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   http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2013-11-20   
      
   The ARES E-Letter   
      
   November 20, 2013   
   Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE   
      
   In This Issue:   
      
    *  Philippines Disaster Update as of November 16   
    *  Letters: "Localization of Response," CERT on Long Island   
    *  Letters: Fiscal Value of Amateur Radio   
    *  Letters: Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Administrator Also Champion   
       for Change   
    *  Letters: Code of Conduct   
    *  Hospital Press Release Cites Amateurs as Partners in Emergency Response   
    *  Linked Ham Radio Repeater System Instrumental in Hiker Rescue   
    *  Lake County ARES Supports the 39th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival   
    *  K1CE For a Final   
      
      
   Philippines Disaster Update as of November 16   
      
   More than a week after being hit by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in one of the   
   worst natural disasters in recent history, survivors of the central   
   Philippines have basic needs of food, water and medicine, shelter, evacuation,   
   communication and power.   
      
   The Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) and its Ham Emergency Radio   
   Operation (HERO) network continue providing emergency communications, and at   
   the request of authorities is starting to expand its locations and facilities.   
   Ramon Anquilan, DU1UGZ, Vice Chief Operating Officer of PARA, confirms that   
   HERO stations are continuing to work. He thanks the world for keeping 7.095   
   MHz clear for urgent traffic.   
      
   Working with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the   
   National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), PARA is   
   looking at potential sources for needed communications equipment. PARA also   
   had two representatives present at a meeting chaired by the Commissioner of   
   NTC, Gamaliel A. Cordoba.   
      
   Anquilan said the NTC has requested that communications coverage from Borongan   
   be expanded to the adjacent town and further. The idea is to set up an HF   
   station in the farthest town that can be accessed. "Given the new task that   
   NTC wants us to meet, we will be needing stations that can be deployed and   
   dismantled at a moment's notice. On the excellent offer of the ARRL, I have   
   requested it to provide at least four HF stations and a repeater."   
      
   Anquilan said that the PARA/HERO effort "is going now to the difficult phase.   
   The operators that are needed should come from the outside because our locals   
   will not budge from their locations as they have to fend for themselves and   
   their families - they are victims too of this disaster. There are other   
   willing radio amateurs but usually they don't have the proper equipment."   
      
   Anquilan reported that in one of the worst hit areas of Tacloban (where 90% of   
   its buildings have been lost), the Negros Oriental Radio Assistance Dumaguete   
   (NORAD7) team is on its way to provide an additional HF station. "The team is   
   bringing much needed relief goods along with operators Rey Boy Manaay, 4D7DSW,   
   and Eric Mite, DW7DTR, who are trained in rescue. Experienced operator Darwin   
   Torres, 4F1FZE, is joining the efforts at Tacloban and is expected to improve   
   VHF coverage in the area, and extend HF coverage as well. Torres is embedded   
   with a relief team from Manila."   
      
   The Philippines Amateur Radio Association and its HERO network have a long   
   road ahead as it slowly gains the necessary resources for its operations. --   
   Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee   
      
   Please see also the extensive coverage of the disaster and response on the   
   ARRL web site: http://www.arrl.org/news-features and especially the latest   
   issue of the ARRL Letter, November 14, 2013.   
      
   In other incidents, an outbreak of tornadoes and high winds on November 17   
   killed six people in Illinois and injured hundreds of others, some seriously.   
   ARRL Illinois official Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN, reported that Peoria County ARES   
   Emergency Coordinator Fritz Bock, WD9FMB, responded with a team of volunteers   
   to a Central Illinois Division Red Cross request for emergency communication   
   support between sites in Washington, Illinois -- a town of approximately   
   11,000 residents and hardest-hit by the storm activity -- and the Red Cross   
   office in Peoria. Most of the injuries occurred in Washington.  -- from ARRL   
      
   Just posted to the ARRL web site news: MARS 48 Hour Test Deemed "Unequivocal   
   Success." The MARS station at ARRL's Maxim Memorial Station, AAN1ARL, took   
   part in the November 3-5 exercise, which, the Chief of Army MARS said was   
   "designed to test and stress our networks and our members' ability to process   
   and respond to a variety of message traffic."   
      
      
   Letters: "Localization of Response," CERT on Long Island   
      
   Our Town of Huntington (in northwestern Suffolk County, Long Island, New York)   
   ARES/RACES group employs some of the aspects you discussed in the October 2013   
   issue of the ARES E-Letter. ICS 100/700 classes are mandatory for all of our   
   members. The EC and some AEC's have taken ICS 200, SKYWARN and CERT training.   
   The CERT class was a great hands-on course, showing what you can do to keep   
   yourself and neighbors safe before first responders arrive.   
      
   Our deployment protocol for an event is based on the member's proximity to a   
   key location (fire house, police station, EOC, et cetera). On an as-needed   
   basis, each member will cover the location closest to their QTH -- usually   
   less than one mile away. Only the EC and AEC's operate net control from the   
   EOC. We don't want amateur operators driving around in hazardous conditions.   
      
   Immediately following an event (the ARRL SET being our last), we debrief and   
   submit an After Action Report (AAR). The AAR is distributed to all members, so   
   that lessons can be learned.   
      
   In regards to NBEMS as discussed in your last issue, our served agency was   
   impressed with our ability to send ICS forms so easily. We have been   
   practicing weekly sending MT-63 messages via 2 meter FM repeater and simplex.   
   Thanks to the VOA radiogram transmissions, our latest venture now is sending   
   images using MSFK. Our weekly net consists of a 2 meter FM repeater portion   
   followed by a simplex session that alternates between 2 meter FM simplex and   
   10 meter SSB. Finally the net wraps up with a message being sent on the 2   
   meter FM repeater with NBEMS.   
      
   Having the weekly net with different frequencies removes the anxiety of "what   
   frequency do I use?" and "what was your call sign?" Thus, call signs are   
   familiar and don't need to be repeated. Radios are already pre-programmed with   
   the correct frequencies. Any coverage and antenna issues have been corrected   
   over time so that simplex can be relied upon: We are aware of which stations   
   need relays, and work accordingly. The element of surprise (and link failure)   
   is eliminated.   
      
   The EC and AEC's meet monthly on Echolink. We work out ideas in a conference   
   call forum, from the comfort of our homes. We also use Dropbox to keep our   
   latest ARES/RACES files accessible to all.   
      
   We keep all training and activity on one night. Since we already run a weekly   
   net, we also removed the monthly meeting for the general membership, and now   
   meet every six months. More members show up when there are fewer meetings. We   
   make sure to have a demo of some kind, to keep interest. For example, last   
   month I showed a Power Point presentation and performed an NBEMS demo.   
      
   We do use text and e-mail to keep members informed. We use a good   
   old-fashioned phone tree to notify members of our meetings; it works   
   surprisingly well. -- Steven W. Hines, N2PQJ, RACES Radio Officer and ARES   
   Emergency Coordinator, Town of Huntington, Suffolk County - Long Island, New   
   York, Twitter: @RACESHuntington   
      
      
   Letters: Fiscal Value of Amateur Radio   
      
   Regarding your MASH UP article in the last issue, in addition to the benefits   
   you mention, both the public and the served agencies need to understand the   
   fiscal value that ham radio provides. The presentation by Art Goddard, W6XD,   
   (http://youtu.be/xmT1BXyZsy8) could not spell out the purposes of our amateur   
   license grants any better. Just as fiscal grant recipients must be held   
   accountable for spending grant money strictly according to grant guidelines,   
   Amateur Radio must do the same. As a long-time employee in the commercial   
   wireless industry, I can assure you that there are many companies licking   
   their chops to bid their billions for the "underutilized amateur bandwidth."   
      
   As an example of proving the fiscal value of Amateur Radio, recently antenna   
   zoning regulations came under sharp attack in the City/County of San Diego.   
   When draconian antenna zoning changes were proposed, the San Diego DX Club   
   rallied around the cause and clearly illustrated to the City/County the fiscal   
   value of Amateur Radio: the number of hams in the county; the value of their   
   equipment; the number of hours dedicated to served agencies, including them;   
   et cetera. This information was all refined into a simple to understand figure   
   of something in excess of $2.5 million of demonstrable fiscal benefit to the   
   City/County. As a direct result of this action, the City/County backed off the   
   draconian platform and negotiated a more realistic change with local amateurs.   
      
   Yes, Amateur Radio is cool. Yes, technology is cool. But we have to remember   
   that the fabric (spectrum) of wireless communications is extremely valuable,   
   and becoming more so each day. In order to preserve it for generations of   
   amateurs to come, our fraternity absolutely must put our business hats on and   
   make sure we know how to swim in the tank with the "business sharks," or we'll   
   end up being a mashed up mess. - Fred Kleber, K9VV, Section Manager and   
   Section Emergency Coordinator, US Virgin Islands   
      
      
   Letters: Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Administrator Also Champion for   
   Change   
      
   In re your lead editorial in last month's issue, Captain Stacy Gerlich,   
   KJ6EPQ, Administrator of the Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Program, was   
   also honored in the Champions for Change program and event. Capt. Gerlich was   
   unable to attend the event and her award was picked up by Capt. Christopher   
   Cooper, Administrator of the LAFD Disaster Preparedness Unit. As you may be   
   aware, the LAFD originated the CERT Program and Capt. Gerlich was a tireless   
   promoter for CERT -- first as an LAFD CERT Trainer, then as Program   
   Administrator. Capt. Gerlich suggested we add Amateur Radio to the LAFD CERT   
   Program several years ago, so we did. I wrote the Communications Plan with   
   Capt. Kevin Nida, LA City Radio Officer. Capt. Gerlich receivedher amateur   
   license several years ago. Information on the LAFD CERT Communications Plan is   
   available here. -- Jonathan Zimmerman, K6JGZ, LAFD CERT Liaison, Battalion 14   
   Comm Unit Leader, jgzimmerman@sbcglobal.net   
      
      
   Letters: Code of Conduct   
      
   The Code of Conduct reproduced in the October 2013 issue, ARES E-Letter, is   
   the one we drafted and implemented four years ago in Flagler County, Florida,   
   which you reported in an older ARES E-Letter. This was an original work by   
   myself on behalf of the Flagler County ARES group, and the Code has been on   
   the back of our ARES. application form since its inception. Perhaps the Code   
   is not even the story -- but the sad fact that such common sense statements   
   need to even be made -- that some Amateurs lack the common sense and respect   
   to conduct themselves in such a manner. Fortunately, those numbers are few,   
   but they are significant enough that such statements were necessary.   
      
   While I'm flattered that they've adopted it, they are not the only ones, as we   
   have had requests by over a dozen groups around the country to send them our   
   Code. The Code is a bold statement and emphasizes the high standards to which   
   we wish to hold ourselves accountable, both individually and as a group. I'm   
   happy that others are beginning to feel likewise. Perhaps another story is   
   that the processes in even small county ARES groups like Flagler can still act   
   as best practices elsewhere - that innovation has no exclusive domain, but can   
   be found everywhere. -- Mike Lee, AA6ML, Section Emergency Coordinator,   
   Northern Florida Section   
      
      
   Hospital Press Release Cites Amateurs as Partners in Emergency Response   
      
   [Editor's note: Here is a great example of a hospital's press release on   
   support by and for Amateur Radio that I particularly enjoyed - K1CE].   
      
   FMC PREPARES FOR THE UNEXPECTED BY PARTNERING WITH LANCASTER AMATEUR RADIO CLUB   
      
   LANCASTER, Ohio (November 12, 2013) - For more than a decade, Fairfield   
   Medical Center has partnered with the Lancaster and Fairfield County (Ohio)   
   Amateur Radio Club to prepare for the unexpected.   
      
   FMC uses an amateur radio repeater along with an antenna to communicate to   
   other operators on a frequent basis. These operators are better known among   
   each other as "hams." These ham operators are called upon to give assistance   
   in the event of an emergency through the Emergency Management Agency of   
   Fairfield County.   
      
   FMC is not the only hospital that partners with ham operators. The Central   
   Ohio Trauma System (COTS) serves 27 hospitals and has purchased 22 ham radios   
   in 2009 to equip 22 central region hospitals.   
      
   "Emergency management is a very important topic today and the relationship FMC   
   has formed with other ham radio operators is key to meeting the needs of our   
   community during a potential disaster," said Cynthia Pearsall, FMC chief   
   nursing officer.   
      
   Communication with emergency responders and the public in general is   
   imperative when a disaster occurs. If landline telephones, cell phone towers   
   or the Internet become inoperable, an alternate mode of communication is   
   needed. That's when amateur radio can become the main means of communication,   
   serving as a backup to emergency responders.   
      
   "We partner with our local amateur radio club during many events through the   
   year," said Steve Anderson, FMC Center Police chief. "Whether it be a table   
   top emergency exercise to the Lancaster Festival, the Lancaster Amateur Radio   
   Club is a great asset to us. As a ham operator myself, I see the benefit   
   firsthand."   
      
   Amateur radio is the first mode of wireless communication before cell phones   
   and requires an amateur radio operator license from the Federal Communications   
   Commission. Before receiving a license, you must pass an examination.   
      
   "Our club appreciates the close relationship we have formed with FMC,   
   Fairfield County representatives, and the city in general," noted John   
   Hilliard, trustee of the Lancaster and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club.   
   For questions or more information on how to become involved with the Lancaster   
   and Fairfield County Amateur Radio Club, go to k8qik.org or contact Mark   
   Urbine, K8QIK Club spokesman.   
      
      
   Linked Ham Radio Repeater System Instrumental in Hiker Rescue   
      
   A hiker in distress in Nevada is thankful that he had his hand-held   
   transceiver along when he found himself stranded in the hills near Henderson.   
   Western Intertie Network (WIN) System member Jim Frederick, KF6QBW, in Arizona   
   reports he was monitoring the system November 3 around midday when he heard,   
   "Mayday, Mayday. Hiker in distress!" from his WIN System repeater.   
      
   "I grabbed a charged battery for my VX-5, and the call came over the radio   
   again," Frederick says. He responded, and the hiker on the other end, Nathan   
   Rischling, KDOHFM, of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, told him he'd misread   
   the elevation on his topographical map, had ended up on a very steep and rough   
   area, had stuck his hand on a cactus, and could find no safe way out of his   
   situation. He had a GPS, however, and was able to provide Frederick with his   
   precise coordinates. Rischling said he had a day's worth of food and water but   
   needed help getting off the mountain, as he would not get back to his starting   
   point before sundown and didn't think his GPS battery would last out the trip.   
      
   "KDOHFM stated that he did not take a conventional trail and was using a   
   topographical map and GPS for guidance," Frederick explained. Frederick said   
   he knew from experience that a call to the Las Vegas search and rescue would   
   expedite the process, so he put out a call on the WIN System for any Las Vegas   
   station that could make the call. James Freeman, KG7EWP, promptly came back,   
   and Frederick handed off the emergency traffic. Freeman called 911 and spoke   
   with search and rescue, and stood by until the situation was resolved. Within   
   15 minutes a rescue helicopter was on the way.   
      
   Frederick kept his ear to the radio until the event was resolved, in case   
   someone needed more information from him, and a few hours later, he overheard   
   Rischling thank KG7EWP for helping "and everyone else on the WIN System for   
   standing by."   
      
   The WIN System is a series of 90 linked, or inter-tied repeaters -- most on   
   UHF (70 centimeters) -- that cover a substantial portion of California, 16   
   other states, and four countries around the world. It is owned and operated by   
   Shorty Stouffer, K6JSI. KF6QBW is an affiliated repeater station with the WIN   
   System.   
      
   "Without Shorty, K6JSI (my Elmer), and the WIN System and its members, I would   
   not have known what to do, let alone been able to help, as I was just a link   
   in this chain of events," Frederick said. -- Thanks to Chuck Baer, W4ROA; Jim   
   Frederick, KF6QBW; Shorty Stouffer, K6JSI, and Sean Kutzko, KX9X   
      
      
   Lake County ARES Supports the 39th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival   
      
   The Lake County (Florida) ARES provided radio communications to support a   
   three day bicycle event in Mount Dora, Florida from October 11 through October   
   13, 2013. The event was the 39th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival sponsored   
   by the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce. Sunny weather prevailed for the   
   three days with moderate temperatures and reasonable humidity so there were no   
   reports of heat exhaustion. There were 703 bicycle riders registered this year   
   -- a slight increase over the past year. Most of the riders were from Florida   
   but there were some from various places in the United States. This is not a   
   competitive race but a series of 15 separate bicycle tours through Lake   
   County, Florida's country side. The county has 1400 named lakes and is   
   considered to be Central Florida's hill country. This combination provides   
   scenic background and significant challenges for the riders which brings them   
   back year after year.   
      
   The longest ride is 100 miles and the shortest is two miles. One of the most   
   popular is the Yalaha Bakery ride which is a 55 mile round trip. This includes   
   a stop at a German bakery that serves elegant pastries, lunch, assorted drinks   
   and musical entertainment. Another ride ends at a farm that provides the   
   riders a chance to get lost in a large corn maze.   
      
   The ARES group had 20 radio operators helping to keep track of the bicycle   
   riders, man rest areas, provide SAG wagons and radio equipped mobile patrol   
   vehicles. The ARES volunteers provided 255 man hours of service over the three   
   days. All vehicles were directed by the net control station N4FLA which had   
   its mobile command trailer set up in the parking lot of the Mount Dora Chamber   
   of Commerce. A repeater provided by K4AUS was used on a frequency of 147.390   
   MHz. An APRS station and operators kept tabs on the three SAG wagons using the   
   27 inch video monitor mounted in the trailer. This video system can also be   
   used to monitor weather conditions during any event.   
      
   A total of nine riders were transported back to the Mount Dora staging area   
   due to mechanical issues or just getting tired out. We had one report of a   
   rider down with what appeared to be serious injuries when he fell from his   
   bicycle. EMS was called and he was transported by air to a local hospital for   
   evaluation. Later we received a report that he was not seriously hurt and was   
   released from the hospital.   
      
   The Lake Area Radio Association has been providing on course radio   
   communications for the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival for over 20 years. They use   
   events of this type to train their members to be ready to provide emergency   
   radio communications for disaster situations such as hurricanes and tornados   
   which are not uncommon in this part of Florida. Members volunteer their time,   
   radio equipment and vehicles as a public service to the community.   
      
   For more information about Amateur Radio activity in Lake County, Florida you   
   may go to the following web sites. www.n4fla.org or www.k4fc.org -- Ted   
   Luebbers, K1AYZ, Lake County ARES PIO   
      
      
   K1CE For a Final   
      
   Season's greetings from your editor! I get the impression sometimes that   
   readers are under the impression that I must have to sort through thousands of   
   contributions of pages of after action reports, exercise lessons learned,   
   opinions, criticisms and compliments, brickbats and bouquets to come up with   
   each month's issue of this newsletter. That is not the case. As I work through   
   the course of the month to draft a new issue, it is usually a job of searching   
   for and pulling relevant material from various sources on the Internet. I look   
   at the ARRL and IARU web sites, the ITU resources, FEMA training and CERT   
   information, and ARRL Section and ARES web sites. The point is, I could use a   
   lot more material directly from you, the reader. Chances are, if you have a   
   solid opinion or report and you write it up fairly well, I will use it in the   
   newsletter! So take a chance at gaining your 15 minutes of fame as 37,000   
   readers will see your story and call sign! Write for the ARES E-Letter!   
      
   73, Rick Palm, K1CE, Daytona Beach, Florida, the "World's Most Famous Beach"   
      
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