EmDrill #3 - Emergency Drill Instructions
Key to the success of our emergency comms network is to conduct drills every 3 months. In this way we can iron out the wrinkles so that we will be ready when the time comes. Following are the instructions for participating in an emergency drill (or EmDrill). Let us know if you have any questions or comments: [email protected]
You are of course also welcome to bring up any questions or comments at our meetings, workshops, by phone, email text or on Telegram.
You are of course also welcome to bring up any questions or comments at our meetings, workshops, by phone, email text or on Telegram.
The Kick-Off for Emergency Drill #3 is Thursday May 1 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 Zulu). (Mark Your Calendar!)
The Drill will last for one week (Thu May 1 - Wed May 7) so that local groups can accommodate their local schedules.
Here’s what you need to know:
Overview
The Net Controller will Kick-Off the drill by broadcasting one of the following Weather Reports at or about 7:00 pm.
Wow!. Is it ever COLD.
Wow!. Is it ever HOT.
Wow!. Is it ever WINDY.
Anyone able to receive that Weather Report directly will then relay it to whomever they can, most notably within their local community.
In addition, an email Weather Report will be sent to the Local Net Controller in those communities who at present cannot receive the Weather Report directly.
Everyone who receives the message would then send their Local Net Controller an Acknowledgement. Each Local Net Controller will then let us know their results (how many reached out of how many in the group (eg 8/10).
Subsequently an overall final report will be prepared for review aand consideration in anticipation of the next drill. Here's the report for the previous drill:
https://www.uhuru.info/emdrill-2-report.html
The Drill will last for one week (Thu May 1 - Wed May 7) so that local groups can accommodate their local schedules.
How to Participate
Are you ready? Here are the things you can do to be prepared for the drill:
The Details
Get a Radio
We currently have a couple of bulk orders in the works but it is not clear if we will get them in time for the drill. If you have already placed an order we will let you know when to expect it. If you are looking to get one for the next drill in 3 months time, it is suggested you do that now so you will be ready when it happens.
https://www.uhuru.info/order-form.html
Learn to Use Your Radio
We will be conducting our regular monthly Baofeng Workshop on Monday April 21 7:00 pm EDT.
Contact us for the link: [email protected]
You can also look over this website and the associated Telegram channel for videos and other information. You might start here:
https://www.uhuru.info/baofeng.html
If you need an invite to the Telegram channel check your weekly invite or send us an email: [email protected]
Work on Connecting With Each Other
The whole idea of an emergency communications network is to ensure we can stay in touch with each other when the lights go out. Everyone needs to figure out who they can reach. A paper map really helps.
Learn How to Get the Weather Report
If you or your group is ready to go the next step beyond the Baofeng Option you are invited to learn the SDR/JS8 Setup we are currently developing for long distance communication.
The idea is to reliably communicate a message (The Weather Report) to local setups (rigs) across the country that are relatively inexpensive and easy to establish.
The system we are developing involves software defined radio (SDR) with a digital radio platform (JS8 Call). It is relatively easy to get up and running if you are already comfortable around computers and software. There is no cost to get started. Just simply follow the instructions on this webpage and then let us know how you're making out: [email protected]
https://www.uhuru.info/sdr-js8.html
If you are already setup to receive the Weather Report then be sure to join us at the Kick-Off:
Thursday May 1 - 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC/Zulu)
Contact us for the link: [email protected]
Establish Protocols
As the Local Net Controller, you will want to have a clear set of directions for your group
We will have a meeting for all Local Net Controllers and Weathermen (ie anyone who can get the Weather Report directly) on Monday April 28. Contact us for the link: [email protected]
Encourage Engagement
As the Local Net Controller you will also want to encourage your members to participate in the drill. To that end we have prepared a digita; postcard as well as some hat that you can use in your communications with your membership (feel free to change it as you see fit);
===================
Starting on Thursday May 1 we will be participating in a Canada-wide emergency radio drill. We will be conducting our part of the drill on _______ as part of our regular activities.
Just be sure to have your radios on at that time and tuned to (channel/frequency). You will be listening for one of the following messages/keywords:
Wow!. Is it ever COLD.
Wow!. Is it ever HOT.
Wow!. Is it ever WINDY.
Once you have received the message please acknowledge receipt by (sending an email, sendng a text, replying onair, etc - however you decide) so that we can report the results.
If you would like to a refresher on how to use your radio, Uhuru, the people organizing the drill, will be conducting a Baofeng Workshop on Monday April 21 at 7:00 pm EDT. Here is the link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82300467011?pwd=Up78KKDTIBLaWTa2GLIux3jnv5qD3s.1
Meeting ID: 823 0046 7011
Passcode: 507526
If you would like to know more about the drill you can check out this page on the Uhuru website:
https://www.uhuru.info/emdrill3.html
===================
The Drill will last for one week (Thu May 1 - Wed May 7) so that local groups can accommodate their local schedules.
Here’s what you need to know:
- an overview of the drill
- how you can participate
- relevant details
Overview
The Net Controller will Kick-Off the drill by broadcasting one of the following Weather Reports at or about 7:00 pm.
Wow!. Is it ever COLD.
Wow!. Is it ever HOT.
Wow!. Is it ever WINDY.
Anyone able to receive that Weather Report directly will then relay it to whomever they can, most notably within their local community.
In addition, an email Weather Report will be sent to the Local Net Controller in those communities who at present cannot receive the Weather Report directly.
Everyone who receives the message would then send their Local Net Controller an Acknowledgement. Each Local Net Controller will then let us know their results (how many reached out of how many in the group (eg 8/10).
Subsequently an overall final report will be prepared for review aand consideration in anticipation of the next drill. Here's the report for the previous drill:
https://www.uhuru.info/emdrill-2-report.html
The Drill will last for one week (Thu May 1 - Wed May 7) so that local groups can accommodate their local schedules.
How to Participate
Are you ready? Here are the things you can do to be prepared for the drill:
- get a radio
- learn to use your radio
- work on connecting with each other
- learn how to get the Weather Report
- establish protocols
- encourage engagement
The Details
Get a Radio
We currently have a couple of bulk orders in the works but it is not clear if we will get them in time for the drill. If you have already placed an order we will let you know when to expect it. If you are looking to get one for the next drill in 3 months time, it is suggested you do that now so you will be ready when it happens.
https://www.uhuru.info/order-form.html
Learn to Use Your Radio
We will be conducting our regular monthly Baofeng Workshop on Monday April 21 7:00 pm EDT.
Contact us for the link: [email protected]
You can also look over this website and the associated Telegram channel for videos and other information. You might start here:
https://www.uhuru.info/baofeng.html
If you need an invite to the Telegram channel check your weekly invite or send us an email: [email protected]
Work on Connecting With Each Other
The whole idea of an emergency communications network is to ensure we can stay in touch with each other when the lights go out. Everyone needs to figure out who they can reach. A paper map really helps.
Learn How to Get the Weather Report
If you or your group is ready to go the next step beyond the Baofeng Option you are invited to learn the SDR/JS8 Setup we are currently developing for long distance communication.
The idea is to reliably communicate a message (The Weather Report) to local setups (rigs) across the country that are relatively inexpensive and easy to establish.
The system we are developing involves software defined radio (SDR) with a digital radio platform (JS8 Call). It is relatively easy to get up and running if you are already comfortable around computers and software. There is no cost to get started. Just simply follow the instructions on this webpage and then let us know how you're making out: [email protected]
https://www.uhuru.info/sdr-js8.html
If you are already setup to receive the Weather Report then be sure to join us at the Kick-Off:
Thursday May 1 - 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC/Zulu)
Contact us for the link: [email protected]
Establish Protocols
As the Local Net Controller, you will want to have a clear set of directions for your group
- when will you conduct the drill (you have up to a week after the Kick-Off)
- how will everyone acknowledge receipt of the Weather Report (text, email, onair, etc)
We will have a meeting for all Local Net Controllers and Weathermen (ie anyone who can get the Weather Report directly) on Monday April 28. Contact us for the link: [email protected]
Encourage Engagement
As the Local Net Controller you will also want to encourage your members to participate in the drill. To that end we have prepared a digita; postcard as well as some hat that you can use in your communications with your membership (feel free to change it as you see fit);
===================
Starting on Thursday May 1 we will be participating in a Canada-wide emergency radio drill. We will be conducting our part of the drill on _______ as part of our regular activities.
Just be sure to have your radios on at that time and tuned to (channel/frequency). You will be listening for one of the following messages/keywords:
Wow!. Is it ever COLD.
Wow!. Is it ever HOT.
Wow!. Is it ever WINDY.
Once you have received the message please acknowledge receipt by (sending an email, sendng a text, replying onair, etc - however you decide) so that we can report the results.
If you would like to a refresher on how to use your radio, Uhuru, the people organizing the drill, will be conducting a Baofeng Workshop on Monday April 21 at 7:00 pm EDT. Here is the link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82300467011?pwd=Up78KKDTIBLaWTa2GLIux3jnv5qD3s.1
Meeting ID: 823 0046 7011
Passcode: 507526
If you would like to know more about the drill you can check out this page on the Uhuru website:
https://www.uhuru.info/emdrill3.html
===================
