Tulare County Amateur Radio Emergency Service

Tulare County ARES

The official informational newsletter for amateur radio emergency communications.

April 2008

Vol. I No 1

SEQUIOA CYCLING CLASSIC

Tulare County ARES supported the Sequoia Cycling Classic on Saturday, March 15th from 0700-1600 Hrs local time. Six hams supported the event. Edd K6LSB, Howard KI6KYC, Jeff KB6VBZ, Ray W6RAY, Hal KC5LUB, and Al KJ6OH. They used one of the alternate Tulare County ARES repeaters, 145.310 MHz. Communication was needed during the event between the start/finish line and the turnaround point and when law enforcement was needed to assist motorists along the race route. “The hams that participated in this did an outstanding job at all their respective positions,” Jeff KB6VBZ, ham coordinator for the event, stated at the conclusion. “They (the hams) provided excellent health and safety for the event.”

MAY REQUEST FOR OPERATORS
The March of Dimes requested operators for its annual walk in Mooney Grove Park. Yes, I know that a good football arm would make the trip across the arbors, yet they would like us to continue providing communications for the event. If you are interested, please contact Paul Reagan. Paul will be coordinating the event in Mooney Grove.

REGIONAL ARES NET
An ARES Regional Net has sprung up this spring on the WA6BAI repeater. The net, designed to put Emergency Coordinators in touch with what is taking place around the Southern San Joaquin Valley, kicked off on March 12^th at 1930 Hrs Local Time. Dan AE6SX, representing Fresno County, suggested that an informational net begin between the various groups in the area. The Park Ridge repeater seemed a natural since it reaches all of the counties involved.

Participants in the net can check-in representing the various served agencies in the Tulare, Kings, Kern and Fresno areas. “At this time the net does not include the areas to the North, however, that may change,” Hal KC5LUB, stated. “As the need to communicate with our neighboring allied hams changes, we may extend the net to include all of the served counties of (OES) Region V.” One of the goals mentioned is to promote ARES participation and mutual aid across county lines.

The format of the net is simple. After check-ins there is a brief round table discussion amongst the participants. In addition to the local Emergency Coordinators, SATERN (the amateur radio group with the Salvation Army) has been invited to participate. Listen/Check-in: 146.880 – MHz (103.5) at 1930 Hrs Local Time on the second Wednesday of each month.

BAKER TO VEGAS TEAMS SUCCESSFUL
The annual trek to the high desert took place on the weekend of April 19-20. Emergency Coordinators from Fresno and Tulare Counties headed up the race communications needs for three teams from the tri-county area. They were joined by Fresno ARES member Nigel W6NBK. The hams supported Fresno County DA (Team 226), Kings County Probation (Team 237) and Tulare County Sheriff (Team 502). The runners for each team were tracked along the racecourse, which went from 25 miles North of Baker CA through Shoshone CA and Pahrump NV before finishing at the convention center in Las Vegas.

Each team submitted a run plan, which included amateur radio and APRS tracking, estimating that they would complete the course in less than 20 hours. “Our runners were well rested to compete in the event due to the efforts of the hams,” Steve Kennedy, group leader for one of the Tulare County running groups, commented. “The team was able to judge where the runners were and get to their starting leg without endless pre-run waiting. They (the runners) appreciated being able to track the team.”

The three hams, installed, tracked and uninstalled 5 APRS trackers and several voice radios. They were assisted by several hams prior to leaving for the desert on Friday morning. A big thanks goes out to Tulare County Radio Maintenance for installing the voice and data radio equipment in the team 502 vehicles. Ray W6RAY assisted with installing the team 237 tracker. Upon arrival on the racecourse the trackers worked exceptionally allowing the whereabouts of the team to be pinpointed within about 10 minutes. Thank you also to Nona KF6MKJ for keeping an eye on the race from Porterville, while Hal KC5LUB caught some much needed shut eye.

Looking to next year’s race has already begun. All three teams would like to have the same set-up next year. There are two additional teams in the area. They will be approached closer to next year’s race date to see if they are interested in APRS coverage. This of course will mean that additional operators will be needed for next year. Should we get enough to go, a Saturday night BBQ might be planned (Beef, not pork). Thanks again to all that participated.

ARES MESSAGE FOR APRIL

April, historically, is Earthquake Awareness Month. Earthquake safety and preparedness begins at home. While we all know how to communicate, we sometimes forget what might happen during an emergency or significant event. A few moments (and a little cash) may help avoid some problems down the line during an event.
FEMA, through their website, offers a guide for emergency preparedness. This guide helps with planning for the unexpected to happen. Yes, you can plan for a disaster. First off is to have the supplies ready for use. In looking at my situation, I have noticed that I need to replenish my water supply. Yes, water goes “bad”. I try to rotate my supply every 3-6 months. It is suggested that you have a 3-day supply of water on hand per person. Myself, I have 3 2.5 gal containers of water for my personal consumption. Additionally, I have 2 containers for my animals. I know, push comes to shove this gives me an additional 5 gallons.
As for the food issue, I have tried to keep a stock of canned foods (watch the sodium content as this will require more consumption of water) available, ready to go. There are various schools of thought on preparedness. One suggestion is to have all the supplies ready-to-go in a designated place. That’s great if you have the storage facilities and the ability to maintain “perishables”. Another suggestion is to have designated minimum levels of supplies, i.e., don’t let the canned food go below 5 cans, etc. This is where creativity comes in. Make up your “go kit” with what you feel comfortable with. The main issue is to have your supplies ready.
I’m not going to predict when the next emergency event will take place. I know there will be one, so I prepare for it today. Hopefully it won’t happen tomorrow, and when it does happen there will be confusion and frustration. Take care of yourself and your family first. Others come second. And the cash issue, it’s a good idea to have some spare cash on hand as the magic money machines most likely will not work (Murphy’s Law).