We are holding a Basic CERT Course in Crestview if you are interested or  have people interested who haven't had a chance to attend.

What: CERT Basic Course; Approx. 20 hours of instruction
Why: Be better prepared to help yourself, family, neighbors & first responders when disaster strikes
When: June 4, 5 and 11, 12, 2022 (Sat sessions 9 am - 5 pm & Sun 1-5 pm) All days must be attended.
Where: Crestview Fire Station #1 321 N. Woodruff Ave, Crestview FL 32536
How: Register online at www.nokaloosacert.org or call (850) 496-1715 for more info.

Seating is limited to 16
Registration cutoff is Tuesday, May 31st as background checks are required of all new students.  There will be another class offered in Okaloosa County in the Fall.

​Friends,


For those interested in our radio communication workshop, this is the current/working syllabus for our two evenings. Please send me an email if you are attending and I will confirm your attendance. Feel free to forward to your personal & professional groups.  A representative may confirm for the numbers in their group. The more the merrier and I believe we will have enough mentors to assist larger crowds. Once we have an idea of the number of attendees, I will confirm the location.

My bio can be found here  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaplainrobsugg/

Pax/Peace… Rob KM4SPJ

Radio Familiarization Workshop


April 13th & April 27th

18:30 - 20:30 (6:30 - 8:30)
Location: TBD based on RSVP Numbers
Contact: Rob Sugg KM4SPJ, rob_sugg@juno.com

This two-night program will cover most Radio concepts for those who are , or would like to be operational using FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB, Marine, Ham Dual Band (VHF & UHF) and/or Ham HF. This will be a fun and interactive overview totaling 4 hours. It is designed as an active operator refresher, a multidisciplinary ‘mixer’, and an opportunity to explore advanced opportunities. Those interested in pursuing Ham licensure will be introduced to the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club’s [NOARC] training team.

Bring your HT (Handy Talky/Walkie Talkie) if you have one.

EVENING ONE (2 Hours)

[45 Minutes] Theory and Administrative Considerations

• FCC Regulations! Licenses, Operational Distances
• Frequencies & Wave Forms
• Decibels & Power Amplification
• Band Plans & RF Power Limitations (staying within our lanes)
• Organizations and Area of Expertise (Integration and Deconfliction)
• Documentation and Phonetics
• Discussion of national, regional and community emergency communications
• Q & A

BREAK

[45 Minutes] Radios and Equipment

• Antenna Basics (Propagation, Line of Sight, Skip, Tunneling, NVIS)
• Detachable Antennas and Ground Planes
• Private Channels
• SSB
• Antenuation, RF, Squelch, Direction Finding
• SWR
• VFO, Dual VFO vs Static Channels
• HT vs Mobile
• Antenna Options
• Gators
• VHF vs UHF Advantages & Disadvantages
• Calling Frequencies
• Programming Best Practices
• Accessories
• UHF/VHF Go-Box Displays and Discussion
• Q & A

Attendees will call into the Gulf Coast VHF Training Net (GCVTN) at 20:00/8:PM

EVENING TWO (1.5 Hours)

[45 Minutes] Solar & Programming

• Solar & Batteries
• Repeaters, Offset & Tones
• Menu Navigation
• CHIRP & Programming Software
• Radio Testing
• Q & A

BREAK

[45 Minutes] HF Operation

• Coax Antenna Cables & Line Loss
• Baluns, Ladder Line & RF in the Shack
• Grounding
• HF Radio Operation
• CW, Winlink & Digital
• HF Go-Box Displays and Discussion
• Q & A

Attendees will call into the Gulf Coast VHF Training Net (GCVTN) at 20:00/8:PM

Here is an update on our upcoming training for the rest of the year. The November 18th meeting/monthly training will be a potluck with a discussion of our training, as well as an opportunity to talk about what you're looking for from CERT and where we go in the future. On Saturday Nov. 23rd from 9 am-12 pm we will have a Stop The Bleed class. This class will be in the Fire Station #1 and is open to CERT and the public. The December 16th meeting/monthly training will cover holiday and travel safety. 
 

​We are going to move the monthly BoD and Team meetings, but not much. The Board of Directors meeting will change from the 2nd Monday to the 1st Monday of the month and the Team meeting will change from the 4th Monday to the 3rd Monday of the month starting in October. Both will still begin at 7 pm. The purpose is to deconflict them with the Crestview City Council meetings.
We had looked at a Saturday meeting option and there were more conflicts than Mondays.

Unfortunately we had to cancel our Basic CERT course scheduled for July 9-11. We didn't have enough people sign up. We will update you on the next class as soon as it is scheduled.