Local Amateur Radio Operators assist red cross with disaster drill

On the morning of February 20 an F1 tornado touched down in North Clarksville leaving a path of devastation in it’s wake… Ok, not really, but this was the scenario for an American Red Cross disaster drill which was held on Saturday February 20.  The drill parameters dictated that communications towers in the area had been destroyed making cell phones useless. 

Clarksville hams stepped up to the plate to assist the Red Cross in this drill just like they would in the event of an actual disaster.

Amateur Radio operators from the Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts and the Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society showed up and provided all of the communications for the excercise.

Net control functions were provided by CATS Vice President John Freed, KX6F

CORE members James Kennedy, WU5E; David Abney, KG4EUU;  and Eric Gregory, KJ4GXU acted as drivers and communications specialists for the Disaster Assessment teams while CATS member Lee Daniel, KI4LEL acted as the communcations operator for the Disaster Assessment supervisor Karina Aponte, KJ4LCG.

Shelter communications were handled by CATS President Jim Shelton.

Together with the Red Cross these operators were able to coordinate shelter operations and communications with other local agencies all while a mock damage assessment was performed on several thousand homes in the space of a few hours.

This drill was a perfect example of how Amateur Radio operators can act in cooperation with local agencies and each other to provide services to the public in times of crisis.  Both major Amateur Radio clubs in the area, The Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts and the Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society showed their willingness to give of their time, skills and equipment to support the Red Cross and our community.

It was through the contributions of these operators and all of the red cross volunteers which included nurses, shelter volunteers, administrative staff and more that this drill was able to successfully accomplish the tasks set forth.

C.O.R.E. Group member Frank Metcalfe (AA4AE) reports from Haiti

On February 4 C.O.R.E. Group member Frank Metcalfe left with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief services which he is very active with for Haiti.  While in Haiti Frank and the Souther Baptist Disaster Relief crew have been active establishing medical clinics around the city of Port au Prince, providing inspections of buildings to ensure people that they’re safe to sleep in and establishing communications links with other relief organizations in the area.

The following information discusses the situation in Haiti and the activities of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief in Frank’s own words.

“We got to Haiti via Santo Domingo on 4 Feb and if all goes according to plan, we will fly out of Port au Prince Haiti this Saturday.

I came in a dual role, operations for our Southern Baptist Relief effort and as MARS/Ham for the same.  We have had very little need for HF communications as we do have generator/battery power and internet service here at our compound.  We have established 2meter and HF contact with other med ops here, the largest being Miami University Hospital set up at the airport.  We will likely set up a feeding unit there for their medical staff and patients.  They have had nothing but MREs since they arrived.

Damage is as bad as shown, on top of an already impoverished country.  We are setting up medical clinics around the city, some in churches, some in or around tent cities (one under a palm roof in a tent city.)  Translators (6) and Security (2-4 depending on area) go with each medical team.

We also have home inspector/chaplain teams that check homes and churches to see if they are sound enough for use.  Many people here have homes but are afraid to stay in them so they sleep in tents outside.  We are trying to help them get back inside before rain season starts.  All our doctors, inspectors and other workers here are volunteers.”

Please join me in wishing Frank well and praying for him, the rest of the aid workers in Haiti and for the people of Haiti.

New Photos added to Field Day 2009 Gallery

Today, February 15 2010, Twenty new photos have been added to the field day 2009 gallery.  These photos came to us courtesy of David (KG4EUU).  Check out these and all the other Field Day 2009 photos at http://k4ore.net/activities/field-day-2009/

C.O.R.E. Group Update members vote to change meeting day and more.

New Meeting Day and location
C.O.R.E Group members voted at their regular monthly meeting to change the day of their meeting from the 2nd Thursday of the month to the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Additionally members voted to commit to holding their meetings at the Park Lane Church of the Nazarene for at least the next 6 months.  We would like to thank David Abney (KG4EUU) for arranging this and the Pastor and congregation of the Park Lane Church of the Nazarene for their hospitality.

Third Thursday ARES net
The third thursday of the month brings the monthly Montgomery County ARES net on the 146.925 repeater at 7:00 pm.  All amateurs are welcome and encouraged to participate.

K2LAW to present an introduction to APRS at March C.O.R.E meeting
The Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts are proud to present Howard Thompson (K2LAW) who will be discussing the ins and outs of the Automatic Packet Reporting System or A.P.R.S.   Howard will be presenting this program at our regularly scheduled C.O.R.E. Group meeting on March 9 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Park Lane Church of the Nazarene.

Ham Fests within 250 miles of Clarksville in February and March

Below is a listing of all hamfests listed on the ARRL Website within 250 miles of Clarksville in February and March.  Hope to see you at one.