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Subj: The ARES E-Letter May 20, 2009
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
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The ARRL ARES E-Letter May 20, 2009
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
In This Issue:
* The View from Flagler County
* Amateur Radio Supports BP MS-150 "Silver Celebration"
* Meso Cyclone, Southern Illinois SKYWARN/ARES Response
* Hams Rally for Glass City Marathon
* Hurricane Conference A Success for Amateur Radio
* Letters: 6 Meter FM for ARES Ops
* Letters: "Reverse 911" TENS for ARES
* Legendary Kentucky ARES Op Retires
* Letters: Cost Value of Volunteers
* Letters: New FEMA CPG Can Help ARES Draft EOPs
* Letters: Recruitment
* K1CE For a Final
________
The View from Flagler County
============================
Good news this month on the legislative front: On April 29, Representative
Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced HR 2160 -- the "Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Enhancement Act of 2009" -- in the US House of Representatives.
This bill, if passed, would "promote and encourage the valuable public
service, disaster relief, and emergency communications provided on a volunteer
basis by licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur
Radio Service, by undertaking a study of the uses of Amateur Radio for
emergency and disaster relief communications, by identifying unnecessary or
unreasonable impediments to the deployment of Amateur Radio emergency and
disaster relief communications, and by making recommendations for relief of
such unreasonable restrictions so as to expand the uses of Amateur Radio
communications in Homeland Security planning and response." The bill has been
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. More info here. Please write
your congressmen for their support.
________
Sad news this month on the personal front: Longtime ARRL volunteer official
Sandy Donahue, W4RU, became a Silent Key. He was a good friend and colleague
on many different projects over the thirty years that I knew him; he had a
special devotion to the ARRL Field Organization and ARES. We didn't always
agree on everything, but I always admired his dedication to Amateur Radio and
the ARRL, over the course of several decades of service. He will be missed.
_________
More than 250 Amateur Radio operators provided communication support for the
113th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, also known as
Patriots' Day. The marathon used amateurs at the starting line, along the
course at each water and first aid station, and at the finish line. Full story
here.
_________
May 12 was Amateur Radio Operator Day in Puerto Rico, pursuant to a
proclamation by Governor Luis Fortuno. Executive Director of the State Agency
for Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Heriberto Sauri said
"this administration recognizes the important work that the Amateur Radio
operators do in Puerto Rico and around the world in emergency situations to
protect the lives and safety of our citizens."
An "Understanding of Cooperation" is in the works between the agency and radio
amateurs. See the video here.
_________
The annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test from the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) in Miami takes place Saturday, May 30, 1300-2100 UTC. "The purpose of
this annual Station Test is to test all of our radio equipment, computers and
antennas using as many modes and frequencies as possible. This is not a
contest or simulated hurricane exercise. New equipment and software will be
tested, and we will also conduct operator training," said WX4NHC Assistant
Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R.
Info here.
Amateur Radio Supports BP MS-150 "Silver Celebration"
=====================================================
The BP MS-150 is a fundraising bike ride from Houston to Austin, Texas,
organized by the Lone Star Chapter of the National MS Society. It is the
largest bike ride in North America with 13,000 riders, 3,000 volunteers,
supporters and spectators.
Amateur Radio is an integral part of the communication system, which includes
public service agencies, commercial radio systems, and the non-licensed Multi-
Use Radio Service (MURS). The 150 Amateur Radio volunteers represented
independent operators, local radio clubs across Texas, and ARES. The event was
held April 19, 2009.
Mike Hardwick, N5VCX, was chairman of the communications committee that
coordinated the linking of a dozen repeaters over a distance of 150 miles.
Many of the operators were veterans of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. Their
ability to adapt, respond and overcome was evident this year.
All communication network controls were located in the Houston Command Post.
Two nets were established with back-up capabilities: One net was designated
for general traffic and supply coordination, with the second net designated
for medical emergencies.
David Taylor, WD5DST, coordinated the amateur operators for medical
assignments. Three ambulances, ten first responder teams, two supervisors and
one medical transport unit were strategically placed along the route to
respond to emergencies. Amateur operators were assigned to these sixteen
vehicles. Medical units were equipped with APRS, allowing the prompt
dispatching of the closest units.
The eyes and ears along the route of the MS-150 were the motorcycle marshals.
Many of these motorcycle volunteers obtained their ham licenses through
classes conducted by Jerry Irwin, WAGLD, who also coordinates the marshals.
Sixty-two motorcycles were operated by Amateur Radio personnel, with twelve
being APRS-equipped.
Breakpoints were positioned every ten miles along the route. These rest areas
provided water and snacks, medical aid, bicycle repair and restroom
facilities. A team of amateurs including ARES members from Harris and Waller
counties was assigned to each breakpoint to report conditions, request
supplies and summon ambulances.
ARES provided a large contingent of operators for the event. Many served
independently at the command post and in medical and supply vehicles and the
motorcycle marshals. As a group, ARES was tasked with establishing and
operating the Special Assistance Group (SAG) responsibility for the
transportation of cyclists who were unable to continue, from each breakpoint
forward to Austin. The DECs from the South Texas Section districts 1 and 14
responded with volunteers. Christine Smith, N5CAS, District 1 DEC, recruited
volunteers from Waller County, while Jeff Walter, KE5FGA, District 14 DEC,
worked with his group in Harris County. Walter also coordinated the operations
of all breakpoints and their associated functions. The SAG stops used Amateur
Radio and MURS radios to coordinate buses, trucks, vans and personnel.
ARES employed the Incident Command System of the National Incident Management
System to develop incident action plans, training sessions with table top
exercises and leadership development meetings to provide consistent operations
along the route.
The planning and training responsibility fell into the capable hands of
veteran Del Partridge, W5QQ. In addition to their SAG responsibilities, the
ARES members were originally tasked with operating the majority of the Amateur
Radio stations at the breakpoints.
MS Society Lone Star Chapter President Mark Neagli stated "volunteers are what
make this event so successful." The difference between an event and an
incident is that events are planned and incidents are not. By participating in
these events, Amateur Radio operators gain valuable experience, learning to
adapt to changing conditions and work with the assets that are available. To
learn more about multiple sclerosis and rides in your area, contact the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For Amateur Radio information on the BP
MS-150, contact Jeff Walter, KE5FGA, District 14 DEC, or Mike Hardwick, N5VCX,
Communications Committee Chairman -- article by Joe Gadus, KD5KTX, Porter,
Texas
Meso Cyclone, Southern Illinois SKYWARN/ARES Response
=====================================================
The afternoon hours of May 8, will long be remembered in southern Illinois. In
the course of a few short hours, the residents of central southern Illinois
were subjected to greater than 100 MPH straight-line winds, torrential rain,
and tornadoes. Area hams, active in SKYWARN nets, were busy.
The preceding evening, severe thunderstorms had seen the Jackson and
Williamson County areas pelted with golf ball-sized hailstones. Friday
morning, the National Weather Service at Paducah, Kentucky, began again
issuing severe weather alerts for the region. Flash flooding, severe
thunderstorm and tornado watches were issued. Warnings soon followed, but
there was no indication of what was to come.
As Franklin, Williamson, Jackson and Perry County SKYWARN nets were activated
(some for the third time that day), emergency managers also took to the roads,
along with law enforcement and fire department observers.Several reports of
funnels and tornadoes were communicated to the NWS office by SKYWARN
observers, but this storm packed much more devastation than the EF0 and EF1
twisters that developed.
This storm was unique in that its radar signature was not unlike that of a
small hurricane. The steady, straight-line winds that this storm carried were
measured at one regional airport at 106 MPH. That would place this storm in
the Saffir Simpson hurricane intensity Category 2. Based on the assumption
that wind gusts exceeded that measured steady wind speed, and, based upon the
resulting damage observed during a survey of the western part of the storm's
damage path, this storm would be properly placed into Saffir Simpson Category
3. The NWS now calls the storm a "meso cyclone." Other meteorologists have
referred to the storm as a Derecho. Whatever it's called, it was a devastating
weather system.
Widespread, major damage to utilities and buildings resulted. More than 70,000
residents of this mostly rural area found themselves without power. Six
southern Illinois counties have been declared disaster areas by Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn. Utilities are still, as this is written on May 14, trying
to restore power to approximately 15,000 residences and businesses. Primary AC
lines in very rugged country including the Shawnee National Forest were
destroyed, leading to the use of helicopters and bulldozers to ferry tools and
materials to electricians and line crews, who are resorting to manual efforts
to rebuild these HV towers and lines. Hundreds of thousands of trees were
felled. Many homes and businesses were destroyed, and, there has been one
storm-related fatality reported.
When this storm hit, we, here in my hometown of Benton, were subjected to
strong winds, lightning, and very heavy rain. The wind, at that point, was
from the southwest. Our SAME weather alert receivers were constantly alerting,
as reports of funnels and tornadoes were broadcast. Then, the 'eye' of the
storm passed over us, and, just as with a tropical depression or hurricane, we
enjoyed a brief lull. All was calm for about 25 minutes, and, save for the
eerie, greenish cast to the sky, it could have been any other spring day in
southern Illinois.
Then, the back side of the cyclone hit us, with winds from the northwest. The
sky was instantly filled with blowing debris and rain being horizontally
driven by the shrieking winds. Visibility was reduced to less than 50 feet,
and, in our basement, my wife and I watched as water was, literally, blown
through our concrete block walls.
As the Illinois SEC, I try to set a good example in terms of emergency
preparedness. Most of my emergency supplies are kept ready in a 37' fifth
wheel camper, along with my field-deployable emergency communications gear.
Ironically, on Thursday morning, my wife and I had pulled that camper to a
dealership in the county south of us - Williamson -for some minor repairs.
[Williamson County is where Friday's wind speed of 106 MPH was measured]. Our
camper was a casualty, first, of Thursday's hail storm, which shattered all of
the roof vents and opened the camper's roof to the rain, and, then, the meso
cyclone hit on Friday. Our 14,000 pound camper was pushed off its blocks and
scooted across the dealer's yard like a kid's toy. Here at home, half of a
100' oak adjacent to our property was felled by the storm.
Amateur Radio involvement centered on SKYWARN net activities, while the
Franklin County ARES group was alerted for potential deployment to an American
Red Cross shelter. The NWS office in Paducah has posted Doppler radar images
of this storm, along with text reports of events and photos of the damage. --
Brad Pioveson, W9FX, ARRL Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator
Hams Rally for Glass City Marathon
==================================
Members of the Toledo-Lucas County (Ohio) ARES Group demonstrated their skills
providing communications for the 33rd Glass City Marathon on April 26. Hosted
by the Toledo Road Runner Club, almost 2,000 runners from 24 states and Canada
participated. Thousands of spectators lined the route.
Rick Sharpe, K8RKS, ARES Race Coordinator, faced many technical challenges
linking race and safety officials. Starting in downtown Toledo, runners raced
on both sides of the scenic Maumee River, through two counties and several
communities, each with different public safety radio frequencies. The
interoperability solution was ARES Amateur Radio operators.
The nerve center was the Lucas County ARES Command Center. Consisting of a
renovated ambulance with attached trailer-radio-situation room, the unit was
stationed downtown near the starting line. It served as platform for Net
Control on a 2 meter repeater atop one of Toledo's tallest office buildings.
Twenty-three ARES field operators with HTs along the course and in vehicles
worked through the repeater to Net Control with their communications.
Lucas County's ARES Command Center is well designed for the task. Both parts
are self contained and not reliant on commercial power. Each is a duplicate of
the other so they can be separated and used at two different scenes. Most
impressive were the banks of radios from amateur to area police, fire, EMA,
and EMS agencies. A corn row of antennas lined the roof. All were used to make
the marathon happen.
After months of planning and preparation, it all came together. Steve Bellner,
W8TER, and Rick Sharpe, K8RKS, manned Net Control. Working as a team, Net
Control along with ARES field units handled traffic with race and medical
officials, four response vehicles, a service vehicle, 14 water stops, and
public safety officials from multiple jurisdictions. It was a good day for the
Glass City Marathon and the Lucas County ARES Team. Once again, Amateur Radio
delivers. -- Jim Duggan, KD8CIJ, ARRL Public Information Officer, District
One, Ohio
Hurricane Conference A Success for Amateur Radio
================================================
Amateur Radio had its largest presence ever at the 2009 National Hurricane
Conference in Austin, Texas. Representatives from the ARRL, WX4NHC, the
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Hurricane
Watch Net (HWN) and VoIP Hurricane Net (VoIPWXNet) completed several
presentations at the conference as well as a presentation at the local Austin
Amateur Radio Club.
The Amateur Radio Disaster Communications Workshop was held April 7 with
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Coordinators John McHugh, K4AG, and Julio Ripoll, WD4R,
explaining their work at the National Hurricane Center and the importance of
measured surface data and damage reports to allow hurricane specialists to
make better forecasts.
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net, gave a
presentation on the net and the role it plays in gathering data for WX4NHC and
how it also can be used to connect various NWS Forecast offices and local and
regional EOCs together during hurricanes. Macedo also presented the importance
of IRESC, the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition, and its role in
providing translators and additional contacts in the affected area during
hurricanes and other disasters.
Brad Piovensen, W9FX, Assistant Net Manager of the Hurricane Watch Net,
discussed potential changes in their operations that will include not just
monitoring of their traditional 14.325 MHz frequency but also monitoring 40
and 80 meter bands given the need for the net to expand its reach.
On April 8, ARRL's Dennis Dura, K2DCD, and Macedo, gave a workshop on
situational awareness and how it creates more opportunities for Amateur Radio.
Most of the attendees were representing emergency management and other
government agencies.
All sessions were videotaped and available on the North Shore Radio
Association (NSRA) Web site. - Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Manager, VoIP Hurricane Net
Letters: 6 Meter FM for ARES Ops
================================
Most ARES communications are performed on 2 meter FM and for good reasons: The
majority of amateurs own 2 meter FM radios and many have mobile installations
that provide great coverage in most urban and suburban areas. There are in
many areas so many repeaters up that there is a waiting list for frequencies.
For many events here in Northern Virginia, a handheld radio will do the job
well.
We do, however, have some events that are run in large, forested park areas
where 2 meter repeater coverage is poor or in some cases, the repeaters that
cover areas are also popular on weekends with the clubs that sponsor those
repeaters. It can be unfair to run a 50 mile event and tie up a wide area
repeater for a day.
Our solution was to try other VHF bands. While most of us also have 440 MHz FM
gear, we found that it did not provide the range in wooded areas. We went to 6
meters for several reasons. First, there are many amateurs who own the ICOM
IC-706 and other compact radios that have 6 meter FM capability. The coverage
of 6 meters in a wooded environment is unbelievably good. We have found that a
5 watt 6 meter simplex FM signal can be heard more clearly then a 50 watt 2
meter simplex signal.
We have two events that are along the Occoquan Reservoir in Fairfax County,
Virginia and two other events that are run along the Potomac River from
Alexandria to Mt. Vernon. We've found that 2 meter repeater coverage along
both the reservoir and the river is not good and running events with mobile
equipment on 2 meter simplex is not the best approach.
When trying 6 meters we found that coverage was much better. While there are
many commercial 6 meter FM radios on the market, there are also many surplus
commercial radios available if you can find the right ones and they are
properly converted. In our area, one of the members of the Amateur Radio
Research and Development Club (AMRAD) picked up a truckload of Midland
commercial radios and figured out how to convert them to the 6 meter band.
Most of them have 22 channels and must be programmed by using a computer
program and a serial cable with a non-standard connector to the radio. With 22
channels, you will have all of the simplex frequencies and many 6 meter
repeater pairs in your area. I'm sure that there are Motorola models that can
be had as well.
Commercial gear has a few advantages over our amateur equipment. One is that
it is easy to use. Turn it on, set the channel, set the squelch and talk.
These radios are generally bullet proof; they will take more abuse. They were
designed to live in cabs, trash trucks, and police cars. They also have a
great deal of audio gain available. If you are in a high noise environment you
will still be able to hear your traffic.
Six meter antennas are another consideration. For mobile operations, you can
use a 2 meter 5/8th wave that also loads up as a wave on 6 meters.
Alternatives are home made or commercially made ground planes, J-poles, and
dipoles. I use a 6 meter Ringo for portable use on a set of military mast
sections. I've marked the vertical parts so they can be collapsed for easy
transport and set up quickly.
If your ARES unit or club decides to use commercial 6 meter equipment, I
recommend that you determine a few simplex frequencies that should be
programmed into all radios. Two popular frequencies in Northern Virginia are
52.02 MHz and 52.51 MHz. I recommend that you stay away from 52.525 MHz as it
is the national calling frequency and when 6 meters is open you may get check
ins from all over the country.
Another consideration for use of a second band when working ARES or public
service is the ever increasing use of APRS on 2 meters for such events. If you
have an APRS tracker in a vehicle at the lead or tail end of a race or on
other support vehicles, you want to not interfere with that signal, so moving
your voice communications to another band works. -- Richard Bunn, N4ASX, ARES
EC, Alexandria, Virginia
Letters: "Reverse 911" TENS for ARES
====================================
Here is an emergency call-out notification resource that is widely available,
but I am not sure is being widely used: So-called "Reverse 911" systems.
Usually thought of as a means for emergency managers to send telephone
messages to the public based on the recipient's location, these systems can be
used for much more. Good systems can send messages to telephones, cellular
phones, SMS, pagers, fax machines, and e-mail.
Really good systems record a response and can even ask polling questions, such
as "Can you respond to the EOC and, if so, when will you arrive?" Properly
known as "Telephone Emergency Notification Systems" or TENS, these
capabilities are often sold to local government as a service with per-call
billing. Often the pre-paid calling included in the contract goes unused,
waiting for a major event that never occurs. All of the TENS systems I am
aware of also support notifications for emergency responders. In most, the
responder provides details of all the ways they can be contacted and, in an
emergency, the system uses them one-by-one or all at once until the message is
received. Profiles allow recipients to select the best way to reach them at a
particular time-of-day, and to prevent the system from calling at other times,
if desired.
Our ARES group has begun using such a system for notifying members when their
help is needed--as well as drills and occasional system tests to keep people
aware it exists. We are just getting started, but already another nearby
county is following our lead, using a TENS system our state makes available to
public health agencies for free.
I think many agencies that have a TENS available treat it like some kind of a
doomsday system, when it really could be used for all sorts of things,
including an off-the-repeater way of notifying ARES members that we need their
help right away.
If anyone has questions about TENS, or needs help convincing a local official,
please feel free to have them contact me. -- David Coursey, N5FDL, San Joaquin
County ARES, California
Legendary Kentucky ARES Op Retires
==================================
In 1960, Louisa, Kentucky, saw the emergence of a new ham, Curtis (Fred)
Jones, WN4ETV (now WA4SWF) at the age of 16. He went on to give a lifetime of
service to his community, county and anyone interested in Amateur Radio.
He was an Elmer to many hams. Jones constructed a working Kentucky District 9
ARES. He served 35 years as EC. During his ARES career he held the positions
of DEC, OES, OBS, AEC and ASM. He was Vice President of the Big Sandy Amateur
Radio Club and just this year retired as Treasurer.
He joined the Morning Kentucky Phone Net and the evening Kentucky Traffic Net.
He called these nets at least once a week for many years and was a regular
check into the Kentucky CW nets.
Jones was Disaster Emergency Service Director for Lawrence County, holding
that position for 12 years.
He became the first Director of the South East Repeater Association (SERA) for
Kentucky and was instrumental in setting up the standards of repeater
coordination. He then went on to serve as editor of the SERA Journal, a
monthly publication for seven states.
On May 2, Fred retired. He was presented with a plaque from Jim Weaver, K8JE,
ARRL Great Lakes Division Director, for his years of service. The honor was
presented by Jim Brooks, KY4Z, Kentucky Section Manager, Matt Tinker, AA4XA,
Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator and John Meyers, NB4K, past Kentucky
Section Manager, current Great Lakes Division Legislative Action Chairman and
Assistant Great Lakes Director.
We here in Kentucky are so gratfeul for people like Fred who dedicate their
life to helping others. -- John Meyers, NB4K
Letters: Cost Value of Volunteers
=================================
Many ARES organizations provide detailed accounting of their volunteer efforts
to their served agencies. This usually includes break-downs for man-hours,
including a calculation of the monetary value of services provided by Amateur
Radio. The value of these services is usually taken from a variety of sources
including the Bureau of Labor, VOAD, etc. But increasingly volunteer
organizations are using the estimates of a group called "Independent Sector."
Independent Sector has announced that the 2009 estimate for the value of a
volunteer hour is $20.25 per hour. Organizations can use this number to
quantify the enormous value volunteers provide. Last year's estimate was
$19.51. The hourly value of volunteer time is based on the average hourly wage
for all non-management, nonagricultural workers as determined by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, with a 12 percent increase to estimate for fringe benefits.
Independent Sector will release updated figures for each state later this
spring.
In Alabama, we're encouraging all emergency communications groups, including
those outside of ARES to provide this type of accounting to their served
agencies. It never hurts to remind decision makers of the real value of our
services, even if you're on the best of terms. Many times local emergency
management directors can use these estimates to justify grants, and they are
almost always glad to receive them. -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, ARES Alabama SEC
Letters: New FEMA CPG Can Help ARES Draft EOPs
==============================================
A new FEMA CPG [Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101: "Developing and
Maintaining State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Government Emergency Plans"]
can be a real aid to those charged with developing their own Emergency
Operations Plans. One of our assistant SEC's, Mike Watkins, WX4AL, is
currently revising Alabama's plan, and I'm sure many other ARES leaders are
engaged in similar efforts. While there is no mandate that EOP's follow the
recommendation of the new CPG, I think it would be good practice to insure
that our plans follow these guidelines. -- Les Rayburn, N1LF, ARES Alabama
SEC; NCS-SHARES NCS-047
Letters: Recruitment
====================
Your "Final" in last month's issue really struck a chord with me. Let new hams
know that there is a lot more to Amateur Radio than the hobby aspects, like
ARES and emcomm. First VP Kay Craigie, N3KN, is correct: We veterans have got
to do what we have always done, train the newcomers. You've given me several
nets' worth of training material for our local New Jersey-New York SATERN Net
and for local clubs who will have me come talk as part of their programs.
Thanks for your thoughts, thanks for including SATERN in your list of emcomm
groups and thanks for the monthly ARES E-Letter. - Dick Montgomery, N3DV, ET
SATERN Coordinator SATERN NCS
Thank you for the comments of N3KN in the April 15 issue. Those comments
nailed it for me. I spent 30 years in public safety telecommunications. Don't
expect the professionals to call upon the Amateur Radio community unless we
can produce. Every point N3KN made is valid. Onward and upward! -- Bill Moyes,
N7IE, Layton, Utah
K1CE For a Final
================
Last month, this column featured an editorial on recruitment issues, and
contained the story of a bright, young new ARES op: Jacob Romine, KJ4HJO, is a
12 year old that has been active in the Limestone County (Alabama) ARES group
since getting his ham license in October as an 11 year old. Jacob is the
grandson of Felix Birdwell, KD4NTK, AEC for Limestone ARES. Here is Jacob's
photo, which we didn't have in time for the last issue. We need a lot more
Jacobs in ARES across the country. Go get 'em!
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