QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/files/races/1986.001

Text File | 1994-11-13 | 22.2 KB | 413 lines

Subject: 1 9 8 6  STATE  RACES  BULLETINS
                       STATE OF CALIFORNIA
                  OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
                  TELECOMMUNICATIONS  DIVISION
                      2800 Meadowview Road
                   Sacramento, CA  95832-1441

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    W E E K L Y    S T A T E    R A C E S    B U L L E T I N
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TO:   ALL RACES OPERATORS [via W6NKR every Monday except holidays
                           on 3545.5 KHz at 1900 Hrs CW 15 WPM
                           and 1930 hrs LSB 60 and 100 WPM]
      ALL OES REGIONS     [via facsimile]
      ALL AMATEURS IN CA  [via your local scheduled nets]

FROM: KH6GBX HEADQUARTERS STATE OES SACRAMENTO
BT
STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 1.    SUBJECT:  ANTENNA SAFETY

     Use extreme care when raising or elevating antennas for the
first time.  Be sure you can see any overhead or nearby power
lines that are within the fall radius of your structure.  Last
month a television station technician raised his telescopic 40-
foot mobile antenna into unseen overhead power lines.  The
resulting short circuit threw him clear and set his van on fire.
He regained consciousness, attempted to get the fire extinguisher
from the burning van, and was electrocuted.
For W6NKR broadcast 06 Jan 86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 4.    SUBJECT: DEFINITION OF RACES
     There are still some individuals confused with the
definition and meaning of RACES---Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service. RACES simply means Amateur radio operators who provide
emergency communications for a State or local government. No
more, no less. RACES is not a separate or detached function,
activity or a club. RACES enables Amateur radio communications
for all elements of a State or a local government and cannot ever
be dedicated to serving only one department of any given
government.
     There appears to be some misunderstanding among individual
Amateurs in large metropolitan areas about RACES. The definition
above should erase misunderstandings but not perhaps past
history. State OES welcomes the opportunity to meet with Amateur
groups anywhere in the state on the subject of utilizing Amateurs
for emergency government communications.
For W6NKR broadcast on Monday, 3 February 1986


STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 5.    SUBJECT:  WEEKLY STATE RACES NET
   EVERY MONDAY, EXCEPT HOLIDAYS, THIS OFFICE BROADCASTS A
MESSAGE TO ALL CALIFORNIA AMATEURS. THIS ORIGINATED MANY YEARS
AGO AS THE CCDN---THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL DEFENSE NET. THESE WEEKLY
BROADCASTS BY W6NKR ARE IN THE FORM OF NUMBERED STATE RACES
BULLETINS. THE FIRST MESSAGE IN 1986 IS 86-1 AND SO FORTH.
   PUBLIC SERVICE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE AMATEUR RADIO
FOUNDATION AND TRADITION.  FOR THIS REASON WE REQUEST THAT THESE
WEEKLY BROADCASTS BE RECEIVED AND RETRANSMITTED OVER YOUR OWN
LOCAL SCHEDULED NETS. THEY NEED NOT BE DICTATED VERBATIM UNLESS
IT HELPS IN TRAINING TO HANDLE FORMAL TRAFFIC. WE DO APPRECIATE
HAVING THEM READ OVER YOUR NETS SIMILAR TO ARRL BULLETINS, ET
CETERA.
   WE SOMETIMES DISPOSE OF SERVICEABLE EQUIPMENT WITH THE WEEKLY
STATE RACES BULLETIN BEING THE ONLY ANNOUNCEMENT. DISPOSAL IS
THEN DONE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. WE GAVE AWAY MANY
LIKE-NEW RADIOS AND HUNDREDS OF TUBES IN 1985 TO AMATEURS WHO
LISTEN TO THESE BULLETINS.
   THE BROADCASTS ARE AT 7 PM ON 3545.5 KHZ WITH 15 WPM CW AND
AGAIN AT 7:30 PM WITH 60 AND 100 WPM RATT.  THEY ARE ALSO BEING
ENTERED INTO PACKET MAILBOXES UNDER "RACES".  MAILBOX RACES
BULLETINS APPEAR IN WA6NWE SACRAMENTO 145.09, WD6CUS-1 RICHMOND
145.09, AND WA6OSA-2 145.01 FRESNO.  MORE WILL BE ADDED AS WE ARE
ADVISED BY YOU WHO, WHERE, AND ROUTING TO-FROM SACRAMENTO.
   YOUR REPLIES, COMMENTS, INPUTS AND QUESTIONS ARE WELCOMED.
2.10.86:0800

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 6.    SUBJECT: USES FOR RACES - PART ONE
     RACES is communications supporting a local government
provided by Radio Amateurs. Many have interpreted that there can
be no use for RACES unless there is a major disaster or war. For
that reason RACES withered and died in many areas because they
had no disasters and no war. RACES survived and is being re-
established in those areas where RACES is interpreted and
utilized to support virtually any emergency with as little as one
RACES operator. In other words, the use of RACES is not limited
to a major event that requires the mobilization of all RACES or
civil defense resources. A weekly series of messages will follow
that discuss the many ways in which Amateurs may increase their
participation and readiness in the vital area of emergency
government communications. One old saying goes "It is not WHAT
you know, it is WHO you know."  This goes for RACES and ARES as
well. Interpersonal communications between the on-scene disaster
or emergency participants can be as important as the actual
telecommunications. Volunteers unfamiliar with the players and
how they play their government game can be a hindrance and often
a hazard. For these reasons the services of volunteers must often
be declined unless they have received the necessary and required
orientation and training. The same holds true for us Radio
Amateurs. A few hours of orientation and a meetings with
government now and then, plus some field activities, can make all
the difference of how much value an individual RACES and ARES
member can be.
(02/24/86)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 7.    SUBJECT: USES FOR RACES - PART TWO
     The RACES is communications supporting local government
provided by Radio Amateurs.
     There are innovative ways of employing RACES today that were
not dreamed of when RACES was first created by the FCC and DOD.
They have come about through continuing dialogue between the
Amateurs and their local government. This is usually done through
the RACES radio officer and his/her staff. RACES or any Amateur
Radio assistance to government cannot begin or be maintained
without this ongoing liaison.
     The next step is to preplan innovative ways those interested
Amateurs can assist government emergency operations. This, in
turn, improves emergency preparedness and successful emergency
response.  The innovative ways will vary from community to
community.  There is no one checklist for RACES mission support.
That's because some communities are better equipped than others
to tackle local emergencies. Sometimes the political climate
limits the participation of volunteers in a local government's
emergency response plans. There is no panacea for the latter
except for steady, professional performance and constructive
dialogue between Amateur radio leaders and their local
government.      [To be continued in Bulletin 86-8]

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 8.    SUBJECT:  CRITIQUE
     The following is quoted from the Exercise After Action
Report to the participants in Quake 85/Response 85 Exercise.
     Quote: The favorable and professional response from radio
amateurs during the exercise proved once again the merit of
involving these people and organizations in emergency management
operations at all levels.  However, to be totally effective when
employed, they must be integrated into training sessions in order
that they will understand the total operation and be able to
detect problems or inadequate/improper information. This fact was
pointed out by the number of times the Senior Controller was
required to decipher radio transmitted messages. End quote.
     RACES operators receive such training from their OES and
underscores the need for both training and participation.
For State RACES Station W6NKR statewide broadcast 17 Mar 86. seh

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 9.    SUBJECT: FLOODS
     Amateur radio distinguished itself during the February flood
emergencies in Northern California. Several counties, State OES
Region 2, and State OES headquarters used RACES for voice, packet
and ATV communications. At one time it provided us the only
communications with Napa County when phone lines were lost. On
another day State RACES personnel piloted their own plane and
provided us ATV pictures from Freeport north to Yuba City.  Many
Amateurs with ARES supported the far flung mission of the
American Red Cross. No matter where you served--on the levees, in
the shelters, in the air, on the air, on the water, or behind the
scenes--you have our sincere thanks and appreciation. The true
spirit of unselfish volunteerism by you professionals in Amateur
radio is an invaluable resource to your community.
Signed WILLIAM M. MEDIGOVICH, DIRECTOR
       Governor's Office of Emergency Services

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 9X  241818 MAR 86   SUBJECT:  FLOODS
1.   As reported last week, Amateur Radio played an active role
during the recent floods.  Although it was not necessary to
activate the CCDN for HF communication links, VHF played a very
important part in local emergency situations.  Packet radio links
were used extensively between OES Headquarters and the American
Red Cross and, to a limited degree, some of the OES Regional
offices.  Local RACES groups were active in providing
communication links to evacuee shelters, in addition to serving
in levee watch teams and providing other emergency
communications.  Indeed, a job well done!
          Sgd  MARION HENSON, W6NKR
               Chief State RACES Radio Officer
2.   Applications for the State OES Headquarters RACES staff are
still coming in.  There was increased interest during and after
the recent flood emergency.  I will compile these after the April
18 earthquake exercise and call a get together here at OES HQ so
we may all become acquainted.  The exercise, incidentally, is
National Guard test in Southern California and will not involve
any Amateur Radio circuits to Sacramento at this time.  Thanks to
W6NKR for writing this week's message.
          Sgd  STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX
               California State RACES Coordinator
(3/24/88)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 10.   SUBJECT:  CB LINEAR CRACKDOWN
     THE FCC IS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE TO BRING A HALT TO THE
ILLEGAL SALE AND USE OF LINEAR AMPLIFIERS BY CITIZENS BAND
OPERATORS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF INTERFERENCE TO
HOME ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS
NEEDED TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT. THE FCC WILL
CONCENTRATE ON STRICTLY ENFORCING RULES REGARDING THE MARKETING
AND USE OF LINEARS.
     LAST SUMMER THE FCC CONDUCTED A STUDY OF CASES REPORTED TO
LOCAL FCC OFFICES CONCERNING CB INTERFERENCE TO HOME ELECTRONIC
ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT. IT WAS FOUND THAT 57% OF THOSE CASES
COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO OVERPOWERED CB STATIONS AND 91% INVOLVED
LINEAR AMPLIFIERS.
     ALL FCC OFFICES WILL TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN LOCATING AND
CLOSING  DOWN STATIONS USING LINEAR AMPLIFIERS AND OTHER ILLEGAL
TRANSMITTERS. FIELD PERSONNEL WILL ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE THE
SOURCE OF ANY LINEARS FOUND DURING THE INSPECTIONS IN ORDER TO
LOCATE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS. THESE VIOLATORS WILL
BE TARGETED FOR FINES AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, IF NECESSARY. A
RELATED ACTIVITY WILL BE RIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF FCC REGULATIONS
UPON UNSCRUPULOUS DEALERS AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS WHO MODIFY OR
REPAIR MODIFIED EQUIPMENT.
     ANYONE WHO HAS INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ILLEGAL
MANUFACTURE, MARKETING OR USE OF CB LINEAR AMPLIFIERS IS
ENCOURAGED TO TELEPHONE THE NEAREST FCC FIELD OFFICE. FCC
REQUESTS WIDEST DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MARCH 10, 1986 LONG BEACH
FCC BULLETIN.
[For W6NKR broadcast 31 March 1986 statewide. SEH 240900 MAR86]

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 11.   SUBJECT:  KERN COUNTY RACES MEETING
     On March 28, Kern County Emergency Services Coordinator Ron
Adkins hosted a four hour RACES seminar for 32 ARES Amateurs.
State OES Region 5 manager Nels Rasmussen from Fresno explained
the OES role. KH6GBX, State RACES coordinator, explained the role
and relationship between local government and the Amateurs with
examples of day-to-day and emergency activities. Kern County's
first 29 RACES members were signed up at the meeting and county
ID cards are now being processed. County communications
superintendent Carl Park emphasized the need for RACES to support
their many needs in an 8000 square mile county. Representatives
from the National Weather Service, Bakersfield Police Department
and other agencies also attended. The next RACES briefing is
scheduled in Placerville on April 16.
(TOD 4/4/86)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 13.   SUBJECT: WHO ACTIVATES RACES?
     This question was raised by more than a few people following
the February flood disaster. There was a common misconception
that the State must declare a disaster and/or the State activates
RACES. This is an error. Any local government--State, city or
county--can activate its RACES personnel.  This is usually done
by the Radio Officer and others of any particular government's
OES office.
     We encourage governments to activate a skeleton RACES staff
in a building emergency such as a flood, rather than after it is
either too late to mobilize them or the potential resource has
gone elsewhere.
     Government communications seldom fails gracefully. If and
when it does it is usually catastrophic. Then it is too late to
mobilize the  RACES resources in a timely and effective manner.
     The Radio Officer is a key staff position on any OES staff.
RACES cannot function properly without one. Does your county have
a RACES Radio Officer?
4/21/86
INFORMAL DISCUSSION: It is axiomatic that where a government does
not have a Radio Officer there is no viable RACES program, plan,
operations, activities, training, etc. Counties needing
assistance or guidance in this area are urged to contact your
State OES Mutual Aid Region Manager or Communications
Coordinator, or call the State RACES Coordinator at [phone]
for more information.   73,  Stan

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 14.   SUBJECT: ONE HOUR EXERCISE QUESTION
     A frequently asked question is "How can we do a long
exercise when the RACES regulations limit them to one hour a
week?"
     The answer is by not calling it a RACES exercise on the air.
There is no time limit to Amateur radio exercises other than
strictly RACES. The definition of RACES is emergency
communications for a specific local government jurisdiction by
its assigned Amateur radio operators.
4/28/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 15.   SUBJECT:  EL DORADO COUNTY
     An organizational meeting was held in Placerville in April
between interested Amateurs and the County and State OES. About
24 hams attended and all enrolled in El Dorado County RACES. ATV
was demonstrated yesterday to Amateurs and government officials
at the Placerville airport.  Thanks to all who made it a success.
5/5/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 16.   SUBJECT:  Portable Repeaters
     Question raised at a recent RACES seminar was "Is it
advisable to develop portable repeaters?"
     The answer is "Of course!"  Transportable repeaters can be
used to replace damaged repeaters or, more frequently, used to
augment existing repeaters by filling in back country or remote
areas not now served by repeaters. Particularly to support hand-
held radios. High power is not important in transportable
repeaters. Even two to five watts power output is adequate. The
cavities required to separate the receive and transmit
frequencies are usually the most expensive item.
5/12/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 17.  SUBJECT:  RADIO OFFICERS
     Every RACES radio officer in every jurisdiction should have
at least two alternates. There are several reasons  for this.
     1. A radio officer cannot perform satisfactorily around the
clock.
     2. No individual should be indispensable.
     3. The alternate, or assistant, radio officers should be
used in key staff positions responsible for such activities as
training, operations, administration, records and so forth.
     Every position should have depth.
5/19/86
NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO STATE RACES BROADCAST NEXT MONDAY MEMORIAL
DAY. BUCKLE UP AND HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE WEEKEND.

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 18.   SUBJECT:  FAMILY CARE
     A question was raised at a RACES seminar. If we are called
out on an  emergency should we take care of our family first? The
answer to this is "Yes".  It is always assumed that family and
job requirements will come before volunteer service.  We are all
well advised, however, to preplan with our families so that they
may take care of themselves without us if and when necessary.
(6/2/86)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 19. SUBJECT:  HF RADIO IS VERY
IMPORTANT
     Because so much VHF-FM is used so much in the RACES some may
get the impression that that is all there is to the RACES.  It is
true that most emergency communications needs at the city and
county level are met by VHF and UHF bands and that HF is reserved
for intermediate distance State OES RACES use.  But there are
local incidents where HF can and should be used.  The 1985
central coast forest fires, for example, required the use of 80
meters to get out of deep canyons where all other radios failed.
     The overall capability for HF mobile RACES operation has
diminished substantially over the past two decades.  This is a
serious matter in any large or mountainous county.  Does your
RACES have at least one HF mobile that can readily be put into
the field?  Does its antenna have good high angle radiation
characteristics desired for typical intermediate distances?
     The 1986 fire season is already here.  Field Day is around
the corner.  Are you ready?
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR 6/9/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 20.   SUBJECT:  YES, NON-HAMS CAN
JOIN TOO!
     Amateurs providing communications for the State or any local
government in California must be enrolled as Disaster Service
Workers in the "Communications" classification.  Most of you know
that, but how many know that you don't have to he a ham to be so
enrolled?  That's right.  If your spouse, family members or
friends have the interest and skills to serve they, too, can be
registered.
     For example, some local governments have pilots who are not
hams but are enrolled to assist communications and the RACES.
Other volunteer skills might include clerks, messengers,
technicians, and even unlicensed operators who can operate under
the supervision of a licensed operator.  Any potential volunteer
or government agency having questions should write or call us at
916-427-4281.  You can make emergency services a family affair!
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR 6-16-86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 21.   SUBJECT:  EARTHQUAKE ALARMS -
Part 1 of 2
A consortium of major Japanese electronics manufacturers has just
started to market a new device designed to give advance warning
of earthquakes, tidal waves and other natural disasters. The
emergency system that can be bought separately or will be
available as an option in the latest TV receivers ranges from the
equivalent of $30 to $100, depending on whether it is bought as a
separate unit or incorporated into a TV set. The separate unit,
which also has a digital clock and a multi-channel radio set, is
the more expensive.  The emergency warning system is the result
of several years of research on emergency signal wave
transmissions by the Japanese government and several electronics
companies.
(End of part 1 of 2 parts. Thanks to the STOCKTON RACES
RESPONDER.)
For W6NKR broadcast on 06/23/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 22.   SUBJECT:  EARTHQUAKE ALARMS -
PART 2
     (Part 2 of 2. Thanks to the "STOCKTON RACES RESPONDER").
When required, a built-in audio warning device will be triggered
automatically by microwave signals  transmitted by Japan's
National Radio System.  In some cases the signals could give as
much as an hour's warning, in others there might be little if any
warning.  A nationwide earthquake prediction system, using state-
of-the-art components and communications channels, is already in
place.  Some versions of the device will be incorporated into
television or radio sets and will automatically turn the sets on
to the emergency frequency which broadcasts information and
instructions.  The device will also be available as a separate
component that sounds a buzzer alarm upon receiving the microwave
signal.  The emergency alarm is being produced by several of the
electronics giants, including Sony and Matsushita.
For Statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 06/30/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 23.   SUBJECT:  RUBBER DUCK ANTENNAS
- PART 1
     Rubber duck antennas on hand-held radios are a severe
compromise on efficiency.  On the plus side is their short size
and flexible forgiveness to brutish handling.  On the negative
side is their terrible radiation inefficiency, probably worse
than many of you expected.  When did you last replace your
helical spring antenna we call the rubber duck?  On testing a
hundred or so portable radios that had been out on the fire lines
for a few weeks we found a typical 60 percent failure rate.  Most
of the antennas looked fine.  The only way you can detect an
invisible rubber duck failure is by measuring the microvolts per
meter with a calibrated receiver over a measured range under
controlled conditions, such as done routinely by the Boise
Interagency Fire Center. Since this is difficult for most to do,
it might not be a bad idea to replace rubber ducks as a matter or
course when they show signs of wear or if they are a year old.
You might want to consider using a telescopic antenna under non-
violent conditions to vastly improve the range of your hand-held.
The National Bureau of Standards ran some tests that proved what
we had long suspected.   Part 2 of this message will bring you
the bad news as it applies to Amateur 2-Meters and Public Safety
VHF High Band portable radio antennas.   It will be presented in
both technical and lay language.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on July 7, 1986