Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp

On 2 January 2008 at 7:00 pm, Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Oakland County ARPSC, called the meeting to order in the County Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The order of business included:

We are beginning a new year and many things are happening. This includes training requirements determined by others. Up-coming events, training, and emergency coverage concern us. How can we best fit and handle them? Plans need to be made.

A Microsoft PowerPoint presentation about the ARPSC by Joel Goldberg now is available from him for use. This includes what the ARPSC is, what it does, and how it is activated.

Volunteers are needed to backup our staff, for the supportive roles of jumping in when a staff member needs help or cannot be available. They will need training. There is an urgent need for more net operators.

(II). Report from Steve Iannucci, Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness (ER&P):

Steve reminds us that the ARPSC doesn't activate for snow emergencies. However, call-ins to the National Weather Service (NWS) can be made through their 1-800 number or reports can be submitted through the NWS – White Lake website.

(III). Report from John Fleming, K8UP, District 2 Michigan Section ARPSC Emergency Coordinator:

Efforts are being made to develop a six county repeater link system to connect District Two. John reports that St. Clair County EOC had several activations for snow.

(IV). Report from Barry Kaufman - WD8JWM, Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) – Administration:

A questionnaire was passed out to AEC's and specialty officers to determine (1) their supporting members, (2) if further support is needed, (3) if greater interaction between staff is needed, (4) what training is needed, (5) what was accomplished in 2007, (6) what are his/her 2008 goals and objectives, and (7) what is expected from the EC for assistance.

The computer which handles Packet and the Packet Bulletin Board System (BBS) has been fixed and is now working.

Steve Murphy - N8NM, County Radios, placed battery backups to our repeater should the county generators fail during a power outage. These batteries last a maximum of 12 hours and hopefully give enough time for generator repair. Our BBS is on 145.760 MHz and can be entered by connecting to OAKEOC or OAKBBS. The mystery node OAKL1, has gone off the air. In the future, efforts will be made to connect our digital modes to the repeater by using a different pl tone.

The first class for 2008 will be Skywarn training, to be held on Wednesday evening, 5 March 2008. There will be pre-registration and more details will follow later. Next, plans are to hold a Net Control Training Class and possibly a National Traffic Handling Class. In the fall, FEMA IS classes will be planned.

The Net Control Handbook by Larry Hornsby, KB8POD was reviewed. Excerpts will be discussed on the net. Rory reminds us that there is a W8OAK Net every Thursday night at 8 pm on 146.900 MHz/100pl.

Last month, Gary passed out a questionnaire to better understand member's capabilities in packet radio. About 10% of the responders operated packet in the last year. Personal computers with soundcards seemed to be most popular. Those with existing software probably won't need to make changes in the near future. If there is enough interest, Gary may put together a packet team. Members expressed interest in a packet training class. He thinks digital simplex will not be good enough.

The ARRL Michigan Section Digital Radio Group (DRG) has a meeting coming up and Gary hopes to be invited.

During last month's Hospital Radio Net, 16 hospitals checked in. A member suggested hospital brochures should include information on the hospital radio back-up communications.

Query: Is there any hospital in the county which is not manned? Answer: The Oxford Medical Center has no radio yet. There have been check-ins from members running equipment outside, but this is not the same and not credited for our reports.

(X). Comments from Marsha Fleming, N8FE: Emergency Calling Tree and HP Club Liaison:

Jim Poehlman and Marsha are currently gathering calling tree information on how to best call members. Cell phone use is a plus and they need to find volunteers who are willing to make 5-7 calls.

(XI). Comments from Sean Fleming, K8KHZ, National Traffic System Liaison:

Southeast Michigan NTS Traffic Nets are normally held every night at 10:15 pm on 145.33. The net is an excellent place to learn traffic handling communication.

Saturday, 1 March 2008 will be the first Siren Test of the year. The 2nd siren test will not be held on Wednesday 9 April 2008, but rather during Severe Weather Week on Monday, 7 April 2008.

Certificates of participation in the Annual Flu Clinic (27 October 2007) were passed out to Tim Pepper – K8NWD, Joel Stanley – WU8Y, Randy Love – WF5X, Rory Locke KC8SZR, Barry Kaufman – WD8JWM, Joel Goldberg – W8HIU, Jim Murphy – N8SML, Al Craddock – KA8PEH, Bob Adams – W8BHF, and Jeff Graff.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, 8 January 2008: Amateur Radio Classes for Beginners. Ten classes will be held at the Bloomfield Township Complex in January and February with the last one having a licensure exam. The only cost is for the book For more information, call or email to John Fleming or Bill Bond.

Sunday, 20 January 2008 Hazel Park Amateur Radio Club 42nd Annual Hamfest. Details at http://www.hparc.org.

(XV). Report on the Director's Board Meeting which followed General Business Meeting:

Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, EC asked the Board to name and discuss ARPSC activities for 2008. Included were:

(2) Training; various programs including Skywarn, FEMA IS classes, Net Control Classes. Oakland County ER&P wants members to have IS-22, IS-100, IS-200, IS-700. Also for possible training might be packet training, CPR/First Aid, NTS handling

(5) Hospital Nets – monthly, but may also include the 6 counties of District 2 possibly 2x/year.

(8) Increase Grab and Go Transceivers with packet from the current two. However personal digital equipment will probably continue to be necessary.

(9) Woodward Dream Cruise, potential of County Games, and potential of PGA are all on the same week. Dream Cruise communication center may need a more central visible location.

(13) Annual Michigan Light House Event is now the first weekend of August and will no longer compete with the Woodward Dream Cruise.

(18) (probably not) Amateur radio assistance to the Sheriffs Command System. From Joel Goldberg: Amateur Radio is a stand-alone communication system and anything else makes us become part of their system.

Query: Should Oakland County ARPSC have a communication's trailer? Steve Iannucci answered that getting county liability coverage may be real problem and very difficult to obtain. Joel Goldberg, W8HIU added the security and liability is too great a problem at this time.

Answer: If an event is activated by Oakland County ER&P, then the volunteer should have county coverage, with proper sign-in and documentation. This does not include events such as Gilda's Walk, March of Dimes Walk (coverage is probably by March of Dimes). However, the county covers the Woodward Dream Cruise because Berkley and Royal Oak requested back up communications with the County ER&P.

Query: Last summer, volunteers were requested to go to Fenton to assist tornado damage assessment. Who covered the insurance? Answer: Genesee County should, not Oakland. These events need to be better defined to the volunteer, i.e. whether it is a county or a non-county backed function. Concerning a call from an emergency calling tree, this may be a good time to let the person know if it is a county or non-county backed emergency. Joel Goldberg, W8HIU suggested insurance coverage may be a good legal topic to present before a general membership meeting.

Query: When and where can our ID badges be used? A county card should never be used at a non-county function, because it misrepresents the county. While the county card should not be used, a RACES card may be possible.