Analysis of Resource Evaluation Test
held on Saturday October 1, 2005
On October 1, 2005 St. Louis County ARES® held a "Resource Evaluation Test". Field Operators went to six locations around the county and set up stations on six separate 2 meter simplex frequencies. The Test Director announced the Test on the St. Louis and Suburban Radio Club 146.85 repeater and explained its purpose and parameters. Amateur radio operators who wished to participate were asked to go to the public park nearest to their present location and to take a hand held 2 meter transceiver or independently powered mobile radio with them. Upon arriving at the park they were to attempt to contact the Field Operator in their area on simplex.

Analysis

  • There were fourteen participants, not counting the six Field Operators and the Test Director. This was down from sixteen participants last year, but we did have two additional Field Operators this time.
  • The number of contacts each Post received was dramatically up from last year's Test. This can probably be attributed to -
    1. More Field Operators (six instead of four)
    2. The use of field mobile radios in addition to handheld radios
    3. Significantly better antenna schemes
    4. Better Field Operator locations
  • The general ham public seemed more prepared this year. Last year half of the participants were unable to contact any Field Operators. This year almost all of them contacted at least one Field Operator.
  • Having more than one radio at an ARES® Post was a distraction. Most Field Operators turned off their scanners. There should be one operator for each active radio at the scene.
  • Having a second operator at an ARES® Post helped a lot.
  • At future exercises it would probably help to put up a sign at each Post explaining what is happening.
  • South St. Louis County seems to be inundated with "RF soup" from paging companies and broadcast towers. This has a negative impact on amateur radio equipment. If working 2 meter simplex in the south county area, we recommend using the 146 MHz sub-band instead of the 147 MHz sub-band. In most cases it works better.
  • When working in the field it helps to have a backup antenna plan, as two of our Field Operators discovered.
  • Positioning yourself above the mean ground level is good, but it is still important to get your antenna well above the immediate ground.
  • With the proper selection of equipment and location, it is possible to reach any St. Louis County police precinct from any other precinct using 2 meter simplex.

The ARES® operators for the Test were: Eric, N0UIH; Bob, KC0NRK; Max, K0AZV; Craig, K0CMH; Chuck, KC0QKS; Mark, KB5YZY, and Gary, KB0H. Special thanks also to Ed, KC0UKR, who assisted Max at ARES® Post 3.

© 2008 St. Louis County ARES®

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