Sept 1.2010 470 ARG News Letter

Hello to all, hope you all are enjoying this great weather this week ..been very busy the last few weeks and not had a lot off time to be on the radio,did work the W9IMS and will be getting the certificate for the 3rd time and 2nd in a row, Cathy will also be getting hers which is great also...anyway lets get started for this week...

There will be a Tech Class this Saturday at the Sevier County 911/EOC at 9:30am, the class will go until 4:00pm when there will be testing for those who took the class and or want to upgrade.. a 15.00 charge will apply, and new Techs taking the class will need a photo ID ..all others will need a copy of their FCC license to send in with the paperwork...our classes have been very successful this year and with N6EST Harvey teaching you will enjoy the class, I will also be testing for ARECC level 1 after the class begins.for those who are in need of it, around 10:00am....245 Bruce Street is the address and you can contact me at 865-446-0381 for further or to leave a voice mail that I can call you back....

Earl Possibly to Upgrade to Category 4 Storm, US Atlantic Coast on Alert
TAGS: emergency operations center, fema, hurricane, Hurricane Earl, hurricane net activation, Hurricane Net Web, hurricane warning, hurricane watch, Hurricane Watch Net, IRLP node, latest hurricane advisories, national hurricane center, north carolina, north carolina emergency, section emergency coordinator, storm, tropical storm, tropical storm force, VoIP Hurricane Net, WX4NHC’s Online Hurricane
09/01/2010

On August 30, Hurricane Earl intensified into a Category 4 hurricane -- sustained winds 131-155 MPH -- before leveling out back into a Category 3 storm. But even as a Category 3 hurricane, Earl is still a major storm with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 90 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extending outward up to 200 miles. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), preliminary data from an Air Force plane indicate that Earl is beginning to strengthen, once again becoming a Category 4 hurricane late on Wednesday, September 1.

As of 2 PM Wednesday, September 1, Earl was located about 680 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, moving northwest at about 17 MPH. This motion is expected to continue today, with a gradual turn to the north on Thursday. Forecasters with the NHC say that the core of the hurricane will continue to move well east and northeast of the Bahamas throughout the day on Wednesday and will approach the North Carolina Coast by late Thursday.

On Wednesday, officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents and visitors on Ocracoke Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and the Cape Lookout National Seashore, as well as visitors on Hatteras Island. A hurricane warning is in effect for Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, northeastward to the North Carolina/Virginia border, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, while a hurricane watch stretched from the North Carolina-Virginia line up to Cape Henlopen, Delaware. A tropical storm warning is in effect for from Cape Fear to west of Bogue Inlet. NHC forecasters also advised those in New Jersey, New Jersey and New England to monitor the storm’s progress.

Amateur Radio Response

“Here at ARRL Headquarters, we are continuing to monitor Hurricane Earl,” said ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC. “I’ve been in touch with Section Managers, Section Emergency Coordinators and served agencies at the national level such as FEMA, National VOAD and the National Weather Service, sharing information about preparedness efforts in the storm’s path. Right now, like most, we are keeping alert, monitoring the changing conditions and waiting to see where Earl goes. We’re also keeping an eye on other storms developing in the Atlantic -- Fiona and Tropical Depression 9 -- in case they pose a threat.”

On August 31, North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) told affiliated agencies -- including ARES® units in that state -- that the State Emergency Operations Center will activate on Thursday, September 2 for Earl. ARRL North Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Brown, N4TAB, warned amateurs in his state that there was an “impending ARES® activation” for North Carolina in advance of the storm reaching the area: “Jurisdictions in the affected areas have been engaged [with Hurricane Earl] for many days and will likely, be engaged for many more days.” He said that these coastal localities could be looking for help from those in areas not affected by the storm.

The NHC is predicting that Earl will approach within 60 miles of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, early on the morning of Friday, September 3, with hurricane-force winds possible along the Outer Banks of North Carolina beginning early on Friday morning and lasting until at least midday. Earl may not make a direct hit on the coast, instead brushing by. As it heads northward, Earl is forecast to pass within 60 miles of Nantucket, Massachusetts as a strong Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane overnight on Friday, but sustained hurricane-force winds should not affect coastal Massachusetts, as the majority of winds will be tropical-storm force beginning Friday afternoon and lasting until midday Saturday, September 4.

WX4NHC is monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. Secondary HF frequencies will be 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz +/- QRM, should propagation be lost on 20 meters. EchoLink “WX-Talk” Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 is also being monitored. WX4NHC is also monitoring CWOP, APRS and MADIS/MESONET automated weather stations in the affected area, as well as EchoLink “WX-Talk” Conference Room and IRLP node 9219. Surface reports using WX4NHC’s Online Hurricane Report form are also being monitored.

The VoIP Hurricane Net will be active for Earl for as long as required to support WX4NHC with surface reports from stations within the affected area, or from amateurs who have contacts within the affected area who can relay information from those contacts. Stations can connect via EchoLink by connecting to the *WX_TALK* EchoLink conference node 7203, as well as via IRLP through IRLP reflector 9219. Several listen-only components for stations have been set up for those who don’t have contact with the affected area, enabling them to monitor the hurricane net. The listen-only information is posted in the VoIP hurricane net activation announcement on the VoIP Hurricane Net Web site.

“We request all land based stations, as well as ships at sea in the areas affected, to send us weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports,” said WX4NHC Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. “If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per hour to receive the latest hurricane advisories and to report your local conditions.”

NHC and FEMA

“Our two biggest concerns are the coast of North Carolina and extreme Southeast Virginia on early Friday morning, [and then] late Thursday night, and then on Friday into Saturday for Southeastern New England,” said National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read, KB5FYA. “Just a small change in the direction of the storm could raise an impact, and the large waves, beach erosion and rip currents will be a problem along the East Coast.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said in a press release that it is closely coordinating with state, territorial and local officials in the affected areas and along the East Coast, and stands ready to support their response as needed. “We continue to monitor Hurricane Earl and remain in close contact with state, territorial, and local officials to ensure they have the resources to respond if needed,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “I encourage everyone in the region and along the Eastern Seaboard to take steps now to keep their family safe and secure. The most important thing for people living in Earl’s potential tract to do is to listen to and follow the instructions of their local officials, including evacuation instructions if they are given.”

FEMA has activated the National Response Coordination Center and its Regional Response Coordination Centers in all four of its regional offices in the Eastern United States, located in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Atlanta. FEMA has designated a Federal Coordinating Officer and has personnel on the ground North Carolina at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, supporting the state and is mobilizing personnel and supplies along the coast.

FEMA continues to support the Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in their response to Earl. FEMA staff are on the ground in both areas working closely with commonwealth and territorial officials, and FEMA has deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team to St Thomas and to San Juan, where staff are on watch around the clock monitoring developments.

Discover the Fun of 6 Meters (and Up!) in the ARRL September VHF QSO Party
TAGS: arrl antenna book, arrl handbook, ARRL Web site, Contest, contest activity, Contest Branch Manager, grid squares, long-distance vhf+ qsos, QSOs, simple vhf antennas, sporadic-e season, technician class license, vhf bands, VHF QSO Party
09/01/2010

September is here, and according to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, that means the VHF bands are getting a workout: “If you’ve never experienced the fun of VHF+ operating, the ARRL September VHF QSO Party is a great place to start. With many HF radios now offering at least 6 meter SSB/CW capabilities -- and some offering 2 meters and 70 cm as well -- any amateur with a Technician class license or higher can experience long-haul communication on the VHF bands.”

“September is known for good tropospheric propagation,” Kutzko said, “as opposed to June, which is known for sporadic-E, or E-skip. As the summer winds down, the sporadic-E season comes to an end and good tropo conditions flourish. A modest station -- say a 50 to 100 W SSB/CW transceiver and a small Yagi on 2 meters -- can, with favorable conditions, make QSOs several hundred miles away. If conditions are excellent, QSOs of more than 1000 miles are possible.” When operating on VHF, Kutzko explained that your Maidenhead grid square is the common geographical information exchanged.

While there will be some contest activity on FM simplex (especially near large population centers), Kutzko said that most long-distance VHF+ QSOs are conducted on CW or SSB; that means horizontally polarized antennas: “A dipole for 6 meters is only 9 feet, 4 inches long and is an easy construction project,” he explained. “Try to get the dipole in the air as high as possible, but even 15 feet off the ground will make some QSOs. If you have an antenna tuner that can handle 6 meters, you can try loading up another of your antennas on 6 meters with reasonable success. For 2 meters and 70 cm, a horizontal loop will work nicely for SSB and CW contacts.” But remember: SSB and CW QSOs use horizontally-polarized antennas, while FM uses vertical polarization. You can find plans for simple VHF antennas at the Technical Information Service area of the ARRL Web site, in the Antennas chapter of The ARRL Handbook, or in the VHF and UHF Antenna Systems chapter of The ARRL Antenna Book.

Kutzko advises that there are a few things to know about operating on 6 meters: In the US and Canada, there is a “calling frequency” on 50.125 MHz USB. Many stations monitor this frequency to listen for band openings. Stations can call CQ on the calling frequency; if somebody answers, the stations will find a new frequency on which to conduct their QSO. It is considered poor etiquette to monopolize the calling frequency for QSOs.

Activity will be centered on 50.125, 144.200, 222.100 and 432.100 MHz. These are the calling frequencies; it’s bad etiquette to monopolize them. But Kutzko said that most SSB activity will take place between 50.125-50.250 MHz, and CW between 50.100-50.080 MHz. If conditions are exceptional, Kutzko said you may hear signals above 50.250. But Kutzko advised that the frequencies between 50.100-50.125 MHz are a “DX Window,” meaning it is reserved for QSOs between W/VE and DX stations, so please do not make stateside-to-stateside QSOs in that range.

Because VHF+ antennas are relatively small, Kutzko said that many amateurs operate from portable locations, such as a hilltop or a campground. Others operate the contest as a “rover,” operating from their car or truck while transmitting from multiple grid squares over the contest period. “Tracking rovers during the contest is almost as much fun as the contest itself,” he said.

The ARRL September VHF QSO Party runs from 1800 UTC Saturday, September 11 through 0300 UTC Monday, September 13. Be sure to use those extra bands on your transceiver and get in on the fun you've been missing on 6 meters and up!

FCC Reaffirms 2×2 Call Signs Are Only for Advanced, Amateur Extra License Classes
TAGS: license class, operator license, sign program, vanity, waiver request
08/31/2010

In May 2010, John Gottschalk, KB1DDK, of Westwood, Massachusetts, requested a new call sign via the FCC’s vanity call sign program. Gottschalk, a General class licensee, requested KK1CQ -- a 2×2 call sign -- and a waiver from the Commission allowing him to hold the call sign. The FCC denied both requests on Tuesday, August 31, 2010.

Per Section 97.19(d) of the Commission’s Rules, an applicant may request a vanity call sign from only the group of call signs corresponding to the same or lower class of operator license held by the applicant, as designated in the sequential call sign system. Hence, Gottschalk is not eligible to hold a 2×2 call sign (a Group B call sign), as these call signs are reserved and assignable only to Amateur Extra Class and Advanced Class licensees. As such, he requested a waiver to hold the call sign; Gottschalk told the FCC that the previous holder of KK1CQ was a close friend of his whom he wished to memorialize.

“When the Commission implemented the vanity call sign system, it provided that no licensee could receive a vanity call sign corresponding to a higher license class, because this would be unfair to other licensees who passed the examination for that license class,” the FCC stated in its letter to Gottschalk. “The Commission also concluded that it was reasonable to require the licensee to upgrade to the requisite license class in order to be eligible for the desired call sign. We conclude that grant of your waiver request is not appropriate because you have not shown that you could not or cannot upgrade to an Amateur Extra Class operator license. We also conclude that grant of the waiver would not be in the public interest because it would deprive other, eligible licensees of the opportunity to request this call sign.”

Youth@HamRadio.Fun: A 2010 Youth DX Adventure
TAGS: 30 minutes, 40 meters, costa rica, Don DuBon, duncan maclachlan, ham radio, KU0DM ARRL Youth, north america, trip
08/30/2010

By Duncan MacLachlan, KU0DM
ARRL Youth Editor
ku0dm@arrl.net

I desperately wanted to go on a DXpedition before I turned 18. I know not many kids my age have had the opportunity to travel abroad, let alone travel abroad for the sole purpose of doing something you love. So when Don DuBon, N6JRL, first contacted me, informing me that there was a possibility that I could accompany a group of young operators to Costa Rica, I was dumb struck. Having never left the country, the idea of going to Costa Rica was by itself exhilarating, and then Don dropped the bomb: We’d be operating from the TI5N superstation. He informed me that I would get to choose a chaperon to accompany me, and naturally I chose my uncle, mentor and friend Brian Short, KC0BS.

I was dreading the wait from when Don first contacted me in February to the actual trip date in July; I knew the time would just crawl by. With every e-mail or phone call with Don, I became more and more anxious for the date of the trip. Fortunately, between school and summer fun, the time flew by and before I knew it, we were checking in at Kansas City International airport for a flight to meet the team in Atlanta. Brian and I arrived in Atlanta right as our flight to San Jose was boarding, so when we reached the terminal, we only had a few moments to exchange greetings with our fellow team members before boarding for San Jose. The flights themselves are blurs, as I spent most of them fast asleep.

What stands out the most in my mind was landing in San Jose and stepping off the plane and realizing I wasn’t in America -- the trip I had fantasized about was now reality. Our hosts, Keko and Sophia Diez, had arranged transportation from the airport to the station and I spent the entire car ride scanning the horizon for signs of ham radio. Finally, I caught sight of Keko’s aluminum jungle and I slipped into a daydream of running pile-ups of Europe and Africa using the many beams and wires. The first afternoon there was spent settling in, looking around, making a smattering of contacts and enjoying a marimba band to open what would be a phenomenal few days.

Friday started off with some lessons in DXing by Keko. Having many years of experience, he had many good suggestions and operating tips to share before cutting us loose. He began with a word of warning that most of what we knew about propagation from the Midwest wouldn’t help us in Costa Rica. While it may take a lifetime to truly understand propagation, Keko compressed everything he knew into 30 minutes. He taught us tricks for determining what band was open where, how to ride the grey line and how to make the best of bad conditions.

The first day was another flurry of activity, spent mostly setting up the equipment and getting everything running smoothly. There were a few moments that almost felt like Field Day, but as the Sun began to set, everything had started coming together nicely. I had been on 17 meters earlier in the day operating some CW, having fun working a handful of European stations mixed in with North Americans. The party really started as it grew dark and I hopped over to 40 meters. Keko has a 2-element delta loop beam on 40 that covers North America and Europe very nicely, and after a few CQs on CW, I was hit with a wall of Europeans. I had never heard so much DX at once, and had never operated a pile-up so big. The first few moments were rather clumsy; however, once I settled into a rhythm, I spent the next two hours working a steady pile-up of Eastern Europe and occasionally calling for North America.

On Saturday, we ventured into San Jose for a trip to the market and some site seeing. I didn’t know what to expect, being in the capital of a foreign country, but it seemed to be similar to many of the big cities in America. I did, however, note many big differences, the main one being how pedestrian-friendly the city is. Almost everyone walks, with only a few streets for vehicles. The people are very friendly and very courteous, and although the city was packed being the weekend, it had a very calming atmosphere. San Jose is very beautiful city -- you’re surrounded on all sides by beautiful buildings and there is always a view of the mountains in the distance.

We returned to the station around 2 that afternoon, and it was back to the grind stone! The team decided that we should construct a better operating schedule than what we had been doing (a very loose rotation), and we spent most of the afternoon and dinner figuring times out. Once we had that little bit of business out of the way, it was off to the races. Conditions were not the best; however, 40 meters was once again phenomenal for CW. Since we only had 24 hours of operating left, the radios were kept busy almost the entire time, including a few determined souls (myself not being one of them) who stayed up all night to operate.

Overall, it was an incredible experience. For my first trip abroad, Costa Rica could not have been a better destination. I fell in love with the people and lifestyle, and most of all the weather (when Brian and I left Kansas City it was 90 degrees at only 5 AM). It was also a very educational trip. Operating from a different location gave me a deeper understanding of propagation and Keko had some awesome pointers that I had never considered. I yearn to return to Costa Rica to take in the scenery, culture and most of all play radio. Operating from Costa Rica has whetted my appetite for travel and adventure, and taught me that wherever you go in the world, you will always find friends in Amateur Radio.

Thanks for reading, and hope you all have a great month!

73--
--Duncan MacLachlan, KU0DM

TENTEC !!
When:
Friday 9/24/10 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday 9/25/10 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where:
Ten-Tec, Inc., 1185 Dolly Parton Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862.
We are 2.5 miles east of downtown Sevierville on highway 411 north, across the street from Sevier County High School.

PLEASE NOTE NEW PARKING INFORMATION FOR 2010: In past years, we have used the vacant lots across Industrial Park Blvd from Ten-Tec for parking (the former location of the Electro-Voice building). These lots are now being developed and may be unavailable for parking for the 2010 hamfest. We have an arrangement with Sevier County High School to use their lots for parking across the street from Ten-Tec starting at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning. We also ask that if you are not tailgating Saturday, do not park behind the Ten-Tec building so we can maximize the number of tailgaters who need space. Please also keep tailgating space to 20 feet maximum per vendor. Friday we will park cars as usual in the lots behind our building. Please clear these at the end of the day Friday; no overnight parking on Ten-Tec property. Thank you!

Admission:
FREE admission and FREE tailgating. TAILGATING SATURDAY ONLY!

Tailgating:
Tennessee’s largest tailgating session! Tailgating in the rear parking lot and grass areas behind the Ten-Tec building. Tailgating setup begins 7:00 Saturday morning. BYO tables + chairs. NO COMPUTER OR NON-HAM RADIO VENDORS – amateur radio items or related electronics only.

Events:
Sale on Ten-Tec gear Friday and Saturday.
License exams 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Sign up by Noon.
Factory tours every 30 minutes Friday and Saturday – sign up inside the tent.

Door prizes given hourly on Saturday

Hamfest Talk-In
The fine folks from the Sevier County Emergency Radio Service will be assisting Ten-Tec with travel information and directions. They will be monitoring 145.470 and 146.940 repeaters for talk in to the hamfest. Also they will be monitoring 443.225 with the club call KJ4HPM. Remember too these fine folks can answer questions concerning the ARRL, ARES and RACES. Look for them in the big tent.

Free WiFi will also be available both days (Friday and Saturday).

Seminars and Schedule

Saturday Sept. 25, 2010
Saturday Schedule, yet to be determined.

Shelby Hamfest this weekend !!!

http://www.shelbyhamfest.org/

Fall Weather....
Autumn weather is unpredictable and beautiful.Hurricanes, Indian summer, fog, frost and early snowstorms can all mark theseason.

Autumn or fall, marks the transition from warm to cooler weather. It rarely is a smooth transition. Autumn weather can be erratic with alternating warm and cool days.

Autumn Weather Around the World

The northern hemisphere has autumn weather during September, October, and November. The Southern hemisphere of the earth has autumn from March until early June.

In tropical regions, seasonal changes are less obvious. Tropical regions tend to have dry and rainy seasons instead of warm and cold. So autumn is barely noticeable except for an increase or decrease in rainfall.

Autumn weather does not last long in the polar regions, where extremely cold winter weather begins earlier and lasts longer.

So, it is in the more moderate temperature regions where autumn or fall is most visible. In the temperatrue regions decious tree leaves change to spectular colors and fall from the trees. That is why this time is know as fall in North America.The regions with extremely hot or extremely cold temperature vary little in climate during the year. Autumn or fall marks a big change from warm to cold.

Autumn In the Northern Hemisphere
In North America, early Fall days are generally warm and nights are cool. As winter approaches, the air becomes chillier and frost often occurs at night. In much of North America, the end of fall is marked by the freezing of lakes and streams, the southern migration of birds,the falling of leaves and pre-winter snowstorms.

Autumn, especially in September, is the season when most hurricanes occur. Hurricanes cause great damage along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the western North Atlantic Ocean (the east coast of North America).

Indian Summer or Second Summer
Indian Summer (Second Summer) is a one to two week period of pleasant cloudless days, which sometimes happens in late October or early November. There are no definite dates for the period. It is most noticeable in the central and eastern North America. The days are dry and unseasonably warm. This Second Summer often occurs after the first cold wintry days of autumn. That's what makes it stand out.

During the short period of this Second Summer, the days are clear and warm but the nights are still chilly. During the day the skies are clear, very blue and cloudless. The is almost no wind. The air is still and smoke from fires hangs in the stagnant air. The sun shines soft and hazy in the sky. It glows a soft yellowish orange. With no clouds, the days grow warmer with each passing day. The nights are chilly and often bring frost. After the ten to fourteen day period of the Second Summer, cold winter weather begins.

In North America, Second Summer is caused by southern winds carrying warm tropical air masses northward over the continent.

In North America the term "Indian Summer" apparently started in New England. Apparently, the European settlers named it after the period, because the indigenous peoples, American Indians, told them that the warm spell would come.

Some American Indians say it started as a derogatory term and referred to misunderstandings over land. To American Indians any land given to the settlers to live on was seen as essentially a loan. The Europeans saw it as a permanent purchase.

When the confusion arose Europeans began to refer to Indians as "Indian givers". The term came to mean someone who gave something and then took it back. Apparently, "Indian Summer" as sprang from this concept. As something (warm weather) that was given then taken back (cold weather soon followed).

Was the European assessment fair? Was it reasonable to think very large groups of people could move to a land and permanently acquire huge tracts of land? To answer that questions just ask would any European country have permanently given land to a large group of American Indians who settled on the British Isles. I doubt it.

For these reasons, I prefer to use the term "Second Summer".

Other parts of the world have warm autumn periods like Second Summer.In Europe it is generally called 'Old Wives' Summer" or "Second Summer".
The English call it "All Hallow Summer" or "St. Martin's Summer". In Poland is called "God's Gift to Poland" and lasts for three or four weeks.

Hurricane Season
Most hurricanes happen during summer and autumn. In the Atlantic Ocean and the Northeast Pacific Ocean, August and September are the peak hurricane months. To learn more about hurricane season, click thorough to the page on hurricanes.

Fog, Frost and Dew

Autumn is the time of year with warm days and cool nights. As the air temperature cools overnight, water vapor collects as tiny droplets in the air. We often wake to foggy mornings. If the overnight air temperature remains above freezing then dew forms on plants and surfaces.
If the air temperature drops to freezing overnight the dew freezes and we awake to frosted windows and plants. To learn more about frost and dew visit the linked pages.

TN Forecast Fall...
http://www.farmersalmanac.com/long-range-weather-forecast/southeast-us/

This weeks net will talk about Ham Radio and Emergency's

Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES)

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Print out this form and mail it to your Section Emergency Coordinator.

Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Please inquire at the local level for specific informaton. Because ARES is an Amateur Radio service, only licened radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.

Understanding our Memoranda of Understanding

One of the premier justifications for continued access to the Amateur Radio spectrum is public service. A major part of Amateur Radio's public service and emergency service activities is conducted in the context of the ARRL's formal agreements with the emergency management, emergency service and public service communities. Let's take a brief look at each of these agencies, and-- from the Amateur Radio operator's perspective -- our "method of operation" under each of our national-level formal agreements, a.k.a. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).

The ARRL enters into memoranda of understanding with other organizations when there is a mutual benefit to be gained. An MOU provides a framework for cooperation and coordination with governmental and non-governmental agencies to which radio amateurs provide communication services, or with whom we cooperate in serving the public. The MOU sets out broad guidelines and expectations of the two organizations. Sometimes a national level MOU can provide the basis for local memoranda of understanding at the working level, i.e. at the Section or local level of the ARRL field organization.

At the local level, an MOU serves two purposes. First, it's a door opener. A new ARES group is more likely to be heard and taken seriously by a local National Weather Service office when accompanied by the agreement document signed by the head of the agency. The served agency says, in effect, that we have examined this organization of radio amateurs and have found them to be trustworthy and able to render substantial and needed services for our field operations in times of emergency.

Secondly, the Memorandum of Understanding spells out the capabilities and organization of the servers (the Amateur Radio operators), the organization and needs of the served agency, and the methods of operation. These are broad guidelines that may lead to the development of a local memorandum of understanding or similar document that sets up detailed operational plans and policies to be followed by both parties during drills and actual events.

The most important step here is to ensure that both parties to the local agreement have a realistic assessment of the resources brought to the table by the servers, and the needs of the served.

Amateur Radio is almost synonymous with the Skywarn program, the "eyes and ears" of the National Weather Service during severe weather emergencies. Hams comprise the majority of Skywarn volunteers, who report "ground truths" to local NWS offices, supplementing their sophisticated weather monitoring equipment. ARRL has had an agreement with the National Weather Service, effecting this support, since 1986.

The agency consists of a national headquarters in Washington, DC, with regional offices throughout the country, and has undergone considerable reorganization in the last few years. The Skywarn program is one of the finest examples of hams providing public service.

What Is RACES?

Founded in 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need. During periods of RACES activation, certified unpaid personnel are called upon to perform many tasks for the government agencies they serve. Although the exact nature of each activation will be different, the common thread is communications.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides planning guidance and technical assistance for establishing a RACES organization at the state and local government level.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for the regulation of RACES operations. RACES is administrated by a local, county, or state civil defense agency responsible for disaster services. This civil defense agency is typically an emergency services or emergency management organization, sometimes within another agency such as police or fire. RACES is a function of the agency's Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), sometimes known as DCS (Disaster Communications Service), ECS (Emergency Communications Service), ARPSC (Amateur Radio Public Service Corps), etc. Many ACS units identify themselves solely as RACES organizations, even though their communications functions and activities typically go beyond the restrictions of RACES operations. Other ACS units combine government RACES and non-government ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) activities and identify themselves as ARES/RACES organizations. Yet other ACS units who use amateur radio for emergency government communications identify themselves solely as ARES organizations, whether or not they activate under FCC RACES Rules.

The Amateur Radio Regulations, Part 97, Subpart E, §97.407, were created by the FCC to describe RACES operations in detail. Although no longer issued or renewable, RACES station licenses were issued in the past by the FCC to government agencies for RACES operations. The agencies may continue to conduct RACES operations without these licenses, using primary or club call signs.

ACS, in its RACES and other reserve emergency communications functions, provides a pool of emergency communications personnel that can be called upon in time of need. ACS/RACES units across the country prepare themselves for the inevitable day when they will be called upon. When a local, county, or state government agency activates its ACS unit, that unit will use its communications resources (RACES, if necessary) to meet whatever need that agency has.

Traditional RACES operations involve emergency message handling on Amateur Radio Service frequencies. These operations typically involve messages between critical locations such as hospitals, emergency services, emergency shelters, and any other locations where communication is needed. These communications are handled in any mode available, with 2 meters FM being the most prevalent. During time of war, when the President exercises his War Emergency Powers, RACES might become the only communications allowed via amateur radio. Activating under the FCC's restrictive RACES Rules is not always necessary when using Amateur Radio Service frequencies for emergency communications. For example, ACS communicators may need to communicate with ARES or other radio amateurs who are not government-certified to operate in a RACES net. ACS personnel also might become involved in non-amateur public-safety or other government communications, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staffing, and emergency equipment repair.

Whatever need arises, trained ACS personnel are ready and prepared to help, via RACES or other means. ACS/RACES groups develop and maintain their communications ability by training throughout the year with special exercises and public-service events. When that fateful day occurs, ACS/RACES will be there to meet the challenge.

If you want to become an ACS or RACES member and to be able to participate in RACES and other government emergency communications activities, contact your local, county, or state ACS Officer or RACES Radio Officer or Coordinator.

RACES
FCC Rules

Subpart A--General Provisions
§97.3 Definitions.

(a) The definitions of terms used in Part 97 are:

(37) RACES (radio amateur civil emergency service). A radio service using amateur stations for civil defense communications during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies.
§97.17 Application for new license grant.

(a) Any qualified person is eligible to apply for a new operator/ primary station, club station or military recreation station license grant. No new license grant will be issued for a RACES station.

Subpart B--Station Operation Standards
§97.113 Prohibited transmissions.

(a) * * *

(3) Communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer, with the following exceptions:

(i) A station licensee or control station operator may participate on behalf of an employer in an emergency preparedness or disaster readiness test or drill, limited to the duration and scope of such test or drill, and operational testing immediately prior to such test or drill. Tests or drills that are not government-sponsored are limited to a total time of one hour per week; except that no more than twice in any calendar year, they may be conducted for a period not to exceed 72 hours.

* * * * *

Subpart E--Providing Emergency Communications
§97.401 Operation during a disaster.

A station in, or within 92.6 km (50 nautical miles) of, Alaska may transmit emissions J3E and R3E on the channel at 5.1675 MHz (assigned frequency 5.1689 MHz) for emergency communications. The channel must be shared with stations licensed in the Alaska-Private Fixed Service. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 W PEP. A station in, or within 92.6 km of, Alaska may transmit communications for tests and training drills necessary to ensure the establishment, operation, and maintenance of emergency communication systems.
§97.403 Safety of life and protection of property.

No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.
§97.405 Station in distress.

(a) No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance.

(b) No provision of these rules prevents the use by a station, in the exceptional circumstances described in paragraph (a), of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.
§97.407 Radio amateur civil emergency service.

(a) No station may transmit in RACES unless it is an FCC-licensed primary, club, or military recreation station and it is certified by a civil defense organization as registered with that organization, or it is an FCC-licensed RACES station. No person may be the control operator of a RACES station, or may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES unless that person holds a FCC-issued amateur operator license and is certified by a civil defense organization as enrolled in that organization.

(b) The frequency bands and segments and emissions authorized to the control operator are available to stations transmitting communications in RACES on a shared basis with the amateur service. In the event of an emergency which necessitates the invoking of the President's War Emergency Powers under the provisions of Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §606, RACES stations and amateur stations participating in RACES may only transmit on the frequency segments authorized pursuant to part 214 of this chapter.

(c) A RACES station may only communicate with:

(1) Another RACES station;

(2) An amateur station registered with a civil defense organization;

(3) A United States Government station authorized by the responsible agency to communicate with RACES stations;

(4) A station in a service regulated by the FCC whenever such communication is authorized by the FCC.

(d) An amateur station registered with a civil defense organization may only communicate with:

(1) A RACES station licensed to the civil defense organization with which the amateur station is registered;

(2) The following stations upon authorization of the responsible civil defense official for the organization with which the amateur station is registered:

(i) A RACES station licensed to another civil defense organization;

(ii) An amateur station registered with the same or another civil defense organization;

(iii) A United States Government station authorized by the responsible agency to communicate with RACES stations; and

(iv) A station in a service regulated by the FCC whenever such communication is authorized by the FCC.

(e) All communications transmitted in RACES must be specifically authorized by the civil defense organization for the area served. Only civil defense communications of the following types may be transmitted:

(1) Messages concerning impending or actual conditions jeopardizing the public safety, or affecting the national defense or security during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies;

(2) Messages directly concerning the immediate safety of life of individuals, the immediate protection of property, maintenance of law and order, alleviation of human suffering and need, and the combating of armed attack or sabotage;

(3) Messages directly concerning the accumulation and dissemination of public information or instructions to the civilian population essential to the activities of the civil defense organization or other authorized governmental or relief agencies; and

(4) Communications for RACES training drills and tests necessary to ensure the establishment and maintenance of orderly and efficient operation of the RACES as ordered by the responsible civil defense organization served. Such drills and tests may not exceed a total time of 1 hour per week. With the approval of the chief officer for emergency planning in the applicable State, Commonwealth, District, or territory, however, such tests and drills may be conducted for a period not to exceed 72 hours no more than twice in any calendar year.

Part 214—Procedures for the Use and Coordination of the Radio Spectrum During a Wartime EmergencySec.
214.0 Authority.
214.1 Purpose.
214.2 Scope.
214.3 Assumptions.
214.4 Planned actions.
214.5 Responsibilities.
214.6 Postattack procedures and actions.

Authority:

84 Stat. 2083 and E.O. 12472, April 3, 1984, (49 FR 13471; 3 CFR, 1984 Comp., p. 193).

Source:

55 FR 51062, Dec. 11, 1990, unless otherwise noted.
§214.0 Authority.

The provisions of this part 214 are issued pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, 42 FR 56101, 91 Stat. 1633, as amended (5 U.S.C. appendix) and Executive Order 12472. This part 214 replaces Annex 1 of DMO 3000.1, dated November 8, 1963, 28 FR 12273.
§214.1 Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to provide guidance for the use of the radio spectrum in a period of war, or a threat of war, or a state of public peril or other wartime emergency.
§214.2 Scope.

This part covers procedures for the use of radio frequencies upon proclamation by the President that there exists war, or a threat of war or a state of public peril or other wartime emergency or in order to preserve the neutrality of the United States. These procedures will be applied in the coordination, application for, and assignment of radio frequencies upon order of the Director, OSTP. These procedures are intended to be consistent with the provisions and procedures contained in emergency plans for use of the radio spectrum.
§214.3 Assumptions.

When the provisions of this part become operative, Presidential emergency authority, including Executive Order 12656, 12472, 12046 (3 CFR, 1966–1970 Comp., p. 820), and other emergency plans regarding the allocation and use of national resources will be in effect. During an attack, and in a postattack period, the Director, OSTP, will have authority to make new or revised assignments of radio frequencies in accordance with authority delegated by the President.
§214.4 Planned actions.

(a) Whenever it is determined necessary to exercise, in whole or in part, the President's emergency authority over telecommunications, the Director, OSTP, will exercise that authority as specified in Executive Order 12472 (49 FR 13471; 3 CFR, 1984 Comp., p. 193).

(b) In this connection, and concurrently with the war or national emergency proclamation by the President, the Director will:

(1) Authorize the continuance of all frequency authorizations issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), except as they may otherwise be modified or revoked by the Director, OSTP, in the national interest;

(2) Redelegate to the Secretary of Defense the authority necessary to control the use of the radio spectrum in areas of active combat, where such control is necessary to the support of U.S. military operations;

(3) Close all non-government radio stations in the international broadcasting service as defined in the FCC rules and regulations, except those carrying or scheduled to carry U.S. Government-controlled radio broadcasts.
§214.5 Responsibilities.

(a) The Director, OSTP, will issue such policy guidance, rules, regulations, procedures, and directives as may be necessary to assure effective frequency usage during wartime emergency conditions.

(b) The FCC, in coordination with NTIA, shall issue appropriate rules, regulations, orders, and instructions and take such other actions not inconsistent with the actions of the Director, OSTP, and the NTIA Emergency Readiness Plan for Use of the Radio Spectrum as may be necessary to ensure the effective use of those portions of the radio spectrum shared by Government and non-governments users.

(c) The FCC shall assist the Director in the preparation of emergency plans pursuant to section 3(h)(3) of Executive Order 12472.

(d) Each Federal Government agency concerned shall develop and be prepared to implement its own plans, and shall make necessary preemergency arrangements with non-government entities for the provision of desired facilities or services, all subject to the guidance and control of the Director.
§214.6 Postattack procedures and actions.

(a) The frequency management staff supporting the Director, OSTP, comprised of predesignated personnel from the frequency management staffs of the government user agencies, NTIA and the FCC, will have proceeded to the OSTP relocation site in accordance with alerting orders in force.

(b) Government agencies having need for new radio frequency assignments or for modification of existing assignments involving a change in the frequency usage pattern shall, unless otherwise provided, submit applications therefor to the Director, OSTP, by whatever means of communication are available and appropriate, together with a statement of any preapplication coordination accomplished. The Director, OSTP, will review such applications accomplish the necessary additional coordination insofar as practicable, consider all pertinent views and comments, and grant or deny, as he shall determine, the assignment of such frequencies. All concerned will be informed promptly of his decisions.

(c) Non-Government entities having need for new radio frequency assignments or for modifications of existing assignments will continue to submit applications therefor to the FCC, or in accordance with FCC instructions. Such applications shall be coordinated with the Director, OSTP, and granted subject to the approval of the Director, OSTP, or his delegate.

(d) All changes of radio frequency usage within U.S. military theaters of operation will be coordinated with the Director, OSTP, where harmful interference is likely to be caused to stations authorized to operate within the United States and its possessions.

(e) Where submission to the Director, OSTP, is impracticable, the applicant shall:

(1) Consult the NTIA Emergency Readiness Plan for use of the Radio Spectrum and the Government Master File;

(2) Accomplish such coordination as appropriate and possible;

(3) Act in such manner as to have a minimum impact upon established services, accepting the responsibility entailed in taking the temporary action required;

(4) Advise the Director, OSTP, as soon as possible of the action taken, and submit an application for retroactive approval.

RACES
Volunteer Protection Act of 1997
(Enrolled Bill)

S.543

One Hundred Fifth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE FIRST SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,

the seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven

An Act

To provide certain protections to volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities in lawsuits based on the activities of volunteers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Volunteer Protection Act of 1997'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds and declares that--

(1) the willingness of volunteers to offer their services is deterred by the potential for liability actions against them;

(2) as a result, many nonprofit public and private organizations and governmental entities, including voluntary associations, social service agencies, educational institutions, and other civic programs, have been adversely affected by the withdrawal of volunteers from boards of directors and service in other capacities;

(3) the contribution of these programs to their communities is thereby diminished, resulting in fewer and higher cost programs than would be obtainable if volunteers were participating;

(4) because Federal funds are expended on useful and cost-effective social service programs, many of which are national in scope, depend heavily on volunteer participation, and represent some of the most successful public-private partnerships, protection of volunteerism through clarification and limitation of the personal liability risks assumed by the volunteer in connection with such participation is an appropriate subject for Federal legislation;

(5) services and goods provided by volunteers and nonprofit organizations would often otherwise be provided by private entities that operate in interstate commerce;

(6) due to high liability costs and unwarranted litigation costs, volunteers and nonprofit organizations face higher costs in purchasing insurance, through interstate insurance markets, to cover their activities; and

(7) clarifying and limiting the liability risk assumed by volunteers is an appropriate subject for Federal legislation because--

(A) of the national scope of the problems created by the legitimate fears of volunteers about frivolous, arbitrary, or capricious lawsuits;

(B) the citizens of the United States depend on, and the Federal Government expends funds on, and provides tax exemptions and other consideration to, numerous social programs that depend on the services of volunteers;

(C) it is in the interest of the Federal Government to encourage the continued operation of volunteer service organizations and contributions of volunteers because the Federal Government lacks the capacity to carry out all of the services provided by such organizations and volunteers; and

(D)(i) liability reform for volunteers, will promote the free flow of goods and services, lessen burdens on interstate commerce and uphold constitutionally protected due process rights; and

(ii) therefore, liability reform is an appropriate use of the powers contained in article 1, section 8, clause 3 of the United States Constitution, and the fourteenth amendment to the United States Constitution.

(b) PURPOSE- The purpose of this Act is to promote the interests of social service program beneficiaries and taxpayers and to sustain the availability of programs, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities that depend on volunteer contributions by reforming the laws to provide certain protections from liability abuses related to volunteers serving nonprofit organizations and governmental entities.
SEC. 3. PREEMPTION AND ELECTION OF STATE NONAPPLICABILITY.
(a) PREEMPTION- This Act preempts the laws of any State to the extent that such laws are inconsistent with this Act, except that this Act shall not preempt any State law that provides additional protection from liability relating to volunteers or to any category of volunteers in the performance of services for a nonprofit organization or governmental entity.

(b) ELECTION OF STATE REGARDING NONAPPLICABILITY- This Act shall not apply to any civil action in a State court against a volunteer in which all parties are citizens of the State if such State enacts a statute in accordance with State requirements for enacting legislation--

(1) citing the authority of this subsection;

(2) declaring the election of such State that this Act shall not apply, as of a date certain, to such civil action in the State; and

(3) containing no other provisions.
SEC. 4. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR VOLUNTEERS.
(a) LIABILITY PROTECTION FOR VOLUNTEERS- Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d), no volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity shall be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of the organization or entity if--

(1) the volunteer was acting within the scope of the volunteer's responsibilities in the nonprofit organization or governmental entity at the time of the act or omission;

(2) if appropriate or required, the volunteer was properly licensed, certified, or authorized by the appropriate authorities for the activities or practice in the State in which the harm occurred, where the activities were or practice was undertaken within the scope of the volunteer's responsibilities in the nonprofit organization or governmental entity;

(3) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the volunteer; and

(4) the harm was not caused by the volunteer operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the State requires the operator or the owner of the vehicle, craft, or vessel to--

(A) possess an operator's license; or

(B) maintain insurance.

(b) CONCERNING RESPONSIBILITY OF VOLUNTEERS TO ORGANIZATIONS AND ENTITIES- Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any civil action brought by any nonprofit organization or any governmental entity against any volunteer of such organization or entity.

(c) NO EFFECT ON LIABILITY OF ORGANIZATION OR ENTITY- Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the liability of any nonprofit organization or governmental entity with respect to harm caused to any person.

(d) EXCEPTIONS TO VOLUNTEER LIABILITY PROTECTION- If the laws of a State limit volunteer liability subject to one or more of the following conditions, such conditions shall not be construed as inconsistent with this section:

(1) A State law that requires a nonprofit organization or governmental entity to adhere to risk management procedures, including mandatory training of volunteers.

(2) A State law that makes the organization or entity liable for the acts or omissions of its volunteers to the same extent as an employer is liable for the acts or omissions of its employees.

(3) A State law that makes a limitation of liability inapplicable if the civil action was brought by an officer of a State or local government pursuant to State or local law.

(4) A State law that makes a limitation of liability applicable only if the nonprofit organization or governmental entity provides a financially secure source of recovery for individuals who suffer harm as a result of actions taken by a volunteer on behalf of the organization or entity. A financially secure source of recovery may be an insurance policy within specified limits, comparable coverage from a risk pooling mechanism, equivalent assets, or alternative arrangements that satisfy the State that the organization or entity will be able to pay for losses up to a specified amount. Separate standards for different types of liability exposure may be specified.

(e) LIMITATION ON PUNITIVE DAMAGES BASED ON THE ACTIONS OF VOLUNTEERS-

(1) GENERAL RULE- Punitive damages may not be awarded against a volunteer in an action brought for harm based on the action of a volunteer acting within the scope of the volunteer's responsibilities to a nonprofit organization or governmental entity unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm was proximately caused by an action of such volunteer which constitutes willful or criminal misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

(2) CONSTRUCTION- Paragraph (1) does not create a cause of action for punitive damages and does not preempt or supersede any Federal or State law to the extent that such law would further limit the award of punitive damages.

(f) EXCEPTIONS TO LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY-

(1) IN GENERAL- The limitations on the liability of a volunteer under this Act shall not apply to any misconduct that--

(A) constitutes a crime of violence (as that term is defined in section 16 of title 18, United States Code) or act of international terrorism (as that term is defined in section 2331 of title 18) for which the defendant has been convicted in any court;

(B) constitutes a hate crime (as that term is used in the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note));

(C) involves a sexual offense, as defined by applicable State law, for which the defendant has been convicted in any court;

(D) involves misconduct for which the defendant has been found to have violated a Federal or State civil rights law; or

(E) where the defendant was under the influence (as determined pursuant to applicable State law) of intoxicating alcohol or any drug at the time of the misconduct.

(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to effect subsection (a)(3) or (e).
SEC. 5. LIABILITY FOR NONECONOMIC LOSS.
(a) GENERAL RULE- In any civil action against a volunteer, based on an action of a volunteer acting within the scope of the volunteer's responsibilities to a nonprofit organization or governmental entity, the liability of the volunteer for noneconomic loss shall be determined in accordance with subsection (b).

(b) AMOUNT OF LIABILITY-

(1) IN GENERAL- Each defendant who is a volunteer, shall be liable only for the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility of that defendant (determined in accordance with paragraph (2)) for the harm to the claimant with respect to which that defendant is liable. The court shall render a separate judgment against each defendant in an amount determined pursuant to the preceding sentence.

(2) PERCENTAGE OF RESPONSIBILITY- For purposes of determining the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to a defendant who is a volunteer under this section, the trier of fact shall determine the percentage of responsibility of that defendant for the claimant's harm.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:

(1) ECONOMIC LOSS- The term `economic loss' means any pecuniary loss resulting from harm (including the loss of earnings or other benefits related to employment, medical expense loss, replacement services loss, loss due to death, burial costs, and loss of business or employment opportunities) to the extent recovery for such loss is allowed under applicable State law.

(2) HARM- The term `harm' includes physical, nonphysical, economic, and noneconomic losses.

(3) NONECONOMIC LOSSES- The term `noneconomic losses' means losses for physical and emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and companionship, loss of consortium (other than loss of domestic service), hedonic damages, injury to reputation and all other nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature.

(4) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION- The term `nonprofit organization' means--

(A) any organization which is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code and which does not practice any action which constitutes a hate crime referred to in subsection (b)(1) of the first section of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note); or

(B) any not-for-profit organization which is organized and conducted for public benefit and operated primarily for charitable, civic, educational, religious, welfare, or health purposes and which does not practice any action which constitutes a hate crime referred to in subsection (b)(1) of the first section of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note).

(5) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, any other territory or possession of the United States, or any political subdivision of any such State, territory, or possession.

(6) VOLUNTEER- The term `volunteer' means an individual performing services for a nonprofit organization or a governmental entity who does not receive--

(A) compensation (other than reasonable reimbursement or allowance for expenses actually incurred); or

(B) any other thing of value in lieu of compensation,

in excess of $500 per year, and such term includes a volunteer serving as a director, officer, trustee, or direct service volunteer.
SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) IN GENERAL- This Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(b) APPLICATION- This Act applies to any claim for harm caused by an act or omission of a volunteer where that claim is filed on or after the effective date of this Act but only if the harm that is the subject of the claim or the conduct that caused such harm occurred after such effective date.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.

Sevier County EMA>>
http://www.seviercountytn.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54

For more info on ARES/RACES for Sevier County contact N4JTQ at 865-446-0381 or n4jtq@live.com

Emergency Preparedness

DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY PLAN

Meet with family members to develop an emergency plan and regularly conduct drills to practice your plan.
Become aware of emergency situations that can occur in your area. Contact Sevier County Emergency Management Office, American Red Cross chapter or your local Fire Department for information.
Determine safe rooms to go to if you are not told to evacuate
Post emergency numbers by the telephone. During an emergency, only use the telephone when someone needs immediate emergency assistance
Teach children their address and phone number
Note special assistance needed by people with disabilities
Prepare for family health needs (prescriptions and medical supplies)
Consider care for livestock if applicable
Learn terms used to describe emergency levels (advisory, watch, warning)
Learn types of emergency signals on air, radio and TV
Learn basic first aid and CPR. Contact local American Red Cross
Establish a meeting place in the event of family separation
Find out daycare/school emergency procedures

ASSEMBLE A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT

If you are confined to your home or must evacuate as a result of severe weather or disaster, a disaster supplies kit can be useful. Keep it readily accessible for safety, comfort, and convenience. All household members should know where it is stored. Replace food, water, medical supplies, and batteries as needed. Place the items you need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Include:

For Safety
3 day supply of water (1 gallon/person/day) in clean, marked, plastic containers
3 day supply of non-perishable, nutritious food not requiring cooking, eating utensils and manual can opener
List of prescription medicines
Extra eye glasses
Extra car keys
Baby supplies
ABC fire extinguisher
Battery operated radio, flashlight, plenty of extra batteries
Tools, rope, wrench, pliers, hammer, nails

For Comfort
Change of clothing, footwear for each person
Bedding for each person
Sanitary supplies (toilet paper, feminine products)
Pet Food (shelters do not allow pets)

For Convenience
Cash or credit card
Medical insurance ID numbers
Out-of-town contact list
Paper and pencil
Important family documents
Reading Material

PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR AN EMERGENCY
Have your home inspected to ensure compliance with fire and building codes. Repair defective wiring and large cracks in plaster
Obtain disaster insurance for home and personal property.
Secure important papers, lists, and photographs of personal property, in a bank safety deposit box.
Buy ABC fire extinguishers. Keep accessible on each building level. Periodically check functioning.
Install smoke detectors on each level outside sleeping areas, not in kitchens or bathrooms. Check functioning and vacuum out dust and dirt once a month. Change batteries yearly.
Install a carbon monoxide detector. Regularly maintain according to manufacturers instructions.
Buy flashlights/emergency lighting. Avoid candles (fire hazard).
Make house address/number clearly visible form the street.
Locate your home's main water, electrical and gas shut offs and learn how and when to shut them off. Mark with brightly colored stickers or tape.

ASSEMBLE AN AUTO SURVIVAL KIT

Assemble a smaller version of a disaster supplies kit to be stored in vehicle. Maintain regularly.

INCLUDE:
Blanket/sleeping bag
Flares and/or triangles
Jumper Cables
Shovel
Rock Salt and Sand
Tire Repair/Replacement supplies
Map

Hurricane Earl..

Amateur Radio Station
at the
National Hurricane Center

How to contact WX4NHC
Note: Some frequencies and modes are only attended by WX4NHC during a Hurricane.

Amateur Radio HF Frequencies - (single sideband mode)
20 meters : 14.325 MHz Hurricane Watch Net (Main frequency during Hurricanes)
40 meters : 7.268 MHz Water Way Net (secondary frequency) Maritime Mobiles Net
80 meters : 3.815 MHz Caribbean Net, (Alternates: 3.950 : North Florida / 3.940 South Florida)

Amateur Radio EchoLink / IRLP
EchoLink Conference: "WX-TALK" Node 7203
EchoLink Alternate Conference: "VKEMCOMM"
IRLP Node 9219, Alternate Node: 9508 or 9123

Amateur Radio VHF/UHF Frequencies
VHF : 147.470 MHz simplex - Coordination frequency for NHC ops. (official use only, please)
VHF : 147.000/146.400 repeater, (146.925 backup repeater PL 94.8 Hz)
UHF : 444.600/449.600 repeater (PL 94.8 Hz)

APRS mode Frequencies
HF : 30 meters : 10.151 MHz (LSB)
VHF : 2 meters : 144.390 MHz simplex

Internet Home Page : www.wx4nhc.org
Online Hurricane Weather Report Form (stations in affected area only): www.wx4nhc.org/WX-form1.html
WX4NHC Email : wx4nhc@wx4nhc.org

Amateur Radio Coordinator:
John McHugh, K4AG Email: k4ag@arrl.net
Asst. Amateur Radio Coordinator:
Julio Ripoll, WD4R Email: wd4r@arrl.net

NWS / NOAA ....
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hurricane Watch Net
http://www.hwn.org/

Stormpulse...
http://www.stormpulse.com/

Tracking..
http://hurricane.terrapin.com/

&
http://hurricane.terrapin.com/ATL-07A/

..............................................

Please check out the website for more info and upcoming events...
This Thursday's net will be on Emergency Communications and Ham Radio,hope you will join us.. also do not forget the Ladies Round Table Ladies Tuesday at 8:00pm on the 145.470, note to everyone, please make sure that you have your tones set at 118.8, it will be used when needed..

Once again.. for those who ask ..
Amateur radio complaints should be as specific as possible, citing dates, times, and frequencies on which alleged violations occurred. Complaints should also include a name and telephone number where the complainant can be reached for further details, if necessary. Complaints should be sent via e-mail to fccham@fcc.gov or by mail to the address below. Parties are encouraged to send standard cassette recordings or CDs in support of their complaints. Recordings should be mailed to: Federal Communications Commission, Enforcement Bureau, Amateur Radio, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Parties desiring further information may call: (717) 338-2577.

Willful or Malicious Interference Complaints

Section 97.101(d) of the Commission's Rules prohibits amateur operators from willfully or maliciously interfering with or causing interference to any radio communication or signal. 47 C.F.R. § 97.101(d).

The Spectrum Enforcement Division, in conjunction with the Regional and Field Offices, is responsible for responding to complaints of willful and/or malicious interference (sometimes called ``jamming'') among amateur radio service licensees.

Amateur radio service licensees wishing to file complaints alleging willful and/or malicious interference to other amateur radio service operations should follow the complaint process discussed above. Parties are encouraged to send standard cassette recordings or CDs in support of their complaints. Recordings should be mailed to the address listed above. Parties desiring further information may call: (717) 338-2577.

Check Out Enforcement..
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/

SATERN INFO..
SATERN High Frequency Radio Nets
LOCATION DAY STANDARD TIME D.S. TIME FREQUENCY
National M thru Sat. 1500Z 1500Z 14265 KHz SSB
Eastern U.S. Saturday 1700Z 1600Z 7265 KHz SSB
Central U.S. Saturday 1630Z 1530Z 7265 KHz SSB
Kansas Tuesday 0230Z 0130Z 3920 KHz SSB
Southwest Regional net Sundays 0400Z 0400Z 3977.7 KHz SSB
Northeast Territory net Saturday 1600Z 1500Z 7265 KHz SSB
Missouri Tues. & Thur. 0100Z 0000Z 3963 KHz SSB
Alaska Daily. 0400Z 0300Z 5330.5 KHz SSB

SATERN VHF Radio Nets

STATE CITY OR COUNTY DAY LOCAL TIMES FREQUENCY MHz ECHOLINK
AR Fort Smith 3/Wednesday 1900 hrs 145.190 neg
No PL
CA Riverside &
San Bernardino Sunday 2000 hrs 146.385 pos
PL 146.2 KE6TZG
CA San Diego &
Imperial Thursday 2030 hrs 145.320 neg
PL 107.2
CA Northern CA Monday 2000 hrs 147.06 plus
PL 100.
ILL Cook Tuessday 2000 hrs 146.760 neg
PL 107.2 WA9ORC-R
ILL Rockford Thursday 2000 hrs 146.610 neg
PL 114.8
KS/MO Kansas City Metro Tuesday 1930 hrs 145.13
LA Alexandria Friday 1815 hrs 147.330 plus
No PL
MA Boston Friday 2100 hrs 145.230 neg
PL 88.5
MI Detroit Monday 2100 hrs 145.330 neg
PL 100.0
MI Detroit Thursday 2000 hrs 147.180 neg
PL 100.0
MI Macomb Monday 1930 147.80 PL 100.0
NJ/NY New Jersey -New York Tuesday 2030 hrs 449.975 PL 114.3 W2NJR-R
NV Las Vegas Tuesday 2000 hrs 147.180 pos
PL 100.0
PA Pittsburgh Tuesday 2000 hrs 146.610 neg
No PL
RI Rhode Island First Monday 2100 hrs 146.835 PL 192.8
TX North Texas Wednesday 1930 146.82 PL 100.0 N5IUF-R
TX Dallas/Fort Worth area Wednesday 1930 hrs 145.190 neg
PL 110.9

Well hope to talk to everyone on the net, enjoy the weather here in East Tennesse..
73
Rick