To check Testing availability call SAM WS6P
HM (209)293-4010, Cell (209)418-9207
Sam – WS6P
ARES Emergency Coordinator – Calaveras County
RACES Radio Officer – Calaveras County
Hm: (209) 293-4010
1st Net Cell: (209) 418-9207
W6WPT Repeater 440.100 + T100
WIRES-X node 33432
When an earthquake or other major incident occurs, frequently the infrastructure in the surrounding area is knocked out. This creates a so-called “doughnut hole” where people in the most-impacted area cannot provide reports via internet or cell phones. Because of this, USGS partnered with Winlink to provide a way for “Did You Feel It” (DYFI) reports to be submitted via radio. When Winlink DYFI messages are received by USGS, these reports are parsed automatically, and the information is added to their database giving a near-real-time picture of the extent of damage. The SHAKEOUT exercise on October 19 will give USGS a good measure of how effective the Winlink radio reporting system is.
In addition to providing information to USGS, the SHAKEOUT exercise also is being used by FEMA and other agencies to gauge the effectiveness of amateur radio at providing ground truth during incidents. This is from the September 26 FEMA bulletin, which went to all FEMA Regions for their stakeholders:
“Our primary aim of participating in the October 19th SHAKEOUT ‘Did You Feel It’ (DYFI) exercise is to underscore the remarkable proficiency of Winlink. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) will use this Winlink ‘Did You Feel It’ ground truth data to contribute to the calculations of their earthquake intensity assessments when modeling the Modified Mercalli (MMIS) Intensity Scale, a standard index used for earthquake severity (see Figure 1). This data will contribute to event response products, like PAGER, a system that provides fatality and economic loss impact estimates following significant earthquakes, worldwide, and is used by governments, agencies, NGOs, private companies, and citizens.
“A secondary and extremely important purpose for emergency management at all levels to participate in this exercise is to illustrate the capabilities of the Winlink system to provide situational awareness ground truth regardless of the specific information gathered.”
DYFI Winlink submissions will go to USGS, the Winlink team, and partner agencies. They will produce maps showing points of submission, and they will generate summaries for the AAR which will be sent to FEMA, DHS, SHARES, and other interested groups.
In addition to U.S. hams, Winlink DYFI reports will be sent by CISA SHARES members, Air Force MARS members, and hams in Europe, Scandinavia, and other parts of the world.
You can find detailed instructions about how to fill out a Winlink DYFI report and send it via radio at this site. Note to specify QUAKE-23 as a CC address to your submission.
https://winlink.org/sites/default/files/ShakeOutWinlinkExercise_cm6.pdf
On a cool and cloudy day the Arnold Rim Trail Run took place, here are a few photos of Ken, Mark and RJ(paramedic on duty) . Many runners took the opportunity to get out on the trails, and view the scenic vistas. The full complement of the CARS crew were Andy, Helen, Dave, Pascal and Walt kept a keen eye on the safety of the participants. Most importantly all ACCOUNTED FOR!
Photos Courtesy of Ken Sanders AE6LA
TCARS Earthquake Net Drill
| THURSDAY OCT 19, 2023 10:19 am You can participate in a special annual emergency net with organizations across California. TCARES and TC Office of Emergency Services are planning an emergency NET to demonstrate the TCARES repeater infrastructure during a simulated communications outage following a simulated major earthquake incident. We are looking for MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION! Our goal is to see check-ins from Pinecrest to Jamestown, from Mariposa to Angels Camp, and from Modesto to Yosemite National Park! (AND ALL POINTS IN-BETWEEN) ALL TCARES REPEATERS WILL BE LINKED CHECK-IN format. It will be a directed net, but we will not have a roll call. First we will ask for checkins by repeater usage starting with Columbia, then Pinecrest, then Moccasin and then Duckwall (suffix alpha sequence). We will ask for simple YES/NO answers for questions about power and phone status. CONCISE checkins. We are looking for rapid efficient check-ins. After the net is over, general chit-chat may resume. EXAMPLE CHECK IN: “This is JOE, K6JO, with/at (location or organization) on Columbia Repeater, Power is ON, Phone OFF.” Your (location or organization) examples: – Cedar Ridge, TH CERT – Sonora, Adventist Health – Sonora, Fairgrounds – Columbia, Airport – Groveland, Sheriff CSU – Phoenix Lake, Home – Tuolumne City, Summerville High GMRS/FRS Relays: Many local areas have very active GMRS groups. (Twain Harte, Columbia, Groveland, etc) Local leaders will relay and report how many GMRS contacts were made at the end of the NET. (more instructions on the relay method coming soon) Courtesy Of Tuolumne County Amateur Radio & Electronics Society |
SJV ECs or designees please share this with your Volunteers and Amateur Radio Clubs in your Jurisdictions.
Everyone else is free to share it with their Amateur Radio Service Clubs and Groups.
https://winlink.org/sites/default/files/ShakeOutWinlinkExercise_cm6.pdf
If you can follow instructions and have a computer – after downloading Winlink Express from Winlink.org and getting anyone who is using Winlink to help you get started with Telnet mode – the instructions below, updated today, will have you ready to participate in the FEMA sponsored National 2023 Great Shakeout by submitting an Amateur Radio Service Winlink Express “Did You Feel It” (DYFI) Form as close to or after 10:19 AM local time as you can.
Your DYFI will be a tangible contribution to the FEMA Sponsored National 2023 Great Shakeout test use of Winlink Express on a National level..
Be sure to follow the CC: instructions precisely on October 19th.
These step by step instructions are in a downloadable PDF so you can read them as you follow them. The first couple of times.
Practice sending a few DYFI Forms transmissions between now and October 19th.
As long as you have “Exercise” checked you will do no harm.
You can CC:me if you want at wl7coo@winlink.org … or if you have a SHARES Callsign I can be reached at NNA9HD.
Cheers & 73,
..dan sohn
SJV SEC
sohn@sti.net or wl7coo@ winlink.org or NNA9HD
After our Tower suffered catastrophic wind damage last Winter, work has begun on its replacement. The photos below document the progress being made, we are all anxiously waiting the final placement of our two meter antenna on the tower. I’m sure the reception reports that will be received will show a marked improvement in the coverage area.
Photos Courtesy Of Ken Sanders AE6LA
The ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is scheduled for October 7 – 8, 2023.
The SET is ARRL’s annual national emergency exercise designed to assess the skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) volunteers, as well as those affiliated with other organizations involved in emergency and disaster responses. The SET is open to all radio amateurs and partner organizations, in addition to national, state, and local officials. Besides ARES volunteers, those active in the National Traffic System (NTS), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Weather Service’s SKYWARN® Storm Spotter program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and a variety of other allied groups and public service-oriented radio amateurs are needed to fulfill important roles in this nationwide exercise.
During the exercise, volunteers can assess equipment, modes, and skills under simulated emergency conditions and scenarios. Individuals can use the time to update a go-kit for use during deployments and to ensure their home station’s operational capability during an emergency or disaster
On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will jointly conduct a nationwide test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The test is being conducted to make sure that the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are working properly. The test will begin at approximately 2:20 PM ET and will be split into two sections. The first alert will test the WEAs, and the second will test the EAS. Your cell-network based mobile devices will alert at that time.
The WWV ARC will once again celebrate the anniversary of WWV the Weekend of September 29 to October 1, 2023. Club member stations will be-on-the-air from various locations across the country and would like to have a QSO with you.
7.038 7.238 14.038 14.238 QSL WWV Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 273226, Fort Collins, CO 80527
See Website For More Details about the event and also how you can participate!