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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 3LAH_ECC-FINAL-Minutes_Feb-3-2015 1 ( Emergency Communications Committee: Minutes of Feb. 3, 2015 Roll call (10 members + 3 others): P = present, E = excused, no mark = absent Member Call Sign Attendance Jim Abraham, Co-Chair W6EB P Dru Anderson, Secretary KG6LAD P Bob Anderson KC6ZWG P Andy Fawcett KI6MAF P Jim Heintzelman KD6Y P Edwin R Jones, EC W7WPO P Andrew Kirk WB6CLS P Duncan MacMillan KI6VMY P Scott Overstreet, Co-Chair N6NXI P Sam Wood K6MSR P Others Present Call Sign Attendance Gary Waldeck, Council Liaison K6AIR P Ray Egan - associate W6FQY P Kjell Karlsson - guest KD6BPP P 1. Roll Call. 10 Members, 1 Associate, 1 guest. Form collected by Secretary. Jim W6EB called meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Minutes for Nov., Dec., and Jan were approved w/minor correction to meeting roster. Motion made by Bob Anderson, Seconded by Scott Overstreet. 3. Public comments from the floor: a. Relay of information from Larry Carr regarding measurement of signal strength and power out of radio pertinent to the AIR repeater. At the recent Recon drill, several had transmission issues. Gary Waldeck had reported that the AIR repeater needs some repair. b. PHWD Jan. 16 water tank tour, attended by several ECC members. On that date, the PHWD staff led interested parties on a tour of the water district tanks, to familiarize people with location, and particular features to be aware of in the event of failure in an emergency. The objective is for the volunteers know where to go, and which intersections to head for if directed to check a tank area. c. It was suggested that for Carol Starbuck’s Recon drill on Feb. 14, ECC there be 3-4 tests at each location, for Simplex, W6LAH, and the AIR repeater, and with power antennae and rubber duckies. Suggestion to be passed on to Carol. 4. Regular Reports: a. SCC EC report: Ed W7WPO, EC. Ed asked members to individually update their contact information on the County website. The county rule is that if the material isn’t updated annually, then a DSW sticker will not be issued, and the entry information risks deletion. LAH_ECC-FINAL-Minutes_Feb-3-2015 2 b. Gary Waldeck K6AIR, Council liaison, reported that the AIR repeater is ailing, and he is open to suggestions for its repair. He gave a brief update on upcoming discussions relative to the pending antenna ordinance. He noted the Planning Commission subcommittee of the Planning Director Suzanne Avila, along with 2 PC members – Jim and Kavita Tankha. He summarized the stipulation in the 1985 PRB-1 which cites “reasonable accommodation” by any municipality toward anyone who wants to erect an antenna. He added that Federal regulations and state law need to follow the rules and objectives. c. Jim/Scott’s update on antenna was incorporated in the above discussion. d. Field Day discussion redundant with Item 6c. e. Report: ECC member activity: Ray Egan W6FQY was deferred to March. 5. Old Business: a. Scott N6NXI continued discussion of go-kit preparedness, and cited the county publication on go-kits. He also led a discussion of what are the fundamental requirement for a ham go-kit. He noted that in the January go-it presentations, the contents can vary depending on the mission objective. But there are some essential things to include as basic 6. New Business: a. Duncan presented a request from Bob Hall KF6DHX for retirement as Associate Member. Bob was among the Charter members of the ECC and was on the town’s safety committee prior. Dru Anderson moved, seconded by Scott N6NXI, to accept Bob’s retirement request “with great regret,” and with a hearty and sincere “Thank You” from the ECC membership in appreciation of Bob’s many years of dedicated participation and service to the volunteer activities in support of the town’s emergency preparedness. The motion was unanimously approved. b. Upon a motion by Duncan, duly seconded, it was unanimously approved that Burt Raphael KK6GNB be elected an Associate Members of the ECC. Members agreed with Duncan’s suggestion to see if Neil Katin AI6FI and Bill Lattin KK6PCA are interested in becoming Associates. Duncan will contact them c. Jim W6EB noted that the ARRL Field Day will be on June 27/28. Jim Heintzelman KD6Y indicated he would like to participate. There was some talk of having the LAH participation at Westwind Barn, further discussion deferred to March meeting. d. Jim W6EB gave a brief update on the EOC building and said he understands its use will continue as an EOC for LAH. e. There was a request from Mike Sanders, LAHCFD, for ECC to handle the LAH Pathway Run. Duncan MacMillan, KI6VMY, will take the lead in staffing the Sat., 05/09, 0800 - 1100, at Westwind Barn. Andy Kirk WB6CLS volunteered to help. 7. Tech Talk: Andy Fawcett KI6MAF: Packet presentation, Part 1. a. Andy Fawcett presented a very thorough instructional slide presentation on the background and operation of Packet Radio, the transferring of messages from terminals through voice radio with minimal modification. His talk was entitled “Introduction to Packet” and he described in detail the terminology, the description of the operation, and diagrams of what happens in the creation of the message and after the signal leaves the station. A key difference is that LAH_ECC-FINAL-Minutes_Feb-3-2015 3 analog signals are continuous in value and in time; digital signals have 2 values and are discreet in value and in time. b. Andy detailed the logic values binary numbers. He defined the RS232; the binary digit contracted to “BIT” and gave a thorough, educational insight into the weight and value understanding. For insight, he ensured people knew that ASCII definition is American Standard Code for International Interchange. c. Many of us hear the terms, use the terms, but sincerely welcomed the detail and operational description behind the terms. The members unanimously heralded Andy’s presentation as immensely informative – including comments from even the most experienced in the room “Thanks! I learned a lot. This could be a college course!” d. Andy will continue with “Packet Part 2” at the March 3 ECC meeting. 8. Adjourn: On a motion by Bob KC6ZWG, the meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Dru Anderson KG6LAD, ECC Secretary.