Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp (ARPSC) Weekly Net: Thursdays at 8 pm on 145.250 MHz/100pl Web Site: http://www.qsl.net/w8oak Meeting Minutes for 3 December 2003 On 3 December 2003 at 7 pm, Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the Oakland County ARPSC called the meeting to order in the County E.O.C. The Order of business included: (1). Comments from Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, EC: Steve Iannucci, Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness (ER&P), reported that RACES background checks are back from the Sheriff's Department and Loretta will be soon issuing them. Sean Fleming, K8KHZ, requested and is now our Liaison Officer to National Traffic Service. Requests continue for additional volunteer leaders and anyone interested should contact Joel. Bill Wallace, KC8JAY, volunteered to assist logistics. There is nothing new concerning radio installations in Oakland County hospitals. Joel will be attending a Medical Control Authority communications meeting tomorrow (4 December 2003). Ralph Greenberg, K8CAR, and Harry Austin, KC8TEV, are in charge of our Hospital Committee. Plans are to have 3 to 4 hams cover each hospital and would be sent there to operate the amateur radio equipment. These teams would be called the "Oakland County Hospital Response Team" and should reside reasonably close to their hospital. For test practice at the hospital, there could be monthly equipment check while calling into a weekly Thursday night net. Joel requests information for the newsletter given to him ASAP, so that by Friday 12 December 2003, he can put it to press. There will be an ARPSC General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, 7 January 2004, at the Troy Emergency Operation Center, south of SE corner of John R. at 18 Mile Rd (Long Lake Rd). Bill Nelson, KC8IWQ, Troy Fire Chief will be host and talk about the new "Magic Box" which has multiple transceiver frequencies for use between multiple governmental departments. Members will have an opportunity to look over the Troy Emergency Response Vehicle. For those coming for supper, please call Loretta at the E.O.C. at 248-858-5300. Food is at 5:30 pm and meeting 7 pm. On 6 December 2003, National Weather Service (NWS) will have a NWS Skywarn Recognition Day where operators can contact the 116 participating Weather Stations. Randy Love, WF5X, will be in charge at our E.O.C. and will operate voice radio and PSK-31 with a temporary antenna installed out in front. Activities will begin and be intermittent from 7 pm Friday Night and finish 7 pm Saturday night. Anyone interested should contact Randy at wf5x@arrl.net Last November 2003, the Troy City Council tentatively passed an ordinance to permit amateur radio towers to have a maximum height of 75 feet. The final version will be voted on 15 December 2003. Hams are encouraged to be present at the next meeting, which begins at 7:30 pm. (2). Comments from Steve Iannucci, Emergency Response and Preparedness (ER&P): The Sheriff's Dispatch operates the E.O.C's back door response. They request everyone to be patient when one rings to open the door and doesn't get an immediate response. They may be delayed by simultaneous responsibilities, but will respond as soon as possible. (3). Comments from Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM, Deputy E.C: The next siren test will take place on 6 March 2004 and map grids will be used for the first time. There will be a January meeting of subnet operators with Barry and staff. New subnet volunteers are needed for subnet controls. Plans are to procure a hot siren list about two weeks prior to the monthly test. This would give more time to disseminate information to the subnet operators. Joel Goldberg, W8HIU, states the siren goal is to cover every siren at least once during the year. Question from Sean Fleming, K8KHZ: Will grid squares be used while checking-in to the siren test? Answer: The grid squares divide up the county into sections. They will be used to better define subnet area coverage. (4). Comments from Jim Thompson, N8USP, Deputy E.C: On Saturday, 10 January 2004, from 9-1 pm, there will be an Incident Command IS-195 Class held at the E.O.C. Lloyd Suter, N2NGQ will head up the class, with the assistance of Gary Sklar, K8IKW; Ted Davis, N8ZSA, and Jim Thompson, N8USP. Those interested in taking the class, please inform Loretta at 248-858-5300. There are tentative plans for the Oakland County ARPSC to have a joint exercise with Troy this coming spring. Barry Kaufman, WD8JWM, suggested that the mayor and city council, if agreeable, might act as observers to evaluate the activity. (5). Comments from Gary Sklar, K8IKW, Public Service Information: Activities Coming Up (a). 6 December 2003: National Weather Service Skywarn Recognition Day - see above for details. (a). 7 December 2003: L'Anse Creuse Swap. http://www.n8lc.org (b). 10 December 2003: Hazel Park Amateur Radio Club Christmas Party, Webster Elementary School. (c). 13 December: OCARS Christmas Party at Clarkson STG Trinity Church (d). 15 December 2003: Troy City Council votes on final version of Amateur Radio Towers. (d). 20 December 2003 to 4 January 2004: Amateur Radio Lighthouse with Christmas Party. http://www.arlhs.com (e). 7 January 2004: ARPSC General Membership Meeting. See above for details (f). 10 January 2004: IS-195 Class. See above for details. (e). 18 January 2004: Hazel Park ARC Swap. http://www.qsl.net/w8hp (f). 17 April 2004: Milford Amateur Radio Club Swap. http://www.qsl.net/w8ydk Respectively submitted 5 December 2003 Jim Murphy, N8SML Secretary, Oakland County, ARPSC 1