Page 59 January February 2018 TCA
P. 59
SECTION NEWS THE RAC FIELD ORGANIZATION FORUM
ALBERTA:
SM: Garry Jacobs, VE6CIA MESSAGE FROM THE RAC COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER
SEC: Brian Davies, VE6CKC Emergency Operations frequencies will be selected
STM: Jack Humphries, VE6JRH and specific operators will be
OO: Don Momen, VE6JY
Web: http://wp.rac.ca/ares‑alberta‑ Once you have an understanding moved to the new frequencies.
yellowknife‑nwt/ of the following information, you Task‑specific nets may be an
will be able to: open net or directed net.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER
SM REPORT: • Describe the types of net used Standby (availability) net:
during emergency operations This is a directed net that is a
Thanks all for the great reports and point of first checkin for
stay warm for the next few months. • Understand the types of traffic operators who are announcing
carried over ARES nets
Red Deer and area ARES availability to participate.
Stephen, VA6SGL • Describe best practices for Operators are kept on this net CFSO Doug Mercer, VO1DM
Email: vo1dm@rac.ca
voice communications until deployed to a location or (see page 4 for contact info)
The Central Alberta ARC and role and moved to the
Red Deer ARES undertook its • Describe best practices for operational net. or are being relayed by
Simulated Emergency Test on formal message handling intermediate stations. Examples
October 21. The test scenario was • Understand how to use Support net: This is an open of formal voice message traffic
set around a severe weather event crossband repeaters net used to provide technical include:
with multiple funnel clouds and and procedural support to
tornados in the Central Alberta • Work with and replace other operators and ARES resource • Formal requests or directives
region. ARES operators coordination (for example, sent to a specific individual or
office.
The call to “standby” was issued Types of Nets finding spare handhelds). The
purpose of the support net is to
by the Red Deer County automatic Depending on the nature and keep “maintenance” traffic off • Formal reports or responses
messaging system at 8:45 am, the duration of the emergency the operational net. sent to a specific individual or
ARES net was activated at situation, more than one net may office.
approximately 9:00 am. Twelve be operating at any given time, Types of Traffic Digital data messaging
participants checked in to the net either on repeaters or on simplex The types of traffic that ARES
and passed 32 items of traffic. channels. communications stations can Like formal voice message traffic,
digital communications is used in
The net was stood down at carry include the following:
approximately 9:45 am. Feedback Two general types of net are used situations where messages need
to reach their destinations
following the SET was generally in ARES operations: Tactical voice traffic
positive, with a number of 1) Directed net: A formal net with Tactical voice communications is without any errors, and need to
be logged and recorded. Digital
suggestions to improve upon. a net controller, who directs all used in situations where
Thanks to everyone who took part. communications on the net. messages need to pass back messaging is particularly well
suited to formal traffic that is
Medicine Hat Amateur Radio Stations request permission from and forth between stations lengthy in nature. Examples are:
Club and Area net control before calling other without delays, and do not need • Evacuee lists sent from
William, VE6CTM stations or passing traffic. to be formal. Examples of evacuation shelters to the
The club supported the CIBC Run 2) Open net: A net that allows tactical traffic include: Canadian Red Cross
for the Cure. We used our portable informal communications, with or • Requests to mobile stations
repeater VE6CWK. Cam, VE6CAM without a net controller. If there is for location or operational • Detailed reports sent from
shelter managers to the
and Kelly, VA6KRK, held a a net controller, the controller status
demonstration of Amateur Radio at acts to provide coordination, • Traffic that has not been Canadian Red Cross
a Disaster Preparedness Fair at recordkeeping and other support. originated by third parties • Supply requisitions sent from
the Latter Day Saints Church. On an open net, stations do not an EMO office to aid agencies
need to get permission before • Informal discussions between
We added two new members to calling or passing traffic. officials • Public bulletins sent from
our club: Ralph, VA6RHG and City Hall to local radio and
Craig, VA6CWV. We now have The specific types of net that may • Informal information requests TV stations
some new repeaters: VE6MHD, a be initiated include the following: • General broadcasts from one Next time we will continue to
permanent installation at Rush Operational net: This is a directed station to many other stations explore the emergency
Lake south of Medicine Hat net that carries the bulk of the operations world. As the winter
(444.075 +5 MHz T110.9); and a traffic for the client agencies. Formal voice message traffic weather continues to develop,
portable repeater VE6CWK Formal voice communications is stay safe.
(444.125 +5 MHz T110.9). Task-specific nets: If a need used in situations where
exists for subnets dedicated to Doug Mercer, VO1DM
The Medicine Hat ARC maintains specific client groups or tasks messages need to reach their
a solar‑powered digipeater in the (such as inter‑municipal EOC destinations without any errors, Community Services Officer
Cypress Hills. New member Ralph, communications), new net need to be logged and recorded,
VA6RHG, was able to arrange a
new set of batteries at no cost to
the club. Thank you Ralph. Thanks responders and Emergency The SARC had an active running on a weekly and biweekly
goes out to Cam, VE6CWK and Measure Operation stakeholders demonstration of Winlink express schedule. Thanks to Lakeland
Randy, VA6RCJ, who did the from across Alberta and on VHF, Amateur TV and HF College for providing classroom
installation of the batteries and Saskatchewan. There were two equipment. Other presenters at the space for us.
adjusted the angle of the solar keynote speakers. Inspector Mark conference discussed the Fort McMurray and area
panels. Travel into the site is Hancock from the Wood Buffalo challenges of restoring services in EC Al, VE6RFM
usually difficult. RCMP discussed their experience Fort McMurray prior to allowing We have just resumed our Wood
residents to return.
and lessons learned from the
Lloydminster and Area Fort McMurray wildfire. The other Buffalo Public Service net after the
Dwayne, VE6FRD keynote speaker was Richard Our project for developing backup “summer holidays”. We intend to
VHF communications link between
The Sask Alta Radio Club (SARC) Robinson from the Newtown local Hospital and the EMO centre resume message handling soon as
ARES attended the “Bordering on Connecticut Police Department continues. Our progress has been we can get some training going.
Disasters” conference that was speaking about the Sandy Hook delayed due to resource We will be contacting the
hosted in Lloydminster, AB/SK on Elementary School shooting. availability. The SARC is Emergency Operations Centre
September 19. The conference There were several EMO services conducting both a Basic and an before the end of the year. They
brought together many first information booths set up. Advance Class. Classes are were waiting for the new counsel,
57
ALBERTA:
SM: Garry Jacobs, VE6CIA MESSAGE FROM THE RAC COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER
SEC: Brian Davies, VE6CKC Emergency Operations frequencies will be selected
STM: Jack Humphries, VE6JRH and specific operators will be
OO: Don Momen, VE6JY
Web: http://wp.rac.ca/ares‑alberta‑ Once you have an understanding moved to the new frequencies.
yellowknife‑nwt/ of the following information, you Task‑specific nets may be an
will be able to: open net or directed net.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER
SM REPORT: • Describe the types of net used Standby (availability) net:
during emergency operations This is a directed net that is a
Thanks all for the great reports and point of first checkin for
stay warm for the next few months. • Understand the types of traffic operators who are announcing
carried over ARES nets
Red Deer and area ARES availability to participate.
Stephen, VA6SGL • Describe best practices for Operators are kept on this net CFSO Doug Mercer, VO1DM
Email: vo1dm@rac.ca
voice communications until deployed to a location or (see page 4 for contact info)
The Central Alberta ARC and role and moved to the
Red Deer ARES undertook its • Describe best practices for operational net. or are being relayed by
Simulated Emergency Test on formal message handling intermediate stations. Examples
October 21. The test scenario was • Understand how to use Support net: This is an open of formal voice message traffic
set around a severe weather event crossband repeaters net used to provide technical include:
with multiple funnel clouds and and procedural support to
tornados in the Central Alberta • Work with and replace other operators and ARES resource • Formal requests or directives
region. ARES operators coordination (for example, sent to a specific individual or
office.
The call to “standby” was issued Types of Nets finding spare handhelds). The
purpose of the support net is to
by the Red Deer County automatic Depending on the nature and keep “maintenance” traffic off • Formal reports or responses
messaging system at 8:45 am, the duration of the emergency the operational net. sent to a specific individual or
ARES net was activated at situation, more than one net may office.
approximately 9:00 am. Twelve be operating at any given time, Types of Traffic Digital data messaging
participants checked in to the net either on repeaters or on simplex The types of traffic that ARES
and passed 32 items of traffic. channels. communications stations can Like formal voice message traffic,
digital communications is used in
The net was stood down at carry include the following:
approximately 9:45 am. Feedback Two general types of net are used situations where messages need
to reach their destinations
following the SET was generally in ARES operations: Tactical voice traffic
positive, with a number of 1) Directed net: A formal net with Tactical voice communications is without any errors, and need to
be logged and recorded. Digital
suggestions to improve upon. a net controller, who directs all used in situations where
Thanks to everyone who took part. communications on the net. messages need to pass back messaging is particularly well
suited to formal traffic that is
Medicine Hat Amateur Radio Stations request permission from and forth between stations lengthy in nature. Examples are:
Club and Area net control before calling other without delays, and do not need • Evacuee lists sent from
William, VE6CTM stations or passing traffic. to be formal. Examples of evacuation shelters to the
The club supported the CIBC Run 2) Open net: A net that allows tactical traffic include: Canadian Red Cross
for the Cure. We used our portable informal communications, with or • Requests to mobile stations
repeater VE6CWK. Cam, VE6CAM without a net controller. If there is for location or operational • Detailed reports sent from
shelter managers to the
and Kelly, VA6KRK, held a a net controller, the controller status
demonstration of Amateur Radio at acts to provide coordination, • Traffic that has not been Canadian Red Cross
a Disaster Preparedness Fair at recordkeeping and other support. originated by third parties • Supply requisitions sent from
the Latter Day Saints Church. On an open net, stations do not an EMO office to aid agencies
need to get permission before • Informal discussions between
We added two new members to calling or passing traffic. officials • Public bulletins sent from
our club: Ralph, VA6RHG and City Hall to local radio and
Craig, VA6CWV. We now have The specific types of net that may • Informal information requests TV stations
some new repeaters: VE6MHD, a be initiated include the following: • General broadcasts from one Next time we will continue to
permanent installation at Rush Operational net: This is a directed station to many other stations explore the emergency
Lake south of Medicine Hat net that carries the bulk of the operations world. As the winter
(444.075 +5 MHz T110.9); and a traffic for the client agencies. Formal voice message traffic weather continues to develop,
portable repeater VE6CWK Formal voice communications is stay safe.
(444.125 +5 MHz T110.9). Task-specific nets: If a need used in situations where
exists for subnets dedicated to Doug Mercer, VO1DM
The Medicine Hat ARC maintains specific client groups or tasks messages need to reach their
a solar‑powered digipeater in the (such as inter‑municipal EOC destinations without any errors, Community Services Officer
Cypress Hills. New member Ralph, communications), new net need to be logged and recorded,
VA6RHG, was able to arrange a
new set of batteries at no cost to
the club. Thank you Ralph. Thanks responders and Emergency The SARC had an active running on a weekly and biweekly
goes out to Cam, VE6CWK and Measure Operation stakeholders demonstration of Winlink express schedule. Thanks to Lakeland
Randy, VA6RCJ, who did the from across Alberta and on VHF, Amateur TV and HF College for providing classroom
installation of the batteries and Saskatchewan. There were two equipment. Other presenters at the space for us.
adjusted the angle of the solar keynote speakers. Inspector Mark conference discussed the Fort McMurray and area
panels. Travel into the site is Hancock from the Wood Buffalo challenges of restoring services in EC Al, VE6RFM
usually difficult. RCMP discussed their experience Fort McMurray prior to allowing We have just resumed our Wood
residents to return.
and lessons learned from the
Lloydminster and Area Fort McMurray wildfire. The other Buffalo Public Service net after the
Dwayne, VE6FRD keynote speaker was Richard Our project for developing backup “summer holidays”. We intend to
VHF communications link between
The Sask Alta Radio Club (SARC) Robinson from the Newtown local Hospital and the EMO centre resume message handling soon as
ARES attended the “Bordering on Connecticut Police Department continues. Our progress has been we can get some training going.
Disasters” conference that was speaking about the Sandy Hook delayed due to resource We will be contacting the
hosted in Lloydminster, AB/SK on Elementary School shooting. availability. The SARC is Emergency Operations Centre
September 19. The conference There were several EMO services conducting both a Basic and an before the end of the year. They
brought together many first information booths set up. Advance Class. Classes are were waiting for the new counsel,
57
