R:250705/2100Z 91@N3MEL.#EPA.PA.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.24
Received information on the upcoming FEMA drill that will be held on
July 9th 2025
Although Packet Radio is not on the list of participating services I
think we should participate anyway!
The FEMA Drill Announcement can be found in full here:
www.tprfn.net/press
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PKTNET Instructions. FOLLOW THIS FORMAT COMPLETELY PLEASE!
Using the the html to text form, Field Situation Report you can find it
here: vden.org/pktnet/fsr.html
Fill out the form as closely as you can based on the FEMA instructions
below, also please add your GPS concordance on the 1st line of the
message section of the form. All completed form should be sent to:
Address: SB PKTNET@USA
Subject: FEMA Exercise Exercise Exercise
Message: Paste your FSR add blank line ant the end of your report
followed by "/ex" enter.
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What will happen once your message is received by N3MEL. All forms
completed correctly will be auto forwarded to Winlink via one of the
TPRFN VARAHF Gateways. The forms will be sent to both NCS800; NCS398.
I think this is a good opportunity to show that Packet Radio can and is
still relative in today's digital EMCOMMM world.
What I don't fully understand is that the instructions allow for the use
of TELNET, however if the "Grid" was in fact down how would you use
TELNET or even Winlink in general?
Please prepare your message ahead of time and then send it on Wednesday
July 9th between the hours of 11:30 & 23:00 UTC.
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Here are the FEMA FSR Instructions, remember we will be using the Packet
version of the form NOT the Winlink version:
Choose “Field Situation Report.txt”
1. Your browser should open with the HTML Form showing.
2. Fill out the form per info below:
3. PRECEDENCE (R) Routine
4. Date, Time, Task as 1.0.
5. To: NCS800; NCS398 (separate addresses with semi-colon).
6. On Form:
7: NO.
8. your City, County, State (2 letter designator), or Territory.
9. Put in Coordinates using degree decimal format,
(If you cannot provide coordinates per above, then put in your Grid
Square, and they will be approximated from your Winlink Express settings.
10. Put in your Grid Square.
11. At this point, you should review the data in the PDF attachment to
this email, which contains probable damage in mileage bands from zero to
800 miles. (THE PDF IS NOT YET AVAILABLE, WILL SEND AS SOON AS I RECEIVE
IT)
12. From the data provided, determine your approximate distance ("as the
crow flies”) from Memphis, TN, the location of the earthquake epicenter.
Once you have approximated that distance, review the mileage band that
applies to you and your location, note the probable effects on physical
structures and communications availability, and fill out the SITREP
report, accordingly.
REMEMBER TO PUT “EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE” in the COMMENTS section
at bottom of the Form.
NOTE: If you live 300 miles or less from Memphis, and are powered by a
nuclear power plant, which will be mandatorily shut down for inspection
for damage, the inspection process takes at least 1-5 days to complete
and restore providing power. This, of course, assumes that no damage
occurred. NRC regulations (e.g., 10 CFR Part 100 and RG 1.165) require
that plants be designed for Safe Shutdown Earthquake Ground Motion
(SSEGM). For a 7.8 magnitude Earthquake, a distance of 300 miles or less
from the epicenter would most likely shut down for inspection from 1-5
days. Use your own judgement based on this data.
13. Once the form is completed, submit it (bottom of report area), and
close the browser if it does not happen automatically. Your message will
appear.
14. BE CERTAIN to ensure your messages are being sent to NCS800 and
NCS398, then find menu item on message form, "POST to OUTBOX,” and send
the message via TELNET or radio.*
Reminder: If you are not in an affected area, you may decide to use
Telnet Winlink. In a "real life situation," you would always want to use
Telnet if it is available in order to leave the precious RF spectrum for
those in affected areas who have no other choice. However, for this
exercise, it is your choice since this exercise is also for practicing
your ability to use Winlink in an emergency condition.
Thanks much,
Steve Waterman,
Winlink Administrator
END OF MESSAGE TEXT
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