[NevadaARES] Nevada ARES SEC Monthly Report (FSD-96)

[Dick Flanagan K7VC]

ARES SEC Monthly Report (FSD-96)

1. Section: Nevada (NV)

2. Month: May

3. Year: 2008

4. Total ARES members: 398 reported

5. Changes since last month: +8

6. Number of active nets: 26

7. Total Sessions: 64

8A. Number of ECs/DECs reporting this month: 3 DEC's

9A. Number of nets, drills, tests & training sessions: 69

9B. Number of volunteer hours: 1056

10A. Number of public service events this month: 4

10B. Number of volunteer hours: 288

11A. Number of emergency operations this month: 0

11B. Number of volunteer hours: 0

12A. Total number of ARES/RACES events this month: 63

12B. Total volunteer hours: 1346

Northwest District I DEC: Reported

Carson City: Reported

Churchill County: Reported

Douglas County: Reported

Humboldt County: Reported

Lyon County: Reported

Mineral County: No EC

Pershing County: Not Reported

Storey County: Not Reported

Washoe County: Reported

Northeast District II DEC: Reported

Elko County: Reported

Eureka County: No EC

Lander County: No EC

White Pine County: No EC

Southern District III DEC: Reported

Clark County: Reported

Esmeralda County: Reported

Lincoln County: Reported

North Nye County: Reported

South Nye County: Reported

SEC's GENERAL REPORT (May 2008) : EMCOMMWEST, May 2-4 was an 
overwhelming success this year. With more than 360 attendees, it was 
the best year ever! Riley Hollingsworth sent his video presentation, 
in which he thanked amateur radio emergency communicators for all it 
gives to the community and nation. We so appreciate Riley taking the 
time to share with us. He would like to join us in person next year, 
which is already in the works.

Dennis Dura, W2DCD came from ARRL HQ to deliver the keynote address, 
and fielded questions from many of us, as we sought to learn more 
about how to better serve. Gordon West, WB6NOA was a real hit at the 
banquet this year, with one of his famous presentations. He's just 
got to stay away from the swap meet though! A wonderful meal was 
enjoyed by all, with thanks to Circus Circus for giving us an evening 
to remember. Many of the forums were packed with attendees from near 
and far, and a great time was had by all. Looking to an even bigger 
and better conference next year.

Many folks around the section are now gearing up for the "Vigilant 
Guard" exercise and Field Day, both coming in June.

We were able to hold an NV Section ARES meeting which was well 
attended. All DECs and many ECs were on hand to share with each other 
and become better acquainted. This was great getting everyone 
together at the same place. This will become an annual event, so plan 
now to join us for EMCOMMWEST 2009!

73, Don Carlson, KQ6FM, SEC.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPORT- Glenn Hale, KB7REO, DEC Southern: There has 
been some coordination with Washoe Co. EC, Bob WA6MTY on the upcoming 
exercise for June. Bob wanted to include the State with some traffic 
messages sent via WinLink. I've been "testing" HF coverage on 10M and 
15M SSB. The objective is to find a band that will have adequate 
simplex range without the use of repeaters.

Esmeralda Co. EC Report by Ron WB5KLJ - I check into the Region 7 
traffic net on 7268.5 most week days

Lincoln Co. EC Report by Lee K7NKH - I think that AD7OY Charles 
Reifsnyder will soon be named as Lincoln Co. RACES officer. Would you 
please send him anything that would be in his interest His E-mail is 
ad7oy at arrl.net. Thanks

North Nye Co. EC Report by Randy KB7TRI - May 27th - SKYWARN 
Activation via NWS Reno. Two operators were activated locally for the 
duration and relayed real time weather information to NWS Reno.

South Nye Co. EC Report by Jerry KC6ILH - On the 17th we participated 
in a drill put on by our Emergency Operations people. We took part as 
observers, safety personnel and what ever else was needed. It was 
good to be on the giving out end of an exercise instead of the 
receiving end. Got a chance to see what can really be involved in 
doing one. Looking forward to exercises now with a different attitude 
and a better respect for those putting us through our paces. If you 
get the chance to assist, please do so. Training is training no 
matter what side of the exercise you are on. We still communicated in 
a different way then what we normally did. However it gave us a 
chance to utilize our equipment. You never know how you may have to us it.

Clark County EC Report by Charlie AA5QJ - John Fay K7FAY has been 
appointed AEC for Boulder City, and is working to get more hams 
involved in ARES/RACES in the area. We thank Dave Floyd W9MPD, for 
manning this position since Mar 06. Several members, working with 
other organizations, supported the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure on 
May 3 in downtown Las Vegas, and the Silver State Nevada Open Road 
Challenge road race from Lund to Hiko on May 18. Charlie AA5QJ EC, 
and Dan Starr AA7I AEC RACES attended the Clark County Local 
Emergency Planning Committee meeting on May 21. Charlie briefed the 
attendees on current ARES/RACES activities. There were 41 check-ins 
to the GMRS Emergency Net in May.

NORTHWEST DISTRICT REPORT Don Carlson, KQ6FM Acting DEC: May was a 
great month full of activity. Things started here in Reno with 
EMCOMMWEST as you have already read. Then the NW District took part 
in a district-wide exercise called "Broken Wing," which is held every 
3 years. Great participation by many from all over the district, with 
several different modes of operation were used. WA6MTY Bob Miller's 
Washoe County report gives details. Thank you Bob for doing an 
outstanding job spearheading the efforts. We got some great reviews 
and kudos for our participation. We are working on ways to work close 
together as a district to help each other and prepare should mutual 
aid ever be requested or needed by anyone.

Thanks to Ski, AF7NB and Paul, KE7CRZ for working hard to shore up 
their groups and do some well needed recruiting of new members. You 
guys are great! Thanks also to Bob Miller, WA6MTY who is working 
tirelessly on helping put together training exercises and drills 
coming up this year. The efforts by our ECs are deeply appreciated. 
Memorial Day weekend was anything but summer-like. Lots of rain in NW 
Nevada, and on Tuesday & Wednesday, 5/27 & 28, NWS Reno activated 
SKYWARN. Thanks to Dee KA7LOZ for manning the NWS station as spotters 
from all over the district submitted constant reports. We also thank 
Dave, KE7LC from Tonopah for keeping us updated.

Churchill County Paul Wilcoxen - KE7CRZ: We are putting the finishing 
touches on things for the Vigilant Guard Exercise on June 13th. We 
will have county wide communications testing on June 12, 2008, the 
day prior to our actual exercise. Our monthly meeting, regularly 
scheduled for the third Saturday of the month, has been re-scheduled 
to June 7th for this month only.

Lyon County Patti Polish, KE7JIV: Several members attended 
EMCOMMWEST. And I would like to thank John Abrott (KD7NHC) and Brian 
Freitag (KE7JIO) for assisting with the Emergency Communications 
display on Saturday. John brought his ATV and we set up our portable 
station with it. Brian showed off our Communications Van. Several 
people took pictures and a host of questions were answered.

The Lyon County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (LCARES) Group 
assisted the Lyon County Sheriff's Search and Rescue (LCSSAR) over 
Memorial Weekend at Lake Lahontan. LCARES provided communication for 
the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) group, and the four wheel drive (4wd) 
group. We concentrated on terminology and message handling. In 
addition we spent some time on Sunday evening trying to contact our 
friends and members in Oregon, Harry (KC7HVM) and Gayanne (KD7KAY) 
Bryant on 40 and 80 meters. We could hear Harry but he could not hear 
us. It was the first time the group had used the new radio and 
antennas in the Command Post. We learned a valuable lesson due to the 
fact that we forgot to purchase a step ladder to install the 
antennas. There was no meeting this month due to the Memorial Day weekend.

We hope that Bob Freeman (KE7ATZ) is recovering from his root canal. 
Our next monthly meeting will be held on Monday June 30th Leonard 
Mitchell KC7PET is our new Public Information Officer. Leonard has 
researched the responsibilities associated with the position and took 
the PIO class offered at EMCOMMWEST. Congratulations Leonard. We are 
looking forward to participating in Vigilant Guard this month.

Carson City/Douglas County Acting EC, Dick Creley, KJ7UK: This was a 
very slow month but we are gearing up for an active summer with more 
drills and the fire season. Many of the DCART members are active in 
the bikes held in the area and much very good training on Mobile site 
and NCS can be had.

WASHOE COUNTY Bob Miller, WA6MTY EC: Well we survived EMCOMMWEST 
where Kevin KE7BQX did a fantastic job coordinating the event that 
was bigger and better than ever. The Reno-Tahoe Airport exercise 
Broken-Wing finally came and went, and the ARES part was very 
successful. This was the first exercise with five local hospitals 
where we provided communications between the hospitals and the 
airport family assistant center. This was the first packet team 
exercise that went with just a few glitches that we need to work on. 
All in all the exercise went well, great training. Even though they 
would never be allowed near an air disaster, the ATV team shot live 
video from the incident to the Regional EOC as well as the airport 
EOC. Our Emergency Manager, Aaron Kenneston was very pleased with the 
results as it show ARES has the capability to shoot damage assessment 
video directly to the EOC.

I attended the workshop on the Red Cross response to Aviation 
disasters, and also a two-day workshop on managing evacuation 
shelters. On Thursday May 29th, Tahoe Forrest Hospital in Truckee 
held a Pandemic drill. Rob KI6TRK and Barry K6ST provide ARES support 
for the hospital. They asked if I would provide a link to the Reno 
area in the event they would ever need local hospital when the real 
thing happens. Since the hospital belongs to the local Inter-Hospital 
Coordinating Council, I felt it important to participate. Therefore I 
activated the REOC radio room and asked Bill AA7WB to activate the VA 
Medical Center Radio. Reports are the Hospital officials were very 
impressed with our communications. Still preparing for Vigilant Guard 
earthquake exercise coming up on June 12-19th.

Humbolt County EC - Ski Woytowicz, AF7NB: KH6QAI - Michelle appointed 
to AEC for Training & Development. KD7MIO - Dick appointed to AEC for 
organizational liaison. Harry Bell appointed PIO for our group. 2 
meter machine to be online by late June or early July (146.73). Field 
exercise scheduled for 14 June 2008 in Veterans Park, 
Winnemucca(Vigilant Guard/ Pre-Field Day prep). WO7I will host IRLP 
repeater from NARRI. New tech class planned for July in Winnemucca. 
KD7MIO, KE7QHM, AF7NB attended EMCOMMWEST. WO7I to enter USAF MARS 
program. Humboldt group investigating forming a 503c corporation.

NORTHEAST DISTRICT REPORT (Joe Giraudo, N7JEH DEC): May was another 
month of planning. Upcoming events include Field Day and an open road 
race from Wendover to Laggies Junction on US 93 Alt. This race will 
be held in June and is the first of three races to be held in 
northeast Nevada. Communications support is paramount at these races 
and is not taken lightly by the race organization or regulatory 
agencies. These events also provide critical under-fire training for 
emergency communication.

HF propagation has suffered as it does every summer. The NV Section 
ARES HF Net on Saturday morning is experimenting with the utilization 
of an IRLP liaison station to relay stations from the IRLP Western 
Reflector who are encountering difficulty hearing or being heard on 
the HF net. In the next few months an additional experiment will 
involve patching the HF net to the Western Reflector so it can be 
simulcast on bith circuits. Stay tuned for developments!

14. Signature: Don Carlson - KQ6FM, SEC

15. E-mail: kq6fm at charter.net
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
dick at k7vc.com