Kevin Fitch (K4KCF) is a volunteer wildland firefighter. Situational Awareness & Tactical Communications is vitally important in this environment. In his presentation, Kevin gives ham radio operators some things to consider as we train for our role as emergency communicators.
Off-Center Fed Antennas
Ted Edwards (W3TB) gives a detailed presentation of the properties of a multi-band off-center fed dipole antenna. The antenna described is only 68 feet long, but covers the 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m amateur radio bands.
Paul Havlik (WD9IOK) thoroughly discusses RFI, how it affects you (and others!), and what can be done to reduce or eliminate it. Recorded during the WCARES monthly meeting on March 18th, 2023.
1. Blake and Ryan Pearson achieve “Big Dog” status
Blake Pearson (KN4VKY) and Ryan Pearson (KN4VKW) operated the CW station at the N4FR Winter Field Day. Their work was impressive, expertly handling traffic at 23-25wpm. Because of this, Tim Kreth presented the boys with certificates, clearing their way to sit at the proverbial “Big Dog Table” from now on. While the boys watched the presentation on Zoom, their father, Andrew Pearson (KN4VKX), accepted the certificates on their behalf.
2. WCARES Membership Requirements – 2023
In this video, Jeff Standifer (WB5WAJ) reviews the requirements for being a WCARES member in good standing.
3. Radio Wave Propagation
How is possible for us to talk to hams across America and beyond? Watch this video and learn the science behind the magic.
Tim Kreth (AD4CJ) gives a detailed presentation of radio wave propagation. Much of this material comes from the General license study materials. If you haven’t yet obtained your General class license – or if it’s been a while, and you’ve forgotten a few things – Tim’s presentation includes useful information for all hams.
The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency is ready for us to resume monitoring of the monthly siren test and they are greatly appreciative of the support we provide. The sign up system is active and an improved process is in place to inform us in the event of a siren test cancellation.
In the event the scheduled siren test is canceled, I will be notified by the On Call On Duty no later than 12:00 noon (i.e. one hour prior to the scheduled test). An announcement will be made on the WCARES repeater system indicating either the siren test has been canceled or the siren test has not been canceled.
Please make every effort to sign up for a siren. It’s an important part of making sure the siren warning system is operational and able to warn members of our community in the event of a dangerous weather event. You may also find that it is a good time to take your significant other out for lunch or a picnic.
Jeff Schwartz
Reserve Team Leader
Williamson County Emergency Management Agency ARRL Emergency Coordinator Williamson County TNARES
CW and SSB stations which will be at the Public Safety Center in Franklin. These will be broken down into three hour time slots starting at 1 P.M. on Saturday 28 January and ending at 12:59 P.M. on Sunday 29 January 2023.
Jeff Standifer (WB5WAJ) delivers a briefing at the start of the SET.
Tim Kreth (AD4CJ) meets with Gino Fantoni (EMA) at Franklin Fire Station #2.
Tim Kreth (AD4CJ) meets with Gino Fantoni (EMA) at Franklin Fire Station #2.
Laura Marler (N4CLO) running Net Control
WCARES members gathering at the EOC prior to the exercise.
Gene Cheatham (K4ARC) delivers a message to the 911 Supervisor.
Gene Cheatham (K4ARC) copies a message in the 911 center to relay it to the 911 Supervisor.
Doug Miller (W4DML), JK “Hoop” Hooper (K9QJS), and Michelle Wright (N2IDK) at the Shelter at Williamson County Fire Station 24. (Present but not pictured: John Farrish (NM4N))
Tim Kreth (AD4CJ) deploys his Go-Kit at Franklin Fire Station #2 as Gino Fantoni (EMA) looks on.
It can get crowded in the Auxcomm Room during an exercise!
James Smith (KD4KMM) and Andy Rudolph (KY4DF) at the Shelter at Williamson County Ag Expo Park.
James Smith (KD4KMM) and Andy Rudolph (KY4DF) at the Shelter at Williamson County Ag Expo Park.
Tim Kreth (AD4CJ) demonstrates his Go-Kit at Franklin Fire Station #2 to EMA Specialist Gino Fantoni.
Our 2022 SET demonstrated that WCARES has the skills, depth, and commitment to serve our community in a time of need when communication support is necessary. During the SET exercise, 8 mobile radio operators connected 10 Emergency Response partners from multiple municipal agencies to the Williamson County ECOMM 911 center. This was an important first step demonstrating proof of concept in the development of the procedures and application of technology to provide continuity of communication in the event of a catastrophic Public Safety radio system outage.
Three simulated shelters were activated in response to a simulated flood event. Seven radio operators established stand alone radio operations at the three sites using their own power and radio equipment to provide vital status reports back to Net control and the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency.
Seven radio operators comprised the Net Control Team utilizing multiple modes, including the WCARES repeater system and back-up repeater, DMR and Winlink to manage communications from the 3 shelters, the 10 emergency response partners, and other participating WCARES members providing requested information regarding shelter status, weather and flood conditions as well as the status of public utilities. Vital information was able to be obtained from field sources and provided to the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service.
WCARES, the Williamson County (TN) Amateur Radio Emergency Service, will be conducting an ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on:
Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 0800 (8 AM) CST through 1215 (12:15 PM) CST
This exercise will take the place of the October WCARES Monthly Meeting.
Final copies of the Simulated Emergency Test WCARES 2022 Player Handbook (Version 2.7) and the exercise associated Incident Radio Communications Plan (ICS 205) (Version 1.4) are now available at the following (updated) links:
Sign-up here to take part in the WCARES Simulated Emergency Test 2022:
Update:
From: Jeff Schwartz, KC1DWP
THIS IS AN EXERCISE
The Williamson County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, WCARES, will be conducting an ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday 15 October 2022 from 0800 through 1215.
This countywide emergency communications exercise is intended to test our ability to provide communications for our primary served agency – the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency – as well as the National Weather Service.
The exercise scenario will involve a weather event necessitating evacuation to simulated shelters. Shelter communication teams will deploy to the simulated shelters and establish communication operations. Mobile communication operators will deploy to specific municipal agency locations to establish two-way communication between the agency and the Williamson County EMCOMM 911. Other simulated emergency communication needs will develop during the event.
All exercise related communications will begin with the phrase THIS IS AN EXERCISE.
Should an ACTUAL emergency occur during the exercise, the phrase “REAL WORLD” repeated three times will be used to indicate that the exercise is suspended until further notice.
Additional communications will be issued in advance of and during the exercise.
This countywide emergency communications exercise is intended to test our ability to provide communications for our primary served agency – the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency – as well as the National Weather Service.
The exercise scenario will involve a simulated weather event necessitating evacuation to simulated shelters. Shelter Communication teams will deploy to the simulated shelters and establish radio communication operations. Additionally, Mobile Communication operators will deploy to Emergency Response partner locations to establish communications between the partner and the ECOMM 911 center. More details will be provided.
At this point, we are looking for volunteers for the Shelter Communication teams and as Mobile Communication operators.
This is a great opportunity to exercise your skills, try out your equipment, and help demonstrate the emergency communication capability we have in WCARES.
Tim, AD4CJ gave a talk introducing a new use for the VARA HF protocol: the VarAC HF chat application created by by Irad Deutsch, 4Z1AC. The website for VarAC is: https://www.varac-hamradio.com and includes a list of features, the download for Windows, FAQs, user manuals and a community forum etc.
Tim then played a portion of the September 5th, 2022 Tonight @ 8 video from RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain): Back to the keyboard! by Mike Richards, G4WNC. Mike gives an overview and examples of digital modes, required equipment and radio connections for keyboard QSOs and then walks through the features of VarAC and provides some operating tips for keyboard QSOs.
The complete video is well worth watching especially if you are new to digital modes: https://youtu.be/SC0UxNG2itE
or skip ahead to the section on VarAC with the embedded video below.
