Western MA Official Emergency Station
Red Sox World Series Trophy
K1RMS and K1DLS
Part 97, FCC Rules
"Run only the power necessary to maintain the desired communications"
QRP Optimization
Sensitive RX - "If you can hear them ... you can work them"
Antenna's
The most important part of ANY ham station, a poor antenna system hurts your receiver AND transmitter.
QRP DXing
1.) Listen, listen, listen
2.) When in doubt, see rule #1
Put your signal where and when others ain't, let other's QRM each other and pick your spot!
Why QRP?
Because it's a challenge, and it's fun. Working into Sweden on 100watts is easy, at (1-5)watts it becomes "really cool"!
Why QRP ......... Why Not!
Tiger-Tail HT antenna
"Special Thanks to Rick - AE3C for sharing this article"
|
What is a Tiger-Tail? |
|
| For many years, "Antennas West" (Jim
Stevens, KK7C) used to sell a trademarked item for HTs that they called a
"Tiger-Tail." They were widely available at hamfests, and as late as June
1997 on the company's website (which was < antennaswest.com >). The website
became the "Radio Adventure" newsletter from 1997-1998, and then the company
seems to have disappeared, and its inventory sold to Radio Paul (Paul Passey)
in Albuquerque. The idea behind the tiger-tail is simple. First, think of an HT's aerial as one-half of a dipole (usually a shortened, coil-loaded radiator), and the case of the HT as the other pole. When transmitting handheld, half of the rf radiates from the HT's antenna (ideally). The other half of the rf couples from the HT's case into the user's arm, serving as the second leg of the dipole. The tiger-tail is a one-quarter wavelength piece of wire attached to the HT serving as the second leg of the dipole instead of the HT's case or the user's arm. The erp of an HT can be increased dramatically by using a tiger-tail. Test this! First, cut a piece of wire to one-quarter of the wavelength you want to use. Next, couple the wire to the VX-5R either by attaching it to the antennas ground, or just by coupling it inductively to the case by holding it close (I couple the wire using a small alligator clip which I attach to the belt clip -- others use a small piece of insulated copper foil attached with velcro). |
|
Try this by transmitting a few test emissions (on an unused simplex frequency, not on the repeater) near a field strength meter with and without the wire. I dare say you will be amazed at the difference. The first time I tried this, I almost could not believe the difference. I've found that the wire tiger-tail results in dramatically increased range for the VX-5R, and especially on the six-meter band, where the HT's OEM antenna is most greatly enhanced. 73 de AE3C / Rick |
|
7 bBd 2meter
Tape Measure Beam
The perfect, portable EmComm antenna!
http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm
Homebrew PAC-12 HF Portable antenna
10-40meter antenna that is efficient and can be easily taken along on trips, field days and EmComm communications. Fantastic results with just 5watts!
Build your PAC-12 antenna today ............!
What Do I Do First?
| An emergency situation or a disaster has
occurred. Adrenaline is flowing, fear is everywhere, and is difficult to
think. There is no commercial power, and the computer will not operate. This
is the time when emergency radio operators are most needed, and also the
time when people will revert to their level of training and preparation.
Here is what to do first: -1- Get yourself out of immediate danger; be absolutely certain that your family is safe. -2- Make sure that your house and property are safe, and secure. -3- Monitor your locally assigned HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies. -4- Follow the legitimate instructions that you receive. -5- Contact your Emergency Coordinator for further instruction. |
Homebrew HF Antenna's
Ik-Stic Antenna: http://hometown.aol.com/realhamradio2
X-Beam Antenna: http://www.qsl.net/qrp/ant/xbeam.htm
Windom Antenna: http://www.packetradio.com/windom.htm
PAC-12 QRP Antenna: http://www.njqrp.org/pac-12/
NVIS Antenna: http://www.hamuniverse.com/nvisbeam.html
Shorty 40 Antenna: http://www.flashwebhost.com/circuit/shortant.php
Buddipole: http://www.qsl.net/w3ff/antenna_design.htm
The Central
Massachusetts 2 Meter Traffic Net meets every evening at 9PM local time. Nets
are held on the 146.970 Worcester/Paxton repeater with a PL of 114.8.
The purpose of the net is to pass formal written traffic in and out of Central
Massachusetts.
CM2MN is a local net of the National Traffic System (NTS)
Please visit our website: www.cm2m.net
| Frequency | Repeater | Coverage | Local Time | PL | Note | Manager |
| 3937/43 | n/a | Western Mass | 8:30 a.m. Sunday | n/a | (SN) | K1VSG, Dennis |
| 146.910 - | Mt. Greylock | Berkshire County | 9:00 a.m. Sunday | none | KB2SAE, George | |
| 52.230 | Mt. Greylock | Berkshire County | 9:30 a.m. Sunday | 162.2 | AE1B, John | |
| 224.10 | Mt. Greylock | Berkshire County | 9:45 a.m. Sunday | none | N1ZYG, Mark | |
| 145.450 - | Fitchburg | NE Worcester County | 9:00 a.m. Sunday | 74.4 | KT1I, Charlie | |
| 146.985 - | Greenfield | Franklin County | 9:00 p.m. Tuesday | 136.5 | KC5KKS, Kevin | |
| 146.940 - | Springfield | Hampden and Hampshire Counties | 8:45 a.m. Sunday | none | KB1MU, Dave | |
| 146.970 - | Paxton | Worcester County | 9:15 a.m. Sunday | 114.8 | KA1OTQ, Bob | |
| 146.925 - | Worcester | Worcester County (alternate: ARES/SKYWARN, American Red Cross) |
9:15 a.m. Sunday | 100.0 | KA1OTQ, Bob | |
| 145.370 - | Templeton | NW Worcester County | 7:30 p.m. Tuesday | 136.5 | AE1B, John | |
| 147.210 + | Warren | SW Worcester County | 8:50 a.m. Sunday | 88.5 | N1LKT, Steve | |
| 443.200 + | Mt. Tom | Springfield, Hamden and Hampshire Counties | 9:00 a.m. Sunday | 127.3 | KB1MU, Dave |
HFpack Calling Freqs
http://www.hfpack.com
PRIMARY - 18157.5kHz USB (18158.2kHz CW)
Alternate - 14342.5 kHz (14343.2kHz CW)
PSK31 and CW - 10137.5 kHz (10136.5 PSK31 +1000Hz USB)
1.997.5 HF Pack Low-Band (Top-Band)
HFpack Worldwide Saturday/Sunday UTC Schedule
TIME (UTC) FREQUENCY +/-5kHz
03:50z 10137.5kHz PSK31, CW
16:30z 18157.5kHz USB, CW
17:30z 14342.5kHz USB, CW
22:30z 18157.5kHz USB, CW
23:00z 14342.5kHz USB, CW
HFpack Worldwide Frequencies
14342.5 / *18157.5 / 21437.5 / 24977.5 / 28327.5 kHz USB
Region 2 - 3997.5 / 7242.5 kHz LSB
Regions 1&3 - 3687.5 (or 3572.5) / 7087.5 kHz LSB
HFPack CW and PSK31
*10137.5 / 14097.5 / 18107.5 / 21107.5 / 24927.5 / 28107.5
PSK31 Band Plan
01.838.100
03.580.100
07.035.100
10.130.000
14.070.100
18.100.100
21.080.100
24.920.100
28.120.150
51.120.000
144.610 (qrg)
145.550
Operators needed .......
contact your local ARES / RACES organization today!
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services and pronounced "Air-ease") is a volunteer radio communications service available to federal, state, county and local government, as well as not-profit organizations. ARES consists of thousands of U.S. amateur radio operators who have voluntarily registered their services and formed an organized pool of operators to provide reliable primary or secondary communications links for governmental agencies and not-profit organizations when needed.
Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in the A.R.R.L. (American Radio Relay League) or any other local or national organization, is eligible for membership in ARES. The only qualification, other than possession of an Amateur Radio license, is a sincere desire to serve. There are no fees. Because ARES is an amateur service, only amateur license holders are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
Amateur radio has several advantages during emergencies:
 | Radio transmissions can be heard by an unlimited number of receivers, so information intended for a group can be sent quickly. |
| A large reserve of experienced hams -- each with their own radios -- can quickly establish supplementary communication networks on the ham frequencies. |
| Ham operators can prove a common link for agencies who normally operate on disparate frequencies. |
| A large number of ham frequencies allow a large number of separate information channels. |
| Ham radios operate on batteries, so they can operate from most field locations or when street power is lost. |
| Existing ham voice repeaters extend the area of ham coverage far beyond most police or fire radio systems. |
| Information can also be sent in digital form when privacy or volume are a concern. |
| Ham television can quickly provide live images from
field sites. |
The NTS is a field organization of the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) which was formed to pass formal written messages (traffic) from any point in the United States to any other point. The NTS has it origins in the earliest days of radio as indicated by the name, "American Radio Relay League". These messages, which are put in a standard format called a "radiogram", are relayed from one ham to another, using a variety of modes, including voice, Morse code, radio teletype, or packet. The message is ultimately delivered to the addressee by an NTS operator who lives fairly close to the recipient, either by telephone, mail, or hand delivery (uncommon).
During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used
to communicate information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire
about the health or welfare of a disaster victim. During these times, the NTS
works in concert with the ARES "Amateur Radio Emergency Service" and other emergency and disaster relief
organizations, such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
But even when there is no emergency, the NTS operates every day and is used by
thousands of people -- hams and non-hams -- to send and receive brief messages
of a personal, non-commercial nature, such as birthday greetings,
congratulations on a special event, or wishes for a speedy recovery. Subject to
international treaties governing "third party" messages, many foreign countries
also allow their hams to exchange radiograms with US hams.
Messages can originate from either hams or non-hams. Non-hams who would like to send a radiogram should contact a ham friend or neighbor. There is no charge for a radiogram. Radiograms are one way hams serve the public, and they are welcomed as a way to train new traffic handlers and keep the experienced handlers in practice.
Messages are usually relayed using a system of "nets". Nets are on-the-air meetings of message handlers at an appointed time and a designated frequency. There are four levels of nets, each covering broader territory -- local, section, regional, and area. Local nets relay messages to and from the Section nets; Section nets to the Region nets; Region nets to the Area nets. These nets are held throughout the day in order to move messages around the country.
(Preamble:)
|
Msg. # 1 |
Precedence: R |
Handling Instructions HX_* G |
Station of Origin W7ARC |
Check** 25 |
Place of Origin Silverdale, WA |
Time Filed* (Local or Zulu) |
Date Filed Today's Date |
(Addressee:)
| TO: | Full Name: | John Smith | |
| Street Address: 123 Main St. | |||
| City: Seattle | State/Province: WA | Zip/Postal Code: 98802 | |
| Phone Number: 206 312 2223 | |||
BT (Break)
(Body of the message:)
| THIS | IS | THE | BODY | OF |
| THE | MESSAGE | X (see Punctuation) | IT | SHOULD |
| NOT | CONTAIN | MORE | THAN | TWENTY |
| FIVE | WORDS | X (see Punctuation) | INCLUDING | NUMBERS |
| PUNCTUATION | AND | MIXED | GROUPS | 73 |
BT (Break)
(Signature:) Jane Smith
Name of person sending the message. Include the address and phone number if
reply requested.
| Instructions for preamble: | |
| MSG #: | The number the originating station issues to the message. This number is NEVER changed by any station handling the message. |
| PRECEDENCE: | Emergency (always spelled out) - Any
message that has life and death urgency to any person or groups of persons. (P)riority - Important messages having a specific time limit. (W)elfare - A message that is an inquiry into the well-being of an individual in a disaster area. (R)outine - Normal traffic during normal times. |
| *HX: = Handling
Instructions. (Optional for Routine messages.) |
HXA - (Followed by number) Collect landline
delivery authorized by addressee within ____ miles. (If no number,
authorization is unlimited.) HXB - (Followed by number) Cancel message if not delivered within ____ hours of filing time; service originating station. HXC - Report date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating station. HXD - Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered, report date, time and method of delivery. HXE - Delivering station get reply. from addressee, originate message back. HXF - (Followed by number) Hold delivery until _____. (date) HXG - Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll or other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station. |
| STATION OF ORIGIN: | The station originating the formal traffic (Call Sign). |
| **CHECK: | The number of words, punctuation, mixed groups or numbers in the body of the message; between Break and Break. (In an effort to minimize the amount of words in the text you can use ARRL Numbered Radiograms. If ARRL Numbered Radiograms are used in the text add ARL to the check.) |
| PLACE OF ORIGIN: | The location of the party originating the traffic. Need not be the same as the station of origin. |
| *TIME FILED: | Zulu or local time message was filed. (Not necessary in Routine messages) If using Zulu time you MUST use the Zulu date also. |
| DATE FILED: | Date the message was put into the NTS for transmittal to a relay or delivering station. (Always needed) |
THE AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
The radio amateur best justifies his existence by the service rendered to the community in times of disaster and distress when normal communications media are not available, have failed or are badly overburdened.
In the event of a communications emergency all amateurs are dedicated to serve in the public interest, within their ability, to provide temporary communications for a stricken area until normal facilities are restored.
The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service is composed of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communication duty in the public service when disaster strikes.
Further information on the Service may be obtained from your Section Manager, Section Emergency Coordinator.
BEFORE EMERGENCY
Prepare yourself by providing radio equipment together with an emergency power source upon which you can depend.
Test both the dependability of your emergency equipment and your own operating ability in the annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test and the several annual on-the-air contests, especially Field Day.
Register your facilities and your availability with your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator. If your community has no EC, contact your local civic and relief agencies and explain to them what the Amateur Service offers the community in time of disaster.
IN EMERGENCY
Listen before you transmit. Never violate this principle.
Report at once to your Emergency Coordinator so that the EC will have up-to-minute data on the facilities available. Work with the local civic and relief agencies as the EC suggests. Offer these agencies your services directly in the absence of an EC.
Operate on the air in accordance with FCC regulations.
SOS and “Mayday” are the International distress calls for emergency only. They are for use only by stations seeking emergency assistance.
Respect the fact that the success of the amateur effort in emergency depends largely on circuit discipline. The established Net Control Station should be the supreme authority for traffic routing.
Cooperate with those we serve. Be ready to help, but stay off the air unless there is a specific job to be done that you can handle more efficiently than any other station.
Copy all bulletins from W1AW or check the ARRL Web site. During time of emergency, bulletins will keep you posted on the latest developments.
AFTER EMERGENCY
Report to ARRL Headquarters and your ARRL Section leaders as soon as possible and as fully as possible so that the Amateur Service can receive full credit. Report your activity with the ARRL Public Service Activity Report form (FSD-157) at www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/ (printable and on-line versions are available).
ARRL Numbered Radiograms
Source: ARRL Operating Manual
Group One -- For Possible "Relief Emergency" Use
ONE
Everyone safe here. Please don't worry.
TWO
Coming home as soon as possible.
THREE
Am in ____ hospital. Receiving excellent care and recovering fine.
FOUR
Only slight property damage here. Do not be concerned about disaster reports.
FIVE
Am moving to new location. Send no further mail or communication. Will inform you of new address when relocated.
SIX
Will contact you as soon as possible.
SEVEN
Please reply by Amateur Radio through the amateur delivering this message. This is a free public service.
EIGHT
Need additional ____ mobile or portable equipment for immediate emergency use.
NINE
Additional ____ radio operators needed to assist with emergency at this location.
TEN
Please contact ____. Advise to standby and provide further emergency information, instructions or assistance.
ELEVEN
Establish Amateur Radio emergency communications with ____ on ____ MHz.
TWELVE
Anxious to hear from you. No word in some time. Please contact me as soon as possible.
THIRTEEN
Medical emergency situation exists here.
FOURTEEN
Situation here becoming critical. Losses and damage from ____ increasing.
FIFTEEN
Please advise your condition and what help is needed.
SIXTEEN
Property damage very sever in this area.
SEVENTEEN
REACT communications services also available. Establish REACT communications with ____ on channel ____.
EIGHTEEN
Please contact me as soon as possible at ____.
NINETEEN
Request health and welfare report on ____. (State name, address and telephone number.)
TWENTY
Temporarily stranded. Will need some assistance. Please contact me at ____.
TWENTY ONE
Search and Rescue assistance is needed by local authorities here. Advise availability.
TWENTY TWO
Need accurate information on the extent and type of conditions now existing at your location. Please furnish this information and reply without delay.
TWENTY THREE
Report at once the accessibility and best way to reach your location.
TWENTY FOUR
Evacuation of residents from this area urgently needed. Advise plans for help.
TWENTY FIVE
Furnish as soon as possible the weather conditions at your location.
TWENTY SIX
Help and care for evacuation of sick and injured from this location needed at once.
Group Two -- Routine Messages
FORTY SIX
Greetings on your birthday and best wishes for many more to come.
FIFTY
Greetings by Amateur Radio.
FIFTY ONE
Greetings by Amateur Radio. This message is sent as a free public service by ham radio operators here at ____. Am having a wonderful time.
FIFTY TWO
Really enjoyed being with you. Looking forward to getting together again.
FIFTY THREE
Received your ____. It's appreciated; many thanks.
FIFTY FOUR
Many thanks for your good wishes.
FIFTY FIVE
Good news is always welcome. Very delighted to hear about yours.
FIFTY SIX
Congratulations on your ____, a most worthy and deserved achievement.
FIFTY SEVEN
Wish we could be together.
FIFTY EIGHT
Have a wonderful time. Let us know when you return.
FIFTY NINE
Congratulations on the new arrival. Hope mother and child are well.
SIXTY
Wishing you the best of everything on ____.
SIXTY ONE
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
SIXTY TWO
Greetings and best wishes to you for a pleasant ____ holiday season.
SIXTY THREE
Victory or defeat, our best wishes are with you. Hope you win.
SIXTY FOUR
Arrived safely at ____.
SIXTY FIVE
Arriving ____ on ____. Please arrange to meet me there.
SIXTY SIX
DX QSLs are on hand for you at the ____ QSL Bureau. Send ____ self-addressed envelopes.
SIXTY SEVEN
Your message number ____ undeliverable because of ____. Please advise.
SIXTY EIGHT
Sorry to hear you are ill. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
SIXTY NINE
Welcome to the ____. We are glad to have you with us and hope that you will enjoy the fun and fellowship of the organization.
EMERGENCY NET INFORMATION
ARRL Maine Section http://www.mainearrl.org/
ARRL Rhode Island Section http://www.ri.arrl.org/
ARRL Vermont Section http://www.vt.arrl.org/
ARRL Western MA Section http://www.wma.arrl.org/
CT Red Cross: http://www.redcrosssect.org/communications.html
K1VSG: http://www.significant.com/ares/
NE Repeater Directory: http://www.nerepeaters.com/
Southern NE Skywarn: http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo/freq.htm
Antenna Building
