[KYHAM] KEN Training for Feb. 4: Frequencies and NETS, "Who's On First?"

[Ron Dodson]

Continuing our overview of the new KERR from last
week...
====================================================

*Frequencies:

In the new KERR, you will find the following on page
21, Section 4.4...

> As a general rule most communications performed by the ARES will be on a local basis and are of short duration. However, should the situation escalate beyond the local level and require participation from adjacent areas, or, state-wide activation occurs, the following frequencies may be used. Use of these frequencies will be at the discretion of the Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator or their designee or the Resource Net Control Operator.

> Should a frequency be in use, do not ask for the frequency. Simply move either plus or minus 3kHz. Once the designated frequency is clear, move the net to the designated frequency.

All local communities should have local plans for their
regular ARES operations and frequencies which they plan
to use regardless of the type response being
undertaken.  The KERR lists frequencies that will
provide a common base for large, multi-area/state-wide
operations when required.  In all cases, we SHARE
our frequencies with all other amateurs and the fact
that we are ARES, does not BY LAW, give us the
frequency we want. Good amateur practice says that they
SHOULD
allow the emergency use of a frequency. It does not
GUARANTEE it!  ALWAYS look within a few kHz of any
frequency before deciding that there is no net taking
place.  The net can shift to its normal frequency as
soon as it clears.


*Kentucky Operational Frequencies

75 Meters
3.960 SSB State-Wide Health & Welfare Traffic (KTN)
3.888 SSB State-Wide Tactical Net (KEN) from 2100Z to
1400Z
3.590 Packet State-Wide Tactical/Resource from 2100Z to
1400Z
3.585 RTTY State-Wide Tactical/Resource from 2100Z to
1400Z

40 Meters
7.228 SSB State-Wide Tactical (KEN) from 1400Z to 2100Z
7.198 SSB State-Wide backup from 1400Z to 2100Z
7.090 Packet State-Wide Tactical/Resource from 1400Z to
2100Z
7.087 RTTY State-Wide Tactical/Resource from 1400Z to
2300Z

10 Meters
28.400 SSB State-Wide Tactical

6 Meters
50.150 SSB State-Wide Tactical
52.490 FM State-Wide Tactical

2 Meter Digital
145.070 Packet Keyboard to Keyboard from 0000Z to 2359Z
145.090 Packet BBS to BBS from 0000Z to 2359Z
145.030 Packet BBS to BBS from 0000Z to 2359Z
144.225 SSB Where available from 0000Z to 2359Z
144.087 RTTY Where available from 0000Z to 2359Z
144.590 APRS Where available from 0000Z to 2359Z

2 Meter Phone
146.550 State-Wide Simplex 0000Z to 2359Z

As you can see, many of these may never be used at any
one particular time. They serve to provide a standard
for setting up regional/state-wide net operations and
reflect any mode that might be called into regular 
service for tactical or H&W traffic needs.  Use of 
these in future multi-jurisdiction DRILLS is 
encouraged but not considered mandatory. 


*HF Phone Net Operation (OR- WHO's ON FIRST???)

Tactical Traffic and Health and Welfare inquiry
traffic by their natures do not work well together on
the same frequency. Therefore we have two established
nets that will be used for their individual duties. 
Liaisons from each to the other can and should be
designated in emergency operations.

> 3888kHz / 7228kHz The Ky Emergency Net (KEN) or Tactical/Command Net . Stations reporting for communications duty will check in to the Kentucky Emergency Resource Net by callsign, name, and county. Once the station as been checked in to the net, they will stand by on frequency for additional information. This net acts as a holding and general information net and directs it's participants to other nets as needed. Key functions of this net are situation reports and personnel resources. Times for use will depend greatly on band conditions and may increase or decrease with the time of year.

(Verbal messaging between County level governments,
Volunteer Agencies such as Am. Red Cross, Baptist
Brotherhood etc., Area EM Offices and Boone Center, the
State EOC will be found here. Some written traffic will
possibly occur, but will on most occasions be minimal
compared to that found on the KTN on 3.960 MHz.)

> 
> The Kentucky Traffic Net (KTN) will continue to operate on 3960 kHz even during emergencies for the purpose of handling traffic and Section-wide updates. This may be where the bulk of the activity will take place and will most likely be the first frequency to be activated on a wide area basis.

Health and Welfare and the bulk of written RADIOGRAM
style traffic will be sent here for transmission.  This
allows more control in handling both types of
messaging.  An example of this is say; Following a
series of Killer Storms, the state HQ for American Red
Cross in Louisville needs to tell Boone Center (the
state EOC) that 3 ERV's are enroute to a location as
they had requested.  They would call into KEN on 3.888
3.888 or 7.228 MHz. and advise Boone Center of this. 
Likewise if a
radiogram were sent from a party in Georgia requesting
H&W info on their relatives in a disaster area.  This
would go through KTN on 3.960 to the shelter or an
amateur in proximity to the area involved to attempt to
check up on the family involved.  Any reply would
likely exit back to Georgia through KTN as well. 

If Boone EOC has operators to handle both of their HF
amateur radio stations at the same time,  one of these 
radios, may at their discretion, be placed
on 3.960 to monitor there but REMEMBER, When operating
both Resource and/or Tactical nets, the State EOC will
always be on the Tactical net (KEN) frequency on either
3.888 mHz. in evenings or 7.228 during daylight hours
if amateur radio operators are on duty there in Boone
Center to man their equipment.