About Amateur Radio
What is Amateur Radio
When cell phones, regular phones, the internet and other systems are down or overloaded, Amateur Radio still gets the message through. Radio amateurs, often called “hams,” enjoy radio technology as a hobby. But it's also a service –a vital service that has saved lives when regular communication systems failed (ARRL).
LAXNORTHEAST News
ARCIM and ShakeOut After Action Report
Pasadena, CA, October 20, 2024
The Amateur Radio Community Intensity Map (ARCIM) played a vital role in the 2024 ShakeOut, a global earthquake preparedness exercise. The ARCIM is a project developed by and for amateur radio operators to provide near-live mapping of "Did You Feel It" (DYFI) reports submitted via Winlink. The ARCIM project is a collaborative effort involving ARES LAX Northeast, San Diego ARES, Ventura ACS/ARES, San Joaquin Valley Section, and the IEEE MOVE Project Radio Club.
The ARCIM project was a resounding success, collecting hundreds reports from radio operators in 14 countries. These reports were added to the ARCIM map, which is hosted on the LAXNORTHEAST website. Of the 1,652 total DYFI SHAKEOUT amateur radio reports received by the USGS, 556 were contributed by ARCIM participants. This highlights the significant role amateur radio operators played in providing valuable data for earthquake scientists.
On SHAKEOUT Day, LAXNORTHEAST conducted a very successful voice net with its Southland partners. Over 50 stations checked in via the DARN system. Check ins came from LAXNORTHEAST, San Diego ARES, the Red Cross, DCS, and many more!
The ARCIM project provided participating groups with maps and metrics that they could share with their clubs and partners. The project also helped to raise awareness of the importance of amateur radio in emergency communications. The ARCIM project is a collaboration of ARES LAX Northeast, San Diego ARES , Ventura ACS/ARES, San Joaquin Valley Section and the IEEE MOVE Project Radio Club and is provided for the whole amateur radio community.
The ARCIM team would like to thank all of the radio operators who participated in the 2024 ShakeOut. Their contributions helped to make the exercise a success and provided valuable data for earthquake scientists. The ARCIM team is already planning for the 2025 ShakeOut and is looking for ways to improve the project and make it even more valuable to the amateur radio community.
See the ARCIM SHAKEOUT Website here.
Rudy KN6SXB and Jason KM6WJQ during their ShakeOut community outreach. Photo by Jason KM6WJQ.
ARES LAX Northeast Excels in Angel Fall Complex Exercise
Pasadena, July 13, 2024.
During the "Angel Fall Complex" exercise held on June 29, 2024, ARES LAX Northeast demonstrated exceptional teamwork and technical proficiency. This exercise tested the capabilities of amateur radio operators in a simulated scenario in which a cyberattack, orchestrated by a hacker group named "Specter Net," targeted Southern California’s healthcare infrastructure. The goal was to ensure that mission-critical communications could still be maintained despite the disruption.
Key Accomplishments
Successful transmission of forms: All stations transmitted mission-critical forms via VARA FM Chat, achieving a 100% success rate. This included bed availability and resource request spreadsheets, demonstrating VARA FM's efficiency in handling vital data.
Live service level updates: PinpointAPRS enabled operators to provide timely service level updates, which were easy to access and interpret, enhancing the overall responsiveness of the exercise.
Robust digital and voice coordination: The exercise highlighted the effectiveness of combining digital and voice operations. The disciplined approach of the operators ensures smooth communication and coordination, with voice net control on the LAX103 repeater and digital traffic on LAX303 simplex.
Lew Soloway, AC6LS, Assistant District Emergency Coordinator for ARES LAX Northeast and voice net control remarked that “emergency communications skills are perishable. Regular exercises, like the “Angel Fall Complex,” are critical to refreshing, enhancing and updating our skills as radio communicators. We also work closely with our hospital and county partners for these exercises, which strengthens our communities.”
Read the full article in the July ARES Letter.
Radio operators Jack KN6PDS, Robert K6YZF, Stan KE6ZC at San Dimas Hospital. Photo credit: Robert K6YZF
2024 Walk for Kids
Pasadena, April 20, 2024.
ARES LAX Northeast supported the 2024 Walk for Kids!
Our operators provided communications for the First Aid Station, the three Hydration Stations, Tail End Charlie and the Rover. Working closely with our Walk for Kids partners and the Pasadena Fire Department EMT Team we provided situational awareness for the 3 mile route. Our Tail End Charlie Team swept the route watching out for any walkers who might be struggling.
LAXNORTHEAST overcame the propagation challenges posed by the Rose Bowl by using a 2m/70cm crossband repeater and a de-linked DARN repeater.
👏🏻 We were especially thrilled to welcome two new and one soon to be amateur radio operators to the event support team!
Pomona Valley Hospital HamCram
Pasadena, April 7, 2024.
ARES LAX Northeast and Pomona Valley Hospital conducted a successful HamCram on April 6, 2024.
8 people passed the Technician test! Congratulations to the new amateur radio operators!
The "Surria Complex" Exercise
Pasadena, March 30, 2024
The 2024 March 5th Saturday Exercise, called "The Surria Complex" simulated radio operations during a cyberattack on LA County Hospitals. Stations sent traffic and hospital service level updates via PinpointAPRS, Winlink and APRS.
One exercise inject was Winlink being compromised mid-net and asked operators to move to VARA FM Chat. Without missing a step operators sent mission critical bed availability reports and resource requests on VARA Chat using spreadsheets.
The exercise lasted for four hours. Net control coordinated the net on LAX103. Operators sent 89+ peer-to-peer digital messages on the designated digital frequency. 42 of those were mission critical bed availability reports and resource requests, the others were check-ins, check-outs acknowledgements and other tactical traffic.
The net was a smashing success with 100% of intended traffic sent, in spite of challenging weather conditions, harsh exercise injects and mid net transitions of means and traffic type. Kudos to our LAXNORTHEAST operators!
