[K3pzn-board] ARES/RACES Equipment Listing
Douglas Kearney
kearneydj at hotmail.com
Fri Oct 8 15:39:03 EDT 2004
Good Afternoon All,
If we are going to try to present a list to the county on Tuesday
evening, does the group feel that the original list presented by the van
committee is adequate? I would have to say probably not. What happened to
all the passion and enthusiasm for this project? If I understand the gesture
from the county correctly, they are FINALLY willing to open their wallet. We
have been trying to get them to do this for a very long time and now when we
are at the cusp of acquiring the financial backing that we have wanted to
purchase the necessary ARES/RACES supplies there is basically no or minimal
discussion on this topic from the group! I just don't understand. I would
think that the ARES/RACES organization would be ECSTATIC and chomping at the
bit to get together and outline what equipment that the team needs to
provide the services listed below. The van committees listing is a good
start, but I think that it is not the TOTAL solution. The van is not the
TOTAL solution.
Here are the four services that we agreed would be provided to our
served agencies.
1) In the event of a "last-mile" failure of internet service, we
can
provide an augmentation of existing e-mail connectivity from
the EOC to the internet.
2) Through the ability to monitor various local, regional,
state and
national communications networks such as Skywarn, the
Hurricane Watch Net (HWN), the National Traffic System (NTS) etc., we can
provide
coordination related communications with local, regional,
state and federal organizations and/or agencies.
3) We can provide a means of digital and voice communications
from the EOC
to various disaster or relief point(s) within the county,
region or state.
4) We can provide a pool of skilled radio operators with
communications
equipment to establish and maintain communications networks
locally or nationally as required.
When does the ARES/RACES organization want to set down and architect
communication solutions for the four agreed upon services to our served
agencies? This exercise MUST take place before we can reasonably submit a
list of equipment and supplies that the ARES/RACES organization wants.
I am available all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon and evening.
Please let me know when and if you would like to meet.
73,
Doug N5LBJ
-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas Kearney [mailto:kearneydj at hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 14:35
To: 'Frank Rodski'; 'Stephen C Beckman'; keith_kb3hhk at hotmail.com;
jvc749 at adelphia.net; jebaugh at carr.org; mellema at qis.net; n3gqk at juno.com;
charlesc at carr.org; dkearney at umm.edu; 'Chesley, John'; wx3f at juno.com
Subject: RE: Radio Equipment Needs
Team
I think that we need to discuss exactly what we need before we present a
list of equipment to the county. Here is my point, we need to identify if
the Van is or isn't the only item that we can seek monies for, if that is
the case then the list of equipment that we will need to satisfy the three
services previously identified will probably be different then the one that
Keith created. If the available monies are not only for the van then the
list of equipment that we would consider would be for the repeater site,
EOC, FTC, and MCC Van. I really think that the monies are going to be under
the general umbrella of Homeland Security. I don't think that the county or
the feds care if we use the money for the van or the what. The main point is
that we use the money to increase our ability to supplement the counties
emergency communication needs. The RED CROSS is not a source for this money
and their requirements are secondary because the Feds and County are
supplementing our cause.
The feds and/or the county is opening their pocketbook up, I just don't want
to grab money for the sake of taking the money because we might not get any
more. We must act fiscally responsible. The money that we are taking is all
our tax money that our kids will have to pay interest on for many years from
now.
This week we created a great list of services that we can provide the county
and indirectly our fellow citizens. I think we should first architect the
solutions to provide those services FIRST!!! The communication van is only
one component of the solution. Once we have architected those solutions and
identified the equipment needs, then and only then, can we responsibly go to
the county with a list of equipment that we would like for them to purchase
with OUR tax dollars.
The list of equipment that was sent to Pudge from Keith on July 23 is not a
bad list of equipment, but I am unsure if it is going to allow the
ARES/RACES organization to provide those three document services.
BTW, Can someone please forward this to Phil KE3FL. I do not have his email
address. He was not included in the original email.
I think that an in person meeting to discuss this issue is really important
before we present this list to Bill and George. I would say that this
Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night is an option.
Regards,
Doug N5LBJ
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Rodski [mailto:k3mtt at verizon.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 19:17
To: Stephen C Beckman; keith_kb3hhk at hotmail.com; jvc749 at adelphia.net;
jebaugh at carr.org; mellema at qis.net; n3gqk at juno.com; kearneydj at adelphia.net;
charlesc at carr.org; k3mtt at verizon.net; dkearney at umm.edu; 'Chesley, John';
wx3f at juno.com
Subject: RE: Radio Equipment Needs
Steve et al:
I hope there not just blowing smoke, but this is typical of government
spending. Usually the deadline is by OCT 1 not Dec 31.
The equipment list came up several times including last BoD meeting. Isn't
anyone listening? It was the job of the MCC Committee to do so and one was
prepared months ago. Suggested was two stations covering all bands and a
third position, and a 144/450 MHz position for the front shotgun side. The
committee agree on a busing structure etc. Suitable antennas, 6 volts heavy
duty equipment batteries, wire, coax, etc. were on the list. Possibly other
radios are better than those suggested, but it should be very hard to decide
on ones. For the most part if we are going to get funding, then the rule is
to go for the biggest baddest stuff you can find. They will cut you down if
need be and then we can suggest alternatives. There aren't that many radios
on the market at he quality I'm speaking of, so choosing should be easy.
Antenna requirements may even be more difficult.
I think Chuck, N3TOT has the list and Keith and/or Chuck may have a more
detailed list of items ...keyers etc. Handie talkies, chargers, spare
batteries, cell phone are also a possibility. A portable tower along with
other antenna supports etc. need to be considered. Food storage capability
such as a small refrig and foodstuffs that wont go bad but will feed a 3.4
person crew for several days should be considered. A small television and a
good AM/FM radio beside the truck radio are other items. If we just sit and
think about it, there will be quite a number of items, both large and small
that can make the list.
In any event ... lets not argue about it and certainly lets not hold up
getting the list together because this or that is or is not written and
sealed in blood. Believe me, during my 35 years with the Feds I procured
and got more items approved up with quick justification at the end of a
quarter or fiscal year than any other time of the year even with huge
studies and reams of justification.
The van is the primary need and will more easily justify any Homeland
Security monies than other things, although support for the repeater should
be high on the list with the fixed Club station making the list also.
Do you want to get the van committee and/or the BoD together to get a final
list together?
Frank K3MTT
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen C Beckman [mailto:Stephen_C_Beckman at Raytheon.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 4:19 PM
To: keith_kb3hhk at hotmail.com; jvc749 at adelphia.net; jebaugh at carr.org;
mellema at qis.net; n3gqk at juno.com; kearneydj at adelphia.net; charlesc at carr.org;
k3mtt at verizon.net; dkearney at umm.edu; 'Chesley, John'; wx3f at juno.com
Subject: Fw: Radio Equipment Needs
Greetings Gentlemen;
When you all get unglued from the ceiling, let's make plans to put together
our equipment list. We should see George & Bill at the RACES drill next
week, so that will be an opportunity to learn more about what's available,
and if it can be applied to other needs (beyond the van) as well.
73; Steve, N3SB
----- Forwarded by Stephen C Beckman/TOW/Raytheon/US on 10/05/2004 04:04 PM
-----
"Thomas, George
E. Jr."
<gthomas at ccg.carr To
.org> "'Stephen C Beckman'"
<Stephen_C_Beckman at raytheon.com>
10/05/2004 03:57 cc
PM "Martin, William"
<wmartin at ccg.carr.org>, "'Lawrence
Solarczyk'" <wx3f at juno.com>
Subject
Radio Equipment Needs
Steve,
Bill Martin and I were discussing our visit to the Simulated Emergency
Test (SET) last Saturday morning and during the conversation Bill mentioned
that the two of you had discussed some radio equipment needs that you have
for the communications van. Bill asked me to contact MEMA and see if any of
the funding that the County has received through the Homeland Security
Equipment Grant program might be able to be used in order to help fund your
needs. I am very please to tell you that the answer is yes. The only thing
that we have to make sure of is that we know where the equipment is located
so that if the Federal Government wants to do an audit we are able to show
them the equipment that the funding bought. Our current 2003 funding needs
to be spent and reimbursement sought from MEMA by December 31st of this year
and I think we have enough money remaining to fund your needs. If you could
supply us with a list of exactly what you want, its cost, and where to
purchase it as quickly as possible but no later than November 1st we can get
the ball rolling on your needs. If you have any questions or concerns just
let Bill or me know.
Thanks,
George
George Thomas
Office of Public Safety Support Services
225 North Center Street - Room #020
Westminster, Maryland 21157
410-386-2296
410-857-3522 (fax)
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