(Now a bi-weekly program)

November 27, 2012

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Emergency Preparedness ... Before, During and After

Overview   

"When All Else Fails".  In this episode #44 of CWTD, noted author and long-time columnist in QRP and ARRL circles: Rich Arland, K7SZ joins with regular hosts N2APB and N2CX to discuss the equipment, practices and techniques of preparing for emergency communications.  Whether your focus is preparing in the calm warmth of your home, or being directly involved in the disaster relief operations with other hams and response organizations, this week’s session of CWTD is bound to be of interest to many.

73, George N2APB  & Joe N2CX

Audio Recording ... (Listen to the MP3 podcast)

Discussion Notes:
<20:08:39> "Paul - wa0rse": what a great collection of images on the whiteboard!
<20:13:11> "Joe N2CX": Hello Juha!
<20:13:39> "oh2nlt": hello Joe no microphone here
<20:14:07> "Joe N2CX": I often work without a mike either cw or digital!
<20:16:55> "oh2nlt": Late shift with Cube SW here. Just for curiosity I jumped in for a while.
<20:21:05> "George - N2APB": http://www.goalzero.com/?gclid=CM7JztK_8LMCFQJx4AodgEUAzw
<20:35:08> "George - N2APB": http://www.opsgear.com/
<20:35:50> "George - N2APB": http://www.opsgear.com/index/page/category/category_id/38/category_chain/38/name/MOLLE+Gear/
<20:38:50> "Ray K2ULR": My "hamshack" is nothing but go-bags...
<20:39:42> "Clint-ka7oei": FWIW the '817 pulls 300mA on RX, muted.
<20:40:44> "George - N2APB": Power conditioner for FT-817 ... http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=ft-817%20power%20conditioner&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wulfden.org%2Fdownloads%2Fmanuals%2FCondx817RevA1.pdf&ei=amu1UJfdLOu80QGV4IDwDg&usg=AFQjCNGL-vM1cAjfKjr3sbVRi46ulEk11Q
<20:40:44> "Charles WC5MC": hmm what about a K2?
<20:41:17> "Clint-ka7oei": There's this: http://www.ka7oei.com/ft817_pwr_opt.html  but it's overkill!
<20:41:59> "Terry WB4JFI": Regarding the FT817 power connector, I have the same power conditioner. Highly recommended.
<20:42:07> "Terry WB4JFI": http://www.wulfden.org/TheShoppe/ft817/index.shtml
<20:42:27> "George - N2APB": http://www.diamondantenna.net/x300a.html
<20:43:46> "George - N2APB": Arrow cross-polarized antenna
<20:55:07> "Ray K2ULR": Packet, with it's error correction, would be good for traffic.
<20:59:00> "Clint-ka7oei": Living here in the desert (Utah) I've noted that MOST people cannot tell when they are dehydrated!
<21:04:44> "Joe N2CX": Clint you are absolutely right! I have friends who are marathon runners who have particular dehydration issues. They always use the buddy system to note each other's symptoms.
<21:07:35> "Joe N2CX": http://www.emcomm.org/gear_list.htm
<21:07:36> "George - N2APB": Good "Go List" ... http://www.emcomm.org/gear_list.htm
<21:07:58> "George - N2APB": And here's another one ... http://mysite.verizon.net/resvua79/radio-oasis/id8.html
<21:08:33> "Ray K2ULR": I've read that FRS channel 1 is often used as an emergency frequency.
<21:08:56> "Joe N2CX": I always use FRS in the vehicle
<21:13:46> "Ray K2ULR": I have a neat FRS rig (from Radio Shack) that has the transmitter in the base of a mag mount antenna. Gets out pretty well.
 


SESSION NOTES ....


                                                                                         Rich Arland, K7SZ ... Guest host for this session

POWER

- Batteries: SLA, NiMH, LiPo

     

 

- Charging: Types, human-powered

    

 

- Distribution: Connectors, grounding

 

- Generators: Fuel, noise, fumes

     

 

- Solar: Trickle

    

 


EQUIPMENT

- Go Kit: Preparation, test

     

 

- Spares

 

 

- Radios: Antennas, cables, cases

   

 

 


ANTENNAS / BANDS / MODES

- VHF: Local

 

 

- HF: Wider area, forecasting, Red Cross

 

  

 

- Data Modes: PSK, RTTY (data handling)

 

    

 

 


HUMAN / PERSONAL

       

- Food: Power bars, MREs, freeze-dried, water

   

 

- Clothing: Water-tolerance, raingear, footwear, undergarments

 

 

- Shelter: Tents, blankets, sleeping pads

 

- Medical

 


TRAINING / OTHER ASPECTS

- Local Organizations

- Roles & Responsibilitiues

- ARES, RACES, MARS

- Organization

- Communication:  Our main contribution

 

 


REFERENCES

  1. The American Preparedness Radio Net ... http://theoriginalpreppernetworks.com/APRN/APRN_blog/?p=4425

  2. Off-Grid Communications ... http://theoriginalpreppernetworks.com/APRN/APRN_blog/?page_id=1947

  3. Links for Preparedness Information ... http://theoriginalpreppernetworks.com/APRN/APRN_blog/?page_id=1443

  4. First-Aid Products ... http://www.first-aid-product.com/pgSurvival.htm?gclid=CNa0gOrq77MCFQ-e4AodDX0A2Q

  5. ARES & RACES ... an FAQ ... http://www.arrl.org/ares-races-faq

  6. A Quick Trainer and Field Resource Guide for the Emergency Communicator (PDF) ... http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ARESFieldResourcesManual.pdf

  7. ARRL Emergency Coordinator's Manual (PDF) ... http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%2520Service/ECMANUAL.PDF

  8. ARRL Emergency Communications Handbook ... http://www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-Emergency-Communication-Handbook/

  9. Emergency power for Radio Communications (M. Bryce, WB8VGE) ... http://www.arrl.org/shop/Emergency-Power-for-Radio-Communications/

  10. Emergency Radio.org ... http://www.arrl.org/emergency-radio-org

  11. Emergency Communications Training ... http://www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-training

  12. Official Emergency Station ... http://www.arrl.org/official-emergency-station
     

Many of these are "survivalist" websites, but they have good info ... you just have to sift through and find it. The broader goals of EmComm volunteers and "preppers/survivalists" are basically the same....survive and help mitigate the disaster. 



  1. http://radiofreeredoubt.blogspot.com/

  2. http://www.preparedham.com/

  3. http://www.maxpedition.com/?gclid=CM7_ydWO_64CFUKR7Qodvx8C0g

  4. http://thesurvivalmom.com/

  5. http://survivalcache.com/

  6. http://survivaltopics.com/

  7. http://survivormall.com/

  8. http://www.ultimatefrs.com/

  9. http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=survivalist%20magazine&tag=cdipublicatio-20&index=digital-text&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325



Other recommended reading:



  1. Personal Emergency Communications: Staying in Touch Post-Disaster: Technology, Gear and Planning [Kindle Edition]


  2. Are You Radio Prepared? [Kindle Edition]


  3. Survivalist Magazine Issue #7 - Survival Energy [Kindle Edition]



  4. Guide to Emergency Communications [Kindle Edition]



  5. SAS Urban Survival Handbook [Paperback]



  6. SAS Survival Handbook, Revised Edition: For Any Climate, in Any Situation [Paperback]

  7. Prepper's Instruction Manual: 50 Steps to Prepare for any Disaster [Paperback]

  8. Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit  [Paperback]

  9. Build the Perfect Survival Kit [Paperback]



 

And here's some non-ham communications gear (something EVERY EmComm volunteer should have available!!): 



  1. Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio


  2. Midland 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio


  3. Midland GXT5000 36-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio

 


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