TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 15.49 DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2015
SUBJECT: SUB-ZERO OPERATIONS
If you hadn't noticed, winter is almost here. It's almost a little late to start preparing. If you don't get started soon, when Sub-Zero temperatures arrive, it may be too late.
When it gets cold equipment such your antenna rotor will start turning slower because of the grease gets stiff. That's hard on the motor since it has to draw more current, and the gears will show some wear. Try to find some grease that doesn't harden up when it gets colder.
How about your generator, when was the last time that you used it? Was it for Field Day? Does it have fresh gasoline and clean oil? When the temperature starts to drop, power lines will start contracting and may break. You will need your generator to provide power. If you store your generator outside without heat, the oil in it will also get thicker, and make it hard to turn the engine if you have to start it with a pull rope. Or if it has an electric start, is the battery charged up?
Cold weather can really hinder our emergency operations if we would be called upon. We should have a plan for reporting to an Emergency Operations Center, and possibly to an incident area. Even though we would most likely not be outside for an extended length of time, we would have to go out in the cold and travel from one place to another.
On your check list, you should have some sort of coveralls if possible, thermal underwear, warm gloves, face protection, insulated boots, and something on your head. There are a number of other items that would be great; these are only some of the basics. Just remember that exposed skin will be subject to frostbite.
For your radio equipment that's a tough one. Maybe some notes for you to think about: External antennas may become very stiff and may not work. The buttons, knobs, and tuners become very slow operating. LCD displays work very slow, and on some radios not at all, however, the radio may still function (i.e. transmit and receive).
Ink pens do not function in extreme cold, so pencils should be used as writing utensils. A number of other difficulties could be possible, especially with your vehicle. With all this in mind, look around your house, and make yourself an emergency plan of your own.
A winter weather checklist works well in helping you gather the proper personal items, and knowing the problems you might encounter can help you protect yourself while you serve and protect your community. Winter is just around the corner.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV