From w3sj at ptd.net  Sun Aug  8 13:16:53 2004
From: w3sj at ptd.net (Dave Haney)
Date: Sun Aug  8 14:45:23 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] For AOL customers only !
Message-ID: <010901c47d6b$80349980$eb4dee18@daveshack>

REMINDER:

(1) If your ISP is AOL, do NOT not  use the "spam" button as a delete
button.

(2) If your ISP in AOL, to unsubscribe, please contact me and I will remove
you from the list (so we don't get blacklisted by AOL which will cause all
kinds of garbage to happen).

Thanks for your cooperation.

Dave Haney
W3SJ
List Administrator


From BillLennox at aol.com  Wed Aug 11 22:15:05 2004
From: BillLennox at aol.com (BillLennox@aol.com)
Date: Wed Aug 11 22:22:05 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Hurricane Watch Net,
	WX4NHC Activate for Hurricane Charley
Message-ID: <1f1.2778a4d7.2e4c2ca9@aol.com>

Hurricane Watch Net, WX4NHC Activate for Hurricane Charley 

NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 11, 2004--The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN)  
<http://www.hwn.org/>  activated on 14.325 MHz at 1800 UTC today to track the fast-moving 
Hurricane Charley. Forecasters and emergency management officials also are keeping 
a close eye on Tropical Storm Bonnie--now in the Gulf of Mexico--which 
threatens the Florida Panhandle and northwestern Florida. Hurricane Charley--now a 
Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 75 MPH with higher gusts--is 
forecast to brush by the western edge of Jamaica later today. 

"We plan to be quite active perhaps through the weekend as Charley has now 
been declared a Category 1," said HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP. The HWN also 
requested the Maritime Mobile Service Net <http://www.mmsn.org> to relay 
information of the activation to affected areas and to notify potential reporting 
stations in the storm's path to stay tuned to the HWN. 

Pilgrim requested that all other stations eager to assist remain silent on 
the sidelines until requested to transmit. The net already has gathered 
ground-level weather data from at least one amateur station in Jamaica for relay to 
WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.org>, the Amateur Radio station at the National 
Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. The net was seeking stations in Cuba to check into 
the net. 

WX4NHC activated operations today at 1800 UTC in concert with the HWN. 
Amateur Radio Coordinator John McHugh, K4AG, said the operation was expected to 
continue through August 13, as the Charley approaches US. 

During hurricane emergencies trained HWN members provide essential 
communication support to WX4NHC, which disseminates storm updates via the net. The HWN 
also collects observed or measured weather data and post-storm damage reports 
via Amateur Radio in the affected areas and relays that information to 
forecasters via WX4NHC. The ground-level weather data assists NHC forecasters in 
predicting a storm's path and behavior. 

ARRL Southern Florida Assistant Section Manager Evelyn Gauzens, W4WYR, said 
the Key West Emergency Operations Center (EOC) already has opened, and the 
Miami-Dade EOC plans to activate August 12 at 0930 UTC. According to Gauzens, 
authorities in the Florida Keys are asking tourists there to voluntarily evacuate. 
"All the Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams are in place and standing by 
to do their jobs," she said. "We're expecting winds and a lot of rain." 

Gauzens worried that Charley and Bonnie could end up affecting opposite ends 
of Florida at the same time. 

The American Red Cross is expected to open five special-needs shelters in the 
Miami area. The Salvation Army has announced it's preparing for both Bonnie 
and Charlie with a three-front disaster response in Florida. "All 43 Disaster 
Emergency Response Teams from Pensacola to Jacksonville to Key West have been 
placed on standby for immediate response upon the impact of the storms," said 
Kevin Smith, the Salvation Army's Florida director of emergency disaster 
services. 

As of 1800 UTC, the NHC had posted a tropical storm warning and a hurricane 
watch for Jamaica in advance of Hurricane Charlie. A hurricane warning remains 
in effect for the Cayman Islands, and a hurricane watch is in effect for parts 
of western Cuba as well as the Florida Keys from Dry Tortugas to Craig Key. 

"Additional watches will likely be required for portions of the Florida 
Peninsula later today," the NHC said. The Center cited Air Force Hurricane Hunter 
aircraft reports indicating that Charley had attained hurricane strength. 

As of 1800 UTC, Charley's center was some 90 miles south of Kingston, 
Jamaica, moving to the west-northwest at almost 18 MPH. A gradual turn to the 
northwest was expected over the next 24 hours or so. Bands of squalls with 
tropical-storm force winds are likely to affect much of Jamaica today and tonight, the 
NHC said, and forecasters anticipate further strengthening of the storm. 
Tropical-storm force winds extend up to 115 miles from the storm's center. 

Above-normal tides accompanied by large and dangerous battering waves are 
likely along the Jamaican coast today and the Cayman Islands tonight. Rainfall 
totals of up to 6 inches are likely in association with Hurricane Charley. 


////////////////////////////////////////////////// Last Item 
/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Bill Lennox
US Air Force (Retired)
Full Time College Student (Emergency Management)
KD7EFP
Assistant Emergency Coordinator - Plans (ARES), Washington County, Oregon
Assistant Radio Officer - Plans (RACES), Washington County, Oregon
From RStone1221 at aol.com  Thu Aug 12 12:46:26 2004
From: RStone1221 at aol.com (RStone1221@aol.com)
Date: Thu Aug 12 12:50:12 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] hold on email?
Message-ID: <9e.11adf9ba.2e4cf8e2@aol.com>

is there a way to temporarily put a hold on this groups email sent to my 
account until the beginning of september? thanks. rstone1221@aol.com
From dougy at ruraltel.net  Sun Aug 15 05:03:46 2004
From: dougy at ruraltel.net (Doug Younker)
Date: Sun Aug 15 05:08:14 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
Message-ID: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>

Hello;
     I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
real digital amateur network.  As it was said in another forum the ARRL in a
sense decided to back up the internet with the internet.  No I'm not saying
it's possible for an amateur radio RF network to backup the internet.  I am
saying such a network could greatly expand the capabilities of amateur radio
to serve in event of  communication emergency. Excerpts from ARRL document
follows my sig. .--73
Doug, N0LKK
dougy@ruraltel.net

From; http://winlink.org/Presentations/ares.pdf

July, 2003: In cooperation with its partnership
with Homeland Security & at their recommendation,
the ARRL Board sought to provide a Nationwide
digital system to enhance the communications
capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES) There are situations, the Board said, when
ARES "must have the capability to pass digital
traffic across the Nation quickly and accurately.

The ARRL Board adopted a resolution encouraging further development and
expansion of an inaugural network to enhance the emergency communications
capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service? (ARES) The Board's motion
encouraged the deployment of e-mail via Amateur Radio--as exemplified by
Winlink
2000--"as an additional emergency capability provided to agencies served by
ARES.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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From jerryreimer at charter.net  Sun Aug 15 06:40:56 2004
From: jerryreimer at charter.net (Jerry Reimer)
Date: Sun Aug 15 06:47:11 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
In-Reply-To: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
References: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
Message-ID: <6.1.0.6.0.20040815051458.00ba73c8@pop.charter.net>


The committee recommended, and the board endorsed, the best available 
system.  All the pieces of this system exist, they work, and the software 
is free.  All anyone needs to do is use it.  Most of the opponents have not 
used it, some have never even seen it demonstrated.  Those who have 
actually used it are overwhelmingly in favor of it.

Start simple by using Airmail for peer-to-peer communications on 2M FM, 
then add a TelPac gateway station.  Airmail also supports Pactor for HF, 
either point-to-point or to one of 44 Winlink HF stations around the world.

We are approaching three years since September 11, 2001, and we still do 
not have a system in place.  If not Winlink, what?  If not now, when?

Jerry
KK5CA



At 04:03 AM 8/15/2004, you wrote:
>Hello;
>I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
>real digital amateur network.
>Doug, N0LKK
>dougy@ruraltel.net


From gandrews at ntplx.net  Sun Aug 15 09:12:36 2004
From: gandrews at ntplx.net (George Andrews)
Date: Sun Aug 15 09:16:16 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
References: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
	<6.1.0.6.0.20040815051458.00ba73c8@pop.charter.net>
Message-ID: <007601c482c9$89188760$6501a8c0@MADHATTER>

Jerry,

Good comments! We can spend a lot of time talking about something and
accomplish nothing. Winlink is an attempt to accomplish something.. Perhaps
we should put it to the test, formally or informally and measure what it is
capable of. I plan on giving it a try. Maybe everyone should do the same.
Let's move ahead with this and see what happens!

George Andrews, RRPT
N1YAE FN31kj
WPYQ853
gandrews@ntplx.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Reimer" <jerryreimer@charter.net>
To: <ares-races@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 6:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications


>
> The committee recommended, and the board endorsed, the best available
> system.  All the pieces of this system exist, they work, and the software
> is free.  All anyone needs to do is use it.  Most of the opponents have
not
> used it, some have never even seen it demonstrated.  Those who have
> actually used it are overwhelmingly in favor of it.
>
> Start simple by using Airmail for peer-to-peer communications on 2M FM,
> then add a TelPac gateway station.  Airmail also supports Pactor for HF,
> either point-to-point or to one of 44 Winlink HF stations around the
world.
>
> We are approaching three years since September 11, 2001, and we still do
> not have a system in place.  If not Winlink, what?  If not now, when?
>
> Jerry
> KK5CA
>
>
>
> At 04:03 AM 8/15/2004, you wrote:
> >Hello;
> >I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
> >real digital amateur network.
> >Doug, N0LKK
> >dougy@ruraltel.net
>
>
> &quot;Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've
got...till it's gone.&quot; from Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) but also
true about QSL.NET if more users don't open their wallets and help
financially. Please contribute TODAY !!
> _______________________________________________
> ARES-RACES mailing list
> ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races
>


From mike at ka5cvh.com  Sun Aug 15 10:25:43 2004
From: mike at ka5cvh.com (Michael A. Urich)
Date: Sun Aug 15 10:29:29 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
In-Reply-To: <007601c482c9$89188760$6501a8c0@MADHATTER>
References: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
	<6.1.0.6.0.20040815051458.00ba73c8@pop.charter.net>
	<007601c482c9$89188760$6501a8c0@MADHATTER>
Message-ID: <56705.66.25.12.130.1092579943.squirrel@66.25.12.130>

> Jerry,
>
> Good comments! We can spend a lot of time talking about something and
> accomplish nothing. Winlink is an attempt to accomplish something..


Mike wrote

Not to heap upon the original poster but friend we have to crawl before we
can walk.  I just put together an old computer soley for AirMail.  I'll be
putting the station on the air here short (one more in S/E Harris Co
Jerry).

I see AirMail as the beginning to crawl.  IMHO its a great platform from
what I've observed. As with any platform the more users will bring forth
more and hopefully better ideas to either expand the capablities of
AirMail or to even come up with something new and better.  Compaining
about AirMail is like showing up with a HT with a half dead battery for a
ARES/RACES drill and nothing else and calling yourself prepared.

I'm sure that the folks involved in the Columbia (shuttle) recovery would
have loved to have AirMail up and running in the Lufkin / Nacogdoches
(TX)area.  If you did not have an opportunity to read the article about
the amateur radio communities involvement with the recovery I have it
posted on my web-site.  This is really a must read for anyone who is in
ARES/RACES.

http://www.ka5cvh.com/the_eyes_of_texas.htm

While I'm not quite finished with it yet but check out the pictures on my
web-site http://www.ka5cvh.com/photos in the album "Portable Station"

Mike Urich, KA5CVH
http://ka5cvh.com

Character = How you treat people who can do nothing for you in return!

From joedorn at stonemedia.com  Sun Aug 15 11:59:27 2004
From: joedorn at stonemedia.com (Joe B. Dorn)
Date: Sun Aug 15 12:03:55 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
In-Reply-To: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
Message-ID: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>

The motivation behind the ARRL's choice was availability. WinLink 2000 is a
working system far superior to the current NTS and answers several EC needs.
It is not a stopping point but rather a starting point...Improve it if you
can and we will all benefit... If there is a better system currently
available, let us know...

I have implemented it and love it. I think it is great that email can be
sent to or from a field location directly to the people that need the
information most.

BTW, I have recently been in a session that included an ARRL director (Coy
Day) and the man that wrote the articles in the past two QST's (Jerry
Reimer) and neither stated that this was a stopping point but rather an
immediate solution to some of the problems we have...

Joe Dorn, W5VEX, Belton, Texas


-----Original Message-----
From: ares-races-bounces@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ares-races-bounces@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Doug Younker
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 4:04 AM
To: HamsEF@yahoogroups.com; ares-races@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications

Hello;
     I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
real digital amateur network.  As it was said in another forum the ARRL in a
sense decided to back up the internet with the internet.  No I'm not saying
it's possible for an amateur radio RF network to backup the internet.  I am
saying such a network could greatly expand the capabilities of amateur radio
to serve in event of  communication emergency. Excerpts from ARRL document
follows my sig. .--73
Doug, N0LKK
dougy@ruraltel.net




From dougy at ruraltel.net  Sun Aug 15 18:17:30 2004
From: dougy at ruraltel.net (Doug Younker)
Date: Sun Aug 15 18:22:03 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
References: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>
Message-ID: <003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer>

Hello,

        Amateur radio is what it is and only can do what it can do.  The
trick is not to over sell the capabilities of amateur radio and amateur
radio operators with out understating what they can do. I'm not totally
against the inter connection of amateur radio and the internet.  For as long
as I have been aware of amateur radio and it's ability to serve in the event
of an emergency one of it's strong points was it's independence from other
means of communications.

    I have to feel endorsing Winlink the ARRL has overstated the
capabilities of amateur radio.  There was/is always the possibility that
amateurs couldn't fulfill their promise because of conditions out of their
control.  Planning for  traffic expected for amateurs to handle to be
transported by internet adds a level where failure can occur and the amateur
can't possibly effect.  The document I referred to shows using HF in the
event of an internet failure. I'm sorry I'm back to the first sentance in my
original post "I have to say that I'm very disappointed the ARRL chose not
aid building/designing a modern amateur radio digital network."  Endorsing a
method that will rely on what is, as far as I know, is a weak system, is
poor planning in light of some of the criteria stated for the planning.

Respectfully amateur digital communications has been in baby  steps for
years.  The passage of three years since 9/11/2001 is a moot point since
leadership by the ARRL in regards to using modern amateur digital
communications was non-existent prior to the attack on that date.

73
Doug, N0LKK
dougy@ruraltel.net


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.736 / Virus Database: 490 - Release Date: 08/09/2004

From n6vdv at tds.net  Sun Aug 15 18:35:53 2004
From: n6vdv at tds.net (Howard Coleman)
Date: Sun Aug 15 18:40:02 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
References: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>
	<003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
Message-ID: <001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>

There is another side of this issue that this thread that has not discussed.
The recommended use of WinLink was made after discussions between the ARRL
and Homeland Security.  My humble opinion is that Homeland Security wanted a
media that they could also also have access too.

Straight packet, as the system stands today, is not even a pimple on the
butt of what it once was.  I've downloaded a number of the Winlink programs
and am going to install them just to see how it works before I make up my
mind.  Bluntly, I'm in favor of any format that will bring the digital
communications back as another means of communications during an emergency.
The talks between the ARRL and Homeland Security on this issue, were not
looking at a local earthquake or tornado.   I'll bet my bottom dollar
Homeland Security wants is a system that has a greater chance of staying
online in the event of multiple terrorists activity.

Howard Coleman N6VDV

From jerryreimer at charter.net  Sun Aug 15 18:48:10 2004
From: jerryreimer at charter.net (Jerry Reimer)
Date: Sun Aug 15 18:54:19 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
In-Reply-To: <001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>
References: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>
	<003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
	<001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>
Message-ID: <6.1.0.6.0.20040815174027.01b8bd18@pop.charter.net>


Howard,

I sincerely thank you for your willingness to at least try this free system 
before forming an opinion about it.  You are among a very small 
minority.  Welcome.

Regarding your comment on being in favor of any format that will restore 
digital ECOM, I can only say:  Amen, brother!

Our ARES group started down this path in May 2002, after our emergency 
management folks said:  "Voice is fine, but if you hams want to remain 
valuable to us in the future, you must find a way to interface with our 
message systems, and send your reports from the field by e-mail."

Jerry
KK5CA


At 05:35 PM 8/15/2004, you wrote:
>I've downloaded a number of the Winlink programs
>and am going to install them just to see how it works before I make up my
>mind.  Bluntly, I'm in favor of any format that will bring the digital
>communications back as another means of communications during an emergency.
>
>Howard Coleman N6VDV


From k1ike at snet.net  Sun Aug 15 19:21:44 2004
From: k1ike at snet.net (JOE)
Date: Sun Aug 15 19:26:03 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
In-Reply-To: <003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
References: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>
Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20040815191330.0162bbb8@pop.snet.yahoo.com>

I wholeheartedly agree with Doug.  Many times, I have seen Amateur Radio 
overstated as to what we are capable of doing.  Sometimes equipment, 
sometimes manpower, sometimes propagation conditions limit our 
abilities.  I am always very clear to the served agency that "We will do 
the best we can with what we have available".  This has a lot of meanings.

I am all for using the Internet for PART of our communications 
abilities.  We must not lead the served agency to believe that we can 
always interface using email.  Our primary mode of communications is voice, 
this is what we are all capable of and do the best.  We might be able to 
supplement this with email, but not always.

We really need to be very careful as to what we commit to, or what the 
served agency THINKS that we have committed to.  Our only positive 
commitment should be voice communications.

73, Joe, k1ike

At 05:17 PM 8/15/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>         Amateur radio is what it is and only can do what it can do.  The
>trick is not to over sell the capabilities of amateur radio and amateur
>radio operators with out understating what they can do. I'm not totally
>against the inter connection of amateur radio and the internet.  For as long
>as I have been aware of amateur radio and it's ability to serve in the event
>of an emergency one of it's strong points was it's independence from other
>means of communications.


From mike at ka5cvh.com  Sun Aug 15 19:36:38 2004
From: mike at ka5cvh.com (Michael A. Urich)
Date: Sun Aug 15 19:40:24 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
In-Reply-To: <001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>
References: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>
	<003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
	<001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>
Message-ID: <1899.67.234.65.108.1092612998.squirrel@67.234.65.108>

> The talks between the ARRL and Homeland Security on this issue, were not
> looking at a local earthquake or tornado.   I'll bet my bottom dollar
> Homeland Security wants is a system that has a greater chance of staying
> online in the event of multiple terrorists activity.
>
> Howard Coleman N6VDV

Mike wrote

My take is that its a better way to transmit "sensitive" data that the
broadcast media doesn't have a simple way to monitor <such as monitoring a
repeater with a scanner>

Mike Urich, KA5CVH
http://ka5cvh.com

Character = How you treat people who can do nothing for you in return!

From n6vdv at tds.net  Sun Aug 15 20:19:05 2004
From: n6vdv at tds.net (Howard Coleman)
Date: Sun Aug 15 20:23:22 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] The scope of our mission
References: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com><003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer><001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>
	<1899.67.234.65.108.1092612998.squirrel@67.234.65.108>
Message-ID: <001301c48326$a6b98af0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>

There has to be others that can state this concept better than I, but here
goes.

All of our training to date has prepared us for the earthquakes, the floods,
the hurricanes and we do a pretty damn good job of it.  But now, the scope
of our mission to be of help during times of emergency has grown and grown
far faster than our training is.  If seven terroristst can take over four
airplanes and fly them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, what is
going to stop them from repeating the act on a larger scale?

As amateur radio operators, our job has been to assist with communications
at local shelters, ride along with other disaster workers to provide
communications, etc.  Rarely have we been involved in anything larger than
our own community, therefore our training concentrated only on providing
communications on that limited scale.  The hams that responded on September
11, 1991 did so without an organizational structure designed to operate on
such a massive scale.  They built the infrastructer as they went and are all
to be commended.  As an instructor for the ARRL Emergency Communications
Course, I have had a number of students that were involved and now want to
learn more about what they can do when such a large scale disaster happens
again.

The next statement is not meant to insult anyone but the taking down of the
World Trade Center and damaging the Pentagon is small potatoes compared to
the potential damage of chemical or nuclear dirty bombs placed in multiple
locations would have a far greater impact.  There are countless ways that
our country is at danger.  How, as communicators, do we respond - how do we
help?  How can the government agencies know that they can count on hams to
be of any help on larger disasters?

Currently, we are thought of as "local" communications even when "local"
refers to an entire state.  In the larger states, the structure is far
different and requires methods that have not been used before.  If using a
tool such as WinLink, will help us to expand our capability, then training
in it must happen.  What I am refering to is, let's get the infrastructure
of WinLink (or whatever method is universally decided upon) in place and
conduct training on a far larger scope than we have in the past.  There is
no reason that training can not be done between states or regions. We must
cast off the limitations that we have placed upon ourselves.  The days of
saying it won't happen here ended on September 11, 1991.

From datwell at nycap.rr.com  Sun Aug 15 20:27:06 2004
From: datwell at nycap.rr.com (Dave Atwell)
Date: Sun Aug 15 21:14:08 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] ARES/RACES Ecomm
Message-ID: <003101c48327$c2a76510$0300a8c0@DAVES>

I see winlink and other medium such as IRLP Echolink and others as just
another way amateur radio has to move information. We need not rely on it
soley as our way to do things. It is another tool in the box. We still have
the best way to get information in and out with our operations. We always
need to be open to new ideas and ways to do things. If the internet became
unable to do what was needed in an emergency I would hope that we amateurs
would still have the equipment and the ability to establish reliable
communications within our own system. That is what we do best is get thru
when no one else can. Lets not loose that idea, But at the same time we
should not be afraid to use what is available to us in the digital world.

Dave N2FEP
E/C Saratoga County New York
From kc0rjc at arrl.net  Sun Aug 15 21:39:34 2004
From: kc0rjc at arrl.net (Jared)
Date: Sun Aug 15 21:43:41 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Re: ARES-RACES Digest, Vol 7, Issue 4
In-Reply-To: <20040815232606.3ABE1859D19@mailman.qth.net>
References: <20040815232606.3ABE1859D19@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <41201056.7020004@arrl.net>

I went to a ARRL seminar in Olathe, Kansas, where they discussed this 
issue. They have looked thoroughly over the cost of deployment of the 
system. The system is of good basic design. It does have flaws relating 
to the internet going down. The government wants a system at a price and 
this is what they and their consultants have chosen. I encourage all of 
the individuals involved with emergency communications to have their own 
backup systems that do not rely solely on the internet. Also run a 
variation in operating systems so you are not vulnerable to viruses.


73,

KC0RJC
ares-races-request@mailman.qth.net wrote:

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>Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Digital emergency communications (Doug Younker)
>   2. Re: Digital emergency communications (Jerry Reimer)
>   3. Re: Digital emergency communications (George Andrews)
>   4. Re: Digital emergency communications (Michael A. Urich)
>   5. RE: Digital emergency communications (Joe B. Dorn)
>   6. Re: Digital emergency communications (Doug Younker)
>   7. Re: Digital emergency communications (Howard Coleman)
>   8. Re: Digital emergency communications (Jerry Reimer)
>   9. Re: Digital emergency communications (JOE)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 04:03:46 -0500
>From: "Doug Younker" <dougy@ruraltel.net>
>Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: <HamsEF@yahoogroups.com>, <ares-races@mailman.qth.net>
>Message-ID: <015001c482a6$c6805e20$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="Windows-1252"
>
>Hello;
>     I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
>real digital amateur network.  As it was said in another forum the ARRL in a
>sense decided to back up the internet with the internet.  No I'm not saying
>it's possible for an amateur radio RF network to backup the internet.  I am
>saying such a network could greatly expand the capabilities of amateur radio
>to serve in event of  communication emergency. Excerpts from ARRL document
>follows my sig. .--73
>Doug, N0LKK
>dougy@ruraltel.net
>
>From; http://winlink.org/Presentations/ares.pdf
>
>July, 2003: In cooperation with its partnership
>with Homeland Security & at their recommendation,
>the ARRL Board sought to provide a Nationwide
>digital system to enhance the communications
>capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
>(ARES) There are situations, the Board said, when
>ARES "must have the capability to pass digital
>traffic across the Nation quickly and accurately.
>
>The ARRL Board adopted a resolution encouraging further development and
>expansion of an inaugural network to enhance the emergency communications
>capability of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service? (ARES) The Board's motion
>encouraged the deployment of e-mail via Amateur Radio--as exemplified by
>Winlink
>2000--"as an additional emergency capability provided to agencies served by
>ARES.
>
>
>---
>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.736 / Virus Database: 490 - Release Date: 08/10/2004
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 05:40:56 -0500
>From: Jerry Reimer <jerryreimer@charter.net>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: ares-races@mailman.qth.net
>Message-ID: <6.1.0.6.0.20040815051458.00ba73c8@pop.charter.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>
>The committee recommended, and the board endorsed, the best available 
>system.  All the pieces of this system exist, they work, and the software 
>is free.  All anyone needs to do is use it.  Most of the opponents have not 
>used it, some have never even seen it demonstrated.  Those who have 
>actually used it are overwhelmingly in favor of it.
>
>Start simple by using Airmail for peer-to-peer communications on 2M FM, 
>then add a TelPac gateway station.  Airmail also supports Pactor for HF, 
>either point-to-point or to one of 44 Winlink HF stations around the world.
>
>We are approaching three years since September 11, 2001, and we still do 
>not have a system in place.  If not Winlink, what?  If not now, when?
>
>Jerry
>KK5CA
>
>
>
>At 04:03 AM 8/15/2004, you wrote:
>  
>
>>Hello;
>>I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
>>real digital amateur network.
>>Doug, N0LKK
>>dougy@ruraltel.net
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 3
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:12:36 -0400
>From: "George Andrews" <gandrews@ntplx.net>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: <ares-races@mailman.qth.net>,	"Jerry Reimer"
>	<jerryreimer@charter.net>
>Message-ID: <007601c482c9$89188760$6501a8c0@MADHATTER>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>Jerry,
>
>Good comments! We can spend a lot of time talking about something and
>accomplish nothing. Winlink is an attempt to accomplish something.. Perhaps
>we should put it to the test, formally or informally and measure what it is
>capable of. I plan on giving it a try. Maybe everyone should do the same.
>Let's move ahead with this and see what happens!
>
>George Andrews, RRPT
>N1YAE FN31kj
>WPYQ853
>gandrews@ntplx.net
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Jerry Reimer" <jerryreimer@charter.net>
>To: <ares-races@mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 6:40 AM
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>
>
>  
>
>>The committee recommended, and the board endorsed, the best available
>>system.  All the pieces of this system exist, they work, and the software
>>is free.  All anyone needs to do is use it.  Most of the opponents have
>>    
>>
>not
>  
>
>>used it, some have never even seen it demonstrated.  Those who have
>>actually used it are overwhelmingly in favor of it.
>>
>>Start simple by using Airmail for peer-to-peer communications on 2M FM,
>>then add a TelPac gateway station.  Airmail also supports Pactor for HF,
>>either point-to-point or to one of 44 Winlink HF stations around the
>>    
>>
>world.
>  
>
>>We are approaching three years since September 11, 2001, and we still do
>>not have a system in place.  If not Winlink, what?  If not now, when?
>>
>>Jerry
>>KK5CA
>>
>>
>>
>>At 04:03 AM 8/15/2004, you wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Hello;
>>>I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
>>>real digital amateur network.
>>>Doug, N0LKK
>>>dougy@ruraltel.net
>>>      
>>>
>>&quot;Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've
>>    
>>
>got...till it's gone.&quot; from Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) but also
>true about QSL.NET if more users don't open their wallets and help
>financially. Please contribute TODAY !!
>  
>
>>_______________________________________________
>>ARES-RACES mailing list
>>ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 4
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 09:25:43 -0500 (CDT)
>From: "Michael A. Urich" <mike@ka5cvh.com>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: "George Andrews" <gandrews@ntplx.net>, ares-races@mailman.qth.net
>Message-ID: <56705.66.25.12.130.1092579943.squirrel@66.25.12.130>
>Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
>  
>
>>Jerry,
>>
>>Good comments! We can spend a lot of time talking about something and
>>accomplish nothing. Winlink is an attempt to accomplish something..
>>    
>>
>
>
>Mike wrote
>
>Not to heap upon the original poster but friend we have to crawl before we
>can walk.  I just put together an old computer soley for AirMail.  I'll be
>putting the station on the air here short (one more in S/E Harris Co
>Jerry).
>
>I see AirMail as the beginning to crawl.  IMHO its a great platform from
>what I've observed. As with any platform the more users will bring forth
>more and hopefully better ideas to either expand the capablities of
>AirMail or to even come up with something new and better.  Compaining
>about AirMail is like showing up with a HT with a half dead battery for a
>ARES/RACES drill and nothing else and calling yourself prepared.
>
>I'm sure that the folks involved in the Columbia (shuttle) recovery would
>have loved to have AirMail up and running in the Lufkin / Nacogdoches
>(TX)area.  If you did not have an opportunity to read the article about
>the amateur radio communities involvement with the recovery I have it
>posted on my web-site.  This is really a must read for anyone who is in
>ARES/RACES.
>
>http://www.ka5cvh.com/the_eyes_of_texas.htm
>
>While I'm not quite finished with it yet but check out the pictures on my
>web-site http://www.ka5cvh.com/photos in the album "Portable Station"
>
>Mike Urich, KA5CVH
>http://ka5cvh.com
>
>Character = How you treat people who can do nothing for you in return!
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 5
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 10:59:27 -0500
>From: "Joe B. Dorn" <joedorn@stonemedia.com>
>Subject: RE: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: "Doug Younker" <dougy@ruraltel.net>, <HamsEF@yahoogroups.com>,
>	<ares-races@mailman.qth.net>
>Message-ID: <PKEAJCMGKMCIIPKDLLMPEEEDFBAA.joedorn@stonemedia.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="Windows-1252"
>
>The motivation behind the ARRL's choice was availability. WinLink 2000 is a
>working system far superior to the current NTS and answers several EC needs.
>It is not a stopping point but rather a starting point...Improve it if you
>can and we will all benefit... If there is a better system currently
>available, let us know...
>
>I have implemented it and love it. I think it is great that email can be
>sent to or from a field location directly to the people that need the
>information most.
>
>BTW, I have recently been in a session that included an ARRL director (Coy
>Day) and the man that wrote the articles in the past two QST's (Jerry
>Reimer) and neither stated that this was a stopping point but rather an
>immediate solution to some of the problems we have...
>
>Joe Dorn, W5VEX, Belton, Texas
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ares-races-bounces@mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:ares-races-bounces@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Doug Younker
>Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 4:04 AM
>To: HamsEF@yahoogroups.com; ares-races@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>
>Hello;
>     I for one find it disappointing that the ARRL chose not to promote a
>real digital amateur network.  As it was said in another forum the ARRL in a
>sense decided to back up the internet with the internet.  No I'm not saying
>it's possible for an amateur radio RF network to backup the internet.  I am
>saying such a network could greatly expand the capabilities of amateur radio
>to serve in event of  communication emergency. Excerpts from ARRL document
>follows my sig. .--73
>Doug, N0LKK
>dougy@ruraltel.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 6
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 17:17:30 -0500
>From: "Doug Younker" <dougy@ruraltel.net>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: <ares-races@mailman.qth.net>
>Message-ID: <003101c48315$a8fe3380$0338fea9@oemcomputer>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="Windows-1252"
>
>Hello,
>
>        Amateur radio is what it is and only can do what it can do.  The
>trick is not to over sell the capabilities of amateur radio and amateur
>radio operators with out understating what they can do. I'm not totally
>against the inter connection of amateur radio and the internet.  For as long
>as I have been aware of amateur radio and it's ability to serve in the event
>of an emergency one of it's strong points was it's independence from other
>means of communications.
>
>    I have to feel endorsing Winlink the ARRL has overstated the
>capabilities of amateur radio.  There was/is always the possibility that
>amateurs couldn't fulfill their promise because of conditions out of their
>control.  Planning for  traffic expected for amateurs to handle to be
>transported by internet adds a level where failure can occur and the amateur
>can't possibly effect.  The document I referred to shows using HF in the
>event of an internet failure. I'm sorry I'm back to the first sentance in my
>original post "I have to say that I'm very disappointed the ARRL chose not
>aid building/designing a modern amateur radio digital network."  Endorsing a
>method that will rely on what is, as far as I know, is a weak system, is
>poor planning in light of some of the criteria stated for the planning.
>
>Respectfully amateur digital communications has been in baby  steps for
>years.  The passage of three years since 9/11/2001 is a moot point since
>leadership by the ARRL in regards to using modern amateur digital
>communications was non-existent prior to the attack on that date.
>
>73
>Doug, N0LKK
>dougy@ruraltel.net
>
>
>---
>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>Version: 6.0.736 / Virus Database: 490 - Release Date: 08/09/2004
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 7
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 15:35:53 -0700
>From: "Howard Coleman" <n6vdv@tds.net>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: <ares-races@mailman.qth.net>
>Message-ID: <001d01c48318$3b4ea4c0$2ae2fea9@toshibauser>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="Windows-1252"
>
>There is another side of this issue that this thread that has not discussed.
>The recommended use of WinLink was made after discussions between the ARRL
>and Homeland Security.  My humble opinion is that Homeland Security wanted a
>media that they could also also have access too.
>
>Straight packet, as the system stands today, is not even a pimple on the
>butt of what it once was.  I've downloaded a number of the Winlink programs
>and am going to install them just to see how it works before I make up my
>mind.  Bluntly, I'm in favor of any format that will bring the digital
>communications back as another means of communications during an emergency.
>The talks between the ARRL and Homeland Security on this issue, were not
>looking at a local earthquake or tornado.   I'll bet my bottom dollar
>Homeland Security wants is a system that has a greater chance of staying
>online in the event of multiple terrorists activity.
>
>Howard Coleman N6VDV
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 8
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 17:48:10 -0500
>From: Jerry Reimer <jerryreimer@charter.net>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: ares-races@mailman.qth.net
>Message-ID: <6.1.0.6.0.20040815174027.01b8bd18@pop.charter.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>
>Howard,
>
>I sincerely thank you for your willingness to at least try this free system 
>before forming an opinion about it.  You are among a very small 
>minority.  Welcome.
>
>Regarding your comment on being in favor of any format that will restore 
>digital ECOM, I can only say:  Amen, brother!
>
>Our ARES group started down this path in May 2002, after our emergency 
>management folks said:  "Voice is fine, but if you hams want to remain 
>valuable to us in the future, you must find a way to interface with our 
>message systems, and send your reports from the field by e-mail."
>
>Jerry
>KK5CA
>
>
>At 05:35 PM 8/15/2004, you wrote:
>  
>
>>I've downloaded a number of the Winlink programs
>>and am going to install them just to see how it works before I make up my
>>mind.  Bluntly, I'm in favor of any format that will bring the digital
>>communications back as another means of communications during an emergency.
>>
>>Howard Coleman N6VDV
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 9
>Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 19:21:44 -0400
>From: JOE <k1ike@snet.net>
>Subject: Re: [Ares-races] Digital emergency communications
>To: ares-races@mailman.qth.net
>Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20040815191330.0162bbb8@pop.snet.yahoo.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>I wholeheartedly agree with Doug.  Many times, I have seen Amateur Radio 
>overstated as to what we are capable of doing.  Sometimes equipment, 
>sometimes manpower, sometimes propagation conditions limit our 
>abilities.  I am always very clear to the served agency that "We will do 
>the best we can with what we have available".  This has a lot of meanings.
>
>I am all for using the Internet for PART of our communications 
>abilities.  We must not lead the served agency to believe that we can 
>always interface using email.  Our primary mode of communications is voice, 
>this is what we are all capable of and do the best.  We might be able to 
>supplement this with email, but not always.
>
>We really need to be very careful as to what we commit to, or what the 
>served agency THINKS that we have committed to.  Our only positive 
>commitment should be voice communications.
>
>73, Joe, k1ike
>
>At 05:17 PM 8/15/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>  
>
>>Hello,
>>
>>        Amateur radio is what it is and only can do what it can do.  The
>>trick is not to over sell the capabilities of amateur radio and amateur
>>radio operators with out understating what they can do. I'm not totally
>>against the inter connection of amateur radio and the internet.  For as long
>>as I have been aware of amateur radio and it's ability to serve in the event
>>of an emergency one of it's strong points was it's independence from other
>>means of communications.
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
>ARES-RACES mailing list
>ARES-RACES@mailman.qth.net
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ares-races
>
>
>End of ARES-RACES Digest, Vol 7, Issue 4
>****************************************
>
>  
>

From comlink8 at earthlink.net  Sun Aug 15 22:08:25 2004
From: comlink8 at earthlink.net (Brian Fernandez)
Date: Sun Aug 15 22:12:32 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] View of digital
Message-ID: <E1BwWvA-0004Rl-00@pintail.mail.pas.earthlink.net>

We need high speed digital messaging capability in emergency service work,
our served clients can use the capability, and amateur radio could offer a
differentiated valuable product which would benefit the entire amateur radio
community. .  I really do not care what is in the box: packet, PSK31 (yes, I
know about the error codes), WinLink or pepperoni pizza as long as it
performs.  If it has an input, an output, a power switch, and it can work
under field conditions without a nuclear power plant, that?s a system I want
and if doesn?t have all that, I?ll take what I can get.

 

Nothing is ever perfect, every system has flaws and if we wait another
decade or two for the ?perfect? system and throw rocks at every new idea,
but we are never going to improve our capabilities -----  improvement only
happens if we start deploying a variety of new systems and working with
them.

 

Did you notice the ?97.401(b) comment by the FCC?  The FCC has formalized
its policy for issuing an emergency communications declaration (ECD) on
Amateur Radio Service frequencies. The policy, which became effective August
2, states that ECDs will be issued for VHF or UHF repeaters--if the licensee
consents--or on simplex channels in the 60-meter band. The FCC will not
entertain requests to specifically sequester frequencies in other HF bands
for emergency traffic only. Past emergency communications
declarations--typically issued during weather-related emergencies--have put
frequencies on 75 and 40 meters off limits to general use in an affected
region. 

 

One sage observer has interpreted this, along with BPL, as part of a
concerted move to push amateurs off the HF bands over time or at the least
into much narrower HF channels.  Of course, that might also require digital
techniques.  But it is a wee bit embarrassing to be pushed into the
technical future by a Federal Regulatory Agency.

 

No matter how you slice it, digital systems seem to be in our future.  So
let?s start.  We only lose by dithering

 

Brian

K1BRF

 

 

 

 

From kc0rjc at arrl.net  Sun Aug 15 22:24:13 2004
From: kc0rjc at arrl.net (Jared)
Date: Sun Aug 15 22:28:16 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] [Fwd: Re: ARES-RACES Digest, Vol 7, Issue 5]
Message-ID: <41201ACD.50707@arrl.net>


From k1ike at snet.net  Mon Aug 16 19:23:54 2004
From: k1ike at snet.net (JOE)
Date: Mon Aug 16 19:28:20 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Linking ARES nets with EchoLink
Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20040816192031.01653f68@pop.snet.yahoo.com>

Hello to All,

We have an ARES net every monday evening in Eastern Connecticut, gets 
boring at times.  I am trying to make it more interesting, I thought that I 
might link it up to EchoLink during or just after the net and see if we can 
get  some interesting ARES conversation going across the US, maybe around 
the world.

Anyone interested in participating in this?

73, Joe, K1ike


From BillLennox at aol.com  Mon Aug 16 21:26:12 2004
From: BillLennox at aol.com (BillLennox@aol.com)
Date: Mon Aug 16 21:30:40 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Hurricane Charley Response Reaffirms Amateur Radio's
	Value
Message-ID: <86.1359dd89.2e52b8b4@aol.com>

Hurricane Charley Response Reaffirms Amateur Radio's Value

    NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 16, 2004 -- An as-yet unknown number of Amateur Radio 
operators remain in emergency mode today as Florida recovers from the 
devastating blow landed August 13 by Hurricane Charley. Authorities ordered the 
evacuation of an estimated two million people ahead of the storm. Amateur Radio 
Emergency Service (ARES) teams have been supporting relief agencies and--with 
phone systems overloaded or out of service--also bridging the telecommunications 
gap. The storm--which blasted into the Charlotte County community of Punta 
Gorda on Florida's Gulf Coast and killed at least 17--is being called the worst in 
more than a decade. Damage is expected to be in the billions of dollars. ARRL 
West Central Florida Section Manager Dave Armbrust, AE4MR, has been 
coordinating communication for the recovery effort from a supermarket parking lot 
staging area in Charlotte County (Exit 170 off Interstate 75, then west on King's 
Highway or look for AE4MR-7 on APRS). Armbrust reports he needs additional 
volunteers. 


    "Currently Amateur Radio is the primary means of communication, and we 
have just about maxed out our local WCF Amateur Radio capabilities after almost 
three days of activity," he said late Sunday afternoon. With some three dozen 
cellular towers in Charlotte County reportedly down, Armbrust's cellphone is 
out of service, and he has no other telephone or e-mail capability. Charlotte, 
Hardee and DeSoto counties in the West Central Florida Section were hard hit. 
Florida Power and Light estimates that more than 350,000 people are without 
power, and some may have to wait until the end of the week or longer before it's 
restored. 

    ARRL Southern Florida SM Sherri Brower, W4STB, says ARES groups from 
Miami-Dade, Martin, St Lucie, Broward, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties have 
been deployed to relieve amateur operators on duty in the affected communities. 
Disaster Communications Assistance Teams (DCATs) from Southern Florida were in 
Punta Gorda, the DeSoto County town of Arcadia and elsewhere, and arrangements 
are under way to relieve them later in the week. "Of course, SKYWARN was 
active in just about every county in the peninsula during the event," Brower 
noted. 


       In Sarasota County, Ron Wetjen, WD4AHZ, said he spent August 13 with a 
search-and-rescue team in the storm's immediate aftermath, then put in a 
22-hour shift at the emergency operations center. Amateurs from Sarasota 
County--northwest of Punta Gorda--were among those responding to the mutual aid call. 
Wetjen said he's been in contact with Armbrust at the Charlotte County staging 
area via 2 meters. 

    Brower said that outside offers of help came from a Salvation Army/ARES 
team in Oklahoma, individual amateurs arriving to assist relatives, and Georgia 
ARRL SM Susan Swiderski, AF4FO. Southern Florida Section Emergency 
Coordinator Jim Goldsberry, KD4GR, and Assistant SM Jeff Beals, WA4AW, were assisting 
Brower in coordinating mutual aid to the affected areas. 


    Amateurs in several counties lost HF capability and have been using VHF 
to stay in touch. "We have been holding special sessions of ARES nets four 
times a day since Thursday," Brower said. "During the storm we used local 
repeaters and simplex frequencies for tactical traffic and shelter operations in many 
counties." 

     Port St Lucie radio amateurs established a trunking system that allowed 
Arcadia fire and police to use their own radios and to communicate--just as 
though their tower had not been toppled by Hurricane Charley. The trailer 
provided power for the trunking system. The emergency communications van--a 
converted ambulance--can operate on HF, 6 and 2 meters, CB, Marine and any public 
service frequency. 


    Hams from Sarasota brought a 100-foot mobile crank-up tower to Arcadia to 
assist with Amateur Radio emergency communication. "Many logistics and 
welfare calls went through this system," says Pete Rimmel, N8PR. 

    The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz stayed busy last week 
tracking the approaches of Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie, which came 
ashore August 12 near Apalachicola. The HWN secured August 14 after what Net 
Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP, called "three and a half long days." The HWN worked 
in concert with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane 
Center in Miami, to collect ground-level weather data from participating 
amateurs. WX4NHC also gathers weather data from amateurs via EchoLink and IRLP and 
from non-Amateur Radio sources via the Internet. 

     Assistant WX4NHC Amateur Radio Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, said the 
station received many reports via the HWN as well as from Cuban nets. "A 
statement monitored over Cuban state TV mentioned that ham radio was the only means 
of communications from the affected area." Ripoll cited reports indicating 
that four died in Cuba, and homes schools and factories suffered severe damage. 


    In the US, Ripoll says, reports were heard via Amateur Radio when a 
shelter housing some 1200 storm refugees lost its roof during the blow. Injuries 
were said to have been minor. 

    Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, in Oklahoma told ARRL that more than 70 hams 
participated in the VoIPWX nets for Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley. 
"The hams there are able to function 24/7," he said. "The net linked repeaters in 
Florida over EchoLink, IRLP and eQSO." At one point, he reported, a station 
in Australia served as the net control. 


    Ripoll say he got a chance to promote Amateur Radio's value when a 
reporter from a major network asked, "Isn't ham radio as ancient as the Model T?"  
"I replied, 'Try using your satellite phone to call us in the middle of a 
hurricane,'" Ripoll said. "He quickly understood why the old art of ham radio is 
still very reliable during major disasters and many times the only means of 
communication out of a disaster area." Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist 
visited WX4NHC during the Hurricane Charley activation, and Ripoll said Crist "was 
very impressed with the use of Amateur Radio at NHC." 

     The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) on 14.265 MHz 
spent nearly five days in continuous operation. The Salvation Army has been 
providing meals, household necessities and other assistance to residents 
displaced by the storm. SATERN worked closely with the HWN and the Maritime Mobile 
Service Net (MMSN) on 14.300 MHz to assist in handling emergency communication 
from affected areas. It also has taken on responsibility for health-and-welfare 
inquiries, both via Amateur Radio and through its Web site. 
    
    SATERN National Director Pat McPherson, WW9E, reports that The Salvation 
Army set up an Amateur Radio station at the Tampa Bay Salvation Army Disaster 
Services Headquarters. Members of the Tampa Bay Amateur Radio Club assisted 
The Salvation Army during Hurricane Charley by providing HF access to SATERN and 
the HWN as well as local communication for Salvation Army response units. 
Club members also handled communication for shelters set up in the area, 
McPherson said. 
    
    "This kind of inter-organization collaboration is helpful and necessary 
to get the job done," he said over the weekend. "Beyond that, it seems as if 
the Amateur Radio world is listening and waiting to help when an event such as 
this occurs, and it's edifying to realize the positive impact of their 
dedication to the task of helping others." McPherson said The Salvation Army values 
its relationships with ARRL, ARES and the other organizations that "support us 
to help get the job done," he said. 
    
    SATERN has stood down from continuous operation and will resume its 
normal net schedule on 14.265 MHz. "We feel from this point on, any additional 
emergency traffic can be handled by our operation at 1400 UTC on 14.265 MHZ," he 
said. "We have processed more than 300 health-and-welfare messages, and the 
SATERN Web site H&W operation will continue to handle the remnants of that 
potential." 
    
    North Carolina SM John Covington, W4CC, said the state emergency 
management agency activated its Eastern Branch office with Amateur Radio support. The 
Tar Heel Emergency Net ceased continuous operation the evening of August 14. 
    
    "Around 60 American Red Cross shelters were opened during the storm, and 
at one point 1600 people had made use of these shelters," Covington said. Many 
shelters now have closed, and the remaining were not reporting communication 
problems, he said. "There have been some reports of a tornado in Tyrrell 
County as a result of the storm, and some other rough spots, but overall, we dodged 
a bullet this time," Covington concluded. 
    
    ARES teams in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia were 
believed active as Hurricane Charley moved up the Eastern Seaboard after 
traversing the Florida Peninsula. 
    
    Another storm is waiting in the wings, although at this point Hurricane 
Danielle poses no threat to land. As of 1500 UTC, the Category 2 storm was 915 
miles west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands and moving toward the northwest 
at about 17 MPH. Forecasters say the hurricane could gradually shift 
northward, however. 
////////////////////////////////////////////////// Last Item 
/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Bill Lennox
US Air Force (Retired)
Full Time College Student (Emergency Management)
KD7EFP
Assistant Emergency Coordinator - Plans (ARES), Washington County, Oregon
Assistant Radio Officer - Plans (RACES), Washington County, Oregon
From BillLennox at aol.com  Mon Aug 16 21:26:16 2004
From: BillLennox at aol.com (BillLennox@aol.com)
Date: Mon Aug 16 21:30:50 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] Ham Radio on Fire Duty in Northern California use new
	deployment tool
Message-ID: <67.30ba6e44.2e52b8b8@aol.com>

ARES on Fire Duty in Northern California

    NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 16, 2004--While Hurricane Charley ravaged Florida and 
the US Eastern Seaboard, wildfires have continued to rage throughout the 
Western US. Two wildfires erupted August 11 in the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section, 
and a third--the French Fire--broke out three days later. The French Fire, 
located 15 miles northwest of Redding, resulted in the evacuation of French 
Gulch. The fire has burned some 9000 acres and was only 10 percent contained as of 
the morning of August 16. 

    "A section-wide Amateur Radio Emergency Service mutual assistance standby 
alert was issued, as ARES teams in Butte and Shasta counties scrambled to 
respond to the three major incidents," said Sacramento Valley Section Emergency 
Coordinator David Thorne, K6SOJ. He says the ARES operation in Shasta County 
likely will remain active at least through August 20. As a result of the three 
wildfires, he reports, more than 20,000 acres have been burned and more than 
100 homes destroyed. Some 4000 firefighters are on the lines, with 15 injuries 
reported, Thorne said. 
    
    Thorne said the fire response marked "the first serious field test" in 
the Sacramento Valley Section of the Amateur Radio Communication Team (ARCT) 
concept he introduced in the December 2003 and January 2004 issues of QST (see 
"ICS and Amateur Radio Communication Teams" in the "Public Service" column).  
ARCTs simplify the process of ordering needed resources within the Incident 
Command System.   <http://www.emcomm.org/ARCT/index.html>

    "It worked flawlessly," he said. "It is flexible enough to work well, yet 
provide a standardized structure." Thorne said one unexpected bonus was that 
a Type 1 ARCT was able to cover two simultaneous major incidents some 25 miles 
apart. 
    
    The basic system resource, a Type 1 ARCT, is a complete 12-person Amateur 
Radio emergency/auxiliary communications team for single or multiple agency 
communications. It is a full field station with four mobile/portable units and 
has short-range (VHF/UHF) and long range (HF) voice and digital capabilities 
operating independently of outside power sources. 


    At the Oregon Fire in Butte County one ARES Type 1 ARCT was deployed 
while several Type 5 ARCTs were activated under mutual assistance from nearby 
counties. A Type 5 ARCT is a single-operator supplementary resource with a vehicle 
and a Technician or higher-class license, equipped for VHF FM. A Type 5 ARCT 
may be assigned to a specific agency or to supplement or relieve an existing 
ARCT. These teams demobilized August 13. 

    The Bear and French fires in Shasta County produced serious challenges, 
Thorne said. One Type 1 and three Type 5 ARCTs were activated by Shasta-Tehama 
ARES. Later, one Type 4 and one Type 5 ARCT were called in from El Dorado and 
Butte Counties under the Sacramento Valley Section's mutual assistance plan. 
Similar to Type 5, a Type 4 ARCT consists of two individual radio operators 
with one or two vehicles. 


    "One especially harrowing event occurred near the historic mining town of 
French Gulch," Thorne said. "As the fire approached, 300-plus residents 
escaped over mountainous back-country Forest Service roads. This area is dotted 
with mineshafts and inhabited by rattlesnakes." It took three hours for the 
evacuees to top the mountain and make it down into Weaverville. 

    Trinity County ARES was activated and a Type 2 ARCT--a four-member team 
with digital capabilities--provided VHF FM, HF SSB and VHF packet tactical, 
health and welfare and administrative communications between a now-closed Red 
Cross evacuation center at Trinity High School and Red Cross headquarters in 
Redding. Evacuees have been moved to the Redding evacuation center. For a time, 
the French Fire caused the closing of Highway 299 between Redding and 
Weaverville. 


    The Bear Fire, now 100 percent contained, was 10 miles northeast of 
Redding. It burned over some 10,500 acres. ARES supported Red Cross Disaster 
Services with damage assessment and health-and-welfare support. 

    The National Interagency Fire Center says the US remains at a National 
Preparedness Level 3 as wildland fire activity increased over the weekend. Three 
new large fires were reported in Idaho, North Dakota and Arizona yesterday, 
while three large fires were contained in Utah, Southern California and 
Arizona. 

////////////////////////////////////////////////// Last Item 
/////////////////////////////////////////////////

Bill Lennox
US Air Force (Retired)
Full Time College Student (Emergency Management)
KD7EFP
Assistant Emergency Coordinator - Plans (ARES), Washington County, Oregon
Assistant Radio Officer - Plans (RACES), Washington County, Oregon
From kc5fm at ureach.com  Tue Aug 17 08:23:57 2004
From: kc5fm at ureach.com (Lloyd Colston)
Date: Tue Aug 17 08:28:23 2004
Subject: [Ares-races] re: Linking ARES nets with EchoLink
Message-ID: <4121F8DD.1070803@ureach.com>

 > might link it up to EchoLink during or just after the net and see if 
we can
 > get  some interesting ARES conversation going across the US, maybe 
around
 > the world.

Sure!  Link to the WX_Talk conference.  This net is active in weather
events.  See http://www.voipwx.net for details.

The Node number is 7203.  There is a weekly net there on Saturday 
evening 0000Z (Sunday morning).  Connect your net to the Conference and 
get some extra checkins.  Please keep in mind too that there may be an 
active weather net in progress when you connect.

Let me know how more I can help.




-- 


Lloyd Colston		Mayes County CEM
Pryor, OK USA		http://www.geocities.com/mccem
     	Homeland Security begins at Home.


