Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp

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/107.2pl
            Packet 144.950 MHz/1200 baud, connects made with Oakxxx or
            Callsign-# to OAKBBS (W8OAK-3) with nodes at
            OAKNOD (N8NM-1 Pontiac – most coverage),
            OAKEOC (W8OAK-7 at EOC) or K8DTX-7 (White Lake)
            APRS – 144.390 MHz
            Web Site: http://www.arpsc.com

Meeting Minutes for 5 May 2010

On 5 May 2010 at 7 pm, John Fleming – K8UP, District 2 Michigan Section ARPSC Emergency Coordinator introduced Jim Richards – AB8JR, as this night's Moderator for Oakland County ARPSC. John added that the search for a new Oakland County Emergency Coordinator (EC) is underway and is expected to continue until an EC is selected. Three people have expressed interest and there is still time to place an application if interested. Randy Love – WF5X will be Moderator at the next 2 June 2010 meeting. Jim called the meeting to order in the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The order of business included:

(I). Report from Jim Richards – AB8JR, Moderator:

Always bring your Oakland County ARPSC identification card with you to the meetings. Security for this building is "tight." If you forget, have several members escort you in and can vouch for you. Steve Iannucci – Oakland County Homeland Security added members can bring a visitor to the meetings, but recommends such visitors to have similar interests.

Volunteers are needed to get members into the building on meeting nights and to monitor the radio for late arrivals.

Skywarn On-call List must be updated. Please sign up to assist us and indicate if you are a net control operator. This list now being promptly updated for use.

On 10 April 2010, our group participated in a state-wide stimulated exercise test (SET) which focused on passing NTS (National Traffic System) messages between various county EOC's and the State EOC. Our county ARPSC will be planning one or more self administered SETs. Volunteers, please remember to sign OUT when you leave the net. Not doing this causes confusion concerning the number of available operators in an emergency situation.

(II). Presentation: Michigan QSO Party Results by Joe Miller – KJ8O, Special Events:

Participants in the 17 April 2010 Michigan QSO party were: Randy Love –WF5X, Jim Richards – AB8JR, Fred Czudar – KD8CMD, Jerry Begel - W9NPI, Hugh Purcell – KE6YRC, Larry Hornsby – KB8POD, Mike VanderVeer – KD8ATK, Mike Nebel - N3BEL, Joe Miller – KJ8O, and one name uncertain. Forty seven out of 48 states and 54 Michigan counties were worked with 531 QSOs for a claimed score of 109,802 points. This event is useful to develop one's skill in working crowded band conditions and pileups, improving listening skills, using of proper phonetics and proper radio terminology, understanding band frequency strengths and weaknesses, and working lengthy periods of time. The next Michigan QSO Party will be 16 April 2011.

(III). Report from Steve Iannucci, Homeland Security Division – Oakland County:

Our county has a subcontractor who gives CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) + AED (Automated External Defibrillation) training for a 9 person class per year. If there is enough interest, such a class might be set up for possibly June or July.

Your ARPSC needs to work on their Skywarn on-call list. More volunteers are needed to take call. The bigger the number, the more workable and easier it becomes. Please do volunteer for this.

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

The 10 April 2010 SET was one of three State SETS to be scheduled this year. Short lead or announced times will better simulate emergencies. This last SET was more about passing messages from county EOCs to state level and back. Communication was found possible all the way from St. Clair County to Monroe County by use of a simplex frequency. To learn traffic message handling, such nets as SEMTN (Southeastern Michigan Traffic Net) are recommended.

Coming up next is the FERMI Exercise (FERMI Nuclear Power Plant, Fermi, Michigan) sometime in June. Prior exercises had placed Oakland County outside the SET limits (Zone Two), but we could be requested to assist this time. Oakland County ARPSC is involved in numerous activities, such as Woodward Dream Cruise and Brooksie Run. Group participation helps to develop skills and helps us by learning to work together. Please get involved. Jim Richards - AB8JR also added this is part of plan, prepare, practice, and provide.

(IV). AEC-Management Team Reports:

(1). Report from (AEC) Mike VanderVeer, Net Manager:

Oakland County ARPSC Nets are held every Thursday night at 8 pm. A backup net controller is needed for Thursday, 20 May 2010. For those who have started net control training but haven't completed, please contact Mike who will help.

(2). Report from (AEC) Randy Love – WF5X, Repeaters, Computers and Various Things:

Randy is working on a problem involving the automated packet computer. Our two meter repeater continues to have a "failing audio" problem, which was noticed during the last Siren Net.

(3). Report from (AEC) Michael Smith – N8GUZ, Training:

At the next meeting, Mike plans to pass around a sign-up sheet for a CPR + AED class. Plans are being made for a Damage Assessment Class. FEMA recently sent Mike an email stating some of the independent study courses or a combination thereof can be taken for college credit(s). To apply for this, one must pay small fee and submit an application.

(V). Specialty Officer/Coordinator Reports:

(1). Report from Jerry Begel – W9NPI, Hospital Communication Teams:

Sixteen out of seventeen hospitals reported into last months Hospital Net. One reported tampering and can only hope the scary notices placed on the transceivers will reduce this problem. More volunteers are needed in many locations, including Huron Valley Sinai, POH Pontiac, and POH Clarkston.

Bill Bond - W8WRB states a new version of the hospital procedure manual is available and team leaders need to add this to their hospital manuals. Bill also thanks all for calling and supporting him during his convalescence.

(2). Report for Murray Scott – KE8UM, Logistics:

The newly installed PSK-32 program will now run all sound card modes.

(3). Report from Jim Poehlman – K8ABZ, Membership:

A letter was sent out to members explaining the new membership application and renewal. Zip code entries will require a 5 + 4 combination such as 48304-1218. Some are coming back with Oakland Township misidentified. If one lives in a township not listed, enter under townships - "other." Some email programs won't send out the application/renewal and must be saved before sending out. Currently, there are only two choices: (1) renewal or (2) new application. The program does not have a third choice for change of address or phone number. In this case, one can note the change in the comment box. Jim handed out an Oakland County municipal boundary map showing township boundaries. If all else fails, call or email any problem to Jim.

(4). Report from Gary Sklar – K8IKW, Events and Dates of Interest:

Gary requests area clubs to let him know their location for Field Day. Gary's computer recently developed a virus and he thinks it sent out about 30 viral emails before being stopped. Beware should you receive one of these.

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

Last Saturday, 1 May 2010, 44 sirens were checked. This brings a total of 127/231 sirens covered this year. Jim Richards - AB8JR added that Mike and the subnet operators are trying hard to direct volunteers to sirens that haven't been checked this year. Everyone is needed to help, but when determining which siren you want cover, (1) check first our ARPSC website to see the siren has already been covered, and (2) check with the subnet operator beforehand to see if someone else is assigned. For those volunteers using handhelds, check to see if the handheld can be heard on the repeater. If not, move on to a better antenna or a J-pole, or even a 50 watt mobile rig.

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

Field Day is coming up 26-27 June 2010 and volunteers are needed. This is great opportunity to work the HF frequencies.

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

Siren lists have now been updated with last month's coverage. Gary will update and correct some older postings.

(VI). Other Items of Interest:

From John Fleming - K8UP: QCWA (Quarter Century Wireless Association), founded 1947, and its Chapter 215 Metro Detroit, founded 2004, is a club for amateur radio operators who have been licensed for over 25 years. Maury Davidson, K8SJD has asked John to help him promote and develop Chapter 215. Metro Detroit President is Marsha Fleming - N8FE, Vice President is Maury Davidson - K8SJD, Secretary is John Fleming, and Treasurer is Randy Love - WF5X.

Short items: (1) From Walt Van Gorp - WD8RCH: Skywarn decals are available from Walt for $4 each which is his cost. (2) Query: Are any fox hunts being planned? (3) From Maury Davidson - K8SJD: Maury has State of Michigan license plate applications for hams with new call signs. (4) Christine Ode - W8WIQ married John Du Bois on 1 May 2010. (5) Joe Blechinger - KD8HXN, died 2 May 2010 at age 49. He had been active with our siren nets.

Respectfully submitted,

James R. Murphy, N8SML

Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC

6 May 2010

Corrected and approved by Jim Richards, AB8JR, Moderator.