August 10, 2024 – Second Saturday Training
Time: 0900. Early birds starting at 0830.
Written by KD7ISA, approved by our EC for posting.
I fear many ham operators believe that simply knowing how to send and receive a single WLE message that they demonstrated once many months ago is “good enough.”
Therefore, I am listing specific tasks I feel most, or all of our county ham operators should learn to truly help in time of community need.
I would like to teach (with the help of other operators) as much as possible the following over the next few months by the October “SET.”
Reference to download and install: Non-Standard Forms (CERT)
Goal: all ham operators will be able to operate a Winlink Express (WLE) email station (on ham radio VHF-UHF frequencies). Tasks: Receive messages. Create messages including use of standard or special “template” messages. Transmit messages. Troubleshoot common problems.
Goal: Some operators will be able to setup a remote Winlink Express (WLE) email station (on ham radio VHF-UHF frequencies). tation types include
(A) mobile radio in vehicle with magnetic mount antenna,
(B) mobile radio with external antenna (tripod or rope in-a-tree PLUS either J-pole or Slim Jim or
(C) HT with on-radio antenna or antenna as above in (B).
It is desirable to have battery power for an entire day shift to power radio, laptop and lights to see paperwork. Bonus #1: show how to measure the power (watts) needed to run your station per hour or per shift. Hint: user a 12-volt watt meter. Bonus #2: add in solar power.
Goal: ham operators will be able to input their station’s location coordinates into the WLE program. Bonus: Operator can determine their exact location when the internet goes down via either smart phone and/or GPS dongle.
Goal: Be able to enter and use a Winlink Express tactical email address and it’s password. I will begin to introduce this skill as operators are ready.
THIS SATURDAY
Attend in person. BRING your ham radio and ALL accessories needed be able to send Winlink messages by radio frequency IF you have such equipment. It can be mobile, in a box or in a backpack.
IF you are not quite able to send Winlink messages with your setup, please attend and get some instruction.
If you are not setup at all, come and see what others have going.
We all need to be able to send WLE messages even if using agency equipment.
The concept is that one of our partner groups (CERT or ARC) will relay information to us and we will relay it on. In the case of CERT, back to the CERT leadership. The CERT volunteers have limited communication range (voice to each other and short-range FRS radios). WE have an extended range via the ham radio service frequencies.
Start 0900
Washington County Sheriff s Office Public Safety Training Center at Hillsboro OR 97123
600 SW Walnut St.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
