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Subj: ARES E-Letter November 20, 2013
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The ARES E-Letter November 20, 2013
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
In This Issue:
*Philippines Disaster Update as of November 16
*Letters: "Localization of Response," CERT on Long Island
*Letters: Fiscal Value of Amateur Radio
*Letters: Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Administrator Also Champion for
Change
*Letters: Code of Conduct
*Hospital Press Release Cites Amateurs as Partners in Emergency Response
*Linked Ham Radio Repeater System Instrumental in Hiker Rescue
*Lake County ARES Supports the 39th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival
*K1CE For a Final
Philippines Disaster Update as of November 16
---------------------------------------------
More than a week after being hit by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in one of the
worst natural disasters in recent history, survivors of the central
Philippines have basic needs of food, water and medicine, shelter,
evacuation, communication and power.
The Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) and its Ham Emergency Radio
Operation (HERO) network continue providing emergency communications, and at
the request of authorities is starting to expand its locations and
facilities. Ramon Anquilan, DU1UGZ, Vice Chief Operating Officer of PARA,
confirms that HERO stations are continuing to work. He thanks the world for
keeping 7.095 MHz clear for urgent traffic.
Working with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), PARA is
looking at potential sources for needed communications equipment. PARA also
had two representatives present at a meeting chaired by the Commissioner of
NTC, Gamaliel A. Cordoba.
Anquilan said the NTC has requested that communications coverage from
Borongan be expanded to the adjacent town and further. The idea is to set up
an HF station in the farthest town that can be accessed. "Given the new task
that NTC wants us to meet, we will be needing stations that can be deployed
and dismantled at a moment's notice. On the excellent offer of the ARRL, I
have requested it to provide at least four HF stations and a repeater."
Anquilan said that the PARA/HERO effort "is going now to the difficult
phase. The operators that are needed should come from the outside because
our locals will not budge from their locations as they have to fend for
themselves and their families - they are victims too of this disaster. There
are other willing radio amateurs but usually they don't have the proper
equipment."
Anquilan reported that in one of the worst hit areas of Tacloban (where 90%
of its buildings have been lost), the Negros Oriental Radio Assistance
Dumaguete (NORAD7) team is on its way to provide an additional HF station.
"The team is bringing much needed relief goods along with operators Rey Boy
Manaay, 4D7DSW, and Eric Mite, DW7DTR, who are trained in rescue.
Experienced operator Darwin Torres, 4F1FZE, is joining the efforts at
Tacloban and is expected to improve VHF coverage in the area, and extend HF
coverage as well. Torres is embedded with a relief team from Manila."
The Philippines Amateur Radio Association and its HERO network have a long
road ahead as it slowly gains the necessary resources for its operations. --
Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee
Please see also the extensive coverage of the disaster and response on the
ARRL web site: http://www.arrl.org/news-features and especially the latest
issue of the ARRL Letter, November 14, 2013.
In other incidents, an outbreak of tornadoes and high winds on November 17
killed six people in Illinois and injured hundreds of others, some
seriously. ARRL Illinois official Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN, reported that Peoria
County ARES Emergency Coordinator Fritz Bock, WD9FMB, responded with a team
of volunteers to a Central Illinois Division Red Cross request for emergency
communication support between sites in Washington, Illinois -- a town of
approximately 11,000 residents and hardest-hit by the storm activity -- and
the Red Cross office in Peoria. Most of the injuries occurred in Washington.
Full story here. -- from ARRL
Just posted to the ARRL web site news: MARS 48 Hour Test Deemed "Unequivocal
Success." The MARS station at ARRL's Maxim Memorial Station, AAN1ARL, took
part in the November 3-5 exercise, which, the Chief of Army MARS said was
"designed to test and stress our networks and our members' ability to
process and respond to a variety of message traffic."
Letters: "Localization of Response," CERT on Long Island
--------------------------------------------------------
Our Town of Huntington (in northwestern Suffolk County, Long Island, New
York) ARES/RACES group employs some of the aspects you discussed in the
October 2013 issue of the ARES E-Letter. ICS 100/700 classes are mandatory
for all of our members. The EC and some AEC's have taken ICS 200, SKYWARN
and CERT training. The CERT class was a great hands-on course, showing what
you can do to keep yourself and neighbors safe before first responders arrive.
Our deployment protocol for an event is based on the member's proximity to a
key location (fire house, police station, EOC, et cetera). On an as-needed
basis, each member will cover the location closest to their QTH -- usually
less than one mile away. Only the EC and AEC's operate net control from the
EOC. We don't want amateur operators driving around in hazardous conditions.
Immediately following an event (the ARRL SET being our last), we debrief and
submit an After Action Report (AAR). The AAR is distributed to all members,
so that lessons can be learned.
In regards to NBEMS as discussed in your last issue, our served agency was
impressed with our ability to send ICS forms so easily. We have been
practicing weekly sending MT-63 messages via 2 meter FM repeater and
simplex. Thanks to the VOA radiogram transmissions, our latest venture now
is sending images using MSFK. Our weekly net consists of a 2 meter FM
repeater portion followed by a simplex session that alternates between 2
meter FM simplex and 10 meter SSB. Finally the net wraps up with a message
being sent on the 2 meter FM repeater with NBEMS.
Having the weekly net with different frequencies removes the anxiety of
"what frequency do I use?" and "what was your call sign?" Thus, call signs
are familiar and don't need to be repeated. Radios are already
pre-programmed with the correct frequencies. Any coverage and antenna issues
have been corrected over time so that simplex can be relied upon: We are
aware of which stations need relays, and work accordingly. The element of
surprise (and link failure) is eliminated.
The EC and AEC's meet monthly on Echolink. We work out ideas in a conference
call forum, from the comfort of our homes. We also use Dropbox to keep our
latest ARES/RACES files accessible to all.
We keep all training and activity on one night. Since we already run a
weekly net, we also removed the monthly meeting for the general membership,
and now meet every six months. More members show up when there are fewer
meetings. We make sure to have a demo of some kind, to keep interest. For
example, last month I showed a Power Point presentation and performed an
NBEMS demo.
We do use text and e-mail to keep members informed. We use a good
old-fashioned phone tree to notify members of our meetings; it works
surprisingly well. -- Steven W. Hines, N2PQJ, RACES Radio Officer and ARES
Emergency Coordinator, Town of Huntington, Suffolk County - Long Island, New
York, Twitter: @RACESHuntington
Letters: Fiscal Value of Amateur Radio
--------------------------------------
Regarding your MASH UP article in the last issue, in addition to the
benefits you mention, both the public and the served agencies need to
understand the fiscal value that ham radio provides. The presentation by Art
Goddard, W6XD, (http://youtu.be/xmT1BXyZsy8) could not spell out the
purposes of our amateur license grants any better. Just as fiscal grant
recipients must be held accountable for spending grant money strictly
according to grant guidelines, Amateur Radio must do the same. As a
long-time employee in the commercial wireless industry, I can assure you
that there are many companies licking their chops to bid their billions for
the "underutilized amateur bandwidth."
As an example of proving the fiscal value of Amateur Radio, recently antenna
zoning regulations came under sharp attack in the City/County of San Diego.
When draconian antenna zoning changes were proposed, the San Diego DX Club
rallied around the cause and clearly illustrated to the City/County the
fiscal value of Amateur Radio: the number of hams in the county; the value
of their equipment; the number of hours dedicated to served agencies,
including them; et cetera. This information was all refined into a simple to
understand figure of something in excess of $2.5 million of demonstrable
fiscal benefit to the City/County. As a direct result of this action, the
City/County backed off the draconian platform and negotiated a more
realistic change with local amateurs.
Yes, Amateur Radio is cool. Yes, technology is cool. But we have to remember
that the fabric (spectrum) of wireless communications is extremely valuable,
and becoming more so each day. In order to preserve it for generations of
amateurs to come, our fraternity absolutely must put our business hats on
and make sure we know how to swim in the tank with the "business sharks," or
we'll end up being a mashed up mess. - Fred Kleber, K9VV, Section Manager
and Section Emergency Coordinator, US Virgin Islands
Letters: Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Administrator Also Champion for
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change
------
In re your lead editorial in last month's issue, Captain Stacy Gerlich,
KJ6EPQ, Administrator of the Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Program, was
also honored in the Champions for Change program and event. Capt. Gerlich
was unable to attend the event and her award was picked up by Capt.
Christopher Cooper, Administrator of the LAFD Disaster Preparedness Unit. As
you may be aware, the LAFD originated the CERT Program and Capt. Gerlich was
a tireless promoter for CERT -- first as an LAFD CERT Trainer, then as
Program Administrator. Capt. Gerlich suggested we add Amateur Radio to the
LAFD CERT Program several years ago, so we did. I wrote the Communications
Plan with Capt. Kevin Nida, LA City Radio Officer. Capt. Gerlich received
her amateur license several years ago. Information on the LAFD CERT
Communications Plan is available here. -- Jonathan Zimmerman, K6JGZ, LAFD
CERT Liaison, Battalion 14 Comm Unit Leader, jgzimmerman@sbcglobal.net
Letters: Code of Conduct
------------------------
The Code of Conduct reproduced in the October 2013 issue, ARES E-Letter, is
the one we drafted and implemented four years ago in Flagler County,
Florida, which you reported in an older ARES E-Letter. This was an original
work by myself on behalf of the Flagler County ARES group, and the Code has
been on the back of our ARES application form since its inception. Perhaps
the Code is not even the story -- but the sad fact that such common sense
statements need to even be made -- that some Amateurs lack the common sense
and respect to conduct themselves in such a manner. Fortunately, those
numbers are few, but they are significant enough that such statements were
necessary.
While I'm flattered that they've adopted it, they are not the only ones, as
we have had requests by over a dozen groups around the country to send them
our Code. The Code is a bold statement and emphasizes the high standards to
which we wish to hold ourselves accountable, both individually and as a
group. I'm happy that others are beginning to feel likewise. Perhaps another
story is that the processes in even small county ARES groups like Flagler
can still act as best practices elsewhere - that innovation has no exclusive
domain, but can be found everywhere. -- Mike Lee, AA6ML, Section Emergency
Coordinator, Northern Florida Section
Hospital Press Release Cites Amateurs as Partners in Emergency Response
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Editor's note: Here is a great example of a hospital's press release on
support by and for Amateur Radio that I particularly enjoyed - K1CE].
FMC PREPARES FOR THE UNEXPECTED BY PARTNERING WITH LANCASTER AMATEUR RADIO
CLUB
LANCASTER, Ohio (November 12, 2013) - For more than a decade, Fairfield
Medical Center has partnered with the Lancaster and Fairfield County (Ohio)
Amateur Radio Club to prepare for the unexpected.
FMC uses an amateur radio repeater along with an antenna to communicate to
other operators on a frequent basis. These operators are better known among
each other as "hams." These ham operators are called upon to give assistance
in the event of an emergency through the Emergency Management Agency of
Fairfield County.
FMC is not the only hospital that partners with ham operators. The Central
Ohio Trauma System (COTS) serves 27 hospitals and has purchased 22 ham
radios in 2009 to equip 22 central region hospitals.
"Emergency management is a very important topic today and the relationship
FMC has formed with other ham radio operators is key to meeting the needs of
our community during a potential disaster," said Cynthia Pearsall, FMC chief
nursing officer.
Communication with emergency responders and the public in general is
imperative when a disaster occurs. If landline telephones, cell phone towers
or the Internet become inoperable, an alternate mode of communication is
needed. That's when amateur radio can become the main means of
communication, serving as a backup to emergency responders.
"We partner with our local amateur radio club during many events through the
year," said Steve Anderson, FMC Center Police chief. "Whether it be a table
top emergency exercise to the Lancaster Festival, the Lancaster Amateur
Radio Club is a great asset to us. As a ham operator myself, I see the
benefit firsthand."
Amateur radio is the first mode of wireless communication before cell phones
and requires an amateur radio operator license from the Federal
Communications Commission. Before receiving a license, you must pass an
examination.
"Our club appreciates the close relationship we have formed with FMC,
Fairfield County representatives, and the city in general," noted John
Hilliard, trustee of the Lancaster and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club.
For questions or more information on how to become involved with the
Lancaster and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club, go to k8qik.org or
contact Mark Urbine, K8QIK Club spokesman.
Linked Ham Radio Repeater System Instrumental in Hiker Rescue
-------------------------------------------------------------
A hiker in distress in Nevada is thankful that he had his hand-held
transceiver along when he found himself stranded in the hills near
Henderson. Western Intertie Network (WIN) System member Jim Frederick,
KF6QBW, in Arizona reports he was monitoring the system November 3 around
midday when he heard, "Mayday, Mayday. Hiker in distress!" from his WIN
System repeater.
"I grabbed a charged battery for my VX-5, and the call came over the radio
again," Frederick says. He responded, and the hiker on the other end, Nathan
Rischling, KDHFM, of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, told him he'd misread
the elevation on his topographical map, had ended up on a very steep and
rough area, had stuck his hand on a cactus, and could find no safe way out
of his situation. He had a GPS, however, and was able to provide Frederick
with his precise coordinates. Rischling said he had a day's worth of food
and water but needed help getting off the mountain, as he would not get back
to his starting point before sundown and didn't think his GPS battery would
last out the trip.
"KDHFM stated that he did not take a conventional trail and was using a
topographical map and GPS for guidance," Frederick explained. Frederick said
he knew from experience that a call to the Las Vegas search and rescue would
expedite the process, so he put out a call on the WIN System for any Las
Vegas station that could make the call. James Freeman, KG7EWP, promptly came
back, and Frederick handed off the emergency traffic. Freeman called 911 and
spoke with search and rescue, and stood by until the situation was resolved.
Within 15 minutes a rescue helicopter was on the way.
Frederick kept his ear to the radio until the event was resolved, in case
someone needed more information from him, and a few hours later, he
overheard Rischling thank KG7EWP for helping "and everyone else on the WIN
System for standing by."
The WIN System is a series of 90 linked, or inter-tied repeaters -- most on
UHF (70 centimeters) -- that cover a substantial portion of California, 16
other states, and four countries around the world. It is owned and operated
by Shorty Stouffer, K6JSI. KF6QBW is an affiliated repeater station with the
WIN System.
"Without Shorty, K6JSI (my Elmer), and the WIN System and its members, I
would not have known what to do, let alone been able to help, as I was just
a link in this chain of events," Frederick said. -- Thanks to Chuck Baer,
W4ROA; Jim Frederick, KF6QBW; Shorty Stouffer, K6JSI, and Sean Kutzko, KX9X
Lake County ARES Supports the 39th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lake County (Florida) ARES provided radio communications to support a
three day bicycle event in Mount Dora, Florida from October 11 through
October 13, 2013. The event was the 39th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival
sponsored by the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce. Sunny weather
prevailed for the three days with moderate temperatures and reasonable
humidity so there were no reports of heat exhaustion. There were 703 bicycle
riders registered this year -- a slight increase over the past year. Most of
the riders were from Florida but there were some from various places in the
United States. This is not a competitive race but a series of 15 separate
bicycle tours through Lake County, Florida's country side. The county has
1400 named lakes and is considered to be Central Florida's hill country.
This combination provides scenic background and significant challenges for
the riders which brings them back year after year.
The longest ride is 100 miles and the shortest is two miles. One of the most
popular is the Yalaha Bakery ride which is a 55 mile round trip. This
includes a stop at a German bakery that serves elegant pastries, lunch,
assorted drinks and musical entertainment. Another ride ends at a farm that
provides the riders a chance to get lost in a large corn maze.
The ARES group had 20 radio operators helping to keep track of the bicycle
riders, man rest areas, provide SAG wagons and radio equipped mobile patrol
vehicles. The ARES volunteers provided 255 man hours of service over the
three days. All vehicles were directed by the net control station N4FLA
which had its mobile command trailer set up in the parking lot of the Mount
Dora Chamber of Commerce. A repeater provided by K4AUS was used on a
frequency of 147.390 MHz. An APRS station and operators kept tabs on the
three SAG wagons using the 27 inch video monitor mounted in the trailer.
This video system can also be used to monitor weather conditions during any
event.
A total of nine riders were transported back to the Mount Dora staging area
due to mechanical issues or just getting tired out. We had one report of a
rider down with what appeared to be serious injuries when he fell from his
bicycle. EMS was called and he was transported by air to a local hospital
for evaluation. Later we received a report that he was not seriously hurt
and was released from the hospital.
The Lake Area Radio Association has been providing on course radio
communications for the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival for over 20 years. They
use events of this type to train their members to be ready to provide
emergency radio communications for disaster situations such as hurricanes
and tornados which are not uncommon in this part of Florida. Members
volunteer their time, radio equipment and vehicles as a public service to
the community.
For more information about Amateur Radio activity in Lake County, Florida
you may go to the following web sites. www.n4fla.org or www.k4fc.org -- Ted
Luebbers, K1AYZ, Lake County ARES PIO
K1CE For a Final
----------------
Season's greetings from your editor! I get the impression sometimes that
readers are under the impression that I must have to sort through thousands
of contributions of pages of after action reports, exercise lessons learned,
opinions, criticisms and compliments, brickbats and bouquets to come up with
each month's issue of this newsletter. That is not the case. As I work
through the course of the month to draft a new issue, it is usually a job of
searching for and pulling relevant material from various sources on the
Internet. I look at the ARRL and IARU web sites, the ITU resources, FEMA
training and CERT information, and ARRL Section and ARES web sites. The
point is, I could use a lot more material directly from you, the reader.
Chances are, if you have a solid opinion or report and you write it up
fairly well, I will use it in the newsletter! So take a chance at gaining
your 15 minutes of fame as 37,000 readers will see your story and call sign!
Write for the ARES E-Letter!
73, Rick Palm, K1CE, Daytona Beach, Florida, the "World's Most Famous Beach"
_______________
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