|
|
|
Statewide test of ham radio network involves
Boundary County operators |
|
October 8, 2014 |
1700 Zulu on October 11. That's when the call
for mobilization goes out.
We're talking about the mobilization of all ham
radio operators within Idaho. A simulated
emergency test is set to begin on October 11 at
10:00. Organizers of this simulated emergency
are inviting all licensed amateur radio
operators (a.k.a. ham radio operators) to
participate in this emergency test of the
ability of Idaho ham operators to keep a
valuable and reliable method of communication
going on a state-wide basis, in the face of a
simulated emergency occurring with no prior
notice.
Boundary County has approximately 100 licensed
amateur radio operators. All are invited to
participate in the simulated emergency. How do
they participate? According to Michael Meier, a
Boundary County resident who serves as Section
Emergency Coordinator for the Idaho Section of
the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, our local
hams participate in the emergency test by
turning on their radios, and checking in with
their Net Control every hour for the next 24
hours after the test begins. The simulated
emergency is set to run for a 24 hour period.
Currently, three Net Control groups within
Boundary County are set to participate in the
test. After each round of check-ins each hour,
these local Net Control stations will then relay
their check-in counts to the State Net Control.
Hams may check in via voice, Morse code, or by
digital modes. If other groups wish their
group's Net Control to participate, so they can
assess their performance in this simulated test,
they can contact Mr. Meier for more information
on participation.
Many are likely unaware of the efficient and
coordinated, but little-known, ham radio network
that already exists in Boundary County. County
ham operators test check-ins and performance on
a weekly basis, and have already established
they have county-wide coverage with their
Amateur Radio Wide Band VHF radios, tested on
the County ARES VHF Simplex Net. Should there
ever be any emergency where conventional
communication systems fail or are unavailable,
valuable communication on a county, state, and
national basis can continue on an emergency
basis via the regularly-tested ham radio
network.
For more information on this upcoming simulated
emergency test for all Idaho amateur radio
operators, go to
http://www.idahoarrl.info/set.htm
Or, contact Michael Meier, WB7RBH.
In the meantime, the countdown continues . . .
to 1700 Zulu, October 11.
|
|
|
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
