W2IK and The Bexar Operators Group (W5BOG) located in San Antonio, Texas, will sponsor their 5th annual “Jump Team Boot Camp” in 2011, commencing on April 8th (Friday morning) and running through the 10th (Sunday evening).
This year’s “Boot Camp” will concentrate on the ways and means to get a “Jump Team” operational should there be a need to deploy far from your home and communicate in the aftermath of a disaster where nothing is standing.
Just like the other “Jump Team Boot Camps” I’ve taught, this will be an actual drive-and-operate operation and NOT a desktop drill. This is the “no bs, real deal” of emcomm training and is as close as it gets to an actual disaster. The only emcomm boot camp in the country!
You will get very dirty. You will test your personal limits.
You will leave with self-confidence in dealing with extreme emergency communications work.
ECs and AECs from any group are especially encouraged to attend so they can bring valuable information back to their group(s) and so they are aware of what any of their members will be facing when you ask them to deploy to an extreme disaster area.
This boot camp will also be of great help if any EC or group wishes to create their own “Jump Team” from scratch. I will also be available after this event should any attendees require additional help in forming their own Jump Team and I will even meet with your group to get you started or review your Jump Team plans. (This offer ONLY for those who have attended this boot camp.)
Participants for this session will meet at a central staging area in San Marcos, TX. Pre-deployment maps will be given out at this time, although due to the nature of real emergencies along any caravan route, driving directions may change due to “flooding” and other concerns so each vehicle must be equipped with 2 meter (simplex) capabilities.
When the destination has been reached, all participants will assist in the construction of shelters and operating areas. We will be teaching the proper way to do a site evaluation before any structure is erected in order to avoid problems which could be encountered should weather take a turn for the worse (additional rains and/or high winds). We will be supplying energy to operate using three types of power: gas generation, solar generation and wind turbine generation with instruction on the set up and safe operation each system.
Since it is important that every Jump Team member have a firm grasp of all aspects of setting up and operating during an emergency, special emphasis will be placed on the logical sequence of setting up (structures, power and antennas including NVIS antennas), meeting nutritional requirements (basic cooking and meal planning), station operation, message logging/handling (using BOTH NTS and Plain Text messaging), band propagation as well as the proper method to filter (local) water for emergency needs and how to interface with local government.
Also be aware that the actual destination will not be a local park so like an actual emergency communications deployment we will have to bring everything that we need including every ounce of water. This location will be a truly primitive site!
Along with instructions during each phase of setting up and operation, there will be short lectures and discussions. We will check in to various HF nets during our operation and pass mock traffic (NTS and Plain Text) to stations who will be awaiting our messages. All communications gear, antennas, shelters, instructional booklets and food will be provided. Participants will be given a short list of what they need to bring (personal items, sleeping bags, etc).
A special “Jump Team Boot Camp Manual/Workbook” will be supplied to each attendee. At the end of the boot camp, attendees will be given a certificate of course completion and an Emcomm cap.
This event will be limited in the number of attendees (10-12). Please be sure to read and study the section on “Creating A Viable Jump Team” located at: http://www.texasmars.com/ so you will have a basic understanding of jump team operation. Also be aware that the actual destination will not be a local park so like an actual emergency communications deployment we will have to bring everything we need or do without! This will be very rustic in nature. Cell phones, again this year, will NOT be allowed. You do not need to be a member of any group to attend. We accept all groups or individuals regardless of experience. You DO need a sincere desire to assist during a disaster.
Do not register if you think this is some feeble “Field Day” operation or to inflate your ego. Register to come only if you wish to learn how to properly operate as a team of emergency communicators and gain the confidence and skill needed in the face of any disaster.
Register as soon as possible to avoid being cut off after the maximum number of registered attendees has been reached. DO NOT REGISTER UNLESS YOU MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO ATTEND AS THE FUNDS SPENT FOR THIS EVENT, SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS, COMES DIRECTLY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. IF YOU REGISTER BUT DO NOT SHOW, YOU MIGHT BE DENYING SOMEONE WHO WISHES TO ATTEND BUT ATTEMPTS TO REGISTER AFTER THE MAXIMUM NUMBER HAS BEEN REACHED.
Contact W2IK at: alonestaryank@aol.com or W2IK@ARRL.net with your registration request.
