The basic role of communications is to provide a means for Point A to communicate with Point B. Bulletin #4 discusses the subject of applying MF/HF technology to the problem. This Bulletin could have been a copy of #4 by simply changing MF/HF references to those appropriate for VHF. This is not the case because of the timely arrival of a communiqué from the SO-CM 08W-05, who is a radio amateur. The key parts of it follow:

"My flotilla covers the Western half of Table Rock Lake, from NW Arkansas to just West of Kimberling City MO. That is about 60 miles of lake, from 300 to 2500 feet wide, zigzagging in a generally SW to NE direction. The lake level varies between 900 and 915 ft. Ridges and hilltops ranging from 1000 to 1400 ft surround the lake. At some places the lakeshores are like canyons, with 100 to 250 ft vertical or very steep walls. The 60 miles distance is via the lake. By air it is about 28 miles. We suffered VHF communication problems from the westernmost part of the lake (near Beaver AR) to our easternmost land station (East of Shell Knob MO). We knew that our other land stations reached points along the lake by refraction from riverbed walls and diffraction over ridges. But the distance from our easternmost station was too large. What we did was to replace the omnidirectional antenna of that station with a 4-element directional antenna, pointing SW. Now communications with the extreme Western part of our lake is no problem, despite the fact that there are several 1200 to 1400 ft obstructions in the radio path, and that our easternmost station is only at 985 ft, in the immediate shadow of a 1300 ft hill."

This report shows the application of VHF radio to solve a specific communications problem once it is recognized and defined. After all, it is one thing for two VHF stations, when their antennas are within direct view of each other, to establish and maintain communications, and quite another when they are not within direct view.

MF/HF comms could have been utilized to provide the east-west link. Wisely, though, the problem was resolved as discussed. This was possible because those responsible for designing and implementing a program to cover the entire AOR were knowledgeable in the application and use of VHF technology by reason of being radio amateurs.

The role of VHF communications is for it to be the first choice in solving Auxiliary comms’ requirements. The incident cited above plus some of the fine Auxiliary repeater system clearly show the flexibility that it offers.

There is no doubt that in recent years Auxiliary disaster relief operations have been hampered by the lack of comms resources. In the Red River floods of a few years ago, the comms problem was eased somewhat by an airborne CAP VHF radio repeater. This same aircraft was sending, in real time, live video footage of the scene to ground stations. The shots from 500’ were dramatic, and allowed one to practically read the lettering on trucks on the ground. (AUXAIR might want to take note, especially since the pilot is also an Auxiliarist, and his plane also an Auxiliary facility.)

Interestingly, disaster relief operations in the Midwest could have been aided by the use of MF/HF comms to provide long range links between the short-range VHF systems.

Communications maybe addressed to:

March 2000