SUNDAY ====== 09:30 ====== Session 17: What Business Are We Really In? / Dennis Dura, K2DCD Dennis will discuss events of 2008 that placed a focus on amateur radio involvement in emergency communications and how our future will be determined by where we position ourselves within the larger picture of the business we are in. Dennis Dura, K2DCD comes back to us this year at The Communications Academy with most of 2008 on the road visiting and talking with Amateurs all over the country and more time in the job than when we first met him. For those that did not hear and meet Dennis last year, he brings with him, 28 years of experience in the emergency management field. Since August of 2007, he has been with the League in the position of Manager, Emergency Preparedness & Response. His responsibilities cover all aspects of developing and maintaining the organization's programs and plans to move the amateur radio emergency communications capabilities forward. Prior to joining the League he served many years in state government in New Jersey with the N.J. Department of Human Services and the N.J. State Police. His roles in both organizations were in emergency management. In the years before government work, Dennis was with the American Red Cross in various management positions in New Jersey, St Louis and Chicago. He also spent time as a Consultant working on emergency management projects around the United States and got his start in the field by being a volunteer in his home town's Civil Defense organization many years ago. Dennis holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from The College of New Jersey, is a Certified Business Resilience Manager, and is a member of numerous professional emergency management organizations. He hold an Extra Class FCC License. Dennis Dura, K2DCD, is the ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager, in Newington. Dura's major responsibilities include addressing the development and implementation of an organizational disaster response plan as well as a continuity operations plan, complete with supporting procedures and training. Integral to these plans are the recommendations of the National Emergency Response Planning Committee (NERPC) report. Dura also will play an integral part in the management of ARES, and in future negotiations with served agencies with whom ARRL shares or creates Memoranda of Understanding. ====== 10:45 ====== Session 18: Radio Basics: This is fun, what's next? Now that you've had real on the air experience, we dig deeper into the reason many have chosen to get into amateur radio - emergency communications. This session will explain the basics of EmComm, how emergency nets are run, and the difference between everyday communications and emergency communications. You'll learn how to get involved in EmComm through a local ARES or RACES team, how we serve the various agencies that depend on us, and the basic skills needed for emergency communications. Did you know that public service events are good training for EmComm - they are sometimes called "planned disasters". Finally, you will practice passing simulated EmComm message traffic in the "CommAcademy Emergency Net". Of course, THIS IS A DRILL! Session 19: PROJECT 25 - Digital Radio Possibilities for Amateur Radio / Andy Ruschak, KK7TR Technical and general overview of the P25 digital radio standard, its progression and acceptance for public safety communications, and its potential uses within the amateur radio service. As a licensed radio amateur since age 12, Andy Ruschak has spent over 25 years involved in radio communications as both a career and hobby. He presently works as a Project Manager and Consultant for Sparling and is involved in the design, engineering and construction of land mobile radio systems for various clients. Prior to Sparling, Andy spent over ten years as a Sales Engineer and Product Manager with Zetron, a manufacturer of mission-critical communication equipment infrastructure. Andy also resided six years in Japan, during which he worked four years for Yaesu Musen Co. (now Vertex Standard) as a technical writer drafting operation and service manuals for both amateur and land mobile equipment. Session 20: Applying ICS Communications Practices and Structure to EmComm Teams / Mark Sheppard, N7LYE A discussion of how National ICS-based, Communications Unit Leader Curriculum and Practices, developed for all-hazards emergencies can be applied to organize, train and manage Ham EmComm teams; to achieve efficient and quality service and to better align with served agencies. Mark Sheppard has worked for the City of Seattle 26 years and has served as the Director of Seattle ACS for over 15 years. Mark has recently transferred from Seattle Public Utilities where he served as Technology Systems Management Director to the Seattle Office of Emergency Management. In his new position Mark will expand his role with emergency communications as well as take on several projects addressing emergency information systems. Mark has a passion for Ham radio and preparedness and is committed to working to participate in the development of best practices for the EmComm community. Session 21: From Situational Awareness to a Common Operating Picture using Depiction Software / Kim S. Buike One of the biggest challenges during any significant incident – especially a disaster – is keeping track of what’s happening. This presentation introduces an easy-to-use, inexpensive mapping software named Depiction that can help organizations, agencies and individuals establish, maintain, and share Situational Awareness using email networks and the internet to achieve a Common Operating Picture. How radio nets might interface with the software will also be discussed. Kim S. Buike is a retired Navy Captain having served on active duty for 27 years and is the former Commanding Officer of Naval Station Everett, WA. He is a member of the Snohomish County Red Cross and United Way Boards of Directors and volunteers as the ESF-6 (Mass Care) Representative in the County EOC during disasters. Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in business. He currently works for Depiction, Inc. in Everett, WA. Session 22: Amateur Radio and Emergency Alert System (double session with #26) / Clay Frienwald, K7CR The EAS is our nation's public warning system. In this session you will learn the basics of how the various facets of the system works, changes that are coming and how you can be involved in the mission. Clay Freinwald has been chairman of the Washington State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) for over 12 years, since the beginning of EAS. Prior to that he worked with the former EBS going back to the 1960's. Member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, chairs their EAS Committee. Presently involved in improvements to the system based on the Common Alerting Protocol serving on several national level committees. Employed by Entercom in Seattle as their RF Systems Engineer in addition to performing contract work for various other broadcasters in this area. ====== 12:00 ====== Lunch and Speaker Lunch and the Amateur Radio Olympics ====== 13:30 ====== Session 23: Radio Basics: I get it now! "EmComm 101 Basic Equipment Needs for Voice and Digital Field Stations" (Technology Lab) / Dave Mann, KD7ZYM and Chris Osburn, KD7DVD Beginner level class for Hams interested in learning about various EmComm technologies and modes off operations A show and tell demonstration on equipment and its use needed for field communications. Some of the topics covered will be putting together a portable field station, hand held radios, improving your radio’s antenna, what’s needed for portable electrical power and a look at digital communications equipment; modems, computers for text messages and the hot topic of using GPS with APRS for tracking portable stations. Dave Mann: 45 years Background in Television Photojournalism, Retired from KOMO-TV after 36 years. Have experience with commercial UHF and VHF radios, Point to Point microwave transmissions and Ku Band Satellite Live Broadcast transmissions. Licensed as a ham in 2004 (KD7ZYM) and I joined Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service in 2005 (ACS) that serves the City of Seattle for EmComm, with Ham Radio. I am a member of the Western Washington Amateur Television Society and have an active Ham Television Station, Use Amateur Radio UHF/VHF and HF Bands for voice communications. Have used Ham Satellites and have communicated with the International Space Station. Chris Osburn: 30 years in the computer industry working with serial communications, modems, and networking. Became a ham in 1999 and applied his traditional computer communications experience to radio where he is active in packet and HF digital modes. Member of Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service, past vice president of the Puget Sound Repeater Group. Session 24: Navigating the Urban Environment / Fred Rowley This presentation will review mapping and navigation skills for Seattle and King County. It has relevance in map reading and navigation for other areas as well. Fred Rowley is the City of Seattle’s GIS Coordinator and is responsible for its Central Geographic Systems database and infrastructure. He has worked in the GIS field for nearly twenty years as an analyst, programmed and systems architect. He spends as much time as he can outdoors, and taught mountaineering at the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming for several years. CANCELLED BECAUSE OF FAMILY EMERGENCY; REPLACEMENT ABOVE Session 24: Alternate Voice/Data (AVD): Reviving Packet / Dave Zehrung, AA7L, Communications Consultant Discussion and demonstration of a practical means of utilizing packet radio for its best features in coordination with voice emergency nets. The moniker, "Alternate Voice and Data (AVD)" describes the fusion of voice and packet in an effective and easy-to-use local network for moving traffic accurately. Dave Zehrung was originally licensed as W7WLK at age 13, participated while in high school in "Civil Defense" communications. In Air Force, flew in Airborne Command Post aircraft. An ARES member in various places and times over past 40 years. As a consultant with Sparling, designed communications facilities for several EOC's/ECC's in Washington and Alaska, including Camp Murray State EOC and King County Renton EOC. He served as Implementation Assurance manager for Clallam County OPSCAN, and initial system planner for the Northwest Regional Interoperability Consortium (NWRIC). Session 25: Haz-Mat Windshield Surveys: How to Recognize and Assess a Hazardous Material Incident / Alan Jones, KD7KUS How to recognize and assess a hazardous material incident while conducting a vehicle windshield survey of your community following a disaster. Alan Jones, KD7KUS, has taught hazmat emergency response for 18 years to environmental remediation and healthcare professionals. He holds a General Class amateur radio license and a doctorate in chemistry. He is a member of the Western Washington MST and Redmond ARES. Session 26: Amateur Radio and Emerency Alert System Part II / Clay Frienwald, K7CR Continuation of Session 22. Session 27: Weather and Radios / Jeff Michalski, NWS Meteorologist Jeff will provide an informative discussion on the daily operations in the National Weather Service, including the uses of Amateur Radio during hazardous weather events. This class should be of interst to weather enthusiasts, SKYWARN spotters, and ham radio operators. Jeff Michalski is a native of Milwaukee, WI and has a HBS/MS in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Jeff began his meteorology career at the National Weather Service Forecasting Office in Albuquerque, NM in 2002. In March 2007 he transferred to the Seattle office where he serves as one of the forecasters ====== 15:00 ====== Session 28: Comms Failure During Disasters - but is it mode or information failure? (Table top exercise)/ Tom Cox, VE6TOX An entirely unreasonable and unthinkable scenario such as a snow storm / freezing rain / wind in late December hitting Seattle and will throw in a whole bunch of ridiculous (and very unlikely) events such as slippery roads, whiteout conditions, cars stuck, hills impassible, power out, and even buses nearly falling onto highways, followed by flooding! For over 15 years, Tom Cox, VE6TOX, has been active in volunteer response, major events and emergency communications. With experience in both Alberta and British Columbia and with hands-on experience from dozens of callouts, Tom brings a realistic assessment and challenging view of emergency communications. As a public speaker and instructor for nearly 30 years, Tom works hard to make his sessions very, very educational. He was recently hired as a professional trainer for the Alberta Provincial Emergency Management Session 29: Hams in the Hood: Providing Neighborhood links in Emergency Communications / Curt Black, WR5J and Cindy Barker Discussion on how neighborhood preparedness teams can be integrated with ham radio teams to provide emergency communication to citizens. The SNAP program, Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare, is a strategy sponsored by the City of Seattle to assist citizens in their efforts to Get Ready, Get Connected and Get Strong for any potential emergency. Beyond this, the District Council system in Seattle has begun sponsoring volunteer groups to organize within their District Council geographic locations to provide local communications in the event of an emergency. The working name for these groups is "Communications Hubs". And, as time permits, demonstrate use of simple but effective digital emergency communications techniques including acoustic coupling of radios to laptops running FLDIGI or other free software. Curt Black is an Environmental Scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency in Seattle. Recent emergency experience includes his response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita for the EPA. In addition to his scientific work, Curt supports his Agency with emergency communication planning and practice. Licensed as WR5J, he is eligible for the QCWA. As a geologist, he relentlessly works to convince anyone who will listen that the Puget Basin absolutely will be experiencing a magnitude 9 earthquake. Every moment that goes by makes it more likely that in the next moment our quake will occur. Cindi Barker - Coordinating 9 Communications Hubs in West Seattle. Frank Gaul – Member of the Queen Anne/ Magnolia District Council Emergency Planning Committee. Session 30: Antennas 101 + Mobile antennas / Ward Silver, N0AX & Ralph Javins, N7KGA Antennas 101 is a 90-minute condensation of ARRL on-line course EC-009 "Antenna Design & Construction". The lecture is designed to familiarize the listener with the basic principles of how antennas work. The material covers basic concept such as feed-point impedance, resonance, radiation patterns, and antenna terminology. Popular antenna designs are reviewed and analyzed to show how each works. The goal is to help the average ham make better antenna selection and installation decisions. Ward Silver, N0AX, is an ARRL Contributing Editor and a member of the Vashon-Maury Island ARES team. You can find his column "Hands-On Radio" in QST every month with an anthology of more than 60 of those columns soon to be released by the ARRL. His third Wiley book "Circuit-building for Dummies" was available by late February, joining "Ham Radio for Dummies" and "Two-Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies". With the upcoming release of the new Extra Class question pool, he will also be the author of all three ARRL licensing study guides. He has been a licensed ham since 1972 and is an electrical and data communications engineer, working on his second career as a writer and teacher since 2002. Occasionally, he even has time to get on the air. Session 31: Open Open