We are now experimenting with a way to page ARES members in an emergency on the 146.88 repeater. Most modern radios allow you to program them to remain silent (squelched) until they detect a certain DTMF tone. Depending on the manufacturer this feature may be called Dual Tone Squelch System (DTSS), Code Squelch, Digital Squelch (DSQ), or Paging. Some radios have this as an optional circuit. Even if you have an older radio, you can learn to tune out the audio until you hear the tones. If your radio is capable, and once we work out the bugs, you will be able to monitor the repeater 24 hours a day without being disturbed by rag chewers, yet be ready to hear an emergency announcement.
Here's how it will work: The repeater will be programmed to send out DTMF tones 123 on command. Only certain authorized ARES personnel will know how to enable this. They will immediately follow the page with a QST before the squelch tail so that the announcement will occur in the repeater's same transmission . You set up your radio to enable the audio when it receives the tones. This is usually a two-step process. First memorize the code 123, then enable the feature. Remember to turn off the feature before you transmit , also in order to hear subsequent communication. If you do not turn off the feature, your radio will also transmit 123, which the repeater will suppress, as well as cut off your first few words.
As an example of radio programming, the Kenwood 733A mobile rig has DTSS as a secondary function to the SHIFT key and you enable the function first, with [F], [SHIFT] until DT appears. Then you set the code after pressing [F] for 1 second then [SHIFT] then rotate the tuning knob, pressing [SHIFT] to go to the next digit. There will be practice sessions before and after net time.
Those attending the July 12 meeting at the OES received an official Oakland RACES ID. Jim, N6OIK played a couple of channel 5 newscasts of the fire patrol activation. APRS was used to track where the vehicles were during the patrol. Thanks to Doug, N6TQS for setting up APRS at the meeting and during the fire patrol. Jim, N6OIK is planning to give Battalion Chiefs a RACES orientation session. The CORE program lost some of its funding due to the fire suppression district measure failing to pass. The EOC bids are being re-negotiated down. The final PO for amateur radio equipment was submitted.
The next monthly meeting will be at Fire Station 26 and will be followed by an Amateur Radio dedication ceremony at 11 AM. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. Contact Mark, N6RCG to be in on the second round of ordering yellow jackets.
National Night Out: Chris, KE6MQW passed around a sheet to see who is interested in demonstrating ham radio to neighborhood groups participating in various block parties as part of reclaiming the streets to the residents.
Field Day: Several photo albums were passed around at the July meeting, thanks to Ted, W6NPB and Jim, KB6MYV . The score is still being tallied, but is expected to be around 2200 points. Although we tried, we were not able to make any CW contacts this year. There will be a stronger focus on that next year.
October is a busy month for Amateur Radio activities. Stay tuned for more information on the Simulated Emergency Test, Pacificon, and Regatta rowing race support.
To make it easier to find other ham radio related web sites, the Oakland ARES web site has joined a Web Ring. This allows you to navigate to one of the other 70 sites on the ring either randomly or in sequence. Look for the special banner at the bottom of the home page. Please remember to send electronic pictures, electronic documents, and newsletter articles to Mike, KD6PLN at mpompa@ousd.k12.ca.us We are currently getting about 5 visitors per day, some of whom are making use of documents such as the LOU to organize their local RACES group.
Welcome: to new members/participants Bill, KQ4CA, Lloyd, KF6JRL, Carly, KF6LOH and Bill, WF6KWK.
Web sightings: The Mac Shack: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/5899/ where you can find sources for all kinds of ham radio software for the Macintosh.
Errata: Apologies to Ted, W6NPB for inadvertently leaving him out of the attendance list. Ted has had an almost perfect attendance record in the last few years.
VHF Repeaters will be changing the autodial code next year so remember to renew next December.
The Oakland ARES meeting came to order at the Oakland OES at 9:00 AM. Present were:
|
Lisa Askew |
KF6BYI |
|
Alan Horn |
KF6GYW |
|
Bill Roche |
KQ4CA |
|
Adele Bertaud |
KE6HKY |
|
Roger Jung |
KE6STB |
|
Mikal A Samad |
KE6HBL |
|
Herbert Bowen |
WA6CUY |
|
Bill Knepper |
WF6KWK |
|
Bernard Schormann |
KE6TYY |
|
Chris Burgardt |
KQ6JZ |
|
Bob Mayes |
KE6DVT |
|
Margery Service |
KF6GTT |
|
Jim Burgardt |
KE6SSX |
|
Dave McGuinnes |
KF6EPQ |
|
Theodore Stewart |
W6NPB |
|
Kathy Burgardt |
KE6SSY |
|
David Otey |
WB6NER |
|
Donald Street |
K6EHQ |
|
Elaine Carter |
K6SZT |
|
Chris Peeples |
KE6MQW |
|
Jim Tiemstra |
N6OIK |
|
Jim Carter |
K6LWA |
|
Barbara Pickering |
KF6CWW |
|
Brian Treusch |
W6LL |
|
Kathy Dodge |
KF6GZY |
|
Mike Pickering |
KF6JZB |
|
Mark Violet |
N6RCG |
|
Doug Faunt |
N6TQS |
|
Mike Pompa |
KD6PLN |
|
Carly Violet |
KF6LOH |
|
Bob Firehock |
KE6IUE |
|
Chloe Reisman |
pending |
|
Lloyd White |
KF6JRL |
|
Roger Gilbert |
KE6STE |
|
Deborah Reisman |
KE6MQV |
|
Lalita Witt |
KE6WPI |
|
Dave Harnish |
KF6EQA |
|
Steve Renton |
KE6SAL |
|
|
|
The next meeting will be Saturday, August 2, 1997 at 9:00 AM
at Fire Station 26, 2611 98th Ave, west of the 580
freeway exit