found a good article about using ham messenger using vhf.https://spectrum.ieee.org/ham-radio-text-hacking

AuxComm explained.
Video follows my comments: I recommend that you read my comments, but if you want to skip down to the video, that's fine too! It's all good in the end.

After taking over as the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Bruce County I’ve been playing catch up. In fact I’ve been hip deep in trying to get my head around the state of Emergency Communications in Canada, past, present and future. I’m sharing some of what I’ve learned as well as my understanding,such as it is, of where things are going.


First I need to provide a little background and simplify some of the more complicated issues surrounding what may be an unfamiliar term. AuxComm, short for Auxiliary Communications is a catch all phrase used to describe the blending together of differing communications technologies, systems and methods into a single more unified system.


One simple and very limited aspect of the AuxComm concept is the standardized use of ICS forms for emergency communications. The objective is to have any radio operator or emergency manager trained in the use of these forms as a standard method of communicating. Standardized operating methods is really at the heart of the AuxComm concept.


Another AuxComm concept is that all those involved with emergency communications will also understand the Emergency Management and Incident Management System. This understanding will then mean that anyone working in an Emergency Operations Centre will understand the hierarchy or organization of the emergency management team and what part they will play within that organization.


Once again, the AuxComm principles that apply are to have a standardized and uniform method of doing emergency communications within the context of an operational Emergency Operations Centre. There for the principles of concepts of AuxComm will incorporate the services of amateur radio volunteers with those used in professional public safety communications systems.


This should not be confused as making amateur volunteers into part of the public safety communications system. Amateur radio volunteers in an EOC will still be a distinct and separate segment of emergency communications. The equipment and skill set of amateur radio communications are unique to amateur operations as are the conditions of the licensing under which we operate.
To the best of my understanding, AuxComm methods will help ACS operators better integrate into the professional operating environment of the agencies we serve. On the revese side of that coin, the overarching uniformity of AuxComm principles will help served agencies better understand and use the services amateur radio volunteers offer.


What I am sharing here is information I have gleaned from various sources. This is an overview which I admit is incomplete at this point in time. I continue to study and research and will share any new information which I think is worthy of sharing.


I am advised now to expect a proper roll out of the newly minted Auxiliary Communications Service in mid January 2022. It is my understand that this roll out will involve a series of zoom presentations for ACS EC’s such as myself.
Emergency Communications vs ACS

Needless to say I am looking forward to having a clearer view of what we can expect from the new ACS organization. I will keep everyone informed as things move ahead.


While I recognize that the video I am sharing below is American I believe the basic principles of AuxComm will be the same on both sides of the border with notable exceptions for differences between Canadian and US government structures. Having said all that, please watch the video.

Net Controller - VE3OZW Richard

Topic for discussion -
1. Other than GBARC, what other nets do you join, listen to or participate in?
2. What topics do you suggest for our GBARC net?
3. Thanks to those that volunteer to be a net controller.  We are always looking for volunteer net controllers.  Would you be interested?  See the GBARC website to volunteer.
*** Bonus Trivia questions (150 points) - What significant event happened on this date and almost to this hour, 46 years ago on the Great Lakes?  
--- Answer - The sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975.  Check out the W8F station to commemorate the event.

VHF
VE3FAS Phil
VA3MFO Jim
VE3VCG Marvin
VA3EAC Janet
VE3RQY Greg
VE3BQM Bernie
VE3WI Dave
VA3KOT John

HF
VE3BQM Bernie
*** Conditions did not allow for an HF round

Responses -

Question #1
- CW nets
- Port Elgin repeater net 
- ONTARS
- 3640 Tech net
- Moonlighters 7.279
- SCARS
- ECARS
- 1900 net
 
Question #2
- 160m HF antennas (antennas in general)
- Test equipment that you use
- Ham radio software - logging, programming, radio interface
- Homebrew building - rigs, antennas, etc etc
- Contesting
- What does CFRB stand for?
- Digital - HF/VHF/UHF/CW
- non-radio topics - top 3 favourite movies, other hobbies and interests etc

Thanks everyone, 73 to all, VE3OZW

Listen in and learn about LiFePO4 batteries from a major ham supplier.  Everyone welcome.  (11:00 AM MST = 1300 EST = 1800 Z)
73
Dave, VE3WI
-------------------------------------------
COLORADO QRP CLUB EVENT!

Bioenno Power LiFePO4 battery presentation by Kevin Zanjani, Bioenno National Sales Manager

Saturday, November 13
11:00 am Mountain Standard Time
VIA ZOOM

Kevin Zanjani is the National Sales Manager at Bioenno Power, based in Santa Ana, California. This presentation will provide an exciting overview of the company's Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and solar products as it applies to ham radio equipment. Over the years, the company has been profiled in CQ and QST magazines, various websites, and at different hamfests and conventions. Kevin holds a BSEE from the Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MSECE from the Univ. of California, Irvine, and MBA from the Univ of Southern California. He has worked in the technology industry for 19+ years in Southern California and began his career in Detroit.

All are welcome! (Here is our Zoom link for meeting ID 615 605 9877)

A 4.5 AH BIOENNO LIFEPO4 BATTERY (WITH CHARGER) WILL BE GIVEN AWAY AS A DOOR PRIZE!

Our permanent Zoom URL is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6156059877?pwd...tUUC84QT09

Our meeting ID is:

615 605 9877

MORE CQC ZOOM MEETING INFO:
http://www.coloradoqrpclub.org/events/index.htm

72,

Dick AB0CD, CQC Pres.
Jim, N0COT, CQC V.P.
Roger, WB0JNR, CQC Sec.-Treas.

For your reading pleasure, the Nov-Dec issue of the SARC newsletter is available at:  https://bit.ly/SARC21NovDec

122 pages this time!

73
Dave, VE3WI

The city of Hanover ran a very successful SET on Wednesday November 3rd where ARES was invited to participate. Much was learnt that day by all participants involved in what emergency comm’s were required as well as where and when ARES volunteers are needed. It established that ARES is to be notified the moment an EOC gets activated and is part of the Hanover emergency plan. ARES EC objective is now to get this level of participation at all Grey County and Municipal levels.

Cheers

Frank

VA3-GUF / VE0-GUF / VE0-VET
 
******

Frank VA3-GUF would like to thank all who participated successfully and unsuccessfully with the Mobile Repeater VE3-FCH during the Saturday October 30th SET between 9am and noon. Four known unsuccessful Mobile Repeater VE3-FCH contact attempts were reported during the event on the OSR repeater. Any others that had attempted to reach the Mobile Repeater VE3-FCH or even just heard the repeater are asked to get in touch with Frank VA3-GUF with what you experienced during the SET as well as your radio location that day. Frank can be reached at VA3-GUF@outlook.com. 

I thank you in advance for your reply’s. 

Cheers

Frank

VA3-GUF / VE0-GUF / VE0-VET

In the Caribbean and Gulf Coast and East Coast of the US the big threat is hurricanes or flooding. In the South West and Midwest it's flooding and Tornado's. In the West of Canada and the US it's wild fires and Earthquakes. Here in Ontario, we are somewhat blase about such extreme weather events, but we shouldn't be smug or complacent. The proof of course is as close as videos like the one below.

Extreme weather events are expected to become more common in years to come. What once were rare winter storms may be more frequent and more intense. For those and many other reasons we need to be personally prepared, and prepared as communities, to meet the challenges such events bring with them.

Ham Radio operators can and should be ready and willing to step up in emergencies and support our local communities. We are in fact a community of operators spread out across the province, the country and the globe. When the lights go out, as they most certainly will, we need to be on the air and ready to help where it's needed. This of course requires Planning, Preparing and Practice.

There are many who think of Emergency Communications as ARES. They imagine sitting in an Emergency Operations Centre in support of various Emergency Agencies and Administrators. My view of Emergency Communications begins at the community level. I see it as a means of helping family and friends neighbors in our local community. In that regard it is more than just radio gear, it is a humanitarian mission. It's is locally orientated disaster relief.

We need not wait for some emergency in some distant place like Puerto Rico Nepal, or Haiti. The next big emergency event could be right here. So the question I put to each of you now is, could you survive a Texas style blackout where power could be out for several weeks, even months? Before you blow off this idea as highly unlikely, watch the video. A few days without power is inconvenient. A week without power is much more serious - longer than that in the middle of January would be life threatening to many.

I make one final point. Before you can consider helping others you must first be ready to help yourself. As winter rapidly approaches, consider your readiness for a Quebec or Texas style event. Let us all take seriously the potential dangers of such events. The risks really can't be overstated. Be prepared so you don't become one of the unfortunate group that are unprepared and entirely dependent on others for survival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggqZb8BdXPo

Rob, VE3PCP, operating under the club call sign VE3IHR was the Bruce County SET station at the Bruce County Administrative Offices at Walkerton. He kindly recorded his operation and has shared a great video on youtube. Please give it a look.

VA3KOT John Owen Sound VHF NCS
VE3MIO Maureen Wiarton
VE3GIO Larry Woodstock
KO4DXQ Bob Tennessee
VE3BQM Bernie Owen Sound
VA3TS Tom Shallow Lake
VE3OZW Richard Mildmay
VE3RQY Greg Owen Sound
VE3WI Dave Port Elgin
VE3FP Adam Elmwood
9Z4DX Bertrand Trinidad
VA3KOT John Owen Sound HF NCS 3773KHz
VE3BQM Bernie Owen Sound
VA3TS Tom Shallow Lake
VE3FP Adam Elmwood
VE3IJD Gene Honey Harbour
VE3OZW Richard Mildmay
VE3GIO Larry Woodstock 

Topic of Discussion: SET comments and feedback