Category Archives: Emcomm

The Wilderness Protocol

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From the emcomm.org web site:

“The Wilderness Protocol” (ref. June 1996 QST, page 85), recommends that stations (both fixed, portable or mobile) monitor the primary (and secondary if possible) frequency(s) every three hours starting at 7 AM local time, for five minutes (7:00-7:05 AM, 10:00-10:05 AM, etc.) Additionally, stations that have sufficient power resources should monitor for five minutes starting at the top of every hour, or even continuously.” The primary frequency is the National Calling Freq…146.52 MHz. The secondary freqs. are 446.0, 223.5, 52.525 and 1294.5 MHz.

Here in Colorado, the summer months mean that many people head for the mountains. Mobile phone coverage has improved in many parts of the high country but is still not reliable in all areas. Ham VHF repeater coverage is extensive but also does not cover the entire state. This is where the Wilderness Protocol comes into play.

Let me take the liberty of modifying the Wilderness Protocol for use in Colorado:

Principle #1: Don’t ever rely on a radio or mobile phone to get you out of trouble in the backcountry. Your primary strategy must be self-sufficiency. Avoid trouble. Be prepared for the unexpected.

Principle #2: In remote areas, monitor 146.52 MHz as much as possible. This applies to backcountry travelers, mobile stations and fixed stations.

Principle #3: Know what repeaters are available in your area. The Colorado Connection is a linked repeater system that covers many (but not all) remote parts of the state.

Just my opinion.
73, Bob K0NR

What’s So Important About Amateur Radio?

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Why is ham radio important and why should the general public care? The ARRL put together a great web page that addresses this topic, suitable for reading by the general public.

From the ARRL web site:

Traditionally, trained volunteer Amateur Radio operators have provided communication support services to government and private relief agencies in times of major local and national disaster. Amateur Radio operators are organized through two primary organizations: Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES). In addition to assisting local authorities and emergency relief operations with radio communication services, amateurs also organize “health and welfare” networks to relay messages from victims in the affected area to loved ones in other locations.

Amateur Radio emergency communications in the wake of the World Trade Center terrorist strike made the country aware of the emergency communications Amateur Radio operators have been providing for decades. See World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks. Even before the WTC attack, ARRL was already working on preparations for the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses which help train Amateur Radio operators as how to best use their skills in emergencies through the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Programs. These courses have trained thousands of amateurs. This is why the Department of Homeland Defense called Amateur Radio operators the “first of the first responders“. ARRL is now an official affiliate of the Citizen Corps, an initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance public preparedness and safety.

Complete text can be found here.

ARES acknowledged in Electronic Design magazine

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Electronic Design magazine, one of the leading trade magazines for electronics professionals, published an editorial about how the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the ARRL and ham radio came through after the distruction of hurricane Katrina.

– 73, Bob K0NR

Amateur radio was the primary means of contact with the outside world for many shelters. It’s estimated that some 1000 amateur radio volunteers helped serve the hurricane-ravaged communities and shelters, even providing communications for the Red Cross.

Still, the real lesson of the ham radio successes isn’t that old sometimes trumps new. Upgraded, reliable hardware is vital for adequate emergency response. Amateur radio has continued to upgrade too. Hams use satellites, digital systems, cross-band repeaters, and more. As the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) puts it, the Morse code key may still be on the desk, but generally it’s next to a modern system operable under extreme emergency conditions.

Use FRS Radios for Emergencies ?

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Eric Knight, KB1EHE has proposed that Family Radio Service (FRS) transceivers become the backup emergency communications tool for the general citizenry. In a press release, he suggests using FRS Channel 1 on 462.5625 MHz as the standard “SOS” frequency. I think the idea has merit, as long as people clearly understand the limits of an FRS radio. Specifically, the typical range is only a few miles and a single channel could easily be overloaded during an emergency. — Bob K0NR

HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 5, 2005–In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it’s become clear that a major contributing factor to the tragic loss of life was the near total breakdown of communication systems. Once electricity, telephone, and cell phone services failed, people were unable to let rescuers know of their dire situations — and died as a result.

A simple, instant, and virtually zero-cost solution: “Establish a National SOS Radio Network (www.NationalSOS.com),” says Eric Knight, CEO of UP Aerospace, Inc. (www.upaerospace.com). “There are millions of ‘Family Radio Service’ or ‘FRS’ radios already in use by the public for camping, boating, and hiking, and there are 675,000 licensed ham radio operators in America — people renown and prepared for emergency communications. The output frequencies of FRS radios are easily received by the radio gear ham radio operators use daily. That’s the magic link in this emergency communication strategy.”

ARRL Web Info on Katrina

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The ARRL issued this press release on the ham radio response to Katrina:

What IS Working? Ham Radio!
Newington, CT Sept 2, 2005 — Over 500 ham radio operators are providing emergency communications in the hurricane devastated areas while other systems are still being repaired. Hundreds more are aiding right from their home by relaying messages to families around the country. The Amateur Radio operators, often called “hams,” are working in shelters, offices of emergency preparedness and many temporary locations being used in the disaster response. Because of their communications work, hundreds of lives have been saved already. Hundreds more ham volunteers are in neighboring states and ready to come in once emergency organizations are able to enter the affected areas.
< complete text at the ARRL web site>

Ham Radio Help for Hurricane Katrina

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Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast quite hard. As often happens, the normal communication links such as landline telephones and mobile/cell phones are not functioning in the disaster area. This is where amateur (ham) radio plays a key role in emergency situations. Ham radio operators are prepared to operate under adverse conditions and can get on the air even when the power is out.

The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) is a group of ham radio volunteers that support the work of the Salvation Army. Check out and support the good work that these folks do.

If you are a ham radio operator and want to help, don’t just rush into the situation. Here’s the latest from the ARRL on how ham operators can assist:

Amateur Radio emergency communication volunteers needed! (Sep 2, 2005) — UPDATE — The ARRL now is seeking experienced Amateur Radio emergency volunteers to help supplement communication for American Red Cross feeding and sheltering operations in Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle–as many as 200 locations in all. Special consideration will be given to operators who have successfully completed the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course training (Level I minimum) to serve as team leaders. These volunteer operators will help to provide communication and equipment for relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers may face hardship conditions without the usual amenities and will need to provide their own transportation to the marshaling area.

Working in cooperation with the ARRL, http://katrina.ab2m.net/ will now be handling all volunteer sign ups for the Katrina Relief effort. If you have already entered your information to Katrina@arrl.org, your information will be forwarded to AB2M to avoid duplication.

Katrina@arrl.org should be used for all other inquiries to the ARRL regarding Hurricane Katrina.

Keep an eye on the ARRL web site for further updates.

73,
Bob K0NR