Big Island ARRL News, 21 December 2016, 06:25 hrs, UTC, Post #71.
Source:
http://www.arrl.org/news/fema-to-conduct-interoperability-exercise-using-60-meters
Accessed on 21 December 2016, 06:25 hrs, UTC.
Reporter: ARRL and Laura Goudreau (KG7BQX), Regional Communications Coordinator for FEMA Region X.
Please click link to read the full story.
Comment:
On Wednesday, 21 December 2016, FEMA Region X will conduct an interoperability communications test using the 60 meter band. The exercise will include radio and digital check ins from state, tribal, federal, MARS, and Amateur Radio operators from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and the state of Washington. Radio amateurs in Hawaii may have enough propagation to participate.
Laura Goudreau (KG7BQX), who serves as the Communications Coordinator for FEMA Region X, outlines some of the parameters of the exercise:
“A voice net will open on 60 meter channel 1 (5330.5 kHz USB) at 0900 PST (1700 UTC) with net control announcing the digital net (the alternate voice net frequency is 5403.5 kHz USB). The call for check-ins will be postponed until after the first round of digital transmissions. Participating stations should check in with call sign, city and state of operation, and a report on the ability to receive the digital messages, along with preferred mode.
Messages will be sent using Flmsg 4.0 using the “blank form” template. This will allow Flmsg users to validate 100% decoding of the message, yet also allow stations not equipped with Flmsg to still read the text.
The digital portion of the net will consist of two different messages, each repeated using different digital modes, PSK31 and MT-63-2KL. The first will be a brief introductory message intended to validate that stations are correctly set up to receive the digital messages. Reports from the second, longer message will help determine recommendations for modes to use in future exercises or real-world events.
The digital portion of the net will take place on channel 2 (5346.6 kHz USB), with the digital software centered at 1500 Hz.”
Even though propagation to Hawaii may be poor, you may want to listen and check in if possible.
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Thanks for joining us today!
Aloha es 73 de:
Russell Roberts (KH6JRM)
Public Information Coordinator
Hawaii Island, ARRL Pacific Section