WORLDWIDE DISPATCH - JUNE 1
2008 - 0100 UTC
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Dedicated to Emergency Communications by RADIO
EMCOMM MONTHLY
Official
Journal of the World Radio Relay League
www.wrrl.org
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VOL. 5 -- No. 1 ONLINE:
www.emcomm.org/em JUNE 2008
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"FOURTH
ANNIVERSARY EDITION"
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM
PHILOSOPHY - The State of Denial
SHORT CIRCUITS - News and Announcements
FEEDBACK,
MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
The EM
ADVISOR - "Q and A"
ICS
PERSPECTIVES - by
WRRL NEWS
and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING - ICS-213
REVISITED - (AGAIN)
NETWORK
NEWS - "N.E.T.S." (Update)
QSH - Cajun Fishin'
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE -
Summer Reading
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
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The EM PHILOSOPHY
The State of Denial
Have you "worked" the "State of Denial?" We know that many say otherwise,
but if we are honest we must admit that the amateur service is in decline.
Certainly it's best days are over if you measure its value by the number of
active skilled
public service oriented radio
operators and
traffic handlers. Anyone who views it otherwise is in the "state of
denial".
Like it or not, times change. As we said in our series, "What Killed
Amateur Radio" which began in our Premier Edition in June 2004, with follow-ups
in August and September, plus WHERE WE HAVE BEEN?
AND WHERE ARE WE HEADED? in our first anniversary edition
(June 2005) "technology killed amateur radio". (Re-read any or all at:
www.emcomm.org/em/
The days of learning Morse, and being required to use it for a year or so, and
how to communicate with very simple and uncomplicated devices, and of necessity
learn proper operating procedures and discipline, before one could upgrade and
earn extra band privileges, are forever gone.
We are under no delusion
that we will ever reverse this runaway downhill train. We (EM and
the
WRRL) have
only been trying to apply some brakes. We realize that we are viewed by
many as dinosaurs. Maybe. We certainly are an endangered species.
In the meantime, we have
been observing others while they attempt to save their organization(s) by
catering to special interest groups and pandering to commercial high tech
equipment vendors. But we refuse to yield to these temptations. In
the end it will only destroy the capability of radio amateurs to provide emcomm
using only rudimentary equipment and operating procedures.
We have done just about all
we can do in the past four years (Over 10 years if you add our predecessor, the weekly
Emcommwest Bulletin) to save amateur radio emcomm and...we are tired. So,
we are going to take a break, a stand-by, and take the summer off! There
will be NO July and August issues of EMCOMM MONTHLY. We WILL continue to
accept new subscriptions, and new subscribers will receive this issue. We
will also use :"THE POWER OF EM" to issue SPECIAL BULLETINS on an as-needed
emergency basis.
When you're not out hiking or fishing or camping or exploring on your horse or
in your Jeep® or other 4WD this summer (winter for our southern hemisphere
readers), we encourage you to review some of the back issues of
EM
at: www.emcomm.org/em You
will find a wealth of useful and entertaining information not available anywhere
else. See
FEATURE
SECTION (below) for some suggestions, or use our handy "site
search" function at www.emcomm.org to find
topics that have appeared in previous issues of
EM.
Also, it sure wouldn't hurt any of us to review some of the information listed
in our
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION (further down).
We are now in
FIRE,
HURRICANE and TORNADO SEASON! Let all of us maintain a state
of readiness by keeping our stations in good repair and our gear ready so that
we will be ready to provide emcomm for whoever and wherever it may be needed. EM
is about
RADIO and
RELAY
PRACTICE and
PREPAREDNESS!
Participate in emcomm and traffic nets as much as possible.
While we must not let our guard down, we hope that each of you will find time
this summer for family, friends and community. And be sure to find time
for some relaxation and enjoyment for yourself. And...as always...SAFETY FIRST!
Barring any national or international emergencies, we will see you again in
September.
In the meantime - "Keep
your batteries charged, your hubs locked, and your powder dry!"
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SHORT CIRCUITS
WHY 2K?
EM now has over 2000 subscribers. Why?
We're not sure...other than to say that there must be at least 2000 radio
amateurs in the world who are serious
about emergency communications and third party message traffic handling without
having to rely upon infrastructure based systems. Number 2000 came from
"down under" and is Vineet Anand, VK2AMW, Sydney, NSW, Australia!
(We have actually had about 2100...since there are a hundred or so that have
either fallen by the wayside or become SK since we started.)
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CIVIL
DEFENSE MUSEUM
http://www.civildefensemuseum.com/index.html
(Submitted by Paul Cavnar, K7IN, WRRL 20, Cold Springs, NV)
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MICROPHONE CONNECTIONS
A very useful link
http://www.qsl.net:80/g4wpw/date.html
(Submitted by Joe Consolo, KD7QDL, Reno, NV)
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MORSE CODE AT 140 WPM
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/05/20/10107/?nc=1
"CW forever...."
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FIELD DAY
The National Association
for Amateur Radio/ARRL Field Day is June 28-29 this year. Although it is
now primarily promoted as a contest and social event, there are many local clubs
and emcomm units that still value it as an emergency preparedness and message
traffic handling practice opportunity. For more information:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/
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EMCOMM EAST - MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
•
Location: St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York
•
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008.
EmComm East is an amateur radio emergency communications
conference, where amateur radio operators involved in EmComm can attend training
sessions on technical topics, purchase equipment and supplies from vendors,
learn from served agencies, obtain VE testing for license upgrades, and interact
with other EmComm operators from all over the area. The EmComm East
Conference Committee encourages amateur radio operators, served agencies, and
others involved in emergency communication to submit presentation proposals for
general interest sessions. $30 pre-registration required,
continental breakfast and lunch included. For more information, please
visit our website at:
www.emcommeast.org
(Via Jeff Wigal, WY7Q,
Emergency Coordinator, Monroe County, NY ARES®
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EMCOMM NET LIST AVAILABLE
EM maintains a list of active
NATIONAL and REGIONAL VHF and HF
EMCOMM NETS at:
www.wrrl.org/n_e_t_s_.asp
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SPECIAL
FIRE,
HURRICANE
and
TORNADO
SEASON SPECIAL OFFER
For your vehicle, shack or mobile emcomm unit.
EMCOMM "LICENSE PLATES"
Special price
(Orders must be postmarked by June 30)
1 for $9.00 - postpaid
(regular price $10.00)
2
for $16.00 - postpaid
(regular price $18.00)
Or, outfit your emcomm team
by ordering:
10 for $65.00 - postpaid (when
shipped to one address)
View at:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
Mail
check or money order to: EMCOMM, PO BOX 99, Macdoel, CA 96058
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FIRE SEASON IS NOW! MAINTAIN YOUR FIRE
AWARENESS AND READINESS
• Know
and obey all fire rules and regulations.
• Monitor for “Red Flag Watches/Warnings”.
• Survey your location's perimeter/horizon hourly (or more
often).
• Report all suspicious smoke immediately.
• Carry a shovel, rake, water hose, bucket, radio, and
personal safety gear when traveling in rural or remote areas.
• Keep a dedicated hose of sufficient length ALWAYS ready at
home.
• Tell your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.
•
REMEMBER...EARLY REPORTING MAY PREVENT A MAJOR DISASTER!
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FEEDBACK, MUSINGS and SPURIOUS EMISSIONS
FROM
THE LONE STAR STATE
"Good job on listing the infamous contributors to EMCOMM in this month's issue!
When I first read them, Will du Later and Les Caire didn't ring a bell, but "Ima
Lid" sure did! Then, I caught on...that was good! By-the-way,
speaking of terms like MAYDAY and SOS, I was a ham many years before I learned
the correct way of sending SOS. Not that it would have made much
difference, but I just missed it being a single prosign character, instead of
separate letters: S O S. I really don't think anyone would miss it,
regardless of how it was sent, do you? Thanks for your dedication and good
work with EMCOMM MONTHLY!" -
Charlie Schlieper, N5TD, Temple, TX
REPLY: Re. "I really don't think anyone would miss an SOS,
regardless of how it was sent, do you?" I sure hope not! - Editor
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CANADA CALLING
I receive the monthly
newsletter courtesy of David Goodwin VE7DWG in Greater Vancouver, BC. I find it
to be an extremely informative publication. I would like to obtain
permission to utilize portions of the included text for future training and, as
well, have it re-published in TCA, the voice of Radio Amateurs of Canada.
Of particular interest in the May issue is the segment on Net and Traffic
Handling regarding perceived errors in a transmitted message. Also I request
permission to use the "traffic handlers mantra", directly above it in the text.
"For Want of a Letter......"
Re. the article on your EMCOMM .ORG page on the VHF J-pole. I did something
similar, using 1/2" copper plumbing pipe. In addition, I scrounged 4 pieces of
thin wall metal tubing which fit into each other and will accept the base of the
"copper cactus". A piece of RG58 is attached at the feed point with stainless
steel clamps, and the whole thing takes up virtually no space in the trunk of my
Crown Victoria. In about two minutes I can have the antenna erected and
elevated to nearly 20 feet and be ready to go. I used this setup last year
during a bicycle rally and was able to reach a repeater over 100 miles distant
with only 5 watts, while the other ham with me was spotty with 55 watts and
using a 5/8 wave magnetic mount. I also like the idea of the K.I.S.S. NVIS
antenna. Now to find a suitable spot to attach on the "Crown Vic." - Glenn
Killam, VE3GNA \ VA3OPN, STM Ontario, Canada
REPLY: Thanks Glenn, and permission is hereby granted per your
request. Thank you for asking. From what I hear, the J-Pole has
about 3 db gain. Not bad for an "omni." Now...how about
sending us a picture of your Crown Victoria (with the antenna mounted) for our
website? -
Editor
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"I HAVE TO AGREE"
I have to agree with Ed
Trump's (AL7N) assessment in the May issue of how to proceed when (perceived)
erroneous information is contained in a radiogram. My usual procedure is
to add an "opnote" (operator's notation - editor) which states the corrected
information and why I believe information is erroneous. However, I agree
with Ed that due diligence on the originator's part is called for. - Richard
Webb, NF5B, WRRL 93, Eads, TN
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THE EM ADVISOR
The staff of
EMCOMM
MONTHLY 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
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.
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Q:
I have a question regarding the handling of email addresses in a message form.
The way I read the format from the National Traffic System Methods and Practices
Guidelines, each part would be one word. So, my address "kg6sjt@gmail.com"
would be: kg7sjt at gmail dot com (5 "words"). If
it was an address such as my work
gkruckewitt@travisusd.k12.ca.us
it would be: gkruckewitt at travisusd dot k12 dot ca dot us (9 "words").
Is this correct? Thank you!
- Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, Davis, CA
A: This subject has been
addressed in
EM
in the past,
but that may have been before you became a subscriber. See
EMAIL
ADDRESSES IN RADIOGRAMS in the June 2005 issue:
http://www.emcomm.org/em/2005/june2005.htm However, your question is a good one
and it probably wouldn't hurt to review it here. There are a couple of reasons
that an email address might need to be included in a RADIOGRAM.
1- The signor (the third party originator) wishes to provide an email address
for a reply (after the internet has been restored) following a disaster incident
or other disruption.
2 - The originator of the message wants to provide an email address (within the
TEXT) to an addressee outside the affected area and request them to pass some
information to yet another party via email.
Including an email address in the intended recipient's address is not
recommended in emcomm, since there is no way to know if the message was ever
received by the actual addressee. (Other than originating another message.)
If a reply was requested (handling instructions [HX] indicating that a reply is
requested), and an email address has been provided on the signature line, how
is a recipient going to reply if the internet and telephones are out?
Since RADIOGRAMS must be transferable from one mode to another without
any modification, punctuation is not used in formal message traffic. (The
one exception is the slant bar, /
). In Morse / is dah-di-di-dah-dit "shave and a hair cut" and on voice it is
simply said as "slant bar."
In those instances where the third party originator wants to include an email
address
within the
TEXT of a message,
the way you have outlined will work OK and should be fairly "foolproof."
REMEMBER...the letter R is used in radio traffic for "decimal point."
Example: the simplex frequency of 146.52 would be sent as 146R52, and a skilled
operator would
know that it means 146.52. Do not use the "period"
(didahdidahdidah) for "decimal point" the
punctuation is
NOT used in message traffic.
However, use of R (didahdit) for
the "dot" in an email address
kg6sjt@gmail.com = KG6SJT AT GMAIL DOT COM presents a new problem
since (in this case) it is not being used to indicate a "decimal point" in a
group of
figures.
Sending KG6SJT AT GMAILRCOM reduces five "words" to three "words", but there may
be some people who will not understand that the R stands for "dot" when used
in a series of
letters.
Another problem is when an
email address includes an "underscore." (Radio traffic aside, the
"underscore" often creates confusion because an email address is already
underlined.) In a RADIOGRAM the word
underscore
must be spelled out (in Morse), or said as "underscore" in voice, and if
conditions are poor, spelled out phonetically. Either way it is lengthy
and time-consuming. (See examples in the June 2005 issue of
EM at:
http://www.emcomm.org/em/2005/june2005.htm )
- EM
NOTE: We do NOT recommend the use of an underscored blank space when
setting up email addresses.
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Q: Along with my current function as the EC for the
City of Concord (CA), I have been appointed to a Staff Position on the Contra
Costa County (CoCoCo) RACES/ARES Leadership team. I have been placed in
charge of a staff function titled "Guidelines and Manuals".
After a review of the current lack of adequate leadership and the lack of
standards within the CoCoCo RACES/ARES group, I began considering a program
similar to the WRRL ARCT Program to organize the RACES/ARES personnel into teams
similar to the ARCT. I have been following the development of the program
as a WRRL member (#49).
What I need to know is: "How much can I Beg, Borrow, Steal and/or Copy from your
program for use in Contra Costa RACES/ARES without disrupting your good nature
and humor or the WRRL program?
The major problem I see with the WRRL Program is that each member of an ARCT
Team must be a member of the WRRL. This puts the ARCTs somewhat under
control of the WRRL for dispatching to incidents. I not sure the current
CoCoCo Sheriff's group or the local Public Service Agencies would want us to
have our members registered as a member of an out-of-state organization or under
their control. It's the fear that they might lose some control over their
local RACES/ARES personnel.
I would like your permission to develop a subset of the ARCT concept within
CoCoCo RACES/ARES, using the current WRRL Criteria modified to keep the Teams
under control of the CoCoCo Sheriff's staff.
The key changes would be:
- No Requirement for WRRL Membership
- Control for Dispatch as Mutual Aid would be under the control of
the CoCoCo Sheriff's group
- Elimination of the Morse Qualification Requirement (due to almost
a total lack of Morse skills in the current CoCoCo RACES/ARES Group)
Reginald (Reggie) Driscoll, WA6ZAP, Contra Costa County RACES/ARES, Emergency
Coordinator City of Concord
A: The ARCT program was designed for, and intended
to be adopted by, any and all amateur radio emcomm units, whether sponsored by a
private volunteer group (such as the WRRL, ACS, ARES®, etc.) or a government
agency. If you haven't read the original plan, please do so at:
http://www.emcomm.org/ARCT/
While WRRL sponsored TYPE I ARCTs must have at least two operators (one of which
is Morse qualified) available at all times who are proficient in formal message
handling (universal RADIOGRAM), there is no Morse or WRRL
membership requirements for ARCTs sponsored by other organizations.
However, we highly encourage all emcomm operators to learn and practice
the Morse language. Many times that is the only mode that will work!
We encourage your emcomm unit (and all others) to adopt the ARCT resource typing
system. (Obviously you can't call yours a WRRL sponsored team.) The
main objective, more than anything else, is that effective ARCTs be formed and
be maintained. The ARCT resource typing system was designed to allow for
as much "latitude" by individual ARCT leaders as is reasonably possible.
The only thing that is not appropriate is for someone to re-design/modify the
actual ARCT typing system. Ref.
http://www.wrrl.org/arct_program/arct_table.asp
The whole concept is to have one national (standardized) system for ARCT Typing
(as is done for other resources). By design, the ARCT plan intentionally
does NOT specify or require any particular type or brand of radio(s), mode(s),
or other details as to exactly "how to do it".* The main requirement is
simply being able to handle third party
message traffic (both tactical
and
formal),
and get it delivered accurately to the addressee in a timely manner, by using
amateur radio without any dependence upon the infrastructure.
The last we heard from FEMA/NIMS was that the ARCT resource typing system was in
the final approval/acceptance stage. However, it's anyone's guess as to if and
when they will ever actually approve it. FEMA seems to be stalled, and
amateur radio appears to be a low priority. And, "only The Shadow Knows"
what will happen pending the outcome of the next federal election!
Anyway Reggie, we would appreciate an occasional progress report from
"CoCoCo." -
EM
(Editor's note: For some reason I suddenly have a craving for a Coca
Cola!)
*
RESOURCE TYPING specifies the number and type of any
given component, plus the minimum number of personnel. Example: A Wildland
Fire Suppression Strike Team or Task Force does no specify that each fire truck
must be a GMC, Ford or Dodge.
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ICS PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry Boyd, N7WR,
Associate Editor and ICS Advisor
As is my custom, I will be
taking a couple of months off this summer. Therefore this will be my last
column until September (or perhaps October if we have a busy late summer fire
season here in Northeast Oregon). Hopefully, we will not have a terrible
fire season as we still have some snow in the mountains due to a heavier than
average winter. On the other hand, there is a lot of vegetation (tall
grass) and if we get an intense hot spell we may have an abundance of fuels to
burn. Time will tell.
First, a comment regarding my remarks a few months back about IS 700 being an
unnecessary course for emcomm personnel. I had a reader ask if I was
really directing my comments at IS 800 rather than IS 700. Both, actually.
IS 100, 195 or 200 cover the basics that emcomm operators need to know about
NIMS/ICS. 700 is excess and 800 is both excessive and confusing to those
not in the emergency management professions. Of course that is my opinion
and others may differ. I know of one emcomm operator (a monthly subscriber
to EM and a good guy) who has taken in excess of 55 FEMA courses—because he is
retired and has the time. Nothing wrong with that, it is just that the
“requirement” for competent emcomm is much less than that.
Let me conclude by wishing all a safe summer season. Like me, I’m sure
many of you live in areas where wild land fires are a serious threat---heck they
have proven to be a threat even in heavily urbanized areas like Los Angeles and
San Diego. Now is the time to check out your equipment, charge your
batteries, refresh your personal "go kit" and, if you haven’t handled any formal
message traffic lately tune up to proficiency by either on-the-air traffic
handling or reviewing our RADIOGRAM Training DVD (info below). - 73 from NE
Oregon de N7WR
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WRRL NEWS and NETS
∙ REGIONAL
EMCOMM NETS
(ALL SERIOUS EMCOMM STATIONS WELCOME):
Pacific (and Mountain) Time Zones: PTZNN (aka Jefferson Noon Net/JNN)
daily at 1200 PTZ on 7214± kHz (3911± kHz alternate)
Central (and Eastern) Time Zones: CTZNN Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at
1200 CTZ
on
7214± kHz
∙ WRRL NET
on MONDAYS on 14.280 MHz USB (Alternate: 14.270 or somewhere "in between.")
2000Z (SUMMER) 2100Z (WINTER)
∙ WRRL
STATION MAP UPDATE
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 about Dependability, Accuracy and Accountability!
NET and TRAFFIC HANDLING
ICS-213 REVISITED - (AGAIN)
(Recommend: PRINT and SAVE)
(In the May issue of
EM
Jerry Boyd, N7WR, wrote): Those who have modified ICS 213 to accommodate
critical information contained in the Radiogram have not reported any objections
or resistance on the part of their "served agencies".
"I've just read something I can't believe was written in your publication. The
above is a quote from Emcomm Monthly. Our county EMA is also talking about
switching to the ICS-213 Format instead of an old message format. One thing we
as communicators should NEVER do is add or delete information to an established
county EMA message format. If a county EMA wants to use ICS-213, then we
should use it in the format THEY want and not in a format WE prefer to use.
"You seem to be 'stuck' in using the radiogram format. Yes I know it has worked
in the past, but so did "tube radios." Times are changing and we must change
with them. 'Doing our own thing' with official county message forms by adding
'radiogram formatting' is a big NO -NO! Leave the message format up to the
county or served agencies. We are here only to pass the information.
Emcomm
is here to SERVE government
and our served agencies – not the other way around. I do hope that you
post this response in your next Emcomm Monthly." - Edward R. Breneiser, WA3WSJ,
Berks County (PA) ARES/RACES AEC
EM RESPONDS:
We will begin with your comment: "Emcomm is here to SERVE government
and our served agencies – not the other way around." We recognize that
this notion is (erroneously) promoted by many. Nowhere in FCC Part 97.1 is
there any mention of "served agencies" (or hobby). While section 97.407
provides for service to government, that is only under strict and limited
conditions. However, the
basis and
purpose of the amateur service as stated in FCC Part 97.1 says:
"(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur
service to
the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."
This fundamental purpose seems to have been cast aside, but
service to
the public is what amateur emcomm is (or should be) mostly about!
By-the-way "tube radios" still work very well, and non-solid state radios may be
the only means of communications following a EMP (electro-magnetic
pulse incident). Further, most stations with power amplifiers still rely
upon the good old vacuum tube.
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Now to your comments about who should determine "radiogram formatting."
Leaving the message format up to county or "served agencies" would likely result
in mass confusion! Most emergency managers are not interested in
how something is done...they just want it done!
Standardized practices are essential in science, industry, business,
medicine...and emergency services! In the Oakland - Berkley Hills
(CA) firestorm of 1991 it was discovered (too late) that fire hose couplings
were not compatible from one fire department to another. The result was
legislation now widely known as "SEMS" (Standardized Emergency Management
System). The concept was later adopted nationally and is known as NIMS
(National Incident Management System).
The ICS-213 is nothing more than the a re-labeled U.S.F.S. "SPEED MEMO."
(Aka an OFFICE MEMO available at any stationary store.) It was designed to
be used for intra-agency and inter-agency messages hand carried or delivered via
courier. By and large, most government agency radio traffic during incidents
will be TACTICAL and/or very short range, and it will not normally be handled on
amateur radio circuits. Most government "agencies" prefer to handle their own
traffic on their own networks.
However, in wide-spread or major incidents, when the infrastructure is damaged
or destroyed, amateur radio may be the only means of communication available.
Especially over long distances where it may require that messages be relayed
through multiple relay stations.
View ICS-213 at:
http://www.ics213.com/downloads/ics213.pdf (PDF) or http://www.ics213.com/downloads/ics213.doc
(WORD)
However, under NIMS, someone, somewhere, decided that the ICS-213 could be used
for messages relayed by radio. Unfortunately, the ICS-213 does not lend itself
well for handling and relaying message traffic by radio. For example, the
ICS-213 (because it was designed for short hand-carried messages),
has inadequate space for an address or telephone (essential for delivery of a
RADIOGRAM). However, by writing small
and neatly,
an address can be included, and an area code and telephone number can be
squeezed into the POSITION space on the top right.
"The right tool for the job" is apropos here. Imagine a surgeon
being directed to perform surgery using mechanic's tools. Or a
mechanic being told to repair a diesel engine using surgical instruments!
Government leaders and agencies who contract to have services performed specify
what they want done, and then allow the providers to do what is needed using
existing and proven methods. Amateur radio emcomm teams are, in effect,
"volunteer private contractors." Leaders and managers (who are not
specialists) need to allow all specialists (who know how to get a job done), to
do it! The captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise does not need to know how to
cut hair or fry eggs. He leaves that to the specialists (barbers and
cooks) on the crew .
The best tool for radio message traffic is still the
universal RADIOGRAM
format. A
long time ago, landline and radio telegraphers, and (later) voice radio
operators, figured out that the
universal
RADIOGRAM format is the best way to reliably relay message traffic.
It still remains the best method, especially under compromised conditions.
It is not unique to amateur radio, nor it is a proprietary, nor is it a ARRL/NTS
invention. It is the direct descendant from the Western Union telegram,
world-wide cablegram, commercial maritime and aeronautical radiograms, and has
been used by military and naval services around the world for about a hundred
years.
Imagine a person attempting to originate a radio message in another country,
(such as Burma) and being told to use ICS-213! They would probably say
"the WHAT"!? The
universal RADIOGRAM format predates (and will outlast) the ARRL, the
FCC, and FEMA. Please read (again) the March 2005 issue of
EM
at http://www.emcomm.org/em/2005/march2005.htm
Like the RADIOGRAM, the ICS-213 was intended for
short
messages. If
RESOURCE
TYPING has been implemented and is being used by management
officials, there will be little need (if any) for long messages such as requests
for supplies, etc. See [9] (below) or some examples of message TEXTS
using RESOURCE TYPING.
Since the ICS-213 is, more and more, being mandated as a radio message format
for government intra-agency and inter-agency traffic, this has
caused a great deal of consternation, confusion and conflict amongst radio
message traffic providers.
Another ongoing problem is that
form
and
format have been used so interchangeably for so long that the
meanings have been lost. In order for a RADIOGRAM to pass through
relay stations smoothly and accurately, it must be transmitted in a specific
format. It does not
matter what kind of paper the message is written or typed on when it is
presented at an emcomm station
counter.
It can be written on just about anything...including a FORM ICS-213!
One approach that has been suggested is to "convert" a message presented on a
ICS-213 when handed to the counter person [1] (or the actual radio
operator), and "transcribe" the addressee's name (TO), message text, and
signature (FROM) to a RADIOGRAM
format. This
is NOT recommended. It is time consuming, and increases the probability of
errors. Administrative terms such as "Operational Period" and "Incident
Name" may be included within the message TEXT. For example, these
items could be the first few words in the message TEXT. (E.g. - TEST MESSAGE X in
drills and exercises). Similarly, the first few words of a ICS-213
message TEXT would be: OPERATIONAL PERIOD _______________ INCIDENT
_______________ X (about five or six words). This procedure has NOT been
tested and may be met with resistance. Also, it will use up some TEXT space,
but the 25 "word" rule is not carved in stone. Increasing it to 30 (or
higher) will not cause any great disruption in the
universal
RADIOGRAM format and procedure. (MARS has a 50 "word" limit.)
Another approach that has been suggested is to create an entire new
form. We have seen several attempts by well-intended individuals to create new
and/or additional forms that are a hybrid or combination of the ICS-213 and the
universal RADIOGRAM. BEWARE...some of these "forms" are floating around
the internet, and are even being promoted/implemented in some local
areas. But no two are alike. This does not promote message traffic
standardization, and
will only impede the accurate and timely delivery of messages!
"Everyone doing their own thing" has no place in emcomm and only creates more
confusion.
If you can't
be a part of the solution...please don't make the problem worse! Even
if someone were to come up with a "better mousetrap", it would be next to
impossible to get over 3000 county emergency managers, plus the managers in all
of the agencies in the 58 states and territories to agree upon one standardized
format.
Here
is what EM believes
will solve this "ICS-213 problem" and we suggest that it be implemented
immediately by all emcomm
units within the U.S.
A more realistic and better approach is to have a method of attaching the
universal
radiogram PREAMBLE to an ICS-213. This can easily be done
using either pre-printed strips of paper that can be affixed with a glue stick
or a staple. These are now available
FREE.
(See [4] below.) Or, use a PREAMBLE
RUBBER STAMP that instantly adds the
RADIOGRAM
PREAMBLE to an ICS-213 (or any other paper or form). (See [5]
below.)
ICS-213 messages present some additional problems when preparing them for
transmission by radio, but these issues can be surmounted.
The counter person must obtain a complete address and telephone number. Since
ICS-213 is used solely for government agency-to-agency traffic, it has no
specific place for those items. The words in ICS-213 message TEXT should
NOT be changed, but since punctuation is not used in radio message traffic it
can be "lined out" with a red pen or "highlighted" (to indicate that the
punctuation was NOT included in the transmitted message). NOTE, use
restraint before adding any X separators, and if any changes are made in the
text, it must
go back to the (signing) official [2] for approval before transmitting. Be
careful...egos can get in the way!
The ICS-213 has a space designated SUBJECT. This is redundant because the
TEXT of any message automatically indicates the subject. If the ICS-213
being presented does have something written in the SUBJECT space, it may be
added at the beginning of the TEXT . (Just as
TEST MESSAGE
X is added to RADIOGRAM TEXTs during drills and exercises.)
Example:
SUBJECT
STAFFING X
Another deficiency of the ICS-213 is that there is no provision in ICS-213
for the PRECEDENCE of a message. This will be easily remedied by using the
PREAMBLE strip or rubber stamp. Consult with the originating party before
assigning the precedence. (Unless it is obviously ROUTINE.)
On a ICS-213 there are two spaces labeled POSITION. These
are for someone's
title. They do
NOT mean "standing," "sitting" or latitude/longitude! The person's "title"
(or rank) can be added on the same line and after the TO (addressee), or after
the originator's name, on the signature line of a RADIOGRAM. The
delivering station can then place it in the proper space(s) on the ICS-213.
Under ICS, messages may include some ICS
administrative terms such
as "Operational Period" and "Incident Name." While the TIME and DATE in
the preamble will document the OPERATIONAL PERIOD, it is recommended that this
data be added
after
the signature and title at the originating station. (See examples below.)
When the message is
received at the delivering station, it should be copied to a blank ICS-213 for
delivery to the addressee. (This is not much different from removing the X
separators or "de-ciphering" an ARL numbered message [6], and typing or
neatly printing out a RADIOGRAM for final delivery.) "Operational Period"
and "Incident Name" can be written in the: [FROM ______________ ] and: [
POSITION ______________ ] box on the ICS-213, or they can be added to the margin
or whatever the local custom dictates.
At the originating station, the original ICS-213 is kept on file [3]. If a
reply was requested and is later received back at the originating station, it
can be written or typed on the original ICS-213 form in the REPLY space, and
delivered to the originating party. [3]
HOWEVER, for non-government organization and general public message traffic, the
universal
RADIOGRAM format is still the simplest, most accurate, and
most reliable tool at our disposal and works well whether sent via CW, SSB, FM,
digital systems, or any combination of thereof.
IN
REVIEW: An ICS-213, with a PREAMBLE pasted or stamped at
the top and properly completed, plus a complete address and telephone number (if
available), and the assigning of a PRECEDENCE, will expedite and record the flow
of a message as it moves from the
Originating
Station to the
Delivering
Station. [8] The MESSAGE SERVICE CROSS [7] stamped in the
lower right hand corner of the hard copy of the messages as it passes through
relay stations will further support
record
message traffic.
EM
believes that this method will meet the needs of all parties without creating
any "new" forms. Since the "NIH" (not invented here) syndrome is alive and
well, we doubt that this will satisfy everyone. However, we DO hope that
this solution WILL please nearly everyone.
[1] - Ref. THE COUNTER PERSON - November 2005 EM
http://www.emcomm.org/em/2005/november2005.htm
[2] - Required for all government (RACES)
traffic. FCC Part 97.407(e)
[3] - NOTE: Under ICS, copies of all 213's are ultimately filed (manually) by
incident name and operational period in the ICS documentation center. Each 213
should indicate the specific incident and its operational period. This
will make it easier for a specific message to retrieved later.
[4] - A free PDF printable sheet with 10 of
these "cut 'n paste" strips is now available at:
http://www.emcomm.org/files/preamble.pdf
[5] - Instantly add RADIOGRAM PREAMBLE
to an ICS-213 with a PREAMBLE RUBBER STAMP now available at:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
[6] - EM and the WRRL do not advocate the use of
ARL NUMBERED MESSAGES, since too many hams today do not know them or have never
heard of them. We do say, however, that all skilled emcomm operators,
should be aware of that procedure and have ready access to an ARRL FSD-3.
Available at:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/fsd3.pdf
[7] - MESSAGE SERVICE CROSS
available at:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
[8] - MESSAGE SERVICE CROSS as
used on plain paper RADIOGRAMS at a radio relay station at:
http://www.emcomm.org/products/images/stamp_impression.jpg and http://www.emcomm.org/products/images/radiogram1.jpg
[9] - Examples of short messages (TEXT and signature only) by emergency management officials using RESOURCE TYPING:
NEED TYPE ONE DISPATCH
TEAM
AT BONANZA HS CP ASAP
(s) ROLAND HILL IC OP
PERIOD 1200L INDIAN SPRINGS FIRE
---------------------------------
NEED TYPE ONE DAMAGE
ASSESSMENT
TEAM AT STAGING AREA
BY 0800
TOMORROW
(s) STEW POTTER IC OP
PERIOD 1200L BEAVER CREEK FLOOD
--------------------------------------------
SEND ONE MAIN PUMP REBUILD
KIT FOR ENGINE 4488 ASAP
(s) SAM RATCHET CHIEF
MECHANIC OP PERIOD 0000L ELK HILL FIRE
--------------------------------------------
SEND ONE TYPE I
OVERHEAD
TEAM ADMINISTRATIVE
KIT
(s) RAUL SANCHEZ LOGISTICS
OFFICER OP PERIOD 0000L FALL CITY EARTHQUAKE
--------------------------------------------
CONTACT RED CROSS AND
ASCERTAIN
ETA SHELTER TEAM AT
LINCOLN SCHOOL
(s) RICK RICKMAN LOGISTICS
IC OP PERIOD 1200L FALL CITY EARTHQUAKE
--------------------------------------------
REQUEST DIVE RESCUE TEAM ALSO
HEAVY SALVAGE BARGE
TO SEAPORT
HARBOR BY 0600L TOMORROW
(s) MARK FISHER IC OP
PERIOD 0000L BAYSHORE TSUNAMI
--------------------------------------------
REQUEST ONE TYPE I
ARCT
TO STAGING AREA AT NEWPORT
MARINA
BY 1100L THIS DATE
(s) FRED HERTZ COML OP
PERIOD 0000L BAYSHORE TSUNAMI
--------------------------------------------
"Never tell people how to
do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their
ingenuity." - General George Patton Jr.
Credits
for this article:
D. W.
Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher -
k6soj@wrrl.org
Bill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor and Webmaster -
w7arc@wrrl.org
Ed Ewell,
K7DXV - Technical Advisor -
k7dxv@wrrl.org
Ed Trump,
AL7N - Traffic Editor and Alaska Correspondent -
al7n@wrrl.org
-
∙ ∙ ∙ -
TO HELP KEEP YOU FROM SOUNDING LIKE AN UNTRAINED OPERATOR GO TO:
• OPERATING PROCEDURES: www.wrrl.org/operating/
============================================
TAKE THE TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE AT:
http://www.emcomm.org/thc/
TRAFFIC HANDLER'S SUPPLIES:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
∙
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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)
∙
-
∙
- ∙
NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE (N.E.T.S.)
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.)
• 7204 kHz
• 14280 kHz
•
CW:
• 1911 kHz
• 3540 kHz
• 3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
• 7111 kHz
• 10119 kHz
• 14050 kHz
•
•
GULF STATES (LA, MS, TX, AL)
- 7111
kHz 1100Z-2300Z / 3570 kHz 2300Z-1100Z
During EMERGENCIES: 7111
kHz daytime, 3570 kHz nighttime.
(Times approximate depending on band conditions and changes in sunrise/sunset.)
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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∙
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QSH -- (I HAVE HUMOR FOR YOUR STATION)
EM’s Quiz, Survey, and [attempt at] Humor Section...
Cajun Fishin'
A Summer Soliloquy that has absolutely nothing to do with amateur radio - ENJOY!
(Thank you to Chuck and Anna Orgovan, KF6YKQ and KG6ZOA)
Boudreaux been fish'n down by de bayou all day an he done run outta night
crawlers.
He be bout reddy to leave when he seen a snake wit a big frog in his mouf.
He knowed dat dem big bass fish like frogs, so he decides to steal dat froggie.
Dat snake, he be a cotton moufed water moccasin, so Boudreaux had to be real
careful or he'd get bit.
He snuk up behine de snake and grabbed him roun de haid. Dat ole snake din't lak
dat one bit.
He squirmin and wrappin hisself roun Boudreaux's arm try'n to get hisself free.
But Boudreaux, him, hada real good grip on his haid, yeh.
Well, Boudreaux pried his mouf open and got de frog and puts it in his bait can.
Now, Boudreaux knows dat he cain't let go dat snake or he's gonna bite him good,
but he had a plan.
He reach into de back pocket of his bib overhauls and pulls out a pint a
Tennessee hillbilly moonshine likker.
He pour some drops into de snakes mouf. Well, dat snake's eyeballs roll back in
his haid and his body go limp.
Wit dat, Boudreaux toss dat snake into de bayou, den he goes back to fish'n.
A while later Boudreaux dun feel sumpin tappin' on his barefoot toe.
He slowly look down and dere be dat cotton moufed water moccasin, wif two more
frogs.
Life is Good.
- Author
unknown
∙
-
∙
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"SHOW US YOUR SHACK"
•
"SHOW US YOUR SHACK" is at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/shacks/
