMENT: Good work Richard. It sounds like you’re “on a roll”!
+ The JEFFERSON NOON NET
“mini” SPECIAL EVENT RESULTS -
On Sunday, 13 April 2003, 1200-1300 PDT, the JNN commemorated the 260th
birthday anniversary of Thomas Jefferson.
Although the designated alternate frequency of 3987 kHz was not announced
in the SPECIAL EVENT notice last week; due to extremely poor band conditions,
the NCS moved the main net to 75M. (The MUF must have been somewhere
between 4 and 7 MHz.) Many stations throughout the region were then able
to check in, while Len, WA6KLK in Mendocino County (SF Section Manager)
had a fair signal, and remained on 40M for awhile announcing that the net had
moved to the alternate frequency.
A few stations in the northern Nevada area were able to make contact with
the NCS (Nannette, KE6MZT, Macdoel, CA) on 75M. Matt, N7TOD wisely
activated the packet station at KE7R (Reno VA Hospital Amateur Station) and
quickly connected to David, N2RSN (Keno, OR) who relayed 17 additional (VHF-FM)
check-ins from the greater Reno area.
Meanwhile, Bill, W7ARC, was QRV on 20M in Silverdale, WA. Bill
reported: “Conditions were lousy on all bands. I tried on 20M for 15 minutes,
then on 15M for 15 minutes, and finally 75M for 15 minutes. Not even one
contact! I tried to hear the NCS and other JNN stations on 40 meters but could
not hear anyone.”
Although the SPECIAL EVENT was “crippled” by poor propagation, it was
beautiful to hear operators around the region find a way...impromptu...to
check-in via relay using several bands and modes.
“Where there’s a will...there’s a way!”
+ EC
CORNER - CALCULATING VOLUNTEER HOURS -
(FOR: ECs, AECs, (and others) submitting ARRL/ARES Monthly EC
Reports.)
Every month this announcement appears in the ECW Bulletin:
“REMINDER TO ECs: You monthly EC reports (FSD-212) are due.”
Below is a simple formula you may use to calculate the volunteer hours given by
your team during Nets, Drills, Tests and Training Sessions:
• Total time of net in hours/decimal of hours x the number of ARES members
that checked in = total "volunteer hours" for that net or event.
• Example # 1: A 20 minute net (.34 hours) with 13 operators checking in:
.34 x 13 = 4.42 volunteer hours. (OK to round off to 4.5 hours in this
example.)
• Example #2: A 2 hour long exercise (2.0 hours) with 17 operators
participating: 2.0 x 17 = 34 volunteer hours.
• The sum of all the volunteer hours for Nets, Drills, Tests and Training
Sessions is entered on FSD-212 line 9 (b) in the monthly report.
For Public Service Events, and actual Emergency Operations:
• Using a "time card" system to record actual “time in” and
“time out” of each volunteer is recommended. (Regular 3x5” index
cards work fine.)
• On larger operations this function may be assigned to a “time keeper”.
(Note: This person does not necessarily need to be a licensed amateur. Good
managers know how to utilize their operators to the best advantage.)
• Operators assigned to locations not actually at an incident scene (e.g.-
monitoring at home, relay station, etc.) should notify the time keeper when they
are coming on and going off watch/duty.
• Volunteer should also keep their own time/activity log “just in case”.
+ FEEDBACK
-
Ref. “PORTABLE OPERATION” - by Ed Ewell, K7DXV (ECW Bulletin No. 153)
(“...how many of you can identify the origin of the “reel antenna?”
• From Bob Vallio, W6RGG - Castro Valley, California:
(Who recognized it as being from a “Gibson Girl” Emergency Transmitter.)
“For a good look at the reel on a "Gibson Girl" radio set, check
out:” http://home.hccnet.nl/l.meulstee/gibsongirl/gibsongirl.html
COMMENT: Thanks Bob, that’s a great site for us nostalgia buffs!
• From Ed Trump, AL7N - Fairbanks, Alaska:
“Good article on Portable Ops by K7DXV! Also got a kick out of the
"man of the cloth" feature..."Dust and Smoke filter".
Be sure and remove before entering a Bank or Convenience Store" HaHaHa!
Here in Alaska, you actually will find signs posted on Banks and Liquor stores
and such admonishing you to "Remove Mask Before Entering".
Concealed guns is OK, but you sure don't want to go into a Gas Station,
Convenience Store, or Bank wearing a mask over your face! Also if using
with eye holes, "Use Caution in the Deep South". Got a kick out
of that one too! For Sure, the old "Wild Rag" remains a valuable
and versatile piece of equipment...Helps keep the 'skeeters off too!
COMMENT: Are there really “quarter-pound” mosquitoes in the “Great
Land”?
+ NET REMINDER
- (3rd Wednesday of the month)
• Regional ARES LEADERSHIP NET. A multi-county, multi district,
multi-section, multi-state, multi-division net for SECs, DECs, ECs, AECs,
and other ARRL leaders. Visitors may check in at end of net.
• Meet your ARES leaders!
• 1930L 3987± kHz LSB (1982 kHz alternate)
NOTE: As of ECW Bulletin dispatch time we have no NCS available for the above
net. Let me know ASAP if you can help. Otherwise, there will not be
a ARES LEADERSHIP NET this month. K6SOJ Net Manager.
+ DAILY
“KNOW CODE NETS” [KCN):
1300 PST 7111 kHz “up”.
2000 PST 3711 kHz “up”.
These are 1 kHz above QRP CW calling frequencies. (EMCOMM operators
are encouraged to operate QRP.) The KCN nets are for those who want to
improve their Morse skills and make contact with other EMCOMM oriented operators
in a somewhat informal setting. If you do not hear anyone...try calling CQ.
Since many CW operators are reluctant to “break in” to an existing
QSO, or are not yet ready for a “round table” type format; it has been
suggested that the listed frequencies be used for calling, and consider moving
long QSOs or roundtables up a few kHz. Learn to tune around...and listen
to
what’s going on. Remember...stations using crystal controlled
transmitters may be operating “split”.
+++ TRAINING and CONTINUING EDUCATION SECTION +++
Ed Ewell, K7DXV Associate Editor for Training
- ewell2@cvc.net
(Ed will be back next week)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION? - By D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ
When you hear: “What is your location” or “Say your location” (on
phone) or, QTH? (on CW); how do you reply?
The correct answer will vary considerably and is relative to the time,
place, and situation. To effectively and appropriately “state your location”
takes knowledge and experience in proper operating procedures, plus “common
sense”. (Which, incidentally, doesn’t seem to be very common!)
Suppose you are in DX Contest or you finally break a pile-up working a
DXpediton Station. “You are 59 in northern California”, is usually all
that is needed (or desired). If you say much more, you will probably be
ignored (or worse), and you run the risk of being labeled “a lid”.
Armchair operators in other countries may be interested in knowing what
county or city you live in, or some other geographical or historic information
about the area in which you live. E.g. - “I’m just north of Carlsbad
Caverns National Park in southeast New Mexico.”
VHF and UHF operators are often interested in knowing from what grid
square your signal is originating. E.g. - (On phone) “I am in Siskiyou
County, California, Charlie November Niner Wun.”
Most REGIONAL stations in a NET want to know a station’s location said
in a way that allows them to know ABOUT where a station is, without them having
to ask additional questions. Say your location in a manner that most
people will easily recognize.
When working DX or stations around the U.S., I usually say my location
as: “I am located in northern California, 15 miles south of the Oregon
border”. (The reason I add the second clause is because many people
think of Sacramento and San Francisco as “northern California”, and I am 300
miles north of them!) I may also add: “200 miles inland from the Pacific
Coast”, and/or add “Siskiyou County”, or the name of my nearest
town...“Macdoel”. It all depends upon the type of contact I am
enjoying.
I have found, that when I do not say the name of my town, most hams will
ask, “What is the name of your town?” When I say “Macdoel” (and I
usually end up spelling it); I usually hear...”I never heard of it!”
Really?...
In EMCOMM work, whether it is local VHF, or in wider area HF nets and
contacts...the guidelines change. Things MUST get more specific!
If reporting an EMERGENCY incident (e.g.-a automobile accident, or some lost
hikers just found in the woods and urgent help is needed) all of the examples
given above are useless.
Once contact with another station is established, and a location is being
sent, it must be VERY SPECIFIC. It must be stated in such a way that
rescuers can find it and in such a way that the location stated CANNOT be
mistaken for ANY OTHER PLACE! It must also be sent in a way that the
receiving station and/or agency will recognize the landmark references you are
giving. (The sending operator must of course know where he/she is
located!)
When reporting to a relay station who will be contacting local
authorities (who are familiar with local roads, landmarks, and other
topographical features, here are some examples of “How to say your
location”:
• “I am reporting a house fire at 811 North Flame street, Belltown. The
cross street is 8th Ave.”
• “The accident is on HWY 97, approximately 14 miles south of Midland.”
• “I am on HWY 39 one quarter mile north of mile marker 14 in Cormorant
County.”
• “The smoke is on the west side of Sheep Mt. at about 5500 ft. elev.”
• “I am broke down approximately 20 miles east of HWY 5 on forest service
road 46N32W in the Goosenest Ranger District.”
Suppose you are enjoying a boating vacation and are called upon to make a
distress call from somewhere on the shores of Lake Powell. You are not
familiar with the area. After calling MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY on 10M, you
establish contact with a capable station in Palm Beach, Florida, you say:
• “I am reporting an EMERGENCY on Lake Powell in Utah. Houseboat
explosion with 14 injured persons.” <pause> “Notify Utah
State Police.” <pause> “We are six miles northeast of the fuel
dock at north end of lake.” <pause> “I am standing by for your
reply.” The receiving station then confirms that the information has
been received and understood.
As long as the signals are sufficiently readable, the
receiving station MUST maintain control of the frequency. If other
stations “break”, he/she should say: “I am handling EMERGENCY traffic.
All stations please stand by and monitor unless called.” (I was once in
the process of handling an emergency situation and had to ask five stations, all
of whom wanted to “help”, to please stand-by. Good intentions and a
willingness to help...MAY delay a rescue. If you hear actual emergency
traffic in progress: LISTEN UP, WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU HEAR, AND STAND
BY IN CASE YOU ARE NEEDED.)
The receiving station would then call the Utah State Police direct, or
call their own local or state police, or even the Coast Guard. Always
confirm that the incident has been reported to competent authority!
Maintain contact with the receiving station until help has arrived. If
you are low on battery power, minimize your transmissions, ask the receiving
station to maintain a radio watch (and keep the frequency clear) and make a
schedule as to when you will call again. E.g. - “I will call every ten
minutes”; or, “I will call you at the top and bottom of each hour.”
Other traffic from the reporting station might include: “We will
signal with smoke when rescue craft are spotted.” And, if they have a
GPS receiver: “Our position is 37 degrees 30.3 minutes North by 110
degrees 28.7 minutes West.” (In an upcoming ECW Bulletin we will cover
how
geographical coordinates should be sent in formal message traffic.)
As I said at the beginning...this may vary considerably based upon time,
place, and situation. To effectively and appropriately “say your location”
takes knowledge, experience, AND (most of all)...common sense!
Here are a few examples of how NOT to “say your location”.
These are actual voice replies to the query: “What is your
location?”...monitored at one time or another by the author. Sadly, some
of these were during actual emergencies.
“I’m at home.” (I guess this person believes that he is so famous
that everyone must know where he lives!)
“I’m on the highway...just past the SPEED LIMIT 55 sign.”
“I’m near the big green gate.”
“I don’t know. Honey, where are we?”
“I’m in bed.” (I just let that one go.)
“I’m on Interstate 5.” (At least that narrows it down to about 2000
miles.)
“I’m at the college.” (Too bad you never attended.)
One day as I was serving as net control for a regional net. A new
(to me) station checked in, and identified (properly) as being within a northern
California county. I was interested in knowing a little more about his
location and asked, “Can you be more specific as to your location?” He
replied by saying the name of a mountain peak (with which I was not familiar).
I queried the operator again who replied by giving his “lat/long”.
Well, I guess I got what I deserved! But, without having a map of his area
handy (with latitude and longitude lines), a ruler, and maybe a divider...I
still had no clue as to his location. So...be careful what you ask
for...you might just get it!.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
• 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/RESOURCE SECTION +++++
• ARRL FSD-218. The famous “pink card” that contains
(almost) “everything you ever needed to know about RADIOGRAMS”. An
electronic version of the FSD-218 is available at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#fsd-218
• National Traffic System (NTS) Methods and Practices Guidelines
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nts-mpg/
• DIGITAL EMCOMM YAHOO GROUP (packet, SSTV, APRS, etc.):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cadigitalemcomm/
• 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 ===
+ 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
-----------------------------------------------------
+ MEDFORD NWS / SUMMER 2003 WEATHER SPOTTER CLASS
SCHEDULE
+++ UPDATED +++
Monday, May 5 - Lake County
6-8 p.m. at the Lake County Court House
Tuesday, May 6 - Josephine County
7-9 p.m. at the Josephine County Sheriff's Office
Thursday, May 8 - Jackson County
7-9 p.m. at North Mountain Park in Ashland
Tuesday, May 13 - Jackson County
7-9 p.m. at the National Weather Service office in Medford
Wednesday, May 14 - Douglas County
6-8 p.m. in the Douglas County Court House in Roseburg.
Tuesday, May 20 - Modoc County
7-9 p.m. at the USFS Conference Room, 800 W. 12th St., Alturas.
Thursday, May 29 - Klamath County
Class from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room of the Klamath Falls Sizzler
Optional dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 4 - Curry County
7-9 p.m. in Brookings - Venue to be determined
Thursday, June 5 - Coos County
6-8 p.m. - Coos Bay Library, 525 Anderson St., Coos Bay
Siskiyou County
Wednesday, May 21 - Siskiyou County
6-8 p.m. CDF complex in Yreka
--------------------------------------------
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)
7232 LSB (up) DAYTIME
3987 LSB (down) NIGHTTIME
1982 LSB (alternate).
SKYWARN nets will be activated on these frequencies during severe
weather
events.
• ACTIVE MEDFORD AND RENO NWS SKYWARN “HONOR
ROLL” -
NET LOG FOR 9 APRIL 03:
NCS VHF - N2RSI
NCS HF - N7TOD
NCS RENO - N7TOD
STATIONS REPORTING:
JA77 K7GE VHF
KL98 N2RSI/N2RSN HF/VHF
SY39 AB6UE HF
SY42 K6SOJ/KE6MZT HF
MO37 N6SSQ/N6SVV VHF (relay via K6QQ 146.97-)
MO38 AD6RV VHF (relay via K6QQ 146.97-)
MO39 K6QQ HF
RENO NWS AREA:
WA22 KA7FOO VHF
WA29 KD7GZR VHF
DO18 KD7MXR HF
VISITORS/OTHER:
TOTAL: 10
NWS SKYWARN NET CONTROL STATIONS -
DATE 147.26+
3987 LSB
APR 2 N7GK
K6SOJ
APR 9 N2RSN/N2RSI N7TOD
APR 16 N7IXS
N2RSN/N2RSI
APR 23 N7GK
KB7EKF
APR 30 TBA
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 on 145.090 MHz 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
+ 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) that 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).
+ GETTING BACK IN THE SADDLE: “A
Re-introduction to Public Service Events”
by Matt Parker, N7TOD Chairman, SNARS and EC for Washoe County, Nevada
When I responded several weeks ago to a request by a fellow ham seeking
assistance in providing communications for an off-road race, I'll admit that in
agreeing it was not really my intention to go out and work the event.
I work Graveyard shift and my workdays include weekends, a schedule that
is not conducive to going out in the field all day and working such an event. In
retrospect, however, I will say that as we came up short of volunteers and it
therefore became necessary for me to work the event, this was a good thing.
The event to which I am referring is the SCCA (Sports Car Club of
America) Reno Club Rally, run April 5 and 6 in the Fernley, Nevada area some 30
miles east of Reno. The call for help came on March 17 from Ed Bodnar - KD7NBH,
a resident of the Portland, Oregon area.
Ed was requesting support from Reno area hams as back up to a group of
Northwestern Oregon/Southern Washington area active in providing support
communications for off-road events in that region. Their local SCCA Chapter had
been called upon to assist in coordinating the Reno rally, and amateur radio
communicators belonging to the Oregon Region Rally Group were enlisted to
provide communications support.
Not all of their team was available to make the long journey to Nevada;
so it was that Ed found me listed as a contact for the local Sierra Nevada
Amateur Radio Society (SNARS) Club and contacted me with a request for
assistance.
Over the succeeding weeks leading up to the event, Ed and I maintained
contact as Nevada hams recruited to assist were folded into Ed's communications
plan for the event, filling in spots where there were vacancies. As I
previously mentioned, that my grand plan to coordinate my way out of having to
spend all day in the field between Graveyard shifts failed was, in hindsight, a
good thing.
My amateur radio work has largely been limited to emergency
communications for the past several years and so it has been some time since I
worked a public service event. This event reminded me of several reasons why
participation in such events is so important for hams with interest in public
service through amateur radio.
As I drove home following the end of my assignment on the second (last)
day of this event, reflecting on the event brought to mind three primary reasons
why I so enjoyed participating in this event. First, as an active emergency and
public service communicator, such events are truly valuable in practicing and
evaluating skills that are required not only in events such as this, but in
emergency communications as well.
Second, the appreciation expressed by those you are serving for a job
well done makes the work that goes into providing these communications
fulfilling, providing motivation to keep active in this field.
Third, and possibly most important, is that fun and enthusiasm is
propagated by such opportunities to immerse yourself in the presence of other
hams who enjoy also public service through amateur radio, making new ham friends
in the process.
This event was indeed a valuable opportunity to evaluate the skills used
in public service and emergency communications, both those of the other local
hams who volunteered to assist as well as my own. Among important guidelines to
follow in such events are listen profusely, talk as
little as necessary, and be concise when you do speak.
I could not have been more pleased at how well all of our local
volunteers adhered to these guidelines. The great performance noted in this
regard shows that the training we have pursued and practice we have received
through participation in simulations as well as actual events has
produced results. The event was educational as well in terms of serving as
a model for planning in such events.
The communications plan formulated by Ed was extremely well organized,
presented in a manner that was remarkably clear, and executed with an exemplary
degree of precision. It was quite evident from these factors, that the
communications team of the Oregon Region Rally Group has extensive experience in
working such events. They have greatly benefited from their experience.
The detailing, presentation, and execution of the plan for this event
will serve as an example for me to follow in formulating similar plans for
events in the future.
Local response to this event also continued a trend developing in this
area of exemplary cooperation between the various amateur radio groups around
Northwestern Nevada, something our ARRL Section leadership is very pleased to
see happening.
The response of local hams to assist the visiting amateur team did not
come from any particular area club; rather, local hams assisting were
representative of the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society (SNARS), Reno Area
Metro Simplex (RAMS), Carson Valley Radio Club (CVRC), Douglas County Amateur
Radio Team (DCART - ARES/RACES for Douglas County), and Lyon County ARES (LCARES)
organizations.
I personally owe many thanks to the outstanding local hams who jumped in
to help with this event, in the process showing our new friends from the Pacific
Northwest that our local amateur radio community is both hospitable and helpful.
With that said, thanks to Ed Hackett - W7EDH, Richard Nehrbass - N7TGB,
Harry Bryant - KC7HVM, Gayanne Weimar - KD7KAY (yes, Gayanne - I'm still running
long!), Kevin Rhodes - KD7KYB, Doug Abramson - KA7FOO, and Dale Anderson - KV7S.
It was great working with you all as well as with our visiting hams and I'm
already looking forward to next time!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have a “first person” amateur radio related
“adventure”, or other story of interest, please feel free to submit it for
publication in the EMCOMMWEST BULLETIN. We can’t pay you for it, but if
you want to share it with others...send it along. It probably will get
(slightly) edited. NOTE: Before submitting long texts, please contact the
editor for a FORMATTING GUIDE.
+ 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) 2003 - 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
=== END OF BULLETIN ===