PINE BLUFF AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

RACES Meeting - Conway Arkansas - 13 April 1997 - 1400 Local

Disclaimer: These are the notes of AB5RQ and can be used to get an idea of what was discussed at this meeting. They are subject to revision and correction and may not be inclusive.

Meeting began approximately 1405 local

Jim Blackmon, K5VZ, began the meeting with a discussion of lessons learned from his involvment in the 01 March 97 tornado that went through Arkadelphia.

Interesting notes:

• Forget Diamonds, Comets, and Ringo's for 2M antennas- a copper J-Pole is the ideal 2M antenna primarily because of it's size, durability, and gain. It can be made to work in public bands by moveing slide shunt. The 440 version should also prove valuable.
• G7 survived a direct hit.
• DB224 survived though the harness was destroyed
• Must have: Packet radio to send messages from principles w/o public's knowledge
• Crossbanding radios valuable because HT become useless inside buildings
• Need to have field vehicles. In Jim's case, OES was unusable
• Field phones need to be put in hands of principles (mayor, judges, etc).
• Plan for worse case - no phones with hams providing communications
• Emphasize that you can't make a mistake -- even if you do you learn from it.
• Rubber tired vehicles minimize damage to streets

Next Exercise:

• Last week in July
• Duration 4 hours
• When addressing packet messages they should be Amateur Station to Amateur Station with To: part specifiying agency
• Need HF Packet up and functioning
• Scoring will be same as in SET
• National Guard requests must go through the system
• Blood requests through North Little Rock - N5AT (145.070)
• With respect to requesting equipment, be specific especially if request will be filled by National Guard
• When requesting Generators, specify size and VOLTAGE
• Alternate daytime frequency 7285 when 3987.5 goes south/long