VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

1. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training KD1CY-Rob Macedo Director of VoIP Hurricane Net Operations KB3MSE-Matt Hoppes VoIP Hurricane Net Control Training Coordinator

2. Net Control Operations Training Agenda • This presentation is to get perspective net controls familiar with proper net control procedures. Topics covered include the following: • Mission of the VoIP Hurricane Net • VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Policy • Principles of Disaster Communications • Net Control and Liaison Station Descriptions and capabilities. • Checklist for Primary and Backup Net Control Stations. • How to utilize the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) VoIPWXNet chat capability. • What the reporting criteria is and how to get the specific reporting information. • Description of National Hurricane Center products, when they are issued and what data should be read over the net. • Sources of National Hurricane Center Information. • Sources of Radar and Satellite Information VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

3. VoIP Hurricane Net Mission • The VoIP Hurricane Net mission is as follows: • Provide real-time or near real-time measured weather data and damage reports to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. • Provide a means of interoperability for EOC’s, Red Cross/Salvation Army agencies/shelters and National Weather Service forecast offices to communicate between each other and send appropriate data up to WX4NHC as required. • Liaison to other net operations that maybe on EchoLink and IRLP and pass that information to WX4NHC as required. • Disseminate National Hurricane Center advisories and updates as needed for stations in the affected area. • The VoIP Hurricane Net meets on the *WX-TALK Node: 7203, IRLP Reflector 9219 system. • The backup system is IRLP reflector 9508 with EchoLink Conference server *VKEMCOMM* Node: 270177. This system is also used for listen-only capability for net activations. • The *WX-TALK* Node:7203 conference server can be aliased to the backup system when required. • An additional backup system is the IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* EchoLink Conference server node: 9123. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

4. VoIP Hurricane Net Activation Policy • The VoIP Hurricane Net has the following activation policy: • The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate upon activation of WX4NHC provided there are EchoLink stations/nodes and IRLP nodes in the affected area of the hurricane. • The VoIP Hurricane Net will self-activate if the net manager and/or director of operations see a threat from a hurricane over an area and there are EchoLink station/nodes and IRLP nodes in the affected area. • The VoIP Hurricane Net will self-activate if approached by a region affected by a hurricane requesting support. • That support could be net controls to support their local operations for a hurricane or other disaster related incident or an actual net activation on the *WX-TALK*/IRLP reflector 9219 or backup IRLP 9508/*VKEMCOMM* system. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

5. Weekly VoIP Hurricane Preparation Net • There is a weekly VoIP Hurricane Preparation Net on Sundays at 0000 UTC (Saturday Evening across most of North America) • The net provides a forum to ask technical questions, give presentations and for net controls to practice basic net control skills. • Nets for actual activations can run quite differently but basic net control protocols can be practiced through the weekly net. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

6. Principles of Disaster Communications • Keep the QRM level down • Monitor established disaster frequencies • Accuracy — Avoid Spreading Rumors • Use all communications channels intelligently • Authentication — Authenticate All Messages • Strive for Efficiency • Don't Broadcast • NTS, ARES, RACES, SKYWARN, MARS leadership cooperation VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

7. Net Control Stations (NCS) NCS Stations do the following: • Control or lead the net, NO station is recognized without the permission of the Net Control Station. • Designate other hams to run and do things as required. • Examples: Have backup net control/liaison stations look for weather reports on other EchoLink/IRLP nodes and have stations looking for other priority emergency stations on other frequencies or be ‘liaison’ to the Net control Station. • Dictate and control whether a net is formal or informal. • Home Stations offer the best form of Net Control Stations. • Net Controls at home can typically perform net control for longer periods of time. • Allows “immobilized” Amateurs to participate in the VoIP Hurricane Net and serve a vital function. • Provide tremendous assistance to VoIP Hurricane Net operations. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

8. Backup Net Control/Liaison Stations • Backup Net Control/Liaison stations do following: • Assist the Net Control with ANY need at the request of the NCS. • Examples are: • Liaison to other net frequencies as needed. • Writing down information as needed. • Making phone calls as requested. • Take over Net control as needed. • Home stations that are liaison stations can offer the best form of liaison stations. • For similar reasons as “home” Net Control stations, home liaison stations can be vital to any VoIP Hurricane Net Operation. • A ‘Liaison’ station maybe a station at an official agency • Such as the National Hurricane Center (WX4NHC), NWS Forecast Office, State/County/local EOC, Red Cross National Headquarters etc.. • May be providing information to the net while requesting reports and information from the net. • Also applicable to Public Service Event and other forms of Net. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

9. Basic Rules of Net Control • As NCS, ALWAYS be on the frequency, if you need to leave the frequency, have someone else take the net over. • As NCS, ALWAYS respond to the station calling, if you are unsure who is calling or if two stations were double keying, ask for more stations to check into the net. • As NCS in a formal net, you control how stations conduct themselves to you as net control and to other stations on the net. • If there are stations that are weak and you cannot hear the stations, look for stations on the given node that can check on the input of the repeater to see if they can be heard and have the appropriate information relayed. Also have all other net stations do the same in case someone can relay to you as net control. • Utilize backup net control/‘liaison’ stations wherever possible to assist you in doing tasks, such as making phone calls, sending or receiving information to served agency liaison stations, checking on other repeaters for emergency info etc. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

10. Basic Rules of Net Control • As NCS, you must be aware of the stress the stations in the affected area are experiencing. • Be patient with the stations. • Empathize with their situation and check on their health and well being along with requesting for any information from the station in the area in times of light traffic. • The stations may make requests that maybe unusual. Do your best to answer those requests provided they are legal. Even if they are somewhat beyond the scope of the net, any help provided to the station in the affected area means they will do more to help the net further. • Keep in mind as a Net Control you will sense and feel the stress they are feeling being involved in the operation. • Try and control that stress and be kind and considerate to the stations in the affected area that need our support. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

11. Tactical IDs • Tactical Call signs -- station ID • for post/location/unit • Use individual digits • additional must give FCC id at end of QSO. ”Net from Mobile EOC K1AAA". • Net control every 10 minutes (and hour) • Frequency Designators • tactical ID for repeaters / channels VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

12. Prosigns/Prowords • Use Unambiguous words when answering questions • such as "Affirmative" or "Negative" • rather than "Yes" or "no", "QSL" or "Roger". • Do not use slang. • Spelling (when needed) • use phonetics from the ICAO alphabet only VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

13. Be prepared to operate. Check equipment, cords, antennas and emergency power (if available). Have pen, pencils, paper and any computer logging tools ready to take down necessary information. Have VoIP Hurricane Net operations manual and reporting criteria on hand for reference. Have links to latest NHC advisory information and local warnings and hurricane info on hand to disseminate. Have radar/satellite information on hand for review as needed. Utilize “sample” preambles in the operations manual as a way to maintain a steady flow and info on the net frequency. Assist with distinguishing what information is criteria for WX4NHC and what information is useful for the net but not reportable. Assign tactical ID’s if appropriate and not already specified. Do routine call-ups if activity is light to verify all stations are still operating and there are no issues. Maintain steady flow of info and traffic on the net frequency by providing advisory updates and local warning information to the net as needed. NCS and/or Liaison stations should assure the delivery of all traffic to the agency or individual requesting information. Initial Checklist for Primary and Backup Net Control Stations VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

14. How to Access the VoIP WX Net AIM Chat • There is an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) VoIPWXNet chat room for net controls and net management to utilize during the weekly VoIP Hurricane Net and Net activations. • To access the chat room do the following: • Add your AOL Screen name to your buddy list. • Right click on your name and choose the selection that says either chat and then select “Buddy Chat” or a selection that simply says “Send Chat Invitation”. • A chat invitation box will appear. In the Chat Room row you will see text that says “chat” and a long #. Replace the long number so it reads “chatvoipwxnet” without the quotations and click send. • You will then be brought into the chat room. You may need to click an accept to the invite after you do step 3. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

15. Sysop Control of the IRLP/EchoLink Conference System • System can be controlled easily through the EchoLink side of the system. • To control the system do the following: • Type .sysop <password> • If you have put in the correct password, the system will reply with the statement “By Your Command”. • Be sure to enter the period before the word sysop or the sysop password will be passed over the system. If this happens, please notify the net management team that this has happened so the password can be changed. • If you type in the .sysop <password> and you did not get a reply from the system, you have not obtained sysop access. Try again and make sure you have the correct password. • Once you have access you can mute, unmute, kick and disconnect stations. Some examples follow below: • .mute kd1cy or .mute stn6390 (stations listed as stn and the number are IRLP nodes.) • For muting of links or repeaters be sure to include the –R or –L if linked via echolink such as .mute KD1CY-L or .mute KD1CY-R • To unmute stations do .unmute kd1cy or .unmute stn4159. • You may also disconnect or kick nodes off the system by doing .kick kd1cy, .kick stn4260 or .disconnect vk3rtl-r. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

16. Assuring Proper Audio/Config Settings on Your EchoLink/IRLP Node or Station • Net Controls need to make sure their EchoLink PC station or EchoLink/IRLP node has loud enough and crisp enough audio. • You can check and make sure your audio is correct by doing the following: • On the EchoLink side, connect your node or PC to the *ECHOTEST* conference server, node #9999. • If you’re on an EchoLink node, listen to the audio to check for quality. If you’re on a PC, listen to the audio and make sure when you talk, the meter touches into the yellow when you speak. Adjust volume levels in EchoLink by going into Tools->Adjust Volume->Microphone. • For IRLP, you can check into any IRLP Reflector channel from 9990-9999 and talk and the audio will be played back for you with channels 8 and 9 being. Channels 9998/9999 are GSM channels. • Please be sure to disable conferencing on an EchoLink PC/node by going into Tools->Preferences->Connections. Make sure allow conferences is not checked. • If you are coming in through an EchoLink or IRLP node/link and the audio needs work or conferencing needs to be shut off, you will need to work with the node owner to make sure the audio levels/conferencing configuration can be corrected. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

17. Handling Reports and the Reporting Criteria • There is a specific reporting criteria that is similar to most SKYWARN reporting criteria that should be utilized when sending reports to WX4NHC. • The reporting criteria is posted on the VoIPWXNet web site at http://www.voipwx.net and click reporting criteria from the main menu. • To send in the reports go to http://www.voipwx.net and click on the reporting form which will appear in the main menu or go to http://www.wx4nhc.org and then click on online reporting form. • Reporting forms are taken offline from the various web sites when the net is not active to prevent spammers from putting false reports or erroneous information. • If the reporting form link is not visible, contact net management for the link to the reporting form on the voipwx.net web site and to turn the link to the webform on for the main menu of the voipwx,net web site. • After the training session, net controls may want to add the reporting form link as a favorite in case the link to the form has not been turned on to the web site. • Let’s take a moment to go through the reporting criteria and the criteria notes and then the two entry forms for data. • Net Controls should try and get as much information as possible if the Amateur is at a safe location and has time to provide the information. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

18. Handling Reports and the Reporting Criteria • Be sure to select the right ocean for the voipwx.net webform and get the town and state of the reporting station and fill out the correct date and time for the report. • Have a map available to look up the location and possibly provide the county of the report. This will also allow you to spell the location correctly. • With estimated or measured wind reports, try and get an approximate wind direction and a sustained and peak wind gust if the Amateur has the information. • If the Amateur has a weather station, be sure to get the wind direction, sustained wind and peak wind gust, barometric reading (if available) and rain gauge total for the event (if available). • If the Amateur is reporting tree and power line damage, ask for the diameter of the trees or tree branches, whether its wires down or whole utility poles and the diameter if utility poles are reported blown down. • Have the Amateur estimate the winds sustained and in gusts if any damage is reported. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

19. Handling Reports and the Reporting Criteria • If the Amateur is reporting structural damage to a home, business, school, shelter or other structure, try and get as much information as possible provided the station has the time and is at a safe location. Some key points to ask: • If the roof is damaged, the type of roof and how much damage (is it a flat roof, flat tar roof, is it shingles blown off the roof as a few example questions.) • Is there any structural damage to doors, windows or walls of the structure. • Are there any known injuries or deaths. • Is there any need for immediate assistance. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

20. Handling Reports and the Reporting Criteria • If a tornado, funnel cloud or waterspout is reported, ask the Amateur where its located and the direction of travel possibly giving landmarks or major routes in the area of where its being reported. Also, give any damage that can be seen from the Amateur’s location if they are in a safe place. • For storm surge flooding, determine a rough depth to the flooding and any damage to coastal homes, docks, boats and other structures. • For river/stream/urban flooding, determine the depth of the flooding, what roads are affected, what rivers or streams are out of their banks or if its flooding caused by poor drainage/excessive rainfall in the area. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

21. Handling Reports and the Reporting Criteria • Remember, gauge the situation on the Amateur’s ability and amount of time to give you more specific information. • Make sure their well-being is not in danger and that you are concerned about their well-being and very much appreciate that they are giving you this information in a potentially dangerous situation. • If the report meets criteria but is incomplete, fill out the reporting form and state in the report that you tried to obtain as much info as possible and no further information is available. • Use judgment in determining whether the report should be filed online. There may be cases where the report is so incomplete it should not be filed at all or shouldn’t be filed until more details are known. • Ask WX4NHC if the report should be filed online or go direct with the Amateur giving the report when WX4NHC is on the system and copy down the report and request whether the report should be put in the online form. • This is one of the most difficult tasks of net operation. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

22. National Hurricane Center Advisory and Updates • The National Hurricane Center issues advisories and tropical cyclone updates at different time intervals depending on the intensity of the hurricane and its proximity to land areas. • There are three different products all net controls/backup net controls and liaisons should understand: • Tropical Cyclone Advisories (Includes Public and Marine advisories, a Technical Discussion and Tropical Cyclone probabilities.) • Tropical Cyclone Position Estimates • Tropical Cyclone Updates • We will break down each of these products and teach how important it is to know when each product is issued and to be monitoring and updating the net with the key information from these products as they issued. • It is important to pass on the latest information to the net. Stale information via the net can result in confusion and can hurt the integrity of the net. • The source of the upcoming slides on National Hurricane Center products is via the following web link: • http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnhcprod.shtml VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

23. NHC Tropical Cyclone Advisory Issuance & Descriptions • Advisory packages include a public advisory, a marine advisory, a technical discussion and wind speed probabilities. • Public advisories are typically the only advisories read over the air. • When first issue, the advisory can be read in abbreviated form at the Net Control’s discretion as required if traffic on the net is heavy. Should also be read periodically in abbreviated form if traffic on the net is light. • Other parts of the advisory package can be used as a precursor for watching for the issuance of the public advisory which can be read over the net. • Advisories are typically issued by the National Hurricane Center every 6 hours when no coastal watches and warnings are in effect. • When coastal watches/warnings are in effect, advisories are typically issued every 2-3 hours. • Special public advisories are issued anytime there are significant changes in the system or changes in watch/warning information. • The end of each advisory contains when the next scheduled advisory is expected. • Net Controls should make sure they are monitoring for the next advisory when they are not busy fielding reports and utilize their backup net control/liaison to monitor for new information from the National Hurricane Center. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

24. Sample of Reading an Abbreviated Advisory • From the VoIP Hurricane Net Operations manual, here is a sample of reading the key elements of an advisory in abbreviated form: • This is KD1CY, Net Control for the VoIP Hurricane Net. We will now read a brief summary on the latest conditions for Hurricane Frances, At 8 PM EDT, 0000z, the center of Hurricane Frances was located near Latitude 25.1 North/75.4 West or about 300 miles east of Daytona Beach Florida, Frances is moving toward the west-northwest at 10 MPH and this expected motion will continue with a turn toward the north later tonight. Maximum Sustained winds are 105 MPH with higher gusts; little change in strength is forecast for the next 24 hours. Hurricane Force Winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 250 miles from the center. Minimum Central Pressure is 980 MB or 28.80 inches. • Above sample reading can be broken up into two parts if required. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

25. NHC Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate Description • Tropical Cyclone Position Estimates are issued between 2-hourly intermediate advisories whenever a tropical cyclone with a well-defined radar center is within 200 nautical miles of land-based radar in the United States. • These estimates give the following: • Center location in map coordinates. • Distance and direction from a well-known point. • If you note advisories being issued at 2 hour intervals in the public advisory, look for these tropical cyclone estimate products. • They are short and provide the latest position of the system. • Should replace abbreviated advisory reading at 15 minute time intervals if traffic on the net is light. • Gather the maximum sustained wind information and minimum central pressure information utilizing the previous full public advisory. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

26. NHC Tropical Cyclone Update • Tropical Cyclone Updates are brief statements issued in lieu of or preceding special advisories to inform of significant changes in a tropical cyclone or to post or cancel watches or warnings. • If issued, these updates should be read on the net if traffic is light and then read periodically as required. • When issued, net controls should see if a special advisory will be issued and be on the lookout for the advisory and be prepared to obtain that advisory to update the net. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

27. Sources for National Hurricane Center Advisory Information • The National Hurricane Center main page has links to advisory and graphical information. The link to the NHC web site is listed below: • http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ • The NHC web site can be slow under heavy web traffic and advisories tend to come out faster via other web links. • Additional web links that contain advisory and tropical cyclone updates and are quicker to post them to the web site include the following links: • http://kamala.cod.edu/TPC/ • Look for the name of the system and for the public advisory/intermediate advisory, tropical cyclone position estimate or update. • http://www.wundergound.com/tropical • Will carry the advisories under the name of each system along with satellite and other helpful links. • http://twister.sbs.ohio-state.edu/text/tropical/atlantic/advisories/ • Check the date and time and click on appropriate link and look for data on the system we are actively monitoring. • Updated advisory links are now posted right to the VoIPWXNet web site. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

28. Links to Radar and Local Warning Information for the Affected Area • The following are links to local radar, satellite and warning information to assist with tracking of the hurricane: • Every radar site (delayed by 10 minutes) is available via this link: • http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar_tab.php • Satellite information is available via this link: • http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/satellite.shtml • Warning information is available via the following sites: • http://kamala.cod.edu/svr for local Tornado and flood warnings. • http://kamala.cod.edu/SPC for SPC Tornado Watches and discussions • http://twister.sbs.ohio-state.edu/severe.html for various watch and warning information • http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ select the state and click go for watch/warning info. • As time allows Net Controls/backups can pass along this data keeping in mind the main goal is to gather weather and damage reports and connect agencies together and to provide these agencies with the data if required. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

29. Radar and Local Warning Information for the Affected Area • Net Controls may have access to WeatherTap, EMWIN, StormLab, Gibson Ridge and other premium or local sources for warning information for the affected area of hurricanes. • Net Controls can utilize those resources as required provided they are timely and precise. • This presentation gives a sampling of the links and resources that are available. • There maybe other resources that may be of use to the Net Controls not mentioned in this presentation and provided those resources are timely, they can be utilized as well. • The VoIP Net Management team is working on making more resources to pertinent severe weather information available via the web site, http://www.voipwx.net VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

30. Questions and Comments on This NCO Training Seminar • This NCO training seminar is a work in progress and more changes and work will be done to this seminar as things change and as we get feedback. • Now that we are at the end of this seminar, we’d like to ask for any questions or comments on this session. • A list of contacts for the net and the VoIPWXNet web site is listed on the last slide. VoIP Hurricane Net Control Operations Training

31. VoIP Hurricane Net Contact Us KD1CY-Rob Macedo – kd1cy@voipwx.net Director Net Operations K2DCD-Dennis Dura – k2dcd@voipwx.net Assistant Director Net Operations KB3MSE - Matt Hoppes – kb3mse@w3ahs.com Net Control Training Coordinator KB1KQW-Jim Palmer – kb1kqw@nsradio.org Weekly and Activation Net Control Schedule KC5FM – Lloyd Colston – kc5fm@arrl.net Public Information Officer VK3JED – Tony Langdon – vk3jed-1@optusnet.com.au Technical Coordinator http://www.voipwx.net