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ALERT: Fri, February 5, 2010; 10:51 AM ET PLEASE SEE THE LATEST D*STAR ACADEMY UPDATE BELOW *********************************************************** January 12th, 2010, UPDATE North Florida Digital Group Presents D-Star Introduction and Training Academy February 6th, 2010 08:30 til 17:00 EDT Tallahassee, Florida This update contains the information of the meeting place, event times, list of presenters, nearby hotels, campgrounds, eateries, GPS coordinates and web sites. The next email will go into detail of the syllabus and information to be covered. (((There will be a drawing for an Icom 2820 D-Star radio at the end of the Academy. Winner must be present. ))) ****************************************************************** About the North Florida Digital Group D-Star Introduction and Training Academy admission cost. The NFDG is a small group of amateurs who are passionate about D-Star. We are presenting the Academy to enhance the D-Star program and provide a learning experience to new hams who want to learn about D-Star, get started and current D-star users who want to become more proficient. We are asking all attendees to please donate $8.00 per person to help defray the cost of presenting this program. The NFDG has unwritten the cost, and the guest presenters are doing so at their own expense to see that these goals and objectives are met. By sending the following information and a check or money order in the amount of $8.00 before January 22nd, 2010, we can get a head count and start finalizing the meeting room size and plans. Sorry, we cannot handle credit or debit cards. After Jan 22nd, continue to pre-register by email and on arrival, pay at the door with US postal money order or cash only, (no checks at the door, please) ====================================================== Name: Callsign: Street: City: State: Zip: E-Mail address: Phone Checks and Money Orders should be made payable to: North Florida Digital Group Mail to: North Florida Digital Group c/o Don Bartnik 2919 Pound Dr Tallahassee, FL 32312 W4DSW@arrl.net for further information. An E-Mail confirmation will be sent to your E-Mail address. We are a non profit organization and if you would like to donate more than the asking price, we would appreciate your gesture. The NFDG wants to thank you for your interest in the academy and we look forward to seeing you. ********************************************************* Now, it is the time to make your reservations. Come and learn from the best!!! Ray Novak, N9JA | Division Manager -- IcomAmerica-Amateur and Receiver Products; Fred Varian, WD5ERD, IcomAmerica Technical Support & member of K5TIT,(Texas Intertie Team, who got D-Star started in the USA); Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC, Developer of the DVDongle(s); Scott Honaker, N7SS, Educator & author, wrote D-RATS article in QST; John Davis, WB4QDX, Georgia Section DEC, co-founder of Ga-Dstar.org, assisted getting D-Star on Georgia Public TV towers, co-founder of SE WX net and very experienced in grant writing. Ed Woodrick, WA4YIH, Georgia Section ADEC, co-founder of Ga-Dstar.org, dstarinfo.com, D-Star calculator, co-founder of the SE WX net, and very Experienced on solving technical and operational issues with D-Star. Buddy Morgan, WB4OMG, ARRL TS, WCF Section. Experienced with weak signal operations, especially in the 1296 band. ****************************************************************** Meeting location: The Tallahassee Automobile Museum located at the I-10 exit #209. I would encourage you to come a day early or stay over and visit the museum on Sunday. The address is 6800 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida. Contact phone number is 850-942-0137 and the fax number is 850-576-8500. For museum information, go to www.tacm.com and cars@tacm.com . The museum has a complete roof top solar panel power supply. The museum is a very popular and worthy attraction to visit. Included is a 45 minute mini tour of the museum on lunch hour. A full tour would easily take 2 to 4 hours to enjoy all of Mr. Moore's collection. The meeting room has wide digital screens around the room and complete audio services. There are no bad seats anywhere. There will be active ongoing demonstrations of the various D-Star functions thruout the day. Event time is 08:30 EDT to 17:00 EDT Saturday Feb 6th, 2010 Plan on getting into Tallahassee Friday afternoon and join us for an ice breaker from 19:00 EDT til 21:00 EDT. Location TBA and will be posted at each hotel and on the talk-in freqs. GPS coordinates for the museum are: 30-29'10 north and 084-9'45 west. ********************************************************* There are two (2) hotels within walking distance to the museum, and one (1) on east side of I-10 is less than 3/4 mile away. The advantages are the close proximity to the meeting and you can leave your car parked on the property. Country Inn & Suites, located at 3080 Walden Road, Tallahassee, across Mahan Drive from the museum). For reservations, email Erica.colburn@countryinns.com . Phone number is 850-942-2244, and fax is 850-942-2055. The rooms are under the block name of North Florida Digital Group and cost $71.00 and includes wired or wifi internet, hot breakfast and free parking all day on Saturday. All rooms have interior entrances to hallways. GPS coordinates are: 30-29'01 north and 084-9'38 west STAYBRIDGE Suites is located just east of I-10 exit #209. Address is: 1600 Summit Drive, Tallahassee. (just off Mahan drive). This facility is more business orientated and has internet service, complete kitchen, meeting rooms and two price ranges. Room block name is North Florida Digital Group. Ron.Dye@dellisart.com is our contact. Phone is 850-219-7010 and fax is 850-219-7001. A single bed & sofa bed for one person or couple is $89.00 and a suite with two beds, kitchen, internet and kitchen for $104.00. Full hot breakfast is available. All rooms have interior entrances to hallways. GPS coordinates are: 30-28'59 north and 084-9'46 west Best Western Seminole Inn, located at 6737 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee. Phone number is 850-656-2938 & fax is 850-656-6380. email is: 10251@hotel.bestwestern.com . Hot continental breakfast is served and has wifi. Saturday parking is free and available. It's a short walk to the museum. Block name is North Florida Digital group and the rate is $64.99. This is the only hotel in the group which has outdoor entries to all the rooms. GPS is: 30-28'59 north and 084-946 west There are many more motels and hotels thruout Tallahassee. We only contacted the ones near the event. Please note that Mahan Drive is also US90. For the RV folks, The Tallahassee RV Park is located about 800 feet west of the museum at 6504 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee. Rates for this event are $36.00 for full 50 amp service and pullthru. WiFi is available. Mention the NFDG event. This is a very nice park and has easy access. www.tallahasseervpark.com and email to the manager is manager@tallahasseervparl.com GPS is: 30-28'52 north and 084-10'20 west **************************************************************** Eateries for the Academy: We will have a booth setup first thing in the morning with menus available for you to call and order. Most all of the major restaurants are 4 to 7 miles towards town. Lunch hour will be 75 minutes long, allowing time to eat out. Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que, one of our favorites, will deliver one time for all who call in orders for $25, shared by all who order. They are located at 1926 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee. Phone 850-222-7427. Subway, Quiznos and Waffle House are nearby. Publix supermarket is also nearby and has a great deli and an ATM machine. ****************************************************************** There is a full D-Star stack available in downtown Tallahassee. Call sign is K4WAK Frequencies are: 146.835-600 Kc, port C; 443.450+5Mc, port B; 1293.000-20Mc, port A DD on 1253.000Mc. Simplex. This is an open system, both for inbound and out bound linking. We ask that after your link QSO; break down the link so others can use it. We encourage callsign routing usage. For those who are on analog, check your ARRL repeater directory. On 2M, the popular local freq is 146.655-600Kc, PL 94.8 e/d. The NFDG supports the analog 443.400+5Mc, PL 131.8 e/d repeater with echolink node #3950. Amateurs on both analog repeaters and the D-Star repeaters will be able to assist you enroute and while here. ********************************************************************************* For further information not covered, contact Donna, WQ4M@arrl.net. Note, information about course program will be posted very soon in another email. Remember, Friday evening Feb 5th, 2010, 19:00 EDT to 21:00 EDT will be a social get together TBA, and the Academy is on Saturday Feb 6th, 2010, 08:30 EDT/07:30 CDT to 17:00 EDT/16:00 CDT. Also, keep in mind, an ICOM 2820 D-Star radio drawing at the close of the session. Winner must be present to win. As spokesperson of the NFDG, I thank you for considering this event and hope to see you here. Paul, KJ4G |
News last updated: Fri, February 5, 2010 at 10:49 AM ET
February 5th, 2010
North Florida Digital Group Presents The D-Star Training Academy in Tallahassee Saturday February 6th, 2010 08:30 til 17:00 EDT
Registration; We thank all of you who preregistered. By doing so, adequate provisions are now made for all attendees and late walk-ins. General information: Major intersection: I-10 and US90 East or exit 209A. Friday Feb 5th, the informal social gathering will be held at the Staybridge Suite Hotel starting at 18:30 EST until??? Location is: 1600 Summit Lake Drive, TLH, 32317. Phone # 850-219-7000. GPS coordinates are: 30-28'59" north and 084-9'46" west
Saturday Feb 6th, Starting at 08:30 EST will be the D-Star Academy. Location name is The Tallahassee Auto Museum located at: 6800 Mahan Drive, TLH, 32308. Phone # 850-942-0137. GPS coordinates for the museum are: 30-29'10" north and 084-9'45" west.
A table will be provided containing menus for local eateries. Each person is responsible for cost and pickup of carry outs. Talk-in Frequencies; Analog: 146.655Mc – 600Kc, PL 94.8 e/d 443.400Mc+5Mc, PL 131.8 e/d, NFDG
D-Star: K4WAK, ports A, B, C & DD 146.835Mc – 600 Kc DV 443.450Mc +5Mc DV 1293.000 -20Mc DV 1253.000Mc Simplex DD There will be an event station at the academy on D-Star. Amateurs are welcome to check in and say hello. The 1293.000 station will be on reflector 030A. Ports B & C will be open.
Program; We ask that all attendees arrive early so we can process everyone and have them seated before 08:30 EST. The presentation schedule is going to be tight, with one break midmorning, one mid afternoon, with a one hour lunch break. Speakers: Ray Novak, N9JA, IcomAmerica Fred Varian, WD5ERD, IcomAmerica Scott Honaker, N7SS, Microsoft ARC, author Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC, Developer of DVDongle John Davis, WB4QDX, Co-founder of ga_dstar Ed Woodrick, WA4YIH, Co-founder of ga_dstar Buddy Morgan, WB4OMG, ARRL TS, WCF Section Basic program:
Describing the actual mode of operation, what it is, how it works, advantages & disadvantages. Learn programming of any D-Star radio using a computer program Learn to field program while on the go Understanding callsign routing and its programming Understanding how to set up and do repeater linking Learning about using reflectors, and their usage protocols In-depth instruction on low speed data usage using the UHF & VHF radios In-depth instruction with the ID-1, 1296Mc high speed data and internet access Learning about the D-Rats data program and how to use it Learning to use the DVDongle on a computer to get on the D-Star gateway Introducing the new DVDongle with its own transceiver to provide short range handheld coverage around your shack, up to about 100 yards. Setting up and configuring a D-Star repeater system for internet operation.
Demonstrations;
There will be ongoing demonstration stations showing HiSpeed Data; Using the ID-1, internet usage with the ID-1, using the ID-1 as a WiFi hub, LoSpeed data; Using UHF/VHF/ID-1 with D-RATS, Callsign routing Repeater linking DVDongle
Syllabus;
The actual timing of the presentations is being worked out at this time. It will be printed and handed out at 08:30 AM EDT Saturday morning. You will also receive a list of all known D-Star URLs and yahoo groups.
Icom 2820 D-Star Radio:
At the close of the Academy, this radio will be given to the amateur holding the winning ticket. Tickets will be sold through out the day and is not part of the admission donation. Raffle tickets will be sold at the Academy only. Ticket price is $2.00, three (3) tickets for $5.00. Winner must be present to win.
For more information;
Please contact WQ4M@arrl.net or W4DSW@arrl.net
The NFDG members are pleased to present this Academy and we look forward to seeing you there.
73, Paul, KJ4G, spokesperson for NFDG
************************************************************************************************************************
January 18, 2010
North Florida Digital Group
Presents
The D-Star Training Academy in Tallahassee
Saturday February 6th, 2010
08:30 til 17:00 EDT
Registration;
The NFDG has extended the prepayment date to January 29th, 2010. Several factors figure in to this decision.
1) The meeting hall is rented by the occupancy space needed.
2) Ordinances limit the occupancy for each space rented, three (3) are available.
Those amateurs, who have prepaid by January 29th, will have guaranteed seating for the room we have already rented.
If the prepaid registrations exceed the seating limit of the room now rented, we will rent the next block of space to guarantee seating for those additional registrants.
There is no guarantee at this point for walk-ins or last minute registrations. As long as the seating capacity of the current room(s) rented after January 29th is not filled, walk-ins or last minute registrations are welcome.
Donation payment at the door is USPO money order or cash.
The NFDG does not want to be in a position of turning amateurs away. Please preplan for this event.
We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
To register, contact Don, W4DSW@arrl.net.
Please provide Name, Callsign, Street, City, State, Zip, Email and daytime phone #.
Checks and Money Orders should be made payable to:
North Florida Digital Group
Mail to:
North Florida Digital Group
C/o Don Bartnik
2919 Pound Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32312
W4DSW@arrl.net, for further information
An E-Mail confirmation will be sent to your E-Mail address. Please bring this email to the Academy registration desk.
Program;
Describing the actual mode of operation, what it is, how it works, advantages & disadvantages.
Learn programming of any D-Star radio using a computer program
Learn to field program while on the go
Understanding callsign routing and its programming
Understanding how to set up and do repeater linking
Learning about using reflectors, and their usage protocols
In-depth instruction on low speed data usage using the UHF & VHF radios
In-depth instruction with the ID-1, 1296Mc high speed data and internet access
Learning about the D-Rats data program and how to use it
Learning to use the DVDongle on a computer to get on the D-Star gateway
Introducing the new DVDongle with its own transceiver to provide short
range handheld coverage around your shack, up to about 100 yards.
Setting up and configuring a D-Star repeater system for internet operation.
Demonstrations;
There will be ongoing demonstration stations showing
HiSpeed Data;
Using the ID-1, internet usage with the ID-1, using the ID-1 as a WiFi hub, LoSpeed data;
Using UHF/VHF/ID-1 with D-RATS,
Callsign routing
Repeater linking
DVDongle
Syllabus;
The actual timing of the presentations is being worked out at this time. It will be printed and handed out at 08:30 AM EDT Saturday morning. You will also receive a list of all known D-Star URLs and yahoo groups.
Icom 2820 D-Star Radio:
At the close of the Academy, this radio will be given to the amateur holding the winning ticket. Tickets will be sold through out the day and is not part of the admission donation. Raffle tickets will be sold at the Academy only. Ticket price is $2.00, three (3) tickets for $5.00. Winner must be present to win.
For more information;
Please contact WQ4M@arrl.net or NFDG-DSTAR@comcast.net
The NFDG is pleased to present this Academy and we look forward to seeing you there.
73,
Paul, KJ4G, spokesperson for NFDG.
73, Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org Northern Florida Section Manager 850-591-0442 NFLDataBase, www.arrl-nfl.org/nfldata/register.php
************************************************************************************************************************
QST...QST...QST...
Do you want a chance to win a new HT with your first license? Do you know of a youngster that is interested in Amateur Radio but needs that little extra incentive to get their license? At the 2010 Orlando HamCation(sm) license testing sessions there will be an opportunity to win one of 2 new Yaesu FT-60R 2M/70CM Dual Band HT radios http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS. The details: One radio will be won by someone passing their FIRST license exam at the 2010 Orlando HamCation(sm)(either testing session) and one radio will be won by someone under the age of 18 passing their FIRST license exam at the 2010 Orlando HamCation(sm)(either testing session). Winners will be announced over the PA system by the prize booth on Saturday after the second testing session is complete. The winner also has the option of trading the radio up at the show to a more expensive model from the vendor. If the winner is not present the radio will be mailed to them. Register for testing by calling Joe, N4UMB, at (407) 884-9588.
Lee N4TCW/DA1TCW
************************************************************************************************************************
Good evening all,
Over the weekend, the FEOC was involved with Repatriation and H2O & food. There is no request for amateur radio operators at this time.
Here is some information and the rumored death of an amateur is UNCONFIRMED.
"Amateurs from Dominica succeeded in establishing a repeater at one of the embassies the can span between the two capitals. The HF station could not be established and I might have heard that one of their group was killed in the attempt to establish the station. I could not confirm the death. More and more Florida troops and specialized personnel are being deployed and are making a difference. In repatriation 650 have been processed since last night at this time".
Until tomorrow, that's all I can report on. Again, this report is concerning the Florida amateurs.
73, Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org Northern Florida Section Manager 850-591-0442 NFLDataBase, www.arrl-nfl.org/nfldata/register.php
************************************************************************************************************************
Good evening all,
In a meeting tonight after 18:00 hours EDT, everything is the same for amateur radio communications.
There are no requests from the amateur radio community at this time. I have been advised that this condition could change after the infrastructure gets in place and security is normal.
Throughout Florida, there are numerous amateurs monitoring the specified frequencies and I understand they will assist when asked.
We have asked the Florida amateurs to advise net control that they can take any traffic for the FEOC and pass it.
They are asked to copy the message and send it via email to KJ4G@arrl.org. If the message is priority or emergency in nature, do the same, and call me at 850-591-0442 to advise.
I have a direct connection to John Fleming WD4FFX 24/7 while he is on family leave. He has asked me to liaison in this manner for him. When FEOC traffic starts to pick up, we have amateurs who can take the overload.
I will be in touch with the FEOC tomorrow and Monday for updates and I am on the call list if something develops.
The cable news people have been on top of the developments really good. Sometime when I call in the FEOC, they mention the cable news as a resource of info.
Thank you for being there,
73,
Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org Northern Florida Section Manager 850-591-0442 NFLDataBase, www.arrl-nfl.org/nfldata/register.php
************************************************************************************************************************
Good afternoon All.
I am sending this from the FEOC. Have just met with officials and here is the update:
Number 1 on the list is to continually pass the word that self deployment by people trying to get to Haiti will meet strong resistance from all the various law enforcement agencies. The infrastructure is not in place to support these types of deployments and they would become part of problem, not the solution. People without passports or other non authorized people will be arrested, incarcerated and eventually deported to the USA (With a rap sheet).
There is a severe lack of facilities to house and support rescuers, not to mention crime.
There is a phone number of the US state department to contact for this type of deployment, information and H&W. Number is 888-407-4747.
The FEOC is continuing to supply water, food, supporting repatriation of US citizens and mortuary teams.
At this time, NO amateur radio operators are requested or being deployed. Continue to monitor the assigned frequencies and offer to pass traffic to the FEOC as posted before.
As further information becomes available, I'll post it, including thru out the week-end.
While this is a catastrophic event, there is at this time very little that the served agencies can do in respect to amateur radio. Please be diligent and be prepared to assist when asked.
Thank you all for being there to assist.
73, Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org Northern Florida Section Manager 850-591-0442 NFLDataBase, www.arrl-nfl.org/nfldata/register.php
************************************************************************************************************************
North Florida Digital Group
Presents
D-Star Introduction and Training Academy
February 6th, 2010
08:30 til 17:00 EDT
Tallahassee, Florida
The training academy is designed to inform amateurs on everything they would need to know about D-Star from the concept of this form of communications to operating equipment proficiently.
From the amateur who doesn’t know what D-Star is to one who wants to become proficient in its operation and the amateur who wants to understand the system first before jumping into this part of the hobby; this is the Academy to attend. With hamfest season starting up soon, this is a great chance to get informed about D-Star.
Ray Novak, N9JA, Division Manager – Icom Amateur and Receiver Products, the featured speaker along with other notable speakers will be headlining the list of instructors for the Academy.
This is an information and training academy only. There will be no equipment sales available. The goal of these speakers is to inform and teach this part of the hobby to everyone interested in understanding and using D-Star.
Attendees will be provided training sessions along with hands on instruction on how to use and operate the D-Star radio of their choice.
Areas of instruction will include:
Describing the actual mode of operation, what it is, how it works, advantages & disadvantages
Learning how to program any D-Star radio using a computer program
Learning how to field program while on the go
Understanding how to use callsign routing and its programming
Understanding how to set up and do repeater linking
Learning about using reflectors, and their usage protocols
In-depth instruction on low speed data usage using the UHF & VHF radios
In-depth instruction using 1296Mc high speed data and internet access
Learning about the D-Rats data program and how to use it
Learning to use the DVDongle on a computer to get on the D-Star gateway
Introducing the new DVDongle with its own transceiver to provide short range handheld coverage around your shack, up to about ½ mile
Setting up and configuring a D-Star repeater system for internet operation
This announcement is being sent out to help amateurs preplan their attendance to the academy. In the very near future, all the details will be posted. There will be a social get together on Friday evening. Local hotels, restaurants, driving instructions to the location of the academy, how to register before hand, cost, syllabus and full list of instructors will be included.
Contact Donna, WQ4M@arrl.net for any updates, questions or additional information you may need.
The NFDG is pleased to present this academy and we look forward to seeing you there.
73,
Paul L Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org
NFDG
============================== ==============================
Neighborhood HamWatch
Goal To provide a method for every capable amateur radio operator who isn’t involved in a deployed active ARES operation to serve his/her community in an Emergency Communication role. This would include senior citizens, care givers, health challenged, wives with kids, off duty police and fire, and others who cannot commit to a deployment but want to serve their community. These amateurs are good communicators, and have ample stations with emergency power they can use during periods of extended communication outages which often follow major natural disasters. These amateurs would augment the active ARES® volunteers and be part of the Em Comm System.
Objectives 1) Communicate neighborhood conditions to local Emergency Operations Centers. Emergency Managers will be provided access to first-hand information about conditions in the communities which they serve. They would handle heath and welfare, report crime and fulfill other communications needs.
2) Relay information from local Emergency Managers to local neighborhoods so local citizens are better informed of relief efforts and information helpful to their survival and overall recovery process.
Requirements Participation in this program requires the desire and capability to utilize your amateur radio license to help your fellow neighbors. You would augment informational communications when normal commercial communication systems fail to operate. There is no special training or equipment burden necessary. A valid license and 2-meter/UHF radio and/or HF rig will do the job.
Concept of Operations Amateur radio operators would communicate with ARES stations that are in direct contact with local government EOC’s. Because of commercial outages, this may be the only link to the outside world. Examples are the telephones, commercial television and radio and cell phones. They would describe neighborhood conditions, medical needs, dangerous situations to Emergency Managers or their staff. Emergency Managers through amateur radio would relay messages to these neighborhoods containing information citizens need for their safety and survival in the recovery effort.
Key Players Amateur radio operators located at his/her home station. They would be an active station in a Neighborhood Hamwatch program. Support from local amateur radio clubs, ARES Groups, other Em Comm groups or private owner of a 2M/ UHF repeater. They would support this program by providing the repeater(s) for use by Neighborhood HamWatch operators. Simplex operation should be practiced and utilized when/where necessary. These communications would be second to emergency operations and should be given ample time to handle the local neighborhood traffic. The ARRL DEC’s and EC’s would coordinate this plan and would help implement its operation with their emergency plans.
Here is how to get started. An informational brochure is available on the NFL website which will help explain the program and can be printed by local hams and distributed to their neighbors. This will acquaint neighbors with their next-door amateur radio operators and establish the Neighborhood HamWatch groups.
ARES® EC’s, NCS’ s can help by including a check-in option for Neighborhood HamWatch operators during or immediately following training nets so participating Hams can begin establishing contact familiarity.
For more information contact: Andy Gausz, Neighborhood HamWatch coordinator for the NFL Section KG4QCD@arrl.net 321-229-7547 2519 Sweetwater Trail Winter park, FL, 32789
************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************************************
In an effort to clarify many misconceptions concerning local NFL County & NFL Section Em Comm deployment, we have listed below some key points that all Field personnel should know. Also, the NFL Database will be covered.
FEOC = Florida Emergency Operation Center. Level III, Routine business. No FEOC action being taken. Level II, High Alert, could be some deployments. Level I, Major activation emanate or taken. Deployments are involved. EOC = Refers to local county EOC Tracker system= Old nomenclature referring to records keeping and tracking deployed personnel. Constellation= New nomenclature for the above statement. EMA = County Emergency Management Administrator ESF = Emergency Service Function ARES = Amateur Radio Emergency Service. This is the only amateur radio service the FEOC recognizes. (Under ESF-2) FEMA = Federal Emergency Management Agency. NIMS = National Incident Management System. (ICS) DHS = Division or Department of Homeland Security Venue = A legal description of a defined area of authority such as a city, county or state. Also ARRL Section, District and county. SEC = ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator, second in command under the ARRL NFL Section Manager. ARRL protocol states the SEC is the senior official in charge of deployed amateur radio operators of an emergency or group of emergencies in the section. NFLDB = NFL Database, the official resource of registered amateurs who have applied to assist in Em Comms on a FEOC level II or I activation. All amateurs whether or not they want to deploy are welcome to be registered just in case the callout becomes a major magnitude event and they find they want to assist. More information is available on www.arrl-nfl/nfldata/register.php . FS252 = the authority mandates that each county cover workman’s compensation for volunteers and other cost for inside venue deployments.
(1) In Level III, when you and/or your amateur radio team (ARES or not) are called up for Em Comm deployment within the county, you are under the cloak of FS 252 and its business as usual.
(1a) If severe weather or other issue should arise suddenly and causing an emergency in your county, its business as usual. (Level III).
(1b) If for some reason, this event scales up to Level II or I, its understood that those already involved as volunteers are “grandfathered” into the Constellation or tracker plan. Until then, FS 252 of the county is responsible for volunteer care.
(1c) When the Constellation system is activated by a signed Declaration of Emergency Document by the Florida Governor or the US President; your EMA will now have to request operators through the state Constellation system. That system for years has been referred to and known as the "Tracker System". If your EMA only activated a few members of the local team but not all of his/her resources prior this Declaration, the EMA must now go through the FEOC ESF-2 for any additional amateur radio operators. Any new volunteers called into play will come from the request of the FEOC sent to the NFL SEC using the NFLDB as a resource. Prudent EMAs usually formally activate their County Em Comm teams at least in "standby to readiness" mode well before a formal Declaration is made.
Should an Emergency Event occur where a Declaration of Disaster Document is already signed and the State of Florida or FEMA is now in charge of services to this state and to your county, all deployments for any resources, any ESF division, be it Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, Medical assistance (DMAT), Em Comm (ESF-2) or any other ESF, must be done through the FEOC's Constellation System. The State, FEMA or both take charge from this point forward.
All deployments, of any kind, during this time after formal Declaration of an Emergency state are made through the State & Federal system. Counties are relieved of the burden of costs and become eligible for the pooled disaster relief fund through FEMA. When FEMA pays, they get to make the rules and control the costs.
(2) The Constellation System. (Old tracker system)
When this level of emergency occurs, the FEOC could receive the request from a county EMA. They evaluate the request and if valid, they request the NFL ARES SEC or SM to fill these requests. The FEOC understands the NFLDB (see #4 below) was created to prequalify amateurs for having the required training courses, skill sets, equipment, availability, capability to deploy, and a driver’s license (to be verified by ESF-16 before deployment)
The SEC will search the NFLDB for registered operators within the NFL Database to fill the FEOC request from your county first, then your district, NFL Section, other Florida sections and then neighboring states thru the ARRL. If you are not already a member in the NFL ARES Database and you were not activated before the Declaration of Emergency was signed, chances are you may not be able to serve your county. Others may have to do the job for you. That is why all our Em Comm operators need to be in the NFL Database. It serves you, and your county.
(3) Who owns the NFL Database?
The NFL Section of the ARRL and ARRL proper are sole owners. There is no entity; state, city, county, American Red Cross, any of the faith based charities, private or public businesses, to include the ARRL Headquarters that have direct access to the NFLDB. It is up to the NFLDB operators (SM/SEC) what information would be passed out to any of these entities. The FEOC understands that when requested, the NFLDB will only dispatch amateurs who have met the minimum standards agreed upon before hand, and have been prevalidated for expedient dispatch in a timely manor.
This database does not fall under public records law (Chapter 119). Records are not for public view. There is no public entity having access to these records.
(4) Who set the standards and requirements for resources in the database?
The State of Florida EOC, FEMA, DHS and the ARRL in cooperation with the NFL Section Staff. These government agencies have set the requirements of all volunteers. The NFLDB was designed with current and future known requirements to be included for applicants to respond to.
As part of the deployment process, the FEOC will be given the DL information which ESF-16 (Law Enforcement) will process and the results given back to the NFLDB team is either yes or no (not reason) to this member being allowed to deploy.
Any optional medical information about a member who is deployed will be only available to a senior NFL Staff member who is on scene of the emergency and will provide the information only if the member is incapable to speak for themselves to EMS personnel.
(5) Who has access to the Database? Full access is granted only to the SM/SEC for supervisory issues and the NFLDB manager for maintenance, structure and data issues (non supervisory position).
DECs have limited access to entries for Districts but only portions as relates to pertinent data for education, addresses and other contact information and for level III deployment. They do not have access to THE OPTIONAL MEDICAL information or Drivers License data which is hidden.
ECs access is the same as for DEC except the EC can only access basic information on registrants from his/her county (or venue) and again no access to sensitive data pages on any registrants.
The Registrant has access during non-emergency times to his/her complete file to make changes and upgrades to his/her information. In other words you can view your complete file and your file only. (At this time, applicant making changes is restricted, but the database manager will, with your written permission make changes for you). Contact WQ4M@arrl.net.
(6) The NFL Database will be closed to NEW registrations, changes and updates once the State of Florida declares an emergency (level II or level I) eminent to this state. It also closes if a weather condition is declared by the NWS to be a tropical storm, tropical depression that is very likely affect Florida or if these weather conditions become a named hurricane within 5 days of our shores.
On behalf of the Northern Florida Section staff, I hope this information will clear up many misunderstandings concerning these issues. If you have a question, please contact me via email and I will work to answer your question(s). By doing this will help prevent rumors or misconceptions from growing out of control and causing a lot of confusion and possibly bad feelings.
If you have a question about the database, contact Donna, WQ4M@arrl.net for any clarifications you need or answer any questions you have.
As a note of interest, even if you don’t want to or can’t deploy, by joining the NFLDB, in an emergency, we can send a ham to locate to and find out if you need help.
To be a member, one does not have to be an ARRL or ARES to join.
73, Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G@arrl.org Northern Florida Section Manager 850-591-0442 NFLDataBase, www.arrl-nfl.org/nfldata/register.php
************************************************************************************************************************ On Saturday June 20th, 2009, the Official NFL Section ARES (registered) Database went in effect. This will be the resource the SEC/SM will use to keep the records on volunteer amateurs who choose to join it.
All amateur radio operator deployments from the NFL Section requested by valid served agencies through the Florida EOC-ESF-2 will be made from this database. It is entirely voluntary to join. The amateur radio operator doesn't have to belong to the ARRL or an ARES (registered) group and can be deployed as an individual only if he/she has a record in the NFL Section ARES (registered) Database of all the recommended NIMS and ARRL Em Comm courses and meets other requreirements. Any FCC licensed amateur radio operator living in the NFL Section can join. There is a provision for seasonal visitors.
This database is also established so that all amateurs wanting to be a volunteer in emergency communications, no matter which volunteer EM COMM group they belong to, or none, they can be deployed to assist the citizens, the agencies we serve, and our fellow amateurs.
Every known protection has been implemented to protect your information. HIPPA rules are being followed to the "T". Please read the opening statement, and then proceed. At any time you choose to stop, do so. You can change your mind at any time. After completion, if successful, you will receive a confirmation e-mail in about 24 to 48 hours saying you are a member.
Almost 99.9% of all your questions will be answered in the database.
Thank you and look forward to working with you when the callup goes out.
To register yourself in the database, go to www.arrl-nfl.org, and there you will find a link to the home page of the database.
73, Paul L. Eakin, KJ4G ARRL NFL Section Manager
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