[BARC-List] Radio " Snow and Tell"

[Frank Murphy]

                      "Radio Snow and Tell"

This Saturday November 8th, will be the last Simulated Emergency Test ( SET)
conducted by the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section this year.

                  Drill Start:  10:00 hrs.          Concludes:  13:00 hrs.

This drill will be unique.  Not for the scenario, but in how easy it will be
for you to participate.  No excuses this time.  Operator's are being advised
to remain at their home stations. You can even sit by the radio in your pj's
and  slippers, with your wife's best coffee in hand.  If you happen to be
mobile, you can still check-in to your towns RACES repeater and be a
valuable resource of "pretend" existing road conditions..

You're already well versed on the scenario, a sudden windy winter storm
hitting the east Coast.  You remember, freezing cold, car won't start, left
your boots at work, no  milk or bread in the house, and worst of all "NO
BEER".   What could be worse.

Well that's what we need you to tell us in this drill, not that your "Out of
Beer", but how the storm is affecting your lifestyle and daily operations,
what's happening outside your house/ location, on the roads.  Tell us so we
can direct it to the people who will need to know, like Rob, kd1cy out at
NWS, wx1box, or your City/ Town Public Works, local and State Police, and
MEMA, wc1ma .  This is a Communications drill to test just how we would
solicit for, gather, and pass on your information to those who need to know.

Beginning at 10:oo am this Saturday, we need you to look out the window at
that severe "pretend" storm,  and tell us what you see, what you know is
going on in YOUR town, your neighborhood, your house.  How much snow is
outside on the ground, is it still snowing, has it changed to rain or sleet,
are the streets plowed, tree's down, phone still work, still have power, are
you in a shelter, at an EOC.

What could be simpler.

So, next Saturday, turn on the radio,  get your second coffee, and tune in
to your district RACES/ARES repeater, sign in with your call, name, and
town, and wait for a call back on a secondary repeater.  When you get
called, use your imagination.  If your in a rush, keep it simple.  Begin by
saying, "This is a Drill", then say, " This is Frank, N1DHW, in Cambridge,
have 5 inches ofsnow on the ground, still snowing (hard, moderate, lightly)
streets (not) plowed , have(no) wind damage visible, still(don't) have(no)
commercial power, everyone is safe here".  If your a GREAT story teller,
make it more interesting.  If your mobile, tell us the road conditions;
plowed, flooded, road closed off, accidents.  Have fun.
The above example is a simple Tactical Message, If you happen to be one of
your city/towns RACES radio operators, then make it formal and send an NTS
message to MEMA and NWS. ( NTS Taunton will also be on Echo Link, packet,
and IRLP.)  If you can't reach someone, ask for a relay.  It's great
practice for both you and the relay station.  Then, if you have time later,
call back and tell us your in a shelter, what's going on there; or update
info you originally sent.

If your home is in the Metro Boston District, use Waltham 146.640 (no tone)
to check-in.  Callbacks will be on Boston 145.230- (PL 88.5) or 447.175- (PL
110.9)  The Beverly (147.390 [no tone]), Stoneham (146.715 [PL 146.2]) and
Sharon ( 146.865 [PL 146.2])  repeaters will also be monitored by Metro
Boston EOC.  If you can hit the Waltham repeater to check-in, please do.

Once your check-in is confirmed,  Net Control will instruct you to move off
to a secondary repeater, (preferably Boston 145.23 or 447.175). If you can't
reach these repeaters, tell NC where you would like to be called back. It
could be 6 meters, or an HF frequency, and you will get a callback to tell
us your storm conditions information. Even if you don't write something, a
series of questions will be asked of you.  Monitor your RACES/ARES repeaters
for announcements as the drill progresses.

Let's see if we can get someone from every city/ town in Eastern Mass. to
check in.  Please check-in even if you hear someone else has checked-in from
your town.  We all know storm conditions vary even within towns.

All  transmissions MUST begin with " This is a Drill".  If it's lengthy, end
with " This is a Drill".

On Line References:  <http://ares.ema.arrl.org>
<http://www.qsl.net/n1cpe>

Metro Boston / SATERN EOC Radio Frequencies being used / monitored:

Using:
       Primary Check-in:  Waltham 146.640 [no tone]
Secondary /Call backs:   Boston  145.230 (PL 88.5) and 447.175 (PL 110.9)
    Alternate Call Back:   40 mtrs.  7245   7265  [existing conditions will
control ]
                                        6 mtrs.  Waltham  53.250 (PL 71.9)

Monitoring:  Beverly 147.39, Sharon 146.865, Stoneham, 146.715

note: Salvation Army Disaster vehicles envolved in the drill will be using
the SA repeater on 463.400 (PL 123.0)  Remember, this is NOT a ham
frequency. 

Lets make this last drill of the year a GREAT  ONE.