Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be doing a limited ARES Simulated Emergency Test for Saturday October 30th, 2004 from 10 AM-Noon. This drill is being constructed to add-on to a medium difficulty drill that Cape Cod ARES has put together for their group. The reason the notice is out late is because the original Cape Cod ARES drill which was suppose to be an immunization drill with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for flu vaccine but it was cancelled by the CDC due to a lack of vaccine so the drill scenario for the Cape had to be changed at the last minute by Frank O’Laughlin-WQ1O. Special thanks to Frank for doing this as quickly as he did so that an exercise would still take place this coming Saturday for his region and we could add-on a regional component to it. Also, everyone should remember that even though its a drill, real emergency communications events could happen with far less than a week’s notice and we need to be able to react to all situations. The drill will also help to practice that as well.Purpose of the drill
The purpose of this drill is to be able to relay messages outside of Cape Cod to various points throughout the Eastern Massachusetts section and that various points across Eastern Massachusetts can bring message traffic into Cape Cod. This will be done utilizing HF, 6 Meters, Packet and 2 Meters where ARES groups can reach the Cape Cod area on 2 Meters. Local EC’s as well as DEC’s are welcome to activate 2 Meter nets on their local ARES/RACES/SKYWARN frequency as they see fit.
Scenario
The drill scenario that Cape Cod ARES has devised is a major blackout coupled with a major storm system that will cause heavy rainfall and coastal flooding to their region. Cape Cod will be dealing with both facets and look to send status messages and reports to areas outside of Cape Cod. Eastern Massachusetts ARES will respond with messages in return using any mode that can reach the Cape. For many areas of Eastern Massachusetts, it will involve HF and 6 Meters with some 2 Meter communications to Cape Cod through stations in Southeast Massachusetts.
Frequencies to Be Utilized
The drill will utilize some of the following main frequencies to reach Cape Cod:
Primary 40 Meter frequency: 7232 Khz LSB
Secondary 40 Meter frequency: 7275 KHz LSB
Eastern Mass. ARES/RACES Primary Frequency:
7245 KHz LSB
Eastern Mass. ARES/RACES Secondary Frequency:
3943 KHz LSB
Please note if another net is active on the designated frequency, please move up the band first and then move down the band from the listed
frequency.
6 Meter Liaision:
53.31/52.31 PL:71.9 Hz (Mount Wachusett Repeater)
Main 2 Meter liaison repeater for Cape Cod:
146.955 PL 88.5 Hz
As stated in the purpose section, EC’s may elect to start nets on 2 Meters and get involved in the drill locally or just support the Cape via 2 Meters, 6 Meters, and HF where appropriate. These repeaters will be the typical ones used in past drills and are the standard ARES/RACES/SKYWARN frequencies that are published on the various web sites.
What ARES Groups and Members Can do:
-Support the activity by checking in via HF and 6 Meters.
-Support 2 Meter Nets where DEC/EC’s activate them. ARES Members can check their local ARES/RACES/SKYWARN Frequency.
-Generate traffic including health and welfare traffic and status messages on whether the Cape needs support etc.
-Will try and have at least the SEMARA Club Station and possibly NWS Taunton active for this drill. Other stations may also be active.
Will try and update this note one or two more times if required before this Saturday. Special thanks to all who participate in this drill and please let me know if there are any questions or concerns.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Southeast Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator
SEMARA ARES Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo