Emergency Coordination

Previous articles can be found under the "Emergency Coordination" link

File for download can be found at the bottom of this page.

The terms Amateur Radio Emergency Service and ARES are both registered trademarks of the American Radio Relay League Inc. and are used by permission.  

Questions and comments regarding the content of this web page and articles are always welcome and encouraged. 

Send an email to the address shown below.

Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

DEC, District 6, WTX Section

Email: kb5hpt@arrl.net

++++++WINLINK TUESDAY++++++

This net will run each Tuesday (except 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s) for 24 hours. Check in anytime during the 24 hour period. Address messages to Lew, KB5HPT, DEC, Dist.6, WTX Section and Jim, NE8U, Radio Operator, Dist. 6, WTX Section unless otherwise noted. 

If you are an ARRL Field Appointee please use your Position/Title for the messages. 

All others please use Radio Operator for your position/title. 

The stations checking into this net are encouraged to use their ARES GO-BOX with the NVIS antenna. The use of EOC and club  stations are also encouraged.

***Sending Messages***

Use VARA HF Winlink through a gateway or Telnet or VARA HF P2P. See below for VARA HF P2P information.

***VARA HF P2P***

My HF station will be listening to 7116.5 MHz center frequency, 7115.0 MHz dial frequency, and Jim, NE8U will be listening on 7063.5 MHz center frequency, 7062.0 MHz dial frequency from 8AM through 10 AM (MDT),  and  I will be monitoring the 40 meter 7116.5 center frequency, 7115.0  dial frequency, bandwidth= 500Hz from 6-7 PM (MDT).  All frequencies bandwidth will be 500Hz. EXERCISE SELF CONTROL. When connecting in P2P mode be sure the connection can maintain a  level 4 (88 BPS). If not then please disconnect and use an RMS to send the message. There are others waiting patently to connect.  

***VHF/UHF***

[El Paso Locals] The VHF/UHF mode of the week will be Packet Winlink or VARA FM. Please use the KB5HPT-10 Packet RMS on 145.070 MHz or KB5HPT-10 VARA FM RMS on 439.010 MHz simplex as primary target. 

***NOTE:*** 

MAKE SURE THAT THE REQUEST READ RECEIPT IS CHECKED AT THE TOP OF THE MESSAGE. DON'T FORGET TO MARK THE MESSAGE AS WINLINK MESSAGE, P2P WINLINK or RADIO-ONLY. TO GET CREDIT FOR THE NET ALL SENDERS MUST RECEIVE A MESSAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BACK. WE ENCOURAGE THE USE OF RF  UHF/VHF/HF RATHER THAN TELNET. 

***Form of the Week for Oct 3***

Important! If the new message update or Winlink Express program update screen pops up when opening Winlink Express update them before beginning this exercise.

This week we will take a look at the FEMA Mission Assignment (MA) form.

***READ CAREFULLY BEFORE FILLING OUT THE MA FORM***

You will be the Requester initiating the form. You are requesting resources for the upcoming Annular Eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023. The date/time required for the resources is Oct. 12, 2023, by 12:30pm. 

Do not fill anything out for sections 5 These are for FEMA Use Only. 

Do not fill out Section 3. It will be filled out by the Operations Section.  

Use this information to fill out the MA form. Do Not use real names, telephone numbers or email addresses.

***End***

Click on MESSAGE>>NEW MESSAGE>>SELECT TEMPLATE>>EXPAND STANDARD TEMPLATES>>EXPAND FEMA FORMS>>DOUBLE CLICK FEMA Mission Assignment.txt. The form will appear in your browser window. 

1. Fill out section 1. For Resource Request Number use 1234. For Program Code/Event Number enter 9876. For Date/Time enter 10/12/2023/12:30pm.

2. Fill out section 2. Be sure to start the Assistance Requested box in section 2 with Exercise, Exercise.

3. Fill out section 4. In section 4 enter an Assigned Agency. For Projected Start Date enter 10/12/2023. For the Estimated Projected End Date enter 10/15/2023. Be sure the default New is checked. Enter 2 in the ESF/OSARSF Action Officer.

4. Fill out section 6. For the State Approving Official enter a name. Enter 10/12/2023 for the Date. For the Federal Approving Official enter a name. Enter 10/12/2023 for the Date

5. Fill out section 7. In the Date/Time Obligated enter 10/12/2023.

6. You can save the HTML data to a text file by clicking on the Save FEMA MA Data button at the bottom of the form. Then later open a new FEMA Mission Assignment (MA) form and import the data by clicking on Load FEMA MA Data button at the top of the form. When reloading the data into a new form the saved data can be edited to reflect any changes/updates that need to be made. Be sure to save the new data before sending the new form. Data from the FEMA MA Form can be imported from or exported to a spreadsheet.

7. Take a minute and review steps 1 - 5. DID YOU MISS SOMETHING?

8. When finished click on Submit then OK. 

9. Close the browser window.

10. In the Enter a New Message form in Winlink Express be sure the Send As: block is correct. 

11. Be sure the Request message receipt box is checked. 

12. Address the message to NE8U;KB5HPT or use my tactical address, TXEPCARESDEC. In P2P mode tactical address are not allowed.

13. Post the message to the Outbox.

14. Listen for a clear frequency and send the message. 

P2P Information: ***(READ CAREFULLY)*** 

EXERCISE SELF CONTROL. When connecting in P2P mode be sure the connection can maintain an average of a level 4 (88 bps). If not then please disconnect and use an RMS to send the message. There are others waiting patently to connect.  

On the Winlink Express page in the Open Session box select VARA HF P2P from the dropdown menu. Then open the session. The morning 40 meter P2P session is from  8AM to 10AM (MDT).  KB5HPT will be listening on 7116.5 MHz (center frequency). For the Mode use USB-D. Bandwidth= ***500Hz ONLY for both sessions.*** For those working I will be monitoring the 40 meter frequency 7116.5 MHz (center frequency) and bandwidth= 500Hz from 6-7 PM (MDT).

In P2P mode even though you created one message and addressed it to two or more people when you post the message to the OUTBOX you will have two or more separate messages waiting to be sent.

Feel free to distribute this message to friends/groups and ask them to participate. To Forward this message to someone else do the following:

1. Save the message to the DRAFTS folder located in the Systems Folder in the Winlink Express page.

2. In the Drafts folder highlight the message.

3. On the Winlink Express page click on the Message button at the top of the page.

4. Select Forward... or Forward without change... 

5. On the Forward this message from (your call sign) that pops up enter the call sign(s) or email address that the message is being sent to.

6. Post the message to the outbox and listen for a clear frequency and send the message.

Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

DEC, District 6, WTX Section

Tactical Address: TXEPCARESDEC

TX RACES: DRO-08-A

++++++EPCARES Mission Statement:++++++

WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING A VIABLE ARES ORGANIZATION THAT IS PROPERLY TRAINED AND ADEQUATELY STAFFED WITH THE END GOAL OF FUNCTIONING PROFESSIONALLY IN ANY EMERGENCY THAT MAY COME OUR WAY.

Our Core Values Are: 

 Confidence             Commitment         Excellence

Respect                   Integrity