So we had a very productive monthly meeting, back again in person at the 911 center.  The main areas that we discussed were working towards goals we have, ARRL ARES recommended training, and specific areas that we would like to either teach or learn more about at both our monthly meetings and informal get togethers.

Goals for the group

We discussed what Delaware County would like us to be able to support, both now and for the future.  We should have enough equipment and resources to be able to deploy at various locations throughout the county (for example, the dozen or so high school shelter locations) and be able to communicate for up to a 72 hour deployment period. 

We have enough go kits available currently, but would need to think about any other equipment we may need.  One important issue would be emergency power options including having enough batteries and generators to re-charge.  We should also review some items that members should have available and ready to go as well.

The county emergency services department is making their own transition now to digital communications, likely on different frequency bands, so we need to keep this mindful as well.

Main goals we are working on:

Messaging

We have had some good practice with message passing recently, as we had a meeting to review the various ICS forms and their uses, and had a deployment to a couple VPOD sites in order to send messages back and forth.  Message handling is at the core of what we do, and we should be practicing this using the more formal forms more often.

Everyone should review and become familiar with the Message Handling Procedures section of the website to review these.

It may be a good idea to have a message drill where various members send/receive a message during the weekly nets, maybe monthly or every other week.

Propagation

We have started Propagations testing in the Delaware County area and need to continue with doing these as often as we can.  Just call out whenever you have a minute with your radio 

Everyone should review and become familiar with the Channel Propagation Testing section of the website to review these.

Make sure to print out and have some Propagation Testing Forms available as well.

D-RATS

This is a future goal, to be able to use our D-STAR enabled transceivers with our digital repeaters to make use of D-RATS to send and receive digital messages.  This can include chat, emails and forms.  In order to do this, we would need some sort of computer for our go kits, possibly something like a Raspberry Pi.

Communication Tools

Microsoft Teams

All of our Delco ARES members have accounts so we can use Microsoft Teams.  This will allow us to chat/call with the group, schedule meetings and share files. As an added bonus, all website updates are automatically posted to the teams group as well.

Accessing Microsoft Account

All of the login accounts are in the format of CALLSIGN@delcoares.net (for example, mine is W3CTK@delcoares.net )

The Teams web application is at https://teams.microsoft.com/

See the Microsoft Account Access for more information about setting up and using your Delco ARES Microsoft Account.

Slack

We also have a Slack account, which is similar to Teams in functionality.

You can join the group here: https://delcoares.slack.com/

Email List (groups.io)

We could setup an email list for the group, if people prefer this method.  Just let me know if you are interested.

Zello

We have Zello VoIP as an option for direct communications, as long as we have Internet connectivity.

Zello

ARRL ARES Training

Task Book

The Task Book is a working document that enables those ARES® communicators electing to participate in the ARRL training plan to track and document their training plan elements as they are completed towards the various levels of increasing proficiency. The Task Book should contain all training plan items, completion dates and sign-offs as the ARES® communicator transitions through the three skill levels. The ARES® communicator is responsible for maintaining his/her Task Book and having it with him/her during training and assignments. The Task Book also contains sections with definitions of the communicator levels, as well as common responsibilities.

Since the Task Book is personal to each ARES Communicator, each user should feel free to adapt it to their needs and requirements of their geographical region.

Recommendations of minimum proficiencies and skills per level are listed. ECs, at their discretion, can add or substitute skills that they consider important. Prior known experience may be substituted for some listed tasks. It is suggested that items in the proficiency/skills section be used in training sessions or for meetings/events presentations.

NOTE: the approving EC should meet/exceed the qualifications for each level they are signing off on.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:   At the end of this Task Book is a change log page that communicators should use to keep track of changes to the Task Book.

Skill Levels

Level 1

Entry level into ARES®, includes skills learned when obtaining an Amateur Radio license

ARES TRAINING LEVEL                                                                    

Level 1

This is the primary level for those who choose a non-leadership role as well as those new to Amateur Radio or emergency communications.  This introductory training is conducted by the local ARES group to meet its needs and those of its served agency or partners.  This training could be formal or informal and would introduce the ARES participant to the fundamentals of emergency communications and provide instructions on how participants are to conduct themselves while serving in the field or otherwise activated.  Participants are encouraged to complete Level 1 and advance to level 2 as soon as practical.

 R = Required, O = Optional, E = Encouraged

TASK

Education

ICS‐100.c‐ Intro to Incident Command System* (O)
ICS‐700.b Introduction to National Incident Mgt. System* (O)
SKYWARN - Spotter Basic Training (Biennially) (O)
ARRL EC-001 Introduction to Emergency Communications (O)

Comment:    
*Sets initial baseline requirements. Will likely be insufficient for deployment at an incident.

Participation

Obtain Task Book (R)
Join an ARES group (R)

Proficiency/Skill

Obtain Technician class or higher Amateur Radio License (R)

Level 2

Set of skills desired by ARES® obtained through coursework and training

ARES TRAINING LEVEL                                                                    

Level 2

This training level builds upon what has been learned in Level 1, and participants in Level 2 may elect to remain at this level based upon the extent of their desired ARES involvement.  Much of this training is conducted by the local ARES group to meet its needs and those of their served agency or partners and provides a better understanding of emergency communications. Participants in Level 2 may wish to continue with Level 3 and the potential for leadership roles.

 R = Required, O = Optional, E = Encouraged

TASK

Education

ICS‐100.c ‐ Intro to Incident Command System* (R)
ICS‐200.c – ICS for Single Resource* (R)
ICS‐700.b – Introduction to National Incident Mgt. System* (R)
ICS‐800.c – National Response Framework* (R)
ARRL EC‐001 Intro to Emergency Communications (R)
SKYWARN Spotter Basic Training (Biennially) (O)

Comment:
*These should be considered as meeting the minimum requirements for deployment at an Incident.  Local EMA authorities may require additional training.

Participation

Net Participation (Once per Quarter) (R)
Public Service Event Participation (O)
Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise Participation (Annually) (O)
Serve as Net Control (O)

Proficiency/Skill

Program tone into HT (R)
Program frequency & offset into radio (R)
Write and send an ICS‐213 message (R)
Operate VHF Digital messaging station (O)
Operate unit specific Digital VHF or HF station (O)
Build a simple dipole antenna** (E)
Build Powerpole® adapter cable** (E)
Solder PL259 connector to coax** (E)
Assemble a 24-hour Deployment Kit* (E)
Comment: 
* The contents of a 24-hour Kit will be specified in either a separate document or as an Annex to this document.
** Skills that are very useful to know and everyone is encouraged to learn.

Level 3

Increased skill set that initiates a pathway to leadership positions and assignments

ARES TRAINING LEVEL                                                                    

Level 3

Level 3 prepares the participant to take on ARES Team leadership roles in his/her ARES group or section.  

 R = Required, O = Optional, E = Encouraged

TASK

Education

IS-120.c - An Introduction to Exercises* (R)
IS-230.d - Fundamentals of Emergency Management* (R)
IS-235.c - Emergency Planning* (R)
IS‐240.b ‐ Leadership & Influence* (R)
IS-241.b - Decision Making & Problem Solving* (R)
IS-242.b - Effective Communications* (R)
IS-244.b - Developing & Managing Volunteers* (R)
IS-288.a – Role of Voluntary organizations in Emergency Mgt* (R)
IS-2200 - Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions* (R)
ARRL EC-016 Public Service & Emergency Communications Mgt* (R)
SKYWARN Advanced Training Class (Biennially) (O)
PR‐101 – Public Information Officer Training (EC‐015) (O)
AUXCOM Course (O)
ICS-300 - Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents** (O)
ICS-400 - Advanced Incident Command System** (O)

Comment:
*These should be considered as meeting the minimum requirements for deployment at an Incident.  Local EMA authorities may require additional training.

Participation

Net Participation (Once per Quarter) (R)
Public Service Event Participation (Annually) (R)
Simulated Emergency Test or Exercise Participation (Bi‐Annually) (R)
Serve as Net Control (R)
Leadership

Present a training session (R)

Hold/held a leadership position in a group (R)
Hold a General Class License or higher (O)
Participate in PIO activities (PR‐101 Qualifies) (R)
EC-001 Course Instructor/Mentor (O)
Proficiency/Skill
Proficient in using ICS forms (R)
Operate VHF Digital messaging station in Peer‐to‐peer mode (R)
Operate HF Digital Mode Messaging Station (R)
Program Tone into HT (R)
Program frequency & offset into radio (R)
Demonstrate cross band repeat on Mobile Radio (UHF-VHF) (O)
Comment: 
* The contents of a 24-hour Kit will be specified in either a separate document or as an Annex to this document.
** Skills that are very useful to know and everyone is encouraged to learn.

Training Requests/Ideas

Some of the suggestions that were made are:

  • Basic troubleshooting.  
    • Steps to take if you are having problems with using your radio or getting to a certain repeater.
    • This would cover the go kits, along with handhelds and base station radios as well.  
    • Basic radio use and programming.

  • Antennas
    • What are the different types and uses of each for all of the different frequency bands that we may need to use.  
    • Various antenna installation sites, like at home, portable and auto.  
    • Using an antenna tuner and analyzer for troubleshooting.  
    • Different types of coaxial cable.

  • APRS/GPS
    • mapping and location tracking.

  • SDR (software defined radio), Raspberry Pi and other platforms
    • using these with your radio and for communication needs.