[BARC-List] E. Mass. SET Results

[Tom Kinahan]

While I didn't participate in BARC's version of the SET, I did participate
from the State EOC operating WC1MA. A few comments:

> > We learned that once our Primary 40m (NVIS) frequency was taken over by
a
> > non-participating slow-scan video station, that the secondary HF
frequency
> > became too crowded. (needs Net Control Operator)
>
> Does this also imply that more than two HF frequencies should be
> designated?
>

There were net control stations on the 40 meter 7.245 and 75 meter 3.943
with 40 or more total stations from across the state. I believe they were
well publicized. These frequencies are the published Emergency net
frequencies for RACES in Massachusetts, and ALL stations are welcome to
participate/check in on these.


> It's also the case that having worked with served agencies before a
> real emergency happens will greatly increase the chances that they'll
> be willing to work with hams in a real emergency, and I feel like the
> SET of this year and last both barely scratch the surface of the
> possibilities for served agency interactions.
>
What  additional served agencies do you have in mind?
So far thanks to BARC, Salvation Army is playing, Red Cross played, a few
Community EOCs participated. We'd like to invite more agencies to
participate.  Do you have any specific suggestions besides the above?

>
> > 1 - separation of EOC operators (too distracting hearing multiple
traffic)
>
> My experience in VHF multiop contesting has been that headsets with
> microphones and footpedals for push to talk seems to be mostly
> adaquate for that sort of thing, although it may be that traffic in an
> EOC is more interesting to listen to than ``please copy my FN42'' for
> the 500th time, such that more effective separation may be required to
> prevent operators from listening to an interesting conversation that
> they shouldn't get distracted with.  But I'm not entirely clear on
> what was actually at the Salvation Army for the SET.

 Agreed... At the State EOC, we did need to resort to headphones for much of
the HF operation and pretty much at all times when receiving any traffic on
VHF stations. If you're just in monitor mode, it's ok to unplug and put
things on low volume, even most of the MEMA dispachers like to have our
stations on at low levels while in operation so that they can hear what's
going on. But if you've got to copy any messages, the place is just too loud
in normal circumstances. Every go kit should include headphone if not a full
headset with the appropriate adapters.


 In a real emergency, I submit that the problem that we had on 147.42
simplex might be alleviated by the state's Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Plan, which indicates a list of communities vs. specific
repeater frequencies. The standing plan is to remain on the repeater output
freqeuency in simplex mode if a repeater fails. As a result, perhaps EOC
type stations in the city of Boston would operate on 146.64 per the plan
with other nearby communities. This frequency would be used by all stations
attempting to contact one of these Boston stations. Other local frequencies
can be used at local discretion for internal operation.

 Still, we learned something about everyone using one frequency, and the
problems associated with it, and the need for control on the channel.

 -Tom Kinahan N1CPE