QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/races/1986.002

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STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 24.
SUBJECT:  RUBBER DUCK ANTENNAS
- PART 2
     The efficiency of a hand-held is dependent upon how much
antenna it has and how good the ground plane. Most portables have
very poor ground planes; the more metal the better.  Also the
more antenna the better. Hence the rubber duck is a woeful but
often necessary compromise.  But if a portable is not going to be
subjected to the abuse of fireground or street cop utility, you
should consider the telescopic quarter-wave antenna if range is
important.  Compare the figures and discussion that follows.  Be
aware that the telescopic antenna is nowhere as rugged as the
rubber duck but it will talk circles around it.  You might say
that the quarter wave whip is to the rubber duck what a 106 inch
CB quarter wave whip is to a 36 inch whip on a base loaded coil
to compromise range for low garages.  Our reference antenna in
the Public Safety high band and 2-meter Amateur radio
measurements below is a quarter-wave telescopic antenna,
extended, and held at face level:
One-quarter wavelength extended and at face level = 0 dB
One-quarter wavelength collapsed and worn at belt level = -40dB
Rubber duck held at face level = -5dB
Rubber duck worn at belt level = -20dB
Translated, this means that a 5-watt hand-held with a rubber duck
worn on the belt has an effective radiated power not of 5 watts
but only .05 watt.  Held at face level the radio has an ERP of
1.6 watt.    15dB is quite a difference!
(Concluded in Part 3)
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on July 14, 1986
cc: 'WORLD RADIO',  "QST" Mike Riley (from this date forward)


STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 25.   SUBJECT:  RUBBER DUCKS - PART
3 of 3
     In the previous two messages we gave you facts and figures
of the quarter-wave telescopic versus the rubber duck for Public
Safety VHF Highband and 2-Meter Amateur handhelds.  The 40 dB
down for the nested telescopic relates to those commercial models
where the telescopic disappears within the radio.  Such an
antenna won't break when it's nested but it won't receive worth a
whoop either.  In those radios where the collapsed quarter wave
is external to the radio they break very easily.  For that reason
we recommend the style that has a spring at the base.  The spring
makes it very forgiving of elbows and other bum raps.  We have
not researched or measured five-eighth wave antennas because they
are too long for most public safety use and because they
typically require too many telescopic sections.  The more
sections the more chance of troubles.  Few people take the time
to correctly telescope any hand-held antenna.  They should never
be whacked down with the palm of the hand on top and push.  They
should be pulled down with the thumb and first two fingers.
     If you are interested in the figures for 450 MHz, using the
table in the last message, they are respectively 0dB, 30dB, 5dB,
and 30dB.  One more reference for the technically inclined--the
loss of a telescopic antenna compared to half-wave dipole: VHF
-5dBd and UHF -20 dBd.  Telescopic antennas should be changed at
least annually and whenever they become the slightest bit loose.
Any looseness can mean a poor RF connection inside the antenna
where you can't see it or fix it.  Simply change it.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on July 21, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 26    SUBJECT:  BILL OF RIGHTS FOR
VOLUNTEERS
1.  THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED AS A CO-WORKER--AND NOT JUST FREE
HELP.
2.  THE RIGHT TO SUITABLE ASSIGNMENT.
3.  THE RIGHT TO KNOW AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
-- POLICY,
    PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS.
4.  THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES.
5.  THE RIGHT TO QUALITY TRAINING.
6.  THE RIGHT TO SOUND GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION.
7.  THE RIGHT TO PROPER WORKING CONDITIONS.
8.  THE RIGHT TO PROMOTION AND A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES.
9.  THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD; TO HAVE A PART IN THE PLANNING.
10. THE RIGHT TO RECOGNITION, THROUGH PROMOTION AND REWARD.
11. THE RIGHT TO DAY-TO-DAY EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION BY
PROFESSIONALS.
     The author of the foregoing is unknown. It is good guidance
for all governments and their volunteers.  (Broadcast by W6NKR on
July 28, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 27.   SUBJECT:  RICHTER SCALE
     Earthquakes are measured and reported in the Richter Scale.
It is a log scale.  This means that a Richter 3 is 10 times
greater than a Richter 2, and Richter 4 is 100 times as great as
Richter 2.
     Richter 3 can cause slight damage in the local area, 4
moderate damage, 5 considerable damage, 6 severe damage, 7
widespread heavy damage and is called a Major Earthquake, and 8
is a Great Earthquake capable of tremendous damage. Southern
California is due for a Great Earthquake.
For W6NKR statewide broadcast 4 August 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 28.   SUBJECT:  RECENT NEWS
     1. EARTHQUAKES.  Riverside County Amateurs were activated
following their Richter 6 earthquake.  RACES units accompanied
damage assessment teams to provide communications.  Mutual aid
from adjoining counties was called for later in the week when not
enough volunteers could be mustered during the workweek.  About
two dozen Amateurs volunteered to be placed on standby alert for
possible dispatch following the numerous Chalfont Valley quakes
as RACES strike teams with multi-mode capabilities.
     2. JULY REPORT.  Napa County is the latest to enroll its
ARES and CDF VIP personnel in RACES. State RACES Coordinator also
met with San Diego County and San Bernardino County RACES and met
with hams at the Northern California Mercury Amateur Radio
Association near Merced.
     3. HOW FAR IS FAR? A ham at a recent meeting said he thought
very few hams would ever leave their county on a RACES or ARES
mission.  Others disagreed.  One side feels it goes with the
territory and will respond if called upon to do so.  The other
side feels that it is stretching public service too far.  This is
obviously a subject matter that varies from person to person.
How do you feel? It is suggested that all RACES Radio Officers
and ARES EC's poll each of their members to learn the answers in
advance of making out-of-area dispatch requests.
(W6NKR on 11 August 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 29.   SUBJECT:  EARTHQUAKE
PREPAREDNESS LIST FOR HOME AND FAMILY
1. Pre-disaster family plan.
2. First aid kit.
3. Food (i.e., canned or dehydrated foods, soup starters, peanut
butter, puddings, etc.)
4. Bottled water.
5. Flashlight with extra batteries.
6. Transistor radio with extra batteries.
7. Non-electric can opener, crescent wrench, fire extinguisher,
whistle, tissues, plastic spoons, paper cups.
8. Special family needs.
9. Pet needs.
10. Secured heavy objects such as: water heaters, book cases,
china cabinets, and the like.
(W6NKR on 18 August 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 30    SUBJECT:  PACKET EXPANDING
     1. There will be no CCDN Net next Monday, September 1, Labor
Day.   Have a safe and pleasant holiday.
     2. These RACES  bulletins are now appearing in the following
packet mailboxes under the RACES Directory: WA6NWE-1 Sacramento,
W6CUS-1 Richmond, KA6M-1 Palo Alto, AA4RE-1 Gilroy, KE6BX
Hollister, WD6BFC Redding, W6IXU Arroyo Grande, and WB6KQY
Pomona.  Work is continuing to expand the automatic forwarding
into Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley and the north
coast.
For statewide W6NKR broadcast August 25, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 31    SUBJECT:  ATV ANTENNA ON AIRCRAFT
     The antenna should be mounted half-way between the tail and
the rear window, on the bottom of the fuselage, to minimize
"shadows" in banks and turns.  Select a whip antenna similar to
that used for transponders and DME except that the whip will have
to resonate at 434 Megahertz.  An aircraft-type antenna made for
aluminum skinned aircraft.  It must have a coaxial fitting at the
feedthrough base of the antenna and not the type that has a lug
mount.  Cut the radiator (whip) to seven (7") inches.  Run the
coaxial transmission line to the back seat with a BNC male
termination.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on September 8, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 32    SUBJECT:  EARTHQUAKES
     Since 1980, when four earthquakes registering 6 or more on
the Richter scale occurred in the Eastern Sierra within two days,
the area has been hit by one or more quakes with a magnitude of
at least 5 each year.
     Moreover, geologists have noted that since the mid-1970s the
Earth's surface has lifted more than a foot in Long Valley, a
depression near Bishop that was formed 700,000 years ago in a
volcanic eruption that scientists believe was hundreds of times
more powerful than the 1980 eruption of Oregon's Mt. St. Helens.
The U.S. Geological Survey issued a warning in 1982 that a major
volcanic eruption would be possible.  They say that the most
recent quakes may not be directly related to the previous
volcanic activity because they were centered about 20 miles from
the Long Valley caldera.  But he warned that intensified activity
would probably continue and predicted that quakes with a
magnitude of 6 or more could be expected.
     Amateur Radio operators in public service everywhere should
self-analyze all the "What if?" questions that come to mind.
(For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on August 15, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 33           SUBJECT:  RACES HISTORY
- PART 1 OF 2    As far back as 1951 the California Office of
Civil Defense felt the need for supplemental backup
communications.  The California Civil Defense Net (CCDN) was
established by Ken Hughes, W6CIS, and Herb Bruer, W6JN.
Participants were Amateur Radio operators employed by the
California Department of Agriculture who gave their time on a
voluntary basis.  Other volunteer Amateurs were enrolled at
selected locations.  The word "Amateur" in Amateur Radio means
only that an Amateur Radio operator cannot be paid for his
services.  It is the same difference as in amateur and pro in
sports.  Amateur radio is the only hobby that is regulated by
international laws.
     In May, 1951, New York State Radio Officer Vincent T. Kenny,
W2BGO, spearheaded the establishment of the Northeastern United
States Civil Defense Amateur Radio Alliance (USCDARA) in 1955.
This group promoted the adoption of a Standard Operating
Procedure, channelization of the RACES frequency allocations,
uniform message forms, etc.
     The Federal Communications Commission established the Radio
Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) effective August 15,
1952, to meet the needs of the Federal Civil Defense
Administration (FCDA), state and local governments.
(August 22, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN 86 - 34              SUBJECT:  RACES HISTORY
- PART 2 of 2
     Upon the implementation of RACES in 1952, CCDN formed the
nucleus from which to build.  A RACES frequency allocation plan
for California was prepared and is still in use today for the
high frequency spectrum.
     California has always been a leader in Civil Defense
preparedness and communications.  Our communications problems are
unique in that we are the most populous state in the nation.  Our
terrain, the most complex with the highest mountain (14,495 feet)
and the lowest elevation (minus 282 feet), presents extremely
difficult coverage problems.  Paradoxically, our Mt. Diablo sees
more of the Earth's surface than any other mountaintop in the
western hemisphere.  Some of our counties are larger than many of
the 48 contiguous states.
     The RACES was established to provide government with Civil
Defense and disaster emergency communications.  The means to
communicate where no other means exist and to augment overloaded
circuits when called upon to do so by Civil Defense authorities.
     RACES will remain in operation if ever again a national
crisis requires the suspension of Amateur Radio operations.
(September 29, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 35    SUBJECT:  ARRL, ARES AND RACES
     The following is from ARRL's "The ARRL Letter":
     "Public-Service Communications:  The Blue Ribbon Committee,
formed to study all aspects of amateur communications following a
widespread disaster such as the Mexican Earthquake, presented its
interim report.  The Committee recommended that ARRL should
combine all emergency activities (ARES, RACES, Skywarn, etc.)
under the ARRL umbrella and that it should, in conjunction with
FEMA, Red Cross and other agencies, develop an emergency
communications team capability.  Subcommittees are continuing to
study the emergency communications team concept, as well as large
traffic overloads in the NTS."
     Next Monday is a State holiday so there will be no CCDN 13
October 1986.  Drive carefully, use your safety belts and be
careful with fire outdoors.
(October 6, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86-36.     SUBJECT: PHOTOCOPIERS
     A PHOTOCOPIER'S BRIGHT LIGHT CONTAINS ULTRAVIOLET RAYS WHICH
CAN DAMAGE THE EYES' RETINAS AND PERHAPS CAUSE CATARACTS.  ALSO:
THE RAYS MAY PRODUCE OZONE, A LUNG IRRITANT.  SOLUTION: KEEP THE
COPIER IN A LARGE, WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  CLOSE THE RADIATION-
PROOF COVER WHEN YOU USE THE COPIER.  SHUT YOUR EYES AND LOOK
AWAY IF THE ITEM YOU ARE COPYING IS TOO BIG FOR THE COVER TO
CLOSE OVER IT.
(SGD) WILLIAM MURRAY, RADIATION SECTION CHIEF, NATIONAL INSTITUTE
OF        OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, CINCINNATI, OHIO
FOR W6NKR BROADCAST 10/20/86

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 37    SUBJECT:  PROPER
COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS
     WE FREQUENTLY GET REQUESTS FROM CITY AND COUNTY RACES AND
OTHER AMATEURS ON HOW TO CONTACT US DIRECTLY IN SACRAMENTO.
WHEREAS THIS IS OK ON AN INFORMAL BASIS, THE DANGER IS THAT SOME
AMATEURS MAY BE LED TO BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE ACCEPTED
COMMUNICATIONS ROUTE.  THIS IS NOT THE CASE.  STATE OES IS
DIVIDED INTO SIX MUTUAL AID REGIONS.  THUS ALL COUNTY
AMATEUR/RACES COMMUNICATIONS GOES TO THEIR APPROPRIATE OES REGION
AND NOT TO SACRAMENTO.  ALL COMMUNICATIONS PLANS AND OPERATIONS
SHOULD REFLECT THIS.
     IF YOU NEED THE NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF
THE STATE OES REGION RACES COORDINATOR AND THE REGION RACES
OFFICER SERVING YOUR AREA, CONTACT THIS STATION BY RETURN
MESSAGE.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on OCTOBER 27, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 38    SUBJECT:  PACKET TIPS
     WE ENCOURAGE PACKET MESSAGES TO OES HEADQUARTERS BUT THERE
ARE SOME PROBLEMS AND TIPS OF WHICH YOU SHOULD BE AWARE.
     FIRST, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT ANY ROUTE THAT REQUIRES MORE
THAN TWO DIGIPEATERS TO REACH US IS HIGHLY UNRELIABLE.  PACKET IS
EXCELLENT FOR LOCAL AREA TIME CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS, BUT NO AT
ALL FOR LONG HAUL. THERE IS TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE ALONG THE WAY.
     SECOND, WE STRONGLY DISCOURAGE ANY LINKUPS REQUIRING MORE
THAN TWO INTERVENING DIGIPEATERS BECAUSE, ONCE YOU HAVE MADE A
CONNECT WITH US, WE USUALLY NEVER RECEIVE A SUBSEQUENT
DISCONNECT.  AS A RESULT OUR STATION IS LEFT IN A CONNECTED OFF-
THE-HOOK STATE INCAPABLE OF RECEIVING ANY FURTHER TRAFFIC UNTIL
AN OPERATOR COMES IN THE SCAN THE PRINTER AND RESET THE SYSTEM.
THAT COULD BE HOURS OR EVEN DAYS LATER.  SOMEDAY WE MAY HAVE A
SYSTEM THAT WILL RESET US AFTER, SAY, 10 MINUTES OF NO
COMMUNICATIONS.  BUT IN THE MEANTIME WE ASK THAT DIRECT PACKET
COMMUNICATIONS TO US ON .05 BE LIMITED TO APPROXIMATELY FRESNO TO
THE SOUTH AND REDDING TO THE NORTH.
     THIRD, WE ENCOURAGE THE USE OF THE WESTNET PACKET MAILBOX
SYSTEM FOR ROUTINE TRAFFIC BETWEEN US AND ANY AMATEUR PACKET
STATION. IF YOU CAN REACH ONE OF THEIR MAILBOXES FROM YOUR
LOCALE, YOUR MESSAGE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY FORWARDED TO
SACRAMENTO BY ADDRESSING US AS "KH6GBX @ WA6NWE".  IF YOU ARE NOT
SURE ABOUT YOUR AREA, CALL ME AT 916-427-4281 DURING OFFICE
HOURS. KH6GBX
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on NOVEMBER 3, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 40         SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA SAR
1985 STATISTICS RELEASED
     AMATEUR RADIO FREQUENTLY REPORTS AND SUPPORTS SEARCH AND
RESCUE INCIDENTS.  MORE THAN 2,000 SAR MISSIONS WERE UNDERTAKEN
IN CALIFORNIA IN 1985, RESULTING IN THE SAFE RESCUE OF 2,531
PEOPLE.  THIS WAS COMPILED FROM DATA SUBMITTED BY 53 COUNTIES,
CHP AIR OPERATIONS, THE CA WING CAP, THE CA RESCUE DOG
ASSOCIATION, WILDERNESS FINDERS INC., CA DIVE AND RESCUE TEAMS,
AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.  MANY PEOPLE HAVE MUCH TO BE
THANKFUL FOR THIS COMING THANKSGIVING DAY. WE SALUTE THE SAR
PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 17 NOVEMBER 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 41          SUBJECT:  PACKET
RECOMMENDED FOR EVERY
     ATTENTION:  All OES Agencies
     Packet radio by Amateur radio has proven its value and
benefit to emergency operations at all government levels.  In
response to frequent queries from local governments, State OES
does recommend that local governments procure packet radio
equipment for its EOC and offices.  Transportable packet  has
also proven its value in comm vans, mobile, and briefcase units.
     A basic packet station to support OES operations must
include a computer, a packet Terminal Node Controller, a two-way
radio, a printer and an appropriate antenna system.  A disc drive
accessory is recommended but not mandatory.
     Please direct any questions to your OES Region
Communications Coordinator.
(For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on 24 NOVEMBER 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 42         SUBJECT:  RACES PROGRAM
GUIDANCE POLICY
     We have been in close contact with the FCC in the matter of
RACES and other emergency communications programs.  The FCC staff
and their involvement in these areas was sharply curtailed in
1982. Last month the FCC expressed their pleasure and support
with the State of California (OES) because it is providing
fulltime staff to provide guidance in RACES--a function that
neither the FCC or FEMA is funded or staffed to continue.
Towards that end the FCC staff expressed their appreciation and
confidence in this office to take the leadership role in
interpreting and implementing the intent of the RACES Subpart F.
We and the Commission agree there are inequities in Subpart F.
We further agree to interpret and advise in the RACES program
plans and management in a manner which we genuinely believe to
reasonably serve the interests of the State and its local
governments--unless otherwise directed by the Commission.
(Signed) STANLY E. HARTER, KH6GBX       MARION J. HENSON, W6NKR
         State RACES Coordinator        State RACES Officer
(For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on DECEMBER 1, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 43    SUBJECT:  WHAT IS A RACES STATION?
     This question has been asked by some Amateurs who fear that,
if they sign up in RACES, their equipment may become a RACES
station and thus the property of the government.  This is not
true.
     A RACES station is an Amateur radio station licensed to a
civil defense organization, not an individual. They are readily
identified by their WC6 prefix in California.  If you have never
heard one it is because there are very few of them left.  The FCC
has not issued any RACES station licenses since 1982. Reference
FCC 97.171(b).  Your personal or club call at an OES EOC is not,
repeat not, a RACES station.  Reference FCC 97.163(b).  It may be
a station operating in the RACES, however.
     The forgoing must be thoroughly understood before reading
FCC 97.189 that defines points of communications.  The
Commission's intent of 97.189 is when RACES resources are used in
a wartime context and is not meant to detract from the peacetime
use of Amateur radio operators.  If one wants to be extremely
specific in regards to section (b)(ii), the State and its
subdivisions, to the best of our knowledge, have no provision for
or intention to register Amateur radio stations repeat stations.
Thus, part 97.189 is moot.
     Again, we use and will continue to use the term RACES in its
reasonable and accepted interpretation: Amateurs providing
emergency radiocommunications for a specific local government
office of emergency services.  Reference section 97.163a.  Sgd/S.
E. Harter, Vice Chair, FCC SECC California
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on DECEMBER 8, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 44    SUBJECT:  PORTABLE RADIO TIP
     Sometimes portable radios have to be placed on the floor,
the seat or the dashboards of cars.  Then they go scooting off
turning corners. One method of retarding their unwanted movement
is to take an old bicycle inner tube and cut off some one inch
wide cross sections.  Slip it around your radio or its carry case
and the rubber will now greatly retard slipping and sliding.
     You may wish to put some paper between this oversized rubber
band and your radio to prevent discoloration or the rubber
migrating into the plastic.
     Never leave a portable on the dash or anywhere lying in the
direct summer sun.  Even professional portables can drift off
frequency when subjected to such heat.
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on DECEMBER 15, 1986

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 - 45    SUBJECT:  NEW STATE OES CALLSIGN
     EFFECTIVE JANUARY 5, 1987, THE AMATEUR RADIO CALLSIGN FOR
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, STATE OES
HEADQUARTERS, SACRAMENTO, WILL CHANGE FROM KH6GBX TO W6HIR.
THANKS TO THE SUPPORT FROM RAMS, THE RADIO AMATEUR MOBILE SOCIETY
INC., STATE OES HEADQUARTERS WILL HAVE A CALLSIGN THAT WILL
IDENTIFY THIS ACTIVITY AND LOCATION INSTEAD OF AN INDIVIDUAL.
THE PACKET RADIO CALLSIGN WILL BECOME W6HIR-1.  PLEASE NOTE THIS
CHANGE IN YOUR RECORDS AND RACES PLANS.   MAY YOU AND YOURS ALL
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. 73,
     STAN HARTER, KH6GBX, STATE RACES COORDINATOR
     MARION HENSON, W6NKR, STATE RACES RADIO OFFICER   (Dec. 22, 1986)

STATE RACES BULLETIN NR 86 -  46   SUBJECT:  NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS!
          It doesn't matter who you are,
          Or what you have, or do.
          If you give your very best,
          The best returns to you.

          A law of compensation works,
          We get just what we earn,
          If we love others with our hearts,
          We get love in return.

          The little things we sometimes do
          For others day by day,
          Return quite unexpectedly
          In some peculiar way.

Thanks to all the Amateurs that made our joint efforts a success
in 1985.  We could not have done it without you--near and far.
May the coming new year bring you all good health and happiness.
Best wishes  from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and
its Telecommunications Division staff. 73, KH6GBX, W6NKR, W6HIR,
WB6UCK, W6NKE, W6EZE, N6ECP, WA6EQQ, KA6VHF, N6HOS, KD6DY, W6CFQ,
K6QIF, WB6HQE, WB6WZA, W6UBI, KB6HP, WB6PQM, KA6YRC, WA6FUN,
N6IG, N6GOZ and N6KUO
For statewide broadcast by W6NKR on DECEMBER 29, 1986



             * * * * * End 1986 Bulletins * * * * *