Re: [BVARC] Emergency communications

2024-05-18 Thread Andre Pollard via BVARC 
Is anyone on here a member of the Galveston County Emergency Communications
Group ( Home | GCECG  ) ? They have a station in the
EOC on 646 and a repeater. Almost never hear traffic on the repeater, but
heard some traffic on it during the storms, but not a net or structured
traffic. Wondering about it, and how (if) it is related to ARES...

W4SFZ
Andre


On Sat, May 18, 2024 at 12:26 PM Scott Medbury via BVARC 
wrote:

> Thanks Ralph!
>
> 73 ... Scott KD5FBA
>
> On Sat, May 18, 2024, 12:17 PM ralph phillips via BVARC 
> wrote:
>
>> I agree with the observations made regarding the current deficit of
>> communications during storms.
>>
>> Houston used to have sirens all over town.  They are gone.
>>
>> We used to have 2 or 3 repeaters active for weather spotting.  One of
>> them was manned by a local TV station meteorologist.  Now we don't have
>> anything regular set up.
>>
>> Weather spotting,  NOT Chasing, is a big activity in the Midwest and
>> North East.  Why has it disappeared here
>> My first thought (not necessarily accurate) is a reliance on formal ARES
>> groups.  They function when activated for major events to support served
>> agencies.  That is what ARES is for.  They are needed there and do a good
>> job.  After Harvey, I needed help to report a broken gas line.  Transtar
>> answered ob the first call
>>
>> The answer is simple ... reach out to the NWS to ask about classes and
>> repeaters.  I will do that and report back to this reflector.
>>
>> Ralph
>> KE5HDF
>>
>>
>> Get Outlook for Android 
>> 
>> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
>>
>> BVARC mailing list
>> BVARC@bvarc.org
>> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
>> Publicly available archives are available here:
>> https://www.mail-archive.com/bvarc@bvarc.org/
>>
> 
> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
>
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>

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Re: [BVARC] Emergency preparness

2024-05-18 Thread N5LNK - Sean Linkenheimer via BVARC 
During my time this weekend trying to get myself better prepared when it
comes to emergency communications I came across this Emergency
Communications Plan found freely on the web District 14 ARES
https://stxd14ares.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/dist_14_com_plan.pdf>.
It appears to have proper and updated information and is the
most comprehensive I have found for our area regarding band plan and
leadership structure. This may be useful to you if you are wondering what
frequencies are used in an emergency situation and what the leadership
structure looks like when activated. District 14 is Harris County.


Regards,
Sean Linkenheimer
STX ARES District 1



On Fri, May 17, 2024 at 11:50 AM K5BOU via BVARC  wrote:

> I hope everyone is well. The following email contains my personal
> observations, which unfortunately lean towards a negative aspect.
>
> Yesterday, we encountered the effects of inclement weather. I was curious
> about the response of our dedicated emergency Ham radio Operators, who
> annually invest their time and effort in training for such situations.
>
> I understand during storms, it's crucial to disconnect antennas, either
> before or after the event. I didn't notice any activity on the radio during
> this time eighteen before or after. I tuned in to some net in Alabama and
> Florida, where they were actively discussing and preparing for the weather;
> Dallas also seemed to have a few emergency net in place yesterday.
>
> A week ago, during a "stir crazy net," someone mentioned that during
> previous hurricane events, there was little to no activity from the Ham
> radio emergency group/team.
>
> Here are some questions to consider:
>
> - Should our approach be reactive or proactive?
> - When is it appropriate for the Ham radio emergency responders to be
> activated?
> - Are all members of the Emergency Ham radio group in Fort Bend or Harris
> County physically capable of assisting when needed?
> - Should we consider collaborating with other Ham radio organizations,
> such as those in Florida, to glean insights from their experiences?
>
> And there could be additional questions to explore.
>
> I don't intend for this to prompt rude or sarcastic responses. Given that
> we are in Houston, and with the upcoming hurricane season predicted to be
> quite active and unique, I've shared a lot of relevant data on my Weather
> Facebook page.
>
> Does BVARC have a dedicated emergency response team to assist communities
> in need?
>
> These are just observations, with safety in mind.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
>
> BVARC mailing list
> BVARC@bvarc.org
> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
> Publicly available archives are available here:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/bvarc@bvarc.org/
>

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Re: [BVARC] Emergency communications

2024-05-18 Thread Scott Medbury via BVARC 
Thanks Ralph!

73 ... Scott KD5FBA

On Sat, May 18, 2024, 12:17 PM ralph phillips via BVARC 
wrote:

> I agree with the observations made regarding the current deficit of
> communications during storms.
>
> Houston used to have sirens all over town.  They are gone.
>
> We used to have 2 or 3 repeaters active for weather spotting.  One of them
> was manned by a local TV station meteorologist.  Now we don't have anything
> regular set up.
>
> Weather spotting,  NOT Chasing, is a big activity in the Midwest and
> North East.  Why has it disappeared here
> My first thought (not necessarily accurate) is a reliance on formal ARES
> groups.  They function when activated for major events to support served
> agencies.  That is what ARES is for.  They are needed there and do a good
> job.  After Harvey, I needed help to report a broken gas line.  Transtar
> answered ob the first call
>
> The answer is simple ... reach out to the NWS to ask about classes and
> repeaters.  I will do that and report back to this reflector.
>
> Ralph
> KE5HDF
>
>
> Get Outlook for Android 
> 
> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
>
> BVARC mailing list
> BVARC@bvarc.org
> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
> Publicly available archives are available here:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/bvarc@bvarc.org/
>

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[BVARC] Emergency communications

2024-05-18 Thread ralph phillips via BVARC 
I agree with the observations made regarding the current deficit of 
communications during storms.

Houston used to have sirens all over town.  They are gone.

We used to have 2 or 3 repeaters active for weather spotting.  One of them was 
manned by a local TV station meteorologist.  Now we don't have anything regular 
set up.

Weather spotting,  NOT Chasing, is a big activity in the Midwest and North 
East.  Why has it disappeared here
My first thought (not necessarily accurate) is a reliance on formal ARES 
groups.  They function when activated for major events to support served 
agencies.  That is what ARES is for.  They are needed there and do a good job.  
After Harvey, I needed help to report a broken gas line.  Transtar answered ob 
the first call

The answer is simple ... reach out to the NWS to ask about classes and 
repeaters.  I will do that and report back to this reflector.

Ralph
KE5HDF


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Re: [BVARC] 2 Mtr. base station.

2024-05-18 Thread Chris Medlin via BVARC 
If you are only running 5W then your battery will last you a very long time.
The antenna is up over 600 ft so its got excellent coverage across the city.



From: BVARC  On Behalf Of Gary Sitton via BVARC
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2024 5:29 PM
To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 
Cc: Gary Sitton 
Subject: Re: [BVARC] 2 Mtr. base station.

Chris, I can use only 5w on xmit and get a very low noise repeater connection.  
My antenna is a vertical dipole at 20'.
Gary


On May 17, 2024 3:09:51 PM Chris Medlin via BVARC 
mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org>> wrote:
Hi Gary, What radio are you running in the house? If it's a mobile rig, you 
wont need anything more than low power from the Heights.. it will last you a 
good while... probably 500mA on receive and 2A on xmit (on low power).

Chris/AC5CM

From: BVARC mailto:bvarc-boun...@bvarc.org>> On Behalf 
Of Gary Sitton via BVARC
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2024 2:53 PM
To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB mailto:bvarc@bvarc.org>>
Cc: Gary Sitton mailto:gasit...@comcast.net>>
Subject: [BVARC] 2 Mtr. base station.

Just tested my repeater connection from the Heights.  I have 100 amp 13 v., 
Lithium-Iron-Phosphate system here.  Cell phone is working but no cable 
internet. We have no power here but are getting by.
Gary K5AMH


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