NIMS ICS forms for AUXCOM, CERT, ARES, Amateur Radio operators

This is the best collection of ICS forms that I have found to date for the AUXCOM, CERT, ARES, Amateur Radio operator, covering all ICS forms of interest for the communicator: http://bearsfl.us/files/ics_forms/

Portable hand-crank power in a backpack size...

I have previously posted about an upcoming 12V portable hand crank electricity generator for the commercial market. Here I will report about a Mil-Spec portable hand crank generator that might just be the solution for you.

Sometime back I ordered a Clansman Hand Generator (please perform internet search on these as I do not want to bias you on whom to order it from). It generates 24 Volt DC (open voltage) at moderate speed cranking and a maximum of 30V (open voltage) when cranking at the maximal speed  that I can still manage relatively comfortably. Please see YouTube videos for further details on this crank generator.

So how could you use these 24V to charge a portable battery? Just connect two small 12V batteries in series... and you have a heavy duty (yes - that does also imply fairly heavy weight). 

2014 ARRL Field Day - NTS-style message Bonus

ARRL HQ replied today regarding my inquiry about further details on the 2014 ARRL Field Day "NTS-style message Bonus".

It is the message format which is of interest and not the message carrier, i.e. as long as it is in proper NTS radiogram format & via RF. Quote:

"Yes, messages sent via NBEMS or Winlink will count for Field Day bonus points as long as the messages are in the proper NTS radiogram format and the messages leave or enter the Field Day site via amateur radio RF."

That will be most exiting! I can think of: voice (ok, that's nothing new), CW (this neither), FLMSG (within NBEMS suite of free software programs), WinLink, HFLink ALE AMD and APRS as being possible carriers of the radiogram, with the last two likely the least common choices for most HAMs. Maybe I can think of a few more by Field Day… Why don't you too bring something new into YOUR Field Day activation, with some new modes of message relay?

Thus, the Arkansas HF Digital NVIS NBEMS Net (AHDNN) will be operational and have extended operational hours during Field Day, schedule to be announced on the AHDNN newsgroup, NCS: N5AT.

Additionally, the Arkansas Radio Emergency Services Club will send NTS radiograms via all above mentioned digital modes of communication.

73 de Marcus NX5MK

Amateur Radio Featured at 2014 Preparedness Summit

Just came across the following newsline:


Amateur Radio Featured at 2014 Preparedness Summit
The Preparedness Summit is the largest public health preparedness conference in the United States. Each year, approximately 2,000 preparedness professionals attend this multi-disciplinary event. This year, the Preparedness Summit is highlighting the importance of amateur radio.
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?427424-Amateur-Radio-Featured-at-2014-Preparedness-Summit
http://preparednesssummit.org/ham-radio/

Might be worthwhile to take a look at.

New Year's Resolution: Become a CERT Leader

http://www.arrl.org/ares-el%3Fissue%3Dcurrent#toc01

Right on! See here.

All emergencies in Arkansas are local? Not!

History has taught us time and time again that the unexpected happens. But, it has also taught us that not everything is unexpected. Often it is ignorance which leads to false assumptions prior to an incident, resulting in inadequate preparedness. Other times it's...

If you look at weather related incidents, for example on these websites:

http://www.klingenfuss.org/tsunami.htm

http://www.google.org/crisisresponse/response.html

you will immediately notice that many incidents and emergencies every year are of grand proportions, certainly not local - that's for sure!

So you think we here in Arkansas may have a few tornadoes or some thunderstorms wreaking havoc - locally. Correct! But, there's more. See the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management website:

http://www.adem.arkansas.gov/ADEM/Divisions/Preparedness/Earthquake/index.aspx

The NEXT BIG ONE is a matter of WHEN, NOT IF.

So you as an Amateur Radio operator want to rely on VHF voice comms and repeaters? As the history pages cited above show us clearly: to fail to learn from history, is to learn to fail during the next big one.

Chances are nearly 50% in the next 50 years. If the lottery had odds that high, we'd all play!

So what can YOU do while having fun with our hobby? Get your General class licence, it's easy! ...and then get yourself an HF transceiver, load the free NBEMS software suite with FLDIGI and get on the air. Grow as an individual and as a communicator. Do VHF Digital on simplex and voice and digital on HF.

Join the Razorback Net for HF voice and check into the Arkansas NBEMS Net for HF digital. Join a local ARES group. If they are non existent in your area or do not follow the ARES EC Manual in their words and actions, e.g. they offer no training in the various communications methods, then join SATERN, join the Red Cross, join MARS or found a CERT group - your local fire fighters will love you for it. Learn to be a Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio (RaDAR) operator. This hobby of ours is great and your kids will love it too.

Any questions? Just ask. I have great Elmer's and would be more than happy to help you too. 

THE AMATEURS CODE

by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA (1928)

The Radio Amateur is:

CONSIDERATE..... never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL..... offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE..... with knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.

FRIENDLY..... with slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED..... Radio is an advocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC..... with station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

73 de Marcus NX5MK