I was wondering if there was any interest (and any willing instructors with RACES experience) in additional RACES-oriented classes on it at the space? I’m not talking about reproducing the official training (like Skywarn training or the training nets) – I mean things that aren’t covered in official introductory classes.
For me, the things that I’m explicitly looking for is guidance on what to look for in getting a good 2m rig for RACES, how to set it up for activations, how to choose a good gain antenna that isn’t a PITA every time you have to drag it out, that sort of thing. (I suppose this might be covered in the official training, but since they have limited time, I’m not expecting it.)
Also, as an aside – after listening to last night’s training net, does anyone know if I can’t/shouldn’t do the FEMA online training now, rather than waiting until after the Skywarn training?
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We have no training planned for such right now.
Pat Hykkonen, resident ham Jedi, is very in touch with the emergency systems in Dallas area. I will forward your requests to him to see if I can solicit a response.
Sorry about the delay in reply. Here is Pat’s reply:
WRT RACES
training for selecting a rig and antenna, there really isn’t any. We
could do a committee meeting where that could come up as a topic and I
could offer guidance. It really falls to, as you’ve seen, personal
preference and budget. The question could best be answered by looking in
the Cloud Cowboy Reference Manual (Dallas RACES - CCRM)
at the requirements section for rigs. We require 25 watts into a
ground-plane antenna. An HT simply won’t cut it in most situations.
Especially weather where there may be significant rain between the
operator and the repeater. Power and gain win the day every time.
WRT
to completing the FEMA NIMS courses. I would encourage the operator to
complete these online at any time. Completing the SKYWARN training is
not a first-step requirement. Indeed, if the person is interested they
can join an RACES organization now and complete these items within a
reasonable period after joining.
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