HARDware and software Infrastructure technical work group

HARDware, ELECTRONICS, and software technical work group

This KARO ECHO Work Group covers the repair, maintenance, installation, planning, access, and development of all the KARO ECHO Electronics Hardware and Software infrastructure, KARO ECHO served agency sites, and member sites. It is the physical/electronic network that our radio information travels on.

Job Responsibilities/Purview

Technical issues include the development and maintenance of hardware, portable and fixed emergency power installations (training in the use of batteries, solar, and use of car charging system), ham & FRS/GMRS radio antenna equipment, and the regular maintenance and testing of portable and base antennas. The Infrastructure Working Group maintains a working inventory and a maintenance schedule. This team maintains coordination with corresponding agency site managers in order to arrange 24 hour access to equipment. The team works together with the Operations Work Group in order to identify and establish optimal operating locations and equipment. The Technical Work Group goes beyond the testing and maintenance of the physical infrastructure, but also creative development and design of new technologies, hardware, software, portable and fixed emergency power installations, radios, digital equipment, antennas, go-carts, masts, etc.

This team will also help KARO ECHO members install, repair, and maintain their antenna, radio, emergency power systems, and programming, as well as coordinate efforts with the KARO ECHO Training Work Group in their Elmering/Mentoring program.

Team

Team Lead: Tom, KN6BUY

Current Team Members: Frans KJ6IUV, Curt KM6HFT, Howdy KE6BEE, Michael AJ6RZ, Don NI6A, Rob K6RJM, Jerry K6KOP.

More volunteers are solicited, contact info@karoecho.net

Equipment and Locations

El Cerrito

El Cerrito EOC

Dual band antenna, Kenwood TM-D700 radio (built-in TNC), and generator power

Fire Station 71

Dual band antenna. radio, and generator power

Fire Station 72

Dual band antenna, Radio, and generator power

Harding School Park Clubhouse

Dual band 17' X-500HNA antenna and external patch box

Tassajara Park

Dual band 10' X-300 antenna and a dedicated GMRS antenna with external patch box on clubhouse

Kensington

Fire Station 65 (KPSB)

Dual band 10' X-300 antenna, 50 watt radio, and battery power

Kensington Community Center (KCC)

Dual band 10' X-300 antenna, 50 watt radio, and battery power

Kensington Hilltop School (KHS)

Dual band 10' X-300 antenna, 50 watt radio, and battery power

Kensington - El Cerrito Area Wide Portable Go-Kart

50 watt radio, deep cycle AGM 105 AH battery, tripod base, 6.5/8 DBd VHF/UHF gain portable antenna, GMRS gain antenna, and Rigid Portable Cart on wheels.

KARO ECHO has additional radios, power supplies and antennas that can be deployed as permanent infrastructure or portable stations.

Notes on Locations

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

The EOC is located in the El Cerrito Public Safety Building at 10900 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530

Station 71

Station 71 is located at 10900 San Pablo Avenue at the corner of Manila Avenue. The station was built in 1964 and is the headquarters for both the Fire Department and the El Cerrito Police Department. In addition to the Fire Department’s administration, Station 71 is also home to Engine 71, Truck 71, and OES #300.

Station 72

Station 72, located at 1520 Arlington Boulevard, was built in 1997 to replace the outdated station at this same site. This station serves as a secondary Emergency Operations Center for the City and has a training room facility as well as archive storage for Fire Department records. Engine 72 and Engine 372 are both housed at this facility as well as a 16-foot mass casualty incident trailer that stores extra medical supplies for large-scale incidents.

Station 65

Station 65 is located at 217 Arlington Avenue in Kensington, was built in 1970 to replace the old station that was located down the street. The Station is owned by the Kensington Fire Protection District that has contracted with the El Cerrito Fire Department to provide personnel and administrative services since 1995. In addition, the Fire District leases part of the building to the Kensington Police Department who also work out of this same facility. Engine 65 and Engine 365 are both housed at this facility.

Battery Emergency Power Operations

EMcomm Operators Go-Kit (Jumpkit)

Customized KARO ECHO EMComm Operators Go-Kit based on types of assignments

The Four Types of Assignments Based on Radio Hardware and Levels of Skill (see the above KARO ECHO Go-Kit based on type of assignment).

KARO ECHO Net Script

Net Operations and Procedures

KARO ECHO How to Work a Directed Net Click here

The Role of a Message Center and Message Center Manager

Emergency Communications Field Operations Manual and Handbook (KARO ECHO) (Rev 4/2018)

A list of Relevant VHF and UHF SIMPLEX Frequencies in our area

The KARO ECHO HYBRID/Modified ARES/RACES MESSAGE FORM as fillable PDF or in MS Word format

ICS-213 (pdf) (fillable PDF) (Word dot doc ) (ICS Standard Form)