

Dedicated to Emergency Communications by RADIO
        EMCOMM  MONTHLY
Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League
                   www.wrrl.org
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VOL.  4 -- No. 12          ONLINE: www.emcomm.org/em                   MAY 
2008
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        "RADIOS DON'T COMMUNICATE.  PEOPLE COMMUNICATE!"
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The EM PHILOSOPHY - MAYDAY!
SHORT CIRCUITS - News and Announcements
The EM ADVISOR - "Q and A"
ICS PERSPECTIVES - by Jerry Boyd, N7WR
WRRL NEWS and NETS
TRAFFIC HANDLING - ERROR CORRECTION?
NETWORK NEWS - "N.E.T.S." (Update)
SHOW US YOUR SHACK
FEATURE - "ARE YOU FIXED, MOBILE, or PORTABLE?"
EMCOMM SPECIALTY ITEMS - Stuff for Sale
NEW SUBSCRIBERS and CONTRIBUTORS
SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION
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The EM PHILOSOPHY

MAYDAY!

MAYDAY is the internationally recognized call for extreme distress on voice 
radio.  When heard, it instantly sends a chill up one's spine, and even the 
most seasoned radio operator's adrenal glands instantly release a bolus of 
adrenalin into the bloodstream as all your senses and responses go on HIGH 
ALERT.  All of your skills and training must be recalled immediately, but 
you must remain cool, calm and collected!

I have never heard an actual MAYDAY or an SOS, the international call for 
extreme distress in Morse (except in movies).  Most of us probably never 
will.  But I have heard "I have EMERGENCY traffic" or "BREAK, BREAK" (also a 
distress call).  A few of those times there actually was a legitimate 
emergency, but most of the times it was not.   But whether or not it was a 
real emergency, those words will definitely get your attention!

I once heard "I have EMERGENCY traffic" on my county repeater linked system. 
The calling person was reporting a traffic accident with injuries.  The 
calling operator's own family was involved.  The call sign given was 
non-U.S. but /W6 (stoke W6).  This visitor to the U.S. spoke with a distinct 
foreign accent,  but he remained calm and knew and used proper operating 
procedure including ITU phonetics.

Before I could key and respond, an operator replied to his distress call. 
What followed was an embarrassment to all of amateur radio.  The "assisting 
operator" did not know ITU phonetics, and when the calling operator 
attempted to report the accident's location (using ITU phonetics), the 
assisting operator fumbled the spellings terribly.  This (coupled with the 
caller's heavy accent), confused the nice old gentlemen ham who wanted 
so-badly to help.  I sensed the frustration in the voices of both operators.

As a general rule, it is proper procedure to allow the first station that 
responds to handle the traffic, and it is not a good practice to interrupt a 
situation like this. At least two other operators interrupted and further 
complicated the situation.  My own frustration grew.  It took all the 
restraint I could muster to keep from butting in!

I was able to understand the calling person's location, dialed 9-1-1, and 
reported the accident while the incompetent hams continued to fumble. 
Within 15 minutes, the calling operator said that a fire/rescue unit was on 
scene and thanked "all who helped".  I never made one transmission.

ARE YOU PREPARED?  I hear operators every day who still do not know, or 
refuse to use, ITU phonetics.  I say that all hams should know and use all 
proper operating procedures, even for routine traffic and nets and even for 
hobby communications.  Both on voice and Morse.

GET IN THE HABIT!  You never know when you may be called upon to assist 
someone in distress. -- Editor

OPERATING PROCEDURES:  www.wrrl.org/operating/
? - ? - ?
SHORT CIRCUITS

IN THE BEGINNING...THERE WAS SPARK...
The link below is to an 32 minute (Windows Player) audio file of what 
maritime traffic sounded like on the North Atlantic on the 600 meter band in 
the 1920's.
It's an audio file created by George Ahrens, W5JN who also provides some VOM 
(Voice Over Morse ;-)  comments. -- Contributed by Peter Rosenberg, AC7SB
http://www.ootc.us/W5JN%20QCWA%20Ch41.mp3

EMCOMMWEST'08 - MAY 2-4, 2006
"The Biggest Little Ham Convention in the World"
http://www.emcommwest.org/
- ? ? ? -
EMCOMM EAST - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
.. Location: St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York
.. Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008.

EmComm East is an amateur radio emergency communications conference, where 
amateur radio operators involved in EmComm can attend training sessions on 
technical topics, purchase equipment and supplies from vendors, learn from 
served agencies, obtain VE testing for license upgrades, and interact with 
other EmComm operators from all over the area.  The EmComm East Conference 
Committee encourages amateur radio operators, served agencies, and others 
involved in emergency communication to submit presentation proposals for 
general interest sessions.   $30 pre-registration required, continental 
breakfast and lunch included.  For more information, please visit our 
website at: www.emcommeast.org
(Via Jeff Wigal, WY7Q, Emergency Coordinator, Monroe County, NY ARES
- ? ? ? -
EMCOMM NET LIST AVAILABLE
EM maintains a list of active NATIONAL and REGIONAL VHF and HF EMCOMM NETS 
at:  www.wrrl.org/n_e_t_s_.asp
- ? ? ? -
EMCOMM "LICENSE PLATES"
For your vehicle, shack or mobile emcomm unit.
View at:  http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
? - ? - ?

THE EM ADVISOR
The staff of EMCOMM MONTHLY is happy to answer your questions to the best of 
our ability.  Some are "FAQs" (Frequently Asked Questions) and others are of 
a specific nature.  Each month, we will answer questions that may have value 
to other emcomm radio operators.  Technical questions are forwarded to our 
Technical Advisor, Ed Ewell, K7DXV.  Questions about our ARCT program or 
NIMS/ICS are forwarded to Jerry Boyd, N7WR.  Others may be forwarded to 
other staff members.  Questions regarding emcomm in general are usually 
handled by D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ. Some will wind up on our FAQ page at: 
http://www.wrrl.org/faq.asp
Before submitting a question, we ask our readers to check the FAQ page 
first...your question may have been asked before.  Also, please consider 
checking our site search page at: http://www.emcomm.org/search.htm   to see 
if your question may have been previously addressed in EMCOMM MONTHLY. 
Thank you.
- ? ? ? -
Q: There has been significant discussion lately among our members regarding 
quick and inexpensive antennas for use in local HF communications.  But some 
of those who are experienced enough to have the "know-how" usually indicate 
the antennas don't work, or are more bother to build than they are worth. 
Your article seems to strongly dispute that opinion and as a new jam I would 
like to bring some documentation to the discussion.  I would like to make 
copies of the NVIS antenna project for members of our Lincoln Trail Amateur 
Radio Club in Hardin County Kentucky.
NVIS - (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) at: 
http://www.emcomm.org/antenna/default.asp and 
http://www.emcomm.org/projects/default.asp
Thank you. - David VanderMolen, AI4VF, Elizabethtown, KY

A:  Permission is hereby granted per your request below, provided that it is 
not for profit.  Please mention this credit:  "Reproduced courtesy of EMCOMM 
MONTHLY and the WRRL."  Thank you for asking.  While NVIS is a technique 
that usually performs well, some days the ionosphere just doesn't seem to 
want to cooperate.  Waiting a few hours will usually make a difference and 
except for EMERGENCY traffic, waiting a few hours to pass a message is 
certainly acceptable.  Also keep in mind that signals via VHF SIMPLEX 
(e.g. - six and two meters) can easily be received 100 miles or more, 
providing that the stations have good antennas and sufficient power.  I do 
not recommend putting all your "eggs" in the "repeater basket."  Please let 
us know how well your tests and/or experiments work. - EM
- ? ? ? -

Q: I was looking at the ARCT Program requirements and saw reference to 
ICS/NIMS as a requirement. Are ICS 100 & 200 required and are 300 and 400 
also? Other than NIMS 700, what others are needed?  Agencies in Utah require 
ICS 100 & 200 and NIMS 700 to enter an EOC during an exercise or real event. 
Do the agencies in California also require them or is there additional 
ones? - Jim Samuels, K6TUG, WRRL 168, Salt Lake City, UT


A:  TYPE I ARCTs deployed by the WRRL must meet all applicable current FEMA 
and NIMS requirements.  This includes any and all additional requirements 
imposed by state or local agencies or private organizations (e.g. - Red 
Cross, etc.)  This will no doubt vary from place-to-place, time-to-time, and 
probably will vary between incidents, depending upon the IC or coordinating 
agency.

WRRL leaves it up to the individual ARCT leader(s), to know what all is 
required for emcomm operators for a specific agency and or operation, and 
ensure that any additional (non-WRRL) requirements are complied with. 
Unfortunately, most of these additional requirements have little to do with 
an ARCT's or an individual operator's ability to provide emergency 
communications.

Re.  " Do the agencies in California also require them or are there 
additional ones?"

The short answer is, We don't know and doubt that anyone knows.  Overall the 
whole process is still in the formative stages and in a state of flux.  It 
depends upon who, where, and when you ask.  For the time being, it must be 
handled on a case-by-case basis.  In events where an emcomm operator may 
have to enter an EOC or other restricted area, he/she will have to meet 
whatever requirements may be in effect.

If emcomm operators are not authorized to enter an EOC, the emcomm field 
station should be located near the EOC (or other command area.)  Message 
traffic can then be handed to a courier (an authorized person) for delivery 
to an addressee inside, and outbound traffic can always be hand-carried out 
to the emcomm station for dispatch.

The Red Cross (and other private organizations) also may have special 
requirements as to who may, or who may not, enter their facilities.  The 
ARCT leader should know who on any given ARCT is authorized, and for what 
(e.g. - pre-registered ARC volunteers).  This of course reduces the 
flexibility of the team and can creates additional work for emcomm 
leader(s).   Advance planning and ongoing liaison with other agencies will 
alleviate many of these problems.
? - ? - ?
ICS PERSPECTIVES
By Jerry Boyd, N7WR, Associate Editor and ICS Advisor

I continue to receive questions and comments about a subject that has been 
covered in EM in the past.  While we continue to make the argument that 
radio message traffic should be passed using the Radiogram format, a number 
of emcomm operators insist that, for a variety of reasons, ICS form 213 
(General Message Form) ought to be used.  Some emcomm operators indicate 
that their "served agencies" insist that ICS 213 be used for all messages.

Let's re-visit this subject and see, worst case, if some compromise might be 
achieved.  The universal Radiogram is designed for message traffic intended 
to be passed by radio.  It has fields in which to record important 
information such as:  Date, time, precedence, handling instructions, word 
count, address and addressee, etc.  What is the purpose for recording such 
information?  It is to document for purposes of accuracy and (potentially) 
liability what exactly was sent, to whom, by whom, etc.

ICS 213, on the other hand was designed and intended to serve as an 
"interoffice memo form", i.e. it is defined as a general message form.  It 
fails to capture much of the important documentation called for in the 
Radiogram.  Thus, if traffic passed using ICS 213 is ever called into 
question or challenged (or a lawsuit develops in which reference to the 
"message" becomes an important issue) much important documentation may be 
found to be missing.

Some have told me that they agree the Radiogram is better suited to passing 
traffic by radio than the ICS 213 format is..but they are "required" to use 
ICS-213.  Here's the compromise.  Use the ICS 213 format but add (simple 
enough to do) the additional information called for in a Radiogram on a 
single line just below the subject line on the ICS 213.  In fact, I know of 
a few good traffic handlers who have had a self-inking stamp made so they 
can add that line expeditiously to the ICS 213 form.  I also know of some 
entities that have put the ICS 213 from on a computer and have added the 
Radiogram information so that when they print the document all required 
fields are already present.

Those who have modified ICS 213 to accommodate critical information 
contained in the Radiogram have not reported any objections or resistance on 
the part of their "served agencies". - From NE Oregon 73 de N7WR

? - ? - ?
WRRL NEWS and NETS


? REGIONAL EMCOMM NETS (ALL SERIOUS EMCOMM STATIONS WELCOME):
    Pacific (and Mountain) Time Zones:  PTZNN (aka Jefferson Noon Net/JNN) 
daily at 1200 PTZ on 7214 kHz (3911 kHz alternate)
    Central (and Eastern) Time Zones:  CTZNN Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 
at 1200 CTZ  on 7214 kHz
? WRRL NET on  MONDAYS on 14.280 MHz USB (Alternate: 14.270 or somewhere "in 
between.")
   2000Z (SUMMER) 2100Z (WINTER)
? WRRL STATION MAP UPDATE
   Map showing the location of WRRL stations can be viewed at: 
http://www.wrrl.org/map/
? - ? - ?
TRAFFIC HANDLING
"For want of a letter, a word was lost.
             For want of a word, a message was lost.
                         For want of a message, a life was lost."
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"Record Message Traffic, by skilled operators, and by RADIO (only)!"   It's 
about Dependability, Accuracy and Accountability!

NET and TRAFFIC HANDLING

(An EM advanced studies training module)

During a recent on-the-air RADIOGRAM practice session, a participant asked 
what to do if you receive a message (either for relay or delivery) that 
contains what you believe to be erroneous information.  Should you forward 
or deliver the message exactly as you received it?  Or, should you send a 
"service the message" back to the originating station and/or the originator 
for clarification?

This question comes up from time-to-time.  It is one of those questions that 
many wouldn't touch with the proverbial "ten-foot-pole!"  Regular EM 
reader's know that we tend to venture where others may fear to tread...and 
so...with  great trepidation, we'll try to address this very real issue.

First and foremost, we will re-state one of this commandment:
Traffic handlers must NEVER, EVER, make any change(s) to a message and 
forward it.  (This includes the preamble, address, text and signature.)

There are, however,  exceptions to every "rule," and if you receive a 
message that you believe contains a serious and/or critical error, you then 
must make a judgment call as to whether to:

1 - Forward the message (exactly as you received it), or return the message 
to the station of origin as a service message* for confirmation and/or 
correction.
     For routine (R) inconsequential messages, the best rule of thumb is to 
simply forward it.

2 - However, for welfare (W), priority (P), and EMERGENCY traffic, you are 
convinced that an inaccurate message could affect the safety of human life 
or property,
     you may decide to (for safety's sake) "service it back" (using same 
precedence as the original message) to make sure that it is correct (or 
not).  Depending upon
     the situation, it might be better to take the time to clarify the 
message than to nforward and/or deliver a "mixed-up" or unclear message that 
could have disastrous
     consequences.  "ACCURACY TRUMPS SPEED!"

Consider this hypothetical situation:

Suppose you receive a message for relay that involves a distress or some 
other request for assistance.  (A ship dead in the water, lost or stranded
vehicle in the desert, etc.)  The TEXT includes a latitude and longitude. 
The message (as received) places the POSN (position) at a south latitude.
However, you have recent knowledge that the vessel (or stranded party) is at 
a north latitude.

Or, a message may include a location on a USFS road and the relay operator 
(you) knows the road number stated is incorrect or non-existent.  And you 
believe that if either message is delivered with the incorrect latitude, or 
other location coordinates, a rescue party will be directed, to the wrong 
location, possibly hundreds of miles off course.

Of course, you could hold the traffic and originate a service message back 
to the originator to confirm north or south latitude.  But this would only 
delay the traffic.  Imagine a court trial where an operator has to defend 
delaying a message or relaying what he/she knew was incorrect.

We put the question to Ed "FB" Trump, AL7N, WRRL 6 who is our resident 
authority on traffic handling.  This is what he says:

"First of all,  the CONTENT of any message is the province of only two 
parties:  The originator, and the recipient.

"The ONLY place any question should EVER be asked about the CONTENT of a 
message is when it is presented by the originator for transmission at the 
originating
station, and then only to the extent required to make sure the message text 
is EXACTLY as the originator wishes it to read.

"This is especially crucial in the case of EMERGENCY,  PRIORITY or WELFARE 
message traffic.  This important "joint" responsibility of BOTH the 
originator and the station of origin to make sure the message text is 
accurate and as it should be sent is too often overlooked or neglected by 
originating stations and/or their counterpersons.

"Outside of something obviously illegal, which should never be allowed to 
get to the radio operator for transmission in the first place, the message 
should then be transmitted as originated.

"Any station/operator subsequently handling the message is obliged to 
transmit it or relay it EXACTLY as written by the originator.  It may not 
"make sense".  It doesn't have to.

"Same goes for a message that might appear to be "in error".  Relaying or 
delivering operators MUST NOT judge messages on their content.  The only 
safe course is to relay it expeditiously and accurately...period.

"However, things can and will get screwed up and it IS possible that 
something in the message text obviously in error is discovered by some other 
station  "closer to" the destination.  That type of situation would best be 
handled, in my opinion, by attaching an "op note" to the message AFTER the 
signature to "flag" the possible error.

EXAMPLES:
OP NOTE  LATITUDE POSSIBLY SHOULD BE NORTH INSTEAD OF SOUTH
or,
OP NOTE FS ROAD 279 DOES NOT EXIST POSSIBLE SHUD BE FS 2779

"Therefore, I would relay/deliver the message "as received" as long as I was 
sure I had made no error in receiving it from the distant station, and 
append the "op note" to address the perceived error after the message 
signature.

"It is indeed a judgment call, and one of the situations when the "rule" 
must be "bent" a little.

"The message originator and the first station to put any message on a 
circuit both have a responsibility to prevent this sort of thing at the 
outset. If due diligence
is given at origination, the possibility that something would look improper 
or incorrect down the line is minimized."

*See June 2007 EM at: www.emcomm.org/em/2007/june2007.htm

REMEMBER: "ACCURACY TRUMPS SPEED!"

TO HELP KEEP YOU FROM SOUNDING LIKE AN UNTRAINED OPERATOR GO TO:
.. OPERATING PROCEDURES:  www.wrrl.org/operating/

============================================
TAKE THE TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE AT:  http://www.emcomm.org/thc/
TRAFFIC HANDLER'S SUPPLIES:  http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
? - ? - ?
THE "TRAFFIC HANDLER'S MANTRA"  (Recite often to help remember the eight 
parts in preamble):
"No . Prepared . Ham . Should . Copy . Priority . Traffic . Delayed"
NUMBER . PRECEDENCE . HX (Handling Instructions) . STATION OF ORIGIN . 
CHECK . PLACE OF ORIGIN . TIME . DATE
To help you to memorize the eight parts of the preamble,  RECITE the 
"Traffic Handlers Mantra" often:
"No . Prepared . Ham . Should . Copy . Priority . Traffic . Delayed"

ASSESS your current traffic handling skill.  Take the "TRAFFIC HANDLER'S 
CHALLENGE" at: www.emcomm.org    (main page)
? - ? - ?
NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE  (N.E.T.S.)
The NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE uses designated watch and calling 
frequencies.   Public service amateur radio operators everywhere are invited 
to monitor these frequencies whenever possible.  But when disasters or other 
incidents occur, emcomm operators are asked to warm up their radios and 
"light up" the NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE..."24/7".  Active operators 
know which bands are most likely to be "open" depending upon the time of 
day, season, etc.

During disasters and for other emergencies, the frequencies are "open nets". 
When traffic becomes heavy, they will become "command and control" 
frequencies with a net control station "triaging traffic" and directing 
stations with traffic to another (traffic) frequency.  (At least 5 kHz 
away.)  Proper net procedures are essential.

NETS does not maintain regular schedules and does not handle routine "make 
work" messages such as birthday greetings, "your license is about to 
expire", "book messages", etc.  NETS is intended to supplement and fortify 
other networks by providing a vehicle for emcomm operators to originate, 
relay and deliver legal radio message traffic (i.e. - "first class mail") of 
any precedence, at any time, from and to anyone and anywhere--especially 
during disasters or other crises.  NETS stations will cooperate and use 
other networks that are known to be capable of accurately and efficiently 
handling RADIOGRAMS.

NATIONAL EMCOMM TRAFFIC SERVICE (NETS) WATCH . MONITOR . CALLING . TRAFFIC 
FREQUENCIES
All listed frequencies (except 60 meters) are nominal.  Actual nets may be 
up or down as much as 20 kHz
SSB:
..   1982 kHz
..   3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
..   5332 kHz "Up" to other 60M channels as necessary. 50W maximum ERP. 
(Activated during actual incidents.)
..   7204 kHz
.. 14280 kHz
.. ALASKA ONLY: 5167.5 kHz (USB emergency traffic only)

CW:
..   1911 kHz
..   3540 kHz
..   3911 kHz RADIO RESCUE (SSB and CW)
..   7111 kHz
.. 10119 kHz
.. 14050 kHz
.. ALASKA - 3540/7042/14050 kHz
.. GULF STATES (LA, MS, TX, AL) - 7111 kHz 1100Z-2300Z / 3570 kHz 2300Z-1100Z

  During EMERGENCIES: 7111 kHz daytime,  3570 kHz nighttime.
  (Times approximate depending on band conditions and changes in 
sunrise/sunset.)

VHF/UHF FM
.. LOCAL EMCOMM SIMPLEX - 146.55 MHz
.. RED CROSS EMCOMM SIMPLEX - 147.42 MHz
.. NATIONAL CALLING SIMPLEX - 146.52 MHz

Frequencies listed may be on or near other established net frequencies.
As a matter of operating courtesy, always move up or down a few kHz to avoid 
QRM when a frequency is in use.
? - ? - ?
"SHOW US YOUR SHACK"
.. "SHOW US YOUR SHACK" is at: http://www.emcomm.org/em/shacks/
.. Send a picture of you AND your shack (all in one frame and in JPG or JPEG 
format) to: k6soj@wrrl.org
? - ? - ?
FEATURE SECTION


No new "FEATURE" this month.  Instead, please focus on NET and TRAFFIC 
HANDLING above.
Or review this item from the October 2007 issue of EM.  (We still hear a lot 
of misuse of these terms on the air.)

ARE YOU FIXED, MOBILE, or PORTABLE?
An EM basic studies training module)


Although it is no longer an FCC requirement to state if your are operating 
"mobile" or "portable" when identifying, these terms are still often used. 
But when used, they are commonly incorrectly used after a call sign.  To 
help alleviate some of the confusion (and misuse) we offer this:

The terms mobile and portable have nothing to do with the type of radio 
being used.  If you are at your home location (the location given on your 
FCC license), you are not "mobile" even if you're in your car in the 
driveway or parked on the street in front of your house.  Also, you are not 
"portable" if you are using a Handie-Talkie in your back yard.

Here is how the terms have been traditionally defined*:

    Fixed operation:  Radio communications conducted from a specific 
geographical land location shown on the station license.  Normally, your 
home "shack".


    Portable operation: Radio communications conducted from a specific 
geographical location other than that shown on the station license.  For 
example,
a vacation home, or a friend's house.  A portable station is a solitary 
hiker using an HT camping at Beaver Lake for a few days.  Or, it could be a 
multi-band, multi-mode, multi-operator Field Day Station, with multiple 
tents, numerous antennas and several transmitters running up to full legal 
power with a 12 kW diesel generator running 24 hours a day!

    Mobile operation:  Radio communications conducted while in motion or 
during halts at unspecified locations.  (Note: It's important to make the 
distinction between portable and mobile operation.  Mobile refers to talking 
on your 2-meter rig while driving your pick-up truck, while jogging or while 
backpacking.  Portable means operation for an extended period of time at a 
specific, definable location, such as your retreat cabin."
     Maritime mobile and aeronautical mobile are occasionally heard.  You 
may also hear pedestrian mobile, wheel chair mobile, bicycle mobile, 
equestrian mobile, railroad mobile, or other such definitive terms.  These 
terms attract attention, add to the interest and the magic of radio, and are 
fun to contact.
     Sadly, amateur radio (like many other things in today's world) has 
embraced a "laissez faire" (anything goes) approach to what was once a proud 
discipline.  I, for one, still prefer "the old  ways" and still try to 
follow the traditional good operating procedures. -- Editor

*Source: The FCC Rule Book.  A Guide to the FCC Regulations.  ARRL 1989
- ? ? ? -
======================================================
EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

RADIOGRAM TRAINING DVD
Features D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ, as the instructor.  The session was taped live 
at the U.S.F.S. facility at Redding, CA on October 29, 2005 by Paul Peterson 
(K6PTT).  As you watch it, you'll feel like you are actually in the 
classroom.  DW begins with a review of the history of communications beyond 
the horizon, followed by a thorough explanation of the "whys and wherefores" 
of basic message handling.  Essential information for all emcomm operators 
is presented in a palatable way. The video includes a brief overview of the 
ICS.  Thanks to Robert Jackson (KB6YTD) of Weaverville, CA, the quality is 
good.  Disclaimer: This is not your usual scripted, studio, well-rehearsed, 
and edited training video--it is raw and unedited and it includes flub-ups, 
bloopers, jokes, as well as unsolicited comments! There are a few "glitches" 
that could not be remedied; however, it is not necessary to adjust your 
player or TV when you encounter them, but rather just let the video run. 
Not rated. 155 minutes.   $10.00 ea. and includes protective case, study and 
instructor's guide.  $5.00 for extra DVD (disc only) to same address. 
$18.00 for two complete sets to one address.  The DVD is copyrighted. 
Contact us for permission to copy for non-commercial use, only.
Send check payable to: EMCOMM, P. O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA  96058

VIEW MORE EMCOMM SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AT:
http://www.emcomm.org:80/products/
======================================================
NEW SUBSCRIBERS
.. John W. Phillip, KE7OMP, Mosier, OR - RACES, ARES
.. Jay Brackin, W3NUR, Townsend, DE - ARES
.. Ronald Hayes, NVKJ, Joplin, MO - ARES, Missouri Traffic Net, MoKan 
Emergency Preparedness
.. Len Fulbright, K5WFW, Santee, CA -ARES, RED CROSS
.. Bob Burdick, NB8N, Ellijay, GA - ARES, MARS
.. Ken Cohen, KI6HRH, El Cajon, CA - ARES
.. Don Doud, K7DRD, Redmond, WA - ARES
.. Jay Bookwalter, KC8GNL, Mansfield, OH - ARES DEC Ohio District six
.. Dean Jacobsen, W6DBJ, Vista, California - ARES
.. Walt Hasselback, AB3FW, Ephrata, PA - RACES
.. Robert Andrews, KRDA, Rochester, MN - ARES
.. Cory Golob, N1URA, Sabattus, ME - ARES, EC
.. Brent Cameron, N9NJS, Mascoutah, IL
.. Nick Proy, AB3HJ, Baltimore, MD

.. Kirk Illian, KG6HPF, San Marino, CA - ARES, REACT
.. Mark Cantrell, KD4IMA, Asheville, NC - ARES
.. Jeff Moore, KE7ACY, Bend, OR - ARES

.. Devlin Kirchman, KC5LTU, Caddo Mills, TX


RECENT CONTRIBUTOR$ - Thank you for your support!
(The individuals listed below have recently made monetary contributions to 
help EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG survive.)
.. Will du Later
.. Les Caire
.. Ima Lid

EMCOMM MONTHLY and EMCOMM.ORG are private (non-government, non-commercial) 
endeavors and are funded by donations from emcomm operators who are 
concerned about preserving the ability of amateur radio operators to be 
prepared to provide skilled, accurate and efficient emergency communications 
during times of disaster or other events where normal channels of 
communication may be interrupted or overloaded.  If you have benefited from 
our efforts, and would like to support this work in a tangible way, you may 
do so by sending a check or money order payable to: EMCOMM.
Mail to: EMCOMM, PO Box 99, Macdoel, CA  96058.  Your donation is an 
outright gift and is NOT tax-deductible.
SORRY: We have no PayPal, credit card, or other methods to accept the 
electronic transfer of funds.  "We do it the old fashioned way!"

SOS - SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS
When contacting these fine vendors... tell them EMCOMM MONTHLY sent you!

Auxiliary Emergency Radio Organization (AERO)
Contact: Dave Gomberg, NE5EE, San Francisco.
www.wcf.com/aero/fun/
(Headsets, books, other items.)
Proceeds go to support AERO.


EmComm Products LLC
Robin (N7GSU) and Kathy (KD7OTY) Faulkner
http://www.EmComm-Products.com/
(541) 763-3890
PO Box 383
703 Sixth Street
Fossil, OR 97830-0383
(Manufacturer of the RADS 9-11   Rapid Antenna Deployment System )


EMCOMM MONTHLY is free of paid commercial advertising and "pop-ups". 
However, we list commercial vendors who offer products specifically of 
interest or value to the emcomm community and who make periodic 
contributions.  If you would like your company to be listed in SOS - SUPPORT 
OUR SUPPORTERS send a brief mention of your company and its products (see 
examples above) and a donation to: EMCOMM, P. O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA  96058. 
If you have further questions, just ask.

REFERENCE and RESOURCE SECTION

.. ICS-ARCT GUIDE:  www.emcomm.org/ARCT/
.. WRRL ARCT Page www.wrrl.org/arct_program/
.. TRAFFIC HANDLER'S CHALLENGE: http://www.emcomm.org/thc/
.. OPERATING PROCEDURES:  www.wrrl.org/operating/
.. PHONETICS: www.wrrl.org/operating/itu_phonetics.htm
.. RADIOTELEPHONE PROCEDURES: www.wrrl.org/operating/icao_radiotelephony.htm
.. GEAR AND EQUIPMENT LIST: www.emcomm.org    (Click on GEAR CHECK LIST)
.. FEMA TRAINING COURSES:  http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp
.. FEMA TRAINING COURSE IS-700 (NIMS): 
http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/is700.asp
.. ARRL FSD-218.  The famous "pink card" that contains (almost) "everything 
you ever needed to know about RADIOGRAMS".
  An electronic version of FSD-218 is at: 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/forms/#fsd-218
.. NTS page by W7ARC: http://www.w7arc.com/nts/
.. NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (NTS) Methods and Practices Guidelines: 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nts-mpg/
.. PACIFIC AREA TRAFFIC NETS:  http://home.earthlink.net/~k7bfl/nwnets.html
.. MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE NETWORK: http://mmsn.org/
.. BEAUFORT WINDSPEED SCALE: 
http://www.zetnet.co.uk/sigs/weather/Met_Codes/beaufort.htm
.. NOAA/NWS WINDCHILL CHART: http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/index.shtml
.. STANDARD TIME ZONE SCALE:  http://www.travel.com.hk/region/timezone.htm
.. HOSPITAL DISASTER SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (HDSCS): 
http://members.aol.com/emcom4hosp
.. U. S. AIR FORCE Search and Rescue SURVIVAL MANUAL MIRROR SIGNALING (AFM 
64-5 Aug. 1969)
   http://www.emcomm.org/drawings/Mirror_Signaling_mid.jpg

SUBSCRIBE TO EMCOMM MONTHLY  www.emcomm.org/subscription.htm   -- IMPORTANT: 
Many internet service providers (ISPs) are installing "SPAM filters" in 
their system that may block EMCOMM MONTHLY both inbound or outbound (if you 
try to forward it to someone).  To ensure that you receive EM and SPECIAL 
BULLETINS add: @cot.net, @wrrl.org, and @emcomm.org to your "Whitelist" with 
your ISP.  Contact your ISP if you have any questions.

ABOUT ADDRESS CHANGES:  Every month, a varying number of EM are returned as 
"undeliverable addressee unknown" or "rejected due to containing possible 
objectionable material".  Our very limited, all-volunteer staff does not 
have the time, energy, or desire to track down everyone who changes their 
email address and forgets to notify us.  Also, if a subscriber installs a 
"spam filter" or a "parental control device" and neglects to tell the filter 
that it's "OK to let  EM  pass through", we do not have time or patience to 
jump through secret hoops, or solve puzzles, to allow us to send email to 
you.
If you change your email address, be sure to notify us at: 
www.emcomm.org/subscription.htm ... that is, if you want to continue to 
receive EM.

EMCOMM MONTHLY is originated in 10, 12, 14, and 18 point Arial font and 
transmitted in HTML format.  Occasionally, selected portions are set up in 
the Lucida Console font.  HOWEVER...we have received a few reports that on 
some computer screens...EM appears unformatted in Plain Text or FUBAR. 
("Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition.")  If this happens to you, you can 
always view EM, as it is intended to appear, at: www.emcomm.org/em
Upon request  EMCOMM MONTHLY will be transmitted in plain text format to 
visually impaired subscribers who use an email-to-audio conversion program, 
and/or other subscribers whose computers do not process email in HTML 
format.

EMCOMM MONTHLY archives:  www.emcomm.org/em

SEARCH FEATURE AT EMCOMM.ORG  www.emcomm.org

The opinions expressed by individual contributors do not necessarily reflect 
the EM philosophy, the editorial position of EM, or its staff.

ARES and Amateur Radio Emergency Service are registered service marks of 
the
American Radio Relay League Inc., and are used with permission.

For permission to reproduce material in EMCOMM MONTHLY
contact: D. W. Thorne at: k6soj@wrrl.org   or write:
EMCOMM MONTHLY, P.O. Box 99, Macdoel, CA  96058  U.S.A.

EM STAFF:
D. W. Thorne, K6SOJ - Editor and Publisher - k6soj@wrrl.org
Jerry Boyd, N7WR - Associate Editor and ICS Advisor - n7wr@wrrl.org
Bill Frazier, W7ARC - Associate Editor and Webmaster - w7arc@wrrl.org
Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Technical Advisor - k7dxv@wrrl.org
Ed Trump, AL7N - Traffic Editor and Alaska Correspondent - al7n@wrrl.org
? - ? - ?
IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF EMCOMM MONTHLY:
.. "GET READY FOR FIRE AND HURRICANE SEASON"
.. NEWS... FEATURES... FEEDBACK.... QSH... and MORE!

EMCOMM MONTHLY -- The Official Journal of the World Radio Relay League - 
WRRL
Copyright (c) 2008 - All rights reserved.
- ? - ?    ? - ? ? 



-- 
"Reproduced courtesy of EMCOMM MONTHLY and the WRRL"
www.emcomm.org and www.wrrl.org.


