ARES-NIMS Training

Storm Prediction Center

Spring is here and in Tennessee that means strong storms and other severe weather.  Jim, WU5E sends us this link to the Storm Prediction center where you can check out the current and upcoming weather patterns. 

Check out the storm prediction center at http://www.spc.noaa.gov/

C.O.R.E. members take part in ARES Excercise and support the FCHS Falcons all at the same time!

On Saturday Morning March 20th the Fort Campbell Falcons hosted the first Falcons Victory run to raise funds for the Fort Campbell High School athletics program.  K2CEM(Howard, Formerly K2LAW) was approached and asked about providing communications support for the run.  Howard took the oportunity to arrange an ARES Excercise in which ARES members positioned themselves around the race course and provided updates and communications as necessary to assist the race organizers in monitoring the progress of the runners.

The run consisted of three different classes including a 5k, a 10k and a 13.3 mile half marathon.  All communications were accomplished using simplex with the occasional manual relay provided. 

The C.O.R.E. members who particpated in this ARES sponsored excercise were

Howard, K2CEM (K4MCA for the event);
Frank, AA4AE;
Carmen, K2MED;
John, KI4BWZ;
Mark, N4MAO;
Chantel, KJ4LCD;
Jim, WU5E;
Greg, KJ4FFK;
Eric, KJ4GU

Here are a few pictures, oh and that guy pushing the stroller, yeah he was the first place finisher in the Half Marathon.

[View with PicLens]

*****This event was wholly operated under the authority of Montgomery County ARES, Montgomery County ARES is not directly affiliated with the Clarksville Operating Radio Enthusiasts although both groups do share many menbers.****

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 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.