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   http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2017-01-18   
      
   The ARES E-Letter   
      
   January 18, 2017   
   Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE   
      
   In This Issue:   
      
    *  Western Pennsylvania Group to Participate in Winter Field Day   
    *  Oregon ARES/RACES: New On-Line Training Programs   
    *  DMR Growing in Ohio   
    *  Two-Meter Simplex Net Standard Protocol in Vermont   
    *  Spotlight: Virginia Section ARES --Cooperation/Coordination Key to   
       Success   
    *  Letters: Noise in the EOC   
    *  Letters: Clark County, Washington ARES Protocols; EYEWARN Program   
    *  K1CE For a Final   
      
      
   ARES Briefs, Links   
      
   Ohio ARES Adds 6 Meters to its VHF Simplex Contest (1/13/17); ht   
   p://www.arrl.org/news/ohio-ares-adds-6-meters-to-its-vhf-simplex-contest   
      
   Nevada ARES Standing Down as Flood Threat Abates (1/11/17); http   
   //www.arrl.org/news/nevada-ares-standing-down-as-flood-threat-abates   
      
   FEMA Region 10 to Conduct Monthly Interoperability Communications Exercises   
   during 2017 (1/3/2017); http://www.arrl.org/news/fema-region-10-   
   o-conduct-monthly-interoperability-communications-exercises-during-2017   
      
   Philippines' Ham Emergency Radio Operations Net Activates for Super Typhoon   
   (12/28/16); http://www.arrl.org/news/philippines-ham-emergency-r   
   dio-operations-net-activates-for-super-typhoon   
      
   FEMA Interoperability Exercise Deemed a Success (12/23/16); http   
   //www.arrl.org/news/fema-interoperability-exercise-deemed-a-success   
      
   Hawaii Amateur Radio Volunteers Assist Honolulu Marathon (12/19/16)   
   http://www.arrl.org/news/hawaii-amateur-radio-volunteers-assist-   
   onolulu-marathon   
      
      
   Just Ahead: Winter Field Day   
      
   Field Day is not just for summertime anymore. Winter Field Day, sponsored by   
   the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA) http://www.winterfieldday.com/ , will   
   take place over the January 28-29 weekend, and it can be a good time to prep   
   for ARRL Field Day in June. The annual event's stated purpose is to encourage   
   emergency operating preparedness in the winter, but it's also an excuse to get   
   out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. According to the WFDA, getting   
   ready for emergency communication in a winter environment is just as important   
   as the preparations and practice that take place each June during ARRL Field   
   Day. Maintaining operating skills should not be limited to fair-weather   
   scenarios.   
      
   The event, which got its start in 2007, is not restricted to North America.   
   All Amateur Radio operators around the world are invited to participate, and   
   there are three entry categories -- indoor, outdoor, and home. The rules are   
   similar to those for ARRL Field Day. The WFDA encourages both group and solo   
   operation. -- ARRL News   
      
   See below for the Winter Field Day plans of the Cumberland Valley Amateur   
   Radio Club of Pennsylvania.   
      
      
   New Year's Resolution for ARES members: Take the ARRL Emergency Communications   
   Training Courses   
      
   The ARRL Intro to Emergency Communication course is designed to provide basic   
   knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer. The course has   
   6 sections with 29 lesson topics. It includes required student activities   
   (mentor-assisted and evaluated), a 35-question final assessment and takes   
   approximately 45 hours to complete over a 9-week period. Students have access   
   to the course platform at any time of day during this 9-week period.   
      
   The ARRL Public Service and Emergency Communications Management course trains   
   ARES and other operators who will be in leadership and managerial roles   
   organizing other volunteers to support public service activities and   
   communications emergencies. Topics include: preparing and organizing to   
   support local community events; working with governmental and other emergency   
   response organizations; and deploying services to provide communications when   
   needed in an emergency or disaster response.   
      
   Find more information for both courses, including registration, here   
   http://www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog . I made two New Year's Resolutions   
   for myself for 2017: first, to become more active   
   in my home (Volusia County, Florida) ARES program; and second, to take both of   
   these on-line ARRL training courses and report on my experiences. -- K1CE   
      
      
   Western Pennsylvania Group to Participate in Winter Field Day   
      
   The Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) of Chambersburg,   
   Pennsylvania, will be participating in Winter Field Day https://   
   ww.winterfieldday.com/ on January 28-29. Radio amateurs have been setting up   
   their stations in the great outdoors every June for ARRL Field Day for   
   decades; Winter Field Day is a new twist on an old idea. Emergencies and   
   disaster responses are not limited to the   
   other seasons. CVARC President Ray Smith, N3TWU, reports that following last   
   year's successful Winter Field Day, the members are ready to make this year's   
   event the best one yet. The public is invited, along with visiting operators   
   ready for possible cold and winter conditions. For more information, visit the   
   CVARC http://w3ach.org/ webpage.   
      
      
   Oregon ARES/RACES: New On-Line Training Programs   
      
   Oregon ARES/RACES has launched new on-line training programs for Amateur Radio   
   operators, which have been very well received, according to John Core, KX7YT,   
   ARRL Oregon Section Manager. The Oregon training is conducted in three parts.   
   This is in addition to the required completion of the ICS 100, 200 and 700   
   courses and a required background check. Participants register on line at the   
   OregonARESRACES.org website http://oregonaresraces.org/ before they start   
   their training. The elements are:   
      
   1. Completion of an on-line Amateur Radio Operator (ARO) knowledge-based   
   course done in Microsoft(R) Sway https://sway.com/ . Sway is a highly visual   
   environment; many Internet-linked videos and photos of Oregon ARES members in   
   action make the course interesting. It includes six modules, two multiple   
   choice exams and a final exam. The course also includes materials on the use   
   of the Winlink http://www.winlink.org/ system, critical frequency plans, ARES   
   fundamentals, Oregon Emergency Management, participation in Nets, antenna   
   systems and many other topics. Currently, 200 participants are taking the   
   training and there are 54 ARO element 1 graduates. It takes new ARES   
   volunteers about 20 hours of study to complete element 1. Experienced   
   volunteers can complete it in one day. This is an innovative approach to   
   training as it is self-paced and can be done from home. Significantly, changes   
   to the training materials can be done on-line and "on the fly" by the Training   
   Administrator at no cost. Changes are instantly available to all trainees the   
   next time they log into the system. Administrators use PollDaddy web based   
   software for construction of the exams and can easily track student progress   
   as well as scores.   
      
   2. An 8-week proctored class in the Oregon ARES Digital Network (OADN) Forms   
   is conducted on-line using email and Winlink Express. This course teaches   
   operators how to properly fill out and use various ICS forms htt   
   s://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/icsresource/icsforms.htm as well as   
   Oregon-specific forms for Disaster Declarations, Situation Reports, Requests   
   for Assistance and unit Activation/Deactivation reports that are set   
   statewide. Close to 100 people have now completed this course, which is   
   offered twice yearly and is very popular! The Oregon ARES Digital Network   
   http://www.oadn.us/ is a statewide Amateur Radio system designed for emergency   
   and disaster response communications.   
      
   3. Completion of a Task List that is signed by the County EC certifying that   
   the participant has programmed their radios to local communications frequency   
   plans, is personally prepared for deployment, has various on-the-air skills   
   and has participated as an operator in an Oregon Simulated Emergency Test.   
      
   Topics included in the courses are discussed on ARES Nets and at meetings on   
   an on-going basis. The entire three-part training program was launched in late   
   July 2016 and now involves volunteers in 20 counties and 200 trainers. This   
   month, Oregon leadership is presenting Basic Amateur Radio Operator   
   Certificates to the first 10 members that have completed all of the required   
   training. - Oregon Section News   
      
      
   DMR Growing in Ohio   
      
   Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) technology and activity in Ohio has witnessed an   
   upsurge recently. Fueling the activity is a wide selection of hand-held and   
   mobile radios available on the market today, with prices of DMR radios within   
   range of the budgets of most radio amateurs. As with any new technology and   
   new radios, Ohio amateurs are asking many questions to help them climb the   
   learning curve. "DMR-101" classes are popping up across the state, thanks to   
   eager, experienced operators conducting these classes, hoping for even more   
   activity and development. New operators are taking advantage of their   
   experience. Ohio DMR operators point to several useful resources to help get   
   amateurs new to the mode/network started:   
      
   DMR-MARC website http://www.dmr-marc.net/   
      
   K4USD website http://www.k4usd.org/   
      
   Amateur Radio Guide to DMR http://www.dmr-marc.net/media/Amateur   
   Radio_Guide_to_DMR_Rev_I_20150510.pdf   
      
   Digitally Speaking (a great guide to DMR) http://arrl-ohio.org/d   
   gital/Digitally%20Speaking.pdf   
      
   DMR Best Practice Guide http://www.dmr-marc.net/media/DMR_MARC_B   
   st_Practice_Guide_Rev_BB.pdf   
      
   Amateur Radio Digital Hotspot Comparison http://arrl-ohio.org/di   
   ital/Amateur%20Radio%20Digital%20Hotspot%20Comparison.pdf   
      
      
   Tips   
      
   In Ohio, operators are purchasing radios such as the Tytera MD-380 or 390   
   hand-held product -- they are the same radio except that the 390 has GPS   
   capability. [There is a Facebook Tytera MD-380 users group on Facebook: click   
   here https://www.facebook.com/groups/992967007380548/ .] The radios will work   
   right out of the box, but for best performance it is advised to update the   
   radio with the latest programming and firmware available. The latest updates   
   can be found here http://www.va3xpr.net/programming-software-firmware/ .   
      
   Operators must also register and obtain a Motorola Amateur Radio Club MARC ID   
   https://www.dmr-marc.net/cgi-bin/trbo-database/register.cgi before accessing   
   and using a DMR repeater. It can easily be obtained free of charge through the   
   DMR-MARC website. Registrants are advised to read all of the information that   
   is contained on this website before registering.   
      
   Readers can hear worldwide DMR communications here https://hose.   
   randmeister.network%20/ . [From its website, Hose line is an online streaming   
   platform for the DMR Brandmeister network. The project is still under   
   development and when I checked it out, it ran a little roughly, but it works   
   and readers can get a taste of DMR audio and activity -- ed.] Also, listen to   
   past transmissions on the Ohio Statewide Talkgroup here http://h   
   se.brandmeister.network/3139/archive/ . Just select a date that you wish to   
   listen to. You can also view activity from the K4USD C-Bridge here   
   http://cbridge.k4usd.org:42420/MinimalNetwatchBody .   
      
   After acquiring the ID, new operators will need to program their new radios --   
   a "codeplug" is a solution. For a description of a codeplug, click here   
   http://arrl-ohio.org/digital/codeplug.html . There are many codeplugs out   
   there. For Ohio, a codeplug contains all of the DMR Ohio users and repeaters,   
   written by Andy Crowl, K4AWC. The operator's DMR ID must be added to this   
   codeplug.   
      
   What if there's no local DMR repeater available? You are not left out: there's   
   a solution called an openSpot(C) https://www.sharkrf.com/products/openspot/   
   from Shark RF. Click http://arrl-ohio.org/digital/shark.html here for   
   information on how to get it up and running quickly and easily. To make an   
   openSPOT(C) completely portable, click here http://arrl-ohio.org   
   digital/wireless-shark.html . It's a way to access DMR, System Fusion and   
   D-STAR networks without having to purchase a repeater. DMR is another tool for   
   the ARES/RACES toolbox! - Ohio Section News; Ohio Section Manager Scott   
   Yonally, N8SY n8sy@n8sy.com   
      
      
   Two-Meter Simplex Net Standard Protocol in Vermont   
      
   Vermont Section Manager Paul Gayet, AA1SU, has announced a 2 Meter Vermont   
   Simplex Frequency to be used as a central gathering point for potential   
   emergency/disaster response situations -- 146.490 MHz. The Central Vermont   
   Amateur Radio Club https://w1bd.com/ has been using this frequency to meet on   
   after their Sunday evening net on the local repeater. They have had great   
   success with it. The value of having a standard simplex frequency is to have a   
   place to go to in the event that local repeaters are off the air during an   
   emergency or disaster response. Vermont radio amateurs are being asked to   
   program the frequency into all 2-meter radios and use it/test it regularly   
   with another operator within range. Operators are also asked to program the   
   frequency into their radio's priority watch function if available. - Vermont   
   Section News   
      
      
   Spotlight: Virginia Section ARES --Cooperation/Coordination Key to Success   
      
   Virginia Section ARES and other groups have seen advances and successes this   
   past year. Learning from and building on the past, a goal for 2017 is to   
   elevate cooperation and coordination among ARES groups, other amateur public   
   service communications groups, and relevant local and state agencies. All   
   entities have rules and requirements for training and other components of a   
   successful program, and it's imperative that all members play by those rules.   
   Knowing and understanding the National Incident Management System   
   https://www.fema.gov/national-incident-management-system (NIMS) and the   
   sections and functions of the Incident Command System https://ww   
   .fema.gov/incident-command-system-resources (ICS) is essential to any   
   successful program. All groups and individuals need to take this training if   
   interoperability across the various disciplines and jurisdictions can be   
   realized during any incident, large or small. Groups should be cross-trained   
   in, or at least familiar with the Department of Homeland Security's AUXCOMM   
   protocols for working under that umbrella of numerous entities when the need   
   arises.   
      
   As another example of the importance of cooperation/coordination, technology   
   is an integral part of communications advances, usually adopted by some   
   groups, but only through cooperation by all stakeholders can the advances be   
   learned and subsequently used to their fullest extent by everyone everywhere.   
   Funding for these new technologies is also an important need that can be   
   addressed through cooperation/coordination with the agencies that can fund   
   them.   
      
   _____   
      
      
   Virginia Section Manager Dr. Joe Palsa, K3WRY, has been requested to be part   
   of the Virginia Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee h   
   tps://pshs.virginia.gov/homeland-security/interoperability/ , representing the   
   state's Amateur Radio community. This committee is to provide recommendations   
   to the State Wide Interoperability Committee to determine priorities related   
   to Public Safety interoperable communications in Virginia and surrounding   
   states. In addition, Palsa was selected to be a member of Radio    
   nteroperability Best Practices Working Group http://www.npstc.or   
   /radioInteropBP.jsp , which is part of the National Public Safety   
   Telecommunications Council, an ARRL national level partner.   
      
   ______   
      
      
   SKYWARN plays a critical role in all types of severe weather emergencies and   
   disaster responses. It is important to note that NWS' technical abilities to   
   forecast weather -- use of radar, satellites, etc. -- has improved our warning   
   and reporting, but no technology can beat a report from a live observer on the   
   ground. Thus, SKYWARN trained Amateur Radio operators/observers are extremely   
   valuable to NWS forecast offices and ARES emergency coordinators. Last month's   
   national SKYWARN Recognition Day was a great success, with Virginia NOAA NWS   
   offices participating.   
      
   Steve Crow, KG4PEQ, was named SKYWARN Coordinator for the NOAA NWS Wakefield   
   office in 2008 and developed the Wakefield program covering numerous counties   
   in central and southeast Virginia and North Carolina. Crow is retiring, and is   
   credited with developing one of the most comprehensive and successful programs   
   in the country. Crow is also credited with partnering the SKYWARN program with   
   ARES programs around the state. - Virginia Section News   
      
      
   Letters: Noise in the EOC   
      
   I'm in Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas valley), and a member of ARES and Air   
   Force MARS. The issue of noise in the EOC came to light for us in 2014 when   
   four MARS operators including myself were invited to Nye county, Nevada, to   
   participate in a statewide, multi-agency earthquake disaster drill. The first   
   problem was the RF noise created by all of the public safety radio systems'   
   antennas mounted on the roof of the EOC within a few feet of the two HF   
   antennas, making it impossible to hear any incoming HF signal less than 20 dB   
   over S9. It rendered impossible communications from Pahrump to the Carson City   
   area. The solution was to use VHF Winlink packet peer-to-peer and VHF voice   
   from the EOC to the training center two miles away. The center operators would   
   then take the traffic and relay it on HF to Carson City. Traffic followed the   
   reverse path, of course, back to the EOC.   
      
   Expediting written traffic handling was accomplished using thumb drives. We   
   provided ICS-213 and Radiogram templates on a thumb drive to the ICS scribe,   
   who filled in the blanks and brought the thumb drive from the EOC command room   
   to the EOC radio room. We simply copied and pasted messages from the thumb   
   drive to Winlink for packet transmission to the training center site. It was   
   received via VHF then copied and pasted to their thumb drive. The VHF operator   
   handed the thumb drive to the HF operator where it was copied and pasted into   
   Winlink for PACTOR HF relay on a MARS or state authorized frequency. When the   
   PACTOR link failed, they switched to HF WINMOR.   
      
   Having had the above experience in 2014 has proved valuable as we have since   
   deployed for numerous exercises and actual events where we have had the same   
   RF noise problem at all of the half dozen EOCs in our area. For in-house   
   ambient noise, we have opted for headsets on each radio.   
      
   Our Multiple Agency Coordination Center (MACC) is currently located in a high   
   electrical noise environment and is treated the same. We do have, however, an   
   Incident Command Post vehicle that is parked outside the MACC in the parking   
   lot that can be used for packet, voice, and sound card digital modes. This is   
   a former fire department command post and has five operator positions built in.   
      
   On another point, advance-of-incident coordination with agencies is critically   
   important: We have about a dozen organizations that now work together and know   
   what ARES/RACES/MARS can do. MARS and ARES work hand in hand in our state.   
   Also, we have about a dozen operators with deployable go-boxes that include   
   VHF/UHF/HF capability for voice, packet, and sound card modes. We are   
   currently training on Winlink modes to allow faster/easier interface with the   
   National Traffic System, after experience in Cascadia Rising htt   
   s://www.fema.gov/cascadia-rising-2016 2016. - Jim Bassett, W1RO, ARRL Nevada   
   Section Traffic Manager   
      
      
   Letters: Clark County, Washington ARES Protocols; EYEWARN Program   
      
   In our county (Clark County, Vancouver, Washington) ARES operators are   
   deployed on command by the county's emergency management agency (Clark   
   Regional Emergency Agency) to various locations in support of first responders   
   and entities such as hospitals, and the Red Cross. We have about 1700 hams in   
   Clark County and approximately 100 members in ARES. In a disaster, our   
   EYEWARN(R) visual situation reporting program, sponsored in the county by the   
   Clark County Amateur Radio Club, operators collect damage and injury   
   information from any ham radio operator in the county. We have multiple modes   
   (digital and voice) that are used for reporting. EYEWARN program members   
   self-activate at the start of a disaster with reports going to the EMA office.   
   The primary mission and objective is for the EYEWARN operator to "report what   
   we see from where we are." There is no deployment, per se.   
      
   EYEWARN and ARES work cooperatively, communicating damage and injury   
   assessments from EYEWARN to the regional EMA. ARES has a team and radio room   
   instantiated in the EOC - "Team 9." We contact the ARES NCS and request   
   communications with Team 9. While ARES supports the first responders and   
   institutions, EYEWARN is responsible for data collection and reporting.   
      
   See the EYEWARN http://www.eyewarn.net/ website for more information. EYEWARN   
   addresses the issues mentioned above in a unique and direct way. -- John   
   Gaynor, NO7DE, Vancouver, Washington   
      
      
   K1CE For a Final   
      
   I plan to attend the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention in Orlando,   
   Florida, Hamcation(R) 2017, on Saturday, February 11, and would enjoy meeting   
   readers. Hope to see you there! -- Editor, Rick Palm, K1CE, Daytona Beach,   
   Florida   
      
   _____________   
      
      
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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...   
   ... All I ask of life is a constant exaggerated sense of my own importance.   
   ---   
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