Send your 2009 Field Day photos and stories to the Editor of the REACTer, by sending to editor1@reactintl.org.  

You can also post your stories and photos here by registering as a user on the Blog (if you haven’t already done so) and then contacting the Computer Services Committee to request that your user ID be bumped up to contributing author status.  The CSC will assign someone to assist you with your posting until you learn how to do it yourself.

Only current REACT members will be granted permission to post new messages, and all messages are being monitored and moderated by the CSC, so please provide your real name, team affiliation and member ID with your request to expedite it.

Does your team train for NIMS/ICS?  What is NIMS?  What is ICS? 

NIMS is the National Incident Management System and ICS is the Incident Command System.

As seen in recent disasters, it is important for all local, tribal, state and federal entities involved in preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery have the capability to work efficiently and effectively together.  Using common lexicon, protocols, and procedures, local jurisdictions and the state will be able to request needed resources to aid in response and recovery operations. 

Most training is available online and is free, just point your internet browser to http://training.fema.gov/IS. 

continue reading "Is your team trained in NIMS/ICS?"

On Thursday June 3^rd, Tampa Bay REACT signed its formal MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Greater Tampa CERT.  Under this MOU, Tampa Bay REACT will be assisting primarily with communications for the GT CERT organization as well as other tasking by GT CERT.  For more information on registering for a CERT Class held by GT CERT, e-mail them at info@greatertampacert.org.

The leadership of GT CERT and Tampa Bay REACT look forward to this new partnership, in fact Tampa Bay REACT was already requested to fill an opening for the GT CERT Rally Point Exercise that was held on June 11^th.  Mike Bresse – W2YS staffed Tampa Fire Rescue Station 13 for GT CERT Team 13 and Roy Drury – KI4EON was imbedded with Team 5 in New Tampa as the Communications Officer. 

In addition, Roy Drury – KI4EON has been asked to be a member on their communications committee going forward, so as you can see they really want to have us involved.

GT CERT is sponsored by Tampa Fire Rescue and the City of Tampa Department of Emergency Management and as such has their full support with this partnership.

NPM offers your Team months of ideal free PR. If you haven’t already registered, now is the time.

Go to www.Ready.gov and click on the NPM banner. It is easy and can pay big dividends.

While there, view the list to see other groups you will be rubbing shoulders with. Not bad. You may want to contact some of the nearby ones to network with them.

Check with your local EM office to see what freebies are available to use in NPM this September. Order now to be sure you get your first picks. Enjoy.

Ron McCracken, Public Relations

W2IK writes: I have listed a few tips which may make your field day setups more successful and more enjoyable.

1. When setting up antennas within close proximity: If you are using wire antennas such as dipoles, and they run parallel to each other there will be interference on your HF operating bands in the form of hash so arrange them at right angles to each other and at slightly different heights. If you use wire antennas such as dipoles, try to stay away from trap dipoles and use full length antennas instead.  You may also wish to run your dipoles in different configurations such as have one as an “inverted V” and another as a sloper, etc. An antenna cut to the exact band you are using will decrease interference to and from other bands. Do not use compromise or “all band” antennas. On HF, stay away from vertical antennas as they receive too much man-made noise from sources such as generators, etc.

2. When operating within a tight area, as required by FD rules, it also pays to use “band pass filters” such as those manufactured by ICE. I have a full set of these HF filters and they work great. They are only about $ 38 per band and drastically reduce interference from your other operating posts. If your pocketbook can’t afford them, use coax “stub” filters. The lengths of these and how to build them can be found at: http://www.k1ttt.net/technote/k2trstub.html They are simple to make and easy to use. Both systems have been used by the major DXpeditions all over the world with great success. On HF frequencies make sure each operating station is properly grounded. Do NOT use a common ground for all your operating posts.

continue reading "20 Tips For A Successful Field Day"

Westchester County REACT gets the nod this month. You can find them at www.cmbcs.com/react/wcr . Congratulations to them.

You will find their 9-11 report inspiring. Watch for other features you like that you could integrate into your Team’s website.

That is the idea of this feature, to learn from one another and to enjoy what others have achieved. Keep the submissions coming.

Congratulations again to Westchester County REACT.

Ron McCracken, Public Relations

In on the 50th logo contest, that is? Many already are. Don’t miss out.

George Holmes, chairman of the Design Cttee., reports that some excellent entries have been received. Start doodling and send your creation off soon.

The address is: Design1@REACTintl.org . Your design could have the honour of being the one selected to celebrate REACT’s 50th anniversary.

Tell others in your Team and Council about the contest too. Encourage them to get in on the fun. The more entries, the stiffer the competition and greater the accomplishment for the eventual winner. The Design Cttee. is waiting to hear from you.

Ron McCracken,

Public Relations

Ballots were mailed out in April to all Teams in Regions 1, 4 and 7, to conduct an election for Regional Director for those 3 regions.  Only the teams in a particular region can vote for the candidate(s) running in that same region.

The recently mailed issue of the REACTer has full details  about who is running for what region, as did a previous issue of the REACT International Radio Gram.  The mailed ballot contains only information about the candidate(s) running for that particular region.

continue reading "Don’t Forget To Vote! (Regions 1, 4, & 7)"

Sorry for the delay, but the current issue of the REACTer is posted in the Member Section.  It has been decided that since this is a member benefit, that the current issue will be housed in the Member Section for the first 30 days, after which it will be publicly available on the REACTer page on the web site.

Reminder of Electronic Board Meeting for 9pm ET June 14, 2009.

This notice is just a reminder, in accordance with our bylaw requirements, that we will be holding an electronic board meeting on Sunday, June 14, 2009, beginning at 9pm ET via Skype.  This meeting date and time was established during the March 2009 Annual Board Meeting.

Please submit (to the Chairman) any items for the agenda at least 2 days in advance of this meeting so that the agenda may be distributed to all members of the Board and Officers.  If you have any materials to be distributed, please include those in electronic format at that time as well.  Remember that we can’t simply pass copies around the table when we are holding an electronic meeting.

continue reading "RI Board Meeting – 9pm ET June 14th"