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ST CLAIR COUNTY ARPSC

ARES/RACES ORIENTATION

ARPSC LIAISON GROUP

REVISION II March 2010

Table of Contents

The ARPSC Story Page 3 Served Agency Needs Page 4 The Training Matrix Page 5 FEMA Certifications Page 5 Net Operations Page 7 Call Up Procedures Standard Response Procedures Page 8 Tactical Operations Appendix A Simplex Operations Appendix B NCS Training Manual (excerpt) Appendix C Tactical Communications Tactical Call Sign Use Break Tags and Prowords Appendix D Frequency Chart Appendix E Resource List Appendix F Power Pole Configuration Appendix G Example Forms

St Clair County ARPSC

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ARPSC The St Clair County Amateur Radio Public Service Corps is an organization of local Amateur Radio operators, which recognizes that the St Clair County Office of Emergency Management and surrounding municipalities, as well as certain Non-Government Organizations, may have a need for additional communications capability/interoperability with regard to certain community and citizen risks. This organization follows the general guidelines of the Michigan ARPSC, an organization which works closely with the Homeland Security Department of the Michigan State Police. The ARPSC is organized in a manner in which the assets and capabilities of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®), the National Traffic System (NTS), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and SkyWarn can be utilized to their fullest. Leaders of these organizations meet on a regular basis to share information, techniques and develop training and operational guidelines. Regularly scheduled meetings and radio nets are held in the county to provide useful information and hands-on training to local amateur radio operators. Amateur radio members of any of the above mentioned groups are welcome to participate in the ARPSC. In St Clair County, ARES is under the leadership of the ranking ARRL official. The RACES program is administered by the St Clair County Emergency Management Division and overseen by a RACES Liaison Group working directly with the Emergency Manager. SkyWarn is a NOAA/NWS program that is sponsored SCC EMD. The National Traffic System local outlet is the Thumb and Mid-Michigan Traffic Net. Additional emergency traffic handling capabilities are available through liaison stations to statewide traffic nets. The Amateur Radio Hospital Emergency Corps (ARHEC) group is charged with operating and maintaining the amateur radio equipment embedded at each of the St Clair County Hospitals. This is part of the Region II Bio-Defense Network. Regular nets, training and equipment checks are held monthly.


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SERVED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS St Clair County ARPSC maintains the ARES/RACES service to provide St Clair County and surrounding municipalities with reliable Auxiliary Communications capabilities, as well as interoperability to ensure that the infrastructure of government services continues with minimal interruptions to communications during events that may occur both inside and outside of St Clair County The St Clair County Office of Emergency Management located in the county seat of Port Huron, Michigan is recognized as the ‘Primary’ agency for all activations within the county. The City of Port Huron is recognized by the State of Michigan as an individual, stand-alone entity capable of making decisions and maintaining themselves independent of the county if need be. These entities can request services from SCC ARPSC provided we have the manpower to assist after the needs of our prime served agency are met. Due to the wide range of events which might occur, there is no means of determining specific assets will be required for each and every type of emergency event. To this end, each event will be treated on an ‘as needed’’ basis and all reasonable attempts will be made to assess what resources will be required at any given time. This necessitates the use of these guidelines to establish a baseline from which to draw these resources. To meet the needs of the served agency, this service must satisfy the following requirements:

• 24 x 7 x 365 readiness with resiliency against multiple causes of failure. This is in recognition of the fact that events occur at any given time without regard to a set timetable.

• Periodic training as directed by the St Clair County Office of Emergency Management, FEMA – Homeland Security and ARPSC Leadership. In the case of ARES, minimal training in accordance with ARRL Guidelines will be maintained. With respect to RACES activities, the Guidelines of the Federal Government shall prevail in all respects. Other periodic training should include but not be limited to community service. These shall include support of parades, charity events, etc.


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THE MATRIX St Clair County ARPSC has adopted a simple method to assess its overall state of readiness. This involves the registration and tracking of our members to validate participation and training. Records will be assessed annually prior to membership renewal. Training, certification and levels of participation requirements vary according to the member’s responsibilities. The Training and Participation Matrix (page 6) is an overview of the minimal requirements and standards that have been set for membership in the ARPSC. Additional RACES requirements are in the form of certifications that are readily available online through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The background check for RACES members is mandated by the State of Michigan. It is a strictly “criminal” check performed by the local sheriff department. No information is revealed to the Office of Emergency Management. A simple GO, NO-GO report is supplied. Unsuccessful RACES applicants are welcome to query the Sheriff’s Dept regarding the outcome.

FEMA Certification The required FEMA self-help courses and certifications are available from the website; http://training.fema.gov/IS/ (click on NIMS courses). This is the site of the Emergency Management Institute. All online training is free of charge. The testing is open book and certifications are tracked and logged to your own personal account. You will be emailed a link to print out a very smartly styled and frame-able certification. Don’t forget to make a copy to be filed at the County Office of Emergency management. For the currently required FEMA courses see Appendix E: Resource List


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REQUIREMENTS BY LEVEL

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County EC/RO 5 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 2 2 2 1 X

County AEC/Deputy RO 5 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 2 2 1 1 B

RACES HRT/NCS/EOC/ECC X 3 5 2 2 3 3 5 6 2 1 1 1 B

ARES RESTRICTED X NR 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 A

Legend Yearly Attendance Requirements1 encouraged/not mandatory A 1 Meeting or 1 Event, 4 ARPSC Net Chk-In2 required within 1 year B 2 Meeting, 1 Event, 6 ARPSC Net Chk-In3 required per OEM4 required within 6 months5 required upon incumbancy6 within 1 year, renew bi-annual NR (not required)

Background Check (To be performed by SCC Sheriff Dept *CONFIDENTIAL*)ARPSC Orientation (Explaining the ARES/RACES role, Emergency Operations, Resource List)NCS Module (ARPSC Classroom Training Course)IS-100 and IS-700 (Minimum FEMA Certs required to operate during a declared emergency)IS-200 (Additional FEMA Certs required to enter any declared EOC or Command Center)IS-22 (FEMA Cert "Are You Ready?")SkyWarn (Weather Spotter training available within St Clair or surrounding counties yearly)800 Mhz Radio System Training (ARPSC Classroom Training Course)Damage Assessment (Available thru County DHS)EC-001, 2 (ARRL Emergency Communications Courses )

RESTRICTED (Non-RACES operations only)

07/08/09 SCC ARPSC


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NET OPERATIONS There are many types of amateur radio nets. They range from cordial to formal and are either directed or un-directed. ARPSC nets are always formal, directed nets. An excerpt from the excellent Net Control Station Training Manual by K8AMR, explaining the types of directed nets, is attached (Appendix B). The entire manual is available to download at http://arpsc.mi-nts.org/downloads/NCS .

Call-Up (Activation) There are many scenarios which could lead to the activation of an ARES or RACES Net. A most likely situation is a violent storm, which causes damage to a portion of the county. In most cases there will already be a SkyWarn Spotter Net up and running. This net would morph into an ARES net and check-ins would be taken to determine the location and availability of amateur communications.

Depending on the size and scope of the event, the net control might be moved to the Emergency Operations Center. In which case the information regarding available assets would be relayed to the EOC and assignments would flow from that location. The net may expand (add Tactical sub-nets) or contract, as the situation requires.

A declaration of disaster would necessitate additional communications circuits involving the activities of the SCC OEM Disaster Assessment Team as they assess storm damage to buildings, properties, and facilities. Subnets will be established and manned to provide real-time communications from sites such as shelters, supply depots and medical facilities.

In a less obvious situation, such as a fire, hazardous spill or flooding which might occur in the night time and prompt the opening of one or more shelters; amateurs in the immediate area or nearby locations might be called by phone or pager to respond or to check into an existing Emergency Net.

Always keep in mind that even though you are called to activate a location, this is for Auxiliary Communications only. There may or may not be a need to use your services. Your purpose is to standby and assist if and when needed. The establishment of the available, reliable, “backup” communications circuit, which you provide is always highly appreciated by the professionals that we serve.


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The majority of Emergency Nets will use Tactical Communications methods in the course of their operations. The basics of this method are explained in (Appendix C). This is a series of instructions produced by the Virginia RACES Group. A visit to their website is extremely educational. Standard Response Procedures The following is a general synopsis of what should be Standard Response and Operating Procedures for all Amateurs in the event of an Emergency:

1. Upon understanding that an emergency has occurred, determine that you and your family are safe from harm and then verify your status for helping. You should presume that your help will be needed for at least an eight hour shift and plan accordingly. Tune your radio to the St Clair County ARPSC repeater frequency (147.300+).

2. Once tuned to the frequency listen for several minutes to ascertain the nature of the response and check-in when directed to do so by Net Control Station. If the repeater is not operational, listen to 147.300 for information and when appropriate check-in via simplex mode. When checking in to the net be sure to give your location and status. You will be advised where and when to report and what duties are required of you. DO NOT ACCEPT A POSTING FOR WHICH YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED OR NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPED.

3. DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY TO ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION. 4. If your services are necessary to the emergency make arrangements to

safely transport you and your equipment to the designated location. (Be sure to be properly attired and display the appropriate I.D. tags, etc.) This would be the time to start a 214a Individual Activity Log.

5. Upon arrival at the location, check-in with the person in charge and ascertain the optimal location for your services. If operations are already being performed by another amateur, then assume the same location of operations for continuity with the served agency.

6. Set-up your equipment. Be sure you have the correct frequencies installed and are familiar with your surroundings, the contact person on location and any specifics to the operation.


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7. When you have everything in order, check-in on the frequency you were given when you were dispatched.

8. Make every effort to handle all messages to and from your location in a timely fashion and pass every message exactly as transcribed to you. (During this time make notes in the margins as to whom you transmitted the message or from whom you received the message and the time. When you have the time, make a record log of all items that have occurred at your location. Records must be kept at all locations so that all message traffic can be tracked and accounted for. This record is to become a permanent part of the event archives.)

9. When your relief operator arrives, make sure that you properly brief them of all outstanding items and who the contact is. Then immediately after the new station has checked into the net, dismantle your station if necessary. Remember, it is imperative that the relief operator be thoroughly briefed before starting their shift.

10. Safely and quickly vacate the area and return home or to wherever your family is.

11. Make sure that you are well rested (at least eight hours of sleep) before volunteering for another assignment.

Emergency Frequencies (ICS 205) Specific amateur frequencies are designated for both control and tactical use. These will be listed on the ICS 205 Communications Plan for Emergency Ops. During an incident, additional tactical frequencies and calls may be assigned for expanded or subnet operation. These should noted on the ICS205 Frequency Use Chart is located in (Appendix D).

Simplex Operation In order to free up repeater frequencies during emergency operations, simplex channels will be used. “Simplex” means transmitting and receiving on the same frequency. An example would be the 146.52 National Calling Frequency. An explanation of simplex channel use and best practices and an overview of selecting the proper radio, see (Appendix A) Emergency Power


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Both home and go-kit stations are only useful if properly backed up by some type of reliable power source. Home stations generally can be backed up by the use of batteries or generators that can be switched in if commercial power fails. Go-kit stations should carry battery or other auxiliary power to keep them on the air for periods when power is temporarily down at an ECC, Shelter or other assignment location. Changes in power status (commercial to back up) should be reported to your immediate supervisor. Emergency Power and Go-Kits are discussed in Appendix A. The ARRL Handbook is also a great reference for all things radio related.

All Amateurs are encouraged to outfit their portable equipment and power sources to use PowerPole style connectors. All ARPSC and Hospital Emergency Radio locations and equipment are configured with PowerPole connectors as the standard for inter-connect ability. Information on the installation and use of PowerPole connectors is provided in (Appendix F).

NETS Regular Local Nets One of the best ways to improve your operating skills is to join in on a local net. There are several in the Port Huron/St Clair County Area and in nearby counties. They range from Local Club nets to Traffic Handling and Official Meeting nets. All are directed nets and require you to follow the check-in instructions provided by net control.

After a while you may be interested in becoming a net control operator. It’s easier than you may think and can be very rewarding. All persons involved in emergency communications should be familiar with net control operation.

More about Nets in (Appendix B)

Nets are listed in (Appendix E).


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APPENDIX A

Simplex Operations, and Equipment" ��

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If amateurs take repeater systems for granted and depend on them, RACES is less able to respond during an emergency. If one or more repeaters go off the air from icing or power failures, remaining ones become overloaded. It is difficult to coordinate regional activities if everyone uses the same few repeaters!

Realistic disaster training anticipates that some or all local repeaters may be unavailable. After a severe storm, repeaters may be on battery power, which must be conserved, so we shouldn't expect them to "always be there" to compensate for weak individual stations. Local and regional plans must stipulate when simplex is appropriate, including guidance to manage communications if one or more repeaters go "down."

Repeaters are appropriate for "talk-in" and to reach into areas with poor simplex coverage, but don't use them for your primary working frequency. If an event covers a radius of only a few miles, use simplex instead of tying up a machine. Keep repeaters available for inter-jurisdictional, priority traffic, as a backup, for alerting, etc. when wide-area coverage is really needed.

Operators need to know assigned simplex frequencies to use for local nets, which follow approved band plans and channelization! A laminated wallet card with a contact list of emergency telephone numbers and a regional frequency list is recommended. This encourages operators to pre-program and routinely use regional simplex channels. These are not formally "coordinated," but arranged under "gentleman's agreement" with the coordinating body for each city or county in your operational area.

"Elmering" Should Teach Basic Skills. New operator classes should stress operating skills, "good amateur practice," safety, preparation and proper use of equipment, beyond the minimum needed to "pass the test." Encourage new hams to participate in public service events and nets to learn essential skills, such as handling formal traffic, by both voice and packet, so they will gain experience and confidence enabling them to become skilled, effective emergency communicators.

Stress in nets, club events and exercises the appropriate use of simplex while teaching directed net procedures. Show why, how and when to change from repeater to simplex operation. If a repeater is "down," nets should meet on the repeater output frequency on simplex. Instruct operators to listen routinely to a repeater's input frequency. If both stations have good copy, change to simplex and free up the machine. Pause 2-3 second breaks between transmissions, for stations with priority traffic, or needing relays.


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Teach new operators the routine using relays to operate in a simplex environment. On simplex, it is important to open the squelch to listen for weak stations, instead of keeping it tight to reduce noise. Encourage use simplex on weekly training nets as a reliability check of your emergency equipment, instead of using commercial power. New operators also need to be taught to use plain language, correct "pro words" and ITU phonetics on phone and how to program a new frequency, offset and CTCSS tone not already in memory. Hand held transceivers are not adequate as primary rigs for emergency communications! If a HT signal is so weak that it cannot be copied, it takes double the air time and battery consumption from others to provide relays, repeats or fills. Having "only an HT" limits you to nearby repeaters or simplex within a few miles. Stress the use of minimum power needed for reliable communication, but remember that with simplex, the emphasis must be on RELIABLE! New operators of driving age should obtain 50w mobiles as first rigs, because they cost no more than a HT, but have better simplex performance. When you can afford a spare rig; THEN buy a sturdy dual-band HT! If a repeater goes off the air, operators need adequate power to continue on simplex, including listening for and relaying weak stations! Use enough output power to get your traffic through the first time, but don't waste your batteries with inefficient use of excessive power, causing interference to distant stations you cannot hear! Mobile/portable VHF operators for county-wide nets need 25 watts output and at least a 3db gain antenna elevated 15 ft. or more above ground elevation. Hand held users need external battery power to maintain 5w into a higher-gain directional antenna, such as a 3 or 4-element Yagi, or to augment their HT with a 25-30w brick amplifier into an elevated Omni-directional antenna, such as a J-pole. Fixed stations need equivalent antenna height and gain with adequate auxiliary power to last a minimum of 24 hours. Don't depend on having a regular Net Control! RACES operators need to know how to call up and run a net. In an emergency, your "regular" net control may be busy elsewhere! Occasionally for your weekly nets, don't schedule a net control. Use the opportunity for what we call a "wall flower drill." A suggested script is available upon request for any that want to start a similar training net in their local area. Contact [email protected] Most directed nets follow a similar procedure. NCS comes up on the working frequency and asks if it is in use. If the frequency is clear, call the net, then state its purpose and that it is directed. Ask if there is any emergency or priority traffic. If there is, then deal with it now! Call for liaisons from other nets, served agencies, stations with traffic or who need relays.


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Emergency nets don't take check-ins to build a roster, but to match up needs with assets. NCS asks who has traffic or information, determines which stations can handle the traffic or task, assigns stations to handle it, deals with it as it comes and moves on. If the net is not busy, traffic may be passed right on the net immediately. When traffic is heavy, NCS should direct stations off frequency to pass their traffic while the net proceeds. Stations sent off-frequency should check back into the net when finished. Moving an entire net in unison to an alternate frequency should be done only as a last resort, because some stations may get lost in the shuffle. A "weak signal" rig is recommended for the primary NCS because its improved sensitivity brings in fringe stations that a typical FM mobile can't even hear. All-mode transceivers, which don't receive outside the 2-meter band, are less susceptible to intermodulation distortion. RACES must be able to operate in high RF environments in close proximity to emergency services, hospital paging and other users. Use of CTCSS encode and decode reduces interference, but when the squelch is open mixing products can still get in. In our experience notch filters are better for IMD suppression in typical RACES applications than helical cavity bandpass filters. This is because they are compatible with dual-band rigs, are less expensive and often more effective when a strong near-field source desenses typical VHF/UHF mobile transceivers. Fairfax County RACES conducted tests at Fair Oaks Hospital within 20 ft. of a paging transmitter in a rooftop environment with multiple commercial and public safety users. These proved to our satisfaction that a Par Electronics notch filter was more effective than a DCI-146-4H helical cavity bandpass. Without the filter, a dual-band mobile transceiver was so heavily desensed that local DC Metro Area repeaters, which were normally received "full quieting", were barely readable. Based on our tests INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital purchased a VHFDN152-158 filter for RACES. This eliminated almost all paging noise whereas the DCI "can" did not. While there was still noticeable desense when the pager was active, reliable repeater contacts were made throughout the DC Metro area and West Virginia panhandle as far as 80 miles away. On 2-meter simplex contact was reliable to hospitals 15 miles away, impossible with the DCI bandpass when used in the same environment. Low-loss UHF pass-through enabled UHF simplex contact between hospitals within a ten-mile radius of the "Command hospital" as proven again during the Dulles Disaster 2000 Exercise. Dual-band rigs are desirable, because UHF is more effective than VHF in built-up urban areas. Use dual-band mobiles in cross-band repeat with CTCSS as access control to conduct nets from within shelters or hospitals and to reach into low areas with poor simplex coverage.


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The 220 MHz band is quiet, less affected by intermod than 2 meters, gets out of buildings well and has good simplex propagation. If you have enough operators with 220 Mhz capabilities; you can include it in your operating plans also. The importance of increasing antenna height cannot be stressed highly enough. A 4-element Yagi elevated 15 ft. with 25w from an HT+ brick amp out performs 100 watts into a typical mobile whip mounted on the car trunk lid. If you don't use a portable mast, you should at least drive to a high spot away from power lines to operate. Using a portable mast mounted base antenna or Yagi enables you to use less power to save your batteries. Some of our operators use a ground radial adapter, which enables a mobile antenna to be attached with hose clamps and elevated on a portable mast. The rest use a small dual-band base antenna with at least 3db gain. Antenna Recommendations: Cushcraft's AR-270 dual-bander is only 3.75 feet high, 5/8 wave on 2m and collinear on 440. It fits into a car trunk when assembled. Its performance and VSWR are also acceptable on 220 and it's ideal for portable use or attic installation where there are restrictions on outside antennas. While most mobile VHF operators use 5/8 wave 2-meter whips (which also work as a 1/4 wave on 6 meters) serious 2-meter mobile simplex operators like the Diamond SG7900, Hustler CG144 or the Lakeview 2m hamstick. Bicycle / motorcycle/ marine mobiles, fiberglass van or ambulance bodies without a ground plane require half-wave antennas (Diamond SG7200 or Comet CX-224) which provide unity gain without a vehicle ground. For fringe operation, small Yagi such as Cushcraft's A148-3S or 124WB are compact, has good gain and a wide useable pattern. Dual-band Yagis are also available and highly recommended for portable RACES use. Shorter yagis up to five elements VHF or six elements UHF can be used in fixed position without the frequent re-aiming required of long "boomers." Color-code elements, use wing nuts to ease reassembly and store in a capped PVC pipe. It is basic to emergency operation that stations have sufficient batteries or other auxiliary power to operate for at least 24 hours. One amp-hour per watt of RF output power in battery capacity is the minimum recommended. "Barefoot" HT operators need at least a pair of 12-volt, 2ah gel cell batteries, extra NiCd pack, AA battery case, plus a gain antenna such as a telescoping half-wave, "tiger tail" counterpoise, a mobile mag mount or wind-up J-pole.

Powering a mobile rig from the car battery works OK, but for only a few hours. It is wasteful of scarce gasoline in a real emergency to run the engine for 10 minutes out of every hour to keep the battery charged, when there may not be electricity to run the pumps! A better technical solution is to equip a vehicle with dual batteries and an isolator obtained from a boating or RV supplier so that both batteries are charged by the vehicle alternator, but isolated when discharging. If the vehicle is not driven regularly, connect


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solar panels equal to 1-1/2 to 2% of the battery capacity to maintain the battery banks against self-discharge when the vehicle is idle. If the solar panels don't exceed 2% of battery capacity, they are self-regulating and no charge controller is then needed. A lower-cost option is to carry a boxed deep cycle battery and automatic, low amperage AC charger such as a Schumacher Electric Mod. SE-1-12S (Wal-Mart, $29). Despite their popularity, gel cells are not "the answer" because they are not deep cycle and depth of discharge over 25% significantly reduces their life! They are unusable below -20oC, in the engine compartments of vehicles or other uses subject to temperatures above 50 degrees C. Gel cells must never be charged at over 14 volts or with unregulated current exceeding 1/10 of their capacity. Gel cells larger than 10 amp/hours can be left continually on an automatic, low amperage charger without harm, but should not be allowed to "float" endlessly without shut-off. For portable operations requiring movement in support of SAR or wildfire suppression, a 15-18ah gel battery such as those used in fire alarm panels and emergency lighting fit in a brief- case or backpack and power a 5w HT, laptop, GPS and TNC all day. Better for extended "portable ops" is a Group U1 33ah AGM battery, used in wheel chairs. These weigh 25 pounds, fit in a military .50 cal. steel ammunition and run a 25w mobile or laptop, TNC and separate voice and data HTs all day. Two U1's will power a dual-band mobile on 10w cross-band repeats for 48 hours. For continuous operation, you should alternate between two batteries recharging in 8-hour rotations. If unable to recharge, the primary net control needs a BCI Group 27 (95 ah) battery to go around the clock. Flooded batteries are cheap and plentiful... However, they must be boxed, stored upright and lose half of their capacity below freezing. Delco-Voyager or GNB-Stowaway sealed-flooded, deep-cycle/RV batteries with recombinant caps give acceptable service at low cost. In Group 27 size they are $69 with a trade-in at Wal-Mart or K-Mart. Better, for severe service, high vibration, extreme temperature environments are valve regulated AGM batteries used in military or public safety vehicles and by the US Coast Guard. A Group 27 Concorde LifeLine (65 lbs., $189) has aircraft-type cell construction and is UPS shippable from West Marine, (1-800-BOATING). It can power a 100w HF rig through Field Day! Lifeline batteries come in the small U1 size as well as the popular Group 24, 27 and 30 marine sizes and for commercial use up to 255 ah. The usual failure mode of dry NiCds in hand held transceivers is not "memory" effect, but either deep discharge causing cell reversal or diminished capacity caused by excessive charge current or prolonged slow over charging. Safely charge dry NiCds using rated voltage + 15% to overcome internal resistance, at current equaling 10% of the battery capacity, times ten hours.


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Prepare a "Go Kit" with Essential Equipment. Carry basic emergency equipment in your car to include essential tools; first aid kit; some emergency cash (enough for a tank of gas, hot meal, and a room); coax and antenna; battery, power cords and wall charger; a ABC fire extinguisher; three days supply of nonperishable food and drinking water; sanitation supplies (baby wipes highly recommended!), medications; rain gear, sturdy shoes and a change of warm clothing. We do not recommend for RACES the use of mag mounts constructed using RG-58 coax having a solid center conductor. This cable is suitable only for permanent vehicle installations where it will not be subjected to repeated flexing. Factory installed crimp-type UHF connectors on mag mounts should be cut off, replaced with solder type and reinforced behind the reducer with heat shrink or tape. Frequent flexing eventually causes failure of the shield at the connector, at the worst possible time. The best simplex performance results from the most efficient antenna, at the greatest height above surrounding ground elevation with the shortest run of low loss feed line, providing the highest effective radiated power for the least battery consumption. A unity gain, quarter wave mag mount thrown on top of the nearest metal object may work fine for local repeaters, but on simplex will be lacking, unless you have height and a "straight shot." We recommend use RG8-X for HF runs less than 100 ft., jumpers and short VHF runs to 40 feet and for mobile installs. Use RG-8 or RG-213 for 6 meters and below for runs up to 200 ft. and 9913F for VHF runs over 40 feet and all uses above 200 MHz. By training to operate effectively on simplex, RACES is more flexible and able to maintain emergency communications, even when the repeaters go down. Visit our web site at http://www.varaces.org


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APPENDIX B NET FORMATS The word "net" is short for "network". Networks can be defined as groups of equipment, individuals, and/or agencies acting together to increase efficiency and effectiveness through shared information and resources. The word "network" can be further broken down into its two components. "Net" implies a capture and holding effect. "Work" implies that something productive is to be accomplished. Ham radio operators and nets in emergency a situation capture, record, hold, and distribute information so that others may work (produce results) more effectively. (5,2) The purpose of any net is to provide a means for orderly communication within a group of stations. In a directed net, a net control station (NCS) organizes and controls all activity. Directed nets are the best format when there are a large number of member stations. (1,45) Nets are either directed (formal) or undirected (informal or open). A. DIRECTED NETS A directed net is formal, has a set of rules or net directives, all communications must go through net control. It controls the frequency with net related traffic only, and has a specified person in charge, the Net Control Station (NCS). The NCS will issue specific instructions on how he/she wants the net to run. (5,4) A directed net is one in which it is necessary to obtain permission from the NCS before transmitting to other stations in the net. (4,Ap F-1) 1. SCHEDULED NETS Directed nets are divided into two types: Scheduled and Emergency nets. Scheduled nets have fixed times, frequencies and format. Scheduled nets include ARES, RACES, Club, Traffic and ARPSC nets.

a. ARES NETS Amateur Radio Emergency System (ARES) nets are open to any licensed amateur radio operators. They may be originated by club or public service events. They may also serve agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation Army or any other non-governmental agencies. (5,6)

b. RACES NETS RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) nets have specific requirements for initiation and a discussion can be found in the Emergency Nets section. Weekly RACES training nets may be scheduled or initiated by the RO. Scheduled RACES nets may be used to conduct monthly Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Nets.


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c. ARPSC NETS Amateur Radio Public Service Corps nets can be held at the ARRL Section, District, and Local levels. These are information nets. Participants are informed of ARRL policies, news, events, and appointments. These nets represent an excellent training opportunity and should be held weekly. These are always directed nets. (5,10)

d. CLUB NETS The club net is another excellent place to break in a NCO trainee. Most of the time, they are run as a directed net in a relaxed atmosphere. These are great training grounds for Net Control Operators. (5,11) They may be informational, training or just fellowship. Many clubs make check-ins to the club net part of participation requirements.

e. TRAFFIC NETS Traffic Net handles formal written messages in a specified format. The nets operated by the National Traffic System (NTS) are an excellent example of traffic nets. (1,46) 2. EMERGENCY NETS The second type of directed or formal nets is Emergency net. "Emergency" may be defined as an accident or other crisis where people and/or property are in distress. Emergencies are nearly always recognized and declared by agencies or authorities outside of the Amateur Radio Service. Amateur radio operators and net control stations do not have independent authority to declare an emergency. (5,3) An Emergency Net is a group of stations who provide communication to one or more served agencies or to the general public in an emergency. (1,45) Emergency nets may have different purposes and a given emergency may require one or more of these types of net. During a small operation, all functions may be combined into one net. SkyWarn and RACES are examples of emergency nets. Tactical, Command, Resource and Information nets are types of emergency functions used during an Emergency Net.

a. SkyWarn Nets It is absolutely essential that all Net Control Operators be aware of and fully familiar with the SkyWarn activation process for their area and be fully trained by attending the NWS or Emergency Management training sessions for summer and winter weather. Weather reports on severe weather nets are limited to critical severe weather observations unless specifically requested by the net control operator. The procedure for alerting the Weather Net and a list of what to report and how to report using the Time, Event and Location (T E L) method may be found in Appendix C.


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SkyWarn nets are usually run under the ARES flag. They are nearly always directed nets, with varying degrees of net discipline, held on local repeaters, FM simplex, and HF frequencies. The level of formality is set by the NCS. ARES NCS operators should be RACES qualified and should be familiar with the Incident Command Structure (ICS). (5,6)

b. RACES Nets. RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) nets are a bit different.

1. They are federally sponsored by FEMA and can only be activated by a governmental official. This appointed or elected official can be at a local, State, or Federal level. It is usually a County Emergency Manager, Sheriff or the State Police. 2. A RACES net, under current law, can only have RACES membership. An operator must be RACES qualified in order to participate. To become qualified, an operator must take a simple, short course of instruction available from FEMA. The text for the course and the open book test are now available on the Internet from FEMA. 3. As a general rule of thumb, during a RACES net, you cannot communicate with a non-RACES station. This is a topic of considerable debate. Some individuals and groups claim an interpretation of the rules that allows communication with non-RACES stations. This is predicated on permission being granted by a government official for such communications. (5,7) (See Appendix A for Part 97 subpart E: Providing Emergency Communications) 4. These are always directed nets requiring fairly tight net discipline. 5. The Net Control Station is nearly always located in a pre-designated Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Expect to deal with a number of agencies and manage communications liaisons with most of them. NCS operators will normally be reporting directly to the EC/RO. 6. RACES NCS operators and net participants should be familiar with the Incident Command System (ICS).

7. Participants in RACES activities are covered by their State's Disability/Workman's Compensation Structure. Recent changes in Federal law also gives participants increased, but limited, liability protection against the possibility of being sued for actions they might take as emergency volunteers. 8. A RACES training net is currently limited by law, to a minimum of one hour of airtime per month. A RACES training net may be called or initiated by the RO. (5,8-9)

c. Resource Nets Big events, usually under RACES, are most often run using the Incident Command System. The ICS uses a different form of a standby net. It is called a Resource Net. These nets are always directed. The Resource Net Control Station makes assignments, gives instructions, and directs the flow of available resources. The Resource NCS receives requests for transportation, equipment, supplies and personnel from a front-line Tactical Net, the Command Net, and outside served agencies. (5,9) A resource net may be needed to acquire


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volunteers and handle assignments. Resource nets accept check-ins from arriving volunteers who are then directed to contact an appropriate station or to proceed to a specific location. (1,46)

d. Tactical Nets Tactical nets are used for real-time coordination of activities related to the emergency. This is a fast moving often less formal operation. (1,46) Tactical nets are used after an event has occurred or during and after a lengthy event. They are found on the "front lines" of response, disaster assessment, recovery and Search and Rescue operations. There may be several of these nets running at the same time; on different frequencies and from widespread locations ... all reporting to a "master" Tactical NCS at the EOC. (5,10)

e. Command Nets Command nets are encountered in all large disasters or emergencies. This is a communications net established to keep the top "executive board" of emergency officials informed. They are also used by fire departments and police agencies during smaller, local events. They are run in accordance with the Incident Command System (ICS). It would be rare for amateurs to be involved directly in one of these nets, but fairly common for amateur nets and sub-nets to be reporting certain information to a command net. For now, just be aware that they exist and that they are the guys who are really running the show. (5,10)

f. Information Nets An informational net is usually an open net used to collect or share information on a developing situation without overly restricting the use of the frequency by others. The operation of an informational net also serves as notice to all stations that a more formal net may be activated at any moment if conditions warrant. A good example is a SkyWarn weather net activated during a severe storm watch. (1,46) B. UNDIRECTED NETS The informal or undirected net is the last example of net format. An open net can be held in the midst of other normal frequency traffic. It is very informal; net participants may converse directly and there may or may not be a specified net control operator. If a net control is selected from the group, that NCS can set the level of formality with informal net guidelines. (5,3-4)


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APPENDIX C TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS This Operational Guideline contains the foundations of what is called “tactical” – as opposed to “formal” - radio communications, used by emergency responders and agencies. Some concepts may be new, and are a change from the normal manner in which amateur radio operators are used to operating in their normal daily activity. So, let’s briefly recap proper radio technique. If doing so appears at first basic and simplistic, its purpose is to make sure that we’re all operating “on the same page”! Differences Between Tactical and Formal Communications When a radio operator, used to talking on amateur radio repeaters, is first thrust into operating during an emergency he/she is often overwhelmed. Aside from the emphasis (and pressure) being placed on the “ABC’s” of Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity, there are “prowords” (procedural words) that have specific, and important, meanings; the manner in which contacts are handled is more “professional”; and the traffic is more concise and fast-paced than one finds on the local repeater.

Here are a few of the most important differences:

* If written messages are sent on an emergency net they will be recorded on an ARES/ RACES message form; (ICS Form 213), or a variant. Download a copy of the form from our web site.

* The formal ARRL Radiogram, limited to 25 words, with its transmission protocol, is not used. An ICS message is read and recorded in the same manner as a telephone message.

* All tactical traffic is logged. If the traffic is not in the form of written messages, the log entry must contain a line-item, brief, accurate synopsis of the conversation. Predefined abbreviations abound, and the ability to write quickly is required.

* Parties on an emergency net are not identified by an FCC call sign; “tactical” call signs, usually with a team identifier, position title, location or function are used instead. Refer to Operational Guidelines “Tactical Call Sign Use”.

* Instead of relying on repeater “beeps” or saying “clear”, on an emergency net only the pro words “over” or “out” are used to elicit a response or end the conversation, respectively. (“Over and out” are not used together, as doing so is contradictory, a phrase that no trained operator ever uses!)

Review: Proper Radio Technique Proper radio technique is the basis from which all other activities are built. If an operator’s technique isn’t solid, it’s possible to garble, obscure, or misconstrue the clarity of the message. Listen to the frequency before you transmit. Be sure that there is not another contact in progress; make sure that the volume is high enough, and the squelch open enough, that you can hear any conversation on the frequency. Think before you speak. Go over key points, and mentally rehearse what you need to say. Pause slightly before speaking. After you press the PTT key, wait just a moment before you begin speaking. This allows your rig’s relays, the repeater’s circuitry, and the receiving station’s squelch to be working before speech modulation occurs. How many times have you heard the beginning of someone’s sentence cut off? That’s what happens if you don’t pause slightly - and in EComms, it wastes time when you must repeat your traffic.


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TACTICAL CALLSIGN USE Emergency communications use tactical call signs exclusively to call other stations. You don’t contact another station on an emergency net by using their amateur call sign, because if you have a reason to call them on the net, they have either a DESIGNATOR (if a mobile station) or a LOCATION (if a fixed station) and a FUNCTION! Maintaining Logs and Status Boards: Field Team Leaders use ICS Form 214 to track personnel assignments, locations and tactical call signs. Individual operators use ICS Form 214 to identify themselves on the station log. Each duty rotation, such as the operator and logger swapping duties within an operational period, as well as take over by a relief team at the end of an operational period, must also is recorded. Fixed station tactical calls are indicative of a GEOGRAPHIC NAME and FUNCTION. The Incident Command Post for a search operation in the Simpson Lake area is “Simpson Lake Base.” A fixed shelter comms unit is “Capac Elementary”. Mobile station tactical calls are easily distinguished from fixed stations by their FUNCTION, followed by use of a unique DESIGNATOR (alpha or numeric) such as “Relay South. “ The tactical call sign “COMMAND” is reserved for the senior public safety official in charge of the incident, i.e. the Incident Commander (IC). The only time an ARES/RACES operator uses “Command” in their tactical call is when speaking for, by the authority of, and under the direct, real-time supervision of the IC, in immediate hearing range and physical proximity. The tactical call signs “STRIKE TEAM (designator)” are reserved for first responder units at the scene of the incident or unless by direct command of the Communications Section Leader of the Incident. Other uses: If operating a served agency radio which is on a non-amateur frequency, you’ll also end transmissions with a tactical call sign. Whenever using an amateur frequency, append your full FCC call sign to the end of your last transmission (or every ten minutes if Net Control Station) and let the other station end with his/hers. Here are some examples: To contact another station always state the called station, followed by the prowords “this is”, then your station name.

Calling a station:

“Relay North, this is EOC” “Yale Command, this is Kenockee”

The correct response is to identify with YOUR call sign, followed by the prowords “go ahead”:

“Relay North, go ahead” “Yale Command, go ahead”

To end a contact, use the term “out” - never “clear”.

Here’s how it sounds: “Relay Central, out” “Yale Command, out” “EOC, out, N8SVR” (if operating on amateur frequencies.)


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BREAK TAGS

Most of these tags have been used with great success in large public/emergency services nets. Here is how they work: Instead of saying "break" between transmissions during a directed net, the operator uses the word specified as a Break Tag without a call sign. They are to be used wisely, as net control is directed to stop and turn over the net to the breaker. The message that follows a break should be as short as possible.

Definitions and use:

"ANSWER" Use when you have the definitive answer to a question currently being discussed on the air.

"QUESTION" Use when the answer of a question can't wait; for example, when the mayor is standing next to you and requesting you to get information using your radio.

"INFO" Use when information needs to be transmitted rapidly but is not related to what is being said on the air; for example, if an event that net control needs to know about is going to happen in the next few seconds or if waiting for the end of an exchange will negate the value of the information.

"PRIORITY" Use to report an important, but non-life threatening situation, such as a fender-bender that just happened.

"MEDICAL" Use to report a minor medical incident that affects the operator in some way; for example, having to leave his/her post for a few minutes to walk someone with a minor cut over to a med tent.

"EMERGENCY" Use ONLY to report an ongoing life or property threatening or damaging incident.


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”YOUR CALL SIGN” (ex; “KA7UPS”) Use as an indication that you have traffic that can wait and does not require the cessation of the ongoing exchange. This tag is an expectation to be put on hold and in queue for transmission.

“RELAY” Use ONLY when you have correct information to relay to net control.

PROWORDS

Skillful use of prowords can significantly improve the efficiency of a net. All operators should be familiar with the proper use of the following standard prowords.

“OVER” Use when a reply is required or expected. This is the equivalent of “Go Ahead”.

“OUT” Use when no response is required or expected and your station is going off the air.

“ROGER” Use when the transmission to you is RECEIVED AND UNDERSTOOD. This DOES NOT MEAN YES!

“AFFIRMATIVE” Yes

“NEGATIVE” No

“SAY AGAIN” Use when you need something repeated.

SCC ARES/RACES Frequency List rev. 2/2/2010Radio Freq Presets

Freq Call Location CTCSS Offset PL Code Primary Use EOC 1 EOC 2147.300 K8DD Greenwood none 600 none EOC Primary / SkyWarn

147.320 K8MCS E China Twp 131.8 600 12 SCC South Repeater

146.720 WD8DUV PH Twp 110.9 -600 15 Resource Net Repeater

146.800 K8ARC PH ARC 100 -600 12 ARCARS Repeater

145.370 VE3SAR Sarnia 123 -600 18 CanWarn Repeater

444.900 KB8WWE PH Hospital 131.8 5 20 Primary UHF Repeater

444.550 VA3SAR Sarnia 123 5 18 Sarnia/Lambton Secondary

146.955 VE3WHO Sarnia none -600 none IRLP

147.300 Simplex EOC Simplex none 0 none Primary EOC Frequency

146.520 Simplex TAC 1 Simplex Simplex 0 none National Calling Channel

146.550 Simplex TAC 2 Simplex Simplex 0 none Local Use and Subnet

146.580 Simplex TAC 3 Simplex Simplex 0 none Hospital Net (ARHEC)

147.570 Simplex TAC ARCARS Simplex 0 none ARCARS

OUT COUNTY FREQUENCIES

147.180 K8UO Utica 100 600 12 Macomb County

146.580 Simplex Macomb none 0 none Macomb County Simplex

146.620 W8LAP Lapeer 100 -600 12 Lapeer EOC Primary

146.860 W8AX Sandusky none -600 none Sanilac EOC Primary

146.900 W8OAK Oakland 100 -600 none Oakland Co ARPSC

147.510 Simplex Oakland none 0 none Oakland Simplex

145.760 W8OAK-3 Oakland none 0 none Oakland County Packet

442.350 K8FSM Fenton 100 Hz 0 none MICON Secondary

442.175 KC8LTS Detroit 123 Hz 0 none MICON Primary

144.390 K8DTX none 0 none MICON-DTX APRS

145.760 K8DTX-5 none 0 none packet to NWS printer

3932 Khz Lansing, MI MI State EOC Primary

7232 Khz Lansing, MI MI State EOC Secondary

Appendix E Resource List

FEMA Courses

IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is100a.asp IS-700 National Emergency Management System (An Introduction) http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is700.asp IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is200a.asp IS-22 Are you ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is22.asp Local Nets Thumb Mid-Michigan Traffic Net 147.300 Repeater M-Sat 9:30PM

SCC ARPSC Net 147.320 Repeater All but 4th Tuesdays 9:00PM

Hospital Radio Test Net 146.58 Simplex 3rd Tues Follows ARPSC Net

ARCARS Net 146.800 Repeater Tuesday 8:00PM

Volunteer Exam Sessions 2nd Saturday of the month 10:00AM St Clair County Library 211 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron Amateur Group Meetings American Red Cross Amateur Radio Service (ARCARS) 7:30PM, 1st Sunday @ the American Red Cross Bldg 615 Pine St, Port Huron Eastern Michigan Amateur Radio Club (EMARC) 7:30PM, 1st Tuesday @ Old Airport Terminal End of Airport Drive, Kimball, MI SCC Amateur Radio Public Service Corps 7PM, 4th Tuesday, SCC Admin Bldg

200 Grand River, 2nd Floor Meeting Room B, Port Huron

. For the vast majority this is the suggested correct configuration:

"Housings should be mated according to the diagram above, viewing from the contact side (opposite the wire side), tongue down, hood up, RED on the LEFT, BLACK on the RIGHT. Also notice the 3/32-inch-

diameter roll pin, 1/4 inch long, is used to keep the housings from sliding apart."

Please first contact your local area ARES/RACES groups to confirm this

Our Suggestion #2: Looking for the right tool to use but still cost effective. Having one very expensive tool just for crimping didn't make a lot of sense to us. Prices ranging from up to and over $150.00 just for a wire crimper seemed somewhat bewildering...(gulp) Not exactly a cheap-to-keep something to be lending out or taking outside for Field Day activities, and without a built in homing beacon. Besides these are just little crimped wire ends that are getting an additional coating of solder for better continuity after…come on…how hard can that be??

Looking for a good inexpensive versatile tool for assembling we ran across this wonderful item.

We tend to lean more toward multipurpose than specific use items.


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Some Assembly Required: Batteries Not Included... Miscellaneous Stuff. Now it's time for the fun part. Building ideas and all the neat new gadgets. Keep a few assemblies for the workshop test bench too.

. Small powercord assemblies increase flexabilty.

This is for starters. What can you do with just one bag of 10 sets? 30 Amp size. About $10.00 worth..

A first nights project and cleaning out the oddball parts box. Endless possibilities!

CAT.1331 POWERPOLE 30 AMP CONT. #12 QTY. 100 aka: The BIG Eraser Theory!

Cheapest way to start over, do repairs, and/or recycle housings. Keep a dozen or so in the roadside repair kit for Field Day!

"To remove a contact from the housing, use Anderson insertion/extraction tool #111038G2. You may also substitute a very small blade (jewelers screwdriver or X-Acto knife) to lift up

the front of the contact slightly over the detent and pull the contact out of the rear of the housing, allowing the contact to be removed."

Just take your time. Don't rush it.. It will come out.

Appendix G The following is a list of commonly used forms and a description of each. Some will be used whenever activations commence. Others are specific to the particular activity or assignment. Examples showing the recommended methods of use are provided here or under separate cover.

Personal Activity Log ICS-214a-OS Individual Log This is an individual log of activity during any incident. Initiate upon checking in to Emergency Net and log all personal activity during the incident. This will become part of the permanent record of the incident. This form also is available to log group activity (ICS-214-OS)

Radio Group Forms ICS-205 Incident Radio Communications Plan This is the outline of frequencies to be used during the incident. This plan will generally follow pre-set guidelines. Deviation from normal ops may be necessary due to the need for additional Tactical channels or due to repeater or other malfunctions. Notice that there are CHANNEL and FREQUENCY notations. Always refer, on the air, to the Channel numbers to maintain a level of confidentiality. The plan will be modified only by the EC/AEC in their absence the NCS will initiate as needed. ICS-309 Station Communications Log All station activity is to be logged on this form. This includes setup, on and off the air activity. Tactical messages will be logged with a brief synopsis. Formal message traffic will be logged with reference to the proper number on the “Station Formal Written Traffic Log”. All client interaction should be noted with a time stamp for your relief operator.


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ICS 201 or Ops Brief Form (inter-changeable) This form is used to ensure that all information pertinent to the operation of a particular station is readily available. Information on this form should be kept current at all times. This will facilitate a smooth operator exchange.

Message Forms and Logs Direct tactical messages sent from your location are to be logged on the ICS-309 noting TIME / TO / FROM and a short synopsis of the message. This includes instances where clients are given the microphone to talk directly. Other Formal Message traffic should use the ICS-213 or, if being transmitted directly to an NTS outlet, the NTS Radiogram. Messages on the ICS-213 must be re-formatted before entering the NTS system. All Formal traffic, no matter what message form, must be numbered and logged on the Formal Written Traffic Log. This number must be noted on the 309. ICS-213 (AR) Message Form As in all message handling, all information must be absolutely accurate. Who is it from? Where is it going? What is the message? The AR form has been modified to allow the effortless transcription to the NTS format whenever required. However, the operator should be familiar with this and all forms to the point that the actual form is unnecessary. The actual paper product may not be available in an extended emergency. NTS Radiogram This format is used to send and receive formal traffic via the National Traffic System of the ARRL. Most traffic on this system will be Health & Welfare. Messages to and from state officials may use this network early on in an event. Therefore, H&W messages must be approved by the EC for transmission out of the effected area. Separate channels may be made available for such traffic. The NCS will keep all advised on this subject.


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Formal Written Traffic Log All Formal Traffic, that is, non-tactical messages must be tracked on this log. And, all messages on this log must be referenced on the 309 Station Log, which is a record of all station activity. This log will become part of the permanent incident record.

st clair county arpsc ares/races orientation files/scc arpsc forms/orientation... · additional...

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