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?