Author: Steve W7SRH

  • Reactivation of the USS Blueback Submarine Amateur Radio Station (W7SUB)

    For those who may not already know, the USS Blueback submarine is part of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), located on the east side of the Willamette River just below the I-5 bridge here in Portland. The submarine is moored in the river right in front of the museum. The Blueback was decommissioned in 1990 and brought to the Museum in 1994.

    The radio room on board the sub has been inactive for the past several years primarily due to the pandemic. The person in charge of the radio room (called the “CHOP” in the Navy) has decided to step back from that role. OMSI has been looking for new leadership to reactivate the station and carry on operations. Several MCARES members who have been working as volunteers at OMSI – Bob Cady W7JNM, Ken Cone K7BXI, and Steve Hall W7SRH – learned of the desire to reactivate the station and have decided to take this on.

    Bob, Ken, and Steve recently met with the OMSI submarine staff and the outgoing “CHOP” (station manager). They were able to reactivate the station which included testing the antennas to ensure they were functioning properly, bringing power back to the radio equipment, and locating station documentation. They are also learning about how radio room operations might fit into or conflict with submarine tours.

    The new radio team is in the process of developing an operations schedule to include several special events and some form of educational opportunities for those interested in amateur radio. If appropriate, the team will seek authorization for other MCARES members to visit the station and participate in these events. An update will be provided when the station operating schedule is finalized.

    Photo credit: Steve Hall W7SRH

  • Delta/Charlie Team Drill Recap

    Thanks to all who participated in last month’s team drill. Delta Team operated from Nate’s home in North Portland. Charlie Team operated from Lewis and Clark College, one of our served agencies, in Southwest Portland. I think it’s safe to say that we all learned from the experience. After all, that’s what drills are for.

    This was, by design, a very laid back exercise. Our goals included the sending of Winlink, SSTV image transfer, and voice traffic. We had no emergency scenario and no pre-written messages. We were focusing on systems practice. We made things up on the spot and sent things along.

    Some of the challenges we faced were due, in part, to the introduction of some unfamiliar equipment into the mix. If you have to swap out a computer (for SSTV) that you thought was going to work fine but didn’t, for one that had an unfamiliar set of applications, the learning curve can be a challenge and cause a domino effect on the whole process of getting the image passed through the system. We had several challenges like this. A surprise development was that were unable to make VHF simplex contact between the two stations. The reason for this is not entirely clear but most likely due to line of sight issues. When the VHF Winlink set up didn’t work the way we thought it would, we switched to HF/Pactor and accessed a station on 17 meters. Good job Julie! The good news is that the teams were able to improvise and get the job done.

    For me the biggest take away was realizing that things don’t always go as one expects them to. Stay focused and have confidence in the team to solve the issues.

    Again, thanks to all who helped with the drill.

  • Outreach Update

    2017 has already been a busy time for MCARES outreach. Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening.

    Fix-It Fair

    On January 28, Adam KF7LJH and I staffed a Fix-It Fair event at George Middle School. We estimate that several hundred people were in attendance!

    One of the primary reasons for attending these types of events is to recruit new ARES members. We had the good fortune to be set up right next to our partners from Portland NET. There was a steady stream of folks interested in learning what we do to support Multnomah County. Conversations with a number of attendees may well lead to some new members.

    We introduced two new twists to this event. Adam demonstrated a digital go-kit, which proved to be a big draw to our display. We also brought along a continuous loop slide presentation, featuring many of you at past MCARES events. Our slide presentation needs a little more work, but it provided a great source of activity at our table.

    There were over 60 different organizations represented at this Fix-It Fair. Learn more about Fix-It Fairs!

    PacTrust Presentation

    On February 16, Joe WA7FWC, Eli W7ELI, and I made a presentation to about 35 employees of PacTrust. PacTrust is one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest real estate developers and investment property owners. We were invited to talk about the MCARES organization and how we support the emergency communications infrastructure. Joe also demonstrated both image transfer and Winlink messaging.

    Looking Ahead

    Our next scheduled outreach event will be on Saturday, February 25. Rolf KI4HOP, Bob N6ZKL, and I will provide a MCARES presence at the Overlook Sustainability Summit. The theme of this event is Putting Preparedness into Action. The event will run from 9:45 AM to 2:00 PM at Beach Elementary School Auditorium at 1710 N Humboldt Street in Portland. If you have some free time that day, stop by and say hello.

    If you are interested in helping out at an outreach event, contact Steve W7SRH at hallstr [at] hotmail [dot] com and get on the Outreach Roster. No presentation expertise is required; just come along to learn and share your own experiences with MCARES.

  • Multnomah County ARES Supports Portland Public Schools

    Portland Public Schools (PPS) is in the process of forming a ham radio club. Molly Emmons, the emergency preparedness manager for PPS, has requested that MCARES provide consultation to the group as they put their new organization together. Initially, the membership will be made up of faculty and staff. Once things are up and running, students will be encouraged to participate. This may lead to incorporating ham technology into the curriculum at some point in the future.

    It is envisioned that one of the major benefits of forming this club will be to have AROs located in school facilities all across the district. This could have a huge impact on communication connectivity during times of extreme emergency.

    Steve Konrad AF7DD and Steve Hall W7SRH made a presentation to 35 faculty of the PPS on April 27 at the club’s initial organizational meeting. Attendees were introduced to ARES involvement in emergency communications and community service activities. Steve Konrad is helping Molly coordinate a study process for those interested in becoming licensed which will culminate in a test session scheduled for June 11.

    PPS is also partnering with Multnomah County government and Portland Bureau of Emergency Management regarding other preparedness efforts.

    PPS is a Pre K-12 district with an enrollment of approximately 48,500 students and 3,000 teachers. About 85 schools and 50 special needs sites are maintained within the district.

  • Outreach News

    On Thursday April 7, Deb KK7DEB, Robert W5TEX, and Steve W7SRH set up shop at Warner Pacific College as part of an outreach effort. We partnered with PBEM NET. We were invited by a student group as part of a class project which focused on preparedness. Some interest was also expressed on the part of the College to set up a basic VHF communication station. We operated VHF, D-Star via DVAP, and Winlink. While this was not a heavily attended event, there were several very interested students and it was an opportunity to discuss future comms plans with campus security. Thanks to Julie W7OW at Lewis and Clark College for making contact with our station during the event.

    We are in talks with Jeremy at PBEM NET about partnering on a recruiting effort to all hams in Multnomah County. PBEM has agreed in principle to provide funds for a post-card mailing inviting those interested to learn more about the NET program and Multnomah County ARES. There are about 2,500 licensed HAMS in the County.

    Outreach opportunities: You received an email from me recently about forming an Outreach Team. Thanks to those who have responded. If you are interested in joining this team, send me an email at hallstr [at] hotmail [dot] com.

  • West County Field Relay Team News

    We will participate in the April 22/23 SET. The team will set up and operate from Council Crest. It will be a good opportunity for the team to practice a variety of skills including setting up a digi-peater, a cross-band repeater, long distance VHF with directional beam antenna, as well as HF operations. We will have our plate full.

  • West County Field Relay Team News

    The team – Dylan W7KEF, Bob N6ZKL, and Steve W7SRH – has held several email discussions during January and February to review team organization and do an equipment and skills inventory. The team will set up and operate a resource net for the upcoming February 16 exercise being conducted in conjunction with Multnomah County Emergency Management.

  • PIO News

    On Thursday January 21, I along with three other leadership team members, Deb KK7DEB, Adam KF7LJH, and Steve AF7DD, made a presentation at the monthly Hoodview Amateur Radio Club (HARC) meeting. Our focus was on the MCARES mission as well as providing an update on our comms trailer project. HARC made a donation to the trailer fund raising drive. The following evening, January 22, I gave a comms trailer update to the Portland Amateur Radio Club (PARC). PARC is a major sponsor of the trailer project.

    On Sunday, February 8, I attended a Western Oregon Radio Club (WORC) D-Star workshop where I made several contacts and did some networking with WORC and OTVARC members. On February 9, I gave a brief recruitment presentation to the Multnomah Neighborhood Association meeting.

    On Sunday January 25, members of the leadership team met to discuss and develop a new member recruitment strategy. On Monday February 8, Deb, Eli W7ELI, Steve and I met to continue the discussion on recruitment and new member strategy. I have made contact with six VEs to discuss their assistance in disseminating MCARES recruitment materials to hams who just passed their technician test or upgraded their license. Also, during this same time frame I have made several MCARES recruitment QSTs on the Heart Net, NET Net and the ARES D1 Net. Follow-up letters were sent to eight prospective members following the January general membership meeting.

  • Served Agency: Oregon Food Bank

    The primary mission of the Multnomah County Amateur Radio Emergency Service is to ensure that qualified amateur radio operators (AROs) are ready to provide communications support to organizations – served agencies – that have requested these services in times of emergency.

    One of our serviced agencies is the Oregon Food Bank. The following is an interview with the MCARES Oregon Food Bank Team Leader, Kiri K7KAH.

    Steve: Where is the OFB located?

    Kiri: We are stationed at the OFB HQ on NE 33rd in PDX, a couple miles from the airport. There are additional OFB locations in Washington County, Tillamook, and Ontario with radio equipment.

    Steve: How long has the OFB been a served agency of MCARES?

    Kiri: I believe we fired up in late 2013. Adam KF7LJH was originally the team lead. I joined as team lead when Adam moved into his current position in mid-January 2014. Essentially 2 years.

    Steve: How will your team support the OFB during an emergency?

    Kiri: Provide backup communications between OFB sites, and OEM and other agencies if there is a grid-down situation, or landlines are clogged. I envision most of the traffic will be passed relating to movement of food stuffs around the state between OFB sites. OFB operates in emergency situation under the national response framework. So whatever they are mandated to do under the emergency support function we would be helping passing traffic.

    Steve: Who are the OFB Team members?

    Kiri: Kiri K7KAH, Chris KE7OSH, and John KF7ZWX.

    Steve: How long have you been Team Leader?

    Kiri: Since January, 2014.

    Steve: What kinds of Ham equipment do you operate at OFB?

    Kiri: Each OFB site has a portable set that was put together by Garrett AF7RF and Dean (OFB liaison).
    UHF/VHF: Yaesu 8900
    HF: Yaesu FT897-D
    Commercial: 800 MHZ for county communications (Emergency use only)
    Antennas: horizontal dipole for HF, I don’t know the brand of VHF antenna.
    We have headsets, no desk mics, just the mics that come with the radios. No TNC.

    Steve: Do you have Winlink/Winmor capabilities?

    Kiri: Not yet.

    Steve: What are some of your operating challenges?

    Kiri: We are at a low point in the city, so sometimes getting to places over the hills on simplex can be a challenge. We also have challenges reaching our Ontario and Tillamook stations on HF when the propagation is bad. They are getting ready to install a massive generator at our location. We will have to see if that introduces any interference to our operations. When they test the generator out we will need to fire up the station, so that’s on the to-do list.

    Steve: Has the Team done separate training apart from regular MCARES drills?

    Kiri: I try to meet with Dean on a monthly basis to test the radios. We have done HF calls to Ontario a few times. Eventually we’ll want to get tests out to all the stations, if possible on a monthly basis. And get the rest of the MCARES team and OFB hams in on these meetings when possible. Our next big challenge is testing the Washington County location which has not been operated at all – hopefully some time in November.

    Steve: Are there other facts or statistics that you feel may be of interest to the general MCARES membership?

    Kiri: We need more people on our team, so if you are not on a team yet and you live in NE and you’re interested in food safety, movement, and volunteering with a great organization for a great organization, let us know!

  • Featured Member Profile: Steve W7SRH

    I have been an active member of MCARES since January, 2014. What I most enjoy about ARES is the chance to learn from other members. Manuals only get you so far. Working with more experienced operators speeds the learning process and, frankly, makes it fun. I also enjoy the opportunities to participate in community events and to serve as part of the amateur radio community to plan to meet emergency needs.

    I am a member of the MCARES Red Cross served agency team. I have completed the MCARES ARRO certification and am currently working on my Net Control certification. I am also a member of the Portland Amateur Radio Club. I have supported the MS Walk, the Reach the Beach ride, the Portland Bridge Peddle ride, and the Portland Marathon. I lend my radio capabilities to my local Neighborhood Emergency Team serving as the Communications Lead/ARO for the Multnomah Village NET.

    I also volunteer with the American Red Cross and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council. Boating has been a life-long avocation, and I draw on this to help the Watershed Council with their canoe excursions on the Slough. You may also encounter me out kayaking our local rivers and lakes.

    I hail from Petoskey, Michigan and still visit frequently to see friends and family. Before moving to the Portland area, I lived in Houston, Texas where I worked for Baylor College of Medicine, Memorial Care System, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. I retired a few years ago from Kaiser Permanente where I worked in Human Resources for nearly 20 years.

    Just recently, I agreed to serve MCARES as the Public Information Officer and to contribute articles to our monthly newsletter.