Fresno ARES/RACES

September 26, 2009-  I am writing this article from Newington, CT, HQ of ARRL.   I and 11 other Section Managers, are receiving our orientation as we start our new terms of office.  We received information from each of the Department Heads including a very informative session with Dennis Dura, K2DCD, Emergency Manager for ARRL.  It is rewarding to see the level of dedication every one of them bring to the organization.  Everyone of them have an EmComm (ARES) background and I was impressed by the willing exchange of ideas.  You will be hearing as much as I can offer at the next meeting and various functions.

One of the biggest discussions was from Dennis regarding the new "Advance Emergency Communications Course", due out in January.  It will raise the bar on training and although credentialing is still a hot topic, it should improve the correlations in acredidation.  This is because of the FEMA ICS courses (that are free online), will be required for course completion.  These are the same ones that we have been referring to in all our training.  I will try and give plenty of opportunity to  discuss this at Hamfest.

Some disappointment, we will not be doing the Eye-Q Marathon in November.  It seems they will be using Nextel.  We will field a team to investigate how we may be a back up or help out next year.

Time to start getting ready for SET (Simulated Emergency Test).  ARRL, every year, expects ARES to test themselves and equipment in a locally designed scenario.  This will be the topic of the next EmComm & Coffee, 16 October and finalize it during the Monthly meeting.

A work party will be climbing all over the Salvation Army Citadel to install an antenna.  Used for JOTA and Hamfest, it will be the SATERN minimum setup for their EOC.  Consisting of a trap dipole and manual tuner, it will give basic HF to add to their VHF/UHF install.  Captain Dwaine Breazeale, KG6SAY,  can have his Yaesu FT 897 up and running in minutes.

Have you got your tickets for Hamfest yet?  I have tickets!

NBEMS--> What is it?  Simply put it is digital messaging.  For EmComm, naturally.  More important simple traffic and file transfer even in adverse operating conditions.  Simple computer to radio interfacing and portable software.  I think we need this and would like to advance our capability in this.  Everyone can play.  In Calavaras they have nets on multiple frequencies and I am of the opinion we should do the same  Stay tuned, Hi Hi..

Watch the web site for our 'New Procedures'.  They will be posted as soon as I can upload them.  They will include the current frequency list and call out procedures.  You will be receiving notice to update your current information for the calling tree.  This facilitates the Alert function.

The State through MAR 5 of Cal-EMA put us on alert to assist in the southern Fires on Sept 7.  You do not know when you will be needed.  3 of us were on call for a week.  We need to identify those that might be willing to travel, if called.  Not our main mission, but some are interested in helping wherever there is a need.

NET:  Monday  1930 hours local  on 147.150+, PL 141.3
Monthly meetings on the 4th Thursday of each Month
Salvation Army Citadel, 1854 N. Fulton St  1900 hrs

EmComm and Coffee.  Time is 0830 hours.
Yosemite Falls Cafe on Blackstone, just North of Shaw

Check out the web sites www.fresnoares.com or www.fresno-races.net.  You can contact us on the web site or me directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

73, Dan Pruitt AE6SX
ARRL SJV Section Manager