[FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES

[Evans Mitchell kd4efm / afa2th fl]

please see inserted notes..................


----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Ron Wetjen" <wd4ahz@gte.net>
To: "'Florida ARES'" <flares@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 16:32
Subject: Re: [FLARES] ARRL BOD Report on ARES


> I think the question should be "What use does ARES have of NTS?"  What =

> exactly would ARES use NTS for?  Other than in drills to practice=20
> formatting an NTS message, I can't ever recall a time where an NTS=20
> message was actually sent!
>=20
> With too many other options available, there are easier and faster =
ways=20
> to get messages out.  Most EOC's or Red Cross Chapter Houses have (or=20
> should have) HF capabilities (if they are not wiped out by BPL - =
sorry,=20
> another subject!).  If we need to talk to someone in Florida, there's=20
> typically an ARES net active where we can directly call the station we =

> want to talk to.
>=20
> On a local basis, the person we need to talk to is at the Red Cross, =
the=20
> EOC, in a shelter, or out in the field.  We can simply call them on =
the=20
> radio and speak with them.  Both of these instances do not require NTS =

> do to.
>=20
> There was a time when you could set up an "NTS booth" somewhere and =
send=20
> a "radiogram" to Grandma.  The public thought that was "neat"!  Now =
you=20
> pick up your NEXTEL phone and can "chat" with Grandma or even send her =
a=20
> picture of that Amateur "radiogram" booth!  Amateur Radio's "gee whiz, =

> you can do anything" factor is no longer there, and that is making us=20
> more of a non-entity in the eyes of many.

Ron, I have to pull two hats out for this one.... if you will, I as =
known now, have
taken on EC for Polk. If you might not know, I have also pulled the I =
can be NM for
the Polk County Turtle Net. NTS? humm not much for me on ARES EXCEPT FOR =
the
occasional net report form my HF liasion sending in his times to me on =
the ares net. The
turtle net, well, osmetimes I handle the traffic from Gil (w1???), Ray =
(k1jpg), and a few others
that want to send something to Chet, AB4XK at the begining of the month. =
I think I get my
fair share of traffic with a SAR hanging around 80 or so a month.... =
(I'm not complaining YET)
What I am guilty of is either holding it, or emailing it to the next =
hop. (n4wfh) and they either packet
it or voice it as well. My complaint: NET CONTROLS........ Ouch! sore =
subject there.........
I get bashed once in a while cause I have a job and can not do it EVERY =
night, I have to pay the electric bill
the internet bill and the family time bill as well....... But I have not =
net controls to help me out.
(flame suit prep'ed)


> The job of ARES is not to generate "H&W" traffic (which would be the =
job=20
> of the NTS to forward).  The job of ARES is to support and/or =
supplement=20
> local communications efforts and pass any messages directly between=20
> local or state officials and agencies.

might not be but how would you suggest we handle this if we do not have =
an established
nts traffic net on a certain frequency and at a certain time...??
I sure I can give the turtle net the H&W and then the intercomm's would =
be routed through ARES.


>=20
> I don't see how an NTS system fits into this scheme ... and it looks=20
> like neither do too many others.  If NTS (and ARES) wants to fit in =
and=20
> remain viable, they will have to adapt and change their ways to fit =
into=20
> modern day situations ... and not rely on what they did 10 or more =
years=20
> ago.  If they don't adapt and change, they'll find themselves on the=20
> outside looking in.
>=20
> Ron, WD4AHZ



end of comments from here, back to you....

Evans


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