Long View Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Group |
RADIO NET
In order to maintain a state of readiness, this group conducts special drills in conjunction with the fire
department and a weekly radio "net" to test equipment and provide training for amateur radio operators. The
net is conducted each Friday evening at 7:30 pm EST/EDT on the WA4DSZ VHF repeater with permission
from the repeater owner, Reid McKay, and is open to all properly licensed amateur radio operators. The
output frequency is 146.850 and the offset is the standard negative 600 KHz. Click here for a copy of our net
procedures with an attached check-in log.
In order to maintain a state of readiness, this group conducts special drills in conjunction with the fire
department and a weekly radio "net" to test equipment and provide training for amateur radio operators. The
net is conducted each Friday evening at 7:30 pm EST/EDT on the WA4DSZ VHF repeater with permission
from the repeater owner, Reid McKay, and is open to all properly licensed amateur radio operators. The
output frequency is 146.850 and the offset is the standard negative 600 KHz. Click here for a copy of our net
procedures with an attached check-in log.
Bruce Watson (KD4PZM) and Gene Fulbright (KC4FM) provide
communications at the command post during the Long View Centennial
celebration.
communications at the command post during the Long View Centennial
celebration.
AMATEUR RADIO
So, what is amateur radio? Originally comprised of radio and
electronics experimenters, amateur radio is a hobby that has
been around for more than one hundred years. In addition to
radio and television research and development, amateur radio
operators have occasionally been called upon through the years,
to provide communications during various emergencies when
other communications systems have failed. It is a service and
resource that is often overlooked and taken for granted. However,
amateur radio is not an emergency communications service. The
amateur service was and remains, an outlet for radio and
electronics enthusiasts. Emergency communications is
something amateurs can provide but it certainly isn't the
foundation of the hobby.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission
oversees and regulates all radio communication, including
amateur radio. Before being allowed to operate on frequencies
designated for amateur use, the candidate must successfully
complete a written examination. Upon successful completion of
the exam, the candidate will be issued a renewable FCC license
good for a term of ten years. Currently, there are three
classifications in the amateur radio licensing system. The entry
level license is Technician, the intermediate license is General
and the highest license class is Extra. Each classification has its
own exam question pool and the candidate must advance from
the lowest to the highest. The exams get progressively more
difficult and each classification affords the amateur more
frequency privileges.
For more information on amateur radio and the licensing
procedure, visit the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at
www.arrl.org or the W5YI Group at w5yi.org . For online practice
tests, visit www.qrz.com and select the appropriate test for the
license you wish to acquire. Remember, if you are currently
unlicensed, you must start with the Technician exam.
So, what is amateur radio? Originally comprised of radio and
electronics experimenters, amateur radio is a hobby that has
been around for more than one hundred years. In addition to
radio and television research and development, amateur radio
operators have occasionally been called upon through the years,
to provide communications during various emergencies when
other communications systems have failed. It is a service and
resource that is often overlooked and taken for granted. However,
amateur radio is not an emergency communications service. The
amateur service was and remains, an outlet for radio and
electronics enthusiasts. Emergency communications is
something amateurs can provide but it certainly isn't the
foundation of the hobby.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission
oversees and regulates all radio communication, including
amateur radio. Before being allowed to operate on frequencies
designated for amateur use, the candidate must successfully
complete a written examination. Upon successful completion of
the exam, the candidate will be issued a renewable FCC license
good for a term of ten years. Currently, there are three
classifications in the amateur radio licensing system. The entry
level license is Technician, the intermediate license is General
and the highest license class is Extra. Each classification has its
own exam question pool and the candidate must advance from
the lowest to the highest. The exams get progressively more
difficult and each classification affords the amateur more
frequency privileges.
For more information on amateur radio and the licensing
procedure, visit the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at
www.arrl.org or the W5YI Group at w5yi.org . For online practice
tests, visit www.qrz.com and select the appropriate test for the
license you wish to acquire. Remember, if you are currently
unlicensed, you must start with the Technician exam.
WORKING PARTNERSHIP
Long View's amateur radio community entered in to a partnership with Long View Fire Department in April,
2007. The Long View Amateur Radio Club provides trained amateur radio operators (HAMS) who may be
utilized by the fire department to assist during local communications emergencies and special events. The
result has been a productive learning experience for both the amateurs and the firefighters. The amateur
radio operators who participate in this program have received extensive training in incident management,
emergency communications and fireground strategies and tactics. The firefighters have learned to
appreciate the technical fundamentals of radio communication.
REQUIREMENTS
Persons wishing to participate in the EMCOMM program will meet the following requirements:
* Valid Amateur Radio License
* Criminal Background Check
* IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100, ICS-200
* Specialty classes as designated by AHJ
Amateurs who do not wish to participate in the EMCOMM group but are interested in becoming a member of
the Long View Amateur Radio Club may contact Scott Teague, KG4ZTS by email at kg4zts@amsat.org .
Long View's amateur radio community entered in to a partnership with Long View Fire Department in April,
2007. The Long View Amateur Radio Club provides trained amateur radio operators (HAMS) who may be
utilized by the fire department to assist during local communications emergencies and special events. The
result has been a productive learning experience for both the amateurs and the firefighters. The amateur
radio operators who participate in this program have received extensive training in incident management,
emergency communications and fireground strategies and tactics. The firefighters have learned to
appreciate the technical fundamentals of radio communication.
REQUIREMENTS
Persons wishing to participate in the EMCOMM program will meet the following requirements:
* Valid Amateur Radio License
* Criminal Background Check
* IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100, ICS-200
* Specialty classes as designated by AHJ
Amateurs who do not wish to participate in the EMCOMM group but are interested in becoming a member of
the Long View Amateur Radio Club may contact Scott Teague, KG4ZTS by email at kg4zts@amsat.org .
Amateur radio operator
Scott Teague (KG4ZTS)
providing communication
and traffic control services
Scott Teague (KG4ZTS)
providing communication
and traffic control services
| 146.850 |
Amateur Radio Activities |
The K0HWY Local Repeater Directory is a directory of local
amateur radio repeaters from 10 meters through 70
centimeters. The listings are by frequency and contain offset,
CTCSS/DCS encoding and more.
Repeaters can and do go off the air, sometimes temporarily,
sometimes permanently. Other changes are also possible
such as input encoding, ownership, special features, etc. If you
discover any of these circumstances, please complete and
submit the form below. Your assistance will help ensure that
the directory remains as current as possible.
amateur radio repeaters from 10 meters through 70
centimeters. The listings are by frequency and contain offset,
CTCSS/DCS encoding and more.
Repeaters can and do go off the air, sometimes temporarily,
sometimes permanently. Other changes are also possible
such as input encoding, ownership, special features, etc. If you
discover any of these circumstances, please complete and
submit the form below. Your assistance will help ensure that
the directory remains as current as possible.
Amateur Radio Band Plan shows the most recent
(December, 2006) band plan for amateur radio frequencies
from 160 meters up.
(December, 2006) band plan for amateur radio frequencies
from 160 meters up.
Maidenhead Grid Square Map shows the grid squares for
all 50 US states including Alaska and Hawaii.
all 50 US states including Alaska and Hawaii.
Home Local Information History Personnel Apparatus Photo Gallery Amateur Radio Group Prevention Training Employment Scanner Frequencies Open Burning Permits Chief's Message Links |
Current Participants |
Name
Gene Fulbright
Harriet Fulbright
Robert Ledbetter
James Strickland
James Snell
Scott Teague
Bruce Watson
Michalene Snell
Chad Houston
Ronald Sigmon
Barry Sigmon
D. Eric Shepherd
Lance Raines
Adam Morris
Bruce Long
Gene Fulbright
Harriet Fulbright
Robert Ledbetter
James Strickland
James Snell
Scott Teague
Bruce Watson
Michalene Snell
Chad Houston
Ronald Sigmon
Barry Sigmon
D. Eric Shepherd
Lance Raines
Adam Morris
Bruce Long
| Click any call sign for more member information |
PROJECT
Long View area amateur radio operators will have the
opportunity to test the fixed station to mobile simplex range of
their stations in the coming weeks and months. Test dates
and times, along with the frequencies will be announced in
advance during the weekly radio net on Friday evening at 7:30
pm local time on the WA4DSZ VHF repeater.
HOW IT WORKS
To ensure accurate results, the mobile test stations should be
configured similarly, with each having the same antenna gain
characteristic, power output, etc.
An amateur radio operator planning a trip in a vehicle
equipped with a mobile transceiver will make his plans known
to the group in advance. A group of simplex frequencies will be
selected including at least one alternate in each band. The
mobile station will announce its position at regular intervals,
allowing fixed station operators to plot the position on a map,
establish communication and note relative signal strength.
Eventually, the fixed station operators should have a fairly
accurate map of their fixed to mobile range.
TEST CRITERIA
At this point, the plan is to test using antennas with
approximately two db gain on six meters, three db gain on two
meters and eight db gain on seventy centimeters. Ten meter
testing is planned as well and antenna criteria for that band
will be published in advance.
Power output criteria from the mobile test units will be
approximately fifty watts on six and two meters and thirty-five
watts on seventy centimeters. The planned power output for
the ten meter band is fifty watts.
All tests will be conducted using frequency modulation.
TO PARTICIPATE
If you desire to participate as a mobile test station in this
exercise, make your intentions known during the weekly net.
You do not have to conduct tests on multiple bands. For
example, if you have a three db gain two meter antenna and
only a fifty watt, two meter mobile, you could serve as a two
meter test station.
Long View area amateur radio operators will have the
opportunity to test the fixed station to mobile simplex range of
their stations in the coming weeks and months. Test dates
and times, along with the frequencies will be announced in
advance during the weekly radio net on Friday evening at 7:30
pm local time on the WA4DSZ VHF repeater.
HOW IT WORKS
To ensure accurate results, the mobile test stations should be
configured similarly, with each having the same antenna gain
characteristic, power output, etc.
An amateur radio operator planning a trip in a vehicle
equipped with a mobile transceiver will make his plans known
to the group in advance. A group of simplex frequencies will be
selected including at least one alternate in each band. The
mobile station will announce its position at regular intervals,
allowing fixed station operators to plot the position on a map,
establish communication and note relative signal strength.
Eventually, the fixed station operators should have a fairly
accurate map of their fixed to mobile range.
TEST CRITERIA
At this point, the plan is to test using antennas with
approximately two db gain on six meters, three db gain on two
meters and eight db gain on seventy centimeters. Ten meter
testing is planned as well and antenna criteria for that band
will be published in advance.
Power output criteria from the mobile test units will be
approximately fifty watts on six and two meters and thirty-five
watts on seventy centimeters. The planned power output for
the ten meter band is fifty watts.
All tests will be conducted using frequency modulation.
TO PARTICIPATE
If you desire to participate as a mobile test station in this
exercise, make your intentions known during the weekly net.
You do not have to conduct tests on multiple bands. For
example, if you have a three db gain two meter antenna and
only a fifty watt, two meter mobile, you could serve as a two
meter test station.
| FIXED TO MOBILE STATION TESTING EXERCISE |
| LONG VIEW AMATEUR RADIO CLUB NC4LV |
Although unaffiliated with the Town of Long View or Long View
Fire Department, the Long View Amateur Radio Club does
play a significant role in providing communications for the fire
department in critical emergency situations. Several
operators with the club have been trained by fire department
personnel, to assist the agency when unusual circumstances
hamper conventional means of communication.
The radio equipment used by the amateur radio operators is
for the most part, privately owned and self maintained. These
men and women generously volunteer themselves, their time
and equipment to help keep the fire department operating
safely and efficiently when disaster strikes. To make sure
their equipment is in a state of readiness, the group conducts
a weekly radio "net" which also allows each member to stay
in touch with other operators in the network. During the net,
various pieces of information may be passed or exchanged
among members. This net meets every Friday evening at 7:30
pm on the WA4DSZ repeater (146.85 MHz) and is open to all
appropriately licensed amateur radio operators. No tone
(CTCSS or DCS) is required to access the repeater.
Fire Department, the Long View Amateur Radio Club does
play a significant role in providing communications for the fire
department in critical emergency situations. Several
operators with the club have been trained by fire department
personnel, to assist the agency when unusual circumstances
hamper conventional means of communication.
The radio equipment used by the amateur radio operators is
for the most part, privately owned and self maintained. These
men and women generously volunteer themselves, their time
and equipment to help keep the fire department operating
safely and efficiently when disaster strikes. To make sure
their equipment is in a state of readiness, the group conducts
a weekly radio "net" which also allows each member to stay
in touch with other operators in the network. During the net,
various pieces of information may be passed or exchanged
among members. This net meets every Friday evening at 7:30
pm on the WA4DSZ repeater (146.85 MHz) and is open to all
appropriately licensed amateur radio operators. No tone
(CTCSS or DCS) is required to access the repeater.
NOAA Hurricane Tracking Chart will allow you to track
hurricanes using coordinates from the National Weather
Service.
hurricanes using coordinates from the National Weather
Service.
Call Sign Lookup |
Verifying a contacts via special postcards called QSL cards
has been popular among amateur radio operators for many
years. Unlike the old days when mailing information had to be
exchanged over the air, today's operators can pull up an
address with the simple click of a button (like the one below).
So, when another operator says, "I'm good on QRZ.com", all
you have to do is type in his call sign and up pops everything
you need to get your card where it's going. You might even
learn a bit more or even get to see a photo of the person with
whom you communicated.
has been popular among amateur radio operators for many
years. Unlike the old days when mailing information had to be
exchanged over the air, today's operators can pull up an
address with the simple click of a button (like the one below).
So, when another operator says, "I'm good on QRZ.com", all
you have to do is type in his call sign and up pops everything
you need to get your card where it's going. You might even
learn a bit more or even get to see a photo of the person with
whom you communicated.
Coordinated Universal Time |
USING MODIFIED AMATEUR TRANSCEIVERS
As a licensed amateur radio operator, you must be familiar with
FCC rules and regulations regarding various issues pertaining
to your equipment, privileges and practices. This includes
performing modifications to radio transceivers to operate
outside the frequency range for which they were designed.
Amateur radio transceivers are not type accepted by the FCC
for operation on frequencies outside the amateur radio bands
and that includes fire department frequencies. The criteria for
type acceptance on public service bands is more stringent than
those for the amateur bands. The fact that modification
information can be found on various internet sites does not
make it legal. On the other hand, it is perfectly legal to use
transceivers designed for public service bands on the amateur
bands as the equipment exceeds the minimum criteria
established by the FCC.
Amateur radio transceivers are relatively cheap as compared to
type accepted public service band transceivers. However, the
decision to save a few bucks by performing an illegal
modification can quickly negate your savings. FCC fines for
operating modified amateur radio equipment can run into the
thousands of dollars. And, you can lose your amateur radio
license along with your illegal equipment.
Will you get caught? Quite possibly a literal "$10,000 question."
But if there's any doubt as to the FCC's position in enforcing
these violations, just Google search for documented cases.
As a licensed amateur radio operator, you must be familiar with
FCC rules and regulations regarding various issues pertaining
to your equipment, privileges and practices. This includes
performing modifications to radio transceivers to operate
outside the frequency range for which they were designed.
Amateur radio transceivers are not type accepted by the FCC
for operation on frequencies outside the amateur radio bands
and that includes fire department frequencies. The criteria for
type acceptance on public service bands is more stringent than
those for the amateur bands. The fact that modification
information can be found on various internet sites does not
make it legal. On the other hand, it is perfectly legal to use
transceivers designed for public service bands on the amateur
bands as the equipment exceeds the minimum criteria
established by the FCC.
Amateur radio transceivers are relatively cheap as compared to
type accepted public service band transceivers. However, the
decision to save a few bucks by performing an illegal
modification can quickly negate your savings. FCC fines for
operating modified amateur radio equipment can run into the
thousands of dollars. And, you can lose your amateur radio
license along with your illegal equipment.
Will you get caught? Quite possibly a literal "$10,000 question."
But if there's any doubt as to the FCC's position in enforcing
these violations, just Google search for documented cases.
| FIRE FIGHTER / AMATEUR OPS Care To Make A Donation To The FCC? |
| AMATEUR RADIO |
Amateur Radio Resources |
Coordinated Universal Tine or Universal Time Coordinated (UTC
for short) is used in amateur radio to simplify communications
records. For example, if KG4ZTS was in NC and K0HWY was in
CA, there would exist, in standard time, a difference of three
hours. Under UTC, the time in NC and CA are the same, as are
other time zones around the world. So, if these two stations were
in communication at midnight EDT, they would both log 04:00
UTC in their records.
for short) is used in amateur radio to simplify communications
records. For example, if KG4ZTS was in NC and K0HWY was in
CA, there would exist, in standard time, a difference of three
hours. Under UTC, the time in NC and CA are the same, as are
other time zones around the world. So, if these two stations were
in communication at midnight EDT, they would both log 04:00
UTC in their records.
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DATE NET CONTROLLER
June 6
June 13
June 20
June 27
July 4
July 11
July 18
July 25
August 1
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
June 13
June 20
June 27
July 4
July 11
July 18
July 25
August 1
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
Scott Teague, KG4ZTS
Bruce Watson, KD4PZM
Bruce Long, K0HWY
Adam Morris, N8ALM
James Strickland, KI4TJX
Harriett Fulbright, K4ICU
Tom, KC4QPR
Eric Shepherd, KC4DES
Lance Raines, KJ4ENL
Gene Fulbright, KC4FM
James Snell, WA4TNG
Scott Teague, KG4ZTS
Bruce Watson, KD4PZM
Bruce Watson, KD4PZM
Bruce Long, K0HWY
Adam Morris, N8ALM
James Strickland, KI4TJX
Harriett Fulbright, K4ICU
Tom, KC4QPR
Eric Shepherd, KC4DES
Lance Raines, KJ4ENL
Gene Fulbright, KC4FM
James Snell, WA4TNG
Scott Teague, KG4ZTS
Bruce Watson, KD4PZM
Long View Amateur Radio Club Net Log - Log your net
check-ins with this easy to use .doc form.
check-ins with this easy to use .doc form.