GMRS / HAM assistance in Ashville area?

[TrikeRadio]

I have not seen much as far as posting about any GMRS/HAM communication assistance in the Western North Carolina regions where the hurricane flooding was so bad. Does anyone have any news or stories if radio operators have been able to help out in that area? Would be nice to hear some good news coming out of Ashville and surrounding areas if radio operators have been able to make a difference.
 

 

[labreja]

Try Broadcastify W4HTP 145.350.

I can't get the link, as I am at work.

Hope this helps.

[UncleYoda]

Mt. Mitchell 2m repeater (145.190, no tone).  Spivey Mtn. (146.910, 91.5) was also doing similar yesterday.  There's also a net on HF, 7232 I think but I don't have that to confirm freq.  Have not heard of any coordinated GMRS activity.  Note that State Emerg. Mgmt. has poo-pooed hams doing on the ground welfare checks; phone and email are allowed for what that's worth (mostly useless).   Also 147.105 (91.5) on Bearwallow Mtn in Henderson Co.

[wayoverthere]

2 hours ago, labreja said:

Try Broadcastify W4HTP 145.350.

I can't get the link, as I am at work.

Hope this helps.

https://m.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/43107

Here is the link for W4HTP, and yeah, they're on and relaying as I type this.

[gortex2]

Most of the scanner feeds and linked stuff in the area is offline either due to power (none), internet (most cell down) and other reasons. The 2M repeater above has been active. ADSB is fileld with helicopters flying stuff from Hickory and Stateville as well as NG and Military Helos.

VIPER is up and active with traffic on operations. 

[GreggInFL]

7 hours ago, UncleYoda said:

Note that State Emerg. Mgmt. has poo-pooed hams doing on the ground welfare checks; phone and email are allowed for what that's worth (mostly useless).

Why?  Why would you want anyone not doing welfare checks?

[UncleYoda]

It's a common attitude with emergency workers.  I had the same experience in my home county in SC.  They think citizen volunteers are more trouble than they're worth.  We are only good enough to help if we take the training courses and are members of one of the relevant organizations.  I think it's Federal oversight / FEMA training they go through now that teaches them that.  They claim that it's because they don't want us to get hurt or have to be rescued (which is bogus).   Even just being a ham isn't good enough for ARES anymore; you need FEMA courses and they only want people to staff the EOCs.  None of this extra super-qualification/certification/approval stuff is what ham was historically about.  If you have your ham license and a radio, you should be qualified to knock on doors etc. if you're willing to take the risk.

[gortex2]

Well to a point I agree but I also disagree. We ran into issues in the past with HAMS who wanted to help with SAR. In the end we had to rescue a HAM from the field which took resources away from the actual incident. Regardless if its urban SAR or wildland its not always walking down the yellow brick road. The area this incdient is taking place in is rough when its not destroyed. Its worse now. Im not saying hams are useless but know the limitations. And if groups work with local resources ahead of an event its simpler and more effective. There are reasons RACES and other groups are asking for folks to take ICS and other class's. I've been a ham for over a 1/4 century but none of that that got me into more public safety and even carreer stuff. Its a great tool in the tool box. 

[MaxHeadroom]

36 minutes ago, gortex2 said:

Well to a point I agree but I also disagree. We ran into issues in the past with HAMS who wanted to help with SAR. In the end we had to rescue a HAM from the field which took resources away from the actual incident. Regardless if its urban SAR or wildland its not always walking down the yellow brick road. The area this incdient is taking place in is rough when its not destroyed. Its worse now. Im not saying hams are useless but know the limitations. And if groups work with local resources ahead of an event its simpler and more effective. There are reasons RACES and other groups are asking for folks to take ICS and other class's. I've been a ham for over a 1/4 century but none of that that got me into more public safety and even carreer stuff. Its a great tool in the tool box. 

This right here. Hams are well-intentioned in almost every instance I have worked with them from an EM standpoint, but too many of them think they'll be doing swift water rescue in a mobility scooter or other wild self-proclaimed abilities.

There's also something to be said about vetting hams that can do the tasks asked of them instead of finding the rag chewers that have nothing better to do because everything around them is closed down. These hams complaining that they need to take a course or anything else need to sit down - if you cannot "play well with others" enough to take a half-day class, practice your craft and be evaluated for your skill, or anything else... you're not helping out the effort.

[SteveShannon]

 

[amaff]

26 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

 

I'm 100% good with hams doing this. Just putting people in contact with the outside world legitimately takes workload off of first responders and aid workers.

But the "My ham extra pretty much makes me a first responder" thing that some have is unhelpful and, as pointed out above, often dangerous. Putting yourself in the position to be another casualty doesn't help anyone.

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, amaff said:

I'm 100% good with hams doing this.
But the "My ham extra pretty much makes me a first responder" thing that some have is unhelpful

Absolutely.  Those are two different things. Hams who want to help when a disaster strikes should not expect to just jump into action without training with the folks who have trained to provide emergency services so they can help accomplish the larger plan.  

[gortex2]

This is the live feed setup for the local ham repeater. Lots of info if you want to listen.

W4HTP 145.350 Repeater (broadcastify.com)

Due to the hurricane devastation in WNC, this feed is currently on N2GE 145.190 at Mt. Mitchell because their feed is down. --------- The Tower of Power 145.350 is temporarily down for repairs.

[808Beachbum]

On 9/30/2024 at 6:00 PM, UncleYoda said:

It's a common attitude with emergency workers.  I had the same experience in my home county in SC.  They think citizen volunteers are more trouble than they're worth.  We are only good enough to help if we take the training courses and are members of one of the relevant organizations.  I think it's Federal oversight / FEMA training they go through now that teaches them that.  They claim that it's because they don't want us to get hurt or have to be rescued (which is bogus).   Even just being a ham isn't good enough for ARES anymore; you need FEMA courses and they only want people to staff the EOCs.  None of this extra super-qualification/certification/approval stuff is what ham was historically about.  If you have your ham license and a radio, you should be qualified to knock on doors etc. if you're willing to take the risk.

There are plenty volunteer groups and radio clubs, of course depending on your location, that have relationships with the government agencies. They practice message handling protocols, and yes, some require or recommend some level of training in the FEMA National Incident Management System, however groups like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Church groups, and others also make use of at least some basic protocols and standardized forms to ensure message accuracy, proper handling and routing, and to minimize wasting time communicating to the larger command centers. Without a working plan and solid procedures, chaos will reign. Emergency Management Agencies could not operate effectively if a bunch of random, untrained, chatty good 'ol boys are tying up the comms freq or critical cell phones. Yes, it is arguable that they are effective without the additional burden, but all you really need to do to get an idea of what it is like, check with your local HAM or GMRS clubs to see when their next Simulation exercise is scheduled, and get the details necessary to participate. Some are closed to just their specific org, but many are Statewide coordinated events, some that last for several days. If you are licensed and equipped for the bands they use, there is no other cost. The FEMA Incident Command courses are free and online too.

[LeeBo]

One of the upstate SC repeaters (ham) has been set up with a net controller out of Pisgah Forrest NC, and he's been collecting gas/fuel info from the surrounding areas to pass along to the Mt Mitchell repeater, which is organizing the relief efforts in Asheville, NC.  I've spent the last couple of days driving around southern Greenville County (SC) reporting back intersections with or without power, locations that are open, have gas and food, and take cash and/or card.  While most (including myself) may not see this as doing very much, it may have had a huge impact to someone somewhere.

[BoxCar]

The WCARS repeater W4MOE (146.91, -.6, 91.5) on Mt. Spivey did a wonderful job collecting information and disseminating it. I helped what I could from my location in S. Asheville before leaving because of no electricity or water. My power will be on by midnight Friday, but no word on water. The storm washed out roads and bridges, undermined pipes which caused breakage and damaged the water/sewer treatment plants. Makes me proud that I was able to contribute to the information flow in my little corner of S. Asheville.

[nokones]

HAM radio operators or any non-public safety/first responder are not automatically qualified to conduct Search & Rescue or Recovery operations in the field during any disaster event unless they have been trained, and possess the required physical and mental attributes and have been certified by a regulatory or an public safety entity to do so under direction/guidance of the responsible public safety agency.

[LeoG]

https://www.uncoverdc.com/2024/10/09/an-aging-volunteer-service-is-amateur-radio-still-needed

[WRQI663]

I only see a 'cover' page with no options

[SteveShannon]

2 hours ago, WRQI663 said:

I only see a 'cover' page with no options

Is this the ‘cover’ page you see?

If so, just scroll down.

[LeoG]

Yup, another story about Ham operators helping the communities.

[LeeBo]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

Is this the ‘cover’ page you see?

If so, just scroll down.

I love this line:

"Please don't wait for the next disaster to be left in the dark without communication or information. Don't think you can rely on your neighbor in an emergency because they may have evacuated, been injured, or suffered worse."

[LeoG]

As the disaster unfolds in North Carolina, I am reminded of other significant events that have affected entire communities in one form or another. From hurricanes to wildfires, earthquakes, or any other major incident, one thing is getting less and less recognition these days, and that is the amateur radio service.

Yeah, I get it. There is a perception that it's just a bunch of elderly gentlemen sitting around smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, listening to the ether, and pounding some morse code to some contact halfway around the world. Or maybe they are repeating CQ CQ CQ into a microphone and listening for a return call. They will spend a bunch of money on equipment, experiment with antennas and electronics, and even try to implement newer technology into what they do. Some might look at it and call all of this a hobby or even a waste of time, but it's not because all of this may be needed for more than just talking to Japan or Croatia for fun.

Make no mistake, though, that the perception of old guys huddled around the warm glow of radio tubes is probably closer to reality than you think. The reason for that is twofold. Those involved are aging quickly. The current average age of an amateur radio operator is 68 years old and getting older. There are, however, younger people who are exposed to the service; they are just not as interested. Please make no mistake: the service is losing members faster than we are gaining, and it's becoming a dying art form.

As for outreach to the youth or younger members, the Boy Scouts of America still have a radio badge they can obtain. Sometimes, exposure might occur on Field Day every June in your local community park. Or it might happen at a POTA (Parks On the Air) activation. Here's a bit of trivia for you. Guglielmo Marconi built the first radio set and sent the first transmission 1 km away at the age of 20. We need more of that.

The second reason it's an aging service is that in today's society, we have become too comfortable with the technology we use and assume it will always be available. We look at our cell phones and see 2 or 4 bars everywhere. But those connect to towers and not each other. Some of those towers are in very remote areas, require a stable climate-controlled environment, and always require reliable power. Interestingly, some sites also house the first responders' radio services. However, as the Lahaina Hawaii fire and the Helene flooding in North Carolina have shown, no technology is infallible. Including the internet connection you are reading this article on. Without power, nothing works.

But as I sit listening to Broadcastify along with over 700 others to N2GE 145.19MHz Mount Mitchell amateur radio repeater in North Carolina, I hear the coordination between operators posted at hospitals, fire stations, and police stations. All of it is in real-time. Some are staged at local airports, flying in helicopters to deliver radios and supplies or assisting in critical evacuations. It would not surprise me to discover that radio operators are embedded with search and rescue teams. Some of these communications include wellness check requests from people outside the affected area. This can free up valuable first responder resources even if their radio services work.

Who are these people? Well, they are experienced radio operators who volunteer their time and their own equipment to assist in emergencies such as this. In some cases, they belong to two volunteer emergency radio communications teams, ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service). What's the difference? ARES provides local, remote, or relay EMCOMMS (Emergency Communications) and coordination. Conversely, RACES works with local civil defense officials and government agencies such as FEMA or DHS. Between the 2, ARES has more flexibility.
 

You might ask yourself why amateur radio works when everything else doesn't. The reason for that is that amateur radio operators, by their very nature, are tinkerers and experimenters. They figure out how to maintain power and stretch that resource out for as long as possible. This might include different battery technologies, implementing solar panels, or more efficient antennas. Having a more efficient antenna uses less power to transmit. More power is not necessarily better in this instance, and it could be bad to use the wrong antenna. Needless to say, we find a way to make it work in our hands, vehicles, and homes because adaptability to any situation is key. From HF (High Frequencies) to UHF (Ultra High Frequencies), operating for short and long distances, this is our specialty.

So, in an emergency, that neighbor with the view-crushing antenna the HOA has been fighting to remove just might save your bacon. You might knock on their door, buy them a coffee, and talk to them about what it is they do. Also, consider contacting your local clubs, even if it's to get a basic understanding of the different radio services available to the average person, whether that is FRS (Family Radio Service), GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service), or amateur radio. Knowing more about them and their capability will always be helpful in an emergency.

I want to point out two things if you have made it this far. Even if you don't have an amateur radio license, you don't need one to listen. You also don't need one if it is a last resort of communication for you and your family in an emergency. You can use any radio on any service to ask for help. In addition, no matter what radio you get, you should be able to listen to NOAA radio for local weather information.

So, if you were to pick up a radio at Walmart or order one on Amazon right now, would you know which channel is the commonly used emergency channel or frequency? Do you know the NOAA frequencies for your immediate area? Do you know what the radio's limitations are? Please don't believe the packaging that says it can talk 20 or 30 miles; they can't. That would only be in perfect conditions with a direct line of site. To summarize, learn about the service you are interested in and how it can work for you in an emergency.

Please don't wait for the next disaster to be left in the dark without communication or information. Don't think you can rely on your neighbor in an emergency because they may have evacuated, been injured, or suffered worse.

Nowadays, with information at our fingertips, many resources are available to learn about what radio services can do for you or even your family. With books, websites, and even YouTube channels dedicated to teaching people about amateur radio and GMRS services, it's all there for you, and in most cases, it's free.

Finally, to those providing communications to the affected areas right now in North Carolina, I've been listening. You guys are doing outstanding work with Net Control, resource coordination, information gathering, and disseminating that information to those who need it. I applaud you for being a shining example of what amateur radio is truly about --giving back to the community. I can only hope that if I am ever in that situation, our local radio operators can be as calm and organized as you.

For now, I will be signing off with this.
73 de Whiskey Zero Whiskey Foxtrot Mike and I will be clear of this frequency.

[WSCH851]

Yep, my HAM worked off the repeaters etc but no GMRS COMMS at all during the last hurricane.

Just got power back and internet.

[WRYZ926]

I have several LIPO4 batteries that I keep charged up and ready to go. I have two 10AH batteries for my portable setup along with a 50AH battery in the shack that is occasionally used for my dual band and/or GMRS base radios. I also have a 100AH battery that I use for my pond hopper boat that I can grab in an emergency.

We have a generator and battery backup system for our 2m repeater and I am trying to get the club to tie in the 70cm and GMRS repeaters into the backup system. We also have a 2m Winlink repeater and getting ready to get a HF Winlink repeater running soon. I don't know about other states but Missouri EMS likes to use Winlink. Our HF Winlink repeater will be setup for 40m and 80m at minimum. We are looking at being able to run on the other HF bands too.