On Thursday March 9th at 8:30 AM the Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers called a DRILL of their Emergency Response Team. The drill scenario was as follows:
Enter HAM Radio. The GVARC was called and by 9:00 AM. There where 10 HAMS at the SAV building ready to help. After a short briefing of both the SAV officers and the Ham Radio operators, the Hams and SAV officers where assigned to a SAV patrol car. The hams, equipped with 2 meter HT's and magnetic mount antennas were used the GVARC 145.29 repeater to provide communications.
Four patrol cars were fielded, manned with SAV officers. Units Golf 7 with Ted (W7DMT) and Lloyd (N7GV), Golf 8 with Randy (KM7T) and Bob (AD7FQ), Golf 9 had "Bob Cat Chasing" Carol (WS1X) and Golf 10 with Sig (KE7FZY) and Rudy (N3EBG). Net Control was manned by John (AC7JM) backed up by Ron (AD7FV) who had driven in from his home in Sahuarita.
John (AC7JM) soon had the net working like a well oiled machine. But, as so often can happen, the base station had a malfunction. With typical Ham Radio "Can Do" the radio was replaced and the net continued. It was also determined that, for reasons beyond anyone's control, communications would be better served on the 145.27 repeater. The net was moved to the new frequency without further problems. In the midst of the technical problems the victim's car was found and reported. Shortly, the person was also found and reported.
A short debriefing was held back at the SAV training room to discuss what could be done better. It was a short meeting.
Thank You to all that helped in this drill. It sure makes being President a lot easier!
Gene WØKAD
President GVARC