John EI7IG talks about emergency communications

In this video from Ham Radio Now's YouTube channel, John Ronan EI7IG gives a talk in the USA about methods of sending rapid messages during emergency communications scenarios using D-STAR. John is a leading light in Ireland behind AREN - Amateur Radio Emergency Networks - which is a cause close to my heart. A northeast region AREN group was set up a few years ago and is co-ordinated by Tony Allen EI4DIB. The purpose of AREN, for those of you who are not involved in amateur radio, is to provide communications or help with communications during disasters or emergencies. AREN groups have also assisted with comms at community events. 

You can read more about John EI7IG at his website, and don't forget to have a look at the AREN page.

AREN training exercise in Drogheda

I participated in an AREN training exercise with other local hams in Drogheda today. AREN stands for Amateur Radio Emergency Network, which is a public service voluntary radio emergency network run by the Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) in conjunction with ComReg.

Taking shelter from a heavy rain shower. Pictured are: Thos EI2JD, Derek EI7CHB,
Tony EI4DIB, Ben EI4IN, Sean EI4IP, Pat EI2HX and Seamus EI3KE.

The training consisted of using radio communications plus a GPS device to track down various 'clues' which had been hidden in various areas of a park known as 'The Glen' at Newfoundwell in Drogheda. It was interesting, fun and educational.

The 'team', for which I did the radio comms, managed to find all five items using the GPS. When we found each item, there was a code written on the front which we had to relay to control. Control was manned by Thos EI2JD and Tony EI4DIB, who is the AREN Co-ordinator for the North East. After successful transmission of the code, we were then sent a question from control, relating to information on the back of each clue. On receipt of the question, we had to find the answer and relay it back to control before being given the coordinates for the next clue.

Pat EI2HX leads the team towards
the correct coordinates.

All going well, there will be weekly exercises in various parts of Drogheda and beyond. This training followed a very recent successful outing to Clogherhead, where local AREN volunteers provided emergency and backup communications for a 10 kilometre road race.

If you are interested in becoming an AREN volunteer, you can contact Tony Allen EI4DIB through his blog.