[FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

[Doug Christ]

There has been no WMD drills here in DeSoto County as of yet. On the other
hand, I have had the complete training of the EDICS system when offered for
Southwest Florida in Lee County several months ago. Sarasota County and
Collier County were  absent from the training so I can only assume that
Emergency Management (or whomever is responsible) did not pass on the
training dates on to their volunteers.

Setting up a EDICS resembles a field day activity. You have portable towers
to erect, coaxes to run and antennas to install. Why any amateur would not
want to help with this would really surprise me. Granted, the radios are
commercial, but it is the latest and greatest toys to play with. The high
band VHF radio and UHF radios will program into the amateur bands so that
ARES activities could actually be integrated into the system if need be.

In a recent meeting of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force,
additional training on the EDICS was discussed. Anyone interested in the
EDICS training should contact their county liaison and inquire about dates
and times. I'm not sure when the next  training will be offered again for
our area but I will post it as soon as I know. We suggested training every
quarter in different locations.

Our  EDICS unit (and I believe that all of the units will be) is being
permanently mounted in a tow behind, self contained trailer. Many of us who
have had the training voiced our opinions (volunteered) that we want to be
involved in the installation of the equipment into the trailer. It will give
us a greater understanding of how the system is configured and should aid us
in repairs if the system should fail. I have not heard of a date as to when
the trailer will be configured.


Doug/KN4YT