Outdoor Adventure USA

Ham Radio Emergency and Disaster Organizations

Ham Radio in emergencies is more important today than ever, especially in light of current events. Countless Ham radio groups are affiliated with law enforcement, community emergency response agencies, as well as FEMA, and many others. The vulnerability and weaknesses of our cell phone system is evident almost every time disaster strikes. It's overloaded or just inoperative, but the bottom line is that your cell phone, which should be your life line to help and the outside world, is down more than it is up, especially when it is needed most.

This week we will explore some different groups and what they offer. There is sure to be something for everyone.


*****OAUSA Shootin" Shack*****

Way back in 2017, the California Rifle and Pistol Association filed suit against the State of California to enjoin the enforcement of the State's firearm magazine limit law. Three years later, we've moved from the Federal court to the 9th Circuit court of Appeals. On Friday of last week, a three judge panel ruled that the California law is unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment.

The decision is impressive, and getting past the legal mumbo jumbo isn't difficult. It is something every supporter of the Constitution and the Second Amendment should read. Down load it here:

Introduction, Rick, KK6CTT:

Our line up tonight visits Emergency Communication as an extension of last November's net found here: viewtopic.php?f=70&t=4296&p=34897&hilit ... ion#p34897

A returning guest in the EMCOMM world with a product spotlight on his organization's "ARES Basic Camp," gone Zoom, COVID 19 compliant; Bob Morris, KK6BXJ, West Riverside County's, District Emergency Coordinator. West Riverside County ARES: http://aresnwrc.org/


ARES BASIC CAMP WORKSHOPS - 3 Consecutive Saturdays Sept 12, 19, 26 - 8 AM to 12 PM +Optional Follow-Up Q&As 1 to 3 PM -LIMITED SEATING! For sign-up information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-riv-c ... 6668640043

In addition to this "spotlight" moment I'd also like to suggest YouTube video reference material from the Ham Radio Crash Course archives with Josh Hoshnasi:

• Part 1, Emergency communications: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPLLMu4uyok

• Part 2, After the disaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPLLMu4uyok

• Part 3, HF EMCOMM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbpk48vDre8

• And, most recent, an interview with Mike Glover on P-A-C-E: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNCQhbk ... e=youtu.be

• SF SGM Mike Glover (RET); American Contingency and Fieldcraft Survival; describes, the acronym: P-A-C-E. It is used by Army SF units and although similar to my military mission planning experience, we could have used this acronym: Primary mode of communication, Alternate mode of communication, Contingencies to consider for communication and Emergency communications. No modes, once used, can be part of the other three.

• "One is none, two is one and three or more evens the score..."

Tonight we will cover EMCOMM outside the normal groups we are familiar with and have come to appreciate. There is more to EMCOMM and emergency preparedness (I consider these topics to be related) and we will delve into successes aside from the "usual suspects" in the amateur radio world. The line-up:

Team Rubicon, Cody, N1CLF

• A returning group that was not able to participate last NOV (coordination issues). They are a prime example of volunteers, with specific skill sets, seeing a need and getting to work on solutions. We'll let Cody provide the background story on "The Tribe" and let's be sure to add questions addressing their need for amateur radio and their TTPs; Tactics, Techniques and Procedures as well.

Solera Radio Club, Ray, N6KZM

• An HOA community that has all the normal restrictions we have all heard stories about. What is significant about this success story, still a work in progress; it is a micro-example of how EMCOMM, amateur radio operators and an understanding of the HOA playing field shows you can work through preparedness challenges. How? 1) Get people CERT trained; awareness and how to take responsibility for community self-reliance. 2) Get people to work through the FRS/GMRS radio option. 3) Pool your amateur radio assets together within the community and work on increasing those numbers. 4) Address issues that seem to be a "bridge too far" with solutions; e.g., A. decide on similar makes and models of radios and B. Put into operation a system that supports the entire group's needs.

LA Disaster Communications Service, Mark, N7YMM

Mark and Omar have worked with LADCS on many things but we'd like to highlight their work with APRS and how it applies to search and rescue. All of their work is great but I think this is just another example of amateur radio providing a great service to the community.

"EMCOMM Concepts in Motion," Jim, AG6IF

• A successful and knowledgeable operator provides the "how to" of things, having just moved, forced to put his long-time "lessons learned" into practical application; facilitating a quicker acclimation into his AO...his new area of operation...

Team Rubicon, N1CLF, Cody: https://teamrubiconusa.org/


Team Rubicon is a veteran owned international non-profit that provides disaster response and mitigation. Team Rubicon started in January of 2010 when the 7.0 earthquake shook Port Au Prince, Haiti. In moments, hundreds of thousands were injured, infrastructure and buildings were destroyed, countless were made homeless. In the days following, many traditional aid organizations were slow to establish relief efforts, citing dangerous and unstable working conditions. Troubled by the scenes in Port-au-Prince and the lack of proper aid, two Marines, Jake Wood and William McNulty, decided to act. Gathering supplies and volunteers, the small group of veterans, first responders, and medical professionals deployed to Haiti in the days following the earthquake.

When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon at the head of his legions and marched on Rome, it marked a point of no return. The phrase “crossing the Rubicon” has since survived in reference to any group committing itself to a risky course of action.

Crossing over the Artibonite River, the natural border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the small team of eight volunteers called themselves “Team Rubicon” in reference to the Rubicon River in Rome – by crossing their Rubicon, the team acknowledged they were irrevocably committed to their task of helping those in need. The small group focused on populations often overlooked or underserved by traditional aid organizations. By applying medical and leadership skills honed by years of service in the military, Team Rubicon provided aid to thousands of survivors of the Haiti Earthquake. From this initial operation, a larger organization grew, one committed to helping underserved communities impacted by disasters.

Team Rubicon’s Mission:
Team Rubicon’s mission is providing relief to those affected by disaster, no matter when or where they strike. By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible. Through continued service, Team Rubicon seeks to provide our veterans with three things they lose after leaving the military: a purpose, gained through disaster relief; community, built by serving with others; and identity, from recognizing the impact one individual can make. Coupled with leadership development and other opportunities, Team Rubicon looks to help veterans transition from military to civilian life. Across the world, disasters are a part of life. No corner of the globe is spared from severe weather – be it crippling winter storms, catastrophic hurricanes, or unchecked wildfires. By focusing on underserved or economically-challenged communities, Team Rubicon seeks to makes the largest impact possible. Disasters represent a massive financial cost, and by providing immediate relief work, free of cost, TR aims to help communities begin recovery sooner.


Team Rubicon and EMCOMM:
November 2018 a wildfire named Camp Fire destroyed 153k acres of land destroying 95% of Paradise and Concow cities. Due to the massive amount of damage and infrastructure destroyed, the nearest cellular and internet provider is over 50 miles away. Team Rubicon ran into an issue of tracking personnel as well as getting emergency help if it was needed. Several service projects as well as operations sometimes are in rural areas like Idyllwild and Niland with no service for cellular devices. Team Rubicon utilizes several Motorola commercial kits to include a base station, mobile station, 10 handheld units and if needed a repeater station. To better utilize the gear, Team Rubicon started recruiting amateur radio operators and started to offer the amateur radio tests with the help of local Ham clubs and amateur radio organizations.


For more information, please visit https://teamrubiconusa.org/

Cody Frazier
Field Technology-Deputy, Southwest Region/ FEMA Region IX for Team Rubicon
USMC Field Radio Operator – 2005-2014
Licensed Amateur Radio Operator – 2017 currently a General class/N1CLF
President and trustee of Elevated RF radio club.

Solera Radio Club, N6KZM, Ray: http://www.soleraradio.com/


Some disasters can interrupt the communication services we take for granted and use every day. Too many telephones off the hook – whether shaken off by an earthquake or picked up by too many people trying to reach concerned friends and relatives – can overload the local phone sys-tem. Similarly, too many customers trying to make calls on their cellular phones can bring that system to a halt. Infrastructure damage (e.g., lines down, structural damage at a central office) can likewise render our telephones unusable.

The Solera CERT Cadre, with the cooperation of the Solera Radio Club KC6SRC, have an Emergency Communications or EmComm Plan. Our CERT EmComm Team designed the plan to be used when normal communications are unavailable or inconvenient. This EmComm plan is specifically tailored for the needs of the residents living in the Solera at Oak Valley Greens com-munity. The plan incorporates the use of radio frequencies devoted to Solera. The CERT Em-Comm Team holds a FCC license, WREB621, which allows Solera residents free access and use of the Solera EmComm Radio System (without the need of personally possessing a FCC license). Additionally, the Solera property management staff and the community security patrol will have access to the radio system.

With this radio system, residents can use a handheld radio or walkie-talkies to talk to other residents in Solera during an emergency.


Code of Conduct:

• First and foremost: BE COURTEOUS.

• Don’t use profanity.

• Respect Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Laws, Rules, & Regulations.

• Respect other residents privacy and use of the channels. Please do not share anyone’s con-tact information over the radio.

• Don’t impersonate someone else. Impostors will be banned.

Record of User (exmple):

PURPOSE FOR MAINTAINING USER RECORDS:

The business band , which the Solera EmComm System utilizes, is the license recognized by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Industrial/Business pool frequencies. The regu-lations listing frequencies in this pool are contained in Subpart C of Part 90, Title 47 of the CFR.
As part of the enforcement actions articulated within FCC laws, rules & regulations, the FCC can demand an audit of users under our business band license of WREB621. The Solera CERT Cadre and Solera Radio Club are obligated to surrender a roster of radio system users. Our inability to produce such a roster could result in the revocation of our FCC license, an issuance of a fine, or both.

To mitigate FCC entanglements, we (Solera CERT Cadre & Solera Radio Club) request you provide the information below. This information will be maintained by the Solera CERT Cadre. Your contact information shall not share with anyone outside the governing body of the Solera CERT Cadre or Solera Radio Club; unless specifically ordered by the FCC or pursuant to a legal writ issued by the State of California or Federal Government.

LA Disaster Communications Service, Mark, N7YMM (write up provided by Omar)

Making a Difference

Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service (DCS) takes disaster amateur radio communication to a higher level—

Twenty Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Stations and three other LASD sites have complete amateur radio rooms with modern multi-band equipment. If other modes fail DCS operators at Sheriff’s Stations can relay emergency communications to or from local cities or agencies and their Sheriff’s Station, the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center or another Sheriff’s Station.

Some DCS members help maintain, or are trained to operate, Sheriff’s Department communications assets such as field-deployable military grade HF radios and antennas, communication trucks, and satellite ground stations. Besides radio rooms inside most Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Stations DCS owns and operates a private six-hilltop simulcast 2-meter repeater systems providing superior linked coverage throughout Los Angeles County—even with HT radios. This simulcast system is exclusively for DCS member use when DCS nets and official activities are not in progress.

The DCS District I support:

• District 8 has the unique situation that we support 2 stations, San Dimas & Walnut/Diamond Bar. The station serves the City of San Dimas and the unincorporated communities of Covina, Azusa , Glendora, La Verne, and Claremont. The station also provides law enforcement for a large portion of the Azusa Canyon and Mount Baldy areas of the Angeles National Forest (State Route 39, Glendora Mountain Rd. & Glendora Ridge Rd.).

• Below: SDMRT Frequently, the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team (SDMRT) calls upon DCS for relay communications and other tasks deemed necessary during extended searches. DCS also has assisted the team during many of their training sessions along with maintenance and programming the team radios. DCS was heavily used for relay communications during this recertification exercise. Search and rescue teams from all over the state participated in this event.

• Below: Upper left picture: DCS was asked to clear a landing zone (LZ) for Air 5 at Cow Canyon Saddle in the Angeles National Forest during a recovery near the Mt. Baldy area. Lower right picture: This was a training exercise with SDMRT and search dog handlers at Bonelli Park.

DCS has a few methods of supporting the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team:

• This is our primary unit for support, it’s a van dedicated to support communication having the capabilities of transmitting on SDMRT bands, Ham Radio bands (2Meters, 220, 440, HF) and Sheriff bands (480).

• 80H, is normally used as the Command Post relay unit, however it can also be deployed as an independent relay.

• APRS is also used in different events, Baker to Vegas and used to support the Mountain Rescue team. The van is also equipped with 36 in TV monitor to display APRS packet locations. It is also setup to accommodate 2 other radio stations.

• It is equipped with battery and compressor power plus holds most of the needed setup equipment for the command post.

• Our CP (command Post/Relay) Go-box. This is setup to handle the following scenarios.

• Sheriff Frequencies, 440, Rescue Team frequencies and HF

• NBEM, WinLink, SarTrack

APRS:

• APRS is heavily used for the Mountain Rescue Team. We currently are using SarTrack mapping software to support the Mountain Rescue Team. This allows us to use a multitude of maps, log findings by team leaders, show and measure distances, etc.

• The Teams carry with them portable tracking units, these units only transmit APRS packets and are supervised by Ham radio operators. The APRS tracking units we are using are the following: (APRS X1C5 Plus and MicroTrak AIO)

• We use a large 50-inch TV monitor at the command post to display where all the teams are located allowing the Mountain Rescue Team command to maintain a visual representation of their team locations and areas covered.

Relay Unit (go-box):

• This go-box is used for relaying purposes only. The unit is taken to locations where the teams are too far to communicate directly with the command post. The purpose is to provide the Team with direct communication with each other and to the command post via a SAR Repeater, a Crossband Repeater and an APRS DigiPeater.

• Fiberglass telescoping masts and wire antennas are used to aid setup.

• To ensure we are located in the best place to support relay communication, vehicles are setup with APRS units and displays.

• DCS members come from all walks of life. Consider joining the team and take your disaster amateur radio service capabilities to a higher level; so, if this piques your interest and you are a highly motivated amateur radio operator: https://lacdcs.org/membership-pkg/

EMCOMM Concepts in Motion, Jim, AG6IF

How to analyze your operating environment:

• Self assessment, what are you missing--, What you have to offer. documenting and knowing who has what, and who knows what, and what they can offer, partnerships

• What are your threats, someone with needs and no skills, asking for help. Even good guys can become needy in a pinch, but a "bad guy" no matter where they fall on the spectrum is still a threat

• Identify like minded friends.

• Join clubs or NGOs that you believe in and in turn you are afforded mutual trust and insight

• Superstars, and go-to people. identify them and work with them; e.g., skilled neighbors, backhoe, security, water, firewood

How to vet local groups:

• Loosely Connect with EMCOMM groups, usual stuff, mostly nets, meetings, get togethers are largely restricted right now. Don't tie in too closely or you lose flexibility. Some jobs will expect 100% during SHTF events.

• Shape your involvement based on what is around you and how your environment can rapidly change (COVID introduced to the mix along with civil unrest)

• Be part of the solution if you have time, especially if you see deficiencies..no complaining; just get involved and do the work needed.

• "If you can't find it, then try to BE IT!"

• Consider a bug-in/out/home bag, when SHTF, you will want to be back home with your family and supplies.

How to collect frequencies and gain insight into why some are more important than others:

• Spend time listening to local repeaters, program in every one, and run scan mode.

• If you can, get a scanner, put in every frequency you can find, listen to LE, Fire, air-fire, Rescue, water and power, local GOV, Wrecker companies, Walmart..lots of data to be had. Encryption and digital modes can be an issue, just dig into what is available.

• Use multiple radios so you can listen to many inputs at once. Receivers can share antennas, some transmitters can share antennas with a duplexer; VHF APRS and my UHF IRLP node share coax and a single antenna)

Personal examples, through years of trail and error:

• City level dispatch for City of Riverside kept me situationally aware

• Tactical channels dial down to specific incident information

• Learn to understand the ICS process

• City works help to explain water and power issues

• Aircraft band helps when air assets deploy

• Having dedicated radios to monitor, helps keep main radios free for use

Nice to have weblinks:

Repeaterbook Proximity search: https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/prox.php
RadioReference for scanner frequencies: https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/
Incident Information System: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
CAL Fire Incidents: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/
City Protect Crime Map (if your area is supported): https://cityprotect.com/map117.36981413 ... omLevel=15
ARES Field Resource Manual PDF: http://sacvalleyares.org/contents/ARES% ... Manual.pdf
ARRL Radiogram Form: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%2 ... M-2011.pdf
ARRL available online courses: http://www.arrl.org/online-course-catalog
Homeland Security Ready: https://www.ready.gov/about-us

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Thanks for early check in, KF6RGR Becky & KF6KOC Randy.