Did you know that the *WYOMING* Reflector (Conference) EchoLink Node: 256748 is online and available to support emergency communications and general amateur operations.   Please let those in Wyoming and elsewhere know that the *WYOMING* Reflector is operational and ready for use.

The *NEBRASKA* Reflector (Conference)  EchoLink Node: 256740 has become an active resource for Amateur Radio and Public Safety in Nebraska.  A Tuesday night net was recently started by KC0EQA and KC7RIY with the initial net having 20 operators checking into the net.

The Tuesday net is scheduled to start at 20:00 Central Time via the *NEBRASKA* Reflector.

(Originally posted on 7 April 2009)

UPDATE: *KANSAS* * NEBRASKA* Reflector Net is now held on Wednesday night at 20:00 Central Time (02:00Z Winter 01:00Z Summer) via the *NEBRASKA* Reflector EchoLink Node: 256740, it is also available via Asterisk Node: 2095

There’s been a lot of activity in the past month in several different areas regarding communications support.

• On 23 May 2009 the *KANSAS*, *NEBRASKA* and *WYOMING* were all put to use in support of ARMAD 2009. We were able to express our appreciation to those that serve in the Military as well the First Responders. ARMAD 2009 provided another opportunity to test the networks in a real time situational event. Definitely appreciate all those that helped.

• Severe Weather 15-18 June 2009 there’s been a number of weather fronts that have moved through the Great Plains lateley. Seems that the *NEBRASKA* is getting the most utilization when it comes to severe weather nets. *KANSAS* is getting some usage as a relay point, but there are still some issues that appear to need to be addressed (the network resources are working fine though).

• There’s been some discussion about the possibility of having a Asterisk Server Party where we can build up some Asterisk RF Gateways for easy deployment to repeater sites as well as having transportable server that can be used in emergency operations. For those that may not know, Asterisk is a software package that has the capability to manage radio and telephone communications. With all the many features available Asterisk has become to be known as a Communications Tool Chest. For more information about Asterisk RF Gateways visit AsteriskRadio.net

• The Digital Exploration continues, we now have access to D-STAR via a private node configuration. It can be accessed via radio and phone. For more information please contact us via InfoQuest.

• Range Test - we need some operators in the Wichita area that can help us with some range testing of the 145.470 and 147.060 Let us know where you are able to reach the systems. Remember a kerchunk won’t work, a voice transmission is required before the system will respond.

Thanks again to those that are helping with everything.

Emergency Operations – Regulations regarding radio communications.

A station in, or within 50 nautical miles of Alaska may transmit emissions J3E and R3E on the channel at 5.1675 MHz (assigned frequency 5.1689 MHz) for emergency communications. The channel must be shared with stations licensed in the Alaska-Private Fixed Service. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 W PEP. A station in, or within 92.6 km of, Alaska may transmit communications for tests and training drills necessary to ensure the establishment, operation, and maintenance of emergency communication systems.

AMATEUR RADIO
Sec. 97.401 Operation during a disaster. A station in, or within 92.6 km (50 nautical miles) of, Alaska may transmit emissions J3E and R3E on the channel at 5.1675 MHz (assigned frequency5.1689 MHz) for emergency communications. The channel must be shared with stations licensed in the Alaska-Private Fixed Service. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 W PEP. A station in, or within 92.6 km of, Alaska may transmit communications for tests and training drills necessary to ensure the establishment, operation, and maintenance of emergency communication systems.

[ 71 FR 66465 , Nov. 15, 2006]

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Sec. 97.403. Safety of life and protection of property. No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.

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Sec. 97.405. Station in distress. (a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance.

(b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section, of any means of radio communications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.

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GMRS

Sec. 95.143. Managing a GMRS system in an emergency. (a) The stations in a GMRS system must cease transmitting when the station operator of any station on the same channel is communicating an emergency message (concerning the immediate protection of property or the safety of someone’s life).

(b) If necessary to communicate an emergency message from a station in a GMRS system, the licensee may permit:

(1) Anyone to be the station operator (see Sec. 95.179.);  and

(2) The station operator to communicate the emergency message to any radio station.

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Public Safety / Industrial Business

Sec. 90.407. Emergency communications. The licensee of any station authorized under this part may, during a period of emergency in which the normal communication facilities are disrupted as a result of hurricane, flood, earthquake or similar disaster, utilize such station for emergency communications in a manner other than that specified in the station authorization or in the rules and regulations governing the operation of such stations. The Commission may at any time order the discontinuance of such special use of the authorized facilities.

[ 49 FR 36376 , Sept. 17, 1984]

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Sec. 90.411. Civil defense communications. The licensee of any station authorized under this part may, on a voluntary basis, transmit communications necessary for the implementation of civil defense activities assigned such station by local civil defense authorities during an actual or simulated emergency, including drills and tests. The Commission may at any time order the discontinuance of such special use of the authorized facilities.

[ 49 FR 36376 , Sept. 17, 1984]

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Sec. 90.417. Inter station communication. (a) Any station licensed under this part may communicate with any other station without restriction as to type, service, or licensee when the communications involved relate directly to the imminent safety-of-life or property.

(b) Any station licensed under this part may communicate with any other station licensed under this part, with U.S. Government stations, and with foreign stations, in connection with mutual activities, provided that where the communication involves foreign stations prior approval of the Commission must be obtained, and such communication must be permitted by the government that authorizes the foreign station. Communications by Public Safety Pool eligibles with foreign stations will be approved only to be conducted in accordance with Article 5 of the Inter-American Radio Agreement, Washington, DC, 1949, the provisions of which are set forth in Sec. 90.20(b).

[ 43 FR 54791 , Nov. 22, 1978, as amended at 62 FR 18933 , Apr. 17, 1997]

For those that have been working with ALERTradio ERC for a while will probably know about High Speed Multi Media (HSMM) which is a term often used in Emergency Communications and Amateur Radio.

Ubiquiti Networks makes a number of products that are highly suited to the HSMM applications.   One of the most unique products from Ubiquiti Networks is The Bullet(tm) with all the necessary hardware for wireless Ethernet present in a waterproof outdoor module.   Plug the unit into a Ethernet cable and a antenna with  a N-Type connector and you can quickly have a deployable wireless link.

Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. – Products.

It’s all about being ready …

When was the last time that you checked over your supplies? Not just the gear in your Go-bag, what about the gear in your vehicle, home and most important your own physical health.

Good physical health has to be the greatest supply that we overlook, yet it is very critical in order for us to be able to accomplish our mission.

When we are activated for a mission are you ready?

Severe cases will require the assistance of a mental health professional. For many, however, the best medicine you can provide may be a sympathetic ear.

Disaster-induced stress and trauma are “normal” reactions to an “abnormal” situation. Read more »

Remember the Manual …

Ever been in the situation during normal conditions (let alone an emergency operation) where you were trying to figure out a particular function that you knew that a piece of equipment (e.g. radio, repeater controller, generator, etc.) has, but just couldn’t remember how to get it work.

Do you have a Quick-Guide available for the equipment that you are going to use during operations?

Remember that there will be times when someone else will need to use your equipment – Will they know how to use your equipment without the manual or Quick-Guide?