VE6CIA

Volunteers provide key emergency communications

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: Russell Storry, emergency radio coordinator, recently participated in a practice session during which an email was sent and received using ham radios and netbook computers.
Equipment allows emails to be sent using ham radios and battery-powered computers
by Laura Walz | editor@prpeak.com
Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 11:21 AM PST
Ham radio operators in Powell River are a key part of the region’s emergency response system. Members of Powell River Amateur Repeater Society and Powell River Amateur Radio Club volunteer to be part of the emergency radio communication unit, which comes under the umbrella of Powell River Regional Emergency Program (PRREP).

A major disaster on the West Coast would have the potential to knock out communications, including telephone and Internet service. The unit would activate equipment kept in an emergency communications trailer, which can be set up wherever an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) would be established. Both the Powell River Regional District and City of Powell River have contributed funds for equipment, as well as a grant from BC Gaming.

The emergency radio communications group, which has 10 regular members, is part of Emergency Management BC (EMBC), said Russell Storry, emergency radio coordinator. “We have identify cards and coverage through WorkSafeBC for a tasked event,” he explained. “We complement Emergency Social Services [ESS] and ground search and rescue.”

The trailer is equipped with generators and fuel, Storry explained. “Our task is to pass messages. We provide backup communications in the event that telephones and Internet are not available.”

The group recently added a system which enables them to send digital messages within the region and also to Victoria, using a combination of amateur radios and other equipment. The system allows an EOC in Powell River to have outside communications and both send and receive messages.

Digital messages can be sent between two ham radios connected to netbooks or laptop computers that can run off batteries, explained Derek Poole, a radio operator with the unit. “With the software we’re using and that hardware, we can send text messages, emails back and forth,” he said.

Without the system, communications would be voice-to-voice over the radio, Poole said, or actually picking the message up physically and delivering it. “The problem with a real large-scale event can sometimes be the radios can really get tied up with the urgency of the communications,” he said. “This uses a different system, a different set of frequencies and it’s very fast. When you send a message with this method, once it’s all set up and you push the go button, it’s a matter of a few seconds and it passes the whole message. It doesn’t tie up the airways to any extent at all.”

Currently, the system works radio-to-radio directly, so it is restricted by distance. The plan is to install a digital repeater on Texada Island, which would allow the group to work in more isolated areas, Poole said.

While the system is somewhat slower than normal Internet service, it is possible to send small attachments, Poole said. “For example, if you had specific, written instructions that you had to pass on, the commander or whoever was in charge could sign that off and send it off signed to another location,” he said. “They could receive it and it could be an official document as part of whatever exercise you are involved in.”

Poole said he was excited about the new capabilities, which he said has applications for search and rescue as well. “If we were in the backcountry and there were poor communications back into the front, we could do equipment requests or resource requests using this system.”

The group is looking for more members, said Storry. “The issue for us would be if we had an event, to provide volunteers on a continuous basis around the clock for a number of locations takes a lot of people.”

People interested in volunteering don’t have to have their own ham radios, but most do. People do need an amateur radio licence to use amateur radio bands, Storry explained, and computer skills are helpful.

Members of the society assist newcomers with learning how to become an EMBC registered radio communications volunteer. The society meets on the first Saturday of the month from September to June at the Cranberry Training Centre.

Interested readers can find more information by following the PRREP links on the regional district’s website.

RAC Bulletin 2012-021E – Update on 60 Metres*
2012-04-04

RAC has been pursuing channelized access to 60M since early 2010. Our request was for an allocation identical to the US allocation, with one additional unique Canadian channel, and with fewer restrictions (the US allocations were restricted to USB voice only, with power and antenna restrictions). Amateurs will recall that one of the rationales for RAC requesting a 60M allocation was to enhance emergency communications including cross-border interoperability. IC responded by indicating that they were prepared to support access in synch with US amateur allocation and regulations. In late 2011, in response to an ARRL petition for change, the FCC issued a final Report and Order that, once it has been published in the Federal Register, will result in a change to the frequency of one of the channels and will enable the use of CW and data modes in addition to USB voice. These features had already been in the original RAC request. The FCC Report and Order has cleared the way for Canada to move ahead with finalizing its allocation to match the new US allocations, including the ability to use CW and data modes. This allocation, which will be on a secondary basis, requires a public consultation through the Canada Gazette, which RAC anticipates will occur in the second quarter of 2012.

It is important that Canadian Amateurs comment on the draft once released. RAC will continue to keep our members aware of the status of this important initiative.

An important offer has been made by IC with regards to 60M. Industry Canada is prepared to licence operators in channelized 60M operation pending the results of the consultation process. The licencing process will be managed out of ICs regional offices and is open to any Canadian amateur. The process requires a formal licence application, payment of a licence fee, and the use of a special call sign instead of the licensee’s amateur call sign. RAC regards this as an important interim step allowing amateurs to get on the air in the 60M band as soon as possible and thanks IC for this initiative. RAC`s objective, however, is to ensure that Canadian amateurs have the 60M allocation available to all amateurs as part of their amateur radio certification, i.e. without licence applications, licence fees or special call signs. RAC is cautiously optimistic that this will come about in the summer of 2012.

If you wish to obtain a temporary, paid license to operate on 60M, please contact your local Industry Canada Regional Office to complete the application form.The total fee depends upon the date of your application but in any case is less than $100.

Bill Gade, VE4WO
Regulatory Affairs Officer – Radio Amateurs of Canada

Neat video I came across again today.
http://www.wimp.com/explainscanada

It is with regret that Radio Amateurs of Canada has learned that Earle Smith, VE6NM, a RAC past President, passed away peacefully after an illness on Friday, February 24th.

Earle had served as President of RAC from late 2004 to the end of 2007 and was well respected by amateur radio operators both within Canada and Internationally. He was a gentleman and friend to all hams and a strong advocate for amateur radio and for the Radio Amateurs of Canada.

All who knew Earle respected him as a leader, a friend and a force for good in the amateur radio community. We will miss him. The amateur community can post condolences which will be forwarded to the family at http://earlesmith.rac.ca.

Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW
President and Chairman of Radio Amateurs of Canada
Service be held on Thursday March 1 at 11:00 Am
St. Paul’s United Church
10206 100 Avenue
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 0V6

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It is with the deepest regrets and sorrow that I have to announce the passing of our dear friend Tom VE6TRS. Service to be held on Thursday Dec.15, 2011 at 13:00 at the Sonrise Christian Reform Church in Ponoka.