|
 The
SFARC Technical Committee was asked by St. John’s
Search and Rescue (SJSAR) to tour their facilities on
Saturday 2-21-04. Alan (N5BGC), Jimm (K5RWS) and John
(KB5ZQE) spent about 2 hours listening Jim Mooney (KD5YQA)
and Frank Mulholland (KD5DQC) explain how SJSAR works.
We looked at their installation and stock of radios
and made a couple of suggestions to assist them in a
better use of them. They have a very well stocked emergency
response room. Their operating position has about 5
radios that are usually tuned to different frequencies
for different teams in the field. There is, of course,
some interference when one radio keys up on frequencies
close to another. That is to be expected since the radios
are wideband mobiles. We suggested that the antennas
be separated more if possible.
Their use of the radios seems within reason for their
missions. They are busy training future ham operators
to be able to field one with each team sent out. That
will allow them to use the local ham repeater if needed.
They have about 3-4 simplex frequencies allocated for
SAR. When these frequencies are used with a handheld
radio in a mountainous area, the results are predictable
– either very short range or the ability to talk
all the way to Albuquerque.
The technical committee will be available to assist
them, but if any other ham wants to be involved in search
and rescue, please contact them and volunteer. They
may have a slot in which you can be useful. The pay
is poor, but the rewards are great.
If you are interested in St. John's Search And Rescue,
contact Jim Mooney.
|
