Previous Speakers at SVECS Quarterly Breakfast Meetings

Canine Search and Rescue (July 24, 2010):

Lynne Engelbert discussed her duties as a canine search specialist.

Ms. Engelbert experience includes working with the Canine Specialized Search Team, Institute for Canine Forensics, and NASA Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team. She also has a degree in Fire Science Technology from Mission College.

Lynne and her dog Lucy worked with California Task Force 4 the recovery effort at World Trade Center in September 2001. http://dogsinthenews.com/issues/0206/articles/020601y.htm

Ms. Engelbert has worked numerous disaster and recovery events including Hurricane Katrina, Shuttle Columbia recovery, and Oklahoma City. See Saratoga News article, “Saratoga woman and her dog, Sweep, are there when they’re needed.” http://www.k9forensic.org/MNews-Engelbert.pdf

Cisco NERV Vehicle (April 24, 2010):

Catherine Blackadar and Rakesh Bharania, N6ILG, gave a presentation on the Cisco NERV vehicle (Network Emergency Response Vehicle), and a NERV vehicle in the parking lot for show and tell.

When all else fails, the April 2009 Cable Cut (January 23, 2010):

43 hams delivered critical assistance at a time when most means of communications (cellphone, landline, internet services) were either completely interrupted, or severely overloaded. Pat Moore KG6RLR (EC Gilroy) discussed the response by amateur radio operators stationed at various locations to provide communications links and became the eyes and ears of police and fire on the streets.

Packet Updates in Santa Clara County (October 24, 2009):

Jim Oberhofer KN6PE presented updates to packet radio in Santa Clara County. Jim is also author of Outpost (http://www.outpostpm.org), a MS Windows based program which provides a email style interface to packet TNCs and soundcard based packet programs. Agenda included,
1. Why do we still talk about packet? Why use it?
2. Where are we today?
3. The Enhanced County Packet System
4. Other changes

Jim’s presentation slides are available here: (PDF file)

Photos from Oct 24, 2009 meeting:

Copernicus Peak Fire Lookout (July 25, 2009):

Chris Morgan of Calfire discussed the Copernicus Peak Fire Lookout station near Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton.

The fire lookout was closed for 17 years reopened in 2007.
Calfire News June 2007 article:

A 2-and-a-half-year-old volunteer project resurrected the lookout, which will not only preserve one of the Santa Clara Unit's historical places, but will recognize Cal Fire's 100-plus years of service.

Volunteers will staff the lookout on an as-need basis during red flags, high winds, after lightning storms and on high-fire danger days.

The lookout was constructed in 1938 and served as one of several fire lookouts within the Santa Clara Unit, a 1.4 million-acre stretch.

Electronics Flea Market, De Anza College (June 13, 2009):

A Big Thanks to all that helped SVECS at the June Electronics Flea Market coffee/donut tent at DeAnza College http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com

Red Cross Emergency Communication Response Vehicle (April 25, 2009):

George Williams N6NKT discussed the Red Cross communications capabilities. They showed the Emergency Communication Response Vehicle at the breakfast. For more info, see http://ecrv4712.org

Fiber Cable(s) Cut Causes Telephone/Internet Outage in Santa Clara County (April 9, 2009):

To all hams who worked on April 9, 2009
from Larry Carr KE6AGJ
Chief Radio Officer, RACES
Santa Clara County OES

I would like to thank all the hams who provided support during the phone outage that occurred on Thursday, April 9, 2009. The 43 hams, listed below, delivered critical assistance at a time when most means of communications were either completely interrupted, or severely overloaded.

Your professionalism was apparent, and I commend you all!

CAMPBELL
Julie Burns K6AKA
GILROY
Jon Moore KG6YOL	Jack Luoma W6JAK
Kris Moore KG6YPB	Pat Moore KG6RLR
LOS ALTOS
Tom Smith KD6SOJ	Michael Fox N6MEF
LOS ALTOS HILLS
Al Whaley KV6U
MORGAN HILL
Mike Chappel KB6PDA	Guy Martin K6GWM
Randy Christensen KI6PNS	Wayne Rohten KD6HMJ
Gary Gokel K6GMG	Pam Rohten KD6WQD
Eric Hilding K6VVA	Woody Salyer K6WWS
Darrel Holmdahl KG6ZHD	Logan Zintsmaster KZ6O
Michael Johnston KI6CBS
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Bob Fishman K6FSH	Steve Hill KG6EVZ
George Freeman KG6POV	Dave Platt AE6EO
Mark Gilkey KI6BQC	Ed Senior W6LOL
NASA/PAF
Mark Foster KI6DHU
PALO ALTO
Ron Greene KG6RLG	Doug Kalish KA3L
SAN JOSE
John Amos KC6TVM	Ray Rogoway W6RAR
Chris De Mille KI6FAN	Peter Walde KI6DDX
SANTA CLARA COUNTY OES
Larry Carr KE6AGJ	Scott Morse KC6SKM
Dave Chamberlin N6DWC
SUNNYVALE
Andreas Ott K6OTT	Phil Stewart K6PHL
Howard Krawetz N6HM	Robert Stodieck KI6GDF
Jordan Makower WA2BRV	Bill Young K6VWO
Tom Root KF6NEW

NOTE: If any ham who responded has been left off this list, please let me know.

Media coverage of telephone/internet outage:

Preparing for disaster: Phone outage tests emergency workers
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12119261
“The South Bay telephone outage - reportedly caused by vandals who cut fiber-optic cables - roused and brought together, as if on cue, a group of emergency responders to a man-made disaster, kicking into gear a scenario that they practice year-round, never knowing when that disaster will strike.”

“And officials in Santa Clara and Monterey counties are praising ham radio operators not only for their quick response, but also for coming through when state-of-the-art technology failed. Amateur radio operators, armed with their antennaed boxes - the true wireless - became the eyes and ears of police and fire on the streets.”

Phone service restored after vandalism shuts it down in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Santa Cruz County
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12106301

APRS Applications in ARES/RACES (October 25, 2008):

APRS was presented by Dave Witkowski W6DTW and Cap Pennell KE6AFE.

Dave worked in the Silicon Valley since 1998 in design engineering, engineering management, and consulting. He also serves on the board at the Wireless Communications Alliance (http://www.wca.org).

Cap worked as a CDF Fire Captain, now retired, but is active DEC for Santa Cruz County ARES/RACES. He maintains a APRS web server and APRS station.

Amateur Radio’s Role with Emergency Medical Services in Santa Clara County (July 26, 2008):

Michael Clark, Training and Operations Coordinator for the Santa Clara County Public Health Dept., discussed emergency medical services preparation and resources, and how amateur radio can assist during times of major events. His department’s webpage has various items of interest including (in Information Library) training packets, pandemic flu press releases, health advisories at http://www.sccemsagency.org

Electronics Flea Market, De Anza College (May 10, 2008):

A Big Thanks to all that helped SVECS at the coffee/donut tent at Electronics Flea Market. We sold all the donuts!

Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (April 26, 2008):

Elaine Gibbons WA6UBE discussed NVIS. For more info, see her NVIS page at http://www.tactical-link.com/nvis_discussion_page.htm

WiFi used in Emergency Communications (January 26, 2008):

by Craig Anderson, N6YXK, member of Silicon Valley Wireless Users Group
http://www.svwux.org

Amateur Television for ARES/RACES Operations (November 3, 2007):

Presentation by Michael Wright, K6MFW

Download PDF of presentation here

ATV presentation photos

Internet links as listed in above presentation PDF

ATV Transmissions on Youtube

Emergency Communications and the ARRL (July 28, 2007):

Presentation by Bob Vallio, W6RGG, Pacific Division Director

Hazmat Safety (April 28, 2007):

Presentation by Dave Parker, Hazmat Coordinator, City of Santa Clara Fire Dept.

Electronics Flea Market (April 14, 2007):

SVECS hosted the coffee/donut stand for the electronics flea market at De Anza College, http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com. SVECS also gives a big Thank You to all who volunteered.

MCI and Amateur Radio Emergency Services (January 27, 2007):

Presentation by Bob Cascone, Supervisor, AMR.

Silent Key - WA6RPI (January 9, 2007)

Art Nilli ~WA6RPI~ became a silent key this past Saturday. Art was a member of SARES as well as a Santa Clara County Assistant District Emergency Coordinator, and long time companion Joanne Wilton ~KG6JTY~. The January 20, 2007 ARES/RACES countywide drill was dedicated to honor Art.

Volunteer of the Year Awards (Dec 14, 2006)

The Santa Clara County Emergency Managers Association awarded Volunteer of the Year awards to volunteers from 12 cities in the county, and one volunteer from Santa Clara County OES; of the thirteen awards presented this year, six went to hams. The following hams were selected by their cities to receive this award: Paul Lufkin, K6PML, Palo Alto; David Platt, AE6EO, Mountain View; Christina Sand, KG6ORH, Saratoga; Smitty Smithwick, W6CS, Los Altos Hills; and Bob Steinberg, K6RPS, San Jose. In addition, Larry Carr, KE6AGJ, was selected by Santa Clara Co OES as their choice as Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations to all.

PG&E Pipeline Safety (October 28, 2006):

Presentation by Tom Crawford, P.E.

Santa Clara County Water District Emergency Services Program (July 22, 2006):

Presentation by Mike Hamer, Utility Operations Manager

Hurricane Katrina Recovery Effort (April 22, 2006):

Presentation by David Chamberlin, N6DWC

Electronics Flea Market (March 11, 2006):

SVECS hosted the coffee/donut stand for the electronics flea market at De Anza College, http://www.asvaro.org/fleamarket. SVECS also gives a big Thank You to all who volunteered.

Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response (January 21, 2006):

by Barbara Cimino, Emergency Manager
City of Palo Alto, Office of Emergency Services

SVECS hosted the coffee/donut stand for the electronics flea market at De Anza College, http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com. SVECS also gives a big Thank You to all who volunteered.

Specifically, Frank Kibbish, Jr. (WB6MRQ) presented on how APRS was used for the CDF Fourth of July fire patrols. He also pointed out how usage of APRS could be applied in emergency communications situations -- both for CDF and other agencies.

Incorporating Amateur Radio into Emergency Prepardness Planning (April 30, 2005):

Steve Garcia, public safety officer with town of Los Altos Hills, discussed incorporating amateur radio into emergency prepardness planning.

California OES Auxiliary Communications Service (January 22, 2005):

Dave Larton, N6JQJ, and Jim Aspinwall, WB9GVF, gave a presentation on the Cal State OES Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS).

Recent Hurricanes and Working with FEMA (October 23, 2004):

Guest speakers Dru Anderson KG6LAD and John Amos KC6TVM, having just returned from the hurricane ravaged southeast, spoke of their experiences while with FEMA.

Electronics Flea Market (September 11, 2004):

SVECS hosted the coffee/hotdog stand at the electronics flea market, http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com. SVECS also gives a big Thank You to all who volunteered.

Union Pacific Railroad Emergency Prepardness (July 24, 2004):

Ernie Sirotek, Jr. discussed Union Pacific Railroad emergency prepardness. Mr. Sirotek is the Regional Manager, Chemical Transportation Safety, for Union Pacific Railroad.

Bay Area Earthquake Studies (April 24, 2004):

Steve Walter from the USGS gave a historic overview of 50 years of earthquake studies in the Bay Area.

Emergency Communications Procedures (January 24, 2004):

Our planned speaker Holly Milnes, a dispatcher for Moffett Field Police Department, was to discuss techniques used for good radio communications. She had to tend to a more important matters that Saturday so Bob Gundrum, KG6MOL, substituted. Bob worked many years as a fire department dispatcher.

A dispatcher is a first responder to a link in a chain of emergency services. Other items discussed were what kind of people make successful dispatchers, required skills, official job requirements, preparation, and time tested techniques that work.

Hardcopies of the paper "Radio 101 Techniques for the Field" were distributed at the meeting. This paper was authored by Linda Olmstead, a dispatcher for the CHP in Monterey. A PDF can be downloaded here, http://www.svecs.net/Radio101.pdf. See Linda's webpage at http://www.gryeyes.com

Website editor's note: I later talked to Holly and she mentioned Evergreen College has a 3-week dispatcher course that leads to certification. Other tips she suggested were use the words "affirmative" or "negative," not "yes" or "no" ("no" can be mis-heard as "go").

Micro RAWS, a Remote Automated Weather Station (October 25, 2003):

The October 25th SVECS breakfast was a free breakfast to thank the volunteers who helped with the SVECS hosting of the Foothill Electronics Flea Market in August.

The speaker was Ben Vickers, WB6FRM. He demonstrated the Micro RAWS, a Remote Automated Weather Station deployed by CDF near wildfires to help plan firefighting operations.

Data from Raws Obs stations can be found at the National RAWS Data Server: http://raws.boi.noaa.gov/rawsobs.html

Foothill Electronics Flea Market (August 9, 2003):

SVECS hosted the coffee/hotdog stand at the Foothill College flea market, http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com. SVECS also gives a big Thank You to all who volunteered.

Here are some photos taken during a lull from the crowds. SVECS featured most delicious hotdogs.

Disaster Medical Assistance Team (July 26, 2003):

David Lipin, commander of the California Bay Area DMAT CA-6, discussed the purpose and activities of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Please see their website at http://dmatca6.org.

Transmitter Hunting and Equipment (April 26, 2003):

Rich Harrington, KN6FW, discussed transmitter hunting and the equipment used. He demonstrated various antennas, techniques using handhelds in close proximity of transmitters, and showed the kinds of systems including the MicroFinder Doppler RDF. For webpages of interest please see http://www.thunt.org (Transmitter hunting in the San Francisco Bay-Area) and http://www.ahha-doppler.com (MicroFinder Doppler RDF).

Notes from talk by Rich: Steps to locating a transmitter:

1. Get on a high mountain.


2. Body fade with a HT, unreliable but easy.


3. Use a beam antenna with an attenuator. 5 to 10 degrees of accuracy.


4. Use a “time of arrival” set which is more accurate than a beam but cannot tell if in front or behind.


5. Use an interferometer (also needs an attenuator) which are two beams 180 degrees out of phase with each other. This gives one degree of accuracy.


6. Use a doppler, electronically measuring the phase of antennas rotating very fast, but doppler lies a lot.


7. Use triangulation but this has high mileage.


8. Draw bearings on topo maps.


9. Transmitters are always near roads.


10. Lay an HT on seat of car, it will pick up signal when near.
          a. then go to a paperclip antenna.
          b. then remove antenna and that’s when you start walking.


11. When 300 to 400 feet, use an aluminum foil can for a HT. Further down the tube, the worst the signal gets.


12. Time of Arrival set will work far and near.


13. Use 3rd harmonic, almost all transmitters have this. Tune to this when close.


14. Image frequency: 2X the IF is also very sensitive when close.


15. Also use the off frequency.


16. Use your eyes and look for an antenna.


17. Use a signal strength system when near.

Other suggestions:

Rule 1: Follow your initial bearing.
Rule 2: Get back on to initial bearing.
GPS is handy for bearing on mountain roads.
Also carry emergency supplies like a flashlight, snacks, water, and raincoat.
This book on T-Hunting is the bible:
Transmitter Hunting, by Joseph Moell, K̬OV, and Thomas Curlee, WB6UZZ.

HF Backpacks (Jan 25, 2003):

Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA, presented portable battery powered HF radios, a valuable adjunct to VHF/UHF communications for ARES/RACES.

Bonnie Crystal is a RF engineer, inventor, author and columnist, and also co-founder of Telegen and Telisar. Please see her website at http://www.qsl.net/kq6xa

Santa Clara Sheriff's Dept. Search and Rescue (Oct 26, 2002):

Doug Mincey discussed the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department SAR purpose, experiences, and equipment used. Doug also displayed the team’s truck, gear, and radio systems.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team is comprised entirely of unpaid volunteers. The teams mission includes urban, rural and wilderness SAR; Evidence search and public education. Please see their website at http://www.sccssar.org.

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