Index of News Items
ARRL SET Scheduled for October 5
HF/VHF/UHF mobile and portable radio setup — show and tell
ARRL Simulated Emergency Test Scheduled for October 5
Montgomery County ARES has scheduled our 2024 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for Saturday, October 5, between the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM. All ARES members are invited and encouraged to participate in the SET. Please make it a priority to join us if you can. A good turnout demonstrates commitment on the part of ARES members to be a valuable resource to the community.
Membership in ARES is not a requirement for participation. You may share this announcement with other hams – and prospective hams – who might be interested in what we do. They can accompany you or register to participate on their own.
The exercise plan contains details of the event and is self-explanatory.
Please RSVP via email to ataylor@mcacs.net, indicating whether you choose to deploy to the field (as described in the exercise plan) or operate from home.
Even if you have no intention of participating, we ask all MCACS members to carefully read the exercise plan. It contains information that may be useful in the future.
4Q Hospital Drill
The Q4 hospital drill of 2024 will take place on 12 November 2024, beginning at 7 PM and normally runs under two hours. This drill will be conducted between the stations listed below. You’ll probably want to arrive a half-hour before net time to sign in with security and get set up. We are seeking 2-3 Montgomery County MCACS volunteers to staff the stations at:
- Holy Cross Hospital – Silver Spring [1500 Forest Glen Road]
- Holy Cross Hospital – Germantown [19801 Observation Drive]
- MedStar Montgomery Hospital – Olney [18101 Prince Philip Drive]
- Montgomery County EOC – Gaithersburg [100 Edison Park Drive]
There is no ICS 205 for this drill at this time.
We encourage MCACS members to participate in these quarterly exercises and to get acquainted with the setups at one or more county hospitals.
For this exercise, we also encourage participation from home-based Winlink stations, so if you want to participate from home, let us know.
Please RSVP to hospital-coord@mcacs.net, indicating which hospital or hospitals you would be willing to visit (and order of preference, if any). If you would like to participate from home, tell us that. Also, let us know if you are able to bring a Winlink Express-capable laptop configured with the VARA FM and UZ7HO Softmodem software. We need at least one such member at each hospital.
— v/r,
Chuck (KC3TCZ)
Red Cross Drill -August 24
On Saturday, August 24. Montgomery County ARES and MCACS members set up a portable HF station with both voice and Winlink capability on the grounds of a Red Cross facility in Gaithersburg. Participants included Ellen KC3MJV, Paul N3RQV, Will K3XIT, Chuck KC3TCZ, and Jeff KC3UKX.
The MAIPN comm van had been prepositioned at the site on the preceding day. The crew deployed an HF folded dipole antenna in an adjacent field and configured the van’s radio equipment for operation on Winlink using Vara HF. All assigned tasks were completed over a period of five hours. This included exchanging Winlink messages with stations at Red Cross facilities in Fairfax, VA, and Cumberland, Easton, and Salisbury, MD. A photo of the team was transmitted via Winlink to a Red Cross official, and several Red Cross forms were filled out and sent using Winlink Express’s built-in templates.
These exercises are designed to develop and maintain backup communications capability among Red Cross facilities throughout the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region. They typically take place on a weekend morning, and occur at intervals of two to three months.
Winter Field Day
Eight MCACS members participated in Winter Field Day on the last weekend of January (2024) at the Assateague Island National Seashore. Winter Field Day is an annual emergency communications exercise for Amateur Radio operators. The objective is to set up an Amateur Radio station in the field and make contacts with other participating stations, demonstrating the ability to provide emergency communications in the field under winter conditions. The premise is that emergencies don’t always occur when the weather is nice.
Winter Field Day is an international event. Participation is primarily from North America, but a smattering of stations from Europe, South America, and Asia also participated. As I write this two weeks after the event, logs have been submitted to the sponsors of the event by over 1,800 stations.
MCACS set up two HF stations in a tent on the beach. Over the course of 24 hours, we made contacts with 535 other stations in 42 U. S. states, 4 Canadian provinces, and one station in Italy. Although the weather was unseasonably warm for January, we experienced fog, mist, and rain for a substantial portion of the weekend. Nevertheless, a positive learning experience and good time was had by all.
An after-action report—including photos—has been prepared and can be viewed by clicking here.
Winter Field Day 2025 is coming. Are you interested in planning for it?
HF/VHF/UHF mobile and portable radio setup — show and tell
On Sunday, November 12, 2023, a group of about twenty dedicated amateur radio operators gathered in a show of camaraderie and preparedness. Organized by the Montgomery County Auxiliary Communications Service, this event brought together enthusiasts who share a passion for communication technology and a commitment to public service.
The event, held at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County, saw a respectable turnout of amateur radio operators from across the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Enthusiasts of all ages came together to display and demonstrate their High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (VHF/UHF) mobile and portable communication kits.
Attendees were treated to a diverse array of demonstrations and displays. From portable HF setups designed for remote locations to mobile VHF/UHF rigs optimized for on-the-go communication, there was no shortage of fascinating technology to explore.
One of the event’s central themes was the importance of rapid deployment in emergency scenarios. Amateur radio operators understand that during crises, the ability to establish reliable communication quickly can be a matter of life and death. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, practicing the setup and deployment of their equipment with remarkable speed and precision.
Beyond the fascination with technology and the joy of camaraderie, events like this underscore the indispensable role of amateur radio operators in emergency communications. When conventional communication infrastructure fails during disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or power outages, these skilled individuals step up to provide a vital lifeline.
Amateur radio operators have a unique advantage in emergency situations. Their equipment is often designed to be self-sufficient, capable of running on alternative power sources such as batteries or generators. This resilience ensures that they can continue to communicate even when the grid is down.
Real-world examples abound of amateur radio operators coming to the rescue during emergencies. They have relayed critical information to first responders, coordinated search and rescue efforts, and provided a lifeline for isolated communities. Their commitment to public service is unwavering, and their skills are honed to excel in the most challenging of circumstances.
While the event showcased the technical prowess of amateur radio operators, it also highlighted the sense of community that binds them together. Enthusiasts from all backgrounds exchanged ideas, shared their experiences, and learned from one another. This educational aspect is a key driver of progress in the field, ensuring that best practices are continually refined and new innovations are embraced.
The gathering of amateur radio operators on November 12, 2023, serves as a reminder of the crucial role these individuals play in our communities. They are not merely hobbyists; they are dedicated experts with the skills and equipment needed to keep us connected when it matters most.
As we reflect on the event and its implications, it becomes clear that amateur radio operators are unsung heroes in the realm of emergency communications. Their commitment to service, technical expertise, and ability to adapt to challenging conditions make them an invaluable asset to our society.
In an increasingly interconnected world, where communication is often taken for granted, events like this remind us of the power of human ingenuity and cooperation. Amateur radio operators stand ready to bridge the gaps when other systems fail, providing a lifeline that can mean the difference between safety and peril.
The following slideshow will give you an idea of the amazing variety of portable stations created by our MCACS members. Hovering your mouse over the slideshow will pause it and allow you to advance the slides manually.
We hope to hold a similar event in the Fall of 2024.
Jim | K3MRI
