[bulletins] ARRL General

[Mike,W8KRR]

The following is a message from the Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator,
John Chapman, WB8INY, concerning the additional need for ham radio
operators in three counties of Mississippi. If you wish to respond,
please check first. This means if you can be available for an
assignment contact Greg Sarrett at the ARRL Desk at the Red Cross
Operations Center in Montgomery, AL at (334) 280-2252. Do not head down
unless the trip has been approved. DO NOT GO INTO THE GULF RELIEF AREA
WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION BY GREG SARRETT AT THE ARRL DESK.  
          
          Ohio Section Manager, Joe Phillips, K8QOE

OPERATORS STILL NEEDED IN THE GULF REGION TO SUPPORT RED CROSS NEEDS
           
There are still 11 shelters active in the Gulf region affected by
Katrina. Telephone coverage is still VERY spotty, and the Red Cross
relies heavily on amateur radio to support their on-going activities.
Many operators have been supporting these activities for weeks, and it
is time to bring in relief crews.
 
          
I have talked with DEC No Four, Bob Spratt N8TVU, who is currently
serving in the region. He states:  "Again, amateur radio is the only
reliable means of contacting 911 services should they be needed. Red
Cross is concerned with maintaining communications with these shelters
for several reasons:
 
1. On site nursing staff: needs access to 911 24-7, safety of staff
2. The need for contacting EMS for transporting ill, injured, etc. to a
local hospital. Some folks are drinking local water even though they
have been warned not to do so. Most that do are suffering from an
unidentifiable rash.
3. Red Cross has hired a security firm to provide site security at the
shelters that also has no local communications beyond the shelter
complex.
 
EQUIPMENT NEEDS:
 
Shelters-Warehouses:
50 watt mobile, power supply, 40 to 50 foot mast, base station antenna,
100-150 feet of cable.  Electricity is on at most locations. There are
still 2 without.
 
PODS-
 
5 watt VHF HT or mobile with magnet mount antenna and deep cycle
battery. PODS are set up in an "open field" and used for supplying
field units with food, water, building materials, repair materials
etc.
 
Gulfport Operations:
 
Capability of monitoring up to 6 VHF frequencies, HF on 3.965 & 7.280 @
100 watts, plus HT's for on site runners.
 
Plan to CAMPOUT, food, water, etc. is available at all locations.  Some
housing is available if you don't mind sharing with 600+ people in a
totally non private facility.
Most shelters will house you as part of their staff-indoors. Most
shelters and EOC's are air conditioned.
 
If you are assigned to an outside post, you will need to take 2 gallons
of water with you daily as a minimum.
 
Daily temperatures range from 90-98 degrees and extremely high
humidity.  Heat indexes have ranged from 95-125 degrees over the past 2
weeks.
 
Some shelters have showers - some don't - so operators will need a case
of baby wipes just in case.
 
If you can be available for an assignment contact Greg Sarrett at the
ARRL Desk at the Red Cross Operations Center in Montgomery, AL at (334)
280-2252. Do not head down unless the trip has been approved.
 
73,
   
John Chapman, WB8INY, Ohio SEC

_________________________________________________________________

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ARRL Ohio Section
Section Manager: Joseph J. Phillips, K8QOE
k8qoe at arrl.org
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