After Action Report
08/19/06 District 04

Submitted by:

Description of Activity:

Demonstrate ham radio back up communication ability between the EOCs in San Miguel, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, Hinsdale, and Delta Counties using direct links by HF. In addition, set up a HF link between EOC and area with a vhf coverage gap.

Duration in hours:

4.5 Hours

Serving Amateur Radio Group(s):

Colorado ARES District 4 and 25. Relay by Colorado ARES District 3.

Served Agency(ies):

Sheriff's departments in the six counties.

Describe Served Agency Participation

San Miguel County set up its mobile EOC including space for an Amatuer Radio operator position, and assisted in setting up the portable 75 meter NVIS antenna. During the exercise, the Undersheriff monitored the Ham Radio operations, while the department was testing it new 800 MHZ system.

Number of amateurs participating:

6

Optional - List of amateurs participating

WB0DSG, N0QQX, W7EJA, AA0JD, WA4HND and K0SSI

Man hours for the event (checkins*duration)

27

List the goals of the activity:

The Goals for District 4 are outlined in the Description of the activity (above).

Were those goals met: (Y/N)

Y

Explain:

The San Miguel Undersheriff considered the exercise a success from his point of view, although some of the Counties had considerable difficulty getting operational. We were one of the two stations operational at the beginning time. Later in the day 75 meter signals were sometimees marginal. 40 meters was not functional. The Net did not come to pass nor the passing of formal traffic -- only the exchange of signal strength reports and the reports of progress or no progress of other stations trying to get on.

What went well?:

The antenna and mobile EOC operating position went well. Also, contact with the remote location in the county was excellent. The remote station also was able to communiate with some of the Sheriff's locations in the other counties.

Areas needing improvement:

We need to develop more of our own equipment for deployment. The Undersheriff is interested in seeking funding through the county.

Lessons Learned:

NVIS antennas seem to serve our needs well in this County. The use of a medium power linear ampflier apparently would significantly increase the reliability of communications with stations outside San Miguel County.

Additional Training needed:

I believe the prior objective is recuiting additional members for ARES. The only two licensed radio amatuers resident in San Miguel County, myself and W7EJA are ARES members.

Ideas for future exercises:

None shown

Comments:

This exercise will serve as our SET this year for District 4. It is the first time we have had one that I know of. In October, I'm going to Cortez for a city exercise with Ham Radio as a back-up. My AEC, Leon Baker, N0QQX is organizing the Ham Radio participation