Emergency Coordination

Emergency Coordinator Report ----- Emergency Coordinator's Page

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

DEC, District 6 – Far West Texas

Email: kb5hpt@arrl.net

++++++ARES® Membership++++++

Qualifications for membership in El Paso County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (EPCARES) are as follows:

  1. Have the following credentials:

a. ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System

b. ICS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

c. IS-700 NIMS, an Introduction

d. IS-800 National Response Framework (NRF), an Introduction

e. Intro to Emergency Communication (EC-001)

Candidates should submit an ARES® Registration Form (fsd98) along with copies of the above certificates of completion. Send them to kb5hpt@arrl.net.

By submitting your application for membership in ARES® you have indicated the following:

  1. You have registered your qualifications and communications equipment for use in public service during a communications emergency.

  2. You can work in a controlled environment.

  3. You have a desire to make a contribution to your community.

++++++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 stations is also encouraged.

***Sending Messages***

The HF Mode of the week will be ARDOP Winlink or VARA HF Winlink. Please use the WA5TED RMS as primary target otherwise use best available. We would like to use all West Texas Section assets if possible. Use ARDOP P2P or VARA P2P on the frequency and time shown below.

***P2P HF***

My HF station and Jim, NE8U will be on the air from 8:30 AM through 10:30 AM (MDT), and 5 PM through 7 PM (MDT) for VARA HF P2P connections on center frequency 7.063.5 MHz with a dial frequency of 7.062.0 MHz

***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.

***HYBRID RADIO-ONLY MODE***

Hybrid Radio-Only mode. The Hybrid Radio-Only mode will be tested on the second Tuesday in March, June, September and December. See the WINLINK RADIO ONLY paper at the bottom of this page for instructions on sending a Hybrid Radio-Only message.

***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.

***Form for the week of Jun. 8***

Exercise, Exercise. On Jun. 8 there is a simulated nationwide Internet outage. Disable the Internet WiFi connection to the computer for this exercise.

This week we will use the Winlink Hybrid Radio-Only (RO) mode. This will be mainly an HF exercise however, the UHF/VHF users will participate also.

IMPORTANT: When the MESSAGE PICKUP STATION (MPS) is selected and registered with the Winlink system it will take 24 hours to become active.

The Radio-Only mode setup is as follows.

Step 1. In Winlink Express click on SETTINGS then click on HYBRID NETWORK PARAMETERS. On the right side of the pop-up page click on UPDATE LIST OF RMS AVAILABLE AS MPS. After the list has been updated select one or two (MPS1 or MPS2) RMS gateway(s). Select the MPS gateway that is always easy to connect to day or night. When the gateway(s) have been selected click on Register MPS via Internet. In the EMAIL NOTIFICATION box enter an email address so notification when pending email is waiting to be picked up.

Step 2. When the new message has been created click on SEND AS at the top of the page. Select RADIO-ONLY MESSAGE in the Send As box.

Step 3. To send the message click the Open Session box and select VARA HF Radio-Only. Then click OPEN SESSION and click START.

Step 4. To get the message sent via Radio Only. In Winlink Express expand the OPEN SESSION dropdown list and select VARA HF Radio-Only. Open the session and click on START.

The form this week will be the ICS-213 Form. The ICS-213 is found in the Template Manager. On the Winlink Express page click on NEW MESSAGE icon or MESSAGE then click on NEW MESSAGE and then SELECT TEMPLATES. Expand the Standard Templates. Scroll down to ICS USA Forms and expand that folder. Select ICS213.txt. Fill in all blocks. Then in the message box give a real-time status of your utilities. As a minimum include Power, Sewer, Water, Internet, 911 Call Center. Remember to start the message with Exercise, Exercise.

For the UHF/VHF users. Send an ICS-213 with the same information as above. Please use an RF connection. Do not use Telnet. Remember, this is a simulated nationwide Internet outage exercise.

When finished with the message click on SUBMIT then OK. Close the browser.

In the ENTER A NEW MESSAGE page in Winlink Express be sure the SEND AS block is correct. Send this Radio-Only message to either KB5HPT or use my tactical callsign TXEPCARESDEC. I will send you back a reply to your ICS-213 via RO or RF.

Post the message to the Outbox. Listen for a clear frequency and send the message.

For complete information on Winlink Tuesday go to https://www.hamradioelpaso.com/emergency-coordination.

Please feel free to distribute this to friends/groups. Ask them to participate.

73,

Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT

Amateur Radio Emergency Service

DEC, District 6, WTX Section

Tactical Address: TXEPCARESDEC

++++++EPCARES Data Operators++++++

El Paso County ARES® (EPCARES) has immediate openings for communications teams in support for our local EMCOMM needs. The teams consist of two technician or above class operators (ARCT type 4). Must have mobile radios with antennas not mounted in the vehicle. See Amateur Radio Communications Teams (ARCT) below for more details. Then contact me at the email address shown below.

ARES® Digital Operators: Positions are available for ARES® Digital Operators within the El Paso County ARES® (EPCARES). Required stations are as follows:

a. Winlink 2000; VHF Packet Station capable of Winlink Express and VARA FM.

b. Winlink 2000; HF Station capable of ARDOP HF, VARA HF.

c. Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS); VHF/HF Station

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

Questions and comments regarding the content of this article are always welcome and encouraged. Send an email to the address shown below.

Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT

DEC, District 6 – Far West Texas

Email: kb5hpt@arrl.net

++++++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

++++++ Amateur Radio Communications Teams (ARCT) ++++++

ARCT Type 1

Full field station and 4 mobile/portable units. For single or multiple agency support. Is not dependant on any outside power source or infrastructure. Team consists of 12 licensed and registered AROs with ten (minimum) vehicles. Team Leader (General class or higher). Liaison to the incident Communications Coordinator (COMC). Assistant Team Leader (General class or higher) Capable of VHF/UHF digital/voice, HF digital communications for tactical and voice communications for logistics, health/welfare, administrative, and other radio traffic.

ARCT Type 2

4 licensed and registered Amateur Radio Operators with two vehicles. Team leader (General class or higher). Capable of VHF/UHF & HF digital/voice communications for tactical, logistics, health/welfare, administrative, and other radio traffic.

ARCT Type 3 (Multiple)

4 licensed and registered Amateur Radio Operators with two vehicles. Team Leader (Technician class or higher). Capable of VHF/UHF digital/voice communications for tactical, logistics, health/welfare, administrative, and other radio traffic.

ARCT Type 4 (Multiple)

For assignment to agency or supplemental/relieve an existing multi-agency ARCT. 2 licensed and registered Amateur Radio Operators with two vehicles. Technician class or higher. Capable of VHF FM (minimum) equipped w/digital capabilities. HF desired w/digital capabilities (General class or higher required).

ARCT Type 5 (Multiple)

For assignment to agency or supplemental/relieve an existing multi-agency ARCT. 1 licensed and registered Amateur Radio Operator with a vehicle. Rarely ordered singly. 1 VHF FM (Minimum) with vehicle (Technician class or higher).

++++++SKYWARN® Coordinator Wanted++++++

Person/s interested in the SKYWARN® Coordinator position must have the following qualifications:

  • Active in the SKYWARN® spotting program.

  • Two years active SKYWARN® field spotting.

  • Must travel to the National Weather Service in Santa Teresa, NM when activated and for bimonthly SKYWARN® nets.

  • Must be General class or above.

  • Must be D-Star/D-RATS qualified.

Interested person/s must contact Lew, KB5HPT at kb5hpt@arrl.net

The terms Amateur Radio Emergency Service and ARES are both registered trademarks of the

American Radio Relay League Inc. and are used by permission.

Lew Maxwell, KB5HPT

DEC, District 6, WTX Section

Email: kb5hpt@arrl.net