Present:

The minutes from the last meeting were approved, with the notation that there are potential addenda.

Old Business:

The scheduled orientation to the new Incident Command Vehicle was cancelled by the Boulder Police Department.

District 11 (BCARES) responded two nights (Fri. May 3 and Sat. May 4) to the Public Safety building to be ready for possible out-of-hand partying on the Hill. The first night, the briefing was attended and equipment loaded and members went home - on call - the second night, a crew went to the Hill and established good quality pictures transmitted to the Public Safety Building with a Yagi and 5 watts from several locations. No incidents occurred.

A discussion ensued regarding the appropriateness of District 11 (BCARES) supporting police activities such as crowd control. Grant noted that District 11 (BCARES) was supplied with gas masks and flak jackets; he voiced his opinion that any situation which would require that equipment is way beyond the scope of District 11 (BCARES), that the purpose of ARES is to provide communications in disaster situations. He also voiced doubts about football coverage.

Jim noted that any member may decline participation that he or she does not think appropriate. It was noted that when members are contacted during a call-out, they may feel pressured to respond even if they would rather not.

A couple solutions were suggested, including:

• positive response sign-up for availability to various types of events at the annual meeting. (Consensus approval)

• An on-line survey of availability, with an alternative contact point, and the provision for anonymous comments. (Consensus approval. Pat will develop.)

• Jeffco has several call-out groups, such at the Highway 285 wildfire team, which are called upon for specific types of events before any general call-out is initiated.

• Improved definition of the purpose and nature of our activities, especially in view of the break-up of the unified structure formerly existing wherein we responded to all call-outs from one office, needs to be addressed. In addition, a plan for response to civil disturbances, such as exists for response to fire and flood, needs to be added to the red book. These were deferred to the June 10 meeting.

May 5th Moffat Tunnel

1. Occurrences:
   • Twenty-three members were scheduled to respond to the SET; there were a number of last minute absences.

   • Coverage should have been trimmed to match the resources available. It was adjusted but further resources would have been helpful.

   • Dale developed a flow sheet for Ham communications (see appended).

   • It was of interest to served agencies and should be updated for other events.

   • District 11 (BCARES) did not have a representative at the pre-activity tabletop (had been informed that communications would not be discussed). Not all agencies recognized District 11 (BCARES) as participants. Many thought we were press.

   • A District 11 (BCARES) rep should go to planning meetings just to hear what the plans are and for the awareness of the served agencies. Originally, only local ATV was requested; agencies were not aware we could get communication out. A communication lead from the agencies is needed.

   • There was general confusion at the tunnel regarding who was in charge and which agency was doing what. The Jeffco operators were co-opted to handle the Jeffco communications. Frequencies were not used as assigned.

   • It had been decided to not pre-plan, to throw the agencies together and let them work it out. The need for better interagency communication was apparent. The fact that we need to offer services to served agencies, not direct the agencies, was underlined. Lack of knowledge about how the operation was being run caused confusion.

   • People in the state ICV voiced frustration over not being able to see what was happening; they are used to being physically able to walk around and look.

   • There is a TV in the state van; the transmitted pictures probably could have been received.

2. Call-out telephone tree
   • Went okay. It was broken up into several people calling a small group each. Having better information on operational desires of people would help.

3. Pre-event deployment
   • The plan was not to call a net until 10 AM; it would have been better to establish it locally (on 76) immediately and then move it to 145.46 repeater when that became available. Initial net control could be run from the EOC, or from someone's house; need not be a participant in the rest of the exercise.

4. Com Van TV
   • Mast, tripod, and beam should go to the Com Van, so an good antenna can be placed. Mast on Com Van is no longer there. Vertical worked okay; better antenna would be better.

5. Desensitization
   • Too much RF at too high power in the ICV; at times up to 50% of communications lost.

6. Wind

   • The potential for wind problems was obvious. Cord and stakes should go with masts.

7. Equipment deployment
   • HF accessories went to Avista instead of a packet station, requiring correction. An equipment deployment coordinator with a checklist in the parking lot would be a good idea.

8. Locations in/ Fixed antennas at hospitals
   • BCH location has been changed. Updated maps will be posted. Antenna status and SWR needs checking. Antennas at Avista may have been replaced after re-roofing. LUH Packet #1 lacks sufficient power (1.5 watts) to operate well from Longmont; co-ax probably needs replacing. It would probably work with a Yagi outside pending fix; more powerful radio does work.

9. HF power supplies
   • Operator at Avista was wary of operating on his car battery for more than a few minutes. Reliable power needs to be available.

10. Red Cross HF

    • Antenna changes necessary for effective 40 meter operation. Several suggestions were made; George will follow up for Red Cross receptivity.

Summary of Lessons Learned

• Start with the basics (Net control)

• Expand as able. Priorities are usually 1) Voice 2) Data & 3) TV; consult served agencies.

• Two (2) people needed for all net control positions

• The ICV is a bad place for net control

• A portable repeater or cross linked repeater for District 11 (BCARES) would be nice.

What worked

• Dale documented successful links

• HF packet

• All links were made

• Local video was good

• VHF voice was solid
  • 146.46 from spots
  • 145.76 was good

An after-action report will be sent.

Other business

The need to upgrade the storage space is noted. How many tapes should we keep/what should we do with surplus? Suggestions: BARC/LARCfest, $.50 apiece.

The next meeting will be July 10, at 6:30, at the EOC, in the Public Safety Building.