1st Wednesday West Contra Costa EmComm Net
West Contra Costa
Emergency Radio Group (WCCERG)
11:00 a.m. PDT on 4 December 2024
Important Update to 1st Wednesday EmComm
Our 1st Wednesday @ 1100 testing has demonstrated that using a dedicated GMRS repeater won't work well for several reasons:
a. Too many competing GMRS repeaters in the Bay Area already exist that create traffic interference & confusion, especially when other nets actively operate or during emergency response.
b. Even GMRS simplex, which can use only 15 available channels, suffers from competition from other traffic. Simplex is OK to use by local West Contra Costa (WCC) neighborhood nets but requires that a protocol be developed to handle interference. 1st Wednesday @ 1100, as a wide area net (WAN), tests Channels 15-22 at 5-50 Watts. We recommend that local area nets (LAN) use Channels 1-7 at 5 Watts, or Channels 8‑14 sat 0.5 Watts, to avoid interference from GMRS repeaters.
c. The hilly terrain in WCC blocks the ability of some neighborhoods to communicate with others. It is better to use simplex relay techniques to overcome obstacles rather than investing in a costly GMRS repeater system.
d. WCC is geographical area extends too far north-south for widespread GMRS simplex coverage, even when tall high‑gain antennas are strategically located. FCC restricts GMRS to a maximum of 50 Watts transmission. Ham simplex coverage does not have this 50-Watt restriction.
e. Two WCC ridges—Wildcat Canyon Ridge and Sobrante Ridge—block most simplex transmissions between the 94803 ZIP code and the southwest Richmond area. No GMRS repeater location has been found that enables communication with that 94803 area.
f. Even if investment in one or more GMRS repeater systems were made, direct communication is not permitted with the EOC. RACES and ARES uses only the amateur radio (ham) frequencies, not GMRS. Thus, WCCERG would better develop a ham-GMRS interface to communicate within and between neighborhoods and with the EOC. (See diagram here.)
Script Templates for Net Control
Click here for a script template for a ham net using both the 2m and 70 cm repeaters from 4Cs [WA6KQB].
Click here for a script template for a ham net using 4Cs [WA6KQB] and Walt Pyle's [WA6DUR] repeaters.
IMPORTANT NOTE
We would like to keep better track of the equipment used in the neighborhoods. Please complete this Google form and resubmit it whenever you change your radio, your antenna or your location. Thanks very much.
We would like to keep better track of the equipment used in the neighborhoods. Please complete this Google form and resubmit it whenever you change your radio, your antenna or your location. Thanks very much.
Save the date for a Ham Cram
9 November 2024
Obtain a Technician Ham Radio Operator License Quickly and Conveniently
The BYL Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Fire Protection Committee, comprised of residents of Brickyard Landing in Richmond, have scheduled a "Ham Cram" for 9 November 2024. This ham cram is just what it sounds like—an intensive cram session to learn enough to pass the 35-question Technician Exam in just 8 hours. See the flyer for details.
If you'd like to preview the test questions and get a head start on learning the material, you can do so at many websites. One of the best is HamExam.org. The site is organized in tiers, one for each license class. The site can generate flash cards with single questions as well as 35-question practice tests.* You can also examine the entire pool of 198 questions.
*The passing grade for the exam is 74% (correctly answering 26 of 35 questions)
Activities for 4 December 2024
TBD
TBD
Activities for 6 November 2024
Overview
Overview
Red Flag Days remind us of the critical use of battery radios for emergency communication. Unlike sophisticated, expensive cell phones, two-way radios don’t need cell towers or the internet. FRS operators can tune in to NOAA stations for weather forecasts. GMRS radio users can also monitor as hams share emergency responses. West Contra Costa Emergency Radio Group (WCCERG) attempts to integrate ham, GMRS, and FRS radio nets as essential to EmComm.
During disasters and emergencies, using a two-way radio to listen to news is generally more prevalent than transmitting. It is legal for anyone to use any two-way radio to listen to activity, but only licensed ham operators can assist the government to transmit authorized messages.
WCCERG encourages teams to make the most of their existing FRS radios. However, if possible, a member should buy a WCCERG - recommended GMRS model and the GMRS license. To better serve the community, an EmComm leader should obtain the ham license.
Part A
(GMRS simplex)
(GMRS simplex)
In Part A, at 11:00, after the Richmond CWS sirens sound, all GMRS and FRS operators will check in with net control on GMRS Ch.19 simplex, 462.650 MHz. [The NCS may substitute alternate Ch.17 simplex, 462.600 MHz, if Ch.19 encounters severe outside interference. If you do not hear the net on either channel, search nearby GMRS simplex channels.]
[Please transcribe what you hear & submit your signal report to karenleongfenton@gmail.com]
*Note: This is merely a WCCC area-wide training exercise. In an actual disaster, radio operators should follow their governing OES directives and use their designated frequencies.
Part B
(Relay Partners)
(Relay Partners)
Part B will consist of practice with using relay partners during the GMRS simplex net to reach areas that might be inaccessible to operators in the wider area of West Contra Costa County. Stations unable to hear others who checked-in will be partnered with relay stations.
Part C
(ham repeaters)
(ham repeaters)
At the end of Part B, but not before 1145, Net Control will first check in all hams with the 70 cm repeater, 444.275 +5 MHz, PL 82.5*, followed by a roll call with the 2 m repeater, 145.110 –0.6 MHz, PL 82.5*.
[Thanks to the Contra Costa Communications Club (4Cs) for permission to use its 70 cm and 2 m WA6KQB repeaters. With solar backup, the WA6KQB repeaters can function independently of PG&E power and serve as valuable stations for emergency communications.]
We practice for efficient and clear transmission. All GMRS radio operators should monitor Part C to learn from the ham operators. (Scroll down the page for information about the Saturday morning EmComm nets conducted by the Contra Costa Communications Club (4Cs); these nets will provide additional models for your radio procedure.)
*This tone is set using a menu entry in your radio. Consult your manual, because the names of these menu entries varies considerably—for example, in the Yaesu FT-60R it is TN FRQ; for the Baofeng BF-F8HP and BTECH GMRS-V1 it is T-CTCS.
Important Information About Emergency Communication in the Richmond Area
It's obvious that at least two operators are required to communicate on 2-way radios. Not so obvious is that trained radio teams are critical at neighborhood communication hubs, incident command posts, and temporary evacuation sites. Also less obvious is the importance of tall high gain antennas, stationary or portable, at these sites. Antenna height is more important than the radio power setting. Every time an antenna height doubles, its range increases by 50%
1st Wednesday@ 11:00 in 2024 will continue rotation through Net Control neighborhood teams practicing with tall high-gain antennas. This series was launched on November 1 by the Richmond Annex team at the Huntington Senior Center. On December 6, Bayfront Neighbors in Marina Bay hosted the Net Control Station.
January 3 will produce two firsts:
The Ken 6 team will lead as Net Control from the hils of Kensington. Using a Diamond X330A antenna at 26’ above grade, the Ken 6 ABC team will be located at Lat-Long 37.9047, -122.2813.
Brickyard Landing in Pt. Richmond will test its new Diamond X300A antenna mounted on a 25' mast.
Here is the (tentative) 2024 schedule for Net Control:
3 Jan: Ken 6
7 Feb: Breakers Neighbors
6 Mar: [Brickyard Landing]
3 Apr: [Shores Neighbors]
1 May: [Marina Bay Condos Neighbors]
N.B. Fenton support is available to assist any neighborhood team. Jay can help set up and pre-test your radio - antenna rig in advance. We offer loaner portable radio + antenna, when needed. Jay can substitute as either a GMRS or ham Net Control if your team lacks a Part A or Part C Net Control. During each exercise, Karen can serve as Assistant Net Control from the Fenton garage in Marina Bay.
Contact karenleongfenton@gmail.com to volunteer your team for a 1st Wednesday @11:00 – noon event.
Helpful Information
(Forms, Participant Rosters, etc.)
(Forms, Participant Rosters, etc.)
Document
Emergency Communication Advice for Marina Bay Neighbors
(with Assigned GMRS/FRS channels for Marina Bay Communities)
(with Assigned GMRS/FRS channels for Marina Bay Communities)
Forms
Roster and Logs of Participants
Antenna Height is More Important Than
Your Radio's Power Setting
Your Radio's Power Setting
For line-of-sight communication, antenna height has more influence than radio power in boosting transmission. Review the radio range table/graph, below, to see the difference between the impact on transmission distance of antenna height and radio power.
The important takeaway from both these versions is that, for 1- and 5-Watt handheld radio power settings, the biggest proportional improvement in transmission distance per foot of height is achieved in the first 30-35 feet. When the antenna is raised from 15 to 50 feet, the potential transmission distance doubles. The next doubling (from 10 to 20 miles for 5 Watt and 8 to 17 miles for 1 Watt) takes an additional 250 feet of elevation.
If you would like to meet the challenge of being a GMRS or ham NCS in a future 1st Wednesday net, you will need a good signal location in order to reach our entire simplex network, which extends from Kensington to Richmond Hilltop and beyond. Or you can operate at the Fenton garage base station in Marina Bay. Contact Karen for information.
The important takeaway from both these versions is that, for 1- and 5-Watt handheld radio power settings, the biggest proportional improvement in transmission distance per foot of height is achieved in the first 30-35 feet. When the antenna is raised from 15 to 50 feet, the potential transmission distance doubles. The next doubling (from 10 to 20 miles for 5 Watt and 8 to 17 miles for 1 Watt) takes an additional 250 feet of elevation.
If you would like to meet the challenge of being a GMRS or ham NCS in a future 1st Wednesday net, you will need a good signal location in order to reach our entire simplex network, which extends from Kensington to Richmond Hilltop and beyond. Or you can operate at the Fenton garage base station in Marina Bay. Contact Karen for information.
Two-way Radio Range Table and Graph
Here's useful information that will help in understanding the relationship between transmission power and distance. There are two versions: the first is a readable version of a GIF from Express Radio; the second is a graphic version of the same data (also from Express Radio).
The important takeaway from both these versions is that, for 1- and 5-Watt handheld radio power settings, the biggest proportional improvement in transmission distance per foot of height is achieved in the first 30-35 feet. When the antenna is raised from 15 to 50 feet, the potential transmission distance doubles. The next doubling (from 10 to 20 miles for 5 Watt and 8 to 17 miles for 1 Watt) takes an addional 250 feet of height.
Weekly Saturday morning ham nets
with the WA6KQB repeaters
& the 94803 EmComm Project
with the WA6KQB repeaters
& the 94803 EmComm Project
Since we first launched 1st Wednesday @ 11:00 in December 2018 as a GMRS training net, our numbers have averaged over 3 dozen GMRS/FRS and 2 dozen ham players each month. Not bad for a mid-week, mid-day event. However, folks who work away from Richmond or cannot take an early lunch break miss out on the fun and challenge. Maybe they can now play and test in similar fashion on Saturday mornings.
The WA6KQB triple repeater nets are anchored by Net Control Alvin Todd KK6UQX every Saturday morning.
· 09:00 145.1100 – 0.6 MHz, PL 82.5
· 09:15 444.2750 + 5, MHz, PL 82.5
· 09:30 224.3000 – 1.6 MHz, PL 82.5
These small ham nets don’t take a lot of time to check in. GMRS operators can’t call, but they can listen to the ham nets in VFO mode on their GMRS radios, a good way to learn how the “big guys” talk.
EmComm neighborhoods are booking radio exercises to follow the 09:30 net. Operators from other neighborhoods are invited to join in. North and East Richmond CERT practices its radio team on 2nd Saturdays, 10:00. To learn more, send an email to Alvin Todd, amchibi9@gmail.com.
Thanks to Kenoli Oleari [KB6EMG / WROZ773], we have a new mapping tool. Kenoli printed copies of a 30” x 45” USGS topographic map of Richmond with adjacent areas. With our emphasis on simplex communication, this map will enable us to see how West County stations are able to signal one another despite surrounding hills. You can download a PDF copy of this map at this link: Files and Other Resources.
Stations in zip code 94803 often cannot reach one another or beyond the hills surrounding El Sobrante. In 2021 we formed the 94803 EmComm Project to test whether the WA6KQB repeaters would overcome hilly blockage. These ham repeaters make a difference, but simplex signals usually fail. One of the ham operators in 94803 has now permanently installed a Diamond X300A antenna on the roof and three ham operators in that neighborhood can now transmit using simplex to El Cerrito and Richmond.
Important information about GMRS radios
Operators are required to abide by all FCC rules of operation and to use FCC Part 95 type-accepted radios.
A GMRS license is required to transmit at more than 2 Watts (W) of power on GMRS channels.
N.B. Power output is limited to 0.5 W for Channels 8-15, regardless of radio or license status. The GMRS license fee is $35, may be used by members of an entire household and is renewable. For a guide to obtaining a GMRS license, check out this link from Quality Two-Way Radios.
N.B. Power output is limited to 0.5 W for Channels 8-15, regardless of radio or license status. The GMRS license fee is $35, may be used by members of an entire household and is renewable. For a guide to obtaining a GMRS license, check out this link from Quality Two-Way Radios.
A ham license is required for transmission on ham frequencies. The ham license fee is now $35. For tips on getting a ham license easily online, see the information provided by the Silicon Valley VE Group
at this link: http://www.svve.org
at this link: http://www.svve.org