Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC)

            W8OAK Repeater – 146.900 MHz/100pl

                        Weekly Net 8 pm every Thursday

                        Hospital Radio Net – 7:30 pm last Thursday of month

            W8OAK Repeater – 444.325 MHz/107.2 pl

            Packet 144.950 MHz/1200 baud

                        W8OAK-3BBS and W8OAK-7 Ka-Node

                        APRS – 144.390 MHz

            Web Site: http://www.arpsc.com

 Meeting Minutes for 4 March 2009

            On 4 March 2009 at 7 pm, Larry Hornsby – KB8POD, Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Oakland County, ARPSC, called the meeting to order in the County Emergency Operations Centers (EOC).  The order of business included:

(1). Report from the Emergency Coordinator (EC), Larry Hornsby – KB8POD:

            Our weather is finally getting warmer.  Lots of activities are already happening or will be coming.  That includes storms, Skywarn, siren testing, and training.

            Oakland County ARPSC has two new Assistant Emergency Coordinators (AEC's).  They are Michael Smith – N8GUZ and Lloyd Suter – N2NGQ.  Congratulations Mike and Lloyd!     

            Members must have the new Oakland County ARPSC identification card with the blue stripe.  If you don't have this, see Steve Iannucci at the meetings.   To get this card for the first time, one must fill out an application which will be submitted for a background criminal check and your photo taken by the ER&P. 

            We need someone to donate one computer so that each radio in the back room will have one.  To do so, please contact Randy Love – WF5X or Murray Scott – KE8UM. 

            Security at the EOC has asked us to reduce the number of ID cards permitting entry through the back door.  When current cards expire, some will no longer have entry coding.  Please come in through the front door.  Guests and non-members will need someone with a card to get inside.  On scheduled activities, there should be an AEC around to get you in.  Steve Iannucci added that if one comes to a meeting and needs to get in, use your radio to call W8OAK for assistance.

            A volunteer is needed for the position of National Traffic System Liaison.  If interested, please let Larry know.  

            An ICS 213 form was passed out to members.  This is a standardized page for general message traffic and is recommended for emergency and hospital net operations.  One fills in the blanks.  This helps us determine which messages haven't received a response or actions which haven't been completed.  This information can be put on computer for our records.    John Fleming – K8UP added that there is now a modified ICS 213 form which is essentially the same as used by the National Traffic System.     

            Larry requested Alan Craddock – KA8PEH, Club Liaison to develop a list of all the ham radio clubs in the county.  Alan mentioned that once he has an updated list, he would like to visit each club.                

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

            Next Saturday, 7 March 2009, will be our first siren test.  The county now has 230 sirens, almost all 2-way.  The few remaining are modified Thunderbolts.  When volunteering for a siren, please visually check it for damage, vines, tangled cables, how it works, and rotation.   

           Oakland County will now be reporting wind speeds of 70+ mph.  In fact, when this wind speed occurs, Oakland County sirens will go off county wide in addition to tornado warnings.  As far as Steve knows, Genesee and possibly Livingston Counties are similarly reporting 70+ speeds.   If one has such weather information and the Skywarn net isn't operating, he or she can call the weather desk at 248-858-1500 or radio desk at 248-858-5551.   Also, do not miss the 14 March 2009 CERT's class by Mike Lopar.

            Query: How does one tell if the wind speed is 70+ mph?  Answer: One can tell by the size of branches or trees which are bending.  Skywarn classes will teach this.  If you are not sure if the wind speed is 50 mph or 80 mph, Larry Hornsby suggests that you report it.

            Query: How many members have a GPS that reports longitude and latitude?  Answer.  Not known, but this does define one's location. 

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

            District 2 is gearing up for severe weather.  National Weather Service (NWS) will have a meeting on Saturday, 28 March 2009 from 10-12 am.  Randy Love – WF5X, Maury Davidson – K8SJD, Larry Hornsby – KB8POD will be there.   During bad weather, MICON Net connects county EOC's to the NWS.  Please note that this is only for official EOC and NWS traffic.  Everyone else with weather information must connect to their own Skywarn net or their own EOC.  This MICON policy has not changed. 

            Query: What location is the 1 April 2009 Skywarn class which replaces the next regular meeting?  Answer: Executive Office Building - 41 W, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford.                         

(IV). Report from Rory Lock – KC8SZR, Net Manager and Reports:

            Training continues for new net control trainees.  Volunteers are needed to fill in the March net control schedule.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD congratulated net control operators for their excellent work. 

(V). Report from (AEC) Randy Love – WF5X on Repeaters, Computers, and VE Testing:

            One computer recently lost its hard drive and Randy hopes that the county can repair it.  The repeater still exhibits occasional audio distortion which may be temperature related.  Steve Murphy – N8NM, County Radios will be reviewing the problem.  On Sunday, 8 March 2009, daylight savings will require the repeater to change time.   Randy requested that he be replaced for the VE testing due to his work load.                   

(VI). Report from (AEC) Barry Kaufman - WD8JWM on Library:

            Our library activities involve inventory, categorizing, cataloging, and filing EOC papers and equipment. Larry Hornsby – KB8POD added these efforts will document what we have, give instructions on how to operate them, policies, etc.  It's a hard copy for anyone's use coming into the EOC to operate.       

(VII). Report from (AEC) Mike Smith - N8GUZ on Training:

9 March 2009 Monday at 6:30pm EOC...IS-22 class with Lloyd Suter, N8NGQ

14 March 2009 Saturday, 8 am to 2 pm...CERTS Class with Mike Lopar.  IS-317 online is required beforehand.

4 April 2009 Saturday, 9 to 11 am...IS-100 class

4 April 2009 Saturday, 12 noon to 2 pm...Net Control Table Top Exercise

11 April 2009 Saturday, 10 am to noon...IS-200 class

24 April 2009 Saturday, 10 am to noon...IS-700 class with Lloyd Suter, N2NGQ.

            To reserve a spot, call the EOC at 248-858-5300.   In the future, Mike may have an IS-800 class.   One is welcome if he only wishes to refresh his/her knowledge.   Larry Hornsby – KB8POD added that one can also take these IS classes by going on-line to http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses/.   When one obtains a certificate of completion, send us a copy or have the certificate forwarded to Lorretta or Steve. 

            The following SkyWarn classes are scheduled in Oakland County.  If interested, please call the ER&P at 248-858-5300 to register. 

16 March 2009 Monday, 7-9 pm, Groveland Township Fire Department, Station #1, 14645 Dixie Highway at Grange Hall Road, Groveland Township.

26 March 2009 Thursday, 7-9 pm, Rochester Hills Fire Department, Station #1

28 March 2009 Saturday, 10 am to noon, Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness (ER&P), Executive Office Building - 41W, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford.

28 March 2009 Saturday, 1–3 pm, Oakland County ER&P, same location   

1 April 2009 Wednesday, 7-9 pm, Oakland County ER&P, same location

7 April 2009 Tuesday, 7-9 pm, Covert Center Auditorium, 1150 Scott Lake Road, Waterford              

(VIII). Report from Bill Bond – W8WRB on Hospital Radios:

            The February Hospital Net had 100% check-ins, except for hospitals without equipment.  Bloomfield – Henry Ford has not yet installed equipment.  Providence Park – Novi needs a cable installed.  Botsford radio is now in a better location but needs more volunteers.  POH – Pontiac needs a better location for its radio.   Net control operator's script has now added the following line, "any additional hospitals or EC's from other counties."

(IX). Report from Murray Scott – KE8UM on Logistics:

            The PK 232 radio is now upgraded with an USB connection and cord plug into the sound system.  One now can run Packet, PK-32 and similar modes from his own laptop plugged into a microphone input or through a direct connection.          

(X). Report from Jim Poehlman – K8ABZ on Membership:

            EOC's Lorretta and Jim are now able to fax membership data to each other.   This greatly speeds membership updating.  An ARES application for membership was passed to members at the meeting.  The membership list will now need an additional list for ARES members.

(XI). Report from Maury Davidson – K8SJD, Assistant Liaison to National Weather Service (NWS):

            Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week is 24 March to 4 April 2009.  On Wednesday, 1 April 2009, there will be an Oakland County siren test at 11:30.  

(XII). Report from Gary Sklar – K8IKW and others, Public Service Announcements:

14 March 2009 Saturday – Marshal Swap: Info at http://www.w8df.com

15 March 2009 Sunday – Toledo Hamfest: Info at http://www.tmrahamradio.org

18 April 2009 Saturday – Milford Swap: Info at http://www.qsl.net/w8ydk

15-17 May 2009 – Dayton Hamvention.  Info at http://www.hamvention.org

16 May 2009 – Arrow Bus to Dayton, 4:30 am and returns same day.  Info from George Schulte at k8geo@arrl.net.  Hazel Park ARC did not reserve rooms this year.

21 June 2009 Sunday – Monroe Swap.  Info at http://mcrca.org/hamfest.htm  

            Gary encourages hams to participate in the Michigan PRB-1 campaign to modify current Michigan laws with PRB-1 legislation.  More info is at http://www.prb1michigan.org.  At this website, one can sign up for their email updates.                         

 (XIII). Report from Mike Nebel – N3BEL, Sirens:

             Saturday, 7 March 2009 is our first siren test of the year.   Please help by going to the subnet which handles the siren you wish to cover.  There are 4 subnets covering four sections of the county.   Detailed information on sirens, their location, and subnets can be found on our website.  Subnets begin about 12:30 and sirens go off at 1 pm.  Please let Mike know if you haven't received a certificate award for siren participation.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD added that sirens are part of what we do.  We need people to make sure they work and are in good shape.  Marsha Fleming – N8FE mentioned that the subnet on 146.640 MHz assigns volunteers to a different set of sirens each month.     

 (XIV): Report from Joe Miller – KJ8O, Special Events:

             18 April 2009, the Michigan QSO Party takes place on 10 through 80 meters.  Our EOC station needs volunteers and will try to give everyone at least one full hour of action.  Randy Love – WF5X mentioned that the Kent County EOC intends to be very active this year.  Also, Washtenaw County will be using multiple transmitters.  This year's competition should be much tougher.  ARRL issues special awards for QSO contacts.   

 (XV): Report from Gary Bouwkamp – N8HMP, W8OAK Web Master:

             If anyone has lost an IS class certificate, the website has a page which can be completed and will be sent out to FEMA – EMI.  Gary thinks that it would take about ten days to confirm a certificate.  The website siren list is updated after every siren test and shows which sirens have been recently checked.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD pointed out the latest secretarial minutes are usually quickly posted and can be an information source.  For those with complex reports at the meeting, your secretary would be grateful for key information and dates in writing.   

 (XV): Other Items of Interest:

             Maury Davidson – K8SJD mentioned that Henry Ford Hospital is making a "File of Life" magnet to put on a refrigerator and a card for a wallet.  This identifies an individual's key medical information and allergies.  He hopes to have enough of these to pass out at the May meeting.             

 Respectfully submitted,

James R. Murphy, N8SML

Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC

5 March 2009

Corrected and approved by Larry Hornsby – KB8POD on 6 March 2009