| |
AE5ME > ARES 17.12.15 17:16l 44 Lines 7207 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : W6N4PIA3851A
Read: GUEST
Subj: ARRL ARES Newsletter December 16th Part 4 of 4
Path: IW8PGT<IW7BFZ<I3XTY<I0OJJ<N6RME<N0KFQ<AE5ME
Sent: 151217/1511Z 27945@AE5ME.#NEOK.OK.USA.NOAM BPQ1.4.64
Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Challenge
ARRL Letter and QST Contributing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, found an intriguing challenge contest for emergency/disaster operators, from South Africa: the Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) Challenge. Contestant-operators try to make as many contacts as possible in 24 hours but need to physically move their stations after every five contacts, a rule that applies to the RaDAR moving stations category only. Other operators may take part as a fixed RaDAR station or field station. - Thanks, WW1ME
Public Service: ARES Supports Ultra Marathon in Florida Panhandle
Northern Florida's West Panhandle District ARES supported the Cottonmouth 100 Ultra-marathon, a 100-mile endurance race that ran through parts of two counties (Santa Rosa and Okaloosa) in a forest that encompasses almost 200,000 acres. Amateurs provided radio support at each of six aid stations and the start/finish line.
Eight Escambia County ARES members, one Okaloosa County ARES member, and six Santa Rosa County ARES members all worked together to pull off the operation. A net control station conducted the race net on two frequencies -- 146.430 MHz simplex and 147.360 MHz, the W4AAV Crestview repeater. The goal was to use simplex as much as possible and only use the repeater for those aid stations that could not otherwise be heard. The competitors ran on several portions of the Florida Trail.
The race began at 6:03 AM on November 14. ARES support kicked in after the first 50 miles had been completed by the runners. The net control station started radio operations at noon, continuing operations until 11:00 the next day. Tactical call signs consisting of the name of each aid station were used. Each aid station reported each runner's number as they came through. A large portion of the race was in darkness, so reporting was critical for safety.
Lessons Learned
More operators were needed, as were a backup net control station and message runners at the net control site. A spreadsheet (in lieu of scratch sheets) for each radio operator listing each runner and bib number would have improved tracking efficiency. Antennas for each station could have been higher. Shelter for the operators for protection from the elements (primarily cold and dampness) needs improvement.
Overall the operation and event were successful. All operators learned the importance of having back-up equipment. - Daisy Crepeau, KT4KW, Santa Rosa Assistant EC; and Joe McLemore, KF4DVF, Assistant EC, Escambia County, Florida ARES
Ad
Boston Marathon Communications Committee Seeks Skilled Amateurs for Technical Infrastructure Assistance
Preparations are underway once more for the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon, April 18, 2016. Nearly 300 trained Amateur Radio volunteers support the event, providing vital communications services across the entirety of the 26 mile course. Volunteers are recruited, selected, and managed by the BAA's Communications Committee, which is entering its second year of operation. "A major initiative of the Committee this year is to bolster the technology we use on Marathon Monday," said Communications Committee member Matthew Forman, K6MCF. "To do so, we're forming a Technical Infrastructure Subcommittee (TIS) and seeking amateurs who can offer current skills in analog and/or digital modes (UHF/VHF), repeaters, and infrastructure. We'd like to have the TIS consist of one technically-seasoned member from Amateur Radio clubs in Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and the northern parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island," said Forman.
Another Committee member, Mark Richards, K1MGY, will be assisting in representing the TIS to clubs and other interests. "A diversity of talent, and the involvement from and representation to this work by area clubs is vital to creating volunteer opportunities for everyone and making sure that Amateur Radio is a part of this extraordinary event for years to come," he said. Richards will be contacting clubs and soliciting their assistance. He can be reached directly at k1mgy@hamradioboston.org.
Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications to Provide AUXCOMM Training in Conjunction with Orlando's HamCationŽ 2016
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) will be on hand at Orlando's HamCationŽ 2016, the ARRL National Convention, to conduct its nationally recognized NIMS/ICS compliant Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) course. Over 1,200 Amateur Radio operators from around the country have taken this course. The purpose of the course is to train qualified amateurs so they may assist their local, county and state governments with emergency backup communications if requested to do so. This course will be held the three days prior to Orlando's HamCationŽ, February 9-11, in the Orlando, Florida, area near the Hamcation event site.
Registration is open now. Students requesting to attend the course must meet all of the listed prerequisites (FEMA Independent Study Course completions on the ICS, NIMS and NRF, as indicated below) and provide electronic/scanned images of required documents when registering. Prerequisites: A copy of your current valid FCC amateur radio license; IS-100B certificate; IS-200B certificate; IS-700A certificate; and IS-800B certificate
Only students whose registration is approved in advance will be allowed to attend this training. The course is limited to 40 students, and registration will close when that number of qualified students has been reached. OEC will notify Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWIC) in those States whose attendees successfully complete this training.
Course Content: The Communications Unit and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC); AUXCOMM Roles and Responsibilities; Interoperable Communications; Incident Communications; Incident Radio Communications Plan; Incident Communications Center (ICC); Team Management and Accountability; Resources; Best Practices; Intrastate and Interstate Radio Networks; Final Exercise Exam
This will be an intensive three day course with facilitated lectures and student exercises. This course provides time for interactive discussions and exercises. Registrations/questions regarding this course should be sent to:OEC@hq.dhs.gov with the key word "Orlando HamCation 2016" in the subject line.
K1CE For a Final
My New Year's resolution is to operate off the grid for the entire year of 2016. I recently acquired a 15 watt solar panel for charging my 31 amp/hour SLA gel cell battery, and that's all I will use for powering my Icom IC-7000 and IC-2200H radios from home for the year. My 2016 operating agenda includes the ARRL National Parks On The Air program, which celebrates the National Parks' Centennial. Click here for info. I hope to work readers! (In a way, the Amateur Radio service is like a National Park, or indeed, an international park -- think about it!)
What's your New Year's Amateur Radio resolution? Send it to me at k1ce@arrl.net and I'll publish the best ones! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from your editor -- Rick Palm, K1CE, Daytona Beach, Florida -- "The World's Most Famous Beach"
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
