[K6BW] Fw: [QRP-L] EmComm and CW/QRP

[ab6mt]

Here is another message purloined from QRP-L.  If you are at all interested
in Emergency Commuications, you might be interested in this perspective...
The subject was the use/practability of QRP and CW in emergency
communications.

IHMO, A good wakeup call!

73 de Bill, AB6MT
ab6mt at sonic.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: John J. McDonough
To: qrp-l at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: [QRP-L] EmComm and CW/QRP


Here in the frozen north, a number of times we have been forced into CW when
the EOC was activated in anger.  Not QRP, but CW.  We do have an unfair
advantage here -- the oldest CW traffic net in the country.  But this far
north, propagation of the sort we need for emergency communications often
isn't kind.  Fairly frequently phone just won't cut it.

On the other hand, the only way I was able to get trafic INTO the Katrina
affected area was Echolink.  Go figure.  5RN seemed totally confused.

If you guys have some romantic notion that you will help in an emergency by
showing up, get over it. It ain't gonna happen -- especially after the
hammering that FEMA and DHS have taken this week.  If you have ANY interest
at all in emergency response, go on the FEMA website and get certified for
IS-700 and IS-100.  It's free, and it ain't hard.  And yes, it is a little
boring.  But more and more if we want to serve, we need qualifications, and
those two are the first you need.  Come September, nobody will give you the
time of day without them.  The go get to know your local ARES/RACES group.
yes, in many places those groups are clueless, if you encounter such a
situation, ask your SEC to appoint you as EC.  ARES needs a boatload of
people, and in many places, it is hard to get anyone at all, let alone
anyone that can find the clue bucket.  If you are not trained, if you don't
know how your county works, and how the ICS works, then in an emergency, you
are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Once you have understood how your local ARES/RACES organization works, then
go join an NTS traffic net -- preferably a CW net.  Communications travels
over NTS and precious few ARES folks know about that, either.  Once you have
a significant event, it is amazing how badly informal communications can
screw things up.  Unfortunately, seems like everyone has to get burned at
least once before they figure it out.

Let me repeat once again ... just because you can put up an antenna and know
CW does not mean you will be useful.  If you don't know how the organization
works, if you don't know the procedures YOU will be a problem.  The Fed is
just realizing this, and that's why they require those minimum courses.  If
your local emergency manager lets you help, and you don't have those
courses, he just lost the county any federal funding it may have had.  So
they are highly incented to keep you out.  And that is not a bad thing!

72/73 de WB8RCR    http://www.qsl.net/wb8rcr
didileydadidah     QRP-L #1446 Code Warriors #35

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Miller" <jim at jtmiller.com>
To: <qrp-l at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:30 PM
Subject: [QRP-L] EmComm and CW/QRP


> I've recently signed up for the local RACES activity. My first meeting is
> at
> the end of the month. I'm interested in hearing what the level of CW/QRP
> activity is in their plans. I don't currently own a mike or do VHF so I'm
> not sure how useful I'll be.
>
> I guess the real case for CW/QRP is when you're off-grid and likely to be
> so
> for a while, meaning in an "affected area." Gasoline and diesel run out
> eventually even if you have a working generator. CW/QRP allows
> communication
> with sufficiently low energy that it can be sustained indefinitely with
> solar while reaching the necessary distance. I'm guessing in most cases a
> CW/QRP operator in an "affected area" could reach outside the area with
> their rig and a modest wire such as an inverted V for 80m and 40m.
> Kilowatts
> and beams are fine outside affected areas.
>
> The question is then would be is there anyone there to talk to? Meaning is
> anyone during a time of distress likely to look for weak CW signals or is
> everyone doing SSB/HF or FM/VHF?
>
> I never heard mention of CW much less QRP during Katrina. I did listen
> quite
> a bit to the SSB nets.
>
> 73
>
> jim ab3cv
>
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