[ARRL-OK] Amateur Radio Accounts 9/11
Lloyd Colston
[email protected]
Sat, 17 Aug 2002 07:47:11 -0500
When I got this digest, I was going to cut one article to share. Then I
kept reading.
Beyond the "what happened to me", we can learn how to make a "go-kit"
(ex. DMAT members are required to have a 72-hour personal kit including
food, clothing, and gizmo batteries). We can learn the resources that
await our call during a disaster.
While it is generally related to Ham Radio, it has applications beyond
that service.
Lloyd Colston Mayes County Emergency Management
Pryor, OK USA http://www.geocities.com/mccem
When the Citizen is prepared, then all of America is prepared.
When you reply to this email, use [email protected], please.
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: 17 Aug 2002 11:53:25 -0000
Subject: [HamsEF] Digest Number 159
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 17:57:47 -0000
From: "jetta02golf91" <[email protected]>
Subject: Looking for info
Hi, I've been watching this site for a couple of months and have
found it very informative. Being a Skywarn coordinator for W. Ma. and
participating in many public service event a year, emergency
communications is one of the aspectes of ham radio that I enjoy.
An article I came accross the other day may be of some intrest.
It was found at the 'World radio Online' page at:
http://www.wr6wr.com/newsSite/index.html.
Written by Bill WA6ITF AND Joe W9JUV. I'm guessing it was written
some time after 9/11.
Some thing that i'ev noticed since 9/11. I have recieved several
powerpoint demo's with lots of picures and patiotic music. But have
only recieved one fowarded ( to a couple hundred people) e-mail from
one individual about there experience that day. With so many people
in NY city, where are all the stories?
Have any hams (or public service people) that were involed sent any
emails out about what they saw,did, could have done better?
If anyone finds links to stories or info about what we can do as
hams, please send me a link.
Thanks, Eric
[email protected]
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 12:34:50 -0700
From: "David H. Hatch" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Looking for info
Hi Erik,
I am Dave, N9ZRT. Remote in BC Canada.
We have at least four hams on this list who were either in NYC at the
time of the 9-11 event, or assisted there in e-communications in the
following days.
Maybe we can get them to tell a few things...
Well guys? Can you intro yourselves and tell how you were involved? You
are appreciated...
Dave, loading for the next leg of the journey.
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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 16:48:28 -0400
From: Fred Stevens K2FRD <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Looking for info
Hi Eric--
Four of us on this list participated in the post-9/11 disaster relief
in NYC: Ryan AB2MH, Steve KB1DIG and his wife Kim KB1GTR, and myself
K2FRD. Ryan lives in NYC, so was right there when it all happened
and, as an NYC ARES/RACES member, was involved from the start. I was
activated about ten days later and wrote back to the Live-Wire Group
during a break in my activities. My messages are archived at (you
need to be a Live-Wire member to access the messages:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Live-Wire/message/2218 (first message
back from Ground Zero).
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Live-Wire/message/2227 (second message
back from Ground Zero; is similar to first, but updated and amended.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Live-Wire/ If you don't belong to
Live-Wire (anyone is more than welcome to join).
Kim, Steve, and Ryan were mentioned and/or pictured in the November
2001 and April 2002 issues of QST and November 2001 CQ Magazine.
In addition, if you were to go back to the archives of the first
month or two of HamsEF (October 2001), you'd probably find a number
of other references to our collective experiences at Ground Zero.
This is not to say that there aren't hundreds or even thousands of
emailed and other narrated experiences from other hams in NYC during
and after 9/11. It's just that they're not widely publicized although
a Google Search might uncover many which are indexed.
My messages were widely passed around through email and the Internet.
I condensed some of the narrative down and included it on my
website's homepage (see K2FRD.htm below). As a result, I received
many dozens of positive emails from around the world. I've been asked
why I don't publish an expanded account. Answer: I feel it would be
pretentious and ostentatious and would otherwise detract from those
who contributed far more than I; QST and CQ Magazine has recognized
many of these. I leave it to others who are far more eloquent than I
to elaborate on the tragedy.
Almost a year later, my experiences have not dulled with time and I
find myself frequently being questioned about my activities at Ground
Zero, often by other hams. Certainly, the positive contribution by
amateur radio operators has given our hobby a tremendous boost,
particularly for those interested in emergency communications and
ARES and RACES organizations, my present Chenango County (upstate New
York) included where expanded enlistment, training, and exercises
plus a general overhaul of our ARES/RACES organization are
streamlining our emergency preparations.
HTH. 73 de Fred K2FRD
PS - I made a slight correction to a typo in the World Radio URL
below, so it now works.
At 17:57 +0000 16/08/2002, jetta02golf91 wrote:
>Hi, I've been watching this site for a couple of months and have
>found it very informative. Being a Skywarn coordinator for W. Ma. and
>participating in many public service event a year, emergency
>communications is one of the aspectes of ham radio that I enjoy.
>
>An article I came accross the other day may be of some intrest.
>It was found at the 'World radio Online' page at:
>http://www.wr6wr.com/newSite/index.html
>
>Written by Bill WA6ITF AND Joe W9JUV. I'm guessing it was written
>some time after 9/11.
>
>Some thing that i'ev noticed since 9/11. I have recieved several
>powerpoint demo's with lots of picures and patiotic music. But have
>only recieved one fowarded ( to a couple hundred people) e-mail from
>one individual about there experience that day. With so many people
>in NY city, where are all the stories?
>Have any hams (or public service people) that were involed sent any
>emails out about what they saw,did, could have done better?
>If anyone finds links to stories or info about what we can do as
>hams, please send me a link.
>Thanks, Eric
>[email protected]
--
73 de Fred Stevens K2FRD
Chenango Co. (NY) Assistant Emergency Coordinator
Foothills District, Otschodela Council BSA Committees
Otschodela Council Amateur Radio Group
http://www.ascent.net/thefred/ocarg.htm
K2FRD Personal Adventure page: http://www.ascent.net/thefred/K2FRD.htm
Fred's newest toy: http://www.ascent.net/thefred/M1911A1.htm .
Subscribe to the OCARG EAGLE monthly Scouting/Ham Radio newsletter
(no cost, no spam):
Send email to: mailto:[email protected] .
For a narrative of my VO2/K2FRD Labrador DXpediton:
http://www.wpe.com/~oarc/news/page5.html .
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 22:08:09 -0400
From: Kim & Steve Merrill <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Looking for info
Hi Eric,
This is our story and one of our first posting to the HamsEF group.
This is an article that we wrote on 10/19/01. This was the day after
our return from NYC. It may offer you some insights as to 2-Meter
operation in an urban environment. It outlines most of the complexities
and technical aspects involved, along with some of the emotions we
felt. This article was requested from us by the NH-ARRL/ARES. They
then forwarded it to VOAD. The ARRL took several quotations from this
article and they were aired on �This Week in Amateur Radio� a few weeks
later, around the world. ARRL then used some of this information for
the article that appeared in April's QST:
http://www.qsl.net/ka1ddb/adedicationtoemergencyservice.pdf It is
also now posted in several places on the WWWeb.
Kim & Steve ;-)(-8
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Salvation Army SATERN Radio Ops in NYC for WTC Disaster
By Steven W. Merrill KB1DIG & Kimberly L. Merrill KB1GTR
October 7th, 2001 Through October 18th, 2001
A personal overview of our experiences
We arrived at Salvation Army Headquarters in Lower Manhattan on Sunday,
October 7th, at 4pm. (On Steve�s Birthday) We walked into the building
and went right to work. Jeff Schneller (N2HPO) from The Salvation Army
(TSA) SATERN Radio Operations greeted us. We were introduced to
everyone and received our ID�s and Special Passes. There was a large
amount of information to review. The emphasis was placed on the new
role of providing Logistical Support, via Amateur Radio. The
debriefings lasted till 10pm. With Jeff�s help we adjusted our radio
equipment and were ready for work the next day.
The operation was broken into several parts:
* A Control Operator Station at TSA Headquarters located on 14th
Street, between The Avenue Of The Americas (6th Ave) and 7th Ave.
* Field Operators stationed at TSA Food Canteens located in very
close proximity to the World Trade Center.
* Mobile Operators that performed mechanical sweeps and spot checks
of several locations throughout Lower Manhattan, and in and around
the World Trade Center.
* Mobile Supply Transport Operators that drove trucks for supplies
that were warehoused near the JFK Airport.
Operating Frequencies were diverse:
Local 2-Meter Repeaters:
* 147.270Mhz (+) 141.3 tone
* 147.270Mhz (+) 127.3 tone
* 147.000Mhz (-) 136.5 tone
* 147.090Mhz (+) 114.8 tone
GMRS Frequency:
* 462.675Mhz (+) 136.5 tone
NEXTEL and Cell Phone were also used.
Several volunteer Amateur Radio Operators participated in this operation
from all over the country. We did not get all the names and calls.
This list is mostly from memory. Several other people helped that were
not Hams. People like Anna Balmer from REACT and Carolyn.
Some of the HAM operators we met were:
George Andrews, N1YAE
Richard Carey, KB8OTZ
George Donahue, KD2AU
David Heine, K4RDH
Michael Gomez, N2WGC
Mark Griggs, KB8YMN
Peter Schneider, WA1PHS
Janet Stonecipher, KC0IET
Carlos Varon, K2LCV (Jeff�s second in command)
Our shifts ranged from 14 hours a day, in the first week we were there,
to around 10 hours a day the second week. This was due mostly to our
eagerness. We all set our own pace. Time went quickly. Not everyone
we listed worked all the time. Several people were coming and going,
all the time. We all took turns.
Kim spent the majority of the time at one of the Canteens located at
Ground Zero. This was nicknamed � The Florida Kitchen� due to the fact
that the Truck came from Florida. It was also the first Canteen to be
installed after the September 11th incident. She made sure that the
personnel were well stocked with supplies. The orders were radioed in
to Headquarters via Gary Smith, the Salvation Army Site Coordinator.
She utilized her VX-5R Yaesu Hand-Held with a 19 inch Comet Whip Antenna
and a Hand Microphone Attachment. This was ideal because it enabled her
to monitor Radio Operations and, in between transmissions, assist in the
various duties of the Site. She served food to the many workers who
came through the line, emptied trashcans, & helped out in various other
clean up/maintenance in the area. She very much enjoyed meeting the
people and getting to know them. There were people from all over the
World, including Australia, Canada, & Great Britain. It was a very
humbling experience to be there. She also tried to cheer up the people
there and made several friends in the process. It was very spooky being
there. There was so much devastation. Not only the WTC was affected,
but several other surrounding buildings & businesses were also lost.
The homeless rate has accelerated a great deal. Nothing read in the
Newspapers or seen on TV could have prepared for the actual sight of all
of this. We had the opportunity to attend a Church Service right at
Ground Zero on Sunday, October 14th. The day after, we took our first
tour, on foot, to the Site of the WTC devastation.
Steve spent most of his time driving all over Lower Manhattan. Our
little Mitsubishi Pickup truck was well suited for assistance in several
ways. The mobile radio setup we used was the FT-2500M Yaesu along with
a Larson Glass Mount Antenna. This truck is so small that it was able
to go everywhere. It did just that! Keeping up with the little
6-wheeled ATV vehicles called Gators that were darting around all over
place. Squeezing down narrow walkways along the backside of the WTC.
Moving in and around excavating equipment. Steve also used another
VX-5R Yaesu Hand-Held with a 19 inch Comet Whip Antenna and a Hand
Microphone Attachment for times when he was out of the vehicle. Some of
the tasks Steve performed were transport of people and supplies. Steve
was in constant contact with the Control Operator Station at TSA
Headquarters. Roughly 300 miles of travel in the time we spent there
was logged. Some of the time spent was just talking to people and
cheering then up. He talked to a lot of people! Our truck was washed
with fire hoses twice each time it drove out of the WTC disaster area.
This was to remove some of the contamination from the tires and such.
We came home early. On Wednesday of our 2nd week it was decided that
thing were getting better. We had planned to stay till Saturday,
October 20th. NEXTEL and Cell Phone could now handle operation well
enough. The Salvation Army SATERN Operation decided to stand down. It
was sad to some. We feel that we had the best of both. We had an
opportunity to be there when things were frantic paced and also when
thing began to get better. At first, the RF interference around the WTC
was terrible. Communications by 2-meters were difficult but
manageable. NEXTEL and Cell Phone were subject to intermittent lockup
or failure. If NEXTEL and Cell Phone communication is the light at the
end of the tunnel, then so be it.
To sum things up, we both have reached a feeling of resolve. We helped
in a way that we wished to. We lived a lifetime in a few short days in
NYC. The State Of New Hampshire and Amateur Radio will always be
remembered. Carlos Varon (K2LCV) received a NH-ARRL/ARES coffee mug
from us that we picked up at Hosstraders on October 6th. Jeff
Schneller (N2HPO) has a prototype HALO 2-meter antenna that we designed
in our little workshop in the basement. Mark Griggs (KB8YMN) is
organizing a little get together this spring at the Dayton Hamfest.
Friendships that will last a lifetime. Stories that have no end. Some
things so personal, we will never discuss. Salvation Army SATERN is to
be commended. They were more than nice to us. We felt like a part of a
family!
Kimberly L. Merrill KB1GTR
Steven W. Merrill KB1DIG
Dover, NH
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 22:55:14 -0400
From: Kim & Steve Merrill <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Re: Looking for info
That said...
As far as what we learned. Thinking of what we could of, should have
done, or what we should have had with us...
Back in November Kim and I sat down one afternoon and came up with a
Go-Kit project. Or perhaps the Go-Kit-Lite... It was more like a "Day
Kit", then the normal "72hr Emergency Kit" that most people put
together. We then posted this information as a new section on our Ham
Webpage. http://home.attbi.com/~buck0/hamgear.htm A few day after we
got an E-mail from CQ Magazine. CQ ran a big article about this project
in February.
Quote from our Hampage: http://home.attbi.com/~buck0/hampage.htm { How
do we get all this HT equipment out of the drawer and into our hands
when we need it? With a little research, we came up with the ideas and
links posted in this section. My favorite quote comes from C. Edward
Harris, KE4SKY, AEC Fairfax County, VA ARES: "It is better to have the
bare essentials always handy than to leave a bulky pack someplace where
you can't get to it." This has been our inspiration for this project.
As always, we are open to your suggestions and comments. }
Steve KB1DIG ;-)