EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The Michigan Net continues to be a leader in emergency communications. QMN offers a wide variety of advantages for disaster response. Consider these facts:

• Ten to 20 watts RF ouput power using CW are roughly equivalent to 100 watts SSB. This means battery-powered, self-contained transceivers can be deployed to disaster areas and provide long-term, reliable High Frequency communications without the need for generators and gasoline.

• High Frequency radio can operate from any location, regardless of the condition of local infrastructure. The decentralized and self-contained nature of each deployed radio transceiver insures survivability.

• Radiotelegraph nets are more accurate than voice nets. A properly managed radiotelegraph net will also clear between three and four times more messages per hour than a typical voice net.

• Radiotelegraphy provides a higher level of confidentiality than voice nets. This improved communications security is ideal for shielding sensitive communications from the media and scanner listeners. 

• While QMN and similar CW nets require an investment in training and practice, this pays big dividends in the form of a well-disciplined radio circuit. During emergencies, voice nets are often jammed with inexperienced, spontaneous volunteers, whereas CW nets continue to operate at peak efficiency. This makes them an ideal alternative for time sensitive message traffic requiring a high level of accuracy. 

• In actual field applications, QMN often handles more traffic than packet radio and similar digital methods. Likewise, with radiotelegraphy, one needn't deal with the complexities of powering a computer, printer, a TNC or similar modem and peripherals. This means CW nets offer similar speed and greater reliability than many digital applications.

QMN members are encouraged to prepare for possible disaster situations by assembling a "go-kit." Here are some recommended items to include:

• A VHF-FM hand-held or portable radio, with alkaline battery pack and/or spare rechargable cells.

• A "roll-up" j-poll antenna, mag-mount, and cigarette lighter adapater for above radio.

• A low-power portable or manpack HF transceiver. Ten to 20 watts RF power output is typically sufficient for most propagation conditions.

• Accessories, such as paddles, bug, straight-key, microphone, etc.

• 100 count of QMN Message Forms No. 0401.

• 100 count of ARRL Disaster Welfare Message Form FSD-244.

• A small address book containing telphone, FAX and e-mail data for QMN/NREN Net Managers, local ARRL ARES/RACES personnel, and important served agencies.

• Small set of tools, VOM (DVM), clip leads, coaxial adapaters.

• A variety of AC connectors and adapaters to permit connection to a 12-VDC vehicle battery or similar alternate power sources.  Flashlight, lantern, and spare batteries.

Convenient antennas for field deployment can be constructed from a flexible, insulated, small guage stranded copper wire wound onto 100 foot chalk-line reels. These can then be tossed over a tree branch or other nearby support to serve as a random wire antenna. A second length can be erected to create a directly-fed balanced antenna, or a second length can be laid along the ground to serve as a counterpoise.

A 20 to 30 foot length of tinned copper braid, 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diamater equipped with a large clip lead will allow one to tune a random wire against a nearby convenient ground, such as a water pipe, indoor hot-water heating system, or the like.

QMN conducts periodic field exercises involving the deployment of portable HF radio stations in remote areas. Through the proper selection of accessories and the use of the miniumum RF output power necessary to establish reliable communications, reliable service can be established from almost anywhere.

Why not join QMN and get involved in these interesting and fun emergency exercises?