As we come to what appears to be the end of the Pandemic, and two years of impacting in person meetings we can now look forward to planning SEPAR meetings. As part of the city’s Emergency Program we were able to meet following a COVID plan however we did meet together using virtual tools, Zoom.
As a result of changes during this time we have now become familiar with tools such as Zoom and have had good attendance and were able to maintain our program during this time. Presentations and lessons learned from other areas of the world are now available locally for our meetings. As an example we recently arranged, in conjunction with SARC, for a presentation on the AREDN mesh network. The presenter did this virtually from Vancouver Island. We have a couple of SEPAR members exploring how we might these MESH technologies this within our emergency program in the city.
As well we have had two presentations on APRS. The first was on some of the technical details and use when Mobile. The second presentation was on the various ways APRS can be used and the capabilities it will help provide in an emergency. Besides placing your position on a map, APRS can be used to send short messages radio to radio, text to cell phone (non-amateurs cannot reply) and also to send Winlink email messages. All of these capabilities do provide a tremendous benefit to emergency operations/deployments.
From this presentation, a plan was created to test setting up inexpensive APRS sites to cover all of Surrey. While still in the development stage, the plan will be to set up low power sites to provide coverage throughout the city. We hope to identify areas which may have poor coverage and determine if we can set up a site to provide the ability to use APRS in these areas.
SEPAR has also continued to encourage the regular testing of WINLINK. We start with getting the members computers set up with WINLINK and using it with Telnet (local internet). We then can help individuals with TNC and radio set up to use VHF packet to communicate. We host a weekly digital check-in with an email sent out to participants and asking for a reply using the WINLINK system. It is as easy as this.
One other area we are seeing very encouraging progress is with the OTC (Operations and Training Center). The Radio room is set up with contest grade HF stations and good VHF/UHF coverage. The station is being used for contests as well as training. Each Saturday we have held a drop in for assistance on anything radio related. We have helped with testing antenna’s, tuning mobile antenna’s on cars, answering questions on mobile installations, programming radios, and helping set up WINLINK on computers and radios.
It has been so encouraging to see recent licensing class graduates show up with questions or wanting help. We have had them also join SEPAR. It is great to hear the on-the-air the changes in signals from some individuals during our nets. Like most newly licensed hams, many buy the first radio as a portable. Then they come and build a roll up J-Pole antenna and test it out. The next week, the signal during the net is substantially improved.
Ultimately this is the hope for the Emergency Program within the City. While we do have radios rooms at the OTC and the City EOC (Fire Hall 1), we have grab and go kits (3) available to use, we have a communications trailer as well. Lastly we have small VHF radio kits located at the various Community Police Stations throughout the city. The first communications in a major incident will likely be by an amateur on their own equipment. This is the hope that each licensed amateur in the city will have their own tested equipment which they know works, and can program etc. It will not be until we start responding formally that the kits and trailer will be used.
So we will continue to support and encourage amateurs to get on the air and use their radios, learning how to improve their signals, operate from park as part of Parks on the Air etc. All of these activities will ultimately create radio operators we can count on during an emergency.
On a final note this month the SEPAR website has been worked on. We have moved it. The address is still the same www.separ.ca. You may have to delete you old link and reenter it to see the changes.
As always please reach out if you have any questions or comments or if you would like to participate in the SEPAR program within Surrey.
If you are interested in the SEPAR program, and wish to become more involved, please let us know. Our website is www.separ.ca and there is a contact form to get in touch with us.
~ Gord Kirk VA7GK
SEPAR Coordinator
VA7GK@shaw.ca