ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Communications PlanVersion 2 December 22, 2010
Event Description:
Each year for nearly 20 years, the Salvation Army has served dinner to thousands of people in need in the community. This year the Salvation Army expects to serve about 4,500 dinners at six locations around Colorado Springs. For many of those 20 years, hams have helped by providing logistical communications to help coordinate distribution and replenishment of meals and to meet any other communications needs. I'm recruiting hams now from the local community, from various clubs and organizations, to provide that needed communications.
Date/Time:
There are two events: Thanksgiving, November 25, from 0800 to 1500 Christmas, December 25, from 0800 to 1500
You should arrive no later than 0800 to begin setup. Meals will be served to the public beginning at 1030 until around 1430, although that time may vary depending on location. For instance, the Mobile Canteen at Mitchell HS doesn’t usually arrive until about 10:15 AM. If you show up there at 8:00 AM, you will likely be sitting in the parking lot alone for a few hours.
Objective:
To provide logistical communications supporting the distribution and replenishment of meals to the serving sites and to meet other communication needs.
Mission Coordinator:
Phillip H. Blanton NØTAN, 719 244-xxxx, [email protected] Nov 11 @4:30
Served Agency:
The Salvation Army
Agency POC:
Jolene Davis or Alma Scott; each serving site also has its own point of contact (see below)
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Locations:
This year there are eight serving sites at which meals will be served, and at which amateur radio support is needed:
The Salvation Army, 910 Yuma St Fountain Valley Senior Center, 5725 Southmoor Dr Manitou Springs Town Hall, 606 Manitou Ave Marian House, 14 W Bijou St Salvation Army Mobile Canteen, Mitchell H.S., 1205 Potter Dr New Song Fellowship, 5515 Palmer Park Blvd Salvation Army Community Holiday Dinners, 501 South Weber 80903 Spoken Word Ministries, 2030 Jetwing Drive
Event Schedule:
0800 Arrival at station 0900 Radio test and roll call 1030 Dinner service starts 1400 Dinner service ends 1430 Teardown and station close
Operating Frequencies:
Primary repeater: 448.000 MHz (-) (107.2 Hz) Cheyenne Mountain Repeater Group Secondary repeater: 146.760 MHz (-) (107.2 Hz) Cheyenne Mountain Repeater GroupNote: All CMRG repeaters use a 107.2 Hz tone. This is different from last year, so check your programming. Also, both repeaters were completely upgraded last week, be sure to test your equipment prior to the event. CMRG Contact: Dave Novotny WA6IFI - [email protected]
Alternate: 146.490 MHz (simplex) (no tone) Optional: 144.22 MHz (USB) (vertical polarization)Once your station is set up, perform a radio test with NCS on all frequencies.
All locations except for Manitou should have good signal transmission and reception to the repeater or to the NCS via simplex. Manitou, because of its proximity to the mountains, will likely have multipath distortion so antenna placement will be important. Be prepared to move the antenna slightly to reduce or eliminate multipath distortion.
Required Equipment:
Radio Equipment:
REQUIRED: VHF single band, or VHF/UHF dual band transceiver capable of 30 - 50 watts; HTs may work in some locations, but they should not be counted on
If you bring an HT, bring enough batteries to run a full 8 hours REQUIRED: Portable antenna and coax; you should not have to run coax out to an antenna outside the
building, although you are not prohibited from doing so if the building allows it (such as an open window nearby or a door that can be propped open; plan on an indoor antenna and mast, either a J-pole or similarly sized antenna, or use a mag-mount on a metallic surface; Note the indoor antenna must be located so as not to be a radiation hazard to others.
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010 REQUIRED: Coax; enough to run from the radio to the antenna; if an indoor antenna, 30 feet might be
enough; if you’re going to set up an outdoor antenna then bring 50 feet or more. REQUIRED: Portable power supply and 50-ft extension cord; indoor locations will have 120 VAC
power; if you’re at Mitchell H.S. you’ll operate from your vehicle. REQUIRED: Headphones are required, however they might not be needed if you are set up in a
location where radio volume is not so loud to be annoying to other volunteers. OPTIONAL: If you have 2m SSB equipment, you’re encouraged to bring it and use it. We won’t do
much on that band but will do it strictly to test its use; if you use 2m SSB, make sure this is not your primary radio; you should have a separate FM radio for monitoring the primary net.
Miscellaneous: Paper, pencil or pen, clipboard, message forms (NTS or ICS) City map or GPS Satnav or both. Portable table, portable chair Duct tape (in case you have to tape down cable runs) This operations plan
Personal:
Food should be provided by the Salvation Army. You will be able to eat a full meal there. If you have a preference for a particular drink, you should bring your own drinks.
General Information:
Upon arrival, make contact with the Salvation Army point of contact, introduce yourself and let them know that you are the amateur radio operator for that serving site. In years past, one of the serving sites crew just kept looking at the guy with the radio, wondering what he was there for. They Assumed he was there in the event of an emergency and used their cell phones all day for communications and coordination. They didn’t know why he was there until the end of the day when he finally came up and introduced himself. Don’t assume they know what you’re there for. Make contact and let them know you are there to “provide logistical communications supporting the distribution and replenishment of meals to the serving sites and to meet other communication needs.”
Determine the best operating location, which will likely be in a side room, or along a perimeter wall near the kitchen or serving center so you are relatively close to the POC.
Cables and electrical extension cords and portable antennas must be positioned so as not to be in the way of the other volunteers working at the site.
Attitude Bring a positive attitude and cooperation, and a desire to serve as well as to learn.
Appearance Always be neat and clean in appearance. Feel free to wear a shirt or name tag that identifies you as a ham radio operator.
Tactical Call signs Use your tactical call when contacting NCS, clear with your FCC call sign.
Directed Net This will be a directed net. Contact Net Control by transmitting only your tactical call sign, wait for acknowledgement, then make your call. There is no need to include “Net Control” in your call; example: Don’t say “Net Control, Manitou”.
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Say: “Manitou”.
Contacting Other Stations
To contact another station directly, contact NCS, and once you have his acknowledgement, call the other station. No need to ask for permission - you have the frequency when you have NCS acknowledgement. Example: Say “Manitou”, wait for acknowledgement, Then say “Marian House, Manitou”.
Repeater Protocol Key your microphone and wait 1/2 second before transmitting to prevent the first syllable or word from being lost.
Radio Programming Program all frequencies prior to the event. Know how to program your radio in case there is a need to use an additional frequency. Know how to control your radio to listen to the repeater input frequency if necessary. Bring your radio manual.
Leaving the Net If you must leave the frequency, contact NCS and let him know (no need to tell him why), also let him know an estimate of when you will return. Check back in with NCS when you return.
Stuck microphones If someone has a stuck microphone transmitting, attempt to contact NCS on one of the other assigned frequencies. NCS will also try to contact everyone to move everyone over to another frequency.
VOX Operation VOX, or “voice operated” operation, is prohibited
CHRISTMAS ASSIGNMENTSLocation Physical Address Operator
AssignmentsTactical Callsign Contact Person
Salvation Army Headquarters 910 Yuma StColorado Springs 80909
Luci StansberryMike StansberryDaly Blanton
Main Brenda AdamsJim Wright
Community Holiday Dinners 501 South Weber 80903 Phillip BlantonMary Ann Blanton
Weber Tom Schaefer
Fountain Valley Senior Center 5725 Southmoor DriveFountain 80817
Ralph Rohrig Fountain Evelyn At St. DominicMajor Ray Cross
Manitou Springs Town Hall 606 Manitou AvenueManitou Springs
Bob AntionRachel Antion
Manitou Andy WellsDennis Klipp
Marian House 14 W Bijou StreetColorado Springs 80903
Aaron Pelouze Marian House Frank Mora
Salvation Army Mobile Canteen
Mitchell High School1205 Potter Drive 80909
Cell phone link to Weber
Mitchell Susan Lacava
New Song Fellowship 5515 Palmer Park Blvd80915
Neil Larson New Song Dee ThornhillDavid Thornhill
Spoken Word 2030 Jetwing Drive Jim Bishop Spoken Word TameraNet Control Home station Sid White Net Control N/A
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010CHRISTMAS ASSIGNMENTS
Location Physical Address OperatorAssignments
Tactical Callsign Contact Person
Alternate Net Control Home station Mike Proctor Net Control N/ACoordinator Mobile Phillip H. Blanton Coordinator N/A
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Thanksgiving Assignments:THANKSGIVING ASSIGNMENTS
Location Physical Address OperatorAssignments
Tactical Callsign
Contact Person
Salvation Army Headquarters
910 Yuma StColorado Springs 80909
Bill Hecker??
Yuma Brenda AdamsJim Wright
Community Holiday Dinners 501 South Weber 80903 Henry RussellMary Ann BlantonDaly Blanton
Main Tom Schaefer
Fountain Valley Senior Center
5725 Southmoor DriveFountain 80817
Ralph Rohrig Fountain Evelyn At St. DominicMajor Ray Cross
Manitou Springs Town Hall 606 Manitou AvenueManitou Springs
Dan ScottPam Scott
Manitou Andy WellsDennis Klipp
Marian House 14 W Bijou StreetColorado Springs 80903
Bob AntionRachel Antion
Marian House
Frank Mora
Salvation Army Mobile Canteen
Mitchell High School1205 Potter Drive 80909
Aaron Pelouze Mitchell Susan Lacava
New Song Fellowship 5515 Palmer Park Blvd80915
Neil Larson New Song Dee ThornhillDavid Thornhill
Spoken Word 2030 Jetwing Drive ?? Spoken Word TameraNet Control Home station Sid White Net Control N/AAlternate Net Control Home station ?? Net Control N/ACoordinator Mobile Phillip H. Blanton Coordinator N/A
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Salvation Army HQ908 Yuma St Colorado Springs 80909
Also supporting 910 Yuma St. Colorado Springs 80909 {Silver Crest}
Operator Assignment:
Bill Hecker – KCØET
??
Tactical Callsign: Yuma
Arrival Time : 8:00 AM
HQ Point of Contact: Brenda Adams, Jim Wright -
Silver Crest Point of Contact: Henry & Jean Mitchell –
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Manitou Springs City Hall
606 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado
Operator Assignment:
Dan Scott (WØRO)
Scott (WØPRS)
Tactical Callsign: Manitou
Arrival Time : 8:00 AM
Point of Contact: Andy Wells, Dennis Klipp
Phone:
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Fountain Valley Senior Center
5725 Southmoor Drive Fountain Colorado 80817
Operator Assignment:
Ralph Rohrig (KIØNK)
Tactical Callsign: Fountain
Arrival Time : 8:00 AM
Point of Contact: Andy Wells, Evelyn at St. Dominic
Phone:
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Weber LocationThe Weber Location is where the entire operation will be coordinated from.
501 South Weber Colorado Springs 80903
Operator Assignments: Henry Russell (KCØNAJ)Mary Ann Blanton (KDØKGW), Daly Blanton(KCØPAW)
Tactical Callsign: MainArrival Time : 8:00 AMPoint of Contact: Tom SchaeferPhone:
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
New Song Fellowship Church5515 Palmer Park Blvd Colorado Springs 80915
Operator Assignments: Neil Larson (KAØMAX)
Tactical Callsign: New SongArrival Time : 8:00 AMPoint of Contact: Dee & David ThornhillPhone:
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Marian House14 W Bijou Street Colorado Springs 80903
Operator Assignments: Bob Antion (WL7RV)Rachel Antion (KCØCYP)
Tactical Callsign: Marian HouseArrival Time : 8:00 AMPoint of Contact: Frank MoraPhone:
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Spoken Word2030 Jet Wing Drive, Colorado Springs
Operator Assignments: ??
Tactical Callsign: Spoken WordArrival Time : 8:00 AMPoint of Contact: TameraPhone:
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ARES Support for Salvation Army 2010 Holiday Dinners
Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010
Mitchell High School
1205 Potter Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909Operator Assignments:
Aaron Pelouze (KD6FLM)
Tactical Callsign: MitchellArrival Time : 10:00 AMPoint of Contact: Susan LacavaPhone:
Note: The Mobile Canteen at Mitchell HS doesn’t usually arrive until about 10:15 AM. If you show up there at 8:00 AM, you will likely be sitting in the parking lot alone for a few hours. The canteen is a small truck with four people working in it so it is crowded. I talked to one of the guys who has worked it a few years and he says if you get lonely sitting in your car, you can sit in the cab of the truck and chat with the workers.
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