[MarinTeams] Radio is a Contact Sport

[Bill Smith]

A popular notion in polite company is to avoid raising topics concerning
religion or politics.  With that in mind, and ignoring the warning, offered
here are a couple of comments regarding preparedness in a response to
situations in austere conditions.  Our recent power outage is only a tiny
example of how vulnerable, and how dependent we are upon utilities and
infrastructure, and the impact it can have on all of us when we loose even a
small component.

As you know we have come across a cache of mast parts for outside antennas
that we wish to distribute to amateur operators who can use them to improve
their stations.  TV masts, once commonplace and readily available are now
scarce and expensive.  A 30' steel TV mast on Amazon reportedly lists for
$250 with $175 shipping.  A 20' mast is listed at $150 with similar shipping
charges.  Guy wire and other mounting parts are similarly expensive and
awkward to ship.  In addition to 20', 30' and 40' masts, we also have a
number of 10' masts which are much simpler to install, and wall-mount
brackets which can be installed on the side of a building to hold a short
mast.  Note this hardware is not include an antenna, it is the mounting
hardware to which an antenna can be attached.  The taller masts are suitable
for supporting wire antennas such as dipoles or inverted-V and similar
short-wave antennas (2-30MHz), and for mounting small 2-meter and 70 cm band
yagi beams or vertical antennas.   Most installations will also need guy
wires to stabilize the masts and a mast mounting base.  These items are also
available in some quantity.

As with any sport, some preparation and training is needed for new
participants to avoid injury.  Installing a mast with an antenna takes some
expertise and can be very dangerous, especially if the installer has little
or no previous experience.  Damage to and water leaks in a roof can occur if
the antenna base and guy anchors are not properly protected against rain and
moisture.  Serious injuries from rooftop falls, or falling equipment have
been commonplace with individuals who were ill-prepared to install a rooftop
antenna.  Of course, a rooftop antenna provides superior communications when
compared to a short antenna inside a building and attached to a hand-held
radio, and it is worth learning how to safely and securely set one up.

The issue of providing a better antenna brings up the overall issue of
operations in austere conditions.  First of all, the thought that one can
conveniently operate from a home position may just not be possible just
after an earthquake or a major flood or fire.  The hazards just highlighted
in installing a rooftop antenna could be manifest in structure damage to
immediate surroundings and throughout a neighborhood, especially after an
earthquake.  Electrical power, telephone, cell-phone, water and sewage can
be seriously disrupted and were disrupted in some parts of Marin during the
recent power interruption.  Investing in training and attention to
recognizing and overcoming hazards is basic to austere preparation and
safety-health hazard mitigation.  In the amateur radio world, interest in
experimentation and gaining the knowledge of how to adapt to austere
conditions, and applying that knowledge and experience toward sustaining a
communication capability is vital to effective communications.

Electrical power is always a challenge.  Assembling improvised radio
configurations with antennas will be important if local infrastructure is
damaged.  Knowing who to contact, how, and why begins with your neighbors,
and extends to communication technique that permits rapid and effective
information exchange with other amateurs in amateur radio.

It's a big project with many components that can't be developed overnight,
but it is worth considering and initiating in small steps that over time can
lead to the desired result.  We are busy strengthening our repeater system
to improve our coverage in Marin, and need your financial help.  We have
been offering ongoing communications training and license preparation at the
San Rafael Library.  Tell your neighbors about the next license event,
Saturday, November 9 at Novato Community Hospital.  The next communication
classes begin in December at San Rafael Library and you are encouraged to
attend.  Additionally, with interest, we can offer additional classes and
meetings to discuss specific information to guide your interest in
developing a robust station.  Amateur operators need to build their station
so they have the knowledge and experience to put it back together.

Our goal is to build a robust neighborhood radio network, and invite you to
join and support this mission.  Our individual effort is the crucial network
link that makes success available to all.

Look forward to seeing you in our classes, and if you need mast parts,
please let us know.  If you are willing to contribute financially, please
visit our k6bw.org website where we offer a PayPal payment portal.
The Hamilton Wireless Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, and a
portion of your contribution is tax-deductable.

73 de Bill, AB6MT
415-485-3815 (phone)
415-258-0864 (cell)
info at k6bw.org