Amateur Radio Emergency Service - W4ACA

Proudly using the Oak Ridge ARC (W4SKH) Repeaters & W4ACA APRS Digipeater

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

When all lines go down in an emergency, one channel still remains


By KOMO Staff Reporters
Courtesy of KOMO TV

SEATTLE -- Chaos broke loose at the South Seattle Community College, where experts and volunteers simulated a citywide emergency on Saturday during a drill aimed to answer the question - what do you do when all lines of communication are down?

The drill, which was run by Seattle utilities and Seattle Auxiliary Communication Service, proved that ham radios are the answer.

Ham radios are the little-known backup tool that makes sure emergency crews know where they're needed most in case of a chaotic emergency. The ham radio operators with ACS can get messages across even when a storm knocks down trees and floods the streets.

"It's critical because nobody else can do this work," said Don Diebert.

Remember Morse code? Jim Hadlock is still fluent.

"You can get through with morse code with less power. It gets through noise better," he said. "It's easier to hear than a voice signal."

And the entire command center is portable. Operators can pass on critical information without even being plugged in.

Most people don't know about the critical need ham operators fill, but the lack of gratitude doesn't deter the operators.

"This has been my hobby for 50 years and it's important to me, and it's a way I can help the community," Hadlock said.

And when the community needs them most, the operators will be there.

Seattle Auxiliary Communications is always looking for volunteers. Those who want to help do not have to own a ham radio.

For more information on volunteering, visit the group's Web site.

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Anderson County ARES Information

The Anderson County ARES net meets every Tuesday Night at 7PM local time.
We use the the W4SKH Oak Ridge ARC repeaters.

The main repeater is: 146.880 PL Tone 88.5 (Currently Online)
The current back up is: 146.970 (Currently Online)

The ARES Nation Simplex Frequency is 147.420 and will used if required.

The net preamble for the Anderson County ARES net can be found here.
NET PREAMBLE

Net Control Station Manual

New FCC BAND PLAN (pdf) Updated Version with a different layout HF Band Plan Vertical (pdf) Courtesy of KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

If you would like to join Anderson County ARES please complete the application form and submit it by email to Jeff or Moe.


Emergency Coordinator and Staff

Jeff Yawn K4IK Emergency Coordinator (865)567-2577
Jim Bogard - KY4L Assistant Emergency Coordinator
Larry Hensley - KB4ITS Asst Emergency Coordinator / Net Manager
Steve Lothridge - KI4RGN Net Manager
Moe Brewer - N4CQW Asst Emergency Coordinator / Webmaster

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