EMCOMM Quarterly - Winterl 2010

WORLDWIDE eDISPATCH AT 21 DECEMBER 2010 AT 0800 ZULU (0000 PST).
THIS FINAL ISSUE IS GOING OUT VIA THE INTERNET AT THE WINTER SOLSTICE,
AND THE MOON IS IN FULL ECLIPSE. THIS PHENOMENA LAST OCCURRED IN 1638.
THE NIGHT SKY IS CLEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE AT AMATEUR STATION K6SOJ
IS 30º. AFTER VIEWING THE ORANGE-RED MOON DIRECTLY OVERHEAD,
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, HOW VERY APPROPRIATE! PSALM 19:1 SAYS
"THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD." - CUL ES 73 DE K6SOJ
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                   Dedicated to Emergency Communications by RADIO
EMCOMM  QUARTERLY
                              Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League
                                                        www.wrrl.org

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VOL. 7 -- No. 2 L A S T I S S U E WINTER 2010-2011
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IN THIS ISSUE
The EQ PHILOSOPHY - FADING OUT and SIGNING OFF
A CHRISTMAS EVE RADIO STORY
SHORT CIRCUITS - News and Announcements
BACK TO BASICS - Pet Peeves
FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
The EM ADVISOR - "Q and A"
WRRL NEWS and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING - A Guest Editorial
NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S."
QSH - PHONEY PHONETICS
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE - "THE LAST MILE "
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - CLOSEOUT Stuff for Sale
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION

We have no statistics to support our assertion that with few exceptions, most active amateurs today are mere "hobby hams". This is because when asked, most hams will reply that they are willing to help in an emergency. But they have no ongoing involvement in emcomm preparation or training and wouldn't be able to format or properly relay a RADIOGRAM if their life depended on it.

Although the word hobby does not appear in FCC Part 97, amateur radio has long been promoted as a "fun hobby" by the National Association for Amateur Radio (formerly the American Radio Relay League). It is not unusual for a hobby ham to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a super station that will allow him or her to add a few more "countries" to his or her DXCC list or win a contest to obtain a highly sought after certificate or plaque.

Further, hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent every year on DXpeditions to allow hams to log a new "country" (if they can break through a pile-up of rude and inconsiderate operators). The argument for all this is often, "this prepares hams to operate in emergencies." I enjoy chasing DX and love adventure travel as much as anyone, whether it's in person or via shortwave radio from my armchair, and I have no quarrel with others who do so as a hobby activity. But never forget...those activities, as enjoyable as they may be, have little to do with why we still have our amateur radio privileges.

Therefore, it is profitable for amateur radio associations, manufacturers of ham gear, and others to promote amateur radio as a "hobby". It is not profitable to promote emcomm or other forms of amateur radio public service, except for its "public relations value" and therefore its promotion the business of ham radio.

The sad truth is that the one or two percent of licensed amateurs who claim to be serious about "emcomm" will sign up for almost anything, as long as it's free and doesn't require any effort, training, skill or commitment. But few are willing to donate any meaningful time or sacrifice any $$$.

"RADIO" and especially message handling by properly trained, skilled, and dedicated radio operators is rapidly fading out. The day of the grizzled public service operator in a dimly lit shack handing message traffic late into the night is nearly relegated to the territory of nostalgia buffs and cartoonists.

Satellites, computers, the internet, and email have nearly seduced the majority of modern "radio men". Sadly, when all these contraptions break down during some calamity, there will be little or no means of communications. All the emcomm eggs will have been put in a basket that has crashed and all the king's horses and all the king's men will not be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

A BRIEF HISTORY
EMCOMM QUARTERLY began as a weekly emcomm net-reminder and newsletter for the State of Jefferson (Northern California and Southern Oregon). That was in 2000 and it was called the "5-1-2 Bulletin." The readership/service area for that regional emcomm bulletin soon grew, and it was aptly re-named The EMCOMMWEST Bulletin. The subscriber list continued to expand, both numerically and geographically, and it eventually became an international publication. Producing a weekly newsletter became increasingly time consuming and difficult, and burn-out was on the horizon. I wanted to sign-off for good, but others said that the niche we were filling was needed. So, after much reflection, I (with the counsel of a few close friends), decided to make it into a monthly, and in June 2004, EM appeared. In 2009 it became EQ. We now have received over 2,500 subscriptions. Read additional comments at: http://www.emcomm.org/archives/emcomm_monthly/2009/sept2009.htm

WE ARE NOT ALONE
We have a lot of good company in the ham-radio bone yard. Many other fine publications have long since faded away. Many of our readers will recall 73 Magazine, Radio-TV News, Radio Today, CB Magazine, White's Radio Log, Popular Electronics, Electronics Illustrated, CB/DXing Horizons, WorldRadio, Communications Handbook, CQ VHF, Communications World, Science and Electronics, and many more.  And many catalogues were interesting reading from such companies as Walter Ashe Radio Company, Allied Radio, Lafayette Electronics, and Burnstein-Applebee Co.

SIGNING OFF
As we said last month, we have come to the realization that we have done just about all we can do to save effective public service radio communications in the amateur service. We apologize to recent subscribers. Please do not think you are being left out in the cold. Back issues of EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM QUARTERLY  are archived at: www.emcomm.org/em  There is a wealth of useful and entertaining information and we encourage you to review them. There is also a handy "site search" function to locate topics that have appeared in previous issues.

EMCOMM.ORG will continue and our website www.emcomm.org will remain viable until our residual funds are depleted. Monetary contributions to extend its life will be accepted. Also, we will issue occasional EMCOMM BULLETINS to our subscribers during widespread disasters and other occasions as needed.    Items for sale (E.g.- EMCOMM LICENSE PLATES) will remain available while the current supply lasts. See CLOSEOUT below. This is the last issue of EMCOMM QUARTERLY.

The WRRL will continue and we will hold out as one of the last amateur radio organizations solely promoting traditional radio communications remaining, and the WRRL MEMBER'S NEWS will continue to be issued twice a month (or more often) as needed.

FINAL FINAL
I want to thank the many of you who have kept EM and EQ alive with your moral and financial support all these years.  Special thanks our editorial staff: Jerry Boyd, N7WR;  Bill Frazier, W7ARC; Ed Ewell, K7DXV  and Ed "FB" Trump, AL7N. There are also other "behind the scenes" supporters who have provided valuable advice and guidance over the years.

Some may wonder what will K6SOJ do now in his spare time? I will continue to manage the Jefferson Noon Net and the WRRL. Also, some of you know that I am a closet "gear head." Next summer I am planning to remove the original (and very tired) 125 hp stock six from our 1985 FJ60 Toyota Land Cruiser (we bought it new), and install a GM 327 or 350 cu.in. V-8. I also have a 1965 U.S.Navy CJ5 which is an ongoing pet project. Finally, I will be spending much more time on our observation deck with my dogs and wife Nannette (KE6MZT) "watching the world go by."

The year was 1906. Marconi had already invented the wireless telegraph and land and sea communication networks were being established. DeForest was attempting to perfect his "audion" (triode) tube.

     Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor and Ernst Alexanderson, a Swedish immigrant, were hard at work in Fessenden’s Massachusetts laboratory. They developed a mechanical device to "alternate" a continuous radio wave. The device consisted of a huge disc that revolved at 20,000 rpm. They had connected it to a transmitter and a microphone, and discovered that they could "modulate" a radio signal!
     On Christmas Eve, as wireless operators at land stations and aboard ships off the Massachusetts coast diligently maintained their radio watches by listening to the familiar Morse code signals; they were startled when they suddenly heard voices in their headphones!
     They listened spellbound. Then, they heard a woman singing! Finally, they heard someone playing a violin! It was Fessenden himself...playing the sacred carol "O Holy Night". No longer would radio sounds be restricted to the "dit’s" and "dah’s" of the Morse code.
     That's how it happened. Christmas Eve...Nineteen Hundred and Six. (Reprinted from EMCOMM MONTHLY December 2004)
http://www.emcomm.org/archives/emcomm_monthly/2004/december2004.htm

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SHORT CIRCUITS
Invention and Technology
American Heritage's Inventions and Technology "The Magazine of Innovation" 25th Anniversary Issue (Fall 2010 / Vol. 25 / Number 1) has several articles that are very worthwhile reading. Two are about COMMUNICATIONS. Reginald Fessenden (see above) and Edwin Howard Armstrong inventor of FM Radio. Another is about Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, inventor of the first portable fully automatic machine gun and father of Hiram Percy Maxim. You may have to go to your library or a "high-end" bookstore to find a copy.
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What It's All About
From John Loney, N3AAW, Yaak, Montana:
"We had 16 folks in the Yaak area take the technician test recently and all 16 passed! This is really exciting for me. Many of these folks are off the (power) grid and have no phone, so Amateur radio really makes sense. So, with my wife Mary (W3YAK), our numbers have been increased from 2 to 18.

"One of the reasons for telling you all this is that the Jefferson Noon Net played a part in getting folks here in the valley interested in amateur radio. This interest started a few months ago when we invited all nine local school children into our shack to observe (and some even spoke on) the JNN. Thank you for all you do. The JNN is a great net."

COMMENT: And thanks to you John for all that you do! Under your (and Mary's) tutelage, I am sure that these new hams will become skilled operators. Do you have any plans to introduce them to CW? At their age, most people learn it quickly. If approached properly, it will be viewed as "fun." - Editor
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Learn CW Online!
This is truly amazing! And...it's free! Check it out at: http://lcwo.net/
(Thanks to Jozef Van Wyck, N6NZE, Eureka, CA for this tip.)
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"Bucharest Calling..."
Welcome to Dan Ionica, YO3HE, Bucharest, ROMANIA our first subscriber in Romania. When Dan's subscription was received, it trigged some memory cells in your editor's brain. In my SWL days I used to listen to "This is Bucharest Calling" when it was behind the "Iron Curtain." Their North American Service broadcast daily (in English) 0300-0330 and 0430-0500 GMT. I still have a colorful Radiodifuziunea Romina SWBC QSL card dated April 7, 1958, for 11.937 kcs. The receiver I used was a Hallicrafters S-38D purchased from Montgomery Ward ($49.95) with my earnings from my paper route. The antenna, as I recall, was a 50 ft. longwire strung up a few feet above the roof.

Wasn't it great when a department-store receiver and 50 feet of wire could connect you to the exotic world beyond? Today, we can call Romania for 10 cents a minute, but I don't know anyone to call and wouldn't know what to say. But listening to the short-wave radio, knowing full well that it was often propaganda, gave you an almost voyeuristic thrill eavesdropping on life in a faraway place. Almost like being there in mind and imagination. Hallicrafters, Heathkit, Allied, National, Hammarlund and many others weaved wires, tubes, and speakers into magic carpets.

"Malaysia Calling..."
Also a hearty welcome to HS Koay, 9W2HSK, Penang, MALAYSIA our first subscriber in Malaysia.
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VHF Radios Key to Interoperability in Boulder (Colorado) Fire
When talk about trunking radios starts...keep this in mind: "Not all that glows digital is gold."
(Thanks to Jim Samuels K6TUG, for submitting this.)
http://mccmag.com/newsArticle.cfm?news_id=6146
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V-mail?
Not Radio, but very interesting to anyone interested in communications.
Older readers may remember "V-mail" (Victory Mail); the rest of us will enjoy learning about it.
http://www.skylighters.org/encyclopedia/vmail.html
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2d2a_vmail.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-mail

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BACK TO BASICS - "Pet Peeves"
"Good Operating Procedures are Contagious and Bad Operating Procedures are also Contagious!"
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REMINDERS FOR OPERATORS WHO CARE ABOUT PROPER 'PHONE PROCEDURE
We've "harped" and "carped" about this over and over.   Here it is again one more time:

It's FOXTROT... not FOX
It's GOLF...not Germany
It's KILO ... not KILOWATT
It's QUEBEC ... not QUEEN
It's ROMEO ... not RADIO

ROGER means: "I have received and understand your transmission." It does not mean yes, affirmative, I agree, or I will comply. (WILCO)
AFFIRMATIVE means: "Yes" (in answer to a specific question),

Ref. www.wrrl.org/operating/itu_phonetics.htm  and www.wrrl.org/operating/icao_radiotelephony.htm
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"HERE AND THERE"
The late Doug DeMaw, W1FB, said it well in his classic book Help for New Hams (ARRL 1994): "Try not to develop the bad habit of using the words "here" and "there when they aren't needed. You'll hear hams who include those words as often as four or five times in a single sentence. Example: 'Your signal is good here. How is my signal there? My rig here is the same model you have there.' The words here and there serve no purpose in those sentences. Dialog of this kind is boring and annoying to those who haven't developed this dreadful habit."
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FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
We received some comments about our signing off from our readers. Some were rather lengthy and other were brief. Several asked to be listed as anonymous if their comments were published.  Below is a sampling of some of the comments. They are published in the order in which they were received.

MISCELLANEOUS READER COMMENTS
"Regret to hear Emcomm Quarterly is signing off. What can I do to help?: - Joseph Ames Jr., W3JY - ARES/RACES of Delaware County, PA. PVSA, OES, VE, AEC, ASM, ARRL Life Member, QCWA, FISTS #12832, TAPR, BPL, PSHR, ARSF

Thanks Joe. I would say that, judging by your titles and involvement, you are already doing more that most hams! BEWARE of "burn out." - Editor
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"...you failed to include one additional reason for the decline of NTS:   Virtual abandonment by its sponsoring organization through the 80s and 90s. This was evidenced by the sponsor's failure to adequately support and promote NTS and its volunteers for at least those two decades, failure to respond to NTS and ARES field leadership input (from the 70s onward) with any meaningful dialog, and a single-minded focus on a proprietary digital messaging system that depends for its "successful" operation on far too many other systems, including systems that amateur radio emergency communications are likely to have to replace in times of emergency." - Name withheld at writer's request.
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"Thank you for your most worthy work over the years with EMCOMM MONTHLY. As a guy having a few challenges myself, I'd like to observe that far more people experience thankfulness than ever express it. So, know that this one voice probably speaks for many, many others. For some reason, a lot of people simply stay silent these days. It's a mystery of modern life. Complacency, apathy, inertia, and "waiting for the spark plug to act," affect a lot of folks. Boring, content-free nets, "RadioSpam," and low skills are just the symptoms of a general lack of vigor. You've done a hell of a job, and a lot more will "stick" and become part of the countryside than you think. Urgent need, and a sudden gigantic change of our fortunes and security will no doubt one day awaken them all -- but I guess that is still down the road a bit. As always, the cadre of keepers of arcane knowledge will be there to oil the joints and dust off the tools and train the new sprouts. Until then, we keep the embers burning." - Name withheld at writer's request...but well said. - Editor
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"I have enjoyed receiving and reading both EM and EQ, and I’m very sorry to hear that they will end soon.  You have provided many of us with a very good understanding of what it takes to provide an emergency communications resource.

"This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be one of about 30 hams in Washington State to be one of the first recipients of a basic EmComm 24-hour training class presented by the Oregon State Auxiliary Communications Emergency Solutions (ACES) training group. This training consisted of 16 course chapters covering the basics of emergency communications with numerous hands-on exercises in radio operations, net operations and message traffic handling using the NTS radiogram format. A part of this course was also about resource types 1, 2, 3 and 4, which I immediately recognized as the ARCT concept, which the instructors confirmed. As they had not yet read the quarterly, when I mentioned your note about the loss of progress with FEMA they were very disappointed.

"I would like to think that within this training, the resource typing (ARCT) concept will live on and expand as more hams go through the course, and who knows maybe those bureaucrats will wake up and pull their heads out of their rear-end, see what’s really going on and do the right thing.

"This next year Washington State, starting in our District 1, is planning on providing this same training to anyone who wants it. We have also been discussing a possible course overview at the Communications Academy, to be held in Seattle, WA this coming spring. Hopefully that will generate some additional interest in the course.

"Thanks again for all that you, the WRRL, your support team and information contributors have done to promote the best in Amateur Radio." - George Boswell, K7YHB, Marysville, WA - http://www.oregonaces.org/content/aces-crosses-border-washington
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"I disagree with your viewpoint that we should not use the ICS forms. This is what the FEMA people are wanting now, not the old ARRL message form." - Name withheld. Editor's comment: Once again, radio message traffic handling is not about inter-office messages. And radio message traffic is not about any form. It's about the format. And, by the way, the universal radiogram format is NOT about the ARRL. It was in use long before the ARRL...or even radio for that matter!

"By the way, while AOR's digital voice heard on HF uses the same CODEC built into the DVSI AMBE-2020 chip that D-Star uses, AOR uses COFDM over J2D style SSB, whereas D-Star modulates via FM (emission type is F1D I think, though it might be another variation, can't remember)." - Whaaa?! Editor
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A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER - By Richard Webb, NF5B
(This is rather lengthy...but it is well stated, and reinforces the EQ PHILOSOPHY.  Therefore we are publishing it in its entirety. - Editor)

We are becoming a culture of appliance operators. As our world becomes more complex, we can't possibly expect to know and understand all the underlying processes that support life as we're accustomed to living it. We've all heard the standard lamentations of technical professionals and other hams about it. I've commented on it in this space regularly. As we go forward in our endeavors to revitalize NTS, I've stumbled head on into something which should be perfectly obvious, but hasn't been. Maybe I'm a little dense, but if so, many of us are.

There is still a need for reliable long-haul services to handle emergency traffic of various types. Many in the professional emergency communications world do not emphasize this need, as they're accustomed to thinking in terms of infrastructure available nearby, even if it isn't available to the emergency services dispatcher and other agencies in the stricken area. After all, that tornado may take out all infrastructure in the county seat, but the next county over has the full range of tools available.

Amateur radio operators in much of the country have similar misconceptions. These misconceptions coupled with the ubiquity of cell phones and other communications devices have resulted in a de-emphasis of traditional radio skills training and preparedness among amateur radio operators.   Just as the average homeowner might not understand all the intricacies of his climate control system or the plumbing, we use complex communications systems that many of us don't really understand. One can expect the manager of public safety dispatch services to not have a full understanding of the complex systems he relies on, but we amateur operators should know better. After all, we paved the way to many of those complex systems that public safety communication managers utilize. This should give us a higher level of understanding of these systems and the potential failure modes to which they're susceptible.

During a large-scale emergency such as a Hurricane Katrina or the potential quake on the New Madrid fault line that next county over isn't going to be any better situated than his neighbor. Amateur radio operators inside and outside of the disaster area need to be properly trained, both to utilize resources effectively and to be those resources when needed. Beyond that, we need to do a better job of education of those agencies and organizations we serve. We need to talk to them about why it's important to have that simple HF station available to them, the advantages in reliability. Yes, that may mean during the response to "the big one" that the relay handling their traffic to the state capital is 1200 miles away. But, if the relaying station is a competent operator, that's not a real problem.   It's a small problem if that relay station is properly trained, that is.

We need to emphasize the type of training NTS can provide for another reason as well. For the most part, that ham with the shack on his belt is going to be superfluous, after all cell sites and internet by radio are going to do the bulk of the heavy lifting. But, when the cell sites go down he's going to be pressed into service handling a lot of tactical traffic. Then good radio skills are his best asset.

In those earlier days those emergency communication professionals were accustomed to thinking in terms of relay stations from afar, because they were using frequencies which exhibit sky wave propagation characteristics or good long-distance tropo openings even. Cell phones weren't in every pocket. Landlines often ran overhead instead of buried, so could be knocked out by ice or high winds.   The technicians who maintained and installed their equipment had to demonstrate a rudimentary understanding of these principles as well, or he/she didn't get the required credentials to install and maintain such systems.

As both professionals and volunteers look at the emergency communications tool kit of today we have a tendency to overlook or ignore those tried and true techniques and assumptions from yesterday, because we have so many tools that do so much for us. We pick up the little device, push a couple buttons, and instantly we're in touch. Daughter may be across the continent at the university, but she's a button push away. Grandma carries an emergency cell phone in the car, and has the number for emergency roadside assistance programmed in it. Uncle Joe bought a new car last year that will take all the pain and worry out of summoning assistance, or even report its location if stolen.

Is it any wonder that we take all this for granted? It's there, like the air we breathe. Call the wife when leaving the office and find out what dinner plans are and if anything is needed from the supermarket on your way home. Tune in a soccer match from Australia as you kick back with a cold beer after dinner. It's all good, it's everywhere, and it's reliable...

Until it isn't! Even then we tend to think that the guy up the road in the next village still has internet, cellular, fax, the whole range of tools available. I can reach him from the VHF rig in my car, or maybe even from my chair with the handheld transceiver, because, after all, that repeater in the next county's on quite a sky hook, and it has a big coverage footprint. It's battery backed up!

If the tower is still standing, and the antenna system intact, you're in great shape! Lose that repeater with the big mouth and big ears due to no antenna, though, and it doesn't matter how big its battery bank is, or how much generator fuel is available. Not just does the guy down the road in the next village have all those tools you thought he had, but you don't even have reliable communications with him unless you've still got a vhf station with a good antenna system still intact. OR, you could easily string a wire between some surviving trees, fence posts and the like, and you've got communications with all sorts of places thanks to HF radio.

If we as amateur radio operators and those who maintain and provide the emergency services communication infrastructure ignore this little fact of life, then it's doubly true for the average person. If the cell phone was on the charger at the desk, then in the car they're good. The laptop batteries are charged, and the network server in the den at home is on a UPS (Uninterupted Power Supply. At least for about twenty minutes! - Editor). It's everywhere, and it just works. How or why it works doesn't enter Joe or Jane Six pack's mind. Push a button, talk to sissy at college, push another button and microwave your frozen dinner.

Then disaster strikes. The all electric kitchen just sits there, that broadband connection is gone and magic Jack isn't so magic. If the cell sites in the surrounding
counties are down then Mr. Six-pack can't even dial 911.

With a century of learning and development behind us, we as amateur radio operators must be prepared to step in and fill this big gap when it opens. I would like to remind every radio amateur everywhere of that most important first couple paragraphs of FCC part 97. Right up front it tells us that the basis and purpose of the amateur radio service is to "provide a trained pool ... "

You get the idea. Notice it didn't say hobby, and that 97.1 says a "trained" pool of radio operators.   Have another look at Part 97 of the FCC rules if you doubt me.

From here it looks like we've got a lot of work to do. I hope we're up to the challenge. If we're not, we lose, amateur radio loses, and our neighbors lose even more. They believe that amateur radio is a resource to step in when just this situation occurs, because that's what we tell them over and over again. This, colleagues, is a promise we make to them. We owe it to them, our neighbors and loved ones, to keep that promise. - Richard Webb, NF5B, Eads, Tennessee
(Editor comment: Richard is one who "walks the walk" and not just "talks the talk." Over the past few years Richard's name and stories have appeared in EM and EQ.   During Katrina, Richard and his wife Kathleen, KCØHZU maintained an amateur emcomm station (the only link to the outside world) from LSU Medical Center in New Orleans for six days until they were evacuated from the flooded and darkened hospital. (Ref. QST Nov. 2005 page 46). Kathleen is wheelchair bound. Richard is blind.
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THE EM ADVISOR
The staff of EMCOMM QUARTERLY is happy to answer your questions to the best of our ability. Some are "FAQs" (Frequently Asked Questions) and others are of a specific nature. Each month, we will answer questions that may have value to other emcomm radio operators. Technical questions are forwarded to our Technical Advisor, Ed Ewell, K7DXV.  Questions about our ARCT program or NIMS/ICS are forwarded to Jerry Boyd, N7WR. Others may be forwarded to other staff members. Questions regarding emcomm in general are usually handled by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ. Some will wind up on our FAQ page at: http://www.wrrl.org/faq.asp

Before submitting a question, we ask our readers to check the FAQ page first...your question may have been asked before. Also, please consider checking our site search page at: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm to see if your question may have been previously addressed in EMCOMM MONTHLY. Thank you.

Q: Since you promote "ITU PHONETICS", why don't you (and others) use the "ITU code" for phonetics when saying a numeral? - Name withheld.

A: When we say "ITU PHONETICS" we are partially correct. ICAO PHONETICS (International Civil Aviation Organization) is more accurate. Since 1956 ICAO phonetics and radiotelephone procedures have been the worldwide standard for voice communication for aeronautics, maritime, military, government, and the amateur radio service. Languages, word definitions, and practices change over time and for the last 50 years the term ICAO PHONETICS has been used interchangeably with ITU PHONETICS. Also, English has pretty much become the worldwide language for ICAO voice radio communications, etc.

Memorizing 26 ICAO phonetics certainly doesn't seem overly complicated or difficult. In our opinion, radio communications and all other communications should be about accurate and effective and clear COMMUNICATION, and not about confusing or complicated "codes".

∙ REGIONAL EMCOMM NETS:
Pacific (and Mountain) Time Zones: PTZNN (Jefferson Noon Net/JNN) daily at 1200 PTZ on 7204/± kHz (7214 and 3911± kHz alternate)

    Central (and Eastern) Time Zones:  CTZNN (Lincoln Noon Net/LNN) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1200 CTZ on 7183± kHz
The LNN and the JNN are for operators who want to learn and/or practice proper ('phone) net operating procedures and standardized traffic handling skills. Stations in the MTZ (band conditions permitting) can potentially participate in both of these nets, and thereby provide a relay circuit between the east coast and the west coast on 40 meters three times a week!   It is anticipated that the LNN will eventually become a daily circuit.
∙ WRRL STATION MAP - NEW GRAPHICS, CHECK IT OUT!
   Map showing the location of WRRL stations can be viewed at: http://www.wrrl.org/map
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TRAFFIC HANDLING

“For want of a letter, a word was lost.
             For want of a word, a message was lost.
                         For want of a message, a life was lost.”
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"Record Message Traffic, by skilled operators, and by RADIO (only)!"   It's all about Dependability, Accuracy and Accountability!

NOTE: "Record Message Traffic" means that a record is kept of all traffic you handle (for at least a period of one year) in the event a question comes up later. It also documents that YOU did your job properly and correctly!   (Assuming that you did...of course.)
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A GUEST EDITORIAL by

It’s really sad to see the final run of the WRRL’s EmComm Monthly/Quarterly series of newsletters. Over the past several years, the staff has done an outstanding job of promoting and preserving the finest aspects of Amateur Radio Service disaster message traffic handling as well as in maintaining our level of emergency preparedness. In keeping with the traditional goals of the WRRL (I believe), I wish to urge Amateur EmComm participants to always keep abreast of the basics.

Basics are particularly urgent in the area of standard ARRL Radiogram* message formatting and handling. Unfortunately, the bureaucratization of Amateur EmComm messaging typically dictates the use of the ICS-213 form. It is ridiculous that we are frequently coerced into using a form that was never intended to be more than an internal interoffice message blotter. While it my behoove us to be familiar with the ’213 for the sake of our served agencies, we should all be well practiced in the universal and time-tested Radiogram. The ICS-213 is unknown outside of the United States and remains largely unknown outside of government circles. Most importantly in my view, is the word count feature on the Radiogram. This single attribute works to ensure message accuracy in a way the ’213 will never be able.

Additionally, we need to remain aware of other disturbing trends presently surfacing in the EmComm community. The recent appearance of several state and /or regional “umbrella” organizational structures (my terminology, not theirs) for Amateur Radio EmComm responders leaves any number of questions unanswered. While it looks great on paper to have an official regional authority to coordinate ham radio disaster response, our autonomy, both local and individual, may be at stake.

Such organizations may well expedite an efficient response among communications volunteers. Or their existence may wind up unduly tightening control of Amateur Radio operations, either intentionally or unintentionally. I urge individual hams to remain circumspect in observing these umbrella groups. And I urge local EmComm groups to consider very carefully the necessity (or not) of joining such a group, if any, in their respective geographic locations.

And should any umbrella authority, in fact, move to restrict your liberty in responding to any communications-related emergency in your locality—due to whether you are not a registered member of any local or regional governmental authority or whether or not you have completed all required supplemental training—please bear in mind that as Amateur Radio Service operators, our ultimate emergency response authority comes not from state or local government, but straight from the FCC. Part 97 rules §§97.403 and 97.405 spell it out for us, and §97.1(a) is our very framework. This privilege and authority is granted by our licensure with no additional training—from FEMA or any other party—required. And no state or local government has any authority to modify or override these provisions.

One more potential trouble area is occurring thanks to the digital revolution meeting up with ham radio. Many EmComm organizations are pushing the use of D-Star digital voice technology. Apparently this preference has little to do with speech digitization, and everything to do with this mode’s ability to simultaneously transmit small/short text (or other data) messages. One of D-Star’s desirable traits is its ability to transmit the user’s call sign digitally every time the PTT button is pressed. While this may satisfy the legal requirement to identify transmissions, please know that it does NOT obviate the need to pronounce one’s call sign. Why?

Here are a couple of reasons why announcing one’s call sign at the traditionally required intervals is always good Amateur practice: One; not all D-Star transceivers will actually display the received call sign. Two; the receiving operator(s) may be driving a motor vehicle or performing another task that does not allow for taking eyes off of the task at hand to look at the radio’s digital display. And, three; the receiving operator may be visually impaired. So, let us all please continue to be considerate operators and sign verbally as often as prudent or necessary.

So, as EmComm Quarterly concludes it regular publication run, let us always be mindful of what makes a skilled radio operator and what makes a considerate operator. And let us never lose sight of the realization that not all of the keys to good citizenship lie within the realm of communications operations: Always allow time and energy for family, church, and community matters outside of EmComm.

*EDITOR'S NOTE - The ARRL did not invent the universal (RADIOGRAM) message format, but they have helped to keep it alive for may years. The basic format was in use long before the "ARRL" (or even radio for that matter) existed! It has been reliably used worldwide by commercial services, maritime, military and naval services for well over 100 years. If every agency and nation were to implement it's own "standard" for radio traffic, the end result would be chaos! One final note: Many hams were dismayed when the former American Radio Relay League officially dropped the words American and Relay from its name. The relay of message traffic was the reason "the league" was originally founded. It is now the National Association for Amateur Radio/ARRL.

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THE “TRAFFIC HANDLER’S MANTRA” (Recite often to help remember the eight parts in preamble):
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic • Delayed”
NUMBER • PRECEDENCE • HX (Handling Instructions) • STATION OF ORIGIN • CHECK • PLACE OF ORIGIN • TIME • DATE

To help you to memorize the eight parts of the preamble, RECITE the "Traffic Handlers Mantra" often:
“No • Prepared • Ham • Should • Copy • Priority • Traffic • Delayed”

ASSESS your current traffic handling skill. Take the "TRAFFIC HANDLER’S CHALLENGE" at: www.emcomm.org (main page)

The NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE uses designated watch and calling frequencies. Public service amateur radio operators everywhere are invited to monitor these frequencies whenever possible. But when disasters or other incidents occur, emcomm operators are asked to warm up their radios and "light up" the NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE..."24/7". Active operators know which bands are most likely to be "open" depending upon the time of day, season, etc.

During disasters and for other emergencies, the frequencies are "open nets". When traffic becomes heavy, they will become "command and control" frequencies with a net control station "triaging" traffic and directing stations with traffic to another (traffic) frequency. (At least 5 kHz away.) Proper net procedures are essential.

NETS does not maintain regular schedules and does not handle routine "make work" messages such as birthday greetings, "your license is about to expire", "book messages", etc. NETS is intended to supplement and fortify other networks by providing a vehicle for emcomm operators to originate, relay and deliver legal radio message traffic (I.e. - "first class mail") of any precedence, at any time, from and to anyone and anywhere--especially during disasters or other crises. NETS stations will cooperate and use other networks that are known to be capable of accurately and efficiently handling RADIOGRAMS.

NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE (NETS) WATCH • MONITOR • CALLING • TRAFFIC FREQUENCIES
All listed frequencies (except 60 meters) are nominal. Actual nets may be up or down as much as 20 kHz
SSB:
• 1982 kHz

•   3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
•   5332 kHz "Up" to other 60M channels as necessary. 50W maximum ERP. (Activated during actual incidents.)
• 7214 kHz
• 14280 kHz
• ALASKA ONLY: 5167.5 kHz (USB emergency traffic only)

CW:
•   1911 kHz
•   3540 kHz
• 3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
• 7111 kHz
• 10119 kHz

• 14050 kHz
• ALASKA - 3540/7042/14050 kHz
• GULF STATES (LA, MS, TX, AL) - 7111 kHz 1100Z-2300Z / 3570 kHz 2300Z-1100Z

VHF/UHF FM
• LOCAL EMCOMM SIMPLEX - 146.55 MHz
• RED CROSS EMCOMM SIMPLEX - 147.42 MHz
• NATIONAL CALLING SIMPLEX - 146.52 MHz

Frequencies listed may be on or near other established net frequencies.

As a matter of operating courtesy, always move up or down a few kHz to avoid QRM when a frequency is in use.
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QSH -- (I HAVE HUMOR FOR YOUR STATION)
EQ’s Quiz, Survey, and [attempt at] Humor Section...

DISCLAIMER: This material is provided for entertainment and humor purposes only. Do NOT ever use these "phoneyetics". Failure to use proper phonetics and other standard operating procedures could cost someone their life! Reference THE EM ADVISOR above.

If you do much listening across the bands or participate even in public service nets, you will soon hear hams who don't know, or don't use ITU phonetics. Some even create a new phonetic every time they need to use one. Since "anything goes" with some hams we offer here some "alternative phonetics." If you want to sound like a "lid," why not use these instead of making up your own? Good Luck!

A   AYE                                     AIN'T
B   BYE                                      BAIT
C   SEA                                      CAIN'T
D DYE                                      DATE
E   EYE                                       EWE
F FRY                                       FROG
G GUY                                       GAIT
H HIGH                                      HOWDY
I   ITS                                         INJUN
J JAY                                        JAIL
K KAI                                        KALE

L LIE                                         LUCK
M MY                                        MOONSHINE
N NYE                                       NATCHEZ
O OIY                                       OKRA
P PIE                                        POSSUM
Q QUINTESSENTIAL                 QUAKEN
R RYE                                       REVENUER
S SHY                                        SHACK
T TIE                                         TURKEY
U EWE                                      UNDER
V VIEW                                     VICKS
W JUAREZ                                WARBLE
X XYLOPHONE                         XENIA
Y YAY                                       YAZOO
Z ZOO                                       ZOUAVE

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"SHOW US YOUR SHACK"
• "SHOW US YOUR SHACK" is at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/shacks
• Send a picture of you AND your shack (all in one frame and in JPG or JPEG format) to: k6soj@wrrl.org
∙ - ∙ - ∙
FEATURE
Lately, the focus in Amateur Radio EMCOMM has been more and more towards "service to government" instead of "service to the public" as is listed as our purpose in FCC part 97.1. Actually, service to government should be just a very small part of amateur radio emcomm. But it seems that 90% of all we have heard about the past few years is about EOC to EOC communications, mostly using high tech, computerized commercial services, etc. This troubles us because it diminishes the amateur's ability to provide service to the public when needed. Hams also forget that message traffic is more than ham-to-ham, and sending messages like Happy Birthday OM or your license is about to expire.  Sadly this has happened after the ham has (literally) expired!

Therefore, for the FEATURE section of this final issue of EQ, we have selected to re-run the article below. It was last published in the September 2005 issue of EMCOMM MONTHLY. You can find Parts One and Two of "Trump's Traffic Trilogy" at www.emcomm.org
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"THE LAST MILE "
Part 3 of "Trump's Traffic Trilogy" -- by Ed "FB" Trump, AL7N
(An EM basic studies training module.)

Handling third-party written message traffic is a well-established activity in the Amateur Radio Service, and has been around about as long as radio itself.

It is one of the reasons we exist. Amateurs are always helping out when commercial communications fail; sometimes we are the only service that can. The rules and conventions for this activity are well spelled out in a number of available publications. Most of the time we handle messages just for practice. Here are some things to think about when practicing.....

If you check into any of the statewide nets, you might sometime get called upon to handle a third party written message. Do you know how to do it properly?

Message handling work takes a certain amount of commitment on the part of all amateur operators who engage in it. If it is to be done at all, it is important that it is done correctly.

For now, we'll talk about message delivery. It could be called "The Last Mile" the message travels.

Consider the following scenario:

You are checked into one of the statewide evening nets, and old Joe down at Two Harbors comes on with a piece of formal traffic for your town (or state). Net control asks you if you can handle it. It would be kind of silly to decline, wouldn't it? So you take it on, and NCS sends you and old Joe off frequency to handle the traffic.

You tune to the assigned frequency, and give old Joe a call. You get to call Joe, because you will be the one receiving the message. Joe comes on, and his signal has gone down a little, but you can still hear him pretty well. You tell him to go ahead with the message.

You copy the message down...the band is not the best tonight, but you think you get everything OK, even though you had to ask for a couple of repeats ("say again" on 'phone) along the way.

Now think about it (#1).....
Are you sure you have the entire message exactly correct? Don't say "Roger" or send the signal "QSL" on CW unless you are ABSOLUTELY SURE you have ALL OF the message OK ("OLL KORRECT"). If there is ANY doubt about ANY part of it, fix it RIGHT NOW, before you let old Joe get away. Otherwise, there will always be a nagging doubt.

Now that you have this message copied out, what are you going to do with it?

Now think about it (#2)....
How are you going to deliver it to the addressee?

How you handle this step in the process probably has more impact on the public's perception of the Amateur Radio Service than anything else you can do. More about that in a minute.

Look at the message content....(Message precedence notwithstanding). Is it of a routine nature, or does it look like it might be something someone would want to know about right away? Is there a local telephone number on the message? This is a judgment call. If the message is of a routine nature, and the hour is late, say after 830 or 9 PM or so, probably the best thing will be to wait until the following day, and then try to phone it. If the message looks like it might be of an urgent nature, a phone call late in the evening might be OK. You just don't want to get someone out of bed in the middle of the night and scare hell out of them over nothing. So think about it before you make that call. (Editor's note: A message left on a voice mail should be considered as delivered unless you leave your number and ask the addressee to call you back to confirm receipt.)

Let's suppose you elect to deliver the message by telephone the following day, but the number comes up no good. What to do? You might look in the local directory, see if there is a newer listing by name, and try that. If still no-go, your only recourse is to attempt delivery by mail.

ONCE YOU ACCEPT A MESSAGE FOR DELIVERY YOU ARE OBLIGED TO MAKE AT LEAST SOME ATTEMPT TO DELIVER IT!

The message should have some sort of a mailing address on it. If it does not, is there enough address so you could hand-carry it to the addressee someplace? If there is no way to physically send or give the message to the addressee, all you can do is file it "undelivered" and originate a return service message (now you get to send one!) to the originating station, and say so. Give a good reason for non-delivery, whatever it is. Bad address/bad phone number/moved-no forwarding address/deceased, etc.

NEVER throw a message away unless the ORIGINATOR cancels the message or otherwise instructs you to do so. Might be a good idea to keep a copy on file for a year or so anyway...just in case.

Now think about it (#3)...
Lets say you end up having to mail the message (or maybe you delivered it over the phone and the addressee wants a hard copy...it is always a good idea to offer one). Type it or write it neatly on a radiogram blank or a plain half sheet of paper in PROPER MESSAGE FORM. Put it in a neatly addressed envelope with your return address on it, and mail it. You buy the stamp.

Nothing makes a better impression on a person receiving a message than a neatly typed radiogram on an official-looking blank, especially these days when radiograms or telegrams are a VERY rare event for the average person. By the same token, a sloppily-copied and poorly-delivered or non-delivered message will leave a negative impression as well. People do talk, you know.

Consider this....If Aunt Minnie sends Nephew John a radiogram from some county fair someplace, she sort of expects it to get there. If Aunt Minnie and Nephew John have a phone conversation sometime after the fair, Aunt Minnie might ask Nephew John if he ever got the radio message she sent. If Nephew John remembers getting a neatly typed message in a timely manner, he will probably say "Yes, I sure did," because the event left a good impression on him..."Hey…This is kind'a neat!” The esteem of the Amateur Radio Service goes up a few points with both of these people, as well as anybody else they tell about it, because the message delivery was handled in a professional manner.

Yeah, I know..... "Fair Messages" are considered "junk traffic" but look at the impact this can have. Suppose Aunt Minnie asks Nephew John if he got her message, and John says "Huh? What Message?"....because he never got anything. Now the Amateur Radio Service takes a BIG hit in the eyes of these people. Aunt Minnie probably will say..."The heck with ever doing THAT again...They're Amateurs, all right...Phooey!"

You could apply this scenario to any message activity, not necessarily traffic from County Fairs... It might be traffic from a Disaster Shelter someplace, where people are trying to find out the status of relatives and loved ones. The positive or negative impact on the public would be even greater in this instance.

So think about it (#4)…….
ANY message involving a third party could have considerable positive or negative impact on how the Amateur Radio Service is perceived by those who send and receive that message, depending on how YOU handle it. It will have even more of an impact on messages of a more important nature, such as welfare inquiries and the like.

So you have to come up with a first-class stamp and an envelope to mail a message...So What? That's pretty cheap "good" PR, is it not? A short paid toll call to deliver an urgent message would likely be very well received in almost any circumstance. It buys a lot of good PR with the folks who get the message. They are usually grateful you went to the trouble. And the cost is small. Even if the message preamble bears the handling extra code "HXG", (way too many do these days, by the way), you might want to consider a nice delivery anyway, for the above stated reasons.

What it boils down to is simply this....If you are going to engage in handling message traffic, resolve to LEARN HOW to do it and how DO IT RIGHT, and then COMMIT YOUR EFFORTS to always doing it so. Especially when dealing with "The Last Mile". A little practice now and then will help, too.

The Amateur Service will be the better for it, and so will you.

DELIVERING A MESSAGE WHERE THERE IS NO AMATEUR STATION NEAR AN ADDRESSEE

A reader asked: "Does anyone have any good suggestions or solutions to moving traffic into areas which do not have traditional NTS outlets?"

This is a very real problem. Especially in remote areas. While amateur radio will never be capable of meeting the needs of everyone, in every place, at every time, we certainly could try! In the June issue we said: "EM envisions a network of 60,000 amateur stations (10% of the 600,000 licensed radio amateurs in the U.S.), plus others around the world at outposts, villages, towns, or cities on land, plus as many maritime mobile stations as possible. Each with the ability to accept and receive record message traffic!" As far as we're concerned, it's a disgrace that the majority of licensed amateurs take their amateur privileges for granted, and display little interest in service to the public.

Ed "FB" Trump, AL7N - Alaska STM and EM Associate Editor comments:

"I frequently run into this problem here in Alaska...The area is vast, many of the more remote towns and villages have no amateur operators at all, much less one that can be contacted and/or will take and deliver third party written traffic. My solution is the U.S. Mail. It takes a couple days extra, but the message WILL get there if you copy it off properly onto a printed blank and then mail it in a sealed envelope. (Assuming some relay operator somewhere along the line has not deleted an important part of the message address!)

Yes, I buy the stamps. Yes, I ignore the "HXG" handling extra code. (Why in the world anyone would bother to originate a message with a code on it that tells the delivering end station they can throw it away is a little beyond me.) So, I DELIVER 'em regardless, if they come to my station. Since many other operators volunteered their time and effort to move the message this far, I am not about to waste that effort.

If the circumstance is such that there is a larger volume of messages than just one or a few, they are bundled together and sent as one mailing. This is pretty rare, however, and if the traffic volume is such, other means of doing it by radio (special circuit, etc.) can probably be arranged, or a hand-carry operation worked out.

These remarks regarding mailing of messages to outlets without traditional NTS outlets obviously apply to "routine" precedence messages....If the message is of a more urgent nature, then obviously a delivery by telephone is to be used, followed up by a written copy in the mail. If the phone number with the message is incorrect or not in service, a priority or emergency message can usually be relayed via the local law enforcement organization that serves the addressee's location."

NOW as an "appendix" to "The Last Mile"...

ABOUT COURIERS
(from EMCOMM MONTHLY July 2005)

Message by courier is as "old as dirt". Motorcycle, Moped and bicycle couriers should be included in overall planning. Four Wheel Drive (4WD) clubs and associations are another very worthwhile resource. How about horseback (backcountry equestrian organizations) or small watercraft/boating clubs? What about cross-country and marathon runners? Consider enlisting the support of local motorcycle, bicycle, equestrian, boating and running clubs. These methods should be seriously considered. But all couriers must understand how to transport and deliver messages in a safe, secure and reliable manner.

Messages should each be in a separate envelope (addressed) and may be placed inside Ziploc® "baggies". They should always be transported in sturdy, waterproof container and may be locked or sealed. A "fanny pack" or a canvas shoulder bag works well. Israeli Paratrooper, Swiss Army, or other over-the-shoulder courier bags are commonly available from military surplus outlets. Also, an inexpensive hard-tube carrier can be easily made from a 16-20" piece of 2 or 3" schedule 40 PVC pipe. Permanently seal one end using an end cap and PVC glue. Cement a threaded adapter with a screw off cap on the other end. A handle or carrying strap can be made from inexpensive webbing. These can easily be secured to a bicycle, motorcycle, or horse. Be sure that courier bags and tubes are clearly labeled: "If Found Return To:__________. Remember: ALL parcels and containers may be subject to inspection by security personnel.

======================================================
EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
CLOSEOUT ON EMCOMM "LICENSE PLATES" (While supply lasts)
View at: http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
$7.00 each or 2 for $12.00 - postpaid

Or, outfit your emcomm team by ordering:
10 for $50.00 - postpaid (shipped to one address)
Mail check or money order to: EMCOMM, P.O. BOX 99, Macdoel, CA 96058

RADIOGRAM TRAINING DVD (While supply lasts)
Features D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, as the instructor. The session was taped live at the U.S.F.S. facility at Redding, CA on October 29, 2005 by Paul Peterson (K6PTT). As you watch it, you'll feel like you are actually in the classroom. DW begins with a review of the history of communications beyond the horizon, followed by a thorough explanation of the "whys and wherefores" of basic message handling. Essential information for all emcomm operators is presented in a palatable way. The video includes a brief overview of the ICS. Thanks to Robert Jackson (KB6YTD) of Weaverville, CA, the quality is good. Disclaimer: This is not your usual scripted, studio, well-rehearsed, and edited training video--it is raw and unedited and it includes flub-ups, bloopers, jokes, as well as unsolicited comments! There are a few "glitches" that could not be remedied; however, it is not necessary to adjust your player or TV when you encounter them, but rather just let the video run. Not rated. 155 minutes. $10.00 ea. and includes protective case, study and instructor's guide. $5.00 for extra DVD (disc only) to same address. $18.00 for two complete sets to one address. The DVD is copyrighted. Contact us for permission to make copies (for non-commercial use only).
Send check payable to: EMCOMM, P. O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058

MORE EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AT:
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=====================================================
NEW SUBSCRIBERS - WELCOME!
EQ lists new subscribers so existing readers can look for other emcomm operators in their area and hopefully provide support for one another,

• T D Kennard, N7ISR, Phoenix, AZ - RACES, ARES®
• Richard Arland, K7SZ, Dacula, GA - ARES®
• Charles Standlee, AC5PW, Pineville, LA - ARES® EC, RACES
• Robert Smith, KC7UGK, Yuma, AZ - ARES®, RACES, Yuma ACS
• Tom Fulmer, KE7VMG, Lake Havasu City, AZ - ARES®
• Marty Wayne, W6NEV, Sunnyvale, CA

• Ray Monfore, N7CFF, Eagle River, AK
• Dale Sanders, WD4JNZ, Mason, TN - ARES®, Red Cross, SKYWARN
• Dan Ionica, YO3HE, Bucharest, ROMANIA
• Melvin J. Ray, KE7MOX, Vernal, UT - ARES®, RACES
• Bryan Steinberg, KBØA, Lakewood, CO - ARES®
• James Keightley, K7NPS, Snowden, WA
• Richard T. Leiterman, KE6RIM, Calimesa, CA - ARES®, RACES
• Thomas Cooper, KD7DYR, Camas, WA - ARES®
• Hal O'Neal, KB5ULD, Elkhart, TX - ARES®
• Jim Compton, KJ6DDQ, Lake Balboa, CA. - CERT
• Ole J. Munson, KF7KLP, Arlington, WA - Snohomish County ACS and SAR
• Paul Butche, KDØIUA, Minneapolis, MN - ARES®, RACES, DEMARC
• Joe Sare, K8FON, Waterford, MI
• Bradley Hokanson, NH2CY, Santa Rita, Guam, Guam EOC Army MARS
• Martin Kutzen, KE7HCT, Visalia, CA - ARES®, RACES
• Tom Appleby, W4TCA, Pelham, AL - ARES®, Alabama State Defense Force
• David Erickson, KJ6LDR, Sebastopol, CA
• Daniel Erickson, ZL4DE, Invercargill, New Zealand - Red Cross New Zealand and Australia
• Brent Sanger, KLØIF, Grass Valley, CA
• David Johnson, KB5YLG, Azle, TX - DiRECT, TBMWA, ARES®, RACES
• Thomas Bewick, N2BEW, Valatie, NY
• HS Koay, 9W2HSK, Penang, Malaysia - RACES, Radio Signal Unit St. John Penang
• Monte Thomson, VE6AYU, Magrath, Alberta
• Richard Hendricks, KD8LRX, Crescent City, CA - ACS

RECENT CONTRIBUTOR$ - Thank you for your support!

The individuals listed below have made monetary contributions to help EMCOMM QUARTERLY and EMCOMM.ORG survive.

•
• Don Calnan, KB1NWL, Beverly, MA
•
EMCOMM QUARTERLY and EMCOMM.ORG are private (non-government, non-commercial) endeavors and are funded by donations from emcomm operators who are concerned about preserving the ability of amateur radio operators to be prepared to provide skilled, accurate and efficient emergency communications during times of disaster or other events where normal channels of communication may be interrupted or overloaded. If you have benefited from our efforts, and would like to support this work in a tangible way, you may do so by sending a check or money order payable to: EMCOMM.

Mail to: EMCOMM, PO Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058. Your donation is an outright gift and is NOT tax-deductible.

SORRY: We have no PayPal®, credit card, or other methods to accept the electronic transfer of funds.

ABOUT ADDRESS CHANGES: Every month, a varying number of EQ are returned as "undeliverable addressee unknown" or "rejected due to containing possible objectionable material". Our very limited, all-volunteer staff does not have the time, energy, or desire to track down everyone who changes their email address and forgets to notify us. Also, if a subscriber installs a "spam filter" or a "parental control device" and neglects to tell the filter that it's "OK to let EQ pass through", we do not have time or patience to jump through secret hoops, or solve puzzles, to allow us to send email to you.

If you change your email address, be sure to notify us at: www.emcomm.org/subscription.htm ... that is, if you want to continue to receive EQ. EMCOMM QUARTERLY is originated in 10, 12, 14, and 18 point Arial font and transmitted in HTML format. Occasionally, selected portions are set up in the Lucida Console font. HOWEVER...we have received a few reports that on some computer screens...EQ appears unformatted in Plain Text or FUBAR. ("Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition.") If this happens to you, you can always view EQ, as it is intended to appear, at: www.emcomm.org/em

Upon request EMCOMM QUARTERLY will be transmitted in plain text format to visually impaired subscribers who use an email-to-audio conversion program, and/or other subscribers whose computers do not process email in HTML format.

The opinions expressed by individual contributors do not necessarily reflect the EQ philosophy, the editorial position of EQ, or its staff.

ARES® and Amateur Radio Emergency Service® are registered service marks of the

For permission to reproduce material in EMCOMM QUARTERLY and EMCOMM MONTHLY
contact: D. W. Thorne at: k6soj@wrrl.org or write:
EMCOMM, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA 96058

U.S.A.

EQ STAFF (also WRRL Board of Directors):
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher - k6soj@wrrl.org
Jerry Boyd, N7WR - Associate Editor and ICS Advisor - n7wr@wrrl.org

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EMCOMM QUARTERLY -- The Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League - WRRL®