Speaker

June 27, 2017: Mike Jones KK6EZP: The EMCOMM BOX — the why, what, and how of emergency communication

Being involved in providing Emergency Communication services in support of diverse public-service organizations under ever-changing disaster environments, presents the EMCOMM Radio Operator with a complex problem-solving environment.

The concept of the EMCOMM BOX is one attempt at making “chasing the cats” a little easier.

Mike Jones KK6EZP has been involved in radio communications since graduating from the Naval Communications Officer program in Newport, R.I,. in 1960. His emergency communications experience dates back to two Vietnam tours (1964 and 1966), one as Operations Officer and the other as Officer-In-Charge of SAR Station “A” in the Tonkin Gulf. After leaving the Navy in 1967 he continued with the Navy-Marine Corps MARS until they were disbanded. His focus then turned to local Emergency Communications and he became involved with two ARES organizations, Los Angeles (Northeast District), Williamson County, TX (WCARES), where he serves as Associate Director for AIR/GROUND Operations, the Los Angeles Emergency Communication Team (LAECT) and the Altadena Local Emergency Radio Team (ALERT).

While enjoying all operating modes he admits to a fondness for the digital modes, due to the fact that you don't have something going on in your ear all the time. He says that harkens back to the days when he had to wear two headsets, one for air, one for ground, and remembering which HEADPHONE/PTT was which, in the dark, in a helo or on a RIB doing 50 knots.

Currently he is actively involved in expanding the MESH network capability in Los Angeles County, and conducts two weekly ARES NE digital exercises, one using Winlink and the other using NBEMS/Fldigi.