[K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators

Mon Oct 24 16:11:37 EDT 2011

Wayne,

             Thanks for the reply, I sure my first email was much too
confusing. 

Need to read it before I send it out. That's why I want to do emergency
communications courses, thus I may be able to communicate better. Dennis did
make a suggestion to do some message handling on the net, sounds like fun to
me, I hope it won't take away from our check-ins which have been running in
the teens as of late.

Regards,

Jim Tetlow

K3UGA

jimtetlow at chesapeake.net

  _____  

From: k3cal-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:k3cal-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Wayne Rogers
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 3:28 PM
To: 'Calvert Amateur Radio Association - K3CAL'
Subject: Re: [K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators

Jim:  Good points.  In the past (way in the past) we did do some training on
message handling.  That is something that needs to be pursued with all of
the new blood in the club (a very good thing!).  Message handling per se
hasn't changed much, but the influx of digital modes has opened the door to
much more efficient ways of handling messages, and we have a very long way
to go to have an operational capability in Calvert.

Jim:  Learning the basic message format is pretty easy, and the best
training is to have at least one message originated on each Monday night
net, in ARRL message format.  We were doing that way back when.

I attended the NBEMS webinar that they had a couple weeks ago.  Up in PA
they are using an adapted version of fldigi (see www.paNBEMS.org and
www.w1hkj.com ).  Works on both HF and VHF.  Strictly message formatted
traffic - no email interface, but message text can be cut and pasted into an
email to bridge traffic over to the internet.  Anyway - that's a whole new
subject.

73, Wayne N1WR

Oh, and its OK to be grumpy!

From: Jim <mailto:jimtetlow at chesapeake.net>  Tetlow 

Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 3:04 PM

To: 'Calvert <mailto:k3cal at mailman.qth.net>  Amateur Radio Association -
K3CAL' 

Subject: Re: [K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators

Wayne, guess I was somewhat confusing.

It's really nothing to do with RACES cert., that's the FEMA courses which I
have completed the basic plus a few others ICS 100 series, 200 series, 700 &
800 plus 300 and 400 (extra, not required for EOC RACES operator).

The ARRL course teaches traffic and messaging among some other items which
are beneficial for a RACES operator handling traffic, but really ARES
operations. 

I just don't feel it is the best interest to Amateur Radio Operators to be
charged for wanting an ARES certification, "a none pay volunteer" amateur
radio operator assisting the community.

The fact that the old information that was available under the 3 sections
that could be downloaded at no cost, is not available anymore. I realize
that the information has been revised, condensed and updated, but how much
has changed in traffic and message handling in the past 5 years? And why is
there certification for EC-001 if it isn't needed? Because it is a great
learning tool!

Anyway since our Club is a RACES and ARES club; I wanted to get the certs
for ARES after completing the certs for RACES.

Yes I know the ARRL will not change the fee, and that they are struggling,
and they outsourced the on-line course ($$) to an independent company.

Wayne I respect you response and input, but I remain a grumpy old man.

Maybe as a club, we can set up a class to get the information out to those
that would like to learn and just no certification!   ;)

Regards,

Jim Tetlow

K3UGA

jimtetlow at chesapeake.net

  _____  

From: k3cal-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:k3cal-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Wayne Rogers
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 2:23 PM
To: 'Calvert Amateur Radio Association - K3CAL'
Subject: Re: [K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators

Jim:  I'm not sure where you got the "required" idea.  Hopefully Dennis will
chime in - he's the expert on the training aspect of emergency readiness.
As far as I know the only required courses are the FEMA NIMS courses, I
believe ICS-100, 200, 300 and 400.  They are free through FEMA, and you need
them to work with RACES.  We 'can' require the ARRL training and
certification at the local level, but to my knowledge we have not done this.
Again, Dennis is the source for this.

The ARRL course is a good course and worthwhile for anyone working in
emergency comm.  But not required, as far as I know.  And your not likely to
get ARRL to change their mind about the fee - from what I understand they
are struggling financially.

Wayne N1WR

From: Jim <mailto:jimtetlow at chesapeake.net>  Tetlow 

Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 10:12 AM

To: 'Calvert <mailto:k3cal at mailman.qth.net>  Amateur Radio Association -
K3CAL' 

Subject: [K3CAL] ARRL Em Communications course for ARES/RACES operators

Hello all, 

           I am sending this out to all as I find it somewhat upsetting; a
communications volunteer and a member of ARRL has to PAY ($50.) to take a
required emergency communications lesson EC-001 that was given earlier (Em
Comm 1, 2, & 3) that was given pre 2011 for free.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel that $50.00 can be a lot more
useful to me for groceries, now that I have a fixed retirement income.
Paying for this course so I can be a volunteer using my time and radio
equipment, is really a slap to my face, makes me wonder if I really want to
renew my ARRL membership. I really don't know what I am paying dues (annual
membership) for......the leaflets promoting persons to get into ham radio?
That seems to be the only non-cost items available to members now. The
Handbook was $3.50 in 1962; $4.50 in 1974; $49.95 in 2010; thank God someone
gave me a 2011 Handbook as a present!

In reading into the attached information sheet, the persons whom qualified
for certification on the earlier 3 units do not have to recertify at this
juncture (that will most likely be something new for 2012). Any instructors
and managers will have to recertify; instructors, before they can certify or
mentor new students.

Remember those that are able to volunteer their time in emergencies or
participate in planned event exercises, are usually those that are retired.
Even though there is some that qualify, most retirement pensions aren't
$150,000.00 per year.

If enough members of CARA, a RACES / ARES club, agree with some of my
statements; maybe, we as a club, should send in a letter to ARRL extending
our views on the costs for Volunteer Communications Courses, or there will
be only 4 or 5 certified ARES members in CARA. I can't be one of them at
this time.

Your comments are welcome, as I may just be A Miser of an Old Man, Pincher
of Pennies, Old Foggy Fart, after all. (AMOMPOPOFF)

Regards,

Jim Tetlow

K3UGA

jimtetlow at chesapeake.net

  _____  

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