Forrest
kd5pks@arrl.net
Training / Info Links
ARRL Radiogram Form Instructions
LOCAL ARES NET
We conduct a weekly net each Monday at 2000hrs on the SELARC 147.00(-)repeater. The net is linked into Baton Rouge via the Dow Amateur Radio club's 147.345(+)repeater and into the Washington Parish area via the 145.430(-) Pine repeater.
NEWS
SET -WRAP UP
I would like to thank Mike Seeger KE5PWN for
taking the lead on SET this year. Mike started an emergency Net on the
147.00 repeater at 0800 on 10/27, he made successful contacts with Lallie
Kemp Hospital, ARES members from around the area, and other ARES groups
from surrounding parishes. There was not much communication concerning the
"regional emergency". I guess we didn't figure much into those plans. We
did decide to participate a little late and didn't have much opportunity
to insert ourselves into the overall plan from the southshore groups. We
anticipated this and had plans to coordinate local communications with
expectations. For instance, Mike contacted Ed Mason KE5GMN at Lallie Kemp
an requested a report on hospital status including beds available for
injured. This type of communication worked completely as we
planned.
As I have mentioned on the Net and at SELARC meetings, I know we are very capable and familiar with contacting each other but was really hoping we could exploit the regional communications that I believe we have much less experience handling. I hope we can organize more regional type drills in the future with specific plans for every group involved. I will be pushing for that at least.
Finally, as a group we didn't perform as well as I would have hoped. We have 24 members and only a few participated. I brought this up during the ARES report at the SELARC meeting and heard some folks say they had no idea we were planning anything. I mentioned this Drill in some form at the Aug, Sept, and Oct meetings. It was brought up on almost every weekly ARES Net. I sent emails of our plans to each member that I have an email address on file, I called those who told me they preferred to be called. Bob WB5FBS placed an announcement on the repeater in the days leading up to the drill. If you didn't know that we were having a drill, please let me know the best way to contact you and I will incorporate anything reasonable into the callout plans. We are working on a specific callout plan and will be testing it in some of the training that Mike and I are planning.
73,
Forrest kd5pks@arrl.net
New radio Equipment at 911 Comm Center
The station at the 911 Communications Center in Amite is ready for the antennas to be installed. Tyrone N5XES has volunteered to climb the tower but we could use a few extra hands on the ground to help raise antennas and prep cables. Any volunteers should contact Forrest KD5PKS - kd5pks@arrl.net
Parish ARES ID
Have you gotten your ARES ID from the OEP office in Amite? This ID is required to access any Parish run facility during an emergency. The ID includes the Parish logo and your photo. It identifies you as a member of the EOC staff. Please contact Vicky Travis -985-748-3211 to arrange a time. It only takes about 5 minutes to take your picture and create an ID. You will be required to bring proof of completion of FEMA NIMS courses IS-100 & IS-700.
New ARRL Section Website
The La ARRL Section has a new redesigned web site with easy links to lots of useful info. Be sure to check out the new forum area. It's a convenient way to reach many of the other area ARRL and ARES members.
TRAINING / INFO
Email over
Radio
Did you know that you can send an email via 2 meter
packet in our area? I run a Winlink2000 TelPac gateway~kd5pks-10~ from my QTH in
Ponchatoula.TelPac is a TELnet / PACket radio bridge that allows users to
send regular email over packet radio. My gateway can be accessed direct on
145.01 or via the HMU 145.01 digipeater. There are basically two methods
for using it. You can use a standard terminal to connect and create a
message and then send it. Or you can use the Airmail program
which is a basic email program with provisions for setting up an interface
to a TNC. There are other options also such as Paclink which creates an
account in MS Outlook.
The purpose of Telpac is to provide an access point over short distances. Suppose a hurricane knocks out most facilities in the southern end of the parish but the northern end is up. A Telpac gateway can be setup to allow email access between those points. It's not lightning fast but it is faster than copying and relaying long verbal messages. The best part is that no special equipment is required. The software is free too.
If you would like more info on accessing a Telpac gateway or setting up your own, I would be more than happy to help. It's a lot less complicated than it seems initially.
Message Handling
Proper message handling and formatting is possibly the most important factor in emergency communications. Many messages are relayed several times from the originator to the recipient. The ARRL radiogram format is the standard used in most EmComm situations. The form reduces the chance for mistakes and should be studied and understood BEFORE you actually copy an important message. Follow the links on this page for a blank printable radiogram and instructions for using the form. I would recommend a copies of both be put in your go-kit.
I have and will continue to send messages in this format during the weekly ARES Net and would hope that you take the opportunity to copy the traffic. I welcome any formatted traffic on the Net as well - ANY TRAFFIC!- It doesn't have to be 'important news' or official in nature.
Comments or suggestions?
Contact Forrest -kd5pks@arrl.net