Category: Winlink

Thursday, October 20th, is the Great California ShakeOut, and ACS will conduct an exercise that you can do from home or work.  We will have a voice check-in on ACS channel 9 (145.200 – PL 127.3) and Winlink check-ins using the USGS form.

The time of the mock earthquake is 10:20 A.M.  Please check in by voice 10:20 and 10:45 A.M. using your member number and FCC call sign.   If you have only a handheld radio, look for a high, clear spot to operate from.  An external antenna will generally provide better results than will a stock handheld-mounted antenna

If you have Winlink capability, please also send a Winlink DYFI form using the built-in template to DYFI@vccomm.org after 10:30 A.M.  Please include your location’s latitude and longitude (decimal degrees with the longitude being a negative number) on your Winlink check-in form, as we will be mapping the results.   If you are unsuccessful, wait a few minutes and try again. 

Link to our exercise plan.

Exercise plan and timeline:

• Exercise has a digital element consisting of Winlink messages (DYFI and Welfare via VHF and HF, and a phone element using VHF simplex
• Date: Saturday Oct 23^rd
• Simulated Quake timeline 9:15am approx.
  • Winlink activity 9:15 to 10 am, VHF/HF as you are able
    • Check your house as you would if there had been a real quake.
    • Send DYFI message to USGS, CC to dyfi@vccomm.org
    • In the Optional Exercise Field of the DYFI form, please enter” SOCAL ARES Shakeout 2021.”
    • Send a welfare message to your out-of-town friends and family.  Members are encouraged to send messages for their neighbors.
  • Phone Simplex VHF check-in 10 to 11am, using 145.615 MHz, VC ACS/ARES Channel 19
    • Rob, W6RH, will go up to Rasnow and call for check ins.  This is a good opportunity to see who you can hear across the county.
• Email updates via CVARC main group

Click here to view the presentation made by Andy Moorwood-K3CAQ on the October 17, 2020 “Did You Feel It” Great California Shakeout event in Ventura County.