On-Air DCARES and Great Utah Shake-Out 2019

This is a recording of On-Air traffic during the Davis County Amateur Radio Club's (DCARC) participation in Utah's annual earthquake drill called "The Great Utah Shake Out". DCARC's Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Group conducted simulated emergency services communications during the exercise. For more information visit DCARC.net, ARRL.org, Shakeout.org/utah/ and WA7YZN.JeepCruzer.com

Listen here:

https://soundcloud.com/user-962365536/on-air-utah-shake-out-drill-dc-ares-04-18-19

Or listen and download here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DD-XszcnmoWAkciAOAIDlI6_yM_K6vor/view?fbclid=IwAR0WcRUmSf2X78BhZjNSrWvB6y3VjiVfM4TzLcwISa0JPpvGyCoC_Jsm_lY

Is There A Radio Store In Utah?

Is there an Amateur Radio retail outlet in Utah?  No, not per se.  But there are a few places that sell some things and some another and perhaps if the winds are in your favor, you might find what you want at another.  I hear someone on the 2 Meter repeaters a couple times a month asking this question and a string of ham's come back suggesting one store or the other, so I decided to compile the list of places that have been mentioned.  I've only visited a few of these myself, but I have listed any business that I have seen or have had suggested which seems to stock two-way radio related parts.

Precision Electronics
454 N 1100 W, Centerville, UT 84014
(801) 292-4474

Comments: Precision is an repair shop, not a retail outlet, but I have bought some components from them and they are an iCom dealer.

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RA-Elco Inc
2780 S Main St, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 487-7749

https://plus.google.com/109469298572095612145/about?gl=us&hl=en

Comments: Primarily a second had components store.  LOTS of cable connectors and adapters (BNC to PL259 to F, etc) and racks of resistors and other components.  Antenna selection is limited, sometimes a stray yagi will show up and radios are seldom seen.
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Standard Supply Electronics
3424 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 486-3371

http://www.standardsupply.com/

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Mountain West Distributors

2889 S 900 W, Salt Lake City UT 84119

(801) 487-5694

https://www.mwd1.com:8443/storefrontCommerce/home.do

Comments: May be a wholesale only operation.

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Utah Communications Inc.
1202 S 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 486-0161

Comments: Motorola Dealer and service center for commercial two-way coms.

73 indeed

I keep discovering vintage #hamradio items among my father's storage.  This 1973 edition of 73 Magazine features a cover typical for the age:

Davis Cup Wrap Up

No event I've supported as an amateur radio operator has given me as much radio practice as the Davis Cup.  A big part of the reason ham operators volunteer their services at events is to practice for potential emergencies (where the telephone infrastructure is disabled) and vett their equipment in circumstances that mimic what might happen when that emergency comes.  The Davis Cup provided this in ideal measure.  I was pleased to learn my HT radio was operating well, and I identified an issue with the headset I was using that needs to be resolved.  I also identified some bad habits I had in on-air communication that I can work on as well.  I'm happy to learn this now rather than in the middle of relaying data during an earthquake (or the like).

The event had it's fair share of calamities. Riverton High had a bus break down on the interstate.  The support vehicles arrived long before the first, and only, bus.  I never heard how they compensated for lacking roughly half their performers.  Orem High had a problem getting the buses to/leaving the school on time which left them arriving just a few minutes before their performance time. We scrambled to make arrangements to get them on the field.  Plans were made for them to pull up right next to the stadium rather than stage at the parking lot. When the check-in organizer's phone failed we needed a way to contact the director and let he know of the change.  I started  relaying info through Net Control who spoke on the phone with the Director.  It was a good ad-hoc resolution and a great example of the ingenuity of amateur operators and the value of having their services for emergency communication.

On top of all this good mo-jo was the fun of watching students and supporters arrive in caravan and spring into action.  I was amazed at the support so many of these schools received from volunteers.  I saw many personal vehicles that had clearly been adapted for use with the band.  Some schools had tractor-trailer rigs which would necessitate a commercial licensed volunteer driver to be available for each event they travel to.  It was excellent to see so many people turn out to help their kids and their communities have a remarkable experience.

In the end, that's why I was there too. It's fun to talk on the radio, test your designs and be involved in a fun event, but if I didn't want my neighborhood and my state to be a great place, I could find other ways to get those experiences.  So if you know a ham operator in your community, ask if they volunteer and thank them for their donation of time, talent an equipment.  And hey, perhaps you'd care to join us in this great hobby.

Info from my local club about ham radio.
Why become an amateur radio operator (University of Michigan)?
The biggest and oldest amateur radio organization loves to assist new operators.
I'd be happy to answer any ham radio questions you might have as well:
+Douglas T. WA7YZN | WA7YZN.JeepCruzer.com | @WA7YZN

October 23, 2014 at 09:45AM

#Ham operators are a great bunch of folks. A station just called for help making a phone call and another station readily assisted. 146.62

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) October 23, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

October 21, 2014 at 03:04PM

I am now at check-in awaiting 3A division schools. Salem Hills is first on the list. http://ift.tt/1FyuH4a

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) October 21, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

October 21, 2014 at 12:47PM

All the 1A and 2A division schools have checked in. That's 18 schools and half the days competitors.

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) October 21, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

October 21, 2014 at 12:38PM

The air is cold but things are warming up here at the Davis Cup. http://ift.tt/10jpwoC

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) October 21, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

October 19, 2014 at 11:57PM

RT @standardex: Bandit steals from Farmington resident and backs into car while trying to get away. Police nab 'em. http://t.co/SP4vjU94M7

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) October 20, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

October 19, 2014 at 04:07PM

Davis Cup competition will utilize approx. 575k square feet of parking and staging space! I'll be among those orchestrating it all. #HAM

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) October 19, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

WA7YZN Is On The Air

I am now the caretaker of callsign WA7YZN, my father's former amateur radio operator callsign.  I wanted to adopt his call and keep it alive.  I consider it an honor to use a call that has been active since the 70's.  Since I've been using all of dad's old equipment, it only seem natural to re-associate that old callsign and get it back on the air.

KG7KJG CLEAR

I Had Fun Working For Free: The Air Show Round Up

The dust has settled from the whirlwind weekend we had at Hill Air Force Base helping at the Warriors Over The Wasatch Air Show.  I had a great time working for free!  I'm not sure why, but I love being at military installations.  The atmosphere there is palpable and it's exciting to see the way these almost entirely governmental cities-in-and-of-themselves function.  I almost feel like I am part of that military team.  I look up to and respect our service people and I think I got a little starry eyed rubbing shoulders with these folks.  Beyond that was the exhilaration that comes from being an av-geek permitted to walk around an Air Force installation (sans handcuffs.)

Davis County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) in conjunction with Weber County ARES provided Lost Child Services and support communications to Medical Aid Stations, and public safety command at the Air Show allowing non-critical traffic to be handled without clogging primary public safety frequencies.

It was a great experience working in the field with the Amateur Radio Club too.  Even though I've had experience with radios, I'm still a bit of a newbie on the amateur scene and this was my first chance to get to know some of the club members and get my hands dirty.  I worried that I would be dead weight, but happily, I found that I already possessed many of the skills needed to make my presence helpful.  Terminating ethernet, running IP scripts and a natural ability to communicate on the radio all came in handy.  I fact, I blushed a bit when I appeared for my shift shift assignment the next day and was asked to be the senior member of the two man team at my station.

In addition to rubbing shoulders, absorbing atmosphere and finding a practical outlet for my interest in radio, Helicopter Pilot Doug was treated to an array of aircraft to see.  All of them remarkable in their own way.  No other air show I've attended has had such a superb lineup of static displays.  For example, my favorite aircraft on display was the AWACS E3 (aerial radar and reconnaissance.)  Never before had I even seen one in the flesh, and at the show, I got to walk through and see the remarkable array of equipment.  An amazing aircraft.

DC ARES handled 75 lost child (or lost adult) incidents, helped dispatch dozens of emergency medical assistance calls and provided an avenue for basic queries from the public.  Over 350,000 people attended the air show on Saturday, June 28th.  June 29th saw a smaller crowd of approximately 300,000.

Making the whole thing more remarkable was watching my family enjoy themselves too.  Emma soaked it all up.  On practice day, while I was setting up an aid station, they caught the Thunderbirds in action.  Emma was so amazed at the experience she went seeking autographs.  She met up with two female Thunderbirds, one was #3, Major Jensen the other was Staff Sergeant Overton, the team's photojournalist.  When she returned the last day to catch the show again, she was able to get signatures from all six pilots and several other Thunderbirds.  I was happy that Emma had been given a chance to meet women who were achieving lofty goals and I hope it inspires her to do the same.

In the end, I was a bit exhausted but still sad to walk away from my post on the ramp.  My preparation had paid off, the experience had been fruitful, I had a new confidence and the rewarding feeling of knowing that in a small way, my presence on the front line had been beneficial to the well being of my fellow citizens.

Links to related blog posts:
--------------------------------------
Air show related posts
Aviation posts
Amateur radio posts
KG7KJG

June 29, 2014 at 05:29PM

East Med is closed and I'm back at the Fire Department. @DavisCountyARES is wraped up for the #AirShow. Thanks @HAFB http://ift.tt/1k3wGAd

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 05:14PM

Airmen are walking the ramp in formation looking for garbage. This must be a FOD nightmare. @HAFB #PostAirShow http://ift.tt/1z0xKPd

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 02:13PM

.@HAFB medic here at the tent looks like the Russian boxer from Rocky 4. He said he'd autograph my shirt for $15 :-) #AirShow #WOW

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 01:47PM

Sweet! KD7PXP Dropped by Med East and brought us fresh cherries. http://ift.tt/UYJIcu

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 01:23PM

I am amazed at the number of people coming to the med tent looking for ear plugs. #F-16sAreLoud

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 12:48PM

I made the mistake of telling an airman his E3 didn't seem that big from the outside (was packed inside.) He was clearly hurt. #Sorry

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 12:16PM

My view of the F-16 bombing demonstration from Med Tent East. @HAFB #AirShow #WOW @DavisCountyARES http://ift.tt/1iJS9U1

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8

June 29, 2014 at 11:18AM

Things are picking up a bit in Med Tent East. A few scrapes, broken toe, nothing major. Hope it stays that way @HAFB http://ift.tt/1q5rWzJ

— Douglas @JeepCruzer (@JeepCruzer) June 29, 2014

via Twitter http://ift.tt/16WSGs8