The RACES Bulletin
All of the 1985 bulletins were broadcast by and from the home of longtime State Chief RACES Radio Officer Marion Henson, W6NKR. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services headquarters did not yet have a RACES radio facility.
The 1985 bulletins were transmitted via W6NKR every Monday except holidays on 3545.6 kHz at 1900 at 15 wpm CW and at 1930 at 60 wpm and 100 wpm RTTY. There was no packet system at the time. The first line of each bulletin below shows the bulletin number followed by the broadcast date:
(No number) 4/1/85
OES has hired Stan Harter (KH6GBX) to fills its new position of EBS/RACES communications coordinator. His primary duties will be to organize the State EBS and RACES programs when he starts work on April 22, 1985. Stan Worked as the Hawaii State Communications Officer for 20 years where he was directly involved with the planning, organizing, implementation, operating and improving the state's EBS and RACES programs. Stan has been an Amateur for over 35 years and has worked at commercial broadcast stations for over 23 years. W6NKR
The 1985 bulletins were transmitted via W6NKR every Monday except holidays on 3545.6 kHz at 1900 at 15 wpm CW and at 1930 at 60 wpm and 100 wpm RTTY. There was no packet system at the time. The first line of each bulletin below shows the bulletin number followed by the broadcast date:
(No number) 4/1/85
OES has hired Stan Harter (KH6GBX) to fills its new position of EBS/RACES communications coordinator. His primary duties will be to organize the State EBS and RACES programs when he starts work on April 22, 1985. Stan Worked as the Hawaii State Communications Officer for 20 years where he was directly involved with the planning, organizing, implementation, operating and improving the state's EBS and RACES programs. Stan has been an Amateur for over 35 years and has worked at commercial broadcast stations for over 23 years. W6NKR
April 1985
I for one am most pleased to see the rejuvenation of the RACES BULLETIN with attendant interest in the RACES program as currently fostered by the State Office of Emergency Services.
Welcome aboard to Stan Harter, KH6GBX. Your efforts will be appreciated by all RACES members.
Amateur Radio began to play an important role for the State of California in the 1950-1951 era of Civil Defense. The California Civil Defense Net (CCDN) was formed to supplement governmental communications systems during emergencies. From this base the California RACES program was developed in 1952.
RACES has served well during many floods, fire and earthquakes.
Not often do we get the call to duty but, when required, RACES has been indispensable. It behooves all jurisdictions to maintain a high state of training and readiness.
We all hope and pray that we are never needed. On the other hand, from past experience, we know that communications facilities are never adequate during a major catastrophe. "BE PREPARED!"
Signed/MARION HENSON, W6NKR, State RACES Radio Officer
I for one am most pleased to see the rejuvenation of the RACES BULLETIN with attendant interest in the RACES program as currently fostered by the State Office of Emergency Services.
Welcome aboard to Stan Harter, KH6GBX. Your efforts will be appreciated by all RACES members.
Amateur Radio began to play an important role for the State of California in the 1950-1951 era of Civil Defense. The California Civil Defense Net (CCDN) was formed to supplement governmental communications systems during emergencies. From this base the California RACES program was developed in 1952.
RACES has served well during many floods, fire and earthquakes.
Not often do we get the call to duty but, when required, RACES has been indispensable. It behooves all jurisdictions to maintain a high state of training and readiness.
We all hope and pray that we are never needed. On the other hand, from past experience, we know that communications facilities are never adequate during a major catastrophe. "BE PREPARED!"
Signed/MARION HENSON, W6NKR, State RACES Radio Officer
To: Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To: Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By: Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
To: Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By: Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
85-1 - 5/6/85
Most problems called to our attention about RACES and/or Amateur Radio appear to stem from lack of communication. That, in turn, creates misunderstandings by both government and the volunteers. Our goal is to reach the Amateur Radio operators affiliated with local emergency services organizations on a regular basis. This may be accomplished by broadening the reach of this weekly net by (a) you and the respective State OES (Office of Emergency Services) regions inputting these messages to all Amateur Radio clubs in all regions having weekly VHF nets, (b) having some of the latter copy the traffic from this net, (c) State OES developing a VHF net, (d) State OES developing an RTTY broadcast capability, and (e) any combination of the above. The relay of this and all future weekly messages is a a start in that direction. We welcome your input now on how this statewide dissemination may best be accomplished. Our intent is that the weekly State RACES informational messages be read, not dictated, on the numerous established Amateur nets throughout the state. Speed in this respect is not important. Regular and frequent RACES and Amateur/OES relationship information is very important.
85-2 - May 13, 1985
Amateur TV was demonstrated to the annual meeting of Civil Defense administrators in Sacramento on 15 May. Installed on a California Highway patrol helicopter, it flew around the city (of Sacramento) transmitting excellent pictures back to the hotel gathering. All were impressed with the clarity and potential of ATV. Other Amateurs are demonstrating ATV to local and government agencies in various parts of the state. San Jose RACES is reportedly planning to enhance security at the August World Police and Fire Olympic type games with ATV. State OES plans to install equipment to receive ATV and maintain two-way Amateur Radio communications with the ATV camera person. County OES agencies and Amateurs with ATV are urged to get together to test and evaluate applications in your area if not already done. Ventura County is holding a countywide RACES meeting Saturday June 8. We are starting to review RACES plans. Some are very good and clearly state what is the mission and what is expected of Amateur Radio operators. 73 KH6GBX
85-5 - June 10, 1985
The recent opening up of the VHF Amateur bands to RACES by the FCC may be the best RACES news in 33 years. Repeaters were not a planning factor in 1952. Gone now are the frequency barriers between ARES and RACES. No longer must we write impractical war and peace time frequencies in RACES plans. We doubt many hams and jurisdictions stockpiled wartime only crystals. With the expanded VHF spectrum authorized RACES we have our work cut out for us. Work that requires little money but lots of creativity, planning and coordination: new RACES plans. We can do away with war and peace frequency plans, with a few exceptions, and rewrite plans to reflect the real world VHF frequencies. Coordination of frequencies will be just as important. Continued plans for simplex frequencies is even more important. Disasters can and will overloads or cripple repeaters. RACES plans should not be rubber stamp verbiage but a professional plan for the use of the Amateur radio Service. Guidance and help will be forthcoming and I look forward to your input, experience and assistance.
There are basically four levels of RACES plans in California:
1. Cities
2. Counties
3. the six State OES Regions
4. State plan.
73, KH6GBX
85-6 - June 17, 1985
We are reviewing the RACES/ARES plans. Many are out of date, others are recent. Some are difficult to understand. Some repeat the original instructions to the plan writer instead of providing the information sought by the instructions! The recent revisions to the VHF RACES bands will require a rewrite of RACES plans after careful planning has been accomplished.
RACES message 85-5 described the four levels of RACES plans that need to be either written or updated. This will involve all State and local OES offices and all ARRL Emergency Coordinators.
73, KH6GBX
85-7 - June 24, 1985
This month I am traveling to many counties to meet Amateur Radio operators and discuss plans and systems in the counties of San Joaquin, Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Kern, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino. I hope to meet many of you along the way. 73, KH6GBX
85-8 - Missing
85-9 - July 1, 1985
Subject: Portable Radio Batteries
On protracted emergencies, such as wildfires or an earthquake, there may be no A-C power to recharge your portable radio nicad battery. Do you have a spare nicad battery and a D-C charger, or throw away battery packs for your portable radio? You will often be expected to use your portable where your mobile cannot go.
73, W6NKR
85-10 - July 8, 1985
Subject: Scanner Bill
SB-1431 passed the State Senate the week before last. This is the bill that will outlaw scanners. It now goes to Assembly who will reconvene August 14. Contact your Assemblyman if opposed to making scanners illegal for hams and public safety persons.
73, KH6GBX
Reminder to all Regions and Amateur Radio operators: Please continue to notify and solicit all scheduled VHF/UHF Amateur Radio nets to assign one or two persons to copy these Monday night State RACES Bulletins and then read them over their own nets. We solicit information and feedback from all Amateur Radio operators.
85-11 - Missing
85-12 - July 22, 1985
Item 1. Ventura County OES reports extensive use of Radio Amateurs during 118,000 acre Ojai fire in support of Red Cross, CDF (California Department of Forestry) and the U.S. Forest Service. Over 500 packet transmissions were handled. We know that Amateur Radio served admirably on other fires in the state. We will welcome your activity reports at State OES.
Item 2. State OES is recruiting Radio Amateurs for its State OES RACES staff in the Sacramento area. Call Stan at 916-427-4281 for details.
Item 3. Local OES agencies and ham clubs wanting an update briefing on RACES are encouraged to contact State OES, Item 2 above. W6NKR
85-13 - July 29, 1985
Item 1. San Jose City RACES needs assistance for the August 3-11 World Police and Fire Games, which may be the largest sporting event ever held with more participants and events than the 23rd Olympiad last year. Contact Bill Robinson, WB6OML, on San Jose RACES Net 146.115 Wednesdays at 8 p.m. There is also a remote bulletin board service for ARES/RACES activities at (408) 224-0218, Monday-Friday, 1800-2200 and all day weekends and holidays.
Item 2. State OES is recruiting for RACES operators and technicians for its Sacramento headquarters. Call 916-427-4281 if interested and not already affiliated with a RACES group. 73, W6NKR
85-14 - August 5, 1985
Subject: Questions and Answers
You can help us by calling or writing your RACES questions into State OES Headquarters. Probably the most frequent question lately is a request for a model RACES plan. We will soon be working on that. We believe that any plan should be readily understood by the use of the Amateur communications service and not just the providers. This is specially true for new RACES organizations so that what we Amateurs do is not a mystery to any reader of a RACES plan. A well written plan can do much to promote and maintain RACES activities. Our telephone is 916-427- 4281. 73, W6NKR
85-15 - August 12, 1985
Subject: Q and A continued.
Question: Is RACES meant for just one department?
Answer: It may seem that way in some governments because a high visibility department may run the RACES program. This does not mean, however, that RACES serves only one department. The RACES must serve emergency communications requirements anywhere in that government plus outside liaison requirements. Surplus operators and resources may be assigned to support other organizations essential to that government's mission. --KH6GBX
85-16 - August 19, 1985
Subject: Q and A continued.
Question: Do Federal agencies have RACES?
Answer: No. The RACES is administered by local and state civil defense organizations. This does not mean that the RACES cannot support Federal agencies, however. We encourage county RACES to contact, support and maintain liaison with those agencies you might assist. This may include the National Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Corps of Engineers, and others in your county. Counties should encourage such support as training necessary to maintain proficiency and interest among RACES members. State OES will assist wherever we can. Call 916-427-4281.
85-17 - August 26, 1985
Subject: Q and A continued.
Question: Does RACES provide equipment to radio Amateurs?
Answer: No, the RACES is not like the MARS in that respect. The RACES is comprised largely of Amateurs providing their own equipment in a structured and efficient organization. In those governments where the RACES support has proven itself, equipment may be provided if funds allow. This usually takes the form of Amateur radio equipment in the EOC and/or mountaintop repeaters. ATV, digipeaters and packet terminal node controllers have joined the list lately. Once you have proven your value you are more likely to get permanent funding support. One Radio Officer said recently, "You are as good as you want to be." --K6QIF
85-18 - September 9, 1985
State OES is now recruiting and signing up Amateur radio operators to serve as RACES staff volunteers at the following State OES locations, the telephone number, and who to ask for:
85-20 - September 23, 1985
The subject of Amateur Radio was a major topic at the recent National Conference of the Associated Public-Safety Communications Officers and the Forestry-Conservation Communications Association meeting in San Diego. Most interest was shown in packet radio, the California Department of Forestry VIP (Volunteers in Prevention) program, confusion between the ARES and the RACES, replacing the old RACES plans, and volunteerism in general. Many people in public safety communications are also hams. Many know very little about the RACES, however.
85-21 - September 30, 1985
Subject: EBS (Emergency Broadcast System)
EBS stands for Emergency Broadcast System. Every operational area in the state has designated AM, FM and TV stations to carry emergency information for the public. Amateur radio can be used to provide the link between civil authorities and the broadcast stations when other links are lost. All broadcasting stations must test their EBS equipment weekly. The FCC is now fining stations that fail to receive and listen to the test messages. The reason is, of course, that they could miss a real EBS activation.
Progressive operational areas test their EBS once a month from the EOC to all broadcast stations. Amateur Radio operators attached to their local OES offices monitor the stations and report the results to the EOC. Such areas have an EBS that really works. Does it work in your area? 73, KH6GBX
85-22 - October 7, 1985
Subject: Mariposa County
A RACES seminar, a meeting of all Amateurs interested in emergency public service communications, will be held at Mariposa County Unified High School on Saturday, 12 October from 0900 to 1530. Amateurs and officials from Mariposa, Fresno, Madera and Stanislaus Counties are known to be attending, plus State OES from Fresno and Sacramento. ATV and packet radio will be demonstrated by State OES and the Turlock Amateur Radio Club. If you are in the area and not yet enrolled in the RACES, you are most welcome to attend. For details, contact Dave Longman, N6KNA, Mariposa 209-966-4951. 73, KH6GBX
85-23 - October 7, 1985
Subject: Surplus Property Available
The following is available for disposal to RACES personnel for the asking. All is located at this headquarters. Submit requests to this office or your regional OES office. Anything not claimed in 60 days will be scrapped. Requesters must pay for or arrange transportation.
Item 1. 1 ea. receiver, National model HRO-50T, excellent condition.
Item 2. 1 ea. receiver, Hallicrafters, model SX-28.
Item 3. Several Eimac 250-TH power triode tubes.
Item 4. Several Eimac 4-65A power tetrode tubes.
Item 5. Several Eimac 827A rectifier tubes.
Item 6. Several G.E. 3B28, Raytheon RK866A, and RCA 866A tubes.
Item 7. Dozens of boxes of small vacuum tubes.
All tubes are believed to be new and unused.
85-24 - missing
85-25 - October 21, 1985
Subject: Antenna Restrictions
FCC released an order PRB-1 dated 19 September 1985 which strikes down all state and local ordinances and regulations prohibiting and unreasonably restricting Amateur Radio antennas. The ruling does not apply to restrictive covenants in private contractual agreements. There is strong federal interest in promoting Amateur communications. The rulemaking was supported by the ARRL, Department of Defense, American Red Cross, and numerous cities and counties. Opposing it in California was the City of La Mesa and the County of San Diego.. The FCC said that the Department of Defense, American Red Cross, and local civil defense and emergency organizations have found in Amateur Radio a skilled pool of radio operators and a readily available backup network. --W6NKR
85-26 - October 28, 1985
Subject: Storms
Winter 1985 is fast approaching and no one can be sure how severe it may be. Although last winter was relatively mild, winter storms have traditionally caused more destruction in California than any other type of disaster. In view of this, Governor George Deukmejian has proclaimed the week of November 10-16, 1985, as Storm Preparedness/Flood Awareness Week. --WILLIAM M. MEDIGOVICH, Director
85-27 - November 4, 1985
Subject: FCC Form 610
Effective 1 January 1986, only the June 1984 and later editions of this form may be used to obtain or renew an Amateur license. --KH6GBX
85-28 - November 18, 1985
Richard Andrews, State OES Region One manager in Los Angeles, briefed the Governor's Earthquake Task Force on his findings after the Mexico City earthquake.
"The effective use of volunteers will determine the degree of recovery success following a major disaster," he said. From this we can see the need for local government trained and assigned Amateur Radio operators -- be they called RACES or by any other name.
Andrews said, "It will be very difficult to get an overview of the extent of damage in order to allocate critical resources following a great earthquake here in California." Organized Amateurs can make the difference.
Now is the time for local OES and Amateurs to get together, train together, and continue to work together in those areas where this is not yet done. Offers of assistance from untrained and unregistered volunteers after an incident has occurred may not be accepted. It costs nothing to become registered and affiliated. Contact your local OES/civil defense for more information. --W6NKR
On the printed Bulletin used for mail distribution there is a diagram that is worth a thousand words that graphically shows roles and relationships. It shows a local government, its OES/CD office, and its RACES unit as one governmental entity; e.g., the RACES is never a separate or detached element. A dotted line indicating coordination runs from the RACES to an ARES block, under which is the definition "Health and welfare, Red Cross, non-governmental and other communications."
85-29 - November 25, 1985
November started with the state having received 83% of its normal rainfall in 1985, compared with 105% in 1984 and 190% in 1983. There can be localized downpours that may create flood problems particularly in the vicinity of this summer's forest fires. The fire season, too,m is seldom over in some parts of the state. RACES plans, training and preparedness is ever important. Being willing to help and being able to help may be two different things for every Amateur Radio operator. Knowing how in advance of an emergency is critical. --W6NKR
85-30 - December 2, 1985
Packet terminal on 145.01 MHz is now operational at State OES Headquarters. Callsign KH6GBX. High elevations to link KH6GBX include W6BXN Mariposa, N6IJP-1 St. Helena, and W6AMT-7 St. John.
85-31 - December 9, 1985
Subject: FEMA
Julius W. Becton, Jr., has succeeded Louis O. Guiffreda as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Becton served more that 40 years in the Army before retiring in 1983. Prior to FEMA he was director of the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, Agency for International Development.
85-32 - December 16, 1985
ITEM 1. MEXICO CITY EARTHQUAKE. State OES Law Enforcement Division was requested to coordinate transportation for 13 California Search and Rescue dog teams. Dogs and handlers worked to exhaustion, with only a few hours sleep each night. They kept this pace up for a week, when they were flown to Travis Air Force Base by California National Guard aircraft and to their homes by the Civil Air Patrol. OES Fire Division sent three teams of firefighters skilled in heavy rescue techniques to assist, along with a National Guard C-130 loaded with rescue equipment. The teams included members from our fire division plus crews from Rancho Cordova and Sacramento in the north and L.A. and Orange counties in the south. Both L.A. City and County sent seven planeloads of emergency, rescue and medical equipment and supplies, plus 20 rail cars of heavy earth moving equipment to Mexico.
ITEM 2. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. State OES RACES operators will be on leave from this net from 17 December 1985 through 5 January 1986. The next CCDN (California Civil Defense Net) will be January 6th. All of us at State OES wish to thank you for your dedicated support, contributions of time and energy, and willingness to serve. May your holidays be joyful and safe.
Most problems called to our attention about RACES and/or Amateur Radio appear to stem from lack of communication. That, in turn, creates misunderstandings by both government and the volunteers. Our goal is to reach the Amateur Radio operators affiliated with local emergency services organizations on a regular basis. This may be accomplished by broadening the reach of this weekly net by (a) you and the respective State OES (Office of Emergency Services) regions inputting these messages to all Amateur Radio clubs in all regions having weekly VHF nets, (b) having some of the latter copy the traffic from this net, (c) State OES developing a VHF net, (d) State OES developing an RTTY broadcast capability, and (e) any combination of the above. The relay of this and all future weekly messages is a a start in that direction. We welcome your input now on how this statewide dissemination may best be accomplished. Our intent is that the weekly State RACES informational messages be read, not dictated, on the numerous established Amateur nets throughout the state. Speed in this respect is not important. Regular and frequent RACES and Amateur/OES relationship information is very important.
85-2 - May 13, 1985
- The 30 meter band, 10.1 through 10.15 MHz, has been added to the RACES by the FCC.
- We urge as many as possible monitor the State RACES CW net Mondays 3545.5 KHz at 1900 hours local so that they may be repeated at reading speed on as many VHF repeaters as possible throughout the state. Immediately following the CW transmission will be a repeat on RTTY for the benefit of RTTY receivers. Spread the word to Radio Officers, clubs, ARRL Section Managers and Emergency Coordinators, and others who may assist and participate in the broadening the relay of information of interest to Amateurs in emergency services.
- One of the main reasons radio Amateurs who serve any OES must been enrolled in RACES is that no services of any volunteer can be accepted by any government unless they are recorded as a volunteer Disaster Service Worker. Without such registration, as accomplished in the RACES, there is no Worker's Compensation and other protective benefits provided by law. By the same token, governments should not categorize all Amateur Radio operators as RACES. In short, every ham must be preregistered as a volunteer Disaster Service Worker before the emergency or exercise. This is done by Radio Officers in OES organizations. Please direct questions to KH6GBX this office.
- The following equipment is surplus to our needs. If interested submit request and justification:
- Item 1 - two each 51J4/R388 receivers.
- Item 2 - one each Precision model EV-20 VTVM.
- Item 3 - one each Motorola service monitor model T-1130A SN 130.
- We encourage questions, suggestions and problems be directed to this office by radio or in writing so that we may better address the RACES program. We appreciate learning of what local county nets are now carrying these Bulletins.
Amateur TV was demonstrated to the annual meeting of Civil Defense administrators in Sacramento on 15 May. Installed on a California Highway patrol helicopter, it flew around the city (of Sacramento) transmitting excellent pictures back to the hotel gathering. All were impressed with the clarity and potential of ATV. Other Amateurs are demonstrating ATV to local and government agencies in various parts of the state. San Jose RACES is reportedly planning to enhance security at the August World Police and Fire Olympic type games with ATV. State OES plans to install equipment to receive ATV and maintain two-way Amateur Radio communications with the ATV camera person. County OES agencies and Amateurs with ATV are urged to get together to test and evaluate applications in your area if not already done. Ventura County is holding a countywide RACES meeting Saturday June 8. We are starting to review RACES plans. Some are very good and clearly state what is the mission and what is expected of Amateur Radio operators. 73 KH6GBX
85-5 - June 10, 1985
The recent opening up of the VHF Amateur bands to RACES by the FCC may be the best RACES news in 33 years. Repeaters were not a planning factor in 1952. Gone now are the frequency barriers between ARES and RACES. No longer must we write impractical war and peace time frequencies in RACES plans. We doubt many hams and jurisdictions stockpiled wartime only crystals. With the expanded VHF spectrum authorized RACES we have our work cut out for us. Work that requires little money but lots of creativity, planning and coordination: new RACES plans. We can do away with war and peace frequency plans, with a few exceptions, and rewrite plans to reflect the real world VHF frequencies. Coordination of frequencies will be just as important. Continued plans for simplex frequencies is even more important. Disasters can and will overloads or cripple repeaters. RACES plans should not be rubber stamp verbiage but a professional plan for the use of the Amateur radio Service. Guidance and help will be forthcoming and I look forward to your input, experience and assistance.
There are basically four levels of RACES plans in California:
1. Cities
2. Counties
3. the six State OES Regions
4. State plan.
73, KH6GBX
85-6 - June 17, 1985
We are reviewing the RACES/ARES plans. Many are out of date, others are recent. Some are difficult to understand. Some repeat the original instructions to the plan writer instead of providing the information sought by the instructions! The recent revisions to the VHF RACES bands will require a rewrite of RACES plans after careful planning has been accomplished.
RACES message 85-5 described the four levels of RACES plans that need to be either written or updated. This will involve all State and local OES offices and all ARRL Emergency Coordinators.
73, KH6GBX
85-7 - June 24, 1985
This month I am traveling to many counties to meet Amateur Radio operators and discuss plans and systems in the counties of San Joaquin, Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Kern, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino. I hope to meet many of you along the way. 73, KH6GBX
85-8 - Missing
85-9 - July 1, 1985
Subject: Portable Radio Batteries
On protracted emergencies, such as wildfires or an earthquake, there may be no A-C power to recharge your portable radio nicad battery. Do you have a spare nicad battery and a D-C charger, or throw away battery packs for your portable radio? You will often be expected to use your portable where your mobile cannot go.
73, W6NKR
85-10 - July 8, 1985
Subject: Scanner Bill
SB-1431 passed the State Senate the week before last. This is the bill that will outlaw scanners. It now goes to Assembly who will reconvene August 14. Contact your Assemblyman if opposed to making scanners illegal for hams and public safety persons.
73, KH6GBX
Reminder to all Regions and Amateur Radio operators: Please continue to notify and solicit all scheduled VHF/UHF Amateur Radio nets to assign one or two persons to copy these Monday night State RACES Bulletins and then read them over their own nets. We solicit information and feedback from all Amateur Radio operators.
85-11 - Missing
85-12 - July 22, 1985
Item 1. Ventura County OES reports extensive use of Radio Amateurs during 118,000 acre Ojai fire in support of Red Cross, CDF (California Department of Forestry) and the U.S. Forest Service. Over 500 packet transmissions were handled. We know that Amateur Radio served admirably on other fires in the state. We will welcome your activity reports at State OES.
Item 2. State OES is recruiting Radio Amateurs for its State OES RACES staff in the Sacramento area. Call Stan at 916-427-4281 for details.
Item 3. Local OES agencies and ham clubs wanting an update briefing on RACES are encouraged to contact State OES, Item 2 above. W6NKR
85-13 - July 29, 1985
Item 1. San Jose City RACES needs assistance for the August 3-11 World Police and Fire Games, which may be the largest sporting event ever held with more participants and events than the 23rd Olympiad last year. Contact Bill Robinson, WB6OML, on San Jose RACES Net 146.115 Wednesdays at 8 p.m. There is also a remote bulletin board service for ARES/RACES activities at (408) 224-0218, Monday-Friday, 1800-2200 and all day weekends and holidays.
Item 2. State OES is recruiting for RACES operators and technicians for its Sacramento headquarters. Call 916-427-4281 if interested and not already affiliated with a RACES group. 73, W6NKR
85-14 - August 5, 1985
Subject: Questions and Answers
You can help us by calling or writing your RACES questions into State OES Headquarters. Probably the most frequent question lately is a request for a model RACES plan. We will soon be working on that. We believe that any plan should be readily understood by the use of the Amateur communications service and not just the providers. This is specially true for new RACES organizations so that what we Amateurs do is not a mystery to any reader of a RACES plan. A well written plan can do much to promote and maintain RACES activities. Our telephone is 916-427- 4281. 73, W6NKR
85-15 - August 12, 1985
Subject: Q and A continued.
Question: Is RACES meant for just one department?
Answer: It may seem that way in some governments because a high visibility department may run the RACES program. This does not mean, however, that RACES serves only one department. The RACES must serve emergency communications requirements anywhere in that government plus outside liaison requirements. Surplus operators and resources may be assigned to support other organizations essential to that government's mission. --KH6GBX
85-16 - August 19, 1985
Subject: Q and A continued.
Question: Do Federal agencies have RACES?
Answer: No. The RACES is administered by local and state civil defense organizations. This does not mean that the RACES cannot support Federal agencies, however. We encourage county RACES to contact, support and maintain liaison with those agencies you might assist. This may include the National Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Corps of Engineers, and others in your county. Counties should encourage such support as training necessary to maintain proficiency and interest among RACES members. State OES will assist wherever we can. Call 916-427-4281.
85-17 - August 26, 1985
Subject: Q and A continued.
Question: Does RACES provide equipment to radio Amateurs?
Answer: No, the RACES is not like the MARS in that respect. The RACES is comprised largely of Amateurs providing their own equipment in a structured and efficient organization. In those governments where the RACES support has proven itself, equipment may be provided if funds allow. This usually takes the form of Amateur radio equipment in the EOC and/or mountaintop repeaters. ATV, digipeaters and packet terminal node controllers have joined the list lately. Once you have proven your value you are more likely to get permanent funding support. One Radio Officer said recently, "You are as good as you want to be." --K6QIF
85-18 - September 9, 1985
State OES is now recruiting and signing up Amateur radio operators to serve as RACES staff volunteers at the following State OES locations, the telephone number, and who to ask for:
- Sacramento 916-427-4281 Stan Harter
- Los Angeles 213-620-5607 Don Root
- Pleasant Hill 415-671-4908 Al Miller
- Redding 916-225-2680 Al Kelly
85-20 - September 23, 1985
The subject of Amateur Radio was a major topic at the recent National Conference of the Associated Public-Safety Communications Officers and the Forestry-Conservation Communications Association meeting in San Diego. Most interest was shown in packet radio, the California Department of Forestry VIP (Volunteers in Prevention) program, confusion between the ARES and the RACES, replacing the old RACES plans, and volunteerism in general. Many people in public safety communications are also hams. Many know very little about the RACES, however.
85-21 - September 30, 1985
Subject: EBS (Emergency Broadcast System)
EBS stands for Emergency Broadcast System. Every operational area in the state has designated AM, FM and TV stations to carry emergency information for the public. Amateur radio can be used to provide the link between civil authorities and the broadcast stations when other links are lost. All broadcasting stations must test their EBS equipment weekly. The FCC is now fining stations that fail to receive and listen to the test messages. The reason is, of course, that they could miss a real EBS activation.
Progressive operational areas test their EBS once a month from the EOC to all broadcast stations. Amateur Radio operators attached to their local OES offices monitor the stations and report the results to the EOC. Such areas have an EBS that really works. Does it work in your area? 73, KH6GBX
85-22 - October 7, 1985
Subject: Mariposa County
A RACES seminar, a meeting of all Amateurs interested in emergency public service communications, will be held at Mariposa County Unified High School on Saturday, 12 October from 0900 to 1530. Amateurs and officials from Mariposa, Fresno, Madera and Stanislaus Counties are known to be attending, plus State OES from Fresno and Sacramento. ATV and packet radio will be demonstrated by State OES and the Turlock Amateur Radio Club. If you are in the area and not yet enrolled in the RACES, you are most welcome to attend. For details, contact Dave Longman, N6KNA, Mariposa 209-966-4951. 73, KH6GBX
85-23 - October 7, 1985
Subject: Surplus Property Available
The following is available for disposal to RACES personnel for the asking. All is located at this headquarters. Submit requests to this office or your regional OES office. Anything not claimed in 60 days will be scrapped. Requesters must pay for or arrange transportation.
Item 1. 1 ea. receiver, National model HRO-50T, excellent condition.
Item 2. 1 ea. receiver, Hallicrafters, model SX-28.
Item 3. Several Eimac 250-TH power triode tubes.
Item 4. Several Eimac 4-65A power tetrode tubes.
Item 5. Several Eimac 827A rectifier tubes.
Item 6. Several G.E. 3B28, Raytheon RK866A, and RCA 866A tubes.
Item 7. Dozens of boxes of small vacuum tubes.
All tubes are believed to be new and unused.
85-24 - missing
85-25 - October 21, 1985
Subject: Antenna Restrictions
FCC released an order PRB-1 dated 19 September 1985 which strikes down all state and local ordinances and regulations prohibiting and unreasonably restricting Amateur Radio antennas. The ruling does not apply to restrictive covenants in private contractual agreements. There is strong federal interest in promoting Amateur communications. The rulemaking was supported by the ARRL, Department of Defense, American Red Cross, and numerous cities and counties. Opposing it in California was the City of La Mesa and the County of San Diego.. The FCC said that the Department of Defense, American Red Cross, and local civil defense and emergency organizations have found in Amateur Radio a skilled pool of radio operators and a readily available backup network. --W6NKR
85-26 - October 28, 1985
Subject: Storms
Winter 1985 is fast approaching and no one can be sure how severe it may be. Although last winter was relatively mild, winter storms have traditionally caused more destruction in California than any other type of disaster. In view of this, Governor George Deukmejian has proclaimed the week of November 10-16, 1985, as Storm Preparedness/Flood Awareness Week. --WILLIAM M. MEDIGOVICH, Director
85-27 - November 4, 1985
Subject: FCC Form 610
Effective 1 January 1986, only the June 1984 and later editions of this form may be used to obtain or renew an Amateur license. --KH6GBX
85-28 - November 18, 1985
Richard Andrews, State OES Region One manager in Los Angeles, briefed the Governor's Earthquake Task Force on his findings after the Mexico City earthquake.
"The effective use of volunteers will determine the degree of recovery success following a major disaster," he said. From this we can see the need for local government trained and assigned Amateur Radio operators -- be they called RACES or by any other name.
Andrews said, "It will be very difficult to get an overview of the extent of damage in order to allocate critical resources following a great earthquake here in California." Organized Amateurs can make the difference.
Now is the time for local OES and Amateurs to get together, train together, and continue to work together in those areas where this is not yet done. Offers of assistance from untrained and unregistered volunteers after an incident has occurred may not be accepted. It costs nothing to become registered and affiliated. Contact your local OES/civil defense for more information. --W6NKR
On the printed Bulletin used for mail distribution there is a diagram that is worth a thousand words that graphically shows roles and relationships. It shows a local government, its OES/CD office, and its RACES unit as one governmental entity; e.g., the RACES is never a separate or detached element. A dotted line indicating coordination runs from the RACES to an ARES block, under which is the definition "Health and welfare, Red Cross, non-governmental and other communications."
85-29 - November 25, 1985
November started with the state having received 83% of its normal rainfall in 1985, compared with 105% in 1984 and 190% in 1983. There can be localized downpours that may create flood problems particularly in the vicinity of this summer's forest fires. The fire season, too,m is seldom over in some parts of the state. RACES plans, training and preparedness is ever important. Being willing to help and being able to help may be two different things for every Amateur Radio operator. Knowing how in advance of an emergency is critical. --W6NKR
85-30 - December 2, 1985
Packet terminal on 145.01 MHz is now operational at State OES Headquarters. Callsign KH6GBX. High elevations to link KH6GBX include W6BXN Mariposa, N6IJP-1 St. Helena, and W6AMT-7 St. John.
85-31 - December 9, 1985
Subject: FEMA
Julius W. Becton, Jr., has succeeded Louis O. Guiffreda as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Becton served more that 40 years in the Army before retiring in 1983. Prior to FEMA he was director of the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, Agency for International Development.
85-32 - December 16, 1985
ITEM 1. MEXICO CITY EARTHQUAKE. State OES Law Enforcement Division was requested to coordinate transportation for 13 California Search and Rescue dog teams. Dogs and handlers worked to exhaustion, with only a few hours sleep each night. They kept this pace up for a week, when they were flown to Travis Air Force Base by California National Guard aircraft and to their homes by the Civil Air Patrol. OES Fire Division sent three teams of firefighters skilled in heavy rescue techniques to assist, along with a National Guard C-130 loaded with rescue equipment. The teams included members from our fire division plus crews from Rancho Cordova and Sacramento in the north and L.A. and Orange counties in the south. Both L.A. City and County sent seven planeloads of emergency, rescue and medical equipment and supplies, plus 20 rail cars of heavy earth moving equipment to Mexico.
ITEM 2. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. State OES RACES operators will be on leave from this net from 17 December 1985 through 5 January 1986. The next CCDN (California Civil Defense Net) will be January 6th. All of us at State OES wish to thank you for your dedicated support, contributions of time and energy, and willingness to serve. May your holidays be joyful and safe.
