After Action Report
04/08/06 District 25

Submitted by:

Description of Activity:

Use mobile/portable vhf and hf stations to estabish nets and pass formal traffic throughout the D25 area

Duration in hours:

4

Serving Amateur Radio Group(s):

D25 ARES

Served Agency(ies):

Western Colorado Chapter, American Red Cross

Describe Served Agency Participation

None provided

Number of amateurs participating:

15

Optional - List of amateurs participating

KC0GKZ, KC0QXX, KI0MR, KC0ETV, KC0VQC, AA0JD, KC0OIM, K0SUM, KC0NMR, KI0KY, K0JJJ, AA0ZX, WB0EMD, KC0CMR, N7LV

Man hours for the event (checkins*duration)

70

List the goals of the activity:

1. Exercise the D25 Emcomm plan. The plan was partially tested. The limited number of participants in the SET limited the extent to which the plan was tested.
2. Pass traffic from Ouray to Crystal Meadow. No formal traffic passed from/to Ouray but testing proved a viable VHF path using a mobile antenna in Ouray.
3. Effectively use the MCC. The MCC was set up and used effectively to pass traffic on VHF and HF simultaneously.
4. Bonus Goal: determination of sites to use VHF to Ouray and the North Fork Valley up to Paonia Reservoir Dam/Crystal Meadow. Better knowledge of what sites work and which ones do not work for Ouray to Crystal Meadow communication. Crystal Meadow is just below Paonia Reservoir. Bill KC0QXX and Steve KI0MR set up their portable/mobile station on Gunnison CR12 about ¼ mile east of CO 133.

Were those goals met: (Y/N)

Y

Explain:

Pre set testing at various sites allowed us to successfully communicate from Ouray to Crystal Meadows using relay stations.

What went well?:

Successes:
1. Excellent net control
2. Improved traffic handling as compared to past SETs.
3. Good transition from using mobile units at Saw Mill Mesa to using the MCC

Areas needing improvement:

Challenges:
1: Fewer operators than in past SETs
2. More effective/efficient traffic handling, for example using standard ITU phonetics, standard Pro Signs and Pro Words
3. Confusion on what tactical call sign to use for the MCC.

Lessons Learned:

see above

Additional Training needed:

Homework:
1. Prepare a District-wide map showing locations of good spots for communications.
2. Complete testing and revision of the D25 Emcomm plan
3. Obtain a mast and a HF antenna for the MCC
4. Continue message handling drills

Ideas for future exercises:

None indicated

Comments:

Kudos:
1. Dana, KC0CMR, in Grand Jct. for taking simulated traffic for the American Red Cross
2. John, KC0ETV, for formatting and passing a radiogram to the CO Section EC via the Central CO Traffic net on the Colorado Connection