NE-FL D-STAR System

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Archive for category Flagler EOC

Some GREAT Field Day Press – with EMCOMM-1

Jul 5

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, Flagler EOC, HF Antennas and Operation, Work Party | No Comments


(click to enlarge)

FPCARC’s field day was almost a bust – given that the Flager EOC was occupied by firefighters from the Division of Forestry – diligently fighting the stubborn fires in Flagler and Volusia Counties. The club moved the venue to Palm Coast Data, who  offered to host the group in the spirit of community involvement and support.

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The Daytona News Journal did a nice piece on Field Day – covering the activities of both “churches” in Flagler County – with good comments from Dave Snow about what got him into Amateur Radio, as well as the Field Day event itself. The coverage regarding FPCARC was mostly centered on the change in venue, but also about the EMCOMM-1 vehicle that was at the event. Our very own Doug (N4FPS) and yours truly were  featured in a full-width photo, as we were preparing for the Operation Communicate Freedom exercise occurring this week at Camp Blanding. The article is just an excerpt, but all the meat is there.

Operation Communicate Freedom – June 30

Jun 19

Posted by mikelee in Analog Repeaters, ARES Events, ARES Training, D-RATS Data, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, Flagler ARES Admin, Flagler EOC, Go Kits, HF Antennas and Operation, NET Operations, Volusia ARES Admin | No Comments

Details have been slow to come, but here’s what we know..

  • Exercise prep/Briefing will be on June 29th (Wednesday) starting in the afternoon at Camp Blanding. Please DO NOT proceed to Camp Blanding, since this is a secure facility and only authorized (credentialed) staff will be allowed entry. We will have a contingent of 3 Amateurs onsite, to include the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC – Ron Mettler). Information from the on-site briefing will be shared later that afternoon on an established channel or channels so that all will have access to the most current data. In addition, those participating will also receive an email with the most current information.
  • The exercise will primarily be on June 30 (Thursday before the July-4 holiday weekend). Exercise time will run from approximately 09:00 to 15:00, with after-action briefing at about 15:00 and de-mobilization starting at about 16:00. We will need staff at the real, or virtual EOC’s for each of the counties. VHF and HF capability will be required (preferred) – frequencies and communications protocol for the exercise will be distributed mid next week (7-days prior to the exercise).
  • There are 13 counties in the North East Florida region that are supposed to be participating in the drill :
    • Alachua
    • Baker
    • Bradford
    • Clay
    • Duval
    • Flagler
    • Gilchrist
    • Levy
    • Marion
    • Nassau
    • Putnam
    • St. Johns
    • Union
  • Amateur Radio will be an integral part of the exercise
  • The exercise will consist of two major parts :
    • A large scale disaster with numerous casualties in Duval County, and
    • A train derailment somewhere in the 13 county region – probably involving HazMat, NBC (nuclear, biological or chemical) or other considerations
  • We will be asked to pass traffic to as many of the 13 counties as possible, by whatever means possible
  • We will be asked to specifically use VHF and HF, in addition to other means
  • Digital and Analog modes can be used (like WinLink, D-STAR/DRATS, etc)
  • There will likely be traffic that needs to be passed to FL State EOC as well.

No other details are available (yet), but Doug and I will be working on the communications plan and the ICS forms package in the next few days.

Call-Sign : KF4EMV

May 12

Posted by mikelee in Analog Repeaters, D-Star Repeaters, D-Star Users, DSTAR Projects, FEMV, Flagler ARES Admin, Flagler EOC, NET Operations | No Comments

We applied for and received the call-sign of KF4EMV a few months back, but are just now in process of putting it to good use. The specific call sign was requested in support of the FEMV organization – Flagler Emergency Management Volunteers – an organization of security-screened and credentialed volunteers who serve under the direct management of Flagler Emergency Management and with the authority of that governmental organization.

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Much like the DStar repeater call sign KA4RES – these call signs are public acknowledgement of our singular mission – in the case of KA4RES to be Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) focused. In the cast of KF4EMV, the repeaters that bear that call sign will be OWNED, OPERATED and MAINTAINED by FEMV volunteers and provided as a resource of Flagler Emergency Management, for the benefit of ALL AMATEURS in the county, as well as visitors to the area. The mission of KF4EMV repeaters to to provide a dedicated, non-political emergency services resource, but in times of non-emergency they help to strengthen the Amateur Community and promote an awareness to the EOC’s mission thru activities like Training, Weather Nets and Informational Nets. Some groups will be donating their repeater resources to the County – essentially turning over control of their valuable equipment in support of the Emergency Manager’s mission. More on that in future articles.

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Unlike privately owned systems, control of access and content on the repeater systems will NOT be subject to a single individual or so-called Board, but will comply with County guidelines that will be openly distributed. FEMV needs and wants to operate with 100% transparency. In a word, FEMV is not a club, but a group of qualified, security-screened, credentialed volunteers who support the Emergency Manager’s mission of preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery from all events which may occur in the county.

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All are welcome to join FEMV – simply give the Emergency Operations Center a call and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator – Frank Sanita. Although Frank is a licensed amateur, in this case, he is an official County Employee who heads the volunteer organization, reporting directly to Troy Harper – Chief of Emergency Services.

Repeater Site Survey on Friday

May 4

Posted by mikelee in Flagler EOC, Work Party | No Comments

Phil, along with a number of associates, will be performing a site survey at one of the new repeater sites in the City of Palm Coast – expected to be on Friday afternoon. This is a significant site for the FEMV group – the Flagler Emergency Management Volunteers, a group of security screened, credentialed volunteers who’s only agenda is to serve Flagler County Emergency Services in their mission of preparation, mitigation, assessment and recovery from both natural and human-caused events.

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I’m sure that the group will be capturing all related information in pictures, which we’ll post (as always) once they’ve been cleared by the FEMV management. But in a word – we’re making progress.

Flagler EOC Antenna Farm Project – Update

Apr 29

Posted by mikelee in ARES Training, Flagler EOC | No Comments

Our partners at the Flagler EOC have just ordered all the parts and pieces for the Antenna Farm reconstruction project. We expect the pieces and parts to start arriving in about a week, after which we will schedule the installation of cables, grounding system, antennas and the necessary testing and baseline documentation work.

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We’re anxious to get started with the physical installation, since severe weather season is just around the corner. The recent severe weather in the mid-west  and southern states is a constant reminder that we need to be vigilant and prepared.

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More details on scheduling, as well as the configuration of the antenna system to be published in the next couple of weeks. Phil (K5BBC) is also working on a training program in order to certify personnel who will be operating the equipment at the EOC.

High Altitude Balloon Launch – Friday

Apr 25

Posted by mikelee in ARES Events, ARES Training, Flagler EOC, NET Operations, Volusia ARES Admin, Work Party | No Comments

We have been  approached to assist in the tracking and recovery of a High Altitude Balloon that will be launched with the purpose of photographing the last launch of the Endeavor shuttle mission on Friday, 29-April-2011. The launch is sponsored by the organization Quest for the Stars, Inc – a California non-profit Organization that focuses on introducing students to Math and the Sciences.

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The balloon will probably be launched from an area close to Chiefland, FL then rise to an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet, then  is expected to make a landing in an area from southern St. Johns  to northern Volusia Counties – with the anticipated LZ being in the Palm Coast area.

We will be supporting the recovery effort by tracking the payload via APRS, then protecting the payload for turnover to the Quest for Stars staff. At this time, we will not be releasing the call-sign of the payload, so as to protect the integrity of the payload’s camera and electronics payload, since the recovered video will be used for student education, as well as the Challenger Foundation.

Any amateurs who are interested in joining in the tracking and recovery efforts should contact the event Incident Commander – Phil (K5BBC) at philmcelrath@natca.net for more information as well as an official tasking. FEMV staff are encouraged to join, as this will be excellent training in Search and Recovery – a skill that may well be needed in times of natural disaster or events such as downed-aircraft searches. Troy Harper from Flagler EOC has been informed of this event and although not an officially sanctioned FEMV event, I would not be surprised if he were to monitor the progress of this event for it’s training benefits.

Phil will be releasing more details in the coming days, as we expect a Daily Update from the Launch Director starting Monday the 25th, until just prior to launch time on the 29th. The entire schedule is subject to change, based on the progress of the STS-134 mission, but if everything stays on schedule, Shuttle launch should be at 15:47 local time. The latest information regarding the balloon is that they will arrive at the launch site in Chiefland at Noon, with a target launch time of 14:47 (60 minutes prior to Shuttle Launch). The balloon is expected to reach the edge of space, then start it’s downward trajectory back toward earth.

Although this should not be required, a simple reminder might be in order – this payload and all of it’s contents, are the property of the Quest for Stars organization – we are not authorized to open it, inspect it or deliver it to anybody other than their designated representatives. If and when found, the location should be immediately secured and the location communicated to the Incident Commander (Phil – K5BBC). Unless the location of the payload poses a threat to life or property, it should not be moved until Quest-for-Stars staff arrive to take possession of the payload. I know that we would request the same courtesy of others assisting in recovering OUR property – so it stands that we should give John and his organization the same level of respect and consideration.  All amateurs who are not directly tasked with the recovery effort, but who happen on the payload (e.g., it lands in your back yard :D ) should contact Phil on a local repeater, on DStar, or on the phone (he will post all phone numbers prior to the event).

Many thanks to all of you in advance for your willingness to help – this should be a fun and educational event for all who choose to participate..!!

=======  Beginning of email request

On Apr 17, 2011, at 10:23 PM, John Pugh wrote:

Hi Mike,

I work with a Non-Profit group called Quest for Stars(http://www.questforstars.com). We travel the world introducing students to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. We primarily use weather balloons to launch a scientific payload to the edge of space and recover it.

The reason I’m writing is we are launching a balloon to capture the launch of the last flight of Endeavor. In conjunction with the Challenger Foundation and other sponsors we will be launching a balloon from the east coast of Florida (likely somewhere around Chiefland, FL) and recovering it somewhere around Palm Coast, FL. This was the trajectory of the balloon launched earlier this year, however we will not know the exact launch site or path until a few days prior as it depends on upper atmosphere winds.

On board the payload we have a APRS setup that will allow us to track the unit from launch to recovery and would like to have some local people available at the recovery area to track it until we can get across the state. This will likely provide press coverage and can help in providing a search and rescue training exercise if so desired.I will be the local coordinator for this launch.

Thanks…JP

John Pugh

Who’s Afraid of the General Test..??!!

Mar 27

Posted by mikelee in D-Star Users, Flagler EOC | 1 Comment

Definitely not Phil McElrath – one of our guru’s on the DStar repeater installation team..!!

Phil took the test for the General license yesterday (Saturday morning) and passed with flying colors – so now, he can sign with the call-sign of K5BBC/AG until it’s officially posted by the FCC.

Needless to say, Phil is PSYCH’d.. and it itching to acquire his first HF radio and get on the bands.

Phil – CONGRATS..!!  Getting a license upgrade is a BIG DEAL – especially one as significant as the Tech-to-General license.!!

P.S. – Phil’s motivation for getting the upgrade (besides just have it and being able to operate HF), was because of his volunteer position in the FEMV where he is the team leader of the Radio Room – he wanted to be able to operate ALL of the radios, including Analog FM, GMRS, DStar and how HF. Shows his dedication to the organization..!

Flagler EOC Repeater Work Party from Saturday

Mar 27

Posted by mikelee in Flagler EOC | 1 Comment

Prepped two (analog) repeaters for operation in the near future to serve Flagler County. Today was duplexer tuning day – two sets of cavities – (1) a set of Wacom 4-cavity, 4″ VHF cavities and (2) a set of Tx/Rx Systems 6-cavity, 6″ VHF cavities. Both sets tuned fine to their new frequencies and are ready for operation.

RF check-out will occur during the week, including a Yaesu VXR-9000 (VHF) and a GE Mastr Exec II on VHF as well. We expect no issues with either sets of RF decks.

The guys also removed all of the heliax from the underground conduits, marked and labeled the pull-strings and prepared the PVC pipe for entrance to the outdoor enclosure.

Now we just have to wait for the cable and parts to finish the installation of the cabling system, to be followed with the actual antennas. Stay tuned for more progress in the next couple of weeks.

In pictures..

Flagler EOC Antenna Work – Friday

Mar 25

Posted by mikelee in Flagler EOC | No Comments

A group of FEMV volunteers will be meeting Friday morning to start the antenna work. The day’s task is to remove all of the old antennas and inspect those which might be reusable. The antennas on the MonoPole will also be removed if a bucket lift or ladder truck can be made available. Rick Reuther (KC2HFL) has extensive experience with heavy fire equipment  and had removed antennas in the past using that type of heavy equipment. We will have at least 3 people on-site, as is typical for this type of operation – a lead rigger, a support person and a third who will act as a runner and safety manager. We will take photographs so that all can be there virtually.

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If you are available and would like to help, drop by and we’ll put you to work. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming days..

Large-Scale EOC Antenna Work SOON… HELP NEEDED..!!

Mar 21

Posted by mikelee in Flagler EOC | No Comments

Our  DStar repeater team spent last Sunday afternoon (13-March-2011) with Troy Harper and Frank Sanita of Flagler Emergency Services performing an assessment of the Antenna Farm at the Flagler EOC, operating under the authority of the Flagler Emergency Management Volunteers (FEMV), the official county-managed group of volunteers serving Flagler Emergency Services (not a part of any independent group or organization).

We found a number of situations which need to be corrected, resulting from the lightning strike last year – but also found some inherent problems with some of the previous installs which will need to be corrected. For those in the Flagler area who are already FEMV members, as well as those who are wondering what FEMV is all about and would like to join a work party in order to get first hand experience with the FEMV team, please consider joining us in this project (date to be announced once we receive all the parts). Following is a list of work that needs to be performed:

De-Install old antennas and feed-lines (3-person job):

  • De-install of a large low-band vertical antenna mounted to a short-tower section
  • De-install of the Hustler HF Vertical antenna, mounted to a chain link fence
  • De-install of a faulty AR-270 dual band antenna which was affected by the lightning strike
  • De-install of the G6 antenna on the top of the MA-770 tower. This will require using a bucket lift or fire ladder truck
  • De-install the G6 antenna on the SIDE of the MA-770 tower – this is an odd situation, since the hose-clamps which were used to secure this antenna to the 3rd section of the collapsable mast actually PREVENTS the entire mast from collapsing as originally designed – THIS IS AN IDENTIFIED SAFETY ISSUE that needs to be corrected. This is a 3-person job that will require a bucket lift or a ladder-truck. It appears that the antenna may be reusable, since it does not appear to have been affected by the lightning strike.
  • De-install the Cushcraft dual-band beam antenna from the side of the short-tower, inspect and refurbish as necessary .
  • Disconnect all Coax from the short-tower and the MA-770 tower – save for later inspection and sweeping using the Agilent N990B.

Once all antennas and feed-line are off both the towers (3-person job):

  • Lightning Protection and Grounding System :
    • Install bonded grounding straps from the base of the short-tower, to the NEMA box and frame
    • Install the copper Grounding PLATE to the inside of the NEMA box
    • Connect the Grounding PLATE to the system ground
    • Install the Polyphasers to the terminated ends of the LMR-400 cable
    • Install #4 grounding wires from the Polyphasers to the Grounding PLATE
    • Install a Polyphaser Lightning Strike indicator to the top of the short-tower
  • Short Tower Antennas :
    • Install Diamond X-500 and associated LMR-400 to the inside of the NEMA Box for the Alinco (Radio #4). Test and sweep BEFORE connection to Polyphaser
    • Install Diamond X-500 and associated LMR-400 to the inside of the NEMA Box for the DStar Radio (Radio #3). Test and sweep BEFORE connection to Polyphaser
    • Install the replacement AR-270 and associated LMR-400 to the inside of the NEMA Box for the FT-880 (Radio #2). Test and sweep BEFORE connection to Polyphaser/
    • Install OCF-Dipole with long-leg to the Parking Lot Light Pot, short-leg to the top of the EOC Building (at the bottom of the 800Mhz Yagi post). Feed-line to be routed to the top of the short-tower and should be terminated inside the NEMA Box. Test and sweep BEFORE connection to the polyphaser.
  • MA-770 Tower and Antenna Work :
    • Collapse the MA-770 tower into it’s shortest height (4 section) then inspect the both sets of limit switches for proper operation.
    • Inspect the steel cables for rust and corrosion – replace as necessary and test
    • Install new  Coax Arms (CX-4M) to each of the tower sections
    • Inspect all other aspects of the MA-770 for safety and proper operation
    • Re-Install the functional G6 Antenna:
      • Install G6 antenna to the top of the MA-770 (2-person job)
      • Install LMR-400 for the G6, routing as appropriate for the coax arms. Termination of the cable will to be a Polyphaser INSIDE the NEMA Box  (3-person job) for  the FT-8800 (Radio #1)
      • Test and sweep BEFORE connection to the Polyphaser.

Coax Routing to the EOC Radio Room (3-5 person job):

  • We will be replacing ALL of the coax that routes into the radio room at the EOC – this is specifically because of water intrusion into the old Heliax (FSJ4) that was previously used and the lack of a water seal on the large PVC conduits that provided the cable routing from the outside to the radio room (very poor engineering, by any standard).
  • The first step in that process will be to cut and remove all of the current coax and hardline that runs from the EOC Radio room to the antenna farm – most of this cable is FSJ4 (1/2″ superflex Heliax – good stuff, if in good condition). This is a 4-person job to gently pull the existing cable FROM THE OUTSIDE, so as not to drag water and “critters” into the EOC radio room. The existing cables will need to be MEASURED FOR LENGTH – so as to cut the appropriate length for the new cables.
  • PVC pipes that route from the base of the towers to the radio room will need to be extended UPWARD and terminate INSIDE of the NEMA box that is mounted on the steel platform between the MA-770 and the short-fixed tower
  • Dry air from inside the radio room will need to be pumped into the PVC conduit in order to evacuate the remaining water. This may take 5-7 days, depending on the amount of accumulated water in the PVC conduits
  • At present, we anticipate that there will be 5 lengths required, although we may well pull a 6th run as a spare or for future use. Currently the plan is as follows:
    • Radio #1 – VHF/UHF  - Ham Primary – Yaesu FT-8800, G6
    • Radio #2 – VHF/UHF  - Ham Secondary – Yaesu FT-880, AR-270
    • Radio #3 – VHF/UHF – DSTAR Primary – Icom 880H, X-500
    • Radio #4 – VHF/UHF – GMRS, Fire, Other – Alinco..??
    • Radio #5 – HF/MF Radio – Icom 7200, OCFD
    • Radio #6 – TBD
  • The LMR-400 Cable bundle will need to be cut, waterproofed on the ends and INDIVIDUALLY LABLED on both the ends, as well as along the middle of the cable run. The length of the old cables was determined to be 176-feet thru electrical testing, but will need to be verified before cutting from the spool.
  • After drying, a crew will need to pull the bundle of LMR-400 cable from the antenna farm (NEMA Box) into the Radio Room. The conduit should already be dry, so there is little risk of moisture getting into the EOC. This is a 5-6 person job.
  • All cables need to be terminated with Type-N(F) connectors at the NEMA box, for later connection to the Polyphaser units.

Inside EOC Terminations (2-person job):

  • Sweep EACH of the feed-lines for the expected operational frequency range before connection to the Diawa Coax Switches.
  • For each of the LEFT and RIGHT sides:
    • Terminate each of the LMR-400 cables to their respective positions to a Diawa 2-position Coax Switch – common leg
    • Terminate Coax Switch legs to each of the radios – so each of two radios has access to both antennas
  • For the HF Position:
    • Terminate the LMR-400 cable to the Diawa 2-position Coax Switch – Switch Position #1 (HOT)
    • Terminate the Radio/Tuner to COMMON on the switch
    • Switch Position #2 will be GROUNDED
    • Terminate the switch leg to the radio