Emergency-Communications
ARRL CT Section NCS Operator Training Workshop, Newington CT, February 1, 2025
Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes on the CT-ARES mailing list:
What: Net Control Station Operator Training Workshop
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 0830 – 1200
Place: Newington Volunteer Fire Dept. – Company #1, 1485 Main Street, (Cross Street: Centerwood Road), Newington, CT
The ARRL CT Section is excited to announce its upcoming, in-person, Net Control Station (NCS) Operator Training Workshop.
Target Audience:
Members of ARES*, Skywarn, the National Traffic System (NTS), and other Hams wanting to build more skills.
– This comprehensive, fast paced, hands-on workshop is designed to not only to give attendees the foundational training they need to start conducting a Radio Net successfully, but also to provide “a refresher” for experienced Net Control Station Operators.
Be Part of our NCS Operator Team!
Don’t Miss it!
REGISTER TODAY at: https://tinyurl.com/mw9e6und
Pre-Workshop Reading Assignment
Please read “The First 15 Minutes” presentation, and write down your observations.
We will begin the Workshop with a discussion of what happened, focusing on:
The Good, The Bad, and THE UGLY.
LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yc5erdcm
Note:
* ARES members
This workshop prepare you for the ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book – Level 2 Participation requirement: “Serve as Net Control”
Western MA ARES Simulated Emergency Test, November 10, 2024
From wma.arrl.org:
The Western Massachusetts Section will be holding a Simulated Emergency Test next month. The tentative date is Sunday, 10 November though that is subject to change. The test will involve stations reporting damage after a severe storm and flooding.
Further information will follow on the WMA ARES email list and on normally scheduled WMA ARES nets.
Thanks and 73,
Chuck Chandler WS1L
WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Connecticut Section Simulated Emergency Test, October 26, 2024
Phil Crombie, K1XFC, writes:As I’ve been announcing on the Sunday night analog and DMR ARES nets, the Connecticut SET will take place on Saturday October 26 from 0900 to 1200 hours. The purpose of the SET is to engage as many ARES members as possible in testing their emergency communications capabilities. We do this following a probable scenario that could impact Connecticut. Last year was a hurricane with information that built up during the week before the test. On SET Saturday we tested VHF, UHF, HF and digital communications modes. We also activated a number of local EOCs. Details on this years scenario will be provided as we get closer to October 26; thirty days from today.
The purpose of this email is to get the event on your calendars and to encourage everyone to set aside the time to participate.
More information to follow.
73,
Phil Crombie, Jr., K1XFC
Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
Connecticut Section
Cell: 860-338-6332
crombiejr@snet.net
CNHARC Receives Repeater System Donation
CNHARC President Rick Zach, KK1RZ, writes:[The Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club] has received a donation of a replacement UHF repeater system at the summit of Gunstock. Thank you K1IW!
In fact, all three CNHARC Gunstock repeater systems are being completely replaced in a phased in approach, 6m, 2m & UHF.
Part of that system replacement includes a simplex, frequency-agile 2m “remote base”. These are very popular in California but are somewhat new to the New England mindset. I am aware that ARES has been looking for a central high site for simplex use to connect to other state regions during past drills.
That remote-base capability will exist within the next month or so with more technical details to follow. But in a nutshell, once activated on demand, the state net control station only accesses the 2m remote base via UHF as required by FCC rules. This will be a hub and spoke system with all area representatives of the state communicating to net control on 2m simplex using your pre-arranged ARES simplex freq as you always have in the past. The end user experience is not changed. The only operational difference is that the “high site” is now VERY high. So this in no way changes your statewide simplex model.
You can use the Gunstock 2m repeater (recently replaced) to roughly gauge the coverage of the 2m remote base.
146.985 -600 PL-123.0
Please send me your ARES 2m simplex frequencies of choice so that we may program the 2m remote base accordingly.
===============
CNHARC has 100% new leadership with a very different, open culture. In fact we call it “CNHARC 2.0” and the remote base is part of that new culture.
ARES, POTA “Go Box” Show and Tell at Nutmeg Hamfest, Meriden CT, October 13, 2024
Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes on the ct-ares mailing list:
WHAT: ARES and POTA “GO BOX” Show and Tell
DATE: Sunday, October 13, 2024
HOURS: 8:30 am – 10:30 am
WHERE:
NUTMEG HAMFEST 2024
Maloney High School
121 Gravel Street Meriden, CT 06450
Open to ALL Hams
A Perfect excuse to “Get Organized” to “Go Portable”!
– Make Portable operations less of a hastle and chore.
– Eliminate the last minute hunting for gear before leaving.
– Banish the frustration of not having what you need at the operating site… because it is still back at the home QTH.
Note: For many hams on a budget, their “Go Box” does “double duty” as their Home Station.
The “Go Box” is probably the best way to organize your radio equipment for those times when you want to (or need to) “Grab-‘n-Go” for Portable Operations such as:
– Public Service Events
– ARES Drills/Exercises
– Real World Disasters
– Parks On The Air activations
– Day Trips to: the Park, Beach, Woods, or… the In-Laws.
– Weekend Get-Aways
– Vacations
Don’t Have a “Go Box”? BUILD ONE!
You can build/assemble your own “Go Box” in less than one day, and it will probably better than my Proof of Concept example.
See: www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/prepared-to-go-go-go
BE CREATIVE!
Your creative design and build may be exactly the thing that get someone else to build his own “Go Box”… or modify their existing “Go Box”.
BRING IT!
Come with your “Go Box” to the Nutmeg Hamfest for Display, Judging, and Awards or Show & Tell
AWARDS
– Best ARES VHF/UHF “Go Box”
This will include Voice and Digital/Data capability (Winlink, “Classic” Packet Radio)
– Best ARES HF “Go Box”
This will include Voice and Digital/Data Capability (Winlink/HFVARA)
– Best ARES VHF/UHF/HF “Go Box”
This will include Voice and Digital/Data capability for each radio as appropriate.
(VHF/UHF Winlink, VHF/UHF “Classic” Packet Radio, Winlink/HF VARA)
– Best POTA 100w (max) radio “Go Box” *
– Best POTA QRP “Go Box” *
* Where POTA “Go Box” includes: Cases, Backpacks, Camera Bags, etc.
Entry DETAILS @
SKYWARN Training Session, Wallingford CT, June 6, 2024
The Meriden Amateur Radio Club (W1NRG) is pleased to announce W1NRG & the National Weather Service, Upton, NY (OKX) is holding a FREE in-person three-hour SKYWARN Training Session.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Thursday Wallingford Public Library (Community Room)
200 N Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
7:00 -10:00 pm
June 6th, 2024
HOW TO REGISTER:
Weather.gov/nyc
Go to SKYWARN icon in lower left corner. Click on SKYWARN Training Schedule. Chose in-person event and fill out on-line form.
This program is free and open to the public – you do NOT need to be a licensed amateur radio operator. Registration will be limited to 125 attendees.
Ed W1YSM
President, W1NRG
Wallingford Amateur Radio Group/Meriden Amateur Radio Club
ARRL CT Affiliated Club Coordinator
EC SKYWARN NH/Middlesex Counties
W1YSM@arrl.net
Vermont ARRL Field Organization Signs MOU With American Red Cross
Vermont Section Manager Paul Gayet, AA1SU, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross.
According to Paul, “We are just the second state in the union to do so.”
The document is endorsed with the signatures of Vermont’s Section Manager and the American Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer for Vermont.
Winter Field Day: “A Great Opportunity to Practice ARES Groups’ Emergency Preparedness”
Jack Ciaccia, WMØG, Assistant Director, EmComm and Public Service writes on the NE-ECAPS mailing list:
This month, we have a great opportunity to practice our ARES groups’ Emergency Preparedness. The Winter Field Day Association promotes emergency operating preparedness, particularly in the challenging winter months characterized by freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards that pose unique operational obstacles. The primary objective of Winter Field Day, along with its fundamental principles, is addressing the unpredictability of natural disasters, which can occur unexpectedly. Your training and operational skills must extend beyond fair-weather scenarios, as preparedness is crucial for a professional and timely response to any event.
This event occurs from 19:00 UTC on Saturday, January 27 until Sunday, January 28th, at 18:59.
It’s important to note that Winter Field Day is an emergency communications (EmComm) exercise, so while the rules are significant, the total points accrued are not the primary focus. The knowledge gained during Winter Field Day and the ability to adapt and overcome unexpected obstacles will prove invaluable during emergencies. Participants should prioritize testing their abilities and equipment over chasing contacts or points. When you engage in signal report exchanges, provide accurate signal report information to help the other station assess the effectiveness of their setup. For those who share the commitment to emergency communications, Winter Field Day offers a challenging yet exciting and rewarding experience that aligns with your dedication to this critical aspect of amateur radio.
This year, you’ll observe a shift from “Bonus Points” to “Objectives;” your goal should be to achieve as many objectives as possible during the event.
The New England Division’s ARES group’s goals should include participating from your State EOC and making at least one contact with each New England State EOC via some mode and frequency. I will leave the frequency and modes to each section’s ARES SEC to coordinate.
-
- Any mode is usable during this exercise except FT8 and FT4 modes.
- All frequencies, except for the WARC bands, can be used.
- One hundred watts is the maximum power level for this event.
- Six hours of continuous operation from each participating station.
- Running your station at home or in the field from an emergency power source during the exercise.
- Operating from an outdoor location and perhaps doubling as a POTA/SOTA activation.
The rules are available at: https://winterfieldday.org/
Above all, enjoy the Winter Field Day experience. Discuss the temperature, forge new connections, and create lasting memories as you refine your skills as an amateur radio operator.
You must register your Winter FD operation at: winterfieldday.org/register-
73,
Jack Ciaccia WM0G
Asst Dir., NE EMCOMM and Public Services
303-587-0993
FEMA Region 1 Winlink Testing
FEMA Region 1 will begin conducting monthly Winlink tests starting January 2024. The purpose of this test is to exercise the Regional PACE plan, Winlink is part of the “Emergency” category of the plan. We would like to include Amateur Radio and SHARES stations in New England in this test. Here are the details:
Testing Procedure: Each month FEMA Region 1 Disaster Emergency Communications Branch will generate a Winlink message to participating stations. The message will be sent via Winlink through an Amateur Radio or SHARES gateway. The message will contain simple instructions on how to reply – which form to use, information requested, response time, etc. The receiving stations will reply to FEMA Region 1 via Winlink with the requested information within a set timeframe. The date and time of the monthly test will vary.
Participating Stations – Open to Amateur Radio or SHARES stations in New England. Stations must have Winlink capability and a valid Winlink email address. Participating operators should be aware that this test is conducted without announcement, so it is important that Winlink messages are checked regularly.
How to Sign Up – Stations wishing to participate can sign up online at https://forms.gle/sTibzJjZhftHXR4J9
Please feel free to share the above information with those who may be interested in participating. Any questions, let me know.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike Corey
Emergency Management Specialist | Disaster Emergency Communications
Response Division | FEMA Region I
Cell: 202.704.9853
michael.corey@fema.dhs.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
fema.gov