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Archived Activities

April Landers, AI4EA providing communications at the EOC

On Wednesday February 9th 2005, the Anniston ARMY Depot and the Calhoun County Alabama EMA held their annual (CSEPP) Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. The Anniston ARMY Depot uses an Incinerator to destroy stockpiles of chemical weapons.  

This exercise was conducted to see how well the communications at the EOC's would work together as a team. The Calhoun County ARES/RACES group participated in the event.  Randall Landers KG4EUD, the Calhoun county EC headed up the group from the Calhoun county EOC and Alabama Section Emergency Coordinator Jay Isabel KA4KUN and staff headed up communications at the Homeland Security and FEMA Noble Training Center Joint Information Center at FT. McClellan for health and well fare simcell messages. 

The exercise consisted of a drill that the scenario was that 36 land mines exploded and VX Nerve Agent was released into the county.  The ARES/RACES group gave updates and sent amateurs to Hospitals, schools and EAS radio stations where we gave the official press releases. The EOC simulated all communications at the EOC was down except amateur radio.  

The FEMA region 4 representatives said that the amateur radio group was the best they have evaluated and their knowledge of radio and communications was excellent.

Alabama Linked Repeater System

New ARRL Affiliated Club in Alabama

Congratulations!

Eva Amateur Radio Club

Morgan County Alabama

Alabama Section Manager presents Eva ARC president Joshua Bryan, N4WOX with new ARRL Affiliated certificate!

Field Day Challenge

Once again Field Day (FD) is upon us. Hopefully clubs and groups in the AL section are in the final planning stages for this traditional operating event. I hope all preparations are on schedule and operators, cooks; buildup/teardown personnel are all identified and committed.

I too am in the FD frenzy this year as the FD chairman for the Muscle Shoals Amateur Radio club (MSARC). I have already had enough interest to keep me planning. Our site is centrally located in the quad cities area plus it’s a good radiolocation.

Now let me explain what I mean by FD Challenge. FD Challenge to me is not competing amongst other clubs or groups in the section but the challenge of FD as it was originally intended. The intent is a practical exercise in communications under field conditions using alternative power source  other than AC main power and erecting make shift antennas as compared to what we use at our home QTH. What I propose for the MSARC FD event is to technically challenge the FD participants every step of the way in regards to radio setup, generator installation and antenna building/erection. In other wards provide participants with all the pieces of the FD operation puzzle so they can put the station (s) together and make them operable to communicate with other FD participants. The time frame would be from Saturday morning as operators arrive at the FD site till start time of FD.

In other wards wire, coax, rope/line will be available for making antennas and getting them off the ground. Generators, gasoline, extension cords, tents can also be provided. Enlist the experienced operators to work with groups of not so experienced operators in order to impart their practical knowledge and technical skills to the not so versed FD operator. One operator that keeps the whole weekend together is the FD chairman who’s responsible for logistics, supply and the “big picture”.

Out of an effort of this nature will come teamwork, a sense of belonging to an organization and self satisfaction of the accomplishment not to mention the invaluable experience of setting up a station for future emergency situations. I have many fond memories of my first FD before I was licensed some 40 plus years ago at age 11.

Get involved in FD this year at any level of effort you can. Your work and effort toward setting up and operating a FD station regardless of it’s classification will help to further the hobby in your local area and also provides a valuable lesson in setting up a station in support of a natural/manmade disaster in the future.

Get radio active for FD June 26-27. See  May QST, Pg 107 or visit the ARRL website for rules.

Tim, KY5R

AL Sec Technical Director

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