Ham radio operators to demonstrate emergency communications capabilities
Hundreds of Amateur Radio (HAM) operators across the country will be displaying their emergency communication capabilities on Saturday, January 28. In Muskegon County, the public is invited to stop out and view what Amateur Radio Communications can do in times of emergencies.
The Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio (SPAR) established a Winter Field Day event in 2007 and invited Amateur Radio operators to participate. Using emergency power, Ham operators will construct, and operate portable emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools, and backyards across the country. Radio operators will demonstrate long and short range voice, data, and Morse code communications.
In the Muskegon area the Muskegon County Emergency Communication Services, Inc. (MCECS) and the Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council (MAARC) will be demonstrating their communication skills at the Muskegon Conservation Club located at 1921 Lake Ave. North Muskegon on Jan. 28 from noon until 7:00 pm.
For further information about that event, contact James Duram at 231-638-7010, or jimk8cop@afo.net.
MCECS awards Al Ronning Outstanding Service Award
Duram is also the contact for information about the Muskegon County Emergency Communication Services, Inc., (MCECS) a local non-profit amateur radio group involved in emergency communications in Muskegon County.
MCECS has awarded Barbara Grob, amateur radio call, K9BLG, the “Al Ronning Outstanding Service Award.” The award is given each December to a member of the group who has gone above and beyond in service to this organization. This recognition is given in memory of Al Ronning (K8AER) who was an inspiration to other members of the group in his tireless effort towards public service. Ronning was a member of the group who died in an automobile crash in December 2006.
James Duram, K8COP, Emergency Coordinator for amateur radio in Muskegon County awarded the plaque to Grob at the group’s December meeting.
Public invited to spot weather emergencies by taking SKYWARN class
Muskegon County Emergency Services also would like to invite people to participate in the 2012 SKYWARN Spotter Class, to be held Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 1100 of the Stevenson Center at Muskegon Community College, 221 S. Quarterline Road, Muskegon.
The National Weather Service and Muskegon County need citizen’s help. Every year, numerous people are affected by severe weather. Your accurate reports of weather information to the National Weather Service and local public safety officials may save lives and property.
The SKYWARN training will help citizens report accurately, by presenting required knowledge on severe weather climatology, the thunderstorm life cycle, the squall line, wall clouds, roll clouds, shelf clouds, and updraft/downdraft physics with a primary focus on visual identification of severe weather signatures in clouds. A brief presentation of how amateur radio plays a part in SKYWARN.
The class is provided by the following: National Weather Service - Grand Rapids Office, Muskegon County Emergency Communication Services, Muskegon County Emergency Services Division, and Muskegon Community College with the MCC Geography Department, MCC Geo Club, and MCC Criminal Justice Departments.
New this year, participants will receive a hard plastic 2012 SKYWARN photo I.D. card for a $3 donation.
For more information contact: Jeff Stapel, Muskegon County SKYWARN Coordinator 231-798-7167 (w8swx@comcast.net), or Dan Stout, Muskegon County Emergency Services Director, 231-724-6341.
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