Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC)

W8OAK Repeaters – 146.900 MHz/100pl & 444.325 MHz/107.2pl

   Weekly 2 meter net 8 pm every Thursday

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

   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 August 2009

            On 5 August 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 Center (EOC).  The order of business included:

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

            To become a member of our Oakland County ARPSC: (1). Fill out an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) application on our website. (2). After becoming an ARES member, fill out an Oakland County ARPSC application which requires passing a sheriff's background check.  When this is successfully completed, the applicant becomes a new member.  (3). He/she will want to obtain a Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) card.  To qualify for RACES, the Michigan State Police requires a member to pass the IS-22 class.  This card is required for identification at certain governmental events.

            Members needing a summary of their completed FEMA classes can now apply to FEMA by email or regular mail.   If interested, let us know.  Our ARPSC needs verification of completed courses and this form could help you.

            There are certain situations which could force us to put up a temporary antenna in an unplanned location.  One such situation might be when a hospital is "locked down" during a pandemic and communication assistance is needed from an outside location.  The usual antenna for a handheld transmitter (HT) may not be enough.  Larry showed members three different portable antennas which could improve HT communications to our EOC.  These home-made portable J-pole antennas could be coiled up or broken into pieces for easy transport.   Such antennas could be hooked onto a tree or high support and might extend one's range by as much as 15 miles.   Jim Richards - AB8JR displayed his home-made 2 meter + 440 J-pole antenna which can be clamped to a rail or camera stand.  Designs to build this can be found on websites by going to Google and entering "2 meter aluminum j-pole."   Larry also has available an instructional sheet for building a low cost 2 meter J-pole antenna.   Some aluminum J-poles can break down into 2 – 3 foot segments so that they can be easily carried and stored in your car for emergencies.  Larry is also looking at a modified miniature HO gauge train track for possible antenna use.   

            Rory Locke – KC8SZR is now our new AEC for Nets.  Mike VanderVeer – KD8ATK has taken his place as Net Manager.   Congratulations, Rory and Mike!

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

            This is to remind everyone that September will be National Preparedness Month (NPM 2009).  This focuses on one being prepared for family, business, and community emergencies.  NPM 2009 pamphlets were made available at the meeting and more information can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/npm09/index.html.    

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

            Last week, Wayne County had a hospital stimulated test exercise (SET).  A 60-65 bed portable hospital was set up in a warehouse with volunteer help.  Portable hospitals might be needed in our area during an emergency.

            Next September, there will be a SET for us.  Both the date and the event details are not known to John.  Last year's SET gave us practice on digital communications.

(IV). AEC-Management Team Reports:

            (1). Presentation from Lloyd Suter – N2NGQ, Administration:

            Last spring, Lloyd attended classes at the Center for Domestic Preparedness at Fort McClellan, Alabama.   Our members need to be prepared for a disaster pandemic so they and their families can function at their best level.   Such an emergency might come as a second wave of H1N1 flu this fall.  A common sense approach is needed in taking care of sick person(s) in your home with H1N1 flu.   One needs to understand this virus, such as the symptoms, how it is spread, and how to handle it if it strikes.  Droplets from a cough or sneeze can infect a person in close contact.  Washing hands, use of face masks, disinfectants, and other measures are needed to reduce exposure.  Possible use of viral and other meds should be coordinated with one's doctor.   Isolation of the H1N1 flu patient should take place at home for at least 7 days and one should not expose others by going out.  It is important to not become dehydrated.   Pregnant women, oldsters, young children are in greater danger from this flu.  Discussion included what kind of mask to use, maximum time limit for one mask, bleach disinfectants, washing linens, best hand washing, and when to seek help.  Prior use of the pneumococcal vaccine for oldsters could reduce a bad complication.  More information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov or by going a search engine such as Google. 

            Along the same line of thought, providing emergency communications is what we do.  We need to be ready to work during a pandemic flu and still keep a volunteer's risk to a minimum.   At the next month's meeting, a form will be passed to members for family use.

            (2). Report from (AEC) Rory Lock – KC8SZR, Net Operations:

             A future net may have net controls using an alternate location outside their home or EOC, such as a storage shed or car.    Recently, Rory set up a remote communication network in a forest area.  The area was so remote that he had carefully plan which items to bring, because there could be no re-supply.  The same preparation would be needed by net controls.  He also mentions that if net controls are not getting his emails, please contact him.

            (4). Report from (AEC) Randy Love – WF5X, Repeaters and Computers:

            There was a recently report about a difficult transmission taking place between North Brandon Township and our 440 machine.  Antenna location may make the difference between success and failure.     

            A week ago, Randy thought he detected transmission fade between two receive sites.  Also, he is not sure whether the GPS at the EOC is working.

            Query: The 2 meter repeater seems to have an occasional 1 second siren-like sound.  What causes that?  Randy believes that someone is accidentally entering a touch-tone signal that the repeater identifies as invalid. 

            Query: Could the repeater turn down the ID volume so it doesn't cover up someone's conversation?   Randy doesn't know how to answer this because the repeater identification (ID) has to hearable enough to be a legal.  Volume of the repeater ID is the sole discretion of the repeater trustee and repeater mechanism gives him few options.   If one hears the repeater's voice ID, don't begin talking at the same time.   Each repeater has 6 voice and 6 digital identifications whose commands are hard to set up or change.  Later in the meeting, Randy stated he changed the tone volume on the repeater and hopes this will be satisfactory.      

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

            Mike asked members if they had an emergency go-kit.  Only a few members said yes.  He urges everyone to update their go-kit for medications, replace old food, and get everything ready for winter.  If you don't have one, this is the time to begin.  

(V). Specialty Officer/Coordinator Reports:

             (1). Report from Club Liaisons on Local Clubs: Alan Craddock – KA8PEH, Del Brown - KC8IJF, Marsha Fleming – N8FE, Don Ledwith:

             The EC requests each club liaison to come back next month with reports.

             (2). Report from Mark Schurig – KC8WPS and Bill Bond – W8WRB, Assistance to Hospital Communication Teams:

             Three or four hospitals failed to report for the July hospital net, included Genesee.  They have been instructed to report into the next regular weekly net on Thursday at 8 pm.   When a hospital net operator goes to his hospital for a monthly net, please check that the radio is correctly configured and ready for operation before the net begins.  Page 5 of Hospital Radio Procedural Manuel has an error.  It says "messages about patents" when it should read "messages to patients."   Bill Bond – W8WRB mentioned that the Doctor's Hospital will be getting a new IC-2820 radio.   

             (3) Report from Bill Bond – W8WRB, District Two AEC, District Two Hospital Communications:

             Possible alternate communications for a future hospital net may include digital transmissions, simplex, and/or use of a non-standard location.  Region 2 headquarters will be putting up a new repeater station and when it on the air, Bill will let us know. 

             Our hospital radios were purchased by Region 2 North Bioterrorism Defense Network with state and federal funds.  Their website is http://www.region2north.com/.    This group interacts with our Gail Novak at county level.  Region 2 South is now purchasing radios.  Currently, we are attempting to get the hospital radio out of emergency rooms and into a less congested area.    John Fleming – K8UP mentioned that future efforts will be made with region 2 North and region 2 South to participate in a combined network.  It is possible that our EOC may need to communicate as far as Monroe or Toledo.  Currently, Bill is troubleshooting bad hospital antennas in Macomb County hospitals.

             (4). National Traffic System (NTS) Liasion:

             A volunteer is needed for the NTS.  If interested, please contact Larry Hornsby, KB8POD. 

             (5). Report from Maurice Davidson – K8SJD, News from National Weather Service:

             Last July was one of the coldest Julys on record.  Temperature averaged 63 degrees, 11 degrees below normal.   

             (6). Report on Events and Dates of Interest from others:

             16 August 20090 - Lapeer Swap and Shop: Information is at http://www.w8lap.com. 

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

             Last week's siren test had 40 people check-in.  So far, 158/231 sirens have been checked this year, leaving 73 more to go.   Twenty-six are in the NE corner of the county, 0 in SE, 11 in Novi, and 39 are on the Clarkston which covers a huge area.  The next siren test is on Labor Day Weekend.  

             Query:  Could the new Novi CERT/HAM group help cover Novi sirens?  This will be looked into; also whether the Novi Amateur Radio Club could again help.  This club needs an antenna site for their repeater.

             Larry Hornsby, KB8POD stated that more volunteers are needed at the EOC during a siren test.   John Fleming – K8UP thanked Joe Miller KJ8O for doing a really nice job of picking sirens in his area. 

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

             The Berkley Parade of Cars takes place Friday, 14 August 2009 from 5 pm to 9 pm.  The Woodward Dream Cruise is on Saturday 15 August 2009 with the first shift from 9 am to 2 pm and 2nd shift from 2 pm to 8 pm.  Volunteers are needed and please contact Joe Miller, KJ8O at kj8o@wowway.com.   Please bring a handheld, possibly with a second battery for backup.  Frequency will be 147.510 simplex.  Parking passes will be available for both Berkley and Royal Oak.  Orange vests will be used with RACES card identification.  This year, both the median and sides of Woodward can be used by volunteers.  Joe will inform the Royal Oak Police and their dispatcher about our volunteers.    

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

             The newest version of the Amateur Radio Hospital Emergency Communication Process and Procedure is now on our website.   Larry Hornsby, KB8POD asks members to take a second and check the website.

 (VI). Other Items of Interest:

Respectfully submitted,

James R. Murphy, N8SML

Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC

6 August 2009

Corrected and Approved by Larry Hornsby – KB8POD, EC, 9 August 2009