January 2022 Newsletter
The purpose of Georgia AUXCOMM is to promote, support, and lead emergency communications activities that support community needs. This is our monthly newsletter.
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Georgia AuxComm activated for Winter Storm Izzy
Atlanta, January 15, 2022
Georgia AuxComm was activated by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to support the GEMA/HS response to the Winter Storm Izzy January 15 2022 incident.
Under the leadership of AuxComm Manager (ACM) John Davis, WB4QDX, an eight-person team from Georgia AuxComm worked with Georgia ARES to gather field reports, particularly power outages and storm damage, and relay them to GEMA/HS ESF2. ARES worked with local served agencies to gather information which was then relayed to GEMA/HS via amateur radio Winlink to Georgia AuxComm. Real-time communications was maintained via the Georgia D-Star linked repeater system on REF030B and D-RATS.
During the incident After Action Review, the incident COML Greg Smith thanked the AuxComm team for their assistance to GEMA/HS during the Winter Storm.
Tools used included: D-Star REF030B/REF030A state network, D-RATS, and Winlink station WX4GMA.
Team members also monitored NWSChat with NWS and WebEOC with GEMA/HS. Georgia AuxComm SHARES Manager Jim Hadder, KE4ZX, also kept watch on SHARES and 60m Channel 5.
AuxComm Mobile Communications Vehicle (MCV) Manager Anthony Brown, KJ4JJX, fired up the MCV and maintained a standby posture during the incident.
Overall, the AuxComm participation in the incident not only helped GEMA/HS, but also served as a great training opportunity for both AuxComm and ARES to work together.
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Georgia AuxComm Training Meeting - FirstNet (1/27, 8pm)
Please join us next Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EST) for our monthly Georgia AuxComm Online Training Meeting (usually the last Thursday of each month).
This month our guest speaker will be Jeff Watson, K5JCW, speaking about the First Responder Network (FirstNet). This will include some of the program history, the network, and the deployments for public safety.
Jeff Watson is a disaster response incident commander for a multinational telecom provider with over 27 years of experience in the telecommunications, radio frequency technologies, and information technology fields. Jeff has responded to over 30+ Hurricanes, 15+ Wildfires, 5 EF-5 Tornado clusters, and multiple earthquakes, ice storms, massive mudslides, etc. All with the primary goal of providing emergency communications to Public Safety. Jeff spent many years climbing towers to provide temporary microwave and satellite connections
As a volunteer, Jeff has served 20+ years in various public safety roles, including Search & Rescue, Incident Command, and Communications. Jeff currently serves as a responder for the Forsyth County EMA, Forsyth County ARES, and Forsyth County CERT teams, when not responding for his regular job.
Jeff is a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager, COML, COMT, ITSL, AUXC and is certified to teach COML, COMT, and AUXC.
Jeff recently accepted the role of Georgia AuxComm Training Manager. He is looking forward to providing a robust training environment that covers many areas to further the response capabilities of the GA AuxComm members
Meeting link:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/975412765
You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (646) 749-3335
- One-touch: tel:+16467493335,,975412765#
Access Code: 975-412-765
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REMINDER - Georgia AUXC Monthly 60m Net - February 13th, 2022 (always the second Sunday at 1400 Local)
Georgia AUXCOMM has been conducting a monthly net on 60m Channel 5 on the second Sunday of each month at 1400 local. Recognizing the growing importance of 60m as an interoperability band, we've been practicing our own skills and testing our gear to ensure we can effectively communicate on 60m. We'd like to invite each of you to participate in the net. Please ensure that you have the proper radio licensure to participate. Amateur radio operators that are General class or higher are authorized to use the band. Please note that amateur radio is a secondary service on the band and must not interfere with other services such as government agencies.
Our net takes check-ins via 60m Channel 5 Phone (5.403.5 MHz, USB) and Winlink to the tactical address GAAUXC. Most of our operators check-in using both SSB and Winlink. Winlink check-ins should include your location, power level, and equipment used. The net starts with a preamble, roll call of AUXC leaders, and then open check-ins. If Channel 5 is not available, the backup is 60m Channel 4.
Want to know more about the 60m band?
We hope you'll join us for the next net, scheduled for Sunday, February 13th, 2022 at 2pm (local) on 5.403.5 MHz, USB (Channel 5).
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NEW D-STAR NET! - Georgia AUXC Holds First Monthly D-Star Net on REF030B (Third Monday of each Month)
Georgia AuxComm recognizes the utility of leveraging the Georgia D-Star Network, which links repeaters and hotspots all across the state using REF030B. Georgia AuxComm also uses REF030A as a backup. During the Winter Storm Izzy incident, it became apparent that AuxComm and ARES could work together using the network for statewide coverage.
On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8:30pm (local) Georgia AuxComm conducted a D-Star Net on REF030B. The Net was only promoted via social media, but garnered check-ins from across the state of Georgia and as far north as Michigan.
Want to know more about D-Star? Check out https://dstarinfo.com
We hope you'll join us for the next net, scheduled for Monday, February 21, 2022 at 8:30pm (local) on REF030B. In the event that reflector is not available, please use REF030A as a backup. If you have D-Star picture capability, be ready for a special image transmission at the conclusion of the net!
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GaAUXCOMM needs your support!
We have established a non-profit membership organization to support our mission. Consider becoming an early bird member with a $30 donation. We need your support so we can continue serving the community. Here's a link you can use to apply for membership and make a donation.
https://gaauxcomm.org/membership
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FAQ and Social Media
Keep in touch with Georgia AUXCOMM! We've prepared a handy FAQ about the organization and will regularly communicate updates from this monthly newsletter and via social media outlets.
This newsletter is our primary official communication outlet. If you're getting this newsletter, then "you're on the list". Feel free to share this newsletter.
Other information sources include:
Website
https://gaauxcomm.org
FAQ
https://www.gaauxcomm.org/media/GaAUXCOMM-FAQ-Version12-2020-April.pdf
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/georgiaauxcomm
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwtgAs5ps7IZI-zSRPMZqiA
Twitter
https://twitter.com/gaauxcomm
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/georgiaauxcomm
Please direct all general questions and press inquiries to Georgia AUXCOMM PIO Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK, at joe.domaleski@gaauxcomm.org.
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