ARRL President urges orderly Ham Radio response

[w4gov]

ARRL President Urges Orderly Amateur Radio Response in Katrina Recovery
NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 1, 2005--ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, today called on the Amateur Radio community to exercise patience as the Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans flooding relief and recovery efforts move into high gear.

"I know many people would like to move now," Haynie said. "Please don't. I know many of you want to enter the fray, come to the coast and get involved. Please, not yet." Haynie instead advised hams eager to assist to make sure they're prepared, refresh their skills and knowledge of protocols and procedures and let emergency management and relief agencies determine who is needed and where.

"For now, the area is simply too dangerous and no one is being allowed in," Haynie went on to say. "Transportation and logistics, including volunteer groups coming in, must be done in an orderly manner or we may only add to the chaos and confusion." He recommended that ARES members and teams work through their Section Emergency Coordinators (SECs).

"Information and coordination for such a historically large response is being developed and will be made available soon," he said.

Haynie also reminded volunteers to be "professional and disciplined" whenever checking into a net. "Net control is a difficult job at best, so be respectful," he said. "If you have traffic fine, but if not , please stand by."

Meanwhile, Amateur Radio operators have been deployed from Houston, Texas, to New Orleans to assist in the trouble-plagued evacuation of flooding refugees from the Louisiana Superdome. Because of additional flooding, damage to the facility and other problems at the Superdome, authorities have been convoying the 25,000 flood evacuees in the sports stadium to the Houston Astrodome.

Louisiana Section Emergency Coordinator Gary Stratton, K5GLS, says ham radio communication between Houston and the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, emergency operations center (EOC) today was able to clarify some logistical issues involved with the refugee relocation effort. "They needed ETAs and that sort of thing, because they needed police escorts to go with the convoy," he said. "They were also working with the management at the Superdome and police support for the people that are being moved in there."

While Amateur Radio is providing scattered support in Louisiana for various relief organizations, Stratton said most of the hams' efforts so far have gone toward assisting with emergency management and search-and-rescue operations. He says he has ARES members ready to roll once state authorities reopen the hardest-hit parishes that have been closed off to outsiders.

"We have people on standby from all over northern Louisiana and from the South Texas Section basically champing at the bit trying to find out when they can go," Stratton told ARRL. "It's a very tough wait."

Volunteers have been or will be deployed into the areas that are not cordoned off, he said. "People are beginning to come back up," to he said, referring to radio amateurs who were themselves storm victims. Stratton says Louisiana Assistant SM Mike King, W5MP, rode out the storm at a hospital on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, from which he's been providing communication. "He basically lost everything down there," Stratton said, "but he's carrying health-and-welfare traffic out of Slidell at this point and also coming up to the tactical frequency from time to time."

Stratton said most of the emergency activity has been on HF, as repeaters were knocked out or have exhausted emergency power resources. He noted that some systems north of Lake Pontchartrain were coming back on line, however, as power is restored. ARES volunteers from Bossier and Caddo parishes are being deployed into areas that are still open.

"We're handling a lot of traffic from down there that ends up being made by cell phones from people in the affected area to relatives to people up here in Shreveport," Stratton explained, "and they call the 911 center in the Bossier area, and we have a radio link from our EOC to Bossier." From there the traffic goes onto the HF net.

Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, in Vicksburg, told ARRL today that ARES members in the three hardest-hit counties--Harrison, Hancock and Jackson. Assistant Mississippi SM Edwin Franks, AD5IS, says people have been calling him at home to get information about friends and relatives in the stricken area. District Emergency Coordinator Thomas Hammack, W4WLF, in Gulfport, has been among those volunteering at the Harrison County EOC. Amateurs in the three counties have been using HF, VHF and UHF resources to support emergency management as well as the Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the Baptist Men's Kitchen. Amateurs also have been handling considerable health-and-welfare traffic, he said.

The West Gulf ARES Emergency Net--organized under an agreement among Louisiana, Mississippi and South Texas sections--remains active on 7.285 MHz days and 3.873 MHz nights, handling emergency and priority traffic only. The net has been operating 24/7 according to Keown. Health-and-welfare traffic is being handled on 7.290 MHz days and 3.935 MHz nights. Stratton said he'd heard that some 40,000 health-and-welfare requests had been received via Amateur Radio already, but no way to deliver them at this point. "We've not had anything like this, and it was so widespread," he said.

The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) on 14.265 MHz has begun concentrating on emergency and priority traffic and shuttling health-and-welfare requests to its Web site. As of this morning, SATERN reported it had received more than 12,000 health-and-welfare requests, most via the Web site, and it's had to update its server to handle the overwhelming volume of requests. The Salvation Army also is using Amateur Radio for its tactical communications.

SATERN National Net Director Jim Adams, WA0LSB, says the net is activating daily at 1400 UTC and continuing until 20 meters closes. "We estimate that approximately 1000 Amateur Radio operator operators are checking into the SATERN net each day," he said. "Most of them have traffic and are an excellent source for relays and traffic handling. Each day, we are able to pass many pieces of traffic." He said QRM and jamming problems have been minimal so far.

The American Red Cross advises it's also handling health-and-welfare inquiries via its toll-free "Get Info" hotline, 866-GET INFO (866-438-4636).

Radio amateurs not involved in emergency communication are being asked to keep the West Gulf Emergency Net and SATERN frequencies clear, plus or minus 5 kHz. ARRL advises that stations not initiate any additional traffic into the storm-affected areas at this time, since the primary activity is focused on supporting ongoing search-and-rescue, relief and recovery operations.

Statement from ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP


ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP.


My fellow Amateur Radio Operators:

There is no doubt that the recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina will be the largest and longest emergency actions that hams have ever undertaken. It will also be one of the hardest, not simply due to the large areas involved, but also because many of us have friends and relatives directly impacted by this catastrophe. For them, and all the people of the Gulf region, we ask divine aid and comfort in this time of sorrows.

But we are also hardened and resolved to turn this event into one of the most glorious opportunities to show the unique attributes of ham radio--it works! You know that. We can again show the world that we have the best trained, most ingenious and dedicated ARES and RACES operators ever in history. We have the attention of the world press, and we will show what ham radio can do.

This will not happen in a week, not even in a month. The recovery efforts will be drawn out over numerous states and are expected to go well into the winter. Hams will grow weary and need relief and replacement from all across America. The ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, is already working on strategic plans to make it possible for these volunteers to come. Our goal is to provide the SECs with all the support we can muster and allow them to do their jobs.

There is a curious coincidence in the fact that the United Technologies grant, which allowed the ARRL to train so many thousands of hams in emergency communications, ends this week. Now we are seeing the results of that effort. Disciplined hams, using correct procedures have already saved many lives, and will save hundreds more by providing timely, accurate and critical communications to our served agencies. To the students, mentors, organizers, funders and teachers of those courses we can only say, "Well done!"

I know many people would like to move now. Please don't. I know many of you want to enter the fray, come to the coast and get involved. Please, not yet. Instead, get yourself ready. Refresh your skills and knowledge of protocols and procedures. Once the agencies are able to complete a preliminary needs assessment, we will know who is needed and where. For now, the area is simply too dangerous and no one is being allowed in. Transportation and logistics, including volunteer groups coming in, must be done in an orderly manner or we may only add to the chaos and confusion. Information and coordination for such a historically large response is being developed and will be made available soon. But for now, work through your SECs and follow their lead. I would also ask that you be professional and disciplined whenever checking into an HF net. Net control is a difficult job at best, so be respectful. If you have traffic fine, but if not, please stand by.

There is already no doubt that when the history of this event is written, the role of Amateur Radio will be one of honor. Unpaid volunteers who came through for their country and communities when all other systems failed or were overwhelmed. By working together and mutually supporting each other, we can perhaps give these very dark days a small glint of glory. Let these be the days that hams, decades from now, remember with pride. Together we can--and will--make it happen because, after all, we are hams.


We all need to help where we can!

73 DE KA1ZFE

[K9NYO]

I agree. This is a great time to update our go-kits and practice NTS-style traffic on the so many non-used repeaters out there. At the very least, even if many of us are not called up to help, we'll have had a good exercise in emergency preparedness.

73,
Rob Sobkoviak, K9NYO
NE IL DEC, IL ARES

[w1yw]

Nice piece.

Folks, we must shine like we never have before. This is our 'raison d'etre'. BE 'professional' as a radio AMATEUR.

73 to all,
Chip N1IR

[KD7WHQ]

Update, indeed.

Power for comm seems to have been the major issue. Consider the following;

Genset consisting of a small gas engine and alternator, combined with an appropriate regulator and a group 31 battery. Add a 300W inverter, and power strips, and keep those handhelds in operation.

I can source the mounting plate to construct the primary portion of this, as well as the schematic for the regulator, and the setup would sip gas like a fine wine.

Repeaters need alternate power sources, especially those dedicated to EmComm. Solar panels, wind, or ? Let imagination go wild here.

If the repeater runs on 12V, the genset idea is playable, but it would necessarily be a larger bank of batteries, with longer run time to recharge. Alternative energy sources would be the best.

Let's not lose comms again!

[N5USN]

Baton Rouge, La

Planning ahead could make or break a support effort. I worked a couple of days at the River Center shelter for 5000 people in downtown Baton Rouge as a Red Cross communications volunteer. I heard the call go out on our local repeater for operators and responded. The Ham I met upon arrival had been there for countless hours without sleep and was using his own gear at the comm table. And because our ability to hit the local repeater was next to impossible inside the River Center, he had parked his mobile outside as a cross band repeater. Worked great except that any ham who volunteer'd for the River Center shelter had to have a 440 HT. When this Ham left, we lost the ability to operate inside the shelter as a rover (a MUST when passing traffic) and we relied on whatever rig we could get our hands on. The 2nd day I brought a 2 meter mobile and power supply, set my FT 530 as a cross band repeater in the car, and another ham dropped of an antenna. I got called back to work but left my gear (minus the FT-530) there for shelter use. Don't get me wrong, they can use my gear for the duration if needed. I just have a hard time understanding why we are pulling teeth to setup a basic station at a shelter. The need is great for communications there. I just wonder why prior planning was not conducted to provide this vital communications LINK. If there are Hams out there that want to help, the local shelters could use operators and EQUIPMENT to provide the needed link between shelters and Red Cross HQ. I have also passed emergency traffic to State OEC regarding people trapped inside homes in New Orleans while working the shelter, so it's not just for basic needs traffic. I've read about the Hams ready to provide comms in the New Orleans area, but if we can't talk between shelters and Red Cross HQ around town....Good Luck with THAT project.

Perry
N5USN

[wa1nti]

Who is Jamming Communications in New Orleans?

http://www.rense.com/general67/jamin.htm

Glad to here somebody is communicating. #Here in the northeast noise level has been unbearable. 40 meters is constantly not useable during the day. I don't want to hear this 'sunspot' crap either. Whatever they are using sure beats the 'oldwoodpecker' #in days of old.

[w1yw]

Quote[/b] (wa1nti @ Sep. 03 2005,09:16)]Who is Jamming Communications in New Orleans?

http://www.rense.com/general67/jamin.htm

Glad to here somebody is communicating. #Here in the northeast noise level has been unbearable. 40 meters is constantly not useable during the day. I don't want to hear this 'sunspot' crap either. Whatever they are using sure beats the 'oldwoodpecker' #in days of old.
Why the hell are you taking us to this conspiracy crap??

Get a life OM...

[N7TGB]

Quote[/b] (n1ir @ Sep. 02 2005,18:21)]Nice piece.

Folks, we must shine like we never have before. This is our 'raison d'etre'. BE 'professional' as a radio AMATEUR.

73 to all,
Chip N1IR
I heartily agree... not only the entire country, but most of the world will be watching us.

Richard, N7TGB

[K0KNX]

Quote[/b] ]Who is Jamming Communications in New Orleans?

http://www.rense.com/general67/jamin.htm

Glad to here somebody is communicating. #Here in the northeast noise level has been unbearable. 40 meters is constantly not useable during the day. I don't want to hear this 'sunspot' crap either. Whatever they are using sure beats the 'oldwoodpecker' #in days of old.

And we wonder why so many people think hams are strange

[w1yw]

Quote[/b] (K0KNX @ Sep. 04 2005,06:04)]Quote[/b] ]Who is Jamming Communications in New Orleans?

http://www.rense.com/general67/jamin.htm

Glad to here somebody is communicating. #Here in the northeast noise level has been unbearable. 40 meters is constantly not useable during the day. I don't want to hear this 'sunspot' crap either. Whatever they are using sure beats the 'oldwoodpecker' #in days of old.

And we wonder why so many people think hams are strange
Always have to BLAME someone----and for some malcontents, that's usually the government.

Some of us just dont buy into this nonsense....

[K0RFD]

Quote[/b] (wa1nti @ Sep. 03 2005,09:16)]Who is Jamming Communications in New Orleans?

http://www.rense.com/general67/jamin.htm
Well, that conspiracy site did a really lame job of investigating the facts in this case. They totally missed the fact that:

1) The hurricane was generated and steered for maximum damage by reptilian aliens from the Pleiades

2) The people being put on buses at the Superdome and Convention Center aren't being evacuated at all, but are being beamed aboard the mother ship for transport back to the home planet as food for the aliens' dying civilization. Come on, have you heard from a single one of them since they got on the bus?

3) The government knows all about this, of course, but is keeping silent in return for alien weapons technology

4) The aliens and the government are actually controlling the media feeds. The pictures aren't coming from New Orleans at all but are being created in a studio deep underground somewhere at a secure undisclosed location and are being transmitted directly into your TV from special invisible communications ships

5) The aliens themselves are jamming amateur communications so that nobody knows what is REALLY going on. Because if the amateurs ever get in there with their 2 meter HTs and mobile HF rigs, the whole conspiracy would be exposed

I mean EVERYBODY knows that's what happening! Surprised he missed it.

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

[KC9EHY]

That's good RFD,you are paying attention.I'll go a little further.I have it on good authority(The Weekly World News....they never print false stories)that the real reason it took so long for help to get down there is Bush is one of the aliens.Think about it.Why else would a US President take action a half-week after the disaster.But go back to 911.It wasn't bin Laden's men at all that crashed the planes.It was the same evil aliens....has anyone seen Vice President What's-his-name in the last couple of years?Why?Because he discovered the plot to offer New York City's population as food for Neptune's druglords.Bush(Nubflee Kor is his alien name)had the VP put into the freezer with Elvis Presley,Jimmy Hoffa and Bruce Lee.I must go into hiding now,I've said too much.

Zorro Clinton signing off.
73's

[KB9KLC]

You guys are too much LOL.

[w4hwd]

Quote[/b] (N7TGB @ Sep. 03 2005,17:38)]I heartily agree... not only the entire country, but most of the world will be watching us.

Richard, N7TGB
NOBODY will be watching a bunch of blabbin' button-pushin' hams...there's enough to watch as it is...and who is this retard claiming Bush is jamming frequencies and shooting down helicopters? This Madsen guy needs to be incarcerated in the wacko hospital closest to his residence.

If you hams are such glory grabbers that you're chomping at the bit to go to an area where your chances of getting Hepatitis and Dysentary are near 100%, then be my guest...it's gonna be hard to communicate when you're so ill you can't get off the toilet for more than 2 minutes - and that's assuming you can find a toilet that's actually working!

[m0ala]

To all the guys active or preparing, we wish you all good luck and success from the UK, and our thoughts are with you. Be careful out there and don't take unnecessary risks.

Andy Lomas M0ALA
Barnsley RAYNET
South Yorkshire, England

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (w4hwd @ Sep. 05 2005,08:44)]If you hams are such glory grabbers that you're chomping at the bit to go to an area where your chances of getting Hepatitis and Dysentary are near 100%, then be my guest...it's gonna be hard to communicate when you're so ill you can't get off the toilet for more than 2 minutes - and that's assuming you can find a toilet that's actually working!
No "glory-grabbers". SOME people are willing, able, and available to help their fellow humans.

If you don't want to help, fine. That's your choice. But don't put down the ones who are helping. The people of the area are going to need a lot of help. Let's roll!

[w4hwd]

Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Sep. 05 2005,18:37)]No "glory-grabbers". #SOME people are willing, able, and available to help their fellow humans.

If you don't want to help, fine. #That's your choice. #But don't put down the ones who are helping. #The people of the area are going to need a lot of help. #Let's roll!
Having the desire to help is way different from having the ability to help. If you want to go and are competent at something besides pressing a PTT button, then ROLL! But if you have no skills to bring except sitting on your bottom blabbing on a radio you will only be adding to the chaos of the situation...and you will be asked to leave! Make sure you'll be useful before you go, or don't go at all.

And another thing, when I go, I won't be going as a radio operator; I will be going at the behest of my employer, who has over $200 million worth of assets, from Baton Rouge to and past Mobile, that were destroyed and have to be rebuilt.

[kg5vk]

A Call was asked for help while I was manning the West Gulf ARES NET
Wednesday morning at about 0500 CST
The US Coast Guard wanted someone to go in with a radio and everything else needed for Com into the area on the Ham Bands
I announced I was capable and Ready. Four hours later I was at the New Orleans Naval Air Station with the Coast Guard.
I had my gear up and running within just an hour after landing, but was on and off the air do to generator problems.
I ended up being there for a total of five days, we (Ham Radio) did make a difference and helped save lives !
The first two days we were in a sealed building with no Air Conditioning, so when they say you better be fit to volunteer they mean it !
The US Coast Guard is a first class outfit !!!
I experienced no jamming and in fact many Ham qrt'd to allow me to have a freq that was clear, many volunteered and helped with relaying of msgs.
I thank Everyone that helped !

73 steve

[kb2wye]

oh no, not the ailen thing again http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[n3wjl]

Did you get the message? You're not needed down there so stay home banging away at your CW and bitching about your aches and pains on 80.

[w1yw]

Quote[/b] (kg5vk @ Sep. 05 2005,20:43)]A Call was asked for help while I was manning the West Gulf ARES NET
Wednesday morning at about 0500 CST
The US Coast Guard wanted someone to go in with a radio and everything else needed for Com into the area on the Ham Bands
I announced I was capable and Ready. Four hours later I was at the New Orleans Naval Air Station with the Coast Guard.
I had my gear up and running within just an hour after landing, but was on and off the air do to generator problems.
I ended up being there for a total of five days, we (Ham Radio) did make a difference and helped save lives !
The first two days we were in a sealed building with no Air Conditioning, so when they say you better be fit to volunteer they mean it !
The US Coast Guard is a first class outfit !!!
I experienced no jamming and in fact many Ham qrt'd to allow me to have a freq that was clear, many volunteered and helped with relaying of msgs.
I thank Everyone that helped !

73 steve
We thank YOU , OM!

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (kg5vk @ Sep. 05 2005,20:43)]A Call was asked for help while I was manning the West Gulf ARES NET
Wednesday morning at about 0500 CST
The US Coast Guard wanted someone to go in with a radio and everything else needed for Com into the area on the Ham Bands
I announced I was capable and Ready. Four hours later I was at the New Orleans Naval Air Station with the Coast Guard.
I had my gear up and running within just an hour after landing, but was on and off the air do to generator problems.
I ended up being there for a total of five days, we (Ham Radio) did make a difference and helped save lives !
The first two days we were in a sealed building with no Air Conditioning, so when they say you better be fit to volunteer they mean it !
The US Coast Guard is a first class outfit !!!
I experienced no jamming and in fact many Ham qrt'd to allow me to have a freq that was clear, many volunteered and helped with relaying of msgs.
I thank Everyone that helped !

73 steve
Outstanding job Steve!!! As the Admiral used to tell us after a job well done:

Bravo Zulu


73,
Mike WA3KYY

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (w4hwd @ Sep. 05 2005,17:27)]Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Sep. 05 2005,18:37)]No "glory-grabbers". #SOME people are willing, able, and available to help their fellow humans.

If you don't want to help, fine. #That's your choice. #But don't put down the ones who are helping. #The people of the area are going to need a lot of help. #Let's roll!
Having the desire to help is way different from having the ability to help.

And another thing, when I go, I won't be going as a radio operator; I will be going at the behest of my employer, who has over $200 million worth of assets, from Baton Rouge to and past Mobile, that were destroyed and have to be rebuilt.
That is exactly right, and is exactly what I said. #

To repeat: willing, able (which means having the necessary skills, equipment, attitude, etc, to fit the need), and available, which, of course, means self-sufficient.

As for you going as "not a radio operator", fine. #Your employer needs you to be there, that is great. #Please keep out of the way of those helping people, though.

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (n3wjl @ Sep. 06 2005,05:01)]Did you get the message? You're not needed down there so stay home banging away at your CW and bitching about your aches and pains on 80.
Obviously someone who is completely unaware of the situation and need. You can safely ignore that post.

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (kg5vk @ Sep. 05 2005,20:43)]A Call was asked for help while I was manning the West Gulf ARES NET
Wednesday morning at about 0500 CST
The US Coast Guard wanted someone to go in with a radio and everything else needed for Com into the area on the Ham Bands
I announced I was capable and Ready. Four hours later I was at the New Orleans Naval Air Station with the Coast Guard.
I had my gear up and running within just an hour after landing, but was on and off the air do to generator problems.
I ended up being there for a total of five days, we (Ham Radio) did make a difference and helped save lives !
The first two days we were in a sealed building with no Air Conditioning, so when they say you better be fit to volunteer they mean it !
The US Coast Guard is a first class outfit !!!
I experienced no jamming and in fact many Ham qrt'd to allow me to have a freq that was clear, many volunteered and helped with relaying of msgs.
I thank Everyone that helped !

73 steve
Excellent, Steve!! We all thank you for making a difference!!

[n3wjl]

Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Sep. 06 2005,11:32)]As for you going as "not a radio operator", fine. Your employer needs you to be there, that is great. Please keep out of the way of those helping people, though.
Spoken like a real wanna-be hero ham radio button pusher.

[W9WHE]

On this point, I am in total agreement with the ARRL.
All badge toting, orange vest wearing, double HT blairing, Blue light on the dash driving, take-charge, I know what you need and am here to tell you what you need to do hams should stay away- FAR AWAY.

[M1PFS]

Stock up on those Rechargable Batteries and Solar panels
knowbody knows how good solar panels are until you have no fuel for generators and no batteries.
The only downside of them is that it only works during the day.

Anyway good luck

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (W9WHE @ Sep. 06 2005,12:07)]All badge toting, orange vest wearing, double HT blairing, Blue light on the dash driving, take-charge, I know what you need and am here to tell you what you need to do hams should stay away- FAR AWAY.
Uhhh, that description fits no hams I know. But quite a few 11m ops fit the description. Note: those are not hams.

REAL hams are largely in the background, quietly doing the communicating for those who need it. In no case does that require a blue light or vest, so you can drop that notion. Those with the blue lights and vests are not hams.

That is one reason we do not get the publicity we need to keep us in front of the policy-makers and therefore getting the regs we need; because the ones doing the job are just quietly in the background getting it done. (While others somehow feel a need to put them down.)

[K4JF]

Quote[/b] (n3wjl @ Sep. 06 2005,12:02)]Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Sep. 06 2005,11:32)]As for you going as "not a radio operator", fine. #Your employer needs you to be there, that is great. #Please keep out of the way of those helping people, though.
Spoken like a real wanna-be hero ham radio button pusher.
Someone has a problem with people having a priority over things? #sheesh

[KI6ADA]

Quote[/b] (n1ir @ Sep. 02 2005,18:21)]Nice piece.

Folks, we must shine like we never have before. This is our 'raison d'etre'. BE 'professional' as a radio AMATEUR.

73 to all,
Chip N1IR
I agree, God Bless the people in the Gulf Region. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kg5vk]

I hear so much about if you go you must be registered in the ARRL as having taken the ARRL emergency course

A group of OPS apparenetly left Florida to Missippi and were Turned away because they did not complete the ARRL emergency responder course !

If that is True, then I feel sad for the political state of affairs that we have sunk to.

Does this test, determine strenghth in ability to cope with elements,
if the canidate has prior Military experience or anything else that is insignificant or significant ?
My guess is hell no !

I went I made a difference, although much smaller amount of difference than I wanted to, I departed when all the "Pro" comm gear and ops showed up that were getting paid to be there !

The Men and Women of the Coast Guard expressed great appreciation of my help. I felt that I had helped so few, but just a few days after being home I found out that just one of the messages that I handed to the Helicopter Air Ops desk saved 20 lives - that was the greatest reward of all for going.

If I had taken the "qualification test" I am sure I would have been much better at what I was doing, but imagine being told your help is not wanted for lack of taking the "test" !

just what we need and want is a way to slow down getting help where it is needed.

Ham Radio has made a difference
Can we do better, you bet - perfection is something to strive for but rarely attained.
Turning volunteers away because they are not ARRL qualified is not the road to perfection in my point of view.

I apologize for the soap box!

Steve
KG5VK
http://www.qsl.net/kg5vk

[KD7YVV]

Quote[/b] (kg5vk @ Sep. 10 2005,12:36)]I hear so much about if you go you must be registered in the ARRL as having taken the ARRL emergency course

A group of OPS apparenetly left Florida to Missippi and were Turned away because they did not complete the ARRL emergency responder course !

If that is True, then I feel sad for the political state of affairs that we have sunk to.

Does this test, determine strenghth in ability to cope with elements,
if the canidate has prior Military experience or anything else that is insignificant or significant ?
My guess is hell no !

I went I made a difference, although much smaller amount of difference than I wanted to, I departed when all the "Pro" comm gear and ops showed up that were getting paid to be there !

The Men and Women of the Coast Guard expressed great appreciation of my help. I felt that I had helped so few, but just a few days after being home I found out that just one of the messages that I handed to the Helicopter Air Ops desk saved 20 lives - that was the greatest reward of all for going.

If I had taken the "qualification test" I am sure I would have been much better at what I was doing, but imagine being told your help is not wanted for lack of taking the "test" !

just what we need and want is a way to slow down getting help where it is needed.

Ham Radio has made a difference
Can we do better, you bet - perfection is something to strive for but rarely attained.
Turning volunteers away because they are not ARRL qualified is not the road to perfection in my point of view.

I apologize for the soap box!

Steve
KG5VK
http://www.qsl.net/kg5vk
Well, I got this in my mail and is a direct quote from the
ARES E-Letter:
[QUOTE]
On the Northern Florida ARES Net this morning, a report was made that
"renegade" hams were turned away from an affected area and were to be
adorned with "metal bracelets" if they did not leave. Message:
Coordinate your volunteer efforts with your own home ARRL Section
Emergency Coordinator (SEC), or his/her designees. Also, be prepared
to be self-sufficient: "If you need it, you bring it," advised
Alabama SEC Jay Isbell, KA4KUN. - K1CE
[END QUOTE]

I totally agree with this....
First off, I can't stress enough that you need that training.
There are message formats, and codes used that speed
up communications and help reduce if not eliminate error.
With everyone on the same page, things go much more
smoothly.

I spent the last two days down at the local Red Cross
monitoring in the radio room. My local section manager
said that volunteers were needed to do this....
It was the best two days of listening I could've done.
I called him afterward and thanked him for the experience.

Regarding training....
The Incident Command Structure (ICS) is in place for a
reason. It familiarizes you as a ham, with procedures
used by SATERN, the Red Cross, and other agencies
you may be serving in a disaster.
As much as hams want to help, I can't stress the training
enough. You learn so much. Not only WHAT to do, but
WHY you do something a certain way. Plus, by having
this training, the agencies you serve will know what to
expect. By taking the training, it tells them that you've
taken the time and made the effort to learn about how
they work, how you fit in, and gives the agency you're
serving a trained individual they can count on.
In return, you get experience which makes you more
valuable the more experience you get.

Hams going in pell-mell with no training really aren't
helping anyone. A ham with no training shows up,
now resources have to be devoted to dealing with them,
taking away from the overall effort.
If you have no training, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET IT!

Here's why......

I was watching CNN this morning and they mentioned
that there needs to be a national frequency for everyone
to use accessible only to emergency personnel.

We're ham operators who use radio all the time
24/7/365. Not one second goes by that a ham isn't on
the air someplace. I sincerely hope hams are used to
help make a national frequency a reality.

Also, the Red Cross is looking for 40,000 (yes forty
THOUSAND) volunteers to replace the 36,000 or so
volunteers that have been on duty for the last 3 weeks.
They're looking at a three week rotation.

--KD7YVV, Kirkland, WA ARES/KCESAR

[N3JI]

Just like to add that I came down here (9 mi SE of New Orleans) from Dallas just over a week ago, and things are slowly getting better. #There is of course utter devastation all over the area, but I can assure you, from what I see and hear from the people in this region of the country, they -WILL- be back, and -WILL- persevere! #

I'm finally able to get on the 'net relatively easily, and I guess I'm not surprized at some of the goofy stories I'm seeing. #I guess that's human nature. #Just try to use some common sense and take what you see and hear with a grain of salt. #Let's all try remember what it would feel like to lose everything in one day, some with no place to go, no job to go back to, and possibly minus family members. #My deepest thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected here, and I only hope that what I'm doing helps some of them in some way. #Let's put all the petty foolishness and/or politics aside for once, please.

Good Luck everyone & 73,
Joe, N3JI/5
Belle Chasse, LA

[KQ6XA]

We found that we were able to maintain contact on HF every day between a 100W mobile in the Katrina zone and a 100W base station in California. Including solar flare days. How did we accomplish this? With Automatic Link Establishment ( HF ALE ). Find out more:
HFLINK Automatic Link Establishment Group (http://hflink.com)

[w4hwd]

Quote[/b] (K4JF @ Sep. 06 2005,13:32)]As for you going as "not a radio operator", fine. #Your employer needs you to be there, that is great. #Please keep out of the way of those helping people, though.
Well, sorry for hurting your feelings 'yer high-and-mini-hindness of ham radio!

What I do does help people, but since you want to cast such a tone over my comments, I'll say this: there's profit in chaos.

I will go, I will stay out of the way of all you ham wackers, and I'll profit from all the chaos!

Make sure you start a nice slow-speed CW net on 75M while you're down there...

[n5uoa]

Hams wer ready to Go Monday following the hurricane ready from Houston, Texas to New York City, who are ham radio operators, who were Fire Police EM people, and also Other emergency people. Had boats to Generators to Air Conditioners to Cooking materials, not considering, radios base stations and prtables. These hams would have been able to help the emergency people, too and use their experise to also setting up local communications. With the emergency groups so they could talk together. The polce fire,and other communcations were knocked off the maps and incomming units from California and other places could not talk to one another. Hams could and should have been called instead of being roadblocked and stone walled at the onset. Lousiana State EOC refused to let emergency people in from the Red Cross on for days, whoile people died from Starvation and other things, that were going on. Hams regardless of License need to be used not Just HF or General and above, each ham has some espertise. Local comms coul dhave been setup in the cities that lost all communcations. As to my station have all mode VHF/UHF and HF Mars, where can talk on Government Channels. Portable radios plus batteries have tons of those and generators too. All of this could and should have been called in from the on set. Hams that are Firefighters, Police Rescue and others were not used,and the State EOC in Lousiana, denied the help,just like New Orleans baling out in time of the disaster. The EM people need relief too they are running short, and need a nreak. Its a shame that so much Politics got involved that BLIND SIDED THE REAL EFFORTS, that were trying to be setup and ready. I know I could have had people in the affecyed areas in 8 hours following the Hurricane, but were not used and still are not being used.

THis is a long time disaster folks, iots going to take lots of time to get things done, and the need for hams IS NEEDEED from all Licenses each one of these people can be used and help. Local Communications can be setup too and used for the local area, but were not called into help after the Hurricane hit.
Mark[B]

[kg5vk]

N5UOA

I agree and it seems that the ARRL and SATERN will have it their way.
Limited number of ops highly skilled because they are trained their way and in their doctrine.

Screw anyone that has any other kind of professional training and is willing and able to help. (I do know the difference by the way)

It's a new dawn and I don't like the looks of it !

I have never taken an ARRL or SATERN course in Emergency communication. Yes not even a carded member of ARES !

However when asked if I could support the West Gulf Emergency Net I said yes and I asked which is the worst slot of time (the bracket you are having the most trouble filling) and I took the 0300-0500 shift
until requested to deploy as an assistant in communications for the Coast Guard.

I went to New Orleans (Bell Chase Naval AS) and helped.

We saved lives, amazing that I would have been turned away by fellow members of the ARRL.

For those that I helped save I bet they are real happy that the US Coast Guard invited and welcomed my help.

Fact is there were not enough Volunteers in the disaster area with communication to the outside world, it seems most of the Ham community had evacuated and those that had not had no power or antennas.

We needed more able bodied amateur ops in the area
assisting state and federal and military agencies that needed the info that we were getting on trapped people from cell and text msgs that were going to 911 centers all OUTSIDE of the disaster area.

90 percent of the rescue dispatches that I took traffic for on HF was originating from a 911 center near my home way at the top of the state
(Shreveport/Bossier City)

those cries for help went to a local HF op and then to me
from me to a Helicopter dispatch desk just 12 feet from where I was with my ICOM 756 Pro II and a B&W folded dipole about 12 feet above the ground.

I needed two things to do my job
ability to copy the msg and them to give me clear details
I did not need HCX prefix or preambles or any of that other "has to be in the right format" crap.

What I found that was most important was (1)being there, (2)having the right equipment for the job (I had to jerry rig a mic connector because I lost my MIC adapter to my Heil headset enroute)
(3) physicaly able to endure the elements (first 24 hours no A/C in a sealed building) (4) good understanding of Military Protocol (I am a retired service member (USAF)) (5) strong willingness to sacrifice for the helping of fellow man (My business was left behind me when I departed to Bell Chase and I had out of pocket expenses and some minor losses)

Many people helped me with relays
I had help from people not even on the NTS system
like The 20m Marinetime net.

I am sorry for not remebering the calls of those that relayed for me It was not a priority at the time to keep those notes.
But you know who you are that helped and I say Thank You !

I am not thrilled with the public posture of don't rush in and help
especially from the ARRL !

Training, maybe I do have some..........
since 1972 as WN0FOI I have been entering HF Contests
it helped me learn how to pull weak signals out of the crud

It helped me from working fast at getting emergency antennas in the air from the many FD events.

Anyone want to work me during ARRL SweepStakes ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Steve
KG5VK

[w5tfw]

My Grid square is em 40 I live in Denham Springs Louisiana. I have noticed that ARRL President JIM Hayne has addresed Congress about what the Hams here did for the Goverment and the general public at large during and after KATRINA.
I was here before during & AFTER the Hurricane. I have never left, I went for days with no sleep I had my Pick up truck smashed in the process, I spent countless hours passing EMERGENCY traffic, Both at louisiana state Office of Emergency Communications, and at home on my own EQUIPMENT, I never saw anyone from the ARRL here, so how is it they can brief CONGRESS ? on something they know nothing about ?
seems to me that everyone wants some federal money even the ARRL !
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # W5TFW #Joey

[kg5vk]

Joey,

I agree with you !!!!!!

steve
KG5VK