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   http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2016-11-16   
      
   The ARES E-Letter   
      
   November 16, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE   
      
      
   In This Issue:   
      
    *  Learn to Use Your Repeater's Autopatch   
    *  Notes from California Wildfire Responses; Lessons Learned   
    *  Popular TV Show HamRadioNow Adds "EmComm Extra"   
    *  Profiles in ARES : Meet Bob Turner, W6RHK, ARRL Orange Section Emergency   
       Coordinator   
    *  ARES Members: Become a PIO   
      
      
   ARES Briefs, Links   
      
   Hurricane Watch Net Honors Bermuda Radio Amateur (11/4/16); National   
   Geographic Channel Ham Radio Guide Supports Before MARS Prequel (11/2/16);   
   ARES/RACES Supports Office of Emergency Management during Presidential Debate   
   (10/27/16); Philippine Hams Team Up to Confront Back-to-Back Typhoons   
   (10/24/16)   
      
   Ecuador Radio Club Recognizes ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager, Ham Aid --   
   ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, was recognized by the   
   Guayaquil Radio Club (GRC) of Ecuador for coordinating the work of the ARRL   
   and of several other radio amateurs to provide Ham Aid equipment to Ecuador   
   this past spring, following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in April. Read the   
   full report here.   
      
      
      
   Learn to Use Your Repeater's Autopatch   
      
   On Monday, May 23, 2016 Amador (California) Amateur Radio Club President Paul   
   Keeton, KI6LZC, was on deployment with the Red Cross in Calaveras county for   
   the Butte Fire Recovery when he came across a woman lying on the roadway.   
   There was no cell signal there, so he used the autopatch available on the   
   Amador repeater to call 911. This was an excellent example of autopatch use.   
   Keeton would have had to drive to the nearest town (West Point) to use a phone   
   there. As he noted, "Autopatch is very handy up here in the mountains." The   
   woman recovered. - ARRL Sacramento Valley Section ARES News   
      
   Radio amateurs in the US enjoy a great privilege -- the ability to   
   interconnect their stations and repeaters with the public telephone system.   
   The wisdom of the federal government in permitting, and even in defending,   
   this freedom has been demonstrated time and again. There is no way to   
   calculate the value of the lives and property that have been saved by the   
   intelligent use of phone patch and autopatch facilities in emergency   
   situations. As with any privilege, this one can be abused, and the penalty for   
   abuse could be the loss of the privilege for all amateurs. Study the ARRL   
   Autopatch Guidelines here. -- ARRL   
      
      
      
   Ten Steps to Access Your Repeater's Autopatch   
      
   1. Ensure that the repeater is not in use. If it is, but the reason for the   
   autopatch is to report an emergency, transmit the word "break" to break into   
   the QSO. An emergency involves the immediate safety of life or protection of   
   property.   
      
   2. State that you are going to use the autopatch - "This is K1FUG, bringing up   
   the autopatch."   
      
   3. Wait a few seconds for any other station to break in with a possible   
   emergency.   
      
   4. Use your mic's DTMF keypad to transmit the repeater's autopatch access code.   
      
   5. When you hear the dial tone, push the mic's PTT button, and key in the   
   phone number of the party you are calling.   
      
   6. Take your finger off the PTT button to receive, and you should hear the   
   repeater controller confirm by voice that you're making an autopatch, followed   
   by the called party's phone ringing.   
      
   7. When the called party answers, transmit and speak normally. Immediately   
   tell the party that you're calling via a ham radio and that they are "on the   
   air" to head off any inappropriate statements.   
      
   8. Explain that the phone call is not duplex; that is, only one party can   
   speak at a time. In the event the other party states inappropriate words or   
   sentences, you can block the party's speech by simply keying your transmitter,   
   and then terminating the 'patch.   
      
   9. Keep transmissions short and the complete call as brief as possible.   
      
   10. Finish the call by saying good-bye and enter the autopatch termination   
   code provided by your repeater club. (Note: Autopatch access codes are   
   typically furnished only to repeater club members who support the repeater.   
   Hint: Join and support your local repeater clubs!). The repeater controller   
   will confirm autopatch termination. It's common courtesy to then thank the   
   repeater sponsor for the use of the autopatch.   
      
   Remember!   
      
   When you use the autopatch, everything you and the called party say is   
   transmitted over the air for anybody with a scanner or live stream Internet   
   connection to hear. User discretion is advised! Also, the autopatch is for   
   short communications, not lengthy, breezy chats - three minutes max! Some   
   controllers will remind you when you have thirty seconds left. The autopatch   
   is usually restricted to local calls only.   
      
      
      
   Notes from California Wildfire Responses; Lessons Learned   
      
   California, and the west in general, has suffered wildfires of epic   
   proportions. Recently, a few ARES and other amateur responders wrote about   
   their experiences and lessons learned.   
      
   Lou Arbanas, NJ6H, District EC for Monterey County, California, reported that   
   this past summer's Chimney and Sobranes fires posed challenges for the amateur   
   community. For many operators and CERT teams who had not drilled previously   
   with Monterey County ARES prior to the fires, county ARES protocols and   
   processes in the first weeks of the fires were confusing. The fires affected   
   only sparsely populated areas, and existing, normal communications   
   infrastructure remained intact, thus significant ARES assistance was not   
   indicated. Amateurs did not self-activate or self-deploy, which was a   
   positive, and critically important for any incident, but more training during   
   controlled exercises and communications operations for public events is   
   clearly indicated for the future.   
      
   In Monterey county, its sheer size challenges the communications structure   
   within the ARES organization. ECs were able to text (short message service --   
   SMS) each other where VHF/UHF links were not possible. In the first hours of   
   the fires, ECs texted photos and messages to the EOC, which proved valuable   
   there as reports from "eyes on the ground." ECs maintained communication with   
   their operational areas (OA) and provided their ARES volunteers with   
   information as needed. Lesson learned: The use of the most efficient and   
   effective mode/service of communications is always indicated, regardless of   
   whether it is the amateur service or not, including social media! Other   
   efficient systems can and should be employed whenever possible; for example,   
   Web EOC was fully active and functioned well on keeping radio traffic down. As   
   the hours turned into days, days to weeks, and weeks to months, Web EOC   
   allowed operators to stay connected, contributing from their offices and homes   
   without having to spend hours physically at the EOC.   
      
   Liaison was quickly forged with San Luis Obispo County and Salinas Valley   
   repeater owners in the first days of the Sobranes Fire. Mutual aid   
   arrangements were made with the Santa Clara OA through Brandon Bianchi, NI6C,   
   Section Manager, and Section Emergency Coordinator Larry Carr, KE6AGJ; thus,   
   Monterey County ARES was in an elevated state of readiness and prepared to   
   function, with support available.   
      
      
      
   Butte Wildfire 2015   
      
   The Butte Fire raged southeast of Sacramento, California, in the Stanislaus   
   National Forest region last year. Amador County ARES supported the Red Cross   
   shelter with radio communications for 102 hours in September, 2015. Daniel L.   
   Edwards, KJ6WYW, Amador County EC, reported that three operators deployed to   
   the shelter on short notice, and set up a station from a go-box and a 2-meter   
   band antenna. Shelter staffers provided chairs, table and extension cords for   
   the operation. ARES ops erected a pop-up tent over the table. A net was   
   announced, and ARES members checked in. An NCS rotation and roster was   
   announced, with shifts limited so that operators would not become fatigued.   
   Each shift consisted of two operators: One manned net control and the other   
   provided liaison with the shelter personnel. Handi-talkies were used for   
   communication between these individuals. Operators also monitored a Cal Fire   
   channel. ARES set up a communications trailer with a third mobile unit/station   
   and alternative power sources. Yolo County ARES volunteered support as did   
   Sacramento ARES, for well-received mutual aid.   
      
   No official messages were sent or received but ARES net operators did   
   disseminate situation reports and observations on the location and movement of   
   the fire, the closure of roads and the areas being evacuated, which proved   
   valuable to agencies struggling with coordination. With the ARES station's   
   prominence in the shelter's parking lot, ARES operators found themselves   
   becoming the first point of contact for evacuees coming to the shelter. To   
   insure that the repeater was kept clear for network traffic, it was announced   
   each hour that the repeater was under net control for traffic   
   limited to fire-related messages and reports. Cooperation of regular repeater   
   users was outstanding. A positive outcome was that the repeater manager will   
   program the repeater to include automated statements for use in future   
   incidents.   
      
      
      
   Los Angeles   
      
   ARRL Los Angeles (LAX) Section Manager Diana Feinberg, AI6DF, reported that   
   Los Angeles County (which with 10.2 million residents comprises the entire   
   ARRL LAX Section) Amateur Radio operators were not activated during any   
   large-scale fires or disasters to-date in 2016. There was, however, a   
   CERT-like Amateur Radio group in a mountain community that did an outstanding   
   job of undertaking their own radio operations for two days during a 400-acre   
   brush fire in June caused by a car accident, with the disaster Amateur Radio   
   group at a nearby Sheriff's Station also activated for about a day.   
      
   ARES in Los Angeles County is largely committed to providing back-up   
   communication for hospitals during major disasters (the amateur service is   
   seventh of the eight protocols for disaster response communication with the   
   County health services department.) Many LAX ARES members participate in the   
   annual Statewide Healthcare Exercise testing hospital operations and   
   communications in disaster situations. [This year's exercise will be held   
   tomorrow, November 17].   
      
   On the RACES front, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has a large   
   group of disaster communications-prepared Amateur Radio operators as Sheriff's   
   Volunteers across 23 Sheriff's Stations that have fully-equipped Amateur Radio   
   rooms, radios and antennas on the Station towers (Feinberg serves as the   
   countywide training chief for this organization). Five of these stations also   
   have specialized volunteer mountain search and rescue teams to find lost or   
   injured hikers and motorists -- and Amateur Radio operators at those Sheriff's   
   Stations have often been called up to provide   
   auxiliary communication in back country areas. Additionally, almost half the   
   County's 88 incorporated cities including the City of Los Angeles have their   
   own disaster Amateur Radio group. ARRL Southwestern Division Vice Director   
   Marty Woll, N6VI, also serves as Training Officer for the City of Los Angeles'   
   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) radio organization.   
      
   Volunteer radio groups were not activated for the 41,400-acre Sand Fire that   
   raged in north L.A. County for over a week during July 22-31, 2016. A stated   
   reason for not using any volunteers then was safety concerns following   
   shootings of police officers in Dallas, Texas, and elsewhere during the   
   previous weeks. Additionally there were no significant disruptions to normal   
   communication systems. Unlike some other areas in the United States, all fire   
   departments in Los Angeles County are completely staffed with 24/7 full-time   
   professionals (plus some low-risk inmate wildfire teams). Only two small   
   communities rely on volunteer firefighters for fire-suppression assistance   
   while leaving paramedic services to full-time professionals.   
      
   For the most part, the volunteer disaster Amateur Radio organizations in Los   
   Angeles County train regularly, heavily focused on a major earthquake   
   scenario. I expect all these disaster Amateur Radio groups will be fully   
   involved then. - Diana Feinberg, AI6DF, ARRL Los Angeles Section Manager   
      
      
      
   SKYWARN Recognition Day Webinar   
      
   The 18th SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) will be held December 3, 2016 from   
   0000UTC to 2400UTC. SKYWARNTM Recognition Day was developed in 1999 by the   
   National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates   
   the contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to the NWS mission, the   
   protection of life and property. Amateur radio operators comprise a large   
   percentage of the SKYWARN volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio   
   operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency   
   management if normal communications become inoperative. During the SKYWARN   
   Special Event operators will visit NWS offices and contact other radio   
   operators across the world.   
      
   This year, in the week before SRD 2016, there will be a webinar that covers   
   the basics of the event, how to participate, and a few changes that are in   
   store for 2016. The webinar will be November 29 at 8pm ET. Registration for   
   the webinar can be found here. As with all ARRL webinars it will be recorded   
   and posted to the ARRL YouTube channel afterward.   
      
      
      
   Popular TV Show HamRadioNow Adds "EmComm Extra"   
      
   The popular TV show/YouTube show/Podcast HamRadioNow is adding presentations   
   on emergency and disaster response communications subjects. HamRadioNow is an   
   online television show, webcast, podcast, and a YouTube show for and about   
   Amateur Radio. The host is Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, a radio amateur and broadcaster   
   for 50 years. The show is recorded, not live, and there's no set schedule.   
   Viewers can watch the show at any time on the Episode Pages on its website, or   
   on its YouTube Channel. Or listeners can download just the audio and listen on   
   their phones with the RSS feed. The format is primarily a talk show with a   
   pair of hosts and a series of guests. Co-host is David Goldenberg, W0DHG, an   
   Emergency Coordinator. (Pearce has an ARES/PIO background).   
      
   Goldenberg and Pearce have announced that they are planning to produce a show   
   whenever an incident occurs that warrants discussion of lessons learned. "The   
   goal is to provide an interesting, entertaining and useful look at   
   emergency/disaster response activity in the context of Amateur Radio," said   
   Pearce. "We do in-depth shows (usually an hour or more), and can go way beyond   
   a cursory summary of an event or drill," he said. Spurring this new aspect of   
   the show was Hurricane Matthew. "We did an off-the-cuff show as HamRadioNow   
   Episode 270, then a more formal show (Episode 274) featuring Emergency   
   Coordinators from Florida and South Carolina in the storm's aftermath," Pearce   
   said. There have been emergency/disaster response themed shows before,   
   collected and published on an "EmComm Playlist" on the YouTube Channel. --   
   Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, Cary, North Carolina, HamRadioNow   
      
      
      
   Profiles in ARES: Meet Bob Turner, W6RHK, ARRL Orange Section Emergency   
   Coordinator   
      
   Bob Turner, W6RHK, is the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) for the ARRL   
   Orange Section [The Orange Section is part of the ARRL Southwestern Division,   
   and is made up of four counties: Inyo County, Orange County, Riverside County,   
   and San Bernardino County, in California. Carl Gardenias, WU6D, has served as   
   Section Manager since 2003, with the section continuing to grow with 40 clubs   
   now active.] Turner first served as a local Emergency Coordinator, then as   
   District Emergency Coordinator overseeing activities in Riverside County. As   
   part-time faculty with Moreno Valley College in the Public Safety Education   
   and Training department he has taught courses in Introduction to Homeland   
   Security; Preparedness for Emergencies, Disasters and Homeland Security   
   Incidents; and Recovery in Emergencies, Disasters and Homeland Security   
   Incidents. As one of the Subject Matter Experts, Turner helped write the   
   curriculum for all six Homeland Security courses that Moreno Valley College   
   offered.   
      
   Turner earned a B.S. degree from Rochester Institute of Technology with   
   concentrations in Disaster and Emergency Management, and Technical   
   Communications. He is a certified Emergency Management Specialist through the   
   National Association of Safety Professionals. Through the American Board for   
   Certification in Homeland Security, Turner is a Certified National Threat   
   Analyst, a Certified Intelligence Analyst, and holds a Level IV certification   
   in Homeland Security. He serves as a Terrorism Liaison Officer for the Joint   
   Regional Intelligence Center and is a member of the Los Angeles section of   
   Infragard, which is a partnership with the public and private sectors and the   
   FBI for critical infrastructure protection. With Infragard, he is involved in   
   the Electromagnetic Pulse and Government Facilities Special Interest Groups.   
   Turner is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, the   
   Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (an ARRL partner   
   organization), and the Southern California Earthquake Alliance. His regular   
   job is as the Director of Risk Management for the Alvord Unified School   
   District. - ARRL Sacramento Valley   
   Section News   
      
      
      
   ARES Members: Become a PIO   
      
   Assume a dual role in emergency/disaster response theaters of operation -   
   become an ARRL Public Information Officer (PIO) for your ARES group. It's a   
   natural fit. ARRL Public Information Officers (PIOs) are appointed by their   
   Section Manager and report to their ARRL section Public Information   
   Coordinator (PIC). Training for PIOs is typically provided regularly on a   
   sectional or regional basis by the PIC and/or other qualified people.   
      
   One of the most important responsibilities of the PIO is to serve as a liaison   
   between the media and the ARES Emergency Coordinators involved in an   
   emergency/disaster response where Amateur Radio is playing an active, critical   
   role. Other responsibilities include:   
      
   ú Establishes and maintains a list of media contacts in the local area;   
   strives to establish and maintain personal contacts with appropriate   
   representatives of those media (e.g., editors, news directors, science   
   reporters, etc.).   
      
   ú Becomes a contact for the local media and assures that editors/reporters who   
   need information about Amateur Radio know where to find it.   
      
   ú Works with Local Government Liaisons to establish personal contacts with   
   local government officials where possible and explain to them, briefly and   
   non-technically, about Amateur Radio and how it can help their communities.   
      
   ú Maintains contact with the Emergency Coordinator and/or District Emergency   
   Coordinator. Helps prepare an emergency response PR kit.   
      
   ú Keeps the section PIC fully informed on activities and places PIC on news   
   release mailing list.   
      
   Public Information Officer Training Course PR-101   
      
   The PIO course provides an overview of public relations. Experts in various   
   aspects of public relations provide Public Information Officers with basic   
   skills. PR-101 covers drafting a basic news release to website and video   
   development/production. The materials can also be used as a handbook. Special   
   sections cover emergency communications and the media - what Amateur Radio   
   wants the world to know and how to position it for best results. ARES members   
   can download a copy of the course here. Upon completion, contact the   
   Continuing Education Program at cep@arrl.org to request the URL and password   
   you'll need to take the online final exam.   
      
      
      
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   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
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   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
   Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it   
   wrong...   
   ... Vioxx pulled from the market; clinical trials show it may contain carbs.   
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