Thursday, October 15, 2009

HELP WANTED

All hams are encouraged to become involved in EMCOMM. You are volunteers; you will not be forced to participate of made to feel obligated to do so. Being a Ham is a great way to give back to your community while having a good time doing so and showcasing our capabilities! If you are not a registered member of Hancock County EMCOMM please feel free to contact the following:

Linda Fuery ema@co.hancock.me.us
Andy Sankey KB1TGL asankey@bhbt.com
Bob Carter AA1PI bobcarter@carter-systems.com
Mark Albee N1MEA n1mea@myfairpoint.net

If you could participate and consider being a contact Ham in your area please contact us soon!

Also,if you know of fellow hams OR non-hams that might be interested in joining please fwd this info to them. EMCOMM will use non-Hams in different positions that are necessary to keep the operations going!

Thanks very much!

Senate Introduces Companion Bill to HR 2160

Copied from the ARRL Website:

On Tuesday, October 6, Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), along with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), introduced Senate Bill 1755, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009. Similar to HR 2160 -- also called The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- that was introduced this past April by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), the bill, if passed, would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study on emergency communications. S 1755 points out that "There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."
"We are delighted to have the sponsorship of both the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and especially to have the support of Senator Lieberman from the ARRL's home state," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "The bill could not have a better pedigree." Lieberman is the Chairman of the committee, while Collins is the Ranking Member.
Like HR 2160, S 1755 calls on DHS to undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief and then to submit a report to Congress no more than 180 days after the bill becomes law. The study shall:
· Include a review of the importance of Amateur Radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security missions relating to disasters, severe weather and other threats to lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts and improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives.
· Identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and make recommendations regarding such impediments for consideration by other federal departments, agencies and Congress.
In conducting the study, S 1755 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to "utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the Amateur Radio, emergency response and disaster communications communities."
S 1755 makes note of the fact that Section 1 of the Joint Resolution entitled Joint Resolution to Recognize the Achievements of Radio Amateurs, and To Establish Support for Such Amateurs as National Policy -- approved October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408) -- included a finding that stated: "Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of Amateur Radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit." The bill also pointed out that Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate their activities with ham and Amateur Radio operators among the 11 other emergency organizations, such as ambulance services, law enforcement and others.
ARRL New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI said that Amateur Radio operators in the State of Maine have "an outstanding relationship" with their Congressional representatives -- plus Governor John Baldacci is KB1NXP!" Both Connecticut and Maine are part of the League's New England Division
Frenaye said that Maine Section Manager Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, dropped off a letter at Senator Collins' office in Lewiston two weeks ago, asking for her support. "After that, we had amateurs in Maine write the Senator," he said; more than 40 Maine hams wrote Senator Collins.
The Senate bill points out many positive things that Amateur Radio operators do, including "provid[ing] on a volunteer basis, a valuable public sector service to their communities, their States, and to the Nation, especially in the area of national and international disaster communications." It mentions that amateurs provided emergency and disaster relief communications services during both natural and manmade disasters. "The Amateur Radio Service has formal agreements for the provision of volunteer emergency communications activities with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, the National Communications System, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, as well as with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross and the Salvation Army," the bill reads.
Right now, S 1755 has been read twice in the Senate chamber and referred to that body's Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. HR 2160 -- now with 27 sponsors -- is in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Last Reminder

Greetings all! Just a last minute reminder that Field Day 2009 for the Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association (EAWA) will be this coming weekend (Tomorrow!!) June 27 and 28. Set up begins after 0700 hrs and ops start at 1400 hrs. Come and visit and lend a hand, all are welcome. Bring a friend or neighbor and introduce them to our great hobby! Take Route 184 (on right), just past Myrick Street going East on Route 1 out of Ellsworth. Take 184 to the end (Atlantic Ocean car wash providede if you don't stop).
Hope to see you there!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Field Day Reminder


Well folks, the time is quickly approaching for Field Day! June 27th and 28th at Lamoine Beach. Go East on Route 1 out of Ellsworth, just past Myrick Street on your right will be the turn for Route 184. Take Route 184 to the very end and there is Lamoine Beach where the Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association (EAWA) along with Hancock County EMCOMM will be holding Field Day activities. We will be meeting there around 0700 hours on Saturday the 27th to begin set up and all are invited to join in the festivities! Set up is a very important part of what Field Day is about (operating radios from remote locations testing equipment and antennas) and the more the merrier! There will be a Voice station, CW station and a GOTA (Get On The Air) Station. Actual operations begin at 1400 hrs (2PM) Saturday and continue for 24 hours until 1400 hrs Sunday. There will be operators needed for the entire span. If you would like to attend and have a specific time you could operate email Evie KA1BRA at eviesargent@yahoo.com . And of course, there will be food! So, if you are interested please come and join in the fun, just visit, operate, or eat! If you know of anyone interested in Amateur Radio please pass this information on to them. For further information contact any of the below listed Amateur Radio operators:

Monday, June 1, 2009

ARRL Field Day Tips and Techniques that Everyone Can Use




Everyone remember that Field Day is coming up the last weekend in June. Our group EAWA/HC EMCOMM holds Field Day at Lamoine Beach (NOT State Park). We meet around 0700, start operating at 1400 and end operating at 1400 on Sunday with tear-dow after that. On June 11th (Thursday) the EAWA monthly meeting held at Meadow View Phase 4 dining hall will include final preps for the big event. For further infor reference field day email me Dick W1KRP at w1krp@arrl.net, Phil N1EP at n1ep@yahoo.com or Mark N1EMA at n1ema@myfairpoint.net

FROM THE ARRL WEBSITE:

Many amateurs treat ARRL Field Day (June 27-28) as a contest, even though it isn't one. But if your idea of Field Day fun is to go for the highest score possible, ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, offered the following suggestions at the ARRL Field Day Forum at the 2009 Dayton Hamvention.
1) You will get many more stations in your log by calling CQ than by tuning the dial and answering CQs; however, if you're calling CQ and not getting any replies, keep calling. Most major contesters call CQ for several minutes at a time before giving up. Giving up after three or four CQs is giving up too soon.
2) Keep your CQs short and to the point: "CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day, Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey, Field Day." Wait about 5 seconds between CQs -- this gives stations enough time to answer you.
3) Use standard phonetics. "Cute" phonetics don't always get through and they can confuse newer operators.
4) When working a station, you should give your exchange information only once and keep it simple. "Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey, copy three Foxtrot Connecticut, QSL?" If they didn't get all of the exchange, they will ask for a repeat.
5) If you are running a pileup: Once you have pulled a call out of the pileup, give your exchange information first. Here's an example: "Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey, copy 3F Connecticut, QSL?" Don't ask for the calling station's information first -- this will reduce any sense of rhythm and timing in the pileup.
6) If you get a pileup of stations and can't make out an entire call, listen for one letter and ask for it specifically: "The station with Delta only, go ahead."
7) When you get the other station's information, keep your acknowledgment simple. "QSL, thanks, QRZ Field Day from Whiskey-One-Alfa-Whiskey."
8) Find a comfortable pace for you and maintain that pace. You will tire quickly if you are screaming into the microphone or trying to work stations too quickly. This leads to inefficiency.
9) Use a headset with a boom microphone and a foot switch -- this frees up your hands to log QSOs. Writing or typing with a mike in your hand slows you down.
10) Go for as many bonus points as you possibly can. Numerous opportunities exist, from copying the Field Day message to sending traffic to using natural power for QSOs.
These tips should help maximize your score on Field Day. Remember: No matter how you choose to enjoy Field Day, maximize your fun, however you define it.

Friday, May 8, 2009

ICS PERSPECTIVES


This article was taken from the April 2009 Newsletter from the http://www.emcomm.org/ website.




By Jerry Boyd, N7WR, Associate Editor and ICS Advisor


This column will continue last month’s discussion regarding how home stations might provide some EMCOMM support during major incidents. As noted in the March issue, some amateurs, for a variety of reasons, may want to help but are simply unable to respond in the field to emergencies and disasters. There are a number of important tasks that need to be performed by the EMCOMM unit, but to assign them to a field-capable volunteer might mean that an essential field position is unstaffed. Here is where the "homebound" can step in. Radio traffic in response to an emergency/disaster is important and it needs to be documented. There are multiple reasons why documentation is important. Just one of those reasons is to aid in the after-action critique/evaluation of the incident response. The home-based station may be in a good position to monitor and audio record all radio traffic involving the EMCOMM unit response to the incident. Whether done by a tape recorder or via a computer sound card, this is important data to compile and is the type which a “ham at home” can gather. Every group, including EMCOMM groups, have need for logistical support during their operational periods. Food, water, fresh batteries, fuel, notepads, sunscreen, etc….all may need to be replenished if the event is of long duration. The ham at home can be a valuable resource in determining what is needed, where it is needed, and when it is needed and then making arrangements to procure same and have it delivered. Finally, events of long duration cannot be handled by the initial crew of responding radio operators. There will be a need to relieve them with fresh operators. The home-bound station can help team leaders determine staffing needs, and recruit and schedule replacement operators as necessary. In summary, the home station has more than ample opportunities to be of service.

73 from NE Oregon de N7WR n7wr@wrrl.org

Monday, May 4, 2009

EMCOMM ANTENNA WORK


Work was done on the Hancock County EMCOMM repeater antenna on 5/4/2009 by Jim N1MTN of Brown's Communications. The 'temporary' Diamond antenna was replaced with the commercial unit originally purchased for the repeater package. Thanks go out to Brown's Communications for their continued help and support!

Hancock County EMCOMM's New Structure

At the last meeting of the Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association (EAWA), at the suggestion of member Mark Albee N1MEA, it was voted on that Hancock County EMCOMM come under the ‘wing’ of EAWA. A three-person committee was formed to oversee the EMCOMM group, consisting of Bob Carter AA1PI, Mark Albee N1TDO and Dick Small W1KRP. It was felt that the EMCOMM group, lying dormant for some time now, would be better served by downsizing the command structure and trying to make the EMCOMM experience more enjoyable. On Sunday, May 3rd, the EMCOMM committee met for the first time to get the basics on paper in reference to the future of Hancock County EMCOMM, Bob AA1PI had an excellent presentation on what he thought was important and it was unanimous between the three that this was a great starting point.. Below is the work sheet type listing that we urge all to review for a discussion in the very near future. Any questions in reference to Hancock County EMCOMM please email any of the below listed Reps.

Mark Albee N1MEA n1mea@myfairpoint.net

Bob Carter AA1PI bobcarter@carter-systems.com

Dick Small W1KRP res@gwi.net



Who is a member of EMCOMM

Who is active

Who can do what
weather spotter
marine service Boat with radio
ATV with radio
mapping program
GPS
solar power operation
battery operation

What is your comfort area
HF Radio
code
packet
2 meter FM
2 meter sideband
digital modes HF

What mode can you bring mobile

I would like to see the packet network expand to include hospitals and shelters or portable units ready to go.

Also a workshop on sending text files to the BBS and down loading to EMCOMM control.

Also the packet controller at EMCOMM needs to have it's call sign KB1NEB installed and address mail to this call sign
the BBS system will not deliver mail to a call without a numeral in the call.

I would like to see persons that have alike interests of operating modes group together to refine their operating procedures, that way you learn from each other and when a person is missing the show goes on.

Thanks for hearing my suggestions Bob aa1pi

Houston Representative Introduces Amateur Radio Bill in Congress

On Wednesday, April 29, Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced HR 2160, the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 in the US House of Representatives. This bill, if passed, would "promote and encourage the valuable public service, disaster relief, and emergency communications provided on a volunteer basis by licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service, by undertaking a study of the uses of Amateur Radio for emergency and disaster relief communications, by identifying unnecessary or unreasonable impediments to the deployment of Amateur Radio emergency and disaster relief communications, and by making recommendations for relief of such unreasonable restrictions so as to expand the uses of Amateur Radio communications in Homeland Security planning and response." The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
If enacted into law, HR 2160, would instruct the Secretary of Homeland Security to undertake a study and report its findings to Congress within 180 days. The study would spell out uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief. The study shall:
· Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts.
· Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and in furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives.
· Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications -- such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations -- and make recommendations regarding such impediments.
· Include an evaluation of Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat 56 [1996]).
· Recommend whether Section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable private land use restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications by means of effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable heights and dimensions for the purpose in residential areas.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of the ARRL and shall seek information from private and public sectors for the study.
The bill currently has five co-sponsors: Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS). Representative Thompson currently serves as Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security. Representatives Jackson-Lee, Lofgren and Kilroy are members of that committee.
"We understand that Representative Jackson-Lee was very impressed with the radio amateurs she encountered on a visit to an Emergency Operations Center in Houston during Hurricane Ike last September," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "We are grateful to her and to the five original co-sponsors for their support of Amateur Radio and the encouragement that their bill offers."
ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, concurred: "We are excited to have Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee introduce HR 2160. It is extremely encouraging to have the support of a number of original co-sponsors -- including several members of the House Homeland Security Committee -- who recognize the importance of Amateur Radio's long history of public service."

Thursday, April 23, 2009

146.910 Interference


Users of the 146.910 repeater here in Ellsworth have been noticing some interference on QSOs lately. Myself W1KRP, and Mark N1MEA did some snooping a few weeks ago and discovered the signal causing the trouble was coming from a construction trailer located across from the Hiltop/Kona’s/Hillfire Grill(!). A conglomeration of antennas was attached to a wooden tripod located out back of the trailer and it could have been a number of things. At an EAWA/EMCOMM meeting a few days later HCEMA Director Ralph Pinkham said that Jim Cormier N1MTN of Brown Communications, had reported to him that they, Browns, had had complaints from commercial customers of the same troubles. They went and found that H.E. Sargent Contractors who owned the trailer, uses GPS tracking in their ground working units that guide them in very small increments for precise work. These units have 6 frequencies to choose from and Jim informed them of the interference and Sargents, after checking with main office changed to a different freq. The issue disappeared for a week or so and has now reappeared. I spoke with Jim today and their commercial customers have not complained but he advised that Sargents probably would be done shortly with their part of the work. He also advised that a visit might be in order once again to advise Sargents of FCC regulations. That is where this stands as of 04/23/2009 at 0932 hours! Any updates will be posted here as soon as they surface!