KAROECHO Field Day, June 26, 2021

KAROECHO held its first ARRL Field Day event in cooperation with East Bay Amateur Radio Club (EBARC) at Upper Canyon Trail park, Saturday, June 26 during daylight hours (photos above).

THE KAROECHO SPRING SET, April 10, 2021

On April 10, 2021 KAROECHO held its spring SET (Simulated Emergency Test) on 146.415 MHz simplex. A recording of the net frequency can be found here. The scenario was a large earthquake on the Hayward fault near the Kensington and El Cerrito hills. After Check-ins the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (MM) reports were noted by all regions (there were a lot of 8's reported, people must have been in a pessimistic mood). Stations were assigned tactical callsigns based on location or function by the NCS (Net Control Station). There was very heavy traffic on the net frequency and three operators took shifts as NCS. Thank you to Karen KK6ZPM and Susan KN6CMR for taking on the challenge of NCS under these heavy conditions. Operators were moved off net frequency to several frequencies to pass traffic in parallel. Thanks you to David KJ6AAT and Curt KM6HFT for both taking shifts as the EOC operator.

THE KAROECHO club callsign is now W6ECK

In February, KARO ECHO was issued the sequential club call KN6NMN. The sequential call was unfortunately awkward (both with and without use of phonetics). On March 27, 2021 the club was issued a replacement vanity call W6ECK (a classic 1x3 W-series call evocative of El Cerrito—Kensington). Howdy KE6BEE is the trustee for the club call.

THE KAROECHO BI-ANNUAL SET, OCT 24 - A GREAT SUCCESS

On Oct. 24, 2020 KAROECHO held its Autumn SET (Simulated Emergency Test) simplex starting on 146.415 MHz simplex. The scenario was a large earthquake on the Hayward fault centered near Berkeley/Kensington. After Check-ins the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (MM) reports were noted by all regions. Stations were assigned tactical callsigns based on location or function by the NCS (Net Control Station). There was a lot of formal written Emergency and Priority traffic. At one time there were six separate auxiliary channels assigned to pass traffic involving 12 stations simultaneously, while the Net Control channel was still clear and open for new business. Such procedures increase throughput of Emergency and Priority traffic many times over the use of a single repeater channel. 

CERT Area ACs (Area Coordinators) were encouraged to interface with the ham Comm Hubs located at mock ICPs (Incident Command Posts). Here is the report from CERT Area EC9 as events unfolded.  

Karoecho Participated again in the California Great Shakeout Exercise on Oct 15

On  Oct 15, the  KaroEcho net observed "The Great Shakeout" event with a special earthquake preparedness test. For the second year in a row KaroEcho has been the sole volunteer radio group in Contra Costa County who participated in this year's Great Shakeout.  The drill was based on using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale here.  

Karoecho Meeting, August 10, 2020 Training on Using a Message Center at an ICP/Hub

Messages often need to be reformated, prioritized, and routed between the FRS/GMRS system and the Ham service by skilled message center managers located at an ICP Communications hub. Here is the presentation.

Karoecho Thursday Evening Training Session Aug 27, 2020

An example of running messages from a Search and Rescue  (SAR) Team at the block level to the block area lead, to the area ICP Comm Hub,  and then on to another Area ICP Division for Mutual Aid

Net Control Class, Apr. 4, 2020

This online webinar (because of Covid-19 shelter-in-place order) was presented by Diane KK6RED, David KJ6AAT and Howdy KE6BEE. It covered the skills to be an effective net control operator during an emergency communications net. Prepared in cooperation with Richmond CERT and the C8 collaboration of Contra Costa County CERT organizations. A recording of the presentation can be viewed here.

March 14, 2020 Simulated Emergency Test (SET)

This SET had 20 radio operators. New for this exercise was hand-off of the NCS and EOC operator roles, each with three one-hour shifts. It is great to have more operators taking these roles. Thanks to  Natalie KM6UCF, David KJ6AAT and Howdy KE6BEE (EOC operators), and Armando KE6HCE, Howdy KE6BEE, and Edward KM6UBY (Net Control operators). The number of portable stations deployed in the field was lower because of rain and the City EOC was not able to be opened because of COVID-19 public facilities closures. Recording of the net frequency. Another recording of the EOC frequency.

See the critique document written by Don NI6A for a discussion of the March 14th SET.

Feb 29, 2020 FRS/GMRS introductory radio training class

Thanks to David KJ6AAT and Diane KK6RED for teaching a great FRS/GMRS class. This well attended class (over 20 people) included a hands-on radio training exercise with a number of newly trained CERT graduates. Also thanks to Rob K6RJM and Hal KK6NDF who helped coach students in the radio exercise.

2019 Annual Report to the City of El Cerrito

Dec. 3 2019: as part of the Co-sponsorship status that KARO ECHO has with the city of El Cerrito, we submitted an annual report of our activities with an emphasis on topics that are important to the city (involving their infrastructure and our use of city facilities). As there hasn't been an update to this past events page in a while, the linked document contains a good summary of KARO ECHO activities over the past year.

Karo Echo CERT Workshop on the use of FRS, GMRS, and Amateur Radio during Disasters

On June 4, 2019 KE6BEE (Howdy), KK6IZS (Geoff) , and Don (NI6A) presented a thorough 2 hour workshop on GMRS, FRS, and ham radio interoperability for disaster communications. Approximately 35 attendees came from Berkeley, Kensington, El Cerrito, and Richmond. Topics included GMRS repeaters, hands-on FRS radio usage, message center operations, channel usage, and operating procedures. 

KaroEcho February 23 Simulated Emergency Test (SET)  0930 to 1230

This SET focused on mobile and portable emergency power operations within the El Cerrito and Kensington CERT areas using a directed net format while listing and  handling formal written mock messages,  general requests for need resources within the CERT areas,  tactical (peer to peer) unwritten traffic, and the efficient use of multiple frequencies/bands in the hope of creating a core of experienced operators.  The general SET Plan can be found here.  A list of the assigned stations message destinations and times that they are to be listed (this list is a work in progress).  A chronological list of planned events can be found here.  A list of VHF/UHF simplex frequencies here. These files will be updated often as Feb, 23 approaches.

The SET Critique can be read and/or downloaded HERE. 

Audio of the February 23, 2019 SET

Past Net Activities

May 27, 2021 Thursday Evening Net Exercise: Message Handling and Q Signals

Thursday Evening Net May 27 Exercise

On the Thursday evening net, May 27, a message handling exercise was run preceded by a few bulletins (QSTs) announcing Boats on the Bay (June 5), the USGS June 16 Telecommunications Webinar pertaining to a 7.0 earthquake on the Hayward fault, and KaroEcho’s Field Day on June 26 at Canyon Trail Park.

The message exercise proved interesting. We practiced getting fills, correcting errors in the word count (check), Op notes versus HX (handling instructions) and the use of Q signals on voice, especially QN signals.

Note that these procedures have been finely tuned as most expedient after 90 years of usage, where accuracy and speed are critical factors.

The radiogram pace seemed adequate, but many fills were needed, mostly around unexpected single syllable words poorly pronounced. Karen noticed that there was a discrepancy in dates and questioned that. Indeed, it was discovered that the sending station misread the date thus conflating the preamble date and the subject line date. Such was then corrected.

There was a lively discussion that followed

The test message follows:

 Preamble/Header

12 E    xx  W6ECK   15 EC9 ICP 1912 May 27

TO: Jane Moore  Incident Commander EC8                               

LOCATION Canyon Trail Park

SUBJECT:                                DATE:        TIME:       

SAR Tools NEEDED ASAP          May 27   1822

TEXT:

Trapped  Victims  X  Send   Your

Five  Long Crowbars  AND Battery

Powered Sawzall as arranged                            

BREAK

Michelle Seward   EC9 IC

Tassajara Park

End, no more.

1.  E (for Emergency) can be written as E but always voiced fully as Emergency

2.  The HX (field handling instructions) in the preamble is most often simply ignored and left blank (written in as xx), but since we might receive radiograms with HX fields filled in from outside KaroEcho, we demarcate the field as SOP. Otherwise the handling instruction field is filled in with two XX letters to designate the existence of the field. If an operator receives a message with a filled in HX field, just copy it down as sent and look it up later in the KaroEcho Field Resources Guide. The HX field is used as a shortcut for an operators note. When an operators note is deemed necessary (rare) that is not already covered in HXA through HXG), it is inserted after the signature of the message and not counted in the word count (check). Example: “Operators note, this message was received apparently garbled but confirmed by the sending station. The word count has been corrected to 14”. Keep Op Notes concise.

Handling instructions (HX) are used to convey special instructions to handling and delivering operators. With the advent of free nationwide calling and the internet, many of the handling instructions have become anachronistic. When used, it is inserted in the message preamble between the precedence and the station of origin. Its use is optional with the originating station, but once inserted is mandatory with all relaying stations.

HXA (May be followed by a number) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee within X miles. (if no number, authorization is unlimited.)

HXB (Followed by a number.) Cancel message if not delivered within X hours of filing time; service originating station.

HXC Report date and time of delivery to originating station.

HXD Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered report date, time, and method of delivery.

HXE Delivering station get reply from addressee, originate message back.

HXF (Followed by number.) Hold delivery until a specified date.

HXG Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll or other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station.

3.  Notice the Check (Word Count was sent as 15, but a few sharp operators counted it correctly as 14 and questioned it, asking for a confirmation. One operator asked for a repeat of the entire message, which could have been done quickly, but the sending station asked the receiving station to repeat the first letter of each word copied, which is mainly used in Morse code procedures,. A missing word was found, but still the word count was 14 not 15. It was determined that the originating station had counted the word count incorrectly. The word count was then corrected to 14 with consent of the originating station.However, if this was a relay not involving the originating station to confer, the message must be relayed as sent, but the relay station should change the check in the header/preamble to 15/14 where 15 was the original word count and 14 is the actual word count. In that case the check then is sent as “15/14” 

4.  It is SOP to use X (pronounced XRAY on voice) for a pause. It can be used instead of a period, semicolon, colon, comma, etc. in order to clarify and separate sections. Western Union messages similarly used the word “STOP” as a separator. Since radio messages are rarely sent according to the rules of perfect grammar, but are made succinct the common rules of punctuation do not apply. The only exception for the utilization X for all punctuation marks is the Question Mark, pronounced as “QUERY” to denote a question.

5. BREAK is voiced to demarcate the end of the text body and the beginning of the Signature/From Field. BREAK is not counted as word and no X is needed at the end of the text body.

6. End messages with “End no more” or “End more follows”. Always ask receiving station, “are you ready to copy”. The receiving station must answer, “Ready or ready to copy”

7. Operators Notes and HX fields will be covered in another future exercise.

A discussion ensued as to the meaning of Q signals and their proper use especially QRT.

Specifically, one member mentioned “going QRT”, and it was asked what does QRT mean? On voice it has become to mean that one is checking out and leaving. It is equivalent to this is my last transmission or FINAL transmission..

However, the original meaning is “stop sending”.  On voice, many good operators will say, “listening out” to indicate that although they will no longer respond (transmit) back, they will leave their receivers on. Or they may say, “standing by for your final”.

More commonly on CW today the station will transmit SK (3 dots followed by a dash dot dash run together as one prosign (notice that is the same as VA in Morse code. SK or VA  means this is my final transmission. If the station will not be available for new contacts (QSOs) the operator will end with CL which means. “I am closing Station” or on voice, “Pulling the plug”.

“Going QRT” is less useful than “listening out”, “back to you for your final”, “pulling the plug now”, or “closing station”.

 Q signals as used today in Amateur Radio

Q signals are 3 letter words sometimes followed by text. They are used extensively on CW because they pack a wallop, saving much time and effort. With the advent of the no-code license and the widespread use of FM voice, newbies who are  not familiar with Q signals hold to the notion that Q signals on voice is inappropriate, are in bad taste, or are an elitist code. Since they don’t know it, don’t want to learn it, and find it a bit intimidating when someone expects them to know it, such is an understandable position. Other operators who understand its meaning and value, stick to it. That is also understandable. As long as Q signals are not used in a disparaging manner or as jargon known exclusively to elitists, it does not create any harm. KaroEcho, as a policy, does not mandate its use, but recognizes its value when both stations know the Q signals.

Asterisks indicates for NCS use only

QNA* Answer in prearranged order.

QNB* Act as relay Between ______ and ______.

QNC All net stations please Copy.  I have a message for all net stations.

QND* Net is Directed (controlled by net control station). This is a directed net.

QNE* Entire net stand by.

QNF Net is Free (not controlled).

QNG Take over as net control station.

QNH Your net frequency is High.

QNI* Stations please report In*

QNJ Can you copy me?

QNK* Transmit messages for ______to ______.

QNL Your net frequency is Low.

QNM* You are QRMing the net. Stand by.

QNN Net control station is _______. Who is net control?

QNO Station is leaving the net after being excused (QNX)

QNP Unable to copy you.  Unable to copy ______.

QNQ* Move frequency to ______ and wait for ______ to finish handling traffic. Then send him traffic for ______.

QNR* Answer ______ and Receive traffic.

QNS Following Stations are in the net.* (Follow with list). Request list of stations in net. [QNS is very useful when changing NCS as in QNG]

QNT I request permission to leave the net for ______ minutes.

QNU* The net has traffic for you. Stand by.

QNV* Establish contact with ______ on this frequency. If successful, move to and send him traffic for______.

QNW How do I route messages for ______?

QNX: You are excused from the net. Can I be excused from the net?

QNY* Shift to another frequency to clear traffic with ___.

Example: W1AW W1BDY QNY UP 15 Newington. Or W6ECK K6KOP 146.4550 KEN3

QNZ Zero beat your signal with mine.

Following are the commonly used (not meant to be comprehensive) list ham radio Q signals

QRA: What is the name or call sign of your station? Please identify yourself. The name or call sign of my station is ... Suggestion, use QRZ? instead

QRK: What is the readability of my signals (or those of ...)? The readability of your signals is (on a scale of 1 to 5). For hams this is the "R" in RST.

QRL: This frequency is being used. Is this frequency being used?

QRM: There are station(s) crowding out and interfering with your signal

QRN: I am troubled by static and/or atmospherics.

QRO: Please increase power. I am running high power.

QRP: I am running low power. Shall I decrease power?

QRQ: Send faster. Shall I send faster? Faster.

QRS: Send more slowly. Shall I send more slowly? Slower.

QRT: Please stop sending. I have stopped sending and am finished and that was my last transmission. I have nothing more.

QRU: I have no traffic. Note that QTC is the opposite meaning "I have traffic".

QRV: I am ready to copy. Are you ready to copy?

QRX: Standby. I will call you again for .... minutes or at ______hours on ______kHz. When will you call me again?

QRZ: Who is calling me? You are being called by _________ .

QSA: What is the strength of my signals? The strength of your signals is ....  Hams use a scale of 1-9 (s units). This is the "S" in RST.

QSB: Your signals are fading in and out (wavering). Are my signals fading?

QSG: Shall I send ... telegrams (messages) at a time? Send ... messages ...... at a time. I will send all messages without a break unless you break-in (see QSK)

QSK: I can hear you between signals; You can break in on my transmission at any time. Can you hear me between your signals?

QSL: I acknowledge receipt of your message. Please can you acknowledge receipt?

QSM: Repeat the last message which you sent

QSO: Contact. Make contact with ...  Can we communicate now?

QSP: I can relay for/to ______. Can you relay for/to ______?

QST: General call preceding a message/bulletin addressed to all amateurs and ARRL members.

QSV: Please send the letter V ten times for a signal test. I will repeat V as a series for testing. 

QSY: Moving to another frequency. Please move to ______kHz. Shall I change to transmission on another frequency (or on ______kHz)

QSZ: Please send all words twice. Shall I send all words twice? This used during extremely bad conditions (Q2-Q3) for important messages where there are no relays available. 

QTA: Please cancel message number ___ .

QTB: I do not agree with your word count (check). Please repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group or I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group.

QTC: I have ______messages for you or for ______ . How many messages have you and what are their destinations/routing?

QTH: My location is _________.  What is your location?

QTV: I will guard this frequency. Please guard this frequency. Stand guard for me on frequency of ... mHz from ... to ... hours

QTX: I will keep my station open for further communication with you here until further notice (or until ...hours).

Note that QNQ, QNR, QNV, QNY, QRV, QTC, QSP, and QTB are, in particular, very relevant for traffic handling.

March 25, 2021 Thursday Evening Net --  Message Handling Exercise

Using Prowords and Getting Fills including Op Notes and Handling Instructions

On the March 25 Karoecho Thursday Night Net we did a short discussion on the use of pro words and getting fills.

Often beginners ask why do we need to write the message down and include all the data in the header (preamble)? That information is essential in determining sequencing, timing, tracing, servicing, replying, and/or obtaining clarification as well as record keeping.

Remember in a disaster such as an earthquake on the Hayward fault, there is a good chance that your destined stakeholders such as red cross shelter managers, triage nurses, Incident Commanders, Salvation Army canteen operators, and district coordinators will be occupied elsewhere and not immediately available to receive the message directly and respond back at the radio comm site. Hence the Karoecho message hybrid form will ensure that all essential elements are included by the radio operators/message center managers. Timing is often critical, and we should expect a certain degree of delay and backlog between the time the message was originated and the time that it is sent to the first station. Doubly so if the message needs to be relayed. So please learn how to write down messages accurately and efficiently.

Never repeat back the entire message, especially when there is a backup of emergency traffic on frequency or the message is long. However, it is good to ask for confirmation of any part that you are not 100% sure. Use: “PLEASE CONFIRM” followed by the words, phrase, and/or numbers that need confirmation. In emergencies unnecessary delays can kill.

When the sending station voices “I SPELL”, expect phonetic spelling to follow.

In order to be certain numbers are spelled out phonetically. Voice “I Spell” followed by the number spelled out phonetically. Example: Voice “I spell Tango Whiskey Oscar”. “I spell sierra india xray” for twenty six. Spelled out  counts as two separate words for the word count. 

Some instructors teach to voice the entire word before it is spelled, after it is spelled, or both. For example, “EMERGENCY, I SPELL, ECHO MIKE ECHO ROMEO GULF ECHO NOVEMBER CHARLIE YANKEE, EMERGENCY”.  For experienced operators that is not necessary. Simply use the proword, “I SPELL”, in front of the phonetic spelling. Example, voice “I SPELL ECHO MIKE ECHO ROMEO GULF ECHO NOVEMBER CHARLIE YANKEE” The proword, I Spell, indicates that phonetic spelling follows. 

If numerals are used, always preface by voicing “FIGURES”. Example, “figures 26”.  Figures 26 counts as one word for the word count. It is not necessary to preface the proword “figures” before voicing the number when it is expected for example in a date, time, address, or telephone number sequence.

Never use teen or ty as in thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, and so forth unless you spell it out. Example: “I spell, Tango Whiskey Echo November Tango Yankee”. It would be best to simply voice: “figures 20”.

Initials or Letter Group: indicates that one or more initials will follow spelled out phonetically.

Mixed Group consist of any combination of letters, numbers, or punctuation. When voicing “mixed group” assume to expect phonetics for the letters, numerals for the numbers, and the name of the punctuation for the punctuation. Example: “Mixed Group Charlie Yankee Charlie Lima hyphen 2 5”.

Mixed groups” are counted as one word in the word count. A series (2 or more) of mixed groups are sent as (example)  “mixed group a3f4xx# mixed group b4g5yy* etc. Each mixed group is counted as one word each. In the preceding example two mixed groups are counted as two words separated by the proword “mixed group”. Voicing mixed group “follows” is wordy. Just voice “mixed group” for efficiency.

Prowords: Using “I Say Again” and “I Spell”

If it seems useful for accuracy use “I say again” followed by the word that was last voiced.  Example: “Emergency, I say again emergency”. At other times one may simply spell it out phonetically by voicing only once “I SPELL, followed by the word being spelled phonetically". For new operators, one can voice EMERGENCY, I spell, Echo Mike Echo Romeo Gulf Echo November Charlie Yankee".

Getting Fills:

Use “word after”, “word before”, “all between”, “all after”, “all before”, “please confirm”, and similar to succinctly secure common fills. Examples: “word after generator”, word before generator, all between generator and broken”, “all after gaskets”, “all before generator”, “please confirm stratton”,  

After this primer was discussed, the net proceeded with this test message in KAROECHO hybrid 213 format.

Op Notes and Handling Instructions

Notice that the above message contains an Operators Note. Op Notes are notes to the radio operator and/or message center manager. The note is not part of the text body and is not counted in the check (word count)

Handling Instructions start with HX (see the header/preamble above). They are also instructions to the radio operator and/or message center manager. Handling instructions are preformatted like templates varying from HXA to HXG. Normally we do not use them nor do we expect Karoecho ops to memorize them. See: http://www.arrl.org/chapter-six-arrl-precedences-and-handling-instructions

(Rev April 2021)

September 27, 2020 Thursday evening Net

We practiced moving a message from a neighborhood block Search and Rescue (SAR) team through the system to the block lead, to the Area ICP, through a message center, through the ham net, to a neighboring ICP, and subsequently back down the pipe with an answer.  See this scenario and script

December 19, 2019 Thursday evening Net

We practiced using the KaroEcho Modified message form, 213. We are increasing our efficiency in getting fills , maintaining accuracy, and speed. Although there were 13 check-ins, only KE6HCE, KK6RED, and KM6TCB sent in 100% copies of the message. Well done! 

January 24, 2019- Thursday evening Net

It was a good net on Jan 24. Larry, KK6GIO, was NCS; and we had 16 check-ins. The exercise was an impromptu mapping test by asking all stations to exchange signal reports.  Don asked all stations to make a column that listed each station heard on one side and on the other side those stations who were not copyable.  We did not bother detailing Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, or Q5 reports. (see below for the SOP)

Then we went down the list of check-ins and asked each station to count to five so that the listening stations could write down their signal reports. Each station was polled one by one to share what stations that they did NOT hear.  As expected there was difficulty hearing handheld radios using rubber duck antennas indoors. One station discovered that their antenna was faulty after not being heard by most stations despite running high power; but much improved running 5 watts with another antenna. Propagation was very poor to non-existent between flat land stations to other flatland stations more than 4 miles apart because of physical obstructions. Propagation was also very poor to non-existent between hill stations to other hill stations on the north to south corridor, also due to earth obstructions. The best propagation was between hill stations and flatland stations as both had a clear line of sight advantage. Further propagation mapping  may  continue in future tests. Perhaps, it would have been more informative to have each station state their antenna and transmit power, rather than to count 1,2,3,4,5. For example: "This is K6KE running 25 watts to a Diamond X-200a up 30 feet. Over"

In any case, excellent data results were obtained; but they were also predictable.  Thanks to all participants.

Standard Operating Procedures to exchange Signal Reports, which all hams are familiar

Readability (Signal Quality)

1--Unreadable

2--Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable.

3--Readable with considerable difficulty.

4--Readable with practically no difficulty.

5--Perfectly readable.

Signal Strength

1--Faint signals, barely perceptible.

2--Very weak signals.

3--Weak signals.

4--Fair signals.

5--Fairly good signals.

6--Good signals.

7--Moderately strong signals.

8--Strong signals.

9--Extremely strong signals.

Therefore 5 by 9 (59) is the best signal report. It is also possible to be 1 by 9 because of interference,  bad, or no audio. Likewise one could be Q5 S3 (5 by 2) when there is low noise on the band and the signal is strong enough to completely break squelch.

October 4, 2018 -- Thursday eve Net -- NCS: Don, NI6A Round Robin Critique of Sep 30 SET

We had 14 check-ins.  All participants gave their impressions and suggestions. All were helpful in preparation for the October 8 monthly meeting.  Rob, K6RJM announced an upcoming Girl Scout and Cub Scout Scout radio presentations on November 2 and November 5. Contact K6RJM@ARRL.NET to help out.

September 30, 2018  KaroEcho 1/2 SET: The Post Mortem

Thanks to KJ6DYX, KK6GIO, KC6OBK, K6KOP, KK6SRD, KM6HBO, KE6BEE KJ6WSS, KK6ZPM, KJ6DJ, KK6UQX. KM6UCF,  K6RJM,  and KM6CXI for their quality efforts and dedication. 

The Critique: Lessons Learned on the September 30, 2018 KaroEcho SET

Sep 20, 2018 -- Howdy, KE6BEE, was NCS. Message handling (hybrid 213) exercise

15 Check-ins. At least 7 stations indicated they had the hybrid 213 form ready. Rather than send station pairs off frequency to pass messages, for this exercise stations KJ6WSS and KK6ZPM read their messages to the whole net for all other stations to transcribe (Thanks Jay and Karen). Net control didn't have any trouble copying KJ6WSS as before. Several fills were requested and relayed as necessary. Some critique/discussion of the message handling followed, with the suggestion that messages be read slower, pausing every 5th word (and dropping PTT), to give the receiving station the opportunity to break in for feedback on speed. The word count in the header should have been specified to help error checking. Also, the station of origin (call sign) was confused with tactical location. Order of some elements was also mixed. Handling instructions should follow the precedence and the from field follows the text body. 

Sep 13, 2018 -- Howdy, KE6BEE, was NCS. Mobile operation exercise

13 Check-ins. NI6A and KM6CXI checked-in from Tassajara Park. The following stations couldn't copy the Tassajara stations: KE6HCE (Ivy court, 900ft elev.), KC6OBK (Kensington, low antenna) and KE6BEE. Net control also did not copy KM6UCF (received relay from K6KOP). K6RJM checked-in from Terrace drive above Huber park with 5W and a Tram mag mount. Traffic from Don, NI6A, announced the opportunity for hams to participate in a CERT drill in El Cerrito (Barrett and Tassajara) on Sunday Sept 30, 10am to 12pm. 

Sep 6, 2018 -- Howdy, KE6BEE, was NCS. Delegated net control exercise

17 Check-ins. Howdy, KE6BEE was net control from home near El Cerrito Plaza BART. After calling for A-D check-ins, KJ6BHX was asked to call the next group E-K. Following that KE6HCE was asked to call for L-R and report back. Finally, Howdy finished the check-ins and received relay help from Don, as Howdy does not copy some low lying stations from home (particularly Richmond stations KJ6WSS, Jay and KK6ZPM, Karen). Interestingly, Jay and Karen could copy Howdy, but not the other way around.

Traffic from DJ, KJ6DJ, announced the Contra Costa Communications Club WA6KQB annual picnic Sunday, Sept 9th at Miller-Knox park in Point Richmond next to the model train museum from 11am to 4pm. There will be a silent auction and raffle (ham gear old and new) to help raise money for the recently renovated WA6KQB repeater tower.

Traffic from Don, NI6A, announced the opportunity for hams to participate in a CERT drill in El Cerrito (Barrett and Tassajara) on Sunday Sept 30, 10am to 12pm.

Aug 30, 2018 -- Hal, KK6NDF, was NCS. No exercise

16 Check-ins. Hal, KK6NDF was net control from Kensington. Rob K6RJM operated portable using a 5W HT and a copper pipe J-pole antenna out of Huber Park (EC4 staging area). He was received well toward the flat lands, but not copied well by some elevated stations with intermediate terrain. Ken, KK6SRD in the El Cerrito hills couldn't copy net control in Kensington. Howdy, KE6BEE checked-in from Central Park (near I80 at Central) in El Cerrito. K6FSM checked-in from a boat in the Berkeley Marina.

Aug 23, 2018 -- Howdy, KE6BEE, was NCS. Check-in tally exercise

There were 19 check-ins including NCS. This ties two other weeks for the highest participation since February. NCS was located in the field just south of Fairmont School in El Cerrito, transmitting 5W on a 20+ year old Alinco DJ-580T HT and a roll-up J-pole hung about 15 feet in the air. My apologies for the background tone in my transmission. I confirmed afterward that PL tone encode was not active and it was a higher pitch than that, anyway, so I still need to figure out what is causing it.

As an exercise to practice net control skills, all stations were encouraged to record check-ins with paper and pencil. After completing check-ins, each station was called to get their count and any reports of weak or missed stations.

Most stations reported hearing all 19 check-ins. KC6OBK operating a handheld indoors from Kensington was not copied by several other stations. At least one station reported trouble hearing KJ6DJ, KJ6WSS and KK6ZPM (all located in Richmond).

This was a successful exercise with great participation and helpful comments. Next week, 8/30, will repeat the same exercise with encouragement for as many stations as possible to operate from a different location with an HT or mobile rig.

Using the same mobile battery and DC power meter described in the 8/9 net report, I measured 7.8 W-h consumed running net control over the period of about an hour with some long continuous transmissions. The HT ran rather toasty warm in the hand under this usage.

August 16, 2018 -- Rob, K6RJM was NCS. Changing Frequency exercise

We had 15 initial check-ins, including NCS (me). Two stations went QSY after initial checkins, so that left 12 people other than NCS to participate in the exercise.   

The exercise was to change frequency after the initial check-ins  to the KARO ECHO secondary frequency.  After changing frequencies, 9 stations reported in on the new frequency.

As a reminder to every, please be sure you have these frequencies programmed into your radios or written down somewhere:

• • KARO ECHO Primary Frequency: 146.415 MHz

  • KARO ECHO Secondary Frequency: 146.430 MHz

  • KARO ECHO CERT Assigned by OES: 146.475 MHz

 Aug 9, 2018 -- Howdy, KE6BEE, was NCS. Low Power Operation

The Thursday net had 13 stations participating. The net exercise tested our ability to switch from high power to low power. After the initial check-in, stations were asked to turn down their transmit power to the lowest setting and report what power level was being used. Thus we gained familiarity with our radios, it was a learning experience for those who did not know how to conserve energy, we determined propagation characteristics under low power settings throughout the KE region, and last but not least refined our ability to use the MINIMUM AMOUNT OF POWER TO EFFECT RELIABLE COMMUNICATION while avoiding interference to our neighboring ARES/RACES disaster  services.

The power reduction exercise was very successful. Pretty much all stations reported they couldn't tell a difference between the NCS running 50W and 5W. NCS was located at Motorcycle Hill and also did not notice degradation of the signals from the stations that turned down their power (not all lowered power, but many did). The low power prize went to KK6RED who sounded nice and clear on 1/2 Watt.

KC6BEE, NCS, was operating portable on emergency power out in the wilds without the creature comforts of home. Standing in the wind while trying to write down call signs on the top of a fence railing was good preparation for real world emergency communications.

The only problem experienced was background wind noise while transmitting\, having forgotten to brong a sock to cover the mic.  I had thought about bringing a sock to cover the mic, but forgot. Regardless his signal was loud and clear. The location on top of Motorcycle Hill is a very good vantage point for the area. No relays were needed.

A a roll-up J-pole antenna (from Ed Fong) off the end of a cheap telescoping fishing pole, was used for an antenna, putting the top of the antenna about 15 feet off the ground. The radio box has a 20A-h lithium battery, a Yaesu 7900R, a solar charge controller, multiple powerpole connections and USB outlets.

A small DC power meter inline was between the radio and battery was utilzed so that peak DC power was determined at 242W, while  13W-h over the 1/2 hour net (most of which was at 50W transmission power). Obviously, I can do much better by running on the low setting of 5W (apparently without sacrificing communications) was consumed in total. But only 13 out of over 250 W-h available were consumed. Howdy's setup can also recharge with solar at a rate up to 60W/hour depending how many panels are connected, thus weather permitting the station is capable of sustained ongoing heavy use. This same station is used as a base station at home connected to a fixed antenna gain antenna on the roof of the house, but it remains only solar/battery powered without the need of AC power.

July 26 Exercise: We practiced moving off the primary frequency to assigned simplex auxiliary frequencies to pass IC-213 formatted messages.

Thanks to KJ6BHX, KK6RED, KI6GIO, and KC2OKI for participating. It appears that most are becoming familiar on how to change frequency, pass traffic, and return to the net frequency upon completion. Thank you. 

July 19 Exercise: ICS Message format familiarization by moving multiple stations off net frequency to pass traffic.

We asked participants to make up a short mock messages of 5-10 words to and from a pseudonym and position. Stations were directed to contact another station first on net frequency in order to establish good copy conditions. NCS: "station A call Station B here. If good copy move him to 146.xxx and pass your traffic".

Sttion A calls station B, establishes contact, and moves the station off freq. 

Station A: "Station B how copy"?  Station B: "loud and clear". Station A: "Moving to 146.xx now" Station B: "Moving"

Then the stations exchange messages off net frequency and return to net frequency when  traffic is complete. To reiterate know how to operate your radio, know the IC-213 message format, learn how to operate in a directed net, and become a skilled radio communicator.

Without a generally recognized format crucial information may be left out. Please become familiar with both the form and message handling operations. The most common errors discovered in this exercise were the omission of the date time data on the subject field and the omission of the title/position in the "TO" and "FROM" lines. Title and position are often essential.

Thanks to KE6HCE, KK6GIO, KM6HBO, KJ6Dj, KK6ZPM and KK6RED for their valuable participation.

July 12 Exercise: Familiarization with ICS Message form 213, passing traffic, and changing simplex frequencies

This was our most ambitious Thursday evening training drill to date. We tested our ability to pass ICS-213 traffic off the primary net frequency using simplex  frequencies. Stations were instructed to make up short mock messages of 5-10 words with to and from a pseudonym and positions, mock subject, date, times, and text body. Stations were directed to contact another station and exchange messages off net frequency and then return to net frequency when traffic was complete or if trouble was experienced.  

Background: 

The General Message (ICS 213) is used to record incoming messages that cannot be orally transmitted to the intended recipients. 

 ICS-213 is very simple once you take away element 1 and element 8 (which does not apply to us in the trenches).

1. Incident Name (Optional)

2. To (Name and Position):

3. From (Name and Position): 

4. Subject:

5. Date:

6. Time

7. Message:

8. Approved by: Name: Signature: Position/Title: 

The bottom line (8) only applies if one is stationed inside an IC Communications Center where there is a Communications Manager present.  It does not apply to radio ops in the field and trenches.

To reiterate, only 6 lines are essential (2-7)  for field operations. TO, FROM, SUBJECT, DATE, TIME, and Message Text. 

Study:  ICS-213 Message Forms: ICS-213 (PDF); ICS-213 Fillable (PDF); ICS-213 Fillable (DOCX); ICS-213 (DOC); ICS-213 (TXT); ICS-213 RACES Form

Obtaining Fills efficiently in Message Handling (short easy to understand primer)  

Emergency Communications Field Operations Manual and Handbook (Karo-Echo) (Rev 4/2018) 

Using Form ICS-213 -- Made Simple

There is no right or wrong message, just an accurate or inaccurate message -- a message that got through and a message that was lost.. 

What we learned: We learned a lot because of  our many mistakes. Hence, the test was a great success. This is why we practice (in order to find our weak spots. Many pride themselves in being skilled; but are too arrogant to learn that they are deficient. Rather passing traffic accurately is a skill that is learned by 99% practice and 1% theory.   We learned that a few stations either went to sleep or simply checked in for brownie points and then left.  Such behavior wastes all our time. 

We learned that even some  old timers didn't know that they didn't know - -- they didn't know how to change frequency, how to operate their rigs, or knew the basic elements of form 213. It seems that those who believe that they "know it all", precisely so, have stopped learning and need to learn the most. On the other hand, some of the newer ops knew how to change frequency and were not afraid of making mistakes. They will make good operators. We learned that first making contact on net frequency before moving to the alternate frequencies was essential. If copy was marginal on net frequency it will also be marginal off net frequency. Hence, notify NCS or ask for a relay station who can copy both stations. Then NCS will send all three stations off frequency to complete their traffic. 

If the alternative frequency results in a miss, if it is busy with other traffic, if there is interference, or if there is a no go on the assigned frequency for any reason, go back to NCS and he/she will reassign another frequency. Do not reassign yourself on the the fly. That is because NCS needs to know who is where. Let NCS know. If NCS does not reassign all freqs for all stations then there is a risk that you will waste time moving to an already assigned frequency or run the risk of interfering with future  NCS assignments to that new frequency. More importantly, if one of the stations is a targeted recipient for more messages, the NCS will assign stations to follow previously assigned stations to pass their traffic after the first two stations finish with each other. 

Example: The NCS will voice: "Tactical 4 move to 147.55 and pass your traffic to Tactical 6 after Tactical 7 is finished."  That only works well if Tactical 4 and Tactical 7 are on their assigned frequency. We learned that 15 KHz spacing is not adequate when using radios with loose front ends. 30 KHz spacing or greater is less riskier especially so when stations are strong and/pr close by,  unless receiving radios have tight front ends to protect them from wide and strong signals. It is always best to check your transmit deviation settings with a service monitor for calibration.

Participating stations checked back in on net frequency when finished in an efficient manner and those who experienced "no contact" also reported back efficiently. We had four stations complete their traffic and four other stations who had difficulty (as above) and did not complete their missions. We are identifying and working  out those problems. There were 16 check-ins and KE6HCE was NCS. Thanks to KM6CXI, KE6BEE, KM6HBO, KK6GIO, K6KOP, KM6ZPM, K6RJM, and KC6OBK for your active participation. 

I hope that everyone can better appreciate the need for learning best practices, message handling skills, radio  operating skills, and net control skills if we are to better serve our community's  communications needs in a disaster. Just having a ham license and a HT doesn't cut it, although it may make some newbie feel more secure. Thank you all for your efforts. You Rock!

July 5 Exercise

We critiqued the June 28 exercise

The June 28 Exercise

We practiced overloading the primary net frequency and  Net Control Operation by artificially creating extra test messages using the KAROECHO modified message format (an all inclusive combo of the ARRL message form (header), while including all the elements and fields of the IC-213). The idea was to storm the NCS with more than a few high priority messages and learn how to move stations off the primary net frequency to pass their traffic, and then return when finished. Due to certain limitations, it was decided to keep the traffic on the primary net frequency. 

Study Material 

Net Operations Best Procedures

KARO/ECHO Training Manual on How to Work a Directed Net 

Special thanks to K6RJM, KE6HCE, KE6BEE, KJ6AAT, KJ6WSS, KK6RED, and KJ6BHX for submitting their written copies. There were 15 check-ins. Thanks!

Although tactical EmComms are simple; i.e., just push the PTT button and talk, Far too many hams assume that formal written message handling is a piece of cake and that they don’t need to practice. That is true if you don’t mind slowing down the emergency traffic, making lots of errors, and causing delays of needed disaster services and goods. How to get it right the first time and in an efficient manner requires rapport between both the sender and the receive station. Newbies need to hear what field is being sent; while experienced operators just need the data and will put the data where it belongs.

Foremost we are communicators, not interpreters. Our job is to pass traffic as transparently as possible. Do not make corrections, additions, or omissions of any kind without first consulting with the originator or the authorizing manager of your message center.    

First, after establishing contact, always ask the receiving station if they are ready to copy before sending. Never sacrifice accuracy for speed. When in doubt, slow down. Always drop the PTT button often (every 5 words and not less than once every 10 seconds. Receiving stations should never have to repeat the whole message back for confirmation; but please repeat back for confirmation the specific uncertain parts of the message, such as, "please confirm XX, word before XX, word after XX, all before XX, all after XX, etc."  

Action Item: We will critique the drill on the upcoming July 5 Training Net. Of particular note is how to use the ARRL/ARES header on top of the IC-213 form. This improvement of the IC-213 is currently being discussed by FEMA. Adding the ARRL/ARES header on top of the ICS-213 form would be all that is needed. For us radio ops in the field having a message number and station of origin will help in tracking and servicing a message. The message precedence is important in flagging Emergency and Priority traffic. The word count/check is for accuracy (missing words due to glitches, static, fading, op error, etc), Locations are helpful when the From field name and position is not easily recognized.

 The ARRL/ARES form also could use a slight improvement; e.g., the signature should not be considered as a part of the text body. Although it is not counted in the check/word count, it really should be given a field/target by itself (for example the FROM Field of the IC-213 would suffice as the signature and what is designated as “Signature” in IC-213 should be changed to “Authorized by (if germane).

 While the IC-213 might be straightforward to an office worker, to a radio operator in the field handling tactical and logistics traffic it is definitely problematic and lacking.

See: 

Comparing ICS-213 Message Form with the ARRL Message Form (a very short critique)

A Breakdown of the Elements of the ARRL/ARES Standard Message Form Made Simple for Dummies!

Obtaining Fills efficiently in Message Handling (short easy to understand primer)

The KARO-ECHO Hybrid ARES/RACES Message Form