ARES NetNotes

11-DEC-2003

Quick debrief on Durham county SET:
• Wake ARES participated. Wake did not need our own SEC since whe had an actual event, Hurricane Isabel
• Approximately 2 hours of ARES drill activity
• Simulated message traffic between major hospitals, as would be required in an event causing the evacuation of one hospital.

20-NOV-2003

• Tom, N4TAB had some comments:
  • Tactical vs. Formal Messaging: formal comms used to record events and preserve authority
  • Thanks to all who volunteered with the Hurricane Isabel response
• David, KF4VXJ had these comments
  • Good article on Emergency Power in your shack by W1ZR on page 41 in Dec 2003 issue of QST
  • Also discussed solar flares and their effects on amateur radio transmissions.
• Bob, WX4MMM had this announcement:
  • Saturday, 06-DEC-2003 is Skywarn Recognition Day from 08:00-18:00 EST
  • Details will be posted to ccskywarn.net and hamradio.noaa.gov

18-SEP-2003

• Hurricane Isabel Hits NC
• State and Wake County EOCs activate
• ARES groups respond where needed

11-SEP-2003

• John, K4JVP, gave an update on hurricane Isabel
• John, KG4HDT had the following items:
  • Moment of silence to remember tragic events of September 11, 2001
  • Discussion of hurricane information
  • FEMA FNARS Radio is now on 24/7 at the state EOC
• Tom, N4TAB, gave these comments:
  • Keep your ears open - listen on 146.88 or other backup frequencies if you think there is something going on.
  • Encourages everyone to "walk the talk" on being ready to respond when called.
• Eric, KG4CXW, AEC for Durham ARES had an announcement:
  • There will be a WMD drill for Durham County on Saturday, 13 SEP 2003 beginning at 08:30 EDT. ARES activation may be requested.
  • ARES net will be on 145.45 if activated.
• Bob, K4RLC indicated that those who took his CPR/FirstAid course last year around this time will need to re-certify their CPR every year. The Red Cross will have challenge courses available.
• David, KF4VXJ had some comments about personal preparedness, with respect to the impending hurricane:
  • There may be shortages of propane or other cooking fuel. Be sure to stock up ahead of time
  • The same holds true for batteries and bottle water.
  • David also listed good hurricane website

04-SEP-2003

• Denyse, KG4CXR, announced the Skywarn Dinner on 28 SEP 2003 at 19:30 at El Rodeo in Pleasent Valley off Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh
• Bob, WX4MMM, gave an update on the Hurricane situation. See URL from last week.
• Tom, N4TAB, noted: State EOC support may be required to assist with emergency response activities should a hurricane make landfall in or near NC. 2-3 operators per shift can be required at times
• Net Time Change: First net in October (02 OCT 2003) will be at 20:00 EDT on 146.880 (-).
• David, KF4VXJ:
  • 9/11 Anniversary is next week. Be prepared if needed. At very least bring an HT to work.
  • 36 volt power in cars may someday be the only source available for mobile equipment
  • new 211 telephone non-emergency info service being brought online in various areas of country & Canada. it may cause additional clogging of telephone network in an emergency, further necessitating backup radio communications
  • The Emergency Alert System may soon be expanded to cover pagers and cell phones. Skywarn currently uses this for activation. ARES has plans to follow suit

28-AUG-2003

• Bob, K4RLC, indicated that the Triangle Red Cross has some challenge courses available for those who took his FirstAid/CPR/AED course last fall. FirstAid is good for 3 years, CPR/AED must be recertified every year.
• State Fair is coming up. First Aid and Radio Operator volunteers will be needed. More details to come.
• What is a FEMA Approved Hotel?
• We're still in the middle of Hurricane Season. Keep an eye out at the NHC

21-AUG-2003

David had the following notes regarding emergency food & water supplies:
• Changing water types and brands from your normal drinking habits can cause digestion/intestinal issues
• Drastic changes to your diet can also cause problems.

14-AUG-2003

Johnnie, WA9SZL, gave a presentation on Emergency Preparedness
• Lots of rain = saturated ground = easy flooding, trees come down easy in high winds
• Pre-check communications at shelter locations ([KG4MYD] Note: Wake Ares has done this before)
• Preparation at home first is essential:
  • It may take 24-48 hrs for an initial response from emergency personnel, until then you're on your own.
  • You must survive the disaster in order to adequately respond to it.
  • Make sure you have adequate water, food, first aid, personal supplies (Toilet Paper is first to go at shelter)
  • Try your "emergency response" equipment first, under simulated emergency conditions. ([KG4MYD] Note: This station goes into "emergency" mode: battery power and indoor antenna, whenever severe thunderstorm is near. Good test of equipment)
  • Make sure you have a safe and utility-independant heat source (wood fired stove, kerosene heater, etc.)
  • Post-its and 3x5 index cards are good for posting & passing messages at shelters
  • be sure to remove all your equipment when you close down and leave a shelter your operating
  • Generators: run only at night. Cost is about $0.40/KWhr to run a gasoline generator.
  • A 7AH gel-cell "jump start" pack can run an HT for 48 hrs.
  • Solar panels are good ways to keep batteries charged. Harbor Freight tools carries these.

07-AUG-2003

• FEMA - Operation Yankee
• Exide Battery (lead acid) Battery Care FAQs
• Battery Council International - Lead Acid Battery page
• Another site
• Energizer technical data pages - Dry cells: Good site!
• BTW: I was not kidding about the wire brush if one uses lead acid batteries, and for safety sake keeps it outside.

31-JUL-2003

17-JUL-2003

• Ronnie, WA4MJF: General communications emergency rescinded, 7285/3873 KHz available for normal use.
• John, KG4HDT: Presentation available for July 22 Tarheel Emergency / Skywarn Net by Jeff Orrock, NWS Warning Coordinator - Raleigh

10-JUL-2003

• John, KG4HDT: July 22nd Tarheel Emergency Net (3923 KHz): training version Jeff Orrock will give a presentation about hurricaine season. HF net will be simulcast on 146.88 and other linked repeater systems around the state.
• Gary, KN4AQ: Weekend Warrior Technician Classes: August 2 & 9 9AM=6PM VE Session on on Saturday, August 9th at 7PM. 2 intro classes set on monday and Tuesday Evening on 27 and 28 July. Please attend the intro classes if your'e interested.
• David, KF4VXJ: HF Net Frequencies: NC Morning Net: 3927 KHz (07:45 local) TarHeel Emergency Net 7232(day if needed) 3923 (19:30 local)

26-JUN-2003

• John, KG4HDT noted that the State EOC will be open from 14:00-17:00 EDT on Saturday, 28 JUN 2003. Email kg4hdt@arrl.net to sign up or for other details.
• Bob, WX4MMM: This is lightning safety week. See www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov for more information.
• Tom N4TAB: Participation at Lowes Hurricaine Fair last weekend was good. There were larget numbers of both exhibitors and "clients". The Clemson Mechanical Engineering fired 2x4 pieces of lumber into structures at 35-100MPH to demonstrate how hurricanes can damage them. National Weather Service net: 3-4 linked systems, HF linking, etc.
• Bernie, WA4MOK: gave some updates from his areas regarding hurricane fair and anetnna work at the eastern branch.
• Bob KG4IZA: We could use some help with Red Cross Generator Maintenance. New faces are always appreciated. Be at the Red Cross 20 Jul 2003 09:00
• Matt KG4MYD: WRAL and ARRL Amateur Radio Today both have produced videos to educate the publice about amateur radio and emergency communications.

19-JUN-2003

• Mary, KG4OQA

  Hospital Comms
  December N4TAB conversation. Coordinating support for Ho
  RN, at Duke Hospital (Education Dept.)
  Hospital Disaster Services Communications System - HDSCS
  www.hdscs.org
  Orange County, CA
  Book
  90 hams under ARES.
  
  NC Southeastern 13 hospitals
  
  Area 10 meeting in March
  Sub Group: Mary, WA4NID, KA4UDM Randy, W4SAR Dave Snyder: EC Orange CO
  
  Focusing on 3 counties: Wake, Durham, Orange.
  
  Systems:
  Duke, Durham Regional, Raleigh Community
  UNC, Rex
  WakeMed, Western Wake
  Durham VA
  
  Mary & pals met with Duke Disaster Planning Group, discussing capabilities
  and they are supportive of this effort.
  
  Mid 90s's, Durham Ares installed a radio & antenna in Duke Emergency Dept
  Radio is old
  
  Need standard antenna feedline
  
  Key to success is being part of the planning process. Knowing where we fit in
  to processses, procedures, etc.
  
  Training & orientation to hospital environment will be required re: legal and safety requirements
  before
  
  Staring at Duke, expanding to other 3 hospital systems. 
  
  Randy works at Durham Regional and is starting to work with officials there.
  
  Long term goal is to expand to other counties
  
  
  Mike, KC4WUH asked about potential RFI. This will be discussed with the hospitals.
  Bill, KG4CXY asked if this is related to existing disaster planning in progress by other 
  Sterling, KG4KVG asked if amateur radio would be used for faxes. Tom, N4TAB indicated
  that we are going to be used as backup communications, and those will be mostly voice.
  
  David noted that K4JDR Ronnie Casey put up antennas at the Cary FDs as well as Cary EOC?
  
  Bob, WX4MMM gave us some info on this weeks' Skywarn net. Contact him at wx4mmm@arrl.net
  www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu - State climate 
  wwwnc.usgs.gov - River/Stream data
  

• John, KG4HDT

12-JUN-2003

• Ken, K7UGT New 60m band allocation becomes active at midnight on July 3rd

  5MHz 5332 5348 5368 5373 5405, Amateur operators are secondary users,
  2.8 KHz deviation
  50W ERP max
  USB only. 
  Dial freqencies are: 1.5KHz below center frequencies:
  5330.5 5346.5 5366.5 5371.5 5403.5
  NTIA Compliant rigs required
  20 Hz
  TCXO Oscillator
  IC 746-PRO, IC705MKiig
  <4PPM frequency stability
  87ft dipole
  www.eham.net has 60m info

• John, KG4HDT: State EOC Will be active during Field Day on Sunday AM

05-JUN-2003

• John, KG4HDT
• State EOC will likely be staffed on Field Day, to qualify for new rules around EOC involved
• Jeff Orrock, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, will present on the Tarheel Emergency Net training net, on a future Tuesday night on 3923 KHz
• Bob, WX4MMM: Joel Cline, NWS Lead Forecaster, Tuesday, June 10, ~21:15 on Skywarn Net.
• David, KF4VXJ discussed the FEMA HotWash exercise in DC, and the need for communications and warning devices to secondary served agencies

29-MAY-2003

• Bob K4RLC - Hurricaine Fair at Lowes on 21-JUN-2003 0800-1500 Bob K1RCB: coordinator, Gary KN4AQ & Bob K4RLC: Co-coordinators. Email Bob k4rlc@arrl.net for more details, or to volunteer to man the station
• Bob WX4MMM - Tues 03-JUN-2003 Advanced Spotter Class at RARS meeting, 7:30 PM. New material will be presented by the NWS.
• Tom N4TAB - Homeland threat code raised to Orange. Be aware of your surroundings & prepare as necessary. Turn on your radio to 146.88 if you think an incident is occurring.
• David KF4VXJ - Suggested that each of us be sure we have an adequate supply of water 1 gal/person/day for
• NC will get hazard mitigation plan funding from the Federal government
• $19M Grant for CERT program. Details at www.fema.gov

15-MAY-2003

• John, KG4HDT, attended Area 3 Meeting in Kinston: - SEC Bernie's WA4MOKfirst meeting - W9EF Ron Napp - Video from ARES member on-scene at West Pharmaceuticals Plant Explosion of rescue efforts - ARES called up locally in several counties until 1:00 or 2:00 AM. Assisted with Comms for Local EOCs Columbia Meeting... Champ: constructed a booth for radio operators, pictures to follow Some ARES members were working on ATV Williamston Swap Fest Talk-In 145.410 (131.8 PL) Monday/Tuesday Exercise (NPP Drill) 5/13/03 started at 04:00! Chance of an activation next week.
• Ronnie WA4MJF, indicated that several 60M frequencies may soon be available for Amateur Radio use.
• Bob, K4RLC, Hurricain Fair, Lowes 21-JUN-2003 -> Needs Organizer!!!

08-MAY-2003

• ARES Meeting in Columbia, NC this Saturday. Tom, N4TAB, will bring report.
• General ARES meeting end of May or early June
• National Emergency Preparedness Drill next week, ARES/RACES activation is a slight possibility

27-MAR-2003

20-MAR-2003

• A Wake ARES/RACES activation handbook is in progress. When finished, it will be published on the website in PDF format.
• Expect bona fide RACES drills/training to commence in approximately 6 months.
• Make sure your go-kits are ready! To quote John, KG4HDT: "Be MacGyver!"

13-MAR-2003

• David, KF4VXJ has been appointed an Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Wake ARES/RACES, focusing on the area of Logistics (coordinating resources). Congratulations, David!
• Subjects of an upcoming NC Ares EC meeting:
  • Activation Request Procedures
  • Differences between ARES and RACES roles.
  • Response to Healthcare Agency requests.
  Expect detail after the Raleigh RARS Hamfest, 12-APR-2003 through 13-APR-2003.
• A general Wake Co. ARES/RACES meeting is being planned for Saturday 03-MAY-2003 at the NC EOC. Please mark your calendars

27-FEB-2003

• Bob, KG4IZA reported that the Red Cross may need volunteer assistance with repatriation of American faimilies living in the Middle East. Please contact Glen Studinger at the (919) 231-1602 for more information.
• Shearon Harris Drill is Tuesday 04-MAR-2003, no ARES/RACES activations are expecte.
• In an effort to move away from the advertising-filled Yahoo! group, the Wake ARES/RACES email lists will be moved to a different server soon. Future details will be provided via email.

13-FEB-2003

• Bob, KG4IZA, Wake Co. ARES AEC - Red Cross Liason had 1 announcement:
  Red Cross Training Course Available: Damage Assessment. Contact Bob, KG4IZA for details.
• Bill, KG4CXY, is organizing another "Red Cross Generator Posse" to be held at the Triangle American Red Cross Chapter on Peartree Ln. in Raleigh on Sunday, 02-MAR-2003. Contact kg4cxy@arrl.net for additional information.
• Wake Co. EC, Tom, N4TAB, and NCEM EC, John, KG4HDT, discussed this past weekend's ARES meeting in Columbia, NC.
  Some of the highlights are:
  • ARES is alive and doing well in North Carolina
  • Discussed linking capabilities of Eastern NC repeater system and how they can be utilized for ARES.
  • Tom briefly outlined the hierarchial structure of the ARRL Field Organiztion. There is a good article in the March 2003 issue of QST on this subject.
  • There was a discussion of hams using modified 802.11b WiFi gear in the 2.4GHz amateur band. There is also some basic information in March 2003's QST on this subject as well.
  • It was also added that the ATV (Amateur Television) network in Eastern NC is quite extensive and useful to the ARES groups there. Wake Ares may investigate use of ATV locally.
• John, KG4HDT emphasized that ARES/RACES members need to be ready for their services to be called upon at all times.
• Mike, KC4WUH, mentioned ordered a hard copy of the FEMA Book on emergency preparedness. Some of the same material may be available on the web.

06-FEB-2003

• Thanks to all who showed up for the Ice Storm Debrief Saturday, 01-FEB-2003
• Thanks again to those who helped at the shelters and EOC and otherwise at the ice storm
• Ronnie had an announcement regarding field day: EOC particpation will earn extra points

23-JAN-2003

• Confirmed: Ice Storm Debrief is Saturday, 01-FEB-2003 09:00 at NC EOC
• Skywarn Dinner: Last Sunday of every month. 1/26: Ryan's Steakhouse in Cary. 5:00-7:00PM
• NC Ice Storm coverage in CQ Magazine Feb 2003, P.66. Public Service Column
• Stanly Co. NCEM Warehouse Project nearing completion.

16-JAN-2003

• Quick net, interleaved with, then deferred to Skywarn Activation

09-JAN-2003

• Bob, KG4IZA, brought these notes from the Red Cross meeting:
  • ARC Thanks all amateurs who helped out during ice storm
  • Discussion of generator issues was helpful.
• Bob, K4RLC is hosting CPR/FirstAid/AED training this weekend. One slot left. Email him k4rlc@arrl.net to RSVP.
• Two meetings coming up for ARES:
  1. Dec 2002 Ice Storm Debrief: 01-FEB-2003? at State EOC
  2. General Meeting. (approx 2 weeks later) Potential topics: Stanly County NCEM Warehouse & Hardware selections, backup EOC, recruitment, requirements of volunteers, etc.
• Net Control Station needed for NC HF Traffic Net Wednesdays 18:30 Local, 3923 KHz
• Happy 80th Birthday to our friend Fitz, K4LOQ