[W1SMH] Fwd: The ARES E-Letter for April 15, 2020

Wed Apr 15 10:23:03 EDT 2020

Hello allI usually don't post any ARRL Newsletters on the SMHARC ListServer even though we are an Affiliated club. I thought this issue of ARES E letter had a lot of good info in it especially considering the Recent storms and Covid-19 situationsTnx 73Ray Cord K2TGXSMHARC Secretary /Treasurer

Ray CordDeputy DirectorNorton E.M.A.508-726-1054
 On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org> wrote:

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If you arehaving trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/?issue=2020-04-15

April 15,2020Editor: Rick Palm,K1CEARES E-Letter ArchiveARESHomeARRL HomePage  |
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   - A Win-Win with WinLinkWednesday
   - Letters: Securing Coiled Coax and Stowing TemporaryMast Components 
   - Letters: Portable Mast/Tripod System Tips
   - California Governor's Office of Emergency ServicesInitiates Interoperability between Amateur Radio and Federal SHARES
   - Editorial: We are Guests
   - Department of Homeland Security Must-Have Pubs forARES Members
   - Hints and Kinks for New Net Control Stations 
   - K1CE for a Final

ARES Briefs, Links

In thesetting of COVID-19, Bud Sinor, KA3OGG, Emergency Coordinator for NassauCounty, Florida, reported that county ARES® members have been staffingthe county watch office remotely for the emergency management agency under a"Work from Home" option. ARES has been actively involved in countypreparations and emergency management, "assisting with answering citizen questionson the telephones at the EOC," said Sinor.

WesternPennsylvania Southwest District ARES conducted a district-wide simplex exerciseon March 21. The exercise lasted four hours with all participantsinitially meeting on their local ARES county repeaters before switching to assignedcounty simplex frequencies to test operational range. Each countyEmergency Coordinator served as net control station. Station logs were forwarded tothe District EC. In all, 162 operators participated in the drill. -Western Pennsylvania Southwest District Emergency Coordinator Terry Nemitz,KA3UTD

In Illinois, ARES members are supporting theIllinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) COVID-19 response as AuxiliaryCommunications Radio Operator volunteers. Illinois ARES will coordinatethe number and location of volunteer radio amateurs with IEMA on an ongoingbasis for the foreseeable future. A daily Illinois ARES Wellness Net hasbeen established to allow radio amateurs to stay connected and comment ontheir status. The net has seen check-ins from more than 40 Illinois counties.Other local and regional wellness VHF/UHF nets have been activatedthroughout Illinois as well. -- Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator RobertLittler, W9DSR; Illinois Assistant SEC Jim Pitchford, N9LQF; and IllinoisState EOC Liaison Roger Whitaker, K9LJB

IARU Region 2Emergency Communications and Satellite Communications workshops set for May30 - 31 in Trinidad and Tobago will now be held online. IARU reports thatinterest and registrations have surged since the announcement. Theseworkshops will be held in English, but preparations are under way for workshops inSpanish to be held later. The three-hour online workshop is an opportunityfor all English speaking interested radio amateurs in the Caribbeanportion of IARU Region 2 to meet to:

· Share informationon Amateur Radio response to emergencies and disasters in IARU Region 2with a focus on the Caribbean.

· Increase thecapacity for Amateurs to respond to large scale, multinational communicationemergencies and disasters.

· Provide basic WinLinktraining and share experience.

· Provide anopportunity for national level Amateur Radio emergency communications leaders tonetwork and increase the level of cooperation and collaboration.

Attendees will be Amateurs with a high level of expertise orinterest in providing disaster and emergency communications. Register here. -- IARU Region 2

Amateur Radio operators affiliated with the American RedCross will conduct a nationwide communication drill on May 30. The drill willsimulate the types of message traffic that is typical of a nationaldisaster response, such as a hurricane or wildfire. Hams will utilize digitalmodes to move a variety of Red Cross data, with special focus given to methodsthat do not require infrastructure such as a repeater or the internet. Thedrill features a local option where ARES organizations can work with localRed Cross Chapters to drill local and regional functionality. For moreinformation, contact Rhode Island Section Emergency Coordinator Paul Silverzweig, W1PJS.-- Brian S. McDaniel,N4AE, Executive Director, American Red Crossof the Illinois River Valley

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A Win-Win with WinLinkWednesday
Greg Butler, KW6GB, put his vision intoaction to develop the widely successful WinLink Wednesday, withcheck-ins rapidly increasing. It began in the southern California desert, withButler's professional duties that included emergency management. Whilecompleting graduate studies in the subject, he became aware of the need forAmateur Radio to be part of his own personal preparedness plan.

Knowing that his neighborhood could be impacted by a major earthquake,Butler explored options for transmitting detailed messages to the outsideof the potential disaster area. WinLink fit the bill perfectly. Becausethere were no VHF RMS gateways within range of his station, he used WinLinkexclusively on HF to reach distant RMS stations.

Afterretiring in 2014, Butler moved to the Shenandoah Valley in northern Virginia,and joined the county Amateur Radio emergency communications group whereWinLink was used. But, irregular use led to inconsistent operatorconfidence. Furthermore, the Deputy Emergency Manager deemed it critical to be ableto communicate with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM),separated from the Shenandoah Valley by the Blue Ridge Mountains, in theevent that a disaster compromised communications. Butler determined that bothchallenges could be overcome with regular practice.

Turning Winning Vision into Practice

Butler announced aone-time net to gauge interest, inviting hams to send a simple WinLinkmessage to him anytime during the day of Wednesday, August 24, 2016. Sixteenstations sent messages from around Virginia. WinLink Wednesday was bornand became a weekly event. By the close of 2018, no fewer than nine ofthose original participants continued to participate each Wednesday.

To prevent participation from becoming just a rote exercise andto encourage the transmission of timely, useful information, Butlerrequested that check-ins send a brief weather snapshot. That practice continuestoday. At the same time, the first Peer-to-Peer (P2P) session
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GregButler, KW6GB, creator of WinLink Wednesday. (photo courtesy KW4GF)
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 was held. Butler invitedoperators to check in during a WINMOR P2P session, bypassing the need forInternet connectivity. Four stations took advantage of that opportunity.Peer-to-Peer sessions continue each week, using varied session types.

To further expand user capabilities, Butler asked participants tocheck in using an attached, WinLink-native ICS-213 General Message form. Thepurpose was to encourage users to become comfortable with the commonlyused form used to transmit or receive messages for a served agency. Thispractice continues to today.

Butler encourages regularpractice in the use of WinLink in all of its various modes, including Packet,WINMOR, ARDOP, VARA, and PACTOR. Butler provides step-by-step instructions onhow and when to participate in WinLink Wednesday, and how to usethe ICS-213 form to check in.

The Vienna (Virginia)Wireless Society recorded a presentation by Butler and posted it to YouTube; seeit here. 

In addition to the primary WinLink Wednesday net,Butler encouraged regular participants to host WinLink VHF Packet P2PSubnets in their home areas. Currently, four such subnets operate each weekacross Virginia.

Winning Statistics

Bythe time WinLink Wednesday completed three years of continuousoperation in August 2019, no fewer than 250 unique Virginia stations hadparticipated at least once, and 32 operators had earned their WinLinkWednesday Century Club (WWCC) certificates, recognizing 100 weeks ofparticipation. Butler's vision of an effective WinLink network is being realized.

An exercise plan currently in draft form will simulate theVirginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) requesting ground truthdisaster information from the local level, exclusively using WinLink Peer-to-Peercommunications, both HF and VHF. This exercise will measure the ability tointegrate the WinLink VHF Packet P2P Subnets with the Statewide HF P2P netfor the benefit of VDEM.

Butler and now many othersare convinced that WinLink is an essential tool for the emergencycommunicator's toolbox. Amateur radio operators are training for serious problemswhile having fun learning and working with their equipment, a win-winproposition. Try WinLink Wednesday! -- Ed Gibbs, KW4GF [Gibbs is Virginia SectionPublic Information Officer, and past President, Vice President, andSecretary of the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club. Greg Butler, KW6GB, leads the WarrenCounty Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Group in northwestern Virginiaand sits on the Warren County LEPC and the Warren Memorial HospitalEmergency Management Committee. 
Letters: Securing Coiled Coax and Stowing Temporary Mast Components
Years ago, I used nylon cable ties to secure coiledcoax and temporary mast components for field deployment. But, I quicklylearned that once they are cut, the nylon ties were not reusable and becamegarbage. I wanted something reusable and found that Velcro met the need.Ttwo-sided Velcro rolls are available at Harbor Freight, Lowe's and Home Depotstores. Cut to suitable lengths, the 2-sided Velcro can secure coiled coaxfor storage and transport, secure coax to the temporary mast at anevent/incident site, and bundle the mast and tripod components together forcarrying. Also, the Velcro strips may be used to secure any extra length ofextension cord. 

Your description in the April 2020QST Public Service column of awkwardly carrying the mast sections broughtback memories: From the point of unloading equipment to my various eventoperating positions, the distance was usually 100-200 yards over sometimes roughground. Efficient carrying to reduce the number of trips has been/is animportant consideration. -- Dave McBrayer, N6OJJ, Castro Valley,California
Letters:Portable Mast/Tripod System Tips
In the Civil AirPatrol (CAP), I've used the mast and tripod pole systems sold byGoVerticalUSA.com for several years and have gotten very comfortable withthem. Here are some tips:

1. Always use two poles on eachof the three tripod base legs. Despite the larger footprint, the extrastability is worth the area and additional cost. Use the collared poles forlegs.

2. Pragmatically, two sets of guys on a 16 foot mastis overkill, especially if you spread out the footprint.

3. I carry several 15 pound dumbbells and some 550 cord. I hang a weightfrom the center of the tripod so that it is suspended off the ground.Often, for even 24 foot masts with a small Yagi antenna, I don't need guys.

4. For Yagi and grounded antenna installations, use thenon-collared poles for the mast.

5. With the fiberglasspole, you can get away with a single section at the top to mount a wireantenna such as an inverted V, inverted L, or dipole. 

6.The legs do not require the anchor and plate. The anchor/plate is more usefulfor the central mast. I use it with the pin driven into the ground throughthe plate so that it pivots above the plate, for standing up a freemast with guys and no tripod base.

Most of theselessons have come from the school of hard knocks, but some were learned since Iwas first licensed in 1969 as WN5THQ. With regards to CAP, I've beenworking with them for seven years, but my long ham and public service experiencehas served me well for these applications. -- Captain Gerry Creager, N5JXS, CAPWeatherSupport Officer, virtual Incident Management Team, Oklahoma Wing AssistantDirector, Communications - Planning; CUL/COML; U.S. Air Force Auxiliary 
California Governor'sOffice of Emergency Services Initiates Interoperability between Amateur Radioand Federal SHARES
Steve Waterman, K4CJX,WinLink Administrator, reports that the California Governor's Office of EmergencyServices (CalOES) has initiated interoperability between the US Departmentof Homeland Security, Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency's NationalCoordinating Center for Communications (DHS CISA NCC) and theSHARES/WinLink Hybrid Radio Email system. [The SHAred RESources (SHARES) High Frequency(HF) Radio program provides an additional means for users with a nationalsecurity and emergency preparedness mission to communicate when other meansof communications are unavailable to a local infrastructure. SHARES membersuse existing HF radio resources to coordinate and transmit messages neededto perform critical functions]. The new interoperability goes onlythrough civil agencies and their critical infrastructure partners, whichuses amateur volunteer communicators to implement the federally managedsystem. Integrating them successfully gives the best of both worlds. Forbackground regarding the relationship between amateur radio volunteercommunicators and CISA NCC SHARES, please refer to this URL forformal comments from the DHS CISA National Coordinating Center forCommunications Director regarding the use of amateur radio volunteers for emergencycommunications, filed in an FCC proceeding.
Editorial: We are Guests
Recently, an amateur emergency communication services organization wasinformed that their operators would not be needed to support a large event thathad Amateur Radio operators working it in the past. The event organizersdid not initially give a reason. On the day of the event, however, the groupshowed up anyway to work the event, and were again directly told that theywere not needed and were asked to leave. They did not comply.

The lesson here is that if any amateur group is told by anorganization that it is not needed for any reason, then we are to take that at facevalue, and not just show up. We can be ready to support and serve, but weare not to try to force our way in. We are "guests" in the "home" of ourserved agencies or organizations. We serve if, where, how and when they wantus to serve. We come into their domain with humility and an attitude ofbeing a servant. We are not there to take over, nor try to run the show -- weare there to respond to their direction to support and serve if they sodesire our participation. As a result of the unfortunate situation describedabove, it is very possible that that amateur organization will not be invitedto support that or any other events or incidents in the future. Theorganizers of that event are part of other served agencies that Amateur Radio hassupported, and now the overall relationship is damaged, which is whathappens when we forget our true place. -- Scott Roberts, KK4ECR, PublicInformation Officer
Department of Homeland Security Must-Have Pubs for ARES Members
The following DHS publications are must-have references for every haminvolved in emergency communications. There is some overlap in coveragebetween the books but both are worth having. Your tax dollars already paidfor them so the price is right -- free.

DHS NationalInteroperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) JAN 2019
 It can bedownloaded as a PDF, or from the Apple Store or Google Play. The pocketsize hard copy requires a request form at the same link. https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/field-operations-guides

DHSAuxiliary Communications Field Operations Guide (AUXFOG). Available as PDFonly. Same link as above. -- Thanks, Lew Wallach, N9WL
Hints and Kinks for New NetControl Stations 
Net Manager Dave Davis,WA4WES, offered the following hints for new net control stations from theLevel II of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course:

1. If the net is a scheduled net, start on time.

2. Use a script. This promotes efficient net operation.

3. Be friendly yet in control. Speak slowly and clearly with an eventone. Speak with confidence, even if you are inwardly nervous.

4. Write down all calls.

5. During check-ins,recognize participants by name whenever possible. This boosts morale

6. Frequently identify the name and purpose of the net.

7. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it.Have an alternate net control station (NCS).

8. Keeptransmissions as short as possible.

9. Transmit onlyfacts.

10. When necessary use standard ITU phonetics.

11. For voice nets, use plain English. Do not use Q signals

12. If the net has been quiet for more than ten minutes,check on operator status. One of the functions and duties of an NCS is tokeep a current list of stations checking in, where they are, theirindividual assignments, and what capabilities they have.
K1CE for a Final
The currentCOVID-19 crisis is unlike any emergency any of us have been through, withextended periods of time at home - and in the shack for me and many otherhams. I have spent the time on small projects that I've always meant to do;for example, I secured my 12-volt batteries (in their battery case boxes) tothe bottom metal shelf of my operating platform, using clips and the boxstraps. I've checked into
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Old Hams at Home, near the Suwannee River,your editor K1CE in the ham shack this morning.
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 the local FM repeater and simplex nets, and alocal/regional 6-meter SSB net for wellness checks, information, socialconnection, and morale. I've logged many new HF contacts and garnered QSLs in theARRL Logbook of the World. All of these activities have served me well inmaintaining some semblance of sanity these days.

Lookingfor something to do? University of Mississippi Professor of EmergencyManagement Mike Corey, KI1U, offered this great suggestion: "Try to work as manyof the STAYHOME suffixed call signs as possible." [Some countries areallowing radio amateurs to use special "STAYHOME" call sign suffixes. InCanada, for example, Michael Shamash, VE2MXU, is using VC2STAYHOM "to raiseawareness for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic."] Corey said "Manyof these stations are active on FT4/FT8; it's a good time to try outdigital modes and test station set-ups."

How aboutyou? Send me a brief email on your ham activity during this period,and I will publish a few responses in next month's issue. - k1ce at arrl.org

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ARES Resources

· Download the ARESManual [PDF]

· ARES Field Resources Manual [PDF]

· ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book[Fillable PDF]

· ARESStandardized Training Plan Task Book [Word]

· ARES Plan

· ARES Group Registration

· EmergencyCommunications Training

The Amateur Radio EmergencyService® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarilyregistered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARESleadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local ornational organization is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Trainingmay be required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Please inquire atthe local level for specific information. Because ARES is an Amateur Radioprogram, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. Thepossession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not arequirement for membership.

How to Get Involved in ARES: Fillout the ARES Registration frormand submit it to your localEmergency Coordinator.

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The ARESE-Letter is published on the third Wednesday of each month. ARRL members maysubscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data Page asdescribed at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/.

 Copyright ©2020 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution ofthis publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial oreducational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require writtenpermission.
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