Author: Deb KK7DEB

One of the digital kits will be on display at our September 22 meeting so come and take a look.

The September meeting training has been changed to “Building a Go-Kit” and Robert WX5TEX will guide you through the process and equipment needs. He will discuss the basics and show examples of the complex and simple designs that anyone can make. We strongly advise all of our members to have a radio go-kit.

Brian KE7QPV has sent the invitation to participate in the Disaster Relief Trials on October 22. Like Walk MS in the Spring, communications for this event is coordinated by MCARES and we are hoping for a large turn out from our members. This is by far the most fun event to watch as the bike riders have very interesting ways of transporting their cargo. The DRT organizers are very appreciative of our abilities to send field reports back to the finish line so they can keep their scoreboard up to date.

ARES leadership is discussing some changes to our existing team concept. We feel it is important, as we grow, to be innovative in how best to serve our members and the county. Stay tuned for more information that will be coming soon. One change that is very soon to be implemented is a rewrite of the weekly net script. Expect a much shorter, less time consuming check-in process within the next few weeks.

On we go to the training segment of the trailer project. Stay tuned for the plan to unfold. We want to make sure all of our members have an opportunity to learn how to set up, operate, and take down our mobile communications unit.

The July ARES meeting/picnic was a great success! I think we all enjoyed being outdoors at Sellwood Park. Go-kits were displayed and the ARES trailer had its christening. Thanks to Chris Voss and Alice Busch for attending and leading the toast to the completion of the trailer project. We are nearly finished with the exterior graphics design and have chosen a company to do the work. It should be completed in the next few weeks.

Our first public outreach was August 4 at the National Night Out sponsored by the Rosewood Initiative at 161st and SE Stark. We had the opportunity to speak with many people about Amateur Radio and really promote the hobby and emergency communications. The trailer tours were very popular and most people were really amazed at the technology and capabilities.

As people learn about what we do there is a lot of appreciation that I want to pass along to you. Thank you for being ready to provide emergency communications to help provide services to all the citizens of Multnomah County. It is very much appreciated by many, many folks.

If you are interested in joining the outreach team contact Steve W7SRH at hallstr [at] hotmail [dot] com.

We have news from the State ARES leadership that Bruce Bjerke K7BHB has stepped down and Lisa Clarke KE7NIY has stepped up to the SEC (Section Emergency Coordinator) position. As the SEC-AEC for training, Lisa brings a lot of experience with her. Congratulations to Lisa!

The ARRL has announced it is looking into a new entry level license class which has the potential of bringing many more into the ham radio world. This is an exciting prospect as we continue to grow and expand our capabilities within Multnomah County.

The Fall season is starting to look busy. Save the date for the county wide MCARES exercise on September 10 and the Disaster Relief Trials on October 22. Other events include the HF Campout on September 23 and 24, The Portland Marathon on October 9, and the Swaptoberfest (in Rickreall) Emergency Vehicle show on October 15. These events help to keep our skills sharp and provide great training.

Please join me in welcoming our newest members, Sean K2CRW, Phyllis W6STZ, Mark KI7FJA, Emily N7EMH, and Ernie KI7EFT.

Our recruiting efforts are paying off. We have gained 28 new members since January. Thanks to everyone spreading the word.

July ARES Meeting Location Change: the Thursday, July 28 meeting will be at Sellwood Park picnic area I (India). Our annual Go-Kit Show and Tell will include a BBQ. Nate will be grilling burgers and Deb will serve chili dogs. YUM! Water and soda will also be provided. Bring a side dish or dessert to share.

The ARES trailer will be on display for those who have not yet seen our awesome new Mobile Communications Unit. Adam will be telling you about all of its amazing features.

Bring your family and/or friends who are interested in ham radio to feast and see all the innovative go-kits that our members have put together. If you don’t have a go-kit yet you will be inspired to build one!

The annual HF Campout date is set. Mark your calendar for September 23 and 24 and join us at Fort Stevens for our Second Annual HF campout. This year we will be operating as a National Parks on The Air (NPOTA) station to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of our National Parks service. This will be a great event to learn more about HF operations and have some fun and fellowship with other members. Robert WX5TEX is taking reservations for those who would like to get their HF certification; give him a shout at robert6594j [at] gmail [dot] com.

We have reserved several campsites. If you plan to attend, let Robert know so we can make sure there is room for all. Last year’s spaghetti and meatball dinner was a real hit so there could be an encore performance if Marino KG7EMV will bring his favorite Italian pasta.

Congratulations to John Core KX7YK, who is the new ARRL Oregon Section Manager. He replaces retiring Everett Curry W6ABM.

Sadly, we received word that Race for the Cure will no longer be using amateur radio for their communications. I personally will miss this yearly event. I have worked this event every year since I first got my Technician license in 2005.

Please join me in welcoming our newest members, Robert K7AAD, Eric KI6MU, and Jiro KG7YVJ. Welcome back to Richard KF7INQ.

The newly formed North County Field Relay Team is starting up with Ian K6IBX, Pavel KG7LXB, and Nick KG7ZEA. Nate N9VCU is the team leader and we are excited to expand our mobile capabilities to another section of the county.

The County ARES ID card process has hit a bit of a snag as the Multnomah County Sheriff’s office is now requiring a copy of your picture ID to be included with the background check form. We will be taking pictures at the June 23 meeting so please bring your picture ID (driver’s license). You can also email that picture to me at dprovo [at] yahoo [dot] com. I can hear some of you grumbling about this, however it is not something we have any control over. Believe me, I have tried.

The Sheriff’s office has also made a few changes to the background form and we need to make sure your form is the newest version as they will no longer accept the previous form. We will have the newest form available at the June meeting as well.

Welcome to David KC7YOE and Bert WA7HI who have reactivated their membership. We had six of our new members at the basics workshop on May 14 and they will return on May 22 to complete their ARRO certification. Thanks to Eli W7ELI for arranging and teaching this very important training.

Congratulations to Brian KE7QPV, Matthew AF7PV, Marino KG7EMV, Joel N7LF, Steve W7SRH, Eli W7ELI, Doug KG7MJJ, Deb KK7DEB, and Bert WA7HI who have all completed their Packet RMS Radio Operator certification. A big thanks to Adam KF7LJH for arranging this session on May 15 and for all his hard work in putting together this new aspect of our training program. It is hoped that many more of our members will seek this certification as RMS/Winlink is in great demand and sometimes preferred over voice.

The components for two digital go-kits for Multnomah County ARES have been purchased and the items are trickling in. Two 120 Watt portable solar panels are also on their way. Our thanks to Chris Voss and Alice Busch for making this happen! These kits will add an exciting new digital capacity to our West Side Field Relay Team and future East Side Field Relay Team. We are fortunate to have such great support from our Multnomah County Emergency Management Leadership!

The kits will include:

• a Kenwood D710GA radio with built in TNC,
• Power supply,
• SignaLink USB,
• Small Laptop computer,
• Portable mast kit with antenna and coax,
• Mag-mount antenna,
• Digital camera,
• and a yellow Pelican case.

Robert WX5TEX, our resident master kit builder, will assemble all the parts into an amazing little kit for grab-and-go deployment.

The City of Gresham has received the laptops for RMS/Winlink connections to the EOC and five fire stations. RMS Express has been installed and Robert is working on the needed wiring to make this happen. All Gresham team members should brush up on their skills and training. Testing of the equipment will occur sometime this summer.

The MCARES Mobile Communications Unit (trailer) will be going to Seaside for all to see at the Sea-Pac Ham Convention June 3, 4, and 5. If you are going to Sea-Pac please stop by for a closer look; the trailer will be located across the street from the main entrance. It is our hope that we can recruit new members at Sea-Pac. Contact Steve at W7SRH [at] ARRL [dot] net if you can staff the trailer for a few hours to talk up MCARES.

The trailer has been granted a club callsign and we are waiting for approval of the vanity callsign, N7MCU.

The trailer is fully functional, however many small details are still being worked on. The next phase is exterior graphics and then comes training, training, and more training.

Cascadia Rising is June 7, 8, 9, and 10. There are a few 4-1⁄2 hour shifts that still need to be staffed. If you are able to lend a hand contact Deb KK7DEB at dprovo [at] yahoo [dot] com. We will be operating at the County ECC, PBEM ECC and the Mobile Comms Unit (Trailer). Operations will be from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM Tuesday through Friday.

Please join me in welcoming our newest members, Joel N7LF, Katherine KQ7TBR, Christopher K7VEG, Martha KG7LZC, and Nye KI7CHE.

Thanks to all our members who are actively promoting ARES membership. We are well on our way to our goal of adding 30 new members this year.