[PBARC] OEM and Red Cross Activities - 20 Jan 2006

[E. Glenn Wolf, Jr.]

All -

I had the chance to go to the OEM today and visit with Wally -

We discussed a number of items:

1) CSEPP Exercise - Wally discussed at a high level some of the things he
was considering doing to involve us.  From what I heard we need to be ready
especially on the local level.

2) Red Cross radios - I was contacted by the RC wanting some assistance with
their 800 MHz radios.  I mentioned to Wally the things they were asking me
and he indicated that he would be more than willing to come down to the RC
and have a training and question/answer session with them.  This will likely
be at the next Disaster Action Team meeting which might be as soon as next
Wednesday night.

3) RACES Van - you need to see what he's done with it.  We have a area that
is devoted to ham radio.  There will be a HF radio and a VHF/UHF radio with
a couple of speakers in our area. The van is nice. A couple of refrigerators
was a nice touch. A microwave is planned. Another nice touch is a pocket
door to separate the front half from the back half. Electrical wiring is
impressive and well done.  The before and after pictures make you appreciate
the amount of work that has been put in.  Most of it by Wally himself.

4) Winlink - found the equipment and discussed our initial plans of putting
it on the tower at the OEM.  Will visit with JM and others about the details
of what needs to happen. 
 
5) The vertical that has limited our use of the ATV antenna will be moved to
a set of cross arms below its current location.  I expect this to happen the
same time that we begin the Winlink work.

When I went to the Red Cross -

1) Talked to Donna about what I had found out about the 800 MHz system and
she was excited to hear about Wally's willingness to help them out.  They
want those radios most and then a complete radio room after that.

2)  Indicated that we would work and get a price list on the materials we
need to move forward on the radio room work.  I hope to get that done by the
end of the week (figures crossed).

Overall, a good visit with both organizations.  

73,
Glenn