TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM ARRL DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
WOOD COUNTY ARES BULLETIN NR 17.46 DATE: November 12, 2017
SUBJECT: SET UP IN THE COLD
With Winter coming it's time to think about having your communications equipment ready to go. You may be requested to provide emergency communications in locations that aren't the best. You may have to operate in tents, buildings, or the back of a vehicles that aren't heated.
Most radio equipment will operate in cold weather, so that shouldn't be a problem. If it's so cold that the equipment doesn't work, then it's too cold for the operator to be out in it. The main thing about operating in foul weather is to keep the equipment dry.
If you have to set up temporary antennas make sure you keep the connections such as coax connectors dry. Be sure that you keep yourself dry too. Once you get wet, you may have to operate that way for awhile. Have you ever tried to set up communications in the cold? It seems to be harder since your hands will be cold and not work as well. Take your time and think of every move you are going to make.
Remember, ink pens don't work too well when they are cold, so be sure you are using pencils. Be sure to keep your paper dry too.
Once you set up in the cold, you will remember what to do, and what not to do the next time.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV