OSECA Net a Rousing Success!

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Admin Admin

The OSECA net debuted this past Tuesday, December 2, at 1900 local time on the KA1RCI Network. By any definition, it was a rousing success, with 32 check-ins in just over an hour. John King, WA1ABI, had the honor of being the first Net Control station.

OSECA stands for Ocean State Emergency Communion Alliance. It was formed with a goal of providing a forum for those hams involved in EmComm throughout the state. Representatives from multiple EMAs checked in (Providence, Coventry, No. Smithfield, Wakefield, Narragansett, Westerly, and Portsmouth, to name a few), as well as other served agencies and non-emergency public service groups.

The OSECA net is held on the FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of each month at 1900 local time on the KA1RCI Network. Despite its focus on EmComm, all hams, especially those who are looking for an agency to join, are encouraged to participate.

NCECT Participates in Multi-Agency Shelter Communication Drill

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Admin Admin

NCECTs John King, Ted Wroble, Rick Brendlinger, Dave Brown, Chuck Kesson, Dermid Gray and Bob Beatty, along with three other Red Cross hams planned for and participated in a multi-agency Shelter Communication Drill held this past Saturday at the Middletown and Jamestown shelters. Willy MacLean was also instrumental in the planning process.

Communication facilities located at the Gaudet School (Middletown Shelter), Middletown EOC, Melrose School (Jamestown Shelter), and Providence Red Cross were utilized. Participants were from NCECT, Middletown EMA, Portsmouth EMA, Jamestown EMA, and the Red Cross.

By any estimation, the drill was a great success. It demonstrated an ability to develop and coordinate a multi-agency communication plan, and successfully carry out Shelter to EOC communications using four different communication channels (Landline, Red Cross Repeater, Ham Repeater, and Ham Simplex). Despite three drill “failures” (Phones down, Red Cross Repeater Down, Ham Radio Repeater down), the plan proved to be resilient, and messages were successfully transferred using NIMS/ICS procedures.

The resourcefulness of Ham Radio was well apparent as one system after another “failed”. The Ham’s technical skills, and frequency agility came to the rescue.

Hats off to our own John King for all his hard work in developing the plan and setting up the drill. We know RIEMA was paying attention, and hopefully this sort of drill activity will spread throughout the state.

Chuck Kesson, KB1ZZX, passes a message at the Middletown EOC during the July 26 Shelter Communication Drill

Newspaper Article and Dave Brown Photographs

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Admin Admin

Field Day 2014 is behind us (although Willy is probably still dealing with all the towers/tents/cables/etc.) but two nice things can help us remember what it was all about.

The first is a wonderful collection of photographs by our own Dave Brown, KC1AAA. You can see those by clicking here.

The second is a very nice story that describes what Field Day is all about, written by the Editor of the Portsmouth Times, Jim McGaw. Jim came by at the perfect time, when Rob White was helping a couple of scouts at the GOTA tent. You can see Jim’s article here.