Transcript Document
Galveston County Emergency Communications Group (GCECG) Cover Page www.gcecg.org Mike Scott, Director September 20, 2007 Amateur Radio What is Amateur (or “ham”) Radio? • A service that uses various types of radio communications for public service, recreation, and self-training • Volunteer, non-paid per FCC Part 97 • Amateur radio operators are licensed by the FCC • Must pass a test to obtain one of three license classes • Each radio operator is issued a unique callsign • All callsigns have specific attributes • World/US region (N, K, W, AA-AL), structure (2x2, 1x3, etc.) • Amateur radio operators are often proficient in: • Emergency Power • Mobile/Field Communications • It is often an amateur radio operator on the air first after a disaster Major Amateur Radio Organizations • Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) • Est. 1952 as part of the Amateur Radio Service • Civil preparedness during periods of emergency • Administered by local, county, and state emergency management agencies • Supported by FEMA • Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) • Emergency communications • Support on a state and local level • “Net” operation – a coordinated exchange on a frequency • Skywarn • Spotters provide data to the National Weather Service • Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) • DOD sponsored program – auxiliary military comm Amateur Radio and Galveston County Groups In or Near Galveston County • JSC Amateur Radio Club • Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club • Tidelands Amateur Radio Society • Pearland Amateur Radio Club • GCECG • Pasadena Amateur Radio Club There are about 900 hams in Galveston County Types of Amateur Radio Communication • High Frequency - HF (also known as short wave) • “skip” off upper atmosphere to talk great distances • VHF and UHF Voice • Point-to-point or use of repeaters which retransmit the signal • Typical range: 50 miles using a repeater • Repeaters can be “networked” such as Saltgrass or Armadillo systems in Texas. Allows statewide communication. • Packet/Airmail • Send digital data via radio as an alternative to internet/e-mail • Amateur Television (slow scan TV) • Morse Code - CW • Easier to hear when a low signal is present (used mostly on HF) •Amateur Satellites, Shuttle, and International Space Station • Some amateur radio groups build their own satellites (AMSAT) • Half of all astronauts are amateur radio operators and routinely operate from orbit • Earth-Moon-Earth (moonbounce) • Talking to other amateur radio operators by bouncing a signal off the moon Repeater Networking The Armadillo Intertie Network Armadillo repeaters are linked by microwave. No internet or PSTN lines are required. GCECG Supports Galveston County OEM • Galveston County Office of Emergency Management resides at FM 646 near IH-45 in League City • Amateur Radio is used when other modes of communication are inoperable or overloaded • Amateur Radio relies very little on existing infrastructure • Communications between city EOC’s, County EOC, and State (DPS) level • GCECG is comprised almost exclusively of amateur radio operators, about 50 members at this time • At least 2 GCECG personnel in County EOC radio room at all times during an event • Capability: VHF Voice, UHF Voice, HF Voice/CW, Packet/Airmail • 10 ham radio antennas on tower, ranging from 60’ to 180’ level • Personnel to support City EOC’s (if needed) OPS Plan Austin SOC HF 7.285, 3.975 Armadillo 443.650 Saltgrass 149.920, 443.825 Note: All frequencies are local to Houston. All frequencies in MHz. Houston DDC (Frequency dependent on DDC requirement) County EOC, WR5GC City EOC’s Communication with city EOC’s 147.140/167.9 Primary VHF 145.410/131.8 Alternate VHF 442.225/131.8 Primary UHF 145.050 Airmail (if available) Bayou Vista Dickinson Friendswood Galveston Hitchcock Jamaica Beach Kemah La Marque League City Santa Fe Texas City Tiki Island N Brazoria County Conclusions • The Amateur Radio Service is a valuable asset to Emergency Management • Low dependence on infrastructure • Near 100% geographic repeater coverage in Galveston County • On the air within minutes of a disaster • Motivated volunteers • Technically competent individuals • Mobile capability • Hams have their own radios, antennas and power