A Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is a training exercise where the primary purposes are to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in emergency preparedness and communications, and to demonstrate amateur radio to the public. On October 3, 2020, Johnson County ARES, Johnson County Emergency Communications Service (ECS) (the County RACES organization) and the Kansas/Western Missouri Division of […]
I joined other members of the WØVFW club for this year’s field day activity. It was held at club president, Pat Schneweis’s (KCØZRY) home where he had ample space and antennas for making contacts. I really didn’t prepare any project for this year and mostly participated for the fellowship and food. And, I must say, […]
The BUTLER COUNTY DIGITAL NET is dedicated to learning and developing digital operating skills and practicing digital traffic handling. Digital communications can become important in an emergency due to a natural disaster or power outage. To support this mission, we focus on three fundamentals: Directed Net protocols, Computer skills, and Digital traffic-handling with NBEMS software. […]
The annual AmRRon T-Rex exercise was conducted April 26-28, 2019. This scenario-based, grid down emergency communications training exercise is an opportunity to test members readiness in the event of a disaster or other emergency. The scenario this year was primarily centered around a cyber attack on PLC’s (programmable logic controllers). These small devices provide computer […]
While I did not compete for points in this years Winter Field Day, I did take advantage of the event to test out some of my off-grid radio operation gear. I operated from the comfort of my home (1HKS) but did not use any commercial power source to power my Icom 7300 radio. Since I […]
I had the opportunity to accompany my brother John on a trip to Barbados in 2018 for a month long stay. He does house/pet sitting for people through an organization called TrustedHouseSitters. We stayed in a private residence in Holetown taking care of two Jack Russell Terriers (Millie and Sara) for all but the first […]
In one of the most popular events for ham radio operators, each year in June hams from across America set up temporary stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio to the public and refine their skills in the ham radio science. While some treat it as a contest, others use it as an opportunity […]
Each year the WFDA (Winter Field Day Association) sponsors a special event enabling ham radio operators to enhance their skills and procedures in cold weather conditions. Disasters are unpredictable and can strike in the middle of winter as likely as in the summer months. Preparedness is the key to an effective response during any event […]