[K4RY] Fwd: The ARES E-Letter for August 11, 2010

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This is what is happening in the world of ham radio emergency communications.


Sent: Wed, Aug 11, 2010 8:54 am
Subject: The ARES E-Letter for August 11, 2010




If you are having troublereading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2010-08-11


August 11,2010
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE

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The View from FlaglerCounty
It was a personal pleasure and privilege to check into theinaugural VHF FM net of our renewed ARES® program, under theleadership of new EC Robbie Creal, KG4HUF. The net was held on a new repeater systemdonated to the county's emergency management agency by the new ARES®group. The new repeater and tower/antenna is sited on the campus of theEOC.
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The huge FloridaState EOC in Tallahassee is now D-STAR capable. The EOC station KA4EOCmonitors K4WAK port B. As in the past, State EOC managers have requested thatthe ARRL Northern Florida Section Manager or his designate serve as gatewaybetween the FEOC and other ARES® assets in the region duringemergency or disaster situations. When necessary or requested, the Northern FloridaSection Manager or his designate will be stationed at the facility inTallahassee to perform this liaison duty. The current SM is Paul Eakin, KJ4G,who maintains close contact with the EOC on a daily basis, especially now aswe approach the crux of hurricane season.
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For up-to-date, state-of-the-art D-STAR and networkinginformation and resources drafted by people who are actually doing the real workin the field, one of the finest Web/blog sites I have seen is the NE-FL D-STARSystem, the "Journal of the North East Florida D-STAR Repeater System," whichalso serves as the platform for ARES® information and updates. Readerswill find a bounty of information on D-STAR applications, ranging from basicprogramming of radios to the latest on networking digital repeaters,including both software and hardware issues. You will also find tips andresources, news and updates on current emergency management communications issues,tools and developments. Check it out - it is superb.
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In This Issue:

 

The View from Flagler County
FCC Modifies Rules to Allow Limited EmployeeParticipation in Disaster and Emergency Drills
ARES®: 75 Years!
Tips: Depiction® Software
Letters
EmComm East, September 18: Rochester, NewYork
Bike MS-150 Northeast Florida: October 2-3,2010
EMCOMM "Jump Team" Competition in Texas
Hernando County, Florida: EmComm Training Class aSuccess
NIMS Compliance for Nebraska Responders
Tip: D-RATS Looks Good for ARESApplications
K1CE For a Final

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FCC Modifies Rules to Allow Limited Employee Participation in Disasterand Emergency Drills
In a Report and Orderreleased Wednesday, July 14, the FCC amended Part 97.113 to allow amateurs toparticipate without an FCC waiver in government-sponsored disasterpreparedness drills on behalf of their employers participating in the exercise. TheFCC also has amended the rules to allow employees to participate innon-government drills and exercises up to one hour per week and up to two 72 hourperiods during the year. The effective date of the R&O is September3. Read more here. - ARRL Letter
ARES®: 75 Years!
The ARRLPublic Relations Committee has noted that the 75th anniversary of the creationof ARES® will be next month (September). Over the past months thecommittee has discussed this milestone and opportunity, and is developing apublicity and recruitment campaign.The goal is to increase awareness of radioamateurs' spirit of volunteerism. While there will be acknowledgement ofpast events, the focus will be on the present and future. The PRC noted that"despite all of the investment made by government agencies, the volunteerassets of ARES® are still called on for communications and othersupport, especially during the first 48 hours of a crisis. Operators providecommunications, information and technical skills when other systems are down oroverloaded."
The ARES® community will becelebrating its 75th anniversary from September through December 2010. The firstmention of an organized Amateur Radio emergency response organization appearsin the September 1935 issue of QST Magazine. A September launch hasthe benefit of other related national campaigns such as NationalPreparedness Month and also is the height of hurricane season. The length of thecampaign would be expected to be four months, but if successful can continue.The ARRL Marketing Department is planning for the sale of commemorativeitems including T-shirts, hats, and challenge coins. Packets with ideas andpromotional materials will be mailed to every PIC (or SM if there is no PIC)for distribution to local PIOs in the area. Logo and more info. -- Allen G.Pitts, W1AGP, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager

Tips: Depiction® Software
Depiction® software is currently in use by northeasternFlorida ARES® leadership for the planning, deployment and execution ofARES® assets, events and exercises. Depiction® provides plannerswith a full graphical display of the event shown on a single screen,including the planning, deployment and execution phases. The display screenchanges and updates as elements of the event change and resources are moved oradvanced.
In a single screen, users can track assetsalong a Depiction® drawn route in real time while monitoring liveweather conditions, and sending and receiving live reports among one another. Afeature enables updating Depiction® screens from remote locations.
Depiction® can also serve as a database for a group'smembers and resources. A single click on an icon representing a locationwill reveal the assigned operators, their personal information and theequipment available at that location.
Depiction® usesinformation available free from the public domain to display such items asweather radar, elevation data and a multitude of maps including roadmaps,topographical and aerial maps. The depictions that can be built can be placedover any of these maps at a single click. Depiction® will read anddisplay GIS data that is available publicly on the Internet for states andcounties including locations of EOCs, schools, shelters, police and firestations. Tower site locations can be displayed and the software can even draw"lines of site" data for a given antenna on that tower. Depiction® canalso display graphical representations of flooding based on user-definedinformation.
In Northeastern Florida, ARES® leadersare currently using Depiction® to help develop the plan for theirupcoming MS-150 bike event. They are also importing data on local ARES®personnel and resources into Depiction® for future events andactivations.
Depiction® can also be used for drafting yourown personal emergency plans at home. For more information: Depiction. Informationspecifically for radio amateurs can be found here. -- Journal of the North EastFlorida D-STAR Repeater System, NE-FL D-STAR System
Letters
Bike MS-150 Support
I read with interest your description of the support for the MS-150 inyour July issue of the ARES® E-Letter. In Arizona, we have beensupporting the MS-150 (now called Bike MS) for over 20 years. In years past, itwasn't uncommon to have 80-100 hams on a linked repeater net stretching fromPhoenix to the Colorado River (~150 miles with 4-5 linked repeaters). Thecurrent event still spans 100+ miles, but is in a large loop. You arecorrect: It is a significant effort to adequately support this ride, and as aresult, many changes were implemented locally.
In aneffort to bridge all area clubs, a new organization was formed: the Maricopa County EmergencyCommunications Group. This group's purpose was to include all clubs and providea place for service-minded hams to come and exercise their need to usetheir radios for the good of the community.
Second, it ledto the creation of an acclaimed training program, which has drawnparticipants from the entire state and even Canada. The training class is offeredannually. The class materials include a 50-page public service manual, aswell as copies of the multiple PowerPoint slide decks. Students receive allwritten materials, but are required to bring a VHF hand-held for a hands-onlearning experience. The experience is enhanced by role-playing, a scriptedbut interactive training net, group problem solving and traditionallectures.
Event Coordinators create events on the Web sitewith a brief description of the event, the number of hams needed, and when theevent goes "live" about 60 days in advance, registered hams can sign up towork the event(s). The Web site will stop accepting volunteers when thelimit is reached, and should someone cancel, it will reopen automatically.
The MCECG has more than 500 members with 350 who haveworked an event in the last two years. One to two hams are registered permonth, and we support more than two dozen events each season. New hams are alsoencouraged to participate in the Arizona Emergency Net-Maricopa where they can hone theircommunications skills.
We support Runs, Walks, BikeRides, Marathons, Triathlons, Mountain Bike Races, and, of course, disastersand emergencies. Our group has supported events in the Greater Phoenix area,Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Mexico in the last decade. MCECGhas developed a proficient group of hams who are more than communicators. TheMS-150 is a good example: Hams are on their committees, run eventlogistics from start to finish including directing sag, supply and re-supplyoperations, and act as advisers to the event committee. We have been creditedwith saving life when a serious accident occurred: We were the first on thescene to report and support the rescue operation (including a helicopterlanding zone, and managing both ends of the traffic detour). MCECG is atremendous tool for developing communicators who can be used in times ofdisaster.-- Rick Aldom, W7STS, ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator, Arizona
https://www.az-arrl.org/secure; http://www.mcecg.net; http://www.aen-mar.org; http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickaldom
Amateur Radio Resource Typing
Severaltimes in the past you have placed information in your E-Letter about AmateurRadio Resource Typing from me. The Communications Resource Functions Guide has been updated. Additions include Basicand Specialty groupings. The Specialty group has replaced Digital functions.The CRF-DH has been updated to enhance the Winlink modes and to make it more user friendlyfor MARS. The introduction has been rewritten as well and a distinctionfor Type I and Type II is made. All of this information is located at thefollowing: Resource Typing.
Since over the last few years a number of groups across the country haveused this concept or a modification of it, I would like to hear from thesegroups and hopefully add links to them for mutual aid resources. - John Galvin, N5TIM, ARRLOfficial Emergency Station, Dallas, Texas ARES/RACES
Disaster Prep and Planning
I am not yet a member of ARES®, but your newsletter articles gave me valuable information andhelped me plan for Hurricane Ike, so I wanted to share some adjustments I havemade for my home. Since I have a swimming pool in my yard, I don't store asmuch water in bottles. Instead I keep cheese cloth and pool shock on handto filter and sterilize the water after a storm.
Mygasoline storage is in several small cans and both vehicles. I fill them andadd stabilizer to each before a storm. Fuel stabilizer is inexpensive andwill keep the fuel usable for 3-4 months in the Texas heat. 
I keep a BoyScout Handbook or field book in my emergency box. It is one of the bestcompilations of survival information. I also keep several 12-hour glowsticks - but change them out every year. These can provide enough light tonavigate a dark room or even operate a station at night. -- Ralph E. Phillips,P.E., KE5HDF, Mustang Engineering 
More on Planning
In your discussions of personal disaster planning youforgot to mention a large first aid kit, aspirin or Tylenol and other meds,and maybe an old set of eyeglasses. I'm going to buy a box of trash bagstoday, as recommended by Mr. Kountz, KE6GFF/T6EE, in your last issue. That wasa great idea! -- Mike Jones, KD8DLD, Michigan
EmComm East, September 18: Rochester, New York
The third annual EmComm East emergency communicationsconference is an ARRL-sanctioned Amateur Radio event where operators canattend training sessions on technical topics, learn from served agencies,obtain VE testing for license upgrades, and interact with other operatorsfrom all over the country. It will be held on September 18, 2010, at St. JohnFisher College, Rochester, New York, from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The featured speaker this year will be Steve Ewald, WV1X, supervisor ofthe ARRL Field Organization Team at ARRL Headquarters. Ewald is the leadstaff liaison to ARRL Section Managers and ARRL Field Organization appointees.He edits the Public Service column in QST and helps support the ARRLefforts in emergency and public service communications.
Register on-line at the event Web site EmComm East. A $30 registration fee provides forcontinental breakfast and lunch. See you in September!

Bike MS-150 Northeast Florida:October 2-3, 2010
The MS-150 Bike Tour - Florida willtake place October 2 and 3, 2010. This two-day event will cover threecounties and involve many Amateur Radio operators from various regional groups.See the event's MS-150 Northeast FloridaWeb site.
The MS-150 organizers are partneringwith northeast Florida amateurs this year. Doug Carter, N4FPS, DEC CrownDistrict ARES® and Mike Lee, WB6RTH, DEC East Coast District ARES® areteaming their two districts to form a unique communications structure forthe entire MS-150 event. There will be a seamless communications networkthat involves two repeaters, one central command, one sweep vehicle, severalSAG vehicles and multiple rest stop stations.
Theplanning has already begun. Participating radio amateurs are expected to attendat lease one of two dry runs prior to the actual event. The communicationsevent will serve as the combined districts' ARES® 2010 Simulated Emergency Tests (SET).
The effort will beconducted using the NIMS/ICS model. NIMS/ICS provides an ideal way torespond to an event whether large or small and can be used by governmentagencies at the federal, state, local, or tribal level, private sector entities,and non-governmental organizations (NGO's). It also provides a means foragencies and organizations from a variety of jurisdictions to cooperate andwork together in response to an emergency or event. Communications is acomponent within the overall NIMS/ICS system. 
EMCOMM "Jump Team" Competition in Texas
An "Emergency Communications Team Competition" will be held September5, 2010, at a South Texas park to be designated before the competition topre-registered teams. The teams will be made up of four people each, and willcompete to see which team can set up an operational communications (JumpTeam) site and make 5 HF contacts in the least amount of time and in theproper manner. The competition will require teams to properly:
*Erect a six man sleeping tent and operations area (canopy) withchairs, tables and radio gear. 
*Erect a food prep canopywith tables, chairs, stove, cooking supplies. 
*Erect one40 meter "Inverted V" antenna with coax back to the operations area withproper hazard flagging. 
*Assemble one HF stationpowered by deep-cycle batteries. 
*Assemble two solar panelassemblies and charge at least one deep-cycle battery.
*Filter ten gallons of water (as part of the setup responsibilities). 
*Cook a simple meal in the food-prep area (enough to feedfour people).
*Make at least 5 HF contacts on 40 metersSSB to stations outside the area with proper logging of contacts made.(Communications will begin only after all the setups have been accomplished).
This competition is not limited to any group ororganization. Any four operators who have at least one licensed ham (General classor above) can compete. They will all be using the same equipment and gearsupplied by the Bexar Operators Group.
See EmergencyCommunications Teams. Pre-register by e-mail with a list of team members/call signs, contact e-mail andphone number. -- Robert Hejl, W2IK, San Antonio, Texas [see W2IK's QRZ.combio for his interesting background and work -- ed.]
Hernando County, Florida: EmComm Training Class aSuccess
The first training class for HernandoCounty (Florida) operators in emergency communications since 2005 was held July26, as reported in the last issue. It turned out to be a fine first steptowards reintroducing emcomm skills to local radio amateurs as well asothers from surrounding areas. A total of fifteen people participated,representing regional ARES® and CERT organizations, and included leaders JerryDixon, WA6QFC, West Coast DEC and Gerry Brummer, W4GKB, the chairman anddeputy director of Citrus County CERT.
Ron Wright, N9EE, led theclass in message handling, with emphasis on regular and "booked" messages.Wright displayed and explained his go-kit used for deployment to ashelter, including a well-designed take-apart mast and emergency J-pole antennamade from 300 ohm "flat lead" wire.
Hernando County ECAlan McGrew, KC4MTS, followed up with information on NIMS courses. The Hernando County EOC managers are encouraging radioamateurs to hold NIMS and ICS course certifications.
Alsodiscussed was the use of the new WebEOC® systems at the EOCs of both Citrus and Hernando counties.Future training on the WebEOC® system is to be held for radio amateursvolunteering at the EOCs.
A new Neighborhood Ham Watchprogram is in development for the Northern Florida ARRL Section. Thisprogram is designed to provide a communications link between individuals andemergency services when phone service is unavailable in a neighborhood.Coordinator Andy Gausz,KG4QCD developed a brochure to explain the program for both radio amateursand the community at large. -- Alan McGrew, KC4MTS, Emergency Coordinator, HernandoCounty, Florida

NIMS Compliance for Nebraska Responders
FEMA IndependentStudy courses are now requirements for first responders assisting anyagency in Nebraska during a disaster. NIMS compliance is required in the state toensure that emergency response personnel and other partners are workingfrom one protocol by meeting certain guidelines in planning, exercises, andtraining. NIMS compliance is also a requirement for eligibility for federalgrant dollars to the county and all its response agencies as a whole.
An additional training requirement has been issued for localresponders for FY 2010: This requires all responders who have previouslytaken the first ICS courses of IS100 and IS700 toalso complete on-line courses for IS701.a, IS702., IS703.a, IS704. Thismeans that anyone who took any ICS course before now has to take these fourcourses. Click the links to see the courses on the FEMA Independent Studypage:
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is701a.asp
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is702.asp
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/IS703a.asp
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS704.asp
Estimates of the time required per course is between two to threehours. However, it is my experience that most students can review the materialand take the on-line exam much quicker than the estimates. - Roger Hammond,KCØMWM, The Printed Circuit, June 2010 issue
Tip: D-RATS Looks Good for ARESApplications
D-RATS is a file and messaging platform for D-STAR with ARES® applications for operations and planning. According to its Website, features include instant-messaging style chat; multiple automaticmessages at varying schedules, containing static or dynamic content; FileTransfers; Online/offline status notifications; multi-platforms Linux/UNIX,Windows, and MacOSX; Canned messages; Chat logging; Tabbed chat interface tofilter traffic based on a search string; Structured data (i.e. Forms)transmission with multiple form templates, graphical editor, and HTML exportingForm-to-e-mail gateway support for providing e-mail access to distant stations;Winlink2000 gateway; Automatic message forwarding; Arbitrary TCP forwardingover the RF channel; support for using a TNC or a network connectioninstead of a D-STAR radio; GPS position tracking, distance/directioncalculation, static beacon support, and integrated map viewer withoffline caching; and a Network-linkable repeater/proxy co-application. Worthchecking out! - K1CE
K1CE Fora Final
A recent issue of the ARES E-Lettercontained an item on regulatory aspects of emergency communications in the wakeof the Haitian earthquake, and unfortunately it has been misinterpreted tobe critical of all of the work done by radio amateurs involved indifficult relief missions. It was published out of context and that is my fault aseditor: It was a response to the narrow scope of an e-mail inquiry Ireceived. It absolutely was not a reflection nor condemnation of the Universityof Miami/Project Medishare Ham Radio Mission, which I very proudly coveredin an earlier issue that contained the excellent article by Mr. JackSatterfield, W4GRJ. I apologize for my error.
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ARES is 75 years old next month! I am proud of being associatedwith the program that has rendered so much assistance to the victims ofdisaster for so many years. It has also been a privilege to work with so manyof you over those years who are some of the finest people I have everknown. You should be proud, too. See you next month! - 73, Rick K1CE










 
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