Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC)
W8OAK Repeater – 146.900 MHz/100pl – Weekly Net 8 pm Thursday and
Hospital Radio Net – 7:30 pm last Thursday of month
W8OAK Repeater – 444.325 MHz/107.2pl
Packet 144.950 MHz/100 baud – W8OAK-3 BBS, and W8AOAK-7 KA-Node
Web Site: http://www.arpsc.com

 Meeting Minutes for 3 September 2008

            On 3 September 2008 at 7:00 pm, Barry Kaufman – WD8JWM, Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) 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 Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) – Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM: 

            On Saturday, 5 October 2008, Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5 K Run will be held.  The half marathon begins 8 am at Oakland University in Rochester Hills and runs through Paint Creek Trail and Clinton River Trail before ending at Meadow Brook Hall.  A wheel chair race may start earlier.  The Oakland University Command Post will be near Walton Blvd.  The race is named in honor of L. Brooks Patterson's son who was an avid sportsman. 

             Approximately 25 amateur radio volunteers are needed, possibly in two shifts, with the first beginning at 6 am.   Volunteers will be issued an orange vest or use their own and need their photo identification.  Base station frequency is not yet known.   Weather could be anything from hot to rain and cold - so be prepared.  Afterwards, food will be available to volunteers.  It is really important that ARPSC members volunteer for this function.  Barry asked Murray Scott – KE8UM, President of the Hazel Park Amateur Radio Club to request volunteers at their next meeting.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD stated he will mention the same to OCARS.    

             The Oakland County Flu Clinic Program will not be held on a weekend and has not asked for Oakland County ARPSC assistance.  However, Oakland County Health Division flu shots will be given to pre-registered people at the following four locations:

             (1). Monday, 6 October 2008 at Summit Place Mall, 315 N. Telegraph Road, Waterford, from 12 pm to 8 pm.

            (2). Wednesday, 8 October 2008 at Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

            (3). Thursday, 9 October 2008 at the Ralph Richardson Community Senior Center, 1485 Oakley Park Road, Walled Lake from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

            (4). Friday, 10 October 2008 at the Springfield Oak Activity Center, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg from 9 am to 4:30 pm.   Cost for flu shots will be $11.  

             Barry had several phone calls from hams wanting to volunteer for Hurricane Gustav.  Michigan ARPSC has not been asked to assist.  The Michigan Volunteer Registry (https://www.mivolunteerregistry.org may be another way to volunteer for such an activity.   Larry Hornsby, KB8POD added that most government agencies are not ready to feed, house, or utilize amateurs.  One should wait until requested.  Do not go down there on your own.  

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

             On Thursday, 18 September 2008, there will be a full scale Oakland County Stimulated Exercise Test (SET).  This will involve many Michigan counties throughout the day and into the evening.  At least two Oakland County ARPSC members will be needed at the EOC, but probably not before noon.  One or two members should be assigned with Mike in case standard communications fail.         

             Later in the afternoon, Bill Bond – W8WRB will need to activate the Oakland County Hospital Net.  Be careful that ARPSC members do not overload the EOC and hospitals.  The hospitals will be communicating back and forth with the EOC about patient and public health.   Parking at the SET area(s) will be difficult, so that volunteers should coordinate with Mike on how to handle this problem. 

             September is National Preparedness Month.  Making emergency preparedness should be a part of our everyday lives.  All Americans should have an emergency supply kit, a "to-go" bag, a family emergency plan, and emergency plans for various situations which could happen to them.    Unfortunately, hurricanes seem to down-play National Preparedness Month. Today's Detroit News only carried one paragraph on page 25.  Please promote citizen preparedness in your home and neighborhood.  Mike handed out the Homeland Security pamphlet "Preparing Makes Sense – Get Ready Now."

             When the K-Mart headquarters building in Troy is demolished, there may be another SET, possibly in November.  Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) trained volunteers will be requested as part of the exercise.          

 (III). Report from Bill Bond – W8WRB, District 2 Michigan Section ARPSC:

             The ARRL Michigan Section will have their SET on 27 September 2008.  The Michigan Section is requesting two to three members to be at the Oakland County EOC for check-in. 

             On 20 September 2008, District II EC's will meet at the Wayne County EOC.

 (IV). Report from Larry Hornsby, AEC on Training:

             Our training is delayed because FEMA has been updating courses.  For instance, IS-100 is now IS-100 A and IS-800 is now IS-800 A and IS-800 B.  The old IS-100 will be discontinued and the newer IS-100 A has not been available.  Larry is making sure future training plans will be the correct ones. 

             Details on the 18 September SET are just coming in.  Some ham functions may be possible from home or the car.  Our packet program system is in place, but still needs to be tested. 

 (V). Report from Rory Locke – KC8SZR, Net Manager and Reports:

             In regard to the 18 September 2008 SET, some volunteers may not be needed.  Those with net control training and available, please contact Rory.  

             Mike Nebel - N3BEL stated more AEC's and Specialty Officers need to check into the Thursday night nets.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD added that during any emergency, net calls requesting volunteers won't be enough.  We will still need the calling tree which isn't ready.  Please make yourself available for some of these exercises and activities.   

 (VI). Report from Maurice Davidson – K8SJD, West Bloomfield Library Display: 

             The 17-31 August 2008 amateur radio exhibit at the West Bloomfield Library was a big success.  Our display showed what we are and what we do, such as our volunteer help at the Woodward Dream Cruise.  The librarians have already asked us to return next year. 

             Query: Is the display material available for other exhibits?  Answer - No.  Some of the equipment was loaned from the county and from Maury's personal items.   Larry Hornsby – KB8POD added that non-working equipment might be better for future displays.

             Query: Can the display pictures be placed on our website?    Answer - Yes, but Lloyd Suter, N8NGQ has these and is in New Orleans at this time.  

 (VII). Report on the Woodward Dream Cruise on 16 August 2008:

             The Royal Oak Deputy Police Chief and Oakland County officials were extremely pleased with our volunteer work at the Woodward Dream Cruise.  Royal Oak looks forward to our participation next year.  Joe Miller - KJ8O added that 32 volunteers donated more than 200 hours of service.

 (VIII). Late Report on the Michigan QSO Party on 19 April 2008:

             Joe Miller – KJ8O stated that we made first place in EOC category at the Michigan QSO Party Contest. 

 (IX). Report from Bill Bond - W8WRB, Hospital Radios:

             Fourteen of sixteen hospitals checked into our last net on 28 August 2008.   Missing were: (1) Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital and (2) Beaumont – Royal Oak, but they may report in at the next weekly net.  Bill cannot confirm but thinks orders for new radios have been submitted. 

 (X). Report from Jim Poehlman – K8ABZ, Membership and Calling Tree:

             Jim mailed out letters to every member on how to update their membership information by way of our website, http://www.arpsc.com.  If you get his letter and have already updated, nothing more is needed.  Deadline for the membership update is the end of September.  Files for those who don't update will be pulled and put in an inactive file.  To become active again, just let him know.  

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

             There will be a siren test on Saturday, 7 September 2008.  Two new sirens have been installed in Royal Oak Township and Madison Heights.  This makes a total of 230 sirens in this county.  So far this year, 94 volunteers have checked 134 sirens, leaving 94 unchecked.  Unchecked are: Farmington City -2, Holly Township – 1, Lyon Township – 3, Milford Township -5, Milford Village -1, Oakland Community College -2, Rose Township – 1, South Lyon 3, Springfield Township -5, and Wixon -5.  Help us by going to the website and find where they are located.  The website should not be more than 3 days behind.  Our goal is to review every siren at least once this year.   Barry Kaufman – WD8JWM suggested Mike might want to mention this on the next Thursday night net. 

 (XII). Other Items of Interest:

             George Schulte - K8GEO stated he will restart his campaign to sell orange vests to members and will contact other clubs.

 (XIII) Upcoming Events:

Respectfully submitted,
James R. Murphy, N8SML
Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC
4 September 2008