COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

We would like to thank

Wayne Spivak, KC2NJV
National Press Corps
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

For sending us these links. The are informative and worth the time to read.
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HTML
http://www.auxguidanceskills.info/press/helpwanted/helpwanted-ham.html
PDF
http://www.auxguidanceskills.info/press/helpwanted/helpwanted-ham.pdf
DOC
http://www.auxguidanceskills.info/press/helpwanted/helpwanted-ham.doc

[KD4CXG]

This is cool. Wish I had the time to take part.

73

Doug

[w6em]

QRZ Staff:

Please correct the spelling of GUARD in the title.

Thanks.

Lee
W6EM

PS: I hope that CG Auxiliary stations are included in the intended "BPL free zones." (Otherwise, here's yet another example of necessary HF activity that will be impeded.)

[k7unz]

Was kinda interested, but after following all the links, I find that the local unit for the Tucson area only lists boat related stuff, nothing concerning communications at all....boating safety, safety inspections, etc..

Jim/k7unz

[N0RSE]

I shot off an email to them to get some more information, but I seem to be getting the run around. I wouldn't mind finding out what exactly they would want with some operators from this area (this area being Fort Worth, Texas). I got a response from the National Communications Director that he was forwarding my email to the local floatilla communications person, but that was nearly a week and a half ago. I got the response from the Director within 12 hours of me sending. This makes me wonder why I should even consider pursuing information from the local group seeing as they don't respond. If I get some more information from them, I'll be sure to post it over here for all to see.

Regards,
Nick "N0RSE" Hale

Chill out. These are volunteers. Many have a real job. Many aren't sitting around waiting for your urgent email. Many are out saving lives on their own time. Real ordinary people, mostly retired. So chill out if you don't get your immediate responce. If you're that anxious, mabey the auxiliary isn't suited for you. The local flotilla communications officer used to be the newest bq'd body in the flotilla, and they could be slow. Or too busy with work to do much. Lots of flotillas have less than enough people to fill all the offices. Go to a flotilla meeting and watch. Betcha if you're any good you'll be the new communications officer before you can get out of the meeting, if you're any good of a person.
N7SYY past Flotilla Commander, 02W- ____ never mind.

[w6em]

Quote[/b] (N7SYY @ Nov. 12 2004,21:02)]Chill out. These are volunteers. Many have a real job. Many aren't sitting around waiting for your urgent email. Many are out saving lives on their own time. Real ordinary people, mostly retired. So chill out if you don't get your immediate responce. If you're that anxious, mabey the auxiliary isn't suited for you. The local flotilla communications officer used to be the newest bq'd body in the flotilla, and they could be slow. Or too busy with work to do much. Lots of flotillas have less than enough people to fill all the offices. Go to a flotilla meeting and watch. Betcha if you're any good you'll be the new communications officer before you can get out of the meeting, if you're any good of a person.
N7SYY #past Flotilla Commander, 02W- ____ never mind.
The Lewisville Lake Flotilla No. 59 has a nice web page and the commander's name and phone number are listed, but not any meeting information. #This beats an email forward, which is all that the 4 other Flotillas in the Fort Worth area seem to have.

So, what's wrong with being a little 'gung ho'? #If a senior official says he's forwarding something to the appropriate contact person, you should expect a prompt response and not have to sit around for two weeks wondering what happened.

And, to the point, Fort Worth is 250 miles from the Gulf, and the only sizeable water body is Lake Lewisville, about 10 miles away. #So, would your comment about the members being too busy saving lives, and such, to answer an email still apply to a Ft Worth example with 5 nearby Flotillas? #

I live within a mile of the Gulf, and there are 4 very active Flotillas here. #And, a Coast Guard Station about 5 miles away, and a huge base in St. Petersburg, about 25 miles away. #Your points might have been valid had your example been Flotillas near the oceans or the Gulf of Mexico.
#
A willingness to serve the public for no compensation is a generous offer and a gift. #As a former commander, you should welcome an anxious newcomer, and perhaps have offered to help speed up the bureacracy by offering to contact the appropriate people for him, instead of railing about how busy all the volunteers are. #


73,

Lee
W6EM
Bradenton, FL

[wa3vjb]

I hope there are enough of us interested in forming alliances with local USCG Auxiliaries to create a new and highly visible partnership that will benefit Amateur Radio.

Many sailing buffs are already aware of "ham radio" because it is a well-known backup communications system on the high seas. Local participation in Coast Guard activities is a natural extention of that awareness and, provides an opportunity to further bring in those who prefer powerboating (think cabin cruisers and easygoing runabouts, not jetskies and cigarette boats).

Here in the Chesapeake Bay region we have weather nets serving the boating community. This includes hams who also are members of the local USCG reserve flotilla. #Easy crossover, maintains good relations.

And while technically it helps that antennas for VHF-FM marine (at 156Mc) will also work on the 2m ham band, there also is an HF connection to enjoy as mentioned above.

There's no reason not to organize existing shortwave ham band nets to include some sort of presence among USCG auxiliary members, perhaps with hams as ridealongs if they don't own boats themselves to join up.

Please see www.qrz.com/K3L/ for some details of what we've done around here to promote the Coast Guard and ham radio.

Paul/VJB
Annapolis

[N0MLR]

Here is a Funny story about a local coast guard Aux Unit in Mo.
I was Scuba Diving on a small lake in South West Missouri. My buddy and I had made sure the Diver Down Flag was out in the water before we went under. A state Law.
I came to the surface just in time to see the local Coast Guard Aux boat come within less than 10 feet of that flag. Motor running PROPELLER TURNING. Diver still down.........
Well at this point I had to wonder if I was seeiong things?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif These are the guys who are suppose to be setting an example and instructing others on proper and safe boating?
I had been approached by this group to become a member. I had a high enough location to monitor the communications on two lakes for them and help when needed. I was also in the Two Way Radio business as a dealer and repair shop. So they really wanted me to join. After seeing this I decided not to have anything to do with the group.
Its a lucky thing one of us didn't get hurt that day. Being struck by a propeller is a terrible thing.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Greg Dunn / N0MLR

[AB8RU]

I am busy myself, besides the crazy hours I keep over 37 on the Government Jobs I'll have to say SKED is full and leave it to the young uns.

I repeat, if you didn't notice. These are volunteers. Just the reality. A higher up district officer might tell you to contact a volunteer 4 states away down the line, that doesn't make him that much faster to respond to you. Joe might be out of town. Forgot to tell Jim to watch for your email. Meetings usually were once a month. Yes, its frustrating at times to a gungho anxious type, but you can work around it. A lot of the volunteers used an ancient device called telephone, might not be that internet literate. Even if someone gave you a site to contact.
Being away from the auxiliary since 1988, I don't know the quick contacts anymore. You can probably find a phone contact quicker than I could from Nevada.
Last, not being on the coast doesn't mean they aren't out saving lives. Just smaller boats, picking up people that got themselves into trouble in the lakes, where the coasties are usually scarce.
And there were the clueless types that somehow got out there with the Operations flag and embarrassed the whole flotilla with their goofs. Just reality, real people.
So get out there and find the FC and tell her that her communications officer stinks, and get communicating. I'm sure they could use you, even if you are gungho.
N7SYY

[ab8td]

Yes, I was in the active duty CG and had to deal with the Aux. all the time as the OOD of a small boat station. For the most part they are great, but like any group, they have their share of black sheep. (Just as Amateur Radio does - Check the recent list of FCC enforcement actions in QST et al...) We've even had 1 search and rescue case turn into two because of one of these black sheep.

BUT, overall they do a good job, and I'm sure the educational services they provide alone prevent many more SAR cases than the few black sheep could ever cause. And in busy SAR areas, the hands on services they provide take a big load off the actice duty CG.

With the CG mission rapidly turning more towards security, I'm sure any help with SAR is greatly appreciated.

AB8TD

[wa4ddh]

We have several US Coast Guard Auxiliary members providing communications, mostly Ham Operators that were prior (Radioman-RM)in the US Coast Guard. It is a great organization, and I am proud to be a current member (myself) in the USCG Auxiliary program (Flotilla 10-01) with my organization.

WCSAR MISSION STATEMENT
To provide assistance for Emergency Service Organizations for needed additional personal in Search and Rescue response situations. To provide trained personal for Search and Rescue efforts to lost persons, hikers, children, or missing senior citizens, and to assist the general public in any type of Emergency situations due to weather, or unforeseen circumstances involving personal tragedy, and to assist the public in the best interest as a volunteer service organization. Worcester County Search and Rescue is a free service, and no job is too small or too large. "We support...so other may live."

Worcester County Search and Rescue is a non-profit 501 ©(3) corporation established May 2004 and does not discriminate due to race, creed, or religion. WCSAR is a volunteer organization consisting of trained personal from a Military background, or volunteers and associates from Local Police Departments, Fire Departments as well as skilled men and women from the Worcester County area that are trained and familiar with Search and Rescue tactics such as EMT personal, Physicians, Forestry personal, and members of MEMA, FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, Sea Cadets, and Reserve components of the U.S. Military, United States Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. Our members volunteer their time, knowledge, and work ethics to save lives, and to promote the welfare and safety of Search and Rescue.

WCSAR provides a 24 Hour Emergency Response Team, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (24/7/365). Teams can assemble within a 2-hour call down period anywhere in the Worcester County Area. All volunteer Team members are well qualified in Search and Rescue operations in any type of weather or terrain conditions. Members are all familiar and trained in ICS Chain-of-Command conditions as set forth by Federal, State and local agencies. WCSAR provides assistance as needed for additional personal needed in any type of Search and Rescue Operation in Worcester County Area, or will go where needed to other areas including out-of-state. Our Goal is to provide Logistical and operational Support, when and where needed with trained qualified personal to volunteer their knowledge and support in areas needed.

Membership is open to all Adults; those that want to be a part of a Volunteer Search and Rescue Organization that can dedicate their time and effort for the general public, and to take time out for additional training to coordinate better efforts and expertise to Search and Rescue tactics.
"...We support, so others may live."

(we are always looking for volunteers with a communications background, especially Ham Operators)

William C. Latimer / WA4DDH
President and Founder
Worcester County Search and Rescue
P.O. Box 159
Holden, MA 01520
http://www.wcsarteam.org
wcsarteam@cs.com

[w5wn]

I just read the article about the USCGAUX. needing Amateur Radio operators. I am an Auxiliary member and have been trying to deal with this issue for quite some time. I've been told that we should be looking for more hams. However, there is no place to put them other than a flotilla when they join. Most of the hams I know would like to be a part of the Auxiliary for communications but have no interest in the other things that go on in a flotilla. Also, a flotilla may be able to carry one or two hams not interested in other flotilla activities but it becomes a problem when they want to join in numbers. I've been told that we should distribute them amongst flotillas. That doesn't work because so many of the hams want to work together, go to meetings together, etc. Additionally, flotillas may be geographically dispersed, making this an impractical solution.

The next problem is that once in the Auxiliary, there is no program, other than that designed for flotilla operations, for their participation. AuxNet is a great idea, however, I've been trying to get information on it without any success. I spoke with our district communications staff officer and he was not encouraging at all. I suggested that maybe we needed a program like MARS. He said there already is one, it's called Navy MARS and that if someone wanted to do that kind of thing for the Coast Guard they should join Navy MARS since the Coast Guard comes under the jurisdiction of Navy during war.

I am at the point that I will not give any more talks to ham radio clubs about the Auxiliary (I've given several and have been asked to do more). I will not recruit into the USCGAUX under false pretenses. Does the Auxiliary really want amateur radio operators in general or just a few to fill out communications needs in the flotillas? I think it is disingenuous to put out a call to all radio amateurs, (CQ, CQ CQ! The US Coast Guard Auxiliary <http://www.cgaux.org/> is looking for Amateur Radio operators or prospective amateur licensees)., if all that can be done is to put them into flotillas without any real communications program for them to plug into.

[wa4ddh]

To: W5WN - James:
Your bring up a very interesting point, and I agree. Communications (though important), is not a priority for individual Flotilla's. Even Operational Units will use the 'marine' Frequencies before they will use 'Amateur radio,' and to be truthful, I cannot ever see a scenerio where Ham radio Operators would be used (unless it is a total emergency, such as an effected Hurricane damaged area); however, with that being said, the knowledge that 'Ham's have can be an asset for setting a Comms watch, and other 'venues' in this area...but unfortunately, Ham radio Operations in the USCG Auxiliary is not widely used. With the new changes in 'Homeland' Defense, this may change...73's Bill

[N0RSE]

I do understand that it's a bunch of volunteers, else I wouldn't even consider looking into this. I had a response from the National PR person as well as a couple of communications people (national/state level) WITHIN 12 hours of me sending my initial email. I like that, but then to turn around and have to way 2 weeks for the local group to respond isn't all that good. All I am trying to get out of them is some information on the request. The National/State people pointed me to this person to get some information and that's all I'm needing. Thanks, however.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[wp3md]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Hi, my name is Carlos Luciano. The next Sunday 21 of november I will be gethering with a flotilla in Aguadilla PR. I'm very interesting in form part of the team. They answerd me very fast and invite me for a meeting. Later on I'll be given more opinions about the Coast Guard Axiliary. Just let me get involb a little bit more. Bye and 73's. Good Dx's. From WP3MD. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[k4teh]

I am VERY VERY grateful for all the hard work the CG AUX puts in day to day, year after year! Y'all have helped us tremendously!
BZ
DE N4TEH Chip Hoynes, CPO, USCG GRU Philadelphia OPCEN Supervisor

[n8pdh]

Id'd like to help out But... right now , I am extremly busy at work 50 hours, nite school 16 hours, worship at the kingdom hall 10 hours,ham radio clubs & functions 10 hours.
Where would I find time to eat, sleep and see the family if I were to add another function right now?