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OC OEM STARTS AMATEUR RADIO NET
2009-07-09
Office of Emergency Management
Amateur Radio Program
Mission Statement
To all residents of Ocean City, and the surrounding mainland communities who are licensed Amateur Radio operators, or those who would like to become one, the Ocean City Office of Emergency Management would like to announce our plans for integrating Amateur Radio into Emergency Management operations.
We are working on a three phase program to implement Amateur Radio Emergency Communications to advance our ability in serving the community during times of severe weather events, and other possible disasters.
Our first phase is nearly complete, we have secured a new VHF/UHF dual band radio with digital voice and messaging capabilities. This radio and it’s antenna will soon be in place at Police Headquarters where our Amateur Radio station will be located on the third floor. Once installed and tested, The Ocean City Office of Emergency Management will have direct communications links with Cape May, Cumberland, and Atlantic County OEM’s plus all other Amateur Radio Emergency Communications networks within a 40 to 50 mile radius. We will be able to communicate on two different Amateur Radio frequency bands, in standard analog FM voice, and with the new D-Star digital voice and messaging system. We will also be conducting monthly emergency drills and practice nets from this station. Our Amateur Radio station will also be involved with the National Weather Service’s Skywarn program, reporting on the ground severe weather observations to the Mt. Holly office via Amateur Radio.
Our second phase will be to secure portable hand held dual band digital radios compatible with the station radio. As we add licensed Amateur Radio operators to our CERT teams, these radios will be used to communicate between those in the field and the central Amateur Radio station at Police Headquarters. These portable radios will also be equipped with GPS tracking so that the station operator will be able to keep track of each team’s location in the field.
Our third and final phase will be to secure an Amateur High Frequency radio, this radio will give us world wide communication abilities, connect us with a wider variety of Emergency and Public Service Nets, and also a direct link to the National Hurricane Center in Corral Gables, Florida.
To make this program work, we need licensed Amateur Radio Operators with a minimum of a Technician license. Those interested in becoming a part of our Citizen Emergency Response Team as an Amateur Radio Operator, or would like to learn how to become a licensed Amateur Radio operator, please contact Tony Migliaccio at WX2MIG@arrl.net Put “OEM Amateur Radio” in the subject line.
Also visit the “Links” page of this website to find web links to many different Amateur Radio clubs and organizations, many will help you in getting started in Amateur Radio.
Anthony M. Migliaccio ~ WX2MIG Amateur Radio Coordinator for the Ocean City Office of Emergency Management