We are getting ready for our second emergency communications exercise. As we develop our plans, we need your help. Please let us know if you can assist us with the exercise either by providing equipment or by operating the portable stations.

This exercise will involve four (4) portable stations spread across the county. These stations will need two radio systems - an HF station to work 40 meters and 6 meters and a VHF/UHF one radio system to work both VHF and UHF. The HF station will need to work voice, JS8 Call, and Winlink RF only (no internet).

Each portable station will need at least two operators. Each station will need to include the antenna systems, emergency power systems, radio systems including the computers to run JS8 and Winlink.
Antenna systems are limited to a height between 20 and 25 feet to the base of the antenna. This is designed to simulate a "painter's pole " type of antenna deployment. It would be great if we can test Angelo's 6-meter coax antenna as part of our 6-meter operations.

Ideally, we would like to have one unit in the Engelwood area located close to the Myakka but just west of the river. A second unit could be located in the Murdock area. We will have one unit located in Punta Gorda near US 17 and Bermont Road. And finally, if we would love to get a fourth unit located in the Babcock Ranch Community located in the southeastern part of the county.

That's the hard part. The easy part is that many operators will be able to assist us in testing systems from their own location using hand-held units and mobile units.

--

Doug KM4LKC
Having fun promoting amateur radio technology

On Mar 1, 2021, at 10:15 AM, Doug KM4LKC via groups.io <sunburned_fl@...> wrote:



We are getting ready for our second emergency communications exercise. As we develop our plans, we need your help. Please let us know if you can assist us with the exercise either by providing equipment or by operating the portable stations.

This exercise will involve four (4) portable stations spread across the county. These stations will need two radio systems - an HF station to work 40 meters and 6 meters and a VHF/UHF one radio system to work both VHF and UHF. The HF station will need to work voice, JS8 Call, and Winlink RF only (no internet).

Each portable station will need at least two operators. Each station will need to include the antenna systems, emergency power systems, radio systems including the computers to run JS8 and Winlink.
Antenna systems are limited to a height between 20 and 25 feet to the base of the antenna. This is designed to simulate a "painter's pole " type of antenna deployment. It would be great if we can test Angelo's 6-meter coax antenna as part of our 6-meter operations.

Ideally, we would like to have one unit in the Engelwood area located close to the Myakka but just west of the river. A second unit could be located in the Murdock area. We will have one unit located in Punta Gorda near US 17 and Bermont Road. And finally, if we would love to get a fourth unit located in the Babcock Ranch Community located in the southeastern part of the county.

That's the hard part. The easy part is that many operators will be able to assist us in testing systems from their own location using hand-held units and mobile units.

--

Doug KM4LKC
Having fun promoting amateur radio technology

From: main@CARS-FL.groups.io [mailto:main@CARS-FL.groups.io] On Behalf Of Doug KM4LKC via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 8:05 PM
To: Doug KM4LKC <sunburned_fl@...>; main@CARS-FL.groups.io
Subject: Re: [CARS-FL] Phase 2 - An Emergency Communications Exercise #operatingevents

Radio Operators

Help Wanted – Will Train

In order to conduct the upcoming CARS Emergency Communications Exercise – Part II, the following positions are open !!!!

Home Operator – Individuals with UHF/VHF Radios (base, mobile, handheld) that will contact one of the four “County Wide Hubs” reporting your call sign, your 6-digit grid square, and your received signal report.  This will be reporting from your home location, no travel or transportation is necessary,  If you already check into the “Sunshine Net” then the only difference will be setting your radio to a different “Simplex” frequency from the list that will be provided.

Rover Operator (12+) – Individual with VHF/UHF mobile or a handheld radio that will rove around the county trying to identify dead spots and giving grid location and signal reports.  A few specific Rovers will also have time-stamped envelopes containing specific “Messages” that need to be communicated to “county Wide Hub” stations and the ability to copy responses.  Needs ability to travel around Charlotte County during the 2-3 hours the exercise will be underway.

VHF/UHF Station Operator (4) –  Much like “Net Control” on “nets” these operators will be running the UHF/VHF radio at one of the County-Wide Hubs, making contacts with the Home Operators and Rover Operators and recording contacts and messages.  The messages will be passed to the HF / Digital Operators for delivery.  If responses need to go back to the Rover Operator, these will come from the local hub’s HF / Digital Operators and be passed back to the originator.  Basic 2m/70cm transceiver operation skill a plus.

HF / Digital Station Operators (4) – This is the person that will be converting written messages received from the VHF/UHF station operators. JS8CALL and WIINLINK operating on RF will be the primary communications methods on both 6m and 40m.  Voice (Phone) will be used at specific time windows on 6m to measure that capability.  Familiarity with digital modes and using computers to send/receive both emails and textual messages a plus.

County Wide Hub Logger (8) – This entry-level position is perfect for someone new to the Club or an experienced operator with contesting experience. This person will help the station operators by being a second set of ears, copying down information, and maintaining the station logs. Opportunities to “swap out” with the station operators exist and will vary with knowledge and experience picked up on the job.

On Mar 10, 2021, at 8:29 PM, David NC4CC <david@...> wrote:



I think I was to help Bob with the Murdock location. If not, or needed elsewhere, I could possibly qualify for a home operator or one of the other fixed station operator.

 

Dave  NC4CC

 

 

From: main@CARS-FL.groups.io [mailto:main@CARS-FL.groups.io] On Behalf Of Doug KM4LKC via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 8:05 PM
To: Doug KM4LKC <sunburned_fl@...>; main@CARS-FL.groups.io
Subject: Re: [CARS-FL] Phase 2 - An Emergency Communications Exercise #operatingevents

 

Radio Operators

Help Wanted – Will Train

 

In order to conduct the upcoming CARS Emergency Communications Exercise – Part II, the following positions are open !!!!

 

Home Operator – Individuals with UHF/VHF Radios (base, mobile, handheld) that will contact one of the four “County Wide Hubs” reporting your call sign, your 6-digit grid square, and your received signal report.  This will be reporting from your home location, no travel or transportation is necessary,  If you already check into the “Sunshine Net” then the only difference will be setting your radio to a different “Simplex” frequency from the list that will be provided.

 

Rover Operator (12+) – Individual with VHF/UHF mobile or a handheld radio that will rove around the county trying to identify dead spots and giving grid location and signal reports.  A few specific Rovers will also have time-stamped envelopes containing specific “Messages” that need to be communicated to “county Wide Hub” stations and the ability to copy responses.  Needs ability to travel around Charlotte County during the 2-3 hours the exercise will be underway.

 

VHF/UHF Station Operator (4) –  Much like “Net Control” on “nets” these operators will be running the UHF/VHF radio at one of the County-Wide Hubs, making contacts with the Home Operators and Rover Operators and recording contacts and messages.  The messages will be passed to the HF / Digital Operators for delivery.  If responses need to go back to the Rover Operator, these will come from the local hub’s HF / Digital Operators and be passed back to the originator.  Basic 2m/70cm transceiver operation skill a plus.

 

HF / Digital Station Operators (4) – This is the person that will be converting written messages received from the VHF/UHF station operators. JS8CALL and WIINLINK operating on RF will be the primary communications methods on both 6m and 40m.  Voice (Phone) will be used at specific time windows on 6m to measure that capability.  Familiarity with digital modes and using computers to send/receive both emails and textual messages a plus.

County Wide Hub Logger (8) – This entry-level position is perfect for someone new to the Club or an experienced operator with contesting experience. This person will help the station operators by being a second set of ears, copying down information, and maintaining the station logs. Opportunities to “swap out” with the station operators exist and will vary with knowledge and experience picked up on the job.