CALLSIGN PREFIX DAN SUFFIX

Semenjak akhir-akhir ini, kerap saya terdengar rakan-rakan terlupa atau tersasul mengumumkan “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) sendiri atau pun rakan-rakan lain. Bagi saya ianya perlu kerana ia merupakan pengenalan yang hanya satu untuk satu stesen dan belum pernah lagi ada satu stesen memiliki dua “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan).

Semasa ke udara adalah merupakan satu kemestian malah wajib untuk mengumumkan “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) samada dengan ejaan fonetik atau tidak menikut keadaan semasa komunikasi itu berjalan. Contoh disini, cara yang perlu dibuat;

TANPA EJAAN FONETIK:-

“9W2CKO disini 9W2BBA……” BUKANNYA “9W2CKO disini BBA……” mana perginya cicir 9w2..?

DENGAN EJAAN FONETIK:-

“Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar disini Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha……” BUKANNYA “Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar disini Bravo Bravo Alpha……” mana perginya cicir 9w2..?

Malah yang paling hebatnya ada juga rakan-rakan tidak membuat penerimaan dengan baik dan teratur, bila dapat sahaja giliran terus tanpa memberi masa yang cukup untuk pengulang menerima isyarat dari pemancar (Sekurang-kurangnya tekan PTT dalam 3 saat baru bercakap), perbuatan ini akan menyebabkan penerima hanya dapat mendengar “Suffix”.

Serba sedikit mengenai Callsign Prefix dan Suffix.

Dalam penyiaran dan komunikasi, “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) adalah sesuatu yang unik bagi satu-satu stesen pemancar amatur. Ianya dibezakan dengan lokasi atau negara dari mana stesen tersebut memancar. “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) ini mengandungi Dua bahagian yang terdiri dari “Prefix” dan “Suffix”. “Prefix” ini telah dikeluarkn oleh ITU (International Telecommunication Union) yang mana ianya mengandungi pengenalan negara, kelas dan kawasan geograpi pemilik “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) tersebut, manakala “Suffix’ merupakan pengenalan pilihan pemilik “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) mengikut huruf yang bersesuaian dan bergantung kepada kekosongan jika belum digunakan lagi semasa permohonan “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) dari SKMM.

Di negara kita, 9M adalah untuk pemegang Lesen Penguntukan Radas Kelas A iaitu 9M2 untuk Semenanjung Malaysia, 9M6 untuk Sabah dan 9M8 untuk Sarawak. Bagi pemegang Lesen Penguntukan Radas Kelas B ialah 9W iaitu 9W2 untuk Semenanjung Malaysia, 9W6 untuk Sabah dan 9W8 untuk Sarawak. Carta berikut menerangkan mengenai “Call Sign” (Tanda Panggilan) mengikut kawasan geograpi Malaysia.

Dipetik Dari : Website 9w2bba

Ikut dan amalkanlah SOP yang sebenar bagi mencerminkan komuniti radio amatur yang tulen de 9w2aam

Blog - Dedicated to HomeBrew Radio

Follow the adventures of Kevin, M0KHZ in the never-ending story of Homebrew Radio on the West Coast of Cumbria (UK) - in a blog dedicated to the art of DIY. Try it you will not be disappointed

Check out my adventures at: www.m0khz.com - all design data, schematics, PCB foils, and ramblings. Spend some time and check out the archives.

Source : www.southgatearc.org

SKMM buat taklimat penggunaan radio amatur

AYER KEROH, 15 Mac - Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), telah menganjurkan satu Majlis Taklimat Radio Amatur bagi mendedahkan kepada orang ramai terhadap penggunaan serta perkembangan sistem komunikasi tersebut.

Pengarah Wilayah Selatan SKMM, Bukhari Yahya berkata, sehingga kini, terdapat lebih 5,000 pengguna yang memanfaatkan kemudahan tersebut untuk tujuan berkomunikasi.

Namun, katanya, masih ada banyak ruang lagi bagi memperluaskan penggunaan radio amatur di pelbagai peringkat khususnya di kalangan warga muda negara ini.

"Dalam sesi taklimat ini kami akan menerangkan tentang cara penggunaan radio amatur dengan cara yang betul serta peraturan-peraturan yang telah digariskan bagi yang berminat untuk menjadikannya sebagai satu hobi.

"Kami juga menerangkan ada proses tertentu sebelum melayakkan seseorang itu menggunakan radio amatur serta langkah-langkah awal untuk berjinak ke arah itu," jelas Bukhari sebaik sesi taklimat itu berlangsung di Rumah Media Melaka, di sini, hari ini.

Majlis tersebut yang julung kali diadakan di negeri ini telah dirasmikan oleh Timbalan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Bahagian Pembangunan Merangkap Pengarah Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN), Datuk Zainal Hussin.

Pembentangan kertas kerja dilakukan oleh tiga wakil persatuan penggiat radio amatur iaitu, Persatuan Radio Amatur Trammistor Malaysia (MARTS), Perkhidmatan Radio Amatur Kecemasan Malaysia (MARES) serta SKMM sendiri.

Pada majlis itu juga, calon-calon yang telah lulus ujian penggunaan radio amatur telah diberikan sijil bagi melayakkan mereka memohon lesen yang sah untuk penggunaan alat tersebut.

Dipetik dari Melaka Hari Ini.com.my

ASAS PENGENDALIAN RADIO AMATUR.

Anda telah mempunyai lesen dan bersedia untuk ke udara. Perkara penting yang perlu anda lakukan pada permulaannya ialah mendengar dan memerhati bagaimana rakan-rakan ham membuat panggilan mereka. Memandangkan ianya terdiri dari berbagai “Mode” dan “Band” dengan pendekatan yang agak berbeza, ianya akan membantu jika anda biasa mendengar pelbagai keadaan atau cara sebelum anda membuat panggilan pertama atau ‘Kontek Perdana’.

Bergantung kepada radio dan lesen yang anda miliki untuk membantu membuat keputusan dan bagaimana anda hendak memulakannya. Jika anda menggunakan Radio Bimbit (Handy Talkie), anda boleh mula berkomunikasi melalui Pengulang (Repeater) atau terus kepada rakan yang lain (Simplex) di band VHF, UHF dan HF mengikut frekuansi yang telah di peruntukan.

Penggunaan Radio Bimbit (Handy Talkie) dan Pengulang (Repeater)

Kebanyakan rakan Radio Amatur yang baru mendapat Lesen dalam Kelas B dengan “Suffix” 9W. Pada peringkat ini untuk berkomunikasi lebih jauh, yang paling asas ialah menggunakan Radio Bimbit melalui Pengulang tempatan. Anggaplah anda telah mempunyai Radio Bimbit yang telah dipasangkan (Setting) dengan Frekuansi memancar (Uplink) dan menerima (Downlink) Offset serta CTCSS Tone yang betul, anda telah bersedia untuk membuat panggilan yang pertama.

Ia mungkin nampak senang dan ringkas tapi anda harus tahu Tanda Panggilan (CallSign) sebelum memulakannya. Perkara yang sebaiknya anda buat ialah meneliti sebutan Phonetics jika rakan yang menerima nanti minta anda menerangkan satu persatu ejaan Tanda Panggilan (CallSign) anda.

Contoh: 9W2BBA ejaan Phonetics ialah NINE WISHKEY TWO BRAVO BRAVO ALPHA.

Panggilan Pertama!

Sebagai panduan anggaplah anda berada di Semananjung Malaysia iaitu dengan Tanda Panggilan bermula dengan 9W2 dan mggunakan Pengulang yang boleh dijangkau dari kawasan anda. Kawasan seperti Lembah Klang dan kawasan yang berada dalam liputan Pengulang.

1. Tekan butang PTT (Push To Talk) di Radio Bimbit anda dan sebut contohnya 9W2BBA mendengar anda hendaklah menggunakan Tanda Panggilan (CallSign) anda sendiri.

** 9W2BBA listening

Itu yang perlu anda buat untuk mendapatkan jawapan. Jika tiada apa-apa jawapan dalam masa yang lama. Anda mungkin cuba memanggil lagi sekali, tapi kali ini dengan menyebut ‘9W2BBA memantau dan mendengar panggilan’.

** “9W2BBA is monitoring and listening for a call”

Kebiasaanya anda tidak perlu membuat panggilan “CQ” di Pengulang walaupun ia tidak menjadi kesalahan. Kita akan membincangkan mengenai panggilan CQ nanti.

2. Anda mendapat jawapan contoh seperti “9W2BBA disini 9W2CKO di Shah Alam kembali. Nama saya Othman. Kembali kepada anda”.

** “9W2BBA this is 9W2CKO at Shah Alam returning. My name is Othman. Back to you”.

Pada peringkat ini anda hanya perlu tunggu 3 saat sebelum menjawab semula panggilan tadi.

3. Tekan butang PTT dan jawab. Pada peringkat ini perbualan atau perbincangan adalah bergantung kepada apa yang ingin anda bincangkan atau ketahui. Beri Nama, Lokasi dan apa-apa maklumat yang ingin anda maklumkan kepada rakan baru anda serta akhiri perbualan anda dengan mengatakan "Ganti" atau "Kembali kepada anda".

** “Over” atau “Back to you”.

Ada baiknya jika anda menyebut Tanda Panggilan kerap setelah perbualan atau transmisi yang panjang dibuat dengan menyebut “9W2CKO disini 9W2BBA. Ganti”

** “9W2CKO this is 9W2BBA. Over”.

Penggunaan “Ganti” (Over) atau “Kembali kepada anda” (Back to you) adalah satu isyarat kepada rakan selepas anda yang anda telah selesai bercakap dan tiba giliran beliau untuk bercakap.

4. Pada akhir perbualan atau perbincangan anda akan mengucapakan Salam atau 73 dan keluar dari jaluran dengan mengucapkan “9W2CKO disini 9W2BBA keluar dan memantau” Itu jika anda masih ingin memantau di jaluran. Jika tidak anda hendaklah mengatakan “keluar dan QRT”. sebagai ganti.

** “9W2CKO this is 9W2BBA clear and monitoring”. atau “clear and QRT“

Menjawab Panggilan

Menjawab panggilan melalui Pengulang dengan Radio Bimbit adalah serupa seperti mana yang dibincangkan diatas iaitu orang sebaliknya memanggil anda. Anda akan mendengar 9W2CKO memanggil di Pengulang dan jawab seperti berikut selepas 3 saat dari panggilan tamat:

1. 9W2CKO disini 9W2BBA. Selamat Pagi. Nama saya Bujang dan Lokasi saya di Subang. Kembali kepada anda.

** “9W2CKO this is 9W2BBA. Good morning. My name is Bujang and my location is Subang. Over to you”.

2. Secara asasnya pertukaran Tanda Panggilan adalah seperti telah dibincangkan diatas.

Pastikan anda memperkenalkan Stesen anda sekali sekala dan seharusnya memperkenalkan diri anda jika ada stesen yang baru menyertai perbualan (QSO) anda.

Panggilan Terus

Panggilan Terus (Simplex) adalah panggilan yang dibuat terus kepada rakan anda tanpa menggunakan Pengulang (Repeater). Samada anda menggunakan Jalur VHF, UHF atau HF prosedur adalah sama. Panggilan yang anda buat adalah terus kepada rakan anda menggunakan Jalur dan Frekuasnsi yang sama tanpa perlu melalui Pengulang.

Walaubagaimanapun ia bergantung penuh dengan “Antenna dan propogasi (Radio Propagation) untuk HF, adalah perlu anda menentukan kesesuaian Talaan “Tuning Antenna” sebelum memulakan panggilan anda.

Memanggil CQ untuk membuat panggilan
( Anggaplah anda mengendalikan panggilan HF di 10 meter band )

1. Mulakan dengan mencari frekuansi yang terang contoh seperti 28.360. Bercakap dengan terang dan jelas “Adakah frekuansi ini digunakan? disni 9W2BBA”. Jika anda tidak mendapat apa-apa jawapan dalam jangkamasa yang agak lama buat panggilan kali kedua sebagai kepastian. Jika masih tiada jawapan maka bolehlah pergi ke langkah yang kedua. Jika ada rakan mengatakan frekuansi tersebut digunakan pindah ke frekuansi yang lain yang lebih jelas dan cuba lagi dengan panggilan anda. Jika anda dijemput bolehlah menyertai perbincangan atau berkenalan dengan rakan baru, anda hendaklah memperkenalkan diri jika itu panggilan pertama anda dengan rakan yang sedia ada di Jaluran tersebut.

** “Is this frequency in use? This is 9W2BBA”.

2. Buat panggilan “CQ CQ CQ. Disini Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha memanggil CQ CQ CQ. Disini Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha, Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha memanggil CQ dan menunggu panggilan”.

** “CQ CQ CQ. This is Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha calling CQ CQ CQ. This is Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha, Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha calling CQ and waiting for a call”.

Sekarang anda tunggu dan dengar jawapan kepada panggilan anda. Berada di Jalur 10 meter HF berkemungkinan anda akan mendapat jawapan dalam keadaan yang amat jelas hingga amat sukar untuk didengar.

3. Jika anda mendengar cth “Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha disini Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar memanggil”.

4. Anda hendaklah menjawab dengan “Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar disini Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha. Terima Kasih atas panggilan anda. Terima anda dengan kekuatan 5 9. Nama saya Bujang dan QTH di Subang. Bagaimana anda terima saya? Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar disini Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha ganti”.

** Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar this is Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha. Thanks for the call your signal is 5 9. My name is Bujang and my QTH is Subang. So how do you copy? Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar this is Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha over.

Anda telah membuat panggilan pertama anda dalam Jalur HF. Pada tahap ini anda boleh membuat panggilan atau QSO selama mana anda suka atau mampu bergantung kepada keadaan jalur serta propogasi.

5. Anda boleh mengakhiri perbualan anda (QSO) dengan mengumumkan diudara kedua-dua tanda panggilan dan keluar dari jaluran.

Contoh: “terima kasih othman untuk panggilan dan 73 kepada anda dan keluarga. Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar disini Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha keluar dari jalur”.

** “thanks Othman for the contact and 73 to you and your family. Nine Whiskey Two Charlie Kilo Oscar this is Nine Whiskey Two Bravo Bravo Alpha signing off”.

Apa yang harus anda lakukan jika lebih dari satu stesen yang menjawab panggilan anda? Jika anda boleh mendengar dengan jelas salah satu dari stesen tersebut, jawab seperti mana yang dibincangkan diatas. Dalam masa anda berbincang, semasa anda bertukar stesen anda boleh memberi masa 3 - 5 saat untuk stesen satu lagi untuk masuk ke jalur jika stesen tersebut boleh memancar dengan jelas.

Jika anda hanya mendengar separuh dari tanda panggilan, mungkin seperti “KILO OSCAR” anda boleh menggunakan cara seperti diperingkat ke 4 diatas dengan memulakan panggilan dengan menyebut “stesen dengan “KILO OSCAR” sila buat panggilan anda. Bila anda telah mendengar tanda panggilan dengan lengkap anda boleh terus menggunakan cara pada peringkat ke 4 di atas.

Menjawab Panggilan CQ

Mulakan dengan menala (tuning) frekuensi dalam jarak yang anda dibenarkan dan cari stesen yang membuat panggilan CQ. Untuk menjawab kepada stesen yang membuat panggilan adalah serupa seperti proses yang dibincangkan diatas.

Perbezaan yang akan anda hadapi selepas anda menjawab panggilan CQ ialah anda akan mendapati stesen yang lain juga memanggil dan panggilan anda mungkin lambat dijawap. Jika berlaku situasi begiini, tunggu sehingga stesen yang sedang berkomunikasi selesai dan cuba semula.

Jika anda tidak mahu menunggu bolehlah anda menala ke frekuansi yang lain yang berkemungkinan ada panggilan CQ dan mula mejawab panggilan tersebut.

Dipetik dari Artikel 9w2bba

Diedit oleh 9w2aam

Ham radio a popular hobby

AMHERST - Amateur radio is more than just a pastime for Jim Langille. It’s a big part of his life.

The president of the Westcumb Amateur Radio Club recently became the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) section manager for the Maritimes, a role in which he hopes to help promote the activity throughout the region.

“It’s a very good hobby,” said Langille. “It can be expensive but it doesn’t really need to be now because there are so many digital routes you can go, like voice over Internet.”

Langille first became interested in radios back in the 1980s, when his brother brought home one of the first scanners from Ontario.

“I enjoyed it, because you could put the local police and fire department into it,” he said. “I did a lot of scanner listening, then I got into shortwave because of the towers over on the marsh. I would listen to news from around the world on different bands. I never went the CB route though, because I thought it was too trashy.”

After awhile, he noticed that the only radio activity he was not involved in was amateur (ham) radios. It just so happened that a course on the subject was being offered at the time locally, and he took it, later obtaining his ham license in January of 1995.

He became one of many amateur radio enthusiasts in the area, including about 70-80 in Amherst alone The Westcumb group, which covers Cumberland County, and Westmorland County in New Brunswick, carries a current membership of about 50.

Amateur radio operators communicate with others around the world, for recreation, and for more serious matters, such as emergency operations. Radio amateurs provide backup for local public safety organizations.

For example, the Westcumb club and its members are involved with the local emergency measures plan, on hand to offer any assistance in the event of an emergency.

If operating emergency radio systems fail or are damaged, then radio amateurs can be called on for their expertise and their mobile equipment.

“We are a last resort when it comes to communications,” he explained. “ We don’t fight fires, we don’t arrest people or take people to the hospital. All we are is communications and communications only. If there is a massive fallout of all communications and there is nothing left, we can come along and put radios and people wherever they need them.”

Amateur radio is also a popular hobby for blind people and seniors, who have many of their own clubs in place. In fact, new internet technology has allowed for seniors to continue with their pastime even if they have to move into senior citizens complexes.

ANDREW WAGSTAFF
The Amherst Citizen
Source : www.citizenweekly.com

MARES Council 2008/2009

MARES Council for year 2008/2009

President:
Abdul Aziz Mohd. Noor, 9M2AU

Vice-President:
Nik Mohd Nor Wan Zain, 9W2NIK

Hon. Secretary:
Fahroradzi Ibrahim, 9W2BBS

Assistant Secretary:
Mohd Lokman Halim, 9W2LRT

Treasurer:
Tn Hj. Mohd. Dahalan Ahmad, 9W2DJ

Assistant Treasurer:
Hazali Hashim, 9W2ZLH

Council Members:
Abdul Hadi Yaakop, 9W2DE
Rashid Ahmed Abdul Rahman , 9W2TR
Suzool Fadli Suradi, 9W2ROI
Abdul Mutalib Omar, 9M2SQL
Mohamad Jaafar Ismail, 9W2MJ
Noraini Mohd Taib, 9W2ERL
Halimahton Sadiah Musa, 9W2HLY
Omar Atan, 9W2MCC
Hassan Abdullah, 9W2CCW
Mohamed Umar Peer Mohamed, 9W2OMR

Internal Audit :
Amir Hamzah Mohamed Murad, 9W2AMR
Khamizah Kamaruddin, 9W2MEZ


Written by 9W2LRT
Source : www.mares.org.my

In emergencies, amateur radio more than hobby

A few nights ago, George Scott was in his bathroom getting ready for bed when he felt one of the earthquakes that shook Yuma recently. He quickly got on his ham radio and found that three of his fellow operators were already on the frequency talking about it.

"That immediacy can be important sometimes," said Scott, a Yuma resident who became interested in amateur radio - often times called Ham radio.

"I'm what they call a DXer, where I basically sit down and try to make contact with different countries trying to get my country count up to the point of saying I've contacted all of them. I'm about two-thirds of the way there," Scott said.

He also has been involved with emergency communications in Hawaii and Yuma on and off through the years. "I started off as a short-wave listener. That's the way a lot of Hams get started. A lot of them are also CBers and they move up to amateur radio."

He's involved in the 4th annual Hamfest and Electronics Expo that started Friday at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. The event continues today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a barbecue dinner tonight from 6 to 8. The event is open to the public.

There is "on average about one Hamfest in the state of Arizona a month" with the main one being in Williams in July, says Scott. "It's kind of a state convention."

Hamfests include tailgating, when people bring their old equipment and sell it from the back of their vehicles. There are also seminars offered on topics of interest, such as new technologies.

For the first time at Yuma's event, there will be activities for the wives of the "Hammy" husbands, although Scott said there are some "lady Hams."

Scott noted the changes in the trend of new amateurs getting on board. "For years, we've been losing the number of amateurs in our hobby. But within the last year or year and a half, that trend has started up, and one of the ways we're assisting with that is by having amateur radio license testing at the Hamfest. People can come in and take the test to get the initial technician license or progress to a higher level."

Another reason for the boost is the recent omission of the Morse code requirement for the license, according to Scott.

Besides the recreational aspect of Ham radio operating, the most important part of the hobby is the enormous amount of public service and volunteering that they do, he said.

The Ameritime Net tracks those who are out at sea, and their direct contact with the police department through their Net station can be crucial if something happens.

Locally, Scott said, "We pride ourselves on what we can do." They support police during events by barricading, traffic control and in one case, reuniting lost children with their parents.

By Kristi Basile
Souce : www.yumasun.com
Edit by 9w2aam

Ham radio operators provide vital services

“Net Control, Rover 9,” Ray Lischka cocked his head to hear the voice crackling from the speaker of the tiny radio in his hand. “We have reports of a downed rider along Rice Ranch Road.” Lischka glanced at his watch and jotted down a notation on a pad.

Though the emergency-in-progress was a big deal to the injured rider, it was a familiar part of the job for Lischka and the other amateur radio operators who provide communications for the Solvang Century bike ride each year. They operate with portable battery-powered radio equipment, quickly creating an ad hoc communications network for bike ride officials.

“We coordinate the rover supply vehicles, getting ride and handling emergencies,” Lischka said. “There's always someone falling, getting injured. We make (at least) a few 9-1-1 calls every year.”

Lischka, the West Santa Barbara County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) coordinator, sees the services his group provides as a vital communication tool for public service events as well as disasters.

“We use affordable battery-powered gear,” Lischka said, adding that in an emergency, his communicators can stay on the air even if power outages knock out cell towers.

But, he said, there's an added advantage to using radios instead of cell phones.

“They can't tie all the cell phones together to get instant communications,” he said. “With the radios, the whole group knows what everyone's doing.”

Lischka and the other ARES members, all of whom have amateur radio licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission, practice their communication techniques on a regular basis, holding weekly drills through a “repeater” transmitter located at Vandenberg AFB.

During today's ride, the result of that training was readily apparent. Lischka said messages were flowing smoothly and ride officials were able to coordinate staffing and services smoothly.

“There haven't been any communication problems supporting this ride,” Lischka said. “Overall, things are working very well.”

By Tammy Cravit/Record Correspondent
Source : eHam.net

CQtube.com -- Video Sharing for the Radio Ham:

To all community amateur radios, come and surf at this website: http://www.cqtube.com/

happy surfin' de 9w2aam

SENARAI REPEATER TERBARU 2008

Boleh tengok kat sini dan boleh update senarai repeater.
www.mares.org.my

happy surfin' de 9w2aam

When Emergencies Hit, Amateur Radio Can Get Through

DELAND -- Thousands of lives were disrupted in the wake of 2004's Hurricane Frances as people sought food, cleared debris, repaired homes and checked on family and friends. Without power, almost all communication was disrupted.

When a Michigan amateur radio operator broadcast a call for help in finding his daughter who he hadn't heard from since the storm, his call was picked up by David Sutherland, a DeLand amateur radio operator monitoring his generator-powered radio.

Less than an hour later, after Sutherland had driven to the daughter's home, delivered her father's message and she had called her worried dad, the Michigan man radioed Sutherland to thank him.

"I told him that's what it's all about," said Sutherland, vice president of the West Volusia Amateur Radio Society, a small organization with a big mission.

"The area of communications that is not present during hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires is what we call 'Family Emergency Communications,' " said Guy Johnson, society treasurer. "This is the communication that is needed from disaster victims to their remote family members and friends. It is vastly important that the welfare of people in distress be communicated . . . it relieves stress on both ends."

Natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes often bring Floridians face-to-face with real danger, damage, devastation and even death as storms destroy homes and businesses, block roads and cut off normal communication. When disaster strikes, society members immediately mobilize to serve public and private needs with an emergency radio system that's always in place, maintained year-round and ready to go at a moment's notice. The equipment allows voice communication and e-mail traffic without an Internet connection.

Society members work closely with emergency service agencies and during a crisis, members fan out to emergency operations centers in West Volusia cities.

Part of the society's equipment, including a base radio, is kept at the DeLand Police Department's emergency center. From there, operators can speak to emergency workers in the field who have hand-held radios. E-mails can be transmitted as well as high-priority messages. The operations center has a generator backup and can take over full Internet duties if the city loses its connection.

All of that equipment was donated by the city of DeLand, but the society paid for equipment at the seven-story Hugh Ash Manor apartment building, near the Stetson University campus, including digital relay equipment and a voice repeater to boost signals to a wider area.

"Hugh Ash Manor is the hub for our digital communications," said Sutherland. The building's central location, height, and emergency generator backup are reasons for its use.

While the equipment is complex and vital in emergency situations, maintenance isn't complicated.

"Most of the radios run 24/7 without much intervention," Sutherland said. All units can be controlled and updated from a remote location, he said.

Many people may notice the tall antennas atop the Hugh Ash Manor, and at the Police Department, but few realize their real purpose and importance.

"During the fires of '98, we were needed to not operate the radios, but program the radios of out-of-state firefighters to the Florida frequency," said Bud Thompson, an amateur radio operator in charge of digital communications for the organization. "Many of us participate in, even concentrate on, emergency communications preparedness."

A sense of public service helps motivate the society's efforts, Thompson said.

By ERIC RITTER
Correspondent

Source : eHam.net

Los Angeles County Hams Honored for Community Service

Los Angeles County Hams Honored for Community Service (Mar 2, 2008) -- On February 27, members of the Disaster Communications Service (DCS), based at the Carson Sheriff Station, received individual and group awards from the State of California, the County of Los Angeles, the Carson Sheriff Station Support Foundation and the City of Carson, California for their participation in a wide range of both planned and emergent events. These 27 Amateur Radio operators provided almost 8000 hours of service to the agencies, including assisting in providing assistance during a bicycle race, tactical alerts due to civil unrest, funerals for fallen deputy sheriffs and the fires that plagued Southern California. Members of their Rapid Deployment Team spent five days on Catalina Island, serving as the primary means of communication between the island and the mainland until telephone systems were restored. The service provided by the Carson Station DCS volunteers saved the taxpayers of Los Angeles County almost $320,000, "but more importantly, they selflessly provided an invaluable service that is a critical component to the safety of our communities and families," the DCS coordinator said. Thirteen deputies, a firefighter, two station volunteers and two citizens were also recognized in the second annual event that pays tribute to Carson sheriff's deputies and supporters for their work in the city.

Source : ARRL website

It Seems to Us: Amateur Radio, Version 2008

There has never been a better time to share your passion for Amateur Radio with your friends and family members!

Many of the people you know probably realize that you enjoy Amateur Radio. You may have shown it to them years ago. But what do they know about the 2008 version of your avocation?

• Do they know that our stations do not have to be bulky boxes banished to the basement or garage, but that they now come in compact, highly transportable packages?

• Do they realize that the digital revolution sweeping through consumer electronics is bringing equally exciting changes to Amateur Radio?

• Do they know about the many ways we use computers to enhance our operating?

• Do they know that Amateur Radio interfaces with -- but doesn't rely on -- the Internet?

• Do they understand how, when the power and telephone lines are down and cell phones aren't working, we can still communicate?

• Do they know that knowledge of Morse code is no longer a requirement for any class of FCC amateur license (but that CW continues to be one of the most popular operating modes)?

Unless you're a relatively recent licensee, your friends probably have a 20^th Century impression of Amateur Radio. They might remember you making autopatches from your car, which was pretty impressive at the time but now seems as dated as a rotary-dial telephone. They might recall that you were exchanging electronic mail by packet radio years before they enjoyed the blessing (or curse) of email themselves. If you were an early devotee of radioteletype (RTTY), the sounds and smell of your surplus teleprinter (your pride and joy, mechanical monster that it was) may yet linger in their subconscious.

Those are the memories that cause people to ask, "Amateur Radio? Do they still do that?"

On the other hand, your friends probably can't imagine that radio amateurs routinely bounce signals off the moon using software tools adapted from radio astronomy. They don't know that while GPS navigation is just becoming commonplace, amateurs have been using it for years to track one another's whereabouts -- and are still coming up with new applications. They don't realize that it's less trouble to take an Amateur Radio station along on vacation than it is to take skis or golf clubs.

Your friends might have thought about how they would get in touch with their own family members if a disaster or crisis cut off telephones and the Internet, but they may not realize that Amateur Radio can provide the answer -- and that they can do it themselves.

Technology is what makes all that, and more, possible. But technology may not be -- at least, not directly -- what makes you passionate about Amateur Radio.

It may be restoring and operating older equipment.

It may be the ability to provide a public service in your community.

It may be the people you meet who share your interests or who broaden your perspective.

It may be the opportunity to improve your skills by competing or collaborating with others.

It may simply be that radio -- being able to communicate without wires, over virtually any distance -- is still magic.

Whatever it is, make 2008 the year you share your passion with your friends and family members.

Signs are all around us that Amateur Radio is on an upswing. ARRL membership grew by 3.3% in 2007 -- the best result we've had since 1993 -- to a total of 153,535 at yearend. Participation in ARRL-sponsored operating events and programs is increasing despite the absence of sunspots. A number of antenna and equipment manufacturers say they can't keep up with demand.

Even so, most people -- including many radio amateurs -- are not aware that Amateur Radio is in the midst of growth and change. If we want them to understand us -- if we want them to join us -- then we must take the initiative.

We all know people who thought about getting a license at one time but never quite got around to it, for whatever reason. We all know people who were licensed at one time, perhaps as Novices, whose licenses have lapsed. We all know licensed amateurs who haven't been on the air in years.

We also know people, especially younger people, who don't know very much about Amateur Radio. It's not their fault. For all of their lives they have been surrounded by advanced communications technology and insulated from the magic.

Let's make sure, before the year is out, that they know what they're missing. Talk to them about what you're doing, or thinking about doing, in Amateur Radio. Bring them along to a radio club meeting or just for coffee with the gang. Show them your station, whether you carry it on your belt or it looks like Mission Control -- and if the latter, make sure you explain that all that stuff isn't really necessary. Point them to interesting Web sites. Steer them toward the 99% of us who are positive and welcoming, and away from the 1% who aren't.

There's a good chance that by helping others discover the magic of radio, we'll discover -- or rediscover -- something ourselves.

By David Sumner, K1ZZ
Source : ARRL website