ARES Southern New Jersey Section
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What Is ARES?
Bob Keogh, KD2NEC : Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
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Quoted from the ARRL website : "The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes." To learn more about ARES, visit the ARRL page at www.arrl.org/ares. If you are interested in becoming an ARES member in Gloucester County, contact Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator Bob Keogh, KD2NEC, or your local county coordinator. |
Emergency Coordinators
Atlantic County : Dave Larcombe, KD2KVZ
Burlington County : Chris Canatella, KC2GNQ
Camden County : Tim Carvis, WB9ULP
Cumberland County : Mike Harla, N2HMO
Gloucester County : Bob Keogh, KD2NEC
Mercer County : John Pugh, WJ3P
Ocean County : Bob Murdock, WX2NJ
Salem County : Charlie Olinda, N2SRQ
Burlington County : Chris Canatella, KC2GNQ
Camden County : Tim Carvis, WB9ULP
Cumberland County : Mike Harla, N2HMO
Gloucester County : Bob Keogh, KD2NEC
Mercer County : John Pugh, WJ3P
Ocean County : Bob Murdock, WX2NJ
Salem County : Charlie Olinda, N2SRQ
ARES Report Forms Video : https://youtu.be/vfUVvOYsTu0
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Update - June 2022
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
You may have already read this Gloucester County Times Article (https://bit.ly/39iqCKb) or heard the chatter among some of our GCARC members, regarding this very successful exercise, held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 in Malaga.
It was a full blown, Multi-Governmental Agency Exercise, using Law Enforcement from many of the surrounding counties, as well as the Federal Government, using all the latest technology such as drones, aircraft and a state-of-the-art, Mobile Communication Command Center. Very impressive! See the article for all the details and pictures.
I want to take this opportunity to first thank the seven other GCARC Volunteers who participated in this event:
See the picture below.
There were several others that were accepted into the CART Program but could not make it to the exercise. There will be other opportunities.
Our volunteers were asked to perform duties, such as registering other volunteers that would just show up during events like this, feed leads to the dispatch system and when necessary, deliver those messages to the police road blocks, throughout the area. We also helped serve pizza to the team and clean up after the event ended.
Below are messages from the CART Volunteer Coordinator and the OEM Director thanking us for our participation :
From : Detective Colleen McCausland...
"On behalf of the CART team, we would like to thank all of you for your time and efforts today. We appreciate how eager all of you are to assist law enforcement and that we can rely on you. We look forward to meeting with all of you again, and hopefully setting up training in the near future."
From : Gloucester County OEM Director Dennis McNulty...
"Glad you and your colleagues were able to participate & contribute to what appears to have been a very successful exercise. Thank you for your interest and initiative."
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
You may have already read this Gloucester County Times Article (https://bit.ly/39iqCKb) or heard the chatter among some of our GCARC members, regarding this very successful exercise, held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 in Malaga.
It was a full blown, Multi-Governmental Agency Exercise, using Law Enforcement from many of the surrounding counties, as well as the Federal Government, using all the latest technology such as drones, aircraft and a state-of-the-art, Mobile Communication Command Center. Very impressive! See the article for all the details and pictures.
I want to take this opportunity to first thank the seven other GCARC Volunteers who participated in this event:
- Irma N2FNF
- Doug KD2VQA
- Karl W2KBF
- Frank W2FJM
- Courtney KD2SPJ
- Jerry K2OOO
- Harry W3DNQ (Photographer)
See the picture below.
There were several others that were accepted into the CART Program but could not make it to the exercise. There will be other opportunities.
Our volunteers were asked to perform duties, such as registering other volunteers that would just show up during events like this, feed leads to the dispatch system and when necessary, deliver those messages to the police road blocks, throughout the area. We also helped serve pizza to the team and clean up after the event ended.
Below are messages from the CART Volunteer Coordinator and the OEM Director thanking us for our participation :
From : Detective Colleen McCausland...
"On behalf of the CART team, we would like to thank all of you for your time and efforts today. We appreciate how eager all of you are to assist law enforcement and that we can rely on you. We look forward to meeting with all of you again, and hopefully setting up training in the near future."
From : Gloucester County OEM Director Dennis McNulty...
"Glad you and your colleagues were able to participate & contribute to what appears to have been a very successful exercise. Thank you for your interest and initiative."
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Update - April 2022
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
Weather permitting, during TechSaturday, (April 9th), we will have on display in the club’s parking lot, the Portable Emergency Communications Amateur Radio Station. So come on out to see this portable station, with multiple Amateur Radios, HF, VHF/UHF and HT, along with antennas and power sources (including solar).
For the complete story of this “POD”, with pictures, click on the link below.
https://thepodrunner.com/recent_builds/cooper/
Update regarding the Child Abduction Response Team (CART)
If you have any interest in participating in this program, the County Is still looking for more volunteers. Simply send an email to the volunteer coordinator at svu@co.Gloucester.nj.us and request the application package.
If you would like more information regarding the CART program, the best source is Amber Advocates
www.amberadvocate.org/
The ARRL ARES news letter
For the latest information from the ARRL, regarding the activities, events and other information regarding Amateur Radio Emergency Services, click on the link below and subscribe to the ARES News Letter.
http://www.arrl.org/ares-letter
February ARES/RACES Net Check-Ins
- Week 1: 17 Check-Ins
- Week 2: no net due to NFL playoffs
- Week 3: 13 Check-Ins
- Week 4: 14 Check-ins
- 44 Total Check-ins for February
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Update - March 2022
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
1. Update regarding the Child Abduction Response Team (CART)
2. The ARRL ARES Newsletter
3. Local Training Nets
Besides the weekly GCARC-ARES Training Net on Sunday Nights @ 2000 Hours, below are a few other local resources you might want to take advantage of :
4. January ARES/RACES Net Check-Ins :
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
1. Update regarding the Child Abduction Response Team (CART)
- We are still in the planning phase, with the Gloucester County CART Program Coordinator (Lieutenant Stacie Lick), for an Implementation Exercise sometime in the spring (date to be determined). We are also still looking for additional volunteers, to add to the (18) GCARC members who have already volunteered. If you have any interest in participating, send me an email at kd2nec@qsl.net or if you would like more information regarding the CART program, the best source is Amber Advocates www.amberadvocate.org.
- Our willingness to participate in the planning and implementation of this program has advanced our relationship with the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management, who is now interested in sponsoring us to start a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at the county level, which has been our goal for the past year.
2. The ARRL ARES Newsletter
- For the latest information from the ARRL, regarding the activities, events and other information regarding Amateur Radio Emergency Services, click on the link and subscribe to the ARES News Letter - http://www.arrl.org/ares-letter
3. Local Training Nets
Besides the weekly GCARC-ARES Training Net on Sunday Nights @ 2000 Hours, below are a few other local resources you might want to take advantage of :
- The DigiNet : Digital Data Mode Training, conducted by Gary Mirkin, WA3SVW, on the first Monday of every month, using the Club's 147.180 MHz (PL 131.8) repeater and EchoLink W2MMD-R.
- The Five County Digital Training Net : To receive instructions for this training, you should send an email to Barry Feierman, K3EUI at k3euibarry@gmail.com and have him add you to fcdtn@groups.io.
- WinLink Wednesday : This is an excellent way to improve your WinLink skills, after you have WinLink installed and at least working on Telnet. Send an email to Tim Tonnesen, NJ2N at snjaresmat@yahoo.com and request that he add you to snjemcom@groups.io.
4. January ARES/RACES Net Check-Ins :
- Week 1 : 15 Check-Ins
- Week 2 : 18 Check-Ins
- Week 3 : 10 Check-Ins
- Week 4 : 15 Check-Ins
- Week 5 : 18 Check-Ins
- 76 Total Check-Ins
Amateur Radio Emergency Services Update - February 2022
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
1. ARRL CEO, David Minster's comment on a new committee focused on "Field Services".
2. New Initiatives :
Gloucester County Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Program
Harrison Township Emergency Services
3. ARES/RACES Net :
Due to the holidays in December, we only held three Sunday Training Nets :
4. Exercises :
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
1. ARRL CEO, David Minster's comment on a new committee focused on "Field Services".
- Here is an excerpt from David's article in the December 2021 issue of QST, starting on page 9 :
- "The Board has established a new standing committee focused on both EmComm and Field Services and we have hired a dedicated Field Services Manager, Mike Walters W8ZY, who has jumped right in, developing relationships and communications with Section Managers, as well as working to revitalize clubs through new initiatives”.
- This gives me hope that the ARRL will be modernizing the Emergency Services Programs such as ARES, in the near future. I will be looking for signs of this happening and will keep you all informed.
2. New Initiatives :
Gloucester County Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Program
- Immediately after sending the email out over the reflector to the GCARC, we received 18 messages back from Club members, stating that they wish to participate in this program. When I sent this to the Gloucester County Officials, they were very happy with our response and are ready to move forward with us.
- This program has reopened the door to the County OEM. The director has told me that he and his staff hope to use the same volunteers for other emergency programs, at the county level, where they should reside.
- So, please think about being part of the new Emergency Field Services Program by sending me an email stating that you would like to participate.
- I will talk more about this on the Sunday Night ARES/RACES Net.
Harrison Township Emergency Services
- Doug Dersch KD2VQA, who lives in Mullica Hill, has made contact with one of the Harrison Township OEM people and this has opened another door for us to provide our Emergency Field Services. Doug and I will hopefully be meeting with the OEM leadership in the near future, to determine how we should proceed.
- Yes, the recent tornado that ripped through Gloucester County in September has all of our OEMs looking for new ways to better manage emergencies and disasters.
- We should all be contacting the OEM in our respective townships to see how we can help them in the future. If you make the initial contact, I will be happy to attend a meeting with you.
3. ARES/RACES Net :
Due to the holidays in December, we only held three Sunday Training Nets :
- December 5, 2021 : 14 Check-ins
- December 12, 2021 : 15 Check-ins
- December 19, 2021 : 10 Check-ins
- Total for December 2021 : 39 Check-ins
4. Exercises :
- Due to the holidays and the new EC still getting his feet wet in December, we did not have any field exercises.
Our County OEM Is Asking For Our Support - January 2022
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
At last, our Gloucester County Director of Emergency Management, (Dennis McNulty) has come to us (GCARC), to request our Participation in the Child Abduction Response Team (CART - https://bit.ly/34vVC6K), that is in the process of being formed. This is HUGE and we cannot let him down. Many of you have told me that the primary reason you became involved in Amateur Radio was to provide a service to our community. This is our opportunity to do it!
By Bob Keogh, KD2NEC - Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator
At last, our Gloucester County Director of Emergency Management, (Dennis McNulty) has come to us (GCARC), to request our Participation in the Child Abduction Response Team (CART - https://bit.ly/34vVC6K), that is in the process of being formed. This is HUGE and we cannot let him down. Many of you have told me that the primary reason you became involved in Amateur Radio was to provide a service to our community. This is our opportunity to do it!
We’ve all seen the Amber Alerts on the bottom of our TV screen, on posters, and on our Smart Phones. The last time we had one here in Gloucester County was 10 years ago when Autumn Pasquale was abducted in Clayton NJ. That case was all over the news and social media for days and tugged at all of our hearts.
Our role as volunteers will be to provide support services to the County Justice Department, which has overall responsibility for the CART program. These services could include, behind the scenes tasks, such as distribution of posters, distribution of food and water, staff hot line calls and providing Emergency Communications during a search. So, you could even include your family members.
There will be more definitive information provided in the near future, including a presentation by the County CART Coordinator, Lt. Stacie Lick.
As your GCARC Emergency Coordinator, I’m asking for you to please consider participating in this program.
Thank you!
Our role as volunteers will be to provide support services to the County Justice Department, which has overall responsibility for the CART program. These services could include, behind the scenes tasks, such as distribution of posters, distribution of food and water, staff hot line calls and providing Emergency Communications during a search. So, you could even include your family members.
There will be more definitive information provided in the near future, including a presentation by the County CART Coordinator, Lt. Stacie Lick.
As your GCARC Emergency Coordinator, I’m asking for you to please consider participating in this program.
Thank you!
ARRL SET - October 2, 2021 Highlights
By Chris Prioli, AD2CS
Here are some photos of Mike Mollet, N2SRO and myself in Mike's ham shack operating as NCS operators for the SET. Mike was command and control NCS, while I was general traffic NCS. It ran from 0900 Hours to 1100 Hours and it went very well.
By Chris Prioli, AD2CS
Here are some photos of Mike Mollet, N2SRO and myself in Mike's ham shack operating as NCS operators for the SET. Mike was command and control NCS, while I was general traffic NCS. It ran from 0900 Hours to 1100 Hours and it went very well.
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test Update - September 23, 2021
By Karl Frank, W2KBF, Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator
The Gloucester County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GC-ARES) will conduct their annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 9:00am to about 12:00pm. All Radio Amateurs are invited to participate, whether or not you are registered with ARES. We will find something for you to do, particularly if you have FLDIGI and/or WinLink capabilities.
More information and practice in message handling will be provided during the weekly Sunday evening ARES/RACES Training Net at 8:00pm on the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater and EchoLink W2MMD-R.
By Karl Frank, W2KBF, Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator
The Gloucester County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GC-ARES) will conduct their annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 9:00am to about 12:00pm. All Radio Amateurs are invited to participate, whether or not you are registered with ARES. We will find something for you to do, particularly if you have FLDIGI and/or WinLink capabilities.
More information and practice in message handling will be provided during the weekly Sunday evening ARES/RACES Training Net at 8:00pm on the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater and EchoLink W2MMD-R.
The 2021 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Is Just Ahead
The weekend of October 2 - 3 is designated for holding the annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET), although local and Section-level exercises may take place throughout the fall.
The SET is ARRL's primary national emergency exercise and is designed to assess the skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) volunteers, as well as those affiliated with other organizations involved in emergency and disaster response. It encourages maximum participation by all radio amateurs, partner organizations, and national, state, and local officials who typically engage in emergency or disaster response.
The SET encourages maximum participation by all radio amateurs, partner organizations, and national, state, and local officials who typically engage in emergency or disaster response.
In addition to ARES volunteers, those active in the National Traffic System (NTS™), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN®, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and a variety of other allied groups and public service-oriented radio amateurs are needed to fulfill important roles in this nationwide exercise.
The SET offers volunteers an opportunity to test equipment, modes, and skills under simulated emergency conditions and scenarios. Individuals can use the time to update a go-kit for use during deployments and to ensure their home station's operational capability in an emergency or disaster.
To get involved, contact your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator or Net Manager.
Article Credit : The ARRL Letter for September 16, 2021 - www.arrl.org
The weekend of October 2 - 3 is designated for holding the annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET), although local and Section-level exercises may take place throughout the fall.
The SET is ARRL's primary national emergency exercise and is designed to assess the skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) volunteers, as well as those affiliated with other organizations involved in emergency and disaster response. It encourages maximum participation by all radio amateurs, partner organizations, and national, state, and local officials who typically engage in emergency or disaster response.
The SET encourages maximum participation by all radio amateurs, partner organizations, and national, state, and local officials who typically engage in emergency or disaster response.
In addition to ARES volunteers, those active in the National Traffic System (NTS™), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN®, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and a variety of other allied groups and public service-oriented radio amateurs are needed to fulfill important roles in this nationwide exercise.
The SET offers volunteers an opportunity to test equipment, modes, and skills under simulated emergency conditions and scenarios. Individuals can use the time to update a go-kit for use during deployments and to ensure their home station's operational capability in an emergency or disaster.
To get involved, contact your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator or Net Manager.
Article Credit : The ARRL Letter for September 16, 2021 - www.arrl.org
Amateur Radio Demonstration - September 21, 2021
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
The East Greenwich Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was given a demonstration of Amateur Radio at their Meeting on September 21. Bob Keogh KD2NEC set up an ID-880H radio at the East Greenwich OEM, connected it to a temporary outdoor antenna and at approximately 7:15 PM called an ARES Demonstration Net on the W2MMD 2 Meter Repeater. Stations checking in included Frank Messick W2FJM, Greg Ciraula W5DO, Charlie Wahl KC2STO, Steve Farney W2SEF, Jerry Patterson WW2WTF, Doug Dersch KD2VQA, Chris Prioli AD2CS, Mike Mollet N2SRO, Mike Harla N2MHO, Lee Marino N2LAM, and Karl Frank W2KBF. Ten members of the CERT group were in attendance along with their Emergency Management Coordinator, Lt. Kyle Messick.
Following Bob's radio demonstration, Karl Frank W2KBF provided an overview of the capabilities of radio messaging via WinLink. Everyone in attendance expressed their appreciation for the radio demonstration and presentation and there were many questions that were answered. As a member of East Greenwich CERT, Bob looks forward to working with the CERT leadership to develop and test a Communications Plan for Emergency and Planned Events in that Township and hopes that similar programs can be established in other Municipalities in and around Gloucester County.
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
The East Greenwich Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was given a demonstration of Amateur Radio at their Meeting on September 21. Bob Keogh KD2NEC set up an ID-880H radio at the East Greenwich OEM, connected it to a temporary outdoor antenna and at approximately 7:15 PM called an ARES Demonstration Net on the W2MMD 2 Meter Repeater. Stations checking in included Frank Messick W2FJM, Greg Ciraula W5DO, Charlie Wahl KC2STO, Steve Farney W2SEF, Jerry Patterson WW2WTF, Doug Dersch KD2VQA, Chris Prioli AD2CS, Mike Mollet N2SRO, Mike Harla N2MHO, Lee Marino N2LAM, and Karl Frank W2KBF. Ten members of the CERT group were in attendance along with their Emergency Management Coordinator, Lt. Kyle Messick.
Following Bob's radio demonstration, Karl Frank W2KBF provided an overview of the capabilities of radio messaging via WinLink. Everyone in attendance expressed their appreciation for the radio demonstration and presentation and there were many questions that were answered. As a member of East Greenwich CERT, Bob looks forward to working with the CERT leadership to develop and test a Communications Plan for Emergency and Planned Events in that Township and hopes that similar programs can be established in other Municipalities in and around Gloucester County.
Bob Keogh, KD2NEC
Amateur Radio Demonstrations - August 5 and September 21, 2021
By Karl Frank, W2KBF, Gloucester County ARES Coordinator
As Bob Keogh, KD2NEC, announced on the Sunday, July 25, 2021 ARES/RACES Net, he is planning a demonstration of Amateur Radio at the East Greenwich CERT Meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 around 1915 Hours. He is looking for contacts via the W2MMD 2 Meter Repeater and EchoLink W2MMD-R during his demonstration. So pencil in this date.
Mike Harla N2MHO is planning a similar demonstration on August 5, 2021. See the message below.
Hello,
Cumberland County ARES/RACES will host a demonstration of Amateur Radio modes & techniques on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at the Port Elizabeth School on Route 47 from about 1700 to 2030 Hours.
It would help if operators could listen during this period for our station call KC2TXB/2, to be available on the other end for contacts we might make.
We plan on doing demonstrations of HF and VHF voice, WSPR and possibly other digital modes.
We will use the repeater on 146.805 MHz/PL 118.8, with 145.490 MHz/PL 179.9 repeater as backup. We will also monitor the SCERN C4FM network as time allows.
We will try to hold a net on 146.805 MHz between 1930 to 2030 Hours. Other nets may be scheduled as time allows.
Please join us on August 5th as we work to build awareness of Amateur Radio.
Thanks,
Michael Harla, N2MHO
ARES/RACES Officer
Cumberland County
Vineland, NJ
By Karl Frank, W2KBF, Gloucester County ARES Coordinator
As Bob Keogh, KD2NEC, announced on the Sunday, July 25, 2021 ARES/RACES Net, he is planning a demonstration of Amateur Radio at the East Greenwich CERT Meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 around 1915 Hours. He is looking for contacts via the W2MMD 2 Meter Repeater and EchoLink W2MMD-R during his demonstration. So pencil in this date.
Mike Harla N2MHO is planning a similar demonstration on August 5, 2021. See the message below.
Hello,
Cumberland County ARES/RACES will host a demonstration of Amateur Radio modes & techniques on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at the Port Elizabeth School on Route 47 from about 1700 to 2030 Hours.
It would help if operators could listen during this period for our station call KC2TXB/2, to be available on the other end for contacts we might make.
We plan on doing demonstrations of HF and VHF voice, WSPR and possibly other digital modes.
We will use the repeater on 146.805 MHz/PL 118.8, with 145.490 MHz/PL 179.9 repeater as backup. We will also monitor the SCERN C4FM network as time allows.
We will try to hold a net on 146.805 MHz between 1930 to 2030 Hours. Other nets may be scheduled as time allows.
Please join us on August 5th as we work to build awareness of Amateur Radio.
Thanks,
Michael Harla, N2MHO
ARES/RACES Officer
Cumberland County
Vineland, NJ
FM Simplex Test
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
On Sunday, March 21, 2021, Gloucester County ARES/RACES conducted a FM Simplex Test as part of the weekly net that is held 8 PM every Sunday on the W2MMD 2M Repeater. The purpose of this test was a) to gather data on how messages might be passed during a communications emergency in the event the repeater is not available and b) to allow operators to evaluate how well their stations are getting out. All radio amateurs were invited to participate and we had several check-ins from Salem, Cumberland, and Camden Counties. Upon check in, each station was asked to QSY to 146.535 MHz and make a brief test transmission, then return to the repeater frequency. All other participating stations also tuned to 146.535 MHz and recorded signal reports, which were forwarded to GC-ARES Coordinator Karl W2KBF. Results are shown in the following table :
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
On Sunday, March 21, 2021, Gloucester County ARES/RACES conducted a FM Simplex Test as part of the weekly net that is held 8 PM every Sunday on the W2MMD 2M Repeater. The purpose of this test was a) to gather data on how messages might be passed during a communications emergency in the event the repeater is not available and b) to allow operators to evaluate how well their stations are getting out. All radio amateurs were invited to participate and we had several check-ins from Salem, Cumberland, and Camden Counties. Upon check in, each station was asked to QSY to 146.535 MHz and make a brief test transmission, then return to the repeater frequency. All other participating stations also tuned to 146.535 MHz and recorded signal reports, which were forwarded to GC-ARES Coordinator Karl W2KBF. Results are shown in the following table :
Gloucester County ARES Participates in American Red Cross Drill
By Karl Frank, W2KBF, GC-ARES Coordinator
On Saturday, November 14 hundreds of radio amateurs across the USA participated in a joint ARES/ARC emergency communications drill. The purpose was to test the ability of ARES operators to deliver digital messages to the Red Cross using the WINLINK Radio Messaging System. Two Gloucester County ARES members, Jerry WW2WTF and Karl W2KBF, successfully transmitted drill messages using WINLINK and received confirmation of receipt from the appropriate Red Cross Divisional Clearinghouse Station (tactical Call ARCNORTHEAST). Digital messaging using FLDIGI and WINLINK has gained importance in the EMCOMM community and is practiced during the weekly GC-ARES/RACES Training Net on Sunday evenings over the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater.
By Karl Frank, W2KBF, GC-ARES Coordinator
On Saturday, November 14 hundreds of radio amateurs across the USA participated in a joint ARES/ARC emergency communications drill. The purpose was to test the ability of ARES operators to deliver digital messages to the Red Cross using the WINLINK Radio Messaging System. Two Gloucester County ARES members, Jerry WW2WTF and Karl W2KBF, successfully transmitted drill messages using WINLINK and received confirmation of receipt from the appropriate Red Cross Divisional Clearinghouse Station (tactical Call ARCNORTHEAST). Digital messaging using FLDIGI and WINLINK has gained importance in the EMCOMM community and is practiced during the weekly GC-ARES/RACES Training Net on Sunday evenings over the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater.
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
Update : October 3, 2020
The SET went well today. Thanks to all who sent and received drill messages and special thanks to Bob KD2NEC for serving as NCS, Michael N2SRO for serving as alternate NCS and Liaison to OEM and Jim N2GXJ for serving as SKYWARN liaison. By my count, we handled 7 reports of severe weather and 5 reports of severe damage. Eight of these messages were digital, either with FLDIGI/FLMSG or Winlink. Perhaps we can collect feedback during the Sunday night ARES/RACES Net when Bruce KD2LBU will be NCS.
Participants :
Karl Frank, W2KBF
Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator
kbfrank3@verizon.net
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
Update : October 3, 2020
The SET went well today. Thanks to all who sent and received drill messages and special thanks to Bob KD2NEC for serving as NCS, Michael N2SRO for serving as alternate NCS and Liaison to OEM and Jim N2GXJ for serving as SKYWARN liaison. By my count, we handled 7 reports of severe weather and 5 reports of severe damage. Eight of these messages were digital, either with FLDIGI/FLMSG or Winlink. Perhaps we can collect feedback during the Sunday night ARES/RACES Net when Bruce KD2LBU will be NCS.
Participants :
- KD2NEC, Bob (NCS)
- N2SRO, Michael (alternate NCS and OEM liaison)
- N2GXJ, Jim (SKYWARN liaison)
- WA3SVW, Gary
- W2FJM, Frank
- W2KBF, Karl
- W2OC, Mark
- KD2URI, Jerry
- WA3KOL, Bob (Salem County ARES liaison)
- KD2LBU, Bruce
- KC2VAR, Marc
- KB2RTZ, Steve (NTS liaison)
- KC2STO, Charlie
- WB2ALJ, Tom (DEC)
Karl Frank, W2KBF
Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator
kbfrank3@verizon.net
ARES 2020 Simulated Emergency Test Is Scheduled For October 3, 2020
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
Update : September 21, 2020
Gloucester County Radio Amateurs are preparing for the annual ARRL/ARES 2020 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) that will take place on Saturday, October 3rd. The purpose of the annual SET is for amateur radio operators to apply their emergency communications skills in a realistic simulation of an emergency event that could occur. The SET is not a contest, but an opportunity to practice operating. All interested Radio Amateurs are invited to participate; membership in ARRL, ARES, or RACES is not required. If you are interested in emergency communications, but have not registered with ARES or RACES, you still can give EMCOMM a try by contacting Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator Karl W2KBF (w2kbf (at) arrl (dot) net) and I will find a role for you.
GC-ARES has requested and received permission from GCARC to use the W2MMD 2-meter repeater to coordinate this exercise (we also will use 146.535 MHz FM simplex). Activation of the SET will be announced over the repeater on Saturday and stations checking in will receive assignments. We will be simulating a communications failure due to a “Derecho” weather event and will focus primarily on serving the regional office of the National Weather Service and County Office of Emergency Management. Volunteers may be asked to compose and send reports of simulated storm damage and/or relay messages from other stations using simplex. Due to the Pandemic, social distancing will be observed and it will not be necessary for anyone to operate outside of their own home or mobile stations. Doesn’t this sound like good, clean fun with radio?
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
Update : September 21, 2020
Gloucester County Radio Amateurs are preparing for the annual ARRL/ARES 2020 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) that will take place on Saturday, October 3rd. The purpose of the annual SET is for amateur radio operators to apply their emergency communications skills in a realistic simulation of an emergency event that could occur. The SET is not a contest, but an opportunity to practice operating. All interested Radio Amateurs are invited to participate; membership in ARRL, ARES, or RACES is not required. If you are interested in emergency communications, but have not registered with ARES or RACES, you still can give EMCOMM a try by contacting Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator Karl W2KBF (w2kbf (at) arrl (dot) net) and I will find a role for you.
GC-ARES has requested and received permission from GCARC to use the W2MMD 2-meter repeater to coordinate this exercise (we also will use 146.535 MHz FM simplex). Activation of the SET will be announced over the repeater on Saturday and stations checking in will receive assignments. We will be simulating a communications failure due to a “Derecho” weather event and will focus primarily on serving the regional office of the National Weather Service and County Office of Emergency Management. Volunteers may be asked to compose and send reports of simulated storm damage and/or relay messages from other stations using simplex. Due to the Pandemic, social distancing will be observed and it will not be necessary for anyone to operate outside of their own home or mobile stations. Doesn’t this sound like good, clean fun with radio?
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
Update : August 31, 2020
The Annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) will take place during the weekend of October 3 and 4 (see pg. 64 of the September QST) and Gloucester County ARES will participate. Why am I sending this to the entire GCARC Membership? While I anticipate participation mainly from GC-ARES and GC-RACES personnel I also am open to participation from radio amateurs who are interested in Emergency Communications but are not registered with ARES or RACES. I suspect that, during an actual communications emergency, several Radio Amateurs may be on the air trying to help out, whether or not registered with ARES/RACES, and I would rather have you participate during this drill rather than remain on the sidelines.
This test has multiple purposes but, fundamentally, is meant to test the strengths and weakness of ARES, RACES, NTS and other groups in providing emergency communications. I am not authorized to reveal specific details but can tell you that it will involve a simulated weather-related disaster during which normal communications are disrupted.
At this time, I am NOT looking for commitments, but simply a list of people who MAY be interested in participating so that I can follow up later.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, SET 2020 will NOT require us to congregate at any point - all operations can take place without leaving our personal home and/or mobile stations. In particular, I will be looking for people who can serve as :
All stations will be encouraged to use emergency power for at least part of this exercise. This will be a great opportunity to test those batteries and generators.
Karl Frank, W2KBF
Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator
kbfrank3@verizon.net
By Karl Frank, W2KBF
Update : August 31, 2020
The Annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) will take place during the weekend of October 3 and 4 (see pg. 64 of the September QST) and Gloucester County ARES will participate. Why am I sending this to the entire GCARC Membership? While I anticipate participation mainly from GC-ARES and GC-RACES personnel I also am open to participation from radio amateurs who are interested in Emergency Communications but are not registered with ARES or RACES. I suspect that, during an actual communications emergency, several Radio Amateurs may be on the air trying to help out, whether or not registered with ARES/RACES, and I would rather have you participate during this drill rather than remain on the sidelines.
This test has multiple purposes but, fundamentally, is meant to test the strengths and weakness of ARES, RACES, NTS and other groups in providing emergency communications. I am not authorized to reveal specific details but can tell you that it will involve a simulated weather-related disaster during which normal communications are disrupted.
At this time, I am NOT looking for commitments, but simply a list of people who MAY be interested in participating so that I can follow up later.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, SET 2020 will NOT require us to congregate at any point - all operations can take place without leaving our personal home and/or mobile stations. In particular, I will be looking for people who can serve as :
- Net Control Stations (we may have more than one Net)
- Digital Traffic Coordinator (we will use FLDIGI and Winlink in addition to traditional voice messaging)
- Liaison to other groups, e.g. SKYWARN, NTS, S.C.E.R.N. and served agencies (such as OEM and American Red Cross)
- Relay stations (in the event that we use simplex)
All stations will be encouraged to use emergency power for at least part of this exercise. This will be a great opportunity to test those batteries and generators.
Karl Frank, W2KBF
Gloucester County ARES Emergency Coordinator
kbfrank3@verizon.net
GC-ARES/American Red Cross Drill - May 30, 2020
By Karl Frank W2KBF
GC-ARES Emergency Coordinator
On Saturday, May 30, 2020, four members of Gloucester County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GC-ARES) participated in a joint drill exercise between ARES and the American Red Cross (ARC).
The Drill Scenario : A series of cyberattacks had been taking place for several days with the result that large regions across the United States were without power. People were running out of food. Phone service and Internet had become overloaded and sporadic. In response, the ARC set up Family Assistance Centers and Points of Distribution to provide mass care in affected areas. Through its Memorandum of Understanding with the ARRL, the ARC requested Amateur Radio support from ARES.
The Response : On Saturday, May 30, 2020, local ARES organizations were activated in the affected areas to establish communications coordination with the ARC. Because of current social distancing requirements we simulated attendance at a fictitious shelter in Pitman; nobody had to leave their home station. In Gloucester County there were four volunteers who registered for this drill :
At 9 AM, Karl W2KBF activated the Drill Exercise using the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater. All three messages were sent successfully to W2KBF over the repeater and, as required by the drill protocol, forwarded these messages by RF using Winlink to our Section Emergency Coordinator Tom WB2ALJ (we were simulating a communications emergency so Internet email was not permitted). Tom then routed the messages to the appropriate ARC personnel. This required some prior homework on the part of participants because we had not trained previously on use of ARC forms and had little experience in porting messages from FLDIGI/FLMSG into Winlink.
Post Drill Notes : It took approximately 20 minutes to pass the three drill messages within the county and it took about an hour after that to upload the messages via an 80 meter Winlink RMS station. However GC-ARES completed its tasks by 11 AM. Participants commented that it was an enjoyable exercise and a really good learning experience, although we could have used more time to prepare. The next ARES drill is planned for October when GC-ARES will participate in the annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET).
By Karl Frank W2KBF
GC-ARES Emergency Coordinator
On Saturday, May 30, 2020, four members of Gloucester County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (GC-ARES) participated in a joint drill exercise between ARES and the American Red Cross (ARC).
The Drill Scenario : A series of cyberattacks had been taking place for several days with the result that large regions across the United States were without power. People were running out of food. Phone service and Internet had become overloaded and sporadic. In response, the ARC set up Family Assistance Centers and Points of Distribution to provide mass care in affected areas. Through its Memorandum of Understanding with the ARRL, the ARC requested Amateur Radio support from ARES.
The Response : On Saturday, May 30, 2020, local ARES organizations were activated in the affected areas to establish communications coordination with the ARC. Because of current social distancing requirements we simulated attendance at a fictitious shelter in Pitman; nobody had to leave their home station. In Gloucester County there were four volunteers who registered for this drill :
- Bob KD2NEC was assigned to use FLDIGI/FLMSG to send a shelter request message using an ARC-6409 form.
- Glenn N2YIO was assigned to send a message using an ARC-213 form.
- Mark W2OCY sent a Shelter Report using the appropriate American Red Cross form.
- Karl W2KBF acted as the Net Control and was the receiving station.
At 9 AM, Karl W2KBF activated the Drill Exercise using the W2MMD 2 Meter repeater. All three messages were sent successfully to W2KBF over the repeater and, as required by the drill protocol, forwarded these messages by RF using Winlink to our Section Emergency Coordinator Tom WB2ALJ (we were simulating a communications emergency so Internet email was not permitted). Tom then routed the messages to the appropriate ARC personnel. This required some prior homework on the part of participants because we had not trained previously on use of ARC forms and had little experience in porting messages from FLDIGI/FLMSG into Winlink.
Post Drill Notes : It took approximately 20 minutes to pass the three drill messages within the county and it took about an hour after that to upload the messages via an 80 meter Winlink RMS station. However GC-ARES completed its tasks by 11 AM. Participants commented that it was an enjoyable exercise and a really good learning experience, although we could have used more time to prepare. The next ARES drill is planned for October when GC-ARES will participate in the annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET).
ARES/RACES Net, Sunday evenings at 8 PM on the 147.18 MHz (PL 131.8) repeater in Pitman, NJ. All Amateur Radio operators are welcome to join in. Our mission is to provide Emergency Communications capabilities to Gloucester County, NJ using the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES).
We are affiliated with the Gloucester County Amateur Radio Club and the South Counties Emergency Radio Network (SCERN). Are you an Amateur Radio operator living in or near Gloucester County, NJ with an interest in Public Service and/or Emergency Communications? Come join us!
Gloucester Alert
Gloucester County uses Gloucester Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. Gloucester Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you on all your devices:
When an incident or emergency occurs, authorized senders will instantly notify you using Gloucester Alert. This alert system is your personal connection to real-time updates, instructions on where to go, what to do, or what not to do, who to contact and other important information.
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- cell phone
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When an incident or emergency occurs, authorized senders will instantly notify you using Gloucester Alert. This alert system is your personal connection to real-time updates, instructions on where to go, what to do, or what not to do, who to contact and other important information.