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 7 October 2009

            On 7 October 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:

            Members needing a summary of their completed FEMA classes can get one by going on-line to http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp and filling out a Transcript Request found on the front page.  Please complete required FEMA programs and turn in your completion certificate to us. 

            Jim Richards – AB8JR made up more portable J-pole antennas which can be purchased at his cost.  His dual 2 meter and 440 J-pole tested across the bands to less than 1.5 to 1 SWR.  This antenna can easily be hung from a curtain rod or ceiling fan using a plastic hanger.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD mentioned that he made his own J-pole from copper piping.  Such an antenna could prove most useful should a volunteer go to an unexpected location.   The standard handheld antenna is unlikely to be good enough.

            Loretta Pethick, Secretary for the Oakland County Homeland Security Office, will retire 26 October 2009.  She has been invaluable by answering the phone, keeping files, directing queries, and other assistance.  Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to her and wish her the best in her forthcoming retirement.

            In the last 3 weeks, our group had two stimulated test exercises (SETs) and Larry showed his inch thick folder from one of the tests.   The 15 September 2009 SET calculated to be 100-120 man hours of service donated by 43 volunteers.  There were 89 contacts on the 2 meter band and 40 on the 440 band.  The 3 October 2009 SET had 97 contacts, involving formal messages to the EOC, with many requesting replies.  Fifty different locations including 7 hospitals were worked using 2 meters, 440, and 6 meters.    At the EOC, three persons manned messages and everyone kept things under control.  Joel Goldberg – W8HIU, former EC, came in to evaluate this SET and thought the group was working well.  Larry was proud of everyone's assistance and asked the membership for suggestions on what could be improved.            

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

            Steve thanked everyone who volunteered for the two SETs and for the Brooksie Way Walk/Run held 4 October 2009.  

            The H1N1 flu shots are on the way to Oakland County.  He has asked the Oakland County Health Department if our ARPSC members might be considered 1st responders for early shots.  He will let the members know when they answer.   Any persons getting the attenuated live virus flu spray might spread infection to others for period of time afterwards.  Possibly, the sprays might be useful for a college dorm where everyone is exposed, but is not generally recommended for older adults.   Larry Hornsby - KB8POD added that the H1N1 shots are free, but a service charge can be expected.   

(III). Report from Bill Bond – W8WRB, Assistant to the District 2 Michigan Section ARPSC Emergency Coordinator:

            A Region 2 EC meeting is scheduled at our EOC on Saturday, 10 October 2009 from 10 am to noon.

(IV). Training Session on ARRL NTS Messages - Part 2 from Ann-Marie Ruder, K8AMR:

            Ann-Marie presented Part 2 of how to write and send written messages using the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) National Traffic System (NTS).    This message format permits different people to quickly write and pass along accurate messages.  These include emergency, priority, welfare and routine traffic.    A current ARRL Radiogram format can be found by going on-line to http://www.arrl.com. 

            The following was pointed out:  In the radiogram preamble, CW operators do not like the use of large numbers.   Regarding the box, "Precedence," use of "Emergency" should be completely spelled out and not abbreviated as "e."   "Hx" box is for handling instructions and is written in as "A" though "G," with volunteers needing to know or have access to what each letter means.  "Check" refers to the actual number of words in the text message and is a way to determine if any part of the message has been missed.    "Time Filed" is used primarily in emergencies and is not needed in routine traffic.   "Date" does not require the year.

            Detailing for "Address or recipient information" on return messages can be shortened. 

            "Text" is the body of the radiogram and uses up to 25-30 words.  The military version called MARS allows 50 words.  Using the fewest number of words to convey the meaning is necessary for these radiograms.    It is important to understand word groups in the text.   The name, "Charles J. McClain" is 3 words.  Telephone numbers such as 209-843-6931 are 3 words.  "Self address stamped envelope," when abbreviated as "SASE" is one word.  "X" is used as a period to end a thought.  3 pm is 2 words.  Zip + 4 codes are 2 words.  The letters ARL are inserted in the formal version of the preamble in the check and its accompanying number in the text.  These represent common word phases, such as ARL "46" for "greetings on your birthday and best wishes for many more to come" and ARL "16" for "property damage very severe here."  A list of these ARL numbers and what they mean is available on the ARRL website. 

            A "signature" must be included but one should note that is not specifically mentioned at the bottom of the text portion.  This must be accompanied by the person's title if used for emergency or priority traffic.  This determines that you did not originate the message. 

            "Tracking" information is vital to many messages and is your confirmation that the message was passed along to the next station.    Service back request is found in the HX box information and one must see that it is completed. 

            Ann-Marie stated that radiograms use Zulu (World) time.  Standard phonetic alphabet must be used because made up words frustrate others when copying.  Do tune in the SE Michigan Traffic Net at 10:15 pm every night, 145.440MHz and 100Hz pl, and help pick up message traffic for Oakland County.  Currently, no one from Oakland County does this for the SE Michigan Traffic Net.  Randy Love – WF5X mentioned that the SE Michigan Traffic Net is a good place to gain experience even if only taking one message.  Larry Hornsby – KB8POD added that he needs an ARPSC volunteer for the position of Oakland County ARPSC NTS Liaison.                 

(V). Highlights from AEC-Management Team Reports:

            (1). ARPSC Library:

            Larry Hornsby – KB8POD recently gave Steve Iannucci a CD to make to print copies for a manual.

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

            Rory gives special thanks to everyone coming into the EOC to work a SET, including Jim Richards – AB8JR, Joe Miller – KJ8O, and Jay Schwartz – WB8SBI.  Mike VanderVeer – KD8ATK has sent out a copy of next month's schedule to volunteer by control operators.         

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

            One of our southern receive sites is currently having a problem which Randy is attempting to identify.  As soon as he has more information, he will contact Steve Murphy – N8NM of County Radios for assistance.  The 440 repeater worked well during the last SET and participating hospitals were able to use it.  Packet seems okay.  

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

            If anyone needs to learn more details about a specific radio in the EOC's backroom, Mike has its manual for use.

(VI). Highlights from Specialty Officer/Coordinator Reports:

            (1). Report from Jerry Begel – N9NPI, Hospital Communication Teams:

            Last September, the Hospital Net had 12 of 17 Hospitals check in.  Two more followed during following week and one more will report in on the 8 October net.  The 3 October 2009 SET had contacts from 7 hospitals, with one reporting a radio tampering problem.  If any hospital finds that they cannot be at the regular monthly hospital net, Larry Hornsby – KB8POD stated he may be available earlier that day for check-in.          

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

            Larry Hornsby – KB8POD mentioned that our EOC antennas had been in place for many years.  He asked Murray to check if any needed replacement.    

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

            A new membership form for application and annual update should be ready by this year's end.         

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

10-11 October 2009 - Pennsylvania QSO Party

17 October 2009 - Holland Swap: http://www.hollandarc.org

18 October 2009 - Kalamazoo Ham Fest: http://www.KalamazooHamFest.com

18-19 October 2009 - Illinois QSO Party

24-25 October 2009 - CQ Worldwide DX SSB contest

25 October 2009 - USECA Hamfest: http://www.usecaarc.com

 6  December 2009 - L'Anse Creuse Swap: http://www.n8lc.org  

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

             Thirty sirens still need their first check this year.  We have only one more month to cover these.  Eight are the NE, 8 in Clarkston, and 1 in the Milford area.  Last month, several sirens were turned on as early as 7 minutes by a different control operator. 

            (6). Special Event Information:

            Several volunteers for the Brooksie Way did not show up.  Please, if you have volunteered and cannot come for any reason, let your supervisor know ASAP.  Last minute no-shows cause coverage problems. 

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

            References for Ann-Marie Ruder's NTS message system will be posted on our website.

Respectfully submitted,

James R. Murphy, N8SML

Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC

8 October 2009