COAR-15 communication options

[Singlestack]

Joined Boulder County ARES recently. They will have a major role in providing HD video (over ham frequencies) for the Bolder Boulder race on Memorial Day weekend. As you can imagine, the LE presence there (local/state/federal) will be very significant. I'm hoping to learn more about ham communications in order to propose some options for this group. From what I saw during orientation, the BCARES group is very much at the front of the pack in utilizing the latest comm technologies for emergency use.

[streetglideok]

Cool, as I said before thats one reason for my involvement locally as well. We have a busy schedule down here this summer, three events on the same day, and the hill climb. Compared to some of the other districts, ours isn't as high tech yet at least. We'll have to see what we learn this summer. Did they give you a list of fema classes to take?

[Singlestack]

Yup! Had orientation this past Saturday; 13 new members. I have taken IS-100b, 200b, and 700 already. Hope to get the 800s knocked out this weekend. Frankly, the content of those classes appears worthless to me, but it does show how (good) management science has permeated some federal agencies. I think more of the bloated Fed beaurocracy could use more efficiency, but even more, less Federal beaurocracies is a good thing to me.

[cmailliard]

ARES is a very good and respected resource. Many people do not know or understand the capabilities they have. Many Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) have ARES reps in them during activation. The 800MHz DTRS radio system in the state is pretty good and getting better, but ARES will ALWAYS be able to communicate.

IS-800 will demonstrate the federal systems in place - the State Coordinating Officer, the Principal Federal Officer, Federal Coordinating Officer, Regional Response Coordination Centers - Fun Stuff. Of the 4 basic classes 100, 200, 700 and 800, it is the most painful.

[streetglideok]

I need to take the classes, even my wife has been asked by the state to take some of them as well for emergency preparedness(she is in the medical field). I've just had too many irons in the fire lately. There is an ARES statewide net on sunday nights on the colorado connection repeater system, if I recall. We have a 2m ssb net on mondays, but I lack a radio to do that. I know some are rolling their eyes at being involved in such activities, and only got into ham for shtf stuff, but without training, that intention is all but useless. At least with this, you're making some contacts with people that could be considered preppers to some degree, and you're learning how to operate in adverse situations.

[Great-Kazoo]

I need to take the classes, even my wife has been asked by the state to take some of them as well for emergency preparedness(she is in the medical field). I've just had too many irons in the fire lately. There is an ARES statewide net on sunday nights on the colorado connection repeater system, if I recall. We have a 2m ssb net on mondays, but I lack a radio to do that. I know some are rolling their eyes at being involved in such activities, and only got into ham for shtf stuff, but without training, that intention is all but useless. At least with this, you're making some contacts with people that could be considered preppers to some degree, and you're learning how to operate in adverse situations.

Without knowledge you might as well be an unprepared city dweller. The more contacts you are able to make the better the hook up is for everything else. As we all know, someone somewhere has something you need. And someone you know, knows who that person is.

[Singlestack]

For me, ARES represents an opportunity to learn the emergency communication ham craft from experienced people, and provide a service to the local community. Those in the know have all said that if you don't understand ham communications very well and are prepared beforehand, you won't have a clue when SHTF and whatever you bought will be useless. This is somewhat sophisticated stuff, and has many operating modes each with their own rules and limitations. One of my objectives is to learn enough to propose a communication structure or plan for COAR-15 members (unless, of course, someone more experienced or knowledgeable does first).

[Boadie30]

Are there many licensed members?

[streetglideok]

Are there many licensed members?

ARES members, or members on this site?

[Boadie30]

Hams on this site?

[streetglideok]

There is a few of us on here, not as many as there probably should be, but there are a few.

[Boadie30]

There is a few of us on here, not as many as there probably should be, but there are a few.

Any of you get on 2 meter very often?

[Singlestack]

I listen in on 2M and 70 cm some evenings. Only active participation is on the BCARES net on Monday nights.

[streetglideok]

Usually have my 2m on in the morning and evening going to and from work.

[Boadie30]

What freq and whats your call signs?

[streetglideok]

I'm usually on 146.345 as that is the current repeater for district 14 ARES. If I'm expecting or looking for someone from denver, then I'm usually on the CRA system. We normally don't make it a habit of posting callsigns on here, as snoops can easily track you to your home.

[gnihcraes]

There are a handful of hams on here. There should be a thread for it, but I'm too lazy to search. :)

KB0??? out.

[zteknik]

I usualy have my 2m on at night when I come home from work in scan mode.I have it set to scan most the local repeaters.
I have it down for now untill I can re set up my Jpole and try and find a 2m antenna for my car.
All I can do is listen to the chatter untill I can get a chance to take the test..

If anybody has an extra 2m antenna for the car gimme a pm :)

[Great-Kazoo]

There is a few of us on here, not as many as there probably should be, but there are a few.

Ham radio's not in my budget. I'll hijack one of the local FD units if it comes to that. Not saying it will never happen, just other items my meager budget can barely afford now. I believe one if not 2 of the NoCo operators will be heading this way if it got ugly.

[streetglideok]

$15 for a license, $120 you can get a used 2m radio and a magnetic antenna. Not hard to budget at all if you consider how much we blow on gun related junk.

[zteknik]

You can find some deals on some radios on ebay if your quick.
I picked up both my ICOM IC2100's for less than a hundred bucks.
Just needed to fix the wiring on the handmikes.

[streetglideok]

Yep, I picked up the same model radio as you off ebay for right around a $100. Get a magnetic base antenna, and a cookie sheet, and you are good to go at home. With as much work as it takes to clean a gun, you can move the rig to your car and be operational. Waiting for an emergency situation to use a ham radio for emcomm is also fool hardy. Those who fall in that category, ask yourself, do you know what ctcc/pl tones are, offsets for repeaters are, and what frequency would you call on? The vast majority of people on here dont, unless they are involved in communications already, its all easy stuff to learn, but if you dont use it once in a while, you'll forget, nevermind when you are franticly trying to reach help.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Those looking for help to get their license need only ask for help. I'll gladly throw myself in to help people study and get their license.

[Great-Kazoo]

$15 for a license, $120 you can get a used 2m radio and a magnetic antenna. Not hard to budget at all if you consider how much we blow on gun related junk.

JUNK!!!!!! How dare you my good man. junk?? I'll drop more than that on a 22 bulk pack[Beer]

[Singlestack]

I'll drop more than that on a 22 bulk pack[Beer]

Sad!! Makes me cringe!

[streetglideok]

JUNK!!!!!! How dare you my good man. junk?? I'll drop more than that on a 22 bulk pack[Beer]

Lol, sad as that may be, you are right. I've blown more than that on powder. Heck thats two pmags at the gunshows!

[Boadie30]

Good point on the callsign bit....

[streetglideok]

THought I'd bump this thread in light of the tornadic action in Oklahoma yesterday and today. This is a good example of an emergency situation that could hit even here(think Greeley). Land lines down, cell phones are jammed and inoperable. Even emergency services are having problems with comms.

[Boadie30]

True, there is always someone to talk to outside of the effected area..

[rbeau30]

I will hopefully pass my Technician Class this month or next. Going through a book right now and some flash cards.

I scan 2M and 70cm beacons around me for Situational Awareness only.

[Wulf202]

THought I'd bump this thread in light of the tornadic action in Oklahoma yesterday and today. This is a good example of an emergency situation that could hit even here(think Greeley). Land lines down, cell phones are jammed and inoperable. Even emergency services are having problems with comms.
It was Windsor

[Singlestack]

I joined the Boulder Cty ARES group last month. They have a major role working with BC Sheriffs Dept for the Bolder-Boulder race on Monday. As you could imagine there will be significant security presence because of the Boston Marathon. Will be in one of many high-def camera crews, transmitting video over 70cm to the command center. Get my specific assignment tonite. This is the biggest actual (non-training) deployment BCARES has ever had; ought to be very interesting!

[streetglideok]

You guys do alot more with atv up there than they do down here. I have a race next month to do here in town, then will see if I have the nads to chip in for the hill climb. Thats our biggest event of the year here. They do have a saturday with three races running at the same time, and are looking for additional volunteers.

[Singlestack]

Street - sounds like a blast! Yes, you most definitely have the nads for the hill climb! Only question is if they make haul you up 80 lbs of gear uphill!

I will be working the finish line area at Folsom Field, with a good view of those coming/going. Since Im a complete newbie they paired me with an older hand who knows a ton. Huge LE presence, Boulder PD, CU PD, Boulder County Sheriff, Homeland security, FBI, etc. several 2M radio nets going in addition to 70cm and 23cm video. This will be an intense learning session for me, looking fwd to it.

[streetglideok]

Found out today, PPFM finally got the 146.970 repeater back up and running. It sits on the peak, so even you guys up in the denver area should be able to hit it.

[rbeau30]

Found out today, PPFM finally got the 146.970 repeater back up and running. It sits on the peak, so even you guys up in the denver area should be able to hit it.


Is it KB0SRJ (http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/details.php?state_id=08&ID=44) ?

Ohh Does anyone use the Baofeng UV-5R? Looking for a good .DAT file I can play with for programming some good Colorado Repeaters.

[streetglideok]

Yep, thats the one. It has a huge coverage area. Sure beats the 147.345 we have been using. The worry was, if skywarn spotters were deployed to eastern El Paso county, how many problems we would have communicating without 970.

[rbeau30]

I don't have 147.345 programmed either. :-(

I don't have transmitting ability, but I monitor for situational awareness/learning. I'll try to see if I can listen in on that one too. I can't hear KB0SRJ, but I probably am not getting the programming correct.

Can't take my test this Saturday in Centennial, because I work, but I am shooting for the 1st in Englewood.

[streetglideok]

100hz is the tone for 970. It just came back online yesterday I believe, so you wouldn't have heard it. The 147.345, its on cheyenne mtn., and had abysmal range. Palmer divide all but completely blocks it, and about all the repeaters up there too. Good luck on your test. If you have questions, or are stumped by something, drop me a PM.

[rbeau30]

Well, I can't test anything, basically I had programmed it, and I just have to wait until I hear someone talking. That is until after the 1st when I take my test, and until I get assigned my license.


Will do, thanks for the offer to help!

[streetglideok]

Right now, its usually a week or less before your callsign is posted on the fcc database. I forget how many days it took for them to upgrade my license last year, but it wasnt many at all.

[Singlestack]

Street - I have the 970 repeater programmed into my UV-5R, but I show it as 100 Hz on both xmit as well as rcv - is that right?

[streetglideok]

Yep, the xmit is to break squelch in the repeater. Having it in recieve, thats to have it break squelch in your radio, no matter how high you have your squelch knob set. The latter isn't required, but alot do it including me.

[rbeau30]

Just passed my Technician Test this morning in Englewood! I guess that makes me co-ar15's newest licensed operator (when my letters appear on the FCC site).

Wasn't all that bad, just a little bit of reading and some flash cards and a couple practice tests.

[Reave]

Just passed my Technician Test this morning in Englewood! I guess that makes me co-ar15's newest licensed operator (when my letters appear on the FCC site).

Wasn't all that bad, just a little bit of reading and some flash cards and a couple practice tests.
Welcome to the club, now empty your pockets!

[rbeau30]

Welcome to the club, now empty your pockets!

Ohh there is so much stuff I want now!

[streetglideok]

Went up to the top of pikes peak today, and keyed up on simplex 146.520, and made a contact with a ham in Broomfield. He pegged full signal on my radio, sounded like he was beside me. Elevation can do wonders on VHF/UHF.

[zteknik]

Went up to the top of pikes peak today, and keyed up on simplex 146.520, and made a contact with a ham in Broomfield. He pegged full signal on my radio, sounded like he was beside me. Elevation can do wonders on VHF/UHF.
What rig were you using?

[streetglideok]

Yaesu 2900, little diamond nr72nmo on top. I was running full power when I threw out my call, just to see who I could get. Pretty sure I could have dialed my power way back and been ok.

[zteknik]

Yaesu 2900, little diamond nr72nmo on top. I was running full power when I threw out my call, just to see who I could get. Pretty sure I could have dialed my power way back and been ok.
Nice!
I cant wait to get my J pole on the roof and see how far I can get.

[streetglideok]

The higher you get, the further you get out. Mt Evans may not give as good of results since there are more tall mountains around it.

[Singlestack]

Yahoo! Got the OK from my wifester to put up a G5RV as an inverted V on the side of the house! I have some other things I need to get first for a 4-day course at Front Sight in October, but this gives me a nice project for the fall months. It seems to be about the most stealthy approach I can take in my covenant-silly neighborhood, and I really don't think anyone will figure out what it is. I'm giving a serious look at a Flex Radio 1500 for my main radio at home. I already have a pretty beefy quad core system in my office, so the power is there to do the heavy lifting. This can potentially give me a reasonably feature-rich QRP radio at a pretty low price. I'll need to save up for the radio itself thru the winter months...

[streetglideok]

I dunno, I'm looking around at some of the older radios that still perform, less menus, and inexpensive here. The software radios though cool, are a little gimmicky to me, especially for something to use during emergencies. I'll be at the megafest this weekend browsing most likely. Come on down and take a look, not sure if there will be anything there or not,lol.

[zteknik]

What time does the fest start?

[streetglideok]

0800 Saturday am
http://ppraa.org/megafest

[zteknik]

Cool!Thanks,I might see you there.

[Singlestack]

I think I'll go to the fest this time, and maybe catch the castle rock gun show on the way home. I'll be wearing my usual tan BCM hat with the Ami flag on the front - hope to see you there.

[rbeau30]

We should take advantage of this and all meet? Just a thought.

[zteknik]

We should take advantage of this and all meet? Just a thought.
Sounds like a good idea.Be nice to meet some of the COAR15 hams(by no means is this affiliated or sponsore by the site) < disclaimer out of the way..[Coffee]

Been out of the loop for a while it would be nice to get back into it.

[zteknik]

I think I'll go to the fest this time, and maybe catch the castle rock gun show on the way home. I'll be wearing my usual tan BCM hat with the Ami flag on the front - hope to see you there.
Cool,I'll be the skinny looking Polack wearing my coar15 hat,plus whatever clean jeans and t shirt I have at the time.

[rbeau30]

So should we pick a time and ... waffle house to meet?


Cool,I'll be the skinny looking Polack wearing my coar15 hat,plus whatever clean jeans and t shirt I have at the time.
There is COAR15 swag????????????????


where did I miss this clothing sale?

[zteknik]

So should we pick a time and ... waffle house to meet?


There is COAR15 swag????????????????


where did I miss this clothing sale?
Time and place sounds good.I guess the guys in the Springs can meet up down here and convoy up to another rally point.

Ah dude!![facepalm]
Its at the top of the forum page-its the 3rd one down,merchandise. They usually make a few runs of them a year.Ask spliefy,he may have a few left over.

[streetglideok]

I'll be dragging the wife along, key word dragging I think, then we're heading to Denver to the candy shop after that.

[rbeau30]

Time and place sounds good.I guess the guys in the Springs can meet up down here and convoy up to another rally point.

Ah dude!![facepalm]
Its at the top of the forum page-its the 3rd one down,merchandise. They usually make a few runs of them a year.Ask spliefy,he may have a few left over.

The link in the sticky must be linked to the old archived threads, no access. Ahhh well, I'll wait till they fix it.

[ChadAmberg]

Sounds like a good idea.Be nice to meet some of the COAR15 hams(by no means is this affiliated or sponsore by the site) < disclaimer out of the way..[Coffee]

Been out of the loop for a while it would be nice to get back into it.

Figures... I'll be in Nebraska fishing all weekend. Maybe next time for me!

[zteknik]

The link in the sticky must be linked to the old archived threads, no access. Ahhh well, I'll wait till they fix it.
Probably purged during the last make over.
But they do come out with stuff every so often.

[zteknik]

Figures... I'll be in Nebraska fishing all weekend. Maybe next time for me!
Good luck [Beer]
I'm sure there will be another before the end of the summer.

[zteknik]

Well it looks like I won't be going to the fest :( My transmission in my car let loose so I have to spend the weekend futzing with it..

[streetglideok]

Well that's no good. Why is it that we always have the worst luck with our own cars, after screwing with cars all day long?

[zteknik]

Well that's no good. Why is it that we always have the worst luck with our own cars, after screwing with cars all day long?
Mechanics cars are always in need of repair,the plumbers toilets always leak and the carpenters house is out of square...

[streetglideok]

Im guessing we'll make it there around 9ish or so. Anyone know if it's indoors or outdoors? Guess I'll sport my ID badge so you'll know who one of the tallest, most ugly guys there is,lol.

[gnihcraes]

I won't make it.

Next one is August 18th, Denver Radio Club - Jefferson County Fairgrounds. I should be able to make this one if anyone else is going.

[streetglideok]

Last one of theirs I went, I left a bit disappointed.

[gnihcraes]

Last one of theirs I went, I left a bit disappointed.

Yep, The whole market is down, the last DRC Show was the same guys from 20 years ago, same stuff they were trying to sell..

I'll go anyway to support the club and renew a membership. See some old friends, have a pepsi and a donut.

I might find something I've got to have! I do need a new antenna for my truck. So...

[streetglideok]

I went this am, and saw a couple of ares guys I knew. Wandered around and talked to one ham with a table, a former cheesehead from where I once lived. He had a couple of yaesu HFs, an 890 and a 900 I believe, and a kenwood 430 or 440, cant remember now. Never got his callsign, should have, as I need to snag an HF rig one of these days. Did end up in Denver and ordered up a D710 dual bander.

[rbeau30]

I went this am, and saw a couple of ares guys I knew. Wandered around and talked to one ham with a table, a former cheesehead from where I once lived. He had a couple of yaesu HFs, an 890 and a 900 I believe, and a kenwood 430 or 440, cant remember now. Never got his callsign, should have, as I need to snag an HF rig one of these days. Did end up in Denver and ordered up a D710 dual bander.


Whereabouts you from EH? I'm from Milwaukee.

Awesome choice! so far I like the one I got off Chad.

[streetglideok]

Fond du lac, same place as the ham at the megafest. I only lived there a little over a year however. Made a few trips to miller town, but that's been a while ago.