ARES Letter for June 20, 2007
The ARES E-Letter June 20, 2007 ================= 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 Tropical Storm Barry was a shot across the bow, an opening salvo in the 2007 hurricane season just underway. It blew and poured here in the county, which did help the parched drought-plagued earth and quell some of the area fires. (It also helped me justify to my wife spending over a grand on a new ICOM 910H -- an emcomm operator just isn't fully-prepared without a 1.2 GHz weak signal mode capability). Hurricane tracking satellite QuikSCAT is reportedly about to fail, and Senator Nelson of Florida is sponsoring legislation to fund the next-generation replacement. NHC forecasters have come to rely on the data they receive from QuikSCAT to more accurately predict the track and strength of hurricanes. Nelson is also sponsoring other measures to fund hurricane research: <http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/supporting/ebriefs/June07/hurricane07.pdf> S. 931 would establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative to improve understanding of hurricane prediction, intensity, and mitigation on coastal populations. The bill would provide grants for hurricane research and establish both a national database of hurricane research and a national hurricane research model. Amateur Radio may play a part. Alabama SM Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, asks "Are you ready this hurricane season? Effective ARES operators must consider safety and prepare, train, practice and test themselves. Prepare your personal Jump Kit, equipment, and provisions. Join and build your local ARES group. Train by taking ARRL, Red Cross, and FEMA courses. Build your experience and practice on Field Day, the Simulated Emergency Test, contests, nets, and public service events. Test your equipment in different configurations. Learn to operate it fully, efficiently and interoperably with other amateurs." Speaking of Field Day, which is this coming weekend, take a look at Alabama's fine Field Day map and information on their Web site: <http://www.wc4m.net/fd2007.html> ________________ In This Issue: + The View from Flagler County + Colorado Hams Assist in Greensburg, Kansas Disaster + Emergency Communication Leads IARU Administrative Council Agenda + Long Time Duval County, Florida, EC Retires + Amateur Radio On Display During ITU Disaster Relief Conference + LETTERS: To RV or not to RV? + Connecticut ARES Has Mobile Command Unit + QUICK LINKS: Batteries + Army MARS HF E-Mail System Passes "Hurricane Test" + TSA Trains Amateur Radio Operators to Support Disaster Preparedness + Recognize Your Volunteers with a President's Volunteer Service Award + ARRL Certification and Continuing Education EmComm Course Registration + K1CE For A Final ________________ + Colorado Hams Assist in Greensburg, Kansas Disaster Five Colorado ARES operators assisted with recovery efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Greensburg, Kansas tornado. Team leader Wes Wilson, K0HBZ, reported that while cell phone and Internet service are back on line, hams are still providing logistical support to the Salvation Army efforts in the area. Wilson, who created Colorado's ARES Disaster Response Team and is a veteran of numerous events including assisting in the wake of Katrina, stated that while the mission is routine, "one look at the rubble that's left in Greensburg is a major reality check." "It reminds us why we plan and train," he said. Also making the eight-hour trek to provide emcomm support to Colorado's next-door neighbors were former SM Tim Armagost, WB0TUB, and Rob Wright, KC0UUO, from Arapahoe County ARES, Ted Allison, N0NKG from Pikes Peak ARES and Perry Lundquist, W6AUN, a member of Douglas County ARES and the Colorado State EOC ARES/RACES unit. + Emergency Communication Leads IARU Administrative Council Agenda The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) <http://www.iaru.org/> held its annual meeting May 14-15 in Boston, Massachusetts. Topping the agenda was the IARU's upcoming participation in the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference, GAREC-07. The international gathering will take place in Huntsville, Alabama, in mid-August --just prior to the ARRL National Convention there <http://www.arrl.org/announce/nc/2007/huntsville.html>. The Administrative Council's primary goal is to enhance the coordination and promotion of Amateur Radio's worldwide disaster response capabilities. During the Boston gathering, the Council received a draft strategy paper from IARU International Coordinator for Emergency Communications Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS/F5VKP. The body will seek additional information from member-societies on the national regulatory position of the Amateur Service in preparing for and providing emergency communications, with an eye toward identifying problem areas and developing solutions. + Long Time Duval County, Florida, EC Retires The veteran Duval County Beaches (Florida) EC Robert Selph, W4RCS, has retired for health reasons. First licensed as KC4HEL, Selph has coordinated the critical back-up emergency communications for the three beaches municipalities (Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beach) continuously since earning his license in 1988. He owns and operates three area repeaters, and has always paid attention to repeater details and spent countless hours ensuring the equipment is right on the mark. During Selph's tenure as EC, dual band (2M/440 MHz) antennas and coax were installed at the Public Safety buildings of all three beach communities. His repeaters have been used for ARES communications and as alternates for the Beaches Amateur Radio Society's weekly nets. A link was established with Jacksonville area repeaters to extend coverage and capabilities. Selph has always given his time and talents as a contribution to readiness in the event of a beaches communications failure. -- E. Miller Norton, W4EMN, District EC, Crown District ARES, Northern Florida Section + Amateur Radio On Display During ITU Disaster Relief Conference May 1, 2007 -- Egypt Amateur Radio Assembly (EARA) operators attending an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) joint disaster relief and information technology conference in mid-April logged more than 1000 contacts from special event station SU8DRM. The Regional Joint Conference on Disaster Relief and Management (DRM) -- International Cooperation and Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) took place April 14-17 in Alexandria, Egypt. The conference's primary objective was to promote awareness of the important role that Amateur Radio plays in disaster relief communications. In his presentation, "Amateur Radio as a First Aid and a Tool of Emergency Communications," IARU Region 1 EmComm Coordinator Seppo Sisättö, OH1VR, told the gathering that World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 this fall could serve to augment emergency communication opportunities for the Amateur Radio Service. He said IARU proposals to establish a 300 kHz worldwide Amateur Radio allocation on 40 meters as well as a worldwide 60-meter band could have a major effect on Amateur Radio's emergency communication capabilities. EARA said the special event operation introduced many conference delegates to Amateur Radio and what it has to offer in disaster relief situations. + LETTERS: To RV or not to RV? I disagree with the negative comment about RVs in last month's issue. The benefits of RVs as Amateur Radio platforms far outweigh any possibility of offending anyone. If someone pulled up in a "palatial" RV, set up a lawn chair under a beach umbrella and sat there watching the event while drinking a beer, I would agree that it would not be a good representation of Amateur Radio, but that's not what's going on. I sent a half dozen volunteer operators to the Gulf coast in the wake of Katrina. I would not have even considered it unless I was certain they would be self-sufficient. The last thing I want to do is send in help that winds up being an additional drain on the already stretched local resources; or worse, send a team under the assumption that they will be able to figure out how to obtain the basics once they get on scene. When volunteers flock to a disaster (and the larger the disaster, the larger the flock) there is an additional burden placed on the relief agencies to support them with food, water, and shelter. One of the great benefits of RV owner-hams is that they are already experienced in being self-sufficient for long periods of time, limiting impact to local agencies since RVers have their own food, water, shelter, fuel, power, antenna platform, mobile command post/operating location and restroom and shower facilities. The Colorado Disaster Response Team that supported relief operations in Mississippi and Louisiana would not have been deployed without the knowledge that they could support themselves with the essentials--which in turn enabled them to support others. -- Jeff Ryan, K0RM, ARRL Section Manager, Colorado (former EC/RACES Training Officer) In reading W9RXR's comments I can only assume that he doesn't own an RV. His argument about feelings being hurt is like saying that you should not bring a backhoe because someone using a shovel will feel badly. He should worry more about getting the communications job done. I suspect that Bob would use a communications trailer if he had one. An RV is a communications trailer with a toilet, water, heater, stove, and refrigerator, and can be self-contained for a period of time. Some even come with a satellite link to the Internet. It is possible that the RV could be supplying not only its own power but also power to a shelter (20 or 30 amps). Bob's comments are consistent with the position of the Red Cross during Katrina and that position is why I did not participate. Hopefully Bob and the Red Cross will rethink their position and consider welcoming hams with RV's. RV's are probably not appropriate for short responses but they could be invaluable for long haul operations. -- Don Hitt, KB2ZE, Poughkeepsie, New York As Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Kern County (California) and the Kern River Valley area, I specifically try to enlist the participation of RV-owning hams, and try to get more hams to build their own minimal accommodations, like putting a shell on the back of their pickup truck with equipment and rudimentary facilities inside along with their communications equipment, just so that they can be at some level self-sufficient. I've never seen anyone who "thinks he's better than everybody else" because he has planned ahead and taken care of his own needs so that he can help others with theirs. Think about this: Every volunteer worker who goes into a disaster zone without his/her own accommodations immediately becomes part of the problem. The support infrastructure has to accommodate each new arrival, as well as the disaster victims already there. Every meal an incoming volunteer eats means less food for someone else who has lost everything. Having an RV solves that problem. The additional benefit of power facilities and a complete ham station with antennas already installed removes a few tasks from other volunteers, and makes communications more immediately available than someone arriving with a car full of transceivers and antennas, boxes of coax, and a few spare clothes in a backpack or suitcase. As for taking up room, the non-RV hams arrive by vehicles of some sort and take up almost as much space as an RV. And no, I don't have an RV. I wish I did: I feel I'd be much more effective. -- Skip Reymann, N6SR, AEC, Kern County, California <n6sr@arrl.net>; + Connecticut ARES Has Mobile Command Unit The Shore Point Amateur Radio Club, Connecticut, in conjunction with the state's ARES program operate "C1," a 2003 Ford Explorer converted into a Public Safety vehicle providing a Mobile Incident Command Center (MICC) for emergency communications. The vehicle is equipped with the latest Whelen Engineering LED and Strobe Public Safety Warning devices, and is capable of providing all-mode amateur communications from HF to 900 MHz including Public Safety communications, a mobile UHF repeater, and an ATV transmitter. Two Kenwood TS-B2000s, a full complement of Motorola equipment, a mobile Internet-capable computer terminal with printer, and a Tarheel 200 HF Screwdriver antenna with a fully automatic raising rooftop mount are just a few pieces of equipment that are available on board. Future plans include a rear seat operator's control console for fully enclosed all-weather operations. This vehicle is available to any Connecticut ARES unit or club for emergencies, emergency drills, or special events. -- Chris Burns, N1FAA + QUICK LINKS: Batteries With Field Day coming up, now is a good time for clubs and hams to talk about emergency power. See the quick links below for some good information. -- Bob N3DOK <http://www.batteryfaq.org/> <http://www.batteryuniversity.com/> <http://www.buchmann.ca/> + Army MARS HF E-Mail System Passes "Hurricane Test" A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) alert for a fictitious hurricane in late March sent special teams of Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) emergency responders scurrying to duty stations from Miami to Houston and beyond. Dubbed "Operation Sidewinder," the drill aimed to test a new HF digital backup communication link for airports in case a weather or terrorist event ever compromised conventional telecommunications, as Katrina did in 2005. For this first comprehensive trial run, Army MARS mobilized a new Winlink digital communication system, with Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps MARS members providing active support. It was the first demonstration of the TSA's partnership with the Army MARS, a Pentagon-sponsored organization of volunteer Amateur Radio operators that supports federal government agencies during emergencies. MARS has some 5000 members in its separate Army, Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps branches. Operation Sidewinder called for a Category 3 hurricane to make landfall at Miami, continuing on toward Houston. To drill MARS's capabilities in multiple emergencies, a possible terrorist operation concurrent with the weather emergency was added. Earlier this year, the TSA, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), adopted the MARS Winlink emergency communications network for deployment at major airports. DHS cites the Winlink system for its ability to provide interconnectivity between HF radio and the Internet. The use of Winlink 2000 permits access to SHARES (SHared RESources program of the National Communications System) and MARS systems via conventional HF/VHF/UHF radio circuits. Army MARS Chief Stuart Carter said Operation Sidewinder gave MARS members the opportunity to demonstrate long-haul HF connectivity, local VHF communication, HF e-mail, a WiFi computer interface with HF radio for e-mail, a TSA HF mobile facility, an Army MARS volunteer's vehicle capable of indefinite HF operations and two small, light and portable HF suites. + TSA Trains Amateur Radio Operators to Support Disaster Preparedness Here is a press release on TSA support for Amateur Radio: <http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/amateur_radio_operators.shtm> + Recognize Your Volunteers with a President's Volunteer Service Award Your most valued Amateur Radio operators can now be recognized with a President's Volunteer Service Award Pin, Certificate of Achievement, and a letter of congratulations from the President of the United States and President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Three categories -- bronze, silver, and gold -- represent different levels of participation, over the course of a year. For example, an adult giving 100 hours of volunteer time over 1 year qualifies for a bronze award, then could receive a silver pin at the 250 hour mark. Gold pins are awarded for 4000 hours of participation over a lifetime. There are minimal postage and handling costs involved of approximately $7.00 per award. Contact Joe Madas AE6JM, <AE6JM@arrl.net>; who can validate and process orders for the awards on behalf of the President's Council. Madas can also be reached by telephone (909) 815-5726. + ARRL Certification and Continuing Education EmComm Course Registration Registration remains open through Sunday, July 8, for ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) online courses beginning Friday, July 20: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002), and Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2). To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the CCE Department <cce@arrl.org>;. + K1CE For A Final I've included two items in this issue addressing international topics, and will continue to report them in future issues. It is important for U.S. ARES operators to see their work in the context of what the rest of the world is doing on emcomm programs, especially with respect to IARU interests. Your editor also serves as the IARU Region 2 EMCOR (the Americas comprise Region 2) and you can see its Web site at: <http://iaru-r2emcor.net/> __________ Years ago, ARRL CD (old Communications Department) Parties were held on the air for the purpose of exercising our stations, but frankly, were social (i.e., fun) events held over a weekend. They met their demise over 20 years ago due to inactivity and I don't think they would work again, but a new EMCOMM or ARES QSO Party might be extremely popular. ARES and other amateur emergency communications programs have seen skyrocketing interest in the years following 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. We are in a new era of Amateur Radio focusing on emcomms. Would you support an ARES Party over a weekend where operators would exchange call sign, signal report, county, section or state, and their ARES or emcomm titles? I know I would. Let me know, and we'll run the idea up the flagpole in front of the ARRL HQ offices in Newington and see if they salute. Send your yay or nay, and brief comment to: <k1ce@arrl.net>; Have a great Field Day! 73, Rick K1CE
