WeComm, Ltd. and WI ARES/RACES Communications Update January 25, 2011

One Thing To Remember We communicate when no one else can. 2

Who Are These People? HAM Radio operators (volunteers) ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service® Sponsored by the American Radio Relay League Nonprofit Private Can self-activate Around since 1935 NIMS compliant RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Government sponsored Directed by Emergency Management Can only be activated in a declared emergency by EM, FEMA, the President Organized in 1952 – Cold War period for civil defense Dual membership in Wisconsin for continuity and resiliency 1400 members 3

What is WeComm? All volunteer nonprofit, tax exempt organization Financial organization with the following purposes To support and facilitate emergency, disaster, and public service related communication systems and services provided to government agencies, the general public and private disaster relief organizations by Amateur Radio Operators through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. The primary purpose shall be the construction and maintenance of a statewide voice and digital wireless two-way communication network. Such other activities as the directors may determine are necessary or desirable in furtherance of the forgoing paragraph. 4

What’s New in Ham Radio Federal Communications Commission has eased Part 97 regarding ham radio operators who are employees Can now participate in exercises Can use ham radio as long as there is no direct pecuniary interest Emergency Communications Advisory Committee to the ARRL Board of Directors Number of new hams has skyrocketed over the past two years 2010 – 8.5 percent increase (18,270 as of June 30) 2009 – 7.5 percent increase (30,144) New and innovative ideas 5

WI ARES/RACES Focus Professionalism Consistent, standardized training (NIMS) Department of Health Services partnership E-sponder participant Strengthening communications infrastructure Linked statewide voice system (WeComm, Ltd.) WinLink ( off the internet grid) Position reporting system (APRS) 6

Current WeComm Repeater Coverage 7

Seeley (Sawyer County) 8

WinLink Network One of the most active states in the US Most counties have ability to send and receive without having local internet service (not as fast as normal internet ) 9

2010/2011 WeComm Projects Complete linking of current repeaters Seeley/Sawyer County Repeater construction Milwaukee Repeater construction Appleton Medical Center High Speed Data Network Abbottsford WinLink RMS Relay Station 10

What This Means to You Professional, trained communications resources Improved Amateur Radio communications Hospital HAM radio equipment Improved digital communications Ability to broadly communicate with other health resources New HAMs who are hospital employees Ability to continue contact with the outside world 11

Health Facility Radio Equipment Hospital/Nursing Home /Health Department Equipment Recommendations One (1) Diamond GZV4000 Switching Power Supply One (1) ComProd Communications CP872F-70/ Offset dual VHF/UHF commercial antenna (recommended) Alternatives One (1) Diamond X510NA VHF/UHF Dual-band antenna with N Connector (we have had service problems with this antenna) Hustler G6-270R Andrew/Decibel DB-222-E (2 bay) and DB-224-E (4bay) One (1) Lot of 200 feet (may vary depending upon the facility) Times Microwave Systems LMR-400 coaxial cable (May need to be hardline if over 200 feet) Five (5) PL-259 Silver Plated connectors (RF Industries RFIRFU501 or exact equivalent) Five (5) N-Type connectors (RF Industries RFN-1001-S, or exact equivalent) One (1) Polyphaser IS-50NX-C1 lightning suppressor N-Type connectors Radio Addition – Added April 2009 Yaesu FT-8800R Dual-Band (2-meter/440MHz mobile radio) Approximate cost $350 12

Let’s Look at the Equipment 13

Diamond GZV4000 Switching Power Supply 14

Antennas 15

The Radio 16

The Other Stuff 17

Is the Equipment Confusing? If you are not familiar with HAM radio, it should be WeComm provides free, but limited consulting assistance Challenging in some facilities 18

ARES/RACES – How Can We Help You? Contact your county’s Emergency Coordinator or District Emergency Coordinator Involve us in your plans Understand we also have limitations We provide communications when no one else can, but we need to Interact with your organization Know the key players Understand your objectives, challenges and obstacles 19

What Are Your Questions? 20

Summing It UP Amateur Radio is a national resource available to help our communities and nation Thank you for your time, dedication and attention 21