Fresno ARES/RACES

It has been a busy month for Emcomm events.  We have had three public service events (Big Hat Day Bike Ride, March of Dimes March for Babies, and Shinzen Walk/Run), one training class, four nets, one Emcomm Breakfast, and one Emcomm Meeting.  Oh!  And one tech license class that started on the 30th of April.

Clovis Big Hat Day Bike Ride 

On the 6th of April, the Fresno Emcomm Group assisted CARP with safety communications for the Clovis Big Hat Day Bike Ride.  There were three rides the cyclists could take part in.  The first was the Fun Ride (35.2 miles), second was The Metric (57.8 miles) and the Century Route (104.3 miles).  The rides began and ended at the South East corner of the Sierra Vista Mall Parking lot.  There were four rest stops spread throughout the course, two SAG vehicles with radios and a Command Post at the Start/Finish line all manned by amateur radio operators.  Rest Stop 1 was at the Friant Shell Station, Rest Stop 2 was at Spring Valley Rd., Rest Stop 3 at Bass Fork Shell Station, and Rest Stop 4 was located at the Pines at Bass Lake. 

I would like to thank the following communicators for their help and they are to be commended for a job well done.  They were the following: Rob Mavis, AE6GE; Glen Caine, N6HEW;  Dan Pruitt, AE6SX; Dwain Breazeale, KG6SYA; Gary Greenberg, KI6OYW; Glen Blomgren, AF6CY; Gwen Blomgren, KO6Y; Patrick May, K6BRW; Andrew Baker, K6DTL; Steve Wickert, AG6JI; Ben Haman, WB6GBS; Richard Weis, AG6IZ; Tim Durham, KE6HNR; Greg Waters, KJ6OUI; Joe Cabral, KJ6TYS; Mike Gunn, KJ6EQV; Doug Wachtell, KE6EOJ Bill Johnson, K6WGJ    

Fldigi – Flmessage

Class Fresno County ARES/RACES will be conducting three classes to help those interested in operating the digital modes via message forms used during a disaster.  Richard Pack (KE6SHL) will be presenting the class on three Tuesday evenings: the 16th of April, the 14th of May, and finally the 11th of June.  If you need the updated software Richard will have it available and will assist in configuring it to your computer.  We are trying to get more people versed in the digital modes before Field Day.  Also this is a great resource for passing messages in a time of emergency. 

Bi-Weekly EmComm Training Sessions--- ‘WebNET’ ---

General:  This effort is designed to provide additional on-line training opportunities to members of the local EmComm community.  The bi-weekly session will be titled ‘Fresno EmComm WebNET’ and will be scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month @ 7:00PM.  Each session will last between 30 to 45 minutes depending on attendees, comments, and questions.  Associated PDF’s will be posted on the www.fresnoares.com website the weekend prior to the presentation.  A two month schedule, updated monthly, listing upcoming topics will also be maintained on the www.fresnoares.com website.
Delivery Web-Site - The ‘AnyMeeting’ web meeting service (www.anymeeting.com) has been tested and selected to support the presentations.  One factor in selecting the site was that no download to attendees computers is required.  Weekly invitations will be sent to all members and anyone else who notifies the AEC/Training of an interest to participate.
Recommended Equipment - Two way audio during the presentation will be via USB Headsets.  The platform also supports a maximum of 6 simultaneous video feeds.  If attendees wish to visually demonstrate a comment or question, either an integral or USB webcam will be required.
Session Protocol - Similar to an on-air Net, the narrator will control the flow of each session.  The ‘AnyMeeting’ site provides a method to notify the narrator of an attendees request to comment.  The narrator will recognize and enable the requestor’s audio as appropriate.  The requestor can then opt to use video if needed.
Typical Session Topics - The following is a list of topics to be presented:  1. Handy Ham Gadgets  2. FRS/GRS Radios  3. GO BAG Review 4.  Wilderness Protocol  5. US Numerical Grid System  6. Coaxial Cables  7. Knot Alternatives  8. Microphone Basics  9. Personal First Aid Kit 10. Building a ‘Fox’ Box.
Questions & Comments - Contact AEC/Training - Lew Roberts-KI6YWX at 559-284-6380 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

As I receive more information with dates and topics I will post or email the group. Glen Caine N6HEW

Silent Key

It is with great sadness I bring you the news of John McGraw, AE6QR, who became a silent key April 16, 2013, at around 1500 hr. John was one of original members of the now active ARES Group.  He will be missed for his humorous tales and great talent for getting us to buy raffle tickets at the club meetings. Please keep his wife, Carol, and the McGraw family in your prayers at this time of mourning.

Tech Classes

Anyone interested in getting their technician license, the FAME group will be teaching a class at the Salvation Army Citadel stating the 30th of April  at 1800 hr.  This class will continue on these dates:  Thursday the 2nd of May, Tuesday the 7th of May, Thursday the 9th of May, a review on Friday the 10th of May.  The test is Saturday the 11th of May.  Please pass this information on; we need all the new hams we can get.

Net Control Staff Needed

We are looking for volunteers to take a turn as net control on Monday nights.  This is not a difficult task and is a lot of fun.  We will provide the preamble and net roster.  This is a great way to enhance your skills running a net for emergency situations.  If you are interested, please contact Gary (KI6OYW) at 559-269-1340 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Our Calendar

Don’t forget the Monday Night Emcomm Net at 1930 hr. on the 147.15 MHz pl 141.3.  We have some good information and camaraderie.  On the third Friday of the month there is an Emcomm Breakfast at Yosemite Falls Cafe on Cedar south of Ashlan in Granite Park at 0830hr.  And last but not least the Emcomm Meeting will be held on the fourth Thursday this month.  The next meeting will be Thursday the 23rd of May, at 1900 hr. at the Salvation Army Citadel at 1854 Fulton St., Fresno.

73,
GLEN CAINE (N6HEW)
Fresno County RACES Officer
Fresno County ARES EC 
559-999-7590, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I hope you had a great month.  I know I did.  We assisted CARP with supplying safety communications for the Sanger Blossom Trail Run/Walk held the 2nd of March.  I would like to thank all of our people who took part; you all did a fantastic job.  Our people were:  Greg Waters (KJ6OYUI), Dan Pruitt (AE6SX), Glen Caine (N6HEW), Joe Cabral (KJ6TYS), Tim Durham (KE6HNR) , Ray Harkins (KB6LQV),  Lew Roberts (KI6YWX), Patrick May (K6BRW), Gary Greenburg (KI6OYW), Chris Johnson (KJ6OUG), Gwen Blomgren (KO6Y), Glen Blomgren (AF6Y), and Steve Wichert (AG6JI).  Thanks again to all for a job well done.

The M2 Open House
The Open House at M2 on the 16th of March was a great success, even more hams showed up than last year.  There was lots of good stuff at the swap meet, good deals from the vendors, and great forums and demonstrations.  The food wasn’t bad either.  What else could a ham ask for? Thanks M2 for your hospitality.

This month’s project build
This month we had the battery box as a project.  Lew (KJ6YWX) and Steve (AG6JI) have put together a project build of a battery box for Emcomm.  They held two meetings on ideas and the availability of parts for the project.  The build date was Saturday the 30th of March.  These boxes will give us the portable power source we need for public service and disaster work.  I think we owe both Lew and Steve a big hand for all of their hard work.

April’s Public Service Events
April will be a very busy month for those of us who help with the public service events.  We will be assisting CARP with three events: Clovis Big Hat Day Bike Race on the 6th of April, March of Dimes March for Babies the 20th of April, and finally the Shenzhen Run/Walk the 27th of April.  Rob (AE6GE) is still in need of people for these events.  If you can help, give me a call and I will get your info to Rob.

Fldigi – Flmessage Class
Fresno County ARES/RACES will be conducting three classes to help those interested in operating the digital modes using message forms used during a disaster. Richard Pack (KE6SHL) will be presenting the class on three Tuesday evenings: the 16th of April, the 14th of May, and finally the 11th of June.  We are trying to get more people versed in the digital modes before Field Day.  I will send out an email with more information when I have it.

Tech Classes
Anyone interested in getting their technician license, the FAME group will be teaching a class at the Salvation Army Citadel stating the 30th of April  at 1800 hr.  This class will continue on these dates:  Thursday the 2nd of May, Tuesday the 7th of May, Thursday the 9th of May, a review on Friday the 10th of May.  The test is Saturday the 11th of May.  Please pass this information on; we need all the new hams we can get.

Net Control Staff Needed
We are looking for volunteers to take a turn as net control on Monday nights.  This is not a difficult task and is a lot of fun.  We will provide the preamble and net roster.  This is a great way to enhance your skills running a net for emergency situations.  If you are interested, please contact Gary (KI6OYW) at 559-269-1340 or email   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Our Calendar
Don’t forget the Monday Night Emcomm Net at 1930 hr. on the 147.15 MHz pl 141.3.  We have some good information and camaraderie.  On the third Friday of the month there is an Emcomm Breakfast at YFC on Cedar south of Ashlan in Granite Park at 0830hr.  And last but not least the Emcomm Meeting will be held on the fourth Thursday this month.  The next meeting will be Thursday the 25th of April, at 1900 hr. at the Salvation Army Citadel at 1854 Fulton St., Fresno.

73,
Glen Caine, N6HEW
Fresno County RACES Officer
Fresno County ARES EC 
559-999-7590, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it