Valley Radio
Club on the web: www.valleyradioclub.org
*****
THIS MONTH'S MEETING: Friday, January 9, 2009 7:00 PM *****
STORIES ABOUT BECOMING A HAM
We invite club members to
give one short story about their experience becoming a ham. First featured will
be those "recycled" hams telling why they returned to the hobby.
(You may view a live internet stream presentation of the meeting by visiting
http://www.ustream.tv/valley-radio-club-meetings.)
I encourage everyone to attend and be an active part of this very special
upcoming event. If you have other thoughts or suggestions, please bring
them to the meeting Friday, January 9th, at 7:00 PM at the Red Cross,
73,
Riley W7RIL
President
***** VRC DX
*****
Matt's Technician Class Starts Up Jan. 15th
Em Comm Level II Classes Being Held in February
Em Comm Frequency Chart and Packet Frequency Chart - Updates Posted
Winter Driving Safety
Tips
MINUTES of
the Valley Radio Club Meetings November 7, 2008 & December 5, 2008
VRC CLUB
CORNER
VALLEY RADIO CLUB ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
***** FROM THE ARRL *****
Oregon Section Club News
Canadian Amateurs Receive Limited 500 kHz Privileges
Restrictive Local Zoning Ordinance Proposed as Court Date in California
Antenna Case Nears
ARISS Finalizes Pans for Silver Anniversary of Amateur Radio from Space
Frequency Change for Canadian time Transmission Station CHU
Solar Update
W1AW 2009 Winter Operating Schedule
Dan KB6NU's Column
The ARES E-Letter
*****
VRC DX *****
(Please email
your news, articles, buy&sell, etc for the newsletter to
ke7gbo@arrl.net)
CPU Tower ??
Jan 02
When we moved the FQD and SFD station(s) over to
We have now accumulated some more computer pieces and
parts with an eye on connecting up digital HF too. All we need now is a
Matt's Technician Class Starts Up Jan. 15th
Matt W7ARD will conduct the next Technician class beginning Thursday January
15th, 2009. It will run through February 26th at the Red Cross Building, 7:00 -
9:00 PM. Please contact Matt at w7ard@msn.com for details.
Em Comm Level II Classes
Being Held in February
Em Comm Level II classes
will be held on Tuesdays: Feb 10, Feb 17, and Feb 24, 2009. They
will be held at the Red Cross building on
You will need the ARRL's book on Em Comm II. You will also need a 2 meter
handheld radio, and the ability to make prompt changes to various repeater and
simplex frequencies [will not hurt to bring the radio's manual to class.]
The class will be some lectures and lots of table top and on the air
drills. Those taking the class will be expected to do the book work on
their own, with plenty of opportunity to discuss in class as needed. I
will pass out a CD with supplementary materials at the first class.
And I request that you pre-register, so I can send you an email with
attachments for the first class. After that, each will be expected to
print out materials from the CD for the next classes.
Any questions? Comments? Pre-register? Send me an email to
n7mq@arrl.net
73, Mark N7MQ
Lane Emergency Coordinator
ARES/RACES mperrin@ordata.com
Em Comm Frequency Chart and Packet Frequency Chart - Updates Posted
The 12-08 updates to both the Em Comm Frequency Chart and the Packet Frequency
Chart have been placed on the Valley Radio Club website. Each is a .pdf file
posted by Ron WJ7R, who maintains that website - tnx to Ron for that good work.
All interested in having the proper charts with voice repeater frequencies and
the proper frequencies/nodes/routes for packet, should download the files and
print them out for their go kits.
If questions, please let Ron or me know.
73, Mark N7MQ
Lane Emergency Coordinator
ARES/RACES mperrin@ordata.com
Winter Driving Safety Tips
With Winter driving on the horizon, I copied off some useful driving tips
from the District 1 ARES/RACES list from Washington County.
Jeff KE7OUR ke7our@efn.org
PS; if your a ham remember have your batteries charged as well and the
proper frequencies to call for help, if your cellphone does not work in an
area where cellphone coverage is hard to get too. If you need a listing of
frequencies, there's a list on the Valley Radio Club website that you can
download and print and have in your go kits in your car as well as your
winter driving kits.
Happy Holidays and Safe Driving!
------------------------
Winter Driving Safety Tips
Driving in the snow:
If you find yourself driving in the snow, stay alert, slow down and stay
in control. These are the three key elements to safe driving in the
snow.
Here are a few other tips for driving in the snow:
* If you think you may be heading
into snow or there is a possibility of driving in the snow, make sure you do a
maintenance check on your vehicle before making the trip. Check the vehicle
battery, belts and hoses, anti-freeze, oil, lights, brakes, heater and
defroster and check the exhaust system for leaks which may allow carbon
monoxide to enter the vehicle.
* Plan your route ahead of time and
give yourself extra travel time. Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
* Wear comfortable clothing that does
not restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing available for
when you exit the vehicle.
* Always clear any snow and ice from
all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof before driving. After starting the
vehicle wait for the interior windows to clear of fog so you will have
appropriate visibility.
* Make sure there is sufficient
windshield washer fluid in the vehicle reservoir and that it is rated for
freezing temperatures.
* It takes longer to stop on slippery
surfaces, so add additional time to the three-second rule.
* Know the proper handling procedures
for a skidding vehicle.
* Slow down in snow and icy
conditions, make turns slowly, and make all starts slow and smooth.
* Remember that bridges and
overpasses may freeze before the regular travel lanes of a roadway. Watch out
for black ice, areas of the roadway that appear black and shiny and where your
vehicle can suddenly lose traction. Slow down in these areas and keep your foot
off the brakes.
* If you get stuck or stranded, don't
panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive.
If you have a cell phone and are in an area with cell phone service, try
calling for help. Try to always know your exact locations while driving.
* Keep your clothing dry. Wet
clothing can lead to dangerous loss of body heat.
Winter Driving Survival Kit:
Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle if you might be traveling into
an area where you could encounter snow. Having essential supplies can provide
some comfort and safety for you and your passengers. The following items are
recommended (as a minimum!) for your winter driving survival kit:
* Ice scraper/snowbrush
* Shovel
* Sand or other type of traction aid
* Tow rope or chain
* Booster cables
* Road flares or warning lights
* Gas line antifreeze
* Flashlight and batteries
* First aid kit
* Fire extinguisher
* Small tool kit
* Extra clothing and foot wear
* Non-perishable energy foods, like
chocolate or granola bars, juice, instant coffee, tea, soup, and bottled water
* Candles and a small tin can to hold
the candle
* Water proof matches
Winter driving can be safe with planning and extra caution.
Resource: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/winter/winter2.html
***** MINUTES of the
Valley Radio Club Meeting November 7, 2008 *****
VALLEY RADIO CLUB
November 7, 2008
MINUTES
I. President Riley, W7RIL, called the meeting to order at 1900 hours. The attendance
sheet was circulated, with 55 members signing in. Members in attendance
at the Red Cross introduced themselves by name and call. In addition, the
meeting was streamed live via internet, with 14 persons attending
electronically. Copies of recent newsletter were offered. Membership
applications were offered.
II. Current Business
A. Tom, KE7GBO, solicited articles for the newsletter.
Members with newsletter information contact Tom at ke7gbo@arrl.net.
B. John, K7JU, offered copies of the club
roster. If anyone is not getting club mail due to
address error, send email with correct address to Jim: his email address is
C. Matt, W7ARD, announced that the Technician class was ended, with one student
completing the course. The next Technician class will begin January 15, 2009
D. Mark, N7MQ, announced the next DXing group meeting at 6pm
- 8:30pm, November 26, 2008, at Countryside Pizza, 645 River Road, Eugene.
E. Three members modeled beautiful new blue vests order through Mindy, K7MBC.
Vests and jackets are still available. Prices are now $1.00 higher for each
item. Jackets/vests can designated either Valley Radio Club or
Lane County Amateur Radio. A catalogue for viewing styles is available at the
officerís table at every meeting.
F. Swap-Tober-Fest in Rickreall, Oregon at
the Polk County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 25, 2008 was well-attended by
VRC members. Several members reported personal swap stories.
G. Rick, AD7OP, reported that 6-7 VRC members had assisted with the ADA
Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Thanks to that participation, a lost
person was assisted.
H. Mark, N7MQ, announced the SET scheduled for
Saturday, November 15, 2008, beginning at 8:00 am. Participants were directed
to check in to the Resource Net on 146.68Mhz for assignments to one of four
tactical nets. Interested persons were urged to read the ARES frequency chart,
check in, participate, and convene at Roaring Rapids Pizza at 11:30 am for
pizza and debriefing.
Mark, N7MQ,
also announced that 13 persons are enrolled in the EmComm I class
I. ab SILENT KEY:
Bob Faught, W7ADL.
Memorial service to be held Monday, November 10, 2008 at
J. ab VRC Holiday Party at Roaring
Rapids Pizza ,
III. Program
Mike Kelley, W7CN, offered a presentation regarding the Xu Search Phase II,
September 19-21, 2008 in the Cougar Reservoir/ Olallie Mtn area..
Search parties set up two camps to engage in two concurrent searches, deploying
a portable repeater atop
Problems encountered in the search were rough terrain; large area to be
covered; abundant rain during the winter of 2007-2008, and late into spring
2008, which may have destroyed evidence; debris dams in streams, acting as
strainers holding possible evidence; heavy vegetation growth; plus the fact
that it had been a year after Professor Xu disappeared.
Radio operations used the portable repeater on Olallie, two simplex frequencies
and a satellite phone in base camp. Batteries on Ollalie had to be replaced.
No evidence of Professor Xu was found. Searchers did find a shoe belonging to
someone else, and a ìburial siteî containing bones and rimmed with dead sticks.
The site turned out to be a cougar litter box.
No further searches for Professor Xu are planned Posters placed in the area
alert hunters and hikers to possible discovery.
In Phase II of the search, 63 people spent 1,627 manhours. Valuing volunteer
labor at $18.04/hour, the total value of searchersí participation was
$29,351.08.
Phases I and II together used 301 volunteers for 5,871 manhours at a value of
$105,912.84.
The presentation concluded with the following tips for safe hiking:
Carry the 10 Essential Items: map,
compass, warm clothing, extra food & water; flashlight or headlamp;
matches/fire starter; first aid kit; whistle; rain/wind gear; pocket knife.
Be Prepared: with knowledge and gear; leave trip
plans with someone; stay together if in a group; turn back if the weather
changes; plan for emergencies
President Riley, W7RIL, announced a meeting break at 1950 hours.
President Riley W7RIL reconvened the meeting for routine business at 2010
hours.
A. Minutes from the previous meeting
were presented, corrections were offered by secretary Sylvia, KE7SLT, and upon
hearing no objections or further corrections, were declared approved by the
president.
B. Treasurer Al, W7PXL, reported the
following:
General Fund - Balance Carried Forward $1,596.54
Collections
190.00
Expenditures
Balance
$1,786.54
Raffle Fund - Balance Carried Forward $ 859.14
No Activity
Balance
$ 859.14
Station Fund - Carried Forward
$1,246.90
Collections
40.00
Expenditures
Balance
$1,286.90
GRAND TOTAL: $3,932.58
C. Trustees Report. Trustee Larry
_________ urged members to clean up the station area after using, and leave in
good order.
D. VE Report
At the most recent session, there were successful candidates for Technician
(1), General (1), and Extra (1) licenses. The next test session is
November 12, 2008. Riley, W7RIL, thanked participants and asked for
assistance on that date..
E. New Members:
First
Second Reading for: Dee Helm, KE7UGY
Jonathan Neher, N7WNX (upgraded to Extra)
KE7UGY and N7WNX were voted into the VRC.
IV. Good-Of-The-Order and Brags
A. Russ Ruby attended the meeting and
promised an extended report about his adventures after breaking his leg on a
hiking trip.
Meeting adjourned 2030 hours.
***** MINUTES of the
Valley Radio Club Meeting December 5, 2008 *****
VALLEY RADIO CLUB
December 5, 2008
MINUTES
I. President Riley, W7RIL, called the meeting to order at 1900 hours. The
attendance sheet was circulated. Members in attendance introduced
themselves by name and call. Copies of recent newsletter were offered.
Membership applications were offered.
II. Current Business
A. Articles for the newsletter were
solicited on behalf of Tom, KE7GBO, who was unable to attend.
B. John, K7JU, offered copies of the club
roster. If anyone is not getting club mail due to
address error, send email with correct address to Jim: his email address is
C. Matt, W7ARD, announced the next Technician class to begin January 14, 2009.
Matt has General and Extra manuals for sale.
D. The next DXing group meeting at 6pm - 8:30pm,
December 17, 2008, at Countryside Pizza, 645 River Road, Eugene. George will
present a multimedia presentation about his New England trip.
E. Mindy, K7MBC reminded the club that vests and
jackets are available. Jackets/vests can designated either Valley Radio
Club or Lane County Amateur Radio. A catalogue for viewing styles
is available at the officerís table at every meeting. Mindy needs at least
three purchasers to place the club order.
F. Al, W7PXL, has name/call badges
for sale at $7.00 and club patches for sale at $4.00.
G. Mark, N7MQ, notified club members
that an overview of the November 15, 2008 SET was presented in the current
newsletter, and that the next state-wide SET is scheduled for April 2009. Lane
County has been asked to participate in that SET.
H. Mark, N7MQ, reported that the EmComm I class was completed,
and that an EmComm II class will be held in February 2009, exact dates to be
determined.
I. VRC Holiday Party at Roaring Rapids Pizza , Springfield, 3:00 - 5:00
pm, December 20. BuyYourOwnPizza. Plan to join the club and
celebrate the season.
J. Ralph, W7WTQ, reported that the Indian Ridge
repeater, 145.37, is now in full operation. Power has been installed and
everything is back on line.
K. SILENT KEY: Joyce Schiro, K7RRS
III. Routine Business
President Riley, W7RIL, suggested moving immediately into Routine Business
matters, to allow for early adjournment and social time.
A. Minutes from the previous meeting were unavailable,
as the secretary had not been able to get them to Tom to include in the
newsletter by distribution time. Secretary Sylvia, KE7SLT, expressed due
regrets.
B. Treasurer Al, W7PXL, reported the
following:
General Fund - Balance Carried Forward $1,786.54
Collections
171.00
Expenditures
59.95
Balance
$1,897.59
Raffle Fund - Balance Carried Forward $ 859.14
No Activity
Balance
$ 859.14
Station Fund - Carried Forward
$1,286.90
Collections
60.00
Expenditures
Balance
$1,346.90
GRAND TOTAL: $4,103.63
C. Trustees Report. None
D. VE Report
At the most recent session, there were three successful candidates for General
licenses. The next test session is December 10, 2008, at which time there
will also be an opportunity for recent EmComm I students to take that
test.
E. New Members:
Second Reading for:
Mel Strong, KE7WMG
Robert Cage, WE1DUX
Mike Shelby, KE7QET
Club members voted, and welcomed all three into the
Valley Radio Club.
F. Al, W7PXL, reminded Club members that dues are due January 1, 2009.
G. General discussion about the advisability of having another raffle.
Members are to make suggestions as to desirable items for a raffle, given the
funds available.
President Riley adjourned the meeting at 1925 hours, and members were invited
to partake of root beer floats and a social hour.
Respectfully submitted,
Sylvia, KE7SLT
Secretary
IV. Good-Of-The-Order and Brags
A. Russ Ruby attended the meeting and promised an extended report about his
adventures after breaking his leg on a hiking trip.
Meeting adjourned 2030 hours.
***** VRC CLUB
CORNER *****
ARRL MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS: The Club can receive money when you renew your
ARRL membership. VRC gets $15 or each new ARRL membership for members of ARRL
affiliated clubs and $2 for each ARRL membership renewal. For the details
contact VRC Treasurer, Al K3DUW.
CLUB BADGES: You too can get a name badge with the VRC logo. And when
ordering that, get one of the great Club patches as well. Check with Prez Riley
at the next meeting and get the details on how to order yours - show and wear
the club badge and the club patch.
CLUB HATS: Club hats with names and call signs are good to have and wear
at the various public service events where club members provide radio support.
To get the hats, go to "J & S Embroidery" and ask about "ham
radio hats". They are custom made and available for about $13.00. J &
S Embroidery is located at 1406 Carter Lane in Springfield. The phone number
is: 741-1394.
***** VALLEY RADIO
CLUB ACTIVITIES CALENDAR *****
6 Meter SIG: Informal net held at 7:30 p. m. local time Tuesdays on
50.125 USB, run by Larry and Marv. For more, contact Larry WJ7S
[wj7s@yahoo.com] or Marv W7AE [marv.w7ae@gmail.com].
VE Sessions: second Wednesday each month at Red Cross bldg - contact
Riley W7RIL for info and registration. His number is 345-2407, or
w7ril@arrl.net.
Em Comm Testing: contact Riley W7RIL well in advance of the regular VE
sessions and he will arrange for Em Comm testing on ARRL Em Comm certification
categories.
Code Class: no current plans, but if interested, contact Ron WJ7R
Technician License Classes: Matt W7ARD will teach anothe Technician
class starting Sepetember 18 and ending on October 30, on Thursday evenings
from 7 to 9 pm at the Red Cross, 862 Bethel Drive, Eugene. The Ham Radio
License Manual is available from Matt or from Norvac Electronics for $25. There
is no cost for the class. Students should download supplemental info about the
book at http://www.arrl.org/hrlm. Please contact Matt via email at
w7ard@msn.com or phone at 689-0640 to sign up.
DX and Contest Sig: now meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month
[except November and December to adjust for holidays] at Countryside Pizza
& Grill, 645 River Road. The meetings will start at 6 p.m. to order any
snacks or food, and then there is a program with a video, followed by
discussions of current DX and contesting matters.
Em Comm Classes: For the next emergency communication classes, based
upon Em Comm I or Em Comm II certification by ARRL please contact Mark N7MQ at
n7mq@arrl.net.
Packet Information Group (P.I.G.): Meetings are generally on the
3rd Saturdays of the month from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Red Cross building
located at 862 Bethel Drive, in Eugene. If you have any questions, please send
them to KC7QAG@aol.com. See you all there! KC7QAG / Elmer
McClellan
Valley Voice newsletter articles/announcements/etc.: Please email your
info to Tom Cleveland KE7GBO at ke7gbo@arrl.net. The newsletter is usually sent
out the weekend before the monthly meeting and all material received in time
will be included.
***** FROM THE
ARRL ****
Oregon Section Club News
December 2008
Merry Christmas and
Seasons Greetings everyone.
Election Results:
The Oregon Tualatin Valley Amateur Radio Club (OTVARC) announced the election
results at their December meeting.
President: Robert Crocker, W7NO. This is Robert's third term. He is
also an active member of Navy-Marine Corps MARS.
Vice President: Don Baldwin, AA2V
Secretary: Jennifer Roberson, K7JLR
Treasurer: Alvin Carlson, KB7VHI
Trustees are: Wes Allen, K7WWG; Joel Simmons, AD7IS; Phil Kane, K2ASP;
Ron O' Connor, KD7VIK; and JD Fort, K7JDF.
The OTVARC 2 meter repeater W7OTV on 146.960 can be heard streaming on line at
Shoutcast.com
The Lincoln County Amateur Radio Club reports the following election results:
President: Lisa Clarke, KE7NIY
Vice President: Bill Clarke, KE7NIX
Secretary: Bruce Wallace, KE7FTI
Treasurer: Bill Brown, KE7VUW
Congratulations to all!
Also from the Lincoln County Amateur Radio Club:
A brand new D-Star repeater system is up and running from 3156 foot elevation
at Mt. Hebo. The frequency is 147.390 with the call sign of W7GC. The builder
and sponsor is the Oregon Coast Repeater Group. The system is linked through an
Internet gateway courtesy of Vanir Broadband to a low level D-Star repeater in
Hillsboro. For more information, contact Daron, N7HQR at n7hqr@ocrg.org.
The Harney County Radio Association (HCRA) is pleased to announce the formation
of Harney County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (HC-ARES). HC-ARES will be the
trained, volunteer group of Amateur Radio operators within Harney County
providing radio communications for special events, public service, and local
emergency events. For additional information, contact Vernon Estes, W7VLE,
HC-ARES Emergency Coordinator at W7VLE@hc-ares.org.
The Southern Oregon Amateur Radio Club (SOARC) released their VE exam schedule
for 2009. SOARC offers exams four times per year. Each exam session starts at
6:30 PM and is held at the Fruitland Grange on Rogue River Highway. Exam dates
are: February 27, May 22, August 28, and November 20.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Oregon ARRL club newsletter. I
am looking forward to continuing in 2009. Happy New Year!!!
73,
Pat Roberson, N7PAT n7pat@yahoo.com
Assistant Section Manager, Administrative
Canadian Amateurs Receive
Limited 500 kHz Privileges
On November 10, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) announced that Industry Canada,
which regulates Amateur Radio in that country, has accepted an RAC proposal for
selected Canadian radio amateurs to operate in the vicinity of 500 kHz. The
proposal states that RAC would recommend amateurs who would be licensed to
operate in the 504-509 kHz band with a maximum power of 20 W ERP and bandwidth
up to 1 kHz. Stations operating in this band would be technically operating
under Special Developmental Licenses, although they would all be radio
amateurs. Distinct call signs would be used and the licenses would be renewable
on an annual basis, subject to the amateur demonstrating the research he has
carried out. According to the RAC, these amateur operations would support Canada's
efforts to place a proposal on the agenda of the 2011 World Radio Conference
(WRC-11), which, if adopted, would create an amateur allocation in the 600
meter band. The US, under the auspices of the ARRL's 500 kHz Experimental
Station, WD2XSH, is also conducting research in this band. Canada is the eighth
country to do experimentation on 55 kHz; along with the US and Canada, Great
Britain, Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Romania are also
participating. More information on the Canadian proposal will be posted to the
RAC Web site as it becomes available.
Restrictive Local Zoning
Ordinance Proposed as Court Date in California Antenna Case Nears
As his February 2009 court date approaches, Alec Zubarau, WB6X, of Palmdale,
California, gets ready to battle his town after being ordered to dismantle his
previously approved antenna system. The City of Palmdale has widened its
opposition to Amateur Radio antennas by proposing an ordinance written to
thwart the installation of antenna support structures throughout the city
<http://www.arrl.org/news/files/Palmdale_Antenna_Ordinance_DRAFT.pdf>.
In 2005, Zubarau applied for a building permit to erect an antenna support
structure on his property. The City approved his request, and building permit
in hand, Zubarau installed a 22 foot tall crank-up tower (with an ultimate
height of 55 feet), but did not place an antenna atop the structure. He also
installed a 23 foot tall mast on his house, for a total mast height of 43 feet;
he installed an inverted-V on the mast. In January 2007, he placed a 4 element
20 meter SteppIR antenna on the crank-up tower, and the neighbors started
complaining to the City.
ARRL Southwestern Division Vice Director Marty Woll, N6VI, said that the
neighbors' assertions consisted of what he called "the typical complaints:
Aesthetic impact, diminution of property values and RF interference. The RFI
complaints were general in nature; no direct evidence was shown of actual RFI,
but the City's Planning Commission staff took the position that based on
anecdotal evidence presented by the homeowners, the transmissions occurring
from the antenna are causing interference with electrical equipment in the
surrounding neighborhood."
Woll said that after Zubarau installed the StepIR in 2007, the City of
Palmdale, acting on a petition signed by almost 70 of Zubarau's neighbors,
voted to revoke Zubarau's original building permit after he had relied on it in
putting up his tower. "In order to gain a continuance, Zubarau told the
Planning Commission he would remove the SteppIR, in essence, reverting his
antenna configuration back to the way to it was before he installed the
antenna" said Len Shaffer, WA6QHD, Zubarau's attorney. "At the next
hearing, he was ordered to remove not only the antenna, but the support
structure, as well."
The City's planning staff also pointed out that Zubarau's recently erected
horizontal array extends three feet into the required 10 foot sideyard setback,
and that the active array exceeds thirty feet in height beyond the limit in the
ordinance.
"Because Zubarau's permit referred to the support structure as 'an antenna
with cage (the base)' and the Planning Commission called it a tower antenna,
everyone assumed it was indeed an antenna," Shaffer recalled. "When I
pointed out to the Planning Commission that it was nothing more than a support
structure and did not radiate, they were surprised. They asked if the support
structure functioned as an antenna without the horizontal element. I told them
it did not. Judy Skousen, Palmdale's Assistant City Attorney, told the
Commission did not matter -- the permit and application was for a tower antenna
and that is what it was. It did not matter if the nomenclature was added by
city employees rather than Zubarau."
"After exhausting his administrative remedies, Zubarau challenged the
action in the courts, aided by Shaffer," Woll said "The court date
has been set for early February 2009." Woll continued, saying that the
planning staff is placing the burden on Zubarau, saying that he has not
submitted a site-specific engineering study showing that the operation or
transmission from his house is not interfering with residential uses. The staff
also notes that the FCC has failed to resolve RFI complaints in this matter,
inferring that the City must act to solve them.
* Palmdale Proposes Rewrite of Amateur Radio Antenna Ordinance
Shortly after issuing the permit revocation order, ARRL Southwestern Director
Dick Norton, N6AA, said that the City of Palmdale began drafting an amended
antenna ordinance that placed severe restrictions on all Amateur Radio
antennas. "The draft was released just before Thanksgiving, and a hearing
was scheduled for December 4," Norton said. "Prior to that hearing
and at the request of Vice Director Marty Woll, N6VI -- who attended the
Palmdale Planning Commission meeting along with about a dozen local hams and
supporters -- ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, wrote a lengthy letter to
the City Attorney pointing out numerous flaws in the proposed ordinance and
explaining why many of its provisions are void or unenforceable, being
pre-empted by federal or state law."
In his letter, Imlay explained to the City that it is without authority to
resolve RFI complaints; the jurisdiction is solely that of the FCC, as stated
in the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. "The Federal Communications
Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over radio frequency interference (RFI)
matters, and technical matters specifically," he said.
Imlay pointed out that the "first specific concern in the draft ordinance
is the statement that 'an Amateur Radio antenna, the operation of which causes
unreasonable interference with electrical equipment in the surrounding
neighborhood, is not compatible with that neighborhood.'"
This is "patently false," Imlay said, stating "there is no
correlation between the presence of an outdoor Amateur Radio antenna, its
height, configuration or placement and radio frequency interference (RFI) to
home electronic equipment. As a matter of technical fact, the higher an
antenna, the lower the electrical field in the horizontal plane of the home
electronic equipment, and the less the likelihood of RFI in that equipment.
Furthermore, the 'cause' of RFI is not the power of an Amateur Radio station,
or the presence of an antenna, but rather the inability of home electronic
equipment to reject unwanted signals. FCC regulations clearly obligate most
home electronic equipment to accept any interference from licensed radio
services as a condition of the permitted marketing and operation of that
equipment."
Furthermore, in a Conference Report from the 97th Congress in 1982, Imlay
explained that Congressional report "...is further intended to clarify the
reservation of exclusive jurisdiction to the Federal Communications Commission
over matters involving RFI. Such matters shall not be regulated by local or
state law, nor shall radio transmitting apparatus be subject to local or state
regulation as part of any effort to resolve an RFI complaint. The Conferees
believe that radio transmitter operators should not be subject to fines,
forfeitures or other liability imposed by any local or state authority as a
result of interference appearing in home electronic equipment or systems.
Rather, the Conferees intend that regulation of RFI phenomena shall be imposed
only by the Commission." Saying that the Conference Report went on
to clarify "that the exclusive jurisdiction over RFI incidents (including
preemption of state and local regulation of such phenomena) lies with the
FCC," Imlay told the City of Palmdale that "Obviously, state or local
regulations based on interference from one radio service to another would
directly frustrate the intention and goals of the Communications Act of 1934,
as amended."
Imlay said that in 1985, the FCC said that the "federal power in the area
of radio frequency interference is exclusive; to the extent that any state or
local government attempts to regulate in this area, [its] regulations are
preempted." Imlay explained that the FCC concluded that the Federal
regulatory scheme is so pervasive that it is reasonable to assume that Congress
did not intend to permit states to supplement it. According to Shaffer,
the City of Palmdale does not think antenna support structures are
"compatible" with the town's image: "The Mayor told the Council
that while, if a house was built that was not compatible with the neighborhood,
they would not bulldoze it to the ground, this is 'just an antenna,' and they
can get rid of it if they want to," Shaffer said.
* Going to Court
Norton said that the ARRL's Amateur Radio Legal Defense and Assistance
Committee has voted to contribute $5000 toward the cost of Zubarau's lawsuit
against the City of Palmdale. "More than $1500 has already been
contributed by clubs and their members from throughout the Southwestern
Division, and this contribution from the League-managed Antenna Defense Fund
will further help defray the expenses of preparing for the February 2009 court
date," Norton said. "Len Shaffer is performing the legal work pro
bono, but even just compiling the record to present in court can be
costly."
ARRL Defense Committee Chair Jay Bellows, K0QB, said that although the case has
not yet reached the appellate level, "The egregious nature of Palmdale's
actions -- including ordering removal of a previously approved antenna tower --
the potential impact on a large number of amateurs and the existence of
substantial local financial support from the ham community were significant
factors in the Committee's decision to provide support for this
case." Bellows said he has participated in nearly 100 tower and
antenna matters, from working with local hams and municipalities on tower
ordinances to individual tower issues including litigation at the local and
appellate level over the past 20 years. "If I've learned anything,"
he said, "I learned that a simple, clear explanation of who we are, what
we do and why the antenna is needed are essential. Even if those steps are
perfectly executed, the local authority (in this case, the City of Palmdale)
has to be convinced that: 1. Federal law trumps the local zoning interests
either generally or in the particular case; 2. The amateur is going to be
politely persistent despite opposition from the locality; 3. The cost to the
locality in time and treasure will exceed any political benefit in 'protecting
its citizens from the scourge and despoliation of ugly Amateur Radio antennas.'
Still, the single most important factor is that the amateur should always be
the guy in the 'white hat,' no matter how reprehensible or offensive the
actions of the locality or the opposing neighbors."
Norton went on to say that Woll has met with Palmdale hams and the management
of the Palmdale Public Safety Department, who he described as "supportive
of hams." Woll and Keith Hoyt, K6GXO, will meet with Palmdale's Planning
Department and Assistant City Attorney in early January. "The proposed
ordinance has been the subject of considerable discussion in Amateur Radio
circles," Norton said. "Local hams, [as well as] Division and
National League representatives are devoting considerable time and effort
toward resolving the issue."
ARISS Finalizes Pans for
Silver Anniversary of Amateur Radio from Space
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) <http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm>
team is currently celebrating the silver anniversary -- 25 years -- of Amateur
Radio operations from space. According to ARISS International Chairman Frank
Bauer, KA3HDO, the crew on the International Space Station (ISS) has configured
the radio to support cross-band repeater operations. They have also supported
some SSTV downlinks and participated in a special test of 9600 baud packet
radio operations on the simplex frequency of 145.825 MHz. After December 19,
Bauer said he expects the ISS ham radio system to be on the 145.825 MHz
frequency supporting 1200 baud packet. If PCSAT is configured during the week,
he said double hop APRS is possible.
"During the week of December 21-26, we plan to support the cross-band
repeater mode with a twist," Bauer said. "Our intent is to configure
the radio for 145.99 MHz uplink -- including CTCSS tone of 67.0 and 437.80 MHz
down. This will be performed in low power mode. We should also note that an
extra-vehicular activity (EVA) is planned for that week -- Expedition 18
Commander Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov, RA3DT, plan
to perform a spacewalk on December 22. As per standard procedure, the ISS ham
radio system will be turned off for the EVA."
Bauer said that from December 28-January 3, the cross-band repeater will be
reconfigured for what he called "a special experiment. This will be a test
of our L-Band uplink capability, which, to date, has not been proven out. Plan
for an uplink of 1269.65 MHz and a downlink on the standard frequency of 145.80
MHz, using low power," he said. "Given the substantial cable losses
of the L-band system, we hope some 'big guns' are able to penetrate through,
keep up with Doppler and make the connection."
A special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS
from November 30, 2008 to January 15, 2009. This certificate will be awarded to
those who have had two-way communications with the ISS on voice, packet (APRS)
or through the voice repeater. Those who hear the ISS from space in any of the
ARISS operations modes -- voice, SSTV, school contact, voice repeater or
digital - will also be eligible to receive a certificate.
To receive the certificate, Bauer said to note the ARISS mode of operation
(such as SSTV, voice or school) on your QSL and whether the contact was one-way
(receive only) or two-way. "You should send your self-addressed, stamped
envelope to the normal ARISS QSL volunteer distributor in your area of the
world," he explained. "On the outside of the QSL envelope, please
include the words '25th Anniversary Certificate.' Make sure your envelope is
big enough to accept an 8.5 x 11 inch certificate and includes the proper
postage." If you do not know where to send your QSL, check the ARISS Web
site <http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#ARISS_Update--25th_Anniversary_of_Ha
m_Radio_in_Space> to find the one that serves your part of the world.
"We will be sending your certificate to the volunteer distributors in bulk
after the event is over," Bauer said. "This saves workload and money.
So do not expect to see it until 1-2 months after the event closes on January
15." Bauer reminded hams that due to ISS flight requirements related
to spacewalks and vehicle activity, the radio onboard the ISS may be off for
some portion of this schedule. School contacts and general QSO opportunities by
the crew will also preempt this schedule for short periods of time. "But
remember that if you hear these," he said, "you still qualify for a
commemorative certificate. Enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS!"
Frequency Change for
Canadian time Transmission Station CHU
After 70 years of broadcasting Canada's official time, the National Research
Council's shortwave station CHU
<http://inms-ienm.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/time_services/shortwave_broadcasts_e.ht ml>
will move the transmission frequency for the 7335 kHz transmitter to 7850 kHz.
The change goes into effect at 0000 UTC on January 1, 2009. Broadcasting
24 hours a day, CHU is a part of NRC's system for disseminating official time
throughout Canada. Listeners hear tones to mark the seconds, a voice to
announce the time in French and English and digital data to set computers. The
atomic clocks at CHU are part of the ensemble of clocks in the time and
frequency research laboratories at the National Research Council Canada in
Ottawa. The NRC clocks are used in conjunction with clocks in the time
laboratories of other countries to construct the internationally accepted scale
of time, UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Time transmissions on 3330 and 14670
kHz are not affected and will continue as before.
In April 2007, the ITU reallocated the 7300-7350 kHz band from the fixed
service to the broadcasting service. Since then, the NRC said there has been a
lot of interference on the 7335 kHz frequency from many information
broadcasters around the world. "CHU listeners in Canada and around the
world who have for so long considered the 7335 kHz frequency exclusively for
time signals, are very vocal about this interference," said Raymond
Pelletier, Technical Officer at the NRC-Institute for National Measurement
Standards, who oversees the CHU facility. "We have heard from Amateur
Radio operators, watchmakers, astronomers and navigators who use the tones and
voice signals. We also received comments from those who use the carrier as a
calibration source at a distance for their equipment."
Pelletier noted that a leap second
<http://inms-ienm.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/faq_time_e.html> will be added at the
end of December 2008; this will be indicated in the digital code until the time
of the leap second. DUT1 will go from -0.6 to +0.4 seconds and will be
indicated by double tones near the start of the minute and in the broadcast
code <http://inms-ienm.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/time_services/chu_e.html>.
Solar Update
Tad "We twa hae paidl'd in the burn frae morning sun till dine" Cook,
K7RA, this week reports:
Last week's sunspot group was only visible for three days, December 10-12. The
average daily sunspot number for all of 2007 was 12.8; if we see no sunspots
for the rest of 2008, the average for this year will be 4.7. By comparison, the
yearly averages of daily sunspot numbers during the last solar minimum
(1995-1997) were 28.7, 13.2 and 30.7. This solar minimum is much lower than the
one about 12 years ago. Sunspot numbers for December 11-17 were 12, 14, 0, 0,
0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 3.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 70.2, 71, 69.7, 68.8, 68.9,
69.4 and 68.8 with a mean of 69.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 3, 2,
1, 0, 1, 4 and 5 with a mean of 2.3. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were
4, 2, 1, 1, 1, 4 and 3 with a mean of 2.3. For more information concerning
radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation
page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. To read this week's
Solar Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation Bulletin page
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/>. This week's "Tad Cookism"
brought to you by Robert Burns' "Auld Lang Syne"
<http://www.rabbie-burns.com/the_poems/auldlangsyne.cfm.html>.
W1AW 2009 Winter Operating
Schedule
Morning Schedule:
Time
Mode Days
------------------- ---- ---------
1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWs Wed, Fri
1400 UTC (9 AM EST) CWf Tue, Thu
Daily Visitor Operating Hours:
1500 UTC to 1700 UTC - (10 AM to 12 PM EST)
1800 UTC to 2045 UTC - (1 PM to 3:45 PM EST)
(Station closed 1700 to 1800 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM EST))
Afternoon/Evening Schedule:
2100 UTC (4 PM EST) CWf Mon,
Wed, Fri
2100 "
"
CWs Tue, Thu
2200 " (5 PM EST)
CWb Daily
2300 " (6 PM EST)
RTTY Daily
0000
" (7 PM EST) CWs
Mon, Wed, Fri
0000 "
"
CWf Tue, Thu
0100 " (8 PM EST)
CWb Daily
0200 " (9 PM EST)
RTTY Daily
0245 " (9:45 PM EST) VOICE Daily
0300 " (10 PM EST)
CWf Mon, Wed, Fri
0300 "
"
CWs Tue, Thu
0400 " (11 PM EST)
CWb Daily
Frequencies (MHz)
-----------------
CW: 1.8175 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475 18.0975 21.0675
28.0675 147.555
RTTY: - 3.5975 7.095 14.095
18.1025 21.095 28.095 147.555
VOICE: 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160
21.390 28.590 147.555
Notes:
CWs = Morse Code practice (slow) = 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM
CWf = Morse Code practice (fast) = 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM
CWb = Morse Code Bulletins = 18 WPM
CW frequencies include code practices, Qualifying Runs and CW bulletins.
RTTY = Teleprinter Bulletins = BAUDOT (45.45 baud) and AMTOR-FEC (100
Baud). ASCII (110 Baud) is sent only as time allows.
Code practice texts are from QST, and the source of each practice is given at
the beginning of each practice and at the beginning of alternate speeds.
On Tuesdays and Fridays at 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), Keplerian Elements for
active amateur satellites are sent on the regular teleprinter frequencies.
A DX bulletin replaces or is added to the regular bulletins between 0100 UTC (8
PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.
In a communications emergency, monitor W1AW for special bulletins as follows:
Voice on the hour, Teleprinter at 15 minutes past the hour, and CW on the half
hour.
All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 1700 UTC (10 AM
to 12 PM EST), and then from 1800 UTC to 2045 UTC (1 PM to 3:45 PM EST) Monday
through Friday. Be sure to bring your current FCC amateur radio license
or a photocopy.
The W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 100 in the November 2008
issue of QST or on the web at, http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html .
Dan KB6NU's Column
(Ed Note: Let us know your views on Dan's column and to help us decide whether
to keep running it. It was orginally sent to us unsolicited from Dan, an
out-of-area writer. Email your views to ke7gbo@arrl.net. Thanks!)
All I Want for
Christmas Is....
When I was a kid, we had an album (remember records on vinyl?) that had a bunch
of Christmas songs for kids. The song I remember most goes:
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth, my two front teeth.
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you Merry Chrith-math (sang with a lisp).
Seeing as how I've had my two front teeth for nearly 50 years now, and I pretty
much have everything I want, I got to thinking about what I want for ham radio
for Christmas this year. Here's what I've come up with so far. In no particular
order, I want:
- MORE SUNSPOTS!
- the median age for ham radio operators to actually decrease this year.
This means not only recruiting kids, but also younger adults.
- the pessimists who are continually talking down ham radio to find new
joy in the hobby and begin working to make it great.
- the FCC to appoint someone as effective as Riley Hollingsworth to take
over as the enforcer of the amateur radio service regulations.
- the FCC to pay a little more attention to amateur radio regulations
and not treat them as an afterthought.
- the silliness on 75m phone and 14.275 MHz to go QRT.
- the ARRL to work harder on making itself truly the "national
association for amateur radio" and on increasing the percentage of
licensed hams that are ARRL members.
- to be able to brag about all of ham radio's "purposes," not
only providing emergency and public service communications. According to Part
97, these are:
* advancing the state of the radio art;
* improving our technical and operating skills;
* expanding the number of trained operators, technicians,
and electronics experts; and
* enhancing international goodwill.
- ham radio clubs to grow and thrive even in these tough economic times.
When I asked this question on Twitter, I got a couple of answers that were
versions of a couple of wishes above, but I also got a few more:
-
WORMT wants "all of us to get on the air more and act as good ambassadors
for the hobby," and
- NT7S wants the hearts of ham grinches to grow a couple of sizes.
- N!WBV wants redesigns for most ham radio websites.
I pretty much agree with all three. Happy New Year!
-----------
When not waiting for Santa to decided if he's been naughty or nice, Dan,
KB6NU, teaches ham classes and blogs about ham radio (www.kb6nu.com)
The ARES E-Letter
December 18, 2008
=================
Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor
<http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=K1CE>,
===================================
ARES reports, other related contributions, editorial questions or comments:
<k1ce@arrl.net>;;
===================================
+ The View from Flagler County
Steve Harding, KT6Z, of Lincoln, California, writes "Where is Flagler
County?"
Dear Steve (and you, the other 32,000 plus subscribers to this newsletter):
Named after the robber baron, Flagler is a small county on the north-central
east coast (the "First Coast") of Florida, between famous Daytona
Beach, and historic St. Augustine. The area features 18 miles of well-populated
coastline, and a sparsely-populated, rural, agricultural inland aspect, full of
woods, farms and lakes. A few years ago, it was the fastest growing county in
the country. Like everywhere in Florida, it is a target for hurricanes. Flagler
is not a tornado alley as in other parts of the country, but we do have
tornadoes on occasion. Thus, we are prone to disaster, and have a robust
panoply of emcomm groups, including ARES of course, CERT, SKYWARN, REACT, GMRS,
and the Flagler Emergency Communications Association (FECA), which provides
repeaters and serves as a platform for many of these organizations. Another
large club in the area, the Flagler Palm Coast ARC, is involved with the CERT
program and also provides repeater and other support. Flagler County is home to
the corporate campus of the ARES E-Letter (actually, a small room in the back
of my house that doubles as a ham shack). Thanks for asking, Steve!
____
I recently heard from Art Feller, W4ART, an old friend and former Office of U.S.
Foreign Disaster Assistance Communications Specialist. (OFDA is part of the
Agency for International Development (AID), which is part of the U.S. State
Department. I traveled extensively with Art throughout the hemisphere in the
late '80s and early '90s, giving lectures on panels involving disaster
communications to governmental entities in places like St. Lucia, Jamaica, and
Trinidad and Tobago. Art's presentation on disaster communications modalities
always included a big section on Amateur Radio. We also had a lot of fun,
meeting the local hams. Art retired, and I lost track of him until recently. He
wrote to remind me of a few key definitions that he used in all of his
lectures:
Emergency: an event requiring quick action to avoid serious consequences.
Disaster: a catastrophic event that exceeds the ability of the community to
cope. ("Community" may be anything from a household to a planet;
disasters can occur on different scales.)
Art also wrote that "Flagler County is trying to prepare its local Amateur
Radio operators, which is wonderful. But, remember, a disaster exceeds the
ability of the community to cope, including Flagler county. Therefore, help
will be required from outside the community. We, as Amateur Radio operators,
have the flexibility to help each other with better interoperability capability
than most. Thus, common and relevant training needs to be as widely available
as possible to enable all of us to work together." - Art Feller, W4ART,
Arlington, Virginia, retired OFDA Communications Specialist, Agency for
International Development, U.S. State Department Art Feller, W4ART, is
one of the lost unsung heroes of ITU Region 2 emergency communications.
______
In This Issue:
+ Dartmouth, Massachusetts: SAR a Hundred Miles Away
+ Joint SAR Exercise With Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
+ Manchester, Connecticut: From SAR Drill to Emergency Activation
+ New Madrid Fault Report Released
+ Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service Released
+ LETTERS: More
on Repeater Frequencies Availability
+ K1CE For a Final
_______
+ Dartmouth, Massachusetts: SAR a Hundred Miles Away
October 11, 2008 was one year to the day that an individual, Charlie Allen, was
last seen running into the woods in a manic state in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Although his sneakers and backpack were recovered, nothing else was ever found.
The Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue team, affiliated with the Manchester
Office of Emergency Management's CERT team, was contacted this past September
to assist in a joint search operation on October 10, 11, and 12.
The Town of Manchester has developed an integrated team of Emergency Management
volunteers called a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), comprised of
three groups that joined forces to offer their specialties: EMCOMM (55 Amateur
Radio operators and foot searchers), MBSAR (a 20 person Mountain Bike Search
and Rescue team), and CCSAR (a 20 person and 12 trained search dog team, the
Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue).
In the past year, the combined teams have drilled in missing person searches,
pandemic flu outbreaks, radio signal propagation surveys as well as assisted in
numerous local search and recovery missions. Here was the opportunity to use
our training, a hundred miles away in Dartmouth.
Upon arrival in Dartmouth, 200 volunteers were assembled, including a large
contingent from the Bristol County Sheriff's Office. The lead investigator
spoke, as did the passionate family of the missing man.
The mountain bike team searched an area with 40 miles of single-track trails;
they were in constant communications with the Command Post. The EMCOMM teams
worked with CCSAR dog teams for communication support in their assigned grid
searches. Other EMCOMM teams performed line searches. All communication was
accomplished with 2 meter HT's in the field and the EMCOMM outposts used their
go kits, built from various radio gear manufacturers, to provide 50 watts of
communications support to the outlying areas. All teams, in the many search
areas, marked the exact location(s) of all clues found during their searches
using GPS and UTM grid coordinates.
As the hours passed, the radio traffic would peak when potential clues were
found and the investigators were called in to retrieve the item(s). Many
items were retrieved including handguns, not related to the lost person. All of
the items were sent to FBI labs for further investigation.
As the day closed to an end, the Red Cross tents offered hot meals and it was a
time to reflect on our training and what we can do better or different
tomorrow. We covered a lot of ground, and most of all, showed the family that a
team from a hundred miles away came to help them. -- Kurt Wagner, K1MTB,
Manchester, Connecticut
+ Joint SAR Exercise With Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
Nineteen Gwinnett County (Georgia) ARES members participated in a joint search
and rescue training exercise with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. The
exercise was organized by Eddie Foust, WD4JEM, who is a member of both
organizations. The Incident Commander was Mike Reiser, WB4WTL. The group
assembled at Little Mulberry Park in northeast Gwinnett County on Saturday
morning, November 22, for a briefing and assignments. The park encompasses
about 900 acres, much of which is undeveloped and provided a realistic environment.
The ARES Mobile Communications Vehicle trailer was onsite and provided support
for Net Control operations. All communications were handled on simplex to
simulate remote search conditions with no available repeaters. ARES members
were assigned to search teams as communicators. The exercise used the ICS
structure for organization to give both groups experience for future
operations. The exercise provided many lessons learned from the
challenges of simplex communications over the large area of the Park. Field
teams within range of remote teams and Net Control served as relays, but slowed
communications and search area coverage. GATC members participating in the
exercise did not have any previous experience working with communicators as a
part of teams.
The exercise concluded with a thorough debriefing and plan to conduct
additional joint exercises. After the exposure to Amateur Radio, some GATC
members plan to obtain their licenses. Gwinnett ARES regularly conducts its
exercises with a variety of groups and agencies to jointly gain experience for
future operations. -- John A. Davis, WB4QDX, EC, Gwinnett County, Georgia, ARES
<wb4qdx@arrl.net>
+ Manchester, Connecticut: From SAR Drill to Emergency Activation
The scenario was daunting: Find two lost hikers with possible hypothermia over
33 miles of trails at night, in cold weather.
August 22 was a beautiful night for a drill on Case Mountain in Manchester,
Connecticut. The Manchester EMCOMM and CERT teams along with the Glastonbury
Fire Department were asked to find two lost hikers with the temperature falling
to the low 30's. The mock victims were placed deep in the woods and the
Connecticut State Police Helicopter (Trooper 1) was to participate using their
night vision goggles to locate the mock victims. With 33 miles of trails, the
five teams of two bikers would take hours to search all the trails. This was a
perfect opportunity for the bikers to work with other resources and the EMCOMM
team to assist with communications and coordinate with the Incident Command
Post.
Two EMCOMM teams staged in the woods were awaiting Trooper 1 to locate the mock
victims, and guide the bike team to the general area. The EMCOMM teams, using
two meter HT's, acted as communications relay points for the bikers, who use
very short range GMRS radios. The EMCOMM teams would also serve as front line
staging points in the event additional resources were needed to shuttle
emergency equipment, and assist at guiding the resources in the right
direction.
But, as the bike teams approached EMCOMM Team 1, Town of Manchester Emergency
Manager Don Janelle, N1DAJ, called to stop the drill, as there was an actual
emergency on the other side of town; EMCOMM services were being requested.
Trooper 1 was diverted to the same call in search of a mentally challenged
person who wandered away from a group home.
The mock victims were to be extracted, but something was terribly wrong. At
nighttime, simple trail navigation can become an overwhelming task. It was
reported to base command that the victims took a wrong turn. Amateur Radio was
used to keep communications open with the three bike team members in the woods,
and EMCOMM command post as well as with newly-realized real victims. With the
hills and valleys, two meter communication was spotty. The bike team members
asked the victims to describe their terrain, and using these clues, finally
were able to guide them out to safety.
Efforts were now brought to bear on the other side of Manchester for the real
activation. The EMCOMM team, bike team, and sister organization CCSAR
(Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue) were on scene, with Dave Bidwell, N1ZNA,
establishing a base station and net control until the arrival of Don Janelle,
N1DAJ, from the drill location.
EMCOMM/Bike Team member Kurt Wagner, K1MTB, used two meters for a neighborhood
communication relay with net control. All bike team members carried GMRS radios
and they would inform Wagner of their location and streets that had been
cleared. In the three hour search, the five bike teams covered over 20 miles of
roads, parks, woods, reservoirs and hundreds of open shelter condo garages.
Francine Diana, K1ELI, gave up a party on her fortieth birthday to work with
Bruce Kramer, KB1QNO, to search a condominium complex and adjoining
neighborhood. No stone was left unturned as cars, garages, porches and sheds
were thoroughly searched.
EMCOMM members Andy Zajak, N1ORK, and Paul Gibson, N1TUP, teamed with their
CCSAR team counterparts and their dogs. Their objective was to search an area
closest to the group home. One block from the group home, a dog alerts and runs
to his trainer, and led the team to the missing person. He was hiding, not
visible from the road, in foliage between two houses. He appeared to be
uninjured, but agitated. The team immediately notified net control and help
arrived quickly.
The transfer from drill to activation was seamless. Once on scene, all the
training kicked in and everyone knew what his or her task was; there was
nothing to be done better. On this night, it all came together for the
public interest. -- Kurt Wagner, K1MTB, Manchester, CT EMCOMM
+ New Madrid Fault Report Released
Amateur groups in the southern and central United States usually contend with
severe weather, large scale accidents, missing person searches, winter weather,
and the occasional hurricane, but there is another threat that we should plan
and exercise for: A large scale earthquake along the New Madrid fault zone.
DHS/FEMA has just released a comprehensive new report on the threat and it
contains a wealth of information for those who may be planning tabletop
exercises or fodder for next year's SET. The complete report is a large PDF
file (over 70 megs) but well worth the download time. A direct link to the full
report is at: <https://www.ideals.uiuc.edu/bitstream/2142/8971/2/ImpactofEarthquake
sontheCentralUSA.pdf>
Keep in mind that quakes in the New Madrid Fault Zone have produced some of the
largest ever recorded in US history. Earthquakes in 1811 and 1812 caused
widespread damage, and loss of life even though the region was sparsely
populated compared to today. This report details the "worst case
scenario" for all states within the region.
In
With impacts in surrounding states being far worse, we could expect the need
for Amateur Radio communications support to dwarf even that of Katrina.
According to the study, a major quake of magnitude 7.0 or higher in the region
within the next 50 years is better than 90%. We can't afford not to include
this in our planning. -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, Alabama Section Emergency Coordinator;
NCS-SHARES NCS-047
+ Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service Released
Amateurs who wish to keep abreast of public service communications will find an
updated guide useful. Here's the story and link: The new Voice Radio
Communications Guide for the Fire Service provides updated information on
communications technology and discusses critical homeland security issues and
concepts, such as SAFECOM, that did not exist when the original manual was
first published. It also provides a wide fire service audience with a minimum
level of familiarity with basic communications issues such as hardware, policy
and procedures, and human interface. Available at:
<http://tinyurl.com/6lc2p5> -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, Alabama Section
Emergency Coordinator; NCS-SHARES NCS-047
+ LETTERS: More on Repeater Frequencies Availability
For a sample of key frequencies in an ARES area, check out the .pdf file we
have in Lane County, Oregon at <http://www.valleyradioclub.org/home.htm>
and click on ARES/RACES Frequency Chart in the middle of the page. We also have
a packet frequency chart, as well as other ARES resources on that page. -- Mark
Perrin, N7MQ,
I do believe that a State or Regional list should be available for ALL areas
and easily accessible. Many State Coordination agencies list their frequencies
on-line, but some don't. Some won't list them on-line because they want you to
pay for the information by purchasing their database book. Of course, the ARRL
Repeater Directory is available each year, but it does not identify primary
ARES/EMCOMM systems. I think one way to get this information out to the EMCOMM
community would be for the State Emergency Management agencies to gather the
data from their ARES/RACES coordinators and post it on the State/Local EM Web
site, as a publicly accessible file.
On the topic of CTCSS tones, the idea of having system operators be able to
turn off the tone access in emergencies may cause more problems than solutions.
Most systems have resorted to CTCSS access because of local interference,
regional co-channel interference or by Coordination Agency mandate. Especially
with Coordination Agencies dropping the accepted separation distances on
co-channel operation to as little as 70 miles or less, CTCSS is a must. For
EMCOMM operations, these primary systems do not need to be susceptible to
interference.
Being involved in EM, ARES/RACES and Frequency Coordination, I have a unique
vantage point on these issues. I think there are some good ideas being tossed
around here; let it continue for the betterment of Amateur Radio emcomm. --
Robert King, W5LVB, Arkansas ARES/RACES District EC - K;
My thought on this matter is: Google is not the answer. The question is the
ready availability of information on repeaters in a limited geographic region.
I propose the best tactical answer is: APRS. Specifically, "Local Info
objects" - see <http://aprs.org/localinfo.html>. I read Mr.
Bruninga's description of the initiative and realized there was indeed a direct
and immediate application for it. As a result, and as a RACES member, I have
taken my own personal initiative to place an Antenna object with a roughly
accurate position and the full frequency and tone requirements for key
repeaters in the area on the 6m, 2m, 1.25m and 70cm bands. The
+ K1CE For A Final
The holidays are a time for joy, but also a time for reflection on what life
means to give to others. I thought I would conclude this holiday issue with a
look at the life of one who gave of himself, as an example for the rest of us.
I never knew nor even heard of Bob, nor KD7YVV, who kindly and thoughtfully
wrote to inform me of Bob's passing. Here is Bob's story in brief: Milton
Robert Knight, W7MZO, served two years in the Army Signal Corp near
A life of service, lived well. And, a gift to us all.
See you next year, when, beginning with the January issue, the ARES E-Letter
will be going to an HTML format, with cool pics and graphics! Make sure to send
photos along with your ARES reports. 73,
Rick, K1CE
======================================================================
73,
Tom Cleveland KE7GBO
Editor - Valley Voice KE7GBO@arrl.net
Dit Dah Dit Dah Dit Dah