Polk County A.R.E.S News

Local ReconRobotics waiver applications on 70cm

2010-08-14T20:07:00.002-04:00

Looks like Lakeland PD is one of the applicants for our 70cm band. Now, keep in mind the City of Lakeland hosts our repeater on their tower at a very desirable perch.

I do think the ARRL has made a good case in punching holes in the applicant’s waiver request along with inconsistencies with the manufacture’s marketing practices.

As I understand it the use of these devices by swat units will be very localized, in buildings, etc. This isn’t something that will be transmitting 24/7 high on a tower. This company already had this thing designed and built for other markets in the world where this part of 70cm is not used for Amateur use. It’s just disappointing the FCC didn’t make this company redesign the unit for a more appropriate frequency band. More specifically, the newly available “700MHz” that was vacated by TV broadcasters last year is being pushed for public safety video and data purposes. Obviously, ReconRobotics doesn’t want to redesign the unit if they can get it approved for use in the US as it is currently designed.

Worst case scenario if these waivers are granted I don’t think the 323mW of video is going to make 70cm unusable for us but once the barn door is open there will likely be other manufacturers pushing to use our frequency(ies) for “commercial” interests.

Petition is here.

2010 National Hurricane Conference

2010-03-16T18:38:00.001-04:00

I am proud to announce that the ARRL Southeastern Division will host the 2010 National Hurricane Conference, March 29 - April 2 at the Orlando Hilton Orlando, FL. This is the nation's forum for education and professional training in hurricane preparedness!

The primary goal of the National Hurricane Conference is to improve hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation in order to save lives and property in the United States and the tropical islands of the Caribbean and Pacific. In addition, the conference serves as a national forum for federal, state and local officials to exchange ideas and recommend new policies to improve Emergency Management.

On Tuesday March 30th, from 1:30 to 5:00pm all hams are invited at no cost to attend the Amateur Radio, Disaster Communications Before, During and After Hurricanes session in room Orange C.

On Wednesday March 31st, from 8:30 to 10:00am there will be an amateur radio session designed for Emergency Managers, called "Amateur Radio: The Emergency Manager's Hidden Resource".

Please send this information to all emergency communications groups, clubs and every ham that might be interested. This conference will help Amateur Radio be successful in hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation!

For all the information see, http://www.hurricanemeeting.com/

Hope to see you there!
73,
Greg Sarratt, W4OZK
Director, ARRL Southeastern Division

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ARRL Southeastern Division
Director: Greg Sarratt, W4OZK
w4ozk@arrl.org
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The Mid Floirda Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - MS Bike 150

2010-03-12T14:08:00.001-05:00

The Mid Floirda Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - MS Bike 150
Need hams for communications support. Please visit http://www.polkemcomm.org/MS150.htm

May 15 - 16, 2010

Bok Tower Gardens
Lake Wales, FL
to
Caribe Royale Resort Orlando, FL

Bike MS is a two-day inspirational ride held by National MS Society chapters across the nation. Each year, Bike MS raises funds that support programs to enhance the lives of people living with MS, as well as funding vital research to help create a world free of MS.

WC4PEM VHF RPTR JAMMING AM/PM RUSH HOUR TIME

2010-03-09T13:31:00.001-05:00

TO: VOLUNTEERS
FROM: KD4EFM
DATE: Mon Mar 8 17:14:31 EST 2010
SUBJECT: WC4PEM VHF RPTR JAMMING AM/PM RUSH HOUR TIME
AREA: EASTERN POLK COUNTY (HWY 27 CORIDOOR)

All Stations, Please check your radio's if you drive Highway 27
during the Morning and Evening hours. We have an individual who
has a stuck mic on 146.985, for the last 4 weeks now and is traveling
with a female, and listens to 97.5 FM (97 Country WPCV). It is either an HT
or mobile on Low Power.

For all others, If you are able to monitor the input 146.385, please
email your reports to kd4efm@polkemcomm.org so I can get a couple of
members to help track down the offending radio.

Please call or SMS your info to me at 863-860-1713
or Blackberry PIN to: 30965B58

Thanks for understanding, and yes, this is a DF operation as it
has continued beyound a 24 hour time period alotted for testing.
This is not a drill. Any and ALL help in locating this ham
and clearing the issue would be of importance at this time.

Evans Mitchell
Polk ARES AEC
Polk County, Fl.

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course Announcement

2010-03-05T19:22:00.002-05:00

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course Announcement

Hillsborough County ARES/RACES, in cooperation with Hillsborough County Emergency Management, is proud to offer the American Radio Relay League's "Level I -- Introduction to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (EC-001)" in a traditional classroom setting.

The only prerequisite for this Level I course is holding any level of amateur radio license.

This course will be held on two Saturdays - the 20th of March and the 3rd of April 2010, at the Museum of Science and Industry, located at 4801 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617. Class will start at on both days at 9AM and continue until 5PM. On the 3rd of April, testing will begin at 3:30PM.

Course topics included in the Level I course are Introduction to Emergency Communications, Emergency Communication Organizations and Systems, Message Handling, Emergency Activation, Alternative Communication Methods, and Marine Communications, among others.

The instructors for this class have been drawn from Hillsborough County ARES/RACES members who have been deployed in actual emergencies to provide backup and auxiliary support for Emergency Management.

The registration fee for this Level I Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) is $45 per student for ARRL members and $75 per student for non-ARRL members, cash (preferred) or check. These fees will be refunded (at the ARRL member rate) for students who successfully pass their ARECC Level I examination on the second day of class (April 3rd).

The textbook for this course will be distributed to students at class time and is included in the course registration fees listed above.

There is an optional class activity, to be held on the 27th of March.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society is holding their annual MS Walk, and Hillsborough County ARES/RACES will help provide emergency communications during the event. Details will be distributed during the first class date.

Additional information about this course is available on-line at http://www.arrl.org/cce/.

The class size is limited – and you can sign up online! In order to properly prepare materials and gauge class sizes, please send an email to training@hcaresraces.org to reserve your seat in this class. The registration deadline is Monday, March 15th, 2010.

If you are unable to attend both sessions of the course, please let us know about that as well - there is some scheduling flexibility for this class.

Keating Floyd
RACES Officer
ARES Emergency Coordinator
Hillsborough County, Florida

Technician Class License Course Announcement

2010-03-05T19:17:00.003-05:00

Technician Class License Course AnnouncementHillsborough County ARES/RACES, in cooperation with Hillsborough County Emergency Management, is proud to sponsor the introductory Amateur Radio "Technician Class" License Course in a traditional classroom setting.

Please invite your friends to come join the over 300 people who have taken these courses and earned or upgraded an Amateur Radio license during the last few years.

This course will be held on two Saturdays - the 20th of March and the 3rd of April 2010, at the Museum of Science and Industry, located at4801 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617. Class will start at on both days at 9AM and continue until 5PM. On the 3rd of April, testing will begin at 3:30PM.

The introductory Technician course will be based around the current ARRL Technician Class book, "The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual”.

There will also be a "Show and Tell" of various Amateur Radio experiences during the classes. If you wish to start studying before class, Amateur radio practice tests for license courses are available on-line at http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl. Choose the Technician exam pool.

The fees, with the book, bring the cost for this class to $45. You will pay for the course at class time. Please bring a government-issued picture ID card with you, as well.

Due to a generous grant from Hillsborough County, the fees for this class will be reimbursed after successfully passing the test given on Saturday the 3rd of April.

The class size is limited – and you can sign up online! In order to properly prepare materials and gauge class sizes, please send an emailto training@hcaresraces.org to reserve your seat in this class. The registration deadline is Monday, March 15th, 2010.If you are unable to attend both sessions of your course, please let us know about that as well - there is some scheduling flexibility forthis class.We look forward to seeing your friends and family there!Keating FloydRACES OfficerARES Emergency CoordinatorHillsborough County

Basic Public Information Officer

2010-03-05T19:14:00.000-05:00

Pinellas County Emergency Management and Pinellas County Communications are pleased to bring you the following free training.

COURSE TITLE: Basic Public Information Officer (G-290)

DATE: Wednesday June 23rd & Thursday June 24th 2010

TIME: 8:00AM – 5:00 PM

LOCATION: St. Petersburg College Epi-Center
13850 58th Street North
Clearwater, FL

SCOPE: This course is intended for Public Information Officers who are new to the field or less experienced. The course emphasis is on the basic skills and knowledge needed for emergency response or emergency management public information activities. Topics include: the role of the PIO in emergency management, emergency response, conducting awareness campaigns, news release writing, public speaking, and television interviews.

JOB DISCIPLINE: Public information Officers in Emergency Services, Emergency Management, Law enforcement, Public Works, City and/or County public information officers, or any other agency that might be involved in the public information officer role.
See this attachment for more info