At recent ARES meetings, we've been learning about the two most common message formats encountered by amateur radio emergency communications groups: the ARRL's National Traffic System (NTS) Radiogram and the ICS-213.

We're providing you with blank forms of each, along with training documents to help understand how each of them are to be used.  The blank forms and training documents can be found in the new "Message Formats" section on the "Additional Training Resources" page of the "Training" menu, or by clicking here: www.W9TCA.com/training02

To accomplish its mission, Tippecanoe County ARES has developed a series of guideline documents.  Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outline operational procedures, activation conditions, resources needed, frequencies used, type of information communicated, and when to deactivate.  Special procedures for working with particular served agencies are detailed in Operations Plans (OP PLANs).  They can be found under "Plans" on the menu at the top of the page, then selecting "Plans, SOPs & Guidelines", or by navigating to: www.W9TCA.com/plans

To create a clear understanding of expectations, TCARES has Memorandums Of Understanding (MOUs) with several agencies, including owners of local repeaters.  These can also be found on the "Plans" menu by selecting "Served Agencies" or visiting: www.W9TCA.com/served-agencies

Other ARES teams and EmComm groups are welcome to use these documents as models for developing their own operating guidelines, support plans, and MOUs.

Updates to the TCARES Plans, SOPs, and Guidelines have been posted to the Plans section of this web site.

The suggested memory channel programming scheme for ARES members' radios has been updated in the NET 1-3 document, "Net Frequencies".  All of the net scripts have been updated as well, and can be found in the NET 1-4 document, "Net Formats".

All ARES Net Controls should download and thoroughly review each of the four NET documents, as changes have been made in all of them.

All ARES Net Controls should download the updated NET 1-4 document and print it out for reference.  All TCARES members are urged to download these documents and become familiar with them.

The wording of travel advisories is being changed ahead of the winter weather season.  In accordance with new guidelines from the state, Tippecanoe County has adopted new designations for road hazard restrictions.

Instead of issuing numerical warning levels, which were confusing to many, travel conditions will be designated as a warning, watch, or advisory:

• Travel ADVISORY

  • simply advises drivers of worsening conditions

• Travel WATCH

  • essential travel only (to/from work, school, etc.)

• Travel WARNING

  • travel is forbidden (emergency & disaster support vehicles only)

These alerts are usually issued when weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall or ice, are affecting travel conditions, although other situations can also cause the county commissioners to restrict travel.

Travel advisories statewide are available from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security web site.

March of 2012 brings the next installment of the biennial Central Indiana Severe Weather Symposium, an all day session geared toward providing more advanced information for spotters and weather enthusiasts.

When: Saturday, March 10, 2012, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: Valle Vista Conference Center, 755 East Main Street, Greenwood, IN  46143

Registration is now open!  The cost to attend is $35 ($25 for students), and includes breakfast and lunch buffets.  For more information and to register, visit this web page.

The "official" Tippecanoe County ARES shirts are now available for ordering!  They are high quality polo shirts (with a pocket), made of 100% durable, comfortable cotton.  The TCARES and round ARES logos are embroidered on the shirts.  No cheap iron-on patches or silk-screening here!  Available in two colors for the men (navy or white), and in white for the ladies, in sizes ranging from XS-6XL.  Cost is in the $25-$30 range, depending on size and style.  For more details and how to order, check out the "About" menu, and select "TCARES Customized Items", or navigate to www.W9TCA.com/order

Our ARES members utilize a variety of specialized software designed to assist in our mission.  Several of these applications have recently been updated to fix bugs and add features.  Please check to see that you are using these latest versions:

---

GRLevel3 Radar software - version 1.91b  (updated 29 OCT 2011) Update available from www.grlevelx.com/grlevel3    GRLevel2 Radar software - version 1.43 (updated 05 MAR 2011) Update available from www.grlevelx.com/grlevel2

---

Outpost Packet Message Manager - version 2.5.0 c033 Updated 14 AUG 2011 Available from www.outpostpm.org

---

NBEMS fldigi / flarq - version 3.21.37 flwrap - version 1.3.2 flmsg - version 1.1.12

Latest versions available from w1hkj.com

---

Data communication, position mapping, and file transfer software for D-STAR. Latest version: 0.3.3 Available from d-rats.com