[K3pzn-board] ARES/RACES Equipment Listing
Keith Krichinsky
kkrichinsky at gmail.com
Sat Oct 9 06:48:42 EDT 2004
Good points are being made all around regarding this topic. Let me
point out one thing, if I may. We do not need to present our list to
the county on this Tuesday. Sure, it would be nice but, it is not a
requirment.
Might I suggest, we get together Wednesday for a working dinner
meeting at the FTC around six. We could bring in pizza or a bucket of
chicken and really take time to discuss our options and prepare our
list for George and Bill. This way we have a couple of days to get
all of our thoughts and ideas together and on paper so we don't have
to think off of the tops of our heads.
Then we can request a special meeting with them for later in the week
or early the following week, depending on the results of Wednesday's
dinner meeting.
On a slightly unrelated note: Doug, what did Harris Automotive say?
Comments please gentlemen.
Keith
On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 15:39:03 -0400, Douglas Kearney
<kearneydj at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 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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> -----------------------------------------------------BREAK-------------------------------------------------
> Next Board Meeting Wednesday, October 20, 7:30 PM at the FTC.
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--
Keith Krichinsky - W3MDC
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